Answer!

Ready for the answer?
1. K3 opened the umbrella that had been stored on the backporch and there were over a hundred stink bugs throughout. It was gross. Yes, and he then ran around the yard and tried to get them off, but there were too many.
2. While simmering the lasagna sauce yesterday I had an errant thought about a stink bug landing in the pot. Guess what I fished out while putting it all together? It didn't smell and the sauce didn't taste weird, but could you imagine crunching down on that? *shudders* Nope. But pretty gross thought, huh?
3. The cat finally stopped watching them and went into active hunt mode. He doesn't eat them. Just kills them and then rolls in them. He stinks. And he wonders why I won't let him lay on my bed. Nope. But possible.
So there you have it. I must go back to my ark building now. I think we might need it by morning.
Behave!

Tall Tale Tuesday on Wednesday

Oops. Missed posting yesterday. That's what happens when you babysit your 3 month old granddaughter and get a house guest in the same day. Writing? Ha. I tried, but only managed a few sentences. Getting anything else I'd planned and said I was going to do done? Ha. Not even close. Oh, and did I mention I made a huge dinner? Should have thought that one out a little better. I might have ended up partially sane at the end of the night.
But, we're going to do Tall Tale Tuesday anyway.
In honor of Stink Bugs...
Tell me which one is true:
1. K3 opened the umbrella that had been stored on the backporch and there were over a hundred stink bugs throughout. It was gross.
2. While simmering the lasagna sauce yesterday I had an errant thought about a stink bug landing in the pot. Guess what I fished out while putting it all together? It didn't smell and the sauce didn't taste weird, but could you imagine crunching down on that? *shudders*
3. The cat finally stopped watching them and went into active hunt mode. He doesn't eat them. Just kills them and then rolls in them. He stinks. And he wonders why I won't let him lay on my bed.
So, two are lies. Which ones?
Behave!

Dear Supernatural People,

I'm not sure I can sum up how I feel after Friday's return! I'm not sure I even know how I feel yet, except I am so happy the boys are back!
Loved "new" Dean. Except he's not all "new", is he? I'm glad for that. I wouldn't have believed it if he had completely walked away from the life. He's got this undercurrent of angst and expectation that I love. Lisa is the perfect woman for Dean. I loved her lines and how accepting she was of Dean's need to keep her and Ben safe. Sam. Well, Sam. I love Sam, but not in this episode. He was cold and smug and a jackass. I hated his smugness when he was trying to prove himself to Dean and his hug was stupid and cold.
Here's the thing...I don't believe any of it. I don't believe Sam would get out of the cage and not immediately find his brother. Yeah, he'd be torn because he told Dean to get out and have a happy life, but if he came out of the cage right away, Dean wouldn't have had time to get happy. So, no, I don't believe that. I believe Bobby would encourage Sam to stay away, but even Bobby was off in this episode. I immediately disliked the cousins, and as much as I hate to say it, Samuel. They were all jerks and I don't buy that their influence coupled with what Sam went through is why Sam is so hardened. I also don't believe Sam's time in the cage made him what he is. Dean was in Hell a lot longer and while he had his issues, he needed his brother to get through. Sam would have, should have, come out with a better understanding for Dean and would want to talk to him about it. Plus, if he came out almost immediately, then...well, I just don't get it.
I don't believe Sam is Sam. Maybe I'm wrong, but this episode didn't feel like the new reality to me. Sam's car is pretty sweet. I like the new vs. old thing going on, but not the "it was nice seeing you again" line from Sam. Do. Not. Believe.
Ooh, but I just realized...even if Sam wasn't gone that long something terrible could have happened to him to make him honestly believe finding his brother was a bad idea. Hmm...I will have to let that soak in and see if it changes my knee jerk reaction to things being so wrong between Sam and Dean.
I think maybe you, Supernatural People, wanted us to feel this way. Okay. Fine. I am anxiously along for the ride to see what happens next. I've always trusted you.
Behave!

Fun With Stink Bugs

Things I've learned about stink bugs:
1. Drowning them results in a horrid odor that hangs for a lot longer than it should.
2. Stink bugs cannot reproduce inside.
3. They are attracted to light.
4. They BITE!!!! (Though one source says they don't. I found two that say they do.)
5. There is a guy selling a book on how to get rid of stink bugs based on free information his neighbor gave him. For $19.95 you can have a copy of his ebook.
6. Stink bugs were accidentally brought into the are about 12 or so years ago. (Thanks to my friend, Beth, for this info.)
7. If you smash them quickly, you won't smell them.
8. If they get in your washing machine, your clothes will smell until they're dry.
9. Flicking them off the screen can result in being sprayed.
10. I found one website that says they rarely bother humans. ha ha ha!
11. I wasted a lot of time looking this up and still don't know much more than I did when I started.
Ha!
Behave!

