I’ve spent the last few days trying to figure out what my next move is. A couple weeks ago I received a letter regarding the house in the mail from my uncle. It sounded so bitter and cold that my initial reaction was to pack up and get out. I don’t normally run from confrontation, but this is my family. My mom only had 2 siblings and one has already passed away from cancer. Was this house really worth losing an uncle? At the time I didn’t think it was. I was so upset by his words that I just wanted to wash my hands of the entire situation and not look back.
Then Michael came home. He’s talked to my cousin and was told by him not to move. He said that, legally, our uncle doesn’t have the right to force me to move or even pay rent. Michael’s reluctant to move because of that conversation.
I’ve yet to hear from my mom as to what she wants me to do. The statements in the letter that upset me the most were directed at my mom. How someone can say such hurtful things about his only remaining sister is beyond me. He even inferred that he and my aunt who died loved each other more than, and in a deeper way, than he has or could love my mom.
It’s just one big ugly mess and I’m about to the point where enough is enough. I made the mistake of telling Space Cadet. She, in turn, told my in-laws. Now they’re all upset and concerned. My dad said to just move into his house and remove myself from the middle of this whole situation. As much as I’d like to, I have a hard time just “giving up” and letting my uncle have his way because I know in my heart he is not right. I hate these types of decisions.
I’m trying so hard to enjoy having Michael home but I can’t truly relax because of this whole house issue. I wish I knew how to get moved out and NOT relinquish the house to my uncle.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
I'm so Happy!
You can't see me, but I'm dancing in my chair. The weather is gorgeous...30 degrees and clear blue skies. Michael is home...for at least 2 weeks, maybe as long as 2 months! My baby is here (Lucione) and we're having her favorite food for supper (fish and rice). My niece Alexys is a freshman this year...starting 5 on the varsity basketball team...and her first home game is tonight.
It's just a good day. The kids at school behaved really well and were as cute as ever. The new SpEd teacher finally talked to me. She still won't make eye contact, but at least she talked to me. She's been here 2 weeks now and was starting to give me a complex because whenever I entered a room she'd clam up. A few times she even went as far as turning her back to me. Weird.
Michael and the others have a small job to do here. I'm not sure how soon they'll start, but it will last about a week and a half. The project that they have lined up in Fresno is still tied up in red tape. They will stay home until all the paperwork is complete. They were told they could be here 2 or 3 weeks, or as long as 2 or 3 months. That makes me so deliriously happy.
Not just because I like having him home, but because of the fact that I am going to have to move. Well, I don't have to. I just made the decision to. The house I'm living in was my grandmothers. The reason we are living here is because it became my mothers. My uncle, my mom's only brother who happens to live in a lovely 2-story home of his own, has claimed this house as his own. If we don't move out by the end of this month, we have to start paying him rent.
It's not the rent I'm upset about. It's the way my uncle went about getting the house. He has not been nice about it. At all. He's doing all of his communications through written letters, each one sounding more bitter than the last.
I've finally reached the point where I've had enough. My dad's house is empty because he moved into my step-mom's house after they married. We'll live there until we can secure some financing to either build a home of our own, or bring in a modular home. I have a lovely beach front property all ready to put a home on. Once I do, you can all take turns coming to visit me. :o) But you'll have to get in line behind Akeskileut. She's already promised to be my first guest. Connie Marie, maybe you can come along with her. ;o)
Anyway, I'm off to eat supper. Then we'll deliver my dad's birthday present on our way to the game. I hope you all have an absolutely fabulous weekend. I know I will! :o)
It's just a good day. The kids at school behaved really well and were as cute as ever. The new SpEd teacher finally talked to me. She still won't make eye contact, but at least she talked to me. She's been here 2 weeks now and was starting to give me a complex because whenever I entered a room she'd clam up. A few times she even went as far as turning her back to me. Weird.
Michael and the others have a small job to do here. I'm not sure how soon they'll start, but it will last about a week and a half. The project that they have lined up in Fresno is still tied up in red tape. They will stay home until all the paperwork is complete. They were told they could be here 2 or 3 weeks, or as long as 2 or 3 months. That makes me so deliriously happy.
