LeMars

Got back tonight from visiting my eldest sister at her home in LeMars.  That part of the state is so beautiful with it’s cliffs and rolling hills.  I hadn’t been to the northwest corner before.

The trip was uneventful with the exception of the constant road construction.  You’d get free of it, finally, and see a sign that in two more miles you’d be down to one lane again.  Everyone would speed up and try to volley for the “best” spot before the construction began again.  A semi was in the lane trying to get around another one and wasn’t going to make it so I slowed down to let him in front of me.  I couldn’t help wondering what that driver was thinking, trying to speed up so much to get around a vehicle as big and cumbersome as he, himself, was.  Did he really think he’d make it?

At one point we were stopped, bumper to bumper, which I hate because it is usually about that time that I suddenly have to go to the bathroom.  The next rest stop was one with “parking only”…no toilet facilities.  I’m sorry but who wants to rest somewhere that is just for parking? I know, your thinking of the semi’s but really, don’t you think they’d like to stop to rest and go to the bathroom so they don’t have to stop later? I would think so but guess the state of Iowa disagrees.  There was, in all the parking only rest stops I saw, one RV parked there which I thought made sense since it has it’s own toilet facilities.

For me, I would alternate.  I’d stop at a regular rest stop to go the bathroom and then not stop again until I needed gas.  Even getting 30.8 miles to the gallon, I used a lot of gas.  I don’t see how anyone can afford to travel for leisure anymore.

I didn’t get lost at all, the way was well signed so it was very simple.  I did get pulled over by a State Trooper though.  He said he pulled me over because I didn’t have a front license plate and because my tinting was too dark on my windows.  Well, the tinting is blown into the glass at the factory so the only way to change that is to get different windows which, of course, I’m not about to do.  The front license plate is just my own little protest over having to drill holes into my bumper just because Iowa is one of the few states left who insists on front license plates.  Irritates me.  I didn’t get any tickets - I wasn’t speeding when he stopped me so I just got warnings for the other things.

I had a good visit with my sister and enjoyed myself but was anxious to get back to Iowa City too.  I tried to spend the driving time reviewing my life and what changes I would like to make but then got trapped in construction so much that I had to focus on staying between the pylons.  When I was finally free of construction for a fifty mile stretch, my brain was too tired to consider anything other then being able to close my eyes soon.  Even considered pulling over to rest for a half hour or so because my eyes hurt but I didn’t.  I didn’t really sleep well and then was up at 6:30am so think part of the problem with my eyes was simply that I was tired.

Almost FRIDAY!

It is almost Friday, I have to tell you…I didn’t think I’d make it through this week but here I am.  It actually wasn’t that bad and I have to take back a lot of the complaints I had about the trainer I didn’t want to work with.  I can appreciate, after watching her the past two weeks, just how difficult her job is and how well she does it.  She took me out for a margarita tonight after work which was nice.  She wanted to say “thanks” for all my help this week.

My vacation starts Saturday and I grieve not being able to go to Wyoming.  I was so looking forward to it but when it was decided not to go, I figured it was for the best.  Now that the time is here, I so wish we were going.  It would have fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine to stay out in the wilderness with minimal amenities of the civilized world.  It was to be a test of my character and endurance.  {Sigh}.  Granted, I can’t afford to go so it is good that we aren’t but it just seems like one more failed dream, you know?

We seem to make plans a lot but little grows to fruition.  It gets a bit sad that we can’t pull it together enough to make some of our dreams come true.  But, of course, when times get tough then vacations are the first thing to be sacrificed on the alter of financial wellness.  Now I have no plans for a vacation in the coming months or years.  Sure we said we’d go next year but why should I believe we can get it together enough to do so when we couldn’t this year? It is disheartening.

