MLH is out on a job at Fort Stockton, and he’s been gone since Wednesday. It’s easier when he’s on these deep, hot wells if he stays close to the wellhead, so he usually gets a hotel room close by. He’s not getting much rest, this workover has turned into a 24 hour operation, so he’s catnapping in the truck on location when he can, and going to the hotel when he can. I’ve had some early nights and early mornings, myself. Finally, this morning, I felt pretty rested. Got up, played with Zack and Zoie, went for the requisite manicure/pedicure/waxing, then ran errands, and came home.
Cherie met me at the house, and we began to clean out my closets. We accomplished an amazing amount, stacking up clothes and shoes to go to Goodwill, and I feel so much better! My closet was so jacked up I couldn’t find anything, and it’s all due to my crazy schedule. MLH will be so pleased. I hope this is the first of finally getting my house more organized. I’ll feel way better if we can get it done!
Cherie and I will start round two later this week – but I promise, I would not have accomplished it without her. Bob came in to town later, and we all went to Kuo’s for Chinese food and lots of laughter. I taught Bob and Cherie how to read their personal prophecies, I mean, fortune cookies. You know, where you read your fortune out loud, followed by the words “in bed”. It’s hilarious. Here's an example: "The stars will shine brightly on the best part of you" ...to which you add...."in bed." And another, "You will always be surrounded by many friends"..."in bed." Get it?
All of this reminds me of yet another story…
One time, MLH and I were eating at Kuo’s with some friends (actually, the very same friends that taught us how to read the fortunes). After reading everyone’s fortunes, we were laughing so hard we were snorting, crying, that kind of hysterical laughter.
Nora, the hostess, came and asked us what was so funny. We told her, and it was obvious the joke didn’t travel well across the language barrier.
About a month later, I hosted the VP of an oil company, as well as several of his employees, for lunch at Kuo’s. MLH came in and joined us. We were checking out at the counter, and several people were standing in the staging area, waiting on tables. We were ready to walk out the door, with all of my customers, when Nora shouted, “Hey, you and Janie!” We turned around, and Nora shouted “See you later…in BED!” and dissolved in giggles.
Like I always say...it’s never boring around here.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Oh, Rotorooter Man!!!
MLH came home about 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon from a Friday through Sunday 24 hour-a-day job in the field, having only slept in the truck on location. We were both exhausted, but at some point, he decided to make us breakfast for late lunch/supper. We were cleaning up, and I noticed…water on the floor. At first, I thought the ZZ crew had spilled their bowl, but no, that wasn't it, at all! Something was leaking under the sink.
Into repair mode we go…and find that some critter has chewed a hole in the R.O. water line. Lovely. Out comes the wet vac, MLH pulls all the drawers out of the sink cabinets, pulls out the dishwasher and the refrigerator – because all are encased in custom cabinets built personally by MLH. An hour later, all is well, the fan is blowing, and we are glad we didn’t call the plumber on a Sunday – it really was such a small job. We then go to bed, and sleep well, knowing all is good in our house.
I wake up at 2:30 a.m. this morning, with indigestion. I’m looking everywhere for antacids. I walk into the kitchen as a last resort, and realize Zack and Zoie are quietly padding behind me. I turn around to quietly greet them, and turn back to my task, and before I know it, I’m standing in water.
Deep water. Flowing water. And, it’s cold.
I turn on the light, grab some towels out of the laundry room, throw them on the floor and go wake MLH.
You have to know - He. Was. So. Excited.
Rerun of last night, except for one thing – we find we caused this leak by nicking a line sometime during last night’s repair job. And in the morning, as soon as we wake up, we’re calling the plumber. Translate that to Janie’s calling the plumber, because MLH has to be in the field early.
Yeehah!!
First, I have to get to sleep.
It's never boring around here!
Into repair mode we go…and find that some critter has chewed a hole in the R.O. water line. Lovely. Out comes the wet vac, MLH pulls all the drawers out of the sink cabinets, pulls out the dishwasher and the refrigerator – because all are encased in custom cabinets built personally by MLH. An hour later, all is well, the fan is blowing, and we are glad we didn’t call the plumber on a Sunday – it really was such a small job. We then go to bed, and sleep well, knowing all is good in our house.
I wake up at 2:30 a.m. this morning, with indigestion. I’m looking everywhere for antacids. I walk into the kitchen as a last resort, and realize Zack and Zoie are quietly padding behind me. I turn around to quietly greet them, and turn back to my task, and before I know it, I’m standing in water.
Deep water. Flowing water. And, it’s cold.
I turn on the light, grab some towels out of the laundry room, throw them on the floor and go wake MLH.
You have to know - He. Was. So. Excited.
Rerun of last night, except for one thing – we find we caused this leak by nicking a line sometime during last night’s repair job. And in the morning, as soon as we wake up, we’re calling the plumber. Translate that to Janie’s calling the plumber, because MLH has to be in the field early.
