2-4-23-36-46-23

I couldn't help watch in fascination all the people running to the convenient marts in order to buy the mega million lottery tickets in hopes of scoring the $460 million dollar jackpot.

From the headlines on today's paper somebody from Maryland won.

I hope for that person's sake she/he is safe and the money will enhance that person's life all for the better.

I did not buy a lottery ticket.

Just the thought of it makes me cringe.

I would rather work in dunkin donuts for the rest of my life than to fall into a win-fall like that.

You are probably thinking to yourself,'what!?! Are you crazy?"

I am a private and paranoid person.

I am happy and I like things simple.

If I can get out of bed without having to take a zomig or throwing up, I am grateful.

Sure , it is fun to fantasize what you would do with all the money but the risks (and dangers) involved in having that amount is sooooo NOT worth it.

I like my life just the way it is.

Simple and uncomplicated.

I like my house.

I like my beat up ol' car.

I certainly have enough shoes.HA! Plus, the hunt for the "bargains" makes it fun.

I travel enough but I mostly prefer to just stay home with my birds.

I have a happy marriage, which in itself, is worth more than a billion dollars. It is nice to have someone you can trust and is on the the 'same page of life" as you. The same goes for good friends and companions.

I am grateful for all of that.

Ok just for FUN what WOULD you do if you had that kind of money ?

(*without having to worry about all the scary vultures and potential criminals waiting to pounce on you)

First things first, I would probably have a new house built for my parents that is wheelchair accessible for my father. I would also include a private nurse for him. (I am sure he would prefer a "French" nurse. wink wink)

A huge bird room extension built as well as a giant shoe closet.

One pair of Christian Louboutin shoes (or two)

A purple BMW (or corvette) for weekend cruises.

Plastic surgery to make me look just like Angelina Jolie.

A private nonstop jet charter (serving dunkin donuts fresh brewed coffee) to Papau New Guinea for a bird watching and a diving adventure.

College tuition to Tufts university to get my degree in veterinary science.

And, of course, a HUGE donation towards animal shelters and their care.

What would YOU do? :-)

business as usual

Nothing to report, which to me, is always a good sign.

No news is good news as I always say.

My cousin was on vacation. Her brother "Ken' was minding the house. Since he works long tedious hours I took her dogs out mid afternoon to do their "business".

"Jackie" is an elderly one-eyed pom mix. He is both blind and deaf which means he needs to be carried and coaxed outside. "Cuddles"is an older cocker spaniel with what I will politely say is, "special needs". She is a cute sweet dog but she will pee right in front of you IN THE HOUSE right after you've taken her out for 30 minutes.(!)

I generally find turds and puddles on the kitchen floor(where the dogs aren't allowed to enter) The little brats will sneak in past the gate.

I can bet dollars to donuts that "Cuddles" is the culprit.

"Ruby" the border collie mix is my jogging partner. Of ALL the dogs I've walked, Ruby is the best dog to jog with. She loves the one on one attention and is in tune with my pace. We both benefit form the exercise.

My cousin's cleaning lady is scheduled to clean the house today. Hopefully, "Cuddles' didn't leave any "gifts" on the floor and "Ken' didn't leave a uber mountain of dishes in the sink. This lady has her work cut out for her between the dogs and the single dad's "non house keeping skills".

I hope she doesn't quit.

the Wild Pigeons of Salisbury beach part 63

Craow Dum is now officially the "million dollar bird". I think I am sending the vet's kid through college now by paying for all these visits with this darn pigeon!

Finally, he has completed his month long round of meds.

Finally.

Argh..

I think both me and the pigeon has grown weary and aggravated from this continual regiments of meds. Thankfully, his poop looks normal today.

He was kind of funny yesterday. I left the pet carrier on the floor with his favorite fleece blanket in it. He crawled into the carrier by himself and fell asleep. Only when I covered the carrier with a protective blanket did he "bust-a-move" at me.

He is the star of the show when he goes to the vet. Everyone is amazed at seeing "THE PIGEON".

