OK, so it's serious - someone's mother is in the hospital, and I'm sure this commenter really does care, but...

When I read something like this:


I just want to SCREAM, and then correct everything.  Apostrophes where they don't belong, apostrophes missing when they should be there,  misspelled words, the wrong words altogether, missing periods, etc.  It pretty much distracts me from what the commenter is actually trying to say.

Filed under: Facebook makes me bite my tongue, usually.

I got an email this morning telling me that my order from Boca Java has shipped.  Yes, the same 4 coffees I got in my trial shipment and in my 2nd shipment, because I never got in there and changed them.  I thought I had 8 weeks.  I changed my delivery frequency to 8 weeks last time, so I should've had another month to pick.  Nope.  Apparently, I also had to change the delivery date.  Why?  8 weeks from the date of my last shipment, Boca Java, is it that hard to figure out?  Seriously?  Why should I have to tell you what date that is?  And, if I really need to tell you, then you should make it very clear, which it is not.

So, I canceled my account.  I'm not incredibly impressed with their coffee anyway.  I mean it's OK, but not worth the hassle of figuring out their delivery thing.  Now if they'd just email me like they're supposed to before they ship my orders:


I copied this directly from the FAQs on the web site.  The customer service representative I spoke to this morning must not have read this, because she tried to tell me I shouldn't have gotten a credit last time, because they're not supposed to send me an email for the first shipment after my trial shipment.  ???  Well, they didn't send me an email this time either, not until after they shipped my order.  I still haven't finished my first order, and I haven't even opened the box from the 2nd one.  At least this time it didn't cost me anything because they applied the credit I got last time.

It was just yesterday that I was talking about coffee preferences, wasn't it?  I kept meaning to go back to Boca Java and either pick different coffees to try or cancel my account altogether.  Except I didn't.  It hadn't been that long, had it?  Then I checked my credit card charges the other day and saw a new charge from Boca Java.  Yep, it's been a whole month and they automatically shipped me the same 4 coffees I already tried - because I never logged in and changed it.

I checked and saw that they were supposed to send me an email letting me know that they were getting ready to ship my next order, but I never got the email.  I checked the spam folder, everything.  So I called customer service.  My order has already shipped, so there's nothing I can do aobut that, but they gave me a credit so I can try the other coffees - as a courtesy because I didn't get the email.  So now I just need to pick some new flavors to try.

Still, how did 4 weeks go by just like that?  How?

My brother has been buying green coffee beans and roasting his own recently. He gave me a couple links, and I thought about buying some green coffee beans of my own - but then I got bogged down in all the choices. How do I figure out which beans I want? Yes, I know, order several and try them, but I didn't. Instead I bought some whole bean organic coffee from the grocery store, and I'm really enjoying that. Also, just yesterday I received my trial shipment of Boca Java coffee. It's roasted when you order it, so it's almost as good as roasting my own, right? I had to choose four to try, but it wasn't quite as hard because there weren't as many to choose from.

Anyway, today I tried the Interactive Coffee Recommender from Caribou Coffee, so I tried it, and came up with:

Your Flavor Profile: Smoky & Robust

Your preference in marshmallows suggests that you like...
A darker roasted quality. Deep, smokey caramel and hints of syrupy-ness.

Your preference in fruit suggests that you like...
Smooth body, almost no snap and a lingering finish. And monkeys

Your preference in wine suggests that you like...
Fruity, pure flavors with a moderate body

Your preference in alcohol suggests that you like...
Sweet, round subtly spicy flavors. And pirates.

Maybe that will help. And I still need to find out if I use my popcorn popper to roast coffee, will I still be able to pop popcorn with it?

They keep telling me on the news that today is the last day to register for the state's Do Not Call list - for this period anyway.   Every time you register, it's supposed to be good for 2 years, but I don't remember when I registered our numbers last.  So I registered all of our phones - home and cell phones.  Otherwise we could have been in danger of dropping off the list, leaving us open to all those irritating calls.

