Wit's End

I Wish I had a Monster Truck

2009-06-19T07:39:00.003-05:00

What is it about a Prius that just makes me want to run it over??? Maybe it was the 10-miles-below-the-speed-limit thing, but I swear I really wanted to do damage.

And I should be grateful, actually.

Every person who drives a small car is probably saving enough fuel for me to drive my big SUV guilt-free. I have every intention of leaving this mortal coil knowing I used WAY more than my fair share of fossil fuels. I drive on average 1,000 miles a week and there is no way I am going to risk my neck in a tin can just for gas mileage.

But really, how fun would that be to just drive right over one of those little PC clown cars?

The House on the Corner

2009-06-17T07:40:00.003-05:00

The saying goes that while there may not be much to see in a small town, what you hear makes up for it.

My neighbors proved that wrong this morning.

Now, I live in an old part of town, the "old money" higher property tax, etc. despite the fact that Jackass Acres strongly resembles Sanford & Son most days. The houses are pretty well maintained....except for mine.

I am driving down X street and see a huge sign on the corner " Kxx O'Bxxxx is 47!" And as you turn the corner there is a throne...a toilet throne, to be exact, with candy canes lining the walk, the birthday girl's name AND the age of her toilet proudly displayed on a pedestal.

I was so proud tha I damn near sobbed.

Something Different

2009-06-17T07:10:00.000-05:00

Time for a change. Details soon!

USBIL

2009-02-06T06:51:00.002-06:00

That would be Us Sorry Bastids in ILlinois.

Does anyone look at our now thankfully former governor and think of the crazy boy friend that wouldn't go away?

Hot Rod: But you love me!
USBIL: Um, no, not really.
Hot Rod: I know you love me! You elected me twice so you HAVE to love me.
USBIL: DOn't make me use this pepper spray.

2009-01-10T11:50:00.002-06:00

Since I haven't been blogging much in the last ten months, I haven't been able to bore anyone with my granddaughters. They are, I'm sure everyone can agree, extraordinarily beautiful little girls.

CHRISTMAS 2008

CHRISTMAS 2008

If I could just get out of this car seat....

Introspective four year old

And, just because I am bored to tears and can't get out of the house, this is the scene from my front porch/smoking lounge. The snow is all from last night and this morning. Seriously, you would NOT want to mention global warning in my vicinity. And yes, it's still snowing.

Ah well, back to my movie.

As Rome Burns...

2009-01-10T07:21:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I was driving around doing errands and getting groceries- I take our winter storm advisories seriously and like to provision up- when WLS played a news conference from our Beloved Governor (spit) following his impeachment by the Illinois House.

He read a poem by Tennysson.

Strangely, I had the visual image of Nero playing the fiddle.

Oh dear Lord, please let this national humiliation end soon. I have started telling people I'm really from WISCONSIN, for pete's sake!

My Late Christmas Present

2009-01-08T05:36:00.002-06:00

I got a call from my daughter-in-law last night.

It seems their bank card has been used at a McDonald's.

In Kuwait.

After 15 months, counting down the months, then the days, now the hours.

MY SON IS ON HIS WAY HOME!!!!

A Proud Day In Illinois History

2008-12-10T05:41:00.002-06:00

Hey! It only took me 5 tries to remember how to log in here!

I am doing my happy dance, folks. Gov. Blagojevich, as you may have heard, was arrested yesterday. Not one minute too soon as far as I am concerned. That son of a bitch needs to rot in jail for the rest of his life. He has caused so much harm to this state, it boggles the mind. Seriously, I didn't think anyone could be worse than George Ryan, but what do I know?

I have said before,, there is Chicago, and then the rest of the state. Please don't judge the rest of us in God's country by what goes on in Chicago. Illinois politics are as dirty as you can get.

And just think, the Machine is on the road. Straight to the White House. Honest to God, kids, this is going to be a very enlightening next four years.

On Message

2008-09-12T05:44:00.002-05:00

My daughter-in-law sent me this video and I've GOT to share it!

