First of all I would like to share that I had a fabulous weekend when my younger son surprised me with a weekend visit! He'd been in Boston for the week on business and asked if he could stay the weekend with me. What a sight for sore eyes, he was!
The day I was to pick him up was the same day my employer had granted me the afternoon off to take care of business - car license, driver's license, car inspection, EZ-Pass application. The day was a typical Paula day....I left work at about 1:30 but had to go home to get my passport as ID to get my license. Knowing that I would be headed up to Cambridge after that, I took a little longer to let Lily out.
I went to the York Town Hall to apply for plates. The clerk asked me for my insurance and WA registration information so she could produce a Maine registration form. Then she asked questions about my car as she sat with an adding machine. What year is it? 2009 -- ka-ching. What brand of car? Subaru Forrester. Ka-ching. What model? LL Bean. Ka-ching. (at which point she inserted a good for me having an LL Bean on the west coast). Did it have a power driver's seat? Yes. Ka-ching. Did it have leather seats? Ka-ching. Many tallys later, my Maine plates cost me $460 plus another $40 for the title !!!!! In an attempt to make me feel better, the clrk showed me how my costs will drop about $75 each year after until 6 years when the amount will be stable. You see, they charge excise tax here....based on the value of the car.
Off to Kennebunk, north I went -- to get my driver's license. I had to have the new registration and proof of insurance, my old license and my passport to apply for a driver's license. This time, I made sure they would be open before leaving. As I arrived, their computers went down. I was experiencing a Paula moment. I told the clerk I was not leaving until they came back up and I was in the system and licensed. I explained that I'd been allowed to leave work and would not be able to do that again, not when I'd had to drive so far. An hour passed. I registered to vote while I was there. Thirty more minutes and it was back up, my old license was stamped "VOID" with a special stamp that poked pinholes in the shape of this word on it. $35, Vision test and new picture. I was issued my temporary license.
From there, I was told to immediately go and get the car "inspected." The closest location was north in Biddeford. An inspection in Maine, which is required annually, costs $12.50 . Now, this is not just an emissions test. They test EVERYTHING, just like at an auto dealer, and all of it is pass/fail. They slap a big sticker on the front of your car window that will be changed out each year.
Next stop was to get an EZ Pass. This nifty little device is put onto your windshield. It registers an electronic signal through the toll stations so you don't have to worry about having cash. It must be preloaded with a credit card deposit, and when it gets down to a set point, it auto refills with whatever amount you designate. I'd seen an EZ Pass station over in Portsmouth and thought I could just go there...No, of course not. That's a New Hampshire pass, not Maine. Since I am a registered driver in Maine, I must have a Maine EZ Pass to take advantage of Interstate discounts. If I were to get a New Hampshire one, I would be charged with out of state tolls every time. So, off I go again. You guessed it -- north to Portland, the only place you can get a Maine pass. Each time I was directed to go north today, it was always preceded with the comments "It's only about 15 minutes narth of heah."
With difficulty, I find the place, pay my fees and then am instructed it will be mailed to me in about two weeks. I am to stick it on myself and it will have directions about distance from the top of the window. It has a very narrow band that it can be read in, so I am forewarned not to mess it up. I am now officially a Main-o-nite. Maine plates, Maine license, Maine insurance, Maine toll pass.
Realizing that I am now all the way in Portland, stop by Whole Foods for exactly 15 minutes to get some bakery and frozen items. By now it is 6pm and I am almost two hours away from Cambridge having gone so far north.
Josh and I eventually caught up. Boston had had large amounts of snow, including a "snow emergency and restricted parking." After circling the block a couple of times we decide to stay long enough to eat. The only parking lot we can find charges $19/hr. That's right -- $19/first hour. It was a little weird -- you leave your car key so the lot attendants can jockey your car around as they need to get other vehicles out. We had a delicious dinner downtown and stopped at an ATM for my son. It cost us about $22 to get out.
ATMs there are not out in the open. They are in little locked, well lit kiosk buildings. You use a mag stripe card to enter (any card will do) and use the machine. A girl came in as we were leaving and I said hello to her. My son chastised me and said that people in Boston just don't speak to each other, that I'd probably freaked her out. Leave it to me.
Lily blinked when she saw Josh, like maybe her eyes were deceiving her. She could not believe that he was really here and she was all over him.
Josh was a huge help unpacking, building bookcases and moving heavy things for me. I actually have a living space on the main floor -- not just a storage space. He also took down the broken glass before it fell on anyone.
We ventured out to a winter farmer's market in Exeter and had a good time. We went to a place called "The Meat House," which came highly recommended by coworkers. It is an old fashioned butcher shop that specializes in making several kinds of their own marinades and smoked products. We treated ourselves to steak tips in burgundy, sweet BBQ, maine maple marinades and a rib eye in Meat House marinade. Boy, were they good! They were so good that we went back the next night, too.
Sunday, we made it back to Logan airport in good time. However, as I was leaving, my Garmin gave me mis-information and I got lost. I got a nice tour of the Barrio district of Boston. I had to spend some time in it, too. A big ship came through and I had to sit -- the only white woman for blocks -- until the bridge went back down.
On the way back, I stopped at PetSmart for some grooming tools and at Trader Joe's for a couple of things. By the time I got back, it was snowing...again.
I didn't realize how much I've missed my family until my son had come and gone. I miss them all more than words can say. Thank you, Josh for making my living quarters more human.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Let's talk about snow, baby...Let's talk about you and me...Let's talk about snow!
Wow! Let's talk about snow! Everyone here told me, and has been telling me that they just don't get very much snow along the coastline...certainly not as much as they do inland. Pshaw, I say! I have seen more snow and TRUE cold weather here than I ever have in my lifetime anywhere else.
I have now officially been through two Nor'Easters. They also call these "Perfect Storms," just like in the movie. It is generally when a storm from the south comes up and crushes a storm from the north and they collide with great ferocity, sheets of snow and gale force winds. Lately, this has resulted in mass amounts of snow and sub zero temperatures here.
By mass amounts, I mean maybe 8-10" minimum per snowfall. Yesterday's storm resulted in 24" in a 24 hr period, out my front door. I know; I measured. I also had to dig a path to my car that was across the way (I'd left room for the landlord's plow that never came). It took me 90 minutes to dig a path to and around the car. Another 45 minutes just to uncover it and start it up. I think it was about 7 degrees at the time....and when it is that cold, the snow turns into little ice crystals that sting when they hit you. They don't even look like snowflakes, but rather like little lightning bolts. If nothing else, I am getting my exercise. I think I have lost some pounds -- my pants are loose. I must get some glove liners...
Last week, it was about 10" on top of what was already there. In between the massive storms, we have been having smaller, snow producing storms. In fact, for about a two week period, it snowed just about every other day like clockwork. In the back area of the duplex, there are drifts that I know must be in excess of six feet. I know. I saw the ground when I first got here. Each time it snows, I have to force the front or back door open and then shovel a way out. There are no overhangs and the snow gets blown straight up against the doors.
I've also kept shoveling an area for Lily, although I have to admit, it is getting smaller and smaller as the snow gets heavier and heavier to shovel.... Tonight, I let her off leash for a bit to run around while I was outside. She looked at me mischievously and took off running into the drifts. A few minutes later, she was out in the snow over her head and literally swimming in it. She started to get a scared look in her eyes and turned around back toward me to swim her way back in the depressions she'd already made. I thought I would have to leap out and save my "drowning" dog!
