30 Day Writing Challenge: Places Ive Lived

Today's prompt was actually yesterday's prompt.

Where have I lived?

Charleroi, PA

That's pretty much it.

I've only lived in two houses though. This is my current abode though. Isn't it cute?

1 Year Has Passed

Nov 16 marks one year since my dad passed away.

Anyone that says that things get easier lies. Each day that passes hurts more and more.

The other day, I could hear the sound of my father crying in my head. I wanted to sit on the hospital bed or anywhere and wrap my arms around the man that I've loved all my life, but I can't, because he's not there and he never will be again.

In the year that has gone by, so much has changed in my life. I've bought a house for one. I've left behind a huge part of my life when we left that old house.

My dad was such a huge part of my life. We were together almost every day of our lives and life without him is just so empty. It is very hard to go on. I don't know how my mother, who spent over 60 year of her life with him is holding up as well as she is.

I can offer this advice to those of you who still have parents to hold on to.

1. Never miss an opportunity to say I love you.

2. Don't hide from the illness, some of the best times I had with my father were in his final years. I will always cherish the times I sat on his hospital bed and held him.

3. Have patience. They don't always know what they are doing, and yelling only makes it worse. I know how hard this, especially when the illness is progressing rabidly or that their is dementia involved.

4. Take a lot of deep breaths.

It has been one year since my daddy left us, and the pain is still very very real.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Doctor Who...How I Love You

Doctor Who is the TV show that I've become addicted to. I didn't start watching until the third series of New Who, and that was after falling for Torchwood. I had caught several episodes of the classic series on PBS back in the 90s when it aired after Red Dwarf.

What to know something?

It scared me then!

Tom Baker scared the crap out of me, and yet I love him and Jon Pertwee to pieces now.

As for the new series, I refuse to claim a favorite as David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi have all been brilliant in the part. I like Christopher Eccleston but he only had one series, so he's not quite in the same caliber of love for me as the others, except maybe Paul McGann, who is just too damn awesome, even though the tv movie wasn't.

So yeah, I'm a proud Whovian!

30 Day Writing Challenge: What will I be when I grow up

Today's prompt is basically what do you want to be when you grow up. I wish I knew. I hope when I'm older I'll be a lazy old women with a dozen cats.

I would love to spend more time baking or taking photographs. I would love to travel, but I don't pretend to think there will ever be money for that.

I wish I could think of some spectacular thing that I could be doing 10 years down the line, but I imagine 5 or 10 years down the line I'll still be living paycheck to paycheck, only I'll be doing it without any help from my family and that makes me fearful that I won't be living in a cardboard box somewhere.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Its The End Of The World As We Know It

Today's prompt wants to know what I'd do if I knew the world would end tomorrow. Some people would try to get so much packed into the day, but traveling wouldn't be worth it. I'll have seen all that I was meant to see. It wouldn't be a memory anyway.

I think I would spend my day telling everyone that I loved, just that. That I loved them. There's nothing worse than never being able to say that last goodbye to someone that means the world to you. I've had to do it twice, first with my grandmother and then with my dad.

No matter how much you want to see or do things, your family is precious, well at least mine is, and I'd hate for any of them to think that I didn't love them.

There's nothing else I could do that would make any sense to me.

30 Day Writing Challenge

Today's prompt is to post a photo of someone I fancy. Other than celebrity crushes, there is no one that I fancy right now. My life is too complicated to even try to fancy anyone. It isn't worth the aggravation anymore.

I'm fat, I'm ugly and I have too much baggage.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Celebrity Crushes

Oh my, today's topic is pictures of 5 celebrity crushes. And it's hump day! What a perfect topic for the day.

So here it goes...5 hump day hunks! Benedict Cumberbatch, cos who doesn't love him! Elvis Costello, cos he makes geeks sexy! David Tennant, just because! Matt Smith because I'm a cougar! Peter Capaldi because he's just damn awesome.

And yes, I think most guys who have played the Doctor have a certain appeal...I could add Peter Davison, the young Tom Baker and Paul McGann to my list.

30 Day Writing Challenge: 3 confessions

I didn't do the print screen of my desk top because there is nothing on my desktop. My desktop is boring, hence my post of my too eventful weekend.

Today's prompt is three confessions

Confession 1:  I'm not a huge fan of turkey. Each year I find myself liking the bird less and less.

Confession 2:  I hate doing dishes. It is my least favorite household chore.

Confession 3: I've watched very little Classic Who and I'm terribly ashamed of that fact.

Another Weekend From Hell

Some people actually relax on the weekends and they get things done.

I was doing great on Saturday until supper time when my sister's dog decided to go all apeshit on my little chihuahua.

So Sunday morning was spent driving to Castle Shannon with a dog who had a scratched cornea and wasn't too happy.

$439 later she's doing much better and Powder is banished from our house. Poor thing, but I'm not taking any chances that they won't get into another scuffle and Scratty is a tiny little shit of a dog, who thinks she's a big shit of a dog.

