Rainy Days Are Meant For...

Vegging!
And what better way to show that than by posting some of these really cool photos of vegetable or fruit art?

I love listening to the pitter patter of the rain. The day is made for sitting on the couch and watching a movie or reading a book. Drinking a glass of wine and doing nothing else.

We really haven't had a lot of rainy days, so I think I'll just sit back and enjoy this one.

Maybe even take a nap in the middle of the day.

How decadent!

I hope you've enjoyed the cute photos.

Odd Occurence

This is something I meant to post last month.  But I forgot to download the pictures for the longest time.  We've been ordering a few things here and there for the new home.  Bits and pieces really.

One evening the UPS guy pulled up and Jim wanted to know what I'd ordered.  We were waiting for something from FedEx.  I replied nothing.

Imagine our surprise when only seconds later the FedEx guy pulls up nose to nose with the UPS guy.  They stood outside our house and chatted for a few minutes before delivering packages to us.  It was so funny that we had to run and get the camera.

On a side note we did get our package and a gift from a family member.  Hence the two different delivery services.

-Michelle

What Does Michelle Do With Her Monday and Wednesday Afternoons?

I know this is a question that has been on most people's minds.  I mean who wouldn't want to know?  I'm interesting.  Right?  Okay stop laughing now!

So let me put you all out of your misery.  I've been taking a Digital Photography class.  Yes I'm in school again.
So instead of writing anything of substance I'll bore you with my photos.  I've already babbled about it in the other blog, but there are so many pictures to share.  So I decided to spread it out.

So a few of these are 'action' photos while the rest are still life photos.  I'm enjoying the course and hope you'll enjoy the photos.  I have to chose 10 for my final project.

Why I Don't Shop On Weekends

I don't work, so I figure I normally can get what I need during the week.  I know you're shocked at my logic.  That is unless Jim needs something or I forgot to get it during the week.  Or something breaks on us.  There are just too many people out shopping on weekends and we all know that Jim and I don't handle crowds well.  There's a reason you have to get a permit to carry a gun.  =)

So I had to go to Walgreens today.  Needed some munchies for the movies that Jim and I were going to watch.  Hey rainy days are perfect for sitting at home and just watching movies.  Nobody wants to be out in that.  And we had been out quite a bit on Friday and Saturday, so the animals appreciated that we were staying in.  

I thought, hey it's rainy no one will be out in this and I only need a few little things this won't take long.  Boy was I wrong!  

I didn't even get five steps in the store when an older woman grabs my arm to ask me if I work there.  Huh?  I'm in a grey tee shirt, jeans, my hair is up and I'm smiling.  Do I look like I'm working here?  Most Walgreens employees have blue shirts to identify themselves and normally they aren't smiling.  Ugh!  While checking out an older woman comes up and starts informing the checkout girl that she rang her up wrong.  Apparently you could buy two of something and get $6.99 back.  The young lady took the receipt and pointed out that in fact she had actually gotten $10.99 back.  The woman shook her head and insisted that the cashier did something wrong.  At this point I rolled my eyes and had to say something, which of course made the older woman scurry off.

You're not being screwed over.  Learn to do your math, you're actually getting more back than you should be.  Man some people are too stupid to be out in public.  

Was I harsh?  Maybe.  But this is not the first time I've seen this BS happen and it won't be the last.  Once home I decided that my soda needed an upgrade in order for me to calm down.  At least this time I didn't have anyone cut me off or cut in line.  That might have pushed me over the edge.

I am not going out again today!  You can't make me!

-Michelle

If it weren't for wrong numbers...

..I'd get no phone calls at all.

Unfortunately, the latest wrong numbers seem to be coming at 0130 in the morning. And they're coming from, of all places, North Carolina. The fact that they're coming from North Carolina isn't as outrageous as it seems at first take. The part of North Carolina they're coming from is the 252 area code, which is just south of Norfolk, and my cell phone does have a Norfolk number.

The obvious problem is getting a phone call at 0130 in the morning is very disconcerting. We expect emergency calls at that time of night, not some broad looking to get with her honey. And yes, that's what the phone calls are about. The woman in question (I don't think she classifies as a lady if she's calling a man at 0130.) left the following text message the other night:

"hey baby if ur not 2 busy can i cu 2nite 100%M!$$!NMYG".

If you don't read text message lingo that well, allow me to translate: "Hey baby, if you're not too busy can I see you tonight. 100% missing my guy."

So let's recap to this point. The first night we get a phone call, she doesn't leave a message. I doubt she hung around on the phone to hear that the voice mail was for someone other than the person she was trying to contact. The second night, we get the text message.

Then there's the third night. We get one phone call, again at 0130. She obviously hangs up when it goes to voice mail and redials. This time Michelle is lying in wait. The mystery caller calls back and Michelle answers. To be honest, my sleep was hardly disturbed so the events are second hand.  Michelle says she was surprised that it was a woman. Michelle thought the caller was a man. (I don't know why I had it pegged and Michelle didn't. She's usually much better at this than I.) Prepared to ream some dude a new one, Michelle is thrown off her game somewhat. The caller says that she must have the wrong number. Michelle confirms that in her ever-so-gentle way(sarcasm) and says that she would appreciate it if the caller would stop calling at one in the morning. 

