WOW! (And I Have No Freaking Idea)

So the title totally expresses my feelings right now. 

It's been over a year & I get an inkling to write a blog post.  What do I see when I get here?  Anyone?  Well I'll tell you.  The last post I wrote over a year ago was NOT posted!  It says draft next to it.  Lovely!  So I sent it & decided to really post.  Unless, of course, I forget to publish this one too.  I suppose I'll have to check something more than spelling from now on.

So, on with the post...

Not really too much difference from a year ago.  I had a spinal fusion a year ago in November.  It really didn't help anything but now I have a beautiful scar.  I could get a tramp stamp over it & have a textured tattoo. Sounds awesome,huh?  LOL. I've wanted a dragonfly for a long time & no idea where I wanted it. Could be a plan...  So feel free to let me know what you think.  Feedback is welcomed.  Now I just wonder if I should add a pic of the scar so you have an idea of what the body texture of the dragonfly will look like.  I think that'll be up to you also.  If I get an overwhelming response of "Yes, I love seeing gross things like scars", then a pic shall be posted in the next blog.  (And it won't be a year from now either).  If not, & your response is  "Ew, I think I'm gonna puke!", then I can respect that.  I'll leave it for the medical journals.  

To continue on...my back & leg problems are worse but it's degenerative so I can do specific exercises to keep the motion but it will never be gone.  I am going to start getting injections again in my back to see if I can get a little relief.  I've had it done before but it never helped much, so we will see.  Radiology is supposed  to do the injection this time instead of the pain clinic and the back surgeon seems to think this will make a difference.  O-Kay!  We'll see.

Otherwise, I've been taking my dad to doctor appointments & to do other errands.  I'm trying to get  more reading done, like I used to do & with winter knocking at our door, it looks like I'll be doing that sooner than later.  (sigh)  Spring & Summer were pretty much nonexistent here because of the severity of last winter.  Also, after just having back surgery, walking in snow & on ice was NOT a wise idea.  This year is supposed to be cold but we're not supposed to have the record snowfall of 94 inches but rather the norm of 44 inches.  I can only hope.

Happy Veterans Day to all our Vets out there and...THANK YOU!!!!!
Collette

* Filth & Foul*-Pardon My French

I had no intentions of posting this very moment until I got home from my grandma's house.  I figured it would let me vent off some of this steam.
                                      
                                  I am sick & tired of this FUCKING SNOW!

(now you understand the title?)
 
Till Christmas, we barely had any snow.  We had one bad snow/icestorm & then we'd been getting about an inch every other day or so.  This was doable.  Now that it's after the holidays, we keep getting INCHES (meaning at least 4-5) every week, but usually more often.  And it's the wet, heavy kind that truckers can get stuck in.  I have a little, blue Chevy Cobalt FWD (which I am grateful for), but small wheels tend to get stuck in big snow.  I just happen to get stuck almost everytime I go to my grandma's which is every day.  Most days, I go there & she needs something from the store, so I have to go back.  If I didn't get stuck the 1st time, it is almost inevitable that I will get stuck the next time.

Take today, for instance, it snowed overnight, again, but only a couple of inches & it's been melting.  I stop over to visit & babcia needs me to go to the bakery.  Great!  Not only do I have to try & find parking, but I also have to make sure I can get in & out without getting stuck.  Of course, the spot in front of the bakery that I was going to take was filled by the time I got around the block.  (parking is very hard to find here even when there is no snow)  So, I spied another spot & wouldn't you know, also filled by the time I got to it. But, this time, there was just enough room for me to park behind it if I backed up a little on the snow bank when I backed in.  Ok, good enough.  Now to the bakery which is around the corner & down the street a little.  No one in the bakery, so I get my goods & head out.  Back at babcia's, I pull up into her mostly snow-filled driveway with the car blocking the sidewalk.  I usually don't get stuck when I park this way.  I take in the bakery goods & chit-chat a little.

I'm supposed to take her to the beauty shop tomorrow because we have a baby shower on Saturday.  But, don't you know it, there's another snowstorm on the way for tonight through tomorrow morning.  I did not mention this because come hell or high water (in which case there would be no snow...grrr) I will get her to the beauty shop.

Back in the car, I attempt backing across the street to the other driveway (my dad suggested it would be easier) & lo & behold I am stuck once again.  This time I am blocking the entire street sideways.  Lovely!  Also, since it started getting cold, my car has a stalling problem.  Probably something with fuel not making it to where it needs to go, but I haven't taken it in because...(a) Low on funds &  (b) it starts right back up.  Of course, this is wasting time when I have to keep doing it.  A car decides to come down the street.  She sits in the car about 5 minutes, looking at me & backs up down the street.  Thank you so very much!  Next time, I will charge for entertainment.  Somehow, after about 15 minutes of rocking the car back & forth, drive to reverse, I made it back into the driving ruts.  No matter how many times this happens, it is NOT something you get used to.  It stills wears so badly on your patience that you want to get out of the car & just leave it. (till the snow thaws)

There is also the issue of the amount of gas it takes to get unstuck.  And, with gas prices the way they are going right now, it's very worrisome.
I am having so many "If-Only's" right now.  I think the major one would take care of a lot.

