Biloxi, Mississippi

When I finished El Reno, I hitched up and was ready to leave and discovered that the brakes weren't engaging on the trailer. So I pulled in to Happy Trails automotive: the same guys who installed the rear air-assisted springs on my van. They took the trailer wheels off and discovered that my brakes were completely Kaput. The new brake systems weren't in stock so I drove to OKC to buy four of them at $70 bucks apiece. It took nearly all day to install them. Then, we figured out also that the power wire on the trailer only works one side. The other side doesn't work. So I only have brakes on one side of the trailer. I told the guys that I can't afford any more labor so just install the wheels and I'll take care of the wiring when I get home. This week I need to run new wires over to the other side of the trailer.

I drove to Rob's house and did my laundry. I stole two things: my ceramic grease pot with the little mouse handle, and the feather mattress. I called Rob and told him what I stole and told him that if he wants the feather mattress back, it'll have to wait until Spring. Man, is it nice. It really helps when it's cold in here. He said I could keep it. Thanks, you may have saved my life with that one.

I loaded up equipment and drove down to Biloxi Mississippi. I was joined by Travis and we got the job knocked out in four days. Racks, power, ladder-rack, switchtails, MUXs, CSU/DSUs, PC, KVM switch, alarm monitoring panel and all peripherals. It looks great.

Well, I paid for a week at the RV park here, so I called Chad and he was free this weekend so I drove to Lafayette and picked him up. We are playing in Biloxi this weekend. We walked on the beach yesterday, ate breakfast in Waffle House, took a long nap, ate at the IP buffet for dinner, and watched "Inglourious Basterds" last night. Definitely Quentin Tarrantino's style - but not as much squirting blood as I expected: he typically uses gallons of fake blood, spraying everything red. The last scene is perfectly Quentin though... LOL.

It is now Sunday morning.
I got up early, the dogs were rattling their collars at me at 5:00 am to go potty, so I'm drinking coffee and blogging.
The weather is cool - a high of 55 degrees, but it's still nice. Chad's driveway is completely mudded up from all the rain they've had in the past week. I'm not sure where I can park when I get home. But I have to be off for the holidays, so I'll figure something out.
We still have one more day to play at the beach before I have to worry about that.

I bought a spare serpentine belt for the van. One less thing to worry about. I may put it on next week, when I wire up the brakes on the RV. Always something needing fixed, right?

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Leaving El Reno . . . again.

Yayyy. The job is done.
Wednesday, the mission was to install a T-1 card into the old switch and Ma-Bell was porting over all the phone numbers to the T-1.
Well, Ma-Bell ported the numbers at 2:00, but the T-1 card wouldn't come up in the old switch, so we made the decision to install the NEW switch. We set out all the sets, swung the customers over to the new cables and patched them over, and created the database and installed the new switch - in one night.
In order to get out of there early (2:00 am) we just installed the old voicemail on the new switch. Thursday morning we found a little problem with that solution. You couldn't leave any new voicemails. So the new voicemail was installed and the contents loaded over - presto, no missed messages. It sounds exactly like it did before. So that was accomplished Thursday morning at 8:30 am. Then Thursday evening we went back and finished the programming, brought up the last 20 phones, hung the backboard and mounted the paging equipment, cleaned up the old cabling and replaced the ceiling tile, then cleared out the room and swept up the mess. We were out of there at 7:30 pm on Thursday night.

Cutover wasn't actually scheduled until Friday night and Saturday.
So... what shall I do with myself today?

It's been freaking COLD here. Tuesday night the wind blew constantly at 40 mph, I thought the RV was going to blow away. My water froze up solid. Wednesday, I did what I could with my hair and went in for a 14 hour day at work. Then had to try to thaw some water out to clean myself up on Thursday to go back in to work in the morning, then I got to come home for a while and take a nap, then back to work that evening at 5 - but we got finished up at 7:30 last night.
Today I shall work on getting some water thawed out, take a shower, then hitch up, drain my tanks (if they're thawed), and drive to Norman. I may see about dropping by my ex's house to do some laundry.

Sunday morning at 8 I am going to the shop to load equipment then I'm heading SOUTH!
Biloxi Mississippi, to be exact. Near the beach in the dead of Winter! Woo Hoo!
I hope that job lasts a few weeks... I'm petrified that I'm going to wind up working in Erie Pennsylvania in January.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Okay, I'm blogging one week at a time now.

On Monday, November 30th, I hitched up in Lafayette, Louisiana and drove to Tuscaloosa, Alabama (412 miles). On Tuesday I did the walk-through meeting at the VA. Wednesday morning I refilled a propane tank and got the oil-changed in the van and raised the hitch. Then I rigged up and drove to Norman, Oklahoma (738 miles). It rained nearly all the way to Little Rock, Arkansas. I pulled in to Norman at 2:30 this morning. It is now 9 a.m. and I just hooked up the water so I can have a shower and I'm drinking my coffee. I need to wake up just a little more so I can go in to work.
Man, am I tired. Pulling a trailer in the rain just drains me - plus I have a caffeine hangover. I drank black coffee all day long yesterday. It's cold here, there is frost on the ground. That's why I didn't hook up the water last night when I set up the camper. I didn't want my hose to freeze. It was 35 degrees inside the camper last night so I fired up the furnace and I'll bet it ran for two hours straight to get it up to 65. I didn't stay up to wait for it. I turned on my heating pad and curled up and went to sleep.
I DID learn something though. I had traded mattresses with Chad to see about making more room in the RV and lightening the load a little. We moved the Sealy Posturpedic into his house and I got his Tempurpedic. That Tempurpedic mattress is temperature sensitive. When it's cold, it's hard as a rock. The place where I turned on the heating pad sunk in nice and soft, but the rest of the bed was hard as a rock until it warmed up.
Spot wiggled himself under the covers last night to warm up. I think I shall prohibit this new activity - I don't want dog hair under my covers - but I understand it was cold so I let him snuggle for a little while.

I lack the imagination to make this blog entry interesting.
I'll write more later, I suppose.

Have a great day.
MsAmber

Gosh, this week has FLOWN!

On Monday I re-wired the trailer wiring harness and mounted the connector into a bracket on the bumper. I added a couple more wires to control the brake module. I installed the trailer brake module and I'm pleased to report that it's working. I mounted the two 30 amp self-resetting breakers to the firewall behind-and-above the battery. I also cleaned the battery, re-mounted the ground to the frame and smeared no-ox on all connections. I tuned up the engine and installed new plug wires, plugs, pcv valve, distributor cap and rotor. The engine has really come alive. I broke traction the other day and peeled out! Mu wa ha ha ha ha haaaaa.

On Tuesday I turned in my timesheet (late). Then I cleaned and rewired the RV's battery. The wingnut was completely corroded through, so I dug until I found the right nut to replace it. Smeared everything with no-ox; it looks real good. Then I organized and oiled ALL my tools. I emptied out the big black toolbox and filled it with automotive tools - jack, pry bar, four-way, oil, ps fluid, brake fluid, carb cleaner, fuel injector cleaner, Heet, extra fuses, jumper cables, reflective cones, pully puller, gear puller, extra bulbs and flasher relay module, air gauge, air pump, fix-a-flat, gap tool, etc... Yep. It's full and heavy.
Then I vacuumed out the entire van, washed down the ceiling and walls, and cleaned the windows. Then I performed the most amazing task ever: I sorted through all my nuts, bolts, washers, screws, terminals, and lagniappe and put them into a big compartmental case. Yes! Really! I did this! I now know where to find any kind of screw or nut-and-bolt that I need. I also was able to throw away any that were damaged or oxidized. The case is very heavy, but the dividers are solid so the stuff won't migrate into adjacent compartments. I love it. It was a gift from my friends at Builder's Best. It used to hold router bits. I went in there and talked to them about my last road-trip and bought a new tape-measure, I happened to mention that I needed something with dividers and was having a hard time finding exactly what I wanted. John went into the back and dug it out for me. I'm so happy! I'm finally organized!

On Wednesday I went to the DMV. It was $393.00 for tags for the van! $355 for taxes and $38 for paperwork. Man! What an expensive friggin' set of plates. Then I came home and I was so frustrated that I washed all the curtains in the house, starched and ironed them, washed the windows, changed the sheets, re-hung the divider curtain to the bedroom, fastened all the pictures in the house to the walls so they will never fall down again, and added a hook-and-eye to the cupboard so it won't fall open when I travel. Cleaned out a junk drawer (still have one junk drawer left), gave all the aquarium supplies to Nicky (a few less things to carry around), filled my shampoo/conditioner/soap dispenser in the bathroom, killed all the mildew in the shower, and shampoo'd the carpets. Yeah, I should get pissed off more often!

Yesterday (Thanksgiving), Chad built and installed my new bookshelves. It's like a hutch over my dresser. Three tiers high. I dug out all my books from under the bed and filled it immediately. Then I got out my gold wire and a mess of miscellaneous beads and made retainers across the front of each shelf. It looks really cool. I won't have to take my books down when I travel, hopefully. I randomly strung up the beads and some old necklace pendants so it looks like a funky-chunky charm bracelet across the fronts of the shelves. I should take a picture.
Then we went to Golden Corral for dinner - stuffed ourselves silly on steak and ribs. Who needs turkey?


Today, I am going to tackle the LAUNDRY, the second junk drawer, the shoe storage, and the space under the bed. Fill my empty propane bottle, and get the oil changed and an inspection sticker for the van. I should top off the gas while I'm in town. There's also a slew of dirty coffee cups in the sink. (Damn, I'm an addict.)

I have to be in Tuscaloosa Alabama on Tuesday morning, December 1st.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

In Lafayette for the week.

After work on Thursday, I took off for home. I went and rigged up and started driving. I stopped in Ardmore and drank two pots of coffee with Jerry, then tackled the DFW traffic. I made it all the way to Alexandria, LA. Actually, I was only 86 miles from home when I had to stop and crash at 4:30 in the morning. I just pulled into a truckstop, let the boys tinkle, crawled into bed and crashed for 7 hours. I got here on Friday afternoon.

Saturday I went to the Auto Parts store and spent $213.00 on parts: I bought plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, PCV valve, heavy duty flasher, trailer brake module, four colors of wires, two 30 amp self-resetting breakers, bracket for my trailer wiring harness, gap tool, and I splurged on a pair of wire-pulling pliers. On Sunday, I tuned up the truck and installed the trailer brake module, and re-wired the trailer wiring harness. That took all day.

