Okay, already!

A certain woman in a blue sweater stopped by today to
yell at me for not blogging. I think she wore that sweater
just to tease me . . anyway.. Don't forget to charge that
phone!

After leaving the park from my morning walk, WTMD was
on the radio. They played a Thomas Dolby song (think now,
remember "She Blinded Me With Science") that I'd never
heard before. It sounded sort of Asian, but in reality it was
supposed to be a Southern influence. Sort of funny. So I
ordered the album off of Ebay today. It's odd how we hear
something or someone from our youth, and it brings back
a lot of (in my case) good memories. Those insane days of
the early 1980's.

The schedule this week went from empty to full literally
overnight. From one two to seven flights. Odd how that
happens. It's all good though. It keeps me out of trouble.
Not really, but you know what I mean.

My folks are due to return today or tomorrow. Ick. They
will be under foot for a while, and if I'm REALLY lucky
they will go south again in a few weeks until it's truly warm
here. If I had a place like they do, where they do . . I would
not rush back for ANYTHING. It's tax time and they have
doctors appointments to tend to. I'm glad their life has now
become what it is. Both of them worked all of their lives,
and now deserve to take it easy and do as they please.

Okay, off I go, 'abend!

TomTom

So I finally broke down and bought a TomTom GPS.
What did I use it for? To go to the cemetery. It's really
easy to use. Put in the address, and it talks you to where
you are going to. There is adequate warning for a turn,
and where you need to change lanes (keep left, keep right)
and even tells you when you're almost to the destination.
While there are still things I need to learn about it, it
appears to be almost idiot proof. That means I'll screw
it up.

Earlier today I went to K-Mart for some stuff that was
on sale. They actually had it. The thing I hate about that
place is they NEVER EVER have enough registers open.
What's the deal with that? Anyway- I took my items to
the front of the store...... huge lines. Crap. So I hear a
woman yell "five items are less come to customer service."
It was like winning the lottery! After ringing me up she
put my items in a trash bag. You know what I said: "Are
you calling me trash?" She thought I was serious. They
were completely out of bags- so they used trash bags for
purchases. So now I remember why it's been six months
since I was in a K-Mart.

Tomorrow is Easter. It's the last time for the next one-
hundred-fifty-years that it will be this early. No to mention
Passover is also this weekend. I've noticed some things
were closed today on account of it. Happy Easter everyone.
Enjoy the day with your family!

'Abend!

Germination

The tomato and squash seeds I put in last week have begun
to sprout. The heating pad (for plants) has done it's job maybe
too well! Pepper seeds are in, but await their turn on the heat.
Kohlrabi goes in next. Saturday I got herb plants at Homestead
Gardens in Davidsonville. It is the ultimate in Garden store.

My nephew's birthday party was Saturday. My brother and
I went together and got him a family membership to the
Baltimore City Zoo. When he got it, he had NO idea what it
was. It had to be explained to him. Poor kid, I just don't
know how he's going to make it. My brother refers to it
as "vapor lock."

Sunday is Easter. Where is my family? Everywhere but
home. Which translates into it's gonna be a nice quiet day!
No cooking and cleaning up for me! Funny how the meal
most folks have on Easter is ham. Does anyone else see
the odd humor in that? Think about it. I am glad that
my folks are enjoying their life in South Carolina, and that
it is a comfortable easy way of living for them.

Okay- time to get ready to push a freighter. Thankfully
we have a good crew!

Spring Returns!

Even at 2230, it's 50 degrees outside! This means that the
plants/trees/shrubs/flowers making their way into spring
are being extremely successful! Just in the last few days
the changes have been amazing. From the two osprey on
the nest, to the Bradford Pear trees getting their buds wide
open, I'm ready for warm, warm, warm!

This has been an interesting week. A zillion changes, a
vendor yelled at me, then the next day begged me for a
favor, the parent/holding company of the one I work for
had a major shake-up, and I've heard from someone that
no one else has for six months. However the highlight has
been the problem friend.

Without going into detail it's been quite the week. I do
have to say it's been really great having my friend back,
even though I am EXTREMELY cautious, and take each
thing with a grain of salt. I did see something that was
quite shocking, that their opinion of me was different and
better than I ever thought. It was not just shocking but
a revelation. They had said that I wasn't the problem . .
Without saying what, it was really, REALLY nice to see.

