Elemental

"Time is a lot of the things people say that God is.  There's always preexisting, and having no end.

There's the notion of being all powerful, because nothing can stand against time, can it?  Not mountains, not armies.

And time is, of course, all-healing.  Give anything enough time, and everything is taken care of: all pain encompassed, all hardship erased, all loss subsumed.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  Remember, man, that thou art dust; and unto dust thou shalt return.

And if time is anything akin to God, I suppose that memory must be the devil."

Diana Gabaldon (A Breath of Snow and Ashes)

Eight huge piles of yard waste later, and my yard is now cleaned up and ready to go for Spring.

It all comes down to this.

Fire is elemental.  It draws us in, melts us down and allows us to see what is left of a life.  These trees and bushes that once were, are now ashes.

SM points at the fire.  "That'll be us someday. 98 cents."

65% Oxygen
18% Carbon
10% Hydrogen
3% Nitrogen
1.5% Calcium
1% Phosphorous
0.35% Potassium
0.25% Sulfur
0.15% Sodium
0.15% Chlorine
0.05% Magnesium
0.0004% Iron
0.00004% Iodine

I think we've all heard that.  High school Chemistry 101.  98 cents.  Terrifing thought if you're a 16 year old kid just starting out.

Death.  The big "D".

When I was younger I used to be afraid of death.  I think that's pretty normal. 

But as I've gotten older I realize that it's not death I'm afraid of, but of being sick and in pain.  The wasting away.  I'm not looking forward to that.  I'd rather go quick.  (Who wouldn't?)

But it's not the process of dying that I'm concerned about now.  It's the process of living.  How I live my life.  How I can extract the most out of each day that I've been blessed with.

I don't want to live a life that's unfulfilled. 

I'm not talking about a bucket list.  Some people need that.  My needs are much simpler than that.

When I hug SM, I feel his sigh of comfort as he relaxes against me.  I know his eyes are closed, just like mine.  We Are.  That brings me such joy.

I embraced the heat of the sun on my skin yesterday.  Sunburn.  Sensation.  Pain.  Heat glowing from me.  The coolness of my hands on my skin as I try to soothe it.  I marvel at that.

I felt the breeze of the wind lift my hair.  Hundreds of little hair follicles tickle me.  I brushed the hair off my face and from my mouth.  This makes me smile. 

This morning I exclaimed over the burning tingles of my fingertips as Winter reminds me that it's not finished with us just yet.  This pain that comes in waves and burns and makes me curse.

Elemental...Simple, primitive, basic, raw.

Life is complex.  But when the fire burns it all away...it comes down to just a few simple things.

Loving and being loved.  Breathe in...exhale out.  My heart beats as does yours.  You are.  So am I.

(I smile...)

Busy Sunday Morning

Pre-dawn and SM asks "What time do you want to start?"  He's ready to go!  Puppies?  After their typical 2 miler this morning, they are down for the count.

Me? 

"After 10:00 for sure.  It's still to cold out there."  We started the morning in the mid 30's.  It's forecast to be a sub-tropical 69 degrees today!

'How about breakfast?"  SM asks.  "Cakers and eggs?"

"Sure."  I make up some cinnamon apple cakes and discuss today's plans. 

(*My seeds came in this past Thursday (quick turn around!) and I was working on my "2011 Garden Binder" while SM ate his breakfast.  But that's another post.)

We discuss the loads of pruning to do still and SM wants to burn.  Me? I need to crockpot a chicken as I know there won't be any energy for cooking later on today. 

"I think you should give it a few weeks and let the brush dry out a bit.  It'll only smoke and smolder."  Me

"I can at least cut the grass and burn it."  SM

We have a huge Palmetto Sawgrass in our backyard.  Like Crepe Myrtles, the sawgrass was one of those plants that I needed in my "southern" backyard.  They're beautiful but need to be cut back every spring.  And the grass really does "cut" you.  Long pants, long sleeves and gloves are a must when dealing with this beast. 

One time, one of those long blades "crept" up my pant leg.  I thought I had a snake up there for sure.  It was moving ever higher...you shoulda heard me screaming...just like a girl!  Those pants came off quick I can tell you that.  If the neighbors saw anything they've been "Mum" about it.  (grin)

By 9:30 SM is antsy.  Pretty soon I hear the trimmers going and see the whiffs of smoke.

Burn Baby Burn!

What is it about men and fire?

It's mesmerising but I swear the only reason he's out there cutting away is because it gives him something to burn.  (grin)

He's been giving me the "Whatcha doing in there stink-eye so I'd better finish this post and head out.  See Ya!

Spring Yard Clean Up Day One

When Mother Nature hands you a 65 degree weekend in January, you'd better make the most of it.  (Apologies to my northern readers  I know, I'm out doing yard work and you're out shoveling snow!) 

These privet hedges can grow like a freak.  Ginormous!  Great for instant privacy but they are long over due for a big time hair cut.  Last year we waited too long to trim them and had nesting birds well into May.  I maybe trimmed off a foot total last summer. 

This year we attacked early.  Time to trim back.  Way back.  As in down to the bones.  Don't worry.  They love it.  They'll be more manageable and attractive because of this pruning.

"Why am I always the clean-up crew?"  Me

"Because I'm the hunter and you're the gatherer."  SM

"Who you taking a picture off?"

Piles and piles of brush to burn.  We chose this neighborhood because it didn't have a HOA.  And it's legal to burn except in drought conditions.

I'm sure the neighbors are annoyed by our bi-annual burns but we try to burn quickly and only in weather when people won't have their windows open.  Like January and November.

It was too windy to burn today.  Maybe tomorrow.

We're actually only about halfway through.  Tomorrow we'll need to finish the back and move into the front yard.

It's good to be doing some physical exercise.  And it's interesting to watch our yard become more defined by cleaning it up.  Like a blank palette. 