He did not want to mess up his blanket in the carrier so he held his poop until I took him out for his exam. He then dropped a huge platter-sized runny bomb down my sleeve. The vet assistant thought he was so cute and sweet with his cooing until he pecked her in the eye with his lower beak.

What a brat.

Of course, after his exam he cuddled up to me. He was as happy as a clam to be with his "familiar comfort person".

The vet was unsure if the meds had any effect one way or another. The best guess is that it did stop the deterioration. I don't feel any sponginess around the bone (or bone area) so I am hopeful. The vet was a little concerned with his boogery nose. I had just cleaned his nose before we left for out visit and he was still producing more mucus. She took a sample to be sent out to the lab to check for anything that might be amiss. I would think if is any bacterial it would be gonzo from the major barrage of antibiotics he was on. I am guessing it is just because he is a mouth breather that is why he is producing so much mucus.

Again, the vet was amazed at how good a shape he was in despite his handicap. His feathers looked good and he was clean, mostly because I groom him and wash him daily. He has a good healthy (a bit chunky) weight too.

He is pretty spoiled. A box from doctorsfoster's pet supply arrived on the front stairs with his pigeon seed and Harrison's high potency pellets. I placed a fresh empty kleenex box in his pen as well since he like to play with the box.

"Fresh Baby" (Paris Hilton look-alike cockatiel) hissed at him when he got him. She can't stand all the attention he gets!

weight watchers...continues...

It has been almost two years since I've had a donut, cookie, pop tart or muffin.

REALLY!!!!

I found out that a dunkin donut coffee cake muffin is 620 calories! (25 grams of fat and 54 grams of sugar) No wonder they taste so F*&^ing good! As you recall, I would (on a daily basis) have a cup of dunkin donuts chai (God knows how much sugar and fat is in one of those!) a coffee cake muffin OR two donuts for lunch on my way to a day of dog walking!

Now, my lunch is usually a bowl of stir fried broccoli and a piece of naan bread. My snack is a bowl of fruit with cool whip (yeah, I know, cool whip is just shit and chemicals), raisins and an apple.

Another snack I used to enjoy was a pop tart. Brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts are 420 calories (16 grams of fat and 26 grams of sugar) I used to eat this stuff all the time as a kid. I am wondering if more fat and sugar has been added to these things over the years.

I swear the more sugar you eat the hungrier it makes you.

I still believe that it isn't the amount of food people are eating that is making them fat but it's the easy processed crap out there that is EVERYWHERE!

My cousin bought me the new weight watcher's cookbook, "Power foods Cookbook". All the recipes (the veggie ones) are something I would definitely eat. Weight watchers is putting more of a focus on not just calorie cutting but pushing healthy whole foods. Before they would say it was OK to eat a donut so long as you didn't eat anything else all day. It was all about just the calorie counting now they are promoting healthy whole grains and veggies with low added additives (low sugar, low fat, low salt)

It's all about eating...healthy..NOT starving yourself!

I just made two new stir fry recipes for tonight's dinner along with brown rice pilaf. Yum!

I was in the grocery store the other day buying up my usual stock of broccoli, veggies, fruit and a special treat of chocolate covered bananas. There was this nosy lady in front of me who turned around to see what I had on the conveyor. (Yes, I'll admit I glance at what people place on the conveyor too but I don't touch their stuff or say anything to them)

However....

This lady started to touch and pick up MY items commenting on them (!?!?!)

"Oooh this looks good!" "Oh you must be a health nut with ALL THIS BROCCOLI that you are buying!" "OooH What is THAT?"

I was mortified.

How friggin' nervy!!!!!!!

Thank God I wasn't purchasing any personal potentially embarrassing items for Miss Nosy-pants to wave around.

I was just waiting for her to open up the box of chocolate bananas and munch on one.

Thank God she didn't.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 62

Yesterday, my long time pal and I found a real tea house up in Somersworth, New Hampshire.

My husband and I took her there to celebrate her birthday.

Yes, real flavorful tea brewed in pots served in tea cups along with finger sandwiches and scones.

Real tea.

