WHAT ME WORRY? (April 26/143 or not)

WE ALL SCREAM FOR!!!  Couldn't help myself. Those springy-summery couple of days forced my hand on ice cream. I have been very circumspect about no sugar, booze and snacking and then 77 degrees hits. Ummm. Hot dogs on the grill and a couple of scoops (small ones) of coconut almond ice cream. Argghh. One day of fun food means a two-pound shift on the old scale. Back to regimented diet before doctor appointment this week. However, all my blood tests showed improvements, so I guess eating right is actually a thing, darn. 

 Anyone else rather confused with vendors, mostly restaurants, pushing the use of credit cards over cash and then make you pay more for using a credit card? Which goes along with the higher prices as well. Please pick one. Also "tapping" your card means you shouldn't have to put in a code-isn't that the point?

Picked out cabinet color and countertop last week so things are moving. Though in getting the other bathroom ready for back-up duty, I find the darn vanity falling apart. So only $300 over allowance at this point, why not another new vanity. We will be taking showers in the sink and shaving over the toilet before this project gets done. Also hired the landscaper who can't start until June. Dilemma: do I harvest my rather substantial crop of weeds before the new work begins? Only downside I guess is looking like a bum who doesn't take care of my flower beds-Boo Hoo. 

Can't wait for my nurse eval this week where you memorize 3 words and then spit them back. At the moment I am juggling two projects with multiple vendors at the house, coordinating two podcasts and trying to clean out (evaluating trash or treasure) the cupboards that are going by-by for the bathroom remodel and sorting clothes for donation as it is my closet, of course, that will need to be cleaned out for the floor removal/replacement. Not to mention coordinating multiple dr appts and procedures for both of us. Yep, I'm diddly all right if I can't remember the three words. 

ON THE POLITICAL FRONT The first correspondent's dinner attended by marmie as president, in the middle of a couple of wars and we're supposed to believe a "lone" gunman gets through presidential level security and guns are fired outside of the room? At least an innocent person did not get killed in the latest distraction. Especially galling is the quick news conference touting the new ballroom that would have prevented this. Just saying...when poll numbers are down or magots are getting restless, "something" always happens. 

On the other hand, apparently attending sporting events is adequately secure for the orange one and his entourage. Not that I'm an expert, but why is our Sec of State going to wrestling matches instead of negotiating peace talks with Iran? Apparently, we are buying Iran as marmie sent two real estate skates - no experts in diplomacy, no nuclear experts, no military, just two bozos he is related to and golfs with. Makes sense...the impasse will go on. Wasn't the Strait of Hormoz open before we started firing Ferraris at Frisbees (million-dollar missiles at thousand-dollar drones)? Sooo, we are renegotiating what we already had in the original agreement, just spit balling here, but who's winning?

HOME FRONT OH and I just spent the last hour putting together our latest toy-a rolling gardening cart. Easy right? Fortunately, our roles are pre-determined. I read the instructions, he looks at the pictures and somehow, we make it through without yelling, throwing things and generally f--ng it up. I keep opinions to myself unless asked (I know right?) and yield to his logic and use of tools where I would just jam things together with a kitchen knife.  Instructions always seem to be deliberately vague, and a lot of guesswork ensues. However, every bolt was used so I call that a win. 

JP turns 14 this week so we are invited to his bowling party. I have been feeling I could maybe try to bowl despite all the extra internal hardware. Course I never could before so what makes me think I'd be any better now that I can't bend over. Actually, maybe that would be an advantage. JP can tell me what I'm doing wrong for a change... Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake💚💙💛

 

ENOUGH WITH THE APRIL SHOWERS ALREADY (April 19/144 or not)

FUN WEEK Good conference this week, though I am sorry our final panel on mental health did not pull the audience we were hoping for. Five excellent coaches on behavioral health including Bobby Hoffman of Channel 47. We sold all our booths and had a waiting list which has never happened. We are the hot conference, I guess. I introduced one of the speakers who talked about mitigating workplace violence as opposed to "preventing" which is a myth. He emphasizes "ain't nobody coming" so better figure out how to save yourself in that first 15 minutes. As an ex-cop, he uses somewhat "colorful" language. I interviewed him earlier in the year, but I am also the only one who can pronounce his difficult name, so I had the honor. He said just call him Lieutenant Dan (no not that one). 

"Person in the Street" promos went pretty well and after I tried out my questions on the first couple I sic'ed my protege on the rest. Hopefully we can use these all year to promote 2027. My student who was due Wednesday was in my booth when I got back from the Keynote Tuesday busily promoting the podcasts. Scheduling snafu which at first was upsetting as I was performing two live interviews Tuesday. Worked out as he was engaging, technically astute and I may possibly have hooked him up with a job as he is a graduating senior in Environmental studies. I think I should get an A in mentoring. Unfortunately, the second interview with the Keynote speaker never materialized as we kept missing each other. Oh well, always ZOOM.

