The Name Game

I was visiting my friend Dianne and she had posted this fun name game. I stole it from her. Well I really didn't steal it from her. She borrowed (stole) it from another great blogger. So I thought I would do the same. You can too. I think you will enjoy doing it.


1.Your rock star name (first pet, current car) - Trixie CR-V


2.Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe) – Chocolate No Shoe



3.Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal) – Green Cat



4.Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born) – Ann Cape May Court House



5.Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name) Sch Li



6.Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink) – Red Coffee



7.NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers) – Julius Robert




8.Dancer name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) (I don't wear perfume or cologne so I am going with my favorite smell) Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies tooties



9.TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Farrell Fairmount




10.Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower) – Winter Carnation



11.Cartoon name:(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now) – Banana Pajamas



12.Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) – Cereal crepe myrtle


13.Movie (or porn) star name (first pet, first street where you lived) – Trixie Iowa

Now you know you were thinking about your names and laughing. So steal (borrow), and share the laughter.

Coming to life, Dancing & potato chips

This past weekend was beautiful. Cool in the mornings and warming up as the day worn on. Sunday I finished my book as I was sitting on my back deck. I'm in love and going to enjoy that deck this year.



Anyway, I did more than just read this weekend. I spent a lot of time outside and couldn't help noticing how everything is 'coming to life.' There are patches of green grass. Buds on trees. Daffodil's and hyacinth's either pushing through the earth or blooming. Buds on my lilac and dogwood trees. The branches of my Japanese Red maples getting even more red. More and more robins. I love these little birds. I call them 'little soldier birds.' Take the time and really watch them. If you don't have a smile on your face, something is wrong with you:o) They run flat out with head down. Only to stop and stand at attention. Last week I was watching one. He was standing still, body low to the ground with head cocked to one side. That quick his beak was in the ground for a meal. Funny bird.



Soon my swallows will be back to re-establish their nest. I hope they have lots of babies like last year. And most of all, those beautiful jewel's of the bird world, the hummer's, will be returning. I can't wait.



Listen to me. The lover of winter getting excited with all this 'coming to life'. Don't think that I am reformed. Soon enough I'll be bitching about how hot and humid it is and can't wait until winter. But until then I will enjoy this weather and my surroundings.

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Any 'Dancing with the Stars' fans out there? Who's your favorite? Me I love Ty. I was laughing his first dance. His second dance smiling. As with his performance last night. He is such a joy to watch. And has improved so much in such a short period of time. Well they have only had three dances so far. Anyway he has great expressions. Most of the time he looks like a deer in headlights. But when he smiles, his whole face just warms.

How about his wife Jewel. She was supposed to compete against Ty, but injury has left her sidelined. Well she sang 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' last week. Let me just say, I was in tears. Her range of voice is something. If you want to see her performance, click here. The link is from You Tube. If the link doesn't work, go to You Tube and type "Jewel - Somewhere Over the Rainbow (on Dancing With the Stars).

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Last night I had the worst night's sleep. I was tossing and turning. Had night sweats and nightmares. Only one thing will do this to me. MSG. Thinking of what I ate the night before. I had Lays barbecue potato chips. I had a small bag, and was munching on them while watching 'Dancing'. I had another bag in work. When I remembered I checked the ingredients. Wouldn't you know it. They have MSG. Who would have thought. I guess I am going to have to find something else to snack on at night. So if MSG effects you in any way, don't eat Lays barbecue potato chips.

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Well that's all I have for now. Until next time, enjoy the warm up. Take time to see the 'coming to life'. Watch a robin. Watch Ty. Watch the Jewel video.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!

I have no pictures to share, but while reading my Woman's World magazine, I came across this recipe and thought I'd share. I haven't made them yet, but anything made with booze and chocolate can't be bad. Right???

Bailey's Irish Cream Cupcakes

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup hot water

6 Tbsp. + 1 cup butter, at room temperature

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 pkg. (1 lb.) confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur, such as Baileys or heavy cream

1/8 tsp. + additional leaf green concentrated food coloring

Shamrock sugar decorations, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin cups with liners.

In bowl, mix cocoa and hot water until dissolved; reserve.

Melt 6 Tbsp. butter, reserve

In bowl, mix flour with next five ingredients. Whisk in buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and cocoa mixture. Stir in chips. Divide among liners. Bake 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Transfer from pan to racks to cool.

On medium-high speed, beat remaining butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until blended. Add liqueur; beat until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Beat in 1/8 tsp. food coloring until blended.

