projects

"It never rains in California...but girl, don't they warn ya...it pooooourrs, man it pours....."

start to finish Marc's (and Ira's)engineering job, designed by Tye B in order to prevent the runoff of the soil into the backyard for yet the 5th time....now all it needs is plants...lots and lots of them...can't wait to pick them out and THEN plant them!! Woot Woot!!

I love Mr. Miller...and all that that entails...

flashlighted Cindy

pooped out...finally.. faithful friend
allllllll the tools

.....this is an underwater shot....

New house...new tasks on the "to do" list...The Mistah...works faithfully everyday...all day...and this gets hit with my list when he comes in the door...tonite...I decide to be very kind (not an easy task) and politely ask, "can you just install the new pool lite?....then we can have a quiet evening"..to which he replies...."of course" (this surprises me..you know the whole "it has to be their idea before they comply routine?)...so off we go

little did I know it would take 2 hours...and...it didn't work.....the details are boring..but predictable...kinda....

first we bought generic "pool light"...it's what the box said...we didn't know there were varieties....so....of course that does NOT deter us...The Mistah simply takes a "can light" from the kitchen ceiling and brings it to the pool deck..."here's one"....always thinking......installs it...this takes MANY MANY MANY steps...because after all, you are installing a LIGHT that will live UNDER WATER........I'm convinced they make it extremely difficult to dissassemble the light encasement so only intelligent people can accomplish this task..idiots (of which I prob. qualify) would simple electricute themselves.

The exchange of the bulb took about 15 minutes...the installation of the light fixture back into the side of the pool...took 1 hour & 45 minutes...Mr. Tenacity...that is what I will refer to him as from here on out...even tho' I ALREADY KNEW THIS!!!!

I believe the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result"................ but instead I will call it tenacity...that's the new word....say it, feel it, believe it Cindy!!!

Keep in mind the 1 hour + 15 was done UNDER WATER...yep, only a singer could hold his breath, 1 minute at a time for that long....the black pic is of me...I'm shining the flash light on my face so you can see me because it's DARK....my arm is falling asleep bc it is my job to shine the BIG flashlight into the water so he can see what he is doing...only AFTER we finished the job did I ask about the clear eyes...he replies, "oh I never opened my eyes under water...it was too fuzzy"...now I need to hit something...."excuse me?" and so WHY was I holding the flashlight (very heavy did I say??) for an HOUR?????????????????????????????????....."oh, I'm sorry, I should've told you honey"........ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I hate it when he is so calm and polite.....

Now, Mr. Tenacity is very very very smart...but sometimes, ..well, not.....while he was trying trying trying to install the light back into the wall......it did not occur to either of us...maybe we should "test" the light to see if it works.....nope...waited until he finally moved the light box into the perfect position IN THE DARK and we got out of the pool and cleaned up ....to test it...1...2...3...ta daaaaaaaaaaaaaa........nothing....oh my goodness sakes.......let's just go inside!

P.S. I believe yesterday may have been the hottest day in the history of the world...9 PM...and I have sweat dripping everywhere (bc I was holding that stupid flashlight...gotta love him...and I do!)

that's all

Ode to Lu

I know I know....no one else loves your pet as you do...no one else enjoys the pics as you do...but this is "Lu's day"....his day to be honored because he was such a great cat and he embedded himself in my soul. I miss him...I think I hear and see him all the time....but I don't...sad.

So here's to the cat that loved boxes and bags more than beds...who explored every open door, who was made to wear clothes and hats...who loved sleeping under the Christmas tree every single year for the entire season, no matter how small the tree...who loved to purr loudly, sleep upside down, who learned the laws of the Miller house...never meowed loudly but politely....who was completely potty trained to the outdoors and never, ever messed up....who went on walks just like the dogs but didn't have to be watched...he was too smart....who left every nite and came back faithfully every morning and greeted us with loud purrs and lots of "rubbing", spent time in our bed "reconnecting" and getting his daily dose of pets and love....who bit your knee when you were on the toilet and failed to give him pets...who also squinted his eyes and ducked a little while he bit because he KNEW a tap on the head was coming....I love you Lu...I know you are in my heavenly mansion with Jonah, Micah & Hobbes, ....no shedding or scratching the leather allowed...but go ahead and mew loudly until "Dad" gets there... I never minded!

