Nails Came With Good Listening..............by Diane Ogden

The man that does my nails is Billy.  He is from Viet Nam and on occasion he tells me some amazing stories.  I blogged about the time he told me about the ghosts in the trees tops.  There were so many killed in the war that on certain lands where fighting was dense, the tree tops are full of spirits.  Must be that some don't know how to move onto the light or how to move on period.  Billy was a person with the ability to see those passed on young men who fought that war and died.  And he was only a young boy scared of trees from then on. Who wouldn't be if they saw a bunch of white misty soldiers hanging around in the tree tops.  The young boy is trying to walk home and suddenly he see's aboritions.  No not abortions....I just cant spell it so sound it out thanks. 

  
Today we were laughing about a lady who comes to his business and drinks too much and doesn't make good decisions regarding much of anything.  She brings a flask of vodka everywhere she goes.  Worse yet she is a small town school bus driver.  I swear I about fell off my swivel chair.  And yes I may do some turning donkey (ass) in.  Billy is a good businessman and farmer and felt he probably shouldn't have discussed a client, which he never does any other time. 

After he confessed to not usually discussing clients, we moved onto me telling a couple stories.  Nothing serious until I inquired about whether someone should co-sign for another when the person is truly in need of help.  Billy sat up stiff, rolled his chair back, then forth, then said, "In VietNam there are Two Important Life Rules.  One is never to introduce a love to anyone because you will be the fault person when it doesn't work out.  And Two is to never co-sign for anyone for anything.  Like those were Viet Nam Laws. I am talking stiff laws not to be broken.

An interesting and informative day so far. 
Leaving me with a bitch of a decision.  I bet you get it?  No not whether to carry a flask of vodka and drive a school bus, as that was not me!! No, it was whether to break one of those VietNam Laws or not. Yet still not as bad as the vodka toting client who loaned the man $30,000 to become part of a business that wasn't even his, for her only to find out he gave her bogus contracts printed off the internet and she bought it hook line and sinker and lost him and her $30,000.00 and said bogus business.  My life is good.  Laters.............  
photo from: www.travel.nationalgeographic.com 

Me and a Tree!........................by Diane Ogden

       When people are packed up by moving companies they are not allowed to  have their plants packed up. Obviously!  Sooo, I got the tree from my clients home and I couldn't be happier considering large tree's in nice pots cost a considerable amount of money.  The drawback is the availability of transporting such a large item without an open top truck.  I have a truck with a moon-roof, but not a tree-roof for sure.  That was not going to deter me from getting my tree home!  I called the lady upstairs and asked to borrow her heavier than cement dolly.  No clue how I got that "piggy" into my back seat floor but I did.  I was born with determination which is the only reason I am still alive for sure.  Back to the tree.  My work helper carried it down a flight of stairs and around the yard to my truck with no tree-roof.  She weighs a whole 115 lbs. We viewed the situation and decided to put the pot in through the side door, then I held it while she ran around to the back and slid it to the farthest part of the truck with no tree-roof.

At that time I got into my truck with no tree-roof hole, and sat among the leaves all about my head and shoulders! 

And then I drove home.  I figured I could slide it out the back and onto the ground or dolly.  Notsomuch.  I couldn't even budge it.  I texted my trusted neighbor friend upstairs on first floor.  She said, "Give me two minutes!"  She who weighs probably 90 lbs. lifted that almost 7' tree out of the truck and that is when it started to tip over and out of the pot.  Except I caught it.  She sat it down on the dolly leaning the weak side against the back, as she crouched down in the center of the branches holding them in place.  It was a sight.  Then into the elevator!  A must see!

Then out and down the hall into my abode where she tied it to the upstairs second floor neighbors dolly.

 

It shall sit in the sun room until my daughter comes this week and moves her belongings out to her new home. At that time, the tree and me will find a permanent place for it.  I just hope Bob Ogden (the cat) doesn't try to climb it. omg.  If that happens the dolly will fall on Bob Ogden and kill him and I wont have half the problems I do now from rescuing him.  Okay I don't mean it.  Sort of. 

