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7:10a – I got up this morning, feeling awful! I drank way too much last night. At least I don't have work to worry about! I thought I would get up and let Kira out and go back to bed, but to my dismay, she had messed up the living room again! It is very rare for her to have an accident. Two days in a row has NEVER happened. I am getting concerned now.
Skip and I walked over to Block Buster. I rented that "Boogeyman" movie. Then we went to KFC and I got over $10 of food.
I've felt pretty rough all day. Skylar said he would call and we would go out somewhere tonight, but I don't really feel like it.
Skylar never called (I didn't really think he would), and I went to bed about 9:30p.
I did not get up until about 9:00a this morning, but I feel great! I need that rest badly. It was also a relief to find that Kira had not had a recurrence of her stomach problems.
I had thought I might catch the bus around 9:00a and go downtown to watch the parade, but I did not get up in time. However, I did catch the 1:39 bus and went to Fair St. Louis and caught the afternoon airshow. I took over 1Gb of pictures and video. I also walked across the Eads bridge from MO to IL and caught the train at about 5:30 to go home.
Marty and JR came by tonight for the cans. We are supposed to have a cook-out at JR's place tomorrow.
9:10a – I got up around 7:00a. Kira was okay again this morning, but I left her outside for a while anyway. I need to go to the store to get stuff for the cook out.
Bill is supposed to pick me up around 11:30, per Marty. I have not heard from Bill though. I will wait until he gets here and we can go by the store. I will get some things Marty mentioned that do not require preparation, like potato salad. That way, if Bill does not show, I do not buy all this stuff for nothing.
It turned out that Bill was supposed to pick me up at 1:30. However, he was delayed and did not make it until nearly 2:30. No biggy though. Skip rode with us over to Schnuck's and I picked up some port butt, potato salad, chips & dip. Then we went over to Q-Mart to get beer. Skip walked over to Q-Mart while we were there and we decided to give him a ride back to the house and pick up my igloo cooler to put the drinks on ice. Finally, with all that out of the way, we headed out and arrived at JR's place. Marty had, as I expected, pretty well charred all the meat, so I was glad I picked up some extra for me. I put 2 slices of pork butt on the grill, but it ended up moving from Marty's smoker, to the gas grill and then to the other smoker grill. I took some pictures, then we finally all ate. I was stuffed.
Later, me Bill, Mart & JR all went to check out Grandma's new bar, The Politician Club. It was very nice! Much classier than the old place. On the way there, we stopped at a Walgreen's store. I bought a new "swivel" mirror for the shower. After arriving, we played a game of darts (I won) and had a snack from Grandma's lavish spread. I just had a polish sausage since I was still stuffed from our cookout.
We returned to JR's place and prepared to go up on the roof to watch fire works. There were about 6 or 7 of us up there, but the trees were too high and even though I could see a few fireworks between the branches, not one single picture showed a thing. I was a bit disappointed in that.
Later, we continued to chat and drink beer and I was having a pleasant time. Then, at one point, I was talking to Bill and a bug bounced off of him, then off of me, and then... INTO MY POCKET! A BIG bug! It was a cicada. It started to rattle and SCREAM in my pocket and I was dancing around like I was being electrocuted.
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I would stick my hand cautiously into my pocket, trying to extract me cell phone (so it would not get hurt) and it would start SCREAMING again (they are VERY loud!). Usually when I hear cicada, I consider them to be "singing" ... but this one was definitely screaming. It's strange to have an insect making such a loud noise... especially in one's pocket! |
I finally got my cell phone out, and a wad of bills, but the cicada remained lodged in my pocket. I carefully pulled my pocket out and gently pulled it by one wing... hoping not to hurt the creepy little dude. He got a whiff of fresh air and buzzed out of my pocket like a bullet, landing on the screen just outside the house. I climbed up with my camera and took about 4 pictures of it (of course).
Skip called me and wanted me to come home. Apparently he burned his taco shells (for supper) and need me to bring some Frito Chips home.
I did not make it home until after 2:30am. Skip had gone to bed.
