Chessy Television

1/15/2019

It has long been established, as more of you know, that I'm a sucker for reality shows. Of course, we all know that the reality shows, are simply shows following a script. However, even knowing this, doesn't take away from my pleasure in watching the shows.

This morning, during breakfast, I watched The Bachelor. The bachelor in question, is a very good looking guy. And, the show is making a really big deal about his virginity. I think that's a private thing, and shouldn't be or need to be, all anybody talks about.

Colton was a professional football player, who bounced around for several seasons. His football career ended in 2016. 

The women vying for his attention, are all: beautiful, beautiful (did I say that already?), wear very tight clothes, some with slits on the top and bottom of the dress. I grew up in a time, the 60's, where a lot of exposed skin was frowned upon. There were, at least in my world, no off the shoulder dresses, that stay up as if by magic. I might be a "tad" jealous! 

There is one contestant, who in my view, is definitely a cougar. She interrupts everyone's private conversation with Colton. To say that she's not popular, would be an understatement. And, yet in the first red rose handout, the cougar stayed. Knowing this, didn't make the other ladies very happy.

In checking some of the little known facts about the show are:

• One contestant is given her own sylist (sp)
• First fitting takes two days
• Links about what to we pack
• One bacheloret (sp) is given a $350,000 wardrobe budget. If I had that much to spend, perhaps even I could look good!
• No duplicate dresses allowed

I'm sure the list goes on and on, but those are just some of the highlights of what goes on behind the scene. 

While, to the eye of a viewer, the show looks glamorous, awesome one-on-one dates, as well as some group activities.

The show I watched yesterday, the date was on the Queen Mary. That ship has some significance to Jeff and I. When we received a big raise (or bonus, I can't remember), we took two of our friends for dinner on deck. Because I have an overworked imagination, I could swear the ship was moving. It was, of course, moving ever so slightly, which would account for the movement. Such good memories.

For now, I live vicariously when watching the show. It's cheap entertainment, but that's okay with me.

P

 


 

Snow

1/14/2019

Yesterday it snowed. And, it was a measurable snowfall. Not everyone gets a warm and fuzzy feeling when it snows. When I was working, in this kind of weather, I dreaded the automated phone call to work, hopefully saying: closed or a two hour delay. These days, I don't really care how much snow falls, it really doesn't have an impact on me.

When the boys were younger, Scott always wanted "foots" (not a typo) of snow. For him, the more snow the better. Even though the boys were old enough to stay home by themselves, doing so filled me with dread. We live at the top of a hill, and so sliding down the hill was a lot of fun. Pulling the sled back up - not so much.

Jeff shoveled in increments yesterday. The sooner you get the snow off the driveway, the better chance of Mr. Sun doing it's melting thing. He rested between shoveling, which was smart.

We also let the girls out for a bit yesterday to run around in the snow.  They jumped around and chased each other. But, I did notice that when I opened up the front door, there was no hesitation from them, about coming in the house. After outside playing, they were really calm and tired, and wanted nothing more than laying beside the fireplace.

Jeff was going to do his weekly shop yesterday, but he made his decision late in the day. I urged him to stay home, and for once, he listened to me. If he wants to go out today, I'm okay with that.

The paper today, reminded drivers to clean off the top of their cars. Too often, you are behind somebody who didn't do that, they brake and you are faced with a barrage of snow. Jeff always makes sure that my car is appropriately "snowed" off! A broom makes an excellent job of clearing the car.

I actually think that Jeff might be suffering from "restlessness". While I'm quite content to stay home, he needs to get out of the house. That's just the difference between us. I think one of the reasons I don't like going out, is that after much walking (for me), my body begins to hurt. To be sure, my body hurts at home too, but I'm mere steps away from a chair.

For some people, and I include myself in this category, growing old(er) is a pain in the tush! I bet you thought I was going to say another word - surprise! I'm a lady after all!