Video Saturday

I've known these little boys since they were born. They're the bff's nephews and they're not so little anymore. (but I'm pretty sure they still fight like this) Wait for the end. It's hysterical.

Behave!

Boom Stick

Someone told me I needed one of these the other day.
This is the one I want:
Supernatural is on all day today! Go watch!
Behave!

Feel Good Friday

Here we are again...
Let's check the list...
1. Weekend plans that include date night. I am keeping my fingers crossed that things actually work out. Our luck is usually the opposite, but I am hopeful.
2. Funny videos that make me nostalgic and feel old, but dang, my kids crack me up.
3. Getting the editing pass I was working on finished and starting the next pass.
4. Holding my granddaughter and seeing her smile.
5. Fall! My favorite season!
6. Talking to K2 and knowing she's coming home soon.
7. Firefly!
8. Supernatural!! Tonight!! I can't wait!
And that is all for now! Must get busy!
Behave!

Better Than Email...

A recent note exchange in my house:
From K4 to K1:
K1,
Can you please spray paint this stick black. Please. Thank you, K4 (then the word "stick" with an arrow pointing to the real stick - on the kitchen counter) P.S. But don't take the stick, it's mine.
(She'd spent a lot of time taking the bark off a stick and to give her credit, it was a cool looking piece of wood.)
From K1 to K4:
Dear K4,
I would spray paint (lots of arrows point to the stick) this stick black, but I don't know if there be any more black spray paint. Arrrrr.
K4's comment after reading his note: "What does he think he is, a pirate?"

I was going to scan both notes and post them so you'd get the full effect, but the paper got wet and the ink ran. And the stick got painted. Not black, but bronze. K4 feels that's a better choice anyway. Except I have no idea what the stick if for, or why she wanted it painted.
And that is all. Arrrrr.
Behave!

Invaded!

<------- They are everywhere! Everywhere! The entire back of my house is covered with the little buggers!

Why?

I do not like them.

They smell funny and move like dinosaurs when they aren't flying and I think they've come to kill me in my sleep.

There are several already in the house - hiding in corners and around the lights. How long until they all get in? And then what?

I think I already mentioned how I think I swallowed one of them once. Perhaps that event has drawn them to me? Maybe they are coming to lay eggs in my body? Or eat my flesh?

I look to the window and there are dozens of them against the screen...watching me.

I am afraid!

Behave!

My Writing Day...

So far...
(No Tall Tale Tuesday this week. I got nothing.)
Take kids to school, take walk, make more coffee, settle in to catch up on email. Get more coffee. Open document. Find where I ended yesterday. Wonder what I was thinking. Refill coffee. Get up and look out window. Still have no idea. Open old document to see where I was with transferring the decent scenes into the new document. Can't find it. Abandon computer for a few minutes to start laundry. Granddaughter screaming while her daddy desperately tries to figure out what's wrong. Can't help but help. Baby falls asleep. Back to computer. Still not sure what I was thinking with those last few lines. Read back a few paragraphs. No idea. Refill coffee. Update calendar. Make calls concerning writing group. Check email again. Start dinner in crock pot. Back to document. Baby screaming again. Again, can't help but help. Finally figure out that nipple hole on bottle is too big. Change that. She settles in and starts talking to me. Too cute. Go back to computer. More aware of where I was going with scene. Copy and paste next segment to edit. Realize my head is killing me and I'm hungry. Make terrible canned soup. Eat only half while I recheck email again and talk to B.
And it's now...
Now I hope I have all of this out of my system and can make some real progress this afternoon. And to facilitate that I will be disconnecting from the Internet and turning off my phone. But...my head still hurts.
Behave!

Birthday Season

We're heading into it around here.
We've already had three in B's family and that's just the beginning.
Today is my dad's birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad! (and I'm sorry about the senior citizens comment I made earlier! Ha! Okay, I'm not.) (It's a joke. He gets it, trust me!)
It gets birthday crazy from here on out. Luckily, we're not doing a lot of parties this year, which is sad because we miss hanging out with everyone, but we might get at least one "ultra pseudo birthday gathering" in while our very good friend visits in October and November. I hope anyway. There's also a baby due soon, which is exciting, but adds one more birthday to the mix. Ha.
***
Oh and hey! Four days until new Supernatural!
That is all...
Behave!

