Check this out!

This is a picture of trucks waiting to be dispatched in my former home town of Orange, Texas. I guess they learned a lot from Rita because it didn't look like this after Rita.

Two new toys

I have a new toy! Never, ever have I used a hedge trimmer. I don't even have a hedge, but I have some plant with red leaves that just grows out of control. Many times I have cut it back with hand trimmers, but it grows so quickly. Finally, I gave up and bought this little jewel. Yep, I'm pretty much a master at it now. I'll probably turn everything in the yard into a topiary now!!!

My other new purchase is a t-shirt. Check it out! It says " I support the pitbull with lipstick".

I caved in!

Last year my doc wanted me on a statin drug to lower cholesterol, but since my cholesterol was only 204, I refused. The HDL was high enough, I thought, to counteract those 4 little points over 200. What do I know? I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV, but I just hate taking medicines. Last week I had my blood work done again and the cholesterol was 209 and once again, his office called and said he wanted me on a drug for that! I finally said, "OK"! I am a diabetic, so I agreed to do it. All the bloodwork was good except those 9 little points. CRAP!

Something stinks!

The photo below is of thousands of dead fish left everywhere after the waters receded in my old home town of Orange, Texas. Just one more reason why I am glad I moved to North Louisiana. Several of my friends ( and I have only heard from a few) had water in their homes. Power is still out most everywhere. Fortunately, they had a cold front go through that is giving them some relief from the heat that can still be brutal in September. So much devastation to so many people that I know.

Draggin' ass!

I am totally used up already today. My brother and I drove up at the same time this morning to start the clean up in my parents' yard where a huge pine tree fell and took out a pecan tree with it. It could have easily fallen on the house and we are so grateful that it didn't. We filled the truck up at least 8 times and my brother cut the tree into pieces and pulled them off with a chain and the tractor. I was not allowed to operate the chain saw. Hell, I couldn't even pick the damn thing up! My arms are already getting sore, one of which still isn't completely healed from that major big fall I took two weeks ago. Tonight I am supposed to go help work on our Mardi Gras float. OUCH!

Dad was not able to go to chemo this morning due his incredible discomfort from the catheter that he has now. Mom canceled his appointment and rescheduled it for next week. I feel so sorry for him. He is tired of going to doctors and it kills him to have to sit back and watch his kids doing all the work.

We survived IKE

Although there was some serious wind, I only had 1/2 inch of rain. A huge dead pine tree fell in my Mom and Dad's back yard narrowly missing the house. It was actually leaning away from the house, so they weren't so worried about it falling on the house. The wind thought otherwise and put it down in the best possible place across the back yard. It will require chain saws, chain and tractors, which my brother is probably doing right now. I told him that, unlike him, I do take a day of rest. I will help tomorrow after we get back from chemo, but not today. He's stubborn. He and his wife will probably have it all done before I get there.

Holy Moly!

I am watching nonstop coverage of IKE pounding on my old home turf. All the images are so familiar to me. Had I still been a resident there, my ass would have been gone. I hope all my buds are gone. Even as far inland as I live now, we will be getting tropical storm level winds. That's enough to kill the power here. Even Gustav knocked out a lot of power last weekend. It's funny to listen to those weather channel people pronounce those Louisiana parish names. Most of them are derivatives of French and uncommon names. I cannot believe so many people chose to stay on Galveston Island.

Where was I?

I was just beginning second period class when my principal came to my door and told me that some asshole had crashed a plane into the WTC. At that time, we didn't know it was a deliberate act of terror. We immediately put on all the TV's in the building and school stopped. I was very concerned for my own family when I learned that the plane was an American Airlines plane from Logan airport in Boston. My cousin, an American flight attendant, was based at Logan airport. I got on the cell phone and called until I found out that she was out of the country. Wow! It could have so easily been her. I was reminded that only a few short years earlier, I had stood on top of the WTC awed by NYC.

Take a moment!

I like it!

Mexican Spider?

I killed what I guess was a Mexican spider in my garage tonight because when I looked down at it after I stepped on it there were at least a hundred babies scurrying everywhere. Yes, they, too, are dead now. Go ahead. Call PETA! I don't care! Here's another big surprise. I don't like spiders either.

I have a headache!

OBAMAMOBILE

This is the Official Democrat Party campaign car designed exactly the way Obama lays out his message.

Just got this in an email. Had to share!

