December 2

11:30 p.m.  I will be at the airport.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!


Ican'twaitIcan'twaitIcan'twait!!!

I'll be taking a few extra days off during the two weeks Lance Criminal
will be home - gotta make some cookies and lasagne and pork roast and steak and Christmas candy...

Quote of the Day

Celia Rivenbark, from "Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits"

"Men get a lot of things wrong, but one thing they all excel in is their absolute total commitment to never adding a bunch of useless crap to their day just because "it sounds cute!"

Chuck Wins!

According to his facebook page, Chuck the dog's travel expenses have been covered, by the folks over at S.W.A.T Magazine.  It'll be tricky getting him through the war zone to the shelter; if they can manage it, he's USA-bound.  Somebody's battle-buddy will have the loving home he has earned.

And on a related note, a plug for one of the other "Big Airlines:"  Tomorrow, American Airlines is transporting (for free) one feline and 14 canine battle-buddies, to the US, for the warriors who love them.  This bunch was rescued with the help of NOWZAD.

By the way, these are not merely strays rescued off the streets, just for the sake of rescue, taking potential homes from American strays.  These animals are already beloved and loyal pets of our own service men, some of whom broke a few rules to keep and transport them.  Kudos to those commanding officers who never saw a thing.

His Name is Chuck

...but when he gets to the US, he will think it's "Ohmygodyou'resocute!" because that's how he'll be addressed.

You all know I already donate regularly to Nowzad and Puppy Rescue Mission, but when I saw this little dude, How could I not click on the ChipIn link?
http://bringchuckhome.info/

 His peeps have been linked up with a number of groups who should be able to help with the logistics; mostly now they just need cash.

The Eyes Have It. Bad News, That Is.

I'm having trouble reading the screen today, because I just got back from another eye exam, this time with dilation.  Yes, I have macular degeneration in both eyes.  A specialist in Indy will call me Monday to schedule an appointment, and I'll bet he doesn't work Saturdays, so BH will have to take a day off work.  Or maybe I can schedule it for when Lance Criminal is home, and he can be my chauffeur.  Yay.  One thing I see clearly is big changes ahead.  I hate to borrow trouble, and who knows how it will progress, but the thought of a future without reading, crocheting, or embroidery, is just plain depressing.

There is one bright spot though ("bright" in a twisted sort of way.)  We are both going to quit smoking when BH moves to Virginia, simply because we can't afford rent and cigarettes, but I was afraid that when we get settled, BH might start again.  Nope.  I can't smoke or be exposed to second-hand smoke.  Huh.  And all these years I've been concerned about heart disease and cancer.  Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Oh.  And hey, Social Security might still exist when I become disabled and can't work!  Gee.  I could also supplement my income by suing restaurants that refuse to admit seeing-eye dogs.  Speaking of which, I guess I should add a seeing-eye dog foundation to my list of weekly charity donations - might improve my chances of getting one when I need one, right?

Who the fuck wrote that last paragraph!?!

236

Umm, no.  I'm not following 236 blogs now.  The Marine Corps is celebrating its 236th birthday today, and I'm giving it a present.  An IOU.  I'm borrowing my son from The Corps for the first two weeks if December!!!!!!

It ain't Christmas, but it'll do.

Hiccup, I Hope

I had my eyes checked today and ordered new glasses.  Oddly enough, I actually like my Wal-Mart Vision Center.  The service is really good, and that's where my insurance sends me.  Of course I need a a slightly stronger prescription, but the price was right.  Same frames, same no-line lenses, 100 bucks cheaper than last time.  The hiccup is a slight abnormality in my right retina.  I am way too young for macular degeneration, I have NOT been hit on the head recently (or ever, come to think of it) and I don't have any signs of glaucoma.  Scaring myself shitless  reading on the internet wasn't very helpful. Apparently, sometimes it has no explanation at all, but there is a theory that it could be an immune response.  Funny, they have that same theory about fibromyalgia.  {Of course, my rheumatologist doesn't "like the word 'fibromyalgia.'"  I'm sure she would prescribe sleeping pills; no doubt I'm merely stressed out and it's all in my head.  (Are you sensing a little bitter venom here?)  OK.  Getting off the soapbox now.}

Anyeyeball, I'm going back Saturday so the optometrist can dilate my eye and get a better look.  She wants me to see a "real" eye doctor ASAP.  I told her about our upcoming insurance change, and she said do it now!  BH checked in with the Big Airline, though, and his new/old insurance kicks in on day one, with no restrictions on pre-existing conditions.  If there's a problem, we won't go broke.


Heh heh heh.  Tomorrow I get to tell Maxine I'm experiencing some distortion in my vision.  Should I do it first thing, or wait until we're cruising down the highway at 60 mph?

141

Dang!  No wonder I spend so much time online.  I just updated my blogroll - I'm now following 141 blogs!  "Get a life!" you say?  Nah, this is way more fun!

He Got The Call

The Big Airline called Better Half this afternoon, and offered him his old job back.  It's been almost 9 years.  He will probably report to the East Coast near the end of December.  What with his probationary period, then buying a house, I should probably be able to (just barely) finish out the school year next spring on the bookmobile.

Helloooooo flight benefits!


(Not that we'll be visiting Lance Criminal any time soon - he expects to deploy early next year.  He just joined his new unit last week.)

Common Ground?

Interesting article on Business Insider today.  Once again, liberal and conservative people aren't as far apart as the politicians want them to think they are.  Here are five real-life ideas that could solve a lot of problems for all of us*:


http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-how-the-tea-party-can-agree-with-occupy-wall-streets-demands-2011-11

http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4e7b60d169bedd744100003e-400-300/more-from-the-christian-science-monitor.jpg

It ain't quantum physics, here.



* except the banksters, the "predators-incorporated," and the politicians.