Big Red Fails Me

Photo: This is the view Big Red had of the driveway as he watched me shovel it. The driveway is about 3 1/2 cars long and 2 cars wide.


No matter what I did. No matter how many times I read the owners manual just to be sure I was doing everything right (you know, no brain cramp). No matter. Big Red failed to start this morning and I had three inches of fluffy snow to move off my driveway.

I took shovel in hand and said, “I’m too old for this shit!” Then proceeded to shovel. I took it in little pieces…sort of a grid. In between shoveling sections, I’d go back to Big Red and try to start him. Total failure.

I guess I’m not too old for this shit, because I had it shoveled in two hours. I took it easy while I enjoyed the fresh air and vented all my nasty thoughts.

When I was done, and put the shovel away, I tried one more time. I told Big Red that if he started now I was going to put a bullet in his transmission! Not to worry. He didn’t start.

So I called the nice Manchester Honda people and they will come and get Big Red on Friday, February 5th. Let us all pray we don’t get dumped on before then.

AND, this is the good part, it will cost me around $180 depending on what they find.

I really can’t complain, however, because this is the first time since I bought Big Red, eight or nine years ago, that he has failed me. Maybe I should go out in the garage and tell him I was only kidding about the bullet.

Ben Johnson Deluxe

I have written about the Ben Johnson open face sandwich a couple times before. It is so good, I can’t help refining it…and…this is the ultimate refinement!

Check this out
Start by preheating your toaster oven to 350°.

Begin with a base of a Portuguese roll sliced lengthwise (use one or both pieces)
Slather on French dressing
Next a layer of fresh baby spinach
Then sliced tomatoes
Place sliced deli turkey on top of the tomatoes
Cooked bacon comes next (I do in the microwave for two and a half minutes)
Top everything with Swiss cheese

The amounts you use is up to you.

Place this magnificent creation into the toaster oven for 6 minutes.
When done, cut into pieces and eat with your fingers.

Work Out Woes

Over the week between Christmas and New Years, I did not work out. There was too much going on…Anne surprised us on Sunday and stayed until Tuesday. I was too busy being happy visiting with Anne and the boys. After they left, I got into the habit of staying up till 11 p.m. and sleeping until I woke up (usually close to 7:30 a.m.

Then I decided that my workout would consist of packing up the storage closet downstairs and leave it at that.

The scale immediately began inching upwards. I have a digital scale so I can see the creeping expressed in tenths. But up is up and that upset me enough to get back to working out. Starting this morning. My workouts (before Christmas) worked so well in starting the weight reduction I was looking for, it didn’t take rocket science to get me back to it.

I’ll let you know how I’m doing…probably around the middle of February.

Update On House Sale

Over last weekend I was this close {} to having a firm offer. Then they checked with the local police department about the traffic. That squashed the deal. The traffic has never been an issue in the 16 years I’ve lived here. I can’t do anything about this being a corner lot bordered by a state route and an east-west local road that can get busy during morning and afternoon drive times. That was a huge disappointment. Three more condos have come on the market that I would love to look at, but it doesn’t make sense to do that if I don’t have a firm offer for my house.

I also cannot do anything about the fact that my house is surrounded by lots of trees, or the fact that the house does not have hard wood floors. These seem to be the major reasons for not getting offers in addition to being on a corner lot.

As frustrating as this is, I still have confidence that everything will be just as it’s supposed to be. The Universe is handling everything, and, as soon as the condo I’m supposed to buy comes on the market (or the price is lowered to where I can afford it) I will have an offer for my house. Knowing that, I can relax and go on with my life (while continuing to pack up).

Enter 2010, Thank God!

Happy New Year and Hallelujah! It was with great pleasure I threw away the 2009 calendars.

Last year was so sucky, I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. We were all affected by the economic climate, the lousy weather (all last spring and summer), and the political climate of lying, back biting, Senatorial hostage taking (I’ll vote for this bill if my state can get this mega financial perk). Frankly I’m sick of the whole thing!

On top of all of that, last year started out with my mother back in the hospital, facing a 4th major surgery in 3 months. The year progressed with her going back to the nursing home to recoup. She was released on March 31st and right back in on April 2nd. This time there was no coming home. Her health status has put a lot of pressure on me.

After a terrible spring and summer, weather-wise, I had to get the house ready to sell. The sorting and tossing and giving of my mother’s possessions was very difficult. Making the house presentable and attractive for prospective buyers took a lot of energy and I can’t thank my 4 kids enough for all the help they gave me.

Now the house is for sale and there is tension every time someone looks at it. Everything has to be pristine which means I have to go through the house room by room putting away all those little things I use every day, and making sure the trash is taken out and I leave the house, too.

That is a lot of pressure for me. Someone else might think nothing of it.

However, as bad as all that was (for me) it also had an up side. The entire year forced me to deal with things I had no control over. I learned (by dealing with my mother's issues) what it's like to be really old—she's 97. I learned how to relax and have patience. I am not a patient person by nature, but I learned. And I continue to learn.

I know that I have always had what I needed, and not a second sooner than I needed it. I know I don’t have to worry about selling the house or finding the perfect condo. It will all happen on schedule and all I have to do is stay out of the way.

As bad as 2009 was, it was a teaching year. It taught me (again) to accept that which I cannot change and have patience. I seem to be a slow learner! ☺☺☺