First date with Mr. Maybe

I got off work and changed clothes, touch up my make up, fluff hair in the airport bathroom. Drove over to the restraunt a half hour early. When making the reservation I gave myself time in case I had to wait for a delayed flight. I worked on crossword puzzles making myself more nervous by the minute. I even thought of running out of the place and going home, but I decided that would be rude and faced my fears. He is more handsome in person than his pictures he emailed. We talked about his dog and my sister's cats, our schools, our jobs, and I showed the pictures in my wallet. We ate next. It was a buffet style for a flat fee. I had pork, bun, and some cookies and candies on top. He had a salad plate, then meat, rice, bun meal. I know women often eat salads on dates and nothing else, but I don't care for rabbit food. They had a chocolate fountain we thought was fascinating. I noticed they had a big screen TV playing a football game in the lounge, he is a ice hockey fan. Then we departed after the he paid the check. I don't know how much it was. We walked out and he opened the door, such a gentleman. That was about all. I enjoyed myself. Now I'm ready for bed after washing off my make up. Happy New Year to all. Post later. Bye!

Income tax form

I got my state income tax form today. Oh joy. It is a shame the income tax people always find your correct address even when you move and neglect to forward your mail. Nobody cheats the government out of money. I was always curious why Prez Bush demands we have Nationalized Identification Cards and every citizen an ID # separate from a driver's license when we all have Social Security numbers we receive at birth. Is a Social Security # your government ordain ID #?

Anyway I made the same amount of money as last year, even with my 45 cent per hour raise. Next year I put money into my 401k plan to get the match from the company. I hope I don't bankrupt myself now from stashing money for my retirement 35 years from now. Health Insurance will just have to wait another year until I can afford it.

My brother does my taxes for me, numbers and I do not mesh well. I always try to do them myself to always do them wrong. Post later. Bye!

Excitement of the day

We had excitement tonight and everyone was gossiping around the counters getting the scoop of the event that took place today. The weirdo at car rental A sent an email from his office computer to the corporate office of car rental B complaining on how their employee on Christmas Day was not wearing his uniform, got a water bottle from the stash in car rental C's fridge (weirdo also gets water bottles from this stash), and had singing sheep bleat to the tune of Jingle Bells over the airport intercom (baa, baa, baa). Weirdo actually typed his name on the email when he sent it. Today Car rental B guy was fired for his unprofessional behavior on Christmas Day and was informed who sent this complaint.

The poor fired guy is about to be a father on top of his stress of looking for a new job. If weirdo wishes for everyone at the car rentals to hate him, his wish has been granted. Everyone knows what he did and plotting revenge when he works tomorrow. We had to gossip the nasty things we could say to him. I said if he tries to talk to me I will tell him: I don't want to talk to you, you might get me fired. A coworker is buddies with fired guy and said he was surprised I didn't like weirdo cause I like everybody. Nobody likes a tattle tale. Post later. Baa, Baa, Baa, Bye!

Update: Weirdo is on vacation until next week. How convenient.

Poor coworker

My poor coworker. I got a message on my answering machine from a coworker asking me to come in early tomorrow. I usually get these calls from my manager with changes in schedule. I emailed her asking about the issue tomorrow, out of curiosity. She emailed back that a coworker will be absent tomorrow because she is placing her mother in a hospice. My poor coworker.

A hospice is a place you take people to die in a comfortable way. My great-aunt was put in one when she was hit with cancer suddenly. Hospitals have nurses rushing around taking care of sick people and helping people get well, in addition to giving medicines to dying people. Not exactly serene places to be in. From what I know, hospices have rooms for whole families to visit a dying loved one and make the patient comfortable as possible. I think counselors are available for the family and priests too. Post later. Bye!

Shopping with sister

I went shopping with my sister and baby niece today so she can shop for our other nieces' Christmas gifts to be opened New Year's Day. My brother-in-law was in bed sick as a dog and skipped work today. My niece was let out a few times to walk down the mall. She stopped to dance in front of a store playing a Stevie Nicks song my sister recognized. She shook her booty a few seconds with the baby. A couple times we had to chase the baby when she wanted to go another direction. She was kept in the stroller visiting the stores, she has to grab everything in reach. At a bookstore, I entertained the baby while sister shopped with some of the baby books on a display.

My sister talked about her visit to the in-laws for Christmas yesterday. Stepmom objected to the idea of them adopting because you can get unhealthy or behavior problems with the adopted child. Yeah well, I said, you can get those things with a child you give birth to, like my cousin with ADD before it was given a name and my sister and niece with diabetes. I have 3 cousins who were adopted so I fail to see the problem with it.

After the shopping trip we changed the baby's diaper twice and tried to get her to take a nap. I finally said my farewell and see you tomorrow for laundry. I went to see The Family Stone at the movie theater. It was very good, though I didn't like the ending. I was expecting a wedding at the end since the plot is a man introducing his girlfriend to his family he plans to propose to. No, the mother has breast cancer, but has yet to tell her children. But it was a happy and sad ending with the family gathering around the Christmas a year later.

Sometimes I hate plots surrounding cancer (or other disease) and knowing the character will die before the end of the movie because my grandma died from cancer, well offically from pnemonia she could not recover from because of the cancer eating her body into a skeleton. Some think I'm strange for blubbering like a baby when a character dies since it is only a movie. Yes I know it is only a movie, but the pain and trauma I felt attending my first funeral on my 9th birthday, then being yelled at because I couldn't smile for the camera while holding my birthday cake was very real. Things like that just take me back to that painful time in my life. After 21 years, I still miss my grandma and think of her nearly every day. Needless to say I was mess leaving the theater wiping my nose on my gloves and coat sleeve. Post later. Bye!

Christmas booty

After Christmas is over, everyone I know wants to know what I got for Christmas. So here is my Christmas booty this year minus one sister's gift.

From:
Secret santa Betsy: minature cookie cutters and sprinkle set, crossword puszzle book, cranberry-peppermint candle, gift bag to use next year.

Pen pal Pam: snowflake ornament, xmas ball magnet, angel mug, fudge bear, shortbread cookie, peanut caramel clusters, and chocolate stars.

Pen pal Laura: $5 of McDonald's gift certificate.

Mom (and Dad): calendar of cats, fog mitt for car windshields, teflon food liner, and handmixer.

Brother Ronnie: 4 pots and pans set and outdoor thermometer with suction cup.

Sister Sylvia (and family): $25 donated to an animal shelter to protest exchanging gifts between family memembers.

One more present to unwrap whenever I see my sister Diane New Year's Day.

Today I went after Christmas shopping getting cards, gift tags, and wrapping paper. I always put on some weight so I also looked for new jeans. Those were on sale too. The toughtest part is finding jeans that are not paper thin in regular style grown ups wear. Then it is hard to find my size in the style I want. I found plenty in my old size, how ironic that when I wore my old size it was difficult to find too. There must be a lot of short women below a size 10, 10 or higher is easy to find.
Post later. Bye!

Merry Christmas

I sent my Christmas greetings to my email pals of my version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas. I will be home for Christmas Day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who read this entry.

My version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas...

We wish you a Merry Christmas.
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year.
Good tidings to you and all of your kin.
Good tidings for Christmas and Happy New Year.

Now send me some figgy pudding.
Now send me some figgy pudding.
Now send me some figgy pudding and send it right now.

I won't stop emailing til I get some.
I won't stop emailing til I get some.
I won't stop emailing til I get some,
So send it right now.
Post later. Bye!

More rules

New management has decided to cut down on cars parked on the grounds that are not suppose to be here. So they announced the parking permit stickers have arrived. Oh joy!, another sticker to agonize to remove from my window when I move away. The announcement the stickers are suppose to easily come off and will not destroy of paint finishes. Yeah, I have heard that one before. I hope they accept a sticker placed in the back window with paper back intact. I could use scotch tape too. Post later. Bye!

Merry Christmas to me

I picked up a package from one of my pen pals who lives in Florida. She is spoiling me today. I got a snowflake ornament, xmas ball magnet, candies and cookies, and a cocoa mug with an angel on it. She is so sweet to me.

Yesterday I figured out I work with interesting people. One coworker was encouraging another coworker to buy his girlfriend an engagement or promise ring for Christmas. He said he had no intention of buying her anything for Christmas and is not buying any engagement ring because he don't want to get stuck with her. He said he didn't even like her all that much. This is how he describes the woman pregnant with his child?

People think I'm crazy or weird because I do not sleep with every tall dark stranger I meet. Guys like THAT is why. I have no desire to be a single mother or have a boyfriend I'm in love with stick his tail between his legs and run away. Lecture over. Merry Christmas. Post later. Bye!

Secret santa

We exchanged secret santa gifts today. Since nobody could make a decison as to where to have a party, we didn't have one. I came to work, handed my secret santa gift to my person, and picked up mine. The boss's sister drew my name. I drew hers last year. This year I drew the idiot nobody likes. He liked his DVD of Seinfeld season 6 and Santa decoration. I liked my cookie making kit, crossword puzzle book, and cranbery peppermint candle. I briefly spoke on my New Year's date. Everybody wants to know how it is going with my man.

Sense of Humor

God must have a sense of humor. I finally give up on finding Mr. Right on my dating service website, letting my subscription expire. Then the day after it expires, I get sent Mr. Perfect. Now I get to pay for another subscription month to communicate to the guy. I just hope he answers back. I keep finding Mr. Perfects, but I'm not perfect for them.

If he don't answer there is always Mr. Maybe whose relationship is going nowhere very fast. Our schedules don't mesh and we live 2 hours from each other so it is very hard to get to know each other. But at least it is nice to email a man. We had a change of plans on meeting on New Year's Eve. He is coming to my city instead and now I have to reserve a place to eat for us. Post later. Bye!