Makes No Sense

2008-09-06T09:16:00.003-05:00

For those of you not blessed enough to live in Illinois, let me give this preface before I rant:

There is Illinois, and then there is Chicago. They are two separate entities that have no bearing on each other EXCEPT- Chicago pretty much controls the rest of the state. And our governor is very much the Chicago politician. Honestly, the rest of us wish we could make Chicago secede from the rest of the state.

Gov. Rod Blagofuckyourselfverymuchovich has announced the closing of 11 state parks and 25 historical sites.

Does this look familiar to anyone?

He is closing TWO state parks in my town- Lowden Memorial and Castle Rock. What makes no sense to me at all is - Lowden's operating budget for a year is $45,000. It MAKES over $90,000 a year, so it is self-sustaining and profitable. I guess in the Governor's mind, that waves a red flag to close it.

There is a meeting Wednesday with a few legislators, to see what can be done. I'm going. This is going to impact our community terribly. I have floated the idea to a few people, that maybe the state will lease the parks to the city or our park district. It seems feasible, so I'm sure it will never happen.

Raging Mom, political activist. Heaven help us all.

I Feel a Polka Coming on...

2008-08-31T12:29:00.004-05:00

This post is mainly for my son and daughter-in-law, but feel free to read!

This is the Oktoberfest which has been lagering for so long. It's getting bottled right now. Old Sarge says the alcohol content is around 12%.

Dear God.

We'll definitely save some for when you come home.

Old Sarge bottled the Bavarian Wheat on Friday. It had eaten the airlock. This brew is scaring me; it's 8 or 9% alcohol. And tomorrow we are brewing Pumpkin Ale for the holidays.

Political Views and Brewing News

2008-08-13T19:07:00.002-05:00

I have received some gentle reminders that my blogging has been, to say the least, non-existant.
The new job has been kicking my ass, but, here goes for those of you that still check in on me.

First, the presidential race.

I am sick of it. If you are too, let me reduce this issue down to the basics for you in my own special way.

Elect Obama, and you have two lawyers in the White House.

Elect McCain, and you have a war hero and a woman who owns a beer distributorship.

Puts it all right into perspective, doesn't it?

In brewing news:

The Autumn Ale was wonderful..and gone. The last four bottles were sent to Texas for Young SGT to enjoy on his R & R.

In the pipeline is the Oktoberfest, which is still lagering; a Continental Pilsner, which has been bottled and may be ready this weekend; and a Bavarian Wheat, which is in the Primary Fermenter at the moment. Also waiting for production is an Irish Stout and a Fat Tire taste-alike.

I've also canned 52 quarts of green beans, 24 pints of sweet corn, 34 half pints of jams and jellies, and 10 quarts of spaghetti sauce- the tomatoes are just now starting to go nuts.

It amazes me sometimes that neither old Sarge or I have managed to poison ourselves!

There, happy now??

Brewing News

2008-06-09T07:14:00.002-05:00

The first batch of beer will be ready for my niece's graduation party this weekend, and appropriately has been named "Midshipman's Ale". Even has a nice little anchor on the label.

Now, there are 5 gallons of Oktoberfest lagering in the fridge right now which will be ready for my 50th birthday in, um, October. The only name suggested so far was by the Young SGT, who thought "Being In Iraq Blows Donkey Nuts" would be a great name.

This is the beer that guarantees dancing on a table to polka music.

Please, folks, as much as I love and adore my son, we gotta have a different name.

More Graveyard Humor

2008-06-09T07:10:00.002-05:00

Overheard at the Dreaded Family Gathering The Night Before The Funeral:

Mom: Jane, I think you should cancel your Alaska trip.
Aunt: Why in the world for???
Mom: Well, when you went to Disneyland, Judy died.
Aunt: Yes....
Mom: And I just went to Canada and Kendall died.
Aunt: Yes....
Mom: There's only three of left, I don't think we ought to take any more trips!

***silence***

Aunt: Don't worry, I'm sure it's Karl's turn next.

And Then There Were Three

2008-06-08T16:41:00.002-05:00

This year has brought much loss to our family. Once again, my mom has lost a sibling, this time a brother. Of the eight children born to my grandparents, only three are left.

Which isn't to say we aren't capable of graveyard humor.