Things....

Overheard this week:
(actually, it's something my kid says. She even has a t-shirt.)
"Suck it up, cupcake. I'm not your mom."
(Of course, I won't have many chances to use it, since I am the mom. But...)
"You made bean soup? Well, that's not going to smell good later."
(ha! And, she was right.)
While I was cleaning out the fridge - upon discovery of something in the way back that was green and hairy with no way to know what it originally was.
"Why did you make that?"
(umm...)
While the younger K's were cleaning up dog poop so the yard could be mowed...
"I'll tell you what, that dog poops way too much. This is ridiculous."
(ha!)
There were many more, but I seriously have to start writing them down!
Behave!

I Miss This...

..... Very true, but why? Why did they have to cancel it?
I am dying to watch again. Dying, I tell you! Hopefully that situation will be remedied very soon.
...and I will be happy...
Behave!

Feel Good Friday

Well, it's Friday again.
I have no sense of time anymore. This week has seemed really long to me because I keep getting the days mixed up. This week has been, well, an interesting one and definitely full of ups and downs.
Anyway...On to Feel Good Friday!
1. Yesterday's rain.
2. Today's sunshine.
3. Taking a walk, because it definitely helps clear my head.
4. Having a decent writing week, though I didn't manage to get as much done as I wanted.
5. Staying mostly on top of things. I did say mostly.
6. One more week until Supernatural!
And it's a short list this week.
Enjoy the weekend!
Behave!

Awesome Video Thursday

.....

Enjoy, and...

Behave!

Answer!

The truth about the picture!
1. We took a hike at camp and found it, set up just like that, in the middle of the dried up creek runoff. Nope. But it wouldn't surprise me!
2. A before picture - meaning before the K's decided to use my ironing board for dirt sledding. There wasn't anything left after they were done...well, except my anger. Nah. And I hope none of them read this. They don't need the ideas.
3. A text photo sent to me by my niece who is vacationing in New York. B's response was: Tell her I'm bringing her my ironing. Yeah. Sorry it was the tamest one out of all of them. I've yet to find out the story behind it. Who knows...it could be interesting.
4. While biking through our local park, we found this set up at the end of the path. To the left, there's a basket of clothing, but no iron and no electric...so...I don't know. That would crack me up.
So there you have it.
Behave!

Tall Tale Tuesday

Tell me what is true about this picture...
(There is only one true answer.)
1. We took a hike at camp and found it, set up just like that, in the middle of the dried up creek runoff.
2. A before picture - meaning before the K's decided to use my ironing board for dirt sledding. There wasn't anything left after they were done...well, except my anger.
3. A text photo sent to me by my niece who is vacationing in New York. B's response was: Tell her I'm bringing her my ironing.
4. While biking through our local park, we found this set up at the end of the path. To the left, there's a basket of clothing, but no iron and no electric...so...I don't know.
So, which one is the truth?
Behave!

A New Game!

I've blogged about Orchid Games before. I even keep a link to them on my sidebar. I don't know if you remember or not, my my short story Fate is included in Orchid's Heartwild Classic.
Go here or here for a demo of Royal Trouble from the fine people at Orchid Games. If you like it, do yourself a favor and buy the full version. You won't be sorry.
I had the opportunity to beta test this. It's a hidden object game - not too hard, not too easy. The graphics are fantastic. I loved everything about it. And, my good friend Misty Simon wrote the dialogue.
Check it out!
Behave!

*This is an unpaid endorsement given out of my love for the folks at Orchid and, of course, my very good friend who worked her tail off on this game. Though I played the game for free, my status as a beta tester did not obligate me to post on, or review, this game. It's just so cool I want everyone to love it like I did!