Bush's Patroit Act renewal

President Bush has greatly encouraged illegal wiretaps and eavesdropping to move faster to conquer terroism and is pushing the renewal of the Patroit Act taking away the rights of innocent people in order to win a war.

How do us little people who aren't as familiar with the political arena, yet vote in elections, know that Bush and his aides are not bugging and eavesadropping on the Democrat Headquarters or newspaper offices who have spoken out against President Bush to get rid of his political enemies? How do I know I won't get a wiretap on my phone or computer from writing this entry?

I think people who enforce the law should also obey it themselves. A judge can and do release criminals because of a technicality when the arresting officer did not follow the rules. Post later. Bye!

Out of state visit

Home againn, home again, jiggety jog. This weekend I went into the state next door to visit my nieces. We saw their Nutcracker ballet, school concert, and church program. We were hopping place to place without much time to glance at my Mom's vacation postcards she brought from last summer. After the church program, my oldest niece and I walked to the movie theater to see "Rent". It was ok, not something I desperately wish to view again but I enjoyed myself at the theater.

Monday we came back via my Mom's hometown where we met a couple of her former classmates from high school. Mom says hardly looks familiar anymore. Dad says nobody looks like they did in high school anymore. One gal thought I was my Mom's granddaughter. I didn't think I looked that young.

At my apartment, my Dad replaced my windshield wipers with difficulty. He is 10 times stronger than me and he had trouble unsnapping the old ones out. I grabbed my tool kit for pliers to help Dad unsnap the wipers. The new wipers slid right in. Post later. Bye!

Flowers for me

Today I received flowers, from a man. A janitor friend is home sick and received a poinsetta from his boss at the airport. He said to give it to me. Ah, isn't that sweet of him? A janitor came by with it in a plastic bag. I had to show everybody my flowers. I have them in front of my balcony door and gave them some water.

On the flip side, the hottie at the car rental next door has a delayed flight to wait for and he has to report to his military base early in the morning. He will get about 4 to 5 hours sleep tonight. Then on top of that, somebody's car broke down and he did not have a car to swap it. A customer service agent ordered him to produce a car for the customer. He explained that he spoke to his boss, who spoke to her boss, and they don't have a car to produce for the customer. Poor guy. Post later. Bye!

The Joker Strikes

A coworker splashed ketchup on himself and laid in a car trunk pretending to be a dead person. The guy who found him was said to screamed like a girl and jumped in a frenzy, a charge the guy fully denies. The joker said he added the jumping part to make a better story. I work with weirdos. Post later. Bye!

New boots

I went into a store because I had a $10 off regular price coupon and needed some boots to go with a velvet dress for New Year's Eve. I found the perfect pair, and in the right size too. The signs around the section said "All boots on sale" and another sign said "50% off display table". The boots had a red sale tag on them. Naturally I think they half the sticker price, even though the new sale price is not on them.

Sales girl rings them up and they are regular price. She asks if I still want them. I know I am a pussy and should have put up a fight and walked away from the deceptive advertising. But I worked in a shoe store once where the signs say "up to" in smaller letters after the prominent "50% off" part of the signs. That means regular price through 50% off. I should have looked at the signs a little closer, but used my coupon instead. I really wanted the boots. Holiday sales are not always as great as customers think they are. I hope the boots are worth the $95 I paid for them. Post later. Bye!

Cookies are finish

I finished baking and frosting the last of my cookies. I have gingersnaps, sugar cookies with frosting, and Hershey kiss peanut butter cookies. I have some in a box to take to my sister's house. Her daughters are in the Nutcracker ballet, high school program, and a church program. I am sure my other sister will want a sample too when I visit her this week. I have 4 boxes of cookies so I could use the help eating them. I sent an email to my sister telling her the girls are free to pig out on the cookies when I come. Sometimes it is considered rude to eat all the cookies and leave none for anyone else. I am so excited. I also wrapped up all my presents for my family and secret santa, then realized I forgot to get my sister's cats something. More shopping to do.

My coworkers were a little confused when I said my nieces were in the Nutcracker, since my toddler niece is too young to perform. I explained I have 4 nieces from ages 18 to 2. The older nieces are in the ballet. The older 3 live 4 hours away so I only see them 5 times a year. The youngest niece I see every week, therefore having more to say about her. I know it's hard to keep track of other people's families. I can't wait for this weekend. Post later. Bye!

Busy day

Today we were so busy I barely read anything. The main problem was lack of car washers. One is on vacation. One called in sick. Another was sent home sick after washing a car window twice. Then the day washers left leaving the owner and his brother left to bring us cars during the night. Soon it was only the brother left to give us cars. Poor, poor guy. He said he put in a 14 hours today. He looked like it. I thought he was going fall apart when he was taking stuff out of his pockets. I told him he will get a good night's sleep from the exhaustion.

I get next weekend off to attend my niece's Christmas programs. She has a Nutcracker ballet, church program, and school program in a 3 days timespan. She is a busy bee. I have to get baking on my cookies. I bought some cookies tins to deliver cookies to my family functions this month. Post later. Bye!

European tourist

I was closing up for the day when the car rental gal next door asked if I could cash a traveler's check. Sure, how much? He asks for $50 or $70, at the $70 mark I said he was pushing it. So he gave me a $50 traveler's check and his ID I didn't even ask for. I check the signature, but wasn't sure which country he is from. I hand over the bills and he asks for change for the vending machines. I make change. He next asks for hostels. I have no idea if Des Moines has those so I give him a phone book. We have plenty of hotels across the airport and handed him a map with hotels on it, but he thought they were too expensive. He asks about cab fares and the Greyhound bus station. It took me a couple minutes to locate the street on the map. I knew the general area, but not which street for the station. He asks about cab fares and again I have no idea. I say I drive a car so I never ride in cabs, except in England. I put the phone book away and ask if he needs anymore help before I leave. I was getting rather hot in my winter coat, headband, and gloves. He said no and thank you. I pointed out where the cabs are located and end with "Have a good day". I clocked out 15 minutes later than I was suppose to, but I have a good excuse. Post later. Bye!

New guy

We have a new guy at work. He is the son of a rental clerk next door. This gal next door is giving me a kitten next spring. I asked her today if my precious has been born yet. Not yet, she said. Now she is wondering if the cat is pregnant at all. I told her that she needs to take the cat to a vet for a sonogram. She said if she is not pregnant then she will give me a kitten born in the last litter, Tozy (toe-zee). I guess that is how it is spelled. I am so excited. Post later. Bye!

Exciting day

My poor coworker went home early today. She has a cold and sounded awful. Before losing her voice, we had a brief discussion on newspaper articles I read how people call Christmas trees, Holiday trees, when displayed in public. She said Walmart has now banned their employees from saying "Merry Christmas" to customers. How ridiculous we get over religious differences. I have being wishing customers for years (at my current job and others) Merry Christmas and Happy New year. I have yet to receive a complaint from a customer my kindness. The few that were obviously Muslim smile and say "Same to you" or "You have a Happy New Year too" in response. I also wish people Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Easter, Happy 4th July, and Happy Halloween. Once I had to explain to a customer from Belguim (I think) that it was 4th of July was our Independence Day and suggested where to go for fireworks displays. After my coworker left, I sprayed her computer, phone, stapler, and counter space with disinfectant.

Then today there was confusion of where one of our cars were. A customer let their
son drive the rental car and he got pulled over by the cops who impounded the car. Well someone called saying the car had been released by the police, but my manager affirms that only a person carrying the car title in their hands and pays the fees can get the car released from the police. Odd.
Update: The car was not released and the owner went over to the police impound lot to retrieve the car. The renter has a large impounding bill tacked on their contract now.

My poor manager. She fell flat on her face, blood everywhere, causing her to almost break her nose and her teeth to go through her upper lip. She has a black eye and a fat lip. I am kinda glad I didn't see her today. She is feeling better.

Today I received a phone call from a coworker wishing me to come in early so she could leave. By the time I received the message on my machine and called back, she changed her mind. She was waiting for her ride when I showed up and asked a coworker to drive her home. I was not sure which loser was the s.o.b. who didn't come, but with her I learned not to ask questions.

Then the bossman's brother (vice president) returned from a trip with suitcase in hand. I didn't know he left. He was here last I worked.

Then I find out I'm #1 in the commission this month. I don't recall that happening before. I am having a good day. I almost feel guilty being so happy while other people are having a bad day, but I get over it real quick.

Next I find a copy of FamilyCircle with my name (real name) in the Letters to the Editor's page. That makes it time #2 to be in the Letters section. The other time was the Oprah Magazine last February. My boss was disappointed I didn't put that in my Christmas letter since that is important. I forgot about it.

Next flights are getting cancelled left and right so we are gaining reservations in the computer. And people wish to drive cars one way to someplace else. More business is welcome. Post later. Bye!

Lost Doll

Today coming back from the store I saw a rag doll in the parking lot of my apartment complex. I tried not to run over it with my car, a little girl somewhere might be missing it.

Today I baked gingersnaps and sugar cookies. I stuck most in the freezer for my family. The gingersnaps was a bad recipe. I had to water because it was too dry, then had to overcook them to keep the cookies together when I scraped them off the pan. I tossed a few burnt ones in the waste basket, my contribution to the hunger problem. Post later. Bye!

Update: The doll disappeared from the parking lot 2 days later.

Cat treats

I baked cat treats today for my sister. I bought the package of mix for my sister's cats last Christmas. She didn't wish to make them so I said I would. Now my apartement smells like cat food.

