Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Homes and Abodes

There was a big auction of foreclosed homes here over the weekend, during which the one time home of serial killer Dorothea Puente was auctioned off. It's been owned by other people since the days Puente did her killings there, but the house always makes the news whenever anything like this happens.

I was just surprised when I heard it was in foreclosure. I remember when a younger woman owned it and was quite happy there. I'm not sure if she's the one who lost it to foreclosure or not.

The home mortgage business is still a nasty mess. I wonder how long it's going to take us to get healthy where having a roof over our heads is concerned. I feel very lucky to have the security I do.

Many of my friends live in apartments. Maybe that's the way to go, to live somewhere where foreclosure will never enter into the equation.

All I really know is that we live in a great country. Even with our flaws, we are a symbol and hope for all that is good. We'll get it together. I don't know how it will take, but the tide will turn.

In the meantime, I hope we can all pull together and help one another. No one in America should live without a roof above them and hot food in their stomachs.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Wedding Thoughts

Do you ever watch those wedding shows that are all over television these days? Sometimes I watch, gasp, I know, Bridezillas. This has to be one of the most ridiculous shows on TV. Why a woman would be so vain and arrogant as to tell the entire nation that she is a cruel, harsh, insensitive, bossy, and often just plain nasty human being, I'll never know, but they do.

Occasionally, I'll watch some of the wedding shows where this or that expert will come in and try to rescue an event from going under. These can be fun just to see the ideas that people have and how they transform themselves in reality.

The cakes are often a huge deal. I love to see how wedding cakes come off and how they are decorated. One of the neatest parts, of course, is to see what the top pieces look like. Some are pretty cool and others miss the mark with me.

Weddings are such a stressful thing for some. I know it's the big day, but I'm with the growing number of people who wonder if that huge wedding is worth the stress and the debt factor.

Keep it simple: there's something to be said for that.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Wood Logs and Creative Furniture

It's a very pleasant evening in my corner of the world tonight, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. The dogs are in, the moon is shining, and it's just nice to be able to relax.

As I look outside, I see a ton of logs, though, from a tree that was cut down a year ago. Since using the fireplace isn't easy these days, these poor logs need a home or to be repurposed. Someone suggested making interesting pieces of furniture out of them, like outdoor log chairs.

That does sound intriguing. I've actually been looking at rustic furniture so this fits. It would be so neat to create a log bench of some type. Unfortunately, I'd need a woodworker for that, someone who knows how to do such a thing, but it sure would be cool.

There's no rush for a decision, but something will happen with those logs soon.

In the meantime, have a good weekend, everyone!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Checking Out Those Companions

Today is a scorcher, but in truth, it's the first triple digit day we've had in August, which is highly unusual. We're quite happy and okay with that, though.

I was thinking last night about how different the world is today from how it used to be. The prompting for that was an old, rarely seen movie called Betrayal. Remember Amanda Blake from Gunsmoke? She was the main star of this film, along with Tisha Sterling.

Sterling was hired by Blake in this movie to be a companion of sorts, but what struck me is that with no real information, Blake picks up this woman and takes her to her home. She has a resume, faked as it was, and that's it.

I just can't imagine anymore picking up a stranger like that. I'm such a believer in being informed. A background check isn't really an extreme. In the case of being a companion or where a stranger moves into a home, I'd call it a necessity.

It just makes sense these days to be cautious. Folks in the movie found that out the hard way, and the result wasn't pleasant.

The movie did bring on that eerie chuckle, though, about how much we've changed as a society.

Aside from the heat and watching movies, I did get to the dentist yesterday, and I'm headed for a root canal next week. I am so not looking forward to that.

Until next time, find some shade!

Friday, August 20, 2010

From Autos to NASCAR to Dying Soaps

It's Friday afternoon, and all is almost well. Don't you hate tooth problems? Well, I've got something going on, but I'm not sure what. It'll be a trip to the dentist next week for sure. Ugh. I just want to survive the weekend.

So, in between writing reviews and watching NASCAR on television, I've been surfing the web again, looking to see what's new and exciting out there. You just never know what you might find.

I was intrigued by some code readers that I found. It just amazes me how technology can help us to maintain and deal with our vehicle woes. Some of these scanners are pretty sophisticated.

Too bad the scanners can fix my sagging roof. Honestly, when I get in my car, my head touches that material that is sagging everywhere.

