A week of warm weather!

This week we have a break from chilly 30-40*F days. I'm looking forward to it. We may have an early spring or not. One thing I'm concerned about is the chance of severe thunderstorms. Yesterday was lovely and we decided to splurge and frill some steaks and shrimp outside. We also ate on the patio too. One thing I know for certain; use the costco folding table and not the narrow table. Three people and a big platter makes for a small eating area. It was very nice eating outside after being inside for the last 3 months. I think one of my far off plans this year is to buy some outdoor dining furniture this fall. A nice small table and some chairs. The patio isn't that big, but it's nice to eat outside. When yellow season is over, I plan to powerwash and sand down the adirondack chairs and repaint them. They were primed, but not painted with an outdoor sealing paint.
So for dinner we had porterhouse and tbone steaks that I got on sale at Publix, some monster shrimp, green beans, and I decided to try making a blooming onion. It sort of worked. I didn't flour and separate the onion enough, so the batter didn't separate the petals enough. This will take some more work to get it right. Tonight to continue on with the warm weather enjoyment, I'm making a rotisserie chicken on the grill, and pulling out the the costco table for more room on the eating area.

prep stuff

I've been cutting, ironing, sewing and ironing fabric for the background blocks of this quilt I'm making. It's not so bad, but I'm making of three of them. One for me, B and her mother in law. So, I'm a little short on patience and of course money. While I enjoy making them, I get irritated as I am the one fronting most of the costs, and it's my time and equipment at use. So, when B mentions things she likes or not, after I've spent 3 days cutting and sewing, I'm not so patient or willing to listen. Obviously we don't live far away, and she needs to come to my house as the materials and equipment are here. It just gets inconvenient at times. Oh come on over, but let me tell my husband to put pants on. Just trivial things like that. Anyways, I've got another two or three days worth of cutting and ironing, possibly sewing, and then I go to a class and learn how to make another quilt. So I'm gonna be juggling 2 patterns, but four quilts.

Oh it rained most of the night. Not bad, we needed it. I was so tired though. For whatever reason my dippy dog decided to bark all night. Nothing was wrong, he just didn't want to be in his room. Of course Lulu didn't make a noise, she didn't need to, he did it for her. I swear I look at the two and it's like that Nickelodeon cartoon Pinky and the Brain. Lulu is the Brain, and Mingy is Pinky. You look into his eyes, and you know you are dealing with a two celled brain. He's not mean, and very fearful. He's just very dumb and loving. He woke me up, well he woke goof up at 2am. Goof yelled at me to do something about it, I went down and checked on them, put the radio on, and went back to bed, and yelled at Goof. Then I woke up before 5am. Mingy was barking again. So I'm exhausted and grouchy. Goof had the audacity to wish me a good day, because I was grouchy last night. Huh? Who yelled at who and woke them up?

Back to the rain, I think the ground really needed the moisture. I looked out the front windows and saw a sight. Babymama and her brood were standing outside looking dumbfounded at their overturned tree. They have a tree that stands in between their side yard and hillbillies yard. This tree was dead when we first moved here, and they've never done anything about it. Well the roots must have decayed enough that there was nothing live to hold into the ground. Lucky for them, there was no damage to any of the houses or property. So I told Goof and he laughed, then we guessed how long the tree would stay there. Now I forgot to mention something that happened last month. There was a very strong T storm and it knocked a lot of debris around. They have a 6ft+ length of tree limb about 4 or 5 inches in diameter with small branches and leaves that fell by the side of their house. They haven't touched it. I have not done anything as I don't know if it came from the tree that divides our lots(also the tree is on their side) Also the limb does not encroach upon my yard, so I haven't bothered with it. So Goof thinks it will remain there until it rots or someone else takes care of it. I think in about 2 months time, she will get her brother to move it. Only because it would hinder her brood playing. It's definitely not because they want to make their property look good.

