Bob left today to head back to Afghanistan. I took him to the airport in the cheap rental car. It is really confusing because it doesn't have power windows or locks. So, when you're at a toll, you sit there a minute looking for the button to lower the window while the Bostonites are beeping their horns. Luckily, this car is not a target for robbery because we have left it open most of the time, we just forget to push the lock.
Now I'm doing some projects at the Beach House -- nothing to do with getting the leaks fixed. That is way too complicated and expensive for a house that I want torn down. I'm just painting some of the rooms. I'm sure the renters will be so mesmerized by the paint colors they will not notice the water pouring from the ceilings. I also bought a big clock to grab their attention.
The first room I am working on is the dining room. I removed the wallpaper already and painted on a primer paint. The color paint I chose is a burnt orange, I'm thinking along the lines of a Starbucks experience. The guy who mixed it for me at Home Depot said it looked a lot like their theme color. Making me a bit nervous. Bright orange will most likely piss people off if the rain is leaking in.
If this turns out horrible, I will post a picture. Notice I never did so with my hair. Well, it went through it's green stage and is now settling in with a orange hue. It may just end up matching the dining room.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
On our last night in DC, we went to dinner. While I was getting ready, Bob went down to the hospitality suite for a snack. The man who worked there had now become my BFF. He asked Bob where I was and then sent a tray of food to our room. Bob said that this guy recognized Paupers in a Pay Toilet when he saw them.
On Friday we went to Walter Reed and visited wounded troops. We walked into the Malone House and someone called the place to attention and soldiers did their best to stand. It was overwhelming to see. The first guy we met had been electrocuted and had been in recovery for over a year. The next guy we met had been the only survivor of an IED explosion, where the other five in his vehicle were killed. He had not lost any limbs, but had pins in his leg and lots of skin grafting.
Then we went to Ward 57, the Orthopedic Ward in Walter Reed. We met a soldier from Virginia who lost both legs, an arm, was blind in one eye and also lost his hearing. He said his injuries had helped him reconcile with his ex-wife and she was now pregnant and they were getting remarried. The next soldier we met was from Cleveland and had lost an arm a year ago and was back to get further surgery because his bone continued to grow and made the prosthetic not fit correctly. Then we met a soldier from Detroit, who was a big guy. He had lost both legs. He was the gunner in his vehicle and the driver was killed. He said he was told that his size saved others in the vehicle because his legs took so much of the impact. He joked that he had struggled with making Army weight standards, but believed with the loss of his legs he could make them now.
Chloe the cat went to her new home. The people seemed very nice by all reports, but did not get off to a good start with her. They apparently brought a very small cage for her to travel in and she fought like a dog (?) to not go in. The new owner was scratched and bitten. Bye, Chloe, hope they love you as much as we did.
We are now in Maine waiting for the hurricane to hit. Nice timing. This house we have is 100 years old and everything is crooked as so many parts were additions. So, wherever there was a seam, rain water leaks in. It’s rained for two solid days so we have strategically placed cups and bowls to catch the leaks. We are housebound, unless you want to get soaked. We also have six relatives and two dogs living with us. This is Ultimate Family Bonding.
I am haunted by those soldiers I met. They are so young, and so optimistic. The things that we worry about daily are so insignificant when you think about the challenges they face. So, let the rain pour in--I am not going to complain!
On Friday we went to Walter Reed and visited wounded troops. We walked into the Malone House and someone called the place to attention and soldiers did their best to stand. It was overwhelming to see. The first guy we met had been electrocuted and had been in recovery for over a year. The next guy we met had been the only survivor of an IED explosion, where the other five in his vehicle were killed. He had not lost any limbs, but had pins in his leg and lots of skin grafting.
