The Sound of Rolling Thunder

You all have heard the term 'rolling thunder', right?? Well, the past hour I have been listening to it. A storm has moved in on the east side of Durango, yet the sun still shines on the west side of Durango. It is phenomenal. It seemed like the clouds were all rolling over and under one another and bouncing off the mountain tops. I thought it was going to really pour but it only sprinkled. I have never seen a storm like this before. It was brewing all day today and finally is going north, which is a strange direction for a storm, I think. Wish I had a camera! I will soon though.

WEEKEND OFF: doing what I want when I want how I want and where I want.
That's my explanation of my first weekend off in 9 months.

I got up at 7:30 a.m., made and drank coffee, did dishes, took out the garbage, then got dressed and went downtown to the Farmer's Market. All of the greens are out at this time of year (lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips...) I bought a loaf of bread and a piece of pottery that I'll be using as a tomato keeper. It's kind of like a colander. I bought two different kinds of coffee and Durango Joe's. One is Southern Pecan and the other is Snikerdoodle. (Kind of reminded me of Doodlehead Manley! )

I then stopped in at the library and picked up 3 books, one being 'True Detectives' by Jonathan Kellerman.

I also stopped at the store and bought ingredients to make pork fajitas and pico de gallo.

When I got home the boys were gone so I took the opportunity to sit in the hot tub and soak plus soak up some sun. I justed putzed all day, making the fajitas and pico, clipping 2 of the 3 cat's nails, read some of 'First Family' by David Baldacci and then watched this storm blow in. I also set up the sprinkler and watered lawn for 4 hours, which is 2 areas. The flowers are brilliant. I have orange poppies, purple iris, white daisies, some small lilly-type yellow and purple flower, and small pink alysum.

I spent some time out by the pond/waterfall and enjoying the view and giving Bandit some attention.

Tomorrow will be the day to vacuum, dust, change bed, do laundry. dishes and clean the bathroom. Then the Nascar race will be on in the afternoon.
Y'all have a good day and be safe.

Vacation Time

Just thought I'd blog one more time before I go on vacation. I am going down to Los Alamos to see my neice's son graduate. So, I shall see Jody and her family, Jen and Trent, and my oldest sister Joyce all at the same time!!! We will be attending the graduation and the party, going out to eat at Gabriel's, one of my favorite mexican restaurants just north of Santa Fe, go shopping in Santa Fe, and hang out with the family. I leave work Friday and drive there and will be coming home Wednesday.



Manley will be staying with Kyle, the pharmacy manager, and Marit May will be stopping in daily (with her mom) to feed cats and clean the litter box and water my tomato and pepper plants.



I put the seats back in the van in case we all want to travel together in Los Alamos, and got Manley's crate ready to go, along with his food and toys and blankie.



I went through all of my summer clothes and got them freshly laundered and set aside. I have to do a few other packing things and I'll be ready to go.



Tomorrow I have to stop and pick up my paycheck from EconoLodge, cash it, work, grocery shop for items to take to Los Alamos, and pick up Kyle's cooler.

Plus, if my landlord brings the lawn mower, I will try to mow the lawn. Then pack.



Manley is now looking even more handsome. I put him up on the grooming table outside last night and he is all nicely 'scissored'. No long hair between toes, nails trimmed, no whiskers, ears cleaned out, hair behind ears thinned.............



I am very excited about my vacation. First of all, I will see 1/2 of my family, and secondly, I need a vacation.



Will tell you all about it when I get back! Y'all have a good week!!

The Adventures of Mattie and Jazzie

Such a bright sunny morning. Manley and I went to walk Mattie and Jazzie this a.m. The first time we all went for a walk last month was probably a hilarious sight to see. These are 120 and 90 pound dogs, mind you. But, I had them on short leashes until they got done being so excited about seeing their friend Manley. Manley, of course, just lifted his nose in the air and gave me 'one of those looks' that only a Golden can give. A gentleman on his bike went by smiling and said hello. Bet he was wondering how I'd hold back over 250# of dogs if I had to!! We walked a mile and by then the girls had settled down and I hooked up the flexi lead through both of their leashes and they had more room to roam. Then we walked home and didn't have any incidents.

I am at home now waiting on the boys in the front to stir so I can start my chores. They try to be quiet when they are getting up and going to work at 5:30 every a.m. so I will return the favor. Laundry, yard work, dishes, dusting, change bed.............hot tub!!!!!!

