Raincharm’s Weblog

You know how it feels when you finish something? I am on that high today. Now, basins are only a very small part of my life, and after they have been updated I will have to check them, and at least two other things landed in my lap yesterday.

But still, just having finished something feels good. And the girl is coming down next week, and even though it is raining today it is supposed to be nicer tomorrow and we can take a long walk.
On Sunday I will address all of those other things lurking in the wings

enough said
time for home

That’s right, re-read yesterday’s post.
Pretty much the same except

• Got 2-1/2 basins done, one being very well sewered already
• Did talk to Rey – 1st day at new job successfully accomplished and Schaefer successfully on a plane back to Missoula
• The basins were not so much squeezed into the 1st aid class, as done afterwards.

Time to go home.

It has been such a busy day. 3 primary issues, plus several others thrown in for good measure. The primary issue I really want to finish did not get started until after closing time. 4 hours later, only got one of 3 remaining basins done. (There is actually a fourth, but it is almost built out and really needs no editing.)

I really wanted to contact both of the young-uns, but it is too late for the easternmost, and I want to have more brain acuity than I do right now anyway for either. I also want to contact my significant other as well, so he knows where I am and that I am on my way home.

Try for one more basin tomorrow, squeezed in amoung the First Aid & CPR class. We get trained every 2 years, and it is never at a convenient time. But maybe this means I would always find it an imposition, although I am thankful and grateful for the training. (The first thing I would do for you is to call 911.)

Time to head home.

Ok – I really know it is Sunday. I know the Super Bowl is today.
But, I did work yesterday. A full day. Got some stuff done, one full large, mostly unsewered sewer basin figured out, and re-edited two others where they came together. But, of course it was not as much as I hoped to accomplish.

Today we decided we were going to take a long walk. I was eating breakfast and Carl started on a little project. Going through the seemingly endless number of little jars and boxes that hold pens and pencils. While  that was going on I decided to put the sheets back onto Rey’s bed.  Both of these little chores conspired to delay the actual walk for about 2 hours. There were probably over 200 pens and pencils found. They have now been sorted, tested, about 40 disposed of and the rest categorized into receptacles by color and type (ball point, felt tip, gel, marker, highlighter, sharpie). The making of the bed required taking two boxes with some clothes off of the bed, folding the clothes, finding a drawer in which to put the clothes, rearranging some items on the dresser, throwing out certain items, arranging others, putting all Japan trip items together, putting remaining graduation stuff together, and on and on, and finally making the bed. Then moving the bass to a corner a bit more out of the way. (Rey would still recognize the room, and might actually see less of stuff that is not his in the room.) One thing we did find was a library book checked out by Rey in 2001. Amtraking. Used for a report on trains.

Speaking of Rey. Rey update: He made it to Tennessee Saturday, in one piece. There was snow in Kentucky, but apparently nothing too bad. He is into his new apartment with two others named Adam. That is all I know at this point. Job starts on Tuesday.

The walk. 4-3/4 Miles. Finally got out about 11:30. First stop, the library to return said library book. I thought we would take it in to the Librarians and have a good laugh. Of course, it turned out that the branch we went to was closed. It is always closed on Sundays. But in my mind it was Saturday. As Mark pointed out in the last entry, your weekend may have been half over, but my weekend was just starting. And the weekend starts with Saturday.

Next we went through the UW Campus. Saw a large bird, maybe an osprey or falcon, being harassed by sea gulls and crows. The large bird landed on the top of one of the U buildings with crenelations. The crows continued to take turns diving and cawing at the top until we were out of sight. Down the hill to the Burke-Gilman trail. Followed this for a bit, and then needed to go up hill again.

Chose to do the steps. To get back up from Lake Washington level to the University District plateau, you have to go up about 150  feet. There are several routes that can be taken. Follow a series of lower slope hills for a longer walk, follow some steeper roads for a bit shorter walk, or go straight up the side on steps. We chose the steps. 202 of them. We counted. Rey and I had done this a bit ago, but did not think to count.

Final bit of the walk was to stop at the grocery store, get a couple of cups of coffee, some dogs (Hebrew Nationals – no ifs ands or butts), a few other things and some 3-D glasses. I’m not sure why we got those, but it might be fun. We do plan to watch the game. But I can’t see 3-D. I am pretty sure you need to use both eyes, and I just don’t have that.