Here's to great pets of this world who have gone before me....I love you...you were faithful, see you on the other side....oh, and be sure all of you are there to greet me when I come...can't wait to see you!

A friend sent me these..."rainbow roses"....as a reminder, she says, that "Lu is just beyond the rainbow"....and I believe he is...in heaven!

a little bit sad, mad, frustrated and confused..but happy

ode to Lu...life will just not be the same without him...

(Love this friend soooooooooo much!!)

(before I get started I must say..while trying to write about how frustrated and upset I am...the computer CONTINUALLY locks itself and will NOT allow me to upload the pics I'd like to post here...knowing I am very visual and need a Power Point show ALWAYS to accompany writings....I just might have to bang it real hard on the top.....ahhh, I just want to post my picsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!)....ok....read on

Ok here's the poop...it's been a bad week
...but I am not complaining...I just need to vent....I have good friends and they support me....I get to spend eternity in heaven thanks to Jesus and his relentless love for me and sacrifice...but here on planet earth I'm just a little off....

We moved....I've been waiting for 2 solid years to move...into a new house in FL...while waiting for that monstronsity of a house to sell in A-ville...you know this...well, it happened...so happy...but 3 weeks after moving into the "lovely" neighborhood....my cat is killed by pesky, higher than him-on-the-food chain-small-animal-stalkers....this is our beloved family pet...of 12 years....this makes me sad...my new friend here sends me flowers....very kind...lots of sympathy wishes from dear friends all around...this makes me happy...but I AM going hunting and I AM going to kill something pesky..I have no training and no gun...but I'm still going hunting...Tye Buckley get here now!

Now that we live "way out"...I don't leave home often....it's too comfy and I like staying here...it's like an Oasis...I feel like I'm on vacation....then I learn my good friend is going BACK to the Trainer...ahhhhhhhhhh, she wants to "take it to the next level"....argh....this is what the trainer looks like on the left (leelancepersonaltrainer.com)...this is what she wants to look like too...by October...oh, the pressure...I was just getting use to adding brownies BACK into my diet, hahhaa...this makes me, hmmm guilty...it means I have to work out more...

Also...today (back to the main point) I DID leave the house and "went into town"...had to buy more water...seems NOBODY in this house drinks anything but BOTTLED WATER...hello....sooooooooooooooooooooo I run into Target...remember everything on the list....go outside in my soon-to-be-translucent white shorts and yellow top only to find out heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy it's raining AGAIN..........ahhhhhh come on...stop already....soooooooooooooooo I jog with my cart to my car (AND count it as cardio even tho' it was less than 1 minute), get completely drenched....get all the way home only to discover that, yep....the bottled water is still in the cart in the Target parking lot IN TOWN.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, this makes me want to hurt someone....because very soon SOMEONE in THIS house will say, "did you get water?" I will have to say, "yes AND no"....so shoot me!

My hair dresser of 2 years ruined my hair ....(she bleached it orange) and then blamed m... ahhhhh, went to another hair dresser (is that how you spell it?) and she fixed me...we're well over $300 at this point...but I like it...this makes me mad and happy.

Seems everyone is visiting Asheville now...it's a destination town...sure, right after I leave...this makes me happy and mad....my friend send me pics of all the fun places they visit....(ex. "Skybar" for watching breathtaking, Mtn sunsets) making me wish with all my heart I was there too....BUT (I tell myself)...it also makes the monster house more desirable....which leads me to my next big frustration....our house...MIGHT MAYBE KINDA be going to be rented....the Leasee (?) has signed the papers, put down earnest $$...BUT has a clause in his contract that ANYTIME before August 1 he can change his mind...we still get the earnest $$ but I WANT THE LEASE $$$$$...."I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief"..this would be the biggest answer to prayer ever....I am afraid to hope...but secretly I still do..