There have been nights of minus 14, days of minus 5 and routine days of 0-3 degrees. All I can say was that Subaru had the right idea when they put in heated seats....My Forrester has been doing awesome in all the snow, even when I am in an un-plowed area such as leaving the parking lot at work for the night.
Today was like summer. After all that snowfall, the sun came our and it warmed up to about 20. Unbelievably, if in the sun, the snow will start to melt. People have told me this is so out of the ordinary...that they will get small (2-6") bouts of sow, but they are few and far between, the sun always comes out and most of the snow is already gone before the next round. Right.....
Now I do have to share this -- Maine takes care of their roads like no other winter state I've been in. They start plowing right away and then keep it up all throughout the storm. The highways are always clear. And they don't put berms in the middle like in WA....they keep four lanes just that, four lanes. Now some of those berms may be 12 feet high....but the roads are pretty clear. That's not to say we don't get ice, but even that isn't too bad because the roads are so clean. People have told me studded tires are not allowed here. I haven't seen any chemical trucks. In fact, I don't think I've even seen sanding trucks -- they just scrape it away. When it gets to be too much, they truck it away. Somewhere. They don't dump it in the ocean either. Maine has an awesome DOT!
My poor landlord had an icky day yesterday. It started with it being soooo cold and snowy. Then his truck from work (the one with the plow) had engine problems and he was at the auto repair place all day. Around 9:30 pm he made it back to plow and by then the snow was so deep that he got stuck, plow and all. After about half an hour, we dug out the tires and used some cardboard from my moving boxes to help make traction. He was nice enough to help get garbage (for me mostly moving boxes and paper) up to the highway. I pick up both our cans in the morning on my way to work so they don't end up on the highway or in the forest.
Apparently, someone didn't like the volume of my garbage. I came home tonight to find my locking mailbox stuffed with snow. I believe it was stuffed by hand -- there was too much of it to have just drifted in and the slot is small....it was quite full of snow -- all the way to the top, and was empty and dry the day before. Oh well....
The next forecast is a snowstorm on Saturday...then another next Tuesday. Here we go again.....
I have now officially been through two Nor'Easters. They also call these "Perfect Storms," just like in the movie. It is generally when a storm from the south comes up and crushes a storm from the north and they collide with great ferocity, sheets of snow and gale force winds. Lately, this has resulted in mass amounts of snow and sub zero temperatures here.
By mass amounts, I mean maybe 8-10" minimum per snowfall. Yesterday's storm resulted in 24" in a 24 hr period, out my front door. I know; I measured. I also had to dig a path to my car that was across the way (I'd left room for the landlord's plow that never came). It took me 90 minutes to dig a path to and around the car. Another 45 minutes just to uncover it and start it up. I think it was about 7 degrees at the time....and when it is that cold, the snow turns into little ice crystals that sting when they hit you. They don't even look like snowflakes, but rather like little lightning bolts. If nothing else, I am getting my exercise. I think I have lost some pounds -- my pants are loose. I must get some glove liners...
Last week, it was about 10" on top of what was already there. In between the massive storms, we have been having smaller, snow producing storms. In fact, for about a two week period, it snowed just about every other day like clockwork. In the back area of the duplex, there are drifts that I know must be in excess of six feet. I know. I saw the ground when I first got here. Each time it snows, I have to force the front or back door open and then shovel a way out. There are no overhangs and the snow gets blown straight up against the doors.
I've also kept shoveling an area for Lily, although I have to admit, it is getting smaller and smaller as the snow gets heavier and heavier to shovel.... Tonight, I let her off leash for a bit to run around while I was outside. She looked at me mischievously and took off running into the drifts. A few minutes later, she was out in the snow over her head and literally swimming in it. She started to get a scared look in her eyes and turned around back toward me to swim her way back in the depressions she'd already made. I thought I would have to leap out and save my "drowning" dog!
There have been nights of minus 14, days of minus 5 and routine days of 0-3 degrees. All I can say was that Subaru had the right idea when they put in heated seats....My Forrester has been doing awesome in all the snow, even when I am in an un-plowed area such as leaving the parking lot at work for the night.
Today was like summer. After all that snowfall, the sun came our and it warmed up to about 20. Unbelievably, if in the sun, the snow will start to melt. People have told me this is so out of the ordinary...that they will get small (2-6") bouts of sow, but they are few and far between, the sun always comes out and most of the snow is already gone before the next round. Right.....
Now I do have to share this -- Maine takes care of their roads like no other winter state I've been in. They start plowing right away and then keep it up all throughout the storm. The highways are always clear. And they don't put berms in the middle like in WA....they keep four lanes just that, four lanes. Now some of those berms may be 12 feet high....but the roads are pretty clear. That's not to say we don't get ice, but even that isn't too bad because the roads are so clean. People have told me studded tires are not allowed here. I haven't seen any chemical trucks. In fact, I don't think I've even seen sanding trucks -- they just scrape it away. When it gets to be too much, they truck it away. Somewhere. They don't dump it in the ocean either. Maine has an awesome DOT!
My poor landlord had an icky day yesterday. It started with it being soooo cold and snowy. Then his truck from work (the one with the plow) had engine problems and he was at the auto repair place all day. Around 9:30 pm he made it back to plow and by then the snow was so deep that he got stuck, plow and all. After about half an hour, we dug out the tires and used some cardboard from my moving boxes to help make traction. He was nice enough to help get garbage (for me mostly moving boxes and paper) up to the highway. I pick up both our cans in the morning on my way to work so they don't end up on the highway or in the forest.
Apparently, someone didn't like the volume of my garbage. I came home tonight to find my locking mailbox stuffed with snow. I believe it was stuffed by hand -- there was too much of it to have just drifted in and the slot is small....it was quite full of snow -- all the way to the top, and was empty and dry the day before. Oh well....
The next forecast is a snowstorm on Saturday...then another next Tuesday. Here we go again.....
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Ugly...
Oh yes... it gets worse!
My apartment had gotten down below 30 degrees while the movers were here and doors had to be left open. My bed was frozen as was every thing else that came off the truck. That night, I used blankets and slept with all my clothes on, including coat, boots and hat, on the couch, which mind you, was also frozen having been on the truck. Lily slept on top of me; everything else was too cold for her, too...I think it took me several days to warm up afterward.
The very next day, the moving company called me, demanding payment. I told the guy I would be happy to forward the email I'd sent in NOVEMBER with billing instructions. I also said that I would consider paying my share when perhaps more of my goods actually got here and/or their insurance person contacted me.
The weather continued to be cold, colder, coldest. And then....we had an ice storm. Not a little one, but circa 1996 in Spokane.
It had been a typical snowy day and I decided that since I was off early, I would run to Portsmouth, NH for some errands. I headed to Hampton as what I needed was there. Mid-way out, all the snow turned into freezing rain. I inched my way to a Subaru dealer and had my wiper blades changed over to heavy winter version, which is a solid rubber here so ice will not dam up in them. With my defroster on high and temp set at 85, I could at least keep the window clear. Going back across that bridge was dicey -- cars off the road everywhere! What normally would have been a 30 minute drive became an hour and a half, but at least I got home. All of the highways were sheets of glass, at least 2" thick.
