Claudias Thoughts

VALENTINES DAY

2012-02-14T18:32:00.001-05:00

I looked at the dates of my last posting and it really has been a while. What have I been doing? I went to visit my daughter and we spent five days just bumming around and doing some shopping. We ate lunch out a lot….It is nice now that she has regular days off and can do things other than work during the week.

I am happy to report that Lucy, the cat, is well on the mend. She had the remaining of her tubes removed and is currently sleeping under the coffee table. Lucy still has the e-collar on so she does not lick her incision. Hopefully that will be healed in a few days. A few clumps of matted fur has appeared because she has not been able to groom herself. Lucy always is perfectly groomed, and her appetite is back to normal.

We have been getting threats of snow and ice, but none of it has materialized today. My worry is rain turning to ice. The winter has not ben bad or Western PA. I look at the snow pictures of Eastern Europe and I am amazed at the snow that appears to be about eight foot deep, with deep slices in it in the process of plowing the roads.

This evening we went to Outback Steakhouse, we got there at about 4:15 and it was already crowded. When we left about an hour later it was standing room only for dinner. We went early because neither of likes to wait. The steak was good and it is nice to go out to eat.

I have not planned anything for tomorrow but I am willing to be it may involve cleaning up.

INTERESTING WEEK

2012-02-03T16:20:00.001-05:00

This has been a very interesting week. On Saturday night Lucy our cat vomited, which is not quite unusual in our pets. Usually they will do that on the newest and lightest color rug.

Sunday she was refusing to eat or drink at all. Monday off to the vet for her. The long and the short of it was the cat had a bowel obstruction due to a fur ball. I am glad I did not have to observe that.

The cat has surgery and we brought her home today. She is wearing a Elizabethan collar and has to restrict her activity, no playing, running or stairs. She has a special formula for awhile and I hope soon she decided to ear her food.

Currently she is asleep on the couch. She looks happy to be home and there went the Income Tax Refund.

FINISHED PURGING THE BASEMENT

2012-01-29T15:52:00.001-05:00

I can say now that the metamorphous of the basement is complete, unless I decided to go through a Round Two. That may happen but it will not be anytime soon. I think I have just exhausted myself mentally with the past few weeks of work.

Now I have to scan and copy the remains of our parents paper lives. It is amazing what I have found, things I did not know exist because some of the boxes have been downstairs before I started on my genealogical quest.

The things are all in good shape and that is because I have always had a dehumidifier, and kept the basement at about 60% humidity. My next project will be to set up the computer and scanner in a place it will not be disturbed by cats. The cats are getting elderly and are not really interested in jumping up, or perhaps, the have a bit of arthritis and are unable to jump.

My long term plan will be to tackle the attic next, but that will be in the spring because of the heat up in that space. I do not know how hot it gets but I made a mistake one year and tried to store a few Christmas candles and they morphed into a blob of melted wax. Anything stored after that fiasco is now virtually indestructible.

STILL IN THE CLEANING MODE

2012-01-24T19:13:00.001-05:00

This weeks activities still involve even more cleaning. We moved a lot of assorted things from the top of some cabinets and made an area, about six feet long, for Chuck to have a work area. After all the things that were there were gone I was able to clean the windows and wash the panels for the window.

I took my books to Half Price Books and got a few dollars. I know that is not a lot of money and actually they do not pay very much for your books. I was glad to get them out of the house. The main problem with those books is the fact that they were old and the lady said she would recycle most of them.

Also a stop at the thrift store for a drop off and then again home.

I still have more to do, and then there is the pseudo attic and it has boxes too. I think a person should move every five years or so because there is nothing like a move to get a person to clean out their “special stuff.”

BASEMENT PURGING

2012-01-19T19:02:00.001-05:00

This week I have started on moving things to their new final destination. I took two printers and some random cords (where are the items to which they were attached?)

Other things were clothing, and sort of odds and ends, plastic ware, cups and glasses. A few books of uncertain source, a lot of these things were in boxes that Emily brought home from college c. 2004.

I have reconsolidated things and eliminated about eight to ten boxes, and that was the first pass through.

If the snow continues I should start on some remaining boxes this weekend. I still have about twenty to thirty books and their destination will be Half Price Books.

That is really the sum of my activities this week. Other than cooking and eating out.

I am starting a new blog. MY PHOTOS...FILM TO DIGITAL this will require me to go through another few boxes and scan the best. I have forty years worth so I suppose I could post a few pics per week, if not daily.

TRYING TO CLEAN OUT FORTY YEARS OF BOXES

2012-01-09T13:53:00.001-05:00

I have decided that I need to clean out. This was prompted by a discovery last week that the sewer needed to be unstopped and I was overwhelmed by the accumulation of junk (??) in the basement. Why is it there? We can’t throw it away, must be some inertia. None of this stuff was involved in the sewage incident but the time has come to purge.

I went through a few boxes this morning. The problem is what to do with this stuff. If you have forgotten that it exists, do you really need it? We have quite a few boxes of books from the past forty years. They are either going to the used book store or the library for their sale. There must be some other people who want these books, or perhaps I should dump them in the recycle paper bin.

If I check eBay I know I am done….When my sibs and I cleaned my fathers house after his death we wondered why he saved all this stuff. I think I have it figured it out, he could not get rid of it. I am feeling somewhat the same myself……………

I AM SORT OF A FRUGAL PERSON…

2011-12-30T11:35:00.001-05:00

Actually, my daughter once said I was cheap. I am not one to spend money if I feel that the value is not there. Yesterday I went to Office Max to get ink for my printer.

I have an Epson CX5000 and the ink was gone. It is an old model but I had just set it up a few months ago because the previous HP model was (c. 2004) was not working.

I needed black and the color printer colors. What to my shock and amazement (and believe me it takes a lot to shock me) was the cost of the four cartridges, approximately $60. What could I buy for $60, I looked at some printers and I could get a new printer from $79 to $120, and some of them were wireless.

Buy ink two times and I could buy the equivalent of the higher priced printers. Printer ink is worth more than the printer. Back to the drawing board for me. I had a consult with the husband and only bought the black, I have not installed it yet, but if the computer tells me I can not operate it with out the other three I will not be surprised.

I have to look into a new printer and on my list is a wireless, so all the computers can use it, a laser jet printer and I will not have to buy ink. I have to check the pros and cons of this upcoming project and the price of toner for laser jet.

BACK TO THINKING AND POSTING.

2011-12-29T20:28:00.001-05:00

I do not know what the problem is but I, again, have not been posting. It is almost the new year and I decided not to make any resolutions because I do not keep them.

However, I have decided that we need to eat better and get some exercise. I want to post on this blog what food changes I make. Theoretically, if I post it perhaps I can keep on with the change.

Pecan Chicken, this meal is from a Chinese cookbook that I have owned for about twenty eight years. It contains a red and green pepper, pecans and chicken in smaller chunks.

The recipe calls to deep fry the pecans, but that would be a higher in calories and a waste of oil. You sauté the pecans and then add the peppers, after a few minutes they are removed and then chicken is placed in the hot wok. When the chicken is cooked you add the pepper and pecan mixture and all the prescribed sauce. This is served with steamed white rice, after the rice is gone I plan to buy brown rice because of its better nutritional value.

I did not get any exercise today, but plan to do that soon. I love the wok, my wok is about thirty five years old and I just recently got a newer one that is smaller and has wooden handles. I kept burning my finger on the old wok.

I saw a show on television and it talked about how difficult it is to find the old carbon steel woks. Now I have two.

Any recipes will be published upon request, or perhaps I will just publish the Pecan Chicken recipe tomorrow. For dinner tomorrow you will just have to wait and see. That means it is not planned yet….

ANOTHER WINTER AND HOW TO GET SCREWED BY THE WORKS DEPARTMENT

2011-12-18T09:32:00.001-05:00

Every winter it is the same thing over and over again. The road service for my section of the plan is abysmal at best. I have complained in previous winters but all I get is a run around how they have 400 miles of road and mine is not a “priority” street.

Right now it is a sheet of ice and I can see across the highway and that road was clear when I got up at 7 AM. During the blizzard of 2010 we had two feet of snow on the street and it took them 48 hours to get an initial plowing.

The only thing I can imagine is that they plow the Work Department employees streets first, followed the “officials” next, then the rich people streets and if there is any salt left possibly mine.

I like to post a message on Facebook but they do not have an account. Guess the service is so bad they do not want to deal with any potential postings.

IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION.....

2011-12-10T18:21:00.001-05:00

That I have not written since the day after Thanksgiving.   I really do not know what I have been doing, I guess my life has been so mundane that there is nothing to report. I have been busy with the genealogy research.

I wanted to go to the Christmas Flower show at the Phipps and on Friday the weather forecast called for a cold, blustery day with snow showers.   I decided to go on Sunday. Well, today turned out to be sunny, I will be mad if tomorrow is cold, overcast and blustery.   Going to the Phipps is a planned event. First you have to check to see if there is any football or other sport being played at the local Universities and make you plans after that.

I like to go early on Sunday because people are either sleeping or in church.   I will take my camera and post some pictures tomorrow. Nothing going on, really. I think that is a good thing when you can consider all the bad things that can happen.

BLACK FRIDAY

2011-11-28T14:07:00.001-05:00

After writing my last post about where Thanksgiving has gone, I must go on to where did sanity go? You read a lot about the most dangerous cities in America and I have to paraphrase it, sort of.

The most dangerous place in American is Wal-Mart on Black Friday. I was honestly surprised by the number of so called people who were acting like animals. Wait a minute, perhaps the animals act better. No, they do act better, especially mother animals taking care of their offspring.

I read the list of Wal-Mart episodes all over the country and the acts of violence inflicted upon their fellow man. What even gave them the idea that this might be a good idea? Or where they thinking at all, I suppose not.

Perhaps this is the beginning of the decline of society in general. Rules are no longer followed, everyone wants something for nothing and everyone thinks they are special. No one is responsible for themselves, but YOU are responsible for everyone.

My other though is amongst the violence and mayhem that occurred that night, how were their profits? If you subtract out the price of security, damages that were caused, potential lawsuits and the if one can imagine, how much losses could be attributed to shoplifting in that chaos.

I would be willing to bet it was high with individuals mad that they did not get one of the two items that were there discounted for the most fleetest of foot. Also people who would take advantage of the situation to help themselves because they felt they are entitled to it.

Entitlement, don’t let me get started on that subject today……

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THANKSGIVING?

2011-11-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

I am talking about the Holiday where there were no stores open and everyone spent time with their families. The change has been insidious over the past few years. I found it annoying that the retail stores have the need to squeeze out the spirit of the holiday for the almighty dollar. If you read the news there have been a lot of protests from the people who are required to work tonight while the stores are opening at eight PM. I am willing to bet that the people who came up with the idea are at home with their families.

I will not be out this evening nor will I be out shopping all weekend. I can not stand the crowds pushing and shoving to save a few bucks on things, people jousting and pulling things from the hands of others and sitting in the cold and rain for the first shot at the doors to get some bargain where there are four items.

I will be home, ensconced in my bed, enjoying the tryptophan rush from the turkey

WHERE I HAVE BEEN AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING…..

2011-11-17T19:24:00.001-05:00

October and November seem to have flown by. In October Chuck and I went to Williamsburg VA, although we are both retired I went to a conference because I wanted to keep up my certification for two more years. “Just in case..” as Emily put it when she was six when I asked her if she wanted to see Santa. “I don’t believe he is real, but I will see him just in case.” So, I will recertify my Nursing Specialty. I have no plans of working but who knows what the fates have in store.

Our trip to Williamsburg was great, we had the afternoons off and since we stayed at the Williamsburg Lodge we got a discount on the tickets. Chuck is fascinated by the way things were done years ago.

I do not know if we will return, but it was a good trip.

Then in November I went to visit my friend Ruth and her daughter and husband. We went to Asheville and that is a great town, the weather was cool and wind brisk. We visited a few shops and an antique store and had lunch. On Saturday we went on a winery tour courtesy of James. Sarah’s husband, it was a Christmas Gift to Ruth and the rest of us went along. It was great. We visited four wineries and they have wine tasting. You pay a nominal fee, taste about seven wines and keep the glass.

Claudia, Ruth and James with Evelyn. This was the first stop on the trip. Picture was taken by Sarah, James wife and Evelyn’s mother.

Evelyn was interested in the red wine.

My idea of group therapy.

We tasted wine till sundown and then off to dinner. It was a great trip and we all went home on Monday.

WINTER SIGHTS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE

2011-11-06T14:48:00.001-05:00

These pictures were taken in Pennsylvania after the Nor’easter in late October.

UPDATE

2011-11-04T20:42:00.001-04:00

I have not been too focused on Blogging. The past week we went to Williamsburg VA, I attended a conference and Chuck hung out.    I wanted to get re-certified for two more years, just in case. In case, who knows what the next two year will bring.

The day before we left it snowed.   As of today I am reading that people are still out of power.   On the way on the PA Turnpike last Sunday we say convoys of tree removal trucks headed East on the pike.   I suppose they were going to cut trees but a week later I can not imagine the amount of damage.

