My Birthday

I will admit, right off the bat, that this birthday was not the most exciting. However, I had an awesome meal at The Roadhouse Grill. I was really hoping for the prime rib, but it was only 1pm and of course it's not served until 4pm. So I had the rib eye. It was great!

First, they give you a bucket of peanuts. You throw the shells onto the floor - it's FANtastic! I really like doing that.



They also serve the drinks in mason jars. Mmmmmmmmm... I got a nice hefeweizen. Or two.



Then came the appetizer. It was okay - Southwest egg rolls. It seemed a little pasty compared to ones I've had before, but it was okay.



Finally the steak! It was cooked perfectly: Medium rare. Very yummy. I tried to only eat a little of everything (and take it all home) so I could enjoy the birthday sundae, but I was incredibly full and couldn't do it. I also took home a roll (out of two) with the honey-butter. Sooooo good! By the way, I was able to enjoy the steak and fries for breakfast the next morning. Sometimes it's just good to be a bachelorette.

Tomorrow's my Birthday!

Since tomorrow is my birthday, my mom wanted to take me out to dinner this last weekend. I wanted oysters/seafood,so it was decided that we would go to the coast. Somewhere along the way, I picked up my friends Shane (who Rayleen and I have known since childhood) and Jim, and my cousin's beau Jamie. They were a bit on the inebriated side when I picked them up, so I knew the night would be interesting. Mom had planned on a particular restaurant but when she and my aunt found out who I was bringing with me, the plans changed to one of the bar/restaurants. Funnily enough, it's the same bar I had been kicked out of a few years back for being disorderly and otherwise Sailor-like, along with my uncle and aunt (who worked there and still does).

Everybody tried to act innocent when I took there picture:







But the truth is, it didn't even start out quiet!



My mom even got a picture of me yelling at the boys.



Everybody had fun. We were sitting in the non-smoking area so we could eat and there were two other parties of people in the same small room. One of the parties did NOT appreciate us at all. I actually wondered if there would be an altercation... I like to think I would have joined in, but I'm never really sure. After all, I only had one beer this time around and was being the responsible one! Mom and Rosie laughed a lot - Rose thought she might get kicked out again, which is always fun. All in all, it was a good time.

How To Start a Fire in a Wood Stove

This post will not have a lot to say, I think the pictures speak for themselves. I will say this about the first picture however (because it's hard to tell): It's the nozzle. The nozzle of the thing that can only be described as a flame thrower. Yes, a flame thrower.

Without further ado, allow me to introduce the Only Way to start your wood stove:









Of course, I want one.

Crab Pots?

I decided to get some Chinese food the other day - I was hungry and didn't really feel like cooking, so I grabbed some on the way home. While I was ordering, I noticed an appetiser called Crab Pots. I asked about them and was told that they had crab with cream cheese and were a little sweet. It sounded like wontons to me, so I figured I would try it. Holy cow.



Do you see all that creamy goodness?!? They were soooooo good! Yes, they were a bit sweet and they came with the sweet and sour sauce which was surprisingly good. I loved it! The rest was okay. I got some sort of hot and spicy shrimp and scallops, but it wasn't very spicy. I ended up adding my own spice.



Grace has become very interested in sewing. She couldn't take her eyes away from the thread, no matter how much I told her "no"...



It was all too tempting!



Stay tuned in... next time on the Captain's Log: The fast and perfect way to start a fire in your wood stove!

*sigh* Summer is gone. Fall is here and it's getting colder and colder when I get up in the morning. This is one of my favorite fields that I drive by:



As some people know, I want to eventually buy some land and a house (when I get a job and stuff) and I want it to be on a field. Open spaces like this get the first and last of the sun - the most exposure. It's just a happy place!

Grace shows me every day that she loves living here:



She thinks it's a giant scratching post/play land. I'm always worried they'll play too close to the edge... But so far, so good.