I have a date for New Year's Eve. Mr. Maybe helped find a hotel room near where he lives. I am so excited, it's been almost 3 months of emailing with this guy. Now I have to figure out what to wear. More shopping, but at least this time it is for me. Post later. Bye!

I have his attention

My poor pen pal from the computer dating service I lost hope on is suffering through the holidays with obnoxious relatives and coping with losing his former girlfriend with me trying to get to know him. I wanted to lift his spirits so I offered to send pictures of me in lace undergarments. That got his attention and looking forward to something. I even asked to meet New Year's Eve, but neglected to inform him that the only thing I have ever kissed at midnight is my sister's cat. I'm trying to be friendly withought seeming pushy. Post later. Bye!

New puzzle

I tried out a new puzzle that is all the rage and my coworker enjoys doing them. I worked on the puzzle for hours and got a splitting headache. I never finished it because I had to go home. How are these addicting? It is so hard, especially without an answer key. I don't think I'll do another one in the near future. No wacky customers today. Thank goodness. Post later. Bye!

American Justice

Today's newspaper headline asked the question "Where do Iowa's sex offenders live?".
A few years ago the state legislaturers enacted into law a 2,000 foot rule (over a mile), where people convicted of sex crimes against children and registered into a public online database to track their movements are forbidden to live (home is defined as the place you sleep) within 2,000 of a school or daycare center. Looks good on paper protecting our children, but with one flaw: the rule does not apply to everyone on the sex offender registry. If the offender has lived in his home before the school or daycare opened, they are not forced to move. For years this law has not been enforced because a civil liberties group petitioned the courts saying it is against their civil rights to do this when they are released from prison and continue to punish them. This year the group lost.

Then earler this year, 2 girls were murdered and were raped before the died within months of each other causing outrage in the community to protect the public from sex crimes. Next, with the law enforced and eviction notices handed out to those disobeying the law, communities not protected under the 2,000 foot rule decided to banish all sex offenders from moving into their neighborhoods. New rules were quickly made including no registered sex offender can live near parks, hiking trails, swimming pools, etc., leaving these evicted people no place to call home. Today the paper has answered that question, Where are they living now?

These people are sleeping in rest areas, parking lots, tents in public parks where allowed, under bridges, and hotels. That is they only sleep overnight in freezing weather in these places under a dozen blankets. They leave their new homes for warmer houses and jobs when they awaken. This is Amercian Justice at work.

Obviously "Where do sex offenders live?" is it not a question any supporters of the
2,000 foot rule answer, all they say is "Not in my neighborhood". I fail to see how forcing sex offenders to live like homeless people in poverty solves any problem. Exporting them into other states does not solve anything either. The simple fact remains: Unless sex crimes carry life sentences, they can't stay in jail forever. I do not feel my toddler niece is safer from sex predators living in parking lots, motels, and rest areas. I noticed after the Jetseta Gage case people cried how they were never told there was a sex offender living nearby and these same people also admitted of never glancing at the sex offender registry online, most public libraries have internet access. These people have the audacity to assume an official
sends out fliers every time a sex offender moves into their neighborhood.
They don't because the registry is public information, Duh.

Which brings me to add that this 2,000 foot rule does not apply to unregistered sex offenders, including convicted rapists of adults. Is my toddler niece any safer than I am from a sex crime? I hardly think so. But some people love living in denial believing false security protects the public. We Americans call that having your head up your ass so far you can't see what is happening. So where do we go from here when anyone who defends sex offenders is accused being evil and concerned with the inconveniencing violent criminals. Not exactly, we just live in the real world and think the 2,000 foot rule only looks good on paper. I hardly call living in a car or under a bridge in below freezing temperatures an inconvenience. Since no elected
official will speak out because that would be political suicide, we little
people nobody listens to must speak out.

Though I wonder if this tale ever made it to the national news level. I think it is interesting. Post later. Bye!

Wacky people

My manager always says we get more wacky customers around the holidays, and during full moons.

Today we had an angry customer who cancelled her rental complain about us still charging her for a car she did not rent. Actually, we did refund her money it just had not gone through the system yet. Sorry, we do not possess steroids for computers to make them work faster. It can take up to 72 hours to release the charge from her card. That explanation did not satisfy her and she demanded a manager (my manager can't make computers work any faster either). I send her to my owner's voicemail since he is outside. She calls back and my coworker answers. She is angry now because there is not a manager present 24 hours a day (eventually the manager has to go home). My coworker gives her our consumer affairs number to call. So consumer affairs calls us wanting a manager, I have my coworker take the call. Now the lady is threatening to never rent from us again from our unfair business practices. My coworker asks consumer affairs what this lady expects us to do, she is not being charged for anything and we can't up the speed of the refund off her credit card. My coworker sympathesizes with the operator and hangs up.

While this drama is going on, we have another wacky customer wanting to rent a car at the rate she was quoted. She does not have a reservation, so technically we owe her nothing and she has no proof of what was quoted. She called earlier wanting a car we didn't have available and I sent her to the reservation line expecting them to tell her we are sold out. No, they did not tell her that. I explained to her the reason why the operator did not make her a reservation: we don't have what she wants. She screeches why was she given a quote for something we do not have to give her. How should we know, we do not control the reservation center? She asks around at other car rentals for their prices while we scratch up a car for her. It is a car even if it is not exactly what she wants. I inform my coworker once she leaves the counter that I sent her to the reservation line and never promised a car to her. Then, we call the car cleaners to bring a car over for her to find out they are all dirty. She says she will take a dirty car right now and demands a discount because it is not clean. No, she will just have to wait for a clean car. Next, she is furious because she was not quoted a correct price. My coworker gives her the consumer affairs number because we are not honoring any quote she claims. She accepts the new price and leaves when the car is brought over.

Just before I leave work, a man returns a car. I go outside to move it because instead of parking in a marked space, he left it in the middle of the aisle in front of our spaces. I moved the car 5 feet, turning into the nearest space. I am ready for bed. Post later. Bye!

Strange

I received a 2nd notice of a package in the mail that did not fit my mailbox. Strange, I did not receive the 1st notice. I recall one time there was a package slip with someone else's name and apartment on it. Maybe my slip ended up in someone else's mailbox. When you read a lot, sometimes you do not always see words correctly. That happens to me when proofreading. I think a word is present, then read it again to realize a word is missing. It was the medicine that failed to show up 4 weeks ago. I sent the company an email and they reshipped it. I got the reshipment last week. Now I have 2 boxes of the same stuff. Won't be ordering it again for a while. Hooray for me. Post later. Bye!

Poor coworker

Today my teen coworker commented how he didn't wear gloves while he worked outside in freezing weather. He said his hands froze to a steering wheel once. He could have asked to borrow gloves from someone working inside, except mine because I prefer not to have mine stretched out. I have tiny hands compared to a man's. He said his private parts were frozen as he clocked out. I replied, Thank you for sharing that us. My coworker asked if he was aware that he works outside, in winter. Yeah, he is aware now. She told him to get thick socks and long underwear. Soon the guys will be wearing jumpsuits and facial coverings resembling a hockey mask. When it really gets cold they stop washing the cars because the doors freeze shut and just vacuum the inside. This often upsets people not understanding water freezes in cold weather.

Today we had a customer wearing shorts and a weird looking shirt. My coworker joked how the cold must have hit him getting off the plane.

Then we had another customer complain about the windshield wipers not wiping off the washer fluid properly. Um, because the washer fluid freezes when it hits the glass is why they don't wipe properly. He even yelled at my coworker when she tried to explain winter in this part of the world. He screeched, How was I suppose to know that? Aren't people from warm climates so entertaining?

I read the paper today. Everyone has an opinion on the Bush speech to graduating naval cadets. I would like to know what drug is Bush smoking, I want some. I caught a few seconds of his speech last night and changed the channel after hearing his delusions of staying until we have victory. I thought we already had victory when Saddam was ousted. Did he mean victory over the terrorists? I think it is a fat chance in hell of that happening. Though, I do have to ask who exactly our enemy is now?

I read one opinion of a woman 1 year older than me comparing Iraq to the Holocaust asking what would have happened if would not have gotten involved. Excuse me? I would like to know what history book she read. We did not get involved in the persecution of the Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, and Communists in Europe in the 1930's. Only when the Night of Broken Glass and Hitler's public announcement to exterminate any Jews left under their domain in 1937 did many countries suddenly and silently allowed refugees enter their borders and ceased anyone from being deported back to Germany. Not one leader raised a voice in protest of Hitler torturing and gassing people causing Jews outside Germany begging for help from national leaders to receive indifference. The question should be, What would have happened if we had gotten involved in foreign problems?, maybe the Holocaust would not have occurred if one national leader protested Hitler's public announcement the day after he made.

Sure we little people today, like the little people in 1930's, can protest the war in Iraq on our blogs and opinion section of newspapers, but few are listening to us little people. It takes a large public figure to get people's attention. Post later. Bye!

Fun with baby

I went over to babysit so my sister could go to an eye appointment her husband escorted her to. She had laser surgery to correct some vein problems in her eye. Her husband said she was a brave girl when they stuck a long needle under her eye to numb it. He held her hand as her eye swelled causing her to look like a prized boxer. Then later treated her to ice cream. She originally had asked me to drive her to the appointment, but then her husband had the day off so I babysat. I told her I would not have held hand or treated her to ice cream.

