Of house maintenance, T.V. Shows and everything else~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I have been busy, I finally got the repairs and painting done to the house and I’ve commissioned someone to redo the lead work on the stain glass windows.

It was hard getting it done, we’d have dry days and then rain and then dry days and more rain but then we got a good break in the weather and I am so happy,  the windows will take a little longer because I have to put removable clear glass panes on hinges to be able to clean them but it will protect the stain glass from the weather.   And it will be worth it.

And my old job is keeping me busy, one of my former co-workers is out for some time it seems, for very aggressive cancer treatments, so I’ve been contracted to come back to work as a free-lance worker.  But it seems like I never left.

I only went in for a half day today, I said I needed a little time off, and I come home and I’m so tired that I can’t even lift my fingers to type.

However I’ve encountered some interesting young people and well I’d almost have to do an entire post on them,  I had never seen skin so pale on these young ladies that it sort of glows, and it puzzled me.  It’s almost as if they are imitating the looks of the actress on iZombie with ‘sparkling vampires’  we’re going to get together for lunch on Sunday, so it should prove to be interesting.

And speaking of interesting I had a chance to see “Blacklist” last night and it was a very emotionally reveling episode, I kept having the feeling that she was a ghost in a way, especially when she called him by name, and there still was a bit of humor when Reddington came in and showed that he had to ‘kill a kite’ that was threatening to murder them.   It was such a departure from their usual episodes which makes me feel the possibility of a few more unusual ones to sort of break out of the mold for the show.

And don’t get me going about “Lucifer”!!!   I Love the whole premise of this show and the ‘tongue in cheek’ humor with it, the last episode where Lucifer says “What is this about goats!  I don’t even like their cheese!”   And Tom Ellis!  Well I don’t know if he’s everyone’s type but if I was 30 years younger I’d rip off his clothes, throw him on my bed, tie him to my bedposts and have my wicked way with him!!  Heck I’d do it now!

But don’t tell Doyle.

My niece and nephews were happy to have a Spring Break and Easter dinner was a very nice and relaxed affair, but it seems that both Coralline and Christopher are doing extra assignments for their respective classes and the twins have discovered soccer.  And it seems that both my brother and sister in law are a lot happier with it as oppose to (I have to say it) American Football, at least as a semi-contact sport for the twins, in a way I can understand my sister in laws concern especially with head trauma, so hopefully this will work out much better.

And Coralline is concerned she is going to be a freshman in high school next school year, the 9^th grade, she feels she may need to put away childish things and I told her not everything, I feel sorry for her growing up is hard for her, it’s like 3 steps forward and 2 back but she has a few friends and she’s enjoying her ballet exercise classes, already I can see her moving far more gracefully,  I informed her that I’m getting tickets to see the San Francisco’s ballet production of “Onegin” I think I want her to see something besides the “Nutcracker”. 

Am I doing anything new to the garden? Well I’ve been having fun finding very dark plants and blubs with tulips and Irises but the heavy rains did pretty much drown most of the garden, so my gardener has been doing yeoman duty to get it ship shape, but we can’t do much with the plantings close to the house, because of the work being done on the house.   But my gardener suggested that we plant a climbing Jasmine at the back of the garden behind the pet cemetery, and have the scent drift through the yard especially at night.

And we’ve had a sad event happen,  Crazy’s son’s Mother passed away from lymphatic cancer, she was 81, poor thing.  But now Crazy goes to the hospital where she died and goes to the business office claiming that the hospital killed him mother, they put a restraining order on him.  So now he goes to the corner when the “fit” it upon him and yells to everyone to not go to “such and such hospital” because they kill you there,  his family have called the police to have them come and talk to him and then try to get him to take his meds.   I was very sad for the family Crazy’s sister came over to talk to me about what is happening to him, and now we don’t know what he’ll do, I suggested grinding up his medication and putting it into chocolate pudding like those pudding cups she said she’ll try tapioca because of those tapioca beads, easier to disguise I guess.   I hope it works for them.

And I can’t even keep up with all the strangeness that’s been happening here in the Bay Area, it’s been too much 4/20 with pot smoking, Chyna and Prince and Doris Rodgers passing away and now Earth Day.  I’m beginning to wonder what is normal or what passes for normal now a days.

My sister thinks we need a spa weekend, and she’s booking one at the Claremont Resort, yes a bit pricey but we are going to spend 4 days and 3 nights there, and just relax.   And I’m looking forward to it.   I’m hoping that at my old job they will bring in someone else to pick up part of the load, that way I won’t feel so tired.