A former difficult interviewee stopped by to say howdy while I was working with the student. He whined "she won't interview me again" figuring I would be polite with witnesses. Nope, "you're too high maintenance" I said. He was a bit flummoxed. Did I mention I am rather blunt and do not suffer fools gladly.  Instead of taking the small loss, he came back when I was alone and wanted to know why I won't interview him again. Making a long story short, he was difficult, wanted special treatment, interviewed when he sounded high (not proven, though I felt I needed to offer a different time), wanted to redo the interview, wanted me to feature his daughter in a second interview and then wouldn't let her say squat when I met with them and then made an insulting comment (not sexual, just extremely tone deaf). Guess it wasn't a short story. 

At any rate, I told him all of the above and said as a volunteer for the podcasts and with all the work that goes with it and no assistance, I get to choose who I will interview. I encouraged him to continue with his association with the conference-I think he's a speaker-but I don't have time or patience to make it work with him. We don't mesh. Ok, end of story. Nope-he went on for 10 minutes and I repeated myself calmly emotionless like a schoolteacher with an annoying student.  I did not know I was the IT girl when it came to podcasts. Best info I have is that I get about 1,000 listeners so not exactly world changing.  Though some people did stop by to say they listened every month so that was nice to hear. When I was telling the OH all this, he said probably no one has ever talked to him like that and told him no. Lol. Did I mention I can be extremely assertive when you get my Irish or Scorpio up? 

YOU SAID WHAT? It sure was fun being catholic this week with the VP lecturing the freakin' pope on "theology", 😕marmie dressing up like JC 😦 and hogshead quoting Tarantino at a prayer meeting for soldiers. That😅 stiff upper lip that soldiers cultivate must have come in handy. Meanwhile no one can find kissing petal (FBI) as he likes to lock himself in when he's drinking, which is most of the time allegedly. They almost called in a SWAT team as they couldn't get his office door open. This clown show, though I hate to denigrate clowns, are stepping all over their dic--s, er er, ties like the merry band of stooges they truly emulate. Unfortunately, they hold our futures in their tiny little hands.  

WHITE OR WHITE? The first baby steps (outside of a big down payment) have begun on bathroom design. We have seen and approved a new shower; met with the carpenter to design a new cabinet and begun discussing materials and paint colors. Now how close to our allowances can we come is the next challenge. 

FREEZE ALERT Well, of course there is. We are now entering Michigan's 2nd almost over winter timeframe. Don't tell the flowers and trees. Two days ago they were waving their fronds, petals, baby leaves, seeds in a merry welcome to Spring. Today, they are bowing to the north wind. The weeds are doing just fine, however. No matter how badly we mess up the world, Mother Nature carries on. Something comforting in that so, Peace out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake 💚 💙💛

                                                                                       

                                                                                       

ANOTHER DAY OF MIRTH AND MAYHEM (April 13/145 or not)

 

MERCY! Busy weekend with JP bowling in the City tournament all weekend and getting ready for the Safety Conference this week which includes two live interviews and launching a "Person in the Street" promotion. Putting together interview questions for 60 second slots we will use for advertising. As I am covering several events, I have to assure my roving reporters have what they need. 

This is a whole thing as I have to attend the keynote to take notes to interview her later. I have a back-up script based on her resume and program she sent me a copy of, so should be alright. This is also tricky as last year I conducted an entire interview and when I reached over to end the interview, I heard the immortal words "Recording Started" OOOPPPS. Two attorneys too! But they were nice enough to let me reinterview at a later date. 

 I've invited student interns to stop by as an audience so they can basically, "see how the sausage is made" on the podcast. Then one is assigned to me Wednesday morning to hype the podcast. Though our experience with our students, college aged mind you, are they are not terribly verbal. Well, they are in the wrong profession as we safety/health folks are a talkative bunch. That is trying to talk someone into or out of something most of the time. My daughter calls me negative, but 40+ years of assessing potential problems makes one a tad tiresome. The student's first name is Waymond so I have no idea if I'm getting a man or woman, puppy, kitten aardvark. But I shall embrace the mentoring opportunity.

Fun fact. The office set up my badge which due to my long association has a number of ribbons noting different affiliations. However, instead of a Board member ribbon, they attached Board Chair. Golly is that guy going to be pissed-can't wait to see his reaction. There will be drama.

BUILDING ON Also had a second bathroom bid, landscaper, roof repair and gutter cover install as well as dealing with the roof "shovelers" taking up my week. Big news, we accepted the second bid which was roughly half the cost of the first one. And the builder we chose is always the one we look forward to on Parade of Homes, as his houses are so beautiful. So, the adventure begins. Timeline was much saner as well. A lot of choices to make in next couple of weeks.

To stay organized I keep folders of significant projects. Which came in handy when I was scoping responsibility for some roof repair. The roofer did not have the records going back that far but the OH gleefully told him, "oh she has her copies" - Lol.