Yeehah!!
First, I have to get to sleep.
It's never boring around here!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Janie's Version of Field Trialing
I thought I would take the time to explain a field trial to you.
Preparation: (this week, without MLH).
1) Load collapsible cage into Yukon.
2) Load guns, shooting bag, vest, collars, leashes, dog bowls, water, shells into Yukon.
3) Corral dogs, who by now are visiting every house in the neighborhood.
4) Load them into said cage. Zack self loads. Zoie acts like a girl and needs a little help...she is almost as big as Zack. (She's plenty able to self load.)
Then, I drive to the field trial site, which is about 30 miles away, in the country. Way in the country. And. It. Is. Still. Very. Cold. The wind is blowing about 30 mph. Gonna be fun.
I get lost. Have to call my partner. Then I get lost, again. Have to call back one more time for clarification. Ten minutes later, I find the field. I get there, and find the field is filled with stickers. I have no dog boots. So, I have to borrow duct tape, and make boots for Zack. Zack is so excited, I have to get help to control him while I put the boots on. (Zoie is howling loudly, “Please, let me out of this cage. I can too hunt! I’m big enough now!”)
It’s time to go. We have to get into the “blind” so we can’t see where the birds are being planted. Birds are ready, they release us. I have to loop the leash around Zack’s belly to control him, he is so excited and ready to go. We go to the edge of the field, and I take Zack’s leash off. I load my gun, and signal my partner. We’re running doubles, double dogs, and both shooting. And, we’re off.
Zack and I go left, my partner and his dog, Ram, who happens to be Zack’s litter mate, go right. The hunt is on. It's a timed, judges walking with you observing your every move, twenty-five minutes of hard hunting in major tough terrain, complete with mega-stickers, making sure your dog doesn’t get overheated, trying to find 6 birds, shoot them, and bag them, and go again. In huge wind, and very dry conditions. It was a hard day. The terrain was very rough, very sandy, and hard to traverse, especially in a fast walk. I was exhausted, and Zack was, as well.
Zack worked like a dream…he is such an amazing dog. We didn’t place, but Zack and I both got a good workout and he is a happy, tired dog. It was fun hunting with Zack and Ram. And we’ll get better at this. I’m improving at simultaneously handling my gun, my dog, my whistle, and my commands, all the while staying within the field boundaries. If I did it every day, I’d be a skinny minnie! It’s hard, hard work.
And now, you know a little more about field trials! I’m heading over to the Ugly Dog Hunting website and order the ZZ crew some boots. We’ll be better tricked out for the next round!
Preparation: (this week, without MLH).
1) Load collapsible cage into Yukon.
2) Load guns, shooting bag, vest, collars, leashes, dog bowls, water, shells into Yukon.
3) Corral dogs, who by now are visiting every house in the neighborhood.
4) Load them into said cage. Zack self loads. Zoie acts like a girl and needs a little help...she is almost as big as Zack. (She's plenty able to self load.)
Then, I drive to the field trial site, which is about 30 miles away, in the country. Way in the country. And. It. Is. Still. Very. Cold. The wind is blowing about 30 mph. Gonna be fun.
I get lost. Have to call my partner. Then I get lost, again. Have to call back one more time for clarification. Ten minutes later, I find the field. I get there, and find the field is filled with stickers. I have no dog boots. So, I have to borrow duct tape, and make boots for Zack. Zack is so excited, I have to get help to control him while I put the boots on. (Zoie is howling loudly, “Please, let me out of this cage. I can too hunt! I’m big enough now!”)
It’s time to go. We have to get into the “blind” so we can’t see where the birds are being planted. Birds are ready, they release us. I have to loop the leash around Zack’s belly to control him, he is so excited and ready to go. We go to the edge of the field, and I take Zack’s leash off. I load my gun, and signal my partner. We’re running doubles, double dogs, and both shooting. And, we’re off.
Zack and I go left, my partner and his dog, Ram, who happens to be Zack’s litter mate, go right. The hunt is on. It's a timed, judges walking with you observing your every move, twenty-five minutes of hard hunting in major tough terrain, complete with mega-stickers, making sure your dog doesn’t get overheated, trying to find 6 birds, shoot them, and bag them, and go again. In huge wind, and very dry conditions. It was a hard day. The terrain was very rough, very sandy, and hard to traverse, especially in a fast walk. I was exhausted, and Zack was, as well.
Zack worked like a dream…he is such an amazing dog. We didn’t place, but Zack and I both got a good workout and he is a happy, tired dog. It was fun hunting with Zack and Ram. And we’ll get better at this. I’m improving at simultaneously handling my gun, my dog, my whistle, and my commands, all the while staying within the field boundaries. If I did it every day, I’d be a skinny minnie! It’s hard, hard work.
