Not to make light of a very serious situation, but long before Sandy actually hit ground and did all of it's destruction, authorities were all over the news outlets telling people to stock up on supplies/necessities including buying food that doesn't need to be cooked. Now there is nothing on the shelves to buy, millions of people are still without power and - I am glad I am not in there position is all I can say.
One of the reasons I own camping equipment is in case something like that ever happens. Propane fueled camp stove with plenty of bottles of propane and a white fuel driven camp stove - yes - with plenty of fuel for it as well. And lots of canned food. An underground storage tank with millions of gallons of water in it is only 2 blocks away. But I digress.
Reading about people who can't even find batteries on the shelves is hard to take in. Reading about people who are dumpster diving because they are hungry and don't have any food. Freezing cold, homes with standing water and no electricity.
I'm sure the various levels of government are doing the best and as much as they can to get this situation back on track, but really, it's the power companies that have the biggest job ahead of them, so much so that there are workers from my state traveling over there to help get power back on.
Meanwhile, Obama was in Vegas doing an interview on the campaign trail. I actually thought - and I am not Obama fan - that he was doing a good job of this situation with the east coast until he decided it's time to go back on the campaign trail. It's only a few days left until the election, I have to wonder, for both sides, what more rallies are going to do to change anyone's mind, anyway?
Well, it's Friday and I'm off to work.
ben
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Truck Driver Shortage
I predicted this some time ago - well it's been a couple of years anyway - and that prediction is coming to see the light of day. The Federal Government has been increasing regulatory interference on truck drivers for decades. But the enactment of CSA 2010 was a completely different ball field, a game that veteran drivers haven't seen before, much less participated in and MUCH less wanted ANYTHING to do with.
Truck drivers getting a warning instead of a ticket will, by the company they are driving for and because of the new regulations, be viewed as having received a ticket. The reason being is that the more warnings or tickets that drivers receive under this new system, the more scrutiny the Feds will put on any given company. If it gets to "intervention" phase, it could include an entire fleet being shut down by the Federal government.
So, trucking companies or companies that have their own fleets of trucks to deliver the goods they sell are now compelled to get rid of drivers that get tickets or warnings. That's all nice and fine, but as the pool of drivers shrinks - much having to do with older drivers getting out of it after being in the profession for 2 or 3 or even 4 decades - now what? The news stories have been the same for a couple of years now: trucking has little appeal to the younger generation.
Truck drivers are mostly despised as ignorant. We are too stupid to find "real" employment, so we reverted to driving trucks to make a living. We are treated like dogs*** in traffic. When you tell someone who asks you are a truck driver, \you far-more-often-than-not get a sneer, a look, conjecture that what you are doing with your life is a complete waste.
We truck drivers won't have to do a complete shutdown of trucks for a week or however long to make a point. The time is coming or perhaps already here that you are going to start paying more at the grocery store and everywhere else because of shortage of truck drivers. It will slowly get worse over time unless something is done about it. 99% chance that nothing will be done about it until it becomes a severe problem - store shelves are empty and gas station holding tanks aren't being refilled. I give it 5 more years, max, before this issue becomes a national debate.
Truck drivers getting a warning instead of a ticket will, by the company they are driving for and because of the new regulations, be viewed as having received a ticket. The reason being is that the more warnings or tickets that drivers receive under this new system, the more scrutiny the Feds will put on any given company. If it gets to "intervention" phase, it could include an entire fleet being shut down by the Federal government.
So, trucking companies or companies that have their own fleets of trucks to deliver the goods they sell are now compelled to get rid of drivers that get tickets or warnings. That's all nice and fine, but as the pool of drivers shrinks - much having to do with older drivers getting out of it after being in the profession for 2 or 3 or even 4 decades - now what? The news stories have been the same for a couple of years now: trucking has little appeal to the younger generation.
Truck drivers are mostly despised as ignorant. We are too stupid to find "real" employment, so we reverted to driving trucks to make a living. We are treated like dogs*** in traffic. When you tell someone who asks you are a truck driver, \you far-more-often-than-not get a sneer, a look, conjecture that what you are doing with your life is a complete waste.
