Category Archives: Misc
Mother-in-law and Buckethead’s update
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH went to the hospital to see his mother today. They had her sitting up in a chair already. He said she had good color and seemed quite chipper. She was alert but kept insisting that she was at our house yesterday. It’s my belief that she probably dreamed it. They have her on some pretty heavy pain killers and antibiotics. It’s been difficult to keep track of her because it seems the hospital is playing musical rooms with the woman. Every time DH calls or goes there she’s in a different room.
Gavin is recovering nicely. He must’ve lost the strange veterinary hospital smell because Patty was sniffing around his crate today without a single hair on her back raised. She even tried to get him to play and made an attempt to facilitate Gavin’s escape from his crate. She was mouthing the latch on the door trying to open it. Poor pups, they can’t play together until after his stitches are removed and even then they will be strictly supervised for a while to make sure Patty leaves his ear alone.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Quick update
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Dear Hubby’s mom had surgery to repair her femur today. So far things are going well. As for any other injuries, I think they will tell us about them tomorrow. Their biggest concern was her broken femur and getting her stabilized.
DH and I are still running on very little sleep although he finally looks as though he might get a decent amount tonight. His best friend is helping out with Mom’s dog by taking him out and feeding him in the evening, so we now have one less trip to make over there a day.
Gavin is on his second Elizabethan collar and that one is looking pretty ragged already. I found a place online to order more at a much lower price than what I paid the vet’s office for the two we have…er had. His first one is destroyed–no amount of duct tape is going to hold that one together any more and we still have at least two weeks to go.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
An even looooonger day
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I don’t think I’ll be posting for at least a few days. Dear Hubby’s 81 year old mother took a terrible fall down her cellar steps. Thank goodness he found her soon afterwards. She’s in critical condition. Now between hospital runs, runs to her house to take care of her Border Terrier, and one of us having to stay with Gavin (and Patty) to keep him from messing with his ear…well, life has gone from hectic to chaotic. Is there such a thing as sleep?
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
DVD marathon
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We didn’t watch the Superbowl. Instead, we had a DVD movie marathon. We had two movies to watch and I told Dear Hubby to pick which one to watch first. He chose The Mummy, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Since I’d gone with a friend to see it in the theater I supposed, it’d be a good time for me to get the dinner dishes done and not miss anything. I figured correctly, I could easily remember each scene without having to sit still and watch it.
I was looking forward to the second movie, one I hadn’t already seen, Hellboy 2. I have to say that even though some of the critics had thumbs down on the film, I enjoyed it. Nevertheless, I like movies in this vein.
I’m not into the flavor of the day, which seems to be blood and gore slasher films. I can’t stand them. Nor am I into romantic comedies, or today’s comedy films, which I find to be not funny at all.
DH loves westerns, I don’t. I love mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, and action films. I admit it I’m a strange woman.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
I’ve had it, let the spring cleaning begin!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Enough of these arctic clippers, freezing cold, snow, and ice, enough I say. I figure that if I begin to spring clean this house it might bring with it warm temperatures. Yes, I know it’s wishful thinking on my part.
However, there is a downside to this. With my luck, if I thoroughly scrub the floors, walls, everything I can scrub, we’ll get a huge thaw and my yard will become a muddy swamp. The dogs will romp through the worst of it and track the whole yard inside. Well, damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead I am sick enough of this weather to gamble. I’ll take muddy paw prints over the cold any time.
Today I cleaned the refrigerator, oven, stove top, microwave, and all the stuff that sits on the counters. This meant moving everything off the countertops and ridding the kitchen of some clutter. Yes, I said clutter. I don’t know why but my kitchen is a clutter magnet. It attracts it as the back porch light brings moths.
Tomorrow I hope to finish the rest of the kitchen. Mind you, I said hope to. Cleaning and waxing the cabinets is time consuming so the floors might have to wait one more day.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
EEWWW Slush!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We had a lot of snow last night and then it rained on top of it. Today we had about four inches of slush. Imagine the looks on my dogs’ faces each time they went out and there was a change in what they were walking on.