It'll be SO much easier expanding the garden with all this out of the way.

The Good Sh*t

If you have a garden you know that sh*t is important.  It makes the green stuff grow real good.

We are lacking in good sh*t around here.

Oh we have plenty of dog sh*t.  And the occasional bull sh*t surfaces from time to time.  But none of that is going to make my garden grow any better.

I'd like to have some chicken sh*t.  But SM has put his foot down...no chickens.

(The other morning SM stands looking outside with a coffee cup in his hand.)

"There's nothing good on the computer and TV is a waste of time." SM

"Cabin fever?" Me

"I guess."  SM
 
(I see my opportunity for my monthly chicken zinger.  You see I have  not given up hope that with a little gentle persuasion SM can be brought around to my way of thinking.)

"Just think...if we had chickens you'd be out there watering and feeding and...."  Me

"No chickens.  No chickens. NO CHICKENS!"  SM

"...fluffing them up and talking to them and looking for eggs and..."  Me

"We don't eat THAT many eggs."  SM

"Well, I wouldn't want just laying hens, I'd want to raise some meat chickens for the freezer and..."  Me

(Looking around I find that I'm talking to myself.  Again.  SM has left the room.)

Lynda at Cortina Creek Farm posted briefly about her worm bins.  I've read about worm composting and worm castings before.  Hmmmm.

Lets see.  They don't cluck.  They don't need fancy housing.  The neighbors won't complain about them.  They're not stinky (SM's opinion not mine...)  The dogs won't eat them.  (Well, maybe they would eat them but I think I can prevent that from happening.)

Is this the way to go?  Can I get my good sh*t from a source that SM will tolerate?

This requires further investigation.  Thoughts anyone?

Freakin Hormones

I had worked up a patient earlier this week and yesterday was her procedure.  We had hit it off instantly.  She is truely one of those "good" people that are so rare in the world.  *You know what I'm taking about.  Good to her soul.*

Her Dad came in with her yesterday and we were all joking and teasing each other.  Later, her surgeon came in and it turns out that they had all gone to Central America with each other on a misson trip.  (I knew it!  She really was a good soul.)

Anyway...we finish things up and she and her Dad were thanking me for my assistance and we gave each other a hug and they left.  I went in back to scrub the instruments...and burst into tears.

She could have been a daughter I'd have been proud to call my own.

(Freakin hormones!)

I have a bald spot.

Just above my forehead, smack between my eyes.  I have a freakin bald spot. It started off as a sunburn spot this summer along where I usually part my hair and it never recovered.  Everywhere else my hair is normal and thick.  I just happen to have a quarter size bald spot smack in the middle of my forehead.  I now have a comb-over. I've let my bangs grow a little longer and have to daily manipulate those little hairs over my bald spot.  (I'm more vain than I care to admit.)

(Freakin hormones!)

For the past 2 days I have been off limits to SM.  As in "do not touch me, do not talk to me, do sit close to me, do not even look at me sideways or I'll rip your freakin head off."

He's a smart man.  He kept his distance.

I'm feeling slightly more normal today and extended my apologies.

(Freakin hormones!)

My Ever Expanding Waistlin...Ooops...My Expanding Garden

Can a garden ever be big enough?  Good question.  

I can tell you that MY garden needs to be at least as big as the two bellies that it needs to fill so...

Here's the plan.  (Pardon my arts and crafts style layout.)

Yellow = Existing "dug-out" beds.
Blue = 4 new raised beds
Adding 2 fruit trees (2 more on the other side of the yard)
Try a sweet corn patch

I'm wanting to put in 2 long (3' X 24' Horizontal view) and 2 slightly shorter (3' X 16' vertical view) raised beds this year.

My soil is like concrete so last year when I started the garden I either had to dig it out and add soil or I had to go up. 

Money was pretty tight last year so I opted not to raise the beds.  I just dug out the crappy clay soil and back filled them with Mels Mix.  What a mistake!  June hit with torrential rain (7 inches in 1 day!) and my "dug-outs" turned into swimming pools.  Normally we trend towards hot and dry so it came as a surprise that we had too much water.

It seems reasonable therefore to try some raised beds this year.  I'm pretty sure the tomatoes (they never recovered) will like it much better. 

I'm also going to till or "double dig" a patch of regular NC dirt beside the shed for sweet corn.  Just out of curiosity.  This area will get some shade late in the day (after 5 pm in summer) but I don't think it'll impact the corn that much.  We'll see.

On the opposite side of the yard we'll be working various fruit patch's and fruit trees.

I'm still researching raspberries and blackberries (unsure if it's worth trying in this region.)  SM doesn't care for blackberries so this one would be for me and I'm not sure it's worth it.  Both SM and I LOVE red raspberries but the NC State site sounds very discouraging in terms of success.  Heritage, Southland and Mandrian varieties are what they recommend if we want to give it a shot.

I'm considering planting grapes. (SM says don't bother)  But I see a lot of grape arbors in a lot of backyards so maybe our climate is good for growing them.  I'd want them for straight out fresh eating so I'm more interested in a seedless variety.  Lakemont and Niagara (white), Moored and Suffolk (red) and Venus (black) seem to get a good review.

I'd like to try Asian Pears, but SM would rather have pears that are good for canning. Asians are great eating pears (like an apple) but I'm not sure how they would can.  We bought them at the local farmers market this past fall and spoke with the vendor who says that a fellow was growing them successfully over near Ashville.  Make me want to try them.  They're yummy and WAY too expensive to buy in the store.

Research shows that fire blight is an issue with growing pears around here.  NC State says that the Kieffer variety seems to be a reliable producer around here.  Never heard of them.  They also recommend Moonglow and Magness.  

