Christmas Eve: Hell started when I couldn't get Freckles to take the sedation med easily. Then arrived late to the small commuter airport in Oxnard. They couldn't fly both animals since they claimed one will freeze in cargo but my reservation didn't have both cats on the file. Dumbass United strikes again! As I missed the early morning flight at 6 AM I am trying to keep my temper at a medium burn as I lost count of how many times the female agents said, "You need to get here earlier to process these animals...", no matter how many times I kept answering - "you don't have them on the reservation so how does this matter?" Even after I called the customer service line to get the cats on the reservation, the counter agent said that statement ONE MORE TIME!! I ignored her based on the fact that her ignorance must be her fucking bliss. Very stressful start of the holiday season to say the least. Had to drive my vehicle to LAX and park it here, take their lot shuttles to United counter and check Freckles in thru the 'Odd Size' counter. (Don't have my camera cable and my own PC to upload the photos so they will come in another post.) Have to admit, the sedation worked for Ditto, she didn't squeak a peep out of her during the whole 5 hour flight time. When Freckles was brought out, she was screaming and she did soil herself. Good thing I had the cushiony bed with thick bumpers inside the kennel for absorption and protection. It was like traveling with a padded psych kennel for her.
My work PC had a problem with the keyboard so I called before I left on the trip to have my company send me a laptop shell to switch out my hardrive into the shell that is supposed to work. They ended up sending me a defective one; didn't try this out fully until I sent my old one back via FedEx by then. Called them again and they want my hardrive and shell all sent to them before they send it out again. Had to pay for packing materials since this shipping place in Florida ran out of the computer boxes. FedEx label doesn't account for the shipping (bubble wrap/peanuts) materials. Now I have to face how I am to expense that with my company - it was their fault for putting me through this mishap.
Otherwise, I am resting as much as possible knowing that I have a major house sale this weekend. People are already calling to see if they can come by before the weekend. The nerve of these people. I don't get it - they will be the ones that don't buy anything; just make the noise to sound important. Well, I think the boxed up stuff that I want to put through the sale will remain boxed up for people to rummage through. I am not planning to spend lots of time to display things out in an organized fashion. Sorry, this is a moving sale not a 'get rid of my knick/knacks' sale.
29 December 2008
23 December 2008
Chaos and Pain Cont'd
For a while today I thought I lost Ditto. She was running away from me when I was trying to groom her. One of her eyes is draining - just like the symptom of a cold, still sneezing, etc. She finally showed up wanting to sleep; I think she had her 'walkabout'. Tomorrow morning is when I sedate both cats for the plane ride to Florida.
Transferred yarn from a bin to the rubbermaid garbage can. I do have yarn, needles and knitting books to sell in my house sale. I can't believe that I had a box of floppy discs with data on them in that garbage can. Does anyone remember that media?
Called Abednego Book, a recycling place, and scheduled a pickup of all of my books (including old textbooks from school) Friday Jan.2.
Called AMEX - have to schedule cancelation of account when the next billing cycle is over (mid-Jan 2009)
Decided that I will not pack anything more so in the house so people can see what I have e.g. in the kitchen. I get the feeling that there will be a mess of clothes and shit everywhere when people pick through the box of items now.
Contacted PVS International and asked for the Phillipine woman, Bles, who I spoke to yesterday about my passport situation. The reason I know she is Phillipine is becaused I recognize the accent and the lack of understanding of communication when she was on the phone with me today. She said that they can't find my diplomas - I interrupted her and said that I didn't send diplomas, I am looking for my passport. Had to re-explain the situation again to her since she proceeded to cut me off in my explanation. Some customer service. She put me on hold for a moment and said "My manager said that they have retrieved your passport but they didn't process the VISA..." DUH!! I should have asked for the fucking manager!! Bles proceeded to ask if I want to express process the VISA. I proceeded to lose my temper and stated why it it not necessary to exrpess process, talking in a robot manner so she would not interrupt me anymore. I think it was the accent that was disturbing me since it reminded me of my bedside nursing days working with those Phillipine nurses. Language barrier and they didn't seem to have appropriate affect in people skills because of it. Clearly they had their sex pronouns reverse..that was fun to always correct.
