We had a busy weekend... and now I feel like I need a weekend to relax.
Friday evening we kind of invited ourselves along with Greg and Mary and Rustin and Sharon and kids. We went out to eat at Rizzi's, which was really good, and then we went to the Home Show for a little bit. I've never been before so it was kind of interesting to look around. And since we're renting we had a great excuse to just look at things and not listen to every vendor's spiel. *grin* I recognized a lot of people... apparently it was the place to be on Friday night.
We both sang at the funeral on Saturday morning so we had to get up extra early, ugh. But, it was a blessing to be there. And it's one thing that I can do at church, since so many things require time during the day when I'm at work. Although, I am dreading laundry this week... four white shirts... woe is me. hehe. After we sang, Bob really wanted to go to Firehouse Pizza for lunch. Then he made me play a computer racing game that made me feel very, very, dizzy and sick. It was awful. But I got over it. Poor Shelly was left all alone Saturday so she came over and played games and crashed on our couch for the night. Good times.
After church on Sunday we were all comfortable and relaxed and being lazy and Grandma K called... she had decided that Bob needed to come over right away and put his name on something (for someday when they don't need it anymore). Sooo... can't ignore a summons like that, so we went over and she walked us around pointing out plates and knickknacks that he could claim. We went home with a container of chicken salad and the promise of an old butter churn someday. *grin* And then we ate supper and went straight over to Bob's parent's for the rest of the evening. I was tired.
I'm kind of glad February is over, but not really looking forward to March. It's looking full already just with stuff on the church calendar, and then there are family things, aaahh.... deep breath.
Blessings.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
politics
Soooo.... congress still hasn't passed a budget for 2010, and the current continuing resolution runs out March 4th at midnight. And they're on recess for President's day this week. (um... and people think gov't employees get lots of holidays...) Which means if they don't get their acts together and fast, there might be a full fledged government shut down as of 12:01am March 5th. And it would be illegal for me to go to work. And I and all of my fellow employees wouldn't get paid. And if it lasted more than a few days we're hearing we may not be paid for not being allowed to go to work. (In 1995 they got back pay for the 27 days of shut down.)
Granted, this wouldn't affect me a whole lot besides boredom because: a. we don't live paycheck to paycheck, b. we've lived off Bob's paycheck since we got married, c. we don't have any payments to worry about (hooray for being debt free!). But most of my coworkers are not so blessed and are really worried.
I do find it annoying though. Besides the fact that the fiscal year starts in OCTOBER and they're only 5 months behind in doing their jobs. And if we're off work for longer than two weeks we can collect unemployment, which probably will cost the government more than passing a budget. Plus all the time it takes to make emergency plans in case they don't pass something in time; somebody has to keep the building heated, and the plants and bugs alive, and keep homeless people from sleeping in the lobby... it would be a mess.
Anyway, so here is my shameless plug for responsible citizenship. The House has two budget related bills that go to the Senate next week. You can contact your Senators through this link. You can contact your Representatives through this link. Tell them you want a responsible budget for this year, and for next year, fast.
Politics... *gag*....
Blessings.
Granted, this wouldn't affect me a whole lot besides boredom because: a. we don't live paycheck to paycheck, b. we've lived off Bob's paycheck since we got married, c. we don't have any payments to worry about (hooray for being debt free!). But most of my coworkers are not so blessed and are really worried.
I do find it annoying though. Besides the fact that the fiscal year starts in OCTOBER and they're only 5 months behind in doing their jobs. And if we're off work for longer than two weeks we can collect unemployment, which probably will cost the government more than passing a budget. Plus all the time it takes to make emergency plans in case they don't pass something in time; somebody has to keep the building heated, and the plants and bugs alive, and keep homeless people from sleeping in the lobby... it would be a mess.
Anyway, so here is my shameless plug for responsible citizenship. The House has two budget related bills that go to the Senate next week. You can contact your Senators through this link. You can contact your Representatives through this link. Tell them you want a responsible budget for this year, and for next year, fast.
Politics... *gag*....
Blessings.
Friday, February 25, 2011
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
And much death and dying all around. Bob and I have been to more visitations and funerals since we've been married than the whole of my life before.
Tuesday night we went to the visitation for my dear friend Ann. She was one of the few 'old ladies' in Washington and I always liked to talk to her. She was a sweet woman. I'm going to miss her.
We get to sing at a funeral in T-town this weekend... and there's another visitation/funeral in W-ton that we probably won't go to... ayiyiyiyi.
And it snowed again. Hooray.
Tuesday night we went to the visitation for my dear friend Ann. She was one of the few 'old ladies' in Washington and I always liked to talk to her. She was a sweet woman. I'm going to miss her.
We get to sing at a funeral in T-town this weekend... and there's another visitation/funeral in W-ton that we probably won't go to... ayiyiyiyi.