I'm proud it's all done, and now I don't have to worry about my stopping distance. Heavy traffic was scaring me to death with the extensive amount of distance it takes me to stop 9100 pounds of forward momentum with just the van's brakes. I feel so much better about hauling this thing around now.

Today, I am going to clean and reconnect the RV's battery leads, vacuum out the van, and re-organize my tools.
I suppose I should throw some laundry into the mix. I'd best be keeping up with that.

I switched the dogs first to Pedigree senior formula - it supposedly is easier to chew, and they snarfed that bag right up. I went back to the store to find some more and there wasn't any. So, I've switched them again - this time to Beneful. They really love that stuff. I've decided to stop buying Pedigree. The boys eat the Beneful much easier and seem to like it more. Meg is full of energy - he's the first one to bust out after a squirrel. If I'd have known that switching his food would have this kind of effect, I would have done it sooner.
So Rob... consider changing Brinka to Beneful if you think of it. It's kinda stinky, must be the salmon, but not excessively so.

Well, I'm going to get after my day. You have a great one.
MsAmber

El Reno. . . Again?!?!

Still here.
The job isn't going blazingly fast. The crew is out of Tulsa, and they schedule themselves pretty short.
I'm kinda in a quandary: I have a reputation for not liking the quality of work by subcontractors, so my bosses roll their eyes at me when I give disparaging reports of others' work. Fact is: I could do the entire job myself, but that's not the reason I have critical eyes towards their work. But I know that if I complain about yet another subcontractor, that it won't change anything and I will simply be reinforcing my reputation as a malcontent.

I see things like: Not showing up on time. Not staying as long as they should. Terminating cat6 without using the retaining clips. Not using the box connectors on the Valcom speakers. Taking 8 hours to terminate 48 cables. Not doing exactly what they said during the conference call. Not adhering to the schedule that they announced during the conference call. Pulling some cables too short. Labeling cables without underlining the numbers (is it 99 or 66? 81 or 18? etc.) If I didn't nag so much about labeling the jacks, I think they would bypass that step also.
My new boss wanted me to watch how THEY do things so that I can duplicate their quality during the next install. What a joke! I feel like my talents are wasted sometimes. The subcontractor is really hating having a babysitter (me) and is doing their best to keep their work away from me - they gave me the task of dressing-in the closet on Wednesday. That kept me busy in the closet all day - it looks real good, by the way.
They are a small-town company. The son works for the dad. Remind you of someone? (Ardmore Tel-Comm, Jerry and Terry Bateman! I love those guys!) Stubborn as all hell - "This is the way I've always done it!" (It took me forever to re-train Terry Bateman from stripping cat5 all the way back. Ah the memories!)

"Yeah? Well that doesn't mean you've been doing it right. Where did you learn to terminate Cat6?" (This is what I wish I'd said.) He says the cat6 clips get in his way. I think he just doesn't know how to use them - I thought they were a pain-in-the-ass the first time I used them, but then I got used to them and I find that they work beautifully and save a little time in a high-density panel. Besides: nowadays the cable sticks out straight from the panel, not bent to the side. I hope his cables pass, but I kinda doubt they will with that sharp bend. We'll see. Today we test! Unfortunately he won't be there. He is going to a wedding today, so they are sending a substitute technician to finish the punching-down.

Well, I've ranted enough. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about anyway.
Just smile, Amber. This job will be done, and nobody will care about retaining clips and box connectors when it's through.

Have a great day.
MsAmber

More El Reno

Well, we got the cabling roughed in. I installed the paging speakers and wiring. I tested that with a toner and everything appears to be working fine.
I'm off today, but I need to change out my air filter on the van, find a place to refill my propane (on a Sunday, no less) and do my laundry.

I was out of propane when I woke up this morning. Since I went to bed with wet hair, it was quite a mess and I thought I would take a quick shower to tame it down a little. Surprise! No hot water!
How... ummm. Invigorating!

I've repainted my nails this morning, and drank a gallon of coffee, so I think I'm ready to bundle up and head outdoors.

You have a great day!

MsAmber

Where the hell am I? Oh yeah, El Reno, OK.

On Thursday, October 15th, I was headed to work at the VA in Billings and the electrical system in the van died. I called the replacement technician and told him I would be a little late and started troubleshooting the electrical problem by the side of the road at 7:15 a.m. I tore apart the dash, I took out the fuse block, I chased the wires down, I pulled the stereo out. I found that my ignition wire was a dead short to ground - but WHERE? By 11:30 I couldn't solve the puzzle so I called a tow truck and had it towed to Speedo & Electric in Billings. Guess what he found? Mice! Yep, I had mice chewing all over my wiring harness under the doghouse. The ignition wire was absolutely shorted to the block. At least we found the problem(s) and fixed them before I hit the road. I was leaving Montana on Friday, so the timing was perfect. That was $260 bucks. Then I rented a car-dolly and towed the Nissan all the way to Shreveport. I stopped off in Norman to unload some equipment and picked up Megabyte. Dropped off the Nissan in Shreveport, returned the car dolly to U-Haul in Shreveport, dropped off a KVM switch to the VA in Shreveport then drove home to Lafayette.
It rained nearly every day that I was in Lafayette. The yard was so full of water that the van got stuck in the driveway. I just knew I wouldn't be able to pull the RV out.
Friday, October 30th was my 39th birthday. It rained all day. When Chad got off work, I cooked dinner for everyone and he baked me a pumpkin pie. I didn't want to call it a night - being as it was my birthday and all, so I waited for my friend Nicky to get off work, she showed up finally around midnight and we sat around and got drunk and talked until 2:30 in the morning. Then the next morning I whipped together a couple of caveman costumes for Chad and myself, painted up and fixed up his youngest daughter, and we all went trick-or-treating. I may have been a little on the grumpy side - tad bit o' hangover and all...
It didn't rain at all on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday; so I thought maybe I could get the camper out of the yard after all. I packed up, hitched up, wired up a trailer harness, and Tuesday morning I pulled it right out. I drove the 631 miles yesterday. The transmission is real weak, but it pulled it just fine - I just took it easy. I got here in El Reno last night (well, this morning), found a camping spot, set up the camper, took a shower, and went to bed. I got up this morning, drank my coffee, walked the dogs, checked my emails, and went to work.
I'm done now - and I don't have to work tomorrow except to sit-in on a conference call at 1:00.
Whew.
I just opened a beer - say goodnight Amber.
Goodnight Amber.

(Grin)
MsAmber

1995 Dodge Ram 2500 PowerWagon

...with the Magnum V8.
I bought it! It's mine.
I'll be spending the next few days loading my stuff into it and getting it ready to roll. I have to wire up the trailer wiring harness, unbolt the toolbox from the back of the Nissan and move it into the van. Remove the back seats. Get a power inverter so that I can charge my cellphone and laptop. This is going to keep me excited for the next 4 days.
Gotta go. Worky worky, busy busy.

MsAmber (grinning)

It's Snowing!!!!

I woke up this morning, it didn't seem like an extraordinary day. I got dressed and brushed my teeth. Then I stepped outside...
There is an inch of snow on my truck and it's still snowing. It's a peaceful snow - didn't hear a thing, the wind is not blowing, just a silent blanketing over everything. It's warm snow. Slushy and wet.
I'm at work now, facing a window watching as everything turns white.
It's cool. I'm enjoying it. Except for the whole "my feet and pants-cuffs are wet" thing.

You have a great day!

MsAmber

Counting down the days...

I put a Dodge Ram 2500 van on layaway. I've already paid $1800 on it, I just owe $1700 more. It just came out of the shop - I made a deal with the guy to have a tow-hitch installed. I'm counting down the days before I can pay it off and start packing up to get the hell outta here. I'm free to leave on the 15th, but I don't get my paycheck until the 16th, so I'll pick it up then and rent a car-dolly to tow the Nissan back to Louisiana. I'm starting to get excited and impatient about leaving, that'll make the days drag on...
I can't wait to see Chad again. He hitched up my trailer and moved it to his place to re-pack my wheel bearings and fix the mushy spot on the floor. The prognosis is good, he found the source of the water that damaged the floor and the wall - it was a bad assembly problem. I'm so glad he's a carpenter!

I slept in until 7:00 this morning, and I'm feeling a little strange today. Kinda light-headed, shaky and unsteady. I don't know what that's all about. Maybe too many cigarettes and too much coffee and not really being acclimated to this elevation? I did sequester myself to my room this weekend instead of getting out and walking around. The weather is turning cold, threatening snow, according to the weather reports. I just don't like to be out in the cold wind. (wimp!)

I usually have my laundry done by now - I've been making it to the laundromat by 7:30 on Sundays to beat the rush. It's now 9:30. Now I'll be fighting for a dryer. I may just wait until this afternoon since I'm not feeling all that energetic right now anyway.

I bought a subscription to "unclaimed money" and I've been searching names of everyone I know and relatives. It's kept me busy for a day now... What shall I do next? I'm tired of reading books, don't want a nap... I know, maybe I'll paint my toenails? That'll take up all of 20 minutes.

Man, the waiting is KILLING me!

MsAmber

Two More Weeks! Yayyyy!

Had a final meeting yesterday. My boss, the COTR, the heads of the Billings OPC, and myself had our MOU meeting yesterday. Everything is good. I have to babysit the system until the 15th of October, then hand the baton to the onsite tech and I'm outta here.
Isn't that awesome?
The honchos are all getting on their planes this morning and leaving with a warm fuzzy that it's all handled.

This morning, I woke up with my right eye swollen shut and a bit of an allergic reaction. They just changed my sheets yesterday, and they might not have rinsed all the soap out. I usually react to laundry soap, so I think that's the problem.
Funny. The timing is perfect.

Well, I gotta go.
Have a great day.
MsAmber

Saturday in Billings...

I went in to work this morning. I hanged (hung?) both alarm panels and discovered that the manufacturer did not include power cords. Lovely.
So I set out phones. I actually set out more than half the entire clinic. So it was a pretty productive day.
The switch tech got his remote access device working, and ran a few of his cables - dressed them in perfectly. I couldn't be happier with the quality of his work. I made some changes to his database as I was setting phones, so he's going to work on the programming from his motel room tonight and tomorrow.
Everything is progressing just fine.
I still need his alarm contacts so I can put them in the panel. I have the alarm cable from the rectifier bay, and I have the link cable to the remote ran already. Just need power cords and the alarm system will be functional. Easy cheesy.

