Given that I've saved darn near every friggin thing else... are you telling me I didn't keep my previous set of bedroom curtains?  It just doesn't fit my typical behavior.  Of course, that still isn't helping me find them and believe me I've tried.  In the process I've identified even more crap to get rid of.  Ok, most of it is not crap, it's decent stuff.  Most of it just didn't match the selected colors in a room anymore (bathroom, bedroom, living room).  Either way, St Vincent De Paul is going to have a LOT of stuff coming their way when I finally load it all up.  At this point I might even need to make two trips.

Anyhow, the weather warmed back up today (dancing around the 50 mark) and things are melting off.  I was out running around as I often do on the weekend.  First stop(s) Home Depot and Lowes, where I left empty handed.  What I need to buy:

- a piece of wood to fix/replace the missing piece at the bottom of my banister.  Nothing looks close to what is there, and of course, nothing is finished, so that deters me, but worse still I'd have to buy a huge piece of something else and then manage to actually mitre cut it.  HA!

- a cabinet/mirror/or just cabinet doors to cover the old window space in the bathroom.  I hate just having a curtain over it.  I think it would look really nice w/ cabinet doors attached, but of course you can't just buy the doors - at least not around here, maybe ebay and places like that - but the sizes aren't quite right.

- a new light for over the dining room table.  I've found a few that I think look okay, but nothing wows me and nothing perfectly matches the sconce light at the bottom of the stairs (brushed nickel w/ marbled/white whispy frosted glass.  I really like the contemporary looks, but I know I should stick with something pretty neutral that will appeal to more people.

Side note: I've been reading up on how to determine the appropriate size of light you need to purchase.  I never realized how many guidelines there are for this.  At least it helped me determine approximately the size to get, however, I am still not convinced on the heights that everything is saying it should be hung at.  To me I think it would appear to be in the way.  Maybe I'm just too used to having a ceiling fan that is nice and snug to the ceiling over my table.

Second stops were all about groceries.  I'm restocked.  It's rare that I don't have much here, but suffice it to say I was desperate when I made three scrambled eggs and some frozen french toast bites for dinner last night.

Do they not realize that the commercials for Obamacare turn me even further on the spectrum towards hatred for it? B, you pay $22 a MONTH for healthcare?! How the F am I then paying out $180 a month and my employer another $250 a month for me (on our lowest plan option)? If you do the math that is LESS than what the "family of 4" says they pay in the commercial. It almost sparks more obscenities from me than the commercial for the free cell phones w/ more minutes and text messages than I have for $60 a month.

Why don't you also state how much the rest of us, who work for a living, are paying into it for you? "I get health insurance and my premium is only $22 a month. The taxpayer's premium is another $300 a month, so thanks everyone else!" I receive approximately 54.7% of my gross earnings each check into my checking account every pay. Yes, some of this is going into savings to plan for my future, but I know that there are many people who don't bother to do that either, so at some point I am also paying for THEM to live in retirement. Consider my gears in a constant state of wear.

The girls had their regular, yearly, trip to the vet this evening.  Everyone is happy, healthy, inoculated, and ready to return to the kennel as needed.  Fortunately the snow has been melting off, but not to the point that my back yard is a mud hole, so they can go run about and I could still follow them around to gather samples for the vet.

I've been fighting off a headache for the past couple of days that tells me the barometric pressure has been shifting around.  Hopefully that all regulates soon so I am not feeling like crap when Feb 1 rolls around, as I have set that as the date I get back on the workout train.  I guess I need to hurry up and get some other things done this weekend before I start loosing all of my weeknights again.

Don't ignore big things. I know big things happen to everyone, and sometimes it is easy to get wrapped up in your own big things, but c'mon. It isn't all about me, but sometimes it should be, because I cannot live with things being 100% all about someone else. I hate the moments where I sit wanting to share something with someone and have no one to chat with (especially when you want to talk to someone face to face). It's worse if you do say something and it gets glossed over - or worse - completely ignored. I'm moody right now, this is true, but I think even on my best day I'd find this to be bullsh*t.