Not just because I like having him home, but because of the fact that I am going to have to move. Well, I don't have to. I just made the decision to. The house I'm living in was my grandmothers. The reason we are living here is because it became my mothers. My uncle, my mom's only brother who happens to live in a lovely 2-story home of his own, has claimed this house as his own. If we don't move out by the end of this month, we have to start paying him rent.
It's not the rent I'm upset about. It's the way my uncle went about getting the house. He has not been nice about it. At all. He's doing all of his communications through written letters, each one sounding more bitter than the last.
I've finally reached the point where I've had enough. My dad's house is empty because he moved into my step-mom's house after they married. We'll live there until we can secure some financing to either build a home of our own, or bring in a modular home. I have a lovely beach front property all ready to put a home on. Once I do, you can all take turns coming to visit me. :o) But you'll have to get in line behind Akeskileut. She's already promised to be my first guest. Connie Marie, maybe you can come along with her. ;o)
Anyway, I'm off to eat supper. Then we'll deliver my dad's birthday present on our way to the game. I hope you all have an absolutely fabulous weekend. I know I will! :o)
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
2 More Days
I’m at work today after taking yesterday off. This lovely cold of mine will not go away. I feel so disconnected from the world around me because I haven’t really been a part of it for over 2 weeks.
It felt strange to walk into Science class this morning. I had no idea what the kids were doing. The classes took their tests and started new units while I was sick. I still can’t talk properly so spent my time in the copy room. When I finished making copies I corrected tests. Fun stuff, I tell ya.
The little league basketball season started this week. Lindsey and Lucione are on the same team this year. This is wonderful news. Normally, I’m at the town hall every Saturday for hours at a time because I have to watch so many different teams play. But now with Alexys in high school, Lucione and Lindsey on the same team, and James not participating, I only HAVE to watch 1 game a week. Of course, I’ll probably watch more. Have to get my $1’s worth, ya know.
Michael will be here on Friday. No stressing about how he’ll get home this time. The travel lady FINALLY woke up and realized that traveling home in one day, although possible, is rather stressful and inconvenient. So they’re actually leaving Fresno tomorrow. They’ll overnight in Seattle and take the first flight to Alaska in the morning. That means, Michael will be home before I even get off work. Akeskileut won’t have to deal with my stress this time. Haha This will also give Michael a chance to visit his big brother. They’re both excited about that. They were planning on staying at his house but I don’t think that’s going to work out.
There’s a chance Michael may be able to stay home until the contracts for their next project are signed. I’m VERY excited about that. This weekend is Alexys’ first home game and next week is the first game for my girls.
Between basketball games, I think I’ll be packing and moving. More on that later. For now I’ve got to a 5th grade class in here for computers.
It felt strange to walk into Science class this morning. I had no idea what the kids were doing. The classes took their tests and started new units while I was sick. I still can’t talk properly so spent my time in the copy room. When I finished making copies I corrected tests. Fun stuff, I tell ya.
The little league basketball season started this week. Lindsey and Lucione are on the same team this year. This is wonderful news. Normally, I’m at the town hall every Saturday for hours at a time because I have to watch so many different teams play. But now with Alexys in high school, Lucione and Lindsey on the same team, and James not participating, I only HAVE to watch 1 game a week. Of course, I’ll probably watch more. Have to get my $1’s worth, ya know.
Michael will be here on Friday. No stressing about how he’ll get home this time. The travel lady FINALLY woke up and realized that traveling home in one day, although possible, is rather stressful and inconvenient. So they’re actually leaving Fresno tomorrow. They’ll overnight in Seattle and take the first flight to Alaska in the morning. That means, Michael will be home before I even get off work. Akeskileut won’t have to deal with my stress this time. Haha This will also give Michael a chance to visit his big brother. They’re both excited about that. They were planning on staying at his house but I don’t think that’s going to work out.
There’s a chance Michael may be able to stay home until the contracts for their next project are signed. I’m VERY excited about that. This weekend is Alexys’ first home game and next week is the first game for my girls.
Between basketball games, I think I’ll be packing and moving. More on that later. For now I’ve got to a 5th grade class in here for computers.
Monday, January 16, 2006
I'm a Copy-Cat
I saw this on Fizzy's blog and thought I'd see what my birth date said about me.
The mind of an artist? Hmmm...most definitely haven't developed that yet. I have never felt artistic. Not unless you call music art...and even then I totally doubt myself.