I went shopping today. Yeah, I know. Booo.
I bought a dress on sale at Dillards: 70% off. Bought two new brassieres at Victoria's Secret (not on sale). Then I went to Pier One and bought a lap tray for working on my laptop in bed, and a smelly thing to make the motel room smell good. Oh yeah, and a new coffee cup with lid. I'm drinking Chai tea in it now. The microwave soup cup that I had bought to drink coffee in just isn't working out. It's too big. I will use it for soup, and my new coffee cup for coffee. So kill me already.
Yeah, I know. I'm saving up for a truck. I'm sure two bras and a dress isn't going to break me. I need to put my blinders on until I buy that truck though.

I had a pretty good day. At least I wasn't bored, sitting in my motel room stirring up trouble on Craigslist.

You have a great evening.
MsAmber

Oh my dear blog, how I've missed you...

This has been an exciting week. I'm here in Billings working, as you may already know. I got my power plant built. I have the electrician running my circuits now, maybe tomorrow I can fire it up. I can't wait for it to come alive. My back has been aching for days now after stacking those batteries. But thanks to Icy Hot patches - or as Chad calls them: "Aphrodisiac pads", I can nearly walk straight again. I go around all day and I keep getting a whiff of mentholatum. It takes a while to realize the smell is coming from me. Ha ha ha.
All the ladder rack is up, my power cables are ran. I'm waiting for the electrician to finish before I connect the battery leads to the rectifiers. But it's all assembled and bolted down - ready to go.
I bought a 5-wide punch down tool. I've always wanted one of my own - so now I have it.
I drove downtown and parked at the corner of Montana and 27th. I started walking... I saw that there were people so I went that-a-way. There is a Farmer's market. They were just closing up, so I asked somebody where the car show was. They told me to jog over 4 blocks and turn right and it's at the end of the street. OK.
I walked 31 blocks to the car show. Then I had to walk 31 blocks back to my truck. Oh my. My feet were sore and blistered from that. Like a dummy, I wore my cowboy boots. It was fun anyway - I took hundreds of pictures.
I found a thrift store that I like. I bought some books and a new (used) set of laptop speakers. I also found a pawn shop that I like, and I bought a DeWalt reciprocating saw. I determined to quit spending money now, since I still have to buy a truck. So, I spend every evening now reading in my room or messing around in the Rants and Raves section of Craigslist. Those guys are always good for a laugh or two. Most of the time they just look for ways to offend, hoping for a good argument or an insult session.
I was staying at the Extended Stay hotel, but that was costing me $381/wk, so I found a cheaper place. The only problem is the train tracks. Those trains run all the time and blow their horns constantly. I'm learning how to tune it out, but I just hope I don't get so deaf in my sleep that I can't hear my alarm clock. "Life ain't nothin' but a funny, funny joke." (John Denver song - Thank God I'm a Country Boy)
Landlady called me yesterday and asked me for $100. I put a check in the mail to her. I don't mind helping HER out, but I guess I do resent being asked for money. Usually I'll call her and volunteer, this time she called me and asked. If the vagrant son wasn't in the picture, I wouldn't resent it - but I know the reason she is broke is because she's supporting him. He confronted Chad (who was house-sitting my place) and asked him for money last week. What a freaking loser. I wish he would drop off the planet. Do us all a favor.
I just get so mad when I hear anything to do with Larry. He's just three months younger than I am. I want to scream at him: "Get a job, quit sucking Tit!" He makes life miserable - for her and me, and I'm just a tenant. Did I tell you he threatened me again, the day before I left for Montana? Yeah, he "KNOWS people" and will "take care" of me.
My evil daydreams are carrying me away again. Change subject.

I told Chad that if he's feeling up to it, I would appreciate him moving my trailer to his place and maybe re-packing my wheel bearings and fixing the mushy spot in the floor. I may need to take it to Fayettville, NC next month when I'm done here.
If not, I'll re-pack the bearings before I take off. I know it needs done anyway.
Hey Chad - this isn't a "girlfriend deal" - how much to do the job? I'll pay you.

I think I'm starting to acclimate to this elevation. I haven't had an episode of heart palpitations in about a week. I still see wigglies in my peripheral vision sometimes, and that's a little disconcerting, but I'm starting to feel more energetic than I did when I first arrived. I do hate the fact that I'm in a more Western time-zone, so getting used to the time on the East Coast will be interesting. I don't get out of bed until 6:00 here, which is 8 on the East Coast. Damn.

Well, I've written enough for now.
You have a great day.
MsAmber

Friday Morning in Billings

I wrote a blog entry last night, but I must not have published it.
I wrote a comprehensive, inspired dissertation wherein I solved all the worlds' ills. It's a shame it's lost forever. I certainly can't remember what it was...

I got my batteries in. It's an 880 pound stack. Each battery is 220 pounds. These are just little baby batteries. Certainly easy enough to maneuver compared to the big honkin' things we usually install. Today I'm hoping to receive my rectifiers and inverter bay. I'll be ready to rock-n-roll then.

I have a three-day weekend coming up. There is a classic car show going on downtown I was thinking of checking out. I'm also going to move to less-expensive accommodations. I would like to buy a truck real soon, and the more money I save the sooner I can realize this.

Anyway, that's about all. If I think of the solution for all the worlds' ills again, I'll be sure and save it this time.

Have a great day.
MsAmber

Today was ok.

I assembled the racks and got them square. Staged and inventoried the equipment that has arrived already. Bought plywood and painted it.
...and then stood around all day.

The floor crew is sealing the tile and I had them bump my area up in priority because I will be bringing in heavy equipment to install soon and I need them to be done with their work in my switchroom and a path to the outside door.

I'll probably be standing around all day tomorrow also. I don't have much to do until equipment comes in, and I have to be there to receive the equipment...
I'm always bored and impatient until stuff starts to happen, then I have lots to do and not enough time to do it in.

Fun, fun.

MsAmber

I'm just a little bummed tonight

Sergeant St. Ann called me today. I've been blocked from joining the Army. Many years ago I had an episode of depression. My Dr administered a test, and prescribed Cymbalta. I took the anti-depressants for a year or so, then I just quit taking them. Partially out of embarrassment for having to take a daily medication, and partially because I couldn't afford them.
When the Army requisitioned my medical records - they flagged the Depression diagnosis as the reason for my rejection. I tried to argue it, but they won't budge.
So, I'm not going into the Army after all.
That's a shame, because I would have been really good at it.

Well, here I am in Billings Montana. I met my POC today and we did a walkthrough of the facility. I met the electrical contractor and I got him started on making me a bid for some electrical circuits and conduit that I need. I looked at the materials that have already been delivered. I have enough stuff to get me started. This will be a fairly easy job. It's only 300 phones, and the power plant is small also. I can handle it by myself.

I think I want to go to the bar down the street and drink a beer. Just one.
I'm feeling a little stir-crazy.

Have a great night.
MsAmber

I made it to Billings

I left Lafayette at 10 p.m. on Friday and drove to Norman, Oklahoma. I stopped at Rob's house and did two loads of laundry, visited awhile, and slept. Saturday evening Rob, Kandelyn and I went to dinner at Applebees, then we sat around and chatted until 'way too late. I didn't leave there until 11 p.m.
Megabyte heard me and nearly tore the back door down trying to come in and see me. It was good to see my boy, I miss him.
The starter on the truck is starting to act up. When I was in Gainsville, it went out. I was at a gas station push starting the truck and some guy was leaning up against the fuel pump. He hollered out: "You're gonna have to go faster than that!", I hopped in and popped the clutch and it fired right up. I couldn't help but laugh. So far, that was the only episode. It's worked fine ever since, but I know that is my warning shot. It WILL go out, I'll just watch how I park it in case I have to push start it again.

It was a hard drive, but rather uneventful. Yesterday evening I saw a guy struggling with a flat tire. I was bored so I pulled over to help. It was a large chevy 3500 duelly and he'd blown a front tire. I saw that he was using the scissor jack, so I pulled off to see if he would rather use my big floor jack. He declined, but he didn't have a 4-way and couldn't break his lug nuts. I handed him my 4-way and a can of WD-40, and helped him get the spare out from under his truck. For some reason he wouldn't let me touch a tool, but I could tell he wasn't accustomed to changing tires...
Turns out he's a Ph.D. Yeah. I don't know a single doctor who would change their own tire. He struggled with it and I thought he might pop a vein, but by golly he got 'er done.
I was amused by the fact that he was treating me like a girl when I've certainly more experience than he in automotive mechanical work. It was quaint and cute.
Then: he tried to give me money. I wouldn't take it - I mean the dude wouldn't even let me help, did he think I only stopped to con him out of a few bucks? I took his business card though. I think I'll make him an offer on his truck. Now that it's got a fender-bender on it, it might be within my budget. He's a Dr., and he'll probably be too uppity to drive a truck with body damage. Maybe not though, it's still a really nice truck. Might be out of my price range for 8 more years or so. Though it wouldn't hurt to try...

I pulled in to Billings at 10 p.m. last night. Found the Extended Stay America and got checked in. The price is too high. I got her to knock it down a few bucks, but still: $381/wk is too much for what you get. I paid up for a week, but I'm going to look around for more reasonable accommodations. I would like to save a bit more of my perdiem to help pay for the truck I'm going to buy.

I toted 3/4 of my stuff up here to the 3rd floor and got unpacked. I'm strange that way: I have to set up the bathroom counter, unpack my clothes, and arrange the room to suit me before I can go to bed. No matter how tired I am.

My lower back took a beating on that ride. I had a muscle spasm in my right hip all day yesterday. Pinched nerve. I can hardly walk a straight line this morning. I've taken two ibuprofen and I'm drinking my coffee now. I'll be right-as-rain in just a few more minutes.

Mike called this morning already. I told him I was going to call him later to get the "Who, what, when, where, and why." He just wanted to make sure that I didn't show up on the jobsite this morning until he got approval. That's groovy, I wasn't planning on just showing up with no clue anyway.