The drive down to Williamsburg was uneventful. What I did see and surprised me was the number of people texting while driving I95.   If anyone had driven this road you would be shock to think that anyone would think of doing texting.

Down I 95 it is three to four lanes with everyone going 70 MPH.   It was very scarey to see those fools doing that. We stayed at the WILLIAMSBURGH LODGE because that is where the conference was given.   It was a nice place next to Colonial Williamsburg. The cost was discounted and we spent two days walking about and see the exhibits of the way it was in 1775.   It is a nice place to visit once in a lifetime.

I visited with my brother who lives in the area.   Chuck wanted to see the VIRGINIA WAR MUSEUM Which was much more interesting to him than to me.   We had a good time.   The classes were only in the mornings, which left the afternoons to sight see.

OCTOBER SNOW

2011-10-29T13:54:00.001-04:00

Would you believe it, it is snowing. We are only to get 1 to 3 inches, but it is SNOW. There is just enough to make the roads messy and icy tonight when the temperature drops.

The earliest I can remember snow was on October 25, and I remember that because it is my brothers birthday. But, I do not remember the year.

I shall be happy that it is not the 8 to 10 inches forecast in the Poconos.

PHIPPS FALL FLOWER SHOW

2011-10-23T14:48:00.001-04:00

Today I took a trip to Phipps Conservatory to see the Fall Flower Show. The past few shows I have been disappointed because the number of flower has been very Spartan. When I go I expect to see wall to wall flower and plants in the beds. Today I was extremely surprised, the whole place was ablaze with color. I like the orange, reds and golds the best. Actually I had thought about skipping the show, but since I am a member I just went. Now I am looking forward to see the Winter Show, which will start the day after Thanksgiving.

A TIME TO REST

2011-10-16T16:24:00.001-04:00

This has been such a busy month, and I do not know why. Perhaps I do. Chuck had the surgery on his wrist and a visit to the daughters was in order. She and I spent time sightseeing, shopping and cleaning. I guess the minutia of getting the house ready for winter was somewhat tackled.

What we did was trimming the shrubs and collecting the branches and weeding the garden. The new windows pop open for easy cleaning on the outside from the inside of the house.

We did go to Binghamton NY to eat at a Vegetarian restaurant. We check the website and decided we wanted to go. It was a disappointment in the fact that it had suffered damage in the floods of a month ago, but no word or statement about the restaurant being closed was on the website. With all the information out there in the different cities the people who own these establishments should realize that a simple note would be a kindness to those who do not live in that city. We will go again when the damage is repaired and hopefully it will be open.

A few pictures of Tunkhannock Falls and Gorge, which was a nice hike. I wonder what it will look like in the winter.

The Finger Lakes Region of New York State has many water falls and they are really impressive.

UP TO DATE……

2011-10-02T20:09:00.001-04:00

For the past few years Chuck has been having pain in both wrists, which is due to arthritis. He was taking Celebrex and lately it has not been helping much. I wonder how bad it would have been if he had stopped taking it? So, last week he had surgery on his right wrist, which was hurting the most. The hand guy went in and removed some small bones and rearranged a few bones. I watched the video on uTube and it was not a pretty sight.

In the pre-op area we had discussed post op pain control and a peripheral never block with the anesthesiologist for post-op pain control. I am so glad we had and were consented because he was having so much pain. After the nerve block we went home and his pain relief lasted for about 18 hours. He is getting better and strangely the pain was a lot less with the addition of the Celebrex along with the pain killer. He is on the mend.

So, what of all the time to happen, would yesterday be the day that rain would start dripping from the kitchen ceiling. I had been raining for a few days and it picked this week to come in the house. Choices, not many. I told him to call a roofing guy. Chuck thought he could get up on the roof and fix it (with a cast on his right arm no less) I did not think it would be a good idea for him to be on the roof in the rain, with a freshly operated upon arm. I told him if he fell of and got killed I would have to call the roof guy to finish the job anyway.

So, I whose mantra is never volunteer, volunteered to go and caulk the shingles with tar. Number one I do not like to get dirty, do not like to get wet, and do not like heights. The place where the leak was located is quite close to where the electric supply comes into the house. I did not like that idea either. The good part was it had temporarily quit raining for an hour or so. I did not have rain on my head, just the rain on my body from lying on the roof.

Under his instruction, I spent about a half hour squeezing the tar on the edges and on the shingles. I got dirty……and wet. I am sorry to say that the leak had not completely stopped but has slowed down. He still thinks he is going to get on the roof, I think he should wait till the cast is off, which will be in about two and a half weeks.

Bad Karma is all I can say. Well, not so bad, no one got hurt in this process.

INVASION OF THE STINK BUGS

2011-09-25T16:31:00.001-04:00

The MARMORATED STINK BUGS have now decided it is time to come inside for the winter. These ugly critter just appeared a few years ago and they are really ugly and stink if squashed. I think they came from China. They do not harm humans but are devastating to the agricultural business. Millions of dollars lost because they sample the fruit and vegetables.

When the summer turns to autumn they decided, it is time to find someplace warm for the winter and they will come in the house. Our house is pretty well sealed but those critters were still getting in. Chuck spends a lot of time catching and throwing them outside. (DO NOT SQUASH THEM- THEY STINK AND THE SCENT WILL ATTRACT OTHERS.) I checked the windows and the doors and still did not see an entry. One more idea popped into my head, could they possible be coming in the fireplace???

Chuck opened the glass doors and inside, hanging on the metal curtain (to prevent the embers coming out) were about fifteen bugs, all holding on the metal mesh. The next step was biochemical warfare, us vs. the bugs. We have to see how that treatment goes and the next step will be to seal up the fireplace with a piece of transparent plastic.

This is war………….

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT...

2011-09-15T20:13:00.000-04:00

Not really, but it is going to be cool......and that's the way I like it.   I seem to be lacking in the news department.   I wanted to post every day but I find I have nothing newsworthy to write about. All in all my life is pretty mundane, but I suppose most people are like that.

Today I spent at my volunteer job. I am researching records for the Diocese of
Pittsburgh,   This is for genealogical research, people who are searching for their ancestors. It is funny, on the web site it gives instruction on what the records contain and what information we can give you, but people still write and ask for things like death certificates, and cemetery information.

My husband said, as he thought too, that all this information is on computer and all we have to do it hit a button.   I am searching through manually written records from the past 100 to 200 years.   Many are faded and written in a old script. Some of the parishes have well documented records and others are bare bones.   Some parishes have complete records and for most many are missing.

Tomorrow will be an exciting day, I will be cleaning.   WOO_WOO I hate to clean...I ought to do a survey on that one........

THE WEATHER AND DISASTER

2011-09-09T20:09:00.001-04:00

I have spent the past few days worrying about the weather and the daughter.
She lives in NE PA and the rain of the remnants of Lee have been on everyone’s mind. The rain they have received was about 10 inches over two days.   There was no rain in her basement, nor was she flooded. Which is a great plus.

For two days the OR schedule has been cancelled because of the flood.   Her water has to be boiled and this morning she received notice that the sewer system is down.
But she is much better than the people a mile or so south because their levee was breached and town flooded.

Chuck is going up on Sunday and taking along some bottled water and hand sanitizer.   There is one evacuation center that takes pets.   I remember reading that the reason a lot ofpeople did not leave New Orleans was because they could not take their pets. The local Tractor supply store donated cages for the dogs and Wall-Mart donated water.   Pizza Hut donated pizzas for thepeople in the shelter.

What I was surprised about was the local town Sayre PA gave up to date information on their page. I had checked the Bradford County Facebook but nothing was posted.
The daughter just informed me the cable was out.   My reply was be happy you have electricity.

She has never had to deal with any disaster before.

GUESS IT IS TIME TO REINSTALL WRITER

2011-08-30T13:35:00.000-04:00

In the last post I had written that I was having problems with the margins on this blog. Well, I added a new blog FOUND AT AN AUCTION, which is a photo genealogy blog, and now my two other blogs have disappeared from Live Writer. What I had been thinking of now has become a necessity.

The daughter reported that it rained a lot on Sunday, courtesy of Irene, she said it sounded like a high pressure washer hitting the house. The good news is no flooding. no water in the basement, and trees down at her house.

In Western Pennsylvania all we got were clouds and a north wind. I am happy about that for sure.

WHAT IS GOING ON....

2011-08-22T19:58:00.000-04:00

I am having a problem with the margins on this blog and I do not see to find a tab for setting the margins, or is it just on Live Writer?

Nothing going on here, I was all set to write a rant and could not decide which one to choose first. About one week ago I downloaded the NEWEST Firefox and had trouble connecting since then....So, today I uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it.

But prior to that I did a system restore and took it back one week. With the new install it is running much better but I still have to check the Live Writer. Sometimes I just get tired of all the troubles with the computer. At least I have a clue what is going on and how to fix it....that is a great plus.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2011-08-20T08:39:00.001-04:00

"It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which give 
happiness."
 - Thomas Jefferson

This is as true today as it was two hundred years ago.

ROAD TRIP WITH MY SISTERS

2011-08-01T20:14:00.001-04:00

I hope the brothers are not jealous. We are going on a road trip to visit the daughter. Chuck will be home at the cat ranch. All they do is sleep and eat, mostly sleep. On our first day there we do not have much to do since it is a long drive and also it is tiring.

One of Emily’s co-workers suggested a trip to TAUGHANNOCK FALLS which is a little north of Ithaca NY. It seems to be that you can walk around the entire gorge. The falls look spectacular. The FALLS look spectacular, I inserted this link because Wednesday seemed to be the coolest day but with a chance of rain. Another thing on our itinerary is to visit the CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS , WELLSBORO PA and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

We have no schedule, just a few days off and the weather looks good. So we will take water and possibly a few trail snacks and a camera. We’re all excited.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2011-07-28T16:23:00.000-04:00

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get 
used to the idea."


 - Robert A. Heinlein

And that's the truth....

SERVICE CALL AND THE TELEPHONE

2011-07-26T09:11:00.001-04:00

I must admit the Technician from Comcast showed up on time and was very professional. When he arrived I told him that I was able to connect the Wi-Fi myself and that problem had been solved..by me. He said he was very glad because he had trouble with the Wi-Fi and he always had to call tech support when he had jobs with wireless. WHAT????? I thought myself.

The phone problem was easily solved. He had a handy dandy hand help phone device that he connected to the back of the Xfinity modem. “You don’t have a dial tone.” “I know that, that’s why I called for help” said I.

Then he just called tech support on his special phone and they ran an analysis and decided that it was something in the bowels of Comcast place of operation that they fixed manually at wherever it was located. I could hear others working in the background. After about ten minutes the problem was fixed. I was going to ask about how the Wi-Fi showed up a day later and decided he was more clueless than I was. It was decided to forgo that discussion and chalk it up to magic.

I guess I should set up my voice mail, that should be (?????) pretty straight forward, LOL.

BEFORE THEY COMPLAIN AGAIN…

2011-07-24T10:25:00.001-04:00

I better get started on my blog. I haven’t found any butt shots to print, so you are all off the hook, for now…….

I am having ongoing computer network problems. Last week (Wednesday) it started that we lost connectivity with THE NETWORK.

What drives me crazy is the fact some demon in the computer tells me to “contact the network administrator” I am the freaking administrator, so who exactly am I suppose to contact. I spoke to my B-I-L , who gave me some ideas. The problem was with Chucks computer, it would not connect to the internet, no matter how hard I tried. I reinstalled the network and when through all sorts of gyrations to do that. At b-i-l’s suggestions Chuck purchased a device that looks like a flash drive and it connects via a mini router (??) which captures the signal and then delivers it via the UBS port. Hot dog it’s a go. A few hours after the installation of the remote modem he has no internet.

Next, I could not get on the internet either. So a quick call to Comcast and it was determined that the router was not working……They would send me one, but that left me computer-less (GRRRRRRRR) for 5 to 7 business days. A new router was about $30 dollars or so. Off to Best Buy and it was purchased. Back home and in an hours time I had it up and running. TA DA So earlier this week the new, handy dandy, combination router/modem with XFINITY on its face plate, it is black and shiny and impressive looking. It came with innumerable cords, tacks and a cable splicing (??) unit. Plus other things that I have yet to identify.

Yesterday I decided to give the installation a whirl. The directions were pretty clear but the first item listed in the instruction book was to connect to get the software to start the process to get it to work. IT WOULD NOT CONNECT.. a quick call to tech support (LORD, I LOVE THEM, ENGLISH IS THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE) After a quick assessment of my situation Bill determined that the Xfinity device had to be connected first. I told Bill, it does not state that this should be connect first because in the book it tells me to how to connect to get the download program. It can not be downloaded till it is connected.

I had to replace two items into one and the easiest was it to take them apart and connect one by one into a similar receptacle…….mission accomplished. This took me back to download of the program and just as Bill said the sucker worked. Next on the agenda was to configure the software and choose and enter Network names and password and the security name and code. The instructions were good and I managed to muddle along and get it done. The final set, or so I thought, was to enter the security into the family computers….that was easy enough, and with my first test I could not connect. Back to tech support, an online option was available and I was connected to Nicholas. After an explanation and fifteen minutes doing who knows what he sent me a Google link and asked me to click, yes I was connected to the WWW on all computers.

