Y'all made me laugh that you thought either Rick or I would give anyone money.
We are not that stupid. Rest assured we have not given money to any prince in Nigeria.
Rick has his call with the attorney tomorrow afternoon.
I assume if they feel Rick is an expert witness he will have to do this in court or mediation or wherever.
In other news.
The weekend was great. Baseball and planting.
Saturday we headed to the nursery, Lowes and Home Depot.
Those stores are fun for me.
I know most women don't think so but what can I say, I'm weird.
I can peruse the aisles of every dept for hours in Lowes and Home Depot.
It was cool in the morning when we left our house.(barely 50 degrees)
I put on a sweatshirt. By the time we left our first store, Lowes, I was dying it was so hot. Rick suggested I take off my sweatshirt.
No can do, I am not wearing anything underneath but a bra.
Rick said that was okay, no one will mind. Typical Rick.
He asked if I wanted to go home to change.
Hell no, I will deal with it. It went from 50 to 80 in no time so it was I who was the fool putting a sweatshirt on instead of a t-shirt and jacket.
Lesson learned. I honestly thought we'd be home before the heat came on.
The rest of the day we planted flowers, herbs, and veggies. (without a sweatshirt on)
Sunday I had a sore back. Oh, I am missing yoga. I wish she hadn't moved to another city. But my patio looks good and I love this time of year when the plants look so pretty and vibrant.
It's warm and later this week it will be darn right hot.
I am heading north Friday morning. So the heat will leave me I am certain while up there. My friend's mom died Saturday night. I am sorry I missed seeing her but I am so happy she got to spend the last few weeks with her children all by her side.
My friend Gordon who is dying that I wrote about here is also someone I am going to see while up there.
I went to the obituaries of my hometown newspaper yesterday to see if a time for the funeral was listed.
Instead, I just saw two more people I know listed. Damn.
My 2 very good friends moms have died. I have written about both of those ladies and friends here on the blog. When it rains it pours. So as you can see I won't be going to a fun environment and it will be cold. Sounds like a good time right?
Sadly Rick can't go. So I will be making this trek alone. I hate the 6 hr drive. I hate the PA turnpike. And let's be honest I don't like driving because it makes me sleepy. Which is fine as a passenger, but not so much for a driver. So I need to stop on the turnpike to get out of the car, get coffee, get gas and walk about a bit. It helps me wake up and continue.
All of this makes Rick a worry wart. I know when I get to rest stops to call him and let him know I am alive and doing well. I will not talk on the phone while I'm driving or text so I ask him not to call me. I put my phone in the back seat so I can't reach it and be tempted. Silly I know, but ya gotta do what you gotta do.
Thank heavens for all the coffee shops at each and every rest stop.
There is one that I always make sure to stop at, the bathrooms are gorgeous and clean, there is a Starbucks, a large food court, but I can't eat from any of them but I always buy myself a York peppermint patty at the convenience shop and then get on my way. Airports and Rest Stops have absolutely no food for anyone who is Celiac. I generally bring fruit and a small cooler with me so I can have something in the car, bottled water etc.
I do have something to look forward to though. The end of the month we have 4 1/2 days at the lake. I am in countdown mode right now.
Something happy. Water, sun, Izzy, and Rick.
What more can a gal ask for?
Monday, April 30, 2018
Friday, April 27, 2018
Silly Trusting Man
We received an email from an attorney research analyst from NYC/Wall Street address. I thought the whole thing was bogus so deleted it.
Then they wrote one more time asking to not delete, this was real and gave Rick a number to call. Then they called the office to speak to Rick and gave me a number to have him call. I was beginning to think this may be real but since I am suspect of everyone these days I wasn't 100% sure just yet.
Rick, of course, called it. I am not sure if I would have except for curiosity. Yes, I am the suspicious one. I no longer trust anyone, and I know that is sad really. But Rick always does even if it has bitten him in the ass many times. He googled them and said, "See they exist" as though no one has ever made a fake website to bamboozle people.
They want to speak to Rick as an expert in the field. His concern was that this was against someone in our area. He wouldn't do that. They told him it wasn't against a person or company like ours. This case is with a major hotel chain vs a customer. They discussed the things they would talk about. They asked for a price Rick would like to do this. He gave them the most outlandish prices. So much for 1st discussion, so much for the trial etc.
They called back and wrote an email a week later saying all the monies were approved. We laughed. If they approved those monies I wish he has asked for more then. Crazy ass number Rick threw at them. Ah, lawyers.
Yesterday they asked for a time to speak with Rick on Monday with the attorney to go over everything and to see if this will move forward.
It is an odd case of a woman who fell in a hotel bathtub.
Been there done that. I never thought to sue and I broke my nose.
Silly me.
But in 1984 we weren't so litigious were we?
I read the case information and honestly, the hotel is not at fault, the employee who said what he said was out of line and I would imagine fired. The person staying at the hotel sounded like a pain the ass and her actions don't match her words. I can't get into details just yet but I will when this is over.
I think it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I now hope it goes the full route because that extra money would sure be nice.
Rick laughed when I said something about this nice little bit of money.
He went on to say that since I wouldn't have responded 'oh negative nelly', I don't get to share the windfall.
Yes, that's how it works Rick, you bring money in the house and I don't get any part of it.
Silly, silly man.
Then they wrote one more time asking to not delete, this was real and gave Rick a number to call. Then they called the office to speak to Rick and gave me a number to have him call. I was beginning to think this may be real but since I am suspect of everyone these days I wasn't 100% sure just yet.
Rick, of course, called it. I am not sure if I would have except for curiosity. Yes, I am the suspicious one. I no longer trust anyone, and I know that is sad really. But Rick always does even if it has bitten him in the ass many times. He googled them and said, "See they exist" as though no one has ever made a fake website to bamboozle people.
They want to speak to Rick as an expert in the field. His concern was that this was against someone in our area. He wouldn't do that. They told him it wasn't against a person or company like ours. This case is with a major hotel chain vs a customer. They discussed the things they would talk about. They asked for a price Rick would like to do this. He gave them the most outlandish prices. So much for 1st discussion, so much for the trial etc.
They called back and wrote an email a week later saying all the monies were approved. We laughed. If they approved those monies I wish he has asked for more then. Crazy ass number Rick threw at them. Ah, lawyers.
Yesterday they asked for a time to speak with Rick on Monday with the attorney to go over everything and to see if this will move forward.
It is an odd case of a woman who fell in a hotel bathtub.
Been there done that. I never thought to sue and I broke my nose.
Silly me.
But in 1984 we weren't so litigious were we?
I read the case information and honestly, the hotel is not at fault, the employee who said what he said was out of line and I would imagine fired. The person staying at the hotel sounded like a pain the ass and her actions don't match her words. I can't get into details just yet but I will when this is over.
I think it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I now hope it goes the full route because that extra money would sure be nice.
Rick laughed when I said something about this nice little bit of money.
He went on to say that since I wouldn't have responded 'oh negative nelly', I don't get to share the windfall.
Yes, that's how it works Rick, you bring money in the house and I don't get any part of it.
Silly, silly man.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Seniors
Have any of you ladies seen this senior?
I love her style. I can't wear some of them but love 'em all.
While I love her clothes and shoes I had the thought of how does one afford this at age 80 something?
Those lizard looking boots aren't $60 cheap shoes.
Those are hundreds, from Zara no less.
All of the clothing is not cheap.
Apparently, she retired with a great deal of disposable income.
Most aren't that fortunate.
She's had plastic surgery and gorgeous clothes.
I'd take that gig if I could get it.
I had to laugh when she said that women shouldn't dress to be age appropriate.
To me that is just silly. You aren't going to wear a crop top and daisy dukes at 82 because that would not be age appropriate.
And you'd look like a damn fool.
I'm certain even she wouldn't do that.
So to me saying that isn't 100% accurate.
There are a lot of things I wore at 25 that I will not wear at 62.
And I hear you all sigh a collective sigh of relief.
(remember my hot pants? ha ha ha)
In other old lady news, I fell asleep last night at 8:02PM.
I know the exact minute because Rick reminded me this morning.
Rick loves the show Survivor. I do not. People being mean, lying, backstabbing and being manipulative to win anything doesn't sound like something I am up for. Don't we all have to deal with that ugly shit at work or in life? Why the hell do I wish to watch that ugliness for "entertainment"? That is my theory anyway. I have never watched a full episode. I have tried for him. It makes me uncomfortable, all the lying and backstabbing. I don't do well with all that bullshit.
We were talking, he in his favorite chair and me on the sofa. I knew it was coming on and I said, "that's my cue to go fold the laundry and do some work I don't want to do" Rick laughed and said, Oh hang around a few more minutes. We chatted then he turned to the TV 100% focused on these odd people on an island. That was the last thing I remember. Apparently, I fell asleep mid-sentence sitting upright. Not good, but funny he said.