Onward...have to go the bank for the car transfer documents.
Transferred yarn from a bin to the rubbermaid garbage can. I do have yarn, needles and knitting books to sell in my house sale. I can't believe that I had a box of floppy discs with data on them in that garbage can. Does anyone remember that media?
Called Abednego Book, a recycling place, and scheduled a pickup of all of my books (including old textbooks from school) Friday Jan.2.
Called AMEX - have to schedule cancelation of account when the next billing cycle is over (mid-Jan 2009)
Decided that I will not pack anything more so in the house so people can see what I have e.g. in the kitchen. I get the feeling that there will be a mess of clothes and shit everywhere when people pick through the box of items now.
Contacted PVS International and asked for the Phillipine woman, Bles, who I spoke to yesterday about my passport situation. The reason I know she is Phillipine is becaused I recognize the accent and the lack of understanding of communication when she was on the phone with me today. She said that they can't find my diplomas - I interrupted her and said that I didn't send diplomas, I am looking for my passport. Had to re-explain the situation again to her since she proceeded to cut me off in my explanation. Some customer service. She put me on hold for a moment and said "My manager said that they have retrieved your passport but they didn't process the VISA..." DUH!! I should have asked for the fucking manager!! Bles proceeded to ask if I want to express process the VISA. I proceeded to lose my temper and stated why it it not necessary to exrpess process, talking in a robot manner so she would not interrupt me anymore. I think it was the accent that was disturbing me since it reminded me of my bedside nursing days working with those Phillipine nurses. Language barrier and they didn't seem to have appropriate affect in people skills because of it. Clearly they had their sex pronouns reverse..that was fun to always correct.
Onward...have to go the bank for the car transfer documents.
Chaos and Pain
This is all really happening. As you will see reading through this, socializing is extremely limited for me here on out. I have no significant other or family members to help me with this big move. Unless I receive offers to help out with these arrangements, I will not be able to visit with people before my departure. Somehow I don't think others see this as a big loss for the given effort. This is a tremendous uprooting of my life and it hit me emotionally when they hauled my Miata away.
This past weekend, I had a couple friends over (Stephanie and Betsy) to help me go through my stuff in boxes, cubbie holes and closets sorting out what I want to ship with me and what I want to give away/sell. 2 sets of neighbors came over to look through my house; I sold both my TV's!!
Going through the memories was not as bad as I thought. Realizing that I can't fit into many of the clothes sitting in the "other" closet was a 'crack-heroine' dream that I would be that small again. Then my "Scooter" was picked up to ship to Florida - now I know this is REALLY happening!
Current accomplishments:
-Got the cats vaccines, tested sedation on them with a result of Ditto with a slight cold with sneezing. She will be in the cabin with me. United carrier only allows one animal in the cabin and others in cargo. They both have their Revolution heartworm monthly dose to start.
-Contacted Battered Women's charity to schedule a pickup for my leftover junk Jan. 8
-Sorted out the things shipping with me and the others for the big moving sale and charity give-aways. Filled 2 trash cans and accumulating garbage in bags within the house. Bedrooms are pretty much cleared out with furniture standing and boxes for the moving sale for people to pick through.
-Contacted PVS International twice to see what happened to my passport; they have not retrieved it yet from Tanzania Embassy; I haven't seen my return receipt back from the mail. So my password is really MIA!!
-Placed an ad in The Ventura County Star classifieds to advertise my moving sale; it will run this weekend and the sale weekend: Jan. 3/4, 2009.
-Got more large packing boxes from U-Haul since I ran out of them packing so far.
-Contacted E.J. Harrison to schedule a dumpster Jan. 9 in front of my house for a week to unload all of my shit and leftovers by then.
-Saw my allergist to get prescription of allergy meds before I leave. I will not mention the cost to fill it; another expense to move out of this country...
