Okey dokey, so I'm a little bit old-fashioned. Make that really old-fashioned. In the last few months I've been invited to share every detail of my life on facebook, twitter, flikr, yahoo updates, yahoo messenger, yahoo something else, aol, msn and a whole bunch of other sites I didn't even know existed. Some of these sites also have "activities & events" in which it would be *fun* to participate. Great.
People… I rarely get to my email on a regular basis. Friends have learned that it might take days for me to reply. It's not that I don't want to reply or that I lack basic manners, it's just that my life outside of the computer is busy, often chaotic and has its own demands. (Giant Neanderthal squids make many demands; it's in their DNA.)
If I participated in the many websites listed above and a whole bunch I've already forgotten, there wouldn't be anything to share. My life would be lost in cyberspace. (Not to mention what the giant squid would have to say about my spending time on the computer and not with him.)
"I think I'll start twittering and joining in on some of those websites where everyone communicates with everyone else on a regular (sometimes hourly) basis." I casually mentioned the other day, greasing the slide I was bound to slip down.
"No problem, bambina. You go right ahead and do that and spend every night over my lap – face down, butt up – that'll work for me," His Holiness remarked, flexing his biceps.
His Holiness has Popeye biceps despite the absence of spinach in our lives. I wonder if it's those other green uglies he eats…
"Would you like a sample?" he added.
I'm sure I've mentioned that the man was born without couth. Must be his Neanderthal ancestry.
Back to the subject of email. Between email and this occasional blog I'm pretty much occupied on the Internet. There are a few websites I visit regularly but I only participate minimally on them – the Navy wives site, a few fiber arts sites, a story site I used to chat in but now the chat group doesn't show up until way past my bedtime so I don't get to chat with them much. I don't even have time to visit my own links. Is that pathetic or what?
Meanwhile…
There's another big weather system moving up the U.S. east coast. We'll probably get some of it up here in the Quebec boonies. Not that there isn't plenty of snow and ice still blanketing us… I've been warned (repeatedly yawn) that snow angels are not on my agenda. The snow drifts are probably deeper than the depth of my body in a horizontal position so I'll heed that warning.
However… nobody has mentioned snow people. Anatomically correct snow people have never graced the area around the log cabin we're staying in. I wouldn't want to show favoritism to U.S. America… Canada is, after all, in North America… I have some nifty wool scarves, a few chic hats, gloves and bikinis I could add to the snow people to make them "R" rated instead of "OH MY GOD!" rated. (Pausing here to ponder why there are bikinis in my luggage? It's winter here! Hmmm…)
Snow people are a form of art. You've seen ice sculptures… snow people are made of packed snow – a variation on ice crystals… - sort of. I shall contribute art to the Quebec countryside.
"You'd better not be thinking of building snow creatures, Sar."
The man is a mind reader!
"Not going to do that, dear."
I'm planning an entire snow VILLAGE with a snow FORT and lots of snow BALLS as ammunition. This will also be a charitable event. I shall donate all the carrots, celery stalks, and other green uglies. I'm so generous I can't stand it.
"I'm going into town for supplies. Behave yourself while I'm gone. Take a nap; you need to rest a little."
"How long will you be gone?" An innocent question…
"Two-three hours at the most."
Smiling… I love new projects.
~Sar~
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Weather & a Wuss
Snow, ice pellets, freezing rain! Does it get any better than this? We're snug as a bug in our log cabin house up here in the Canadian boonies, fire blazing away. The pups are snoozing in front of the fire, the cat is lying on the mastiff's back occasionally giving the sweet animal a swat when the snoring gets loud. I'm drinking a LARGE mug of hot chocolate – Cowboy put a mega amount of marshmallows in it – and I'm eating chocolate lava brownies I made last night. (The giant squid is such a wuss. He's eating what he calls a normal breakfast – cream cheese omelet, toast, sausage, coffee.) (I do not like sausage.) Tsk. The man lacks a true spirit of adventure. I'm going to tell him so as soon as I finish the last of the brownies and have one foot out of the room.
I love winter! I love winter weather. I wouldn't mind going out on the deck and inhaling some of it but sure as shootin, the second I open the sliding door to the deck a behemoth monster will rise up and grab me, growl something not worth listening to and then no matter how many layers of clothing I'm wearing, I'll feel his giant paw on my teeny tiny backside. Tsk. Didn't I say he has no spirit of adventure? (He's a wuss, too.)
