Two years ago hubby & I said “I do” … seems like longer, honey. Naw, but really … I married the sweetest, funniest, most caring, and intelligent man (not to mention liberal and cute), guy. I love him to bits and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. We always joke that we married the perfect person (except for the walking). I love you honey.

On a non-sappy note, it’s still freaking hot here. Yesterday it was 109. Yes you read that right, it’s not a typo … 1-0-9. For a place that perhaps gets into the mid 70’s as it’s high, everyone along the coast is basically freaking out. I think most of our coastal towns broke records yesterday. Also, most of the citizens of our coastal towns don’t have air conditioning – us included. We have a ceiling fan in our bedroom which we left on all day and all night. We also had my mom bring up some portable fans from the Fresno days. Speaking of the Valley, hubby’s mom called yesterday and said it was actually cooler in Bakersfield than it was here. I keep having summer Valley flash-backs every so often. This is what military folk must get after being in battle, except I have PTSD for all the hot summers I spent in Fresno. I must say that at least the air quality is a heck of a lot better here & that makes a huge difference. Except for the fact that there happens to be a forest fire burning to the north of us, which means each evening for the last few days we’ve had horrible air quality and apocalyptic sunsets.

Well, my dear readers I hope wherever you are it’s a bit cooler. Gah, I might go stick my head in the freezer or at least get a popsicle.

It’s my birthday! It’s going to be a pretty low key birthday this year – probably just go out to dinner with hubby. This morning we went to the golf course down the street for breakfast. It’s funny, they have such crappy coffee, however, I still always manage to block that out of my mind and order a cup. I’m always shocked that the coffee is terrible, then I remember … duh their coffee is always terrible – at least they’re consistent.

My mom just showed up with a birthday pie. That’s right, a pie. I love lemon meringue pie, and my mom was sweet enough to bake one for me. But, it’s not like we need more sweets in the house. I have two tubs (yes, tubs from cosco) of cookies sitting on my kitchen counter. We had them from the neighborhood BBQ that happened a couple of days ago. That reminds me, I should talk about the BBQ.

So, a couple of days ago our whole neighborhood was invited to a BBQ at the local park. Both hubby and I had a vision of outside pick nick tables …etc … but the BBQ was held indoors in the rec-center type room. The acoustics in the room were terrible and to talk to anyone required yelling. Also, our neighborhood consists of mainly retired “older” folks, so yelling while taking was probably going to occur whether inside or not. Yes, everyone was about 60 or older and then there was hubby and I. It was quite funny. Basically all the people in the room could have either been my parent or more likely my grandparent. Out of our neighborhood of 6 blocks with about 12 houses each on both sides, only about 20 people showed up. Not a big turnout. But hubby and I were there along with my mom & aunt (and our tubs of cookies). It was fun, they had a raffle. I also caved and ate a piece of bbq chicken. I know, I know … I’m going to vegetarian hell for that offense.

Well, I might go enjoy some birthday pie …

If you are one of the say, 10 people that read my blog you might be asking yourself the above statement about me. No dear readers, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, or another large round object. I’ve just been rapped up in other things that don’t necessarily require blogging. The number one big thing that I’ve been involved in is trying to have a baby.

This may sound simple enough, but alack readers it is not. We’ve been trying for around 8 months now and for a person who’s not very patient (that would be me) it’s reeking havoc on my emotions. Both hubby and I have gone trough testing of bodily fluids and such and we’ve both checked out “fine”. So, it’s just a matter of time before there’s a bun in the oven.

Who knew that getting pregnant required so much information that no one ever told you? Namely … ovulation. Yes the big ‘O’ – no dear readers not that kind of big ‘O’ – although I’ve heard that helps facilitate things. Anyway, ovulation … I’ve charted it though the use of my Basal Body temperature thermometer, I’ve felt for it in terms of abdomen cramps, and finally I’ve peed on sticks hoping that my fertility monitor will display that coveted “peak” symbol. If you’ve a few days off then it’s basically hopeless and this timing can drive a person insane!

