Got a text from Biv this morning, after she called me last night and said she'd be at work today. She's going to the doctor maybe. She's taking the week off. Well, that's okay by me. Glad to know I can plan ahead. :)

Got 4 truckloads of leaves picked up. And boy are my arms tired. Ba dump bump! (that doesn't work does it?)

Definitely have a head cold. blah.

I got my notice telling me my Census form is on its way. I really wish they had more interesting question on the census, like they used to. "Can read or write? Owns a radio (computer)? Alien or Naturalized? How long married?" All that stuff is interesting.

I was looking some stuff up on my cemetery on line, and came across something on Googlebooks. Really cool. It made me think of a guy who had years ago asked for information on a certain tenant at the cemetery. I not only gave him what he had, I went into Boston to the Public Library and went through the old microfilm to find an article about him. The guy was interested in documenting a sward and gun given to this tenant, as he owned both of them. They were Civil War weapons. The guy was very happy with what I found for him and he even sent me some flowers. So on a lark I looked him up on Facebook, and there he was. I sent him a message, and it turns out he's since sold the gun and sward. The shame of it is that they were separated. I would think that anyone who bought them would want to keep them together, but apparently not. Oh well.

We watched the Oscars last night, even let the boy stay up and watch them with us. (yes, he actually did get up for school on time). I don't know who puts this show together, but they are idiots. I like the funny intro, although I didn't think that Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were really that funny. They had a few good lines, but they seemed stiff. The opening number with Neil Patrick Harris was a total dud. They have limited time, and yet they insist on putting on that bunk? Just show some film clips or something, or a montage. I'm also really sick of the interpretative dance stuff. Again, cant we show film clips while the music plays? It really makes more sense to me. And I think it actually goes with the music, where as these dance moves dont.
This year I was at least happy to see that when they did the obits, they actually stayed focused on the people they were supposed to be paying tribute to, instead of the singer who was playing the accompanying music. And I think they did this last year, and it really needs to stop, is that foolishness of having top actors come out and sing the praises of the nominees for best actor and actress. Talk about a waste of time. And honestly, they wouldn't BE THERE if they weren't good actors. You don't freaking need to stroke their egos any more.
They had a montage of horror movies. I'm not sure why. But someone please save Bella from herself. I'm not sure she's going to make it to the end of the Twilight series.

Spring has sprung. My crocuses are in full bloom, a carpet of them blooming beside the house, and today there were even a few honey bees out and about.

Lily went home yesterday. We are once again Dog Free. It's nice to have my couch back.

I think I was going to do more, but my nose is driving me nuts and it's time to hit the Nyquil. I'm sure I have more I'm forgetting. Perhaps tomorrow I can think better.

Not only was it warm enough for the leaves to be raked, but the ground wasn't a bowl of soup like I expected. So considering today felt like spring, I raked. And raked. And... well you get the idea. Got a good chunk done, ready to be picked up when the real spring gets here. I couldn't pick up anything now if I wanted too because I have nowhere to dump them, the pit is flooded right now and any attempt to dump there would doubtless eventually involve a tow truck. So we'll just skip that. I have other thing to do too, and guess what, it's still winter. Memorial day is still a few months off.

I tried to get back on the DU site, but guess what? The page wasn't found. Oh yeah, that's just great.

I was looking at a stone today while raking and noticed that the it said "twin" and I looked at the dates. One son was born and died in the same year as the date of birth of the twin. Sad, but it was nice that they noted that he had a twin brother. I think they were born in 1895, long before neo natal care.

So, who wants to buy a Toyota? Anyone? Anyone? Well, you CANT! Boy, as if they (the car companies) weren't having enough problems.

Pernell Roberts died. "Who?" you ask.  He was the eldest brother on Bonanza, and also played Trapper John in the series Trapper John, MD.
RIP Adam. Its' off to the Pondarosa in the sky.

Wolfgaar will like this. I got an email from my SIL about a  photo of a rock formation in Birmania. The formation, at certain times, has an amazing reflection in the water if you look at it horizontally. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/4/1/5/6/ar118307693265148.jpg&imgrefurl=http://activerain.com/blogsview/134486/amazing-photo&h=348&w=584&sz=37&tbnid=QqkEvDthg3j_DM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbermania,%2Bphoto&hl=en&usg=__9U12C53m4LZsUGo2LgM6DpybUfw=&ei=RKVfS8v8AcuXtge7upHtCw&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&ved=0CA0Q9QEwAA

NPR had an interesting show on about Bail Bondsmen. They have been doing a series on the whole Bail system, and how it hurts people and costs the taxpayers millions. It was interesting. One of their arguments is that it unjustly targets the poor. Of course I have to say that if these people, poor or not, didn't break the law... well, they wouldn't need bail now would they?  It does sound like the system, like so many others, desperately needs to be overhauled. The thing with the bail bondsmen was just ridiculous in some states. I cant even explain it, but the state gets screwed and loses money. And its because they allow it.

Got to go get me some Big Love.

My headings for entries used to be inspired by what I was writing, but these days I don't seem quite so... creative.

