The first hot and muggy weekend of the year. We've had warm days, yes, but these are the sorts of weather days that foreshadow (for me) the worst part of the year.
Yes, that's right. I said it. Summer is my least favorite time of year - I do not enjoy hot temps. Any time the mercury rises over 70...that's it, I'm out. Dry heat, muggy heat, it doesn't matter. Heat is meant to cook food, not people.
Yesterday was quite enough, and today is going to push me over the red line. Right over the edge. Past my limit. Oh my, and there are three solid months ahead now of 'summer' heat to come.
I'm melting...melting.
Send bags of ice, please.
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
5.25.2020
5.24.2020
What a funny week
I finally took some time off - and I mean really took time. Using the first of my accrued vacation days for the year, and had every intention to drive to mom's for a visit, but due to restrictions being lifted, and the influx of selfish drivers on the highway, coupled with a weekend holiday...it made sense to remain home instead. Sad but true.
The first day of my self-inflicted furlough boasted a scheduled doctor visit (which was harder than hen's teeth to get). I found one of my freckles had gone rogue around two - maybe three - months ago, becoming red and itchy, tender and flaking. But what really concerned me was the way it mounded where it used to be flat. It took a failed attempt at a virtual call with a doctor, and for her to realize I was saying I have a reason to be seen and not just virtually heard, that culminated in an actual face-to-face meeting...thankfully.
I worked Monday through Thursday afternoon, then gleefully ran out the building for a long, five-day weekend. Yes, that's right. I had scheduled the equivalent to a work week of days off, and whether I lazed them away, or crammed every nook and cranny full of needful activities had yet to be seen.
Here we are now exactly halfway through my break, and I can honestly say it's looking like a solid mix of good intentions has become 70% 'laze' and 30% 'gave it a good shot at accomplishment.' [insert laughter here] Do I have high hopes of bettering the outcome on the 'getting-something-done' side? Mmmmm...I dunno.
Anyhow, back to the doctor visit.
After looking at the bugger on my forearm, the doctor shared my concern and decided it was best not to leave it in place. He quickly set up to perform a "punch biopsy," and we got down to business. The photo shows one day after the event. I was told to change the bandage, perhaps clean it up a bit; no scrubbing, but a sudsy rinse, air dry and application of antibiotic ointment before covering again.
Mission accomplished.
In between the biopsy and this morning I bought a new riding lawnmower and cut 5/6ths of the front jungle, washed one load of laundry, cleaned a small section of the garage, searched the internet for stuff, paid bills, chatted with both of my sons (and my mom), and baked a bit. I still need to get to the grocery store for cat food, milk, more flour, fruit and salad items, orange juice, and one or two other items. Let's see how well I do today.
The end of this coming week will find me at the doc's office to have the sutures removed and (hopefully) learn the down-low on the creature he carved out of my arm. This particular morning began dark and wet, but the sun is currently shining and I see no reason not to try and free up more space on the garage floor - do you? But first I believe I will look at the weather forecast to see if it's changed for the better or stayed the same.
What are you up to today?
The first day of my self-inflicted furlough boasted a scheduled doctor visit (which was harder than hen's teeth to get). I found one of my freckles had gone rogue around two - maybe three - months ago, becoming red and itchy, tender and flaking. But what really concerned me was the way it mounded where it used to be flat. It took a failed attempt at a virtual call with a doctor, and for her to realize I was saying I have a reason to be seen and not just virtually heard, that culminated in an actual face-to-face meeting...thankfully.I worked Monday through Thursday afternoon, then gleefully ran out the building for a long, five-day weekend. Yes, that's right. I had scheduled the equivalent to a work week of days off, and whether I lazed them away, or crammed every nook and cranny full of needful activities had yet to be seen.
Here we are now exactly halfway through my break, and I can honestly say it's looking like a solid mix of good intentions has become 70% 'laze' and 30% 'gave it a good shot at accomplishment.' [insert laughter here] Do I have high hopes of bettering the outcome on the 'getting-something-done' side? Mmmmm...I dunno.
Anyhow, back to the doctor visit.After looking at the bugger on my forearm, the doctor shared my concern and decided it was best not to leave it in place. He quickly set up to perform a "punch biopsy," and we got down to business. The photo shows one day after the event. I was told to change the bandage, perhaps clean it up a bit; no scrubbing, but a sudsy rinse, air dry and application of antibiotic ointment before covering again.
Mission accomplished.
In between the biopsy and this morning I bought a new riding lawnmower and cut 5/6ths of the front jungle, washed one load of laundry, cleaned a small section of the garage, searched the internet for stuff, paid bills, chatted with both of my sons (and my mom), and baked a bit. I still need to get to the grocery store for cat food, milk, more flour, fruit and salad items, orange juice, and one or two other items. Let's see how well I do today.