And now, you know a little more about field trials! I’m heading over to the Ugly Dog Hunting website and order the ZZ crew some boots. We’ll be better tricked out for the next round!
Field Trials with Zack and Zoie
I’m leaving to go to a field trial with the ZZ clan. For those of you that are having Zack and Zoie withdrawals, I’ll try to post some new pix later this weekend. Wish us luck!!
Friday, March 7, 2008
C-c-c-c-c-c-c-OLD!!!
Well, the Continental gods were busy blessing someone else, I guess. We finally got home last night at midnight. Ate cereal for supper, then got up at 5:30 a.m. this morning to go work on the AADE Texas Tech shoot. And…it was a whopping 23 degrees when I boarded my shooting cart with my team to go shoot. Fifteen hours later, I’m still cold.
But…we had fun, and raised money for a great cause – the furthering of education! And, Scott joined our team at the last minute. Though he may whine, he finished right behind me on scoring. And that’s after he missed shooting at two stations, due to his late arrival. In other words, peeps, Scott would have BEATEN my score, had he started when we did. Well, anyway, as bad as my shooting was, I won the award he will never win….High Overall Lady. He just can’t do it like his sister!
It was fun to have him shoot with us…and thank God, he brought gloves for me, because my hands were freezing. And he loaned me a cap, because the wind was howling, and my hair was screaming! Hard to shoot effectively when your hair’s whipping in front of your eyes.
As I headed into town, I called Bob and Cherie and we met for supper. That was fun. MLH just left town to work on a well, and will be up all night on location – so, he wasn’t able to join us.
Tomorrow, Zack the Wonder Dog has a field trial, and I’m shooting over him. I don’t think it’s going to be any warmer by then. Zoie will go along to watch. Well, I can’t leave her by herself – she starts howling, and as pretty and girly as she is, she has this deep, deep, loud voice – it absolutely sounds eerie when she starts to howl. If I can tear her away from MLH, she will probably be heading to the trainer on Sunday. Maybe I should write a new book, “Zoie Goes To Hunting Kindergarten.”
I’m just hoping she doesn’t get kicked out!
Later days!
But…we had fun, and raised money for a great cause – the furthering of education! And, Scott joined our team at the last minute. Though he may whine, he finished right behind me on scoring. And that’s after he missed shooting at two stations, due to his late arrival. In other words, peeps, Scott would have BEATEN my score, had he started when we did. Well, anyway, as bad as my shooting was, I won the award he will never win….High Overall Lady. He just can’t do it like his sister!
It was fun to have him shoot with us…and thank God, he brought gloves for me, because my hands were freezing. And he loaned me a cap, because the wind was howling, and my hair was screaming! Hard to shoot effectively when your hair’s whipping in front of your eyes.
As I headed into town, I called Bob and Cherie and we met for supper. That was fun. MLH just left town to work on a well, and will be up all night on location – so, he wasn’t able to join us.
Tomorrow, Zack the Wonder Dog has a field trial, and I’m shooting over him. I don’t think it’s going to be any warmer by then. Zoie will go along to watch. Well, I can’t leave her by herself – she starts howling, and as pretty and girly as she is, she has this deep, deep, loud voice – it absolutely sounds eerie when she starts to howl. If I can tear her away from MLH, she will probably be heading to the trainer on Sunday. Maybe I should write a new book, “Zoie Goes To Hunting Kindergarten.”
I’m just hoping she doesn’t get kicked out!
Later days!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Oops I Did It Again....
We’ve had a good time in Orlando. No roller coasters, though, (don’t be mad, EGE!) or any other type of sightseeing. We’ve been hammered up with customers, vendors, and all that stuff. Great meals every night, though, and excellent company.
And, we’re flying home on good ol’ Continental…yup, one more time.
May the good flight time/no cancellation force be with us…and also, with you.
And, we’re flying home on good ol’ Continental…yup, one more time.
May the good flight time/no cancellation force be with us…and also, with you.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Pro....crastination.
I’m supposed to be packing. For the Florida trip. The Florida work trip. That I could have turned into a pleasure trip for my honey, and myself, by taking just one day of vacation and tagging on to the end of this trip – but, nooooooooooooooo. I had to schedule, a month ago, to shoot in the Texas Tech shoot on Friday. I am such a dork.
Two days ago, I thought I had this packing thing faded. I’ll dress just like I do here, at work. I mean, who’s going to dress up? It’s a drilling conference, for Pete’s sake! They’re usually just business casual.
Then, I heard “suits w/ ties”, for my men coworkers. So, tonight, while MLH is still out at the well, I ran and got him a couple of ties and some more dress socks (‘cause, you know, we have lots of single socks. I’m blaming Zack and Zoie – because I don’t have a freakin’ clue where they are.) And then, I thought – don’t I need to go to Dillard’s and check out shoes? And don't I need a new shirt? And then, to the cleaners? And then, to Super Suppers, and get something for supper for Younger Son and myself? And then, bake it? And watch TV with Younger Son for a bit before he goes to Invictous? And then, forage through my closet, picking out which suit jackets I'm going to take?
