#SoCS ~ 7/31/21

That’s what I’m talking about. Yeah buddy. Start to my stay-cation. I’m also ready for another rebel rousing rendition of #SoCS where Linda writes and I copy paste Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “the last photo you took.” Take the last photo you snapped. What’s the first word that comes to mind when you look at it? That word is your prompt. Enjoy! Check out the link to the rules and ping back.

Here ya go … I don’t have a first word when I look at our bounty but I have a feeling of a novella coming on.

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More maters ...

This snap was taken on July 30th, at 7:12 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) in the year of our lord 2021.

Every morning I take a walk to check on MoMo and PoPo, bring up their paper, and other assorted tasks. They are hanging tough despite a variety of ailments. It’s the least I can do considering all they did for B and moi when we were starting out and the kids were younger. Turnabout is fair play and not in a negative way. We OWE them. We’d be remiss not to admit that. But everything we do is in the spirit of giving. If you don’t know me by now, I’m kind of a diva, queen, comma drama. Jilly doesn’t do anything Jilly doesn’t want to do. Fuck ’em she says. Dirty mouth? Clean it up! … the tagline for Orbit gum.

Anyway, where was I going with this? Glad it is stream where we roll with the flow.

After I check in, I wonder back down the lane between our properties and head straight into the garden. I get my pickin on. The harvest is about 15-20 tomatoes a day for at least the last three weeks. My math is fuzzy y’all maybe more than three weeks. B planted all the things in March. Usually our garden grows like this, yellow squash and zucchini are always first to come up, followed by cucumbers and tomatoes at the same time. We have jalapenos and chili pequin year round.

This year the tomatoes were late but worth the wait. We’ve been done with the cucumbers since end of May. We think the extra rain this year helped the tomatoes. Plus for the first time ever B started them from seed. Prior he bought tomato plants, decent size, and they came in quicker. Just now he tells me the seedlings took forever to get big enough. Hmmm. And here I thought he put the seeds right in the ground and the starter kit was material to go along with them to spur growth. But no, the starter kits were lil pods to start the plant from the seed. He kept them in his shed about a month. Well duh 🙄 Anyhoo, as I live and breathe. March 1 give or take a day, the tomato seedlings went in the ground.

We are fortunate y’all. The fruits of our labor. Growing groceries and all that noise. Not to be screwed with this time. If ya know, ya know.

And on that note, lemme let ya go. Lulu Belle and I are outta here or will be soon when the sun comes up, after I take my morning stroll.

As always, more to come.

#WATWB ~ 7/30/21

Following the video, here are some thought provoking questions to ask yourself:

• Who in the video had the most authority and what did you observe them doing?
• Who in the video had the least authority in the video and what did you observe them doing?
• Who in the video had the most influence?
• What other challenges were faced?
• How did others respond to the boy in the video?

When I watched this video, I cried. To be fair, I cry easily. Don’t worry, they were happy tears. Words not needed, pictures worth 1000 words.

#WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Here are the intention and rules which aren’t being maintained any longer but I’m using just in case. Find #WATWB on FB and Twitter. 

As always, more to come.

Thursday Thoughts ~ 7/29/21

I took off a day last week, in part because I needed a break but also to catch up on things. The proverbial ‘to-do’ list was burgeoning. I still have a lot going on but I’m better y’all. And, I plan to stay that way.

Besides dropping off my vehicle for repairs (at a new place) sorry old place, I reconciled all the bills from my recent medical services. I tried to be mellow but oy vey. What a freaking racket.

I needed anesthesia. There was a doctor for that purpose who flew into the room all clipboard in hand, asked questions but appeared not to care enough to wait for answers. I don’t think he did anything but he still had to be paid. His nurse was the one that watched me as she was planning her wedding. No I didn’t dream it, this conversation went on before I went under. She too sent a bill. Here’s the rundown of both:

His charge was $1360 with insurance paying most of the member rate at $223. Yep without insurance that mofo could have claimed and received $1360 for a 3 minute conversation to ask me some questions. $223 is bad enough.

Her charge was $1040 with insurance paying most of the member rate at another $223. Funny how the member rate was exactly the same despite her original bill being less and her doing more work (if watching me for 20 minutes as I sleep is considered more). Well of course it is.

