It seems like a warzone going on outside my windows with all the firecrackers and firework displays going off. Luckily, the fireworks don't even faze my Maggie. Many dogs are terribly frightened by fireworks. Same goes with thunder and lightning.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Whaa? No Withdrawal Tonight?
It will be 7pm soon when the pharmacy closes. Dad will go eat supper with Charlie and family, and will then head to mi casa for our nightly medication ritual. I expect him about 9pm tonight.
I had Marie Calendar's four cheese lasagna for supper and it wasn't half bad. Stouffer's lasagna is much better, though. This is all part of my father's grand plan to be "practical" about groceries (chuckles). I still have a ton of food in my house this late in the week as most of it I can't conjure up an appetite for. I better go eat those bananas obtained grocery day as they are starting to get overripe. I am also just so burned out of those frozen meals.
Time to remember my Auschwitz Mantra in that a Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz would love to eat all the food in my house after eating unsanitary, insect infested gruel for possibly years. Be thankful for what you have. There! That puts me in my place for the time being.
Love Forlorn and Love Lost...
"He just never fell in love with me like I fell in love with him," Laura told me honestly on the phone last night. "He's been downright mean since I left telling me to quit using his last name."
It definitely takes two to tango so to speak. It was strange, though, with Laura using his last name when they weren't even married. I felt so sorry for her as she is a pretty nice ole gal that got the short end of the stick. She just needs to learn to not put all her eggs in one basket. I told her we would go out this weekend in consolation to get something good to eat. She seemed to really appreciate the sentiment. I am not romantically attracted to Laura in any way, though. We are strictly friends in my book.
image credit: https://caronessauthor.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/happy-as-a-clam/
Fred's, Oh My Fred's...
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| Aren't the Charmin Bears kind of freaky? |
I came for toilet paper as I am out. I saw the checkout line and left -- walking back out to my car. I was going to call mom as they get toilet paper by the case from the pharmacy at cost. One of the perks my father's lingering employment allows.
"Mom?" I asked calling on my cell phone as I sat in my car.
"Johnny? Where are you?" she answered in a fit of delirium.
"Mom, it's me. Andrew," I replied chuckling to my half asleep mother. "Do you have some toilet paper I could have?"
"I've got plenty," she said as she grew more awake. "I will put two big packs out on the back porch with your Cokes."
That was nice. It saved me for having to wait in line for a half hour for one measly pack of toilet paper. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.
I ran by my parent's house which is just up the street from Fred's, grabbed my Cokes, and then the toilet paper -- killing two birds with one stone as the old saying goes.
image credit: http://www.grocery.com/charmin-bathroom-tissue/
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
If My Father Hurries Up, Maggie and I Are Having Breakfast for Dinner!
Okay, Papa's gone after the medication ritual so we are left to our own devices. He was very late tonight with all the college football bowl games on TV which I expected and didn't get my panties in a twist. I've got grits boiling vigorously on the stove and we are also having scrambled eggs, biscuits. and bacon. Yay! Just gotta let those grits boil down and get good, thick, and creamy. Biscuits are going into the oven next and the bacon is frying.
I about died laughing when I saw this...
So cool!This'll be cool ride for new year :)
Posted by Amazing Rides on Saturday, December 26, 2015
Torrential Rains and Gluteal Injections...
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| The Secretary and Maggie Mid-Yawn |
"Get up and get going Chuck," my father said upon my answering my phone. "It is time to go get your injection."
"Do you hear how hard it is raining outside today?" I asked my father.
"Ah, a little water never hurt anybody," he said blithely, safe in the confines of his warm and dry home for the day.
I made the comment that I was going to need a boat to get there and my father chuckled.
Dad has the day off and the world is his oyster. His only obligation was coordinating and choreographing my injection this morning.
"You've got all-wheel drive," my father said. "You can make it!"
Well, I grabbed a very quick shower and headed South to the pharmacy -- my hair was still wet and I smelled like an Irish Spring. I grabbed my already packaged injection and then headed to Kamath Medical which is just a short drive down the road. It didn't take my nurse but a few moments to administer my injection which was very, very nice. I thanked Rebecca so very profusely and then I did the same for the rest of the office staff. Dee Dee already had my next appointment set up for me as I exited the examining room. I told them they were awesome and they ate up the praise. I then ran the next appointment card by my father at home as his insurance I actually got the injection.
"Five years ago, I couldn't have ever trusted you to do this," he told me. "You've come a long way son."
Boy, did my injection burn today, though. Sometimes I don't even feel it. It was like being stuck in the arse with a fiery red hot poker today. I don't dare tell Rebecca that as it will worry her deeply. "Grin and bear it" as the old saying goes.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Good News May Be on the Horizon...
Dad thinks my injection of Risperdal is in the morning. He is going to check and then call me when he gets home. That will explain the last three rigorous days mentally. We've gotten off track because of the Holidays. I will go get my injection from Angie and then run by the next appointment card to my father at home making sure the next appointment is on a Tuesday or Thursday when he works.Yeap, it is in the morning. That means I can't stay up until the wee hours of the morning on the Internet.
image credit: http://www.drug3k.com/drug/risperdal-Consta-18449.htm
Well, Mom Just Called Me and Cheered Me Up! (sarcasm)
"I have laid in the bed all day and couldn't sleep," my mother told me tonight with a sigh in her after shower call that is becoming common between us.
