Bouncing Back

We have been back five days, and I still don't feel like I am in my old routine. I suppose you leave to break up routine. Right now I miss my old routine.

We thought about dropping by to see my old college roomate, Barbara and my niece, Lindsay while we were in Oregon, but it seemed like such a huge effort. I suppose it was because it rain and rain and then it rain some more. All that rain was so exhausting. You have all heard me whine because of the lack of moisture in Denver, but I not sure I could ever get use to all that rain. Even the dog, who loves water got tired of it and would only go out when she really, really needed to go. I did manage to finish "World Without End" and two smaller novels. I can't help thinking it would have been more comfortable if I had been home.

Paul managed to sell the RV, but he did not think is was going to sell. He intended to leave the truck in Oregon, buy a small car and come back to Denver. He looked and looked for a small car and then got nervous that he would not find anything and impulsively bought a 2005 Aveo that turned out to be nothing but trouble. Because he sold the RV there was no point in leaving the truck in Oregon. He spent two days and over $200 repairing the Aveo in the parking lot of the Motel 6 in Troutdale, and then I drove the truck back and he drove the Aveo. Aveo still needs a lot of work done.

Highlight of the trip for me was probably the day we spent in Lincoln City. Althought the 20 minutes or so we spent walking the the beach in horizontal rain left us soaking wet. Highlight for Paul was the day we sold the RV. It's exciting to buy and exciting to sell. Thank you, Judy, for taking down our posting.

We had to take our time coming back so Aveo would not over heat. The first night we spent in Boise and the second we stayed with Mom and Ed in Salem. We had a really nice visit with Mom and Ed. It was nice to catch up with what they are planning this summer.

We both enjoyed the hour or so we spent in Twin Falls while the Aveo rested. We went and looked at the canyon and then had a hot dog at Costco. It is a very pretty town. We took very few pictures because of the rain, but I did get a couple of good shots of the canyon in Twin Falls.

On the third day we let the Aveo rest at Glenwood Canyon while we had a picnic on the lawn. Brandy was very leary of the eagles with the feet wing span.

We hit rush hour traffic all three days. Paul had no idea so many people lived in the SLC metro area. He is back to thinking maybe we should retire there. Mainly because it was not raining, and he thinks there must be a reason why so many folks are flocking to the area. Give him six months and he will want to go somewhere else. What can I say? He has the heart/soul of gypsy.

I had parked my car at an RTD park and ride because I was planning on flying back. While we were gone the city of Denver gave my with a ticket because I had not pre-paid to park in the RTD lot. It told me how to pay the ticket, but not how to pay for the space for 15 days. I called Thursday (and sent followup email on Friday) and I am still waiting for a call back.

Last time I parked there (Sept of 2010) it was free and I misread the instructions on the RTD website. It stated: "If your vehicle is registered to an address in-District, you may park daily at no charge. You will be subject to the park-n-Ride fee for extended use each day after the first 24 hours." I only read the first sentence (there are reason I don't work for NASA).

Still upset about no call back, I know, I will have to pay late fees because the only thing I paid was the ticket, but not sure how to pay for the parking space. I am upset about government agencies make rules that private companies have to respond timely, while the government is somehow exempt from the same rules.

My other rant being why should the general public have to make up for the deficiencies in their pension plans? If the community actually got some kind of assistance I could see why municipal employees should be reward for the many years of 'dedicated' help, but not when government workers do not feel they owe the public something (a phone call) in return. Grrrrr!

The good news is while we were gone "The Decorative Painting Society" reshipped the magazines I had ordered from them and I got my first two issues of "Lapidary Jewelry". I am in magazine heaven.

Celebrating 25 Years

April 2nd is the date I started working for KP, 25 years ago. All those years I spent as a gypsy-drudge going from job to job have made me feel very appreciative for finding an employer who trys to treats employees so fairly. Instead of the usual cake and ice cream, my supervisor and the women I work closest with prepared Chinese Chicken Salad with butter rolls, and then there was cake! It was delicious.

Going Postal

Friday afternoon (4;30) I received a package that I had been anxiously been awaiting. Unfortunately the box was empty with a tag from the postoffice showing that they delivered it unsealed and without contents. The postman said there was nothing I could do because it was not insured. Isn't that the same as if you got your oil changed and the mechanic forgets to screw the oil pan back and you drive away and ruin the engine and the then to mechanic tells you, "sorry it wasn't insured?"

I called the company located in Wichita ,and left a voice mail and then I sent an email. I had ordered 45 back issues from the Society of Decorative painters. I also, went online to verify the postman's statement that there was nothing I could not do because it was uninsured.