I'm going to shower and get myself ready for the day. Maybe I'll get to have a meeting with my new crew and get oriented. The weather is beautiful. I opened the window to my room last night because it stinks of stale smoke in here, but the temperature is perfect. I slept like a baby! My window faces the highway, and beyond that is some mountains. I like being on the 3rd floor. The view is good, and I can open it up and get some air. Not too claustrophobic in here.

I was thinking to myself: wouldn't Chad just shit if I told him I liked it so much here that I'm staying? (not funny, MsAmber!)
I do love my mountains though. I'm really an Appalachian girl, but I loved the Rockies for over 9 years. I nearly forgot how much until I saw them again.
Actually, I tend to find something to love about every place I've ever been. Fickle, fickle, fickle.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Alright Peeps - I'm on the road.

Truck's all packed, gear stowed. I just have to take a shower and hit the road.
I think I have everything...

Landlady's son poked his head in the door and said: "You're going to Montana?" I said yes. He said "Well, lemme tell you something..." I didn't catch all that he blurted out but it was something along the lines of: I better not hack into their computer and get their personal information and spread it all over the web in Montana or he KNOWS people and he will take care of me.

HUH?

My goodness. Was that a threat?
And why in the world would I even bother to "hack" into their computer? Like I don't have anything better to do than to hack into some old lady's computer and see how much trouble I can cause. Shit. If I wanted to hack something, I'm sure I could think of someone MUCH more interesting than my landlady and her son...
Geez.

Can you say: Mental?!

Have a great weekend.
MsAmber

Had a great time powerwashing!

Man, I want one!
Fired up the 5.5 hp powerwasher and went crazy. I washed two houses. That's a hoot. The cool part is that it may be 105 degrees outside, but with all the overspray, you stay nice and cool. In my opinion, that would be the greatest outdoor job ever. Sunshine, water, and a real sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I really want to buy one. I never knew how much fun that could be.

Yesterday we went and installed some mortar between bricks, a vent flue for a stove exhaust, and a microwave. Then went and unloaded two semi-trucks full of lumber. It was a good day.

Today I'm off. I need to start getting ready for my trip to Montana. I called Nicky and told her that if she doesn't come see me this evening, then I won't see her for two whole months. She was surprised and said "It's that time already! Oh shit!"

The slave cylinder on the hydraulic clutch is acting up, so I'm going to run by my mechanic's place right quick.
Gotta go, gotta go.

You have a great day!
MsAmber

Monday fun.

Did roofing repair yesterday. Pulling up old leaky shingles and replacing them with mismatched ones. Early in the morning, went downtown and replaced two parking stops. Pulled up the old ones, carried the new ones out of the parking garage, re-drilled for the pins and placed the two new ones. I had a funny little "oops". I was pushing the dolly with the new parking stop on it and I had to get a running start to get it over a hump. Well, I made it over the hump, but the forward momentum pitched me upwards and I nearly was catapulted over the handles. It was funnier than hell. Thank goodness I wasn't hurt, but it did give me a real perspective on my weight in relationship to a big ol' chunk of concrete.

Today I get to powerwash three or four houses. That sounds like a hoot, and I think it will be a bit easier of a day than roofing, or heaven forbid, insulation!

I'm counting down the days before my big road-trip. We bolted down a toolbox in the back of the truck and I've packed all my tools. I got the spare tire, and the truck is ready. I moved the wringer washer over to Chad's carport and cleaned out my storage. The RV is squared away. I'll just need to do laundry and pack my clothes and I'll be ready.

Having a visit from Mr. Monthly. I'm feeling a little irritable and serious, so don't mind my post, if it appears to lack my normal affability. The timing is perfect however. I'll be over it in time for the physical on Friday, and the driving to Montana. That'll be good, I really hate going through that during a long drive.

I would like to solve the music problem before I leave. It would be nice to have some tunes to listen to during the trip.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Saturday fun...

I went to the junkyard this morning to find a spare wheel for the Nissan.
I've been driving without a spare for quite a while, and it concerns me. I have my jack and 4-way, but that would do me no good without a wheel.

I've got to go to Billings Montana next Friday. I will work construction here Monday through Thursday, then on Friday I have my Army physical, then time to pack up and hit the road on Friday night. That will make for a loong day. I have to get up at 3:30, leave at 4:00 to go to New Orleans, then stand in lines all darn day. If they fail me, then it's all over for my going into the Army. I'm going to try not to install insulation this week, that tends to mess with my lungs too much. The last time my physical was scheduled, my boss had me installing unfaced insulation for two days prior. If they put me through a breathing test I might be somewhat compromised.
Otherwise, I'm healthy as a horse and strong as a mule.

I have a serious hankering for a rare steak and some raw spinach. I hate to let go of the money, but I've gotta feed that craving. So tonight it's steak, raw spinach salad, and watermelon. Mmmmm.

I've got to go clean out the back of the truck and drain my blackwater. Chad made me a pseudo-pressure-washer wand so I can rinse out the tank. The gauge has been reading 2/3 full even when it's empty, so I need to hose it out real good.

We went to play bingo last night... the kids had fun in spite of themselves. The little one insisted that she didn't like bingo, but I think she liked it afterwards. Oh how terrible it must be to be forced to sit and play bingo with the old people for a couple of hours.

Dumbass, the landlady's son, just poured two-cycle mixed gasoline into the lawnmower. It's smoking something awful. I thought even HE would know better than that. He has a history of breaking lawn implements, now he's torn up the lawnmower. Ms Doris will have a fit when she sees that. What a dumbass.

Hey! When did the design on the penny change? I just looked down and picked up a penny. It has a log cabin on the back, instead of the Lincoln memorial. Am I the only one who didn't know about this?
Geez.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

I'm back in Lafayette.

The drive home was a little hairy. Thunderstorms all the way. That Mitsubishi Gallant hydroplanes like a bitch! You wouldn't expect that from a front-wheel-drive car, but it's really quite dangerous to drive through heavy rain. I wouldn't buy one.
Otherwise, the car did fine. It got me there and back and the gas mileage was great.

While I was gone my hot water heater plug blew out and it dumped 3-400 gallons of water on the ground. Chad came by after work to pick up the dog and he found it. He shut off the water and the two switches (gas and electric), but alas, it was too late. My electric heating element is fried, and I'm out of propane. So I came home to NO HOT WATER. I need to refill my propane tank today.

I got all my survey stuff together and fed-ex'd it to TT, then I faxed my timesheets. I'm hoping they pay me for drive-time, because I didn't make a penny off of mileage - having to rent a car... Anyway, I submitted 31.5 hours. Here's to hoping that they accept my time as submitted. Since it DID cost me 4 days' worth of work at my other job, I think it's only fair.
You never know, though. TT can be real sticklers about stuff sometimes.

I have to get fixed up and run down to the recruiters to finalize my paperwork and set my physical appointment in stone, then I'm going to refill my propane tank so I'll have hot water this evening for a shower. I also need to do the dishes...

You have a great day!
MsAmber

In Memphis...

Okay, so I understand you may be a bit confused.
Things have been moving rather quickly so try to keep up.

I worked construction last week and got paid on Friday. On Saturday I went to the thrift store and bought $45 worth of new clothes. I gave the landlady another $100 for her prescriptions (just a donation to the cause because she's in pretty bad shape)I worked Monday, then I rented my girlfriend's car to drive to Memphis.

It's a little Mitsubishi Gallant. She's getting behind on her payments so this benefits both of us. TT fronted me the mileage reimbursement, so I offered her $100 per day for three days. That left me enough to pay for gas, and she spent a few dollars to fix the tire and replace the headlight bulbs, and cleaned it up for me.

I left Lafayette at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, drove to Memphis and got a hotel room about a block away from the VA hospital. I'm here to do a VA walkthrough and RFP meeting with all the "Suits". My mission is to gather all the pertinent information and see what it would take to install a new DC power plant, phone switch, and 3000 phones in this VA hospital. I was at the meeting this morning in my nice pink button-up blouse, dark jeans and cowboy boots. Most everyone was in dress slacks - you know - salesman clothes. That's why I call them the "suits". There was actually only a couple of technicians - me, and a Blackbox technician who was representing my company also. I think I left a good impression. I never really can tell - so riddled with insecurities sometimes - especially when I'm surrounded by "suits". I think I prefer being a tech to anything.
I was talking to my girlfriend Nicole afterwards and she said that I shouldn't feel that way, those guys were probably just saying "uh-huh" to everything so they don't look stupid and I was actually visualizing what has to be done, so my site survey is a lot more practical. I know I'm the only one who brought a measuring tape. I guess they will be leaving all the details to their technicians to figure out how to make it work. Unless they are all just SOOO professional that they can see a solution without any research... ya think?

I see challenges here. The switchroom is too small to accommodate two sets of everything. The customer doesn't want the new phones working in tandem with the old phones, he wants them replaced during the weekend of cutover (that would take a lot of manpower). There is no room to stage the equipment, so a storage trailer would have to be rented, and possibly an office trailer. A lot of small obstacles. I can think of workarounds to some of the issues, but that would require some after-hours work and some delicate-finesse work. In a way: I would like the opportunity to tackle these issues, in another: I hope we don't win this bid because these challenges make this installation VERY precarious. I see a high chance for mistakes in which I wouldn't want to be the girl standing there wearing tools and a nametag when the magic smoke is released.

Ah, good times.

Anyway, Sergeant St.Ann called me and all my medical records are in. I told him I won't be back in time to take my physical this Friday, so schedule me for Friday the 28th.
I've decided that since I'm getting paid to be here for two days that I'm going to join the bid meeting again tomorrow and get more measurements. I've compiled all my notes and my drawings, just need some more measurements of the switchroom. Then I'm going to drive back to Lafayette.

Chad and I have a Bingo date on Friday night and we're taking the kids.

After my physical on the 28th, I'm heading to Billings Montana for an install. It should last through October 24th. Mike is requesting a company vehicle for me, but if he can't get me one, then I'm going to have to buy something rather quickly. I wish they would let me know soon, because I may have to use my mileage reimbursement for a down-payment. I would hate to obligate myself to a stupid car payment only to have them insist that I take a company truck to haul equipment, and on the flipside, I'd hate to expect a company vehicle and find out at the last minute that I need my own car. Mark Sorrells is a pain. He refuses to communicate even rudimentary stuff to me. No consideration at all. Leaves me hanging every time...
Oh well. C'est la vie.