Auntie Kim and I joined a book club a year ago. I have decided to bow out of the club now. I have several reasons for doing so. I've discovered that I don't really like being told what to read. Don't get me wrong, I love reading, but want to choose what I read. And, then there's that little thing called short term memory. Even if I read the book in it's entirety, my memory fails me on recall. I can't answer any questions about the book, simply because, well because I don't remember these things.

I, am right now, really involved in a book by an author, that I like. I have trouble remembering who the characters are, but in the big picture, that doesn't bother me at all. Skip a few lines? Sure, I have always read a book this way, and I see no reason to change. Count me in as a senior, who doesn't want to change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Some things are better left alone, and in the big picture, shouldn't matter to anyone but myself.

Well, my dears, I'm off (really I am) to get something or anything done today.

P





 
 

 

An Answer to Yesterday's Question

1/13/2019

The answer to the question yesterday, is that it has snowed and continues to do so. On a lark yesterday, Jeff took me to newly opened Trader Joe's. We left Bella loose in the house and kept our fingers crossed, that she wouldn't find and destroy something. Happy to report that there was no damage!

We like Trader Joe's, but it's very expensive if you are going to feed a family. Luckily, we just have ourselves, so we indulged with a few things (none of which were life altering). One poor man in the store, was explaining to someone (his wife probably) that the only milk in the store was almond milk. Ick. I actually don't feel sorry for those folks, who have had at least a week where the prediction was snow, haven't or didn't adequately prepare. Everybody knows you need the trafecta (sp!). In our house, that means: toilet paper, milk and eggs. Our pantry and freezer are already full of things we might want to eat. So shopping to prepare yourself for a snowstorm, at the last minute, makes no sense to me. Perhaps, that's just the Girl Scout in me!

We bought sourdough bread - not a necessity - just a want. We didn't need milk, and that's a good thing, and eggs were in short supply as well. 

Jeff has gone out twice this morning to shovel the driveway. He shovels in increments of about 15 minutes and then comes back inside to rest. Oh, to have the boys back, so they could handle the shoveling. We learned from a neighbor years ago, that it was better to shovel the snow from the driveway. If you keep the driveway clean, then if we get ice, you don't have to deal with digging through the ice to get to the snow. 

Jeff took the girls out this morning for a romp, Bella loved it. Daisy wanted back in the house almost immediately. Unlike the Labradors we previously owned, where snow would cling to their fur, making them look and perhaps feel ridiculous. Neither of the girls have long hair, so the worst that can happen is wet paws.

Jeff made dinner last night, and it was tasty. After we went to bed, Bella did her usual counter surfing. She hit pay dirt, when she found the bowl with the chicken inside. She licked the bowl clean, and didn't even take the bowl down to the floor. Knowing all of that, we should make sure before we go to bed, that food, of any kind, needs to be put farther back. Basically, I guess that Jeff and I were not thinking clearly enough, when we went to bed. As I've stated before, the only real food that Bella won't eat is a bell pepper. To be sure, she gets it off the counter and in the morning we find the pepper on the floor.

While I have poo-pooed the idea of watching football games, I have now watched several. Mind you, I don't have a clue about the rules.  My only knowledge is when somebody gets a goal. Still, I find it somewhat interesting, but have no earthly idea why.

Wrapping up now. Have some things I need (blah) or want to do. 

Happy Sunday.

P

  

It May Snow, It May Not Snow - That's The Big Question

1/12/2019

It's Saturday, and all the weathermen (why don't they ever say weather woman?) is supposed to show up at our doorstep later today into tomorrow.

While Jeff and I have no need to go to the store to get anything, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that grocery stores are going to be packed today. Our only needed items: toilet paper (a must), bread (not exactly an essential), milk and eggs. We even have ice cream! Who could ask for more?

Just in case we get snow this weekend, Jeff has moved my car over to a neighbor's driveway, who spends the winter in Florida. This means that Jeff's car is snugly inside the garage. We absolutely don't want a lot of snow building up on the top of his convertible. And, that just makes good sense. Besides which, my car is dirty, so perhaps we'll get enough snow to clean 'er up a bit.

