Christmas letter 2007

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. Is it December already?

Closed early New Year's Eve, kissed the cats at midnight, and went to sleep. New Year's Day I had off so I had a Cocoa Day where I sit on the couch wrapped in a blanket and drink cocoa. New Year's Day was also our first snow for the kittens and paws flew in all directions over the ice. No injuries though, except pride. They despise wet paws so we didn't play in it for long. Mom had her knee replacement replaced and had the luxury of nursing home care after surgery this time around for frequent physical therapy. She didn't have to cook, clean, or wash, but had to tolerate being awoken by alarms when patients fell out of bed. Soon she came home and lived on the couch while Dad did the cooking, cleaning, and washing, for a while. Precious celebrated his 1st birthday making him a fully grown adult tomcat. He got a can of salmon and new placemats for the food dish and water bowl.

Despite the Brown Christmas of 2006, it snowed through March until Mother Nature copped an attitude and gave us an ice storm, then a snowstorm. Most of the ice storm hit eastern Iowa, but we got plenty of trouble during the snowstorm. We say in Iowa that winter is never over until a snowstorm hits the Girls State Basketball Tournament, no matter what Mr. Groundhog says. In southeastern Iowa, 20 miles of utility poles fell down under the weight of the ice hanging on the power lines. I had to call my brother Ronnie in Fairfield to make sure he had heat and electricity in his house. He did. Even better, the Governor issued a No Towing Ban over the entire state so we had to inform every car renter that if they get stuck, they have to call 911 cause we can't rescue them. One Arizona guy exploded at us when we explained he isn't getting to his destination that night, flights are cancelled and roads are closed, and if he stole a snowmobile from the neighbors he will freeze before leaving the city. It was so cold that we needed a sweater over our sweaters. I told many people that they have to lodge their complaints to the Governor's office. On a better note, a friend at work gave me the email address of a single guy, he was her friend's cousin living in Muscatine. For once I had a Valentine in the male single form not covered in fur, not that I'm complaining about fur-covered Valentines.

Spring came bringing birds the cats love to chase. The airport turned on the air conditioning too soon in this nice weather that we had a space heater on to keep warm. The apartment put in a new exercise room that is very nice and gave us keys so it can be used 24 hrs. Frodo celebrated his 1st birthday and he was ready to take on the now equal-sized Precious in their cat games. Precious is slightly bigger, but slightly enough to Frodo to challenge. Frodo got a can of crab meat and a new water bowl to aid in hydration during the upcoming heat of summer. The great pet food scare erupted and I carefully watched for any changes in behavior. I changed brands not under the recall list and hoped for the best. Frodo got stuck behind a neighbor's fence during one of our daily outdoor walks and I ripped my sweatpants retrieving him, then he hides from me. I chased him down and tossed him back over the fence. Then the cats started squinting and soon got goop oozing out of their eyes so got to chase both cats around the apartment to give them eye drops for their inflammation, in both eyes. I took Mom to the Dexter Cemetery (her side of the family) so she didn't have to drive that far. Dad took her around Milo (his side). Cats begin getting fussy about ending their daily walk outside and once got rained on before returning. Poor Frodo slipped on the sidewalk and Precious had to swim across the parking lot. At least they were very soft after their shower.

Summer came with my niece Alex's dance recital, my sister Sylvia's knee surgery, 4th of July in Milo, and Brooks family reunion (Mom side). My niece Annika slept over my place while Mommy Sylvia was in the hospital for her first knee replacement. Sylvia didn't get the nursing home care my Mom had and went straight home after surgery. Her husband Lance was quickly tested on his nursemaid skills. I took Annika to the zoo and the swimming pool in the apartment complex. I introduced my new boyfriend to my family on the 4th of July and family reunion. As the heat turned up, the cats looked dead so I turned on the air conditioning to bring them back to life. Frodo caught his first bird and carried it in his mouth like a trophy. I stole his new toy and carried the frightened bird back to a tree limb. We took trips to the vet for our annual checkups and booster shots. Frodo learned a new trick spreading all four paws to keep from entering the cat carrier. Both cats are healthy, but Precious should not gain anymore weight (15 lbs. is top weight for a tomcat and he was 14.7 lbs.). He has been on an exercise regiment of chasing squirrels and racing Frodo down the stairs. Frodo is shortly behind him at 12.5 lbs. I visited my boyfriend's hometown and met all his family and friends there.