If only I had the money...

Waving the Babushka to flag down someone to push out my car,
Collette  (((HUGS)))

To Make a Short Story Long...

PSST! Yes, you. Is it safe to come out? Hmmm...(looking around to make sure I don't get mobbed) It looks ok. Nobody but us here. WHEW! I really thought everyone would come jumping out & screaming "What took you so long?", "Why haven't you written anything?". Oh, I'm sure I'll hear it anyway...lol! Yes,I know. It's the last day of February & the last hour in eastern time. I really did plan on posting sooner. (likely story, I know!) But what matters is that I am here & ready to bore amaze you with my lengthy never-ending sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, fantabulous writing! So, without further ado...

February is done! THE END

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Oh I just kill myself sometimes! LMAO!!!
And no, the men in the white coats did not come to take me away & I don't expect them to (unless one of you lets the cat out of the bag that I escaped)
But seriously folks, (ok, c'mon now, I have to get serious here. Deep breath! ) I think I'm ok now. OM...OM...OM...AH! Done cracking up for now. I think I am in silly mode. It's either due to not enough sleep or the fact that it's back to hell work in the morning. That place is enough to drive anyone nuts! In fact, I believe it's a prerequesite to be at least a little crazy. If you don't go in that way, you will leave that way!

So, I'm happy to announce that the curse, jinx, bad luck, evil eye, etc., that had been following me around is gone (knock wood) at least for now. I am ready to take in all the good luck I can get! Money can start rolling in any time! MONEY? HEL-LO? Hmm...I'm waiting! AHEM! So, anyway, things haven't gotten worse & maybe sort of evened out. Life is pretty much back to- normal.

I don't know what it is about that word-normal. I just don't think it has ever fit me at all. I have never cared much for the word. In fact, I shudder at the very thought that I could ever be...ACK!...normal. And judging by this post, I don't think I am in any danger of that! LOL!

So, life goes on & I am really looking forward to spring. The temps here are supposed to be near 40 pretty much all week so it should melt some of this snow. Although I can't really complain too much about this winter. The most snow we have had was this month. It's been about 6 inches here, 4 inches there. And quite a few nights with an inch or so to wake up to. I do not envy those of you who have had all that snow or those of you who don't usually get snow & did.

Something is up with Mother Nature this year for sure. I hope she gets on some medication soon! I don't think our world can take too much more of her antics.

I pray for all those who have been affected by the devastation around the world.

God Bless every one of you & your families! We can all use some blessings now & then.

So till next time, I remain...

Your friend & certified nut job

Babushka Waving in the Wind

Collette (((HUGS)))

Happy Holidays or Bah Humbug?

Image by HowardLake via Flickr

Well, Thanksgiving is over (WOOHOO!) & the holiday season is in full swing. Except for the fact that it is December 3rd & we have no snow (again, WOOHOO!) as of yet. Yes, they are calling for some flurries & snow showers during the week, but nothing to be worried about. In fact, just the past week has been chilly. We have had temps near 60 & above pretty much all autumn. I am enjoying the hell out of it. As you know, I absolutely hate & dread the winter season. The bitter cold, blizzard-like snow & the incredibly slick & dangerous ice that we deal with here in Michigan makes me want to hibernate until the temps hit 60 once again.

The weather is not the only dreaded thing about this time of year. All the shopping for gifts, finding parking, & pushing & shoving makes it seem as if selfishness has taken over. The news shows people physically fighting over the last popular toy that "my child has to have". Thieves are hiding around every corner watching & waiting until your arms, full of bags & boxes, are emptied into your trunk so they can knock you down to take your car with all the gifts that you worked so hard to save & scrimp for. The usually pleasant salespeople, that have been working many hours with angry customers who can't find what they want, are cranky when you get to them because there's no tag on the item you want & they have to search for a price.

Last, but certainly not least, we come to spending time with the family. Some we see all year long. Some we see during the year for events & get-togethers of sorts. And some come from out of town only a couple of times a year. It seems to me that the ones from out of town are the ones we'd rather see more than some we have closer to us. We are forced to make nice to others because "they are family" or "it's the holidays". Wouldn't it be nice to be able to be honest? So it hurts someone's feelings. I didn't ask to share my holiday with certain people. I would like to enjoy the holidays without any drama or negativity. I want the smile on my face to be genuine. I think if we could just eat & go, I would be very happy! But, it's not to be. I will be one of the few stuck cleaning up & being pushed out of the way so others can have their fun. The funny thing is, I'd rather spend time with my in-laws a during the holidays than my own family. Now you know I'm strange!

Well, I'm really tired because it's late, but I'm going to post this. It's how I feel most of the time during the holidays. The one really good thing about the holidays is having 2 weeks off from work. It's nice to work for a school district!