The leftover for me after insurance paid was $25 to each person. That means I paid $50 out of pocket. When you count the insurance payments of $446, $496 was paid in total. Why? Because I have insurance. Without insurance, we’re talking $2400. More than quadruple. Something is greatly wrong with that picture. I mean seriously!!!! Rotten.

I’d love to know the true cost. The medicine, the equipment, a fair fee for the provider. The insurance company contribution makes this feel like a pyramid scheme. I’m glad I am only out of pocket $50 bucks but I feel for anyone else without the same means.

Alright, I’m worn out. Until next time, be safe. Peace.

As always, more to come.

Tidbits ~ 7/28/21

Where were we? Oh ya, the roof saga. Before 5/3/21, we were voluntarily replacing our 22 year old roof. Though a 35 year comp shingle, Tejas it hotter than hades and roofs never make it to the full life expectancy. We started noticing granules on the sidewalk after Snowmageddon or maybe even a little before. Got three bids and began to mull things over. Then 5/3/21, we got hail. Crazy odd shaped chunks flew from the sky. All three vehicles were dinged and the roof was deemed a total loss. I wrote a funny math edition here …

Thursday Thoughts ~ 6/24/21

The roof still isn’t replaced despite the preliminary inquires. After 5/3/21, roofers have more work than they can shake a stick at … not that anyone would shake a stick at work right? Your livelihood depends on money coming in? Feast or famine of the self-employed.

Here’s a move over from FB as I was in search of recommendations for a roofer.

Getting another bid for our roof since B claims the original price was a ploy to shoo us away. He says it happens all the time. 40k is steep considering we have one other bid for 25k. But you get what you pay for right?!?!?

He also wants to barter again. He’ll plaster in exchange for a reduction. Ugh. Shoot me now.

So, I’ve gone sidebar through Contractor Connection. What are the odds that the next roofer’s last name is Jasek? Maybe that’s a sign? Still waiting for the quote to make a final decision though.

Oh happy Wednesday

As always, more to come.

#1linerWeds. 7/28/21

I love the Olympics. Definitely glad to see those glimpses of Tokyo as icing on the cake. When the Philippines won their first gold, the look on the athlete’s face was priceless. I cried too, happy tears for her. More like that please 🙂

Now here is more from our guy Al …

A happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell too much on the future. 

Albert Einstein

Rules and ping back.

Share Your World ~ 7/27/21

Yay! Time to answer some questions. Thanks Melanie for bringing us all together.

QUESTIONS

Do you believe in second chances? Why yes, I sure do! I’ve experienced second chances first hand and sometimes there is redemption while other times you’re only delaying the inevitable. Forgiveness can be a beautiful thing but there is also the adage of fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Bet lots of second chances are folks getting fooled again. Cue the Who! Then I’ll get on my knees and pray. We don’t get fooled again …

Is your glass half full or half empty? Despite my sometimes Eeyore-esque way of being, I’m a glass 1/2 full gal.

Would you rather someone be honest and hurt your feelings or lie to protect them? LIE like a rug. I’m telling ya what. Lulu shared some things with us this past Thanksgiving that I could have gone my whole life not knowing. Sometimes ignorance is BLISS.

Another example, once upon a time, I was applying for my dream job. A friend on the committee told me that everyone voted for me except one person. She proceed to tell me what he had said. She was only looking out for me. So I could prepare for any interactions with him. What this meant to me was that despite my getting the job, he thought I didn’t deserve it. After that, every time I saw him I was tongue tied. I proved him right since around him, I turned into a blithering idiot. Awkward.

Now caveat to that, sometimes the truth hurts but for safety and personal well being, you need to “spill the tea”. Consider your motives, the other person’s ability to adapt to the news, and things like that. Actually maybe just ask them, do they want to know?

When have you felt your biggest adrenaline rush? Hmm. Isn’t it usually taking risks that gets the adrenaline jumping? Or running from them? Well as an insurance professional I mostly avoid risk. Any adrenaline I felt was by accident, like almost being in a car wreck. Crisis averted and heart beating out of my chest. Ugh. But the worst of the worst was the rattle snakes around this place. If you’ve ever been buzzed by a pit viper or dealt with the aftermath of your pup being bit, you know what I mean. Forget heart beating out of your chest, more like a heart attack.

