My Cats Are Not This Entertaining

The only tricks my cats can do is barf on a shoe. They certainly wouldn’t climb into a goldfish bowl on command.

You’ve probably already received this in a viral e-mail, because it’s going around. But, I needed the chance to giggle today. This is one of those days when I think I am re-writing the Book of Job. Of course, whenever I sit and feel sorry for myself, I’m lucky enough to get a wake up call.

I can thank Cathy at Arkie Mama for my latest one. If you are in the mood for a change of perspective, visit her post called An Indomitable Spirit. It’s short, sweet, and heartwarming. Thanks, Cathy.

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I appreciate y'all talking to me, Kacey, Penelope Anne, Arkie Mama, Shannymar, Jessica The Rock Chick, and Jamie!
Thursday Thirteen # 34. What Rattles Around in My Head

To tell the truth, everything is rattling in my head. The jackhammers have been ripping into my bedroom floor, and I’m reeling from the noise and turmoil. For Thursday Thirteen, I’m just giving you whatever floats to the surface.

1. Earlier this week, I talked about my Scheherazade Complex. It seems I never finish a story (I explained that Scheherazade didn’t finish a story so that her husband wouldn’t behead her in the morning), so I wrote a humongous update on everything I’ve talked about lately. I wanted to end it with the line, “I’ve finished all my story, so you can behead me now.”

2. But, it’s a good thing I didn’t. I had a man e-mail me and chastise me for not telling you more about Scheherazade (as if the post wasn’t long enough, and as if you cared). He proceeded to tell me the whole story of her and explain that Scheherezade wasn’t just a storyteller, but a hero. I wrote him back and didn’t say that there is no such thing as “just” a storyteller, and that since she was female she would have been a “heroine.” No, I bit my tongue and was polite. I told him that I was trying for funny and obviously missed the mark. Then, he wrote again and said, “Executions and capital punishment are not funny, even fictional executions, even here in Texas.” I did not tell him what my Daddy would have said: “You’d gripe if you were hung with a new rope.”

I didn’t figure that would set well with him.

3. After my experience with the plumbers and the jackhammers, I wanted to blog about “Thirteen Things That You DON”T Want to Hear The Plumbers Say.” My husband told me I couldn’t do that, because we hope to sell this money pit house one day, and a potential buyer might see it and back out of a purchase. If you are a “potential buyer,” let me assure you that this is a lovely house. I would be quite happy with you here.
[update: My husband just said, "I just wonder why I thought it was a good idea to buy a house from a person whose last name was "Onus." It truly was!}

4. I've been called a "twit" before, but now I really am! I signed up for Twitter…I don’t know why. Are you a twit, too? If so, click that badge and “follow” me! I’ll click and follow you! We can have a parade, except that if I’m following you and you are following me, we will just go around in circles. I do that most of the time anyway. If you want to know more about Twitter, I found an article about Socialising With Twitter. I haven’t gotten to read all of it yet because I’ve been too busy to socialize, but I’ll get around to it.

5. Is that “following” business in Twitter like “stalking?” No, I don’t think so. Leanne has found a cool plug-in for WordPress blogs that shows the chatter of all the people she follows. I may have to get her help with that (did you see that link, Leanne?). A link is one way to get her to look.

6. I want her to look, because I want her to help me set up a sub-domain for “Dear Dora.” I’ve been channeling her. Dora, not Leanne. You thought Dora was “Dear Abby,” but it wasn’t, she just didn’t have any self-confidence. She’s Ann and Abby’s third twin. Dora wasn’t really “all there,” if you know what I mean. She always envied that Ann and Abby had advice columns, but never had one of her own. Poor gal. Anne and Abby never acknowledged her, because she was a bit of a twit. HEY! She can have her own blog, and maybe I can get her Twitter, too! That way you can always know what ridiculous thoughts have passed through her mind!

7. Jaime has been helping me search for a picture of her. I need something that I can use for free, of course.

8. She found this picture of “Dora, Abby, and Ann” in their younger years. Dora is in the middle.

the-three-sisters.jpg

9. Jamie said that this was Dora later in life.

dora-1.JPG

10. But maybe this is Dora?

dora-2.jpg

11. Or, this?

dora-3.jpg

12. I just don’t know. Y’all help me decide…which would you choose? Or, have you seen a picture of her? If so, send it to me so we can make a choice. I just have to have Dora’s picture, you know.

13. And, Dora will have much more fun if some of you want to submit letters to her. Sure, I can write them, but I know some of you could, too, if you don’t have a lot of pressure on you. You’ve seen the letters people wrote to Dear Abby, haven’t you? You could write something like that. When I have the sub-domain, I’ll post your letter with Dora’s response and a link to you. Of course, don’t expect Dora to really solve any problems. She is, after all, half a bubble off plumb.

13. I never read the newspaper until it’s several days old. Dang. I found out too late that Paris Hilton was right here in Denton at the Sally Beauty Supply Headquarters. I am so disappointed. I could have met her and had a story to tell to Jessica The Rock Chick!

That’s what I can tell you, but I’ll probably put bits and pieces on Twitter throughout the day. Y’all visit some of the wonderful Thursday Thirteen crowd, and come visit me another day. We can do lunch.

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What To Do When The Jackhammers Are Coming

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:

“The joys of home ownership are highly over-rated!”

Have you ever experienced jackhammers drilling through the foundation of your home? I’ve been waiting all day for the plumbers to show up, so I can have that delightful experience for the second time in a year. The only thing worse than “plumber’s butt” is waiting all day for them to arrive to show it to you! When I mention “plumber’s butt” around here, my delightful husband chortles, “Just say ‘no’ to crack!”

Some people have asked me if we are re-modeling. No. It’s a plumbing leak. If I were re-modeling, I’d have no cause for complaint. The mess would be my own fault. Believe me, it’s a mess, one that I would never intentionally choose.

Last year at this time, we got a plumbing surprise, and the plumber started in with the jackhammers before I had time to prepare. I was still numb from shock when they started jarring my house apart. By the time they were through, many hours later, my whole house was covered with a fine layer of cement dust. It seeped into cabinets and coated the dishes. It took months to get all the surfaces clean again.

Now, it begins again. This time, I’m ready for it (or as ready as you can be under the circumstances). If jackhammers are coming to your home, I want you to be prepared. Let me tell you a few things to know to help you prevent a mess:

  1. Make sure that the plumber “tents” the area where he will be working if at all possible. That was our main problem last time. If he contains the cement dust to a smaller area with plastic sheeting, your mess will be much less at the end of the ordeal.
  2. Take down any knick-knacks in the vicinity of that jackhammer! If you don’t, they will fall down of their own accord. We even took down mirrors, because we don’t need any more bad luck!
  3. Remove as much furniture as you can from the area, and drape the rest with plastic sheeting.
  4. Remove blinds and drapery in the area, unless you just really want to clean them. When I removed mine, I discovered that I had to clean them anyway, but at least I won’t be trying to remove cement dust, too.
  5. Turn off the central heat and air conditioning unit in that area of the house, and cover the vents with plastic or tape.
  6. Remove the blades from any ceiling fans, and bag the fixture with a garbage bag.
  7. Tape off the doors to closets or other rooms, if you can.
  8. Get yourself some earplugs!
  9. Get some whine wine and try (just try) to relax!

Yeah.
plumbing_pit.jpg

Just try!

I want you to be aware of one other thing. Perhaps it will prevent you from having to endure this nonsense. I think you should avoid ever cleaning your house. It’s true. I’ve noticed a clear correlation between me polishing the paneling and the cabinets and plumbers needing to jackhammer through my foundation.

Coincidence?

You be the judge.

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