| The news as it happens... current news will be at the top.
Until I have an airbrush, compressor and sundry supplies, there won't be serious pottery news. But I think things will start to come together after our move.
I'll feed you some of the boredom of my life if it helps you feel superior!
| december 2007 |
Wow, almost Xmas... I got the shopping done for hubby and most of it has arrived, WHEW! Did some shopping for the cats, but we plan to look into a nice cat tree for them later, when I have more time. Now it's time to fix a little food for a nice dinner tomorrow, decorate the tree and WRAP STUFF!
Presuming all goes well, we'll shred Xmas morning!
Our plumbing project went well, we are waiting for a few hole covers in a matching brushed nickel finish, but the new shower fixture works as advertised! No more sudden temp swings when the toilet gets flushed or someone uses the kitchen sink. And it looks super too! Well, except for the hole in the wall between shower and toilet...
Sad... our favorite and ONLY Thai restaurant in town closed. Fortunately, we got the news earlier in the week, so we literally went and ate all our Thai favorites for several nights. The owner gave us one of her restaurant plants, a "Pachira" or Good Luck Money Tree, as she didn't have room for it in the smaller place she plans to open next year in the Tri-Cities. I got the plant home OK and it is so far happy in our dining nook by the window.
Luna threatened to shred it, but after being locked in my office a few times and squirted with the water pistol, she has so far only maimed one leaf each night. I love having the plant, I really missed houseplants! Before I accepted it, I looked it up to be sure it is not toxic to cats.
I found a couple pets and plants links that I thought I'd post. Since plants are often given as gifts or used for decor around the holidays, let's be sure to keep our animals safe!
Plants and Pets Non-Toxic Listing
Plants and Pets Toxic Listing
Happy Holidays to all!
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| november 2007 |
November's almost over... it's the 29th. Whew, I'm not cut out to be a blogger, I guess, cause it looks like it's been a while since I last posted!
I had to give up on the Body Transformation Challenge, my feet and my left shoulder were just too much of a problem for me to do all the weights and exercise. I need to get back to that, but keep the workouts a little milder and rein in the eating more.
First big snow day here! Record of 5.4" for the date set.
AND... the 1st shot in the bottom row made the KNDU 11 PM TV news as a weather picture! I guess I get more status now as a weather service wife, LOL!
I spent TWO HOURS yesterday vacuuming up the rest of the maple seeds our neighbor's tree rained down upon the pool and deck. Now you see why it's the "hated maple tree" in my snow picture album above. Better that than leaving them to rot over the winter, but it's not the most fun job working outside in 40F and rolling half-frozen water bags about!
Did no good for my feet being on them all that time. I've really been set back there lately. First the time spent getting the pool covered, then some yard clean up, and house clean up and all the time photographing and packing and shipping. Now I need to get the inflammation under control again.
Wish me luck on further weight loss! Good news, I did just get some new water shoes (Speedo Women's Hydro XP Pro), these should be more supportive. I was having trouble with my feet even IN the pool, so I think I needed that. Besides, the first pair I bought were cheap shoes and have pretty well worn to the point of not giving me any traction anymore.
Will keep working slowly on sales pix. Not sure I really want to be selling and shipping in this kind of weather anyway.
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| august 2007 |
OK, I guess it's been a while! What can I say, I get busy, I am tired, I forget to update.
Back in April, got diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation in my feet. This is a royal pain, because one is supposed to keep off one's feet as much as possible to heal, yet, one still has to do cooking, cleaning, etc... My yard has gone to pot, because it's just too hard to keep up with only being able to be on my feet a limited amount. Exercise is mainly in the gym pool.
Live shows are pretty much out for the year too, driving aggravates the problem and all the shows are a 4-5 hour drive at best.
We are still trying to find a better mattress, so far we tried a Select Comfort 5000 but it just didn't work out. I kept having pain and would wake up sore. We are trying a better Select Comfort model currently, but I'm beginning to think we need to look to another brand as I'm still waking up sore and cranky.
For some GOOD news... I have managed to lose some more weight, and that's not a bad thing at all. The foot doctor wants it, my regular doctor wants it and *I* want it.
In fact, I've gone so far as to expand on my mid-life crisis of getting back into shape by entering a BODY TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE! That's right, 50 years old, injured, fat and going for the gusto anyway. So far, I've lost 10 pounds in like a month! Fitness-wise, I'm frustrated a bit, as my left shoulder is becoming a problem and I can't swim all my strokes in the pool. It is also a little iffy for weight lifting. But I am going to persevere, because I just can't go back.
