California Fires, Halloween & All Around Maddness In The Grove

Well, I checked on D and all is well with him and his, a bit crowded in his house, considering those that had to evac and ended up there. The air quality has to suck. I'm just glad that those winds have settled down a bit, giving the firefighters a standing chance.

I have heard that they have one suspect in hand. Not sure for which fire though. I can't understand why anyone would deliberately set these things. They have to comprehend the massive amount of damage it would cause, wouldn't they? How can anyone simply not care about that?

We've gotten some smoke here in our valley, but not much. Because of the rains we've had, we aren't out of the woods yet, but we're getting there. Fire permits are still needed until the 31st of Oct. I have a whole pile of stuff that needs burning but I'm waiting until the permits are lifted.

In other matters, Fall Festivals are all over town this weekend. Daughter is probably going to take the Topper and Pookie to the one at their school this afternoon. I'm going to give her $20.00 for the kids and drop them off. Grandma can not be around all those kids for any length of period. Nope nope. I horde my sanity, with so little of it left. I will be taking them trick or treating though. Why, Im not sure. It's not like they eat all that candy they bring home. -grin- Oh heck, I am not such a fuddy-duddy I can't remember the fun of trick or treating. I just can't eat refined sugar like that anymore.

I didn't have the time to go dig out the Halloween decorations this year. Time just seemed to slip by me way too quickly, but rest assured, starting next month, Christmas decorations are coming out and up. Next month is Thanksgiving, already. Is it just me or does time slip by you the older you get?

With the World Series in action, little is getting done with my roleplay let alone my writing, but I am slowly working on transcribing what I do have from roleplay into narrative. What I find interesting in the world of basball is the designated hitter issue vs. the non-designated hitter issue. So, on to Colorado we go. The Rockies aren't out of this picture yet, by any means.

A couple of hours of outdoor work is on my list for today. Then it's back indoors to get more done. Got to get those pumpkins carved, don't ya know. -grin-

Almost There

Well, the weekend is almost on our doorsteps. Hopefully, I'll have a restful one. Ha-ha.

Heard from Troll last night, he just traded in his 2001 Ford Escape and got himself a 2006 Jeep Liberty. He's happy with it even if for the next month he is eating rice and eggs or top ramen. I don't miss those days at all! I'm happy for him. He seems to be settling in okay. It's an adjustment and he inherited a whole can of woes with this store, but he's turning it around. The main problem is that he has all young adults for the most part and they seem to have funny ideas about work ethics.

Haven't heard from my #1 son in awhile, but I'm sure he is just busy working. Sure do miss him.

#2 son is still plugging away at school. he took his mid-term in hydraulics and passed, by the skin of his teeth. Not bad for a kid with reading disabilities. I keep plugging away with him. He's got one more semester, one more class to take. Math. Then he'll have earned his certificate for heavy equipment. In the meantime, he's going to skip a semester, but I informed him that if he does so, he needs to pound the sidewalk for a job. Any job.

#3 Daughter is daughter. Enough said.

Had lunch with two of my favorite ladies today. It was nice to see them. They were glad to see me too. Of course they wondered what about me was different. Nothing. But they thought so.

Pumpkin carving on the agenda for this weekend. Oh joy. Daughter refuses so I stepped in and said I would help. Translation: Grandma cuts open the pumpkin, they scoop guts and I carve the design.

Oh the tangled web we weave, when once we practice to deceive...

I'm stressed, got chocolate? Sugarless, if you please.

It's Tuesday

The weather has been great here yesterday and today. It's been warmer than usual for this time of year as well. Yesterday we got the HD all set up and Mr M got the bedroom one all done last night. The directv/tivo we bought won't work with the HD so we went out and bought a receiver last night. FINALLY that got all hooked up. It's been worth the efforts. HD is great. So, what's next on the list of things to do for the Grove? Getting the air conditioners put back into storage. I'm not sure if we'll get the Halloween decorations out this year but I did promise the kids that we'd carve pumpkins and I have three of them to help with.

We're hoping Troll can make it over the passes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although he did say he'll fly home for Christmas if he has to. It just wouldn't be the same without him and I hate the idea of him spending the holidays alone this year. Other wise he is finding life as a manager.... -grin- trying. I'ts good for him though. I think give him a year and he'll find his grove.

