Forecast for today: snow, icy roads, and Gram's garage sale

Didn't get enough bargains yesterday?  Come one, come all, to 848 E. Huntington Place for the bang up moving sale of the year!  Mom's stuff is burgeoning out of control, so Hayley's on her way down after the ice diminishes.  She'd better dress like a polar bear because Hayley gets cold when it's 70 degrees.  McKenzie and I drove in the truck with her last week and she quite wilted us.  McKenzie's faint voice from the rear:  "Is anybody else dying of heatstroke?"  "ME!"  I swear that girl turns it up to 85.  Anyway, it's going to be mighty cold in that garage today.  Gram will probably be the last survivor.  They'll have to sell Hayley with the leather couch.  

Poor poor Harry!  Geoff says he slipped between the stairs and the rock wall this morning.  He's been afraid of that since he was little!  He'd stand on the rock side and sheepishly wag his tail, but refuse to make the leap.  Geoff had to pry him out of the crevice this morning.  Poor little guy!!!!

One hour later:  

Ok, take long enough to write and things change.  Garage sale to be held tomorrow.  Hurrah!

Guess I'll start painting Andy's old room.  McKenzie helped me choose sheets, duvet cover, shams, and a circle quilt wall hanging yesterday in the new color scheme of yellow, blue and green.  Can't wait to get the paint!!!!

The Mysterious Thanksgiving Visitor

Mom's doorbell rang at 8 am this morning (Thanksgiving Day).  It was Penny--being returned again!

Sandra told Mom that she would have to come up with another $500 pet deposit for her landlord in order to keep her.  Sounds like a Craig's List scam to me....

Mom was still in her pajamas, wondering who in the world would be ringing the doorbell at that hour on a holiday.  She was so surprised she just welcomed Penny back, settled her on the couch, and smiled hugely.  She's absolutely pleased as punch to have Penny back for Thanksgiving.  Penny's glad to be home for all the attention and all the turkey.

Well, Mom says she's not unpacking Penny's suitcase.  How many dogs do you know who've been returned three times?  She wins the prize!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  We're having roast beef this year from Costco.  And twice baked potatoes, pumpkin pie, and broccoli from Costco.  Hayley talked Mom into making banana creme pie and cranberry nut bread, which Mom dropped off at the Mini dealer yesterday for us.  

The Mini Cooper is stupendously adorable!!!!  It has interior mood lighting you can change from orange thru the spectrum to blue.  So McKenzie set it at purple/pink and we drove off to hit the mountain roads as dusk settled in.  This car makes mountain curves fun!  What a change from the truck.

2TA LOO

Sung to the tune of O Christmas Tree:

O Mini dear, 

O Mini dear,

How hard it is to believe!

O Mini dear, 

O Mini dear,

Now in my arms you'll leave!

You were ordered in September's glow,

Received in November's snow.

O Mini dear, O Mini dear,

Studded tires we'll need!

We're picking her up today.  A tout a l'heure  (2TA LOO)!

 

Tuesday

Mom had a couple of glasses of wine last night and called to tell me the latest.  She does have a busy life for a Queen Mother.  

Penny is now off to live with Benji, Sandra, and her husband (who's last name is Johnson).  We may as well keep it all in the family (my maiden name is Johnson).  As for All in the Family, Archie would have had a hey day over this one.  Penny's new dad is Black, her new mom is Hispanic, and her brother is a Cockapoo like her, only 20 lbs lighter.  Mom suspects that his mom was a teacup.  Hopefully, Penny will fit into this family.  Third time's the charm!

At the same time the Johnsons came up her walk, Jim from Kentwood real estate strode up with her house inspection results.  Mom can't understand what's wrong with the bottom basement stair, was surprised to find she's been living in Radon, and will fork over $1,700 for repairs to the buyers.  But at least she has buyers!

Andy came by last night to pick up the desk, the blue chair from Lindsey Grey's garage sale, assorted bags, and a blanket.  He's doing well down in the new apartment.  Hasn't met any neighbors yet....

I'm going to clean Andy's room, buy paint, and set off on a Costco spree when I go to Denver to purchase the Titan, which has a lease about to expire.  That Mini of mine is supposed to be in tomorrow or Friday.  Wonder if they'll give me a Christmas special on the biggest shopping day of the year?

Snow's coming tomorrow too.  It's been like summertime here, t-shirt weather.  The nay sayers blame it on Global Warming, which is a dour way to look at it, I'd say!  It's been incredibly lovely for long walks.

Work on Andy's Old Room Begins

eeeuuw!!!!

I got on a stepladder to dust the light fixtures in Andy's old room and looked down on the bathroom ceiling.  An ancient piece of rough exterior siding topped the pipe.  I took that off and there were mouse droppings everywhere.  Eeeuuuwww...mice have been peering down on that room since the house went up.  Yuk!  