Then we went to Ward 57, the Orthopedic Ward in Walter Reed. We met a soldier from Virginia who lost both legs, an arm, was blind in one eye and also lost his hearing. He said his injuries had helped him reconcile with his ex-wife and she was now pregnant and they were getting remarried. The next soldier we met was from Cleveland and had lost an arm a year ago and was back to get further surgery because his bone continued to grow and made the prosthetic not fit correctly. Then we met a soldier from Detroit, who was a big guy. He had lost both legs. He was the gunner in his vehicle and the driver was killed. He said he was told that his size saved others in the vehicle because his legs took so much of the impact. He joked that he had struggled with making Army weight standards, but believed with the loss of his legs he could make them now.
Chloe the cat went to her new home. The people seemed very nice by all reports, but did not get off to a good start with her. They apparently brought a very small cage for her to travel in and she fought like a dog (?) to not go in. The new owner was scratched and bitten. Bye, Chloe, hope they love you as much as we did.
We are now in Maine waiting for the hurricane to hit. Nice timing. This house we have is 100 years old and everything is crooked as so many parts were additions. So, wherever there was a seam, rain water leaks in. It’s rained for two solid days so we have strategically placed cups and bowls to catch the leaks. We are housebound, unless you want to get soaked. We also have six relatives and two dogs living with us. This is Ultimate Family Bonding.
I am haunted by those soldiers I met. They are so young, and so optimistic. The things that we worry about daily are so insignificant when you think about the challenges they face. So, let the rain pour in--I am not going to complain!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sucker Found!
My sister Kim found a home for Chloe the cat. The lady is going to be awesome, she sent a nice note about how much she loves animals. She has one cat, so Chloe had better get along.
Yesterday, Bob came home from a meeting with the Vice President and got a white house golf ball and key chain. The key chain will be mine. I'll casually ask people to hand me my keys and watch how impressed they are. Bob told me about the giant pictures that hang in the West Wing. He said the frame on them is about a foot wide and a foot deep. The assistant told him that one fell off once and hit a guest. That would be a neat party story, "Hey, how'd you get that huge scar on your face?"
Tomorrow we are going to Walter Reed to visit one of Bob's bodyguards who was injured in an IED explosion. Then we are off for the weekend to our house in Maine.
Yesterday, Bob came home from a meeting with the Vice President and got a white house golf ball and key chain. The key chain will be mine. I'll casually ask people to hand me my keys and watch how impressed they are. Bob told me about the giant pictures that hang in the West Wing. He said the frame on them is about a foot wide and a foot deep. The assistant told him that one fell off once and hit a guest. That would be a neat party story, "Hey, how'd you get that huge scar on your face?"
Tomorrow we are going to Walter Reed to visit one of Bob's bodyguards who was injured in an IED explosion. Then we are off for the weekend to our house in Maine.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Suite Evening
Bob had to attend a dinner last night that I wasn’t invited to. I was going to meet up with a friend I had made when I lived in Germany. But my friend was too busy to meet up with me, so I was on my own.
I was going to head out to dinner and was walking past the Hospitality Suite. Hmmm…maybe just a small snack… I then had a great idea, why take it back to my room when I could just sit at a table and eat in the Hospitality Suite. Well, two hours passed and I had sampled everything they had to offer. I had also made friends with some other guests and got to know the lady who serves us in the hospitality suite. She quit her job as a nurse and took on two jobs, the one here and one at Target to put her four kids through college.
I listened in on one conversation of a man and woman, he was one of those ice chewers and she was talking about how she thought mom and dad treated them all the same. He interrupted her and told her how they were crap and when she tried to defend them, he told her to quit interrupting. “Listen to me” was repeated too often. Then he ordered a turkey cheese and bacon sandwich but didn’t want the cheese, bacon or mayo. He was really getting under my skin.
I’m just glad I didn’t have more wine or I would have probably felt the need to tell her to ditch him. Then I’d probably be banned for life from the Hospitality Suite. Bob got in at about 9:30 and just shook his head when I told him how I had spent my evening.