Everyone else seems to be in the same old flying pattern. Personally, I am a walking, talking grumbling mass of... humanity. I need a vacation.. at least two weeks worth.. -grumble-

And So It Begins... Again

Here we are, another week. This morning was spent getting the HD hooked up for the satellite boxes in the livingroom and the master bedroom. Mr M is going to be happy. He gets to watch the World Series in HD. I also took time to have my nails done. So they're pretty once more.

Sweet. The Red Soxs are going to the Word Series. I have to hand it to them, when they had to get it done, they sure did. Now, I'm not a baseball fan, by any means, but if I had to pick one to root for, it would be the Red Soxs. Colorado may be good, but my money is on the Soxs.

Nothing much to report except that FB was being a total ass this weekend. I've rave about it later. I also need to take this opportunity to get some work done outside while we have good weather. Dang, it's been really warm today.

On the home front, I heard some scuttlebutt from the Post in regards to Mr M and it's causing me some sleepless nights. We've got people working on it. It can turn out to be pretty damn serious but we'll just have to wait and see what happens. So, I'll have a few sleepless nights. What else is new?

I -think- we'll be driving to Indiana this next May for the Indy 500. Not only will we save some bucks, but it will give us some time to travel cross-country and enjoy it, take some pictures, etc. Now I just have to work on getting hotel reservations made and buy our tickets for the 500. I am so looking forward to this. In 2008, the purse is the largest yet. I believe it's 2.8 million? Don't quote me.

Hope all is well with everyone else.

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

..the old man is snoring.. yep, he sure does. -grin- We had one heck of a storm come through here yesterday.It's still raining today. I don't mind. I'm actually enjoying it. Things on a family level seem to be on an even kewl -shhh. We don't say that too loud- Mr M is focused on the Marine Corps Ball for next month. After that, he'll be resigning from the organization.

I got Daughter's/Grandchildren's dressers into their bedroom. She has a lot of sorting and cleaning up to do. She hasn't even started yet. I despair of her ever getting it done.

I have been non-productive today. I spent my whole morning sleeping. I pulled an all nighter last evening and crashed on the loveseat around 0530 hrs. I started a new rp with Janna and I think we got off to a good start but soon after, we both were starting to lag for need of sleep. So, it's shelved for another evening.

Mr M has KP duty tonight, he's cooking so I'll get some other work done around the house while he does. I live in a crazy schedule, but I love it. I love having such freedom from routines, not that routines are bad.

I've been missing GQS terribly these last few days. There are times, I can't believe she is really gone and when reality sets in, the void inside me is tremendous and I ache, horribly so. Tears fill my eyes, but they refuse to fall. Then I pick myself up, shut down the emotions and get on with living. I miss her.

Should I Be So Cheerful On A Monday?

Good Morning, People!

Yes, I know I am way too cheerful for a Monday. I'm not sure why I am, but there ya go. other than waking up to Daughter being very vocal in tryng to get her kids up for school, I am quite well. I don't know what has gotten into Topper but I swear, I wanted to duct tape that boy's mouth shut yesterday. He just wouldn't stop. Either he was constantly chattering away like a squirrel who got into a cup of espresso or he was into something. It all goes to show that I am getting far too old to be raising kids anymore or even helping to do so. Pookie is going through growing pains and finds herself in trouble while doing so. She'll live through it although according to her, she won't. The one thing I keep trying to get Daughter to understand is: "Pick your battles." When dealing with children, you have to stop, take a deep breath and think. If this is something you can't hope to win or you'll put them in a position to refuse you, and it's not a major issue, let it go. I know, some would argue that it sets up a precedent for future arguments or actions. Not necessarily so. Deal with this one and deal with the next one, the next time around. At any rate, I am glad mine are all grown and that I had them early.

Got the wood delivered AND the wood guy said he has another cord for us in December. Good man. It's far more expensive this year, but that can't be helped. Some think it's going to be a mild winter. I, personally, don't think so. Looking to nature, I think we're in a for a good, cold, wet one. I haven't been wrong yet. Now, all I have to do is rent a wood splitter for about an hour and then restack everything and we're all set. -knock wood-

Roleplaying: Talisman and Xan are on indefinite hold, since My Knight is off slaying personal dragons. Janna D`Arvan and Terin are progressing well. Most of Terin's story isn't up on the internet yet. Most of it has been done in private but I'm hoping to get her story updated and put up. Janna's new storyline is found here. I've removed that character from Camelot and moved her into a more fantasy based line. I've also started a new one called, "The Strength of Five" which is a more modern day story. I haven't gotten very far but it can be found here. The title is in Greek. This last link is to the main site. Feel free to explore and read. Not much there, but I'm working on it.

