Unexpected Cleaning Project

I lost my watch and a bracelet I bought yesterday. Not to worry, I found both but not after I ended up starting a cleaning project that I couldn't totally finish in one night.

Can I just say ARGH!

Actually when I had to start on that project I was using words far more colorful and a heck of a lot more vulgar than ARGH!

Today we have to mop the floor in the upstairs hallway.

Oh how I long for wall to wall carpeting..but then again...I have a passel of kitties, so that probably wouldn't be a good idea.

I just really wish there was an easier way to get this house in order. (A cheap way too) It doesn't help matters that we are a household of people that really like STUFF!

Grumble Grumble

I actually have some money in my Paypal account right now. I want to buy Paint Shop Pro Ultimate because I don't have a good photo editing program on the Dell. The program is $61 @ Amazon.

Not bad for the kind of software that it is. The problem is, Amazon doesn't take Paypal and if I transfer the funds from the account I lose money.

Boo!

I'm trying to find out if there's a good online store that sells the software at a comparable price and that takes Paypal now.

Not much to ask, right?

Apparently it is.

My brother has this software and it cleans up photos really well. I know upon installing it, I'll probably lose a few days of my life just playing with old photos. That is assuming I can ever buy the damn program.

Random 10

From Music Memoirs

10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

This weekend was the ReBeats show in Norton, OH. The poor guys and girl had to play under a gazebo in the pouring rain to a total of 15 people.

These are some of the songs they covered from the British Invasion bands and The Monkees.

Paint It Black
A Hard Days Night
Eight Days A Week
You Really Got Me
To Sir With Love
These Boots Are Made For Walking
I'm A Believer
Glad All Over
Won't Get Fooled Again
All Day And All Night

Back In PA

I'm going to recap my weekend for you.

~ Driving in torrential downpours for half of a 150 mile drive is not very fun. Its even less fun when you are making the drive by yourself.

~ Hartville Kitchen has the best family food of anyplace I've ever gone.

~ Concerts in the pouring rain can be fun. Especially when you end up playing maracas for the band. If any of my OH friends, see that the ReBeats are playing in your area, go see them, they rock the British Invasion covers band world.

~ Apple Funnel Cakes = Yum

~ People in Ohio can't drive worth a damn.

~ Construction barrels and cones grow overnight!

~ Hates that Amazon doesn't accept Paypal. I need Paint Shop Pro!

~ Books A Million is my favorite regular price book store! They kick Barnes and Noble's and Borders' ass.

~ I love my brother's cats.

~ I'm going to miss showers (My house only has a bathtub)

Top 5 On Friday: Week 241

Top 5 under-appreciated artists/bands and why you think they are under-appreciated

This is a hard one, because I love a lot of music that most people haven't heard of, being lucky enough to do album reviews for some awesome PR companies.

1. Over The Rhine: Here's a wonderful band out of Cincinnati that create beautiful vocals and lush melodies. I can't believe more people haven't heard of them. If only people paid more attention to folksy type music these days.

2. Keri Noble: I've never figured out why this lovely lady isn't known the world over. She's a great songwriter, she's pretty AND SHE CAN SING. I guess its because she doesn't dance around in her underwear, because god forbid a woman make it in the music industry without sexing herself up to sell records.

3. Erasure: I truly believe their music gets passed up because of Andy Bell's campy-ness. Well excuse me! For the love of all that is wonderful, listen to some of their synthpop goodness. Listen to Andy Bell's voice for crying out loud. This man can sing. These guys should be huge everywhere...except that if they were, Vince would probably exit stage right...or left depending on which exit were closer.

4. Judd Starr: I talk this guy up whenever I can. I know he doesn't really care if he is a household name, but seriously people. Go check out his music, especially if you like Duran Duran, because his style is similar but with a little something that DD have been lacking for the last few years. (I think its called good songwriting)

5. The Devlins: Peter and Colin Devlin have been favorites of mine since I heard them many many years ago. They don't have much material, considerig how long they've been together, just 4 albums and Colin has a solo album that's worth hearing. Again they don't fit the mold of the usual acoustic band. Plus their songwriting is fantastic.