Rick told me at the commercial he came over to me on the sofa and he pushed on my shoulder and I just went down. I really must have been out. He then covered me with the sofa blanket and he watched the show bouncing from Survivor to baseball. The back and forth which he loves to do and I don't care for. He must have been in heaven.
He woke me at 10:30p to go to bed.
I then went to bed and slept until 5:30a when my alarm named Izzy woke me. But guess what, I feel great today. I guess I needed that.
I love her style. I can't wear some of them but love 'em all.
While I love her clothes and shoes I had the thought of how does one afford this at age 80 something?
Those lizard looking boots aren't $60 cheap shoes.
Those are hundreds, from Zara no less.
All of the clothing is not cheap.
Apparently, she retired with a great deal of disposable income.
Most aren't that fortunate.
She's had plastic surgery and gorgeous clothes.
I'd take that gig if I could get it.
I had to laugh when she said that women shouldn't dress to be age appropriate.
To me that is just silly. You aren't going to wear a crop top and daisy dukes at 82 because that would not be age appropriate.
And you'd look like a damn fool.
I'm certain even she wouldn't do that.
So to me saying that isn't 100% accurate.
There are a lot of things I wore at 25 that I will not wear at 62.
And I hear you all sigh a collective sigh of relief.
(remember my hot pants? ha ha ha)
In other old lady news, I fell asleep last night at 8:02PM.
I know the exact minute because Rick reminded me this morning.
Rick loves the show Survivor. I do not. People being mean, lying, backstabbing and being manipulative to win anything doesn't sound like something I am up for. Don't we all have to deal with that ugly shit at work or in life? Why the hell do I wish to watch that ugliness for "entertainment"? That is my theory anyway. I have never watched a full episode. I have tried for him. It makes me uncomfortable, all the lying and backstabbing. I don't do well with all that bullshit.
We were talking, he in his favorite chair and me on the sofa. I knew it was coming on and I said, "that's my cue to go fold the laundry and do some work I don't want to do" Rick laughed and said, Oh hang around a few more minutes. We chatted then he turned to the TV 100% focused on these odd people on an island. That was the last thing I remember. Apparently, I fell asleep mid-sentence sitting upright. Not good, but funny he said.
Rick told me at the commercial he came over to me on the sofa and he pushed on my shoulder and I just went down. I really must have been out. He then covered me with the sofa blanket and he watched the show bouncing from Survivor to baseball. The back and forth which he loves to do and I don't care for. He must have been in heaven.
He woke me at 10:30p to go to bed.
I then went to bed and slept until 5:30a when my alarm named Izzy woke me. But guess what, I feel great today. I guess I needed that.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Not The Best Monday
The weather is perfect.
I love the 70's. Can't we just have this every day, please?
Sunday morning was breakfast on the patio with the neighbors Tom and Danielle. Oh, there is something about day drinking. By the time they left (4 bottles of pressco) Rick needed a nap. I was busy and not drinking much so no nap needed for me.
Their dog was here too.
Their dog and Izzy napped under the table when they weren't scrounging for food that dropped on the floor. Their dog is a black lab mix. He is a barker and Izzy doesn't like barkers. We find that humorous. (I don't either) Each time she barked, Izzy touched her with her paw. And then she stopped. So after the 3rd bark, Izzy put her paw over Gertie's paw and they just looked at each other.
Now I don't know if they mentally were talking but she never barked after that.
It blew us all away, especially her owners! Wild wasn't it?
____________________
Landscaping continues...
Friday after work one of the gentlemen showed up. He wanted me to buy everything and he'd plant it. He wanted me to provide the products for the wall as well. No, thank you. Gosh who knew? He told us to rip it all out and he would plant. Gee, we could do that. If I had to figure out what plantings are hearty enough for no sun and I have to buy the things to build a wall, I might as well plant them too. Not what I wanted and while I know Rick and I told him that I fear he only understood 1/2 of our conversation as well. Hence the issue here.
I have another appointment on May 1st at 2pm with a real live landscape architect but I am paying $49 for the estimate and then if we move forward it comes off my bill. I will get 1-2 hrs as needed to discuss and throw ideas around, her to draw me up something within my budget. Hey, at least she won't be asking me to buy bricks or pavers for a wall.
The man who said he would give me an estimate within 24 hrs finally did on Sunday. I open my email and see it. It made me livid.
Neither Rick nor I ever said anything about wanting our walkway and portico area flagstoned. We never once said we wanted an irrigation system installed.
And the flora was hideous. He truly did not listen and English was his first language, so he can't say he didn't understand.
I was very specific about telling him what we wanted. We showed him photos. Rick showed him what we wanted as far as two-tiered. He just did whatever the @#$! he wanted and then said I am going to charge you $5,300 for a small patch.
Here is a pic of a neighbor selling.
You may need to enlarge this to see the small patch of area in front of the townhouse. This is someone on my block. The home in the center with the sign for sale on it.(this is from winter with nothing grown in)
It is from the edge of their townhome to the steps. That is all. That should not be $5300.
I wrote back to him and said that I didn't understand the estimate because it was nothing like we discussed. Was the wrong estimate sent to me or is this for me? I told him I was a bit confused because we never discussed having a flagstone walkway and steps or an irrigation system. Was he just up selling or did he mix me up with another customer? He wrote back and said, it was for you and good luck with your project. WTH? So apparently he didn't want to discuss changes just walk away. Rick said I was too nice in my email but if I was nice and that was his response I can only imagine if Rick had written what he would have written back. Rick was livid that he was just trying to sell things we did not agree to or even remotely discuss, even in passing.
Okay, enough of that...sick to death of dealing with this morons.
In sad bad news - I got a call this morning from my friend Melanie.
A friend of ours is dying of cancer.
Man, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard.
Melanie grew up with Gordan as a brother. They lived next door and Melanie was an only child of a single mom. The two of them all were together all the time since they were toddlers. I think of Gordan as Melanie's brother as well. So when she called my cell this morning and I saw it I knew something had to be wrong.She does not call my cell during the day she knows I am working. I don't normally answer my cell at my desk but I just had a feeling if she was calling me in the morning something bad was up.
She was crying and I asked if she and Gary (her husband) were okay.
She managed to say yes to me. I asked about her pets.
She laughed and said, "you don't give a shit about my cats but thank you for asking me Margaret I needed that laugh." Yes, she has long known my fear of cats but they mean something to her so of course, I would ask. (I've known she and Gordon for 39 years) She was better now after her little laugh so she proceeded to share that they found tumors on Gordy's liver and pancreas.
He then had a CAT scan and he was told that it was inoperable.
They were going to start him in palliative chemo. Which I understand to mean he will have a port inside to receive chemo and they will try to make him comfortable until he passes. They told him he could have 8 month to 8 years.
My God, I am just sick of all my friends dying. This is killing me. God, I love this man. He has the heart of a saint. He is so genuinely kind. He is a social worker and heaven knows he could do something else with his education and smarts, but he always is helping those less fortunate. While everyone was in college in the 70's he is the one who talked to me about spending some time with him at the city mission to help those who needed a hand. That's how I got started going there to volunteer all the time.
I saw Gordy last summer when I was home. He had just moved back to our hometown after a divorce. The divorce alone shocked me. They were together for as long as I have known them, since the 70's in college. He has one child that lives in Sweden and one that lives in Delaware. Both adults now.
Rick spoke to him this weekend because he was hacked off facebook.They took his photo from facebook and hit all his friends telling them it was him and he got a loan with no interest and they should too and then all this religious stuff. Rick received this message in messenger and read it to me. I said, "That in no way is Gordy, the religious rhetoric alone makes me know this is not him."
When letting him know we were getting these messages, he told us to report it to FB, which we did. But he never mentioned to us he was sick. He is such a private guy. He didn't tell us about the divorce until he moved back to our hometown and at that point, we all would have asked where his wife was so he kind of had to.
Just another reason I need to go up north.
I really need to see some friends and then stop by and see Dad and Mom.
Honestly this must stop. My heart can't take it all.
He is only 62 for Pete's sake.
Another reason getting old sucks, everyone you love is sick and or dying.
Melanie said if I come to town she would call him and say we are all getting together because Rick and Margaret are in town. If he wishes to share fine, if not we probably won't say anything to him either. But it will sure be nice spending time laughing together as we always do. I hate the thought of losing him let alone not seeing him again until his funeral would be just too awful to bear. So we must go up there in the next couple of weeks. I hope I don't start crying when I see him. That is my fear. I am going to have to put on my big girl panties and be tough.
I hope I can do it for him.
I love the 70's. Can't we just have this every day, please?
Sunday morning was breakfast on the patio with the neighbors Tom and Danielle. Oh, there is something about day drinking. By the time they left (4 bottles of pressco) Rick needed a nap. I was busy and not drinking much so no nap needed for me.
Their dog was here too.
