Friday the 13th.

And here I am again, swearing my ears are bleeding. It's Gadget (formerly known  as DIL2, lol) ... she's been here for two days now and hasn't shut up once.

I knew she was coming over on Wednesday so I shut myself in my room to work on some craft projects in the hopes of at least a few hours of quiet. Nope. She knocks on my door not fifteen minutes after she gets here with a box in her hand. "Mom can you help me figure this out?" It's a freaking ovulation prediction kit and she's asking ME? There's things I just don't wanna know about their relationship ... this being one of them. But no ... she doesn't know what topics to avoid or when to shut up.

The motor-mouthing might not be so bad but she's told me some things a dozen or more times. Twice was bad enough, but a dozen times (and that is no exaggeration folks).

Add that she's making herself a little too much "at home" and I'm ready for a padded cell. It's bad enough my sons knock on the door when I'm showering so they can make a quick pit stop ... she's doing it now, too. ONLY .. she doesn't close the bathroom door (letting out my precious warmth from the shower) and she talks the entire freaking time she's piddling.

It's enough to wish the drain monster would come and take me away.

Gawd knows Calgon ain't doing it.

Right now she's in bugging DIL. I'm loving the few minutes of silence.

The real sad thing is, as much as I do like her, I'd like her a whole lot more if she'd just STFU on occasion. Oh, and that ovulation kit ... that's just TMI ...

*****

So, DIL2 will forever be known as Gadget. I've also come up with a new name for Single Son, since he won't be single for too much longer. His new nickname is Gizmo. Perfect ... he's a gizmo geek (on top of being a Star Trek Nerd), and it was a nickname he had back in elementary school thanks to the Gizmo backpack he carried daily. So ... Gadget and Gizmo. Cute, eh?

*****

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, the car is dead ... and gone. I had to go out to the mechanics to clean 'er out on Monday. I did get a little emotional over parting ways, but not so much that I actually cried or anything. Like I've done with other cars I've had to part with.

Married Son was home for Easter. We went over to my mom's to pick up the title of the car to turn it over to Volunteers of America. He tells Mom that he and Gizmo are going to buy me a car for Christmas. Nothing fancy, but a good reliable car. Until then, it's borrow a vehicle until Gizmo decides what sort of car he wants. And he's taking his time figuring it out. Grrrrr.

I told the boys that if they buy me a car for Christmas, then they're exempt from all gift giving occasions for the next five years. Married Son laughed "but Mom, you know how I love to give you gag gifts so don't expect me to follow that request to the letter".

Great! I already have a cane (florescent orange), a jumbo remote, jumbo playing cards, over the hill cane ... what more can he give me? Don't ask ... I don't have a jumbo calculator yet.

*****

I talked to my Mom today. She's saying that Daddy is very unsteady on his feet anymore. That and he needs to stop every few feet to rest. She has to hold onto him for even a trip to the bathroom. Trips out of the house (expect for doctors appointments) just don't happen anymore, she's too afraid he's going to fall on the four short steps that lead from the house into the garage.

And that's always a good possibility. He's fallen getting into bed, getting out of the shower, walking to the kitchen ... and more. She can't lift him, so she has to call 911. They're on a first name basis now.

Mom and Aunt Silly are going next week to check out the nursing home nearby. Mom really doesn't want to consider this, but she knows that he's just way too much for her anymore. I asked if my moving in would help, she said no ... he's way too much for me to handle if he falls.

*****

No news on the Alien front. I only hear from her when the Loser is out of the house. When she kicks him out, or he moves out, is the only time I hear from her. Usually for "can I borrow twenty bucks" or "can you sit for the day" ... otherwise ... he really doesn't want her talking to her family. Isolation ... and she doesn't see that he's isolating her from us. Jerk wonders WHY no one in the family likes him ... got an hour, bud, I'll tell you!!

Not much I can do about it. She's an adult and made her choices.

*****

Well, time to go get ready for my monthly Star Trek meeting tonight. We're meeting at a new location. Logan's Roadhouse. I'm armed with coupons and hungry ...

