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      Friday, March 01, 2013


otherstuff
09:48 AM - 03/01/2013

The topic: I’m going to be upgrading the blog
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software today (the new version has been out since December 4, 2009. I’ve had it that long, bought and paid for, just never felt like doing anything with it.

I’m trying to not be on FaceBook so much, I’m only playing one game right now, I love the Angry Birds tournaments, but they added a new power-up. They gave us fifty to start with and they went quickly during the tournament. Right now, there’s no way I can justify spending the money for online games when other things have priorities. Like utility payments. *laughing* 

FaceBook is a major time suck and I really need to start spending less time reading the same posts thirty-nine times and work on other things. So….

I’m finally getting around to upgrading this software.

Keep your fingers crossed it goes smoothly.

      Saturday, March 02, 2013


otherstuff
07:38 AM - 03/02/2013

The topic: Well, I think it’s done
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There was a problem with the smileys showing up when I type my entry, but I figured that out. Didn’t get any help from their forums, they used to be so on top of stuff like this, very helpful, but it would appear that their guru user base has dropped since I last visited.

The forums have a problem, it will take me a while to figure out how to change the look and I noticed I had over seven hundred members.  Last time I checked it was about twelve.

The new members were spammers.  *sigh*  So, I deleted them all and now people can’t register. But I’ll work that out somehow, it’s not like it was really busy.

So, I need to take a shower, Brian does, too, then we’ll go to breakfast.

I’ve got to start switching out files here in the office, making room for this year’s, getting rid of last year’s. The stack waiting to be filed next to my desk is quickly getting higher. Not a good thing.

mail


otherstuff
11:44 AM - 03/02/2013

The topic: What a pain
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This new setup is not intuitive at all. I thought I'd be lucky and not have to spend any money, but the area where I type in my entry doesn't have the special formatting codes like the previous version. I found a WYSIWYG editor for half price and it was highly recommended and I just installed it. This is my first post using it.

In the old version I had lots of special codes that I used, like for the pictures I post. I guess I'll have to figure out how to do that now. 

I've got other things I should be doing.

Bleh.

ne_nau
 


otherstuff
02:34 PM - 03/02/2013

The topic: And they told me it couldn’t be done!
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I did it!  I edited the files and I got all of my smileys to show up when I work!  Woohoo!

I rock!

(Somebody really needs to clean the litterboxes.)


otherstuff
03:02 PM - 03/02/2013
I'm listening to 25 or 6 to 4

The topic: Listening to Pandora radio
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On the radio. Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4.

I was never a big fan of Chicago.


catstuff
05:01 PM - 03/02/2013

The topic: How cool is this?
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      Sunday, March 03, 2013


otherstuff
09:18 AM - 03/03/2013

The topic: My new bottles got here yesterday
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They're a little bigger than the other ones I've got and my Mrs. Dash caps aren't going to work.  Boo! But I've still got all of those jars from spice racks in the past (with stuff still in them) and I can wash those out and use those. It's not like much of what I use needs to be sprinkled on anyway.

But I didn't get them done by the end of the week, I missed my goal. I did start putting labels on the large jars, I had three done when I realized "no, that's not what I want it to say, I want it to say "seasoned bread crumbs" not "bread crumbs".  I want it to say "whole wheat flour", not just "whole wheat".  Yeah, I can be a mite anal at times. At least that's what I've heard.

So, I pulled the labels off and will redo them.

I won't be doing this today, though. Because upgrading this software yesterday got me more aware of the office surroundings. I did wash the throw rugs in here (floor is cement, so I put some little runner carpets and a throw rug down to make it look less industrial...*lol*) and cleaned up the cat pee left by the cats who seem to think the whole place is a litterbox. Love my vinegar, that's for sure. Cleans this stuff up nicely without harsh chemicals that might hurt the kitty cats. What I'd really like is some sort of device that would trigger a blast of air when it detected a rise in moisture content of the air. Scare that pee back into the kitties.

Tired of Georgie walking on the stacks of paperwork I have to sort through, I brought a table in and put it on that. Couldn't leave it here overnight, didn't want a stinky wet mess when I started working on it today, so it's in the extra room right now.  First I'll pull out the personal files and box those up, then Brian's old company files for 2011 (I like to keep the previous year's files in here so they're easily accessible), box those up, then start setting up new file folders for this year. Once that's done, I can start filing, which should give me more space.

