Monday, March 18, 2024

Other Lives

 

Sorry folks. I managed to delete a post. I've put it back, but your comments have been lost. 

 12 out of 12 tomato plants have germinated. My zucchini and cucumbers too. I'm still waiting on 8 pepper plants. That little bit of spring never fails to make me glad. 

We were going to go to an auction today. Here's a link for people who like to look through. The fellow was quite a hunter and there were a lot of mounts. That mystifies me. Why on earth would someone want to hang a trophy that didn't belong to them? But Tim said that one guy snapped up like 75 of them for $100 a pop. There was a lot of art, something that would have appealed greatly to Northsider Dave. We were looking forward to going. We are still getting the feel for this stuff. 

Last night about bedtime, I ended up with quite a gastro issue that kept me up a large portion of the night. I was not feeling terrific this morning either, and felt it was prudent to keep close to the conveniences of home, so off Tim went by himself. 

It was packed and he said that there were no bargains to be had. Furniture selling for thousands. Still, he went and watched and bought a toolbox. (Why am I not surprised?) He brought it home and began to sort through it to see what sort of goodies he had. One of the things was a packet of pamphlets and papers. Turned out it was for a John Deere riding lawnmower. It even had (I'm guessing) a spare key taped to the inside of the owner's manual. 

Tim said, "Huh. A lady bought a John Deere rider there." (He was dumbfounded that she had paid over $4000 for it, which is about the price of a new one.) I said, "Boy, she'd probably like to have that stuff." When Tim mentioned that she seemed to be a friend of the auctioneer, we got the idea to call and leave our contact information at the auction house. We can drop the paperwork off the next time we go through. They keep records of bidder information, and can contact the woman who bought the tractor.

Another thing that was in this packet was warranty information that provided a name and address for the first owner. Because I am a curious soul who is glad that she was not born a cat, I looked up the name. I quickly discovered that he had passed away back in 2022. It provided his wife's name, so I looked that up and discovered that she had passed last fall. 

Little coincidences. They lived about an hour from here, but they had both worked at a factory that Tim's mother had worked at years back. It was interesting to think that they might have known of each other. Tim's cousin is the minister of a Methodist church in that small city. This couple was Methodist. Another link. 

We nosied through the details and coincidences of their lives. It was a second marriage for both of them. She had been widowed in November of 1972, and she had re-married in September of 1976. But that poor woman! Her son died in December of 1977 at the age of 23. Two years after that, her daughter died at age 21. 

Within 6 years, she'd been widowed, remarried, and then lost both of her children. How does a person get past something like that?

Friday, March 15, 2024

Finally...

 Today I got up, skipped my breakfast biscuits and coffee and hotfooted it over to the hospital. It would be good for me to get those extra steps in. (In case anyone is interested, it is 2,897 steps from my house to the main entrance of the hospital.) I signed in at the kiosk once again, took my seat and waited. Before long, I was called back into the registrars office, and guess what??? My orders were in the system. 

I want to make clear that there was no point getting upset about the situation, not really. Inefficient? Sure was. But it was not the fault of the registrars. If the orders aren't there, they aren't there. She asked me if the doctor had given me paperwork. They had. So, it was my fault for not bringing that little stack of papers with me the first time around. Of course, they turned out to be completely useless, which led me to wonder if I'd lost something. I didn't think so. But maybe it was my fault. So when I called the doctor's office, I was still not sure if I had lost or misunderstood something. When he assured me the orders were in the system, well...that explained it. All of you who suggested that the orders were never entered? I believe that is what happened. Could I have blown a big ol' hissy fit? Sure could have. But the thing was, this mistake was not made by the young man I was speaking with. Which brings us back to whose fault it was. I know her. She's a young mother, and at the time, she was going through a very difficult time with one of her children. So...could I have bitched about her. Sure. Jeopardizing her job was not going to make things better in her life. 

So...no...I didn't get mad. 

Anyways, I went back to the lab. The lab tech was very sweet, but OMG. She looked about twelve, for one thing. She was so very nervous for another. She couldn't find my vein in one arm. She asked for back up. A more experienced tech palpated, found the vein, showed it to her, and then returned to her own patient. 

My 12 year old tech continued to tap around the inside of my elbow in an uncertain way. It was starting to make me a bit nervous. I said, "Would you like to try the other arm? Perhaps that would be easier to locate." With relief, she snapped off the tourniquet and we started over. We were both relieved to see a vein pop right up. She got her tubes and set them down and they began to roll. She kept picking them up and setting them down and they'd roll again. I finally said, "Here. I'll hold those." She got ready to put the needle in and her hands were trembling. Actually trembling. I felt bad for her, don't get me wrong, but I was also a bit worried about me

She did a fine job. It didn't hurt at all. She filled both the tubes required, and I said, "Good job!" as she withdrew the needle. I don't even have a bruise, she did such a nice job. 

But, ye gods. The lead-in just about did me in, and I am not usually squeamish about stuff like that. 

