Ka-Boom She Went!

So here's my latest award --
1100 Lifetime Miles -
(I started tracking in 2013)




Took Sadie for a long walk around Freestone Park this evening.  It's 78 and breezy, perfect for walking!   I could have walked another couple of miles, but Sadie gets to panting heavy after about a mile.  That's ok, it gives me time to take pix!

Today is Friday, and I started it off with a real bang.  I was getting dressed, putting on my pants - which I do one leg at a time like everyone else.  Only I have it in my head that my balance is as good as it was when I was in my 20s.....  Yep, you guessed, it's not what it used to be!  My right foot goes in just fine (as I am "left footed" )  and my left foot got all tangled up in the pants -- kaboom, down I went to the floor - hard - one my left knee and tried to catch myself with my right hand.  My foot stayed tangled, so I strained some muscles in my foot, my toes were sore all day.  My left knee has a knot on it, and my right shoulder is aching like crazy.   My oddest thought?  Was "Oh no, what if I can't get up???  Will I have to wake my son and say 'come help me, I can't get up' ???   Yikes, I didn't want to be doing that. lol   I scootched over to the dresser where I'd have something to anchor myself too, and managed to stand, to get into my pants, put on my shoes and hobble around the block with the dog.

As I hobbled my way through the day, I decided that my response to anyone asking why I'm hobbling would be "I must have slept funny."  lol  No way would I admit that I couldn't even put my own pants on!!!  hahahahhahah

Ahhh, what a way to start a Friday!
*laughs*

Mondays

My windows are wide open today.  It is overcast, there were sprinkles out by work, but none at home here.  The fresh breeze feels good, even smells good.  After a weekend of cooped up, with slight paint fumes hovering, I slipped into an old hoodie and opened every window because airing out a house is a good thing to do.

I am so very tired today.  Monday is usually what I call "maintenance day" for me personally.  It's the day I take extra time in the shower to do the things gals do.  It's the day I set aside for trimming nails, buffing things that need buffing, and whatever else needs to be done.  

It's also the day I avoid social media and get my TV warmed up for Antiques Roadshow.  I'm not sure why that show appeals to me.  I'm not interested much in the valuations of things as I am learning the history behind something someone has saved for years.  There are some things that I look at and wonder why anyone kept that thing for so long????  There are some things that I think are lovely, would love to have, which have little to no value.  But I'm not a saver of things for their monetary value, just the sentiment.

However, I have a few things that I think might fetch a penny or two -- like my  Cooperstown Yogi and BooBoo bears.  I have tried to find similar pricing but have found that most people are missing BooBoo so having the set, along with the original box .......   *smile*   That'll my be kids' inheritance it seems, since there doesn't seem to be much else to leave them.   hahahhaa

It's also the day my son comes home from a trip to his Dad's.  I need to pick him up at the bus station, supposedly around 6:40.  However, since I am without a cell phone, it will be difficult to know if he will be on time or not.  Given that there was rain in the valley, it might possible have spread further south, and impeded his travel time.  *sigh*   That's the one good thing I can say about cell phones.  You don't have to spend time waiting in a car.    With any luck, mine will be delivered tomorrow, and I can get my service restored.  It will be nice to be able to know that I have access to people, to help, when I go on my walks.  (which is one of the reasons I've been walking my neighborhood for the past week!)

Here's a great front porch I found :  Great archway, beautiful southwest style door... and a cat on the stoop to complete the look!

Salute!

It is an overcast, dreary kind of day in the Valley of the Sun, but that doesn't stop us from doing things!  I took my afternoon walk with Sadie, and we found this little front porch alcove with a soldier.... love this piece of garden art!


Happy weekend!


Not as happy as it could have been for me.... I worked today, and spent the rest of my weekend painting my closet.  It didn't get painted when I moved in 5 yrs ago, and I figured it was time.  I was also trying to find a way to make things "roomier" in my closet.  Naturally, when you take everything out, as you're sorting things to put back in you look and go "whoa! I haven't used/worn this in five years!"   Yep, time for it to go.  I have a hard time letting go of shoes, however.  I'm not sure why.  Because the only shoes I truly wear are New Balance tennies.  The rest of the heels I have --- well, lets just say I haven't worn a dress or pantyhose in more than 5 years either!  Lovin' the casual lifestyle I have, though :)

Downloads of Junk

Is there anything more frustrating that a so called "free download" only to find that in order to make it run, you need to pay for it??  Or worse:  You download some free program to enable you to do something unique only to get unwanted add-ons that mess up your web browser, activate your security, and generally mess up the current status of your computer?   

