in the news – Page 7 – This Old House 2

Trees in the House

Stella has several support beams that hold the old girl up. They were whimpy at best, and the Mr. had a brilliant idea…..

I love bringing some of the outside in when decorating/rebuilding. In our farmhouse, that meant the family room/mancave fireplace constructed of stones found in our fields and woods. Two cedars from those same woods have been stripped of their shaggy bark and will be used as support beams extending floor to ceiling and as ceiling beams. Despite our extensive resurrection efforts, we want Stella to retain some of her rustic cabin charm. This addition will add to the cottage life vibe.

Where the old range and refridge once stood, we’ve ripped out the wall that made it all feel a bit claustrophobic and yesterday two cabinets were delivered. Along that newly built half wall will be the range, a work space, and a raised eating bar with room for two bar stools. The stone guy met with the Mr. yesterday to discuss what he might have in the warehouse to fit that space. We’re looking for economy left over scraps to keep the cost down. We were thinking of carrara marble, it’s Italian stuff that normally we can put in a house for a relatively low cost. Apparently we’ve pissed the Italians off somehow and they’ve tripled the marble cost. SO, he’s going to scrounge around and see what he can come up with in his warehouse.

The stone guy said – why don’t you just get rid of that old sink –

Are ya kidding??? Some people just don’t see the beauty in old things. For me, that sink is Stella’s Tiara. When we first visited Stella with a hope of making a good impression with her previous owner, that was the first thing besides the water view I noticed and fell in love with – her sink!

Last for today, ’cause I gotta be me…

Several of my friends are going to Washington to participate in the March. I’ve made a donation and my name is on several posters but I won’t attend, mostly because of my fear of attending large charged crowds with a big hearing impairment disadvantage. I don’t know that I am a fan of large masses of people in protest, seems like someone always gets hurt. However, I’m not one to shut up, either, as witnessed here on my blog. I am so glad people are standing up to say THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, WE WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE, WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION. At the very least, there’s that.

*sigh. Onward….

Portobello Delight / I’m with Him.

Made this last night- wow, so good! And good for you. Since the kids were home for dinner and my son doesn’t like the portobello as a whole piece, I cut each mushroom into bite size pieces to create a broiled dish – Put mushrooms in baking dish, basted with melted butter and minced garlic, fresh parsley. Toss to coat if you chopped. Then top with sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Broil on lower rack of oven ten minutes. Drain excess liquid, drizzle with balsamic/sugar glaze- ( just boil down in a small sauce pan some balsamic vinegar and about 1/4 c sugar) and serve. Awesome!

There’s so much to be offended by with the Orange Scream – so many things to protest or find appalling – seems daily there’s some new absurdity to add to the list. Never in the history of ever has there been such a controversial political figure – unless you want to mention H*tler. (Who woulda thought) His list of enemies grows daily – and I mean the ones he declares himself! He’s a legend in his own mind. He refers to himself as a God, and he thinks the rules are for everyone else but him.

John Lewis – If you care to learn more about who he actually is.. click HERE . Because he has spoken out about the issues we all know are bogus with the Orange Scream, he’s been under twitter attack. Who’s surprised, raise your hand…..

Stephen Colbert had a hilarious response (love that man) …. in his banter he said… He attackes Senator Lewis on MLK weekend… what’s next…

“Loser Jesus dead for 3 days and then we’re supposed to believe he just wakes up? Fake news. I like gods who don’t die. Where’s the rebirth certificate?”

Been walking the walk for 50 years… I’m with him ↓.

This, that, and something that might piss you off

Two weeks into our new fitness regimen – so far Mike has lost 15 lbs!! Me- just 3. The skinny on Nutrisystem – it works… if you strictly follow their plan. The food doesn’t taste bad and you don’t feel deprived, (heck …some of their “snacks” are a chocolate cupcake, a soft pretzel!)…. you do add small quantities of fresh fruit and veggies , but I don’t like the processed food idea. What the plan teaches is what we all really know already, portion control and calorie intake.

We’ve learned we need to eat about a third of what we were consuming to lose and then maintain a healthy body weight. We are both working out cardio and light weights daily, and when I really don’t want to be in the gym I at least take the dogs for a hike up and down hills at a good pace at the back of our farm. Keep moving! The other key is water water water. I have fibromyalgia (chronic muscle soreness and stiff) and have discovered that pushing myself to work out even though I’m sore is helping me feel stronger, not weaker. Sleep is improved too when you make yourself work out daily. It’s frustrating that men lose the weight so much quicker than us women, though. Seriously… WTF.

