September 10, 2013 Tuesday Afternoon

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7:30 AM.  I read a little of the morning newspaper and then after I showered, was out the door by 9:30 AM.  Stopped at McDonald's for a breakfast sandwich and then drove across the street to Walmart.  I got the email yesterday telling me the air conditioner I ordered online was ready to be picked up.  I did buy a different one at KMart over the weekend but figured I would buy this one also since the price was right and the other old air conditioner Tony can take to work.  The tenants will now have two brand new air conditioners.  Spent almost $400 when you add all I bought.  The air conditioner was $110.  The Insulin and needles were $80.  The other stuff I bought for around the house came to $180.   So I spent more than I ever thought today but on things we will use.  Dropped off a box of Popsicles at Tony's shop for the guys since it is close to 90 degrees today in Milwaukee.  I then came home and spent the rest of the day indoors out of the heat.  Tonight a cold front comes through and it will be much better tomorrow.  Way too hot for me outside.  I have been watching the construction all afternoon out front since they dug another hole in the street and have had the road closed most of the day.  Around 1 PM I watched two guy trying to break into an apartment window across the street and when I called the neighbor she was already on the phone with the police.  Amazing what I can all watch and see just out my front window.  Making salads, a beef roast and potatoes for supper tonight.  Will spend the night watching America's Got Talent before we go to sleep.  Tony will come home from work hot, smelly and will be told to go to the shower the minute he walks in the door.

September 9, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Saturday we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Spent the early morning reading the newspaper.  Around 11 AM we headed outside to walk up Center street and check out the street party set up.  It began at noon with a push cart race that is so funny each year.  This year's race was just as good.  Unfortunately just as the race ended the rain began.  Rained hard for an hour.  Thankfully we made it home before the rain came down hard.  Waited out the rain which took until about 2 PM.  After the rain stopped the sun came out and the street festival was in full swing again.  Spent the rest of the afternoon at the street festival listening to music and talking with friends.  After we fed the dogs supper we went back up to the festival and ate at one of our favorite Italian restaurants.  Sat outside at a table on the sidewalk watching people as we ate.  Had a great supper and came home.  Spent the rest of the night watching TV, going to bed around 10 PM.

Sunday morning we were again up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Around10 AM we left the house to have breakfast at George Webb's and then go to a car show on the south side of town.  After the car show we went to KMart and bought an air conditioner since the one I ordered at Walmart has been put on hold twice now and not arrived.  Drove to the north side of town for another car show and then headed home.  Spent the rest of the day around the house with the dogs.  Had a pizza delivered for supper.  Spent last night watching TV and then went to bed around 10 PM.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and got Tony off to work.  Around 10 AM I left the house to go to the BMW dealer for a battery for my key chain.  Drove all the way there to find out there is not a battery in the key and it must be the towers making the key not work.  A new key would be $175.  Drove home and spent the day in the house since it is getting very hot and humid today in Milwaukee.  Made some brownies this afternoon and just making TV dinners and salads for supper tonight.  Will spend the night watching TV from the DVR and finish off the night with Under The Dome.

I totally agree with the comments on Friday's post about keeping my distance from the tenants and not becoming friends.  Tony keeps telling / reminding me about this all the time.  I agree and am starting to keep my distance.  Thank you for the advice.  Sometimes I just need to see it in writing and have it from an outside source.

September 6, 2013 Friday Afternoon

Last night our new tenants came down for a drink with their baby and dog.  Had a nice night watching the dogs all get along great.  I am always a little scared of what Stella our Pitbull will be like with a new dog.  She always pleasantly surprises me.  Bo took to the baby and wanted to always be near her.  Vito and their dog seemed to get along the best to my surprise since Vito is blind and can not even see the new dog.  The tenants left around 8:30 PM and we finished off the night watching Big Brother and Rookie Blue before going to sleep.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Spent the morning reading the newspaper and doing my usual Friday morning movie downloads.  Met Tony and the guys for lunch at Baker's Square like we do every Friday.  Had a great lunch and conversation as always.  Came home and took a little nap with the dogs.  It now is going on 4:30 PM and the tenants dog is here in our apartment since they left for a while.  It is so nice to see all the dogs get along.  Making TV dinners and salads for supper tonight.  It was in the 70s today, starting out in the 50s.  Another perfect Summer day in Milwaukee.  Tonight we will watch TV from the DVR before going to sleep.  Tomorrow is the big street festival on our cross street.  Always a fun day of food and bands.  Just hope the rain they are forecasting holds off until after dinner time tomorrow although we need rain desperately.  Sunday will be a day of getting some outside projects done and some plumbing issues upstairs also addressed.  So fun on Saturday, a little household work on Sunday. 

September 5, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

Yesterday flew by so fast I could not believe where the day went.  I did go grocery shopping in the morning.  Spent the rest of the day doing things outside and around the house.  Tony got home from work at 4 PM, an hour or more early, which is about the time I usually post.  Hence no post yesterday.  Spent last night watching Big Brother and America's Got Talent results.  Went to bed and did the lovin thing and I then watched another hour of TV and news before going to sleep.

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7:30 AM with the reminder to be home at 12:30 for a Feldco representative to give us an estimate on replacing the upstairs and hallway windows.  Spent the morning working out back making some room to lock the bikes behind the house and made some landscaping changes in the back yard.  Tony was home by 12:15 PM with lunch.  Of course the Feldco guy was early and we eat our cold burgers later as he wrote the estimate.  Way high on the price at first but we got him down to a reasonable price in the end.  Replacing three windows in the apartment upstairs and two in the hallway for $3500.  I thought it was high but Tony of course said 'lets just get it done, write him a check'.  So in a few weeks we will have new windows upstairs for the tenants.  Sucks to spent all that money and I will really not benefit much from it except to know I have new windows upstairs that I will not see or look out of.  It's only money and a good investment on the house?  I keep telling myself that anyway.  It was again in the 70s today starting out in the 50s.  Perfect Summer weather.  Spent the rest of the afternoon after the Feldco guy left doing things around the house and putting laundry away.  Making left over spaghetti tonight.  Will maybe fry it up for Tony the way he likes it, nice and crispy.  I will just have a TV dinner or something with a salad.  Will send tonight watching another Big Brother episode and then end the night watching Rookie Blue.  Listening to Daft Punk, I love their new CD and play it so often.

September 3, 2013 Tuesday Afternoon

Friday night we went to the block party on North Avenue for the Harley Davidson 110th Anniversary.   Had a great dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants.  Sat outside and watched all the excitement and motorcycles.  Got home and after a little TV we went to bed in anticipation of a hard working next day of cleaning.

Saturday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Tony and I spent all day cleaning the upstairs apartment.  We were up there by 9 AM and didn't come back down to shower until dinner time.  It became clear early on the old tenants were not going to do the cleaning job we expected and there was no changing the fact the new tenants move in the next day.  The old tenants even left by about 3 PM because they 'just couldn't clean anymore'.  Got the place looking GREAT and ready for the new tenants.  Showered and went to a friends house for dinner and party.  Saw some nice friends and had some good conversation.  We were home by 9 PM and in bed by 10 PM beat tired.

Sunday we were up by 7 AM.  By 8 AM I went to McDonald's to buy some breakfast and then stopped to pick up some flowers at the market and headed home to wait for the new tenants to arrive.
New tenants pulled up in the back yard with their huge U Haul rented truck and no one to help them.  At least they left the baby and dog with family.  So, we spent all morning helping them get moved in.  I carried things to the stairs, Tony and the guy took things up the stairs.  The girl fiend helped get things out of the truck for me to carry to the stairs.  Was a good system and we got the job done pretty fast considering they had a ton of stuff.  Was nice to get to know them and talk as we moved their stuff in.  Just as we finished the family came with the kid and dog.  After Tony and I rested for about an hour on the couch we showered and went out to eat for pizza.  Had a great pizza at a newly opened restaurant here on the east side.  Spent the night watching TV and went to bed around 10 PM.

Monday morning we were again up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Went out for breakfast at George Webb's and then went across the street and bought a few items at Walgreen's before heading home.  Around noon we took the dogs out back one by one to meet the new tenants and their dog.  Went pretty smooth.  It does not appear that we will be able to let the dogs get together because their dog wants to hump and my dogs went nothing of that.  Realized what day it was and that on this day there is a huge rummage sale called St Martin's Fair and we got in the car and went shopping at the festival.  Bought some fruit and household cheap items.  Tony bought some car stuff for the shop.  Got home around 3 PM and rested for about an hour.  I then got the idea to invite our new tenants down for supper and I made hamburgers and beans, corn and salad and we had dinner together.  Had a nice supper and got to know each other.  I think they will be fine.  I do have some reservations but will keep them to myself for now.  Spent the night watching TV finishing the night with Under The Dome before we went to sleep.

