Had a good Christmas

I woke up early, 8AM, opened my and the cats' gifts from Santa. Cats got a circle that a ball rolls around in, rope covered balls, and a fuzzy teaser (shorter version of a fishing pole w/out the long string). I got a soap and lotion bath set in vanilla and milk scent and some candy canes with a light up pen. Took cats out and then went over to my parents' house. Had hamburgers for lunch. Dad had to announce the hamburgers came from the extra supplies from the 4th of July (Mom is on the committee). I said "We love to eat 6 month old hamburgers". It tasted like hamburger.

We started Miracle on 34th Street with Natalie Wood and opened presents. I got 2 sets of pj's my Mom shorten before I left, a large bottle of Target moisturing bath wash with no scent, and a kitty calendar. Tried on pj's for Mom to shorten and they fit nicely so I won't be taking them back. Mom thought they were a little big, but then pj's should be baggy for rolling around in your bed. I promised to give her my old pj's since they make good quilt blocks, they are getting thin and ragged around the waistband exposing the drawstring so I'm sure charity wouldn't want them. I caught Mom working on her quilts when she should be relaxing in front he TV watching college football, there has to be 200 games going on Christmas Day. Yeah, she said, the ones she wants to see are all on cable. Dad refuses to pay for cable and gets my siblings to record shows for him.

Finished Miracle on 34th Street, watched my brother's present of Pixar short films, and then my Grinch That Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey. The last got left behind in Dad's rewinder so I'll get it later. Then ate supper of pork, I think, it was some kind of meat cut into slices. Ate up my Christmas cookies and my brother's rolls and then said good bye. Kitties were happy to see me and chased the laser light. Watched A Christmas Story and went to bed. Now I'm off to see what I can grab for 50% off. I noitced often things are not on sale because merchants expect this after-Christmas splurge. If the day Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year, then day after Christmas must be second place.

Then I have to come up with a New Year's Resolution. I think I will resolve to completely give up on trying to find a boyfriend and try a new hobby to get my sense of adventure out of my system. Wait a minute, I think that was last year's resolution and my friends tried harder to find a warm body for me to date. I swear this just like high school where people kept asking why I sat by myself at lunch and never once sat down next to me so I wouldn't be alone. Until someone else validates me as a wonderful person to know, no guy will have anything to do with me. I noticed I wasn't asked out by guys I knew for months and months until I broke up with my last boyfriend. And people can't figure out why I'm not swooning over their attention. Cause they had plenty of time to get to know me and ask me out, and they waited until I was heartbroken to do it. But then, they just wanted to hang out on my couch instead of takign me out so they were boring anyway. Perhaps I will just try a new hobby and have fun by myself. Then tell no one about it since the people I know can't handle me doing new things. I cut my hair short once and they freaked out like someone died. Post later. Bye!

Merry Christmas Eve

Had the day off to go to Omaha for the family Christmas with aunts, uncles, and cousins on my Mom's side Sunday. My aunt had ham and vegetables baking so we had a wait a while til all was done. My Des Moines sister and her family was there already. Baby niece danced around with the music like a ballerina. Soon more people arrived and we dug into the buffet. Next we chatted in the living room and my brother and sisters and parents exchanged gifts with my Nebraska sister. As I was picking up the wrapping paper I grabbed one of my nieces' presents and gave it to her. She said it wasn't hers. I wrapped their gifts so I know I put in them. Apparently my niece was feeling bad because her sisters got light up pens and she didn't. It was under the wrapping paper. Yes my nieces rip open presents in their piles and then can't remember whose stuff is whose and who gave it to them. In their going around the room thanking everyone for their presents, we have to remind what we gave them. At least they were separated when opening them this time so they didn't get confused which presents were theirs. I got a kitty lap blanket from my sister.

Anyway, one niece was given Kill Bill 1&2 from me and my sister shouted "Who gave Kill Bill, I said it was too violent!" I raised my hand. My defense was that niece is 20 and it was on her wish list. After the paper was tossed, my cousin got on the floor with my baby niece and growled like a bear. She ran away crying for mommy. My niece bounced my baby niece on her knees for a horsy ride. Baby niece wanted her to get on the floor to get on her back. I let her ride on my back about the room and since she doesn't hang on she falls off and doesn't want to ride anymore. My aunt went about the room offering stuff from her job that they give to the employees as a reward for being an employee. The stuff are things that didn't sell by a specific time frame. One thing was candles that are battery operated. My aunt said they didn't work. My brother took it apart and figured out the battery was put in backwards. Then they worked. The family discussed the big news of my niece's mock trial team going to the national competition in Delaware. My Mom asked if my brother-in-law was going too. My brother-in-law shouted from kitchen, Yes, leave the coach behind! He is a history teacher for the high school and coaches the mock trial team for the past 20 years and this is the first they won the state championship. My aunt asked if there was a international mock trial competition. My brother-in-law said that would be hard since other countries have very different laws and court systems, though a South Korea air base school and an Australian school was in last year's national competition.

Then a niece wanted to watch one of her new movies and I watched it with her, I never seen it before so she had to explain some of it. When it was over everybody started going home. When I got home we heard a scratching noise in the living room wall and the cats watched it constantly pawing where the noise was. We might have a mouse in our wall. Watched a Christmas movie and went to bed. Today got up, took cats out for their walk, and watched movies ever since. Merry Christmas Eve. The TV said Santa is in visiting Australia and moving across the Pacific. Santa already stuffed our stockings a couple weeks ago. Post later. Bye!

Weirdoes

My mother can never understand why I'm not dating anyone I know from my workplace. Here's why: I work with weirodes or they are already married.

Example: Tonight I get a guy working for another company asking if these keys belong to my company. Yes. I reach out for them and he takes them away stating I owe him $1. Excuse me? Yeah see, he gets a quarter for returning luggage carts so we owe him $1 since he is returning our keys he found on the sidewalk. Sorry, we don't give out money for turning in keys, have to ask the owner about that. He threatens to throw them back on the sidewalk where he found them if I won't give him $1. Go ahead, I reply, my coworkers will find them. He finally hands them over yelling somebody owes him a dollar. I'm sorry to ask, but is this male humor and this conversation suppose to be amusing?

Later he comes by and tells my coworkers what a horrible and mean person I am for not rewarding him for turning in keys and still yelling how we owe him a dollar. Then he gets mad over the obvious fact that I'm working on crosswords and not paying attention to their conversation. Male conversations tend to be very boring so I make an effort not to eavesdrop on them. After his slamming his hand down on the counter and imitating my "Huh", he explains they are badmouthing me, What do I think of that? "Whatever," I say, "I'm use to it" without looking up. He walks away telling us we still owe him $1. Get it from the owner, I answered. Is this more male humor I'm not getting? I work with weirdoes. Post later. Bye!

Crazy cat lady

I read an amusing article about dating crazy cat ladies. I may be a 2 cat owner, but I wouldn't call myself crazy. Yes I am fully aware they are animals, not people with fur. Though I often refer to them as my babies with fur or fur-covered sweethearts since I have none in the human form. I simply treat them as beings with feelings and needs instead of decorations lying around the house like many people do. I also gladly point out to friends that I don't have many of the problems that other people have with their cats because I pay attention to their needs so they are not destroying furniture or scratch visitors. Then again I do have a calm temperment too.

