Some do play nice

While I was catching up in the blogs a few weeks back, I stumbled across an entry at Deanna's entitled b...bu...but we have squirrels! that made me think of a picture I'd snapped just a few days prior. I wasn't going to post it right away because I was in the middle of that meme and I didn't want to interrupt the flow I had going. We all know what happens when THAT happens!

Anyhow, she was discussing why we haven't seen anymore of those squirrelly stories coming from her neck of the woods. It seems that they've taken to bum-rushing the feeders meant for the pretty birdies and hogging down all the seed. The birds don't seem to enjoy this harassment and have stopped coming around.

I'm here to tell you that they can and do manage to share eating quarters very nicely, it all depends on where you're located. You see, for those who don't read Deanna's blog, she lives way out in the Boonie-docks with trees and all that lovely nature around her. The squirrels don't have as much selection in a free buffet there as they do in the middle of town, like where I live. Cul-de-sac after cul-de-sac after cul-de-sac filled with townhouses. It's much like living in a fish bowl. I hate it. Behind us is a strip mall then a busy street and on the other side of that is a big mall. Needless to say, the squirrels gotta get when and where they can and if it means being nice to the birds to get a share, then so be it. It might help that 80% of the birdies here are brown and kinda blend in with the ground... might also help that the Mourning Doves show up in a flock of  7-8 and each one is almost as large as the squirrel. Then again, it might be that one dove that I nicknamed "The Godfather" because of the way the others seem to defer to it. Just sayin'.

There's at least 6, if not 7, assorted birds on the right.

I've got other birdie pictures that I'll post at a later time..... more colorful ones :)

Wasn't that moon gorgeous last night?

After several reminders from the newscasters last night, I decided to haul myself back down the stairs (I had to feed the cat anyhow) and take my new toy out for a "run" and see what it could do on the nighttime setting. My Canon never was able to get a decent shot of the moon and I was hoping that since it (the moon) was going to be closer than usual, it would make things a bit easier. I wish we lived somewhere where we could see the moonrise without all the businesses messing up the view (now a nice church or a single house or something, that would have been cool). I wish I had gotten out earlier, maybe it would have been larger. Meh. These days it's rather painful to get around so I have to weigh whether the results of any trip (whether outside the home or within the confines of the townhouse) are really going to be rewarding enough to make the aches and pains that will result during and after said trip even worth it. However, this event doesn't happen everyday.....

This first picture is shot with very minimal optical zoom. Boy, was that moon ever bright last night! I'm beginning to wish I'd shot a set of these from the upstairs office window too. The new toy/baby (a Nikon Coolpix L110) handled this task very well. So I decided to see what a full digital zoom would get me. I figured that if the first couple shots turned out poorly, that I could give it a second go around with the tri-pod we bought (the more zoom there is, the harder it is to get a good shot when your hands shake a bit so it's a good investment).

And here it is at full zoom and no tri-pod. The only assistance I had was the shed to help brace my arm a bit.

I used a Nikon..... and I LIKED it!

Can't wait until my company comes back in April to re-do his vacation. We're headed to DC for a few days. Museums, zoo, monuments.... it'll be a great test for the new camera.

YAY!!! WE.GOT.SNOW!!!!!

Holy cow, we got another decent snowstorm. If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was back in New York again. The area averages 8" of snowfall in a winter season. As of December's snowfall, we'd already TRIPLED that. We got another 15-18 inches here (some people got more like 20,25, 30 and 35 inches in this storm). Another like this and we might catch up to my NYBro (who told me the other day that they've had a mere 70" this year). I've got the pix in my Flickr account for those that really want to see more, but I'm going to stick a few in the entry that haven't been posted to that account (nor Facebook) yet.

Yes, the snowbunny is very very happy. I spent a good amount of time mid-week til Friday hoping for a good dumping and doing a virtual snowdance in Facebook (by the way, I think I've finally convinced the 1000+ acquaintences over there that I'm sufficiently certifiable). One of my nearest and dearest (who actually lives in state and is in an easy driving distance.... well easy drive sans snow.. from me) has threatened to cut my limbs off. I think she's tired of the snow already.