If desired, fit large star tip into pastry bag. Using paintbrush, starting at tip of bag, paint 2-3 lines of food coloring along inside, ending 1" from edge. Place bag in glass; fill with frosting. Pipe or with spoon spread frosting over cupcakes. If desired, decorate with shamrocks.

Happy Birthday Bobbie

to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Bobbie. Happy Birthday to you. And many more.

In case you haven't figured it out, it's Bobbie's

birthday today.

Stop by and tell her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

My Baby and rambles

Thursday night while watching Survivor, my baby went into her litter box. A couple minutes later, she went in again. Then again. Then I noticed her running from one litter box to the other. I went to check and discovered she was having a hard time peeing.

I woke up alittle after 3: AM to hear her in the litter box again. This time she was able to pee. At that time, I figured whatever was the problem had resolved itself. Next morning the same. Running from one litter box to the other. Lunch time she was able to pee again.

I called the vet yesterday morning and explained the situation. The receptionist told me they were booked for the day, but when the vet came in, she would explained the situation and call me back. 20 minutes later she call me back and told me this was an emergency and bring her right in. I told her I was at least a half hour 45 minutes away. Silence. I told her where I lived and it would take that long to get there. She said, "the vet said this in an EMERGENCY and come now." Running around like a loon to get carrier, throw to put in carrier, shoes on, get cat in carrier and out the door in five minutes.

From my front door to theirs, we were there in 25 minutes. It would have been 20, but I ended up behind someone doing less then the speed limit. I admit, I was right on their bumper trying to push them along. Didn't work, but I made it there. When I walked in, I said, 'hi to the receptionist. She said, 'hi'. I said 'Donna?' She said, 'yes. Is this Lovey?' Yes. She yelled back that Lovey was here. A girl came out to take the carrier. I looked at her. She said, 'I need to take 'him' back for the vet to look at 'him'. I said 'her'. She apologized and said that as soon as they could, they would bring me back in a room. Dumbfounded, I stood there. This never happened before. I always went with my baby. I looked at Donna and said, 'what do I do now?' She said, 'whatever you want.' I want to go with my baby, but I can't. So I went to the bathroom. At least I can go. Then I paced. After about five long minutes the girl came out with my baby and said to follow her to a room. She said that I have a 'very sweet cat.' Me, "yes. I know. She's my baby." We weighed her and she is 6lbs. 15 ounces. Lightweight.

The vet came in and said when she pushed on her bladder and stream of urine came out. I told her about my baby straining to go and only a couple of drops coming out. She said they were testing her urine. The test isn't done yet, but the white blood cells are high. Okay, I know this is infection. We also discussed blood work to test for thyroid and kidney function level. I told them to do that. She had bloodwork for this a couple of years ago and it would give them a comparison.

After about ten minutes, the vet came back into the room to tell me my baby had a urinary tract infection. Relief. She also apologized for making me rush in. She thought it was a male cat. I'm just thinking, 'with a name like Lovey?' She left the room, telling me she would be back with medicine.

Now my curiosity got the better of me and I started to go through her chart. I knew then why she thought it was a male. Ralph's information was in the chart.

The vet came back in and we did the fluid thing and she gave her a shot of antibiotic. We talked. She said she gives her cat fluid everyday. I asked why? She said her cat was in kidney failure. I looked at her and said, "so you understand." She just looked. I continued with, "Our cats are old and failing. But when you look into their eyes and see so much life, you do what you have to do.' She said 'yes. As long as they are eating, drinking and running around. I do what I have to do.' She also said, 'they let us know when it's time.'

So alittle poorer. We came home with medicine for the next fourteen days. Got through another one.

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Weather wise, yesterday was beautiful. The sun was shining and the temperatures were in the 70's.

So far today it is sunny. Not quite as warm as yesterday. And a bit windier, but beautiful none the less. I think today, I may go out for a ride. Maybe take some pictures.

I still haven't got my new camera yet. I haven't called them to see if they have it in stock either. But then again, a lot of money has and will be leaving my checkbook from these couple of months. First the expense with the tires. The heater. Which I still don't have the bill yet. And now my baby. That's okay with my baby. I would do without, before. Well I'll leave it at that.

Did everyone remember to turn your clocks ahead last night? I hate this. Why can't they just leave the clocks alone? Today will just fly by.

Well that it's. I have nothing more. Until next time. Get outside and enjoy the weather. Soon it will be to hot.

