Blogging From The Back Yard

Is it Bad?  I'm sitting nursing a beer and resting after putting siding on the shed.  Here, See?  Proof!

I also took this one.  I like the reflections...

So, I did not have a sub job today.  That's ok, I have plenty of things to do around here.  For instance, fold clothes.  I did.  Does anyone know how monotonous it is to fold those horrid clothes?  I got to a place where I could see couch under the laundry and that's when I gave up.

I went out and took a bunch of garbage to the dump.  Mostly it was boxes we've been storing in the shed for years.  But it was also a ton of sheet rock that the builders left in the shed...it wasn't in the best condition and it kept my new door from opening all the way.  So, I got rid of it.

The day would have been more constructive, but my morning was fouled.

Toby was excited that I was working outside.  I opened the back gate so I could back the truck in.  He rushed past me, I assumed to pee on things.  When i turned back, he had gotten in the cab through the opened driver's side door.  I unloaded the ladders that i hauled around for a week and then began loading garbage in...he was still there.  Waiting for a ride.

I finished and we got going.  I decided he could go with me, since he obviously REALLY wanted to go for a ride.  I got within blocks of the dump and felt for my wallet...not there!  ARGH!

I turned around and went back to the house and rushed in for my wallet.  I got it and off we went again.  I got to the dump and was just getting ready to pull onto their scale when I noticed a little pink sign:  CASH ONLY.  There were some muttered expletives, which Toby kindly ignored and I made an emergency U-turn and headed for town...I arrived at the bank and realized I had a check to deposit and so i did that AND got some cash.

I made it to the dump again.  This time all went smoothly and I got rid of everything.  I came home and tried to work in the house again...it's a beautiful day here...see:

  So, I thought about what I could do outside...then I remembered the shed.  I decided that I could at least clear off the side and hammer in nails and take of pieces of wood that were in the way.  I ended up taking pieces off that would allow the neighbor hood strays direct access to the innards of my shed.  So, I decided I could get the first layer on.  Then, I decided I could get the second on and leave the rest for a time i had extra help...then I remembered there was laundry awaiting my return.  I decided I could probably get the last bit, too.

Toby, all this time, had accompanied me everywhere.  When I was in the alley, he stayed close by...only straying further afield to pee on things.  More than a few times I looked down from the ladder to see him sunbathing just a few feet away.  As far as working at home goes, it was a pretty good day!

This is the before picture:

Here are a few shots of the siding as it went up.

 Looks better already, huh?

Looks pretty darned good, I think!  I remembered a few tricks I learned from my Grandpa (and my Dad) to position out-sized things, like siding, with only one person available.  I think he'd be pretty proud to know I picked up a few things from him.

Now, I really should get up and finish that laundry and maybe get moving on dinner...

Here is proof that Toby sunbathes:

 His belly gets sunburned during the summer because he spends so much time in the sun!  He is truly a SUN DOG!

Until next time!

And Then There Were Eight...

But, unlike the TV show of the 1970s, eight is never enough.  We counted last night and noted that, setting aside books that have been purchased, we are down to eight left!  How awesome is that!?!?  We will just have to make another printing.  OH! and good news!  I have finished the Transportation series.  There are twenty-five cars, trucks, airplanes, tractors, boats, and trains ready to be made into a coloring book in the next few days!

It is hard to believe our little idea has met such acceptance.  I did not think we'd sell the first 25 to be honest.  Of course, that was before the reports, via e-mail, fan mail, phone calls, and direct observation of just how much the  proud new owners of my coloring books enjoy their books.  I hope, if you haven't already, you'll click on over and have a look at what I am talking about.

Yesterday, we went grocery shopping.  It was nice to get out for awhile, but we never seem to get everything done that we'd like to.  Alas, the weekend was over too fast.

I did begin a post for my airplane blog.  I stopped when I needed more source material.  I wrote a quick email to a gentleman that works for the USAF and viola, this morning's email had some more information on the airplane I was writing about!  How awesome is that?  It helps that I have discovered a nifty way to use Google that allows me to view newspapers from years ago!  Still, you would think a jet aircraft falling from the skies would be a bigger deal and maybe someone would put it in a newspaper!  Apparently the people of Spokane are made of sterner stuff, though!  Or, maybe I just need to expand my search parameters.

Well, I should get ready for another day teaching math, or, rather, watching the students do math that I can't...at least without finding a friend smarter than me or realizing that there is very little use for it in my life and throwing my hands up in the air in disgust and walking away.

Thoroughly Thinking Thursday!