I and my sister did have fun this last weekend at the Friends of the Library Book Sale, I found a number of music CD’s that I’ve been happy to get, and some really good murder mysteries, and an odd book titled “Spook: Science Tackles the After Life”  by Mary Roach, it’s a perfect companion to “Stiff: the curious life of human cadavers” and in perfect condition too.  Oddly enough over in the Fantasy section was a lot of Vampire Romances,  I picked up a few just to see what they are all about one is titled “Nocturne” and another is about the journals of Minna Harker, telling the Dracula story from her point of view. 

Sis of course found some interesting historical works including a book about Social etiquette circa 1900 which should be interesting for the both of us to read,  Doyle was having fun finding westerns.   Then afterwards we picked up dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant.  My brother and sister in law were going to take the children on Saturday instead of Preview night avoid the frenzy says my brother, he just doesn’t know the art of the hunt for a good book find. 

And now the timer has gone off on the crock pot, dinner is ready, I just have to cook up the rice,  and we will relax Doyle and I with a bottle of wind called “Poizon”  I’ll let you know what I think of it. 

Later Darklings.  

                                    Oh he looks so Cute!!!    The dog is cute too.

Of Easter and Families and other things~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Well I'm finally posting on my blog again.

I have to admit it has been a hectic crazy period, and I'm finally coming up for air.

Poor Coralline she didn't do too well with her wisdom teeth being removed, the first weekend to remove the lower ones wasn't too bad.  

But the next week to remove her uppers was just awful,  she was out of school not only for the weekend but for a few days after as well.   And it appears that she has an enzyme problem, she lacks enough of a particular enzyme to throw off depressants efficiently.   They had a hard time waking her up.

So while she was recovering we periodically had to shake her awake to make sure she would be o.k. 

My sister suggested that she be tested and it was confirmed that she has this deficiency, so now she has to wear a medic alert bracelet and its on her medical records.  And she missed a few school days so she has to use her Spring break to make up her assignments.

Needless to say it was rough on her, she doing fine now, she just grumbles a bit about the home work.

I've been busy too, because of the holidays and at my old place of employment they are short staffed, so I've been called in alot to cover "holes in the schedule"  I don't mind really, but when the BART trains started short circuiting and we had to take bus bridges, well I had to take the Bus to work, not easy really, but if I had to work late Doyle could pick me up. 

And while the sun shines I've been having repair work done on the house to replace some important filigree work and such, but the painting is going to have to wait until we have a very clear window of sun.

Easter dinner will be at my brother's house, but it's a bit of pot luck, everyone bringing something to the table, in a way it reminds me of the story of "Stone Soup", a lovely fun tale about how everyone can work together to not go hungry.

I am looking forward to it.  

I've not had much chance to see any new and delightful Gothic things but I have to admit I'm hooked on "Lucifer"  and Tom Ellis well I wouldn't mind seeing him striped to his tidy whities,  but don't tell Doyle.   But I think the latest episode "A priest walks into a bar..." did give some thought on spirituality and faith,  and the fallen angel burning his wings?   I do hope the series gets renewed.

I'm still having fun with "Sleepy Hollow" and all the Revolutionary War references and Crane still getting use to the 21st century, Tom Mison does a wonderful job as the 18th century man in a 21st century world and the entire cast works wonderfully together.

Believe it or not my Darklings I'm finally catching up to "American Horror Story" and I started with the first season, yes I had to buy it, no I do not down load HULU or NET Flicks, I'm still an "old-fashioned girl" but the writers do not leave you bored that you almost have to deliberately tear yourself away from putting another disc in to see the next chapter, otherwise you'll never get to sleep.

Will I be going on my wine tour come this Fall?  I'm not sure, with so much work to do on the house I don't think so, but then we'll see.

There has been some bizarre things happening of late in the Bay Area, long dead bodies or skulls turning up here and there as well as body parts in the marshes at the southern end of the bay, I think El Nino rains have been uncovering that which has been hidden too long.

And I'm afraid that the shifting to Daylight Savings time has not translated well to Belladonna and Wiener Dog,  their time schedule is all mixed up because I think they really go by the sun so they think we are in bed too long,  and we really can't argue with them, especially if we don't want accidents in the house.

Christopher my nephew has told me that there are a couple of boys in his class, who want to do the all dress in black and do the "Goth thing" during the Summer months, in a way he likes them because they are excellent creative writers and get good grades, they are not anti-social but he's puzzled by this wanting to "try out" the "Goth Thing"  he thinks they haven't a clue what it's all about, when he told me I just sighed and said "baby bats" he said he like to bring them around to my house when I'm home just to talk about literature and such, oh if they only knew what they are in for.

So I said if their parents don't mind and Chris's parents don't mind fine, we'll set up a time.  Well I'm curious anyway as to what these young minds think is Goth, and most likely do not have a clue.