We are so lucky she wasn't hurt any worse.

Of course, brat that my Scrat is, she bit the vet tech causing me more problems. She also took a chunk out of me when I was trying to put her eye ointment on later in the evening.

All this a few days after my mom got out of the hospital with a bout of congestive heart failure.

Oh and the little dog also doesn't like the cone of shame and has managed to take it off at least 3 times since she got home.

ARGH!

30 Day Writing Challenge: Favorite Quote

Favorite quotes..I have a few but this one is my absolute favorite


“Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” ― Francis Bacon

30 Day Writing Challenge: Food for Forever

OK, so I already failed at this, because yesterday I made supper and after we ate I fell asleep for the rest of the night. I didn't watch anything on tv or do anything.

The day 10 prompt is a pretty bad one but I'll give it a go. If I could only life off one food and drink for the rest of my life, what would it be?

Yikes!

I like food a lot, hence my fatness, so that makes this a difficult question. Plus it isn't healthy, not that I'm good at eating healthy. Plus it is damn boring.

I think I'll eat crepes and juice for the rest of my days...the crepes filled with either cottage cheese or nutella and banana and topped with a fruit syrup.

Now I'm hungry for crepes. Anyone want to take me to ihop or Later Alligator?

30 Day Writing Challenge: Pet Peeves

Hmmm Pet Peeves


1. People that can't park ANYWHERE. I have a stronger desire to kill at my new home, because people really don't know how to park here at all.

2. Infomercials. I wish cable channel would stop with these things when they hit certain times of day. Seriously, no one buys this shit, air something else.

3. People who blame you for things that they did wrong.

4. People that use their phones for all forms of communication except talking. People cannot carry on conversations anymore.

5. Cliff hangers: These things annoy the crap out of me, especially with books that you have to wait a year or more to learn what happens and tv shows where you have months to wait...unless its Sherlock, then you have years and years and years.

6. Doctors who don't listen

30 Day Writing Challenge: Things To Say

Three things I want to say to different people.

I'm going to have a conversation with people I don't know because that's more fun. Plus, it would cause less trouble too, if I actually said things to people in my life...if ya know what I'm saying.

Justin Hayward: For the love of God, please please please record one final album with The Moody Blues. As much as I love December, I hate to think of that album being the band's swansong of original material. Please don't hit me for saying that.

Peter Capaldi: You are the most brilliant Doctor of the new series.

Steven Moffat: Would you do a reboot of Coupling or revisit that series, it was damn awesome.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Reading

The challenge for today asks, Do you read and what are your favorite books.

The answer to this one is obvious, a resounding yes. You just have to look at my book blog, A Chick Who Reads to know exactly how much I love to read.

As to my favorite books? That's a question that is really as hard to answer as what bands are most important to me.

I'd like to say that my favorite books were by classic authors, but I really can't. My all time favorite book does count as a classic, but it was really almost a penny dreadful, and that's Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. I've read that book at least 5 times. It is also one of the only books that I've re-read. Another favorite classic is Les Miserables. I was forced to read this book in high school and I hated it then. I read it again a few years back and my opinion has changed. I'd love to read the full unabridged version one day.

I love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. They are super silly and funny. I also love Jean Plaidy's novels about the royalty in Europe.

I think I have more favorite authors than favorite books. I'm not much of a re-reader as there's always something new out there waiting for me.

30 Day Challenge: Most Important Band/Musician

Asking me who the most important band/musician is cruel and unusual punishment. They don't call me the music whore for nothing. There have been so many artists that have been important to me over the years; The Beatles, The Monkeess, The Moody Blues, Duran Duran, Erasure, Elvis Costello, Oingo Boingo. The list goes on and on.

Each band represents a certain part of my life. The Beatles and The Monkees were part of my growing up. Duran Duran, Oingo Boingo and Cheap Trick were my high school years.

I could go on and on. Let's just say that I've always loved music of many genres. Right now, I'm still loving Celtic Thunder and Keith Harkin. I love me some sexy Irish men.

30 Day Writing Challenge: 5 Places You Want To Visit

Today's topic is 5 places that I'd like to visit. I'm going to stick with places I stand a chance at seeing. Sure I could say London or Paris, and I wouldn't be lying, but unless the money fairy visited me, I'll never get there, so let's stick with places that are more feasible.


1. Put-In-Bay, OH: I read a book that took place in this town a few years ago. It is part of the Lake Erie shores and islands. It also has a cool boardwalk, and I love a great boardwalk.

2. Thousand Islands, NY: I have long since wanted to see Boldt Castle. This is one place I'll probably never be able to afford to get too, but a girl can dream.

FYI this is what Boldt Castle looks like.

3,  The Serpent Mound: This is an Ancient Alien thing.