Baby started her nap as I arrived and my sister jerked open the door so I wouldn't ring the doorbell. I noticed their Christmas tree is very bare due to the baby removing ornaments. She slept for 2 hours before I heard her crying. I am sure she was surprised to wake up to see me and find her parents missing from the house. I changed her diaper and fed her a snack. She soon gave me books to read and dolls to make speak. I make better sound effects and voices than any battery operated toy. She fed the doll her snack and I made the eating noises. She looked at me as if she knows it's me making those noises and not the doll. She pushed on the belly of a Christmas bear than played Jingle Bell Rock and danced to the music. I made the dolls dance with her. Since she kept hitting the bear tummy, I decided to turn on the stereo for longer periods of music. We also played the piano and a doll played too with her hands and feet. My niece loved that. We had to get off the piano bench when I smelled a dirty diaper and my niece suddenly felt uncomfortable. That is a good sign she is getting ready for potty training.

Then her parents came home and the baby had supper. We read more books. My sister talked on the phone. Her usual babysitter's nephew died in a car wreck and the funeral is tomorrow. My sister called Mom to watch the baby, then discussed Mom spending the night instead of taking baby to my parents' house. My parents' house is not baby-proof. My sister made the argument that she may be a sweetheart, but she does get into things you do not wish her to get into, especially when it is at her level of reach. The baby does reach up on her tippy toes now and grabs things off counters and tables.

I made a sudden departure when my time of the month came unexpectedly and cramps were starting to kill me. The baby said, Bye (my name), as I put on my coat. I was so touched. When my sister tries to get her to say my name, she won't do it. I came home to turn on my Christmas lights around my living room. It is like a winter wonderland. Then I emailed my sister to explain I wasn't trying to be rude with my disappearing act, just in pain. Post later. Bye!

Xmas cookies

I finished 1 batch of Christmas cookies. I made sugar cookies cut out into candy cane, gingerbread man, tree, and star. I mixed regular canned frosting with coloring and extracts from mint and lemon. I hope people enjoy them. I can't eat 4 dozen cookies by myself, I'll get sick of looking at them after a while. I ate one tonight. They are very good. Though the frosting was slow to dry on the cookies so they are a bit messy.

Later this week I plan on making gingersnaps and Hersey kiss cookies. But washing the dishes must be done first. Tomorrow I babysit while my sister goes to a doctor's appointment. My poor sister has had more than her fair share of health problems. This time she is blind in one eye from her high blood pressure. She describes it as holding tissue paper up to your eye and seeing perfectly out of the other eye. I saw a picture of a test she did that looks like Mars. The problem is the optic nerve being damaged, and not all the damage can heal. My poor sister.

I plan on taking my cookies to work Thursday as I pass out Christmas cards. Yes I am an early bird in the holiday arena. I get everything done ASAP so I can sit back and enjoy the rest of the holiday season without stress. Post later. Bye!

No snow today

It is over 40 degrees so we are getting rain today, no snow as predicted. I got the plastic over all my windows and balcony door, flannel sheets on my bed, and plenty of cocoa mix. I am ready for winter.

Today I will attempt to mail my niece's birthday package, put up the last of my Christmas decorations, do a load of laundry to wash the old sheets and and few jeans (I'm wearing the last clean pair), and maybe if there is time start on my Christmas cards and cookies for my coworkers. Ah, a day off at last. Post later. Bye!


Update: I accomplished everything above and took pictures of my decorations. Now I'm hungry. It is hard to think of food when you are busy.

Snow storm a coming

They predicted snow for Monday. There were plenty of flights cancelled at the airport so several people wanted cars to take one way. Some didn't like our prices or selection of cars available. One guy said he wanted a car overnight because they changed their flight plans until tomorrow. He then asked for the weather report. Um, well, I told him he might leave tomorrow, depending on the snow due to come in.

I have Monday off so I will be sitting at home drinking cocoa while everybody else is crashing into ditches. I need to mail my niece's birthday present, but that can wait an extra day. She turns 18 on Saturday. I feel so old. Post later. Bye!

New idea

I was making ornaments for my Christmas tree on my door to win the door decorating contest at my apartment complex. I needed cheap and easy things I won't feel heartbroken losing if they are swiped off the door. I had white pipe cleaners, but not red to twist with making candy canes. I had some glitter fabric paint so I spiraled it on the white pipe cleaner to get an adorable candy cane. I liked the idea so much I painted some for my secret santa this year. Post later. Bye!

Regifting?

I read a magazine article about holiday ettiquette today. One item on the list was a Regifting rule. The rule was to make sure and double sure you will not get caught. Pardon me? It is only acceptable to Regift only if you do not get caught? Isn't that the attitude that gets athletes in trouble with drunk driving and steriods?

In other words, it is wrong to regift because it is thoughtless, deceiving, and easily can offend someone. Think about it. Someone you love buys you a gift they think you will love receiving. You do not like it so you give it to someone else thinking they will love the gift they are receiving.

I must have been raised wrong because I was taught to say "Thank you" whether I liked the gift or not. If I didn't like any gift, we either took it back to the store and exchanged it, or stuck it on the garage sale pile. My parents are pack rats with cardboard boxes full of objects ready for the annual garage sale. Sometimes my Mom called a local charity to come out after the sale was over and take whatever they wanted, free of charge of course. We still have the habit of hand me downs in my family. Whevever we get rid of things, we announce it and see if anyone wants any of our usable junk. Last week I got free snowman salt and pepper shakers with a purchase of 3 greeting cards the sales clerk insisted I take with me. I asked my sister if she would want them, if not I would ask Mom the same question. She said she could use them for a snowman display at work.

What does one give to an ungrateful wrench, like my sister who hates every gift she is given and insists on stopping gift exchange all together, for Christmas, or birthdays, or Mother's Day? I have learned to stop giving so many presents and give gift certificates where you know they shop or perishable food in tins as gifts. But then one year I made Christmas cookies for my sister and placed them in a shoe box to hear her announce she went on a diet the day before. My Mom shunned my sister after I locked myself in the bathroom and everybody could hear me crying. Then there is the donation to a charity in someone else's name, or money, or bonds if they are children, or paying for dinner at a restrauant. Who said presents have to be clothes, jewelry, or the latest gadget?
Post later. Bye!

Annual Christmas letter

Hey there. Taking a break from decorating my apartment, I wrote out my Christmas letter I send out with my Christmas cards.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends and family. This year has flown by waiting to be rejected by book publishers. If you have forgotten, I wrote a fairytale for my niece and completed it over a year ago. I keep telling myself that I will never be published if I give up now. I started a second novel for other my niece, but am stumped deciding where to take the story. I shamefully admit not working on it very much this summer because I let other things get in the way. Hopefully I can concentrate better next year.

I thought it a little odd we had to change the clocks at Palm Sunday and Halloween, but at least they were holidays people remember when they are. I spent my Easter at work as usual since I work Sundays. Yes, I do work every weekend and call myself the weekend warrior. Customers often feel sorry for me, but really, I hate shopping on weekends because all the parking spaces are taken.

In the spring I attended a rock concert, the Pella Tulip Festival with my sister and her baby, my nieces' dance recital, and began volunteering at a museum. The rock concert was amazing. Pella was crowded, but we had fun feeding the baby her first root beer float. The recital had a surprise ending of men in tutus dancing a mock ballet before jumping off the stage. Many school children came to visit the museum so that left little time for me to learn much. When school let out, they conducted day camps where each day the kids learn a new activity. At my post, they made Kringla which is a Norwegian cookie. A few times I helped the kids retrieve wood outside to bring inside the wood box. Most of the day I played with the ball and cup where one swings a ball tied to a string into a cup holding the handle. I scanned Around the World in 80 days when I became really bored. When the new Harry Potter book came out I brought that to read and covered it with brown paper. Kids were excited that a grown up loves Harry Potter as much as they do. After I finished the book, I reread all the Harry Potter books to refresh my memory. A mysterious clue was plotted at the end of the new book and I was determined to unravel it. We shall see if I’m right or wrong when the last book comes out as soon as J.K. Rowling finishes writing it.

Summer also flew by fast with visiting my hometown for the 4th of July. Soon after I attended a family reunion on my mother’s side, her sisters and cousins with their families came. Then I had fun at the local amusement park with my sisters, brother-in-law, and nieces. My sister and her family were on their family vacation and drove on to Virginia after our big day. They stayed overnight at my other sister's house and fought over holding my baby niece. No time is ever long enough when holding a baby on your lap. Over the summer the baby learned to say my name. Music to my ears.

Autumn came as the museum began conducting school tours again. This time around there were less students than in the springtime. I learned to crochet my last few weeks there and made a washrag for them to use. I doubt I’ll ever crochet again. I much prefer painting and writing. I celebrated my 30th birthday with a bang and went barhopping with a friend at work and her friend. I had so much fun I was actually happy to become middle aged. We stopped at 2 bars and I danced with a man (Yes, a live, human, breathing man) at each bar. I had my fill of Amarillo sours when the second bar closed and my friend drove me home. It was a great birthday.

The day before my birthday I attended my mother’s cousin’s wedding so I received my birthday cards at the ceremony. My sisters took me out to the next to the museum I volunteer at for a free birthday supper. The baby was quite happy coloring her picture when her mommy took another niece out to the wagon rides. She usually cries when she leaves the room, but I was helping her color so it was a good enough distraction. I pointed out the house I volunteer in, but it was hard to see from the parking lot. The ladies sang Happy Birthday to me, though quietly so not to embarrass me in public.

I dressed up as The Cat in the Hat for Halloween. Often I am the only one wearing a costume, but this Halloween someone dressed up as a surgeon so I was not alone. Little Annika celebrated her 2nd birthday with my parents, her parents, and me. By now, she has taken on a habit of squealing every time she sees me or hears my name. One thing she got was an Elmo Goes Potty doll that talks. I will be so happy no longer changing diapers. Sure accidents happen, but we can hose her down easily. We took my niece’s picture on my camera to order prints for their Christmas cards faster, but sadly the baby did not like sitting with her hands laying in her lap and knees together like a lady. Naturally, I have plenty of shots of her misbehaving.

