Curtains up for shade

The curtains are up, finally, and Thomas and Lois went out to look for a book, "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis and to buy a lampshade. I don't think the weather will hold out for them, but I could be wrong.

Work award

Unlike martial arts, you don't want greater degrees of burns. This one is a second degree burn.

Spot remover

Lois' spot shrinks every day ... thank God for that!

It came, it stinks, it goes to work

I had to put my money where my mouth was and I bought this one to replace the bad ones at work. DHL delivered it. Either DHL or the company itself reeks of old cigarettes --

puyuck ... pettooee, pew. Thank goodness it goes to work.

Blech!

Remember walking in the sand

As luck would have it, I went out for dinner and a walk with a friend from work. There is a lake nearby, so we walked there.

+ entry title from Aerosmith

Mission: put my money where my mouth is

I mentioned a situation, then I had to solve it. I found a solution, but I had to pay for it, though I'll get re-imbursed for it. Huh. I wonder how often I'll find "solutions".

Y not

Thomas and Lois might, just might, make a habit of going to the YMCA more often in the week. They seem invigorated and livelier when they are done. Being healthier too, as a side benefit, isn't too shabby either.

Got their bags

Thomas and Lois headed off for the YMCA today, after months of absence. As foreboding or as a test of their comittment, a storm raged full mostly of wind -- cursing their travels. Stallwarts as they were, they weathered the storm to make it to the YMCA. There, Lois usually does water aerobics, but with her leg spot (cancer removed), she isn't to be in water for long periods of time until it is better healed. Explain her long showers ...
anyway, Thomas got a chance to go to the golf dome and hit balls. He's aching to really golf, you know ... on a course, with flags, fairways, and all of that stuff there.

story teller, based on fact

I spoke with the manager who is supposed to register me for a class, then generally are 10-3 on the day they are run. This just about puts me out of doing that and going to work. I could, in theory, do the class then drive up and start work from like 4 "ish" to close. Now that, ladies and gentleman, would be a long friggin' day!

I was reading over the book. The "testing", as the manager put it, will be for me to verbally recall the sections, in mostly their entirety answering all of the questions in the book, and then able to verbally answer the panel's other questions. This is for step one of many hurdles. There is a lot to remember, thankfully I don't think some parts are on later tests.

I looked over it all and it appears to me that I'll be telling the "Illiad" and at the end, be open for questions.

Curtains down, trellis up

The curtains came down today to make way for painting. The painting hasn't started.

The trellis in the front was blown down in the Winter. This is the first time that we had a chance to fix it. After a small investment of parts -- up again it is. The thick growth on it, mixed with an old robin's nest didn't help it stay up either. The back was a mess with sticks -- so, we picked up those as well.

The curtains cost $54 to clean. Oi! I guess I'd need to know what the cost is on other things to be cleaned.

Played out

Ah, dear Charlie called me for he had not seen me in a long time.
"... needs a new job", for I work hours that eliminate me from playtime with him.

Charlie wanted to play the 'spinny' "where you do this ... and that" game. Twister, with Keith and myself, Charlie especially. The two dogs didn't really want to be stuck on the sofa. They are, after all, children with thicker hair. They needed to play too.

Marcus got a chance to help Keith, here, to move a sofa in place of another one. Charlie didn't take well to the change. In happier news, they found where they would like to send him for Kindergarten -- a Montesourri school.

I included this in the family blog because my good buddy Charlie always thinks of me.

........

Thomas and Lois went out on Monday to get some things from Menards. They mistakenly left them in the van, but Marcus retrieved them when they remembered. Otherwise, they had an alright day. Lois is tired of being tired all the time, but declines coffee that I could make her -- keeping her lively for hours if need be.

positively work

There's a woman at work who is diabetic. She has to administer shots to herself while at work. She does it in the arm, bruising easily. After I mentioned that Lois does this, but in the abdomen, this woman rebuffed the idea of stomach shots for the same reason -- bruising. At least she's pro-active with it and taking it seriously!

I was asked yet another question about the volumes of stuff I was to read and remember. What does this weigh? Uh ... I don't know. The SATs were simple, these tests, whenever I get them, will be grueling, for sure. I'm not nervous or worried, but there is a fartload of stuff that they want me to have committed to memory.