Well need to go, my sister is here and is going to treat me to dinner, Doyle says he'll stay home with the dogs, he senses that it's a girls night out anyway. 

Later Darklings

  

Of Wisdom Teeth that are not so wise~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Right now I have to agree with Coralline, why are wisdom teeth called wisdom teeth, there is nothing wise about them and they are very uncomfortable.

Which for the last two weekends has been the situation for my poor niece,  she had to have all 4 of her wisdom teeth extracted, two of them were pressing down on nerves in her jaw line, and the other two were crowding her teeth.

So on two separate Fridays, they were removed two at a time,  the latest ones were done today, right now the poor child is sleeping on my couch in the family room as I don't want her to try the stairs.

They had to "knock her out" and stitch her gums, but because her parents are involved with some sports doings with the twins and were committed for both weekends, I said I would take care of her,  soft foods, jello, ice cream, and lots of sleep.

And it's all working out,  I've been called in to work during the week several staff members have come down with either the flu or severe allergy attacks, so I'm taking up the slack, but I said I had to have those two Friday's off, no problem.

My gardener has been clearing out the excess weeds although I have to admit the wild wood sorrel or what we as kids use to call "sour grass" looks very pretty, all those yellow flowers among the greenery,  I found out that it's other nick-name is "Sleeping Beauty" very appropriate. So I told him to leave the wood sorrel alone for now in the pet cemetery, until it begins to die back.

My fruit trees, the cherries and Plums have been blooming and looking so wedding like, and dropping white petals here and there like Springs' carpet of snow. 

It looks so refreshing and beautiful.  

For February we only had a little rain but hopefully for March and April we'll get a lot more.

Fortunately with the dry weather I've been able to get some of decorative parts of the house replaced and they've received a protective 1st coat of paint and perhaps that may have to be repeated, but progress is slowly being made.

And now I hear Coralline whimpering, I have to give her the pain meds, poor thing, I'll ask her if she wants chocolate ice cream for dessert, Doyle can pick that up, the question is Dryers or Ben and Jerry's.

Later Darklings

Of Valentine's Day and a night-light for the Toilet Bowl???~~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

What have I been doing? 

Well I've found an excellent carpenter through my art friends who can replace some of the finials and outdoor carvings on the house, as a matter of fact in an act of good faith, he duplicated one of the more difficult ones for free to show his workmanship and it is excellent, so he will slowly (depending upon the weather and his other commitments) replace each item that has wood rotted.   There are not many fortunately, but he said he'd be happy to do this work for me (for a fee) as each situation arises.

I've also again through the same group of friends have been able to find a lovely lady who restores stain glass windows, especially church type windows,  she's a bit eccentric but her bonifides are excellent,  but it will have to wait until the rainy season passes.  

She also has given me information on someone who can install a protective shield over the windows to protect them in the future from the elements and the shields can be swung out in sections for cleaning as needed.

And for Valentine's Day??  

Well Doyle is going to take me to several of my favorite vintage fashion shops so I can shop to my heart's content.

And then we have dinner reservations at our favorite place.  Of course I am aware that there maybe some delays---Valentine's Day is very popular, but it doesn't matter, I'm with the man I love and that is what counts the most.

But our Dynamic Duo will not be forgotten, Doyle yesterday picked up their favorite treats and Brian is going to baby-sit them, he says after such a hectic work week, being with the dogs is his Valentine's treat.  

Sis is visiting her children in Sacramento and will be back tomorrow and Thank goodness for Brian to house sit for her.    I told Sis we owe Brian at least a belated Valentine's present.

Doyle has a habit of watching T.V. while tying up his shoe laces and putting his wallet together I've never been able to figure out why but he started doing that years ago watching the morning news and it's stayed with him ever since.

As I am putting on the finishing touches, he just came in and told me he's think he's seen it all, I asked him what is it and he said "A light to light up the inside of your toilet bowl!"

I think I froze in position before I turned to look at him questioningly thinking he's lost his mind but he then described what it's purpose is for.

It seems its a sort of sensor night light as you go to the bathroom late at night because you have to do something it lights up the interior of the toilet bowl so one can aim one's posterior in the right direction and not miss it,  which I personally have had that almost happen once or twice (O.K. maybe more).   Then after you flush and leave, it goes off.

And it will light up the interior of your bowl in colors!!!   Hmmmm I guess it will add color if you have to do a number 2.  

In a way it almost makes sense,  I think I'll mention it to my sister in law, she complains that the twins at night seem to miss aiming for the bowl, and I think for little ones it might take away the fear of monsters inside the toilet bowl.   

And it doesn't disturb the other sleeper if your bathroom is immediately adjacent or if by turning on the bathroom light it shocks you awake.

