Dear Mr. Obama
Please don't choose Hillary as your running mate. If I had wanted Hillary in office, I would have voted for her. WHICH I DID NOT.
June 03, 2008
Marshfield High Keeps On Sucking.
It seems that the yearbooks are out today. The yearbooks we parents already paid some 40 or 50 bucks for. Yes, Marshfield was letting the kids pick them up today... FOR AN EXTRA THREE BUCKS. If they did not want to pay the extra 3 bucks, or couldn't, then they had to wait for Friday to get them. What's the big deal you ask? Well today was the last day of school for the Seniors. So if the rest of the kids wanted their senior friends to sign their yearbooks, they were SOL.
Gee, thanks Marshfield. Another petty way to suck more bucks out of the parents. GOOD GOING.
May 31, 2008
A Mouth Full of Metal
Or, young boy becomes a partial Transformer. That's what has happened to my sweet Derek. He just got a full mouth of braces a couple of days ago, after a week of torture with rubber band spacers between his teeth. The spacers, they say, are the worst part. And they hurt right away. The pain of spacers is supposed to subside within two to three days. Ibuprofen is the drug of choice. Oh yeah, and the spacers pop out and break alot too. If they break and remain between the teeth, no big deal, they are still doing their job. If they come completely out you have to replace them yourself. Or rather, MOM is supposed to. Well mom couldn't.
Derek's teeth were so tight together that the orthodontist's assistant could barely get them in. And with so much chance of slippage, (mind you, replacing them requires that you thread a couple of pieces of dental floss through them and pulling tight, then cramming the fat little rubber band between the teeth), I could not tolerate the thought of cutting my already hurting son's mouth/lips up. So after a few tries, I pussed out. Derek, however, brave soul that he is, was determined to do it on his own. AND HE SUCCEEDED. Several times because the damn thing kept popping out. PROBLEM SOLVED. Sort of.
We were told very little about the braces process as far as pain goes. I think that's because they don't want to scare the victim patient. So Derek and I turned to our knowledgeable friends. The consensus was this:
Derek's friends: You can really eat whatever you want. Oh yeah, and it hurts like hell.
My friends: You have to change your whole diet. What do you mean they can eat what they want? Ask them this, are YOU an orthodontist? So what makes you smarter than one? Oh and sure, it's two years of torture. Lot's of blood and pain. But SO worth it.
In the end, it was not so much about choosing what he WANTED to eat as it was choosing what it was POSSIBLE to eat. So far that is soup, tapioca pudding, jello, and little sandwiches picked into mouse size pieces. And mashed potatoes. Now excuse me while I go cook something soft and mushy for the boy.
May 17, 2008
From Tropical to Desert Like
The past two days were over 100 degrees here. Today was a cool and breezy 90. Every plant on the property began showing signs of burn. My greenhouses and the porch and the garden are all intertwined with sheets and screens. Thank god I moved so many things out of harms way. Harms way = almost everywhere.
Some years we pray for a couple of days of warm, and often we get them. Maybe an Indian summer in the fall. But never, ever, and I'm including the Great Coastal Heatwave of I think it was '82, has it ever been this hot on the coast. At least not in my getting-quite-extensive lifetime. Do you realize it was only two weeks ago that we had snow, hail and freezing temperatures? HUH????
Kitty update: Ripped out a bunch of stitches. Stitches replaced, drain removed, and now the poor thing is in the dreaded CONE. Why of course I will take a picture.
May 15, 2008
Hotter Than Barbie's Booty
After the sun started to go down, it cooled to 90 degrees on the porch. I have been watering constantly today. Not only is this heat dangerous for plants, but it also poses a massive threat to us used-to-cool-weather coastal beings. Thank goodness I have trees and plants, it turns my zone into a balmy jungle region instead of a desert wasteland.
I kept the house closed up today, (mostly because kitty got herself in another scrap and had an abscess, requiring her to have a drain put in, meaning no outside), and the ceiling fan on. Everytime I thought I was going to die from the heat, I just went outside, where it was 20 degrees hotter. I cannot imagine that tomorrow will be even hotter. Is this possible?
It's a perfect evening for that walk on Sunset Beach.
May 14, 2008
Wednesday is my Friday.