The cats are enjoying the mountain of boxes.
I am glad they are enjoying this while I lay sore and stiff in bed after packing/moving boxes. Meanwhile the dust is kicking up from the stuff so my allergies are going crazy.
Things to pack before or after the moving sale:
-The whole kitchen including 3 sets of dishware, 2 sets of cookware and sort through food items to spare tupperware for sale, possibly shipping with me. Will pack leftovers from sale for charities.
-Garage items; fortunately things are still in boxes but there is a rubbermaid garbage can full of sewing fabrics and scraps to sort through. I may shift my yarn stash into this can instead of the separate bins (another task to take care of)
Things yet to do:
-Figure a price to sell my Accord
-Cancel my credit card and utilities (Jan. 10)
-Scan my diplomas and passport (when I get it back) for Australia office and immigration
-Contact AAA in Florida to set up an insurance policy for Scooter while my parents have it on their driveway. (Florida visit)
-Cancel my car insurance when I sell the Honda
-Check to see if my mail can be forwarded to Melbourne
-Contact Tag Gilbert for rental arrangements (Jan. 5)
-Contact Pete for shipping arrangements (awaiting airfare arrangements)
-Order a Western School course to continue my 30 CEU's for RN licensure (receive before I leave)
-Contact more charities to pick up my leftover/rejected furniture
-Pick up car transfer of ownership papers for both cars from safety deposit (12/23)
More to come....my rare moment of zhen
This past weekend, I had a couple friends over (Stephanie and Betsy) to help me go through my stuff in boxes, cubbie holes and closets sorting out what I want to ship with me and what I want to give away/sell. 2 sets of neighbors came over to look through my house; I sold both my TV's!!
Going through the memories was not as bad as I thought. Realizing that I can't fit into many of the clothes sitting in the "other" closet was a 'crack-heroine' dream that I would be that small again. Then my "Scooter" was picked up to ship to Florida - now I know this is REALLY happening!
Current accomplishments:
-Got the cats vaccines, tested sedation on them with a result of Ditto with a slight cold with sneezing. She will be in the cabin with me. United carrier only allows one animal in the cabin and others in cargo. They both have their Revolution heartworm monthly dose to start.
-Contacted Battered Women's charity to schedule a pickup for my leftover junk Jan. 8
-Sorted out the things shipping with me and the others for the big moving sale and charity give-aways. Filled 2 trash cans and accumulating garbage in bags within the house. Bedrooms are pretty much cleared out with furniture standing and boxes for the moving sale for people to pick through.
-Contacted PVS International twice to see what happened to my passport; they have not retrieved it yet from Tanzania Embassy; I haven't seen my return receipt back from the mail. So my password is really MIA!!
-Placed an ad in The Ventura County Star classifieds to advertise my moving sale; it will run this weekend and the sale weekend: Jan. 3/4, 2009.
-Got more large packing boxes from U-Haul since I ran out of them packing so far.
-Contacted E.J. Harrison to schedule a dumpster Jan. 9 in front of my house for a week to unload all of my shit and leftovers by then.
-Saw my allergist to get prescription of allergy meds before I leave. I will not mention the cost to fill it; another expense to move out of this country...
The cats are enjoying the mountain of boxes.
I am glad they are enjoying this while I lay sore and stiff in bed after packing/moving boxes. Meanwhile the dust is kicking up from the stuff so my allergies are going crazy.
Things to pack before or after the moving sale:
-The whole kitchen including 3 sets of dishware, 2 sets of cookware and sort through food items to spare tupperware for sale, possibly shipping with me. Will pack leftovers from sale for charities.
