Y I P E E !!!!!

2008 is almost gone (fresh year - fresh start) --- The world is a crazy place and well ...

Happy New Year!

M

36 hours and counting.

36 hours and counting. Gotta love year end. I'm still "pre-taxing" my farm clients. Driving me nuts.

I'm spending the big night at my sewing machine. I have a project in mind and 4 hours of quality sewing should get the job done. Found a 36 block quilt idea in a new magazine -- 36 - 10" squares -- cut, sew, and don't think -- just whip it out.

Time will tell.


Diva

Scary Nick

This is Nick -- while the jackhammer was running in front of the building -- hiding in his box, newly lined with orange fleece.

Action -- I left at 8:15 and the jackhammer had started up again. Got here this afternoon and there's a lot of orange cones and yellow tape (and a hole in the street) -- lots of brown gunk coming out of the tap --- can hardly wait to see what comes out of the water heater and water softner. Yuck.

Toodles

Diva M

O M G !!!!

Okay, it's 4:45pm on Saturday and the City Sewer/Water Crew is digging up the street in front of the office....evidently there is a water main break --- lovely.

The sound of the jackhammer is nasty! And the building is shaking -- didn't think anything would make this joint shake, after all it made it thru the big wind in 1998. Only lost the roof and one window then -- lucky shack.

So I guess I'm going to be here for a while....I had planned on a Grandma visit tonight.

It can always be worser . . . .

M

Wii ----

so I bowled a 166 on the Wii --- probably better than I ever bowled in 20 years of league bowling -- thankfully I gave that up 15 years ago. Wii bowled with the broken toe --- ugly shade of purple today -- so far, I've not searched out the Advil so things are looking up!

I left the office at 12:30 on Wednesday and didn't return until 7:00 am this morning. I think Nick missed me -- he's hanging pretty close this morning. Most likely, it's the empty chow dish.

Toodles
M

Only at Christmas....

So this Diva has her very own Diva Christmas ornament -- the tree is going up tonight and it will be the centerpiece of the decor.

We did learn a couple of new tidbits yesterday -- our septic issue has been resolved. After the jetter clean guy left (and didn't do anything) the pumper guy arrived -- we now have fluids flowing thru the system. The advise: Don't use Charmin toilet paper -- it does not disolve, it gums up the plumbing and forms a crust in the tank and blocks the outlet. Damn -- more than we needed to know. So if anyone needs Charmin -- let me know I bought 50 rolls on my last trip to Sam's Club (it's good to be prepared).

Then I tripped/stumbled/fell/stubbed into the rocking chair last night and wiped out two toes. They are black/blue and nasty looking. (Didn't think I need to share their pix!) -- So off to doctor this morning for lab work -- will have the toes checked out too. Old age is wonderful -- starting at the bottom and working my way up!

Toodles

Diva M

Diva has a Christmas Tree

And it's been delivered to the farm. Need to cut at least 4' off it to make it fit -- but when you wait until 12/23 one cannot be choosy. But it was on SALE. I should have waited another day -- $5 -- deeper discounts.

More snow overnight. And a plumbing issue. Might have to postpone the holiday -- no septic system is no cleaning, cooking, laundry or bathing! Time will tell -- Mr. Roto Rooter Man is on the way.

Back to work . . . .

M

Warmth

Just believe a warm sunny day is a mere four months away. I have on so many layers it's tough to move (and I'm still cold). Covering up more windows seems to help. And there is another 6" on the way for this evening. Gotta love it! A warm up would be appreciated -- if you have connections please request it.

Toodles

Diva M

Blow, blow, blow

So it blows.....he was blowing before it finished snowing. Mom and I dashed to nursing home last night (no travel advised and we're out in it) --didn't meet a single car until we got to the Holiday Gas Station and they had booming business! Actually it wasn't bad -- pretty quiet at the nursing home too -- watched the Wizard of Oz with grandma ---- we like those munchkins!

Made into the office this morning.....sidewalks are clear -- parking lot is plowed -- 1/2 shoveled. So it's off to the projects.

Happy Snow
M

Diva's Towing Service

no occupants

Fred's (the long gone horse)

the people house

is there a driveway somewhere?

the towing episode did not get filmed it will happen yet again. my rule is always be the tow-er never the tow-ee.....

happy blizzard

m

New Title -- Power Shopper

Diva finally dared to Christmas shop.

Store 1: gift cards & 50% off
Store 2: gift cards & 25% off
Store 3: gift cards & cheep hiking boots

Unload packages at car

Store 4: gift cards & etc

Store 5: grandma pants (on sale!) and $70 of other stuff

Store 6: sparkly reindeers (1/2 price)
Store 7: a wreath for the front door

Store 8: supper -- really needed nourishment by then.

This morning.....

Store 9: the end.....

Getting ready for the big storm......no wind yet -- it be coming.