We truck drivers won't have to do a complete shutdown of trucks for a week or however long to make a point. The time is coming or perhaps already here that you are going to start paying more at the grocery store and everywhere else because of shortage of truck drivers. It will slowly get worse over time unless something is done about it. 99% chance that nothing will be done about it until it becomes a severe problem - store shelves are empty and gas station holding tanks aren't being refilled. I give it 5 more years, max, before this issue becomes a national debate.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
I'm at Fry's (grocery store) getting some things. Want to make a nice salad for dinner, they have boneless, skinless chicken on sale, figured to pick up several packs of it. My phone rings. I look down at it and think that I see my manager's name showing up. I answer it. It definitely is not my manager. It's Josie and she's still having a lot of problems in life. She's the widow of my best friend that died last year.
She doesn't waste any time at all: Can I rent your 5th wheel trailer? Now THAT took me by surprise. What's going on? She starts crying and tells how her daughter is getting upset with her all the time and they aren't getting along and she needs to get out of there. Now, mind you, this lady is around 70 years old and going through all of this. She cleans her daughter's house; babysits her kids; cooks dinner, etc etc etc.
I have felt really bad ever since my friend died and watching her go through all of this nonsense with her family treating her like horse shit. Not just her daughter, either, her son and his wife treated her FAR worse before she ended up at her daughter's.
I've got to give serious consideration to letting her into that trailer, even if there may end up being issues with the city - though that won't happen unless my neighbors find out she's in there and since I have cranked it up with them in the last several months after all the BS they have started with me, they don't look over my fence anymore. She wasn't kidding, either, about moving over here. She has been treated badly, disrespected by her own offspring to the point they won't even have her around. I really do NOT get it. I do get that it would be difficult to have your own mother living with you - yes indeed.
But I've got to tell you, if my mother ever gets to the point where she can't get around and can't live alone, my door will be open to her. Or perhaps her door should be open to me, lol, her house is FAR nicer than mine! Just 45 miles away from work, though. Yikes. I would definitely set boundaries with my mother if it ever came to that - space please, give me my space and you'll definitely get yours - and I'm sure there would be some conflict in the beginning, but I am also sure we would manage to work through the issues eventually and get on with what's left of life.
I don't know, but if my friend is in heaven and looking at all of this going on with his wife, I can't imagine. I just can't imagine how it would feel to see all of that going on and not be able to help her in any way. I feel very compelled to help her if she really wants to come over here. I've known this lady since the early 90's.
She isn't broke, either. She isn't rich, not saying that, but she get's a grand a month from my friend's disability through the military. I don't know if she is also getting Social Security. I would have to charge her enough to cover the extra eletricity, water and would have to install a Direct TV receiver in there plus pay - Mark I would hope - to empty out the holding tanks on a regular basis, but I wouldn't take advantage of her either.
Well, the conversation was cut short so, to-be-continued.
Meanwhile, the new receptionist at our work? Quit. They can't keep anyone in that position. Low pay and a huge workload. Lynnette is up for the job. I forwarded her resume to my operations manager this morning, I hope he will give her some serious consideration. She has ample experience in the type of work that they are looking for the position to fill. I haven't heard back whether he contacted her or not, but, it was at least worth a try. Good benefits, no weekend work, 8 hours a day.
Well that's it.,
Still cranking here and there on the front yard. Get it done. Not in a huge hurry now, the worst of it is over. Still plenty to do for aesthetic's sake, but definitely looking better.
Umm, so done with this one.
ben
She doesn't waste any time at all: Can I rent your 5th wheel trailer? Now THAT took me by surprise. What's going on? She starts crying and tells how her daughter is getting upset with her all the time and they aren't getting along and she needs to get out of there. Now, mind you, this lady is around 70 years old and going through all of this. She cleans her daughter's house; babysits her kids; cooks dinner, etc etc etc.