Because it's my last of two real workdays. I'm exceedingly lucky however, even my work is fun. And it's not the only REAL work I do. Just the part of work which I actually have to leave home for.
Anyway.
Mother's day recap: I got a truckload of gorgeous compost. I also sent a truckload of compost to my mommy. Derek's present to us both was to unload said compost. Considering the tropical weather we are having, the dirt came just in time. Soon you will be seeing pictures of my gardening antics. And that's not a lie, like it was the last time, when I said I would give you my bread recipe later in the week and I did not. But don't worry. You will get that too. Promise.
And just to show you I mean business, here's a pretty picture for you.
I have no idea who any of these people are.
May 09, 2008
Friday. How I love Thee.
It's been a cold and windy blowhole on the coast. Big, cold destructive blasts of North Pole wind make it impossible to be outside and be happy. Last night we actually had ice on our car windshields. Bleah.
The basil I put out too early just shriveled up and croaked. But did that teach me? Heck no. I'm still putting things out. It's my sink or swim program. It's also the only way I can empty out my crammed full greenhouses. So I can start some more things. Stop looking at me that way.
May 02, 2008
Coos Bay's Central Oregon Twin Sister
I've always had a little fondness in my heart for Bend. I was forced to live there for a couple of years when I was much younger, and though in the beginning, I hated the idea to the point of depression, I actually came to appreciate a few of Bend's qualities.
It wasn't really Bend's fault that I was at first unhappy. Firstmost, I was miserable before I ever went there. Secondly, I am just not a snow loving high desert girl. I am an ocean craving seagypsy. So starting out unhappy and going to a place that was completely foreign and uninhabitable to me, topped off with a fine helping of one disaster after another made it very difficult to have any kind of a positive attitude about my new surroundings.
Infact, I absolutely hated Bend.
The 100 and something degree summer days. The nights that, (considering Bend has a growing season of about two days), could turn to frost during the night at any time. Then there were the sub zero winter temperatures. And oh my GOD the snow. And the ice. The ice that I would fall on every time I entered a commercial establishment. That little patch right in the door that I would ALWAYS hit. Oh and the 12 foot long icicles that threatened to pierce your heart if you slammed the door too hard and dislodged them from the roof.
As the days moved on, I came to see the similarities between Central Oregon and my hometown. Both were centrally located through ways for the surrounding towns and cities. Both became landlocked occasionally, cut off from the outside world because of mostly natural disasters. Both had their locals, who were savvy about their surroundings and true survivors. They were originally small town people in a small town just like Coos Bay.
Bend has had its share of takers as well. Just like the politicians that come in here and mess things up and get what they can, this story makes me realize yet another example of the corruption and disloyalty that Coos Bay and Bend share.
March 18, 2008
Another Day, Another Pile of Contaminated Fish.
Just a few news updates from The Oregonian:
Bass in Columbia highly contaminated tests find.
"New tests of smallmouth bass from the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam found fish with concentrations of industrial chemicals up to 26,000 times higher than what state officials consider safe for human consumption."
My. God.
It would seem that the contamination comes from "historical" dumping of old electrical wire. Or so they say. You would think they would have tested said fish before now. Of course, they are starting to test clams and all sorts of other aquatic food stuffs. But you know, the fish don't just STAY in the river. They actually do leave and go other places.
Yeah, now we are getting the bigger picture here.
Tests find SOME pesticide in lower Clackamas River
In 119 water samples they found 63 pesticides and herbicides. But you know me, I'm an environmental drama queen. Pesticides and herbicides are perfectly safe to consume, why, they are practically vitamins!
March 16, 2008
No Home Depot and Other News
That's right folks. No Home Depot after all. Concerned with falling profits, Home Depot decided to go over their contract with a barbie comb until they found themselves a legal out to their contract with us Wild West Folk.
Sad. But not as sad as when we lost Lowes. We like them better.
In other news, we had two earthquakes off the coast of Oregon. A 5.9 and a 4.2. WheeHaw.
On the home front, I finished a massive pile of paperwork this week. M-A-S-S-I-V-E. Paperwork is now replaced by gutting the living room, and gardening. I potted up copius amounts of exotic geranium seeds. I was reminded of how much I hated the word copius so I had to use it. Today there will be sowings of varieties of Coleus. Along with peppers and tomatoes.