I was a brave girl and headed to see my Favorite Egg this weekend, despite the unpredictable storm that was brewing.  I left a bit earlier than I normally would to get out there.  As I headed down 70 the snow started and I was starting to get unhappy by the time I reached his exit and followed the salt truck a long way down the backroad.  But I made it in advance of the ick, so that was good.  We had planned to head back out for dinner and a grocery run.  That boy is brave.  I had to take a few deep breaths along the way, but we made our run w/o issue.

Come morning there was a full foot of snow.  Keep in mind, that things were to be worse "back here" so I was monitoring what everyone else was posting (one person saying 20" another saying 30").  Gah.  I had taken extra food for the dogs, just in case, so I could have waited until Monday if it came down to it.  By some miracle the roads were cleared out there quickly, and I was hearing good things about back here.  I am very shocked that the trip home was mostly dry and clear.  I'm proud of you Western PA.  That is might impressive.

Of course, my driveway was a mess.  My plow guy did come through on Saturday, but so did the idiots who love to put everything from up the road into my driveway.  My tenant was shoveling for a while and I still had to go out there and do more digging after getting home.  I hate snow.  At least the girls love it.  They had a blast out back (while I shoveled some of the weight off of the deck).

While I know that the weather predictions are all over the place - you'd think that on Weather.com if I am looking at the 5-Day forecase and it says "Today <1 in" and "Sat 3-5 in" that they are predicting maybe 4-6", right? Oh no. Click on "Today" and then it says "Today <1 in, Tonight 8-12in". Um, talk about burying the lead. WTH! That 8-12 isn't part of today or tomorrow? *boggle*

It's pretty bad when the pending weather has me in a tissy.  I just hate not knowing what's coming.  Why do I even look at the predictions?  All they do is scare the crap out of me anymore.

On completely unrelated, but so relevant news, I've been making great progress planning what to see and do for my next cruise.  I can actually say that at the moment, I am excited to go to Mexico.  Whaaaa?  At least I have something to look forward to.  Right now it seems pretty far off, but I know it will be here before I know it.

The Oscars are "too white" huh? I'm not supposed to read that as a racist statement, but if I said a professional basketball team was "too black" and I refused to attend until they added more white players I'd probably get a good deal of hate mail (and possibly threats on my life).

When will we start to see things where we truly are looking for "the best candidate" instead of hinting that some quota needs to be met? This doesn't just apply to color, it applies to gender as well. I don't dislike you're statement because you're black - I wouldn't like it if you were white either - I dislike your statement because it makes you look like an ass. Quit making the divide larger.

I'll spin this back around to the huge push to get women into STEM careers too. You cannot force it. Offer the classes, create the opportunities, and then allow people to make their own decisions on what interests them and what doesn't. Frankly, I think the beautiful thing about working in the geekier sectors is the notable lack of caddy, back-stabbing, manipulative, get what I want by flirting with the right person WOMEN - because most gals who are genuinely interested in this world aren't like that. Please don't pollute it _just_ to meet your quotas.

The roads weren't perfect, but they were pretty decent for me to come home on Saturday. I was nervous again on Sunday coming home after attending the Carolina/Penguins game w/ Mrs. Roh. I'll again reiterate that I am impressed w/ AWD. I know I would have felt more of the road mess in the Durango. This of course does not ease my nerves for any pending winter driving. I was expecting a good pile of snow this morning given how many times the plow driver came up my road overnight (waking me each time) but we barely had a half an inch.

The hockey game was great fun, even if my Canes biffed it big time (5-0), but that's my own fault for attending. This was my first trip to the new Penguins arena and they've been in the Consol for how many years now? It was great to spend time with Mrs. Roh too, every time we converse I am more and more thrilled that Mr. Roh found her - she's a delight.

Not only because of the plow, but I didn't sleep all too well last night. I feel like I woke up every 20-45 minutes. It's anxiety, this I know, this my raw, red, bleeding fingers tell the rest of the world. It would probably help for me to get back on top of my workout routine. Soon, very soon.

