Yes, I'm a Nerd

Just Stuff

Well the big news for today is that I'M IN!!! I'm finally in Ravelry! Of course, I haven't had enough time to do anything about it, but it's still cool! By the way, this post is going to be very random. I'm a little tired and am just throwing this together.



The other day I saw this on a car... I don't know if you can see it on the roof of the car...



Here's a better look:



I didn't know people still used huge, magnetized antennae like that still! Wow!

The other Saturday, I cooked up some bacon and eggs. Grace was on a food cabinet that overlooks the kitchen. Here, she was watching the steam rise, and listening to the hiss of the bacon frying...



A second later I had to move the bacon, it made a bunch of hissing noises and she was GONE. She didn't appreciate it nearly as much as I did. Speaking of Grace, she's actually sleeping on my chair that I use at the computer. I'm using hard little stool. It's just so hard to interrupt such a sweet (sometimes) looking thing! Well, I told you this post would be random. And I think I didn't disappoint!

Fall and bad resumes

Although it's fall, there are still a couple of good days left. On a nice day I was able to take a picture of this great moss covered tree.



I just love how it hangs!



You can definitely see a difference in the mornings though. The sun comes up later and goes to bed earlier, and there's a lot more fog.



And then there are the beautiful colors...



As long as I have wood and build a fire in the evening (or morning, depending), I'm nice and toasty!



And now a little something that I would like to call "Why Can't I Get A Job?"
The following statements are actually from resumes people put into a system to look for work. Some people don't care and just put in whatever, and some people just seem to be clueless. Some may be legit, but the are funny! Grammar and spelling is how they wrote it. Enjoy.

Education:
*Springfield High School, Eugene, OR
*North Eugene High SHOOL
*Major in high school: genral
*Major in high school: metal,mechanics,and drafting
*I was on honor roll in high school and apart of the senior class board.
*Associates in Criminal Justice, Minor in Syclogy
*Major in high school: math , science ,sports

Job Title:
*swiss screw machinest
*FARMORKER
*Jar Head
*Purching
*Head Boss
*Vice President Owner
*Vice Presenent, owner

Employer:
*Plubic Works
*US ARMY - UNCLE SAM

Contact Instructions:
*Address and phone # is Moms.
*Call me for fast response is OK
*Please call and Leave message at both numbers.If I am available I will Answer the call.Thanks,Joe
*PLEASE FORWARD DOCUMENTATION TO MAILING ADDRESS
EMAIL TO EMAIL ADDRESS
CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME 24/7

I have many more of these... so many more.

I have satellite!

I will admit that my computer has been dormant for a while now. I haven't been on it regularly for one main reason: satellite TV. Mom got me satellite for my birthday (she's tired of coming over here and not being able to watch police shows, Queer Eye, and professional poker), and Rayleen got me DVR! It's been so cool!! I can watch a show, record another and when I need to use the bathroom, I don't have to wait for the commercial - I can pause it and then SKIP the commercials!

When the landlords agreed to letting me get a dish here, their only concern was that it would get put in an "ugly" place. And the dish people didn't disappoint:



Really, could it be in a more obvious place?!? Now the landlords drive by it every day and I see it through my windows. Also, one of the guys setting up the system was creepy and started hitting on me. He then called me from his personal cell phone later that day. Great. I actually had to start locking my door at night - just in case. You never know!



But even with the little hiccups, check out what I can watch now!
Andy Griffith!



CSI Miami! The famous head-tilt! (That guy is so annoying... but I can watch it if I want now!)



What Not To Wear!



And the Geico gecko!!! This is my personal favorite picture... hehehe...



Anyway, it's all very exciting. I can watch NFL now, and those who know me knows how important that is. And now Mom will have plenty to watch when she visits. Thanks to Mom and Rayleen!!!

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?