Fall-ing Behind

I missed my fall festival last weekend because of the rain, but we made it to the Christmas in the Woods at Shaker Village this past weekend.  Robin, Matthew, Anna and I went and had a great time... poor Julie (who I went with last year, if you recall) had some sort of stomach virus (ie:  the shits) and couldn't go.  The weather was perfect... the trees were all changing... and we had some great food and oogled their goodies and wares (ok, I was talking about the cute boys, but there were a lot of crafts, etc. as well).  We have another one this weekend... AutumnFest at Seven Springs.

I really didn't get to enjoy much of the nice weather we've been having, other than having to be out working in it.  I spent two days last week trying to get the Marriott back together, another one at my Aunt's and another client's house... and two pretty much in bed sick with a sinus infection.  I went to work on Friday night at the bar, but came home Saturday night after being there an hour because I felt like crap.  I subsequently slept 9 hours that night... much-needed recovery time.  Today, with a big-wig coming tomorrow, I had a lot to accomplish.  I spent 4 hours blowing leaves off the parking lot then 5 cutting the grass and mulching the leaves... then 3 minutes looking around at all the leaves that fell right back overtop all my cleared parking lot and 2 minutes crying before I gave up and left for the day.

The leaves are all changing (see pics below) and with the last nice day being tomorrow before we get some more rain and colder weather, I may try to break in the new kayak on a lake or just take a drive up north in the middle of the woods.  The picture above, I took at a local park... they had all the benches collected and lined up for the end of season (I actually won an award for that pic).  I guess we take for granted how beautiful they are... someone from Florida was at the hotel going around with a bag collecting all the colored leaves, saying how they don't have them at home... I told him they are pretty... until you have to chase them all around the parking lot all day long.... and that he could take as many as he wanted... or all of them if he had the room in his suitcase.

YUM !! It's Foot-ball Season

Summer's Second Chance

If you would have told me last week when it rained for 8 days straight that we'd have 8 of the most beautiful days of summer afterwards... I would have gladly put my rubber boots on and waited.  It was so nice out yesterday... not a cloud in the sky and a beautiful 75 degrees... and it's supposed to be like this until next Tuesday.

It felt good to get outside yesterday and get some work done.  The Marriott had been pretty battered from the rain with wet leaves everywhere and things growing out of control.  It felt so good to cut everything back and clean it all up and watch everything have a second chance at growing... it was only a month ago that everything was dried up and half dead, and now things are blooming again.  With planting some Mums, dealing with the leaves and getting everything trimmed, I didn't get all the grass cut, so I'm off this morning to get that finished up.  This is the time of the year that I love.   My contract goes until the end of November, so now I will just be cutting grass as needed and chasing leaves around the parking lot.  I've already been awarded the contract for next year... and now, with the trailer I just bought, I'll be getting a bigger mower and expanding next year.

Incidentally, I lifted this pic from a new reader... GardenGuy.  It kind of looks like me, minus all the muscles and plus some facial hair.

Wide Load

Over the last month... I've been shoveling in the junk food... McDonald's, bakery items, candy, ice cream... at an alarming rate.  Somehow, I'm only 175 lbs, which is 10 pounds more than my lowest, back in May.  I've been guilting myself over my eating habits and that I haven't been to the gym in months... so I finally went today.  For me, actually leaving the house and getting to the gym is more than half the battle.  I only did an hour of a workout since I felt like I was going to throw up and have a heart attack... but at least my fat percentage was still at 16%.   I hope this is a leaf I'm turning over... not only for better physical and mental health (it's almost depression season), but especially since I have another one of the Body Electric classes (this time I'm an assistant, not a participant) coming up the first weekend of November... you know, the ones where you learn to accept your body as it is... so I have 4 weeks to get back into shape so I can accept my body exactly as it is.  Geez, I'm stupid. 