Ravelry

After reading Rayleen's entries about Ravelry (she signed me up yesterday), I thought I would go see where I was in line:

You signed up on September 14, 2007
You are #32934 on the list.
19268 people are ahead of you in line.
441 people are behind you in line.
40% of the list has been invited so far


Well. I think I have some waiting ahead of me. On the same token though, there are already 441 behind me! I guess that's not so bad.

I replaced my toilet seat. My landlords were going to do it, but let me just show you why I did it myself:



And it's not just the silly factor - note the big crack in the upper left corner! Talk about irritating! So I went to the hardware store and picked one that I like, and one with a soft seat. I think the soft seated ones are not as good of quality and need to be replaced sooner, but I know for sure that they are warmer. They warm up right when you sit down, so this winter that will be a lot nicer than a cold seat. I hope you can see the flower - click to enlarge if you want, it's a cute flower!



I'm making a pair of socks with the expert help/advice from my sis Rayleen, the knitting expert. But for some reason, I can't stop a crazy craft bug that has gotten to me lately. I've been craving a quilt, so I pulled out some fabric that has miraculously made it with me since I moved from San Diego and started cutting and sewing. I've decided it will be for my uncle since he has graciously helped me move three times now! It's going to be very simple and pretty darn masculine.



In the midst of sewing, I got very happy and went to the store for another quilt - this one for my Aunt Elaine. She's a cat lover as well, so I think she'll enjoy the cat print. The colors are kind of different, but I really think it will turn out nicely.



Now I'm a sewing fool!!!

It's September. What does that mean? Well among other things, I have to drive slower at school zones, I start classes again this month, I need a new driver's license and summer is over. Yes, fall is here and it's time to start preparing. For most of you (I'm pretending more than two people read this), preparing for fall consists of breaking out the sweaters or buying orange and brown decorations at the craft store. But for me it means I need to get more wood and try out my woodstove to make sure it is in good working condition.



By golly, it works great! The cats weren't sure what to think of it. I've been trying to keep them away from it anyway. I had some big pieces of wood on it and Buddy finally jumped on the woodstove the other day. The wood and Buddy came crashing down (he didn't get hurt), and it scared the bejeebers out of him. I'm hoping that will help them stay away. I'm also going to buy a squirt gun and occasionally squirt the stove to make it hiss, and maybe squirt them if they get too close.

I broke out the sewing maching this past week. Kitchen cabinets before:



Kitchen cabinets after:



I realize the rod on the right is crooked. And it's probably going to stay that way. There's a piece of wood in the way of the rod holder that makes it very difficult to put it higher and make it straight. And I really don't mind, so crooked it is! I also made a curtain out of the same material for the door, but I forgot to take a picture of it.

I have a down jacket that will be great for cold days, but when I moved to Albany, my cousin was gracious enough to put a hole in it. I put it in a bag and that was it. Since I know it's going to get cold up here (and with not much storage, I didn't know where to put it - I kept seeing the dang thing!), I decided to sew up the hole. I sewed it by hand, so now it looks like the same kind of work on Frankenstein. There will be no pictures. Hey, it'll be warm!

The State Employment departments are collectively doing something fun for everybody. They're having a contest - what group can "walk to New York" first, wins! Of course, we aren't actually walking to New York, we are wearing pedometers and writing down our time. I did really well on my first day... or well enough I suppose. I walked 5.5 miles. I didn't do as well yesterday though, so I need to pick up the pace a bit, and get off my tookus. I'm really excited about it because I'm kind of being held responsible for walking and at the same time, I'm sure it will help me lose weight. I'm trying to eat more salads and not as much Taco Bell to help things also. Hehe.

So the cats have decided that things are too quiet around here and figured they should spice it up a bit. I don't know who did it, but on top of their litter box, I came home to find this:



Yes. Somebody peed on top of the litter box, right in the handle-keeper! A couple of days later, that same somebody peed right next to it, still on top of the box, not down the side or anything. The first time, I cleaned it out with bleach and took the little door off - I thought maybe they were having issues with the door. The second time I just cleaned it with bleach. They haven't done it again, but I have no idea why they did it in the first place!

