Very Random

These are some very random pictures I downloaded from my phone...

Itty bitty pineapples, taken at Coral Castle.

My son took this picture with his phone and shopped it.  I love how she has her foot raised up behind her head.

I took this on my way to Lake Placid last weekend.  This section of US27 is nothing but sugarcane fields, and some were being burned.  Smells bad, but not nearly as bad as the refinery smells when they're burning cane. It's like baby vomit...and I'm not kidding.

As I sit here in 70 degrees, windows wide open and just enjoying the fact that I can have the AC turned off for a change, this is my home in Pennsylvania.  My husband took it a few weeks ago and though the snow there has come and gone a few times, they have a bit more than is in this picture now.  He says lots of people are sledding and having fun with it.  Wish Aidan and I were there.  We miss sledding!

A Case of the Blahs

Here I am.  In Miami.  My husband of almost 2 months is in Pittsburgh.  We had planned on Aidan and I moving up there on December 27th, but things got in the way.  Namely legal issues.  I had to file for a "modification of visitation" and get legal permission from my ex to move out of state.  Thankfully, we talked and agreed on everything.  My lawyer had originally said the whole thing would be between $400 and $500.  I've paid her $450.  Last week, the day she filed all the paperwork, she informed me that I owe her $711!  AND that it will take "several weeks" for the judge to sign off on everything.

I was livid when she told me all this (which was via email).  I don't make a lot of money and it will take me a long time to save up that much money.  My husband offered to send me some money, but I just don't want to take any from him.  I feel like it's my mess and my responsibility to straighten out, eventhough I know it's "our" deal and it's not a "mess".  I am going to try to find some stuff to sell on Craigslist.  There's not much else I can do.  The majority of my paychecks go toward bills and food, with very little left over to save.

So here I am.  In Miami indefinitely while a whole new chapter in my life lies waiting to begin over 1200 miles away.  Yup, I got a bad case of the blahs.

For some strange reason, this picture is cracking me up right now...

Makes me think of my lawyer and the purdy new machete I got for Christmas...

Unexpected Surprises

For "Administrative Professionals" Day (just say Secretary!) my boss got me a bouquet of unusual flowers, the bulk of which had been somehow dyed neon pink.  I took a picture of the natural ones...

When I got home, I noticed my Voodoo Lillies, which had just died out a few weeks ago, are sprouting again!

It's such a strange, unusual plant, but I love it!  The yellow flower is just a shrimp plant...nothing too out of the ordinary.

A couple days ago, I walked over to the meeting room at work and saw this guy!  Strange place to do the whole cocoon thing, but hey, it worked for him (or her)!

Naked Carpet Guy

This advertisement has been up for over 30 years....I just noticed it a few weeks ago on I-95 and had to do a little investigating.



It was a take-off of a Burt Reynolds photo...

Don Bailey now:

Gotta give the guy a thumbs up for having a sense of humor!  I hope that billboard stays up for another 30 years. It's priceless!

Gotta Love It!

One of the BEST themes ever written...



Hope the new show is good and worth all the hype.

Ahhh....Daniel Dae Kim...I'll watch anything with him in it!



Ack...BUGS!

My stupid little Eeepc has a nasty virus.  I have messed with it for 2 days now, but I think I have finally got it under control - maybe. It's still there, but I think I have it where I can at least use the little computer without too much trouble.  Hell, I'm using it now and it seems ok. 

So today is Memorial Day.  I plan on BBQing later, but in the meantime, it's a continuation of the yardwork we started yesterday...pulling and gathering dead fronds, trimming trees, spraying roundup, spreading fertilizer, planting veggies, moving the sprinkler around the yard...etc.  But yesterday was special...every year, I pour an entire bottle of roach poison down this small hole in the backyard where our septic tank is.  I pour, then I run for cover....the roaches SWARM out!  It is SO nasty and it continues for a few hours...crazed, poisoned roaches scampering crazilly all over the yard.  But I love it :) 

Anyone who lives in Florida knows how the roaches are here.  It doesn't matter if you have an entire cleaning staff and a hermetically sealed house - they get in.  So, once a year in the beginning of the summer, I pour...and pour....and watch as 50-100 (I'm not kidding) roaches die a slow death.  It was the high point of my day yesterday.

If I make it to Mack Cycle today to get the little one some training wheels for his new bike, I think we'll go for a nice ride.

Enjoy the day, but please, stop for a moment and remember what today stands for!


 

WTF???

