Happy Tuesday kids,
Had a really nice day yesterday. We wound up going for an all day ride which was a bit much on my knees and back. We have a 2-up ATV which means we both ride on one. It's kind of like riding on a motorcycle - perhaps Annie will understand - you are sort of stuck in one position with very little wiggle room to move and stretch so after a while your knees lock. We set out, were on the trail for about 30 minutes when DH noticed the oil gauge blinking. We turned around, put the ATV back on the trailer and went home to add oil. Went back out again and this time took a 2 hour ride into a neighboring town where we went for an early dinner. Although starving by this time, I was a bit nervous about eating because all I had that day was a coffee and yogurt and if I go too long without eating and then eat a big meal, often my stomach rebels and that's not a good idea with a 2 hour ride back sans toilets
I had a cup of delicious soup (the owner makes fantastic soups) and half of my sandwich with a tiny slice of cold, crisp watermelon. DH took another route back to the car which made me nervous that we'd take the wrong way but his sense of direction prevailed even though he copied down the WRONG street names on the hand drawn map we were following
And we made it back to the car in one hour instead of two. It was a more paved trail and not as interesting as the first one but it was nice to take a long trail and then have a shorter option if we wanted it. We went through alot of water puddles - more than either of us cared for and some of them were over a foot of standing water deep. Glad I was sitting higher
It was a nice day, we had a good time. Saw a deer, a bunny, the bluebird of happiness, and a big turtle who thought it was a good idea to build her dugout to lay her clutch of eggs right in the middle of the sand trail.
We watched her dig for a while - very interesting. Was late when we got home, put out the garbage, ran to the store for some prescriptions and milk and then I called my sister who had called me 3 times and was getting very nervous that I had not returned her call all day. She was afraid something happened to us
And not too much later than that I called it a night.
Oh and Sunday I was on the deck watching LB eat his supper when a big bunny came close to him. He froze and then when the other bunny ignored him, he went into the tall grass only to reappear a minute later in plain sight of BB (big bunny). BB paid no attention to LB who continued to follow it where ever it went as it searched for food (completely missing the pile of spinach, lettuce leaves and apple chunks I left for LB). I was thinking that this might have been LB's momma and it was kinda sad as it really seemed like LB wanted contact with BB who paid no attention whatsoever to it. Bunny life is sad
BB finally ran off to the side of the garage and hid for a few minutes before braving it and doing a 3 foot hop up the stone wall and out to the back of the yard. LB shrugged it off and went back and drowned his sorrows in a few apple chunks. Also the hummingbirds were going nutzo. They were making these shreeking sounds and flying in a back and forth motion as if they were suspended by a string and looking every bit like a pendulum. As they flew like this they beat their wings in a way that made a strange buzzing noise. DH was fascinated by this, figured it was a mating dance. In all the years we watched hummingbirds we've seen their sometimes highly aggressive territorial fights but never anything like this.
Mel - I'm sorry you are feeling yucky
I think I had that Cipro once and it tore the heck out of my stomach - really upset it badly. Hope that's not the case with you
The man cave is pretty big, you could buy a whole lotta stuff at the "crap fair"
before you'd even come close to running out of room. Even if you did chose the bigger cabin log type furniture - lots of room for tchotchkies and plenty of wall space. So while you are recouperating, thing of what kind of theme you'd like to work with
There are still a few more fairs to hit up in the next month or two.
Ceejay - the only reason I'd go back to Tennessee would be to get back to the Smokey Mountains. Vacation time will be here before you know it, are you getting excited? Loved the baby's picture on FB. Especially the caption.
Laura - even with a late start, with all that heat you're getting, your garden should kick start quickly. It's just a hassle to water by hand and there's nothing like rain water to get things green and pretty. And the 2000 emails I deleted were advertisements and sales notices from various websites I shop at. I should just use my email filter to put all of them in one folder I can ignore and periodically delete - one more thing for the "to do list"
Hope you are feeling better - sounds like you've hit a health bump on a few items, especially the tummy issues. Are you going to get them checked out? Bummer that you couldn't meet up with the flighty friend but at least you didn't have to back track to catch up with her.
Annie - funny you talk about the sugar in the oatmeal bread. I was watching a tv show where she made strawberry oatmeal bars and added alot of sugar. She winked and said, "guess you didn't think something as healthy as oatmeal bars had so much sugar". Ah well, that's what makes it good, isn't it? Thanks for the phrase "crap fairs" I dare not tell DH as I'm sure that's what he'd say from now on
With all the heat you are getting no doubt you will have a great tomato season. It's good that you are still getting lettuce with as warm and dry as it is. I am trying to send some of the rain down to you guys but all the hot air is just blowing it back
Glad to hear C is liking the new gig even if it is so labor intensive. Hopefully it will ease up as he gets into a routine.
Michelle - that had to be a difficult road trip for DH - I take it that he's still not 100% ? Travelling, especially with what he's doing was always long days and alot of work packed into a short trip so I feel for the poor guy and that's quite a bit of driving too. It's good that you got some extra pay out of your old job - will help with the new bill that swallowed it up and more. I'm sure you will miss the cafeteria at the old place but now you can pack healthy items yourself and will probably save yourself money. I know I am eating much less than when I was doing breakfast and lunch at work. But it's nice to have the convienience. What makes this hospital job your dream job? Alot of hospitals in both IL and TN went to contractor positions because they are always tippy on the money situation and that helped them manage things more easily. I hear St. Jude was a great place to work for but very very difficult to get a permanent position there. Good luck with whatever you choose. If people at the current place have been there 5 years and more, that's generally a good sign, particularly if there are other companies hiring and people have some choices.
Shad - once again I love the picture of the birds. I think if we ever got to visit you, I'd spend the entire time with my mouth open and my finger pointed and generally only utter the phrases LOOK, OHHHHH, SEE, WOW
How much more interesting your side of the pond is than ours. And if it's scenery you want, just fly over to NZ. Speaking of which, have things calmed down on the earthquake front over there? From your FB post, looks like you are crazy busy as you expected to be. How is the go live so far? Did everyone forget what you taught them and now that they have to make it work you are the most popular person at camp???
Ellen - I hope things picked up for you at work. Nothing worse than a quiet day - the minutes barely tick by. Is Mom coming along fine?
Hi Patty and Java
Guess I'd better get busy. Lots to do here and the day is half over already. I really need to change my hours around and start my day earlier.
Have a good one...
DH is mowing the lawn, I am cleaning house. Tomorrow we will go for lunch and an ATV ride. 
craft fairs 
I laughed at your co-workers missing your baked stuff. I bet they sure are! 
To answer your question about the work environment. I just told my old boss I was going to a small company...because I didn't want to give out the actual place I was going. I work for a consulting agency that staffs various County departments. Despite being a consultant, I am full-time, salaried and most of the people I work with who are also with the agency have been there 5 years or more. As for the library...I'm with you, I wish mine had a pick up window to go with the drop off box. I love putting stuff on hold...makes it almost like getting a present when the item comes in. 
So sorry to hear about the layoffs. That can be so stressful. 
