Monday, February 19, 2007

Couch Blogging

Friday was HWDDD’s birthday. Despite the fact that he is significantly younger than me, the theme for the cake I had made for him was “Older than Dirt”. On the cake was a freshly dug grave, with a shovel sitting beside it. There were bones littered about and tombstones everywhere. I delivered it to his workplace and fled before he came back from lunch. I didn’t have time to take a picture. I wish I had. About 20 minutes later I received a text message that consisted of one word; “Funny”.

Around 3 pm, H’s quitting time, the phone rang. It was H, asking if I wanted to go have a drink to celebrate his birthday. I said it would be awhile before I was finished with the project I was working on, so to go ahead. I asked how he liked his cake and he said he loved it and that I had gotten him “good”. I was relieved.

I eventually made it down to the bar he had chosen. He was having a blast visiting with his friends. I gave him a birthday card from the cats, a popup one that was really cute. He showed it to everyone in the place. The card I gave him was pretty funny. I wish I could scan it and show it to you, but I’m at my dad’s so it’ll have to wait.

We stayed for several drinks. I’m not much of a drinker, but it was really fun. Some of our favorite people were there, Penny McP and her boyfriend, and several others. A very good time was had by all. We were going to go out to dinner, but both of us were full from the drinks, so we went home and had a light supper. Nothing too exciting but H was happy.


Saturday I drove to Absarokee to spend some time with my dad and brother. I’m staying until Wednesday morning. I’d probably stay longer but I need to be back for a board meeting. I am really looking forward to using some of my vacation. I haven’t really had much opportunity since work is so busy, but now that I have an assistant; it should be much easier to take time off.

Yesterday we took a nice long drive. We saw a lot of deer, some wild turkeys, eagles and mountain sheep. The mountains were absolutely beautiful and it wasn’t very windy, which was a nice change of pace. When we got back my brother and I stocked my Uncle John’s house with firewood and I did some cooking.

These Big Horn Sheep were right next to the Stillwater Mining Company Platinum & Palladium Mine, near Nye. The mining activity doesn't seem to have hurt the sheep population.

I'm not sure if you can see the sign on the archway, in case you can't, it says "Y ME".

Today I am getting the full benefit of wireless internet. I have surfed your blogs from the comfort of the kitchen table (it’s nice to be able to keep an eye on what I’m cooking for a change—the family is very thankful) and also from the deck until I froze out. For those of you who are used to lightening fast internet and wireless technology, this probably isn’t very exciting news. But out here in the sticks, this is new and wonderful stuff.

By the way, I am writing this from the comfort of the couch.

Life is good!

28 comments:

mist1 said...

I don't know what I did before wireless. Those were dark days.

Anvilcloud said...

Laptop, wireless, comfort, and scenery: you've got it made in the shade.

Mkelley said...

Mist, eventually we'll even have digital cell service...the mind boggles at the thought.

AC, it's heavenly, I'm a lucky lady.

LittlePea said...

I wish I lived in the sticks- not the cold kind though. I read Crosscreek last year for the first time and I want to live in the swampy sticks surrounded by orange groves. But I'm scared of alligators...this has nothing to do with your beautiful pictures-I just thought everyone should know. I do need fast internet too, though.

Carol said...

Where I live we have no television reception, very poor phone connection, almost impossible to use dial up and no chance in hell of having broadband, wireless or otherwise. I have to drive 7km to get mobile phone reception. I'd be excited, too.

dmmgmfm said...

I did it again, I was on my brother's computer and left a comment under his name. When will I learn. You give a girl all these toys and she can't figure out how to use any of them.

So...

Mspea, I'm scared of alligators too and not too crazy about swamps! I love oranges though!

Carol, I wouldn't mind not having television, but it would be hard not having reliable phone or internet service. I imagine it's really beautiful there, so hopefully it makes up for it.

Pink said...

i just got wireless last month...i love it..

and the cake was genius ;)

Unknown said...

A belated birthday blessing to HWDDD.

Enjoy your stay in Absarokee. The photos are wonderful and drag my heart back to the West. I have never been as far north as Montana (Utah has been my limit) but someday, God willing, perhaps I shall pack up may car and again drive west. It's what my #1 son says I should be doing now.

Anonymous said...

Life in the fast lane....ahhhh.

dmmgmfm said...

Pink, I will be able to come visit more often without worrying about things at work (as much) because I can access my work files online. :-)

Nick, I hope you make it to Montana! You can visit us anytime.

Thanks for the belated birthday wishes. I'll pass them along to HWDDD.

dmmgmfm said...

Butterfly, we might even get a traffic light someday!

Anonymous said...

I hope you enjoy your time off Laurie. And I love your b-day cake idea. Did you make it?

dmmgmfm said...

Naturewoman, I bought the cake at a local store. I like HWDDD too much to bake for him. ;-)

Ur-spo said...

oh, there really are sheep in Montana! I've seen the photos now.
I just hope they don't freeze...

dmmgmfm said...

Ur-spo, do you think we should get them jackets? ;-)

Mary said...

Laurie, your card is the same I'd choose for my husband, morbid but funny! Enjoy your time with your Dad and wonderful brother. I am looking forward to doing the same when the weather in the mid-atlantic region calms down. Use your needed vacation days! I always do...

Bonita said...

We're still wired up here, and our system is as slow as molasses. I can put a name into a search engine, go vaccum, and it still is thinking about where to probe.

dmmgmfm said...

Mary, I've only used a few vacation days in the nearly 3 years I've been in this position. I plan to take quite a lot of time off this spring and summer.

Bonita, the dial-up internet here was nearly that slow. It's like night and day having high-speed wireless. I couldn't access the network at work because I kept getting dropped waiting for files to upload. Now I'm set!

Pam said...

For my 50th my family did the grave stone cake scenario along with all the over the hill additions. I'm glad the cake tasted good, it's look was a bit disconcerting. =)

Glad to see the big horns are flourishing!

dmmgmfm said...

Pam, I didn't get a cake on my 50th, but my co-workers decorated my workspace. It was really cute. There were black streamers all over, balloons and a sign.

It sounds like your family went all out for your 50th. That's so nice. I'm glad the cake tasted good!

H didn't seem creeped out by the old as dirt cake. I thought he might take slight offense, but he didn't. :D

jnuts said...

I envy being able to see wildlife so close up. I saw two dead cats and a pigeon yesterday. Not quite the same.

Anonymous said...

Very nice photos!
And happy birthday to he who doesn't!
Wireless sounds wonderful....maybe someday.

Pink said...

well, Laurie, I'm not sure I'm "happy" for you that you can access your work stuff when you're at home :(

xx

Anonymous said...

In the days before internet, I connected to bulletin boards with DOS and a 2400 baud modem. My first internet connection was CompuServe at 9600 baud. I'm still on dialup, and still leashed to the wall, but 28000 seems smokin' fast to me!

dmmgmfm said...

Jock, I'm sorry you had to see that. I'll keep posting pictures of wildlife for you.

Threecollie, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Good luck getting wireless. It's really handy to have.

Pink, it's a good thing. It really is. It means that I can work from my dad's house. He's sick and it means that I can spend more time with him. It's a very good thing. But thanks for your concern.

steve'swhirlyworld said...

Blogging on a couch...what could be better?

dmmgmfm said...

Steve, the only thing better is deck blogging. Which I plan to do this summer. :)

dmmgmfm said...

Thomas, somehow I missed you...
I think what we had here before was around 28000. It was a bit frustrating for websites but impossible for my work. Since I come to stay with my dad pretty regularly, it really helps to be able to access the network at the office. I can stay longer and get more done and be with my dad. A win-win!