Just another quirk of nature

We are having another cold spell. Nothing too cold like freezing daytime temps, but it's cold again. Saturday was 80*F, with a big storm that came late in the afternoon and stayed well into the early hours on Sunday. A friend of mine says the weather should change and stay warm heralding spring in true form in about two weeks. Just in time for heavy pollen season. We've gotten a light coating of pollen on the grill already, and I noticed the deck is starting to turn green. What I mean by that is a strange heavy coating of yellow-green pollen, on top of a layer of mold. Warming temps and spring rains with a lot of moisture brings that stuff out. Also the backyard has started springing up with violets. I think they are violets. Some type of creeping vine with little purple flowers. Once the weather warms up and the grass comes out of dormancy it chokes out the vines and flowers. I guess that's what St. Augustine does. The back neighbor's fescue and whatever mix has started turning color faster than ours. We've got clumps of green scattered on a mainly beige lawn. We didn't fertilize the lawn this weekend and should have, but then again, we did get almost 3 inches of rain. Most likely the fertilizer would have washed away and not have made much of a difference. I noticed the past two weekends, there have been some powerwashing of homes going on. I still think it's too early in the season to do it and rather wait until all the heavy yellow stuff has left.

Wild weather weekend

I think most people have heard the news on tv, radio, internet, or read a newspaper. An EF2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta late Friday evening. There were no warning alerts, it popped up and the weather people didn't think it would happen in downtown. From the news reports so far, that Friday night, there were no deaths, but a lot of damage to the area. That was very lucky considering that is a very congested area.

But there were more tornadoes the next day. We had an idea there would be strong thunderstorms and possible tornadoes for Sat. Let me back up; We finally went to bed about 3am. Goof and I were watching the news and having a bit of an argument about cleaning- garage, basement, and laundry room. Stinky had fallen asleep on the sofa, and hey it's the weekend, no bigger if he wants to sleep there. We had heard there were to be thunderstorms during the night, and considered with the extreme weather Atlanta just had, it might be bad for us.

Off to bed the adults went. It took me a while to fall asleep as I had that horrible irritated dry cough. We woke up to the NOAA radio alert going off. I was miserable! I had just fallen asleep it seemed like after all the coughing I did, to have to hope my chest didn't start up again, and get some more rest. Goof had me go downstairs to sleep, so he took the loveseat, and I took a corner on the sofa next to Stinky. The thunderstorm hit around 6am. It was loud and violent I gather. I was so exhausted, I really didn't want to wake up. But somehow around 8:30am, I woke up, and it was sunny. We didn't have much damage, and Stinky had no idea why I was sleeping on the sofa with him. It seems Goof woke up before Stinky and went back to bed.

The rest of the day we had the news on. Well there seemed to be nothing but news about the tornado. The NOAA alert radio kept going off every few hours. Extending tornado warnings, alerting that we were under watch for severe thunderstorms. We watched CNN, as they showed the damage done to their building and other buildings. The damage was extensive again, it was amazing that not many people were hurt. What was scary Saturday was the fear of more sever storms coming across Alabama heading towards us. There were a few more tornadoes that popped up. Two people were killed in Floyd county. There was hail in the storms that were 4 inches! Baseball sized hail! That will ruin your cars, and tear the roof and siding off your house! Now this extreme weather was heading eastward along I20 towards the Carolinas. We were still watching the weather sites. There were storms heading towards me.

Because of the warm front and the cold storms, violative storms were building up. A few storms coming up from the south and headed northeast, they would pass by or hit us. At about 6pm we got a very strong thunderstorm. The eye passed directly over us. We had watched the radar for over an hour about this storm. This one also had huge hail and we were worried about it. The storm was loud and strong. Hail was coming down but it had lost some of it's power so they were only pea or marble sized hail. At one point we did head down to the basement just in case. The storm only lasted 20 min. Right after it passed the sun came out and the birds were chirping again. Again, we were lucky no fallen trees or power lines. The worst we saw was a tree limb in Babymama's ugly fence. Which they pulled out, and bent the top of the fence even more so.

