Let There Be Light...

...and a furnace, and cold refrigerator, and a coffee maker, and a microwave. Let me introduce you to our newest friend - or should I say our "Guardian". Never again will we be without power- when AEP takes nine days to get it fixed! ( This is what we went through as recent at September!) We had it installed today, and it will come on if the power is off more than 30 seconds. It will run everything in our house except the stove/oven - but I still can use a microwave. At least it will allow us to keep the house warm in winter outages, and full refrigerators cold in the summer. So to all my friends and family, you are ALL welcome to come here, the next time you are in the dark (even bring your pets).
And now...a drum roll please ..............................

The WINTER STORM '09 HILLJACK AWARD goes to:
How unbelievably absurd it this?! Please feel free to click on the photos, so that you can be sure and see all the absurdness a little clearer! Standing in our driveway, I see this sight coming down the ice covered road.....a man driving his Rascal (bet it didn't cost him one red cent) IN the street, and pulling a child on a plastic sled that is tied to said Rascal! In semi-hysterical amazement, I headed into the house to grab the camera, knowing this moron would make at least one more pass. He did not disappoint me! As I ran out into the yard to get a better picture, he made a sharp turn for the sidewalk (hence the child being flung the the street's center). I'm not sure if its because he saw me taking the picture, or if he saw a car that needed to use the street.
The picture below shows them heading for home....ON the sidewalk. Isn't it great to see what he uses a machine his insurance and Medicare probably paid for? Or better yet, Medicaid probably bought this for him...on our behalf!
Ya know, I really try not to make fun of my fellowman - but you're not leaving me much choice here.

Four and Twenty blackbirds

Do you think this is imagery fit for a fairytale? No, you are not seeing things - there are masses of these *$(%(^%*$ birds in our yard! They are European Starlings {aka A Pain in the Ass}. One afternoon, I sat "watch" in the dining room and squirted them with water bottle jets. They really do just take over - and empty a birdbath in about 5 minutes! This picture was taken a couple of days ago, but the one below was taken last month - in the front yard. (click pics to make larger)

Have you ever seen the movie "The Birds"? I would imagine this is what it felt like. If you make sound/movement, they all fly away (which is super creepy), and then they all sit in trees, etc and make noise. When they are in the back yard, the noise is truly deafening.

And finally... the new car!
We picked her up last Thursday night. Its a 2009 Honda Accord V-6, Basque Red Pearl (cranberry) with ivory (tan) interior. I just realized today, that when Steve and I met, we both drove Oldsmobile Cutlass', and now we have two Hondas.

You know how when you were a kid and you got a new toy that was the best in the world...and you would even sleep with it? If we had a heated garage, I would set up camp!
I love the heated seats (two settings: bake or broil), and the greatest stereo system WITH XM-radio! Ahhhhhhh, I am in heaven. I asked Steve if we could drive to Maryland this afternoon, just so I could listen to the radio. I cant spin that tuner fast enough to hear ALL the radio. However, what I listen to mostly is the comedy channels - and yes, mainly the "raw" channels. While sitting at a redlight on Saturday, there was a comic I was laughing SO hard at, that I am sure the folks in the car beside us thought I was probably having some type of seizure! The kind of laugh noiseless-breathless laugh that makes you gag at the end!
Here is a shot of the proud Daddy!

I am glad I have this picture of Steve, since I wish to make a reference to his age. I don't think he looks anywhere close to 62 - do you? Today we took in a movie matinee and saw Gran Torino. I asked him how much the tickets cost to see if prices had been increased (normally $4.25). He showed me the $3.50 ticket stub. Wow! Have prices DEcreased there? NO. Come to find out, today was "Senior Monday" and everyone 62+ gets in for $3.50! Do you think I will have bad ticket karma for getting a ticket cheaper...and NOT being old? Maybe this brief story will answer that. Keep in mind that since we are at the movies on a Monday afternoon, there are maybe 20 people in the whole theatre. We are comfortably seated in our row (first row of the upper section, so no one can sit in front of us - cause I am like a "movie idiot" magnet), because we have arrived on time and now watching the previews...in the dark...because the movietime has started. Don't be late - its rude. So these late (and rude) people have come in and are headed to the upper section. Again, let me remind you that there are 20 people in the WHOLE theatre. Here they come.......down our row. Surely they will stop well short of us. Coming closer, these rude folks stop ONE seat away from Steve. Well... as long as you leave at least one seat away, I guess we cant complain. But HELL NO, the rude lady decides she wanted to step around her friend, and sit right next to Steve! Yep, right beside him. I decided to invoke my "you're being a complete moron, so I don't have to really respect you" response, "Are you f**king kidding me?" Yeah, she stepped back around her friend and sat her stupid ass down! After the movie, and out of curiosity, I asked the manager how many seats were available in that particular theatre, and he told me 251. That's right...out of the 231 remaining seats she felt possessed to sit THAT close to us. You note my previous reference to being a moron magnet, didn't you?
The movie was super excellent, by the way - go see it. And block the seat next to you with your coat!

