Day 809

We got up about 8:30.  After pet stuff and breakfast we went to the apartment.  John and Melissa had a laundry list of things for me to buy.  So I got in the truck and headed for Lowe's.

I managed to find all of the things that they wanted ate Lowe's except two pieces that they needed to finish the water filter faucet.  I should have bought a washer to fabricate one, but like an idiot lI forgot to.

I took the rest of the stuff home.  They couldn't do much without the washer, so I left for Dripping Springs shortly.  When I got back, I modified the washer.  Then I freed up a stuck nut that was keeping them from installing the faucet.  After that they managed to get it installed.  They also put all of the kitchen stuff back together.

Between my shopping and the work on installing the sink, faucets, and drains no flooring got done today.  The good news is that the shower door works well.  The kitchen counter is complete except for the filter faucet, which needs the parts I couldn't find.  When it is done the kitchen remodel will be done and we can start on the floor.  The kitchen looks really nice.

While they were working on finishing the sink, I put together the microwave cart that came today.  It looks great, and fits the microwave and toaster oven perfectly.

We called it quits after that.  Dinner was "finish off all of the leftover dishes that are in the refrigerator".  We were pretty successful.

After dinner was talking, football, and some movies (Jurassic Park).  They really like how things look on the new TV.

Day 808

We didn't get an early start.  It was after 9 by the time we had done pet stuff and had breakfast.  Then we went to the apartment.  I finished installing the shower door.  It came out nice if I say so myself.

When we got to the apartment John and Melissa were just finishing up positioning the kitchen cabinets.  They attached the cabinets to the wall, and then John and I put the counter top on.  It fit perfectly.  Then they attached it to the cabinets.

I was still working on the shower door while this was going on.  I finished as John started cutting the hole for the sink.  He was hampered by not being able to use the jig saw on the back of the cut.  It also had to be done with great precision.  He ended up trying to use his multi-tool to do the back.  It didn't work well because the blade was dull.

At that point it was after noon and sunny and warm.  We called a halt and took the dogs with us to lunch.  After lunch we went to Zilker.  Most of the park is still blocked off for the light show.  We walked through the part that was open and then went across the bridge.  The dogs had a good time.

On the way back we stopped at Trader's Joe's.  Then we parted ways.  They went to Costco and we went to Home Depot.  We bought a new blade for the multi-tool and a shelf for the bathroom (Melissa said she really needed one).

When we got home I installed the shelf.  John used the new blade to finish cutting the sink hole.  The sink fits perfectly.

After that we had dinner - sandwiches made from left overs.  Then we watched football.

Day 807

We woke up at 7:30 this morning, but we didn't get up until 8:30.  After pet stuff and breakfast we went to the apartment.  John and Melissa weren't there - they went to HEB.  I marked the center line for putting up the other shower frame rail.  Then I remembered that I needed to go buy some paneling for the kitchen.  John and Melissa came home just as I was leaving.

When I got back John, Melissa, and Ellen started putting up the paneling.  I got the frame rail ready.  Then John helped me get it attached.  When we were done it was obvious that we needed something to fill in the gap at the bottom.  I retrieved the old frame bottom.  I cleaned it all up and cut it so we could use it with the new frame.

While I was doing that the others finished up the paneling.  Then it was time for lunch.

After lunch it was pretty much a one man show.  We stood around while John measured for the new counter top and cut it.  Then we placed the cabinets back.  That's when we discovered that the new paneling meant they didn't fit.  John had to cut some of it out.  After that everything fit perfectly.

By then it was after 5.  So we left it at that.  Tomorrow John and Melissa have to make a mod to the cabinets and then it will be time to put the counter on.  Then it will be time to put in the new sink.  At the same time I'll probably work on completing the shower door.

The evening was a lot more talking and some TV.  Melissa went home early and John and I fell asleep watching TV.

Day 806

We slept in a little today.  We didn't here Daniel leave at 5.  We got up a little after 8 and did the pet stuff and breakfast.  After breakfast we went over to the apartment.

John and Melissa were hard at work pulling apart the kitchen cabinets.  We did a little planning, and then Ellen, Melissa, and I went on a shopping trip.

We stopped at Lowe's and bought a kitchen faucet and a counter top.  We also bought a few miscellaneous items.  Then we went to Home Depot and bought a kitchen sink, some backing board, and a shower door.  The next stop was Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a microwave cart.  We didn't like it so we didn't buy it.  The last stop was the post office.

When we got home we had a really late lunch and then went to work.  Ellen and Melissa started attaching the backer board with John's help.  I removed the old shower door frame and started installing the new one.  John came in to help.  It turned out to be somewhat of a pain to install the frame in a way that would cover the old installation's holes.  The confusing instructions didn't help.

Everyone quit at 5:45.  John and I have half the frame installed.  Ellen and Melissa have the backer installed.  We all decided that the toilet needs replacing - mission creep.

The evening was a good dinner (Mahi-Mahi burgers) and a couple of hours of conversation.  Then John and I watched Michigan State destroy Washington State.

Day 805

We kind of slept in today.  I'm not sure exactly how long.  It was pet stuff and breakfast when we got up.  After awhile John and Melissa showed up.  We talked for awhile and then went to the apartment.

The consensus was that the floor in the small bedroom was settled.  Ellen and Melissa did the final touch up of the floor moldings.  Daniel surfed and so did I.  They decided that they wanted to go shooting, so after lunch I got out guns and ammunition.

We went to Red's, but it was packed.  There were 5 to 8 people and the firing line was standing room only.  So we went to the range.  We rented two adjacent lanes.  We shot three 9mm pistols and a .22.  We shot the .22 with a suppressor.  We also shot Ellen's AR.  Daniel is a really good pistol shot, and that's the first time he's ever shot a pistol.

It wasn't really late when we got home.  The paint was dry in the small bedroom, so we moved everything back in there.  We also moved the stuff out of the kitchen.  Somehow we decided to redo the kitchen counter top.  So we started making a list of things to buy.  John started doing the demo.

We had a left over specials dinner - everything left over from the last few days.  It was really good.

After dinner we watched TV.  Daniel leaves at 5:00 tomorrow.

Day 804

I was planning on sleeping in today, but ended up getting up a little after 8.  There wasn't much reason to, because after pet stuff and breakfast all we did was surf.  John and Melissa showed up and we talked and surfed until after lunch.

We decided then to split up and do errands.  John and Melissa went to Costco for water and various other foodstuffs.  We went to Walgreen's for drugs, the vet for water, the yuppie grocery for shrimp (they didn't have any - but we got Melissa a birthday cake), the doggie bakery for a Lucy treat, and the post office.

The post office pissed me off.  There were three package slips in the box.  The lady at the window (she was a temp) could only find two and told me "that's all there is".  Of course that was bullshit.  I couldn't remember my email password, so I had to go all the way home to find the tracking number for the other package.  I found it and drove back to the post office.  The regular lady was back and she found the package.

Two of the packages contained the gun parts for John.  We're ready to assemble them, but he and Melissa are big into installing flooring.  So they just sat here for the rest of the day.

John and Melissa went out for dinner.  We ate at home with Daniel.  The evening was watching sports and poker.

Day 803

We slept in a little today and got up at 8.  We did the pet stuff.  John and Melissa showed up just as we finished.  Ellen fixed everyone breakfast - pancakes and bacon.  After breakfast we talked for quite awhile.  Eventually the conversation evolved into everyone surfing on various devices.

That's how most of the time from 11 to 3 passed.  Then we had Christmas dinner - crab legs and prime rib.  After dinner it was more conversation.  Finally we remembered to open our presents.  I think everyone was pleased with what they got.  I was - lots of Minions stuff, a pocket knife, and some really cool Civil ward bullets picked up from a battlefield.

After presents it was time to watch football.  John and Melissa went back to the apartment.

All in all it was a nice relaxing day.

Day 802

We got up at 7:15 today.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went over to the apartment at about 8.  I got John and we went to Home Depot in Dripping Springs.  We picked up 16 more boxes of flooring and a pack of floor molding.  We also got a couple of miscellaneous items.

When we got home Ellen and Melissa painted the molding out in the yard.  John worked on cutting flooring and I surfed.  When the painting was finished we went to Lucy's for fried chicken.  The chicken gained John's seal of approval, so I guess it's good.

After the chicken we drove over to Trader Joe's.  John and Melissa bought a bunch of wine.  We bought a couple of things.  The final stop was Circle C to walk the dogs.

John had said they were going to relax when we got home.  So Ellen, Daniel, and I went to the house and surfed and watched football.  John and Melissa went to the apartment.  Apparently they did some more work.  After an hour or two they showed up and watched football, too.

After dinner we watched TV and talked.

Day 801

We got up about 8 today, then pet stuff and breakfast.  After a little bit of surfing I went out to the garage to fix the furniture cart.  The job went as planned except for me having to cut off the ends of the bolts holding the new wheels on.  I had to do that because they were interfering with the wheels turning.

While I was dong that John and Melissa were measuring out how to start the flooring in the small bedroom.  I didn't want to get involved in that.  So I went back to the house and inventoried all of the stuff that's come in from the Black Friday sales.  I finished that up just as everyone came in for lunch.

After lunch we took Daniel to Capitol City.  This is about the only day available.  The weather was great - sunny and mid 50's.  Daniel shot really well.  We shot the 6 station executive course and then 5 stations of the championship course.  He was really tired by the time we were done.  After we were done Lucy did 32 retrieves.  She was loving it.

On a side note, the traffic on 183 was the lightest I've ever seen.

When we got home John and Melissa were just finishing up the flooring in the small bedroom.  The next step is to replace the molding.  We'll have to buy some tomorrow.