She's Dead, Jim ...

Sorry, couldn't resist (ya know, resistance really is futile) ...

It's my car, my beloved Sable. Dead. Can't be revived ... well, technically can be revived, but at a cost of just over twice what she's worth. Not something I care to invest in.

I'll miss her.

We have decided to donate her to "Volunteers of America", where they'll work miracles on her, and sell her afterwards. They say the donation of a car, on average, can feed and house a family of three for a few months.

Makes losing her so much easier to bear when I know she'll help someone else.

*****

So ... now what? What will Lisa drive? After lengthy discussions with Single Son we've decided that instead of buying me a new car we'll buy him the new car, I'll use his van. It makes sense. I don't drive that often anymore, where he drives at least thirty-five miles a day, at least six days a week. Get him the new vehicle, something economic on gas. I'll use the van, a gas hog, until such time I find a little car I like and can afford. If he needs the van for anything, then I will use his car.

Now, I know you may be thinking "but that was YOUR car, you need to have your own car, girl" ... I agree. However, as I'm undecided as to what type of car I really want next it makes sense this way until I am fully employed and able to make payments (or save for a used car).

*****

I haven't been able to come up with a cute nickname for Single Son's girlfriend, so I'll just be calling her DIL2. Real imaginative, eh? But it works.

I thought she was going to come home with Single Son tonight (that's usually how it works - here on certain days, at her sisters house where she lives on others) ... so I decided I had better eat early. It's not that I wouldn't cook for them both on occasion, but I am on a tight budget and if I cook one meal for two extra people that's two less meals for me. I might not mind if I had more money, but dammit, I'm not cooking for you if you don't bring some groceries with you to replace what you've removed from MY pantry.

It's not Single Son, it's DIL2 in this case. "Hey Mom, what do you want for dinner?" should be an offer to BRING and cook the meal. Not go through my cupboard to see what we can "scratch up" for dinner. It's happened a few times now, enough for me to bring it up to Single Son.

It may say McDonald on my driver's license ... but I sure don't see the Golden Arches sitting outside my front window!

*****

Speaking of food ... at a garage sale a few weeks ago I bought this:

It's an Xpress Redi, Set, Go grill.  I paid a whole three bucks for it. I love it!!!! I seldom use the stove or oven anymore. It's so easy when cooking for one.

Tonight I made some odd concoction. It tasted great, BUT it was a tad on the hot side. Who am I kidding?? Three hours later my tongue still is numb from the jalapenos! Three alarm cuisine at it's finest. LOL!

I took 2 soft tortilla shell, spread a heaping spoonful of Hellagood "buffalo wing" spread on each, placed both bologna and pepperoni slices, onion AND a bit too generous helping of jalapeno (at least ten slices on each) and rolled 'em up. Then I popped the two roll-ups into the Xpress. Four minutes later,  the best grilled bologna sandwiches ever. Hotter than hell, but ohhhhhh so good!!

I've made everything from pancakes to Chicken Cordon Bleu, pizza, grilled tuna and more on this thing.

About the only time I need the stove or oven is to heat up soups, or when I bake biscuits. Although, I'm sure I could actually cook biscuits in it, too.

What I really really like is that the one tray in the picture, the double tray ... it's big enough for a serving sized meal, but not too big that I make (and eat) too much food!! Portion control at it's easiest.

*****

Not a lot else going on 'round here, other than some crafting I've been doing. I won't post pics just yet, I'll save that for a later date when I have a few of my projects done. All I will say, at this point, it's all Star Trek crafts I've been working on. Hehehe ...

I know, I'm such a geek!

She's baaaaack ...

And I'm not talking about blogging ... I'm talking the MIL from HELL!!

I'm fed up. I'm not gonna sit silently anymore. And I haven't this week!!

Started the other day when Single Son's GF and I were talking. I told her I missed sitting in my living room, chatting with visitors or watching movies with the family. She mentioned it to Single Son. The few things that were his were moved to his room. And ... lo! and behold... miracle of miracles ... HALF the crap that belongs to the Wrecking Crew has disappeared, too.

