Nothing 4 Nothing

I gathered a basket full of small pine cones from the pine tree in the front yard, will use them for holiday decorations. I heard from M and she and D are flying to Las Vegas they will get married in the Grand Canyon Dec. 7th. Sounds cool, wish I could be there. R called early this morning about a puppy her neighbor was giving away, I said I'd have to pass...right now I can't afford all the puppy shots and vet fees involved. Dogs are expensive, plus I have been dog-less for so long I sort of got used to it...plus I never can make up my mind about anything. The sun is out today and I think it is never 60 degrees. I raked more leaves..ugh! Raking makes my back hurt, I don't like using the leaf blower it is noisy, it is heavy, it vibrates so much that it makes my arm feel numb...but it still doesn't stop me from complaining! lol
Whether you are religious or not, these are some of the most beautiful pictures you will ever see and quite a thought provoking message www.theinterviewwithgod.com Go to video.

This morning a big yellow truck with Stuart David Fine Furniture written on the side stopped in front of my house andsomeone rang the doorbell. The man said he had a delivery for me...I told him not unless there really is a Santa Claus! lol He doubled checked his paperwork and the fine furniture belonged across the street, to the new neighbors. Oh well! I couldn't see what the fine furniture looked like because the truck backed into their driveway. I raked leaves in the afternoon, because the weather man has predicted rain for most of this week. While doing so I forgot I had eggs boiling on the stove...luckily I came back inside the house before the pot ran out of water! Leaves are piled high in front of everyones house on our street. I have a big pile of leaves in the backyard that one day I must either take to the curb or stuff inside the green trash container. Took a short trip to the grocery store, a lady in front of me in line tried to pay by credit card and every card she had was not accepted, so the clerk put her groceries on "hold" until she returned with the cash. I always worry about credit cards...it is so easy to over spend as the plastic credit card doesn't look like real money. I've noticed whenever I use cash for purchases I am more thrifty. Maybe that is because my cash is so scarce! lol Came home and cut some branches off the white climbing rose bush. I had branches with throns stuck to my clothes and hair it was a tricky situation trying to remove them. The rose bush needs more trimming, but that can wait until another time. It has been overcast here all day at noon the temperture was only 45 degrees. I sent M a email and called R to make up for not talking to them yesterday...so all is right with them, I think. I read "Trees" with Marty Casey is going to be a music video and I assume a record will come out also. I also read Bo Bice is recording a song with Santana, can't get any better than that. I thought I didn't have anything to say...Ciao.

I guess since Thanksgiving is officially over it is OK for my relatives to phone me again. I got two telephone calls today or I should say my machine picked up two calls...I am to annoyed to talk to any of them. I raked a ton of leaves in the front yard and a neighbor raked some leaves in my side yard,it was very kind of him to do so. I watched the 49'ers lose and afterwards a weird movie on TV, I don't even recall the title of it. The sun is out and it is chilly outside and indoors, I am trying to save on the heating bill, so I walk around the house wearing 2 sweaters. I've been researching some family surnames, but since I can not read the writing on the old ship manifest, it is next to impossible to find anything useful. The last time I forwarded ancestral info to these "relatives" that I'm annoyed with, no one even said thanks, they didn't even acknowledge they received my email. So from now on I will be greedy and keep all new information I find to myself. I just wish I wouldn't always feel like my life is a complete waste...but no one has said or did anything to make me think otherwise.

You know what has been bothering me? The sight of those day after Thanksgiving shoppers storming through department store doors, with absolutely nothing to live for except picking up a bargain. Knocking down anyone who got in their way. Seeing the greed in their stupid, self-involved faces and in their actions makes me tremble in fear, shock and confusion. Is this the spirit of Christmas in America today? Do people just harbor a need to accumulate "things"? It is damn pathetic. No wonder the rest of the world hates us. You don't see this happening in Europe or the Middle East.... Clarify your thinking people!! Are "things" that important to you?
I bet they wouldn't stampede through doors to donate food to the homeless, or storm through the doors of a church on Christmas to praise God. Yet for 50% off any useless object they'd kill their fellow man to get it. It is insane!!! It makes me want to crawl inside my shell and not come out until next year!! Bah Humbug....everyone.