I Love Jake Ryan

The weather has been pretty crappy but, fortunately, I've been loaded up with shows on my DVR and watched a few movies over the weekend, including Sixteen Candles with Molly Ringwold.  Looking back, I remember how popular she was... and how I loved her movies.  It brought back a lot of memories of the mid-eighties... a time when life was a lot more simpler, although filled with teenage angst, I doubt I thought that at the time.  Even back then, I remember how I was starting to feel things for guys and Jake Ryan, the object of Samantha's obsession in the movie, was the epitome of everything that I wished I could be... handsome... great hair... body hair... great matching sweaters... money... a great car... a girlfriend with perfectly-feathered hair... he had it all.. and he turned out to be emotional... which was a huge turn-on for me.

I had two girl obsessions in high school... one was Cindi Phillips, daughter in a rich construction company family.... and Kim Maloney.  Both had snow-white blonde hair, feathered much like that of Princess Diana's.  At one point, my friend Julie moved next door to Cindi's house and I can remember how excited I was to maybe catch a glimpse of her, perhaps in her back yard washing the car... you know, one of those moments where it seems like the whole thing is in slow motion.  Her perfectly-feathered hair bouncing (yet somehow holding it's form) and her yellow terry cloth shorts with the white piping and matching tube socks, beconing to a young freshman like myself.

Everyone in the Phillips family looked like they were carved out of cream cheese... they were so perfect and beautiful... especially Cindi's brother, Jake.  Jake Phillips (I loved just hearing the name) was, of course, a football star... tanned, toned and definitely the most popular guy in the school... and that's where I remember the confusion coming in.  Even then, I remember falling in 'love' with him on the back of falling in love with Cindi.  Did I really love Cindi... or was she the gateway to my real love... Jake?

In such a troubled time for me trying to figure out what was going on in my mind and underpants, I knew, even then, that it was love that I wanted.  I never had lustful thoughts about Jake... either one, really.  With Jake, in the movie... the moment outside of the church where Samantha comes out and the cars in the street clear and there's Jake, leaning up against his red Porche... I knew then that I wanted and needed a prince in shining armor to rescue me.  It gave me hope that even scrawny little kids like myself could have a chance to be swept away. 

Now, in my mid-forties, I know that it's probably never going to happen... that guys like that aren't out there any more... and wanting that lifestyle or a red Porche is the farthest thing from my mind.  It's funny how we change.

I'm still waiting for my Jake.

Tids and Bits

About a month after I started my Aunt's landscaping project (a.k.a. attack of the house of bees), I finally finished it yesterday. Because she doesn't have a lot going on, she tends to fixate on things and adds a sense of urgency on the task for something to do... a typical thing for older people, I think.  One of her favorite things is the set of hard-wired landscaping lights and a separately-wired statue of a black man (in the sambo style) holding a lantern, which, her having it (in and of itself) could be a whole 'nother blog post... but I digress.

If you've ever installed these lights, you know what a pain it is to hook them up... the connectors are very tempermental... you have to squeeze them just right to get them pierced so they make a connection... and they almost always go out periodically, either at the connection or the bulb. Eight lights in her bed... you do the math on how often I go over there to fix them, not including the timers (which need adjusted every time the electricity goes off).

I figured that I would just replace them, so I pulled out the old wires from the ground (which is what upset the bees to begin with) and laid new wiring and connected 10 new lighting pods.  When I turned them on, only one of the ten actually lit, which meant that I had to dig up the connections and play with the intricate connectors and wiggle the bulbs... about ten minutes or so each... which wouldn't have been bad except it started raining midway... and there was no way that I was stopping and having the project delay any further (i.e. having to go through another round of "when are you coming over... when are you coming over").  Five bee stings... 16 5-gallon buckets of weeds and clumped dirt... raw fingers... muddy shoes (and ass... I fell)... and 10 bags of red (ugh) mulch later... it was done.  Another nagging project off the board.  Nothing is ever simple.