 

Laters..............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack or Joe, Joe or Jack?.........by Diane Ogden

 

 

Okay so one of these is Jack Nicholson and the other is my Dad Joe barely out of the anesthesia after a kidney surgery.  I just had to  document this somewhere for future giggles.  Dad is gone now after cancer took over his body.  Been 13 months but I have many pictures to remind me how funny he could be.   We as people are way too dang serious way too dang much of the time.  Including myself. 
Haven't been blogging much lately because I have been way too serious about this serious life.
Working on finding my sense of humor that got run over by a truck, stepped on with stiletto's, shot at, chit on, and then buried alive,  but it "aint" dead, just crawlin' its way back out.  Laters......

photo from:www.dreamstime.com

I Saw Elvis outside the Grocery Store Today........by Diane Ogden

I always try to go shopping before noon on Sunday to miss the rush.  The rush of the church goer's of all colors and faiths.  The non white church goer's are fun and enjoyable because they dress for Jesus!  From the babies to big boys, all decked out in the finest colors, materials, hats, bows, ties, and best of all shoes shined to the moon and back.  But I still try to beat even that rush.  And I am talking a rush of all meanings because they make me happy too. 

Today was an odd day.  I should have checked the moon and such because while walking thru the store I noticed people's faces.  Not that I never notice faces but today was totally unusual.  If I had ever wanted to be able to pull out my camera it was today.  But who can do that in the middle of the store, go to shooting pics of people that know what your doing!!  Why?  Because to day was face making day.  I saw one man with his face so scrunched up while he was self checking out I actually couldn't read it.  His face that is.  He was mad, confused, sick, frustrated, and looked like Jack Nicholson after a few too many and without the smiley smirk. 

Then there were the little old ladies that looked so lost I wondered how they would find their way home.  Or even outta there.

 So right away I prayed that wont happen to me. 

Children were making sounds that were not human.  One father was pushing a cart with a seat for his 8-9 year old son.  He was driving that thing like a maniac.  Or least a race car driver......weaving in and out of other carts.  After he passed another man pushing his son appropriately toward me I pretended I had a steering wheel in my hand and I was swerving around like the man and boy with the kid carrier cart.  He laughed at me and probably went home and told his wife he saw a crazy lady at the store driving her cart like a race car.  Naw he knew I was mocking the racer man.  Jerk he was for sure.  The faces were unsure, sad, insecure, mad, sick, and just plain ornery too.   Only a few smiled today. 

Next time I am going later so I can see the other color folks cause they are always happy.  Even though they are louder than loud, holler at their youngen's all through the store,  park right in front for an hour waiting for each other, but all in all they "is" happy. 

 

Okay so I am finished shopping and still upset I couldn't pull out my camera when I walk outside toward my new used vehicle.  And low and Lord behold, there he was in living God color sitting right next to my new used truckie, in his big old truck with sideburns the size of Texas and fat and low as old Mexico!  Oh and black as the ace of spades.  His hair that is.  Big hair, tall hair.  O M G I would have given a weeks wages to have been able to pull out my camera on this one.  Elvis was sitting ten feet from my being and I couldn't get a photo.  My mind raced as to how I could sneak one in.  Wasn't a way!  He was a big one too....a big Elvis.  Big truck, big hair, big man, big!  It was at that point I knew there had to be astral things going on up there.  Seriously what would a man that looked like that do for a living?   Dentist - notsomuch.  Nurse - no, no, no.  Computer tech - NO WAY!  Dancer - hum maybe, "Elvis the Pelvis."   Salesman - notachance.  Farmer - Could be.  Construction - possibly but nawh.  Bartender!  Bingo betcha. Or a Bouncer, that's it!  Whatever, he knew I was starring at him and he never smiled or flinched.  He was parked in HANDICAPPED.  Maybe not a bouncer or maybe an illegal one.

 I may have to invest in a mini camera so I can catch some of these amazing shots.  This photo was the closest one I could find to what he looked like.  Only FULLER sideburns. Made my day I tell ya.  I needed a laugh and I got one or more. Maybe this was one of those "You had to be there ones."