I have felt really bad ever since my friend died and watching her go through all of this nonsense with her family treating her like horse shit. Not just her daughter, either, her son and his wife treated her FAR worse before she ended up at her daughter's.
I've got to give serious consideration to letting her into that trailer, even if there may end up being issues with the city - though that won't happen unless my neighbors find out she's in there and since I have cranked it up with them in the last several months after all the BS they have started with me, they don't look over my fence anymore. She wasn't kidding, either, about moving over here. She has been treated badly, disrespected by her own offspring to the point they won't even have her around. I really do NOT get it. I do get that it would be difficult to have your own mother living with you - yes indeed.
But I've got to tell you, if my mother ever gets to the point where she can't get around and can't live alone, my door will be open to her. Or perhaps her door should be open to me, lol, her house is FAR nicer than mine! Just 45 miles away from work, though. Yikes. I would definitely set boundaries with my mother if it ever came to that - space please, give me my space and you'll definitely get yours - and I'm sure there would be some conflict in the beginning, but I am also sure we would manage to work through the issues eventually and get on with what's left of life.
I don't know, but if my friend is in heaven and looking at all of this going on with his wife, I can't imagine. I just can't imagine how it would feel to see all of that going on and not be able to help her in any way. I feel very compelled to help her if she really wants to come over here. I've known this lady since the early 90's.
She isn't broke, either. She isn't rich, not saying that, but she get's a grand a month from my friend's disability through the military. I don't know if she is also getting Social Security. I would have to charge her enough to cover the extra eletricity, water and would have to install a Direct TV receiver in there plus pay - Mark I would hope - to empty out the holding tanks on a regular basis, but I wouldn't take advantage of her either.
Well, the conversation was cut short so, to-be-continued.
Meanwhile, the new receptionist at our work? Quit. They can't keep anyone in that position. Low pay and a huge workload. Lynnette is up for the job. I forwarded her resume to my operations manager this morning, I hope he will give her some serious consideration. She has ample experience in the type of work that they are looking for the position to fill. I haven't heard back whether he contacted her or not, but, it was at least worth a try. Good benefits, no weekend work, 8 hours a day.
Well that's it.,
Still cranking here and there on the front yard. Get it done. Not in a huge hurry now, the worst of it is over. Still plenty to do for aesthetic's sake, but definitely looking better.
Umm, so done with this one.
ben
Sunday, October 28, 2012
I had to call them out on it.
I have been through too much with church to have to live under something that is on the surface a thing that is going to be a hindering blockage.
I simply wrote the pastor a 2 sentence email: what is going on and why concerning his wife and the "looks" and all of this.
I didn't know what kind of response to expect, if any, just needed to get it off of me. She called me on the phone, versus the pastor writing me an email back.
Surprise, indeed. Going into a personal conversation like that on the world wide web? I don't think so. But a lot of mis-communication was done away with and a lot of emotion for that matter. This lady has a lot of weight in the church to carry, we'll just put it that way. From the sound of it, far too much and some kind of reprieve needs to intervene in her life to lighten the load. I have already offered to help in the church, but not to her, I didn't even know she was the final authority over all of that stuff.
For me, it was a consortium of things that occurred over a 24 hour span. The deal with her was simply that this has been going on for awhile. When something like this occurs and 2 people can have an adult conversation about it and both people are willing and able to listen to each other, then you can have a good outcome and in this case, definitely, it was a good outcome.
Relief. The mind can wander into a lot of different places in trying to conjecture what another person is thinking when they say or do something that is deemed well out of the parameters of what you might normally see them doing, especially when it is directed at you and even more-so when it goes on for a period of time.
Well anyway. 3 day weekend is over. The come and go quickly. No idea what is en-queue for work tomorrow since I haven't been there since Thursday and didn't get to see what was in the truck routing system on Friday - not that that bothers me, lol, I would rather take the time off.
ben
I have been through too much with church to have to live under something that is on the surface a thing that is going to be a hindering blockage.
I simply wrote the pastor a 2 sentence email: what is going on and why concerning his wife and the "looks" and all of this.