The end of this coming week will find me at the doc's office to have the sutures removed and (hopefully) learn the down-low on the creature he carved out of my arm. This particular morning began dark and wet, but the sun is currently shining and I see no reason not to try and free up more space on the garage floor - do you? But first I believe I will look at the weather forecast to see if it's changed for the better or stayed the same.
What are you up to today?
6.23.2019
OK, Mother Nature...keep it up
No, seriously - don't stop. I like drizzle now and then, and no hot temps.
Summer can stay permanently in the wings as far as I am concerned.
To the rest of you warm weather weirdos...tough nuts!
Summer can stay permanently in the wings as far as I am concerned.
To the rest of you warm weather weirdos...tough nuts!
1.29.2019
Don't ask
How does that work?
I was bundled to the max. I had a scarf in place OVER the hoodie, and over the secured-under-the-chin-and-totally-zipped-up jacket. Cold air was not getting in, so how - how - did a chip of frozen windshield snow find a chink in the impermeable layers?
I felt that minuscule frozen menace the moment it began to pinball down the front of me; and I mean past the defenses of the knotted and tucked scarf, to inside the coat and hoodie. It never even hit my chin or grazed a cheek. Amazingly, it sailed unimpeded over the neckline of my t-shirt to somehow bank inextricably to the area of my unsuspecting decolletage. From there it began a free fall of epic proportions, even though it should have (by all rights and scientific data) melted upon entering the realm of my mid-life-lady-hot-flash-mixed-with-the-steam-bath I created by layering.
But it didn't.
I was scraping the window of the Duke like a woman possessed, thinking to myself how odd it was that I actually felt pretty comfortable out there in the sub-zero stuff, with an approximate windchill of negative twenties+ (or is that 'negative twenties minus'?). The wind was blowing, and luckily I found I was on the right side of it, and the churning ice storm I created was whipping away from me.
Then, just at that moment, the breeze stopped....and it happened. That pimple of ice sailed undetected across the car and impossibly enough into my coat, where it tumbled under the t-shirt, from my chest, to my abdomen, to - I would swear - straight towards my bellybutton. Before that happened, I raised my arm against the intrusion and squished the crumb of moisture. My! but that was cold.
And as shocked as the sudden cold against my skin was, [shh, don't repeat this to anyone] it was bracing-ly refreshing.
Bbbr-r-r-r-r....no more of this extreme cold stuff, if you please.
I was bundled to the max. I had a scarf in place OVER the hoodie, and over the secured-under-the-chin-and-totally-zipped-up jacket. Cold air was not getting in, so how - how - did a chip of frozen windshield snow find a chink in the impermeable layers?
I felt that minuscule frozen menace the moment it began to pinball down the front of me; and I mean past the defenses of the knotted and tucked scarf, to inside the coat and hoodie. It never even hit my chin or grazed a cheek. Amazingly, it sailed unimpeded over the neckline of my t-shirt to somehow bank inextricably to the area of my unsuspecting decolletage. From there it began a free fall of epic proportions, even though it should have (by all rights and scientific data) melted upon entering the realm of my mid-life-lady-hot-flash-mixed-with-the-steam-bath I created by layering.
But it didn't.
I was scraping the window of the Duke like a woman possessed, thinking to myself how odd it was that I actually felt pretty comfortable out there in the sub-zero stuff, with an approximate windchill of negative twenties+ (or is that 'negative twenties minus'?). The wind was blowing, and luckily I found I was on the right side of it, and the churning ice storm I created was whipping away from me.
Then, just at that moment, the breeze stopped....and it happened. That pimple of ice sailed undetected across the car and impossibly enough into my coat, where it tumbled under the t-shirt, from my chest, to my abdomen, to - I would swear - straight towards my bellybutton. Before that happened, I raised my arm against the intrusion and squished the crumb of moisture. My! but that was cold.
And as shocked as the sudden cold against my skin was, [shh, don't repeat this to anyone] it was bracing-ly refreshing.
Bbbr-r-r-r-r....no more of this extreme cold stuff, if you please.
12.26.2018
Not a day late, just the day after
Yup, yesterday was Christmas, and I managed to keep from uttering 'the phrase" to all but two people, - so, I feel as though I've achieved almost complete hermit status.
All of my cards made it out of my hands and to their recipients (at least I hope they made it to their destinations), but Karl dragged his feet and missed getting one of his (I say three, he says one) out the door and on the way. Not a bad average
Karl and I each took a turn speaking with mom, but I truly wish she were here - or, at the very least, much closer. it would make visiting easier. I am aware she doesn't want to leave her beloved northern tundra, her moose and deer, and that icy lake, but I think it's time to get her south of the bridge. Much as she dislikes living in the land of the trolls, she should be moving into closer proximity to the bulk of her sibs and kinder - sooner rather than later.
We had dinner at the kids' new home in Holly on Christmas eve; it was fairly low-key, and the meal was delicious.
