Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

April 14, 2015

Emerging from the Fog

I feel like I've lost about two weeks' worth of time.  I cannot believe it's mid-April already.  I'm finally getting over this damn creepin' crud that has hung on for over a week.  Most of my friends that had it said it lasted almost two weeks.  Unfortunately I could no longer put off a rather expensive and important car repair so I feel better that it's taken care of, even though I had to drag myself to the shop feeling like crap.  We kept smelling antifreeze every time I turned the car off but the temperature was fine.  Took the car in for an oil change and mentioned it to them, and further testing revealed that my radiator was leaking bad.  So one new radiator, oil change, air filter and new wipers later, I have a fixed car that is running way better.  

Then I forced myself to go to urgent care one morning last week because I just couldn't take the coughing anymore and I was desperately hoping for a nebulizer breathing treatment.  Chest xrays revealed no pneumonia or bronchitus and I got the nebulizer, a couple prescriptions and sent on my way.  Then my poor hubs texts me that he was now sick, so I stopped off at the grocery store to pick up chicken soup fixins, and I couldn't resist treating myself to this adorable little owlie, that I named Ookpik.  

I also made him a shepherd's pie which he just loved too.  He seemed a little unsure about my using chili sauce with the meat but he absolutely devoured this.  Hadn't made this since I moved here and I think it'll end up in the regular rotation.  

I totally stalled out on this commissioned cross stitch piece of a Hummel design when I got sick, so I put in a couple of hours on it yesterday.  I would love to have this done by the summer.  

Oh yeah, I shot these a couple of weeks ago on a very frosty morning.  It was our last one.  It's frost on the glass chunks on the deck rail.



Speaking of emerging, here come the flowers and stuff!  Finally!  Very late this year but better late than never.


I absolutely hate yardwork but I had to do something about the area around the metal shed.  I should've taken a 'before' picture but it was so freakin white trash that I couldn't even bear to show anyone what it looked like.  There were tons of vines and stick-like trees and brambles all growing in front of the fence and all over the side of the shed.  This shed is badly damaged from the snow, so I wanted to get it cleaned up around it before we venture inside and see what is going to have to be thrown out.

I got some loppers and went to work and cut down everything in front of the fence and the side of the shed that I could reach.  Then I moved a bunch of stuff up to the really bad wooden shed on the hill, that already had gaping holes in the sides where the windows and door should be, but can still accommodate things like plastic totes, since the roof is not leaky.  We are going to clean off that futon frame and put it on the deck with new outdoor cushions. 

But before I could move the plastic stuff up to the wooden shed, I had to remove all the cardboard boxes that I stored from my move in 2011 and which have been soaked by rain/snow and chewed on by rodents.  I cannot believe how many boxes were up there.  I should've gotten rid of these ages ago but I let it go.  I sure hope the recycling people pick it up today.  There are also 3 large lawn bags full of filthy bubble wrap and styrofoam.  

In other news, we went couch shopping all day on Saturday in Stoughton where all the furniture stores are and it was just absolutely wretched.  Didn't see anything we liked at all.  We are looking for either a sleeper sofa or futon-type one, not necessarily a futon though.  The prices were outrageous and the cost for delivery was even worse, not to mention pushy salespeople.  Pull out beds suck....the mattresses are awful. I had a couch on order from BJ's Wholesale but they screwed me on the two day delivery so I told them to cancel the whole thing and return the couch to sender.  After two days they finally sent me confirmation of shipping, which was not going to be in two days.  I emailed them and they tell me that two day isn't available for large furniture, which is something they kinda need to put on the website.  I went back and forth with them on this screw up for days.  I'd ordered it for delivery when Russell would be home but was told it wouldn't come till Monday.  Therefore, I'd be stuck trying to maneuver a 150 lb couch into the house myself, and trying to get my old couch out the house by myself.  As it turned out, Russell was home till today so after shopping on Saturday to no avail, we decided to go ahead and accept the couch because it was going to be delivered anyway.  I was told that I'd have to tell the driver 'no we won't take it', so I figured fine, let them show up and we'll just accept it.  Time was marching on yesterday so I checked the delivery status and their website said they went ahead and processed the return without coming out to the house!  So back to square one.  I didn't think it'd be this hard to find a couch but apparently it is.  I guess I have no choice but to go to Hyannis.  

38 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have been keeping busy in spite of being sick. Hope you get over that crap soon. It seems like you have had it forever.

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    1. It started on the 2nd or 3rd and the cough is still hanging on a little bit. Totally sucks. Whatever happened to the 3 day cold?