Tomorrow is my nephews 13th birthday. I can so clearly
remember the Sunday morning he was born. So many
things are in my life don't have exact dates attached, but
this? No question. From driving to the hospital to being
there when they came out of the delivery room to say
"It's a boy!" I remember it all.

My older brother is coming over tomorrow morning.
Without a doubt, we'll get in trouble together!

Be good!!!!!!!!!! OH!, and 'abend!

Spring Fever!

Not that kind!

Today I went to the Farmers Coop in Glen Burnie, and
got both tomato and squash seeds. Spring is almost here
and I just couldn't take it anymore! After spending fifty
dollars, the deal was done. What did I buy? 50 peat pods,
squash and tomato seeds, a seed heater (30 dollars!), and
a little plastic green-house thing to hold it all. Yes, the
seeds are in and the the heater plugged in. I just couldn't
help myself.

After the trip to Glim-burney, I went to Wagners to get
church keys for Pete. What is a church key? Think giant
can opener. I've also ordered some oil can spouts- I don't
ever want a skydrol bath again. After last week, I realize
that even though it's not my responsibility to be involved
with maintenance, it is so important to get involved when
necessary. If we need to move a plane- we need to move
a plane . . . .

Tom stopped by the office today avec la wife. It was the
first time I've seen her since they got married. They appear
to be quite happy, even though Tom insists on staying in a
hotel (joke)--- Good for them! You kids need to move back
to Baltimore, set up house, and dare I say . . have a baby!
I've talked other people into it (and got a God-child out of
it)- so you're next.

Last summer while in South Carolina, I got a ring set with
old mine diamonds. My intention was to have them reset
into something more contemporary. One of the ladies at
church said not to touch it. I think I'll follow her advise.
OH, yes, Lis, you have an old mine cut diamond. It's one
of the "babies" you have. While on the subject: What in
the world would I do without you?

Today I saw four deer in the park, an osprey, two swans,
and lots of ducks. The trees and vines are starting to get
ready to "do leaves" and if it keeps warm- we'll truly have
spring in short order.

Hey Seb, where are you? You seem to be the missing family
member right now. Gonna call you on Saturday.... kindly be
available~ :)

Be good my children!

Almost Tuesday

What a weekend. Worked both days. The weather went from warm
to frigid. Whacked my head good on a DC-10 door, went out with
friends in Annapolis, changed time, and definitely didn't get enough
sleep.

Sunday (almost 2 days ago now!) I went to see "Carmen" by the
Annapolis Opera. It was almost surprising to see how similar
Italian is to French, and how much of it I understood. The one
thing that impressed me the most was how really beautiful the
city of Annapolis is. Day time and night time it's just really nice
to be there. I guess we take what we have for granted.

My head is still sore (hurts to wear a hat!)- and my right leg is
sore- and right foot quite bruised. You know they called early
this morning from HDQ to ask if the aircraft was damaged. I
will leave it up to you to figure out what my two word response
was. It was all in good fun, because everyone had a good laugh.

The crocus's are in full bloom in the yard. Yellow, white, purple,
and light blue all have their little heads up and are in full swing.
Some of the other trees and plants are getting leaves too. It
really wasn't a bad winter all in all. No major storms, no big
power outages, and normally mild temperatures. Soon it will
be warm all the time!

I got the call today that we may do another adventure into the
unknown in a few weeks. "Get your passport ready" is what
the message was. We'll see! Never been to any of these places
either, but I'd like to see at least two of them!

Okay- be good!

Winds-day

After having seen the almost disastrous landing by LH in HAM
last week, I can relate- the winds today were unreal. When I
left the house early this morning, there was water in the frame
of the storm door- Now, remember the door sits back from the
roof by about four feet. The net result of the storm was that
the sky was very blue, and there were little white caps out in
the bay. The Osprey should be back any day now. I can't wait!

Today was uneventful, except for the trip to FedEx- the person
who normally works the office wasn't there. The poor woman
who was was freaking out. So I ended up going to the facility
on Hammonds Ferry Road- - so I just got on the beltway and
took the long way home. It just made it easier.

Dinner tonight was salsa chicken with saffron rice- it was
quite nice. I made enough so I could have it again tomorrow.
It's hard cooking for one- and seeing all the the soup is gone...
well had to do something-

Okay- got a kitchen to clean up.... be good, and 'Abend!