This morning I got on the scale...with trepidation.  I've felt fatter, like I've put on about 5 pounds lately.  I haven't been walking or anything.  My eating has been deplorable.  So I stepped on expecting the worst.

But I've lost 2 pounds.  WTF?  I stepped off and reset it...got back on.  Same thing!  How can that be?  I am now the skinniest (hahaha...LOTS of sarcasm there) I've been since having Aidan almost 6 years ago.

Very weird.

And here's a question for my fellow Floridians:  Is it just me, or do you feel fatter the minute the weather turns hot again?  I mean, the first day I break out in a sweat just by walking from my car to my front door, I instantly feel fatter.  My clothes are tighter. I feel blah.  When it's colder, I always feel thinner and my clothes are always looser.   I love the winter!  Does anyone else notice this or am I just my normal oddball self?

Not just for Hippies!

Check out the Greynold's Park "Love In"

I think my old "big" boss did a good job being "interviewed". I've never been before, but am thinking about going this time. It could be fun!

Now, it's 10:30 pm and I'm sitting here thinking "what the hell"...I think I'll post some odd pictures. Webcam art, it you will....




Ok, "art" it ain't...but I'll tell you what, a webcam can provide hours of cheap entertainment for a 5 year old and about an hour of fun for his mom ;)

Views during my Friday commute

Chased this pretty balloon in the morning on my way to work. I see this one up alot on nice, clear, calm mornings, but I've never gotten a shot this close before.

Stopped at the gas station to get some juice and had to snap a pic of the gorgeous Tabebuia out front.

Got to work and noticed the Cigar Orchid outside my office window was blooming again.

Then, driving home, I caught a glimpse of the damndest thing...a boat on wheels! Can you see it in my mirror? Unfortunately, that was the best shot I could get of it. Bizarre!

My new beast - the PinkiE

Ok, so it's not a beast, but it's bigger than my Yoda! I can actually haul stuff in it! And it is high enough off the ground that the potholes on Jane's Scenic will make me laugh!


And yes, I've already had my share of "problems" with it...had to replace the fuel pump when I'd had it less than one week, there is a minor oil leak coming from somewhere around the filter, the bracket holdng one of the tailpipes is loose and it tends to start making this horrificly loud vibrating noise now and then...and the other day the driver's side door wouldn't close. THAT problem got fixed temporarily by a coworker (Thanks, Jimmy!).

BUT I love my truck! I have already bonded with it. I have taken it out off the Trail and tested the 4X4 and at least THAT works....well, for now anyway...but I really do love my truck!

If you're wondering why I've named it "PinkiE", well...the kid I bought it from had a sticker on the back window...an "E". I asked what that was about and his Mom said, "What color is the E?" It was white. Well, it was good for short laugh, but I decided I could NOT drive with that E on it, so a friend told me to color it pink. Get it? I did and I liked it, but the pink Sharpie ink wasn't lasting, so off the sticker came. I didn't lose any sleep over it.

Fruits of my labor...

Just two days ago, this squash was little. I mean about 3 inches long. Today after work I went out to check on it and man...did it grow...ALOT! This is the biggest squash I have ever grown!

Ok, so I know it's not ginormous, but for me, it's BIG! 9 inches!!! (no comments from the peanut gallery)

And thrown in for random weirdness...

Yes, if my deceased father-in-law hadn't made a poor choice in his youth and forsaken his family business, my husband would own, or at least part own, the Sexton Food Company. Folks down South won't have heard of it. It's a Northern thing. I found this tin in an antique store and had to buy it...it's the only thing we have from that company.

I am thinking of starting a short, but possibly somewhat interesting weekly "feature"...Homes of the Famous and Infamous! Miami is home to alot of folks that fit that title. I thought it may be kind of fun to let y'all see the homes of some of the people who fit that title. We'll see how it goes...I'll post the first one tomorrow. I can see you shivering with anticipation...

Secret Societies

Ok, this is a strange question, but...are any of you out there Freemasons? My husband is thinking about joining (he has found out he knows several masons) and I just want to get some thoughts on it.

I have had a few members of my family in years past (Way past. We're talking my great-great grandfather and great uncles and aunts) who were Masons or in the Order of the Eastern Star (the women's version of the masons), but I have never known, at least that I'm aware of, any current members of any "secret societies".

I'd like to know something more about them. I know they aren't devil-worshipping heathens. I know they do good things. But I am not sure how I feel about my husband becoming one. Do they drink alot? How often do they meet? What's their deal?

If you have anything to offer, please feel free to post a comment anonymously or email me. I'm just very curious and want to know a bit more what my hub may be getting into.

