Wednesday?

"Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination." - Karl von Clausewitz

The quote has nothing to do with today... I just liked it. :-)

Aside from the fact I kept forgetting it was Tuesday, yesterday was a pretty good day. I'm still fighting a raspy, mostly non-productive cough that I got following my sore throat escapade last week. It's bad enough it wakes me up 2 - 3 times a night. It has DD worried enough (granted, she IS a drama queen) that she keeps hugging me and saying, "Don't die." Aside from the cough and being really tired, though, I feel fine. It's weird.

Liz Fichera said yesterday that she's living vicariously through my pix because of the greenery in the back. While I understand -- Liz lives in the desert, and I remember living in Colorado Springs (which is high desert and oddly devoid of plant life and trees) and missing green stuff fiercely. Now though? Not so much. Things grow SO well in New Hampshire, it's a little scary. 100 years ago, the state was largely pastureland, pretty much cleared of trees. You saw the picture of my yard, right? That's how most of the state looks now. DH says he'll be out in the wild, hunting or hiking, and stumble across things like rock walls in the middle of nowhere (that's the other thing NH grows efficiently ... rocks.) and ruined buildings, so it's clear folks used to live and farm there.

Brandy asked on Friday if I'll have more time to write once DD is in school. I hope so. I'm not sure what my days will look like, how much volunteer time I'll be putting in at school, since they strongly encourage that, and how much of my time will be spent on other things: errands, etc. But I have very positive thoughts on finding more time to write.

Today we have to go get some new flippers for DD. Remember the flipper fiasco of last year? She still has the Visa gift card the manufacturer sent to cover the cost of the flipper and since the lake water is finally about warm enough to swim in (it's 65 degrees as of last weekend), she's eager to go get a pair. Otherwise, we'll stay home and work/school because I want to GET DONE with her school. She's only got 6 more days to go... I think I'm as antsy as she is!

Have a great day all.... I hope the weather is gorgeous and the day calm.

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You Are Strong

You are independent and resourceful. You prefer to rely on yourself and not involve others. You are a rock. There may be a world of chaos swirling around you, but you stay steady. You may have had a difficult time earlier in life. You are highly sensitive and a little cautious. You lay the groundwork for months or years before you act. You like to be completely and totally prepared.

The Window Test

About 75% right...

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Back to Normal

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. ~James Matthew Barrie

Today, life gets back to normal (or what passes as normal in our house). We actually had a pretty decent vacation with DH around -- he "hired" out for projects for other people so didn't putter around our house so much ... when he's bored, he's difficult. *G*

He did manage to squeeze in ONE project though: staining the deck. We're putting it on with brushes so it's taking a LONG time -- but spraying gets in on the lawn, my plants and the vinyl siding, so there isn't a choice. We only got half done yesterday -- all the hard stuff thankfully. Our poor deck was in desperate need.

He powerwashed it first to get all remnants of the old, peeling sealer off (and various things like hornets nests under the railings), then we went to work.

We got the top "layer" done, along with the benches and the railings (which are a PAIN).

Railing done, but not the main deck:



Top "Layer" done:


Still need to do the stairs -- this pic shows the difference between stained and not stained best:


We'll finish next weekend, assuming the weather holds. Fun times!

How was your weekend?

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You Are the Yellow Bird

You are very determined. You put a lot of energy behind everything you do. No obstacle is too big for you to overcome. You're going to change the world. You are amazingly energetic. You don't just get second winds - you get third and fourth winds. You do things your way, and you always get results. You'll work as hard and long as it takes.

What Angry Bird Are You?

I don't know what Angry Birds is ... but I agree with their choice!

Memorial Day

I've said it before, I come from and am surrounded by veterans and those who served.

My dad was seventeen when he enlisted in the army and served in WWII. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and exerienced things no teenager should.



My brother enlisted during the Cold War. Though he never served in combat, he spent some time in missile cylos, finger over "the button" waiting for the nuclear war that thankfully never came.