Doctor day...

Dad and I went to the oncologist today to get the results of the CT scan he had last week. Doc said the CT was good news.....no new growth. All the other places were stable. He gave Dad the option of getting two more chemo rounds since they seem to be helping and are not causing any real side effects. So, next week we get another round. On Wednesday my brother is taking him back to the urologist to get some microwave procedure to try to get some relief from his prostate troubles. The procedure he did a couple of weeks ago didn't help. Dad says he isn't getting any sleep at night because of having to get up so many times. I hope this will get him some relief.

Here we go again!

• The power is still not back on in most of Baton Rouge.
• Special needs people are already being evacuated from nursing homes again in N.O.
• The shelters just emptied out here yesterday
• God, Have mercy on Louisiana!

Just my LUCK!

In a newsletter from the Texas Teacher Retirement System, I was notified that our insurance would start paying for the shingles vaccine beginning September 1....when our new year and new deductible starts! Yes, I got mine last week. Of course, I called but to no avail. I would have had to pay for it anyway because my deductible started over, but at least it would have gone toward my deductible!

Yikes!

Fall is in the air! Perfect day....70's all day so I got out and worked in the yard and mowed the grass which would have been easier with a bush hog. Unfortunately, after a couple of strips by the driveway, a snake came out of the grass on the driveway. Of course, I freaked out as I always do when I see a snake. I won't even go see them in the zoo, but I killed it with my hoe. I don't know what kind it is, but it doesn't appear to be a ground rattler like my previous two snakes that I killed in the garage. I thought I was going to make it through this season without seeing one! It's hard to tell from this picture, but it is brown with a stripe down the back and it's only about a foot long. I looked up a copperhead, but it doesn't appear to be a copperhead. I hate snakes. End of story!

Have a wonderful weekend!

What a bunch of whiners!

Lots of people, who would have otherwise been stuck in New Orleans, were brought by bus to our local area. All they have done is whine! They think they should be put up in the Hilton. They came here without necessities and expected them to be given to them....such as diapers, clean clothes, soap, baby formula...you know....the essentials. TV people were on TV telling us they needed new underwear! WTF! What a bunch of morons! That's the whole problem... entitlements have created a bunch of losers! I say that next time we leave their sorry asses there in New Orleans! Dumbasses!

Dark and Dreary

The day is dark and dreary with intermittent rain, but I was up early to meet my brother and Dad at the hospital where Dad was getting yet another CT scan. Brother dropped him off and I stayed with him for the CT. It only took a few minutes, then I took him for some breakfast and on back home. Being the lazy daughter that I am, I put my garage door back down and went back to sleep until 12. This day is not conducive to anything productive!

I watched some of the RNC last night. It's much easier to watch than the DNC. Palin will get my attention tonight. This is how the ticket should look!

I don't get it! Why does this damn duck do what he is supposed to do in Google Documents, but not in blogger.

This one,too! I really wish I was a GEEK!

Still no power

Edited to add: My brother and sister-in-law came to Minden to the Dairy Queen and brought Mom and Dad with them. Afterwards, they came here to catch up on the news. Bro got a call while he was here that power was back on. Yay!

I offered again to go get my mom and dad and bring them here because it's now 24 hours with no power. They have a generator for the freezers and the fridge, but it's hot inside now. Mom has been sitting out in the carport. I guess stubbornness runs in the family! Who knew!

The worst is over...

and it amounted to NOT MUCH...thank goodness. We have had several inches of rain and some wind. It's still raining, but it is much needed rain and we are grateful. My brother has lost power at both his houses and my parents are without power. I offered to go get them and bring them here with me, but Dad didn't want to leave his couch. It's OK! I'm just going to be lazy since I have a good excuse today...plus the fact that my arm still hurts a lot.

Slow day...

Today I was very limited in what I could do. My arm isn't working very well since my fall yesterday. I could barely pull the lever on my recliner to raise the footrest! Any sympathy! Didn't think so!

I did manage to kill a hummingbird and it broke my heart. The little twit came in my garage and once the dumbass gets in, he can't get out. He flies too close to the ceiling and can't see the huge OPEN door. This has happened several times before, so I have a fish net that I use to catch them and get them out so they don't die. I did that today and instead of catching him, he fell to the floor dead!!! I could not revive him. I love my hummers even though they are dumbasses.

Gus is coming!

