December 31, 2011 Yep, last day to enjoy this year.

39 °F @ 6:50 Am
Humidity:     91%
Dew Point: 32.7°F
Barometer: 30.00 inHg
Humidity:     70 %
Visibility:     10 mi
Dewpoint:     30 °F
Wind:     CALM   

Today: Sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Sunrise:     7:32am
Sunset:     5:35pm

I attempted to review this past year and was going to highlight it. But  naw,, you already read it, so just let it go.  I guess the major thing that happen this year was I lost my Mother.  Today I still see things or hear something on the news or watch an ole movie and just for an instant the thought flashes across my mind to remember to tell her that  next time we talk.

I guess for  me physically , been OK year , once I got past that short Hospital stay  early on.  The good medical part was that I got the  cancer removed  so don't have that hanging over my head.
Didn't do any major travel this year, but will try to do better this upcoming year.

Since I been up so long to day I have reviewed my store list and will head out in a bit to get that all taken care of. IF I made resolutions ,I think it would be to eat better this year.


So,  for today, gonna eat me up a burrito with over easy egg and then get all steam cleaned off , beard trimmed and get to the store.

I been kicking around changing the look of the blog, but haven't settled on anything just yet. 

I know. Boreing end to the year.. ...
BBL I betcha.

Dang near noon ..    Got back from the new Kroger super store and made out like a bandit!! Managed to fill my list . AND they were just putting out fresh made up Chicken Cordon Blue!  So.. menu change tomorrow!!!  Forget the pork chop :-)  and I got a loaded stuffed baked tater to go with it. and YES I got black eyed peas ready.
And just a block down, across from the hospital is a new Subway. Sooo... yea I got lunch and supper covered today.   
I think once I figer out where stuff is in that store, it may become my new go-to one.  Just a bit farther than my regular ole Tom Thumb, BUT much better selection and prices are comparable. PLUS they got that big ole salad bar and a deli in store. :-)
Got the mail and only one small bill due.. Phoopey, I'll pay it next year. : -)  go head and bundle up my receipts and canceled checks and put them in the folder and close out 2011.

Up and moving, in anticipation of a busy day, Friday Dec 30, 11

In my mind, today sounds busy busy.  The Electrician crew is due to swap out my main electric box out at the  service entry pole ( pictures later) , The guy emptying the last of the stuff from the barn is due back sometime, AND I got a meeting  of some people here scheduled for noon, +/-.  IF every thing goes according to plan  ( like that will happen) , this evening I GOT to wash a  load of clothes cause I got out my last pair of my favorite clean socks!!  Dam! I'm tired already. :-)

Weather sholdn't be an issue for disrupting any of all this today. ( almost sounds like a spring day)

44.6 °F
Clear
Windchill:     45 °F
Humidity:     62%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     4.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     32 °F
Pressure:     29.94 in (Rising)

Today: Sunny, with a high near 66. North northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Two news stories caught my eye.
American Airlines down the tube. FORT WORTH (AP) — American Airlines’ parent company, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, said Thursday that its stock will be dropped from the New York Stock Exchange.

The shares will stop trading on the NYSE before the opening bell next Thursday. The delisting includes AMR common stock and some company-issued notes.

And Rat Invasion. 

And some crack smoking dudes in DC want to change our calendar.   Story Here.  

Speaking of Crack Heads. :-)   I got hooked on a Cable Show I found on my Netflix offerings.  Called Breaking Bad . Basically it's about a family guy who starts making Chrystal Meth to support his Cancer Treatment.   Read the Story outline HERE>   It just got me hooked and I can watch an episode then come back later and watch the next one. Maybe what hooked me is that it is set and filmed in New Mexico.


Gotta keep moving, be back when I get time.

4PM, job finished, other visitors gone. Peace and quite reins again!!  Well, it will as soon as I feed the cats. The electrician  found right off the bat that the meter box above the panel had corrosion  under the lugs and causing issues. The lugs that the employees of the electric company had assured me were fine.  Anyway, Couple of hours and $250 later my issues are cured ( so far, I tested the drier and it works as does the microwave)  Whole bunch of pictures HERE  . Not in order , but you get the idea.  In the middle of all that, the people I was meeting with showed up and spend the rest of the day getting all that  issue straighten out.
So, needless to say, I'm worn ass out.. BUT I can go wash me a load of clothes cause the drier works again.  :-)

PS, Forgot a video I did out at the pole, if you interested... Meter Swap 

9PM,  Got my clothes all washed, dried and put away so I can start in tomorrow morning getting them dirty again.  Since I wasn't able to get out today like I would have liked to, tomorrow I will go fill my store list. Think I'll go back and spend some time at the new big Kroger Super Store.   Main thing I want is something special for New Years day to go with my Black Eyed peas. :-)  Right now I'm leaning towards a pork steak or maybe a pork loin, slow roasted with my secret rub. I do know they have made up super loaded baked potatoes and I love a loaded up tater.  Course once I get to grazing over their meat market I may well change my mind. :-)

I remember one new years day back in Houston living over in the Westhimer side , my normal bowling league ,beer drinking ,weekend party group decided to all meet up New Years Day at a local $$ place that offered a huge ass buffet with champagne..  We did some serious damage that day. As I remember we finally left mid afternoon and went off to someone's place and watched football and drank more. 
But all that's  a couple days yet, so for now.. 
Nite Nite....

Thursday, Dec 29-11 year almost gone

First thing I did this morning was try and find the weather history for this quickly  ending year of 2011.  So far haven't had much luck. Oh, I can tell you what my weather station here at the house shows,  but I wanted the info for  the whole area. I'll keep digging and post it once I find it.  Not worried about getting any more rain this year. and do know that we are waay behind what  is normal and the drought is expected to continue for some time yet. Here at the house I only show 23" for the whole year!!, I "think" that's about half of normal.
January one I'll reset the gauge and start all over. IF I can find the book and figer out how to do it. :-)

Later today gonna drag out the screaming yellow meanie ( vacuum cleaner ) and do a good clean up, then I got some dang good smellum good mist I can spritz the carpet with that leaves a slight cinnamon smell . All that for my guest tomorrow.

AND sometime today the guys are supposed to come back with an empty trailer and get the rest of the crap that was left by "renter" outta my barn. So it'll start out the new year all nice and clean and organized.

I got a set of B&W outside cameras here at the house. They monitor the carport, back and front porch and one aimed out back towards the barn. They are waaay old and never were real good.  Well, this morning I found a color camera system with 8 color cameras and controller box that I can feed to my Big Screen TV and even record movement on.  AND once I get it installed I can even make them available for view online.
But it's gonna be a bit till they come in and then a bit more while I run the cables and wires under the house to the mounting positions.  But I'll let ya know when it's up and running. This system won't dial 911 or nuthing like that, but will allow me a much more clear view of what is happening outside.

Weather looking pretty good for today sounds like

31.7 °F
Clear
Windchill:     32 °F
Humidity:     80%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     0.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     26 °F
Pressure:     30.02 in (Steady)

Today: Sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.

Looking at the weather around the Nation and it looks like it's a heck of a lot better than it was a year ago. Remember the big ass snow storm up in NE?   New York was snowed in with record snow falls and shut down the city..

Well, I did find a climatology report for close to here.  You can look if you care too, or open it and pick another location closer to where you are.  Weather history. 


Was reading MsB's blog report and how her bank screwed up her account.  Glad she took the steps to get that straightened out.  I had that happen years ago. But research proved it wasn't really compromised, the bank just had linked another user to my account number. Course they argured with me, but  we finally got it straight.