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and got Tony off to work.  Spent a little time this morning cleaning the basement and making a spot for all the tenants stuff they would like to store in the basement.  Since we always loose stuff if we put it with ours I made a spot in the front of the basement for just their stuff.  Took a long afternoon nap and soon I have to get Bo to the vet for a 4 PM nail trim.  Not sure if I am cooking or we are going to a car show tonight.  Haven't thought that far out yet.  Will most likely spend the night watching America's Got Talent.

August 30, 2013 Friday Afternoon

Was up this morning at 6 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7 AM.  The tenant was moving more stuff out and I asked him what his plan for the day was.  When I found out the living room and dining room were clear I was upstairs by 8 AM painting and carpet cleaning the carpets in both rooms.  Ended up painting the walls of both rooms.  Took me until about 3 PM this afternoon to get both rooms done and ready for a new tenant.  The current tenant swears they will have everything out by tonight and will be back all day tomorrow to clean the bathroom, stove and refrigerator and everything else they need to do to make it OK for me to give them their security deposit back.  They will get the whole thing back, just easier if there is no real damage to give them the money and move on and be done with them.  I just got out of the shower and my body is hurting.  Will take a pain pill and hopefully have the strength to go tonight with Tony to a Harley Davidson motorcycle block party.  It is the 110th anniversary of Harley Davidson and the city is full of motorcycles.  Honestly it is all you hear, the roar of their engines.  The people are very nice and from all over the world so I do enjoy going to their events and talking with them.  They seem to enjoy learning about Milwaukee just as much.  Tomorrow we will spend the day upstairs cleaning and making sure the apartment is ready for the new tenants that come Sunday morning at 9 AM.  Will then spend Sunday close to home to help them move in and be around for any questions.  Will hit a HD party somewhere as the day goes on.  Monday will be much the same.  No plans.  Just help the new tenants settle in and visit any block parties in the area.  Happy Labor Day.

August 29, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

Was up this morning at 6 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his Insulin shot and gave Stella a half a pain pill for her knee.  She is still not putting her full weight on the leg but seems a bit better today.  I think the anti inflammatory / pain pills are helping.  Spent the morning reading the newspapers, vacuuming and doing things around the house.  Around 11:30 AM I went to my board meeting which lasted a couple hours.  Had a good meeting and came home.  Grabbed a bunch of bread at the pantry for the rabbit and possum.  The current tenants are moving out and of course there is friction at this point.  They just pulled the 'I don't see anything about carpet cleaning on the lease' on me, and now they claim the air conditioner is theirs even though we always had one for the tenants and it is now where to be found.  I will just be happy when they are gone.  Making beef roast and potatoes with a salad for supper.  Will spend the night watching TV from the DVR.

August 28, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

Slept like crap last night due to the long nap I took that afternoon.  Was up before 6 AM today because our current tenant decided to start loading his car at 5:30 AM this morning letting the back door slam as he took each load of stuff out to his car.  How frickin rude.  His girlfriend then did the same about an hour later.  I am just happy to see them getting their stuff out so the new tenants can move in on the first.  Stella would not get out of bed and soon I heard her crying in pain.  She has a bad knee and must have slept on it wrong.  I had to help her out of bed.  She is 70 lbs so it is just best to help her walk by making a sling type thing out of a towel and put it under her belly and help take some weight off her leg by holding up the sling.  Got her out to pee and soon fed all the dogs giving Stella a pain pill along with Vito's shot.  Tony left for work around 7 AM and was not happy the newspapers had not yet been delivered.  They of course came a little while after he left for work.  I went to Walgreen's around 9 AM to get some sale items and ended up buying a new electric razor on sale since mine is two years old and chewing up my face when I use it.  Then went to McDonald's for a bacon egg and cheese bagel on my way to Pick N Save to do the weekly grocery shopping.  After I was home for a while I left the house again around 11 AM and went to Menard's to buy some fencing for the back yard garden area.  I have to make sure my baby bunny stays safe from the new tenants dog which will be here in about 4 days.  Bought 10 panels of fencing and 11 poles and headed home.  Got the fencing put up pretty quick and I like the way it makes the back yard look.  Here is a picture of the back yard with the new fencing from the upstairs back porch.

It is still warm here in Milwaukee but not as hot and humid as it was yesterday.  The 110th anniversary of Harley Motorcycle festival is this weekend and starts today here in Milwaukee.  The sound of thunder from the bikes can be heard.  It does get loud.  Going to a car show tonight so I will not have to cook.  Will get something to eat on the road or at the car show.  Will then spend the rest of the night watching Big Brother and America's Got Talent results before we go to bed.  Stella slept all day from her pain pill.  Will have to get her up soon and help her outside.

August 27, 2013 Tuesday Afternoon

Got up this morning at 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Was soon looking out the window watching the construction workers park for the day in front of the house to work on the development across the street.  When I noticed one young guy park in the middle of two spaces leaving 10 feet in front and 10 feet in back, not enough for a car to park between his and the other cars, I went outside and tried to explain to him that parking is tight with 20 or so construction workers coming each day and he should pull up or back to the cars in front or behind him.  He continued to walk across the street and then yelled at me that I was an asshole.  What?  I am just trying to make sure he and his workers as well as us residents have enough parking and not take up two spaces with parking so limited.  I then walked across the street to nicely ask him why he would call me an asshole when I was really just trying to be a nice guy.  He went and moved his car and then called me an asshole again as well as some of the other construction workers.  What a way to start the day?  I think the construction workers need to respect us more.  We live here, they do not and we have been putting up with the noise and dust for 6 months with no end in sight.  Spent the morning reading the newspaper and watching TV.  It is very very hot outside here in Milwaukee.  The thermometer reads 86 degrees right now and it is so hot your lungs hurt to breath.  Went outside as little as possible today to feed the birds and put fresh water in their bird bath.  Did nothing all day.  Took a nice long nap this afternoon, which will come back to bite me tonight when I try to sleep.  I even had plans to make supper and now I just don't feel like it.  Will either order something delivered or go out for some food tonight.  Depends on how tired Tony is from working in this heat.  Will then spend the night watching America's Got Talent before we go to bed.  I do not like this hot humid weather and hate wasting a day like today doing nothing to stay out of the heat.  Wish I had more ambition to do things around the house.  I saw my baby rabbit again in the back yard.  Nice to see him but in 4 days I have a new tenant with a dog moving in.  I have been trying to make as many 'safe areas' as possible for the little rabbit.  Nice to see we still do indeed have at least one rabbit remaining and the cat have not gotten all of them, yet.

August 26, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Friday night we spent the night watching the weeks worth of One Life To Live on Hulu.com.  Was surprised to read that this is the final episodes for a while and no word as to when new episodes will be back online.  Went to bed around 10 PM after a little lovin.

Saturday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Around 10 AM we went to Stein Garden to buy more bark chips for the front yard. We usually buy the large bark chips and they can be hard to find, much less most expensive.  Bought 25 bags at $6 a piece.  Came home and spread them all out in the front yard to see we could still use another 15 bags to make it look perfect.  Today was to be one of the last days where it was not too hot to do anything outside so we decided to go for a bike ride to the lake front.  I am always so surprised when Tony even agrees to do this.  Took the longest bike ride I think I have ever taken.  Rode from our house down North Avenue and then down the hill to Bradford Beach.  Had a hamburger and strawberry margarita while Tony had a hamburger and beer at one of the beach shanties.  Sat and watched the volleyball players for a while.  About a half hour later we got back on our bikes and headed south along the lake front all the way to the Summerfest festival grounds.  Rode around the entire festival grounds to the river, which is about as far south as you can ride.  We then headed back home along the lakefront and then getting on the bike trail which heads towards our house.  Got home around 3:30 PM feeling tired and sore, but feeling great just the same.  Was so amazed I could even do such a long bike ride.  Rested for a while as we watched TV and soon it was time to feed the dogs supper.  After we fed the dogs we left a little while later to go to a block party and see a friends band.  The block party was not very busy and the food was nothing that we had an interest in, so we left and when to a Mexican restaurant on the south side of town.  Never did see the friends band.  Got home around 8 PM feeling like I had really made the most of a day.  Felt great.  Spent the night watching the movie Would You Rather.  It was a movie like the Saw series.  I loved it and sure hope there is a part 2 or more.  Would make a great series if it did any money at the movie theaters.  Went to bed around 10 PM and slept like a baby all night.

