It is the end of Christmas Weekend 2009. We have survived and I finally have a moment to write a little blurb into Blog History.
Since Wednesday it has been bright clear sunny skies and chilly temperatures. It was up to 30 degrees today and I took the opportunity to drain the hot tub and clean it a bit. That was long over due because I haven't been doing a very good job of maintaining it.
We slept until 10AM on Christmas morning and really took the morning easy. We had a nice time opening presents. I got everything I wanted except World Peace.
As much as we lolled about, it still seems like we were running around quite a bit. We ran to Christmas service at St John's Cathedral, we ran to the Christmas Eve Jensen dinner, we ran to my sister's for an open house affair on Christmas day, and we ran around trying to get stuff accomplished today before we went to a Christmas Party thrown by the catering company Susan works for.
On top of all that, Susan spent a good deal of her Saturday taking flyer's around to Pawn shops in town. Time will only tell if that pays off in recovering our stolen property and finding the little shits that are responsible. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Odd Christmas Joy
This has been a strange Holiday Season so far. Three days ago we came home and turned on our Christmas Lights and one of our wreaths would not come on. It worked the night before when we unplugged it. Now, nuthin!
The next night, we could not get the lights to a garland across an arch to light. They worked the night before when we unplugged it. Now, nuthin!!
Last night, half the lights to Susan's little village would not come on. They worked the night before when...oh...one other thing. Someone broke into the house.
Susan and I pulled into the driveway at almost the same time, something that never happens. I walked up to the back door and noticed it was slightly ajar. We walked into the house cautiously and began to survey the damage.
Most of our Christmas Gifts under the tree had been opened and some were missing. As we went into every room, we discovered ransacked drawers, cupboards, and closets. They took mostly small stuff. A nice Boze Clock Radio, some jars of change (probably about $60 -$80), a crappy old laptop computer, and they drank some Southern Comfort. They got some nice old jewelry that belonged to my Grandmother and a very nice old pocket watch that my Dad got from his dad. Also, all my heart medication. Have fun getting high on that.
After the shock and anger of the violation, we came to realize we were pretty lucky. Nobody got hurt and while they got some good stuff, it could have been much worse. The damage to the back door was minimal, a testament to how easy it was for the Low Life Parasitic Bastards to get in. I'll be working on that this weekend.
One thing that made us laugh was one of the missing Christmas presents. Susan called her sister to describe what was missing and was told that there was a very large box for some kind of computer. Her sister had used the box to send Susan a skillet. Have fun with your new computer, you tweaking little Assholes.
I'll probably still be discovering missing stuff for some time to come. For example, I got in the shower this morning and discovered my razor was missing. They took my Mach3 razor handle. Add another $5.00 to the damage total.
Fortunately, I believe in Karma. This will come back to haunt the perpetrators and even though I'll never know it when it happens, I still get satisfaction from that.
And so to all the Low Life, Parasitic, Blood Sucking, Freeloading, Sponge Lizard out there...have a nice Christmas. Santa has his eye on you and you will get what you deserve in the long run. To everyone else, may the blessings of God's great gift be fully realized in your life.
The next night, we could not get the lights to a garland across an arch to light. They worked the night before when we unplugged it. Now, nuthin!!
Last night, half the lights to Susan's little village would not come on. They worked the night before when...oh...one other thing. Someone broke into the house.
Susan and I pulled into the driveway at almost the same time, something that never happens. I walked up to the back door and noticed it was slightly ajar. We walked into the house cautiously and began to survey the damage.
Most of our Christmas Gifts under the tree had been opened and some were missing. As we went into every room, we discovered ransacked drawers, cupboards, and closets. They took mostly small stuff. A nice Boze Clock Radio, some jars of change (probably about $60 -$80), a crappy old laptop computer, and they drank some Southern Comfort. They got some nice old jewelry that belonged to my Grandmother and a very nice old pocket watch that my Dad got from his dad. Also, all my heart medication. Have fun getting high on that.
