Last Friday, I had a little pain when flossing. Then I started having a little pain on Saturday. By the time I woke up on Monday, the tooth/teeth on my upper left back were very painful. As I had been off work for almost a week to take mom and Mike to their respective doctor appointments, I intended to go to work on my regular schedule at 6am Tuesday morning. At 2pm on Monday afternoon, the pain was getting worse, so I took several advil and tried to get a dentist appointment. I have not used my dental insurance since the union changed our dental plan in 2011. I usually am very good about taking care of my teeth but this past couple of years has had me focusing on Mike and mom.
The first dentist I stopped by as they are right next door to the pharmacy we use. The receptionist there spent almost 30 on the phone trying to see if they accepted the insurance I have. After all that, they didn't have any openings till Thursday. Then I got online and checked the providers that were klisted on the insurance website. I called one, Monarch Dental. They were able to get me in right away. After x-rays determined I had an abcesses infected tooth. It is the tooth on one end of a bridge. Even though the dental office I was at was listed in the pages of providers, the clerk was unable to confirm my insurance or find out any kind of payment schedule. The dentist I saw wrote me a prescription for pain pills and anti-biotics. She told me that as soon as they could verify the insurance, they would call me and get some kind of treatment started. I didn't hear from them by the end of the business day.
I had planned on going to work at 6am Tueday morning. Then my dispatcher called me at 3:30am and delayed my run until 2:00pm. I got up and was in pain but didn't want to take any more pain pills as I would be driving. When I looked in the mirror, my face was all swollen up on the left side. It was so swollen that my left eye was squinting. I called the dental office and they said they didn't get the needed information from my insurance. I told them I NEEDED an appointment to get this thing taken care of. Then I called my insurance directly and asked them what the deal was with my dental coverage. They said that they had talked to a lady at the dental office and given her all the information needed. I don't know who dropped the ball but someone did. As much as I like time off work, I hate this as now I will have added expense.
Then when I called the dental office after talking to my insurance, they gave me the number of peridontist that is what I need. I called them and what do you know, they were already out of the office. So another day must pass before I can find out when and where I can get the work done.
As it was explained to me, the tooth with the abcess is the rear tooth on a bridge. They are going to have to cut the bridge and remove the tooth then get an implant.
So far I am not happy with the insurance changes. The old policy I had, I could go to whatever dentidt I wanted and they usually paid all of the charges after $50.00 deductible up till $3000.00 then 80% of any charges over that. I had not used any dental insurance since we changed. Maybe if I had used it for a cleaning or some other work, then as an established patient, they would have found it before the problem developed. They would have also been more agreeable to getting me in on an as needded basis. It is all my fault, I let my teeth go for too many other things taking priority.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Bicycle
About 3 weeks ago, I placed my old Schwinn bicycle in the donate stack when I was sorting some stuff in the big shed. Last week, I replaced it with a new 7 speed DBX Crestwood model womens comfort bicycle. I made a few adjustments, raised the seat about 2" and brought the handlebars closer to what I considered to be straight in line with the front tire. I rode about 5 km. about 3 miles. It was the first time I have ridden a bicycle in several years other than a stationary bike at the gym.
I didn't get out and ride much this past week as the weather was crappy and then I had to be here to take mom & Mike to doctors and jsut casically stay busy.
The weather is warming some and I am anxious to get out and ride it some more.
I didn't get out and ride much this past week as the weather was crappy and then I had to be here to take mom & Mike to doctors and jsut casically stay busy.
The weather is warming some and I am anxious to get out and ride it some more.
Just another woman at a tire shop
Yesterday, while running errands after bringing Mike home from the doctor, I went by NTB. The NTB shop is about 1/2 block west then 1/4 block south and another 1/2 block west. It's close and convienient. I only went as I needed my tires on the Focus rotated and balanced.
The guys that had worked there before had been very good to Mike and I for our tire needs. There seems to be a whole new batch of employees and managers there. About 20 minutes after I had oredered the service and gave my keys over, I was called to the shop area. The guy that had been working on the car had to show me something. Basically the uneven wear on the tires was the issue. I had been somewhat neglegent on caring for my vehicle with a great many other things seeming much more important recently. There was indeed uneven wear, minimal but present. Then I was told that I needed new struts / shocks. The cost plus installation and "shop fee" estimate I was given, was $1135.00. Unacceptable. When I told them that I would take care of the shocks my self, they said, " You won't find a better price at any shop". My reply, "I said I would take care of it.!" I guess that the idea that I could do the work myself or even know what parts to buy was out of the question in this guy's mind.
I have been treated this way on many occasions over the last 35 years. It still amazes me, especially when it is younger mechanics/technicians that make those dumba$$ comments. You'd think when it comes to mechanics and "blue collar" occupations, men still see women as the 1950's homemaker.
There, I have vented for today. I feel better now.
The guys that had worked there before had been very good to Mike and I for our tire needs. There seems to be a whole new batch of employees and managers there. About 20 minutes after I had oredered the service and gave my keys over, I was called to the shop area. The guy that had been working on the car had to show me something. Basically the uneven wear on the tires was the issue. I had been somewhat neglegent on caring for my vehicle with a great many other things seeming much more important recently. There was indeed uneven wear, minimal but present. Then I was told that I needed new struts / shocks. The cost plus installation and "shop fee" estimate I was given, was $1135.00. Unacceptable. When I told them that I would take care of the shocks my self, they said, " You won't find a better price at any shop". My reply, "I said I would take care of it.!" I guess that the idea that I could do the work myself or even know what parts to buy was out of the question in this guy's mind.
