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Picture taken by my friend Cyndi Leos....thank you Cyndi.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Batten Down The Hatches....

We have been having weather reports of possible storm this weekend...with high winds...I needed some new writing pens...(I am a freak for a particular nib on my pens...I prefer the PAPER MATE Profile pen with a medium 1.0 mm point) We decided I would run some errands and then we would go out....My back is feeling a lot better, so we wanted to celebrate...This morning I got my hair cut.  When I wear it short, I must get it cut every month...my hair grows like a weed. Cutting it always makes me feel "thinner".

I forgot my list of what I needed, so I called my husband to see if he could look on my list and give me the items...

When I called my husband, he told me he was ready for an adventure... so I picked him up and we went to In and Out for lunch.  We needed some dog food for Izzy (and my pens) and the cheapest place is Wal Mart....but my husband REFUSES to step foot in that particular store...HE HATES IT.  So I went in alone and accomplished my errands....

We planned on seeing HALL PASS.  We go to the South Point Casino, because seniors (62 and over) can see movies for $3 with a player's card, Monday through Friday, any show before 4 PM.  We were early, so I suggested he play a Keno machine, and I would watch.  Just before we were to go up to the show, he hit a nickel five spot and won $80.  Whoopeeee!

Personally, I thought the movie was going to be stupid...but since my husband saw THE KINGS SPEECH and 127 HOURS for me (which were both excellent by the way...)  AND went country dancing... 
I owed him... and had to see the movie of his choice.

I have to say, I was laughing at the movie...some parts I was wheezing and choking from fits of laughter...but I was also laughing with my husband, as he has a very infectious laugh...

There are some parts, which would definitely be considered, X-RATED and not suitable for a child...or even a young person under 21, in my opinion... Even I gasped with surprise shock in one particular scene.

Anyway, after the show, we got ourselves a dish of ice cream and sat at another Keno machine.  My husband put in another $20 and hit another 5 spot for another $80.  Whooo-Hoooo!!

With that, we cashed out and decided to leave and pick up salads from Rio Cafe, to go.  Delicious, big, and only $7 each.

The winds were starting to blow and it was very chilly outside...  There are high wind warnings for tonight -- 70 miles per hour!  We may also get some rain and snow.  So we were anxious to get home...

Now we are safely home and cozied in. I took down all our wind chimes and covered my herb barrels.  We have battened down the hatches and are settled in for the night. Izzy is crunching away on her kibbles and we have enjoyed our yummy and filling salads.  Now it is snuggle time...get in the PJ's, have a nice cup of cocoa or tea and watch a good movie...

Happy weekend everyone!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Magpie #54: Some Of The Pieces Which Make Me, Me.

Photography by Tess Kincaid
Challenge by Magpie Tales

jigsaw puzzles and untangling chains
taking the path less traveled
faith
family
research
exploration
creating
writing
hunting for treasure
finding bargains
repair
music
dancing
refurbishing something old
the mountains
the ocean
challenges
organization
resolving problems
learning
using tea cups with saucers
or mugs
laughter
furry critters
meeting new people
are
some of the pieces
which make
me, me.
~dkb~

Monday, February 21, 2011

Microfiction Monday #71: Rudeness and Screams...

Photo and Challenge by stony river

"Nice to meet you ----- OW!  Rodan, I've had it with your fly bys. 
You are not setting a good example for Robodogzilla."

~dkb~

opps....I don't know how I did it...but I got the wrong photo for today's challenge...so here is the correct one below:

SCREAMS

 
Photograph and challenge by stony river

"The hallways were eerily quiet as she looked in the direction
of the blood curdling scream..."

~dkb~

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Six Word Saturday: Many, Many Thanks...

Thank you for the good wishes...

Thank you to everyone for all your kind phone calls and emails in regards to my sore back.  It has been a long four days and I am HOUSE BOUND!!  My honey is taking me out to dinner to get out...RAIN OR SHINE...looks like another storm is coming in...

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Magpie 53: She Kept Her Perfume In A Crystal Salt Shaker...

Photo by Tess Kincaid
Challenge from Magpie Tales

she kept her perfume
in a crystal salt shaker
she wore her hair
long and piled on top of her head
fastened
with two walnut
hair sticks
embedded with turquoise
she wore only dresses
and long skirts with flowing blouses
every night
she read poetry
by candle light
she disliked shoes
preferring to go bare foot
she lived out and away
at the base of the mountain
in an old school bus...
different colored silk scarfs
curtained each window
lit up at night
as a Kaleidoscope
while she danced in the moon light...

~dkb~

Monday, February 14, 2011

Microfiction Monday #70: Linger For Love...

Photo and Challenge by stony river

"Why do I torture myself?' Digging his finger into the clef in his chin nervously.

"Her beauty is no excuse. She keeps me waiting and I linger..."

~dkb~

Friday, February 11, 2011

Oh My ACHING Back!!!


I may not be online much.... Apparently these purging is more lifting and taxing than I bargained for..
My left shoulder blade, the bottom tip, (my Infraspinatus muscle) fills like there is a HUGE BUTCHER KNIFE sticking out of it.  It is the same shoulder where I had my slip and fall two years ago, this coming July.

My left side has always been my worst.  I was in a bad car crash Christmas Eve, 1966.  My sister and I were going Christmas shopping in my 65 VW bug and were rear ended by a man who was too busy fighting with his wife and did not see us stopped ahead of him.