It's about 10 or so below zero right now; the wind is singing high pitched songs. Fog is pretty thick but I can just make out a few tree branches swaying. The lake is frozen, of course. The cat is fascinated with the sounds and sights but will eventually succumb to sleep; he has to get his 20 hours of snoozing in – it's his job. The pups continue to snore through it all. The giant squid is looking at me… I know that look. He notes the weather, my interest in it and is watching. He's a protective wuss, but still a wuss. No adventurous spirit. Tsk.
"Sar…" he says. It's a warning tone.
Tsk. Haven't done anything… yet.
I don't think he's going to get much done today; he'll be too busy watching me.
Cowboy says he'd like one of my chocolate lava brownies. Oh please! As if I'd share chocolate! I suggest he help himself to the Twinkies in the pantry. Some Italian mumbling follows. Oh dear. One of those words is parte inferior which translates to "bottom" and the other word – which I can't spell means to spank. I think I'll stuff the rest of the lava brownies in my mouth and take refuge behind the rotts.
"SAR!"
Oye. I think he drank too much coffee.
Did I mention it's foggy, alternating snow and freezing rain? The wind is blowing. I'm sitting behind 2 rottweilers eating chocolate lava brownies, drinking hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows. I'm fairly certain the giant squid is contemplating evil while he watches me. Okay, he just might have a little bit of an adventurous spirit. But he's still a wuss.
~Sar~
I love winter! I love winter weather. I wouldn't mind going out on the deck and inhaling some of it but sure as shootin, the second I open the sliding door to the deck a behemoth monster will rise up and grab me, growl something not worth listening to and then no matter how many layers of clothing I'm wearing, I'll feel his giant paw on my teeny tiny backside. Tsk. Didn't I say he has no spirit of adventure? (He's a wuss, too.)
It's about 10 or so below zero right now; the wind is singing high pitched songs. Fog is pretty thick but I can just make out a few tree branches swaying. The lake is frozen, of course. The cat is fascinated with the sounds and sights but will eventually succumb to sleep; he has to get his 20 hours of snoozing in – it's his job. The pups continue to snore through it all. The giant squid is looking at me… I know that look. He notes the weather, my interest in it and is watching. He's a protective wuss, but still a wuss. No adventurous spirit. Tsk.
"Sar…" he says. It's a warning tone.
Tsk. Haven't done anything… yet.
I don't think he's going to get much done today; he'll be too busy watching me.
Cowboy says he'd like one of my chocolate lava brownies. Oh please! As if I'd share chocolate! I suggest he help himself to the Twinkies in the pantry. Some Italian mumbling follows. Oh dear. One of those words is parte inferior which translates to "bottom" and the other word – which I can't spell means to spank. I think I'll stuff the rest of the lava brownies in my mouth and take refuge behind the rotts.
"SAR!"
Oye. I think he drank too much coffee.
Did I mention it's foggy, alternating snow and freezing rain? The wind is blowing. I'm sitting behind 2 rottweilers eating chocolate lava brownies, drinking hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows. I'm fairly certain the giant squid is contemplating evil while he watches me. Okay, he just might have a little bit of an adventurous spirit. But he's still a wuss.
~Sar~
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Checking in
Cowboy here.
The imp is napping; either the insomnia is back or it's the dosage on meds. I'm pleased she's resting. Sar needs a bit more down time than before those health issues cropped up. Those meds are a challenge to regulate. That rapid metabolism plays havoc with most of them; too little, the imp wilts – blood pressure and heart rate too low – too much, she's dizzy from an adrenaline high. We'll be heading to DC to check in with the medics if lab work is necessary. No need to tell you this option won't go over big with my wife. Usually this means an overnight stay in the hospital. Definitely not looking forward to that - neither are the medics.
We're enjoying quality time in the house where we spent our honeymoon; by a frozen lake in Quebec. The first time we were here the only way in was by floatplane; now there's a 2-lane gravel road that gives way to other roads eventually leading to a highway. 20+ years makes a difference. The house has been remodeled a few times over the years; the owners are old friends. Appliances are new; new rugs cover the wood floors, the furnace has been replaced. We like using the fireplace as much as possible; cozier that way plus mia bambina will fall asleep in front of a fire faster than simply going to bed.
