http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php babblings ! en graphico@graphicoriginals.com Copyright 2008 2008-08-29T02:00:43 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=76&c=1 2008-07-28T14:15:27 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) General 76@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php He just returned from over seas like he was Condoleezze Rice. I strongly object to him making a foreign tour like he was the President, Vice-President or an Ambassador. He is a United States Senator, not a foreign representative. How dare he go to any other country than as a tourist? How is he doing the job he was elected for? what about his home state? I wonder how they feel about an absentee senator during this whole joke of a campaign. http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=75&c=1 2008-07-28T14:11:30 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) Movie Reviews 75@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php Wow! what a pure delight. Jerry took me to it as a surprise for our anniversary. We also ate at Buca di Beppo which they said meant 'Joe's Basement'. It was a visual clash of very kind of slock decor you could imagine in a basement-mirrored walls, garish statues, wonderful photographs, adverts. Low ceilings, tiny rooms like a rabbit warren but I did not have any discomfort because there were doorways and exits everywhere. Good food; we will be going back. But the movie-it was hard not to sing or hum along but I didn't as we were in a theater. I can't wait for the DVD to come out so I can watch it again and again and sing along. It was so good. The songs were wonderful and I had no idea Meryl Streepe had such a beautiful voice. Her range was quite broad. Pierce Brosnan did a fine job in his own right and we love Julie Waters in anything. The group songs were fun and the whole movie was a visual delight. I hope it wins some awards as it was truly an entertainment success. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson sure know how to spot them! http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=74&c=1 2008-03-28T10:16:51 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) General 74@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php Jerry gave me a power washer for my 62nd birthday-what a blast!! (pun totally intended!) It's amazing what it can do. He said the salesman talked him out of buying a cheaper one because it was returned a lot and was just not powerful enough. He suggested the gas one and that is what he bought. It's a Troy built from Lowe's. I cleaned off the driveway first-used detergent (Simple Green) and let it set about 15 minutes before I started cleaning it. It looks new again and did not lift any of the paint. The concrete edgers I blasted back to white-they were covered with black mold. Some were new and some old; now they all look alike and CLEAN. I then did the side walk the next day and most of the back patio. It took a while because the mold was really into the pavers. But now they are like new and really look nice. The washer was powerful enough to weed between the pavers too. Monday I did the lanai. Wow! it usually takes me a couple of hours to wash everything and get the floor clean. I spent about 20 minutes and just kept pushing the puddle of black water out the door until it was clean. They did not put in a drain hole so it puddles all along the front of the lanai. Jerry had come home about half way through and filled up the gas tank and moved it for me and then took off the hose when I was done. Now just have the side walk by the cactus garden and the curved edgers around the new palm bed. Shouldn't have to do it very often to keep up and it will be a back and forth wash instead of having to spend so much time blasting the ground in stuff. Janice says she needs to borrow it! With hers, she took 15 hours to do her deck. With this one, and since they do not let it get really bad, an hour or so should do it. What a neat present!!
I then did the side walk the next day and most of the back patio. It took a while because the mold was really into the pavers. But now they are like new and really look nice. The washer was powerful enough to weed between the pavers too.

Monday I did the lanai. Wow! it usually takes me a couple of hours to wash everything and get the floor clean. I spent about 20 minutes and just kept pushing the puddle of black water out the door until it was clean. They did not put in a drain hole so it puddles all along the front of the lanai. Jerry had come home about half way through and filled up the gas tank and moved it for me and then took off the hose when I was done. Now just have the side walk by the cactus garden and the curved edgers around the new palm bed.

Shouldn’t have to do it very often to keep up and it will be a back and forth wash instead of having to spend so much time blasting the ground in stuff.