It was funny, I was "attempting" to direct people at work, but it got busy, always and we ran behind. A shift leader, previously an assistant manager before he left the company then returned, noted the volume of business that we did over projected. We were short-staffed and had our butts handed to us. I mentioned on my personal blog about my disappointment with placement and use of personnel. Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in the heads of people. One manager, in particular, tends to send off people during a fifteen minute lull, only see to business surge like a tsunami. For this reason, I consider him quite a fool regarding staffing. Granted, the one guy he sent home was, well, not imbibed with strong work ethics ... sloth-like speed at times, mixed with tendencies toward chatting-in-lieu-of-working and eating the buffet discards (food pulled off buffet that is okay, not on some one's plate), but still. The kid, who might have been selectively placed (special needs person with some limitations regarding cognition) called me, Speedy Gonzales, for dishes can be done fast -- unlike what he shows.

I got freed 25 minutes early, for lack of business ... they had no choice but to drop people -- they kept only the closers. I drove in the evening setting sun and saw around ten wild deer in different fields. There were four in one field, and a couple in another, etc. I'm assuming they had an easy winter, yet again this year.

Cards, spelled W-I-N

Thomas and Lois hosted cards on Friday with friends. Friends and Thomas and Lois rotate houses where it is held. The boys won two or three in a row, but the girls won big twice; 'smack down'! They all had fun, but the guys can't pull a win for anything. Perhaps next, cheating will be used.

I was asked if I knew some background

on the company ... it would be "good for me to know". Ah, I thought it more like filler, but apparently, I should know more stuff. Fun, fun, fun. I don't mind learning, but some of that is inapplicable. "Goes to motive, your honor". "Very well then, procceed."

Unremarkable journey

This is my 50 mile trek. Thank God, truly, for my tiny fuel efficient car.

This is the town where I work. Actually, there are two towns butted against each other. I work somewhere between the two lakes at the top. If only I got out to see them.

This is where I will likely move for 6 months to cut on my travel time. I am not moving there yet. I'm going to kill some debt first, then worry about it. After training, I think I might be placed near Indy, so ... why get a commitment here when I'm not going to be placed here?

From work, with hope

Attache, complete with work and stuff to read ... much of it due Monday. Read 'em and weep!

Postal

Marcus took a postal exam today. The toughest part of it was, "memorize all of this ..." Although there wasn't much to memorize, there was no clear way for me to do a good job or memorizing it. The rest of the test was okay. I don't know how well I did. I will, apparently find out in 4-6 weeks.

Marcus also got a professional-looking attache with study materials for work. He already read one book and will finsih the other tonight. They are thankfully short books, the "motivational" kind of 'do, succeed, rah, rah, rah'. I'm quite happy they are not sell, sell, sell ... your soul, your house ... stuff that doesn't belong to you... be the salesperson of the millenium.

Thomas

I mentioned that Thomas went to the dermatologist. Well, he had some stuff burnt off of him. Nothing serious. He outright refuses to enter anything into the blog, so ... if things are wrong or inflammatory ... oh, well, what the H-E-double hockey sticks.

Ready for Reddy

Lois returned from the cardiologist today with a good report. My heart rate was a little low, so they may remove one medicine or reduce it. She may also, eventually, get off coumadin. Sweet, doubled.

2 out of 3 ain't bad

"I want you (painted); I need you (painted); but there ain't way in the world I can finish you (this week). Now don't be sad, cuz two out of three ain't bad. Nah, two out of three ain't bad." + The harder parts are coming up, over-filled closet and bookcase of old books.

I have not yet heard whether the curtains were finished and what phenomenal price there is for cleaning.

+ Okay, so it isn't truly Meatloaf, but 3.2 of the walls are finished and the ceiling is done in the larger room -- living room, c/o Thomas

Dermotologist

Thomas went to the dermatologist.

cat and dog living together

The Orozcos have two pets -- a cat and a dog. The dog, a stubborn puppy mutt of tremendous cuteness and softness, found his world shattered with the kitten. According to Lois, the kitten of seven months is in heat and was howling to go out to mate with the males that could smell her. I hope that she gets fixed, as the kitten doesn't need kittens of her own. The house doesn't need thousands of kittens, which would happen.

more visit

While in Indy, Thomas and Lois got a chance to eat with Beth. It went well. I, a third party, am writing this. I hope that Thomas edits this and the previous post to better tell the story. Beth is hoping that her car will last another year -- yes, we all hope for another year. Let's hope it's not $50 here and $100 there.