4. I would love to spend a weekend at Landoll's Mohican Castle. Can you sense a castle theme here?

5. The New River Gorge Bridge in WV. How could you not want to see something so beautiful

30 Day Writing Challenge: My Tumblr Name

Today's prompt is the meaning of my tumblr id.

Tumblr, I've never really got into it. I do have an account, but I've not used it in ages. My id is A Chick Who Reads.

The meaning behind it?

Well, I'm A CHICK WHO READS

There's really no meaning behind my id other than the obvious. That's also my Twitter id as well. I wish I had a story to go behind it, but nope, nada. nothing.

The only thing this prompt did for me, was to make me spend 3 hours trying to get back into my tumblr acccount.

BLECH.

That said, the only thing tumblr is good for is finding crazy stuff like this

30 Day Writing Challenge: My Day

Today's prompt is to write about my day in great detail. I wish there was a lot to write about on this subject but there isn't much to say here.

My work days are full of routine. The day starts at 5:45 a.m. when the alarm goes off. I mistakenly called a family friend instead of my sister who I usually wake at this time. I later had to explain and apologize to that friend. (I would have killed me...but thankfully I didn't wake this person up when I made the mistaken call)

After that, liter boxes get cleaned and I get ready for work. As always, I was running late, but I did make it to work on time! Yay me!

Spoke to my buddy Yunko at work, but other than that, it was a pretty uneventful day.

Came home, made baked chili for dinner and passed out candy to the trick or treaters. For the first time in years we had tons of kids and the candy was gone 20 minutes into the hour.

After supper, watched Dr. Ken and Rachel Maddow then took a nap.

That was pretty much my day.

A snoozefest definitely, which is why I've probably been so lax at blogging in recent months. There just isn't much to say anymore.

Hope your day was more exciting.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Likes and Dislikes

Today's topic are 10 likes and dislikes. Such fun!

Likes:

1. Doctor Who: I love everything about this show. I like that is constantly evolving. Its Sci-fi, for sure, but it has drama and comedy and unfortunately at times, it has romance. (I hope that part is gone for awhile). My favorite episodes usually involve historical figures and even though they usually get a lot of the history wrong, the are still great episodes.

2. Cooking: I didn't learn how to cook until I was in my 30s, but once I got started, I really found that I enjoyed it.  I love making cookies, and it was one of the things I did for my father, because he had such a sweet tooth. That's why I haven't really been able to do much baking in the last year. It is too painful for me.

3. Animals: I'm a crazy cat lady, but I also love dogs and llamas and deer, and bunnies and cows and chickens..and well, I love animals. I like them a heck of a lot more than I like most people.

4. Sitcoms: Aside from Doctor Who, most of the tv shows that I enjoy are comedies. I do like dramas like Sherlock and Downton Abbey, but I prefer giggles most of the time. My favorite sitcoms now are The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Ken, The Middle,  The Goldbergs and The Muppets.

5. Ancient Aliens: Speaking of tv shows, I'm addicted to this show and its strange ancient astronaut theories. Some of the stuff is definitely nonsense, but there are other things that will make you think. I also believe that you have to be totally foolish to thing that in the vastness of the universe that we are the only living beings out there.

6. Books: I need a library of my very own, I really do. I'm working on that right now. My cookbooks and regular books need a proper home! Oh and I have 2 nooks and a kindle. Nuff said there, right?

7. Jon Stewart: I miss him so much on The Daily Show. I do love me some Trevor Noah though, but there was something special about Jon. I think because he really cared about a lot of the stuff on the show. I also love that he's fighting for animals too, which is a cause close to the heart of his wife, who was a vet tech.

8. 60s music: Yup I love all the psychedelic stuff and the bubble gum pop of that era. That was when music was really good and when it didn't matter so much how you looked, but whether you could crank out a quality tune.

9. Photography: I don't do it as much as I used to, but I love getting the perfect shot, even if it is with my phone's camera.

10. Coffee: Starbucks is my drug of choice, nuff said.

Dislikes

1. Over hyped books and movies: Twilight, The Hunger Games, heck even Star Wars, I'm sick to death of stuff that gets rammed down your throat at every turn.

2. King of Queens: I don't know what I hate more about this show Leah Remini or Jerry Stiller.

3. Republicans: I can only take so much crazy and right now there's too much of that on the elephant side of the political spectrum.

4. The Kardashians: This might fall in the over hyped things. I'm so sick of seeing them everywhere.

5. Reality TV: Thanks to reality tv we have number 4 and a host of other obnoxious personalities that have absolutely no talent.

6. Extreme temperatures: I don't know what I dislike more, 90 degrees or 10 below zero.

7. People that don't follow through: I hate when people promise things and then never ever do them.

8. When people don't replace the damn toilet paper roll. How freaking hard is it?

9. People that are allergic to garbage. If something is empty or you have a wrapper, throw it away!!!!!

10. Not getting more than 6 hours of sleep. (On my like list...sleep would be number 11)

30 Day Writing Challenge: Things about Myself

Bilbo is playing around with a 30 day challenge, and I decided to find one too, because I seriously need to get back to blogging and well as many of you can see, I'm really lousy at it anymore, and that makes me sad, so I'm going to give it ago.

