Hump Day Hunks

It has been a hard few weeks, I know I've been a bad blogger, but there was no way I can blog much with my dad's health the way it is.

So, to lighten things up...have some hunks!

OK....this is scary..I wonder if Justin knows he has a much younger doppelganger.

A Little Leave Of Absence

If you follow my facebook page, you'll know that dad's condition is worsening. They sent him home from the hospital on Wednesday, not because he was improving, but because there was nothing more that they could do.

My heart is breaking, to see my father that 2 weeks ago was so feisty and so full of it being brought low. My heart aches for my mother, who is slowly losing the man she has spent the last 62 years of her life with.

I told her I was jealous of her, because I'll never have someone love me the way that dad loves her. It is true love at its finest. We should all be so lucky. Even when things don't go right, love is always there.

Pray for us....

As Always The News Is About Dad

Dad has been in the hospital for a week. That's primarily why I've been an absentee blogger. I just don't have the time or the words anymore. He had a bad reaction to a medication and then he developed and infection and as always, a very low blood count.

I'm trying desperately to get my life in order. To find some semblance of sanity somewhere. So far, I'm having no luck.

I'm also trying a new diet.

Caregiving is fattening, especially when there's no way of getting out of the house. When I'm not home, my nephew is in charge, and when he's sleeping, I am. And when dad's in the hospital, we all worry. When I worry, I eat.

In the last 3 years, the weight I've gained is embarrassing. I'm not a lazy person. I'm always running around, but I'm a stress eater. I admit that. And I love potato chips.

I'm doing the whole protein shake thing right now. I'm hoping it can at least jump start my metabolism, which I think is a bit sluggish. Thanks for the wonky thyroids, from mom's side of the family.

The taste, is not so terrible, but not so great either, but it does seem to curb my hunger a bit.

And combine it with depression that has me sleeping at 8:30, well, at least I can't eat in my sleep.

Here's hoping things start to look up soon. Cos my nerves are shot.

Cat Thursday

Some more pics of Ifyouplease and Ifyoudon'tplease the two Siamese shorthairs that hang about our yard.

Always Remember

Sometimes Change Isn't Good

I ate Subway the other day, and I was left totally unimpressed.

When I was in college, about 20 years ago. (Yes, I am old) Subway was fairly new to our area and things were much more simple there. There weren't so many choices of bread and flatbread was unheard of. They had a little round bun for small appetites and for their breakfast options.

Yes, 20 years ago Subway did breakfast and it was 100 times better than the crap they are serving today. The bread was better too. You could go into the restaurant and smell it cooking.

They used to have a seafood sub too, which was really great. (And I don't even like seafood all that much)

Then you decided you wanted to compete with Quiznos and then things started going down hill. Sure I love my Italian Herbs and Cheese bread...but I don't need my subs toasted, and all the hot opinions for subs are lousy.

Oh and here's another tidbit. At one time there was a rib sandwich at Subway and it used to be great! At times it was even better than the McRib.

So yeah, you have loads of options and franchises, but Subway, the quality of you food makes me wonder why I didn't just go to McDonald's.

(I'd go to Panera...if we had one closer than 20 miles away)

It would be nice if sometimes the changes that are made didn't always make things worse.

Hump Day Hunks

Time for the hotties to take over the blog!

Why Buy Cat Toys?

Today is my little Smokey's 2nd birthday. I was at Hellmart...erm Walmart and I saw a cat pedestal and I really wanted to buy it, but I can't justify $35 bucks when there's so much to be done around the house this year.

That said, when I got home, Fedex delivered some of my father's medical supplies..and they came in some great kitty sized boxes...

Everyone was happy, including my wallet! The only cat that didn't play with the box, was of course, Smokey.

Hump Day Hunks

How can you not love this face?

And this one

My Little Cutie

He comes a running whenever I call

Hump Day Hunks!

It's hump day!

Let's be crazy..

Like Keith Harkin

And a bit silly like Benedict Cumberbatch

A Whole Lot Of Crazy

Dad wasn't feeling well last night so my after work relaxation was cut short. Thank god it was Cinco De Mayo, though. That helped take the edge off the week (that has only just begun...ARGH!)

Yay for Arbor Mist Sangria!

A bigger yay for my Mexican Lasagna recipe, which was awesome. Check out the recipe here.

Oh and after dad's not feeling good, he woke up around 2 a.m. and started fussing, so needless to say, no one really slept well last night.

Always fun at our house these days.

I'm trying to figure out how to request a vacation from my life, because I need one.

Oh and anyone want to help me bitch about gas prices in PA. If it weren't for Giant Eagle and KMart and the discounts on gas, I think I'd have to buy a horse, because owning a car is getting to be too expensive! The last time I passed a station, prices were around $3.83!

That really hits you were it hurts.

Guess I won't be doing much this summer, again.

To Do List

I really think I need to make a to do list that can be accomplished.

I have so much I need to get done and so much I need to get for the week ahead.

It totally sucks to not be able to do any shopping during the week, but my father's rather fragile mental state doesn't let that happen much.

They never told us how much caregiving becomes a prison to all parties involved.

It sucks the life out of you. I don't know if there is a minute in any day when I don't feel exhausted.

Of course, little things start to bring me joy, like hearing Your Wildest Dreams on while I was shopping at Giant Eagle today. It was impossible not to sing along. I haven't played The Moodies much lately. Mostly I've been listening to Celtic Thunder and Keith Harkin.

