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Where are these home improvement shows when you need them?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Once we finish clearing the clutter from the MIL’s house we’ll have our work cut out for us. I could certainly use both of those curb appeal and design to sell shows’ help then. Maybe I should start haunting the local Home Depots and Lowes in the hopes of having someone walk up to me with microphones, TV cameras, and then asking if I wanted them to come to my house.
“Yes! Yes! I have just the place for you to tackle.” I’d do cartwheels and at my age and the shape I’m in that’d be amazing in of itself.
Follow me here people and you’ll see why I would do those cartwheels.
My in laws moved into their “new” house 38 years ago. After my father in law retired several years later, the house suffered from neglect. Dad didn’t do anything to keep the house up; instead, they spent summers off camping and going to flea markets. (Yep, that’s where some of the clutter and junk came from.)
Since his father’s death in 1998, DH and friends did what they could to keep the house from falling apart. I suspect it was about that time that my mother in law became enamored of QVC, junk catalogues, and anything sold on TV. Her hoarding life began anew. (Oh, yeah more clutter and junk piled up only now it was new and shiny.) My mother in law refused to allow any of us to come in to clean and paint the interior for her. I would’ve gladly done so.
Now DH can’t do the work, I’m not getting any younger, I hate to climb ladders, and our friends aren’t as young, energetic, and healthy as they used to be.
Cartwheels? Hell, I’d do handsprings.
Posted in Favorite TV shows, Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Post A Day 2011, Writer, Writing
Muse vs. editor
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“No, no, no you need to continue writing to the end. Stop editing as you go,” my muse told me.
I longed to bang my head on the keyboard to shake things loose in my brain. “I can’t think straight enough to write at the moment so I thought doing some editing would be a good idea.”
“Do it! Do it!” My little editor jumped up and down suddenly beside himself with excitement.
“Pull yourself together,” I told him as I grabbed the, now two, editors from my shoulder and placed them on my desk. “One of you hanging around here is enough.”
An evil grin spread over my muse’s face. “I can take care of them.” She stood and made as if to catch them.
I didn’t like the look in her eyes. “Um, that’s okay. I think he can handle it.” I leaned close to the two dancing editors and whispered, “You’d better hide. I think she means it.”
Their faces turned red, then there were two small pops, and the editors were gone.
“Rats, it would’ve given me great pleasure to smash them back into one.” My muse flopped back into Gavin’s chair and flung her legs over the arm.
“Too much pleasure I think. Let’s get back to the book.”
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Copy editing, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Editing, Editing and Proofreading, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Post A Day 2011, Writer, Writing, Writing & Editing
Best laid plans?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
G and I went to the farmers market, and at the most mouth-watering stand, I bought two lovely chicken potpies. All the way home, I thought about how wonderful they were going to taste. Arriving home a little before three, I told DH what we were having for dinner. I almost had to hand him a napkin to wipe the drool from his chin. I put the potpies in the refrigerator planning to reheat them around five o’clock.
That’s when the power went off. EEEKS! “Okay, okay I can handle this. The power will be back on in time to fix dinner.” Yeah, in my DREAMS!
I looked outside and most of the neighbors were out there discussing our little power outage. I hastened to join them. Yes, only our block had no power. DH called the power company. After jumping through their many hoops, he finally managed to speak to a human.
The human at the power company told DH, “Your power should be back on by five.”
He came outside with the news and we all felt happy to have a set time for the return of our power.
It didn’t happen.
Nope, one power company truck showed up at five, one man worked on the lines, and yet we still had no power. “I called it in and told them they need to upgrade the transformer.”
“Okay, but when we have the power back?”
“I don’t know,” He replied. “Maybe another two hours, but don’t quote me on that.”
“Great. I guess dinner will have to wait.” I kept thinking about those potpies as I lit four kerosene lamps to keep the darkness at bay.
Seven o’clock came and went with no power on the horizon. Dinner became cold cuts.
“What’s that I hear? Is it a truck? Do I see yellow lights? Yes!” A few minutes before nine, the neighborhood celebrated having power again.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Kerosene lamp, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Post A Day 2011, Writer, Writing
Things not to say when…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
If you are trying to sell, give away, or junk a huge chest freezer, you don’t tell people it will easily hold six bodies.
A cop pulls you over, you don’t ask him A. Where is the nearest bar? B. How fast was I going? C. What’s your favorite drink?
Yes, that’s all I can think of this early in the morning. I haven’t gone to bed yet and I am beat from another Wednesday of clearing the crap out of the MIL’s house. The brain isn’t functioning at 100%. Maybe if I have another cup of coffee…no, too wired as it is.
Y’all have a good day. I’m going to bed.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day 2011, Writer, Writing
Signs of spring
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We begin a new month. We’re closer to spring now, oh joy!
When I took the dogs out today, I saw crocus and daffodils poking out of the ground in the gardens and they were over an inch high. The day lilies, iris, and many other flowers are awakening too.
For the last week, huge flocks of geese have flown over our house every day. Some of them are so high you can barely spot the Vs but you can still hear them honking.
The robins haven’t appeared yet but they can’t be far behind. Birds are beginning to hang around the feeders in larger groups and the crows in the cemetery are practicing their aerobatics. They swoop low over the tombstones and grass racing each other to the tallest spires.
I’ve had to chase suet raiding squirrels out of the yard several times a day. Yes, spring is arriving.
Posted in my garden, Weather related
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
Yes, I talk to myself when I shop
Posted by doggonedmysteries
They say you should never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. I’m always hungry when I go shopping.