Can someone please explain?

Ok, this has been bugging me for a long time...years actually...but my new neighbors have brought it to my attention again. It's nothing they have intentionally done to me. It's merely something they do, or rather "don't" do, that I just don't understand...

They never open their windows. Ever.

When the first cool days hit Miami, the very first thing I do is sing "Hallelujah!!!", turn off the A/C and open all the windows in the house. Hundreds of dollars are saved. my house gets aired out, and well...it's just NICE! Even when it starts to warm up again, as long as the nights are cool I leave the A/C off. For as long as I can stand it...it stays off.

Now, remember a couple weeks ago when it was COLD down here at night and really wonderful during the day? Well, my neighbors had their AIR CONDITIONER ON!!!!! I'd be outside feeding the cat and the damn thing would kick on...and yes, it was their A/C not the heater. Water would come spurting out of this weird little pipe they have. Correct me if 'm wrong, but I think the only time water (condensation?) comes out is when the air conditioner is on.

They are "those kind of people" that go from A/C to heat with nothing in between. I've known others like that. Say what you will, but it is just plain WEIRD!

Anybody out there one of "those people"? If so, can you explain it to me? I need to hear a valid reason for this because it has puzzled me for years!

Coming and Going

On my way to work in the morning, I saw this...



Guess the atmospheric conditions have been just right for ballooning lately!

The fruit trees in the picture are papayas.




On my way home from work in the evening, I passed this...

Made me think of SophieMae!

The King

Happy Birthday, Elvis...wherever you are!

Fiddlin' Around

I think this guys is so awesome!



And it's my favorite song, too!

What next?

Today has just been so special (read with heavy sarcasm).


Once again, Aidan got out of going to school. I couldn't do a thing about it since I was at work. His Dad caved and he got to stay home. Again. He didn't go not one day this week.


My son's car crapped out on him. He was coming home from class and when he turned a corner, the engine acted like it went into neutral...kind of. Then it would snap out of it and drive a little then it would do it again. All the way home. I have a feeling it will cost BIG$$$ to fix and I'm not sure I can do it. I think the oldest needs to check out the bus route to school.


I kicked my husband out for about the 1 billionth time, and as usual, I came home from work and his stuff is still here. *sigh*


But the worst thing today was what happened to my camera. We had a big party at work and I went to take some pictures and this is what happened:

Me thinks my camera is dead. The batteries are fine, I didn't drop it, it didn't get wet. I have no idea what could be wrong with it.

If this is a preview of what the weekend is going to be like, I think I'll stay in bed for the next 48 hours!

My Face is Not a Book

Google Earth Challenge will get posted Wednesday.

I've been having a Facebook overload the past couple of days (and I HATE Facebook!).

Back in, oh...about 1983 (?) I was friends with a bunch of folks and we hung out together constantly. We were "The Gang". One of The Gang has been going crazy on Facebook, tracking all of us down, so now we're all "re-connecting" and catching up.

There were some good memories from back then...and plenty of bad, too. Some of the folks I have missed, and some I haven't. But whatever, it's fun to see what everyone is up to and how they've changed. I get an evil pleasure out of seeing current pics of some people and knowing that, gee...I'm not the only one who has put on a few pounds and/or really does look a bit older! hehehehe!!!

Maybe after I scan some old pics to post on Facebook, I'll post some here, too. Just for sh!ts and grins :)

Off on a tangent

Gopher Tortoise. Ain't he cute?

Checking on my guavas today, I noticed I've got bananas! Yay! Not many, but coming from a tree I take absolutely no care of, I'd say it's pretty good to be getting any.

My sister, who lives in Broward Co., took this picture today. She didn't know that the cute little things hanging out on her rose bushes were baby iguanas. They are cute, but not native and very invasive.

South Florida has an over abundance of non-native critters, the iguana being one. They have been in the news alot lately. The only way to really control them is to kill them. Now, I'm an animal lover, but there are some who may doubt that when I say I agree about killing the iggys. There are too many of them and there is just nothing else to do. Sure nature helps a bit by sending us cold snaps once or twice a year (they don't survive too well in extreme cold temps). But something else needs to be done. It would be nice if a vet volunteered to euthanize all iguanas brought to him, but that's not ever going to happen. It's a sad thing that has happened just because people bought those cute little babies (like my sis has in her yard), but then when they got too big decided they couldn't keep them anymore and turned them loose. Bad move.

Iguanas, parrots and parakeets, various lizards and geckos, boas and pythons... I think the pet industry really needs to be better regulated. The state has taken steps, at least as far as large snakes go, but I don't know if anything's being done about the other problems we have.