I found that all undelivered items go to either Altanta or St. Paul and are sold at auction. So, not only is the post office not responsible, but they can make a profit? I also found I could request a Mail Recover Center Search Inquiry. I went to may local post office for the form and was told they did not have it and I needed to call customer service. I told them I already had, and could'nt get past the electronic voice box because there was no catagory for MCR. They said I need to say 'Loose Mail." I went home and tried again, and that got me to a customer service rep that took my information and said some one would call me back within two working days. I am not hopeful, because I guess only one fourth of people who file ever get their stuff back and I am asking for fragile magazines from an oraganization that is not overly compassionate.

Any suggestions or even empathy would be greatly appreciated.

Here Kitty, Kitty

My Friend, Debbie, had a family emergency in Cleveland. Debbie told me that anyone willing to go to Cleveland should be paid and she can't believe the airlines want her to pay for a flight! While she is gone I am cat sitting. I certainly hope nothing happens to her cats while she is gone. Jazzie (tiger) is seventeen going on eighteen, but she is very spry. Both kitties greet me at the door and prance directly to their food dish. They always act like the haven't been feed in days. True Heart(spots) is less than a year old, but he and Jazzie seem to get along. There may be a little bit of kitty rivalty going on because they always eat out of their own dish and then switch and eat out of the other dish. I can't in the mornings, but a night I try to give them a little bit of people quality time.

City Roofs

Last week Paul decided we needed a shed in the back yard. I ask if it was for the lawn mower, rotatiller, our new collection of gardening supplies and for Paul's growing tool colection. No, no said he. It is for the old dishes, Christmas decorations, and Dad's old lapidary tools. He wanted to put ALL my books and painting supplies out there too, but I strongly objected! It has occurred to me that he is building it to get rid of my stuff.

He didn't want me too, but I called the city for a permit. Turns out you don't need one if it under 120 feet. It is better to know ahead than to be fined.
We are now at a standstill with our new 8 x 12 shed. Turns out in order to do the roof you need to know you triangles. I think this is the first time I have ever needed high school geometry!
Thank goodness, for the INTERNET. I found serveral sites that walked you through the process, but Paul refused to even look at them (something to do with an adversion to reading). So, I think I have talked him into a UTube veiwing. I want to set it up on the big TV so, I am not sure when we will have the time. Terrie has a birthday this weekend, and next weekend Paul is going to Portland. In the mean time, the shed wannabe is wraped in tarp.

The Creative Edge

I went to my first meeting of the Mile Hi Society of Decorative Painters. It was not what I expected. There were not many members, perhaps 15 and it seemed like they had all been together for 40 years (no exaggeration). Most were quite friendly and welcomey. Still, it will be hard to 'fit in' with so much history between the existing member's. Now, that I think about it, the reason I did not join when I first moved to here was because I didn't think I would 'fit.' Turns out I don't 'fit.' It is so awkward. But I regress...
One lady told me that they use to have around 200 members. I think the Big Sky Dab and Gab use to have around 200 members.I wonder what is causing membership losses. Is it because of percieved 'not fitting in' or is Tole Painting not a popular as it was in the 70's? Even in the 70's it wasn't that popular, but it could be less popular now. I wonder how many member are still active in the Big Sky Dab and Gab.The driving force for the Dab and Gab retired years ago, maybe the same thing happened in Aurora. Last I heard there was a new 'sheriff' in Billings that was revitalizing the Billings Decorative Painting community. Whatever the cause I am going to have to work on my 'people skills' if I am going last in this club.
The Mile Hi Club had an 'stamping' activity this month.We made ribbons, a carrot that holds Easter candy, and a gift card. I did all three. I heard one gal teasing another a gal about all the stuff she had in her basement. She was saying something about all her jewerly making equipment. Maybe the lady with the full basement knows somewhere that teaches lapidary skills. What can I say? I am sensing a new BFF. Because a picture is worth a 1,000 words I am posting shots the projects I completed. They are kinda cute.

American Idol

I watched parts of American Idol last night (there was nothing else on and I was too lazy to move). One of the singers sang a Garth Brooks tune and the judges remarked on how much like Mr. Brooks he sounded. So, I am going to give my opinion because it has been a while since my last blog. My opinion is that S. McCreery is a very good singer, but he is so darn young. He needs time to develop his own sound. I think AI would change the minimum to 18.
Begining artist copy the master, and when they become masters they are copied, and no one is a "master" at age 16.

Anyway, I found this recording on UTube. It is Merle Hagard singing a MartyRobbins tune. It helps if you know the style of both singers, but even if you don't hopefully you will get my point.
I think I should also include a Hag song just so you can see how great Merle Hagard is, so the second link is a Merle Hagard song. Merle Hagard actually wrote "My Mama's Hungry Eyes," but it is not autobiographical. For Marty Robbins think 'El Paso.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1EJ0KxKvW0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1yb4UtwJgE

As a final note I want to say that I don't think S. McCreery sounded like G. Brooks, I think he sounded like Josh Turner, but he needs to sound like Scott McCreery.