Rischa's Rants, Raves, and Ramblings

All is quiet

There's nothing much going on in the house today. Joel got off work at lunch time, came home and took a nap. Kolby is playing video games. The furry kids are snoozing. The Finchies make a "meep meep" noise every once in a while. Otherwise, it's just the sound of me typing this blog entry. I'm on my laptop because it has been storming. Every time the lights would flicker my desktop restarted. Annoying! Anyway, I just finished cleaning off some unnecessary programs from this computer, so hopefully it'll be smokin' once again. It had slowed to a snail's pace. Or like Katie Lynn said yesterday, "like a sloth on as skateboard"....or something similar. Heheh

I just finished making Rice Krispie Treats. Now we have the torture of waiting on them to cool before we can munch on them. I haven't made them in years. I forgot how easy they are to make. They're not QUITE as bad for you as some other yummy treats. They're not exactly healthy, though. Too bad. Everything yummy makes us fat. What a cruel trick!

Yesterday Kolby had his annual homeschool evaluation. He always dreads that even though he passes every single time with flying colors. She's very sweet to Kolby, too. We're both glad the evaluation is over, though.

Today started off very stressfully. Mom texted me to let me know Mam-maw had fallen and broken her hip. She has to have surgery tomorrow. Of course that has been all that I could think of all day. It's hard to live so far from family in these situations. I wish I could snap my fingers and be with her. I talked to Mam-maw and she said she was in a lot of pain. I wish I could take it away from her. She doesn't deserve to be in any pain. She's the sweetest person I know. But I guess it doesn't work like that. Sometimes it seems like the people who deserve to suffer don't and vice versa. Please pray, if that's something that you do, that she comes through surgery with flying colors and heals quickly.

In other news, I haven't been to the gym in 3 days. I'm feeling quite guilty about it. I was on such a roll. Maybe tonight I'll go if this head ache and queasiness goes away. Oh, did I not mention those things? Yeah, not feeling so hot today. All 3 of us (Kolby, Joel & myself) are feeling a bit sick in the tummy today and last night. I think we ate bad subs from Subway. The head ache is just a bonus for me. Ha...lucky me!

What would a blog post be without a little eye candy. Here's Queen Penny-Penny on her throne.

Click the image to view it a bit larger.

I'm going to go check on the treats and maybe set up the web cam to show what my Finchies are now doing. They're building a nest. One of them (Blake) is anyway. L8r!

Rainy & Sickly Day

Today couldn't suck harder if it tried. Well, I suppose that's a fabrication. It could be a hurricane outside and I could have a stomach problem to go with my cold. Anyway, today still sux! I've been fighting off this cold for weeks, but it finally won our little war. I'm "in the bed" kinda sick now. The DayQuil isn't touching this junk and I'm suckin' up the nose spray like it's crack and I'm a crack whore. It's also thunder-boomin' outside. I guess it's a good day for it since I'm in bed. I'm not missing out on anything since everyone's stuck inside. Also, rain can be quite relaxing to the bed-bound person. The thunder has gotten loud lately, though. The dogs are pretty miserable, too, as they haven't gotten to rid themselves of the morning energy burst they normally get. It's 3PM and they've only gone out briefly once all day long. That reminds me of 2005 when one of the hurricanes hit and they were inside for over 24 hours until it was safe to go out. They held it like champs! They didn't get far outside our door, though, before they all squatted. LOL If they could have they'd have said, "Ahhhhhh".

Geez, how did that last paragraph come about? I ended it talking aobut Pee? Really? Must be the cold meds. That's my story.

So on to something different. I skipped the gym yesterday and it isn't looking like I'll be going today, either. I was on such a roll that I really hate that I couldn't go. I haven't skipped 2 days in a row since we signed up. I was about ready to start running on the treadmill, too. I think I've built up enough endurance that I could take a few minutes of running at a time. I didn't want to start running right away and just totally blow my bad knee. Have I mentioned how bad having RA sucks lately?! I've had it over 11 years and it still ain't fun.