And it snowed again. Hooray.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
O, I must be getting older...
I love three day weekends. They're amazing. Except that today feels like Monday, and I'll be all confused the rest of the week.
Saturday I was fairly productive for a change... I got up fairly early and went to quilt club... I usually make it to the last session at about 9:30 and it's pretty obvious that I've just rolled out of bed. Everybody else is dressed nice and has their 'face' on... haha... o well. :) And then I came home and made food for the rest of the weekend and cleaned. We went to Bob's aunt and uncle's for the annual potato supper Saturday night. It was so good, and I love it when all I have to bring is sauteed mushrooms. Two ingredients, 15 minutes, no leftovers.
Dale and Meg invited some of their old college friends and roomies over on Sunday night for supper. They got a pretty good turnout and it was really fun to see people again. I took mini-apple pies (I thought it would be fitting) that I baked in my muffin pan. I think I might have to do that more often, we have a hard time eating a whole pie before it starts getting moldy but these are a lot more manageable. It was good to catch up... and randomly throw things when the conversation lagged... some things never change. Which I love. There were five little kids there, which was a little weird, but funny to watch.
On Monday poor Bob had to get up and go to work, and I got to sit at home and be lazy all day. Well, other than doing laundry. And I managed to beat chess against the computer. Twice! I was very excited... we won't mention that it's on the easiest level... and how many tries it took me. *grin* So anyway, back to real life this week.
Blessings.
Saturday I was fairly productive for a change... I got up fairly early and went to quilt club... I usually make it to the last session at about 9:30 and it's pretty obvious that I've just rolled out of bed. Everybody else is dressed nice and has their 'face' on... haha... o well. :) And then I came home and made food for the rest of the weekend and cleaned. We went to Bob's aunt and uncle's for the annual potato supper Saturday night. It was so good, and I love it when all I have to bring is sauteed mushrooms. Two ingredients, 15 minutes, no leftovers.
Dale and Meg invited some of their old college friends and roomies over on Sunday night for supper. They got a pretty good turnout and it was really fun to see people again. I took mini-apple pies (I thought it would be fitting) that I baked in my muffin pan. I think I might have to do that more often, we have a hard time eating a whole pie before it starts getting moldy but these are a lot more manageable. It was good to catch up... and randomly throw things when the conversation lagged... some things never change. Which I love. There were five little kids there, which was a little weird, but funny to watch.
On Monday poor Bob had to get up and go to work, and I got to sit at home and be lazy all day. Well, other than doing laundry. And I managed to beat chess against the computer. Twice! I was very excited... we won't mention that it's on the easiest level... and how many tries it took me. *grin* So anyway, back to real life this week.
Blessings.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Valentine's Day
So after a lazy Saturday and spending Sunday evening with my family... back to work we went. Bob's training in the shop this week so he's getting up super early. I can't sleep through his alarm; therefore, I'm awake super early too. hooray.
I kind of forgot that it was Valentine's Day and wore black. haha... but... it did remind me of the time my roomies and I dressed in black and braved a massive snow storm to go to Olive Garden on V-day. Good times and many funny looks.
Bob didn't forget though, and he even remembered my rather broad and unsubtle hints a few weeks ago that I would love a big bunch of tulips. :D I'm so ready for spring. Anyway, these were waiting for me when I got home. So pretty. (Courtesy of Miss Fancy Plants, which I think is an awesome name for a flower shop.)
Neither of us had any desire to eat out with the entire world, so we stayed home. I made almond crusted halibut, and fun colorful spiral noodles, and green beans with extra butter. Butter always makes things seem more gourmet. Haha. I had big plans for making Valentine cookies, but as I said, I was super lazy on Saturday so they didn't happen. Thankfully, Sharon was on the ball and delivered some yummy pink cupcakes (sprinkles by Grace) so we even had a festive dessert. :)
I kind of forgot that it was Valentine's Day and wore black. haha... but... it did remind me of the time my roomies and I dressed in black and braved a massive snow storm to go to Olive Garden on V-day. Good times and many funny looks.
Bob didn't forget though, and he even remembered my rather broad and unsubtle hints a few weeks ago that I would love a big bunch of tulips. :D I'm so ready for spring. Anyway, these were waiting for me when I got home. So pretty. (Courtesy of Miss Fancy Plants, which I think is an awesome name for a flower shop.)
Neither of us had any desire to eat out with the entire world, so we stayed home. I made almond crusted halibut, and fun colorful spiral noodles, and green beans with extra butter. Butter always makes things seem more gourmet. Haha. I had big plans for making Valentine cookies, but as I said, I was super lazy on Saturday so they didn't happen. Thankfully, Sharon was on the ball and delivered some yummy pink cupcakes (sprinkles by Grace) so we even had a festive dessert. :)
Blessings.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Budgets
Since I'm sure you've all been following congressional budget proceedings very, very, closely... the White House released the numbers for FY2012.... since, you know, the budget for FY2011 is still up for debate. The gov't fiscal year runs October to October, and we're still operating under "continuing resolution." How can they even do that?
