Memorial Day

Took Mom around to 5 cemeteries. Once a year I can visit them all. We took a side trip by my new apartment. I thought she said she got Dad's tombstone, but misunderstood that she really just picked it out but not ordered it yet. I brought my camera to take a pic but will have to wait. It started to rain when we started but stopped later. Then it poured on the way home and could hardly see. It must deer season cuz we saw about 4 dead deer on the roads. Stopped at the grocery store for Mom cuz she needed milk. She came back with 3 sacks and a jug of milk. Came home and took out cats for their walk. When we came back it poured.

At least the weekend was nice and warm. I had to share the bad news of rescanning her converter box when 3 channels go digital. I tried to explain just like when electricity goes out you have to reset the TV, VCR, plugged in clocks, so when the analog station goes digital, she has to rescan to get the new channels. She didn't know you have to reset the TV when the electricity goes out. Well, you can click through all the snow stations as you channel up and down, but to skip the snow stations you have to reset.

Nothing else to report.

Today's events

Today I got Frodo out for a walk. He won't let me put on his harness so he has been cooped up inside for months. We had a lovely walk until a very large dog (about 70 lbs) dive bombed into the bush Frodo was under. Luckily the lady owner it back and the dog on got a foot away from Frodo who scampered over towards me. My poor baby.

Then I get to help a refugee from Iraq. He needed me to page his host. I called up airport operations since we lost our paging abilities when they installed the new PA system. We hear the page but it the name didn't sound right. So call up again and the lady starts whining how she typed in the name correctly and it is not her fault the PA system voice can't pronounce names right. Sorry for bothering you. The page goes off 4 times and eventually call up the number the man had. Then he finds familiar faces and leaves. My good deed for the day.

I saw the schedule for June. I will now have Thursday and Friday off. Guy at work has tried for years to work Monday through Friday, 9-5, holidays off, etc. I really don't mind working Saturdays, there is nothing good on TV and shopping is a nightmare.

Adventure of the day

Another boring week at work being sold out constantly. Nobody else has cars either. I wonder what's going on. Car racetrack stopped their races by now.

Had my coworker inform me of his new pirated movie, Star Trek. How in the hell do you get a pirated movie of somehting that is still is the theaters? Oh, online. Aparrently this friend of a friend downloads them on a website, but you have to have a computer program to decode it. Once decoded and downloaded, you burn it to a disc. Sounds a little complicated for my brain to handle. He has never met the movie pirate cuz he sells the discs to the friend who sells them to my coworker. I was tempted to ask to borrow it, but burned DVD's don't work on my portable DVD player I take to work (we already tested it one night). Besides that, my sister saw Star Trek in the theater and was not overly impressed. Her husband never saw anything Star Trek before and was confused at times. It was OK, she said.

Precious had a couple run ins with ground floor dogs. I wish he would stop meowing to find out if any are around. I pull him away from the dogs. Nobody yelled at him to keep my cat away from their dog to prevent them from barking. Better go.

Worried over nothing

Got an announcement from the apartment people that they are restriping the parking lots. Though the lines on the parking spaces look alright to me. This will be done in 2 phases. We are to remove out cars from the worked on areas or be towed. So last night when I got home I drove around trying to find space in the finished area cuz I don't get up that early to move it before they get started. Every space and illegal space is taken so have to get up early to move car after the days shift neighbors go to work. Where do they expect us to park, in a tree? Wake up at 6 and it is a bright morning sunrise. Then an hour later the clouds roll in and it rains. No painting today. Note on the door states because of the rain it will be done at a later date. So I was worried over nothing.

Had cars today and kept all my customers. Few were disappointed at the poor selection, they hate foreign cars or wanted 36 MPG. Saw an old coworker and said hello. Otherwise, all I did today was cuddle the kitties.

What a day

Today Precious did something unique. He turned over on the stairwell steps and fell through the opening. There he is hanging on to the carpet and suddenly, he thrusts his left paw forwrd to climb back up. Last time he just dropped to the floor below. Proof that cats hate falling.

Busy day at work. I had the pleasure of sending a few of my customers to other companies cuz I was out of cars. Then a guy wants a tow exchange cuz his battery died and PO'ed he has to wait until tomorrow. One guy had the wrong day on his reservation and had to go next door for his car. Sorry I can't pull cars out of my you know what.