I haven't been a very good blogger lately. I know this isn't news, but what I mean is that I haven't been using images. I know people like to see images in blog posts. I do, too! So I better start using my camera again. I'd rather use my own images than someone else's. That's not to say I won't ever use images from Flickr or wherever else, but I enjoyed using my own. The entries lately are looking pretty dull, though, don't you think?

Joel may be traveling back down to the Naples area soon. I'd love to be able to go with him. It's so hard to do that for us, though, with all of our critters. I have no one around that would make a good sitter. I really loved Naples, though. It's beautiful and the place we stayed was awesome! I think it's the best place I've EVER stayed. As a bonus, it was around the time of our anniversary, too. Joel's Mom even sent us a basket to help us celebrate. Very cool of her, eh? Anyway, it sure would be nice to be able to hop in the car with Joel to go on these biz trips with him. I could take my easel and some paints or at least my sketchbook and enjoy some relaxation in a new place.

That's about all for now. The nose spray has kicked in so I'm going to try and get some rest for a while. If you've got chicken soup, you know where to send it! ;-) Later!

PS. For my next post I'll talk about Videos and my Amazon purchase.....

Can't Sleep

I can't sleep, so I thought I'd post an entry in my poor, neglected blog. Sooo....what to talk about. Since sleep is what I'm after at the moment, let's start there.

I try every night to get in the bed at the same time as Joel. He decides he's going to bed and 5 minutes later he's snoozing. By the time I take the dogs out, close both computers, wash my face, brush my teeth, check all doors, get into my Pajamas, etc... It's too late. I really wish I could simplify my life so I could just say I'm doing something and DO it right then and there.

Speaking of simplifying my life, I really do need to do that in ALL aspects of Rischa-ville. Did I just say "Rischa-ville". How lame! Must be the sleeping pill. Anyway, first let's start with my email lists; I get about a thousand emails a day from different subscriptions. Most of them I mass delete. Why do I do this? What am I looking for out of these lists? I waste an awful lot of time sorting. I even have folder after folder to help organize them all, but I still waste a ton of time going through them all.

Second; Pets. I love each and every one of my pets. I REALLY do. Just like everything else, though, I go overboard. I take in every stray or sad face I see. I'm like the old lady that lived in a shoe, but with critters. I can't even go on business trips with Joel or visit family with him because I can't leave them behind. I have given serious thought to finding homes for my parrots. I love them so much, though, it makes me cry to even think of it. Let's say I did find a new home for them, though. I could then have my own room to work on my art rather than sweating my ass off out in the garage, where my current studio resides. I could also move my sewing desk and computer desk in there.

Oh, and then there are my treasures; I have various collections that are just stored in boxes in the garage and the attic. Don't get me wrong, Joel has some, too. I can't speak for him, though. Back to the point, I have bird houses (can you tell I have a thing for birds?), Precious Moments figurines, Piggy banks, shot glasses, and other small collections that I don't even display and bring me no use or pleasure at all. Why?! Some of them were given to me, but I did bring it on myself by starting these little collections to begin with. I don't even like these collections any more. They're just fun things to collect for a while and then they begin to collect dust, so I box them up.

I guess the question I should be asking myself right now is, "What is missing in my life that I overdo everything?" Is it a boredom thing? A perfectionist thing? A challenge? What the hell? This is my struggle for the moment. At times I think to myself, "delete everything!" That would include email lists, collections, or anything that complicates my life. The, other times, I think to myself, "What if I regret it later?" What to do, what to do?

Ahhh well, moving on....

