I am finding that now that I have a much faster internet connection, I don't know what to do with it. Apparently, the time I was spending waiting for things to download made me think that I was actually doing something. Now, once I check all the blogs I follow and sign in to Facebook to see what everyone is up to...there's not much else I need to do.
So, I check emails...which doesn't take long...and I'm done.
Hmmm!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Random Activities at the Bay
We had a nice weekend at Port Alto. It was just me and the Bubelas. Wayne is busy watering cotton and couldn't join us. Robin and Chad were god-parents, along with Chad's sister, Alicia and her husband Slade, for their new niece, Maggie Mae Motal...daughter of Chad's sister Laura and her husband Jackson. Wendy and Kelly and the boys had birthday parties to attend this weekend. So, as I said it was just the six of us.
It was quite windy and the waves were high when we arrived on Friday about noon, but not nearly as bad as it was last Sunday when we were there for the day. It remained windy all day Saturday and then it was beautiful today...but hot as blazes. I am getting a decent tan, the first I've had in years. I use plenty of sunscreen and reapply, so I can't account for the tan.
Jax really liked the water, especially today when it was all calm. Carlee amazed herself by walking into the water by herself. Until today someone had to carry her in. You can't always understand the workings of her busy little mind...you just try to respect whatever is bothering her. I don't really know what that was about. Once she was in, she was fine...just had some issue about walking in. Today she was in and out under her own steam as the three kids first floated around with Carolyn and I about 20 yards from shore and then, when we got out, they filled buckets with mud from just off the beach. We didn't mention that we thought we saw a shark just as we arrived at the beach today. It was probably about 50 yards away and heading away from us. That would have kept her on the beach for sure. We kept a sharp eye out while we bobbed (like bait) in the knee deep water.
We ate a quick lunch and then Brent loaded up Jax and Carlee and took them home. Carolyn, Kate and I packed up, cleaned, swept, vacuumed, laundered and left shortly after 2 PM. I'm tired...but, we did have a good time.
The palm tree in one of the photographs was a big surprise. To my knowledge, we have never had a single stalk of any kind of tree or flower on that property in the 70 years or so that we have owned it. Why a palm tree would suddenly decide to appear in the joint of the sidewalk is anyone's guess. It's particularly puzzling to Brent who has lost numerous pampered palm trees in the past two winters.
Don't give up on the photos...there's a a couple of videos at the end!
It was quite windy and the waves were high when we arrived on Friday about noon, but not nearly as bad as it was last Sunday when we were there for the day. It remained windy all day Saturday and then it was beautiful today...but hot as blazes. I am getting a decent tan, the first I've had in years. I use plenty of sunscreen and reapply, so I can't account for the tan.
Jax really liked the water, especially today when it was all calm. Carlee amazed herself by walking into the water by herself. Until today someone had to carry her in. You can't always understand the workings of her busy little mind...you just try to respect whatever is bothering her. I don't really know what that was about. Once she was in, she was fine...just had some issue about walking in. Today she was in and out under her own steam as the three kids first floated around with Carolyn and I about 20 yards from shore and then, when we got out, they filled buckets with mud from just off the beach. We didn't mention that we thought we saw a shark just as we arrived at the beach today. It was probably about 50 yards away and heading away from us. That would have kept her on the beach for sure. We kept a sharp eye out while we bobbed (like bait) in the knee deep water.
We ate a quick lunch and then Brent loaded up Jax and Carlee and took them home. Carolyn, Kate and I packed up, cleaned, swept, vacuumed, laundered and left shortly after 2 PM. I'm tired...but, we did have a good time.
The palm tree in one of the photographs was a big surprise. To my knowledge, we have never had a single stalk of any kind of tree or flower on that property in the 70 years or so that we have owned it. Why a palm tree would suddenly decide to appear in the joint of the sidewalk is anyone's guess. It's particularly puzzling to Brent who has lost numerous pampered palm trees in the past two winters.
Don't give up on the photos...there's a a couple of videos at the end!
