Found in Fishers

Whatcha gonna do with that PDA?

In today's busy world, it would be hard for most people with numerous appointments to argue that a PDA saves the day. For me that PDA is my Palm Pilot. It helps remind me of appointments by sending an alarm, it keeps my appointments organized, and I can keep it in my purse. It is not my first but actually my 3rd Palm. I love it. But what did I do before it? Why keep a paper calendar. But not Juan Carlos. He not only had the original PDA, but he still has it. The Magic Link. In the photo you will see my Palm Pilot next to the Magic Link so you can compare the size.
Those of you who know Juan know that he loves to have the latest technology. Even had the house wired for internet. But give me a break. Why do we have to keep old technology. Bet you did not even know this existed in the 1990s. It is not the only piece of old technology that needs to either see the garbage can or historical society. Help, what should I do to convince him we don't need to keep old technology?

Found in Fishers: A year later

Seems like yesterday when the boss lady called to break the news that she accepted a job with HSE. Vague memories of orderly, organized box packing...followed by a harried and horrific last-minute throw-the-crap-in-a-box-'cause-we're-closing-next-week style of packing. Three -- count 'em -- three full-sized storage units filled with boxes and it's only now that Flora asks: "Whatcha gonna do with that?" It's my life story: A day late and one too many boxes.

But it has been a year. The state fair has come and gone twice...along with those deep-fried sauerkraut balls Flora gulped down last week. Fried sauerkraut: the gift that keeps on giving. But I digress. There was the wonderful little, overpriced apartment on Harlequin Lane. Whatcha gonna do with that? I'll tell you what I'm gonna do with that memory. Forget it. Block it from my subconscious. The bathroom fan made such a racket that I couldn't get any quality reading done for months. Wrestling two over-sized leather couches over a railing and then squeezing them into the living room -- pardon me, there was NO ROOM FOR LIVING in the room at that point -- until the house was finished.

Ah, the house. Kudos to the folks at Ryland Homes, especially construction manager Cameron, who continues to take care of the odd problem we unearth...like the side lights at the front door. Gone are the frustrations with the electrical and wiring subcontractors, who were about as competent as I am when it comes to such tasks. There was the little problem we encountered with the kitchen ceiling leaking and being cut away, but hey...it's all good now. And soon we'll have new neighbors. A box of trolls would make a nice "welcome to the neighborhood" gift don't you think? The basement is still filled with boxes -- not as many, but still enough to qualify as a small subdivision among the homeless population.

All four of us are a year older and no worse for the experience. I'm still perplexed by area residents who walk up and ask: "Where ya all frummmm; yer axe-cent is diff-fer-ent?" I...I have an accent? Have you listened TO YOURSELF lately?? In any event, these four rats are have definely left da Region, but the Region is still in the rats. Case in point: the mile-plus line of drivers who dutifully and patiently wait in the right-hand lane on 37 to exit at 116th. Not this rat. I do it the Region way: Cruise along in the far left-hand lane and then cross two lanes of traffic and cut in front to bypass having to wait. Life's short. No? (God, I hope none of you reading this works for our insurer!) And I still refuse to attend a pitch in. They're called POT LUCKS people!

Thanks for following along the past year. If you haven't stopped for a visit whatcha waiting fer...an engraved invitation? Overnight guests enjoy a private room, hot breakfast, a sauerkraut ball snack, and receive a troll as a parting gift. Now back to work you blog-reading slackers!

Whatcha gonna do with that?

Why do people collect things? Coins, stamps, dolls, teddy bears? The only thing that you can do with a collection is dust it, right? They take up lots of space. They take quite a bit of money to create. In the end when it is time to move or you just get plain tired of your collection, what do you do with it?  What do you do with the collection of trophies your kids got as tokens for participating in a sporting event or even the trophies they truly earned 10 years ago?

Here is a perfect example of a collection gone bad. This is Mark's collection of trolls. What on God's green earth am I suppose to do with a troll collection? Give me some pointers! I don't think there are many people looking for trolls on e-bay.

By the way, got an odd collection to share with us?