That happened to me today.

I like to print labels for the DVDs I create of my photographs.  It adds a nice touch, and allows me to put some kind of archival dates on the photos.  But I ran out of the Avery kind, and my store is no longer carrying them.  So I stopped into a Staples store today.  They don't carry the Avery brand either, only the Memorex brand.  Ok.  I figured I could give it a try - it says right on the package that I can download a free software program to help me print these.  (Of course, you can ONLY use their program as the layout of the circles is different .... )  

I downloaded the program, accepted all their "terms" -- and ended up with a mess that had my security scanning my computer for 40 minutes trying to locate the issues.  In the end, I had to manually remove all of these items from the files it created.  *smh*  Ok.  So I wasn't smart enough to catch the fine print about loading all this crap ........  Went back and downloaded the program again, reading every fine print note, clicking on every link allowable, then clicking "decline" on every single one of their ""offers"".    So far, so good, I was able to install the program successfully.  Only to find that my very first attempt to add a photo to the template, it claimed "not enough memory".  Say what?

Ok.  That was it.  3 hours or more of time invested in something that I cannot use without a lot of aggravation and finagling.  Why should it be this hard??????  Back to Avery products, that's for sure.  I know for a fact their templates work.  I was able to find them online and purchased a pack.  They won't be here until March 1st, but that's better than nothing.  

Total frustration on my part.

Why would a reputable company like Memorex have a download like this?  exPressit is the program, and it's ... useless.  I know in this digital age that people mostly expect things to be emailed to them, or at the very least, stuck on a flash drive.  But DVDs are cheaper, and they work for the older generation who can't operate the flash drives properly.  

In the end, you get what you pay for.

I'll be returning those labels to Staples tomorrow. 

Front Porches

I love the idea of a front porch, all the stories you read where families sit on the front porch and greet each other - yes, I know, back in the 50s, but still a great concept!  We've moved away from that, but I think people still have a longing for it.  Why do I think that?  Because there are many great front porches out there, and most of them have places to sit  ....

here's a couple that caught my eye on today's walk:

Love the retro look with the orange door!
Makes you want to curl up in a chair with a glass of lemonade
and watch the rest of the neighbors stroll past!!

Act!

When you want a change in your life, you can wish in one hand......  I think I heard that "wish" phrase for the first time in "Grumpy Old Men".  I laughed then, but in reality, its a true statement.  Wishing is just that ... wishing.  Most of the time, the things we wish for never happen.  Unless we take some kind of action to make that wish come true.

Yesterday, after watching "Broken Bridges", I decided to take the bull by the horns and start acting on making changes in my life.  Of course, that's been necessary to do because I am without my cell phone - out of touch with people, and frankly, not missing it much at all in the last 36 hours!

I "Un-Assed" my couch after the movie and emptied my closet.  Yes.  Emptied.  When I bought my house 5 years ago, I painted everything, except the closets.  They didn't seem to need painting at the time, but five years have passed, and yes, even closets need to be refreshed!   One of the other reasons I wanted to do this was to make a few changes.  Because of the placement of one of the closet poles, when I hang hangers on one side, I cannot open the close door all the way.  (I think they built the house based on much smaller hangers 25 years ago?)  So I want to put in some of those hanging shelves and hanging shoe racks.  I don't know about you, but I end up with 5 or 6 pairs of tennis shoes that I rotate through because of work.  (Standing/walking on concrete all day is very hard on a body, and good tennies are a necessity!)  Having said shoes scattered on the floor of the closet isn't very functional.  And all over the floor of the bedroom -- well, that's easy access for sure, but also a hazard for us older folk who get up and wander to the bathroom in the middle of the night.  haha

So, here I am with an empty closet; I found a gallon of paint in the garage in "sunlight white", must be left over from painting the bathroom, so perfect!  I'll get a freshened closet, and use up something from the garage as well.  That's "score 2 for me!"

The point of all this rambling is this:  if life is feeling like a downer, if you're feeling like things aren't going the way you want ... then act.  Make a change.  Even if it's something little, or off the major path, you're taking control, doing something positive.  And that puts positive vibes back in your corner.

Who knows what will come your way when you start taking action.  In today's mail, I found a note from the California hospital I had surgery at in October.  They credited my charge account $296 because the insurance paid more than they anticipated.   Can I say these are related?  Probably not.  However.  Who am I to question something good that comes along after I begin to take control of the little things in my life????

ok, maybe that's pushing it a little far, but hey.
If you want change, then take action.
It's good for you :)

Believe in Myself!