SO, how do you all REALLY feel about the holidays? MUHAHAHAHA

Hiding Behind My Babushka,

Collette

Snow is a 4 Letter Word

Image via Wikipedia

Well Hello Everyone! Sit right down & you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip...screeeeeccchhhhh! Oops! Wrong tape! LOL! And, I KNOW you would NOT love to hear me sing, but, uh, maybe some other time. Have to save my voice to yell at say good morning to the lovely children in the morning at school. (damn, monsters, that's what they are...grrr!) Now, now, ahem.
As you can see by the time that has passed, I have been avoiding very busy. School is in full swing & I'm back to my usual schedule of work, stopping to visit Babcua & picking up my daughter from school. After that, I either go back to Babcia's to do some things for her, make dinner, do laundry, etc. In the evening, the shows are back on their fall schedule with new episodes & some I just can not miss. Survivor is back on. Not sure who I like yet, but I can't stand that oil business guy, Russell! I know you do what you have to in the game, but he is a very mean & nasty little man. I watch "So You Think You Can Dance". The city tryout are finally finished. Now on to Las Vegas where they pick the top 20 for the show. I just love watching the choreographed dances. Last year, there wer a couple of dances that were just so powerful in their stories. One was about addiction & one about breast cancer that just made you feel as if you were going through it! Truly amazing! "Lie to Me" & "Fringe" are another 2 shows that I really like. They premiered last season & the stories are not like any other that have been on before. I hope they stay on for awhile. On Friday, I have to see "Dollhouse" with Eliza Dushku. The storyline is a pretty scary one that makes you wonder if this is or could be already happening. If you check any of these out, let me know what you think.*

Sometimes I think I watch a little too much tv. I watch the news a few times a day. I wonder if I should be watching it at all. The news is just so damn depressing around here. Crimes, financial problems, government screwing around with our lives...And now the worst of it, always around this time of year...I really can't even bear the thought or the mention of it...UGH. Ok, don't say you weren't warned & do NOT let the kids hear. SNOW! ARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! Yes, I know. I'm so sorry! They brought it up on the news the other day. I know it's unavoidable. But did they have to say it so soon? I can't afford to get a place to stay for the winter. Unless...Quirky? You live where it's warm, dontcha? HUH? Some of you live in much warmer climes. I would just love to meet all of you. Perfect time to visit my southern friends. And if anyone likes the cold & snow, come stay here. I would gladly trade until about the beginning of April.

There are only a few things to learn about living in Michigan, or specifically near Detroit. We call "soda", "pop". To show someone where we live, we put up our right hand, palm facing us & point to a spot somewhere between the knuckles of the thumb. Even though we are just across the bridge from Canada, we still make fun of them, eh? (ok, it's not PC but it's funny) This one is very important. When it snows, if someone shovels out a spot for their car of puts a chair in the spot, do not park there. Legally, they can't do that but no one complains. It's just supposed to be common courtesy (or something...lol) Not much except to have fun. There are a lot of bars & drink prices are cheap if you hit the little places that look like a dive. At one time, I believe it was during the '80's, Hamtramck was in the Guinness World Book of Records for most bars in an area. Hamtramck is 2.2 square miles. I don't know how many bars were open at the time, but there are still enough that you can walk to & get drunk & not need a ride home. You may need someone to roll you to your door but I can't say I've ever heard of a designated walker.

As usual, my post went off course from my original idea. It will just have to be my next post. Remind me though, because it was a very important one on body odor. NOT! LOL!

So, we'll chat soon. I'll invade your blogs. I may lurk. I may give some of my sought after wisdom. You never know.

And one last thing, when in Michigan, The Polish Muslims are a popular band, not a religious group!

GO RED WINGS!!!

Bundling up in my babushka until someone sends me to the tropics,

Collette

* Opinions & statements of tv shows are my own. I have not been paid or asked to do them by anyone.

It Never Fails...

So, here it is, early April, temps still a little cool, ready for the "April Showers". I've seen the robins, which is a sign that spring is really here. I bought dh, dd & myself nice, comfortable outfits for Easter, which is this coming Sunday. Even the air has that unmistakeable smell/feel of newness, growth...Spring.

Well. it did, until last night.

The news had been reporting possible snow for a few days already, but with the warmer air here in Michigan, I didn't really expect much of anything. Then the snow reports turned to a winter storm warning! No way! I am so tired of & done with snow from this past winter. It has to be finished snowing for the season, doesn't it? Well, I guess Mother Nature decided on a belated "April Fool's" joke. Sure enough, it started snowing heavily around 11 pm & kept on going through today. Being that the temps were above freezing most of the time & the ground had warmed up a little, most of the snow melted or was heavy slush. Right now, there is snow on the grass but on little else in our area near Detroit. Weather reports are still predicting some flurries through tomorrow, I believe.

As the saying goes in Michigan, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes"! I am hoping that this will be the end of the snow & we can finally celebrate the earth coming back to life.

Besides, I just bought a coral handbag with shoes to match. That explains why I picked up the outfits for Easter. I had nothing to match my new accessories! Then, I felt guilty about buying for just myself & purchased outfits for my dh & dd.

So far, the weather for Sunday is looking to be sunny & about 56 degrees. I may get to wear my new shoes after all. But, as Murphy's law says, if anything can go wrong, it will. IT NEVER FAILS!!!

Wondering if they make thermal babushkas,

Collette