But it lights in Colors???   I will have to eventually see this commercial.

Now I'm wondering if Doyle is thinking of buying one.

Later Darklings and Happy Valentine's Day!

Of a Super Bowl free Sunday and Film Noir~~~~

I am sorry my Darklings, but Moi will Not be watching the Super Bowl.  Why?  Well it’s not that “Big” on my “To Do” list.

As a matter of fact both my sister in law and my niece along with Sis, we will be relaxing having a girl’s day in.  Yes we will be pampering our feet, doing our nails, facials, massage all of that fun stuff, I managed to find a ‘serenity type spa’ where we can relax and feel good about ourselves,  Saturday we will all have our hair done (well for me it will be a dye and trim and scalp conditioning) and then Sunday to the Spa.

All the men folk will be congregating in the Man Cave at my brother’s house, my brother, Doyle, the twins, Christopher, and a few friends to watch the game. 

We ladies will in turn have a nice early dinner out after all that pampering and later dessert at my home and watch a few favorite Noir Films such as “Laura” and “D.O.A.” and “The Lineup”. My sister in law remarked the other day how Coralline has a bit of a resemblance to Gene Tierney, and even I can see it, in a way I’m glad she inherited the best features of both her Mother and her father, and in a way looks a bit like my Great-Aunt, yes she is beginning to become quite a beauty.  

I’m afraid Darklings that I have not posted for a while and the reason is I have once again been on a Film Noir “kick” yes, I attended Noir City the San Francisco Noir Film Festival, and besides old favorites like “Rear Window” and “The Two Mrs. Carrolls”, a more recent addition “Public Eye” and one that shows off that Lucille Ball was more than a comedienne in a dramatic turn in “The Dark Corner”,  that is why I “disappeared” for so long,  Sis was with me while Betty helped out by House sitting and watching the Dynamic Duo during the day and Doyle did duty at night.

Sis and I decided to stay in the City, shopping, relaxing, dressing in our vintage finery while attending the showings.   In a way it was a wonderful vacation with the exception of all the insanity of this Super Bowl stuff,  we did miss the fireworks that signaled the re-lighting of the Bay Bridge and the opening of Super Bowl City, but not by much. 

And yes I did take good care of myself and not have a relapse, no colds, no sniffles, no coughs or sore throats.   But I have to say seeing those old wonderful films revitalized me.   

But now we are home again, and once again my Doyle made arrangements to have his friend bring the vintage Rolls Limo (1930’s) to pick us up at the Hotel, both he and his friend dressed in vintage style chauffeur uniforms,  and Sis and I “dressed to the nines” in our vintage Day wear as we left the hotel, I’m sure some folks thought we were eccentric or weird, but really if you can’t have fun what can you do.

Although for a Monday getting through San Francisco was slower than usual I couldn’t help but notice that even the most anxious drivers gave the vintage Rolls a clear berth, no one wanted to scratch it’s paint or dent it’s chrome.   And the smiles on people’s faces especially as Sis and I waved as if we were royalty.    Such fun!!

And when we got home today Doyle surprise me with an early Valentine’s gift, the complete set of all 14 of the Chester Morris Boston Blackie films.  Where he got them I haven’t a clue, but I love him for it.

And now it’s back into the mundaneness of bills (which I will tackle tomorrow) and other things,  my handyman and I need to go around the house to see what needs to be done when things dry out,  there has been a bit of wood rot here and there, easy to take care of and the house will need to be seriously painted, which means scaffolding which means getting estimates, thank goodness the house trust is designed for such things.

And my Gardener has been removing those plants that did not survive the extreme cold or over-abundance of water, and trimming the trees and bushes when it’s not raining.  And he managed to squeeze in mowing the lawn during the storm breaks.  We’ll have to talk about what we want to do with the bare spots.

Belladonna and Weiner Dog were very happy to see their “Mommy” again and Betty has dinner crock pot ready all we have to do is serve ourselves.   But she told me even though it was daylight during the days it rained the house was “spooky” to her, she didn’t want to go into the Library where sits my Cabinet of Curiosities.  Too much for her, she’d check from the door how the cleaning ladies were doing but she just would not go in.   Well it isn’t for everyone.

But now with our plans in the works for our personal Super Bowl weekend, we have something lovely to look forward to. 

I’ve also been looking around for fun things that we Goth/Noir ladies can enjoy,  and I think I’ve found a few things but that will be for another time.

In the meantime, it's dinner and later we're are going to watch a new show "Lucifer"  Doyle recorded the first episode for me along with X-Files, Blacklist and a few other fun things, Doyle says I'm going to LOVE the vintage Corvette that Lucifer drives.  Well a Vintage Corvette, hmmmm he can't be all bad, can he?

Later Darklings