They're back

Yes. Both my kittens are back. Ralphy was under the neighbor's deck. He would cry and stand there. When I went near, he'd go back under the deck. This broke my heart. He's my buddy. He always comes to me. I'd go back on my deck calling for him. He would come to the opening and cry. Breaking my heart even more. He would try, and it was then I realized that being the heavy weight he is, he couldn't walk on the snow like a lighter cat could. Out came the shovel. I shoveled a path around my deck to my fence. Then reaching over, cleared a path on my neighbor's property. Yes I trespassed. Well sort of. I wasn't actually on her property. I just cleared a path. And it isn't her property anyway. She a renter. But do I care? Hell no. I do anything for my babies.

I came back on my deck trying to coax Ralphy, when along came Yipper. I called to her, thought she was coming home, but went under the deck with Ralphy. Well at least I knew that she was okay. And they were together.

A little while later I went to see if they were on the deck and YES, Yipper was home and eating. She was still alittle skittish, but she was home. Later after that, I went to check and was greeted with a friendly meow. YES Ralphy was home.

Then came the food feast. Dry food, can food, warm milk. Surprisingly, Yipper was the pig. She couldn't get enough. Ralphy only ate some dry food, some can food and a little bit of the milk. As I type this, he is contently lying by my foot. Happy to be home as I am happy to have him home. I wish that Yipper would come in, but she never does. I have tried, but it stresses her out to much.

I am a happy girl right now. My kittens are home where they belong. Safe and sound. And I have heat. What more could a girl ask for.

I'm upset and concerned

I haven't seen the kittens since yesterday morning. Well no. I seen Ralphy yesterday afternoon. I was calling for them both to feed them. I heard Ralphy crying and went looking for him. He was on the fence. I couldn't get to him for all the bamboo, so I tried the other side. I must have spooked him and he jumped down and went into the shed. Later that night I went out again and called for them. Nothing. I figured that they were both in the shed. At least they would be out of the weather and I would probably see them in the morning being the little food monger's that they are.



This morning I went out. No kittens. Not in their huts. Being a nervous mom, I am REALLY concerned now. Looking at how deep the snow was I thought maybe they couldn't make it from the shed to the deck. So I shoveled a path. I called for them again. Nothing. I put dry food out figuring if they made their way over, they would have food. And I would be able to tell if they came around.




Lunch time I checked the food. Not a morsel eaten. Calling for them again, I heard nothing. I looked in the shed and they are not there. I don't know where they are. When Yipper was young, she would go on what I called 'walk abouts.' She would be gone for a couple days to a week at a time. Then one day she decided that the grass was greener here and never left. It maybe all day before I seen her, but she was here everyday. Ralphy on the other hand, has not missed a day. Every single day I have seen him. He knew where his bread was buttered.




It was very cold last night. Down in the teens with even colder wind chills. Tonight is forecasted the same. I AM UPSET AND CONCERNED NOT KNOWING WHERE THEY ARE. I can't help wondering if they are okay. Where they are? Do they need help? Yes I'm strange. You're saying to yourself that they're just cats. They are, but to me they're my children. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for them. Just asked Bobbie.

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On the heater front. I was lucky that the heater worked all night. There was a chance that it wouldn't come back on. I called the gas company this morning and he starting saying that he called them and the part wasn't on the truck, but it is supposed to be this morning. That he was supposed to call back a little later. If the part made it to the store, they would be here today to fix it. I told him that was fine, but I didn't call for that. I told him I wanted to give him my cellphone number and asked if he could call me before the service guy came so I could meet him at my house. We laughed.

Well I got the call and the service guy to showed up. Replaced the part. So far, so good. They didn't have the bill ready. This can't be good. So now I wait until I get the bill mailed to me. Hopefully I won't be that shell shocked.

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Kitten update - After work I went outside and called for the kittens. I heard Ralphy's cries. He is under the neighbor's deck. When I went over to the fence, he ran back under the deck. This broke my heart. It is almost like he is afraid of me.

Still haven't seen Yipper yet.

Snow & no heat

Well the meteorologists were right. It snowed. And snowed.

I woke up this morning on the chilly side. Chilly because my heater broke sometimes in the middle of the night. I have had problems with the heater since it was installed. Could have been because the jackass plumber hooked the garden hose up to the gas line to try and find the leak. The professional thing to do would have been to pull out all the gas lines and start over.