We will definitely be adding a Granny Smith and a Pink Lady apple tree on the other side of the yard.  I NEED me some Granny Smith applesauce and I love the crisp tartness of the Pink Lady's.  We put in Fuji and Gala last year as those are SM's favorites.

Sounds like a lot of work doesn't it?  But it's fun and rewarding so I don't mind.

I'll be curious if these plans actually turn into reality.  Ever notice that?  It starts off as one thing in your head and then everything comes out completely different.

White Nights

Several years ago I read an autobiography of Queen Elizabeth I where she describes sleepless nights as her white nights.  I've come to accept that term to describe my own sleepless nights instead of the popular all nighter. 

When we were younger, all nighters were just part of the partying culture that we grew up in.  Now that I'm older, partying has nothing to do with it.  I start off sleeping...nodding off around 9...but I usually wake up around midnight or 1:00 and I'm fresh and perky.  (No more sleep for me!)

This used to happen once or twice a year usually around spring and fall with the dreaded time change.  I called these my "reset" days...re-adjusting to the shift in time.

My white nights now happen at least once or twice a month.  I used to cranky about them ("freaking hormones!") but I've tried lately to embrace them.  Use these white nights to get some me time.

I looked up white nights on wikipedia and they state that many cities have White Night Festivals, usually art festivals that go throughout the night.  In northern climates white nights describe the "all night sun" of summer.  Having experienced that in Alaska a few years ago, I can understand the almost euphoric feeling that you get from an all night sun. A reason to celebrate!

But in the dead of winter a white night means I need some other kind of distraction. 

This past Saturday night I went to bed at 10 and was up by 1:30 fresh as a daisy.  I put myself to work with the seed catalogs (researching, selecting and ordering) drew up my plans for the garden, buzzed through your blogs and wrote some of my own.

The next thing I know it's 6am and everybody's up.

"You up all night?" SM inquires.

"Yep...got a lot done too." Me

(SM wanders away in search of coffee shaking his head.  He always worries about my sleepless nights.) 

"It's no big deal honey...they just happen.  It's hormones and getting older."

"Why don't you take a sleeping pill?"  (SM takes pills for everything.  Me?  I'm a pill-a-phobe.  I avoid pill unless I absolutely have too.)

"They make me feel sluggish.  Look at me!  Lots of energy!" Me

"Well, maybe you'll take a nap later." SM

By 10am I'm starting to feel it.  But I don't want to crawl back in bed.

"You know, Bern (SM's sister) left a Diet Mountain Dew in the fridge." SM points out.

(Ooooo...Diet Mountain Dew and I were best friends for the past 20 years.  I had to give it up this summer with my tummy problems.)

"No...I'm not supposed to drink caffeine or soda.  It'll flare my heartburn." I replied.

An hour later SM walks into the kitchen and sees me chugging away.

"Gave in, Huh? SM

"This is sooo good." Me

"You should see your face..." SM

"Remind me of how happy I am right now in a few hours when my heartburn kicks in." Me

"How about a Tums chaser?" SM

"Bleah...and ruin a perfectly good moment?"

Seeds of Change

Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution.  If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds. Norman Vincent Peale

Dreams are the seeds of change.  Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream. Debby Boone 

I spent some time this weekend researching and considering our garden for this year.

So far the only seed catalog I've received has been from Territorial which is nice but I'm concerned with my options as they are an Oregon based company.  Since I'm not west-coast I wasn't sure that the varieties they offered would be my best choice for the hot, hot, HOT North Carolina Piedmont.

I was really hoping that my catalog from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange would be in by now.  Since they are based in Virginia, I figure I can get more of a regional selection.  I also like that they highlight varieties that grow well in the mid-Atlantic region.  (I need all the help I can get.) 

I really want to carefully consider my seed/plant choices for this year.  Last year I bought what was in front of me and I had enough failure and poor production to know that I don't want to make that mistake again.  (I'm trying for mostly heirloom varieties this year.)

So after seeing other posts about SESE and reading positive reviews at Dave's Garden and I sucked it up and followed my gut and placed my order. 

I based my decisions on SESE's product description (of course), but I was heavily influenced by 2 other sites.

Leigh at 5 Acres and A Dream had an excellent post on what did and didn't work in her garden last year.  Since she's in my region, and a more experienced gardener than I am, I made sure that I carefully noted her winners (and losers) from last year.  Thanks Leigh!

I also pulled up the NC State University vegetable gardening page to get their opinions on varieties to grow.  The link above has a lot of general information but halfway through it offers a very nice table of recommended varieties and dates to plant for both spring and fall gardens. 

I made careful notes about the timing issues as far as planting goes.  My fall garden was a flop last year because I waited too long to plant because of the heat.  I suppose it could still have been a flop since I can't imagine a seedling surviving in 100 degree heat but maybe I'm not giving the little buggers enough credit.

SM wanted to just buy existing tomato plants this year instead of growing them from seed. 

Nope.  Too expensive.  I'd rather grow MY choices rather than what the big box stores or local nursery choices might offer. If I recall, buying existing plants last year was a $4-$5 option.  I can only imagine with increasing interest in gardening that prices will be even higher this year.

I actually had great success germinating my own peppers and tomatoes last year.  My failure was in that we had torrential rain storms last June that turned my garden into a big swimming pool. 

That's why we'll be putting in raised beds this year. 

But that's another post.

I'll do an update post once I get my seeds in...not only to share with you all my choices but also as a means of documenting what works, what doesn't and why. (Just in case there are other southern gardeners out there reading this.)

Bulking Up Part Two

SM and I discussed the "game plan" on the drive in.

"OK...I want to constantly think that this purchase needs to last a month.  OK?  Except for milk, bread, fruits and veggies...the goal is NOT to shop for a month.  Got it?"

SM (very laid back) says..."Got it."  Like he knows something I don't.