I visited my parents’ house for Thanksgiving and saw the new Harry Potter movie with my brother. I am responsible for getting my brother hooked on the story series. I was amazed how many adults were present. This Christmas I will visit their house again. Next year I plan to get a kitten from a car rental gal next door who has a pregnant cat. Sorry I can’t bring it home until spring because the age for a kitten to be separated from its mother is 3 months. By Christmas, my precious should be born. I have picked a name for he or she already. Precious, from Lord of the Rings. I thought of getting a boy cat so I can say I have man in my home, but most people agree that girl cats are more affectionate. I’ll just choose the cutest kitten in the litter, boy or girl. I can’t wait for next year, maybe I will finally be published.

So Happy Holidays to all my friends and family.

Taking pictures of baby

Here is a sample of the 20+ photos we took of my baby niece last Sunday in her red party dress to show how easy she is to photograph, especially after 5 takes.

Happy Thanksgiving. I'll be visiting my parents' house with cornbread, soybean candies, and brown and serve rolls. Their water heater broke so I am doing my must have clean clothes today. On Thanksgiving, my brother and I plan on watching one of the many showings of the new Harry Potter movie. Post later. Bye!

New perfume

I went shopping yesterday for perfume. Sure I can buy the same scent every time, but where's the fun in that? I am quite dangerous around perfume counters. I like to smell every one, which means I can obtain 5 scents on each hand. I may seem picky, but at least I know what I like. I think I made to sales clerk cough from all the perfume on my hands. There were also some paper cards to sniff the testers with. I refuse to buy a scent without a tester displayed, no matter whose name is on it. I did sniff Paris Hilton's and Brittany Spears's scents. Sorry I didn't care for the celebrity scents. Though Brittany's new Fantasy scent was very sweet like candy, but I prefer not to smell of food all day. After washing my hands twice, my hands still smelled of perfume. Today the scents are much fainter. Now my hands all itchy, probably dry.

So what did I end up buying? Very Irresistable Givenchy. My old scent was Tommy Girl that I have a touch left in the bottle. The thing about expensive perfume is that the bottles are so large it takes a year to use it all. I did wonder about the weird bottles shapes. Some are geometric while others are large balls. I like tall and thin bottles to easlily grab and spray with one hand. Post later. Bye!

Christmas shopping

I went shopping for Christmas presents tonight. I checked out the Elmo doll aisle because my baby niece likes Elmo. I was a bit disappointed with the selection. Every doll and product with the character's face was a talking toy. I try to avoid glutting my niece's world with talking toys. Sure at her age (2) everything is shiny and new so hitting a button to get sound X is alright. She learns animal sounds and baby sounds that way and it also tests a child's memory. But talking toys also rob a child of their imagination, a extremely vital part of childhood. So far I'm not worried because often my baby niece is more fascinated by the box than the doll in it. I ended up getting an Elmo tree ornament and some books. She loves books too, especially me reading them. Post later. Bye!

Birthday party

We had a birthday party for my baby niece yesterday. I went over and my sister took photos of the baby in her red dress to place on their Christmas cards. My sister didn't like any of them and complained how poor quality they are. That did surprise me since she has viewed photos from my camera before. I think she expected high quality professional perfect photos from a low quality camera. She tried to reset it to get better photos to discover it is on the top quality photo setting. When she said she should have gone to a professional to obtain her perfect photos, I lost my patience with her repeated complaining and we had a fight. It ended when I told her not to ever borrow my camera again if the quality upsets her. She is the one who asked me to bring it to get quick photos in the first place.

We had cake and ice cream. The baby has been liking the Elmo character from Sesame Street. She had an Elmo chocolate cake with white frosting and opened presents with Elmo paper. I ended up unwrapping them because my niece would not rip any paper. She got a baby doll and Elmo doll that goes potty from her parents. My parents gave her a snowman sippy cup and pair of blue pants. I gave her dishes and bath toys. My mother had to announce to all that gave too much stuff in my present. What difference did it make to her?

Anyway we had fun searching for the batteries that were included with the Elmo doll. I found the batteries inside Elmo, they just didn't work. I replaced them and screwed the cover back on. When things sit on a shelf for a long time, batteries tend to do that. When we ate supper the baby was not very hungry and wanted down from her high chair. When my supper was finsihed cooking, she wanted food off my plate. Funny kid. We got the baby ready for bed and I left because my nieces tend not to calm down when I am around. All 4 nieces get excited seeing auntie. When I got home I realized I forgot the connecting cord for my my camera at my sister's house. Post later. Bye!

Mr. Maybe

I am beginning to understand why old maids have a house full of cats and unfriendly to all who approach them. Frustration gets to them and they eventually stop reaching out to people.

I am exhausted from doing all the work with my matches I find on my dating service to receive a reject notice in return. I am emailing someone outside the dating service, but that's the probelm. I email, he replies. Same goes for my family, 90% of the time at least. Perhaps I should stop emailing everyone for a week and see what happens. I'm emotionally drained and have come to the point I have little love to give. I hope I will be forgiven for withdrawing into myself where nobody can find me. Post later. Bye!

Freak strikes again

The car rental guy next door I have nicknamed Freak comes up to me and starts talking to me, while I am helping a customer. How rude is that? Of course I ignore him, directing my attention the customer. He continues as if I'm listening, to details I could not care less about. Since in his babbling he implied he was leaving, I gave a curt, "Good-bye". Now I think a farewell is a very straight forward message, but I suppose not with a weirdo with boundary issues. Then at a pausing point (we have slow printers) he asks if I'm working tomorrow. Odd question since my schedule never changes, unless he overheard me tell someone about my niece's birthday party tomorrow. As I have my customer sign the paperwork, I answer I will not be here tomorrow. Freak then grabs the book my coworker left behind and I explain I have nothing better to do than read books. I explain to my customer where the car adding a "I will be coming that direction in a few minutes". Freak must have figured out we are not parked in the same lot and would not very receptive to his long-neglected escorts. Last night I walked to my car and he rode the bus, thus blocking my car as I was leaving. I admit getting lazy by not moving my car because he has not been walking me to my car. Anyway, Freak starts talking to a janitor and I start printing my closing paperwork. My customer returns with a question and Freak finally leaves the building. I finish my paperwork and I walk to my car, alone. Sure some mothers would panic at the thought of a tiny woman walking in a dark parking lot alone, but I assure anyone that I do not require a babysitter. Besides, we have the police, bus drivers, parking lot booths with cashiers inside, and janitors within yelling distance at the airport. I think I have a better chance slipping on ice than being attacked by a criminal. A car rental next door gal slipped on ice this week and broke her hip. I heard she came home today from the hospital. Post later. Bye!

Interesting day

Yesterday was an interesting day. The Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths are up at the airport now. Then a little old lady crashed her car into one of the police cruisers outside.

Today we gave the new papa at work a hard time for neglecting to pass out candy cigars out. he is avoiding cigars because he quit smoking them for the baby. Then the bossman came by and I toldhim were busy picking on the new papa for not passing out cigars. He laughed adding how people are teasing that the baby has more hair than the new papa. He took the guy outisde to work so we would stop picking on him. One gal exclaimed, "Oh, you boys are so much nicer." Next on the way hokme I heard a Christmas song playing on the radio. I freaked. It's too soon for Christmas music. The most annoying thing about Christmas is the 24 hours, 7 days a week of Christmas music playing everywhere. There is no escape from it.
Post later. Bye!

Pest Control in November?

I received a notice of pest control coming by on Monday to spray for bugs. It is November, all bugs are dead by now. Why is pest control necessary? Post later. Bye!

Christmas gift????

I know what one gift for Christmas will be this year. A donation to a local animal shelter on my behalf, $25. In shock, I said that would be acceptable.

The past couple years my sister has been crying how she never gets what she wants for Christmas, usually objects out of our price range. One year she asked us to doante to charity on her behalf because she keeps opening crappy gifts from us she has to return or tolerate in her house so our feelings don't get hurt. Another year she asked for money only since they had their girl in November. Then she tried last year to cancel gift exchanges between family members, which would mean I would receive no presents during the Christmas holiday. I shouldn't be surprised at this gesture, she is turning into Scrooge as she gets older. I much prefer a new hand mixer costing about $4, but we can't pick our gifts anymore than our weird relatives. Post later. Bye!

Strange

Today I opened my mailbox to see a slip of paper stating I had a package over at the office. Strange, I was home all afternoon and never heard anyone knock on the door. I guess after walking in slush and wind, the mail carrier didn't want to trod up 3 flights of stairs to see if I was home. We have strange weather this week. 9 tornadoes in Iowa last week and now a snowstorm.

Though I never planned on giving my strongly hated coworker a baby gift for his newborn son, I went shopping with a 10% off coupon and bought baby's 1st Christmas ornaments complete with gift bag ensemble. I couldn't resist, the ornaments were so cute. I can give the delusion that I care. It has been a strange day. Post later. Bye!

First snow contest

Whoever picked November 15 in the first snow contest has won themselves a new snowblower. We got our first snow today. And I don't have the plastic over my windows yet. I lacked feeling cold air as I held my hand next to the windows and sliding door, maybe I'm ok. The weather kept warming up everytime it got cold so I never taped up the plastic. I love winter, less sneezing.

I started my Christmas shopping last night. I got some miniature stockings for my pen pals and nieces. I planned on writing their names on them, but then thinking I have long names to write; like Jennifer, Annika, Alexandria, Victoria. Then I got some pink and yellow rubber bracelets from the Breast Cancer Society. I sent out an email asking for ideas on Christmas gifts, since certain people must complain what crappy gifts I hand out on Christmas day. Ideas are good to have.