I didn't know what kind of response to expect, if any, just needed to get it off of me. She called me on the phone, versus the pastor writing me an email back.
Surprise, indeed. Going into a personal conversation like that on the world wide web? I don't think so. But a lot of mis-communication was done away with and a lot of emotion for that matter. This lady has a lot of weight in the church to carry, we'll just put it that way. From the sound of it, far too much and some kind of reprieve needs to intervene in her life to lighten the load. I have already offered to help in the church, but not to her, I didn't even know she was the final authority over all of that stuff.
For me, it was a consortium of things that occurred over a 24 hour span. The deal with her was simply that this has been going on for awhile. When something like this occurs and 2 people can have an adult conversation about it and both people are willing and able to listen to each other, then you can have a good outcome and in this case, definitely, it was a good outcome.
Relief. The mind can wander into a lot of different places in trying to conjecture what another person is thinking when they say or do something that is deemed well out of the parameters of what you might normally see them doing, especially when it is directed at you and even more-so when it goes on for a period of time.
Well anyway. 3 day weekend is over. The come and go quickly. No idea what is en-queue for work tomorrow since I haven't been there since Thursday and didn't get to see what was in the truck routing system on Friday - not that that bothers me, lol, I would rather take the time off.
ben
I came back early from the mountains. That was because I was rather excited about the idea of helping the church out and being a part of the booth games that were going on last night at the park. I had received an email asking for help to man one of the booths, I accepted the request. I went out there last night. Thousands of people, mostly families with their kids in costumes. Took 15 minutes to find a parking spot - which ended up being a quarter mile away. The long walk there and saw must have been 70 or 80 tent booths set up - by the city - and occupied with representatives from all sorts of different venues.
The City required that only 501c3/non-profit organizations could participate. It was pretty easy to find the church set up - they had 5 booths in a row and they had lines formed in front of them. They had games set up and winners of games got anything from candy to stuffed animals. Pretty typical type of thing. The pastor's son greeted me when I arrived and said that a change of shift had already occurred. As it came to my realization that my help was not needed, I admittedly started to get a bit irritated. They had contacted me via email for help 2 mornings ago and I had confirmed with them. How hard would have it been to email me and tell me that the slots had been filled up? I was then "informed" that they needed help tearing everything down after 9:00 pm.
I didn't reply. It's 7:00 pm and I'm going to hang around for 2 hours.........doing what? I simply left. There was nothing to do and I wasn't going to stand around looking dumb for 2 hours without anything to do waiting for it to be over and I wasn't about to drive back there after going home. Call me selfish, call me whatever you will, but they should have had more respect for my time and emailed me or called me to let me know they wouldn't need my help instead of me going through all of that to find out.
I was asked at home by a tenant how it went and I let him know. At least I wasn't the only one on the face of the planet that would have reacted the same way if put into a similar situation. This morning I was debating whether to go to church or not. I ended up going. As soon as I walked in the front door, the pastor's wife saw me and cringed. As if I were a walking dose of Bubonic Plague. She has been doing this for a couple of months now. I have NO idea what is up her crawl, I have not said anything unpleasant to her, we have not had any kind of argument or otherwise "bad" encounter, but it set me foul. She actually pulled her hand back for a handshake.
I walked into the meeting room and the pastor's son came up to me after I had been sitting there awhile, looking at some of the people's reactions that were looking at me funny. My leaving last night had this kind of effect? I had waited until they were oblivious of my presence there last night before I left, I didn't just walk away in the middle of a conversation. I shook the pastor's son hand, but I was was getting pretty unwound in my mind with all this. This time? I grabbed my things and walked out.
What's next? Dunno. Let some time pass and let the abrasiveness of it all wear away a bit. I am quite interested in finding out what the pastor's wife's beef is with me. I've been NOTHING but nice to her, I simply have no clue. I'm wondering about my future at this church. The church's annual Harvest Festival event is next weekend. They will be wanting help, but I am sure mine won't be appreciated and won't be offered anyway. If I'm asked, I will probably ask what the deal was with their last request for help.