I have been treated this way on many occasions over the last 35 years. It still amazes me, especially when it is younger mechanics/technicians that make those dumba$$ comments. You'd think when it comes to mechanics and "blue collar" occupations, men still see women as the 1950's homemaker.
There, I have vented for today. I feel better now.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Case of helplessness
I have always had a soft place in my heart for animals. Personally I prefer dogs over cats but have not had any dogs since 1994 when I had to give the 2 Border Collies I had away. I was moving to the Dallas area and had no place to keep them and knew the city was no place for such exuberant pets. Those collies were like kids to me. They had free access through their own door to my house. They slept with me, ate with me, watched television with me and always anxiously awaited my return from work.
Presently, though, we are the caretakers of several stray ferrell cats. The first was Missy. she is a grey and we started seeing her hiding under one of our sheds. So just as a fluke, we got a bag of cat food and started trying to coax her out from under the shed. She came out and even after several months, allowed us to touch and pet her. To this day, though, we can not pick her up. Then she had a litter of kittens. They were also very wild and we never got close to them. They started disappearing, probably killed by other cats or raccoons. A few other strays wandered in and out of our little soup line. Some returning many times and some only a few. Then Missy had another litter. While the kittens were very small, we set out live traps to catch them. We had 2 traps and once several of the kittens were caught, Missy was also trapped. We called the city and they came and got them all. The Animal Control Officer said they would spay Missy and release her somewhere near where she had been caught in about a week. The kittens were sadly, to be destroyed. This was in May of 2009. Mike went on his annual " father/son motorcycle ride" with his son and some friends and their sons. While he was gone, I happened to look out the back door and there sat Missy. She had been spayed and had the tip of one of her ears clipped off. That is how the city indicates that this cat had been fixed.
We continued to feed her and any other strays that may show up from time to time. There have been several arrive at our doorstep in various states of health and growth. Zorro, a larger black male with just a spot of white one his chin and neck. He was a loving cat that from day 1 alllowed us to pick him up and pet him. A very thin yellow male Mike called Rufus and I called Goofus came aroun d pretty regularly then jsut quit showig up. There have ebbn several that we may see eating on the back porch but as soon as they see us, they run off.
This past January, a tiny starving kitten of just a few months was spotted eating out of the bowls on the back porch. He was very fast and we couldn't catch hime by hand. We set the live trap out and caught him. Initially thought it was a her. We then moved the live trap into the garage as it was very cold this January. Then fed him and let him rest and stay warm. We decided to keep and possibly house train him. We took him to the vet and got his shots and a general check-up. Named him and kept hime in the house for a few weeks. Then he got out one day and Mike had a hard time catching him. He now comes and goes as he wants. We have to let him in or out but he has a litter box inside that he uses and he sleeps at the foot of our bed sometimes.
There is another, a female that has her ear clipped. She appearantly has at some time been a house cat. The first day she showed up, she tried to get in the house, no coaxing whatsoever. She is lovey and often lays on Mike or I while we watch television. We call her Rat Cat. She is not playful though we think she was only a few months old when whe wandered up. She also spends the night in the house most of the time.
Now we have a new one, partaking of the free grub. A large yellow male. He may be Goofus all grown up but we are not sure. This cat is very shy and stand offish. He has only allowed us to touch him a few times. He truly needs care thoug as he seems to be a scrapper, only not a very good one. He has a large open wound near his left ear, often bleeding. He also has several wounds on his neck and sides. There are also a few patches of skin with the hair completely pulled out. He is very comfortable spending the nights in the cat condo Mike built, a 2 room cat house with foam pad and old tee shirt in each. He also stays on the back porch at various times during the day. We want desperately to catch hime to tend to his wounds but he will barely allow us to touch hime now. Whatever he is doing to get these wounds, he keeps doing it. He goes away for a while then returns with more injuries that he had before.
When we move this coming October, we are certainly taking Cowboy, the black male we got shots for. We may also take Rat Cat and get her shots and a check-up. We would like to take Missy but doubt that she will let us catch her to be albe to care for her more than just a free meal. And the yellow ton, he probably won't live till then unless he gets some medical attention and fighting skills.
Moving any or all of them to Grants will be a very radical change for the cats that do go. The temperatures and dryness, the rattlesnales, the coyotes all things that could kill them but hopefully will not.
Presently, though, we are the caretakers of several stray ferrell cats. The first was Missy. she is a grey and we started seeing her hiding under one of our sheds. So just as a fluke, we got a bag of cat food and started trying to coax her out from under the shed. She came out and even after several months, allowed us to touch and pet her. To this day, though, we can not pick her up. Then she had a litter of kittens. They were also very wild and we never got close to them. They started disappearing, probably killed by other cats or raccoons. A few other strays wandered in and out of our little soup line. Some returning many times and some only a few. Then Missy had another litter. While the kittens were very small, we set out live traps to catch them. We had 2 traps and once several of the kittens were caught, Missy was also trapped. We called the city and they came and got them all. The Animal Control Officer said they would spay Missy and release her somewhere near where she had been caught in about a week. The kittens were sadly, to be destroyed. This was in May of 2009. Mike went on his annual " father/son motorcycle ride" with his son and some friends and their sons. While he was gone, I happened to look out the back door and there sat Missy. She had been spayed and had the tip of one of her ears clipped off. That is how the city indicates that this cat had been fixed.