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| Kate and Carlee |
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| Jax, relaxing with Carolyn |
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| Virgie, Carolyn and Brent |
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| Brent and Jax |
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| Jax, Kate and Carlee |
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| A palm tree grows in our sidewalk! |
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| Kate, during a rare quiet moment |
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| Jax and Carlee enjoying an afternoon nap |
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| Somebody needs to vacuum...might as well be Kate! |
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| Make that sink shine! |
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Busy, busy, busy
I don't know what I'm doing posting at this particular time. In an hour and a half I need to be ready to leave the house to attend my 4th wedding in three weeks. Yes, you heard me...the 4th! Me, who generally moans and groans for weeks prior to actually attending.
I slept late this morning as I've been busy building a virtual aquarium in Oceanis, a free game Shockwave allowed me to download as thanks for being a good customer. That means I've been staying up even later than usual...3 AM on Thursday night...about 1:30 or 2 AM last night. I don't know why Shockwave has designated me as a good customer. It's not like I go to their store and buy stuff. It's just a program that the computer uses. Anyway, the game is very similar to the Sims games...and I like those kinds of games...me, the puppetmaster, ruling their universe! Heh! Heh! Heh! My 1st aquarium is doing very well and I'm thinking I might start a new one, now that I kind of know what I'm doing.
This week we have been to four baseball games, I think. Gage had two...the end of season tournament is going on. His team, the Cardinals have won both of their tournament games and are still in the winner's bracket. Zane and Kate each had a game earlier in the week.
Dot's fellow teachers threw a retirement party for her and our Girl's Night Out group attended that party and then moved on (the 1/2 block) to Dot's house with our covered dishes to have our dinner there. And to ooh and aah over the (finally) completed remodeling of their house. Absolutely beautiful. They did a number of things, but the kitchen was the real target...and it all turned out wonderfully. Charles was there with two year old Lainey, who charmed us all, and Susan came without her six-week old (or something like that) twins, Elle and Grant. It was great visiting with them.
Tomorrow we have Carlee's official birthday party, a birthday party for an old guy (as opposed to a child), and Gage's piano recital. He had his piano Guild audition this past Wednesday and did an awesome job! His music teacher emailed Wendy that Gage had scored the highest of all the students in her studio. He lacked one point (I think she said) of receiving the Top Talent score. Super good job, Gage!
Oh...and as a a personal achievement...the Wii Plus has pronounced me NORMAL. Remember when I started on my diet in January and the Wii Plus stunned me by calling me OBESE? Well, I have now lost 30 pounds and my BMI is down about 6 points. Normal...normal...normal!!! I'm still about 20 pounds over my "ideal" weight by the Wii Plus standard. But, you know how that goes...I look so much better than I did in January, I'm telling myself I look fabulous. And myself is listening, totally ignoring the fact that I am still 20 pounds heavier than I probably should be. I would be happy to lose about 10 more pounds...but, I don't know how much longer I can sustain this healthy eating lifestyle. I had a cheese sandwich after getting home from one of the ballgames. It was wonderful! I almost had chips with it, but decided that was going too far.
And speaking of food, it's time to go have lunch so I don't get to the reception starving to death.
I slept late this morning as I've been busy building a virtual aquarium in Oceanis, a free game Shockwave allowed me to download as thanks for being a good customer. That means I've been staying up even later than usual...3 AM on Thursday night...about 1:30 or 2 AM last night. I don't know why Shockwave has designated me as a good customer. It's not like I go to their store and buy stuff. It's just a program that the computer uses. Anyway, the game is very similar to the Sims games...and I like those kinds of games...me, the puppetmaster, ruling their universe! Heh! Heh! Heh! My 1st aquarium is doing very well and I'm thinking I might start a new one, now that I kind of know what I'm doing.
This week we have been to four baseball games, I think. Gage had two...the end of season tournament is going on. His team, the Cardinals have won both of their tournament games and are still in the winner's bracket. Zane and Kate each had a game earlier in the week.
Dot's fellow teachers threw a retirement party for her and our Girl's Night Out group attended that party and then moved on (the 1/2 block) to Dot's house with our covered dishes to have our dinner there. And to ooh and aah over the (finally) completed remodeling of their house. Absolutely beautiful. They did a number of things, but the kitchen was the real target...and it all turned out wonderfully. Charles was there with two year old Lainey, who charmed us all, and Susan came without her six-week old (or something like that) twins, Elle and Grant. It was great visiting with them.