Laters......

photos from: roogirl.com    and   crownsmusical.eventbrite.com   and my personal web cam

 

Shawn Christian of DOOL's ......by Diane Ogden

I have been watching Days Of Our Live's for thirty some years... Could be more but I'm not sayin'.  I enjoy it because it makes my life look more wonderful than it is.  Although myself and the soap opera do have several things in common such as, marriages, (mine have been kept to a minimum of 3.5 not counting affairs) children, (oh yes!) Grandchildren, (oh yes!)  prison time, (well not me anyway thank God and myself) and no murders or kidnapping or buried alive chit!  And no blackmailing that I can recall.  Just kidding.  So what's my point?  Every evening when I watch Shawn Christian on DOOL I miss my son who could be his twin or at least his brother by appearance.  It is uncanny.  My son is Kyle Cody Ogden who moved to Los Angeles about eleven years ago per the advice of The Rock Agency of Madison, Wisconsin.  And yes he ended up living in his car for a time.  Broke his leg "WINNING" a bull riding contest.  Thank the Lord and his girlfriend at the time for nursing him back to health.  The next girlfriend obligingly took the cat I quilted him into taking to Cali with him considering he had taken on that responsibility.  (O M G What was I thinking??)  Cat got sick and cost a half a mill.  He also took his snake Jake along who got stuck up and under his truck cab frame that had to be taken apart at which time Jake got injured, had to go to Veterinarian at a $1,500 charge.   Up and coming actors cant Veterinarian charges and Veterinarian  wouldn't set up payment arrangements  nor give the pet snake back.  Good girlfriend at the time stepped up and visited Veterinarian as a stranger pretending to want to adopt said snake.  Vet let her adopt and home Jake came. A WIN! Then he and his girlfriend found a Chihuahua dog!  Peanut! They tried to find its owner to no avail. Cody rode his bike while Peanut rode in Cody's backpack.  When the man woman relationship went south she kept the cat and Peanut.  Thank God again. Then his truck died.  Cody is a carpenter who owns his own business called Helpful Hands Handyman Service, therefore having no truck is a disaster.  (Before he left Wisconsin he was hit by an undercover police officer and an ATT Phone Truck.  Yup sandwiched in his vehicle between them on an icy bridge.  The undercover cop didn't even give true information at the site.  Then the City and ATT brought in fancy schmancy big corporate attorneys.  There we sat like hicks from Hicksville with our one attorney against a room full of pretty blue suits and intimidating tall men who won. Well they gave Cody less than what his medical bills came to so his credit went to poop.($14,000 of which attorney got $8,000) And after the decision they all laughed and shook hands just like it was a football or baseball game.  It was. Except Cody has lifelong rotor cuff pain.  Sound like a soap opera? Oh yes and I have surely left things out on purpose.  I shared that story because that is why he couldn't go buy a truck. Medical bills killed his credit.  At this time my Father passed away and knowing Cody's plight he left his old truck to my son who truly needed it.  There was another reason my Father did this.  He told me a story about how his Grandpa Joseph Heiny gave him a car when Dad was around 18.  He told me he didn't really appreciate it like he should have and had regretful feelings about that fact until he was 86.  I believe giving Cody the 1998 truck with 60,000 miles on it (in 2012) was Dad's way of making KARMA right with his Grandfather back in 1944. Now...where was I?  Oh yes, Shawn Christian and Cody Ogden - brothers??  Maybe I will have to write the writers of DOOL's and or Ellen DeGeneres.  Oprah isn't up there doing favors anymore.   Cody goes to acting class every week.  Does auditions.  Has been an extra in a few movies, done a few small commercials...but hey time to move on up to the East Side!  Let me know what you think?   Maybe I should move to L.A. and become his agent.  Mother's get the job done for sure!

  Betcha cant tell which is Shawn Christian and which is Cody Ogden! Heads up DOOL!!

Treasure Hunting....................by Diane Ogden

Today I had a day off.  That is a rare happening so I decided to go treasure hunting.  No not garage sales, rather antique stores.  I only made it to one but that was enough. I found several items I wanted but only purchased two.  I take photos when I shop.  Photos of things I want, find attractive, or merely like the way the display is set up.  This was my purchase:  Well half of it anyway. 

