Walk to Picnic Point

It was 68° and sunny yesterday, so I decided to take a walk out to Picnic Point. I brought along my wonderful digital camera to take some photos along the way. I'm still learning how to use it.

I climbed a gnarly tree to try to get a good shot of Lake Mendota. That didn't work out too well, so I got a picture of a blue heron with a couple of ducks.

The path leading to Picnic Point. It's woodsy, and I like how it isn't paved. Some parks have asphalt paths to "prevent erosion," but it just ruins the experience for me.

As I walked further down the path, I could see a nice view of the Madison skyline from the lakeshore. It took a few tries to get it right, but I finally got a picture of the skyline.

After I took the picture, I looked at my hand and realized there was a thorn stuck in my palm. I had no idea how it got there or how long it had been there, as the thorn only pierced the skin and didn't hurt. So I played around with the "close up" feature on the camera.

I thought it was really cool how you could see all the scary lines and dry spots on my hand.

A nice scenic shot.

Ducks

A fly-fisherman. I felt like a creep crouching in the bushes to take this dude's picture without his knowledge.

I did a TON of baking last night, from the second I got home (4:30) to when I went to bed at 11:00. Here's what I made:

• Roasted turkey breast (for dinner)
• Chocolate frosting
• 2 pumpkin pies
• Vanilla cake
• Chocolate cookie dough (baking again tonight)

Okay, written down that doesn't seem like much, but it really was, I swear. :)

Today's Lunch:
Turkey sandwich on whole wheat with yellow mustard
Banana

Oh no she DIT-INT!

This was Faith Hill's reaction to Carrie Underwood winning the award for Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMAs:



Her publicist later wrote an email to her fan club saying that she was "joking." Suuuure.

The adventures of Hay Zeus

Before we follow the adventures of Hay Zeus, we need to review the current home situation. I snagged these photos from Joe and Mary's Facebook pages.

The lovely couple:

The apartment:

Mary and Molly-dog, the first pet:

And now, ladies and gentlemen - the adventures of Hay Zeus.

Here he is, the little baby:

Uh-oh! He got his first bath. He's thinking, "what the heck was that?"

"I know the dog had something to do with this."

Looking at dog: "What the F are you??"

The stand-off continues.

He's a cute little guy. And Mollydog's pretty cute, too. Heck, they're all cute.

Joe said the dog and cat are totally afraid of each other. But Molly will stand kind of next to Hay Zeus without looking at him, and Joe says it's because she wants him to know she's a friend, not a foe.

Today's Lunch:
Leftover pork sandwich with yellow mustard on wheat bun
Pear

Miss Floppy-Flop

That's what I call Kitty when she's flopping around on the floor. One of these days I'll try to get it on video.

I know this picture kind of stinks, since her ear is cut off, but it was the best I could get. After I took two pictures, she became irritated with the flash from the camera and slinked away.


I can tell I'm getting depressed again because I'm really looking forward to going home and laying on the couch with the cat. I look forward to going home when I'm not depressed, but not for the sole purpose of petting the cat and lounging on the sofa. :)

Today's Lunch:
Leftover roast pork sandwich on wheat bun with yellow mustard
Pear
2 ginger cookies

"Hay-zeus"

I received a phone call from my brother Joe today. I picked up the phone with my usual perky and professional, "Forest Products Lab, this is Crystal," and Joe goes, "Listen to this!"

In the background, I could hear tiny, high-pitched, pathetic-sounding mewing. It repeated continually, like a broken record (or "skipping CD" might be the right way to say it for this millennium). "Mew. Mew. Mew. Mew. Mew."

Joe and Mary were bringing home their new baby, Jésus.

I know from personal experience that most kitties don't like riding in the car. Joe and Mary had just visited the Humane Society to look at the cats, and after they looked at Jésus they filled out an application, expecting to come back another day to get the cat. Well, the Humane Society person said, "okay, here's your cat," and they left with bewildered looks on their faces and a new family member.

They're pretty excited to have little baby Jésus in their family. He's blonde with white chest hair (the stand-out color of the chest hair has me convinced he's a Don Juan, just like his daddy) and blue eyes. I can't wait to see the pictures!

Today's Lunch:
Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with yellow mustard
Banana

A better day

My day vastly improved when I went to the dentist. I told the dental assistant that I was nervous about getting my cavities filled, and she promised me it wouldn't hurt. The dentist proceeded to rub my gums with novacaine, then give me a shot of something. They left for a few minutes to let the numbness take effect. As I stared out the window, I realized my heart was just pounding in my chest (from nervousness, not the shot). Soon, my lips and tongue felt like marshmallows, and after that I didn't feel a thing.

The procedure didn't take long and was actually kind of relaxing. They put a thingy in my mouth to keep it propped open so my jaw wouldn't hurt. And there were stickers of planets on the ceiling. I noticed Pluto was missing, but so were 3 other planets. The dentist and his assistant kind of chatted while they worked on me, and I realized how routine my fillings were. They could probably do them in their sleep!

