Way Back When-sday/ The folks

These were taken at our 2nd home in South Lyon, Michigan in December, 1990. Ah yes, the era of the blue and mauve country decor.
First, The Dads…

On the left is Mr. C’s dad, W.C. He’s the previously mentioned, proud W.W.II marine. He served at Guadalcanal. A fine gentleman, loved by all. A carpenter by trade, born in Tennessee. He always has a mischievous twinkle in his eye… even now, as Alzheimer’s disease is slowly stealing away his memories.

On the right, My Dad, J.V.K. the original B.F.G. This man could do anything. Also a W.W.II vet, he did his service in Papua New Guinea. He worked in heating and cooling. He loved to travel and work with his hands and became a wood turner and carver in his later years. He died on May 5th, 1999. I still miss him, even though we butted heads on many occasion.

And now, onto the Moms…

That’s my mom EEEK in the pink. Always happy and chatty. She’ll always tell it like it is and doesn’t have much patience with whiners or complainers. She’s got a heart as big as the sea even after having to be split wide open and have a valve replacement at the ripe age of …. well, 80 something! Nah, she’s not a BIT shy about telling everyone that ” I’m 87 Ya know!” She still gets on a jet ski and rips around on Lake Michigan every year on her b-day.
I don’t tell her enough how much I love her… I love you Mom!

Mr.C.’s mom is on the right. The quintessential sports fan, she would watch pretty much ANY sport being played on T.V. She grew up on a tobacco farm in Canada and became a nurse, her miracle cure for just about any ailment was Vicks Vapo-rub. She loved big band music and Frank Sinatra. A greatly loved ‘Nana’, she loved her family and was the glue that held them together. She battled her way through several types of cancer and was a fighter until the end. She passed away on August 6th, 2006. We all miss her.

Please join in the Way Back When-sdays fun at
Life In Stitches

Paddy’s Field Trip

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day. We got up in the morning and went to Quantico Marine base to pick up Mr.C’s Dad’s W.W.II uniform that he requested he be buried in. He’s not on his death bed, but that Mr.C… he’s organized and likes to have everything ready when it needs to be ready. The Marine Shop on the base did a wonderful job cleaning it up and repairing it. Mr. C. is making sure that when W.C. goes to heaven he’ll be lookin like one hellava Marine officer! Ooorah!

Anyway, when we got home we packed Paddy up and took her down to the stream in the woods behind our house. Oh my gosh did she ever have fun! She dug in the mud and she plowed through leaves. She chewed on tree roots and dove under water whenever she found a deep spot.


I started to put a few sticks across the stream and she immediately began helping build the dam by bringing me twigs, rocks, and leaves. She may have a little touch of A.D.D. though as she was easily distracted from the job at hand. It was amazing to see how instinct just kicks right in. I sure hated to pack her up and make her stop playing but the wind started kicking up again and the temperature dropped like a rock. We’ll definitely take her out for some more outings though. We all had a blast!

The end.

This is exactly what happens in my house!

more animals

OK, I can admit when I’m wrong

So a few years back there was all of this buzz about Howard Stern leaving regular radio to jump on the new band wagon of satellite radio. Never liked or listened to Howard Stern so I didn’t really care about that.  I can only remember thinking at the time;
“Who in the heck would PAY for radio??!!!”

“WHY would anyone DO that???!!”

“It’ll never fly, stupidest idea I’ve ever heard of”

WELL, now that I’ve been listening to the Sirius radio that was included (for 6 months) with my new car purchase… I’ll admit it, I was WRONG!

The big difference, and what has caused this abrupt turn around in my thoughts, is that I can turn on a station and listen all day and never hear the same song twice! How awesome is that?!  

I’ve tuned into the 70s channel and heard so many songs from my good old high school days that I had completely forgotten about. It is so amazing how a memory that I never even realized still dwelled somewhere deep in my brain matter will just pop up due to a  melody or lyrics. And how exactly is it that I can sing right along with a song that I haven’t even heard for 20+ years?

It’s just a shame that free radio has to play the same song list over and over and over and over and over when there is a whole treasure trove of great songs out there.  Sattelite radio has won me over and I haven’t yet delved into the comedy channels, or the entertainment channels, or the country channels… I guess I’ll have to start driving around more so I can listen in and see how many more memories will float to the surface.

Way Back When-sday

This was either in December or January of 1995 according to the date on the back of the photograph. Mr. C. and I were living in Greensboro, N.C. and BFG & Capri D brought the family for a visit while on their break between Christmas and the New Year. We made the trek to Asheville N.C in order to visit the Biltmore Estate decorated in all of it’s Christmas glory.  For some reason only their youngest was smiling in this pic but I remember we all were having a great time.

That’s Capri D on the left andBFG, Steph, T.J. and the smiling Miss J in front.

Those kids have  all grown up into fine upstanding adults now. A testament to the excellent parents they were blessed with.

Oh what a weekend…

It was a pretty much uneventful weekend here on The Hill.