Their dog and Izzy napped under the table when they weren't scrounging for food that dropped on the floor. Their dog is a black lab mix. He is a barker and Izzy doesn't like barkers. We find that humorous. (I don't either) Each time she barked, Izzy touched her with her paw. And then she stopped. So after the 3rd bark, Izzy put her paw over Gertie's paw and they just looked at each other.
Now I don't know if they mentally were talking but she never barked after that.
It blew us all away, especially her owners! Wild wasn't it?
____________________
Landscaping continues...
Friday after work one of the gentlemen showed up. He wanted me to buy everything and he'd plant it. He wanted me to provide the products for the wall as well. No, thank you. Gosh who knew? He told us to rip it all out and he would plant. Gee, we could do that. If I had to figure out what plantings are hearty enough for no sun and I have to buy the things to build a wall, I might as well plant them too. Not what I wanted and while I know Rick and I told him that I fear he only understood 1/2 of our conversation as well. Hence the issue here.
I have another appointment on May 1st at 2pm with a real live landscape architect but I am paying $49 for the estimate and then if we move forward it comes off my bill. I will get 1-2 hrs as needed to discuss and throw ideas around, her to draw me up something within my budget. Hey, at least she won't be asking me to buy bricks or pavers for a wall.
The man who said he would give me an estimate within 24 hrs finally did on Sunday. I open my email and see it. It made me livid.
Neither Rick nor I ever said anything about wanting our walkway and portico area flagstoned. We never once said we wanted an irrigation system installed.
And the flora was hideous. He truly did not listen and English was his first language, so he can't say he didn't understand.
I was very specific about telling him what we wanted. We showed him photos. Rick showed him what we wanted as far as two-tiered. He just did whatever the @#$! he wanted and then said I am going to charge you $5,300 for a small patch.
Here is a pic of a neighbor selling.
You may need to enlarge this to see the small patch of area in front of the townhouse. This is someone on my block. The home in the center with the sign for sale on it.(this is from winter with nothing grown in)
It is from the edge of their townhome to the steps. That is all. That should not be $5300.
I wrote back to him and said that I didn't understand the estimate because it was nothing like we discussed. Was the wrong estimate sent to me or is this for me? I told him I was a bit confused because we never discussed having a flagstone walkway and steps or an irrigation system. Was he just up selling or did he mix me up with another customer? He wrote back and said, it was for you and good luck with your project. WTH? So apparently he didn't want to discuss changes just walk away. Rick said I was too nice in my email but if I was nice and that was his response I can only imagine if Rick had written what he would have written back. Rick was livid that he was just trying to sell things we did not agree to or even remotely discuss, even in passing.
Okay, enough of that...sick to death of dealing with this morons.
In sad bad news - I got a call this morning from my friend Melanie.
A friend of ours is dying of cancer.
Man, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard.
Melanie grew up with Gordan as a brother. They lived next door and Melanie was an only child of a single mom. The two of them all were together all the time since they were toddlers. I think of Gordan as Melanie's brother as well. So when she called my cell this morning and I saw it I knew something had to be wrong.She does not call my cell during the day she knows I am working. I don't normally answer my cell at my desk but I just had a feeling if she was calling me in the morning something bad was up.
She was crying and I asked if she and Gary (her husband) were okay.
She managed to say yes to me. I asked about her pets.
She laughed and said, "you don't give a shit about my cats but thank you for asking me Margaret I needed that laugh." Yes, she has long known my fear of cats but they mean something to her so of course, I would ask. (I've known she and Gordon for 39 years) She was better now after her little laugh so she proceeded to share that they found tumors on Gordy's liver and pancreas.
He then had a CAT scan and he was told that it was inoperable.
They were going to start him in palliative chemo. Which I understand to mean he will have a port inside to receive chemo and they will try to make him comfortable until he passes. They told him he could have 8 month to 8 years.
My God, I am just sick of all my friends dying. This is killing me. God, I love this man. He has the heart of a saint. He is so genuinely kind. He is a social worker and heaven knows he could do something else with his education and smarts, but he always is helping those less fortunate. While everyone was in college in the 70's he is the one who talked to me about spending some time with him at the city mission to help those who needed a hand. That's how I got started going there to volunteer all the time.
I saw Gordy last summer when I was home. He had just moved back to our hometown after a divorce. The divorce alone shocked me. They were together for as long as I have known them, since the 70's in college. He has one child that lives in Sweden and one that lives in Delaware. Both adults now.
Rick spoke to him this weekend because he was hacked off facebook.They took his photo from facebook and hit all his friends telling them it was him and he got a loan with no interest and they should too and then all this religious stuff. Rick received this message in messenger and read it to me. I said, "That in no way is Gordy, the religious rhetoric alone makes me know this is not him."
When letting him know we were getting these messages, he told us to report it to FB, which we did. But he never mentioned to us he was sick. He is such a private guy. He didn't tell us about the divorce until he moved back to our hometown and at that point, we all would have asked where his wife was so he kind of had to.
Just another reason I need to go up north.
I really need to see some friends and then stop by and see Dad and Mom.
Honestly this must stop. My heart can't take it all.
He is only 62 for Pete's sake.
Another reason getting old sucks, everyone you love is sick and or dying.
Melanie said if I come to town she would call him and say we are all getting together because Rick and Margaret are in town. If he wishes to share fine, if not we probably won't say anything to him either. But it will sure be nice spending time laughing together as we always do. I hate the thought of losing him let alone not seeing him again until his funeral would be just too awful to bear. So we must go up there in the next couple of weeks. I hope I don't start crying when I see him. That is my fear. I am going to have to put on my big girl panties and be tough.
I hope I can do it for him.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Landscaping
We currently need some landscaping and hardscaping done in the front of our townhome.Everything has died. It looks awful. The company that did this told us they stand behind their plantings and if something should die they will replace free of charge.
Now what you need to know is that the front of our home never sees sun. NEVER. Not even a teeny tiny bit of sun. The back of our home is loaded with nothing but sun all day long. So when they came out here to lay out the design we went over the information of no sun. We went over this so many times it was like a broken record. They promised shade hearty plantings. We watered and fed and did all that as we do in the back of the house. Died, died, died.
Then the winter finished off the laurel. So right now I have a couple of rows of weeds and a few dozen dead things and a two-tiered stone wall of nothing but weeds and old mulch.
It's that time of year when the HOA comes around and gives out the nasty grams telling you to fix this or that or be fined or worse publically flogged.
I saw a neighbor getting hardscaping and landscaping done while Izzy and I were out on our lunchtime marathon walk. I stopped and asked him to give me a card. He gave me a card and walked over to our home with me. He gave me an idea of what he would be doing, suggestions since no sun and said I'd have a written estimate in 24 hrs. It's been 240 hours. I wrote an email and he said he'd have it soon. I think we both have different definitions of soon.
I called 8 companies.
Company 1 - Located about 5 blocks from me. He won't work in this area, only a town 22 miles away from me. Odd since he lives and his office is just a few blocks from me. The person on the phone was abrasive and I wondered what that is about?
Company 2 - They charge $149 for an estimate. No thank you.
Company 3 - made an appointment and he/she never showed up.
Company 4 - made an appointment and he/she never showed up
Company 5 - name given to me by someone on NextDoor (are you familiar with this app?) I called this person and they barely spoke English, didn't understand what I said I wanted. I tried to explain several times slowly. Didn't help. Then he asked where this was located and he didn't know where I lived. I thanked him for his time and hung up. It was too difficult.
Company 6 - made an appointment for today at 3. I will let you know if he shows up. I have a feeling this man will. But I also have a feeling he will be unable to do what we need him to do.
Company 7 - refuses to work with townhomes ( I am assuming they are too small, why make 3-4K when you can make 10K+)
Company 8 - same as company 7.
So there ya go. I was hoping this would be completed before the HOA witches start doing their rounds. Doesn't look like that will happen.
I think it's great that everyone has so much money and business they don't need to call people back or show up for appointments. I wish we had that problem.
If it wasn't such backbreaking work for my old man and me we'd do it ourselves. We know our limits. The ground here mostly rocks as well. We need some young backs on this project.
I'll keep you posted to see if Company 6 shows up today.
He may just get the job because of that reason.
Now what you need to know is that the front of our home never sees sun. NEVER. Not even a teeny tiny bit of sun. The back of our home is loaded with nothing but sun all day long. So when they came out here to lay out the design we went over the information of no sun. We went over this so many times it was like a broken record. They promised shade hearty plantings. We watered and fed and did all that as we do in the back of the house. Died, died, died.
Then the winter finished off the laurel. So right now I have a couple of rows of weeds and a few dozen dead things and a two-tiered stone wall of nothing but weeds and old mulch.
It's that time of year when the HOA comes around and gives out the nasty grams telling you to fix this or that or be fined or worse publically flogged.