I was kind of yucky all day today. The cookout activities sort of took some of my energy away. I did not do much of anything. I worked on a video from pictures taken in the backyard at the cookout. To music done by the "Feather River Singers" (check out their CD) in which my long time friend, Shining Woman, is one of the singers.
Otherwise, I laid around and did not do much of anything today.
I got a few things accomplished today. Ken fro SIU called me this morning and discussed my approval under their program to pay my COBRA payments. Then later, I got an email from WU stating that my benefits should be reinstated "within the hour." I found and sent the WU tax ID # to SIU as requested, but I am not sure that is what they will need, ultimately.
I got the kitchen/dishes cleaned up. That was a major task! I also got some laundry done. I have also been working with RD all day trying to fix her system. It is just getting worse and worse!
People have been firing off skyrockets & firecrackers ALL day long. Poor Kira is getting frazzled.
10:13p – I have been working with Alan on-line much of this evening. He is (I think/hope) getting RD's PC sorted out. I am so glad! I was feeling bad about her entire mess.
2:43p – I got up around 5:00a and let Kira out, then went back to bed. I slept in until about 10:00a and got up to find she had made another mess in the living room. This is starting to worry me.
The mailman ran three times this afternoon. First to deliver some junk mail, then to deliver a book for Skip, and finally to deliver my new coin counter machine.
I just finished watching "The Boogeyman" ... it was a weird movie. Okay I guess. Anyway, I am headed out now to get batteries for the coin counter, and some other items. Including some worm pills for Kira. I don't know if she has worms, but something is not right.
9:33p – I got the DVD's returned then went to Wal-Mart. I spent over $50 there, mostly for a Dirt Devil "spot scrubber" carpet cleaning machine. I also got Kira another flea collar and some worm pills. I am doing what I can... as best I can. I hope.
I got my coins all counted. Only $322. I was thinking there would be more. It looked like so much!
I went to bed mad at Skip tonight. He has started making comments about my weight and being kind of mean about it. I only had one cup of rice which I flavoured with some left over meat for the entire day yesterday. I felt I had done pretty good, but he ended up making me feel bad and angry, and I went to bed wishing I lived somewhere else... alone. Besides, he should check the mirror. He's plumping up pretty well himself!
THURSDAY
- JULY 7, 2005
London Attacked by Terrorists!
8:09a – I was up off & on all night checking on Kira. I made her stay in my room all night so she could wake me up if she needed to go outside. I took her out once right at daybreak, but she just went potty. She finally took the initiative and got me up a little before 8:00a and I am making her stay out for a while.
Oh my! London has been hit by terrorists! RD has IM'd me with news...
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10:22a – Things are a mess in London. At least 40 fatalities; over 300 injuries. So far.
11:25a – I am trying to get motivated to mow the lawn at noon. I am starting to get sleepy though.
12:36p – No motivation yet... but I sure am sleepy.
5:35p – I actually DID get the lawn mowed! The front at least. The back is too much for now. I also got the File Share program loaded on the server and running. RD is retrieving some lost music from it now.
9:38p – I am NOT in a very good mood. Kira chewed up part of the edge of the back door tonight due to freaking out over fireworks. I am so tired of dogs & cats messing up things. I tried to discuss it with Skip and he thinks I need to "get a grip on reality" because I cannot accept it. I am just getting tired and angry.
11:02a – I got up. I felt "hung over" from the Tylenol PM I took last night. I had such WEIRD dreams!
