Commercials! And Other Stuff

Along the Kern River at Hart Park

Thanks for your responses to my request.  Commercials can be so wonderful - consider the Super Bowl phenomenon!  But more often than next they're guaranteed to make you reach for the remote.  I think our local commercials are the worst but some of the nationals are pretty bad, too.  The silliest ones are for "enhancements," Zestra and Cealis (sp) are the worst, especially the folks sitting in bathtubs out in the middle of a cornfield!

We tend to like the ones with animals, but my favorite is the baby stockbroker in the crib.  He's in trouble because he tried riding the dog and mom took his laptop away. It's very clever and the baby is adorable. I can't begin to tell you the name of the brokerage house, though!
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Have any of you seen DIY "I Hate My Kitchen?"  Well, that's how we feel about this mess.  My former son-in-law gutted our kitchen at our previous house, put in all new cabinetry, new counter tops, new appliances, etc. It was gorgeous!  So moving in here, with the pretend wood paneling was disheartening, to say the least!

My present son-in-law finished the new cabinet fronts for the kitchen. (My daughter has kept the cabinet shop open). As I've been peeling away layers, there are at least two different types of wallpaper involving ugly little red teacups and orange flowers.  They previous owners left a lot of wallpaper that they'd used in the den.  It's not bad - better than the fake paneling for sure!  It looks kind of like grass cloth which I've always liked and it's back in style again.  So I tried papering over the ugly mess of teacups.  It looked pretty good for awhile - until it started peeling off.  So, I tried glue.  Nope, didn't work, either.

So, our SIL is going to put new backing up which we can either tile over or paint.  Instead of dark pretend paneling, it will be crisp and light!  I can hardly wait!  A couple of years ago we bought all new appliances but the kitchen still looks shabby.  We replaced the indoor-outdoor carpeting which was in all the bathrooms and kitchen.  Who wants carpet in the bathroom?  YUCK.  Painting over the pretend paneling is hard work.  It takes 2-3 coats of Kilz and you've got to get in all the little grooves which eats up paint brushes like crazy.

Next, we'll replace the counter tops which are laminate butcher block - charming - with a newer grade of laminate that really doesn't look too bad.  But that will have to wait a bit.  Doing things in bits and pieces has driven me crazy.  I want to wiggle my nose and just make it all happen, but I haven't had any luck in that department!

Anyhoo, I'll be happy just to get this part finished.  One step at a time...Patience.

Where Did Summer Go?

I wish I could say I took this photo, but I'm using the PC instead of my laptop and haven't moved my photos over here.  Can't honestly say I know how!  My old reliable VAIO is about ready to bite the dust.  It takes me ten minutes for it to open, and I get a Shockwave crash notice everytime I try to do anything!  The PC loads really fast but my back can't take too much of this chair.

I have no news - good or bad - which is of itself good news.  It's been hot but tolerable.  The cooler has cut our bills in half since we're not having to use the A/C.  We had a few really humid days so we cranked it up then but not enough to hurt the wallet.  It's so nice to be cool and not quaking in fear of seeing the next electric bill!

We're having trouble with feral cats.  Some sweet little old guy across the street feeds them.  They have one litter after another, and it breaks my heart.  The problem is they drive my dogs nuts.  They walk the fences tormenting them and sit outside the fence or sliding glass door and stare at the dogs.  The worst part of it is when my birds see them.  Good gravy!  Our Nanday Conure (parrot) is so loud I'm sure everyone in the park can hear him!   And I'm not just whistling Dixie!  It's like an air raid siren going off...  So it falls on us to keep the zoo quiet so we don't disturb our neighbors, even though it's the cats' fault!  I'm going to call the "Cat People," and see if they trap and release or will take them and find families for them.  I wish people would be responsible pet owners.  Sheeesh.

So how is everyone surviving the political mess?  I watch as much on TV as I can stomach, then find something else to do.  I have gotten so mad I've actually thrown stuff which scared the dogs to death.  As Glenn Beck says, I have blood shooting out of my eyes!  In today's newspaper there was a blurb that LA voters will have to vote on a bill making porn producers provide condoms for their "performers."  Now, isn't that just ducky.  I will admit I saw a smattering of an X-rated flick and had to bleach my eyes.  But waste time and money for a bill?  ARGHHH. 

I don't have a clue who I will back in the elections.  They start so soon that everyone is absolutely sick of politics - it's no wonder they can't get people to show up at the polls.  I don't really like anyone running so far.  Perry reminds me of a used car salesman - there's just something about the guy I don't like.  Have to wait and see how many skeletons start popping out of closets.  

I have homework for you all.  I really enjoy Sandee's Wednesday post where she posts a question.  I have one for you.  What is your favorite current commercial and your least favorite?  I'll post mine after you all post yours. 

Happy Wednesday!