The New Microwave!

 

My microwave broke the other day infact my husband accused me of breaking it on purpose because a friend of mine at work is selling her over the counter microwave and her french door refridgorator for a very resonable price. I have been dying for a new fridge and I just drool over the new french door design so when 'Donut" needed to rid herself of these items at more than half the retail price I jumped on it. My hubby was the voice of reason this time even though she is literally giving these items away, we still cant afford them.

Of course when our microwave breaks only 2 days later, it is my fault. I broke it on purpose. The fact that the microve/convection oven is over 13 years old has nothing to do with it's death. I broke it.

My family has suffered with out a microvewave for almost a week. My husband can't heat up water for his tea. My children can not reheat left overs or pizza, no one knows how to defrost meat, and of my goodness how do you cook a bag of popcorn. My hubby broke down and bought a temperary replacement until a new over the counter microwave/convection oven can be replace.

I am next planning the demise of my refridgerator. Please don't tell my husband!

Bucky all night long!

Okay maybe not all night long but I have been sitting at my computer for the last several hours streaming Bucky Covington's new single 'It's Good to be Us' on CMT. My daughter yelled at me because I am also streaming on my husband's computer. I know I'm pathetic but my team 'Floridashine' has won two of the 3 contests the fan club is running. I will be getting another t-shirt and another autographed picture of Bucky. Yeah!!!!!!

We must be doing something right because his single is at number 15 and still climbing. I get to see him again this coming weekend in Estero, Fl., but this time I will take my daughters camera and hopefully I will get better pictures than last time. It would be really great if all my readers would give Bucky your vote for the CMA's and stream 'It's Good to be Us' on CMT. We really want to see him make it all the way to number one.

911 and Advice

 

I will not give advice to the public. I will not give advice to the public. I will not give advice to the public. I will not give advice to the public x1000

One of these days I will learn to keep my mouth shut maybe, hopefully, okay who am I kidding.

I am a mom so naturally advice spews from my mouth. It is very hard to be quiet when a few choice words of wisdom might change the course of history.

Of course this is only in a perfect world and last time I checked I lived in the alternate reality which is Fort Pierce/Port St Lucie area where phrases like "I am educated" issue from someone who can't tell the difference between a real check and loan advertisement and send me the 'PO PO' is more common than I'd like to admit to.

The public wants to know what they should do but I am not allowed to tell people how they shoud live their lives. I know from years of experience that 'Thank Yous' are few and far between and advice is never taken if even listened to. The majority of the public that calls 911 just want the police to make it stop and go away, they dont want excuses, they want it now.

I like to think that I am doing better with my attitude. I am nicer and I listen better and interupt less but trying to damn the advice is almost impossible.

I swear I will learn to keep my mouth shut. Okay realistically, I will try harder to keep my mouth shut. I swear really!!!!!

I love Librivox.org

My daughter will argue that you can't get the same enjoyment from a book by listening to someone read it versus reading it yourself. I have gone around the block with her over this argument and it may not be the same but I still enjoy it maybe even more that actually reading the book myself. I am no longer tied down. I am mobile. I can go anywhere and still reap the benefits of reading. I have listened to more books in the last week than I have read in the last 5 years.

I have read/ been read 'Alexander the Great' and 'Peter the Great' by Jacob Abbott. 'Emma' and 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen, 'Poetics' and 'Politics' by Aristotle. I am currently downloading Anderson's Fairy tales and looking for more. I think 'A tale of two cities' is next. I never read it in high school. Regardless of my daughter's disdain I love Librivox.org I can read again.

There's a snake on my patio.

 

If you are unlucky enough to find a snake this large on your patio or in your yard then please call 911 and someone will come out and get it. Boa Constrictors and Pythons are not natural predators in the United States. They are also dangerous. Rattle snakes and coral snakes are also dangerous and if one is found in a yard or patio please call 911 especailly if you have children or small pets. However rat snakes, whips and ring necks are not dangerous and if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. They eat mice, lizards and other small rodents. If they are inside your house or an enclosed patio an officer will come and get it but if it is in your yard slithering away from you please do not call 911. First of all by the time the phone call is made and the officer is dispatched the snake has most likely left the area. By the time the officer arrives 15-20 minutes later the snake has long gone. It seems like there are more calls on snake sightings here lately. It could be the rain. The last time I found a snake in my pool I scooped him out, tossed him in the yard and never saw him again. Snakes don't bother me, it's spiders I hate but even then I can deal with them. I don't understand the person who looks out their house window, sees a snake sunning himself then calls 911 in hysterics. I don't get it.

Now if by chance you leave your back door open and a racoon wanders inside and decides to sit down and watch T.V. please call 911. An officer will also come out for this and yes this did happen the other day. However if you get a bat in your house or rats in your attic you need to call an exterminator.

Gators are everywhere and unless they are actively trying to eat your dog or likes watching you eat dinner from your sliding glass door please dont call. Gators live in the canals. It will soon be mating season and they will be moving from their wallows and finding a mate. Gators can and will cross 4 and 6 lane highways. They will walk through your yard to get to the next canal. They will hang out in a retention pond until they decide to move on. If there is a pond in your back yard I can guarantee there is a gator in it. Please don't call 911 if there is a gator in your pond call a trapper.