I don't really handle being treated this way by the church too well, considering my past experiences.
Changing the subject, I have spent a lot of hours out front working on the landscaping issues. I can say that there is a LOT left to go! Lol. Trim this, cut that, pull this, plant that. Just now getting the plants I bought a month go planted. That because there was a lot of clearing out and cutting that had to occur first before I could plant all 6 of them. I can happily say they are all planted, I have no idea whether they will take considering colder weather is - allegedly - just around the corner. I say that because it's near the end of October and it's hitting 90 degrees today!! What kind of fall is THAT? IS it officially fall yet?
Well, that's my "release" and I'm going back out there - I was out there earlier working but now I am going to get out the clippers and clip down some things that need some serious trimming.
G'day.
ben
The City required that only 501c3/non-profit organizations could participate. It was pretty easy to find the church set up - they had 5 booths in a row and they had lines formed in front of them. They had games set up and winners of games got anything from candy to stuffed animals. Pretty typical type of thing. The pastor's son greeted me when I arrived and said that a change of shift had already occurred. As it came to my realization that my help was not needed, I admittedly started to get a bit irritated. They had contacted me via email for help 2 mornings ago and I had confirmed with them. How hard would have it been to email me and tell me that the slots had been filled up? I was then "informed" that they needed help tearing everything down after 9:00 pm.
I didn't reply. It's 7:00 pm and I'm going to hang around for 2 hours.........doing what? I simply left. There was nothing to do and I wasn't going to stand around looking dumb for 2 hours without anything to do waiting for it to be over and I wasn't about to drive back there after going home. Call me selfish, call me whatever you will, but they should have had more respect for my time and emailed me or called me to let me know they wouldn't need my help instead of me going through all of that to find out.
I was asked at home by a tenant how it went and I let him know. At least I wasn't the only one on the face of the planet that would have reacted the same way if put into a similar situation. This morning I was debating whether to go to church or not. I ended up going. As soon as I walked in the front door, the pastor's wife saw me and cringed. As if I were a walking dose of Bubonic Plague. She has been doing this for a couple of months now. I have NO idea what is up her crawl, I have not said anything unpleasant to her, we have not had any kind of argument or otherwise "bad" encounter, but it set me foul. She actually pulled her hand back for a handshake.
I walked into the meeting room and the pastor's son came up to me after I had been sitting there awhile, looking at some of the people's reactions that were looking at me funny. My leaving last night had this kind of effect? I had waited until they were oblivious of my presence there last night before I left, I didn't just walk away in the middle of a conversation. I shook the pastor's son hand, but I was was getting pretty unwound in my mind with all this. This time? I grabbed my things and walked out.
What's next? Dunno. Let some time pass and let the abrasiveness of it all wear away a bit. I am quite interested in finding out what the pastor's wife's beef is with me. I've been NOTHING but nice to her, I simply have no clue. I'm wondering about my future at this church. The church's annual Harvest Festival event is next weekend. They will be wanting help, but I am sure mine won't be appreciated and won't be offered anyway. If I'm asked, I will probably ask what the deal was with their last request for help.
I don't really handle being treated this way by the church too well, considering my past experiences.
Changing the subject, I have spent a lot of hours out front working on the landscaping issues. I can say that there is a LOT left to go! Lol. Trim this, cut that, pull this, plant that. Just now getting the plants I bought a month go planted. That because there was a lot of clearing out and cutting that had to occur first before I could plant all 6 of them. I can happily say they are all planted, I have no idea whether they will take considering colder weather is - allegedly - just around the corner. I say that because it's near the end of October and it's hitting 90 degrees today!! What kind of fall is THAT? IS it officially fall yet?
Well, that's my "release" and I'm going back out there - I was out there earlier working but now I am going to get out the clippers and clip down some things that need some serious trimming.
G'day.
ben
Friday, October 26, 2012
She's Dead, Jim
That's how I look at a retirement "plan" that includes retiring at the age of 80.
80?
