Dear July:
I am glad to see you go. It seems like all I did during your month was write big checks - garage roof repairs, car repairs, bathroom renovation. And lest I forget, we had the week-long seige by the big crazy dog. I repeat, I am glad to see you go. I hope August will be a lot less expensive with a lot less drama.
Your friend, Carla
I was up early this a.m. and did my grocery shopping before it got unbearably hot, and I was surprised to see quite a few shoppers there. I was also surprised to see more shoppers masked up than previous weeks.
As for our friends with Covid, two of them are out of quarantine and feeling pretty good. The other three are much older and are having a pretty hard time recovering. For that reason, I will still mask up until I feel safe again.
I had an errand to run today, and had to make a funeral home visit this afternoon, and I was masked up for both visits. There were a couple of people masked up when I went to the drugstore, and I was the only person in the funeral home that was masked up, but I didn't care. It didn't make much difference anyway - I didn't see any of my friend's three sisters, nor their husbands, nor his mother. I saw his wife, but I have only met her maybe three times in the past 30 years. But I paid my respects to her and got home.
It was a crazy funeral home visit, but it is what it is.
Happy Life Day to me! It's hard to believe that it is my Life Day again - the year has flown by. For those that don't know about it, today is my Life Day - on this day in 1992, I was almost killed in a car wreck. But the Lord had other plans for me. So on this day every year, I celebrate my Life Day.
Today, I have celebrated by me and the Old Man going out to the Far East End to our Triple Crown places - Jeff's Donuts, Paul's Fruit Market, and Kingsley's Meats. We were very thankful that this trip was way way more uneventful than our last trip two years ago when we had trouble with the Silver Bullet.
This afternoon, we are going to watch an early Reds game, and then have a great supper and enjoy just being together. That is what it is all about.
Today, we are up to 5 friends having Covid right now.
I was definitely in the minority (actually, the only one) with people wearing a mask when I went to Walgreens and the fruit and veggie market, but I didn't care.
Today, I heard from two more friends that have just tested positive for Covid. These two also made it through the previous three and a half years of the virus without catching it until now.
I don't know about you, but I'm going to start masking up again when I go out.
We've got that dark cloud hanging over our friends again. Within the past two days, we found out that two of our dear, dear friends from church are both dealing with Covid. They made it through the past three and a half years of Covid, only to catch it now. Luckily they are both doing well. They are both in their early 90's, so this is more serious then if someone younger got Covid. But we are so thankful they are doing well, and have minimal issues with it, other than having to quarantine from their family.
Black cloud, please go away.
The bathroom remodeling crew was here promptly at 8:30 yesterday morning, and they sure 'nuff got the bathroom remodel done in one day like their ads said. The two young guys did a phenomenal job. We can't say enough good things about their quality of work. It has changed the whole look of the bathroom.
I just cannot wait till in the morning to take my first shower in the new shower.
Stay tuned.
I am so thankful that the Silver Bullet aka the Odyssey is back in action and running like a new one. I picked it up this morning and the Old Man and I can make our trips to the Far East (the east end of town) without worry.
And the bathroom is all cleared out and we are just waiting for the workers to get here at 8:00 in the morning to start the remodel.
Stay tuned.
Powerball mania is going on today. Tonight's drawing will be over $1 billion. I got my tickets yesterday to avoid the rush. Now to just wait until 10:59 tonight when they draw the numbers.
On my wish list of things to spend my winnings on if I win is mainly taking care of dear friends. The first check I would write would be for hiring a round-the-clock nurse/caregiver for a dear, dear friend's elderly father so he could get out of his assisted living facility and back into his own home. While I'm at it, I'd write a check to have his home "senior-ized" - mainly put in ramps on the front and back porch to make it easier on him. Next, I would buy a new SUV for another dear friend who deserves a new, reliable car.
Stay tuned.
After over five years of talking about it and wishing for it, we are finally getting a walk-in shower put in the main bathroom. I pulled the trigger yesterday afternoon when I signed the contract with the bathroom remodeler. We're not going for anything fancy - just a white shower insert with a clear glass door, and brushed nickel fixtures. Now just to wait for them to call and tell us when they will be here to take the old tub and tile out and put the new shower in.
I cannot tell you how thankful I am for the Lord giving the Old Man (and me) safety as we have gotten in and out of the shower. It will be a huge relief.
I was waiting all day with my phone in my hand for a call from the shop about the Silver Bullet. They called at about 3:30 saying it needs a fuel pump. They hope to have it ready tomorrow. I'm just happy to know they found out the problem. But all in all, I can't complain - the Old Man and my Sweet Mother bought it new in 2001, and these repairs are the first we've had done in all of those years. It's all good.
It was a peaceful, serene Saturday. There were storms in the forecast, so as soon as we had breakfast I headed out to Kroger and just as I pulled into the carport, it started raining, so my timing was pretty good.
I had a sinus headache most of the afternoon so I was a slug and didn't do much except sit in my recliner, just because I could.
The Odyessy drove fine yesterday so this afternoon I ventured out to our favorite old school fruit and veggie place to get some canteloupes. I got my melons, only to have the van not start. I bet I tried 20 times. I called AAA and they were there within 15 minutes. And a friend up the road was there even faster to take me back home. I already had an appointment at the shop for Tuesday morning, and they called me back to say they would hopefully get to it a day earlier. Anyhoo, I got home safe and have the Ranger to drive in the meanwhile, and have our great friend up the road to come and get me when I need it. So all in all, it could be a whole lot worse.