We went to Sam's Club first.  We've been members of Sam's for years because I really liked their meats and cheeses.  (Southern groceries have no talent for butchering meat (tough), plus the flavor was always off.)  We've also always purchased bulk paper products and laundry soap, dog food...stuff like that.

Today, I forced myself to go up and down each of the aisles. 

Slowly. 

I quickly regretted not having brought a tablet to write down our common purchases with prices so I could compare.  Per ounce, per pound.  This was going to be tougher than it looked.

Then my eyes started bugging out...and drool started to form at the side of my mouth.  My mind was going numb.

SM had a slight smirk on his face as I would question him about the price of an item and then laugh when I'd get all bent out of shape about the cost.  (Freakin expensive.) 

He told me with a pat on the back..."This is why I do the shopping so you don't have too."  (Angel!)

We went to check out and SM says..."$165 dollars...(his estimate).

I glanced at the conveyor belt.  "Nah...$125 tops!"

Guess who was right?

Next we went to Trader Joe's.  Love that store!  $50 bucks (mostly because we stocked up on wine.  Three Buck Chuck anyone?)

Walmart next.  By this time it was 11am and the place was packed.  Wal Martians everywhere. 

"How about Lasagna tonight?"  SM requests. 

This is why having a meal plan just doesn't work with SM.  He's too much by the seat of his pants.

Me?  I eat the same stuff over and over so I'm easy.  But being married to Mr Buffet has taught me that if I make something he's not into then I've just wasted my time.  Oh, I'll put it in the freezer for future meals but still.  It's easier just to ask.

$77 dollars later and we creak home with $300 in groceries which looks like alot in the car but put it on the counters and it doesn't seem like all that much.

We're both kind of stunned.

"I don't think we've ever bought that much food at one time."  SM says. 

"Well, obviously we do if I'm forking out $700 a month in groceries."  I reply.

"I don't see why this shouldn't last us a month."  SM

"Agreed, especially since we have food left over from our last grocery run.  So you're cool if we consider this the BIG expense for the month?  $300 dollars plus perishables?"  Me

"Yep, lets give it shot!  I'd love it if we could manage under $500."  SM

"So would I!"  Me

Later SM showed me his calculations on our groceries over the past several months.  (Just to clarify, this isn't ONLY food.  It's anything I have to buy to keep humans and animals happy.  I break down our living expenses simply as: mortgage / auto fuel & repairs / utilities / medical, vets / everything else = groceries)

Sept $866 (WTF???)
Oct $563
Nov $631
Dec $861

Average? $730 per month.  (I swear even as I write this down I still don't get it.  It's not like we buy top of the line products and we're not throwing away food.  Granted, it's not like the garden produced anything except fresh eating, which is kinda the point.  I need to expand, can and freeze if I want these numbers to come down a bit.  Right now we are totally dependant on stores for food.)

"Did you include the pet food, dog chews in this?" (Yes) 
"We could cut out alcohol."  (This is why we drink!  I don't think so...)
"Stop using so much toilet paper!"  (I'm down to 2 squares!  Geez!)

"Well, we have to start somewhere.  I'm marking the calendar.  This is it for 30 days...February 20th hits...we can go to the store again."  Me

"Except for perishables right?"  SM

"Right."

Try not to laugh.

Bulking Up Part One

Interesting thing happened yesterday.  I stopped at a grocery store on my way home to pick up a few of their loss leaders.  These are items that stores sacrifice to try and suck you in hoping that you'll buy a few more extras at regular prices.

I went in and noticed huge lines.  Thinking it's "payday" today for myself and everyone else I just went on in and got my items.  Then the overhead announcer came on..."Thank you for your patience while we get our registers back online."

I put my items back and left.

I've posted before about grocery shopping. (Yuck) 

I've read that some people only go to the store (once a month, twice a year, once a year.)

I spoke to SM about our grocery bills.  We both thought we were around the $600 a month area.  SM went back for the past 6 months and checked.  We actually spend around $700-$800 a month.  I find this unacceptable.  Maybe if we change our habits we can bring those costs down.

Now when we use the term "groceries" we're talking food, booze, paper products, pharmacuticals, pet food...pretty much everything that we buy to supply the house.

SM and I have discussed a new game plan.  We're going to buy as much as we think we'll need for 1 month in 1 shopping day.  I'd like to keep this bulk purchase to $500 dollars.  I'm going to allow $25 a week for perishables.  That bring us up to a total of $600 per month.

Not a severe diet, but a controlled one .  

We typically only shop Sam's Club, Walmart and Trader Joe's.  I told SM I want to shop Sam's more aggressively.  I think there are some things we buy in smaller sizes for convenience.  We'll need to change that mind-set.  We think we have enough room for storage.

So SM is heading in with me this morning while I do post-ops...(should be quick)

Then we'll head out a do the shopping bit.  I'll update later on what we spent and our impressions.

Easy, Girl...

I requested seed catalogs back in December with a lot of the companies you all recommended in your blogs.

I've been moaning (SM says b*tching) for several weeks now about "Why haven't they come in?...Where are they?"

SM had brought in the mail yesterday but didn't look through it.  Tossed in with the circulars was this...

"Whoo Hoo!"  (I was on my toes dancing.)

"Easy, girl!" SM says.  "Lets not go overboard."

"I'm just looking...I've got at least three or four more coming in.  And just when did you turn into my Daddy?"

Never come between a girl and her seed catalogs.  (grin)

Housewifey Things

I had today off. 

This morning SM decided to head over to Fayetteville to do some business.  He'd be gone all day.

He asked me what I was going to do today.

"Oh...you know.  Housewifey things."

The day was overcast with mid 40's and rain due this evening.  Not inspired to do anything outside.  So after he left, I did the usual vacuuming, bathrooms cleaning and laundry. 