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  2. What a chapter of disasters, I am so glad you are beginning to feel better. Love the pics of the frost on the glass. Very pretty. I got a new couch because there was an apartment sale but had to get the superintendent's help to get it in to us and then he disposed of our old one for us. Not free of course.

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    1. Thanks! I just never thought it'd be THIS hard to find a reasonably priced couch to sleep on. Just need it b/c Russell snores so bad and this old couch isn't big enough to be comfy on at all. I don't mind paying for delivery and disposal but when the delivery charge is 15% of the total sale price, that's outrageous.

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  3. So glad you're recovering. You have had the Dreaded Cough, and coping definitely requires a small owl.

    Sofas are just impossible. I tend to revert to actual futons because I can get my mind around them and if you don't assemble the frame until it's in the room, you don't have to worry about doorway and hall clearances.

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    1. Honestly I'm seriously considering the futon route. It's cheaper and anyway, it's not like I actually use the couch during the day. The dogs will use it. I just need something one of us can crash on due to the snoring issue. I have my own recliner that I prefer to a couch any day for every day sitting.

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  4. Sorry you've been unwell but take it easy and dont exhaust yourself.

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    1. Hi Anne! Thank you! Well I feel like I lost so much time being sick and with the bad weather that I'm now pushing myself to get stuff done which isn't doing wonders for my cough.

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  5. I LOVE THAT OWL.

    Glad you're feeling better.

    That's a bunch of cardboard. You're cleanup looks good!

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    1. Thank you! Isn't Ookpik adorbs?!?! I admit I was surprised when I got home from the grocery store to find that all the cardboard and trash was gone. I truly didn't think they were going to pick it all up. It was a huge relief to see it out of the yard and to know it's all gone. Now if I could just get this house purged....

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  6. Glad to hear you're feeling better. From reading your post it sounds like you've done a heck of a lot of Spring Cleaning. Wish I could be so energetic, but just thinking about the clutter in all our closets and in the garage and attic, leaves me exhausted.

    Best of luck on finding your couch/sleeper. One thing I cannot tolerate is aggressive sales associates, being a pushy salesperson is one sure way of losing me as a customer.

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    1. Oh I've only done a tiny bit of cleaning. My house is a disaster. I'm trying to work on it piece meal but I don't get a damn day to myself at all this week and I'm really pissed about that. God it sucks.

      Oh the sales guy at the first store we went to was just over the top. Bathed in cologne, hair spiked up about 3" off his scalp which was showing b/c the hair was so thin. His suit, tie, shirt, and socks was a riot of colour....it was unreal. That's when I pretty much gave up.

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  7. Geez - forgot to mention; that counted cross stitch is one truly serious undertaking! Really looks complex and incredibly detailed. But bet it will be beyond beautiful when you've finished it.

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    1. Thanks. I love cross stitch and just organized my kits and ongoing projects. This commissioned piece is going to take awhile because I have to have it all spread out on the craft table; it's not something I can do easily in the livingroom like some of the other kits I have going.

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  8. IF it's not one thing, it's always another. Murphy's Law. What can happen, will happen, just when you don't want it to. Good job on the clean up of the yard. I know that's hard work. Good to hear that you're feeling better. and your Shepherd's Pie looks yummy.

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    1. Thank you! I really let the place go the last couple of years. I do try to do spring cleaning every year, and I do vacuum and dust every week, but the yard got way, way out of control. It looks so much better now. I'm dreading going through the metal shed though...I've opened it up a couple of times and it's overwhelming what all is in there.

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  9. I'm glad you're feeling better! Everything else takes a back seat when you're under the weather.

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    1. Except now I overdid it and my entire upper back and neck are killing me. I just cannot win right now.

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  10. Keep feeling better and bring That casserole this way!! :)

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    1. LOL Thank you I will! If you want the recipe let me know....it's easy peasy lemon squeezy.

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  11. So glad you're on the mend, and happy you're taking care of yourself. Ookpik is awfully cute.

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    1. Thanks Robyn! I'm trying to take care of myself but as usual, I've overdone it already.

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  12. Hey JoJo,

    I've got massive respect for you, my dear friend. Despite your ailments, you do your best to focus on resources that are conducive to your overall well being.

    "Ookpik" How very Canadian, eh! :) I have been reliably informed the Shepherd's Pie, does not contain shepherds.