We continued to feed her and any other strays that may show up from time to time. There have been several arrive at our doorstep in various states of health and growth. Zorro, a larger black male with just a spot of white one his chin and neck. He was a loving cat that from day 1 alllowed us to pick him up and pet him. A very thin yellow male Mike called Rufus and I called Goofus came aroun d pretty regularly then jsut quit showig up. There have ebbn several that we may see eating on the back porch but as soon as they see us, they run off.
This past January, a tiny starving kitten of just a few months was spotted eating out of the bowls on the back porch. He was very fast and we couldn't catch hime by hand. We set the live trap out and caught him. Initially thought it was a her. We then moved the live trap into the garage as it was very cold this January. Then fed him and let him rest and stay warm. We decided to keep and possibly house train him. We took him to the vet and got his shots and a general check-up. Named him and kept hime in the house for a few weeks. Then he got out one day and Mike had a hard time catching him. He now comes and goes as he wants. We have to let him in or out but he has a litter box inside that he uses and he sleeps at the foot of our bed sometimes.
There is another, a female that has her ear clipped. She appearantly has at some time been a house cat. The first day she showed up, she tried to get in the house, no coaxing whatsoever. She is lovey and often lays on Mike or I while we watch television. We call her Rat Cat. She is not playful though we think she was only a few months old when whe wandered up. She also spends the night in the house most of the time.
Now we have a new one, partaking of the free grub. A large yellow male. He may be Goofus all grown up but we are not sure. This cat is very shy and stand offish. He has only allowed us to touch him a few times. He truly needs care thoug as he seems to be a scrapper, only not a very good one. He has a large open wound near his left ear, often bleeding. He also has several wounds on his neck and sides. There are also a few patches of skin with the hair completely pulled out. He is very comfortable spending the nights in the cat condo Mike built, a 2 room cat house with foam pad and old tee shirt in each. He also stays on the back porch at various times during the day. We want desperately to catch hime to tend to his wounds but he will barely allow us to touch hime now. Whatever he is doing to get these wounds, he keeps doing it. He goes away for a while then returns with more injuries that he had before.
When we move this coming October, we are certainly taking Cowboy, the black male we got shots for. We may also take Rat Cat and get her shots and a check-up. We would like to take Missy but doubt that she will let us catch her to be albe to care for her more than just a free meal. And the yellow ton, he probably won't live till then unless he gets some medical attention and fighting skills.
Moving any or all of them to Grants will be a very radical change for the cats that do go. The temperatures and dryness, the rattlesnales, the coyotes all things that could kill them but hopefully will not.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Huge public events
Yesterday, at the finish line of the Boston Marthon 2 seperate bombs went off. As yet, the reports are sketchy. The news reports say that 2 were killed and many were injured.
Thus far, there has not been any release of information as to who the suspects may be, if any. It doesn't matter, this is truly an act of terror. Terrorists must be punished for these actions, no matter what their agenda, origins, nationality or religion. For all we know, it could have been a bunch of Boston residents upset about the traffic issues associated with the marathon. But I doubt it.
There are acts of terrorism carried out every day all over the world. Unless one pays attention to international unbiased news (Is ther such a thing?), they would not be able to fathom the extent evil activities around the world. As long as there are people that are considered different from other people, whether sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual prefrence,or education, it doesn't matter to those that have the intent of violence. These will always be a justified (in their minds). There are people that just feel they must do violence to anyone different from themselves. Basically, there will always be some form of terrorism going on for all time.
We, as a people, must learn to be more tolerant towards others. I truly feel that the people of the United States of America for the most part exhibit the most tolerant lifestyles. True, it has not always been that way. But in the last 225 years, more or less, this nations people have been a part of an ever evolving country. A country that is based on freedom and tolerance.
Tolerance of differences, as long as those differences do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
We as a nation must be diligent to ensure that our freedoms are protected and that those that would preform acts of terror to take those freedoms away from us are punished. How can someone from a country of no tolerance be so judgemental of a country that allows its citizens to express their freedoms, even if it includes complaing about the government and its leaders? There are countries around the world that have a zero tolerance towards its own citizens. Those same citizens have very few freedoms and certainly would be punished severly if they were to speak out against the leaders, their military or their laws that inhibit freedom.
We must also consider that terrorists may not always have an agenda, perhaps they are just mentally deficient and incapable of grasping what they are doing. They may not even accept the consequences of their actions.
Actions like these bombs causes one to take pause and wonder about the safety of attending or participating in an event like the Boston Marathon. If fear rules our lives, the trerrorists have already made a small victory.
Be diligent, if you "SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING". As a nation, we are still on alert to watch for acts of violence wheter just criminal or actually terroristic in nature.