Just in case you are behind the eight ball, Brian and Angels bought a condo - not too far from their old apartment - and it's a world of difference in size and sounds and smells. Needless to say, the honeymooners are happy in their new digs, and the pets are settled in, too. Bud will need to look a little harder to find work with a decent income in that direction, just to keep from having to drive great distances in his old car, but that was the decision they made.
No complaint here, but an observation: it's been a 'warm' season so far - between Thanksgiving and Christmas - and the weather peeps are calling for more of the same... and warmer! With the bulk of winter ahead of us, I wouldn't mind a bit of this sort of thing lasting the next month or two. Yes, I do prefer cooler temps to warmer ones, but you take what you can get, right?
The twins are doing well: Booker is far more playful again, so hopefully I can get Karl to play along when I am at work and keep Book moving more to rid him of some chunky monkey pounds. Even a Maine Coon can be too large. And Odin is doing better intestinal-ly speaking. He remains rambunctious and Odin-rific, keeping Booker jumping with his spastic antics; and the FiV is well off in the background for the time being.
OK, so I've covered all of the bases for the time being. I was trying to be informative and still keep from being too verbose; practice makes perfect, or so they say. For now, I am going to tidy up a bit, then plunk myself in a chair and sort through some old papers and balance the bank account against the statement! In the background I will binge on The Great British Baking Show, starting at the first episode. Yes, I've seen them all before, but it's enjoyable (tasty) viewing, and well worth a second screening. From there, goodness knows what I'll do, but it will be in the house and not out and about with throngs of people or crazy 'me first' drivers.
Oh, there is one item of note which I didn't go into, but it will keep for the time being.
Blessings to one and all, and safe travels to those on the roads or in the air ~
All of my cards made it out of my hands and to their recipients (at least I hope they made it to their destinations), but Karl dragged his feet and missed getting one of his (I say three, he says one) out the door and on the way. Not a bad average
Karl and I each took a turn speaking with mom, but I truly wish she were here - or, at the very least, much closer. it would make visiting easier. I am aware she doesn't want to leave her beloved northern tundra, her moose and deer, and that icy lake, but I think it's time to get her south of the bridge. Much as she dislikes living in the land of the trolls, she should be moving into closer proximity to the bulk of her sibs and kinder - sooner rather than later.
We had dinner at the kids' new home in Holly on Christmas eve; it was fairly low-key, and the meal was delicious.
Just in case you are behind the eight ball, Brian and Angels bought a condo - not too far from their old apartment - and it's a world of difference in size and sounds and smells. Needless to say, the honeymooners are happy in their new digs, and the pets are settled in, too. Bud will need to look a little harder to find work with a decent income in that direction, just to keep from having to drive great distances in his old car, but that was the decision they made.
No complaint here, but an observation: it's been a 'warm' season so far - between Thanksgiving and Christmas - and the weather peeps are calling for more of the same... and warmer! With the bulk of winter ahead of us, I wouldn't mind a bit of this sort of thing lasting the next month or two. Yes, I do prefer cooler temps to warmer ones, but you take what you can get, right?
The twins are doing well: Booker is far more playful again, so hopefully I can get Karl to play along when I am at work and keep Book moving more to rid him of some chunky monkey pounds. Even a Maine Coon can be too large. And Odin is doing better intestinal-ly speaking. He remains rambunctious and Odin-rific, keeping Booker jumping with his spastic antics; and the FiV is well off in the background for the time being.
OK, so I've covered all of the bases for the time being. I was trying to be informative and still keep from being too verbose; practice makes perfect, or so they say. For now, I am going to tidy up a bit, then plunk myself in a chair and sort through some old papers and balance the bank account against the statement! In the background I will binge on The Great British Baking Show, starting at the first episode. Yes, I've seen them all before, but it's enjoyable (tasty) viewing, and well worth a second screening. From there, goodness knows what I'll do, but it will be in the house and not out and about with throngs of people or crazy 'me first' drivers.
Oh, there is one item of note which I didn't go into, but it will keep for the time being.
Blessings to one and all, and safe travels to those on the roads or in the air ~
1.01.2018
Really, 2018?
Not guilty! I did NOT say - or even think - "what else can happen?" Did NOT say or think, "it can't get any worse/how bad can it get?"
I let 2017 wimper on out and ignored the midnight tolling of the bells. And this is the thanks I get.
We are going visiting today, and I asked Karl to jump into the shower while I punched down the bread dough and parsed it into the baking pans for its second rise. I had a load of laundry going and was feeling pretty content.
I heard the sound of water, but it didn't register that the sound was a bit out of the ordinary for the washer (downstairs). Nope, I chalked it up to Karl in the tub. (yea - no arguments or demanding or repeating myself for a change).
Then Karl breezed by and headed to the lower level to check on the wash - thinking he would take it out of the washer and get it into the dryer, in hopes of wearing one of the dress shirts in the load. This day was getting better and better.
Then Karl yelled up to me, "Is the floor supposed to be wet?"
Nope, oddly enough, it isn't supposed to be wet.
How fast do you think I flew downstairs?