M

Well .... words escape me

I just couldn't resist --- these things appear in my emails and well .... sometimes ya can't not share them.

M

The sky is falling, the sky is still falling

I've plowed, I've shoveled, I crabbed at the neighbors (oops) and now my feet are wet and cold.

I've decided this is the ultimate image of a Diva -- I just need the colored glasses and wacky hat.

More snow falling and more snow on the way.

Happy Xmas

Diva

Bike Dude

okay here is another pix of the "bike dude" -- I swear he went by at least 6 times yesterday .... I was out and about on foot and kept running into him. I've kept my "walk when in town" rule even though it was 0'.

lots of sirens this morning so -- something is up somewhere.

I'm told it will warm up to 20' today then snow --- lots of snow. oh joy and happiness -- more plowing, shoveling and whining about all of it.

Happy Thursday

Diva M

Neighborhood Excitement

So, Monday night there was a fire call to the Nicollet Hotel (pic here in better days) --

I have been refering to it as the giant pidgen roost. Thousands of them make their home on the roof and then fly over this shack and make deposits (fertilizer deposits). So when I heard the fire call -- my hope was for roast bird -- didn't happen.

The large rat living in the weeds behind my garage (not my weeds -- the neighbors) was seen creeping out of the basement window of the Nicollet House ---- alas it's still standing.

Diva M

So (words can't describe this)

here is brenda going to work (across the street) -- note the fuffy white stuff -- I'm blessed to be surrounded by counselor's --- real ones across the street and bartenders to the south. equally entertaining.

we really do work around here too -- here is Joy -- hard at it --- notice no cat -- she and kitty have an understanding. she's still pleading the case for an office xmas tree --- falling on deaf ears.

Okay -- I've seen it all. This is the second bicyclist of the day. This one was actually a tricycle -- not the helmet. The early one was at 6:30 when I was using my cool work wheels to clean off the sidewalk.

I also received the rude hand signal this morning from a jogger --- not that they could jog on the sidewalk -- but flipping me the bird was a bit rude ....

Back to work -- more snow on the way

M

Smiling Diva

back from Dr. Pat, the dentist, fast filling and slow exiting numbness -- smiling the entire time

warmed up to zero (yahoo!) but now it's snowing (again) and evidently (per Dr. Pat) 4 - 6 inches will be accumulating .. oh joy!

brrrrrrr

yikes....

brrrr it's cold and nasty and ishy and it's monday morning --- all of the bad things should happen in the next 4 hours. i really don't like mondays.

check out the lake washington parking lot -- so the 8 yahoo's whose vehicles went thru the ice must have had brain freeze moment too -- i'm not sure why anyone would use the lake as a parking lot (especially saturday when it was 32') but.... since i'm not an ice fishing diva ---- i'm sure the towing company appreciated the business

my sidewalk has blown almost clear this morning -- not enough to whip out the summer work wheels and plow -- a couple of driveway drifts but nothing significant -- it'll wait 'til it warms up (to at least above zero)

Shivering Diva

Issshhhh.....

So, winter just came screaming in on the North Pole Express -- it was lightly raining at 8:30 when I went to work (yes it's tax season already) and around noon -- something bounced off the office window....and the temp had dropped 30' in 4 hours..... Yuck.

If I had sound I'd tape the howl. It's pretty wicked out on the prairie -- the pine trees are dancing in the breeze.

Can't wait for morning -- a mere -5 --- good thing the long johns and woolies are washed and ready -- we're going to need them.

Happy Winter
Diva M

10 days until Santa

Diva has yet to shop (or at least physically shop), I have accomplished the point and click method of shopping and yes, there are some www deals out there. I do like the ease of on line shopping and so far my shipping charges are only $ 7.00 at 3 locations. Free shipping is hard to resist. My "electronics" purchase was back ordered twice -- but Smiley, the UPS dude delivered it on Friday.

The big snow is approaching, sounds like rain and ice in our area. The 12" will fall up on the "range" and north shore. They can have it -- I don't like to shovel, even with my power shovel.

The great white hunter is out for his next to last day of hunting. So far, no deer. Oh Joy! There is only so much venison one hunter can eat and believe me, he consumes it by himself. The rest of us fail to enjoy the attraction.

Toodles
Diva M

Idiot Diva

So, while exiting the building last night I managed to set off the panic button on my keys and the horn started to whail away. Imagine the sound -- inside the 3 stall cement block building -- it was nasty. Then when I got to the farm -- I managed to not pull into the garage far enough and set the garage door down on my rear bumper -- it cleared the back window and did not take the rear wiper on the way by.....

So I guess I need a day off. Will have to wait, too much to finish up before year-end. I eliminated one stack this week and will work on the other one this weekend.

Was it supposed to be this cold this morning -- I missed the weather -- after the garage events, I ate, read the paper and did an internet search for a missing relative, and went to bed before I could damage anything else.