Arrrrg, matey!

You may have noticed my "weight loss ticker" change. Well. I have gained all the weight back and am starting anew. Many curses come to mind. But in honor of International Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept. 19th! Onlt 21 days!), I have changed the ticker to become more appropriate. Arrrrg!

I once again have water. My landlady must have filled up the tank because I have lots of water pressure, etc. It makes me happy. I also scouted out a possible new swimming location... hehehehehehe....

I ran many errands today in the Jolly Roger. Trash went to the dump, movies went to the store and food came home. It's good to be the Captain of my own ship.

Then tonight I sat out on my hammock-chair in the dark, listening to the frogs. There is a small (and I mean SMALL) stream of water just below my cabin. I'm looking forward to seeing how much it grows this winter. I listened to the frogs, crickets and finally the water itself. I heard moths fly by and could swear to hear lizards crawling through the tall grass, it was so quiet out there. Bats flew by, eating insects.

I have been wanting to leave my door open at night, but since living in the city for so long, it's hard. But tonight I just may. Today was a pretty warm day and even at a quarter after ten in the evening with the door open, it's warm in here. So I might just make sure the screen is latched and leave the door open tonight. It's hard to do even though I feel very safe.

I think I've been watching too many western movies and reading too many western books lately. I'm in the midst of reading "Lonesome Dove", one of my favorite books. I'm starting to think like a western novel. I'm afraid I'll start talking like it next.

Well, time for some shut-eye. I best be gitt'n in t'bed....

Yarrrr!!! It's almost the same as Pirate talk, just a different accent! I'm doomed!

H2O

My landlady called me today to let me know they're going to be gone for a few days. She was going to have the mail held until they got back since he runs his business from his home and they get a lot of mail, but it's the same address I get my mail from, so I told her I don't mind picking it up.

While we were talking, I told her about my over-oxygenated water (it's cloudy but quickly clears up - just too much oxygen in the water) and how it's still sputtering quite a bit with air. I asked her if it was a normal thing and she didn't seem to think so. She was especially concerned when I told her it "freaks out the toilet sometimes". She's going to be sure to tell her husband so he can look into it... after they get back. But it looks like she's going to fill the tank before they leave on Thursday! Woo-hoo! This does mean I may run short next time, but maybe he'll look at it and find a leak somewhere. Who knows. I'm excited though. I'm sure you know who will be taking a real shower soon! And not in a waterfall!

My life just got more interesting.

I realize my life is... not exciting. It used to be, don't get me wrong! I've jumped from an airplane, been to other countries, sailed the seas, etc. But lately I've been in a rut. You know, taking pictures of flowers, my cats... my cats... and maybe the thing I knit once a year. Oh, and places I move to of course.

But that has all changed.

As soon as I moved up to the "cabin", things have gotten more... interesting. And I've decided to blog it. Yes, I am going to share the things that should embarrass me! Possibly things that you don't want to know! So be prepared, both of you people who read this!

Let me just open with my latest dilemma/adventure: I knew when I moved up here about the water issue. In my rental contract it states that the landlord will fill up my water tank on the 1st and the 15th of every month. They get water from a well and fill my water tank from that. This used to be a barn before they converted it into a cabin, so it's probably a small tank. But I figured two people lived here before me, so there shouldn't be a problem with just me.

Well. In the first two weeks, I ran out of water about three or four days before the 15th, and I moved in on the 3rd of the month. I thought, oh - I need to conserve more. No biggie.

This is where it's going to start getting interesting by the way.

When I ran out of water on the 11th or whatever, I took a sponge bath. I couldn't really figure out how to wash my hair, but I got the "important" stuff and my hair is short and not greasy... Then I got a great idea on the 14th and decided since it's summer, I'm going swimming! I took a sample shampoo-thing with me. It took me a while to find a swimming area (appx. 10 miles away), but it was just what I needed, and I got to wash my hair... and whatever.