I took the dog to the mailbox and then we had dinner.  We were going to go to Home Depot afterwards, but we ended up talking instead.

In the evening John and I watched Lethal Weapon movies.  Ellen and Daniel talked shotgun shooting.  Issac called from New Zealand and we all talked to him.

John went home about 10.  We spent some time showing Daniel shooting videos and then went to bed.

Day 800

We got up at 8:15 today and did pet stuff and breakfast.  After a little surfing I went out to the garage and started cleaning it up so we could stack furniture there.  John came out and when I was finished we started moving everything out of the small bedroom. 

We had to move all of the ammo out by hand because the small cart broke.  We also had to take the bunk beds all the way apart.  It took until about noon to get it all done.

After lunch John and Melissa sat in the house and watched youtube video on how to install the flooring.  When they were finished John and I went to Lowe's and Home Depot to buy supplies and tools.  We also stopped at the post office and HEB (for beer).

I was tired when we got back.  My back hurt, too.  So I went to the house, took pills, and made myself a drink.  John and Melissa started tearing the molding off of the small bedroom.  I watched TV and surfed.  I also took the dog to the mailbox.

John and Melissa came back about six and we had dinner.  After dinner we watched the premier Christmas movie of all time - Die Hard.

When the movie was over we watered the cats (we didn't yesterday) and then watched TV until bed time.

Day 799

We were up at 7:30 this morning.  After pet stuff and breakfast we surfed.  No one else was up.  After about an hour John and Melissa came over and Ellen fixed then and Daniel breakfast.

After breakfast we took the dogs to Circle C.  We took both cars.  After waling around the park John, Melissa, and Daniel went off to do some banking.  We went to HEB and the pet store to buy cat food.  We decided to go to Doc's backyard and called Melissa to invite them.  It turned out they had to go downtown to do the banking.  So we ate alone.

After we were done we called them again.  They were finished downtown and came to Doc's for a late lunch.  We sat and drank beer for quite awhile.

We got home after three.  Everyone surfed until 5 when it was time to go to the light show.  I let the GPS take us on a slightly round about way to get there.  It was a mistake.  We went on slow surface streets, some of which had rush hour traffic.  We also had to wait for a jam caused by an accident.  We were lucky.  We were the last people they let through before closing the road.  I bet the person behind us was pissed.

We managed to get to the front gate 2 minutes before opening.  They had roach coaches there and we ate Thai food.  There were an amazing number of light displays.  Some of them had clever designs, others had clever animation.  The high point for me was getting to walk about a quarter of a mile on the actual racetrack.  It's made of this really rough surface which must give really great traction.

We stayed there for about 2.5 hours.  Then we went over and watched the kart track they have.  I think we'll be going back to race there.

We went home a much quicker way.  When we got home everyone went to bed.

Day 798

We didn't get up until 8:15 today.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.  After a little surfing I went out to the garage to finish the antenna install.  I connected the antenna to the mast and aimed it in the approximate direction that the house antenna points in.  Then I put sealant on all of the holes.

I went inside with John and connected the TV.  He ran a program operation and it picked up 50 channels.  He was happy.

After that he and Melissa came over to the house.  We had lunch and talked a little.  Then they went to the airport to pick up Daniel.  We went to Sam's club to get some corn bread and a packaged dinner.  Traffic was murder.

The next stop was the post office.  The last stop was HEB.  We bought $100 worth of groceries for future reference.

They got home before we did.  Ellen went over to the apartment while I put everything away.  She came back and announced that we needed to go get the flooring.  I'd told her to get it delivered, but apparently that's not an option.  She grabbed the keys to the truck and said she'd go pick it up.  I had to chase her to the apartment and demand them back.  Then Daniel and I went to pick it up.

When we got back Daniel, John, and I stacked it in the apartment.  I'm not sure when they are planning on installing it.

After unloading the truck we went to the house for dinner.  It was a collection of the last few nights' dinners.  It was good though.  Ellen made everyone mojitos.  They watched King Kong before and after dinner.

After dinner and King Kong we talked until about 8.  Then Daniel and I watched a basketball game.  When the game was over we put on the fifth element.  The new setup is amazing.  We got about halfway through before it was time to go to bed.

Day 797

We got up at 7:30 again, did the pet stuff, and had breakfast.  John and Melissa showed up about 9 after they had breakfast in the apartment.  After talking for awhile we decided to split up.  I went to Walgreen's to get my drugs and then to Wally World to get an antenna.  Everyone else went to Home Depot and Lowe's to look at flooring.  It rained .75 inch in the morning, so we didn't have anything else to do.

I stopped at the post office on the way back.  The last two Black Friday packages were there.  Then I went home and had lunch.  I also started putting the antennas together, getting the ladder, etc.  Everyone came home a little later.

They had several samples with them.  They took them to the apartment and made a decision.  I said I didn't care as long as it was durable and easy to clean.  Then they all went back to Home Depot to make the order.  I laid down.  My back was killing me.  It has been getting worse since Monday after I hauled those 22 loads of gravel.

When they got back John helped me attach the antenna mast to the side of the building.  I had to walk across the joists above the apartment.  It was no fun.  Even though the temp outside was only a little more than 70 it was hot up there.  We called a halt when the mast was attached and the wire was strung to the living room.  It was getting dark anyway.

In the evening we had dinner and talked until 9.  Then they went back to the apartment, we watered the cats, and did a little surfing before going to bed.

Day 796

We got up at 7:30, did the pet stuff and had breakfast.  John and Melissa didn't show up until about 9.  We talked for awhile and I ordered the scope for John's rifle.  About 11 we went to Brotheres in Arms.

They wouldn't sell John a lower because they didn't know if the BATF would approve.  They also wouldn't transfer one of my rifles to him.  Although they didn't say so, they probably didn't want to run afoul of Michigan laws that they didn't know about.  Either that or they just didn't want to do paperwork with little profit.  So we are left with building it on one of my lowers and shipping it to a FFL in Michigan when he gets back.

After that we stopped at SPEC's and they bought some wine.  We were going to have lunch at Chick-fil-a, but they were packed.  There was no room in the parking lot.  So we went to Wally World to buy a new toaster oven to replace the one in the apartment, which blew up this morning.  We also got a rice cooker to replace the broken one in the house.

By the time we were done there, Chick-fil-a was only about half full.  So we ate lunch there.  Then we went to Whole paycheck to get the stuff to make baklava.  We also stopped at the toy store near there to buy Melissa a metal art sculpture and to get cookies next door.  he last stop was the post office where I waited in line to get a package and they waited in line to get a post office box.

When we got home John and I moved the old bedroom TV to the apartment.  The hardest part was getting the tube TV out.  We hooked the new TV up and it received a signal for awhile.  We changed cables and the signal went away.  We tried everything for over an hour, but never got the signal back.  We gave up and went to dinner.

After dinner we talked until about 9, and then they went back to the apartment.  The rest of the evening was surfing.

Day 795

We got up at 7:30 today.  John and Melissa were up and here by 8.  We had breakfast and talked for awhile.  I convinced John to order a AR-15 build kit.  About 10 I prevailed on them to help put up the new TV.  I thought it would take a couple of hours at most.  It took 5 hours.

I think it took a long time because we were doing it by committee.  Figuring out where and how to mount the new TV took quite awhile.  When we were finished everything looked really good.

We were really hungry by the time we finished.  We took them to Waterloo for lunch.  Then we stopped at HEB so everyone could do some shopping.

When we got back we talked for awhile and then they watched Wonder Woman on the new TV.  I shopped for a scope for John's rifle.

When the movie was over they went back to the apartment.  Ellen worked on reprogramming the remote controls and I watched football.  The new TV is amazing.

Day 794

We woke up at 8 today, but didn't get up until 9.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.  After that I started doing the final prep for Melissa and John coming.  I cleaned off my part of the kitchen tabel and piled Ellen's part for her to clean up.  Then I put away the stuff we had piled up on the guest bed.  Finally I went out to the apartment.  I turned on the heat and the water heater.  I also moved around out some stuff in the living room.  I took several things to the truck to take to Goodwill.

After that we went to the vet.  We needed more water for the cats.  After that we stopped for a donut and then dropped off the stuff at Goodwill.

We got home about 11:30.  I went out to haul gravel.  I moved 22 loads.  That was enough to cover half of the area under the trailer as well as filing in the area in front of the trailer.  It's beginning to look like the end is in sight.  That took an hour and a half, so I did some rock raking.  I cleared off the area beside the trailer and in front of the apartment steps.  By then it was raining.

I went inside and had lunch and a shower.  I was just finishing the shower when Melissa and John showed up.  We talked for a few minutes and then Ellen, Lucy, and I left for the dog party.

It was raining heavily and traffic was a little screwed up.  We got to the party about 3:30.  The place is a bar converted from a small residential house.  There ware areas outside, but they weren't covered.  So everyone and their dogs were inside.  Lucy and I were disappointed.  There was supposed to be a doggy buffet, but there wasn't one.  Instead they had a few small cups of treats.  I had a couple of drinks and we stood around for an hour and a half (there was mo place to sit).  We basically stayed until they had the secret Santa drawing.  Lucy got a cool chew toy.

We stopped at the post office on the way home.  There were a couple of packages with things I ordered on Black Friday.  I still have two more things to come.

When we got back I fed the animals and then we had dinner (Rudy's) with John and Melissa.  We talked until about 9 and then they went to bed.

The rest of the evening was surfing.