My husband and brother-in-law served during the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, as well as in Somalia (during the Blackhawk Down incident) and other periods of unrest. Both suffered from "Gulf War Syndrome" (my husband had blackouts for several years after he came home). Both saw and did things they'd rather forget. Both would do it again.

So while you're barbequing, swimming or playing volleyball today, just take a moment to remember those who served, and those who are still serving.



On a lighter note, DD and I both donated to a Memorial Day contest. Kiki Howell is celebrating a release by giving away three packages of prizes (1 eBook pack, 2 print / prize packs). You could win my "Don't Fence Me In" or a pair of earrings specially made for this contest. Click here to see how to enter.

Happy Memorial Day all!

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You Are John F. Kennedy Jr.

You are authentic and real. You don't know how to be anyone but yourself, and that's part of your charm. You have a creative side to you, especially when it comes to improving your life and your work. You do the unexpected. Your friends and family have a high opinion of you, but you're still very humble. You put others first. You treat everyone you meet with respect. You believe in practicing The Golden Rule.

Which Kennedy Are You?

About 75% right.

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Entertainment

Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Another gorgeous day yesterday. I find that when I'm stressed or sad or unsettled, a walk around my yard really helps my attitude. So, even though I wasn't up to significant exercise yesterday because of my cold, I still took an extended stroll through: enjoying the plants, pulling the occasional weed, picking red lily beetles...

A couple of odd things yesterday. One: my ice trays grew stalagmites. I'm truly puzzled at how it might have happened. Check it out:




We still haven't used those cubes, as we're really mystified by them. Maybe we're just easily entertained?

Speaking of being easily entertained ... I was sitting at the computer yesterday, minding my own business, when the chipmunk from our rock wall visited. This can't possibly be the same one from several years ago that we used to feed, but for some reason, he mimics the same behavior: coming the back door and "knocking". This one, though, took it a step further yesterday when I ignored him.



Yes, that's right -- he climbed up my screen door. I got that picture right before he decided he could also climb glass and tried to keep going to the right. Needless to say, he failed. Don't worry, he was fine. Landed on the deck, shook his head and ran off... then came back about five minutes later to knock on the door again (though perhaps he learned his lesson, as he did not try to climb the screen).

I gave DD her annual Standardized Achievement Test yesterday. School is *almost* done -- though she's having trouble concentrating this week with the gorgeous weather. We have about eight more school days until it's all wrapped up. And then, I am retiring as a teacher. I'm still ambivalent about this. I know it's going to be good for her to be in school, but it's the first time she'll be away from me for any significant time... it's going to be weird. I'll miss having her around. I won't miss teaching her though. This past year has been tough and I'm very glad she'll be going to school for eighth grade.

No big plans for our weekend. Really, everything rides on the weather, and it's looking like nice days with afternoon thundershowers all three days, which means no boating for DH. Guess we'll see how it all pans out, since the weather people are not always right.

Anyone doing anything exciting?

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You Like Change

You are easygoing and carefree. You like to hang loose whenever possible. You don't seek out change, but you don't necessarily avoid it either. If it comes, it comes. You are a big believer in letting go of control. You know that some things are simply up to fate. You try to be good with whatever happens in life. You find your contentment from within.

Do You Hate Change?

This is almost completely wrong... lol...

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Sick

If you start to think about your physical or moral condition, you usually find that you are sick. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Proverbs in Prose

In a moment of irony, we're finally having beautiful weather .... and I'm sick. We're finally having sunshine and warmth where I could go out and walk, garden, play with the dog -- and I feel rotten. Sore throat (SO sore!) and a stuffy nose is developing... *sigh*...

Sometimes life is not fair.

I did walk and work in the garden yesterday, but it was torture on my throat. Last night I couldn't sleep for how bad it hurt (and, no, it's not strep -- this is standard for my colds, which have a clear pattern: insanely painful sore throat for a day or two, stuffy/runny nose for a day or two, cough for a day or two, and then the lingering dribbles).

Not sure what I'll do today, but I'm getting outside no matter what, darn it.