I keep reading in magazines how it is not necessary to give bosses or coworkers Christmas presents. Well at my jobs, I have always given out Christmas cards to everyone I know the name to and a small ornament I made or pencil with it. Giving a boss a gift may seem like sucking up to higher authority to others, but if one is giving every coworker, janitor, mail delivery person, etc. a card and gift it seems rude to exclude the boss. My current boss has said he admires my enthusiasm for special days when I emailed him a Happy Birthday greeting after eating a piece of his birthday cake. Though, this year I can't find any craft ornaments to make for 40 people. Maybe this year I'll make cookies to pass out instead. I don't think anyone will complain about that. Besides that, any recipe makes several dozen so it would take me forever to eat 4 dozen cookies. Post later. Bye!

Slip of the tongue

As I was preparing my list of reservations, I realized a different coworker was coming in later and got excited. A coworker's wife had a baby boy so he took a week off. The next minute, the bossman calls over and we go through the usual, How are you?, riff. I replied that I was enjoying my (coworker's name) free weekend. He replied with an unemotional, Well that's good. Later I thought, maybe I should not said that. I am unsure if the bossman is aware that everybody hates this coworker. He knows now I don't like this guy. Post later. Bye!

beasts of no nation

I finished reading the book, beasts of no nation by uzodinma iweala. A debut novel by a Harvard University graduate, making me jealous of this author already, it tells a story of a child recruited by rebel forces during a civil war inside an unnamed African country. The boy envied soldiers before the war strutting in uniforms gaining much respect and admiration from the villagers. The boy Agu dreams of being a soldier until he finds out that soldiers hurt people.

I would not recommend this book to someone unless they are sure they can stomach reading vivid details of murder, sexual abuse, drugs, and starvation. I was reminded of a line from The Last of the Mohicans: Death and honor are often thought to be the same, today I have learned they are not. If you have seen Saving Private Ryan or The Last of the Mohicans without puking or nightmares later on, I think you can handle reading this book. I like the ending where the followers of a greatly feared commander lose their fear of him, and leave him to go home. The boy Agu is only surprised that this escape didn't happen sooner, it was so easy to do.

The book is written from the point of view of a child so it is not written in proper English with colloquial language in quotes only. This book has no quotes, just commas when someone is saying something. That can be a little irritating if one is accustomed to reading books using proper English. The title and author's name on the cover also are not capitalized, if you didn't notice that. Otherwise, it was an important read to understand children thrust into adult situations without thinking like adults, because after all they are children. Post later. Bye!

Windy night

Today when I came in to work it was cloudy, but warm. Hours later the winds were so strong that I commented to a customer that the hurrican had come too far north. I heard from customers that they were delayed and diverted because of the strong wind. One guy said there were tornadoes in the eastern part of the state. I assured one lady the car is heavy enough and won't fly away. Coming home I almost fly away taking wiht car with me. It is suppose to be nice tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

This is security?

After Sep. 11, 2001, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) mandated that parking lots so many feet from the an airport be gated and only certain personnel are allowing through with an employee badge.

Today 2 customers got through the gates blcoking their entrance into the lot. The first one followed a car rental driver into he lot squeaking by before the arm went down. He parked his car and cusseda at the employee informing him that he is not to be parking here. She threatened to call security and he said he had a plane to catch. He gave me his keys and said he did not need a receipt.

The second guy drove through the gates' opening blocked by two orange cones, knocking over the orange cones and scratching the car against the arms. My outside guys witnessed it and took the car for washing. I hope the owner charges for the scratches he made. It did make me wonder if we have cameras out there, I want a copy of him squeezing the car those arms. I'm surprised the car went through.

This is security? If the tightened security at the airport makes you feel safe from terrorists, I'm laughing at you. Post later. Bye!

First night

I reached the end of my first night without my allergy medicine. Armed with aspirin that upsets my stomach, expired cold medicine that tastes awful, my inhaler, and anti-itch creme I managed to calm the burning itch sensation that felt like I was hit with a blowtorch. My chest aches from all the coughing and sneezing. I contemplated going out in the middle of the night in my pajamas to a open 24 hrs. grocercy store to get an allergy medicine without the decongestant just to stop the itching so I could get some sleep, but no, I hung on to the thought that hoepfully my ordered medicine would come today. My nighmare night over with I try to calm my nerves and eat something, since allergies are psychosomatic meaning stress can make them feel worse. Now I have to visit the office to grab my book purchase that I know arrived just as I was leaving for work yesterday.. Post later. Bye!

Work drama

Tis the season for gossiping about coworkers.

One guy at work is in deep trouble with a bank. His old girlfriend and him bought a car together and he cosigned the loan. Well, they broke up and she quit making payments, so the bank is going after him. He believes they won't get anything from him. A coworker tried to explain what cosigning means. It means the bank has the legal right to garnish his wages and there is nothing he can do about it because he cosigned the loan. The moral is not to cosign things if you are not willing to pay for it.

Another screwed up some contracts when the computers went down. He used the wrong contract paper, sent the wrong car across the country, and the other coworkers had to clean up his mess. One coworker said they could use his Christmas bonus to pay for a plane ticket to the place he sent the wrong car to and bring it back. Then she said since someone else had to type in his contracts into the computer, that person should get the commission he got from them. I think she was just teasing him.

Then another coworker is a proud new papa who took a week off for the baby boy. His wife was suppose to delivery in December, but few babies arrive on time. He said last week they were having trouble coming up with boy names and had a dozen girl names ready. How ironic.

Next is another coworker had a drive-by shooting take place 3 houses down from hers last night and a neighbor was arrested as he came back from work because he matched the shooter's description.

Finally, my own drama. How is it that one order that is shipped 5 days after another order arrives before the first order? This should teach me not to use free shipping on my over the counter drugs. I'm completely out and miserable, but can't can't go buy any because stores I know quit selling what I need. I pray it comes tomorrow. I'm an inch from insanity of itching, sneezing, and coughing. All the drama tonight. Post later. Bye!

Good night and Good luck

I finally saw the movie. It came to Des Moines last week. Not as dramatic and heart wrenching as Lord of the Rings or Saving Private Ryan, but it is an excellent movie I would receommned to anyone interested in history repeating itself. Is it just a coincidence this movie comes out during the government's witchhunt for terrorists? I noticed we don't hear much on catching terrorists from the enacted Patriot Act taking away the citizen's rights to privacy after the panic over September 11. Then the government criticizes the media for being too liberal from reporting governmental goofs. As Joe McCarthy discovered, do not ever take on the media or reporters because they control a lot of public opinion that gets people elected.

Much anxiety is missing since we know at the beginning of the movie Edward Murrow is honored for taking down Joe McCarthy, kinda similar to the second trilogy of Star Wars. Can you tell I'm reading a book on how to write a dramatic story? I like that it was completey in black and white, a touch of "A long time ago" feeling. The lesson of the movie I received was not to attempt to be a hero if you are not willing to accept shots fired back at you. I think Edward Murrow was willing to accept the consequences of his actions. The music numbers with the singer in the recording box was a nice way of setting the mood for the next scene, I think that was done in Chicago. I don't know if it will win a Oscar, but I enjoyed myself. Thank you George Clooney. Post later. Bye!

Retirement meeting

I attended the company retirement plan meeting. It was a good sales pitch to encourage us to invest in the company plan. Though, I already have an IRA account so not much will be placed in my 401K account. The difference between the 2 is taxes. 401K requires taxes be paid upon withdrawal because contributions are made with pre-income tax dollars. Roth IRAs like I have(Individual Retirement Account, not Irish Republican Army) are paid with post-income tax dollars so taxes are already paid upon withdrawal. There is a IRA for pre-tax dollars that does require taxes be paid upon withdrawal.

The main theme of the meeting was uncertainity of the future; like inflation, wars, law changes, stock market crashes, technology advances, health advances, and family changes. The guy sitting next to me make a joke when the lady said they had a client in her 90's in good health. His father suddenly died a while ago. It freaks my Mom (age 66) out looking at obituaries in the paper to see someone her age or younger died of a heart attack or cancer. I don't think many of us at the table will make it to age 90 in good health despite medical advances and a pill for all ailments like the lady said. I work with a lot a smokers and heavy drinkers. It is also very hard to determine how much to save for retirement with so many uncertainities, especially 30 years from now. We can be retired for 20 years or less. I try to save what I can and hope for the best. My Dad's parents had plenty of money left in their retirement account for him and my aunts to spend. Post later. Bye!

Rules, Rules, Rules

I read in a paper about the how to's in tipping. Everybody knows waitresses and baggage handlers are suppose to be tipped. But bartenders, maids, strippers (ok I know strippers go to men holding out money), bellhops, taxicab drivers, theater usher, and hairstylists. Are we really expected to remember all this advice? Then you have the problem of some companies forbidding taking of gratuity and others allow it within the same type of business. No wonder people are so confused on the rules. Post later. Bye!

Junk mail

Why are postal workers so insistant that we receive our junk mail. I received a notice that a package awaited for me in the management office last night. I'm thinking it is my medicines that I ordered over the internet, good thing too since I'm almost out. No, it is a disc to receive trial aol internet service. What!? I came all the way over to the office for junk mail. Unbelievable. Post later. Bye!

New management

We have new management at my apartment community. That usually means higher rents and new rules. These people are putting up new siding on all the buildings (hint: higher rents to pay for it). It looks very nice. In the newsletter, they asked us take down pictures that might not be able to handle the pounding on the walls and warned us that strangers might be standing on our balconies. Also in the newsletter, they now allow dogs into the apartments and are having a drawing every month for $50 off your rent for all the tenents who pay early. They also changed the late fees for overdue rent.