First sign of trouble was the daughter called on my mobile and asked what was wrong with the house phone??????? No dial tone was the answer….but why? Then Chuck announced we had no internet…………….sure enough we did not. Back to Comcast and tech support…..this time a real person…..at that time we had no phone and no internet. After about a half hour time it was determined that an in house Service Call was in order and MONDAY was the day. “Is that time and day OK?” Well, what other choice do I have. In this third service consultation I found I could connect via the Ethernet cable to the black and shiny Xfinity box, but still no phone.

I am sure the gremlins were at work because this morning, while I was going to entertain myself with solitaire, the little icon indicated that the wireless was working. Lo and Behold it was, so I decided to check Chucks computer and even it was on. What the hell is going on? Why would it not work yesterday and today it is working?

Still no phone service and one of the computers I still can not get to connect. Guess I have to wait till tomorrow and write part two of this post which has morphed into a saga……….

COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT

2011-07-17T14:16:00.000-04:00

I stopped by my sisters house today to pick up my Crock Pot that was used for my other nieces graduation party. So. they told me I hadn't posted anything on this blog since the story about the Post Office. Well, what shall I write about......this place is dullsville and nothing going on.

I told them I was going to set them up with a gmail account and blog so they could write too. I did mention that I had posted on my genealogy blog and they should read it. They said they checked it and there was nothing since Wordless Wednesday. I think I will scan some pictures of them and post them.....

ASTONISHED AT THE MONROEVILLE PA POST OFFICE

2011-07-06T14:15:00.000-04:00

Being very skeptical and I am not too surprised at much, I was surprised this morning by the USPS.   I went to the Post Office in Monroeville PA, at around 10:30 AM.    There was one clerk and ten people in line, that did not surprise me.   After a few minutes the clerk called next and the next man in line went to the counter.

"I am here to get my Passport" he said.   Said she, "Do you have an appointment?"   "No, I called this morning and a man told me that they started at 10:30 and I brought my Birth Certificate that I was told to bring"

"You need an appointment, who did you talk to?"   asked the clerk.    "I don't know" he said.
"I will let you talk to the manager, because I do not answer the phones"   "OK"

Manager arrives and the man repeated the scenario above. "You need an appointment, we are all booked up for this week and next." said the Manager.

Man is irate by now.   "I called and came up at 10:30 and brought my identification.   I took time off from work. Why did you not tell me that I would need an appointment/"    asked the Man

'YOU DID NOT ASK ME" was the reply from the manager.    Can you believe that the Manager actually said that to the Postal Customer.    What an arrogant asshole.....Then the manager goes in his office and slams the door.

By now my business was completed and I had to leave, I am wondering if the jerk every got back to the Man or he just left him standing there.   I suspect he just left him there.   I would have been on the horn and filed a complaint to whomever was the supervisor. But I know that nothing would be done to the Manager.

What ever happened to common sense and courtesy?    What kind of a jerk would say that to any type of customer or client.   Now wonder the Postal Service is in bad shape, because here is an example of mismanagement, arrogance, and a failure to provide basic information to the public.   We should not have to ask each and every question relating to the service we are seeking at any branch of the Federal Government.   I think I would be composing my poison pen letter to my Senators and Representative too.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2011-07-04T16:30:00.000-04:00

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the 
fatigue of supporting it."
 - Thomas Paine

SURPRISE EARLY ON SATURDAY MORNING

2011-07-02T10:43:00.001-04:00

Chuck sent a text message that he was leaving Emily's house at 08:30 this morning. About forty five minutes later he called me and said he had a problem. Initially fearing the worst I waited for the description of the tragedy. It seems about twenty miles from his departure (In Troy PA) his muffler on the car had come apart. “Sounds like a Mack truck.” he said. Where will he find a place to fix it he asked. I told him I would check the next largest town (Williamsport PA) to see if I could find a Subaru dealer or some chain muffler business. I did find a Subaru dealer but they were closed on Saturdays. I found a Monroe Muffler shop in Williamsport. Chuck did not answer the phone, cell phone service, in the wilds of PA between Williamsport to Troy, is random at best. You really can’t “hear me now” I sent him the link and phone number of the shop in Williamsport.

About thirty minutes later he called back and said he was on the road again. He had a repair and it would get him home but would still need a muffler. “Where are you?” Still in Troy he said. He found a little tire shop and asked if there were muffler places nearby. The owner said no but if he waited a bit he could take a look at it. A young man showed up and put it up on the rack and said he could weld it and make a temporary fix. In a few minutes time he said the repair was done, and it sounded like new.

A quick pay up at the unbelievable cost of $20 he was on his way in blissful silence. A new muffler is destined in the cars future. He was really worried that he would not be able to find someone to change or repair it and, because of the holiday weekend, he would not have been able to get it changed/fixed till Tuesday morning at the latest.

My greetings to Troy PA and the honest people at the tire repair shop.

THOUGHTS, HAVE I RUN OUT OF THEM?

2011-07-01T16:01:00.001-04:00

Actually, all I have been thinking about is the upcoming hot weather. I said it before, I hate hot weather and cold weather. I like Autumn the best. Went shopping for a wedding shower gift. It is nice that a couple can make a list and then you can go to the store and see what is on their wish list. They call it registering….It saves a lot of thought and what to buy on the case of the attendee. A lot of things on the list were not in the store, they could be ordered. But, the person who was doing the purchase had to eat the cost of the delivery as opposed to the store where their product was not in stock.

Last week I mailed a package to Emily. It contained two sheer panels and about six packages of Fajita seasoning that could not be obtained where she lives. I went to the UPS store and to ship that package to her address would have cost me $17.00. Good grief that was expensive. The next option at the UPS store was US mail ground shipment, which cost $11. I chose the US mail. When it got to her house Chuck said that the UPS people had added a $5 surcharge, so the real cost to ship it would have been $6. The clerk did not mention the fact that I would be paying a surcharge and I did not think to ask.

You can believe that the next time I will take the 15 minute drive to the Post Office and mail it there. When did shipping UPS become so expensive? The last I really used UPS on a regular basis was when Emily was in college in Ohio and it was not expensive at all. Guess I have been out of the loop for a few years on shipping cost.

This trip to Emily’s had two objectives to be done. One was to do the trim and paint the bathroom. Mission accomplished on that one. The ceiling and trim are now a bright white and the walls are a dark colonial blue. Chuck and Emily said the white really pops out the blue and it looks GREAT. The other project was plumbing work in the basement and to bring water to the stationary tub. Now, who in the world would have a stationary tub with no water supply?

I have thought on that for a long time and can not come up with an answer on that. It was there at one time because there were the remnants of two handles for the water. That shall remain a mystery to the three of us.

BEGINNING OF SUMMER

2011-06-22T08:50:00.001-04:00

For me it began the middle of May. Today I went out to get the paper and you could cut the humidity with a knife. With the A/C set at 75 it was still feeling hot. I turned on the fan associated with the furnace and it helped cool it down a bit. It takes the cooler air in the basement and recirculates it upstairs.

I am really getting into the routine of retirement. Sleep in (till about 6 am), read the two newspapers, check my email, and read some new blog postings. There is not a whole hell of a lot a person can do at 6 am. I was hoping that after many, many, years of getting up about 04:45 I would be able to sleep, but I suppose that is not the case.

Strangely I find I have a lot to do, how did I get it done before? I think I saved it up for the one or two days off that I had. I miss the socialization with my coworkers but not the work.

Oh well, I have to plan the rest of my day…..

The flowers are now long gone….It was pretty while it lasted.

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, JIGGITY JOG JOG

2011-06-20T20:05:00.001-04:00

After a five and a half hour drive I arrived home safe and sound. Emily had off last week and we spent some quality time. I could not find my cable to download my pictures so I inserted the SONY card into the computer and it downloaded just fine. BUT, I could not get the card out and it was really in there.

I was looking for an eject button, I did find the eject option on the C drive and I clicked on eject, but the thing did not eject. Soooo, being under warranty I called HP to see what demons I had to exorcise to get the damn card out.

After talking to tech support, the problem also had them mystified. While waiting to for final answer, it proved to have no answer. So, I used a hemostat I had around the house and pulled the damned thing out manually. Popped it back in the camera and it is still working and the pictures are on the computer.

They (at HP) decided that the card has an insert that you have to put it into in order to get it to work. My solution is to look for the stupid cable to transfer the pictures.

Neat picture on the wall of a restaurant where we ate in Wellsboro PA.

Replication of the shop cat at a book store. The cats name is Hobo and he has a children's story written about him. I did not see the book while I was there.

Pictures of PA Grand Canyon at PINE CREEK GORGE

I like to find how you get to the bottom of the canyon and see the information of hiking the trail.

Jenny

Picture of the Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca NY. It is a vegetarian restaurant and the food is EXCELLENT. Lots of spices to heat the entrees up…..

FATHERS DAY

2011-06-19T07:40:00.001-04:00

Patrick O’Rourke - Great Grandfather

Thomas Dowd - Grandfather

Thomas Dowd - Father

Grandfather - Willi Schridde

Great Grandfather - Daniel Bartels

Frederick Schridde- Great Grandfather

And lastly my great grandfather Thomas Dowd, of which I have no picture and would dearly like to have one.

OUT OF TOUCH FOR A WHILE

2011-06-17T08:32:00.001-04:00

This Tuesday I drove to my daughters, it is a long drive through the Allegheny Mountains. She had a few days off and no plans.

We did nothing but go to the grocery store and to dinner, at The RAil House Restaurant and Grill located in WAVERLY NY I could not find a website but I shall continue. It is an old building located right next to a railroad track. Trains come by frequently and it sounds like they are coming through the wall. It only takes a few minutes to drive there.

They have the usual offerings and the prices are more than reasonable. Emily had a veggie burger and I had a pulled pork sandwich. The BBQ sauce was a combination of sweet and tangy. They make their french fries from sweet potatoes and are delicious.

Wednesday we went on a trip to WELLSBORO PA to see the town and the PENNSYLVANIA GRAND CANYON. Wednesday was clean and cool and the canyon is a sight. You can walk to the bottom of the canyon and it is about one mile down the sides. I could walk down but they would have to send a helicopter to get me back up.

At the bottom is a Rails to Trails and you can bicycle, walk, ride a horse or in the winter ride a snowmobile. There is a road down there but I have to figure out exactly how to get down to that road.

To get there you have to follow PA ROUTE 6 west from Towanda. The route is heralded to be scenic, but we were stuck behind a few large trucks hauling equipment, I can safely surmise that it was going to be used for the Marcellus shale drilling. Honestly, they would go up the hills at the rate of 10 miles per hour. The speed gave us about 45 minutes driving time to Wellsboro.

Yesterday we decided to go to TANNERSVILLE PA There is an outlet mall with about 120 stores. Emily and I walked a lot but did not spend a lot of money.

An interesting and potentially fatal event happened on the way down the interstate near Scranton P. As I was driving along, blissfully unaware, I noticed a large black object at the side of the road and in a few nanoseconds my brain determined it was a huge black bear about to run across. I hit the brakes and slowed down and in the second or two it took me to get to the spot, he has just made it to the median. That was a car wreck total and possibly death moment. I was thinking that he must have weighed about 300 pounds. I am so glad, happy and thankful that we did not make contact. I wish we could have taken a picture of him.

HOT AS HELL

2011-06-08T13:43:00.001-04:00

Not in the 100’s like Texas but on the way up there. Today I decided to give the house a clean-a-thon. I am about half done, or half to go depending if you are an optimist or pessimist. I have been doing it in stages with stops for breaks. Like reading my blog list, catching up on email and things like that.

These flowers are on Emily’s trestle or arbor. I don’t know what the correct work is for the structure. It is a wooden structure that is at the beginning of the walkway from the driveway to the stone walk that leads to the back door. Roses are also climbing over the wooden form.

The former owner had a perennial garden and it is a surprise to see what comes up next. We planted a few annuals to fill in the spaces. I have an idea to extend the garden to include the entire triangle behind the walkway.

Not much going on here at all. I can do all the cleaning because the A/C is on. But don’t tell the kid because she does not have A/C, she is young and can tough it out…..

GENEALOGY CONFERENCE TOMORROW

2011-06-02T18:45:00.000-04:00

For the first time since April 14, 2011, I have to set my alarm clock tomorrow.    I thought I would perhaps miss working a bit, but strangely enough, I do not. Actually, I wonder how I fit in working...

Tomorrow and Friday I am going to a Genealogy Conference, it is in Pittsburgh so I can stay at home and drive into the city.   This is Germany genealogy conference and since both of us have German backgrounds I hope it it interesting and I learn a lot.

The only problem, as I see it, is the fact that the conference ends at 4 PM and I will get stuck in traffic leaving the city. Why do they call it rush hour when you are moving at a snails page?