Better now

Debbie -- recovering from hospital visit. She is doing well, according to Thomas and Lois, and returned home to a house of sickly kids. The family had a series of appliances take nose-dives into hades -- dying. Well, they bought a new washer, dishwater, and another appliance. Hopefully, these new and not "contractor grade" appliance will take a licking and keep on ticking.

I dare say that Debbie having so many heavy items to move, will undoubtedly have trouble. Enough said on that.

Thomas and Lois got a chance to see Blanche and Tony. Tony, Anthony Sr., allowed his natural gray to show, and developed a beard. Blanche had orthoscopic joint surgery. She is walking with pain still. The doctor's stated that she would likely need the knee (s) replaced around two years.

Let us pray and hope that we all have a healthier year!

Marcus was working on the weekend ... as he always does. He was working through the week -- as he always does. His one day off was spent getting a car fixed, being late to a second interview, but having the highlight of meeting up with an old chum. Marcus has now, more interested parties in him -- for whatever reason. So far, no offers, but maybe soon. Marcus would have to consider the earning potential and hours. Marcus' biggest disappointment with his work is smoking everywhere. Bleh! Headache ---nausea, watery eyes.

Debbie

Beth emailed me. Thomas called her. Debbie, at the time of this writing, was okay. She was supposed to be discharged sometime today.

God's speed, willing, love and mercy. Debbie will be home, safe, well and pestered by a cat named Secret, and a stubborn puppy Toby.

The Wait

Hmmm, I'm here in FW and my sister and family are in Indy ... sister having surgery. I don't know squat, so here, I sit.

I don't like waiting and prefer knowledge over ignorance, so I sit ... ignorant, waiting, grotesquely unhappy.

Guns 'N' Roses' "Patience" will not quiet my need to know ... as my mind wanders.
God has a plan and I'm arrogant enough to want to know it. It's on a need to know basis and I don't need to know. That doesn't sit well with me.

Debbie, sister "Doodie" as I called you -- she who had been a placebo brother to me ... may your surgery go well, smoothly, time is not a factor.

and they're off

Thomas and Lois went to Indy (Westfield) to be with the Orozco's during Debbie's surgery. Thomas really helped out with transportation for Marcus' interview and car heck. Anyway ... they packed up, Lois naughtily packing the car, possibly making her back and knees worse. Shame, shame, shame!

Father got his replacement modem. There were doubts ... hints and allegations, but it works. I helped Thomas by crawling under the desk to put on wires ... click, pop, flash. "Like a jackrabbit on a date, I was finished in a flash." + I turned on the computer and fizzz, chirp, chatter ...

regretably AOL ... Thomas had internet and email again
DSL, as Thomas has decided, finishes dial-up ... completely. He'd never go back.

+ Christmas Story

Marcus' busy day

My car doesn't need a $100 fix ... it's more like $300 - $500 at a different auto shop. Here is my tale.

I took the thing to Midas ... it was going to be $100, but no ... nothing so simple or cheap. They called back with $577, then $800 some for "all that we see that's wrong". Finally they stated, "we could do bare minimum for $177, but you'd need work soon after." I called another place, they were going to get a quote for me ... wait, hey time's awastin ' and I have a second interview today people! So, after 30 minutes of waiting, I called them ... computer wasn't showing prices. Finally, the guy guessed at $200. That's cool! Now, I have to drive over to Midas, get my car again, then drop it off, get another car and go to interview.

I wait ... car is on rack, lofted, at Midas. Midas gold touch nothing ... they charge platinum prices. Anyway, after waiting 20 minutes for them to release my car, I drive the bad brakes car to a shop ... there, I drop it off. They guessed that it might be until Thursday until it's done. Thankfully, I have access to another car (Thomas' van).