Tonight I took down my pictures along the outside walls and my breakable doll collection on the corner shelves. I do wonder if they changed the pet fees too. I'll find out when I get my cat next spring. Post later. Bye!

Freaks

I work with freaks from outer space. Tonight, a coworker said another coworker's condom idea would not work. Whoa...did I miss a story here? The other day my 2 coworkers and a guy from another car rental were conversing on condoms and Star Wars at the same time. Someone had the idea of glow-in-the-dark condoms resembling a Star Wars light saber. But, it must sound like one or it wouldn't work. How does get a piece of plastic to sound like a light saber? They came up with wires and a battery in the condom and one asked about being electricuted by the battery. It took about half an hour for me to stop laughing. Thanks for the imagery, Fred.

Later the guy at the other car rental called over asking if we had a minivan available and could he have sex in it using Star Wars condoms. Post later. Bye!

I need a new chiropractor

Today I received a billing for a service done 4 months ago. I thought I paid my full bill at the time I wrote my check at the office. The secretary told me there was an outstanding credit on my account, so I didn't owe as much. No, I was just charged half and now I am told to pay the other half, including interest for being late. Huh? According to the bill that includes services and payments from 4 years ago, there are lines for insurance. I take it that means they are so accustomed to people having insurance that they do not know how to handle someone without it. Unless they tried to charge the insurance company on my records 4 years ago and were refused payment because I cancelled it 4 years ago. Sometimes I just I hate people. Post later. Bye!

No refunds

What to know what I don't like about shopping on the web. You can cancel a service within 5 minutes after receiving it simply because you barely know what you are buying before paying for it and there is no refund whatsoever. That should be a warning sign of a poor quality service. If you are curious, it was perfectmatch.com I cancelled service to.

When looking for a job I hated that in certain want ads where the ads says how much money you can make, but neglect to mention what the job is. You have to apply and fill out a survey before the people tell you what the job is. I hate businesses like that. If you are curious, the jobs ended up being door to door salesperson. Real bad job.

Post later. Bye!

I cleaned

Today I cleaned my windows to get ready to tape plastic over. Naturally, when I think to cover them with plastic it warms up and I open the windows. Perhaps closer to Thanksgiving it will stay cold. People on TV are saying we are in for a rough winter. One item in the paper reported on corn stoves that burn corn as fuel. Too bad those who need a cheap heating source can not afford the corn stove itself. Already we have a decrease in reservations for rental cars. During the winter, the car cleaners get so bored they push each other in wheelchairs into snow drifts. I include a photo of a typical winter of my parents' backyard a few years ago.

Winter at the car rentals can be fun. People call worked up about the brakes shaking (antilock brakes working) and the windshield wipers do not work (snow must be removed first before the wipers can move). Then people want 4-wheel drive cars that are no safer than 2-wheel drive cars. Iowa does a good job clearing roads quickly and spreading a corn substance before it snows to melt the ice when it hits the pavement. Plus, most Iowans know how to drive on ice and snow, very slowly. Next we get people from warm climates demanding us to provide them with snow chains. We do not provide people with snowchains. And um, I have a pathetic tiny car without snowchains and drive around quite fine. But cell phones come in handy when stuck in the snow, just don't expect a quick response if you are driving in a snowstorm. Actually, when planes get diverted to our airport because of a snowstorm we try to talk people out of driving to their destination shocking them that we would dare attempt to lose a sale. We know they will later hurl anger at us when they get stuck in the snow and hurl more anger when a tow truck will take longer than 5 minutes to rescue them. And, we get a good laugh at people returning from warm climates in shorts and t-shirts. We know they will freeze once they step outside.

When my coworker from Florida first came he was excited for snow days thinking he will get out of work. No, the boss will send a suv to get an employee. We are open 365 days a year. In reality, we don't get paid if we don't come to work encouraging us (and many other professions) to drive in bad weather. We can only hope the bad weather occurs on our day off. I love sitting at home drinking cocoa watching the news in my slippers. When spring comes it feels shocking and relieving to be busy again. Post later. Bye!

Why can't men be like women?

I watched the Oprah Show today where a panel of men explained why men do things the way they do. Though it was not stated, I am sure many women watching asked "Why can't men be like women?". There were discussions on porn, strip clubs, golf, and picking up messes.

I can always be wrong, but I think many women object to porn because they were raised to be good girls and porn was taught to be dirty. Good girls do not argue, never are agressive, do not wear clothes tight or revealing, and make their men happy while ignoring their own needs. A man viewing naked women offends because many women thnk it is evidence of their failure to please their men. Of course men do not take on that view when lookig at naked women. And there are many insecure women who are threatened by any woman more pretty, more smart, more skinny, more tall that they are because they fear they will be abandoned for someone better than they are.

I remember an episode of Married with Children where the husband met a gorgeous woman, went home, gave his wife a wig, and carried her up the stairs. If I had a man who told me I was the most beautiful woman in the world when he came back from a strip club, I would not be objecting to him visiting them. I read somewhere that men love to be told how wonderful they are (more than once). Women love that too (more than once). And often there is often confusion which is worse, the crime (like viewing porn)or the lying about it. Most people are more angry of the lying and the covering up a crime than the crime itself. Apologies and flowers are most effective in receiving forgiveness from a woman.

And as for messes not being picked up. If you want a smoker to stop, you don't blow smoke in their face every day. If want a man, or child, to pick up their own messes, then never pick up their messes. Eventually that person will figure out the mess stays put until they clean it and get tired of looking at it. Post later. Bye!

I was not alone!

I went to work thinking I would be the only of all the car rentals in a costume as usual. But then someone at the car rental next door came wearing scrubs. She borrowed the surgeon uniform from a friend. I didn't know the footies they put over their shoes have pads to keep from slipping on a bloody floor. Some customer asked if she was a real nurse working a 2nd job. My coworker explained she was dressed for Halloween. Later, her grandson came by in his costume after Trick or treating.

I turned quite a few heads and caused a lot of smiles walking to the cafeteria and back in my costume. Only one person asked what I was. Cat in the Hat, a female version. To one customer I said: Despite my appearance I don't scratch. Though my nose piece gave me the itchies so I let it hang from my neck, which made my neck itch. I had a good Halloween.

Yesterday, a gal next door asked my if I wanted to see her tricks or her treats. I replied: Knowing you madam I rather see your treats. Also, another gal next door called herself the pumpkin fairy and gave out candy bars, even to one of our customers.

I wish everyone a Happy Halloween. Post later. Bye!

Prince Charles is coming to America

I read in the paper today of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit America soon. They will stop at New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Of course one can not expect royalty to visit the boondocks where celebrities rarely visit unless they were born in the Midwest.

Though Princess Diana did visit Chicago for a charity dinner, but after she lost her royal title (Her Royal Highness) in her divorce. Sarah, Duchess of York came to Des Moines a couple years ago to speak to a group of Weight Watchers and then did a radio interview before leaving. But she also is no longer official royalty too. But 2 princesses of Holland have visited Pella, IA during 2 Tulip Festivals in the 1970's. And there was the Queen of Sweden visited Decorah, IA in the late 1990's to attend a conference. Before she came over I didn't know there was a Queen of Sweden. My museum boasts the Pope's visit in the 1970's because a farmer wrote the Pope asking to come when it was announced they planned on lengthening the Pope's American visit. Seeing a celebrity is not an every day event here, and a celebrity can count on people asking for autographs and photographs.

The paper said there was concern over hostility towards Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall because of the popularity of Le Princesse in America and notoriety of the Duchess of Cornwall destroying Le Princesse's marriage 8 years ago. All I have to say on the subject is those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Post later. Bye!

Daylight Savings Time

Fall back, spring forward is the saying to remember which direction to change our clocks. Daylight Savings Time ends today, meaning we move our clocks an hour back at midnight so we get an extra hour of daylight during the bleak winter. I asked my coworker if I could change my watch before midnight and leave work an hour early. She smiled.

Though some places in America do not follow Daylight Savings Time. For the places that do follow it, we love it in the fall gaining an hour, but hate it in the spring when we lose an hour. Post later. Bye!

Bugs, bugs, bugs

It is that time of year when we get invasion of bugs (mostly box elder bugs) into homes trying to find a warm place to hibernate. My Mom had a wasp or dragon fly in her house when I went to visit. I have seen many bugs lingering around the apartment windows and doors. I tossed out a few box elder bugs out of my balcony door that loved my jack o'latern.

One year we had such thick box elder bugs cuddled up against the house that I thought it was mud. I grabbed a water hose and a baseball bat to scrape off the mud to discover the mud was alive. I drowned and bashed a lot of bugs that day. I think I was about 12 at the time. Post later. Bye!

Dealing with an angry customer

If one works in customer service, eventually one will make someone angry. A customer gave this suggestion to my coworker who just dealt with an angry customer who just left the counter. She said: Be glad you are not their spouse, their kid, or their dog. Good advice. Post later. Bye!

Excitement at work

I received a note on my paycheck today. It said next year the company will match contributions to our 401K plans, in addition to the profit sharing money the company puts in once a year. That is exciting, that means the company is making money and we might get raises. Though I hope the match limit is not very high, I do not make that much. Sure free money is nice, but my paycheck has to cough up the other half of that contribution.

Of course, I can always cancel the cable, charity alms, cell phone, and internet if I need money to contribute to my 401K. And put off health insurance one more year. My struggling barely above the poverty line (depending where one draws the line) reminds me of something my Dad told my Mom when she complained of lacking a wealthy lifestyle her friends had. He said: You were born poor, you married poor, and you will die poor, so get used to it. And many of those people living in fancy houses are up to their ears in debt. Then again, my Mom is the type who can have the world and still be unsatisfied. Post later. Bye!