Gotta get another cuppa and figer out breakfast. Ham and eggs maybe?
BBL

9AM, and yea, the ham and egg won out for breakfast. :-)   Was watching a  Fox news report on how Movie House attendance was way down . Blamed some of it on the Economy of course but a lot on the availability of movies on line.    I quit going to a theater a long ass time ago. Too noisy with all the people talking and texting and what now.  Last movie I saw in a theater was Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).  I got it now on DVD and can watch it anytime I want.  Plus I got my Netflix and other movie viewing options, so why would I want to  get all dressed up, drive to a theater , stand in line and then have to sit and try to listen with all the cell phones and texting going on?   BS, I got it here at home.

Finally dawned on me that since the doc switched me to a new generic of my blood pressure meds a month ago  I am experiencing some  differences. I have always taken my BP meds in the morning. And have to eat along with it. Lately a bit afterward I get a semi dizzy tired feeling.  It clears up after a bit ,, It's Just something new , guess I better report that to  my doc huh

Early afternoon report 1PM. My electrician finally got back from his holiday vacation and will be out in the morning to swap out the main disconnect out on the pole below the electric meter.  IF for some off the wall reason that doesn't cure this issue in here. Don't know what will. 

Wednesday already? Yea guess it is, last one of this year of course.Dec 28/11

Wonder who's gonna be the first to write the wrong date on a check next week? :-)  Doubt it'll be me cause I don't write many checks anymore since I switched to online banking with my Credit Union.
You got New Years Eve party plans ?  Not me! I quit going out years ago. Just too dangerous out on the roads late that night.

Following a good ole southern tradition I'll have my blackeyed peas and most likely a porkchop and cornbread that day.

But that's still a few days off so you got time to finish all those things you were going to git done this year. :-)

Weather outta the way then get another cuppa.
33.1 °F
Clear   
Windchill:     33 °F
Humidity:     76%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     3.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     26 °F
Pressure:     30.12 in (Steady)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.

 

Didja watch the Kennedy Center Honors last night I always do and enjoyed the show of course.Not a fan of all of them ( Meryl Streep)  but sure enjoyed the music selections. Personally I wish they'd get performers who do the honorees music like it is supposed to be done, instead of adding in their own twist to it. And of course didn't think they spend enough time on Neil Diamond. Been a fan forever and even been to a couple of his concerts back in the day. (  did an off stage intro of him at a concert down in Houston when I was in Radio and we sponsored his show a long time ago) .

So, what's up for today? Well, the guys I went and looked up yesterday may come and unload all the renters crap out of my barn. Sure want that all gone.

NO my electrical issues haven't gone away. Again, I am waiting on a call back to get the main breaker box replaced ( he's out deer hunting this week)

Guess I'll just keep moving like it's a typical hump day, mo' coffee, then lotto buying later, PO and all that.

BBL ya betcha..

9ish!!   While having breakfast, I opened an internet link from the makers of my Go Pro camera. Lots of submitted videos of what some owners are using their cameras for.  Trust me,  You'll never catch me jumping off no Mountain!! But these brain damaged people sure do.   LOOK OUT BELOW  

Long bout 5PM, Cat feeding time.  I been out back, Finally got hold of Lee's old land lord and he and one of his guys showed up and started loading up that stuff in the barn. Course I had to show them what is his. Man those two move like a house afire...But Gonna have to come back tomorrow afternoon to get the rest. BUT I'll get my barn back!!!! 
Really got to watch  'em. They got their eye on my John Deere and my Honda Generator out there. :-)

Now what? Supper?  yea, guess so, maybe a couple of corn dogs and chili  for dipping  huh?

Tuesday, Dec 27, '11..

Too early, hadn't got my first full cuppa down yet!! Only 6:15,give me a break.
Took a bit this morning and went back rereading what BS I had posted about a year ago, just cause. Nothing exciting ever happens here so really it was pretty boring.  I got that idea from fellow Blogger  OFM .  
He had gone back and reread his past post checking on weather.   Guess I shouldn't complain, it was colder last  year than  it is now and I survived it.     Maybe before I pick up my big ole book to read here in a bit, I'll go back to my blog  beginning and read what BS I wrote about then. ( I wonder if our grand kids will ever discover these postings we made sometime in the future? )  I've read some old old diary entries I have stumbled across and they made history really  come alive. One in particular was from a Civil war solider and his day to day description of the war.
Somewhere in all of Mothers stuff there was a letter written from one of our Uncles to his wife and family from the  battlefield at Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. Having visited that site , his story added more meat to the history.
Who  knows , maybe our blog entries will become living pages of history to our grandchild's   kids someday in the future.

  Weather, while I git Mo' coffee..
36.0 °F
Clear
Windchill:     36 °F
Humidity:     73%
Wind:     2.0 mph from the West
Wind Gust:     6.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     28 °F
Pressure:     30.15 in (Steady)

Today: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

 

9AM update,Was just getting my breakfast but had to stop and watch my local morning show for a bit. They had Ray Benson on promoting his show coming up. Called A Ride with Bob Wills  I saw this show when it first came out . Small venue show sat right up front.  Bob was the King of Western swing and Ray keeps him alive to this day. If you ever get a chance, go see this show.. 

Noon Plus one  Well, when I headed out I decided to go take a look at the new Kroger super store my barber had told me about..  Good Lord Almighty!!  That friggin place is huge!!!  Need a map, or guide or GPS to get around in side.   Course being my first trip didn't know there nuthing was. But finally found the cat food than I was looking for. They had a seafood bar making place,Sushi ( bait) , even a place in the meat area where they'll cook you a steak.  FINALLY found the salad. They got this big ole bar area thing where you make up  your own salad. Several different kinds of lettuce , olives,onions, cucumber, radishes pickles   etc etc. Then they weight it at the register and mine cost me $3.25. Cheap as Tom Thumb and fresher for sure.  So here in a bit I'm gonna slice/chop up that last piece of chicken I got to add to the ham I got on it already and  shoot, may just have a small glass of wine with it.     I won't bother to go to that store if I'm in a hurry but times when I got nuthing to do, I 'll go back I guess.   Had to try it don't ya know.

Sun shining out and up to 60 but can't convince the lazy ass cats to move and go enjoy it. Lazy Ass cats!! 

4PMish quick update

Had to run out for a minute to see a guy about a thing and on the way back came back on the back roads.  Good God!!  They changed them!!!  The old country roads we kids used back in the 50's and 60's  are level, straighten out and in some cases 4 lane divided. Some of them don't even go where they used too.  And there are mini malls  on what used to be farms, farms of families of kids  I went to school with!!     How long has it been? 40 years?   Really?  Yep!!!  

I'm telling ya, this gettin old crap ain't for wimps!!!

Mon, 12/26/11. Xmas over. Count down to New Year on the short side

So?  Did you clean up  all the crumbled paper and ribbon off the floor yet?  When you gonna take the tree down and spend the day gittin all the pine needles off the floor?
Then hit the mall/ stores and exchange all the stuff that doesn't fit or you just don't want?
Me,I'm just glad we got rid of all the  Holiday adds on the Tube and outta the paper  now.

Son in Law called last night ( have I mentioned he is the most pleasant, cheerful person I have ever met? ) He just doing the Christmas check in and to tell me what I bought grand daughter. :-)  Turns out it is a Cat!   A battery powered one since everyone up there thinks they are allergic to cat dander. Cute little cat though.It walks and meows  as I understood them to say. ( maybe they'll do a video for me )

So,  no snow on Christmas here but I didn't expect any . I honestly don't remember ever having real snow on Christmas.  In Fact this area isn't known for it's snow fall, oh yea we get some but normally we get ice storms .   But those usually hold off till January.  Wannta hear the next version  of that?  I ain't never gonna live where it gets a any of snow and  cold!  Yea I used to travel to go snow skiing but  always came home to good ole Texas. Snow is  lovely to look at but I couldn't live in it for any period of time.