I saw a neighbor getting hardscaping and landscaping done while Izzy and I were out on our lunchtime marathon walk. I stopped and asked him to give me a card. He gave me a card and walked over to our home with me. He gave me an idea of what he would be doing, suggestions since no sun and said I'd have a written estimate in 24 hrs. It's been 240 hours. I wrote an email and he said he'd have it soon. I think we both have different definitions of soon.
I called 8 companies.
Company 1 - Located about 5 blocks from me. He won't work in this area, only a town 22 miles away from me. Odd since he lives and his office is just a few blocks from me. The person on the phone was abrasive and I wondered what that is about?
Company 2 - They charge $149 for an estimate. No thank you.
Company 3 - made an appointment and he/she never showed up.
Company 4 - made an appointment and he/she never showed up
Company 5 - name given to me by someone on NextDoor (are you familiar with this app?) I called this person and they barely spoke English, didn't understand what I said I wanted. I tried to explain several times slowly. Didn't help. Then he asked where this was located and he didn't know where I lived. I thanked him for his time and hung up. It was too difficult.
Company 6 - made an appointment for today at 3. I will let you know if he shows up. I have a feeling this man will. But I also have a feeling he will be unable to do what we need him to do.
Company 7 - refuses to work with townhomes ( I am assuming they are too small, why make 3-4K when you can make 10K+)
Company 8 - same as company 7.
So there ya go. I was hoping this would be completed before the HOA witches start doing their rounds. Doesn't look like that will happen.
I think it's great that everyone has so much money and business they don't need to call people back or show up for appointments. I wish we had that problem.
If it wasn't such backbreaking work for my old man and me we'd do it ourselves. We know our limits. The ground here mostly rocks as well. We need some young backs on this project.
I'll keep you posted to see if Company 6 shows up today.
He may just get the job because of that reason.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Izzy speaks
Hi All, Izzy The Wonder Dog here.
Yep, I sleep like that. Don't you sleep on your back sometimes?
For some reason, my humans find this funny.
I don't bug them about how they sleep...and I sure could!
It's a spring rainy day here. I like to sleep a lot when it rains. My humans think that is funny that I sleep on lazy rainy days but I know if they could crawl into bed and sleep today they would too. In fact, I don't really understand why they don't.
Mom is upstairs behind that damn computer wearing that silly headset. Yak, yak, yak. I love when she takes it off because that means we are going outside. Yesterday I dragged her butt so far. I had lots of new spring flowers to sniff and lots of dogs to see. I saw a lady peeing in the woods too and began to run to her and mom made me stop. I thought we could pee in the woods together but apparently, mom did not see it my way. She was a bit perturbed with the lady as well as me I think. Hey, we all have to pee.
When Dad got home I got my bumper and just kept running in circles around him so he couldn't do much else but take me to the swimming hole. I swam after my bumper for 45 minutes and then just played around looking for fish and swimming back and forth.I think he stops throwing it because his arms hurts. That's okay I found other things to do in the water the whole time. I wanted to stay but Dad wanted to leave after 65 minutes. He just doesn't seem to understand that I can do this until I drop. I think he gets the impression I am old like him. Of course, we are the same age, but I'm far prettier and much more youthful, so there.
I stare at the back door all day waiting for him to come home. So I feel because I patiently wait all day for this man, he should just let me swim until I can't swim anymore. Don't you agree? Look at me, just longing for him. Isn't that enough reason to let me do this for hours?
I overhead them talking about going to the lake over the memorial weekend. I can't wait. I pretend not to know because you know how they are, they get all wound up about it. I'm playing it cool. I am a chillin' dog but I know that it is only a month away and then I can swim for hours. I love to find fish and help the old guy catch fish so I will be doing that too. Boy, are my other pals at doggy daycare going to be jealous!
I have to go bug my mom now. It's that time of day that I am awake, have to pee and walk through every puddle I can find and get myself nice and muddy. It's fun to hear mom mumble about it all as she wipes off my paws. Silly old woman. She should try running through all the wet and muck, I bet she'd like it too.
Enjoy your day humans, no matter the weather and I sure hope you get to go swimming too.
Yep, I sleep like that. Don't you sleep on your back sometimes?
For some reason, my humans find this funny.
I don't bug them about how they sleep...and I sure could!
It's a spring rainy day here. I like to sleep a lot when it rains. My humans think that is funny that I sleep on lazy rainy days but I know if they could crawl into bed and sleep today they would too. In fact, I don't really understand why they don't.
Mom is upstairs behind that damn computer wearing that silly headset. Yak, yak, yak. I love when she takes it off because that means we are going outside. Yesterday I dragged her butt so far. I had lots of new spring flowers to sniff and lots of dogs to see. I saw a lady peeing in the woods too and began to run to her and mom made me stop. I thought we could pee in the woods together but apparently, mom did not see it my way. She was a bit perturbed with the lady as well as me I think. Hey, we all have to pee.
When Dad got home I got my bumper and just kept running in circles around him so he couldn't do much else but take me to the swimming hole. I swam after my bumper for 45 minutes and then just played around looking for fish and swimming back and forth.I think he stops throwing it because his arms hurts. That's okay I found other things to do in the water the whole time. I wanted to stay but Dad wanted to leave after 65 minutes. He just doesn't seem to understand that I can do this until I drop. I think he gets the impression I am old like him. Of course, we are the same age, but I'm far prettier and much more youthful, so there.
I stare at the back door all day waiting for him to come home. So I feel because I patiently wait all day for this man, he should just let me swim until I can't swim anymore. Don't you agree? Look at me, just longing for him. Isn't that enough reason to let me do this for hours?
I overhead them talking about going to the lake over the memorial weekend. I can't wait. I pretend not to know because you know how they are, they get all wound up about it. I'm playing it cool. I am a chillin' dog but I know that it is only a month away and then I can swim for hours. I love to find fish and help the old guy catch fish so I will be doing that too. Boy, are my other pals at doggy daycare going to be jealous!
I have to go bug my mom now. It's that time of day that I am awake, have to pee and walk through every puddle I can find and get myself nice and muddy. It's fun to hear mom mumble about it all as she wipes off my paws. Silly old woman. She should try running through all the wet and muck, I bet she'd like it too.
Enjoy your day humans, no matter the weather and I sure hope you get to go swimming too.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
This and That
Slowed down here in the office and what I have to do I don't want to do so here I am.
We were making arrangements to head north to see a very good friends mom. She is terminally ill and we really wanted to see her.
We know her pretty well and she is so kind and funny. Oh, the stories I could tell, but won't. None are clean. She's a hoot!
I text her daughter and asked about visitors and she told me no to us visiting.
So now Rick and I are not driving up there to visit which makes us sad.
We both thought it would be nice to see her alive and tell her how we feel now while we can than wait to see her after she has passed at her funeral.
But if that is what the family wants we must respect that. I sent flowers and thinking of you type thing. All in all, it is sad and I pray this is easy for them all in the best way possible. Such good people and a tough scenario.
On the flip side, it is still snowing up there so at least we don't have to deal with their ongoing winter. I see they only need an inch of snow to break the national record of all time snow falls. (200inches) They will make that by the end of the week with no problem. I can't fathom still having snow on April 18th. I saw a meme yesterday that said, It's Not April 17th. It's the 107th Day of January. That made me laugh.
I think if they break the record they should be entitled to a free trip to the Bahamas or someplace warm for this ongoing 9 months of winter.
So instead of traveling north. We are having brunch on the patio this Sunday at our home. It's only going to be 65-68 but it's not winter and we in the neighborhood are celebrating. Should be fun. Last weekend Rick made breakfast on the grill. The new guy next door came out and said, "You can't make that bacon and not share" as he hung over the fence. So, of course, Rick gave him some. Rick told him we've got plenty so c'mon over. But he was heading to the gym. We found that a bit funny eating a couple pieces of bacon and then going to the gym. But at least he didn't have a bloody mary with us before he left for the gym. On his way back, we were still out on the patio and he said, "hey I got to thinking, I thought we had the same grill. Where did you get that insert I saw when you were making breakfast?" Ha, not the same grill, just the same manufacturer. So he told Rick he has grill envy. Guys crack me up. The guy is a giggler and every time he laughs it makes me laugh.
Izzy and Rick are at the ole "swimmin' hole" right now. This weather is what everyone including Izzy waits for all year. The minute Rick gets home she grabs her bumper and annoys Rick until he takes her.
Poor Rick can't get a single minute to sit or anything when he gets home. She is relentless.
But this makes Izzy come home exhausted.
She will be a sleeping puppy until it's time for bed.
Don't you wish you had that life? I know that a great many days I sure do!!
We were making arrangements to head north to see a very good friends mom. She is terminally ill and we really wanted to see her.
We know her pretty well and she is so kind and funny. Oh, the stories I could tell, but won't. None are clean. She's a hoot!
I text her daughter and asked about visitors and she told me no to us visiting.
So now Rick and I are not driving up there to visit which makes us sad.
We both thought it would be nice to see her alive and tell her how we feel now while we can than wait to see her after she has passed at her funeral.