Thus far, there has not been any release of information as to who the suspects may be, if any. It doesn't matter, this is truly an act of terror. Terrorists must be punished for these actions, no matter what their agenda, origins, nationality or religion. For all we know, it could have been a bunch of Boston residents upset about the traffic issues associated with the marathon. But I doubt it.
There are acts of terrorism carried out every day all over the world. Unless one pays attention to international unbiased news (Is ther such a thing?), they would not be able to fathom the extent evil activities around the world. As long as there are people that are considered different from other people, whether sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual prefrence,or education, it doesn't matter to those that have the intent of violence. These will always be a justified (in their minds). There are people that just feel they must do violence to anyone different from themselves. Basically, there will always be some form of terrorism going on for all time.
We, as a people, must learn to be more tolerant towards others. I truly feel that the people of the United States of America for the most part exhibit the most tolerant lifestyles. True, it has not always been that way. But in the last 225 years, more or less, this nations people have been a part of an ever evolving country. A country that is based on freedom and tolerance.
Tolerance of differences, as long as those differences do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
We as a nation must be diligent to ensure that our freedoms are protected and that those that would preform acts of terror to take those freedoms away from us are punished. How can someone from a country of no tolerance be so judgemental of a country that allows its citizens to express their freedoms, even if it includes complaing about the government and its leaders? There are countries around the world that have a zero tolerance towards its own citizens. Those same citizens have very few freedoms and certainly would be punished severly if they were to speak out against the leaders, their military or their laws that inhibit freedom.
We must also consider that terrorists may not always have an agenda, perhaps they are just mentally deficient and incapable of grasping what they are doing. They may not even accept the consequences of their actions.
Actions like these bombs causes one to take pause and wonder about the safety of attending or participating in an event like the Boston Marathon. If fear rules our lives, the trerrorists have already made a small victory.
Be diligent, if you "SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING". As a nation, we are still on alert to watch for acts of violence wheter just criminal or actually terroristic in nature.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Moving?? Secure your mattresses!!!
If you are thinking of moving, and doing it yourself, by all means, secure your mattresses and box springs. The damage they can do is unimaginable. I have seen the damage a box springs can do to an 18 wheeler.
The occurance was in El Paso Texas several years ago. Mike and I were at the El Paso terminal waiting for a load when one of our drivers came in, his truck on a wrecker. The driveline, normally a 3-4" tubular line from the engine to the transmission was about 3' around. A car with a mattress and box spring did not have them securly tied to the roof of the car. The box spring fell off in heavy traffic and the truck driver was unable to avoid hitting it. The chioices were, hit the mattress or hit another vehicle. The driver hit the box spring. It flipped up a bit and a part of the wire caught the driveline and in a matter of seconds, it was completely wrapped aound the driveline. The truck came to a screeching stop and the driver had little control over it.
The reason I mention this topic today is that on a short trip from Irving, TX to Houston, TX and back, I saw 4 mattresses on the highway. 2 in 2 seperate locations and 2 more in one spot with an SUV and a police officer standing there looking at them. This took place in the Houston proper area, you know, where there are 5 lanes going in each direction. On a Saturday afternoon, the traffic was pretty heavy and moving at a pretty good clip. Fortunately, there were no accidents associated with any of these mattresses today.
Most people have no idea what kind of room is necessary for an 18 wheeler to manouver around a road hazard like a mattress or piece of furniture or just about anything. With far too many people driving distracted, there are more accidents that are the result of one vehicle dodging and another not paying attention.
Distracted driving, drunk driving, poorly maintained vehicles and areas of failing infrastructure like bridges and roads are all culprits an attentive driver must be aware of. I am a bit prideful of the good driving record I have attained. It seems though that each passing day presents more things to watch out for. I will be very glad when I do not have to drive to maintain my lifestyle. I doubt that I will be ever to ever let my guard down and hope that I will always be alert enough to avoid any mishaps on the road while in my personal vehicle or motorcycle.
An image from the internet of a mattress wrapped around a driveline. A rats nest of wires wrapped very tightly.
The occurance was in El Paso Texas several years ago. Mike and I were at the El Paso terminal waiting for a load when one of our drivers came in, his truck on a wrecker. The driveline, normally a 3-4" tubular line from the engine to the transmission was about 3' around. A car with a mattress and box spring did not have them securly tied to the roof of the car. The box spring fell off in heavy traffic and the truck driver was unable to avoid hitting it. The chioices were, hit the mattress or hit another vehicle. The driver hit the box spring. It flipped up a bit and a part of the wire caught the driveline and in a matter of seconds, it was completely wrapped aound the driveline. The truck came to a screeching stop and the driver had little control over it.
The reason I mention this topic today is that on a short trip from Irving, TX to Houston, TX and back, I saw 4 mattresses on the highway. 2 in 2 seperate locations and 2 more in one spot with an SUV and a police officer standing there looking at them. This took place in the Houston proper area, you know, where there are 5 lanes going in each direction. On a Saturday afternoon, the traffic was pretty heavy and moving at a pretty good clip. Fortunately, there were no accidents associated with any of these mattresses today.
Most people have no idea what kind of room is necessary for an 18 wheeler to manouver around a road hazard like a mattress or piece of furniture or just about anything. With far too many people driving distracted, there are more accidents that are the result of one vehicle dodging and another not paying attention.