No sooner was I home than bam! A flash of green light and all the power was out! No power here equals no water and more importantly, no heat. Someone must have hit a transformer on the highway. Luckily, I'd found blankets by then and Lily and I snuggled in for the night. I told her we were camping..good thing I always keep a flashlight in my purse....Another night sleeping (or trying to) in clothes and full body wear --
Later the next day, the power came back on, but my heat did not. I came home from work to find my apartment at about 45 degrees. The heat had quit. I checked the propane tank and it indicated I had plenty left. My landlord came and commented that he noticed it had been making funny noises when the movers were here, so he'd gone in and changed the filters. Apparently, there was an issue with dust on the igniter and the pilot wasn't firing up. He wanted to wait and see if it resolved itself as he was able to at least get it back on.
Over the course of a few days, the heat kept going off and on. The night I came back from Bangor, it was off and the apartment was excrutiatingly cold. Now it seems to be mostly on and the consensus is that because the filters had been so dirty, dust had clogged the line. But let me tell you, no heat here mid winter can be serious business for so many reasons.
I hooked up my TV only to find the cable wasn't working. I called and got a recording saying outages in the area. I called my landlord who did have cable working. I called Time Warner back and was told outages relate to dates of install, not general areas where things are at. Ok..... I wait three more days and still no service and it's only happening with the main TV. They send a repairman out and lo and behold, they find the first tech had disconnected the line after he'd verified it. I will not be charged for all those days without service.
The moving company continues to call me about payment. I tell them I will have to make installments, but not until my missing goods are replaced or found and I hear from the insurance lady. I remind them hospitals have approval committees and that if they'd done as requested in November, they'd have had an advance payment for that part.
Five days later, I get a call from the truck driver. He is in Long Island, NY now and they've found more of my things, behind the other person's shipment. He is on his way back. Two days later, they show up -- another snowy and bitter cold day. He tells me all about their adventures in New York with that big truck. Rather than rent a shuttle truck, they again park up on the highway and we use my car to shuttle items. Miraculously, my little tv has shown up, although I haven't tested it yet. Other things also come back damaged. Other things are STILL MISSING.
The driver tells me he cannot give me the goods until I give him payment, per his boss at the moving company. I tell him no payments will be exchanged until 1) ALL goods are given to me and 2) they pay for what is damaged! I tell him he either off loads the goods or I will be happy to call the local police to the scene. I send an e-mail to the moving company promising the same thing. After thinking long and hard about this (aka more delays), they give me what they've found, mind you things are still missing. I tell the driver I am not so much angry at him as the way this whole thing was handled, broken promises, time frames and damaged articles. I tell him I will take further legal action as necessary until things are rectified. And I may have to do just that.
I spent about six hours unpacking last night. So many things are mislabeled. So much paper. So little time. It is ridiculous!
I went to Home Depot last week to get a piece of finished carpet to put in front of the washer as the floor is just too cold on the concrete. I buy carpet pad. The kid looks at what I am buying and cuts the pad. I get things home and wrangle the carpet to the basement. I unroll it fresh out of the package. It has a bald spot on it. The pad is cut two feet too short. What is this black cloud following me, for goodness sakes??!!
I call the store and they should make an adjustment for me without having to take everything back.
I have developed a leak in my "dry" basement. Water is running in rivulets down one wall. The landlord can't tell if it is from condensation on a pipe from the furnace or if there is a crack in the concrete, or caulking is missing or....it will be spring before we can tell. The basement slopes pretty seriously down to one corner, so I am putting things I don't care about on that side.
The basement stairs are open style. That is, they are just stairs without backing on each step and there is only one wall to the left, no railing. The entire right side is open, so if one were to slip, you'd fall about 5-8 feet onto the concrete or go through the stair step. Lily has been terrified about these stairs. She would peer down at the top when I went to do laundry or work down there. One day, she ventured down a couple of steps and stopped, whimpering as she must have felt she was suspended in space. I had to sit and pat each step for her to come down. Of course, once she did, she regaled in smelling smells from home and yard and was quite happy. Reluctantly, she went back up when we had lunch.
Next time was a little easier, and then she found it to be a sport as the stairs will wobble when you go on them. Up and down she would go with ease. Unfortunately, she has now decided she likes them so much that she wants to dash down before I've turned on the light! I am so afraid she will just dive off the edge -- I have to hold her collar so she waits for the light to come on. She likes the carpet piece and lays on it while I am working.
All of the venting falls off from my dryer...another call to the landlord as he'd put it on.
Today, I have chosen to be lazy. Still in PJs at 10:30 am. Ate left over Chinese for breakfast. There is a little sunshine out but more snow is forecast. I'll shower soon and run some errands and then back to more unpacking. I really need to catch up on class material, but the professor has been great understanding the delays.
I am sure I will feel much better after more things are put away.
My apartment had gotten down below 30 degrees while the movers were here and doors had to be left open. My bed was frozen as was every thing else that came off the truck. That night, I used blankets and slept with all my clothes on, including coat, boots and hat, on the couch, which mind you, was also frozen having been on the truck. Lily slept on top of me; everything else was too cold for her, too...I think it took me several days to warm up afterward.
The very next day, the moving company called me, demanding payment. I told the guy I would be happy to forward the email I'd sent in NOVEMBER with billing instructions. I also said that I would consider paying my share when perhaps more of my goods actually got here and/or their insurance person contacted me.
The weather continued to be cold, colder, coldest. And then....we had an ice storm. Not a little one, but circa 1996 in Spokane.
It had been a typical snowy day and I decided that since I was off early, I would run to Portsmouth, NH for some errands. I headed to Hampton as what I needed was there. Mid-way out, all the snow turned into freezing rain. I inched my way to a Subaru dealer and had my wiper blades changed over to heavy winter version, which is a solid rubber here so ice will not dam up in them. With my defroster on high and temp set at 85, I could at least keep the window clear. Going back across that bridge was dicey -- cars off the road everywhere! What normally would have been a 30 minute drive became an hour and a half, but at least I got home. All of the highways were sheets of glass, at least 2" thick.
No sooner was I home than bam! A flash of green light and all the power was out! No power here equals no water and more importantly, no heat. Someone must have hit a transformer on the highway. Luckily, I'd found blankets by then and Lily and I snuggled in for the night. I told her we were camping..good thing I always keep a flashlight in my purse....Another night sleeping (or trying to) in clothes and full body wear --
Later the next day, the power came back on, but my heat did not. I came home from work to find my apartment at about 45 degrees. The heat had quit. I checked the propane tank and it indicated I had plenty left. My landlord came and commented that he noticed it had been making funny noises when the movers were here, so he'd gone in and changed the filters. Apparently, there was an issue with dust on the igniter and the pilot wasn't firing up. He wanted to wait and see if it resolved itself as he was able to at least get it back on.
Over the course of a few days, the heat kept going off and on. The night I came back from Bangor, it was off and the apartment was excrutiatingly cold. Now it seems to be mostly on and the consensus is that because the filters had been so dirty, dust had clogged the line. But let me tell you, no heat here mid winter can be serious business for so many reasons.
I hooked up my TV only to find the cable wasn't working. I called and got a recording saying outages in the area. I called my landlord who did have cable working. I called Time Warner back and was told outages relate to dates of install, not general areas where things are at. Ok..... I wait three more days and still no service and it's only happening with the main TV. They send a repairman out and lo and behold, they find the first tech had disconnected the line after he'd verified it. I will not be charged for all those days without service.