When SM took off, he left the TV on.  I usually don't watch TV until the evening but as I scrolled to see what was on, I saw that BBCA had The Tudors on all day.  Hmmmm...a mini-marathon.  Royal romping and drama.  Right up my alley.

I kept my eye on the antics of Henry VIII pretty much all day.  (Love the set and the costumes.)

And ate my way through most of a half gallon of Bryers Mint Chocolate Chip.

Hormonal?  You decide.

But I did manage to get something constructive done.  I attacked the kitchen.

I think most of us periodically go through a search and destroy mission.  If I'm planning on canning and doing some "storing" up, I'd better see what I had, what should be tossed, and make room for my future yummy canned goods.

My laundry room is right off my kitchen.  There's a small pantry in there too.  I wasn't too keen on storing food above the washer and dryer so I flip flopped my pots and pans and mixers and blenders into that cabinet.

Also SM's vast collection of various alcohol.  Party at my house anyone?

End result?  I've got a lot of room to grow. 

Now we'll see if I can find anything when I need it.

I'm...So....Tired.

Tough day at work yesterday...just one of those demanding days.  Woke up this morning stiff and sore and with a migraine to boot.  (Pretty sure I get dehydrated and then suffer the next day.) 

Note to self.  Drink more water!

Took a nap this afternnon and finally my headache appears to be saying "Bye Bye".

When I got back from post-ops around lunch today, SM says..."Man, you look tired."  Oh yeah!

I can never say "I'm tired" without thinking of the great Madeline Kahn singing in Blazing Saddles.

(Click here To Sing along with Lily Von Stupp)



Here I stand, the goddess of Desire,
set men on fire,
I have this power.

Morning, noon and night,
it's drink and dancing,
some quick romancing,
and then a shower.

Stage door Johnnies constantly surround me,
they always hound me,
with one request.

Who can satisfy their lustful habits,
I'm not a rabbit!
I need some rest!

I'm tired.

Sick and tired of love.

I've had my fill of love...

from below and above.

Tired...

Tired of being admired.

Tired of love uninspired.

Let's face it I'm tired!



I've been with thousands of men,
again and again,
they promise the moon.

They're always coming and going,
and going and coming,
and always too soon!

I'm tired.

Tired of playing the game.

Ain't it a crying shame?

I'm so tired.


(Grin)

Have a good night everybody.

The "Buy-In"

Buy-in.  (The cost to join a poker game.)

This whole "prepping" thing has been on my mind a lot this week.  I've come to accept this term as a new label for my lifestyle choices.  Oh, it's fine that I've been telling myself that all I'm doing has been using good common sense. 

But I've matured, I've grown.  I'm coming out of the closet.

(Sing it with me gang...)

"I'm a prepper, He's a prepper, She's a prepper....Wouldn't you like to be a prepper too?"

(Grin)

I've mentioned before that I'm in the childhood phase of discovery.  Like any kid in a new activity, I'm looking for others that see the world the same way that I do.  (Hey, there guys!  Waving my hand.  Wanna play?)

But being an adult, I realize that there are LOTS of opinions out there.  And mine might not be the correct one.  So I read and educate myself and discuss my thoughts with SM.  (And with you.)

I'm also really curious about the ostriches in life.  You know, the one's with their heads in the sand.  I have to admit that this also has played upon my consciousness.  Is it really as bad as it seems?  Am I over reacting?

I am really good at over reacting.  Everyone raise their hands who may have done a  little "prepping" with Y2K.   That was my first "prepping" experience.

I bought extra canned goods and labeled a date on them with a black magic marker.  I stored up extra water.

SM laughed at me.

When nothing happened, I felt a little foolish but took SM's good-natured teasing in stride.

Now, I bounce a lot of my thoughts and feelings off of SM.  He's my sounding board and I'm his.  (He's calmer where I tend to be a bit more intense.  This works well when we're in a decision making process.)

"Do it now" vs "Lets think about it."

Funny thing happened yesterday.

I had read an article on "excluding the volatile food and energy index, there is no sign of inflation" or something like that.  (BS IMHO)

I then read an article about unexpected shortages last year in the corn and soybean harvest.  Expectation?  Food prices going up.

I made a comment to SM about "building up" our food stores.  Buying a bit extra in storable goods over the next few months.  I presented it not as "prepping" but as "dollar cost averaging" considering that food prices are on their way up even more.

"You know, I've been thinking about that.  We can use the back bedroom shelving unit as overflow for the pantry.  Or do you want me to rip out that cabinet and build extra shelves in the laundry room?" SM

Me.....................................(silence)....................(jaw dropped open)

We talked some more and made some tentative organizational plans but the whole time my mind is going..."Holy crap!  This is serious!  SM believes it too."

You see it's one thing for me to think something but if SM thinks it too....?

Well then.  It's real.

Holy crap!

He's bought in.

Skin Crack

I have a habit...an addiction if you will.  I wish I could stop.  But I can't.  It feels too good.

Dermalogica.  (I've been caught, hook, line and sinker.)

About 10 years ago, our little town acquired a "spa and salon."  Since I believe in supporting my local businesses, I started going to them for my haircut and color.  This was back when I had short hair, so I got into the cycle of seeing them every 6-8 weeks or so. ($Ka-ching$)

Like all good business people, they promoted their other services.  Since SM and I were making good cashola at the time, I thought "Sure, why not.  I deserve it."

Pretty reds toes..(love a good pedicure)...I even tried fake nails one summer.  SM LOVED the nails.  He likes a good back scratch.  But my hands are in water too much so I had those puppies removed.

One day they were promoting facials.  $20 bucks off.  I was nervous as all get out, but I was closing in on 40.  I was motivated to try and slow the hands of time.  (I'm not into plastic surgery or botox...scary stuff, that.)

Spa service indeed!  Relaxing...she even gave me samples of the skin care products they were using.  Dermalogica.