There's enough snow on the ground to tempt the imp into making snow angels. That's not gonna happen. The temps are low. That'll keep the snow around for a while. When I let the dogs out I keep a watchful eye to be sure Sar stays inside. My wife has a bit of commentary to make when I come in – mostly reasons why she should enjoy a bit of fresh air. I open a window just enough to give her some. This leads to more commentary and the occasional swat on her backside. I already know I'm a Neanderthal but a protective one. A short while back the imp got out onto the deck; there was a full moon. Under a heavy coat she's in her birthday suit; flashed the neighborhood – said she was paying homage to the moon – I grabbed her, went back inside, warmed her up in the appropriate manner. That's my job; I take it seriously. *Smiling*
Mia bambina is cooking a bit, baking too. This makes her happy, keeps her relaxed. As long as she doesn't overdo things I'm content to let life happen in the old routine. There's plenty of food in the freezer; we won't starve. Her fiber art has taken a bit of a backseat; working on it about an hour or so a day; much more than that and a rest is in order. Naps make me happy; occasionally I join her.
I'm doing a bit of consulting, a bit of writing for the Navy. Catching up with some old matters that could use some revision. Glad I'm retired; no deadlines on this watch. Watching the imp has always been a full-time endeavor. Now I have the time to indulge it. It's quite enjoyable.
Cowboy
The imp is napping; either the insomnia is back or it's the dosage on meds. I'm pleased she's resting. Sar needs a bit more down time than before those health issues cropped up. Those meds are a challenge to regulate. That rapid metabolism plays havoc with most of them; too little, the imp wilts – blood pressure and heart rate too low – too much, she's dizzy from an adrenaline high. We'll be heading to DC to check in with the medics if lab work is necessary. No need to tell you this option won't go over big with my wife. Usually this means an overnight stay in the hospital. Definitely not looking forward to that - neither are the medics.
We're enjoying quality time in the house where we spent our honeymoon; by a frozen lake in Quebec. The first time we were here the only way in was by floatplane; now there's a 2-lane gravel road that gives way to other roads eventually leading to a highway. 20+ years makes a difference. The house has been remodeled a few times over the years; the owners are old friends. Appliances are new; new rugs cover the wood floors, the furnace has been replaced. We like using the fireplace as much as possible; cozier that way plus mia bambina will fall asleep in front of a fire faster than simply going to bed.
There's enough snow on the ground to tempt the imp into making snow angels. That's not gonna happen. The temps are low. That'll keep the snow around for a while. When I let the dogs out I keep a watchful eye to be sure Sar stays inside. My wife has a bit of commentary to make when I come in – mostly reasons why she should enjoy a bit of fresh air. I open a window just enough to give her some. This leads to more commentary and the occasional swat on her backside. I already know I'm a Neanderthal but a protective one. A short while back the imp got out onto the deck; there was a full moon. Under a heavy coat she's in her birthday suit; flashed the neighborhood – said she was paying homage to the moon – I grabbed her, went back inside, warmed her up in the appropriate manner. That's my job; I take it seriously. *Smiling*
Mia bambina is cooking a bit, baking too. This makes her happy, keeps her relaxed. As long as she doesn't overdo things I'm content to let life happen in the old routine. There's plenty of food in the freezer; we won't starve. Her fiber art has taken a bit of a backseat; working on it about an hour or so a day; much more than that and a rest is in order. Naps make me happy; occasionally I join her.
I'm doing a bit of consulting, a bit of writing for the Navy. Catching up with some old matters that could use some revision. Glad I'm retired; no deadlines on this watch. Watching the imp has always been a full-time endeavor. Now I have the time to indulge it. It's quite enjoyable.
Cowboy
Friday, January 08, 2010
RECALCULATING!
Do you have a GPS in your car? We're in northern Quebec for a while and though we've been here numerous times, we're not locals. So finding our way around is sometimes confusing (and the natives all have an accent…) The GPS in Cowboy's SUV has a mute button for the noisy lady giving directions. When His Holiness gets tired of her voice and/or thinks she's taking us the long way around to get somewhere, he ignores her by shutting her up.
We rented another car for emergencies – a backup – the snow/black ice conditions are unpredictable. The lady in the GPS is very loud, very firm in her directions and very annoyed when Cowboy doesn't follow them to the letter. He yells at her. LOL!
"I heard you the FIRST time" he yells.
"Ok, ok. I'm turning here!" muttered with sarcasm.
"For cryin' out loud…" (the rest of his words hissed in Italian.)
There is no mute button on this particular GPS.
It's all I can do not to laugh out loud.
I can't help myself; a giggle or two (or more) escape and I get the "look" from the other side of the car. BullyBoy, SweetPea and Tank are in the back seat and on my hand signal, BullyBoy slurps the back of the squid's neck. Cowboy turns his head to the side for a second and growls at the mastiff. BullyBoy thinks that's a romantic gesture and licks the squid's neck again. (Jeez! I hope BB isn't going gay on me!) Both rotts are looking out the window and oblivious. They'll only pay attention to the giant squid if he has something to eat that they want.