I purchased the Bell Glass but not the base as both would have broke the budget bank.  I have the little glass bottles that are inside this gorgeous piece.  Now I shall search for a base.  Then I ran across a wire basket which I hung in my boudoir but have not perfected what to put in it yet.  I placed the dried roses from my #3 son I saved from Mother's Day 2010 or 11 not sure.   A green pearl clutch purse, one of my Victorian hand made door hangers, (the oval peach piece) An antique photo frame, and a velvet dragonfly pillow, until I find something better.  It needs some taller pieces....

 

 

The rest of the photos are fun photos.  Since I was a small child I have wanted a merry go round horse (Big one) for my living room or setting room.  The one I saw I would buy and re-do for my Grand daughters room.  I would do it all in ivory and pinks with gold edgings. 
I emailed the photo to me but it seems to be taking days to arrive via Samsung Galaxy III.

I got tired of waiting for the real photo and found this online!  It sold for $22,000.00!!

Now that is a treasure.  I still want one. 

So until I find something funny, happy, or interesting.....be Safe, be Well, be Happy, and get rich like me so you can buy some of your dreams.  Like a $22,000.00 merry go round horse!  I would do it too!
Later's....

Civil War Spirits in the Living Room...............by Diane Ogden

Today I took on a special job for an old friends friend.  And it is Saturday, what was I thinking?  After speaking the initial YES I CAN DO THAT, I had to find someone to help me DO THAT.  Low and behold the name of Danielle is the person that came through for me and my friends friends. She would be my Granddaughter. So.... Here's the deal.  My friends friend rented a house in town for 8 weeks at an exuberant price. (Personally I would demand and refund and go to a Hotel with a pool) It seemed to fit her and her children's needs as well as it is very quaint indeed.  Four bedrooms, one being on the top floor with a balcony and view of the fairy gardens out back.  Or gargoyle gardens, take your pick.

Glass bottles with other glass bottles atop them adorned the shelves as well as at least a hundred smooth rocks and iron birds, shells, pottery, silver do da days, candles, and many  statutes of women from other countries and dimensions I would say.  Glass frogs...too.

Every bed was adorned with a feather mattress!  No chitski really.  Artwork and family photos were everywhere.  There wasn't a nook or cranny with nothing in it.  Nor a wall with nothing on it.  Lamps from another time and place dotted the entire house.  Green Antique wicker love seat and chairs took over the glassed in front porch with an antique flowered rug runner from the 30's-40's.  And more statues.  The floors were all old oak that needed refinishing.  An old claw foot tub someone tried to paint but the paint shall find its way into someone's donkey (ass) if they aren't careful as it is chipping badly.  It was a hell of a job in every sense of the word.  Fans full of dust, photos full of dust, every glass bottle, rock and statue full of dust.  Dust under over and in everything.

 In the living room I sensed men from the Civil War.  More than one spirit was hanging around in that room.  They were not bothering me and I didn't feel they wanted to bother anyone.  They just wanted to be there.  I believe they had attached themselves to some of the artifacts in that room.  I also felt someone hiding.  Like in wartime the house hid people. Or just hid people from the public.  I just knew this. I was raised in Texas therefore I studied Texas State History, not Wisco State History.  It's neither here nor there as I believe as I said that these men had attached themselves to something in the room.

I was working in the kitchen putting dishes away when I opened the silverware drawer and what to my surprise .......a little fat gray MOUSE slowing scampered away from me across the eating utensils!  I proceeded to scream, and scream and scream.  I am sure he pooped himself from fear of me.  I did not do likewise but I did scream and scream and scream all the way outta the kitchen. I am dang surprised my heart didn't attack me!  I stood in that old dining room jogging in one spot still making mouse reactive noises.  I finally finished my mouse act and wandered back in the kitchen. I never did clean the toaster or toaster oven cause those critters like the crumbs in there.  (Okay so he wasn't as cute as this lil one I found on google) My mouse was old and fat and dirty and yukkie! 

So after 4.5 hours of dust and grease and mirrors ands gargoyles and Nickie knacks of the antique and soul journey nature pieces such as rocks, we finished!!  Yes finished.  Now all I needed was a good long hot shower.  Pretty sure none of those Civil War guys followed me home. I'm not into that.....

So until I find something funny or interesting.  Be well, Be safe, Be happy, and get rich even though it wont protect you from MOUSES! I will pay for THERAPY!   Laters