We air our grievances and make each other feel better.
"Why don't you learn to use dad's computer?" I asked my mother with much encouragement. "There is all kinds of neat things you can do online."
I told her she could join Facebook or get into digital photography. At one time, my mother was a fantastic photographer when I was a child.
"I wouldn't learn to do all of that," she said without self-confidence.
"Well, Maggie hasn't moved off the back of the couch all day so she must feel the same way," I said with a chuckle.
Mom let out a weak laugh. I then told mom my problems.
"This time of the day always sucks for me," I told her at 6pm. "I am having withdrawals from my medications and will not feel normal again till dad arrives around 9pm. That's why I was staying up all night. It was to enjoy the effects of my medications. I could be at peace. I would wake up after sleeping all day around the time dad arrives from work and repeat the process. But I struggled something terrible with insomnia as well sleeping in the day."
"You know I would bring them every morning," mom told me.
"I know you would," I replied. "But dad would never trust you or I to do that. He's fanatical about these medications. He has to be in full control. These medications are a way for him to control me and my mental illness."
"Why didn't you go with Sandra to the Mexican restaurant tonight?" I then asked my mother.
"We both just didn't feel like going," mom said with another sigh.
We air our grievances and make each other feel better.
"Why don't you learn to use dad's computer?" I asked my mother with much encouragement. "There is all kinds of neat things you can do online."
I told her she could join Facebook or get into digital photography. At one time, my mother was a fantastic photographer when I was a child.
"I wouldn't learn to do all of that," she said without self-confidence.
"Well, Maggie hasn't moved off the back of the couch all day so she must feel the same way," I said with a chuckle.
Mom let out a weak laugh. I then told mom my problems.
"This time of the day always sucks for me," I told her at 6pm. "I am having withdrawals from my medications and will not feel normal again till dad arrives around 9pm. That's why I was staying up all night. It was to enjoy the effects of my medications. I could be at peace. I would wake up after sleeping all day around the time dad arrives from work and repeat the process. But I struggled something terrible with insomnia as well sleeping in the day."
"You know I would bring them every morning," mom told me.
"I know you would," I replied. "But dad would never trust you or I to do that. He's fanatical about these medications. He has to be in full control. These medications are a way for him to control me and my mental illness."
"Why didn't you go with Sandra to the Mexican restaurant tonight?" I then asked my mother.
"We both just didn't feel like going," mom said with another sigh.
I Think I am in Love and it Makes Me Kinda Nervous to Say So...
It is back to the grind for him today...
"I think I am in love and it makes me kind of nervous to say so," I told him.
"Now goddammit, don't you let that woman come and live in your house," he replied tersely and venomously.
I burst out in laughter. I got him good. Usually, it is the other way around with him pulling hijinks on me. Dad laughed nervously and told me to quit doing that kind of thing to him. I was going to give him a heart attack.
Dad's Latest Hijinks On Me...
"What have I done?" I asked nervously -- my codependence kicking into high gear.
"Charlie said he saw you coming out of the Circle K with beer," dad replied.
"You would've of smelled it on me if I were drinking beer," I decreed growing angry at Charlie for saying such a thing.
"I am going to have to get your debit cards back," he told me in plain speak.
"I wasn't drinking!" I exclaimed. "I don't know what kind of crack Charlie is smoking!"
Dad then smiled and started to laugh.
"Got you!" he said.
"Jesus, don't scare me like that," I told my father. "I haven't had a drink in years."
image credit: http://www.holidayinsights.com/valentine/cupid.htm
Laura's Back...
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| The latest photo of Laura. |
"She's a good friend," I told my father. "And nothing more. Guys and girls can be friends, don't you know?"
Dad had said when Laura left for Statesboro that she would be back and he was right. Wayne threw her out on Christmas Eve for "talking to too many guys". Namely, her ex-boyfriend Richard, whom I find a fascinating creature. Her parents drove Christmas Day to bring her home.
"Now, she is going to want to come live with you," my father told me with more hysterical laughter. "You can have an instant family!"
Dad can be such an incorrigible little shithead sometimes. lol
"Well, that is not going to happen," I replied in defense of myself. "Maggie and I are perfectly fine just the way we are."
I do care about her, though, and I hated to hear what happened to her over Christmas. That guy, Wayne, was a jerk.
Laura can't go live with Richard, though...
Richard Larson
I have to have all my stuff out of the old house by December 31 because I can't afford to keep the house and the lights will be turned off January 1
It is a lot like a Shakespearean Tragedy!
Feeling Up to Snuff...
Well, I feel much better today even though I am terribly drowsy and sleepy. I am crossing my fingers that it stays that way. The Holidays got my medications screwed up and maybe now we will get back to the normal time of taking them around 9 pm. Wouldn't it be nice if I could take them at 9am?