Things About Myself

What to say about myself?

I'm a fat girl who loves to cook and read and listen to music. (Well not as much with the music as in my past)

I am a first time homeowner this year, and my house is just a little bit possessed. We have outlets and fixtures that randomly start working for no reason and I think the former owner's husband might still be hanging around. If it isn't him, than I'd say my daddy's spirit has followed us to the new house, not that I have any problems with that.

I am a die hard Doctor Who fan, and I don't really have a favorite Doctor, because whoever the current doctor is, is the one I love. I also love Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures. Sarah Jane and Donna Noble are my two favorite Doctor Who companions and my favorite epis from New Who are Vincent and the Doctor, Mummy on the Orient Express and The Unicorn and the Wasp.

I love books and I have a book blog called A Chick Who Reads which I update pretty regularly. I read many genres, but historical fiction and mysteries are my favorite genres. (Historical mysteries make me giddy.

Music has always been a driving force in my life. There are too many artists in my "loves" category to mention, but I would be remiss if I didn't say my life would be different if I had never heard Elvis Costello, The Moody Blues, Gordon Lightfoot and Celtic Thunder.

I am a caregiver for my mom and up until Nov 16, 2014, I was also the caregiver for my father. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him terribly.

Is that enough?

Cranberry Corn Muffins

I was flipping through the latest issue of All You magazine where I found this awesome little muffin.

Its not really a recipe

Its Jiffy corn muffin mix made according to package directions.

Put a Tbspn of batter in the muffin cups and then put a tsp of cranberry sauce over it and top with remaining batter. To pretty it up put a fresh cranberry in the center and bake at 400 for about 15-20 minutes.

They are yummy and going to be an addition to our Thanksgiving table.

Hump Day Hunks

Its been awhile since I did one of these

My Favorite Comfort Food

I love rice casserole. It is a wonderful dish for a cool fall or winter day. It has very few ingredients and most are ones you have on hand in your pantry.

Its one of the casseroles that mom always made and its one that I really love and most everyone that has it enjoys too.

Ingredients
1/2 c chopped onion
1 lb ground meat
1 can cream of mushroom
2 cans of chicken noodle
3/4 c of uncooked rice
water

Directions

Brown ground meat with chopped onion.
Drain excess fat
Add 1/2 cup of water and the rice and cook for about 5 minutes
Transfer to a 2 qt baking dish and mix with the soups. I would also add another 1/2 cup of water to help the rice cook
bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until bubbly and rice is done.

* Check periodically stirring and adding water if necessary.

Serve with your favorite veggie and cranberry sauce (OK that's just my preference but I love it)

This Is Why I Love That 70s Show

I feel this way an awful lot.

A New Favorite Recipe

If you like cajun seasoning and alfredo, I've got a great recipe for you. I apologize for no pictures, but it was so good, we just kept right on eating.

It is super simple and super reasonable and will feed at least 4 people (who like to go back for seconds)

Cajun Sausage Alfredo

Ingredients
1 ring of smoked sausage
1 package of frozen onion and pepper mix (I used bird's eye)
2 jars of Alfredo sauce (I used the Walmart brand, but use your favorite basic sauce or make your own if you are so inspired)
1 package of rigatoni or any other similar pasta
2 tsp Cajun seasoning

Directions

Prepare your pasta according to package direction

Cut sausage into rings and toss into pot at medium to heat through, then add frozen veggies.
(If your veggies aren't thawed drain liquid once they soften)

Add sauce and then the spices. I would add a tsp at a time and taste. I'm sure I used more than the 2 tsp in mine, but it all depends on how much kick you want your sauce to have.

Add pasta and serve.

This is a meal that doesn't take much time to prepare and one you can easily feed 4-5 people with for under $10 bucks.

Its definitely a winner in my book and the same with the rest of my family.

I'm A Bad Blogger

Damn, it seems I can't blog anymore. I don't know why, other than the fact that I don't want this blog to be so ho hum and sad sounding.

I really thought that my stress levels would come down at some point, but we've been in this house for almost three months and to tell the truth, things have become more stressful.

I hope some day that things will change, because I used to love blogging, but I don't want my blog to be a place of negativity and that's what my life feels like at this point.

So when I have something positive to post, I will be here, and maybe even at other times, but for now I guess it will be sporadic at best.

The Doctor Sings!

Most people know that Peter Capaldi was in a punk band with Craig Ferguson back in the day.

Well this week, he rocked out on the series opener of Doctor Who!

Then I found this!!

Let's Talk About The Debate

I've kind of been getting my political info via MSNBC. I've watched more Trump speeches than I care to admit too.

Seriously how can anyone support this guy?

I've watched parts of the recent debate and I have to say

How can anyone support any of those idjits?

