Stuff and things

So Friday I left work fifteen minutes early and grabbed a bus down to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal like I used to do when we had our five acres out in the country.  We still have a friend who lives on the Peninsula and we were having dinner with her.  Hubs picked me up on the other side and we spent a pleasant few hours visiting.  Then our fasting began.  Damn it. 

Because Hubs has chronic conditions which require daily meds the doc is serious about keeping an eye on him by checking his blood pretty regularly.  Saturday morning was Vampire Day so we couldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight.  I was also having blood drawn as part of my annual physical.  In addition to not eating or drinking from about 10:30 or so I didn’t get to take my ibuprofen or tylenol for 15+ hours!  Talk about pain!  I hurt in places I didn’t know I had!

Following our date with the Vampire we stopped for a quick bite to eat and washed that down with pain meds pronto!  I wish I could say they kicked in right away and I felt better quickly.  Sigh.  But it did improve enough that I was able to go with Hubs up to Everett to bring home our new-to-us toy:

This is not our actual 5th wheel but a remarkable facsimile pulled from a for sale ad online.  I haven’t had a chance yet to take photos of ours.  Here’s another facsimile shot of the interior: 

I have to say I like how light this one is.  Our floor plan is similar – sofa on the right, table on the left; but our interior seems a bit darker.  Of course that’s with the blinds down.  While we were parking it I was inside hooking up a heater and the wall sconces were on and it was very cozy!

Here’s my kitchen!

Okay, it isn’t my kitchen but it is very similar.  I think my oven door is black.  The cabinets are all the same though and the fridge and those mirrored doors. 

Hubs is out there right this very minute swapping LED bulbs for the ones that we didn’t get around to switching Saturday night and introducing the dogs to their home away from home. 

I don’t think he gets it that I’m ready to hit the road!  I spent time on Friday looking up the campground near our friends and checking on availability for Memorial Day weekend.  I’ve already asked for the first three days of Thanksgiving week off so we will have nine days to drive to Southern California and visit the oldest daughter and her family!  And I so want to go back to the ocean to camp this summer!

What have you got planned for the summer?

Still here

Just really, really busy.  Sigh.  I’m hopeful I can put up a real post soon though.  I also hope everyone is well out there in internet-land!

Wahoo, it’s here!

In beautiful downtown Seattle today Emerald City Comicon begins at 2 pm!  The 3-day passes are sold out (I believe I mentioned that here).  Saturday tickets are sold out.  Sunday tickets are sold out.  So if you want to attend and you don’t have an “in” with someone you’re stuck with today.  If you get there in time that is.  Comicon is being held at the Washington State Convention Center where they estimate attendance will be 20,000!  I think the line is going to reach to the ferris wheel!

We discussed dressing up for comicon (popularly known as cosplay) but there wasn’t a lot of time to find or make something worthy.  So instead I bought another geeky t-shirt to wear:

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this image, it’s a TARDIS.  The Doctor travels through time and space in this puppy.  And it’s bigger on the inside . (If you know Doctor Who you may be laughing at that.  If not, oh well.)  The designer of this shirt caught the TARDIS in mid-jump.  I love the simplicity of it, not to mention the colors! 

Stay tuned!  I hope to post afterward with photos and maybe even a funny story or two.  Have a great weekend everyone!

You Know Me, I'm A Helper

Reblogged from awesomesauciness:

So, if you haven't laughed so hard you peed your pants yet this week.....

Go here, and click on the video clip in the middle of the page.

But first, be sure to have an extra pair of underwear on hand..or Depends...whatever floats your boat.

I got nuttin’

Well…except that IT’S FRIDAY!  Woo hoo! 

But otherwise?  Nuttin’.  That I can share anyway. 

Oh!  Oh!  I just thought of something shareable (is that even a word?).  Back on January 18 (I think that’s what the news said anyway) a traveler came through SeaTac airport and exposed a bunch of folks to the measles.  Did you know people still get measles?  

Anyway, it was reported on the news this morning that a second case of measles has been confirmed in someone who was exposed at the airport last month.  (Wow, it’s February already!)  And of course that person visited his (or her) local grocery and Starbucks, thereby exposing a lot more people!  The newscast gave an overview of the symptoms to watch for and recommended seeing a doctor if you experience any of them.  Duh.  They also warned that measles is highly contagious (See?  So shareable!). 

Hey, have a great weekend!  And be careful sharing out there!

Oh and there’s that big football game this weekend too.  Go… um… hmm… GO TEAM!  Yeah, that’ll work.

The Cake Is ...

Reblogged from GhostCat Chronicles:

I found this video on Pinterest the other day, it was the final project for the woman's Textile Arts degree. I'm hoping she got it.

Black Forest Cake from Marion Ber on Vimeo.

Read more… 2 more words

I first saw this last week on my buddy GhostCat's blog and I haven't been able to forget about it. I shared it with a few people personally but I still couldn't get it out of my head, it's that cool!  Enjoy!!

Happy 2013!

May you all be blessed with a healthy, happy and prosperous 2013!

My New Battle Cry!

Reblogged from awesomesauciness:

From one of the funniest wastes of time on the Web comes my new battle cry:

Not to mention the fact that I nearly wet my britches laughing at the text, but no matter. 

Fear me, for I shall lobster ALL the fetish!!!