I watched the movie "Broken Bridges" tonight.  Simple small town story starring Toby Keith.  He plays a man who ran out from his girlfriend who was pregnant.  16 years later, they all end up back in the same small town for a funeral.  He gets to know his daughter, who is a singer/songwriter like the father she never knew.

The title song, however, has a great message.

Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud in the sky,
then it starts to rain.

My defenses hit the ground, shatter all around,
so broken and exposed.

Little girl don't be so blue, I know what you're going through
Don't let it beat you up

Hittin' walls and gettin' scars
Only makes you who you are

When you're broken in a Million little pieces
And your tryin'  but you can't hold on any more

Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believin' in your self
When you're broken

Love the message.  The first verse reminds me of nearly every Monday, expecting good things and something goes wrong.  But there is always a bright side.  Having troubles, going through problems, these are the things that make us stronger as we get through them.  With any luck, we learn from our problems and can take those lessons into the next days with us.

Lately I've felt like life is giving me a triple dose of issues and problems to deal with.  But I am not one to shrink and hide - at least for very long, although I do have my moments! - so I've decided that I'm not waiting for life to get better.  I am going to make life better by doing things!   Yes, I may have moments of feeling "broken", but I am stronger every day, and I will not stop believing in myself!

Cell Phone

I'm a pretty responsible person, don't have trouble keeping track of my cell phone, but yesterday - something went wrong.  It seems it slipped out of my jeans pocket and I was truly hoping that an honest person would find it, turn it in.  However, that wasn't the case.  My phone is gone, and I had to make the trek over to the Verizon store to find out my options.  Turns out, they aren't good.

I have been a Verizon customer for 10 years now;  I'm not due for an upgrade until May 5. That's 3 months away.  But they weren't able to slide the date a bit, to gain another two years' contract out of me. Instead, I was told that I would have purchase a phone at full retail (approx $400) ... or, I could go buy a "cheapie phone" from some outside source like Yakety Yak, bring it back to Verizon and let them activate it until my contract is done.

That will be the 'sticking point' -- when my contract is done, then what?  Stay with Verizon???  I'm thinking not.  In this day and age of the battle of cell phone companies, you might think they would try to do what they can to keep customers.  I started adding it up... in the past 21 months, I have paid them just over $1800.  They don't want to keep my income??  Or are they too big to care about one simple customer?

I have to admit, I was seriously stressing over not having a phone with me 24/7.  But after today, it's kind of nice not having it.  Maybe this is my "I'm all grown up" point where I just want to have a cell phone with just phone and text, none of this FB stuff, Apps stuff ... on the other hand, it sure comes in handy when traveling to use the airline Apps.


I was up most of the night last night trying to make sure I'd changed all my passwords, and wondering just what was on my phone that I will regret not having.  I believe there were about 500 pix on there.  Did I use my phone for banking?  I'm sure I didn't.  But ....   and that's the big worry.  What data can someone get???  Am I at risk??   *sigh*



When it's all said and done....
having to deal with this has been
a complete pain in the ass.

Allegiant Airlines

Allegiant is a smaller airline, trying to make it's place in the air travel industry.  They are a "no frills" airline, but the "no frills" part is truly no frills!  

If all you want to do is order a ticket on line, fly with very little baggage, and have little to no hassle in the whole procedure, it's not a bad airline to fly.  And ticket prices are low -- if  you're able to make your schedule match theirs.   It worked for me every month last year.   But if you need something outside of the parameters of ordering tickets yourself -- well, it will cost you!    Let me explain.....

Last summer, my flight on a Weds night was cancelled, and rescheduled for Thursday morning.  Travelers were issued a $100 voucher for their troubles, to be used within the next year.  Ok, that was nice of them.  However.  You cannot use this voucher when you book your ticket on their website.  So you call, and they tell you there is a fee of $14.95 each way if you choose to purchase your ticket over the phone.  (So if you're keeping up with the math, your voucher is now only worth $70).  And of course, every person's time is worth something.  I waited on the phone for 30+ minutes on Sunday, but never spoke with an agent.  So I decided that it would be worth my time to swing by the airport on the way home and purchase my ticket (there is no fee if you purchase your ticket at a counter.)

I arrived at the airport at 3:30pm and parked in the parking lot (crossing my fingers that I don't stay past the "first 30 minutes free" ...)  and got into line.  After some waiting, a girl asked if she could help me, I said sure, I'd like to purchase a ticket.   Only to be told "We only sell tickets from 6-9pm on Sundays and Mondays."   "You're KIDDING????"  I exclaimed.    I got home, and dialed them up again.  I have been in their queue line for 48 minutes now, and still no agent to speak with.

