Reflections

I received this puzzle for Christmas.

I started it on wild card weekend; Saturday during the Bills and Colts game and had it completed by the end of the Bears Saints game on Sunday...

And We're Off...

I kicked of 2021 with a Power Red donation yesterday here at the Franklin Elks.  Another 2-pints in the books -

Bright Lights

So, we have this to deal with these days.  For some forsaken reason our rear neighbor keeps his spot light on ALL NIGHT LONG, NIGHT AFTER NIGHT!  Years past it's not been a problem but since he clear cut the majority of his trees this past spring there's nothing left to block the light.  Fortunately, this isn't an issue over the summer, as the leaves block the back of his house but being winter and it gets dark early, this is a real annoyance!  Honest to god, it seems like he has those lights shinning directly up at our place.

This is yet another example of why I frik'n hate people...

Trixie Woobie

Shhhhhh!

Please be quiet Trixie dog is trying to nap.

I realize not the best time of the year for a salon day and haircut but it was long overdue and she was ripe, so a week ago off she went.  Seems now with less hair she's more than content to be covered up when napping.  Especially since the homeowner doesn't turn the heat up...

Eggs Galore!

I can honestly tell you this is a good problem to have!

We've been getting about 4 eggs a day now for the last couple of weeks.  Of course, with 7 pullets, this could be better but under the circumstances of less daylight and much colder temps I'm pleased.

We're out of egg cartons, so have been storing them in saucers, the ones we're not eating.

I've adopted a new OCD tactic when it comes to our eggs, stamping them with the date laid.  I'm hoping this will help in identifying and using the older eggs first.

Good news is I have new egg cartons coming and a new special stamp I designed, which I'll be stamping the eggs with.  Stay tuned...

AH Memories...

Came across these unique items while going through boxes of old pictures and stuff.

No explanation needed, as the events are listed on the bags, other than perhaps "why"?!

The writing on this first bag is my mothers -

However, the writing on this bag is mine, so taking after my mom -

Too Much Time On Hands

Found this painted rock on my walk the other afternoon.

I'm not sure of the etiquette and whether you're supposed to keep or pass it along.  However, the two urges I had at the time was, 1-toss this rock into the brook near where I found it or 2-bring it home for Emilie.

Clearly, I chose option 2. 

I've Some Catching Up To Do

I just finished reading this Stephen King book.

The very first Stephen King book I read was "Thinner", which hooked me.  Following that read, I began collecting and reading all of his books at the time and enjoyed them all.  Unfortunately, it's been quite some time since I've read one of his books but I plan to start reading more of his books.

Family Doodles

Family doodles!

This first pic was drawn, on the back of a Christmas card, by my dad.  It's a picture of my mom and dad with the grandkids - 

This second pic was drawn by a Japanese exchange student, Hiroko Akechi, back in 1979.  It is a picture of my dad, mom, brother, our cat Mitch, and I -

Ball Bearings!

Old old school roller skates!

They don't make skates like this anymore, nope.  These are heavy metal skates make for off-roading (haha).  I have two pair just sitting around, any takers?!

Oh What A Relief It Is!

Look what Santa put in my stocking!

NO, it's not a shag carpet rake, wise asses.

It's a back scratcher and perfect for the person who spends much of their time out in the yard!

Snow Covered Abodes

We got about 15" of snow with our last snow storm, which today, a couple weeks later, is completely gone!  As always things are awesome following a snow storm, here are some of the "houses" in our yard covered by snow - 

Merry Christmas 2020

Wish family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here are some of our Christmas decorations, which as always look fantastic!

Blast From The Past

WOW, seems like forever ago!  Where has the time gone?!

Time To Make The Donuts

Who remembers Fred the Baker from Dunkin' Donuts?

This right here is a collectible!

Premiered in 1984 - Time To Make The Donuts

Shag This!

Good news is that we've getting 4 to 5 eggs a day for the past couple of weeks.  Delicious and as fresh as can be, YUM!

However, one of the Buff Orpington ladies does not use the next boxes for her egg laying, nope!  She prefers to lay her egg on the run floor and typically in the farthest corner from the door, see the red circle where.  She was being kind on the day I took the pic below, as I only had to crawl halfway through the run to shag her egg that day.

I've pulled her aside and spoken to her but she's a stubborn one...