The moving company continues to call me about payment. I tell them I will have to make installments, but not until my missing goods are replaced or found and I hear from the insurance lady. I remind them hospitals have approval committees and that if they'd done as requested in November, they'd have had an advance payment for that part.
Five days later, I get a call from the truck driver. He is in Long Island, NY now and they've found more of my things, behind the other person's shipment. He is on his way back. Two days later, they show up -- another snowy and bitter cold day. He tells me all about their adventures in New York with that big truck. Rather than rent a shuttle truck, they again park up on the highway and we use my car to shuttle items. Miraculously, my little tv has shown up, although I haven't tested it yet. Other things also come back damaged. Other things are STILL MISSING.
The driver tells me he cannot give me the goods until I give him payment, per his boss at the moving company. I tell him no payments will be exchanged until 1) ALL goods are given to me and 2) they pay for what is damaged! I tell him he either off loads the goods or I will be happy to call the local police to the scene. I send an e-mail to the moving company promising the same thing. After thinking long and hard about this (aka more delays), they give me what they've found, mind you things are still missing. I tell the driver I am not so much angry at him as the way this whole thing was handled, broken promises, time frames and damaged articles. I tell him I will take further legal action as necessary until things are rectified. And I may have to do just that.
I spent about six hours unpacking last night. So many things are mislabeled. So much paper. So little time. It is ridiculous!
I went to Home Depot last week to get a piece of finished carpet to put in front of the washer as the floor is just too cold on the concrete. I buy carpet pad. The kid looks at what I am buying and cuts the pad. I get things home and wrangle the carpet to the basement. I unroll it fresh out of the package. It has a bald spot on it. The pad is cut two feet too short. What is this black cloud following me, for goodness sakes??!!
I call the store and they should make an adjustment for me without having to take everything back.
I have developed a leak in my "dry" basement. Water is running in rivulets down one wall. The landlord can't tell if it is from condensation on a pipe from the furnace or if there is a crack in the concrete, or caulking is missing or....it will be spring before we can tell. The basement slopes pretty seriously down to one corner, so I am putting things I don't care about on that side.
The basement stairs are open style. That is, they are just stairs without backing on each step and there is only one wall to the left, no railing. The entire right side is open, so if one were to slip, you'd fall about 5-8 feet onto the concrete or go through the stair step. Lily has been terrified about these stairs. She would peer down at the top when I went to do laundry or work down there. One day, she ventured down a couple of steps and stopped, whimpering as she must have felt she was suspended in space. I had to sit and pat each step for her to come down. Of course, once she did, she regaled in smelling smells from home and yard and was quite happy. Reluctantly, she went back up when we had lunch.
Next time was a little easier, and then she found it to be a sport as the stairs will wobble when you go on them. Up and down she would go with ease. Unfortunately, she has now decided she likes them so much that she wants to dash down before I've turned on the light! I am so afraid she will just dive off the edge -- I have to hold her collar so she waits for the light to come on. She likes the carpet piece and lays on it while I am working.
All of the venting falls off from my dryer...another call to the landlord as he'd put it on.
Today, I have chosen to be lazy. Still in PJs at 10:30 am. Ate left over Chinese for breakfast. There is a little sunshine out but more snow is forecast. I'll shower soon and run some errands and then back to more unpacking. I really need to catch up on class material, but the professor has been great understanding the delays.
I am sure I will feel much better after more things are put away.
The Bad...
The bad..... it has snowed here almost every single day since my arrival. There are spots in the back yard that I am sure would be chest deep for me. When it snows, it also blows and gets very windy so big drifts pile up. I could not open the back door yesterday as it had about 4" slammed up against it. We don't get an inch at a time. We seem to get anywhere from 6-10" at a time. Thankfully, the highways and main roads are always well plowed. It's just getting up to them that can be difficult. I have had to dig the car out more than once so I could back up enough and then pedal to the medal to get traction to get out. Subarus do a good job in deep snow. But seriously, it can take me 30 minutes to dust off the car in the morning and another 30 at night to leave work.
It continues to be very cold -- it got down to minus 14 one night and one day had a high of 3.
Here's a typical day's snowfall....this was from morning until noon on just one day...the picnic table on our office's back porch (the light is not daylight but a porch light):
When Jack Frost Visits during the night, one's windshield doesn't necessarily all freeze up. Sometimes there are just beautiful little snowflakes all over it to greet you:
And these are just some of the things...
It continues to be very cold -- it got down to minus 14 one night and one day had a high of 3.
Here's a typical day's snowfall....this was from morning until noon on just one day...the picnic table on our office's back porch (the light is not daylight but a porch light):
When Jack Frost Visits during the night, one's windshield doesn't necessarily all freeze up. Sometimes there are just beautiful little snowflakes all over it to greet you:
The bad....
My goods did actually, finally, arrive...the second day AFTER I started work. I had to leave to meet the delivery folks. Now, my things were loaded onto a big freight truck. There was no way they could get down to where I live (over the river and through the woods kinds of roads). It took them from 11 am (when I came home from work) until 2 pm to decide this while the rig sat up on the highway with its blinkers flashing. I finally had to drive the driver 30 minutes away to rent a smaller U-Haul truck so they could make shuttle runs with my stuff.
Now, bear in mind, it was a high of 10 degrees and these two guys were in sweatshirts and had nothing warmer with them.
We found a restaurant along the highway that would allow us to park their truck. It took them four trips and they didn't finish until well after midnight! Of course, the temperatures kept dropping....it was a flat ZERO degrees by the time they did the last load. I felt so sorry for them that I took them out and treated for a meal and an hour break. My neighbor told us about a great little pub place downtown so we all went and had fish and chips, and they had chowder, a specialty of that pub.
The bad.... 1) These guys didn't know they were coming to Maine at all. In fact, they'd never been given my address and didn't know where they were headed until 7 days before they arrived and had called me as they headed for New Jersey. 2) No one told them I had stairs up and down and that they would be delivering loads to all levels. 3) No one told them how cold it was here. 4) There were no extra people to help off load as there were loading at the other end, so they really were overburdened.
The very bad.... Many of my things arrived broken or damaged!!!! My mattress set, which I was told would be boxed, was just shoved into the bulkhead of the truck. This damaged the memory foam and cover. My dressers that were still very good, got chipped or had drawers broken. My counter stools had all the finish rubbed off the edges. My collectors cabinet had the glass broken. The hide-a-bed is missing a foot. Both computer tables are broken. Many containers were cracked or broken. Boxes were smashed. And finally, my formerly beautiful leather couch now has a small tear and some scratches on it, as well as, stitching that is coming undone on the leather. Check it out:
Now, these fellows tell me that this is how things came off the truck. Not having seen them load the U-Haul, I can't say. I can tell you there were times they less than optimally handled my things -- my washer went down the basement stairs face down on the glass door as it was too heavy for the two of them. They did not have use of a hand truck or back belts. They said none of those items had been left on their truck for them. Toward the end, they decided there was no way my freezer would make it in. I don't know if they'd just given up or it truly was too wide for the door. It is presently taking a break in my landlord's garage and he tells me when spring comes, he will try and get some friends to help get it through the bulkhead (root cellar) doors. The entire thing was a nightmare!