When they were through, I felt relaxed and sleepy as I climbed out of the dentist's chair. I am so grateful to my healthcare providers for always taking good care of me. The dentist I saw probably had the best bedside manner of any dentist I've ever been to. And his assistant was really sweet. They really made an effort to make sure I was comfortable and happy. The office played jazz over the PA, but it wasn't the crappy soft jazz you hear at the grocery store. It was very hip, like Ella Fitzgerald jazz, and was relaxing and entertaining at the same time.

I spent the rest of the afternoon browsing at the Humane Soceity store, Menard's, and a dollar store. Then I went home and we had roast pork with carrot-parsnip hash and an iceberg salad for dinner. I told Zach about my poopy morning and he was appropriately sympathetic. I worked on my curtains, watched my shows, and went to bed.

It can only get better, it can only get better...

That's my mantra today.

The day kind of started out badly.

1. Zach and I got into a little tiff this morning. We worked it out, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
2. I got pulled over on my way to work and cited a ticket for tail-gating. I guess I was driving too close to the car in front of me. $109.
3. I overheard a coworker talking about me, and it wasn't in a positive way. I cried in the bathroom.
   
4. I'm getting my cavities filled. $239.

However, it can only improve, because:

1. I'm going to lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant with some coworkers to celebrate a birthday.
2. After my dental appointment, I get to take the rest of the day off.
3. The Office and Grey's Anatomy are on tonight.

Today's Lunch:
Something yummy from Mediterranean restaurant.

Shopping!

I'm very excited that I get to go shopping today. Living in Evansville has its benefits, but abundance of retail is not one of them.

I have to get groceries at Woodman's, then go to Menard's and buy a few things, then off to - yes! - Target. I'm going to pick up a Wonder Cup, the best thing for bakers since sliced bread. It's used for measuring shortening, peanut butter, other sticky items, and it kind of plunges the substance out of the measuring cup. That way, you don't have to dig and scrape with a spatula.

I realize my dorkiness shows when I get exicted about things like this.


We had a bunch of trick-or-treaters last night. I was kind of surprised at how many kids showed up at my door. Some of them were really cute and little, some of them were surly high school students out for some free candy, and there were a couple of families with crying little ones. I had a nice time handing out candy, but I also got annoyed when kids would dig into my bowl of candy and try to take their OWN pieces. I also became annoyed when they would demand a certain thing. I was tempted to say something like, "why, back in MY day, kids were given crappy candy and they appreciated every little morsel! You kids these days don't know how to be grateful." Hee hee.

I visited the doctor about my ears, and she said I just have wax buildup (again?) in my ears and that's what's making them itchy. And the feeling of fluid in them is because my eustachian tubes (the tubes that allow stuff in the ear to drain into the nose) are plugged. So I have to use nose spray and put hydrogen peroxide in my ears to loosen the wax.

After carbo-loading on sugar the last couple of days, I'm making an effort to lower my intake of sugar and sugar substitutes. However, I will allow myself one sugary dessert a day, and tonight it's going to be German chocolate cake!

Today's Lunch:
Leftover spaghetti with spicy-basil sauce and feta cheese
Apple (honeycrisp)
Popcorn ball

Earache

Owww.. I think I have an ear infection. My ears have been really itchy lately and it feels like there's fluid moving around inside of them, but when I put a Q-tip or my fingertip in them there's no wax. They're so itchy! I just want to scratch and scratch and scratch.

I think I developed an ear infection from taking a shower and then using my headphones while there's still water in my ears. After I get this cleared up, I'll have to find headphones that are more breathable. And in the meantime, I'll have to sit on the van without any entertainment. :(

I can't remember the last time I had an earache. I must've been a little kid.

Fortunately, my doctor's office could get me in tomorrow morning, so I should be in good shape after that.

Opinions needed!

I am signing up for the Evansville Primetimers' Pie-Making Contest. Any suggestions on a good pie to enter? I have a really good key lime pie recipe, and I can also make a mean fruit pie. But I want something that will knock their socks off! The winner receives a certificate proclaiming them "the best pie-maker in Evansville."

Also, I'm developing a Thanksgiving menu for my donation-based baking business. I'm trying to figure out what to put on it. Here's what I'm thinking of so far:

• Pumpkin pie
• Apple pie
• Lemon meringue pie
• Pecan pie
• Pecan pie squares
• Pumpkin cheesecake

Any suggestions? I think I would like to have more cookies on the menu, but what cookies are popular at Thanksgiving? I was also thinking of homemade rolls, but would people really want them if they aren't fresh and hot out of the oven?

Today's Lunch:
Ham sandwich on whole wheat with yellow mustard
Apple
Popcorn ball

My weekend

Friday night Zach and I went to a Halloween party at a local restaurant (Romano's). We were a little short on costumes - it was kind of a last-minute decision to go. I dressed up in a toga and Zach wore my old hobo clothes. I can't believe I still have that stuff; it's about 5 years old.

Our neighbors got married on saturday and invited us to their wedding reception. We had a nice time talking to them and meeting other people. We did some dancing, too.