On the pool issue, having trouble getting someone out to see it. Hard to say if we'll get it fixed this year or whether the nightmare continues at this rate. One big empty hole in the ground.
|
| february 2007 |
Still sick. And up for jury duty. And the idiot clerks at the courthouse didn't believe me when I called in sick and had me come in anyway in the cold and fog. I was sent home after they saw me. But too late... I ended up with a major relapse. The pinkeye returned for the THIRD time and all the sore throat got really bad. I even had the pinkeye come back briefly for a fourth and final appearance. Man, it was tenacious! Finally, by the end of the month all is starting to turn round and I am beginning to feel human again. I've got a little cough, but that's it.
Oddly, we are getting lots of snow! None is sticking, but it feels weird. Usually we are starting to see some sunny days by February, but there hasn't been much of that this year.
|
| january 2007 |
Got my boobs mashed for a baseline mammogram. Damn, these things you gotta do just make you feel old!
Windy day comes along... blows pool cover partly off one side. Too cold to fix it. Worse, we can see that the water level has dropped WAY lower than it even did last year. We suspect a serious problem, like a leak with the bottom drain. Don't know if we'll be able to afford to fix it or whether we will give up and have the blasted pool filled. Something to worry about until late spring! Well, we knew there was a bad leak before, but this is likely worse news, in terms of possible repair costs. Either way, fix or fill, it's going to be a hefty bill I suspect.
And then... I'm happily working out, have just done my best workout yet, and I come home and my throat is sore. Uh oh. Yep, I got sick. Worse, after three days, I also came down with a severe case of pink eye in both eyes. Absolutely miserable second half of January. Down and out. Comatose practically, from all the decongestants and junk. Did course of antibiotics, helped not a whit. Ugh.
|
| december 2006 |
Well, what can one say... I kept my gym workouts going, I did not gain weight, but otherwise, it was the usual pre-Christmas madhouse. I also finally got a doctor checkup, right before Christmas. I got told I had an enlarged thyroid. There's nothing like getting a GOITER for Xmas! (Note, after having blood drawn, my thyroid levels appear normal...)
Nevertheless it all finally came together on Christmas Day, when I frantically decorated the tree, the house and wrapped the presents, while the kittens went NUTS!
We celebrated in the evening, when George got off work.
2006 Perry Xmas SHRED
|
| 13 november 2006 |
I about lose it... I've been fighting the pool now for two weeks... it's been rainy, it's been windy, the leak is still going, the weather has been either so cold that I need to run the pump at night in case of freezes or I need to run it just to keep the surface of the pool from getting to grungy from the wind storms.
So anyway, I go out in the chill morning and see that the bottom of the pool is nearly covered with leaves again after I had just gotten it cleaned out the previous day. This is not easy... it involves using a net bag known as a "leaf rake" to scoop stuff up from the bottom. Soggy leaves are heavy! And it is tricky to keep pressure on the pole so it is scooping down at the bottom of the pool. So my arms and shoulders get really sore.
The pool ran beautifully for a whole FOUR MONTHS after we spent big money to fix the previous leaks. (One plumbing, one pool light, to a tune of better than 2K.)
Now, it's leaking again, possibly in a different spot and we have no idea where and can't diagnose until next year's season. And if it's plumbing again, the most likely thing, it's probably another 2K or more. It's become a dark cloud hanging over us, and worriesome, as the pool is so close to the house.
So, I *think* I've made a decision to help on the money front... watch for the BIG BISQUE SALE to come. I've accumulated various bisques, figuring eventually, I could glaze customize them. But, even after I manage to get my electrical done, which I'm hoping to do this winter after we deal with a few other issues, like the kitchen sink plumbing, it would probably take a year of painting hobby mold cast pieces before I'd feel comfortable enough to do airbrushing on the bisques I've accumulated. For that reason, I am planning to sell many of those bisques to put aside money towards pool repair NOW.
It's tough, but it's the only thing I can think of to do.
|
| 1 november 2006 |
Bad, bad news... well, the pool wasn't closed down and we had a big freeze warning. I kept the pool filled and the pump running, as the best option to avoid freezing pipes or damage to the pool equipment. All seemed well, the pump had no trouble keeping the water moving and the water in the pool did not drop lower than 40F to my knowledge.
But... after the freeze, suddenly, we are losing water again. And it's a bad leak, it was down three inches in two days, as I'd checked it Sunday.