The GPS lady is yelling the same directions that were ignored. This time she's louder, firmer and getting on all our nerves. SweetPea barks at her; Tank growls. BullyBoy keeps loving Cowboy's neck. I am trying not to laugh out loud but as fate would have it, I lose it. I'm laughing so hard Cowboy pulls off to the side of the road. He's annoyed… frustrated that we're lost, and ready to smack something… somebody… err…
He can't smack the dogs… they smack (bite) back. He can't spank me; I'm the innocent here… (I'm a giggling innocent but innocent regardless and if he tried, my dogs would chew him up like spitting tobacco.)
Cowboy takes command! He slams his fist on the dashboard to shut the GPS lady up. She keeps yelling… "RECALCULATING"
"You just hit a woman!" I tell him, trying not to laugh in his face.
A lot of muttered Italian follows.
Meanwhile, the GPS lady is still yelling "RECALCULATING" "RECALCULATING" "RECALCULATING" over and over again. I'm worried the squid is going to shoot the dashboard! Tsk. I take pity on my husband's frustration and disconnect the GPS by simply pushing the "exit" button on the navigation system.
Cowboy frowns, thinks the GPS lady died, relaxes and pulls back onto the highway.
~sigh~
The things I do to keep harmony in our lives. This might be one of those naughty/nice moments I need to jot down in my first 2010 letter to Santa.
Meanwhile… I had occasion to ride in the same car with the same GPS lady with our friend David at the wheel. Wowzers! That Marine cusses in English! I've heard all those words at one time or another but his combinations were truly creative! I must remember those for future… uh… stuff.
When Cowboy and I got home the night he slammed his fist on the dashboard, I teased him and said he had no reason to burn my butt. He said "Wanna bet?"
Tsk!
~Sar~
We rented another car for emergencies – a backup – the snow/black ice conditions are unpredictable. The lady in the GPS is very loud, very firm in her directions and very annoyed when Cowboy doesn't follow them to the letter. He yells at her. LOL!
"I heard you the FIRST time" he yells.
"Ok, ok. I'm turning here!" muttered with sarcasm.
"For cryin' out loud…" (the rest of his words hissed in Italian.)
There is no mute button on this particular GPS.
It's all I can do not to laugh out loud.
I can't help myself; a giggle or two (or more) escape and I get the "look" from the other side of the car. BullyBoy, SweetPea and Tank are in the back seat and on my hand signal, BullyBoy slurps the back of the squid's neck. Cowboy turns his head to the side for a second and growls at the mastiff. BullyBoy thinks that's a romantic gesture and licks the squid's neck again. (Jeez! I hope BB isn't going gay on me!) Both rotts are looking out the window and oblivious. They'll only pay attention to the giant squid if he has something to eat that they want.
The GPS lady is yelling the same directions that were ignored. This time she's louder, firmer and getting on all our nerves. SweetPea barks at her; Tank growls. BullyBoy keeps loving Cowboy's neck. I am trying not to laugh out loud but as fate would have it, I lose it. I'm laughing so hard Cowboy pulls off to the side of the road. He's annoyed… frustrated that we're lost, and ready to smack something… somebody… err…
He can't smack the dogs… they smack (bite) back. He can't spank me; I'm the innocent here… (I'm a giggling innocent but innocent regardless and if he tried, my dogs would chew him up like spitting tobacco.)
Cowboy takes command! He slams his fist on the dashboard to shut the GPS lady up. She keeps yelling… "RECALCULATING"
"You just hit a woman!" I tell him, trying not to laugh in his face.
A lot of muttered Italian follows.
Meanwhile, the GPS lady is still yelling "RECALCULATING" "RECALCULATING" "RECALCULATING" over and over again. I'm worried the squid is going to shoot the dashboard! Tsk. I take pity on my husband's frustration and disconnect the GPS by simply pushing the "exit" button on the navigation system.
Cowboy frowns, thinks the GPS lady died, relaxes and pulls back onto the highway.
~sigh~
The things I do to keep harmony in our lives. This might be one of those naughty/nice moments I need to jot down in my first 2010 letter to Santa.
Meanwhile… I had occasion to ride in the same car with the same GPS lady with our friend David at the wheel. Wowzers! That Marine cusses in English! I've heard all those words at one time or another but his combinations were truly creative! I must remember those for future… uh… stuff.