Day 793

We woke up about 8, but stayed in bed surfing for quite awhile.  Lucy decided to be a barf dog.  She got up and barfed three times.  The first was a clump of grass (from the club yesterday), the second was liquid, and the third was one of the gelatinous masses that dogs develop in their stomachs when they've eaten something bad.  I got to clean up all three.  Then I went back to bed.  Lucy jumped up with me.

We finally got up after 9.  We did pet stuff and had breakfast.  Then I decided that we should got to 360 to see the Christmas decorations.  We could also stop at Rudy's for BBQ and the mall.    Rudy's was the first stop.  We bought 2 lbs of brisket ad a sausage.  Then we drove 360 to the bridge and back.  Parts of 360 didn't have decorations.  Apparently someone or organization decided they didn't want them.  Luckily that only lasted for awhile.  Then there were a whole bunch of nice ones.  Ellen took a movie of them on her phone.

The last stop was the mall.  We walked most of both levels.  Along the way we bought new sheets for the bed that will fit the new mattress topper.  We also bought some earrings for both Ellen and Alicia at Swarovski.  I bought a really cool Cheshire cat.  We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, but we were too full to have dessert.  I had a mojito that cost $11.25.  I would never have ordered it if I'd known it cost that much.  We also bought a lighthouse puzzle for Patty and a couple of Metal Art things for Ellen.  We didn't see quite all of the mall because Ellen's asshole started acting up.  We didn't leave until after 4.

We made a stop at the post office, and another at HEB.  By the time we got home the dog had been in her crate for 7 hours.  I put everything away and then took her to the mailbox.

After dinner we surfed some and watched TV.  About 9 we went over to the apartment and got the new mattress topper.  We put it on the bed with a new cover and the new sheets.

We are staying up late so Fletcher can lay in the warm sheets before we go to bed.

Day 792

I'm not sure what time we woke up, but it wasn't really late.  We stayed in bed surfing for quite awhile.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went out to drill holes.  My $15 drill drilled through the plate, but it was a struggle.  The two "hardened" bits I had were worthless.  However, the masonry drill worked with help form the pilot hole.  It was slow, and about halfway through the first bit gave up the ghost.  The second finished the job well.  In all it took almost 2 hours to drill the hole.

Unfortunately the $15 drill was toast.  I'll have to buy another, or something different, to do the second hole.  It was 12, so I gave up and went inside.  We decided to go shooting.  So I loaded up the car and had lunch.  The A5 doesn't have as much room as the Mazda.  I have to take out the junk holder in order to fit in all of the shooting stuff.

It was a little cold, 60 today.  The club was almost deserted.  There wasn't more than 5 people there.  We had the sporting clays to ourselves.  Lucy went around exploring while we shot.  We had a good time and both of us shot fairly well.

We drove back a little after 4.  Traffic was bad.  The jams started on 183 and continued on 290.  We did finally make it to the post office.  Dan had sent us a medium sized package.  When we opened it up it was chuck full of presents.  There wasn't a cubic inch of wasted space.

When we got home I unpacked the car.  Then it was time to take the dog to the mailbox and have dinner.  After dinner it was football.

Day 791

We woke up at 7:30, but the temperature was 41 degrees.  So we stayed in bed and surfed until after 9.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.  Then it was more surfing because it was just too cold to go out.

Ellen did walk over to a neighbor's to get some fresh eggs.  I got the knife sharpener out of the garage and sharpend all of the kitchen knives.  I also sharpened my two pocket knives.

By 12:30 it had warmed up enough to work outside.  So I went out and started hauling gravel.  I hauled 14 loads.  That covered all of the area that I'd prepped.  That only took a little over an hour, so I started prepping some more space.  I finished everything in front of the trailer.  I also cleaned out the area under the front of the trailer.  After that I was tired.

I went back inside and ate lunch.  I decided that it wasn't worth going to the post office.  Instead I just did more surfing and a little reading.  Before dinner I took the dog to the mailbox and then took a shower.

After dinner we watched the first episode of year 2 of the Grand Tour.  It was hilarious.  After that we watched a movie, and then some RV shows.

Day 790

We got up at 8 today.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went out to move gravel.  Ellen went to the apartment to clean it (after I made it clear that I wasn't going to).

I started by raking a big area of the approach to the garage along side the trailer.  I didn't clear off everything that needed to be cleared, but I did the majority of it.  Then I started hauling and spreading gravel.  I did 22 loads.  It took until noon and I was just too tired to do even one more.  The result was covering maybe 200 sq feet of area.  I've still got a long way to go.  I'm probably about halfway through the gravel pile.

I went back to the house, did a little surfing, and then had lunch.  I was going to leave after that, but Ellen's asshole was acting up.  We waited until about 2 for it to calm down. 

The first stop was Tomlinson's for some more canned dog food.  Then we went to a trinket shop by HEB.  It had some cool stuff and we bought a ceramic refrigerator magnet with a cool Texas image on it.  From there we went to the toy store on William Cannon.  We ad a 20% off coupon.  We bought this educational toy for the nieces.  We also stopped and got cookies at the cookie shop next door.

The last stop was the post office.

When we got home I took a shower.  Then I did a little surfing before taking the dog to the mailbox.

After dinner I decided to look at the stuff the Medicare insurance broker had sent.  It was good that I did, because I had to call to confirm the phone call appointment.  I was supposed to be able to do that using their automated system, but it had the wrong date for the call.  I ended up having to call again and get a real person.

The final step was to get an account on their website.  That didn't work either, so I called again.  This time I got a hold of one of the salesman/support people.  We had a great conversation where he explained my options.  There turns out to be a pretty painless way to get the US wide coverage I need.  It looks like the tota1 cost (medicare B, drug, and supplement) will cost about $325 - $350 a month.  That's a lot less than I'm paying now and it sounds like it might be better coverage.  He also solved my login problem.

On his advice I changed the date for the telephone appointment to mid January.

After that I had to go back and fight with their website some more.  It wouldn't let me enter a separate mailing address, even though it had the option to do so.

The rest of the evening was surfing.  I didn't feel like doing any reading.

Day 789

We woe up at 8, but didn't get out of bed until 9.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went out to try to drill the hole again.  I read of a technique on the net that I wanted to try.  It didn't work.  Oh well, time to order other bits.

I really wanted to accomplish something today, so I decided to move rock.  I spread out all of the remaining rock that I had.  Some of it went to cover almost bare spots in the existing covered areas.  4 loads went to cover new areas by the trailer.  That's when I ran out of rock.

I went inside and called the rock company to order more rock. They called back about 5 minutes later saying they'd deliver it immediately.  So I went outside, opened the gate, and waited for them.  After they delivered it I went inside to eat lunch.  After lunch I did a little surfing, but all that new gravel ate at me.  So a little after 1 I went out and moved some of the new stuff.  In a little less than two hours I moved another 11 loads of rock.  I also raked all of the garage ramp.  That involved two loads of waste rock that I put by the apartment sewer tank.

I finished about 3, covered with sweat.  It was 77 degrees.  I really wanted to go to the post office, so we got in the car and went.  There were three packages waiting for us.  One was the 4K version of Blade Runner Ellen ordered.  The other two were Christmas presents.  After that we came right back home.

One of the letters we got was from the DMV.  Apparently the guy who did the trailer safety inspection didn't put it in the computer system, so they rejected our license renewal.  We searched for the paper until I found it in the trailer.  Then we made a copy and put it back.

After that I took a shower and then took the dog to the mailbox.  Ellen fixed another dinner in the box for dinner.  It was great, especially since she added extra rice.

The evening was reading and football.  The cheating New England Patriots lost.  It was great.

Day 788

I'm not sure when we woke up, but we stayed in bed for quite awhile today.  It was after 9 before we got out of bed.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went out to the apartment to try out the new drill bit and oil I got yesterday.

I spent an hour trying different ways to of drilling the hole.  The plate didn't damage the new drill, but the drill didn't seem to make much of an impression o the plate.  I tried different speeds and pressures, but nothing much happened.  As a last resort I put the masonry bit back in and really bore down.  That didn't seem to do anything either.  So I decided that maybe a pilot hole would help, which meant another Amazon order.

Next I went to work on the trigger.  I used the polish I got yesterday to polish the trigger and hammer surfaces.  I also polished the pins.  Then I put it together to test it.  All that work might have reduced the pull about 1/4 of a pound.  It did seem to make it smoother.

I took the trigger apart again and installed the reduced springs I ordered awhile back.  They were supposed to reduce the pull to between 5 and 6 pounds.  When I put it back together the pull was 5.5 pounds.  I think that's about all you can do to upgrade a stock trigger.  It's hardly worth the work given that the reduction comes from the springs, which cost money.

My last effort was to repack all of my gun parts.  I had a plastic container left over from something.  So I packed all of the stuff from the largest cardboard box in it.  That makes getting to the parts much easier.  I also repacked all of the stuff in the cabinet so that it took up less room.  The result is going to be a whole lot easier to deal with.

It was after lunch when I finished, so it was back inside for lunch.  After lunch we took the dog to Circle C.  She can't do retrieves because of her mouth.  So we walked around the park instead.  Lucy had a good time exploring the woods and smelling the smells.  When we were done we made a short stop at HEB to buy more of the package dinners we had the other night.  They are on sale and really good.

When we got home it was surfing until dinner.  Dinner wasn't until 7 because I'd bought potatoes to bake.  For some reason they took way longer to cook than they should of.

After dinner was reading and football.

Day 787

I got up at 5 today to let the dog out.  Then I went back to sleep until 8.  After that it was surf in bed.  The temp was 29.  About 9 we got up and did the pet stuff and had breakfast.  We both went out and took pictures of the snow before it disappeared.