Mr.C and I went for a Valentines Day lunch at Applebees. We probably wouldn’t have even done that if we hadn’t had to go to Lowes to buy shingles to repair the shed roof from the wicked winds of last week.  Then we came home and spent most of the day in the yard picking up broken branches and cutting back last years garden to get a head start on this year.  I brought Paddy out for a swim in the big pond and she really seemed to enjoy herself.

Sunday was more of them same until Mr.C. declared that he was “taking the rest of the day off” . Coincidentally, this declaration came just before the start of the Daytona 500.  YAWN! I just cannot imagine anything more boring than watching cars drive around in a circle.  Keith Urban played a few songs before the race started so at least that was somewhat entertaining. I was 10 toes up at 7:30.

Pitiful, just pitiful.

Product pushing

I’ve decided to start a new category with product reviews.  I’m a firm believer that if you find a product that works great and makes your life better you have a duty to share the joy. I also feel the need to tell people when something is a big P.O.S. (piece of S#@!)

So here it is… my first ‘you’ve gotta get this’ review

The Shark Steam Mop. Sold at major retailers everywhere. Between $79.00- $99.00.

I love this thing! I was a bit apprehensive at first because of the flimsy plastic feel of it, but I guess that is what makes it light enough for me to lift with one little pinkie finger!  You fill the little reservoir with plain water and it heats up in like 30 seconds to a nice warm steam.  While you mop it cleans and dries almost immediatly with no streaking. No harmful chemicals needed! Best of all water is free! I did put some wood floor cleaner in a spray bottle for spots of gunk that needed a bit more cleaning power though; I just mist the floor with that first and then run the steam mop over it.  The pads are wash and reuse too so that makes it an even greener product.

 For those of you fellow Swiffer Wet-jet devotees it’s kinda like that but on steriods! I did love the Swiffer, but didn’t love the price of the disposable pads nor the fact that they go to the landfill, plus cost of the refill cleaner was more than I like to spend. So  this is now my mop of choice for my wood floors. Love love LOVE it!

I’ve Escaped!

The big news here on The Hill is that I got my new wheels!!

Due to the fact that I know important people in high places at Ford motor company (Thanx Mr. Schmenkman) I got a nice discount on my purty new souped up four wheel drive. Also got ZERO percent financing which is a deal that I just love to take advantage of.  Here’s the baby pics…

It came with 6 months free Sirius radio… I’ll get spoiled!

Whew! and other misc. stuff

There are some wicked winds blowing today! Ripped our old satellite dish right out of the roof and it was hanging by the wire banging the side of the house! I had to call Mr.C. home from work to help me before it crashed through our office window.  I grabbed it and held on while he got the extension pruners and cut the wires.

They started really whipping last night and we lost power right in the middle of American Idol… oh dear! When we finally got our internet back late this morning I saw who the final 36 are. I can NOT believe that the girl with the crazed hyena laugh and the headband-drama-boy made it through. Not to mention that Norman not his real name guy.  What a disappointment. O’well, I’m sure (I hope) they’ll be weeded out quickly.

Worst part is that I was DVRing Lost and if you miss a minute of that show you’re in trouble with trying to keep the plot straight. Guess we’ll have to watch it on line.

The health department came and gave Kubota the all clear and he isn’t under quarantine anymore. Since he never leaves the house it’s kind of a mute point.

Way Back Whens-day

Capri D and Capri K (aka Mrs. Schmenkman) have  come up with this Way Back Whensday idea where you create a post with a picture from WAY back when, remembering the good old days on Wednesdays …should be fun. So here’s me WAY back when I was SKINNY! I was 18 or 19 years old and in beauty school at the time. I was dating a guy that had taken some  photography classes. He was in a black and white phase.

 

 I was so skinny that my brother would tease me and say that I needed to run in circles in the shower just to get wet! Oh, those were the good old days. I believe my hair was a dark auburn color at the time. And did you happen to notice how SKINNY I am in this pic? I seem to remember that those jeans were size a 3, that’s  T-H-R-E-E  Calvins! *sigh*

The hunt for wheels

Mr.C. and I spent all day Saturday checking out new wheels. We test drove a boatload of cars. The only one that I got excited about was a Nissian Xterra but apparently Nissian isn’t very worried about the economy because they were not offering any good deals…  even on 2008s! We are not about to pay high finance charges when there are companies offering 0% along with other incentives!

I’ve always been a Chevy girl except for when I fell hard for that beautimous pearl white Dodge Stealth back in my ‘when I was cool’ stage of life.  Now I have to be more practical and think about how many plants or rocks I can fit in the cargo area. I also need to think about back seat comfort for the Capris when they come to visit!   Unfortunately, Chevy doesn’t have an economical SUV to offer.      

So after a full day of driving and comparing I came home a bit discouraged.

Ford had an add in the paper on Sunday for zero financing so I’m back to thinking about an Escape.   I liked it ok in a test drive, but can’t say I fell in love with it.  We’ll see what the salesgirl I spoke with can come up with for me. We might just end up going the used route if no extra special good deals come up. In the meantime I’m stuck driving the big gas-guzzling redneck truck.