Luckily, I was looking in my review mirror and saw his head turned sideways, yelling at a woman.  I had heard some where to take your foot off the brake, should this ever happen, so I did.  I also reached out instinctively with my right arm to protect my sister in the passenger seat.

My engine to my VW was in my back seat and I tore all the muscles in the left side of my back.  I was in therapy and doing back exercises for over a year.  My sister was sore, but fine.

It hurts to sit and type, so I am off to take a Motrin and an ice pack...

Happy Valentines day to everyone in case I am not back in time...

We are leaving for Laughlin on Sunday for a couple days.  We are going to meet up with one of my blogging buddies, Jeanie from Living Consciously.  I have three days to get better...but I am taking my ICY HOT PACKS just in case...

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Magpie #52: Fills My Heart With Gratitude...

Photo by Tess Kincaid
Challenge: Magpie Tales

the weather report
said, "more snow"
oh  please keep me sane
as the winter winds blow

this tiny abode
a small green cottage
with a roaring fire
to save on the wattage

cuddle me in
my cozy fate
pj's and slippers
I'm ready to create

first things first
need something to eat
all bets are off
I want something sweet

drape the apron
around my neck
let's bake some cookies
what the heck

munching the cookies
sipping hot tea
balancing my laptop
upon my knee

tapping the keyboard
sending emails of love
reaching out to family
I feel deprived of

gotta keep myself busy
with them so far away
living lives of work and kids
as I seek to fill up my day

Happy now as this I think:
the weather may force my solitude
yet, visiting my blogging friends
fills my heart with gratitude


~dkb~

Monday, February 7, 2011

Microfiction Monday #69 : Guilt

Challenge to write a story in 140 characters
 prompted with a photo by Susan at stony river
Hostess of microfiction Monday...


He walked slowly, heart pounding, stealing a glance.
Someone had boarded the broken windows.
Guilt was heavier than his backpack of books.

~dkb~

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Six Word Saturday...



Company this weekend...happy Super Bowl!




Saw 127 Hours, really liked it.




Raise your hand if hating snow...



 

Friday, February 4, 2011

First Night Wearing the CPAP Mask At Home ...

My husband had fallen asleep on the couch, so Izzy and I went in the bedroom to hit the sack...actually, she was in there with me earlier when I was setting up the machine and filling up the reservoir of the humidifier with distilled water.  She curled up and got comfortable...

Set up beside my bed minus the hose on CPAP machine

I had to call Nocturna Sleep Center to ask what size nasal pillows I wore, because I had three sets in my bag.  One of the nice ladies called me right back and told me I was size Medium.  I asked how I could tell and she said it should have an "M" on the side.  Sure enough...I had the right one...but guess I could have saved myself a phone call if I would have turned on brighter lights in my bedroom...

The lady offered for me to bring down my mask and machine and they would give me the run down on everything and make sure it fit.  I explained I no longer had the insurance which covered me there...she told me it didn't matter, they would be happy to help me.  How nice is that???

I thought the Home Health place I went to pick up everything was supposed to show me...but she only showed me how to turn on the machine, fill the reservoir and change the filters.  She never even took the mask out of the box....some Respiratory Therapist she was! (If she even was....)

I wish I could have taken a picture of Izzy's face when I dawned my head gear and attached the mask and chin strap.  She actually sat up in bed and did the "cocking of the head back and forth"... I could just hear her thinking, "What the..?  Mom? is that you??"

Mask and chin strap

This long hose attaches to the CPAP machine & humidifier.

I told her it was OK and she laid back down.  It took me a bit longer to get to sleep...but I slept well.  I put the mask on too tight because I had the strap marks embedded across my face and my nostril holes were sore... I put that long hose over my headboard, so it kept it away from the back of my head so I would not wrestle with is during the night...

I lost the chin strap during the night...so that thing does not work...

According to the instructions, I have to wash the nose pillows and air dry...and change the filters once a month... or was it once a week?  Guess I better re-read...

I looked on line for some CPAP forums or support groups...just curious to see how people actually live and sleep with these contraptions... I feel like I am preparing to climb into the cockpit of a jet plane...for Pete's Sake!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Magpie 51: Going In The Right Direction...

Photo by Tess Kincaid
Challenge from Magpie Tales

early on
happiness
was my goal...
 decisions to
 lay out my life
like purposely laid bricks
digging deep enough
to level my base
for a good foundation
giving thought to each
brick
as a lesson
an experience
an opportunity
taking into consideration
how each will fit
coordinate
blend, mesh
how it feels... 
cautious, deliberate
taking the time
but often
spontaneously
randomly leaping
across and back...
facing fears
 enjoying the challenge,
one by one
until it formed
my path..
filling it in
with sands of time
molding it
with tears of joy
and sorrow
learning
strength comes
from diligence
and gentle thoughts
remembering
it is custom made
according to
what is
close to my
heart...
over the years
it has become weathered,
worn,
well tested...
the elements have
chipped out pieces
yet my foundation
is strong, 
keeping it together
despite occasional trips
or falls...
to get back up
 keep going
 having the knowledge
to re-do
or replace
what needs fixing.
putting forth
my best effort
expecting
optimistic results
step by step
getting older
hopefully wiser,
 occasionally
looking back
comparing,
adjusting,
growing,
knowing
as long as
my face
wears a smile
I know
I am going
in the right direction...

~dkb~