It Abounds Here!

Sickness.... upper respiratory infections... Z-packs.... they all hang out here! I am wheezing so badly that in a quiet room you would swear we had peacocks outside! Even after doing Symbicourt, Albuterol rescue inhaler and albuterol breathing treatments... it's not letting up.

I am going to the doctor in the morning. I am afraid I won't get to come home. I have no real appetite, a slamming headache and fever and chills. This is really sucky! I am suppose to go to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon... but I quietly cancelled today.  DH was home from work on Monday and Tuesday. He's doing a little bit better than I am. He's stronger and gets more fresh air.

Oh... and that's another thing... No fresh air! It's been so cold and I've had such chills, it's rather like being in a germ incubator in this house. I am so sick of the wind, cold air and snow... we are thinking that someone needs to take out a hit on a stupid groundhog named Phil!

Thanks for reading... I have no more energy than this.
~Suzanne

Contemplating

This has been a rather tough week for me...

We ended up rehoming Sophie Jean and it has broken my heart. I miss her big, goofy face and her sweet, tender kisses and her big, clunky paws that left bruises on my body. I cried all the way home.

Punky-dog has had a few issues this week... she decided she was upset with us for taking Sophie Jean away. She left more than one "warm little gift" in several places on Sunday and Monday. Thank the good Lord above that I have one of those handy pet steam carpet cleaners! She's settled down and is enjoying being the only dog in the house again. (She's NOT spoiled... at all.   ahem.)

I've been having issues with being cold, not being able to move when the cold air hits me... causing some crazy stiffness and pain in both of my knees. Add the stupid neuropathy in my feet trying to settle into my bunion... and it makes being "mobile" much harder. It makes it hard to walk the dog, and to really get anything done.

I haven't had much reason to go out... we did most of our grocery shopping on the weekend, altho I did have to go and get DH's prescriptions for him Monday night. I am just wondering what has changed that I am feeling all this pain?

I have also been contemplating the desire to get into my craft area and paint. I have several ideas that would like to do... I just hope I don't go blank when I get in there. (I often find that I do go blank once I sit down to start! It's frustrating! More than a little aggravating, no?)

I have been also contemplating working on my cookbook again. It's a project that I started almost 3 years ago and I would like to finish it. I know that I need to work more on discipline and also that ability to cook and photograph the recipes to make an eye pleasing book. It takes time and creativity... and I need to just work on a section at a time.

I've also been contemplating why it is that when I try and go to sleep at night, I find that I am thinking of crazy things such as recounting all the places I lived when I was married to my first husband. Isn't that nuts??? Or laying awake thinking of some of the crazy things I did in my 20's while I was married to that man and how difficult he made life for us. Crazy, crazy, crazy!!!

Thanks for reading... have a blessed day!
~Suzanne

What I Did at Work Yesterday!

Yesterday at work... it was spirit day. Since I'm a new employee, I really didn't know what it entailed. We are also doing a fundraiser for the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma... our site has a team and we're all walking...(remember that!) Anyway, we were treated to one of the best catered Italian lunches... with penne pasta in a rich tomato sauce and lots of yummy cheese and some of the best meatballs ever. There was salad and fresh italian rolls. And a very yummy dessert spread, with pies, cheesecake and a sheetcake to celebrate birthdays. It was lovely and good and everyone enjoyed it, so much so that there were NO forks or plates left in the lunchroom today!

We all went back to work after... but only for a few minutes... because it was "Toss the Boss" time! We all went outside to the back loading area where all the supervisors were sitting in chairs... in shorts and t-shirts. And we all got to purchase water balloons with the money going to the cancer walk for our team. There were more than a few hundred water balloons sitting on a portable work cart... and anyone who wanted could partake in throwing a water balloon at the bosses. There were more than a few who took great joy in throwing balloon after balloon at their supervisors. Sometimes the sups would catch the balloon and throw it back. It was great fun... to go outside and have a water balloon fight after lunch. Some of the guys who service the fire extinguishers got in on the action by having some of the large tanks filled with water and hosing off their supervisor with the hose... from behind all the action. So much fun and so much laughter!

What a great concept to get paid to have fun and throw water balloons while being on the clock~ I don't know who was answering the phones... but it was fun to let 'em ring! It was so much fun to come home and say... "Honey, you won't believe what I did at work today!" It was also fun to share with customers on the phone about what we did and hear... "I wanna work where you work!"

Thanks for reading.. be blessed!

Thursday Silliness... trying to keep my sense of humor~

Silliness abounds around us... I woke up at 8:00 this morning... I made myself sleep a little longer. I was pretty wiped out by yesterday. It was very cool this morning, in the low 60's. I got myself together, ate my breakfast and surfed all my usual sites this morning while the news was on. (Remember that part... )

I decided that I was going to go outside and enjoy the cool morning air, plink around on my laptop and just generally chill. I also needed to water the flowers. DH decided to come down with me... and who should we run into, but none other than the landlord. He had been hanging around since about 8:30 this morning. He was getting antsy because a recycling service was going be coming to remove the fridge from the house in front. We somehow managed to say that we would take care of it for him so he could go on with his day... heck, we had nothing else to do!

