The Great Hair Clipper Chase

Hello,

About two or three months ago I bought hair clippers that were a bargain price of $10. This marvelous machine has several possibilities of length of hair as well as being cordless. The first time it was used it seemed to be fine. But after just two uses it became weak and needed to be recharged. The next time I used it to cut Leroy’s hair, there were many hairs that did not get cut, requiring much more time to get them to a good length. Leroy also uses this machine to trim his beard. When he used it about the fourth or fifth time it protested loudly. He managed to take it apart a bit and clean it out as well as oil it. It was determined, by the user, after an additional usage with missing long hair that a new one was in order.

The problem is that we had a clipper we bought ten years ago which we liked very much. We mourned its passing. Unfortunately they are no longer available. Yesterday I got some serious searching done both in stores and on line. Today Leroy decided that he would like to look at them in the stores. We found one in the first store that we had seen online. It had received good reviews. It was purchased with the idea that we would go to another store and check out their supply. At the second store we found one that was a bit more expensive, but could be used corded or cordless. It was also set up to be used internationally. “Would you take this when you travel?” I asked incredulously.

“No, probably not, but I still think about doing some short term mission trips of three months or so. Then it would be nice to have.” Leroy stated.

We are now the proud owners of three hair clippers; one that does not work very well and two that are still in the boxes. The last purchased, multi use item will be the keeper. I suppose the first, poorly operating, one did earn its keep as we used it for at least six haircuts and it only cost $10.

Paula

Taxes are Done

Hello,

We are pleased that our taxes are done. It is nice not to consider  them for another year. We increased our withholding significantly so we are only paying a little to the federal and getting a small refund from the state. That is nice, even though I was prepared mentally to pay a big bill if needed as happened for the last two years. I just hope that all of these taxes are used in the best possible way to help people with a variety of issues. It is a privilege to be able to share with others. Sometimes we only look at taxes as something taken from us rather than helping. Certainly it allows our government to function even if we disagree with some of the possibilities.

For reasons unknown to me I believe that my body sags more than it used to. The real question is: Is this a mental state or a physical one? I frequently catch myself leaning on my elbow. Back in middle school I would lean on my elbow so much that I got bursitis. Something else I have noticed is that Leroy seems to be taller than he was in just the recent past. Does that mean he is stretching up or that I am shrinking down? Perhaps it would help if I could hang by my heels and stretch out more.

I would like some warmer weather on my day off so I could divide and transplant my violet that shows three clear plants in one pot. Could dividing make it feel inspired to bloom?

Last night the guy who spoke at our neighborhood meeting was a patron of the Ely Library. We both thought we should know each other. He brought it up and we did a little sleuthing before coming up with the answer. I am not sure why I find it harder to recognize people when they are not in the place that I interact with them. Memory must tie to a place, making them a mystery when seen elsewhere.

Paula

Flower Beauty

Hello,

The pink Christmas cactus is still blooming with five open blossoms and four more to come. The white plant has four buds coming, but they are a bit slow growing. Then the cyclamen has at least five open flowers with four or more to come.  The poinsettias are all displaying plenty of red leaves even though a few have fallen. The two impatient plants with one being white and one pink have not stopped sharing their wealth. I look at this beauty every day and it lifts my spirits.

Leroy rode the bike to work with the temperature outside at 22 degrees F. This afternoon it is in the low fifties. Just how comfortable will he be with that heavy coat, hat, and gloves? At this time of year it is a challenge to be dressed just right for all possibilities.

Me? It is much easier since I just get in the car which is insulated against all possible variations in the weather. Plus I can causally toss my too warm items on the seat where I do not need to think about them until I arrive at my destination. I try to remember to take them with me. We car users are so spoiled and seldom think about others who have to deal with all sorts of possibilities and changes in the daily weather scene.

Paula

Friends and Food

Hello,

I just noticed that I have over 200 friends on that social media site. How did this happen for an introvert who does not make friends easily? I suppose one of the biggest reasons is that we have moved so many times, increasing the number of people that I know. In any new place I am forced to meet new people. Those new people then become acquaintances and some become dear friends. Had I not moved for most of my life I would have just been happy to keep the same friends for years. As it is I have been forced to expand my circles. I believe this to have been a good thing. There are some people who have over a 1000 friends on social media. I can barely wrap my brain around such an idea. I guess I know 1000 people, but I have never counted.

The food I want to talk about is what was on the cruise. I am almost a vegetarian and I seldom eat sweets. Most of the food was aimed at meat eaters and sweet eaters. So we were told, most people gain a pound a day when they are on a cruise. I did not gain a pound. I believe that I lost five pounds. There was some good food for me to eat, but I had to search it out. One large gap for me was that I eat nuts and fruits for my snacks. The snacks provided in our rooms were candy and sweetened drinks. After the second or third day I did find some nuts. Now I know that I should have stocked up on them and taken them back to the room so I could indulge later. There was fresh fruit for breakfast and some fruit salad for meals.