I was going to head out to dinner and was walking past the Hospitality Suite. Hmmm…maybe just a small snack… I then had a great idea, why take it back to my room when I could just sit at a table and eat in the Hospitality Suite. Well, two hours passed and I had sampled everything they had to offer. I had also made friends with some other guests and got to know the lady who serves us in the hospitality suite. She quit her job as a nurse and took on two jobs, the one here and one at Target to put her four kids through college.
I listened in on one conversation of a man and woman, he was one of those ice chewers and she was talking about how she thought mom and dad treated them all the same. He interrupted her and told her how they were crap and when she tried to defend them, he told her to quit interrupting. “Listen to me” was repeated too often. Then he ordered a turkey cheese and bacon sandwich but didn’t want the cheese, bacon or mayo. He was really getting under my skin.
I’m just glad I didn’t have more wine or I would have probably felt the need to tell her to ditch him. Then I’d probably be banned for life from the Hospitality Suite. Bob got in at about 9:30 and just shook his head when I told him how I had spent my evening.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Hospitality Suite
I’m in DC. I flew here yesterday to meet up with Bob who is here with Afghanistan’s Minister of Defense for high level meetings. We are in a really nice hotel on the top floor with a lot of security. That means cameras and people in suits with ear pieces and badges. It’s so cool.
There is a hospitality suite on our floor with awesome food. Last night, I kept going back for more and felt a little foolish knowing that the camera caught every trip. The jumbo shrimp were so good, but only two on a plate. So, I wasn’t really a big hog, but you can only stack those plates so high. I think if I were sitting there doing security, I would take bets on people like me and how many trips they make and how many plates they take on each trip. “Yep, there goes Room 1818 again, she thinks because she’s wearing a scarf and sunglasses that we don’t recognize her.”
This morning, the Minister of Defense laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. We convoyed there in three black SUVs with police lights on them. There were also a couple of sedans with security that were in the entourage. We had police escort into Arlington Cemetery. It was incredible to drive through Washington and stop traffic. Tourists stopped and stared.
As we entered the Cemetery, there was a 21 gun cannon salute. It filled the hills with smoke. It gave me goose bumps. Then we parked and filed out to the tomb behind three Honor Guard soldiers who led us with the Afghan flag. These soldiers were so thin (maybe I need to take them to the hospitality suite) and they moved fluidly as one. There was an area that was reserved for us, and tourists were snapping pictures. There were troops representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, they looked so sharp. The Army band played the Afghan National Anthem followed by our National Anthem.
The wreath was laid. Then there was a drum roll and taps was played. Then we left and went to the 9-11 Memorial. It is a really symbolic memorial. Benches with the names of those killed that are arranged by their date of birth. The first bench represented a baby who was on the plane and the last bench was of a retired Navy Captain who was born in 1930. The benches representing those killed on the plane face in one direction and the benches of those killed in the Pentagon face the other direction.
It was a very moving morning where I thought a lot about how 9-11 changed our lives. And now I’m back in the hotel room wondering what little snacks are out in the hospitality suite.
There is a hospitality suite on our floor with awesome food. Last night, I kept going back for more and felt a little foolish knowing that the camera caught every trip. The jumbo shrimp were so good, but only two on a plate. So, I wasn’t really a big hog, but you can only stack those plates so high. I think if I were sitting there doing security, I would take bets on people like me and how many trips they make and how many plates they take on each trip. “Yep, there goes Room 1818 again, she thinks because she’s wearing a scarf and sunglasses that we don’t recognize her.”
This morning, the Minister of Defense laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. We convoyed there in three black SUVs with police lights on them. There were also a couple of sedans with security that were in the entourage. We had police escort into Arlington Cemetery. It was incredible to drive through Washington and stop traffic. Tourists stopped and stared.
As we entered the Cemetery, there was a 21 gun cannon salute. It filled the hills with smoke. It gave me goose bumps. Then we parked and filed out to the tomb behind three Honor Guard soldiers who led us with the Afghan flag. These soldiers were so thin (maybe I need to take them to the hospitality suite) and they moved fluidly as one. There was an area that was reserved for us, and tourists were snapping pictures. There were troops representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, they looked so sharp. The Army band played the Afghan National Anthem followed by our National Anthem.