I am staying on track with collecting one box of stuff to donate/get rid of every weekend day.  I gathered two today without too much trouble/effort, so I am ahead of the game and can relax tomorrow.  I didn't intend to do this, but my venture into one of the eves hauled out lots of goodies for the boxes.  If you forgot you had something and it's still in the box... gone!  I also found some old items that I know I won't ever be able to part with, it was good to see them but sad at the same time.

Ok, it's time to get cleaned up for the jewelry raffle.  Wish me luck - (Partially w/ the raffle and partially with the roads.  Why is it when I have to leave the house do we get emails with 'special weather statements'.)

There are some days where the unexpected twists and turns of life really test people.  Today was one of those days for someone I care about very much.  I'm very proud of how they're handling themselves in the midst of things.  Anyone would be scared and perplexed in the same position.  O will ask you all to join me in lifting a quick prayer for quick resolution - with faith throughout - that soon they will be looking back thinking "that was the best thing that could have happened to me."

There is something very satisfying about having someone you once dated say they made a mistake (yep, yep you did) and that there was nothing wrong with you (right, I know this).  It's better too when you can gleam some interesting perspective on other things from what all they had to say.

I stayed and worked from home this morning since I had my computer with me and they delayed school.  If the roads aren't good enough for the rugrats, they're not good enough for me.  Fair enough, right?  On my way in midday I caved and stopped for a couple of power ball tickets.  It's fun to dream for a second.

I survived my first drive in legit snow with Serafina.  It's odd to call about 3 inches a 'legit' snow, but given that it is the first accumulation of measure this winter and it has caused such havoc on the roads the label is earned.  Granted, I was moving very slowly, but I didn't feel a single slide or drift on the ride home.  Considering the accidents and mess being reported on facebook I'm calling it a huge win. 

I'm also proud to say that shoveling everything clear wasn't as tedious as it always seemed to be.  Let's see if I'm sore tomorrow.  Rather, sorer than I've been.  For whatever reason the backs of my upper legs and my shins have been a little unpleasant the past few days, despite being off of my workout for the past week (sorry world, I'm giving myself a break and hoping when I kick back up things will move).  I did bring home my computer and I doubt I'll be testing the roads out in the morning... but if they seem clear by later in the day I may need to go get a lottery ticket because, well, why not?

I can't believe this required a law... but I'm glad to see it if that is what must be to tell overzealous idiots to mind their own business when it comes to other people's kids.
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3055107/federal-law-now-says-kids-can-walk-to-school-alone

Following up on today's decluttering effort:  I filled one big box of books to give away and another box of books to pack away upstairs.  I struggle pretty hard giving away books (especially if I'm in the middle of a series).  It isn't like I'd go back and re-read them, so why?  At some point I'd like to really clear the books maintaining only my Stephen King collection (which is still quite a few books).

While I was still in the right mode (and already sneezing from kicking up dust) I even cleared off the stand in the kitchen that holds dog treats and other miscellaneous items.  Everything is condensed down into fewer containers there and dusted.  I even moved the stand and the potato/onion bin out to clean under them!

Now that I sit back down I remember what originally got me up and looking for something.  Needless to say I didn't find it and that's a to do for another day.

It was 45 degrees and raining not an hour ago (according to the bank and my vehicle), now I see snow flurries flying about.  Maybe it was the heavy winds that carried that in?  Good thing I got outside and attempted to correct a piece of loose siding yesterday.  I can only figure that it popped out due to past heavy winds as it was impossible to get back in properly.  I got it back under the lip on top, but not under the lip on the side.  At least it's not hanging out catching wind and just asking for damage, right?

While I had the ladder out I cleaned out the front gutters that I could reach (again).  I really wish I would get used to this task, but no.  Every time - I can go up the first four steps on the ladder without issue.  Step 5 requires a deep breath and step 6 is where I start to shiver just a little.  The rest of the (unreachable within 6 ladder steps) gutters can just go ahead and rip down if that's what it comes to. Seriously, getting crammed full immediately after getting cleaned out?  What's the point.