I run down to the pool place, now open, and find out they will be keeping the guy who worked for the former owner, which is good, but that they can't get to our pool yet, because said guy is going elk hunting for a couple weeks.
|
| october 2006 |
Big shock! Decided to close down the pool, called the pool place to make an appointment and the phone had been disconnected! I tried several more times and finally drove down there to see what was up. Closed up, with sign that the old owner had sold off and the new owners would open on November 1. As we replaced all the pool equipment, I wasn't sure what to do to shut it down... and, really, needed help with the covering operation as well, as I just am not sure I'm physically up to it. |
| 1 september 2006 |
Oh happy day! Wet spot was not there this morning and has not returned. It must've just been a fluke, thank goodness! |
| 31 august 2006 |
Gloom. BIG gloom. Yesterday one of my return jets (the recently fixed one of the infamous pool leak) was bubbling badly. Air in the system. Well, that's not always a big deal, I did what the pool guy did last time it happened... i.e. fiddled with things. I backwashed (needed doing anyway) and turned off the solar panels for the night and the bubbles went away. So I thought all was probably well, but this morning, I turned the solar panels back on, went to check on the jet, and while it was not bubbling, I did notice a very DAMP spot in the mortar behind the repaired return jet. This is bad. All else on the deck was dry.
OK, it *could* just be a one time thing... perhaps a bird chose to splash around right at that spot, but needless to say, a big worry to us! I've notified the pool guy and he will be out to take a looksee tomorrow AM.
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| 30 august 2006 |
It's DUMP DAY! Yes, I got a full station wagon load together, 320 pounds worth of old fallen apart wood file cabinet, old child's desk hubby was using, so bad off that even the Salvation Army didn't want it, my poor Swedish wood shelves (meant for the pottery) that molded in the basement disaster as the standards were laying bundled on the floor, my old 5 foot folding table (also meant for the pottery) that got molded and the pressboard soaked and swollen, plus the cheap and cheesy Wal-Mart bookshelves that hubby owned that also got ruint. And some crud from the previous owners that I dug from out behind the pool house.
It's all gone now! Huzzah! The driveway, where I was piling it, in order to keep mold spores AWAY from the house, no longer looks like a slum. I am tired, tired to the bone, but happy!
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| 26 august 2006 |
It's SHRED DAY! Time for all recipients of oodles of those nice credit card checks to just say no and shred them! (We get a million of these and have never used them once. They seem like a bad thing to leave about.)
In addition, this weekend we are sorting through our file cabinets. Mind you, we have no real filing system yet, our paperwork is loosely organized at best. Still... in the interest of continuing to FIT items into the overstuffed cabinets we have, the great paper throwaway is well begun.
I told you from the start I'd be feeding you the boredom of my life... and now, I must go vacuum the swimming pool.
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| 19 august 2006 |
So far, so good. No return of water in the basement as yet, though we may still wait to re-do the sheetrock until after winter rains to be sure of no further seepage. I have bought a manual timer for the back hose, I'm testing it today. (Also, so far, so good, it just did turn off the soaker hose I was running.)
Meanwhile... both George and I have been sorting through some of our stuff downstairs and donations have been flying to the library and animal shelter thrift store. That's helping provide room.
Our pool deck is back together and the bill has arrived... UGH! It's a doozy! I know I'll be selling more stuff than I thought, including trying to see if any of George's old weather textbooks can bring in any cash.
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| 2 august 2006 |
The water damage people have come and gone... the wet carpet (fortunately old and not wonderful anyway) is gone. Fans and a dehumidifier are drying us out. A fair amount of sheetrock had to be cut out to get rid of the mold, but the mold wasn't as bad as feared. Our studs and wood were not affected. I am thankful.
As bad as this is, it could've been worse. It's bad for me, as it may take longer for me to now deal with this, finish the yard and try and get my kiln room into shape, but I will just push on. The thought of all my hard work on George's office room being destroyed is tough though. 'Twas beautiful before this disaster.
The cats are enjoying running through the walls...
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| 1 august 2006 |
DISASTER! I just found water in the basement! The room I was readying for my husband to use as an office has soaked carpet and his new desk is damaged.
The next room over also has damp carpet. I am clearing both rooms and will be calling water damage specialists, as I see mold on walls in spots.
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| 16 july 2006 |
The battle of the yard has continued, bit by bit I'm whipping the back yard into shape and working here and there on the front yard. I've dug out two climbing roses put where there was nothing for them to climb, sigh... and am generally battling weeds out front. Out back, I'm working on digging grass out along the pool fence. This is where I'll have a vegetable garden next year. This year, our hopes are pinned on two very lately planted tomatoes.
A yellow jacket trap has been hung... the pool really seems to attract them and we are somewhat afraid there might be a nest in the attic. So I'm discouraging their presence.
A fly trap has also been hung... that thing is SCARY! I am not only catching our yard flies... but apparently attracting the entire neighborhood's worth. OTOH, I'm rarely bothered by them as the trap keeps them so busy.