Today we took the boy and my nephew to see Avatar. It was vivid, fun, action packed, and... well, it's been done. So Dances with Wolves, with shades of Aliens (even had Sagorney Weaver (sp?)) Typical characters. Yes, the guy with the scars will be the bad guy. Corporate greed vrs. tree huggers (literally). There were a few plot holes, but it was fast paced for the most part. I'm still waiting for the Legacy of Heorot movie. Now that would make a fun 'alien world' movie. With the way computer animation has developed, there isn't anything they cant do. There was a preview for a new Clash of the Titans movie. I didn't see Bobo the owl. I'll always love the Harry Hamlin version. I'm a sucker for claymation. Comes from all those 50's movies. Just loved Jason and the Argonauts.

Life without Biv is kind of lonely. But trust me, I'll get used to it. I have my scanner on to keep me company. This week I took out the transmission to one of the riding lawn mowers. I only needed to call my brother once for help getting the wheel off. It's amazing what a little rust can do to freeze up metal. My brother showed me a trick to get the wheel off. Prybar and hammer. Worked like a charm. He told me not to tackle the transmission myself, that he'll take it apart. Seeing that he does that kind of thing, and has worked on the other older mower at home, I'll gladly let him. Although I wont learn anything by letting him do it, the chances that it will run again outweigh the learning experience I might get. But I would like to know how it goes. Oh well, maybe I'll look over his shoulder.

Biv texted me today looking for some money. I had overpaid her two weeks ago, so I had to take out some extra in last weeks check. I told her why. She must have run out of money, so she was scrounging for possible cash. I explained it to her again. I'm sure I'll have to explain it again. She originally said she would wait til pay day to get her last day's check. That would have been tomorrow. I mentally bet that she would be asking for it on Tues. I was wrong. She called Monday. Ho hum. She is supposed to be making some extra money shoveling, but it hasn't been snowing. Maybe that will change this weekend. Otherwise, I expect her to show up at the cemetery looking for any work I can think of.

A few days ago someone on Mourning_souls posted photos of a sculpture in a cemetery that was really stunning, so I thought I would share. If you want to see their pictures, you can go to the LJ site http://community.livejournal.com/mourning_souls/733134.html or you can go below and see another entry with some history about the sculpture. It's really an amazing piece.
http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/american_studies/puddy.php

I went to the store tonight and according to my receipt at one store I saved $304.94. Which means I spent $139.97, but everything was super on sale. I got a new coat for Himself, because he's too big for the one he's been wearing for 3 years and double jackets just isn't cutting it in this cold. That was on sale for 1/3 the original price. Not too bad if it lasts him another 3 years. I got my brother some sheets and a blanket, and gloves for Himself too. Damn he keeps growing. A sweater for my step dad and some coffee for the house and BIL. And, if that doesn't do it for you, I 'earned' $20.00 back, which I can spend after Christmas. That's two more boxes of coffee, or whatever. Not too bad. Oh, and I had my 30% off coupon. Which I can go back and use till Christmas.
The coat and blanket were made in China, but he flannel sheets were made in Turkey. I just assume it's all made in China to be honest. There really just isn't anything much made here. Why is the economy not going to really improve? hmmmm, let me think about that.

So Biv is going to be 'laid off' after Christmas. Actually before as she has a seasonal job just before the holidays. I'll call her in for funerals, but I guess she's going to collect unemployment. I'm not thrilled about it. No one's collected unemployment at the cemetery in over 20 years. I don't know what it's going to cost the cemetery as far as charges next year. But god knows we've contributed enough to the fund that we shouldn't have to worry about it. But the state will have it's blood. Anyway, she plans on coming back in March or so. I'll be glad to have the time away from her. I need to think. Of course it all depends on the funerals.

Ryther and I ate at Chipotle last weekend. I've been meaning to say how HORRIBLE I thought it was. It replaced Baja Fresh, which we really enjoyed, and which closed down unexpectedly over the summer. Both serve Mexican food, but Chipotle is so bland, and so boring. I won't go back. And the interior of the restaurant is depressingly industrial. And the funny thing is it tries to boast about being green, that the stuff they use in the decor is 'green' because it's reused or something. Guess what? If you really wanted to be Green, you would have re-used the interior that was there before. Duh! I'll be interested to see how long it lasts.

It's very cold and windy here. It was 20' this morning when Himself went to school. It dropped to 15' by the time I got to work. And the wind is very, well, windy.

My brother gives me an Amazon gift card and all I can think to buy with it is a dish drainer and a new phone battery? Yeah, ho hum is right. Although really, if you saw my dish drainer....

My cell phone batter has been getting less and less able to keep a charge lately. I have to keep the thing on all the time (although I should turn it off at night, I'd just forget to turn it on again) for the last year. It was much better when it was off all the time. lol

Today's Biv adventure was that she bought a card to recharge her phone, then realized the card hadn't been activated (although she thought she paid for it), lost the card so she couldn't get her money back... called me in a panic, which is when I realized my phone was dying, then called me later to say all was well. As it turns out, she had bought a Hallmark card at the same time as her phone card. The Hallmark card rung up at $25.00 instead of $2.50. Her phone card was supposed to be $19.00, so she walked out thinking she had paid for both, when in fact she had only paid for the overpriced BD card. So in the end, she went to the card wrack and brought back the same card and sure as hell, it rung up at $25.00. So she got her money back, the phone card getting lost didn't matter in the end, and all is well. Til the next time anyway.