Have a gal at work obssessed what my hair looks like. I wear my hair however it does not fall in my face at work. Off days I wear differently.

Heard from my Mom that my sister refused to go church with her cuz she didn't have her make-up on. She might meet someone she knows and must be dolled up for them. Who is this person and what happened to my sister? Nobody cares what she looks like.

Anyway I started packing. The boxes I received from a coworker's mother are so big that when I fill them they are too heavy to pick up. Let's see if I can find smaller ones.

Talked to Mom. I will take her to all the cemeteries on Memorial Day. I got some cheap flowers. Mom hates it when I leave the price tags on the flowers.

new apartment

I got myself a new apartment and people to help move my stuff. I'm so happy. Cats will be happy with so much more space to play in. There is courtyard and 2nd bedroom. I can have guests overnight and extra space for my stuff at my Mom's house. She is moving out of my childhood home by the end of the year. I have so much to do. Later.

Today's events

Or rather yeterday's events since it is 1 AM. I have a good one. Lady calls stating she left her cell phone in her car she just returned and wants me to meet her at her gate so she doesn't have to go back through security. Find it in car on passenger front seat. Take it to security since can't get passed it and she picked it up from them. Hour later as my guys clean the car, they find her keys on the floor of the back seat. Call the number on file and leave message. Husband calls later declaring they now can't get into their car or house cuz they don't have the keys to unlock either one. Inform him I mail them out tomorrow. There is no way I'm going to deliver keys in Texas in the next hour. Even UPS is not that fast.

A guy tried to tell me he rents here all the time and some girl (no name) takes his debit card every time. Have to reject him. He even complains about the price he usually gets is so much lower than the price I have for him. Sorry, if he wants us to break the rules he needs to come when rule breaker is here.

Had a message from the apartment people. Apparently I showed them the wrong month of bank statement, I showed them March. They actually expected me to have on Friday May 1, my April statement in my hand. I bet my bank hadn't printed it yet. It still has yet to arrive in my mailbox. Weirdoes.

Sleepover

Since I suggested going to the circus in town and my niece is too sensitive for such a scary ordeal (crowds, noises, and giant animals), we did a sleepover instead. Once laundry was done took niece to my apartment. Precious was eager investigate the visitor. Frodo hid on the fridge. Later he did come and jumped on the couch startling my niece. She played with Barbies as I put away my clothes. Then we watched 3 Musketeers with Mickey, Goofy, and Donald. She tried to play with Frodo and Precious but once they grab at the toys she panics running away. Next we got ready for bed and read stories. Niece got excited Frodo jumped on her suitcase, Precious jumped on my bed, and then Frodo started eating. Finished stories and tucked her into bed. Now I'm cuddling with Frodo with his furry cheek on my foot. Later.

Happy Birthday to Frodo

Frodo's 3rd birthday. I ate the cake and the cats got a can of salmon.

Slim pickings

Trying to find a new apartment is harder than I thought. The apartment managers have gone anti-cat and pro-dog. Yes, there are mangers that demand cats be declawed with dogs large and small living next door. I refuse to allow my cats be killed by the neighbors' dogs because they can't defend themselves. So I am getting focused on the pet rules before rent pay or dishwasher. Some only allow one animal with $100-200 fees. I also find many places have dinky balconies that would not hold my xmas decorations. What is the point of having a balcony ifthere is not room for a lawn chair. Some places charge you a monthly fee for a parking space. Hopefully I can find a nice place soon. I have 2 days to turn in my leaving notice. Later.

New lease announcement

We love our renters so we want you to stay with us. For your reward we will raise your rent $10 and start you a water bill that is not paid to the water company, but to the apartment manager. And by the way, State of Iowa law states you have to give notice of leaving at the end of the prior month (which is in 3 days).

I guess they are not making enough from doubling the pet fees and raising garage prices. Other times I renewed my lease I got new light fixtures, carpet shampooing, and cheapo stuff in a catalog. Now I get to pay for water. I think I'll move out. Cats fear all the dogs anyway.

Now what can I afford with my work hours hacked to death and back to Mom's is no longer an option since I have too much heavy furniture to move, besides where we will put it all. Better start looking. I have 34 days to move out. Later.

