Wasted

hour upon hour working out a layout for a small area of the front.  My landscaper (who does not want to look into a camera and has cut off his long locks) is here and what I planned, he questioned.  So we went back and forth on layout of the barn stone, whether the stone should be two high, or whether a two high split rail on top of the stone would be best.  Angled?  Didn't work.  Ninety degree instead of forty five?  Didn't work.  I let him make the decision since whatever he does, I get to watch.  Make him happy.  So he chose a rounded outline to compensate for all the square edges in our house and yard.  Have no idea what will go in it, but as he works on it, I can see he was right.  Jason, my eyeful, said don't worry about whether you like the stone wall or not because in a few years you'll be ready for a nursing home anyway.  Yes, the good looking bastard has a great sense of humor.

Before

After

 
All those wonderful flat stones had to be removed because they started to break into layers, not safe, and requiring continual maintenance.  They are gone and will be replaced with stamped concrete.  Very sorry to see them go.

 

He brought the new worker with him, the only one he could get to do labor.  Very nice young man.

 

 

 

 

And every time I look at my guy, his helper is doing this.  EVERY time.  Finally he asked him who the hell he is communicating with constantly.  His answer - "oh I'm not using my phone because I'm not replying to anyone while working, just checking with the family group". 

 

He told me what it would cost to move the massive stones at the front door and recommended we just have him raise and level them.  Go ahead dear, whatever you want.

The boys are done with the vet and seem to be doing well.

Missy is a little brat and continues to be a total brat when inside the house.

Andersen came out Tuesday and replaced all the sashes so I started painting them (exterior) yesterday.  Yes I know they are maintenance free but they are extremely dark and I wanted them to match the house.  If that becomes an issue with a buyer in the future, too bad. 

My brother continues to have rock hard swelling from the cat bite all the way up his forearm.  Still can't move the fingers very well and much pain.  On Augmentin, finishing today, seeing a surgeon Tuesday about a cyst and will talk to him about it.  I read that if the tooth pierced the tendon sheath, surgery is usually required to remove the bacteria.  We just know that it is not getting better after 10 days of treatment.

I'm having a DEXA scan Monday to please my PITA doctor.  I told her I refuse to take the meds for osteoporosis treatments.  Originally we were told that you can never stop taking them.  Now they recommend after taking them for several years to stop, allow your body to do its thing, and be reevaluated.  Doc said she would treat me with diet.  There damn well better be calcium in Dove dark.  I'm drinking a ton of water in order to hopefully get a good number on the kidney function tests, also Monday.

Hope your week went well.  Mine sure was full.  And I can't believe summer is almost over!!!  AUGH!!!!!!!!

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Six week muffins part 2

Maureen, I can't reply with an answer to your question.  My sister has silicone cupcake pans but in the past has used liners or greased the tins.  Either way.

I read on someone's blog that the recipe makes around 5 dozen and an ice cream pail is a good container for them in the fridge.  Also, which surprised me, the calorie count was around 140 per muffin.  Really?  And yes, some recipes call for 6 cups of the cereal, others 9, but we've always used the entire 20 oz. box so that's the recipe I listed.  Because she uses more cereal (other amounts are the same), she gets over 6 dozen, fills them almost to the top of the pan, and bakes them at 400 for 20 minutes.  They are not heavy at all which we prefer.

Now I want one.  If I made them, they would be called two day muffins, not six week.

 

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Six week muffins

Hi folks.  My sister brought over a few muffins and we've always loved these.  Easy to make and you keep the batter in the fridge for weeks, make the muffins fresh as needed. 

Six Week Raisin Bran Muffins

1 (15 oz.) box Raisin Bran cereal 

Note - she uses the 18.7 oz. box (originally 20 oz.) 
1 c. oil
3 c. sugar
4 beaten eggs
1 qt. buttermilk NOT milk
5 c. flour
5 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon is optional
 

Mix cereal, sugar, flour, salt, and soda in large bowl. Add beaten eggs, oil and buttermilk, mixing well. Store in covered container (like Tupperware) in refrigerator until desired. (Will last up to 6 weeks in refrigerator; use as needed.) Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can add nuts if you'd like, finely shredded carrots, dates, (chocolate chips aren't as good as you would think) but I don't know how much without affecting the texture.  We love them as is. Don't know how it stays fresh but the longer the batter sits in the fridge the better they are.  Maybe the buttermilk? 