In one dream, I was in a crowded mall. The strangest thing about this dream was that I was completely aware that I was dreaming. As I walked through the mall, I looked around at peoples faces. They all looked like distinct individuals, but I did not recognize anyone. I was intrigued with the fact that my dream was "creating" these people, with details facial features, clothing, and all sorts of other details. There were hundreds of these "dream people" and I decided to interact with some of them to see how they responded. First, I caught the eye of man and stared into his eyes. He looked back at me for a moment and then turned to go about his business. Next, I deliberately ran into someone and shoved them with my shoulder. They looked at me with irritation. This fascinated me since I knew they were not real people. I wondered if they were pieces or aspects of my personality? I went on through the mall pushing and shoving the dream constructs out of my way, and they went on trying to pretend they were real. After a short while of this I wanted out of it and started looking for a way out of the dream. I knew I was, in reality, laying in bed asleep, and I just wanted to wake up again. Instead, I found myself in the parking lot of the mall and, for a time, I think I was caught up in the dream again before I remembered that I wanted to wake up. So I started trying to force myself awake. At first, nothing happened and I started to feel a bit panicky. Finally, I came up out of the dream to the darkness of my room. What an odd kind of dream.
Jack's prospective landlord, Eric, called me today. I was one of his and Adam's referrals. We ended up talking for quite a while. It sounds like they may be moving into a very nice neighborhood.
I went to Wal-Mart to buy a new TV today. It is too heavy to carry.
I made a batch of what I call "Vietnamexican salsa" tonight, and some baked burritos to go with them. The salsa is strong on cilantro and contains Vietnamese Sriracha sauce to spice it up.
10:52p – Skip is annoying me with his "expertise" about carbon dating tonight. He has not been keeping up with current knowledge of the topic. Then he is aggravating me with my watching SG:Atlantis. I need my own TV to get away from his ... "views"!!
1:03a – I got up to let Kira out, noticed an IM note from Jack and responded.
7:47a – I continued to get up and let Kira out several times during the night (or morning). I was having trouble getting back to sleep. I finally dozed off around daybreak and started having the freaky dreams. In one of them I was back at the office. DB picked up some papers and said he had to take them back to his apartment to work on the budget. I made some comment to him such as, "Yuck! I don't envy you!" He then asked me if I would bring him a "collegiate sandwich" to his place during lunch. I thought this was an odd request, and I had no idea what this "collegiate sandwich" was supposed to be. I asked him and he said it was something to do with egg topped off with garlic. (I am still not sure what it was supposed to be). Then there was a fire being built (in the office!) and everyone was throwing "evidence" on it to be burned. I don't know what *kind* of evidence it was, but they all seemed very casual about it. The fact that they were building a fire in the office seemed perfectly normal! My dreams cycled through some more weirdness and at one point I was in someone's private Lear Jet. There were some black birds fluttering around in the passenger's area and one of them was looking very weak. I caught it and tossed it toward the door (which was open, we were not in the air). I thought it needed to get out and get some fresh air and food. I have NO idea what that dream segments was all about!
2:04p – Its hot! I walked over to Wally World, and was looking at the TV's. Marty called me while I was still looking and said he was on his way. I bought a TV for $89 (w/tax it was $96) and asked them to hold it for me for about an hour. Then I called Marty and said I would just wait for him at the front of the store. But traffic is backed up for miles due to construction, a semi-truck broken down, possibly an accident too... so now Marty can't make it... and I've already paid for the TV! So I called Lisa, but her cell ph appears to be disconnected. I call her home # and got voice mail. I finally had to go ask Hobi (the neighbor) if he could give me a ride over there... waiting for him to come pick me up now...
2:31p – I'm back from Wally World with the new TV!
9:54p – I have been online with Alan and RD all evening working with them on RD's computer problems. I think Alan has (again) managed to get her "fixed" ... I hope it "takes!" I am cooking a chuck roast and okra gumbo for supper. Time to eat. Then I can crash and watch my new TV until I crash! Aaaahh.... LUXURY!!! (Yes... I am spoiled!!)
10:22p – OMG! Supper was SO good! The whole okra was just what my system wanted. I am off to bed now... with my new TV to go to sleep by! Life CAN be good... sometimes...
8:34a – I barely got any sleep last night, and I am debating on going back to bed now.
