Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A Day at the Races . . errr . . . Rally

When I got a call to volunteer at the Obama/Biden rally in Fredericksburg at the University of Mary Washington last Saturday in return for preferential seating I jumped at the chance! It meant going door-to-door for about 3 hours and then off to the rally to help with the crowds. And, talk about crowds! Newspapers report 26,000 people and I heard estimates as high as 35,000. 15,000 had been expected. Anyhow, my partner and I generally made ourselves useful, giving out material and information to the long lines of people. Obama and Biden were running late, estimated time for start of rally was moved to 6:15. Late in the afternoon we had a thunderstorm with torrential rain and no shelter being available we were all drenched - and I mean literally sopping wet. Our organizer informed us to be at the gate at a certain time to get into the rally, and I was, but no entry permitted. We were directed to another area and again, no entry. Mind you, it is raining all this time! I had become separated from my partner by this time - perhaps she will tell you the "mischief" she was up to. I could not see anything and was trapped in a sea of people. I decided I would slog back out to the car - about one mile away - knowing that she would eventually come there - and I at least could sit down in a dry area (car was locked and I didn't have key). As I was leaving the campus I noticed lots of police cars blocking the road, lights flashing, and I assumed the Obama/Biden caravan would be passing there - their destination was 1/2 block away. When I approached the sidewalk I was told I couldn't wait there. Turned out to be a Secret Service agent and he directed me to a vantage point on a corner across the street. By that time I was totally dripping but decided to hang around to see what transpired. After about 20 minutes here it came - motorcycles, state troopers, SUV's, and A BIG BROWN BUS. Can you guess I was jumping up and down and frantically waving like a damn fool and as the bus passed the passenger in front gave me a big smile and a wave! YESSIREE BOB - it was HIM! It kind of made all the work and rain worthwhile, but think I've been to my last rally.

When I made it to the car I had to wait about an hour for my partner to appear and I hope she will tell you of her adventure at the rally. I am just happy that I didn't have to go post bail.

Friday, September 19, 2008

TGIF

Good Morning out there--------

All is quiet here on the home front.

As for clean? Not in this household. I agree that God passed by me with the clean genes and gave them ALL to Jane (and Mark-he's just as bad). I wish i could be a better person in that dept. However, I've finally come to realize -I"m a slob, no way around it. Joey and I had a good laugh about it last nite - we decided if anyone was ever to break in here = he'd would be tripping over things - so he would give us a warning - or maybe Bruti would defend his master (me).

As for Bruti - i'm done giving him shots!! Is it really necessary for him to have all those stinkin shots? It's been rough this week w/him crying and bouncing off the walls, but seems he is fine now. I noticed last night when he was in his pen - when i was going to bed - he was upside down, paws in the air, head curled down in his bed - never heard me = he must be feeling a whole lot better. However, he has been getting yappy. If i talk to him, he talks back to me! Joey has been trying to teach Bruti to "speak"!

Ok, FYI - Dad's birthday is coming up - and i for one will plan to go up there - i'm unclear if it's to be the w/end before or after Dad's birthday. So if you folks plan to go to - let's work it out.

Ok, i'm outta here--gotta go bring home the bacon!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What is this "clean" you speak of, mom?

I cleaned the bathroom on Sunday, and this morning, *somebody* left two huge blobs of toothpaste in the sink.

We have two new babies. Gray Catsby, is the leaner, silvery kitten, and Scout is the tabby point Siamese with blue eyes. They are rescues and very sweet. Errrrrrrrrr the gray one is, that is, Scout isn't quite sure this is his "forever" home.

I am soooooooooo glad that the economy is fundamentally strong, because my retirement account when caput yesterday. But, I am determined to not be a middle school teacher until I die. I still want to go to florist school (do they have that?) and be a florist someday.

Today, we got a taste of a crisp fall day and it made me think we should do a family apple picking outing with Jaida and Christian and everyone and then make a ton of applesauce, apple butter, apple pie, apple crisp, etc. together to freeze for winter. Let's do it!

Well, that is the update from here in the 'burg, hi from: Scout, Gray Catsby (do you get the literary references? You better!), Tabitha, Rosie, Eliza DooLittleKitty, Charlie, Felix, Teddi, Lucy, and, and, oh, yeah, Baby and Lilly. Oh, and Max.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Hi everyone! hot, humid, and yucky here today (and yesterday). Am making myself do a little cleaning - if I do one room a day it's not so bad. Gawd! I HATE cleaning! Jane got all the "cleaning genes." Cleaned the den yesterday - your father is a SLOB! Manages to leave peach pits, Dove bar sticks, etc. all around his chair and then kicks them underneath when he gets up.

I am still reading the Barbara Walters book - it's pretty good and I'm enjoying it a lot. This will be of interest to certain members of our family - she talks about her troubled relationship with her daughter - but all is well now. Next I have American Wife on tap - a roman a clef - it sounds like G and L. Bush. After that comes Black and White by Dani Shapiro. Has anyone read "The Art of Racing in the Rain"? I am sorely tempted to order it - it features a dog.

Speaking of dogs, Fritz and I play this game with my hands. I slap the bedspread and he pounces, jumps up and down, etc. When he "snares' my hand he gives a very gentle little bite not hurting at all. He acts like it's his favorite thing to do. Yesterday he went up a little bit to my forearm and I told him without raising my voice, that it was bad to do that. He stopped immediately and laid down next to me. What a smart little guy.