Panthers and bob cat sighting although rare still occur. Do not call 911 unless the animal is injured. Consider yourself very lucky to have seen one and keep your small pets inside. If a panther or bob cat is near it's probably because they are hungry and house cats are good eating so I have heard.

What do your taxes pay for?

 

I understand that locking your keys in the car is an inconvenience and it can be expensive, but when did it become an emergency. What kind of person calls 911 then complains when refused service because neither a child nor pet was locked inside the vehicle (this is considered an emergency) and infers that this is what they pay taxes for?
A normal person like me would call and have someone bring me a spare. If that is not feasible I would then call a lock smith or a tow company to pop the lock. In the past I have done all three of these things and paid for it like a regular person without complaint. It is my fault I locked my keys in my car therefore I will take care of it. I can think of many things that my taxes should pay for and unlocking a car door is not one of them.

Car Show

 

Fort Pierce has a variety of little shows that are held in the downtown area. Last night I took Ellie and her friends to the car show after feeding them soda and pizza. This little mustang was my favorite car. It is tricked out to the disproval of my mustang crazy daughter. She is such a purest.

I was disappointed wiht the pictures I took. First I grabbed the wrong lens. It was dusk but I did not want the glare of the flash so I used a non flash setting and I ended up with unfocused and smeared pictures.

Putting out another call for the MGD Team!

Mark, Genny and Dahmer where are you? All web sites have been quiet for the last 2 months. Has anyone heard anything? I was hoping they were coming back to the Buzz in West Palm. Loper snd Smity are cool no doubt but they are not MGD.

Audio Books

Unfortunately, I have computer issues. I have a serious addiction. I can't stay away from this box. It has kidnapped me almost completely. I am totally and completely hooked on electronics. I have still resisted the call of the IPOD but I can hear it calling me in the distance. It is the natural progression to my latest obsession. My eyes are not so good anymore and I don't read as I used to. I miss it. I have purchase a few books on CD and I like being able to listen to a story as I still surf the internet, play games or work (yuk). However, I like free and have discovered Librivox.org. I can listen to all the classics my heart desires. I am currently listening to Pride and Prejudice. There is a wonderful list of free titles including the Bible. Unfortunately, I am still stuck to the computer and so I see an MP3 player in my future. I would prefer an Aesus EEE but I have to wait for my birthday if I get it at all.

The Lunar Eclipse - Florida

181a, originally uploaded by kathleenpate.

I took over 350 pictures of the eclipse. Trying to choose the right one is impossible so here is one of my better shots.

Lunar Eclipse

068, originally uploaded by kathleenpate.

I took almost 100 pictures before I finally took this shot as you can see the eclipse has not begun. I have no idea what setting I used. Trail and error......

Going to see Bucky Covington in Pompano!!!!

Can't Wait!!!!!

Bucky Convington's New Single

We put Bucky in the top 20 now working on number one......Everyone call your local Stations and request Bucky.

My Handsome Husband

My Handsome Husband, originally uploaded by kathleenpate.

I have been a little lonely this week. I have enjoyed the company of my daughters when I have seen them. Erin on the sofa watching T.V. and Elizabeth on the computer most of the time. It has been very quiet mostly. No squealing or tattling on who did what. Erin so bored Saturday, she cleaned the house. I guess she has a limit to how much T.V. she can watch.

In a way, I have enjoyed the peace not being annoyed or harassed. I have the bed to myself, all 4 pillows and ALL of the comforter. No stench or disgusting bowl noises. Its been a bit of a vacation.

However I miss my husband, it is too quiet. I crave a little chaos and mayhem. I miss his smile and horrible sense of humor. I miss his ugly big feet and his warm loving hands. I miss him.

He will be home late tonight and life will go back to normal.

A Good Day.

My job is all about getting information and sometimes it pays off. See link.....

Tax Time

Tax Time, originally uploaded by kathleenpate.

I am starting out my new year by getting all my tax records in order. I might as well get it done now no use procrastinating. Taxes are inevitable.

Last Sunrise of 2007

Dec 31, 2007 Sunrise - Indian River 3, originally uploaded by kathleenpate.

I had thought about writing a long dissertation about my life this year and all the things I have learned. Needless to say, I have learned much about myself and the others I share my world with. I am not happy with what I see but instead of ranting and boring everyone with silly details I think I will end my year as I began it. I love the sunrise and I hope you will love it too.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

New Bucky Covington Contest

All my people need to request Bucky at there local radio stations.





All my Florida people need to call and request Bucky because I am in a contest and if my team and I get the most points we get free tickets and meet and greets to his concert. I would really love to see him again so vote!!!!!

Go to Yes.com and vote ......already linked .....

Smoky Mountain Waterfall

Smoky Mountain waterfall, originally uploaded by kathleenpate.

We are having a great time. We drove through the Smoky Mountain National Park today into Cades Cove. There were deer all over. They will let you get very close before they casually saunter away. It snowed a little Sunday night and there is a light dusting in the higher elevations. It is very beautiful.

So far the restaurants suck here. We keep trying to try new places to eat but so far no luck. Paid way too much for a steak last night that was over tenderized. Would have had a much better meal at Outback. Tried a local establishment thinking it would be good. Our breakfast was average at best. Same with dinner great friters and wonderful apple butter but the entrees resembled cracker barrel almost exactly only the prices were much higher. We will be eating in the rest of the week.

We are going to see my dad and Sue tomorrow.

Miss you all but having a good time anyway.......