More drama

Yesterday started well with a walk outside holding Precious back from jumping into the moving van outside our door. Then a lady comes by with kitten asking if I am missing a cat cuz she found the kitten by itself outside. Nope. I should have said yes to get a free kitten, but Precious was scaring the kitten. He is so intimidating. The kitten was well groomed and well fed so it was not a stray. So lady walked away with the kitten.

So off to work to have a very boring day. Talked to the person leaving the car rentals tomorrow. Why do customers keep asking me how I am doing. I know they don't really want about my day. I know it is a greeting, but still gets on my nerves.

Get home to find my sister's new adoption agency has screwed her out of $1800. Their old adoption agency was bought out by another cuz the old one wasn't getting enough customers. So their paperwork got lost, then they changed caseworkers twice, and since nobody told them to renew a form 6 months ago, they have to start over. And they thought they were about to adopt in the next month. Yes, they have to take and pay for new physicals, new fingerprint backgroud check, new US government gives permission to adopt overseas form, 8 hour online class, and new home study they just had. Plus their new caseworkers are 1000 miles away in another time zone so communication is a little difficult. If their caseworker bothered to tell them this form was about to expire, they could have renewed it at no charge and wouldn't have to start over. So instead of applying to adopt their chosen child this month and pick up in next month, they have to wait 3 months to get the paperwork done, another month to apply to adopt chosen child, and another month to pick him up in China. Oh, and the rates for paperwork went up, plus new rules have been made to keep prospective adoptive parents jumping through hoops like a circle poodle. My sister has been waiting 2 1/2 years to adopt. Poor thing. She tells us this cuz she, like me, has no money to buy xmas gifts this year.

Then talk to Mom about coming to pick up my xmas decorations at her house. She wants know when I'm coming and if I'm staying. I asked if she heard about my sister. Oh yes, this new agency is a big rip off. Mom says she doesn't really need anything for xmas, she is trying to discard stuff not gather more. I said I can put up her xmas decorations while there, less for her to do.

Well, nothing else to report. Later.

Note from a friend

Got a note from a friend announcing how we shall not exchange presents this year and just send cards. I guess she got one of my "I'm not buyng anyone presents cuz I'm broke" emails. If the postage didn't cost more than what was inside I might consider getting a little something for my friends. I made 3 xmas wreaths for a charity. My message was targeted more at my family than friends.

My sister had loud complaint session yesterday with us how she never gets what she asks for and instead she gets crap that some fool thought was cute. You know, our parents taught us children to say Thank You to all gifts and leave it there. Anything we didn't like could be donated to the garage sale or charity later if we had no receipt to exchange it. Nobody remembers gifts received or given, generally speaking.

I have never been rich as a king and have tried to get things on people's list (that were under $50). But I do give poor people and cheap gifts. One year I bought xmas ball ornaments for everybody and painted the family's names on them to hear complaints how they have too many ornaments already. Another year I gave xmas cookies with trail mix and covered pretzels to hear complaints how I gave them junk food. I have given money and gift cards to mild thank yous. Who do these people think I am, Santa Claus?

If I believed my family would be grateful with a thought that counts candy cane or xmas light up pen, I might be giving gifts this year. But all I hear is complaints so I will not go the extra mile to give presents people despise. Not because I'm stingy, but cuz I just can't afford their expectations. Granted I get useless and ugly gifts, but I keep it to myself. This year I will be happy getting anything cuz I can't give back much.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. I spent mine at my sister's house with the family. Niece had to remove the xmas tree ornaments to show me and I told her to put them back cuz I can see them just fine. Niece wrestled and climbed on her Daddy and got bumped around a few times to shed tears. Brother-in-law was happy the Dallas Cowboys won. We played a DVD game where you guess actor or movie to the varied clues. Discussed xmas gift lists. I won't be buying any gifts cuz I have no money. Then it was time to go. Gave the hugs and kisses and left. Back home now I'm enjoying my Oreo Cream pie. Yummy.