Five Weird and Random Facts About Me

1. I'm clastophobic. I hate elevators. I will use the stairs whenever possible.

2. I love rock and roll but sometimes I listen to classical music and like it.

3. I love art although I'm not good at it, it has always been part of my life.

4. I'm a chocoholic. My favorite type of chocolate is dark chocolate.

5. I'm a "Lostie" I spend hours reading LOST websites and boards.

Please stop it from buzzing!!! I used the oven timer today to cook the rolled turkey and now I can't get it to stop buzzing. I tried everything to fix it, but every hour it goes off, it never fails to startle me and I rush to the kitchen and try to figure out what's wrong with it for the hundredth time. My little turkey turned out delicious and I ate a fine meal while watching the National Dog Show on TV. Some of the dogs were so adorable, I don't know what breed I like best, but I am partial to the toys. The Macy's Parade I thought was rather boring, I did like the clydesdale horses and the Santa is always very realistic and Victorian in appearance. During the parade a huge M&M balloon hit a lamp post the globe fell to the ground injuring 2 people. (I hope not seriously) NBC said not a word about the mishap, I was channel surfing and CBS gave a full account. No one called just as I predicted, I'm not disappointed or depressed about that because I already knew it would happen. But MC said he will call me from Italy soon, I can't wait to hear his voice. LOST was very good, Sayid is safe for one ot more episodes...and Sawyer I can just keep my fingers crossed for him. Someone predicted on the radio that something very bad will happen on Nov. 29th, I assume in the USA...hope not, but keep that date in mind. Before I watch Survivor I will have another piece of pumpkin pie...I hope the red haired guy wins...

A Mrs. Smith pumpkin pie is baking in the oven. I have a rolled turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, olives and cranberry sauce ready for tomorrow. Every year right before the holidays I cease to exist, relatives don't call or bother with me. I believe they truly fear I will invite myself to their homes, wouldn't that be dreadful? Me at their house... someone call the police! It has made me feel worthless, unwanted, as if there is something terribly wrong with me. What goes around comes around and some day they will feel my alone-ness. I am not a bad person, I never ever ask them for favors or money. I actually behave very well at family functions. lol You know these relatives are not afraid to call if they want something for nothing, like baby sitting, dog sitting, house sitting, help with their aging parents, needing a job for unemployed children as long as they can get something from me for free they know my telephone number. I think it is about time I learn to say "no" don't you? I am thankful for my friends...ok..all except the 'drama queen' Tomorrow I will relax, eat my dinner, watch the parade, dog show and football games on the telly...and have the answering machine pick up my phone calls...if in fact I get any calls, and the next day maybe I will shop til I drop. For tonight I will get myself lost in LOST...and hope Sayid survives for another episode. I will survive....I have done so before....

The sad news is that my dear friend SK passed away in Virginia after a short battle with cancer. She was always kind and loving, I will greatly miss her gentle presence in my life.
Bad news #1 is someone tried to fraudentaly use my pay pal account and I'm trying to straighten that situation out...so far no reply from my emails to Pay Pal.
Bad news #2 is the elderly lady who lives across the street and 2 houses down from me. She is always sitting in her garage. She sees whenever I leave the house and whenever I return, she sees what I do outdoors, and who comes and goes, she knows if I'm naughty or nice. It creeps me out.
Bad news #3 is not really bad but annoying, the grocery store was packed today and finding a parking space ...you'd have better luck winning the lottery.
Raked leaves again and chatted with Mr. B across the street.
The 3-D Medium last night was fair, the beginning showing the painting was good, but they repeated the stabbing scene once to often..pero... the 3-D effects are cool and fun to see.
Our weather is still de-lovely, sunny, crisp, no rain nor fog...just as my grandma used to say,
"nice and dandy like peanuts and candy" lol

Not much to report. Today I raked leaves not once but twice. A guy with two long fluorescent lights bulbs in his hand stopped and asked if I was interested in selling my car, we talked for awhile. I walked to the mailbox around the corner and encountered a barking dog who ran circles around my feet until he got bored and ran home. AB emailed that he has no love, no sex, no life and women all treat him bad, I don't know if that was a hint or a plea for advice. Tonight Medium will have a 3-D episode, I have my 3-D glasses so will watch it...it will be the highlight of my evening. lol