She told be to expect a big "break-out" but to come back as needed.  She recommended every month or so.  I also LOVED the Dermalogica products and started using them routinely at home.

Well...She wasn't lying about the "break-out".  But after going to see her for a few months, my coworkers and even patients would comment on my skin.  I don't wear alot of makeup, (none at home), but it surprised me that it was THAT noticeable.  My skin wasn't bad, just average. 

Obviously, I was doing something right.

I got a big head and wanted more.  I signed up for a microderm abrasion.  I loved that too.  Again, people were noticing.  "Wow...I'm pretty!"

She tried to sign me up for a chemical peel..."Hell NO!!!!!"  That DEFINITELY scared the crap out of me.

A year or 2 passed and since I was using good products at home, I only needed to go for "professional care" once or twice a year.

2008 hit.  SM lost his job.  My job cut back hours and we also absorbed a salary cut.  OUCH

So I let my hair grow long, did my own toes and cut back on the Dermalogica as much as I could.  I read somewhere that European women recommended using olive oil on the skin.  Tried that.  (Grin)  Stopped that.  (Really big grin).  Oil of Olay was always on hand.  Tried to swap to other drug store brands.  Yuck. 

I was spoiled.

SM and I made a pact.  He loves golf.  I love Dermalogica.  If we had to have a "treat", those would be our picks.

So we DO still give ourselves a treat.  "Green fees" aren't cheap and neither is the skincare.

I buy online and only purchased 3 times last year. 

I just reordered my favorites and they came in this week.  And samples too!Whoo Hoo!

This stuff ROCKS.  Will I ever give it up?  I ask myself that from time to time.  I think there is a point that could be reached where I'll say "bye bye."

I said as much to SM.  "You know...at some point there will come a time when nothing is going to help."  I mused.

"Diminishing returns?"  He grinned.

"Enjoy it while you got it, Baby!" 

Is This The Real Life?

Is this the real life, is this just fantasy?  Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.  Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see.

(Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen.)

I saw this article on Yahoo today Young People Crave Self Esteem Above Sex: Study

Is anyone really surprised by this?  (I guess the researchers were...)

We have become a culture of "It's all about me."

Texting, Facebook, blogs...everyone has fallen into this narcissistic trap. 

I believe this has come about because we have 24-7 access to everything and everybody.  A virtual world if you will.

I don't own a cell phone.  I don't want one.  (This drives SM crazy, I think more from a safety point of view than from anything else.)

I hate phones.  I hate talking on them. (Right Mom?)

I don't have a facebook page.  Don't want one.

I have a land line at home and when I'm at work I use theirs.  If I have a breakdown in the car I use the nice person's phone who stops and asks me if I need help.  (Trust me, it's happened.)

I personally believe that we are, in a way, becoming MORE isolated in our efforts to get ourselves out into that virtual world.

Personal interaction is on the decline.  People don't know how to deal with each other face to face.  It's easier to say "text me" or "email me."

I've noticed this myself.  (SM has definitely noticed it..."You're blogging again?")

I started this blog as a sort of journal.  Someplace to have pictures and thoughts that I could go back and read like the old photo albums we used to keep.  I guess the new version of that is "scrap-booking".

But I've noticed that I get a thrill looking at my view counter, my Google Friends Connect, my stat page.

"Hey, people are actually interested in what I have to say."

I've fallen into the trap.

(Damn...I have to get ready for work...Sigh.  Real life, not fantasy.)

Anyone Ready For Spring Yet?

We waited until 2pm and then popped out to clear what ice we could off the cars and driveway.

Our house faces north so when the sun decides to come out (tomorrow?) it will melt everything but the sidewalk.

Looks like we got more than a 10th of an inch.

Took the dogs out back and Scooter at 28 lbs was walking on top of the ice.  Casey and Ginny were breaking through but were doing a "high stepping" frog walk.  Funny...

Back to work tomorrow (yeah!) but delayed till 10am.  Black ice likely with temps in the teens tonight.

Ice, Ice, Baby

The dogs didn't care for this one bit, I can tell you that.

Power stayed on all night.  I spoke to SM about installing a woodstove.  He didn't say no. (grin)

Another day off.  Nobody's going anywhere anytime soon.  Reports are that south of us has had 7+ inches and on top of that 1/4 inch of ice.

(Leigh..If you read this, I'm thinking about you.  I can only gather you guys got nailed big time.)

Another Snow "Event"

The local media describe winter weather around here as "events". 

I suppose it is for an area that might see just 1 or 2 snow/ice storms a year.

At 3:30am there was nothing.

By 5 am it was coming down hard.

By 8am we had enough of a lull that we went out and swept/shoveled the drive.  At least 3-4 inches.  This snow is very powdery.  SM wanted to turn on the leaf blower and see what would happen.  Blizzard conditions!

Snow Day!  And then, unfortunately, ice is expected later today.  Ice storms around here can be really bad.  Hopefully, it'll be a light coating.

Defcon 3

I found a new blog that I'm fascinated by. (Click on) Rural Revolution by Patrice.

Love the "Husband of the Boss" post...Too funny.

In another post Patrice reviews a book called One Second After by William Forstchen.

In Patrice's words:

"For those unfamiliar with the book, the story centers around a small town in North Carolina in the aftermath of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) weapon. These weapons are not dropped on land; they are detonated in the upper atmosphere and take down the power grid. It’s hard to fathom the long-term results of such an event until you read this book."

(Since I live in North Carolina and love books my interest was peaked.)

Patrice lays out her "take away" points from the book. I couldn't disagree with any of them.

Prepper? What's a Prepper? I hadn't heard or read that term before.

I go on and read the comments too.  Wow!

"Hey Baby...Wanna read something interesting?"  Me

SM comes over and actually reads (not skims) the post.  We've both heard/read terms like "homesteading" and "self-sufficiency" but "preppers?" 