Meet the real me... I h.a.t.e packing. I will procrastinate until the last minute. But I thought I was pretty organized. I’m getting good at this packing stuff, all the traveling I'm doing.
So, yeah, I thought I had it all down, ready to go, just grab my stuff and pack it. MLH will pack his. I’ll pack mine. We’re all good. So, let me spend just a little more time with Younger Son. And, then,he leaves for Invictous - which gave me zero excuse to procrastinate any further.
Back to the packing , which, I’m not, yet. Heck no. I’m reading your blogs.
When MLH gets home, and it’s already 8:30pm, and I’m not packed, I’m going to be in T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Maybe if I go get it all organized, MLH will pack it for me. Yup. That’s what I’m going to do. He’s a lot better “packer” than I.
I’ve about an hour before he crosses the threshold. I’m going to go get busy.
Did I tell you MLH and I met Rice and the EGE at Office Depot Sunday? It was great to meet them, hopefully, we’re going to get together soon. And they even met Zack and Zoie, since MLH and I were just coming in from hunting. (And don't ya know I looked sweet, after hunting in 40 mph winds in West Texas??) Rice loved how velvety Z&Z's ears felt, and I could tell she was thinking about creating something just that yummy-feeling...don't worry, she and the EGE be's animal lovers deluxe, so nothing bad's happening to the Z&Z. (Rice, I'm sorry, you're gonna have to teach me how to make those little dots over your name.) Readers, her name sounds like Reesa.
Anyway, happy trails, y’all. We’re Florida bound…just as soon as I get my bags packed, get some sleep, and hopefully get to the airport, this time, on time – for our 5:10 AM FLIGHT. What was I thinking?? Sometimes I think I have met the enemy and he is me!
Have a great week, I'll try and update down the road. MLH got here, we're nearly finished packing. It's now...11:08 pm. Almost time to catch some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Two days ago, I thought I had this packing thing faded. I’ll dress just like I do here, at work. I mean, who’s going to dress up? It’s a drilling conference, for Pete’s sake! They’re usually just business casual.
Then, I heard “suits w/ ties”, for my men coworkers. So, tonight, while MLH is still out at the well, I ran and got him a couple of ties and some more dress socks (‘cause, you know, we have lots of single socks. I’m blaming Zack and Zoie – because I don’t have a freakin’ clue where they are.) And then, I thought – don’t I need to go to Dillard’s and check out shoes? And don't I need a new shirt? And then, to the cleaners? And then, to Super Suppers, and get something for supper for Younger Son and myself? And then, bake it? And watch TV with Younger Son for a bit before he goes to Invictous? And then, forage through my closet, picking out which suit jackets I'm going to take?
Meet the real me... I h.a.t.e packing. I will procrastinate until the last minute. But I thought I was pretty organized. I’m getting good at this packing stuff, all the traveling I'm doing.
So, yeah, I thought I had it all down, ready to go, just grab my stuff and pack it. MLH will pack his. I’ll pack mine. We’re all good. So, let me spend just a little more time with Younger Son. And, then,he leaves for Invictous - which gave me zero excuse to procrastinate any further.
Back to the packing , which, I’m not, yet. Heck no. I’m reading your blogs.
When MLH gets home, and it’s already 8:30pm, and I’m not packed, I’m going to be in T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Maybe if I go get it all organized, MLH will pack it for me. Yup. That’s what I’m going to do. He’s a lot better “packer” than I.
I’ve about an hour before he crosses the threshold. I’m going to go get busy.
Did I tell you MLH and I met Rice and the EGE at Office Depot Sunday? It was great to meet them, hopefully, we’re going to get together soon. And they even met Zack and Zoie, since MLH and I were just coming in from hunting. (And don't ya know I looked sweet, after hunting in 40 mph winds in West Texas??) Rice loved how velvety Z&Z's ears felt, and I could tell she was thinking about creating something just that yummy-feeling...don't worry, she and the EGE be's animal lovers deluxe, so nothing bad's happening to the Z&Z. (Rice, I'm sorry, you're gonna have to teach me how to make those little dots over your name.) Readers, her name sounds like Reesa.
Anyway, happy trails, y’all. We’re Florida bound…just as soon as I get my bags packed, get some sleep, and hopefully get to the airport, this time, on time – for our 5:10 AM FLIGHT. What was I thinking?? Sometimes I think I have met the enemy and he is me!
Have a great week, I'll try and update down the road. MLH got here, we're nearly finished packing. It's now...11:08 pm. Almost time to catch some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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