Hodge Podge for $200, Alex

Since I don't have any specific topics to discuss, I'll just share a bunch of stuff running through my mind lately, that didn't seem to fit with any other post.
Lets start with the weather - again.
You would think living in the midwest, that cold weather and snow are expected. Well, yes they are. However, I think -20 degrees (standing still with NO wind) is a little more keeping with the theme of The Arctic, don't you think? This is Ohio - I think some weather rules need to be established. Maybe I should use a softer word like "guidelines" instead of rules (wouldn't want to piss off the weatherman again). How about these guidelines: not colder than 15deg, and no more than 2 inches of snow in a 24 hr period. Sound fair enough?
It should never be SO cold that you get exhausted getting dressed to go outside (note picture here). That would be against the rules.
Oh man, you people in Alaska (ok, Minnesota, too) have my respect!
Silver Lining of a Cloud note: However, I really cant hate Winter. Winter is the workhorse of all the seasons. It is because of Winter, that we have the beauty and rebirth of Spring. Winter provides the much needed rest that spring/summer need to show off. Hey, it gets me through, alright?

Since I have already referenced The Christmas Story once, I might as well continue...as I share one of those "lesson learned" stories. Feel free to take notes. I "learned" this yesterday: when you have been driving a car with heated seats for an hour, and you rush into McDonald's, heading to the restroom, keep in mind...those seats are kept at a MUCH cooler temperature!!! THIS might provide a better image.

I also had an exciting visitor here. I can now add the District of Columbia to my viewership. My first thought was "uh-oh", but laughed when I saw it was just the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It did find it stereotypically entertaining that it the viewing took place during work hours on government equipment. Hmm, yeah.

Does anyone out there have a Sham-Wow? I normally try not to watch infomercials (since whatever they are selling, I realize I desperately need), but I am intrigued by the mess-removing chamois they call Sham-Wow. What I find particularly funny that the product is advertised to "hold tons of liquid & its machine washable". In theory, wouldn't the Sham-Wow just suck up all the water in the washer? I will offer another great find (for those keeping notes) - the PedEgg DOES work! So ladies, get your while supplies last.

I mentioned in a post here about wearing (or should I say "not" wearing) my goofy, yet very warm, hat. Since this is one my favorite commercials, I feel it might best represent my position to wear my hat...especially when I am with my mom!

shovel...brr...shovel...brr...

***Note to self: Don't make fun of the weatherman when he is wrong! (see the posing prior to this one)

Today we got 7 inches of snow. Now, the t.v. station in Columbus might suggest that it was 5-1/2inches - they are wrong! Maybe they were measuring a pile that was blown by the strong wind, but they are still wrong. It snowed non-stop from 10am until 10pm...but at least Steve could use the big push broom for "shoveling". He went out every couple of hours and cleared everything off - including Gracie, here, who always had to be out with him, but would get SO covered, she had to be swept off before we could let her in the house to dry her off. She certainly isn't a "water" dog, but she loves the snow. As a puppy, she would always catch snowballs I tossed into the air - then not understanding where they went as they fell apart in her mouth. As she got older, she would just stand in front of the snow shovel and wait for me to dump a shovel full of snow on her, and then run.
The birds were out pretty heavy yesterday, too. We went through two full feeders. I spent alot of time watching them, and had tons of cardinals. Here is one at the suet:
And, could these Two Turtle Doves be left over from Christmas? *and how many of you just finshed humming "and a partridge in a pear tree" on your head?*
OK, now to share some personal satisfaction...
Do you remember in a previous post ( here) I expressed my confusion about a couple who sits courtside and ignores the floor activities? I called them The Knitters. On Tuesday night, during a timeout at the Indiana game, the audience was told to watch the huge teletron "and show their spirit". The usual fanatics make their appearances; waving #1 fingers, saying "hi mom", nudging their neighbor to look up, then wave at themselves on the big screen. Weeeeell, this time, The Knitters made it on...and the arena booed them! Yes, they were booed! Of course, they didn't know it, with their heads down getting "something done" in that "all accomplishing" two minute time span. I wont start bitching about it, again, but it felt so affirming that 15,000 other people, within earshot, agreed with me! Boooooooo!

Hope you are all somewhere safe and cozy. If you need something warm to wear, I am sure this lady can knit a scarf for you during the next game...