Maggie and I slept until noon again, though. Feast or famine, that's the way it goes for me so many times. I don't sleep enough and then I sleep too much. Maggie thoroughly enjoys our current living arrangement. She is already back in the bed. Little does Maggie know that the sheets are getting washed today and she is getting a bath as well.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Grocery Store Shopping Papa Style...
"I'll drive us," he said. "And I will do most of the work. You just tell me what you want and I want to add some things I think you will enjoy as well."
"I also don't want your mother driving me nuts about you not having anything to eat as well," he added as we headed out to his car by the curb.
I got in the car, my heart pounding a thousand beats per minute, and we were off for Kroger. As usual, my father's driving makes me carsick. I tried to tell my father my just given medications would take an hour to soak in and would be useless.
"Oh, you will be okay," he said brushing away my comment.
"Do you like sandwiches?" dad asked when we walked across the parking lot of Kroger. "I am going now to get you some sandwich meat, mayonnaise and loaf bread."
Dad brought back 4 packs of Carving Board sliced meats and I knew then we were headed to the danger zone price wise. I usually can't afford those because they are so expensive. They are delicious but very costly. He also had two loafs of Nature's Own honey wheat bread and a large jar of Blue Plate mayonnaise.
"I got you two of each, smoked turkey and honey ham."
I headed then for breakfast foods. I already had plenty of grits, but I needed butter, eggs, and frozen biscuits. I forgot to get any bacon -- a situation I will remedy tomorrow when I get to moving around good after a night's sleep.
Dad then got me some of that expensive Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese and Waverly crackers telling me he loved cheese and crackers.
I then headed off to get frozen meals which dad started to throw in my cart as he asked me which ones I like. He threw in some Asian meals as well.
"What do you want now?" he asked.
"I want milk chocolate pudding, 2 quarts of Promised Land chocolate milk, and some eggnog," I replied.
Dad came back with five packs of pudding, bananas (which he said could help with my potassium), peanut butter, and chocolate milk, but he couldn't find the eggnog, though.
"That pudding is good for your stomach!" he also told me helpfully. "What's next?"
"I need two gallons of sweet milk and two large boxes of unfrosted Pop-Tarts," I told him.
My father went for the milk as I headed to the cereal aisle to get my Pop-Tarts.
We checked out and the total was well over $100 as I had surmised previously. Dad debited it out of his own personal account as my disability account is running low being so late in the month.
One very nice thing my father did when we returned to my house was that he helped me bring in all my groceries and helped put them away. I was very thankful for that.
image credit: http://www.crackerbarrelcheese.com/
image credit: http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=1500523
A Post Rain Storm Sunday Evening...
I am running a high fever tonight for some reason. Don't know what that is about. I felt weak all afternoon and then got sick.
Things are starting to get back to normal around here, though. My neighbor is sitting out in his Dodge listening to Rockabilly music. Dad is hopefully on his way here with medications. I think, but I am not sure, but I do think I am experiencing some withdrawal to my medications after we took them so early yesterday. We took them around 4 pm I think. I am really thinking a lot tonight I think.
***short break after phone call from Laura***
I just talked to my father at home and he is on the way and he says WE ARE buying groceries tonight. I told him I couldn't go since I felt so poorly.
"I am going to help you tonight," he told me. "You are not going to try to cook and we are going to be practical -- practical grocery shopping!"
This should prove interesting. I will probably come home with a bunch of "terrible for you" frozen meals and I guarantee you he will overspend.
Things are starting to get back to normal around here, though. My neighbor is sitting out in his Dodge listening to Rockabilly music. Dad is hopefully on his way here with medications. I think, but I am not sure, but I do think I am experiencing some withdrawal to my medications after we took them so early yesterday. We took them around 4 pm I think. I am really thinking a lot tonight I think.
***short break after phone call from Laura***
I just talked to my father at home and he is on the way and he says WE ARE buying groceries tonight. I told him I couldn't go since I felt so poorly.
"I am going to help you tonight," he told me. "You are not going to try to cook and we are going to be practical -- practical grocery shopping!"
This should prove interesting. I will probably come home with a bunch of "terrible for you" frozen meals and I guarantee you he will overspend.
Rain and More Rain...
Maggie and I slept until 1 pm after going to bed around midnight. We've been doing some serious sleeping lately. I opened my eyes and Maggie was curled up against my t-shirt clad chest. I smiled. I love it when she does that.
The first thing I usually do upon getting out of my bed is to wake my sleeping computer in the bedroom and check the weather. I sat down in my chair and pulled up the National Weather Service. The whole radar was filled with green, yellow, and reds signalling lots of rain and it was moving our way -- something we definitely don't need after our Christmas Eve rain. I called my father who was out running errands and told him that the weather was going to get bad soon. We also have a wind advisory out until midnight tonight.
Tonight is grocery night and I hope we can make it. I've been living off of Christmas leftovers and will be glad to get some more food in the house. Dad's pork roast and barbecue sauce were exquisite, though. I had that KFC last night, but it wasn't very good. I still have a breast left and some instant mashed potaters.