Though they do have the emotional range of many humans so that could be why they thought as people with fur. They get sad, lonely, elated, excited, angry, fearful, bored, curious, content, (horny if not spayed or neutered) and spiteful. They need attention, exertion in play, cuddle time, naps, windows to look at of, high places to observe things, companionship, clean fur/brushing, and then basic needs of a warm bed, food, water, and a toliet/litterbox. Then to keep a animal healthy: vacinations, flea killer medicine, and yearly checkups by a vet.

Well post later. Bye!

Oil change

Went over to my parents' house for my oil change (Dad insists on doing this so I let him). He used the last of my oil supply so he will get some more on sale. Sure I'll pay him for it when I get my tax refund check. Then just before the big curve before entering the town, I saw a fox. Haven't seen one by the road before. It came up to the gravel shoulder and ran away as I passed.

On the way there, I pawned my promise ring to get rid of it. I got $14 for it, $1 for city fee so it was $15 originally. Dad said those pawn shops pay 1/10th of an item's value so he who shall not be named paid plenty for it. It is 10k gold and 1/10 carat diamond on top so I am sure he didn't pay more than $100 for it. Probably got it at Walmart. The guy weighed it saying the ring is all gold and no weight from the diamond. Oh well, it's gone like him. Ta ta.

Tree branches still cover the town park and everyone's yard. Someone built a manufactured home next to my parents' house, but no one has moved in yet. I dropped their and my brother's Christmas presents so I didn't have to drag them over later. I said not to open them until Christmas. Saw Dad's new jukebox he bought to hear music as he works in the basement, but needs another person to help lift it so it sits unplugged in the living room. My wimpy muscles don't qualify as help. Mom gave me a willow basket for my stuff animal collection. The label said "laundry basket" but too small to hold much laundry. Let's just say it could hold 2 days worth of clothes, maybe 3. But perfect for stuffed animals. My stuffed animals got squeezed in so the larger ones have only their heads sticking out. The cats jumped in it and then jumped out. They prefer the top of the cupboards anyway.

And guess what was in the parking lot when I came home, the mail van at 7 PM. Must be a lot of mail for them to be at it this late at night. That's Christmas for you. Well, nothing more to add. Post later. Bye!

I don't believe this

I don't believe what just happened. Rephrase: I can believe it, I just don't want to.

I'm up waiting for the Hershey kisses off the peanut butter cookies to solidify so I can stack them in a container, otherwise I would be in bed. The phone rings at 12:30 AM and guess who it is. The guy from work who would never give me his number and last time we spoke was right before Halloween when my niece was visiting. In the message he gives me his cell to call him back and says he will try to get me at work. Ha, I don't work til Thursday.

Why do I always get the weirdoes? After a month and a half of silence, he finally gives me his number. What game is he playing cause I don't like it? Think I should call him back? I'm guessing he was drunk and found my number in his cell directory and thought, Oh let's call Jordan to see what's she's doing. Men.

Post later. Bye!

Heroin Diaries

I finished The Heroin Diaries written by Nikki Sixx. I read The Dirt twice and love Nikki Sixx, don't ask why cause I'm unsure the what the draw to him is. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in drug recovery. It is not quick solution of getting sober and all the problems disappear, the problem is staying sober when hit with heavy stress. Emotional trauma will overcome all logical thinking, as the book proves. I quote "My marriage hit the rocks. I hit the drugs." Though he does ask why didn't anyone say anything to him about his falling apart. I know why, cause he wasn't ready to hear it. When he saw a fortune teller forecasting that he will die if he doesn't change his ways, he laughed and refuse to believe him. He does die and has an out of body experience. And what does he do when he wakes up, he rips the IV out of his arm and cusses at the nursing staff to go home to do more drugs. Need I say more? I think in The Dirt after he fell down airplane steps, Demi Moore came up to him and told him that he needed help. I think at that point, he was more ready to hear it. I think if one works on the emotional problems first, giving up an addiction becomes easier since that is how drug abuse starts in the first place. But what do I know?

My draw to Mr. Sixx could be the fact that I met him once. On a trip to Arizona, I was leaving a gift shop on the way to a Spanish Mission museum when I hit someone with the door. I found a tall man holding his nose and humbly apologized, then said "Oh my God, you're Nikki Sixx." when he lowered his hand. My friend Ryan wanted to be Nikki Sixx when he grew up so I asked for his autograph for him. All I had were postcards for him to sign and borrowed a pen from the gift shop lady. He even signed one for me. even though I didn't ask for one. He asked if I should be in school. I said the teachers gave me my homework before we went on vacation. I told him we were heading for this mission but my parents were arguing how to get there by the car. He actually knew where it was and walked over to my parents and gave them directions. He asked about the license plate, the county name is at the bottom of it. He was wearing all black and my mom asked if he was hot in that outfit and I said he was. He laughed. I just stared at him while he gave directions as if he were a god and waved good-bye. I stared out the back window until he was out of sight. My friend Ryan was shocked at his present, he was expecting a key chain or post card. My classmates were shocked to hear this bad boy of rock and roll was the perfect gentlemen in that moment of time, and yes we found the mission with his directions. When I heard right before Christmas at breakfast that he had died, I cried. I was happy to hear he returned back to life like Frankenstein and actually thought of him while opening my presents Christmas morning, and hoping he was happy. Sure I may seem like an obssessed fan wondering what he is doing nearly every day, but really, I just want him to be happy whether he is in the tabloids or not. I wish Oprah would interview him, I'm sure he could help a lot of people telling his story. At least she would know he was real, unlike the Thousand Little Pieces fraud. Though I am unsure if her viewers could handle the foul language and sexual content of this book. If you can get over that, it is a good read. Post later. Bye!

Crackle, crackle, crash

Don't you just love the sound of tree branches falling in the morning. We had a nice little ice storm here. Many w/out power, but not here, down southern Iowa. I decided to postpone my shopping and visiting sister for laundry. She said the niece is watching xmas specials on tape or dvd. Ticker tape on TV said hospitals and clinic centers were closed along with basketball games in local high schools, so it must be bad tonight. Mom said tree branches were falling all around the yard and snow plows were tossing them in people's yards. She made Dad take a picture. One big one crashed through the neighbor's house and the guy put a garbage can lid to catch the drips after he tried to plastic sheet the hole. It hit the guest room closet so only valuable junk being stored away got soaked. No branches falling here, though when it got dark I thought someone put lights on the trees outside but no it is just covered in ice. Though it is pretty reflecting in the street lights. I've been watching xmas specials on VHS, I saw the DVD specials at work on my portable player. Right now I'm on Scrooged with Bill Murray. I guess my aunts in Missouri and Oklahoma are having fun in the ice and snow that hit them this weekend. Post later. Bye!

