This week has been a lazy time for me again.  January is just not my best month.  I have managed to do Zumba in the basement several times and have broken my diet twice.

I discovered taco filled green peppers this summer and put up a bunch of them.  I broke down and cooked them for dinner one night.  A couple of nights after I had forsaken taco salad for a Bocca burger taco salad.  Don’t try it.  It doesn’t work.   And the hubster had used all the taco seasoning for his burger.

Friend, Garnet, and I had an excursion on Friday.  We went to the India House Restaurant in Rockford for their buffet. We had been there before and she really enjoyed the food.  She isn’t one for trying anything new usually.

We ordered the house beer which I can’t recall the name of.  Our waiter suggested we share a bottle and we poo pooed him.  He explained that it was quite a large bottle and it was.  We shared a bottle. It wasn’t bad at all.

 I had my favorite Chicken Tikki Masala and several other wonderful items.  She hailed the eggplant dish as being the very best thing she had tried.  I went back and sniffed and it didn’t wow me but I took a spoonful and put it on the lovely citron rice.  It was delicious.  Tasted much better than it smelled.  It was called Baingar Barte.

After our lunch, we went to Nicholas Conservatory where the Orchid Show was starting the next day.  I figured there would be less people the day before the show and it was great.  No elementary class of kids wandering around and running.  Just a few folks here and there.  The orchids were just being put out for display but it was still quite a display.

Garnet and I did selfies and took photos of each other.  My camera’s battery decided to quit on me so I used my cell phone.  I have got to learn more about this phone as it does take really good photos.

Another one of the reasons for my bummer of a month is that I am having issued with technology.  It all started when Microsoft tricked me into upgrading to Windows 10.  My computer just goes off line for no apparent reason.

When the hubster asked what I wanted for Christmas, I told him, “A new computer.”  We I got my wish and I am still not very happy.  I hate change especially technological change.  The entire computer looks different and acts different.  I couldn’t even put my camera’s photos on the computer.  It seems as if Google doesn’t support Picasa which is the software I used to store my photos.  I finally found them on Google Photos but it is so DIFFERENT.  I just hope I can find a photo for this blog.

I connected my phone to my computer this morning to download the photos of the orchids.  The computer told me it found no new photos on my phone.  Is it me?

I have this magnetic body thing.  I can’t wear a watch because they just up and quit on me.  I think the computer hates me too.  And the phone hates me.  I’m surprised that my clock radio works next to the bed.

The other thing going with me right now is my latest quilt.  It is made of old blue jeans and the sewing by hand is tough.  My right thumb has a callous and I have holes in my leather thimble.

Garnet and I went to Michael’s in Rockford to see if I could get a new thimble but they didn’t have any except for those metal ones.  They hurt my finger because my stupid finger is so big and they are so little.

I have only one more square to complete my quilt.  It is actually a table runner which will cover my dining room table.  The hubster works at home and the dining room is his office.  He is trashing the table and so I want to cover it and try to save what remains.

I wasn't able to get a photo for the blog so you will just have to use your imagination.

Peace be with you.

Yesterday’s big retirement adventure was with dog poop!  That’s right.  Dog poop!  It was warm enough to take the dog for a walk and when I got back I realized I hadn’t picked up dog poop for a while.  Winter is nice because the poops can just hang out in the yard and freeze good and hard for pickup.

I have this old garden trowel that I use for pickup.  The handle broke off and I have it duct tapped back on. I think the cold must have finally gotten to the duct tape as the handle broke off half way through my job.  Make note to self:  buy a pooper scooper.

So there I was out in my yard bent over picking up dog poop.  I think my dog has invited all the neighbors’ dogs to come over and poop in our yard!  I filled an entire plastic bag full of dog poop.  (Yes, I know.  I encourage the use of your own bags.  But I take my own and they give me a plastic bag with my meat anyhow.  But I digress, this is another blog entirely.)

I’m bent over double picking up dog poop and don’t you know, my neighbors drive by and honk at me.  I’m sure they are warm in their cars saying, “Oh look.  There’s Wilma out picking up dog poop.  I wonder if she would come over and pick up our dog poop.”

Many years ago my husband discovered that the doggie poop pick up companies were the largest growing companies in the U S.  He planned that when he retired he would start his own dog poop pick up.  Hell, he has never picked up a poop in our yard in the forty-five years I have been married to him.  He just laughed and said he would hire flunkies to pick up the poop and he would sit in the office.  His phone number for the business would be 1-800-DOG-POOP.

So I’ve been thinking I should start a dog poop pick up company.  I don’t know if you charge by the turd or by the pile, or if you weigh it and charge by the pound.  And do you dump it in their garbage can or do you have to bring it home to your own garbage can?  (I’m sure my garbage man would not like that!) Do you provide your own bag or do they supply you with a bag?

On the other hand maybe I will just stick to picking up my own dog’s poop.

May your dog poop always be hard.  (Thank you Joe Walsh.)

Peace be with you.

 What?  Did you think I was going to post a photo of dog poop?  One of my favorite meals.  Asparagus, barbecued ribs and a Michelob.  Heaven!

Hi.  My name is Emily.  I spent most of the first five years of my life in an animal shelter in Huntley, Illinois.

This past June a nice lady and a not so approachable man, came and adopted me from the shelter.  My mommy is so good to me.  I am getting use to “Da”, as he feeds me and gives me treats.

I have learned how to sit, shake, high five, lay down, paws up and am working on sitting up.  I do “come” on command as well.

I like to play squeaky toy and my da has gotten me several new ones.  My favorite is a long neck bird that my mommy’s friend sent for me.  It used to have birdie sounds but I think I managed to kill it as two batteries have fallen out of it.  I still love to chew on it.

I have a whole basket full of toys and balls.  And for Christmas this year, I had my own stocking and in it was the first real bone I have ever had.  My mommy bakes these treats that I just love.  They have pumpkin and sweet potato, bacon and peanut butter.  They are so good.  Mommy is so good. She also buys me Blue Buffalo treats flavored like duck which I dearly love.

Mommy calls me these silly names like Emily Barkandshed, and Emilylou Scratch and Sniff. And Emmie honey.

 Mommy and I haven’t been out walking for some time. It has been pretty cold for the past week.  Before that we walked twice every day.  Sometimes Mommy takes me to the campground where she takes off my leash and I get to run and run.

Mommy even made a quilt just for me.  It is so warm and now covered in dog hair. (I mean magical fibers of joy.)

Da bought a furinator for me.  It is a special brush for dogs with an undercoat.  I get brushed a couple times a week with it and Mommy is threatening to make a sweater out of it for me.  She’s so funny!

I am so happy to have a home and a Mommy.  I wish all the dogs in the shelter could get such a wonderful home as I have.  And the kitties too!

Appreciate what you have folks. Things could always be a lot worse.

PS from Mommy,  I started my newest quilt yesterday.