And I've learned our bear population has grown tremendously in recent years. Could they be thinging of possibly having a bear season? Most likely. The sad thing is, it's not the bear's fault. It's ours. South Florida's continued building and growth really sucks for our native creatures. More and more bear encounters are happening because we have moved into their territory.

I have hunters in my family. Most animal lovers think bad things about hunters. I do not. Hunters are actually some of the most environmentally conscious people around. They are also some of the biggest animal lovers. I do not like people who hunt for the "thrill" of it. Hunt for food. Eat what you kill. Honor the life you've taken. If we didn't have hunting seasons, our deer population would be horribly over populated and sickly. Hogs are not even native here, but we don't go out and allow random killing of them. We have hog seasons. We have turkey season. Rabbit, too (oh, I could never eat a rabbit!). And alligator season! At one time, gators were protected here. As a result, their population exploded and now no body of water in Florida is exempt from them...including swimming pools. So we now have a heavily regulated gator season, which is based on a lottery for a permit. It hasn't hurt their population at all. I love alligators. And...they taste pretty good, too. Would I hunt one? Nope. I have no desire to ever hunt anything. But I am not against it. There are very valid and good reasons for hunting and I support them 100%.

Now, if I was in the Everglades and came across a python, I would kill it without a second thought. (and I have a particular fondess for snakes and have owned 2 pythons)

Wow...what was the point of this post? I think I got off tangent a bit! Anyhoo...if you have an exotic pet, wherever you live, never EVER release it into the wild!

I gotta go make dinner now. 'Night All!

Be Warned!

Gee, I'm feeling so needed! I received these two emails only hours apart.

"Gosh, it is SO tempting", says SwampAngel sarcastically...


Dear Friend,I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise.Iam the bill and exchange manager in African Development Bank (ADB).I Hoped that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that i am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit ofour both families.
We need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of $11.3million immediately to your account.The money has been dormant for years in our Bank here withoutany body coming for it.We want to release the money to you as the nearest person to ourdeceased
customer(the owner of the account)who died a long with his supposed next of
kin in an air crash since July 2000.
We don't want the money to go into our Bank treasuryas an abandoned fund.So this is the reason why i contacted you,so that we will can releasethe money to you as the nearest person to the deceased cutomer.Please we would likeyou to keep this proposal as a top secret and delete if you are not interested.
Uponreceipt of your reply,i will send you full details on how the business will be executed andalso note that you will have 35% of the above mentioned sum if you agree to transact thebusiness with us.Dr Kuroma Jemba
African Development Bank (ADB).,Burkina Faso-WestAfrica.

*****

Dear Friend,This is a Management Placement on behalf of Mr. Kim Woo Choong,Mr. Kim Woo Choong is looking for an experienced business person/company that can profitably invest monies in excess of Fourty Nine Million US Dollars outside China. The sum will be paid from Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.Visit our bank website at http://www.icbcasia.com/eng/index.shtml Or request immediate information from:Mr. David HuangAccount OfficeIndustrial & Commercial Bank of China (London) Limited36 King Street, London, EC2V 8BB, UKMost importantly, you will be required to:[1]. Act as the original beneficiary of the funds.[2]. Receive the funds into a business/private bank account.[3]. Invest/Manage the funds outside of China.Mr. Kim Woo Choong is willing to pay 10% for your role as the beneficiary partner to the funds. Also, a subsequent 10% "Management Commission" will be paid for your advised investment services.If you prefer to be re-contacted for more express information, please send us your:[1] Full Names:[2] Contact address:[3] Direct Telephone No:Be advised to visit the following links to be better acquainted with Mr. Kim Woo Choong's current profile and personality.http://www.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/05/30/skorea.daewoo/?section=cnn_latesthttp://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HF01Dg03.htmlhttp://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=8637We expect your correspondence and our response will be swift.Please write backpromptly via this confidential emailaddress{icbcengland02@yahoo.com.hk} forfurther information.Signed:Ms.Connie Lee,Company SecretaryIndustrial & Commercial Bank of China (London) Limited36 King Street, London, EC2V 8BB, U

This crap amazes me, but what really amazes me is that there are people out there who fall for them. My husband was almost one of them. He actually callled me over to read it on edya when he got one in his email. He had started to send a reply! I set him straight right quick!

Do NOT ever, EVER play into these idiots hands by responding to them. They are NOT legit and will end up in you losing LOTS of money. So be smart and hit "DELETE" when one hits your inbox!