As they were leaving, at midnight, I was asked to sign the paperwork that acknowledged I had received everything. Then I was told the shipment was COD and he was to collect $8104 from me. Ha ha ha ha ha.
First of all, I did NOT receive everything. A number of goods are missing. Secondly, they did not confirm inventory tags against the list as they offloaded. Finally, we'd never had a COD agreement! I wrote all over the bills of lading that inventory was not counted or confirmed, I listed immediate visible damages and that payment was refused as COD was never the term! I was NOT a happy camper.
The not so bad.... The rest of the week, administration let me work half days to try and get some boxes unpacked. They generously paid me anyway, knowing I would be good for making up the time working from home.
The hilariously bad...Nevertheless, it has been crazy! No box they packed is labeled with accurate contents. For example, a box was labeled "kitchen spices." Well, it did have a can of cinnamon someone threw in on the top of all the paper apparently at the last minute. Unfortunately, the remainder of the contents was gardening supplies that had been on my deck. Another box marked "lamps" had no lamps, but did have one lightbulb. A box marked "garage" had a flower pot on top, but underneath it were all my DVDs and Blu-Ray player. It may be years before I can account for everything!!!! So, as it is, I am unpacking everything to at least touch it and know what is in the box unless it is something the girls and I packed.
They used soooo much paper (as I'd witnessed myself). The first day of unpacking, I came out of it with five dishpack size boxes of just paper. Now, there were actual items in the boxes, but please tell me why you would use four large sheets of paper to wrap one small spice jar? But then use nothing at all to wrap a large bottle of olive oil? Or use nothing to wrap my piece of wave glass art (it was stuffed in a box and thank goodness, did not break...) but wrap a toilet paper holder with so many sheets and tape that you didn't know what you were opening??? Please tell me why you would pack a desktop computer, monitor and printer, but then fail to include any of their related cords in the box? I have no idea where they are...
The Good....
Things have been incredibly busy and cold here since the 17th...
Sat 1/29: The good news is ..... that there is some sun out today (temporarily not snowing) and in a short while, I will be leaving for Saco, Maine, to join my Vegan Meet-Up friends for brunch and a museum tour.
What a great bunch they are --- I keep meeting new people, learning new things and get to sight see a little along the way because the meetings are held all over. Next month, we head back to Portland, ME for a night of bowling and vegan eats. I did fairly well this week and only had meat once.
Last weekend, we met in Bangor for a great vegan Mexican meal where the restaurant made a special menu for us with many choices on it. Since Bangor is so far north and I passed through Portland area anyway, I took the liberty to stop at Whole Foods Market (aka Whole Paycheck) and the new Trader Joe's. It was a coooold weekend -- high of 3, so I didn't have to worry about anything not staying frozen in the car. Trader Joe's had a few other frozen dessert things and Whole Foods had more of what I needed, as well as some good vegan bakery items (non-dairy, of course), so I bought a few muffins and scones. They even had my Imagine brand soups on sale.
I drove to a rest stop in Gardiner, ME, which was about 2 hrs from my house. I met friends there and we rode the rest of the way up to Bangor together. The big rest stops here are unlike any I'd ever seen. For one thing, they all have gas stations and food areas, like food courts, and big, clean restrooms. This one did have a Starbucks -- the second one I have seen since my arrival, so you can see how few and far between they are. Each also has a huge building with an art gallery -- Maine Crafts -- which is a cooperative of Maine artists who show and sell their wares. I was able to get a lot of free information about things to do in Maine, and made a mental note that sometime this might be a good cooperative to get involved in to sell artwork.
The Mexican restaurant was very accommodating and we had a huge selection to choose from. They even used vegan cheese! Of course I took advantage of that and ended up being able to take food home. Since I was not the immediate driver, I also enjoyed a glass of their Sangria which they make red and white versions of (I'd never heard of that, but I guess they use a Chablis as the base). Food was great and I met many people, including students from U of Maine and an entire family that is vegan by choice. It was a good opportunity to swap recipes and reasons to switch lifestyles. It would seem allergies are one big reason besides trying to do what is better for the planet.
Here I am at the last meet-up:
More good ... work is going well and I have been extremely busy attending meeting after meeting and trying to learn the new systems and protocols. I feel very supported by administration and everyone seems to like my ideas....we'll see how much they like them when they actually have to do them, ha-ha. But, the work days fly by and I feel very needed so that is a good thing. There is a lot to do. I will be taking an 8 wk evening class for the EMR system they use. This is offered through the local adult education extension service and they are providing this for me.
My prior experience with renovation and expansion has proven useful as we will be doing the same tasks in spring. This will all be good for my health, too, because the campus is so spread out and parking is at a premium (or you have to park out a couple of miles and be shuttled for free), I walk outside a lot. This requires bundling up like and Eskimo, going to the meeting, unbundling during the meeting and then wrapping back up to go to the next place. Thank goodness for YakTraks! They have saved me more than once on the ice.
I did find out something interesting. In 1995, I had the Hep B series of vaccinations and was told I was protected all these years. My actual titer says I am not, so I will be repeating the shots. The nurses tell me this is not unusual and sometimes they have to be repeated. So, if you want to make sure you are protected, ask your doctor to run blood test. Otherwise, get more shots! Even though I work less directly with patients here, I fall under a hospital umbrella and am subject to the same rules as nurses and other health care workers.
Another interesting thing -- medical assistants are not licensed in Maine, as they are in WA. They are not allowed to do triage, because the definition here says only nurses (RN) are allowed to make assessments. MAs do not get training on sterile technique in schools here. They can pretty much do anything else, but what an eye opener that was. I have found a loophole in that MAs can screen a call and then give to an RN for disposition, much as a doctor would then get the chart. RNs can then decide whether or not to phone in a new prescription....which if you ask me is practicing medicine, but they call it assessment here....
The good....I discovered Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Pale Ale. I had a craving for a beer one night so on my way home, I stopped at the store. Beer is very expensive here -- $10-$15 A SIX PAC. There were many micro brews to choose from so I looked at the shelf that seemed the most empty and chose that. Now I see why -- OMG, it is so delicious! I've tried other fruit-style beers, like a cherry one in Montana, but they tasted like cough syrup. This one, however, is truly delicious! It was so good, I had two that night. I also bought some other regular microbrew kind that had a variety pac. We'll see how that is later...
The good.... the lobster roll sandwich I had in the cafeteria the first day of work, as shown here:
The good...1/30 Had a great meet-up yesterday in Saco! We ate at the Chef and Gardener Restaurant. This is a very small place that besides serving regular food, does many special diets and needs -- they have a regular following that just comes to pick up their food. They made us a special vegan menu for our group, although they also regularly serve vegan and vegetarian dishes.There were so many wonderful choices that many of us opted to order a couple of things each and then share! I had curried lentil cakes, banana-peanut butter stuffed french toast and butternut squash soup. I also got to share some maple grits, grilled pear and mixed greens salad, yukon gold fritatta with tempeh bacon, vegan benedict and an eggplant strata that was absolutely gorgeous to behold with its many layers of veggies. So nice to be able to eat without having to take a Benadryl chaser! The restauarant even served Mimosas, so of course, I had to have one -- cranberry/orange was their special.
I met lots of new and interesting people who follow this lifestyle for a variety of reasons.