Let it snow, let it snow

Friday they were predicting a snow storm this weekend and my manager called in sick. I heard a coworker said he went shopping when the ice storm hit last weekend, when he called in saying he was too scared to drive to work. You can imagine how angry the manager was hearing that. A janitor came by saying hello. He told me another janitor was promoted to Airport Operations so I gave him the guy's Christmas card to deliver. Apparently, the other guy got a puppy for his nephew who wanted it so badly and begging for it for days, and then 2 days after receiving puppy lost interest, so this guy is stuck with this puppy he didn't want. Recently the puppy messed the floor cause nobody took it out all day and puppy couldn't hold it in any longer. I took it that the place he got the puppy didn't allow returns. This janitor I'm talking to has cats so he couldn't take it from him. Poor puppy. I called my manager asking if she will be well enough to feed my cats this weekend. The storm was hitting after the Nutcracker performance so felt comfortable going. Mom on the other hand was worked up over the snow and wouldn't come to the performance that night. My niece played a Chinese tea dancer. I was a little late because I spent too much time at McDonald's giving my hands a rest. Found sister at the door and at intermission moved to the other seats where aunt and uncle, and other niece were sitting. Talked to my aunt. She complimented my Christmas letter as being so funny, she doesn't have my sense of humor. I called Mom on my cell so she knows I made it okay. Sister talked to Mom too. I took the other niece home and the car got very warm with the defogger running on high cause the ice kept sticking to the windshield when I turned it down. I drove under the speed limit, but made it home in one piece.

Niece called her Mom and I called mine. Mom said I was very brave to drive in this weather. Yeah, well, I've driven in blizzards before so a little powdered snow doesn't frighten me. If half an inch falls, Mom thinks I should not drive cause I'll go into a ditch. Mom also informed me that niece and her group won the State Mock Trial competition (beating Omaha School) and will go to the National Mock Trial Competition in Delaware in the spring. My brother-in-law is the coach for it for the past 20 years so he was really happy. Niece failed to mention this when I asked her if anything big is happening in her life. She said it happened 2 days ago so she is still absorbing it all. Niece played on her computer and I watched TV. We heated leftovers in the microwave. Later everybody else comes home and we go to bed. Next day, sister and the girls were gone to church and brother-in-law was cooking hamburgers for us when I got up. Nutcracker dancer niece finished her report and took pictures of her bird feeders for it. Soon it was time for the church program and soup supper and the girls quickly wrapped up sister's birthday present.

One niece held the cue cards and wore no costume. Other niece wore a robe and was the first scripture reader. It was very nice program. Brother-in-law and the girls went to pick up sister's ice cream cake among other things and sister and I went to the soup supper. They came back and we celebrated sister's birthday. She got a new very large jewelry box with ring, necklace, and velvet compartments from her family. I asked if she had enough jewelry to fill up the box. She said no. I said she has to get some more. I just got her a card I mailed last week. Watch The Tin Man on the Sci-Fi station based after other books of The Wizard of Oz writer, this takes place a couple generations after Dorothy Gale went to Oz. Go to bed and wake up to only sister present. The others are at school. Sister and I chatted as we loaded my car. A can of Mountain Dew left in the car expanded and then as I opened it later squirted pop all over so I learned something not to do. I expected it to freeze but not explode when opened. Got home and let cats out as I cleaned up the mess with paper towels. Things were moved so I know my manager was here to feed the cats, and clean litterbox. Put stuff away and called Mom to let her know I made it home safely. No snow today so I was going 70. They they are predicting more snow Tuesday. Post later. Bye!

We made the news

Let it snow...Someplace else. We made the national news today when 2 planes on opposite sides of the airstrip tried to take off, wiggled, and skidded off into the slush. One guy slipped when exiting the plane and the fire department was present and had the guy in a neck brace. No planes were permitted to come or go between 8 AM-2:30 PM. According to my manager. I read an article on msn.com about it and it said 1 plane skidded, no injuries, and closed airport a few hours. Whatever you wish to believe.

Manager was happy I arrived at 3 when I was suppose to be there at 2. I went outside in the rain, poked the key through the ice several times to break through, and couldn't turn key. Hit and kick the door and manage to turn key. Kick some more and door still won't open. I give up. Call manager to have someone get me cause my doors are iced shut. I can rent a car to get home. At least the kitties refused to leave the doorway with the pouring rain and actually ran back upstairs to go into the apartment. Half hour later, I'm still waiting for the owner's brother to show up cause the car washers and other counter guy didn't make it to work either. I live 5 minutes away so I don't get to stay home, besides I need the money. I decide to try again. Hit and kick the door a dozen times with a few bad words escaping my lips before hearing a crackle. Oh my, I may get this door open yet. It opens. Call manager on cell and whack the ice with the ice scraper.

Make it to work reliving my drama. Manager says she will pay for a cab if I can't get into my car tonight. It stopped raining so I was good to go. Manager was so happy to go home and relived her drama of a closed airport mentioned above and nonstop phone calls of delayed travelers. She was too busy to get our commission figured, but promised to have it done tomorrow. I told her that my coworker who opens picked a good week to take her vacation time. About 4 PM is when the flights started landing again. I joked with a customer how people's plans get messed up when things like this happen but it's not my fault mother nature copped an attitude. She was from New York so she understood winter better than people down south. One flight I was waiting for went passed the cut off for waiting so I went home. Now back to bed to face tomorrow again. At least I know to kick the door 20 times to get it open. Post later. Bye!

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!

Happy Halloween

Hope you had a Happy Halloween. Monday my baby niece slept over. I picked her up at daycare and took her home to grab her stuff. She announced she was four now. No, her birthday is next month. She was bursting with excitement seeing the kitties. Got ready for the party in the apartment manager's office. My black cat costume was too tight so I put on Little Red Riding Hood. I didn't want to try on my flapper costume out of fear that it didn't fit either. It took a few guesses for my niece to figure out what I was. Alright, I asked Am I Little Red Riding Hood? and she guessed it. Niece is Cinderella.

About 15 people were there, half in costumes. Most parents with costumed kids didn't wear costumes themselves. The winner of the kid costume contest was Minnie Mouse with her hair in pigtails sticking up like ears. The adult costume winner was Cleopatra. The winner of the coloring contest was the girl who completely colored the picture in 20 different colors. Later I heard the mother yelling at her son for stealing things out of his sister's prize bucket, you see he didn't want to color a picture so he gets nothing from his sister's prize bucket.

We had spice cake, potato chips, minature Reeces Pieces, and apple cider. Well, I had spice cake, niece ate the frosting. She yelled, Hey! when she noticed I was eating her cake and ate one bite and went back to the frosting. They had pop cans available, but thought 3 was a little young for pop consumption (she gets enough sugar and caffeine from chocolate). They already did the pumpkin carving and I didn't want to sit on the floor in a short dress (I had 2 pumpkins at home waiting for me). Then they gave away treat bags and had the kids get in line to trick or treat in the kitchen. I noticed one boy not wearing a costume with a orange grocery sack. I always said working at the shoe store in the mall that I can always tell who the immigrants are on Halloween because they don't wear costumes, carry plastic grocery sacks, and yell Candy! instead of Trick or Treat. They may not speak English but they understand the concept of free candy.

We sat down on the couch by a TV playing Casper w/out any sound. Niece was unsure about the boy sitting next to her and talking about Casper, but she ate a few pieces from her bag quietly while I talked to the boy. People started leaving so I figured the party was over. We got out of our costumes, watched my Halloween specials on VHS, and I carved my pumpkins. Since she colored the picture for the contest, she wanted color some more so I got out a couple books I had stowed away for her visit. One of my boyfriends called and asked to come over the next day, but I said no because my niece was here and then I will do laundry at my sister's house all day. My niece is worse about strangers than Frodo who hides under the bed or atop of the cupboards. Every person at the party that came near her, she moved away from. I called my sister and gave her the party report. We went to bed and the next morning she was coughing. I gave her some cough syrup. but it didn't go away. Had her breakfast oatmeal and explored the Niece box.