I can understand why a wine connoisseur would wrinkle their noses up if someone served them wine with a twist off cap served in a plastic cup. I certainly feel that way about tea. Both my girl-friend and I appreciate a proper cup of tea so this place was delightful.

Since I am still tethered to the house because of the pigeon and his medicine regiment, I had to get back right after our afternoon treat.

The pigeon was waiting patiently for our arrival back. He doesn't like to poop in his cage in order to keep his living area clean .He will poop as soon as I open up his pen.

As soon as I opened his door, he stretched his wings and let out a big humongous "plop" on the floor. I am so used to following the birds around and meticulously cleaning up after them that it doesn't really phase me anymore.

I thought my friend was either going to pass out or puke once the pigeon dropped his bomb.

I heard this, "oh my F*&^ing God..how disgusting!"

I turned to see the plate-size splat and cracked up over her horrified reaction.

(* And of course, I cleaned up the mess immediately. Hygiene is absolutely essential in order to keeping everyone healthy).

It didn't help the situation either when I realized Craow Dum was now perched on the couch badly needing his nares (nose) to be wiped as well. (Just like a booger-nose kid.) I don't think she is used to so many birds, especially with 'special needs"-even though she always had 'keets as a kid.I have to admit it can get pretty gross at times!

The birds and their 'needs" don't seem to, however, phase my cousin. I think it is because she has three dogs who get 'into things" at times. Both "Jackie" and "Cuddles" occasionally have "accidents" since they both have health issues so she is definitely accustomed to 'grossness".

Meanwhile, "Patches" (male cockatiel) was screaming bloody murder. It was slowly approaching the 'witching hour" (dinner time) where he screams and demands attention. Once he gets going, the rest join in. For some reason, their sound doesn't bother me (whereas I can't stand pop/rock music for the most part!)

I think my poor friend has had enough of the birds shenanigans and decided this was her time to depart. She seemed to like her birthday gifts and thankfully, the new tea house was a hit so hopefully, she had a nice birthday.

Never a dull moment in birdy-ville....

* photo above was done from my pigeon chat group

Bless me father for I have ......

I just got the kohl's sale flyer with a 30% off coupon attached to it. They had these summer lounge chairs on sale for a decent price. I have nothing to sit on the back deck so I figured I get one of these comfortable airy loungers to enjoy the sunshine. Of course, I drive to my local store and they are sold out of the loungers.

*I do have to say, the sales-ladies that work at Kohls are terrific with customer service.They are extremely helpful and accommodating. One lady I dealt with, called a few stores in the area to see if they had any of those particular model loungers. Unfortunately, every store she called were completely sold out.

As I was just about to leave the store empty handed I pass by the shoe department.

As you might recall, one of my New Year's resolutions was to not to buy any more shoes.

The brightly coloured spring collection caught my eye as well as the blaring 50-60% off SALE sign.

Oh what the heck, what harm is it to just look, right?

I'm just looking, that's all and just seeing if the size 8.5 fits, just for fun.

That's all.

Oooh what is this cute little pair hiding behind this box? How much are these? hmmm..

I also have that 30% off coupon tucked away in my purse. I'd hate to waste it, you know.

Oh what a fab colour! OK I'll put these back since I don't care too much for peep-toe pumps.

I would never wear peep-toe pumps but these wisteria coloured platform sandals are just gorgeous, as well as these classy two tone spectator booties. I would be a fool to pass up these almost give-away bargains, right?

OK OK..I bought the platform sandals and booties. But I put all the other shoes I tried on back on the shelf.

Doesn't that count for SOME kind of measure of self constraint?

Shit, do I now have to go to confession?

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 61

I try to feed the pigeons early a.m. before that obnoxious "40-something-guy-who-still-lives with-his-mother" comes by to aggravate me.

Since spring came early there is a lot of male pigeons 'bustin'-a-move" to try to entice the females into their groovy bachelor pads. There is one male in particular who must be an alpha male. He stands straight up and presents himself with his chest puffed out as the big macho male. We call him "the Rock' after super hunk Dwayne Johnson (see photo above) He is colorful with speckles like stone granite so calling him 'the Rock' seems appropriate on all accounts. All the other males seem like wieners compared to this one pigeon.