My uncle had almost no lung capacity left and was having more frequent hospital stays. Dying of lung disease is definitely not for sissies. But last weekend, he was almost like his old self, and on Tuesday, he and his wife went out for a few cocktails at Messie's. Uncle got tired and went to the truck while his wife got their take-out, and just....was gone. We should all be so lucky.

But, we have decided what really killed him. He was probably listening to the radio and heard Obama got the nomination, and said, "To hell with this, it's time to go!"

A Day Late, But...

2008-06-07T07:15:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, as I was driving around to different work sites, I heard exactly ONE mention of D-Day- from Rush, of course.

What a sad commentary on us as Americans that a day of such significance in our history passed with almost no notice.

What happens in a war, and the emotions it leaves with those that survive, is something I will never know. I can't, I haven't been there. But to pay homage to those that do, I would like to share a speech that a friend of mine, a Navy corpsman who served in Viet Nam and was awarded the Silver Star, gave for our latest Armed Forces Day Dinner.

Have you ever been to Arlington? Have you ever been to the Marine Corps War Memorial?

It represents the most famous battle photograph ever taken: the Rasising of the American Flag on Mt. Surabachi, Iwo Jima.

During that 36 day battle to take that island, a Marine fell to Japajnese fire every two minutes...every two minutes for 36 days, a Marine was killed or wounded in action. It is the only battle in the history of the Marine Corps where Marines suffered more casualties than the enemy. In 36 days, 6,981 Marines were killed in action; 19,217 were wounded.

The Memorial in Washington, created in a bronze and granite sculpture, depicts five Marines and a Navy Hospital Corpsman raising our American Flag. Three Marines didn't survive the battle, one Marine died shortly after, and the Corpsman and one Marine survived. Engraved in the polished black granite, in gold, is the inscription: "Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue."

If you visit the Memorial, or take the time to look at the picture again, take a close look at Corpsman John Bradley. As he is stretching out to raise the Flag, you'll recognize hime; he is the only one without a canteen in his canteen pouch.

Felix De Weldon, the sculptor of the Marine Memorial, asked John Bradley what had happened to his canteen. In the heat of battle, he told de Weldon, he simply couldn't remember.

Let me talk for a moment this evening, about an intangible, that sometimes goes beyond bravery and beyond sacrifice...I am talking about selflessness!

You see, Doc Bradley was selfless that day, remembers his platoon, told de Weldon. Bradley had given his canteen of water to a wounded Marine, as he struggled to climb Surabachi that day. He would go without water for the next 28 hours on Iwo Jima.

John Bradley was selfless that day. Men in combat never speak of glory or medals, instead we speak of, "Who can be trusted, who can be counted on, and who will come for me, when I am wouded in the field of battle, and if I die, who will carry my memory?"

The following day, on seeing a wounded Marine lying in the field of battle, Bradley ran through a mortar barrage and heavy machine gun fire to reach the wounded Marine. Shielding the wounded Marine with his body, he administered plasma and pulled the casulaty 30 yards to safety. Bradley was shot in both legs.

It was not for sense of self that he went out after that Marine; it was for others! John Bradley was awarded the Navy Cross for his selflessness that day.

Today we celebrate Armed Forces Day! Today we celebrate each and every one of you, for your service to this, our country.

Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard.

My friends, what sets you aoart as an American is your selflessness! Your willingness to take the time to dedicate yourselves to Military Service for our country and the defense of it!

You are all Selfless, you are the fabric of our patriotism, you are our Veterans! You are America!

So if you ever visit the Marine Corps Memorial or look at a picture of it, you will see him. He is very simply, the one without the canteen...

Your invitation tonight has stirred those restless memories, which always remain so close to the surface of my mind. I can't even pretend to understand these forces that hold us veterans together across these years.

Yet I understand these forces are as fierce as a blood bond, and as enduring as kinship.

You see, I know why men who have been to War yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories, not to laugh or weep on one another's knee. Comrades gather, because they long to be with men who once acted their

best...

Men who suffered and sacrificed together, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity.