I have been at the kids and now I am home. It is nice not to have anything on a schedule, just go day by day.    I really have things to do but I am not stressed. I can go at the speed I want and if I decide not to, I do not have to....

VERY STORMY WEATHER

2011-05-27T18:18:00.001-04:00

Last night was a thriller. About seven to eight in the evening there was a constant rumble of thunder south of the house. The sky was dark and the wind was blowing madly.

The kid and I were watching TV and all of a sudden we heard an awful noise of pouring rain. Just a few minutes earlier I had gone upstairs to check the weather and there was no rain. With the sound outside we both ran upstairs and it was indeed a deluge, including gum ball sized hail. It was raining about as hard as I ever say it outside.

The power went out and after a few minutes it flickered back on. In the morning Emily sent me a text that the big oak tree on the corner had been uprooted and fell on the house, it lifted the sidewalk.

The west end of my street was blocked off and I decided to take a little walk. I met a lady a few doors west and her tree was uprooted too. A lot of people were outside and pulling debris of the storm out to the curb. I decided to do the same with the fallen branches and limbs in my back yard. There are two trees out there and I was glad none of them fell on my house.

On the evening new I heard that there was a F1 tornado in Milan, which is about five miles south of where I am. Guess that explains the violent weather.

All day I have been hearing chain saws and watching putting out limbs outside. My street is still blocked off, guess we should go and see what is further up the street.

GREAT WASTE OF $25

2011-05-25T09:13:00.001-04:00

Next week the borough of Sayre is having a Spring Clean Up collection. For a big item you pay $25 and you will be on the list and it will be hauled away. When we bought the house there was a old, rusted and bottomless hot water tank in the basement.

So we went to the borough building a paid the $25 for the service. Yesterday Chuck and I rolled the old tank up the basement stairs and out to the front for its pickup. Good thing he has a Shop Vac to gather us the rust crumbs on the basement stairs.

It was gone within the hour, some person collecting metal stopped and took it. I am out $25, I wish I had some other big item to put out in its place. Note to self, put anything metal outside and someone will take it for free and I will not have to pay anymore.

People put our furniture, and it disappears as well. I is truly amazing to see it go and be recycled.

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVNIA

2011-05-23T07:47:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I made the trip to visit the kid. No matter how you go it is still between five and six hour driving time. The leaves on all the trees are now green and that is better than the barren, post apocalyptic look of winter. Up north the trees are coming out. You can see the ground and branches still as you drive by.

Today is the kids birthday, last night we all went to a Japanese hibachi restaurant and ate. The chef did not throw any shrimp tails in his hat like I have seen done before. The food was good, as usual. Emily’s choice of entrée was Hibachi tofu, it was crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. It did taste good.

She tried to get off today but two members of the team are already off this week so she had to work. I did not wrap her present yet so she will open it when she gets home.

This weekend she and I will venture out and go to some of the small towns in the area and see what there is to peruse. Chuck will be back at the Cat Ranch.

The last time we were up she had mentioned she would like a garden gnome, well we found one and Chuck placed it in the garden. About an hour later she went out to pull some weeds and started to cackle, she found the gnome. Picture will soon follow.

COBRA...A GIANT PAIN IN THE ASS

2011-05-20T21:20:00.001-04:00

When I retired about a month ago I wanted a smooth transmission to COBRA. Well, it didn't happen. The people at HR of my former employer said that all I had to do was wait and I would be sent the information. Yes, about three weeks after I left they did and I filled out the application and with the small check of $605.00/ per month I sent it on its way.

Today I decided that perhaps I should get my prescriptions reordered and the mail order company said that I no longer had benefits. I explained that I was "transitioning to COBRA" but they did not have the information. I am not short on my medication, but I am eligible to get them refilled, which I cannot do. What if I had some MAJOR problem or needed some emergency medication?

This has not really followed my definition of smooth.....

The COBRA people said they got my information and my MONEY but it will take 7 to 10 days to process my information.....GRRRRRR

No wonder people do not have health insurance, the cost is astronomical if you have to pay your self.......

In October I can transition to Medicare, for however long that will be available. I wonder how long it will last.

Thomas Jefferson said "A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take it all away."

Since I have been paying into Social Security and Medicare since 1965, I really do not consider it an "entitlement." So if the powers that be consider it to be so, please remit the money I and my employers have put in for the last 46 years I will consider us even...

UP AND RUNNING

2011-05-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

Imagine the dismay this morning where thousands of people warmed up their computer to check their blogs and there was nothing there. It has become a routine for me to make a cup of tea, feed the cats, check my email and then read my blogs list.

I think I was feeling withdrawal, I felt panicked that all would be lost. I managed to survive, I went to the gym instead and spent time on the treadmill listing to my iPod and walking a brisk pace. The woman next to me ran for the same amount of time. Oh, the energy of youth.

Today I am going out with my friends and I made a fruit salad. I started with a fresh pineapple, oranges, strawberries, blueberries and the hardest, most sour kiwi I have ever tasted in my life. I love kiwis, they are usually soft and the insides are velvety. But not this time, I could have used it for a puck. Only one kiwi, cut in small pieces and sprinkled with a bit of sugar, was used for this salad. It is always a surprise what the crew will bring. No one brings the same thing.

The weather is humid and warm, on the way to being hot, but I refuse to turn on the air conditioner in the middle of May. Maybe I should to see if the things works. I did manage to find my electric fan and I feel fine with the air moving.

Nothing else new. Tomorrow I will go to a genealogy meeting and perhaps a bit of research of my ancestors.

Flowers from the Phipps

MONDAY ROLLED AROUND AGAIN.

2011-05-09T17:55:00.001-04:00

Somehow, it always seems to do that. My daughter was on call on Mothers Day. She sent a nice gift of jams and preserves. She knows I love jams on my morning English Muffin.

Chuck and I went out to eat at the local Grill. Our regular restaurant was having a buffet, at the cost of $23.00. To pay that price we would have had to be fasting all to get our moneys worth. We had prime rib instead, it was juicy and tasty. I had a baked potato and mushrooms.

We are on a streak of nice weather. It is to be sunny, warm and no rain. I do not know what to do. Yesterday I planted some vegetables and herbs. I have to carefully watch the tomatoes because the chip monk likes them as well. I think he thinks I plant the stuff for him.

I have been retired for almost a month and not bored yet. I have never wished I was at work while I have been at home……

PICS OF THE REMODEL

2011-05-02T10:36:00.001-04:00

These are some of the pictures of the bathroom remodel

We still have work to do but it is in place and connected to the water supply.

THE LOVELY MONTH OF MAY…..

2011-05-01T20:59:00.001-04:00

I have noticed that I haven’t posted in over a week. Heavens knows what I have been doing. We stayed at the kids till Tuesday and I still haven’t downloaded the pictures. But, I did transfer some of what I had on the flash drives to the new computer. A step in the right direction.

I want to transfer my Family Tree but do not seem to be able to do that with the transfer cable. I guess I should read the directions, I sound like a guy there.

I have decided to set up a monthly goal list. I got the idea from people on my Genealogy Blog lists. There are a lot of things I have never had time for and I hope to start them. Like examining the boxes in the attic and I have no idea what is in them. I guess I can give them to the thrift shop if I had not missed the contents by now.

We did join the YMCA and I hope to go on a regular basis to work out. Not strenuous mind you, but I hope to lose some weight and get in a better shape.

Another goal is to sort and file my genealogy papers and sort them in files. I hope to research more. I seem to come upon things by happenstance. I will be searching and find things I have not been looking for at the time. I also want to start my watercolor painting again, I enjoyed it when I was painting.

I have not worked for two weeks and I am no longer waking up at 5 AM in fact I have been sleeping in till 6 AM I hope I can stay asleep a little later than that. The sun or daylight wakes me up.

I want to get my herbs and few vegetables planted, I bought basil, rosemary, two tomatoes, lettuce and peppers. I just have several pots on the deck, I suppose I should get a cage for the plants. The chipmunks seem to think I am growing for them. At least I have never seen any deer on my deck.

Tomorrow I am going with Chuck to the dentist. He needs to have a procedure and I said I would go along.

Guess that is it for today, I am seriously considering turning in for the night.

WINDOWS IN BATHROOM NEXT

2011-04-23T08:19:00.001-04:00

I am glad we had the installer do the windows, Chuck and I would be about halfway done and today it is raining. Really raining….I guess it is the April showers bring May flowers type of rain. The forecast says it is to clear up.

Emily and I are going Antiquing in Corning NY, plus eat at the Indian Restaurant that I spoke of in an earlier post. We will have to take umbrellas and a plastic bag to place it in when we go store to store.

The tub is proving to be a pain in the butt. The one we ordered turns out to be about three inches wider and Chuck needs to reroute the plumbing because the faucets will not be centered. Next we have to rebuild the wall because it is also three inches short. This also means more drywall, taping and working on the wall. We want to have this trip tub operational on this trip.

Still to be done is readjusting the crown molding. The previous owner left 1/4 inch gaps between a lot of the pieces and we need to recut more wood and paint the ceiling and wall. A ceramic floor is to be installed also. We found a design that will look like the old bathrooms of years ago. Little white tiles with a small insert of a black tile in the middle. I found them at Lowes.

Chuck decided to do one room at a time and finish it rather than start several projects. This bathroom in the major project. Most of the rest consist for nailing the baseboards and painting. Some of the rooms and trim are three shades of white, and gaps in the crown molding. Will take pictures of the molding later today.

Tomorrow, Easter Sunday, we decided to go to the nearby Best Western for dinner. They are offering a buffet and the menu sounds great, a little something for everyone. Prime rib, ham, chicken, fish and Fettuccini Alfredo (aka heart attack on a plate.) There is a Sweet potatoes, green beans almandine, two soups and dessert. Guess I won’t eat for a week after that.

PERHAPS SPRING HAS SPRUNG.

2011-04-20T14:36:00.001-04:00

This week I am at my daughters. She is working and the carpenter has come to install the windows. He says he allots one hour per window, five down and seven to go. It will take two days and rain is in the forecast. They look great and will have screens and the new windows will keep out the cold and possibly the heat.

I spent the morning cleaning out the perennial garden, I can identify some things but not all. At the back of the yard are two lilac shrubs and some raspberry bushes. I have found Forsythia and two butterfly bushes. Perhaps I will take photos of them. We have multiple spring bulbs with daffodils, crocuses, narcissist as well as something that I think are tulips and irises. There are rose bushes over the trestle but that appears to be rotting and will probably survive the summer. Out in the side garden I have found rhubarb and strawberry plants. My father always grew rhubarb and I do not like it.

We are done with the demolition of the downstairs tub removal. Next will come the relocation of the water lines and installation of the new tub and shower stall. At the end of the workday the cats came to inspect the work.

The bathroom needs some storage units, new floor and to be painted. Chuck decided we need to do one room at a time. Get it finished and move to the next instead of half done projects.

The picture above was taken at PHIPPS CONSERVATORY SPRING FLOWER SHOW

RETIREMENT AT LAST

2011-04-14T16:50:00.001-04:00

Here is a picture of my cake. The cake was delicious, it was a yellow batter with buttercream icing. The food was outstanding and everyone stopped by to visit. My coworkers wanted to know if I wanted to take it home, I told them my butt was big enough. There was a lot of food left over and I know they will have it for lunch tomorrow.

I never have to set the alarm again unless I want to and if I am going to do something fun. I was sort of down keyed and a lot of people did not know I was retiring.

One of the docs came and said he did not know I was retiring. He had just injected my husbands shoulder on Tuesday. He said your husband did not mention it. I told him “He Doesn’t Know” Chuck got a big laugh out of that.

When I got home there was a large bouquet of roses. Lucy the cat ad already pulled out the baby breath. Chuck and I are going out to dinner to night. I will take a picture of the flowers when the battery is charged. He and I met when we were both in school and I said we have come full circle, from school to retirement.

No plans for tomorrow but on Saturday I will be going to a Genealogy Conference. Then who knows what we will do.

LAST WEEK TO WORK

2011-04-13T19:44:00.001-04:00

This is my last work week. By the end of this week I will have retired. I have worked 43 years in the career of Nursing. When I started school eons ago I could have never imagined being retired.

Things has changed so much ever the years and mostly for the better. We were never taught how to read EKG’s and now they are and how to treat the rhythms. There are classes required as such as ACLS, PALS and many other courses to take dealing with newborns, strokes and trauma.

When I first started not every hospital had Intensive Care Units, and and care they receive now was non existent then is most small hospitals. Complicated surgeries and the advent of laparoscopic procedures were not done for the most part.

Monitors such as ARTERIAL LINES, automatic blood pressure machines and the advanced ventilators were not routinely in use. It has changed for the better.

Antibiotics could take care of any infection and now there are infections that can not be cured. This is probably because of use of antibiotics for every ailment including viral infections (because people insist on them) and People who do not finish their course of antibiotics. We use antibiotics in the feed to promote growth of the larger animals.

The antibiotic resistant infections now are most likely the results of the above. The cost of hospitalization and treatment have escalated. One reason is the cost of defensive medicine. They need to rule out all possible causes of your symptoms to cover the potential liability.