Just got back from the "gathering" there were 18 relatives there, we had a great dinner, ham, various potato dishes, ravoli, two types of salad, green bean casserole, bread, wine and many desserts. C mentioned she couldn't find veal to put in the ravoli sauce...yuck...glad she didn't find veal, I've been boycotting veal for 10 years and I refuse to eat it. I'm not fond of eating ham either, everyone kidded me about when I turned into a vegetarian. I wish I could be one, I avoid beef whenever possible, my down fall is chicken. Anyhow, we looked at photographs of A's wedding and M's cruise. We all inspected N's newest tattoos. I was the only one who brought a camera, so became the official photographer. Leaving everyone got a "doggie bag" to take home. Today was my dress rehearsal for the real Thanksgiving. There was a message on my machine to call the family of SK...I haven't, SK has been battling cancer and I know this will not be good news. I saw a lot of VW Jetta's on the freeway, I know that will be my next car...IF...I can ever sell the old bucket of bolts I drive around now. I have so many decisons to make soon and I am not a good decision maker, I wish I could hire someone to do it all for me. I think there is a good movie on tonight, last night I watched Straight Ahead about the old fellow who drove his riding lawn mower across Kansas and Iowa. After the first 15 minutes that were rather depressing, the remainder of the movie was good, many scenic scenes. That's all folks------

Pinocchio Syndrome. I don't know why I lied so much today. Someone called from UCLA taking a health survey over the phone. When it came to the part about sex and drinking I lied, I wanted to sound bad ass. I lied about my income, wanting to sound wealth, I lied about what I ate wanting to sound healthier...but in all honesty...I told some truth or versions of the truth. The caller asked if I thought I lived in a safe neighborhood, after replying yes, I kid you not, a car came barreling around the corner, tires squealing, the driver lost control, the car swayed and turned almost coming up my driveway. I was so afraid it was going to crash through my garage door...I yelled "oh sh*t" over the phone and dashed to the front door. I explained to the survey taker what just happened and she said "I thought you just said you lived in a safe neighborhood" Wise guy!
What I want to say here is don't believe surveys...any surveys...if I can lie like that over the phone anyone can and will.
Watched the video "Guilt by Suspicion" about the Hollywood blacklisting in the 1950's when the FBI thought everyone was a Communist...for reasons like it was anti-American to march to ban the bomb, or donate food and clothing to Russia etc. People's lives were destroyed, some couldn't find work for 20 years. Makes me worry about what is happening today...only this time it's connections with the Middle East.
Anyhow I didn't rake leaves, I baked a pie instead, will watch Harry Potter tonight on tv. I really want to read the books.
Everytime I open the front door lately I find something hanging on the door knob, fliers, ads, offers etc. wish it were presents and money that I'd find there. lol Now I'm going to reheat last nights meatloaf...I'm hungry.

The battle is lost! I gave up on my idea about making a 4 bean salad for the "gathering" on Sunday. Went to another grocery store today and not only could I not find the 3 out of the 4 canned beans I needed, they also didn't have cider vinegar. I read every vinegar label on the shelves, balsanic, rice, distilled, herb, wine...and not one cider...nada!! So I will bake a pumpkin pie and maybe also a peach pie with the help of Mrs. Smith ...and call it quits. Talked to a handsome guy while waiting in the checkout line, so guess all was not lost. lol Speaking of lost... LOST was good last night, but please someone kill Ana off f-a-s-t, she has zero redeeming qualities. INVASION is also getting good. C was abrupt and rude when I called, now I regret making the phone call. What the heck is your problem? Whatever it is, you didn't have to take it out on me...I wouldn't have done that to you. Anyhow, the weather was lovely today, sunny, crisp a little breezy, with it could be this way all year. Did some more internet research on the Ellis Island website, I'm learning a lot about my dead relatives, wish I knew half that much about the living ones. lol Thanks A and M for the emails...you guys make me laugh so hard!!!

This morning the garbage truck arrived at my big black trash container, it lifted the can, deposited the garbage, and started to download it back to the street, when the can hit the street it fell over. I was at my pc and thought I'd get the fallen can off the street when I went outside later. After awhile, still at my pc...I saw a teenager dressed like a gang banger riding a bike. He observed the trash can, got it sitting upright again and still riding his bike while holding on to the trash container he wheeled it up my driveway and left it by the garage door. What I'm trying to say is you can't judge a book by its cover. For all intents and purposes he looked like a gangster but instead he was a kind soul. Thanks kid...I regainedsome of my faith in people. Anyhow, I went grocery shopping, I decided to pick up what I needed for the 4-bean salad I planned to take to the "gathering" on Sunday....much to my dismay I could only find canned green beans in the store, I went up and down the aisles, where in the heck did they hide the other beans that I needed? You'd think all beans would be located close together in the same aisle...you'd think wrong!! I left without my ingredients...but I did buy a box of assorterd doughnuts...what the fudge!! I don't need doughnuts...maybe it was in revenge for not finding canned beans?
I raked my first leaves of the season, the neighbor across the street nodded 'hello' in the years he has lived there, I think I heard about 10 sentences out of him....oh well. I don't listen to country music, but guess I'll watch the award show on the telly later...