We did not pick each other, did we...we were delivered by Fate and our services. But I know them in a way I know no other men!
I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, and the memory of me! It was the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for each other! Our comradeship is the province of legend and myth...! You see, I knew the bargain that day!

As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day, and I am sure, that when I leave this world, my last thoughts wil be of my family and my comrades. They were such good men.

William Shakespeare said it this way in Henry the 5th, Act 4, Scene 3:

"We few, we happy few, we Band of Brothers...
For he today that sheds his blood with me...
Shall always be my Brother...!"

Thank you so much for having me this evening! God bless and portect all our Airman, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, on the line today, and those who have gone before!

Der Biermeister

2008-05-27T19:11:00.003-05:00

Old Sarge has acquired a new hobby. Unfortunately, it does not involve finishing drywall projects!

See, Young SGT has been brewing his own beer for awhile, (although I imagine operations are suspended while he is on his extended desert vacation getaway) and Old Sarge wanted to have a hobby in common with him. The $30 brew kit from Wal-Mart did not satisfy his curiousity, oh no. He ordered a set-up so that he can brew 5 gallons of beer at time.

My eyebrows nearly disappeared into my hairline at that.

Now, he has just bottled his first batch. There was a little left over, and we tasted it. It was flat, since the carbonation takes place in the bottling process, but...damn, it tasted like beer! Rather tasty beer at that!!

Old Sarge now has Batch #2, a lovely high alcohol Oktoberfest guaranteed to make you dance on a table to a polka band, in the fermenter.

Fast forward to today, I am only working a half day since Son #2 was flying into O'Hare and I had planned to pick him up. This is the first time we have seen him since he has been back from Iraq, mind you. I stopped at the Home Brew Shop in St. Charles, since I am killing time, and bought Old Sarge an extra carboy and a brewing book.

When we got home from the airport, Old Sarge met us on the sidewalk, gave Son #2 who has been in Iraq, did I mention, a handshake and heads for the back of the Explorer to get his surprize.

Thankfully, Son #2 and I had an hour and half in the car for me to warn him about the new obsession.

And for those interested, Batch #2 will be ready in time for my 50th birthday, I have the polka band booked already.

I Am So Proud!

2008-05-25T14:36:00.002-05:00

The Young SGT has been chosen NCO of the Month!

Way to go, honey!!!

He will get to come home for R & R in August, but has decided to stay in Texas to...well, anyway, I would have told him that folks in Illinois have sex too, but, that is no longer first hand information.
Damn it.

My new mantra- nine more months, nine more months. February will be a great month.

The Garden of Good Intentions

2008-05-25T14:25:00.002-05:00

I do this every year.

When we moved into this house, the corner of our lot where the huge pine tree grows would grow nothing else but crab grass. So, I have tried every year to get a little flower bed going.
And every year, I let it go to weeds.

I am posting my good intentions this time, since I have just finished putting in more creeping phlox, and wild assortments of sweet peas, snapdragons, petunias of every color, vinca, impatiens, I can't even remember everything. I have rearranged my stepping stones and rocks (all services) and leveled off my WWII soldier.

Wish me luck.

In my other beds, I have gladiolas and sparaxis coming up, but sorry AWTM, I think the daffodils and iris have shriveled their pods in this chilly climate. But I'm still hoping!

Prayer Request Please

2008-05-17T14:27:00.001-05:00

I know this site has been dark for awhile, and I promise that will improve shortly. But I was asked by the Young SGT to please include the family of SPC Alex Gonzalez in my prayers, and am passing along the request.

And it wouldn't hurt to include the Young SGT either. His heart is heavy, and he is tired.

New Beginnings

2008-04-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

Holy Crap, I just looked out the window and it is snowing. So yes, Hell froze over and I am going back to work tomorrow.

The paving company that has been courting me for almost two months made me an offer that I can't refuse. Still no benefits at the moment, but the pay is more than I have ever made. Which, by the looks of gas prices, I will need.

My first assignment tomorrow is a bid letting. This is huge.

So, wish me luck!