I didn't have anything to do today, and it was too cold to go outside.  So I put the mounting bracket parts on the new TV.  It wasn't much, but it was all I had to do.

After that it was surfing until after lunch.  About 1:30 we went back to the vet.  It turns out that they didn't put the Heartguard in the bag they gave me yesterday.  So we had to go back to it.  The next stop was Tominson's to buy more canned dog food.  Lucy was disappointed that there weren't any soft treats for her.  The last stop was the post office.

When we got home there was a big package leaning against the outside keypad post.  It turned out to be a mateess topper that Ellen had Hooch buy her for Christmas.  I made her deal with it.

We had bought a meal in a box at HEB the other day - stir fry chicken.  Ellen fixed it tonight and it was really good.  It's expensive though.

The evening was reading and TV.

Day 786

We were up at 6:30 and out the door by 7 to take the dog to the vet.  We dropped her off and then went to the donut shop next door for breakfast.  We had breakfast sandwiches and donuts.  Then it was over to Home Depot.  I bought hardware for hanging the new target steel.  I also bought three drill bits - "hard metal" and two carbide masonry bits. 

When we got home I went out to the apartment.  I started by trying to drill a hole in the steel.  The "hard metal" drill made a divot before it was toast.  The masonry drill made it about 1/3 of the way through before it was done.  I spent some time trying to get it to do more, but it was no good.

I gave up and decided to work on the trigger.  I used the stone I bought to smooth out the trigger surfaces.  I wanted to polish them, but all of my polish is too old and hardened.  I did manage to get the hammer surfaces cleaned up well.

After that I gave up and went inside.  I ordered a cobalt drill from Amazon along with some cutting oil and polish.  I'll continue the efforts when these things come.

After that it was surfing while we waited for the vet to say Lucy was ready to pick up.  A little before 4 it started to snow.  That's right, snow.  Ellen left to teach at the same time.  The vet called just after 4 and I left to get Lucy.  Traffic really sucked.  I waited for several cycles of at least three lights on the way back.  I stopped at Tomlinson's on the way back to get canned food for Lucy.  She needs it for 10 days.

When I got home I fed the cats and Lucy.  Ellen got home about 5 minutes later.  The class had been cancelled, but she stayed to bullshit with the course manager.

After dinner it was football and reading.

Day 785

We woke up about 8 today, but didn't get up until after 9.  It was 40 degrees and raining outside.  It rained all day, .9 of an inch.  After pet stuff and breakfast there wasn't anything to do except surf.  I kept waiting for the rain to stop so I could take out the recycling, but it never did.

I did transfer my keys from the old Keysmart to the new one.  The new one is bigger, but I don't have to have a light hanging from it.  For some reason I just couldn't seem to get the keys organized correctly.  It must have taken me most of an hour to get it right.

We did get a package from LaRue.  It came with a whole bunch of extra stuff.  There was meat rub, a Christmas ornament, bumper stickers, and a trigger test device.  I was really surprised and happy.

I finally put on a sweatshirt and took out the recycling in the rain.  It was raining, but not hard enough that I have been really put out if it was Oregon.  I guess living in Texas has softened me up.

The dog had a vet appointment today at 2:30.  We went to that and made an appointment tomorrow for her to have her teeth fixed.  We have to be there between 7 and 7:30.  The we stopped at Harbor Freight.  I wanted to get some drill bits to drill the steel plate I got yesterday.  They didn't have the right type.  The last stop was the post office.

When we got back I did my exercises.  Then it was surfing until dinner time.  I didn't walk the dog to the mailbox, it was raining too hard.

After dinner was reading and movies.

Day 784

We woke up earlier today, a little before 8.  We did surf for awhile before getting up for pet stuff and breakfast.  After breakfast I decided to measure one of the scopes for a lens cover.  It turned out I didn't need to - they all have them.  While I was doing that I also replaced the charging handle on Ellen's gun with a latchless one and put in an accuwedge.  Now it locks up tight.

I brought out the wrapping paper and made Ellen wrap John's presents.  She should have done that long ago.

After that we went out for errands.We stopped at Costco for water and bought some frozen food.  Then we put a check in the bank.  The next stop was the Cajun place for lunch.  It was just as good as the first time.  The last stop was the post office - no packages.

There was a package when we got home.  It was the target steel, 74 lbs of it.  I could barely lift the package.  I had to get the cart out to move it from the gate to the well house.  I unpacked it and left it there.  It's a project for another day.

After that I surfed until Ellen went to do her lessons.  Then I went out and did my exercises.  Then it was more surfing until dinner.  I had one of the Costco rice bowls we bought.  It was good.

The evening was watching movies on Amazon.  I watched 1 and a half movies.

Day 783

It was another morning where we didn't get up until 10.  We were awake earlier, we just didn't get out of bed.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.

Today they were to deliver the TV between 1 and 4.  That meant that we wouldn't be doing anything but waiting today.  So we basically surfed the whole day away.  I did do a little shooting practice with the Sig air pistol.  I didn't do very good.  I quit when the mosquitoes chased me inside.  About 2:30 someone from the delivery company called to say "the truck broke down".  What they meant was that they wouldn't be delivering the TV until after 4.

Ellen had to get a CAT scan at 4:30, so she left about 3:30.  The truck showed up about 4:30.  They unpacked and set it up.  It's a really nice TV.  I didn't do anything with it except check it out before signing for it.  When the delivery guys left I took the dog to the mailbox and then did my exercises.  Afterwards I took a bag of birdseed to the deck and filled up the containers.

Ellen came home a little after I was done.  She brought 4 packages from the post office.  Three were packages I ordered during Black Friday.  The last one was Christmas presents from John and Patty.  After dinner I went took the garbage out.  There were two more packages at the gate - one from Black Friday and the other some 4K blu-rays.

The evening was football and some reading.  Ellen has been glued to the new TV since after dinner.

Day 782

We woke up after 9 and didn't get out of bed until 10  There's something about staying in bed on Sunday.  Besides that it rained overnight and looked like it was going to rain more in the morning.  We did the pet stuff and had breakfast.

After a little surfing I decided to hang things.  I hung the road runner we bought yesterday above the outside thermometer.  Another one went in the cat room.  A third one went above the outside door of the apartment.  I think we have enough road runners.  The last hanging was the metal heron that we bought in Newport last summer.  That completes all of the things that need to be hung.

By the it was time for lunch and a little more surfing.  Then we left to get some cat food.  We stopped at Lowe's on the way and I bought some chain to hang targets with.  I also ran Lucy there.  She did 31 retrieves.  Then we went to get the cat food and back home.

There was some more surfing and reading and I did my exercises a little after 5.

The evening was reading and football.

Day 781

We didn't wake up until 8:45 and didn't get up until some surfing.  The pet stuff and breakfast came next.  After that we surfed until 10:30 and then left for Dripping Springs.  The dog didn't come along.

Dripping Springs was having a street fair.  We had fun.  The fireman were there and gave us a personalized tour of a firetruck.  It has a lot of neat technology.  For example, the air packs are built into the back of the seats so they can buckle them on while they are riding to the fire.

There were a whole lot of craft booths.  We went through them all.  We also went through a couple of antique shops.  We bought a couple of small things - socks for Sophia and a mini purse for Ellen.It was a fine time.  We stopped at a coffee shop there.  It had a poster for a Christmas show at the Ranch Park.  So we went up there.

The Christmas show was the typical array of crafts booths.  A lot of jewelry and painting vendors.  We bought a painted road runner and a neat wood remote control holder.

By then it was 2 and we were hungry.  We ate at a restaurant in Dripping Springs that doesn't take dogs.  It was pretty good.  Then it was a stop at HEB for TP and then home.

We didn't get home until after 3.  I went out and strung the Christmas lights on the gate.  Then I surfed until it was time to take the dog to the mailbox and do my exercises.

The evening was reading, TV and football (college).

Day 780

We woke up at 8:30 again today - another late getting to sleep.  We surfed in bed for awhile and then got up.  After pet stuff and breakfast it was surfing until about 10.  Then we left for a doogy day.  Lucy deserved it.  Yesterday was boring and tomorrow will be, too.

We stopped at Walgreen's for Ellen's drugs and then HEB to get some bananas.  The we stopped at Tomlinson's for dog treats, cat food, and one of their free pies.  We finally made it to Circle C.  We walked around the park.  Lucy immediately wanted to do retrieves.  I didn't count how many, but it was probably about 15 before she decided that unstructured time was better.

When we finished with the walk it was 12:30 and time for lunch.  We went to a Cajon place on William Cannon that I'd seen an ad for.  It was really good.  We'll be back, especially since they allow dogs.

The next stop was the post office.  The stuff I ordered on Black Friday is starting to come in.  I was going to stop at Seton Hospital for their Christmas sale.  Unfortunately I didn't realize that it started at 4.  I wasn't going to wait until then and so we just went home.

When we got home I had a marathon surfing session.  I wish I'd done something else, surfing just isn't productive.  At 5 I took the dog to the mailbox and then did my exercises.  They are getting a little easier.

Ellen started watching a 3 hour boring movie before dinner.  It's still going on.  I've been doing more surfing.  I'm tired of it.  I hope the movie is over soon.

Day 779

I woke up at 8:30 today.  For some reason I just slept in. We surfed for awhile and didn't get up until after 9.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.

There was absolutely nothing planned today.  I thought about moving some gravel, but somehow I just couldn't summon the energy to do so.  Instead I just surfed the whole morning away.  No excuses.

After lunch I was planning on waiting until about 2 and going to the post office.  Instead Dola came over to talk with us about painting the house.  We talked about what we wanted and she measured everything.  She's going to get back to us with a price.

