Blog Archives
Frozen for 20+ years things, look scary.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m not getting any younger and I should know better than to work my buns off for five hours without a break. My back is so sore today I can hardly move. My legs and arms aren’t in the greatest of shape now either.
We worked upstairs for three hours sorting through two rooms; we barely put a dent in the stuff there. Then we started on the downstairs freezer so we could turn it off along with the other major appliances.
Most of the pain stems from cleaning years of frozen food out of a chest freezer the size of Alaska. Hell, you can hide a dozen bodies in the darned thing. G and I couldn’t believe the dates (Some items dated back to 1986.) on the packages of WTF are they that we pulled out from the bottom. (We thought we’d never reach it.) “Hold my feet G; I’m going for the stuff on the bottom!”
I don’t think my MIL cleaned out her freezer…ever. The most heartbreaking thing we pulled out of there were a dozen filet mignons of undeterminable age. Crikeys! We both groaned as we bagged them for garbage collection. Steaks, we were throwing away steaks!
It took two hours to clear the freezer of primordial remnants of food. We had two refrigerators their freezers and one small freezer upstairs to go. Thank goodness, they didn’t have a ton of food in them. We’d almost hit the limit of ten garbage bags as it was. The tiny chest freezer upstairs had fresh food in it that I told G to take. I know her sons’ families can use the extra in these hard times.
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
Look what we found…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Since the MIL is never going to go back home from the nursing home, we have to clean out the house. While cleaning some things out of the MIL’s house today G and I came across these items. There are two of those lamps. I tried to find out what the items were worth online but had no luck at all. I guess this means a trip to an antique shop now and hope the owner is honest.
I plan to keep one of the beaded bags. I have no use for three of them since I seldom have a need to dress up.
One thing we found in abundance everywhere we looked was pennies. The in-laws were penny hoarders of the first rank. OMG I never saw so many. They are going to love me at the sorting machine, LOL!
The MIL was a QVC jewelry nut. I have no idea what I’m going to do with all the rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. I do know that I will get some use out of the several fancy watches she had that she never wore once. They still had the protective plastic on the faces and backs and holding the stem out.
We only cleared one dresser, two closet bottoms, two freezers, and two refrigerators today and we were both beat when we left.
Tags: antiques, Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Vintage, Writer, Writing
What I’m reading now
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I recently bought a two-volume book for my Kindle and in doing so discovered a new author I like. He is J. R. Rain and the books are Moon Dance and Vampire Moon. He’s cleverly mixed the vampire craze with a PI mystery. Check him out at http://www.jrrain.com/
I’m also re-reading a few classics. I just finished the Iliad and I’m currently reading the Odyssey. I’ll be downloading more classics in the near future.
Tags: Amazon Kindle, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
What makes me smile?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
To hear DH laugh or see him smile brings one to my face and heart. Gavin and Patty playing or squabbling will make me grin. There’s talking to my Aunties and cousins, always a way to put a smile on my face.
Writing makes me smile. Reading a well-turned phrase makes me smile, and then causes me to gnash my teeth, jealous I didn’t write it. Hearing Lenny deliver a great line in Law and Order reruns—Geez, I miss that man’s talented deadpan delivery, may he rest in peace.
More things that make me smile are having a dear friend drop by to visit over coffee. All the fabulous friends I’ve made online.
My yearly writer’s conference—great friends, good food, good wine, a little bit of me time, and wonderful conversations.
Halloween.
Comments on my posts.
What makes you smile?
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Post A Day, Writer, Writing
Some who write say:
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“Sit your butt in your chair and write.”
Oh, if only it were that easy.
DH and the dogs vie for my attention especially at mealtime. Four in the afternoon Gavin starts to bug me. He pokes me with his nose, he stares at me, and he bows and barks. Patty dances and sings back up.
“It’s not time yet.”
“What’s for dinner?” DH asks.
“It’s not time yet. Can’t you see I’m trying to work?”
“Oh, I thought it was later.”
“That’s why you have a watch and half a dozen clocks around the house. So that you know what time it is.”
“I figured the dogs knew.”
“The dogs can’t tell time.” I reread what I wrote while he was talking. Hmm, not bad…and then my character can—
“Well, can you tell me what we’re having anyway?”
Typing frantically before I lose my train of thought I snap, “Food, you’ll like it.” I look up and brakes squeal—the train crashes.
I sit back, look heavenward, and the house adds its two cents by waving cobwebs at me from odd places.
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
And so begins another year
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I heated a tiny personal pan pizza, opened a small bottle of champagne, and toasted in the New Year alone. This was a first. DH usually celebrates with me.
However, DH had had a rough day, he was in bed and sound asleep by ten. We had a meeting at the nursing home about his mother’s care in the afternoon. After finding out the nursing home had his mother on a full code, we talked to them about putting a DNR on her. This was not an easy decision. We’re both certain that she wouldn’t want to have special measures taken to revive her at this point. We’d discussed this amongst ourselves for years. It’s a quality of life thing. She’s barely there mentally now. She knew all too well how important quality of life is and she, loving her independence as she did, would be rather pissed if any other decision were made and her life prolonged at this stage.