I never feel like I fit in...anywhere. I tend to drift to the corners of whatever room I find myself in.
This says my strength is my vivid imagination. That can go both ways. It is also my vivid imagination that causes me to wonder whether something terrible has happened to Michael when he doesn't answer the phone at a predetermined time.
The fear of failure, though, that's dead on. The fear of failure stops or delays me from doing a lot of things. I know its silly, but I can't stop myself from being afraid.
I'm not sure what a power color is...but I know that when I wear coral I receive a lot of compliments. I always thought that was strange because I don't even particularly like that color.
Anyway...what does your birth date say about YOU?
| Your Birthdate: August 29 |
 You have the mind of an artist, even if you haven't developed the talent yet. Expressive and aware, you enjoy finding new ways to share your feelings. You often feel like you don't fit in - especially in traditional environments. You have big dreams. The problem is putting those dreams into action. Your strength: Your vivid imagination Your weakness: Fear of failure Your power color: Coral Your power symbol: Oval Your power month: November |
The mind of an artist? Hmmm...most definitely haven't developed that yet. I have never felt artistic. Not unless you call music art...and even then I totally doubt myself.
I never feel like I fit in...anywhere. I tend to drift to the corners of whatever room I find myself in.
This says my strength is my vivid imagination. That can go both ways. It is also my vivid imagination that causes me to wonder whether something terrible has happened to Michael when he doesn't answer the phone at a predetermined time.
The fear of failure, though, that's dead on. The fear of failure stops or delays me from doing a lot of things. I know its silly, but I can't stop myself from being afraid.
I'm not sure what a power color is...but I know that when I wear coral I receive a lot of compliments. I always thought that was strange because I don't even particularly like that color.
Anyway...what does your birth date say about YOU?
Saturday, January 14, 2006
I'm Not Superstitious. BUT....
Yesterday was a very crazy day.
I woke up extra early and could not go back to sleep. I puttered around the house, actually my bedroom because the smell is back, for over an hour waiting for the water to heat up enough for me to take a shower.
I showered, dressed, got my lunch ready, read a couple blogs, and with 10 minutes before I had to leave I realized I forgot to eat breakfast! What? Who forgets to eat? I had instant Cream of Wheat, thank goodness. I inhaled a bowl and headed out the door.
I got to work and realized that it was Friday the 13th. I didn't think anything of it. It's just another day. I've never been superstitious. The rest of the school day seemed to be going okay.
About half-way through the day, I found out that both the boys and girls basketball teams were traveling to Craig this weekend so I asked Space Cadet what she was going to do with her free weekend. She hadn't made any plans and I said, half joking, "I have a full tank of gas. We should cruise in my truck." We left it at that because I had to go to Science.
Then it was time to leave. I had bills to pay, but being the crazy community we are, the bank closes at 1PM and the cashier's window at the municipal building closes at 3PM. I don't get off until 3:30 so have to mail my payments.
I started to walk out the door and realized I didn't bring my wallet. Space Cadet stopped me and asked if I needed a ride. I said, "Only if you're willing to stop at my house on the way to the post office because I need stamps and forgot my wallet." She agreed and we headed to her car.
I got close to her car and said, "Hey. Your lights are on." She had just brought a visiting therapist to the airplane less than an hour before that so we figured it would be okay.
No such luck. Her car wouldn't start. We headed back to the building and passed the principal on our way to the phone. "What's the matter? Battery dead?"
"Yeah, I left the lights on."
"I saw that. Your wipers, too. Your engine wasn't running? You better call a tow truck!" He laughed, shook his head, and walked off. Nothing surprises him anymore when it comes to me and Space Cadet. haha
We tried to call her husband, who happens to own the only tow truck in town, but he didn't answer the phone. I suggested we get my truck but changed my mind rather quickly when I realized I'd have to drive it home and I hate driving our big tank. We spotted another teacher leaving and Space Cadet hollered at her asking if she had jumper cables. She did, and came over to our side of the building to help us out.
So there we were, 3 women, looking under 2 hoods and crossing our fingers that we were doing things right. Space Cadet asked, "This is Negative, right?"
"I've never done this before, but I'm guessing that N-E-G means Negative," I said sarcastically.
We must have connected things right because the car started. We thanked the other teacher and we all went on our merry ways.