Anyhow, hubby and I went out to start bailing the truck out so it can be used around midweek (not that we really NEED to shop but a few essentials will need picking up around Wedndesday or so). Everyone in the cul de sac was out shoveling the sidewalks and generally pitching in to get the vehicular transports dug out. It was a very nice feeling....until I noticed some that live at the halfway mark of the cul de sac not shoveling the snow into the yards but dumping it in the middle of the parkinglot! Great, those that live closest to the street ~might~ manage to get out in the next day or so, but thanks to these idiots (who I must guess are assuming the plow will be back to do our lot by Monday *inserts eyeroll*) I doubt anyone living in the dead end part of our area (like us and the cabbies who live 2 doors down and the guy across the sidewalk who owns his own business) will get out much before mid-week. I guess it could be worse. The dude parked 2 spots to our left (in the last spot of the lot) won't be getting out much before July because the plowed snow ends up piled right in front of that particular spot (any farther would put all the snow right on the sidewalk and that pile...well it's a good 6 foot tall...no one's gonna wanna shovel that... plus I'm sure the home association frowns on it, not to mention it's dangerous for the people living in the area). Thanks to the plow I doubt we're going to have any mail pick up until much before July either....

Katy.... sitting near the patio door. Doesn't look like alot of snow, but trust me...she's in the shallow end of the yard! Man, she's really gotta lose weight... but that's fodder for another post.

The snow was so bad that it's wrecked the treeline in the back. There's damage like that all the way the length of the fence. Every time I looked out, another 2-3 trees were down. That one in the center? I HEARD that one go down. There was a loud pop and then next thing we knew *crash*. If it had been another 2-3 feet taller or so, it would have landed on our fence. Not that really would bother me as it's the landlord's responsibility to fix stuff like that. But still, I'd rather they didn't have to do too many repairs while we're here.

Thank goodness I did the laundry before the storm rolled in. That's the door to the shed where the dryer is. I think I'll have to get that bailed out tomorrow, just in case.

PS.... the banner? Yeah that's me...starting to make a snowangel ~smiles~

PSS... not to say that I'm an awesome snowdancer but they're saying we are going to get a bit more snow on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday as well! Iggy, you might wanna bundle up...

Just fragments

I got this award from Yaya. Thank you, darling. I still have no clue why I receieved it. Is it because I still make my rounds to everyone else's blogs even when I'm not writing in mine? For I certainly have not been faithful to my own blog. The decor's stayed the same for a few months now....it really needs to be refreshed.

Now, I didn't see any rules to this award...but only one name was picked (I'm flattered as Im sure there were others much more worthy). Although a good many of my readers really DO deserve this award (and if it isnt presented to you in the next little bit, please feel free to come by and snag it off my blog...I won't mind), I think all will agree that the next person this absolutely MUST go to is our darling, squirrel stalking, OCHA loving, Spongebob infatuated buddy Iggy.
The weather's been really kinda aggravating lately. It can't seem to decide on whether it wants to be cold or warm.Today we have rain and cold. I think in a week or so, we'll be bringing the fans to the storage unit for the season. I think this week's going to be the week I break out the winter gear. I am wondering how much of it is actually going to fit. I suspect, considering my love of t-shirts and other knit items, that most of it'll still fit.

Got a bag of clothing from the friend of a friend again. Seems she's lost more weight. Kudos to her. I had to laugh while I was trying the stuff on, though. The size 24 jeans wouldn't even come up to my hips. Rather depressing, wouldn't you say? Then I tried on the 20s and they came up and over the butt, but wouldn't button...yeah...that's when I started giggling too. Then I tried the size 22s...which turned out to be a smidge too big (and as of today....I can slide them on and off without unbuttoning or unzipping them). Gotta love the fact companies can't be bothered to standardize their sizes.

Heard from my most recent problem child. Things are starting to work themselves out between us. Im still mad at the situation, but I think I've figured out why certain things haven't been said. I still have to deal with the one email but I suspect this should clear up sometime before Christmas. Her and her sister will be moving to another location soon, without THEIR problem child. I suspect things will clear up soon for them once removed from that situation. Also once they're moved, my problem child will be able to finalize her divorce. In fact, I ~think~ the finalization is this coming Friday. It feels like it's been forever, Then again, mine took even longer to get done.

Hubby and I have been fighting illness all through October and the latter half of September. Well, lemme rephrase, HE'S been sick all this time, I've been fine-ish. I've also had several specialist appointments since I last dropped a serious entry. I won't go into them now because they're an entry all and on their own (the podiatrist appointment was particularly ~fun~ ...sarcasm intended). I may or may not cover them, haven't decided yet. I have another specialist appointment later this month so the medical entry may just wait until then.

I've got some pictures on one of the flash drives around here that I've been meaning to share. I caught a shot of a bird a month and a half or so ago that we don't normally see in our area. If I recall, there were quite a few in our little bloggy circle that posted the same kind of bird and I figured that I'd hold off for a bit on it.

If there's any topic that I've brought up in previous entries that you were wondering about (either I didn't an update on or just haven't given enough details on), please leave it below in my comments and I'll see about getting it addressed in this next week or two.

pictures promised

Here are the pictures I promised awhile back.