I didn't go back to bed. Later this afternoon, Skip and walked over to Hardy's and I got one of the spicy chicken sandwiches which has "Texas toothpicks" on it (slices of batter-fried jalapeño). Then we walked over to Wal-Mart where I bought about $75 worth of vitamins & supplements. Unfortunately, my Visa card would not work! However, I had enough cash on me to cover it. I tried my card again in the ATM machine at Schnuck's and was able to get my balance, but not withdraw money. I tried it one more time over at Q-Mart and it was definitely defunct.
When we got home I called the 1-800 number and ordered a new card. They said it should be here by the close of business on Wednesday.
I cooked a chuck roast and Skip cooked a pork loin tonight. Sometimes we fix so much food it silly. We really should pool our resources better and make one meal instead of two separate ones. I used his leftovers and made him five lunches to carry with him to work this week.
I got up just seconds after Skip left for work this morning. I thought it was earlier and I meant to catch him to remind him of his lunches, which he probably would not find in the bottom drawer of the icebox. I called him on his way to the bus stop and sure enough he had forgotten.
I spent the rest of the day scanning in old documents, letters, cards and other mementos. It was about 2:00pm before I took a break to fix some food. Then I went back at it again. I scanned about 81 documents today (about 89Mb of file space). That does not include the ones combined and deleted.
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I felt awful this morning. I got up late and eventually made a pot of hot&sour soup (or something kind of like it with broccoli, but no tofu). Later I warmed up some garlic rice and ate it with some kim chee. I seem to just be eating all day today. I got some more documents scanned in. About 37 (45.5Mb). It has been raining all day. I put the rug from the living room out on the fence to clean after one of Kira's accidents a couple of weeks ago and STILL have not brought it back in. Now it has been raining all day long and is soaked. I hope it isn't getting ruined hanging out there on the fence in the sun and rain. Maybe it will be "clean and fresh" when (if?) I bring it back in. |
| Skip has been working diligently on getting everything together to build a new fence around the property. Blake has agreed to absorb the cost from rent and he is not going to raise rent this year as I feared. And Skip called him and handled it all! That was a refreshing change. So today Skip called from work and we coordinated with Lowe's to deliver the material to build the new fence. The total the quoted me was $1,846.04. (ouch!) So I transferred funds to my account to cover it. I will have to focus very hard on rebuilding my depleted savings account, but I would have to pay rent anyway, so it should balance out. |  |
6:42a – I was up at about 6:20a this morning. Let Kira out, watered the plants, and now I am catching up my journal entries from Sunday.
6:56a – Skip is headed off to work. Part of me enjoys this "time off" from the work force, part of me is terrified of what will happen, and part of me is envious when I see Skip go off to his job in which he is doing so well. How the tables have turned. I was the one with the good job at WU when he moved up here. I was the one extended my hand to help. Now he has risen from night shift house cleaning to a the Medical School's Repairman and is doing great... while I am unemployed!
7:32a – On that note, I have just spent the last half hour registering with Boeing and applied for an an Office Administrator position with them.
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6:33p – This has been a more productive day. I got up early, applied for a job and got some housework done. I dusted, straightened up, vacuumed, mopped the foyer, waxed the coffee table, and I got all the tubs & boxes out of the kitchen at last. I did not get the dishes done, the kitchen mopped nor Kira bathed, but I will tackle that tomorrow if I am feeling okay. |
Skip arranged the purchase of paint. The color we have chosen is "Fireweed" from Sherwin-Williams. This is another $261. Oh well... at least I know rent will be covered for nearly four months!
8:57p – Skip and I just finished cleaning off the back patio in preparation for the arrival of the fence materials. It looks so much better! We carried the old sofa out to the curb for pick up. I must remember to call to have it picked up.
7:28p – I got up early this morning and had grand intentions of another productive day like yesterday. But shortly after taking my morning medicine I started for fell lethargic and sleepy. I ended up going to bed again around 10:00a and dozing off and on through 2 episodes of DS9. Then at 12:20p Lisa Z. called me and we are planning to go to town tomorrow to renew our unemployment status. That 4 weeks sure does go by fast!
I shared some emails back & forth with Judy this morning. It's really neat to have a new sister at this late date in my life. Even stranger that not only do we have the same father, but our mothers were sisters!