I have to wonder though, why does the list expire?  Shouldn't we just be able to register once, and then if we ever decide we'd actually like to get some calls, we can remove our numbers from the list?  Yeah, like that's ever gonna happen.  No, because of the way it's set up, the telemarketers are hoping we register once and then forget about it, so when our 2 years is up, they can start calling again.

Nope, I think I'll just go randomly register whenever I think about it ...

I went walking this morning, late because it was raining when I got up.  It wasn't really raining hard.  It was the kind of rain that wouldn't have bothered me much if I was already out in it, but I didn't really want to start out in it.  So I waited, and it pretty much stopped.  I checked the weather radar online, and it looked like there was a decent break in the rain, so I got my MP3 player, put on my walking shoes, and went out for my walk.  It was nice, barely misting at all, until about halfway into my walk when it started pouring.  That lasted a couple minutes, long enough to soak me, and then it stopped and went back to the sprinkling/misting.  So I finished my walk, came home and stripped off my wet clothes and got in the shower.

Now I'm out of the shower.  I look outside, and what do you think I see?  Sunshine and blue sky, that's what.  The clouds are moving off. 

I get so tired of the inappropriate use of apostrophes everywhere.  It seems to happen all the time in facebook status updates and comments.  Apostrophes where they don' t belong, missing apostrophes where they should be.  Are people just being lazy?  After all, it's just a quick update, and no one is going to care, right?  Or maybe they really don't know any better and really believe a plural word needs an apostrophe. 

Here's a good one:  "Yep if he aint playing for the Packer's any more who care's if he is retired or not."  (Speaking about Brett Favre, a man with a name that is either spelled wrong or pronounced wrong, which in itself bugs me, never mind that people in Wisconsin just can't shut up about him.)

Assuming ain't is actually a word, which it probably ain't (*grin) we're looking at a missing apostrophe and then some extra ones thrown in to make up for it.  Personally I also would have said he's instead of he is, but I suppose that's a personal choice.  Judging from the rest of the comment, if a contraction had been chosen it would have been spelled hes, of course.

I know, I shouldn't be so picky.  After all, it's great being able to reconnect with so many people on facebook.  I may have stopped writing to my best friend way back in 3rd grade because her letters were so full of misspelled words and grammar mistakes, but I'm all grown up now.  Surely I can handle it.  It's just that sometimes I want to scream!

Let's not even get into people who not only say could of, should of, or would of, but actually type it out for the whole world to read, or at least all their friends.

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• Am I the only one distracted by apostrophes and weird "quoting"? (myventurepad.com)

It seems that no matter where I go, I attract smokers.  I'm wondering if I have an invisible sign hanging over my head that says, "Please come smoke in my face.  I love it so much."  Or maybe I should consider some type of sign - "Smoking STINKS" - "If you're going to smoke, do it elsewhere!!!" - "Blow your smoke on someone who appreciates it!" - something.

Jeffrey and I went to a concert at the county fair yesterday, and of course I was surrounded by smokers.  Not just smokers who light up every once in a while - no I had to have at least one who couldn't go more than five seconds without a lit cigarette in her hand.  Right in my face.

I guess I should just give up and stay home, like some stupid smoker suggested years ago.  It was the 4th of July, and we went to see the fireworks.  We got there early and claimed our spot, in a little patch of grass right next to a sidewalk - we were right on a corner, and there was no room between us and the sidewalk.  There were a few other families there, all with little kids and no smokers!  Then, just as the fireworks were about to start, along comes another family and sets up on the sidewalk.  And the woman promptly starts smoking.  Jeffrey says something to her - we were here, the smoke is bothering my wife - not to mention we had little kids!  What does she say?  "Then she should've stayed home."  Excuse me?  No apologies.  No consideration.  Just I should have stayed home because her nasty habit bothered me - a nasty habit I should have been safe from at least that one time.  I mean who sets up on the sidewalk?  All the other people who were still walking in had to walk in the street.  Yes, the street was closed for the fireworks, but still.  If we had been dumb enough to leave a spot on the grass, that would have been one thing...