Mike tells me that coming up are: Asheville, NC; Clarksburg, WV; and somewhere, PA. I'm a little excited about Clarksburg, WV. That's 40 miles from my old home. Wouldn't that be interesting? Last time I was home was in March 2003 when I buried my mother. I told everyone that would be the last time they ever saw me, I ain't coming home no more. But lately I've been talking about my mountains, and thinking about my mountains, wanting to smell wood-smoke again and sit in a maple syrup shed. Louisiana has it's charms, but it's not Appalachia. Like I've always said: I don't care for the people, but I love my mountains.

I suppose this means that I may be getting back on the road with Trans-Tel. Well, depending on what happens with my Army physical. One project at a time. Let me get Billings Montana done and we'll see what comes up next. At least Mike is happy to have me back. He has always been encouraging and helpful. It really is nice to feel appreciated.

Anyway, I just have one more day of work here then I'm headed home to Lafayette. I may get to work on Friday, then four days next week before my physical. Gosh I really need the money, I'm so broke I can hardly pay attention! Wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery right about now?

This entry has taken 'way too long. I've always used an external keyboard and I find that some of my keys on the laptop are gummed up badly. Especially the F and C. I have to backspace out my sentence and re-add the F's. Too unny.

And my thumb keeps hitting the touchpad, so I'll just be typing along and find that my cursor has jumped somewhere else.

I'm going to hop on Craigslist now and see what the price for short-term rentals are in Billings.
You have a great evening.

Ciao
MsAmber

Tuesday, August 11

The construction company called me to work on the 5th. I carried 20' studs all day the first day, then on the second day I installed unfaced insulation all day. I got a call from the recruiter saying that he had a waiver for me to go ahead and get my physical on Friday (right after breathing all that insulation: thanks), that the MEPS didn't need all my medical records since the surgeries weren't life-threatening. So on Friday I got up at 2:00 a.m. and the recruiter picked me up at 2:45, we drove to New Orleans. I spent half the day standing in line and following hard-to-hear instructions, getting paperwork, filling out forms, and being shuffled around. Then, just as I'm getting in to see a doctor, bang! I have to stop. They want to see my medical records. So I went home.
I lost a full days' worth of work, and it will have to be rescheduled when I get all my medical records. Shit!

The collections' office started calling yesterday about July's RV payment. I was nice enough, but I told her I would make a payment when I can. You've got a job to do, and so do I, have a nice day. So I suppose I shall receive a call every day until I get that caught up. Oh well.

I almost had enough money saved up for the RV payment but the landlady asked me to pick up the water bill for her because she ran out of money (just days after she received her SS check), and I had to put some groceries into my house and gasoline in the truck. THIS time I'm not going to choose to pay my RV payment over eating and other necessities. I can't go hungry while working. They'll get over it.

I have more insulation to install today, and the boss asked if anyone wants to do some extra work this weekend painting - I think I will volunteer. I need to catch up. My ox is in a proverbial ditch.

But at least I have coffee!
It's all more tolerable with coffee.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Medical Records.

The Army can't schedule my physical until they get my medical records. I spent a bit of time trying to round them up. My primary care doctor had quit private practice and now works the E.R. at Norman Regional. I finally spoke with him yesterday evening. He was/is a great doctor.
My surgeries were over 3 years ago so all my records are in "off-site storage" and they estimate a couple of weeks to retrieve them.
One of the hospitals where I had a surgery has changed their name and was nearly impossible to find.
Goodness. Had I known all this ahead of time I would have kept copies of all my medical records any time I had a procedure or a visit.

My background check is coming back good. Every ticket and transgression that I 'fessed up has come back fine - just like I knew they would. I've kept all my tickets and receipts since like: 1990. The Army recruiter was amazed at my record-keeping. Now if only I had kept my medical records as diligently...

Today I should like to clean out my truck and empty my blackwater tank. Maybe I'll even get around to doing a load of laundry. I have several irons in the fire to get work - if I'm lucky I may get a phonecall... still hopeful after all the disappointments.

Well, I feel pretty good today. I'm going out the door to embrace the sunshine and get moving.
You have a great day!
MsAmber

Yesterday - Monday

Yesterday I fixed myself up and went down to Universal Communications. I got there early and waited for the owner to show up. He said he just wanted to know what kind of talent was in the area, he didn't have any work for me yet, but he would call if he got any big jobs.
Then I called Jay (carpentry), and inquired about his laborer opening. He said to give him a couple of days to think about it.
So I drove over to Paul's. He said he had a couple of days' worth of work for me. I went with him and pulled nails and tacks out of old cypress. What he thought would take me a couple of days I finished in 6 hours.
I came home and Mike Samples called. He wanted me to consider something. He asked if I would be interested in doing the Billings Montana job, then staying up there to support the system for a one-year contract after cutover. I'm really thinking on it, but my camper trailer would be of no use in Montana, so I would have to get an apartment and still pay for my trailer down here. I also told him that Mark Sorrells is putting me off and that I need work, so he said he would call around. He thinks he may need me to go to Houston and run a DC circuit off a power bay to a Siemens 400. I'll take all the work I can get right now.

I should probably be using this time to get my camper squared away, do the laundry, clean everything up and organize myself for travel. Bolt down a toolbox in the back of the pickup truck, vacuum it out and wash the windows. I should be prepared in the event that something comes through and my participation will be required immediately. That's the way things work in this business. When they need you: they need you NOW. (As opposed to when you need THEM: you can wait a few weeks.)

I also expect to be called for my physical any day this week. As soon as they requisition my medical records from Oklahoma, it will be scheduled.

I haven't made my trailer payment for July, I am $105.00 short of the payment amount and I don't want to give up the last of my money right now because I may need to float my own travel expenses until I get reimbursed. So I expect that the collections' division will start calling any minute now. But the electricity, rent, insurance, and phone bills are paid.

Larry (the landlady's son) has been creeping around lately. He asked me for a cigarette. I said no. He asked me for gasoline for the lawnmower, I gave him what was left in my gas can. He asked me for $1.60, I said no. He got mad. I told him that he has no right to bum off me, especially since I'm struggling to make ends meet and I'm working odd-jobs. He said at least I get paid for my work, (Well, duh!) and he's been mowing MY lawn for free. I said that I've mowed it all 5 times for free myself, and I'm not paying him to mow the lawn, besides, he always uses MY gasoline, AND he still owes me $10 bucks! I noticed that Ms. Doris is back from her daughter's house. She must have gotten her Social Security check. I expect that Larry will hang around until that's spent then he will leave again. Isn't there something wrong with a man who thinks it's alright to suck money from struggling women? He tries intimidation and bullying, and spouting violent nonsense, it ain't working with me. No mo'. No mo'. Mr. Wilton said Larry was over at his house trying to bum money and was all in his face and bumping chests. Mr. Wilton is 76 years old. Larry really needs to be knocked down a peg or two - imagine bullying women and old men! When Larry doesn't get what he wants he has a temper tantrum. Sometimes I worry about repercussions. I worry that he might snap and burn my house down or stab my tires or poison my dog. I think he knows it, too. Every time I look outside I see him creeping around somewhere. He stays within view of at least one of my windows. I don't feel comfortable hanging around outside in my lawnchair in the evening anymore. I can do it in the morning because Larry doesn't get up until about 9:30 or so, but during the day I shut and lock the door. That boy is mental.

Well, I'm going to run through the shower and start cleaning up. I don't have any paid work to do today.
You have a great day.
MsAmber

ASVAB test.

Well, I slam-dunked the the ASVAB. I got a 95%.
I have to be at the recruiter's this morning to schedule my physical and to see what they are offering. I think I will get to choose from any job the Army has available except "Algebra Teacher".
I solved all the algebraic equations with no problems, but they got me when they asked me to break the equations down into their "factors". I missed that part in school, so I was completely lost. I tried to extrapolate based on the answers but nothing made sense. Now I need to learn how to "factor". Whatever THAT means...
I think one of the questions was a trick question, none of the answers made any sense at all.

I'm feeling a little under-the-weather today. My tummy gave me hell last night. I finally got up and ate some crackers and fell asleep on the couch. My eyes still haven't turned bright white and I've been up for hours drinking coffee. I may be trying to kick some kind of stomach bug. You should hear my tummy growling - Ms. Vicky heard it across the room this morning and asked me if I was hungry. Sounds like something out of a fast-food commercial. I also sprang a fever blister on my lip. Usually when I'm aggravated or concentrating I'll bite my upper lip and where I have a sharp bottom tooth against my lip it will blister there. So I'm not sure if the blister is from a fever or biting my lip, but it sure is tender and bothersome.

Well, I've gotta go heckle my recruiter. I beat his score by 19 points, and he expects me to come in and give him hell about it. Also, I'm going to find out when my physical is scheduled. My last obstacle to enlistment!
Repeat after me: "That don't hurt", and "There's no CRYING in the Army!".

...Fake it 'till you make it!

Ciao!
MsAmber

Blocked at every turn...

Something inside me keeps whispering: "It isn't meant to happen, don't force it."

Is it a shortcoming of mine that I consistently impose my own desires and ambitions in spite of resistance? Or possibly because of it?

Do you know what makes a beaver build a dam? The sound of trickling water. Yes, the sound of trickling water triggers something in a beaver's brain to stop the sound, it drives them crazy so to speak. In the same way that I feel the compulsion to open every door and tear down every brick wall that stands in my way. The problem is: the brick wall may have been put there to guide me in another direction. Instead of turning my course to go around it, I have to stop and break it down. I didn't know for sure that I wanted to go in that direction until I saw the obstacle, and even after conquering the obstacle, I still didn't know if that was the direction I wanted to go, but I commit anyway.

I'm not sure that I'm explaining myself concisely so let me tell you about the past week.