I am late to my second interview. I expected the guy to flat out turn down my attempts, but he let me come in and did the second interview. I did a personality profile and vocab test. He said that when he crunches the numbers, he'll call me again.

Curse my short run of bad luck, but ...

I did finish the interview, so maybe I should stop criping. Yeah, I'll do that! Thanks God ... always with me, despite my doubts otherwise.

Weekend update

Thomas and Lois went to church on Saturday for a special meeting. They had in attendance, all church members who have been married for 45 years or longer. Bravo! Thomas will finally have to write about this. Thomas will have to write about it, because I was not there.

Lois is still tired, but doctor's visits are on the back burner next week. Thomas and Lois are going to Indy to be with Debbie during her surgery. As she tends, like Thomas, to be a surgical bleeder, it might be a long time. She is there to work on more adhesions. I hope this time the surgery about ends this series of more surgeries..

Thomas got a chance to paint a bit more, but far more importantly -- golf! Lois went with Thomas to Barnes & Noble to buy a couple of books. Lois was seeking a PDR (Physician's Desk Reference). The newest is $95, but some are cheaper. The print is generally tiny, and the internet is more up to date, but Lois doesn't use that. So, they bought a book. Lois also wanted a large print bible. She has one, but there was a debate about it.

Thomas purposed that the print, as large as it was, was large print. Lois contested. I contested on the basis that it was annotated and the notes were in smaller print. I also argued that the book itself didn't have "LARGE PRINT" on it. Thomas copied pages from the book and took them in with him. Upon review, the "Large Print" were labeled only on the paper cover, not the book itself. How stupid is that? He was right, the bible Lois has is Large Print, but it still isn't as large as she'd want it.

She got new glasses that are clear, fixed, and the frames are not bent. She finds them to be a blessing.

In eight days, Thomas goes to the doctor for a check on his ever-itchy back. I believe that they will do nothing, but look and set up another appointment for him. Great.

Thomas has KLUB (engineer's club) on Monday, so Marcus has decided to bring pizza to Lois, so that they can eat. The pizza will have the one item Thomas detests ... anchovies.

As of this writing, Thomas is still not online, as his DSL modem died. He called Verizon and they agreed that it was dead. They are sending another one -- poke, poke, poke ... via tectonic plates or I mean regular postal service, which is terribly slow.

Thomas and Marcus have yet one more big chore for the living room --- the wicked doll cabinet. Two legs with casters came off, so they will have to move the thing -- heavy as it is filled, then carefully place the gluey pegs into position. Joy of joys. I guess, in one respect, it is nice that the legs are from one side, not diagonal of each other.

Marcus turned in lots of applications and resume's before getting where he is right now. Primarily because of the smoking in the area where he works, he would consider leaving this potentially right job for a different one. He had an interview on Friday that went well. He has a second one on Tuesday with the same place. The place is in town -- short drive. The following Thursday, if he gets off, he has a test for yet another job. Marcus figures that the last job, while he has a slim chance of getting it, may be something he wouldn't want anyway, but ... options are always better than no options at all.

Week 3

I was supposed to get study guides for a test. I am to have an oral test on what I know and what I shoudl know for work. There are these little tests at every step so that I have proven my knowledge base to later teach it. My drive tonight was bad halfway. The rain was heavy and there was fog. Nearing the end of my trip the fog lifted and the rain lessened. It got better.

Thomas told me that his modem wasn't working.
I'll buy that (for a dollar)! There was an error code, red flashing power then green power ... repeated. If I had the book, I'd know what it was signaling. The PC found no errors ... wow, surprising. The modem does not work. It was a cheap piece of schinola when he got it. It was itffy after opening. He hopes to get another one tomorrow. He also hopes to paint.

Beth

Beth had this same surgery and it turned out well. I didn't mean to slight Beth at all in my cheering! She has also entered into programming, so maybe that will turn out to something.

Diane

Diane had surgery today. I was at work, of course, but Jim, Jessica, Thomas, Lois were there. The surgery turned out fine and she was not dizzy immediately afterward. She's "fixed" as it were. Yee-ha! Well, now that her hearing and balance are better, we may not want to shout.

Yeah!