I Feel The Earth.. Move..Under My Feet

2008-04-18T07:56:00.002-05:00

Okay, it wasn't actually movimg under my feet, since I was laying on my stomach in bed. But early this morning, the windows were rattling, the bed was shaking, I could hear the cologne bottles on my dresser clinking.

I was blaming the fish special at La Vigna at the time. Bad night.

But when I got up at 6, the news was telling of the earthquake in southern Illinois. Thank God, I was hoping that the things in this house that go bump in the night hadn't taken things to a new level.( another story for later)

And it turns out that two of my sisters that had the same thing were also sick last night. We had gone out to eat for Mom's birthday last night to this local restaurant that serves Northern Italian cuisine. Let me say, the place is very overpriced and pretentious for Smallville.

On the job front...I am confused. The man I have been dealing with was to call me yesterday and we were to set up a time to meet again today. Just in case I had misunderstood who was to call who, I left him a voice mail.

Nothing. I am getting to think that despite this man's good intentions towards me, that the owners are flaky.
Add to that a voice mail from Eldest Son from 1:30 AM!! to call ASAP. Which I did at 6:30 a.m. He hung up on me without saying a word.

There is a point here. I am staying upstairs this morning, where I can't hear a phone or the front door, until I am damn good and ready to come down. Freaky Friday, indeed!

Things I Could Do Without

2008-04-17T07:07:00.002-05:00

And they all have to do with, shall we say, starch???

I do not care if "Bob" ever gets a hard-on again in his life. Anything to wipe that stupid grin off his face.

Viva Viagra? The Las Vegas Tourism Commission should sue them to oblivion for making me NEVER want to go to Vegas again just because of that idiotic commercial. I can only hope Elvis is rolling over in his grave.

And the whole two bath tubs in the meadow?? I do not get that. Someone please explain to me how that is romantic. And how sitting in separate bath tubs is going to get the action going.

Don't even get me started on the Redi-Whip man.

Someone has been watching WAY too much TV!

There Will Come Soft Rains

2008-04-16T07:44:00.002-05:00

But hopefully not until tomorrow. Today is supposed to 70 and windy, so I will be a-planting. I have four red raspberry bushes, 1 hydrangea, 1 butterfly bush, gladioloas, sparaxis, and iris and daffodils to put out.

Tomorrow it can rain. I have to finish my Youth Activities program for the State, and now that I have FINALLY gotten the National program, I will have to re-write mine completely. And have it submitted by the 24th.

I have Patriotic Art judging for the State this Saturday, along with my VF*n*W's Draw Down that night. Lord, if you see fit to let me win the $1000, it would be most appreciated.

A month ago, a man from a company that did business with the quarry had called me and asked if I was interested in working for him. I was, but then he never called back. Until Monday. We met yesterday, and he offered me a job...in friggin' DeKalb, of course. Ah well, it's not like I don't know the area.

This would be a bit of a challenge. I have a basic understanding of bookwork, AR and AP, payroll I know nothing about, so the office part will be a learning process. The best part though?? This man, this colleague, knows who I have worked for and understands that I can do more than that. His question to me:"Would you mind spending at least half your time out of the office? Reading blue prints and doing estimates? I know you are capable of doing this."

For someone who sat a desk 10-12 hours a day for 11 years, you can not imagine how tempting that is.

The money is good, the benefits are non-existent at this time. There will be bonuses. Well, at least we have TriCare.

I have much to think about before Friday. I had almost hoped that I could stay home all summer. But...someone thinks enough of my skills to pursue me.

I'll do better thinking if I get dressed and go get my hands dirty.

A Crossroads

2008-03-31T07:27:00.002-05:00

It dawned on me this morning that it is probably time to get my ass in gear and look for a job. It's not that there's a lack of things for me to be doing around the house, that could take MONTHS to get in order. But, I'm starting to worry and just feel...bad. It is going to be very hard if not impossible to stay in dispatch. There's just not much turnover in that particular construction field.

The inevitable question is, now what?

I am nearly 50 years old, and a huge life change is pretty daunting. I honestly don't know what else I can do. Bartend? Wait tables? I would hope I'd move UP, not back down.

So I'm a little scared at the moment.

Guess I'll go get another cup of coffee and tackle the closets.