On the pool front, swimming has been great, but we are still awaiting a new pool sweep. I've had to hand vacuum to keep dust down and well... that's time consuming and honestly, not as effective as I'd like. Worse, yesterday when I did it, something may have finally given way in the skimmer, as the next morning, we had a ton of air in the system. The pool guy is coming Monday...
I can see another pool bill coming, sigh.
|
| 4 july 2006 |
Pool chemistry is done and I get to celebrate by a nice swim in the late evening... once dark, I'm floating about watching the various illegal fireworks the neighbors are setting off. Great show! |
| 1 july 2006 |
Pool leak seems to be fixed... we have filled the pool, pump is running and I'm about to put chemistry in. (A royal pain... but gotta be done.) |
| 9 june 2006 |
Spent two hours digging in the back garden. I want to get some compost in, loosen the soil some and then bark mulch it all. Or at least most of it. I'm not sure what to do about the small bed of irises. They aren't a color I like all that much, but hey, they are there. I guess I'll try to thin and otherwise neaten that area up around the end of summer.
Little girl kitten has a name! We are calling her Luna, as she came to us during a new moon phase. She's getting along quite well with the kittens and easing Tablet's grief for Gray.
Turns out that the pool guys will need to tear up a large section of decking to get our broken pipe back into place. They are coming with the jackhammer Monday. I guess I'll schedule some indoor chores that day to get away from the noise!
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| 30 may 2006 |
The new girl went to the vet to get her first shots and wormer... it appears she will be staying with us. Dubbed Stray Perry at the vet clinic, our first job will be to find her a name. |
| 28 may 2006 |
George and I came home tonight to find a wee dilute calico girl kitten who needed a home. Perhaps Gray has sent her. She is very self-assured. |
| 25 may 2006 |
One of the saddest days of my life. My beloved old cat Gray passed away in the early morning hours. I hope later, when things get easier, to post a little memorial for him. |
| 20 may 2006 |
Northwest Congress was a blast! This was my second time attending show... as actually, I first attended with a friend by flying up from the Bay Area, CA some years ago. Check out my album from the show! |
| 17 may 2006 |
Yard work waits for no man (or woman). Whew! I've been working like crazy to get areas dug and mulched, or laid with soaker hose, or weeded or otherwise tamed! The back yard is getting close, except for my currently weedy vegetable garden to be along the fence. The front yard is only partially under control.
I just dug about 18" down to get an old, crappy and diseased rosebush out of the front yard. It is high 90s out, I know it hit 97 yesterday! I am glad to be back in the cool.
Anyway, heading out for my second live show this year on Friday, Northwest Congress! Hopefully I'll get some pix there too!
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| 24 april 2006 |
I'm back from my first Oregon live show, Spring Fever Live 2006. 'Twas a small but sweet OF china division! Sadly, I missed getting pictures of the custom glaze division (even smaller, sigh). Hopefully I will see Region 1 china showers in force at Northwest Congress in May! |
| 16 april 2006 |
Well, it's been awhile! Since the move, I've been so busy, it's been hard to update this page. But heck, I need to let folks know what's doin', so here I am again.
Today is my birthday... you don't want to know how old I am. Frankly, the amount of work to be done around here is making me feel OLDER, if anything. However, taxes are done and mailed yesterday, so that's something to celebrate for sure!
Meanwhile, I had a painting disaster in George's office room in the basement, I just sanded that down today and will repaint soon. Though I think, rather than working on one of my rooms next, I think the next project MUST be the laundry room. We need a washer/dryer and badly!
That work will be intermixed with yard work when weather and my aching body will permit. The blame yard just must grow... so I can't exactly put it off forever. I am making some progress though, and eventually, it will be easier to water and tend.
I need to be two people, LOL!
|
| 25 december 2005 |
Our three cats believe in Santa Claus... |
| 1 june 2005 |
We are officially moving in... the movers delivered our stuff yesterday and today, we leave the hotel for good. I expect to be offline briefly, hopefully for not more than a week.
Gray is not pleased to be uprooted again, though we think he'll be happy once he gets used to the new house.
There is a lot of unpacking to do!
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| 3 may 2005 |
Ah, the transfer of utilities... the scent of new bills!
The change of address forms are going to the PO!
Did I mention we watched "The Money Pit" over the weekend? George hasn't run for the hills yet. Hmmm, I guess that would be hard for him to do, we are living in the hills or about to be!
|
| 2 may 2005 |
The house recorded properly, I picked up the keys, we are officially homeowners!