Kickstarting the Soda Ritual...
"Get your Cokes today," The Secretary told me earnestly as I was standing in their den. "It has been worrying me for weeks. We still have a garage wall full of your Cokes left."
Dad rolled his eyes at me.
"Get him some Beefaroni, too, Martha," he told my mother worried I was about out of food.
Dad keeps a supply of Chef Boyardee Microwave Beefaroni for when my groceries run low. He gets them every Wednesday night when he does their shopping.
I acquiesced and my mother handed me a sack of six diet cokes. She already had them made up and sitting in the coat closet. I couldn't help but smile at my mother's determination. I will still get my two Mountain Dews tonight, though, I have been allowing myself per week. I love those things.
Grocery Day...
I have no idea what I am going to get grocery wise tonight. I think I will stick with my tried and true beef lo mein and spaghetti with meat sauce. I know I am getting two boxes of strawberry Pop-Tarts and two gallons of sweet milk. I know I also want chocolate pudding and eggnog if they have any eggnog left after Christmas.
The first thing I usually do upon getting out of my bed is to wake my sleeping computer in the bedroom and check the weather. I sat down in my chair and pulled up the National Weather Service. The whole radar was filled with green, yellow, and reds signalling lots of rain and it was moving our way -- something we definitely don't need after our Christmas Eve rain. I called my father who was out running errands and told him that the weather was going to get bad soon. We also have a wind advisory out until midnight tonight.
Tonight is grocery night and I hope we can make it. I've been living off of Christmas leftovers and will be glad to get some more food in the house. Dad's pork roast and barbecue sauce were exquisite, though. I had that KFC last night, but it wasn't very good. I still have a breast left and some instant mashed potaters.
"Get your Cokes today," The Secretary told me earnestly as I was standing in their den. "It has been worrying me for weeks. We still have a garage wall full of your Cokes left."
Dad rolled his eyes at me.
"Get him some Beefaroni, too, Martha," he told my mother worried I was about out of food.
Dad keeps a supply of Chef Boyardee Microwave Beefaroni for when my groceries run low. He gets them every Wednesday night when he does their shopping.
I acquiesced and my mother handed me a sack of six diet cokes. She already had them made up and sitting in the coat closet. I couldn't help but smile at my mother's determination. I will still get my two Mountain Dews tonight, though, I have been allowing myself per week. I love those things.
Grocery Day...
I have no idea what I am going to get grocery wise tonight. I think I will stick with my tried and true beef lo mein and spaghetti with meat sauce. I know I am getting two boxes of strawberry Pop-Tarts and two gallons of sweet milk. I know I also want chocolate pudding and eggnog if they have any eggnog left after Christmas.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Bedtime for Some -- Quiet Play Time for Others...
Maggie's trying her earnest best to tell me it is bedtime. It is almost 11 pm here -- about the time Maggie and I usually hit the hay. I will hear her jump off the bed and run into the den and she will nuzzle me on the thigh. I will give her a vigorous back scratch in return. She will then go back to bed and then come and repeat the process again if I don't follow her in about 20 minutes. I guess I should go get on the computer in the back bedroom where we sleep and maybe then she can rest. I was feeling very mentally ill earlier (sick as a dog with no offense to Maggie). I took an emergency 3mg dose of Risperdal and I am just glad to be feeling better at the moment and enjoying browsing the web and listening to my ever-present music. Things I can't do when I am feeling mentally unwell. It is my moment of revelry in mental wellness.
image credit: https://www.pinterest.com/lulubelter/notes-n-masks/
Dearest Poor Maggins...
Maggie was so looking forward to seeing my father and Charlie tonight. I mentioned their names and she got in the window on vigil. Well, Papa and Charlie blew the horn for me to come out to the curb to get my KFC meal. They didn't come inside."Y'all can't come inside for 5 minutes?" I asked my father.
"We need to get all this food delivered before it gets cold," Charlie responded.
"Look in the window!" I told my father as he sat in his car.
There was Maggie just barking her fool little head off on the back of the sofa hoping to see them. She watched as they drove away and I know she had to be crestfallen. I fixed her some chicken to soften the blow.
image credit: http://wgonhelicopter.blogspot.com/2011/04/crestfallen-2011-wordless-and-powerful.html
Mickey D's Biscuit Time!
"Hey, you two!" Charlie said as I opened the door. "It seems Maggie is the only one who knows what is going on around here."
I sleepily laughed as Charlie handed me a sack of food and a giant Coke.
"I've had the doldrums for the past few days," I told Charlie. "But I try not to whine about it, and I hide it pretty well."
"Well, you get to feeling better," Charlie said. "Remember, your father and I are bringing supper tonight and I may just cut your hair."
Charlie's been saying he is going to cut my hair for weeks now. We can wait another week as far as I am concerned.
Charlie left and I ate one sausage biscuit and Maggie ate the other, and soon we were back in bed again and we slept until 2 pm. I sure hope I sleep tonight. I didn't mean to sleep so long today.