PITA, you get better, hear me? I want to hear from you when you get out of the hospital. I can't remember if the procedure is outpatient or in. Pet the hairy one for me.

Honorable Knight: Hang in there. Everything will work itself out. And I do mean everything.

Friday? Again?

I must have blinked and the week got by me. I can't believe it's Friday. I guess that goes to show how busy it's been around here this past week. From the looks of the family calendar though, things should be quieting down for the rest of the month.

Hell yeah, the Yankees got beaten! Now to see who will win between the Red Soxs and the Indians. I'd like to see the Red Soxs take it and as for Colorado and Arizona? I have no pick there. No, I'm not a big baseball fan. I got disillusioned with it all several yars ago. A very dear friend of mine is, however and we talk about baseball sometimes. We also talk football some nights. He's a diehard Colts fan.

It's raining here. It's not cold enough yet to start a fire in the fireplace but I can't wait. There's nothing like a cozy fire to snuggle up to on a cold wet rainy night.

I've been watching, "Dancing with the Stars" because Helio Castroneves is dancing. Helio is an Indy Car driver and I adore open wheel racing. He looks so graceful on the dance floor although his last performance fell short.

Well people, not much to add. Have a great weekend. Some of us are going to try and preserve our sanity. I need to go round up ingredients for dinner, Mexican, of course.

My Flavor Is...

Hot hot! I am Curry Flavoured. I have a spicy personality. If you can take the heat, you'll love me, if not, I'll probably make you cry. I am not for the faint-hearted. What Flavour Are You?

Friday, It Is. Finally.

Well, Mr M is back and with a trailer full of stuff belonging to his brother. All of it is going into the barn, darn it. We had every intention of getting our stuff out of storage and stacked in the barn. It would save us some money on storage fees every month (which, btw, is getting out of hand). Oh well. There's still the other side we can use once we get all that old hay out of there and clean it up. We have to go back down Monday morning to get the rest of his stuff. Mr M is pretty darn sore today as he had to do all that stuff by himself yesterday. I was worried. He doesn't have the best heart. I'm keeping a close eye on him for the next couple of days.

This weekend is the Ren Faire and I do believe we're going. It's something I always enjoy. One of these days, I'm going to go in garb as they call it. As what? A Lady of the Court, what else? Think I don't take my roleplaying to heart?

I'm still puttering around the house. I have found it all so overwhelming but I also found a way around that. If there is a job to be done that is overwhelming, I start off by doing 15 mintues a day. You'll be surprised just how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes a day. So, that's where I am there.

We're all beat around here so tonight is leftovers and relaxing. This weekend the Ren Faire. Monday, it's the Bay area. Ugh.

Have a good weekend, people.

Life In A Neverending Swirl

So... I'm back from Oregon. Had one of the most relaxing weekends, ever. Didn't want to come home. Got back and wanted to go back. Ah well, not until after the winter thaw is over. Got an email from Troll, he's sick. Not sure what he ate that made him that way. Mr M and I are fine.

Got a phone call from Miss Marla last night. My brother-in-law has brain damage. He won't be going back to his apartment which means, the family has to go, pick up his stuff and store it. He doesn't have much. Oh and get this, this is so messed up, his roomate gave the brother-in-law his share of the rent but it can't be found. Which, probably means, the brother-in-law, spent it. I say this because of the way the brother-in-law is, worse than FB and that's saying a lot. So, we have to take the gas hog and go down on Thursday to bring back his stuff and store it here, like I have room. -eye roll-, especially with all of daughter's stuff here. Then Friday, I'm due in Sacramento to take Mr M for a dental appointment. It never seems to stop.

Joyous, I got your email. I'm just trying to figure out when a good time to come down would be. At the rate I'm going, you be guardian for another month. -sigh- Don't think you and Podling will mind much though.

Bend, Oregon is lovely. It's not too crowded or big. We ran into some snow flurries on the way up but other than that, while it was chilly, it was beautiful. I think if I didn't have ties here, I'd move there. rent is pretty decent too. Now if only I can get Troll to go downtown -grin-. Inside joke.

Home Again, Home Again

Have returned. Enjoyed myself a great deal. More later