-Garage items; fortunately things are still in boxes but there is a rubbermaid garbage can full of sewing fabrics and scraps to sort through. I may shift my yarn stash into this can instead of the separate bins (another task to take care of)
Things yet to do:
-Figure a price to sell my Accord
-Cancel my credit card and utilities (Jan. 10)
-Scan my diplomas and passport (when I get it back) for Australia office and immigration
-Contact AAA in Florida to set up an insurance policy for Scooter while my parents have it on their driveway. (Florida visit)
-Cancel my car insurance when I sell the Honda
-Check to see if my mail can be forwarded to Melbourne
-Contact Tag Gilbert for rental arrangements (Jan. 5)
-Contact Pete for shipping arrangements (awaiting airfare arrangements)
-Order a Western School course to continue my 30 CEU's for RN licensure (receive before I leave)
-Contact more charities to pick up my leftover/rejected furniture
-Pick up car transfer of ownership papers for both cars from safety deposit (12/23)
More to come....my rare moment of zhen
19 December 2008
Items that Must Vacate this House
Preita has queued me in my last post that people may not know what I need to eliminate. Well, here it is; if you want to really see them in person contact me:
Set of cookware x2, dishware, tupperware, any ware in the kitchen including a coffee pot and microwave. 'Lustre Craft' and 'The Pampered Chef' sets. Look online if you are not familiar with these.
Living room furniture: 3-seat couch, chair, entertainment center, TV's x2, DVD/VCR, full stereo set with speakers. Couch is paprika in color with accent pillow, the single seated chair has the accent material of the couch pillows. Entertainment center has 2 glass closure curio cabinets that have small lights to turn on. Light wood...small storage cabinetry where the cats keep opening the doors to go into their "lyre".
Lamps including expenseive ones made from musical instruments (flute and clarinet)
Bedroom set: 2 nightstands, headboard for full-size and queen bed, dresser with mirror
Rocking Chair - maple wood
Desk with Hutch: 5 feet long, 26 inches wide and ~ 6 feet tall. Hutch is separate piece on top of desk but stabilizes with stuff in the side cabinets and shelving.
CD Storage cabinet with window/door closure; same height and wood as Desk. It has an electrical connection to turn on a little light in the open display area.
Triangular shelf unit to compliment the CD Storage cabinet on one side (same height).
Wall hangings: Paintings x2 by Dan Wuthrick with certificate of authenticity
2 small floor rugs and one floor runner.
Open bookshelf about 3 feet high and 3 level-shelves. This was hand-made from a boyfriend long time ago. I have used it for a nightstand and holding my various display items.
2 sets of patio furniture; both wtih 4 chairs. One of the tables is a round glass with rust-proof framing.
There are lots of other toys and trinkets that I have yet to go through so I might as well just give this shit away to a Thrift store or just throw it all away.
Set of cookware x2, dishware, tupperware, any ware in the kitchen including a coffee pot and microwave. 'Lustre Craft' and 'The Pampered Chef' sets. Look online if you are not familiar with these.
Living room furniture: 3-seat couch, chair, entertainment center, TV's x2, DVD/VCR, full stereo set with speakers. Couch is paprika in color with accent pillow, the single seated chair has the accent material of the couch pillows. Entertainment center has 2 glass closure curio cabinets that have small lights to turn on. Light wood...small storage cabinetry where the cats keep opening the doors to go into their "lyre".
Lamps including expenseive ones made from musical instruments (flute and clarinet)
Bedroom set: 2 nightstands, headboard for full-size and queen bed, dresser with mirror
Rocking Chair - maple wood
Desk with Hutch: 5 feet long, 26 inches wide and ~ 6 feet tall. Hutch is separate piece on top of desk but stabilizes with stuff in the side cabinets and shelving.
CD Storage cabinet with window/door closure; same height and wood as Desk. It has an electrical connection to turn on a little light in the open display area.
Triangular shelf unit to compliment the CD Storage cabinet on one side (same height).
Wall hangings: Paintings x2 by Dan Wuthrick with certificate of authenticity
2 small floor rugs and one floor runner.
Open bookshelf about 3 feet high and 3 level-shelves. This was hand-made from a boyfriend long time ago. I have used it for a nightstand and holding my various display items.
2 sets of patio furniture; both wtih 4 chairs. One of the tables is a round glass with rust-proof framing.
There are lots of other toys and trinkets that I have yet to go through so I might as well just give this shit away to a Thrift store or just throw it all away.