Of course, the fact I told DIL to move it or lose it (literally) may have something to do with that.

Then on Wednesday I'm informed by Single Son at 5 am that the dryer has died. I figured it was on it's last legs only because *someone* overloads both the washer and dryer ... and NEVER empties the lint trap. Do I really need to name names? So ... I leave DIL a note saying "the dryer died a slow and painful death yesterday. She'll be missed". The bitch has the audacity to wake me up at 7:30 am to ask if it's safe to use it. Hello? What about dead are we not understanding? I told her no. She cusses out Single Son, blaming him for the dryer dying. No ... he's the one who emptied the freaking lint trap each time she left the laundry room! I don't understand how one person can be so rough on everything. I had the old washer and dryer for twenty years before the Wrecking Crew moved in. Since then, we go through a washer and dryer every other year!!!

I'm tired of her blaming everyone else.

On Thursday Single Son's girlfriend and I walked down to a neighbor's garage sale. I knew it would be a good one since the couple had lived there for about fifty years. I was hoping they were selling  their washer and dryer!! Nope. But they still had some good stuff anyway!! I bought enough that Girlfriend had walk back to the house to get her car!! Even then, we couldn't fit it all in her car!! I bought a bread maker for two bucks, a Xpress Redi Set Go (hot plate sort of thing) for three bucks, leather yarn (yes, leather yarn) for a few bucks and some costume jewelry for a quarter. Oh ... and my great find ... a Singer sewing machine. 1963, in perfect condition ... works well. Even has a cabinet and stool (that I will refinish one of these days). Fifteen bucks.

We couldn't get the sewing machine in  the back of the car. I was hoping to wait for Single Son to get home from work so I could use his van, While we waited, Girlfriend helped me clean some of the living room - including about two dozen pairs of shoes belonging to the Wrecking Crew that had been abandoned behind a chair. BUT ... DIL got home first so I asked her if she'd help me go pick it up, but not before "mentioning" that the shoes had to be taken care of ASAP. After a short burst of bad attitude we did go get it. Just in time, too ... some pretty nasty storms looked like they were blowing in. Actually, that was the night of the big tornado over in Dexter. We had barely ten minutes of light rain.

So, got the sewing machine to it's new home. I haven't had a chance to use it other than to test it and play with the tension (that still needs further adjusting). And at least the living room is slowly being reclaimed.

Then on Friday, Singe Son and I went to Home Depot and got some much needed stove burner replacements and new drip pans. The large drip pans are too big, so until I have a car to take them back, I can't use the large burners ... and one of the small burners had so much gunk caked under it from people allowing their pots to over-boil (or not cleaning up spills as soon as they happen) that I've literally been cleaning it for the last two days. Not continuously scrubbing, mind you ... but placing my de-gunking solution and letting it sit for an hour then steel wool scrub until my fingers cramp and start the process all over again. And I refuse to put the burner and pan in until it looks brand new. So ... let her cook with one tiny burner. And she better not make a mess. Or MIL will snap.

*****

Okay, bitching aside. Looks like my car could be repaired soon. Mom's offered to finance repairs. Single Son had been saving for the repairs, but this way we can get it repaired sooner but have to make monthly payments to Mom for a while. Beats having it sit there wasting away.

*****

So ... the empty nest is coming fairly soon. Only it's the wrong person moving out!!! Single Son is leaving the nest to move in with ... are you ready for this ... his fiancee! Yes,  he and Girlfriend are engaged!

Now you understand why the need to find her a nickname!!! Motor Mouth seems to come to mind. She talks nonstop and fast!! And she's a pro at topic hopping. It's hard to keep up with her conversations most days!! But, bleeding ears or not ... I do like her!!

*****

Speaking of Empty Nest ... I was talking to Married Son yesterday. Seems DIL called him complaining about the Wicked MIL. He told her to shut up and clean up ... or move out!! I did ask him when he expects to have enough for an apartment for them to move to and was told "screw her. I'm done. The crap I've found out about her while I'm on the road she can move in with her parents.I am not going to pay for HER housing. But don't worry Mom, the way she's talking she won't be there long anyway. She doesn't like your bitching".

