Curling

I have a lot of interests. A lot of varied interests. Right now, my latest interest/obsession is curling. Yesterday I watched 6 hours of curling. Of course, these were the men's medal games for the Olympics...but still, I was engrossed for 6 hours. Well, 3 hours, then a break, then 3 more. It's an interesting game and you don't really have to know what's going on to
enjoy watching it. Curling has been described as shuffleboard on ice, chess on ice, and really, really, slow darts...on ice. However you describe it, it's fun to watch, and I think it'd be fun to play. But why am I so obsessed? Hmmm.

Update on Dad

Just thought I'd give an update. Dad is doing well. He's still in ICU, but they have him sitting in a chair. Thanks for all the positive thoughts.

Photo Phriday - On the Road

Please Send Healing Thoughts

I'm getting ready to leave for Buffalo. I was planning to leave around 3AM, but Mother Nature decided to bring some winter stormy weather-so I figure I'll leave around 11PM. My Dad has to be at the hospital around 5AM. He's going in for heart surgery. Please send positive, healing thoughts and prayers his way. I'm still packing and gathering stuff I need. Hopefully, all will go well-a safe drive in and a perfect surgery.

Going to Bed

I'm going to bed. Work is miserable, life is stressful, and the chocolate chip cookies and Southern Comfort only helped so much. I'm going to sleep.

Over

My four day weekend has come to an end. I didn't get anything done. Oh, I did the basics, but not everything I had wanted to do...or even planned to do. Oh well, it was nice just staying home and not thinking about work. I did go to the Art Expo-so that was fun. Now it's time for bath and a nap before I go back to work tonight.

6 Word Monday - Curling

Curling-my new obsession, who knew?

Animal Art

I added a painting to my collection of animal art last night. No, these aren't painting OF animals, rather these are paintings made BY animals. I went to the Seneca Park Zoo annual Art Expo and had a great time, as usual. I met up with my friend Kim and her husband this year. It was a great event. Not wanting to chance my luck at the raffle and silent auction, I bought a painting outright. It's a good thing I did too or I would have come out empty handed. I decided not to purchase any raffle tickets this year, but did bid on a few of the silent auction pieces. I had given up on all but two, but then was outbid on both. The prices were getting a bit steep-so I bowed out. The place was packed and I'm sure the event made a lot of money. They had appetizers: cheese, pepperoni, crackers, check mix, Swedish Meatballs (which were FANTASTIC!) and little hot dogs in sauce. This year you had to pay for all beverages, but still the evening was quite a bargain (as long as you didn't get too competitive and pay a fortune for the artwork...and believe me, that's easy to do!) My ticket as a member was still only $3. In addition to the food and drink and art, we also got to meet two of the artists-Louise, a possum, and Bernie, a rouen duck. Bernie was a hoot (or should I say a quack!) the place was mobbed, but he kept trying to walk out of the quiet room he was in to check out the party. Bernie wanted to mingle and play the room! Above is the beautiful painting I bought last night and below is the artist himself, Raca. Raca is an acouchi. Isn't he cute? So now I have paintings by an acouchi, cougar, North American river otter, wolves, and an elephant!

Book Order

I read a lot of mystery series and am always on the lookout for new ones, or new to me ones. I'm particular in one respect, however. I read my series in order. Accomplishing this feat is sometimes difficult as I get my books from the library. Sometimes other patrons have the books I need and sometimes the library just doesn't have the book. It can be quite frustrating. One thing I've started to see, which I really like, the words "first in the new series" is sometimes printed right on the front cover. I wish they'd put the order number of each book on all covers.

Photo Phriday - Zero

Here's a picture I took earlier in the week. This is Zero, the new Polar Bear at the Zoo.

Almost Time For A Mini Break

I just have to get through tonight at work and I have a 4 day weekend. Boy do I need it. It's been so stressful with work and my dad's health issues. I'm sooo looking forward to the break, even though I know it will just speed by. I'm going to a friend's house Friday afternoon, the Zoo's Art Expo Saturday evening, and I'm not sure about the rest. A few visits to Harley, some cleaning, some crafting, writing, and a whole lot of relaxing!

Lent Begins

Today is the start of Lent. I won't eat meat today, nor will I eat it on Fridays, until after Easter. I don't really practice the Catholicism I in which I was raised, but I do follow this-of course, it's not even required now...but I still do it. The problem is remembering. I have to remember the lunches I pack for work on Thursdays must not have meat. I was good and remembered last night for Ash Wednesday. Fortunately, I had cheese lasagna in the freezer. Today for breakfast I had a croissant, (OK 2 but they were mini) and some strawberry strudel bites and cheddar goldfish as well. I also had some chocolate and had cherry whiskey to drink with it all. Of course, this is breakfast after work and before bed. At any rate, since I've already eaten most of the "bad" stuff I guess I should try to exercise more during Lent. It'd be hard to do less.

Mardi Gras and FMLA

Today is Mardi Gras-so laissez les bon temps roulez! Now I have to remember not to eat meat tomorrow or for the next bunch of Fridays. I got home late from work. I dropped off my paperwork at Personnel for Family Medical Leave Act. Turns out they're now scrutinizing all paperwork and wouldn't accept what I had from the doctor. She was nice enough and explained what I needed-but then we discovered that I'm not eligible for FMLA. You have to have worked so many hours in the past year-and I was out for so long on workman's comp-I don't have enough. I'll just have to use "sick leave relative". I should be eligible again in 3-4 months. Talk about a pain. And basically all because people screw with the system. My dad will have heart surgery in just under 2 weeks and I'll be there, FMLA or not. Anyway, I'm celebrating Fat Tuesday now, then bed, and back to work.