Sunday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Spent a little time reading the newspaper before we left the house around 9 AM to pick up Tony's mom and go have breakfast.  Had a nice breakfast at our usual Greek family restaurant and then we went next door to Steins and bought 15 more bags of bark chips for the front yard.  Dropped off the mother in law and then headed home.  Stopped at a fruit ranch for some fresh fruit and continued home along the lake front.  Got home and after spreading the new bark chips we spent the afternoon just watching TV, since it was now getting quite hot outside.  Made steaks and corn on the cob on the grill for supper.  Spent the night watching Big Brother and shows off the DVR.  Was so mad when I got up this morning and we had forgot to watch the music awards that were on.  Damn!   Went to bed around 10 PM after a round of lovin.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  Spent the morning reading the newspapers, doing 3 loads of laundry which included all the bedding, and watched TV.  It is very hot in Milwaukee and will be the rest of the week.  In the 90s all week.  Not happy with the heat.  Drove to Wendy's for a chicken sandwich on my way to Radio Shack to look for cables for the security camera.  Radio Shack is so damn expensive and I decided to buy what I needed on the Internet instead.  Went to Walgreen's and picked up my prescriptions and headed home.  Bought the cables I needed on the Internet and put them on the credit card.  Just going to make some salads and a frozen pizza for supper tonight.  Will most likely spend the night watching TV from the DVR finishing off the night with the TV show Under The Dome. 

Here is a pic of the house with all the new bark chips.

August 23, 2013 Friday Afternoon

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his Insulin shot.  Tony left for work at 7:30 AM with a load of boxes of old paperwork to burn in a drum at the shop or have it shredded.  The paperwork was over 20 years old and time to get it out of the basement.  Spent the morning reading the newspaper and doing my usual Friday movie downloads.  Had lunch with the guys.  Great lunch even through Tony did not come due to being very busy and having about 7 cars in the newspaper to sell and getting calls nonstop.  Spent the afternoon listening to music from the 60s and 70s.  Sometimes it is nice to go back in time when life was much simpler and the songs were not rap and they were clean.  Making salads and leftover spaghetti for supper tonight.  No plans this weekend which is fine with me.  We will most likely take Tony's mom out for breakfast Sunday since we have not in some time.  The windows are open today and it is in the 70s, perfect!   On Sunday the heat and humidity return and it goes back up to 88 degrees and then in the 90s for most of next week.  I will be spending a lot of next week indoors since I can not do the heat.  I did see my two baby possums last night at 9 PM on the dot, like every night, eating the bread I put out for them.  They are cute when they are babies.  Possums are not that cute when they get older. 
Have a great weekend.

August 22, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

Spent last night watching Big Brother and then America's Got Talent Results.  At 9 PM we went to the bedroom to watch TV in bed for an hour before going to sleep.  Did the loving thing when we got to the bed.  I don't even remember what we watched so it must have been a rerun on a off channel.  The last week I have been putting bread out for the two baby possums that have been coming.  Since I have new tenants moving in at the beginning of next month with a dog, I fenced off the area where the white dog house type thing is and all the berry bushes and brush.  I then put a big wood wheel on top of the house and that is where I put the bread at dusk and then watch the possums around 9 PM.  Here is a picture so all that makes sense.

Since I have not seen a rabbit in the back yard since March I figure it is best to put the bread up on the wheel so the new dog can't get to it, even with the fence around that area.  Last night at 9 PM both baby possums showed up and I watched them eat the two pieces of bread I put out for them.  Since we live in the city and I grew up in the country, it is nice to see nature in the back yard.  As avid followers know we never had rabbits for 20 years until March of 2009, right after my diagnosis.  A rabbit showed up that March under the front bushes and it kept an eye on me for 2 years as I went through that time dealing with the HIV diagnosis.  I honestly do believe that rabbit was sent here to watch over me and give me something to live for.  I don't care how strange that sound. It is what I believe and it gives me comfort.  It sat out my front window for years in the bushes every day as I looked out the window crying and dealing with the new diagnosis.  Went to sleep after the local news which lately seems to be about all the shootings here in Milwaukee.

This morning I was up at 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  Spent the early morning reading the newspapers.  Around 10 AM the rain came, which we really needed, and rained until about 1 PM.  I did things around the house.  Around 3 PM I went out back to throw some garbage away to see a baby bunny in the back yard in a hiding spot the first rabbit 4 years ago used to hide in.  I tried to walk past it slowly and it let me pass.  I did end up scaring it on my way back into the house.  I have to admit I had a huge smile seeing this baby rabbit.  I thought they were all gone since the cats killed them in March.  I guess some how one survived.  I will now have to make sure I put some bread out on the ground for the rabbit.  A shame I can't put the bread in the back yard where I can see the rabbit, but the new dog coming would then get it, it is a beagle.  Is it only me who sometimes thinks there lost friends and relatives come to them in animals?  I can sometimes walk up to an wild animal and feed if just a few feet away, by talking to it and moving slowly.  Sometimes I feel like Doctor Dolittle.  I'm not sure if it is a good thing or bad that seeing a little rabbit in my yard can bring me such happiness.  I consider it a good thing that something so small to most, is something big to me, and makes me smile.  Isn't that what life is all about anyway?  Smiling at the little things?  Noticing the little things?  Making spaghetti for supper tonight with salads and bread.  Will most likely spend tonight watching Big Brother and Rookie Blue, as well as a few shows off the DVR before we go to sleep.  It was in the 70s today and humid.  Next week is looking like a week in the 90s.  I will not enjoy next week.  Might do the computer recovery next week since I will be stuck in the house to avoid the heat.

August 21, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

Yesterday was a hot day in Milwaukee.  Not as hot as today, but in the 80s and too hot for me to do anything outside.  I did go to ARCW (AIDS Resource Center Wisconsin) in the morning to discuss the next CAB meeting and picked up my monthly prescriptions and food at the food pantry.  Came home and spent the rest of the day doing things around the house - indoors.  The air conditioning is on and I go out very little when it gets above 80 degrees.  Spent last night watching America's Got Talent before going to sleep.  I still want to do a full computer system recovery but am so afraid.  I have everything backed up and my start up disks in hand.  Just worried I am not going to get it back up and running.  I guess worst case would be I have to spend about $150 to have Windows and such put on at a dealer or computer shop.  Having small issues with the computer and a complete recovery is the only way to fix them.  It will happen soon.  I just have to be in the mood for two days of computer headache.  My laptop is all ready even if I am off line on my desktop for a couple days.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  Told him to take it easy in the heat today and gave him a bag of Popsicles for the guys and him today.  Around 10 AM I left the house for McDonald's breakfast and then the weekly grocery shopping at Pick N Save.  Came home and have done very little but look out the window and watch the construction across the street.  As I look out the window I can not believe the amount of tree leaves falling down in the wind.  It is only August, trees should not be loosing their leaves this early.  I swear the weather is all fucked up around the world.  It looks like fall in some areas here the trees are even turning colors already.  Making a big rack of beef ribs for supper tonight with mashed potato and a salad.  Will most likely spend the night watching Big Brother and then the America's Got Talent results show before we go to bed.  Tonight a cool front comes through and it will be not so hot tomorrow.  I hope we get a lot of rain tonight because we sure need it.

August 19, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Spent Friday night watching the movie called Shelter.  It was a thriller and very good.  Went to bed around 9 PM and watched an hour of TV in bed before going to sleep.

Saturday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony did not go to work and we spent the day doing .....  nothing.  Laid around the house, watched TV and took a long nap in the afternoon.  Was kind of a waste of a day to be honest.  Saturday night we went to Slinger Speedway for Slamfest.  A figure eight race track with races you would never hear of and totally off the wall.  The last race is a trailer haul figure 8 race and by the end of the race the track is littered with car and trailer parts.  I look forward to this event each year and I was happy we went and had a great time.  Took Tony's sister with us.  Got home around midnight to puddles around the house.  BAD DOGS!  We don't leave the dogs home six hours very often but they should be able to hold it.  Seems one got the idea and the other followed by the mess.  Got the house clean and watched a half hour of TV before we went to bed to do the lovin thing.