***************************
I got the classic handoff to my mother. Mom was watching the television -- a show about building the Roman coliseum.
"Why are you watching that?" I asked my mother.
It was uncharacteristic of her.
"Your daddy was watching it and I don't know how to change the channel," mom protested.
I laughed.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Don't Wake Your Mother...
"Do you want to come take your medications now?" my father asked me over the phone this afternoon."Yes, please," I replied excitedly and with great hope.
I hate having to beg and cajole my father into doing this little necessity of my life so early in the day as I normally do. Most of the time, I have to wait until after 9 pm to get them.
I drove over to my parent's house to find my father sitting out on the back deck eating lunch. It is 80°F here today. The weather is gorgeous and we are certainly having an Indian summer. Dad was eating a toasted turkey sandwich that looked so delicious.
"I am going to start a new book after lunch," my father told me as he handed me a handful of my medications."Do you want the rest of that oyster casserole?" Dad then asked.
"Yes sir," I replied. "I will take whatever you give me."
"We have lots of leftovers and I will make sure you get them," dad told me. "I will call you later to come pick them up."
I wrung my hands in devilish fashion.
image credit: http://foodmusings.ca/recipes/scalloped-oyster-casserole/
When Christmas Presents Go Awry...
No!
I turned off all noise, shut down my computer, and waited until I could metabolize most of the caffeine. I finally called my father, woke him up from a nap, and told him I needed my medications as soon as he could bring then. Maggie and I got in the bed and just waited -- staying as quiet as possible. Soon, there was a knock upon my front door. It was Papa. Maggie flew off the bed in excitement.
"What have you done now?" my father asked scoldingly as he was walking into my house.
"I drank a whole pot of coffee and it triggered a panic attack," I replied.
"You drank ten cups?" my father asked astonished. "No wonder you feel sick."
"Don't rub it in!" I said weakly to my father as I took my medications. "You know I have trouble with moderation. I honestly didn't mean to drink so much."
We watched Queen Elizabeth's Christmas address on my computer and soon I was feeling much better as my medications began to take effect.
"You okay now?" my father asked putting his hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I am going to be okay," I replied. "I am going to bed after all of that."
image credit: https://www.tumblr.com/search/giant%20coffee%20cup
Friday, December 25, 2015
Flotsam and Jetsam...
We had a spectacular show of lightning and thunder in the darkened skies last night. My brother-in-law, my father, and I were loading up my presents in my car when one especially close bolt hit the ground near us."That's it!" my father exclaimed. "I am going back inside."
My father loves the weather, but he is also afraid of it -- mostly lightning for that matter.
I mustered up the courage to go back to my parent's Christmas party last night and muddle through the socialization the best I could. I had amazingly gotten lonely -- something that rarely happens to me.
Charlie was busy cleaning up the kitchen as I arrived. It wouldn't be Christmas without Charlie doing so in the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas Andrew!" Charlie exclaimed as I walked through the back door.
We gave each other a Christmas hug.
The grandkids were super glad to see me and eagerly wanted me to open all my presents. The rest of the family had already opened their presents. The Secretary was also busy making sure all wrapping paper was cleared and thrown away. That's been her job at Christmas for years and she takes it very seriously. She was waiting with a trash bag as I opened every present.
I got a really nice Cuisinart coffee maker (pictured). Dad also bought me some gourmet coffee and extra filters. I am drinking a cup of freshly brewed coffee as we speak and it is delicious. This coffee maker is so easy to use compared to the little two cup percolator I have and it makes 12 cups with every brew which is very nice.
I also got a lot of jackets, a goose down vest, shirts, and pants that were much needed.
Finding my way home wasn't very easy as every bridge I came to was washed out and barricades were put up. I finally found a bridge in my old childhood neighborhood that was still open and headed for home before it got washed out and barricaded as well.
image credit: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Cuisinart-DCC-1200BW-Brew-Central-12-cup-Programmable-Matte-Black-Coffeemaker/5175787/product.html
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Thank You For this Little Bit of Instant Bliss...
"Thank you for coming," dad told me very sincerely. "I know it took a lot of courage for you to do this."
"Social anxiety has made me miss out on so many Christmases with the family," I told my father. "But I am getting better."
"Barbara has been the best money I have ever spent on you," dad said speaking of my therapist.
"Maggie's been the best thing you have ever done for me," I told my father with a warm smile.
I mingled for a few short minutes, then I delivered my presents for the kids and soon headed back home.
"I am going to make sure you have a super big plate of food," my father told me as I was leaving. "I will bring it tonight along with your Christmas presents, and your medications."
I had a very convoluted drive home with so many bridges around us washed out. I had to drive through my old childhood neighborhood on the other side of town to make it successfully back to my house.
Right now, we are in a torrential downpour with lots of thunder and lightning. The power clicked off for about 10 minutes and then clicked back on. I pray the power doesn't go out for a lengthy period of time.
This is on the Main Road, Cherry Drive, to My Parent's House...