Paddy-Paws

A beaver’s feet are the coolest.  See that little tuft of hair in the second toe… that is a double claw that she uses to groom herself with.

The skin is very soft…

The front paws can grab and hold onto all kinds of things.  In this pic you can see the modifications made to the pond to prevent her from chewing through the slide.

Just another one of God’s wonderous creations! (the beaver NOT the pond modifications lol)

For Laura-belle

My sister that lives way over yonder in Idaho has asked me who Mrs. Schmenkman is. ..

She is my BFF, Capri Kel. BUT, Mrs. Schmenkman is also ME.  Someone once asked Schmenky the same question and she answered it very well so I shall refer you to her post over at No Whining Allowed.

Apparently I’m harboring a criminal

So, Kubota is home after surgery and a long weekend in the hospital. I actually picked him up late Monday afternoon. Well, Mr. Kubota had apparently had enough of the constant picking, poking, slicing and dicing that he had endured while there and he bit the vet tech as she was trying to put him into the carrier. No one really mentioned the incident to me while we were there other than an off hand comment about how he was a very unhappy cat.  Well DUH!

I would imagine that ANYONE would be somewhat unhappy to have endured THAT! Especially since there was nothing foreign in his intestines to be removed! He has irritable bowel disease.

We got our instructions from the vet and were preparing to leave when they asked us to fax them a copy of his rabies certificate, and said that he had bitten the tech through a blanket (how bad could it have been?).

Imagine my surprise when I got a call from the SHERIFF’S office later on saying that Kubota had to be kept confined(at home) for 10 days and the HEALTH DEPARTMENT was going to be paying us a visit! HUH?

They explained to me that it does not matter that he is up to date on his vaccines, anyone bitten by an animal has to report it and said animal has to be confined for 10 days to prove that they aren’t rabid.

So yesterday a guy from the health department came out to my house to look at  Kubota and had me sign a form saying that I would keep him confined and agree to notify them if he should escape confinement. He will be back in 10 days to look at  him again… apparently to ascertain that he is indeed still alive and not  gone on some rabid Kujo-type rampage.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy the the health department wants to stay on top of potential problems but really, isn’t this is a bit of overkill and a waste of  tax dollars?

On a bright note, Kubota raced me to the top of the stairs this morning and waited for his morning loves.  Oh yeah, he’s definitly a danger to society!

My first blob award

 

 

Mrs. Schmenkman has given me my very first blob award. (but I know that it’s just her way of forcing me to post!) I guess the deal is that I have to list 10 honest things about myself. I’m not quite sure that is an award… I don’t get a gift certificate or anything do I?

 I hate talking about myself… hey, that can be the first thing!

 

2)  My cats are like my kids and I treat them as such. More than one person has said that if they come back in another life they would like to be a cat in my house. I don’t believe in reincarnation, but I guess I wouldn’t mind being one of my cats either.

3) If there is a fire burning in a fireplace somewhere, you will find me  standing backed up against it warming my buns. I believe this may be a genetic trait as BFG does this as well.

4) I like to do projects around the house and yard. Mr. C. is always wondering if we’ll ever be DONE? The answer is no. After 24 years of marriage I think he’s finally accepting this.

5) Mr. C. and I almost never argue unless we’re doing a project and even then it isn’t really an argument… he gets quiet and intense and I sigh… a LOT!

6)I’m not a social person. I guess it’s a been there, done that kind of thing. I used to be a party girl, now I prefer the company of a few select friends, family, my animals, and the gardens. Sometimes  I wish that wasn’t true, but most of the time I’m fine with it.

7)I recently got my wildlife rehabilatator license… I’m legal! I’ve got a beaver in my basement.

8)My recent ‘unfortunate incident’ was the first car accident I’ve been in. I don’t count the time I was hit from behind while waiting to make a left hand turn back in high school since my car wasn’t even dented.  Oops, I just remembered another incident when an extremely elderly person ran me off the road into a ditch and went merrily on her way… my poor car’s frame was bent like a banana. I won’t count that as an accident either.

9)I’ve always wanted to take in abused and neglected farm animals and have my own private little petting zoo. I have the perfect spot to do it but the cost is slightly prohibitive, so that will have to wait until I  win that Publisher’s Clearing House jackpot.

10)I don’t like talking on the phone. In fact I usually forget to even turn my cell phone on. Sometimes I think it’s a waste of money to even have a cell phone but then again, I sure was glad that I could call Mr. C. to save me after the ‘unfortunate incident’.

So that’s that. Now I’m supposed to nominate another blobber, the thing about that is, well,  the only other blobber I know that hasn’t already been nominated is the dog down the street… Her name is Zona. I guess I’ll go ahead and nominate her, not sure she’ll be interested in participating though as she is extremely occupied with a certain squirrel that has been tormenting her.

P.S. Thanks for teaching me how to do that linking thing Schmenk!

P.P.S. Just in case there is a reader that doesn’t know, “blob” is the same as “blog” but in EEEK speak. EEEK is my mom who frequently mispronounces words and one time asked someone to “goggle that blob” , that tickled us so much that it became a part of our every day vocabulary.