All this activity on the weather front is tiring for a person. Just earlier Friday I had watched the news and heard talk about spring officially here. I had taken out the spring/summer clothes, and packed away the winter stuff. I had mentioned to Goof how drastic the weather can be here. Just last Sat there was snow flurries, then two days later it was in the high 70's. Spring had come with a vengeance. Yesterday it was sunny and gorgeous. The dogs kept going out to lie on the deck. Mingy wanted me to sit in the grass with him. We were all so excited to see warm sun. But I do have to wonder. Why am I here again? Given the choice of earthquakes or tornadoes. I would take an earthquake any day. Why? Well they don't happen daily during the spring. You don't ignore the warnings because there are always warnings. Earthquakes happen when they do. You keep an earthquake kit, and train yourself how to turn off gas and water. Tornado watches make me want to stay close to home near the basement. How can you get anything done this way?

Weather out here doesn't make sense

Yesterday was a gorgeous day it was 72*F. I opened all the windows, and took a walk with the dogs. I went out without a jacket! I even worked up a little bit of a sweat on our walk. I missed days like this. This past weekend was lovely too, but Stinky was feeling sick, and so was I.

But today was a wet noisy day. It started about 2am with the weather alert radio going off. I gather a wind advisory went off for another county. It was raining as we left this morning. I just sewed most of the morning. The radio went off again about 11am with a tornado watch. About 1pm the sky got dark, and thunder started. Since it was dark and really windy, I turned off the machine and headed downstairs, put the dogs in their room, and waited it out. It cleared up slightly and I looked outside. I saw Babymama's dog rooting around her backyard, it seemed like the rains were done. Yea right! Immediately the sky turned white and the rains came down really hard! It was crazy out there. Many dogs were caught out in the rains I think, as I heard quite a lot of barking. Just before 3pm, it stopped and the sun came out again. Just amazing the turn around. Gray and heavy rains, then sun and heat. It's now getting cold. We are still under a wind advisory and the tornado warnings have moved eastward. I'm not sure what to expect tomorrow. Oh joy the beginning of the strange and fickle spring season has begun. Daylight savings begins this upcoming weekend.

Collegiate football? What's the big deal?

Yea, I think I might get kicked out of this state just because I don't follow college football. Goof has started watching it and he enjoys it. Says there is so much more than pro football. He is even watching high school football. I don't have the patience yet. I try to watch it, but I get bored. There are other things to do than sit there.

I'm a little worried about the weather. It's the beginning of fall, it's warm, but that's par for the course every where I believe. What I am worried about is the lack of rain. Goof says it's going to be a warm dry winter because of La Nina. Now I was told last winter was a mild one. So what am I to expect? No snow. Okay, I prefer no ice either.

Which all leads to the worry about drought. As it is we are in a stage 2 drought warning. Watering every other day, during certain times. I think it wouldn't have been so bad if we had sprinklers. But the dumb shit seller, had invested in St Augustine grass but no sprinkler system. Sheesh what a fool. There are counties in the metro Atlanta area that are at level 4. That means no watering whatsoever. I'm not really one for gardening. But I do know that I want to at least keep a decent looking front yard. I'm still bugged about the dead spots on the lawn. Dead because of bugs or dog pee I'm not sure. Maybe a combination of both. I'm worried, about the following year. Will I end up with dead lawns?

Rain finally

Humberto has left us rain in Northern GA. Lord knows we need it. I'm not complaining at all. This was what I was expecting when we moved out here. The rain, in every season. I'm not planning on spending my day sunbathing, not in the Georgia sun, it's closer to the equator. It's great to have lovely lawn, and the ability to play lawn sports with the family.
I do have an issue with the rain. It doesn't affect me as much as I find it an eyesore. Baby mama has a trailer filled with items. It has been there for over a week now. The rains have come, and continue to come for a few more days, this stuff is just getting wet and ugly. Things that were hidden in her backyard are sitting curbside. What are they waiting for? If they are donating it to some charity, then they forgot to call them to pick it up. At this point since they are not coming put it in the trailer and take it away. They have both vehicles in the driveway. I noticed when I went to get the paper the other day and their garage was open, some table was there blocking the opening. At this point I am not sure what to do. Call the city, and check the ordinaces? Have them come out and write a citation? Obviously they will know it's me. Another option is to go over there, and ring the doorbell wait 5-10 mins, while knocking and ringing so the annoyance will make her open the door, and ask her to remove the eyesore. Then the last option is to sit here and do nothing. I am a home owner, I have a vested stake in keeping the area neat and clean, it's my property value at stake. What would you do?