Distracted driving, drunk driving, poorly maintained vehicles and areas of failing infrastructure like bridges and roads are all culprits an attentive driver must be aware of. I am a bit prideful of the good driving record I have attained. It seems though that each passing day presents more things to watch out for. I will be very glad when I do not have to drive to maintain my lifestyle. I doubt that I will be ever to ever let my guard down and hope that I will always be alert enough to avoid any mishaps on the road while in my personal vehicle or motorcycle.
An image from the internet of a mattress wrapped around a driveline. A rats nest of wires wrapped very tightly.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Movers...us or them or and them?
I have been looking at several sites on the internet to see an approximate cost for the packing and / or moving of our household goods. Most of them won't just give you a ballpark quote. You have to sign up and ok gettting e-mails from them. Then they want to send an estimator to look everything over and then give a better quote.
The options we are looking at:
1.We pack and load everything into / on to our trailers and pickups. Also rent a U-haul type truck. We will have to make a few trips to New Mexico.
2. We pack and load into unit left by company to be placed in storage area and moved by them later.
3. We pack then they load onto unit and move it or store till the move.
4. They come in and pack and load and move to storage then deliver.
Considering we have already started packing some stuff that won't be used before we move, we may choose an option where we pack things and they haul it. Then all we would have to move would be the garage contents and our vehicles. And some of the contents of the storage sheds. We have a 10X12 shed mostly full and a 12X24 two story shed that is also mostly full.
Our vehicles consist of:
1. 1948 Ford F-1 pickup fully restored
2. 1980 Ford F-250 300hp inline 6 pickup being restored
3. 1993 Ford F-250 351hp v-8 pickup extended cab was dads
4. 1993 Ford F-250 7.6 L turbo diesel pickup extended cab mine
5. 2000 Ford F-250 7.6 powerstroke diesel crew cab Mikes
6. 2007 Ford Focus 4 door car
7. 2008 Harley Davidson Ultra~Classic
8. 2009 Harley Davidson Road King
and a yard tractor.
Basically what I am saying is that we definately have too much junk and stuff and even some valuable stuff.
We are getting a few estimates and from that will be able to decide which will work best for us. Not just the money aspect but the time and effort of packing. Mom doesn't do much and her strength is failing and Mike can do alot most of the time unless he has a rheumatoid flare up. And me.. I have to try to act like I am keeping a full time job while missing as much work as I can without jeapordizing my job.
The last several months seemed to drag by slowly. Now they seem to be flying by. Now that it is time to start getting everything taken care of. Packing is only a small part of the equation. There is the getting the house in New Mexico either built or set up, depending on which way we go. Getting the utilities setup there, including laying new water lines and septic system. Getting this house in shape to show. New paint, carpet and a little tender loving care. Getting the yard also in presentable shape.
Got to get busy.
The options we are looking at:
1.We pack and load everything into / on to our trailers and pickups. Also rent a U-haul type truck. We will have to make a few trips to New Mexico.
2. We pack and load into unit left by company to be placed in storage area and moved by them later.
3. We pack then they load onto unit and move it or store till the move.
4. They come in and pack and load and move to storage then deliver.
Considering we have already started packing some stuff that won't be used before we move, we may choose an option where we pack things and they haul it. Then all we would have to move would be the garage contents and our vehicles. And some of the contents of the storage sheds. We have a 10X12 shed mostly full and a 12X24 two story shed that is also mostly full.
Our vehicles consist of:
1. 1948 Ford F-1 pickup fully restored
2. 1980 Ford F-250 300hp inline 6 pickup being restored
3. 1993 Ford F-250 351hp v-8 pickup extended cab was dads
4. 1993 Ford F-250 7.6 L turbo diesel pickup extended cab mine
5. 2000 Ford F-250 7.6 powerstroke diesel crew cab Mikes
6. 2007 Ford Focus 4 door car
7. 2008 Harley Davidson Ultra~Classic
8. 2009 Harley Davidson Road King
and a yard tractor.
Basically what I am saying is that we definately have too much junk and stuff and even some valuable stuff.
We are getting a few estimates and from that will be able to decide which will work best for us. Not just the money aspect but the time and effort of packing. Mom doesn't do much and her strength is failing and Mike can do alot most of the time unless he has a rheumatoid flare up. And me.. I have to try to act like I am keeping a full time job while missing as much work as I can without jeapordizing my job.
The last several months seemed to drag by slowly. Now they seem to be flying by. Now that it is time to start getting everything taken care of. Packing is only a small part of the equation. There is the getting the house in New Mexico either built or set up, depending on which way we go. Getting the utilities setup there, including laying new water lines and septic system. Getting this house in shape to show. New paint, carpet and a little tender loving care. Getting the yard also in presentable shape.
Got to get busy.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Truck Roadeo .. who knew
Yesterday I competed in a YRC company truck roadeo. A sort of exposition of skills. I placed second in my category. The event amounts to 1) a written test of knowledge of rules and regulations. 2) a pre-trip inspection where a unit has been thouroughly checked by D.O.T. personell and then a set number of items are manipulated tobe wrong or illegal, to be found by the participant and 3) a driving test through a course of several possible road/traffic hazards one migh find during the course of their job driving a truck.