Toodles
M

Best Use of Recycled Materials

okay -- no I wasn't having a Martha moment -- this unique qift item was donated to Santa Anonymous -- complete with the 3 blind moose merlot bottle .... and the wax drippings. It has become the newest chic decor item on 3rd Street -- however Sue and I decided on a new home for it -- becareful when opening your Xmas gifts it could show up under your tree!!!!

Diva M

And yet another view of this lovely light source...

Full Moon

So I was able to chisel myself out of bed early (5:30) and was actually rolling down the road to the office ...... by 6:00. Gotta get a life.

It was so cool -- the full moon was hanging on the western horizon it looked like it was an extension of Broadway -- when I zipped around the corner -- there it was. And where was my camera -- not with me. Nor the cell phone camera.

But that means full moon Friday is approaching -- watch out for the loonies.

Toodles
M

Occupational Outlooks....

So, I'm thinking -- in my next life, I'd like to be a cat. Lay around, drop hair, wait for the dish to be filled and well, someone else cleans the toilet. Seems to have a whole lot less stress than us mere mortals.

Yesterday, this particular cat -- stretched out on top of my laptop and dropped enough hair to supply the "hair transplant" specialist -- then had the nerve to upchuck on my chair.

Evidently, he's the boss. Enough whining -- jobs are awaiting (trash, litter box, vacuuming) -- I am the mere mortal who has to clean up after him.

As always, whining Diva!

M

web cam from the radio tower on the courthouse -- always good for some exciting views --- this was the middle of the night....some of us don't sleep very well!

M

More Precipitation

Dear Ones (especially the out of town Ones!);

It snowed and it appears it will continue to do so for several days. I left my camera at the Senior Center during Santa Anonymous Sunday so I don't have any cool pix's of my snow plowing talents. My skills are improving -- only hit the street light once this time around.

As pretty as it is -- it will be prettier when it melts. Another seed catalog arrived today. Up to 5 so far -- I vowed to only plant the old favorites in 2009 -- time will tell. Only 157 days 'til planting day. May 15th. Volunteers are always welcome. The only skill needed is the ability to count to 5 and bend at the waist several hundred times in a 5 hour period!

Happy Snow!
Diva M

Ho Ho Ho

2008 Santa Anonymous is done. 321 kids from 131 families. Back, Feet and Mind are tired.

M

Temperature & Gas Price

the only thing falling faster than the price of gas --- is the temperature.

birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it's cold and windy and white

M

Musings....

Cousin Gordon's daily humor email -- included a link to a civic's quiz ..... just something to make you think a bit.

http://americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx <<<>

In the aftermath of the $ 5.2 Billion shortfall facing Minnesota -- thinking way too much about the what if's in the world.

Happy Friday
Diva M

Handsome Dude

Mr. Nick -- misbehaving yet again. He never seems to understand that his furry self should not be perched anywhere near my desk -- let alone hiding behind the monitor -- notice his ability to pose.

The attitude is ooozing from his fur!

M

Monday Night!

So, exciting night....Bill, Stacy, Matt and Alix's house caught on fire. I hate it when the fire trucks go racing by the office, it just gives me the willies. Channel 12 was there and had some footage on the news last night....not much. They are all okay! Someone (Jan) said kitty didn't make it out -- but I wasn't sure if kitty was just missing or what. They are staying with Deb and CyndiLou. Still have the willies.

Snowed again. Light fluffy stuff--hoping for a big wind to clear off the sidewalks. Me and the red machine can do it -- not sure if the neighbors need to witness me in action (especially in the light of day). The door is now permanently stuck shut and my Duke's move isn't too cute in a skirt. I'm too old to be climbing/swinging over seats/doors and steering wheels.

Diva

Oh No -- It Snowed (a lot too!)

Greetings all;
I had planned on photographing the lovely 4" of fresh white fluffy snow -- but got caught up on the hazards and pitfalls of my other occupation.

I did plow snow this morning and only backed into the street light twice -- but I did manage to get stuck twice and my door won't open. So I need to be a bit more careful where I drive and engage the 4 wheel drive button -- and I am learning to climb in and out (similar to the "Dukes of Hazard") --- I'm sure I was the hot topic at morning coffee all over town.

It could be worse -- it could have snowed more! The snow does make the xmas lights twinkle brighter (no I have none -- no outside plug in's). Will take the long way home this evening just to enjoy the lights.

Happy Wednesday!
Diva Marie

Headline of the Week

Shopping frenzy tramples right over the reason for the season.



Enough said.

M

Snow ..... snow..... snow

So, no documentation of my first attempt at snow plowing with the summer work wheels -- although anyone driving down Third St yesterday at noon --- probably found it amusing. It only looks like I know what I'm doing.

At least I didn't back into the trash receptacle the City has placed (bolted to the sidewalk) next to the street light. Last year I repeatedly hit both of them -- a shaking street light is not a good thing.

The job got done and the new work wheels are pretty spiffy.

M