I'm not saying the idjits on the Democratic side are any better, but they seeming talk a bit more sense. And yes, I'm a bleeding heart liberal, but I also know that somewhere out there there have to be some moderates on both sides.

Where did they go?

Why are we all wingnuts?

Also..why couldn't any of those candidates pick a woman for the 10 dollar bill. Seriously one chose Mother Theresa and another Maggie Thatcher.

WTF.

Susan B Anthony was a good choice but she did have her face on that ill fated dollar coin that circulated in the 70s/80s.

Rosa Parks too, I will not argue with and even Abigail Adams..

But out of 11 candidates they didn't have a very original thought....

But back to Trump, how can one man that should really be intelligent for all his business dealings be so freaking offensive and yet have so many people supporting him?

That my friends is what scares me. That and Carly Fiorina...she's a bit terrifying too.

You Can Never Go Home

I went back to the old house today to get some more stuff out. Mostly it was to get stuff out so I could take it to Goodwill or the library or wherever.

My brother in law, is going to take the house, and so far he's gutted the place. It isn't pretty.

It looked so lonely and so small, even though it is a much larger house than the one I'm living in now.

I'm tired and hurt and if there wasn't so much stuff that needs to come over here I'd never set foot over there.

Paul Simon Makes Me Sad

I have always been a fan of Paul Simon and Simon and Garfunkel, but when I saw Paul's performance on The Late Show, I was totally brokenhearted.

He sounds ok, but like so many other artists from the 60s and 70s, age is taking a toll on his voice.

The worst came a few days later when our local PBS station played Simon And Garfunkel live in Central Park.

It made me think, maybe its time for Paul to hang it up. There are several artists from that decade that need to retire. (cough..Paul McCartney)

I think artists need to stop thinking about the money and consider how they sound. Some of them are pretty embarrassing.

I'll give McCartney credit for his boundless energy, but his voice...oh it hurts me to hear him live. I wouldn't pay money to see him.

I don't think I'd pay money to see Paul Simon now either.

I think there's a point where the albums are better to listen to.

Stupid Cell Phones

I hate cell phones.

My Virgin Mobile Supreme is about years old and in cell phone years, that's pretty old. It was a pretty good phone too at the time. It was about $200 when I bought it.

Now there's nothing comparable to it.

All Virgin Mobile offers are the cheap bottom of the barrel phones or the super expensive Galaxy/iPhones which I neither need or want.

My service month is nearly up and I use between 1-2 GB of data and I pay $59.50. I'm actually getting 8 GB of data for that price, not that I have a phone that will do anything to use it.

It is so frustrating especially when your phone is on its last legs.


Grrr

No One Understands

I need to vent.

I'm lonely. I'm depressed.

No one understands.

When I say I'm depressed, everyone assumes that that it is because of my father, and yes, that is a huge part of my problem. I miss my daddy desperately. I feel like I've been cast aside.

But there is more to it, like I said.

I've moved from the only home I've ever known, to a strange little house where I have no space that I can call my own.

My room has a hope chest, my dresser and my bookcases. My CDs are all over the floor, for lack of anyplace to put them.

I have no place to call my own.

No bed. No place to sit. Nothing.

I have no friends.

No there are friends, but again, no one that can help, and I need help.

I'm trying to so hard. I'm downsizing. I'm trying to organize better, but it is so hard to do on my own.

I don't think I was cut out for this.

Busy Day

Got a lot done today, believe it or not.

~ Got the laundry done (Mind you, it isn't put away yet, but it washed, dried and folded.)

~ Met Bill and his wife, Agnes for coffee @ Starbucks. I swear this is the first time I've had a conversation with someone that isn't a co-worker or family member in weeks.

~ Started to put away and catalog some of my CDs.  There are still quite a few that haven't made it over to the new house and that kind of freaks me out, because there are already so many here. Yikes

~ Managed to get 2 bags of books ready to be donated to the library and another bag or so of CDs for Goodwill.

~ Found something that makes my dining room floor look not so terrifying.

A Day In The Life

Let's discuss my boring life

~ Waited for my mom's pension check, and it didn't show up. Getting my day off to a slow start. At least I got a good book in the mail.

~ Headed off shopping, the only highlights were buying a blu ray player and a 5 cup coffee maker.

~ Didn't get to the grocery store until 3 pm,  meaning I had to make supper while trying to put everything away. In other words my dining room and kitchen exploded.

~ Made an awesome Dog Food Crescent Pie

~ Spent the rest of the night watching The Doctor's Finest on BBC America

Is It Weekend Yet?

This has been a long week. A very very long week.

My internet has been crappy.

I had to hunt down death certificates for a few accounts we need to close.

I still have so much cleaning and organizing to do at the new house.

Oh and you know something sad...NO ONE HAS VISITED ME in this new house.

I am damn lonely and that's really all I can say.

What I Don't Understand

One of the things I don't understand about our political system is how certain states get to decide who the nominee for president.