18 December 2008
The Heat is Turning up
Me again....a day after my kitties' vaccinations where they have been lethargic all night and didn't wake me up this morning - what a shock! They still seem to be recovering from the stuff. They have difficulties jumping up places they normally have been. Wait until I have to do a trial sedation dosing Monday before I travel to Florida.
Made arrangements to have my Miata (Scooter) picked up and shipped to my parents home in Florida. Hopefully it will make it there when I am still visiting with them. Went out for a leisure drive up Casitas Canyon roads with Scooter; one of my last drives in "my baby". Bought the new faucet for the bum bathroom to be replaced by my plummer Jeremy tomorrow.
Sat in on a conference call with my future Australian colleagues to find out what I need to cover while the person who is sort of covering is going on holiday for 4 weeks. Called the International VISA place for my African safari trip because I realized that I sent it to the wrong place! Soooo my passport is MIA!! I cannot state when I will be going to Australia - that was not intentional, just hasty on getting a required process going and big mistake. Austalia will have to wait for me....still needing to pack up my belongings. At this point I will have to give all my stuff away since nobody has called to come by and peruse through my place. Hey it's Christmas...why the hell would anyone want used shit anyway - who has money? Stephany has volunteered to help me go through my stuff on Saturday to get started - motivation is what I need right now to sort through my life here.
Oh then there is my current client work....Bakersfield client doesn't know I am leaving this project and will be extremely mad according to my project executive. It's nice to know that I bring value in my work but it's time for the challenging adventure overseas! I prepared a presentation for the project and set up the conference call with them for tomorrow - snap!! I get the feeling it will not be this easy in Australia with the different culture and terminologies.
Spoke to my cousin Tom now that he knows my news of moving overseas. He will start trucking school Monday to get his CDL for driving. Hopefully he will get employed soon - hard times in American economy.
More tomorrow and weekend to come:
-Must get new boxes to start the packing process
-Sort through papers and memorabilia to store in Scooter shipping to Florida
-Figure out price for selling Honda Accord
-Call PVS International to see if they received my fax to retrieve my passport in the Tanzanian Embassy (Washington, DC)
-Possibly purchase Nursing CEU course for CA RN license renewal: something I have to accomplish during my sabbatical month
The list is getting shorter but the time to execute any real move items is tremendously overwhelming!
Made arrangements to have my Miata (Scooter) picked up and shipped to my parents home in Florida. Hopefully it will make it there when I am still visiting with them. Went out for a leisure drive up Casitas Canyon roads with Scooter; one of my last drives in "my baby". Bought the new faucet for the bum bathroom to be replaced by my plummer Jeremy tomorrow.
Sat in on a conference call with my future Australian colleagues to find out what I need to cover while the person who is sort of covering is going on holiday for 4 weeks. Called the International VISA place for my African safari trip because I realized that I sent it to the wrong place! Soooo my passport is MIA!! I cannot state when I will be going to Australia - that was not intentional, just hasty on getting a required process going and big mistake. Austalia will have to wait for me....still needing to pack up my belongings. At this point I will have to give all my stuff away since nobody has called to come by and peruse through my place. Hey it's Christmas...why the hell would anyone want used shit anyway - who has money? Stephany has volunteered to help me go through my stuff on Saturday to get started - motivation is what I need right now to sort through my life here.
Oh then there is my current client work....Bakersfield client doesn't know I am leaving this project and will be extremely mad according to my project executive. It's nice to know that I bring value in my work but it's time for the challenging adventure overseas! I prepared a presentation for the project and set up the conference call with them for tomorrow - snap!! I get the feeling it will not be this easy in Australia with the different culture and terminologies.
Spoke to my cousin Tom now that he knows my news of moving overseas. He will start trucking school Monday to get his CDL for driving. Hopefully he will get employed soon - hard times in American economy.