After that there was a little time before Ellen left to go teach the kids.  When she did I went out to the garage to try smoothing up a trigger.  I should have read the instructions.  I need a sharpening stone, and all of mine are in Oregon.  I didn't accomplish anything.  So I did my exercises instead and then went back to the house to shop.

I ordered a stone from Amazon.  I ordered some springs from JoeBob.  I ended up ordering some other little things that they had on sale.

The evening was watching football until the Cowboys were winning.  Then I watched gun shows.

Day 778

We got up at 8:30, did the pet stuff, and had breakfast.  After breakfast I went out and cleaned up the rest of the insulation from the old archery target.  I thought I'd need to save part of it for next week's garbage, but it all fit in the can this week.

After that it was time to put up the Christmas tree.  I brought in all of the stuff from the apartment.  I put together the tree and then got out the light string for the Star Trek ornaments.  It's one of those "one goes out they all go out" lights.  It didn't work.  There were 50 bulbs and I started pulling them out and replaceing them one by one.  I had to do 39 lights before I found the one that was bad.

Elen decorated the rest of the tree herself.  I figured she'd like doing it, and she did.  It looks really good.  When she was finished I took the boxes back out to the apartment.

All of that took until lunch.  After lunch Ellen's asshole was acting up.  So I surfed while she spent a lot of time on the pot.  She was done about 2, so we left to get the mail.  I also wanted to get cement blocks for the target stand and a shelf to put in the apartment closet.

We did all of that and were home before 4.  I unloaded the blocks and hauled them over to the backstop. They were exactly what's necessary to raise the target stand.

Then I went to the apartment to install the closet shelf.  That took a little more effort than I thought it would.  I didn't finish it until 5:30.  Then I did my exercises and went to get the mail.

Ellen fixed turkey alfredo for diner.  It was good.

After dinner it was reading and TV.

Day 777

We woke up 7, but didn't get out of bed until 8:30.  After pet stuff and breakfast we did a little surfing.  We left before 10 to give the dog a doggy day.  The first stop was Circle C.  We walked around the park while she enjoyed unstructured time.  As we got near the end of the walk she decided she wanted to do retrieves.  So I threw her as many as she wanted.

We stopped at Tonlinson's after the park.  We bought some cat litter and Lucy got a couple of small treats.  She was still panting heavily, so she didn't get much.  Then next stop was HEB for quite a bit of groceries.  Then we went to lunch at the Italian place.  Lucy got a duck foot for her lunch.  The last stop was the post office.

Ellen was supposed to go teach kids in Dripping Springs at 4:30.  So I killed time surfing until she left at 3:30.  Then I went out to the apartment and put together the target from Cabela's.  I took it out to the backstop.  It's too low.  I'll have to get some blocks to mount it on.

After that I rearranged the stuff in one of the wall cabinets.  I put all of the tools in one of the empty drawers in the new tool cart.  When that was done I did my exercises and took the dog to the mailbox.

After that it was dinner time.  After dinner I watched TV and did some reading.  The rest of the evening was a movie.

Day 776

Last night sucked - see yesterday's entry.  I got up about 7:30 with nothing to do except sit in the chair being hungry.  At 8 I started drinking the rest of the laxative.  It took about an hour to hit.  So I spent a lot of time shitting all the way up until noon.  At noon I took a shower and then we left for the clinic.  I weighed myself and it was 210.5.  That's the least I've weighed in decades.  Of course it won't last.  I was dehydrated and didn't have an ounce of shit in me.

We got to the clinic a little early and had to wait.  It wasn't a long time before they called us.  They had me take off my clothes and then took my history, blood pressure, and hooked me up to pulse-ox, ECG, and IV.  After that they wheeled me into the room.

I went to sleep as soon as they pumped in the drugs.  I remember dreaming, but I can't remember what.  The next thing I remember is being back in the prep room with the nurse bothering me to get up.

We stopped by the vet on the way back to get more fluids for the cats.  Then we went to the Longhorn, because that's where I wanted to eat.  I had steak, bacon wrapped shrimp, and apple pie for dessert.  Then we stopped by the post office on the way home.

We got home about 6:30.  There was a package from DVOR at the gate.  We fed the pets.  The package contained a threaded barrel for the P320, so I got the P320 out of the safe and installed it.  It fit perfectly.

The rest of the evening was surfing and football.

Day 775

I woke up at 7 this morning.  I stayed in bed surfing until about 8.  Then it was pet stuff and NO breakfast.  Today is starve yourself and then give yourself the shits day.  I ate a few pieces of hard candy (that's allowed) and then went out to finish the backstop.  I attached the two 2x6's that I bought yesterday.  I also redid some of the wires to make them tighter.

The hardest parts were getting the ladders out (garage and back shed) and putting the four 2x4 sheets up on top.  Ellen helped and she did really well.  Apparently she doesn't like ladders.  She was complaining when she was half way up the ladder.  We got them up with a minimum of trouble.  It was still work - I was soaked with sweat by the time we were done.

The whole thing took until 11 to finish.  I went back inside, did some surfing, anfd then had lunch (some hard candy).  Then we went to Best Buy to get a 4K version of the 5th Element.  We got a chance to see the TV we ordered and the blu-ray player.  The player should be here today, we're not sure when the TV will be here.

On the way back we stopped at HEB.  I got some more hard candy and some non-diet 7-up.

When we got back I did some surfing and then watched an old movie.  After that it was surfing and football.  I started taking laxatives at 4.  I'll be finished in 10 minutes.  So far there's only been one dribble, but I'm expecting a lot more.  The pills aren't supposed to take effect until after 10 tonight.  I expect I won't get much sleep.

That's all I'm going to write today.  I'm going to concentrate on shitting my guts out for the rest of the evening.

NOTE: I decided to add what happened last night.  I stayed up until midnight.  By that time the shitting had subsided.  I slept in bed with my clothes on until 3:15 when my asshole woke me up.  I spent the next hour and 15 minutes shitting.  I sat in the chair in between bouts.  At 4:30 I managed to go back to sleep until 7:15.  Then it was more shitting until 8 (at least at a reduced rate).

Day 774

Today made up for some of the lazy days I've had lately.  We woke up before 8 and were out of bed a little after 8.  We did the pet stuff and had breakfast.  I checked for more deals online, but I didn't really look hard.  I'm actually tired of buying things.  By 9:00 I was out working on the backstop.

I put a 2x4 brace across the uprights.  That made the thing a lot sturdier.  Then I ran 5 wires on each side of the uprights to hold the mats in.  After that I got Ellen out to help put the mats in the frame.  That was a time consuming and onerous job.  Those mats are heavy, floppy, and hard to handle.  We eventually got four of them in the frame.  Then Ellen went inside while I finished the wires to hold them in.

I called Ellen back outside to help lift the frame up to vertical.  That's when we both discovered that with the mats in it it was really heavy.  Our first attempt failed.  The second attempt worked, but it was a near thing.  I sent Ellen back inside and I cut the remaining two mats in half to stack on top of the first four.  By this time it was after noon and 80 degrees.  I was hot and tired and decided to call a halt for today.

After lunch we went to Home Depot to get on of the tool chests they had on sale.  I also got a couple of 2x6's that I'll use to reinforces the frame where the two stacks of mats join.

When we got back home Ellen helped unload the chest.  Then I spent the rest of the afternoon, until 5, rearranging the garage.  I put the new chest where the old one was.  I had to raise the hardware holder above it to make it fit.  Then I moved the hoist into the corner by the heater.  I also moved all of the train stuff from the old cabinet to the tool chest.

Then I moved the ammo cabinet so that I could fit the old tool chest next to the big one.  That involved unloading half the cabinet.  I also had to relocate a couple of things that were hung on the wall.  Finally I folded up the Workmate.  I'm going to use the new one I bought yesterday because it's easier to move around.  I still have to take a couple of things to the back shed, but it was 5 and I was very tired.

Even though I was tired I took the dog to the mailbox.  On the way I talked to Dola and her husband for quite awhile.  I didn't do exercises when I got back.  I've done enough for today.

Dinner is the last food I'm going to have for 36 hours.  I'm not looking forward to the starving and shitting.

The evening was surfing and a little TV.

Day 773

We got up at 8:30today, did the pet stuff and had breakfast.  We were in no particular hurry and I did some surfing/shopping before we left.  Ellen fixted me some mush for breakfast because I can't eat cereal due to the fiber free diet.  The first stop was Tractor Supply where I bought 6 stable mats.  They rode nicely in the truck even though the hitch was there.

The next stop was HEB so I could buy some stuff to eat for the next two days.  Then it was home to unload the mats.

It wasn't as hard to unload the mats as I thought it wold be.  We just rolled them up one at a time, tied them with bungy cords, and dropped them off the tailgate onto the garden cart.  Then we hauled them over and stacked them next to the target stand.  I'm going to have to mod the stand some in order to use the mats in it.

Then it was inside for lunch and some more shopping.  I'm spending a lot of money on this Black Friday stuff, but what use is there in having it in the bank?  About 3 we went to the post office.  We also stopped at Lowe's to get the stuff to fix the target frame.  Lowe's was chuck full of Black Friday deals.  I had so much fun looking at them that I decided to go to Home Depot to look at there's.  Home Depot had more interesting stuff and both Ellen and I bought some things.  I think I'll go back for a tool cabinet tomorrow.

When we got home I took the dog to the mailbox and then did my exercises.  After that it was dinner and more shopping.  I finally finished about 8:30.