The beach has been bustling with people because of the amazingly warm early beach weather. As a result, there is pizza crust and french fries everywhere for the taking. The bad news is the beach is a mess with pizza boxes, cups, used pampers (diapers) and other kinds of trash.

People can be such pigs, really.

I've been opening the french doors on the back deck so Craow Dum can see outside to watch the birds and to get some sunshine through the screens. Unfortunately, he likes it so much he has been pooping on the door frame which is a pain to clean. He has a few more days (approximately six) of the medicine. I seriously do not know if it is curing his problem. His cere (fleshy part on beak) is still stained black. I clean him at least three times a day of debris peeling off black gunk and boogers off of his beak and cere. I fear the vet may want to take a live tissue sample from his beak and cere. Just the thought of this gives me the shivers.

I hope not.

The medicine is giving him diarrhea so after it is completed I will give him some probiotics to help his stomach to get back the 'good bacteria". Baytril is a very strong broad spectrum antibotic which kills both the bad bacteria and the good bacteria. He has an appointment with the vet next week for a follow up check up.

Oh oh..I hear a cooing. He has followed me upstairs to see what I am doing. I gotta go and put him back downstairs before he poops on the rug. Sheesh...!

Jobs

I sometimes read books that I normally would not read just to try to learn something new or try to have a different perspective in life.

I bought my husband the book on ",Steve Jobs," by Walter Isaacson.

I mostly bought it for him because I wanted to read it myself to hopefully "learn" something new and have a new insight in the way of business.

Unfortunately, after reading it, I walked away with a bad taste in my mouth. It was like eating a big juicy apple (no pun intended) and biting into a big ol' worm.

Everything I was 'taught' in how to run a business, how to treat and deal with co-workers, and how to diplomatically communicate with the general public was totally the opposite in how Jobs did things. Everything business-like was thrown out of the window.

He was basically a whiny, selfish, self serving, self absorbed, ill mannered, neurotic, a guy-who-needed-a-bath- JERK!

I am still puzzled in how he got people to help him and work with him on any level!

He rarely bathed, he was late for meetings, he was rude and cruel to co-workers, he stole ideas, he asked inappropriate questions to potential employees (do you drop acid? when did you lose your virginity?), his "reality distortion"perception was so odd, he turned his back on close friends, AND toted the joys of experimental recreational drug use (LSD).(!)

What the F*&&!!!?

After the initial shock and (my feelings of) disappointment after reading this book I tried to sort through any redeeming factors in what made this guy grossly successful.

He was in fact a" visionary". Nothing was impossible to him. His ideas of "distorted reality" was pushed to what then, became a reality in the field of computers.He pushed and pushed himself (and others around him) to make things happen.

I have to say there were two redeeming thoughts he had that I do have to agree with.

1# He couldn't understand why people worshiped Jesus. He thought it was kind of a waste. He felt wouldn't it be better if people acted like Jesus instead of following silly made up man-made rules.

Yes, as a modern day living saint, I totally agree with that concept. ACT like Jesus!

2# He had a meeting with President Obama shortly before he died. For one thing, he wasn't impressed or intimidated in meeting him and he spoke his mind. He offered thoughts and suggestions on solving certain problems. Obama had a 'yeah, but..." series of excuses of why things can't change. Jobs argued with him with" a nothing is impossible" attitude if you envision it. I have to agree with that "nothing is impossible if we work on on it" attitude.

I certainly would not have wanted him to be president because of his volatile temperament but he did have that push and drive to "make things happen".

He was indeed an interesting although an unconventional character. He was sort a mouse in a maze obsessively seeking that cheese at the end of the tunnel. He was going to find that cheese despite the road blocks. Perhaps that is what his idea of success was: finding that cheese in spite of the road blocks-even if it meant chewing through the walls.

the Bird lady of Salisbury

Last night, I saw the movie, "The Bird man of Alcatraz" (Starring Burt Lancaster in 1962).

My cousin recommended it.

She said she thinks of that movie whenever I tell her about my bird keeping stories. I must say, it was a very good movie.