Anyway... I got cold, so I came upstairs. DH was already back upstairs, taking care of his meds and icing his shoulder according to our little "set schedule". I realized that I needed to go to the post office this morning to mail out our water bill... (we aren't allowed to pay in person... mail only!) I mentioned to DH that I was leaving... and Pumpkin decided that she wanted to go along. (It was only 70 degrees at that point, so it was ok.) We headed to the post office, I did my thing... picked up the mail, etc.) I came home to DH sitting in my chair at the patio table... with his laptop. I sat down at the table and we went through our little stack of mail.

We had to laugh because there was an envelope from Child Services from Connecticut... and inside was a check... for a whopping $1.76! While we were sitting there... a very loud warning siren came blaring from the center of town... and it was very LONG... and very LOUD. DH looked at me... and asked if they had ever done this before... I could only tell him that it was a county wide test... and it had been announced on the morning news cast... to which, he had been sitting next to me on the sofa when I heard it on the news! (ahhh... silliness!)

Great Googly -Moogly! I came upstairs... and as I came into the living room, Nolli-dog let out a whimper, he was quite frightened by all that noise. I decided to make myself a sandwich for an early lunch... (cereal doesn't really last that long with all the trips up and down the stairs.) Just as I was done making my sandwich and deciding if I was going to eat in the kitchen or go back down stairs... the door bell rang. It was the recycling service, and they were instructed by the landlord to come to us to get into the basement to remove the item they were coming for. I got downstairs... took them over to the basement.... and then my phone rang. It was my landlord asking if I minded letting them in.... ummmmm... yeah, I told you that I would do it!

Now, as I sit here... the yard guys have shown up to cut the grass. Yet again, I have to ask them to be sure and cut the areas that are suppose to be cut... they have a great tendency to miss a lot... they can be very quick with the cut... so you have to get out there fast and let them know... I sent DH to do it! (Aren't I just evil!) So... on with the rest of this crazy, silly day. We have DH's last physical therapy appointment tonite, he won't go back until 2 weeks after his shoulder surgery. I just want to get through these next few days... and try not to worry about things... I have to keep faith that God will work it all out!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Sunday Morning HaHaHa's!

This was sent to DH by a wonderful friend from one of his work facilities... we apologize in advance if we offend anyone... we are not people who are prone to be descriminatory to anyone. We just found this joke to be very funny... given the circumstances of how we each grew up.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Bacon Tree

Two Mexicans are stuck in the desert after crossing into the United States ,
wandering aimlessly and starving. They are about to just lie down and wait for death, when all of a sudden Luis says.........

"Hey Pepe, do you smell what I smell? Ees bacon, I theenk."

"Si, Luis, eet sure smells like bacon. "

With renewed hope they struggle up the next sand dune, & there, in the distance,
is a tree loaded with bacon.

There's raw bacon, there's fried bacon, back bacon, double smoked bacon ... every
imaginable kind of cured pork.

"Pepe, Pepe, we ees saved. Ees a bacon tree."

"Luis, maybe ees a meerage? We ees in the desert don't forget."

"Pepe, since when deed you ever hear of a meerage that smell like bacon...ees
no meerage, ees a bacon tree."

And with that, Luis staggers towards the tree. He gets to within 5 metres,
Pepe crawling close behind, when suddenly a machine gun opens up, and Luis drops
like a wet sock. Mortally wounded, he warns Pepe with his dying breath,

"Pepe... go back man, you was right, ees not a bacon tree!"

"Luis, Luis mi amigo... what ees it? "

"Pepe.. ees not a bacon tree. Ees...

Ees...


Ees...


Ees...



Ees...
a ham bush...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HaHAhAHAHAHA!!!!! We both laughed so hard at this. Mostly in part because we watched "Everybody Loves Raymond" last night before we went to bed. We love a good laugh around here... and we often wonder what people think as they walk past our house in the evening's when we are doubled over in laughter as we watch our favorite shows like 2 1/2 Men or reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Sleepy.... Sleepy.... Sleepy

For the last 2 or 3 days... there has been a slight change in my sleep cycle. Where I once slept all through the night, I find myself waking early... to use the bathroom. If it's still dark outside, I can go back to sleep. If it's light out... I an wide awake!

It's Saturday... the "traditional" day for folks everywhere to sleep in. Not me. I was up early enough to see the paper dropped at the end of the driveway. I tried to doze back off on the couch, that didn't happen because Punky discovered that I was awake and she promptly jumped up and climbed into my lap for love and adoration. Before I knew it, DH was also awake and lying across the couch with his head in my lap as he told me about a crazy dream that woke him up.