We have been warned to batten down the hatches even this far north. Predictions are 10 to 20 inches of rain and tropical storm winds. We'll probably lose power. Rita came up the Sabine River between Texas and Louisiana and caused power to go out here and trees to topple. My poor brother was out cutting trees off the roads. I went to a book store today and bought some new reading material in case the power goes out. The whole right side of my body is beginning to be really sore from my fall, so I won't be doing anything requiring much physicality.

Ouch!

I busted my ass big time! Yes, literally! I was putting a new shower head in my guest bathroom that becomes a hand held shower if needed. I got all finished and stepped off the side of the tub where I had been perched on to a little chair I had there to make an extra step. I missed the damn chair and went sailing across the HARD tile floor. I don't think I have any broken bones, but I am banged up pretty badly. Both elbows are swollen and one is bleeding, but the pain doesn't feel like a broken bone.....although, how would I know? I never had a broken bone! Some days I am very clutzy!

How cool is this!

Yes, you, too, can have a Porsche in your driveway. Just go here.

Movie Review...

To avoid being a lazy bum all day today, I finally went to see the movie, The Longshots, which was filmed right here in Minden. It's a nice family movie and there are lots of places that I recognized. Many days last year our Main Street would be blocked off while they were shooting scenes. I didn't see any people in the movie that I know. The movies that film here in the area pay $100 a day just for extras. Maybe someday I'll be an extra so I can buy a gallon of gas!

Speaking of gas, the dealers around here have already started gouging the prices because they think they have an excuse to raise prices since all the Gulf oil rigs are shut down. It went up 10 cents while we were gone to dinner last night and had already gone up 10 cents earlier in the day. It is against the law to do that and the Attorney General has already been on TV warning about it, but it hasn't made one bit of difference.

I better not get the shingles!

At least 4 months ago I got a prescription for the shingles vaccine. Finally, today it came in and because it had to stay frozen until mixed with something else, I had to go to the doc's office and let someone there inject it. Damn thing cost me $216 for one teeny, little shot that I didn't even feel. Damn thing better work!

My money is leaving me at a rapid rate. The hospital called and said my entire bill had to be paid by Oct. 27th (90 days from billing) or it would go to collections! WTF! I know that not everyone can just fork over $1,000 upon receiving the bill. I was going to pay it off a few hundred at the time, but I guess not. Out with the MasterCard! Damn I hated to do that since I had zero balance on my card! I still owed them that much after already paying $700 and having 2....count them....2 insurance coverages. Aetna and Medicare, Part B!

Holy Crap!

I'm glad I don't live in Southeast Texas anymore. I would be leaving for higher ground right now. Any of my friends down there in Orange,TX who need higher ground, I have an extra bedroom and a backyard for your pets.

Wow! What a difference!

I wasn't living in Louisiana when Katrina happened, but there is a new governor and he is on the ball. He has already activated the National Guard, has contracted 600 buses to evacuate those who cannot evacuate themselves, set up hotlines for people to call who want to be evacuated and maybe even cancelled his speech at the GOP convention next week. I do know that the former governor failed miserably with Katrina and the ever whining Senator Mary Landrieu still blames Bush and still begs for money. The incompetent New Orleans Mayor was re-elected by the obviously moronic New Orleans residents. All hotels here in my area of North Louisiana are booked and shelters are already opening. Major differences this time around. Maybe the powers that be learned from the fine people of Southwest Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast that the first thing to do is take take care of your own damn self!

A good distraction...

I took Dad back to the oncologist today and his blood work all looked good. So now they will schedule another CT scan to see how his lungs look. Mom went with us and we went to lunch, so it was a good day for us and a distraction for me. One of my very dear friends had reconstruction breast surgery in Charleston, SC today which was to last many hours. The last I heard she was out of surgery and in recovery and doing well, so I am thankful to have had to think about other things a good part of the day. It didn't stop me from praying for her many times through the day though.

Dumbass Washington!

Garfield on the oil crisis:

• A lot of folks can't understand how we came to have an oil shortage here in our country.
• ~~~ Well, there's a very simple answer. ~~~ Nobody bothered to check the oil. ~~~ We just didn't know we were getting low. ~~~ The reason for that is purely geographical.~~~

Our OIL is located in :~~~ ALASKA ~~~ California ~~~ Coastal Florida ~~~ Coastal Louisiana ~~~ Wyoming ~~~ Colorado ~~~ Kansas ~~~ Oklahoma ~~~ Pennsylvania and Texas ~~~

• Our dipsticks are located in DC.Any questions? NO? Didn't think so.