Anyway, I call my gas company up about 6:00 A.M. to report that I don't have heat. It was the service of course. She said that she wanted to let me know that there is an $80.00 after hours service fee. Okay. So what was her point. She said, 'would you like to proceed?' Hell yeah. I don't have heat. She took my information. She called back about a half hour later. Here's the conversation.

Me: Hello.
Her: Miss S.
Me: Yes
Her: This is the gas company.
Me: Yes
Her: What's the problem?
Me: What?
Her: You called for service.
Me: Yes I called. You sound like the girl I spoke with.
Her: It was. What's the problem?
Me: I don't have heat
Her: Do you have propane?
Me: Yes. I just got delivery last week.
Her: So what's the problem?
Me: The heater is broke. I don't have heat. I don't know why it's not working.
Her: Okay. When the office manager gets into the office, I'll have him call you.
Me: What time will that be?
Her: He gets in the office about 8:00 AM.
Me: 8:00 AM. It's 6:30 now.
Her: Yes.
Me: Okay.

Well what was I to do, but wait. I got a shower and warmed up a bit. My poor baby was cold so I got out the heating pad, wrapped it in a towel and put it on her favorite spot. Now my baby was happy.

I have a fireplace, but I could not get the pilot to light. So I turned the oven on for a while.

What do I do now? Go out and shovel the walk.

We had about six inches at this point.

What next? Shovel the back deck and take some pictures.

My back railing. If you click to enlarge the picture, you may see a bit of red. Mr. Cardinal was perched in the tree.

Mrs. Cardinal and friend at the feeder.

Paw print in the snow.

The guy finally came. First order of business to blow-out the fireplace. That done the fireplace was on. Because of dust build-up, smoke detectors going off. Me with paper fanning them to turn them off. Guy probably under the house laughing his ass off. Listening to me run from one detector to the other. Talking the whole time.

Guy came in the house with a 'huh'. Not what I wanted to hear. He called the office with information on a part number. While on the phone with the office he says, 'the fireplace is working, so she has heat. Tomorrow?' What? Oh no not tomorrow. Today. After he hangs up he said that they have to find the part. They may not be able to get it until tomorrow. About to cry now.

While he was here my phone rang. The gas company. They cannot get the part until tomorrow. What can I do but wait.

The wind has picked up. It has stopped snowing. The sun even came out. At least for now we're warm.

Will they be right?

Will who be right, you ask? The meteorologists. Yesterday we were in a winter storm watch. As I type this, we are in a winter storm warning. They are calling for 6 to 14 inches of snow. Ugh.

Did you ever notice that before it snows, it gets very quiet. It is very quiet outside. So I guess we'll get something. How much? We'll see. If the amount of milk left at Wawa is an indicator, we won't be getting much. People tend to panic with the mention of snow. Running to the store for milk and bread. To the gas station for gas. I always found this funny. If we get 14 inches of snow, where do you think your going? Unless you're me and you'll be shoveling because you have to go to work.

Tonight is another owl watch at Jake's Landing. I will probably not be going. Who knows. They may have cancelled already. It is supposed to start snowing early this evening into tomorrow.

Let me start this by saying, 'I do not panic when they talk snow.' I sometimes get into a food making spree. Today was one of those days. Soup is made and cooling. Beef stew in the crock pot. Brownies cooling. Egg salad made for lunches. I am still itching to make something else, but I'm at a loss. I did buy double stuffed oreo's today. If I have chocolate, maybe I will dip some.

I'm jumping all over the place again, so let me jump to the past. My mom had a thing with snowmen. Not THAT kind of thing. She collected them. When I was at a craft show, there was a snowman yard sign that said 'Let it Snow.' I bought it for her for a Christmas gift. We put it out. It seemed like every weekend it snowed. The sign was cursed. Me being the lover of snow, put it in the shed. Couple of weeks later, it snowed. Seeing the damn sign out, I put it back in the shed. My brother, who loved snow, kept bring it out. This game continued the rest of the winter. The next winter it made its appearance again. Same thing. This game between my brother and me last for years. Until he died. The sign is still in the shed. I don't have the heart to get rid of it. Mind you, it will never see the light of day again.

Well that's about all I have to say. Until next time, have fun.



Update: It was sleeting for an hour or so.


Went out a little while ago to find about a 1/2 inch of snow already on the ground. Because of the sleet, I shoveled the front deck and walk. Hopefully that will lessen the ice a bit. I would take some pictures, but my camera doesn't take good night time photos.