I was outside the bank yesterday talking to 'the competition', another cemetery Supt. We were commiserating about crazy mourners. He has it worse than I. They bring lawn chairs to his cemetery. I told them it will pass. He was also saying how their records are so messed up and the only person who understands them is very ill. I told him he needs to get someone to put them on a simple computer program and alphabetize them. It would be better to do it now while the person who knows them is alive. I doubt they will. One thing I am so glad about our cemetery is that care was taken to make the records search able, and that has only improved in the time I've been there. One of our former Superintendents used to say he had it all in his head. Well, that's all well and good while he's alive and remembers, but not so good when, as we all do, he died. And boy did he screw some things up.

Today was cold, with a stiff wind. Very glad to have dug the grave yesterday. Oh, and guess what, another funeral came in. Fancy that. I was going to dig it tomorrow but decided to wait to do it so I don't have to reload the truck. Forecast says rain on Sunday, not snow. I hope so. I'm kind of pinning my hopes on that. It's supposed to warm up a bit too.

I put up plastic on three windows. I was hoping to not have to do it before the windows were replaced this year, but no such luck. And with that wind, the house is cooling off very fast. But the tape has been working pretty well, and I have some strong back up tape that works well to give it a bit of extra hold. Two more and I'll be done. I could feel the cold on the back of my head last night even though I taped the seams of the window. And the walls are very cold too. Time for some tapestries I think.

Ryther was home sick again today. I still have a tickle in my throat. I pushed the snow blower in today and thought I was going to have a coughing fit. My lungs are not up to par. Himself went to school and seems to be getting over it.
Ryther's grandfather is sick in the hospital, and not doing well. At 94, what can you expect. It seems to be touch and go, good one day, bad the next. His kidneys are failing so it's only a matter of time really. They wont' put him on dialysis, he wouldn't and didn't want that and he's loosing his mental facilities too. Poor guy. And with us all sick, we cant even safely go up to see him.

I need to go to Amazon and see what else I can buy. I need to get some Christmas shopping done this weekend. And get our tree up.

Mrs Moose finally updated her myspace, twice in one day. I'm still kind of shaking. I also noticed that since Facebook changed it's settings, I can read some of the stuff she has posted there. Kind of funny. She'll block it after she reads this... oh, no she doesn't read this, I forget. lol
I guess she still plans to move, esp. now that the government has made them comfortable with its payments to her husband. Well worth it it was for him to get 'blowed up'. Neither of them will ever have to work again, or so she thinks. And she bemoans her former boss's work ethic, putting job before family (taken with a grain of salt, but not a good philosophy, I agree) but I wonder how she will feel when the kids are gone and it's just she and her hubby at home, with no one but each other? I know some women love being at home, and I think they go kind of nuts too. Most people need to interact with others to expand their world. I knew a woman who was the quintessential 50's housewife, a thing Mrs. Moose aspires to be. But in her latter years, she was merely a parrot of her husband, who had gone to England in the War, flown, worked, etc. Listening to her repeat his words was maddening. I wonder if that will be Mrs. Moose's fate? Retelling her father's and her husband's war stories, with a million "I could have beens".

I got a card from Grafix1da last week, and when I saw it in the mailbox I thought it was from Mrs. Moose, because they are both from the same town. And in my mind I was thinking "she said she ripped up the last thing I sent her, why would she be inviting me to reply to her again?" As it turned out, she hadn't. Too funny.

Ryther got me a four station bird feeder thingy mabob for my birthday. It has four hooks on one main shaft so I can hang (you guessed it) four feeders. I bought a finch bag, and food for the feeders I had yesterday and filled them last evening. This morning I had at least six different kinds of birds out there. I thought it would take a few days for the birds to 'find' the food, it usually does. But not this time. There was an army of sparrows, two doves, a blue jay, female cardinal, two titmice, one chickadee, and a squirrel on the ground. I put the feeder not far in the back yard so I can see it easily from my window. The only problem is when the window freezes up.

Biv called in sick again. Her first message indicated she had been on the toilet all night. I texted her back that she could stay there and I didn't want what she had. Next message said she thought it was female issues. Whatever. I thought that was last Friday's reason, but wait, no, that was the flu. She said she might be able to come in for part of the day later. I'm thinking, no, I don't think I need to hear her whine and complain if she's sick. Honestly, I'm not her mother, and I don't want to be. She texted me later in the day that she was going to the doctor, I suppose trying to gain sympathy for getting a paid sick day. Or should I say another. But alas all must be well, as she is going to be in in the morning. Well see. Really, I just don't care.

We (meaning the cemetery and I) finally got a call for a funeral. We've gone about 2 months without a burial. We did have one cremation in between. The longest we've ever gone is three months, and boy does that make you nervous. A: it means money gets tight, and B: it means there is going to be an avalanche of funerals. It's just the way it goes. When it rains, it pours.
So we (the Supt. and I) did the dig today because we could and the temps are supposed to be very cold tomorrow with wind. Not something I want to be out in if I can help it.