Another time I had a smoker show how much she loved hated me.  We lived in an apartment with a pool.  Late in the season there weren't too many people using the pool.  They'd open it but leave all the lounge chairs stacked, so you had to get your own if you wanted to use one.  I went out - had the entire pool to myself.  I grabbed a lounge chair and put it right next to the stack of chairs.  There was no room for another chair on either side of me.  The entire rest of the pool was open and available.  If anyone else came along, they could take a lounge chair and go anywhere - except next to me.  So, this woman comes out - and she starts moving the entire stack of chairs.  These are pretty hefty lounge chairs, and there are quite a few in the pile - that stack was not easy to move.  But she kept at it until she had enough room to fit a chair in between the stack and my chair.  She settled in and promptly lit a cigarette.  What in the world?  I did not know this woman.  It did not occur to me that she hated me so much that she just had to be right next to me to smoke.   When the entire rest of the pool was available!  It must have been my invisible sign.  If I could only get rid of it.

Or if smokers would realize how nasty and disgusting their habit is and put a little effort into being considerate - it wouldn't have taken nearly as much effort for her to go smoke on the other side of the pool or at least on the other side of the stack so there was something between me and her smoke.  And couldn't the fireworks woman have tried a little harder to find other smokers to sit by, instead of setting up camp next to a bunch of non-smokers?

I hate being forced to breathe their stinking smoke, but I don't think I should have to stay home to avoid it.  Who decided only smokers are allowed to go out and have any kind of fun?  Who decided I have to become a smoker to go out in public? 

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• Ugh! (alwaysbcmom.com)

My Mammaw died last night.  I'm not exactly sure how to feel.  Yes, it's sad.  She was my last grandparent, and she was a really special lady.  It seems like I should say I'm going to miss her, but she wasn't a big part of my life.  Does that sound bad?  I loved her.  I know she loved me.  Growing up we saw her once or  twice a year.  There were a couple summers I got to spend a couple weeks at her house, and she did her best to spoil me rotten, because that's the kind of Mammaw she was.

Then they moved to Texas, and while I realize Texas isn't on the other side of the world or anything, we never went to visit, and they never came back.  Except there was that one time when my nephew Jesse was a baby, but that was before I had kids.  My Mammaw never met my kids.  I sent her some pictures when they were little, and I know she loved them even though she'd never met them, and she would have loved to spoil them rotten, too.  But she never got the chance.

. . .

I'm not accomplishing anything today.  I just feel extra tired - kind of like I'm getting a cold, and I can't get motivated to move.  I'm tempted to just curl up on the couch and read this book ruthette  says I should read.  I thought I had read it a long time ago, but now I don't think so.  There are just so many good books waiting to be read and not enough time to read them all...

I'm also tired because because I got home and got to bed later than usual last night - but it was worth it.  I won two passes for an advance screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, so Cory and I went to that.  We got to the theater about 3 hours before the movie, so I took the book to read in line, but didn't get to it.  We just ended up talking to the people in line with us.  Anyway, it was all worth the wait because we got great seats and the movie was AWESOME!  It was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.  Speaking of books, I really, really want to re-read all the Harry Potter books - and a few other series, too - but right now mainly Harry Potter.  Before seeing this movie Cory re-read every one of the books, up to HBP, and watched all the movies.  I wish I had time for that!  Maybe by the time this comes out on DVD?

I just finished eating a piece of toasted Whole Wheat Sourdough. It was so good I got to thinking that I could live on this bread. Seriously - so good.

That's when this verse popped into my head:

and that got me to thinking about how Jesus is the 'true bread from heaven'
Which brings me back to: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' Yes, the bread is important and life-giving - but it's not the only thing.  Jesus came to reveal the Father, not to found a new religion based on himself -  not bread alone.