I've been thinking of joining a Gym lately. There's one called Anytime Fitness that looks promising. I like going for walks and bike rides, but it always rains in the evening here. I set my alarm for a bit earlier this morning thinking that I could go early before it got hot out, but it stormed!! Grrr! What's a flabby girl to do? I bought an exercise DVD by Jillian Michaels, that Biggest Loser chick, but she had me doing jumping jacks, push ups, squat thrusts, jumping rope, etc... I can't jump up and down on these arthritic knees! I tried it and my knees hurt for a week. I also could feel that the workout was an awesome one, though. My muscles were that good kind of sore that you feel after you've worked out. I wish I COULD do it every day. I just can't, though. My rheumy would fuss at me if I did. On a more productive note, I have started logging everything that I eat and drink. I downloaded an application that helps you track your calories on my iPod Touch. It's really great because you can do a quick search for your food and they have a list from all restaurants and grocery stores to make it easy. It's really a great little weight loss tool.

I think I'll go surf the net a while until I feel like I can catch those illusive "Z's". I can tell that it's getting harder to concentrate on writing so my sleeping pill is surely kickin' in. See ya next time....

Oh and P.S. Don't judge me by the grammar used above. I'm not even gonna proofread this entry. It's too long and I'm too lazy to do it.

10 Things About Me

I'm taking a prompt from a fellow blogger and listing 10 things about me that you may not know.

1. I would rather be at home than anywhere in the world.
2. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 21. Doc said I was the youngest AND the most aggressive case he had ever seen. I'm good now with the meds, though.
3. I have quite a few furry and feathered kiddos and love each of them SO much.
4. I REALLY enjoy www.Twitter.com. More than I should probably. I wish everyone I know would join so I can see their tweets. I especially love posting Twitpics.
5. I hate Facebook, but I do love that I have reconnected with lots of old friends there.
6. I also hate talking on the phone. I often don't answer or even look @ who's calling.
7. I'm surprisingly quiet until I get to know someone. Then I'm quite talkative.
8. I really love doing lists like this, but I fear saying THAT comes off narcissistic.

9. I have 6 blogs. Hehehe....some of them are secrets. I won't tell so don't ask. ;-)

10. I constantly struggle with trying to get to bed @ a decent time like everyone else. I can't seem to do it even though it seems like it should be easy. Even when I worked very early I stayed up at night.

I have no idea why the 10 is separate from the rest, but it won't go away without me retyping. I hate when stuff like that happens. Oh well...I'm too lazy to retype all that. It won't work with copying and pasting....tried it.

Now it's YOUR turn! Don't forget to leave me a comment with your 10 things linked or listed. ;-)

Sleepwalking Dog.....CRAZY!

All 3 of our dogs move their feet as if they're walking or running in their sleep, but it's only tiny movements. Sometimes the movements are a bit bigger and they may even growl or whine a bit. I always gently wake them when I see them growling or whining because I feel bad for them. I know...I"m a little nuts and overboard with the protecting my pups thing, but....I love them! So anyway, I'm guessing it's pretty normal to see little movements when doggies sleep. THIS video, however, blows my mind! I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or tell his owner to start padding their walls!

 

I told you it was crazy! Have you ever seen such a thing?

\m/. (>.<) .\m/

Just a Tuesday

Today was just another day. Not a particularly good one. I felt crappy all day and Joel got news that he'll be going out of town for a week (again) this Sunday. I felt so tired and achy all day that I just slept. I missed some of my RA meds, so it's not entirely surprising that I feel this way. I took it today all at once since I'm late, so I'm guessing tomorrow will be even worse. The med, Methotrexate, makes me feel sick when I take it all on one day like that. I usually break it up over two days and feel less sick.

The news of Joel going on another biz trip couldn't come at a worse time. His grandmother isn't doing very well, so he really needs to be home in case something happens. Also, I just don't want him to be gone for so long....or at all. It's bad enough that he works almost 24/7. I'm starting to feel pretty lonely. My art keeps me pretty busy, but that's an at-home thing, so I don't really get out much. I wish I could meet a friend that's into the same things as me LOCALLY. I have lots of friends like that, but they're not local. Most of the artists that I've met around here are on the older side of life. For once, I'd like to hit it off with someone my own age. I tend to get chatty with older folks for some reason. Maybe I'm one of those "old souls" that you hear about? Who knows....but it's lonely being an old soul apparently.