Tonight we watched the last hour of “Legends of the Fall”.  Yes, most of you automatically think of the hunky Brad Pitt but I actually saw the movie for Aidan Quinn whom I think is quite good looking.  I like the characters he plays - usually men of dignified repose.  Brad was a sight for sore eyes but really, the story is so tragic.  I do like the ending when the old indian says that Tristan was the rock everyone else broke themselves upon.  It had little to do with his life but more with what people expected or wanted from him.  However, I liked Aidan Quinn’s line about how he did everything right - followed the laws of man and God - yet everyone loved Tristan more.  It shows, of course, how people always go for the rebel.  Don’t know if women think they can tame him or if others just find a rebel more daring then they have the courage to be, but it still seems true today - everyone loves the bad boy more.

Boredom

My sister and I were talking about boredom tonight.  Not just incidental boredom but boredom with our seemingly so “normal” lives.  Why can’t our lives have a little more pizazz? We spent some time trying to come up with things we could do to spice up our lives but ideas were few and far between.  We finally decided it all came down to money.

If we had the money to do what we wanted, when we wanted - life would be a bit more exciting.  Of course, we’d get into a lot more trouble but who cared as long as it was an adrenaline rush? My sister wants to climb Mt. Everest…uh, she can have that cuz no way does that appeal to me.  Swimming with sharks doesn’t appeal to her either so guess we will have to do them separately.

But to be able to do what I wanted each day would be so liberating and fun.  I wouldn’t go hog wild now in my 40’s like I would have in my 20’s if I was given the option to explore to my heart’s content.  Now I would do a lot of traveling and spending time with my family.  I’d buy a cabin in Montana or Wyoming so I’d have a mountain retreat and keep my condo in Florida for my winter retreat.  Then I’d live in Iowa the rest of the year.

Yes, it is all just wishes and daydreams.  I can’t imagine we’ll ever have the money to take off on new adventures everyday.  But wouldn’t it be awesome? I know money can’t buy you happiness - but it can break up the monotony…you know?

One Down, Four to Go

Today was a disaster.  I can only hope that it was so crazy because it was a Monday and that tomorrow will be a lot quieter.  Doubtful but one can hope.

I think I feel a migraine coming on.  My eyeballs hurt due to an enormous pressure building behind them.  Light hurts my eyes and I have a headache that doesn’t seem intimidated by Tylenol…spells migraine to me.  I’m hoping it will just go away on it’s own.

I’m trying to keep my head down and just make it through this week because then I have a week off.  Hopefully I will then go to evenings/nights.  I’m still hoping to change jobs in the near future but will have to see.  Need to update my application.

Saturday I start my week of vacation.  Even though Wyoming is canceled, I still plan on taking it so that I can get moved in to an apartment and what not.  I know I’ve said all this before.

I really have nothing more to share right now as it is my bedtime.  Part of keeping my head down is not spending time thinking about anything much - kind of burying my head in the sand that filters through the hourglass of time hoping I’ll poke my head out soon and it will be Saturday.  My sister says the weeks go by so fast but I disagree…today drug by so painfully that pulling all my teeth out seemed more appealing then spending one more moment in dispatch.  I hope tomorrow is better - doubt having a toothless grin would improve my looks any. 

The Usual

I know, more of the usual.  Sounds rather humdrum and boring.  Sorry folks but I have 3 more hours to go and am trying to fill the time up with something.

Thus, I’m back on my kick about running away to Montana.  I really don’t count it as “running away” per say as more of a desire to get away from what everyone else considers so normal.  I really miss the idea of going to Wyoming - I was so looking forward to it.

Not that I blame anyone for not being able to go - hell, I couldn’t afford it either.  But one of these days I’m just going to up and go by myself.  I might not have as much fun as I would with others but at least I would get to do it once in my lifetime.  I’d really like to give living in rustic surroundings a try for a few days.  Not saying anything really scary or horrific…just a few days out in the wilds of North America.

You know, one of the problems with living in Florida was that I lived in a city.  I’ve never been fond of cities as they seem too crowded.  There are no open spaces and to get “out in the country” required driving at least 12 miles through city traffic.  It was just too much.  I’m more of a country girl or small town girl - I don’t enjoy the noises associated with a lot of traffic.  I probably wouldn’t have that problem in Montana, huh?