More tomorrow and weekend to come:
-Must get new boxes to start the packing process
-Sort through papers and memorabilia to store in Scooter shipping to Florida
-Figure out price for selling Honda Accord
-Call PVS International to see if they received my fax to retrieve my passport in the Tanzanian Embassy (Washington, DC)
-Possibly purchase Nursing CEU course for CA RN license renewal: something I have to accomplish during my sabbatical month
The list is getting shorter but the time to execute any real move items is tremendously overwhelming!
17 December 2008
History and Premonition Dreams
Today's activity to move overseas was slow...got the estimate from a moving company to ship things: Miata to Florida and my belongings to Australia. Otherwise, I am waiting to better understand one more detail of my job offer before I really sign anything. I did manage to contact my plummber to schedule the bum bathroom faucet for Friday. Today was a bit emotional - I brought my kitties in one more time to the Vet for their vaccinations and sedation for the trip to Florida. The Vet said they are overweight - they eat like their mommy. They do sleep all day now that it has been raining. $400+ later...I have Revolution doses (Florida prevention for worms), sedation and pill pockets home with me for the transport.
One of my correspondes in email was from Jane Brown. She facilitates young adoptee playshops to help them understand their adoption from birth family to adoptee families. I volunteered a couple times with her in Los Angeles. I call the young adoptees "mini-me's". If you go on google and search for jane Brown playshop...she shows up everywhere:)
Jane informed me that one of the adoptees, Jan Lyon, that I hung around with a lot a few years ago is not in a skilled nursing home from a massive stroke. She found out from someone else Christmas last year. Since I do have premonition dreams of people I can identify them in, I bet the stroke happened at that time of my dream.
Reflective on how I tried to tell Jan to let things go in life because the stress is not worth it...she held a horrific grudge with another adoptee 4 years before this time (now 5 years) where she made me a villain for not supporting her stance. I know when to stay out of other's conflicts - as I posted then I am on a mission to take care of myself; nobody else will at this time.
One of my correspondes in email was from Jane Brown. She facilitates young adoptee playshops to help them understand their adoption from birth family to adoptee families. I volunteered a couple times with her in Los Angeles. I call the young adoptees "mini-me's". If you go on google and search for jane Brown playshop...she shows up everywhere:)
Jane informed me that one of the adoptees, Jan Lyon, that I hung around with a lot a few years ago is not in a skilled nursing home from a massive stroke. She found out from someone else Christmas last year. Since I do have premonition dreams of people I can identify them in, I bet the stroke happened at that time of my dream.
Reflective on how I tried to tell Jan to let things go in life because the stress is not worth it...she held a horrific grudge with another adoptee 4 years before this time (now 5 years) where she made me a villain for not supporting her stance. I know when to stay out of other's conflicts - as I posted then I am on a mission to take care of myself; nobody else will at this time.
16 December 2008
Overseas Preparation - Day 2
-United Air has reservation updates for my 2 kitties to fly to Florida
-Marriott points secured for Jane Thornley workshop first weekend in March 2009
-Scheduled vet appt to receive vaccines and flight sedation for kitties
-Paid and sent my VISA applicaiton with passport photos to Embassy of Tanzania
-Paid remaining amount for my African safari trip
-Spoke to Australian people in Melbourne office on logistics; don't have definate date of arrival with all things to take care of here (negotiations still in progress)
-Spoke with my tax man informing me of taxing tips while overseas
-Scheduling my plummer to replace my bum bathroom faucet
-Visiting my allergist later today for any allergy considerations overseas
Still haven't gone through my stuff to determine what ships with me and what will be sold/given away. :( Hard to get motivated when both US and Australia wants my time. US client doesn't have my replacement yet and Australia wants me to get caught up on things to cover after the New Years! It's nice to be needed.
Is anyone really reading this?