Copied from an email...old one...but still pertinent!

Just CRAP!

This has been me pretty much all day..completely distracted and only wanting to sleep. Some days are like that and I don't even care. My dad has severe clinical depression. We found out yesterday that Mom did not refill his lexapro because she was waiting to get him a 90 day prescription. She had no clue that patients are never supposed to stop an antidepressant cold turkey. My brother got it filled yesterday, so I guess it will take a while to click in again.

HOPE!

Choosing Biden as a running mate just may have been a huge error! I can only hope.

In honor of the Democrat Convention

Used up!

My day is finished and it's only 12:55. All morning I planted a fall garden including broccoli, collards, turnip greens, turnips, and radishes. It's only 81 degrees, but I still sweated down my clothes, so now I am closing the garage door....my signal that I am not home....taking a shower and piling up on my bed to watch some TV....cuz that's how I roll!

My new shirt

I have to move!

I just had a scary conversation with my neighbor. She was complaining about the government (specifically Veterans' Affairs Department). I told her to wait until Obama gets in there and see how screwed up it will be. She said "It can't be any worse than it is now!" I said, "Oh, yes it can and kept on walking rather than say something I would regret. I knew she was a BOZO, but I didn't know it went THAT far!

OMG!

It's the Anti-Christ and the DEVIL!

Workin' it!

Yes, I have totally been "workin' it" this morning....the soil, that is! Thankfully, a friend was at Dad's this morning when I needed the tiller cranked. It is too hard for me to crank although sometimes I get it running. He started it right up and I fixed a new place for us to plant a few fall garden items. We planted more tomatoes and as soon as I go buy them, we will plant some collards, broccoli, squash, and turnip greens. Dad didn't feel good, but he came out and dug the holes for the tomatoes. At least he felt like he had done something. I would be glad to do it all myself.

The Anti-Christ!

Be afraid...be very afraid!

Good Friends, Good Company!

Some of my dearest friends stopped in for the night last night on their way from Utah to Texas by way of Tulsa, Minden, and Baton Rouge..then Texas. It was good to visit and it's been a long time since we had a chance to visit. I saw them in D.C. last October at their son's wedding, but that wasn't a chance to visit. They pulled in here in a big ass RV, which was a total surprise. We visited here, then visited my parents and they are now on their way to Baton Rouge. We have been friends for probably 35 years.....that's pretty phenomenal!

Ouch! OH!

That's what will be coming from my mind tomorrow morning. Three of us decided to start going to the rec center and working out today. One of my friends was stricken with transverse myelitis a couple of years ago and it has left her with nerve damage and using a cane to walk. She wanted to start swimming, so we went. I think it will help her and God knows I need to start my workouts again. It's been two and one half years since I moved away from my awesome wellness center in Beaumont where I was very faithful in going several times a week. I will not be swimming, but I will be using the machines
.

Bro took Dad to his treatment today and I went and got Mom to take her to her foot doctor and to get some groceries for her. We are still getting rain and I just didn't feel comfortable with her driving herself to the doctor by herself. Usually Dad is with her. Tomorrow Dad is getting some kind of urology procedure to try to stretch the uretha and give him some relief with his prostate problems. Brother will handle that appointment as well as get his Neulasta shot to boost his red blood cells after this round of chemo.

Huh!

My sitemeter says I have had a flood of hits today all coming from this site, which I have never been to EVER! I have no clue!

You just won the lottery...what would you do?

Ganked from Hammer because he said I could. His questions aren't all lame like most of the meme's.



1. What would be the very first thing you would do? Owe no one

2. Where would you choose to live? I would buy a bigger home here and have a vacation home somewhere in the mountains where it is cool

3. What kind of house would you live in? Whichever one beckoned me at the time.

4. What kind of car would you buy? Lincoln Navigator

5. Where would you vacation? Only in the USA

6. Would you have anything on your body fixed? No. It's too late.

7. What kind of hobbies would you engage in? snowmobiling and golf depending on which house I was in..

8. What charities would you donate to? St. Jude

9. Would you give money to your relatives? If they needed it

10.Would you run away from your current life? Nope.

11. Would you continue to work? I don't work now!

12. Would the money change you in any way? Yes...make me happier