I also found it refreshing to see a (prison) movie that did not involve violent gay sex or inundated with raunchy talk. The movie stayed on course just showing how his obsession with birds evolved.

I did have to laugh when the birds started to get 'busy" and laid eggs. He eventually had all these birds flying around in his prison room. His room didn't look any different than my dining room with all the cages, birds flying around and bird books.

My only problem I had with this movie was the scene where the birds were getting sick and dying.

Those birds aren't actors...

So I am guessing there was actual sick birds used in some of the scenes.

I know years ago horses used in old time westerns were seriously hurt (and sometimes killed) during some of the filming. It wasn't until recent times that animal rights groups were called out to protect animals from mistreatment (and potential injury) in movie making.

I get the chills thinking of those movies that involve giant fish tanks breaking!

Who knows, maybe I'll get a call to be on one of those "reality" TV shows.

Extreme Bird Keeping!

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 60

I spotted "Chocolate milk" this morning on the telephone line. I fed them all as usual. I am getting a few "visitors" on the back deck again since the warmer weather is moving in.

I am on day 15 with giving Craow Dum his meds. I am half-way there. It is stressful for the both of us. The good thing (for him) is that he is getting meticulously groomed during the time I am holding him in a towel. Black crud is sloughing off his beak and cere. He is also a major booger machine. He uses more tissues than a snot-nosed kid! He runs like a son-of-a-gun when he sees the (evil) blue towel. When he sees the towel he knows it is "medicine time".

I just ordered online at a pigeon specialty shop another pigeon guide and some probiotics for after he is finished with his medicines to get his digestive flora back to normal.

I read a lot of the postings on the pigeon chat group. I am amazed at how many people post from around the world! People from New Zealand, Iran, India, Belgium, Jordan..you name it! It is a very active chat group as well. I never knew there was so many different types and variations of pigeons. Unfortunately, there are not that many "enthusiasts" in the New England area. I can't even find a club. The only people that post from the northeast US area are "rescuers" that find lost or injured birds.There is still the stigma (in this region) that pigeons are dirty and worthless- which is unfortunate.

*the above photo was posted on the pigeon chat group. It is a Lebanon dewlap pigeon!

March 15 2006

On March 15th 2006, I adopted Carl the budgie from the Methuen animal rescue. From the vague history I was given he had been 'rescued' from a hoarding situation. The people at the rescue told me he was ten years old. I am guessing he was a bit younger, more like six years old. He was extremely grouchy and fearful of people. He had a cage mate , "Betty', who was a bully. I had adopted the both of them but separated them to their own cages. Carl was much happier with his new arrangement.

Carl had one problem though, he threw up a lot. He was later diagnosed with a "megabac" bacterium. I am assuming he had it way back when he was living in the hoarding situation. I am guessing he was not living in the best optimal situation. I took him to the vet and he was treated with amphorecin B in 2007 and then, again in 2009. (Amphorecin B is an extremely expensive medication). Back in 2007 the vet said he would not survive. He did survive and I kept him on amphorecin B for a long time. He continued to throw up but only periodically. I kept his cage clean and fed him the best seed and veggies. He had "birdie" visitors visit him but he preferred staying in his own cage alone. He seemed to have been holding his own for quite a few years. He enjoyed his food and pooped normally. He occasionally would serenade us with a little song.

Last night, I heard some rustling around in the bird room. I was just ready to leap out of bed fearing the birds were having night frights. The rustling stopped and I went back to sleep.I had problems with eyes so everything was a bit blurry.

This morning I found Carl dead at the bottom of his cage.

I am not sure how old he actually was but I am guessing he was at least 12-15 years old. I believe Carl just died of old age.

Regardless, I feel pretty sad that he is now gone.

stupid tuesday

March 6th was "super tuesday' for the republican presidential candidates.

Voting on tuesday was similar to navigating through a dog owners yard after the winter thaw.

No matter where you step you are going to step in a disgusting pile of shit in various stages of frozen decay or in a messy soupy plop.

No matter how you navigate, no matter what you do, it's just gross.

