Hump day chat

cakana

It's no fun carrying home a 50 lb dog because you forgot to bring a leash :(.

yeah -- and I'm too prone to finding strays or something. So there are at least two spare leashes in each car and all of them are the ones where the handle of the leash is like a nylon collar so you just use the 'handle' as the collar and make a handle with the leash clip? I learned the "always pack a leash" thing many years ago and in fact, I carry my keys with a long "neck strap" on it. I keep it knotted up so it's easy to find in my purse, but with the carbiner I have on it THAT makes an excellent leash clip so my keys become an instant leash.

Unfortuantely this is not because I am so smart -- *grin* It's just because I wouldn't have a prayer of carrying anything heavier than Kee Shu home.

As it happened, all the auto stores had a jack with jack stands on sale this week for $40. This will actually make what I want to so much easier. So, I found who had it in stock, went over and bought it. Plus I replaced the light that has been out for at least a week. The guy kept offering to carry it out for me. No thanks. I'm buying this for me. I'm using it. I bet I could even do an oil change if I got one of them rolly lay on your back boards. I'm at Target now killing time before going to work. I got hat. I hate hats, but I'm a little nervous about chemicals like sunblock on my face while I have no clue what this rash is from.

I got two new referrals today. I actually know both kids. One from when I worked in a daycare. We had her I think for preschool. I don't know how just now in 7th grade she is just getting evaluated. Unless she was before and got dismissed after some time. She had issues back in 2005.

ETA- According to the volvo forums, it should go up on any jack, and the volvo one is crappy and somewhat frightening, especially to go under the car.

Cathy, I'm glad your neighbor is committed to renting.  That's one worry off your back, and it's nice you won't have some stranger as a tenant.

Lisa -- "airplane rules" -- too funny!  That's another phrase from the parenting dictionary, like "inside voices."  Which reminds me:  the other day I was in Starbucks, and a barista called out someone's order, and no one came to claim it.  She must've been new, because her voice was a bit soft/shy.  She called out again, then another barista said to her:  "Use your outside voice!"  :-)

Jen, I have a large brimmed hat I wear when working in the yard.  Not only does it protect my haircolor from fading, but it keeps my face covered, too.  I look dorky in it (which DH points out regularly), but it's a useful accessory sometimes!  Good idea to keep the sun off that rash.

Volvos must be "unique" -- the other day we got Ruby a new thing to hook to a harness and it clips into the seatbelt.  There was a big red sticker on the clip part that said, "Do Not Use in Volvos!"  Who knows why!

griffinej5

ETA- According to the volvo forums, it should go up on any jack, and the volvo one is crappy and somewhat frightening, especially to go under the car.

I was always my Father's only son (woodworking & car stuff) and my Mother's only daughter (housekeeping & grounds maintenance) since I'm an "only child" -- changing a tire was no big deal -- but being *under* a car further than my arm could reach? always scared the spit out of me. I used to do lots of that stuff when I was younger ... but that doesn't mean I miss doing it now *smile*.

Jen, invest in some jack stands and don't forget to chock the wheels so the car can't roll while on the jack.  Sorry, that unasked for advice just popped out before I could stop it. :)  I've helped with many car repairs and I don't miss it. I gladly pay someone else these days but if I had to I could change the oil, a tire and other repairs or maintenance stuff. 

I had a little help from Gina so I can't take full credit but I wrote a kick a$$ letter today to the city about the recent bid we participated in and the results.  It turns out that I  sent it to the director of finance instead of the director of purchasing. You would think that info would be easy to find on their website but they seem to change hats often. It was so annoying and embarrassing  because I called purchasing and asked the idiot who answered the phone who the director was and was given the wrong name after waiting on hold for ten minutes.  He (director of finance) wrote me back a very nice email saying that though he wasn't the person I intended to send the letter to he was responsible for all the expenditures made by the city and he would have his staff investigate our concerns. I saw that he copied quite a few city staff involved with purchasing so the ball is their court now.  Booya!

JackieG

I had a little help from Gina so I can't take full credit but I wrote a kick a$$ letter today to the city about the recent bid we participated in and the results.  It turns out that I  sent it to the director of finance instead of the director of purchasing. You would think that info would be easy to find on their website but they seem to change hats often. It was so annoying and embarrassing  because I called purchasing and asked the idiot who answered the phone who the director was and was given the wrong name after waiting on hold for ten minutes.  He (director of finance) wrote me back a very nice email saying that though he wasn't the person I intended to send the letter to he was responsible for all the expenditures made by the city and he would have his staff investigate our concerns. I saw that he copied quite a few city staff involved with purchasing so the ball is their court now.  Booya!

You GO girl!! There are times when you just gotta rattle some chains and sometimes just rattling LOTS of chains can be really effective. There are times in that sort of "chain" (oops didn't mean to pun, really) of command what is most effective is a wide range of who may ultimately be responsible so it gives someone a bit lower the "kick" to GO to the superior **now** rather than the superior having to show them an email they did NOT respond to and shoulda!

And don't be embarassed -- I'm convinced it is a higher art form to try and make your governmental website as confusing and non-informative as possible because "since the budget was cut that department has been re-assigned" ....or ...

and meanwhile (and we can ALL recite this in unison) the voicemail always says:

Thank you for holding ... please listen to the entire message because our options have changed .... but if you would like faster service please check out our enhanced website at http://www.no-you-can't-really-find-ANYTHING-here-government-DOT-C

OM I deal with state/local/federal websites all day long ... if you hung in long enough to get ANY information and had a nice long list of folks to send emails to, then you get today's first choice at the Tiki Bar, Jackie -- cos you earned it!!!