Yesterday was the third anniversary of my mother’s death. It was not a happy day in this house. The day kept reminding me that all of my immediate family is gone. I do thank my lucky stars that I have aunts and cousins that love me and keep in touch.
Posted in In memory of..., Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, New Year, Novel writing, Nursing home, Old age, Writer, Writing
Have a Happy New Year!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I won’t be posting from now until January 2, so I figured I’d wish you all a Happy New Year now.
If you’re drinking, don’t drive, or, at the very least, please have a designated driver or call a cab. Stay safe I’ll see you all in 2011.
Posted in Holidays
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, Writer, Writing
I hope you dance
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Too often, as we grow older we forget the joys and dreams of our youth. I feel it’s time for me to recapture those feelings. Anyone else want to join me?
I’ve taken to dancing with the pups every afternoon. Gavin and Patty love it. It’s undivided attention from Mom. I put on some favorite music and grab some dog cookies and we dance. We dance for the fun of it. We dance for the joy of it. We dance because it makes DH smile. We dance because we can.
It’s not fancy dancing as you see on some of those dancing dog and people videos. It is plain Jane foot tapping silly dancing. Mostly we leap about and act like idiots but it is fun for all of us. It is certainly a lot more fun than going out in the cold.
As for dreams, well I’m still working on my books. I won’t give up them. I only need to have more hours in the days so I can finish them.
Remember to keep the joys and dreams alive. Maybe you too will dance.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Mother Nature gave us a big break
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We were lucky we only got a little over two inches of snow while the major portion of the storm hammered south and east of us. A couple of places in NJ had 28 inches of snow. I’m glad we don’t live there.
It won’t take long for the snow we have to go away. The forecast for the coming week claims rising temperature climbing to fifty degrees by next Monday. Can you say yippee? I sure can.
We did get wind and lots of it. I swear we’ve had more wind this year than I can remember having over the last thirty plus years. At least it’s cleaning the dead wood out of the trees, which is something I hadn’t done this fall.
Neither Gavin nor Patty like the wind or the snow and are quick to be about their business outside. My poor wussy pups. They will be happy when things warm up later this week.
The new heater for the pond is working well, we have very little ice, and that is only where our Pan fountain is running at a weak trickle.
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, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Snow, Writer, Writing
Isn’t it spring yet?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Okay, Christmas is over, can we stop with the TV specials and Christmas carols now? After all, they began back in October, and to be honest, I am completely, utterly, and thoroughly sick and tired of them.
We have snow and wind, and more snow. It’s cold. Cabin fever is already starting.
As of now, I am looking forward to Saint Patrick’s Day and spring. I have had enough winter weather in only two days to make me wish for March and the promise of spring.
I am ready to dig in the garden and plant things. I want warm sun and fresh air.
Posted in Holidays, Weather related
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Snow, Writer, Writing
Are you a bad weather survivalist?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
As we on the East Coast batten down the hatches and prepare for our first blizzard of the season, some of us still hold out the hope that the storm turns seaward. Well, at least those of us who are sane do.
The idea of an oncoming blizzard sends some people into a strange frenzy of activity. They panic and become bad weather survivalists. They crowd into the grocery stores.
I know these people. Although they have an unopened gallon of milk in the fridge, they dash to the store to buy five more along with tons of other things they already have. Heaven forbid they don’t buy out the store on paper products.
We have these storms all the time and it may take a day or two for the streets to get plowed but plowed they get. Stores have their lots plowed privately; their doors open ASAP, they want to make a profit.
We’re more of the keep things on hand so we don’t have to make panic runs sort. I hate to shop and shopping in crowds of bad weather survivalists is almost as bad as shopping on black Fridays. I refuse to do it.
Posted in Weather related
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, Snow, Writer, Writing
Bingle jell pups
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A little after midnight I picked up the leash and the sleigh bell collar. Gavin danced to the front door eager to be off. Patty tried to push ahead of him but I told her she had to wait her turn as I put the collar and leash on him.
After nine years of doing this, Gavin knows our route and he strutted down the street with bells a ringing. He kept to a fast pace, no leisurely stroll for this dog he was all business. An elderly couple got out of their car and wished us a Merry Christmas.
Once we returned to the house, it was Patty’s turn to take another direction. She was as excited as Gavin had been to do her part. We stopped and hid behind a car when I saw the door across the street open at the sound of the bells. I could hear an adult telling the kids inside they’d better hurry to bed because that had to be Santa out there. Squeals of delight followed and then the door closed. Patty and I stepped out from behind the car and continued our jingle bell walk.
Once back in the house, the two dogs leapt about begging for the cookies that they’d earned giving their very special Christmas present to the neighborhood.
Posted in Dog related, Holidays
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Christmas, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gift, Holidays, Home, Jingle bell, Life, Love, Merry Christmas, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Santa, Santa Claus, Writer, Writing
Doggonedmysteries 