The 3 girls are getting along fine. Sparkle is adjusting to being 'low kitty on the cat tree'. Her and Kisa Maria were sitting in the window together Friday and Kisa isn't growling at her anymore. OOPPSS!! I take that back. Kisa was getting pet and Sparkle walked by and got growled at. Guess Kisa wants me to pet only her!! Kalista is Kalista. Whatever.....

I now have Banana Bandanna colored toenails. Really, it is exactly the color of a banana!! I compared. Thought I'd get a little toe color going for summer/sandal time.

I hope y'all have a good weekend. Time to go get things done.

Last Day at EconoLodge

Today will be my last day here at EconoLodge. :( I may be asked to come back in the fall, and will consider it at that time. It's been a low stress job, unlike Walgreens, and I have really enjoyed it here. I have met many nice people and the owner and his family are very nice. I will be going rafting and siteseeing with them this summer.

Now I will have 2 days off in a row! I have several dog sitting jobs lined up through July, and then at least one for a week in September at this point. I can go hiking, go site-seeing (after 2 yrs) and have time to do my house work and yard work at my own speed.

Last night Deb and I went out the Swing for supper. They had a coupon for 'buy 1, get 1/2 off second meal' deal. We just split the bill. We split a fresh salad, and each had seafood paella. It was scrumptious!!!!!!!!!!!!! Large shrimp, large bay scallops and calamaris. Then for dessert we split a piece of lemon cake with orange frosting. Chris, our chef, fixed the paella personally for us. And of course he came out of the kitchen to give us hugs. We of course got our same booth in the dining room and the server, Dave, was great.

American Idol fans----how cool was the results this last week!! I was surprised that Danny was not in the finals, and glad that Chris got in. Of course, we all know Adam will win, but there are never absolutes on that show!! Those top 10 will have careers, no matter what. Can't wait!!!!

I'm having problems firming up plans for Manley's boarding while I am in Los Alamos. Too late to take him to a boarding kennel---full on Memorial Day weekend--- and so Deb said she'd take him if all else fails. She has a fenced-in yard and a 13 year old part Border Collie. Manley would love Deb's husband, Andy. Kyle was going to take him, but forgot what days and made plans for that weekend. He'd be able to take him Monday night through Wednesday. At least the cats have someone coming in daily to feed them/clean litter box.

I'm slowly but surely getting set for my trip to Los Alamos. I checked the oil, fluids, and tire pressure on the van. Now I have to make the list of things to take and make sure the clothes are freshly laundered, after sitting in a box all winter. I am getting my hair cut and colored today.
I am hoping Jody is doing ok handling all of the preparations for all of her company!! And then her husband coming home!!! I love having company and fixing meals..... It use to happen far more often way back when I was married and had a big enough place for them all to sleep. (Course, we were all younger then too :) )

Dog sitting for Mattie and Jazzy this weekend. They enjoy the walks and I may take Manley with tomorrow. There is also a huge thrift sale up in the complex. I may just have to swing by and see what all is available.

Y'all have a great weekend and see some of you soon!!!

'Blue Skies Smilin at Me'--

Name that singer!!

Nothin' but blue skies.... today. My flower gardens are blooming in bright colors. It is just awesome. Yesterday I did a couple hours of yard work before my 11-7:30 shift and I have 99% of the raking done and 1/2 of the lawn mowed. I even swept out my side of the garage. Then I had to go to work. :(

When I got home, I received my picture of my mom in the mail. She is in her wedding dress when she married my dad Glenn Edward. It is in the original frame and I will put it next to her graduation picture, which is still in the original frame. Thanks Mom!!

The price of gas rose 12 cents over night. I should have gotten gas last night!!

After working here at EconoLodge, I have to get gas, go to the library, then the grocery store. Then go home and sit in the hot tub for a bit and then watch a movie or two. Or the Nascar Race might be on tonight.

OH!! In case any of you would like to have a free trial from NetFlix, let me know. I am signed up with them for 1 movie at a time for like $9.99. It's a good deal. With the free trial, you need to sign up by June 15, it is for one free month trial and I can give you the priority code in place of sending the card, as you sign up online. Just remember to cancel by the end of the trial period.