I did not publish the above, it was in limbo for a few days while I was busy. Today was my last busy work day and I did eight cataract cases. Tomorrow I am free and there is a luncheon in my honor. I will feel like a queen holding court. I really, in my life, prefer to keep a low profile and do not like being the center of attention, but tomorrow I suppose I will be.

I plan to take my camera and go around and take pictures of the cast of characters. Today was an uneventful day and that is the way I would like to end a career, I suppose everyone would like they finale to be like that.

Actually I would wish my grand finale to be uneventful…and peaceful.

PART TWO OF SUNDAY ADVENTURE

2011-04-05T16:51:00.001-04:00

One of my daughters co-workers told her about a Indian restaurant.

They had a lunch buffet and the food was out of this world. If you are ever driving on I86 and going by the town of Corning I would advise to stop in and eat, it is well worth the stop.

The main business street is several blocks long and has many antique shops and boutiques. Unfortunately only about 10% were open.

Sitting in a replica of “Old Sparky” We want to go back some Saturday when the shops are all open.

Technorati Tags: Corning Museum of Glass,Corning NY,Thali of India Restaurant

SUNDAYS ADVENTURE…….CORNING NEW YORK

2011-04-05T16:38:00.001-04:00

On Sunday we went on a sojourn to Corning. Our goal that day was CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS and it was well worth the trip. At the entrance was a large glass piece by DALE CHIHULY He makes some beautiful and powerful glass creations.

Not a Chihuly:

The whole museum covered thirty five centuries of glass. It starts with today and goes back to BCE with the glass making. We were allowed to take pictures but no flash. Since every item was behind glass all you would see was a flash of your reflected light anyway.

The above flowers are made by Corning and are for sale. They have a huge gift shop and there is something for everyone.

OFF AND VISITING FOR A FEW DAYS

2011-04-05T10:28:00.001-04:00

I left home on Thursday to spend a few days with the daughter. I took a different route this time, at least from I 80 in Williamsport. The route we had been taking is Route 220 and the ride is like a roller coaster. The drive is not bad but it is all the trucks associated with the Marcellus shale drilling.

The cable guy suggested Route 14 which runs diagonally across Bradford County. All was going well till past Troy and the police had the road blocked for some sort of reason. Had to take a left and really was out in the boonies. The road did not appear to have a route but I saw a sign for the town where the vet is located, so I knew it was the way to go.

After my trip alteration I saved twenty miles and a half hour driving time. I will take the scheduled route back home. I just never know how those old country roads will be in the winter.

Saturday we drove to ITHICA NEW YORK The weather was very sunny but windy and that made it chilly. Emily wanted to go to THE MOOSEWOOD RESTAURANT It is a vegetarian restaurant and famous through out the country. The food was excellent and I suspect we will be going again since the ride is only about a half hour.

This time I used the GPS and it took us along another two lane highway and it was a scenic drive with plenty of barn along the way. Ithica is home to ITHICA COLLEGE and CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell sits atop the mountain and reminds me of a medieval stronghold because it is so huge. I guess building way up at the summit gives it a bit of snob appeal. We walked around the town and then returned home.

UPDATE ON THE FAMILY FRONT

2011-04-01T21:42:00.001-04:00

My youngest sister has now moved to the 21st century. At the age of 52 she has learned to text message……..I guess her daughter refused to talk to her on the phone. Welcome to the real word sister who’s name I will not type in here.

Even funnier, my daughter and I went to Elmira to do a few errands. They have quite of lot of stores that are not in Jack Ass Flats PA. That is a pseudonym for where she lives. Down here in PA we have a Mc Donalds and a Wall Mart that appears to be about 30 years old.

I was waiting for the daughter to finish her business in the ladies room and I am waiting in the hall. I get a text “Mom, my bathroom stall does not have any paper, could you please come in and get me some from the next stall?” I have heard everything now, if I had a Twitter Account I would have posted it, so I did the next best thing and wrote about it in my blog.

Word of advice, check the roll before doing your duty. In her defense it was one of those generic large rolls that are black and you can not see how much paper is left.

PEOPLE ASK ME.....

2011-03-28T20:24:00.000-04:00

what am I going to do. I tell them:

1) sit on my butt and play computer solitare.

2) look for dead people ( I have been working on my genealogy) This will involved driving to places in PA to search archives and various historical societies.

3) restart my watercolor painting. I would like to take lessons again and most of them are given during the day, Monday thru Friday.

4) continue my photography

5) vising my daughter since the weather will be warmer and I do not have to worry about snow.

I guess that is a start if I think of more I will add them, and I am sure there is more...

MY SISTER INQUIRED…

2011-03-28T20:17:00.001-04:00

why my last post was March 16? I have not written said I. Why have I not written? I guess with the business of getting my paperwork ready to send to my employer for my retirement.

I also have to apply for my Social Security and get that ball rolling too. I guess I am just procrastinating. As soon as I figure out why I will know. I had a few loose ends hanging here and now it is resolved.

I had thought perhaps I might need an operation but my second opinion said no, just wait and see about my problem. Just a yearly follow up MRI and if trouble presents itself it can be taken care of then.

I suppose I thought that if I needed surgery I should have it done before I went on retired. I considered that I should be still employed and take sick time. I will be forfeiting about twenty days. At our place if we don’t take them they are lost. I would rather lose them that have an operation.

Tomorrow I will mail my retirement package papers and a few questions need to be answered and I will apply for the Social Security. Not too much longer. I have worked forty three years as a nurse and that is long enough. I wish my mother had told me to be a teacher because I would have been retired ten years ago.

She really did not know that to tell me…..

HAVEN’T BEEN DOING MUCH THINKING…..

2011-03-16T11:12:00.001-04:00

Or anything else as a matter of fact. I seem to be in the doldrums still… I think it is related to the cold, damp drizzly weather. If it is 40F, windy and raining it seems to be colder.

Chuck is still up north at Emily's. This week he ordered the windows we will have new thermal windows for the house. They will be in about the third week in April. The ones on the enclosed front porch patio will be repaired. I found a blog where the writer took pictures and posted his repair of the windows, so we can see how to do it. I would also like to see if there are any screens in the basement that will fit on the porch windows.

If you want to sit on the porch you need to have some ventilation. I can envision a glass of lemonade and sitting on rattan furniture in June. Well, make that a wine cooler.

The shower stall was to be delivered yesterday and the guy called and said it will be today because they forgot about it. Don’t you just loved the honesty. No excuses, just I forgot. That was sort of refreshing. When we take out the old one Chuck anticipates some repair to be done under the tub.

I do not think that there was a bathroom on the first floor when it was built in 1900. I am wondering what was in that space at that time. Kitchens were not showcases in the house. It was a place that was relegated to the hired cooks. I would love to see what the original plans of that house were. In April the Historical Society reopens and I will go to pay them a visit to see if they have any information.

MANAGED TO DOWNLOAD LIVE WRITER

2011-03-12T12:43:00.001-05:00

Or get it set up to work. I could not do it and now it is working. I read the comments and for the life of me I don’t know how it happened.

Magic, I think. Not really but this time I went to the Live Writer Icon and it opened the page for set up and I proceeded.

Nothing new, people keep asking me how many days till my retirement and I tell them I have not counted. And I have not, I do not want to start Xing off the days on a calendar, somehow it will seem longer. I will just go day by day.

People ask what I will do and I tell them I will sit on my butt and play computer solitaire. I do not know if they will believe it or not.

What will I dois anything I want to do. I want to proceed with my genealogy. I have a few historical societies and courthouses I want to visit and dig in their records. Some of them close for the winter and will reopen the beginning of April.

I want to start my watercolor painting again and start to get rid of things in boxes and sort forty years of photographs and scan them too. I had mentioned boxes before and when I get uninterrupted time I hope to start with Chucks help. Three piles I will make, save, pitch or donate. I think after that I will have to week the saved pile for a second time. We have things in the attic and I do not remember what half of the stuff that is up there.

Exploring other parts of Pennsylvania is also associated with my plans. This will be facilitated with visit to Emily and the Historical Societies and Court Houses. I will throw photography into the mixture too.

Perhaps I will volunteer but I know it will not be in health care. I thought perhaps transcribing written records into genealogical data bases. I have plenty of experience reading terrible handwriting.

Helping restore the house in North East PA is also a thing to do. There are quite a few things that need to be done.

So, not much longer…..

QUOTE

2011-03-12T12:09:00.000-05:00

"As soon as we abandon our own reason, and are content to rely upon authority, 
there is no end to our troubles."
 - Bertrand Russell

AND THAT'S THE TRUTH

IRKED AT WINDOWS LIVE WRITER

2011-03-07T20:43:00.000-05:00

I am trying to set up my Windows Live Writer and it will not let me do that. It keeps asking for my password. I do not remember the freaking password from four years ago and it does not give me the option for have it sent to me.

I have tried the passwords that I have used in the past and none of them work. This is beginning to get on my nerves. I did manage to download Firefox because IE has a lot of issues and I prefer Firefox. I need to figure out a solution to this problem. I like live writer because I can easily insert pictures and hyperlinks.

NEW COMPUTER

2011-03-07T19:33:00.001-05:00

Since I am retiring this spring I decided to get a new computer while I am still working.   The old one I purchased in either 2002 or 2004, I can not remember which year.    My old computer is an HP it has 564mb and 80 mb in the hard drive.   It is still working and I need to move things from it to the new one.

I wonder how old the oldest functioning computer is?   I like the HP products, I have had a few problems with it but have been able to solve them.    My new computer is also an HP.   This one has 4 GB of Ram and 500 GB on the hard drive.   Things have really progressed in seven or nine years.....

The new one had Windows 7, how I like that is to be determined.

Chuck has gone to visit the daughter. It snowed about 15 inches overnight. He took pictures and sent them to my phone.   There is a way that I can move them to my email and then download, that has yet to be discovered how to do it.   They were calling for about 7 to 10 and they got much more.

Interestingly someone has run a snow blower on the sidewalk up to the end of her house. There are a few more houses to the end of the street, but the phantom snow blower ended at the end of her sidewalk.   I told Chuck that the person probably heard that she was a RN and ended at her house. News and information travels fast in a small town.

She walks on the sidewalks but this morning she had to walk in the street because of the amount of snow.   Her manager told her she knew she would make it to work.   It is hard to call off when you live one block away.The hospital canceled clinics and about seven RNs and some of the doctors could not make it in.

Now there is worry that the Susquehanna River will flood. If it gets to her house, it is time to build an ark.

RECOVERY

2011-03-03T20:01:00.000-05:00

Henry now acts like his procedure never happened.   He is eating even his dry food.   He is eleven and having a difficult time jumping up on things.   Henry has me trained, he will sit on the floor below the window in the bathroom and meow for me to lift him up.

He used to jump on the sink then calculate his trajectory and leap onto the window sill.   He must have fallen sometime in the past year because he no longer does that.   He still can jump down.   Henry likes to peruse his back yard and look at the wildlife which is composed of chipmunks and squirrels. There has never been a meeting of either of these rodents, but he would like to chase and catch them.

In three weeks Molly has to go and have the same procedure. She is almost impossible to catch.   First I have to close the bedroom and basement doors and then the catch is on.   She will run and leap just out of reach to avoid being caught.   It is stressful for her and me too.

The only time she will come willing to me is when I am lying down and if I get up she flees. That cat is nuts for sure.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2011-02-24T07:59:00.002-05:00

"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."


 - Oscar Wilde

HENRY AND THE VET.......DENTAL EXTRACTIONS

2011-02-23T09:43:00.001-05:00

Henry, my red cat had a broken tooth. His vet found it and she touched it inadvertently while examining him when he went in for his rabies vaccine. Henry jumped, make a noise and snapped his mouth shut at hyper speed. The vet got her fingers out of his mouth in the same hyper speed. He needed to have the tooth removed. The surgery was yesterday, and he had his teeth cleaned. Do you know it is now advocated to brush your pets teeth????

Can you just just picture that? The tooth paste is meat flavored and although you can use an animal tooth brush or put the dentifrice on a gauze pad and gently clean their teeth. I have not inquired on how you rinse out their mouth, because it is possible that you might perhaps drown the pet.

His surgery was uneventful and he was pacing all night in spite of the fact he had a topical anesthetic apply by me. This morning I had a liquid analgesic to give orally and he is now a brand new cat sitting peacefully on the top of the couch. Poor thing was in pain all night. The vet tech called and I told her about Henry and she is going to see if the vet can change his medicine and give him better relief for a few days.

Poor Henry, maybe I should look into this cat tooth brushing business......

Henry and the Christmas Tree

IT IS ACTUALLY WARM OUTSIDE.

2011-02-17T13:57:00.001-05:00

The sky is partially cloudy or partially sunny, and the temperature is 63F. What is the difference between the two? I got out of the house today, I had a lot of books to take and donate to the Library. They could either use them or put them up for sale in the book sale. The money from the book sale goes to buy new books.