I saw the cutest thing today on my walk to the hospital. A herd of preschoolers, led by a large green dinosaur marched down the street, accompanied by a gaggle of teachers and aides. Their little faces were painted. One had a green mustache. There were rainbows. Shamrocks. Pots of gold. Little banners being waved. It was just adorable. I stopped and said, "Oh, I do love parades (spoiler: usually I don't)." I applauded and waved and they waved back to me with the hand that wasn't holding on to the rope with the loops to keep them all in a line. Cutest bunch of little leprechauns I ever saw. 

I am aggravated about one thing though. Remember that big cooker we got yesterday? It works a treat. It really is a nice thing. (Tonight, roasted vegetables and porkchops: Tim pronounced them perfect.) Anyways, paying it forward, I listed both of my smaller airfryers to give away. 20 minutes later, they were claimed. 

Except that I have had no one show up to get them. One person did not return one DM after telling me that she would be here today. The other got irritated when I asked for a time that she would be by. Her fiance does not even get out of work until 4:30. He doesn't get home until 5. I replied, "Well, yeah, that's fine and all. I have things that I needed to get done, and I wanted to arrange things so that we didn't miss each other." It is now 7:30 and I haven't heard from anyone. 

I went down the list and gave one of the fryers to the next woman in line. She was as excited as if she won the lottery. "I work until 7:30 (it was 7:12). Can you hold it for me?" Too funny. I assured her I would hold it. 

Who would have thought it would be so hard to give stuff away?



Thursday, March 14, 2024

Silver Linings.

 The thing that I didn't tell you all is that when I went for my bloodwork the day before yesterday, I couldn't get it done. She had no orders on file. 

This morning, I got up once again and headed over to the hospital to get those darned labs done. I took the two papers I'd been given from the doctor's office. (Yes, Andrew, I was nicely dressed, wearing makeup, and my hair was neatly styled.) I signed in once again, and I ironically got the same registrar that I had the last time. I handed her the paperwork from the doctor. She said, "Well...these aren't orders. Either the patient has the orders, or the doctor puts them into our system. We don't have anything in the system." She got up. "Let me check one more place." I said, "You checked there two days ago, and I wasn't there either." She said, "I did, didn't I?" I said, "Well, I will have to call the doctor's office and find out what's going on. This needs to get straightened out. I have skipped coffee twice this week." She made a horrified sympathetic face. I said, "Well, fortunately, everyone has lived." She laughed and said, "THAT'S good news." I told her I'd see her next time, and off I went. 

Tim was waiting in the car with coffee, the good man.

By the way, remember that nicely dressed woman who seemingly jumped line? I figured it out today. The fourth registrar is for appointments. When you sign in to the kiosk, you list whether you are there for labs, imaging, or appointments. The appointments are handled at the fourth window. So that's one curiosity solved. I don't know whether anyone has bought the used lipstick though. 

Anyways, I called the doctor's office as we drove to Erie for Tim's appointment. The office person explained to me that the orders were in the system and all I had to do was come into the hospital, and the registrar would see them. "But that's my point," I said. "I went there on Tuesday, and they had nothing. I went back today carrying the instructions from the doctor that said what needed to be done. She said that she needed the actual orders and there is nothing in the system." 

Long pause. I was put on hold. 

He came back on and said that apparently my orders had been "lost", and that he would resubmit them. 

So. Tomorrow, I will skip breakfast and coffee once again. 

But every cloud has a silver lining. Because I did not have the blood work done, we ended up getting to Erie about a hour early. Tim asked what we should do until then. I suggested checking out a thrift store. He wasn't enthusiastic but he went with along with it. We walked in the door and after a quick look around, he said, "They don't have anything. I'll just sit here and wait." 

I had a look around and I found a banana hanger. Tim eats one half a banana on his cornflakes every morning, and the bananas sit in a bowl. This might help them last longer. So I picked it up.


I found two ghost stories for William, and the boy does love a good ghost story, so I picked them up as well. I walked on and saw this: 



The thing did not appear to have ever been used. The plastic cap was still over the prongs of the cord. The manuals were all there. We have two small airfryers, but this would allow me to cook a whole meal at once instead of batches. It was $9.99. 

I don't think that Tim was too impressed really, but we bought it. Just to use it, we had homemade frenchfries and I made fish sandwiches to go with. He was happy with supper. He was happier yet when he came out to price them on line. They run, new, from $149.99 to $299.99 (the high price is the price on the NuWave site.) 

"Holy cow!" he said, "you really have an eye for this stuff! I don't know how you do it!" He laughed all the way out to the livingroom. It made his day.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The Addict.

Drug addiction is a terrible thing. We know of an addict who needs help desperately. Can't hold down a job. Has no desire to. Felon, and proud of it, Rehab doesn't work. Homeless. No car. His relationships do not last because he's not looking for a partner. He's looking for someone to take care of him. Support him financially, feed his ego, feel sorry for him. I mean, I really could go on and on. He fancies himself quite charming, and I suppose initially it's easy to make that mistake, but once the charmer's in, all bets are off. 

And, let's be clear: he's a very dangerous man.

And yet...yet...from the outside looking in, I see a boy who grew up under the worst circumstances. The very worst and from the outside looking in, I find sympathy uncurling inside of me. I can't help it. I am a sap.