The wreath was laid. Then there was a drum roll and taps was played. Then we left and went to the 9-11 Memorial. It is a really symbolic memorial. Benches with the names of those killed that are arranged by their date of birth. The first bench represented a baby who was on the plane and the last bench was of a retired Navy Captain who was born in 1930. The benches representing those killed on the plane face in one direction and the benches of those killed in the Pentagon face the other direction.
It was a very moving morning where I thought a lot about how 9-11 changed our lives. And now I’m back in the hotel room wondering what little snacks are out in the hospitality suite.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Big Wigs Roll Into Town
The big wigs rolled into town today, Uncle Bud and Aunt Julie. They came from Milwaukee and brought the attorney that will handle Leo's estate. Uncle Bud is 83 and Julie is 80. When they arrived, Julie told me that she thought she knew where money could be hidden and so Bud gets a ladder and she is in a shed up on the ladder looking in the rafters. She came down from the ladder with nothing but cobwebs in her hair. But that lady can move!
Then the big city lawyer pulls in driving his Lexus. He had his paralegal with him. All I could hear in my head was ka-ching ($$$). He pulled out his camera with a 12 inch long lens and entered Leo's pitiful little farm house. He declared that it would be a good place to donate to the fire department to set on fire and give them practice. He took pictures of the antiques and farm equipment. He also took a group picture that somehow I think he will use to show at parties and laugh about.
Next pulls in the little farmer from down the road who is taking care of Cleo the cow with the crooked neck. He asks the lawyer to please hold the farm auction on any day but Saturday as he's a 7th Day Adventist and Saturday is his holy day. The lawyer tells his paralegal, "Mark this down, auction should be held Monday through Friday." Then this little farmer, Allen, apologizes for being filthy cause he just came from his cow barn. He is covered in dirt and for some funny reason I can't explain is wearing a rubber cover on only his left foot.
Allen then points out that there is a 200 gallon gas container that should be secured somehow. The lawyer tells him to buy it from "us" and just be honest about the price and gallons. I can't stand this, I want to just give Allen the gas plus the cow and even the hay baler. Allen lives life right and is one hell of a role model for 7th Day Adventists.
Then the lawyer tells Allen to take Cleo to market. This is not a date, like "Let's go to market, dear, bring your purse." This is death for Cleo. My stomach turns. I interrupt that Allen needs to be paid from the estate for his time and fuel, just as Mr. Big Wig is. The lawyer says he agrees and tells Allen to mark it all down and he'll hopefully be able to compensate him from the estate.
We then start to go through more of Leo's things in the house. Under the beds we discover hundreds of plates from the Bradford Exchange. This guy lived life near poverty and without an indoor bathroom. His one sink had water that drained to a cistern in the basement. Yet, he "invested" in plates. We loaded all these plates into Bud and Julie's car. They should get a better price in Milwaukee.
We were there for six long hours. My lungs were full of dust and mice dropping dust. Mom looked at me as we were leaving and said, "Beer?" "Hell yes." We went to the little bar in town and I announced, "Two cold ones, and fast."
While there, I tried to find a home for Chloe the cat as my brother has forbidden my mom to take in another animal. Everyone there agreed that Harlow needs another barn cat. Mom tells them that Cleo is not really a barn cat, more of a fireplace cat. I know how desperate the situation is becoming and ask if Harlow is good to animals. Everyone agrees that he is a huge animal lover. I ask how he's lost his other cats...(animal lovers, prepare)...some killed in rat traps in the hay loft and some get killed on the highway and one died last week when she cuddled up to one of the cows for warmth and he rolled over and squashed her. Mom and I looked at each other in horror and decided to keep looking for other potential homes.