I got our order of wreaths today and put them up. There are only 14 to do, and one I have to take over to my grandmother's grave in another cemetery. I'll try to do that tomorrow morning if I can. Before Biv arrives. I'm trying to think of ways to put miles on the truck so I can go back and get the damn sticker. 100 miles could take me forever to get to, and five tanks of gas too! Damn V8.

For some reason my raspberry tea is just horrible tasting tonight. It's almost like there is saccharine in it.

The place I get the wreaths has a petting zoo out back. It's a new feature. But when I went out there, all the animals (burros, turkeys, goats and who knows who else) were in their stalls because their 'yards' were full of water, one of which was like an open sewer. It was rank to say the least. Yeah, that's what I want to see, farm animals cooped up in water logged enclosure or damp pens 10x10. Honestly it makes me ill. It's not humane or healthy to keep animals in those conditions, and you want your kid going in there to feed them? I don't think so.

I bought my Christmas tree too. Small one this year, as we might have to move it if the windows arrive before the thing comes down. Might be nice to have a small tree for a change. Every year by the time Christmas comes and goes I cant wait to get the damn thing (which I so love at first) out of the house to have my small space back.

I's still feeling a pinch sick, something in the back of my throat, and now I notice other tooth issues that are cropping up, although my wisdom tooth and my cheek seem to have worked out their differences for the most part. I still can't open my mouth all the way. Can you get lockjaw from a wisdom tooth? Don't answer that.

Well, Thursday was record heat here, 69' and today we get our first snow of the season. Although it's more slush than snow it looks like.

My mother came down yesterday so we went to dinner with my brother. I left Himself home alone since he's still sick as am I, but less so. Or I'm just and adult and I can suck it up for a few hours where as he'd be all slouchy and annoying. Anyway. dinner was yum.
This morning after the papers (which we let Himself sleep through) I went to an estate sale with my mother and aunt. I have to remember to go back tomorrow at about 2 and see what's left. I bought a long handled small shovel, an edger, and an ax and a clamp for $15.00. The tools were well worth it and I almost grabbed a rock rake but didn't. If it's still there I'll take it.
The people who lived in the house I guess died and all their stuff is for sale, what didn't get chucked in the trash. The dumpster outside was filled with 'stuff' that was deemed not salable. So sad to see family photos in the trash, personal things that someone should have taken. Heck, even some of the photo's would be wanted by someone, as I can attest to by what shows up on Vintagephoto. Makes me want to go dumpster diving big time. Like I need someone else pictures.
Whoever owned the house took very good care of their stuff. They had a workshop in the pristine cellar with wood craft stuff. The wood was all in bins. I wonder what he made? The tools were in very good condition. There was one item on a shelf I didn't know what it was. It was round and had a dial (in a square box) and there was a needle or some kind of arm to record something. It looked to me like some kind of seismograph. There were boxes of refill disks next to the devise. No price was on it. I would like to know what it was. The disks were round too, like it recorded like a record plays. It was only about 6 inches square. Strange.

After that we went to see my brother's new puppy. My mother had not been at my father's house (divorce does that) in about 30 years, so she wanted to look around and there were some pictures that she wanted to see, the wedding album that my father had gotten or taken, which didn't have all that many pictures in it. I was a bit put out watching her pull photos out of the bunch and confiscate them without so much as asking if she could have them. I am sure my brother and I wouldn't mind her having some of them, but it might have been nice if she could have asked, since they actually do belong to us now. I'm not sure how she would feel if I went to her house and just started taking things. She actually did start going through my father's dresser! I'm thinking "what the hell are you doing?" I asked if she was looking for something. She said money I think. Like, um, we haven't checked for money yet? And like um, even if we hadn't, it wasn't her place to look for money in my father's house. I'm sorry if the divorce was bad, and she felt ripped off, but that's water under the bridge, and 30+ years. And no, she wasn't left in the will. It was kind of creepy, and my brother and I exchanged some "WTF" looks. Well, I guess I wont be giving her any more tours.

Also on the subject of pictures, my aunt and mother visited their cousin last weekend and she wanted some pictures of my grandfather's mother. (you still with me?) My aunt had given me a box of pictures a few years ago to scan, which I did, and I gave them each 3 CD's of the pictures. I tried to give back the box, but my aunt didn't want them at the time. Now neither of them claim to have gotten the CD. I can make more copies, but they wont know what they did with those ones either I'm sure. My aunt said she's take back the pictures (which is good because I don't really have room for them, even though I worry about what she will do with them. But they are hers, not mine. I just wanted copies for everyone.

We also went to Job Lot today and I found a few useful items. Lots of disdained China items to avoid, but a few 'treasures' which are probably also from China. Why are we unemployed again?

Biv was out on Friday. I took the opportunity to pick up some leaves (well, I was going to do that with her anyway) and found that the top of a dead tree had come down. So I had to get the chainsaw and cut that up. My mother was a bit freaked when I told her I was using the chain saw. Yeah, I try to be extra careful, but I know bad things can happen, esp. with trees under strain. But it has to be done. Can't call a tree guy for ever big branch. At least I don't have my father waiving it around while I hold the wood for him to cut. That was always a thrill.