But I'm a smart sap, one who knows better than to let her heart rule her common sense. I've been down this path before. It leads to chaos. This addict dces not want to change his life. He is not my responsibility. 

I take a deep breath and save the sympathy for the feral cats. 

It's just a thing that's troubled me today. 

We worked on the wiring today. Tim has a therapy appointment in Erie tomorrow, but we hope to be back at the job Friday. We're hoping to be done with that part of things by the weekend.  Then on to the plumbing. 

Something affirming has happened. Tim has been saying that I look skinnier. I thought he was being polite. He knows that I'm dieting and exercising, and I figured that he was just trying to be encouraging. The scales show the pounds coming off, but so. very. slowly. I've noticed that my pants seem to fit more loosely, but I thought it was wishful thinking. 

Today, I got out a summer-weight tee shirt and slipped it on. I was so shocked. It is plain to see that I am thinner. Tim came into the bathroom while I was still dumbfounded at the discovery. He looked at me. I said, "I AM skinnier!" He said, "Well...yeah...I told you that you were..."

That's a great encouragement. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Curious

 I needed to get some bloodwork done at the hospital. It was fasting bloodwork, so it was one of those things that needs to get knocked off early in the morning. I regularly skip breakfast, but skipping my coffee is haaaaaaaardddddd. (Also ill advised)

Anyways, I got a pair of sweats on, and a bulky sweater with easy to roll up sleeves. We were headed to the new build as soon as I was done, and so I was dressed to work. I signed in and I was 6th on the list which appeared on the monitors in the waiting area.

As I waited, a tall woman, perfectly groomed, perfectly dressed, high heels, leather coat, came in and signed in as well. Her name appeared at the bottom of the list. She took a seat across from me, and I started with that niggling sort of inadequate feeling. Plain-jane, dressed for a day working, no make up at all, hair neat, but not styled. I felt a bit awkward in my carhart sweatshirt (actually it was Tim's but I wear it for work). 

I always find myself wondering what it is like to be self assured and perfect. I am not those things. As I awkwardly watched the monitor and tried not to look awkward, I was much surprised to see that although she was at the bottom of the list, she was called to the registrar's office next. 

Obviously she was someone of importance. I wondered who she was, and why she would receive priority. I was so very curious about this. 

We worked at the new house today, on the wiring. Tomorrow we will work on it some more. 

I saw something that I have never, ever seen before. There is a local garage sale site. Yes. It is on facebook. I keep track of the kids and the grands, and the relatives, but I do not comment. I checked out the garage sale site, and I saw, much to my amazement that someone was selling used LIPSTICK!!!! It had only been used once she claimed, and she did not like the shade. She had 8 tubes she was selling for $4. 

Used lipstick! Once again, I'm very curious.

Monday, March 11, 2024

I Can See Clearly Now...


This is the south side of the house. Tim made a design change, deciding to put 3 windows on this side of the house.  So, these are the two windows that we put in the area that is our livingroom. The windows are short enough that a sofa can be slipped in under them. 



The narrow window is to the left of the door. He really wanted a window so that you could quickly see who was at the door. The door lies to the left of those two livingroom windows in the last picture. This little nook will hold a six foot log bench. Underneath it will be the boot tray and a wooden box to hold mittens and hats. There will be hooks installed in the corner to hang coats. 


This is my design feature. Can you guess what it is? 

I'll tell you. It is our computer area. I wanted a little window to provide light. It is tucked away in the little cubby between the outer wall and what will be, at some point, a walled in stairwell. Tim put his own special touch in that corner as well. 





This is my kitchen. That window will be above my kitchen sink. That second window, to the left is actually in a different room (well it will be once the plumbing and wiring is inspected, and we can get the insulation in and the drywall up). Anyways, that will be the pantry. It is big enough for the hoosier cabinet, and a couple of wheeled steel shelving units, the idea being that I want an easily cleanable space. It is where the vacuum and the broom and mop will be stored as well. 

So there you have it. Windows. 

Tomorrow, we will resume rough wiring. We hope to have that done by the end of the week. 

Then we will start on the plumbing. 

PS: I admitted it to Tim. He was right about the windows. I can see clearly now...and they make everything much brighter. 

Here's a shot for all you photograpers out there: 


Saturday, March 9, 2024

What Now?

Well, I am sad to report that we have finished all the episodes of Antiques Roadtrip.

We got the last two windows framed in. It was cold and rainy outside. It will be changing to snow sometime tonight and snowing all day tomorrow. We decided to wait to actually cut out and install the windows until Monday.

Surprisingly, Tim is being very cautious about the coming bad weather. He has decreed that we need to stay home tomorrow. He's not sure he will even go to church. 

I imagine he'll find something to entertain himself. I have two new recipes to try. Beer fries (in the airfryer) and some molasses cookies. 

If I was a betting woman, I'd lay odds that this is, once again, overblown hype and that we will not get much of anything though. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. 



Other Lives

  Sorry folks. I managed to delete a post. I've put it back, but your comments have been lost.   12 out of 12 tomato plants have germina...