This past week, I've been very careful. I "ration" my flushes (yes, I flush #2 no matter what) and I brush my teeth with a glass of water. But I've used water for cooking, dishes and sometimes coffee. Today I noticed a serious decrease in water pressure. I know what that means. But I haven't had a shower for a couple of days! Okay, three days. I WANT A FLIPPIN' SHOWER. This is what I get for shaving last time...




I thought about trying it anyway, but you have to turn on the water and give it a minute to get to the hot water and I was afraid I would use everything up. So I got crafty! I took a gallon (maybe a little more) of water that I got from the store - the kind you fill up yourself for 35 cents a gallon - and nuked some while more boiled on the oven. I took it all into the shower with a large bowl and a pitcher. Oh yeah, I washed my hair AND other stuff! I am CLEAN!

What I want to know is this: How did two people do this???

I'll blog more about this kind of stuff. Don't be surprised.

Captain's Log - Day 5 in the cabin

As much as I would like to post a picture, it's just a freakin' miracle that I'm posting at all! I can't remember if I've posted this already, but the cats are getting along better now... Now I'll have to check my last post (oh, there are so many!) to see what I've already written.

School is getting crazy. I have my chemistry and biology final exams next Wednesday and my writing class is insane. I have to much to do in for writing... I'm behind and it's insane to try to catch up.

It's wonderfully quiet here. I heard an animal this morning, but I'm not sure what kind. It sounded like a kitten, but louder... I think it was trying to lure me into the woods. hehe.

My sister is coming up to Oregon - finally! I'm pretty excited. I hope her and Apollo don't mind the cabin. It's pretty small and there's not much for privacy if there are more than one people inside.

My cats are visously attacking the windows - there are moths on the other side, beating against the glass, trying to get to the light. If they only knew what awaited them. I wouldn't have to feed the cats...

Okay. I'm tired and I have to get up early for work! Garrrr!!!

Captain's Log - Day 3 in the cabin

Let me tell you about my day yesterday.

I moved in on Saturday, which was interesting as it turned out to be just me, my mom and my uncle. I was pretty worried about the couch since it has two recliners in it and is very heavy, and we have to go up some steep stairs... But we made it! Moving took almost the whole day (or so it seemed), but I was just happy in the end that everything made it up here and nobody got hurt. (Of course, I was in pain the next day, but that's totally acceptable.)

Sunday I relaxed, unpacked about 70% of the boxes and hung my hammock-chair out on the porch. Let me tell you that it's one of the best things - EVER. I went to bed, exhausted. Buddy and Grace were still fighting, Grace not letting Buddy anywhere near the bed or her. She would sound the alarm if he were even in the loft at night, poor Buddy!

Monday. Yesterday. I get up to find my stove doesn't work, I had no hot water, my phone still wasn't connected and Grace threw up on me. I actually took a sponge bath by heating water in the microwave and putting it in a large bowl. I was literally having flashbacks from when I grew up on the ranch! *shudder*

I ended up skipping one of my classes (late night class)to come home and veg, and the landlords stopped by to flip the breaker for the stove and turn on the water heater. They had turned off the water heater when they flushed the system and forgot to turn it back on. My phone was hooked up in the morning while I was at school and I was able to go online finally (yes, I still have dial-up dang it!) last night. Whew!

Anyway, things are peaceful out here and beautiful. My landlords are some of the nicest people I've met and very willing to help me or do things to make sure I'm happy. The lady landlord left me wildflowers in a jar for when I moved up, it was so sweet!

And the cats are loving it. Yesterday some time, Grace and Buddy made their peace and Buddy slept on the bed with Grace and I last night. He was rolling around purring, he was so happy! They're off playing hide-and-seek right now, little monkeys. They've figured out how to walk around half of the place without even touching the ground, but with sills and ledges like this...