Enough for now – almost time for the game.

1. Do I go to work. Next week is full of meetings and I really need to finish a few projects.
2. If yes to one, which day. Saturday would get it out of the way. The forecast for Saturday is maybe rainy, a little bit, maybe. Sunday is supposed to be a little nicer. I am looking at the weather because I am hoping to get a long walk in, and hopefully convince Carl to join me. But since Sunday afternoon is the Superbowl, I would have a deadline set in the afternoon to be home by. This can be helpful for motivating me to get going.
3. What should we eat this weekend? This of course could reflect what we have in the house right now, or lead to a shopping adventure. Maybe that could be part of the walk.
4. Will the rest of my tax information finally arrive in the mail? Why is it the one that I really need to get is always the last to arrive.

Now for tonights decision. Should I wake Carl up and make dinner, or make dinner and hope the smell of cooking food will just naturally wake him up.

Got two messages yesterday.
1. Ashlan has applied for the housing lottery for next year.
This tells us that she intends to continue to pursue her studies at UBC. It also reminds us that there is always the chance for having to find an off-campus apartment. It is a lottery – wish for good luck.
2. Rey has an apartment lined up for next month. This means that when he travels south to Tennessee there will be limited nights in a hotel, and a place into which to move the boxes.

Our office furnace does not always stay on when it gets cold out. Something goes out of range and it quits. It quit at some point over the weekend, giving it a few days to really cool down. Yesterday it was so cold at work that I never took off my jacket, even as the building started warming through the day. [Having a window in your office can be a mixed blessing.] When I got home, the house was cold too. I put on my jacket when I left at about 6:45 AM, and took it off when I got ready for bed at 11:30 PM.

We could turn up the heat at home, but it is winter. My mother would always say, “Just put on a sweater.” or in my case, leave your jacket on.

Spoke with Rey today. He is staying with said mother. I am not sure if she said those words to him, but he allowed that he did have a sweater on, and a hat.

Rey’s further update – they walked in to campus today, got slightly lost on the way home (I think). Found the river … not sure what route they were taking. Also found out the dress expectations are “business casual”. Kind of cute – he called to find out what that meant. A small shopping trip may be in order.

Today’s thoughts of encouragement for joining me on the 3-day. Walking can be working out with a goal. (Keeps me focused on regular exercise. As does knowing a soccer game is around the bend.). A chance to bond. (Invite your friends, getting there is half the fun.) www.the3day.org

Rey – update
Rey (and Schaefer (aka Bishop)) made it to A2 yesterday afternoon. Dinner with parents (aka grandparents) and sister (aunt). Finally remembered to call his parents, that is after parents called and left a message. I was actually happy that he was busy and engaged, and just had not had a chance to call. And even happier that he did not interrupt his conversation to run and answer the phone, just let it ring.

I was full of suggestions of things to do in A2, many of them involving walking. Rey did allow that the snow was rather deep …
[Local aside – we have snow once again. It is light, but deceptive as it has been sticking and accumulating faster than you would think tiny little flakes could. But it is supposed to turn to rain this afternoon.]

OTHER A2 NEWS
I have decided to walk the Breast Cancer 3-Day again this year. Probably my last year walking, at least for a while. But the big change for this year is that I plan to do the Michigan walk. It is August 14-16, somewhere in Detroit suburbia (last year may have been near Plymouth).

I would really like to form a team of walkers. Any takers? All you have to be is over 16 and willing to walk a few miles. Think about it. There is a Getting Started meeting in Ypsilanti on February 4th. (Not a required meeting, but a good place to get more information.) The web-site is www.the3day.org It is an amazing experience.

Brief update from Rey (from a Burger King in the Soo. I remember when the McDonalds openning was a big deal.) Rey & Schaefer went out to the cabin today. They went out to look at ice formations and walked down to Doelles and back, care of snowshoes from Fran and poles from Barbara. The burger visit was for something warm. Visiting with octos and others related and not. Tomorrow is the trip south to yet more relatives. I wonder what Schaefer thinks of this family.

Briefer update. On the other coast (yes Superior has a coast) we spent the day indoors. Cold out, even some snow. Some cleaning, some laundry, some taxes (still), planning some vacations.