A picture of hubby and his sister on her wedding day. Such a skinny young thing. He must have been in his mid 20s here and was rocking a Clark Gable-ish look. Well, at least that's what he looks like to me with that mustache he's sporting.

As you can see, the man rarely smiles unless he's threatened.


These last few are of the swords we picked up at that flea market we visited during our TN trip.

Gonna make this one a short entry as we've been out all day and I still have a ride to do and laundry to fold and dinner to warm up. Tomorrow we're going out to do a bit of shopping. I think I'm gonna go load up on some art supplies. I want to paint a couple more of those butterfly pieces but I'm gonna have to fudge them because you can't get the kits anymore. I also clicked a pic on our trip that's inspired me to try something. It may end up like shit, but then it may end up awesome, who knows.

While we're at the craft shop, I'm going to see if they have any of the little plaster kits that I loaded up on at Michael's a few weeks back. I've got several more entries coming up in short order. One of them will look familiar to Dorkys. I figure it'll be a great way to rehome some of the stuff I have here. Cheating, yeah a bit, but it IS stuff I did myself so it counts, right?

just mish mosh

The next grouping of entries is going to be alotta mish-mosh. There really isn't a great deal of anything going on here that's really worth talking about, well except the cops visiting 2 out of the last 3 days. So I've basically decided to dive into the photo files, grab out a few pix a day and just let my thoughts spill.


This first picture is one of those "Itshouldabeenakodakmoments". The little birdies were doing their typical little birdy thing in the parking lot... and then they started fighting. By the time I aimed, zoomed and pressed the shutter button, the argument was over and the one was on his (her?) way out of the scene. I'm going to have to see what I get when I crop the picture down farther. I don't think it's going to be good enough to post though.


Marmie, dear, this one's for you. This beautiful scar is the reason why I fussed you so much in an email recently. It started out really tiny; a little bitty scratch, no more than a nick really. I got it while walking down a metal, outdoor staircase when I was working at a school in New Orleans. I remember feeling it happen and reminding myself that I needed to have it looked at just as soon as I was done with the task I was working on. I should mention at this point that it was 99F outside with just a 99% humidity on top of it so even just standing in the shade you were dripping in sweat. Even if I had cared for it right then, I still might have had a bit of a problem... just not as much as I ended up having. Anyhow, all the moisture generated from moving couldn't have helped the nick out any.

Standard home care for a small abrasion is either hydrogen peroxide OR a benedyne solution to wash the germs and crapola out. Once it's dried, use an antibacterial cream or gel and bandage it up to protect it. Usually in a few days it gets better. This time it didn't. Every day I used the peroxide it just bubbled more and more, never really seeming to get things cleaned out at all. I even took to cleaning it twice a day because running up and down the stairs and having to fill in for the phys-ed teacher...well it makes you work up a sweat. Day by day that scratch got larger and larger and took to dribbling this clear ooze out of it. I had to redo my bandages 3-4 times a day because it was just soaking through the gauze. Worse yet, it was hot to the touch near the wound and my leg was hot pink in color all the way around from mid-calf to the ankle.

The more I fought it, the worse it got and it got to the point where it was quite painful to walk on that leg. It was about this point where my southern-mama stepped in. She is about 3 months younger than my mom and knowing that I was so far away from family, took me under her wing and tried to look out for me as best as she could. In this case, she said I was to call her dr and get an appointment to have the leg looked at...otherwise she was going to throw me down the stairs and send me to the hospital that way. Yes indeed. Considering that she stands a good 4-5 inches taller than me and at the time out weighed me 2 to 1 (and I wasn't a small gal either), I figured it was much safer to go to the dr.

Long story short (I know, too late), the dr said I had a case of cellulitis and put me on bedrest for 2 weeks. I was also assigned a home health nurse to check my vitals and make sure I was doing as I should daily (boy THAT pissed the first husband off when he was told he had to pick up the slack). The home health nurse took one look at it and said that if I had waited another day or two, I would have lost the leg entirely. Yeah. It was THAT bad. So after 2 weeks bedrest, what did I have to show for it all? That scar which is about 1" in diameter on the dark part and 1.5-2" in diameter in the lighter pink area. Yeah.... so please please please....if that knee acts up again? Don't make me toss ya ass down a flight of stairs.