July 1st and I had to wear long pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt when I went walking this morning!  It definitely does not feel like July, but I'm not complaining.  I actually like the cooler weather - or at least cool enough that everyone else in the house isn't clamoring for the air conditioning to be turned on.  We had some heat and humidity last week, so we did have the air on from Monday night until Saturday night.  I kept watching the weather, waiting for the cool down so we could turn it off and open the windows.  But today - so far no open windows.  We did have our bedroom window open overnight - for the cat because she likes to sit in it.  Also, I don't mind pulling all the covers up and snuggling under the comforter when it's actually cool.  I just don't think I should have to when my house is being artificially cooled.

I'm taking advantage of the cool weather and cooking a turkey today.  When the weather's hot, I hate to turn the oven on, so it's nice not to have to worry about that.  It's been in there for about an hour and a half, and it's already smelling good in here!

I also switched walking shoes today.  I meant to do it last month, but I didn't think about it until a few days into the month.  While I realize I could do it at any time, the first of the month just seemed like a good time, and I couldn't bring myself to change in the middle.  Yeah, I'm weird like that.   My old walking shoes had 500 or so miles on them, so I figured it was time for a new pair.  They're not completely new, since they're the shoes I've been wearing with my jeans, etc. for a while now, but they don't have all that many miles on them.  My old walking shoes get to be the everyday shoes now.  They still have some life left in them if I use them that way.

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• I'm Wearin' My Socks (alwaysbcmom.com)

To the person who designed my shower drain: You are an idiot.

I know I've mentioned this before, but it just gets so frustrating. Hair in the shower is a fact of life. Do I want it going down the drain where I can't get to it? Where it clogs my drain up? NO! But that is exactly what happens with this drain. Obviously the company did not think things through when they agreed to manufacture and sell this drain - or maybe they're just in cahoots with the companies that make drain cleaners.

If we ever have to build a new house, I will be paying closer attention to the drains, faucets, and everything else that goes into the bathrooms. It won't be like this time when we just took what they gave us, assuming that it would work. Seriously, the contractor does not care whether or not your bathroom shower works well or not. All he cares about is getting the house built as cheaply as possible and getting paid, and hopefully making a profit. I'm guessing they hope you devote all your attention to picking out the towel racks, lighting, and other bathroom accessories so they can sneak in the cheapest fixtures possible.  Don't let them get away with it - or your drain will be running slow all the time like mine.

I was reading yesterday when I happened to glance down at the library receipt I've been using as a bookmark.  My name wasn't on the receipt - the book was checked out to my friend flowerppot  - and it was due last Friday, the 12th. 

Because I occasionally check books out for Peggy, I have her library card on my keyring along with mine.  I thought I was always careful to check my own books out with my card and hers with hers, but obviously I got them mixed up this time, and didn't realize it.  I've been checking my account online to see what was due and when, but never thought to check hers.  Oops. 

Cory had a volunteer appreciation thing at the library last night, so I sent the book with him to return, but first I put a hold on it because I wasn't finished!  Cory returned the book and paid Peggy's my fine.  It didn't actually cost him anything because he has a fine amnesty card he got at last year's volunteer appreciation dinner, so he put it on that.  It's going to expire next month and he's barely used it anyway, and he got a new one last night. 

And, because I had put a hold on the book, when Cory returned it, my name came up - and he checked the book out, to me this time. 

Note: When buying bottled Mojitos, buy the Bacardi Silver ones and not Parrot Bay. Big difference. I've never had actual made from whatever you make Mojitos from Mojitos, but those would probably be even better.

Recipe? Who knew there was a website at mojitorecipes.org? And then, of course, there's the original authentic Mojito recipe from Havana Cuba.

Step by step the Bacardi way:

or the really hot commercial, which I never actually saw before tonight because I don't actually watch commercials, but my husband knew about it. Hmm.