Autumn brought a promise ring given for my birthday present and 3 weeks later boyfriend got cold feet and ran away. He was weird anyway so I'm not feeling too bad about it. Soon after learning I'm available again, two guys chased me around the airport and quit talking to me just before Halloween. I had to ask my friends if I'm being dumped because neither guy wanted to dress up in a costume and go out for Halloween. It's okay because their idea of a date was turning into hanging out in my apartment watching TV. I do that every day of week so that is not MY idea of a date. I took niece Annika to my apartment manager's Halloween party and she got a bag of candy. She was Cinderella and I was Little Red Riding Hood. This year we have been practicing parental separation with monthly sleepovers to accustom Annika for their impending trip to China to pick up Annika's soon to be adopted baby sibling. Mom announced that Dad got her a pretty door to go on the outside of the new kitchen addition so Dad is making great progress towards completion. He has the walls and ceiling up, but needs to cut out the windows.

We had a white Thanksgiving with me working. My dinner was a hamburger in the cafeteria because turkey was not on the menu. Precious has a longer coat of fur so he can stand being outside longer than Frodo. Most of our daily walk has been running up and down stairs pouncing each other. I decorated my apartment into a Winter Wonderland. December will bring my niece Alex's Nutcracker performance, nieces Tory's and Alex's church program, and spending the family Christmas at Aunt Mary's this year. Then kissing my cats at midnight on New Year's Eve, again. We Wish a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love Always, Jordan
Precious and Frodo say Meow.

Christmas light up

I got some multicolored icicle lights for my balcony and gutters. I misjudged the length of the balcony. At first I didn't think I could reach the gutters, but with help of my foot stool I did. So I go to the store to get 3 more cords of lights (4 all together) and an extension cord to reach the outlet. There is no outdoor outlet so the extension cord must be shoved into the sliding door. Get down to the last cord and the 3rd cord I put up falls down off the gutter and one bulb breaks. I realize I read the instructions wrong, but then the picture had a white hook against a white gutter so it was hard to tell how to position it. Hey, I did figure out what a gutter lip was on my own. Change hook positions and finish the gutter lights. I double check and check to make sure there is no outdoor outlet. Plug in the lights and the extension cord makes an inch or two gap in the door. Wiggle the extension cord to make it bend and slam the door as hard as possible and check for cold air coming in. I broke 4 fingernails putting up these lights. All in the name of holiday spirit.

I read through the cautionary info included in the boxes, Guess what the extension cord is an indoor cord so I have to go get another cord for the lights and pray this new cord doesn't leave a bigger gap in the door. Those outdoor cords are very thick to protect the wires. Then I read that one should never slam extension cords in doors or windows because the it can wear on the wire insulation. Well I don't have an outdoor outlet so slam it will be. What am I suppose to do run a generator to make the lights work? Call Mom to ask if she had any bright ideas on this gap problem. Socks, hand towels, inserted with help of a knife (will kitchen butter knife do?). Unlike her I toss socks I don't wear anymore and use paper towels to clean, and that is a lot socks to cover the door, plus I have an inside and outside door. And I'm not using my bath towels on a filthy door. Nor my kitchen or hand towels either. Well better go to bed. Going to Mom's tomorrow to pick up the rest of my xmas stuff and have her shorten some pants. Post later. Bye!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to Everybody. Precious ventured outside for 25 minutes in foot prints everywhere snow. Frodo made it out 2 minutes and spent the rest inside the stairwell. Then they ran upstairs and went right in the apartment door w/out fuss. I served turkey and gravy cat food for their snack. Frodo is now playing with the plastic package that contained my lunchmeat turkey that I tossed in the garbage after making my sandwich for work. Must love that turkey smell. It's not just dogs that pull things out of the garbage can. Gotta go get ready for work. Have a good day. Post later. Bye!