The business of the primary elections makes no sense to me at all.

Why is there a set date for the general election but each state has their primary on different dates, and if your state is at the end of the list, it really proves that sometimes your vote really doesn't matter.

It boggles my mind.

Of course when you look at the clowns running for president in 2016, well...it really scares you that one of them may actually become the next president....especially that wackadoodle front runner, but that's a rant for another day.

For now I'm just going to be glad that Rachel Maddow is around to bring some levity to this nonsense, especially as Jon Stewart is no longer on.

Things I Want

Some of these things are doable...others not so much.

1. One stress free weekend.

2. A pub table for my kitchen. I'm really loving this one from Wayfair. I want it more for workspace.

3. A futon or daybed for my room, since I have none at the present time. What I do have is a floor covered in books and CDs.

4. A week at work that doesn't have me plotting someone's death.

5. 8 hours of sleep. Pretty please?

Not much to ask for, right?

RIP Eliza

Monday night my little Eliza Dookittle went across the rainbow bridge

I really have no words, except that the loss of this sweet little girl has my heart shattered.

Eliza came into the world with much difficulty. She was found nearly starved to death by a lovely humane officer from Washington County who worked to bring her to health.

I got involved because she needed to have more permanent care. I fell for her when I saw her, and my sister was supposed to take her once she had one of her male cats neutered. Somehow that never happened and Eliza Dookittle stayed with me and my brood.

She fell in love with one of my other kittie, 'Mokey and they could often be found together

Eliza was the perfect kitty in every way. She was always vocal and loved to let the world know she was around.

Eliza Dookittle was just shy of 2 years old. Her human family and her furry family will miss her terribly.

TBT: Days when I was skinny and cute

This picture was taken a long time ago.

~sigh~

I was skinny....cute....and I was able to travel

~sigh~

My New Project

I spent the afternoon with mom going through cookbooks and I got an idea.

Once a week, we are going to try a new recipe.

This week's new dish is going to be Beefy Tortellini Skillet

As soon as I make the new dish, I'll share my feelings on it on my Wenches blog.

I figure, this project will shake things up and get me using some of the bazillion cookbooks that are in this house!

Its Been Awhile

I don't know why I can't get back on the blogging bandwagon again and I really want to.

Can you say house issues?

I swear, I'm going to call this house "The Money Pit".

Remember that movie?

The sewer backed up today.

Yay!

So the plumber is coming out this afternoon.

Oh and the toilet seat broke and the plastic nut seems to be permanently attached.

I freaking GIVE UP!

And on an entertainment front....Damn Jon Stewart for leaving when there's so much crazy going on in the news!

I've Lost Myself

In the course of this move, I've managed to lose almost everything I loved.

My bedroom, (ha ha ha) is no bedroom, as it has no bed, and all my books (well almost all of them) and some of my CDs are piled on the floor. (With nowhere to go) I haven't had much of a chance in the 4-ish weeks that we've lived there to even try to organize and declutter my space.

Nope. I have no place to call my own in this house.

None.

I'm frustrated.

I'm angry.

I want to go home.

At least on 11th ST, I had a place to call my own.

Here, I have nothing, except bills, and I truly believe that no one cares.

I can't get to my computer, because there's no place for it. Where there is space for it...there's no three pronged outlets.

I know I'm whining, but dammit, I thought moving would make things easier or better for me.

Frankly, I think it has done the opposite and it is making me very very crabby.

Justice For Cecil & All Other Animals

Like many other people, I'm outraged by the killing of Cecil the lion. I am not a fan of big game hunting, or any hunting for that matter. Trophy hunting however really pisses me off, and the people that post pictures of themselves with their kill are some of the vilest creatures on this planet.

I don't agree with killing for the sake of killing, which is what most Trophy hunting is. I also think these idiots need  to look at the animal population. The number of lions and elephants etc are declining rapidly.

When these animals are gone, THEY ARE GONE!!!

WTF is wrong with these people.

We've lost so many beautiful creatures to extinction, why do humans feel we have a right to kill more, so that number of nonexistent creatures grows?

I saw one hunter..a woman...with her kill. It was a giraffe.

I'm sorry when I say, WTF is wrong with you?

What did that animal do to you?

Does it make you feel more powerful to kill an animal?

Do you feel special?

I'm sorry, like that dentist and that doctor who I'm ashamed to say is from Pittsburgh, I hope there's a special place in hell for you.

My kitties roar, for Cecil, and so do I.

RIP Cilla Black and Lynn Anderson

Two lovely ladies of music left us this weekend

From the UK, Cilla Black who is a national treasure there.



And Lynn Anderson, a country darling from the 70s

Will Things Ever Go Right?

My tale of woe for the week.

There is one plus...all the plumbing issues are taken care of now. We have a shiny new water heater, there is a Pittsburgh toilet in the basement, and other minor issues have been fixed. Yay! All for about $1000. So can't complain there.