I was watching a local early morning TV newscast, and on the ticker tape ribbon that runs in the bottom of the screen had today's forecast. Ours read "71 and suns" I waited all day for more than one sun to rise, but it never did. lol It was windy here for most of the day, I needed an excuse not to rake leaves, and wind is a good one. R asked or rather hinted as to what I was taking to the pre-Thanksgiving gathering, and I haven't a clue. I need to come up with something easy. D is in a better mood, but so far we haven't had a long chat. I received some snail mail today and I haven't even opened the envelopes yet. That is sooo not like me. I used to dive into mail couldn't wait to read letters. I think email has changed all that, what fun is it to read news that is at least a week old when I can read instant news on email? Am I spoiled or what? But on the other hand there is nothing better than a real letter, written on real stationery, deposited in a real mailbox and delivered by a real person to your door, a letter that one can read and reread and fold up and savior and save. There is a forward making it's round that asks to describe the person who sent it to you in one word and one word only. I have been described as a nonconformist, levelheaded, freespirit and friend....not bad. I really thought I'd get back stupid, strange and some four lettered word descriptions. Ciao

I watched one of the videos O loaned me this afternoon La Cucaracha. I never heard of this movie before, it was tough, tense with a little comedy added in it. Eric Roberts was excellent, he spoke volumes with his eyes. I like movies where the characters try to "find themselves" when they pit good against evil...this had it all.
I woke up at 6AM, and decided it was to early to get out of bed. I wasn't sleepy "I'll just stay in bed for an hour or so" I said to myself. Then I heard a neighbor hammering something. "What the heck....why is he hammering so early in the morning?" I said. Angrily I looked at the clock, it was nearly 10AM. I couldn't believe it. 10AM!! Getting up so late turned my whole day upside down. Do I eat breakfast, brunch or lunch...someone tell me what the heck is brunch? I have never figured it out.
While I was on the pc I heard someone whistle in the house.... there was no one in the house at the time or outside. I heard someone whistle a couple of times already...it could be R's spirit trying to communicate, I sort of hope it is.
Today was bright and sunshiney all day, very nice. I wrote out my Christmas list, not what I want but what to shop for, it's always difficult to come up with new ideas.

Shannon is a goner.. I sort of expected she'd be killed off last night on LOST, fans on the boards never liked her very much. There was no chemisty between she and Sayid...for the heck of me I don't understand why.. who would not want to be cast as Sayid's love interest in the series. But I would rather have seen that terrible Ana Lucia go, then one of the main characters. It was a good episode... With all the conflict in the world, I spend my time worrying about LOST...lol
Tonight was Survivor...it seems on all these reality shows it is the best liar that wins. Isn't that a shame. I always want to believe in people, to believe people are basically honest. Guess I am just being naive. I am having issues right now about R not wanting her Dad with her for the holidays because he is old and will be 'to much work' to look after. What work? He sits all day. I guess it bothers me because my Dad died when I was 16 and I would love to be with him even for one more day. These people have their fathers and don't appreciate them...and what can I do about it? Nothing...he is not my father...anyhow it is just sad. Maybe R will read this and get the hint,
I guess I'm a coward for not saying it to her face, I guess I am at blame too. Sure wish I knew what to do.

The news from Jordan about the hotel bombings is scary and awful, and leaves me speechless as to what to say, except to ask when will all this violence end? D lives about 20 minutes north west of Amman. Hopefully D and family were not in harms way. I haven't heard yet.
The sun came out here, I managed to go grocery shopping and forgot to buy sugar. I always seem to forget something even when it is written on my list. I ordered my Christmas stamps by mail, will be interesting to see how long it takes for them to arrive. The order goes to Pa.
The LOST episode they advertise as "one you won't forget and will keep you talking for days" airs tonight...I wonder who they kill off? Please not Sayid or Sawyer.
The trees around town are changing color now and look very pretty. That reminds me, I need to rake leaves soon, keep putting it off. I know the more they pile up the harder work it will be for me. Got a email from a email address I didn't recognize today, I was afraid to open it because of all the bugs and viruses I read about, but did anyway, turned out to be a cousin of mine. It was a nice surprise. Seems like with the time change, when it gets to around 3pm the minutes and hours after that drag on and on...I wonder why? I <3 you!!