But if that is what the family wants we must respect that. I sent flowers and thinking of you type thing. All in all, it is sad and I pray this is easy for them all in the best way possible. Such good people and a tough scenario.
On the flip side, it is still snowing up there so at least we don't have to deal with their ongoing winter. I see they only need an inch of snow to break the national record of all time snow falls. (200inches) They will make that by the end of the week with no problem. I can't fathom still having snow on April 18th. I saw a meme yesterday that said, It's Not April 17th. It's the 107th Day of January. That made me laugh.
I think if they break the record they should be entitled to a free trip to the Bahamas or someplace warm for this ongoing 9 months of winter.
So instead of traveling north. We are having brunch on the patio this Sunday at our home. It's only going to be 65-68 but it's not winter and we in the neighborhood are celebrating. Should be fun. Last weekend Rick made breakfast on the grill. The new guy next door came out and said, "You can't make that bacon and not share" as he hung over the fence. So, of course, Rick gave him some. Rick told him we've got plenty so c'mon over. But he was heading to the gym. We found that a bit funny eating a couple pieces of bacon and then going to the gym. But at least he didn't have a bloody mary with us before he left for the gym. On his way back, we were still out on the patio and he said, "hey I got to thinking, I thought we had the same grill. Where did you get that insert I saw when you were making breakfast?" Ha, not the same grill, just the same manufacturer. So he told Rick he has grill envy. Guys crack me up. The guy is a giggler and every time he laughs it makes me laugh.
Izzy and Rick are at the ole "swimmin' hole" right now. This weather is what everyone including Izzy waits for all year. The minute Rick gets home she grabs her bumper and annoys Rick until he takes her.
Poor Rick can't get a single minute to sit or anything when he gets home. She is relentless.
But this makes Izzy come home exhausted.
She will be a sleeping puppy until it's time for bed.
Don't you wish you had that life? I know that a great many days I sure do!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Flying
Speaking of airlines.
I'm sure you've seen the crazy shit with Sun Airlines.
If not, Sun Airlines is a low fare carrier based in Minneapolis St Paul.
They flew people with round trip tickets to Mexico but they couldn't get back to MSP due to blizzard conditions on the return.
Since this was the end of the "season" for this route they told the passengers they would have to get their own way home.
250 people stranded in Mexico having to find their own way home.
That was this morning. I saw a couple on the news that bought a ticket for over $2K to get to Chicago and then they were going to rent a car to drive home to Minneapolis. Nothing like getting stranded in a foreign land right?
But I guess this got our congress folks riled up because heads are spinning around here. It's been all over the TV this afternoon.
The latest I heard was they would refund them for the last leg of the trip. But c'mon. This is a low-cost carrier. They bought this as a round trip ticket. Making it lower again. Now they have to walk up to a ticket counter and buy a one-way ticket at the last minute which is extremely expensive. And if they can't get out for a day or two there is the whole overnight accommodations cost as well as if you are boarding your dog at home, someone staying with your kids, house whatever. All the other expenses that can add up. Oh heads better fly!
And speaking of that things flying...
Sadly 1 person died today on Southwest airlines.
A woman sitting in the window seat was partially sucked out of a window when the window exploded due to the engine catching fire.
Someone interviewed that was on the plane said she has partially sucked out the window but they all pulled her back into the cabin.
Medical personnel on the plane immediately went to work on her with CPR etc.
I don't know if she was the person who died or not. No matter it is all so sad and scary.
The plane went into decent, passengers panicked and some cried as you might imagine, masks fell down and the cabin filled with smoke. The engine blowing caused loss of cabin pressure it was stated.
Now during all of this, would you think to take pictures if you were a passenger?
I saw the photos from someone's phone and just thought, how do you think of that when you are plummetting to earth and a window is gone on an airplane and the engine is on fire and people are hurt? Dear Lord that is the last thing I would be thinking about.
Great job on the pilots part landing that plane!
Then around my lunch, I saw that a Delta flight from LaGuardia to Richmond VA made an emergency stop here in my backyard at Dulles Int'l Airport. Apparently, the landing gear was the issue. The folks on the plane were met by fire and rescue and taken to the terminal. Then they were all moved to a bus to drive them to Richmond from the airport.
Hopefully, now that it's been 3 incidents we are done.
Don't they say it happens in 3's?
I'm thankfully not flying for a while.
I'm sure you've seen the crazy shit with Sun Airlines.
If not, Sun Airlines is a low fare carrier based in Minneapolis St Paul.
They flew people with round trip tickets to Mexico but they couldn't get back to MSP due to blizzard conditions on the return.
Since this was the end of the "season" for this route they told the passengers they would have to get their own way home.
250 people stranded in Mexico having to find their own way home.
That was this morning. I saw a couple on the news that bought a ticket for over $2K to get to Chicago and then they were going to rent a car to drive home to Minneapolis. Nothing like getting stranded in a foreign land right?
But I guess this got our congress folks riled up because heads are spinning around here. It's been all over the TV this afternoon.
The latest I heard was they would refund them for the last leg of the trip. But c'mon. This is a low-cost carrier. They bought this as a round trip ticket. Making it lower again. Now they have to walk up to a ticket counter and buy a one-way ticket at the last minute which is extremely expensive. And if they can't get out for a day or two there is the whole overnight accommodations cost as well as if you are boarding your dog at home, someone staying with your kids, house whatever. All the other expenses that can add up. Oh heads better fly!
And speaking of that things flying...
Sadly 1 person died today on Southwest airlines.
A woman sitting in the window seat was partially sucked out of a window when the window exploded due to the engine catching fire.
Someone interviewed that was on the plane said she has partially sucked out the window but they all pulled her back into the cabin.
Medical personnel on the plane immediately went to work on her with CPR etc.
I don't know if she was the person who died or not. No matter it is all so sad and scary.
The plane went into decent, passengers panicked and some cried as you might imagine, masks fell down and the cabin filled with smoke. The engine blowing caused loss of cabin pressure it was stated.
Now during all of this, would you think to take pictures if you were a passenger?
I saw the photos from someone's phone and just thought, how do you think of that when you are plummetting to earth and a window is gone on an airplane and the engine is on fire and people are hurt? Dear Lord that is the last thing I would be thinking about.
Great job on the pilots part landing that plane!
Then around my lunch, I saw that a Delta flight from LaGuardia to Richmond VA made an emergency stop here in my backyard at Dulles Int'l Airport. Apparently, the landing gear was the issue. The folks on the plane were met by fire and rescue and taken to the terminal. Then they were all moved to a bus to drive them to Richmond from the airport.
Hopefully, now that it's been 3 incidents we are done.
Don't they say it happens in 3's?
I'm thankfully not flying for a while.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Observations
**We may never have spring and just enter oh.my.God.it's hot as hell and humidity in the 90 percentile.
It was 86 for 2 days and very windy. They called it breezy on TV and I felt this was a bit more than breezy but it wasn't cold. Today it is cold and raining. "They," say we could have 1-2inches of rain today. Oh yippee.
The crazy weather caused 2 days of baseball games to be canceled.
I think today's will be canceled as well.
**My husband and I were watching a show and this man was behaving in a very odd way. I said to Rick, "he is either offensive and doing a stereotype of what he thinks a gay person sounds like or that is just how he talks. Either way, he's odd"
Rick said, "What? My son is not dead. I don't even have a son."
I just laughed hysterically and Rick said, "Not what you said was it?"
Nope, so I see I am now not alone in the hearing department.
You are correct you don't have a son that I know of.
**I deactivated my facebook account about a month ago. Negativity and politics were the issues that just got too much for me. Same with twitter. All gone.
It was in total just too much negativity.
I had to just walk away from it for awhile, maybe forever.
And I am going to share what else bugs the crap out of me on facebook.
All this lovey-dovey crap. Why does one need to tell their mate, significant other how much you love them and happy birthday, anniversary, insert holiday, publically all over facebook.
Look to your left, look in front of you, tell them. We don't care honestly.
It's like they are in high school and have to make this proclamation.
It's awful and oh so childish. I don't get it. My husband does make fun of those folks each time he sees this kind of post. We saw one last year and he said, "give this a year" Guess who is now divorced?
I saw a woman wish her hubby happy birthday and he wrote his thanks to her instantly. I know they are both retired and they were probably sitting next to one another. Why do that? That is my question. Why the need to act like you miss them from afar when they are with you so to speak.
It does remind me of 6th grade though and it is funny in a sad and pathetic way.
Can anyone explain this behavior to me?
**I watched the 60 minutes piece on Allegiant airlines and hopefully, it woke some folks up. (like the FAA for one)
Look, if you are paying $80 roundtrip to go from the east coast to Las Vegas there are issues. They always cut maintenance and this airline has had crashes and changed its name and now you fly Allegiant Air. Now, most don't know this. I only do because I worked in the airline industry. We heard the rumors and the employees. There were other discount airlines that were like this as well and thankfully a good many of them are gone. I firmly believe there are things one shouldn't do just because they are cheap.