Both saturday and sunday I busted my butt getting things done around the house while Zach sat on his ass watching TV. He said he wasn't feeling motivated to do anything. I guess I understand that, we all have our moments, but for an entire weekend? Well, okay, he did the laundry. But that was it! And I realize that he does do things around the house, it's just that he does them on his own time. But I just can't help feeling like a servant when I'm working and cleaning all day while he does nothing. It's things like this that make me wonder how right we are for each other.

Plus he's been really grabby lately. It drives me insane, especially when he's in my face while I'm trying to do something that requires concentration, like sewing or chopping vegetables. I'm afraid I'll accidentally injure someone if I have a knife in my hand while Zach's trying to give me a bear hug. He says he's just trying to show me affection, to which I respond, "well, instead of grabbing my butt you could just give me some flowers."

Today's Lunch:
Leftover pizza (homemade, with pepperoni, green pepper, and feta cheese)
Apple
2 Hershey's kisses

Big birthday cake

A coworker of mine asked me to make a huge cake for her, as her family was celebrating five birthdays. She wanted the cake friday afternoon, so I worked 10 hours monday through thursday so I could take friday off.

The cake-assembling process:

Making the filling (German chocolate):

The final product:


A close-up of the flowers:

I had a lot of fun making and decorating the cake. It was my first tiered cake, too, so I enjoyed having something new to learn. I think the cake could have been more decorated, but we started running out of time and my coworker was happy with it the way it was. I'm really happy with the sunflowers, personally.

Digital camera

I received a digital camera for my birthday!

So here are the pictures I've taken with it. I kinda went crazy at bowling.

Glen.. he's really nice.

Me..

Mike. He's not retired.

Roger.. he's Finnish but not from the U.P.

The Locusts: Zach, Ron and John. Today, John left for Pennsylvania to celebrate his mom's 100th birthday.

Okay, enough bowling pictures.

Here's my silver tea set. I got it at Goodwill for $4. Zach polished it for me on sunday while I was raking leaves.

Before:

After:

And, last but not least...

My office door. The worms and spider come down and touch your head when the door opens. Mwa ha haaaa!

Today's Lunch:
Leftover spaghetti with meatballs
Leftover green beans

Haunted bar

I've discovered that I need more excitement in my life. Lately, I've been feeling kind of lazy and not motivated to go out and do anything. I haven't been riding my bike or hiking or exploring or anything like that. I've just kind of been in a slump, it seems.

So I'm looking for something to do - a class to take, a club to join, something to get me out of the house.

I filled out an application to join the Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group. I became interested in the group today, because I was looking for information about The Bar Next Door.

I had heard that The Bar Next Door was haunted. Saturday night Zach and I went there to scope it out. The crowd of people there made it seem like any other bar (20 and 30-somethings laughing, talking, and drinking beer), but there were a few things about it that stood out. First was the fireplace. It was in the middle of the room, and there was a nice, roaring fire going. I've never seen a fireplace in a bar. Second were the pictures of mobsters on the walls. These are related to the history of the bar, which I'll be getting to in a moment. Here is a photo of the bar:

THE HISTORY - In the 1930's there was an Irish family from Chicago's Northwest side; Roger "The Terrible" Tuohey, arch foe of Al Capone, his brother Eddie and two sisters. Capone was too powerful for Tuohey so Tuohey opened up roadhouses away from Chicago to distribute his beer. One of these roadhouses was The Wonder Bar. This was the distribution center to supply illegal alcohol for most of Wisconsin. The Wonder Bar became a safe-house for gangsters traveling in and out of the area. A secret tunnel was put in underground for a fast getaway if needed. The building was built bullet-proof with hidden compartments. Purportedly, there is a body buried behind the fireplace in the second floor banquet room. One story claims these are the bones of one of the Touhey brothers killed in a shootout. Another makes them to be that of someone who crossed the Touhey brothers in a business deal. Eddie Tuohey ran the bar while Roger owned and funded it. It was named The Wonder Bar until 1993 when it changed to The Bar Next Door. It's also Madison's first cigar bar.

Creepy, huh? Unfortunately, I didn't get to leave the main floor, so I didn't see the tunnel entrance or the upstairs fireplace. According to the Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group website, evidence of paranormal activity included:

Occurrences include a feeling of being followed in stairwells, the sound of footsteps descending the staircase after hours, unexplained noises of loud thuds and rattling glasses, lights turning on and off, unexplained smells of body odor, citrus, and mustiness that last for one hour and then dissipate, shadows of people being seen by customers, ex-employees seeing a man in a fedora and long coat and a woman with long red hair and white dress during closed hours, portraits, bottles, and cigar boxes falling off of walls and secured shelves, doors slamming closed, being poked in the back when alone in a room, chairs found in a different location and position other than when last placed after hours.

The science person in me doesn't really believe this stuff, but the spiritual side of me does. I think it would be really cool to join the club and see if I can go on an expedition.

Unrelated to haunted buildings, I'm also thinking of taking a class. I've looked at the classes offered by community colleges and the university, and am thinking of taking a course on either Dreamweaver, fire fighting, cooking, Photoschop, or history. It depends on what my cash flow is.

Any other ideas for putting more excitement into my life?

Today's Lunch:
Bagel sandwich (wheat) with peanut butter (Jif)
Banana
Baby Butterfinger bar