A box of toys and Princess bath towels especially for Niece's visits. She loved the Barbies and wanted to take them home. No, they stay here for when she comes over. Maybe I'll get her a Barbie for Xmas (I already have her birthday presents). The Barbie shoes were murder to get on and one pair I couldn't get on cause the doll's feet were bigger than the shoes. I got her cranberry juice in a sippy cup and the cup leaked. I had to screw it on several times to get it to stop leaking down her shirt. We then took out the kitties and played on the playground. We lost Frodo in the playground and I had Niece stay in the apartment with Precious while I searched for Frodo. He never came, not even a meow. I packed the car and let Precious out since I know he meows at the window all day and night for Frodo.

Go to sister's house an do laundry. Made her lunch from my sister's fridge since we didn't have much time at my place cause I searched for Frodo a long time. Niece thought she would take a nap on the rocking chair when her Daddy left for an allergy shot appointment. She moved to the couch and then to her bed for her nap. When she woke up as I was walking past to the bathroom, she cried how she wanted to leave. I told her she could leave, she had a good nap (brother-in-law saw her stirring when he returned). She cried again how she was wet. Yep, her pants are soaked and I'm sure the sheets are too. Wiped up her legs and changed her clothes as my sister walked in the door. Finished laundry and went home to feed the Trick or Treaters.

The apartment place had signs made for the residents to place on their doors so the kids know which doors to knock on. I heard 2 sets of kids walking around downstairs, but they never came up to mine (I'm on the 3rd floor). I looked out the windows, but no kids were walking around. I think most probably went to the mall or to the nearby houses to get more candy. Oh well, I'm sure my coworkers will appreciate 4 bags of candy I got for the neighbor kids. I watched Halloween movies I thought too scary for my niece.

Today I went clothes shopping. I tried on my dress clothes to make sure they fit since my cat costume was too small. One skirt I could not zip so that had to be tossed. Now I'm off to bed. Post later. Bye!

No Dr. Phil today

I turn on the TV and ongoing coverage of an explosion in NE Des Moines of a Barton Solvents with dangerous flammable chemicals with 50 gallon drums exploding and several area fire departments taking a defensive position. News crews are forced back so the fire hose water looks like white lines. They are busy warning not to travel into NE side or they will be turned around. Police are directing people off the Interstates. Neighbors are not allow to take pets out because they are worried about the toxic fumes that could be spreading. They are tracking the smoke now in Ankeny to the north of Des Moines. Apparently it has been burning for 2 hours. Though on a positive note, all company employees are accounted for and there is only one minor injury. Post later. Bye!

Bad, bad cats

I struggled to get up today (it doesn't help I get up late on my days off) so the cats only got 20 minutes outside. Well as you can imagine they didn't want to come back in. I whistled and called, carried Precious inside, but couldn't find Frodo. He wasn't anywhere where I left him. I did hear a distant meow so I know he heard me, but he won't come. I leave Precious meowing in the window and I was suppose to be at work 5 minutes ago. Get to work 15 minutes late and complain I hate my cats. They were also not cooperative this week on my days off either. Especially when the hedge trimmers with noisy chainsaws started trimming next to my door and I had to wait for them to move on to get Precious back inside.

Get home much much later, and can't find Frodo. I whisper my calls checking out the usual hiding spots. No response, not even a meow. Though Precious is going nutso in the window. Fears of a run over Frodo, animal control using those sticks with loops to capture him, then finally he is just hiding. He has to be hungry by now so I keep trying. I know he is not at a neighbor's place cause he is terrified of people. Go inside and Precious is bonkers pacing everywhere I go and meowing out the window. Take my shoes off and figure trying again later, a woman has her dog outside so Frodo is not coming with a dog present. But Precious won't stop meowing at the window so I put the shoes back on and grab the fishing pole (Frodo's favorite toy that often gets a response from Precious). I checked the machine for messages, in case the shelter called since my cats are microchipped.

Take Precious with me since they have a knack at finding each other. Like a bloodhound, he sniffs the sidewalk and goes down one sidewalk. Dog barks. We scurry down the building and try to go around to stop the dog from barking (neighbors have a bad habit of using profanity when dogs bark excessively). Around the corner we go out of dog's sight and oh, a man with 2 dogs coming down the street and heads for our spot in the darkness. Lady tries to shush her dog and finally goes inside. Turn back around and go back the way we came. Is Precious really smelling Frodo and just enjoying himself? We go down another sidewalk and I follow Precious swinging the fishing pole. We hear a meow. Precious continues down the sidewalk. Then I see the stray cat (white fur reflecting so well in the street light) lying by the covered pool next to the stacked patio furniture. Precious continues down the sidewalk and lies down. I call for Frodo, maybe he is hanging around the stray cat as he has in the past when he refuses to come back in. No answer. I searched the furniture with Precious stretched out on the sidewalk.

I find a dark figure under the chairs with white paws and white belly reflecting in the street light. I call Precious back and stare at the dark figure to make a few whispered calls. I knew he wouldn't come with dogs around. Frodo comes out w/out so much as a meow. He is enticed by the fishing pole the stray cat ignores. I swing and swing since I can't enter the pool fence. Precious starts to come back and stray cat realizes he is losing his pal. All 3 cats follow me to the door. Get Frodo inside, but Precious refuses to stop playing with the stray cat. He runs inside as I swing the fishing pole. Now Precious won't come.

I come back from letting Frodo into the apartment. Preicous is chasing the stray cat around. I approach to pick up Precious and he runs away. Down the sidewalk, around the building, cross the yard, into the parking lot, past the fence separating the houses and apartments, and finally into the first house's yard. I grabbed him and he freaks at a large truck passing by on the street. I managed to hang on w/out being scratched. I walk up the drive tighting my grip on the squirming Precious. I did set him down when he almost got loose and picked him up again. After inside the door, he went right for the door and wandered the stairs wanting his chance to explore outside at night. I walked up the stairs he followed, followed better once I tossed a glove up the stairs. Cats finally home again and just under an hour. Precious keeps meowing to go outside. Not til tomorrow. I hate my cats. I pray for bad weather so the cats will come back in. Post later. Bye!

Saw the play

I went to see Camelot. Bought another ticket, started my laundry at my sister's house, and borrowed a dollar from my darling sister to pay for parking. Niece was disappointed I left, but she is coming next week so that made her a little happier. Sat in the 2nd row on the right side of the stage, the other ticket was front row right smack in the center. But side is good to cause you can see backstage. I was so close I couldn't see their shoes, just ankles on up (lights on the stage blocked the view). But I did see their make-up. Usually when I go to plays I'm so far back their faces are blobs.

Lou Diamond Phillips was handsome as ever in a goatee. I had a good time. Went back to sister's and finished laundry. Chatted with my sister and planning the overnight visit next week. I brought over The Little Mermaid for my niece to watch. She refused to watch it cause it was too scary. Little Mermaid scary? Oh well, she 's four.

Well after I get home, I'm playing with Precious and Frodo on opposite sides of the shower curtain when CRASH, the shower curtain rod falls down scaring my kittes flying out of the bathroom. All my adventures tonight. Post later. Bye!