I read the paper... ate a muffin... puttered about on the computer and then decided to go back to sleep... in the bedroom. It was on the dark side compared to the living room. And no one was in there. So, I got comfy and drifted off to sleep. It didn't last as my peaceful sleep was interrupted by the landscape service... mowing and trimming our yard. (Which should have been done yesterday! Just sayin')

So... now I am wandering around the house, trying to pull myself together. I may need to go to the top of the hill for some fortifed caffeine with one of those Mc-Fancy coffee drinks. I sent DH out to get a hair cut, he wanted me to go with him, but I can't pull it together to get in the shower and become a presentable human being. I don't own a coffee maker, but I may won one before the day is out. (((Yawn))))

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Friday's Thoughts of the Day...

It's Friday already???? This week has flown by! I've done lots of errands... taken care of a sick dog (again) and done a couple of tons of laundry. DH has actually worked locally the last 3 days... and it's been nice to have him be so close by again. He actually gets home during daylight hours, and with the unusually nice weather this week, we've been able to enjoy it!

I've notice something on my stat logs... someone from Chehalis has been reading my blog... It makes me wonder if it's my sister or my niece... Um, comments are appreciated... I'd love to know when you all stop by. I've also noticed a drop in communication within my family. I haven't been making any calls.... and so, unfortunately, no one seems to call me. I just want to say, again, the phone rings both ways! Maybe I shouldn't have told my family that I blog and am on facebook... they can get all the info they want and not have to bother with calling me. Just saying.

With Punky being sick this week... she got another bath. I've been using baby shampoo on her because it's "no more tears" and easy on the skin. She smells wonderful and both DH and I have been comparing her coat to when she first came here... She has a ton of hair now! Her coat is long and thick and lustrous. DH thinks she may have even grown a little, now that she has good nutrition. We're thinking a trip to the vet for a full check up is in order to get her tummy on track. I went to Pet-Smart yesterday and bought her sensitive-stomach dog food. We are learning that her breed can have tummy issues... and any change in her diet upsets her delicate balance. All I know for certain... she feels better and she was dancing and happy last night. She's such a different dog when she doesn't feel good.

We don't really have any plans for this weekend... it's suppose to be nice this weekend... in the 40's for Saturday. I'm thinking that I may go digging around in closets and in the basement... maybe taking a few things to donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army. The A&E show, Hoarders gets me to want to purge any extra stuff... DH has a ton of stuff that needs to go. We talk about doing a yard sale... but I don't think I have the energy to do a yard sale... I'd rather donate it, I think. I don't really have anyone who could help me do a yardsale other than DH, who is so busy most of the time.... so, yeah, I'd rather donate it. (If I keep telling myself that, then I will do it!)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

38 Random Things...

Randomness

Ok... I'm thinking a little slow this morning... so I'm taking the easy way out today!

1. What color is your toothbrush?..... White and pink!

2. Name one person who made you smile today: That would be John! Always!

3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? .... I was eating breakfast and watching the Today show.

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?... Getting John out the door and wishing him a great day!

5. What is your favorite candy bar? ... If it's in "bar form" Snickers... or Dove Milk Chocolate

6. Have you ever met a famous person? ... Yes... Pat Robertson and Ben Kinchlow (from working at CBN... crazy days!)

7. What is the last thing you said aloud? ... "I love you... Have a Great Day!" to John

8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? ... Moose Tracks or Mint Chocolate Chip

9. What was the last thing you had to drink? ... water

10. What was the last thing you ate?..... Breakfast... an egg sandwich

11. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?... Nope... Not at all!

12. The last sporting event you watched? ... ummm, I have no clue... the neighbors playing softball on Monday???

13. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Buttered... with kosher salt

14. Who is the last person you sent a text message too?... That would be John... his status on coming home on Friday

15. Ever go camping?.... Not in a very long time... kinda over that phase... I'll camp at the Marriott with room service!

16. Do you go to church every Sunday?... Used to... but haven't found one up here!

17. Do you have a tan?... no, my tanning days are over, but I miss it!

18. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? ... oh yeah

19. Do you drink your soda with a straw? ... When I am out at a restaurant, or if it's in a can... but at home... no.

20. What are you doing tomorrow? ... Hanging out with John... hopefully going to Relay for Life to walk the Survivors Lap.

21. What color is your watch?.... Actually... it would be my cell phone, which is black

22. What do you think of when you hear Australia? ... Kiwi's and koalas... shrimp on the Barbie!

23. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?.... both, just depends

24. What is your favorite number? ... I don't think I have one!

25. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? ... That would Lizzy, yesterday!