Saturday nite when I was getting out buns for our hamburgers, I dropped one on the floor. Wouldn't you know, Fritz was right there at my feet, scooped it up and ran under the dining room table (I presume so Sandi wouldn't get it). It took him about 20 minutes to devour the whole thing - it was bigger than his whole head! Sandi got a hamburger bun too.

This is such an exciting post! Have I bored everyone yet? Our pears are ripe now and falling off the trees. Persimmons are all turning a lovely rosy read and I expect they will be dropping soon. The deer love the persimmons, but I'm surprised they are leaving the pears alone. I canned them once, but no one ate them so now they just go to waste.

Off to play a game of Literati and read some political blogs.

my fingers are sore...not broken

I have been kinda depressed ..that's why I haven't blogged lately. I am a little better..the travel agency I applied at called me on friday ..yippee! Now I have to wait for someone to call me back to set up an appointment to take 3 tests. They should be called today.

As most of you know...someone stole my Obama sign I had on the fence facing Princess Anne road......I have ordered some more....this time I am installing a boobie trap! Theiving bastards!

Alot of my plants in the backyard are dying...from thirst, we have gotten very little rain. Nothing else really going on to blog about.
Everyone have a great monday.
btw..did anyone see snl?
luv
jane

Sunday, September 14, 2008

NO broken fingers here

Just waiting for better blogger news then mine...nothing new on this homefront.

How come you couldn't post more than a reply to my broken fingers - are your fingers broken?Nothing more than that comment from you ms blogger....lol
Sooooooo - how come the blogger who accuses us of having broken fingers doesn't post something? Broken fingers, perhaps?

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I haven't been blogging because I've been spending all my time reading political blogs and watching political programs on television. This Sarah Palin is an interesting character but I fear for my country if she and McPain are elected. I think it would be the end of our democracy! She has referred to Obama by a racial slur - and while I know his "lipstick" on pigs was not directed at her, I LOVED it. Made me laugh out loud.

It's a little rainy here today so no gardening. We had plumbing experts here on Monday to see why we had no water. Turns out a pipe out in the field had ruptured and all the well water was gushing out there. We're back in business now - but it was a good thing Nancy reminded me before hurrican Hanna to fill up some water jugs. People can live without a lot of things, but water is a necessity.

Went grocery shopping this morning - 50 bucks for practically nothing. We have radically changed the way we eat and it still costs a fortune. No more meat, veg, potatoes, salad. Now it's a sandwich or something like that. Perhaps a can of soup!

Made a fast trip into the library - got Barbara Walter's Audition. Had wanted to read it, but didn't want to buy it. Our assistant librarian (an African American) just was awarded her Bachelor's Degree! It was made possible by the aftermath of the closing of the public schools here in Prince Edward County as a part of a reparation program. She is a lovely lady and I was thrilled for her. We also had a long talk about - what else? - politics and the candidates of our choice - Obama/Biden.

Well, it's off to lunch now - cream cheese with chives on wheat thins - love that stuff.

Smoochies all around!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

What's the matter with you people out there not blogging? Got broken fingers or what?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Jamie's Birthday

Just a quick hello - i'm in the mist of cooking. Almost forgot about Jamie's cake in the oven...
I wanted to say Thank you to all you - Jamie's birthday was a success. He was thrilled to receive his gifts from everyone -including the mail he received from Mom and a friend of his. Jamie said he wasn't really surprised b/c Grandma did say to him he was having a party on Monday. However, he wasn't 100% sure if that was true since we told him we were having a surprise party for Catherine. Jane and Christian got Jamie good w/that silly spray stuff --Jane was a little kid playing with it. And, Christian well - he totally loved the stuff. Tonight i'm making Shepard's pie with a salad (Jamie's choice) and lemon supreme cake (Jamie's choice) for desert.

School is off to a good start. No SNAFU's this year like last year. Joey is home at 1230, and Jamie isn't home till 415. So far Joey has told me no homework for the last two nights. While Jamie has had homework. I've already reminded Joey - c's or better for a learner's permit, and have told him i'm going to be more involved this year then i was last year. I've already met his guidence counselor. And, she is aware of my concerns.

That's really about it.

Monday, September 1, 2008

We had one drop of rain here

Yes I need my yard signs asap.....I see more and more mcpain signs....we will put one up on Princess anne rd...on the fence with zip ties so it will be harder to steal. I am also looking forward to driving my rover around with an Obama sticker on it...and Mark says he Will wear the button that says truckers for Obama ....he will wear it to work. Marianne still needs to register...I need to follow up on Adam and jackie too....and Bobby....and check if Eric registered...I think Catherine already is ...Obama needs all of our votes!
Bobby has a new girl friend..her name is Missy, she has 2 little girls - 1 in 4th grade and 1 in the 5th, and Jaida loves going over to her house, Bobby says she lives about a mile from the restaurant.
Adam has messed up his bank...his account was seized by capitol one..he has a credit card with them and owed money..he can't even get out the money to pay them! Mean time ..he doesn't have his meal card anymore..he turned it in and has the money added to his pay...so he doesn't have any money to eat....he thinks he will be able to get money on tues....he says his room mate has been feeding him a little....he is too proud to find a western union so we can send him a few dollars. Jackies says she opened a new bank account ...and changed Adams direct deposit to that account(which does not have adams name on it).....I had to tell Adam that his pay will probably go into limbo land because the name and numbers won't match on the new account because his name isn't on it......which will mean it will be longer till he has money to eat!
Today we are having a Birthday party for Jamie...Fried chicken, coleslaw, mashed potatoes. beans and rolls and of course cake, and I am also going to make deviled eggs.
Hope everyone has a Great holiday!
luv
jane
ps...Marianne put your pics up from your vacation