Once we had taken care of our business at the post office and took a little short ride to make sure her car would keep running, I was dropped off at home. I cooked dinner and sat at the computer to kill some time.
Around 7:00, Space Cadet marched through my front door. "Are you ready?" I didn't know until then that she had taken my suggestion seriously.
"Yeah, I guess. Let me call Michael first so he doesn't worry if he calls and I don't answer." The last time I wasn't home to answer his call he called the entire family asking where I was. haha Anyway, she grabbed the keys and went out to start the truck.
She came back in and said, "It's dead. It won't start."
I thought she was kidding me after our little episode earlier that afternoon. "Are you serious? How could it be?"
"I don't know but it won't turn over. It's deader than a doornail."
I was still on the phone with Michael. He said to call Michael Richard and have him jump the truck using my in-law's Jeep. We called for him but he wasn't home. Space Cadet said, "We've already done it once today. Shall I go get the Jeep and we'll do it ourselves?"
When she got back with the Jeep, we had to leave the cars connected for about 10 minutes before the truck could draw enough power to start. We couldn't figure out how to keep the Jeep's hood open so I had to stand there holding it open the entire time...in the rain. We finally got it started, left it running, and took a couple trips around the block with the Jeep to make sure it was back to a full charge before it got turned off.
We got in the truck somewhere around 7:45. I could not get Space Cadet to stop driving until Midnight. Even then she only gave up because Lucione had just left a dance and she was worried that her husband might have locked the house and Lucione didn't have a key with her.
So we rode around for over 4 hours last night. We couldn't stop laughing about how we had to jump both of our cars on the same day and we did it both times all by ourselves.
I'm normally not superstitious...but I'm not so sure now. :o)
I woke up extra early and could not go back to sleep. I puttered around the house, actually my bedroom because the smell is back, for over an hour waiting for the water to heat up enough for me to take a shower.
I showered, dressed, got my lunch ready, read a couple blogs, and with 10 minutes before I had to leave I realized I forgot to eat breakfast! What? Who forgets to eat? I had instant Cream of Wheat, thank goodness. I inhaled a bowl and headed out the door.
I got to work and realized that it was Friday the 13th. I didn't think anything of it. It's just another day. I've never been superstitious. The rest of the school day seemed to be going okay.
About half-way through the day, I found out that both the boys and girls basketball teams were traveling to Craig this weekend so I asked Space Cadet what she was going to do with her free weekend. She hadn't made any plans and I said, half joking, "I have a full tank of gas. We should cruise in my truck." We left it at that because I had to go to Science.
Then it was time to leave. I had bills to pay, but being the crazy community we are, the bank closes at 1PM and the cashier's window at the municipal building closes at 3PM. I don't get off until 3:30 so have to mail my payments.
I started to walk out the door and realized I didn't bring my wallet. Space Cadet stopped me and asked if I needed a ride. I said, "Only if you're willing to stop at my house on the way to the post office because I need stamps and forgot my wallet." She agreed and we headed to her car.
I got close to her car and said, "Hey. Your lights are on." She had just brought a visiting therapist to the airplane less than an hour before that so we figured it would be okay.
No such luck. Her car wouldn't start. We headed back to the building and passed the principal on our way to the phone. "What's the matter? Battery dead?"
"Yeah, I left the lights on."
"I saw that. Your wipers, too. Your engine wasn't running? You better call a tow truck!" He laughed, shook his head, and walked off. Nothing surprises him anymore when it comes to me and Space Cadet. haha
We tried to call her husband, who happens to own the only tow truck in town, but he didn't answer the phone. I suggested we get my truck but changed my mind rather quickly when I realized I'd have to drive it home and I hate driving our big tank. We spotted another teacher leaving and Space Cadet hollered at her asking if she had jumper cables. She did, and came over to our side of the building to help us out.
So there we were, 3 women, looking under 2 hoods and crossing our fingers that we were doing things right. Space Cadet asked, "This is Negative, right?"
"I've never done this before, but I'm guessing that N-E-G means Negative," I said sarcastically.
We must have connected things right because the car started. We thanked the other teacher and we all went on our merry ways.
Once we had taken care of our business at the post office and took a little short ride to make sure her car would keep running, I was dropped off at home. I cooked dinner and sat at the computer to kill some time.