I spent wayyyyyy too much time using Comcast's chat feature to set up new service. After "chatting" with 2 different people and answering a bazillion questions, we were ready to place the order...and then they said it's not offered where we're moving *sigh* I can't believe how cranky I feel and it seems like we're not making headway on anything towards the move. I really wanted to host Father's Day at the new house but I just don't think that's going to happen. It doesn't help that we'll be having 100+ temps this weekend. Feel free to skip past my whiney, bitchy posts for the next several days..or weeks :/

We all whine and complain when life gets complicated and makes us cranky. That's why we all like this place. :)  I wish you could just snap your fingers and you were moved in. 

I just watched a video on FB of a rat snake eating an entire nest of Golden-cheeked warbler chicks. They're endangered and a nest cam was set up by biologists to study natural predators.  I know it's how nature works but hard to watch.  One of the adults was sitting nearby but didn't move until the snake went after it.  I hope it survived to reproduce again.  I guess it's my curiosity about all things in nature that compels me to watch some of these things that I then regret seeing.

Callie, I am so glad the pups are OK after their escapades! That is just way too frightening for everyone!

I had a frantic message from Mom today (I was off island with Dad for doctors' appts)--Mozey had (according to her) escaped from the fenced in yard. She had the neighbor driving around looking for her. Then, I had a second message--Mozey had not escaped. She was sleeping under the deck (which is routine). Mozey was like, "What's the big deal? I was sleeping"  It doesn't help that Mom has almost no vision and couldn't see Mozey. 

Karen, yes, life vests can lose buoyancy (sp??). I hope the new one fits well. We'll expect pictures, of course :-)

Maureen, great job with the run!

Cool weather here and Sinbad is one happy dog today. 

Janice, you rock!! Who would have thought that smell was car trouble?! I will mention it to our administration staff tomorrow and have them get it checked out. The smell is pretty nauseating.

Callie so glad your pups were recovered with no issues. That is scary

Cathy that is a good rate. I hope you get some sleep tonight.

Tina that is ridiculous about the contractor. When a contractor takes a job they should be dedicated to that job only and not jump around. How annoying.

I ended up taking half a day today so I could join my team training with MI region one (disaster response). That was really cool. We worked in partially collapsed buildings where we have live and dead people hidden inside. The dogs went in and indicated then the rescue personnel followed to extract. I learned quite a bit andabbie and I got to be lowered into the building with ropes and harnesses. Abbie did much better than I expected. She basically just froze and let it happen. She didn't panic or struggle. You could tell she would rather not be in that position though lol. Fun day

I had to look it up because I knew it meant something. I'm pretty sure I heard about it on Car Talk on NPR once.

A maple syrup smell in a car sounds like a perfect topic for Click & Clack -- I can just hear them making jokes about eating pancakes and sausage while driving!

Jackie, just READING what you said about the snake eating the nest of eggs totally freaked me out.  I can't imagine watching it.  DH likes those nature programs that show the "normal" actions of the food chain -- I make sure I'm in another room when those shows are on.  I don't too see a gazelle being torn apart by a lion!

Kate, your poor Mom must've been in a panic!  So glad it turned out to be a false alarm. 

They just said on the local news that we have perfect skies for viewing the space station going overhead tonight at 10:30pm.  If we're still awake,  we'll have to go out in the yard to look, but I think we're too near city lights.  We could go a mile or two down the road for better viewing, but I'm not sure we'll be up for hopping in the car at that hour on a "school night!"

 Nice one Janice

Glad things are working out Cathy

Jackie congrats on the effective email and ugh I watch those type things and then am haunted by them

So the person that arranged tonight's outing wound up sick and not going. I was going to be running late as I had to get my hair cut first. My very sweet and swish neighbor agreed to go too and was happy to drive. This part was great - we went in a stunning Mercedes convertible and it was a gorgeous evening. However when we arrived the two ladies meeting us looked less than pleased with the whole thing.  The restaurant I chose is a trendy sort of place with fabulous food that is creative. The two ladies we met are really conservative in their tastes, unfortunately it was fairly clear they didn't know what to eat. Fortunately my neighbor is one of those people who can and will talk to anyone and make them happy. So it all worked out. Phew Seriously I tend to be someone that is easily pleased and goes with the flow so I didn't really think that the menu would be an issue. The one woman only drinks cheap light beer and this place had about 10 beers on the menu all small brewery stuff. They did have Pabst Blue Ribbon so i tried to steer her towards that, bottom line I am glad that I love to try new twists on basic things and am open to new stuff in general. I am also very thankful for my neighbor who is so good at putting people at ease even though she is ridiculously wealthy and gorgeous

BTW I think I am just having strange allergy issues leaving me exhausted so although I appreciate the thoughts its all good - I just kind of feel doped up 

On the other hand I feel terrible for B, I upped his benadryl and he seems only slightly better. I don't want to have to go to prednisone. He's been so medicated for months, I just want him to be healthy!

 My new fancy hydraulic jack came with jack stands. The set was on sale this week. I need to go get chocks I suppose. Being under the car is something I have never done before, but the price of this repair, if I have it done is a few hundred dollars. If it is the correct repair even. If I do it myself, and it is a very easy repair, it costs a few bucks. It seems worthwhile to me. The factory volvo jack sucks, and the base is way small. The new one is also much easier to use, no matter what car I get next.

The damn rash on my face is now also on my neck, still on one side. I think I'll go to the dermatologist next week. 

 When Dodger was a puppy, someone didn't latch the back gate. I went out to check ad Maze was missing! There's Dodger, pleased as can be sitting on the back deck. It's porig rai ad she was missig for approx 10 mi.. Ad my keoard has a mid of it's ow today....