Sunday Blues

This morning dawned early. Earlier than I wished. I still have this fracking cold. I used some Afrin the other day and my morning symtoms vanished, but more than three days may cause you to become addicted, physically (Trust me, I don't think it is psychologically fun to do). Still, it clears your sinuses REALLY well! I like that. Still, yesterday I needed to stop taking it. So I did. This morning I woke up with a case of the "Horrible Boogers From Outer Space" and shed more than my fair share of nasty boogery things...at about 7AM! I hate 7AM! It was Sun-fricking-day, why in the name of all that is sleepy did I HAVE to wake up before 8???? On A SUNDAY!?! Argh! I hate early Sundays!

Then Cora awoke...about two hours later. I spent the intervening time sitting outside in a lawn chair, reading. I had coffee, a comfortable chair, and a good book. I have been re-reading "When Thunder Rolled." It's a good book about F-105 pilots during the Vietnam War. It was a warm morning. The thermometer said 75...I was more than happy to sit outside and read. The hot coffee helped. I also made sure that my feet were in the sunlightg longest, my socks made a white cutoff on my feet. So, I was tryng to remedy that situation. Then Cora got up. I made her coffee and then went back out for awhile. All-in-all, it wasn't a bad way to start a day.

It was sometime after 930 when my mother-in-law called to ask for help movng some furniture out of her Dad's place. Cora and I left and spent a few hours helping out. It was a good day. We were done by about 2pm and I came home. Then, after a short rest, I put together a shelf we had bought yestreday. Here is the picture.

Here are the Squash we planted a few weeks ago. Look how they have grown!

I went out to take a picture when I noticed Toby digging in the garden, but being extremely careful not to touch the electric fence, which happens NOT to be on, still, it's cute.

I barbequed a steak and some squash and zucchini again. I can't show pictures because it is all gone, we ate it.

I also found yet another of the house' residents in the back yard...

I will be teachng fifth grade tomrrow. Late start. Maybe I will sit outside agan...

Bits and Pieces

The sky out the front door at about 9:00 last night. I liked the contrasting clouds and the colors of the sunset. About the time I clicked the last photo a couple students from the HS walked by...I closed the door as their voices followed me in. I suspect some of their comments involved my being shirtless. I am glad the end of the year is nigh.

Below you see dinner from last night. Here is Grilled Chicken with fresh home-grown basil and grilled zucchini and yellow squash. They were delicious, though the taste and smell coming from the photo does nothing to relay the sensation that appealed to all my senses last night.


Today, we went to town and bought some organizational stuff for the laundry room. We travelled from Lowes to the aweful HD, looking for a cabinet that would fit where we wanted it and did not cost $1,000,000.00. We found one, finally. So, we got a cabinet and some wire frame shelves. Then, after grabbing a bunch of groceries...well, not a bunch, but if you go to Costco and DON'T spend $100.00 you are made of firmer stuff than I.

We finally have something other than a nail to hang leashes on...and checkout that laundry soap!

The plan is to keep the laundry room neat and tidy...something we were not capable of doing before. Keep your fingers crossed.

I moved the freezer in with a minimum of fuss...I was very happy.

Then I did my yearly flower photos...what do ya think?

At Target, Cora rewarded my hard work. She allowed me to buy a remote control helicopter...this darned thing is NOT easy to fly. I have yet to figure out how to set the trim...supposedly once it is set, it is good...it isn't.

Tonight I made ribs...no, I am not some genius cook, it was aready put together, all I had to do was put it in the oven and warm up some corn. Turned out pretty good.

So, it's been a good day...if somewhat tiring. I have a sore back...oh yeah, I did a bunch of other stuff, like mow lawn and stuff, too boot. I am now reclining and trying to relax. Time for another drink...

The Big Day Has Arrived!

We have been waiting! I am sure you ALL HAVE TOO!!!








And today...







Ha! You thought the baby had arrived, huh? Well, almost as cool. A lovely couple has come to stay with us! They will have their own room.


We got our Washer and Dryer!!

Ahhhh, look at the beautiful pair!

My Father-in-law and I put the two together and got them all set up. That washer was a heavy one, too! But we got it done.

I thought I would avoid Dodo the Wonder Salesman, but it was not to be. He showed up and tried to help. His coworkers did a lot of eye rolling. I suppose I should feel sorry for him, but he is just SOO weird and annoying.

Sounds like we have a small squeaky jet airplane in the laundry room...spin cycle.