Never heard of them!

We consult google and find...(Thank you Wikipedia) 

A prepper is an individual or group that prepares or makes preparations in advance of, or prior to, any change in normal circumstances or lifestyle without significant reliance on other persons (i.e., being self-reliant), or without substantial assistance from outside resources (govt., etc.) in order to minimize the effects of that change on their current lifestyle.

Preppers are sometimes identified as modern-day survivalists or neo-survivalists but are far from the stereotype of survivalists past.  Prepping has also been dubbed as "survivalism light".  Many do not identify themselves as doomers or follow the 2012 phenomenon.

Preppers have many different mindsets and cover a broad spectrum of survival and preparedness interests.  Some preppers prepare for economic disaster or to escape genetically modified foods through organic farming or urban gardening.  Some may prepare for the possibility of a complete breakdown of society while others store up extra food and water for a more localized disaster.  In addition to natural disasters, terrorists attacks as well as other crises, Preppers also prepare for personal disasters and economic hardships such as job losses or the loss of a loved one.

"Well, I feel slightly better after reading that last part.  We fall into this group, I guess.  I mean we are preparing for tough times."  Me

"You know there's a lot of people out there with "survivalist" mentalities. Stockpiling food, ammo...Did you hear about the congresswoman getting shot today?"  SM

"NO!...What?"  Me

We "Yahoo'd" for the latest news.

"So sad."  Me  "What is going on out there?"

Silence for awhile...

"You know"...(Bringing the conversation back to "prepping")

"I understand the urge to want protect your family but it's not like I'm at DEFCON 1 or anything."  Me

"DEFCON 1?"  SM

"Yeah...You remember that movie with Matthew Brodrick back in the eighties?  Wargames? "Shall we play a game?" (computer voice)

"I'd say I was at DEFCON 3."  Me

We look up what DEFCON means:  Defensive Condition


DEFCON 5 - Lowest state of readiness Normal readiness

DEFCON 4 - Increased intelligence watch and strengthened security measures

DEFCON 3 - Increase in force readiness above that required for normal readiness

DEFCON 2 - Further increase in force readiness, but less than maximum readiness

DEFCON 1 - War is highly likely. Maximum readiness.


"Yeah, that sounds about right.  I've been reading a lot and educating myself.  I want to try and learn new skills like gardening and canning.  But this just seems like the common sense thing to do.  It's not like I'm preparing for the end of days."  Me

"So you don't think we'll get to DEFCON 1?"  SM

"I hope not.  None of us will last very long if we do.  We sink or swim together."

Throw Yourself On That Bomb

Most Saturdays I work a few hours post-op-ing patients from the day before.  I need to leave here before 7am and I usually get home by 9:30 so it's a pretty quick gig.  Yesterday though we had a heavier schedule so I anticipated that I wouldn't be home until 11 or later today.

I asked SM if he'd mind doing the shopping today.  He's actually really good at it and has a bit more tolerance for dealing with crowds. 

You see this is payday weekend for me as well as half the population.  And I am "crowd phobic."  (Cranky @$$ me faster...than you can say get me the H&!! outta here.)

SM and I only do the "mother-load of shopping" once or twice a month.  Other than that, we might do a quick run for something we're out of on the other weekends.  As most people will attest...The less often you shop, the more you save.

But this weekend, we needed to hit all our hot spots.  Sam's Club for bulk, Trader Joe's for produce, and Walmart for everything else.  Easily a few hours of work.

SM went ahead and threw himself on that bomb.  "Thanks Honey!"

Since I was too pooped to POP once I got home, I did a "short-cut" pizza so he'd have lunch/dinner once he got home.

I suppose most people have a version of a quickie pizza....but here goes mine in case you've never tried it before.

Pulled out of the "pantry"...

Ready made french loaf bread
mozzarella cheese
turkey pepperoni
pizza sauce
fresh mushrooms and frozen peppers and onions that are sauteed first before putting on the pizza.

Secret ingredient...Paul Prudhomme's Pasta and Pizza Magic.  (Love this stuff)

I let the bread dough sit out on a piece of parchment paper while the oven heats to 400.  (I use a pizza stone)

Once the dough has warmed up a bit I slice it down the middle with a serrated blade and "spread" out the dough.  Sprinkle some seasoning on it.  Sauce, cheese, meat and sauteed veggies.  Into the oven for about 18 minutes.

Easy french bread pizza.  No fuss, no muss.

If You Like a Really Thick Book...

I love books that are thick.  I just know when I see a book that is as thick as a dictionary that a good story is hiding in there somewhere.

In this edition of Some of My Favorite Books I recommend 2 fictional biographies.  If you like strong women...(and I do)...look no further than Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.

Both women are raised in a royal world of politics and intrigue.  Both women offend others by living their lives as they please.

The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George.  We all know the story, but this novel is told in "first person" which makes it seem more "real" to me.

From Booklist



Once again, George's years of research result in an extremely detailed historical novel; following The Autobiography of Henry VIII (1986) and Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles (1992), the author now moves from sixteenth-century Europe to ancient North Africa to bring another legendary historical figure to contemporary understanding. Nimble despite its girth, the novel follows in first-person narrative every triumph and failure the famous queen of Egypt enjoyed and endured during her tumultuous life. This was, of course, a time when Egypt was at the mercy of more powerful neighbors; Cleopatra states the obvious when she says that "it seemed our fate was inextricably entwined with that of Rome." The other two major players on her stage were, as most readers know, Julius Caesar and Marc Antony; and those two figures spring to life along with the queen herself in these many but fast-flowing pages. For historical fiction readers who want to totally lose themselves, this accurate re-creation of a vastly interesting time and place will not disappoint.