I take my handy dandy little shopping list and try to stick to it. Of course, there’s always those one or two or three items I remember I am out of and they do go into my cart.
“Hmm, chocolate pudding, don’t have any must need some.” Into the cart it goes. “How about eggs do we need eggs? I forgot to put those on the list but I’m fairly certain we are almost out of them.” Eggs go into the cart.
“What the heck is this now? I can’t read his handwriting. Is that White Out? I’m not at an office supply store for heaven’s sake—oh yeah it’s that stuff MT. Dew makes. Okay got it.” I load a carton onto the bottom of the cart.
“Peanut butter.” I snag a jar from the shelf and toss it into the cart. “Crap, do we need bread? I don’t have it on my list. There might be some in the spare fridge.” My cart is quite full by then. “Oh, well if we do need some I can always do a quick trip later.”
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
Scottish Deerhound takes Westminster
Posted by doggonedmysteries
As soon as we saw Hickory walk into the best in show ring DH and I both said, “There’s the winner.” We were right. She was the perfect example of the Scottish deerhound standard. Her movement was breath taking.
Our hearts will always belong to the terrier group, especially Bull Terriers, but we know a good dog when we see one. Hickory stood out a little above the rest of the competition.
Congratulations to Hickory, her breeders, owners, and especially her brilliant handler. Three cheers for the first time ever Westminster best in show win for a Scottish deerhound.
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pets, Post A Day, Rescue Dogs, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Writer, Writing
Slow minutes vs. fast minutes
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We all know what these are. We’ve all suffered through the slow ones and wondered where the time has gone on the fast ones. Off the top of my head, here are some examples.
Waiting for a school bell to ring signaling the end of a school day—slow minutes. Watching the clock at the end of a workday—slow minutes. Isn’t this day ever going to end? Waiting for the coffee to heat in the microwave—slow minutes. Coffee, I need coffee.
Watching a well-acted and exciting movie—fast minutes. Is it over already? You sit down to read an interesting book and before you know it a voice asks, “Are you cooking dinner any time soon tonight?” —fast minutes. Oops.
You sit in an emergency room waiting for news, good or bad—slow minutes.
Taking a test, filling in all those little circles before a voice says, “close your books”—fast minutes.
A child trying to fall to sleep on Christmas Eve—very slow minutes.
How about it, can you think of more?
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
I said I’d think about it
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“Aw, please oh please oh please!” My muse pleadingly raised her hands in the air.
“You have to be kidding. You really want me to drag that old book out and work on it?”
“Why not? It’s been years since you’ve even looked at it. I bet you can do a quick rewrite and have it in top form in no time.” She hopped up from the chair she’d sprawled in and patted my shoulder.
“But why?”
“I think people will like your heroine. They’re ready for her now. She’s no angel, she’s tough, her language isn’t very pretty but she has something.”
“I dunno, all those rejections later, I don’t know if I’m ready for more, at least not on that book.”
My muse flopped back into the chair and swung her legs over the arm. “Will you at least think about it?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Posted in My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
Update on the gas explosion
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The news was grim. Four adults and an infant died in the explosion. G and I knew the elderly couple that died in the first house. We’d often walked past and complimented them on their lovely garden. They lived there at least as long as we’ve lived in our homes.
Eight homes were lost in the fires that followed the explosion. Twenty-four homes suffered damage. Having been through the aftermath of a fire in the house next door to us and the subsequent smoke damage our home suffered I truly sympathize with these people.
The town has rallied to make certain these people have support, shelter, clothing, and other needs taken care of at this time. Donations are pouring in and I do hope it is enough. Some of these people were renters and had no insurance. It is heart rending to know that they’ve lost everything.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Allentown Pennsylvania, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Explosion, Family, Fiction, Gas explosion, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
The thermostat war
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Granted at my age I do have hot flashes from time to time. However, hot flashes aren’t what drive me up the wall DH and where he sets the thermostat does.
Due to his medications for his MS, DH is always cold in the winter. I am not.
If I’m sitting here sweating my buns off without a hot flash, that’s not a good thing. Checking the thermostat I find DH has it almost to eighty degrees. Is it no wonder that I’m sweating? I turn the thermostat down.
An hour or so later, DH walks past the thermostat and turns it up. I turn it down.
“What are you doing? I’m cold.”
“It’s freaking eighty degrees in here. If you’re cold go put on warmer clothes.” I walk into the kitchen to cook dinner.
An hour or two passes and I’m still sweating. I look at the thermostat. DH has turned it up again. I turn it down. I swear I’m going to buy that man electric under-drawers.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
I bet you say that to all the ghouls
Posted by doggonedmysteries
He pointed to a vellum document, held a quill pen out to me, and grinned. “Sign here.”
His smirk made my veins feel as though I’d plunged into a winter lake. “I don’t think so.”
“It wasn’t you, who only moments ago, swore you’d sell your soul to finish writing your books and have them published?” His eyes glowed red.
“Well, I may have said it, but I certainly didn’t mean it.” I willed my heart to stop its wild rampage in my chest. “Who the heck are you anyway?”
“I’m not the devil if that’s what you’re wondering. I’m one of his lowly ghouls, a minor minion. However, if you sign here…” He held out the document again. “Your wish will be my command for the minimal price of one soul.”
“No sale buddy.”
“Don’t be so hasty.” He sighed and leaned against the doorway. “Here’s how it goes, Toots. If I go back without my quota, I have to face the music. That music is horrible.”
“Tough, as far as I’m concerned…” I stood and placed my hands on my hips. “You can go to hell.”
With those words, a clap of thunder rocked the house and the ghoul disappeared.
Posted in Misc, Short Stories
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
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