Latest Oprah Magazine

I have written to the editorial staff of the Oprah Magazine to be considered a stalker, so I shall make my opinion known here. Much of the magazine this month was focused on hope. One good article was how little things like tapping our finger, interrupting a speaker, or checking our watches can affect other people's confidence in themselves. Most of us don't have the guts to say, "Excuse me, may I have your full attention please?".

Another good read was the What I know for sure page, as it usually is. Oprah spoke on the New Orleans travesty of hurricanes wiping out the city and speaking to survivors living in hell. I recall once reading in another magazine how a mother of a New Orleans victim heard someone in her office say the hurricane was punishing evildoers. How could this person say this woman's daughter, son-in-law, and child lost everything because they were evildoers?, this reader screeched. I just think some people need to learn to think before they speak.

Oprah did make a good point refuting the God creates these natural disasters to punish us. She says babies starve because we let them, not because God willed it. I agree up to a point. Possibly, God is punishing our arrogance with levees made for a category 4 hurricane, not thinking a category 5 hurricane would come along and wipe them out. And forcing us to feel love and compassion for complete strangers we will never see on TV again. Maybe that is what God intended, no one really knows that for sure.

I recall a story where a man reached the gates of heaven to report all the evil he saw in his lifetime. The man asked God why God allowed all this evil to endure, why did God not send someone to help his people. And God said, "I did send somebody, I sent you."
Post later. Bye!

Good night and Good luck

Can you please bring the movie Good night and Good luck to Des Moines, IA? I keep seeing commercials for it saying it is playing in select cities. It is as bad as watching those Shop Macy's commercials a while ago when there is no Macy's here to shop at. Anyway, I want to see the movie. Thank you. Post later. Bye!

Poor advice

I was going through my computer dating service for advice on dating. One question was asking why do people keep telling me I'm wonderful the first few dates and then had a great time on their latest date, but they never want to see me again. This person is so sick of being rejected. Why can't this person find their soul mate!? The answer was to keep trying and rejection is just the natural order of things.

I thought that was very poor advice offering no real solution to this person's problem. I hate to inform people of this, but maybe, just maybe, these dates are just being nice and polite, not truly interested in their date. Very few people enjoy hurting other people's feelings. Sure movies have lots of villians, but most of us are not Darth Vader. We commonly avoid conflict like the plague. So that could be the reason.

Another reason could be not reading the signs of someone not interested in you, so when they had enough of your company, they get more direct and hurtful. I have met men who don't get the hint that we are not friends. I try my best to be cold as ice and unfriendly, even avoiding eye contact as they walk by, but they are convinced we have a relationship. One freak boy actually argued with me when I said never to his question "When are we going out?" I'm staring at him, while makes his arguement we can go down the street and drink cocoa at a place open 24 hrs., asking inside my head "What part of never did this you not get?" Need I explain more?

Another reason could be disillusionment. A person meets you thinking you are their knight in shining armor who will solve all their problems, then they find out prince or princess charming has flaws and irritating habits. Much like asking a person out for a romantic candlelit steak dinner and find out later they are a vegetarian. I can't think of more reasons of constant rejection. Post later. Bye!

One more time

My sister has asked for about the 3rd time now for me to be her surrogate mother for the baby boy her husband wants. They have looked into adoption and trying fertility treatments to get one more child. I am more queesy about getting fat, cranky, go through surgery to get pregnant, and then go through the birth for someone else. I hate needles. If I'm going through that hell, it will for myself. Sure I love my sister and the $10,000 she offered. I pointed out I know she doesn't have $10,000. But I don't love my sister and money that much. I told her she is better off adopting an unwanted baby in a foreign country whose mother won't be claiming the baby back like many do in America. Plus I heard on news about a woman promising her baby to 3 couples over the internet to milk them out of money then suddenly changing her mind once the baby was born. Post later. Bye!

What would you do?

I had a customer call about her car rental contract. It had the correct return city on it, but the wrong state. She is not taking the car 1000 miles. I go into my computer to change the return location. We do not have one in the city she wants. I offer other nearby cities. Those won't do for her destination. I place her on hold to check the other car rentals. The one right next door is willing to help her out. I give the competition her information. But there is a snag. She does not live nearby and might arrive to return the car after my coworker leaves. She prefers to come when we open back. She is then concerned about the charges. Our computer system does not allow contract cancellations after an hour, it would have to be zeroed out in order to not charge her. I figured that would be unfair to charge her since she must rent another car from the rental next door because of our mistake. I explained I would leave a note for her rental.

My coworker flips out over my decision. He says I can't do that. Yeah, I can. He says he never heard of zeroing out a contract. I have done it with the manager's help once. He then insists we have a location in the city she wants. I tell him to find the location on the computer and he backs down. He cries out how he ain't taking responsibility for this. Why would he be blamed when I'm in charge? There is a reason I'm in charge 3 out of the 4 days I work every week, it ain't for my beauty. I leave a note for my manager and hand it to him to proofread. I asked he thinks my kindness for this customer was wrong. He replies that he didn't SAY I was wrong. That's alright, he is a male chauvinist anyway.

So what would you do in my shoes? Post later. Bye!

Good-bye Jack

I said good-bye to my jack o'latern tonight when I came home form work. Jack was getting moldy and stinky. I dropped him in the dumpster without any fanfare. Too bad I only lit jack's candle inside once when I first got him. Oh well. Post later. Bye!

Go ahead and laugh

Go ahead and laugh at me, my friends already have. Yesterday, I saw a couple carrying newborn twin boys at the airport. Aaah, aren't they so cute I pointed them out to my coworkers. I felt the need to have something to love so badly that I walked over to the car rental next door to ask how the pregnant cat was doing. The gal said the cat is fine. She also said after they open their eyes she will bring them in a basket so I can pick one out. The kittens are suppose to born in December, so in the spring I'll a kitten in my apartment. Then later I came across a great idea when I get my cat. A kitty shower. Most women I know said it sounded like fun through their giggles. One guy told me to get a life. I do get out. I saw Elizabethtown last Wednesday. I had to see Orlando Bloom. Need I say more? Anyway, the kitty shower will have to wait until spring. I'm excited. I never planned and hosted a party, a side effect of having a dinky apartment. Post later.

Male Humor

Ya know sometimes women don't get male humor. Today while we were busy at the car rental counter with a line of customers, a bad name was used towards my coworker in a joking manner by another coworker. She was miffed. So miffed she emailed the bossman about it because she didn't want bother him at home. Apparently this guy miffed someone else (another guy) today with a negative comment that he called the bossman and the bossman was concerned enough to drive all the way over to see if the other guy was still angry hours later. It looks like I'll be learning to drive cars because my coworker refuses to drive them now when the offender is present. Then again the owner could smooth things over. I have been told that once a complaint is made to him, it does not happen again. I like that quality in a boss.

The offender never bothered me or said anything negative to me. In fact he is responsible and helpful toward me. I liked him. Then again, I have in the past called the owner at home when I have been miffed. I got the silent treatment for a while, but no more problems. That could be it, I'm not afraid to complain to higher authority. My philosophy is: If someone don't want to listen to me, then they can listen to the manager (or owner). Post later. Bye!

Update: The owner yelled at the offender and warned him that a mark of sexual harrassment will be placed on his employee file. He was not fired, but if anything like this happens again he will be. The owner ordered an apology to the miffed coworker, but I do not believe he ever did.

Welcome to the Middle of Nowhere part 2

Earlier this week I took a photograph of the sunrise outside my balcony. Today I visited my hometown and took more pictures of the beautiful Iowa I know. Many outside Iowa think of my home as ugly, boring, and flat. I'll let you be the judge.

This first picture is the balcony view from my apartment in the daylight. I am sorry for the trees blocking the view.

The next photo was taken near by beautician's house overlooking a gravel road. Over the hills is the city of Indianola. I actually had a customer who did not know what a gravel road was. She must have lived her whole life inside the concrete jungle called a city.

Then I took shots of Otter Creek nearby and the countryside looking east from Amos corner, otherwise known as the junction of Highway 65. A man named Amos once lived on the corner and the name stuck with locals. Over these hills is my hometown.

Next is our grain elevator (grain storage) down the street from my parents' house. At night the star on top of the building is lit. Also down the street is our bandstand reconstructed when I was in high school. The originl bandstand was torn down when mud Main Street was paved to become a highway. Next is a look down Main Street. The brick building in front is the Public Library.

Finally, my childhood home and backyard. The larger tree in the pictures is a maple and no, my Dad does not tap it to make maple syrup. The smaller tree is a nut tree. My Dad had a great idea of planting 4 nut trees to obtain free nuts every year. Well, it takes 30 years for a nut tree to mature enough to produce nuts, 20 more years to go now. The bush in front is a bridal bouquet bush and yes, that is what the white flowers blooming in the spring are called.

In the 3 tree picture, the dark purple tree really does have purple leaves until they change colors and drop off. A nut tree is in the center. The clump of vegetation is my Mom's flower bed of peonies and daffodils that come up in the spring. The tree furtherest back is a chokecherry tree that is covered in pick and white flowers in the spring. I often call it our pink tree. I included my Mom's yellow mums on our patio that replaced the dark red rose bush my Mom killed.

The big white house is my parents' house and the red car in the driveway is my car. I tried to get a sunset picture, but there were not enough clouds to create that luscious orange, red, pink, yellow sky. This is the sunset view I saw in my childhood.

Hope you enjoyed the picture show. Post later. Bye!