I was reading a news article about this, how tough it is for Americans to save and how more and more are upping their retirement age. Well I don't even know if I'll be alive at the age of 80 and if I am, will I even be able to work at that age? Further, WHO is going to hire an 80 year old man? I doubt my company will have me around that long if I happened to be there at the same place until retirement age.
I can tell you right now, at the LATEST, I plan on retiring at the age of 68. I would rather retire earlier than that, but who knows. I do know that I recently upped the percentage taken out of my paychecks to 7%. After the election, I will decide whether to up it to 9% or take a different route. I do have automatic deduction taken out of my paycheck going into a savings account, but it's too easy to get a hold of it. In fact, if I'm down too low on money? Just transfer it to my checking account, online, with the push of a button and it's done.
Not exactly an effective savings plan, going to have to come up with something different.
Changing about statement: after the New Year I will decide whether to up 401k or not. I am waiting to see if these "experts" predictions are going to come true. If they are, no sense in putting more money in there to have it disappear.
I dunno. Seems to be that having a good retirement? I would have to be in my 20's at the place I am at now, not my late 40's.
80?
I was reading a news article about this, how tough it is for Americans to save and how more and more are upping their retirement age. Well I don't even know if I'll be alive at the age of 80 and if I am, will I even be able to work at that age? Further, WHO is going to hire an 80 year old man? I doubt my company will have me around that long if I happened to be there at the same place until retirement age.
I can tell you right now, at the LATEST, I plan on retiring at the age of 68. I would rather retire earlier than that, but who knows. I do know that I recently upped the percentage taken out of my paychecks to 7%. After the election, I will decide whether to up it to 9% or take a different route. I do have automatic deduction taken out of my paycheck going into a savings account, but it's too easy to get a hold of it. In fact, if I'm down too low on money? Just transfer it to my checking account, online, with the push of a button and it's done.
Not exactly an effective savings plan, going to have to come up with something different.
Changing about statement: after the New Year I will decide whether to up 401k or not. I am waiting to see if these "experts" predictions are going to come true. If they are, no sense in putting more money in there to have it disappear.
I dunno. Seems to be that having a good retirement? I would have to be in my 20's at the place I am at now, not my late 40's.
An interesting adventure to figure out how to pump the RV antifreeze through the water system's lines. This trailer isn't set up like that, I found out after going through the entire system and trying to actually find the water pump to see if it has a tube coming off of it to use as an intake to stick into the gallon jugs of antifreeze.
No. Instead, it has lines dropping down underneath the trailer with caps on them. When the water pump is turned on (or if there is a water hose connected to the system), those lines dropping down are pressurized. That's cause they are tee'd off the lines going to the various faucets inside. You need simply remove the caps on those lines sticking down and walaah. All water inside the lines drains out, from the faucets on down simply through gravity.
So, I removed the caps from all of them and am leaving them open until I leave to make sure it's nicely drained. Did I mention that 2 of the caps broke clean off the lines and now I am going to have to replace them? Oh, no, I skipped that little diddy, but there it is. Dry rotted from exposure, I am assuming.
From the looks of it, the fittings simply stick inside the tubing and then you crimp a clamp over it to seal it. So, a couple of fittings, clamps and I am sure a specialty crimping tool that probably costs $25. Oh well.
I sent the Great Danes out this morning and Duke's mouth starting chattering incessantly from the cold. It was, actually, quite humorous, though I am sure he didn't think so, lol.
Mother has projects for me, 2 of which I have completed, another of which I have to go look at. The door on the tool shed is sticking. I dunno if the door needs replaced or if I can just possible remove some of the wood off the side if it's not too bad. However, the main reason I came up here for has been accomplished.
Well, anyway, I'm spending another night up here and then come back in the morning. I have lots to do down there - at home that is - plus there is the outreach on Saturday. Well, I actually may go back today cause' there is so much to do. My point in coming up here has been accomplished and the only other reason I would stay another night is cause' I slept sooooo wonderfully well last night here, well, maybe it's a trend that would go on for 2 nights!
ben
No. Instead, it has lines dropping down underneath the trailer with caps on them. When the water pump is turned on (or if there is a water hose connected to the system), those lines dropping down are pressurized. That's cause they are tee'd off the lines going to the various faucets inside. You need simply remove the caps on those lines sticking down and walaah. All water inside the lines drains out, from the faucets on down simply through gravity.
