My Take On Life

6:36:33 AM EDT

Today is my dermatologist appointment.  That shouldn't be too bad.  Then it's off to the bank to close one account.  I have to do this in person.  Once that's done, I'll be happy.

Michael and I set up a time, last night, to do a Skype call with video so I could talk to Nathan. Well, I don't know what happened but Skype froze and my computer locked up and I had to cold boot the thing.  So, it didn't work out.  I tested it this morning and it seems OK.  I'm emailed him so maybe we can hook up tonight.  What little I did see was very fun.

Does anyone know how to record a Skype video call?  Hmmm, I'll have to investigate.  Maybe I can get a video clip for you.

Speaking of videos, I didn't get the second DVD yet.  Hopefully today.  That's the one I want to use to try and get clips for you guys.  I really want it to arrive while I'm on vacation.  That way I'll have time to fool with it.

Here's some pics of my front yard.  I'll be posting my backyard pics over at the Hippie Farm.

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6:58:22 AM EDT

LOL, just gotta love the subject line.  It will make sense, just keep reading.

I saw the hand Doc, yesterday.  The news is good. The damage I have is soft tissue damage and will take about 6 months to heal.  He told me what I had been doing was the right thing to do.  He gave me some specific exercises to do and gave me a couple roles of Coban to wrap it in. So, that was good news.  I just need keep doing what I was doing and do the exercises. 

Next I went to the check out counter to pay my co-pay.  That should have been $30 but it was $53.74.  I asked why and the guy told me I had a $500 deductible for xrays and injections.  I told him that I should have hit my deductible with this charge.  Remember I paid over $400 for lab work a few months ago?  Anyway, he told me NO.  Seems this insurance had separate deductibles. Xrays and injection deductible is separate from the lab work deductible.  Geez, what a mess. 

I canceled my appointment with the Neurologist because whatever the Doc will want to do I will have to pay for it.  He will have to do an MRI at least and I'm sure there's more he would want to do. MRI will billed under a separate provision with it's own deductible.  You get the idea.  So, I'll put this off for now.

I will be going to the dermatologist tomorrow.  That's something I need to do and there should not be any unexpected charges.

So, that's that for now. 

Next is the Sweat portion of the subject line.

When I got home from the Doc's office I hurried up and got busy outside.  I knew it was going to be a scorcher so I wanted to get started and get as much done as I could.  I got quite a bit done.  I'm not done but I got a good start.

I'll take pics this morning of what I did.  Things were just too icky looking and stressed so I wanted to wait until this morning to give the plants a bit of time to recover. 

You remember how bad my butterfly bush was looking?  Well I started investigating to see what was wrong.  Well, most of the limbs were dead and snapped off with no problem. When I snapped the limbs the problem became apparent.  Seems that ants were living inside the tree.  It was full of them and I believe that's what was killing the tree.  I got rid of the ants and most of the tree was gone.  So, I  removed it and replaced it with another native Maple tree.  This one, I think, will be gold color.  So, I'll have a gold maple and a red maple in the back yard.  Should be pretty and they grow fast.

Next I cleaned out the area under the Magnolia tree.  I moved the Mums and transferred my ailing lilies and iris to the bed.  The bulbs I pulled out I put in a big pot for next season.  I don't know what bulbs I have in the pot so it should be interesting.

I'm not done but it's going to be another scorcher today so I'll be relaxing inside.  Probably planning next week's menu. I'll be posting pics later on but in the meantime here's what I looked like after a few hours in the back yard.  Ain't I pretty?  LOL

That's it for now.  I leave you with a pic of Miss Phoebe. Have a great day, my friends.

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6:10:34 AM EDT

Well, to start my vacation the weather is going to be screaming hot.  But, it's OK.  I can deal with it and I will enjoy my vacation.

This morning I have to go to the orthopedic doc for my finger.  Glad it's a super early appointment.  I should be able to get in and out pretty quick.

Once that's done I'll start doing some work in the back.  Not much, the air is too unhealthy and it's too hot.  But I will get started.

I'll let you know what happens at the Doc's office later on.  So, in the meantime here's a couple of new pics of my furbabies.

Phoebe

Darby

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7:23:18 AM EDT

Not much to tell.  It's very hot and I'm trying not to do anything but stay cool.

Yesterday, I did get to the Natural Foods Warehouse and was able to spend some time and check it out.  It's very nice and they do have a good selection of products.  I picked up several items that I had been wanting to try.  This way I'll know what's good and then order some items by the case, via Amazon.  Anyway, I was surprised that they had no fresh produce.  There was a lot of supplement stuff, health and beauty aids kind of things but they were all natural.