I went to pick up the utility trailer that I found on Craigslist which was about an hour away in no-man's land.  the retired guy that had it was very nice and helpful... of course nothing was easy with that as well... my trailer hitch was rusted and wouldn't go in... the hitch ball was the wrong size... I couldn't find an ATM machine out in Amish country... we had to go to this trailer park with this odd woman to transfer the title and, lastly... the hitch lights didn't work when I connected them.  I got the trailer home and have been working on getting the lights to work... I have to take the car to have the wiring looked at today.  It's a nice trailer... it tilts for easy loading, has a third wheel... a wench... and the sides are removable... which I will have to rebuild higher so that I can put mulch and leaves in it.  It's perfect for what I need... and for building my business nextSpring... I'll probably get a riding mower now and expand with bigger jobs.

Autumn is upon us... It's been raining so much that it's hard to enjoy the Fall... but it is much cooler, which I love.  I used to have a kayak years ago but sold it when I moved, so I bought another one the other day.  I got a great deal on it... and I like that it has two dry compartments.  And despite my fear of deep water and drawing toward being solitary as I grow older, there's nothing I enjoy most than being out in the middle of a lake by myself where no one can get to me.

It's fall festival time as well... and October is a busy time for me with the ones that I usually attend.  With the break in the rain, next week looks like 7 days of sun and 60-something degrees... and with peak foliage color change about to happen, I have decided to head up and see Sean in Albany (Idle Eyes and a Dormy).  I'll leave on Monday and come back on Friday... and will be stopping in the Poconos at one of my favorite places... Bushkill Falls.

If You Don't Laugh, You'll Cry

Sweet Day

This morning, I treated myself to my favorite breakfast place... California french toast (tender raisin bread dipped in a vanilla batter topped with bananas), then went to my favorite gourmet donut shop (one rasberry lemonade and one chocolate chip cookie dough) and then stopped at the coffee place to get my syrups for my homemade iced coffee (cupcake, apple, almond, butter rum and Italian eggnog).  I love my tastes and smells.  The rest of the day, I intstalled the radio I originally bought for the truck since the one in Terry sucked.  After taking apart the whole dashboard, somehow, I got it all back together again and it works.

After a long summer of reruns and crap TV, the new season is finally here.  My double DVR has been set for maximum recording and I'm not ashamed to say that I love it.  I love having all my shows sitting there waiting for me at the end of the day.  Some of my favorites are no longer running, but they've been replaced by a bunch more.  New this year are a few that are quicly becoming my new favorites... especially Revenge and 2 Broke Girls. 

Wickedly Terrifying

Friday night, I went to Wicked.  I bought the ticket back in May... I was excited.  It was much better than I expected... a lot more funnier.  I liked the way they tangled the two stories together, which was more seamless than the musical score, which didn't seem to have much flow... I like Defying Gravity... and For Good... but the rest of them really weren't cohesive.  Some of the jokes were really funny, especially the ones that the audience had hindsight of the original story... and I liked that there was a happy ending after all... if not a door opened for a future story.

Almost falling prey to my social bass-ackwardness, I hopped in the car and drove 3 hours up to Sandusky, Ohio to Cedar Point Amusement Park.  I haven't been there since I was 18, so I was excited.  My friends, Matt and Keith, were already there.  The park is doing Halloween weekends up there, so it was pretty packed and all decorated.  In the 8 hours I was there, I only got to ride 5 or 6 rides with the lines being long, but, oh... what rides they were, each more terrifying than the next... to me at least.  A lot of people can't deal with being upside down... or spinning... but mine is heights.  I can't think of anything more horrific than the slow ascent up the first hill... that connection to the chain where it goes backwards before it goes forwards... then makes that clanking sound as you slowly climb... in this case, over 400 feet up.  Since my shrieking started at or around 25 feet, it felt like an eternity before we were thrusted down the other side.  The ride I was on was the Millennium Force which is the number one rollercoaster in the country and I have to admit, I don't remember much beyond the 25 feet... I think I was in shock.  The Maverick, Wicked Twister and Disaster Transport were some of the others... each better than the one before.  I'm surprised I have a voice today from me trying to rationally explain to the ride operator to please stop the ride... I may have used a few explicatives.

After a fun day... the best ride of all was in Terry on the way home.  I got about 29 miles to the gallon and the ride was so smooth... and, best of all, gas up there was only $3.20 compared to $3.69 here.  I may have screamed a little in the car as well.