The other day after I had talked to Scarlett, I got a call from Droopy. It seems that Whinis had an unpleasant experience after school with Barney, Fred's younger brother. It seems the two brothers have issues that deed to be dealt with. Another failure of Enabler's that shows her style of parenting. What is a mother to do when an eight year old boy decides to expose his genitalia to your child? Droopy was furious. She called the school up and let them have it. I let her know that the outcome would be similar to what I received with Fred; the boys would be talked to, and the parent/guardian notified. A warning would be given, and that would be it. After that it's up to Barney to correct his behavior. I do believe that since Barney is younger, he would be able to adapted and learn quicker than Fred. Fred has chosen his path.

This morning Stinky had to be at school early. He was to take a science test to qualify for the Science Olympiad. I wish him well. As we were leaving the subdivision, we saw Big Red and his sister Kittykat. Of course we were heading in the same direction, and who wants to take the bus when traveling in a smaller vehicle that will reach it's destination quicker. As the kids were getting settled in the back, I noticed that Fred popped up from some bushes. I'm sure Fred will try to harass Stinky sometime soon because of this.

Always something here

So it's been rather relaxing here at the parental homestead. Until yesterday. Dad was driving 880 near Davis St and somehow my car caught on fire. This was on Saturday. We really didn't know what was going on. We found out yesterday that there was a hole in the engine. There was no oil in the car. Now I had mentioned to my mom on the phone and in person that my car ate oil. It doesn't leak it, but somehow it loses oil. Dad was informed also, but oh well. Just in January Youngest Uncle and Postman's child had gone together and paid for a major tune up, alignment and tires. All of this totaled over $1K. Youngest uncle and Postman's child haven't driven the car for months as Dad had been using it. Somehow it didn't dawn on him or whatever not to check the oil. My poor car is toast now. We can only hope to donate it quickly. Mom took the tires, including my brand new Aquatred spare, and the cheapo hubcaps, and put her old tires on the car. Goodbye to a reliable vehicle. It was a great car,that worked it's butt off for me.

Goof went down to central GA last night. He left around noon today. He was caught in a really hard thunderstorm. Said he was driving 15 mph, the rain was so hard you couldn't hear the thunder. He saw a power pole hit by lightning, and the generator nearby exploded. He thinks he might not have closed the sunroof completely as the water was leaking into the car too. My poor car, at least it kept him safe. Alas the rain was south of us. We need that rain, but water does not travel north. Goof says the water police have been on the lookout for violators. He admits that he hasn't been watering since we left. I know I'm gonna have to be the waterer since we can water after midnight. There is no way you can ask that of him. I wish we had automatic sprinklers.

I'm invited by youngest uncle to go to the Police concert on Wednesday. That should be fun. They had a few extra tickets and since I'm here, why not. It should be fun. I haven't been to a concert in a few years. Last one was for New Order with Goof.

The vacation is almost over. We went to Chinatown yesterday and picked up herbs and tea. I had to borrow a suitcase from mom for all the stuff we have. Stinky's suitcase is now filled with herbs for his favorite soups. I also have a big stinky salted fish in there. Oh boy that should be interesting when we fly home. What will the TSA think of that? Stinky also wants to take his robosapien home. That will have to be carry on. I don't trust the TSA. Shame of things.

Oh there was a clip on Youtube that had me laughing.

Watch carefully. Within the first minute of the clip, all that glad handing that Bush is doing will back fire on him. Someone steals his watch. Albanian Ebay will have that watch up soon! Oh bummer never mind,it was just confirmed that one of Bush's security people have his watch. Whether it's a lie and they just have spares is another story. I still think someone stole it, and they just lied. Damn those gypsies! lol