I'm still sick, but I think the cold is breaking up. My hearing has returned, but the coughing fits are here. Cant laugh, its just too painful. Himself has a very sore and swollen throat, but not much of a fever. I think he has to get the strep test tomorrow just to be sure. This has gone on too long and he's prone to getting the strep. I hope it's just a sore throat, but I cant tell. Now wouldn't it be nice if our health care covered the minute clinic at CVS, and I could just go down the street? Yeah, right.

I started painting the picture for my 'sister in law' for Christmas. Hopefully it will get done and have a chance to dry. I'm working in the cold cellar. But at least I have it set up with a nice light, so that's not an issue.

Well, it's off to Facebook then some TV time.

Ever wonder what we could make out of leaves?
We've been mowing and blowing them at work. It's been a remarkably dry fall. I know that because the leaves are still dry and fluffy. Even the ones that were once mowed and piled up are still very dry. That will change tonight..

Biv took half a day off today to go to another job. She works at this other place around the holidays, which is fine with me. I had half the day to myself.
When I went to get lunch, I saw a guy walking down the road who looked a bit odd. He was carrying a bottle of Vodka and a bottle of Gateraide. I was expecting to see him at the cemetery eventually, because I know he hangs out there since I've found those two bottles multiple times. I didn't see him, so either he never made or went somewhere else.

The wind has also been odd these last few days. Usually it tends to blow toward the east. But the last few days it's been consistently blowing SW. So with dry leaves and a good wind, I've tried to round up as many leaves as possible. But as usual there is just never enough time.

My mother and father in law are going to Italy tomorrow. I hope I at least get a T-shirt. Maybe a post card?

Did I have a comment? I'm sure I did.
Himself stayed home today with an upset stomach. But no fever, although he did have a headache later in the day. He seems fine, ate dinner and was 'starving' so if he is okay in the morning, he's going to school. My cousin on FB is in a quandary about this whole 'keep the kids home' thing. The schools don't want them in if they seem even normal 'cold' sick, stuff you would normally just tell your kid to suck it up and send them with some tissues and a warning to cover their mouths. After all, a cold can last a week or more at times. What are you going to do, keep the kid out for a week? And with the schools being such sadists on getting work done, including homework even if you are sick, you might never get the kid caught up. And there are issues of missing too many days and having to do some kind of summer school or not getting credit. You can't win. They need to either make exemptions this year, or face having a good chunk of kids fail this year.
So far the body count is one girl down the street has an on again, off again fever, next door has an ear infection, and mine has a stomach flutter. It's going to be a long winter at this rate.

And they are talking about some snow for Thursday? But I don't know where or how much. I don't like any talk of snow yet. I have leaves to mulch and move.

Speaking of sick, Biv has been sick for the last two days. I think she should stay home, but she craves the money, little that we make. I always feel it's better to work than to stay home if you have something minor. Getting moving usually helps. When you are really sick and run down, well, then you should stay home and sleep and recover. I don't know what stage she's at. She's on antibiotics and pain killers for some kind of lung infection or bronchial thing. I picked her up Monday morning and she was like a radio that someone just kept changing the channel on. Then she said she had had two Tylenol with codeine. Well, that explains it.

The breakdown of equipment continues unabated. Thursday while trying to get the small blower started, Biv let go of the pull cord and it snapped back, hitting the plastic choke leaver. I tried to glue the parts together, but no go. Now to start it, I'm going to have to take off the air filter ever time and manually move the choke closed and open. Just to start cold. Not a big deal, just a pain in the ass.
And today, the push mower I brought in from home because I use a reel mower now, had the pull cord break. Biv had just been pointing out yesterday that it was worn a bit from the way the handle moves up and down just a smudge (great engineering Craftsman, let me tell you) it was rubbing against the hole it went in. I didn't realize just how frayed it was, and when I went to pull it, zing, the rope snapped and the rest of it went right into the machine. Now I can spend another few hours taking That apart and trying to get a rope for it. MOG, I need more work.

Well, I need to relax and put my feet up and let my brain veg a bit. I finished the second Sookie Stackhouse book, Living Dead in Dallas. My neighbor gave me The Red Tent, which is a fictional account of Dinah from the Old Testament. She said it was really good, so I'll take a break from vampires and sleuthing and read about under appreciated Biblical women.

That was me. I called the dist. manager about a customer who is habitually late paying. She now owes us $55.00. She got it up to $50 a short while ago, but then paid $30., but has since let it go back up. I had called the dist. rep previously and he said to tell her the paper would be canceled, so I wrote that on her pay envelope. I hate talking to people. She has never been friendly so I don't want to bang on her door and demand money. I just want people to put out the flipping little envelope that I give them. She never once returned the little envelope, she always got her own. People are dumb. Anyway. Last week after I had written that the paper would be stopped if she didn't pay, she let four papers built up on her stairs. I took that as an "I don't want the paper anyway" message, since I knew she was home, her car came and went. I called the manager again and told him how much she owed and that the papers were now piling up. He said no problem, he'd call it in and cancel the papers. Or perhaps it's just a stop. He mentioned something about giving me a credit for the $ she didn't pay. I'm not sure how that works, but it would be nice. Now if she want's to restart, I hope she will have to pay the paper directly. Then she can pay them every 3 months or 6 months which is what she was doing to me in the first place. And she never tipped either. Good riddance.