It looks as though the pipe that the washer drains into froze... that is to say, whatever standing water was in it from the last wash before this extreme cold snap. The sound I heard and did not identify was that of the water splashing about at high pressure and fanning out on the wood floor and soaking into the insulation underneath. At least, I am HOPING the drain pipe is the issue.
Damn it!
Well, at least the bread smells good in the oven.
I let 2017 wimper on out and ignored the midnight tolling of the bells. And this is the thanks I get.
We are going visiting today, and I asked Karl to jump into the shower while I punched down the bread dough and parsed it into the baking pans for its second rise. I had a load of laundry going and was feeling pretty content.
I heard the sound of water, but it didn't register that the sound was a bit out of the ordinary for the washer (downstairs). Nope, I chalked it up to Karl in the tub. (yea - no arguments or demanding or repeating myself for a change).
Then Karl breezed by and headed to the lower level to check on the wash - thinking he would take it out of the washer and get it into the dryer, in hopes of wearing one of the dress shirts in the load. This day was getting better and better.
Then Karl yelled up to me, "Is the floor supposed to be wet?"
Nope, oddly enough, it isn't supposed to be wet.
How fast do you think I flew downstairs?
It looks as though the pipe that the washer drains into froze... that is to say, whatever standing water was in it from the last wash before this extreme cold snap. The sound I heard and did not identify was that of the water splashing about at high pressure and fanning out on the wood floor and soaking into the insulation underneath. At least, I am HOPING the drain pipe is the issue.
Damn it!
Well, at least the bread smells good in the oven.
10.15.2017
A brief recap
...followed by (no doubt) a lot of extra catch-up stuff.
Hello, once again!
I did say that entries would be hit or miss for a while, and I did promise (myself more than the lot of you) to try and be more upbeat in my writing, too (but that was all, what... over a year ago?). So, here's me, feeling a bit more buoyed and a tad more hopeful in sharing a somewhat cheerier self.
The job market may be on the uptick, but employers seem to be stuck in 'stupid mode'. I am stuck in the data entry job I won back at the beginning of 2016; come early January I will have been there two years. While immensely grateful to have the job, I need a place to work with a job that will allow me to do what it is I can do, very well, and to the benefit of my employer.
No, I do not have a Bachelor Degree, but what the heck would an administrative position require of a BS? The expectation of employers for job seekers to hold sheepskin that will never be used on the job is asinine. Try hiring someone with years of experience, not years of schooling.
Other things -
I've been s l o w l y working a high protein, low-to-no grain, limited ingredient moist food into Odin's wet helpings over the last several months. It is the same 'hi-pro, lo-to-no, LI' food we are feeding Booker, and the hope is to eventually be able to wean Odin off of his very expensive prescription food and have him eating a more easily obtained (and more affordable) diet. He may always have to have his special prescription crunchy chow, but my thought is he will be able to handle an over the counter canned food by the end of the year! So far, so good. His intestines are processing it better than before. and if we see an issue with his body not being able to adjust to an increase at any time, the amount fed goes backwards until he stabilizes and his poos are back to normal.
The only real trouble is keeping Odin away from Booker's crunchy food, and Booker from eating any of Odin's kibble.
The twins are also bonding in big and little ways. Odin walked up to Book, who was reclining on the floor, they sniffed one another, then Booker lowered his head just a bit and Odin licked the big fella between the ears. Much more of their romping and play is also being done in full view of us humans, too.
Karl is doing well enough in his ethics course, but must get moving with the one long writing assignment he has. The first deadline is quickly approaching, with no wiggle room to speak of.
We are walking a little more regularly (Karl and myself), which is a very necessary activity. This past week I arrived home after work to find Karl had left the house on his own! He walked to a friend's house, roughly ten blocks away, and then on to the dollar store - over a mile away... in one direction!
A few weeks back I fell down some stairs in a workplace stairwell, spraining my right hand and ankle, and bruising my left hip and buttocks; it was an amazing bounce down five steps. I am no longer wearing the wrist brace, but still massaging the wrist and thumb. I've even begun stitching on my CQs again!
Yesterday was one long, rainy day. I'm not certain about how much of the state received rainfall, but my house was rained on from 8AM until midnight, with a forty-five minute break right around 8:30PM.
Maybe you could let me know what's happening in your life.
Hello, once again!
I did say that entries would be hit or miss for a while, and I did promise (myself more than the lot of you) to try and be more upbeat in my writing, too (but that was all, what... over a year ago?). So, here's me, feeling a bit more buoyed and a tad more hopeful in sharing a somewhat cheerier self.
The job market may be on the uptick, but employers seem to be stuck in 'stupid mode'. I am stuck in the data entry job I won back at the beginning of 2016; come early January I will have been there two years. While immensely grateful to have the job, I need a place to work with a job that will allow me to do what it is I can do, very well, and to the benefit of my employer.