After the shock and anger of the violation, we came to realize we were pretty lucky. Nobody got hurt and while they got some good stuff, it could have been much worse. The damage to the back door was minimal, a testament to how easy it was for the Low Life Parasitic Bastards to get in. I'll be working on that this weekend.
One thing that made us laugh was one of the missing Christmas presents. Susan called her sister to describe what was missing and was told that there was a very large box for some kind of computer. Her sister had used the box to send Susan a skillet. Have fun with your new computer, you tweaking little Assholes.
I'll probably still be discovering missing stuff for some time to come. For example, I got in the shower this morning and discovered my razor was missing. They took my Mach3 razor handle. Add another $5.00 to the damage total.
Fortunately, I believe in Karma. This will come back to haunt the perpetrators and even though I'll never know it when it happens, I still get satisfaction from that.
And so to all the Low Life, Parasitic, Blood Sucking, Freeloading, Sponge Lizard out there...have a nice Christmas. Santa has his eye on you and you will get what you deserve in the long run. To everyone else, may the blessings of God's great gift be fully realized in your life.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tile Done Deal
I can almost completely call the tile entry way a done deal. The only thing left now is to wait a couple of weeks and seal the grout.
From here, the pictures shall speak.
It's been a very active day for Fire and Police in Spokane. I woke up early this morning and turned on the radio to listen to the news. I have a little under pillow speaker so as not to annoy Susan...much more than ususal. There was a fire at the Arbor Crest Winery. It's a very cool old mansion up in the bluff in the valley.
It's been a very active day for Fire and Police in Spokane. I woke up early this morning and turned on the radio to listen to the news. I have a little under pillow speaker so as not to annoy Susan...much more than ususal. There was a fire at the Arbor Crest Winery. It's a very cool old mansion up in the bluff in the valley.I don't know yet the extent of the damage but I took this picture of the place as viewed from the freeway.
The big red glow in the center of the picture is all the fire trucks flashing lights up at Arbor Crest. I really should have taken the time to go get a good picture, but we'll have to settle for this.
I also heard there had been some shots fired at a Police car during a traffic stop. The radio story said there was a lot of PoliceActivity in the area of Monroe and Cora. I laid there a bit before realizing that I am in the area of Monroe and Cora.
When I got up, the was a Sheriff's car parked on the corner with lights flashing. I saw another across the park and another further down the block.
The story as of now is that the Police pulled a suspected stolen car over and an occupant of the car fired at and hit the Police car. Then they sped off into the neighborhood and abandoned the car. There is an on-going search.
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Winter's Arrival
On the first day of winter here in the Inland Northwest, on the day when the Solstice officially arrived, it rained all day. A l l l l l l l l l l D a a a a a a a y!
Here are acouple of Solstice Party Pictures.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Happy Solstice
With another Winter Solstice Party behind us, we are now in tall cotton. All the Holiday Stress we have been experiencing has melted away. We have completed all our impending duties and we can coast through this Christmas week with nary a care.
There was a gentle rain often passing into a light mist all day yesterday but the temperature was approaching the 40s. It was very moist out. The Solstice Party was well attended and the food was spectacular as always. We extend many thanks to those who brought food. We had deviled eggs, meat balls, elk balls, cheeses, dips and cookies. There was home made beer and of course, shots of Jagermeister and Peppermint Schnapps from ice shot glasses.
We got most of the clean up accomplished last night and got to bed before one. It's no wonder we continue to have this party every year.
There was a gentle rain often passing into a light mist all day yesterday but the temperature was approaching the 40s. It was very moist out. The Solstice Party was well attended and the food was spectacular as always. We extend many thanks to those who brought food. We had deviled eggs, meat balls, elk balls, cheeses, dips and cookies. There was home made beer and of course, shots of Jagermeister and Peppermint Schnapps from ice shot glasses.
We got most of the clean up accomplished last night and got to bed before one. It's no wonder we continue to have this party every year.