IT'S JUST A GAS After consulting my Gas Buddy app, the best price was Shell in town. As we pulled up the sign displayed the great price, but by the time we were at the pump it went up 50 fricking cents! Seems like those in the station should be ollie ollie oxen free. Of course, that's the least of our problems with old Marmie threatening to nuke Iranians to oblivion. And no one steps up (Congress looking at you) to say squat as he plays hide and seek with the nuclear codes. Are we living in an alternative world or just a turd filled one? Boggles the mind that the prez can threaten WWIII and congress does nothing. Fortunately, our fearless leader is a TACO. 

Now that Iran has us by the straits who gets sent to negotiate, basically, Obama's original Iran plan? A couple of golf buddies and an incompetent VP, rather than experienced negotiators and nuclear specialists. 

OUT'A BE A LAW In the midst of juggling vendors and spending a lot of money last week, I also had a dentist appointment requiring a drive downtown. As I am rounding the curve on 496 this dude in a black truck decides my lane is better than his. Rapid deployment to the dirt side of the pavement until he casually swings back to his lane. As I pass him, he's still looking down and fumbling with something. Now my question is, how do people have time to honk? I am right next to the dude and the time it would take to find the horn I would put me in the ditch or the side of his truck. I still think he doesn't know how close he came to a very bad morning. Fortunately, car cursing can be delivered while one is playing Mario Andretti Road games.  Drive responsibly people.

Don't you love the DEI in play as the majority running the moon mission at NASA were female, the pilot was black and the two mission specialists on board were female and Canadian respectively! Power to the people! Peace out/Stay Strong/Love your Neighbor/Eat More Cake 💚 💙💛

BAA-HAPPY EASTER-BAA (THAT'S A SHEEP LIKE BAA BAA ETC.) (April 5/146 or not)

 

ALLELUIA! HE IS RISEN!                                                                                                

                                                                                   

NUMBER 2 FAKE SPRING As the monsoon season commences, flowers are even more a'blooming. Squirrels are frolicking, though they do it all winter-no doubt to keep warm. I believe the current dancing has more to do with dating and mating. I fear for our fragile buds and young grass as things get more frantic. Now begins the robin wars. They love to start nests in inappropriate locales when there are perfectly good trees all around. I sit in the window when online, so I was idly noticing a VERY fat robin dragging long pieces of straw, dead foliage, confetti across the front lawn and over the sidewalk. Then it dawned-nest building!! I perused the front yard. Every year other birds comically try to construct over the porch lights that are not flat enough or large enough to hold a hummingbird's domicile. Then I spotted it. A massive tundra-like garden appearing over the garage floodlights. Large enough for a bird condo, but uh-huh buddy-not happening. After recon (robins are extremely aggressive) I grabbed my trusty broom and delivered mayhem and destruction on the budding building project. I did not stick around for the retaliation sure to come. Two days later, a fully formed baby ready nest appeared. Noting no occupancy, I knocked the sucker down which, though reinforced with mud and blood and beer it was a little harder this time. This was apparently constructed through rainstorms, so the engineering was amazing. 

Another favorite spot is the back floodlight at least 20 feet in the air, so not broom accessible. That has led to past tragedies when the entire nest came down, and little naked birdies came down with it. We had one such tragedy at the lake house where Mrs. R builds above a drainpipe protected from rain and sun. It also offers a nice vantage point from the house, so we have allowed that one a pass. However, one of her fledglings made an unexpected drop to the grass below. As my then five-year old grandson was heartbroken, he talked his dad into gingerly returning it to the nest. We are not sure it survived but the immediate effect allowed a tender heart to be placated.                                                                                                

CRUELTY ABOUNDS Big week for marmie-no strategy war almost resulted in the capture and torture of a pilot and top generals were dismissed in the middle of the conflict (possibly for not agreeing to insane orders that will kill thousands of soldiers). Though I think we would rather they got together and declared a mutiny against, not the country, but the unqualified civilians giving the orders. The gold human toilet also declared Medicare, Medicaid and childcare should not be funded so we can use all our money to fight more wars. He also had time to shut down the majority of our parks system and cut budgets for FEMA, Housing and Education. States should immediately stop any payments to the federal government. And oh yes, he bitches that he golfs too much (er, that he's too busy fighting wars) to focus on his ballroom. The courts have put a stop to that, and he has declared he will just ignore that order so technically we have reached that constitutional crisis we've been hearing so much about. And the maggots wonder why we protest "No Kings"? They sure are making this a great country-so much winning.

COLOR ME... No egg coloring with the grandson this year- too old for childish things I suppose. He asked when I stopped coloring eggs. I had to admit, "I haven't yet". So true to my word, I colored all dozen eggs by myself this year for his basket. Oh yes, must have the basket. Whether or not he admits it, he will be looking for it-not to mention the older ones. I will miss the mad egg hunting where we devised truly diabolical hiding places as he got older. As it's a balmy 35 degrees this Easter, probably good year to skip it.      

Full Stop. Company has arrived. Peace out/Stay strong/Love thy neighbor/Eat more cake 💚  💙💛