Biv didn't come to work today. It annoys me but then at the same time it's a relief. I took a good long look at the riding mower. It was very low on trans. oil. I filled that, hoping it would stop the noise, but it didn't. And I realize I have no forward or back for gears. So I am thinking something in the transmission went. Mother of god, what next? Well, that's it for that mower for the season. If I have to take the transmission off, that's going to be a winter project. One for when Biv is laid off. I was looking at a John Deer tractor today. Only $97. a month I think it was on credit. It's a thought. The tractor looked decent. Something I think I could work on if if I needed to. Just one more thing to spend money on.

This morning I dreamt that I was buying a new mattress, and that they were giving me 75% off the price because our old mattress hadn't lasted 2 years. Yeah, I know I was only dreaming, but it was nice.

The truck went over to the shop today to get the freeze plug taken care of. Well, guess what. Engines have more than one freeze plug. And all of them were shot to shit, plain and simple He showed me the ones he took out, and they look like over sized bottle caps that were left in the ground for 50 years. The only thing holding the fluids in must have been the corrosion. And while he's replacing the ones he can get at, there are some he can't get to higher up on the engine (don't ask me where, I don't know). He's hoping that these ones are not as bad since they are higher up, but he's also keeping the radiator cap a twist loose so that pressure doesn't build up too much and burst anything. I'm going to ask if it's something that I should get done at a later time, or just wait it out and watch for leaks again. Sigh.
Well, it's an old truck, what can I do?
He said it will need brakes in about a year, given how little we drive it. I might have that done over the winter too. We'll see.

Biv wanted an advance on her earnings today...

Winter weather had given way to spring again. The news said that because we've had three hard frosts, that there was no more threat from EEE this year. Tell that to the mosquitoes I've been killing today. It takes more than a few frost to kill off the bugs for the year. They aren't stupid, they go where it's warm, pockets of warmth in the grass or near a house. Then the next warm day, they are back again. Our cat has brought in two ticks just in the last week, while we haven't seen any on him all summer.

Some of the trees at the cemetery are looking beautiful, but many are still green as can be. We've got a ways to go yet.

I'm tired, my legs are tired. We went for our two mile walk for the first time in perhaps a week. Outch. Amazing how fast those muscles shrink back up. Must be the rain. I also had my art class tonight, so I was standing for an hour before I realized I just had to sit. The it downed on my that I was also weed whipping today, which I have not done in a number of weeks, so those muscles were sore. All in all, a good night to hit the hey early.

We did a 'teacher's pick' picture tonight, that while not finished, I don't totally dislike. I had gessoed over a picture from last year that I actually kind of liked, but I knew I would never finish, so why bother?
I have two pictures to post that here. I'll get to it eventually. Next week is our pick. I want to do a picture of my brother's dogs for his girlfriend's Christmas gift. I've never painted dogs, so that will be interesting. I need a better photo though. I'll have to get on him for that.

Wed night is sculpture. I'm really enjoying that. I'm going to try to remember to take a camera and take a picture of it. I'll post that too if I remember.

Tomorrow the truck goes over for it's freeze plug and motor mounts. Then we have a dig on Thursday so I hope it's all back together by then. Keeping fingers crossed.

I was just getting out of the car when Terrie Gross on Fresh Air was interviewing someone about water pollution. Maybe I'll try and catch it on line so I can depress myself. That's one thing we can give the Bush administration some real credit for it sounds like, totally not giving a shit if businesses dump poison into your drinking water. Yeah team. I guess that's the flip side of the Liberal, nanny state thinking. Whatever makes the most money.

They changed the cat food bags again. It's like it's a joke now.

Well, that's all my brain can recall at the moment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8302476.stm
Like being buried in a giant Coke machine. Press B7 to visit grandma.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/12/crimesider/entry5378668.shtml
Sweat Lodge Death Investigation Turns to Self-Help Guru

When I read this, all I could think of was Mrs. Moose and her motivational speaker web site. I wonder what qualifications this guy had that ran the sweat lodge, and if he was merely a better bullshitter than Mrs. Moose?

This morning I walked into the garage to the overpowering smell of gasoline. I immediately thought that the tiny fuel filters that I had replaced Friday had leaked over the long weekend. Not so. I had to call my brother to find out the cause, which I described to him. There was no gas near the line, but it was all over the muffler and the floor. He said to take out the spark plug and if it was wet, then the float? in the carburetor or the needle? probably got stuck, letting fuel pass by over the weekend, flooding the thing. I now have to change the oil and I'm hoping my brother can once again help me out. He's taken apart a billion carburetors in his life I'm sure. I'm not even sure how to get this off. I don't want to disconnect the wrong things. I know he's taken apart a similar mower at the house, so I'm hoping he knows what to do. God damn this shit is getting old. And I'm not exactly referring to the mowers, but they are too.

I have an appointment to get the trucks motor mounts and freeze plug done next week. I hope I can get it in then with no problems. Want to start taking bets now if I do or not? Don't tell me my odds, I already know them.