Well, first it was that Stephenie Meyer book that had me away from Blogger, now I have discovered Hulu. I have been enjoying the few episodes of Firefly that were made. I have always been a Sci-Fi geek. I don't do alot of reading anymore...I have a computer...DUH! But, finding an awesome sci-fi show is rare. Most of the things Sci-Fi channel puts on are childish at best. For example, all those Snake Shows...Anaconda, Python, Rattlesnake...WTF? Snakes, by their nature are cold blooded and slow moving, and they certinly are NOT THAT aggressive(well, maybe a Black Mamba could be aggressive, but most snakes try to get away, because, DUHHH!...they don't have arms!). So, what did FOX do when they got a winner like Firefly? Yeah, they cancelled it...bastards. Well, Battlestar Galactica is on tonight. Then I can watch the final few episodes of Firefly on hulu.
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I had yesterday off, not by choice. No one appears to have been sick...strike that, I know I missed one because I decided to get up and get a drink on Wednesday night. Bad timing, my life story.
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I cleaned in response to having the day off. I argued that we do not NEED a swiffer, because Cora wanted to get one. I explained that I clean the floor regularly. I used Comet yesterday. Looks nice. I also shampooed the carpet again, in responce to the rainy days and dirty dog feet of last week. When I finished I put the dog food back...and please explain to me why Toby thinks he must place his food on thefloor before he eats it! I tried to get a picture, but he picked it up again...see!

Ahhh, clean rugs! Note: Gypsy attempting to stay off camera.

I get to work again today. Hurray! I am in the SPED class today again. I wonder if the teacher liked my Ducks. I made a pattern that allowed the legs and wing of the construction paper duck to move...the kids seemed to enjoy it...but it turned out more complicated than any of the adults imagined. Still, by the end of the day there were twelve ducks hanging from the ceiling...no, we were not making a statement of hate against ducks...they were intended to be "springy." (I like ducks) Despite the scissors, no ducks were harmed...well, except for...we'll call him Student X...Student X's duck faired a little worse than the others...but, well, they all had the best of intentions!

Mist It By That Much...

So, I did not work today. It sucks. So, I worked around the house. I did some laundry and dishes, as usual, and then I also finshed shampooing the front room...looks nice now. I did run to town for a few items, and then took Cora lunch.

I came out of the store and the overcast had cleared some and then I noticed the hills to the south. The clouds were pouring over Ahtanum Ridge. It was cool, but the photos don't do it justice. This photo is from the truck as I head into the mist at the gap.

When I left Cora's place of work I spotted some box cars and took a few pictures. This one is interesting, but I am unsure of the implied meaning, as is often the case with this kind of art.

When I finally got home, I found Toby in my chair. He is stretching here, but looks like he is giving me a lazy smile.

So, the day ends and I am still awaiting a teacher to fall ill...come on you teachers! Get sick or take the day off!

Mondayday

The Sub Daze came to an end today. I was unable to obtain a sub job for the first time in almost 2 months. I was disappointed, but put the day to good use. I am still waiting for one for tomorrow. Cora reminded me that this is conference week at several of the schools and subs are unlikely to be needed for that...SIGH.

I cleaned at the house, premade dinner, did dishes and laundry, and finished some of the outside work. I mowed for the last time and put additive in the mower gas tank...I will be damned if this one finds the same fate of the last one. I also cleaned out some of the dead plants from the pots out front. I should have done more.

I went to town. I fueled my truck and did some running around. I also stopped at a hobby store and bought some "trusses." you know, the latice-like costruction on bridges? Well, this stuff is only an eighth of an inch wide and about 4 inches long and made of styrene. See, I have been having visions of my next spaceship...

I talked to my sister for awhile and got some ideas for Christmas. I also discovered tht they are REALLY into Geocaching. Sounds like my brother-in-law has now got three geocaches to his name, that is, ones he has set up for other people to find. I also found that my niece and nephews are geniuses, of course, I knew that already. My niece is four and is reading words...well ahead of others her age. My nephew is only three and seems to be into taking things apart and figuring out how they work. Geniuses, I tell you!

Oh, and surprise, I actually found these rectangular things called drawers that Cora has been talking about...apparently you can put clean clothes in them. I tried it out...they work well for that. The problem is that the coffee table continues to acquire new clean clothes. I had it almost cleared off for a time today, but I folded more clean clothes and it is now covered.

Oh, and I am watching "The Big Bang Theory" tv show for the first time...that is a fricking funny show! They talk about Star Trek the way my friends and I used to real nerds do. They also argue over technical items like transporters that my friends and I would I never would. Still, even though they are nothing like me, it is fun to watch.

Oh,and I made a good and healthy snack today...which could be a meal.

*Take the remainder of a tri-tip roast like they sell at Costco (pre-seasoned) cut it into 1/2 inch cubes.

*Take onion (as much as there is tri-tip) and cut into similar sized pieces.

*Dice up a few (2 or 3) garlic cloves.

*Sautee in tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of Bacon grease until onion is translucent, then add as much fresh spinach as seems suitable (1 1/2 cups to start) then cook till it is wilted.

*Serve, add a dash of salt and as much feta cheese as you like.

YUMMY!!!!!!!