I had taken a bag that had nuts and dried fruit in it. Unfortunately I asked Leroy to work on that before we left. His equation of nuts to fruits is quite different than mine. I felt there were almost no nuts and too much fruit. Consequently I did not gain any weight. Another factor would probably be the amount of walking. I believe that I walked well over 10000 steps each day so that surely took off some energy that was needed to keep going.

Paula

No Voice Talking to Me

Hello,

I just figured out how to get rid of the voice that wants a yes or no answer to whether or not I want to look at the text message on my phone. Now the real deal will be that I do not accidently set it up again and not know how to eliminate it once more. Technology is just full of circles that I run around and around on creating spiraling blood pressure and annoyance. If I could just remember what button I pushed life would be simple. Those old people back in the day, did not know how easy life was when one had to merely plug it in to have it work as expected.

Leroy mentioned that there was a little free library across the street from the church and would I like to take some of the extra books that I have from my grant. I said, “Yes, that would be great. I did not know a about that one and did not put any in there before.”

We headed to church with eleven books to drop off if there was room. If not enough room, one of the congregation members has a library in her yard and I could give the remainder to her.

Wow! Only three books were in this library so all eleven would fit with ease. Now I just have thirteen more to distribute and that will be a finished project. I checked the one close to our house and it is still lying on the ground. I suppose spring must be a little fuller in evidence before they can get it back upright.

I had felt a little embarrassed to still have these books in my house. I had some trouble finding the libraries as two of them were gone. Also this year I was able to get almost twice as many books for the same amount of money. Nice to have more to share, but then I needed more not fewer places to distribute them.

The person in the congregation did comment that the new books I had put in moved very quickly. I had asked if her library needed some more books. She also commented that she made some kids she knew, read the books and put them back so others can share in the reading wealth. What a deal for all!

Paula

Phones and Batteries

Hello,

I needed more time on my phone as it was expiring in three days. For some reason I cannot do it on line because I do not know my password or pin. I was grumbling because I could not get it done. Leroy suggested that I do an online chat as that is quick. That moved along nicely until they wanted me to reply 1 to the question did I want it on this phone or 2 if on a different phone. For some unknown reason,  it would not let me put in a 1, only the symbols that are behind the one. I was yelling by this time. Each time I get a text message on the phone I am to answer some strange female voice that wants to know if I want to receive the message. Irritatingly it does not understand my yes so I cannot see it until I get out of there and go back in. More yelling, “Yes, Yes, Yes!” spewed out of my mouth.

Leroy informed me, “You have just totally lost it.”

Finally I called the phone number on the website and was able to add the time with minimal difficulty. I made a clear note so next year I will not have to go through this same annoying process. Will that work?

My Fitbit battery was low so I bought a two pack yesterday while out and about. The new battery did not work even though I/we put it in using each direction as a possibility. I even went on line in my still irritated state and found a video about putting in the new battery. We had done everything correctly just as I had remembered doing it before. Finally Leroy suggested that I try the other battery. The new one works. Has anyone ever had such a thing happen? One good battery and one dead battery in a new package, how can that be? It is so locked in that I had to use a strong scissors to get it out of there. Surely no one could tamper with it. Can I get my money back from the store or do I contact the battery company? My mood went up as I looked out at the sun and trees. Otherwise it was quite low and threatening to stay there for some time.

Paula

Leroy's Health

Hello,

Leroy just called to let me know that he has to have a squamous cell carcinoma removed. It had appeared, on his leg, close to the one he had before. For some reason both of us thought that it was not going to be a problem so Leroy is a bit annoyed. I am just happy that the Dr. thought it was enough of an abnormality to get a biopsy of it. The day after Easter is when the appointment is set.

Otherwise Leroy is in quite good health. He just got a new life insurance policy. He was able to get the best possible rating for his age because of his excellent health condition. We both got some long term health insurance. He also got a good rating for that, but I just got the standard rating. It is a bit annoying to me since I have always considered myself in better shape than he is. Course I tell him that if he were not married to me he would not be so well off. He never argues with that statement.

I need to get out and exercise more. I do some, but not consistently every day. Leroy is able to go to work by walking or riding his bike and that puts him in the upper level of activity. Unfortunately I need to drive to work most days, since it is 12 miles one way.

Leroy is talking about putting out some lettuce seed. I brought some home, but heard on the radio that we should perhaps wait until the end of March as the ground can be still frozen in many places. Perhaps here at the house it is warmer and we could cover it with a protective window or something. I would like some greens from the earth soon. The winter onions have a little bit of green color on them. Others have told me they have seen parsley looking green. Spring is coming.

Paula