No, I do not have a Bachelor Degree, but what the heck would an administrative position require of a BS? The expectation of employers for job seekers to hold sheepskin that will never be used on the job is asinine. Try hiring someone with years of experience, not years of schooling.
Other things -
I've been s l o w l y working a high protein, low-to-no grain, limited ingredient moist food into Odin's wet helpings over the last several months. It is the same 'hi-pro, lo-to-no, LI' food we are feeding Booker, and the hope is to eventually be able to wean Odin off of his very expensive prescription food and have him eating a more easily obtained (and more affordable) diet. He may always have to have his special prescription crunchy chow, but my thought is he will be able to handle an over the counter canned food by the end of the year! So far, so good. His intestines are processing it better than before. and if we see an issue with his body not being able to adjust to an increase at any time, the amount fed goes backwards until he stabilizes and his poos are back to normal.
The only real trouble is keeping Odin away from Booker's crunchy food, and Booker from eating any of Odin's kibble.
The twins are also bonding in big and little ways. Odin walked up to Book, who was reclining on the floor, they sniffed one another, then Booker lowered his head just a bit and Odin licked the big fella between the ears. Much more of their romping and play is also being done in full view of us humans, too.
Karl is doing well enough in his ethics course, but must get moving with the one long writing assignment he has. The first deadline is quickly approaching, with no wiggle room to speak of.
We are walking a little more regularly (Karl and myself), which is a very necessary activity. This past week I arrived home after work to find Karl had left the house on his own! He walked to a friend's house, roughly ten blocks away, and then on to the dollar store - over a mile away... in one direction!
A few weeks back I fell down some stairs in a workplace stairwell, spraining my right hand and ankle, and bruising my left hip and buttocks; it was an amazing bounce down five steps. I am no longer wearing the wrist brace, but still massaging the wrist and thumb. I've even begun stitching on my CQs again!
Yesterday was one long, rainy day. I'm not certain about how much of the state received rainfall, but my house was rained on from 8AM until midnight, with a forty-five minute break right around 8:30PM.
Maybe you could let me know what's happening in your life.
11.01.2014
I have to laugh
Look at it outside. Really....look at it!
Sunny, gorgeous blue sky, and yeah, breezy. Gusty, really, but hey - it beats the crap out of yesterday. Steel grey sky, windy as the ef-word, and that whole rain/snow mix ("snain").
And unbelievably enough, those little trick-or-treaters were out in droves. DROVES. More bunches of kids passed by the house last night in the first hour - garbage bags and all over their sad lil' costumes - than have been down this street over the past two...maybe three years combined!
Couldn't even tell you who looked more miserable - the parents standing at the ends of the driveways, escorting the mini demonites, or the actual candy beggars. Doesn't matter. I'll just bet the lack of houses giving out candy along our stretch last night sharply curtails what we see bopping down the street next year.
HA!
Sunny, gorgeous blue sky, and yeah, breezy. Gusty, really, but hey - it beats the crap out of yesterday. Steel grey sky, windy as the ef-word, and that whole rain/snow mix ("snain").
And unbelievably enough, those little trick-or-treaters were out in droves. DROVES. More bunches of kids passed by the house last night in the first hour - garbage bags and all over their sad lil' costumes - than have been down this street over the past two...maybe three years combined!
Couldn't even tell you who looked more miserable - the parents standing at the ends of the driveways, escorting the mini demonites, or the actual candy beggars. Doesn't matter. I'll just bet the lack of houses giving out candy along our stretch last night sharply curtails what we see bopping down the street next year.
HA!
5.27.2014
Idiot weather man
He gestures to his little screen and tells us our high today was 86*F, but our record high for this day is 91*F (set back in....well, whenever it was set).
"As you can see, nowhere near close to that record high."
Are you kidding me?! That's only a five degree difference. YES, that's close. Close enough!
Moron.
"As you can see, nowhere near close to that record high."
Are you kidding me?! That's only a five degree difference. YES, that's close. Close enough!
Moron.
3.11.2014
Aw, c'mon...really!?
We just finally managed to find a bit of lawn poking through the snow, and now there is another storm barreling down on the mitten! Predictions are it will be here starting in the wee morning hours Wednesday.
Really? Couldn't hold off until Thursday...or Friday, even?
*ga-a-a-a-aah, gack*
Really? Couldn't hold off until Thursday...or Friday, even?
*ga-a-a-a-aah, gack*
10.13.2013
What a nice break from the routine
Yesterday was about as glorious a day as could have been - and is the reason I love fall in Michigan. The weather in Michigan is about as perfect as could be asked for; and the colors slowly turning on the trees (and other deciduous plants) casts such a lovely painterly effect across everything, how could anyone not revel in the fall season?!?!?
After teaching a class Friday evening, I hot-footed it up to Jean's for an overnight girl-gab-and-sewing-session, which became a jaunt to East Lansing on Saturday for sushi with the adorable, wish-we-had-one-like-him boyfriend of one of her daughters. Jean began the day by making us berry smoothies at breakfast :) then her sister, Anne, drove down from Traverse City to join us Saturday, and brought lunch with her - and it was delicious! Freshly homemade pita bread with homemade chicken salad (including spinach and homegrown basil), AND homegrown tomatoes to top it off! Soooo tasty! Thank you, Anne!