26. Biggest annoyance right now? ... The never ending dust in this house... it's always there!

27. Last song listened to?.... Hmmm... we tried to find a certain song online.. Psalm 23 by Kathy Tricoli

28. Do you have a maid service clean your house?... Yes... It's me and the Hubs!

29. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? .... Any pair of broken-in birkenstocks or my black flip-flops.

30. Are you jealous of anyone? ... no

31. Is anyone jealous of you? ... sadly... yes, my old roommate and a former friend that has stalked me for a year.

32. Do you love anyone?..... absolutely!

33. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? ... no... feel sorry for, but not hate!

34. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? ... only if i answer the phone

35. What color is your car? ... white

36. Do you like cats? ... Yes, love em- if they are friendly

37. Have you ever been to Six Flags? ... yes

38. How did you get your worst scar? ... That would be from my first cancer surgery when I was 28... and the staph infection that I got while in the hospital... it was awful and traumatic. (way too much info, I'm sure!)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

My Morning, so far...

It's been a busy morning here at the cottage... my neighbor called. They are leaving for a few days to go to a B & B in Rhode Island with friends over from England. She wanted me to have a way to get in to her house if need be... and she forgot to give me a key. So... garage door opener it is! I hope to Not Have to Use it... but nice to know I can help, if needed.

The doorbell rang... it was the UPS driver. He comes by on average, about once or twice a week. I am wondering... what's the percentage of people who get packages in the morning that are still in their pj's? I don't think my UPS driver knows that I have real clothes! Package is for DH... more parts for one of his clients!

And... the phone rang... this time, the land line. Lizzy called... she wanted to know if we were busy for Memorial Day weekend. They will let me know if they are able to fly up for the weekend... that would be so awesome! But... Gary still has to see if he can get the time off. And so would DH... we shall see!

Today... is my big day... I go see my new endocrinologist. I printed off my medical history from WebMD... it's so much easier for me to have it in print than having to sit there and remember while filing out new forms... and it can become part of my medical record for the doctor. I also assigned myself a lifetime ID so that I won't lose any of it when insurance changes are made. I wished I would have had that a few years ago! I wanted DH to go with me... but he needs to be at work right now.

Still making lists for our outdoor project and for things we need around the house. Still trying to fight the urge to buy plants... it's still just a little too early for that. But soon... very soon! (Back home in Washington and down in Maryland... planting is going on... oh, it kills me to wait!) I have so many projects I want to start... but this weekend... look out stores... I've got some shopping to do!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

2 BIG Events coming up!

This next week has TWO events coming up... One for me and one for YOU!!!

This next week, I have my first appointment with my new endocrinologist! I am very excited but also a little nervous... I should have been seen in January and here it is April. But, with all the insurance crapola that was going on within DH's company, it was easier to wait and then get scheduled. Very nervous about lab results and medicines... and having to have my yearly thyrogen study. (But at least I don't have to do the iodine diet! I hope)

The SECOND event... is that I will be reaching the 200th post marker!!!! And... in true blog tradition... I will be having a giveaway! Details will be forthcoming! I am very excited about hitting 200 posts and hope that you all will be stopping by to see what I have come up with!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Definitons...

I haven't been sleeping again... and it's affecting my thinking! I usually don't have any problem with topics to write and blog about... but with not enough sleep, the flow just won't come together. (And it's the 15th... I don't want to hear or think about taxes!)


So... lets have some fun with Urban Dictionary!



Since Urban Dictionary is written entirely by teenagers, pot heads, and people with generally too much time on their hands, you'll probably need to wade through some questionable definitions and choose the one you're okay with the entire blog-o-sphere reading.


______________________________#___________________________


Directions: Answer each question by typing in your answer on Urbandictionary.com. You MUST use the first definition!

1. Your Name? Suzanne

Suzanne is the #153 most common female first name.

Out of many more.

It is an original, and unique first name.

Mean graceful lily in Hebrew.

Come from Susanna a name in Hebrew.

a French, German, and Hebrew.

A very unique,special, different.

Hard to find, hard to keep.

picky girl

"Wow, Suzanne is really differest, but she's awesome!"

~That's really cool... it says I'm different, but awesome.


2. Your age? 50

(Verb) Street Slang used by many to replace the word Police. Originated from an old Cop show called Hawaii Five-O. It aired from September 1968 to April 1980. The "Five-O" in the title then became a commonly used word for Police.

Oh crap, its Five-O

~ It fits! I come from a police family... it really fits!

3. What should you be doing? Shopping

The act of going out and buying stuff.
I went shopping for food yesterday.

buying a whole lot of stuff that you don't really need
i went shopping today!

Going to a large chain store (Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, etc...) and filling a cart with as much crap as possible, only to abandon it somewhere in the store.
Hey dude! I went shopping at Wal-Mart today. Somebodys gonna be doin their job today.

Well... I do need to go buy some food, and I don't do the last one when I go to those stores!