Joel is talking about us taking a short vacation for our 10 year anniversary. It sounds like fun, but for us it's always a hassle to go anywhere together. We have to find someone to take care of our fur children. The only person that I trust to come and do that is Mom and she's in GA 7 hours away. To be honest, I'd rather Joel just take the time off and us hang out together with NO phone or interruptions. Just a nice few days alone to go out to dinner, go to the movies,  or something like that.

Eek...I had more to talk about, but my computer just did an update and now wants to restart. I guess I'll take that as a hint that I should go back to sleep. I've already slept 2 hours, but I had to get back up to take my nightly meds and put the cloths in the dryer. Oh, the fun of having RA and a heart problem.....Woe is me. Sorry, it's just how I'm feeling right now. Maybe my next post won't be such a downer.

Getting to know your friends 2009

Instead of sending this each time I get it, I thought I'd post it here...

Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your Friends. 'press FORWARD' then change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends including the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!      1.  What time did you get     up this morning? 9:15 2.  Diamonds or pearls? diamonds 3.  What was the last film you saw at the cinema?  I don't remember. I prefer HBO on my home TV since we pay so much for it already. LOL 4.  What is your favorite TV show? Weeds 5.  What do you usually have for breakfast Coffee with either cereal or grits. If Joel's home then pancakes. 6.  What is your middle name? LeClair (after Great Grandmother) 7.  What food do you dislike? sushi & guacamole 8.  What is your favorite CD at moment. Don't listen to CD's. I have a play list I listen to on my art blog, though, if I want music. My favorite is piano music with no lyrics. Otherwise I listen to talk radio. 9.  What kind of car do you drive? A Tucson (compact SUV) 10.  Favorite sandwich? Grilled Cheese 11. What characteristics do you despise? Dishonesty, narcissism, snootiness, know-it-alls 12.  Favorite item of clothing My blue satin night gown 13.  If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Australia .14 Favorite brand of clothing? Fruit of the Luim or Hanes (comfy stuff lol) 15.  Where would you retire to? Where I live now, Central FL 16.  What was your most recent memorable birthday? 32nd 1/17/2009 17.  Favorite sport to watch? Dog agility (good answer, Fern! I'm keeping that one) 18.  Furthest place you are sending this? Not sending it. Putting it on my blog for all to see. 19.  Person you expect to send it back first? No one since I'm not sending it, but Mom will be the first to comment. ;-) 20.  When is your birthday? Jan. 17 21.  Are you a morning person or a night person? Definitely night! 22.  What is your shoe size? 8-1/2 23.  Pets?  Many 24.  Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Hmm...I'm starting an online business, but I already shared that. 25.  What did you want to be when you were little? I don't remember when I was really little, but I had planned to be a Psychiatrist when I was in High School. I don't know if I told anyone that back then, though. 26.  How are you today? Happy as can be 27.  What is your favorite candy? Hedgehogs that Candice sends me at Christmas. 28.  What is your favorite flower? Orchids, Daisies, Tulips, Bouganvillias....oh, just one? lol 29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Hmm...I guess the day of the neighborhood yard sale. March 12-14th. Kolby comes home from GA then, too. 30.  What is your full name? Rischa LeClair Heape 31.  What are you listening to right now? The running water from the turtle's aquarium filter and my dogs snoring. 32.  What was the last thing you ate? Pancakes (Joel was home till 12 today. lol) 33.  Do you wish on stars? sure do 34.  If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Magenta 35.  How is the weather right now? Perfection!! Sunny....not too hot, but warm. Mid 70's. 36.  The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Kolby, my handsome son 37.  Favorite soft drink? Coca-Cola (which I can't have....dieting *sobs*) 38.  Favorite restaurant? Palm Tree Grill 39.  Real hair color? Dark brown with Auburn tones. 40.  What was your favorite toy as a child? Caroline doll and then my He-Men action figures. Yay for tom-boys! 41. Summer or winter? Summer, but prefer Spring 42.  Hugs or kisses? Depends on who. Both from my fellas (Kolby and Joel, of course) 43.  Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate ALL the way! 44.  Coffee or tea? COFFEE!!! 45.  Do you want your friends to email you back? Always 46.  When was the last time you cried? Last night, but it was something sweet. 47.  What is under your bed? Dust, magazines, and whatever Penny has dragged under there. 48.  What did you do last night? Watched tv with Joel, blogged, talked to Candice, took photos, etc... 49.  What are you afraid of? Loss 50. Salty or sweet? Sweet if I have to choose just one. 51.  How many keys on your key ring? 3 52.  How many years at your current job? 16 (Mom) 10 (Wife) Artist.....just started 53.   Favorite day of the week?  Friday     54.   How many towns have you lived in?  5   55.   Do you make friends easily?   Online friends, yes. In person, not really. I never really go anywhere to make friends any more. 56.   How many people will you send this to?  Again...not sending.   57.   How many will respond?   None....not sending, ya know. ;-)