Ah Autumn

Yesterday I wore my winter coat the first time since March, today I wore a T-shirt outside. Then they say we will get a white Thanksgiving. Ah Autumn, you put away your summer wardrobe and a few weeks later drag it back out.

I saw on the news parents placing spyware on their computers to keep tabs on what their teens on doing online, then read an article about a teen hanging herself because of a hoax. I'm glad the internet wasn't full force when I was a teen, my archenemy would had a field day with that, she spread lies about me from 1st grade to 12th grade, making my school days a living hell. Her mother was the school librarian and gave me a talking to after I pushed her daughter down the stairs (she tripped me on the stairs so this was returning a favor). Yes this mother explained to me that is was acceptable for her daughter to be nasty to me because her older sisters were mean to her. Excuse me? The archenemy even offered her hand in friendship, under the condition that she picks my friends, wear the fashions she chooses, and beat up people she doesn't like. I said no. It took me a long to figure out what her problem was with me. I decided in her offer of friendship that I was the one person she couldn't control cause I didn't fear her. Strange as it seems, and felt at the time, this girl and I actually shared a plate of fries at our 10th year class reunion and talked as if old friends. I ran into her later at a 4th of July celebration and we were cordial and I introduced her to my baby niece I was pushing in a stroller. Funny world isn't it. Post later. Bye!

Christmas is coming, ready or not

Ah Christmas shopping: The Pain of Giving. Yes, I start shopping for gifts before Thanksgiving. The early bird gets stress out of the way so she can enjoy the holiday season before it ends. If only Lucy (from PeanutsCartoons) would stop demanding gifts we can't afford and then demanding we stop exchanging gifts because she never gets what she wants (if you expect the sun, moon, and stars you are bound to be disappointed). She protests every year by donating to a charity in our names. I don't have rich in-laws or a spendthrift husband so I don't look forward to buying my own Christmas gifts because Lucy is a selfish bitch. Though I don't think they are really rich in-laws, they just spend more money on frivolous things that would give my mother a heart attack. I buy my own birthday gift and hate it, enough said?

I got a soap, lotion, and candle bath set for the sister or niece who doesn't give me a wish list. I usually get a wish list threatening them with a bath set, or cologne/aftershave for men in family. I always say that if people don't tell me what they want for Christmas that they shouldn't complain. I got mother a Oprah Magazine subscription from my niece's fundraiser so she already is enjoying her Christmas gift. Post later. Bye!

What a night

Everybody says there's no full moon so it must be something in the water making the fruitcakes come out of hiding on my shift. Warning: Work stories coming so delete now if you don't like my nightmare customers.

Where to start. I had to turn away 2 people with checkcards. First one said to just run it through as a credit card instead of a debit card. That is not how it is done. I wanted to say "You ain't at a grocery store buying a bag chips, you are renting a $30,000 car", but not allowed to be that rude. I directed her to the next door counter. We do take check cards if they have proof of a return flight leaving DM and the 2nd person said he was flying out. No he isn't, he lives in DM. He is flying to Ames. There's no commercial airport there. Gets on his phone since I won't take his $100 in cash and wants me to talk to his friend about overcoming this problem (it is overcome when he produces a credit card). Is he is giving me a credit card ?, I ask. Yeah. Don't take credit cards numbers over the phone. He gets pissed off cause his ride just left and he has no car and tells me to delete everything cause he ain't renting from us now. I tried to tell him that about 4 times.

Then I get a lady with coupons that were not in her reservation. Reading the coupon, I see why. The coupon is for regular cars and she is reserved a van. Said the reservation guy said couldn't get the coupon in so we will just figure it out when she comes pick up the car. No, we don't figure things out, it goes in or it doesn't. Told her that her reservation boy didn't solve any problem so let me figure out how to get this in. Bastard. Probably one of those people in India whom I know ain't called Mike. So, figured the price difference per day between largest allowed car and her van. Added the difference in her upgrade to get the coupon in. New problem. Coupon states at the very top up to 3 coupons may be used on the same rental. The computer will only accept 1. So do a misc. credit for the same amount as the first coupon took off to equal 2nd coupon in. Then I get to explain what I did so she doesn't get confused reading her rental agreement. She gets it. Thank God, a normal person.