Afterward, we were treated to a tour of the Saco Museum as one of our members is the curator there. Not only did we see the regular exhibits, many of which dated back to the 1600's, but we got a private viewing of the collections room, got to see where things come in and how they get cataloged. We also heard some interesting historical tales about museum pieces that normally would not be available to the general public. I learned that every tombstone from those days had separate meanings by whatever design (type of flower or object) that was on the headstone. I also learned that if a portrait was painted with a clock prominent in it, or an upside down flower was on the person, it meant that the portrait was actually painted after death. But the high point for me at this museum was this lobster claw from 1866...can you imagine what the rest of it looked like???
Now for some bad news...
Sat 1/29: The good news is ..... that there is some sun out today (temporarily not snowing) and in a short while, I will be leaving for Saco, Maine, to join my Vegan Meet-Up friends for brunch and a museum tour.
What a great bunch they are --- I keep meeting new people, learning new things and get to sight see a little along the way because the meetings are held all over. Next month, we head back to Portland, ME for a night of bowling and vegan eats. I did fairly well this week and only had meat once.
Last weekend, we met in Bangor for a great vegan Mexican meal where the restaurant made a special menu for us with many choices on it. Since Bangor is so far north and I passed through Portland area anyway, I took the liberty to stop at Whole Foods Market (aka Whole Paycheck) and the new Trader Joe's. It was a coooold weekend -- high of 3, so I didn't have to worry about anything not staying frozen in the car. Trader Joe's had a few other frozen dessert things and Whole Foods had more of what I needed, as well as some good vegan bakery items (non-dairy, of course), so I bought a few muffins and scones. They even had my Imagine brand soups on sale.
I drove to a rest stop in Gardiner, ME, which was about 2 hrs from my house. I met friends there and we rode the rest of the way up to Bangor together. The big rest stops here are unlike any I'd ever seen. For one thing, they all have gas stations and food areas, like food courts, and big, clean restrooms. This one did have a Starbucks -- the second one I have seen since my arrival, so you can see how few and far between they are. Each also has a huge building with an art gallery -- Maine Crafts -- which is a cooperative of Maine artists who show and sell their wares. I was able to get a lot of free information about things to do in Maine, and made a mental note that sometime this might be a good cooperative to get involved in to sell artwork.
The Mexican restaurant was very accommodating and we had a huge selection to choose from. They even used vegan cheese! Of course I took advantage of that and ended up being able to take food home. Since I was not the immediate driver, I also enjoyed a glass of their Sangria which they make red and white versions of (I'd never heard of that, but I guess they use a Chablis as the base). Food was great and I met many people, including students from U of Maine and an entire family that is vegan by choice. It was a good opportunity to swap recipes and reasons to switch lifestyles. It would seem allergies are one big reason besides trying to do what is better for the planet.
Here I am at the last meet-up:
More good ... work is going well and I have been extremely busy attending meeting after meeting and trying to learn the new systems and protocols. I feel very supported by administration and everyone seems to like my ideas....we'll see how much they like them when they actually have to do them, ha-ha. But, the work days fly by and I feel very needed so that is a good thing. There is a lot to do. I will be taking an 8 wk evening class for the EMR system they use. This is offered through the local adult education extension service and they are providing this for me.
My prior experience with renovation and expansion has proven useful as we will be doing the same tasks in spring. This will all be good for my health, too, because the campus is so spread out and parking is at a premium (or you have to park out a couple of miles and be shuttled for free), I walk outside a lot. This requires bundling up like and Eskimo, going to the meeting, unbundling during the meeting and then wrapping back up to go to the next place. Thank goodness for YakTraks! They have saved me more than once on the ice.
I did find out something interesting. In 1995, I had the Hep B series of vaccinations and was told I was protected all these years. My actual titer says I am not, so I will be repeating the shots. The nurses tell me this is not unusual and sometimes they have to be repeated. So, if you want to make sure you are protected, ask your doctor to run blood test. Otherwise, get more shots! Even though I work less directly with patients here, I fall under a hospital umbrella and am subject to the same rules as nurses and other health care workers.
Another interesting thing -- medical assistants are not licensed in Maine, as they are in WA. They are not allowed to do triage, because the definition here says only nurses (RN) are allowed to make assessments. MAs do not get training on sterile technique in schools here. They can pretty much do anything else, but what an eye opener that was. I have found a loophole in that MAs can screen a call and then give to an RN for disposition, much as a doctor would then get the chart. RNs can then decide whether or not to phone in a new prescription....which if you ask me is practicing medicine, but they call it assessment here....
The good....I discovered Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Pale Ale. I had a craving for a beer one night so on my way home, I stopped at the store. Beer is very expensive here -- $10-$15 A SIX PAC. There were many micro brews to choose from so I looked at the shelf that seemed the most empty and chose that. Now I see why -- OMG, it is so delicious! I've tried other fruit-style beers, like a cherry one in Montana, but they tasted like cough syrup. This one, however, is truly delicious! It was so good, I had two that night. I also bought some other regular microbrew kind that had a variety pac. We'll see how that is later...
The good.... the lobster roll sandwich I had in the cafeteria the first day of work, as shown here:
The good...1/30 Had a great meet-up yesterday in Saco! We ate at the Chef and Gardener Restaurant. This is a very small place that besides serving regular food, does many special diets and needs -- they have a regular following that just comes to pick up their food. They made us a special vegan menu for our group, although they also regularly serve vegan and vegetarian dishes.There were so many wonderful choices that many of us opted to order a couple of things each and then share! I had curried lentil cakes, banana-peanut butter stuffed french toast and butternut squash soup. I also got to share some maple grits, grilled pear and mixed greens salad, yukon gold fritatta with tempeh bacon, vegan benedict and an eggplant strata that was absolutely gorgeous to behold with its many layers of veggies. So nice to be able to eat without having to take a Benadryl chaser! The restauarant even served Mimosas, so of course, I had to have one -- cranberry/orange was their special.
I met lots of new and interesting people who follow this lifestyle for a variety of reasons.
Afterward, we were treated to a tour of the Saco Museum as one of our members is the curator there. Not only did we see the regular exhibits, many of which dated back to the 1600's, but we got a private viewing of the collections room, got to see where things come in and how they get cataloged. We also heard some interesting historical tales about museum pieces that normally would not be available to the general public. I learned that every tombstone from those days had separate meanings by whatever design (type of flower or object) that was on the headstone. I also learned that if a portrait was painted with a clock prominent in it, or an upside down flower was on the person, it meant that the portrait was actually painted after death. But the high point for me at this museum was this lobster claw from 1866...can you imagine what the rest of it looked like???
Now for some bad news...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January 16th - Not exactly a day of rest...
Sunday, supposed to be a rest up day, right? Wrong! My morning started with tons of studies to do for the Health Informatics class. Lesson plans indicate I am to write a two page paper but I cannot find the directions anywhere for what that paper is to be about specifically. Also, it's been years since I've written a paper so I don't know how many resources to reference, etc. I will be searching for it tonight. Oy!
After doing homework and taking care of Lily, I showered and then washed some shirts in the sink....did I mention that my things are STILL not here? I hung them over a floor vent to dry. I am sure there are laundromats here somewhere but I didn't see any driving around. My guess is the nearest would be in Portsmouth, NH. As many trips as I have been making over there, perhaps that is where I should have chosen to live and just commuted to work. Something to think about in a year or two, I guess.
