Spring Cleaning Time Again. . .

I mean really how hard can it be to get on your computer and go to the Google search and type in “cost of professional carpet cleaning austintexas” or “discount carpet cleaning services austin texas” or something of that nature in order for my aging aunt to get her carpets  thoroughly cleaned.  That way one of us doesn’t have to make the long drive to her place and use her very old and broken down do it yourself carpet cleaner that she has had for years, and should have thrown out ages ago in an effort to help her with her spring cleaning that she goes all out for each and every spring.

It didn’t use to be that big of a deal when more of us still lived locally or at least in the same state. But as most families have, folks have been moving further and further away as time goes by. But now that it is just a small handful and life is keeping everyone busy as bees trying to work as many jobs as they can find in these tough economic times that we have found ourselves in the middle of for way too long now.

So now we are trying to get my aunt to start using her computer more. For the most part she just uses it for emails and sending photos to friends and family. She knows her way around the keyboard and can type a million words a minute but as far as using it for researching anything or anyone is still something that she needs work and help with. Which is another task that one of needs to take by the horns with her as well, God Bless her.

Purses and Flip Flops Are In The News

A few months ago I was hearing of all the nasty germs that were found on the bottom of purses. I have been trying to keep up with keeping my purse’s bottom side a bit cleaner and not putting on the kitchen counter or dining room table. Now the big news is about how dirty our flip flops are and how they are finding all types of gross germs on them. Guess I’ll have to start paying better attention to my flip flops now, sigh………………..

fflip flops in the dishwasher
Not Sure I Like This Idea

As much as I hate germs I just don’t think I could put my flip flops in the dishwasher along with a load of dishes, that’s just wrong!

Flash Freeze

Spent so much time looking at the fresh fish counter that someone from the grocery store’s fish department actually came over and started talking to me. He asked if I was looking for anything special, and I told him I was looking for tilapia.

He pointed out the section of frozen fish that was displayed in a freezer section right next to the fresh fish counter. There a big bag of tilapia in the freezer, on sale for only $4.99 and he told me that the frozen was a better price than the fresh.

When I wrinkled up my nose at the idea of frozen instead of fresh, he explained that the fishermen catch the tilapia out on the water in big nets, and then they clean and flash freeze the fish right on board the boat. So, the frozen are actually fresher than the fresh ones that are taken back to port, cleaned on land and then put on a truck and driven for a couple of days to the stores. Isn’t that ironic? But it does make sense!

More Snow On It’s Way

Oh goodie, the weatherman is promising us more snow is on the way. I was really hoping for a mild winter this year, but it hasn’t been working out that way at all. This will be the 4th major snow storm this winter and we still possibly have 2 more months to go. Oh what I would give for it to be spring all ready.

Body Kits for The Ford Mustang

I have always enjoyed working with my hands. I grew up with several brothers and I found myself hanging around them and my dad a lot in the drive way and the garage watching them, learning from them and helping them work on various vehicles through out the years. I really think that I would have made a good mechanic or learned how to do paint and body work but things just didn’t work out that way, but I still enjoy hanging around and helping them when I can.

My one oldest brother is totally into and so very proud of  his 2005 Ford Mustang and is looking at various body kits online that he plans on purchasing with his tax refund money. My first car was a 1967 Ford Mustang so I’ve always had a soft spot for the Mustang and I can’t wait to see which of the bodykits he decides on and I so  plan on being there when he starts the work on it as soon as it is delivered. I’m sure my other brothers will be close by when the time comes and there will be a lot of hustle and bustle going on in the garage when the time comes. It sounds like a great way to spend a few days with family doing something that we all enjoy and will be proud of when all is said and done.

Word of Honor

Took my niece to the library over the weekend. We both love to read and we enjoy going to library together now and then. It’s our time together doing things that we enjoy doing for the day.

While we were there I was looking to see if I could find “The General’s Daughter” by Nelson DeMille. He is the author of the book “Up Country” that I just finished reading a few days ago. I couldn’t find that particular book but I did see that he has several books out that I look forward to reading in the near future. In the mean time I picked up “Word of Honor” by Mr. DeMille and so far, so good.

a good read
Word Of Honor

 

New Best Place

With the economy being as it is today, eating out has become more of a luxury for our family dining. Although the kids like to patronize the fast food places, my husband and I prefer to go somewhere a little more interesting. On this occasion we decided to check out a new restaurant that had just opened and after battling with the kids over where to go, we set the security alarm  and headed out. When we arrived at the new Red Elephant, we were very surprised with what we saw, as were the kids. Inside the decor was a wonderful mix of hand painted murals, featuring all sorts of wild animals.

The kids were totally in awe and had to take time to search them all out. They even wandered into the arcade, which to them, was the greatest thing on earth. The menu had everything an adult might want to eat, as well as pizza and burgers for the younger set. Large screen tv’s were in every corner, so grown-ups could watch the news, as well as sporting events. The evening was a huge success and I think the kids may have, at least for the time being, forgotten about that famous fast food place. Must say that the elephant ears on the menu were the icing on the cake.

pizza and games
Help Wanted at the Red Elephant Restaurant

Dinner Theater

I am going to take my 11 year old niec to the Dinner Theater in a few weeks. She given tickets to it for her birthday and she decided that she wanted me to take her to it instead of her mom. They have “The Pirates of Penzance Junior” which we should both enjoy and I look forward to going with her!

All I Want For Christmas

Hard to believe that Christmas is only a month away, it seems as if we just took down all of the holiday decorations just a few short months ago, now we have to put them up all over again. It takes a lot of time, work and effort each year to get ready for the big day on December 25th and each year we end up buying more items that we just can’t live without to make our houses look festive and welcoming.

My folks have all ready been sending out emails asking what each of us would like for our Christmas presents this year. They always buy the best presents out of anyone I know, they aren’t struggling for money and are willing to purchase items that most people wouldn’t dream of buying some one for Christmas. Like last year I really needed a new stove and I didn’t have the cash to buy a new one, so they bought one of the top of line Jen Air models for me and I couldn’t be happier. And my brother had his heart set on a new roll tonneau cover for his new Ford Pick Up so they made sure that he got the one that he wanted that year. My sister on the hand wanted a new Harley Davidson, but my parents aren’t that generous and she is still moaning and groaning about that.

I have to put my thinking cap on this year to give them some ideas to choose from, it’s really strange that I’m having a hard time coming up with something that I really want or need. That doesn’t happen very often, I can tell you that! I have a week or so to mull it over and come up with some suggestions, I’m sure I’ll figure something out to tell them.

Witches on Brooms

Tonight I checked the sky for witches on brooms. Didn’t see any and I wonder what I would have done if I had seen a witch!

Actually I am intrigued with witches and witchcraft. I know of several women who say they are good witches and they don’t really make a big deal about it around us. I say if they have any powers to help people and they don’t cause any harm, then they should be able to do whatever they want to do without being harassed or persecuted.

So, if you are a witch – have a Happy Halloween!

witchy ways
Witches and Broomsticks