4. Favorite Color: Sage

A word originating from the popular Japanese forum website 2chan. Sage (pronounced "sah-geh") - from the Japanese word "sageru", refers to replying to a post using the word "sage" in the email field in order to increase the number of replies without age-ing (or bumping) the post. This can be used as a courtesy, allowing one to quietly add comments that may not be interesting enough to warrant pushing the thread to the top. It can also be used as a way to show displeasure with the post being replied to.
"Sage" is typed in the e-mail field!

Umm... okay.

5. Birthplace: Ventura

The only decent city in Ventura County, geared mostly towards the working class and beach bums alike. Ventura is packed with all the retail stores you could need and still has a functioning main street, a rarity in America these days. Ventura does not have a walmart (thank god) but does have a target, kmart, big lots, and pretty much any other superstore that isn't wal mart; including a mall, 3 theaters, and about 20 smoke shops.
Dude, you just kicked my bong and shattered it! Oh well, I'm sure one of the 20 bong shops in Ventura is having a sale..

~ yeah... that's what I've heard!

6. Month of your birth: November

The best month of the year! Snow, getting ready for Christmas, celebrating thanksgiving & having thanksgiving break!
November rocs my socs.

7. Last person texted: Joyce

A verb, meaning to lead someone on and then crush his or her heart like a heartless, souless, biatch that does pineapples and your sister.
"She joyced you." "You got joyced." "Are you going to joyce him?"

~ Oh No! That's not nice... and it does not apply to my dear friend! Yikes!

8. One of your nicknames: Babe

1.endearing term.
2.adjective used to describe a good looking girl, sometimes describes guys

1.Hey babe i missed you.
2.All the guys think Melanie is a babe

~ I like this one... and it fits!

9. What are you doing this weekend: Yard Sales

When a skier or snowboarder eats it on the slopes and loses all of their gear. If a skier loses his skies, poles, hat, goggles, and anything else, shout "YARD SALE" from the ski lift above him.
"While the skier denied that he lost his skis and poles in the fall, everyone that saw it knew that in reality his fall was a classic yard sale"

the act of selling shit you dont want to people who dont need it
hey my next door neighbor is having a yard sale... wanna go waste three bucks?

~I would be the last one... wasting $3 bucks.

10. Random Word: Bacon

a derogatory term for police officers; cop, pig
Undercover Officer: You got crack? Street Hustler: Crack?! Smells like bacon up in here.

n. Delicious strips of juicy, pork heaven. Served often at breakfast with eggs, but perfectly good served alone and at any time of day.
Joe: "There are only two kinds of people in this world, those who love bacon..." John: "...and those who love bacon but won't admit it."

~Both definitions fit my life... but I adore the second one! We all love bacon in this house!

Well, that was pretty good... I didn't get anything obscene or too nasty! (Whew!)
Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

10 on the 10th!

1. One of my favorite things... is Sunday Potato Casserole. I will share this recipe tomorrow... (I hope.)

2. Craigslist Adventures... last night we drove into the PA mountains, and we acquired a new-to-us gas grill... for free! With the propane tank and a a grill cover!

3. We also acquired a brand new dryer... it's 9 months old and looks just like it came from the showroom floor!

4. I love going on adventures with DH... and this one was fun! He got to go down some roads he'd never been on... and discovered how beautiful the area is, and that there are some good fishing spots up there!

5. It always surprises me just how my silly little dog can manipulate me... I bought his FAVORITE dog treats... and he did everything he could think of to get more than just one out of both of us!

6. I love good, long phone chats with old friends... they just don't happen that often anymore.

7. I had a great time shopping yesterday at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I always find so many wonderful things... I can only imagine what I am missing at HomeGoods... wish there was one closer to here!

8. It always amazes me that my DH doesn't mind the things that I purchase... and I did buy him a great Tommy Hilfiger sleep shirt yesterday... It was so fun to see DH spy it in the bag and realize that I had remembered him on my shopping spree. (He's still not used to someone who does that kind of thing...)

9. I am excited that soon we will buying the materials needed to do my raised flower beds... and that I will begin to plant flowers... for the first time in over 4 years!

10. I am grateful for the gifts we have received from our Heavenly Father... for His Son, who died for us on this Good Friday... I know that each day, I am so undeserving... and God still loves me anyway. I am a work in progress, for certain, but know that Jesus lives within my heart.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

If you feel like doing this just click on the pic above and you will be
directed to the blog of a lovely lady who started this whole 10 on the 10th thing.
Blog your own 10 on the 10th and then add your name to her little list of others who are doing it as well and remember to have a marvelous day!!

A Special Interview...

Thonk... Thonk... ok... just checking things out here! Hi... this is Nolli. My Mom thought it would be a good idea if she could ask me a few questions and I could answer a few questions that people have left comments on... snerrqt! cheeeertle.... slwnp~ Ok.. I'm ready.


What does Nolli mean... or how did you get your name?