In the wee hours of the morning, several inches of snow had fallen and more was coming down. They practically skipped out the door to play in the light fluffy snow. Walking was easy and the tiny light flakes tickled when they landed on the dogs.
Later Dear Hubby said the surface had a crust on it. They walked out on top of the hard snow and then their paws would pop through the stiff covering. Neither dog looked pleased with the changes. He said they weren’t eager to go out as often. Then it began to rain on top of it and they refused to go out in that stuff at all. Gavin stopped dead in the door and DH had to give him a push. He dashed out did his business and sprinted back in the house. He must have warned Patty because when DH went to take her out she dove into her crate forcing him to drag her out of it. At the back door, she did a handstand as he pushed on her butt to get her out. She too then did a mad dash out and a sprint back inside.
Around five I took Gavin out, when his front feet hit the sidewalk, and the several inches of slush covering it, he almost did an about face, but urgency over-ruled. However, the look I got when he came back in made me tell him, “I don’t make the weather.” Patty was so disgusted with the slush I think she would’ve permitted us to put doggie boots on her and she’s not the type of dog you dress up.
I can’t wait to see what looks we’ll get when they go out now. With the sun long gone and the temperature dipping, all that slush has turned into ice. Maybe they’d consent to doggie ice-skates or snowshoes.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Craving a cappuccino
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It’s time to dig out my cappuccino machine again. I’ve been craving a good cappuccino and I don’t mean the overpriced coffee bar stuff. Years ago, my younger sister bestowed a lovely little machine upon me that works like a dream. My only problem is my counter space is at a premium and keeping it out all the time is not an option. Thus, it only comes out when I develop a real craving; otherwise, I stick to pots of regular coffee.
Yes, I said ‘pots of’ I drink tons of coffee each day. Out of at least two pots of coffee in a day, I do believe Dear Hubby drinks maybe two or three cups. The rest I drink. It’s a miracle that I don’t suffer from coffee jitters.
I’ve always been a coffee junkie and wherever I am there is always a pot of coffee ready and waiting. When I managed a pet store, the local foot patrol knew they could drop in and there’d be coffee for them. If I’d had my little cappuccino machine then I wonder how many more would’ve popped in for a visit, but way back then cappuccino didn’t have the popularity it has today.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Uncategorized
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
This old house is a half bubble off plumb
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Maybe even three quarters of a bubble off plumb. We probably would never have noticed if it weren’t for the new curio cabinet. There I am trying to take a picture of it for a friend of mine when after snapping a couple of shots I couldn’t help but notice that in each picture the cabinet looked crooked. It’s not the cabinet, which is perfectly square. It’s my floors.
I should’ve figured that out right away because this house is well over one hundred years old. However, I’m sure others will agree that a crooked house isn’t the first thing that you’d think of at the time. Nooooo, you go ACK! My new cabinet is crooked. For what I paid, it should be straight. It’s after that initial outburst, that you realize it’s not the cabinet.
Maybe the day we put in new flooring our cabinet will be level…or not. With a century old house, you never have any certainty other than it is still standing after all these years. Yes, it is old but this house has character, a history, and it will probably last another century. You can’t say that about new houses.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
A place for everything—well, at least some of the things.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve collected Bull Terrier figurines for twenty-eight years but have had no real way to display most of them. Nearly all of them I’d carefully wrapped in bubble wrap packed them in boxes and stashed them in our attic. We kept telling ourselves that one day we’d be able to unpack them and set them out in a curio cabinet or something. I don’t like clutter, things scattered about on bookcases and tables, collecting dust, and, with OUR DOGS getting broken.