Friday, December 18, 2009
One Day to Solstice Party
We have been scurrying around the house busily preparing for the Winter Solstice, a pagan ritual which we observe every six months. It gives us an excellent excuse for having a party. It also forces us to clean the house...at least to the best of our abilities, considering the many unfinished remodeling projects throughout the house.
I really need to do something about that moss.
Worst of all for this season, Susan has added stress due to a cold. She has felt like shit for the past few days but hasn't really taken the opportunity to slow down and try to get better. She may spend the Solstice in bed.
I really need to do something about that moss.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sloppy Sloppiness in SlopTown
After all those days of single digit temperatures last week, we finally get some moisture and everything warms up. We still have snow on the ground but it's sloppy and freezy and ...well, wintry. What the hell am I complaining about?!
Susan is starting to feel under the weather. This is bad because she already feels enough stress. Illness will not keep her down until it is killing her. She needs to take a break and relax but that will only add more stress. It's a vicious cycle. The more stressed she gets, the more she needs to relax. If she relaxes, she'll feel more stress.
I'm trying to help but I am useless when it comes to decorating the house. I don't know what goes where. If I attempt to put what where, I will more than likely be wrong. However, certain stressed people may have to accept that.
And that adds to the stress.
Susan is starting to feel under the weather. This is bad because she already feels enough stress. Illness will not keep her down until it is killing her. She needs to take a break and relax but that will only add more stress. It's a vicious cycle. The more stressed she gets, the more she needs to relax. If she relaxes, she'll feel more stress.
I'm trying to help but I am useless when it comes to decorating the house. I don't know what goes where. If I attempt to put what where, I will more than likely be wrong. However, certain stressed people may have to accept that.
And that adds to the stress.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Ten Days to Go
We woke up this morning to our first real snowfall of the season. I would guess there was about 3 to 4 inches. It was enough to get out there and give the neighborhood a blow.
It felt great to get out there again with the big green snow machine. It was a little resistant to starting. I must admit that I haven't treated it well since last season. I just drained the gas tank and let it sit all summer.
Anyway, the Snow Blower was hesitant to start but I coaxed it along and it finally fired up and ran like a champ. I need to get it some oil which I will do tonight.
Once again, I covered the neighborhood. I do it partly because of the Spider-Man credo which says that with Great Power comes Great Responsibility. The Snow Blower is Great Power. And
I do not take the responsibility lightly.
The other reason I do it is because I shove a lot of snow into the yard of my neighbor across the alley. Doing his walk is a peace offering.
To end, here is a lovely early morning shot of the house after the first pristine snowfall of the 2009 winter.
It felt great to get out there again with the big green snow machine. It was a little resistant to starting. I must admit that I haven't treated it well since last season. I just drained the gas tank and let it sit all summer.
Anyway, the Snow Blower was hesitant to start but I coaxed it along and it finally fired up and ran like a champ. I need to get it some oil which I will do tonight.
Once again, I covered the neighborhood. I do it partly because of the Spider-Man credo which says that with Great Power comes Great Responsibility. The Snow Blower is Great Power. And
I do not take the responsibility lightly.
The other reason I do it is because I shove a lot of snow into the yard of my neighbor across the alley. Doing his walk is a peace offering.
To end, here is a lovely early morning shot of the house after the first pristine snowfall of the 2009 winter.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Little Bastard Free For All
We are finally finished with the skywalk system of downtown Spokaloo and we are painting no mo!
It's amazing how much something like that will drain you over the course of a couple of weeks. Of course, we are no spring chickens and I am even less springy and more chickeny than Susan.
But it is finished now and all we have to do is go around and fix the endless vandalism that is occurring everywhere because little bastards feel the need to express themselves. I have taken a jar of paint down to the people who organized this and they have people that will go around and touch things up.
We now have to concentrate on the up coming Solstice Party, set for this Saturday Night. We have some cleaning to do and some decorating to do.
Last night was the Corbin Park Carriage Ride. It was successful but not as well attended as in the past. That might be because of a neighbor who recently moved away. They always had a big party on that night and invited a ton of their friends. It kind of clogged up the ride.