Weather here just mentions some rain maybe
41.2 °F
Overcast
Windchill:     41 °F
Humidity:     79%
Wind:     3.0 mph from the NNW
Wind Gust:     6.0 mph
Visibility:     2.0 miles
Dew Point:     35 °F
Precipitation:     50% chance of precipitation
Pressure:     30.24 in (Falling)


Today: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Those weather conditions listed first up there  come from Weather Underground.  I got to wondering who they are and where  they are so I did some digging at their site and found this for ya.  Who is Weather Underground.

OK, more coffee and  git moving. Gonna Call the electrician back out here to meet with the Power Company and figer out what is going on with my flickering lights .. I want this BS fixed even if it means a new feed line into my house. None of us can figer out what is causing this issue, but I think we are all leaning towards the  main breaker box out under the meter now.

BBL

Bit Later, pill taking time.  Remembered  when I took my normal pill this morning I need a refill. So called that in for auto refill.  Be ready for pick up later this afternoon.  Hope my Doc approves it, cause it's bout time for a check up  but maybe she'll let me slide . :-)

8AM plus a little.   So I got curious  of when , if ever, this Fort Worth Area had ever had snow fall, on Christmas. So I emailed my favorite trusted Local weatherman, Evan Andrews at Fox 4.  He replied with this link to historical weather history . yep, as I figured,  actual snow on Christmas here is rare.   Weather History.
So now I can forget all that and get on with the day. :-)

Much later now, long bout 5PM,   Fed the cats and got my pizza in cooking. 

Tell ya what , it don't do for me to sit around bored. After I read all I could read today I went looking for an early computer game we used to play called Doom. It's not availabe any more in the form I remember BUT I did find Links Golf!!  I used to spend hours playing that.. Alone or online with brother or who ever I could find.  My version won't run on Windows 7  so I got rid of it.  Well, the new version looks pretty good, so I downloaded the free trial version. Gonna fool with it a couple days and may just pay for it. So far it seems to work just fine.     Shoot, with my computer hooked to my big screen TV it's almost a life size picture!!!

Pzza bout done.   see ya.

Merry Christmas 2011

I Offer three songs to start your morning off.

First, The  Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah

And Then   Oh Holy Night .

And the final offering  Do You Hear What I Hear?

I'll be back, rest assured.


Weather happens no matter who's Birthday it is .
41.6 °F
Overcast   
Windchill:     39 °F
Humidity:     70%
Wind:     4.0 mph from the NNW
Wind Gust:     7.0 mph
Visibility:     7.0 miles
Dew Point:     33 °F
Precipitation:  chance of precipitation
Pressure:     30.40 in (Steady)

Christmas Day Forecast : A 40 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 45. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

And of course your comics for today,

Garfield

B.C.


For Better or Worst

Shoe


Peanuts 

Hagar 

Ziggy

Dagwood


Wizard of ID

Luann

Dennis

Pickles

Beetle Bailey


Pluggers 

Now, if you can do without me for a bit I got two Books to start on . Aunt Clara's Latest book of Poetry  . And  a larger format coffee table  history book  about my Daddy's bomber group in World War II entitled  The 451st Bomb Group in World War II.  Brilliant Daughter in Oregon found it and sent me  a copy.  It's loaded with pages and pages of photographs, and reports from  the actual planes and crews .  Bet my Daddy is in there somewhere,or at the very least his plane and crew.

Oh!! And my favorite neighbors and friends, The Lopez's , knowing that I like my wine, Got me a bottle of wine. 
Bless their hearts, they know I like  wine, but they don't know nuthing bout wines  :-)

Christmas Eve Morning, 2011

 Woke up with a song in my head this morning, will get to that in a minute.
Weather outta the way first.

41.9 °F
Overcast
Windchill:     39 °F
Humidity:     70%
Wind:     5.0 mph from the North
Wind Gust:     6.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     33 °F
Precipitation:     50% chance of precipitation
Pressure:     30.38 in (Falling)


Today: Rain, mainly after noon. High near 40. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight: Rain and snow likely.  with a low around 35.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Christmas Day: Rain likely, mainly before noon

Don't have anything planned today really, well I do need to check mail cause I didn't yesterday and Daughter sent me a note there was something in my box soo...

And of course will get my lotto ticket while I'm out . AND gotta find out if they will be open in the morning ( doubt it) . So go ahead and get my burrito for tomorrow I guess?

Now, about song in my head.   Hermit Jim beat me to it. Posted his favorite version here..

I went looking for a version of that same song ,on Harp! As it was written in the  first place. Found two I feel worthy of linking .. This  Instrumental
And since I couldn't find the perfect choral version to suit me, I offer this rendition by Cline Dion.

I have always wondered this time of year, When David and Mary made the walk  from
Nazareth to Bethlehem how long did it take them? One thing I did learn later in doing more study , They weren't going to Pay taxes as most people think. At that time the Romans  were taking a census and they were simply headed to their home town to be counted, not pay the government money.
That's that part of Religious History I wish now I had gone on to college to study more about.  Not just the Christian religion but all the major religions . Where their stories came from, Who the actual players were .  And then try to track down how the story gets so twisted between one religion and the next.
For example, we all know that Jesus was  born a Jew , But what was the real reason that the Rabbi's at that time won't accept him as the promised  one.  And when did the Catholic Church come along and declare it's Pope as  supreme commander of religion and belief?

ENOUGH before we get into a big ugly family fight . Not supposed to discuss Religion, politics or fiance  at the table!! :-)

Later this morning. Found a weather update for tomorrow  from my guy at Fox4,  Evan Andrews .Wet or White? For 80% of us, it's an ez answer. WET.
Rain is spreading in today, am should be Metro west/south...becoming more widespread pm/night. Highs will stay in low 40s and lows tonight upper 30s. Areas WEST of FTW may see snowflakes mixed in and FAR western areas could see a steadier snow at some point during the storm....but most of our models (if not all) keep things liquid. It looks to end tomorrow PM, but clouds will hold in and temps will stay in the 40s. Monday may see some rain as well (mixed snow W/N) as the upper low pulls away. Finally nicer Tuesday (58), and 60 or above the rest of next week!






Good Grief!! On the way to get lotto I remembered a Christmas Classic I forgot to post.  Cheech and Chong Christmas story.  :-)    Toke em if you got em!!  And yes, the store will be open tomorrow, an hour late, but.... 

Afternoon  How in the World could I have forgotten!!! ??  Santa Tracker is bigger and better than ever!!  Uses Goggle Earth now.  TRACK the ole Fat Man as he heads your way!!

Friday, Dec 23rd, Christmas Eve , Eve. :-)

Hey!! It makes sense to me. :-)
Got your turkey all primed for the oven? or you doing a ham? Personally I am tired of Turkey!! They sticking that dammed bird into everything and calling it something else. Rad the ingrediants on  any processed meat.. Betcha it's got turkey in it!!
Just goes to show you that with the right chemicals they can make anything taste like anything else. OR That Turkey really don't have any taste at all .  Ummm...

I will say this. If you have never eaten a wild, fresh killed Turkey, you missed something. Don't even look like the same package of stuff you get at the store.


Can't tell what the weather is like outside cause it's still dark out. Sun ain't due up till 7:27 today and as I type it ain't 7 yet.

Not planning on leaving the house today except for the PO. But one thing I am going to do is pull the air filter outta the central heater and clean it. Mine ain't paper, it's made out of some stuff that looks like horsehair cept it's blue
and stiffer.   Does a heck of a job and I can put it in the  big handicap shower and get it really clean. ( summer time I take it out back and hang on the fence and wash it)
Ya know what?  I should run the vacuum j before I do that.. ummmm..    naw.. screw it!!:-)

One of the "boards" discussion groups I follow today and a cute musical thingie with holiday music and a Lava Lamp.. here it is right, HERE

I know it's dated last year, so WHAT?