Then I can catch up on invoicing for Fit Rite.

Looks like I'll be in here for a couple of days.

And then I can start working on my bottles again! And my crafts! I'm so excited!

mail


otherstuff
10:19 AM - 03/03/2013

The topic: Not ready to work yet
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I need to take FocusSmart and ZipFizz to get my mind situated. There was a news article a couple of days ago about a genetic connection  for certain disorders. I'm pretty sure my mom had issues and I know her mother had issues. I think they've diluted in me, but there are some things about me I know aren't like other people. sick

I'm special.

Anyway, I know I have a hard time getting started, but once I do, I don't stop until I'm done. Or get bored, whichever comes first. But making myself focus (oooh, shiny!) is the first step. Then, before I know it, all done!

And I just realized when I made that link above, it's not rendering the way I'd like. Oh, great, something else to do....

And an hour and a half later I can't believe how stinking easy that should have been. Ah, the joys of thinking things will be more difficult than they actually are. No brainer. Even Brian could have told me how to do it, but I don't play in the same places he does online.


otherstuff
07:36 PM - 03/03/2013
I'm watching Striking Distance on Encore

The topic: Well, the file cabinet is done
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I found receipts in there back to 1998! Shredded. There was so much to shred, I filled the basket up twice.

I did get a pretty bad papercut, it bled for about twenty seconds. Then I put a band-aid on it. And everytime I washed my hands (I was multi-tasking, also making dinner), the band-aid fell off. Once I didn't put another one on and it started bleeding again. But that was the only major injury. Office work is dangerous.

It's getting late and I'll finish this stuff up tomorrow. I need to figure out which bank account paid what portion of which bills (like our cable bill; it all comes in one account, but the television portion is personal, internet is company and fax line is the other company). Lots of fun, but I'm starting to get tired and that's when I start taking shortcuts that have me scratching my head at the end of the year. You know "what the hell did I do here?"

      Monday, March 04, 2013


catstuff
07:26 AM - 03/04/2013

The topic: Wow!
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Last week I hit the vet's office to get some more Advantage. I get the big dog six-pack and I guess when you buy that, you get an extra one. So, I got seven big dog tubes.

Seventy-five bucks!  Last time I got it it was around $63.00.

There's a donate button at the bottom of the page, feel free to use it.

What happens to our money -----> 


catstuff
09:53 AM - 03/04/2013

The topic: Some photos
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Mario:


click for a larger pic

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Spot:


click for a larger pic

Katie:


click for a larger pic

Lorelei:


click for a larger pic

Richie:


click for a larger pic

Skip:


click for a larger pic

You can find more photos over at the photo album.

      Tuesday, March 05, 2013


otherstuff
12:47 PM - 03/05/2013

The topic: The tunnel~
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I see light at the end!

I thought I'd be done with all of this Sunday night! I was wrong!

      Wednesday, March 06, 2013


disneystuff
10:14 AM - 03/06/2013

The topic: Annual passes
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So, on one of the forums Brian visits, they've been having ads running for Disneyland tickets. He checks it out. Tells me how much it would be.

Curious, I check ticket prices on the Disneyland website. I think this is what we'll do in October.

We'll buy two day park-hopper passes ($200 each). We figure we'll be hitting the parks on Friday and Saturday. The cheapest annual pass ($269) does not include Saturdays or Sundays. So, we'll upgrade to the cheapest annual pass on Saturday.

Yeah, there's only 170 days we can get in, but we never went that many days when we had the premium passes when we could go every day of the year.

At least we have a plan now.

      Thursday, March 07, 2013


catstuff
09:15 AM - 03/07/2013

The topic: Mario’s being a PITA this morning
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He's really wanting attention. This is a first. Brian's going nuts, he's trying to do paperwork and Mario isn't having any of it.

I did pull out a feather toy, he played with that a while, then was back up on Brian's desk. Everytime Brian moves his hands, Mario thinks it's an invitation.