.

That's all.

quiet wandering and wonderings....

Now that I live waaaaaaaaaaay out in the Country Club...it's actually only 8 miles out of town...ok, less, just 8 miles from the "unit"...it feels waaaaaaaay out...we now say...I'm going INTO town....like when I was a kid we went "uptown"....6 miles to the nearest city (population 1200).

So...going INTO town is not convenient...that's where the Y is, Target, Publix, restaurants...everything that use to be 1 mile away...wow, did I become a "towney"? ANYWAY.....with the inconvenience of going INTO town...thus comes the daily dillema of "to work out or not to work out"....and I hate having to wonder the answer...it used to be "Of course it's a workout day...it's what I DO!....so, yesterday was a "not to work out day"...but a friend called and asked if I'd walk with her at the nearby park (nearby to the Y)...I said, "yes"...I never pass an opportunity to be outside...even if it IS 94 degrees.

So we have a good walk....TODAY was a "yes to work out day" BUT it was also "register for classes at CF for Whitney day" too.....we had to sign our names in at 7:30 AM....we got there at 7:45 and was #67...we waited until 9:45 to be called arggggggghhhhhhhh! BUT...we did get the class she wanted.....she went off to her other class I was off to work out...but my "check engine light" was on and the car was running funny...this after it being in the shop ALLLLL day yesterday to the tun of $1100.00....so I make a quick pit stop at the garage....they fixed it...just a tube popped out of place...and I'm off to the Y...on my way I think..."I liked that walk so much I'll do it again...I'll go to the Y afterwards"

So, I get there and today it's a little bit scarey....I've watched too many COPS shows and real life in the ER...I think I'm going to be assaulted...but this is a wide open park with many, many people and activities...there is a water park, tennis, softball diamond, dog park, and picnic table and shelters as well as public restrooms....I'm feeling safer, a little...so off I go...walk walk walk...then I notice this is a very large park with lots of trails and grass..oh, look, the grass is being mowed right now...hmm, interesting green and white striped uniform the "mower" is wearing...ahhhhhhh, that's prison garb, that's a prisoner,...quick, where is the guard with the rifle? There ISN'T one...ok, maybe it's because these prisoners are so good they don't need one. ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, maybe they're so bad they killed him and I'm next..........nahhh, they would be escaping, not mowing...walk walk walk.

Walking gives you lots of time to think and lots of things to look at. I find myself doing stupid things while I walk...like setting goals...For example....I'm walking and I see a man behind me jogging...and keep in mind the trails are zig-zaggy..like a snail trail....so I begin to set a goal of how far I must get BEFORE he catches up with me...I choose the chain link fence 50 yards ahead.....then when I get there I think "YESSSS, beat him....I win".....then wonder, ok exactly what did I win? Nothing...absolutely nothing...so what in the world was the game all about? Why did I need to make up a game? I'm not even competitive...I'm the type that really just wants the game to be over once I've had my drink and snack and my back starts to get a little achy...

Next, I find myself being judgemental of the "excercisers"....like HE needs to walk a little faster, or boy, nice outfit to walk in here out in public....or are you on a way to a playboy photo shoot, oops, prob not...you're 60! But my favorite was the woman with the book. I tried to snap her picture w/my phone but failed to save it bc I was afraid of being caught snapping her pic on her "walk"...although is it really a walk when You are carrying a book? Maybe it is just that...a walk...and not excercise...I judged her a little harshly...I was very proud of the very large man....I judged him well...wanted to say, "hey, good for you, hang in there...." but as soon as I thought that then I thought about saying, "you know, it's not really about the amount of excercise you do...it's about how many chips you eat on the couch"...then I felt bad because at first I judged well, then it went south...guess that's why we're not supposed to judge at all.