Fly Allegiant, formerly Value Jet. One shouldn't have surgery because the clinic is giving them away at only 1/8 of the price other professionals are charging. I know a guy who had a coupon for Lasik Surgery. Can you guess how that worked out for him? He wishes he'd never had it done. And guess what, the clinic is now closed and the doctor has left town.
**Why is everyone upset with Starbucks? I would be upset with the person who called the police. Do they need recurrent training? Do they need to be fired? I am certain the money they are costing this store from boycotts will make them be on a short list to be let go with one more offense of any kind. This is not the corporation's fault. It is the fool who called the police's fault. Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state. So he/she could just be fired. But my goodness this person is the culprit, not the corporation. I don't understand the outrage and boycott everyone is throwing at Starbucks and not the manager or employee who called the police. I will never understand a racist nor will I ever understand the mob mentality. Instead of knee-jerk reactions, perhaps the people need to THINK first before they begin all this outrage. Then send it to the right person who deserves it.
**Do you ever notice that no Republican comes to the defense of our crazy off the wall leader? Not the speaker, the VP, no congresswoman or man. I am a bit surprised since they always drink the kool-aid and follow the company line but I do think how they never defend him speaks volumes. Too bad they don't have the coliognes to do that out loud.
It was 86 for 2 days and very windy. They called it breezy on TV and I felt this was a bit more than breezy but it wasn't cold. Today it is cold and raining. "They," say we could have 1-2inches of rain today. Oh yippee.
The crazy weather caused 2 days of baseball games to be canceled.
I think today's will be canceled as well.
**My husband and I were watching a show and this man was behaving in a very odd way. I said to Rick, "he is either offensive and doing a stereotype of what he thinks a gay person sounds like or that is just how he talks. Either way, he's odd"
Rick said, "What? My son is not dead. I don't even have a son."
I just laughed hysterically and Rick said, "Not what you said was it?"
Nope, so I see I am now not alone in the hearing department.
You are correct you don't have a son that I know of.
**I deactivated my facebook account about a month ago. Negativity and politics were the issues that just got too much for me. Same with twitter. All gone.
It was in total just too much negativity.
I had to just walk away from it for awhile, maybe forever.
And I am going to share what else bugs the crap out of me on facebook.
All this lovey-dovey crap. Why does one need to tell their mate, significant other how much you love them and happy birthday, anniversary, insert holiday, publically all over facebook.
Look to your left, look in front of you, tell them. We don't care honestly.
It's like they are in high school and have to make this proclamation.
It's awful and oh so childish. I don't get it. My husband does make fun of those folks each time he sees this kind of post. We saw one last year and he said, "give this a year" Guess who is now divorced?
I saw a woman wish her hubby happy birthday and he wrote his thanks to her instantly. I know they are both retired and they were probably sitting next to one another. Why do that? That is my question. Why the need to act like you miss them from afar when they are with you so to speak.
It does remind me of 6th grade though and it is funny in a sad and pathetic way.
Can anyone explain this behavior to me?
**I watched the 60 minutes piece on Allegiant airlines and hopefully, it woke some folks up. (like the FAA for one)
Look, if you are paying $80 roundtrip to go from the east coast to Las Vegas there are issues. They always cut maintenance and this airline has had crashes and changed its name and now you fly Allegiant Air. Now, most don't know this. I only do because I worked in the airline industry. We heard the rumors and the employees. There were other discount airlines that were like this as well and thankfully a good many of them are gone. I firmly believe there are things one shouldn't do just because they are cheap.
Fly Allegiant, formerly Value Jet. One shouldn't have surgery because the clinic is giving them away at only 1/8 of the price other professionals are charging. I know a guy who had a coupon for Lasik Surgery. Can you guess how that worked out for him? He wishes he'd never had it done. And guess what, the clinic is now closed and the doctor has left town.
**Why is everyone upset with Starbucks? I would be upset with the person who called the police. Do they need recurrent training? Do they need to be fired? I am certain the money they are costing this store from boycotts will make them be on a short list to be let go with one more offense of any kind. This is not the corporation's fault. It is the fool who called the police's fault. Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state. So he/she could just be fired. But my goodness this person is the culprit, not the corporation. I don't understand the outrage and boycott everyone is throwing at Starbucks and not the manager or employee who called the police. I will never understand a racist nor will I ever understand the mob mentality. Instead of knee-jerk reactions, perhaps the people need to THINK first before they begin all this outrage. Then send it to the right person who deserves it.
**Do you ever notice that no Republican comes to the defense of our crazy off the wall leader? Not the speaker, the VP, no congresswoman or man. I am a bit surprised since they always drink the kool-aid and follow the company line but I do think how they never defend him speaks volumes. Too bad they don't have the coliognes to do that out loud.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Tool Time
Linda wrote about her DIY skills and it got me to thinking.
When I first moved out of my parents home, my father helped.
My cousin Frank, his friend Tony and my dad all helped me move to my very first horrible apartment. I didn't see how bad it was, I just saw the freedom. It was actually quite bad.
It was a very hot muggy summer day. When we were done, my Dad bought us pizza and beers for the guys and we all sat around eating in my new apartment on the 2nd floor with no A/C and we were all dripping wet but happy as hell. 90 outside 120 inside. But I was livin' the dream.
My dad gave me 3 gifts at this time. He gave me a tool chest of sorts.
It actually was a thing that folded up and there were slots for the tools. It was blue and while I don't know what happened to the tool carrier, I still have most of those tools to this day.
At first, I was not thrilled. A tool chest? Really Dad? But I found it funny.
But let me tell you that hammer and screwdriver came in handy when it was time to hang something on the walls. (or my macrame hangings...I mean it was the 70's)
The tool chest was what my husband referred to as my "Girl Tools"
I said, "no, they are just tools"
To me that was him being a 'tool' saying that to me.
Then he compared his hammer to mine. Oh, I see.
Mine was so light. His was heavy. I liked mine better. It does the same thing but it's just easier for me to hold it and swing. But instead of "girl" tools how about beginner tools? I like that better.
It didn't matter I had a beginners tool chest of screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, and things I had no idea what to do with anyway.
Over time as was needed I sure did learn. Too bad there were no Youtube videos at that time or DIY TV.
I recall a time I called my father and he was walking me through what I had to do. He would say get this or that tool while on the phone.
I would respond with this logic, "the thing that opens it's mouth?"
That made my father laugh.
What the hell are you talking about he'd ask me laughing?
I'd tell him it's kind of round on top and it looks like you can open its mouth.
He laughed and said I think that is it and he would continue to walk me through the plumbing type issue. I recall all I had to do was tighten this thingy. Yes, that is indeed the name of it, "thingy"
As my Dad did with all other issues he never taught me when I lived at home. He obviously thought it was important that I know this yet until I moved out he never showed me anything remotely handy. I think the answer lies in his thinking if I moved out I'd be marrying someone who would take care of me. That was my dad's generation of thought.
As you will see with my father's housewarming gifts they were very much about fire. I guess he was worried about this with me or just a nutjob.
Part 2 of his exciting gift was a rope fire ladder to get my ass out the window in case of fire.
Mom gave me a Tupperware of yummies for my new roommate and myself. My Dad gave me tools and a fire rope ladder.
To my 19 yr old self, this was not exciting.
Part 3 was a can of something and for the life of me, I don't recall what it was. I believe that too had to do with fire. It was apparent to me that my father had a real concern for me being in a fire. I wish I could ask him.
Did we even have fire detectors in 1975?
Because I was on the 2nd floor and the ability to get out was a bit crazy he thought this rope ladder was the key.
I opened that box and just howled. If a fire occurred, I would throw that ladder out the window and climb my way out of it and be safe. According to my father anyway. That damn rope ladder moved to many cities and apartments with me. But it still makes me laugh. But he's right, it's useful, funny as hell to me, but useful
Part 4 was a small red fire extinguisher that he insisted we keep in the kitchen. I said to my Dad, gee Dad Georgia's parents got her a new bed.
You are setting me up to become a firefighter.
He laughed but said I would appreciate them if needed.
Well, of course, but this 19-year-old gal would have preferred a sofa since all we had were bean bag chairs at first and a very uncomfortable wicker chair.
I learned all about my tools but I did not have a drill.
Many many years later I had graduated to the need of a drill.
(hey, keep it clean)
I recall living in an apartment where I needed to hang this planter from the sunroom ceiling. I called my friend Michael who lived 4 blocks away from me. I asked him to bring his "man tools" and c'mon down.
He laughed and said, "best request I've had all week Peg"
I laughed when I realized what I said to him.
Yep, air head moment.
I told him I'd cook if he brought his drill and hung this for me.
So now I knew I needed a drill. It kind of worked like that.
Then, of course, I met the current handy Rick.
He has enough tools to open his own Ace Hardware.