My real name is Cannoli Ettore... My First Dad was italian and wanted an italian name... so I was named for my Mom's favorite dessert because I am as sweet "that dessert" and my middle name means loyal.

Do you have a nickname? Yes... of course... Nolli, or No-No, Oobbee- a version of baby or sometimes my Mom calls me "pig" (from Babe)

What kind of dog breed are you? A mix of Jack Russell and Cavalier Spaniel... quite charming and smart!

How long have you been with your people? Well... my first people were a family of 4, with 2 young boys... I was a Christmas puppy and once baseball season started, they didn't have time to take care of me... so I went to a scary place called an animal shelter. I was there 2 weeks when my New Mom came and rescued me. It was a very happy time when I went to live with her, I was still a baby of 7 months old.

Do you have favorite foods? Ohhhhhhh... Yes! Food is my favorite subject! I do have a regular diet... my mom gives me good food like kibble and some canned food mixed in... but I love, love, love chicken nuggets! My favorite is from Chik-fil-A. Then... it would be a toss up between most anything my Mom cooks that is healthy for me... or when I get goodies like tonite... Mom brought me almost half of her bacon cheese burger. I ate all of it... lettuce, tomato and catsup too! (She did remove the onion first.)

What are some of your favorite things to do? I love to go to the post office with my Mom. She goes 2 or 3 times a week. I like to visit at the flower shop in the afternoon with Miss Joyce... she gives me candy corn or red licorice! My Dad takes me for walks up the street when it's nice out. And I like my front yard... I like to lay in the grass and watch everyone.

Do you have any favorite toys? Yeahhh... I have a stuffed opossum that I like, her name is Ruby. And I have a long skinny stuffed tug toy dog... his name is Booggly. I also have a little hedge hog... his name is Hedgy. I don't really play with stuff like Frisbees or balls...

Any favorite past times?... ...ummm... well... I do like to sleep on the sofa when my Mom leaves me but I'm not suppose to do that. She always says this word... "Busted!" And then I know I have to get down.

Any special talents? Well... I am a good communicator... I let my Mom know what I need... she "gets" all my snerrqts and cheertles and interprets for my Dad! And she doesn't care that I snore... Oh! My Dad!!! He taught me a great trick.... It's called "Gimme Paw!" If I raise my paw for him... he will give me my favorite treat... a beef and cheese treat! So... when he's not doing his work thing, I will go and sit in front of him and raise my right paw... and he will laugh and give me a treat. I even do it at night after I finish all my dinner and show them that I did. Works everytime!

That's all I can do for now... I'm getting tired... and there might be a treat for me at the end of all this nonsense! Oh, Can I tell you how rude it was that my Mom took my picture while I was sleeping in my bed! The things she will do for this "blog thing" of hers... what's up with that?

A Sleepy Day...

For some strange reason... we both went to sleep last night, but woke up feeling like we never went to sleep. I so hate that feeling. I am beginning to think it's because we turned the mattress a few weeks ago. (It's responsible mattress ownership to turn your mattresses at least every 3 months... so I've been told. And to turn the box spring every 6 months.) I cannot do it by myself... and for a few years, was lucky to get it rotated every few months. (no... not like that!)

Maybe... just maybe... we spend too much time in our bed. We like nothing more, than after dinner and all the email and paperwork are done, dishes washed and lunches packed, to get comfy and cozy in bed to watch tv. During the winter months... it's easier to stay warm under the covers... and the dog even gets up there to stay warm. There is even a correct pillow ratio for tv watching... 3 for the back, neck and head... 1 for the knees, and one for the tummy or one for the side, to help prop you up. Yep... that's a lot of pillows. It makes it interesting when you go to make the bed in the morning.

And for that matter... the good tv is in the bedroom anyway! Along with the cable box! And the DVR player. If we ever have company... DH will have to change it all to the living room, so we can all watch tv on the flat screen, with the cable box or watch a movie on the DVR. That's not to say that we don't watch tv in the living room... because we do. But I know that come summer, when it's warm... we will watch tv in the bedroom too... cuz that's where the air conditioner will be!

I know for sure, that if and when we ever move... we will have to get 2 new soft, comfy sofas for our den so we can watch tv in there... all stretched out in comfort! That's the way life goes, round these parts! (And you all know how cold I can get... and the best way for me to warm up is to turn on my electric mattress cover and climb into a warm cocoon. It works really well.)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

A Short Fairy Tale...

One day, long, long ago....... there lived a woman who did not whine, nag or bitch.

But this was a long time ago.......and it was just that one day.
The End

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Was It Something I Said?

I noticed that my following has dropped? I guess I'm not a.) interesting b.)funny or c.) doing a giveaway. I am a.)real b.)honest and c.)snarky (sometimes). That's me... honest, real and not afraid to admit when I am being witchy, cranky or a snot! I am down-to-earth and very casual, don't worry about too much fall-out in most things. If you want to not follow any longer... it's okay... it's really ok, cuz I know that I am never going to be a "pioneer woman" or a "domestic diva" or anyone else...this isn't a Mom-blog... I'm just gonna be me!