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Anyway, we shared some family stories back & forth and I think we got a little closer in the process. I still felt kind of "low energy" but I got a sudden inspiration for a photo idea with the Cardinal I have been 'training.' I cleaned off the table on the patio and set up a vase of flowers, a Japanese teacup, and a saucer of bird seeds. I cold not get Dotsuwa to come back though and ended up taking several pictures of an empty table. Finally I gave up ... temporarily. Later I went out and Dotsuwa was back. This time I managed to get at least ONE photo of him with his "dinner setting." but it was not the best. |
Around 4:00p I got a call from Rachel with Cingular. I ended up orderig a new phone for Skip. He will now have a GSM ready phone, he will have the free mobile to mobile, and more. This will cost him about $10 per month more, but he was going over on his "free minutes" anyway, so in the long run, this should save him money. Anyway, so now he will be getting a new phone.
Around 5:00p I was getting ready to go off to the store, but suddenly a thunderstorm burst loose, It got dark all of a sudden and rain, thunder and lightening went wild outside. (And of course, Kira went wild INside). After it let up I headed over to Q-Mart and Skip called Skip got the light installed okay. |
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12:00a – Oh no... we still have not eaten supper! I did not know it was this late!!!
FRIDAY - JULY 15, 2005
12:40a – Supper was okay, but it could have been more "hot." Anyway, I am off to bed now.
7:48a – Lowe's called just before 7:30a and said they will be delivery the fence materials around 9:00a. I went back to bed, but now I am wide awake, so I might as well get up.
8:30a – Skip is still in bed; he took today off. Lowe's isn't here yet. It would be kind of funny if I take care of the delivery while he sleeps. I won't bother waking him. He is going to be doing most of the work on the fence anyway.
9:05a – The Lowe's delivery just left. They had to put everything in the driveway since the forklift would not fit into the back yard. We will have to move it all by hand! Not a pleasant prospect, but...
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1017
Olive St.
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| 6:40a – Lisa Z picked me up about 2:00 and we went in early to do our four week update with Employment Security. She had to run by her bank and dropped me off at Jay International where I spent about $33 on some food items. Lots of different kinds of noodles, 2 jars of kim chee. On the way back, we stopped at Taco Bell and got some food. I had not eaten anything other than a handful of mixed nuts, all day long. Jack called me as we were getting our food. Iih' aaz' uut' arborre ums' unmeine aafr' iime. Nwe Y'aatg' ome, Y'ents' ime $600 thwe PayPal. |
I was very excited to see my FIRST little tomato today! It is so rewarding to grow things. I really enjoy it. |
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| Just as I was finishing eating (actually there are 3 tacos left, but...) Sherwin-Williams pulled up and delivered our paint. They first unloaded the wrong order and had to reload it and get ours. That was another $261 out of my account! I've spent over $2,500 in the last 2 or 3 days! Makes me queasy! Once its gone... well... | 
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Meanwhile, in England, RD is trying to save a baby bird that her cat found. They named the bird "Sparkle." It is not eating and hardly taking any water though. I does not look good for the the little thing.
I finally ate my last 3 tacos and went to bed fairly early. I got up around 2:00a and Skip was still up.
7:01a – I have been up for nearly an hour. I tried to go back to bed, but my feet are both itching from the ankles down from mosquito bites! I put some of Skip's Fluocinonide cream on the itches and it helps a little, but not enough. At least it takes some of the edge off the itching.
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Ruby Dancingmoon
rescued a lost or abandoned baby bird yesterday. She diligently
attempted to feed it and get the little thing to drink. After
a brief spell in which it seemed to be improving, it took a turn
for the worse. Its brief struggle to regain a hold on life ended
at 4:40a England, while in the tender hands of its human benefactor.
It was just one of many of Nature's children that died yesterday,
or will die today, but it was symbolic of them all. It's ironic
how such a little thing can affect another person, thousands of
miles away. |
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10:23a – I fixed a bite to eat and now I am getting sleepy again!