Jeff has started the making of beans and ham in our "instanta (guess that's not really a word) pot". It will simmer away all day, and we'll have soup for dinner today and tomorrow.

I can't remember, but I think we might have had very little snow last year. If we do get an accumulation, then we'll let the girls out to play. And, good advice: don't eat yellow snow!

Years ago, during a very big snowstorm, our dog at the time, Suzie, went out to play, lost her bearings and went missing for several weeks. She had been living under a deck, and was make a nuisance of herself, by upending trash cans. Once we got her back home, she was never the same dog. Can dogs suffer from PTSD? After being food deprived, we couldn't, at that point, prevent her from taking food. We have a buffet in the dining room. Suzie managed to pull on the knobs to open up the drawers. Little things like that. Luckily, by then Scott had bought a house with acreage, and was willing to keep Suzie. She lived a good life, with plenty of land to roam. One day, while Scott was out, Suzie quietly died. I don't believe that anyone or anything should have to die alone. 

Oh, where was I? That's right, I was writing about snow and lost track of my thoughts. Some people don't suffer from losing their thoughts, and I wish I was one of them. But, I'm not, and likely never will be.

This is a picture of a dog enjoying snow. And, in case you're wondering, this is not a picture of one of the girls.





          
 

Peace and Quiet

1/11/2019

Good morning everyone. Even by Jeff's standards, the temperature today is a bit on the chilly side (29 degrees. In my mind, 29 degrees is no longer a bit chilly, it's downright cold. Thank heavens for the gas fireplace, it keeps the den nice and toasty.

If you know me well, then you also know that I live in an anxiety, among other things, producing world. It's been this way for a long time, but particularly noticeable after 2013. Will this condition improve for me? Through medicine and therapy, I am unfortunately out of control inside my head. It's just the way it is.

I live a mostly reclusive world, and for the foremost, I'm okay with that. It's not good for me mentally, but living this way, means I don't have to deal with a lot of outside stimuli. Jeff has for several years now, done all the heavy lifting as far as keeping me on the right track every day.

One way I get and enjoy inner peace, starts with Daisy (the terrier).  Whenever I sit in my chair, is likely not very good for me, Daisy is waiting for me to "assume the position". The position in question is having the recliner in a fairly upright position. Once I'm "settled", Daisy jumps into my lap and both of us are content with each other. Daisy isn't the smartest dog we've ever owned, but in terms of being loyal and loving, she's the absolute best. Daisy doesn't judge, she just knows that she's always welcome in my lap. Dogs, by nature don't actually ask for much in return for their love and loyalty. Treat them well, shower them with praise and love, and they will give this back to you tenfold. 

While Bella goes with us almost everywhere, and performs beautifully no matter where we are, Daisy stays home. We'd leave Bella home sometimes, but you can never be sure what she is going to get into.

On a table in the living room, which is used seldom, sits a decorative bowl filled with beautiful glass "candy". While sitting here in my office yesterday, I heard noise in the living room, and by the slinking away, I was pretty sure that Bella had been exploring the candy, and didn't find them chewable! We certainly don't want to have to pump Bella's stomach out, to find a missing piece of glass! 

I have just now, after 2 years, taken the gate down that prevented the girls from going into that room. I have recently removed the gate, and so far, so good. Next step is to take down the gate that keeps them out of the "formal" dining room, which is also never used, unless you count the many items on the table and on the floor. If it all blew away tomorrow, there isn't anything in particular, except for Jeff's pilot bag that I'd miss. Like clothes that you don't wear, the items in that room haven't been missed in a very long time. Purge perhaps?
 
When I finish "talking" with all of you, I will go upstairs and get on a sweatshirt to keep me warmer, and then proceed with putting the laundry away. Can you say boring? Of course, you can. The washing and drying of clothes is easy, and then it becomes to "fold" the clothes. And, that last little bit, is where I tend to stumble and fail. It would be super easy to just stuff said clothes into drawers. Some wrinkles I can live with.