From one of my WordPress / YSAC buddies. This made me laugh so hard I almost snorted my peanut butter!

Today’s reasons for gratitude

“First, a husband who found time to put up our first birdhouse, and second, that we had occupants right away.  Bluebirds know good work.”  Kathy Johnson, High Point, NC

 “A husband who understands why I keep latex paint in a container marked “macaroni salad” in the refrigerator.”  Helene Turner, Tallahassee, FL

That’s a story I’d like to hear.

“Thanksgiving potluck dinners with mashed potatoes, turkey, pumpkin pie, and wall-to-wall people who aren’t afraid to sit on the stairwell to eat.”  Elizabeth Krenik, Le Center, MN

“The scent of wild honeysuckle in the dark air as I walk among the trees.  Though I know that out there, in the world beyond my small woods, more fearsome things lurk, I stretch my arms to the moon, inhaling the safe, damp night.”  Arlene Mandell, Santa Rosa, CA 

“A little orange cat with birth defects.  I saved his life, and he saved mine.”  Jane Johnston, Coos Bay, OR

I think I may have something in my eye (sniff). 

“Waking without an alarm clock.”  Cheryl Charming, Gainesville, FL

“My friends.  Like the peppers in chili, they spice up my life.”  Carol Bolden, Cleveland, OH

And MY friends, online and off.  Thank you so much for being my friends.  HUGS for everyone!

If I Won the Lottery

Lately I’ve noticed advertisements on our buses for the Washington State lottery.  I’m uncertain how long this ad campaign has been going on or why it suddenly stood out for me.  From what I’ve seen the gist of these ads is what would you do if you won the lottery – and apparently the wilder the better.  One I recall in particular shows a vessel similar to an aircraft carrier, only it’s covered by a golf course.  The caption says something like, “I’d play golf all over the world.”  There’s another with a line of motorcyclists closely following each other but I’ve never seen it clearly enough to read the caption. 

We’ve probably all imagined winning the lottery at least once.  I’ve heard of folks who say they would quit their jobs immediately; and then others who would keep working at least for awhile.  In addition, there are countless stories about winners winding up destitute after plowing through their newfound money at record speeds. 

I did a little (very little…I’m lazy remember?) research and found a couple of people who seemed to represent the opposite ends of the spectrum regarding what they would do should they win big.  Clever Dude would pay off his debt – no surprise there.  However, his article broke down his possible winnings into different amounts and based on the amount won he laid out what debt he hoped to be able to pay off.  If his winnings reached the right level he said he’d even pay off his parents’, grandparents’ and siblings’ debt!  Generosity, thy name is Clever Dude!  To be fair, CD also mentions doing fun stuff like traveling, if the money is big enough.  It’s just not first on his list. 

The plan which most amused me was Chef Keem’s.  I have no idea who this man is but his exuberance is contagious and I want to be his friend, even if he never wins the lottery.  His plans include flying all his buds to Austin, Texas to visit him.  Then he’ll cover dinner (which he describes in detail), drinks, and evening entertainment.  Finally, he’ll take everyone to Munich, Austria, and Vienna!  Even after all that he still had money left over!  What to do?  He asked his readers to suggest ways to burn the remaining $23 million!  Although this was only a dream it made me smile. 

Mine isn’t your typical lottery list.  I’m not hankering for a luxury vacation, a palatial new home or a fancy car.  Yes I am too normal – shut up! 

My wants and desires are less grandiose.   

1. A vehicle I can get in and out of easily.  I adore our pickup and Suburban – in a fender bender guess who’s driving away?  However, the older I get the harder it is to climb into our beasts.   I’d like a previously owned mid-sized SUV with four wheel drive please — in blue.  Not only would it be easier for me to get into but our ancient canines would benefit as well.  Win-win! 
2. Triple A coverage for all my kids – peace of mind for me.  More win!
3. An indoor swimming pool.  Heated goes without saying.  And maybe a hot tub.
4. To pay back the loans I had to take from my retirement.
5.  I would give away a LOT of money but only to organizations which help people help themselves.  Like Kiva and Habitat for Humanity.
6. A time machine (preferably with David Tennant at the helm, but I’ll take what I can get).  I’d like to go back in time and tell my mother I’m sorry and that I forgive her.  I’d like to go back to say goodbye to my Grandma and punch my grandfather in the gonads.  Um wait, that might be too touchy-feely; maybe I’ll just wear some pointy-toed shoes and kick him.  (Sorry, the whole time travel thing got a tad out of control there.)
7. I’d upgrade my blog to a paid version so I could use all the neat tools and graphics and stuff.
8. Eventually, I would retire from my job.  Like the next time BigLaw annoys me. 

Smaller vehicle and indoor pool aside, I can’t think of anything I want that I don’t already have.  The SUV would be nice.  Sure, I’d love to have access to a pool all year.  But I’m surviving just fine without those things and I feel truly blessed in my life.  How many lottery winners can say that? 

Today’s gratitude excerpts:

“The sound of my child’s footsteps coming downstairs for breakfast.  That sound is like music and makes my heart soar every time I hear it.”  Robin Lieberman, Queens, NY 

“Hot chocolate with double-whipped cream, a good book on a rainy Saturday, the snoring sound my dog makes when she sleeps, and the lovely wrinkles around my husband’s eyes when he smiles.”  Ellen Birkett Morris, Louisville, KY