Sunday morning we woke up around 7 AM in each others arms.  Of course it turned into another round of morning loving before we got up and fed the dogs.  Took Bo for a walk in the morning to get lottery tickets and visit the farmers market.  Bought some corn.  Came home and then around noon we left to go to a car show on the West side of town.  Good show and had a great steak sandwich at the bar.  Got home around 3 PM and spent the rest of the day with the dogs and watching TV.  Great weather all weekend again here in Milwaukee.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  Around 10 AM I drove to McDonald's for breakfast and then went to Office Depot to buy a new external hard drive.  My current external hard drive is not big enough and need a 1T hard drive.  I already filled the 500 GB hard drive.  Bought a nice one on sale and stopped at Tony's shop on the way home to say hi.  Got home and started the computer back up.  I have to back up everything and then this week reformat the computer.  I have been having problems and time to reformat from scratch.  Took a nap with the dogs.  Turned on the air conditioning today since the heat and humidity is back for this week.  Will most likely be on most of the week.  Tonight we are going to a car show at a Hardy's on the south side of town.  It gets me out of cooking. 

August 17, 2013 Saturday Afternoon

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August 16, 2013 Friday Afternoon

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7:30 AM.  Spent the morning reading the newspaper and doing my usual Friday movie downloads.  Met Tony and the guys for lunch and had a great lunch as usual with their company.  Came home and spent the afternoon listening to Pet Shop Boys and doing things around the house.  Just as I was laying back on the couch the dogs started barking and I got up to see Tony walking up the back stairs, home from work early.  Way early for a Friday.  I asked him if he was home for the day, he said 'yes'.  I asked him why and he said 'because I got all the cars done I wanted to get done'.  I then said to him 'if you were going to get home so early why didn't you let me know so I could plan something for us to do',  he looked at me and said 'that's why, I am home to relax'.  Of course telling him I have been home relaxing all day didn't get a good response.  So Tony is home and we will most likely spend the night here at the house with the dogs watching TV.  The windows are open and it is in the 70s again today in Milwaukee.  Honestly the weather here has been great this past month.  Next week the heat and air conditioning will have to go on.  Been a nice break on the electric bill this past month, although filling and turning on the hot tub yesterday won't help with that either.  The water was not hot enough to go into last night before I went to bed.  It was warm but not hot.  It is now hot and tonight I will go in and get a good soak.  Only plans this weekend is to go to the car races tomorrow night and a car show on Sunday.  Suppose to be a great weekend weather wise so I am sure we will spend a lot of time just enjoying the outside weather, whether we are home or away.

August 15, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

This morning I was up at 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work by 7:30 AM.  I spent the early morning reading the newspapers.  Around 10 AM I showered and then went to Walgreen's to get Tony's prescriptions from the previous day's doctor's appointment.  One of the prescription was not covered by insurance, the muscle relaxer, and they wanted $145 for the prescription.  I told Walgreen's to forget the prescription and that Tony will go without at that price.  Stopped off at Tony's shop to drop off some of his pills and take a picture of the car that got smashed yesterday.  Here is a picture of it.

Hopefully Tony can fix it at a minimal cost since the girl who pulled out in front of him doesn't have car insurance as required in Wisconsin.  After I came home and was home for a while I decided it was time to once again fill the hot tub and use it again since the nights are cool enough to go in the hot water.  I like the hot tub in the Spring and Fall the most since the days and nights are cooler.  Who wants to go in a hot tub when it is 90 degrees outside in the Summer or below freezing in the Winter?   Hopefully it will be heated by tonight so I can go in it for a dip.  Spent the afternoon listening to music and doing things around the house.  I am making a batch of brownies right now and making spaghetti and salads for supper tonight.  Will most likely spend the night watching this weeks two episodes of One Life To Live from Hulu.com and then Big Brother and Rookie Blue, before we go to sleep.   Was in the 50s this morning when I got up and has gotten into the 70s today.  Sunny and nice, not complaining.  Perfect sleeping weather having the cool nights.

August 14, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

Yesterday morning I went to Menard's to buy some fencing for the back garden area to keep the new tenants dog out of the garden.  Spent the rest of the day doing things around the house.  Is was in the high 60s yesterday and very nice outside.  Spent last night watching America's Got Talent and then went to sleep after the local news.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Spent the early morning reading the newspaper.  Showered and was out the door by 10 AM to go to the hardware store for some mouse traps and a new poop bucket for the dogs with a lid that closes tightly.  Then went to McDonald's for a steak egg and cheese bagel on my way to Pick N Save to do the weekly grocery shopping.  Got home and put all the groceries away.   Around 12:30 PM I decided to take a walk, through the trails on my way back to the Pick N Save's bank, to cash a check I got in the mail for next months rent from our new tenants.  Had a really nice walk through the woods and trails.  Spent the rest of afternoon listening to music and reading some magazines.  Tony just called as I was about to start posting to tell me 'he is OK, but on his way to the doctor'.  What?   Guess once again a fricken person ran a red light as he was going through his green light and totaled out our Mustang Tony was working on and test driving.  I am so damn pissed.  Of course the other driver is not insured and got two tickets for the accident.  This helps us little since the Mustang was not insured since it is not finished and really not a driving car, and was just out test driving the car.  The accident was two blocks from Tony's shop.  This just keeps happening.  Uninsured people totaling our damn cars.  I am tired of it.  Glad Tony is OK, although he thinks he might have broke his wrist in the accident, hence going to the doctor.  Will most likely be a long night of taking care of Tony and his pain.  The pain will set in as the day goes on from the accident.  Making salads and hamburgers for supper tonight.  Will most likely spend the night watching Big Brother and then the America's Got Talent Results show before we watching TV from the DVR or reruns before we go to sleep.  It never got into the 70s today here in Milwaukee.  Woke up in the 40s and it is about 67 degrees as I type this post.  This is August right?

August 12, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Friday night we spent the night watching the past two episodes of Falling Skies.  Went to bed around 10:30 PM after the local news.

Saturday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony still needed to work on a car and go to work for the day and left around 8 AM for work.  My sister and family are in town for the weekend so we planned a lunch here in the city since they were driving in to see my nieces condo in the third ward district.  Tony, being the sometimes perfect husband, came home at 11 AM, showered and got dressed nice to meet my sister, her family and my parents for lunch.  Had a great lunch with the family.  It really is nice to get together with family and I think the older you get the more you appreciate the times together.  After lunch with the family we came home and Tony put back on his work clothes and went back to work for the rest of the afternoon.  Really was nice of Tony to come home and do this for me, lunch with the family.  I have always stressed to him how important family is and I think we are both on the same page.  Tony got home around 5 PM and I made some salads for supper.  Spent the night watching some TV from the DVR and then the movie Texas Chainsaw 3D.    It was a good horror movie and we both enjoyed it.  Went to bed around 10:30 PM after the local news.

Sunday we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  I made eggs and bacon for breakfast.  Around 11 AM we took Bo for a walk around the neighborhood to buy lottery tickets, buy some Danish at the farmers market and hit a rummage sale on the walk home.  Bo is getting very good at walking with us and we need to continue to get him out more.  It was funny to watch him wanting to get petted by people and the look on his face like 'why are they not petting me?'    Got home and soon it began raining.  Spent the afternoon just watching TV and took a short nap.  Ordered some lasagna for supper and had it delivered.  Spent the night watching Big Brother and then more TV from the DVR that we recorded all week.  Went to bed around 9 PM and watched an hour of TV in bed before going to sleep.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon said goodbye to Tony for the day as he walked out the door to go to work.  Spent the day doing things around the house.  Went for a walk to the grocery store right before I typed this post to buy a Cornish hen for supper and some milk and fruit.  It is again in the 70s today and sunny.  It has been like this for over a week now and looks the same going forward for the next week.  This is perfect Summer weather as far as I am concerned.  Will spend the night watching TV from the DVR and then finish off the night watching Under the Dome before we go to bed.  I still am fighting this head cold but feel like I am getting a little better today since I started an antibiotic on Saturday.  Hoping to get rid of this cold soon. I have had too many sicknesses and crap this Summer. 

August 9, 2013 Friday Afternoon

Called the new tenant last night to get more information of their past criminal history and other things I was interested in knowing.  After talking with the guy for a while I offered them the apartment and they accepted.   Spent last night watching Big Brother and then Rookie Blue before going to sleep.