Click the links to give each artist a listen. I tried to leave off artists like Elvis Costello, because even though he doesn't get the sales numbers, which is sad, most people recognize his greatness as a songwriter. I also left off The Moody Blues, because that's like beating a dead horse. In 40+ years the world still hasn't totally acknowledged the talent within that band. I give up. All are worthy of a listen and your love.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Reasons Why I Miss My Cat Mutchka

1. Its too quiet in the house now. I miss his screaming for his cat food and for loving.

2. He was always full of loving and wanted his head petted.

3. He always got along with our other pets. In fact when he was in his last moments all the young ones filed by, not get angry and try to pick on the cat that was ill but to say goodbye in whatever way animals say goodbye.

4. I no longer have a desire for McDonald's hamburgers or any fast food (yes this is a good thing, but not when you used to share a burger or a McNugget with the cat)

5. Leftovers can be left out. Again not a bad thing but the fun of finding Mutchy on the stove, the cover up ripped off the chicken or whatever tossed aside and him chowing away was always funny. Mutchy loved his food.

6. There's no kitty coming to kneed my legs in the morning at the computer because, guess what, he wants food.

7. There's no kitty coming to squack at me because I slept in and missed his morning feeding, even though my father fed him half a can.

8. There's no kitty sitting in the tub waiting for water. OK, there might be one, but its not my Mutchy.

9. I still have the urge to call for The Great Mutchcoweeo, who was looking for food for his piehole.

10. Even though there are other cats in the house, there's no more etting time and that's just sad.

11. Oogie looks sad and I think its because he misses his friend.

12. The whole family is sad because he's gone.

13. I loved my kitty and even though the house is still full of kitties, I miss him like crazy

Not In The Mood

I'm generally out of sorts today. I'm just not in the mood to do much of anything today. Its one of those days where I simply wish I did not have to get out of bed, and for as much as I've got done is write my Elfslut Says column @ mossip which you can read here.

Check it out...leave your opinions there, cos its nice to get some discussion going.

Other than that I wish I could say I've been productive, but nope I haven't. I'd have to have something important to do to be productive and I don't. Which really makes me wish that I could be home, staring at my computer that doesn't run on Windows 98 and doesn't have a dial up connection.

I think I'm hitting a point where I really need some of my vacation days...and I need to veg out. I'm also ready to take just about everything in my closet and throw it out...and ARGH!!

I'm just frustrated and angry with myself and the world right now.

Right now I'm calling a do over on today and hopefully I'll get out of bed on the right side....instead of smacking into the wall!

I Wish I Could Get Excited

My brother invited me out to his house a little over a month ago for a small concert. There's an Ohio covers band we discovered when we saw Peter Noone in Akron last year and they really liked his photos so they invited him to this show and I got invited along.

However thanks to time and money constraints, I probably should have told him no. I only have to pay for gas and the rental car, but with all the things that have come up in the last month, bill wise, I would have been better off not to have this trip scheduled.

The happy part is at least all I have to pay for is gas and the rental car. My brother is good for keeping me fed etc when I go to visit, just has he is when he comes here.

I just wish I wasn't making a 3 hour trip on Sunday. I really wish I were making it with someone too, cos I hate driving distances alone.

ARGH

Missing Mondays

Its very hard after a loss like yesterdays to not miss the kitty that's passed on. He was a huge part of my life for the last 15 years. Its hard not to miss the other pets that have touched my life

Right now I just miss every last pet that's gone terribly. Allow me to share some pictures of my babies that are now playing with the angels.

Purrbee (The Nice Little Dog)



Hershey (My childhood doggie who was a serious toe biter)



Bitchy Itchy (Oh how we loved her)





Misty (The Misty-fa-ca-tor)




Buddha (Aka Little Shit)



Mutchka (The best cat ever)



In my life...I loved you .....

Mutchka: A Life In Pictures

My orange tabby, Mutchka, the first cat ever to come into my life went to the heavyside layer today. It was totally unexpected. We had no idea he was ill. He had been eating and being pretty much his usual kitty self for the last few days.

My heart is shattered.

He was truly a fine specimen of a cat, with a personality that could make even a cat hater love him. No doughnut was safe in his presence. No McDonald's hamburger either. He loved his food. He'd eat anything that wouldn't eat him first!