Then I get a call from someone who had his receipt emailed to him when he still has the car. Another location returned it, in Anchorage, Alaska. I explained poking one wrong number pulls up the wrong contract so I will have to leave a note on this one. We can't undo returns once they are printed or emailed so called the manager and she said just let her deal with it. Whew.

And finally the longest, return on record. Tried to return car and it has it returning back to the renting city. Customer shows me the contract with our DM location as returning city. Look up contract and it has a different car on it and it was returned 2 hours after it was rented. Get on the phone with renting city. Ok, there was a car exchange, then the original contract was incorrectly returned (probably wrong car number poked in), so they made a new contract for the people, called the customer about mishap, but on the new contract they have the customer returning to the renting city instead of here, plus they did it as a cash rental (only a manager can pull something like this) with 0 down so I had to take the man's credit card. The price also changed from original quote so I read off the prices (weekly, daily, hourly) and guy changed it. Then there was discount so that messed up the guy so he changed it again to get less than what was quoted. Customer disapproved of paying more for his rental when it was not him who screwed up.

If you wish to here a good one from the car rental next door. Some guy claiming to be a musician for the city's symphony ran out of room on his credit card and tried to pay with his food stamps card. No, it has to be a credit card or debit card. I can't believe someone tried to pay for a car rental with food stamps. Must not be a very good musician to be on food stamps or incredibly stupid. I'll stop boring you with my silly work stories. Good night. Post later.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

I walk into the airport and guess what I came face to face with: The airport employees were putting up the Xmas decor, I think someone counted the wreathes to be 84 one year. The tree is still plain w/out ornaments. What are are they thinking?, It's not even Thanksgiving yet. Is it not bad enough to look for Halloween decor with Thanksgiving and Xmas right next to it. At least they haven't started music yet. One blessing counted. Post later. Bye!

Strange kitty

Normally Frodo is terrified of dogs and hides from them. Yesterday, a puppy came out and rolled over onto the ground near the cats. The owner pulled on the leash and then picked it up to go on their walk. Frodo was riled up as usual. Maybe it was me petting him to soothe him, puppy there Frodo here, thus Frodo is safe. Puppy goes around the corner and Frodo calms down, then follows puppy around the corner. Curious over this strange behavior, I follow Frodo to see him stalking the puppy from a distance asking him what he thinks he is doing (Yes I speak to my cats, they just don't answer back). Leave the puppy alone, I say to him and try to pick him up. Last thing I need is another dog owner screaming at me for antagonizing their dog. Frodo escapes and approaches puppy at very close range. Puppy owner asks if my cat is friendly. He is usually afraid of dogs, so not really friendly. Curious puppy sniffs Frodo, nearly touching noses. Frodo hisses with fur riled up. I grab Frodo and take him around the corner. I wonder where that came from. Are my cats realizing that these dogs are being held back from hurting them so like a kid at a zoo, are sticking their fingers (or paws) through the fence to see what happens.

Today Precious discovered a dog behind a glass door barking at him and Frodo refused to come over where we were, then he disappeared. When I called him home, he meowed from behind the garages. That's my Frodo. I grabbed Precious off the porch and set him behind the railing so the dog didn't see us. Then the owner came out with said dog while I was looking for Frodo and dog ran into Precious. The man was hanging on to the leash ordering dog to sit. There you are!, I yelled and apologized to the man (I lost Precious when looking for Frodo). I guided Precious away from dog with him hissing at it. I do think it was because the puppy was less intimidating for Frodo because it was small and wasn't barking at him to make him curious to follow it. Post later. Bye!

What a bitch

Until today, only once I have been asked to keep my cats away from the porch door of a dog owner because her dog goes berserk when he see my cats. I have wholeheartedly complied with this request since and have done my best to keep my cats out of view of said dog who lives below my apartment, which doesn't make compliance easy exiting or entering the building.