New One

This was a new one for me. I got a split chicken fryer, already marinated in Chiavetta's seasoning (yummmmm.). Anyway I decided to just put it in a baking dish and bake it. I used the Pyrex baking dish that didn't crash to the floor and shatter. Well, it was cooking away and I was on the computer. Then I noticed it was getting quite loud. All kinds of spattering sounds. I looked in and saw smoke coming from the top of the oven. I opened the oven, smoke came pouring out and I saw the baking dish in 2 pieces! The dish broke in half! The chicken was cooked perfectly...but what the heck!!!

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy New Year!

Happy Valentine's Day AND Happy New Year! Today begins the Year of the Tiger. I hope this is a great year and a HUGE improvement over last year. I wish everyone good health, happiness, and prosperity.

What Was I Going to Say?

I had several things I wanted to post about as I went to bed early this morning. Now I can't think of a one. Perhaps it's the beer I had with dinner. I'm ready for a nap. But I must stay up for my Brit Coms. I'm sure I'll think of things to say after I post this meaningless post. Oh well, you'll just have to stay tuned. So what did I do today? I worked with Harley, who was a very good boy, then ran errands. I splurged on pizza and wings for dinner. I'm doing laundry, then will have a bath before my shows. I'm just glad I'm off work tonight!

Photo Phriday - Aleister

Aleister is not pleased with the new cat food, but he'll have to wait til tomorrow for me to get his old kind.

Aauuugggghhhhhhh!

There's only one thing I have to say about work. "AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Biscuits and Gravy

I had a hankerin' for biscuits and gravy. After work this morning I dropped off about half of my Valentine's Day cards (I'm still making the other half!) and saw the "OPEN" sign in its neon glory across the way at the Family Diner. So I went and got biscuits and gravy to go. It was yummy. I may have to pick up breakfast there every so often. Mmmmmm, more biscuits and gravy.

6 Word Monday on Tuesday

Some days I find everything annoying.

Vito

Vito crossed the Rainbow bridge during the early hours of this morning. I had noticed him slowing down a few days ago, but he seemed OK. Then last night before I went to bed I knew he wouldn't last the night. I held him for quite a while and told him it was OK to go and be with his brothers. The babies are a bit confused. Last night they kept shoving him around, trying to get him to move-especially Aquinas. I decided to move Vito to his old cage, in his favorite igloo. This morning the babies were all huddled together on the ledge-which is unusual for them; they're generally in the hammock, teepee, or barn (like an igloo). Vito was a timid boy and a most gentle soul. He will be greatly missed.

Vito
September 2007-February 8, 2010
Rest in Peace.

Superbowl Sunday

I remember when Superbowl Sunday was in January...but now it's February. This year the Colts are playing the Saints. I haven't been that interested in football this year. Today I went to visit my folks. We had great food (as always) and watched Murder, She Said; a great Agatha Christie murder. I got back home while it was still light. I watched a little of Puppy Bowl. Those puppies are too cute. I want Bandit. I have no idea what kind of dog he is...but what a cutie. But, I would never get a puppy, a dog...maybe, puppy no. But I love to watch them. Oh, they just did an intro-Bandit is a Border Collie mix. He'd be too smart for me too! LOL

Work Sucks

Work sucks. I half went off on a fruit loop nurse I have to work with last night. As I told her, "I'm tired of it and I'm tired of you!" I didn't yell, nor did I swear. I just used the authoritative tone I used with the criminals I've dealt with in the past and the forensic patients I deal with now when I'm telling them I'm not dealing with their nonsense anymore. They've got to get this nut out of here. It's bad enough with administration being idiots. Ugh. But, it's my weekend and I'm going to try to put it all out of my mind!

Photo Phriday - New Suet

New suet (peanut butter flavor this go around) ready for the squirrels and black birds. And anyone else that comes for a nibble.

Welcome Squirrels and Big Black Birds

I'm glad that the squirrels and the big black birds are enjoying the suet; although they don't seem as fond of this new orange suet I got for them. I know some people only want "pretty" songbirds and colorful birds at their feeders and they do all they can to prevent the squirrels from partaking in the goodies. I say phooey to them. I welcome the squirrels and the crows, ravens, grackles, starlings...those big black birds. I think they're wonderful and beautiful animals and they are welcome to my food!

Funk

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. I have no energy and don't want to do anything. Hopefully, I'll emerge from the funk soon.

Day of Happies

Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Imbolc! Happy Candlemas! Happy Birthday Trey! Today is a day of Happies! Lots of celebrations today. I also found out that today is a friend's husband's birthday as well as the anniversary of a dating couple I know. Who knew February 2nd was so special? There's a great article up about the day at Culture Project: Earth-The Second Day of The Second Month. So what did I do to celebrate this day of Happies? I finally got that caramel apple fritter from Tim Horton's along with their hot apple cider (yummm) and I slept. I slept long. Oh well.

6 Word Monday

Nightmares and weird dreams, horrible night.