The store seemed to focus on  some staple ingredient items and then a lot of convenience foods.  They had a mix of vegetarian and vegan items.  They also had some meat that was supposed to be organic. I wish they would have had more raw ingredients and separated the convenience foods by vegetarian and vegan.  That would have saved some time in reading the ingredient list of everything. 

Overall it was good and the prices were very competitive.  Here's what I got.

So far everything is quite tasty.  My favorite, so far, is the Late July Organic Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. They are wonderful and you can order them by the case at Amazon.  I will be ordering these on a regular basis. These cookies are Organic, Vegan and Kosher.

Late July Organic Decadent Dark Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, 8.2-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)

That was my excitement for yesterday.  I did get some cooking done.  I also finished up my finances and, of course, the laundry.

I didn't take any pics outside for my weekly post.  That's because I am planning on doing some outside work and I wanted to wait until things were finished and then I will take some pics.

That's about it, my friends.  Check out my latest recipe over at Kitchen Chatter

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5:50:19 AM EDT

Sorry, but the subject line seems so appropriate. You have to be a very miserable person to just live to inflict misery on others.

If I didn't believe in Karma and "What Goes Around, Comes Around" I would really be looking for something ugly to do to our HOA Board members. But, that's not me and I can't waste energy on misery. If I entertain their misery then I will become miserable. That's not going to happen.

You've probably figured out what I'm talking out. Yes, the HOA denied my request for a window A/C and/or Fan. Here's their reasoning for their decision.

Re: Bridge Pointe Homeowners Association, Inc.

Modification Denied

Dear XXX XXXXXX

Please be advised that your Application for Modification has been denied for the following:

- WINDOW A/C UNIT; Please consider turning up the A/C or getting a high powered fan to help circulate air

Please do not commence the work outlined in your application.

The Association appreciates you complying with the Covenants and Guidelines and would like to thank you for your

efforts in maintaining and enhancing your property and conforming to the community-wide standards within your

community.

Don't you love it? They are trying to require me to use more energy (hurting our planet) and spend more money (when the economy is tight). Now you see why I say these folks must be so miserable to try and inflict misery against another person and even our planet. I have to laugh at this. It's really sad and I will not play into their hands. I can't do it, I won't.

I'm not surprised they denied the request. It seems to be their mind set.  Sad, sad, sad. I am so glad I don't get up with an agenda of making other people miserable.

For me, I am enjoying my day. I stood still and watched a young deer walk across the street on my walk to work. I saw the bunny scamper across and even the feral kitty. It was a pleasant morning and today will be wonderful!

Have a great day my friends and don't let the gray clouds of others cloud up your day!

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5:57:27 AM EDT OK, let's get the sad news  out of the way.  The company I work for has decided to eliminate an entire layer of middle management.  Yes it's sad because of the people it will hurt.  Some of you may remember a few years ago when I was being encouraged/pushed to take on this same position. I didn't take it because in my heart I knew when times got tough the middle layer of fat would be sucked out.  I was right.  I would rather be a worker bee and have a job!  It is sad, but I am so happy I did not jump at the chance to get on the "leadership" bandwagon.

For the good news--we hit our release date and it looks like my vacation is going to happen.  One more day and then I'm off for a week.  Work is good and more work on the way.  We've got new clients and the only thing that's slowing us down is some of our clients are being slow in signing off on Statements of Work.  But, it's all good.

Enjoy your day, my friends!


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6:19:18 AM EDT

Talked to my brother and he said I should have the 2nd DVD in about 3 days.  I sure hope so. That means it will arrive while I'm on vacation and then I can work on clipping some good stuff for you. Mike was saying that watching that DVD was like culture shock.  Everyone was smoking in the house and around the kids. Safety helmets and seat belts were unheard of. Mike said it really strange watching it.

What can I say? That's the times I grew up in and no one thought about it. Guess what? I survived!

Anyway, I am sooooo looking forward to seeing that DVD. It's going to be awesome! If this one is like the one I just got I should be able to clip pretty easily. I sure hope so.

Counting down to vacation and I am so ready. I don't mind working but sometimes you have to take time off just to get things done. Sad but vacation time has come down to that. But, just glad I can take the time and get the stuff done. Once my vacation is over it will be full speed toward a deadline.