Around 7:00, Space Cadet marched through my front door. "Are you ready?" I didn't know until then that she had taken my suggestion seriously.
"Yeah, I guess. Let me call Michael first so he doesn't worry if he calls and I don't answer." The last time I wasn't home to answer his call he called the entire family asking where I was. haha Anyway, she grabbed the keys and went out to start the truck.
She came back in and said, "It's dead. It won't start."
I thought she was kidding me after our little episode earlier that afternoon. "Are you serious? How could it be?"
"I don't know but it won't turn over. It's deader than a doornail."
I was still on the phone with Michael. He said to call Michael Richard and have him jump the truck using my in-law's Jeep. We called for him but he wasn't home. Space Cadet said, "We've already done it once today. Shall I go get the Jeep and we'll do it ourselves?"
When she got back with the Jeep, we had to leave the cars connected for about 10 minutes before the truck could draw enough power to start. We couldn't figure out how to keep the Jeep's hood open so I had to stand there holding it open the entire time...in the rain. We finally got it started, left it running, and took a couple trips around the block with the Jeep to make sure it was back to a full charge before it got turned off.
We got in the truck somewhere around 7:45. I could not get Space Cadet to stop driving until Midnight. Even then she only gave up because Lucione had just left a dance and she was worried that her husband might have locked the house and Lucione didn't have a key with her.
So we rode around for over 4 hours last night. We couldn't stop laughing about how we had to jump both of our cars on the same day and we did it both times all by ourselves.
I'm normally not superstitious...but I'm not so sure now. :o)
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!
I don't know why I haven't shared these sooner. I took these while in town over Christmas break. This was what I woke up to. What a view, eh?
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Time to Catch Up
I haven't had time to post the past few days. After being busy with basketball games and family dinners all weekend, I woke up with a head cold on Monday. I managed to make it through the day but haven't gone back to work since.
Steve came and worked on my stove Monday after school. He cleaned it and said that it should help the smell go away because he couldn't find any place where it was leaking. I can't tell if the smell is gone because I've either gotten used to it, or my cold is just bad enough that I'm not capable of smelling. Either way, it's not bothering me at the moment.
Yesterday my niece turned 21. I missed her dinner because I was in a cold medicine daze. I went to bed at 3:00 and didn't get back up until 6PM. Slept through the entire dinner. Oh, well.
I think I'll go back to work tomorrow just to get out of the house. Besides that, when Michael knows I'm home, he calls me all the time. If I don't go back to work he's going to run out of minutes.
Nine more days.
Steve came and worked on my stove Monday after school. He cleaned it and said that it should help the smell go away because he couldn't find any place where it was leaking. I can't tell if the smell is gone because I've either gotten used to it, or my cold is just bad enough that I'm not capable of smelling. Either way, it's not bothering me at the moment.
Yesterday my niece turned 21. I missed her dinner because I was in a cold medicine daze. I went to bed at 3:00 and didn't get back up until 6PM. Slept through the entire dinner. Oh, well.
I think I'll go back to work tomorrow just to get out of the house. Besides that, when Michael knows I'm home, he calls me all the time. If I don't go back to work he's going to run out of minutes.
Nine more days.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
We're All a Bunch of Weirdoes
Tee tagged me with this meme:
"The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals."
I had a hard time with this one. Not because I don't have weird habits, but because I couldn't think of 5 that were not extremely weird and totally embarrassing! haha I can't believe I'm doing this...
1. If I tap my fingers to a song, I can’t stop tapping until the last tap ends with my last finger. Even if it means singing the song’s chorus or verse all over again.
2. I don’t like others to see my feet. There’s nothing wrong with them…I just don’t like showing them. I always wear socks. If I sleep without socks, I don’t take them off until I’m sitting on the bed and ready to cover up with the blankets. Even when I’m alone.
3. I don’t ever let anyone make a sandwich for me because I don’t like dry bread. When I eat a sandwich, the entire bread has to be covered. If it’s mayonnaise, it’s a thin layer, but it has to go all the way to the edge. If it’s something like PB&J, same thing…both the peanut butter and jelly have to go all the way to the edge of the bread.
4. I am obsessive about putting lotion on my hands. I probably put it on at least 10 times a day, especially on a work day. If my hands get wet for any reason (washing dishes, washing my hands, even touching a wet doorknob to enter a building) I have to immediately put lotion on. If I can’t, it drives me nuts.