Let's hope I can get through tomorrow and get what I need to do done. I need to hit the grocery stores, Tractor Supply, Dollar General, Goodwill, KMart and the library, and all in about 3 hours.

At least Walmart isn't on that list. I'm not that kind of fool.

Wish me luck.

Cat Thursday

My newest friend...Ifyouplease aka Ferdinand...aka Sassy...the silly neighbors cat that likes our porch.

What Day Is It?

It's Hump Day! Do you know what that means?

Hunks!

Tom and a sock monkey!

Two hunks for the price of one

Craig Ferguson Leaving?

Dear Mr. Ferguson,

I understand you are probably upset that Stephen Colbert got David Lettermen's slot, however, late night will not be the same without you very off kilter sense of humor and your totally sexy self?

Please tell me that you've been tapped for the next companion on Doctor Who. I mean two old guys in the Tardis! How much fun would that be!

Sadly yours,

The Mistress Of The Dark

Ups and Downs

~ I'm one step closer to getting my grandmother's house out of my life. The process of the deed transfer has begun. Yay!

~ Dad woke up with a broken blood vessel in his eye. He looks awful.

~ Could someone tell me why I'm exhausted just from grocery shopping and a dental appointment? I can't stay awake past 9 o'clock most nights. I think I'm getting old.

~ Won't be going to see Gordon Lightfoot as all the good seats are already sold out. Thank you Palace Theater for letting me know when they went on sale.

~ Doubt I'll get to see Celtic Thunder too...can't commit to concerts in December, especially ones in Pittsburgh.

~ Have I mentioned my need for a mental health day?

Hump Day Hunks!

Its time to trot out the pretty men! Woo hoo!

My Little Cutie

This is little Ferdinand aka Ifyouplease (Lady and the tramp fans will get that). He's one of the neighbor's cats, who comes for snacks on our porch.

He's a little doll baby and he loves to sleep in the flower beds.

Happy Easter

Cat Thursday: Easter Edition

Kitties rock!

Hump Day Hunks!

How about some pretty men

Benedict makes a sexy baddie

Tom Hiddleston...YUM

And my favorite little Irishman...Keith Harkin...Le sigh

Took A Little Break

Day to day blogging is really getting hard. Not because I don't want to, but because things are so crazy. Life with dad is getting everyone down.

He has good days and bad days and days that make every person in the house a bit crazy. He has more of those days than any other.

Let me tell you, it isn't good for the soul.

And then there's my computer, or rather computers. I have a newish desktop that is acting funny and a laptop that refuses to recognize my mouse and I hate using the touch pad, especially when book blogging.

So yeah, my life is full of odd frustrations right now.

I'm cranky.

I'm bitchy.

I need a vacation, or at least a mental health day.

Justin Hayward's Doppleganger

Every time I see Keith Harkin I think...OMG its Justin Hayward..or at least Justin back in the day.

Wish I could find one from Red Rocks or earlier of Justin so you could be truly amazed.

Actually what is really amazing is the similarity between Keith's songwriting and Justin's. For those that don't know Keith, he's one of the original members of  Celtic Thunder. He's a very talented guy.  And he's definitely Justin's doppleganger!

Cat Thursday

Time for some kitty cat lols!

RIP Aunt Faith

The world lost a lovely talented lady on Friday. This photo shows my Aunt Faith, her daughter Justina and her son Charles, and the little lady in the front is my Grandma. This photo was taken on Gram's 100th b-day. Faith was 99.

She was a poet, a painter and a world traveler. There was nothing she wouldn't do. She really lived life to the fullest.

I'm sure she's catching up with Grandma in heaven now.

I'm So Proud Of Me

I bought a cloudwalker type exercise machine. Basically, I can't get to the gym because of my father's health. Unfortunately, that results in my butt expanding.

I can't afford fancy equipment and we don't have space for it either, but I found a machine I could push into the living room so I could walk while watching tv at night.

Yay me!

I did about an hour tonight watching Sherlock!

That's good for a start.

Anything can help at this point.

I don't know if I'll lose any weight, but I figure if I'm on that machine, I'm not stress eating, so it can't be that bad. Plus the machine is pretty quiet and folds up if necessary, to lean against a wall.

So wish me luck!

Musings On Lettermen

I think I'm the only person that has never liked David Lettermen, so his announcement of his retirement has no emotional reaction from me.

It just makes me giggle at the people that are up for his slot, like Craig Ferguson, who has always said he had no ambition to take that coveted 11:30 spot.

Truth be told, I don't want him to get it, because it would change his show. I like that his comedy is a little naughty. I wouldn't want to see him earlier. I don't think he'd get the ratings either.

The feminists are all up in arms that the late night talk shows are a boy's club. I'm not really bothered by it, because there are very few women that I can tolerate in these shows. Chelsea Handler? Please for the love of God, NO! That woman is foul!

See, I'm in firm belief that women shouldn't bitch when they aren't capable of holding their own, and right now, there isn't a woman out there that would be suitable to go head to head with the two Jimmies. If there were, I'd be all for it. (Or maybe not)

Either way, bye bye Dave....have a nice retirement.

Hump Day Hunks

Can't forget the hunks! That would be so wrong!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I'm so happy we made it to 88! This is a picture from 2007 at my grandma's 100th b-day party!

Happy b-day Daddy!

We all love you very much!