Another Day, Another Cold

So, last week I managed to catch a cold. It is a particularly pernicious one. I manage to breathe most of the night, but what comes up and out in the morning is some of the worst!

I teach at the HS all week, so I am off somewhat early all week. Yesterday I continued gutting the laundry room by removing the old appliances, patching the walls and painting it. I intend to mop it before we bring in the new set. Then it will be a reverse process of the gutting...hopefully we will figure out a better way to use our space now.

I need to finish up the painting I have been working on. Only problem is I keep changing it...soon I will be happy enough with it to send a photo to the potential buyer.

Well, I have to go get ready for work...another day with the freshies...sometimes, I understand why some animals eat their young.

Weekend Day 2

We worked our bottoms off! I mowed the yard. I fertilized it. I took the picnic table apart and changed the tire on the Buick. I also charged the battery. I managed to do a number of other things, but the one that I think will have the most effect on us is this:

Yes, I put the AC in the bedroom. It is on the south side of the house and gets really hot during he summer.

Cora and I played a couple games of croquet. We made hamburger and, a piece of genius on my part, we made s'mores...with a minor defect. I accidentally boughtthe cinnamin graham crakers...0oops!

Cora is forgiving, though...here she is beginning to post.

So, it has been a good weekend!

Clean Purchase and Other Observations.

Yesterday we went shopping. We bought...financed...a washer and dryer. I guess you know you are an adult when buying an appliance makes you smile. I tried to get the salesman we spoke to Friday to throw in a plasma screen for free with purchase of a washer/dryer, but he would not do it. Guess I need to work on my pitches.

Yesterday, however, we were not blessed with a salesman with a great sense of humor...let alone brains. "I'm Tim, you are?" "Uh, alright Dora, let me type that in." No, it's CORA.

First, let me say something about appearance. I know how hard it is to drag yourself to work, especially one where you have to work with annoying customers all day, but can't you drag a comb through your hair first? PUH-LEASE!? Admittedly he did not have much hair remaining, and most of it was on the back half of his head, but that should make it faster to comb, right? And if he was going for the "distracted genius" look, it was not working for him. I think only famous physicists can handle that one.

Second: reading the customer and attending to their needs. If a customer comes in and says they are looking for something and have not settled on what to buy, that is when you, the friendly salesperson, can give them their options. Tell them about the range of products you carry. Give them options. When they know exactly what they want and say they have the MODEL NUMBER and SKU, well, let's not give them the whole opening spiel. Yes, it can be disconcerting to have a customer that knows what they want and who have gone to lengths to provide you with the easiest route to make a sale, but do not freak out. Please don't give them lectures. Don't explain the obvious, especially when your explanation was not requested. Don't make it harder than it has to be.

Third: When you see a washer with a round door and a dryer with a square door, DO NOT ASSUME the two are a pair. The customer just GAVE you the correct SKU numbers. Just because the internet application for your store says it is a pair, does not mean it is so. DO NOT try to convince the customer that squares AND circles go together. No, don't do it. Type in the other SKU and see what you find! OH! Wow. The computer was wrong. Hmmm, what's that saying? If you enter nonsense into a computer, it will spit nonsense right back out?

Fourth: When you see that the customer does not want your "help" don't give it to him anyway. I suppose I had already begun disliking the salesman by the time he had begun typing in the computer, which was maybe 30 seconds into our relationship. Cora could tell, but she knows me better than most. So when the guy asked about installation, I said no. He continued by trying to explain that with the new options it might be complicated. ( let me just say, that while I am not a genius, I can read instructions and often figure out things for myself. I even managed to do some minor surgery on our old washer/dryer set, so I think I can handle it) NO.

"You will need a new pigtail." Fine, I'll pick it up when the washer and dryer come in. "Well, you should buy it now so it shows on the receipt and PP&L (Electric Company) will know you are following their instructions and give you $100 back for buying an energy star appliance." FINE.

By now, I am really beginning to not like him. He asked what kind of dryer hose we have. "Rigid or soft? Because you really need rigid." I answer rigid. I have a rigid one, but even if I did not, I would have answered the same, just to shut him up...besides, I plan to buy a new one since the old one is probably not long enough to reach the new location, but I will buy that another time and hopefully from another person.