We ended the day with sushi for dinner and voila! "Perfect" doesn't really even come close to describing the whole thing. [contented sigh]
I drove home after that to work with Karl on his essay. He needs a lot of pushing and pulling and cajoling, and I hate feeling as though I abandon him (even though I know he needs to be more independent overall). When it comes to sinking or swimming, even though I know I give it my all, I still feel somehow that I push Karl under with a stick if I don't help lead him to shore (with regards to homework).
Anyway, we made a little progress before turning in last night, but now I feel like I could have stayed and played one more night with the girls and gotten Karl to about the same place today if I'd come home after breakfast instead of last evening. Ah well. If nothing else, at least I got the cat box cleaned out (and the puddle off the floor). That was necessary, too.
After teaching a class Friday evening, I hot-footed it up to Jean's for an overnight girl-gab-and-sewing-session, which became a jaunt to East Lansing on Saturday for sushi with the adorable, wish-we-had-one-like-him boyfriend of one of her daughters. Jean began the day by making us berry smoothies at breakfast :) then her sister, Anne, drove down from Traverse City to join us Saturday, and brought lunch with her - and it was delicious! Freshly homemade pita bread with homemade chicken salad (including spinach and homegrown basil), AND homegrown tomatoes to top it off! Soooo tasty! Thank you, Anne!
We ended the day with sushi for dinner and voila! "Perfect" doesn't really even come close to describing the whole thing. [contented sigh]
I drove home after that to work with Karl on his essay. He needs a lot of pushing and pulling and cajoling, and I hate feeling as though I abandon him (even though I know he needs to be more independent overall). When it comes to sinking or swimming, even though I know I give it my all, I still feel somehow that I push Karl under with a stick if I don't help lead him to shore (with regards to homework).
Anyway, we made a little progress before turning in last night, but now I feel like I could have stayed and played one more night with the girls and gotten Karl to about the same place today if I'd come home after breakfast instead of last evening. Ah well. If nothing else, at least I got the cat box cleaned out (and the puddle off the floor). That was necessary, too.
10.05.2013
The only certainty about MI weather
The only thing certain regarding Michigan weather is that it is never a sure thing. NEVER!
Here we are, nearing the first full week down in October, and the weather is a balmy mess. Last several days have been 80* (or near eighty), and each morning for the past four days I've awakened to discover that rain had fallen sometime in the wee hours. This morning it was still gently falling, and I know the temps will rise once more into the eighty-degree range.
None of this is a complaint, just stating the facts, ma'am.
The trees (and other leafy green things), on the other hand, are as confused as they can be. Makes me wonder what the prognostication for the coming winter weather is, and how winter will actually roll over us this time around.
Guess time will tell, but for now may I suggest we all get outdoors and start enjoying what's left of summer! The weather could't be any more perfect. For my part, I will be teaching two classes today, deep inside a large building, with no outdoor contact. [sniff]
Here we are, nearing the first full week down in October, and the weather is a balmy mess. Last several days have been 80* (or near eighty), and each morning for the past four days I've awakened to discover that rain had fallen sometime in the wee hours. This morning it was still gently falling, and I know the temps will rise once more into the eighty-degree range.
None of this is a complaint, just stating the facts, ma'am.
The trees (and other leafy green things), on the other hand, are as confused as they can be. Makes me wonder what the prognostication for the coming winter weather is, and how winter will actually roll over us this time around.
Guess time will tell, but for now may I suggest we all get outdoors and start enjoying what's left of summer! The weather could't be any more perfect. For my part, I will be teaching two classes today, deep inside a large building, with no outdoor contact. [sniff]
8.27.2013
8.23.2013
Go figure
Got up this morning and the temperature in the house was a little chilly. It wasn't horrible by a long shot, but decidedly cooler than I would have thought the boys would let it get. Of course, when I wandered down the hallway to turn the fan off I found their bedroom ceiling fans still turning (against house rules), and both of them cuddled under the summer-weight blankets (and anything else they could find) on their respective beds. HA!
Their rooms are right under the attic fan we use to cool down the house, and over the last few days (and throughout this heat wave) we have utilized the lovely old beast to its full potential. Bliss!
Still, I can't understand (even after several discussions) why neither of them flipped the switch on the fan once they began to shiver sometime during the night; nor why they left their ceiling fans on; nor why they didn't simply slide their windows shut while they lie in bed freezing.
Go figure.
But I'll go you one better. I got up to 'fix' things, and found I needed to turn on the floor fans in the lower level and in the living room despite the lovely 65*F throughout the house. Without the circulation happening from the large attic fan, I was not as comfortable as I would have thought - even with a steady sixty-five degrees!
Go figure....indeed.