But back to the woe...cos that's more fun.

1. House has some fun (ha ha ha) electrical issues. Outlets and fixtures that don't work for no reason...and yeah. that's going to be fun to fix.

2. My car is lighting up like a Christmas tree, with useless lights. The airbag light is still on. But wait, now the door light is on, when ever door and the trunk are shut tight. Seriously? WTF! I have a ghetto car!

3. Some people think its fun to have a 5 day vacation and then come home and have a party. In the last 2 years, I've not gone anywhere. I have not gone further than 30 miles from my home, and that was either to Washington, PA or to Upper Saint Clair when I met one of my favorite authors. I've not been to Wheeling in about 5 years..and the same for Pittsburgh, but no one can give me a break, and yet I cook for their sorry asses? I think I'm done with them all.


Rant and Woe ended, go in peace.

I Need A Stereo

Can you believe these words are coming out of the mouth of the woman that has 1000 + CDs? No, I don't own a stereo anymore.

I have 3 mp3 players that I seldom use as most of the music I listen to is played in my car or on my computer.

How very sad is that?

I'm trying to decide what brand to buy this time. Heck, I'm actually trying to find a stereo. Do places even sell them anymore? Has music mostly gone digital?

Can I just say that sucks?

I just want to listen to my music again, and not the stupid TV, especially as the only things worth watching are on the History Channel. (yes, I'm still addicted to all things alien)

Why do the networks seem to think we all have lives and are on a constant vacation from May til Sept?

Oops that's a totally different rant.

But back to the CD player/Stereo thing. I can't seem to find anything that isn't a boom box or something that is very flimsy. Anyone have any advice on a reasonable system?

The Sink Is The Place To Be

I'm An Ancient Astronaut Theorist

I have to admit, that I'm really addicted to History Channel's Ancient Aliens. For the last several months we've been watching that show and some of the other alien/UFO shows and some of the stuff makes a lot of sense.

I also have a little bit of a crush on the crazy haired ancient astronaut theorist, Giorio Tsoualos.

But really, especially in regards to the pyramid, I have to think that maybe something otherworldly was helping us along.

I mean, could we really have gotten so stupid, if humans once built the pyramids? Thanks to this show I've found myself interested in ancient history again.

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to wait for my spaceship to land.

I've Moved!

Well, we've been in the new house for almost a week.

Things are crazy busy and probably will be for some time. I've been trying to wash any and all dishes coming in, before I put them away.

I've bought so many cleaning supplies its insane!

Oh and I've lost at least 5 lbs! Woot!

Now for some pictures for those who don't check out my facebook.

Andrea's Birthday Top 10

Top 10 things I'd like for my birthday.

1. One more hug from my daddy.

2. All foods especially potato chips should become calorie free!

3. My belongings should levitate and move to the new house all by themselves today. Pretty please.

4. Time to relax and read!

5. A birthday serenade by my favorite singers (Elvis Costello, The Blue Jays, Gordon Lightfoot, Keith Harkin, Mika and Andy Bell)

6. 10 pounds to drop from my body. (OK maybe more than that, but I'm trying not to be greedy)

7. The Doctor to come in his TARDIS to take me away.

8. A birthday screening of Minions and Inside Out at my house. (I'm really my age in reverse)

9. A visit from the money fairy (who doesn't want a visit from this fairy?)

10. Some Barnes and Noble or Amazon goodness.

New Duran Duran

My friend Jennifer reminded me that there was a new Duran Duran song floating around. So I went to You Tube and did a search.

Its definitely Duran Duran, but for some reason, it doesn't excite me much.

Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe they just aren't as good anymore. I don't know.

I'll let you decide, but I think this song isn't for me.

Moving Sucks

Most of you know the old homestead is a three bedroom deal, 1 bath a living room, dining room and a kitchen.

Do you know how much stuff can accumulate in this much space since 1967?

A LOT!

Do you know how hard it is to move BY YOURSELF! With little to no help from any family members? ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT LIVE IN THE AREA!

I've hauled over cooking supplies. I've hauled over some clothes (But I'm trying not to take stuff off the hangers since they are only moving 6 blocks down the road). I've hauled books.

Note the word, "I".

No one else.

The nephews have helped take stuff in but trust me it isn't much and the youngest nephew put together my bakers rack, but as far as helping me get more stuff than my Focus can haul. Well that's all been on me.

Pardon me while I scream.

Loudly!

At least when the furniture gets moved I'll have some help.

YAY!

Moving My Books

Today I moved some of my many many books to the new house.  This is going to be the hardest part of the move.

Finding space for all the books, and let me tell you there are loads of them.

And CDs too.

ARGH

Not to mention that I'm trying to find stuff for the new house.

Not easy.

Not fun.

Oh and have I mentioned that I'm doing most of the moving by myself.

I would like to scream now please!

Best Line From A Monkees Episode

OK, one of the best lines, cos this show was always funny as hell.