Janice says she needs to borrow it! With hers, she took 15 hours to do her deck. With this one, and since they do not let it get really bad, an hour or so should do it. What a neat present!!]]> http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=73&c=1 2008-03-17T16:42:29 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) General 73@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php I've done it. I made up my mind to do a new quilt for our bed that will go with the permanent things in our room; like the window valances, border paper, dust ruffle and canopy valance and wreath. After talking to Lynn at Old Green Cupboard, I asked Susan to pick out my colors for an Ohio Star based king-size quilt. She did a great job. I had taken in pieces of everything in the room so she had the correct colors to work with. It was $164.00 and will probably be another $200 to get the batting and have it quilted. I will gladly pay them to use their long arm Gammel to quilt it! Now I am timid about starting to cut all this beautiful material! I know I have extra because I bought extra-enough to make pillow shams but still. I will do it with my rotary cutter because that gives excellent edges and is easier. Plus it should be faster. I think I will do it on the kitchen counter so I don't have to lean over--you are not supposed to do it sitting as there is no way to exert the proper pressure or have the reach. We'll see. Yesterday was my birthday and Jerry went way overboard. On Saturday, he brought home Applebee's steak dinner-which is what I asked for. In the morning he gave me a gorgeous, sweet card and candy and more cough drops (since I said I was almost out) and then had me sit with my eyes closed while he brought in the present. It was a power washer! We have been wanting one and I was going to borrow Janice's but now she may borrow ours as it is much more powerful. I talked to Michael and he said to be sure to not do it too hard at first and I will get used to it fast. I just want to clean off the back paving stones and some of the concrete edging, some dirt on the driveway and probably use it to clean out the lanai. We thought we could be real winners when we saw a Craftsman challenge in the catalog because Jerry paid less than the listing but it does not have a special mixing feature so I know that would disqualify us. It's a Troy-built, with a Briggs and Stratton engine so it should last.
Now I am timid about starting to cut all this beautiful material! I know I have extra because I bought extra-enough to make pillow shams but still. I will do it with my rotary cutter because that gives excellent edges and is easier. Plus it should be faster. I think I will do it on the kitchen counter so I don’t have to lean over–you are not supposed to do it sitting as there is no way to exert the proper pressure or have the reach. We’ll see.

Yesterday was my birthday and Jerry went way overboard. On Saturday, he brought home Applebee’s steak dinner-which is what I asked for. In the morning he gave me a gorgeous, sweet card and candy and more cough drops (since I said I was almost out) and then had me sit with my eyes closed while he brought in the present. It was a power washer! We have been wanting one and I was going to borrow Janice’s but now she may borrow ours as it is much more powerful. I talked to Michael and he said to be sure to not do it too hard at first and I will get used to it fast. I just want to clean off the back paving stones and some of the concrete edging, some dirt on the driveway and probably use it to clean out the lanai. We thought we could be real winners when we saw a Craftsman challenge in the catalog because Jerry paid less than the listing but it does not have a special mixing feature so I know that would disqualify us. It’s a Troy-built, with a Briggs and Stratton engine so it should last. ]]> http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=72&c=1 2008-03-10T12:38:52 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) General 72@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php I am furious. We spent $375.00 to have our Sony DVD recorder repaired last October 25 with a new DVD mechanism. I wore it out with all the recording I have done over the years and thought it worth it to repair with Sony parts at an authorized repair center. $100 just to look at it and then the part was over $265.00. Now, after only burning maybe 5 disks, it has failed and we are totally out of luck. The service center won't do anything and Sony customer service says that they have to look at it themselves but we have to pay to ship it to Laredo, Texas for $124.00 plus repairs. So I am done recording on DVD. It has been too much money and I am all the things anyone would be under these circumstances. I am furious that they won't replace this part through the service center, at their cost. Nothing new should fail in 4 months. It seems so typical of things now; integrity is out the window. The up side (one has to see the silver lining) is that I don't have to worry about taking the time to do recording any longer. We have the DVR with the Dish and have lots of space on that. Anything we really like that much we can buy. It just sucks that there are a few things I would like to have on disk that are saved right now but-----whatever!
The up side (one has to see the silver lining) is that I don’t have to worry about taking the time to do recording any longer. We have the DVR with the Dish and have lots of space on that. Anything we really like that much we can buy. It just sucks that there are a few things I would like to have on disk that are saved right now but—–whatever!]]> http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=71&c=1 2007-07-31T08:06:17 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) General 71@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php Well, it's been two weeks now and my knee is still swollen and I can't bend it all the way. I keep doing the ice and am careful, I called Christy today and she is going to check into family medical leave to cover my days. that would be great-then I wouldn't have to withdraw from my 403b to cover those days. I'm just hoping that I can go back to work by then. Today is our 14th Anniversary. Jerry says the new monitor is my anniversary present (HP W1907). It is amazing and he teases me about being on it so much but I'm not on it any more than I was; But.I am seeing ZooTycoon the way it was made to be seen for the first time! Our monitor has been dark for years-probably from the first. Now we'll have to wait for the hazardous waste collection is arranged.
Today is our 14th Anniversary. Jerry says the new monitor is my anniversary present (HP W1907). It is amazing and he teases me about being on it so much but I’m not on it any more than I was; But.I am seeing ZooTycoon the way it was made to be seen for the first time! Our monitor has been dark for years-probably from the first. Now we’ll have to wait for the hazardous waste collection is arranged.