Brian's getting very annoyed.


otherstuff
09:18 AM - 03/07/2013

The topic: It’s supposed to rain today
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When we started on our walk this morning, it was misting. By the time we got on the other side of the hill, it was starting to come down a little harder. Brian said let's go home. We did.

It stopped precipitating.

But it's cloudy and overcast, a perfect day to do some crafting.

Yay!


catstuff
07:22 PM - 03/07/2013

The topic: I’m worried about Kirby
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He was normal this morning, this afternoon I sat on the sofa with him while he ate Friskies (he walks away, then comes back, eats, then walks away, then comes back, eats some more, repeat).

Then he headed over to the cat chair and curled up. He's been snoozing ever since. We had baked chicken for dinner, he's usually all over us wanting some, he cries and circles the table.

Nothing. I took a little chicken over to him and he turned his head. He wanted none of it. I gave him 60cc of lactated ringers, maybe he'll feel better tomorrow, but his back paws are cool to the touch.

Every day with him is special, I know that. He's been slowing down over the past few years, and  I know the time to say goodbye is near.

But not this week. I pray that it's not this week.

      Friday, March 08, 2013


catstuff
06:26 AM - 03/08/2013

The topic: Guess who’s feeling better this morning?
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Yep, it's Kirby! He actually trotted into the bathroom for food. I heated breakfast up. He didn't eat much, but he ate.

I guess a good night's sleep (I got up a couple of times to check on him, the last time Jackie was next to him) and the fluids helped.

I wouldn't be surprised if the problem is his kidneys. I'm going to give him fluids on the same day I give Miss Elizabeth hers and see if it helps him. The vet has added potassium to the ringers which helps with muscle weakness. Low potassium is one of the problems of CRF.

Last night when I gave him the 60cc, his body just sucked them up. Usually he has a little bit of edema in his leg, but last night I didn't see that.

So, not this week.

Thank you.


otherstuff
02:26 PM - 03/08/2013

The topic: I love this rain
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      Monday, March 11, 2013


dreamstuff
07:32 AM - 03/11/2013

The topic: Loved the dream
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Loathe the time change.

So, the cats got out and for once, I wasn't panicked. Some women were walking the neighborhood selling this thing that had candles and feathers on it (it was a dream). One of them sat and talked with me, I told her we couldn't afford anything and besides, candles weren't practical with cats.

Then I started picking up the cats and putting them back inside the house. I was almost done when I noticed three fluffly kittens in the house. I yelled "hey, where did these kittens come from? Who put them in my house?" knowing they'd found a forever home.

Then I noticed the office that was attached to ours (It's a dream, dreams don't follow what's normal) had more kittens in it, I think I counted four.  And one looked just like a baby Benny and I started saying "a baby Benny!" and wondered if it would be sane to keep the name Benny for him (if they let me have him).

And then my friend Trish, who was working at her desk in front of the building (it was a nice day), began to tell the people in that office to please put the kittens away, that "she'll never get any work done" (meaning me) with those kittens in sight.

Then I woke up.


catstuff
10:51 AM - 03/11/2013

The topic: Mario has a new trick!
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I hope it stops being fun before too long.

This morning he was outside, then wanted back in. Nothing wrong with that. But he did it twice.

He would go to the garage, out the cat door, around to the sliding glass door and meow to get back in. I realized he was going out the cat door when none of the sliders were open. I asked Brian if he'd let him out and he told me he hadn't. So, Mario let himself out.

Why didn't he let himself back in? He stood at the door meowing.

*sigh*


craftstuff
11:20 AM - 03/11/2013

The topic: Not happy with my spice labels
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This paper is "weatherproof", yet the ink smeared when I wiped one off with a damp paper towel. I think I'll see if the stuff Brian uses for the labels I make for his hydraulics will help. It's a clear spray for paper to help set the ink. I got that paper from the same place I got this paper, but it's for laser printers, not inkjet.

And the red from the paprika kind of stained the blue background on the label.

Yeah, I'm gonna try that clear stuff. Can't have my labels looking dirty.