I feel the same way with all these candidates.

They are all bad.

I did a blind "taste test" by reading the candidates views on a variety subjects, without prejudice, by not looking at the candidates name to see who's views I agreed with.

The results were scary.

Look at 'what' we have running for president:

Newt Gingrich: He's the smartest of the bunch but what is up with this "open marriage" shit?!?! Nasty.

One of the top reasons I jumped ship to the republican side is because of the Clinton's x-rated debauchery. You can't be a good candidate if you are obsessed with this sort of addiction..

Mitt Romney: He was a decent governor until he 'farted and left the room" by leaving his stinky mandatory health care scam behind. Also, what is up with tying his dog to the top of his station wagon for a "ride"?

Ron Paul: He's a total whack job

Rick Santorum: He backs the Duggar family!?!?! What the F*&^ is with having twenty kids? That lady must just have to sneeze and a kid come's flying out.

AND, puuuuulease get rid of that ugly-ass-out-of-style sweater vest! OMG the ultimate Fashion violation!

Another thing that makes this election so horrible is the attack ads. I mean they are all going to have some major difference in opinions but in the end who ever is picked they all have endorse that person. I can't help think of when sharks are in utero. There are two baby sharks in the mother's womb, only one will survive because it will cannibalize it's sibling.

Even matriarch Barbara Bush said that "this is the worst campaign..."

Gag..I need to go and wash off now.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 59

I've contacted a few folks for advice on my pigeon chat group to see if anyone had a trick on how to medicate pigeons. A few forwarded youtube.com links on tube feeding .

Pigeons have hole at the base of tongue which you have to watch out for while medicating. I tried the methods as suggesting sticking a tube past that area on tongue but my pigeon struggled.It was terrible. I was afraid of injuring him so I stuck with my old method of one drop at a time. I could do it giving him the baytril. I think it is because that particular dose is a small amount.

This morning, however, he threw up food AND all his meds.

My vet called me this morning asking me how he was doing. I told her what has been happening with it slow going plus him throwing up and having diarrhea an hour after the meds. I also told her how I was trying to "tube him" but it was problematic. She said just stick to the one drop at a time business.

The reason for her call was that she found out that his meds needed to be increased to double the amount to be effective.

My heart just dropped.

Doubled?

I really don't think this is possible.

I can barely get this does of meds in him plus I can not leave the house for any length of time as it is.

Later the vet's assistant called me and asked if a pill crushed up would work better. Again, it would work if he ate soft food but his diet is exclusively pigeon seed and Harrison's pellets. I put out a bowl of rice to see if he would eat this. He peck at it but then again he pecks at the writing on a kleenex box. He did not pick up any rice during this attempt of trying to get him to eat it.

I gave him his bath this morning. He loves it. I am going to keep plugging away at dropping his meds in his mouth.This is all to halt the bone eating bacteria from progressing.

Argh....

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 58

It's only day four of the 28 day medicine regimen for Craow Dum.

I am basically tethered to the house for a month since I am giving 5 doses of meds a day to him.

Two times a day (.12ml) doses of enrofloxicin and three times a day( .6ml) doses of clindamycin.

It takes close to half an hour each time to administer the meds since I can only give one drop at a time on the pigeon's tongue in order for him to slurp it up. It's slow going because the clindamycin tastes awful and I do not want him to choke. During this time, I give him a break to walk around and take in the meds that sit in his mouth. He sneezes and coughs during the process. I also have to clean his boogery nose and mouth of debris constantly.

The enrofloxicin is a smaller amount and since it is a compounded mix (mixed with a flavored fruity syrup) it is easier to take. The clindamycin, however, tastes like bitter beetles. (Yes, I've tasted the clindamycin and have eaten beetles~by accident) The enrofloxicin and clindamycin are both very strong antibiotics.

I have to make sure he doesn't wander into the living room within an hour after taking the meds because he has diarrhea as a result. I also have to have him wait an hour before he eats too because on day one of the meds he threw it up. I wish there was an easy way to give him his meds. One person on my pigeon chat group suggested soaking a bread ball with the meds. I am nervous about mixing food and the meds so I haven't tried that. He has never eaten bread either. He's only eaten his pigeon seed/pellet mix.