But not entirely masters of our domain... it seems we don't have keys to many of the doors that have locks, and can only actually open the front door. And we need to get a key to the padlock on the side gate. But it will all work out!
I anticipate a locksmith bill shortly...
|
| 29 april 2005 |
It's official, we closed on our new house today! It records on Monday and hopefully, by Monday afternoon, I can pick up the keys! Then the fun really begins!
Though we did find a nice little downtown Italian eatery today after the closing, yum! George had polenta and meatballs, I had a spinach ricotta pie.
I'll probably add to the house pictures or get better ones at the above link at some point in time.
Now we are properly in debt up to our necks like a good American should be! ;^)
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| 7 april 2005 |
George has reported for duty at his new office. I am back online in the hotel. We arrived late on the 5th... but I had to veg out for a day. It was a long drive!
Gray is doing well, though understandably upset by what he considered to be bednapping by the movers.
(Grand theft bed gets life imprisonment in kitty world!)
Fortunately, the fact that our hotels have had beds has reassured him somewhat. As I type, he is curled up in his fleece kerfloppen (cat bed) on the sofa in our suite.
|
| 2 april 2005 |
We head west after George gets off work.
Next stop, Pendleton, Oregon!
|
| 30 march 2005 |
The movers come to pack us up... EEK! |
| 16 february 2005 |
My husband George gets hired for a new job as general forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Pendleton, OR!
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pdt/
|
| 31 may 2004 |
First break-in firing! Little Chipotle performed flawlessly! |
| 18 may 2004 |
I have my kiln! It's a Cress FTX911M and what a cutie! |
| 10 march 2004 |
Windy and cold! Temps dropped quite a bit today.
We went to see a movie, Wooly Boys. Nice flick, filmed primarily in North Dakota. You'll love the sheepherding horse and the lamb named Chili Meat.
|
| 4 march 2004 |
The electrician comes and wires for the kiln!
Note: The cat visits the basement for the first time during this process. He quickly discovered the door that goes to the outside.
|
| christmas 2003 |
I buy two poinsettia plants. I take the straggly Wal-Mart one back after discovering nicer ones at the grocery. The lovely keeper lasted until March.
By the end, we were betting on which leaf would drop off next. And some tiny bugs were flitting around it.
|
| 23 december 2003 |
The new computer has arrived and is turned on!
Unfortunately... it seems a bit buggy too. I think an OS reinstall is in my future.
|
| december 2003 |
I realize that a new computer is needed. The old one is very unreliable... often crashing, especially online. |
| 22 november 2003 |
I move my desk into my workroom and fire up the computer for the first time in 3 months. It runs!
This is a relief.
But later in November, I realize it isn't running all that well at all. Windows startup problems.
|
| 29 october 2003 |
George and I get married! |
| 9 september 2003 |
Wake up, find we are still alive with the heavy half of the truck to unload ahead of us. |
| 8 september 2003 |
We arrive. Unload half the truck and drop dead. |
| 2 september 2003 |
OK... I'm really moving, leaving today.
UHaul truck is loaded... I am a creaky & cranky mess.
|
| 29 august 2003 |
I will be MOVING! |
| 10 august 2003 |
George has tickets! He will be here to drive a truck full of stuff to North Dakota for me! Resume mad packing! |
| 5 august 2003 |
Attempt replacement of computer CMOS battery. I'm prepared with all my CMOS settings, but after I enter them back in, computer says:
"primary hard disk failure"
ACK!
Can't get the computer guy... so I call a fellow bride to be. She leaves message for her guy, who knows computers. Meanwhile, I do reach my computer guy... he has simple answer for a minor thing I didn't know I had to do. Oops.
Computer lives again. I survive another day.
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| 31 july 2003 |
The chipper/shredder and chainsaw man come to town. My next door neighbor is having a large tree taken out of his backyard. The cat is terrified... just try packing H-Rs with a cat climbing your leg!
Add to that, computer CMOS battery is dying. Ugh.
|
| 21 july 2003 |
I upload this web site. Large sigh of relief. |
| 18 july 2003 |
I design a web site. I then resume packing to move. |
| 17 july 2003 |
George gets the replacement new fridge installed.
Our Otter pops are delightfully frozen again.
Note: Mere minutes after this site went live, a shiny pony fan wanted to know "What ARE Otter pops?"
|
| mid-june 2003 |
I drive 1745 miles to North Dakota and see the house. We buy a needed used refrigerator. Sadly, after I leave, George discovers it doesn't stay cold enough!
Our Otter pops melt.
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| may 2003 |
George rents us a hundred year old house! And we have permission to wire for a baby test kiln!
I think the kiln will be situated in the mud room. If that's not an appropriate place, what is?
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