When Cowboy and I got home the night he slammed his fist on the dashboard, I teased him and said he had no reason to burn my butt. He said "Wanna bet?"
Tsk!
~Sar~
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year!
A brand new year. So many things to accomplish – lots of chocolate to consume, lots of mischief to plan… I actually don't plan mischief; it sort of happens naturally. Cowboy says I'm a magnet for mischief. Hmmm, that doesn't sound too bad. I'm feeling much better these days – my energy level is increasing slowly. And… did you know that on New Year's Eve – last night – we had a *BLUE* Moon! Naturally, I wanted to check it out. It's not that often we get two full moons in the same month. I bundled up – it was in the mid-20s last night. (We're still on the East Coast temporarily.) Went out on the 2nd floor deck – the yard is still snow deep. And as soon as I got out, I flashed the moon and probably whatever neighbors down the side of the cliff that happened to be looking in my direction. I was only able to dance for a few minutes.
Guess who caught me…
The giant squid muttered something in Italian when he bounced me over his shoulder. I wish he's speak a little more distinctly when he's cursing… so I can try to memorize the expression and find out what it means. It sounded ominous. My excursion was short-lived but I wanted the moon to know I hadn't forgotten it and that I'll be back when the weather is warmer.
His Holiness wasn't as annoyed as I thought he might be but he reminded me that his hand hadn't forgotten how to heat my teeny tiny tush. Tsk. I reminded him I was still feeling less than 100%. He reminded me that it was the first day of the New Year and that my score card already had a black "X" on it. Double tsk. Apparently I forgot that he's so-o-o O-L-D he has to write things down so he can remind himself of how naughty I've been. I need to spray cheese glop on that score card so one of the critters will sniff it and eat it.
Run Amok Week was a huge success! I managed to jam snow down the giant squid's back when he was shoveling the driveway. Jumped him, squished the cold snow down his jacket, leaped free but tripped over one of the pups. The former SEAL retaliated – flipped me under his arm and pretended my backside was a percussion instrument. Did I ever mention the man is totally lacking in couth!
I made peach cobbler, served it hot – as a snack one afternoon. Covered it in peach ice cream. While the squid shoveled it in, I stood on the other side of the room, and teased him in very naughty ways. He was torn between eating the cobbler hot… or tackling me – a really hard decision for a man who thinks peaches are as important and necessary as the air he breathes. With his mouth full… he tried to grab me. I eluded him, jumping on and over furniture, keeping the pups between us and in general, making him work for it.
I think the cobbler fortified him…
Got caught. The peach cobbler was dumped on my belly where it was consumed! And the band played on.
Wishing you all the joys of the New Year and new decade. My New Year resolution is to create and enjoy a whole new set of naughty things to do.
~Sar~
Guess who caught me…
The giant squid muttered something in Italian when he bounced me over his shoulder. I wish he's speak a little more distinctly when he's cursing… so I can try to memorize the expression and find out what it means. It sounded ominous. My excursion was short-lived but I wanted the moon to know I hadn't forgotten it and that I'll be back when the weather is warmer.
His Holiness wasn't as annoyed as I thought he might be but he reminded me that his hand hadn't forgotten how to heat my teeny tiny tush. Tsk. I reminded him I was still feeling less than 100%. He reminded me that it was the first day of the New Year and that my score card already had a black "X" on it. Double tsk. Apparently I forgot that he's so-o-o O-L-D he has to write things down so he can remind himself of how naughty I've been. I need to spray cheese glop on that score card so one of the critters will sniff it and eat it.
Run Amok Week was a huge success! I managed to jam snow down the giant squid's back when he was shoveling the driveway. Jumped him, squished the cold snow down his jacket, leaped free but tripped over one of the pups. The former SEAL retaliated – flipped me under his arm and pretended my backside was a percussion instrument. Did I ever mention the man is totally lacking in couth!
I made peach cobbler, served it hot – as a snack one afternoon. Covered it in peach ice cream. While the squid shoveled it in, I stood on the other side of the room, and teased him in very naughty ways. He was torn between eating the cobbler hot… or tackling me – a really hard decision for a man who thinks peaches are as important and necessary as the air he breathes. With his mouth full… he tried to grab me. I eluded him, jumping on and over furniture, keeping the pups between us and in general, making him work for it.
I think the cobbler fortified him…
Got caught. The peach cobbler was dumped on my belly where it was consumed! And the band played on.
Wishing you all the joys of the New Year and new decade. My New Year resolution is to create and enjoy a whole new set of naughty things to do.
~Sar~
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