"How about the service/repair plan? Three year or five year?" What? Is it going to break in three years? The old ones waited until they were seven or eight years old before anything broke on them. Are you going to sell me a bad product? Do I NEED a service/repair plan? OK, by this time, I was getting more and more annoyed with this idiot. So, when he asked about the service/repair plan, I simply said no. Instead of taking no for an answer, he continues to walk beside me and tell me that 8 out of 9 customers who bought this appliance also bought the service/repair plan. I wanted to say, "then apparently 8 out of 9 people are idiots like you." (that isn't true, we have bought the service plans before, but he was very annoying.) DAMMIT MAN, go away!

We applied for their finance option. You could tell the girl who was in charge of that did not care for him, either. It was in the dismissive body language she used on him and no one else. He continued to explain the situation to her well after she seemed to understand what he needed. Finally, he went away to get the service/repair plan info to try to convince me to buy into it.

Cora, seeing my pain (and probably fearing my biting sarcasm was welling up and getting ready to rear its head to cut this moron down to size), took pity on me and let me go peruse the DVDs as a respite while he typed up an order for the washer and dryer. She alone bore his idiocy for a time. I salute you Cora! You deserve a medal of valor or something!

He would not give us the papers so we could go up and buy it at the cashier without him. No. He followed along. The whole "giving more information than needed" thing continued. I was at fault. I mentioned that we were planning to go to Africa. He began to try to explain to us he once had planned to go to Africa in 1980. He could not remember the name of the country, nor, apparently, the reason, but he tried anyway, looking, for all the world, like he was trying to follow the movement of an invisible insect with his eyes. Ah, so, this what the depths of Hell must be like.

Finally, it was our turn at the cashier. He then stood behind the cashier and basically told her how to do her job. Her expression was neutral, with a slight hint of loathing. If she had an aura, it was of hate and barely contained fury. She was courteous and friendly to us but barely so to him, minus the friendly. I don't remember her exact words, but they were kept to a minimum of syllables. Still, his "help" continued. Finally, it was done and he called me by my first name, not the first time, but fortunately the last, and wished us on our way.

We were out the door and walking to the truck. We looked behind us to make sure he wasn't following! WOW, what an annoying man.

We came home and ate lunch, then I commenced to gut the laundry room. I did it at leisurely pace, but it will be ready by Wednesday, when the washer and dryer are scheduled to show up. I work at the HS which gets out by 230pm each day, so I will be able to go pick them up and install then that evening with luck.

Other than that sales experience, it has been a nice relaxing weekend.

Out with th Old and Decrepit...

Yesterday morning, as I sat there looking at the computer for a job, it dawned on me how nice it would be to not have to do that. Then a job came up and I could not follow that thought further. It was a 1/2 day. I don't usually take half days, but it was the Friday before Memorial Day and I figured that was probably all I could manage so late in the morning. So, I took it. Fifteen minutes later I received an e-mail telling me I had been requested for a full day job Of course, I had already accepted the first one, and though I could have cancelled that one, I don't do that, and there was no guaranteeing the other would still be there when I did. Oh, well, I got to only work a half day on the Friday before Memorial Day...I can't complain about that. I also managed to fill up next week...completely.

Cora and I went to town to get a few things a little after noon and ended up looking at Washers and Dryers. The ones we have appear to be on their last legs. I have had to tear them apart to fix things that seem to break with increasing regularity and laundry then piles up. With a little one coming, it might be nice not to have to worry about that. Also, it takes 2 to 3 dryer cycles to dry one small batch of clothing, and though summer is coming and we can now put stuff on the line, it would be SO nice to have a washer and dryer that did their job. Every time there is a breakdown, it takes two or three days to catch back up. Everytime I fix something it costs a small fortune to buy the part and five days for shipping. So, we are leaning toward a new pair with greater and greater intent to purchase. We also thought, given this weekend, we might find some better bargains...it looks as though we might.

Then we went to the fabric shop for more thread and the nursery for a couple more cucumber plants. We lost a couple of the ones we had planted and we really like fresh cucumbers. The tomatoes and squash are coming along great and the herbs are already finding their way into our cooking.

So, my job this weekend will probably be to clean out the laundry room, now. It is one of those rooms in the house that does more than its share of collecting junk. So, it will be more than a small job! I also need to change the tire on one of the cars so I can get it moved and maybe for sale...why do we have two cars that we don't drive? I guess because I am lazy... Cora has plans to work on few more dresses and I believe she will probably find herself roped into helping move things from the laundry room...

So, this promises to be a weekend full of work and new appliances...but, I have a feeling we will throw some fun in somewhere!