]]> http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=70&c=1 2007-07-24T05:35:17 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) Movie Reviews 70@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php Queen Latifa is misdiagnosed and thinks she has 3 months to live. So, trip to Europe and enjoy food, spa treatments, clothes and daring deeds. But, she finally finds her true love and happiness, on the ledge of a building. Nice movie. http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=69&c=1 2007-07-24T05:33:29 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) Movie Reviews 69@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php This was a surprise. The story was good. The driving incredible. That drifting down the mountain was almost like a ballet. Nice surprise at the end. http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=68&c=1 2007-07-24T05:31:41 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) Movie Reviews 68@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php Robin Williams, Carol Linney, Christopher Walken, Louis Black. A bit too long on the sillies and jokes the first half but then it got really good the second half and ended up well. http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php?p=67&c=1 2007-07-24T05:29:33 Barb (mailto:banovak@email.com) General 67@http://graphicoriginals.com/v-web/b2/index.php Well, I've done it again. I didn't wear my boots for yard work and when I went round the side with the cart to pick up the pond debris, I stepped on the edge of the walk and turned my ankle. I went down like a ton of bricks. It hurt so bad it was nearly unbearable. I was crying out from the pain and gasping-the whole deal-couldn't control myself at all. I went down so fast I wasn't sure what happened at first. Went down on my left knee and then was worried about my hip. Jerry was already mowing the front lawn and couldn't hear me. I guess I was so loud, Linda and Alfie came out to see what was going on. I finally could stop gasping and crying and Alfie and Jerry got me on my feet but it was horrible. My inner thigh muscle (groin muscle) hurt the worst and kept cramping. It was so bad I could do nothing except cry out and grab hold of Jerry. We got into the house but I know I didn't make that much noise when I had Mindy! Took me an hour to go to the bathroom and back-the cramping was horrible. I took 4 Ibuprofen and put ice on my ankle and knee. It was already starting to show color. I used a kitchen chair as a walker but it was very bad. Jerry is in charge of the plant for the next 2 weeks and he absolutely could not take off. I told him I would be fine but didn't know how I would manage the bathroom the next day. I slept in the Lazy-boy-very well actually. The next morning, I was much improved and told Jerry I would go to the bathroom after he left as I didn't want him to hear me and see me in pain. The night before it was awful for him as he could not help me at all. He got me my cell phone, the house phone, my Protonix, some more Ibuprofen, ice for my ankle and knee, the remotes, filled my water pitcher, got me some fruit, some crackers and then had to go. I was amazed that I didn't cramp as I did the night before. It took me half and hour with the chair but I did get to the bathroom all right. It was not too bad considering. I talked to Janice and she came over. She made 2 conference calls and left me to make an appointment at the doctor's for Thursday. She was very concerned about soft tissue damage and x-rays. So I called and got in at 11 AM. She came about 10 and helped me get dressed. By Thursday I was getting to the bathroom in about 15 minutes. It was very easy to get in and out of her car if she helped get my feet in and out. I used a wheelchair for a walker at the doctors. He gave me Rx's for pain and, as I asked him about my blood pressure (150/100 up from the 140/100 it had been since I moved to Florida) and my weight. He said there was nothing for my weight that didn't react with your heart so that lets that out. But he gave me pills for the BP and water retention as well as pain meds. I had to go to Baptist South for x-rays as I am too heavy for the floating table at the doctor's office. So, another trip in and out of the car. On Friday, Dr. Hayes called and said the knee, hip and ankle were fine but there was a tiny fracture at the end of some bone in the ankle (the only place it hurt was when he pressed on the tip of the ankle bone) so I would need and air cast for precaution and see an orthopedic surgeon to check on the fracture. So that meant that the RX and referral were at the doctor's office. Jerry had Robert (Country) pick them up and he stopped on this way home. I checked around on Saturday and the only place to get the air cast was downtown at Preston Pharmacy-they have a medical supply section. It was $44.00!!! I couldn't call for the appointment with the surgeon until Monday and then couldn't get an appointment until August 2nd. I had called CSD to tell them I couldn't be in to work and then called on Monday to speak to Christie personally. I should be ok except for 2 days pay. I will use all my 47.25 PTO hours but that is what they are for. I then have an appointment with Dr. Hayes for August 3rd as a follow up. I have been in the shower twice and can get about all right with a make shift cane but now my left leg is really painful on the shin. I am taking my meds and am eating right too. This is the final wake up call as far as I am concerned. I don't know how the BP medicine (Cozaar) will work for a few weeks. Dr. Hayes wants me to check twice a week; I can do that at Publix for free. What a royal mess. I did make supper last night but it's hard to stay on my feet for long. It's my back that hurts most -I guess from being just that much crooked. We have to postpone our Labor Day trip to Disney. I doubt I will be fully recovered by then. Jerry did manage to get the lawn cut on Sunday. Linda came over and told me not to mess with the pond anymore. Because I was interrupted in picking up the debris, it bleached the grass and now looks worse than the pond. So I guess that is the end of my good deeds as regards the pond.
I finally could stop gasping and crying and Alfie and Jerry got me on my feet but it was horrible. My inner thigh muscle (groin muscle) hurt the worst and kept cramping. It was so bad I could do nothing except cry out and grab hold of Jerry. We got into the house but I know I didn’t make that much noise when I had Mindy!