Each month I’m hopeful we’ve timed everything correctly, and each month I’m let down. I’ve tried looking for support on the internet, but I just can’t stand those TTC (trying to conceive boards) filled with women in my same situation who jam pack their signature lines with glittery and blinking names (sometimes so distracting that a seizure might occur), fancy tickers and little quotes from the bible. Yes, I am not one of these women, although I can relate. I’ve actually found that I relate more to the lesbian TTC blogs because most of them are doing inseminations like we are (needless syringe, cup … etc.) or the way that hubby & I will have to do things in the future with IUI’s at the doctor. It’s actually quite funny.

So, that’s what has been happening with me. Each month is consumed with ovulation and thoughts that hopefully in the not too distant future … I’ll be knocked up.

Ah … the garage sale. Let your mind conjure up an image of one. Wasn’t that nice? I have such fond memories of going to garage sales as a kid. To me I think of card tables filled with trinkets, worn clothing blowing in the breeze and finally the smell of cut grass. Also the excitement of finding a little nick-nack of value (or at least kookie enough to buy for 10 cents). Yes, the garage sale is a wondrous thing. A treasure might be lurking next to old VHS tapes and used socks, or it might not be – that’s the excitement of a garage sale, the complete unknown (also the fact that you get to see all the crap your neighbors have accumulated over the years).

Well, our neighbors are going to be rummaging through our crap next weekend. These last few days have been a mad house; cleaning out our packed garage and all of our boxes we never unpacked from our move – that happened a year ago! It was fun discovering all our old stuff. I especially enjoyed going through all my old high school memorabilia, and coming across lots of pictures of me and my friends – christ why did I ever do bangs! I also got all misty looking at the valentines stuff hubby has given me – needless to say those things did not get little price stickers on them.

This garage sale is going to be a pretty nice one. We have a good assortment of low end trinkets and higher end furniture and appliances (think kitchen table and a blender). So far, I’ve gotten pretty adept at pricing things with little white stickers. And who knew that .5 does not mean 5 cents, rather .05 does? Hmmm.

Anyway, this garage sale is going to kick ass! And if you’re in Los Osos next weekend why not come by and get yourself some genuine Ferguson trinkets! You’ll be glad you did.

Yesterday we had a “big storm” in California terms. It rained a bit, and the wind blew pretty hard (enough to knock down some neighbor’s Christmas decorations and knock our patio umbrella askew). We also lost power yesterday morning and let me tell you I was not happy when I first woke up.

So, I wake up and flick the bathroom light on, nope no light. Damn it. Next, I survey the rest of the house. Yep, no coffee maker, no stove, no hair dryer, no TV, no computer and finally no heater to warm the house. My morning cereal is kind of out of the question too, because I don’t want to open the fridge and let what little cold air is in there out. The house is freezing, dark and the people living in it are caffeine junkies. That’s right … it’s Amish time.

I snuggle up on the couch under a big comforter and read my book that I’m half way through and start to forget that I’m cold and caffeine deprived. I actually start to enjoy myself. I hardly ever just sit on the couch and read. I’m always too busy on the computer or doing whatever I feel is more important than just sitting and relaxing with a book. It’s nice to be forced to just sit and do something so simple. Then there’s a knock on my door.

My mom is standing there all bundled up. She blurts out is: “Your power’s out too! Starbucks! What do your guys want?” My brain registers my surroundings again. “Ah … ug … grande Chai tea!” Off my mom goes in a flurry and I return to my book. She arrives 20 minutes later, hands me my grande Chai Late and then rushes off to her own dark and cold house. Two hours later I see a PG&E truck roll by, yellow lights flashing & I gaze at the black holes that are my TV and computer. Maybe after the power goes on I won’t turn you guys on today. Then click, every thing goes back on. The heater immediately starts blowing and I decide I think I’ll try to read a few more chapters.

The Amish don’t know what their missing, though. I really don’t think I would have been as happy with out my grande Chai Tea Late & my forced air heating system.