I should note that every night for the last few days we've been injecting both cats with water.  Taiko seems to be responding well.  Apparently we'll be doing this for the rest of their lives.

Day 772

Today was Thanksgiving.  We got up early - about 7, but stayed in bed until a little after 8.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.  There were so many Black Friday ads on the web that I spent until after noon reading them all.  I only ordered a couple of things, but they were screaming deals.

Ellen started cooking dinner in the late morning.  She had it done by about 2.  It was really good - turkey, Caesar salad, baked potato, and rolls.  The only problem was my baked potato was rotten in the middle.  I was disappointed, it came from the yuppie grocery store.  It was all really good.  When we were done we didn't have room for dessert (cake).

I went back to surfing and Ellen watched TV on her laptop.  I called Hooch and had the normal Thanksgiving "high everyone" call.  I tried to call mother, but she didn't answer.  I've called a couple of other times without success.  I'll try once more tonight.

Directv has a 4 day, all premium channels, preview.  I must have spent an hour going through the guide setting things up to record.  After that it was football for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

All in all it was a good Thanksgiving, especially when we remember that last year at this time Ellen was in the hospital with a life threatening infection.

Day 771

We didn't get up until 10 today.  That's right - 10.  Of course we woke up at 8:30, but stayed in bed surfing.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went through the Black Friday emails.  It was costly.  I got 25% off and free shipping on some steel targets to use with the backstop I'm going to build.  I also got a 1-8 Vortex Strike Eagle scope w/mount for $260.  That's way less than we paid at Cabela's for a 1-6.

After that we went out to do errands.  We stopped at HEB for a cake for dessert tomorrow.  Then we ran the dog at Circle C.  She did 20 retrieves.  Not a huge amount, but not bad.  She was getting smelly, so we took her to the dog wash.She wasn't happy about that, but she did like the after bath cookie.  The last stop was the post office.

When we got home I felt the need to do something constructive.  I haven't really done anything in days.  I took out all of the recycling.  The can is completely full.  Then I went back to the archery target and started to clean it up.  I picked up all of the fiberglass insulation that was strewn around it.  Then I started to dismantle the rest.  I managed to get all of the fiberglass into two medium garbage bags.  Then I started on the foam boards.  I filled one bag with pieces of it and then had to quit.  That's all the room that was in the garbage can.  I left the cans in the street even though pickup isn't until Friday.  I don't want to forget - they are both chuck full.

After that it was more surfing until it was time to take the dog to the mailbox.  There was a letter there from Cigna.  I'm sure we missed some real mail in the three weeks that they weren't delivering it.

Somehow after dinner Ellen and I got on the subject of a new TV.  She did some research and determined that the LG OLED is the best available.  It's only 65 inches, but it's price is less than half what it was when it was introduced early this year.  We started looking for a good deal.  Of course buying it locally would incur $250 in sale tax.  So we looked online.

We pretty much decided to buy one so that her brother in law can help install it when they come down for Christmas.  So I decided to order a 4K blu-ray player from Amazon to go with the TV.  Just for grins I decided to add the TV also (Amazon had a pretty good price on it).  I was surprised to find that they only wanted to charge $10 tax (probably for the player).  So I ordered both.

The grand total for the day was $470 for toys and $2,450 for the player and TV.  I'm sure glad we have a lot of cash to burn.  I'm sure I'll be buying more stuff in the next few days.

Day 770

This was another day when we didn't get up until after 8.  Instead we surfed in bed.  After pet stuff and breakfast  It was some surfing.  Ellen paid some bills and got a TxPass for the Audi.  All that took an inordinate amount of time.  We also had to get together all of the ostomy stuff.  I wanted to leave about 10, but we didn't get out until almost noon.

We drove over to Brothers in Arms where I bought a suppressor.  The whole process took forever because of the new fingerprint requirements.  We didn't get out of there until 1:30.  We were both hungry, but there weren't any places to eat along the way to the place to drop off the ostomy stuff.

We still couldn't find a place to eat.  We drove 3 miles along 35 and there wasn't a single place.  The GPS wanted us to take 35 back to 290.  I decided that was a bad idea.  Instead we took 183 across to loop 1.  That was definitely a bad idea.  Loop 1 was backed u, stop and go, for at least two miles north of downtown.  Then it was backed up for another 2 miles south of town.  It was backed up again at Slaughter.  We waited through three cycles of the light there.  All this was at 3 in the afternoon.  Of course we were really hungry by the time we got home.

We ate a really late lunch and finished the laundry.  I surfed until it was time to take the dog to the mailbox.  There was actually things in it for the first time since we got back.  Our request at the post office to start getting junk mail again worked.  I did my exercises and then surfed some more until dinner.

After dinner it was TV - historical documentaries on Amazon.  We also injected the cats with water.  They are starting to get used to it.

Day 769

We got up late today.  For some reason I just didn't want to get out of bed.  It was warm and the house was a little cold.  Also, we had to hang around today to get the softener and the reverse osmosis serviced.  So after pet stuff and breakfast it was surfing.  It was surfing after lunch also.  They guy didn't show up until after 1.  The only thing I accomplished in the whole morning was putting a couple of packages of Christmas presents together.  Ellen managed a lot of sewing, including three pairs of my pants.

It took the service guy until after 2 to finish.  As soon as he left we left.  We took two large bags of clothes to Goodwill.  Then we went to the post office to mail the packages.  The next stop was the Home store.  They had big plastic containers for Christmas trees.  The cardboard box ours is in is getting pretty ratty.

The box was too big for the trunk of the car.  It barely fit in the back seat.  Lucy had just enough room to ride.

The last stop was Lowe's to get some screws so I could finish attaching the license plate frame.  I did it in the parking lot.

When we got home it was a little surfing and then taking the dog to the mailbox.  I did my exercises after that.  It's getting a little easier to do them.

The evening was watching the Seahawks get clobbered.  All of their defensive backs are out for the season.  They aren't going anywhere this year.

Day 768

We did what we did yesterday - get up at the regular time and sit in bed surfing.  When we did get up it was pet stuff and breakfast.  There was a little surfing before leaving for Costco at 9:30.  We got there 2 minutes after they opened and the parking lot was alread half filled.  All we bought was a case of water.  The real reason to go there was Whole Foods.  They had Mangos, so we bought some.

We stopped by Circle C and ran the dog.  She did 32 retrieves, which is really good.  Then we stopped at Tomlinson's for cat treats.  They gave Lucy cookies and a duck foot.

The last stop was HEB for Thanksgiving shopping.  It was crowded, but we didn't have any trouble getting what we wanted and checking out.

I din't really have anything to do when we got home except put a license plate frame on the car.  Unfortunately I need longer screws.  That's something for tomorrow after the water guy gets done.

The rest of the afternoon was watching movies.  After dinner it was reading and football.

Day 767

Today was almost a total bust.  We woke up at 8, but didn't get up until after 9.  There was no reason to.  All there was to do was surf until after lunch when we went to the Audi dealership to get the mudflaps installed.

We got there at 1.  We were there until after 5.  Apparently installing the flaps involved taking the fenders apart.  It ended costing $300 for the install.  At least the license plates came in, too.

I was going to go over to Brothers in Arms to order a suppressor, but it was too late to do so.  Instead we went to JoAnn's.  Taffic was horrible.  We ended up taking over half an hour to get there.  Then Ellen spent a lot of time shopping there.

On the way home we stopped at HEB for gas and bananas.  We didn't get home until 7:15.

After dinner we watched John Wick 2 on Blu-ray.  The main actor is really good at weapons handling.  Apparently he shoots 3-gun.

Then it was off to bed.

Day 766

We got up about 8 today - with nothing to do.  So we stayed in bed and surfed until after 9.  After pet stuff and breakfast I decided to do a few small chores.

I went outside and put the new anode rod in the trailer water heater.  Then I disassembled the pole saw and put it away.  I'd seen a youtube video that said the Navy washes it's antennas to improve reception.  So I got out the ladder and washed the Directv disk.  It was really dirty and oxidized.  I emptied the garbage in the garage.  Finally I cleaned the Victory and put it away.  By then it was noon.

After lunch I called Mom for the first time since we left.  Talking with her is frustrating.  She doesn't remember anything, so she can't tell me what she's been doing.  She did say she was feeling wel and seemed happy I called.

After some post-lunch surfing the vet called.  Taiko was ready to come home.  We left to go up there at 2.  It took about an hour with a stop at the post office.  We waited a little while at the vet and then they brought out Taiko.  The ride back too a lot longer.  360 was backed up bad at several of the stop lights.  We got back about 4:30.

I surfed for about 45 minutes and then took the dog to the mailbox.  On the way back I stopped at the apartment and did my exercises.

After dinner the evening was reading and watching TV.

Day 765

I got up at 7 today - woke up and couldn't get back to sleep.  We stayed in bed for about an hour and then got up for pet stuff and breakfast.  Then it was a little surfing until 9:30 when it was time to take Ellen to the doctor.  She saw the radiologist - just a chat.  Then we waited a long time for the oncologist (surprise, surprise).  He chatted and actually gave Ellen some information that may help her with controlling her asshole.

We were out of there by 12, about when I suspected.  After that we went to the yuppie grocery store.  We forgot to look for mangos, and they didn't have prickly pear jelly.  We did by some produce.  The last stop was the post office.

We ate lunch when we got home.  I'm really disappointed that I gained weight last week.  It's time to take drastic action.  No more eating out and really watch the calories.

After lunch I did a little surfing and then decided to tackle the last big "moving" chore.  I went through my clothes and put a bunch of the old stuff in a pile for Goodwill.  I was kind of depressed to find that I'd been buying and wearing XL t-shirts when we first got down here.  That means I went up a whole size in the last 7 years.  Crap.  At least everything is now put away.