12:20p – It just started pouring down rain a few minutes ago.
Skip got the first panel of one of the fence gates made today. I helped him to clear the overgrowth on the side of the house. The grape vines and other growth was overwhelming! It was starting to damage the house, in fact! It's a good thing we got it all pulled out.
Skylar called around 4:00p and wants to know if I want to go out? I said "sure" ...
He and Beth arrived around 7:30p and we left around 8:30 to go into town.
Excerpted from a instant message conversation with RD: jubchuqun (12:02:19 PM): went out with
Skylar and *B* |
11:18p – I had trouble trying to catch up on my sleep this morning.
Excerpted from a instant message conversation with RD: jubchuqun (12:22:00 PM): and skip's new
phone arrive today |
I got all the huge pile of brush moved to the back yard this afternoon. I was a major ordeal, but I did it!
10:26p – I slept in really late today. I needed the sleep. I got the kitchen cleaned again, finally. Skip came home early and worked on the fence. I found a phone number to my cousin Bobby Krejci and called... left voice mail. I received notification from SIU that my COBRA forms came through okay and they are cutting a check to pay it.
11:04p – I cooked a big supper tonight of fried chicken breasts, mashed potatoes & gravy, bi-color corn on the cob, and fried okra. I am stuffed! ... and off to bed.
6:55a – I have been awake since around 4:00a (Kira had to go out). I lay in bed watching TV until 6:00a, then I got up and folded the towels that I had washed last night and turned the dryer on to fluff up Skip's things.
2:47p – I went back to bed a little before 8:00a and slept until noon. I am not very motivated to do anything today. I did just put on a pot of Mung beans in the crock-pot. Maybe I will get the bread machine going again. I've not made homemade bread in ages.
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3:04p – Oh no... it's a sad day. Jack just emailed me with the news that James "Scotty" Doohan died this morning.
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Not much to report today except for the heat. It has been in the high 90's. I walked to Block Buster, dropped Skip's movies off and picked up "Constantine" (with Keanu Reeves). Then went over to the Dollar Store and picked up some mosquito repellant for Skip. Then Schnucks and Q-Mart. The heat was awful.
I watch part of "Constantine" tonight, but couldn't get into it and went to bed.
Another HOT day. I went out in the heat and painted some fence boards, and did some touch-up work on the gate Skip built. (I call it the "South Gate"). Skip came home early today.
I watched the "Constantine" movie this morning. It was not as good as the preview made it look. It had some good special effects, but the story was a bit confusing and vague. I could not really get the feel of the main character. Not Keanu's best work.
I started scanning in yet another box of letters & old documents, and to my surprise, I FOUND MY OLD BIRTH CERTIFICATE! I thought it was lost.
I spent much of the day continuing to scan in and save stuff. Skip is outside in this terrible heat working on the fence. He is doing a great job in my humble opinion.
Skip continues to work on the fence project. He bought chicken wings, celery, carrots, bleu cheese & ranch dressing and got me to cook up a batch of hot wings. I used the deep fryer for the first time in ages. I think the wings came out pretty good for a change too.
We tried watching a strange movie called something like, "Where have all the Mexicans gone?" ... I did not finish watching it. What an odd movie. It did have some amusing spots.
10:07a – I am in a depressed mood this morning. The first thing I did was finished editing the old pictures of our house being built back in Florida (1988). That was pretty depressing to start with. I am getting all depressed about not having a job again though. This really sucks. I am so disgusted with Wash U. What they did was just so wrong. I guess I need to get over it and move on, but as Daddy used to say, "my get up and go has got up and went."
10:15a – It's already 88° this morning with the heat index at 99°. It's going to be another scorcher.