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

1996 Teal Nissan Pickup Truck 75k miles at time of purchase October 2009:  $4,500
1996 Teal Nissan Pickup Truck 105k miles Kelly Bluebook value September 2011:  $3,300
1996 Teal Nissan Pickup Truck (totaled by stupid kid), payoff by insurance company:  $5,800
Driving said pickup truck for two years, accumulating 30k miles and making $1,300 in the end:  PRICELESS!!

Having already purchased the Subaru last night and picked it up today, I was a little worried about whether or not they were going to total the truck or not... and if so, how much they were going to pay to me, especially since I bought it solely out-of-pocket cash.  I would have been a little upset with $2,500... expected $3,000... and would have done cartwheels for $3,500 (Given the KBB value wasn't even that)... so you can imagine my shock and awe when the guy handed me a check today for $5,800.  I actually squealed a little when he told me... and I rushed to the bank before they changed their minds.

All I could think of over the last couple of days was how much I'm going to miss that truck and what a good truck it was.  Let me tell you, if I knew what they were going to value it at, I would have run it off a cliff long ago.  A nice settlement check helps ease the pain of a broken heart just like an alimony check on the first of the month.  Bye bye, Marriott Chariot.... hello Terry.

You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine...

A few weeks ago, I did a post about my friend, Adam, in Germany.  At 24, they discovered a brain aneurysm and they went in and did surgery, which went fine... and short of a shaved head (at least his blonde moments weren't so apparent when he had no hair), he came through the surgery and was recovering fine.  They decided to move him from Germany to Poland to recover with his family.  Today, I learned that, while in transport, he had a cerebral stroke that was probably caused from the rough transport to Poland.  He is paralyzed on his left side, but the doctors told his family he will get better with time.  He had another surgery, and is slowly recovering, but it is a long way for him until he is fully recovered.

When I first met Adam through other bloggers, I was taken back by his stark honesty, his veracious sexuality and his overall optimistic attitude.  There were a few times where I had to edit or censor his responses... he definitely says what's on his mind.  At first, he was like a bee... you're so tempted to swat at him, but then you realize what a good person he is in this world... and the 'sweet honey' (sunshine) that he makes and brings... and the 'pollen' (positive energy) that he spreads to everyone is so innocent and rare in people... and I've grown to love him and I can't imagine my day without him in it.  Ok... that analogy could have been taken sexually... which I think he'll get a kick out of... but you get my point.

This kid doesn't deserve to be in a hospital bed with all this happening to him.  For all the sunshine that he brings to everyone else's life, please show him something in return.  I'm sure he'd love to hear from all of you... his sister will be reading him emails, bedside.  Leave him a message on Facebook (Adam's Facebook Page) or, preferably, send him an email to.... sirlaid@googlemail.com.

Adam... you are in my thoughts.  If there's anyone who can recover from this, it's you.  Stay strong... get your rest... enjoy this time with your family and get better.  You're going to be just fine, blondie!!

Love,
Pezzy Baby

Meet My Lesbian Car, Terry (Whoop-de-do for my Subaru)

Today, after cutting grass at the Marriott and another client's, I stopped by a few dealerships.  Fresh with excitement for my new path towards buying a small car instead of a truck, I spotted this 2003 Subaru Forester.  It has a 2.5L 5 speed manual transmission that a lot of get up and go, but will deliver mpg in the mid to high twenties... it's all wheel drive, it has new tires and alloy wheels, the engine and body are clean and it's loaded with every option except a sunroof... it even has a roof rack for my kayak and a tow hitch so that I can attach a trailer for my lawnmower (I may not even need a truck then at all)... and I figure I can put the seats down and sleep in the back of it on my next big trip if need be.  It's the perfect car for my active lesbian lifestyle.  The only bad thing about it is the high mileage... 112,000... but in these foreign cars, you can get a couple hundred thousand miles out of them easily... and it looks well-maintained.  I've made an offer and they've accepted it.  I pick it up tomorrow.

YUM !! (Barefoot Summer Is Gone)