5. I always drink my soda with a straw because I can’t stand having soda on the rim of my can and don’t like the sound it makes when I have to sip it off.
The rules say I'm supposed to tag 5 others and link to them here. I don't even know if I have 5 regular readers anymore and at least 3 of those on my blogroll have already completed this meme. I'm going to cop out on the tagging and say, "If you feel inclined to participate, let me know in comments and I'll link you here."
Go check out Fizzy's answers!
"The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals."
I had a hard time with this one. Not because I don't have weird habits, but because I couldn't think of 5 that were not extremely weird and totally embarrassing! haha I can't believe I'm doing this...
1. If I tap my fingers to a song, I can’t stop tapping until the last tap ends with my last finger. Even if it means singing the song’s chorus or verse all over again.
2. I don’t like others to see my feet. There’s nothing wrong with them…I just don’t like showing them. I always wear socks. If I sleep without socks, I don’t take them off until I’m sitting on the bed and ready to cover up with the blankets. Even when I’m alone.
3. I don’t ever let anyone make a sandwich for me because I don’t like dry bread. When I eat a sandwich, the entire bread has to be covered. If it’s mayonnaise, it’s a thin layer, but it has to go all the way to the edge. If it’s something like PB&J, same thing…both the peanut butter and jelly have to go all the way to the edge of the bread.
4. I am obsessive about putting lotion on my hands. I probably put it on at least 10 times a day, especially on a work day. If my hands get wet for any reason (washing dishes, washing my hands, even touching a wet doorknob to enter a building) I have to immediately put lotion on. If I can’t, it drives me nuts.
5. I always drink my soda with a straw because I can’t stand having soda on the rim of my can and don’t like the sound it makes when I have to sip it off.
The rules say I'm supposed to tag 5 others and link to them here. I don't even know if I have 5 regular readers anymore and at least 3 of those on my blogroll have already completed this meme. I'm going to cop out on the tagging and say, "If you feel inclined to participate, let me know in comments and I'll link you here."
Go check out Fizzy's answers!
Friday, January 06, 2006
What's That Smell?
It’s been a while since I’ve posted but this time I have a good excuse. I’ve had to barricade myself in my bedroom since Tuesday because the rest of my house gives me a headache.
Let me try and explain. Our house is heated by a laser Toyo stove. It is fueled by diesel which is stored in a drum outside the house. The house sits fairly high so the drum is up on a pedestal of sorts to allow the fuel to flow smoothly from the drum to the stove.
This pedestal, for lack of a better word, was in dire need of repair. So Michael waited until the DAY BEFORE HE LEFT to remove the drum, repair the pedestal, and put the drum back.
He left on the plane while I was at work. When I returned home, the house reeked of diesel. I thought maybe it was because the drum had been removed and replaced. Maybe there was some fuel in the pipe that needed to be “burned off”. I waited till the next morning and it was worse.
I called my dad. He said that maybe the stove was surging because the drum didn’t have enough fuel in it. I ordered fuel. I asked them to deliver after I got home from work. That was on Wednesday. I rushed home and they never did come. I rushed home again yesterday. They still haven’t come.
The weather has been awful so I can’t go out and check the fuel level to see if they came while I was working. The stick we use to test the level is soaked. I’ll call the fuel company today and see what’s up.
In the mean time, I’ve had to spend all my time in my bedroom. The door has been closed the entire time so I can’t smell the fumes in there. I leave the room in short bursts because if I stay in the living room too long, I get light-headed and/or get a headache.
I turned the stove off last night and the smell seems to have lessened a bit. I’m hoping that if I keep it off, it will eventually dissipate. If so, I just won’t use the stove until Michael comes back. I have small electric heaters and tons of sweaters I can use if I need to.
I wish he had taken care of the drum when he first got home, or at least between Christmas and New Years. That would have given him time to figure out what went wrong before he left. Nobody I’ve asked seems to know what’s wrong or how to correct it. This is probably the one time you’ll ever hear me say this (or see my type it, as the case may be), I am SO glad it is not freezing cold outside.
Let me try and explain. Our house is heated by a laser Toyo stove. It is fueled by diesel which is stored in a drum outside the house. The house sits fairly high so the drum is up on a pedestal of sorts to allow the fuel to flow smoothly from the drum to the stove.