      Thursday, March 14, 2013


otherstuff
08:13 AM - 03/14/2013

The topic: So, this week so far
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All of my life I've had bouts of constipation.  When I was in the hospital at sixteen for a broken back (car accident, drunk ran a stop sign and broadsided our car), I wouldn't go in a bedpan. My sphincter muscle just clenched at the thought. I was given huge amounts of prune juice ("If this doesn't work, you're getting an enema"). It worked. When we went camping, I'd hold it until we got home. It wasn't conscious on my part, it just was.

And pain meds don't help move me along, either (one of the warnings is "may cause constipation"). So, the back hurts, I takes the pill and one pain stops, another one starts. Having the waste build up is not comfortable. Once my plumbing problem was resolved, another ensued. A plunger took care of that (my husband doesn't seem to understand that at fifty-nine years of age, I'm well acquainted with how to use a plunger - his input certainly didn't do anything for my mood).

Now I'm just dealing with the residual cramps, but there were none this morning so I think this latest is over with. I'm going to up my calcium intake, that aways seems to help. And my nails have been so brittle, never a problem before menopause. Calcium helps those, too.

So, this week I've been working on some St. Patrick's Day cards. I need to have them finished and out in the mail today. I'll take pictures.

I really need to go through the house with my bucket of vinegar water and rags and do some cleaning of the floors.

Brian's sick now. I wonder if maybe we'd caught a bug or something. Or maybe it's the stupid ass time change. I absolutely hate it.

Anyway, I need to get busy with the cards and while they dry (there's lots of glue involved, too much glue from the looks of it) I'll get down on my hands and knees and clean the worst pee spots.

Do you have any big plans for the day?


geekstuff
12:25 PM - 03/14/2013

The topic: Since I’m getting away from online games
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And putting my energies elsewhere, I'm finding that upgraded software changes user interfaces. And it's really annoying.

Like this software that runs my blog. I couldn't find squat and ended up spending money which I didn't want to do, but I couldn't do what I used to be able to do. Still can't post a poll, there's a free software out there, but I don't have the time (or inclination) to make it work. Another one that was supposed to work out of the box, didn't. At least, not how I wanted it to. There was no trial period with that one, so I had to ask for a refund. For now, no polls.

And my pogoplug. I got another one last year, for free when you sign up for a family plan - $19.95 a year. Well, in eight months I'd done nothing with it, so I cancelled it. The software, I still have that Pogoplug in the box. Because I already have a Pogoplug. Well, I've got two Pogoplugs. One of the things I like about them is I can have people upload stuff to my computer. Instead of burning photos to a disk and sending them snail mail, they can just send them directly to an external hard drive on my system. At any time of day or night.

They've changed the software. I spent three hours this morning trying to figure out how to send the invite. I was almost ready to quit and just install an upload script on one of my websites. Then I checked the FAQ for Pogoplug and now what I wanted do to was called "collaboration". And it's good, people can still upload to my computer when I sent them an invite.

Cool!

      Friday, March 15, 2013


foodstuff
05:21 PM - 03/15/2013

The topic: I really like to cook….
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We're already done with dinner, dishes are done and in the drainer.

Tonight we had oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and gravy. For dessert, I made the cinnamon bundt cake I tried earlier. Only this time I added more cinnamon sugar between the two layers, so it's way more cinnamony.

For the chicken, I use the stuff they sell at CostCo. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I thaw two of them and cut them in half. Then I pat them dry and dredge them in a seasoned flour mixture. I use paprika, poultry seasoning, pepper and onion powder. While I'm doing this I have a pan in the oven (400°) with a stick of butter melting in it. When the chicken is coated, I place it in the pan with the melted butter, put it back in the oven, cook for thirty minutes, take it out and turn it over and cook an additional thirty minutes. I know that's a long time, but I always cook my chicken longer than the original recipe calls for, none of this "it's done when the juices are no longer pink" for us. I like it falling apart tender.

The potatoes are made with Smart Balance spread and sour cream. The sour cream offsets the healthfulness of the Smart Balance. *lol*

I hadn't made Brussels sprouts in years, I got a bag of them at CostCo a couple of weeks ago and kept threatening Brian with them. He didn't remember liking them so it was interesting to see his reaction. I boiled them in water until soft, then drained them and added Smart Balance. He liked them, looks like I've got another green veggie.