Then the big city lawyer pulls in driving his Lexus. He had his paralegal with him. All I could hear in my head was ka-ching ($$$). He pulled out his camera with a 12 inch long lens and entered Leo's pitiful little farm house. He declared that it would be a good place to donate to the fire department to set on fire and give them practice. He took pictures of the antiques and farm equipment. He also took a group picture that somehow I think he will use to show at parties and laugh about.
Next pulls in the little farmer from down the road who is taking care of Cleo the cow with the crooked neck. He asks the lawyer to please hold the farm auction on any day but Saturday as he's a 7th Day Adventist and Saturday is his holy day. The lawyer tells his paralegal, "Mark this down, auction should be held Monday through Friday." Then this little farmer, Allen, apologizes for being filthy cause he just came from his cow barn. He is covered in dirt and for some funny reason I can't explain is wearing a rubber cover on only his left foot.
Allen then points out that there is a 200 gallon gas container that should be secured somehow. The lawyer tells him to buy it from "us" and just be honest about the price and gallons. I can't stand this, I want to just give Allen the gas plus the cow and even the hay baler. Allen lives life right and is one hell of a role model for 7th Day Adventists.
Then the lawyer tells Allen to take Cleo to market. This is not a date, like "Let's go to market, dear, bring your purse." This is death for Cleo. My stomach turns. I interrupt that Allen needs to be paid from the estate for his time and fuel, just as Mr. Big Wig is. The lawyer says he agrees and tells Allen to mark it all down and he'll hopefully be able to compensate him from the estate.
We then start to go through more of Leo's things in the house. Under the beds we discover hundreds of plates from the Bradford Exchange. This guy lived life near poverty and without an indoor bathroom. His one sink had water that drained to a cistern in the basement. Yet, he "invested" in plates. We loaded all these plates into Bud and Julie's car. They should get a better price in Milwaukee.
We were there for six long hours. My lungs were full of dust and mice dropping dust. Mom looked at me as we were leaving and said, "Beer?" "Hell yes." We went to the little bar in town and I announced, "Two cold ones, and fast."
While there, I tried to find a home for Chloe the cat as my brother has forbidden my mom to take in another animal. Everyone there agreed that Harlow needs another barn cat. Mom tells them that Cleo is not really a barn cat, more of a fireplace cat. I know how desperate the situation is becoming and ask if Harlow is good to animals. Everyone agrees that he is a huge animal lover. I ask how he's lost his other cats...(animal lovers, prepare)...some killed in rat traps in the hay loft and some get killed on the highway and one died last week when she cuddled up to one of the cows for warmth and he rolled over and squashed her. Mom and I looked at each other in horror and decided to keep looking for other potential homes.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cleo and Chloe Update
Day 1 of being almost famous. So far, no fan mail has come my way. My phone hasn’t rung. Even my neighbors avoided me. And they were quick to call with curiosity when I was outside taking pictures of myself for the Sports Byline site.
New Glarus Brewing had better make that move on signing Cleo because the Milwaukee Big Wigs come to town on Friday and her fate is in their hands. I think I will tell them that she knows how to blink in Morse code and it won’t be long until she is telling fortunes. Cleo, the Psychic Cow. I’ve got to convince them she’s worth more alive than as cat food.
Speaking of cats, Chloe is still in need of a home. She is really affectionate and she speaks a couple of languages. She can also do Irish clog dancing. She doesn’t shed and she uses the toilet and knows how to flush, so she’s a perfect companion for anyone.
New Glarus Brewing had better make that move on signing Cleo because the Milwaukee Big Wigs come to town on Friday and her fate is in their hands. I think I will tell them that she knows how to blink in Morse code and it won’t be long until she is telling fortunes. Cleo, the Psychic Cow. I’ve got to convince them she’s worth more alive than as cat food.
Speaking of cats, Chloe is still in need of a home. She is really affectionate and she speaks a couple of languages. She can also do Irish clog dancing. She doesn’t shed and she uses the toilet and knows how to flush, so she’s a perfect companion for anyone.
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