It's easy to see how they could!

I have to go to work now!

What?

Thinking of my last boyfriend, I really must disagree...

You Don't Have a Boyfriend Because You are Too Picky

You have no problem attracting guys - and even dating a little It's just around second or third date time where you start to see faults If a guy isn't near perfect, you're not into him. It's good to have standards - but yours rule almost everyone out.

Why Don't You Have a Boyfriend?

But honestly, this made me feel a little better:

Your Kisses Are Spicy and Wild

Your kisses are powerful stuff. They'll start a fire in almost anyone you kiss. You kiss with passion, skill, and endurance. Anyone who kisses you is in for a long, intense ride. You better watch out though. Your incredible kisses are likely to get you in trouble!

How Hot Are Your Kisses?

I'm not sure how this made me feel:

You Don't Need a Man, but You Want One!

You like having a guy in your life, and overall, you prefer not to be single. You won't go out with a guy out of desperation.. you rather be alone. However, when you're single, you do tend to obsess a little over dating. Because no matter how good your single life is, it's better with a great guy around.

Do You Need a Man?

And this final one lead me back to question the first one!

You Have Your PhD in Men

You understand men almost better than anyone. You accept that guys are very different, and you read signals well. Work what you know about men, and your relationships will be blissful.

How Well Do You Understand Men?

What is going on here?!?

Buddy here.

Everything was normal tonight. The Feeder was at school late, as she is on certain days. When she got home, she fed us right away which was nice. I should have known something was up. She normally putts around the place before checking our food, even though she's The Feeder. But tonight she fed us and then put something in a bag and said, "Uh, I'll be right back..." And she walked out the door!

Well, I'm not one to take this kind of abandonment behavior without a fight! I ran to the window to see just what she was doing... I could swear she took some of our food! I jumped to the sill and you won't believe what I saw. SHE WAS FEEDING SOME OTHER CAT. She even scratched his head briefly! Well, I don't have to tell you how shocked I was! I'm sure you are feeling just as betrayed as Grace and I!

When she turned around to come inside, she looked at the window and saw me, mouth agape, eyes bugged out and dialated. She got a sheepish smile on her human face and came inside, pleading something about a "hungry kitty" or some crap. Whatever!!! I just don't know what to think about this.





** Human's note: This poor kitty. I haven't even named it. It's usually parked outside my door or nearby, beat up by other cats. I fed it tonight and it acted so hungry. I have thought about taking it with me to the cabin, but I'm not sure if it would survive up there... You know, coyotes and whatnot. I tried to feed it before, when it was really beat up, but he wouldn't let me too near. Tonight though, he was hungry and wanted love too. You should have seen the look on Buddy's face! hehehehe.....

It's Your Birthday!!!

.....
........
..........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAYTHE!!!!!

It's Official!

Welcome to my new home!!!!!



Of course, I still have to give my 30 days notice here at these apartments, but I'm doing that today. And I'm only working until noon today, then going down to my wonderful little cabin in the woods to measure stuff. I need to figure out where the couch will fit, etc. I was so excited yesterday when I found out, I didn't even mind so much when I found out my Fourth of July solo had been cut.

I have my measuring device and notes... I'm ready!!

On another note... My cats have been getting me up at 5:30am lately. I really don't know what is WRONG with them. They just start jumping up and down from and to the bed and headboard, they meow, etc. I woke up yesterday with Grace's "yarn-baby" next to me, and this morning I found one of her little mice. *sigh* And it seems Buddy does something annoying until I smack him (lightly, but enough to let him know), and then he flops over and starts purring, like, "Oh! You're awake! Pet me!" Here's a "nice" morning view:



I say nice because it's better than the other view they like to show me. It's now just after 6am and I've notice they are nowhere in sight. They've gone back to bed.

More on the new place

So here's an update. I talked to the owner last Saturday. I had heard a "scittering" upstairs when I was looking around and assumed it was a mouse. I told her that my cats would just love to catch a real mouse, although I think Buddy would just want to play with it and Grace would snap it's head right off. She was concerned about the mice and check it out. It wasn't mice. It was bats.