So, I removed the caps from all of them and am leaving them open until I leave to make sure it's nicely drained. Did I mention that 2 of the caps broke clean off the lines and now I am going to have to replace them? Oh, no, I skipped that little diddy, but there it is. Dry rotted from exposure, I am assuming.
From the looks of it, the fittings simply stick inside the tubing and then you crimp a clamp over it to seal it. So, a couple of fittings, clamps and I am sure a specialty crimping tool that probably costs $25. Oh well.
I sent the Great Danes out this morning and Duke's mouth starting chattering incessantly from the cold. It was, actually, quite humorous, though I am sure he didn't think so, lol.
Mother has projects for me, 2 of which I have completed, another of which I have to go look at. The door on the tool shed is sticking. I dunno if the door needs replaced or if I can just possible remove some of the wood off the side if it's not too bad. However, the main reason I came up here for has been accomplished.
Well, anyway, I'm spending another night up here and then come back in the morning. I have lots to do down there - at home that is - plus there is the outreach on Saturday. Well, I actually may go back today cause' there is so much to do. My point in coming up here has been accomplished and the only other reason I would stay another night is cause' I slept sooooo wonderfully well last night here, well, maybe it's a trend that would go on for 2 nights!
ben
Thursday, October 25, 2012
I was not feeling like driving up to the mountain property after work today - at all. Tired, I have not slept well this week and it's wearing on me. I decided after getting off of work - at the normal time BTW, leaving plenty of time to go up there - to go through the "process" in case I decided to go. The would be stopping at Walmart and getting a space heater (going to be in the mid 40's up there tonight); get disposable dishware and silverware; frozen food (I will figure this out as I go, but the fresh water holding tank is empty and I have no plans of refilling it since I am going to winterize the thing) and other things.
Having done that, I stopped at the gas station and put enough fuel in to get up there and back to Payson, I was hoping perhaps the price of fuel might be cheaper up there as it sometimes is. I get home, sit down at the computer and basically felt like I was in collapse mode. Still plodding along, do limited watering, feed the fish, get everything out and ready to go.
It isn't necessarily point of no return stage, but after getting out the shotgun; the small shop vac; packing a bag; etc etc - I decided to go through with it. The drive didn't actually seem to take that long, even though it was close to 2 hours and it was almost dark when I got up here. JUST enough light left to be able to see the numbers on the combination lock and open it, get the electrical cord plugged into the electrical pedestal and get set up for shop.
I was pleasantly surprised to find no mouse droppings anyway. The mouse traps had not been snapped and the bait food was uneaten. It also smelled very nice in here - I put a Renuzit odor eater gel thing in here when I left last and opened it just a bit. It's about 80% gone but boy, did it smell really nice in here when I got in here.
So there it is. No need to vacuum out the entire trailer, just have to put on the bed linens and that's it. I am going to bed early and hope to sleep somewhat well. It's going to be quite cool up here tonight, but I am prepared for that and am actually looking forward to it.
I turned on the TV and it was a nice experience to have the Direct TV actually come on instead of having to call them and have them re-whatever the system to make it work. I was wondering why all of the creep shows and horror flicks until it dawned on me: today is Halloween. Not a "holiday" I celebrate anymore, so I am not missing out on anything and most of these horror flicks are low-budget garbage that I have no interest in watching.
Onto a different topic. My son has had a deep, ugly cough for a month now. He is completely broke. He wants to get a part time job along with going to college, but he has no energy to do so.
The hospital visit apparently didn't help him all the much and now, I have decided to foot the bill and get him into a doctor's office and have them figure out what's going and how to get rid of it. I will be asking them to give him a steroid shot the same as they did to me the last time I had an ugly cough that wouldn't go away. I have had this same problem all of my life, I guess my son might have got that from me. If he did, it's a pretty ugly thing. Coughing colds can last up to 3 months.