I wonder if my father will be able to make it for my Christmas and Medications. At least, Maggie and I are safe, warm, and have plenty of food. We still have water pressure as well. We are having record setting flooding here. All of downtown West Point is washed out. My brother has left to go see about the river house. We all hope it isn't flooded as well.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Blessed Be the Charlies of the World...
So there I was pacing the floor in agitation. I was also suffering from angst, impatience, and a little bit of the nervous jitters -- acute withdrawal was just around the corner. Soon, as it grew ever later, Maggie started whining and barking so I walked over and looked out the window hoping to see a car out front. It was Charlie bearing medications, Arby's roast beef sandwiches, curly fries, and a giant Coca-Cola. He ran across my yard to the front door in a downpour.
"Thank goodness!" I muttered under my breath.
"Thank you so very much!" I told Charlie fawning all over him with lavish praise. "I was beginning to think I had been forgotten about tonight."
Charlie gave me a hug.
"Your father is having a dinner party at his house," Charlie replied. "So I took matters into my own hands."
We gave the Magster clean water and fresh food. Charlie quickly cleaned up my kitchen in a flash. I then helped him get all my trash out into the trash can by the road as the rain fell upon us.
"Love you!" Charlie told me as he was leaving and I reciprocated.
"Love you too and thank you so much!" I replied back.
Lord, I do love and adore that man and Maggie certainly does as well.
Soon, Put Out Your Cookies and Your Milk...
Two more days and Santa will arrive. I hope you all were good and won't get any lumps of coal. I might get a few lumps myself. That overspending at the grocery store can get you in lots of trouble.
When I was a child, the Christmas Holidays were an extremely cherished two-week respite from that hell hole called public education. At least, I didn't get picked on too much despite being a strange little fellow. I had a reputation of cockpunching or kicking you in the balls if you pushed me too hard or slighted me. Yeah, I unabashedly played dirty pool.
Dad told me just to buy gifts for my nephew and three nieces and not for the whole family. I got them all some cool stuff I hope they will enjoy. I got them the kind of things I would want as a kid at Christmas. Grant is going to love the four "action packed" Star Wars figures I got him. Lily loves soccer so she got a new soccer ball. Olivia got two Barbies. Kathleen got Star Wars Legos.
Dad's mom and her sisters always gave us socks and underwear for Christmas which can depress a little 8-year-old kid. I still have emotional scars from childhood when one Christmas I got a knitted scarf.
image credit: http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/12/how-to-instantly-own-the-worlds-coolest-star-wars-action-figure-collection/
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
The Hard Sell...
About an hour ago, I was putting gas in my car when this rangy and soaking wet black fellow walked up to me and asked if I could get him a hamburger. One of his most notable characteristics was that he had an extremely lazy eye. He was also completely invading my personal boundaries."My mother died last week and I am completely homeless," the guy said loudly. "I need your help!"
"Walk inside and I will buy you a couple of hot dogs and a Coke," I replied as I finished pumping fuel into my car.
"Can I have the cash? Come on man. I am homeless, I need the money," he exclaimed.
He was extremely agitated and pushy with a wild look in his eyes. He had to be one of the most diligent, desperate, and driven panhandlers I have ever come across. I was beginning to feel threatened by him.
"I am not giving you any cash," I said growing irritated wondering what his next move was going to be.
A car pulled up to a pump nearby and they were the "homeless" guy's new victims. I guess he wasn't that hungry after all. He was jonesing for his next fix.
Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of sympathy and empathy for the homeless and the poor. It's these kinds of guys that make it hard on the rest of the homeless community. They give the homeless a bad reputation.
image credit: http://reesenews.org/2011/01/12/panhandler-for-a-day/7982/
image credit: http://komonews.com/news/local/city-tries-to-curb-aggressive-panhandlers-with-sign-campaign
"Johnny Otis, He Forgot His Pudding."
I just realized not only did I forget my Mountain Dews. I also forgot my Snack Pak chocolate puddings as well last night. Crap! I will probably make another grocery store run in a few hours. Papa sanctioned of course.Maggie woke me up very early at 6 am barking very viciously at the back of the fence just mere feet from my neighbor's house.
"Shit!" I muttered to myself as I climbed out of my bed and got dressed.
"Maggie, get your little ass back inside!" I angrily hollered out the back door to no avail after turning on all the outside flood lights.
It was certainly a rude awakening -- enough to wake the dead. Maggie had tree'd or a should say fenced a possum. It was hissing like a cat perched on top of the fence at the very back of my yard.
"Maggie? Are you hungry?" I loudly asked with subversion.
Maggie came flying back inside at the mention of food and I got us some breakfast started after locking the dog door. I talk to Maggie like she understands me.
"You can't bark like that as it will wake the neighbors," I told her scoldingly.
Image credit: http://www.badpossum.com/
Monday, December 21, 2015
Braving the Elements for a Good Cause...
I wasn't going to get groceries tonight as the weather is just terribly deplorable."Come on," my father said after the medication ritual. "You'll be glad to have it done and you can buy some extra food tonight since it is Christmas."
I begrudgingly and reluctantly stood up, pulled on a jacket, and headed to my car in the rain.