So they went through the appropriate steps to get rid of them and have the place inspected because of the Toxic Bat Guano (said in an echoing special effects voice). But she knew they would have siding pulled off, insulation pulled out, etc. The Fourth of July is coming up, they have guests coming up, her husband's birthday is coming up... So I wasn't sure how quickly it would get done, or if I were even the person they were going with to rent it. Of course, the more I have to wait, the more I want it. I do have to give 30 days notice here, ya know! Tell me, tell me!!

I got a call last night and it was the owner. Since I was in school until almost 9pm, she left a message asking for me to call her tomorrow (today). I guess they just need to replace some drywall, paint, and it's done! Also, her husband wants to meet me sometime this week. Yay!

So I have her cell number.... It's 6:10am... is it too early to call? Hehehe... Oh, and my mom is so excited for me, she's been picking things up at garage sales and whatnot. She got me a vanity table, a gliding-rocking chair,... AND AN AXE!!! I'm more excited about the axe than anything else!

A New Home?

So I went to see a lady about a rental. It's about 20 minutes out of town, so it's on the remote side... but it's very quiet and peaceful! Just be advised: the owner was in the process of cleaning, so some of the pictures are just that. Also, they've had it empty for a year or so, just taking a break from renters and using the downstairs space outside.

There's a shop downstairs. It's filled with wood right now, but they're clearing it out. You can't tell, but it's got a concrete floor. When it's clean, I'll take a picture of it.



The stairs going up to the cabin look a little scary, but they're sturdy.



My view from the porch upstairs. There are two extremely small streams down below, but it's more like run-off than a stream right now. I think in the winter I may be able to actually see water and possibly hear it too. They are going to clear out some of the brush there too.



The porch.



More of the porch. I like that they use sticks for railings. Before I got there, the owner told me it was rustic... She wasn't joking!



Inside, looking toward the "living room"... with the stairs on the right going up to the loft.



The kitchen. I might just put the little table out on my porch for morning coffee and stuff.



From inside, looking back toward the door.



More of the kitchen. The owner washed the curtains that go in front of the kitchen sink underneath - she hung the curtains and it looked soooo much better.



The bathroom, door closed. It's frosted glass, not metal. It's just hard to tell in the picture. The wood stove is in the foreground.



The bathroom, door open. The shower stall is just to the right. Not much to see there. It took me a while to realize there's not a single mirror in the whole place.



Under the stairs, a little space for storage, next to the water heater.



Up in the loft, a closet. It has a dowell for hanging stuff and a shelf. I'll put a curtain in front of it.



Up in the loft - it has a lot of lighting, which I love. Also, it's difficult to tell from the pictures, but it's pretty roomy up there. The ceilings are pretty tall.



Looking down into the kitchen.



Looking back toward the stairs in the loft.



VERY steep loft stairs. A co-worker told me I had better be awake when I go down them... I joked that I may have to put my coffee maker upstairs.



Cute and old stove. Thank goodness I'm not much of a cook!



A canned goods cupboard.



A view of the living room with a little table in the foreground. I'm standing in the kitchen.



My view down to the main the road. The driveway up to the cabin is gated and gravel, so if somebody is coming in, I'll know. The only other people on the gravel road are the owners who live a half a mile up.



I'm really excited. I told the owner I would think about it so I wasn't being rash, and call. I'm going to call tomorrow so she can start working on my references and stuff. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

But what do you think? I want to go back and take more pictures, but I won't. I will try to be patient. I want to move NOW. I need to go pack!

Oh, here are the bad points:
1. It's kind of far.
2. I'll have to go to town to dump garbage and do laundry.
3. Since it's way "out", in the winter there are occassions of possible electricity loss or water freezing. But I'll have the wood stove for heat and stuff.

Okay, that's it.