I know I said I had three hours to go a few minutes ago but now I really only have three hours to go.  I looked at the clock wrong last time - boo hoo for me.  I so just want this day to be over with!!! Can’t wait to get out of here.

I wonder how much a cabin would cost in Montana? Surely not that much.  Anyone want to venture a guess? I would like a little cabin with two rooms (bedroom,kitchen/dining), bathroom, and fireplace.  Sounds simple enough.

Puppies

So Penny had her puppies yesterday.  She ended up with five - four boys and one female.  Of course, the fight is on for the one female that also happens to be the runt of the litter.  The males are all huge while this little female is half their size.  My son plans on keeping one and while I try to insist that, as the owner of the father who sired the puppies I get first choice, he isn’t buying into that.  I want the brown male but that, of course, is the one my son likes as well. 

There is one male who is the largest of them all - so large he got stuck being born and had to have my son pull him out into the bright new world.  He may be the one I end up taking…if I get to take any of them.  Right now I’m not sure because I don’t have a place of my own yet but I should by the first of July and wherever that is, it has to allow me to have two dogs.  I’m excited about getting a puppy. 

There is one male puppy that is totally white, one with white & brown spots, one totally brown, and one black and white one.  The female puppy is mostly black with a little bit of white around her throat.

Well, it is beautifully warm outside so I should get out there and do something.  Was suppose to do something with my sister Cyndi but she never returned my phone message so she must have gotten busy doing something else.  Tomorrow I move to my sister Marge’s house for the month of June.

Of course, as I wrote the above paragraph, my sister called me.  :-)  Maybe I’m a bit telepathic.  She hadn’t received the message I left this morning on her cell phone which is why she hadn’t called earlier.  So we are going to eat and going to the movie later.  That will work out well because my son Wayne is going out with his girlfriend tonight and I won’t have to sit home alone the whole time.

I was kind of hoping my check would be in the bank today but apparently they aren’t going to have it in until Monday or Tuesday.  Bummer.  I have one more week of 3-11pm then move to 11pm-7am for two weeks.  Then I’m on day shift for a week before going on vacation.  As our vacation has been cancelled, I will be moving into my own place that week plus going to visit my sister in LaMars, Iowa.

My younger sister, Wanda, is moving to CO in June or early July.  Isn’t that the way of it? I move back from Florida and suddenly everyone else is moving away.  LOL.  Once she gets settled then I will try to make plans to go out there to visit her - maybe before Christmas.  It would be a fast trip and not even sure work would give me more time off till Spring but would see.  Might have to go down south to get my condo sold so everything is pretty much up in the air right now.

Well, my sister and I are going to eat at Panera and then go to “Prince Caspian”.  I didn’t see the first one except for excerpts at work in Florida but it will be nice to get out to do something.  I haven’t done much of anything since being back in Iowa - mostly due to my depression but that is a whole other story. 

 

Odd Hours

So I went shopping briefly today.  I picked up my hiking boots - $45 at Walmart.  I hope they are good ones.  They are Brauns and called “Frontier”.  I was going to get the “Rustler” one but decided the sole was so heavy that it would kill my knees on uphill hikes.  Both are waterproof.  The ones I bought are a tan color so will show dirt but hey, that just means they are getting used…right? I’m anxious to try them out tomorrow.

I was going to buy a compass but as I know so little about compasses, I wasn’t sure if the one I was looking at was good or bad.  They had two - one for map reading and one for sight measurements.  Wish I knew a bit more about them before I made my decision.

I wanted a buck knife rather then a folding knife but will probably go with the latter just cuz it will be easier to carry in my pocket.  I don’t know about rope, what kind of rope does one take camping and hiking in the wilderness???

While out shopping, I picked up Dean Koontz’s new book “Odd Hours” which is the fourth book in the series about Odd Thomas.  I’ve really enjoyed the other three and hope this one is just as good.  I love Odd Thomas and the way he approaches life.  I don’t know if you have tried any of them but I do recommend them.  They are “Odd Thomas”, “Brother Odd” and “Forever Odd.”