"I'll see you at Kroger," my father said as the heavens opened up upon us.
He drove off and I hurriedly caught up to him in my car. We were the Kroger caravan and we were Kroger bound.
My total came to be $89 dollars and that is including Maggie's $12.99 bag of Purina One and some treats for her Christmas as well. She's getting a big smoked ribeye bone Christmas morning. She will chew and gnaw on it for days and then most likely will bury it. That is usually Maggie's modus operandi.
I got the ingredients to fix mom's sour cream and mushroom chicken. It is absolutely sinfully delicious. I will have to get the recipe onto the blog. I will be also making mom's beef lo mien once again. Thankfully, I managed not to forget soy sauce and white rice.
For drinks, I got two quarts of non-alcoholic vanilla eggnog and two gallons of sweet milk. I forgot to get my two allotted Mountain Dews for the week and it left me quite perturbed.
I talked to Jermaine for a good bit. He wanted to know all about Charlie's Horsefly. They used to have special education classes together. In other words, Jermaine rode the shortbus to school. I love him, though, and always give him some time out of my day. I almost gave him a Christmas hug tonight. If there were ever a candidate for man bras then Jermaine would be first in line.
Image Credit: http://www.carriesexperimentalkitchen.com/chicken-parisienne/
We, Maggie and I, Bring You Tidings of Great Joy...
I stepped outside to get the mail and my neighbor was putting a sack of empty Corona bottles in the trashcan.
"Merry Christmas!" he told me jovially.
"Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you, too, sir!" I replied.
He told me he was going to get himself and I a fruitcake for Christmas. I love the stuff. Fruitcake gets an undeserved bad reputation. Now, I've got to think of something to bring my neighbor when I go to the grocery store tonight. I was thinking of some bags of assorted Chex mix to eat while he drinks his beer. That's what Joyce brought me when I first moved into this house as a house warming gift and I appreciated it.
image credit: http://www.catholicvote.org/24-reasons-you-should-stop-hating-fruitcake/
image credit: http://www.kitchenfrau.com/a-canadian-christmas-gumdrop-fruitcake-an-old-prairie-recipe-gluten-free-version-too/
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Smiles Abound About a Fantastic Film...
I called mom after lunch and asked her if she wanted to drive down with me to Auburn and see the new Star Wars film.
"Star Wars is not my cup of tea," mom told me kindly, but she thanked me for inviting her.
She did go see The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies with me and actually sat through the whole film even though she said the film bored her to death. She was a real sport about the whole affair. I guess she didn't want a repeat of that ordeal.
Mom added she wasn't feeling good today mentally and was going back to sleep. I had woken her up when I called.
"Well, I am headed down now to the afternoon matinee showing," I told her.
"Have fun!" mom replied.
I remember seeing the original film with my uncle and brother in 1977. I was not disappointed at all with this latest film and had a grand time even if I had to go alone. I splurged and got the big popcorn and ginormous Coke, and I had a great seat in front of the screen. I also got some Goobers which are chocolate coated peanuts. I love those things.
Don't ask for any spoilers as there are a ton of surprises so go see it for yourselves. It was awesome seeing Han Solo aka Harrison Ford take on such a strong leading role in the film. Han Solo rocks! One of my biggest worries was Carrie Fisher and how she would portray the now General and Queen Leia Organa. She looked beautiful and did a fine job of acting.
Sunday Night Fried Chicken...
Charlie called me tonight and asked me what I wanted to eat and I told him the usual. A 3pc original recipe KFC meal deal. An hour later Charlie showed up alone with the food around 8 pm. .
"Where's Dad?" I asked Charlie a little befuddled.
I was sorely missing the old codger tonight. I hadn't seen him all day.
"He's at some frou frou Christmas dinner party," Charlie said. "And I wasn't invited."
"Whew!" I replied innocently and very seriously. "I am glad it is not me having to do that."
It struck Charlie as funny about what I said and he was still laughing when he left.
How in this Huge Old Galaxy Did We Happen to Meet?
Too bad they never look that tidy and delicious in real life -------------------------------->
I woke up at a very late for me 9:30 am and realized Charlie was coming this morning with breakfast. I hurriedly dressed and put on a baseball cap to hide my Medusa-like hair. I checked my front stoop to see if I missed Charlie and if he had put the food by the front door.
Charlie pulled up in front of my house at 10 am sharp as Maggie went nuts at his arrival. He was running very late this morning. Now dressed, I hurried out to his car so he wouldn't have to walk all the way across my yard to my front door. Maggie barked excitedly from the other side of my screen door.
"Merry Damn Christmas," Charlie said sarcastically as he rolled down the window of his car. .
I started to choke back a laugh.
"How in this hell hole of a town did we happen to meet?" I replied sarcastically trying not to laugh so much.
I said it very, very sarcastically.
"Hell, I don't know," Charlie said with further sarcasm. "Here are your damn biscuits and a coke!"
"Love you and thank you!" I told Charlie now seriously and he pulled away from the curb after telling me he loved me back.
