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Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Wait....What?!

How on Earth did it morph into Wednesday?!  I swear I was awake most of the last four days, so I couldn't have missed this holiday weekend, could I?


Snort.  Friday started the whole downhill motion with an overnight guest that arrived over three hours early.  I thought I was so smart and had sidled out of the office at four - plenty of time to get home (picking up a few groceries and cat food) and put the finishing touches on my housecleaning.  Oh, I just slay myself sometimes.  As if two hours would put even the smallest of beginnings of barely touching it touches on my housecleaning...  Just as I toddled out of the store to my car, I got a text that my friend was, in fact, three hours early and sitting outside of the house.  Cheese and Crackers!


Luckily, the dogs were so overjoyed to see not only me, but COMPANY, that they herded him right out the back door and I was able to run a quick eye over everything.  It was good enough.  This friend has retired (lucky him) and has ramped up his photography hobby into something special.  He had just been on a wildlife adventure on an island off the coast of Maine, photographing puffins and other sea birds.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), the next morning - bright and early - I was due to take the Nuggets to Freezer Camp.  Oddly enough, he declined to join me and was packed and in his car, backing quickly down the driveway before 7A.


That same morning, I was out doing morning chores like a mad person as soon as it was light enough to see what I was doing.  As luck would have it, the building super at my office, had mentioned offhandedly that his wife would like to learn how to process chickens.  Not getting that request every day (or ever), I was on it like white on rice.  They are both dog rescuers, have numerous dogs - many with special needs.  S&C showed up right on the dot and helped me load the Nuggets into their travel crates.  While we were getting things set up, S asked if there was anything that needed done, as he had put his tools in the car.  I tried to be nonchalant, but I believe I was radiating excitement.  He replaced the light outside my front door in about 10 minutes.  The ice had almost sheared it off this past winter and I, as all country bumpkins do, had tied it up with baling twine.  We headed over to my neighbor's house, aka Freezer Camp, and proceeded to process all 16 birds in under an hour and a half.  Even with the fast pace, the heat and humidity and threatening skies took its toll.  I was dragging at the end.  However, I had to go home, change and head north.  By the time all my errands were over, I was very Life of The Living Dead and looking forward to an early night.


Unfortunately, at the LLC, no one gets to go to bed until the ducks are ready to call it a night.  And Saturday night, they were downright inconsiderate.  I finally gave up at 10P, when the skies opened up and it poured.  I wasn't too worried, as they were contained in their enclosure, within the chicken yard.  At 1:31AM, I was blasted out of sleep by frantic quacking - I shot out of bed, turned on the light, jumped into my shoes and grabbed the flashlight and the .22 as I catapulted out of the back door.  There was nothing.  Nothing at all, except for four waddling ducks looking annoyed by the wavering beam of my flashlight.  Needless to say, I was unable to return to sleep.  On Sunday, an alarmingly small number of items got checked off The List.  It was all I could do to keep my eyes open.  I was extremely happy when the ducks cooperated and were in their hut by 9:30.  I got a blissful seven hours of sleep.


Monday was for pies and housecleaning, as I was having the gang over on the Fourth and had to make two pies for the local library's big fundraiser.  Thinking I would save myself from slaving over a hot oven all day, I decided to make strawberry chiffon pies for the library, and a coconut cream pie for the 'do'.  What the heck was I thinking?  Between the stirring, chilling, more stirring, more chilling, I lost the entire day!  The coconut cream pie didn't even make it into the fridge until 9:15PM.  I have come to realize that I am not big on entertaining anymore.  I don't mind a small get-together, but this was 10 people and it did nothing but stress me out.  (Don't laugh, Joyce....)  By the time everyone left, it was time for evening chores, loading the dishwasher, washing, sorting, putting away extra chairs.


And then it was Wednesday.  I am in need of some time off from my time off.


Slimbo has the right idea

I love his white chin

He has a white bulls-eye on his chest.