I also borrowed some books, Emily has a large backyard and I got some books on landscaping. The lot is also flat and it has a lot of potential. Right now there is a vegetable garden and some perennials. I have to wait till April or May to see what exactly is there. At the back is a raspberry patch. You have to be really fast if you own a raspberry patch in order to beat the birds to the berries.

I have been off for three days and back to work tomorrow. I enjoy being off and I will enjoy it more when I am retired and off. I still have not counted the days I have to work left to go. I worked with a woman that could calculate how long till she retired, this calculation was instantaneous. She would give the years, months and days. I thought it was humorous and also amazed that she could do that.

Right now I have the my procrastination set to do every thing when I retire. I have things to do and I keep saying I will wait till I retire. I did manage to get the books to the library. I want to go thru them and give some more.

Back to work tomorrow so I think I will just sit and peruse the Internet.

IT IS BEGINNING TO WARM UP

2011-02-15T14:15:00.001-05:00

If only for a few days. Today was sunny and I had to get the car washed. The conditions have not been right for a carwash for months. The snow has been melting because of the warmer temperatures and the heat of the sun. So I rushed down and got in line. It feels so good to have a clean car and I hate when I get dirty while trying to put things in the trunk or open the door.

I have off for three days and I am excited about that. Today I just had to get out of the house, I think the lure was the blue sky and sun shine. Chuck has some work to do on his car but it has been too cold to try and work in the garage. Guess he will be out there the next few days. He keeps telling me what he is doing but all I remember is it was a pain in the butt getting out a screw. LOL

The daughter is doing good, she still likes her job. We are all glad to hear that bit of news. There is nothing worse than hating your first job. I have decided to retire and it will be soon. I did not count the days because it will seem longer and drawn out if I do. But I am not going to work another summer.

Nothing else new, or nothing I know of. Guess I just have to wait till it really warms up and things start to happen.

DOLDRUMS OF WINTER...

2011-02-08T20:54:00.001-05:00

If there is such a thing. I think most of the country has had it with the snow and eternal storms. I read an article that the people in China were having a problem with the fact they have not had any snow and there is a lack of moisture for their winter wheat crop.I would like to shift the weather to Asia and give them our snow for the rest of the winter. Another blurb is that there should be an increase in prices of sugar because of the overabundance of water and flooding in Australia. Guess we should stock up on sugar this week.

It seems when there is a disaster or hint of a disaster that the speculators runabout with "the sky is falling mentality." The prices are then going to escalate and we will be financially screwed. But, according to the federal government, there is no increase in the COLA because there is no inflation. But they gave them selves a raise. The federal officials have become the new royalty of the realm. I have seen email stating that we need a constitutional amendment to force the people who are legislating these rules be required to live by the rules they have legislated themselves.

A case in point is the unfortunate Representative Giffords and the news article stated that all her medical expenses will be cover by her health care, paid for by you and I no less, and we the people do not have these same perks for the teaming masses of people paying the bill with our hard earned tax dollars. I am beginning to thing that perhaps an amendment is in order. I have to read more on this proposition. But we all know that will never happen. The system is becoming unsustainable and then it will no longer exist. Do you think I should worry about big brother reading and watching my activities because of my blog????

DOOM AND GLOOM

2011-02-03T07:53:00.001-05:00

Weather forecast that is, is over and done for South Western PA. After listening to the forecast since Saturday or Sunday in my neck of the woods it was essentially a non event.

That may be due to the fact that I did not have to go to work on Tuesday....I did hear of ice and accidents. Somehow, they never cancel work.

The major icing did not happen and on Tuesday it was warm enough to warm and melt a lot of the ice. The ice on my driveway was about an inch and down at the bottom it was about two inches thick.

When I got home from work today it seems that the melting occurred at the bottom of the ice and it was cracking and there was space underneath. I got out my metal shovel, I do not know what kind of shovel it is but it done the job. I was able to spend about a half hour hitting the ice, breaking it off, and tossing it in the yard and out of the driveway.

The driveway is virtually free of snow and ice and I like it that way. No ice on the steps or sidewalk. Most of the snow melted on the roof and the melting water is about finished.

I can not believe that the groundhog said it will be an early spring. It remains to be seen, but I have a hard time believing a large rodent with a weather forecast.

COLD AND WINTERY

2011-01-30T09:58:00.001-05:00

Good news, another storm is coming this week. I can't wait for that one. I seriously think I am becoming a bit crazy about this weather. Every morning when I get up this is a fresh coating of the white stuff. And also more ice on my steps, which I sprinkle salt on it every AM. After I fell on the steps I do not want the mail carrier to fall on them too.

Chuck left this morning to go to Emily's. He has a list of work that is to be done. If we had to hire someone to do this work, it would be unaffordable. We would have to employ a full time handyman for two months. He has a list of things to do. Two of the bedrooms do not have doors hung, there are a myriad of doors in the basement, but he wants to get them stripped and installed. It seems the doors were all painted white and the previous owner was in the process of redoing them when he put the house up for sale. Also a lot of baseboard and crown molding needs to be tacked on the walls.

In both the attic and basement there are doors, windows, and various wood planks and even some Queen Anne Gingerbread, we have to figure out where it went originally. Between the Living Room and the Dining Room are DOUBLE POCKET DOORS At this time they are not working, so we would like to repair them, just have to read up on how to do that.

Most of the work involves time and a basic knowledge of what to do. At some point in time we will need a new roof. I have been checking into the cost of metal roofing, that roof should last for years. The roof is steep and gabled and it is NOT a do it yourself project, you could attempt it but I see falling of the roof in that venture.

I think that is about it for today and I need to get out of this house before I am really crazy.

PLANS HAVE NOT GONE ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE

2011-01-22T20:08:00.000-05:00

After sitting and pondering what I would accomplish today my plans were foiled. I failed to consider the fact that I was on "back up" call for surgery and at about 07:30 I got called into work. Then after getting home and starting to clean I got called in again. All I did the rest of the day was nothing since I did not want to upset the Karma of Saturday again. I still have 10 hours to go on my call day. I am not hoping for a repeat performance of today.

Tomorrow I will rest for all the working I did today.

THOUGHT OF SPRINGTIME AND OTHER MENTAL MEDITATIONS

2011-01-22T06:33:00.001-05:00

I have become obsessed with the cold winter and thoughts of springtime. It is colder than a witches heart. It is 3F outside. Chuck had to go to work this morning and I am off, but not really off. I am on beeper call, I can not start any major projects. I had in mind to clean the bathrooms, but decided to wait and see for this. It is not really hard to put that off, I can do that without much regret.

I am also thinking about retirement. I am thinking about it a lot. I actually never thought I would still be working at the age of sixty four. With the economy tanking in 2008-2009, mine and a multitude of others, the plans were changed. But things look right for me to do that now.

The daughter now has a job in this tight economy and she loves the job. Things in PA are still not good in the big cities for health care workers, all the listing still require "Experience" Every health care provider who hears that are scratching their heads, and so am I. A lot of RN's in Emily's graduating class still do not have jobs, and a new class finished in June. Along with many other Nursing Grads all over this country.

It is a ridiculous situation for this country. The 403's are starting to make money and there will be a mass exodus of people in their 50's and 60's who will be leaving their careers and there will be very few to take their places. And the grads who haven't secured a position will be hired and then a lot of people with out the experience who were passed over will now have the jobs.

WAITING FOR THINGS TO THAW AND MELT

2011-01-18T09:27:00.001-05:00

We had a bit of freezing rain last night and today the sun is out. I got up and salted the steps, sidewalk and a portion of the driveway. On Sunday I slipped on the ice and fell so I did not want to walk down the whole driveway. I will go out later and salt the rest. I am tired of winter, after the Holidays I am ready for Spring and since I fell I am really, really ready for spring.

The sky is bright blue and temperature about 30F. I have off for a few days and wanted to go shopping and get out of the house since I am stir crazy (wonder where that expression came from?) Going to work does not count as getting out in my books.

I only have two and a half months to go, if I am lucky, it has snowed here in April.

SEARS AND YET ANOTHER CRAPPY WATER TANK.

2011-01-09T15:55:00.001-05:00

On October I posted about the Sears Hot water tank that sprung a leak after it was installed in August 2009. The previous tank, also purchased at Sears had lasted twenty years.

Last week we were out to dinner and I had a load of clothes in the dryer and I wanted to empty and fold them.

Guess what, THAT DAMNED, FOUR MONTH OLD SEARS HOT WATER TANK WAS LEAKING. So again, Chuck called Sears and they said come and get another. What in the hell kind of product is this that a third water tank is now leaking??? Where is their quality control? I can not be the only person in this country that this is happening to with the leaky tanks. At one point in time you could really rely on Sears with quality products and they would last a very long time. What has happened?

To top if off they won't deliver the replacement and we had to rent a U Haul to go and get the damned thing. We have had three rental feels to cart that damned hot water tank to my house.

I am really irked this time and intend to pursue this further. I feel like some consumer protection or Angies list in my future. I feel a letter to the Sears corporation is being composed in my brain.......

VISIT IS ALMOST OVER

2011-01-09T15:30:00.001-05:00

I think we got a lot of work done this week. If you break it up in little chunks it does not seem as daunting. Two rooms were filled with boxes and we moved them in to the closets. Both rooms need a bit of work and painting so we did not want to unpack until the work was done. I would like to paint the closets white and see about installing those metal storage shelves and racks. It would utilize empty space in the closets. When I look at the shows on HGTV they are making master bathrooms as big as a bedroom and a walk in closet that is just as big.

Today was cleaning and washing clothes, rather mundane for a Sunday. The boxes were collected by the recycle pick up. It is some sort of odd times they pick up. I know now one of the days is the first Friday. Our other option would have been to pack all the boxes into two cars and take them over on Saturday. Glad that is gone.

This evening we will go out to dinner. I have been calling the restaurant to find the hours but no answer so far. They either are closed on Sunday or open for dinner at a later hour. They have no website. That is unbelievable in this day and age.

Tomorrow the kid is back to work and I am going back home.

BACK IN THE SWING OF THING, I THINK

2011-01-05T18:16:00.002-05:00

I have six days off and decided to drive up and see Emily. The weather was cold outside, but just a few snow showers, just enough to make the car messy. It is only messy on the bottom half. The forecast is for snow or snow showers each day, so I won't waste my money to get it washed.

Work is back to the insane busyness. Everyone one wants what they want when they want it. Somehow it doesn't apply to the nurses. We just do what comes our way.

Tonight I am making Portabello Mushroom Fajitas. What I do is substitute the mushrooms for the meat and use a seasoning pack sold in the Mexican Food section of my local grocery store. They are sooooo good. I use a Vidalia onion, green and red peppers and the mushrooms. I slice then in thin slices and start with sauteing the onions then add the peppers and the mushrooms at last. Then the seasoning pack and a small amount of water is added. Served with warmed whole wheat tortillas. I have to selections of side dishes, I have to ask the kid which ones she wants. Refried beans or Spanish Rice.

Tomorrow I want to go to the Sayre Library and see what history there is in the town. I would like to see if there are any pictures of our house and find where, if any, place I could find the original specs and configuration of the plans of our house. It would give an idea on something we could do.

Chuck had installed the plastic wrap over the windows and it is a great deal warmer than the last time I was up here. They were quite drafty and now the breeze is absent. My assignment is to measure the windows so he can call around and see what replacements would cost. He wants to call some window manufacturing companies and get an idea as opposed to the local Lowes Store.

I also want to spackle the holes where the previous own had removed the book shelves, although you are suppose to leave things that are attached. So that leaves work for us to do.

I have spackling from the time the sibs and I repaired and got my parents house ready for sale.
The kid is working 12 hours today and I am waiting for her to get home and watching Food TV. I saw some things I would like to make. Perhaps later.

WORKING TOO DAMN HARD ON MY DAY OFF

2010-12-31T20:40:00.001-05:00

Today was the "official" hospital holiday for New Years Day. We had off today because we get six holidays a year and if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday we have off the day after or the day before.

I was on back up call and was notified the day before that the second call team had been activated. For our day off and holiday we worked ten hours straight with no break or lunch. The first call team also work the same ten hours too.

I am annoyed with the surgeons who bemoaned the fact that there was no schedule and we had off. If I had hear, ONE MORE TIME, how some of them had office hours today I could just spit. I really do not care that you scheduled office hours today.

We all knew since January 2010 that there would be no schedule and should have come as no surprise to you. Quit sniveling I do no have any sympathy for you. Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part. If you wanted some sympathy from me perhaps you should have sent for take out and bought lunch for the worker bees who did not get to eat.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

OFF TODAY AND WHAT SHALL I DO…..

2010-12-29T08:36:00.001-05:00

I worked Monday and Tuesday, we were semi busy. I think it was the Holiday lull. I am on back up call on Friday, New Years Eve, and since there is no formal schedule I have a feeling that I will be working. If the back up person is in we are working too hard.

I wonder what is on my agenda today. I feel that I need to do something other than sit around. Perhaps I will go to the PHIPPS CONSERVATORY and take pictures. I usually go to the seasonal flower shows and I haven’t this year.

Then I should go to the CARNEGIE LIBRARY to peruse their Genealogy Department and then lunch. Or perhaps I will stay home and clean up.