I was still smiling as I walked back into my house. I am sure Charlie was smiling as well as he drove down my street to Mainstreet. Charlie had brought two bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits, a hashbrown, and an ex-large Coke.
Browser Mishaps?
PipeTobacco said...
Sir:
I do not know if you changed your blog or my browser update changed your blog.... but now it only shows one line of a story and it requires you to tap on the line to read the story.
If YOU changed your blog to read like this... I URGE YOU to please change it back because to me it is annoying as he'll to have to navigate around. And the comments box has grown very small too.
PipeTobacco
Andrew Says,
I am not sure if the rest of you are having this problem. Write in the comments if you are and I will change the template. The blog template looks fine on all three of my computers including my ancient retro-gaming computer. I just checked my iPad and it looks fine on it as well except the snowflakes are gone because it will not run Java Script.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Put the Old Geezer to Work...
Papa had to work at the pharmacy this morning which is unusual. He worked from 9 am to 12 pm. He called me on the way home up highway 29 and asked if it would okay to go ahead and take my medications."Yes!" I said excitably. "It will make for a much more pleasant evening!"
"I will be there in just a minute," he told me. "I just passed Kroger."
My very interesting neighbor's hot water heater busted last night and there were some plumbers putting in a new one. All these strange people near Maggie's backyard is driving her crazy. She has been barking for hours and almost missed Papa's arrival. She came flying through the dog door into the den when it dawned upon her that my father's car was parked out front. She heard him shut his car door which is a distinctive sound.
Bless Maggie's heart, she certainly does love my father and Charlie. I can get jealous as she never fawns over me the way she does those two. My mother included -- Maggie knows my mother always brings treats and her arrival is a very special occasion. .
image credit: http://plutokneeum.com/tankless-hot-water-heater-installation/
And Let There Be Warmth...
 |
| My favorite bacon of them all. It was my grandmother's favorite as well. |
The thermostat for my heating and cooling seemed to be a 100 miles away even though it is just down the hall. I finally quickly got dressed, put on some socks and shoes, and had the heat on 78°F in a few minutes. It didn't take long for my little house to warm up from 68°F. Maggie slowly moved from the bed to her perch on the back of the couch. In was time for our daily sentry duty.
I was hungry and fried my last 5 slices of Black Label bacon. Maggie and I had some scrambled eggs and some cheese grits as well accompanied with some White Lily frozen biscuits. The pot of coffee I made hit the spot as well on this cold morning. I am running low on breakfast foods, but Charlie will be here tomorrow with breakfast biscuits. That will get me by until Monday aka grocery day.
 |
| White Lily Frozen Biscuits that need some butter pronto! |
image credit: http://bacon-labels.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
image credit: http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2008/10/perfect-buttermilk-biscuits.html
Friday, December 18, 2015
Fire Over the Skies of Georgia...
Just Another Medicinally Oriented Night at Andrew's Casa...
Well, the medication ritual is done and over with. Dad was in a great mood both jovial and happy. He spent most of his day off Christmas shopping for the family. He called me from Auburn to find out my size in pants earlier this afternoon.
I am still kicking my own butt for agreeing to get clothes and a coffee maker for Christmas instead of computer parts. I would have loved a M.2 SSD, or in other words a M.2 interface solid state drive. It boasts a 2500 MB/sec sequential read time which is just astronomically incredibly fast. That's in contrast to my SATA SSD which reads only about 500 MB/sec.sequential read times.
Lunar Views...
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter recently captured a unique view of Earth from the spacecraft's vantage point in orbit around the moon.
The Days of Meatloaf's Past...
"You know me," I said. "I could eat it every week. I can't get enough of the stuff."
Mom will call me about 3pm and tell me to come and pick up my plate. I wonder if we are having macaroni and cheese -- with meatloaf it is Helen's holy grail of all of her meals.
Epoch of the Sad Clown...
Dad was especially quiet last night and I am like my mother and I tend to project or internalize feelings on ourselves and others.
"I'm just tired after working 10 hours," he told me saying that I was just like The Secretary. "Nothing is wrong."
I asked dad if he was ready to retire as Maggie eagerly vied for his attention and affection.
"I'd have to drastically change my lifestyle," he told me as he scratched Maggie's back. "I'm not ready to do that just yet."
"This may come as a surprise to some, but Pharmacist income is higher than what is expected. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average Pharmacist salary is $106,410 annually. The highest-paidPharmacists earn more than $131,440 per year, and even the lowest-paid Pharmacists are paid $77,390."So that explains why he is still working. Dad did tell me last night that he would never get bored if he retired.
"You can always find something to do around the house," he told me sounding just like his mother.
"But I don't want to have to vacuum!" I said with a laugh.
Star Wars The Force Awakens is Coming to a Computer Near You...
Any hour now, someone is going to upload a bootlegged copy of the new Star Wars film. It will permeate the internet like wildfire. I just checked Kickass Torrents and it still hasn't shown up just yet. These are what is called "Cams" as the film is copied with a camcorder while someone sits in the movie theater. They are always of terrible quality and only for the most diehard of Star Wars fans..
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