    Hugs and thanks for your kindness,

    Gary

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    1. Thanks Gary....if I don't get this stuff done it'll never get done. And despite my unbelievably painful back and neck, I'm still trying to push myself today which is beyond stupid but so much needs to get done around here. :(

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  13. Ah, Spring Cleaning. I wanted to tell you that the US Post Office has just issued four stamps from the Hudson River School and I posted them on my blog to go along with the theme, but what timing! I know you like the Hudson River School. I am finally feeling better, hope you both are completely well.

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    1. I love those stamps! I just came from your blog and saw them! I am not a stamp collector but those might be worth getting.

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  14. YAY! No more snow; Hope you feel better soon Jojo :0)

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    1. Thanks Diane! Today was downright WARM! If I had some chairs to sit on outside I would've been reading on the deck. Chairs on on my list.

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  15. Welcome back! Kept checking to see if you'd posted, hopefully the snow is over and so is your bad heath xx

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    1. Thank you! Now that I'm feeling human again, I can start my day trips and posting regularly.

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  16. And just seen your bucket list - love it! x

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    1. Thanks! I probably could've done this for A-Z but I didn't think of it.

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  17. Glad to see you're getting better. I've been lucky this year as in the past few years I've been knocked out for up to a month with nagging illness. It's no fun I know and to top it all off with the car trouble--well wouldn't you know, but isn't that how it all often comes to us.

    I hope all this crap just put you in a bad mood when you made that comment about A to Z over at Magical Mystical Mimi's blog. That kind of hurt me since A to Z has been such a big part of me and my blogging experience. I guess I can kind of see how you, Gary, and some others might feel about A to Z, but then again not. As I've mentioned before, A to Z is really just blogging as usual in a way except for a little bit more often and with a community spirit and themes.

    My motto about A to Z of late has become "A to Z is intended to make better bloggers and not bitter bloggers." We are trying to help the blogging community and we don't like to upset anyone by doing it. For me it all started out as a positive venture and that's how I'd like to see it stay. I hope A to Z not only keeps going strong, but keeps getting bigger. Just because bloggers are doing it doesn't mean you have to follow every single post. We just want bloggers to relax and have as much fun with the month of April as they can and not dread seeing April come. We've already got tax day to do that for us.

    In any case, JoJo, I appreciate your loyalty in following my blogs. You are among the best and I love you girl! Please don't be too hard on by baby--my A to Z.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    A Faraway View

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    1. Sorry Lee...I didn't mean to offend anyone....it's just me and my big Sagittarian tell it like it is Year of the Dragon mouth. It's just so much work to try and keep up with everyone's posts every day. That's why I've come to dread it. I want to hit everyone's blogs and comment but it takes hours to get through all the blogs. I get unbelievably annoyed with the bloggers who sign up and can't keep up. Year after year they sign up and bail; the same people/blogs. I mean fortunately I have the time to read them all because I don't work, but it's still sooooo time consuming. Plus being sick and exhausted, some personal life stressors (sick family, etc) and falling behind on housework and stuff, I just let loose with 'tell us how you REALLY feel'.

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    2. I understand and feel the same as you do in many ways. I've gotten to the point where I don't worry too much about hitting all the blogs or even a fraction of them. Like I do the rest of the year, I visit where I can when I can and hope that I'll find good stuff where I do visit. But I just try not to stress it because I do other things besides blog.

      A to Z is a Challenge and it's interesting to see how some bloggers drop by the wayside, but I'm always most impressed by the bloggers who stick with it and actually put up very good content.

      There are a lot of bloggers who seem to love A to Z and that makes me feel pretty darn good since I am attributed to starting this thing. I certainly wouldn't want my name to be associated with something negative so naturally I get a little defensive when anyone says anything bad about it.

      Like I've said before though, you are an amazing blogger friend who is always around and many appreciate you for that. So a big thank you for that. And I do hope you'll continue to be supportive of the A to Z efforts and recognize the value of the community. Someday I'd like to see improvements made where it can be bigger without being a hassle to some people. I know it can be done better. Now to figure out how.

      Thanks again, JoJo. I appreciate your reply to me.

      Arlee Bird
      A to Z Challenge Co-host
      Tossing It Out

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  18. Anonymous7:10 PM

    We call our version of shepherds pie, slum gum gooey. Not sure why, but that name has been passed down through the family over the years. Love that stuff!

    That owl is so adorable. My hubby would love it too!

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    1. HAHAHA What a funny name! I wonder what the origin is? If I was at your house and you said you were making slum gum gooey, I would have assumed it was some kind of Asian food. lol I love my little owlie but Russell teases that the dogs would like him too! D:

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