Here’s a detox drink someone shared on FB, gonna give it a go. Anyone try it?

Stella’s interior renovation continues…

Stackable washer dryer unit closet where there used to be a small coat closet. One of only two closets in all of Stellas makeup. Stella isn’t big enough to house Melania’s shoes, so we will need to be sparing with what we will bring for summer stays.

The 2nd bedroom has been bead boarded – because bead board doesn’t have the integrity of wainscote we will paint it, mostly likely an ivory white.

The ceiling will remain as is, with a clear coat of something to bring out the wood grain. It had a low hanging ceiling that we ripped out to give a feel of more space.

Yesterday we had 55 degree temps and the sunshine on the water twinkled like diamonds….

This book was recommended to me… to help understand the mentality behind what just happened in our political environment. Any reviews?…….

Finally, the part that might piss you off. I’m hoping you just get a chuckle out of it. Several people have asked me where I got the nickname for the President-Elect – “Orange Scream”. ……………

*sigh

Till soon, friends….

In A Nut Shell

Did you catch the President Elect’s first press conference in oooh, about six months?

No? Let me give it to you in a nut shell –

First it was a lashing at all reporters and intel pretty much for all the fake news, except the ones who have been good to him, but most of them sometimes have been unfair, but some of them now good. Doesn’t matter what he said about the intelligence world because it was.. unintelligible.

He’s not giving up his business but he promises he will not discuss ANY of it with his two sons, whom will run things. But he COULD do both, run the country and run the empire, but he won’t…. but he could. He’s actually hired an ethics person whom he will pay to make sure he’s remaining ethical in that department.

Hes’ donating all money earned from foreign entities to .. I think the United States Treasury? No one yet knows what were in all those folders or who that attorney was but already her knowledge is questionable. As for the folders, his aides didn’t let anyone look at them, so your guess is as good as mine… and everyone elses.

Yes Russia was responsible for the hacking but the Dems asked for it, He should be commended for the fine cyber security he and Preibus are responsible for (meaning RNC). Putin seems to like him so he still likes Putin, unless Putin doesn’t like him anymore.

CNN is not a credible news source and he wouldn’t let them get one question in – (You know Fox is his favorite.) That exchange was ugly.

He’s God’s gift to Job making ( his words) ..

ACA Healthcare will be removed and replaced within hours of each other and your premiums will be MUCH cheaper although some will have a very bad year, and trust him it will be great.

He’s going after Pharma – (ok I’m all for that)

Mexico will pay for the wall, just maybe next year, and maybe not in payments but in taxes, and he is building wall now with our money because he doesn’t want to wait for the deal he plans to make.. with Mexico – of whom he loves, loves the people, loves the government, even employs mexicans, that’s how much he loves them.

And, we should all love him. Finally – he hopes we will all go to the incredible inauguration ceremony, which is going to be beautiful and huuuuuge, largest crowds every. Bigly so.

As for those golden shower reports … he said (his words!) .. he’s a germaphobe and there are cameras everywhere….. so…

This post shouldn’t offend anyone – All the above is indeed what transpired in todays press conference. How’s that working for ya.

Some Artistic Inspiration / Notes from the Swamp

I love sea glass and have a large vase full of it – pieces collected over the years by myself, my mom and friends. While browsing pinterest a few days ago I saw sea glass art by various artists and loved the simplicity and beauty of a few of the pieces. I gathered some of my best blue hues and bought an inexpensive frame and some Gorilla Glue at Michaels Crafts – within a half hour I had a little sea glass treasure I will hang somewhere in the cottage.

This is another find I will put together to hang over one of the windows, perhaps during the next snow storm. I don’t browse pinterest or etsy often but when I do I’m always amazed – lots of inspiration can be found there, so many talented people. Note: Copying an artists ideas isn’t something you should do if you have any intention of selling what you create. It’s done all the time but not cool when the artist is trying to make a living at what they do.

News from the Swamp:

The orange scream is breaking from 11 presidents worth of tradition by firing Charles Brotman, who has announced every inauguration parade since Eisenhower in 1957. The 89 year old, who is still very capable of doing his job, received an e-mail stating his services were no longer needed. Needless to say, he’s pretty heartbroken.

-What an assh*le. That’s not even a political move. That’s just an assh*le move.

I’m not a big fan of Hollywood in general but I do love a good movie and a talented actor/actress. Meryl Streep is one of my favorites and I just loved what she had to say at the awards show the other night. For the Orange Scream to call her an “overrated actress” is just the icing on his daily twitter ridiculousness. Bravo, Meryl. And Bravo Anne Donahue, whoever you are.