I went to the Army recruiters and started the paperwork to join the Army. I needed some information from a previous employer so I called Trans-Tel. I spoke briefly with the VP and he asked what I was doing. I told him that I had been struggling to find work so I was considering joining the Army. He said that he may have work for me so give him a few minutes to call Mark Sorrells and he will call me back. He called back a few minutes later and said that he spoke with Mark who is good with my return to Trans-Tel, that there is work for me and asked me to call Mark that evening. (Mark and I have a past: he never wanted to hire me in the first place - back in 2003) I called Mark that evening and he said his phone was about to die, he would call me back when he got it plugged in. He never called back. I tried him at 7:00 am the next morning, 6:00 pm the next evening, 7:00 am again, 6:10 pm again, and then at noon on the fourth day he finally answered. He said he already had Mike Wright slated for the Charleston job and he didn't need me, that he may call me if something comes up. Then he feigned anger that the VP said there was work for me and told me that he is going to "have a talk" with the VP and he would call me back afterwards. I didn't hear from him all day Friday, so I drove up to Norman to be in the office for Monday morning. I wanted to find out what's really going on up there.

I was received warmly enough, saw some old friends, gave Megabyte to Rob to keep for me, (whether I go on the road or join the Army I needed to put Meg in a good home), and attempted to figure out what's going on at Trans-Tel with regards to me. I honestly don't know... Rusty Nail is there as a recruiter and he seemed receptive enough until he talked to Mark, then: Brick Wall. The feeling of being shut-out was tangible. I can't explain it any better than that but you can just tell when things are changed but no-one wants to speak it.

I called this morning and spoke to Rusty, he said he will talk to Mark Sorrells this evening and call me back when he knows something.

I have the ASFAB test this evening, I'm still pursuing the Army. I turned in all my records and aliases and divorce certificates, filled out the SF86 background check information, ad nauseum. I've been studying some of the little things that I've forgotten: like how to calculate a hypotenuse; order to solve algebraic equations (pemdas - thanks Kandelyn); looked over the first 500 prime numbers; looked for a formula to find a damn prime number (no formula really exists); and other little trivia stuffs that I may need.

I have always wanted to go into the military and it turns out that I'm too old now for the Navy or Air Force. I'm still age eligible for the Army, I just need to pass the physical and get a waiver for the new rule that GED's are only accepted with 15 college credits. I'm hopeful there. If they accept me: GREAT. If they don't: at least I gave it a shot. I would always wonder "What if...?" if I never tried at all.

Meanwhile, I still have a boat to float here. I need a couple hundred more dollars to pay up my July bills, then the clock starts all over. Yay. So much fun.

When I was driving back to Louisiana from Oklahoma (with no radio or air conditioning), I had plenty of time to think. The more I thought about things clearly, my spirits began to rise: I had all kinds of ideas on how to get a job, and speeches prepared for companies I've applied to who won't call me back
and I was psyched up and ready to kick some proverbial ass! Then when I got here, I deflated. It's like this place is so depressing that it knocks the wind right out of your sails. Crazy, right? Where's that indomitable spirit that I was carrying with me all the way down?

I don't get it.
So, am I forcing things to happen that aren't MEANT to happen?
I am a queer duck sometimes.

Have a great day. I've got swampwater in the sink that I have to take care of.
MsAmber

I got a J.O.B. - finally.

I got a job.

Well, two small jobs actually. I'm going to be working two night shifts and one day shift per week initially at my first job, and cleaning three times a week at my second job. Then after August 1, I can pick up more shifts at my first job. I'll still squeeze the cleaning job into my schedule - that pays an extra $60.00 per week. So, even though I'm late on my bills this month, I should be able to catch up soon.

My cellphone service may be interrupted again this month until I can get it caught up, but that's no big deal.

We've had a lot of rain this past week. The lawn took off growing like it's springtime. It's already nearly knee high and I just mowed last Friday. Crazy, man. I don't know when I'll get time to mow it down again. Maybe Saturday or Sunday? I was hoping to go to the thrift store on Saturday - I desperately need clothes that fit. Everything I have is too big and baggy. Even shirts that used to hug my tummy now look like I'm a kid playing dress-up in daddy's clothes. I've passed the 50 pounds mark. I don't have a scale to keep tabs on my weight loss, but the flat belly and the jeans that I just got (which are already baggy) are speaking volumes.

I was approached in the parking lot at Mel's diner and a guy gave me his phone number. Then at O'Reilly's auto parts, a guy followed me out and gave me his phone number. Then again at B's Poppa P's, a guy waited for me and gave me his phone number. Geez. Must be the blue jeans... or maybe somebody snuck up behind me and doused me with pheromones. I dunno, but it seems as though the bucks are in a rut this week.

Actually I'm kinda enjoying the attention. It seems a little weird to me to be approached and looked at like that. Partially I resent them, because I know this wouldn't be happening if I were still chubby. I know they are all just looking at my figure. They have no idea if I'm a psycho, or a drug-addict, or a welfare momma lookin' for my next "baby daddy". Well, maybe not the guy at O'Reilly's, he was intrigued by my automotive skills - and my butt.
I'm pretty sure at this point that it's not my sparkling personality and witty sense of humor that elicits their attentions.
Men. Go figure!

I'm going to have to adjust my sleep schedule. I'm so used to getting up early and going to bed early. Now my schedule will be more random. I go in to work at noon today and will get off at 8 p.m. I'm actually very relieved to know that I'm done searching for a job. Now maybe my stomach can settle down. I've been getting a little panicked watching deadlines sneak up and I can't make the obligations, and knowing that usually I have a two week holdover before I see a paycheck, etc. It's had my stomach in knots for a couple of weeks now. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch: but if hard work and enthusiasm can make a job fly, then mine should take off like a 747. I just need some cute clothes to cinch it.

Well, I need to take a shower and do the dishes. My cd player is on the fritz, so I may move the speakers back to the laptop so I can have some music up in here.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

Crush

My boyfriend Chad.

I feel like I've met my male-counterpart. He's very much like me in so many ways. A jack-of-all-trades, does the best he can, conservative, likes the old way of doing things, great work-ethic, and interested in survival skills. He's as anti-social as I am. I found someone who can take off with a backpack and know he'll be fine - just like me. He drinks as little as I do, no drugs, wakes up early, anti-television, disciplined, naturalistic, holistic, reads books, imaginative, physical, wide-eyed fascination with everything, interesting, philosophical, not hung up on the superficial, somewhat corny in his sense-of-humor, and open to changes. He's also only 3 1/2 months older than I. We've had enough difference in experiences to keep it interesting.

I've officially decided that I like him...

I avoid writing about boyfriends on my blog because I don't want to have to delete my blog when we've decided to break-up. I don't get attached very easily, and in typical Scorpio-fashion, I start compiling reasons why it won't work out from the very beginning. That's a terrible thing, I know, but in my life I've experienced shattering disillusionment and disappointments. Psychologically I'm right on par with Freudian expectation. I'm comfortable with Chad. I see and feel his vulnerabilities and empathize in the same way he sees, feels, and empathizes with mine. We are equals in so many ways - I feel as though I could trust him. Neither of us have the eternal sunshine of the spotless conscience, but we persevere anyway.

Just to be funny, we're both amateur nudists also. We are going to start nude hiking. Backpacks and boots. The first time I get arrested I'll let ya'll know. "I'll take that ticket, but you know officer, I have no pockets to put it in..."

He also thinks I'm beautiful, not only does he say it, but I can see it in his eyes. He doesn't care if I comb my hair and shave my pits, or if my clothes match. He doesn't like makeup and perfume, but he never fails to compliment me if I decide to wear it. He's unpretentious with his own appearance also. Grey t-shirts and jeans with work boots and his hair in a ponytail.

He calls me "onion butt" because every time he sees it, it brings a tear to his eye.

He has long hair and a goatee, broad shoulders, tanned arms and legs, hairy chest, and a very pleasant smile. He turns his shoulders sideways to walk through a doorway as a matter of habit. Rough carpenter's hands that can be both strong and gentle.

It's been only four months since we started dating, so I'm still a little sheepish that I put all this in writing, but for the first time in my life I can see into the future. Not an unrealistic pipe dream involving lots of money and a fairytale ending, but a practical evolution of us with our eclectic outlook and complementary sensibilities.

Ok. There it is. I've said it. Chad, you are now officially in my blog. Let the whole world know: MsAmber likes Chad - very much.

This ends my cheesy mushy post. Back to real-life next time.

Have a great week.
MsAmber

I found a little work...

The neighboring storage place asked me to clean out a climate-controlled warehouse. I spent most of the day on it yesterday and I need to finish today. It's a big dusty mess, but at least it's some work, and it pays cash.

I mowed the property on Friday, and I had to stop in one place because I found what I thought was a huge beehive. I called a guy named Rob, he's a beekeeper in the area to come get it. He showed up that evening and walked straight up to it. Put his nose within inches of it and took his sunglasses off, he stuck the arm of his sunglasses through it and said it's a swarm, no hive at all. It was about three feet long by about a foot-and-a-half in diameter. Thousands of honeybees. He went home and got a bee box and his equipment; a smudge pot, bee screen helmet, gloves, etc. He came back and cut the branch and dropped all the bees into his bee box and left it overnight. He returned Saturday evening and took them all away. It was really cool to watch him work. I learned a lot. He said that when a hive gets too populated, they will hatch another queen. She takes off and half the swarm accompanies her. Wherever she lands, the swarm covers her. That branch was just the temporary resting place. He thanked me for calling him, that was exactly what he was looking for. I was just glad I could save their lives, I just knew that somebody would get alarmed and spray them with insecticide, so I guarded the swarm until I could get somebody out to get them. It was really cool.

Well, I've got to go finish the warehouse this morning. You have a great day.
MsAmber

Wednesday Morning

Yeah, everything's peaceful around here so far. It rained all night Monday night, and all day Tuesday until about 2:00 p.m...
It's pretty soggy outside. I think we got 4 inches here.
I'm shampooing the carpets today, the dogs have tracked in a fair amount of mud and I can't let it set-in the carpets.
Spot has been acting particularly scared of the thunderstorms. He wouldn't go outside unless you essentially dragged him out. He never had an "accident" in the house, but I just knew he shouldn't be holding his pee that long. Poor dude, clung to my legs like a wet nightgown the whole time.

I dug out the demo cd from a friend's band "5th Wheel Avenue", and I've been listening to it on repeat. It's actually really good, it's a shame there's only 4 songs on it. They have a site on Myspace if anyone cares to check it out. Daniel is the drummer and Samuel is the bass player. They are a couple of good kids who worked on my crew in Shreveport last year. They have a good sound, I went and listened to them play a couple of times.