Over the top I spooned on McCormick country gravy. I usually use their poultry gravy, but I ran out and stupid ass CostCo buyers believe that gravy is seasonal! Stupid.

Here's the bundt cake recipe; I doubled up on the cinnamon sugar, I had a small slice, it's really good, I like it with more of the sweet in the middle:

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake (allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

1 cup sour cream

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup white sugar


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Lightly grease one 10 inch bundt pan.

2. Cream 1 1/2 cups white sugar together with eggs until well blended. Add sour cream and butter or margarine and beat well. Add flour, baking soda, and baking powder and mix well. Stir in vanilla and the chopped nuts.

3. Mix the remaining 1/4 cup of white sugar with the cinnamon.

4. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Cover with remaining cake batter.

5. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 8 minutes. Lower heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for an additional 40 minutes.

      Wednesday, March 20, 2013


otherstuff
08:31 AM - 03/20/2013
The current weather is cool, with really high clouds, great first day of Spring

The topic: I cleaned the garage last weekend
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Moved stuff around, reorganized, made it a lot more open and friendly. Now that I've got all this crafting stuff, I need to be able to get to it. I have three big storage boxes with paper pads and those things are heavy. Before I had them stacked on one another, now they're all at the top of their own stack (on top of other boxes that have things in them I don't use as frequently). I'd get done choosing paper and my back would be screaming. So, I fixed it.

Sunday morning I was out there at seven in the morning, working. I happy with how it looks now, more natural light throughout and the path to the litterboxes is wider. Amazing how turning things just so opens up new spaces. I didn't throw much out, but there's a lot more room. I sure went through a lot of vinegar cleaning the floor. What a mess that was.

Monday I started the taxes and when I realized it wouldn't take more than a day or two, I shut down the computer and started watching television. Hey, I know how to keep my priorities straight.


craftstuff
10:32 AM - 03/20/2013

The topic: My storage area
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Before - you can how high the boxes in the back are stacked. To the right of the large container there was just enough length and width for a table.

 

More storage under the table - my embossing machine and folders! Paper storage is behind the big container (that has all of my vinyl for shirts, etc)


 

Supplies and tool storage - I don't have to move them to get to the paper. At the far right of the photo is my heat press for shirts.


 

Storage drawers from my mom's house - originally they faced the other wall, but I turned them around so I can open and close the drawers


 

My "model" - on the very top photo you can see stacks of boxes, they've been moved and the cats still can't access the rafters


 

Pathway to the litterboxes


 
 

      Thursday, March 28, 2013


catstuff
08:35 AM - 03/28/2013

The topic: We’re losing Kirby
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He took a dramatic turn for the worse overnight.

I gave him fluids (which he's been getting about three times a week) this morning and I gave him a Pepcid in case his tummy just doesn't feel good, but all signs are pointing to he's near the end of his life here and heading for a new one at the Rainbow Bridge.

He kind of lapped at some Fancy Feast, turned his nose up at the chicken I made for them yesterday and I tried a fingerful of Hill's A/D in his mouth and he had a really hard time getting it down. He's been thin for years, but this month he seems to be getting skinnier. Last week I started cooking boneless, skinless chicken thighs hoping it would bring back his appetite. At first, he ate a bunch, wanting seconds and thirds (which he got), but this week he's less and less interested. This morning he sniffed and turned his head away. I'm all too familiar with this behavior.

So, maybe this morning fluids will help, but they might not.

He's on the sofa right now with a blanket on him to keep him warm. I'll probably spend a lot of time sitting with him (unless he's sleeping) today.

I haz a deep sad.


catstuff
12:04 PM - 03/28/2013

The topic: Kirby’s in heaven
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Kirby went outside earlier and I'd told Brian how concerned I was. He came into the office and said "you're right, it's time".  You see, where Kirby was outside he was surrounded by the other cats. Saying their goodbyes.

He went quietly. We reminisced with the vet over Kirby's treatments.

It was sad, but it was time.

Godspeed, Purr Diddle Piddles....

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lisaviolet is seventy something, married with no kids, takes care of lots of cats, likes taking photographs, loves Southern California weather and spends altogether too much time avoiding her responsibilities.

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