One curious note.  There was someone in a car parked in the cul-de-sac this morning at 9 when I took out some garbage.  They were still there when we left at 9:30.  We got their license plate.  About 11:30 Lee called to say that one of the neighbors had called him about it.  He's out of town, so he asked me to call the Sheriff.  I did.

Most of the rest of the afternoon was surfing.  So much in fact that I finally just got tired of it.  I did a little reading and then it was time to walk to the mailbox and do my exercises.  I WILL lose weight next week.

One bit of good news.  The vet called and said that Taiko is responding well to treatment.  It may be that his advanced disease was a misdiagnosis.  The ultrasound didn't show up anything bad although he has a couple of conditions that might just be old age.

The evening was watching football and reading.

Day 764

Today was a loooooong day.  It started at 8 with pet stuff and breakfast.  Then we took Taiko to the vet and picked up fluids for Fletcher.  We left him there and then went out to do things.  I really finished all of my chores yesterday, so today was kind of a free day. 

We stopped at Wally World to get a couple of things I could make into an IV rack.  Then we went to the Range to find out about training.  It's really expensive.  We looked at all of their guns just for fun.  There was only one that might have wanted.  Their prices are all withing a few dollars of MSRP.  In other words, way too high.  For example, the .22 I bought last weekend for $360 was $440 there.

After that we went to the new Opal Devine's for lunch.  It was OK.  Lucy liked her dog menu selection.  Then we went to Spec's to look for prickly pear jelly.  They didn't have any.  After the post office we ran the dog at Circle C.  It was 2 by then and we had two hours to kill before picking up Taiko.  We spent it surfing in the park.

When we went to pick up Taiko the vet suggested taking his bed with him to the hospital.  It was 4 and traffic up to the hospital sucked.  So we took him home.  We ate dinner and then went to the Hog Heaven party.  The rich guy that owns it has built them an amazing new facility.  They had dinner there, but we didn't eat much.

It was 8:45 by the time we drove back home, packed up Taiko, and made it to the hospital.  We were there until about 10 filling out forms and checking him in.  I guess the bill will be about 2K.  Oh well.  The good news is that they will do an ultrasound to make sure nothing else is wrong.

We were home by about 10:30.  You can really make time with no traffic.  We drove 360 from 2222 to loop 1 and didn't have to stop for a single light.  Amazing.

That is all.

Day 763

I woke up at 7:45 this morning, turned over and went back to sleep until 8:15.  After pet stuff and breakfast I went out to finish work on the trailer.

First I unscrewed the anode rod from the water heater.  Unfortunately I forgot to let off the pressure.  The rod shot out and I got covered with water mixed with little white particles.  So it was inside for a change of clothes.  Luckily it's wash day, so they just went into the wash.

The old rod was almost completely gone.  I used the cleaning nozzle I'd ordered to clean out the tank.  It didn't seem to be very dirty.  Then I put the old one partially back in.

Then I hooked up the compressor and blew all of the water out of the water lines.  I spent a lot of time making sure I had all the water out that I could get out.  The last act was to close the slides and lock it up.

The trailer didn't take that long to deal with, so I decided to do some other small tasks.  I moved the bike rack from the well house to the back shed.  I think I hurt my back doing it - it's hurt all day since.  I also put up the new flamingo and tractor in the back yard.  Unfortunately the Minion is no more.

After that I'd run out of little tasks.  So I surfed until lunch.

After lunch we went to the post office and Wally World.  Unfortunately Wally World didn't have anode rods.  Home Depot didn't have the strings for the new trimmer, but Lowe's did (yeah!).  The last stop was Circle C to run the dog.  She didn't want to.  It may have been because it was 80, or it might have been because she'd spent a lot of time today chasing squirrels.

The vet called when we got home.  Apparently Taiko's kidneys are so bad that he's not long for this world.  We're going to try a hospital treatment to help him out - no guarantees.  He's going in tomorrow.  We're also going to start Fletcher on fluids.  Apparently he's got bad kidneys, too.  I told Ellen to start looking for new kittens.

After that wonderful news I did gunsmithing.  The parts for my 10/22 and Ellen's 22/45 came in.  Her gun took a minute or two to add the slide handle.  Mine took a little longer, but wasn't hard.  The mods reduced the trigger pull from 6.75 lbs to 3.25 lbs.  That's a great improvement and it was fun to do.

The evening was surfing, reading and half listening to the TV.

Day 762

We woke up about 7:30, but didn't get out of bed until after 8.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.

After breakfast I went out to finish the yard work.  The new trimmer works well.  It's probably as much effort as the old one because ti's heavy.  It's faster though, and doesn't kill my back.  I still had to do a few areas with the weed eater, but they were pretty limited.

Since I had the cords out I decided to finish the tree trimming also.  I cut a bunch of branches off a big dead tree in the side yard.  I also trimmed several trees that had branches overhanging the parking area.  Finally I cut down the dead tree beside the driveway that was starting to lean towads the driveway.  That whole effort took until 11:30.

While I was doing that Ellen was trimming all of the overgrown bushes in the back yard.  We need them all cut back so that we can get the house painted.  I actually finished a little before she did, but she started after I did.

It was 75 degrees and 75% humidity, so I was hot and sweaty when I was done.  So I took a shower before lunch.

After lunch we went to the post office.  After that I got a haircut.  After 6 weeks I was getting pretty shaggy.  When that was done we went to Sam's club and bought some apple cider and some cornbread.  Then it was home.

The rest of the afternoon was surfing.  The evening was surfing and football.

Day 761

We got up at 8, did the pet stuff, and had breakfast.  I had planned on doing yard work, but it was raining  That wasn't all bad, since it meant I could go to the gun show in Dripping Springs without guilt.  Also, we could take the dog.

The gun show itself didn't have anything interesting.  There were a couple of idiots selling CCI .22 for $15/100.  I wonder if they find anyone stupid enough to buy it.

The rain had changed to a slight mist by the time we left the show.  We took the dog over to the soccer field and let her run.  She did 25 retrieves.  There were actually a couple of games going on there.

We mad a quick stop at Home Depot and then had lunch at Trudy's.  I know it's not great Mexican food, but it's a hell of a lot better than what you can get in Oregon.

It was too wet to do any work outside when we got home.  So ut to the apartment and finished putting away all of the stuff that we'd brought down in the trailer.  It took a couple of hours.  Then I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening reading, surfing, and watching football.

One thing of note.  Ellen fixed Thorny Dean sausage and hashbrowns for dinner.  I think that's the first dinner she's cooked in a long time.

Day 760

We got up a little after 8, did pet stuff and had breakfast.  Then we left for Round Rock.  Ostensibly it was to go to the gun show.  The real reason was to drive the car.  It was fun.  There wasn't any traffic in the morning.  Everyone was doing 10 miles over the speed limit.  We took the toll roads just to get their quicker.

We had fun at the show.  Ellen even got interested in some of the guns we saw.  I saw several rare old guns that I'd either never seen before or have seen only occasionally.  One vendor had a S&W .22 with a threaded barrel on sale at the internet price.  So I bought it.  Ellen even approved.

We got finished a little after noon and went to the fish restaurant across the street.  I had a really good shrimp and rice meal.  Ellen had fish and chips.  She liked the fries and thought the fish was so-so.

The next stop was Fry's.  We really didn't need anything, but it was fun to look around.  I ended up buying a new mouse and Ellen bought a stand for her laptop.  We also stopped at Rudy's on the way back to get some BBQ for lunch.

We didn't get home until 4.  I really wanted to get something useful done today, so I got the saw out.  I strung three extension cords out to where the dead tree was in the side yard.  I cut it up and piled the pieces back in the woods.  It was a little easier than I thought because the wood was really dry and light.  The whole effort took me about an hour.

It was about 70 with 75% humidity while I was working.  I was hot an sweaty when I finished.  So I took a shower.  Then it was some surfing before dinner.

After dinner was TV and reading.  I also took a little nap.  For some reason I was really sleepy.

Day 759

Got up about 8 today, did the pet stuff and had breakfast.  We were due at the Audi dealer at 10, so there wasn't any point in getting anything started.  We left about 9:15.

The tech guy we had an appointment with was a little late.  He made up for it by being very helpful.  He finished setting up the internet function for us.  He also showed us how to use the navigation system more effectively.  He wasn't able to get the Homelink to work.  He said it's a common problem and Audi is working on it.  We signed up for a software update if one becomes available.

After we were finished with the lesson we bought license plate frames and mudflaps for the car.  Actually we ordered them, they weren't in stock.  By then it was after 11.

We drove down to the JoAnn's at Slaughter.  I got some hooks and elastic to use to attach the dog cover to the car.  Ellen got some fabric to make Mom a couple of shirts.  By then it was noon, so we had lunch at the Chinese buffet.  They have the best Chinese buffet food we've ever had.

The next stop was Home Depot to get black screws to attach the dog cover hooks.  While we were there the vet left a message for Ellen.  She said Taiko's kidneys were worse.  We decided to go back on Slaughter and get some fluids.  When we got there we found out that the vet wanted to talk to us, but couldn't for an hour.  We didn't wait.  We left stuff at the Goodwill across the street and bought Mom a skirt there.

On the way back to the post office the vet called.  Apparently Taiko's kidneys are pretty bad.  Fletchers's are going down hill.  That's not good news.  We need to decide if we allow the vet to do a hospital procedure on Taiko.  It looks like we may need new kitties in awhile.  Crap.