Tomorrow we have Carlee's official birthday party, a birthday party for an old guy (as opposed to a child), and Gage's piano recital. He had his piano Guild audition this past Wednesday and did an awesome job! His music teacher emailed Wendy that Gage had scored the highest of all the students in her studio. He lacked one point (I think she said) of receiving the Top Talent score. Super good job, Gage!
Oh...and as a a personal achievement...the Wii Plus has pronounced me NORMAL. Remember when I started on my diet in January and the Wii Plus stunned me by calling me OBESE? Well, I have now lost 30 pounds and my BMI is down about 6 points. Normal...normal...normal!!! I'm still about 20 pounds over my "ideal" weight by the Wii Plus standard. But, you know how that goes...I look so much better than I did in January, I'm telling myself I look fabulous. And myself is listening, totally ignoring the fact that I am still 20 pounds heavier than I probably should be. I would be happy to lose about 10 more pounds...but, I don't know how much longer I can sustain this healthy eating lifestyle. I had a cheese sandwich after getting home from one of the ballgames. It was wonderful! I almost had chips with it, but decided that was going too far.
And speaking of food, it's time to go have lunch so I don't get to the reception starving to death.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The procedure
It started innocently enough. On a whim I decided to clean off the corner of the kitchen counter where all mail, newspapers, magazines...recyclable paper...is dumped. I've been lax in moving those things to the bin where they belong. One of the items was an invitation to join the NRA and since it had a form enclosed, as well as a "membership" card with Wayne's name on it, I took it to the garbage drawer which also houses the kitchen shredder.
It was my fault. I didn't unfold the page with the card on it and the kitchen shredder is really not strong enough to get through that many layers...and, I put it in crooked. So, it jammed almost as soon as it started shredding. To make it worse, I switched it to reverse and it started (apparently) drawing up shreds from below. It kept trying to do its job, but I put it out of its misery by turning it off.
I picked up the shredder and turned it over to remove the blockage, but soon found that I was going to need a specialized tool to continue with the procedure. An icepick! I got the icepick and got to work on it. Of course, I didn't unplug it even though I knew I should. But that would have entailed taking out the trash can as well as the shredder bin and removing the drawer, which is heavy and difficult. The plug is behind the drawer. I opted to attempt the procedure while the patient was hooked up. I had rubber shoes on.
I removed quite a bit of paper, and tested the unit. It would run, but wouldn't turn itself off. Something was still blocking the thingy that told it when it had run out of paper. As I probed near the sensors I could tell that I was going to need a smaller instrument to dig out the teensy-weensy bits compacted together that were causing the blockage, so I got one of the sharp things that I use when tying a turkey up for roasting. I can't think what it's called. Several of them came in the set. They are sort of like a big needle with a big loop on one end. You poke them through the skin, every other one going the opposite direction. Then you can thread the string through them like a corset.
Anyhoo, I used the smaller thing and was able to remove the blockage...or so I thought. Another test revealed the same result as before, it would run but wouldn't turn itself off. More digging (and wondering if my rubber shoes would keep me from electrocuting myself) unearthed more bits, but I couldn't work them out. I needed a still smaller instrument. A paperclip!
Got the paperclip and opened it up and that did get me in a little closer. I got more paper out, but not enough. Same result as before. And then, just as with the small sharp thingy, I found more paper, but couldn't work it out. I needed something even smaller than the paperclip...maybe with something that would grab the paper. Don't even think tweezers...there wasn't space for tweezers. A crochet hook!
I have tons of crochet hooks and found a nice small one and it worked. I was actually able to bring forth more tiny bits of paper. After another failed test, and more digging...eureka! Sweet success! It works!!!
My first thought was, "Well, that's an hour I'll never get back." But, on reflection I was glad a)I got it working and don't have to replace it, and b) I didn't electrocute myself.