Warm again

Today was the second day in a row when the weather was
surprisingly warm. it's1840, and the temperature is still 61
degrees outside. Spring can't wait to get here. I can't wait
for it either.

Have I mentioned the parents are not returning until after
Easter? My opinion is that the beach has gotten them. After
two years of nagging them they need to go to the beach,
they finally have. It makes me happy that they are enjoying
their lives. In two days they will be married for 54 years.
(Not to mention it's Lisa's birthday-) My real desire is for
them to enjoy the time time they have together. Murrells
Inlet has been so good for them. I'm glad they are enjoying
their time there, and I wish them many more happy years
there.

The last week or so I've been playing "Travian." It's been
a lot of fun- and has helped repair a damaged friendship.
Without going into detail, it's like the olden days. It makes
me happy regardless of the sacrifice needed to make it
work.

Seb told me today he is quitting BMW. He will do the thing
that makes him happy. Good for him! Finally a member of
the family "gets it." While he knows he'll never be (financially)
rich, he knows he'll be happy. That's all that matters.

Okay- got stuff to do. Be good, and 'Abend!

Mundee

That's Baltimore speak for "Monday."

Yeahhh, 'at's right. 'at's 'ow we say'ze it.

Tonight, WBAL TV 11 referred to an A320 as a (ready??)
"Wide bodied" aircraft. News to me! The rest of the news
is equally as unbelievable. There is an apartment fire in
Woodlawn. John Ringling would be proud of the reporting
tonight. It's almost perverted. HELLO!?!?! There are a
few of us that are not stupid, that have more than a 6th
grade education.

Today I've had three people call me regarding the fact that
my brother is the Branch Chief of the National Archives of
the United States of America in Washington D.C. Haven't
you children been paying attention? I mean he's been doing
that job for a number of years, and clearly does his job very
well. He's a succesfuly published author, and very efficient
at what he does.

The "friend" spent more time with me today than in the last
four months. It was like turning the clock back eight months.
Strange, bizarre, and surreal are the only way to describe this
situation. Don't me wrong. I am both pleased and grateful
that this happened today. The person has been both generous
and helpful today. It is like the olden days. My frien "UN" has
offered to give me a spine.

I was going to write something that the "secret admirer" would
squeal like a pig over- so it won't happen. Allow me to reiterate
the fact that you not only disgust me- but the fact you need to
keep you mouth shut.

Okie-doke, time for me to go . . 'Abend!

Mahch

Isn't that how a New-Englander would say it?

This past week I've been cooking the stuff I was simply
unable to resist at Giant. Roast beef and today chicken
thighs. The cow went to Lis, and tonight the thighs
turned into chicken and wild rice soup. While this is
my own recipe, I gotta tell you, it's "the bomb!" One
thing I am careful of is not to salt it until the very
end. Those who have had it have wanted more AND
the recipe. No recipe, sorry.

Yesterday was spent with my brother and the boys.
We went everywhere. Five places to get groceries for
the month for him. When in B.J.'s they had ipod shuffle's
for too cheap. I got one. This bugger is TINY. It does all
I think I want from an ipod. It will shuffle what is loaded
on it- so . . what more do I need. It's teeny-tiny too! Not
to mention it's my favorite color: green. I've loaded one
album on it- and many more will follow. The hondo has
a jack to plug it in too!

This week there are several events to mention. Lisa is
gonna be as old as me. My parents have an anniversary,
and my brother has a birthday on the 8th. So, Lisa, what
is it gonna feel like to be as old as me?? LOL~~ It's not
fun being "old." Oh yeah- you've been at the pit for 25
years this month too. Remember when we were kids and
the stuff we used to do? Driving on the wrong side of the
road. Mocking individuals for not being able to say "ash.'
Obviously I could go on forever . . . . .

Seb has been sick- I've emailed and sent a text message.
No answer. He's a true family member and ignores me.
:) Poor little bugger. Hope you're feeling better. Really!
There is a good chance I'll be in your "neighborhood" this
year.

On a happy note, the "kids" are staying in Murrells Inlet
until AFTER Easter!! I am so happy! They are enjoying
the time they have there. My Aunt and Uncle from Warwick,
NY are planning on visiting in about two weeks, so YEE HA!
They're staying south!!

Okay- try to be good, and more later!!! 'abend!