Ice - Ice, Birdie

This was the battle for wildlife, and us, today. Our local weathermen habitually rally and cheer when there is bad weather on the way (aka: Weather Wood). They are as giddy as little boys, eager to see what Santa has brought them on Christmas morning. Oh yes, and everyone must run to the store and buy "bread & milk". What, I ask, are these delicious life sustaining dishes to be created with "bread & milk". Apparently, many - since hours before any storm is supposed to hit, our local stores are completely stripped of these two items. Except for pudding and french toast, I don't have any recipes that even call for "bread & milk". OK, onto another sport.
I laughed watching a squirrel trying to negotiate and ice covered branch that would get him to the feeder. After about six tries, of slipping and hanging, he finally jumped to the ground and just took the steps up to the deck - climbing a rail to get there. I guess I should have mentioned, that the weatherman was wrong - AGAIN - and we didn't get ANY snow. Just ice. Thank god, because I only have about a quart of milk, and no bread, in the house! However, since it was slippery out, we decided to just stay in. Wanna see what happens when you stay home all day, with too much time on your hands...and a camera?

This. When Gracie, and I, came in from taking pictures outside (she mainly watched), I couldn't just fling my hat aside and pass up this opportunity. And, yes, that is still our Christmas tree up in the background. I thought Gracie would be a unique model to show you my new hat. I told mom that I wanted a hat with fur and ear flaps for Christmas. This was her interpretation. Don't get me wrong - I love the hat! It is very warm, and extremely practical while working outside and walking the dog (plus is OSU colors). However, while making plans with Mom to go to lunch and shopping one subzero day last week, I mentioned that I would be wearing my new hat. She said "Oh heavens no. You will embarrass me". WHAT?? I tried to defend myself, and tell her that I think wearing the hat sends a message that I am a "fun and happy person". She said "well, you can be 'fun and happy' when you're not with me". I laughed so hard about this later - alot. And to think, of all the years she embarrassed me to death, when I was a teenager (or even last week, for that matter).
I hope you are all finding yourselves somewhere warm and dry, enjoying accurate weathermen, and wearing anything that makes you Fun and Happy!

Taking Care of (birthday) Business

That's right! I don't think I have yet to mention my love for Elvis (quit laughing), and since today would have been his birthday, this seems like a perfect time! {if you don't recognize the icon here, then just quit reading now}. He would be 74.
And yes, I clearly said "would have been" - I am not one of the crazy fans that think he is still alive somewhere, but I was raised on this music. I was introduced to Elvis Appreciation at birth! My parents played his albums, and we all danced around and sang like goonies. One of the biggest regrets I have is that I wasn't at an age, or position, to ever see him in concert - and because I don't "believe" in fat/aged Elvis, my concert memory is the Aloha from Hawaii. Here is one of my favorite songs from that very concert



Thank goodness I married a man who appreciates Elvis just as much. We went to Memphis (isn't this the Mecca equivalent for Elvis fans?), for our 1st anniversary trip. The best ribs in the world - I kid you not - are in Memphis. Then, while driving our white Lincoln Continental rent-a-car, we accidentally got lost in the "wrong neighborhood". In hindsight, we laughed, but at the time, it was a little scary. We were truly "In The Ghetto" ...

How does '9 find ya?

I cant believe its 2009! Y2K doesn't really seem that long ago - certainly not nine years worth!
We did our impression of Old People, and were in bed at 11:45 - holding coins in our hands and waiting for the ball to drop on tv, so we could turn it off and go to sleep. Have most of you heard the old wives tale about "holding coins in your hand when the clock strikes midnight, will assure you have enough money to meet your needs throughout the year's remainder". Man, I wish I knew it was this easy, AND knew it long before I did!
On Friday, we went to The Columbus Zoo, to see the "Holiday Lights". That's about all we saw. I have always wanted to go, and glad that we did, if no other reason than we don't have to do it again. To me, lights are lights. I have seen some nice neighborhood spreads that look just as good as the Zoo. And there are only about 4 animals to see! If anyone reading this decides they need to "see it for themselves", then I recommend: start in mid-afternoon, so you can see the other four animals the "might" have out, and stay until sundown, so you can see the lights come on. But for the $5 parking, and $10 each admission, it's just not that worth it. {Donate that money to charity.}
Funny enough, the most animals they had on display, were in (North American) The Barn. I could have seen the same things at my friend's farm (hi, Char). They had goats, sheep, and chickens. Really? Are these "zoo" quality animals? But notice, that two of my three pictures are of these FARM animals.
This fella seemed pretty used to the paparazzi.









Now here is a picture that might make you less likely to complain about your own "bad hair day". Just couldn't pass this up.










Here, this is something I can appreciate! I think if we had a critter like THIS around, we wouldn't have any mice! Right?! (see post of Dec 11th) Oh yeah, I did get to pet a (different) snake. They are truly very soft - like silk. Also got to pet a skink. No, not a skank - a skink. They are lizardy. Here is hoping the new year is treating you right. May all your days be only Lizardless Rodent-free Good Hair Days!