It was while I was returning all the "instruments" to their proper places that I started thinking of posting about it. So, I gathered everything together again, arranged them on a McDonald's plastic tray (where did that come from) to look like a surgical procedure had taken place. You'll notice in the photo below that I tastefully draped the shredder and laid the instruments out on a sterile (well, previously unused, anyway) paper towel. I just realized that I didn't put the crochet hook in its proper place...after the paper clip. But, everything is put away now and I'm not dragging it all out again.
Two items I also used, but didn't mention above, were a magnifying glass and a flashlight. A giant flashlight. They weren't terribly helpful as I only have two hands, when I actually needed four: one hand to hold the shredder in a good position, one hand to hold and work the instrument, one hand to hold the flashlight, and one hand to hold the cheap ass magnifying glass which wouldn't have helped even if I had those extra hands. You'll also notice the patient's lifeline (the electrical cord) draped over the patient's little body.
All's well that end's well...and I repeat...I didn't electrocute myself!
It was my fault. I didn't unfold the page with the card on it and the kitchen shredder is really not strong enough to get through that many layers...and, I put it in crooked. So, it jammed almost as soon as it started shredding. To make it worse, I switched it to reverse and it started (apparently) drawing up shreds from below. It kept trying to do its job, but I put it out of its misery by turning it off.
I picked up the shredder and turned it over to remove the blockage, but soon found that I was going to need a specialized tool to continue with the procedure. An icepick! I got the icepick and got to work on it. Of course, I didn't unplug it even though I knew I should. But that would have entailed taking out the trash can as well as the shredder bin and removing the drawer, which is heavy and difficult. The plug is behind the drawer. I opted to attempt the procedure while the patient was hooked up. I had rubber shoes on.
I removed quite a bit of paper, and tested the unit. It would run, but wouldn't turn itself off. Something was still blocking the thingy that told it when it had run out of paper. As I probed near the sensors I could tell that I was going to need a smaller instrument to dig out the teensy-weensy bits compacted together that were causing the blockage, so I got one of the sharp things that I use when tying a turkey up for roasting. I can't think what it's called. Several of them came in the set. They are sort of like a big needle with a big loop on one end. You poke them through the skin, every other one going the opposite direction. Then you can thread the string through them like a corset.
Anyhoo, I used the smaller thing and was able to remove the blockage...or so I thought. Another test revealed the same result as before, it would run but wouldn't turn itself off. More digging (and wondering if my rubber shoes would keep me from electrocuting myself) unearthed more bits, but I couldn't work them out. I needed a still smaller instrument. A paperclip!
Got the paperclip and opened it up and that did get me in a little closer. I got more paper out, but not enough. Same result as before. And then, just as with the small sharp thingy, I found more paper, but couldn't work it out. I needed something even smaller than the paperclip...maybe with something that would grab the paper. Don't even think tweezers...there wasn't space for tweezers. A crochet hook!
I have tons of crochet hooks and found a nice small one and it worked. I was actually able to bring forth more tiny bits of paper. After another failed test, and more digging...eureka! Sweet success! It works!!!
My first thought was, "Well, that's an hour I'll never get back." But, on reflection I was glad a)I got it working and don't have to replace it, and b) I didn't electrocute myself.
It was while I was returning all the "instruments" to their proper places that I started thinking of posting about it. So, I gathered everything together again, arranged them on a McDonald's plastic tray (where did that come from) to look like a surgical procedure had taken place. You'll notice in the photo below that I tastefully draped the shredder and laid the instruments out on a sterile (well, previously unused, anyway) paper towel. I just realized that I didn't put the crochet hook in its proper place...after the paper clip. But, everything is put away now and I'm not dragging it all out again.
Two items I also used, but didn't mention above, were a magnifying glass and a flashlight. A giant flashlight. They weren't terribly helpful as I only have two hands, when I actually needed four: one hand to hold the shredder in a good position, one hand to hold and work the instrument, one hand to hold the flashlight, and one hand to hold the cheap ass magnifying glass which wouldn't have helped even if I had those extra hands. You'll also notice the patient's lifeline (the electrical cord) draped over the patient's little body.