It seems as though someone has taken to commenting on my blog anonymously. They obviously don't know me well or they would realize that I have no misery, I'm a "roll with the punches" kind of girl. Does it seem as though the tone of my posts have been pessimistic of late? My apologies if that is so. I get a little frustrated every now and then, but otherwise I'm a pretty happy person. I enjoy life immensely, even when it presents challenges. I blog about current events as a way of documenting timelines so that I won't forget when things happen, but I've never claimed to be a victim of anything but my own decisions. Which I guess is exactly what the anonymous commentary said. I just feel it's a little creepy that someone won't at least sign their name or an alias to a comment directed at me.
Oh the intrigue...

Chad has decided that his side-work is getting busy enough that we may be able to step out on our own as independent contractors. I've always wanted to learn carpentry, he's been tutoring me a little on using the speed-square and the most common angles, marks, and terms. I'm ready to embark on a new adventure. It will be great to learn a new skill, especially one that I've dreamed of learning for a long time now. I'm psyched! He's really very good at it, I couldn't have aligned myself with a better teacher. I have my tool-belt already set up and ready to go. I dug out all my tools, cleaned and oiled everything and organized them. I even replaced all missing drill bits from my index, I'm just missing one 3/4" paddle bit. As a present: Chad bought me a set of chisels. Isn't that cool? I have a set of chisels!

Anyway, I need to get the carpets shampooed before it starts getting hot. You have a wonderful day.

MsAmber

P.S. Anonymous Poster: feel free to sign your comments with some alias or something. At least give me some sporting hint as to your identity. Please?

I smell trouble brewing...

I got the landlady packed off to her daughter's house on Friday. I swept out her floorboards, loaded up her stuff, loaded the dogs and got her gone. She's been very grumpy and stressful since she got a phonecall from California on Tuesday or Wednesday. Some guy called her real early in the morning and asked if he could send her son home. (Oh boy.) She gave me a key to her house for emergencies (not to give to him), and left instructions to tell him that the back window was unlocked, and asked me to pay for the taxi cab if necessary when he gets here. Saturday morning about 10:00 a.m. he arrived. He had money to pay his own taxicab, and I gave him the instructions on how to get in. Then I called Ms. Doris at her daughter's house and told her that he looked real good. Sober, tan, and well-fed.
He knocked on the door as I was getting out of the shower and I'm sure he got a free peek because I was just wrapping up in a towel. Pissed me off already. He wanted a ride to Chase bank. I looked at the clock: it was 11:50. Everybody knows that the banks are closed on Saturday afternoon, plus it's July 4th. I told him I was tired, I had been moving the RV all morning and I wasn't planning on going anywhere.
A little bit later a green pickup truck pulled in, and left within about 15 minutes. Apparently he called somebody to bring him a 12 pack of beer. Within the hour he was drunk. He sat out on the porch facing my house and kept yammering on to anybody who would listen: "Hey, listen, when I bury my momma that's going to be a sad day, I'm going to kick my brother's ass, makes me cry just to think about it, that (expletive) hasn't called momma in over a year, hey listen, I'm gonna kick his ass. When I put my momma in the ground, everybody's gonna know...I'm the baby of the family...hey listen, when I bury momma..." blah blah blah. He was drunk and talking shit. I came into the house and closed the door so I wouldn't have to listen. Ms. Doris called me and told me that he called her and he was partying with Jason and he had $50, and she isn't coming home until he's broke. I was a little angry, she and I had agreed to set some house rules that this is an alcohol-free property and he will not be drinking if he is going to stay here. A little while later, I bathed Spot in the bathtub and took him outside to shake off, and Larry was still out there on the porch. He was still talking. He said he liked me, I'm just very direct, he thanked me for taking care of his momma, and started talking about kicking his brother's ass again. I wanted to say: At least your brother isn't coming around and sucking off the old lady's social security every month, but I didn't. Why pick a fight with a drunk. I came back inside and started bathing Megabyte in the tub. Chad said: "Next time he knocks, I'll get it." So, sure enough, Knock knock on the door. I just had Meg lathered up. Chad was working on a bid for a job and he got up and answered the door. I heard him tell Larry that Amber was busy. Then he told Larry that HE was busy. Then Larry started yelling "I've been traveling for three days and I just got home and ya'll are going to treat me like a fucking Nigger!" That's when I came out of the bathroom covered in suds and I stuck my soapy hand out the door and yelled "Larry, get out my door! Go home, don't you knock on my door anymore! You are supposed to leave me alone! I'm a tenant, not your fucking friend!" He said he was going to kick my ass, and I better get ready to pack my shit because as soon as momma gets home I'm getting kicked off the property. I told him I can move and I will move if I want, don't think I feel threatened, and I slammed my door in his face. Chad called the police. The officer showed up, and he said he's dealt with Larry before and he went over there and told Larry that I'm a tenant and he needs to stay away. When the police left, Larry shouted from the porch "How do you like them apples?" and he turned up the music as loud as it would go and proceeded to have a one-man party. All night long.
I heard a truck pull in at 3:30 in the morning on Sunday and it left at 4:00, so I got up and started the coffeepot. Larry was still partying with the music turned up and the door open facing me - just being creepy. I started working on the pile of garbage outside about 6:30, he shut his door but kept the volume up. He didn't turn it down until about 9:30 in the morning. That's when I figured he went to bed. Ms. Doris called me about 10:00 and was concerned that he was dead or overdosed or something because he wouldn't answer the phone. I just told her he was probably asleep. She called again that evening about 7:00 pm, I told her I hadn't heard anything or seen any signs of life from him all day. She was worried and wanting to come home. I told her don't worry, if I see him alive and well I will give her a call. He stayed hidden all day, all night, and now it's 1:15 pm on Monday and I just now see him walking down the driveway. I figure that he thinks if she's worried then she'll come home. I just now called her and told her that he's alive and she said she's coming home today. There's no food in the house and she's coming to put groceries in the house for him. Well, why didn't he buy food with his damn $50 instead of beer and whatever drugs he bought? Geez.
No freaking common sense. I do wish she would just stay at her daughter's and enjoy the visit.
Well, anyway. I don't give a shit what happens, just as long as he leaves me alone. And I'm not feeling too much like sympathizing with Ms. Doris right now either. She's creating her own misery.
I'm done with this post.

You have a great week.
MsAmber

Saturday Morning

Alright, it's only 9:00 a.m. and already I'm ducking for cover from the heat. It's 87 degrees in the house. Probably low 90's outside. I hate locking myself up, so I might just get out the hose and wash the truck. I feel claustrophobic when I close the doors. And, yes, I'm still drinking hot coffee. Probably should switch to lemonade.

Spot attacked Meg under the table the other night, so I whipped his butt and made him go lay down. He's been acting strangely since then. He doesn't listen, and insists on going out the door when I go, and coming back in when I do. He is clinging to me hard. Chad and I wrestled for a minute in the kitchen yesterday and Spot got very upset. He was snappy all evening. When Chad's daughter reached down to kiss Spot on the head, he snapped at her. Scared the daylights out of her. He's regressed to his aggressive behavior, which I thought I had cured. I probably shouldn't have raised a hand to him when he attacked Meg, but Meg was yelping and I overreacted. So, I need to reassure Spot that he's still my boy, and get him over his insecurities again. One step forward and two steps back. I can't show preferential treatment to Spot, though, or he'll assume the dominant stance over Meg again. Poor Meg. He wasn't hurt as far as I can tell, he's just a tender-hearted old man.

I have a little wart growing on my right-ring-finger knuckle. I need a razor blade to cut it out. I'll probably get to that today, so the tenderness will be gone by Monday. I just can't stand the thought of a wart. Ewww, disgusting.

Already I'm bored. Isn't there something I can do? Maybe I'll dig out all my mending and get that done. I know there are a couple of things missing buttons and my white sweater has a hole in the back...
I just don't want to sit around all day in the cool indoors.

You have a great day. I'm going to go find some mischief.
Speaking of mischief: I want to find my old boss's truck and saran-wrap it real good. Doesn't that sound like fun? Preferably in the evening when he's in a bar getting drunk. Harmless prank. A friend suggested that I pull an old-fashioned bologna fry - that's when you put a bunch of slices of bologna on the hood of a vehicle in this heat. I understand it peels the paint off in perfect circles. That's a little too hard-core for me, I don't want to do damage. Just a friendly reminder that I'm still offended and still around. That's the statement I want to make. I'll probably never get around to doing it, but I can't help fantasizing about it. Saran-wrap. Too funny.
I heard through the grapevine that Nate fired Penny. It will wind up being a good thing for Penny when she finds another job. She's a very good girl and sharp as a tack. Some company will be very lucky to get her. I'm glad in one way that she's free from his abuses, but sad for her because I'm sure she feels slighted. Just think of it like this: you've been ejected from the trash. Not because you're not good enough: but because you are too good.
I've worked for a lot of companies and I've never felt this hateful towards any of them. This will show up in a search engine someday: Atlantic Cable Services Incorporated in Lafayette is the worst company to work for. Abuse, dishonesty, crappy pay, broken promises, and hostile work environment. Nate Yancey is the sorry Manager of Lafayette ACSI. Wanna sue me for this? Go right ahead and try. I have documented these abuses, this is my blog, and I stand behind my words.
Now, if you have any questions about this company, just respond to this post.
MsAmber

Tuesday evening blog...

Yesterday morning I went and bought 5 gallons of gas. I put the Toyota and the Nissan nose-to-nose and hooked up the jumper cables, then I ran a piece of fuel line from the fuel pump on the Toyota directly into my 5 gallon gas-can and fired-that-mother-up.
It idles for a bit, then it loads up and burps through the carburetor and dies. Sometimes it works through the loading up and returns to normal idle, but it never idled for more than about 3 minutes at a time. But it sure was loud. With that catalytic converter removed, it was very noisy. I had the neighborhood's attention anyway. They all heard me working on the truck.
Mr. Wilton's grandson, Jason, came by and tried to tell me that he thinks it's the fuel pump, (even though I told him I changed it) and he wanted to stand over it and pour gas from a bottle directly into the throat. We did discover that I had gasoline in my oil. I just changed that oil and now it's about a quart overfull with gas. Sooo, Jason thinks he can finish the Toyota and he made me an offer of $250.00, (actually, he came up with $249.00) and I let him take it away. Boy do I feel relieved. It's Outta Here!
Mr. Wilton came with him to pick it up, and I tried to tell them what I've already done to the truck and he shushed me, he said he knows what all I've done. So at least they know what they're getting into.
I'll take my time and find another builder, but it will be at least a 3/4 ton.

