Happenings

I know that it has been awhile since I took fingers to keyboard.  A lot has been going on.

My husband, who has been out of work since January, finally was offered a contract job in Orlando, Florida.  He's been gone a couple of weeks now and it could go on for a year.  It's a good thing though as under the contract, he gets paid an hourly wage and there is open opportunity for O.T.  Right now he is staying with friends that we have known for over 40 years, who, at this point, are not asking him for any payment for allowing him to stay there.  I am sure this will change as time goes by - no one wants a permanent house guest!

So, I am now having to tackle all matters with the house.  I thought (foolishly) that it wouldn't be a problem as, after all, I lived a very single, independent live for over 15 years before Bill came back into my life.  What could be so difficult this time?

I go out one morning and there is water all over the back patio and into the backyard.  A leak has developed in the sprinkler system, which I now have to turn off.  We've had leaks before and Bill has always dug them up and fixed the system.  I do not know how to do this, not do I think that I would want to, even if I did know.  Time to call our resident sprinkle system guy to come over to fix it.  He is scheduled to show up on Monday, which I have taken as a vacation day from work.

We have a very small patch of grass in the backyard.  Keep in mind that we live in the desert and having grass requires a lot of work.  It is Bill's pride and joy (besides the dog) as he has worked very hard to get it to grow and be very green.  It was time to mow it this week - something that Bill normally does every week, but I thought I could let it go for two weeks.  So I get out the mower (electric) and start mowing...  no problem.  Then I realize that the mower seems bogged down and leaving clumps of grass in it's wake.  Aha!  Time to empty the basket.  Easy, right?  Not so fast.  I struggle with getting the basket off.  It doesn't budge.  I keep struggling.  Nope.  I call Bill and ask him what am I doing wrong?  I follow his instructions (which is exactly what I was doing before I called him).  Still no go.  I give up.  Finnish the mowing, leaving clumps of grass all over the place including the path back to the garage where the mower is housed.

Hopeful that Juan (the sprinkler guy) can get the basket off when he shows up, if he shows up...  Juan is a nice guy, but not so dependable.  While he says he will be here today, I follow up with a phone call to remind him.  He says "You no worry Missy, I be there later."  In Juan's world, "later" could mean tomorrow or the day after.  Good thing I have experience with time schedules like this from having lived in Mexico.

Ah...  The joys of owning a house!