Television

There's not much I have to watch, besides Supernatural and Ghosthunters. But I find myself watching the strangest shows...
Here's a recap from the past week (besides Supernatural reruns and Ghosthunters)(and they're not all strange):
1. Hoarders: Buried Alive - The psychology involved intrigues me. Really intrigues me.
2. Animal Hoarders - Same thing. I watched this for the first time and was shocked when animal control pulled over 75 dead cats out of a woman's house.
3. Wife Swap - K2 used to watch this on her lunch breaks and it always made me irritated. I guess I left it on because I miss her. And it still irritated me.
4. Haunted History - that's just cool stuff.
5. American Pickers - Antique picking in places similar to number one. I'm sensing a theme here.
6. Good Eats - Who doesn't love Alton Brown explaining the science behind food?
7. Pawn Stars - This show irritates the crap out of me. I can't watch it for long. While I think the guys (most of them) know their stuff, I have problems comprehending the whole thing.
8. Swamp People - Wow. Just wow. It's like watching a train wreck. I've never watched an entire episode, but I'm stunned.
I think that's about it.
What are you watching? What are you watching that makes you cringe when you admit it?
Behave!

Feel Good Friday

Here we go with Friday! Though...I have to admit, I'm not too good at remembering which day it is anymore...
The list:
1. The weather! It's beautiful!
2. Two weeks until Supernatural returns!
3. An easier before school morning.
4. Finding out Jason Manns is returning to my coast soon!
5. Making progress on the wip.
Short list this week as I've been somewhat secluded due to vehicle issues.
Behave!

Exactly!

r />Behave!

Dear...

Dear September,
Ummm....you're seriously not holding up your end of the bargain. We're only nine days into the month, so I will give you another chance, but you've got to get your act together.
Dear Mother Nature,
Thank you.
Dear Flies,
Your time is over. Go away now.
Dear College Financials,
I am done with you. I mean, it seems I am never done with you, but seriously? I am tired of this never ending process.
Dear Supernatural People,
Two more weeks!! Hurry, please!
Dear Retrograde Mercury,
You can stop now. I am tired of getting the same email 65-million times when I know the person didn't send it that many times. I am tired of Internet glitches and haunted appliances.
Dear Truck,
I love you. Please don't die. I know you're old and tired, but I need you. Please start when I turn the key and stop making that noise.
Okay. That's enough for now.
Behave!

Summer Survival: Year Two: Entry Eight

This will be my last post of the season.
We are back into the routine of the educational camps, albeit grudgingly. The youngest native has decided she no longer wishes to attend. It is difficult to convince her to get out of her sleeping bag in the mornings and she is prone to seeking medical attention while at the educational camp. This week is traditionally difficult thanks to the holiday break and I am hoping this passes as it has in the past.
Now instead of staying up late and sleeping in, I must pay attention to the time keeping devices and make sure they do not stay at the camp fire too long. This also means I must make sure I am awake at an awful hour to provide them the proper sustenance and have on at least semi-matching apparel.
And that is okay because after I see them off, I have hours to do what I need to do. Write! Only my brain is somewhat broken at the moment. Progress has been slow, but improves with each day. Though it is nearly impossible to continue when they arrive home. Their chatter is nonstop and not only do they not care what I am doing, they do not care who else might be talking. This is a habit I thought was broken when they were very small. I do enjoy talking with them, a lot, but there has been some reversion of expectations at the moment and apparently a re-training event is necessary.
While I love the cooler temperatures, I do not look forward to the coming months, except for the dismissal of this horrid year. But that is a different topic.
Behave!

Answers!

1. In my haste to get to camp, I forgot our sheets. Luckily, I found a spare in the camper, but it had spider egg sacs on it. True. I picked them off and it was fine.
2. After picking the spider egg sacs from the sheet, I finally got our bed made. I no sooner finished when the dog came barreling in and jumped on our bed after having been in the creek. False. She can't get on our bed because she's becoming crippled.
3. I also forgot my toothbrush. True. Gross! But I figured it out.
4. The creek was so low you could walk across it without getting wet. False, though it was really low.
5. There was a huge pile of bear poop behind K3's tent. True. It was old and moldy, but most definitely bear poop.
6. I forgot to put the camper legs down after I leveled the camper. We nearly tipped the camper when we crawled into bed Saturday night. Nope.
7. Boys who smuggle video games to camp will be caught. True. We have a "no video games at camp" rule, and that rule was ignored. Not again.
8. Apparently vehicle issues don't go away just because you're supposed to be relaxing. Also true. We had to jump start my truck Sunday morning. Argh!
9. We heard a noise outside Saturday night and opened the door to see what was outside - owls, a least 10 of them, were perched in various places. In the tree, on my sister's camper, the ground, my Suburban. Scary weird. Nope, but that would have been cool. We could hear the owls, but we didn't see them.
10. My brother-in-law lost his cell phone and nearly himself by trying to track some weird sounding animal in the woods after midnight on Sunday night. True. We're still not sure what it was (a bird of some sort) and he found his phone. Finally.
And there you have it. I'm not sure if Tall Tale Tuesday will be back next week yet. You'll know when I do.
Behave!