Here are some images of the life of the world's best kitteh, The Great Mutchcoweeo.

As some of you know, the pictures of the animals on the side of my blog are all of pets that have gone to the other side. I am so depressed to be adding Mutchka to that lineup so soon after Purrbee. He is going to be missed horribly.

Pancakes! I want em!

My mom got a flier for a Betty Crocker holiday cookbook and one of the teasers was for Apple Butter Pancakes. Needless to say, ever since that flier entered our house, I've been craving these things.

So today I decided to see if I could find a recipe and voila! I found this one.


Ingredients

* 2 C. buttermilk pancake mix
* 1 1/4 C. water
* 2 Tbs. apple butter
* 2 tsp. cinnamon powder (optional)
* 1 1/2 handfuls chocolate chips

Directions

First mix all of the ingredients together. Heat a skillet or a griddle and lightly spray nonstick butter spray over the pan or griddle. Take a 1/4 C. batter and pour onto the griddle. Cook until little bubbles form in the center, then flip.

So, do you think I should be brave and try these? I think they might need some cinnamon butter on top too.

So much for that diet!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 240

This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other two weekly memes and play along.

Top 5 bands you wish would reunite.

1. Oingo Boingo: I would love Danny Elfman to just take a small break from his money making job of film scoring and record another album with the guys. OK, I would be happy if he just recorded an album by himself. I want more singing from Danny! The little tidbits here are just not enough.

2. The Moody Blues (original lineup): I don't want a tour. I just want an album. I'll take it anyway I can get it. If it meant Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder working with Justin, John and Graham, well I wouldn't complain at all.

3. The Story: Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball were awesome together. Their pretty folk music was fun, beautiful and funny. I'd love to see the ladies together again.

4.The Monkees: Put your differences behind you guys. (OK, I know its not going to happen) There is no love lost between Davy, Micky, Peter and Mike and its sad. I looked forward to their live shows.

5. Glass Tiger: I know they've done little reunions in Canada, but I'd at least like to get a full album out of them. If I can't have that, if Alan Frew would kindly do another solo album, I would be greatly appreciative.

Why?

I'm so sick of diets and people promoting diets passing off Boca burgers and Morningstar Burgers and crumbles as a perfect replacement for that Quarter Pounder or even little cheeseburger.

Sorry, Hungry Girl that doesn't cut it with me. I like meat and when I'm craving a burger, which doesn't happen often, believe it or not, I want a flipping burger.

Why not promote tasty turkey burgers? Or chicken burgers which are just as good and only have a fraction of the calories? The other thing everyone seems to forget is that half the calories on any of those huge burgers like the Angus Third Pounders is the bun and the slop they put on them, usually mayonnaise and we all know mayonnaise is a no no for anyone watching their calories.

On a happy note, I can have a Wendy's Jr Cheeseburger, it's only clocking in at 270 calories. Yay!

If it weren't for a stupid email newsletter I wouldn't even be thinking about cheeseburgers this early in the morning.

I Did A Scary Thing Last Night

What death defying fete did I accomplish last night do you want to know?

I cleaned the fridge with my father. No my father had nothing to do with it being frightening, though maybe just a little with the way he was cleaning the shelves for awhile there. I feared for them, I tell you!

I don't know why a fridge that doesn't have much in it, compared to most can become a toxic waste site so easily.

Oh yeah, my mom's involved.

Love her, but she puts things in there, never to take them out again.

We should only be allowed to have leftovers @ Thanksgiving and Christmas. Any other time and things can get really creepy, especially since we are without a real dog. I'm wondering if we can rent a dog for after meal cleanups. The neighbors have 3 Sharpei pups, maybe they would like some roast?

But yeah, the fridge is clean, and no one was hurt in the process by any of the things that were about to walk out of it on their own.

Missing Mondays On A Tuesday

I was still a bit under the weather yesterday, so I didn't have it in me to think about what I miss, so I'm doing it today.

Mom and I were having one of our food discussions and I got to missing spiced apple rings.

Do any of you remember these?

They are so hard to find. I got a jar a few years ago at a little market in Perryopolis, that I don't often frequent.

Apparently they still make the Musselman's rings, but none of our local grocery stores sell them.

