Gone Batty

Several years ago we noticed bat houses at the zoo. My husband found a pattern for them and built one and put it on the garage. Further research said it could take 4 or 5 years to actually attract bats. I think it's probably been 7 and I had given up. But I noticed droppings this week and upon further investigation it looks like we have three! I'm guessing that losing a big part of the tree that is between the house and the garage is the reason we finally have bats. I imagine the tree was simply in the way. Too cool!

Zucchini Bread

The garden, the little bit I had, produced a goodly amount of zucchini. (Still is, actually!) So last Sunday I shredded up several to make bread. The plan was that I would make a different flavored batch each evening after work. Which didn't happen! Surprisingly, it hadn't soured so early this morning I had a zucchini bread making marathon. I have found throughout the years that Christmas isn't Christmas for me unless it includes lots of baking. And somehow, now I can't seem to get motivated to do a large amount of baking without Christmas music! (We all have our little eccentricities!). My daughter got up mid-morning and walked in and just stood and stared at me. Finally she said "Christmas music? I could hear it in the bathroom. I knew you were baking", and walked out. They know me so well!

Secrets

A guy I used to party with a thousand years ago (before the husband and kids) comes into the store quite often. The other day during the course of our conversation he made a reference to "secrets", more than once. I think I know what secrets he is referring to (again, before the husband and the kids!), altho I'm not sure why. But like I said to him, this is a small town--there are no secrets! The thing I find so funny about this is--again, it's a small town. Many of us have a "past" that we don't talk about anymore. Maybe pretend it didn't even happen. But come on, folks, true secrets are hard to find. Someone was there and remembers, even if we pretend we don't! I'm probably not explaining this right, but I just find it so funny to wait on certain customers and make small talk with them, act like we are casual acquaintances when we used to know each other quite well! It's just so hilarious!

Just a Thought

In this economy those of us with jobs should be thankfull we have one. But sometimes it's really hard!

Kick the Computer

I'm going to start a new game--Kick the Computer! I'm talking about the one we have at work. Three years ago we got a new register system at the grocery store. At the time, I and the other full-time "day checker" had our doubts about the system. It is a flat screen with lots of "buttons" that one pushes to get to other screens. We had very little training--basically we just had to figure it out ourselves. I asked the tech that installed it for a manual and his response was "the manual is 600 pages long and no one reads it". In other words, we received no manual. I believe we were the first store that said computer expert installed and it has been buggy as hell. We have had trouble after trouble with it for the whole three years. And this week has been a bad one. I'm sure the owners spent a lot of money on the system and we are stuck with it for years to come, but oh, it is so frustrating!

Deathwatch 2010

My cousin's husband has been fighting cancer for a couple of years and it looks like he is going to lose his battle now. I hurt for her so much. This is her second marriage, and I think he is her "soul mate". So many of us never find that. We find someone to love, someone we marry and raise children with. But that doesn't mean they are our soul mate. I think there are actually just a lucky few who find that. At this point he has hung on longer than they thought he would Monday morning. I hate this waiting. But, she has a chance to say good-bye. I know that may sound a bit morbid, but early this morning my step-cousin and her friend were shot by a 15 year old that broke into their house. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I just saw them a few weeks ago. We had a fish-fry at my folks' and they were there. And now they are gone. Poof. No one got a chance to say good-bye or "I love you". I'm just so sad for everyone. She had her Mom and sisters and nieces and nephews, Aunts and Uncles and countless cousins. He had his kids and grandkids. My step-dad's family have always just treated me like I was one of them--wonderful people. I think I'm in shock a little bit. Bad week.

Eat'um Up, Yum!

It's Fair time! Our town hosts one of the bigger County Fairs in Southern Illinois and it's a "big deal" around here. We have a very nice fairground and there are lots of activities that will go on all week. I remember as a child getting so excited when the fair came. My parents would take us out for corn-dogs and cotton candy and we would get to spend money on the rides and games. The sad part was the Fair meant the summer was almost over. Now, as an adult, I just get excited about the Elephant Ears! The last couple of weeks have been hectic--one thing after another-- so it was nice to take a break and get my yearly fair-food fix!