This pedestal, for lack of a better word, was in dire need of repair. So Michael waited until the DAY BEFORE HE LEFT to remove the drum, repair the pedestal, and put the drum back.
He left on the plane while I was at work. When I returned home, the house reeked of diesel. I thought maybe it was because the drum had been removed and replaced. Maybe there was some fuel in the pipe that needed to be “burned off”. I waited till the next morning and it was worse.
I called my dad. He said that maybe the stove was surging because the drum didn’t have enough fuel in it. I ordered fuel. I asked them to deliver after I got home from work. That was on Wednesday. I rushed home and they never did come. I rushed home again yesterday. They still haven’t come.
The weather has been awful so I can’t go out and check the fuel level to see if they came while I was working. The stick we use to test the level is soaked. I’ll call the fuel company today and see what’s up.
In the mean time, I’ve had to spend all my time in my bedroom. The door has been closed the entire time so I can’t smell the fumes in there. I leave the room in short bursts because if I stay in the living room too long, I get light-headed and/or get a headache.
I turned the stove off last night and the smell seems to have lessened a bit. I’m hoping that if I keep it off, it will eventually dissipate. If so, I just won’t use the stove until Michael comes back. I have small electric heaters and tons of sweaters I can use if I need to.
I wish he had taken care of the drum when he first got home, or at least between Christmas and New Years. That would have given him time to figure out what went wrong before he left. Nobody I’ve asked seems to know what’s wrong or how to correct it. This is probably the one time you’ll ever hear me say this (or see my type it, as the case may be), I am SO glad it is not freezing cold outside.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Back to the Ol' Grindstone
I hope that everyone’s year is off to a good start. Michael and I didn’t do a whole lot to celebrate the New Year. The girls spent the night with us on the 30th. The next day, we had quesadillas for dinner and hot fudge brownie sundaes for dessert. Then we brought them home to get ready for the Lock-In. Every year the Boys and Girls Club sponsors an over-night party for the kids or anyone else wanting to have a safe, drug-free New Year’s Eve. They have games, snacks, and let them dance the night away. Michael and I have never gone. This year, wee went for a drive and listened to our Sirius radio. I found some places where my cell phone will actually work. I tried to call my mom but she didn’t answer so I called Akeskileut, instead! I’ve called her twice recently and both times someone else has answered her phone. This time, her daughter answered and when I asked to speak to her mother, she asked who was calling. I didn’t answer and was hoping she’d just hand the phone over so it would be a surprise. That’s exactly what she did. :o) When Akeskileut answered, I said “Happy New Year!” She said, “Happy New Year to you, too. Who’s calling?” I didn’t tell her. All I could do was laugh. Once I did, she screamed, “Kerri!” haha We had a short, but nice visit.
After that, we went home for a little while and then over to Michael’s parents’ house. We sat there until almost 1AM. This has become a ritual for us and I think his parents look forward to it. They were quick to offer wine but we declined.
School started up again today. I didn’t really feel prepared after having 2 weeks off, but in a way, I’m glad it did. Michael leaves today and being here at work is helping keep my mind off of the fact that I’ll be returning home to an empty house. My only consolation is that this trip is shorter than the last. He’ll be back on the 20th for the weekend.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of things to keep me busy. We have high school basketball games this weekend and it will be the first appearance of the new cheerleading squad. My niece (Lucione and Lindsey’s older sister) will be turning 21 next week. And I’ve got my dad’s birthday to prepare for.
My first computer class is due to show up in about 5 minutes.
After that, we went home for a little while and then over to Michael’s parents’ house. We sat there until almost 1AM. This has become a ritual for us and I think his parents look forward to it. They were quick to offer wine but we declined.
School started up again today. I didn’t really feel prepared after having 2 weeks off, but in a way, I’m glad it did. Michael leaves today and being here at work is helping keep my mind off of the fact that I’ll be returning home to an empty house. My only consolation is that this trip is shorter than the last. He’ll be back on the 20th for the weekend.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of things to keep me busy. We have high school basketball games this weekend and it will be the first appearance of the new cheerleading squad. My niece (Lucione and Lindsey’s older sister) will be turning 21 next week. And I’ve got my dad’s birthday to prepare for.
My first computer class is due to show up in about 5 minutes.
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