My neighbor caught me the other day and asked me if I had reported Biv as a new hire. I told her I had, back when she started, and she asked if the state was getting money out of her check for child support. I said she's never had any kids. And my neighbor told me she did have a child with a guy they know, but that the kid was taken away because she was on drugs. I again said that it must be her sister that he dated, because I know the sister has multiple kids by different guys, and was on drugs for a while and almost lost the kids. She insisted it was Biv, so I said I'd 'inquire. Now mind you, Biv has always said she's never had kids, doesn't think she wants any, etc. and has also, regardless of the track marks and the heroine chic look, said that she has never used hard drugs and has no use for them. So today I mentioned the guys name and asked if her sister dated him. No, she said she had. So half the story my neighbor heard just confirmed true. Now, I assume that my neighbor knows the guy she dated, or this wouldn't come up, so I assume also that there is a young man who someone gave birth to that he has custody of. But somehow I just didn't really feel like it was my place to ask her if she had a kid and lost him to drugs. It would, quite frankly, make her out to be a total liar. And I don't think she would admit to it to be honest. If she was on drugs and cleaned herself up, well, that's great. If she hasn't, and honestly, I can't tell you if she's still using or not. Then it will catch up eventually. And if the child isn't her's, I don't want to be the one accusing her of it. I'd like to know more before I said anything. Besides, the truth usually comes out eventually, I know that very well. I don't see any reason to push the issue. I'll just file that away for now. It's interesting if nothing else.

Himself and I went to the movies with Himself yesterday. We had originally planned to see Zombiland, but after looking at the preview on line, I determined that it would probably be a bit to intense for Himself, and maybe me. I'm not too big on scary movies. Neither is he, although he's fascinated by them. lol He still wanted to see a movie, so he suggested Informant, which is not a 'kid' movie. He had read good things about it in the New Yorker. I watched the trailer and decided it looked pretty funny. We both really liked the movie. It was not the kind of stupid comedy my son usually loves. It was not "Don't Mess With the Zohan". It was comparable to "Catch Me If You Can." I'm really happy that I can watch a somewhat sophisticated movie with my 13 year old and he'll get it. There are times when I worry about his attention span, but obviously he does have one. Of course his friend at school saw Zombiland this weekend an has persuaded him that it's not that bad, hardly scary at all. Dad can take him if he feels the need. I know there will be repercussions if he sees it. I know.

Solve one problem, get another.
I ran the mower this morning, keeping and eye on the belt and pulley, and seemed to have no problem. Then later I went to another section and was mowing fine. I thought I felt the mower lose some power, but then I realized I didn't have the throttle up, and again was fine. Then suddenly, out of the blue, it just sputtered and died. Like the gas had been shut off.
So, not being a mechanic, I'm kind of without a clue. It turns over, but won't catch. I let it cool off, and still no go, I soaked the plug, so I took that out and have a new one to try in the morning after I let everything dry out. I need to get a two new fuel filters, which might be on tomorrows list of things to do. My brother is going to stop by at lunchtime for something else, so maybe he can give me some ideas. Lordy lordy, I just cant seem to get ahead. At least it's the end of the season, not the beginning. I'm wondering what an engine for these mowers would cost, if I can even get one. I mean, heck, the mowers are only 19 or so years old, I can't imagine why they wouldn't work right.

I just read that the RMV will again be sending out reminders about license renewals. They will use email or texting or something like that. Wow, can they afford it? I wonder what caused them to change their minds. Could it have been the loss of revenue? LOL!

NPR had something on today to wrap up the series on Bowl and Board in Cambridge. They had declared bankruptcy and were trying to pull it together, but in the end, they decided to do a chapter 7 liquidation. Pretty sad. But that's the way things are today. No one is buying.

I also read a few days ago that the company that made the concrete railroad ties for the rail lines around here, which are falling apart but are guaranteed, has said if the state tries to collect on the warranty, they will simply declare bankruptcy. Stellar!! Let that be a lesson to you. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Gives a whole new meaning to the term 'warranty'.

On a lighter note, last night was my first sculpture class. I really enjoyed it and did far better than I expected. Got the gumby figure finished. We have a live nude model, which took a few minutes to get used to, but she's very professional. I'll post pictures when I'm all done, assuming my lady doesn't blow apart in the kiln.

Well, I could debate more on the death penalty or animal cruelty videos, but I think I'm going to get ready to watch House with my hubby.

Oh one last note, I know I mentioned cross contamination with Facebook and Mr. Moose. Well, guess what? Either he got his hand caught in the cookie jar and Mrs. Moose made him quit, or he did flip when he saw that we had shared friends, because suddenly he has vanished from FB, just when he was starting to get a few friends. Funny that.

With rain predicted all day, I told Biv not to come in, and since my brother was able to simply pop out the middle of the old pulley and replace the middle of the new one (did I tell you that story, about my pulley with the modification that won't work? Part #X should always be the same as the first part #X, don't you agree?), I was able to spend the day in peace and quiet taking the bed off the mower, then taking the pulley off, and finally replacing both belts so they are all new and set to go. I took it out for a quick spin and mow and it seemed to be working fine. I'll have to keep an eye, or nose, out on the belt to make sure it doesn't do the same thing. I don't know what caused it to wear out the last one. Nothing had changed on the pulley, and it still turned, but the belt had been riding up higher on it apparently because the top lip was worn off completely, and then when it started riding the shaft, it wore the belt out completely so it snapped, or so I presume from what I see on the shaft and pulley. Plastic pulleys, great idea.
In the process I also bashed my thumb. Just after I got the glove on the other hand too, figures. I know my neck is going to be stiff tomorrow from working on the creeper, but I feel really good that I got it done. And it was so nice and quiet, except for a few interruptions.