I had not participated in such an event since 1990. It was fun, though there weren't as many as I would have thought participating. The next step is a regiona competition in May. Then providing I do any good at all, I may have the opportunity to go to Naionals. It would be a great honor to even go since this is my final year of driving a truck. I am planning on retiring on November 1 this year.
At the event yesterday, after all the company drivers completed their skills test, the wives and office ladies were allowed to take a hand at driving the course, in a bobtail truck (12ft. box). It was fun and each of the told me how they could not believe the limited visibility for close quarters driving from the drivers seat. Then after the ladies, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers that were present to judge were taking their turn at driving the course. This little experiment surely gave these people, women and officers a better appreciation of what a blind spot is and hoe easily an automobile can disappear even though within feet of a truck. There are blind zones around a truck that people should be aware of. There are many trucks on the highway with the "skins" advertising the "No Zone" displaying pictures of the positions onear a truck which make it impossible for the truck driver to see you. THe old signs that many trucks used to have on the back of their trailers didn't seem to help much. The signs said "IF YOU CAN'T SEE MY MIRRORS, I CAN'T SEE YOU.". To this day, I still have vehicles get along side of my trailer in thjat no zone and just hang there. Sadly, now these are too often people that ate texting or driving distracted. They are keeping my trailer in their peripheral vision as a marker so they can pay more attention to their handheld device. THe reason I know this to be true, I have on occasion, hit hte brakes hard, when traffic was not near me except the texter and as soon as I did, they did as well. Then they look all around like "What happened?". It is infuriating to see how manyb people think their texting is far more important than my life or the lives of others around them in traffic.
I had not participated in such an event since 1990. It was fun, though there weren't as many as I would have thought participating. The next step is a regiona competition in May. Then providing I do any good at all, I may have the opportunity to go to Naionals. It would be a great honor to even go since this is my final year of driving a truck. I am planning on retiring on November 1 this year.
At the event yesterday, after all the company drivers completed their skills test, the wives and office ladies were allowed to take a hand at driving the course, in a bobtail truck (12ft. box). It was fun and each of the told me how they could not believe the limited visibility for close quarters driving from the drivers seat. Then after the ladies, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers that were present to judge were taking their turn at driving the course. This little experiment surely gave these people, women and officers a better appreciation of what a blind spot is and hoe easily an automobile can disappear even though within feet of a truck. There are blind zones around a truck that people should be aware of. There are many trucks on the highway with the "skins" advertising the "No Zone" displaying pictures of the positions onear a truck which make it impossible for the truck driver to see you. THe old signs that many trucks used to have on the back of their trailers didn't seem to help much. The signs said "IF YOU CAN'T SEE MY MIRRORS, I CAN'T SEE YOU.". To this day, I still have vehicles get along side of my trailer in thjat no zone and just hang there. Sadly, now these are too often people that ate texting or driving distracted. They are keeping my trailer in their peripheral vision as a marker so they can pay more attention to their handheld device. THe reason I know this to be true, I have on occasion, hit hte brakes hard, when traffic was not near me except the texter and as soon as I did, they did as well. Then they look all around like "What happened?". It is infuriating to see how manyb people think their texting is far more important than my life or the lives of others around them in traffic.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Blended families
Recently, contact was made by a distant relative of my husbands. The lady that wrote, is the half sister of the daughter of Mike's half brother. Half siblings are much more common today. There were many instances of this in early years of our country, when people often died as young parents. Mostly women died due to copmplications resulting from childbirth. An example would be, Mikes Great-Grandfather. John Franklin Niell married Mary Ann Davis and had 4 children. Shortly after the birth of their 4th child, Mary died. They were on the way to Texas from Georgia on a wagon train. Mary was buried by the wagon trail and the rest went on. Shortly after that, John married Mary's sister. He had 4 young children to care for and make a living and home for. It was common that a man would marry his deceased wife's sister to help with the family more that any love. Just as well, when a man died, usually due to hard work or accident, his widow would marry a male family member of the husband. This ensured the children would be raised by a whole family. The blended families were out of necessity.
Now, it seems that the blended families are a result of divorce, if marriage ever took place. Too may single women are raising a blended family on her own without the help of the childrens fathers. In far too many cases, there may be many children with a single mother and several different fathers. The old stereotype of a family doesn't exist as much as it should. Too many people have children with no intent of ever marrying. Abuse by step parents seem to be commonplace and it should not be. I am sure there are many families with step-parents that are caring loving people. Publicity only brings the stories of abuse or deaths of children at the hands of those step parents or partners of the parents to light.
Back to the main story I wanted to convey. Mikes father had a family in Arkansas , wife , 2 sons and 2 daughters. He and the childrens mother divorced. He later married Mike's mother and had Mike and 2 sisters. Mike had 2 sisters, 2 half-sisters and 2 half-brothers. The only contact Mike kept was with one half brother until he died in the early 1990's. He and I attempted to, through the internet, make contact with some of the distant family members . Some through the geneaology websites and some by general searches.
We received a letter from a Canadian address inquiring about Mike veing related to certain people. The facts were there that this was in fact a relative. Now we hope to have phone conversations and even a visit. Mike had not seen this particular relative since about 1962. It is exciting for a geneaologist as myself to see these types of family connections made and relationships renewed.