Weather for today ain't horrible

38.2 °F
Overcast
Windchill:     38 °F
Humidity:     70%
Wind:     3.0 mph from the North
Wind Gust:     13.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     29 °F
Pressure:     30.37 in (Rising)

Today: Cloudy, with a high near 44. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of rain.
Saturday Night: Rain likely before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. 
Wantta bet on that Snow event?  :-)

Reading through my normal blog offerings this morning, MsBelinda revisits a timely question that I know from experience most people don't like to even discuss.
Who's gonna know if you keel over one day?   Read her blog and maybe make some plans?
Along that same line. I carry on my keyring  a USB gadget that has all my important info on it.  Name, address, contacts list, DNR, organ donor info, etc etc.  I marked it with 911, so that EMT's or whoever is looking at my mangled body hopefully will know to look at it and find out who I am.   I can edit the info at will. Say I am going on a trip, I can put on it my iteneary,  where I'll be staying etc etc.   Here's what it looks like,closed and open, ready to be read by any computer.

It's on my person all the time.
Those things are cheap now and you can store tons on information on one.




OK, local TV ran this cute video of a dog really enjoying the snow. This is a couple years old and the owner posted a note about it.  Mute the music is you want to and just watch the dog.  SNOW DOG 

11ish, and I got the filter cleaned.  Here's what it looks like clean and reinstalled  in place. it's big, 12X31

 

Well, made it to 9:30PM.. made up coffee pot counted cats etc,etc.  Today turned out to be a movie day what with the yucky weather outside. 

Watched two musicals as a matter of fact. Both with one of my favorite singers. Barbra Streisand. First was Funny Girl, a semi biography of Fanny Brice with Omar Sharif as the love interest. Liked it so much that later I watched Hello  Dolly, not as good a movie but it did have the highlight of the song Hello Dolly with appearance by Louis Armstrong. I always like Barbra and have her original album The Barbra Streisand Album.

When I was working at the Radio  Station we got in an album with a big fold out of a pen sketch of her. I still have the album and the poster . ( maybe a collectors item now ).

I don't agree with her politics  but hell no one in the film or music industry should be taken seriously about politics .

Got a note from daughter ( who when she was younger could dress up and pass for Barbra)  that there is a package at my post office.  Hope they open at least till noon tomorrow. ;-) 

Well,the kitchen is clean from the  fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy meal tonite. coffee pot made up . so I guess I can give it up!!

Dec 22, 11. Am I really nuts?

I must be loosing my mind!!  Here it is just a few days before Christmas and masses of People are out grabbing last minute items and I got to get to the Store!! Poor planning on my part for sure.
Some of what I have listed I can get locally right up the street but I gonna have to venture into town.Thought first of Wal Mart,, Forget that!!!  So guess it'll be worth the slight increase in cost  to go to Tom Thumb cause it ain't next door to any big ass mall or  toy type store.
Just stupid on my part I know.
Then it dawned on me that my normal Sunday morning routine of getting my paper and breakfast will be disrupted cause I  betcha Casstevens won't be open that morning either!!
What to do, What to do?  Woe is me, Woe is me. :-)

Well, guess I'll handle today first ,then worry bout tomorrow. Cause like Scarlett O'Hara so famously said, " After all, tomorrow is another day."

Weather sure doesn't sound like Dead of Winter Christmas type huh?
43.0 °F
Clear   
Windchill:     43 °F
Humidity:     79%
Wind:     2.0 mph from the ESE
Wind Gust:     2.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     37 °F
Pressure:     29.93 in (Steady)

Today: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming northwest between 5 and 10 mph.

Then there's this warning from the guys in the back room smoking crack!!

DALLAS - There's a chance for snow in North Texas beginning Friday night and into Saturday.
According to FOX 4 Chief Meteorologist Dan Henry, preliminary indications call for a 30 percent chance for the white stuff.
The National Weather Service reports that a mix of rain and snow is possible portions of Dallas County and most of Tarrant County.
A light dusting of snow – less than a half-inch -- is possible west of Dallas Fort-Worth, according to the NWS.

Right now I need mo' coffee and pay one small bill.  BBL

Before I forget it , again. 
The December solstice will occur at 05:30 UTC on December 22, 2011. ( Wed 11:30 PM here)

The December solstice is also known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. marks the day of the year with the least hours of daylight. Those living or traveling north of the Arctic Circle towards the North Pole will not be able to see the sun during this time of the year.
So tomorrow has just a tad bit more daylight time than today.

With this semi warm weather now near Christmas I got to remembering past Christmas growing up on the farm.  One I remember quite well had to be about the time I was 15 or so. Daddy’s brother and family were down from OK to spend the holidays, And Uncle Carver from west Texas was in at the same time.

So one morning, may have been the 24^th, we got all dressed warm and headed out to hunt!!  Took me with them!!  I carried the 410 Shotgun ( got it in here in the closet ) and we walked out our large front yard across the county road to a large track of undeveloped land that had a small creek and some trees and open fields in it.  They were looking for quail and rabbits.  I spotted a squirrel in a tree and was told to go head and shoot it.  Got it and a bit later bagged a cottontail as well.  Back then there weren’t any other houses, just open fields and we knew all the land owners so no worries.  I guess we were out 2 or 3 hours, just walking, looking and hunting.

I honestly don’t remember what else they may have shot, but we got to eat my harvest that evening.  Man I felt like a full grown up kid, hunting with the big boys!

Later in life I spend other holidays out at different hunting places, sometimes with family, sometimes just hunters I was guiding.

9AMish update.   Finally found a commercial I been wanting to comment on.  In this commercial , the blond actor is runing to meet her BF..Her boots don't fit!!!  They big clunky looking POS, just ugly.  Video 

1:30 more or less.   Got in and out of the store just fine. Managed to find me a big ole  order of their in store chicken and mustard potato salad.  Got them to keep the breast and give me couple more thighs. That works!!! 

Also stopped by my hair cutting ladies place and she had time to do some whacking , so I had to take in my gimme hat a couple of notches.
All in all made a pretty productive day. Also found out there is a new Kroger super store that I made note of and will stop by one of these days. Just to see what they got.

Warm enough outside so Basset's been in and out, in and out. :-)

Near 9PM, I was going to watch a short little movie tent go to bed.. WRONG!! The movie description sounded like a simple survival story about a couple caught in a snow drift. WRONG. Horror flick..   Scared Bejebbers outta me a couple times.
Made up coffee , refilled cat dry food bowl. But it's gonna take a bit till my heart rate gets down to a normal rate , then I'll give it up.

Wednesday is it? Yea, Guess it is. Dec. 21/ 11

Early morning movie matinee here this morning.  The other day a phase popped into my heard. Finally remembered where I had heard it.  The saying is "Hakuna Matata"!  What it means in the basic form is No Worries. Kind of relates it to "Don't worry ,be Happy". I really did hear that phrase in Jamaica when we were there.

Course Hakuna Matata is from the Disney cartoon movie, The Lion King, 1994.
And yea, I woke up in the middle of the night, again, bout 3AM. Don't know why , just did. Man!! Man, does that really confuse the cats! LOL LOL.

What's up today?  Besides trash day and PO?   Got a small network issue I'm looking for a fix for.Trying to add a device to my wireless home network,and dammit ,it should work. Just got to figer out what it is that is not quite set right.

Oh rest easy! That  thing I was tracking to Daughter and family in OR,finally arrived!  Glad , now I can quit worrying about that. :-)

Still early and I ain't come up with nuthing worth BSing about yet. But at least you know I'm up and alive. :-)

30.7 °F
Clear   
Windchill:     31 °F
Humidity:     81%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     0.0 mph
Visibility:     7.0 miles
Dew Point:     26 °F
Pressure:     30.02 in (Falling)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.


BBL..