Technically I shouldn't be taking vacation because of the release schedule. But, I'm pushing the issue this time. No one takes in to consideration that I have not really had any time off and I have accommodated the release schedule and canceled vacation. This coming week is my week and that's that. Well, unless the higher ups stomp their feet.   I think it will be OK.

Monday, I think will be the best day to go to the Natural Foods Warehouse. I have an early appointment with the hand doc so we can go right after that and be there when they open. I plan to get in and out before it gets too hot.

I am excited. I think I'll find a bunch a good things. What I have to do is make sure I do NOT go over my pre-set amount. No debt and stay in the budget. That's a must no matter how much good stuff they have.

That's about it for today.

Have a fab day, my friends!

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6:34:31 AM EDT

How's that for a subject line.

To start off this fine Tuesday I have no update from the HOA.  It's been 5 days since I submitted my request to put a window A/C unit or fan in the side window upstairs.  Our "design" STUPID standards say they can only be in the rear. Well, you know I don't have rear facing upstairs windows.  No word on whether or not the highly esteemed Grand Pubah of the HOA has granted me permission to cool down.  I suspect the goobers will wait until Summer is over.  Gee I wonder what they would do if I waited to pay my dues?  Oh wait, I know!!!  They'll fine me and put a lien on my house.  They are a piece of work.

On to the DVD.  Remember I mentioned that Mom had sent out the old home movies to be made in to DVDs?  She did this at Costco. Well, I just got the DVD in the mail, yesterday.  I popped it in on my really slow computer.  LOL, it ran but I just popped around and looked at bits and pieces.  Too slow to put up with the stop and start.  But, it's so cool and I think I'll be able to grab short bits to share with you.  But you will have to be patient.  I have to do this on my laptop. It's a lot faster.  I'll work on this on my vacation.  The DVD is 1968 - 1979.  Most of it is my brothers but still fun.  For most of this time period I was no longer at home.  But, the next DVD is going to be almost all me.  Good stuff and I will share some of it with you guys.

Next is shopping.  Yes, I am looking forward to going shopping.  Normally I despise shopping and avoid it at all costs.  But this is an exception. I just found out that we have TWO Natural Foods Warehouses just a couple of miles from me.  Check out their website.  It looks like it could be a gold mine. Maybe, if I can, I can take some pics or a video.  We'll see how it goes.

That's about it for today.  Counting down for vacation.  Just pray nothing blows up and I can do all the things I want to do.

Oh one more thing.  What would you do?  Remember my A/C repair on July 5?  I paid for it and paid for an annual maintenance contract.  Well, no call from the company to set up the contract BUT the check hasn't cleared the bank.  Would you call or would you hold your breath and wait until the checked cleared?

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6:20:26 AM EDT

What is it about cats and clothes? It never fails. If I stack up clothes or just have some lying in a pile one of my girls will find it and curl up and go to sleep for the next ten hours.

My girls are no exception. Most of you know they really don't like to be too close to each other. They are grumpy, old ladies. But yesterday they made an exception. They both discovered the clothes box and a stack of jeans.

Here they are enjoying their day. They spent almost the entire day right there on my clothes.

They are a mess but they are my messes.

Not much else to tell. It rained most of the day, yesterday, so I just chilled out and watched a couple of movies I had seen before. But, I love them and can watch them over and over. I watched "Must Love Dogs" and "Steel Magnolias"

This is my last week until my vacation. Next week it's all about Doc Appointments and yard work and just stuff. Nothing much planned but in my head I have a lot I want to do. We'll see how it goes and I promise pics.

Have a great day, my friends.

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6:52:06 AM EDT Yes, the humidity is awful.  I didn't even take my walk yesterday.  I went outside to do a few things and just poured sweat.  My glasses fogged up the minute I went outside. YUCK!  So, I stayed in and did inside stuff.

Next week we're supposed to lose the rain and the humidity.  We'll see how that pans out.

So, I did my cooking and I must say everything came out great.  I posted my Bean Burger Recipe and pics of The Kitchen. They came out great!  I really enjoyed them and they are very easy to make.

Also, if you remember the post I made about Hippopost, I posted an update over at Keep it Cheap.  I received the postcards I created and they really came out good.  I'll be making some more.  It's easy and free!

It's been a week since I had the A/C worked on.  The check has not cleared the bank and no one has called about the maintenance contract. Hmmm, I guess I'll have to call them and rattle some cages.  :-)

Here's some pics of my front and side yard flowers. I hope you enjoy them!


Azalea Hedge


Hibiscus




Hydrangeas


Hibiscus


Hydrangea Up Close!


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