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You Are Responsible

People can count on you. You take duties and responsibilities seriously. You are easily delighted and inspired. Life is all about the little things. You can be unforgiving toward people who fail you. You have high, but not unreasonable, expectations. You're very picky but extremely devoted to the one you choose. You fall in love selectively.

The Bowl of Cereal Test

All that from a bowl of cereal. It's mostly right, and I'm amazed...

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Sun!!

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. - John Denver

Holy smokes!! The sky is clear and blue outside.

:::faints dead away:::

Seriously, folks I don't know what I'm going to do with myself today -- it's supposed to be sunny and nice. Probably I'll go out and weed, and see if my garden survived the flood. My cucumbers, eggplant and squash weren't looking so great last time I checked on Saturday...

Didn't get my writing done yesterday -- but I have high hopes for today. DH has stuff to do, so shouldn't be underfoot.

Speaking of which, he's awake, so I'm going to sign off early. Today, I'll check for pillars and take some pix of my green, growing things.

Wishing you all a great day!



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You Should Celebrate with Champagne

You have high standards, and you are nice to everyone. Manners are important to you, even if that's old fashioned. You tend to follow norms. You figure why rock the boat unless there's a good reason to? You think of yourself as regular gal or guy next door. You do your best to make life a little special sometimes. You don't have a jealous bone in your body, and you're truly for happy for others when they succeed.

What's Your Celebration Drink?

About 3/4 right and champagne is the only alcohol that gives me a hangover, so I abstain. *G*

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This and That

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

I opened up the door to take the dog out this morning and walked into a wall of heat and humidity. It was warmer outside than in my house! It's supposed to be in the 80s today ... but don't think that means sun. It means steam! We're still expecting rain today. It *does* look like tomorrow might be nicer -- clouds in the morning, but sunny and warm in the afternoon. DH talked to his folks about fishing, so he just might get his day out (I'm doing everything: crossing fingers, praying, dancing to the sun gods...)

Also, I checked and last year we found our first swallowtail caterpillars on June 29th ... that date is looming, so if we get a little sun over the next day or two (so butterflies can actually ... yanno... FLY) we're going to start checking for eggs and babies. The milkweed is coming up, too. So I expect Pillar Place 2011 to start soon.

RE: the dog who fell off the dog walk on Sunday. I heard from the owner yesterday and she said she was shocked, but that Missy was absolutely fine. Thank goodness. I told DD and she was relieved. I think she'll always feel like it was her fault, but that's something she'll have to figure out on her own, I guess.

Last night, I got this really strong image for a scene in "Now and Forever". That happens to my quite often really. I tend to "see" parts of the book in my head, like a movie. This one will be my ending scene, and I think it has both an "awwwwww" factor, which I strive for, but should also make the reader laugh.

Today, God willing and DH don't fuss (*G*), I'm going to get it written down.

Then ... I think it's ready to submit. Finally!! My goal is to have my query and synopsis done by next week. I hate writing synopses...

I was reminded how much worse my life could be due to weather problems yesterday, when an author friend who lives in Minneapolis shared her tornado story (she's fine). I have a brother who lives on the Missouri border and who has family only a few miles from Joplin, the town that was completely destroyed by the tornado that hit (they're fine). And then I think about the farmers in Mississippi who've deliberately had their lands flooded in a very Spock-like "the good of the many over the good of the few" decision (though I do wonder how this will impact food prices over the next year). I have to say, I'm SO proud of those farmers. They took the decision to flood their lands stoically, and then took steps to protect what they could. Seeing pictures like this makes me proud:



I can't imagine how awful it was for them to see their land and their livelihood underwater. But good for them for doing what they could to protect what was theirs.

So, although I really hate all the rain ... I remember it could be far, far worse than it is.

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You Are Trustworthy

Of all the types, you are the most responsible and loyal. You take your duties seriously. You thrive when you are able to do something practical and productive. You hate to waste your time. Some people say that you are a bit neurotic or cautious, but you believe it's better to be safe than sorry. You do your best to live a engaging and important life. You want what you do to matter.

The Scribble Circle Test

That's about right...

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