10ishAM, finally got the phone hung up.  Been on with first Toshiba trying to get this new Table to connect to the internet. Found out it is my Firewall. So attempted to set it to allow it access.  Finally had to call AT&T and got a  good tech who bumped me up to  next level.  Turns out that the only way they can figer out how to make it work is open all my firewalls wide open!!! NOPE,,that gives access to anyone who stumbles across my laptop.  DAMMED!!!

On this issue, I'm with Dizzy this morning.. bring back simple ole DOS! ( is it too early for a hard drink? )

Gittin on t'ward cat feeding time 4PM . At least if you ask Tiny.  
Tell ya what ,  returning something to Best Buy is a snap.  Took that thingie up there with my reciept. Told the lady what it won't do and in 5 minutes I was outta there with a credit back on my CC.  :-)
On the way back stopped and picked up the mail , Stack of xmas cards most from people I'm not real sure who are. Couple of course I know well. ( Wish they'd get the hint that I ain't sending out cards anymore)  I did have to email one of the senders to let her know that where she is going Skiing, Mount Hood Or is where my daughter is, whom she knows. So maybe they'll get together one evening Karen and Doug and us used to ski a lot together . One year I think we skied  a solid month up in and around Park City Utah. In fact that was the year they got married while we was up there.  Ancient history now.

Guess after I feed these silly ass cats then see what I can scrounge up for me.

Up Early , Tuesday,12/20/11. But I've been hideing..

Yep I did wake early, rested it seems , just woke up. So after the normal stuff of getting awake and moving. Sat down here with a cuppa to read my normal Blogs , check weather, etc etc.  Do you find that while reading your normal blog post you on occasion get side tracked to another blog? Yea, I do it also. I find I am reading more and more sites about people who travel in their RV's  . I can travel vicariously with them for nothing and let my mind wander by looking at their pictures and descriptions of what they have seen and experienced. I may read one persons log for yesterday and then dig into their past post and end up reading for an hour.

I started seriously considering an RV after Ann  passed, reading , looking, reviewing all sizes and types. Class A's ( gave that idea up real quick) , Class C's,  B's and the whole gambit of types and styles. I think that IF I was going to buy tomorrow and turn my World upside down and hit the road I would buy a Casitta 17 foot.  Small enough to pull with all most anything yet, large enough  to have everything needed for travel.
BUT,  Would I really use one ?   Could I give up all my comforts here ?  My security of Home and land?  ( My kitties are another consideration on my part)
I don't know, not sure I can or would.
But no one's holding a gun to my head to make a decision, so I'll just keep on doing what I am doing and someday the right decision will make itself known and I'll do it.

Ain't gonna happen today. So check the weather here 
49.9 °F
Clear
Windchill:     50 °F
Humidity:     84%
Wind:     3.0 mph from the SSW
Wind Gust:     9.0 mph
Visibility:     5.0 miles
Dew Point:     45 °F
Pressure:     29.87 in (Steady)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

I watched one of the " research" " investigation" stories the other day about Big Foot.
Of Course no one in this country has any dead on proof that they exist, no dead body, no DNA.  There's a pretty good site based out of Oregon about their research if you care to look into it ,HERE 
I'm sure there is something out there, but feel pretty sure that  it isn't relegated to just our country.  What about Russia,Asia,other countries?They all have their own legends and stories and research. We aren't the only ones .   My question when I was watching the show was. Where's a dead body of one of these things? Surely someone somewhere has killed one or found one dead. Where is that proof?



Too much heavy thinking this morning..  More coffee and something to eat I guess.

UPDATE,,,
Local weather guy just reminded us that today is the last day of Fall. Winter starts tomorrow. Course here it's only bout 2 months of real cold,  then in Feb it can start warming back up. Or NOT.. Hey!!! It's Texas!!

Monday , Dec 19, 2011. Rainey Day

Well,, rain today IF the weather people are correct
53.0 °F
Overcast
Humidity:     65%
Wind:     5.0 mph from the SE
Wind Gust:     10.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     42 °F
Precipitation:     90% chance of precipitation
Pressure:     29.97 in (Falling)

Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 65. South southeast wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Radar is showing scattered stuff around but none of it looks real heavy, yet!

This morning, as soon as their office opens , I'm calling my Power Company again!!! I am dammed tired of this flickering light issue. I have checked and checked my side  of the service. Had a Professional check it and test it. So I know it is NOT my fault that I am getting these voltage drops.  I WANT THIS FIXED!!! I want a  crew out here and want them to stay until they see the same voltage drops as I do. Then FIX it!!

( continued use of electrical equipment at reduced voltages can damage equipment.)

BTW, removing that little flapper thingie on the bottom of my coffee pot filter basket worked fine. Got a full pot of  hot coffee.

Shoot only other thing I got going this morning is to refill my pill dispenser box for the  week.
So far sounding like a boring start to the week huh?

Update!! Forgot to put up my Xmas Song Choice .. Here it is.... Rudolf.  

10AM update.. Well, the power company guys showed up. He downloaded all the info from the meter/recorder they had installed and I gave him copies of my logs of what I am seeing and when.   They did a physical inspection of the transformer , again. Told me he will turn his info over to the engineer and will get back to me. He sounds sincere about wanting to find what the issue is .  I really have a hard time blaming them cause over the years my service has been stable as a rock. But this thing is bugging me and we can't find any thing on my side of the service that could be causing these random flickers. Stand By..  

Guess I should run to PO and my new local store cause I forgot to get cat food !!  God Forbid the fat cats had to miss a meal. :-)

Checking my weather station locations I see my Aunt Clara in NM is getting some snow. 34.6 °F Light Snow Fog, over there.   That stuff is supposed to move on over this way  later.

Long bout 4PM, of course it's cat feeding time silly!! :- ) Been having rain squalls move through off and on since bout noon. Temperature dropped and wind shifted to WNW. Only showing .08 of in so far, but that's gonna change real soon. Here's a radar imagine of what's going on here. 

Think I'll make me up a big ole helping of Ramon Noodle with all sorts of stuff in it and this time I'm gonna use the chicken broth I got left from Thanksgiving instead of water. Should work shouldn't it?

Sunday Dec 18, 11. Only a Week left...

Bet you ain't ready for it are you?  Fess up!!  You still got one to two items you "gotta" buy for distance Aunt Bertha ,or maybe it's her outlaw kid, Bubba Junior, who just got released from County lock up  . Well Stop a minute. Hold every thing!!  Where is it written that you gotta buy Xmas presents for every dang distant family member you ever heard of. And I don't remember any law that says you gotta present a something to everyone at work. Even that loud mouth  gossiping, died blond haired receptionist who can't remember your name.

Get a grip!! Hold On!!  You ain't got Daddy Warbucks, nor Bill Gates, nor Warren Buffets kind of cash. So just take a breath, step away from the ATM  and think about what you doing!!!

Next month when the store bills start rolling in  will you even remember what you sent to whom?   Betcha all those cute little things you sent to distant cousin Sally's kids will be broke or lost in a pile of other cute little things and won't no one remember that you even sent it!!  How many thank you cards you wannta bet you get back after all your shopping, buying, wrapping, shipping ?   That's right!! Not a dammed one!!

So git a grip and don't fall into the hype of BUY BUY BUY because it's Christmas!!    Take care of your family first, make sure they are all fed, have a warm safe place to sleep and clean water to drink .
Then just say a simple prayer of Thanks.

That's all I got to say about that...............


Not a bad day shapping up round here, IF the weatherman is even close to being right.
47.6 °F
Overcast
Windchill:     48 °F
Humidity:     66%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     0.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     37 °F
Pressure:     30.37 in (Rising)

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Yea, I'll get your Sunday Funnies for ya once I get to the store and git my paper so I  can cull out the ones worth presenting.  ( the store ain't open yet)

Awww,Wha Da heck, found em for ya.