Now, it seems that the blended families are a result of divorce, if marriage ever took place. Too may single women are raising a blended family on her own without the help of the childrens fathers. In far too many cases, there may be many children with a single mother and several different fathers. The old stereotype of a family doesn't exist as much as it should. Too many people have children with no intent of ever marrying. Abuse by step parents seem to be commonplace and it should not be. I am sure there are many families with step-parents that are caring loving people. Publicity only brings the stories of abuse or deaths of children at the hands of those step parents or partners of the parents to light.
Back to the main story I wanted to convey. Mikes father had a family in Arkansas , wife , 2 sons and 2 daughters. He and the childrens mother divorced. He later married Mike's mother and had Mike and 2 sisters. Mike had 2 sisters, 2 half-sisters and 2 half-brothers. The only contact Mike kept was with one half brother until he died in the early 1990's. He and I attempted to, through the internet, make contact with some of the distant family members . Some through the geneaology websites and some by general searches.
We received a letter from a Canadian address inquiring about Mike veing related to certain people. The facts were there that this was in fact a relative. Now we hope to have phone conversations and even a visit. Mike had not seen this particular relative since about 1962. It is exciting for a geneaologist as myself to see these types of family connections made and relationships renewed.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A writer?
Last night I watched a blue ray copy of "The Hobbit". I felt that is paled in comparison to the "Lord of the Rings". I read the Hobbit many years ago and was always amazed at the imagination of J R R Tolkien. I very much liked his works as well as those of Jules Verne. The ability to weave a story from imagination has always intrigued me.
I have often wanted to take pen to paper and put my imagination to words for others. Then when I start, I find that I just do not have the training or technique to produce an inspired product. The imagination, however, I have that to the Nth degree. Perhaps these past 30 years of sitting alone behind the wheel of a truck going down the road has served to feed the wanderings of my mind.
Another sort of author is the one that places their charachters in historic times and places. Not as far as to change historical facts but to embelish upon them. Much like John Jakes and his "Bi-Centienniel Series" . Truly a favorite of mine.
I look forward to my retirement from driving trucks, as it will afford me the opportunity to write and research. Often I have thought of building a historic novel upon my family tree research. Because of the combination of documentation and history,the lives of many of my ancestors are open to imagination. I have had ancestors in places at the times that make it most probable that they were indeed in the presence of history. I have found that they have been veterans of every American war since the Revolutionary War. Some of my ancestors have been a part of shaping this country. Adventurous folks from Tennesse that made their way west to Texas and Oklahoma shortly after the Civil War. Families that were a part of the Oklahoma Land Rush. Railroad men that were a part of the westward expansion in the northern tier of states. '49er's that were part of the gold rush in California and up the west coast to Oregon.
Then there is myself, a woman in a male dominated field. I began driving trucks when there were actually truckstops that did not even have womens restrooms or shower facilities. Things have changed a great deal. There were many women truck drivers before me, especially during World War II. Women were taking necessary jobs that freed men up for the combat needs. Women, though, often returned to the role of homemaker after the end of World War II. Now in this day and age, there are more women than men working. The poor economy is the primary culprit.
I have often wanted to take pen to paper and put my imagination to words for others. Then when I start, I find that I just do not have the training or technique to produce an inspired product. The imagination, however, I have that to the Nth degree. Perhaps these past 30 years of sitting alone behind the wheel of a truck going down the road has served to feed the wanderings of my mind.
Another sort of author is the one that places their charachters in historic times and places. Not as far as to change historical facts but to embelish upon them. Much like John Jakes and his "Bi-Centienniel Series" . Truly a favorite of mine.
I look forward to my retirement from driving trucks, as it will afford me the opportunity to write and research. Often I have thought of building a historic novel upon my family tree research. Because of the combination of documentation and history,the lives of many of my ancestors are open to imagination. I have had ancestors in places at the times that make it most probable that they were indeed in the presence of history. I have found that they have been veterans of every American war since the Revolutionary War. Some of my ancestors have been a part of shaping this country. Adventurous folks from Tennesse that made their way west to Texas and Oklahoma shortly after the Civil War. Families that were a part of the Oklahoma Land Rush. Railroad men that were a part of the westward expansion in the northern tier of states. '49er's that were part of the gold rush in California and up the west coast to Oregon.
Then there is myself, a woman in a male dominated field. I began driving trucks when there were actually truckstops that did not even have womens restrooms or shower facilities. Things have changed a great deal. There were many women truck drivers before me, especially during World War II. Women were taking necessary jobs that freed men up for the combat needs. Women, though, often returned to the role of homemaker after the end of World War II. Now in this day and age, there are more women than men working. The poor economy is the primary culprit.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Pope Francis and Charity
Our nelwy elected Pope has already in such a short time shown himself to be the embodiment of charity, of caring for the less fortunate and presenting himself to the world as an equal to every man. This Pope gives me a sense of the humility that he exudes. His actions with and to the general public and even with the convicts show us that he is one that indeed practices what he preaches.