The Orange Scream now denies he mocked a disabled reporter – sorry, dude. It’s out there for the world to see, there’s no misunderstanding here. Click on link if you need a refresher. That’s just disgusting in anyones opinion, I sure hope.

https://youtu.be/PX9reO3QnUA

AND… In case you missed it, here’s the federal week in review:

1. Trump fires all Ambassadors and Special Envoys, ordering them out by inauguration day.

2. House brings back the Holman rule allowing them to reduce an individual civil service, SES positions, or political appointee’s salary to $1, effectively firing them by amendment to any piece of legislation. We now know why they wanted names and positions of people in Energy and State.

3. Senate schedules 6 simultaneous hearings on cabinet nominees and triple-books those hearings with Trump’s first press conference in months and an ACA budget vote, effectively preventing any concentrated coverage or protest.

4. House GOP expressly forbids the Congressional Budget Office from reporting or tracking ANY costs related to the repeal of the ACA.

5. Trump continues to throw the intelligence community under the bus to protect Putin, despite the growing mountain of evidence that the Russians deliberately interfered in our election.

6. Trump breaks a central campaign promise to make Mexico pay for the wall by asking Congress (in other words, us, the taxpayers) to pay for it.

7. Trump threatens Toyota over a new plant that was never coming to the US nor will take jobs out of the US.

8. House passes the REINS act, giving them veto power over any rules enacted by any federal agency or department–for example, FDA or EPA bans a drug or pesticide, Congress can overrule based on lobbyists not science. Don’t like that endangered species designation, Congress kills it.

Because from what I have seen within my own social group, most Trump supporters will not have read this far, too offended. If you did manage to get to this point in my post, what is it about this that you are able to dismiss? Why are these things ok by you?

Please, all – Wake up to what is actually happening to our beloved country. I’m not telling you to give up your beliefs – conservative, moderate, go left, go right, go high – but whatever you do, please don’t go low. Get involved in ways that are comfortable to you – support causes that you feel strongly about, attending rallies and protests if that’s your thing. Please don’t sit and do nothing. Decency above all. It matters.

– Just… sayin.

Let there be Light – and the third day revelation

While furniture hunting for Stella in a thrift store last week I spied a pair of matching hurricane lamps on sale for $45. I didn’t buy them at the time but I kept thinking about them after. Yesterday the pull was too great and I found myself back at the store gazing at the pair. Not far from them was yet another. We need about five lamps for the entire cottage and there are no light switches, all lighting is of the plug in variety. I want a vintage look where I can manage it, so these would be perfect… if they work.

I had the manager pull the lamps down off the high shelf they rested on and asked him to confirm that they are in working condition… two of the three work fine, all in good condition including the cords, but the third has a broken twist switch thing. When we saw this I told him I would take the two that work. When we got up to the counter with my finds, he also wrapped the broken one and said I could have it for free, and it’s an easy fix for an electrician.

I know just the guy, he’s currently working on Stellas Electrical stuff. Here are my finds… Let there be Light!

The lamp below is the one with a twin.

Regarding the revelation – we started the Nutrisystem plan three days ago. I can tell you this – the entrees we’ve eaten so far aren’t bad. The portions are very small but if you follow the plan, it’s all do-able. Adding fresh veggies and fruit in moderation plus drinking plenty of water is the key. My husband will remain on the diet for at least several months, he really likes it and is finding he does not feel deprived for the most part. For me?… too much gluten content and therefore a bloated belly. I am not a celiac, but there’s no question gluten doesn’t like me. Having it occasionally is OK, but a daily intake of food with gluten in it bloats me out, and that’s what happened within three days of this diet. I chatted online with one of their counselors, he was very helpful. He said most of the nutrisystem entries do have gluten in them, including things that don’t have WHEAT in them, so if you are a gluten sensitive person they don’t recommend the plan. I did know going in that there was much that contained gluten. I had hoped with the very small portions it wouldn’t bother me so much.

Bottom line, the Mr. will continue, and it’s a do-able program for those not looking to be rid of gluten for the most part in their diet. All is not lost, however – I now see what my portions need to be and have learned through their instructions how to incorporate fresh fruits, veggies and water in the right portions – with smart snacks inbetween. The downside to Nutrisystem is, you do receive a month supply of food with each delivery and it costs $90 to cancel. Yep, that’s a big cancellation fee. I also have a month’s worth of food I’m not going to use – but the Mr. will make use of it so it will not go to waste.