Today, I was walking my cats as usual when a lady first thinking I was a crazy lady wandering around the place, then realizing I was walking my cats started yelling at me how rude it was to allow my cats on her porch and how it is impolite it was not to have my cats on leashes when it is the rule that all cats be on leashes. To my knowledge, I have have read only Dogs are required to be on leashes by city law and apartment manager's rule. She explained her dogs go crazy seeing my cats. I believe her dogs would still go berserk if my cats were on leashes and off her porch. I did not wish to provoke an argument over the fact that my cats were not on her porch, they were located on the nearby sidewalk hidden by the bushes, nor was her dogs barking at my cats at present moment. Precious did come towards the porch when the lady started yelling at me and her dogs started barking when he did and I calmly picked him up to take him across the street where there are no windows or porches, only bushes. She continued screaming at me long after I removed Precious from her side of the street and walked down towards the street on the other side of the complex before the river (Yeah I heard her the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time but she keeps repeating herself even though I am out of sight). I know dogs bark at rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, in addition to cats and can not ask a dog to stop being a dog simply because it is frightening my cats. One dog owner walking by told me her dog went berserk viewing a cat in a window so this lady certainly can't blame me for her dogs barking. Our outdoor time is only one hour and most of the time my cats are enjoying the wooded areas behind the garages. It was today that they first explored the wooded area before the road where a bike trail runs through to leave behind the lady screaming at me. I complied with her loud request to remove my cats from her dog's eyesight and I do not understand why she is still screaming at me how rude and impolite I am, what else does she want? And by the way, there are many places on the fences between the next door houses and the apartments where my cats can squeeze through and I can not follow where a leash is ineffective.

If there is a cat obeidence class in the city, I would be happy to take my cats to it. I do call them and give them praise when they obey, but like children they do not always obey or they would never be locked outside from refusing to return. The first year I had my cats I had them on leashes and harnesses. They escaped from the harness when they were spooked by barking or loud noises. I refuse to tighten the harness so tight they can't breathe or move in order to stop this. They also do not follow the leader so I am pulled like a wishbone since CATS ARE NOT DOGS and jump in the bushes causing me to let go of their leash, especially behind the garages where it is too hard for me to walk through all that brush. I tested my cats off their leashes and they do stay nearby often coming when called so I removed the harnesses and walk them without a leash. And then there are times where they behave like cats and ignore my calls. I do my best keeping them off tenents porches' and guide them from barking dogs behind porch doors. They do run and hide when a tenent is walking their dog to observe them from a safe bush, often the owner will guide their curious dog away from my cats without me saying one word. I am sorry dogs at the apartment complex despise my cats but I have no power over them when said dogs are inside tenents' apartments. Maybe the bitch's dogs need obedience classes so she has more control over them.

Besides, if I did find another place for my cats where there are no dogs, there is no guarentee they won't take dogs in the future. Well, better go to bed. Post later. Bye!

Darn PA's

With a new speakers to make the PA's (public announcements) louder from complaints they can't be heard (they still can't be heard outside the airport though the radio can be), they added a new voice blasting through speakers atlernating between the time, don't leave baggage unattended every five seconds (I timed it on my watch), and a booming Testing 123 Testing along with the radio playing constantly and other PA stuff in the old voice (the security thing has been raised to orange, please don't leave bags unattended) alternating every 5 minutes. Sometimes the radio/ old voice and new voice play at the same time. It's driving me crazy I'm ready to kill someone. I can't hear my customers either with it constantly playing 5 seconds and difficult to page anyone because it won't allow you to page with the PA's playing. And then with the new speakers, the coworkers smoking outside can't hear pages like they use to, but the radio can be heard playing. I hate the airport. This is as bad as listening to Christmas music 8 hours every day between mid November and Christmas Day. Have no fear of impending shoot outs, after a few days I'll be so use to the PA's I won't hear them anymore. Here's hoping. Post later. Bye!

