More Progress

Doesn't the ceiling look nice? But that's old news, children. With the cabinet doors removed I recently got busy with prepping and painting the sides and faces of the cabinets. Yes, I might be going for a record for the longest kitchen update project ever. I started way back in January 2019 with installing hardware and painting the drawer fronts.

All in all, I am pleased with the results. The first round of cabinet doors is out in the garage with half the painting process completed. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be painting cabinet doors and installing them as they are finished. Then it's the lower cabinets turn. Then to complete the backsplash. I think the number of tasks required to finish this room is getting shorter. I think. And to think it all started with a photo in a magazine. The only major change from that photo is the countertops. The sparkly black/white/gray granite that I ended up choosing was inspired by the similar color top in a smaller scale pattern on the bar cabinet. My personal challenge is to finish before Christmas. The clock is ticking. 

Back to the Books

I am currently immersed in Margaret Atwood's The Testaments, her sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. It's a great read that at the same time is terrifying and uplifting. I have found it difficult to concentrate on reading the last few months so a couple of weeks ago I thought I'd get back in the habit of reading at bedtime. It's been lovely, a relaxing half hour or so to wind down the day before turning out the lights. A good habit to get back into.

Right On, Harry!

This Would Save So Much Time and Energy

Here, Fishy Fishy Fishy!

I am by nature an optimist. Since I'm pretty sure I have dated all these fellas, I have taken one for the team more times than generally expected in a single (ha!) lifetime.

Clearly I deserve this handsome fella to swim into my life. 

Enhance Your Vocabulary

It means the essence of something or the inherent nature of a person or an object. A term from scholastic philosophy, I intend to toss it about with impunity from now on. And perhaps augment it and apply it to drinking booze, as in, liquiddity reveals her quiddity. 

The Denial is Strong in This One

Also tunnel vision. Lack of self-examination and empathy. Not to mention stupid. The stupid is very strong in this one. She is strong with the lying and deflection, however. And a traitor to her sex. Any woman who supports Trump is a traitor to her sisters in arms. And in case you missed her speech, she talks about how wrong and inappropriate nepotism is. Let that sink in for a moment.

Have I Got a Deal for Me

I do enjoy a bargain, y'all who show up here regularly know that. But when a sought-after item is free, well, that's particularly excellent. I have been looking around for a sleeve or case to fit the recently acquired ASUS VivoBook, both in the real and virtual shopping places, but had not come up with one I liked at a price I felt right about. Or if I liked it and the price was right, it was either out of stock or, can you believe it, was not offered in pink! So this morning I took a look around on the internets and found this little beauty that should satisfy my needs just perfectly. And this particular website accepted points from my credit card as payment. Making it essentially free. The case is in stock and should arrive in a week or so. Soon I shall be ready to travel with laptop in tow. 

Hairy Subject

If you were concerned about this, worry no more. Today I made an appointment with Bonnie, stylist extraordinaire, and she will be taming my wayward locks next week. Now to find internet photos of medium length haircuts that work well with naturally curly, babyfine hair. For lazy women who expect to look fabulous with minimum fuss. I'll get back to you on how that works out.

Ultimate in Oxymoronry

Courtesy of today's House inquiry into the recent actions of the man in charge of the United States Postal Service and his "cost saving actions" there. And now for the oxymorons. First off, there is nothing the least bit joyful about Mr DeJoy. His parents should have named him Lack Of or Kill to be more in line with his demeanor. And secondly, how completely ridiculous is it that he is referred to as The Honorable? There is nothing honorable associated with being a Trump-contributing, ass-kissing lackey who is doing his level best to destroy and dismantle a government agency from the inside for his boss's political gain. Shame on you, Mr DeJoy. You are sucking all of the joy out of any room you occupy.

Somebody Stop Me

Has it been a mere two years since I grew out my bangs? Yes. That is correct. Today I have had this fidgety feeling about my hair. I want bangs again. Don't let me near the scissors! Cutting my own hair only creates problems! Maybe I should eat ice cream instead. Hmmmm. Or have some wine. Clearly, I am smart enough to not cut my own hair if I have been drinking alcohol. I might not be that smart. Okay. Popcorn, beer, and a movie. That should get my mind off of self coiffuring. For a couple of hours anyway. Maybe I ought to search the internets for bad pandemic did-it-herself haircuts to put me off. If you see me with scissors in my grubby little paws, please talk me down. Thank you.

Chills (in a good way) Courtesy of The Chicks

Best Venn Ever

WWJD? Clearly This

AKA Larkspur

This, children, is a delphinium. Isn't she pretty? Back in May she was a tiny green lump in a pot surrounded by brown crusty leaves. She was marked down to a quarter. I took this as a challenge not knowing that this is considered to be a difficult, fussy flower to grow. I'm filing this gardening experience under ignorance is bliss. Not knowing what I was getting into, I poked her in the dirt, watered, and waited. As you can see, she's quite lovely. My brown thumb has triumphed.   

One More Flamingo, Please

The very best gifts in the world aren't always the biggest or most expensive or most anticipated ones. They often are the whimsical and unexpected ones that you immediately adore. This sparkly little fellow arrived in the mail yesterday from my cousin Cory. When I posted some photos of my pink flamingo lady cave a while back it was revealed to him that I have an obsession fondness for these leggy, pink, tropical birds. So he sent me one. I was going to put him out with the others, hanging him on the beer fridge seemed appropriate. But his adorableness has caused me to stick him on the metal Sharpies can where I can see him when I'm on the computer. He's going to inspire me to write grand and eloquent things. I just know it.