 

There are many versions online that are smaller batch.  She likes to have the batter ready in the fridge when she knows the kids will be coming over several times.  Great when a group is spending a few days together and you want something fresh without the fuss.  Oh to have a cottage on the lake filled with family and fresh muffins every morning!

 

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the Nitzy files part 2

I should have known something was up.  I came in for dinner and they would not let me back outside.  So I decided to nap on the sofa for a while, but when I woke, I wasn't allowed to go into the garage!  My pad, man!  My favorite sleeping spot!  I wailed.  They didn't listen.  Instead they brought in my dad Budman to keep me company.  Some company.  All he does is sleep.  The lights went out, humans left, and I had no choice but to deposit hair on every piece of furniture I could find.

 

Morning.  Ah.  Let me out!!  I wailed, I screamed, I whined, nothing happened.   After an hour of the human with the hair putting me into the litter box (to no avail), I was picked up gently and then crammed into that plastic cave.  NOOOO!!  Not again!  Here we go, moving, trying to get my balance, and then back into the big metal box with doors.  Please don't do this to me!  My cries continued (I hear all cats do that in plastic caves) and she kept talking to me and telling me I won't be there long. 

 

We stopped.  We wait.  Then the hairy one's guy picks up the cave which I hate!  Do you know how scary it is to not be steady in this thing?   They opened the cave door and I was not falling for that again.  I'm staying inside!  The plastic was so hard my nails would not dig in as they tilted it for me to fall out.  Who's this?  Didn't my human hold me last time?  She grabs the back of my neck and lifts me off the table so my front legs can't touch and my back ones, barely.  What the hell is she doing?  I heard human mom say "I will hold him for you" but they said she was the tech and can handle me.  Tech you say?  Let me show you how I handle techs, whatever the hell they are.  While she's holding me in the air and the same man as before shoots me in the butt, I lift those back legs and flip her arm around making the man grab me too.  After a minute of petting, she does it again!  And he shoots me on the other side and it hurt.  I lifted my back legs off again to make her lose control.  I am only 10# but they said "very powerful".  Yes I am people.  While trying to calm me down and I'm back on all fours, I see the man getting a large pad from the cupboard.  Wait wait WAIT!  What are you doing with that?  She lifted me up all the way by my scruff and he wrapped me in this thing.  Somebody help me, I can't move my legs!  Oh God.  What is that?  He pulled my head back and shoved something down my throat!  I'm choking!  And shredding his nice mat while escaping their clutches.  I only made it to the big sink and fell in, nabbed me.  Wrapped me again for the second pill and I spit the first one out at him.  As I growled like a Tasmanian devil, I heard my human mom ask if he was sure I needed the second half pill.  He laughed and said he's reconsidering.  After several attempts, the 1 1/2 Drontal went down.  I got even though because his mat is shredded.  They put me back in that plastic cave as fast as they could and then sighed relief.   I don't know what Valium is but I will be getting 5 mg before my next visit, hopefully NEVER.  I heard the man say that if Missy is even worse, give the little lady 2.5 mg. before she comes.   I have a feeling it won't be like our Temptations catnip flavor treats.

 

On the way home she kept looking at me to see how I was after the trauma and I settled a little in my pitch.  And then she starts laughing when reviewing the receipt.  Seems I am not Nitzy, I am Mitzy!  Oh you people.  I just wreaked havoc on your office.  I am Nitzy the Nasty not Mitzy the Meek.  I really didn't know what to do when I came out of the cave even though it was my room.  She put down several Temptations and I ate them, she brushed me for a few minutes (even though I first ran from her), and then I was finally freed.   The first time this happened, I stayed close.  This time, I turned and walked away into the woods.  I am feeling better and it's over, and since I am back home and everything is the same here, I may come home for dinner.  But I am warning Bud that he is next!!