Turtle-Cam

Have you checked out my Art-Cam lately? Well, I haven't been doing art until today, so there was no art channel to be seen. Soooo, I set up a Turtle-Cam on that station. Check out Stanley and his sidekick, Al, the sucker fish.

 

Live TV by Ustream

Merry Christmas Eve!

Here's a little something to get you into the Christmas Spirit. Of course if I'm posting this it will have a critter of some sort in it, so.....

 

My Christmas List

It's time to post my Christmas List again. I only do this so I can show it to people when they insist on getting me something. Not because I'm greedy or materialistic. Although, I do enjoy gift giving and receiving just as much as anyone else. A great alternative to the material things is to GIVE in my name. For example, donate to Pennies for Bella, The Arthritis Foundation (For obvious reasons), The Cancer Society, or The Fund For Animals.

Okay, on to my list:

 

And this one I want the most out of the 3...

   

It's out of stock, but I bet Borders or BAMM.com would have it.

Okay, enough of the books. The rest of the books I want can be found in my Amazon Wish List that's always on my blog. I have it in the left column.

Now for an electronic gadget that I would love to have. I'm still sort of researching these to find which would be best for what I'd use it for. See, I plan to start a LIVE Webcam. It will be focused on my art desk where I create. I already have my channel set up. All I have to do is get a better webcam. I have one that works, but it's one of those that doesn't really look smooth. It's jumpy. It makes me look like I'm moving in robot movements. LOL So here's A webcam, but I'm not sure if it's THE webcam, yet. I will update when I'm ready to choose THEE one.

I ALWAYS love getting Gift Certificates to my favorite stores!

Last, but not least, something from any of my favorite Etsy.com sellers:

DudaDaze

ME Art Design

Paulette Insall

mtjoyschool 

ArtChiz

 ---------------------------------------------------> Tascha <---Check the spelling. Like Rischa with TA. LOL

kilkennycat

AliceinParis

Okay, that's all for now. Merry Christmas early!

UPDATE!!!

"Creative Cloth Doll Faces", "Crumble Crackle Burn", and "Simple Gifts to Stitch" have been purchased by Mom. Hehe....She's quick! Thanks, Mom! I can't wait to dive into them! (She even said I could open them early! Woohoo) 

I wish everyone had a blog to post a wish list so I could be sure I'm not giving a lemon of a gift.  PS. Joel likes JC Penny GCs, too. I'll get a list from him and post a wish list here if he's cooperative. He usually wants cloths, but I bet he'd like a Best Buy GC, too. He's a gamer.