But anyway, some crazy numbers: Proposed USDA budget for 2012 is $145 Billion. Guess what 74% of that pays for. Nutrition assistance. Food stamps, WIC, free and reduced school lunches. One hundred and seven billion dollars to feed people.
Only 13% goes to farm and commodity programs. All that farm welfare that they talk about... mere pennies. :)
And near and dear to my heart, the Ag Research Service comes in at 6%. *grin* woot woot.
Not sure what I think about it all. I'm glad I live in a country where people don't starve unless they want to. And at the same time, something's broke if we're shelling out onehundredandsevenbillion dollars a year for people to buy chips and soda and frozen dinners. I worked at Lindy's... most food stamps get spent on expensive junk food. Not all, but most.
On that note, maybe we should all just sing "It's fun to work at the U-S-D-A" to the tune of the YMCA... hehe.... with hand motions.
Blessings.
But anyway, some crazy numbers: Proposed USDA budget for 2012 is $145 Billion. Guess what 74% of that pays for. Nutrition assistance. Food stamps, WIC, free and reduced school lunches. One hundred and seven billion dollars to feed people.
Only 13% goes to farm and commodity programs. All that farm welfare that they talk about... mere pennies. :)
And near and dear to my heart, the Ag Research Service comes in at 6%. *grin* woot woot.
Not sure what I think about it all. I'm glad I live in a country where people don't starve unless they want to. And at the same time, something's broke if we're shelling out onehundredandsevenbillion dollars a year for people to buy chips and soda and frozen dinners. I worked at Lindy's... most food stamps get spent on expensive junk food. Not all, but most.
On that note, maybe we should all just sing "It's fun to work at the U-S-D-A" to the tune of the YMCA... hehe.... with hand motions.
Blessings.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
It's cold, and it's getting colder...
The lab has been freezing this week. I almost need gloves to use my computer. Is it spring yet? Please? haha.
So.... the moment Bob has been waiting for and trying to talk me into for, oh, two years has finally arrived. We got a new laptop. My poor old lappy has just about had it. The hard drive is so full I can't download windows updates, it's rather prone to viruses, the screen flickers and would give me headaches, there's something wrong with where the power cord connects because it likes to switch back and forth between power sources, it was time to let it go.
Anyway, so we ordered one and it was supposed to come during the snowstorm. We *cough* Bob *cough* kept checking the tracking number online to see where it was... it was en route from Galesburg to Chicago... then it was back in Galesburg for a few days. It did finally show up on our doorstep (with two days worth of mail- apparently 'neither snow nor sleet' doesn't apply in T-town) last week. So I let it thaw out a bit and started it up and only half the screen lit up. The other half had a large black blob and flickery lines. It was very disappointing. And annoying because we had to package it up and send it back and wait rather impatiently for a replacement.
The new one works just fine so far and I like it a lot. In fact, I had shut it for the night and Bob wanted me to get back on and check something... and I was dragging my feet until I realized that, hey, it probably doesn't take 10 minutes to decide it wants to be on again. It took seconds. So amazing. :P I fell in love right then and there....
So.... the moment Bob has been waiting for and trying to talk me into for, oh, two years has finally arrived. We got a new laptop. My poor old lappy has just about had it. The hard drive is so full I can't download windows updates, it's rather prone to viruses, the screen flickers and would give me headaches, there's something wrong with where the power cord connects because it likes to switch back and forth between power sources, it was time to let it go.
Anyway, so we ordered one and it was supposed to come during the snowstorm. We *cough* Bob *cough* kept checking the tracking number online to see where it was... it was en route from Galesburg to Chicago... then it was back in Galesburg for a few days. It did finally show up on our doorstep (with two days worth of mail- apparently 'neither snow nor sleet' doesn't apply in T-town) last week. So I let it thaw out a bit and started it up and only half the screen lit up. The other half had a large black blob and flickery lines. It was very disappointing. And annoying because we had to package it up and send it back and wait rather impatiently for a replacement.
The new one works just fine so far and I like it a lot. In fact, I had shut it for the night and Bob wanted me to get back on and check something... and I was dragging my feet until I realized that, hey, it probably doesn't take 10 minutes to decide it wants to be on again. It took seconds. So amazing. :P I fell in love right then and there....
Friday, February 04, 2011
Tired and Sore
Story of our lives today...