Anyway...now I'm home...skipped the Y bc I decided to do 2 laps of the park...a little over 4 miles....it's time for the afternoon rain....I hate that...right when I get here....ready for some cool pool time....it's cool rain time...day 7, oh well....that's all.

I'm not complaining

ok...just have to post this....every time I miss my NC house and NC friends I go into the kitchen...and look outside...this is my view from the sink....and I am ok...I can make a call...and we can still make visits...here...it is never too cold! Ok, I'm better now.

Another nice view is this one...it's a "can you spot the pup" pic..we play this game every morning while I make the bed.

can you spot Ollie?

stuff

Ok....we've sworn OFF sugar...but it's just so hard....this little brown "mass" with the spoon is what we call "the brownie"...it's a brownie mix, with added choco chips AND choco icing.....a little burnt on the bottom so it's crunchy. Whitney makes them...they are our drug of choice. No one ever gets a plate and has one...the spoon just lives in the pan...the pan just lives on the counter....ahhhh, every time I eat "some" I SWEAR to myself I'm never ever going to eat them again...they ARE the devil.....couple hours later...there I am again...spooning up another mouthful....argh!....To make matters worse...the sugar cookie mix along with icing is just WAITING WAITING to be baked...BUT....we've sworn off sugar...after the brownie is gone....argh!

We've moved...this is our pool...it's so fabulous...screened in...so there are never any bugs....every day...bc we are in Florida....it rains around 1 PM....I am NEVER ready to lay out until 1 PM...bc of errands or visit to the Y (yes, finally fitting that back into my life)...so I usually get about oh, 10 min of sun...then the clouds come...agh! I did do water aerobics in there today...by myself....so gay.

This is Whitney cleaning the pool...I put my palm plants out there and with a big wind gust one of them blew over...all the dirt went IN the pool....not good....I think it's a good thing to vacuum a pool...you can tan while you work...

Today was Whitney's first day of "college"....dual enrolled at CF....taking Freshman English...it's free in FL while you are still in HS.....gotta love the gov't...free free free free...well, except for those OUT OF CONTROL property taxes we pay....
OH....and of course...the "teal truck" was parked right in front of us....of course!

moved out of the "unit"...yep...this "for rent sign" is just plain eye candy.....finally went to NC and got ALLLLLLLL our furniture and belongings and "stuffed" them into our new house...this pic is a "ode to the unit" last pic.....the Miller's no longer have to share the ONE love seat....seating in the living room for 3...and there are 4 of us...the longest 2 years of my ENTIRE life....over! Hooray...thank you Jesus!

We've been testing the "trailer trash" waters....first Marc rented this lovely red "van" for our drive from FL to IN to NC to FL.....yep...red van....so we top off the whole white trash look by strapping Whitney's new mattress onto the TOP and DRIVING cross town..ahhhhhhh, so incredibly embarrassing...but the look on the guard's face at the entrance to the Country Club....priceless!....Beverly Hillbillies have arrived on SE 12th Circle....Co. CLub living at it's finest..hahahhahaha...but look at the cutest, well 1 of 2 cutest pups on earth all snuggle up on another mattress....Little Lucy who has now been dubbed "goose"....so tute!!.

BUT............these pics take the cake...while I am sweating sweating sweating and working working working....moving....my friends send me these pics...yep, they are at the "wedding of the century" in Ashevegas...where every single person I know and love in NC is in attendance....but I am not there....so they send me treasure pics.....good thing I love them very much.

Cheers!

The End...ok, not the end...I have wedding pics to post of the OTHER wedding i DID attend....but I can't bc Whit has downloaded them to HER photo folder and I can't figure out how to get them over here....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....another day I guess....it's something to look forward to. Right now, there are a million things to put away in the new house...I'm going outside....to plant things....bye!