We'll see if we get a call tonight or not. If so, I think I'll answer and have a little fun. I am tempted to reply to the text message I got though with something like "I told you never to use this number," and then give her another number to contact me at in the future. What number would I give her? Oh, I don't know. I'm thinking Michelle's cell phone number. ;-)

-Jim 

Rhode Island Errata

I thought I'd take this time to address some questions we've had concerning Rhode Island.

Q: I see by Google Maps that your house is near an airport, is it loud?

A: Not really. There is what I would call light general aviation traffic. So a couple of times a day, during the day, you'll hear a Cessna or a small helicopter fly overhead, but nothing obnoxious. Obnoxious is defined as a C-5 Galaxy flying overhead at all hours, which is what we used to experience in Norfolk.

Q: Does Rhode Island feel small?

A: Not really. The town of Newport feels cramped, but that's due to it being a very old city. The streets are narrow and there aren't a lot of parking lots because the city was built 300+ years ago. It gets much more reasonable the further from Newport you get. 

The state is small, but two things make it feel large. Ok three. Once you get off of the island there is a lot of green space in the southern part of the state. It feels open. There are several islands in the state, so when you go from island to island it is a rather slow process because it is mostly in town type driving. Finally, the speed limits are slow. Streets that would be 40 or 45 mph are 25 mph. It's probably a good thing considering the traffic and population density.

Q: Are the people in New England rude?

A: Not really. I think "folks are folks" wherever you go. I've experienced rudeness in small town America. In small towns if you're not part of the "old boy" network, you're not truly in. In the north it seems similar. You get to know people and you're good to go. There are so many people here, compared to smaller towns we've lived in, there is no time to sit around and get to know everyone. So trying to have small talk with everyone you run into is impractical. But once you get to talking with someone they're usually very nice, just like anywhere else.

Q: What's the most striking thing about Newport?

A: To me it has to be the water. The bottom and shorelines are mostly rock, so you don't get as much silt and sand mixed into the water. As a result the water is clear and beautiful almost everywhere. 

-Jim

Ain't That How It Always Seems To Go?

This comic is done by Stephan Pastis. Some days his comics are good, other days you wonder what's going on in his noggin. Course if it was me I would snag the happiness from the pig after beating him about the head. But I'm aggressive that way.

-Michelle

How Could I Not. . .

Start out a new element with one of the most recognizable photos from Life? How fitting that I use a picture of a sailor. Don't you think?

I hope to change the photo at least once a week. And I will not be archiving the photos from that section. Yep there's an ulterior motive here. If you want to keep an eye on the photos then you'll have to come back.

And I'll try to use photos either I take or I get from friends and family. They'll mean more to us this way. But I make no promises to that. Cause there are some awesome photos out there on the web!

Plus I'm not sure I like the title for the element, so it may change. I'll give it some time and see what I think of it. You'll notice there's a similar one on my blog. I try not to copy anything I do on my other blog on here, but sometimes it happens. I don't want to bore anyone and I want them to visit my blog as well.

-Michelle

Things That Shouldn't Be

It's not like Reese's with the peanut butter and chocolate. Yum! This is a case of money grubbers going how can we make more money off people. I know let's take two popular movies, mash them together and make a toy out of two toys we already have out on the market. Yeah! That's a great idea! I'm counting the cash already. So I give you this.



We found it while wandering Wal-Mart the other day. How utterly horrible! Jim and I stood there in horror. To mash together Star Wars and Transformers because both are so popular. Stop for the love of Pete! It made me want to puke! Corporate America at it's best. I know there are people are out there thinking this toy is awesome and really they need to get out of their parents basement and get a life!

-Michelle

Note to all my family. None of my nieces or nephews had better ask for these atrocious toys. Or so help me I will get Old Testament on them.

What's In A Name

So last night the Jim and I went to the O Club (that's Officer's Club in civilian terms) to meet a friend's husband and child.  Well at least that's our excuse for wing night.  He had driven up from the Norfolk, VA area.  With a small child that's a 12 hour drive.  Yikes!  For once I was the DD (designated driver).  He deserves a break every once in a while.

So while Jim was enjoying a tasty beer I got myself a Coke with Cherry Grenadine in it.  Also known as a Roy Rogers.  Only they don't call it that any more.  Apparently kids today don't know who Roy Rogers was.  They don't even know who Trigger is.  What have they never watched old westerns?  Have they never seen Die Hard?  What is wrong with today's youth?  So now they call it a Batman.  Something I've become addicted to.

Shirley Temples are still called by the same name.  That's Sprite or Ginger Ale with Cherry Grenadine.  Isn't she older than Roy Rogers?  Or am I way off base?  Guess she just got more air time.  And an Arnold Palmer is still called by the same name.  That's iced tea and lemonade.  

I'm just very confused.  Luckily the bartender at the O Club knows what a Roy Rogers is, but I fear if I got someone younger they wouldn't.  So here's a note out to my brother.  Take note of this in case anyone ever asks for this.  That way you won't be stumped.

-Michelle