Today was much much more peaceful than the past week here at The Compound. The most "work" I did today was going to the drugstore to get a prescription for the Old Man and a bottle of saline solution. It was nice not doing anything today. Who knows? I just might not do anything tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
The Old Man was feeling good today, so this morning we set out to visit our Triple Crown stores in the East End -- Jeff's Donuts, Paul's Fruit Market, and Kingsley's Meats. We made it to all three but while I was in at the donut shop, the van shut down. After about 5 attempts to start it, it finally fired up. We both prayed for a trip home, and headed out. But after abou two miles it shut down again. But luckily after again 5 attempts it started back up. We were debating whether to call AAA and someone to come get us home, but we both decided to head on. Thank the Lord we made it back home to The Compound.
As soon as I got the Old Man back into the house, I went back up to the dealer that did the work on the van two weeks ago. I waited awhile and they said someone "adjusted" something, and it was just fine. The first they could give it a thorough inspection is Tuesday. I stopped at Krogers on the way home for a few provisions and made it home just fine.
So this hasn't been a real good week for me here. But it could be a whole lot worse. I have so many dear friends going through much, much worse things than a car that quits.
After six long days, and a total of ten visits by Animal Control, and also two full days of an animal rescue group being here, the Siege At The Compounded ended yesterday morning.
I was up at 5:20 thanks to the crazy dog barking. At about 9:00 an Animal Control officer was here and he put fresh food in the big trap they put under the gazebo and set the trap. Ten minutes after he left, The Old Man was looking out to see if he could see the crazy dog, and thank the Lord it was in the trap. I called Animal Control and within five minutes, the officer was back along with another officer for backup. It only took them about five minutes to get the trap moved to their truck and get the dog out of the trap and into their truck. When they pulled out of the driveway, you cannot imagine the relief that me, The Old Man and our next door neighbors felt.
We are just glad this is over.
Today is day 5 of Siege At The Compound. The dog has gotten more aggressive. Yesterday afternoon, she charged at me again as I opened up the back porch door to reach over and throw a bag of trash into the garbage can. Animal Control was here again yesterday morning and again last night, both to no avail. And the dog rescue people were here yesterday morning and again last night, also to no avail.
As I type this, Animal Control and two of the rescue people are here again. All they did was put fresh food in the two traps set up. They all agreed that the dog is probably starving and they hope (key word) for her to into one of the traps to get some food.
As always, stay tuned.
Since I last posted yesterday, Louisville Animal Control has been out three times, and some people from a local rescue group have been out here three times, only to not catch the elusive very aggressive big dog.
As I type this, there is a big trap under the gazebo, and another trip out between the little barn and the chicken coop - both of which the dog has evaded for the last 24 hours. She ran off toward the Riverport area behind our house, and as of 5 minutes ago, there were 3 adults and 2 kids running around trying to catch her.
All I know is this is the fourth day I have been truly afraid to come out of my house because the dog charges at me. Luckily this morning when she ran off, I was able to get to the garage and run to Kroger for a few things we wanted and then are hunkered back down in the house. Something has got to give. Animal Control said they'd have two officers back later this afternoon but a lot good that will do.
Something has got to give - one way or another. Stay tuned.
For three days in a row, the Louisville Metro Animal Services were unable to catch the dog. This morning, it was sleeping under the gazebo and I thought I could make a break for it to go to Walgreens to pick up my eczema meds, but as soon as I opened the porch door, it charged up the ramp at me. I was lucky to close the door in time. A few minutes later, LMAS came, and neither one of the officers could catch it. They put a trap under the gazebo. The dog ran off, so it was all clear for me to go get my meds and a few groceries we needed. Ten minutes after I got back home, the dog was back. She went under the gazebo, and attempted to get the food that was in the trap. But she tripped the trap before she could get in there and it spooked her. She's now back under my truck in the carport.
I am not going to be held hostage in my own home. I am going to call LMAS every hour until they can get someone competent enough to catch the damned dog.
Stay tuned.
Since yesterday morning, we have been under siege at The Compound. A huge Mastiff dog was first under my Ranger in the carport all day yesterday. I called Animal Control early and they finally came out at 10:00 last night. Of course they couldn't catch the dog. It was back early this morning - I had about 87 pictures from our security cameras of the dog walking up and down the back porch ramp. I called Animal Control again early this morning, and the [in name only] dog catcher came just as we were finishing supper. She was almost as worthless as the once they sent last night. She basically said to call if the dog gets more aggressive, and try to catch her in the garage. I'm sorry - I'm not doing that. When I went out to get the van out this morning to go get the Old Man's prescription, the dog was barking and growling at me like crazy. Anytime it sees me out on the back porch ramp it starts growling and barking.
We were hopeful for about fifteen minutes when the dog ran across the road and down toward the river. But it's back again, holding court in the gazebo - laying down like it owns it.
I'm done with Animal Control. Tomorrow I'm calling them back and telling them to send two people to catch the dog or I'm going to shoot it and then they can send the clean-up people out to pick it up.
Stay tuned.
TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very happy Fourth of July. I hope everyone eats some good hot dogs or hamburgers today. And I also hope that your neighbors will stop shooting off fireworks by the time you go to bed tonight.
Once again, we've had big storms on a Sunday. But it seems like we've had big storms every day for the past two weeks. As I was clearing the supper table, you couldn't see the house across the street because it was raining so hard. Luckily all of our roofs and everything else is ok from the heavy winds.
Praying for bettah dayz tomorrow.
Once again, we had pretty heavy storms and a ton of rain again today. Even with the storms the air quality alert is still in effect from the fires in Canada. Once again this today, you couldn't see the Indiana hills until late afternoon. But I am over the daily thunderstorms. The past three days, the thunder has been so loud and lasted a long time. But all we can do is hunker down till it passes.