Okay, off the roast chestnuts or decorate cookies or some holiday tradition. Tah!
It's amazing how much something like that will drain you over the course of a couple of weeks. Of course, we are no spring chickens and I am even less springy and more chickeny than Susan.
But it is finished now and all we have to do is go around and fix the endless vandalism that is occurring everywhere because little bastards feel the need to express themselves. I have taken a jar of paint down to the people who organized this and they have people that will go around and touch things up.
We now have to concentrate on the up coming Solstice Party, set for this Saturday Night. We have some cleaning to do and some decorating to do.
Last night was the Corbin Park Carriage Ride. It was successful but not as well attended as in the past. That might be because of a neighbor who recently moved away. They always had a big party on that night and invited a ton of their friends. It kind of clogged up the ride.
Okay, off the roast chestnuts or decorate cookies or some holiday tradition. Tah!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Last Flake
The picture above depicts what I believe to be the last snow flake of the Skywalk Painting Season.Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Sub-Zero
I woke up this morning to three degrees below zero. I got one cat to go out but that lasted about two minutes.
Last night, we were painting in a skywalk that slowly cooled as the night went on. Actually, it cooled pretty fast. It got to a point where I couldn't smooth out and roller my painted image before the paint froze. I would have taken a picture but it was too cold.
Last night, we were painting in a skywalk that slowly cooled as the night went on. Actually, it cooled pretty fast. It got to a point where I couldn't smooth out and roller my painted image before the paint froze. I would have taken a picture but it was too cold.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Marathon Painting Day Two
Out of the three skywalks we painted on Sunday, two were heated. We did the cold one first and happily got that out of the way. That was the skywalk at the STA Bus Plaza. This is usually an easy one because the little shits that inhabit the bus depot vandalize our painting. To combat that, I just paint outlines of the skating silhouettes rather than fill them in.
My calculations indicate that Susan and I each earned $34.00 per hour this weekend. The house remodeling budget will appreciate that even though it doesn't feel very impressive to me. But then, I think about people who aren't earning any money per hour right now and I feel much luckier.
This would not be a good time of year to be homeless in Spokaloo.
As I write this entry at 6:30AM on Monday morning, the temperature is ten (10) {dix} degrees outside. I am through talking to anyone about Global Warming.
My calculations indicate that Susan and I each earned $34.00 per hour this weekend. The house remodeling budget will appreciate that even though it doesn't feel very impressive to me. But then, I think about people who aren't earning any money per hour right now and I feel much luckier.
This would not be a good time of year to be homeless in Spokaloo.
As I write this entry at 6:30AM on Monday morning, the temperature is ten (10) {dix} degrees outside. I am through talking to anyone about Global Warming.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Marathon Paint Day One
I had to work at Scotty's Bar & Grill this morning but I managed to get someone (Kristina) to come in and take over for me at 10AM. That got me home by 10:30 and Susan and I hauled ourselves downtown to commence to painting at 11:30AM. We left at 9:30PM. My math tells me we worked for 10 hours. That's $600.00 more into the remodeling fund.
I don't feel too terribly bad. I am a little bit sore but surprisingly chipper. I expected to feel worse. We are going to try for three skywalks tomorrow. We need to be down there at 9AM. I should feel like total crap by this time tomorrow.
I must say that even though we are under the gun to get these skywalks painted, it's not like anyone is breathing down our backs. The pressure t0 get them done in coming from us. I mean, it's the holiday season and we have shit to do.
I did find myself enjoying the painting today. I'm talking about the actual process of standing there with brush in hand and just being creative...even if I'm being creative on a template. I have to remember that this can be fun. There is no rason I shouldn't be enjoying myself.
The major problem we had today was that the second skywalk we worked in was unheated. We might as well have been painting outside. That is until I went outside and felt how really cold it was out there. They say it will be cold tonight. The temperature right now at 11:21PM is 26 degrees. The forecasters are calling for it to drop to 10 or 12 degrees tonight.
I hope we have heated skywalks tomorrow.