I did take a bit of advice I gave to someone else this weekend and got one box of stuff gathered for donating.  I need to do another box today.  I'd like to gather a box for each weekend day for the next several months, to me, that would be tremendous progress without a lot of struggle on any single day.  The big question of the day is:  is it time to get rid of my current Christmas tree?

I got moving today and went to church.  I've got to admit I was very disappointed to see that, once again this year, they did not make up envelopes for me.  That's' one quick way to not feel like part of a place.  Did I not give enough?  What's the criteria?  I'm trying to not be offended, but I really thought this got fixed last year.

One clean (but not very thrilled about it) puppy.  That's my version of a productive Friday evening.  This week I have been a complete slacker about working out.  *sigh*  I know I should, I just haven't noted one iota of progress, so what's my motivation?  Feeling a little meh.  Tomorrow will be better, right?

This morning I peeked to make sure a charge hit my Discover (since AT&T and DirecTV continue to struggle to combine my bills *sigh*) and I spotted other charges.  Yep. Again.  One charge the day before yesterday from ereplacementparts.com that was refunded yesterday and then three charges from Intuit.  Doesn't that just scream 'testing out the card' and fraud?

I immediately froze the card while I called Discover - whom I love because they're great about this stuff.  Unfortunately, it means my account was closed and I'll be getting issued a new card.  I was trying to 'sit' on my existing card because I don't really want the stupid chip card and because they no longer offer the dog bone print card.  So alas, I've lost my cute print.

Then I called Intuit.  I have done business with them in years past so I was concerned some old auto-renewal thing kicked back up.  They were able to confirm that they saw no charges for my name since 2012, but then also confirmed the three charges (from three different shipping addresses) using my credit card number.  Why don't ya'll look at that as part of the charging process to verify an order?

At approximately this time, one year ago today the call got through to me... Mom was gone.  I cannot believe it's been a year already, but at the same time it feels like an eternity.  I miss you Mom.  What else can I possibly say?

The lemoncello went into the second stage of rest last night.  I scrubbed the limes too, which was enough out of the way to get me carving at those this evening, hence one batch of high test limecello has entered the first stage of rest.  The liquid instantly went green.  This batch should be fun.  I also have a nice container of limeade ready to sip on all week.  I bet that would be yummy with a little white run and some mint too, huh?

...and now my weekend is over.  I'm a sad panda once again, especially since the long weekends have come to a close for quite a while.

Saturday we relaxed a bit and tried making Alton's french toast.  Although I couldn't find the right type of bread it turned out pretty good.  Later in the day we packed up and headed to meet the Laws for Mexican!  Our visit was nice, but a bit too short for my liking.  We wandered Ross and TJ Maxx as well, but I left empty handed.

I lounged in bed pretty late today. My stomach wasn't thrilled, but I'm feeling better now.  We had our Sunday morning pancakes and watched HGTV all day.  It sounds like the old people version of Netflix and chill.

Today is Saffy's gotcha day.  I can't believe she's been here for 7 years.  How does time go that fast!?  We didn't go to Petco today and I didn't sing.  I'll celebrate her birthday tomorrow.  Tonight I'll at least get the latest batch of lemoncello into sugar water. Maybe tomorrow I'll start my limecello!  Three cheers for 99 cent bags of limes at Aldi.

With my Favorite Egg in for the long New Years weekend we started off celebrating at home last evening with a wee bit of the Culpeper cherry whiskey and some champagne for midnight.  We were up fairly early this morning despite the late night to head to Altoona.  We got a light dusting of snow, but I wasn't deterred.  First stop was the cemetery to pick up ornaments that were hung on trees in the mausoleum.

From there a quick lunch and to my Aunt Jane and Uncle Mike's.  I was long over due for a visit and my cousin Michele was in.  After a visit we headed to Aunt Linda and Uncle Ronnie's, where we visited and took in the good luck grub of pork and kraut.  Back up the mountain and here we sit relaxing a bit.  Still a full weekend ahead of us - yay!