4 down.....gazillions to go!

Here's the proof....as gross as it may be..it's a fact of my life! This one is definitely not a toddler! I'm tired of wasting my Jif on these detestable creatures.

3 down....? to go!

Yet another toddler with his tail caught in my trap succumbed today. This is totally getting ridiculous. I guess it's fairly obvious that I am obsessed with these damn rodents. I am so afraid they will somehow get inside. I have no idea how, but I know they are resourceful!!

2 down...? to go!

This one was right by my front door. I have not seen any there! It was a toddler mouse that was in a corner dead. I've been back to the store for more bait. Now I am finding trails in my tall rye grass where they have apparently been running for a while. This is getting on my freakin' nerves.

Yep...it's official...

I'm a moron! I went to the bank this morning all ready to cancel my ATM card and order a new one. I can't live without my ATM. They checked with someone in the back office and my card had been retrieved from inside the machine. I guess I left after I got my money and after a little while, the machine eats the card. Thank goodness it did that before some unsavory character came along and wiped out my account. I'm sure there is a limit as to how much cash can be taken at one time, but I didn't lose any. I have been using these cards for 20 years and I have never ever done that!!!

Party Animal.....

Yep...that's me! Some of you knew me when that really was true.....but now.....NOT SO MUCH! Tonight was yet another celebration of various birthdays at Monjuni's in Bossier City. We had 11 people and I know all the other patrons were glad when we left. We had fun and it was sort of loud fun!!

I have lost my mind......

AND MY ATM CARD!!!! I last used it on Thursday at the ATM and I have looked everywhere. My bet is that I left it in the ATM machine. I'll be going to the bank Monday morning!!

1 down.....? to go!

I found a dead mouse out in their playland today. This one was bordering on being a RAT! He was big. Here's the kicker.....he was lying beside the tripped trap. The trap did not get him. I guess he had a heart attack!!!

Masquerade Bal'

Last night was the Mardi Gras Bal' and I must say it was really fun. I can say that even though I didn't know a whole lot of people there. I did know some and some of them I was surprised to see there. Having never been to a Mardi Gras Bal' before, this was all a new experience for me. It was very elaborate and well designed. There was a photographer there to take professional pictures, but I didn't avail myself of that. I don't need a picture of myself!!!

They're BACK!

Once again I am on a mission and a battle with the mice. Just a couple of days ago I saw one on the opposite end of the house (outside) from the ones I had before. Then I went to the original place that I fought the battle and saw two more. I HATE MICE! I went to the store and got everything I could find that is for killing mice. I am just no good with the traps. I can't set them and make them stay. The 3 that I was able to sit down on the ground without tripping them didn't catch anything, but they were all tripped. I WILL WIN!!!!! It's ON NOW!

Flashback to the 80's!

I spent all day today at a hotel ballroom helping the Queen of the Mardi Gras decorate her tables. She has seven tables with ten chairs at each one. All the royalty has different tables and each royalty member decorates his/her tables differently. Trust me...these tables are all very elaborate. The King is using Superman as his theme and on each table he has replicas of the Empire State building with fiber optic lights inside them. Wow....the flashback was to all those proms that I was in charge of in the 80's. They were fun to do and this was, too!

No worries!

All that worrying I was doing about blood work was all for nothing. I got the results of the second round of tests today and all was in the normal range. We don't know what was the deal with the previous tests. They still didn't do my HbA1C test, which is the 3 month average for blood sugar. I know the girl marked it on the form, but the lab results said no vial with a purple top was received, so the test wasn't done. The girl in the office said it wasn't supposed to be the purple topped vial, but the tiger top!! Who knew all those vials had different meanings!! Not me!!

Mardi Gras

I went here to learn about the Krewe whose Bal' I will be attending this weekend. I am still mulling over whether or not I want to join the Krewe. Their parade is next Saturday, so maybe after attending their Bal' and the parade, I can make up my mind. I have already attended their Cochon du lait (pig roasting) and their Halloween costume party and both of those were fun. All the people that I have met attending these functions are fun people, but, hey, it's Mardi Gras loving people which means FUN!

Hollywood South?

Making movies is a topic covered incessantly by the media here. The reason is that this area really is being used a lot for filming. Shreveport has built a big soundstage with all the amenities to entice filmmakers. Before the storm, New Orleans was a frequent destination for the industry. Since I have been here (almost one year), three times Main Street has been blocked off for filming. We do have a very neat, old-fashioned Main Street and, yes, Main Street is the name of the street. Yesterday they were filming in front (or inside) of the oldest Western Auto in Louisiana. It's a hardware type store. The day before they were filming at the library. Tom Sizemore is starring in this film. A couple of weeks ago Jessica Simpson was filming here, along with Willie Nelson. One of these days, I am going to go down and watch the procedure. Lots of people were standing around watching yesterday. I think it would be interesting and then to go see the movie when it comes out.

