"Getting rid of everything that doesn’t matter allows you to remember who you are. Simplicity doesn’t change who you are, it brings you back to who you are."

Friday, October 31, 2014

I've Been A Bad, Bad Girl....





For those of you who have waited patiently for me to get my...(ahem)...S**t together and start posting again, go ahead and click on the above video for a bit of a Halloween Apology from me. @;)





I can say that I've enjoyed my hiatus away from the computer more than I thought I would. 

Maybe too much. 

In fact I enjoyed NOT posting so much that I actually considered giving up the ghost, so to speak. 

But writing is a discipline like anything else and while I tell myself that I've got nothing interesting to say, I acknowledge that for the Bull s**t line that it really is. 

Of course I've got stuff to say.  It might not be all that interesting but I never promised an award winning blog. 

Just me, myself and I.

And trust me...It gets a bit crowded in my head.


 

So instead of being a weenie about this, I am giving myself a challenge instead.  

Since motivation and discipline are what I need to get back in the game, I thought I'd guide my postings for November in the form of an Alphabet Challenge.

You know...

A is for - - - - - -  sort of thing.  And so on throughout the month.

Wish me luck.  And by all means, feel free to tag along and challenge yourself if the mood strikes you.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

56 Kisses

Somebody has a Birthday here today. 

It ain't me.

Since I'm too cheap to buy a Birthday card, I cut up the one the University sent him (?) and decorated it with some Zinnias.




I expect it will take a couple of cups of coffee before SM can appreciate the effort and artistry it took.




Technically speaking, my Birthday Boy gets the day off today.  I'm hoping he'll take advantage of our Indian Summer and go golfing.

He doesn't have to do anything around here. 
Like painting the house.
Or working on the stair railing.

But if he did...I'm sure I can manage a few kisses to show my appreciation.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Kaiboshed

What is it about being on the highest rung of a ladder, teetering ever so slightly as you lean out to apply paint to the siding that tempts fate?

No, I didn't fall off.
But I should have.

I've got my sloppy painting clothes on.  Stained tee shirt and loose sweat pant shorts. 

A bee has been hanging around attracted to the smell of the paint I assume.  I've been waving him away for the past few minutes, unconcerned.  Bees and I usually get along just fine. 

Usually.

I feel a tickle on my tush.

I reach down and "Hello Kitty!!"

I knew I was stung. 

I haven't had a bee sting in 30+ years.  My adrenaline shot through the roof as I climbed down off the ladder cursing like a fiend.

I go to the bathroom and pull up my shorts.  F-ing Bastard crawled up on my leg, inside my shorts and caught me where my hip and butt meet. 

"Son of a..." as the pain increased and it started welting up.  Ice packs, baking soda and a Benedryl later I was still shaking like a leaf.

So much for THAT paint job.

Who knew such a sweet innocent little thing as a bee could put the kaibosh on a project?



Sunday, October 12, 2014

By Default

I can't say that "Gabby Gertie" is in the house exactly.

It's just that it's a misty, chilly, dark Sunday morning here and so...by default...you all get a blog post today.





I really should cut myself some slack actually.  I haven't been posting mostly because I've been too tired to want to post.

I had to work Monday (my boss was begging me to) but then took the rest of the week off as October is one of my most favorite months of the year.

Crisp, dry weather and lower humidity was what I envisioned when I'd scheduled my week off months ago.

The reality was a bit different. 
Clear blue skies with temperatures in the mid 80's.
A Summer extension perhaps?
Unheard of.

And so, since money has been somewhat tight to afford a week long traveling vacation, SM and I decided on another Staycation instead.

Well...actually I had the Staycation.
SM worked the week as usual.

Strangely, I developed "Get er done" fever this past week.  Four days in a row of perfect weather provided me with the motivation to try and wrap things up. 

And so I have singlehandedly finished staining the entire deck.  Upside down and inside out. 
That puppy is finally finished. 



The weather was SO nice that I also started painting the siding on the house. 

I had to. 
Once the deck was done, I was disturbed at how filthy the siding was. 
Moldy, dirty and dull.

So out came the bleach and in a few hours I had a clean surface to apply Sherwin Williams "Buff-7683" in a satin finish.




I was shocked at how bright and clean the creamy, yellow based color transformed the body of the house.  Since I'd been on a ladder staining the deck ceiling, I gave my feet a break and started painting from the ground up. 

All the way around the house there's an eight foot stripe of "Buff". 

And then the rain came putting a stop to any hopes that I had of finishing the paint job this weekend.

I do still have Monday and Tuesday off still.  Maybe the rain will move off so I can finish things up.

I doubt it.
But maybe.


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Meh...

Yes, we're still alive.

No, I'm not quitting the blog.

I'm just disinterested in everything social.  No blogger.  No FB.  No surfing.

The computer sits quietly on the table day after day. 

I'm too occupied with my own daily grind.

There's plenty going on but nothing earth shattering.

Words do not come easily right now.  Hence the silence.

Hopefully the day will come (soon) when I'll be back to my normal gabby self.

Until then...

Scooter, clearly unimpressed.

Meh.