While I Was Gone

Just finished "While I Was Gone" by Sue Miller. I would give it 3.5/5 stars. I'm not sure why there are tons of people giving it a 5 and raving about the book. I reserve a 5/5 for something like a classic. This was a good book. I can't recommend it to most of my friends b/c they are all Christian and some of the content is NOT Christian.

The main character Jo - I think the author had to make her a doctor/vet. Otherwise we would have all thought she was somewhat retarded. She was selfish and never thought of anyone beyond the scope of her immediate surroundings. Doesn't think of the implications of her actions - which is generally something a lower IQ would do. The plot was interesting - seemed that the "climax" came too soon, or the resolution was too long. The family life though seemed all too familiar. Their was a character named Mary Ellen in the book! Then the sisters - actually one and a set of twins - didn't get along. Well they got along a little better than mine do.

Construction on Hwy 40 behind our house continued to 5am this morning. Of course I did hear it all because William left the windows open b/c he always too hot. So I got to wake up every hour from the noise and wind, then Maddox woke up again at 4:30am.

Random Thoughts... Sorry it's been a while

For some reason that picture up there still doesn't work. It used to and then Blogspot did something. Ugh.

Well it was nice half of today and all I want is ICE CREAM. Lots of ice cream. Cookie Doughn't You Want Some in particular. But when milk is over $3/gallon and gas near $4 a gallon who is going to buy a $6 bowl of ice cream??!! I wish people would stop whining and complaining that they don't have money. If this country and its citizens were in real financial trouble, then every single Cold Stone, casino, and liquor store should be completely out of business because they are all unnecessary to existence.

Homeowners get bailed out - the Senate passed the bill to bail out these morons who got loans they claim "they didn't understand" and can't pay back. How many of these people lied on their application? Probably more than most people realize. Many loans with certain LTV and amount qualifications allow for stated income. That is right - you don't have to prove or show how much you make. So when this was compared to the IRS reports, people saw that they inflated their income by as much as 50-60%.

I am currently sord of procrastinating. I painted the entire basement with primer, except the corners. So now I need to paint the corners, wait, and paint the real stuff on. It is so exhausting that I think I'll wait it out but I'll get it done this week. Unlike those poor suckers that could have had their refund by now, but haven't even finished their taxes. Tee hee. You know who you are.

Lake Saint Louis: I live in LSL where it is illegal to have a commercial sign on your vehicle or your residential property. BUT if you don't have permits for your finished basement (which poses a fire hazard to the homeowner and those around them), then LSL doesn't seem to care. I haven't yet figured out why yet.......

Higher Prices

Yet again almost all food prices are higher. Gas is up to $3.39/gallon. Of course when I was 19 and living in Kirksville with NOwhere to drive, it cost only 90 cents or so a gallon.

Finished "The Cider House Rules"

Finally finished the lengthy "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. How Homer became an abortionist was really saddening and the whole pro-choice slant. Maybe some of his other books have the great characters and plot without the political/moral slant. It was hard to book the book down.

How to Clean your Shower Curtain

Well last time I tried cleaning my shower curtain it wasn't pretty. This time is was great!!! So here is what I did next time I need to clean it:
throw it in with towels on HOT water with 1/2 c detergent and 1/2 c baking soda. Add vinegar to rinse. All clean!

Still working on cleaning our bathroom tub. Arm and Hammer Scrub Free worked mostly. There are still some stubborn stains on the wall and floor. Ugh. And I can't spray every day or Daisy will lick it up.

Best Playground is Lowe's

Current Book: "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving
Interesting and disturbing. I'm only on page 21.

If you eat bulgarian yogurt a lot, you could live to possibly be at least 100. But only yogurt cultures found in Bulgaria! Darn.

Maddox found a new playground.... Lowe's. All the cabinets kept him busy and could have for hours. But we had to get our life ins. medical exam done and left early to get home.