Garfield

B.C.

For Better or Worst , demonstrates just what I was talking about up top.

Shoe

Peanuts

Hargar

Ziggy

Dagwood

Wizard of ID

Luann

Dennis 

Pickles

Beetle Bailey


Pluggers 

Gittin on toward 8 AM and the World outside is waking up. At least the big ole Crows are.
Just remembered that I had typed up a piece about my time spent working with the USDA as inspector.  Here's that little tidbit.

Yesterday I talked about my contract  Government job as grain inspector. I was moved to a processing plant over in Dallas for a time. And one time when I pulled a sample I saw bugs in it. Weevils!! Bagged the sample, sealed it called my office. Told them what I had found.  They told me to talk to So and So at the mill and shut it down. Then get the hell outta there and bring the sample to the office!! I did.. Never went back to the grain mills.  But went to Swift Packing Company in Fort Worth on Exchange Avenue. It was right across the street from the Armour packing company.   My job was to take samples of the oil produced and send it in for testing, same as we did with the grain from the other company.

One thing I remember vividly about that plant was how low the ceiling was. Actually the plumbing and electrical piping is what made it so low. They had special built fork trucks that would fit the clearance.  It was so low at places I’d bump my hard hat.  Working out there had its benefits for sure. One was I could go eat at the huge cafeteria.  Plenty of fresh beef with all the fixins , Cheap!!

However on the overnight shift that  was closed so the workers had developed a way to cook and heat up a meal.  There were these big old vats, big as a hot tub I guess, full of hot oil being tested.  They’d hang their soup cans or pots on wire down into that oil and heat if up.   Before microwave folks!!

One of the guy’s brothers worked up in the cutting area and would on occasion bring down fresh cut steaks!! They had hangers to hook the meat on and lower into the oil and basically fry it!!  Man we ate good!

I got to be friends with one fellow out there. Forget his last name but his first name was Kerney,   Got to know him and his wife and we would hang out with them on occasion. Kerney was slimmer than I am if you can believe that.  But he rode a big ole Harley!

His wife had a Honda Dream; think it was 350 CC with bags and all that stuff. Street bike.   He liked to ride out to the ole gravel pits where the defunct Cats Baseball stadium used to be. He’d do hill climbing with that big ole HD. I’d follow him on his wife’s bike. That was the time I shot over the top of a hill and landed face down on the other side only to be run over by that dammed bike!! The gravel tore up my face and both hands when I landed and the bike damaged my ankle pretty good.

Every time we’d go eat at their house he would always have his own special plate, glass and utensils. Finally told me he had TB and no one else could use his utensils.  Surprised he was able to work at the packing plant

Wonder what ever happen to him.

Here again that was a contact job and when it ran out I don’t remember what I did.

BTW, Both the Armour and Swift plants are gone now. One burned and the other was removed for a “beautification project” Just destroyed some Fort Worth and Texas History. That area is now a tourist place but it ain’t the same.:-( 

Gittin near Noon and I think I bout decided to NOT go out for my normal store bought Sunday meal. I gots all sorts of stuff in the fridge I can whup me up a big ole plate of.  


Made the mistake of opening the window  blind for Basset to look out and saw that dammed Cabover camper sitting out there in the  yard!!   I want that thing gone!! I'm just about to the point of putting up online for sale , "AS is , first Cash in hand buyer gets it"   .  That thing  is going down as the worst investment of my life. 
(The AIG investment wasn't My deal. :-) )


Think I'll kill some time  reading till a lunch idea strikes my fancy , then find a movie to take a nap during this afternoon. :-)  Works for me. 

Later that afternoon... My dammed coffee pot , the drain hole plunger thing got stopped up and didn't drain into the pot.  I FIXED that issue. Took the flapper valve off or it. So it drains all the time now, not just when the  pot is under it.  
No biggey since I'm the only one here.   Found out that doing that  , the lid closes better now also. 

Did good on lunch, cleaned up the pizza and think tonight a big ole open faced loaded up beef sandwich will clean up a lot more leftover  stuff.   
Don't ya just hate it when you get containers of stuff that your not sure what is, and have to open them all and look?   Then decide if it's any good or not?

Saturday , 8 days till Santa. 12/17/11.

You dang well better have your shopping done or at least headed out the door to finish up,  You running outta time !!
 Weather 'round there won't be no problem for those nutzos that are headed out to the malls and such.


31.0 °F
Clear
Windchill:     31 °F
Humidity:     80%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     1.0 mph
Visibility:     7.0 miles
Dew Point:     26 °F
Pressure:     30.45 in (Falling)
Updated: 5:01 AM CST on December 17, 2011

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

I clicked on my Yahoo account a bit ago and noticed this screwed up forecast.
Forecast from Yahoo Weather.  
Tonight    Sunny   
High: 58° Low: 43°

Shoot I wantta see that!!! :-)

Reading Buddy Bob's blog yesterday I learned something I didn't know or had forgotten anyway. We both worked at the same place, different times and jobs but...
That memory  of that job lead me to his post

When I married first, to Daughters Mother, we were young and didn’t know nothing bout the real world. I won’t dwell on her but rather about my job (s). Back in those days ( late ‘60’s) you could lose one job that morning and by afternoon or next morning at the latest have another one no problem. The economy was going great guns what with all the war support for the Viet Nam conflict.

Our neighbor out at the farm worked for the USDA in some capacity and unbeknownst to me, he and daddy had submitted “my” bid as inspector for a contract that was opening up. 

Simple job really, go to one of the companies that was producing grain products of some sort for shipment to the people of VietNam.  My job was to take a measured sample of the product on a set schedule (like every hour). Tag that bagged sample and seal it. From there it was picked up each day and went to testing lab. If there was a problem with it, they knew where that whole product run was at any one time and could stop it, destroy it or what ever action was called for. 

Working at Burris Feed Mills in Saginaw , NW  side of Fort Worth was something to me cause I had seen the mill towers all my life in  Fort Worth and that’s where they made Light Crust products.  (like Bob Wills sang about “ The Light Crust Dough Boys Are on the Air!” ) Those guys.. There's an old picture of the Mill plant and grain elevators

 

Anyway back to the job. I had complete run of the Mill cause I was " the government guy"  and on my shift 6PM to 6AM there wasn’t much going on. I could walk to the production line and BS with those big ole Black Workers who lifted and toted those huge bags of product.  I could hang around with the forklift driver guy who left me drive his forklift ONCE down the circular ramp from the 4^th floor production area to the train docks.   

There was of course the ramp from floor to floor you could walk and risk getting smushed by a loaded forklift   OR the man lift!  A continuous belt with small platforms  that ran from ground floor to the top floor  though a hole in the floor. It took some serious concentration and nerve to step onto that postage stamp size stand the first time. AND even more guts to step off at your floor!!   But once I figured it out I was good. Rode that thing all the time. 

I discovered roof access one night and would go up and look back towards the Fort Worth Skyline and right down the runway of Meacham Airport .  Beautiful view of Fort Worth.

Another area I discovered was the rail yard where the grain cars got emptied into the system.  They would shove one into place, big ole clamps would lift up and hook both ends of the car , the bottom dumps would be opened and then that whole dammed thing, grain car, train track and all would be lifted , tilted and rotated till all the gain was emptied out. From there it was sent by auger to the elevators. 

Grain elevators are dangerous places because of the risk of explosion from the dust.   As best I remember they shut down parts of the plant if a big thunderstorm moved in.

I don’t remember how much money I made at that job but for the time it seemed like a lot. BUT pay day was only once a month and it was hard on us kids to live that way.

I worked other locations and I’ll get to them next time AND tell ya bout the  time I shut down a whole Plant.