Interested in a preview?  (click on) Google Books

I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles, again, provides the reader with a fascinating "first person" narrative into the world of Queen Elizabeth I. Rosalind Miles traces, through the queen's own voice, Elizabeth's turbulent years as a princess in Henry VIII's court, her uneasy status during the brief reigns of her brother Edward and sister Mary and her decades on the throne. The author leaves no event unreported, describing in detail the defeat of the Spanish Armada, Elizabeth's struggles with Mary, Queen of Scots, and the rise and fall of Essex. In a genre that often uses passionate love scenes to temper the drier affairs of history, a novel about the world's second most famous female virgin presents a challenge. There are love scenes aplenty, however, since Miles depicts the young Elizabeth as being as sexually obsessed as she is frustrated, her interest in men overshadowing affairs of state, religion and the succession to the throne. Miles is at her best in describing everyday Elizabethan life--religion, food, dress, illness.


To preview this book (click on) Google Books

Sing It Sister

I just read Rhonda's post at (Click on) Down to Earth about "Aging and Death - The Final Taboo."

Probably one of the most honest, raw posts I've read in a long time.

Read it my sisters...The girl speaks the truth!

Seinfeld Saved My Marriage

It's tough being a bossy person. Take it from me. I'm bossy...I try not to be, but there it is. When I'm being bossy, you get that look on your face. You know the one.

Resentment...white-hot resentment.

And that's when I realize that I've just gotten bossy.

Ask a bossy person. "Do you like being bossy?"

Most will tell you..."Heck, no!  I couldn't tell you when it happened, it just did."

A person is not born to be a bossy person. Bossy people are made. And it's your own fault if there's a person in your life that's bossing you around.

That just means that you're a slacker. ("Naaa"...my tounge sticking out at you.)

Yep...it's your fault that I've turned into such a nag.

And in order to get anything done around here, somebody's going to have to get bossy.

Tempers start to flare.

Who wants to fight? Not me? Not you?

Let me share with you a tip...Things starting to build?  Flame throwers about to come out?

Use humor.

In order to diffuse the resentment and avoid a full out arguement, SM and I fall back on a simple technique.

Seinfeld-isms

Just the other day we were coming back from the store and I "reminded" him of something. Like I've reminded him, countless time before.

SM - "I know." (exasperated tone) "You've told me eighteen million times already."

Tami - "Yeah and it's still not done!"

** The infamous STINK EYES are exchanged**

SM - "Don't boss me! This is why you're going to hell"

Tami - "I am not going to hell and if you think I'm going to hell, you should care that I'm going to hell even though I am not."

SM - "You stole my Jesus fish, didn't you?"

Tami - "Yeah, that's right!"
I stick my hands on top of my head, my index fingers raised as "horns" and growl at SM...wagging my tongue at him...impersonating the devil.

(We laugh hystericaly.  Arguement diffused.  All courtsey of Seinfeld.)

My marriage is full of Seinfeld-isms.

Doing something you don't want to do? "But I don't wanna be a pirate!"

Pissed off at the world? "Serenity Now!"

Feeling the need to be selfish? "It's the summer of George!"

What quirky things do you have going on in your marriage? **Notice I said quirky not kinky.** There's somethings I don't really want to know. (grin)

Freaking Magic!

I have mini-blinds.  Who doesn't?  I have wooden blinds in the front of the house (northern exposure) but the back side of the house gets way too much sunshine for wood.  So I have white vinyl mini-blinds.

I love how they're adjustable so I can get as much or as little sunshine as I like.

But they get SO filthy!  Dust and dog hair all mashed together with that mysterious sticky layer of grease (from the kitchen) that makes it near impossible to get them clean. 

For most of the year, I somehow manage to ignore it, but on a sunny day in winter when you're trying to warm up the house as much as you can with the sunshine, you realize just how filthy these things get.  Every dust molecule exposed.  Yikes!  My mini-blinds look fuzzy.

SM a few weeks ago...

"These blinds are really dirty..."

Me...

"Knock yourself out!"

(My usual reply to any comment on my housekeeping skills.)

SM helps out around the house but the majority of the housekeeping falls on me...mostly cause I'm so dammed picky!

Anyhoo...I knew D day was coming.  Gotta suck it up at some point and spend countless hours cleaning those freaking things.

"If I were a rich girl...Yada da dada dada doooo.... I would...buy me...brand new mini-blinds...if I were a wealthy girl."

"I don't want to clean them!  Throw them away and buy new!"

Last Thursday afternoon, we had an "administration day" at work for a few hours.  No patients.  We use this time to periodically organize the office.

I was going through the exam lanes, inventory, replace, toss... and I noticed alot of scuff marks on the walls and cabinets.

I grabbed a Mr Clean Magic Erase.

Now I've never used these at home, but as I stood there wiping and "erasing" all the scuff marks, I had an epiphany.  Could these work on the mini-blinds?

Before I bought some I checked them out.  I'm not into adding chemicals onto surfaces if I can help it.  I googled Mr Clean Magic Erase and found a (Click on ) Magic Erase Snope Article

Short story:  I was reassured enough to buy a pack and give them a shot.

Whoo Hoo!  I am happy to report these things are "freaking magic!"

Take a look at this...

See where I left a patch in the center to compare?

And my ceiling fan in the kitchen!  SM hit it with "Greased Lightening" and a sponge about a month ago.  It still had residue on it.

Wipe it up with my Magic Erase...

It looks brand new!

I attacked the stove and fridge...awesome results.

I also bleached my sink.

Will never do white again I can tell you that.

So if this is news to you...(like it was news to me)...go out and try this stuff! 

(I wore gloves because you can get a skin abrasion on your fingers from using it too much.  And be careful with shiny glossy surfaces.)

Overall,  this stuff is a winner in my book!

If you've got some "Magic Tips" you'd like to share, please comment!