What a day

Today started usual, then Precious refused his harness so waited a half hour before having our walk. P rushes downstairs to meet a neighbor coming in and P is ready to run into this guy's apartment. I hold him back cuz there is a large and small dog behind the door, I hear them barking. So go out and return to wait for time to pick up niece. Give her birthday present (6 next week) and watch Barbie Swan Lake. We read the book at bedtime. Then after supper, we put up the xmas tree (sister had note to clear space and I interpreted to put it up also). So force niece into hard labor picking up her toys and moving her toy tub and art stuff out of the way. She would pick up 2 stuffed animals and ask if we are done. Pushing the tree upstairs about killed me, but sliding it across the floor wasn't as bad, 9 ft tree. Niece was so excited. We couldn't find the ornaments or lights so let sister worry about that.

Time for bed and read our new books. Sister got new Halloween books from school. Read her birthday book, Are we there yet?, about a family going to an amusement park. Then hugs and kisses good night. Watch grown up programs saved on their DVR. I have panic attack when about 3 vehicles zoom down the street with lights flashing and sirens wailing. My sister hasn't called and very late than usual. 10 minutes I wonder if she has been in a car accident on the way home, but then she calls saying she went shopping after closing up the book fair and about to come home. Ok. I can relax. We chat and then say good bye. I lost a sock and then find it on the floor of my apartment.

Now home cuddling with kitties. I see my cousin has a site to keep family and friends updated on her progress with her chemo. I signed her guest book and looked at the beautiful girls she has. They grow up so fast.

Later.

Beautiful day

Mom had a good auction turnout with 130 bidding on things. After 9 hours, about 10 people were left and they called it quits. Leftover people made their offers of untaken stuff and left. The good stuff went early in the day. Mom is happy.

Found out the new guy at the car rental next door was fired. That was coming so it was no surprise. He was often late, didn't show up for a shift, talked on his cell at the counter, talked back to customers, argued with people, told someone they can't clock out until he is ready to clock in, and charged people extra for things they didn't ask for making them complain. The last straw was a complaint by a privaledged club member complaining about his back talk.

Informed a few people of the auction results and couple didn't realize my father is dead. I am certain I mentioned that when I mentioned the auction the first time around. I'm getting tired of telling people my father's dead, even worse it is the same people.
Later.

Today Mom had 3 children, brother-in-law, sister, and some of Dad's cousins helping her move the auction items to the community center for the collectibles auction tomorrow. My sister had put an ad in the Sunday paper so hopefully we get a good crowd. My chore was picking up my niece after school and bringing her to Grandma's house. Niece was first excited to go, then sad Mom and Dad were so far away, and then didn't want go cuz car trip was so long and boring. I told her she can sleep, which she did. But first my sister forgot something so entered the house to call my sister guessing several places to look. While looking niece wanted to talk to Mommy and then wanted Mommy so badly she was ready for the boring car trip. We get there just as it was getting dark and walked to local restrauant for pizza. Niece wanted ice cream and refused the weird looking pizza (I had 3 pieces). All catch up to one another and a former teacher and his wife said hello. Then went home and talked some more until niece's bedtime. Niece was suddenly starved but only wanted ice cream so she got nothing until she ate non-dessert food, which was oatmeal at bedtime so she got no dessert. I took off and came home. Now off to work tomorrow. Later.

Aaaaaaaaaah!!!

1 shirt I got 2 months ago has 3 holes in it. I go out hoping for a replacement and all I find are stripper clothes and sweaters that feel like pantyhose. I think clothes designers need classes in climate. I did find 1 acceptable shirt in a 1000 sq feet area and a couple sweaters that were warm. Then the shoulders are so tight I can barely squeeze into my new clothes. But, I have no choice cuz the next size up is just fatter in the stomach, not the rest of the shirt. Later.

Woe is me

Another day another paycheck and now I'm broke again. Boo hoo. I finally broke down and asked Mom for money for my new tires and brakes. At least she was willing to give it and didn't have beg too much. It either that or earn interest on my credit card (ok I can rob someone for the money but I prefer to stay out of jail and/or not lose my job). I already announce there will be no Christmas gifts cuz I have no money. One year I baked cookies for everyone and everyone was insulted I gave them junk food. So this year it is "You'll get nothing and like it".

Later. Bye.