Took me an hour to go to the bathroom and back-the cramping was horrible. I took 4 Ibuprofen and put ice on my ankle and knee. It was already starting to show color. I used a kitchen chair as a walker but it was very bad. Jerry is in charge of the plant for the next 2 weeks and he absolutely could not take off. I told him I would be fine but didn’t know how I would manage the bathroom the next day.

I slept in the Lazy-boy-very well actually. The next morning, I was much improved and told Jerry I would go to the bathroom after he left as I didn’t want him to hear me and see me in pain. The night before it was awful for him as he could not help me at all.

He got me my cell phone, the house phone, my Protonix, some more Ibuprofen, ice for my ankle and knee, the remotes, filled my water pitcher, got me some fruit, some crackers and then had to go.

I was amazed that I didn’t cramp as I did the night before. It took me half and hour with the chair but I did get to the bathroom all right. It was not too bad considering. I talked to Janice and she came over. She made 2 conference calls and left me to make an appointment at the doctor’s for Thursday. She was very concerned about soft tissue damage and x-rays. So I called and got in at 11 AM. She came about 10 and helped me get dressed. By Thursday I was getting to the bathroom in about 15 minutes. It was very easy to get in and out of her car if she helped get my feet in and out. I used a wheelchair for a walker at the doctors. He gave me Rx’s for pain and, as I asked him about my blood pressure (150/100 up from the 140/100 it had been since I moved to Florida) and my weight. He said there was nothing for my weight that didn’t react with your heart so that lets that out. But he gave me pills for the BP and water retention as well as pain meds. I had to go to Baptist South for x-rays as I am too heavy for the floating table at the doctor’s office. So, another trip in and out of the car.

On Friday, Dr. Hayes called and said the knee, hip and ankle were fine but there was a tiny fracture at the end of some bone in the ankle (the only place it hurt was when he pressed on the tip of the ankle bone) so I would need and air cast for precaution and see an orthopedic surgeon to check on the fracture. So that meant that the RX and referral were at the doctor’s office. Jerry had Robert (Country) pick them up and he stopped on this way home.

I checked around on Saturday and the only place to get the air cast was downtown at Preston Pharmacy-they have a medical supply section. It was $44.00!!! I couldn’t call for the appointment with the surgeon until Monday and then couldn’t get an appointment until August 2nd. I had called CSD to tell them I couldn’t be in to work and then called on Monday to speak to Christie personally. I should be ok except for 2 days pay. I will use all my 47.25 PTO hours but that is what they are for. I then have an appointment with Dr. Hayes for August 3rd as a follow up.

I have been in the shower twice and can get about all right with a make shift cane but now my left leg is really painful on the shin. I am taking my meds and am eating right too. This is the final wake up call as far as I am concerned. I don’t know how the BP medicine (Cozaar) will work for a few weeks. Dr. Hayes wants me to check twice a week; I can do that at Publix for free.

What a royal mess. I did make supper last night but it’s hard to stay on my feet for long. It’s my back that hurts most -I guess from being just that much crooked.

We have to postpone our Labor Day trip to Disney. I doubt I will be fully recovered by then.

Jerry did manage to get the lawn cut on Sunday. Linda came over and told me not to mess with the pond anymore. Because I was interrupted in picking up the debris, it bleached the grass and now looks worse than the pond. So I guess that is the end of my good deeds as regards the pond. ]]>