Ok... on with the post! I have a friend in Maryland, who has an 8 year old daughter. She had her tonsils out this morning. She's already home! This brought back memories of my own tonsillectomy. My... how times have changed! I remember being around 4 years old. I don't think my Mom really prepared me for the procedure. I was scared crazy. And I remember being in one of those big stainless steel metal cage beds. (It was really an oversized crib!) I think I was in the hospital for 2 or 3 days.



One of my most favorite treats as a kid was Welch's grape juice... loved that stuff! (I still like it now, but it's so full of sugar, I get heartburn from it.) My Mom brought me a regular sized bottle of the stuff to have during my stay. I asked for a glass of juice... but that's not what I got. I think it was orange juice and not my beloved grape juice. It was supposed to be in the fridge at the nurses station... and I think someone on the night shift drank it all! (I'm not knocking nurses, nor nurses who work nights.) I just never got any of that juice!



Anyway... my recollection of that adventure is that it was not a great time had by yours truly. And when I came home, my Mom had an event at church... probably a bridal shower for my cousin or my oldest sister. That left me at home with my Dad. I was hungry when I woke up. So... him being my Dad, gave me a bowl of cereal... shredded wheat to be exact. He couldn't understand why I couldn't get it down. My Mom was furious with him... and I was upset that I made her furious at him... she was certain I was going to have issues with my stitches and brought me a Popsicle to suck on... while she went and made me a milk shake with tiger milk added.



I do remember having lots of ice cream... and lots of soft scrambled eggs with cheddar and cottage cheese and peaches. My Mom... she was a good nurse!



Thanks for reading my little walk down memory lane! Be blessed!

~Suzanne

Oh!... I will more than likely do a give-away when I reach 200 posts. Sorry, but 100 came and went before I knew it! Stay tuned... I'm still deciding on what I want to do for a give-away! ;)

Various Things....

It's been an interesting day today. I had forgotten about my prescription issue with my pharmacy until I grabbed one of my bottles this morning and counted out how many pills I had left. 4 in one and 4 from an emergency refill as a courtesy when I last went in. Yikes!

So, I called the pharmacy... and Mindy told me that in fact, they had procured a new script for me and it had been filled on the 18th! (I wonder why they never called me???) So... I went over and picked it up... and it's for the wrong dosage. Oh well... some is better than none! I did contact our new health insurance provider and get the info on how to find a new doctor in this area... the CSR was quite helpful in giving me info on how to look things up.... and now I have a new patient appointment with an endocrinologist up in Berwick... only 12 miles away!

While I was at the pharmacy... there is a walk-in hair place within the strip mall. I went there once to get my hair frosted... and it turned out orange. (The other place I went to... it turned out very brassy with orange high-lights. I cannot find anyone around here that seems to understand how to process my hair so I get a summer blond look.) Needless to say... my hair was quite long, had lots of over processed streaks of orange and brass mixed with a lot of silver and white! So... I took the plunge and went in... I got one of the girls that was there when I went the first time and she was going a make-over on a hispanic girl and I think she ruined her. I decided to just go for the cut... because I can explain how I want it cut. She did a half way ok job... she cut the back way too short and didn't quite get the spikey affect I was going for on the back or the top. The sides aren't great... but I can live with it and will be cutting on it in a few days. I will decide if I am going to try and get it frosted again or live with salt and pepper. (hmmmmm???)

Anyway... tomorrow our fuel delivery comes... I will have to try and go to bed early tonight, because the driver likes to catch me in my jammies. (He always comes really early and we have forgotten to unlock the door or he wants to give me a calendar or hand me my receipt... and he always seems to oogle me... and I hate that!!!! So my plan is to be dressed and ready for when he delivers!

I also got an email today... one that was unexpected! My forever-maid-of-honor called me last night and told me she made my mac and cheese recipe... and she used every pot she had and wanted to know how to get the cheese off the pots! (soaking and lots of soap!) Her one true love sent me the sweetest email: I Loved the Mac and Cheese very tasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gary

He's a foodie and works for one of the Big Box retail chains that carry only bedding, bathroom and kitchen stuff. Liz is trying to brush up on her cooking skills and likes to get new ideas... (don't we all???) she really wanted to try my mac and cheese for Gary. I guess I forgot to mention that I start it all in a really big 12 inch nonstick skillet.... so that I don't make such a big mess. It's something that takes practice and like I said in my last post... I always seem to leave a step out or forget that not everyone thinks like me!

I do have a new follower... her name is Jenny... and she's from the Pacific Northwest! Hi to you! Glad that you like my blog! Here's the link to where she's at: http://jenny-jennywhocaniturnto.blogspot.com/
Go and check her out!