Beautiful day

It was such a beautiful day I wore shorts and a t-shirt. Precious loved the weather so much that after his walk he drove me crazy meowing and jumping at the doorknob to go back out. And yet, the cats nap on the carpet, chair, table, etc. instead of outside on the balcony. I have lawn chairs for them to cuddle in.

Had fun explaining to people all day that everybody is sold out of cars cuz of the Drake Relays this week. It is a track and field event at Drake University that colleges all over the country compete in so it is a big deal around here.

Had the president in the area today and drove by the giant heliocopters on the tarmac on my way to work. He was in Newton for something, about 45 minutes east of here.

Later.

2nd opinion

Need 2nd opinion here.

I walked out of the local 24 hr grocery store with bag in one hand and purse in the other. I just got off work so it is 12:41 AM, so parking lot is dark despite the street lamps. Lady chases me down and gets right in my face saying she lives on the west side and is stranded and needs a few dollars to buy gas (in the middle of the night?) and make a phone call. I took a step back thinking I'm about to get mugged, answer back I don't have any money, and step around her to walk to my car. Next a man starts following me to my car, yelling Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am. I tossed my bags in the front seat floor when I usually put them in the trunk, holler out to the guy now 3 feet from my door I don't have any money, slam the door shut, and take off.

Did I overreact here freaking out like that? Just checking. I better note, I remember everything I wrote on my list even though I forgot it at home.

First order

I got my first Avon order in Saturday and delivered the goodies. Then the gal at the airport suddenly doesn't want her order anymore yet breaks the seal to her bubble baths to smell them. Bitch. That wasn't what she said last week when I told her when it was coming. After sniffing she decides to take the bubble baths and pay me tomorrow. I guess I should be asking if she wants me to order her stuff next week.

Then I have two ladies who want to order stuff but don't tell me what they want. One called me the day my order was due to ask if she was too late. Yes she was. I might not make it as an Avon lady. Here's hoping. Later.

Happy Easter

Today my cat did something extraordinary. As we were walking around, a neighbor gets out of his car and walks to the door. Expecting Precious to hide behind me as usual, he bolts to the door just in the nick of time before it closes and races up the stairs right behind the neighbor. I'm sure if Precious was a dog the neighbor would be terrified of being attacked. Precious continues up the stairs to our door on the third floor, neighbor stopped at the 2nd floor. Then he goes inside the apartment and I take Frodo out for some stairwell time since he refuses his harness. Precious meows as if in pain from the apartment so I let him out. And Precious just lays there while Frodo is bouncing everywhere trying to play with him. Weirdo cat.

Even better while I'm playing with Frodo near our couch, Precious plops down in the middle of our play area and yet doesn't play. Poor Frodo tries to catch the feather but Precious won't move his butt out of way so game ends. Frodo knows better than to crash into Precious.

Happy Easter Everybody. Watched Wild Police Chases cuz nothing else was on before going to work. Then watched more violence when I got home on the military channel. I have brush up on weapons and battles of the ancient world to relay into my fairytales.

I had two people tell me they wat Avon stuff but waiting for their paycheck. Passed out more samples. I'm trying.

Saw Mom yesterday at my sister's house. My niece did something unusual. I gave her a cake in the shape of a bunny. First she said she would eat right away, then decided to save it for Easter. What??? A 5-year-old saving her cake for the next day. When I gave chocolate eggs a few weeks ago, she shoved those into her mouth before my sister could take them away. My sister hates it when I give her junk food, but hey, It's Easter let her have some goodies.

My Mom still hasn't gotten around to picking a tombstone for Dad. She wants to wait for the insurance money first. She got the taxes done courtesy of their lawyer. She plans an auction for some things and my grandma's vanity table I loved since childhood will be going on sale. My Dad saved it for me cuz I wanted it but, I have no room in my bedroom and nobody I know is willing to transport it to my apartment. Just like The Little Red Hen (Not I, said the cat).