My tools are never used anymore and honestly, I am no longer singing, "I am woman hear me roar" He can do it and I don't feel terrible about asking Mr. Handy to do it for me. We have been together long enough to have our secure roles.
So do you have your own tools ladies?
When I first moved out of my parents home, my father helped.
My cousin Frank, his friend Tony and my dad all helped me move to my very first horrible apartment. I didn't see how bad it was, I just saw the freedom. It was actually quite bad.
It was a very hot muggy summer day. When we were done, my Dad bought us pizza and beers for the guys and we all sat around eating in my new apartment on the 2nd floor with no A/C and we were all dripping wet but happy as hell. 90 outside 120 inside. But I was livin' the dream.
My dad gave me 3 gifts at this time. He gave me a tool chest of sorts.
It actually was a thing that folded up and there were slots for the tools. It was blue and while I don't know what happened to the tool carrier, I still have most of those tools to this day.
At first, I was not thrilled. A tool chest? Really Dad? But I found it funny.
But let me tell you that hammer and screwdriver came in handy when it was time to hang something on the walls. (or my macrame hangings...I mean it was the 70's)
The tool chest was what my husband referred to as my "Girl Tools"
I said, "no, they are just tools"
To me that was him being a 'tool' saying that to me.
Then he compared his hammer to mine. Oh, I see.
Mine was so light. His was heavy. I liked mine better. It does the same thing but it's just easier for me to hold it and swing. But instead of "girl" tools how about beginner tools? I like that better.
It didn't matter I had a beginners tool chest of screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, and things I had no idea what to do with anyway.
Over time as was needed I sure did learn. Too bad there were no Youtube videos at that time or DIY TV.
I recall a time I called my father and he was walking me through what I had to do. He would say get this or that tool while on the phone.
I would respond with this logic, "the thing that opens it's mouth?"
That made my father laugh.
What the hell are you talking about he'd ask me laughing?
I'd tell him it's kind of round on top and it looks like you can open its mouth.
He laughed and said I think that is it and he would continue to walk me through the plumbing type issue. I recall all I had to do was tighten this thingy. Yes, that is indeed the name of it, "thingy"
As my Dad did with all other issues he never taught me when I lived at home. He obviously thought it was important that I know this yet until I moved out he never showed me anything remotely handy. I think the answer lies in his thinking if I moved out I'd be marrying someone who would take care of me. That was my dad's generation of thought.
As you will see with my father's housewarming gifts they were very much about fire. I guess he was worried about this with me or just a nutjob.
Part 2 of his exciting gift was a rope fire ladder to get my ass out the window in case of fire.
Mom gave me a Tupperware of yummies for my new roommate and myself. My Dad gave me tools and a fire rope ladder.
To my 19 yr old self, this was not exciting.
Part 3 was a can of something and for the life of me, I don't recall what it was. I believe that too had to do with fire. It was apparent to me that my father had a real concern for me being in a fire. I wish I could ask him.
Did we even have fire detectors in 1975?
Because I was on the 2nd floor and the ability to get out was a bit crazy he thought this rope ladder was the key.
I opened that box and just howled. If a fire occurred, I would throw that ladder out the window and climb my way out of it and be safe. According to my father anyway. That damn rope ladder moved to many cities and apartments with me. But it still makes me laugh. But he's right, it's useful, funny as hell to me, but useful
Part 4 was a small red fire extinguisher that he insisted we keep in the kitchen. I said to my Dad, gee Dad Georgia's parents got her a new bed.
You are setting me up to become a firefighter.
He laughed but said I would appreciate them if needed.
Well, of course, but this 19-year-old gal would have preferred a sofa since all we had were bean bag chairs at first and a very uncomfortable wicker chair.
I learned all about my tools but I did not have a drill.
Many many years later I had graduated to the need of a drill.
(hey, keep it clean)
I recall living in an apartment where I needed to hang this planter from the sunroom ceiling. I called my friend Michael who lived 4 blocks away from me. I asked him to bring his "man tools" and c'mon down.
He laughed and said, "best request I've had all week Peg"
I laughed when I realized what I said to him.
Yep, air head moment.
I told him I'd cook if he brought his drill and hung this for me.
So now I knew I needed a drill. It kind of worked like that.
Then, of course, I met the current handy Rick.
He has enough tools to open his own Ace Hardware.
My tools are never used anymore and honestly, I am no longer singing, "I am woman hear me roar" He can do it and I don't feel terrible about asking Mr. Handy to do it for me. We have been together long enough to have our secure roles.
So do you have your own tools ladies?
Monday, April 9, 2018
Funny Photos
Back to the office. Yee-Haa, she said sarcastically.
My sister got here in time for dinner Tuesday. We had dinner, drinks and talked all night. In the morning we just hung out. I thought she'd want to go somewhere but she didn't. And she didn't get up until late morning so I got to work in the a.m.
It was so nice to spend time with her without the distractions of kids and husbands. It was very very nice.
She brought me some funny photos that she found at moms in our Grandmothers boxes. I will include some here because they are funny.
You can tell the era by my hair. There was also a letter I wrote Grandma when I was in school.
I went back to school at the ripe old age of 26 1/2 after my divorce. I had very little money and I recall living on a can of tuna for 3 days with saltines. No mayo, just horrible tuna in water with some saltines. I mean to tell you I was broke. I was paying for school as well so if it came to a school payment or food, food never won!
In my letter, I thanked my Grandmother for the meatloaf she gave me to take back to school. I ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sandwiches and just alone. I was reading this letter and laughing because it all came back to me. Hey, it wasn't tuna so I'd eat anything at that point.
The thing about that is that I hate all seafood so to know me and know I ate this for days because I was so broke tells you how broke I was.
We had some good laughs about when we lived together in our Pullman apartment and when we ate a whole hot fudge cake for dinner and while watching a movie and never ate real food. Hot fudge cake and red wine. That was our dinner. She never gained weight. She was so thin and she ate nothing but junk. Once went I went into her room there were plates of food everywhere. All empty, but a cake plate, a plate of cookie crumbs and the like. She was a hoot. I couldn't do that. She is not like that now and we whined about it all.
In these pictures, we found I had a love of scarves wrapped around my ponytail. I think I thought I was Rhoda Morgenstern. I totally forgot I wore those. I can tell the decade by my clothes and hair. My grandmother has it written on the back too. She has a lot of my birthdays.
Here are a few for your giggles. Go ahead and laugh at me, I don't mind we laughed our asses off. We shook our heads a lot and said, "What were we thinking" But I love that I have these to make fun of myself. It's a great time capsule.
My sister got here in time for dinner Tuesday. We had dinner, drinks and talked all night. In the morning we just hung out. I thought she'd want to go somewhere but she didn't. And she didn't get up until late morning so I got to work in the a.m.
It was so nice to spend time with her without the distractions of kids and husbands. It was very very nice.
She brought me some funny photos that she found at moms in our Grandmothers boxes. I will include some here because they are funny.
You can tell the era by my hair. There was also a letter I wrote Grandma when I was in school.
I went back to school at the ripe old age of 26 1/2 after my divorce. I had very little money and I recall living on a can of tuna for 3 days with saltines. No mayo, just horrible tuna in water with some saltines. I mean to tell you I was broke. I was paying for school as well so if it came to a school payment or food, food never won!
In my letter, I thanked my Grandmother for the meatloaf she gave me to take back to school. I ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sandwiches and just alone. I was reading this letter and laughing because it all came back to me. Hey, it wasn't tuna so I'd eat anything at that point.
The thing about that is that I hate all seafood so to know me and know I ate this for days because I was so broke tells you how broke I was.
We had some good laughs about when we lived together in our Pullman apartment and when we ate a whole hot fudge cake for dinner and while watching a movie and never ate real food. Hot fudge cake and red wine. That was our dinner. She never gained weight. She was so thin and she ate nothing but junk. Once went I went into her room there were plates of food everywhere. All empty, but a cake plate, a plate of cookie crumbs and the like. She was a hoot. I couldn't do that. She is not like that now and we whined about it all.
In these pictures, we found I had a love of scarves wrapped around my ponytail. I think I thought I was Rhoda Morgenstern. I totally forgot I wore those. I can tell the decade by my clothes and hair. My grandmother has it written on the back too. She has a lot of my birthdays.
Here are a few for your giggles. Go ahead and laugh at me, I don't mind we laughed our asses off. We shook our heads a lot and said, "What were we thinking" But I love that I have these to make fun of myself. It's a great time capsule.
Let us start with this one. The furniture is from the 60's when my mom was alive so I am guessing 11 or 12. She died in '69 when I was 13. I don't believe I am that old here. I always look older though to me.
Could just be the boobs at 11.
Oh, the hair, the boyfriend's hair and glasses and 'stache.
My sister on my left is now 47, put that in perspective, doesn't it?
I remember this so clearly yet, can't remember what I had for dinner yesterday. Funny how that works.