 

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Primitive Place

GONE!!  Thank you!
Glad someone else will enjoy them before recycling.

Before I recycle these 26 magazines, if anyone would like them the medium flat rate box for shipping would be $13.50 (US).  Includes the current 2018 Summer.  They begin with Spring 2011, Spring Fall and Winter 2012, then four issues for each following year to current.  If you want them, please email samplersandsantas@gmail.com.   Mags are free, postage (US) is $13.50 Priority.

 

Brother received treatment at the ER and they changed the antibiotic he received from his doctor which was not correct.  Swelling is half way to elbow!  Still very red and hot but no worse today which is good.

 

Have a good day!

 

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A very long day

Remember this guy?

Just can't let a year go by without hiring him!  When I had his business do my sister's home, his workers showed, not him.  When we had mulch delivered, his workers showed, not him.  Well guess what?  He came over yesterday and will be working on the front area!  His very self!  Yay!!  If it's possible, he and his man bun, dark tan, and a few wrinkles have made him even better looking.  So why is he doing the work instead of his crew?  Because two of his long time employees took positions that are year round, not seasonal.  The others had to be let go because they claim their weed smoking is medicinal.  Well you cannot operate machinery, drive huge trucks with trailers, and be sober enough to be careful digging around utilities.  If you cause an accident with the company equipment or vehicles, the company is liable.  Grow up people.  So he advertised for a month and there are no younger people willing to do physical work, or that can pass a drug screening.  His company is now downsized, no more patios or walkways, just landscaping and light excavating.  His only workers include a 20 year old who doesn't know the difference between a shrub and a tree (currently not feeling well so took a week off to rest on vacation) and a FIFTEEN year old neighbor.  Next week, this gorgeous hard working man will be here.

The boys are both recuperating while the antibiotics kick in, Nit goes back Friday morning and Bud returns Monday.  Doc said Bud is so congested he is not getting air through nostrils.  I do not have to administer the drug, both are getting 5 day injections.  Did you even hear a cat's nasal cry?  Sounded like kids in a schoolyard!  We couldn't help but laugh at him poor baby! He weighs 17# and for the first time ever witnessed him hissing. 

See the screws in the deck boards?  That's the back, and here's the front done with the Camo system.  Very glad we used it.  You can see tiny little screw holes in the edges of the boards, some face nailing with the same screws where required, but a nice smooth surface to stain and finish.

 

 

 

 Between cleaning up the sawdust and putting away tools, me brother kept me on the phone and we ended up heating a meal and taking it to him, then running out to Walmart to pick up antibiotics the doctor called in for him.  His oldest cat has not been feeling well and he has been giving her meds.  Today, when he came up behind her to pick her up for the dose, she was startled and tore into him biting him twice.  The worst is on his thumb that has a ganglion cyst to be removed next week.  Within two hours his entire hand was swelled, he went to the doc for a tetanus, and an hour later he couldn't use his hand.  All the way to the wrist the swelling and pain are severe.  So we took the food down and offered to get his meds so he wouldn't have to drive with one hand.   The cat had an appointment tomorrow for a shot but he cancelled because he can't get her into a carrier with one hand, and driving is not advised.  Ice hasn't helped and he has Raynaud's so that isn't a good idea anyway.  His hands are white and like ice in 90 degree heat.  I don't know if that contributes to the bite reaction or if it relates to the cyst since it is close to it.

 

My nephew is having problems with his insulin pump (his sensor came off at night, paramedics again - he was THIRTY!) and the doctor left town, the PA left town, and no one is here to prescribe supplies or change settings until November.  This area is really getting to be a dead zone.

 

That's it!  Ready to sit down and read the new American Country magazine received today. 

What the hell is Hallmark doing with the night time lineup?

 

Have a happy hump day.

Thanks for visiting and your well wishes for the boys.

 

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