Greek Grrl aka NayborGirl and I tried to pretend to be social animals and ventured out into the city yesterday. We looked for garage sales. I think there were three. All closed. Because it was rainy and cold. So we perused by the Goodwill. I think I can truthfully say that I will never go there again. Their prices were horrible. When I go to a thrift store, I expect items to be at least half price. Not only were they not half price, but they were often TWICE full price. As was demonstrated by their many from-the-dollar-store items marked up to 1.99. Next we went to hospice, which I have always cursed in the name of too expensive, but they are nothing like Goodwill, so I shall stop whining about them. For now. (I was rather grossed out by their coughing and hacking sick cashier though...). Really, the best commercial non-profit thrift store is still the Salvation Army. Bar. None.
March 10, 2008
I'm Standing on My Excuse.
My excuse for neglecting all that I am responsible for. I'm blaming my big fat ingrown toenail. I know it sounds like such a little thing to you. But when it happened to me and my big fat toe was pounding and hurting, I thought, hmm, a little like bad labor.
When it first started hurting I kind of soaked it here and there, and just limited my wearing of hard shoes unless absolutely necessary, which I kind of do all the time anyway. I was probably born in a barn too. But then one day after abusing said toe, it started hurting bad enough that I knew a remedy was soon in order.
So I did what I always do when I have a question. I searched the web. There I found a list of standard home treatments. Half the people said, soak your toe, dig out your toenail and stuff crap underneath of it. The other half said especially don't do anything I just mentioned. Then if that didn't work go to the doctor.
So I searched for information on what doctors did to you. They cut off the side of the toenail a few times. Then when that doesn't work they rip off the whole thing. Then when that doesn't work they rip off the whole thing and treat it with napalm or some such shit so that it NEVER GROWS BACK AGAIN. After all this lovely information and the joy of looking at pictures that make Freddy look benign, I decided to take matters into my own hands. If all else failed I vowed to see the doctor.
So.
My house became a toe hospital.
In the bathroom I had witch hazel, cotton, soaking solutions, a tub, and a variety of surgical implements (metal files). By the couch, I had vitamins and ibuprofen. I arranged things so that I did not have to walk very far to accomplish my TASKS.
And you know what? I was lucky, so far it has worked.
What worked for me was:
1. keeping off my feet as much as possible
2. absolutely no shoe wearing, only loose sandals and socks, or just socks.
3. If my toe didnt hurt too bad, I pried up part of the nail, after soaking my feet, and gently pushed a small twisted wad of witch hazel soaked cotton underneath of it. Three of four times a day is a really good idea. Sometimes I used a goldenseal tincture. I bet an essiac tinture would have been good as well.
4. Soaking my feet at least 4 times a day. Though less was better than nothing, soaking them more kept Mr. Fat Toe healing faster.
5. Just in case, I ordered this strange thing on the web. It's a rectangular piece of something technical that you glue to the top of your toenail. It has a memory, that makes it want to flatten back out, so it pulls the sides of your toenails up slightly. They say you get immediate relief and 80% of people were cured. Whatever. I didn't have to use it so I don't know.
6. Oh yeah. I also put a bandage on my toe, only on the underside, as if I had cut the bottom of my toe. You apply it right up to, but not on, the edge of your toenail, and wrap it around the back, and slightly pointing towards your heel. My bandage was pretty big so I wrapped it clear around the other side of my toe, and stuck it on the top of my foot. I realized, that you could pull it tight enough to jam the OTHER side of your toenail into your toe. Potentially causing an ingrown toenail problem on both sides of your poor sad hurting little toe. So don't do that.
7. By the way, and I know this will come as a surprise to all of you, but, I am NOT a doctor.
February 27, 2008
A Little Intermission
Just a little bathroom break so to speak, a hiatus from pictures of ships and flowers. A brief PAUSE. A bit of Eye Candy. Check out that bejewel-like igloo. When I was little, my beloved cousin was going to build an igloo for him and I. An igloo with which we could escape the adult world (we were in trouble. again.). A little underground home made of ice. Furniture. All ice. Only there was no ice. Just dirt. And though we tried hard. All we managed to do was to dig up the old dead cat. And then we were in trouble. Again.
I'll stop now.