This morning we woke up on the same side of the bed in each others arms.  So nice to wake up snuggling in your man's arms.  Of course this then turned into a round of morning lovin.  After, Tony got up, I stayed in bed for another half hour or so.  Got up and fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  Spent the morning reading the newspaper and working on my laptop.  I would rather be on my desktop but it is in repair trying to fix the Autoplay function.  Went to lunch with the guys at noon and had a great lunch as usual.  Came home and spent and hour trying to get email to work on the laptop and then on the phone with tech support for a half hour before I got it working.  When I was done fixing all the problems I called the computer repair store to find out the desktop computer can be picked up and they could not repair it.  Windows is corrupt and would need to be reinstalled.  I would then have to reinstall my entire computer.  For now I can live without the Autoplay feature but will in time break down and reformat my entire computer when I have the patience and feel like spending a day or two doing it.  A reformat never goes smoothly and I don't feel like dealing with having to reinstall all the programs I have on the computer and set all my files up.  I do have most thing that are important backed up if I was to have a computer crash.  Picked up the computer tower and got it all plugged back in and running.  I am typing on it now.  Will most likely make some salads and left overs for supper tonight.  My sister and family is in town this weekend so hopefully we will go see them sometime over the weekend since they will be staying at my parents house.  Other than that we have no plans.  I am still feeling sick so I don't feel like doing much this weekend anyway.  It was in the 70s again today in Milwaukee and sunny.  Another perfect weather day.

August 8, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

I am typing this post on my laptop since my computer tower desktop is at the repair center to fix the Autoplay that stopped working a couple weeks ago.  I hope they can fix it because even thinking of a total system restore to fix it makes my head hurt.  Yesterday I had two showings of the apartment upstairs.  The first was a young couple with a 6 month old child and a small beagle dog.  I have never had children living upstairs and stayed away from it in the past.  They seemed like a very nice couple.  They came with the dog and child.  I even had Tony come home to meet them since they live out of town and I knew they were in the running and would need to meet Tony.  Plus the guy was so damn handsome it made my day.  He was blonde, blue eye, and just handsome.  The second people to look at the apartment were two guys.  One had dreadlocks.  Long nasty looking dreadlocks.  I am sorry to have to say this but I will not rent to them.  He smelled horrible and the dreads just look dirty.  No way I would want him living in my home.  Don't everyone get down on my about this.  It is my personal choice as to who I want living above me in my home and I don't want a smelly person.  I did some checks on the couple and baby, and the guy has a criminal history that needs to be explained.  I know we all have a past, but I have to be careful who I rent to and who is living in my house.  Tony and I went out for hamburgers and a drink last night to talk about the potential tenants.  I have a feeling we are going to take a chance on the young couple with the child and dog.  As long as they pay the monthly rent, I will be happy to see a handsome blonde blue eye hunk walk in the door each day, even if he is going upstairs,  LOL.  I also think this couple needs a break since they are moving to Milwaukee to start over.  I am all for giving someone a break and helping out.  I think they might be a good fit.  I plan on talking to her again and have left her a message to clear up some questions about her man's past criminal record.  My computer is still at the repair shop and I just called to find out it is next to go on the desk to look at.  I hate being without a computer and I don't have email set up on my laptop.  So it has been over 24 hours since I checked email.  If you sent me email in the past 24 hours and I have not responded, that is why.  I will when I get my desktop computer back.  God knows what I have missed, lol.  Making hamburger helper and salads for supper tonight.  Will most likely spend the night watching Big Brother and TV from the DVR.  It was in the 70s today in Milwaukee and sunny.  Perfect weather lately and I am really enjoying this Summer's weather.  Been mostly in the 70s and nice this Summer in Milwaukee.  Who could complain about that?  Still feeling a bit sick.  Chest cold and sinus problems.   I hope it goes away soon.   I took a nap this afternoon hoping I would feel better when I got up, no such luck.

August 7, 2013 Wednesday Morning

I didn't post yesterday because I did so little, I had nothing to say.  I woke up yesterday feeling sick.  I actually thought the day before I was getting the cold, but yesterday I was sure.  Tony was sick the weekend before last, so I got his cold.  Spent the day doing very little.  Laid around watching TV but still got all my daily duties done to keep the house running.  Made hamburgers and mac and cheese for supper and spent the night watching America's Got Talent.   Went to sleep around 10 PM and had a horrible nights sleep.  At first it was too hot in the bedroom and then in the middle of the night I woke up with cold chills and had to get under the blankets.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7:30 PM.  Read the newspaper and then showered to get on with the day.  I still do not feel good and I am going to lay low again today.  Went to McDonalds for breakfast and the to Pick N Save to do the weekly grocery shopping.   I have two showings of the apartment upstairs today, one at 11:30 AM and one at 6 PM tonight.  I am thinking about taking my computer in for repair this afternoon since the Autoplay feature does not work and stopped working about 2 weeks ago.  It is the feature that comes up when you connect your camera or an external device or cd and asks you what you want to do or where you want to play the cd.  I have tried everything to fix the problem with no luck.  Spent hours searching the Internet the last few days with no luck or solution.  So I am thinking I will break down and spend the money and take the tower to Milwaukee PC to get it fixed, if they can fix it.  If they can not fix the problem without redoing my entire computer, I can live with the problem for now.  So if I am away for a day or two it is because the computer is in repair.  I do have my laptop if I need a computer fix.   Will most likely show the apartment in a bit, take the computer to repair, and then take a nap before supper.  It is almost 80 today and humid.  I turned on the air conditioning when I got home from Pick N Save this morning.  A cold front comes through tonight and the air will most likely be cool enough to turn off the air conditioning. 

August 5, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Friday night we spent the night watching a Zombie movie.  It was not very good.  Went to bed around 9 PM and watched an hour of TV before going to sleep.

Saturday was Rockerbox, a big motorcycle event that ends up being 8 blocks of motorcycles four rows deep.  Most of the motorcycles are old or foreign.  Booths selling stuff and food vendors up the eight blocks of the street festival.  It is one of my favorite since we are four houses off the street it is on.  We can walk there and just keep coming back to fill our drinks and hit the bathroom all day.  Had great weather, in the 70s and partly cloudy.  Could not have been a more perfect day.  Here are four pictures from the event.

Took a short break in the middle of the afternoon to do a round of lovin. 
At one point a bunch of motorcycles were parked in front of the house so I got a good picture of it.

Spent the night watching the movies Evil Dead and Black Rock.  Both were good movies.  Went to bed around 10:20 PM after the local news and weather.

Sunday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Around 11 AM we went to breakfast at what was my favorite restaurant, Hubbard Park Lodge, for a Sunday brunch.  It turned out not to be so good this time.  The waitress was horrible and she was always a step behind getting salt, pepper, silverware  ............ anything.  I had to grab pancake syrup off the other table since I ask three times and the pancakes were getting cold.  I sat there with my omelet getting cold waiting for silverware.  I could go on and on, she was not good and needs to be retrained or let go.  I even told the manager who wanted to pick up the bill but I said it was not necessary and not why I relayed the information to him.  She was just horrible.  Went home wondering if I will return since it is a very expensive breakfast and for the price want better service.  Here is a picture of Tony and I at breakfast.

After we got home and I wanted to ride our bikes down to the lakefront for the air show.  Tony soon fell asleep on the couch and getting him to do anything the rest of the day was futile.  Tony slept all afternoon.  I sat outside listening to music with the dogs enjoying the weather and yard.  Made steaks on the grill and spent the night watching the movies Oblivion and Jeffrey Dahmer Files.  I enjoyed both movies.  Jeffrey Dahmer lived not far from us so we could relate to the story.  Tony swears he even met Dahmer one time in a bar.  Went to bed around 10 PM.

This morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and Tony left for work.  I planned on going to the State Fair with Tony today if the weather was good.  Tony needs a day off and this would be a good day.  Weather report called for rain all day but I figured we could go to the fair and be back before the rain.  Tony opened the shop and was home by 10 AM and we were at the fair by 11 AM.  Spent four hours walking around buying things and listening to music, as well as all the animal barns.  I do love all the animals.  Got home around 4 PM and it still had not rained.  Was glad I took the chance and the weatherman was wrong.  Was hardly anyone there, or at least not as crowded as in the past when we have gone.  No lines and didn't have to bang into people walking around.  Was also in the high 60s and cloudy, so it was perfect weather.  I will most likely put in a frozen pizza for supper and we will spend the night watching the past to True Blood episodes before we go to bed.

Our tenants informed us on Friday they are indeed moving out at the end of the month.  I put a for rent sign out front and have had three calls already.  Showing it to them on Wednesday.  I hate having to show the apartment and go through all this crap to find the right person.  Hate turning down someone because I simply don't want the living above me in my house.  I do hope to find someone this time who can take care of our dogs so we can go on a well needed vacation away from the house for a couple days. 