The Epitome of Laziness

A public service message for all you lazy POS!

Blast From The Past

Who remembers these two pet stores?!

Sadly, they're long gone now.

Inconsiderate Neighbors

Seems the leash law we have here in Franklin doesn't apply to every and all dog owners, apparently there are exceptions, UGH!

Ever since our rear abutting neighbor clear cut most of the trees in his backyard this past spring, there's no longer any buffer or obstacles to prevent these dogs from wandering over.

The good news is they don't or haven't bothered with the chickens...yet, however, the come over and pee and crap all over the lawn back there.  The black lab takes craps that look like cow patties, YES that BIG, and her pee burns the lawn almost instantly.  Cleaning neighbors dog crap from my lawn pisses me off, even more so when I need to clean it out of my lawn tractor tires.

I just don't get it!  I just don't get how people can be so ignorant! How they could care less of others, so long as they get what they want.

Here is one example of a half dozen of these burn spots -

I strung two old rolls of 5' tall wire fencing along the back property line, maybe 50' long.  Threw in a couple metal fence posts to keep vertical and it seems to deter them from ambling over easily.  Hoping this will suffice for now.  I need to give some thought to a more permanent solution come spring.

Santa's (grumpy) Helper

Merry Frick'n Christmas y'all!

On The Road Again (NOT)!

While sitting in my car the other day I noticed the Zippity care care sticker affixed to my windshield, first photo below.  I had the oil changed in my Jetta back on 01-21-2020 by Zippity while I was at the office working.

Our company went full work-at-home on 03-12-2020, where I've been working since.  In that time, I've driven to the office for the day on 3 separate occasions, otherwise my driving is down to almost nil - doctors appointments, errands and visiting a couple friends, otherwise no driving.

Doing the math I've driven only ~4700 miles since my oil changed back in January.  Normally, had I been making my commute to the office at 120 miles per days.  Multiply this by 3-days a week and we're at 360 miles per week.  Now multiply this by 4-weeks a month and we're at 1,440 miles per month.  Finally, multiply this by 9 month and we're at 12,960 miles.  Of course these are estimates and only for commuting to the office.

All in all this equates to less time on the road, much less wear and tear on my vehicle and more quality time at home.

Current mileage as of last week -

F.W.Woolworth Five and Dime

Here's a throwback bag from a place and time long ago. A time I miss and time I would very much see make a come back, as these times we're in now need something to bring it back into alignment and reality...

Atta-Boy!

Received a nice delivery surprise the other day, delicious pretzels!

We have a new team lead in our group and she's making an effort to change the old, stiff culture.  Although, we're often recognized for our efforts, it's seldom that we receive such gifts.

This was a yummy change of pace!

Doing More Cleaning & Purging!

Since we were up in the attic pulling down Christmas decoration, we decided to bring down "other" items as well - numerous boxes.  

Sorted through the non-Christmas items; saved what needed saving, tossed what needed tossing and selling (sold) what needed selling.  The bellow pictures are two examples.  Both items have been up in our attic for well over 15 years now, taking up space and not being used or enjoyed.

 

100+ circa 1980s cassette tapes -

75+ old soda bottles circa 40s, 50s and 60s -

Interesting to go through them and all but in the end they had to go. 

Gone!

Christmas Decorating

We decorated the house, both inside and out, for the holidays.

Although, we no longer have any shrubs to string lights on, we made the best of it and decorated our Dogwood tree instead.

Also, have an LED light that's constantly changing colors and designs.

All in all pretty cool!

Sea Horses From A Time Gone By

Another very usual and unique item, or two, from my childhood!

A pair of seahorses that we had when kids, little kids.  They're each about 3/4" in size, tiny.

They've been perfectly stored in this tiny plastic case for some 50+ years.

HAHA, who needs Lewis Leaky for such a cool find...

Pocket Pig - For A Rainy Day

I came across these vintage items when going through some boxes of old stuff of mine - Pocket Pig Coin Saver, all the way from Charleston Federal Savings and Loan Association, Charleston, West Virginia.

Seems these were given to me by my Great grandmother on my dads side, so quite old.  All nine dollars worth with most of the dimes dated mid to late 60s.

I don't know if banks still offer these or similar today but a neat way to encourage kids to save.