The weather man says it will warm up for a few days and that will be a welcome relief. It has been cold since the beginning of December and in Pittsburgh there is the WINTER CLASSIC HOCKEY game scheduled for Saturday. The weather will be warm and rainy. Wouldn’t you know…..There is a hotel that is close to Heinz Field and I heard that the rooms were going close to $450 per night. I know the ticket are being resold in the thousands. Guess a lot of people have more money than brains, because I would not go when it is on TV. Actually, I will not watch it on TV either.

Guess this is it for now, I have to get up wash my hair and decide what to do. Maybe I will make cookies, who knows?

CHRISTMAS EVE

2010-12-24T12:40:00.001-05:00

I got the report on Sophie's surgery and the cat is officially neutered. She had ear mites and the vet treated them too. At the shelter Sophie was on some flea medication that is put on her food and, just in case, she gave a dose to be given to Jenny.

I woke up early and stayed in bed till 6 AM. The cats would come in and they decided they wanted their breakfast, so I had to leave my warm cocoon to attend to their wants and needs. But, only after I had my tea. There is just a dusting of snow outside and the storm that has been plaguing the west and Midwest has goon south.

I usually do not go out on Christmas Eve, but I needed a few things from the store, so at 8 AM there were a lot of shoppers out in full force already. When Emily had moved she had a stack of about 30 vinyl LP's that she no longer wanted. It was really nothing much of interest, so, rather than throw them away I made a trek to Half Price Books and sold them for a grand total of $3.00. It did not cover the gallon of gas it took to get there. Guess it could be worse they did not charge me to take them off my hands.

They have a good selection of books but the prices that you are given are really paltry. This is the second time I have felt this way and I said before I would go to the library to donate them for the book sale, but I was not going in that direction. I am glad they are out of the house.

Talked to Chuck and Emily this morning and they were planning on having a house clean up today at Noon. Guess they should be in the thick of things about right now. For their dinner Emily bought another Tofurkey and Chuck bought a rotisserie baked chicken, as well as a work of art salad to share. I am going to my sisters for dinner. I thought about it and this is the first Christmas in almost forty two years that we are not celebrating together. If I had off on Monday I would have drive the six hours to get there. They would probably would have me cleaning too if I made the drive.

Chuck is getting the work done of the house and he says he will return the middle of next week. Still work to do on the windows but they need to be ordered and installed when the weather is warmer. The redundant wiring in the house was gone. Some of it had been there since 1900. In the Sayre house there are a few places that a metal pipe is going thru the floor and I did not know what is was and my brother said it was the gas line for when they used gas to light the house and also said he, the boiler was in the furnace and the houses had large grates that the hot air would heat the house by being uplifted through those large grates.

The windows need to be covered with the plastic and two rooms painted. Old houses are always a work in progress, so are the new one , actually.

NEW CAT AT THE NEW CAT RANCH

2010-12-21T10:09:00.001-05:00

We knew it was going to happen. Jenny the cat had been acting rather sad and was looking for the other cats. Emily and Chuck were feeling bad for the cat. On Sunday they got another cat, Sophie. Yesterday when Chuck got up Sophie had (??????) climbed or jumped to the top of the kitchen cabinets. The cabinets are about seven foot from the floor, and how she did this is a mystery; Chuck suspects that she used the Roman shade as a ladder.

Yesterday Sophie went to the vet to get neutered, a check up with shot and to have a microchip inserted. The surgery is to be today and for Sophie to be returned tomorrow. Chuck took a picture of the cat on top of the cabinets and as soon as he figures out how to send it I will post it.

I am off today and plan to start cleaning the room formerly known as Emily's. Since I sent the old vacuum with Emily I had to buy a new vacuum. So I will put it to the test today. I have to put my plan into action instead of sitting here and writing about my plans.

HAD A DEVIL OF A TIME THIS MORNING

2010-12-19T20:09:00.001-05:00

Last evening the Internet was becoming difficult. It did not want to load or connect. I would turn the wireless button of and on again and then it would work for a few minutes. Long enough for me to get the bills paid which I do online for the most part.

This morning it would not connect at all. Since we have Comcast I gave the tech people a call. I had to wait about 45 minutes. That was a long and boring wait because all I could do was play Solitaire till my fingers got numb. The phone mechanical woman did tell me it was going to be a long wait.

The tech man checked the equipment and he said it had to be rebooted. And the procedure for that was to unplug the modem and wait a few minutes and plug it in again. Amazingly, it did the trick. He told me to try it next time if that happened and I assured him that would be my first problem solving technique.

Yesterday Emily got another cat. She went to the Bradford County Animal Shelter and found a adult, black with some white, female. Jenny is not too happy with the new comer. There were no attacks but rather a lot of hissing on Jenny's part, after all who was this interloper and how did that bitch get in the house......

Today there were eyeing each other with suspicion but the younger cat (Sophie) wanted to get to know Jenny and I think Jenny was afraid and suspicious. I think it will work itself out because neither of them is an attack cat.

Emily starts in the OR tomorrow. It will be interesting to hear how her day went.

Chuck got the washer and dryer installed. There are really a lot of good sales in the month of December on just about everything, including washers and dryers. He also replaced the broken basement door, window. Now what is left is caulking and sealing the windows and painting two rooms.

WEEKEND HERE AT LAST...

2010-12-17T17:47:00.001-05:00

Three days back and I am looking forward to four days off. We decided not to buy gifts this year because of moving Emily and he will be upstate PA for Christmas.

The installer came to evaluate and assess the door way. He said we need a custom made door. The door is taller than stock, we knew that already. He also said that the windows were all odd sizes and we would have to have them made too. He did tell Chuck how to measure and gave bits of advice on the installation. He said to put fiberglass in the places were the weights had been. My brother Richard said to put the fiberglass in before the window guy. I think that is why the new windows are still leaking air. The former owner did not put in the fiberglass insulation.

I sense a spousal quality time window installation in my future. We can do it...... if he can build an extension on to our house he can put in windows. So, no Obama Bucks break for us, just pay as usual. What will happen is that Chuck will put the plastic on the drafty windows till spring when the company has it sale and we will order them.

Emily's week of orientation is over and she starts to work next week. Two four day weeks and then on to working for real. I think she is looking forward to a paycheck. And I am looking forward to her off the payroll of mom and dad.

2010-12-14T20:02:00.001-05:00

I ARRIVED BACK HOME SAFE AND SOUND

I had to return back home because I am working for the next three days. Chuck remained at Emily's because he has a lot of work to do. He had to add lights in the basement and is waiting for a washer and dryer to arrive. The installer will come on Friday to evaluate the back door to replace the door with no lock. The one we looked at is a steel door with a window on the top and in that window is a small blind. Emily like it because when it gets dark she did not like the idea of someone (theoretically that is ) being able to get on the back porch and look in. I must admit I found it a little creepy myself.

A few days ago I perused the vegetative matter in the back yard and I found a strawberry and raspberry patch. There was also a compost heap. There were remnants of a pumpkin patch too. There is also a perennial garden. I had to tell Chuck not to pull anything out. It looks like there is a garden but I can not identify what is there, green leafy stuff is all I can see.

The trip is about 5 1/2 hour drive but today it was longer, it took about seven hours. I drove from Sayre down to Altoona and then up the mountain. The drive from Altoona to Blairsville was a white knuckle ride. Blowing snow was all over the road and the visibility was about 2/10's of a mile. Traffic was slowed to 35 to 40 mph in a 55 mph zone. What still amazes me is the hot dogs who race and pass me doing about 55 or 60 in a snow storm.

After I got off the mountain the sky cleared and driving was good. Emily called and had day two of orientation in the OR, she liked the people with whom she will be working. They will teach her to scrub and circulate in the OR, that is a good thing because she will be more marketable with scrub experience. I took her book back to Penn State and the only class she has left are Nursing Classes on line.

Back to work tomorrow and then to exchange some things we had purchased for Emily...

I KNOW ITS BEEN AWHILE.....

2010-12-12T16:32:00.001-05:00

since I have posted.   We have all been busy packing boxes, packing the U Haul and the drive to Sayre PA.    There were delays, mishaps and frustrations along the way.    Now everything is well and shipshape. We did not leave as planned because of problems with the survey.   Then when we did leave the weather thru the mountains of Pennsylvania was snowy and that was quite scary for Chuck driving the truck.   From Blairsville to Altoona the weather was snowy and wintry, but after going down the mountain the rest of the drive was uneventful.    When we got to Route Route 220 in Pennsylvania and drove it to Sayre PA.

Chuck had called the realtor to ask where to pick up the keys for the house.   They did not have any keys because the people who owned it NEVER LOCKED THEIR DOORS.   Is that unbelievable or what?   The front and side door have locks that you can get out of the house,   there is a slot for the key, but no keys.    The back door was blown open and did not shut properly and no key at all.   There was no way to lock the house.

Chuck brought many tools and he had with him a lockset which we had purchased at some time in the past. Well, I can say that the back door locks now but having no keys to the others is another problem.    The former owner had replaced some of the windows and there are many that need to be replaced. He did not caulk around the new windows so the house is drafty. The will be caulked shortly.   Two rooms need to be painted, and a lot of cosmetic work to be done.

Tomorrow is another day.    On Tuesday I will leave and drive home for work and Chuck will stay and work on the house.   Tomorrow Emily starts her hospital orientation.   We will all be busy.

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE...

2010-11-30T19:50:00.002-05:00

It is so quiet here that I can hear the cats breathe..

Chuck and the kid are both gone for a few days. The kid had her physical at the hospital where she will soon be employed.   Emily has been packing for weeks.   A good place to get boxes is at the liquor store.   They are very sturdy and a good size for packing and they are easy to handle. I had procured some boxes from work and they were larger and ideal for clothes, linens and blankets.   She wondered what the neighbors would think with all those boxes are out on the curb on garbage pick up day..Probably think she is a party girl...

Tomorrow they will stop over at the house for a examination and to measure the windows.   The owner told us that we could leave some things there if we wanted.   Both cars were filled with boxes and they will unload them tomorrow.   Now what we have to do is to rent the van and pack the rest, and drive five hours into the wilds of Pennsylvania.   This is really in the ENDLESS MOUNTAINS and endless they are if you are driving.

With the move in the offing we will be closely watch the weather for the S... word.   This particular word involves AWD, shovels and salt.   We have seen a few flakes here on Saturday but nothing stuck.
Outside, it is raining, which started in the early morning hours. We have a sky light in the bedroom and you can hear the patter of the raindrops.   The weather forecaster said that it was to rain from 3 to 4 inches with this storm.   That really gives me the shivers when I think the formula for snow accumulation is 1 inch of rain is equal to 10 inches of snow.   The temperature outside is about 42F and I am glad of it.    Our house is on a slight hill, and I am thrilled about that today.

I MUST ADMIT

2010-11-28T20:13:00.000-05:00

that I am relieved that Thanksgiving is over.   Yesterday we finished the last of the leftovers. I think one day of left overs is enough.   Today I spent a lot of time reading blogs, and with a few cups of tea it was quite manageable.

About a month ago Chuck and I purchased two new phones.   They were the "smart phones".   Actually they are not too smart, or either I am not too smart.    I had down loaded a ring tone of J S Bach and could not install the damn thing.    There was a freebie class that was how to navigate this phone. Well, when I questioned the man teaching the class how to install this he did not know either.   Upon referral to one of his co workers, I found that it would not download to my phone.   The software was for the older phones,,,grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I did not feel nearly as bad when the Verizon guy could not download it either.

I did get some tidbits on the phones usage...The smart phone is too complicated. There are features that I will never use.   I even downloaded Google Sky Map.    I do not know when I will be able to use this since it is cloudy most of the time in PA.

We did set up Chucks voice mail,   he actually had a voice mail from 2006 from me.   It probably was seriously questioning why he did not set up his voice mail account.   I hope he remembers his pass word.

The problem was that in order to set up your voice mail account you had to enter your previous password and if you never had one how were you to know what to enter.   The damned mechanical voice mail bitch kept hangin up since he did not know his previous (nonexistent) pass code number.   I am glad that is done.

I have to check out the Android apps to see what even in the world I may need, on the other hand I will not download any that will cost me money. Guess you could say I was quite frugal or out and out cheap.

AT OUR HOUSE...

2010-11-26T07:31:00.001-05:00

It was an eating extravaganza. The whole day the three of us were either food prep, cleaning or setting up for the feast. This year I decided to cook two turkey breast instead of a large whole turkey. For twenty people one turkey breast (12 pounds) would have been enough. There were plenty of left overs to take home. We also had a ham.

That was a problem with the turkey was the roasting , not to mention that the two were more expensive than the whole turkey. I have a standard size over and I found that the turkey breast were too large to fit well in the lasagna pans. I had placed the turkeys on the meat rack and after the roasting started I found that the oven was smoking. What we determined was that the fat from the skin of the turkey was dripping on the oven floor and causing the smoke.