This past Saturday, I was in the process of packing and sorting items in our shed. While making the stacks of "absolutely keep", "good useable donation" and "throw out", more went into the donation pile than anticipated. I am not bragging, only stating that while looking through 40 years of accumulated "stuff", I kept thinking of how someone else may be able to make much better use of this or that item. I thought of how donating would accompolish 2 things, 1.) help others with good useable items and 2.) Cut down on the amount of stuff I will have to pack and unpack.
I am somewhat of a clutter bug as is my husband Mike. We both still have items in boxes from when we each moved here to Dallas area in October of 1994. He from Albuquerque and me from Goodland, Kansas. The home he had was about 1200 square feet and my home in Kansas was 2100 square feet. We both had large 2 car garages and sheds. The home we ended up in here in Irving, Texas is 1100 square feet. We do have a 2 car garage and a large shed and small shed. Everything is full of "stuff". Now add to that my mother's things that we brought back here to Texas with her.
Shortly after Mike and I got married, we consolidated and had a large yard sale. We had 2 and 3 of several items. Things like toastes, blenders, crock pots, irons & boards. The yard sale was interesting, we had a lot of lookers and many wanted to get items for nothing. I will not do that again. I think it is far less frustrating to just donate and write off off your taxes than to try to make a few bucks.
I have strayed from the topic at hand. Chatiry. This past Saturday, I took several items and dropped at the GOODWILL STORE donation center. There were many people there also donating. Could it all be the annual "spring cleaning" or could it be that our new Pope has lit a fire in our hearts to share what we have with those that do not have? I know that his words and actions are what had prompted me to look more closely to determine what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to donate. I still have a great deal to go through in the sheds and in the house. I am sure there will be many more trips to donation centers like St. Vincent De Paul, Disabled Veterans and Goodwill. Even my local Parish will get some of the stuff. They have baskets for gathering books to take for the prision ministries.
I imagine that once we get moved back to New Mexico we will be donating more of the stuff we pack. When we unpack, there will no doubt be things that after second thought will be donated to the local charites there in Grants. I now understand better why mom and dad had so few things. Almost everything they had, had a purpose and use. Thye lived very simply and though I so not think I will ever live asw spimply as they did, I can certainly do better than I have.
I pray that Pope Francis encourages and causes people all over the world to be more charitable to those in need, tolerant to those that are different and forgiving to those that do or wish harm on others. I believe this Pope will have a much more charismatic papacy than our previous one Pope Benedict 16. I do believe that the Holy Spirit does in fact cause the Cardinals to vote in a particular manner as to come to a certain conclusion. I also believe that it is this pope that the future of the Catholic Church will thrive and regain it's vitality.
This past Saturday, I was in the process of packing and sorting items in our shed. While making the stacks of "absolutely keep", "good useable donation" and "throw out", more went into the donation pile than anticipated. I am not bragging, only stating that while looking through 40 years of accumulated "stuff", I kept thinking of how someone else may be able to make much better use of this or that item. I thought of how donating would accompolish 2 things, 1.) help others with good useable items and 2.) Cut down on the amount of stuff I will have to pack and unpack.
I am somewhat of a clutter bug as is my husband Mike. We both still have items in boxes from when we each moved here to Dallas area in October of 1994. He from Albuquerque and me from Goodland, Kansas. The home he had was about 1200 square feet and my home in Kansas was 2100 square feet. We both had large 2 car garages and sheds. The home we ended up in here in Irving, Texas is 1100 square feet. We do have a 2 car garage and a large shed and small shed. Everything is full of "stuff". Now add to that my mother's things that we brought back here to Texas with her.
Shortly after Mike and I got married, we consolidated and had a large yard sale. We had 2 and 3 of several items. Things like toastes, blenders, crock pots, irons & boards. The yard sale was interesting, we had a lot of lookers and many wanted to get items for nothing. I will not do that again. I think it is far less frustrating to just donate and write off off your taxes than to try to make a few bucks.
I have strayed from the topic at hand. Chatiry. This past Saturday, I took several items and dropped at the GOODWILL STORE donation center. There were many people there also donating. Could it all be the annual "spring cleaning" or could it be that our new Pope has lit a fire in our hearts to share what we have with those that do not have? I know that his words and actions are what had prompted me to look more closely to determine what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to donate. I still have a great deal to go through in the sheds and in the house. I am sure there will be many more trips to donation centers like St. Vincent De Paul, Disabled Veterans and Goodwill. Even my local Parish will get some of the stuff. They have baskets for gathering books to take for the prision ministries.
I imagine that once we get moved back to New Mexico we will be donating more of the stuff we pack. When we unpack, there will no doubt be things that after second thought will be donated to the local charites there in Grants. I now understand better why mom and dad had so few things. Almost everything they had, had a purpose and use. Thye lived very simply and though I so not think I will ever live asw spimply as they did, I can certainly do better than I have.
I pray that Pope Francis encourages and causes people all over the world to be more charitable to those in need, tolerant to those that are different and forgiving to those that do or wish harm on others. I believe this Pope will have a much more charismatic papacy than our previous one Pope Benedict 16. I do believe that the Holy Spirit does in fact cause the Cardinals to vote in a particular manner as to come to a certain conclusion. I also believe that it is this pope that the future of the Catholic Church will thrive and regain it's vitality.
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