All's well that end's well...and I repeat...I didn't electrocute myself!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Watch that basket!
I had to mow today. Even though we haven't had rain in ages (months, I think) and I haven't watered, the grass in some of the less sunny areas is determined to grow. So, I went out there after I finished breakfast this morning.
When I bumped a low hanging limb it reminded me that I needed to watch out for the really low hanging basket that I mentioned in a post the last time I mowed...probably 3 or 4 weeks ago.) Less than a minute after telling myself to not run into the basket I ran into the basket. And it still hurt. This time I yelled a curse. When I finished mowing, I moved the basket to where I can't hurt myself anymore. I might as well have, the contents were dead anyway.
It ended up not taking long to mow. More than half the grass hadn't grown enough to be worth mowing. And that's a good reason not to mow, in my opinion.
When I bumped a low hanging limb it reminded me that I needed to watch out for the really low hanging basket that I mentioned in a post the last time I mowed...probably 3 or 4 weeks ago.) Less than a minute after telling myself to not run into the basket I ran into the basket. And it still hurt. This time I yelled a curse. When I finished mowing, I moved the basket to where I can't hurt myself anymore. I might as well have, the contents were dead anyway.
It ended up not taking long to mow. More than half the grass hadn't grown enough to be worth mowing. And that's a good reason not to mow, in my opinion.
The Royal Wedding
I hadn't seen any of the hoopla leading up to this event. I even forgot about it, actually, thinking it was tomorrow. I didn't remember until I checked Cousin J's blog about 12:30 and she had a couple of photos posted.
I found it on BBC America and DVR'd the wedding and then the highlights. It was uplifting to see so many people so ecstatic about this wedding. And the pageantry was stunning! The overhead shots inside the cathedral were wonderful. Kate was absolutely lovely and regal in her gorgeous gown. She looks every bit the royal and movie star beautiful to boot.
I certainly hope they'll have a wonderful life together. They had a beautiful beginning.
This was a very nice change from all the disasters we've been exposed to in the recent past...the tsunamis, the wildfires, the tornados...I'm glad I watched it!
I found it on BBC America and DVR'd the wedding and then the highlights. It was uplifting to see so many people so ecstatic about this wedding. And the pageantry was stunning! The overhead shots inside the cathedral were wonderful. Kate was absolutely lovely and regal in her gorgeous gown. She looks every bit the royal and movie star beautiful to boot.
I certainly hope they'll have a wonderful life together. They had a beautiful beginning.
This was a very nice change from all the disasters we've been exposed to in the recent past...the tsunamis, the wildfires, the tornados...I'm glad I watched it!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Woes of the disconnected
In my last post I was so excited about having received my Verizon 4G modem. With incredibly bad timing, the 4G network apparently experienced a nationwide outage all day today. Talk about frustrating...especially since Verizon chose not to send a text message advising clients of the situation. I didn't turn on the computer until about noon and soon found that I couldn't connect through Verizon. Since broadband is still very new to me, I was helpless to know what to do. I couldn't even find a number for tech support, so I just kept trying to connect. Carolyn came over for some soup at lunch and reassured me that this happens sometime. Usually, in her case, she just keeps trying until connection is established. So, I kept trying...all day.
I was able to connect through my wireless service, but it remains slow and takes much longer than usual to load pages. I finally saw (via a link to MSNBC) that the 4G network was down nationwide. That reassured me, at least it relieved my concern that the modem was defective. So....I played FreeCell and tried to connect every once in a while...until, at 11 PM, it finally connected.
I don't like it when things don't work the way they should. But, it's working now...so I'm a happy camper again. It seems a little sad that being able to connect makes me happy. Sigh.
I was able to connect through my wireless service, but it remains slow and takes much longer than usual to load pages. I finally saw (via a link to MSNBC) that the 4G network was down nationwide. That reassured me, at least it relieved my concern that the modem was defective. So....I played FreeCell and tried to connect every once in a while...until, at 11 PM, it finally connected.
I don't like it when things don't work the way they should. But, it's working now...so I'm a happy camper again. It seems a little sad that being able to connect makes me happy. Sigh.
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