I'm off to reheat leftovers from last night... Yummm! It was so good and I don't mind having it again. I think we will even have some to freeze for another night. (Insert contented sigh here)

DH is home from work and has showered... now it's time to feed him! =)

Thanks for reading... be blessed. (I may try and get a decent picture (of my hair cut) added to this later!

~Suzanne

Weather Report

Yesterday... we had a little bit of everything around here. I would look out the window and it was sunny... so Nolli and I (well, me, cuz his is built in) raced to put on our coats and go outside to play for a few minutes. Then it would turn all cloudy... the wind would come racing up... and it would either start to snow, sleet, rain or all 3 at once! Yuck!

My DH finally made it home after an 11 1/2 hour day yesterday. He was soooo tired. He went straight to the shower... and then sat in his chair to work on his paperwork and notes. I made hin take a break at 6:45 to eat and he went back at it on the computer until 9. That's a long day!

Nolli did get to go to the flower shop... he's been in a great, playful mood.

I think he had a case of the winter blues!

oh.... the night before, I made chicken noodle soup... and gave him a small bowl as a treat after he ate most of his dinner. He cleaned out the bowl! So, last night, I heated up some leftover soup for him... and added that to his kibble. (I took care not to give him any onion) That silly dog at the whole thing... so I gave him seconds... and he scarfed that down too! He was so happy and silly after that.

When DH took him out last night... the wind was so bad... that it blew both of them across the grass as they stepped out the door. I'm glad it was DH that took him... if it was me, it would have knocked me down... and I'd still be out there, laying in the yard, trying to get up!

The wind is still blowing like crazy... around 30 mph. I have things to do... but I may stay in and not do them!

That is the end of the weather report for Sugarloaf Cottage... (back to the news desk... j/k!)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

This was fun!

I totally borrowed this idea from another blog that I read... I love this and I could expand on the idea quite easily.

Questions for you: Food Edition!

1) Think about the best meal you ever ate in a restaurant. What was the restaurant?

2) What is your favorite kind of cheese?

3) What is your favorite varietal of wine?

4) Have you ever eaten foie gras? If so, did you like it?

5) What is your favorite flavor of potato chip?

What are your answers?

Here are mine:

1. My most favorite meal is a tie... the first being a meal that was at a corporate awards dinner in Portsmouth NH... the restaurant was called 71, set in an old church. The food was amazing... and I had steak dijonnaise that was wonderful... with the best steamed shrimp ever. And to tie that is The Melting Pot... it's fondue... nothing more needs to be said!

2. We are cheese eaters at this house... but if I'm gonna splurge... I love Emmenthaler Swiss or Gruyere`. We eat a lot of colby/jack for grilled cheese too!

3. I don't drink wine. (I can't... no thyroid!) But if I did... I like a good champagne cocktail. I mostly drink diet pepsi or lemonade.

4. Yes and Yes... it was at the same corporate dinner... the chef really knew what he was doing... it was so flavorful and rich... not a lot of people ate it... but it was really good!

5. My favorite potato chip is Utz Honey BBQ. I love those... sweet and smoky! Hubs likes the crab chips they do as well... I can't eat those...

That was fun and I can't wait to read what your answers will be!

Oh... it's snowing here... we are going to get around 3 inches today, more tomorrow and on the weekend too. I'm ready for winter to be done. On a personal note... please keep those prayers a'comin! I have applied for several jobs... and need one! Please join me in seeking what God wants for me to do. Thanks!

Thank you for reading! Be blessed!

~Suzanne

Wow... a rare treat!

I just talked to my DH... he was on his way home from work! He's less than an hour away! (And yes, I am using a ton of exclaimation points!!!!) You see, he worked a good 4 hours of overtime yesterday. And the idiot who is his supervisor, won't let him take it as overtime. And demanded that he drive to work in Philly today! So, DH got up and left for work early, drove to Philly and worked for 1! hour!! And now he is driving home... That's a 2 hour drive, each way... to work 1! hour!! To cover 4 hours of overtime, that we could have used $$$ wise! (I don't think I need to tell you how crazy angry this makes me!!!)

.... Ok, I'm stepping off the soap box now.

So, once he gets home and gets cleaned up... we are going to do fun things!! Like... laundry! And like.... grocery shopping!

And by doing that... it will let us have a peaceful, lazy Valentine's Day and we won't have to go out and deal with other crazy people on one of the most commercial holidays ever invented!

(oh... did I just type that outloud?)

So... I will see y'all around, later on today. I will be back to check on comments and see what y'all have posted on your blogs! I will... I can't help myself! I'm addicted to y'all!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Oh... if y'all didn't catch my PS from yesterday... my hand is doing much better... only a little bit of swelling with the redness... still tender to the touch tho. Blistering has also gone down!

~Suzanne