Guest bathroom you’ve served me well. I’ll miss scrubbing dishes in your tiny sink with tiny faucet. You see, after months and months of being with out a proper kitchen the kitchen remodel is finally winding down. I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel when the counter tops finally were put in. A few days ago our back splash glass tiles were installed and grouted. I must say the kitchen looks lovely and works wonderfully. I’m having a good time putting stuff back into the cabinets and going through all our pantry items that were once crammed into our guest bedroom & living room bookcase (I had no idea I had so much canned soup). I’ll post pictures later once the appliances are put back and every thing is totally completed. All and all we are very happy with the way everything turned out.

Next project … the living room is going to be painted and wallpapered. Then onto the landscaping and painting of the exterior of the house. However, once we probably finished everything we’ll move. Isn’t that always the case?

Oh, and I must wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my cousin Laura.

Hi my name is Karen & I swear.  In fact I swear like a drunken sailor.

Let me first state that I’ve had a headache all day, so I woke up in a crappy mood.  So, today when I fell out of my wheelchair in a relatively crowded parking lot (there was a big crack in a drainage canal & I didn’t see it) I was really really pissed.  At first I was stunned and then I was furious, yelling obscenities as I got back up into my chair (rather quickly, I might add).  I had scraped my palms and was mad.  To top it all off, some woman asked me if I needed help after I had gotten back in my chair.  Now, I know she was just being nice, but I had dusted my self off and was happily trying to look cool and collected and go about my business.  Did I reply with a nice “No thanks!”  This is what I said: “What the hell!  I’m already in my chair!  What do you think!  Everyone get the fuck away from me!”.  Oh and I didn’t stop there.  I continued to yell f-this and f-that, goddammit and the like.  Yeah, I pretty much made a fool of my self.  So much for looking calm and collected.  I suppose I’m just adding to the stereotype of the bitter disabled person.  But I can’t help it.  I am bitter & have a mouth like a drunken sailor – what the hell to do expect – dammit.

If you are confused by my title, you might be interested to know that “toaster” is slang for Honda Elements & Toyota Scions. Just a few days ago hubby and I purchased a new (to us anyway, it was used but in beautiful condition) accessible Honda Element for me to drive. It just makes sense to have another accessible vehicle that’s easy for both of us to ride around it. I truly adore my Prius, but practicality wise it’s not the best for us.

Anyway, what a wonderful car. It’s black and is so clean and pretty. Just in time for Halloween with hubby’s orange Element – hee hee.

This is a quote I found that pretty much sums of what I think of Las Vegas:

For me, Vegas is a vacation from being overinhibited, in the highly overinhabited yet uninhabitable city of complete uninhibition.  ~Tammy Bloemzaken

Weee!  Vegas!  The place where I’d never want to live, however, visiting is awesome.  Hubby & I are traveling there next week and we’re staying at the Venetian.  The Venetian is basically a Disneyland version of Venice.  It’s pretty tacky, but a hell of a lot of fun.  They even have gondoliers on fake canals traveling through a fake city with fake buildings.  Yep, everything in Vegas is pretty much fake – but the money you win and all the stuff that is bought by this money is quite real.  For me, Vegas is all about the shopping and I can’t wait to buy stuff I probably don’t need.

We’re not much for gambling.  However, we have been known to play the slot machines – those little addicting machines with their twinkly lights and loud noises are hard to pass up.

So, here’s hoping we make it big in Vegas.  Or at least break even.

Ug. People. As hubby and I were leaving our very nice dinner some crazy lady in a funny hat said “God bless you both. You people in those wheelchairs.” If my brain were functioning more, I would have replied with something like “Thanks for ruining a perfectly good dinner.” Or something as harsh. I just can’t stand people like that. Now, I realize she was a crazy lady in a weird hat, but still, it kind of soured the evening.

So, I got home and found this posted on a thread on a site I like to frequent (it’s for people like me who apparently need God to bless them).

It’s great and if you’re an atheist or an agnostic (get off the fence already) you’ll enjoy it:

God bless youtube