Snack battles

I read in the paper today how a mother was whining how her protective mothering was being foiled by unruly parents exposing her 6-year-old son to junk food at the school's snack time.
The Nerve!

Apparently not every elementary school has snack time provided by parents taking turns. My sister a school librarian said low income schools don't do this because free lunch students can't afford to bring snacks to class. The ones who do have parents complaining about their child's allergies, preferences, and spread of diseases with homemade treats. So this lady's problem is really with the parents of her child's classmates. Her declaration was that children should get healthy snacks her child is allowed to have at home, not what other children are allowed at home. This lady sounds like my sister trying to keep my niece innocent for as long as possible.

Yes, my sister the school librarian has treats in the form of fruit and crackers, with the occasionaly pb&j sandwich on wheat bread. She threw a fit at a family picnic when my Mom gave my niece a cheese curl. Then she freaked out on me when I allowed my niece to eat from the Halloween candy bag that was given by the manager's office at the apartment Halloween party last week. I thought ripping the gift bag from my niece's grasp and not let her have anything from it would be cruel. My sister disagreed. Bad Aunt also gave her Tootsie Rolls a kid knocking at my door was selling for his school last summer. I didn't tell her the snack chips I gave her a few times, though she rolled her eyes at the licorice I shared with my niece. I heard her complain how her babysitter gave her charges potato chips when she ran out of dried fruit.

I think it is good for my niece to learn that there are in fact different rules at different places and with different people. Home, school, work, public events, spouses, friends, grandparents, parents, siblings, adults, children, babysitters, bosses, and coworkers all have different rules of conduct. It is just the way things are. So unless you plan on keeping your kid locked up until adulthood, they will be tainted by junk food, bad words, parental advisory music, and unruly ideas that their family is weird and everyone else is normal. It's called growing up. Get used to it. Post later. Bye!

The China Effect

I saw a commercial for a news story of a family in the area trying to live a week without any products Made In China from the lead paint scare in children's toys. The reporter said if we Americans all banned Chinese made products we could make great change in Chinese regulations of dangerous products. Good luck with that. Chinese made products are everywhere.

Every shoe but New Balance brand is Made in China (Yes even expensive brand names are Made in China). New balance in Made in USA.

Every other piece of clothing in Made in China, with few exceptions of other 3rd World Countries. Some labels say American made materials assemblied in a 3rd World Country.

Flags, books, toys, electronics, pillows, blankets, decorations, and furniture sitting in American homes mostly will have Made in China labels. Well, computers and TVs would be Made in Japan. Chinese products are going to be very hard to ban from any home, it will as easy as that one church down south tried to ban Disney. Disney doesn't just make movies, books, and resorts, it owns ABC, Pixar, Jim Henson Muppets, and has deals with fast food places, toys companies, cereals, and snacks to sell images of Disney characters. I prefer another tactic to change Chinese regulation practices, one that will work. Post later. Bye!

Today's events

I almost lost Precious. I was outside searching for him and heard him meowing. I thought he was under a car or something. One of the people moving in said to bring the cat back out. Precious can't resist an open door so I assume he snuck in. He just rolled in dirt so I'm sure they didn't touch him or try to catnap him.

I got an update on that friend's daughter whose husband kicked her out after losing her job. She was looking at these dating sites for her soon to be former husband to find his profile. He has a profile claiming he's single and has a romantic username like Cupid or Romeo (you get the picture). This daughter sent him an email stating that last she heard he was still very much married. Plus he has been busy selling his boats, houses, motorcycles, etc. and pocketing the money. Her lawyer has frozen his assets so he can't sell and will be hit with Contempt of Court if he does. That will teach him he's not the center of the universe, right?

Then when I come home I read my email bill from the phone company and they charged me twice because I didn't pay last month's bill. Funny how with automatic payments set up I didn't pay my bill and get a late charge fee tacked on. I guess the phone company has to make money somehow. Well, post later. Bye!

You know...

You know you are the only person who dresses up for Halloween when people asked why you weren't at work in a costume on days you have off.

Well, a gal at the car rental next door was dressed in pj's but nobody else. Post later. Bye!