I am READY!

Ready to get back in the yard. Today I have been thinking about the back yard and how to landscape it. The front yard got done last year. When I went to Wal Mart today, I saw that they have their rose bushes out ready to go. I'm thinking I will build up a bed in the back and put really good roses in it. Right now it's still too cold to stay outside. Today I pruned the crepe myrtles, but I only have two and they are still fairly small. I cut them way back because last year they got that sooty mold stuff and I hated it.

Gloomiest day of the year?

Not for me! I heard all those reports about this being the gloomiest day of the year for many reasons including bills coming due from Christmas, broken resolutions, income taxes due. I tried to ward that off by going for a brisk walk this morning....and by brisk, I mean the weather, not the pace!!! I went into unchartered territory which took me right by the assisted living facility that is home to my aunt, so I had to stop in and visit her.

Later in the day I picked up meds for Mom at Wal Mart and took them to her. She was sleeping, so I cleaned her kitchen for her. I never saw Dad. He was in his room trying to sleep. Mom said he just can't breathe and I noticed yesterday that just walking around Wal Mart, he was wheezing very badly. He told Mom he just wished he could have a heart attack and go on home......eternity. I wish that he could do that as well because he is just so miserable and I just hate to see him that way.

I am having trouble logging on to blogger. I have tried for hours and read all the blogger help posts to no avail. I finally managed to do it, but it was a very round about way that I may not remember next time. If I go missing.....that's why!!!

Louisiana has gone NUTS!

And this is the reason why!!!!

Lesson learned!!!

I guess one never gets too old to learn. Today was going to be my departure from my self-imposed exile, so I got all decked out and ready to conquer the world of shopping for necessities. Car would NOT start. The battery is only two years old and a very good Interstate brand battery. This was not making sense. It's a 75 month battery! My brother and dad came to see what the problem was. Turns out that because I had not been in the car since Tuesday....PLUS....I keep a charging type flashlight plugged in the extra plug all the time, my battery got drained. Brother cleaned the posts, started it with his charger, and it has been starting ever since. He says I do not need a new battery. I am good to go now!

I switched!

I guess I waited until the last minute, but I switched to the new blogger today. I hope it works. I usually manage to screw something up. Other than doing that, I have been a waste of skin today and yesterday. Never left the house. I am becoming so lazy. I did make potato soup today and it is very good!! I am anxious to get back in the yard and make it all pretty, but I'm not anxious for the 100 degree weather. I like it like it is now. 41 degrees!

My sentiments exactly!!!

2,000 years ago, Moses said, "Pick up your shovel, pack your ass, mount your camel and I shall lead you to the Promised Land."

200-plus years ago, George Washington said, "Get off your ass, use your shovel, clear the land, grow plants for camels and it will be the Promised Land."

Last year, the Congress of the United States said "Si, Amigos, throw away your shovel, sit on your ass, light your Camels, we're giving you the Promised Land."
(copied from email)

Winter weather advisory?????

According to this, it should be sleeting mixed with freezing rain.......it's just not happening!! These people are panicked. All the schools started closing at 9:30 this morning. If I were still teaching, I would love this! There was some sleet earlier today, which was way cool.....OK way cold! No snow, but I wish it would. I love snow!

I am freezing...

and this is WHY!!!! These huge windows! The temp never rose above freezing today and I have had the heat on all day and the fireplace has been burning for 48 hours straight. The master bedroom suite is really big and includes a corner that houses my computer. The master bathroom is cold too, but I put an electric heater in there. There is one in the ceiling, but it just doesn't hack it. In the summer, this part of the house is hot for the very same reason. I love the big windows though and I wouldn't change them. I really wish I had bought a 3 bedroom now, so I could have an office. There is plenty of room in the bedroom, but I just don't like the way it looks. A bedroom should be a bedroom!!! I actually spend most of my time in the bedroom watching TV or on the computer. Right now I am about to get under the electric warming blanket on my bed!!!

BRRRR...It's cold....