What we had to do was dig out my large electric roaster and put them both in there. That was the major save of the day. Although I like the roaster, it seems to cook much faster than the over and the item inside doesn't get as brown as the gas oven. But it saved the day and the turkey yesterday. There was a lot of smoke we had to open the windows and air the place out, I am surprised that the smoke detectors did not go off.

Crock Pots were another hot item. I have one large and one small and I cooked the stuffing in both of them. The procedure for that is to make the stuffing as usual and place it in the Crock Pot on Warm and let it cook for three hours. It tastes very good, and for the people who are afraid of bacterial contamination or do not like moist stuffing this is the way to go. Every bit of the stuffing was eaten.

My sister cooked ten pounds of potatoes and they came in her Crock Pot. Emily made a Tofurky (a tofu pseudo turkey) in HWE Crock Pot and Kathy kept the ham warm in her Crock Pot. This is a lot of advertisement for the Crock Pot people.

Some of the guests brought plenty of sweets and everyone had a package to take home.

Other than the initial trouble the day went well.

AT OUR HOUSE

2010-11-23T20:14:00.000-05:00

We are trying to get ready for two events.   The first being Thanksgiving and the second, moving Emily to the wilds of Northern PA.

This year I bought two turkey breasts.   It just seemed easier that way, there is a lot of waste with the whole bird.   At Pounds Turkey Farm which is a short drive from my home.   They are antibiotic and hormone free, I bought a turkey the last time I had Thanksgiving Dinner and it was so moist and good.

I went to the store this morning and somehow,even though I had a list, I keep forgetting items. I will probably stop for something else before Thursday. It is nice to have off the week of a holiday.   It just gives me more time to procrastinate.

Tomorrow, early, the kid an I will go to Ikea, she has a list of kitchen things that she needs to set up her house.   She said she would drive, or I said OK

On the menu is turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, cauliflower, gravy and cranberry sauce.   My sister Shawnna is peeling and cooking 10 pounds of potatoes and my sister Kathy is making dessert.   My brother Richard is bringing the green bean casserole and brothers Thomas and William are bringing their appetites.

JENNYS FUNNY FACE

2010-11-22T21:07:00.001-05:00

This has to be the funniest picture of Jenny the cat. When I looked over and saw her it made me laugh. She held the pose long enough for me to get this picture.

THE SEARCH IS OVER AND HOUSING OBTAINED

2010-11-20T09:16:00.001-05:00

The housing has been settled.   It you live in small town Pennsylvania you can find housing that is reasonably priced. And, that is exactly what happened.   The house we found was built in 1910.   It is a frame house with cedar shakes which are painted a medium gray.   There is work to be done but it is mostly cosmetic.

The house has been updated and looks great.   The best thing about it is it is within walking distance of the hospital where the kid will be working. The closing is in a few weeks and she will settled in before she has to start. We will be watching the weather forecast on the week of the move.

The greatest thing about it was that the couple had purchased another house and we were able to include some of the furniture in the deal.   While we are thinking I am glad we did not have to buy and move the furniture (bedroom, dining table, and living room) they are probably thinking I am glad I did not have to find somewhere to put that furniture that was in the house.

We will get the smallest U Haul and take her things.   There is a drop off place up in the town and we can unload and drop it there.    Yesterday were going thru things that the kid had in her college apartment, and things that were from my parents and Chucks parents houses. Things that were to good to throw away and I had been saving for Emily when she started out on her own.   How neat is to have a set of china that was your Great Grandmothers?

ROAD TRIP NUMBER TWO OR IS IT THREE???

2010-11-17T15:26:00.000-05:00

Anyhow, we have all lost count.   Yesterday was spent looking at apartments in NY. That was an eye opener for the kid.   The rates of rents to do reflect the condition of the apartments.

Then this morning they were to see two more houses.   I think the second is the one.   It is an old Victorian, built in 1900 and has been updated, but is in move condition.   It have been on the market since the spring and the owners live locally, so I am thinking that they have two mortgages to pay.

Both the husband and the kid liked this one.   It is within walking distance of the hospital and that alone should save on car insurance since you are not driving the car everyday to work.

I bought her the first house gift.    A NEW SNOW SHOVEL, because in upstate PA, in the snow belt, she will need it. They made an offer and are waiting for the reply.   Chuck LOVES to bargain I am sure he will get a good deal.

Her first day at work is in December, so we have to get moving on rounding up this deal.

ANOTHER ROAD TRIP....

2010-11-14T19:08:00.000-05:00

I am working this week so I will not be going on the latest field trip to find decent housing. I REALLY hope something is resolved on this trip. The problem is you just can not go and look, there is a lack of available hotels that are vacant and you have to make a reservation in advance.

For me I can not up and go because of my work commitment, we are getting down to the wire on the housing. I hope it is resolved this week.

We got a table and five chairs at the thrift store, looks like walnut to me. The cushions on the chairs are date and could be replaced. You can go to the fabric store and use the present cloth as a template, take it over the seat and reinstall it on the chair.

We are all stressed here and I think at this time next month it will all be resolved......or so I am hoping.

BACK TO WORK…..

2010-11-12T21:08:00.001-05:00

After almost two weeks off. The time went so fast, first the conference and then a few vacation days to go and look for housing for the kid, which proved to be futile and an eye opener at the same time. I decided that I could retire tomorrow, I like being off.

The owner of the house that we liked would not go any lower after our second bid. When the Realtor, who is making a commission, told us the house was not worth the price that they were asking, it is time to give it up. I think a big problem is in this day and age is the fact that the people owe more than their houses are worth. No one is going to pay the asking price, when the market is down, down, down. Their only other choice is just to walk away and it will end up in sheriff sale.

Next week Chuck and the kid are going back up and this time look in New York, which is adjacent to the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. They are taking two days and have several things lined up.

This evening we bought a table and five chairs (where is number six?) Guess it was broken, and Chuck bought a cedar chest armoire. Tomorrow we will go to another thrift store and look for a bed and the rails, we will have to buy a mattress and box springs. I also want to buy her a snow shovel, I think she will need it, for sure.

Emily is still busy packing, we got a lot of sturdy boxes from the liquor store. I also brought several home from work, there is an inexhaustible supply of boxes there. They are heavy enough to support the weight of the books. Her clothes are gone through, except for the things hanging on the line. Last week I made a thrift store run and donated clothes she had sorted out.

BACK FROM ROAD TRIP

2010-11-11T15:56:00.001-05:00

The trip proved to be VERY interesting. Some of these houses had been on the market for months. When we got up there the ones we were interested in had been sold. So we went to see a few others. First thing the kid learned, if there are not any pictures of the inside of the house you have something to worry about.

The first we saw was cottage on the SUSQUEHANNA RIVER Running in front of the cottage was a busy Pennsylvania State road. The few minutes were there a lot of trucks went rumbling by, and the gas drillers had made a road in between this house and the one next door.

The rooms were so small and the layout was choppy. It was made worse by the fact that the owner had a dog grooming business and the rooms were chopped even more. The house was cold, and appeared to be heated by a portable kerosene heater, which has a recognizable smell.

I am thinking that the woman did not want to spend money on filling up the oil tank. It had a septic tank and well water. My worry was flooding, and it had a great potential for getting flooded when the river would rise. Out on the porch the far end of the floor listed downward leaving me to believe the foundation was affected. This house was off the list. There were no pictures of the inside.

The second was a large house with a double lot, it was over the railroad tracks and the river too. The neighborhood houses we not in the greatest repair. After driving by we opted out of the viewing. There were not pictures of inside of this house. Off the list.

Third was a large house situated up a steep drive way. When we got out of the car I could hear dogs barking and a guy came out and asked “What do you want?” He said the landlord did not tell them anyone was coming, but come in anyway. This was also choppy, and uneven floors after getting as far as the kitchen we decided to leave. There were no pictures of the inside of this house. Off the list. The cast of characters living here faintly resembled Deliverance.

Fourth was a house in a nicer area, it had beautiful wood trim on the dining room and up the stairs, the kitchen was a little wild with too much paneling. It could have been doable. The bedrooms were all dark but that could have been solved with some paint. The bathroom was interesting with a claw foot tub and in need of an update. The biggest drawback to this house was a tree in front of the house.

This tree must have had a diameter of four feet. The three of may not have gotten our arms around this tree if we all held hands. When I got out of the car I noticed a blue cap with water printed on it. Chuck decided that the water line, and quite possible to gas line were imbedded in the wooden roots of this tree, and to take the tree down and out would have cost major big bucks, off the list.

We were sorely depressed because not houses were available and we were leaving the next day. We told the Realtor to see if she could come up with some else. That evening I found a new listing and the place looked like a Hollywood Star. We called the Realtor and it had just been listed, and we liked it and put in an offer. We are in negotiation….I am hoping we can come to an agreement. I do not want to drive up there again and look for housing.

ROAD TRIP

2010-11-08T20:06:00.001-05:00

This week we are going on a trip to find housing for the kid. It is strange but due to the Marcellus Shale Drilling people, housing is proving difficult to find. There are just no apartments to be had. This may serve the local economy well, but what will it do after the drilling is done.

If you call the realtors who handle apartment or house rentals they do not have anything. It seems when the apartments become available the disappear with the speed of light. We have a few ideas and we will go and see what is to be done.

I see this as a problem for the local Medical Center/Trauma Center. How will they attract medical personal if there is no housing. In talking to a person who had apartment rentals in NY, he doesn’t have anything either. The other problem is that this demand will escalate the prices of the housing in the area. It is going to be difficult. The salaries of the nurses will not keep up with the demand of the drillers.

SATURDAY

2010-11-06T20:01:00.001-04:00

I am thinking that this old computer (purchased in 2004) has a limited life. For the past month or so it has been powering down. In the respect that it will go from the AC power to battery power. I had initially thought that it was the power cord. I went to a MAJOR electronic shop and to replace the cord was $80, I could not spend that on the cord. Then after an on line search I found one for $20. It was not the cord, I think the problem is in the innards of the cord hole.

I am glad I have purchased a external hard drive and have backed up my stuff. I think that at some point in time I will not be able to charge the battery and I can not connect to the power by said cord.

Today the kid and I went to my place of employment and got some boxes. These are boxes that the surgical set ups come in and then the boxes are discarded. They must have been really busy because on a Saturday we got eight of them.

She has gone through about half of her clothes and made a pitch, thrift shop and keep piles. She wants to wash the clothes and packed them in the boxes. We have a more piles of clothes to go through.

Next is the house wares that I have duplicate of, mostly from the two families when our parents passed away. I also have extra sheets and towels and who knows what is in the boxes from Emilys college days.

We have a lot of work to do.

WEDNESDAY

2010-11-03T04:32:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted for a while, I am out of town at an educational meeting in Williamsburg VA. Chuck is home at the cat ranch. Actually, he said that Henry is being a pain and constantly meowing for food. I guess, since he is an old cat, he needs to have his thyroid checked. I read an article where cats can get hyperthyroid and should have levels, other than that he may just be a pain as usual. The girls are fine, probably hiding from Henry.

The weather has been spectacular, days in the high 50's and cool nights. The kid is along and getting up relatively early and out and about walking and visiting the attractions in Colonial Williamsburg.

Not to much to report, two more days of classes and then home.

GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE

2010-10-30T08:40:00.001-04:00

If anyone has ever moved they know what a hassle is involved. First, we need to find housing. This is going to be complicated by the lack of hotel rooms in town. Chuck wanted to go up next week to do the preliminaries, but there was no hotel to be had. The gas workers have the rooms booked for two weeks, you really have to call and reserve a room at least two weeks in advance. My question is will they be working all winter. Can you drill in the snow and freezing temperatures?

The kid set up a new account at the bank. We found that Citizens had an office in both Pittsburgh and The East End of No Where too. This would make it easy when she comes for a visit and wanted to use an ATM. Also, for whatever reason if I should need to help her with some cash I can go down the street and deposit some money. With her getting set up who knows what she may need. It may be three or four weeks before she gets an actual paycheck.

Since we have been married we have moved eight times, I guess you could say we have the routine down. The moves were all associated with his job and they were not minor moves. Chuck has a list of to do things. The kid has no idea what is involved in this process, I guess you could say she was blissfully unaware. At the local liquor store they always have boxes that they will give away. Liquor boxes are very sturdy and small, she needs to start packing her books and the small size will make the lifting easier. Also larger boxes are needed too and my source is that every case in the operating room comes prepackaged in its own box and where I work is an inexhaustible supply but they are best for fabric items that do not weigh too much.

As soon as we have an address we need to change things. Today on the agenda is to start to go through her clothes and give what she doesn’t wear to the thrift store and in my collection in the basement are household goods that were there since both parents died, and the collection of household goods that are in boxes.

A lot of work to be done. I can now scratch one thing off my list with about one hundred to go.

I’M SO EXCITED….

2010-10-28T19:12:00.001-04:00

Today the kid had a job offer, as a RN. She graduated in June and she finally got a job. She will be working in the OR doing orthopedics and orthopedic trauma. She starts in December and we have a lot to do because she will be moving.

Find a place to live is first, and go through all her things and pack up for the move.

She starts December 13 and she is really excited about this job……We will have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.