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11:31a – I just realized that I met Doug on this day, 25 years ago. Jack called me this afternoon from South Bend, Indiana. He has a little over 255 miles to go to get to Cleveland. He was quite bummed out though, since he slid his seat back and crushed his laptop! The screen is cracked and the replacement will be around $400. Jack was not a happy camper! 5:18p– I got the lawn mowed about an hour ago, and pulled few weeds, water the veggies and irrigated the front flowers. I took a cold shower, and now I feel much better. At least I accomplished something. 6:51p– I just got back from the store. I picked up a sprinkler for the front lawn. Then I put down some weed & feed and set the sprinkler up. I also made reminders to go move it in an hour and turn it off in another hour. 8:56p– I help Skip with the fence tonight. The "North Gates." It is not perfect, and is not as good as he (we) would like it, but we are not carpenters, and it's not all that bad of a job. I think over all it is going pretty good. |
9:15p– I have a beef roast in the oven, along with a couple of potatoes. MMMmmmm ... it smell scrump-deli-icious in here!
10:29p– I just sent Blake a text IM to his phone letting him know that I sent out an email with more pics.
11:01p– Supper is done. It's about time to eat.
Not much to report today. We had some rain and it cooled things down a little... finally. I downloaded Terragen and played around with it some. Oh... I called a number I found for Earl Hart (of Mesa, WA), my old high school buddy. I spoke at length with his mother (I think), and left my number(s) and email address for him. I understand he is not married either. I hope we can get in touch again. It would be a hoot! I also wrote a letter to Dale Jones, back in Eltopia, WA, another of my high school buddies. Earl's mother said he is back living in Eltopia. I also sent a letter out to Bobby Krejci, son of my late Aunt Lorene (Terrell) Krejci. He is my first cousin and I have never met him or been in touch with him at all. I included a descendant tree from James A. Terrell on down. I am not sure how accurate it may be, but maybe he can help me identify any errors.
I also spent some time on the phone with the courthouse today, trying to get more information about how to get my ID problem resolved. They want me to pay a fee of $223 to have my name changed, but... I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE MY NAME! I want to keep it as it has been all my life! I only want to amend my birth certificate. I don't have a job, so $223 is a week's pay in unemployment! I can't afford it. I don't see WHY I should have to pay money to be ME! On the other hand, it can be a problem getting employed with no valid ID, and no means of personal transportation. It's a classic "Catch 22" situation. So... after being so advised by the person I finally spoke to at the St. Claire County Courthouse, I wrote a letter to my Congressman seeking help. I doubt I will hear anything back, but... I did as I was advised.
I got a doctor's appointment set for August 26th today. It's really ridiculous that it has to be so far away.
For supper, I baked a chicken breast with some left over rice and red onion, and made a big pot of turnip greens. For Skip, I warmed up a leftover baked potato and some of his roast beef.
I dreamed many things last night, as usual. My last dream involved Dotsuwa, the little Cardinal, and his mate. I was riding on a bus and the birds were with us. They were in need of water, and I was having to keep the curious people away from them. I remember Dotsuwa's tail brushing against the neck of someone sitting in a seat in front of me; and there was a box (a cereal box?) with liquid in it, and Dotsuwa was pecking at it to get water. I poured some of the water into my cupped palm and he drank from it. More surprisingly, his little mate flew over and took a drink from my hand also.
However, then it gets kind of weird. I woke up and stumbled to the back door to let Kira out. I was still half asleep, but here was little Dotsuwa for real! ... fluttering about the back porch and yard, wanting to be fed. I got him a hand full of seed and set it out (still half asleep... and only minutes away from having dreamed about the little fella!). How ... odd.
I fixed a bit to eat this morning, consisting of rice cooked in last night's turnip green juice and some of Skip's left over (and dried up) beef. Then I got so unbearably sleepy and went back to bed around 10am. I slept fitfully until about 2:00p and got up. I've been depressed and *down* most of the day. This unemployment status is weighing on me most heavily. I did apply for a job today though, but if its not over my head, it is probably out of my range.
I chopped up some arrina tortillas this afternoon and fried them up. I opened a can of menudo and had a little fiesta Mexicana en la sala.
8:11p – Skip and Tiffany are busy outside building the fence at the moment. I have been entering my Where's George bills (I am back at the 80 mark today), I paid some bills (Skips cell, garbage, and the SBC phone bill), then I caught up my journal entries. I am about to go out and pour some dirt in a hole to fill it in, in the front yard now. I need to keep busy so I don't get so depressed.