What a night

I got a ticket to see Camelot at the theater yesterday online. I spent over half hour examining my dress up clothes cause I have a dozen shirts and skirts that look good on hangers, but none go together. Then on top of that half my clothes are faded and look hideous next to something nice. One of my guys called me while putting on eyeliner so I let the phone ring. I picked the dress I can't figure out the color of (it looks different colors in different lightings). I put strappy heels and hope the place is not air conditioned.

Run out the door since I didn't plan on spending 30 minutes picking something to wear. Grab a jacket that doesn't go with the dress or heels, but then again none of my coats go with dresses. I get to the parking garage and realize I don't have enough money. Forgot the checkbook I intended to bring in this event happening since I was running out the door. I only write checks for credit cards and birthdays, I use my credit card for practically everything so grabbing my checkbook is not a naturally thing. The Event Parking fee is only $4. I have $3 so I'm forced to back out with people coming in behind me. Drive around trying to find a meter, but of course they all occupied and I didn't want to walk around in the dark Downtown streets in a dress and heels for a mile. Besides, the play starts in 5 minutes. So I went home. Sure I could return but the parking guys won't be there all night and I still miss half the play. Besides my make-up is messed up so I will just stay home.

The show ends on Sunday so I won't be able to see it another day. Tomorrow I have to do laundry at my sister's house. I can't can't go to work Thursday in stinky clothes. I guess this is what I get for being spontaneous. Post later. Bye!

Sleepover

Saturday night after work I went over to the guy at work's apartment just to hang out. White walls w/out any adornment, but otherwise nice place. We watched the the Queen Elizabeth II movie centering around Princess Diana's death. I thought they made the Queen out to be a big joke and Prince Charles as a big wuss. Then they had the royals go hunting after the news of Diana's death. Does shooting animals to death while mourning the loss of somebody make sense to you? I hope that part was made up. I didn't care for it.

His cat hid from me (must be Frodo's twin) every time I saw it. He asked "What are you thinking right now?" I replied, "I'm thinking I have to pee." We flipped around channels and he massaged my neck claiming it was very tense. If you sat in a stool for 9 hours your neck would be tense too. My neck is always tense. He kissed me goodnight. I slept on his black leather sofa. Next morning, I tossed around waking up and he asked if I was awake. Some movie about an Irish mountain that turns out to be a hill and residents transport 18 feet a dirt to make it a mountian again was on when I came out of the bathroom in my work uniform.

I left shortly after and realized the Des Moines Marathon was running past his place. I had to take the long way home to avoid the blocked off streets. Came home to let the kitties outside and do cat chores, before going back to sleep. I woke up with Frodo cuddled up against me as usual. Then got up to go to work. And BTW, both my guys called me on Saturday night and had brief conversations before I hung up. Post later. Bye!

This week's events

This week's events start Tuesday. I found out in our apartment newsletter they are having a Halloween party with prizes for best kids and best adult costume on the very night I will have my niece overnight. I told my sister to pack her costume, though with a warning that "other" kids will be present if my niece could handle that (she is very shy around strangers). They are also having a Trick or Treat night and pictures to place on your door so kids know which apartments to knock on. I don't know if I should do that with Precious desperate escape attempts every time the door opens, Frodo hides at knocks on the door. Maybe place a big bowl of candy in the hallway.

Then Wednesday I had my date with guy from work, our 2nd. We had pizza and saw the new Queen Elizabeth movie. Then came back to my place to play with cats and fact check people and events in the movie. I have a biography of Queen Elizabeth and some stuff wasn't in the book. Online encyclopedia said some of those things not in the book did happen.

Thursday I was sitting at work as usual and a familiar face appears with my coworker. A former skycap (the people who hang around the luggage carousal asking to help you with your luggage with a 2-wheeler) said he keeps coming by just to see if I'm here since he quit. I told him about my date the night before and oh shucks, he wanted to take me out cause he broke up with his girlfriend. I give him my numbers to call and he called after I got home. I said the other guy I'm seeing smokes and I have asthma so we are just waiting and seeing what happens, so this new guy does have chance. Besides 2 dates is not classified as serious relationship. His son is sick with the flu. He is 46 and also has a daughter aged 22 he is helping buy a car for. I walked him outside and someone who saw us go by their counter asked if that was my new boyfriend. I said Maybe. He said my parents would shoot me if I brought home a black man. I said They will just have to shoot me cause I'm 32 and I will do whatever I want. I am thinking maybe at age 46 when he could be becoming a grandpa soon, that maybe he might not want any more children. I would love to be a Mommy like every other woman in the world. But we will cross that bridge when we get there. I just broke up with somebody, I need to have fun with people instead of spending all my spare time with cats. When he called, he said he would come by and make me breakfast sometime. Then said how about today's morning he come and make me breakfast for me. And only me cause I didn't have that much food in the fridge. He didn't give much warning to go shopping and I usually cook for one.

So this morning he knocks on the door, makes me my breakfast of eggs and toast, burns the precooked bacon in the microwave, one slice was okay to eat. Then we took the cats outside. There was hugging, kissing and slips of the tongue. I loss count how many so over 10 is a good estimate. Got the cats back inside and we got into a make out session on the couch after some cuddling and sucking on my ear lobes. Then I saw the clock (Yes I was smooching with my eyes open) and jumped seeing it was time for me to get going to work. He is a big distraction who's going to make me late. Even better, my Wednesday date calls me at work wanting me come over his place after work. 2 hours before I leave is not a good time to asking that question. I told him about the other guy and how shocking it all is, I'm not use to all this attention. Maybe even make Mr. Wednesday a tad bit jealous. I said after work on Saturday when I get off earlier would be better to come over and spend the night. I would just confuse the cats coming home after 9 hours and leaving overnight again. Okay maybe I'm too sensitive over my cats emotional needs, but that's the way I am.

So after breaking up with someone I have 2 guys chasing me at the same time. As a coworker put it, Enjoy it while it lasts. I intend to. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. Post later. Bye!

Today's adventures

I had a beautiful week, then today and yesterday it gets cold. Today I had to chase down the cats to get them inside. I didn't wish to leave them outside when it is this cold since they probably would hunt down a warmer spot to wait for me, like up a car engine. Go to work to discover new speakers up on the ceiling. Oh goody, now the music will surely much louder than before and hope I can still hear my customers. Then Mom calls to announce my great-aunt (Dad's aunt) died of pneumonia and asks me to email my brother and sister so she didn't have to call long distance. I volunteered to call them on my cell phone and left messages on their answering machines, two less calls for her to make. I thought it is a little insensitive to email a death in the family. I called my manager and got Saturday off to attend the visitation. We weren't that close so I figured I'd skip the lunch, funeral, and gravesite blessing on Sunday. Next after dinner, my allergies go haywires and I can't stop sneezing. I haven't taken medicine all week so I didn't have any in my bag. I just told customers my allergy medicine just wore off. I sucked on my inhaler to at least calm it down so I can breathe through my nose. I finally get home, take some medicine, and after Frodo was pawing at a toy that went under the fridge, got a fishing pole to swish out twenty toys from under the fridge. Oh, and a locust bug I refused to touch. Well better go to bed, I had enough adventure for today. Post later. Bye!