August 2, 2013 Friday Afternoon

Didn't post yesterday because I did so very little I had nothing much to say.  Spent the day doing things around the house.  I did start yesterday morning at 6:45 AM looking out the front window down the driveway next to the construction site and where the baby bunnies are living, to see the mother rabbit in the middle of the drive closest to me, and a big cat in the middle of the drive on the other end farthest away.  I put on a pair of shoes and went across the street to chase the cat away.  Was pleasantly surprised the mother rabbit let me walk right past her, two feet from her, honestly, to walk past her to chase the cat away that was getting closer to the baby bunny nest.  I spent the day watching for the cat when ever I looked out the window.  Went to bed last night around 10 PM.

This morning  was up by 7AM.  No baby rabbits all last night as we sat up watching TV and again this morning as I looked out the window.  I even at one point walked down the driveway to see if I could see any baby rabbits.  After I fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot I started google searching 'mother rabbit moving baby rabbits', to find out that since the babies are indeed all gone, the mother at some time during the afternoon came and moved them to another spot knowing they were not safe with the cat knowing they were there.  I guess the mother will come for them and the babies will follow her to the new location.  Wish I would have seen it.  Would have been cute to watch.  Spent this morning reading the newspapers and then showered before going to lunch with the guys.  Had a great lunch as usual.  Went next door to Culver's Ice Cream to buy a quart of the flavor of the day - Peanut butter caramel.   I have tried it since I have been home and it is very good.  Went for a walk along the river trails but tired very quickly and decided to take a short cut home.  Had chest pain I was not happy with, out of breathe and just thought best to come home.  I feel fine now.  Guess I haven't been going on walks very often and I am out of shape.  It is very nice again today in Milwaukee,  partly cloudy, 75 degrees.  How much perfect could it be?  Will make some salads and left over spaghetti for supper tonight.   Tomorrow is a big motorcycle festival of old motorcycles on the side street off our alley.  Eight blocks of motorcycles and vendors.  Will be fun and where we will spend most of the day tomorrow.  There is also a big lakefront air show going on this weekend so we will most likely bike down to the lakefront to watch the show Sunday.  Have a great weekend.

July 31, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

Was up this morning by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7:30 AM.  Spent the early morning reading the newspapers.   Showered and was out the door by 10 AM for a bacon egg bagel from McDonald's and then to Pick N Save to do the weekly grocery shopping.  No clue where the rest of the day went.  I did things around the house.  I guess that is a good thing that I keep busy and the day flies by.  Making spaghetti for supper tonight with a salad and garlic bread.  Will most likely spend the night watching Big Brother and then the America's Got Talent results before going to bed, hopefully for some lovin.  It was cloudy all morning and the sun finally came out this afternoon.  The temperature started in the 50s and got to the mid 70s today in Milwaukee. 

July 30, 2013 Tuesday Afternoon

Spent last night watching a couple of the last episodes of Wife Swap and then Under The Dome in bed snuggling with Tony and the dogs.  Cool again last night and down in the 50s.  It has been very cool lately here in Milwaukee.  Should be hot here since it is July.  Went to sleep after the local news.  Woke up around 1 AM and moved over to Tony's side of the bed since Stella was taking up so much room on my side.  Of course that turned into a middle of the night lovin.  Slept the rest of the night soundly. 

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and Tony was out the door to work.  Spent the early morning reading the newspaper and doing things around the house.  Went to Walgreen's to use a coupon that would expire today.  Was worth the trip to save the money.  Bought a sub at Subway and came home.  Went for a nice walk along the river trails around 1 PM.  If I walk slow, wear the right tennis shoes and stay on the hard trail, my feet seem to be holding up good so far.  Of course not walking every day is helping also.  I think this is my favorite time of the day.  I have the computer desk in the front of the living room looking directly out the front window.  So every day around this time when I am usually typing the days post, the construction workers all start packing up their tools and have the huddles and stuff before they leave for the day.  Since they park in front of the house I can see them leave to their cars each day.  It has been a highlight of this Summer watching the construction and the workers.  The wind just shifted and is now coming off lake Michigan and dropping the temperature.  Will have to close the window soon.  Will be another cool night.  Great for sleeping with the window open just a bit.  Making sweet and sour chicken and white rice for supper tonight with a salad.  Will most likely spend the night watching America's Got Talent.  I just saw a baby bunny go running out into the construction sight.  I wish the mother would move them.  Surprised they haven't been killed yet.  Watch them nightly playing on the driveway of the development. 

July 29, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Friday night at 7 PM the 24 hour bike marathon started around Riverwest.  The bike route goes right past our house.  Over a 1000 bike riders riding for over 24 hours doing crazy things for extra points around the neighborhood.  Around 10 PM we got our bikes out and went around the neighborhood checking out the check points and all the bike riders.  Many of the bars in the area had outside street parties going on to partake in the bike marathon.  Had a drink at one of the bars as we listened to the band outside on the street stage.  Rode around the neighborhood twice and got home around midnight.  This is the one night of the year I feel safe being outside in the neighborhood at midnight.  Tony went to bed the minute we got in the house, telling me he was not feeling good.  I went to bed shortly thereafter after I locked up the house and let the dogs out one last time.

Saturday morning we were up by 8 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony is sick.  Sounds like a cold or flu, body aches and nose running.  Might be the cold weather that settled in for the weekend here.  We actually tied our low high for the day and only got up to 64 degrees for the day.  It is July right?   Was in the 50s in the morning hours and late at night all weekend.  A little cool.  Talked Tony into going to the Brady street festival around noon and spent more time finding a place to park the car than we spent at the festival.  Tony kept saying how bad he felt and we soon came home.  Took a two hour nap with the dogs.  Fed the dogs supper and around 7 PM we decided to go back to the street festival.  We should have just rode our bikes because we could not find parking and soon Tony just looked at me and said 'I've had enough, ready to go home and order a pizza'.  Figured my weekend was over.  Came home and ordered a large pizza that was too big and soggy.  I think we ate less than half of the pizza and it was $25 delivered.  Spent the night watching TV and went to bed around 11 PM.  Tony slept most of the night on the couch as we watched TV. 

Sunday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Tony informed me right away how horrible he felt and did not feel like doing anything today.  I could see in his face as he took more cold pills he was not feeling good.  I fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Spent the day doing things outside.  At one point I rode my bike to get lottery tickets and then went to the farmers market and bought some fresh berries and a muffin.  Tony slept most of the day.  I did this and that trying to stay out of his way and not wake him.  Late in the afternoon I went to Pick N Save to buy a meatloaf for supper and more cold pills since Tony was going through them pretty fast.  Made the meatloaf for supper and it was not very good.  Good I made a salad and sides because the meatloaf is now dog food.  Spent the night watching the last two episodes of True Blood.  I do like the conversion therapy plot going on with this show right now.  Went to bed around 9 PM and watched an hour of news before going to sleep.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  Tony said he felt a bit better.  Of course he did, he now goes to work.  I spent the day doing very little.  Did some cleaning and laundry along with watching the construction out the front window.  Took a nap with the dogs and now I drink a cup of coffee as I type this post.  Will most likely get outside after I post since it is sunny and in the 60s.  Making a Oncore dinner and salads for supper tonight.  Will most likely spend the night watching TV from the DVR or a movie.  It has now been over two weeks of not starting my day throwing up.  I contribute this to switching my HIV meds and so happy about it.  So nice to start my day with a normal stomach and not throwing up bile every morning.
I did notice a bunch of rabbits running around on the side of the construction site over the weekend.  When I walked over to check it out, sure enough, two bunny dens with over 6 rabbits running around in the construction pipes that are along the ground waiting for the next phase.  I sure hope they grow fast because it is just a matter of time before they loose the piping they are living in.  I watched the mother come each night around 6 PM to feed them and then watch the babies play and jump around.  It is so cute.  They don't have a care in the world and no idea of the cruel world they soon will have to be a part of.