Back on Craigs List

Ok, the crossed fingers didn't work again.  Penny's back at Mom's because the 12 year old did not want to brush K9 teeth and groom K9 fur and walk K9 feet, or at least that's the reason she gave Mom.  So.  Penny's back on Craig's List and Pinecam.  The forum on Pinecam seems to attract people who have nothing to do but complain about how you phrased the adoption notice.  "Why don't you take the dog?  She probably just lies around all day."  "Why do you have to brush a dog's teeth every day?"  "Have hope, there is a way!" "A dog is not a Christmas present." 

So.  Mom is staying at her house to have her last Thanksgiving with Penny.  Ok, so Mike will come over.  We'll have roast beef, etc.  Whatever.  We'll see Mom a lot once she's up here anyway.  Penny will find a home somewhere.  

Salmon's done!  Cheers!

P.S.  Andy likes his new place.  I'm astonished at how much junk there is to throw out in his old room.  Evergreen Disposal Service is probably going to call and complain again.  Last time it was too much manure.   This time it's chairs and heaps of mysteriously bulging black bags.  

How the Queen Spent Her Day

How does the Birthday Queen spend her Special Day?

1.  She reminds her husband that it is not only Joe Biden's birthday.

2.  When the Queen Mother calls in a panic, she reassures her that the drugs obtained without prescription over the internet from India are not going to kill anyone.  But yes, she will make an appointment for the Queen Mother to see her doctor that day.

3.  After the Queen's truck slides down the driveway, the Princess guides it to a spot in the woods, and a call is made to the school saying the Princess wouldn't make it.

4.  The other Princess calls from a ditch in the driveway, saying she's stuck.

5.  The realtor phones to say, yes he got the message about canceling the showing of the castle, but won't the drive have dried out by then.  The Queen ignores that, tells him that the Princess is now outside skating on it, (and jeese louise the maid is off for the day).

6.  After a lovely Special Day lunch of leftover Chinese noodles, raw carrots and a Chocolate Clif bar, the Queen acknowledged the presence of her only son and heir.  Yes, perhaps the Prince could move into his new residence that day.  Unbeknownst to the realtor, the drive had dried, and it was perhaps possible to transfer the Prince's choicest belongings (and the old couch) to the new castle he's leased in the valley below.

7.  The Queen and her ever so large Corgis, stride off on a grand promenade through the woods, invigorated by the raw frozen air, and exercise their lungs and legs.  

8.  The Prince and Queen lug the couch to the carriage, ever so politely, and with quiet moans and absolutely no shouting or yelling at all.  mmmm, yes.

9.  Since the couch does not quite fit inside the luggage area, the Prince tries lifting the tailgate.  This is not a successful operation, and there are more murmurs on the driveway.  After a slight struggle, the old couch leg is retrieved from the crack.  All is well in the kingdom, and the procession begins.

10.  The Queen cosigns the new castle lease, having to hear about mold, fire, evictions, illegal drug usage, failure to pay on time, and other fascinating aspects of the financial obligations of the kingdom.

11.  At last, the Queen and Prince are able to see the new castle in person, armed with a checklist to note any faulty items, like a malfunctioning drawbridge for instance.  In fact, it is only the red stain on the living room rug that draws their attention.  Faint as it is, it tells the tale of either a wounded knight or a misstep during grape crushing season.

12.  The couch seems ever so much lighter as it merrily makes its way to it's new home.

13.  At a shopping expedition at the discount arm of Harrod's (Walmart), the young Prince chooses his silverware and dish patterns, and stocks up on various sundries.

14.  Then it's home to see the King.  

15.  The King always, always believes in eating at the proper hour.  Thus, when his family strides in at the stroke of 6, he hastily (knowing it is the Queen's Special Day) shoves the dinner she's prepared that morning into the microwave.  Randomly, he sets the timer for 8 minutes on defrost.  Perhaps that will do the trick.  Then he inquires whether that is all the salsa in the castle.

16.  The Queen pours herself quite a large glass of Chardonnay, and watches as her servants bustle around the kitchen.  How lovely it is to simply remind them that this is her special day.  How unfortunate that they do not seem able to make salads or fruit.  Ah well, she will throw some lettuce in the bowls.

17.  The food is eaten.  The presents are opened.  The King prances around with an earring pretending he is from Africa.  

18.  More guests arrive, and the festivities blossom.  A lovely strawberry shortcake baked by the younger Princess herself, is savored by all.

19.  The Prince does the dishes.  The King goes for a walk with the ever so large Corgis.  The guests go their separate ways....

20.  The Queen showers and falls onto her bed.  She considers reading and then turns off the light.  In two shakes of a lambs tail, she's asleep.  

21.  The Queen Mother calls.  Her Corgi is being returned from it's 2nd new home.  Problem here.  But the Queen is too tired and requests they discuss this in the morning.  

22.  And so went the Special Day of the Queen, who, with a sigh, was glad it was over again for a year.