Then I was reading about Vanessa Marcil's return to General Hospital, which apparently hasn't helped the ratings at all. I know I didn't tune in. I'm afraid soap operas may truly be dying. I remember a time when I watched several a day and wouldn't miss a minute. I don't watch any these days.

I'm very frustrated by ESPN which has horrible NASCAR coverage. They always have other events that overlap and push it back. That's what is happening now with qualifying. We're watching little league baseball instead. I could scream.

Onward!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Education is everywhere!

Happy Hump Day as a pleasant Wednesday is midway through the day. I survived a big shopping trip to the store (haven't been in a month) so it was a long one.

After letting in the dogs, it was time to go surfing the internet. It amazes how much is out there to be perused and learned.  Isn't it something the wealth of information that is available on the internet now?

I actually saw a commercial on TV this morning about kids being able to attend high school online, legitimately, and not a GED. That's just wild.

A friend of mine is attending college online, getting a degree he's been wanting his entire life.

This is the best of what the internet can offer, education and, like the above mentioned article, helpful information and suggestions.

It's not school, but I'm off to take care of some business. Enjoy the day, and study, but not too hard!

Friday, August 13, 2010

A Bit of This and That

It's a NASCAR day around here. I've been watching a lot of the practices and qualifying. My favorite had a bad day, though. Better today than during the race.
 

I attempted to spray paint cabinets today for the first time in decades. They aren't bad except I forgot to put something on the floor so now my vinyl flooring is a painted vinyl. I wonder if that comes off?

The temperatures are warming up, and that's bad news.

Have a great Friday folks!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

It's a Golden Day

From bright and sunny California, I bid you a cheery hello. Our weather is still golden, and by that I mean unusually pleasant. We're getting mid to high 80's which is far below our average for August. That's going to be changing in a couple of days, but for now, it sure is fun.

I've been writing a lot of reviews to pay for that whole has fan. Be sure to check them out over on reviewstream.com under my Orrymain handle. If you find the review helpful, look for the voting box and vote accordingly. That helps me out.

Also, don't forget to use the Amazon.com banner on the right for your fall shopping. That REALLY helps me out. You can make any purchase there as long as you start with from this banner on the right.

That's about it for now. I do want to acknowledge the passing of Patricia Neal, who died on Sunday of cancer. On a brighter note, I want to welcome Leo Benjamin Gordon to the world. Baby Leo is the son of Jeff and Ingrid Gordon.

Have a good one!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Afternoons and Other Such Things

It's a beautiful afternoon here as I proceed on with my day. I'm watching a video of an old favorite show, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. It's the final episode of their four year run, and it's been years since I've seen it.

Earlier I went shopping at PetSmart. My dogs were out of food and they seem to think they deserved more. How demanding.

That's the light part of the day. Then there are more unpleasant moments. Some neighbors have separated and are getting a divorce. That has shocked everyone; it seemed to come out of the blue. These sad end to families make living in the reality of a story like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea much more preferable, even if it's just for an hour.

Onward to a better evening!

The Fan is In!

Another Friday morning has rolled around, and it's quite a pleasant one here, I'm happy to say. It's been an eventful week, considering that a whole house fan was installed, and that's also something I'm quite happy to say.

As I look around and try to decide what project to take on next, I realize that I have a lot of options to choose from. It seems there is no end of possibilities to improvements that could be made. With the decision of the project also comes the choice of contractors.  I believe in checking out a variety of folks before making a final decision.

For me, though, the whole house fan needs to be paid for completely first. There is some cement contracting that needs to be done around here, but the kitchen might take priority. I feel like the sink is going to fall out. Trust me, it's old.

Well, as that old saying goes, milk before meat. Let's get to know that whole house fan first and then go for the next more important thing on the list.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Those Loveable Pets

Ah, my beautiful dogs. How I love and need them! They are such joys that I can't even express. Of course, just like human children, they sometimes drive me a little crazy. My youngest is a great manipulator. She's highly intelligent and thinks she has be tied around her little, pointy toenail that needs clipping. Okay, so she does, much of the time. :}

Pet odor is one thing I'm not so thrilled about, though, as being a by-product of my puppy love. I've had a long string of dogs, and I'm afraid all of them are still in this house somewhere. Sometimes I try to find something to help, but it's not always easy.

I might get the carpets steam cleaned sometime soon. It's been years since I've done that, and doing so would probably help.

Regardless, my dogs are my loves. They're both in the house right now, lying down for some dog nap time.

Ah, it's a dog's life for sure!
 
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