July 26, 2013 Friday Afternoon

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot, watched the construction workers arrive and soon Tony left for work.  Spent the morning reading the newspaper and by 11 AM watched the construction workers pack up their toys and call it a day due to rain.  Met the guys for lunch.  Would have had a good lunch if I had not returned from the bathroom to hear Tony telling the guys about another car he has bought and how it is being shipped from Minnesota.   When I found out shipping the car is $700 I was so mad I never even asked how much the car is.  Came home and took a nap with the dogs listening to the rain fall and thinking about how to confront Tony about the fact I am not happy he bought another car.  We just had this discussion a couple weeks ago and I said if there was any extra money next time it is mine to do something with.  Just the shipping of the car alone I could have bought something for the house or put it in savings.  Make me mad since he has cars stored all over Milwaukee he could work on.  He doesn't have to buy them from out of state and have them shipped here.  I think when he gets home I will try the calm approach since yelling just doesn't seem to be working.  Another line of thunder storms is about an hour or so away.  I hope it clears fast after that line of storms since this weekend, tonight at 7 PM, starts the 24 hour bike ride through the neighborhood.  We hopefully will ride our bikes to the check points tonight and during the day tomorrow.  Tomorrow is a block party we will spend the afternoon and evening at.  So we need good weather.  I think it will be dry but cool.  I can do dry and cool.  Have a great weekend.

July 25, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

Last night we drove to the car show on the south side of town at a Mexican restaurant called Gus's.  Had a nice amount of cars and we decided to eat there at the Mexican restaurant.  Ate outside under an umbrella in the beautiful weather.  I love a strawberry margarita and chips and salsa.  Had the number 2 combo and sat for a while watching the cars.  I then brought up a subject I was not sure how Tony would feel about.  Since I read the story about the dying couple in Ohio that went to New York to get married so that if nothing else his partner could be listed on the death certificate as 'husband' and his dying wish.  Thankfully a federal judge has ruled that his partner should be listed as husband even though Ohio does not recognize anything other than a marriage between one man and one woman, just like Wisconsin.  So I had been think since then that it would be nice to get married next March on our 25th anniversary of meeting each other either in New York or Minnesota where it is legal.  Sadly it would not be legal in Wisconsin but would give one of us legal standing if something happened to one or the other to at least get listed as husband and take it to the courts.  It is so damn sad we even have to play these frickin games.  We then would hope that four years later, which would be 25 years from our Holy Union, and together 29 years, to pray Wisconsin finally would let us get married here in Wisconsin legally in 2018.   My fear is that after all these years together, going on 25 years, that something will happen to one of us before we can legally get married.  I want my death certificate to say I am Tony's husband.  And I want Tony's to say I am his husband.  It seems so simple and so little to ask for.  I just hope one day we are still alive to get legally married.  Tony agreed with everything and we even agreed that I would be the one to propose for the next March wedding and he would propose for the final legal one when that time would come.  I was so happy to hear that we were on the same page on this.   Maybe someday I will be able to take Tony's name and add it to mine legally.  Now I have to figure out a cool way to propose and plan a trip to New York.  Got home from the car show around 8 PM and spent the night watching the nights episodes of Big Brother and then America's Got Talent results.  Was not happy that Special Head did not make it through to the finals.  Anyone who can levitate and then disappear right in front of you should go through to the finals.  Went to sleep around 10:30 PM after the local news.

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and soon Tony left for work.  I spent the entire day listening to Donna Summer and doing things around the house.  I have every Donna Summer CD or individual song in MP3 format.  Loaded up the MP3 player with every song from Love To Love You, Baby to the last song she recorded before she died, including the CD named Crayons she recorded in 2008.  I am still listening to her more currents songs since there are so many and she has such a huge catalogue.   I can not believe she is dead.  Such a talent.  Tony and I did see her in concert once.  Was a great concert outside in Chicago, great seats, weather was great and she was awesome.  Had the windows open all day and got a couple loads of laundry done along with things outside.  Perfect again today in Milwaukee, in the 60s, sunny, slight breeze.  I love this weather we are having.  Making some steaks on the grill with baked potato, beans, and a salad.  Will most likely spend the night watching TV from the DVR.

July 24, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

Last night we went to a small car show at a McDonald's on the southeast side of town, near the airport.  About 30 cars which is enough for me.  Of course Tony would love 100 cars.  As I type this post I am looking out the window watching the construction workers pack up their tools for the day and head for their cars.  Some look good, but would need to shower.  LOL.   Took the lake front roads home and got home from the car show around 7:30 PM.  Gave Kali a half a pill for her stomach and a little food before we went to bed, per the vets orders.  Spent the night watching America's Got Talent and then did the lovin thing before we went to sleep.

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and Tony soon left for work.  Kali made it through the night without throwing up so the pill and food maybe helped.  I headed outside under the deck around 8 AM and cut out some boards to continue to find the source of the smell under the deck.  No luck.  Showered and went to the vet to pay the bill for yesterdays appointment with Kali.  The receptionist must have thought I was very happy when I paid the $49.50 she said I owed.  I even asked her 'if she was sure'.  I know the appointment and anal cleaning would add up to that cost and we got two meds, a spray and a pill for Kali also.   I think they messed up but I am not going to complain.  Damn, with four dogs they make enough on us, I will look at this as a discount or deal.  Went to McDonald's for a steak egg and cheese bagel.  I know I have eaten at McDonald's way to often this week.  I swear their food is addictive.  Went to Pick N Save and did the weekly grocery shopping, spending more than I would have thought.  Sure adds up fast.  Came home and spent the rest of the day outside on the deck listening to Michael Jackson and The Jacksons.  Loaded up the MP3 player and put it on shuffle.  Nice to hear the old music.  Dirty Diana is playing right now.  It was sunny and 65 degrees today in Milwaukee.  Perfect!  Felt so nice to just sit out and enjoy the yard all day and do very little.  The dogs sure enjoyed laying outside with me all afternoon.  Tony called to say he would like to go to another car show tonight.  This one is a distance to the south west.  It will be a bigger show than last night.  I think it a waste of gas money it is so far away, but Tony likes his car shows.  I figure it gets me out of cooking since we will eat somewhere.  Will most likely come home and spend the night watching TV from the DVR after the America's Got Talent Results show. 

July 23, 2013 Tuesday Dinner Time

Spent last night watching TV from the DVR and then the show Under The Dome in bed snuggling with the dogs.  Watched the local news and went to sleep by 10:30 PM.

Woke up this morning at 5 AM hearing Kali throwing up on the floor.  Jumped out of bed and got her outside.  She has been having stomach problems lately and threw up all over the house on Sunday.  Usually just a lot of bile, but it has been happening since Friday.  Got the mess cleaned up and she seemed fine so we went back to bed.  Got up again at 6:30 AM to feed them and give Vito his shot.  Called the vet this morning when they opened at 8 AM and made a 11:30 appointment for Stella to get her nails trimmed, and Kali at 3:30 PM to have the doctor check her out.  Took Stella to the Vet at 11:30 and stopped off at McDonald's for a double dollar burger and French fries.  As I ordered them I remembered we are most likely going to a car show tonight and it is at a McDonalds.  Hmm, twice in one day.   Got home and shared the French fries with the dogs.  Went for walk along the river trails.  Didn't take the longest trail since I am still working on what my feet can do and not do.   So far I have a little pain with my feet, but if I switch to my Crocs I can walk again without much pain.  So I am walking.  The Shingles and being off my feet for 2 months might have fixed my feet pain.  That or the not smoking and the med switch.  Still not a cig since Memorial Day.  Either way it is a good thing.  I could not run a marathon but I can walk through the grocery store where I couldn't a couple months ago.   Took a nice hour long walk enjoying nature and talking to myself as I walk.  LOL.  Got home and listened to music for an hour before I took Kali to the vet for her 3:30 PM appointment.  Got a spray for her skin, meds for her vomiting, and told to get Pepsid AC or the generic for her stomach.  Also have to give her a small snack at bedtime.  The computers were down so they could not tell me how much the bill would be.  I will have to pay over the phone when they call me.  I am guessing about $120.  I will let you know how close I guess when they call.  Got her home and then went to Walgreen's to get the Pepsid for Kali's stomach.  Tony just walked in the door so I have to get this finished and posted.  Guess he came home a little early to shower and go to the car show.  Off to feed the dogs.  Will then go to the south side to a car show.  It was perfect weather here in Milwaukee today.  Was partly cloudy and in the 70s with a nice breeze.  Perfect!

July 22, 2013 Monday Afternoon

Spent Friday night watching TV from the DVR.  Went to bed around 10 PM.

Saturday morning we were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony went to work for an hour to deliver a car and cut the grass at his other shop.  I turned off the power to the air conditioner outside unit and took the cover off to the electrical area to see if I could find the loose wire.  I have to sometimes shake the wire when we turn on the air conditioning so I think there is a loose connection to the thermostat.  Tightened the wires and hopefully solved the problem.  I am happy when I do projects like this.  Makes me feel like I could survive without Tony.  Tony and I took a long nap with the dogs Saturday afternoon so we would have energy to go to Festa Italian her on the Milwaukee Summerfest lakefront grounds at night.  Did the lovin thing during the napping.  Left the house around 6 PM and spent the night at the festival.  Stayed for the 10:30 PM fireworks.  Great show and was so nice to sit there and put our arms around each other while we watched.  I can remember a time when we would not have felt comfortable enough to do that in public.  So nice attitudes are changing.  Left after the fireworks and got home around 11:30 PM.  Went to bed about a half hour after we got home.