Their rooms are right under the attic fan we use to cool down the house, and over the last few days (and throughout this heat wave) we have utilized the lovely old beast to its full potential. Bliss!
Still, I can't understand (even after several discussions) why neither of them flipped the switch on the fan once they began to shiver sometime during the night; nor why they left their ceiling fans on; nor why they didn't simply slide their windows shut while they lie in bed freezing.
Go figure.
But I'll go you one better. I got up to 'fix' things, and found I needed to turn on the floor fans in the lower level and in the living room despite the lovely 65*F throughout the house. Without the circulation happening from the large attic fan, I was not as comfortable as I would have thought - even with a steady sixty-five degrees!
Go figure....indeed.
8.07.2013
You Nancy Sinatra devotees will get the musical reference
"...and then I went and spoiled it all
by sayin' somethin' stupid like...
...the weather's been nice."
[kicks over a chair on the way out of the room]
by sayin' somethin' stupid like...
...the weather's been nice."
[kicks over a chair on the way out of the room]
Yes, more weather-driven blogging
It's been glorious over the last week+ (since returning from the U.P.). Color the weather 'delightful'. Never too warm; rain insufficient enough to take little notice of; nights perfect for sleeping. *Aaaaahhh*
It's even been cool enough to annoy the mosquito population! Take that, you bloodsuckers!
Time has passed s-l-o-w-l-y for me following the shipping of my beloved PQ1 to Paducah, KY. In little less than one week, my quilt will be on display to the world (essentially) - after all this time! I am excited, nervous, hopeful, fearful, failing-blase'. I am going to relish next Saturday for the milestone marker in my life that it will be!
I hope some of you will be able to make it to Grand Rapids, MI to see the AQS International QuiltWeek Contest and Show at the DeVos Showplace. You'd better believe I will be there!
And now, back to the weather.
It's even been cool enough to annoy the mosquito population! Take that, you bloodsuckers!
Time has passed s-l-o-w-l-y for me following the shipping of my beloved PQ1 to Paducah, KY. In little less than one week, my quilt will be on display to the world (essentially) - after all this time! I am excited, nervous, hopeful, fearful, failing-blase'. I am going to relish next Saturday for the milestone marker in my life that it will be!
I hope some of you will be able to make it to Grand Rapids, MI to see the AQS International QuiltWeek Contest and Show at the DeVos Showplace. You'd better believe I will be there!
And now, back to the weather.
7.20.2013
Yes, "again"
A little bit, that is. A little bit about the weather and then [drum roll] - on to other things! [cymbal crash]
The weather only factors in because there has been a change. [grinning madly] It's still humid as all get-out, but it is cooler this morning. With the help of the attic fan thrumming all night long, the inside temp is a manageable 74*F!
Tah-daaaahhhhhhh! And I do mean the "aahhhh" thing. S'wonderful!
We were on the road yesterday afternoon, skirting the rolling storm front (which was over our left shoulders and closing in quickly), until just shy of returning to my little 'burb. Boom!
The lightening, heavy whipping winds, and torrential rains made a violent statement as we cruised to within four miles of the house. Floodgates opened and branches fell left and right, but through all of that, the temps fell, too! Everything still feels wet. Damp and icky, but over the course of the next few days it will dry out some.
The reason we were on the road? Well, to deliver my little quilted beauty into the hands of strangers. Many, MANY strangers! It started off at a UPS storefront in Clarkston, and by later in the evening had only managed to crawl as far as Pontiac. This morning finds it on a truck and actually moving out of the state! No turning back now.
More updates can be followed on the quilting blog. But for now I have some cooler temps to take advantage of, so I am going to get away from the keyboard. How are you going to celebrate the break in the heatwave?
The weather only factors in because there has been a change. [grinning madly] It's still humid as all get-out, but it is cooler this morning. With the help of the attic fan thrumming all night long, the inside temp is a manageable 74*F!
Tah-daaaahhhhhhh! And I do mean the "aahhhh" thing. S'wonderful!
We were on the road yesterday afternoon, skirting the rolling storm front (which was over our left shoulders and closing in quickly), until just shy of returning to my little 'burb. Boom!
The lightening, heavy whipping winds, and torrential rains made a violent statement as we cruised to within four miles of the house. Floodgates opened and branches fell left and right, but through all of that, the temps fell, too! Everything still feels wet. Damp and icky, but over the course of the next few days it will dry out some.
The reason we were on the road? Well, to deliver my little quilted beauty into the hands of strangers. Many, MANY strangers! It started off at a UPS storefront in Clarkston, and by later in the evening had only managed to crawl as far as Pontiac. This morning finds it on a truck and actually moving out of the state! No turning back now.
More updates can be followed on the quilting blog. But for now I have some cooler temps to take advantage of, so I am going to get away from the keyboard. How are you going to celebrate the break in the heatwave?
7.18.2013
Watching the weather
It's an odd thing to see myself having become as absorbed in the weather as a much older person would be.