Police caller hoax

I saw on Inside Edition how a manager of a McDonald's stripped searched an employee in her office while talking on the phone to a suppose police officer for 3 hours, even giving this employee a comforting hug while she was wrapped up in a towel. The employee was assaulted when this police officer came to arrest her. McDonald's denied any wrongdoing on the manager's part and blamed the fake cop completely. The employee was awarded lots of money for her humilation and assault planning to use this money to go to law school. The whole thing was caught on security cameras, except the assault part by the hoaxer.

All I have to say is:
Hello?, does McDonald's train their managers to be stupid. We are forbidden to give any personal information about employees or customers over the phone, especially schedules and phone numbers. All we can say is that a person is here or not here, or rented their car or returned their car. Plus, cops don't ask private citizens to do their job. Strip searches take place at a police station after the cop indentifies themself, flash a badge, slaps on cuffs while announcing the charge, reads the Miranda rights, and escorts the suspect to a police car. At most, they will ask to keep an eye on the suspect until they arrive to not arouse suspicion of the impending arrest.

In fact, one of my coworkers was arrested at work and the police never called ahead of time, 3 policemen just showed up and waited for my coworker to arrive at the counter. Another time a friend at the car rental next door argued with a guy on the phone stating he was a police officer and wanted information on a customer. She refused to give the info unless he was standing at her counter with his badge in her face. He was angry but evenutally came in his squad car and showed her his badge. Hey, we could be talking to a stalker or angry ex-spouse for all we know so we are reluctant to obey orders from anyone on the phone. Something McDonald's need to teach their managers. Post later. Bye!

You haven't heard???

Yesterday a friend at work comments as I read my new Vanity Fair magazine that soon I will be buying Bridal Magazines and planning my dream wedding. Oh, you haven't heard my boyfriend called it quits?, I asked. Nope.

Then today I get another friend at work telling me a gal at another car rental could use my assistance. What assistance could I possibly provide?, I asked. She is getting married. Oh, you haven't heard we broke up. Naturally he has tons of advice to give me on how to get a man. Problem is, I don't want a man I want a boyfriend, preferably one that doesn't lie his face off to keep the peace. His advice is to never say you hate the food at the restaurant he picks and just have a glass of water or salad if I obsolutely hate it. Then he says to just get out there. Whatever. I think he needs to find his own girlfriend and quit worrying what I'm doing.

Now I got people asking how my date went last week with a guy at work and soon after asking when I'm getting married. Never, he smokes and I have asthma.

Besides I'll probably never get married cause all I attract is losers who can't give a job description. That's not a complicated question. Yeah, I rent cars to people for a living. See, that was easy. Post later. Bye!

My date

I had a date with a guy at work tonight. The first date after the break up with my boyfriend. I got ready putting on make-up, nail polish, an empire style knit dress, tights, and 3 inch heeled boots. We planned a dinner and movie date. He comes and announces that his friend from another time zone came to town last night and called him right before he left to pick me up, so do I mind going to an unfamiliar place and visit with his friends there. No problem. My date's wardrobe reminded me of the photos of my Dad taken in the 1950's-60's when he had hair. Blue/white plaid shirt with white t-shirt underneath, blue jeans, black shoes and white socks. My guy has his hair and it is graying, yet short and hair gelled upwards (unlike Dad in the 50's and 60's).

This place he takes me to is an outdoor diner where a bunch of guys park their antique cars and drink beer twice a week. I had a Coke. After standing in 3 inch heels for several minutes, I had to sit down. I forgot to bring the sweater I intended to grab tossing Precious back into the apartment. Frodo hid under the bed. I wear a jacket provided by my date when it gets chilly.

After the antique car show, we go over to fancier eating place and his friends insisted they didn't want to impose any further on our date, but I said it was okay since I tolerated their presence the past few hours I can handle more. Besides, his out of state friend was kinda cute. Okay, I did have ulterior motive to saying yes his friends can tag along.

We depart and he takes me home saying he owes me a real date of dinner and a movie. He pets Precious sniffing his shoes and Frodo up on the cupboards. Yes, Frodo let him touch his head and he sniffed my date's hand. He noticed my table of family pictures and I went through who everyone was. He said good night and stepped out into the hallway. I grabbed Precious ready to sprint when the fire door gets opened and said good night with a big smile. I did have a good time. At least I met his friends and know, he is not weird. I tend to attract weirdoes so that is a concern of mine. Post later. Bye!

Wet pussycats

It had rained this morning so everything was wet when we had walk outside. Kitties wandered around and came back inside the stairwell. I tossed balls and mice to encourage exercise (cats do need excitement) until they quit chasing them. Then they wandered outside again and saw them go into the wooded area by the garages. Called them for 5 minutes before going inside, opened a can of cat food from the balcony to persuade them in, and started my dinner in the microwave. Then an angel poked a cloud with a large pin and rain gushed out harder than my bathroom shower. I knew that would make the cats come so I rushed out and called them in. Frodo slipping on the pavement runs to the other door and I run over to let him inside. Called for Precious. No Precious. Go to the other door after getting Frodo into the apartment and here comes Precious. The poor pussy had to swim and wade into the raging river accummulating in the parking lot. Got him in the apartment and tried to dry them with a towel but they ran away from it. I laid the towel on the floor the drenched pussycats took turns sniffing and laying on it. The licked their paws, washed their faces, and shook themselves. They a little moist yet, but drying slowly. I just looked out and it quit raining, the sun is peeking out. What a day. Post later. Bye!

Damn cats

A few days ago I took my cats out as usual, knew right where they were when the hour walk was up, and they ran off while I kept trying to call them back inside for half an hour. I had to get to work so they get locked outside. That will teach them to come when called. Come home with a couple sacks of groceries with my DVD player and work bag, talking to myself the difficulty of squeezing these bags between the seat and the steering wheel. I see Precious walk by and then Frodo comes over. They race inside and dive into the canned cat food I give as a treat for coming inside, then lap up the water dish. At least I didn't have to do cat chores (litterbox, food bowl, water dish) since they were outside all day.

The next day it was a bit windy and Frodo stayed in the stairwell while Precious stayed by the back steps. Neighbor girl tells me my cats were outside yesterday. Yes, I know, they wouldn't come back in. Then she said something with her limited child volcabulary like they tried to get the cats to go into their apartment, but they wouldn't come. If they won't go inside for me, I'm sure they're not going inside for anyone else. Good thing too cause then I really would have freaked if they weren't waiting for me to come home by the steps. Even with street lights, it is dark at midnight.

The next day the came inside when called (another windy day) and wandered a little climbing trees. Then today, Frodo runs off and I can't find him anywhere. Precious helped me look for him, but refused to go inside when I finally gave up after 40 minutes. Apparently, the cat food reward for coming inside no longer works. Damn cats. I'm sure Frodo will come when he gets hungry, I'm home today. Just need to pay my rent and shop for groceries and spend the rest of the day relaxing. Post later. Bye!

PS. I took my garbage out to the dumpster and called the cats once more. I turn around and there is Precious following me to the dumpster and then Frodo howled by the opened garage door (I hate people leaving their garage doors open cause there are holes in the back where the cats can squeeze through, but no human can). I clapped my hands and whistled so he found me. They followed me to the back door, but stopped short of going in and took off. Little Buggers. So carried Precious, then Frodo into the stairwell and ran upstairs to encourage going home. They like to race me upstairs. So they gobbled their canned food and relaxing on the balcony. It is so nice today. Post later. Bye!