Yes, you read that correctly 3 MONTHS, not weeks. I have to do what I can to get him better, hard to go to college and study and all that while being in that state and then even thinking about getting a job is out of the question.
There are other things, but I am not getting into it now. Too tired.
ben
Having done that, I stopped at the gas station and put enough fuel in to get up there and back to Payson, I was hoping perhaps the price of fuel might be cheaper up there as it sometimes is. I get home, sit down at the computer and basically felt like I was in collapse mode. Still plodding along, do limited watering, feed the fish, get everything out and ready to go.
It isn't necessarily point of no return stage, but after getting out the shotgun; the small shop vac; packing a bag; etc etc - I decided to go through with it. The drive didn't actually seem to take that long, even though it was close to 2 hours and it was almost dark when I got up here. JUST enough light left to be able to see the numbers on the combination lock and open it, get the electrical cord plugged into the electrical pedestal and get set up for shop.
I was pleasantly surprised to find no mouse droppings anyway. The mouse traps had not been snapped and the bait food was uneaten. It also smelled very nice in here - I put a Renuzit odor eater gel thing in here when I left last and opened it just a bit. It's about 80% gone but boy, did it smell really nice in here when I got in here.
So there it is. No need to vacuum out the entire trailer, just have to put on the bed linens and that's it. I am going to bed early and hope to sleep somewhat well. It's going to be quite cool up here tonight, but I am prepared for that and am actually looking forward to it.
I turned on the TV and it was a nice experience to have the Direct TV actually come on instead of having to call them and have them re-whatever the system to make it work. I was wondering why all of the creep shows and horror flicks until it dawned on me: today is Halloween. Not a "holiday" I celebrate anymore, so I am not missing out on anything and most of these horror flicks are low-budget garbage that I have no interest in watching.
Onto a different topic. My son has had a deep, ugly cough for a month now. He is completely broke. He wants to get a part time job along with going to college, but he has no energy to do so.
The hospital visit apparently didn't help him all the much and now, I have decided to foot the bill and get him into a doctor's office and have them figure out what's going and how to get rid of it. I will be asking them to give him a steroid shot the same as they did to me the last time I had an ugly cough that wouldn't go away. I have had this same problem all of my life, I guess my son might have got that from me. If he did, it's a pretty ugly thing. Coughing colds can last up to 3 months.
Yes, you read that correctly 3 MONTHS, not weeks. I have to do what I can to get him better, hard to go to college and study and all that while being in that state and then even thinking about getting a job is out of the question.
There are other things, but I am not getting into it now. Too tired.
ben
Question: Will I get off of work early enough to be able to make the trip up north?
Answer: I'll find out in about 9-1/2 hours from now.
I don't really have any choice. I could put it off for another week - maybe - and hope the temps don't dip down below 32 up there - which they probably won't at least according to the forecasts - but I would really like to get it done and not have to worry about. It being winterizing the trailer up there, that is.
According to forecasts, I don't have to worry about freezing temps until midway through next month and not have to worry about hard freezing temps until apparently in to December. I'm going to keep track of this this year - perhaps winterizing the trailer doesn't really need to take place until sometime in November which gives me more time to go up and enjoy the trailer with running water (versus not).
Whatever the case, in terms of work, it is my Friday and I will have 3 days off : )
Answer: I'll find out in about 9-1/2 hours from now.
I don't really have any choice. I could put it off for another week - maybe - and hope the temps don't dip down below 32 up there - which they probably won't at least according to the forecasts - but I would really like to get it done and not have to worry about. It being winterizing the trailer up there, that is.
According to forecasts, I don't have to worry about freezing temps until midway through next month and not have to worry about hard freezing temps until apparently in to December. I'm going to keep track of this this year - perhaps winterizing the trailer doesn't really need to take place until sometime in November which gives me more time to go up and enjoy the trailer with running water (versus not).
Whatever the case, in terms of work, it is my Friday and I will have 3 days off : )
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