When we got home we measured out where the hooks needed to go on the dog cover.  Ellen started work on them.  It was after 5, but I wanted to get something accomplished today.  I filled the trimmer with gas and oil and started it up.  It started up right away.  It was too late to do anything with it, so I put the chainsaw together.  Then I used it to cut down the two dead tree trunks by the apartment.  Those things had bugged me since I first cut them partially down when I was removing the trees the drought killed.  I couldn't cut them then, because they were too thick.  By now their centers were all rotted out, so the saw just had to cut the outside.  I chopped them both up and stacked the wood in the big wood stack.

After that I went back inside and put all of the decorations back on the refrigerator.  It took quite awhile to reconstruct the map of Texas.  Then it was dinner, reading, and surfing.

Day 758

I woke up at 7 today, but didn't get out of bed until 8:30.  There was no reason to because we were going to have to wait all day for the refrigerator.  After pet stuff and breakfast I wanted to go deal with the dead tree in the side yard.  Unfortunately it was still too we to string out electrical cord.

So instead we surfed the whole morning and most of the afternoon away.  I read a couple of magazines.  The refrigerator didn't come until 2:30, half an hour before the deadline.  We didn't expect anything else.

When they finished delivering the refrigerator I left to get the mail and run the dog.  Ellen stayed home because her asshole was giving her problems.  Lucy did great at Circle C, 36 retrieves.

The new string trimmer came late in the day.  Unfortunately it's missing a bolt to keep the handle attached.  I'll have to get one from Lowe's tomorrow.  I did unpack it and take all of the stuff out to the garbage can.  I also did my exercises.

The rest of the evening was reading, surfing, and football.

Day 757

We were up at 7 today.  First because that's when I woke up.  Second because I immediately discovered that a cat had barfed in the bed - by rolling in it.  We put the sheets in the washer, did the pet stuff, and had breakfast.

I was going to go out and do some yard work, but it started raining.  It did that all day.  Instead I decided to update my gun parts inventory.  I got out all of the things in the garage and all of the stuff I'd brought down.  It took until noon to get it all written up, repacked, and put away.  It took a chunk out of all the things I need to put away.

I also found out that the Tireminder wasn't broken.  I was just about to pack it up to send it in when I decided to plug it into a wall charger.  It charged right up.  Apparently the 1 amp plug in Ellen had it in in the truck wasn't enough to run it, much less charge it.

Ellen tried to get the car hooked up to the internet.  She was only partially successful and really frustrated.

After lunch and some surfing we packed up all of the animals and went to the vet.  The upshot is that the cats are doing pretty good for how old they are.  Lucy needs to have a tooth pulled.  I'm not happy about that, but I don't want her hurting either.

For some reason my phone was almost dead.  That's when I found out that we didn't have a cabl for it in the new car.  So we drove all the way to Best Buy to get one.  I couldn't think of any other place to go.  Then it was the post office and home.

When we got home it was surfing and then dinner.  The whole evening was a Battlebots marathon.

The refrigerator people called.  They'll be here between 11 and 3.  That will ruin the whole day.

Day 756

We got up at 8 today.  I keep waking up early and then having trouble getting back to sleep.  I guess I haven't adjusted to the time change yet.

After the pet stuff and breakfast I went out and finished the work on the rifle.  I bore sighted it and put all of the packaging in the apartment attic.  I also unpacked one of the boxes we bought down and put the stuff away.  After that I took some wrapping paper with me and went inside.

Ellen and I wrapped up the Christmas presents for John, Patty, and Vicki.  We boxed then up, but didn't have any packing material.  We put the cookies we bought then in a second box.  Botth went into the trunk of the car.

After lunch I went out and mowed the lawn.  It took me from 1:00 until about 3:15.  I'm not going to do the edging until I get the new edger.  It will do some of what's left, but I'll need to do some by hand also.

After a quick shower we left to mail the packages.  We had to stop at Office Depot first for packaging material.  The presents box cost $22 to ship.  The cookies $14 - more than the cookies cost.

We stopped at HEB on the way home because I was out of TV dinners.  We also ran the dog at the park.  She really wanted to run and did quite a few retrieves.  It's cooled off, so that may be why.

When we got home we had dinner.  I turned the TV on because I wanted background noise for some reason.  That turned into TV watching.  Of course there was some surfing, too.

Day 755

We got up at 8, did pet stuff and had breakfast.  I did a little surfing and then got out the all-in-one computer.  I'd put it away a couple of weeks ago because the bluetooth had quit working.  I was surprised when the bluetooth worked fine when I turned it on.  I updated the OS and the network, bluetooth, and graphics drivers.

After all of that I went out to the apartment to put the scope on the 10/22.  It went pretty well after I managed to find a set of rings.  When I was finished I took it out to try it out.  The distortion at 1x makes it unusable.  It's essentially a 4x fixed power scope.  I still have to clean the gun.

It was getting sunny and hot by then (about 11).  We took the dog to Circle C anyway.  We walked all around the park.  They've build a really nice path all the way around.  The dog was really disappointed that there was no waster in the creek.  Then it was stops at the bank for money and Tomlinson's for dog food.  We had lunch at the Italian place.  Ellen's asshole was giving her trouble, so we went home.  I also got gas for the mower.

I surfed while Ellen's asshole got better.  About 3 we left to get the mail.  We also went to Sam's Club.  They had the coconut cookies we all liked during the eclipse.  We bought some to send to John and Patty.  We also stopped at Best Buy just to look around.  The traffic coming home at 5:30 was nuts.

The evening was a little more computer work, surfing, reading, and football.

Day 754

We got up at 8 today.  It was easy, because the time change gave us an extra hour sleep.  After pet stuff and breakfast  we left for San Antonio.

The "reason" to go was a gun show.  The real reason was to put some miles on the new car.  It really made the drive enjoyable.  No one was going the speed limit.  Everyone was going at least 10 over.  I was frequently going 80 and being passed.

We got to the show and walked around it for a couple of hours.  There were a lot of vendors and some interesting stuff.  I ended up buying a scope for the new 10/22 and some cheap .22 ammo.  We also got this neat Texas wall plaque. 

Going home started off badly.  We couldn't get the damn nav system to recognize Buccee's.  It wouldn't do it verbally, and when we entered it by hand (very painful) it said the destination was not found.  I ended up just driving there.

We got food at Buccee's, but there isn't any place to eat it there.  So I parked in a bank parking lot near there and ate.  Ellen was afraid to eat.  Of course she was hungry, so we drove home after that.

When we got home I did some surfing and some shopping.  I bought some stuff I'd had in the Amazon cart for awhile.  Then I ordered a gas powered trimmer.  I want to save my back.  I also put a new screen saver on my phone and went out to the apartment to do a little unpacking.  I also did my exercises.  It wasn't pleasant.

The evening was reading and football.  I'm trying to get through all of the magazines that accumulated while the mail was on hold.

Day 753

We got up about 8, but I was up about 7.  We did the pet stuff and had breakfast.  Then I went out to the car an tried to get the back seat cover attached.  I also replaced the bulb in the trailer scare light.  Then I tried to program the Homelink.  I was unsuccessful.  Ellen got pissed and got out of the car.  I left without her.

I got to 290 before she called to say she was locked out.  I drove back and waited  over an hour for her asshole to come to equilibrium.  Then we left with the dog.

We went to an estate sale near Dripping Springs.  It started yesterday and was pretty cleaned out.  They had a weed eater that I was planning to buy.  I called Jeff and he said to forget it, fixing it would cost too much.  We did buy some plates for Hooch's place in Sunriver, and a tile cutter in case Ellen's sister comes down.

 Then we went to Dripping Springs and ran the dog at the soccer fields.  Then we ate at the pizza place.  I stopped at HEB while Ellen stayed there with the dog.

Finally we went to get the mail.  I just wanted to put some miles on the car.

All the time we were in the car Ellen had the manual out while we tried to figure out how to do things.  The navigation system is frustrating, but the voice input works great.

When we got home I spent about an hour unloading the basement of the trailer and putting everything in the apartment or away in the house.

The evening was surfing and TV.  I found a couple of accessories I'm going to buy for the car.

Day 752

We woke up about 7, but didn't get up until after 8.  There wasn't any point, the refrigerator guys wouldn't be here until sometime between 9 and 1.  They called about 8:30 to say they'sd be there in an hour.

After pet stuff and breakfast I went out to the trailer and removed some more stuff.  I got the interior done.  I was going to do the basement, but the refrigerator showed up.  When they unpacked it, it had a dent in the side.  Ellen didn't want it.  They left it as a demo because ours didn't work.  A new one is supposed to be here next week.

We left for the Audi  dealership when they left.  We stopped to pick up the 10/22 first.  We test drove the A5.  It was really nice.  Then we test drove the A4 it wasn't as quiet.

We talked with the salesman for awhile.  There wasn't a chance that we'd get a car we wanted until the end of January.  So we decided to buy the A5 they had in stock, even though it had a black interior and had $5,000 worth of options we weren't sure we wanted.  They gacve us a price that was maybe $500 more than we should have paid.

The buying process took hours and involved more signatures than I could believe.  We didn't get out of there until almost 5.  We hadn't eaten since breakfast.  We also didn't get the much needed training on the electronics because it was late.  We should get it in a few days when the plates show up.

The car drives really nice, except for the "turn off the engine" function, which I hate.  There will have to be a lot of RTFM to get things set up.

When we got home I moved everything from the Mazda into the appropriate places in the Audi.  The mosquitoes were eating me alive while I did it.  Ellen moved the stuff from the trailer to the loaner refrigerator.

Then it was dinner time, followed by surfing and TV.