The 3 pixie bobs are getting along fine. Kisa Maria is still growling at Sparkle, but she is maintaining her alpha status. I have a picture on my phone of Kalista and Sparkle napping at the end of my recliner. They all run around together but Sparkle stays out of Kisa's way. None of my cats are fighters, so that made things easier.

And Manley is just Manley. He just finds a spot and gets out of every one's way. But he knows who gets fed first!----the 'Man' of the house!!

Sunday is my cleaning, laundry, cooking day. Plus I will be hooking up the watering system so I can water the lawn. So I have more grass to mow!!! There's definitely a method to my madness.

I am thinking about giving my boss here at the EconoLodge my notice. At least for the summer. I have more dog sitting jobs and less rent, and I am tired of working 6 days a week. I would like to hike and be able to go places in the area that I haven't seen yet. Just going to look over my finances and make sure it will be okay.
Plus, I get a small bonus in my pay check if our average prescriptions go up at Walgreen's. And they will this summer.

There is one confirmed case of Swine Flu in the La Plata County, where I reside. No details yet, but they are researching who this girl has come in contact with recently. Walgreen's sent each and every store enough Tamiflu for all of their employees to have the medication. I think every one thought it would be more widespread and more dangerous. At least Walgreen's is looking out for the employees.

In 13 days I will be going down to Los Alamos for my great nephews graduation, and to see Joyce, Jenni, Trent, Jody, Shane and Kaylynn. It will be a mini family reunion. I am so excited. I will be making my famous salsa/pico de gallo for the graduation party. It is already so warm out that I will have to make sure I have enough shorts to take with!

I am having Jeff's daughter, Marit, come in once a day and feed the 3 cats. She will probably come over some night next week to meet them and find out what to do. And now I'm not sure if Manley has a dog sitter or not. I'm working on that.

I was thinking the other night about maybe getting a hobby. Esp. in the colder weather. Any suggestions?? I am allergic to wool, knitting bothers my carpal, I don't have much money and I have no sewing machine or anything. Sketching??? Ceramics??

Ok, answer to 'name that singer' is Bing Crosby.

Y'all have a good weekend and comment!!

Rainy Saturday

It started to lightly rain here about 6:30 a.m. The weatherman said that it will rain throughout the day and then tomorrow it will be about 65 degrees and partly sunny. This rain will help the grass seed that I planted this last week.

Busy here at the EconoLodge. All of the rooms were booked and then the coffee hadn't been turned on, so people were standing here in the lobby waiting for that. It took almost 30 minutes.

Last night Deb and I went to the Skate Exhibition. It was great. Kiri, 3 years old, and Ruby, 4 years old, skated with 6 other youngsters to 'Going to the Chapel' and it was just adorable. Marit, age 8, skated to the Lone Ranger and then her and Jarrod skated to Goldfinger. Durango has a lot of talented skaters. All of the skaters will be competing down in Santa Fe in a couple of weeks. It's too bad I didn't have a camera. The pictures of Kiri and Ruby would have been sooooo cute!! After my short vacation in New Mexico, I will be saving up for one. In fact, Jeff and his family will be gone for a week so I will have that dog sitting money!

Sunday and Monday I will be dog sitting for Twig, a Lhasa Apso. I can just see Manley's expression----- Oh mom!! Another one???? I've explained to him that if he wants to eat, he has to put up with other dogs once in awhile.

The boys (that live in the front of the house) are gone for the weekend, so the place is quiet. One of the guys even took Flex, the yellow lab, home with him. He even left me a note so I wouldn't worry that Flex had gotten loose!! I like when people are considerate.

The Kentucky Derby is on today. I hope to be home to watch the main race. Then the Nascar race is on later on. Did you all see the ending to last weeks race, where Carl Edwards flipped his car, then he got out and ran across the finish line!! That was scarey. At least those cars are much safer now, after Dale Earnheart Sr. had his fatal crash.

Sunday there is a mandatory meeting for all of pharmacy staff at 6pm. The main topic is 'how to make the pharmacy run more efficient'. So, I have my notes all typed out and the flow charts printed. Walgreen's has a good understanding of how the place should run and if you follow their chart, the customers will get better service. And Kyle has a few points that he wants to get across to a couple techs so there are fewer mistakes made.

Time to go and take down the continental breakfast. Hope all of you have a good weekend and I hope to get my yard work done tomorrow. Bye!