My sister commented writing a poem for Dad. But do you say about someone who is hardly around working all day and night and then watching TV when he is home. He was like talking to a brick wall. I had to wait for commercial to speak to him and often in my teen years jumped in front of the TV with my arms waving to get his attention. During vacations I try to get him to tell me stories about his childhood and he declined saying he had none. Grandma was the only one I could get to talk about the good old days. He did say during one interrogation he had dogs in his childhood and once tossed his sisters over a mud puddle and one landed in it (That's a story). Mom said she found model airplanes he put together as a kid when looking for things to sell. I never knew he did that. It is amazing what you find out about a person after they die. Why can't people let you get to know them when they are alive? After one grandma died I discovered she graduated college and was a one room school teacher before gettig married. Mom didn't know that either and thought her sister was the first in the family to go to college.

Well, Happy Easter.

Weekend adventures

I was freaking out Saturday closing for a coworker cuz people from other counters kept leaving hours earlier than last time I closed on Saturday last Fall. Is my watch broken? No, in the quest in saving money the other counters are closing much earlier due to lack of business on Saturdays. Woe to the weekend traveler to find most counters closed. One counter leaves after the last flight so she left right after me. Our closing time is the same, I checked my coworker's time card to verify.

Had one guy in the SuperElite Club of the car rental next door who knew when they close and yet expected them to be waiting for HIM when he finally arrives. Sorry the girl left an hour and half ago. That is no excuse cuz they knew he was coming, they just lost a customer forever. Yeah, yeah, I heard that before and they always come back. I have cars available. Rent a minivan since he has a bunch of Asian clients who speak very little English with him. He will rent from now on with us from our exceptional customer service (I'm just open while others are closed but whatever).

Had a fear of doom when I saw a evicted from our patience customer made a new reservation. Why would you make reservations when you know we will refuse to rent you a car? I had a plan in my head that if this nightmare from hell throws a fit being refused a car when she has a reservation and/or demands I call the manager at home to settle this issue, I will simply call security and she can contact the manager on Monday. Doom never came and neither did anyone claim this reservation. Relief.

Passed out my Avon catalogs to discover 2 Mary Kay sellers, someone has a grandma who sells it, and somone has a sister who is a distict manager of Avon so they are Avoned out. One Mary Kay lady took the catalog to keep up what competition is doing. Hey, we do that all the time getting on the internet and calling the 800 numbers of other places to check the prices of our competitors. One gal ordered stuff and I had to ask her name. I explained I talk to a lot of people I don't the name to, Sorry but I do know your face and your job.

Saw the bossman today and he looks the same as he did last year when I saw him last. Told him I'm selling Avon now and wearing my hair up again (I used to have it down but is got in my face too much when I'm working). Then a friend of his walked up and ended our conversation.

Had a new skycap try to pick me up. He is 23 and lives with his mother in the hood, would I find that a problem? I explained he is a little young for me. He explained age is just a number and he's perfectly legal. Yes, maturity level does matter and we are not on the same level. I want a man whose stands on his own two feet and takes care of himself, not a boy whose mommy takes care of him.

Let's see. It snowed today, but at least it melted on the pavement and just remained on the grass. It has been so nice lately I thought winter was over. Well, nothing more to report.

Boring week

Precious has the hiccups. I have been looking into becoming an Avon Lady. Frodo is getting playtime in the stairwell that was interupted today by the cleaning lady and her noisy vacuum. Today Precious got an hour walk since it stopped being so windy.

Had only one difficult customer who thought I just fell off the train from Stupidsville and got mad I refused to honor a promise someone made to him, who he could not name. The problem was his business rate forbids any upgrades to bigger cars so he can't get a bigger car that he wants. Then he sends in his barracuda wife to change my mind. My position: Barracuda is not the renter and not part of this conversation. Called the managers and nobody at our counter promised him anything. I had plug my ear to hear my manager on the phone because the customer wouldn't stop yelling how he will take his business elsewhere if he can't have his way, and assured me I don't want that. I did not rent this car and will not be returning it so I get nothing giving away a larger car for free, my counter promised him nothing, he can not name who spoke to and there are no notes to back up his lie, it is his company who made this problem not me, so therefore, he is welcome to take his business elsewhere. I never fight for a**wipes. He took the car I offered and went on his way when I recited what the manager said.

I have getting into Meerkat Manor lately. I get to work on a day off so a coworker can have a day off. I need the hours. Can not think of anything else to say. Later.