Sunday morning we again were up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Made French toast and bacon for breakfast.  Spent the morning doing things around the house, reading the newspaper and enjoying the cool weather and the air conditioner off.  Around 10 AM we walked up the street to get lottery tickets and check out the farmers market.  Around noon I asked Tony to go for a walk or a bike ride.  Was pleasantly surprised when he said he wouldn't mind riding our bikes down to the lakefront to have a drink and a burger and watch the volley ball tournaments.  It is not a short bike ride down to the lakefront and there is always the ride back that is mostly uphill.  Kept thinking, be careful what you ask for.  Figured I better take advantage of the fact Tony even agreed to go for a bike ride and pumped up the tires on the bikes.  Rode our bikes down to the lakefront beach and sat in the cabana having a strawberry margarita and a hamburger.  Sat for about an hour or more watching the volley ball players and all the eye candy.  Here is a picture of us at the lakefront cabana. 

Rode our bikes home and almost died by the time we got home since it is more uphill than going to the lakefront.  Got home around  3 PM and spent the rest of the day relaxing with the dogs.  Soon Tony started saying he wasn't feeling good and out came all the cold medicine.  By the time we went to sleep Tony was not feeling good at all and said he was getting sick.  My final words to him were that I just got healthy and he better not get me sick.  Went to bed around 8 PM to watch TV in bed until around 10 PM.

This morning I was up by 7 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and said goodbye to Tony as he left for work.  He said he still was not feeling well.  Cleaned the pond pump and did things around the house all day.  I did drive to the hardware store to get a florescent light bulb only to find out it was the unit and not the bulb.  Had to go return the bulb an hour later.  The heat and humidity returned today and so the air conditioning when back on.  Spent the day with the dogs staying cool in the house.  Making chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper.  Tony will come home tired, smelly and most likely still sick so I figure comfort food will be good for him.  I am sure he will be snoring on the couch shortly after he is done eating and showered.

To the person who left me a message on Fridays post.  Please contact me at my email address listed to the side in my bio.  You are not alone and I am here to talk if you need to.  Finding out you are HIV is the biggest mind fuck you will ever go through.  You don't have to go through it alone.

July 19, 2013 Friday Afternoon

Spent last night watching Big Brother and Rookie Blue.  Went to bed and did the lovin thing before we went to sleep around 10:30 PM.

This morning I was up at 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot and Tony was out the door to go to work.  Spent the early morning reading the newspapers and doing my usual Friday movie downloads.   Left to meet the guys for lunch early so I could stop at Walgreen's to pick up a prescription.  Of course they didn't have it ready so I had to leave without and come back later.  Had lunch with the guys.  Great lunch as usual at Bakers Square.  Went to Home Depot after lunch since Tony informed me at lunch he was out of bird food.  Out of bird food.  It is his one task each day and he waits to tell me he needs more bird food when he is out.  Everything I am in charge of I have back up here at the house.  Bought two big bags of bird food and a big bag of sunflower seeds.  Total cost come to $60 for the three bags of bird food.  That's a lot of money for birds.  I sure hope they appreciate it.  Stopped at Walgreen's again to get my prescription and ended up buy a couple more items that looked good and tasty.  Came home and spent the afternoon doing things around the house staying indoors because of the 90 plus degree heat outside.  Thankfully this is the last day of the heat wave and tomorrow it will be in around 80 degrees for a high and less humid.  I can not take this hot humid weather.  Even the construction workers across the street called it a day around 2 PM today.  Here is a picture of what the construction town house project looks like as of today.  That building is only one of four that will be on the property when finished and they still have to go a floor higher.  I am not happy but it could have been worse.

No plans this weekend.  Will most likely just see what comes along as the weekend unfolds.  Have a great weekend everyone.

July 18, 2013 Thursday Afternoon

Spent last night watching Big Brother and the weeks worth of America's Got Talent.  Went to bed around 10 PM.  Slept great all night due to not taking a nap.

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs, gave Vito his shot, and soon Tony left for work.  Fourth day in a row without any stomach / throwing up problems in the morning.  So nice to not have this happening.  I was to a point where I was throwing up almost every morning from the Truvada and every morning I would say 'I hate mornings'.  Haven't said that all week.  Was at the ARCW dental office by 9 AM to have a crown put on a tooth.  The Milwaukee AIDS center now can make crowns as you wait.  Took three hours but I walked out with a nice new crown on a tooth and it is a white crown to boot.  The last time I got a crown it cost me over $750.   We are so lucky to have ARCW in Milwaukee.  My cost will be $25 most likely.  Got my monthly HIV prescriptions at the pharmacy.  Made sure I told them home great I feel each morning since switching off Truvada to Epzicom.   Picked up a sub sandwich at Subway next to the parking lot and headed home with some bread and food from the ARCW food pantry.  Spent the afternoon reading and cruising the Internet while I watched out the window all the construction going on across the street.  It again is 95 degrees in Milwaukee today, with a feel like temperature of over 100 degrees.  The construction workers across the street have several t-shirts they change into during the day.  They hang their wet t-shirts on the car windows and hood of their cars parked in front of the house.   Of course I must admit it is very nice to see them stretch and take off and put on there fresh t-shirts.  Sometimes they are so wet they ring them out.  I have to give them credit.  I could not work out in this heat anymore.  Got in my car a little while ago to buy some pizza toppings.  I got a Boboli pizza crust from the pantry and figure I would make a home made pizza with salad for supper tonight.  Bought a couple tomatoes, onion, peperoni and peppers.   I have tomato sauce and cheese.  Glad I don't have to leave the house again today because it is horrible outside it is so hot.  Will most likely spend the night watching TV from the DVR.  Weather says one more day of this heat.  By Saturday a cold front will have come through.  Can't wait.

July 17, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

Spent last night watching TV from the DVR.  Got caught up on our Hardcore Pawn shows and a couple repo Tru TV shows.   Went to bed around 10 PM.  Had a hard time falling asleep due to taking a nap.  I thought to myself that I should not take a nap any more.

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Tony left for work around 7:30 AM.  Made it through the morning, third in a row, without throwing up.  I really think the Truvada was making my stomach sick each morning at this point.  Read the morning newspaper and then went to Walgreen's around 10 AM to pick up a prescription for Tony and one for me.  So nice to walk out not buying a pack of cigs.  I have my moments when I think of having one, but I think I am past the point of fucking up and having one.   Also has been saving me money since they are $6.50 a pack and I smoked three packs a week.  After Walgreen's I stopped at McDonald's for some breakfast and then went to Pick N Save to do the weekly grocery shopping.  Only bought fresh produce and fruit along with milk and ice cream.  I bought so much fruit it will most likely go bad if we don't eat a lot of it in the next few days.  Spent the rest of the day reading magazines and cruising the Internet as I looked out the window and watched the construction workers work in the 90 degree hot humid heat.  A couple of good looking men have joined the team and the truck driver that was there all day was damn handsome.  Went outside here and there to do some watering and of course I had to clean the pond pump again today.  If I clean it daily the pond is very clear and you can see all the fish swimming around.  Making spaghetti and salads for supper tonight.  Tony will have to go right to the shower again tonight when he gets home from work.  Will most likely spend the night watching Big Brother and America's Got Talent.  The feels like temperature was 100 today in Milwaukee.  I am not liking the heat and starting to feel a little cooped up being in the house all day to avoid the heat.  Last night we noticed the mother or father bird had left the nest we have a camera in.  They were back on the eggs soon enough.  There are three eggs in the nest.  This is their third batch of babies this Summer.  Also, and this is really good news, around 6 PM the other night I looked outside the front window and saw a baby rabbit eating the bird seed that falls to the ground under the bushes.  The last of my wild rabbits disappeared in March when the cats got them.  I really enjoyed the rabbits as anyone who follows my blog for years knows.  They actually came at a time I needed a reason to live, four years ago.  We never had a rabbit for over 20 years in the yard until about four years ago.  I watched three generations of rabbits, feeding them bread daily, until March, when they disappeared.   I hope there are more, or this one lives long enough to learn how to avoid the cats.