Allegiant Airlines works, but ONLY if you're willing to work within their parameters -- there is no extra service, nothing done outside of their limitations.  Services are extremely limited.  If they expect to make it to the big time, they need to work on the Customer Service aspect of their business.  :/

Happy Sunday

Back in the 80s, Cinderella sang "Don't know what you've got til its gone...."

and that's quite the true statement.  We take so many things for granted.  The other things, we don't know about ourselves until something comes along to teach us a lesson.  I'm getting both of that today.

I only get one day off, because I worked yesterday.  But it's a miserable day at home.  The neighbors are getting a new roof, and there's a lot of air-hammering, pounding and general noise from that direction, along with strangers on a roof -- which Sadie can see from her vantage place in the backyard.  What that means is a lot of barking on her part.

What I'm learning about myself today is that I really, REALLY, need my down time from work where there is noise, people and confusion on a daily basis.  I took my weekends for granted, because I live in a small, quiet community -- and love it!  Until today.

I have taken Sadie for two walks, just to get out of the house and away from the noise.  I'm finding it hard to focus on anything, like doing chores.  I should be doing my laundry, but I just can't seem to find it in me to get started on anything.  I've tried reading, TV, even CD's to keep the noise level down.  I have closed all the bedroom doors just to muffle the noise as much as possible.



I am keeping my fingers crossed that they knock off early today.

I really need some quiet time this afternoon if I'm going to regain my sanity to make it through the next work week!




Happy Sunday, y'all :)

Happy V-Day!

There is nothing worse than being awakened by the ringing of the telephone.  Your first thought, of course, is that something terrible is wrong.  Your mind sifts through possibilities, and you mentally prepare for what could be the worst.

My phone rang in the wee hours of the morning, and panic sets in when I hear the ring.  Holy Crap! I think to myself -- wasn't 2014 enough of a year of issues that now there's yet another????   I stumble out of bed to dash over to the phone, which is on the vanity across the room.  (I keep it over there so I'm not tempted when I can't sleep to grab my glasses and phone and play games, or check up on Facebook friends..... )  I forget to grab my glasses so I squint at the phone and can see just enough that is says my BigBox store's name.  Ugh.  "Hello??"  "Hey, it's Esmee, can you come to work early today??"  *blink*blink*  ( I'm already scheduled to come in on my day off at 6am ....)  "Well, I can try..."  I tell her.   *blink*blink*  It takes a moment for my brain to de-frazzle.  But it didn't take long to come to the conclusion that, well, since you woke me UP and I'm physically out of bed, I suppose I could just get my a$$ ready and come on in.  Which I did.

There are some people in this world who have the natural ability to look at a situation, see the bigger picture, break it down into manageable portions, assign tasks to those who match up to the needs, and get the job done.  This was NOT the case with my store manager today.  (or perhaps any day....)  When I arrived at work, I was told to go to shoes.  Um, shoes??  I've never worked shoes a day in my life, but OK.  Not 15 minutes later, I was told to go to Ladies' apparel.  Ok, I can do that, I've done it enough times.  But one manager tells me to work in one section, 10 minutes later the store manager asked me to do another section.  Um.  Make up your mind please!   Another 15 minutes goes by and there's a full blown panic -- items were brought over from another store to make our counters look good, and can I head to the back to help them check it in and put it away on the shelves in pharmacy.  Sure.  (Now pharmacy is a section I can speed through - I usd to run that department years ago)

Yay, first morning break!  Finally!  After that, stumbling around with another back room manager, making sure all of our signing is correct.  But frankly, its too busy because of Valentine's Day to be able to move a cart and a ladder around all the customers.  We managed, but it wasn't pleasant.  By then, we're six hours into the day, and its time for lunch.  No one had to tell me twice!  I dashed to get my debit card, grab my Kindle, and headed to McDonald's.  (I was only going to work for 4 hours, so I didn't pack a lunch!)  It wasn't very peaceful in there, as so many others were trying to get their lunch as well.  But sometimes, that's just how it is.  I endured, reading my story, and trying to forget where I was ... it usually works!

But I got busy watching people.  They were streaming in and then out with their Valentine purchases -- balloons, flowers, large stuffed animals.  Just my own personal view:  while stuffed animals are fun, when I was dating my HS sweetheart, he gave me a 4foot stuffed elephant.  It was orange!  And ... there's just not room for that sort of thing!   Ahh well.  Maybe its my age.  Plenty of people enjoy getting them :)

Happy

Valentine's 

Day

to you!