Poor Frodo

Took the cats outside and there are men at work, very noisy machine and floating rubber tubing with them. Walk was good, but when returning only Precious came back. Frodo refused to move passed the men digging a hole next to the building next door. I tried food, his favorite toys and carrying him back, but nothing worked. When the men starting leaving, he came when I called him and very hungry. Poor Precious was meowing at the window when I went outside for him. He wanted his buddy back.

Later when I tossed a ball for the cats Precious leap frogged over Frodo lengthwise to get it. Frodo flat on the floor looked around like, What just happened? Frodo got his revenge jumping over Precious chasing a ponytail holder I flung and startled Precious. I have grasshoppers for cats. Post later. Bye!

Black, black, or black

I went out shopping to look for a pair of boots to go with a new dress I bought recently. The boots I found were black, black, black, red, black, chocolate brown, black, ivory, black, and the color I was looking for tan. Of all the boots for sale in 3 stores, I only found 1 pair of tan boots. They're okay, heel is a little high and toe is narrow but I think I can tolerate to wear them without murdering my feet. I love shopping but the mono-style of it is tiring for someone who loves a variety. Silly me thinking shopping early in the Autumn season would get a better selection. When one shops at the end of a season, one usually finds more mono-style that is deemed too ugly to wear and never can find the correct size in something one does like. Ah, fashion. Post later. Bye!

New guy

Friends at work are busy pushing a certain single guy my way. He asked me out but we can't decide where to go. That might be a bad sign saying we don't have much in common.

Why are these friends so pushy about this guy?, you ask. He's alive, single, mature adult, and has a job. If those are the qualifications to push a guy on me, no wonder I'm having bad luck finding a boyfriend. I need more than a wallet to fall in love with. But try to explain that to friends eager to place a warm body next to me. I guess they changed their minds that men are nothing but trouble and don't waste my time looking for Mr. Wrong.

Post later. Bye!

I think we are through

Romeo doens't think he will get the assisstant manager job cause there are 2 other people applying with much more manager experience than him. So much for fate.

Then he writes a long email detailing the pros and cons of our relationship deciding our distance in miles is too great. He complained I didn't go to his Boy Scout picnic and didn't jump at the chance to meet his grandparents. He continued with his waiting for me to convert to his ideas in religion and homophobia, and it wasn't happening. He interpreted my comment once not feeling ready to have children as I had no confidence in caring for an infant. He declared he was moving too fast in giving me that promise ring and his lack of experience cause the rushing. He said I could keep it as a symbol of our friendship. He just wants to be friends now. He says we live and learn and then move on. He believes I hate camping and he loves it. He said if he moved to Des Moines he would look me up and say hello.

Um, do you think this break up has something to do with his job or pessimism of not getting a better one?

I set him straight explaining I babysit my niece and very confident I can care for an infant, just don't wish to do it by myself. And I promised my sister to babysit when she is in China so I am not moving anywhere soon cause I'm not screwing my sister cause he suddenly doesn't want to move. I also explained there are steps to commitment he was skipping with getting that promise ring. Kissing, hugging, snuggling, sleepovers, often living together, usually occur before buying a promise ring and committing. I do love camping since childhood, though whe traveling I prefer hotels. I explained a boy scout picnic is not a place to take a girlfriend, how is that fun for the girlfriend? Say if we had a son who was in the boys scouts, I would have no problem. I told him that if he still wanted to end our relationship, then be that way and contact me when he makes up his mind what he wants. Asshole. Post later. Bye!

Fun night

It is amazing, I pissed off only one customer tonight. He has a reservation through an internet site, but it is not prepaid. Must swipe his credit card for payment. He wants to pay with someone else's credit card, or pay cash cause his debit card has no money in the account. No. We don't take card numbers over the phone and we don't take cash upfront. He demands that I call the owner to get an exception to the rules and can't understand the difference between paying cash upfront and paying cash when he returns. The difference is that upon return we have the car. I am not calling the owner because, as I explained to the customer, he will say "You know the rules". I have been here 6 years and the owner doesn't even let his friends and family pay cash deposits. Plus, it actually requires the manager's password to take any cash and directions to override the system and I ain't calling her either, but I didn't tell the customer that part. Let's just say I will call security before I call the owner over taking cash deposits. He will just have to be mad at me and take the issue of this not being prepaid in MY computer system with with said internet site. What his friend's computer says means nothing to me.

He makes me talk to his friend on his cell and she keeps screaming Hello, Hello, Are you there, Hello... while I keep answering that I am here and how may I help her. She gets bitchy with me and screams at me that I need to answer her when she speaks to me. I did, and what can I do for you. Yes, it is says the reservation was made through said website, but there is no indication that it is prepaid, some are and some aren't from this company and I can't explain why that is. She wants her friend back. Hand him back the phone. He leaves a bit and says he has to go so charge the card. For somone with a zero balance, it goes through without problems. Know what, even when things are prepaid we still need to swipe a card to give them the car to have on file in case they extend the rental or lie about refilling the gas tank. Post later. Bye!

Case of the Missing Ponytail Holders

A while ago I got these new No-Slide ponytail holders with rubber elastic sticking out. They slide out of my hair anyway. So, this week Frodo discovers them and knocks them on the floor to bat around the linoleum bathroom floor. He loves to slide them under the door and paw at it from underneath the door and then run around the door to pounce when it gets out of reach. Like a puppy, he retrieves it after I fling it and now I can't find any of my new ponytail holders. There are a couple in my work bag I will have to keep in the bag if I want to continue using them. After they have been on the floor and chew on, I tend to no longer wish them to be in my hair.

Last week, a friend came by to show off her new puppy. They just got at the local animal shelter. The puppy was 10 months Golden Retriever named Jake that they planned to take to the shelter's dog obedience classes called Good Manners Class and Puppy Kindergarten. Her 3 cats refused to play with this puppy so eager to play with them. The real test would the stepchildren. Well they decided to take back the puppy. My friend cried in front of the shelter with the dog and her husband took the dog back instead. She didn't want to give it back, it was such a good puppy, but they weren't home enough to take it outside and play with it. And it was too big compared to their small house. Plus the cats hide all the time from him. My poor friend.

Post later. Bye!

Doctor's office

I ran out of my inhaler stuff for my asthma so go get a refill. The prescription expired 2 weeks ago in August, so that will teach me to pay attention to expiration date. The pharmancy faxes the doctor's office and they call my my apartment because the doctor wishes to see me before he grants another prescription. Their records show I have not been there since 2005.

Go to the office early in the morning and see the doc. He wants to have me try a new inhaler to see if it works better and gives a prescription to the old one. He also prescribes a new medicine on the market, singular, that is for asthma and allergies. We go through my personal and family history of allergies and asthma and wound up talking about me needing to see a gynecologist because sexual active women need to see one every year. I don't recall mentioning being sexual active (hello!, I can't get a date so how does this turkey think I'm getting any). Plus, I'm unclear how we got to this subject from talking about allergies, I'm not here for fertility problems or fibroids.

Anyway, I go to the desk to pay and the receptionist asks me if I will be coming here on a regular basis. Excuse me?, I explained I come when I need to. I didn't go into that I have been coming here since I finished college so how often I show up is really none of her concern. Then she gives me an application for public assistance for health care, based on how much you make. Yeah, I'm familiar with public assistance from research my Mom insisted upon when I moved out of my parents' house years ago. I make too much for any public assistance programs so I tore up the application when I got home. Pay my bill and collect my prescriptions from the receptionist.