Short 7:30 AM update. About the comments below from Windy Bob. I had to call him to see what he was talking about. What it is is, he's having problems viewing the pictures . BUT he's using IE!!  So I found my IE and tested it.  Yep, it don't load right.  Sorry bout that BUT  I ain't gonna change any formatting just to make it work in IE.

8 O'clock coffee and short update. Just saw a news blip about one of the cheap ass sluts being in Dallas.  Who or what is this Guinea pig, Italian  Slut Midget Snooki?  And what makes her news worthy?  Good Gawd,, When someone like that ranks as news worthy , there is something seriously wrong with our  morals in this country.

NOON Plus ....  Someone kick me in the butt to get my attention and then remind me. IT'S LAST WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS..   DO NOT GO TO WALMART  STOOPID!!
Was sittin here editing my list and decided rather than make s few short stops, just run to Wally World and get it all.  WRONG!! Dammed  parking lot was packed, Store was over run with crazy people running here and there and every which way.   I did manage to get my few items and get out  OK, But Good Gawd!!! Won't make that mistake again!!
Anyway I made it back so gonna munch some lunch and kick back and just chill out. 

Friday it is it is! Whoopie!! OH Wait!!! I don't have a job any more, why do I care?

Got all confused, bumfuzzled, there for a minute!. Saw that it was Friday and had a flash back  thinknig that tomorrow I didn't have to go to work!! :-)  DANG!!  Did I have  mini stroke? or was that just a brain fart?  :-)
I had this one job that the powers-that-be  decided we'd work a 4 day week. Split the department into halves.One group worked Monday,Tuesday, Thursday , Friday. The other Worked  Monday , Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
Ain't that the craziest crock of BS you ever heard?  NO ONE liked it , in fact there was an uprising of bitching that came real close to a mass walk out!!  Think it lasted two weeks, then back to normal.   The real bad part was that we were just part of a whole plant ( Steel Foundry) and we were the only ones on that shift.


WAY back in the 70/80's when I was with Xerox, they discussed the 4 day work week, but no way we could do it cause all our customers worked normal hours and we had to follow their routines.
Glad I don't have to fight the cooperate BS these days. The way the job market is it sounds like you don't dare leave a job unless you got another one locked up tight as Dick's Hatband or a Whore's Heart.

So my job today is simple. Give you the weather here for today and then find something to blabber about.   OH AND keep the cats happy and content.  :-)
42.7 °F
Overcast
Windchill: 43 °F
Humidity:     76%
Wind:     2.0 mph from the North
Wind Gust:     6.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     36 °F
Precipitation:     10% chance of precipitation
Pressure:     30.29 in (Falling)
Updated: 5:30 AM CST on December 16, 2011

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. North northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Gonna work on making  a "how too"  for some people, git another cuppa and I'll be right back.

Ok, fresh coffee, And now HOW TO PUT A CLICK ABLE LINK IN A BLOG POST OR COMMENT. Simplest way to discribe it is tell you to go read this guys page.
http://www.bloggertipsandtricks.com/2007/10/make-active-clickable-links-in-posts.html

10AM .. Product Alert!!   You seen the commercials for the new Hershey's Air Delight?
What a crock!! All they did was pump in air bubbles and charge you more. You do realize you're getting less actual candy cause it's full of air pockets right?
Hell Hershey's ain't real chocolate anyway.

9PM plus. Had some big ole loaded up home cooked pizza tonite. What'd you have? :-) 
Being so close to Christmas most of the TV channels I get are showing lame ass holiday specials.  Hadn't seen one worth watching . Wish someone would run Scrooge , the one with George C. Scott.
Think I'll give it up,  Got all showered up today and beard trimmed up bet I sleep good tonite. Think I'll go start testing that theory. :-)

Thursday , 12/15/11. It's gittin closer!!!

Look at your calendar!!  All those things you were gonna buy before Christmas?  Well, your time is running short.  Counting today  you got 10 days to "wrap" it up.  No pun intended.

Woke up early this morning AGAIN!! Had a coughing fit that popped me right awake. Since I don't feel bad I hit the internet to find out why it is we cough. And this is what I learned. YES,, Learned!!
Why do I cough?
Because there is excess mucus or other irritant matter from external sources – dirt, smoke, household cleaners – ( cat dander? ) lying on the surface of the respiratory tract, and your body is trying to expel them by propelling it violently upwards.

The body uses the mucous membranes as an exit route for toxins. When a bug infects you and your immune system attacks it, dead bacteria and dead immune cells can be pushed out via mucous secretions. ( so if those cells are dead when you expel them, they won't be hazardous to others?  )
Also, if other eliminatory organs such as the bowel aren’t working well, then some toxins may be diverted to the respiratory tract to be offloaded through these membranes. ( ummm, go maybe to sit on the commode for awhile and your cough will be less?  )

So, did we learn anything this morning?
In my case if I am lying down when the attach starts I feel like I can't breath and have to sit up!  AND answer me this. IF the cough is trying to push stuff OUT why do we have to take such  a deep breath IN before we cough? 

Glad we got that outta the way,huh? :-)
You ever notice that Cats don't cough very often?  Only time I ever see Tiny cough( or sneeze)  is spring when something blooms that she must be allergic too. For about a day she'll just lay up under the couch till it clears up.

Check the weather  ( got  .63" of rain last 24 hours here)
57.3 °F
Overcast
Humidity:     81%
Wind:     Calm
Wind Gust:     0.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     52 °F
Precipitation:     50% chance of precipitation
Pressure:     30.04 in (Steady)
Updated: 4:30 AM CST on December 15, 2011

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 49 by 5pm. North northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

With that north wind blowing I'll make sure my foam insulation panels are up in my windows. Ever show you those?  I'll try to remember to get you a picture of that simple project I did last winter .

But for now...   Coffee, pills and see bout feeding the cats . Hell I been up an hour guess I can manage that now.

Made it to 7:45AM,  Whoopee!   Walked over to open the window blinds and hear rain on the porch roof. Opened the door and YEP  real heavy drizzle. Won't call it RAIN cause the drops and rate  are on the small side. But it's started .   Good day to stay in and dry I guess.

BTW. speaking of sunrise. Do you remember seeing Earth Rise from the Moon?  Watch again?  

NOONISH!  Managed to make it this far without causing any damage to self, cats, or anything here in the house. With this yucky weather I decided the mail (should there be any) will wait till tomorrow .  I was actually able to get into my YTube account and delete some of the real lame ones.  Otherwise just kicking back. Did talk to brother Jerry who just wanted mailing addresses  to send some cards out too. Tiny actually moved from her nap place a bit ago and thought she wanted out.. She just sat back and looked out the catdoor and then back to napping. Smart Kitty!.
Nice calm boring day so far. Hard to do any damage this way. :-)

Near cat feeding time, must be cause ther're wandering around buggin me.


Thought I'd show you my simple cheap temp window insulators.  I cut  pieces to fit the upper and lower sections of both the north facing widows. I just slip them in place and pull the blinds down to hold them in.   Works!! Really stops the cold north wind from getting in.   The high density foam board is cheap and easy to cut with an X-ACTO blade. Here's what it looks like  

That is the uncovered window up there. On the right is the bottom section in and the top ready to slip in. And finally both ready to lower the mini blind down.

Just one of those days. This one will go down in History as Dec 14, 2011

You do realize that everyday you live becomes a foot note in the future History books  huh?
Looks like we got a slight weather change for today.  RAIN?  I'll believe it when I see it..

62.4 °F
Overcast
Humidity:     81%
Wind:     7.0 mph from the SSE
Wind Gust:     16.0 mph
Visibility:     4.0 miles
Dew Point:     56 °F
Precipitation:     80% chance of precipitation
Pressure:     30.02 in (Steady)
Updated: 5:00 AM CST on December 14, 2011

Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. High near 69. South wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight.