After doing my "laundry" I borrowed a shovel and decided to make an area for Lily outside. She has been struggling with the depth of the snow and it is clearly not going away for awhile. We are to get more on Tuesday. For about 90 minutes, I dug through 3-4 feet deep of snow to make a "patio" area so she could just go out the door and potty. I hope my dog knows how much I love her. I dug out about an 8x10 space so I could still watch her from the window and it is almost level with the back step. Using the locking retractable leash on the doorknob with the lead snaked under the door has been pretty effective for letting her out. I get to stand inside while she is outside and if she travels too far, the handle stops her. At least now she doesn't have to swim to her destination. Don't worry, I stopped to rest every now and then. It was a LOT of snow to move by hand.
Afterward, I changed into dry clothes and headed for a WalMart Super store in Somersworth that was supposed to be only 13 miles away. I had hopes of finding draperies I'd read about. Well, over the river and through the woods and 40 minutes later, my GPS got me there. Via Cider Mill Road, which reminded me of Greenbluff and farming areas, complete with ancient cemetaries and many a winding road along the way. I must go back and check these out someday.
Finally, after passing through several other small townships, I arrived. Now, this supercenter is not really what we would consider to be super. It was pretty small. They didn't have a single thing I needed. So, I gravitated to the grocery section and bought my margarine (as back-up), some cilantro, guacamole and soy milk. At the check-out, the cashier asked me very sweetly what cilantro was, that she'd never seen it and what was it used for. I explained I use it in Asian and Mexican dishes. She said her boyfriend is Puerto Rican and did I think he would like it if she got him some? So then we talked about different foods and she told me he makes plaintains sauteed in garlic and they are good. I told her I'd heard of plantains in brown sugar and rum, but not garlic. She asked me how to make that and said she would tell him. Fifteen minutes later, I was able to finish checking out. She had a very strong New England accent and I had to try hard not to smile too much when she was talking about her Portah Rikkin boyfriend-ah.
I noticed a Home Depot across the street and forced myself to go there and buy those darned plastic deflectors for my heating vents. I've forgotten every time I've been in there. I also found window film in a bamboo pattern for my bathroom window that I think will match the colors of the shower curtain I got. I brought it home to try -- don't know why I hadn't thought of this before! Same kind of stuff I used on my entry window; squeegie on and peel off as needed. That way, I don't have to mess with a crtain and can use the header that will be coming in my things, whenever that is.
I also saw some possible thermal drapes for the living room, a nice tweed, but they didn't have enough. So, I made a mental note and moved on...
To Target, which was right next door. Now, this stop made the drive worth it! I found double drapery rods just like what I'd been searching for. I found chocolate thermal drapes, just like I'd been looking for, only there were only enough for one window and they are discontinued. Dammit. I bought them for my bedroom because...I found sheers that have a light paisley pattern to match my chocolate and jade bedroom cover that I'd been saving. So, I think it will tie it all together quite nicely. They did not have enough rods for all the windows I needed so I drove to...you guessed it, Portsmouth! (Actually, Greenland which is right next door to Portsmouth).
That store only had three so I am one short, but they told me I can order more online! I also found sheers in the colors I wanted for inside what ever drapes I end up getting. I tried to go to Home Depot from there, but they were already closed @6:30. So, on to WalMart...
I found some chocolate covered Eclipse (thermal) drapes and they had enough for the living room, so I bought them, but I am holding out for Home Depot to have what I want. Those drapes even have tabs on the backside so when you put the rod through they look like draw curtains. Very nice.
On the way between Greenland and Portsmouth, my GPS helped me get lost. Again, from Portsmouth a different way, I got lost. It was 8:45 before I got home and I was staring to rely on my girl scout skills. A couple of times it told me to go south when I clearly needed to go north, and even when I did what it said, it would say "recalculating," and turn me around again. It's those rotarys, I tell ya!
Tomorrow if my first big day at work, barring the movers suddenly showing up, so I should get back online and try to find that paper to write before I go to bed.
My love to all and special thanks to my darling daughter and friends who worked so hard helping to clean my house to help it sell.
Until next time--
After doing homework and taking care of Lily, I showered and then washed some shirts in the sink....did I mention that my things are STILL not here? I hung them over a floor vent to dry. I am sure there are laundromats here somewhere but I didn't see any driving around. My guess is the nearest would be in Portsmouth, NH. As many trips as I have been making over there, perhaps that is where I should have chosen to live and just commuted to work. Something to think about in a year or two, I guess.
After doing my "laundry" I borrowed a shovel and decided to make an area for Lily outside. She has been struggling with the depth of the snow and it is clearly not going away for awhile. We are to get more on Tuesday. For about 90 minutes, I dug through 3-4 feet deep of snow to make a "patio" area so she could just go out the door and potty. I hope my dog knows how much I love her. I dug out about an 8x10 space so I could still watch her from the window and it is almost level with the back step. Using the locking retractable leash on the doorknob with the lead snaked under the door has been pretty effective for letting her out. I get to stand inside while she is outside and if she travels too far, the handle stops her. At least now she doesn't have to swim to her destination. Don't worry, I stopped to rest every now and then. It was a LOT of snow to move by hand.
Afterward, I changed into dry clothes and headed for a WalMart Super store in Somersworth that was supposed to be only 13 miles away. I had hopes of finding draperies I'd read about. Well, over the river and through the woods and 40 minutes later, my GPS got me there. Via Cider Mill Road, which reminded me of Greenbluff and farming areas, complete with ancient cemetaries and many a winding road along the way. I must go back and check these out someday.
Finally, after passing through several other small townships, I arrived. Now, this supercenter is not really what we would consider to be super. It was pretty small. They didn't have a single thing I needed. So, I gravitated to the grocery section and bought my margarine (as back-up), some cilantro, guacamole and soy milk. At the check-out, the cashier asked me very sweetly what cilantro was, that she'd never seen it and what was it used for. I explained I use it in Asian and Mexican dishes. She said her boyfriend is Puerto Rican and did I think he would like it if she got him some? So then we talked about different foods and she told me he makes plaintains sauteed in garlic and they are good. I told her I'd heard of plantains in brown sugar and rum, but not garlic. She asked me how to make that and said she would tell him. Fifteen minutes later, I was able to finish checking out. She had a very strong New England accent and I had to try hard not to smile too much when she was talking about her Portah Rikkin boyfriend-ah.
I noticed a Home Depot across the street and forced myself to go there and buy those darned plastic deflectors for my heating vents. I've forgotten every time I've been in there. I also found window film in a bamboo pattern for my bathroom window that I think will match the colors of the shower curtain I got. I brought it home to try -- don't know why I hadn't thought of this before! Same kind of stuff I used on my entry window; squeegie on and peel off as needed. That way, I don't have to mess with a crtain and can use the header that will be coming in my things, whenever that is.
I also saw some possible thermal drapes for the living room, a nice tweed, but they didn't have enough. So, I made a mental note and moved on...
To Target, which was right next door. Now, this stop made the drive worth it! I found double drapery rods just like what I'd been searching for. I found chocolate thermal drapes, just like I'd been looking for, only there were only enough for one window and they are discontinued. Dammit. I bought them for my bedroom because...I found sheers that have a light paisley pattern to match my chocolate and jade bedroom cover that I'd been saving. So, I think it will tie it all together quite nicely. They did not have enough rods for all the windows I needed so I drove to...you guessed it, Portsmouth! (Actually, Greenland which is right next door to Portsmouth).