-Marriott points secured for Jane Thornley workshop first weekend in March 2009
-Scheduled vet appt to receive vaccines and flight sedation for kitties
-Paid and sent my VISA applicaiton with passport photos to Embassy of Tanzania
-Paid remaining amount for my African safari trip
-Spoke to Australian people in Melbourne office on logistics; don't have definate date of arrival with all things to take care of here (negotiations still in progress)
-Spoke with my tax man informing me of taxing tips while overseas
-Scheduling my plummer to replace my bum bathroom faucet
-Visiting my allergist later today for any allergy considerations overseas
Still haven't gone through my stuff to determine what ships with me and what will be sold/given away. :( Hard to get motivated when both US and Australia wants my time. US client doesn't have my replacement yet and Australia wants me to get caught up on things to cover after the New Years! It's nice to be needed.
Is anyone really reading this?
15 December 2008
As the Stomach Turns - Day 1 of Items
So far here is what I have accomplished:
-Sent out House purge sale - ALL HOUSE WARES MUST GO message to peeps I know
-Contacted my US tax guy to help me on the rental situation and income exclusion while I work abroad
-Scheduled Cat clinic vaccines and sedation for this week
-Recevied call back from movers about international arrangmements
-Preparing items for International VISA for African safari trip
-Transferred funds to pay for African trip by 12/16
-Contacted my plummer to schedule faucet replacment in my bum bathroom
-Calling Fairfield Inn to confirm all of my room reservations with my Marriott points for Jane Thornley workshop first weekend of March 2009
Here is what I need to accomplish by today:
-Contact United Air to give me requirements and fees to transport my cats to Florida
-Contact the rental agency I spoke to earlier last week to confirm this is a done deal to start looking for renters
That's just for today...more to come. And then there is my work that I need to finish up by end of this week as well. I need a personal secretary!
-Sent out House purge sale - ALL HOUSE WARES MUST GO message to peeps I know
-Contacted my US tax guy to help me on the rental situation and income exclusion while I work abroad
-Scheduled Cat clinic vaccines and sedation for this week
-Recevied call back from movers about international arrangmements
-Preparing items for International VISA for African safari trip
-Transferred funds to pay for African trip by 12/16
-Contacted my plummer to schedule faucet replacment in my bum bathroom
-Calling Fairfield Inn to confirm all of my room reservations with my Marriott points for Jane Thornley workshop first weekend of March 2009
Here is what I need to accomplish by today:
-Contact United Air to give me requirements and fees to transport my cats to Florida
-Contact the rental agency I spoke to earlier last week to confirm this is a done deal to start looking for renters
That's just for today...more to come. And then there is my work that I need to finish up by end of this week as well. I need a personal secretary!
13 December 2008
Frank's Visit
I have to admit that Frank (Felix Unger) was not OCD this past weekend visiting me. He actually played with my cats! The only complaint he had was the small shower area in one of my antiquated bathrooms.
Here he is on the Pismo beach pier
Exposed him the best Clam Chowder at Splash Cafe, then we saw pelicans on the pier.
Here is one that is getting fish guts from a guy fileting a fish
We proceeded to go to Cold Spring Tavern, the historical location of stage coach stops. Frank enjoyed the historical site but that day there were no bikers as they would usually hang out there.
We had lunch at the Cold Spring the tavern itself; manager slipping out of the place. Mug shots of us waiting for our food inside.
We ended up going into Solvang because I wanted him to see the Dutch architecture and stop off for the pastry. He didn't refuse. He enjoyed the California countryside after all instead of the Los Angeles Hollywood crap. Hurray for Felix!
Btw, he helped me through the decision of taking the offer in Australia for work. He wants to go down there and work as well so we definately will be keeping in touch with each other. He has offered for me to call him to talk about the move anytime. So everyone - now you know: I am moving to Australia for work sometime next month! It's time for me to really get busy in my life. There may not be postings here for some time.
Here he is on the Pismo beach pier
Exposed him the best Clam Chowder at Splash Cafe, then we saw pelicans on the pier.
Here is one that is getting fish guts from a guy fileting a fish
We proceeded to go to Cold Spring Tavern, the historical location of stage coach stops. Frank enjoyed the historical site but that day there were no bikers as they would usually hang out there.
We had lunch at the Cold Spring the tavern itself; manager slipping out of the place. Mug shots of us waiting for our food inside.