I'm thinking we're going to have to actually make some Mojitos soon, and then I'm afraid we won't be able to enjoy the bottled ones ever again...

Yesterday while Jeffrey was brushing his teeth, I noticed that he had the water running full blast the entire time. Also, when he washed dishes, not that he does it often, he likes to leave the water running the entire time. It drives me crazy because I'm thinking of all that water that's just going down the drain, being wasted. Now, I usually end up leaving the water running when I brush my teeth - not full blast, but at least a trickle - because I just don't have enough hands. I need a hand for my toothbrush, a hand to turn the water on and off, and a hand to hold my hair back out of the way. That's 3 hands, and I only have 2. Yes, I know, I could put a clip or pony holder in my hair, and sometimes I do that, but still, long hair is not convenient when you're actually trying to do something.

Here's a way to save water pretty easily. I read somewhere that over 40% of us are still using toilets that use 3.5 gallons of water per flush.  Instead of having to buy all new toilets, you can install a kit that turns your toilet into a dual flush toilet . I'm not sure exactly how it works because I honestly don't know how the toilet works in the first place, but it's supposed to save lots of water, and average of 1.2 to 2.5 gallons per flush.  Basically it looks like dual flush toilets let you choose a 'light flush' or a 'full flush' based on what you actually need.

It's still not an excuse for leaving the water running while you brush your teeth, but it does sound like a pretty easy way to save water.

We finally sat down tonight and watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  I had requested it from the library, but then Beth bought it, so I canceled the request.  Then, of course, since there was no due date, we didn't actually watch it.  Until tonight.

While I was waiting for the movie, I got the story and read it, along with a bunch of other short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I really enjoyed the stories, but the Benjamin Button one didn't really stand out.  It didn't really beg for a movie to be made, though the idea of a baby being born old and aging backwards is interesting.  Besides the title, that's the only thing the movie has in common with the story.   I'm still going to count it, though.

For the Summer Reading Program at the library, our library director always puts together a bingo card for the adult program.  It contains squares saying 'Children's Book', 'Magazine Article', 'Watch a Musical', 'Attend a Library Program', etc.  The goal is to do what each one of those squares says and fill up the entire card - its a 5x5 grid.  Every year I start my bingo card, but I've never filled the whole thing up - so I never qualify for any of the prizes.  Hopefully this year I can do better.  I'm counting this movie for the square that says 'Movie based on a book' - it's close enough, right?

Looking at the book cover (different from the one I read) I guess the word is inspired by - not based on.

This is for bojojoti 

The tomatoes have been planted!  Wow - May isn't even over yet, and the tomatoes are already planted.  I haven't planted anything this early in years.  Not putting together a school calendar makes a big difference.

Also, the beans are starting to come up.  I've got cute little bean plants poking their heads out of the ground.  Still need to plant some zucchini...

I'm hosting a giveaway on my other blog, and one lucky reader will win this Pepsi Throwback Pack!


There's still time to enter.  

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• Taste the Past - Pepsi Throwback Giveaway (alwaysbcmom.com)

I feel like I haven't been here in ages. Actually, I haven't been here in ages. It's horrible! It's like I've been trying to get more stuff done around the house, so I haven't been spending as much time on the computer. So I've been away from the computer more, but I don't feel like I've really gotten more done around the house. Why is that?

This past week I did get some garden planted - which is the earliest I've planted anything in years. We're not doing a school calendar this year, so I really should have more time to accomplish all the things I need to accomplish. One of these days I really am going to get caught up - really I am. I wonder if that's even possible? Anyway, I planted some beans, lettuce, chard, spinach, onions, radishes, and cucumbers. It rained some this morning, so hopefully that means things will be coming up soon. I need to get to the store and buy some zucchini seeds and some more green bean seeds, so I can fill in any gaps in the rows. Hopefully there won't be any, but I had several last year, so I want to be prepared. I love my fresh green beans!