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GRATITUDE SECTION

What are you grateful for? I am grateful for my friends near and far, real or imagined. Haha! Basically a big shout out and thanks for being able to share and laugh our way through some of the most trying times ever. Ya buddy, now that’s the stuff.

As always, more to come.

Haiku – Gold & Swim ~ 7/26/21

With the Olympics in progress, today’s prompt is very fitting. Today I chose 3/5/3. Short and sweet, yet emotional after years of training and preparation. Watching these games is electric. You can almost feel the hum and intensity.

Take your mark

Swimming for your life

Dreams of gold

Written for Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 368 GOLD and Swim.

#SLS ~ 7/25/21

Jim by way of Melanie prompts us with Automobile, Car, Jalopy. Oh the places we could go! Not to be overly obvious, I went with Fast Car by Tracy L Chapman. The voice of an angel. Such a sadness in this song but maybe that is what makes it relatable. Have you every wished you could just drive away?

By Tracy L Chapman

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we’ll make something
Me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
Won’t have to drive too far
Just ‘cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

See my old man’s got a problem
He live with the bottle that’s the way it is
He says his body’s too old for working
His body’s too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody’s got to take care of him
So I quit school and that’s what I did

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You’ll find work and I’ll get promoted
We’ll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs

So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I’d always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

As always, more to come.

Sunday Reflections: A Week in Review ~ 7/25/21

I had a day off last week. Yay me! Though I paid for it working a couple of 12 hour days to catch up. Which means I really didn’t get a day off by working 40 plus hours in 4 days. I’ll let you in on a little secret. That sH!t is about to stop. I’m taking off a full week in August come hell or high water. And when I get back, I am stopping at a reasonable hour even if things get behind.

It was a really nice day off though because I didn’t peek at anything work related despite the proximity to my work email on my phone. B had the day off too. We got some things taken care of and we are zeroing in on hiring someone to install our new roof. That has been fun not fun and makes for a post of its own.

Okay, enough prattling about. On with the reverse roll call.

1. Saturday 7/24/21 – My Ear Bud dilemma and #SoCS Color
2. Friday 7/23/21 – Book Club
3. Thursday 7/22/21 – Thoughts about our definition of beauty
4. Wednesday 7/21/21 – More from our guy Al
5. Tuesday 7/20/21 – Share Your World
6. Monday 7/19/21 – Reflections/Memories of Jim and Haiku
7. Sunday 7/18/21 – Mr. Brightside

Peace y’all. Until next time. Stay safe.

As always, more to come.

Off Cycle Thoughts/Here Is Why You Can’t Have Nice Things ~ 7/24/21

Sometimes I dip my toe into the deep end. Splash! Eventually I catch up with the techie techs of the world. On a lark, in prep for my RTO = return to office, I sprung for some wireless ear buds. Not the nice ones mind you. Lulu has her fancy dancy Apple Air pods and Pony has his Samsung equivalent but this other ‘f’ word stands for frugal gal isn’t going to spend that kind of cash.

I got Onn knock offs, compatible with iPhone. For the low, low price of $19.88 + tax. Easy enough set up for this luddite though I did have issues going between my phone and my iPad. The sound was great. The charge lasted all day. I took them to work and thank goodness I had them because my first day back, I forget my headset at home.

I swear dollars to donuts that I brought my ear buds home and even used them here at this very spot where I am sitting right now. But, nope. They are nowhere to be found here at the house. I had the collective family unit turn things upside down. Somewhere between the office and back home, poof gone. The last time for sure I remember using them was at the Tech Spot in the office as I waited for my new laptop, which is a story I may not have written about here in bloglandia but I almost blew up y’all. Seriously Meredith Grey.

“See that is why you can’t have nice things!” said me to the kids once upon at time. Or I am misremembering because that doesn’t sound like me at all. LOL. Now they can tell me the same thing. Glad I went with the cheapo because I am on the hunt for a replacement. And I definitely don’t want to lose them again.

I’m looking for something with a strap. Still not wired but wireless. I am in Amazon hell. Prime free one day and Amazon Choice offers. Too many to choose from. I have put in search criteria to slowly reduce my options but still have 294 to look through. Maybe I need to close my eyes, point to the screen, and pin the tail on the bud. Ugh! Shoot me now.

Humor me fine folks. Toss me a comment or two about your bud of choice. The ear variety. Wink wink. As if the teetotaler even remotely has any idea what she is talking about.

As always. more to come.