We ended up going into Solvang because I wanted him to see the Dutch architecture and stop off for the pastry. He didn't refuse. He enjoyed the California countryside after all instead of the Los Angeles Hollywood crap. Hurray for Felix!
Btw, he helped me through the decision of taking the offer in Australia for work. He wants to go down there and work as well so we definately will be keeping in touch with each other. He has offered for me to call him to talk about the move anytime. So everyone - now you know: I am moving to Australia for work sometime next month! It's time for me to really get busy in my life. There may not be postings here for some time.
01 December 2008
How do I Love to Spend Money - Let me Count the Ways
Today was the start of my sewer line investigation. Plummers are digging up the front of my yard to see how the sewage is draining. A camera was probed a couple weeks ago and couldn't see something after a certain point. Found out why...there is a clay juncture of pipe heading into the large Indian Laurel tree/sidewalk of my yard and it is installed higher than the main drainage coming from the house. No wonder I tend to see water not drain as quickly - reverse gravity. Having this problem around a large tree with penetrating roots, well I have no sympathy for such a healthy tree. I told the guy that if you accidentally kill the tree, I would not be disappointed - think it can happen? Not in this lifetime.
They have to saw through many thick roots around the piping to get what they see. So we have to wait until tomorrow for another camera view and possibly digging further up toward my house to see how the piping looks and possibly dig that section deeper for the downflow drainage - chaching! More money to spend!!
Well before this trauma of my home ownership woes, I did manage to visit Wildfiber in Santa Monica Saturday for their big 30-50% off on yarn sale. Got myself another boatload of expensive yarn for my stash. I came up to the register and told her, "I am working on blowing my house payment every time I come here". The owner didn't care but the customer behind totally agreed on my comment.
The shiny hanks of yarn with red tags are 100% bamboo and it's like knitting with silk - love it! Making the Romantic Lace shawl with the Scarlett color.
Oh yes, can't forget my trip to Loop & Leaf where I picked up a special ordered Sea Wool Blue Lagoon to match the one I bought before...well, the color was completely darker but I got the skein anyway for a scarf/shawl project. The original skein I started with the Coin Lace Scarf - a pattern I have been waiting for a long time from the designer Shui Kuen Kozinski.
Definately blocking is in order for both of these projects with the stiff fiber contents.
Meanwhile I got surprising news from my friend Frank the handsome Italian friend (Felix Unger). He is flying out to visit me this weekend! I can't believe he is actually wanting to stay here for a weekend. I guess he misses me ;) I suppose it's as weird as having this double-headed bloom out of a single stalk of this bird of paradise.
They have to saw through many thick roots around the piping to get what they see. So we have to wait until tomorrow for another camera view and possibly digging further up toward my house to see how the piping looks and possibly dig that section deeper for the downflow drainage - chaching! More money to spend!!
Well before this trauma of my home ownership woes, I did manage to visit Wildfiber in Santa Monica Saturday for their big 30-50% off on yarn sale. Got myself another boatload of expensive yarn for my stash. I came up to the register and told her, "I am working on blowing my house payment every time I come here". The owner didn't care but the customer behind totally agreed on my comment.
The shiny hanks of yarn with red tags are 100% bamboo and it's like knitting with silk - love it! Making the Romantic Lace shawl with the Scarlett color.
Oh yes, can't forget my trip to Loop & Leaf where I picked up a special ordered Sea Wool Blue Lagoon to match the one I bought before...well, the color was completely darker but I got the skein anyway for a scarf/shawl project. The original skein I started with the Coin Lace Scarf - a pattern I have been waiting for a long time from the designer Shui Kuen Kozinski.
Definately blocking is in order for both of these projects with the stiff fiber contents.
Meanwhile I got surprising news from my friend Frank the handsome Italian friend (Felix Unger). He is flying out to visit me this weekend! I can't believe he is actually wanting to stay here for a weekend. I guess he misses me ;) I suppose it's as weird as having this double-headed bloom out of a single stalk of this bird of paradise.
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