I wasn't feeling all too energetic today. I had an interview this morning, and put my paycheck in the bank then came home. I stayed inside all day - I took a little nap under the air conditioner vent and woke up and I couldn't breathe. My lungs were totally seized up. I hate it when that happens.

This evening I cooked shrimp-n-grits. My specialty. I had Chad and his daughter over for dinner, and I fixed a plate for Ms. Doris. She never heard of serving shrimp with grits but she loves it. I'm still stuffed. There's a leftover brownie from Saturday in the fridge... maybe I'll eat that too. Mmmmm.

You have a great night.
MsAmber

I mowed yesterday.

I mowed the entire field, moved the Toyota and organized my stuff. It looks rather nice if I do say so myself. Got a little more tan. I'm really getting dark across my shoulders and arms. I have freckles that I never knew I had. It would seem also that I'm becoming impervious to the heat, or maybe it was just that pleasant outside yesterday... who knows. I have a tiny touch of a headache today, I think it was from breathing all that dirt and grass.

Man, I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I tossed and turned and tossed and turned. I was tired, but I just couldn't shut my mind off.

Why do ant bites always make a little white head? There's a mystery for you.

Yesterday, being Father's day, I was unable to get my Dad on the phone. It went straight to voicemail. So I left him a happy message.

My friend Nicky went back to work for ACSI. She was getting a little frustrated looking for another job, so she went back and asked to be reinstated. Not me, I'll dig ditches first. I feel as though some serious grovelling and apologies are due me before I would even consider it. Life is hard enough without having to hate your job. I'm naturally a cheerful employee, and some jobs bring out the best, some bring out the worst. I belong in a job that brings out the best in me.

Well, I got my jeans on, I think I'll head down to the grocery store and stock up on cheap-foods while I still have a little bit of money. Mmmmm, ramen noodles...

You have a great day.
MsAmber

I've been remiss.

OK, I was reading through some of my most recent posts and realized that I've left out some important stuff.

I went for an interview on a Friday (not yesterday, but the one before), and found a start-up company that installs root barrier systems. The gal is nice, and she's certainly a talker, but I'm pretty sure her mouth is writing checks that her ass can't cash. We'll see, the verdict is still out. Anyway, she wanted a website, so I came home and bought the domain (www.TLCProtectiveEdge.com) and directed it towards my hosting space at MsAmber.com. I threw down a simple three-page spread. She had my friend Nicky call me and ask for tri-fold brochures also. So I made a simple brochure. I'm pretty sure that I won't get paid for my efforts, but I am supportive of what she's trying to do, so I'll help out. But I did tell her that I can't afford to hemorrhage money, so unless she has work for me to do, I don't plan on driving to Rayne just to show up. She's offering $125.00/day to go put in barriers. The job primarily consists of digging and cutting roots.

Well, it dawned on me that I needed to solve my transportation problem pretty quick. If I am to take any decent job, I need wheels. Just so happened that Mark Crabtree called from Shreveport to see how I was doing. I told him about my lack-of-transportation and he offered to loan me his old red Nissan pickup. I said "Hell, yeah! I'll be there tomorrow." I joked that I would ride my bicycle to Shreveport if I needed.

Saturday morning I started hitchhiking to Shreveport. I got to Opelousas and the police stopped to check me. I discovered that I had left my stupid wallet on my desk. (Remember, I bought that domain name?) I had memorized my license number, but boy did I feel dumb. I didn't have any money or my debit card. How was I supposed to drive that truck back? Anyway, I was too far to turn back so I just kept on truckin'. I caught some good rides, I left at 8 a.m. and I got to Shreveport at 1:00 p.m. A strange coincidence of the day: Two different guys who picked me up were named Michael, and a couple pulling hay gave me a ride and they had two Archangel Michael medallions hanging from their rear-view mirror. I can't help but think that Michael was looking out for me. I had no incidences and I didn't walk too too much, but boy was it hot! The last ride practically forced me to take a $10.00 bill to buy something to drink. (I counted the change in the bottom of my purse and it came to exactly $.99 cents.)
Mark and Missie were glad to see me. They saw how skinny I am and they asked me what I did with Amber. I responded that I ate her. I had a nice visit. Missie handed down her small jeans to me, because I was lamenting the fact that I have no clothes that fit. I gave her the clothes I was wearing, and I left with a really cool pair of patched jeans and a low-cut black and pink polka dotted top. We dug out all the change to be found = $12.00. So, I left with $22.99 and I found a penny on the ground when I got to the gas station. That was just enough to get home on. I was worried that I was driving on fumes by the time I got here. I ran the whole way without air-conditioning to increase my gas mileage, glad I did.

So now I have transportation. I don't have any solid job prospects yet, but the main obstacle to progress has been removed. I washed the truck real good. It has a front license plate that says: "Stay Clear Bitch On Wheels", which I think I shall turn around. I like statements, but that's not exactly what I want to say.

So, I'm going to end this entry with a heartfelt shout-out and gratitude to Mark Crabtree and Missie. Thank you guys so very much.

MsAmber

Went out last night.

Two beer, two soda, three games of pool. Had a great time.

I'm sitting at my desk this morning, a little later than usual, drinking my coffee and responding to emails. I'm listening to some Bob Dylan, and the sound of the washer agitating my final load of whites. It's only 8 a.m. but it's starting to warm up a bit; my indoor thermometer says 82 degrees. I have the doors and windows open and a fan gently blowing my direction. Is this heaven or what?

I got the clothes all sorted and put away, so my closets and cupboards are completely organized. All my tools are safely stashed away. My only real chore left is to put air in the flat tire on the Toyota and push it around to the other side of my camper. I filled my air-tank for this occasion, but I really can't do it alone. It needs to be pushed AND steered, and it's unfortunately settled into some really deep grass. I'll wait until some unsuspecting victim comes by for a visit. Muwah ha ha ha haaaaa.

...Tangled Up In Blue.

I think I'll soft boil an egg and make toast.
You have a great Saturday (Sabbath).
MsAmber

Biting off more than I can chew.

Doesn't that seem like me?
I'm doing laundry right now and sorting out my clothes. I want to put away all cold-weather stuff, and bag up all the clothes that are too big. So far I have done the drawers, and now I'm pulling all the clothes out of the cupboards and closets and piling them on the bed.
I erected the cabin-tent to use as a shed, and I've stacked all my outdoor stuff inside. Bicycle, lawnmower, fishing poles and tacklebox, my tub of automotive liquids, extra stuff like that. I need the storage space under my bed cleaned out so that I can store my tools. I have tools in the back of the Toyota covered with a tarp, and all the tools that I just unloaded from the company truck. I need them in a safe place, so the storage compartment under the bed is being appropriated.
I may have undertaken too much of a task. It's only 10:45 and it's getting so hot out there that I'm soaking wet in 10 minutes. Whatever, I can finish tomorrow if I must.
I took a cool shower and shaved my legs and lotioned them. They are getting a little tan, my shoulders and back are splotchy from peeling, I'm a little self-conscious over that, but my chest, neck and arms look real good (IMO, of course).

I paid all my bills and I'm proud to announce that I am $84.00 in the positive!
Oh, I have to laugh at myself for some of the situations I put myself in.
It's only money. They'll print more, right?

OK, I'm cooled off enough to get back at it.
You have a great day.
MsAmber

Got into a little "tiff" yesterday.

I went to the shop at 7:15 in the morning yesterday to get my tools and final paycheck. Nate was in a mood. He handed me the spare keys to the cab of the truck, but not the tool boxes. I hung around for an hour, expecting that the kid who was driving my truck might show up - by 8:15 he still wasn't there, so I asked Nate if the kid was coming in. He started yelling and gesticulating wildly with his arms: "I TOLD you that I have the keys, you can either wait until I'm not busy or come back LATER!" He screamed. So I mimicked him back and waved my arms around wildly and said: "I was fixin' to TELL you that I have some place to be and I will have to come back LATER!", and I stormed out. I went to Rayne and took care of that business and came back to the shop. I was back at 9:20. I received the Fed-Ex envelope which contains the paychecks and found out that I was not allowed to have mine. Penny called Nate to inquire whether I could have my check and he flew off the handle at her for putting him on speakerphone. She started crying. She's had enough of him yelling at her for everything and nothing. (Nate himself ALWAYS calls people on speakerphone.) He said I would just have to wait. I left, but I was once again outraged at his behavior towards Penny, so I called ACSI corporate and inquired if Nate had any justification for holding my check (and my tools, by the way). The receptionist put me on hold and called Nate. Apparently he was really rude to her also, she commented to me that he wasn't acting very "managerial". (There's the understatement of the year!) Later in the day when Nate came in, he called everyone but me to come pick up their checks. This morning I again showed up at 7:15, I was treated with a bit more courtesy. I was allowed to remove my tools. He almost tried to accuse me of taking a cell-phone charger, which I proved that I gave over to Jherric. I turned in the few company-issued tools and got them signed off and gathered the rest of my stuff. He tried to get the guys to corroborate with him that he handed out checks yesterday and I could have come in the evening and picked mine up - all I would have had to do was call and ask. I said "That's wrong, you're just trying to cover up the fact that you withheld my check deliberately yesterday." We almost engaged in another battle, but he was being cautious because his boss was there. I'm grateful that Barry was there because the transition went smoothly, but in a way I wish he wasn't because I was ready for another screaming match today. I'm not letting that bully push me around another second. He may make Penny cry, but I assure you he will not treat me with less than the respect or courtesy I deserve. I'm still daydreaming of slapping him soundly across the cheek for his past transgressions.
Well, I'm proud to say that my business there is wrapped up. I got my final check and I got my tools. I said my "goodbyes" to the boys. Each one confiding that they can't take much more of Nate themselves. It's a shame. That crew consisted of some good guys, I enjoyed working with them most of all. At least I made some solid friends while I was there.
Anyway, that's it for that little adventure. I'll keep you updated on what else comes down the pike for me.
You have a great day.
MsAmber