I don't feel too terribly bad. I am a little bit sore but surprisingly chipper. I expected to feel worse. We are going to try for three skywalks tomorrow. We need to be down there at 9AM. I should feel like total crap by this time tomorrow.
I must say that even though we are under the gun to get these skywalks painted, it's not like anyone is breathing down our backs. The pressure t0 get them done in coming from us. I mean, it's the holiday season and we have shit to do.
I did find myself enjoying the painting today. I'm talking about the actual process of standing there with brush in hand and just being creative...even if I'm being creative on a template. I have to remember that this can be fun. There is no rason I shouldn't be enjoying myself.
The major problem we had today was that the second skywalk we worked in was unheated. We might as well have been painting outside. That is until I went outside and felt how really cold it was out there. They say it will be cold tonight. The temperature right now at 11:21PM is 26 degrees. The forecasters are calling for it to drop to 10 or 12 degrees tonight.
I hope we have heated skywalks tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
One Third of the Way to the Finish Line
As I sit here in front of the computer at the end of a long day of working and painting, drinking what might possibly be the best tasting beer ever, I feel a bit of remorse over my last entry. It sounded like we were beat down and tired after just getting started with the painting. Then, we went out to paint last night and only worked for a couple of hours, having a very nice relaxing evening.
We finished the City Hall Skywalk that we started on Monday night. I was planning on continuing to another venue and Susan kind of intimated that we should call it a night. Ever the Lazy Slob, I wasted no time in backing up the bags and getting the hell outta thar.
Tonight we painted in a skywalk that is not quite as long as the others and the time went pleasantly swift. We will do another shorty tomorrow and then take Friday off due to Susan having to work a hockey game and Tile Master Ron visiting to complete his task of two weeks ago.
We will be back to painting mode this weekend and a marathon event it will be. We will be attempting to complete two skywalks on Saturday and two more on Sundurday. Our progress will of course be related here with much unneccessary and flowery wordery...a veritable assault on the Kings English.
In the meantime, here is a cool picture I took tonight of the front of the house with a bitchin' full moon on the rise.
We finished the City Hall Skywalk that we started on Monday night. I was planning on continuing to another venue and Susan kind of intimated that we should call it a night. Ever the Lazy Slob, I wasted no time in backing up the bags and getting the hell outta thar.
Tonight we painted in a skywalk that is not quite as long as the others and the time went pleasantly swift. We will do another shorty tomorrow and then take Friday off due to Susan having to work a hockey game and Tile Master Ron visiting to complete his task of two weeks ago.
We will be back to painting mode this weekend and a marathon event it will be. We will be attempting to complete two skywalks on Saturday and two more on Sundurday. Our progress will of course be related here with much unneccessary and flowery wordery...a veritable assault on the Kings English.
In the meantime, here is a cool picture I took tonight of the front of the house with a bitchin' full moon on the rise.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
No Time to Blog
Their is know thyme two right write now. Not even time to correct grammatical or syntactical errors.
We are in Skywalk Painting Mode and it looks like we will remain in that mode for at least another week. That also means that we will be in Grumpy Mode for at least another week. Susan and I aren't taking it out on each other but we're trying very hard to be in good humor.
The task of working all day and then painting into the evening is already taking its toll on us...well, at least me! And it's only Tuesday!
As of today, we have three skywalks completed and se7en to go. The possibility exists that a couple more will be added. I assuage my consternation (Captain Thesaurus) by remembering to keep my eye on the prize...namely; all the remodeling money that will be coming our way.
We are in Skywalk Painting Mode and it looks like we will remain in that mode for at least another week. That also means that we will be in Grumpy Mode for at least another week. Susan and I aren't taking it out on each other but we're trying very hard to be in good humor.
The task of working all day and then painting into the evening is already taking its toll on us...well, at least me! And it's only Tuesday!
As of today, we have three skywalks completed and se7en to go. The possibility exists that a couple more will be added. I assuage my consternation (Captain Thesaurus) by remembering to keep my eye on the prize...namely; all the remodeling money that will be coming our way.
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