Seems Plan B is working!!

StarTrek DSO Event

We'll start with the long overdue blog about the DSO event last weekend.

It was a beautiful day to be running around Downtown Detroit in our Star Trek uniforms. Odd thing is, absolutely no one thought it was unusual to see a bunch of uniformed Trekkies walking the streets.

Once we were in Orchestra Hall, our mission was to work the audience as they entered the lobby.

For an hour we "worked" the audience.

I happened to have brought Single Son's phaser and communicator. I totally forgot about bringing his tri-corder. And since they were TOS (the original series) and I was wearing the TOS uniform,  they were my props for the day.

Until our Captain "stole" it from me (he did return it later) and got into a shooting match with one of those nasty Klingons. And nasty is an understatement. This certain Klingon has managed to get kicked out of more functions (he even got US all kicked out of a bowling alley once) but he damn near got hit by a man he managed to piss off by asking "how much you taking for that wench on your arm". Can't take a Klingon anywhere.

The show was sold out, so there were few tickets for the Trekkies. We did manage to get half a dozen tickets for the main floor. I wasn't lucky enough to pull one of those. But security finally found us seats way up in the second balcony. Nosebleed city is about it, too. Literally the last row of the highest balcony ...  but the show was awesome, even from my seat. They played the themes from about every Sci-fi film or show ever made. The Conductor was a hoot. He even had a short medley of tunes that one lucky concert goer, if guessed right, won a Star Wars light saber. He got  'em all, too!!

Afterwards, we got to meet with Mr. Takei. We weren't allowed to take individual photos, or even an autograph. But that's fine. My understanding was he was pressed for time and had his plane to catch.

Here's the pics ... enjoy!!

Friday's show attended by Star Wars folks ...


Those nasty Klingons ... with our Captain in the middle


Ship's Doctor, P, Me, Single Son, D and Captain


Klingon's ... The Trekkie was a vocalist and acted on a few of the Trek episodes. Her name totally escapes me! Sweet Gal!!


Main Floor Orchestra Hall.


Captain and the Lady


Single Son's girlfriend (I really do need a nickname for her!)


Our Group photo with Mr Takei!

Two blogs in two days ... WOW!

I know, riiiight. Two blogs in two days. What gives? I dunno. Really. But I'll try to keep it up (maybe not this speed, but not once a month either).

Went out to lunch with Mom today. Girls day out. We had a good time.

I think Mom thought I was a little off my rocker when I was telling her about the big upcoming weekend at the DSO and meeting George Takei (he's agreed to a meet and greet and photo session). And when I told her there would be about a hundred of us running around in either Star Trek or Star Wars costume, "fighting" with our fake laser guns and swords in a crowd of concert-goers ... well, let's just say that she now knows I'm certifiable. All she said was "it's so nice you and your friends get to play like that".

She was telling me that her accountant is suggesting they give me the house, that selling it will end up with large negative profits and much higher taxes. That they'd do better with the write off than continuing to own it. The only problem is, I don't think I could keep up with insurance, property taxes or other miscellaneous expenses that would arise. I'd need one hell of a paying job (or a room-mate willing to pay half the expenses) to make this work. Forget that I want to move, that this neighborhood has been going downhill for years now .. and that in all honesty, I prefer to be a tenant, and not a home owner.

So, we'll see what happens with this.

*****

After we ate and were back in her van I handed over the cash that I owed Mom. You know, that 28% I'd set aside for her. She told me to keep it - that I showed I was going to pay her back and that's all she needed was to know I was good on paying her back - not that she would accept repayment.

So, there's an extra bit of cash in my hands now. Not that I have any plans on spending it any time soon, LOL, I don't. I hate spending money ... I'll go weeks contemplating a purchase (do I really need this or not) and then I end up not being able to justify the purchase. A far cry from the days when any amount of change would burn a hole in my pocket.