One of my son’s friends brought over his dog for a minute.  This dog was freaking beautiful! I haven’t seen a dog with such awesome markings since the dog show last year where the collie won.  This dog had brown and white markings but of a varying degree and unique pattern.  I would classify the dog as beautiful as my son’s boxer.

It rained here for awhile but is suppose to be fantastic weather all weekend.  I don’t know what I have planned other then meeting up with my sisters tomorrow in the park - I’d take Baxter but as I don’t know what we will do when we leave the park, I best not.

Happy Weekend Folks!

 

Still Raining

Wow, it is still raining and suppose to continue through tomorrow…possibly Sunday.  I’m not complaining, mind you, because I love the rain but it does kill my 2 mile walk today.  Took Baxter out for a short walk, we both came back soaked.  He had to go in his kennel then because otherwise he’d jump around getting the furniture wet.  

I have a movie “Primevil” on - it was filmed partly in Africa.  I would so love to visit there someday.  I love the vast ruggedness of it.  Maybe one of these days I can afford to go on a Tauck Tour of Africa.  The problem is, other then money of course, that they have several tours to different regions and I can’t pick which one I’d want to go on.  I want to see the big five but also want to see the congo.  Ah, well, maybe someday.  Yes, the movie is cheesy but I love cheesy movies.  I love movies on crocodiles and sharks…don’t ask me why.

I’m reading this book as well - “The Killing Night” by Jonathon King.  It, obviously, is not holding my interest that much because I’ve been reading on it for two days now.  Almost want to just read the ending at this point as I’m not even halfway through it yet.

Man, I’m ready for the weekend! This week seems to be going so slow to me.

 

Cold Front

We have a “cold front” going on right now - temperatures are actually down to a freezing 63 degrees…burrr! LOL

In a week’s time, I will be saying “burrr” for real. What a joy that will be. I’m not looking forward to it.

Baxter and I just went out for our evening walk. It was a quick one due to the rain. There is a nice breeze going as well - wish it would storm, not just rain. Iowa has some great thunderstorms though so am looking forward to that.

Still have quite a bit to do here but don’t think I will shampoo the carpets as originally planned. I wanted to do it even though I was locking up the condo for the next several months but now I think what is the point really? I won’t be here to enjoy all my hard earned work. I doubt it would get rid of the urine and pooh smells from the animals - the carpet will have to be replaced for those smells to go completely away.

Should I decide not to sell the place, for whatever reason, that will be one of the things I will do - come down and replace the carpets. If I keep it, I figure I’ll come down once a year to get it aired out and cleaned - plus do some work on the place. Then if my son comes down once a year at a different time, he can do the same thing so it will get remodeled slowly over time.

Who knows, maybe I’ll become rich while I’m at it so I can spend winters here. Really wouldn’t be that difficult if I minimized the rest of my bills - I could work at Target down here and make enough to pay the bills here.

Well, one can dream anyway - right?

Jack the Ripper Returns

Wouldn’t it be kind of cool to walk the actual streets where Jack the Ripper ran loose 120 years ago? See what he saw? Speculate on who he was and why they never found him?

Well, now you can. The 19th century killer is the topic of an exhibit in London that revisits the era and the crimes. A person can see the squalor of the time, how these women were destitute in horrible conditions left with prostitution as their only means of survival.

They also explain who the suspects were at the time of the killings though no one was actually charged in the crimes. The exhibition includes police records and a copy (I assume it is a copy anyway) of the letter Jack the Ripper sent to the central news agency.

There will also be guided walks down the street and a series of lectures on the different crimes and theories of who the madman was.

As serial killers rarely ever stop once they get started - it is amazing that they still haven’t solved the murders. In one of the many movies, they had Jack getting killed in an accident. If that is so, then which of their suspects - or who else in the area - died around the time the killings stopped? And did he really kill five prostitutes or eleven?

Well, folks, if you have the money and time to travel to London - the exhibit will be at the London Museum in Docklands from May 15 to November 2nd. Anyone want to go with me? Wish I could afford to go!