We spent most of yesterday helping Rustin and Sharon unload their trailers... I showed up a little bit late because I needed an oil change. I went to a Speedlube, which are super handy but oh, so annoying. I realize I probably look pretty clueless, but I could change my oil myself given the proper equipment. Granted, I'm afraid of those service ramp thingies, so we'd have to have a pit... but still... I do keep an eye on my tire pressure and gauges and fluid levels and they talk at me like I'm an idiot. *sigh* O well. It's fast.
My car doesn't do deep snow well. I got stuck in R & S's driveway. And then it got even more stuck when Dan tried to get it out for me. Thankfully, Uncle Dean came to the rescue with his truck and a chain. I'm so glad I've got a hitch on the back of my car. Snow like this makes me miss the Tauri, that thing is a tank.
So as soon as that drama was over, I helped carry boxes. And more boxes. And more boxes. It was cold. We didn't get much unpacked for them, but we at least got the kitchen clear of Dan's stuff so they can put their stuff away. It makes me not want to move ever. (Yes, Bob did sigh in relief, haha.)
Grandma Beutel made supper for us all and then we went back to Bob's parent's for a little bit.
How do I know Bob is tired? Well.... I couldn't find my keys this morning. They weren't on the hook, or my purse, or my coat pocket, or in Bob's pockets, or on the dresser. No where. Bob unlocked the door with them last night when we got home, sooooo.... guess where I found them. Still stuck in the keyhole, outside our house. I'm glad we live in a small town. I wonder what the paper lady thought. :D It made me laugh.
Blessings.
We spent most of yesterday helping Rustin and Sharon unload their trailers... I showed up a little bit late because I needed an oil change. I went to a Speedlube, which are super handy but oh, so annoying. I realize I probably look pretty clueless, but I could change my oil myself given the proper equipment. Granted, I'm afraid of those service ramp thingies, so we'd have to have a pit... but still... I do keep an eye on my tire pressure and gauges and fluid levels and they talk at me like I'm an idiot. *sigh* O well. It's fast.
My car doesn't do deep snow well. I got stuck in R & S's driveway. And then it got even more stuck when Dan tried to get it out for me. Thankfully, Uncle Dean came to the rescue with his truck and a chain. I'm so glad I've got a hitch on the back of my car. Snow like this makes me miss the Tauri, that thing is a tank.
So as soon as that drama was over, I helped carry boxes. And more boxes. And more boxes. It was cold. We didn't get much unpacked for them, but we at least got the kitchen clear of Dan's stuff so they can put their stuff away. It makes me not want to move ever. (Yes, Bob did sigh in relief, haha.)
Grandma Beutel made supper for us all and then we went back to Bob's parent's for a little bit.
How do I know Bob is tired? Well.... I couldn't find my keys this morning. They weren't on the hook, or my purse, or my coat pocket, or in Bob's pockets, or on the dresser. No where. Bob unlocked the door with them last night when we got home, sooooo.... guess where I found them. Still stuck in the keyhole, outside our house. I'm glad we live in a small town. I wonder what the paper lady thought. :D It made me laugh.
Blessings.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Snow!
It's so pretty outside. :)
So, we were super social last weekend. We were invited to a deer supper at Dave and Joanna's with a fun mix of people from church on Friday. I really enjoyed it, and the food was really good. Saturday night we went to rotating potluck at Dave and Barb's. It was a girl heavy group, us, four yg girls, Aunt Karen, and Katy. So fun. We ended up staying really late.
I went to work on Monday. And haven't been back since. For whatever reason, the lab closes when ICC closes so three snow days for me!! Yay! I've mostly been a major lazy bum. We've spent a lot of time watching movies and eating chocolate chip cookies.
We started to shovel out our cars yesterday and a nice man with a 4020 and a loader bucket came to our rescue and got it done in about 10 minutes. So we helped our neighbors a little bit.
Rustin and Sharon have been stuck in Iowa City during the storm... they're hoping to make it here today finally. We're going to help them unload and stuff.... woot woot. :)
Blessings.
So, we were super social last weekend. We were invited to a deer supper at Dave and Joanna's with a fun mix of people from church on Friday. I really enjoyed it, and the food was really good. Saturday night we went to rotating potluck at Dave and Barb's. It was a girl heavy group, us, four yg girls, Aunt Karen, and Katy. So fun. We ended up staying really late.
I went to work on Monday. And haven't been back since. For whatever reason, the lab closes when ICC closes so three snow days for me!! Yay! I've mostly been a major lazy bum. We've spent a lot of time watching movies and eating chocolate chip cookies.
We started to shovel out our cars yesterday and a nice man with a 4020 and a loader bucket came to our rescue and got it done in about 10 minutes. So we helped our neighbors a little bit.
Rustin and Sharon have been stuck in Iowa City during the storm... they're hoping to make it here today finally. We're going to help them unload and stuff.... woot woot. :)
Blessings.
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