Surprise party

Today we had the surprise party for my sister. She knew something was up when she received a birthday card declaring "Sorry I missed your party". Her birthday was last month. Though she didn't know when or where so she was surprised. My brother-in-law had my Mom visit their place a couple days and his parents came down to have dinner during my sister's lunch break from a class she is taking. Apparently it is an all day class. I can't recall what she said she was taking. There were about 40 people in attendence. Relatives and neighbors mostly. Her old college roommate was there with her family, her kids helped my niece and sister open presents. My sister commented it was a sedate party. People came later when people were leaving. Then it was time to be going. We grabbed the stuff. A niece decided to pummel my baby niece with the balloons so I jumped in and started bopping the balloons back at my niece. We even popped one hitting it at the same and freaked my baby niece. Miss Bossypants (baby niece) ordered us to stop hitting the balloons cuz we will pop more but we ignored her and kept hitting balloons at each other. My aunt commented balloons are not meant for boxing. Then we got our coats on and feet wet since it was snowing all day. My two nieces rode in my car. Someone asked if I asked permssion to take my niece home. I said I don't think my sister would mind if I kidnapped her kid for 20 minutes. I did tell their parents they would ride to my sister's with me. We all had the same destination.

Got to sister's house and my baby niece asked why were here. I think she thought we were going to my place. My sister, sister, brother-in-law, and mom made back after us. Once settled in my sister's living room and fighting over my baby niece's video game, my sister didn't feel like cooking for everybody so we went out. A Chinese buffet with pizza, garlic bread, jello, salad bar, sushi, crab legs, shrimp, noodle soups, rice, pastries, other stuff I can't identify, and soft serve ice cream for dessert. My mom went up to my sister and asked where the American food was, there were 5 buffets tables to visit. When my baby niece wanted ice cream after claiming she was full, my sister said she has to finished eating her plate before ice cream. So my baby niece grabs the food off and set it on her napkin. Then she purposely dropped jello on the floor to "empty" her plate as commanded. I blurted out I saw that and sister asked what she did. She watched her more carefully eating her fruit and vegetables, and polishing off the jello. She said finish eating her food, not drop it all on the floor. Then we opened our fortune cookies. Mine said my friends will surprise me. I asked if that was good or bad. Then went back and I finished laundry. My sister got out the Easter decorations and baby niece tossed the plastic grass all over the floor. Sister ordered her to pick it up and put it in the baksets, which she did not. No stories, no snack, no mommy lying in bed with her for her bad behavior, then ordered her to bed. Baby niece cries her eyes out and my sister tosses the pj's at us to put her to bed cuz she is tired. My other sister picked up the grass. I think she picked up the eggs and flowers to get a snack of yogurt. My laundry done, I went home. My baby niece was brushing with the other niece when left. Took Precious outside with everything all wet and cold. Now time for bed. I'm tired. Later.

News of the weird

News Item from the local free paper.

You know times are tough when thieves are robbing homeless people. A man living in a tent under a local river bridge was awoken by two or three men kicking him to swipe his backpack: containing a shaving kit, glasses, clothes, and personal papers and documents like his Social Security card. They also took his bicycle and TV. Stealing from a homeless man is bad enough, but taking a TV w/out a converter box is downright stupid.

Spring is here

Lovely day today I had to put on a t-shirt. Got my Easter things out. Even though the balcony door is open, cats insist on sleeping on my feet.

Yesterday I rushed to work and forgot my DVD player. Then the manager tossed all the magazines away and I also forgot my new Glamor magazine at home. My cell phone runs out of battery power so I figured I would bored most of the night. Even better they kept doing maintenence on the computer so it was hard to do my job. A coworker volunteered to get his DVD player out of his home while he was getting food for the car washers. He even let me borrow his new DVD of Brad Pitt's Benjamin Button movie just because he knows I love Brad Pitt. What I didn't know was that is was a pirated movie he bought from friend of a friend w/out subtitles and bad picture making me wonder if it was copied from Showtime. I work in a noisy airport and need subtitles. It was ok, not spectacular, but ok. I'm only surprised guys went to the theater to watch this, no violence or naked women. It reminded me of Forrest Gump and Merlin in King Arthur. It was a cute story.