I am finding that patience is crucial.

I can not rush or be made to feel rushed with each procedure.

He still craves his time on the couch. Thankfully, the fleece blanket on the couch can be easily washed (and dried). He purrs like a cat when he is petted and cuddled. He snores like an old man when he takes his afternoon nap.

I can't be sure of how his beak will look after his regiment is complete. I don't know if the scrotty looking bone will change colour or look any different either. I don't know if the bone area heals up and a prosthetic beak will be in order. He's seems to have adjusted to his handicap.He's never really had a proper beak since day one so I don't think this will be necessary.

I just want him healthy and disease free.

if it has tires or....

Aren't cars a pain?

And yet, you can not live without them.

When something happens to your car it causes such unbelievable stress.

I scheduled a "girl's day' at a local spa. My skin and hair were a disaster so I figured 'a day of beauty' would be what the 'doctor ordered". Unfortunately, I had made this appointment in advance and it fell on the day where we had a major messy snow/ice/sleet/shit storm.

The salon is located only two miles down the street. After I walked Mattie, took care of the birds, gave the pigeon his medicine, and did my other errands, I had the rest of the afternoon slated for pampering.

When I finished my spa treatment, I stepped outside in the freezing messy mix of rain and heavy wet snow, and my car was completely dead.

The engine didn't even crank over. Even the light for the clock radio was dead.

Shit.

Are you kidding me?

I was glad I had my pet sitting pack with me which included my AAA card and cell phone.

The AAA guy came in an hour and jump started my car.

Something was still wrong with the car because it felt like it was going to stall at any second plus the lights on the dash were flickering. I made it to my driveway and just then, my car just croaked.

I was glad I was home so I could deal with this car issue later when the weather stopped pissing down.

The next day, my husband tried to jump start my car but it was completely dead.

I called the AAA tow company to bring it to the car repair shop to see what was going on.

I got to tell you, I know this sounds weird but I got really sad seeing my car getting hooked up to the tow truck. I've had this car the longest I've ever owned a car ( 11 years and well over a 100,000 miles) I was really hoping this was something fixable.

I like my car.

I still get teary eyed remembering when the motorcycle shop up in Manchester came down to load my bike onto the back of their truck when I could not longer ride it.

I still wicked miss my bike. It was like saying good bye to a smokin' hot boyfriend that you really really liked. Sniff..

OK, back to the car situation, it turned out to be just a crap battery.

I was still a bit nervous this morning praying it would start and that it was indeed, just a crap battery.

It started.

I am hoping to hold onto this car for as long as I can.

If it has tires or testicles...

argh....

GCB

I've seen this ad on ABC for this upcoming TV show called "GCB".

It kind of looked rather funny being similar to "Desperate housewives".

However

As I kept seeing the ad I was noticing things that were making me cringe.

First of all, the title, GCB.

What does that mean?

It stands for "Good Christian Bitches".

Ah..HELLO!?!

Does anyone else find this offensive?!?

I then thought well maybe other people aren't paying attention to these three letters and then I see these women wearing staring-you-in--your-face crucifixes dangling around their necks and crosses decorating their hats. (!?)

Why is it OK to shit on Christians where as any other religious group would be up at arms?

It just seems odd. I know some people would say in defense, "oh it's not about Christians like you".

I remember when I was in New Zealand and my (former) in-laws were dissing Americans on how stupid, fat and materialistic they were. Both my mother and sister were both thinking and nodding their heads in agreement because they were talking about other Americans, not them.

Right?

I confronted the Kiwis and said that was obnoxious and downright insulting.

They scrambled over their words and said, "oh we didn't mean you!".

I then said, "then who do you mean since we are the only Americans you know?"

You could hear a pin drop.

My mother quickly changed the subject to avoid any further discord.

She wanted to be friends with them even though I felt it was a complete affront on their part.

My point is : what was the point of the insults? What's the gain?

Some days I just don't 'get the so called "joke".

My guess is that this new TV show will have some backlash.