While this isn't a picture of Daisy or myself, you get the general idea.

Happy Friday everyone.

P

 

Who Thinks This Stuff Up?

1/10/2019

When I'm having my breakfast, I either like to watch a television show (preferred), or second best browsing through a catalog. This morning, the catalog won.

While flipping through the pages, I found several things that I didn't, and perhaps you didn't either, existed. I'm not saying that we couldn't live without these things, because we clearly are doing so at the moment.

So here we go:

Freezer Frost Remover - you spray it on and the frost's all gone. Feeling skeptical about this. If it works as advertised, then this would be very helpful. I think the big question is the IF factor. Reasonable priced at $7.00, which in theory is less than a meal at McDonald's.

Just Pump It - it snaps onto your soda drink. Then with a few pumps to the lid, it re pressures your drink. Now this sounds handy. I seldom finish a can of soda, so a lot of the drink goes down the drain. This device came from Pepsi, and costs only $5.00. 

Keeps Urine In The Bowl - as advertised, it keeps urine from splashing down the front and onto the floor. Now, I personally think this is a great idea, and I wish I had known about, while raising 3 boys. Yours for only $19.00.

Headstone Maintenance - who really thinks about this product. In only 60 seconds, you can restore the beauty of the headstone with a quick spray. While the price is more than fair at $6.00, I don't personally know anybody that goes to the cemetery on a regular basis.
 
Chork - a three-in-one eating device for eating foods that generally are eaten by chopsticks or a fork. This device has: a fork; training chopsticks (is that like learning to ride a bicycle); and the finally chopsticks.

Chork - a three-in-one eating device for eating foods that generally are eaten by chopsticks or a fork. This device has: a fork; training chopsticks (is that like learning to ride a bicycle); and the finally chopsticks. 

Automatic Coffee Device - Instead of using those little brown stirrer sticks, now there is a device that mixes your hot drink for you by using a swirling method. How could you possibly not need one of these? Oh, I know, people who drink their hot beverages without sugar or cream! Like me, for instance.

I promise you that there are scores of most useless inventions out there. I have only begun to scratch the surface.

How Do You Get This Sucker Open!

1/9//2019

In 2009, 7 people were killed after using Tylenol that had been injected with potassium cyanide.  Up to that point, your medicines came in regular bottles with regular tops. Easy to open, for all ages.

After the 2009 incident, packaging started to change. Mind you, I know that the new packaging is safer, with childproof tops for instance. The childproof tops are a good thing, don't get me wrong. Problem is, that for me personally, I can't seem to get into any bottle or or those individual pills that you have to "pop" out.

I am confident that Benjamin could open these childproof bottles, but I can't. So I waste time and energy trying to "hack" into my bottles. It's probably a good thing that Jeff puts my pills in those daily boxes. Otherwise, by the time I managed to open the bottles, I would be worn out!

Obviously, if I took fewer pills, then the opening of bottles would take less time. But, to keep my "mentalness" (made up word) up to par, I take pills. Not proud of this, but it is what it is.

Ada who cleans my house came this morning, catching me off guard. Normally, I have the morning to "pick up" around the house.You ladies know what I'm talking about. While they are cleaning the house for you, you want the house to not be too messy. But, Ada came this morning, and I am really not ready.  So, while the cleaning is being done, I'm blogging to all of you. I'll get over the embarrassment that I haven't made my bed, or cleaned the kitchen. The two ladies talk in Spanish, so I have no idea what they're saying, and perhaps I just don't want to know! 

Tomorrow, I'm going to physical therapy to start work on my current head spinning thing. I don't know how they fix this, but I have high hopes that they can. If, they can "fix me", then perhaps Jeff will take me out to a parking lot, so that I can practice my driving, like I did in 2013. I don't really have anyplace to go, but I like the idea, that if I did, I could go.

I'm closing for now, because Ada needs to clean my office. Not there is much to do in here, I have several big pieces of furniture in here, and they take up most of the floor.  

More tomorrow.

P