Sure would like to see a couple days rain move in , but the weather forecasters for this area have been so wrong for so long I ain't gonna believe them till I have to dump the rain water outta my boot!!
Honestly has the forecasting of weather with all the "new and improved" radars and satellite mapping really helped improve forecast?  I don't think so personally. I think it's gonna worst. Here locally all our good TV weather people but one have been let go or moved to other positions. David Finfrock on our NBC station is the only "old head" good weather guy we got left.
Oh well, all I plan on going out for is to haul the trash down the drive so...


ON the Television Series front, and particularly, the CSI group of shows. One of the originals is leaving. Marg Helgenberger Leaving 'CSI' in January.  I like her a lot, sorry to see her go and her character's position is being replaced by Ted Danson?  Give me a break!

And now a rerun or re post if you will from yesterday. Gonna repeat this link in  case you missed it.  NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving, NBC and all national news organizations are carrying it.  I Hope they pass it!!  LINK. I don't know who to contact to show my support for such a matter but think I'll start with my US Representatives, like it'll do any good.


So yesterday I got to thinking back to my boot scooting days  and thought of a couple of songs and artist that I always liked.
Then I got to remembering , and came up with   a couple more we used to boot shuffle too. Shelly West  and The Bad girl at the time, Tanya Tucker.
In fact, if you want some more of Tanya, try this link right chere.
OK, barkeep,   one more long neck and some more quarters for the jukebox.  :-)  or maybe just another cuppa  and move my wheel chair closer .

Well, here it is almost 6PM and it's been drizzle and showers all day. BUT only got .17 " of rain, just hard enough to git your head wet when you run out to the car or take the trash down.
Think I'll I whup me up something good and warm for supper, since the cats ate already and then take anti-drippy nose pill and kick back with a good ole Kevin Costor movie, The Postman, and kick back.
Y'all stay warm now. hear?

Quick before the movie, Saw a blip on the news that one of the  Kardashian sluts is moving to Dallas cause she married one of the Dallas Mavericks  Porch monkeys.  Really?  There aught to be a law.

Tuesday Dec, 13, 11. Feeling better this morning for sure

Was suffering with draining sinus and a cough last night at bed time. So, Popped a Benadryial or how ever you spell it and hit the prewarmed bed . Wrapped the 'lectric blanket around my head and next thing I new it was 9 hours later. :-)
So far , feeling pretty good. You know the feeling I'm sure. Like when you've had a malady and then your fever breaks  and you can breath again.   Think here after a bit gonna go by my Tom Thumb and pick up a couple of things I want/need and talk with  my drug pusher here. Take some of my OTC products and make sure they haven't  passed their "Good Untill " date. and restock as needed.  Then next time I go looking for something  I know it'll be safe to take it. ( I have started writing the date purchased on the label)


Side note, when Daddy went into the hospital from his stroke, the Doc wanted us to bring up all the drugs he was taking cause his blood chemistry was off the wall!!  I loaded one of the Walmart plastic bags full of stuff.  The Doc like to have had a stroke!! Said that what he was mixing together and taking too much of could well have shut down his liver and killed him.  Daddy went to the Doctor but won't follow her orders. He believed every thing he read about miracle  fixes and drugs that he read or saw on TV and then didn't tell any one what he was taking. Seriously he'd slip into his bathroom and down some pills and not tell anyone.. Dangerous!!! 

Onto this more normal weather pattern we are in now.

51.0 °F
Overcast
Humidity:     64%
Wind:     5.0 mph from the ESE
Wind Gust:     10.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     39 °F
Pressure:     30.24 in (Falling)
Updated: 7:00  AM CST on December 13, 2011

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 61. South southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph

Dishwasher bout to finish up and I need mo' coffee.. BBL Hopefully.

Question for ya...   Saw on the news that Bankrupt American Airlines is trying to buy a bunch of NEW Airplanes and dump a bunch of older ones.  How can they do that?  I thought bankruptcy meant you were broke!!

10AM note..  Again this morning I heard a few cord licks on a commercial and it reminded me of a song. A Good ole Boot Scooting dance song.   Found it!!  
Somebody's Knocking.. Terri Gibbs  1981  Bet I danced a hundred miles to that one!

 Evening update~~Saw a news story tonight that I can only hope gets passed. NO CELL PHONES IN CARS

Monday, December 12. 2011. Zup?

Dang nose!!!  Think this south wind we got it brought in some weird stuff that sure is effecting my nose. Can't decided if it wants to drain or plug up!!! Seems to change every hour. So last night when I went to bed it decided to drain some. Woke me up like every hour or so.  Finally I gave up bout 4:45 and just got up.
I don't feel bad at all, just this dang thing ain't cooperating with my normal routine.
Think I had a simular problem early this year ( January) that ended up as some sort of pneumonia that took a week to clear up ( in  the hospital) .  NOT this year!! I refuse!!

Maybe some more coffee will help huh? 
Weather is more normal for this time of year  at least

46.4 °F
Overcast
Windchill:     45 °F
Humidity:     50%
Wind:     4.0 mph from the ESE
Wind Gust:     7.0 mph
Visibility:     10.0 miles
Dew Point:     29 °F
Pressure:     30.25 in (Steady)
Updated: 6:00 AM CST on December 12, 2011

Today: Cloudy, with a high near 51. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Looks like the week forecast is back to more normal for here.

For some off the wall reason this morning I thought about an acquaintance we had made a few years ago with a recently retired fellow who lived and traveled in his converted Bus.  He had sold his construction business in Hawaii and moved here.  Bought the bus in California and was living here in this area to be close to his grown son.
He was taller than I am and big!! NotFAT, just BIG!!
Anyway what brought it  up was his last name. It is Shenck and is pronounced Skank, just like the urban slang word for a A whore, slut; usually a girl.
Just wondered what ever happen to him.


Then I took down an old hardback phone/address book that Ann had here and went through it. Found a lot of entries going back to the '80's. Some of the people I know are gone now , but wondered about some of the others.
Gave up on that,, too depressing.

One name with address chances I did come across was Daughter up in Oregon. That reminded me that I am awaiting her info so I can transfer some Xmas cash to her account. Guess if she don't get it to me, I'll just keep the money :-) 


Need mo coffee and refill my weekly pill dispenser. .   bbl.

 9AM  Did all that stuff up there I talked about, AND had breakfast, even swapped out the light fixture by my bed. Took down the wall mounted click on click off one and put in a goose neck one from the old office.

My Morning news, show here had Michael Martin Murphey on promoting his Xmas shows.  If you're a fan , sorry. I'm not. When I was in Country Radio in New Mexico I had to interview him live on air. Came across as arrogant stuff shirt SOB.  Made me so mad I wrote a song about it called " Ain't no county in New Mexico" Most fun interview I did was Roy Clark.!! Seemed to be just a good ole down home boy out having fun singing his songs.  Mel Tillis and his wife was a good interview also.  Friendly and open about his history. ( He don't stutter too bad when you just talking to him face to face or when he's signing)

So now, since I got the kitchen cleaned up  and the plants watered, guess I can kick back.
Oh well, I'll git over it and on with something else.

Long 'bout 3PM and the professional sparky 'lectrician guy is just bout finished. So far he has found  some "less" than prefect wire connections on the original trailer house plugs and switches. All have not only new switches and plugs but official approved boxes.   Guess he'll finish up here next hour and then I  ( and the cats) can get back to what ever passes for normal round here  We still thinking that the major issue is the wiring at the main transformers that were replaced a few years ago.

Well, it must be near 5PM cause Tiny is pacing the kitchen .:-)   Electrician left after he once again checked all the lugs at the main disconnect at the meter and all the breaker connections here in side.  Of course everything is working perfect. Right now.

So, guess after I feed cats and get me a wine, I'll make up some supper. :-)