This depresses me, because they are oh so good with chicken and poultry. Mind you I could eat the whole jar as a snack. Yes, they are that good. At least to me they were!

I want my spiced apple rings back damn it!!!

Kudos To Jay Leno

Of all the late night talk show hosts out there, I always liked Jay the best. He knows how to interview properly. He doesn't act like a dufus (Conan) or an ass (Letterman). He just delivers a good interview. A certain spectacled songwriter should learn a few things from him.

Last night was his first earlier show and I watched part of it. Mostly cos I was anxious to hear what Kayne West had to say for himself, which thanks to Jay, wasn't much of anything.

Maybe it was staged, but at least Jay got him looking properly contrite, because I'm sure his mama wouldn't be happy with him right now.

I know the VMA's aren't a ritzy hoopla award show, but for crying out loud, what did Taylor Swift ever do to you? She's just a kid. A kid that's sold more records than most people too. She deserved her moment. Now she'll be forever linked to his drunken tirade.

Its always nice to see a real asshole speechless. For being able to do that, Jay Leno wins my award for excellence!

Intriguing Recipe

I found this on a livejournal recipe community last night and I'm dying to try them, because its a rather off the wall kinda thing. Oatmeal Latkes!

1c leftover oatmeal
1/4-1/3 c flour
brown sugar to taste
1 egg
milk to thin it to a thick batter consistency

melt a thick pat of butter in a pan on med-high heat, drop batter by big spoonfuls into the butter, let fry until crisp and brown, flip, repeat, remove, serve.

Strange recipe? Perhaps? But I've learned sometimes the things that seem the strangest taste the best. So this is worth the try.

Stupid Things I Do So I'm Entertained

I probably shouldn't have gone to the Renaissance Festival, but I just can't resist the festival. I've gone the same week for the last three years, and I enjoy myself each time.

I enjoyed it this year too, but oh do I feel it now that I'm home.

I felt half human this morning when I woke up.

I still feel mostly human, but oh this cold is still kicking me in the ass hard!

Remind me, the next time I get any bright ideas like going out when I'm not over a cold, TO STAY HOME!

No, don't do that. I'd be bitter and cranky that I didn't go, and I loved every minute of the Renfest. My cold however is giving me payback for being on good behavior for the seven hours that I was away from my warm bed.

But I'll take it like a trooper because I had fun. Plus see my 23 year old nephew get a lap dance from Pearl The Washing Well Wench was priceless! I'll explain more about that when my head feels less likely to explode!

Pass The Nyquil

I had a feeling on Thursday that there was some pestilence coming on. Yesterday I was pretty positive about it. I have a full blown miserable cold.

I also have 2 albums I need to review and I can't even begin to string two words together about music right now. I don't even particularly want to listen to music right now.

All I want to do is find a comfortable spot and vegetate, because everything is getting on my nerves right now.

The worst part of this is I have plans to go somewhere tomorrow but I have a hamper of laundry that's pretty close to overflowing and I have no desire whatsoever to do it.

Oh and while I'm feeling miserable, it would be nice if some of you would check out Wenches and show me some love, cos when I'm sick and miserable I also tent to get jealous and snippy.

Now if you guys don't mind, I'm going to try to find a spot and just veg there until I feel better which dame well better be tomorrow.

Oh and I had a gyro for lunch and I couldn't even fucking taste it!! And I love gyros!!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 239

This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other two weekly memes and play along.

Top 5 songs that are mood lifters.

1. Mika - We Are Golden

I just discovered Mika about 2 years late and OMG this is kinda what happens when Freddie Mercury meets Erasure. Yeah its that weird but when Polyphonic Spree start beating those two up it gets really interesting.

2. Erasure - A Little Respect

Erasure automatically = The Happy for me. There are very few Erasure songs that will leave you feeling sad.

3. Pet Shop Boys - You Only Tell Me You Love Me When Your Drunk
The PSBs never fail to amuse. This is from my favorite album Nightlife

4. Cyndi Lauper - Like A Cat
The album this one is from is so underrated but so good.

5. Sugarland - It Happens
When Ms. Nettles sings "It" Happens...we all know that she really means "Shit" happens!