I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a chicken. Ward, I don't want to be a chicken. I'm a chicken. I'm a chicken.

Stupid Reruns, Stupid Crush

There's not been a lot of stuff on tv lately. I've overdosed on Ancient Aliens on the two History channels.

Now I've rediscovered Full House on Nick.

I've also discovered that I still have a crush on Danny Tanner...erm...Bob Saget.

A very huge crush on Bob Saget.

That's very very wrong.

But I've always loved me some geeky men.

So while I hang my head in shame at how I've reverted back to my teenage years, I'll give you one more picture of Bob Saget's geeky sexiness

Getting Ready To Move

My closing is on Friday, so for the next few weeks, every spare moment is going to be spent shifting houses.

I promise I will post pictures of the house on Friday.

I figure it may take the full 3 weeks to get everything out.

Wish me luck.

Happy Music

This is today's smile worthy tune. I think Mika has trumped Erasure in my happy music category.

Things You Find While Dejunking

I cleaned out one of the strange cabinets in our house yesterday

~ I found a precious Valentine's Day card from my Dad to Mom. He was always about the silly, when mom would have loved flowers, but his silly sentiment always was what he meant. Lots of tears shed there.

~ Cookbooks from the 1960s were a hoot, and as a result of looking at a bunch of Better Homes and Gardens books, I want a soup tureen!

~ My mother has 3 copies of Beverly Lewis' Amish Heritage cookbook and about 4 copies of one made by the ladies at the Monessen Food Pantry.

~ Found a book about the Gnostic Gospels that I'm going to have to read to mom now.

~ Found a beautiful Christmas ornament with one of the Presque Isle Lighthouses on it. Now I can't wait for Christmas!

~ My mother had an odd obsession with Ideals poetry magazines.

The Stupidest Ad Ever

Gateway Hospice has a billboard campaign that really really pisses me off.

It says "Embracing Life" and shows two smiling old people.

Pardon me if I want to beat the living crap out of the person who came up with this ad.

If you are on hospice, your life is ending, and for the most part,  you can't embrace it. You can only hang on to it for every second that you can.

My father was very lucky that in his year on hospice that he had time to enjoy what time he had left. Most do not. Most are cancer patients in great pain.

"Embracing life" my buttocks!

Everyone that knows me, knows I have very mixed feelings about hospice care. I think we were very lucky that my dad had great nurses and aids from Amedysis, that really liked him and were kind, and to them, I still give my heartfelt thanks, because dad could be very pig headed, especially in his last months when his illnesses gave him dementia. (He could be pig headed even before his illness, but that's why we loved him)

If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I would have let my mother agree to it. I would have fought her tooth and nail not to.

But back to the ad.

I know that you don't want to reflect sadness and death in an ad, but I just think showing smiling seniors with one of their adult family members/child/etc is just  stupid.

Books Books and More Books

In the last few weeks I've taken bags upon bags of books to be donated to our library and to the lending library at our YMCA.

You would think that it would make a dent in our house but it doesn't.

We have a small library going on here.

Lots of novels and lots of cookbooks.

Oh and did I mention the library had their book sale this week.

erm...

On a counter productive move, I found about 10 cookbooks. Some are from women's groups and others were those awesome Taste Of Home annuals that usually cost about 30 bucks.

So I've got a lot of great new cookbooks to make yummy stuff from.

Yay, but I still have a house that looks like a war zone

Boo!

This move is not going to be easy at all.

Things Seldom Go As Planned

Allow me to tell you how my weekend went

~ Missed a call from my loan officer on Friday. I need to get my boss to fill out yet another employment verification form. This is a long story, but at the beginning of the year I was being paid by the father's company and now I'm being paid by the son's. Oye to the vey.

~ My brother in law had a seizure yesterday. We had a feeling one was coming on, but we didn't know when it would happen. Don't know what brought this on, but it through the whole day out of whack.

~ I only got to the YMCA once.

~ I'm still trying to sort through books, which is making my house look like several tornadoes whipped through it.

One word, ARGH

I'm A Weekend Blogger

This is getting ridiculous. I've got to start blogging when I get up in the morning.

I'm still working on dejunking our house, which is none to easy. I think we are going to have to get a huge garbage hopper when we move so we can just toss the junk and let it get hauled away.

I was telling my mother, there are two jackets from my college days that my father wore. I bought one for him and then there was mine, that I gave to him when his started to fall apart.

I can't part with them. Just like some of his novelty t-shirts. I can't get rid of them. It would be like throwing my father away. They may be miscellaneous articles of clothing, but they were things that he loved.

That's the hard part about this move.

~sigh~

Now to shift gears..

WTF is up with the new Rob Thomas song?

Trust You is fun enough song, but like She's So Mean, he is so much better than this. I wish he wasn't trying to follow the corporate music path.




If you don't believe me, listen to Ever The Same...this is the man at his brilliant best.