Then on to the pharmancy to hear, "Are you sure you want these inhalers, they really expensive". I say, "I know what they cost". Let's see, I can A: Go to the emergency room every time I have an asthma attack or B: Buy an expensive inhaler. How does one choose? Guess what, the singular costs twice as much as these inhalers (pharmacists had a coupon so I got one inhaler free cause it is a new product). Yeah, $103 for 30 pills equaling 30 day of medicine. It will be a long time before I do that again, I have to pay for car insurance in couple months. I have not felt any different since I took the singular so maybe it doesn't work, we shall see when I take it a few times. I paid $103 for these suckers, I'm taking them all. Post later. Bye!

Oops

I came home from laundry at my sister's house and managed to lock Frodo out in the hallway. He must have been in the corner between my apartment door and the stairs fire door not to see him. I put my few groceries away and laundry, then heard Frodo meowing as if trapped or wants to go outside. I check the cupboard doors he likes to open and couldn't find him. I noticed Precious walking to the apartment door, naturally I assumed he just wanted outside, but took a chance since I couldn't find Frodo anywhere. He went straight to the litterbox. Had to toss Precious back into the apartment, then Frodo, and Precious again to quickly shut the door. Nothing else exciting today besides my sister taking my niece to get her picture taken. My niece had so much fun my sister took her into a neighbor's yard since her yard lacks pretty flowers.

Post later. Bye!

Tuck in that shirt

I missed a big to do at work this week, a couple of coworkers can't get along. First it started with name calling over a music cd not found, then escalated to not tucking in shirts, and the bossman got involved threating to make us wear to "real uniform" of dress shirts and ties if we don't start tucking our shirts in. I'm unclear how all this went from cds to untucked shirts, but anyway.

Of course I hear this 3 hours after I recited my birthday cake and dinner to the bossman, while I had an untucked shirt. Perhaps he didn't notice with my sweater on cause he said nothing about my shirt. My coworker telling me this said the boss made of fuss over the guys not tucking in, but didn't say anything of us gals not tucking in. She agreed that an untucked shirt feels much cooler in the hot summer than tucked in does, which is why in the summer I leave it untucked and in winter try to tuck in to keep out the cool draft moving up my shirt.

I emailed my manager asking about this winter cause the long-sleeve shirts I bought last spring don't stay tucked in (believe me I tried but every time I reached for a pen half my shirt came out). So asked if I wore a sweater over my shirt, would that be acceptable. I don't want to have to get super large shirts to get it long enough to tuck in and then have rippled pants from all the fabric squeezed in. Post later. Bye!

Happy Birthday to Me

A Very Happy Birthday to Me, to Me.
A Very Merry Birthday to Me, to Me.
Now blow the candle out my dear and make my wish come true.
A Very Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Post later. Bye!

Poor Frodo

Took the cats outside and neighbor boy comes by with his dog. Dog moves too close for comfort with Frodo, so he runs away, which makes the dog chase him with this poor kid hanging on to its leash. Frodo flies up a tree to the displeasure of the kid. He wants me to watch him climb the tree and get Frodo down. Frodo hisses at him. No, I say, he will come when he is ready, he is afraid of dogs. This kid will be scratched badly if he tries to wrestle with Frodo. Kid throws a pine cone at Frodo trying to get him down. I tell him not to throw things at my cat, that is mean. Next his sister grabs the wood shavings around the tree trunks and throws it at Frodo and I say the same thing to her. She laughs. They disappear with the dog to have have a woman come by with her dog. Frodo ran around a corner of the building so I go get Precious probably wondering where we went after the woman and dog are out of sight. He follows me around the corner and here comes Frodo.

Precious did the weirdest thing today. He acted like he couldn't recognize Frodo from a distance. His fur got riled up, arching his back, showing off his side to show how big he is compared to little Frodo approaching. He hops with his back arched (almost amusing) and Frodo now has his tail fur frazzled. Frodo edged forward cautious with his squeaky meow and Precious postured as he sniffed the other cat. He relaxed realizing it is Frodo and the cats ran up different branches of a tree. There is a tree that split toward the base and grew in opposite directions. I wonder if he is getting near-sighted cause he acts like he doesn't recognize me when I approach him outside until I do my normal cooing like Hey Sweetie. He looks in all directions until I'm closer and then comes to me with a meow. But then cat's eyesight is more arranged for movement, not still photography like ours. Well, nothing else to report other than a very boring day at work. Labor Day is tomorrow so all the usual business travelers will be coming tomorrow instead of today. Post later. Bye!

Dave Berry newsbrief reaction

Dear Mr. Dave Berry of the Miami Herald: I read in our local paper, The Des Moines Register on page 7B, about your comments to the Arizona Republic on how you questioned if Iowa has airline service or hotels and called it pathetic that our whole economy depends on getting New York reporters to eat breakfast with Mitt Romney. And by the way, last I heard the Iowa caucuses are January 18 with New Hampshire's set for January 24. Plus, I would not recommend leaving Iowa in the early in the morning the day after the caucuses unless you love waiting in line for 4 hours to go through security. And yes, the airlines bring in passengers 365 days a year, though no flights are scheduled after midnight or before 5 A.M.

Let me straighten you out on a few things. Our economy does not depend on the primaries and caucuses. I work at a car rental at the Des Moines International Airport and our busiest month is August when there is Knoxville Sprint Car Races, Indianola Hot Air Balloon Races, and Iowa State Fair in Des Moines occur close together. This year the Italian-American Community Center had an Italian Festival and Republicans had a Straw Poll closer to a carnival in nearby city Ames when these other events were going on. Everyone running for president shows up at the Iowa State Fair to pass out food to potential voters. Too bad those ABC and CNN guys coming in only reported the debate the candidates had in downtown Des Moines (they were all here anyway). We get tourists from Japan and Britain coming to just see the"Fair". Other times ABC and ESPN arrive are during sporting events such as college football, car races at now 2 racetracks in Knoxville and Newton, and professional wrestling from the WWF and WWE. They also came when Ames held the Special Olympics this year, though not so much during the Governor's Convention hosted by Des Moines this past year. I have also rented cars to people from the BBC who mainly do documentaries and presidential visits.

Since Des Moines is not much of a tourist trap, our economy depends most on insurance companies and banks home offices kept here. Our tallest building is owned by an insurance company. You may think Des Moines as a small town, but it contains 30 gangs fighting for drug dealing territory with a police run Gang Task Force to at least keep the violence down. If you wish to witness a shooting, robbery, or both try dining at a place close to DrakeUniversity. Several bars on Army Post Road have had shootings so many times the police call them public nuisances causing the owners to close their doors and reopen under other names. Granted every limo you see in Des Moinesis rented, the rich here in the suburb West Des Moines drive BMW's and Mercedes' and belong to any 7 private golf clubs. If you like non-American food, there is Italian, German, Mexican, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Cantonese,and Japanese restaurants as well as a few Irish pubs. And as for hotels and airlines, we have 54 hotels in Des Moines and suburb areas and 8 airlines to choose from, though actually getting a room and an airplane seat during the caucuses is questionable.

I'm sorry you have such a low view of my area of the country, but you if think only cows and cornfields exist it is probably because you only viewedIowa from one of two interstates.

Sincerely: Jordan Harvey