Although, there IS that sewing machine that my mind keeps wandering back to!

*****

We went to a little discount store near the restaurant. Family Dollar. Mom thought it was a dollar store and was rather shocked when she found out that they aren't!! She discovered some rather cute pictures and had a hard time talking herself out of buying them. To the point she was actually arguing aloud with herself. And she calls me certifiable? Running around in my Star Trek TOS uniform ... here she's arguing with herself. It was a hoot, actually. And no, she didn't buy the pictures.

Somehow we got talking about decorating. I told her I'm falling head over heels for Mid Century Modern (MCM) decor. A far cry from the Early American I grew up in, or the casual country my home is currently decorated in. Mom said she has boxes of MCM "crap" in storage in her basement (from early on in their marriage), and I'm welcome to everything I want. Ruh roh!! That could spell trouble. LOL. She will, however, continue to store it until I'm ready for it. Yay!!

I just think she's relieved that someone wants that stuff. That it won't end up in the trash, as Brother Deere is threatening to do with all of their possessions once they pass away. Yes, he's made it known to Mom that he will hold the biggest "junk sale" that town has ever seen. It's up to me to save the family heirlooms!!

I did ask if I could take her extra sewing machine. It's lighter than her "good" sewing machine, so she is still using it. Drats. And taking the good one is out of the question for now ... especially with the Wrecking Crew still being here. So, I guess I take some of that money she refused to take, and go buy the craft sewing machine I keep thinking about.

And, Mom says she'll see it when she believes it about the wrecking crew moving out. I tend to agree, but dammit, they gotta GO.

*****

And, no, I'm not gonna blog about the Wrecking Crew again today. Mood is still good ... and I'm not gonna spoil it!!

Feeling good ...

You'll be pleased to know that Married Son has paid me in full for all past due paychecks. In cash. Yay!!

First off, I took 28% right off the top and put it aside for Mom (money I owed her for getting through a payless month - yes, an entire month without pay!)

And of course, I went shopping. LOL. I bought the much needed groceries. I have to say, I've been really into couponing lately. Add shopping the sales fliers and 10/$10 (11th item free at Meijer's) and I managed to buy a week's worth of groceries for just under $25. I'd have bought more, but my cupboards only fit a week's worth of food!! LOL.

I needed to buy a new pair of black pants for the upcoming STARFLEET event at the DSO this weekend. My only other pair of black pants are two sizes too big ... and if I sneeze they fall around my ankles. Not something I want George Takei to witness. Soooo, twenty bucks for a pair of black jeans and I will not have to worry about traumatizing Mr Takei (or my fellow Nerds).

I also stumbled on clearance shirts for two bucks each. Got two of 'em.

Left the store having spent about five bucks under the sixty bucks I had budgeted for the trip!

Being poor sure has it's advantages. I can honestly say I know how to squeeze the most out of my money ... or as Gigi used to say "pinch a penny so hard that Lincoln cries".

And with all that I did manage to buy, I still have sixty percent of the money in my wallet. I'm sure it'll last me for months, lol.

WTHeck is it with me putting everything into "percentages"?

*****

Those new black jeans are "feel good" pants. For the first time in ... oh, I don't know how long ... I'm able to get into a size 20 jeans!! Standing up, they're only a tad snug ... and I confess, I look damned good in them. Of course, in a seated position, breathing is out of the question. A small price to pay!! Who needs to breath anyway?

And when you consider that not three years ago I was wearing a size 28, well, dammit, I'm proud of myself.

Anyone need a tent? I still have my size 28s in the back of my closet. Just a little modification and they'd protect two campers with room to spare.

*****

What's funny about that above comment about modification ... I'm seriously thinking of cutting them up and making stuff out of them ... tote bags, purses, whatever. All I need is a sewing machine!

And thanks to Pinterest, I've found a lot of nifty patterns for all sorts of projects. Good thing, I estimate when I get to sorting all my clothes, I'll have literally a truck full of things I can no longer wear!