Marty just called a bit ago. He is at the camp site now. (Actually, he was calling from Wal-Mart). It is very nice out this evening. If this cool weather holds up, I will take Kira with me. I hope it does. She could use such an outing. She has such a boring life. It's not fair for her... if one will excuse my use of that 4-letter F-word.
8:37p – I got the hole filled in, but my back is cramping up something fierce! I was gasping and groaning in pain over such a simple little chore.
9:16p – I just came from outside where I was taking pictures of Skip & Tiffany working on the fence.
Tiffany spent some time with me this evening and I scanned in some of her pictures for her. Skip and I ordered pizza for a change.
I woke up about 4:00a and spent most of the rest of the morning running to the bathroom. That pizza was not a good idea.
6:27a – Got up again, but Skip was up and in the shower, so I gave Kira her pills, let her out and wait until Skip was through bathing. Then I went back to bed.
I woke up about 8:15a and my right hip and leg was hurting... and getting worse! I don't know what's wrong with it, but its so bad I had to get out of bed. I could barely walk. It may be a pinched nerve or something.
I got a call from the Congressman's office this morning. They tell me I have no choice but to pay to have my name legally changed. It's just another way the government has found to use 911 to line their pockets. I am thoroughly disgusted with what this country has become and what it is turning into.
3:19p– I've been sitting in the living room for most of the day watching Roswell. My leg is better but still hurts to move it the wrong way. Still no clue what it is. I don't know if I will be able to go camping or not.
8:59p– I have decided to cancel the campout. I don't feel good. I had a bowl of menudo for supper and some ice tea and am going to bed early.
11:52a – I feel better this morning. What a shame. I should be at Meramec State Park right now, getting away from the monotony of my current existence. How depressing.
It has not been a bad day, even thought the A/C went out on us today. Skip (and Tiffany) got a lot done on the fence today. It's moving right along. We called "White's Refrigeration" of Cahokia and "Tom" found that there is a filter INSIDE of the A/C unit that has apparently not been changed in years. It was SO clogged! I be it has be costing me hundreds of dollars! I will have to let Blake know about this. Anyway, we cleared it out and the A/C is working beyond belief now. However, it cost me $112 out of MY funds and he still needs to come back out again.
The fence is moving right along. Skip tore down most of the fence on the North side today.
We cooked a delicious supper tonight, of mashed potatoes, gravy, London broil, jalapeño brats AND Cajun brats as well as fresh corn on the cob.
12:38a – I am stuffed. Supper was EXCELLENT! Off to bed now. I think the A/C will keep us chilled through the night!
11:54a – I got up a little after 8:00a today, unlike yesterday when I slept in until around 11:00a.
1:04p – I just warmed up some left over mashed potatoes & turnip greens which I had with a glass of tea. Now I am so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open. Skip is out working on the fence again. I need to mow the front lawn, but I think I need a nap first.
3:31p – I got the front lawn mowed again. I've been keeping up with it pretty good.
I got a spreadsheet put together of all the rent stuff today, including all the miscellaneous receipts that we have been collecting.
4:52p – It looks like it might be going to rain later. I am waiting for Skip. We are going to Wal-Mart shortly.
6:56p – We got back from the store about an hour ago. We got several things for the house, including a pressure sprayer and concentrated round up to ill the weeds around the fence. I finally cleared out some space in my room and moved my "sun" rug back in there. Then I got the shag carpet off the fence and brought it back in the house. It is in the kitchen now, thoroughly doused with "French Vanilla" carpet deodorizer. I will go vacuum it up shortly, but first I have to let my back rest. It is killing me.
7:04p – I have the sprinkler going again and will move it in about 14 minutes. The lawn is looking really good. This is the best I've ever maintained a lawn.
11:59p – I am off to bed now. Supper was good and I fixed Skip's lunch for him on the morrow.
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Charlotte
Midkiff
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