That store only had three so I am one short, but they told me I can order more online! I also found sheers in the colors I wanted for inside what ever drapes I end up getting. I tried to go to Home Depot from there, but they were already closed @6:30. So, on to WalMart...
I found some chocolate covered Eclipse (thermal) drapes and they had enough for the living room, so I bought them, but I am holding out for Home Depot to have what I want. Those drapes even have tabs on the backside so when you put the rod through they look like draw curtains. Very nice.
On the way between Greenland and Portsmouth, my GPS helped me get lost. Again, from Portsmouth a different way, I got lost. It was 8:45 before I got home and I was staring to rely on my girl scout skills. A couple of times it told me to go south when I clearly needed to go north, and even when I did what it said, it would say "recalculating," and turn me around again. It's those rotarys, I tell ya!
Tomorrow if my first big day at work, barring the movers suddenly showing up, so I should get back online and try to find that paper to write before I go to bed.
My love to all and special thanks to my darling daughter and friends who worked so hard helping to clean my house to help it sell.
Until next time--
Saturday, January 15, 2011
January 15th - Mall Day
I couldn't post or do homework last night. The landlord's two year old turned off the wireless router so no one had Internet....
When I got up this morning, it was minus 7 (-7!). My car doesn't like it when it gets that cold.
After feeding, exercising and pottying Lily, I took off to run some errands. I did go to the Farmer's Market which was at a huge clam bake restaurant that gets more than 60,000 people in the summer months. There were interesting vendors -- one guy with root vegetables, someone with shrimp, another two had organic meats, another just potatoes and eggs, several soap, lotion and pot pourri makers, some quilts, etc.
I met a couple that lives here in York. They grow their own herbs and make seasoning packets and meat rubs. I bought a couple of them to try and we visited for a bit. The wife thought it very odd that I would come so far just for a job. She then told me there were many different winter farmer's markets and they are all held on different Saturdays so as not to compete with each other. She told me about one coming up that is about four times as big and has better stuff.
Afterward, I stopped in the restaurant's gift shop and bought a clambake sweatshirt at half off, and a lobster cookie cutter. It was just cute, ok?
I decided I needed to seriously think about drapes, so I headed to Portsmouth to the local mall. I spent a couple of hours just walking through. It has all the usual mall stores plus a few unique to New England. Food court was very tiny, but typical. One place sold iced, whipped coffees. No where sold espressos!!!
After deciding I couldn't afford $50 per panel, on sale at Penney's for insulated drapes (it would have cost me over $200 per window), I went into Macy's because they were having an end of season, 50-70% off sale. I snagged myself a few more sweaters and turtlenecks at screaming deals.
This is sweater country. There is even a Himalayan store that only sells Alpaca and other wool sweaters, hats, gloves, ponchos, etc. I was toying with a pair of gloves but didn't want to spend so much. Layering will be key here. My nice new lightweight blouses I got for teaching will NOT cut it here. I would freeze. I will save them for spring weather. I found a heavier blouse at Christopher Banks for only $9!
I finished out the mall excursion with a trip to Staples for a new calendar for my holder. Whenever it gets here, that is...still haven't heard from the movers/.
On the way home, I stopped and had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant I'd been told was excellent. It would seem they are most known for their famous and lengthy margarita and exotic drink list...as I am driving as a stranger in a strange land, I didn't drink. I thought the food was so. I still say the best place is in the Spokane Valley... I ordered fajitas (they only serve cheese enchiladas) and man, were they ever sizzling. I must have done well ordering as it seems that was all anyone was requesting. However, it was a nice break in routine.
Rounding out the evening, I decided to stop and get more Tofutti cones...yes, they are pricey, but what a delicious treat! I also found these as my find of the day:
Please note the flavors:
Wild mushroom, lemon and chive, garlic and parsley and basil. They were all about $3 a bag and made locally. Supposedly cook in 3 minutes.
Well, that's pretty much all I have to report for today. Lily is napping at my feet.I expect a long day tomorrow as I have much homework to catch up on. My brain is on information overload. Did I mention that my things have not yet gotten here....
Thanks to those of you that follow me, and thank you to my beautiful daughter who says she is my friend.
--P
When I got up this morning, it was minus 7 (-7!). My car doesn't like it when it gets that cold.
After feeding, exercising and pottying Lily, I took off to run some errands. I did go to the Farmer's Market which was at a huge clam bake restaurant that gets more than 60,000 people in the summer months. There were interesting vendors -- one guy with root vegetables, someone with shrimp, another two had organic meats, another just potatoes and eggs, several soap, lotion and pot pourri makers, some quilts, etc.
I met a couple that lives here in York. They grow their own herbs and make seasoning packets and meat rubs. I bought a couple of them to try and we visited for a bit. The wife thought it very odd that I would come so far just for a job. She then told me there were many different winter farmer's markets and they are all held on different Saturdays so as not to compete with each other. She told me about one coming up that is about four times as big and has better stuff.
Afterward, I stopped in the restaurant's gift shop and bought a clambake sweatshirt at half off, and a lobster cookie cutter. It was just cute, ok?
I decided I needed to seriously think about drapes, so I headed to Portsmouth to the local mall. I spent a couple of hours just walking through. It has all the usual mall stores plus a few unique to New England. Food court was very tiny, but typical. One place sold iced, whipped coffees. No where sold espressos!!!
After deciding I couldn't afford $50 per panel, on sale at Penney's for insulated drapes (it would have cost me over $200 per window), I went into Macy's because they were having an end of season, 50-70% off sale. I snagged myself a few more sweaters and turtlenecks at screaming deals.
This is sweater country. There is even a Himalayan store that only sells Alpaca and other wool sweaters, hats, gloves, ponchos, etc. I was toying with a pair of gloves but didn't want to spend so much. Layering will be key here. My nice new lightweight blouses I got for teaching will NOT cut it here. I would freeze. I will save them for spring weather. I found a heavier blouse at Christopher Banks for only $9!
I finished out the mall excursion with a trip to Staples for a new calendar for my holder. Whenever it gets here, that is...still haven't heard from the movers/.
On the way home, I stopped and had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant I'd been told was excellent. It would seem they are most known for their famous and lengthy margarita and exotic drink list...as I am driving as a stranger in a strange land, I didn't drink. I thought the food was so. I still say the best place is in the Spokane Valley... I ordered fajitas (they only serve cheese enchiladas) and man, were they ever sizzling. I must have done well ordering as it seems that was all anyone was requesting. However, it was a nice break in routine.
Rounding out the evening, I decided to stop and get more Tofutti cones...yes, they are pricey, but what a delicious treat! I also found these as my find of the day:
Please note the flavors:
Wild mushroom, lemon and chive, garlic and parsley and basil. They were all about $3 a bag and made locally. Supposedly cook in 3 minutes.
Well, that's pretty much all I have to report for today. Lily is napping at my feet.I expect a long day tomorrow as I have much homework to catch up on. My brain is on information overload. Did I mention that my things have not yet gotten here....
Thanks to those of you that follow me, and thank you to my beautiful daughter who says she is my friend.
--P
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