Much older. Like....retired-and-toothless-in-Florida old.
I am watching the broadcasts and prediction boards rabidly, scanning the days ahead for signs of substantive relief. All my hopes leaning to anything remotely cooler than low 80s - YES, I'd let myself be happy with low 80s!!
When can we dream of possible relief? When will the temps dip into a comfortable zone again?
It's just hard for me to rationalize being content with a low of 77*F! Yup, our overnight temp got as low as 77*F - and it is the blessing of the day. That, to me, is odd, but a necessary mental trade-off the way things are right now.
We must get through today and tomorrow, though, and then temps should be a little more tolerable for a few days - OK, at least for the predicted, foreseeable future. This is a distinction worth making, since we have so much of the summer season to still get through. After all, more possibility of extreme heat (with humidity) is possible...and probable.
Keep cool, y'all, we are not out of the woods just yet.
Much older. Like....retired-and-toothless-in-Florida old.
I am watching the broadcasts and prediction boards rabidly, scanning the days ahead for signs of substantive relief. All my hopes leaning to anything remotely cooler than low 80s - YES, I'd let myself be happy with low 80s!!
When can we dream of possible relief? When will the temps dip into a comfortable zone again?
It's just hard for me to rationalize being content with a low of 77*F! Yup, our overnight temp got as low as 77*F - and it is the blessing of the day. That, to me, is odd, but a necessary mental trade-off the way things are right now.
We must get through today and tomorrow, though, and then temps should be a little more tolerable for a few days - OK, at least for the predicted, foreseeable future. This is a distinction worth making, since we have so much of the summer season to still get through. After all, more possibility of extreme heat (with humidity) is possible...and probable.
Keep cool, y'all, we are not out of the woods just yet.
7.16.2013
Oh, so nice
Stopped at a large home improvement store and purchased some good caulk for the brick/facing gap, to use once I've eradicated a few hundred more stinging flying critters invading my home's exterior.
While there, I also picked up a couple of fans. One 12" oscillating fan for Karl's room, and one for the sewing area. Still air is the bane of everything! The one I snagged for the lower level is a floor fan standing about 42" or so in height (when fully extended), and 16" in diameter. Wish I had done this weeks ago! Don't know if I've mentioned this before, but it's freakin' hot and steamy!
Beauty part is that when I'm not sewing I will be able to move it quickly and easily to another area for use! Merry Christmas!
Aaaahhhhh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h. :)
While there, I also picked up a couple of fans. One 12" oscillating fan for Karl's room, and one for the sewing area. Still air is the bane of everything! The one I snagged for the lower level is a floor fan standing about 42" or so in height (when fully extended), and 16" in diameter. Wish I had done this weeks ago! Don't know if I've mentioned this before, but it's freakin' hot and steamy!
Beauty part is that when I'm not sewing I will be able to move it quickly and easily to another area for use! Merry Christmas!
Aaaahhhhh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h. :)
Well, what do you know.
In fear of jinxing it, but right now the blogger is working. Thank you, google - at long last.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Knowingly made the decision to not roll the AC unit into the house and set it up in the living room window this season, as we have for the past few years. Crazy, I know, but there were many factors involved in that thought process.
Despite the horrible grip of uber heat and humidity hovering over our state (much of the mid-western to eastern US, really), I have only had one moment of self doubt over that AC v no AC decision. Today is really day three of the latest heat wave, but day two with the added humidity. It's crippling, make no mistake, and weather weenie predictions have this hanging around until Friday or Saturday of this week.
We'll see. It's being called the "air you can wear." Very appropriate.
Anyhow, it's good to have space for writing again, but I need to move around before the heat becomes overly oppressive. We have found a rather busy nest of flying, sting-y things entering the house through a crack between the brick facing and old caulking where it meets the wood trim. Emptied a can of spray at them yesterday evening, but that only made a temporary dent in their activities....and hardly touched their numbers, I'm fearing.
I will keep you posted on that and so much more, but I bid you adieu for the time being.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Knowingly made the decision to not roll the AC unit into the house and set it up in the living room window this season, as we have for the past few years. Crazy, I know, but there were many factors involved in that thought process.
Despite the horrible grip of uber heat and humidity hovering over our state (much of the mid-western to eastern US, really), I have only had one moment of self doubt over that AC v no AC decision. Today is really day three of the latest heat wave, but day two with the added humidity. It's crippling, make no mistake, and weather weenie predictions have this hanging around until Friday or Saturday of this week.
We'll see. It's being called the "air you can wear." Very appropriate.
Anyhow, it's good to have space for writing again, but I need to move around before the heat becomes overly oppressive. We have found a rather busy nest of flying, sting-y things entering the house through a crack between the brick facing and old caulking where it meets the wood trim. Emptied a can of spray at them yesterday evening, but that only made a temporary dent in their activities....and hardly touched their numbers, I'm fearing.
I will keep you posted on that and so much more, but I bid you adieu for the time being.
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