My mom has an extra sewing machine I'm hoping I can get her to part with. If not, there's a "craft" sewing machine up at Meijer's for about fifty bucks. I'm just waiting for it to go on sale ... or for mPerks (their online customer appreciation site) to offer a discount coupon on general craft merchandise.

My next big shopping trip is going to be to the Sears Clothing Outlet in Serling Heights, MI. A facebook friend of mine just recently went there and spent under seventy-five bucks for almost $600 worth of clothing. But that won't happen until I clear all of my fat clothes out of my closets, dressers and storage.

And believe it or not, I'm actually looking forward to spending a day looking through the racks at Sears Clothing.

*****

I'm in such a good mood, and since having changed from my new black pants into my comfy (baggy) night shirt so that I can breath again ... I'm NOT going to blog about the recent antics of the female part of the Wrecking Crew. Nope, not today ... she's not going to spoil this mood!!

Happy March ...

Can't believe it's March already!! I'd say I'm ready for spring, but we haven't had enough of a winter here to complain about. Not that I'd complain, I love winter - REAL winters. I tire of the snow, but what we've had has melted so fast it's not bitch-worthy.

What is bitch-worthy is the freaking Wrecking Crew ... and Single Son. I'm so ticked I could spit nails!! For the last week I've been trying to get to the pharmacy to get my refills before I run out of my meds. Pharmacy closes at 7 pm. Single Son is rarely home before 6:45pm. Too late to even try to get to the Pharmacy.

DIL knows this ... and knows how important these meds are for my health. Every evening this week she sees that I am watching out the front window to see if Single Son is home yet and asks me "whatcha looking for?" and I say every time "a ride to the pharmacy" ... but has she ONCE said to me "Hey Mom, I know you need your meds. I'm home and not doing anything of any importance, may I take you to the Pharmacy" ... Hell NO!! Instead she goes to her parents house to hide out until it's Grandson's bedtime. She did say last night to me "I'd take you on Sunday but I have a birthday party we need to go to". Wow. That's awful big of her. NOT.

So ... tomorrow I get to take Single Son to work so I can use his van to get done the things I need to do ... like get meds and a much needed hair cut. I'd grocery shop, but I seem to have cobwebs in my wallet again this week.

Single Son is on my list 'cause of his whole mentality lately. Started with the gf's "arrival" and has escalated as the weeks pass. Okay, I know he's 32 and probably tired of living in Mom's basement ... but he has to realize that especially until I have a working car again that I NEED him to be available to me from time to time and not necessarily at HIS convenience either. Instead, he laughs and says "Relax Mom. Take a deep breath". Deep breathing is NOT going to get me up to the store. Or get my meds. Forget just getting out of the house for a break, that ain't gonna happen!!

He needs to fix what he broke. That being MY CAR!! I need it back for so many reasons.

*****

Not a whole lot else going on 'round here. Can't do a lot if you can't even get out of the house.

I wish the old mall up the street was still open (and not the abandoned ghost town it is now), at least I'd be able to walk to a store for food and such. And probably have a second job working retail. Ah well, those days are long gone.

*****

About my only excitement these days is Pinterest. So many craft projects (if I had money for supplies that is), and decorating ideas (post-empty nest), and recipes (yum), and so many other things to look forward to doing when I'm able to do them.

I guess the good thing about this whole PINning everything that I would like to do (or see, or buy, or make) is that it's actually motivating me to pack up all my unwanted and unused crap for a huge yard sale once the wrecking crew (and Single Son) are outta here. And I do mean huge. I've only partially gone through two rooms (my bedroom and the kitchen) and have three large boxes of crap already. How does one get so many sets of dishes is beyond me (three FULL sets, four if you include the ones I want to keep but had to store in the dishwasher because there's no room anywhere else for them). Problem is, I've had to STOP packing things up for now, no room to store any more boxes of "yard sale crap".

Oh, and Amy, I know your love for crockpot cooking ... I've pinned a whole bunch of crockpot recipes for you (see recipes - crockpot) ... well not exactly entirely for you ... I'm gonna be crockpotting too, once I get a bigger crockpot!!  ... lol.