I don't know what it is, call it the mid-life crisis hitting early, or a second (or is it a third) attempt at recapturing my youth, but I've been all about the nail polish lately. Not just any old cotton candy pink shade either. Oh no. Of the 4 shades I have, only one is what I'd deem a "normal" shade. No, Styxie has to go for the purples, browns and blues. Well, more the purple and brown... I'm not so certain I like that blue shade... it needs to be darker. I'm thinking Adam Lambert blue, if I can find it at a reasonable price.

a new toy

Now that it's gotten warmer out, the neighborhood Charlie has been making his rounds and visiting all the yards. This one was shot from across the neigbor's yard. He perched himself up there and I swear he was posing for me (make sure you get my good side!). The yard, I would guess, is about 15-20' across from where I was standing and this little sweetie was sitting. I had my camera zoomed as far as I could to get this shot and still had to crop out alot of the extra junk. I came around the corner of the yard, to close the distance... I even said please... for a nice tight close up and the cheeky little bugger decided to moon me instead (hey iggy, does that tail look familiar? LOL). Distance...about 10'.

I've finally decided and bought the camera I liked best. She's a Canon Power Shot A590 and a real beauty. I took her picture with the old Samsung...sorry that it's blurry. My Samsung is a 4MP and the Canon is an 8MP. Hot day-yum. My Samsung was beginning to take several seconds to warm up and I found it frustrating because I'd have alot of those Itshouldabeenakodakmoments (complete with swearing in frustration at the camera). Plus the lag she had between the shutter clicking, the preview to come up and then prep for the next picture was unreal. My new Canon fires right up and is ready in less than a fraction of a second and the lag-time between pix is ~maybe~ a second or less. I'm totally in LOVE with my new toy.

While I was out on the 16th of this month, I played with my new toy. I was standing at the end of my walk and on the public sidewalk when I saw this red blur go flashing by so I turned, zoomed, aimed and clicked in one smooth movement. That cardinal wasn't sitting still for much of anything. He needs to take some lessons from the squirrel. Ok, so I can't move ~quite~ as fast as I want to, but it was still a decent shot. The Samsung would NEVER have gotten a shot even THIS good.

Then there was this beautiful robin in the tree on their property. Its pic? Im not even zoomed all the way in. That bird is a good 20' or more away from me. All I did with this picture was crop it down some...that's it.

And Charlie? Well look what I got of him! He was maybe 1-2' lower on the tree than the robin. All I did was crop a bit of extra out of the picture. That's it. First he tried playing hide-and-go-seek with me.

And then he decided it was suppertime.

Oh I am SO going to be having fun with this camera! I've had it a bit over a week and already racked up nearly 200 pix on it. Seems this baby has another little battery in it so I dont have to re-do the date and time on it everytime I change the batteries. And speaking of the batteries? I've only changed them ONCE since I got this camera. With the Samsung I need to change them in less than 15 minutes. I'm lucky if I get 10 shots off before I have to change them out.

Just some fragments

This pic and the one below were taken on the 3rd, I think. As you can see, we had some dark skies. There was some wind but thankfully no real storms. You'd think with as dark as it was, I'd be camping out in the half bath downstairs or in "Harry's Closet", but we didnt get much more than a light rain out of it. The above shot was taken while we were coming out of the dr's office. The one below is those trees near the mall.

Even with stores going out of business around here. We still have some expansion going on. In the lot next to the Costco (and across from the mall area with the dr's office) , we've had 2 restaurants open (Chik-fil-a and Panda Express). This Walgreens looks like it's getting close to finishing up and there'll be 2 more smaller stores in the same area (one being a barber).

I saw this tree and immediately thought of The Blue Ridge Gal's post, Wildlife Hunkers Down and just had to snap it. I love how the barest red leaves just stand out against the green of the leaves behind it.

my absolute favorite pic in the whole wide world

Hey look at this... Queenie Jeannie over at Jeannie's Happy World has hit an anniversary on her blog. Congrats!! She's got a giveaway going in order to celebrate. The rules are in her entry, Blogiversary Week - Day One! .

I have so many favorite pictures on my computer but up until a few minutes ago, my absolute favorite only existed in a hard copy sitting in a gold frame on my night stand.

This pic was taken pre-digital camera days with a regular ol 35mm camera. It was snapped by me sometime during our first trip as a couple to meet his folks (I'd only known hubby a few months at the time and was still married to that other louse). I just adore how the love just radiates off of him in this picture.

Yeah, there are 2 garages on the house...you arent seeing things. Both garages hold at least 3 antique cars each.

just some pictures

I took these a few weeks back, just after our last cold snap. I'd meant to post them but by the looks of my edit section, I got sidetracked several times over. They were all taken while we were headed in to Logan's Restaurant for lunch. The retention pond was all frozen over yet they still had the fountains running. The geese were all up on the ice near the main road while the gulls were walking where ever they felt like being. The first shot below was actually the last shot I took. As I was snapping shots of the birds, I heard hubby say "That would make a neat shot". When I looked down I saw these awesome tracks...