Eating Around the State Fair

Not much to do on a warm Saturday in August. Ok there was plenty of things to do like cleaning, yard work, or laundry. Just did not want to do that. Katie and Jeff came to my rescue asking me if I wanted to go to the Indiana State Fair and do some tasting of the food we heard about during the last two weeks in the paper. Of course I said yes, I was anxious to taste Fried Saurkraut. First Katie and I shared a great tenderloin sandwich. We made a pact early on that sharing the food would probably be the best idea to get as much tasting done as possible.

With plenty of money in my pocket, I continued to search for odd fair food. Next, scouting out the Saurkraut. Five golf ball size fried saurkraut balls for $5.00 and some ranch dipping sauce. Mmmmm. Interesting taste. The saurkraut is bound together by cheese. They were good, did not taste like anything else I have had but delicious. Next stop, the hunt for this year's official state fair treat, Fried Strawberries.

Katie and I decided to share the strawberries. They were much more tart than we expected. What's with all the fried food? It was a little disappointing however, must be because strawberry season is over. We decided we needed one more thing to top off the day. Of course something fried. But what. A deep fried Reese Cup, Oreo, or HoHo? Nope a deep fried Snickers Bar. It sure was great.

Had to head home however before we got a belly ache. I needed a nap before the next eating event of the night, pizza at the new Donatos in town.

Whatcha gonna do with that...return of Yellow Hair

Great advice about that special wooden idol of mine. It may appear on your doorstep, be careful, be very careful. This is who we respectfully call Yellow Hair in our family. She is about 25 years old I would say. She continues to haunt me through life. She appears when I least expect her too! Here is the scoop, this goofy old art project of my sister Sarah's appeared one day at our annual family Christmas gift exchange. From then on, she keeps showing up in the oddest places in different family member's homes.

One day Sarah found her in her China cabinet. Mom found her many times hidden in her house as well. She just arrived in Fishers. I guess in time for this wonderful feature, Whatcha Gonna Do With That? I was driving down the road after re-signing some paperwork at the car dealership when I opened my glove box to innocently return some paperwork. There she was clear as day, staring me right in the face. She is kinda cute in an ugly sort of way. Made from a nylon stocking and some stuffing. She even got a cute pair of purple earrings one Christmas.

But help, what am I going to do with this... this... thing!

Whatcha gonna do with that?

Welcome to my newest Found in Fishers feature "Watcha Gonna Do With That? For those of you who know my personality, I set pretty sequential goals and then use this crazy energy to get them done. That is why the house is almost finished being painted inside. But the boxes in the basement, oh those boxes. It is such an overwhelming job that sometimes I can go down there and sort through 12 or so, 3 to trash and the rest for Goodwill or sometimes I go down there, move a few things here and there and end up doing nothing but moving boxes.

Ok, I tried the motto "Touch it Once", did not work. But I need your help! I have been finding some really peculiar things that I am afraid will haunt me if I throw them away. Don't know those hidden rules. Kinda like you know, if you destroy an American flag, you should burn it. You have to bury a communion host. I am confused. I don't want to sin, cause a revolution, or end up on the front page of the Indianapolis Star.

Help me! What should I do with this thing? I think it is a weird fertility god or something. I just remember seeing a pretty creepy movie once starring one of these things holding a knife chasing a lady in her apartment. Should I throw it away, burn it, display it in your home? Give me your thoughts. Yikes.

PS - Don't even ask me why I own some of these things!

What's better than Publisher's Clearing House?

Why a winning ride in my new car! That's right, I finally followed through on my promise from the ole guess the car contest. Not surprised who won are you? Come on! Christine loves a good challenge, a puzzler of sorts. While you all were sitting around thinking occasionally what kind of car I bought, or just sitting around thinking "Who Cares", Christine was busy doing research.

And it all paid off when she enjoyed a warm sunny day and a great ride in such a wonderful new car!

Keep watching the blog, we will try another contest soon.

Wanted...A Friend

Here she is. She has a great job, cute kid, funny personality. But I think she needs a friend. Yes you heard me. She needs a friend. I have tried hard but not living in the region, it has been difficult to get the job done.

You see poor Sarah has been so busy during the last couple years and has had little time for friends. So I am on a mission to find my sister a friend. She would be the perfect friend to have. She does not complain much, she has a great sense of humor, but she might need to bring her son along since her husband is back in school and has a hectic schedule.
So...check your social calendars and see if you could squeeze some time in to be a friend.
Apply within.