Yesterday, on a whim, we went bargain shopping. We managed to find a bargain basement priced curio cabinet. A local high-end furniture store is going out of business and has a huge sale going on. (Who can resist that?) This morning our curio cabinet arrived, much to our surprise, we really didn’t expect it for a few days since they had to bring it in from one of their other three stores. Dear Hubby and a neighbor went and picked it up. I woke to find our new cabinet all set up except for the glass shelves. They left that to me. (Smart men!)
Unfortunately, it didn’t take me long to fill it and I think there are still a few stray Bull Terrier figurines hiding in the attic. However, it looks wonderful. Instead of clutter, I have a beautiful cabinet filled with our lovingly chosen Bullies. We purchased most of them at dog shows where I was showing our dogs, so they all have wonderful memories connected to them. A few were given to us by dear friends. One little one is very special to me since my baby sister gave it to me two years before she died and I’m glad to be able to see it every day now.
Posted in Dog related, hobbies, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, gifts, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Hero pilot and the “miracle on the Hudson”
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Isn’t it wonderful to hear good news for a change? I want to add my praises to the long list of others who have already done so. Three cheers for the pilot of the US Airways jet who landed the Airbus in the Hudson. This man then proceeded to go through the plane twice to make sure that all his passengers were safely out. I wasn’t surprised to hear he was a former US Air Force fighter pilot.
I salute you sir. I’m a daughter of a USAF Officer and I am proud of you and your crew.
Chesley Sullenberger, his co-pilot Jeff Skiles, and the entire crew of that jet deserve all the kudos they can get. They kept their heads and saved over one hundred passengers. As I watched the news last night the story about these people, the rescue workers, and other civilians who helped get the passengers safely to dry land had me choked up. I cannot applaud them enough. Well done people!
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Will CSI continue to be as interesting without Grissom?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
As a mystery writer and the wife of a retired Police Officer, I know that what you see is not what you get in real life from a CSI unit. Nevertheless, I enjoy the show. I’ve listened to Dear Hubby say, “there’s no way they’d get the results that fast.” At a writer’s conference I sat in (author of Police Procedures and Investigation a Guide for Writers) Lee Lofland’s ‘CS I don’t believe it’ session. He told us the same thing DH had told me. I still enjoy the show.
I’ve watched CSI from the start. It is the best of the three CSI programs. I will miss Gil Grissom’s (William Peterson) unassuming persona. I am thrilled that they didn’t end his role violently as they did Warrick’s (Gary Dourdan). It’s time they had a character leave with happy results. Gil Grissom has gone to Costa Rica to be with Sara.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to seeing what they do with their new cast member Dr. Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne). However, I do wonder if the show will ever be as good. I hope so. Fishburne has some enormous shoes to fill.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, TV Shows, Writer, Writing
Have you laughed today?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m talking about a giggle, a titter, a chuckle, a belly laugh, any sort of laughter will do.
Dear Hubby and I are fortunate because we always have laughter. He has a wonderful dry sense of humor that sneaks up on you, pulls out a baseball bat, and whacks you in the head. It’s fast and seldom painless. Think groaningly bad, but hysterically funny puns and jokes. You begin to giggle. Then you find it difficult to stop because your brain keeps hitting replay.
Everyone needs a good giggle occasionally. Like when you were a child and got into a fit of giggles that nothing, not even threats from exasperated parents could stop. These incidents usually happen during dinners. Siblings or other members of the family (yes, dear cousins you have done this too) usually egg the giggles on. In my case, DH keeps me going once he gets me started. He gets a kick out of me clutching my aching sides and laughing myself weak.
The pups are also good for a few daily laughs. Eventually one of them manages to make us chuckle with one stunt or another. Today Gavin dug out his favorite toy, a rubber ball that looks like basket weave. He bugged DH to throw it for him several times. Patty sat on the couch to observe this ritual. Finally, she decided to join in on the fun and the game of fetch became a tug of war between the two dogs. SHE thought it was fun. Gavin was not pleased but with us telling him he was ‘such a good boy for sharing’, he behaved admirably.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
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