Stolen Satellite

Introvert Reckoning

One thing the pandemic has done for me personally is make me even less capable of being among other people! It has taken me nearly a week to recharge my batteries after spending three days among others! After sequestering myself at home for nearly five months with only forays out to shop for necessities it seems it will take some time to get back to my old self again. Where I mostly keep to myself but make some effort toward being social about once a week. That frequency of socializing fit in well with my routine. It didn't drain me and I didn't need any time to recover. This last week was different. I had no energy reserves and needed naps and quiet. Sort of like needing a vacation from my vacation. I find myself wondering what my new normal will be in several months after Covid19 has run its course or when a reliable vaccine has been developed to impart immunity to the masses. Pre-pandemic I was already a retired person who didn't leave the house every day or interact with others a great deal. But I had built up a certain tolerance so that being somewhat social didn't completely sap my strength, both physically and mentally. Here I am this Sunday afternoon feeling mostly myself again and looking forward to a time when my introvert tendencies have returned to a normal level of recovery time after being out among 'em.  

A Fortune Pissed Away

See if you can spot the three clues that this woman is a complete and total idiot. Got 'em already? That was quick! Excellent job! I wonder if since I drive an Outback that I might be a Suburian as well. I have heard a rumor that if you do not pay your student loans in full that they kidnap you and hook your brain up to a machine that sucks out the IQ equivalent of knowledge you received in college. The writing on this automobile may be proof of that rumor. 

Unnatural Childbirth

Now that's what I call a baby boom.

I'm Ready!

Ready for this nightmare of an administration to be over. And for the whole rotten lot of them to be prosecuted for their crimes once they are out of office. It's time to actually drain the Washington swamp and clear out all the bottom-feeding slimeballs who have benefited from the actions of those currently in power. It's time to clean house. 

Live at the Mish

Sunday afternoon we ventured out for some food in a new setting. We settled on the Mishawaka located out in the boonies in the Poudre River Canyon. They have a large patio area and are doing a good job with distancing and the wearing of masks in this Covid19 climate. The food was excellent and the drive there was lovely with river views and the stunning rock walls of the canyon. A nice little bonus was live music provided by Titonic, an area band specializing in funk, soul, and R&B. They did a great job on some Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, and Steely Dan tunes. There has been a dearth of live music opportunities of late with the plague so I enjoyed it very much. I realized I had not had me some live tunes for six months, probably the longest dry stretch in twenty years. We rounded out the evening with beer and pizza on the porch of the Currier Inn. Beer. Food. Live music. Sunday just doesn't get much better than that. 

So Much Birthday Fun

Yes, I know my birthday was over a month ago. But Jill showed up for a couple of days allowing us to celebrate our almost consecutive July birthdays together. Brie and Champagne were enjoyed and silly gifts were exchanged.

Sunday morning there was a teensy bit of still-bubbly bubbly left over, just enough for a mini mimosa. I think this wraps up the birthday hoopla for this year. Let us launch ourselves with abandon into FYC, Edition 63 and hope for the best! 

A Common Sense Pope

I've been saying this for years. 

Dear Congressman Buck

Please note the area circled in red. This means I paid for this miserable missive that arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Stop wasting my money! I might have believed the small portion of it that was devoted to health care during the Covid epidemic if you had signed on with the House Democrats and supported the CARES act back in March. The flyer was otherwise a bucket of word salad requiring a quart of bleu cheese dressing to choke down. If you had a brain you would understand that increased unemployment benefits will stimulate local economies and help keep them afloat during this crisis. If you had a heart you would have voted for extending the moratorium on evictions into next year. Did you realize that there are nearly 10,000 food insecure children in Weld County? You are a miserable, ignorant, total and complete idiot who kisses 45's backside at every opportunity. You fail completely at being a caring and concerned public servant. As a millionaire you have zero worries about paying the rent or feeding a family. Your annual congressional salary is $174,000, far above the median salary of $75,938 in your district. All I have to say is, fuck you, it's time to retire you sad, ineffectual, stupid old man.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Fair Warning

Bad Cattitude

Excuse me? Pardon me? Would it be convenient for you to give me some attention now? Or shall I make an appointment?

Just kidding. GIVE ME SOME DAMN ATTENTION RIGHT NOW!!

My Pink Flamingo Lady Cave

One has not fully committed to tacky theme decorating until one has a fake plant festooned with a string of pink flamingo lights.

Said fake plant is next to my rescued van seat with a lovely flamingo pillow on it. Now you can see the splendor of the round plastic tablecloth beneath the fake plant. 

It wasn't until I transformed a lovely dish towel given to me by Jill that I knew it must hang on the pink flamingo wall hook that was a Christmas present from sis Martine. I neglected to get a photo of the lamp with a pink shade edged in ball fringe. So many ridiculous things in one small space.

Meanwhile, Out in the Garage

The Sanded

The Unsanded

My Pitiful Wildflower Patch

Back in May I lovingly prepared the soil in the area I like to call the back forty. Then I scattered a half pound of wildflower seeds, theoretically containing over a dozen varieties of perennials and annuals suited to this locale, and raked over the area and watered accordingly. It has been beastly hot this last month, most days with a high in the nineties. The back forty has evolved into little more than a weed patch. After clearing most of the weeds a few days ago, I'm seeing a few more flowers emerge. Now with high temps in the eighties and a few rain showers I'm hoping more of the wildflower seeds will awaken. There is still a fair amount of summer left to enjoy them. Then there is always next year.