The photo is of grapevines in Autumn. Aren't the colors wonderful? Makes me think of Carlo Rossi wine...don't ask me why. lol
I saw a guy who looked exactly like Jimmy Buffett today, he was driving a silver sports car with bird poop on the driver's door. I was in a parrothead's paradise when I saw him. Was it really him? I'm hoping it was. But what was he doing in the San Joaquin Valley?
The sky has been dark and dreary, did not see the sunshine until 3:30pm. Haven't felt like doing much of anything, I really hate days like this.
R wants me to make Italian cookies for the pre-turkey day gathering. I haven't made them in years, I've been re- reading the recipe, don't know if I will tackle the task or not yet.
Not much else to report, so Ciao until next time...

I watched these storm clouds gathering today, bringing the first major amount of rain to the valley floor. R and I went to visit Uncle L we drank coffee and ate pumpkin custard pie together. O loaned me some videos, it will be nice to watch some movies not interrupted by commercials. Everyone sort of made plans for a pre-Thanksgiving get- together. Call me old fashioned, but I never did like gatherings before a holiday leaving people with nothing to do on the real holiday. But guess I will take what I get at this point. Wish you could see the peach orchards around here. The leaves are a brilliant gold, and some have fallen to the ground, the orchards look unearthly. Also the grape vine leaves are changing color, although leaves are not as bright as the peach trees, they look pretty too. This is such a beautiful time of year.

I learn something new everyday...lol For instance, if a pop-up box shows up on your computer screen saying something like there is an error and if you want to save java script...by all means reply YES. As it goes, I didn't know what java script was and thought perhaps this was a trick question attached to some kind of a virus, so I clicked NO. Turns out that was a bad move, I lost entrance to my email, couldn't download websites and other useful things. I turned off my pc and logged back on, nothing changed! It took some time and way to much thinking to get java script back. If anyone is interested, I had to go to system tools and system restore to a preceding date. Now I have another problem, how did my Solitaire game get stuck on my desk top screen, and is no longer listed with the games....and why is Microsoft Publisher in games???
I am just to tired to figure out why things change when I didn't do anything. Outside it is very dark and overcast, it is suppose to rain tomorrow. Movies on tv this weekend have been duds, and I tried very hard to watch the 49'ers game, but with them losing and with do many commercials I gave up. I think that is one of my main problems, I toss up my hands and give up to easily on everything. D is back online...that makes me smile, and I heard from G today.
I think now I want to play internet pool, by myself, I need pratice and I'm to bad at it to play with "real" people. I played Hearts with "real" people not long ago and some fool cussed me out because I passed him bad cards...isn't the object of the game to win? Should I have kept the Queen of Spades to make a online friend? It made me feel bad, and I haven't been back. Yes, I scare easily.

"There's gold in them thar hills" Saw a gold panning demonstration today. It was interesting, there are many steps in separating gold nuggets from sand and rocks, after much swirling of the pan under and above water,only the gold remains in the pan. There is a gold nugget in the photo. To bad no one was handing out free samples.
GW is in Argentina...I have long lost relatives there. I've been trying to track them down, but no luck so far. I hope GW gets the message of just how well he is liked around the world. Today has been cloudy and overcast. It may or may not rain by Monday, depending on which forecast you believe. The "Drama Queen" is back and she is doing a hell of a job this past week. I'm learning to let it all go in one ear and out the other. G said to wait until the alternator light stays on before I worry about the car...that is of little comfort, it scares me to drive with my car whinning loudly as I travel down a road. My blogs seem to be a lot of "jibber jabber" but that's me. lol

I wish I knew more Spanish, I'd love to watch the Spanish soap operas on TV. The leading men are all so handsome (sigh) and I also like the Musical Minute on Spanish TV...if I watch enough maybe I will learn the language? LOST was a rerun last night, someone will be killed off next week...I hope its the new gal Ana Lucia, but odds are it's Shannon. Just hope Sayid and Sawyer remain on the show, without them I'll boycott the show!! It amazes me how f-a-s-t email will travel from sender to receiver. In an instant!! Wow, I didn't think emails worked so fast. I heard a odd expression today someone said "I feel like a heel, worn to my sole (soul)." Weather is cloudy here buy it hasn't rained yet. I feel much better then I did yesterday. People keep joking to me about the bird flu, but I don't think it is anything to laugh about. I haven't raked leaves yet but I broomed them to the curb this morning...I guess I'm just lazy. Guess I will end...hope you kept up with my disjointed thoughts. lol