21 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Why, crazy lady, do you do to yourself what you do to yourself?? I suggest you put a quarantine sign on your door? (As if that would keep you from entertaining!)

We had a couple of "drop-ins" over the weekend. (Our area seems to draw 'em from hundreds of miles away!) One as a very brief pop-in on Monday who said they would come back yesterday for more of a visit. So, dummy me, I got up early, early yesterday and baked two pies . . . and then found out they weren't able to come back. (Pie, anyone?)

Your Slimbo is a real looker. Pretty boy!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Whew! You tired me out just reading this! I always find company tires me out, probably because I run around cleaning and organizing and preparing (and nobody notices the difference anyway - they come to see you, not your floors). Your cat, like every other cat in the universe, knows how to relax. Don't you wish you could sleep like a cat? -Jenn

jaz@octoberfarm said...

sorry but.....HAHAHAHA!!!

Deb said...

Hope you can rest up from your holiday weekend. I'm done in from mine, too. Slimbo is one fine looking cat.

Ed said...

Oh man, if I'm every in your area on pie day....!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

OMG what a busy weekend! Slimbo is my kinda cat!

Susan said...

We are just about to head into summer visitor season, I love seeing everyone but I'm ready for a week long nap by the end of it. Cooking for people stresses me out. Due to my illness, after 40 years of marriage, I have discovered my husband loves cooking, and as I love chatting and drinking I foresee an imminent role reversal.

Florida Farm Girl said...

Yeah, its great to see people but I'm also ready for them to go home. I'm sure the kids think the same thing when we're at their house, too.

Rain said...

Wow Susan...just reading your post, I felt like I had too much too do, yet you were doing it all ha ha...Your cat photos are adorable. I hope you got more sleep! Honestly...and Joyce would laugh at me too, just doing appetizers for me and Alex wore me out lol...I'm not much of an entertainer either. I used to be though, I was at one point in my life a social butterfly. Now, I get so stressed at the thought of someone stopping by, though it doesn't happen often. I don't mind Pavlov though, that's the kind of company I don't mind keeping! :)

Susan said...

Oh, I like that idea! An "Enter at your own risk, highly flammable personality inside..." what do you think? I bet Papa Pea alleviated your pie problem...

Susan said...

Jenn, I would love to be able to sleep like a cat. Heck, I would like to be able to sleep, period.

Susan said...

Hi, Deb! The dishwasher is empty, counters are cleaned and the fridge is full of leftovers. My favorite part of a party is when it's over... Slimbo is fat and sleek, with a very endearing face.

Susan said...

Well, come on down!!!!

Susan said...

He has become very affectionate as he ages. He wouldn't get near me for a long time, but now he drapes his considerable bulk across my lap on a regular basis.

Susan said...

Susan - what a nice surprise! Has this talent been hiding all that time?

Susan said...

FFG - I figure it is my one obligation of the year. It's all downhill after this.

Susan said...

Rain, it's so nice that your dogs get along. I really do think that Pavlov might put his paws down and demand to stay where he is! I know - even if I see a car coming up the driveway, I immediately get into flee mode. I shudder to think what I'll be like in another 10 years... alligators in a moat?

Rain said...

Lol you're stealing our idea, the alligators in the moat! Alex and I talked about how we're gradually becoming confirmed hermits....the moat isn't a bad idea except for the mosquitoes! ;)

Nancy In Boise said...

You need full body massage :) Take a nap!

deb harvey said...

i am old.
the big grocery store here is giant eagle.
it has a lovely prepared food department.
expensive but i rarely need it.
i tell people i have slaved over a hot giant eagle all day.
i suggest a similar paln for you. keep cookie jar money to provide eats for entertaining.
can the pies be frozen?
just a thought . makes life easier as age catches up.
i also use plastic forks and throwaway plates and cups for these occasions.
these are the golden years!

Susan said...

I love that! However, it's more fun to slave over a hot giant eagle than a price chopper.