Just plain stubborn

So, the wind chill is -insane.  But the sun is shining.  The snow is glistening.  And you know I HATE the dreadmill.  So...put on layers.  At least three on every level.  Add winter gear.  Hazard the elements and get some exercise.  It was exhilarating!  The clothing sufficed.  The roads, while slippery at spots, were amenable to travel.  And I only had to fight the wind one direction.  I logged my two plus miles without incident, came home, had some delicious hot home-built vegetable soup, and am now ensconced in the basement, talking to you and doing the laundry.  Probably not the best decision I've made--to challenge the elements. But truly, the best decision I made--to conquer the elements.  Self righteously, I will enjoy the day!  And thanks for being there when I got home!  You are loved!

If you aren't already, be seated.

Last night, I went to start the snow blower to eliminate the wonderful gift with which Mother Nature had endowed us.  Nothing.  Nada.  Nehil.  It wouldn't even turn over.  Result?  Shovel.  My least favorite four letter word.  Oh wait, it was four letter words I used while I was shoveling.  Be that as it may, this morning, the plows went by and left their residue at the foot of our driveway as well as the neighbor's.  Check the snowblower.  Same result.  Change cords.  Same result.  Change outlets.  Same result.  And again, the ensuing result?  You got it.  Well, I decide that I'm not up to shoveling the rest of the winter so I called the hardware store.  I spoke with Leroy.  God bless Leroy.  He said it could be a number of things.  One was moisture in the switch.  I asked him if putting a heat lamp on the switch might help.  Let me review.  It was MY idea.  He said it might.  Not only did I know exactly where the heat lamp was, I knew how to attach it in such a way as to warm the switch directly.  Back inside, I set the timer for 15 minutes.  In the back of my mind, I could see the heat lamp getting so hot that it would ignite the gas in the tank and blow the entire neighborhood to smithereens.  (Okay, admittedly I watch too much television and have an overactive imagination, but one can never been too careful.)  Beep!  Out to the garage.  IT STARTED!  Between Leroy and little Billy, a mechanical problem was solved.  Now you understand why you should have been seated.  Couple that with the fact that we actually remembered our environmentally friendly grocery bags when we went shopping, and the day becomes almost unbelievable!  Needless to say, I will be basking in the glory for quite some time.  (Of course, I have to make up for yesterday when instead of turning the burner off I turned it to low and left it on for most of the day.  Speaking of blowing the neighborhood up?!!!)  Such are the ups and downs of a mechanically challenged, mentally deficient individual.  But oh, the highs!  Bask in the glory of the good you did today, and know you are loved!

Let me know

when you want it to snow.  I will schedule an eye appointment in Sioux Falls.  It was supposed to be tomorrow.  We are not going.  Seeing double is better than seeing dead!  But it is getting a bit frustrating.  And of course, I have over the years learned to sublimate my frustration by eating.  Anything that isn't secured to a table and has the form of a comestible is fair game.  The popcorn was delightful.  The cold chicken, sublime.  The mini-carrot cakes (yes, that would be plural) almost made the cancellation acceptable.  And then, of course, there was supper.  Steak!  And stuffed buns.  (No, actually I'm speaking of real stuffed buns, not the ones on which I sit, although, having reread this post, they qualify as well!)  Oh well.  We are safe.  We are warm.  And for the moment, we are full!  That, I'm sure, will change!  But the fact that you are loved will not!

Warning...if you are a visualizer, you may want to stop here.

It was my night to stay with the pup.  Apparently, it was also my night to sleep soundly!  Until 3:00 am.  Thankfully, I got up to go to the bathroom.  On the way, I discover that I had slept far too soundly and the dog had needed attention while her owner was "out"!  Deftly, I sidestepped the mess only to step in what must have been her first foray.  I said I slept soundly!  Anyhow, as I finished cleaning the floor and the feet, I noticed that the tree on the neighbor's deck has blown over.  How that could have happened is beyond me.  It appeared that it would block her exit, so the only neighborly thing to do would be to set it back up before she needed out (or for that matter, before her dog needed out.)  Did I mention the time?  I pulled on my sweat pants, put on my jacket and stocking cap, and headed over.  Of course, at a -34 "feels like" temperature, I was quick to notice that putting on shoes and socks might have been a more intelligent choice.  While tongue on cold steel sounds worse, (The Christmas Story?), bare feet on concrete has its own rewards.  Dancing my way there and back, I return to the relative safety and warmth of the couch and contemplate my Intelligence Quotient.  How's that for a picture?  Keep warm and know you are loved!

Confusion

I must admit, I had to do the math to figure out what day of the week it is!  When holidays fall in the middle of weeks, it totally messes with my mind.  Of course, since I don't work, and other than bridge on Mondays have little to remind me of what day we're celebrating, this should not cause consternation.  And yet, it does.  I would hate to miss a weekend.  Of course, every day is Saturday now, so...  I'm convinced that this would suggest there is little mind with which to mess?!  Anyhoo.  Have an amazing week (end?) and know a crazy person loves you!

I'm amazed!

With yesterday's prurient title, I expected a host of hits from curious peepers!  Not so.  Alas!  Perhaps, they know me and avoided the site due to the possibility of an image post?  Who knows?  So today, whilst preparing a myriad of food stuffs, I contemplated an intriguing, titillating title.  Obviously I didn't come up with one, but have had an amazing day in the kitchen!  Life is amazing when preparing love for others!  And know that you fall into that category!

naked...and loving it

I speak, of course, of the house.  This being the first day of a new year, the Christmas decorations, which I LOVE to put up, have all been taken down and put away.  The house looks so bare...and clean...and big.  Of course, there are remnants every where.  Pine needles (okay, they're fake but they still shed), a few things that I may have missed...but for the most part, as I remember it prior to Giving of Thanks!  And whilst the decorates are stored for the year, I will attempt to carry on with the spirit.  Or, if things get hectic, the spirits, which is something totally different!  Ah yes.  So I celebrate "housal" nudity and swear you are loved!