Tall Tale Tuesday

I'm not sure this is a permanent return. We'll see...
Which of the following actually happened this weekend?
(hint: there are multiple true answers)
1. In my haste to get to camp, I forgot our sheets. Luckily, I found a spare in the camper, but it had spider egg sacs on it.
2. After picking the spider egg sacs from the sheet, I finally got our bed made. I no sooner finished when the dog came barreling in and jumped on our bed after having been in the creek.
3. I also forgot my toothbrush.
4. The creek was so low you could walk across it without getting wet.
5. There was a huge pile of bear poop behind K3's tent.
6. I forgot to put the camper legs down after I leveled the camper. We nearly tipped the camper when we crawled into bed Saturday night.
7. Boys who smuggle video games to camp will be caught.
8. Apparently vehicle issues don't go away just because you're supposed to be relaxing.
9. We heard a noise outside Saturday night and opened the door to see what was outside - owls, a least 10 of them, were perched in various places. In the tree, on my sister's camper, the ground, my Suburban. Scary weird.
10. My brother-in-law lost his cell phone and nearly himself by trying to track some weird sounding animal in the woods after midnight on Sunday night.
So which are true?
Behave!

Weekend Wrap Up

Happy Labor Day!
And labor I have! Ha!
We were camping in The Wilds this weekend. We weren't gone long enough and there wasn't sufficient relaxation on what will most likely be our last camping trip this year. (sad face)
But here we go:
1. Quick efficiency with set up and tear down of the camper. And I did the set up by myself, which included hooking up and hauling the camper, and positioning it. And hauling the camper to it's storage shed today.
2. Cool temperatures. Man, it was nice. Really, really cold last night, but fantastic for sleeping.
3. Camp fires.
4. Picnics with tons of food.
5. K2 being home and spending time with her sister.
6. Laughing with my sister and brother-in-law.
7. Not too many bugs.
8. Candles that smell like fall.
9. Sleeping in.
10. Being home.
And that's all for now. Back to the grind tomorrow. But first I need a shower!
Behave!

Star Trek Sunday...

...../>Don't wear the Red Shirt!
Behave!

The Doctor...

<...>Behave!

Feel Good Friday

The last day of work edition...
1. People petitioning for my job. Still.
2. Lunch at Olive Garden with scallops, shrimp, and then pumpkin cheesecake.
3. Going away gifts. (The Captain! How cool is that? As cool as the person who gave it to me!)
4. K2 coming home this weekend.
5. Weekend plans!
6. Spoiling my grandbaby!
7. Actually getting a chance to talk to my husband. Amazing!
8. The forecast of cooler temps.
9. The Outer Banks being spared by Earl.
10. Feeling okay, despite feeling a little lost.
11. Meeting tomorrow. (and I have to run it, and it will be okay, regardless of how nervous I am!)
Behave!

Dear...

Dear Supernatural People,
I miss you. 22 days is a really long time!
Dear Headphones,
Without you I would have gotten nothing done today. Okay, so with you I didn't get much done. It's not my fault the grandbaby's here, or that you're broken, or that it's so hot out.
Dear Neighbor,
Having your friends honk their horn is not an acceptable way for them to let you know they've arrived. Tell them to stop it. Also, stop yelling at your kids when you're in front of my house.
Dear Mother Nature,
Can you turn down the thermostat a little? It's too hot to breathe.
Dear Towels,
Please come back so I can wash you.
Dear Weekend,
Hurry up, please. I need you.
Dear Hurricane Earl,
Please avoid the Outer Banks. I'd really like to go back again soon!
Dear Work in Progress,
Stop being so stubborn. I need to finish you.
That is all.
Behave!

A New Month

Well, it's September...
Listen up, September.
Here's what I expect from you:
1. Cooler temps. It's too hot.
2. Productive writing days.
3. My truck to be fixed.
4. Some fun.
5. No bad news. No hospital trips. No sickness.
6. A good routine.
7. No Christmas decorations yet.
8. Fun stuff. (I know I said that already.)
9. Balance.
10. More good days than bad.
Huh. That's kind of a cryptic list. September knows what I mean though.
Behave!