On a political note – how’bout them power-drunk GOP’ers trying to eliminate the Ethics committee in a shady-deal evening un-publicized meeting. This is a committee that is designed to make sure congress remains… you know… ETHICAL. Now, I am not coming to the dark side with the following statement, as a FB friend suggested, but I like to think I’m open minded enough to give credit where credit is due, unlike many of the Obama hating crew. I give the Trump Tweet regarding this issue that accompanied all the cries of outrage on both sides of the isle a high five, the public outrage forcing the GOP to flip flop on the decision. The whole thing reminds me of cockroaches in an apartment – like when the light in the kitchen is turned on and they all scurry down the drain. Granted.. it’s just a tiny little vernal pool on the side of that huge swamp he promised to drain, but we’ll take it. Indeed… Let There Be Light.

Uncontainable

Warning – this is indeed a political rant and I’m not even gonna edit. In a nod of respect to my Trump supporting blog friends, this is where you should click off. While it’s not a political blog and for the most part will not have a political focus, it is my space and I firmly believe ignoring current affairs by sticking the proverbial fingers in my ears and singing lalalalalala is just irresponsible.

As much as I would like to put this election behind me and move on, he’s here to stay and the offenses just keep piling on as we are assaulted by it daily. I wanted so badly to believe he would rally and drop the reality show persona, you know, take his title seriously by leaving his ego at the door. His own mother, may she rest in peace, had said he’d make a horrible president because he listens to no one. I believe her.

Never mind where you stand in the political isles…truth, I’m right smack in the middle. I eyed the republican choices throughout the process, hoping for the change that might do some good. Didn’t happen. With this President-Elect I keep asking myself… why is this behavior OK with people? How did we come to be willing to accept this sh*t?? To accept the hypocrisies? Was the desire to “get something different”.. or swing back to a conservative line so important that all else we were willing to forsake? I wonder – Are people having second thoughts now that they see he’s just getting warmed up, not becoming more “Presidential”? What IS Presidential if it’s not a worldly, experienced, even tempered intelligent person capable of self restraint, putting Democracy, the nations people and Americas international and diplomatic and political health ahead of his own EGO.

He’s still twittering/whining about the election – Several times a day! Complaining if he or one of his businesses gets a bad review! Calling out world leaders on twitter?!? I don’t think any of us realizes the fine balance this world and it’s peaceable existence balances on.. words matter – WORLD LEADER WORDS MATTER. Words can send bombs flying in milliseconds. Getting the facts before you twitter matter! Taking credit for things he hasn’t done.. that’s just gross. A Victory Tour? Who does that?? Denying CIA and FBI proof of Russian interference in our elections? Suddenly that’s ok to ignore? No one thinks it will change the election… how about letting them know IT’S NOT OK, WE WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. Instead of denying our own intelligence. Wow, dude.. way to throw your own country under the bus.
Business conflicts of interest, that’s ok now? Putting Billionaires in office who milked the system for their own gain repeatedly, weren’t we draining that self interest swamp? – Not a priority anymore? You think they’re gonna give a shit about the environment? Someone has to. Really. It’s a thing. Hell, there are pay as you play events set up already the day after the inauguration by his sons! For $50,000 you’ll get a meet and greet with the President and his big game hunt loving sons! All under the guise of “conservation”. I’m just not that stupid and I’m sure you aren’t either. Suddenly THATS ok though. OH, they’re trying to spin it another way, but it’s still .. just.. spin. Weren’t we tired of all that? Didn’t we want DIFFERENT? Why are we all just accepting this – because THIS different is hideous.

His is really bizarre and juvenile behavior for someone who’s about to lead the US. For the love of all that is considered sanity, if you really expect the larger half of the country to accept your status, you really oughta start behaving like an adult, isn’t this behavior we learned in 5th grade? It’s clear no one is capable of reining him in, either – his handlers must all be cringing, they must. No wonder Melania just stays the hell out of the way.

His cabinet picks are bizarre, it’s almost as if he’s trying to sabotage the entire system. Some have lawsuits against the very agencies they will head – some have never had experience in the areas they will preside over. Some have committed many offenses in the departments they will oversee. What?? How is this ok.

