Clean Truck

We are taking a short trip to Arizona to surprise Greg's dad. So we had the truck detailed before we leave. After leaving it at the detailer's on Saturday, he called to tell us to pick it up on Sunday. When we went over and saw it, we were in shock - the truck looked brand new again - and it even had that brand new car smell!

The 15 year old kid that detailed it is a neighbor of ours. Brad is making money so that he can customize the 1970 Chevy that his dad bought him. Never before has a vehicle that we owned been so clean - even after taking it to experienced, professional dealers! This kid sure has a great career ahead of him. Wonderful talent. And he really just loves to clean.

Saturday dawned cold and dreary. It was raining. I really don't like fall when it gets this cold this quickly. Sunday was partly cloudy, but it started raining in the afternoon. I cleaned house (this seems to be the only thing that I do lately). Then made some more necklaces.

I have an appt to get my hair done on Wednesday, and I need to see the manicurist to get my nails done before we leave.

Hopefully, if all goes well - we will be stopping to visit a friend in San Diego. I only hope that she doesn't read this and it will be a surprise to her. I have a special present that I want to give her. Maybe we can go to the San Diego Zoo, too. On the way, I want to stop at Bead stores. Cubbie Two has already requested that I pick up some beads for her. Tomorrow she will go over the website and pick out the beads she wants me to pick up for her.

Cubbies are our slang words for friends. I am Cubbie 1, Joanie is Cubbie 2, Greg is Cubbie 3, Bruce is Cubbie 4. Joanie never heard of this and laughed up a riot. We have since been using this as a matter of referring to each other.

Like my hubby always says..."Cubbies are Cubbies...but Buddies sleep together."

I guess Greg is my buddy.

The Oracle

My husband, THE ORACLE OF WISDOM has been speaking to me in Magic 8-Ball language lately.

Me-"Would you like orange juice or milk with your breakfast?"

Him-"Reply Hazy, Ask Again."

Me-"Shall we watch the Cash Cab that I recorded earlier?"

Him-"Signs Point to Yes."

Me-"Are you coming to bed soon?"

Him-"Outlook Good!"

Urgh.

Watching Cash Cab is our latest passion when we aren't falling down tired. The show originates from New York; the driver-Ben Bailey will pick up people in the cab and quiz them on general trivia questions to win money on the way to their destinations. The hubby wants to drag me to New York just so he can get on the Cash Cab.

Hubby has been working on the pad site for the new building. Organizing his current shop takes up so much time. We also had to replace the glass in our fireplace last night as it had lots of cracks in it after 8 years; and he graciously fixed my stationary exercise bike. I am busily making more jewelry, cleaning house, and finishing the yard clean up outside.

Even when trying to rest on Sunday, some rude people pulled all the way into our driveway with their travel trailer, made a big U-turn, then proceeded to change their trailer tire. The driveway alarm was ringing, and hubby went down to investigate. He yelled at them to get off the property (this was even after the man said that he "saw" the signs-No Trespassing/Trespassers will be SHOT!). Some people can be so rude and insensitive. WHY our driveway? Didn't they have the sense to take it down to the gas station, or why not pull off the highway-onto a public road, or just pull off to the shoulder of the road? What's Next? A gate, driveway alarms & signs aren't enough...maybe an electrified cattle grid?

It rained the other night- Isabelle came to our bed, curled up next to me, and went back to sleep. My big scary looking dog is afraid of rainstorms, water, and gunshots.

Better Late than Never?

Well, I am constantly reminding my offspring to blog. But then I let all this time past and leave my own blog hanging in the wind.

We have been very busy helping our friends to erect their pole building; I have been cleaning up our basement and fall-cleaning the house. My puppy has been sick with a bladder infection. And my friend and I are making jewelry like mad so that we can go to one of the Christmas Craft Sales and sell our wares!

On Tuesday, Sept 11, we attended the Spoky-Jo Fair. It was an awesome time. After a full day of beading, we picked up our respective husbands and then drove over. After a quick snack, we toured the fairgrounds visiting the animal barns, the outside displays and the inside commercial buildings. Grabbing mini-donuts was a treat for our friends as they had never tasted these tiny concocotions of sugar & cinnamon! Strolling through the amusement rides we decided on a leisurely Ferris Wheel ride, and afterwards a stunning display of rivalry and hilarity on the Bumper Cars!

Another reason for not blogging is not having the capability of internet. My internet service is now slower than dial-up. VZ is due to begin accepting sign-ups for DSL on Sept 21. But there is no telling how long it will be after that when a service rep can install it to our home. I'm hoping I can pick my own rep to do that service call for me as I do not want Lecherous Larry anywhere near me. Ugh. This is an individual that should have been fired from this company long ago for sexual harassment to customers & fellow employees.

My baby is diligently sorting through all the travel arrangements and it sounds like an exciting time. I'm positive that she should be working as a travel agent~ Here is a sample of our tentative itinerary...

Dec 14 - Arrive UK
Dec 16 - Fly London - Munich (1h 50min)
Train to Garmisch (1h)
Dec 16-21 - Edelweiss Resort
Dec 21 - Train from Garmisch to Rome (7h 55min),
possible side trip to Pisa (+2 hours)
Dec 21-24 - Stay in Rome
Dec 24 - Train to Bari (4h 35min),
possible side trip to Naples (+2 hours)
Ferry to Patras, Greece (15h 30min)
Dec 25 - Train to Athens (3h 15min)
Dec 25-28 - Stay in Athens
Dec 28 - Fly to Paris (3h 30min)
Dec 28-Jan 1 - Stay in Paris
Jan 1 - Fly to London (1h 30min)
Jan 1-3 - Visit friends in UK
Jan 4- Return to US

As you can see, on my birthday-Dec 31, we will be in Paris! How romantic. We are planning on watching the fireworks from the Eiffel Tower. My list of places to visit is even longer than this itinerary!

In addition to my regular busy life, my VISA card info was stolen off the Internet and used fraudently. I had to contact the bank, the police, and the credit bureaus to alert them to this incident. Fortunately, they only got $800 out of our account before it became evident to me that this was not our charges; and the bank will reverse the charges and credit it to us as soon as the paperwork is returned to them. What a major hassle.