Yes, that is a Holly Hobby Cake. At 20, what a goof.
I so remember this one. This was about the time that I began to feel awful. Little did I know my thyroid wasn't functioning. I cut my hair and then I cried until it grew back. Then I bought this skirt for Easter and I got a size up and thought I was just too fat to be seen. This was behind my Grandmothers motel. So the pose is even funnier when you know these things. My sister asked if I was soliciting. I think I was 18 or 19 here. Those shoes do not accentuate your gams at all.
I really remember this Sunday dinner below. This was around 1988.
I am wearing 2 sweaters here. Why? It bulked me up and made me look so large. I probably thought I was covering my boobs. I did that all the time. Someone should have shown me the pic, I would have not done that again. Reminds me when my mom told me not to slouch because I wasn't hiding my boobs like I thought I was. She said to me, "it just makes you look like a young woman with big boobs who slouches, it's not attractive." That cracks me up to this day. Her pearls of wisdom.
This picture of my Dad is how I remember him most.
My sister with the '80s hair like me is now 44 almost 45 now.
Look at the cutie with her braces!
Yes, that is Rick with his porn 'stache. HA!
I need to take a photo of us now. So you can see the old version of us.
We never take photos of ourselves except our first and last selfie. As you can see that didn't work out too well. The man holding the camera is 6'2" and he forgot I am 5'1". It is one of my favorites of us though because it makes me laugh. I think this was like 4 years ago. I am guessing by the color of my walls, cabinets, fridge and old balusters. All are different now.
Or we can look at the lines around my eyes. Either way 😋
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Upside Down
My baseball teams home opener was yesterday and it was canceled due to snow. That is all kinds of wrong. Snow in April.
This is the coldest spring I have ever encountered while living here. Which is 18 years. I don't mind the rain at all. Hell, I lived in Seattle, at least here our rain goes away. But a good warm rain is fabulous with a rainbow at the end. I love those spring days. We only have very cold rain. I was wearing fleece, gloves and other winter accessories last night on Izzy's last walk. 39 degrees is not spring weather temps. It's been a weird weather year. But better than snow. I must remember to tell myself that. Better than snow.
I was to drive north, but my stubborn sister is determined to drive down here.
She arrives today. I am not company ready. Not much food in the house etc.
So I have to run out at lunch and fetch food. I found this out at 4:30 yesterday.
Thank God it's my sister. We lived together as young women in a 2 bedroom apartment. She knows I can be a bit messy so there is that comfort.
If everything was perfect she would give me shit for changing things for her.
😊
I think she is only doing this because of my eye, aka Betty. I told her I am fine if I drive during the day. I know the way. I can do this in a quick 6 hrs. But she was giving me such shit and she is determined to do it. I can't win so I finally let it go.
Sisters. You'd think she was the oldest.
I'm walking away from the blogs today. Be back around after Stephanie leaves.
I have a lot of stuff to do with work, the dog, and making some yummies before she gets here.
Talk to you all later this week.
This is the coldest spring I have ever encountered while living here. Which is 18 years. I don't mind the rain at all. Hell, I lived in Seattle, at least here our rain goes away. But a good warm rain is fabulous with a rainbow at the end. I love those spring days. We only have very cold rain. I was wearing fleece, gloves and other winter accessories last night on Izzy's last walk. 39 degrees is not spring weather temps. It's been a weird weather year. But better than snow. I must remember to tell myself that. Better than snow.
I was to drive north, but my stubborn sister is determined to drive down here.
She arrives today. I am not company ready. Not much food in the house etc.
So I have to run out at lunch and fetch food. I found this out at 4:30 yesterday.
Thank God it's my sister. We lived together as young women in a 2 bedroom apartment. She knows I can be a bit messy so there is that comfort.
If everything was perfect she would give me shit for changing things for her.
😊
I think she is only doing this because of my eye, aka Betty. I told her I am fine if I drive during the day. I know the way. I can do this in a quick 6 hrs. But she was giving me such shit and she is determined to do it. I can't win so I finally let it go.
Sisters. You'd think she was the oldest.
I'm walking away from the blogs today. Be back around after Stephanie leaves.
I have a lot of stuff to do with work, the dog, and making some yummies before she gets here.
Talk to you all later this week.
Monday, April 2, 2018
April Showers
Friday I finally got my bathroom shower door installed.
Rick was about to do this but then we fired Gary.
No time for anything now that Rick is working full time.
Then tax time. No time for anything more than meltdowns and cussing while staring at the computer. So during that time I used a shower curtain. But I couldn't wait until the door sitting in our garage was installed.
Rick has never done this type installation before and I really didn't think he should try this. This door wasn't cheap. I also know this man, he'd be cussin' and banging things and it would be days before he would lament and say, "go ahead call someone" He can do most things, but I didn't see this being one of them. I just couldn't tell him that. The male fragile ego you know.
So when a woman from a company called us to see if we were willing to do a trade I responded with a huge YES. What is the cost to install a shower door that we already have? It was $5 more than if we refinished her tub. But she was calling it even. Okay with me. And it would be done in 3.5 hrs or less. Better than what Rick could do.
These 2 men came to my home ON TIME. They were so respectful of my home and time. They were terrific. So much so I told them I would steal them to come work for me. They laughed but boy if they were interested I would so steal them away. They were that great.
Because this was my master bath they put a drop cloth on my bedroom floor and they put all their tools on that drop cloth. When I saw that I was thrilled. Since the carpet is only 1-year old I was pleased to see them protect my floor.
They carried the shower door from the patio to our 2nd-floor master.
At one point coming up the stairs they had to back into my office (open loft style) to get around the corner. I was on the phone with a customer and he whispered, "sorry for invading your space"
Which was very nice but not necessary since I knew it was the only way to get around that corner let alone with very heavy glass.
I checked on them once and gave them cold bottled water.
About an hour later they called me to come in. Oh oh.
They showed me how our wall was not straight up the one side.
Yep, nothing in this house is straight or plum, our place was expensive but built like a house of cards.
That is the Northern Virginia way don't you know.
They gave me a couple ideas on how we could make this work, but they all sucked. We did agree on which one was going to be best to do.
The lead man was so concerned that I was going to be okay with this. I knew there were no options to fix unless the wall came down and a new straight one went in. I appreciated his concern and told him so but I would show this to Rick and we both are fine with this fix.
They both looked at each other and I swear they exhaled. I think they were sweating this or thinking maybe I'd be upset. But there was nothing anyone could do any better with a crooked wall. Once again I thought, Thank God this wasn't Rick doing this or it would have been a pain in the ass for him. And me having to listen to him bitch a fit. So all was fine to me with this situation they were working on.
They told us we had to wait for 24 hrs before we could use it.
Then we both jumped into the shower together and enjoyed our new door.
Can you tell we were both excited to use our new shower?
When we were young and poorer than poor we lived in a flat that always ran out of water. If one person took a quick shower there was nothing left for the 2nd person for what seemed like forever.
Heaven forbid don't do laundry or dishes if someone needs to shower.
So we would jump in the small shower together and actually say, "rotate" so the other could get some warm water. We laugh about all this now but back in the day it was real life. When I tell anyone we showered together they always make it sexual. 97% of the time it was truly for showering with both of us getting hot water. But every once in a while....
Hey we were young and flexible in those days...tee hee
Our flat was always so damn cold too. It was old and it had lots of windows but that only let more air in. Winter was brutal in this place but it was cheap.
Rick put my towel over the heater one day while I showered and when I was done he handed me this warm towel. Oh my God the first time he did this I was so surprised and then said, "You know you're going to have to do this a lot now don't you?" He laughed and said his pleasure. Oh no, mister, a warm towel was mine buddy. It was cheaper than a real towel warmer for we broke ass kids and it just took a minute in front of the heater vent. I used that vent all time in the winter.
I thought it was genius. But whatever you do, don't flush if someone is in the shower. Then you'll finally get hot water!!
note wall on your right - it touches on the bottom and as you go up the wall the gap gets larger.
Thankfully in this home, we can run the dishwasher, do a load of laundry and still take a shower. The door is like a barn door, those round things on the top slide across a channel. I like it. But anal retentive me is concerned about water spots. So far none. Which is odd. They told me that something was put on the glass. They also told me that the newer doors like this are far better than how they used to be. So we'll see.
We planned to spend Easter Sunday putting our patio together since it was so warm. But that didn't last. It rained so we didn't do it. It was a quiet weekend.
I am hoping to drive north. Another attempt at heading to Erie. My sister Stephanie is in town and it's been a few years since I've seen her and would really really like to see her. She mentioned driving down here. While I would prefer that, she has a hectic week of flying across the country, being with her family and then having to drive down and back in 48hrs and then flying out west again. That is not a relaxing trip. So I will head up there. If they get snow again I will flip out. No more snow!! I'm hoping to leave very early Thursday morning.
Keep your fingers crossed.
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