According to the radar on my computer, it is snowing on me right now! I guess it isn't making it to the ground because my eyeballs don't see any snow!! I did hear some sleet last night, but since it was 80 degrees before it turned cold, the ground is too warm for it to stick. My day is plannned even though I would rather just curl up by the fireplace with my John Grisham book. I am going to lunch with the ladies and then taking my dad to Shreveport to see his hearing aid man. I had already planned to just go get Dad and take him out driving for a little while. He gets so tired of just staying home and inside. Yeah....I'm good like that!!!

Doc update..

I had my confab with the doc this morning about the blood test abnormalities. We did the creatinine and liver tests again to be sure that it isn't just a fluke. No results for about a week probably. I was supposed to get a container for a 24 hour urine catch, but they forgot and I forgot. I know he wrote it down, so it's them that should be checking to be sure everything is done. I guess I'll wait for the results and hope nothing further is required. There is a chance that if the creatinine is still out of range that my diabetes meds may have to be changed. He said metformin is not supposed to be taken if there is any indication of kidney malfunction. If the liver numbers are still up, we will do an ultra sound of the kidneys and liver. I guess I have been blessed with good health for way too long!!!

A Resurrection....of sorts!

Some time last year I used this graphic and directed it towards a few people in the news such as Cindy Sheehan, Rosie O'Donnell, Barbra Striesand, Al Gore....I could go on and on...but now it's time to bring it back and direct it toward Rosie (yes, again) and Trump and all the TV shows that just keep bringing up this nonsense......Here's my sentiments one more time!

WooHoo lunch!

We have a new restaurant here and I have been to it several times, but today we tried the salad and it was awesome. They have someone who just works the salad making bar. They had 3 different types of lettuce and everything else under the sun. The attendant lets the customer choose what goes in the salad and how much of it. She puts it all in a big metal dish and tosses it all around with the dressing of your choice and serves it up on a big salad plate. It is so fresh and delicious. I want another one right now!!

BINGO........

I think I might have finally found a hairdresser. My cousin recommended this one, so I went today. She is not taking any new clients, but since my cousin is her client for about 18 years I got my foot in the door. Stay tuned. We'll see how this works out. Right now I am happy with it and it was not as expensive as the last one I went to.

I'm an idiot!

Here's one reason why........ I just ordered this mask for the Mardi Gras Ball. Its price was $6, but when shipping and handling was added it was $24. It probably weighs a couple of ounces and it's coming from Houston.....not that far!!!! I am getting HOSED!!!!

I look pathetic!

My hair is driving me insane. I still haven't been able to find a hairdresser that I like. Friday I am trying a new one. Today I went to Mom and Dad's and worked in their yard pruning and cleaning up. I got the crepe myrtles done and one plum tree, but my arms got tired of holding those loppers above my head. I'll get the rest done someday soon. Of course, I picked collards and Mom immediately started cooking and called my brother and sister-in-law over to eat lunch. I'm just glad she is able to do it whenever she feels like it.

Blahs....

Update: I give up...blogger is cutting this post short. I have tried twice and it cuts it off at the same place!!! Great!!!

I have a case of the "blahs". This is very rare for me and it doesn't feel good. I know if I would get out and take a walk in the sunshine, I would feel better. I picked up some bloodwork results yesterday and I guess the doctor had not perused them yet. His office called and said some of the numbers were out of whack and I needed to come in so he could talk to me about them. I'm going in Monday. Several things were in the "out of range" column, all relating to liver or kidneys. Creatinine was 1.3H (0.5-1.2); GFR Estimated was 44L (>60); Albumin 4.8H (3.2-4.6); AST 50H (3-35); ALT 44H (3-40); Triglycerides have come down 56 points in 3 months, but they are still 184H (<150).>

I'm a heathen!!!

I didn't make it to Sunday School today, but I went to church. As soon as I picked up a bulletin and saw the sermon topic was on saving troubled marriages, I promptly walked out and went to Wal Mart. I am not interested in that topic. It does not apply to me and I am no longer in the counseling business!!! It would have been a total waste of time for me. I wanted to hear the music, but it would have looked worse for me to walk out just before the sermon. The devil made me do it!!

Pigging out...

All my family got gift certificates to our favorite eating place, the Crawfish Hole. It's a hole in the wall, but their food is outstanding. I am full of fried crawfish tails and shrimp. Don't hate! We used up those certificates tonight.

I told my brother that I guess I needed his help again, since I have given it my best shot and couldn't fix it. The doors on the bedrooms would not catch when closed. I had already tried moving the strike plates, but that didn't work. Turns out they needed to be moved vertically instead of in or out!! Duh! I never thought of that. Anyway, he came by after we ate and fixed both my doors for me. He's such a good brother.