This weekend we had Ryther's cousin over. Ryth's parents took in the Aunt and Uncle, we took the B. and Brother in Law took the other cousin and her husband. It was only for Sat and Sun night so we gave up our bedroom and moved in with Himself upstairs on the air mattress, which was actually more comfortable than our mattress from Hell in our own bed. Well, after we retired to bed last night, I was lying there and heard some creaking noises, though neither of us were moving. And then another creak. And then when I sat up, I felt my bum hit the floor. We were losing air. I informed Ryther who decided it was something he could ignore if he just went to sleep. I on the other hand was not going to sleep on the floor. I tried a few blankets, but that just wasn't cutting it. So I gave him the option of staying there or taking the couch. He said he couldn't sleep on the couch, so I went down and took the foam pads under the couch pillows we use to prop them up, and brought them up to Ryth, then went to sleep on the couch. I slept. Not well I think, but I slept.
All in all, I will be glad to get back to my own bed, even with the mattress from Hell. I have a new appreciation for it.

Next in the list of things to spring a leak, I took the truck to get gas today and when we got back from that and doing a few other things, I noticed a puddle of antifreeze dripping from the engine compartment. I knew this was coming, there had been little spots of antifreeze on the garage floor over the last year, but I wasn't sure if it was from the hoses or the radiator itself. Well, I think it's both. But right now, it's mostly the radiator. So I called my brother and he called and ordered a new one, and he hopes to get over and replace it tomorrow sometime. God, my brother is a saint sometimes. I'll cut him a check from the cemetery for his efforts, it will be well worth it.
Of course I have to wonder why everything seems to be going all at once, but I know that with the truck at least, it has to do with repairs that have been too long delayed.

Last night I was invited out to the Fours with some of the neighbor women to celebrate another neighbor's birthday. I drove my next door neighbor (since I don't drink) and we didn't see anyone there we knew when we got there. The place was packed. A few minutes later another neighbor arrived, and we plowed forward into the bar area to try to find more of our friends. Around the other side of the bar we found some more people we knew and we settled there to wait for people and a table.

Let me tell you, the last time I can recall hanging out at a bar was when I was a kid and we were with my father waiting for pizza and drinking coke with maraschino cherries in them. This was WAY different. It was packed for one thing, and there was such a predatory feeling in there. That's the only way I can think to describe it. Like everyone was sizing everyone else up. All the time. It was weird. Bars are definitely not my scene.
Eventually we got a table. By that time my ears felt like they had wax in them. It was very loud at the bar, although I was able to follow a few conversations if I focused. One woman there was telling us about how flowers that she leaves on her recently deceased best friend's grave are always being stolen. I tried to talk to her about it to give her some suggestions, but she didn't seem to be in the mood to listen. I think she just wanted to bitch, which is ok, and I also think the drink didn't help. I did tell her to call the police. A lot. She said the cemetery had done that, and I said, YOU have to call. Be a pain in the ass. Get more patrols. 'The squeaky wheel gets the grease' as my art teacher always said.

One of the conversations at the table was about kids and drinking, and the recent survey done at the high school that indicated that parents are still supplying kids with alcohol, on the theory that they would rather have them drink at home than out on the road. Of course the question with that is, are they letting the kids stay over and sleep it off? Are they monitoring the amount of drinks the kids are getting? Are they monitoring the behavior of the kids that are drinking, ie are drunk kids doing other things in their house like having sex. The legal implications are pretty heavy. Quite simply if something happens to a kid you served alcohol to, you can be screwed.
Anyway, this led to a discussion about teaching kids about responsible drinking, letting kids try alcohol rather than let it be the 'forbidden fruit' that they go crazy about in High School and College. Also a discussion of alcoholism and who in the family has been affected by it. One woman's brother is in a nursing home for the rest of his life (he's in his mid to late 40's) because he drank so much he can no longer tie his shoes. He's basically done. It's a scary thing to deal with when you know that the tendency to be an alcoholic runs in your family. I don't drink because I saw what my father was like, and my mother at times. And I know just from my own personality that I tend to overeat if I like something (although I guess I'm not as bad as my aunt, who will down an entire big bag of M&M's in a chocolate fit, and yes, she's a recovered drinker)). I know that if I drank, my personality would be mean and nasty. So I don't. And looking at my son, I worry what he will be like if he decides to drink. I can only stress to him what it did to his grandfather, and hope that he can see his father's example of limited drinking and hope he doesn't choose to drink.

The other thing I noticed last night was how many people bring their drinks into the bathroom, both men and women. I can almost see a woman bringing a drink into the bathroom, what with the whole date rape drug thing (almost), but a guy bringing his drink into the bathroom? Wouldn't anyone just wait until they were DONE with the drink, then go to the bathroom. I mean, the bathroom at the Fours was nice, really nice, but it's still a bathroom. GROSS!

But it was fun night, all in all. I however would like to eat at the Fours rather than drink.