I have to believe we all know this is really poor behavior, some questionsable picks, and a scary lack of self restraint. I want to believe even Trump supporters privately cringe at at least SOME of this. Try as I may, I just don’t see the silver lining in this big fat gold gilded orange cloud. If you believe in Trump and this post offends you and you’re still reading, from now on you’ll want to scroll past this blog when I occasionally spew, because there are no good answers to the questions I just posed. Nothing stated above is a lie, it is what it is. It’s the Devil we didn’t know who’s in the house now and we’re all stuck, for better or worse.

Windows to the Soul and The Twittering Twit.

Stellas old leaky chipping cranky windows have been replaced…. and soon the siding will be complete.

Next up.. we tackle the interior.

Right here is where all my blog friends who are Trump fans get off the bus so as not to offend you, because that’s not my intent. You have your reasons, I know.

****************************

While I keep trying to GET OVER IT ALREADY, LET GO OR BE DRAGGED, blahblahblahblahblah…. that’s nearly impossible when DJT keeps dishing out the ridiculous and many just keep consuming it with reckless abandonment of what we ALL really consider to be normal, rational, respectful, SAFE behavior.

I’d sure like to see the person about to take the highest office arguably in the World put down his twitter account and start behaving with the class and dignity and personal restraint his position requires. Because of his inflaming personality and refusal to follow protocol, it’s going to be a looong four years – he’s going to be the subject of more than a few parodies too. Grow a skin, Donald, you’re gonna need it.

Seriously…. I’m referring to one of the biggest ball breakers in the history of ever! The hypocrisy and the whining are laughable, if it weren’t so pathetic given the position he’s about to take. He can’t handle a SNL Skit! He’s slamming other countries on TWITTER for Cripes sake. Please, may the powers that be – help him get over himself and get on with “making America great again”. Although we already live in a Great Country, just to be clear. I wish he would stop taking credit for things he didn’t really do. Yeah. THAT.

– Just Sayin

For those who are mourning after this election

*** UPDATE TO THIS POST… I had the wrong video linked.. I apologize for the error. The correct one is now below.

A friend of mine said she’s so tired of all the whiners who didn’t get what they wanted on November 9th. She continued with a hefty –get over it already, move on. She chides the protesters, how foolish! … Of course, she got what she wanted.

I’m weary of all the facebook posts, tweets and news coverage because it was and is indeed EXHAUSTING. I’m tired. I’m angry. I’m sad. There’s no question, I’m grieving. There are many reasons to grieve, in no way do I compare my grief to that of someone who has lost a loved one, I need to be clear, but all grief is real. I cried several times in recent days and I’m not a crier. That caught me by surprise. ——- the raw emotion, why has this affected me so much…

H*llary’s speech – what an example of Grace, of Dignity, of Truly Giving a Shit about the unity of this country, about what we as a nation are supposed to stand for. I wasn’t her biggest fan, but her critics want only to see her flaws and they embellish them for their own purposes. They refuse to acknowledge facts and 30 years of public service among other things. When I think of how she has been treated by the establishment and her own husband at times, I hurt for her. I’m not offended that she was ambitious… it takes ambition to get any good works done, and even the best among us have flaws. She had the courage to battle for many years the misogyny, the cruel jokes and merciless persecution by the worst of the good ole boys, what I now call members of the swamp. Amazing to put aside all the anger she must have felt at the hateful rhetoric spewed all over her during this campaign, to speak to us all for the sake of the country, asking us to unify and support the President Elect because we need him to succeed in order for us to succeed. Thank you, Hillary Clinton, for your good grace in a time of graceless behavior. – That awful morning, while half of us shook our heads in disbelief, I listened to her speak, and I cried.

Tr*mp sat down with the President – we all saw the coverage – my heart ached for a man who rose above all that hateful vitriol he faced for five years from the president elect… exuding nothing but Grace in welcoming the demagogue. What it must have taken. The words were gracious, the body language telling. How hard that must have been. I cried for him. I cried for all of us… I cried for the Grace that is leaving the white house.

For this election because of it’s nature, I voted not for a party, not solely for policy issues, not for a gender or ethnicity, but for the basic ingredient I feel every politician should be held accountable. Decency. I voted against bigotry, racism, hate speech, mysogeny, bullying, ethnic slurs, social media abuses. Yes, I’m angry that half of us were willing to forgo decency at it’s very core for whatever reasons were considered more important. …. and I’m not getting over it very soon. If you’re reading this and you’re grieving too, I hear you. We’re not whining, we’re not poor losers – as half of We The People see it, the dignity of our country was at stake and we all lose when it falls to the gutter. If you voted for Trump, I’m crying for you, too.

Thank you SNL, for hitting the nail on the head…

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Tag: in the news

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