Needs and the Post Office

I really need to get a printer.  I took my zip drive full of letters to heroes over to CopyMax last night after work and the guy didn't even charge me the color price for the pages that didn't have any pictures on them and I still ended up paying over $13 for the whole shebang.  Another few trips like that and I could have paid for my own printer.  The trouble is trying to find a good one that is compatible with my mac.  I can't wait until I get that new computer.  I'm not sure what OS it runs, but it has to be newer than Tiger.  I'm sure that it is Windows Vista or something.  (yikes!)

Anyway, I was happy to get them printed of course, and I will continue to do it until such time as a printer falls into my lap... LOL

I managed to get the Easter boxes out to the guys yesterday as well.  The trip to the post office of doom went really good.  That evil snatch behind the counter went into the back when she saw I was in line and I ended up with the older guy who is really awesome.  He would be the reason I keep coming back.  Unlike her, he always has a twinkle in his eye (or maybe it's dust, I can't tell) and a smile on his face.  He's helpful, friendly, and always patient.

That woman is horrible!  While I was filling out the customs forms a gentleman went up to the counter while she was helping someone just to ask a question and she bit his head off!  "You MUST go to the end of the line!"  The line was a bit long, I'll grant that.  Even I would have tried to get her attention (had I not known her better) if all I was asking was a simple question.  He blew up, said something to the effect of "Forget it then!" and took off in a huff.  She proceeded to gossip about him to the lady she was helping saying that "someone didn't spend enough time in the corner as a child." Are you kidding me?  Then she proceeds to continue making small talk with the lady she was helping long after she was done helping her with her packages when there is a line now to the door.

I will never understand the need for hypocrisy in the world today.....

Anyway, while I was at the counter with the really awesome clerk, there was a customer beside me who was filling out a customs form.  She was sending fudge to her military hero, probably her son or something.  She was having a bit of difficulty, so I was able to give her advice on what I do.  I also gave her a Soldiers' Angels card.  The clerk and I jokingly told her that she should send stuff for him to bargain with.  I swear it is almost like being in jail over there sometimes with the bargaining and trading and whatnot.  I felt like I did my good deed for the day (hypocritically, knowing that I was thinking such evil thoughts about the woman who still hadn't come out from behind the back room).  I hope that she will check out the SA website. The woman I was helping with the custom forms, that is. :)

Not my floor, but you get the idea.

I need a table!  Everything I have for SA is still sitting on the floor in what could be loosely called my dining room.  Raven and I eat on tiny tables in front of the tv usually watching some Disney movie.  (I'm really tired of watching those, let me tell you.)  So, my dining area looks so cluttered with everything on the floor.  I do have a writing desk, but that also has accumulated a bunch of stuff.  Bah!  Tomorrow I am clearing everything off of it and cleaning up the clutter!!  Admittedly, a lot of that clutter is packages and letters that need to go out.  Taken care of this Monday.  But still!  I think it's time to hit up the thrift shops for some plastic bins and possibly a table, but I wouldn't be able to get a table home.  I only drive a Corolla.  Not the best table-moving vehicle on the planet..hehehe.. Perhaps I can find one of those folding tables.  I know they are rather expensive, but who knows what treasures the thrift shops may have....  I will hit them up on Monday!! After I get more tea for the letters and stuff.....

Thanks for reading...

::endtransmission::

Dreading the Post Office

I MUST get those Easter care packages out today.  As it is, they probably won't get there in time, but at least they will get there.  I needed to get the money together to send them, and I didn't get as much help with the TVW package as I had hoped for.  Oh well.  Perhaps next month will be better.  Actually, if I don't get as much fundage as I hope, I will only send as big of a package as I get funding for.  So, if that means a padded envelope, so be it.  I don't always have to send out large boxes, but I know they appreciate it.

So, I must send out these boxes.  Unfortunately, the closest post office is the one that I wrote the complaint letter about (see a previous post) and I am not looking forward to going there.  I don't have any letters with me this time, though, so it shouldn't be THAT bad.  I just fill out the customs forms and off they go.  Hopefully in a timely manner.  I have a lot of other packages that need to go out, but I will wait until Monday so I can go to one of the other post offices.

All I know is that I will survive, I just wish I could survive altercations with people..

The weather has calmed down a bit, and I noticed no loss of life in the garden.  In fact, two more watermelon plants have sprouted!  I am very excited about that, and Raven was reallllly happy.  She lets out a cute little *gasp* and it makes me giggle.

COMPUTER UPDATE:

So, I've been waiting patiently for my friend to get done with my computer.  It is toast, but she did manage to get all of the data off of my drives.  It is all waiting for me on an external hard drive (as long as THAT doesn't crash) so when I get my new computer, all I have to do is transfer the data and reinstall my programs.  Voila!  That really made my day.

It is good to know that my mac mini works.  I might just set that up for Raven to use as her personal computer or something... put some games on it perhaps.

I have been wondering how I am going to keep up on my Letter Writing Team names.  I had opted for two names a day.  Two things happened.  While I was perusing the headlines on yahoo yesterday morning I came across the story about FREE software.  One of the programs was a suite very similar to the Office 2007 suite.... work, excel, etc.  The program is called LibraOffice.  It looks and acts just like Word and the best part is that I can save the file to a .doc or .docx file.  The even BESTEST part is that the program is compatible with my very old mac mini that still runs Tiger.  I about died and went to heaven!  I don't have a printer still, but I do have my zip drive (see, I figured out the name of that little gadget) so that I can take them to CopyMax and get them printed off in beautiful color.  I add pictures to the letters for the heroes.  Happy Day!

I also opted to not have names given to me on Mondays.  That will allow me time to get everything printed for the previous week and sent out.  I am slowly but surely figuring out a system to all this madness.  I wish I were more artsy. I notice pictures of other angels who draw on their envelopes or draw handmade cards, and I feel like I should be doing something better, but I guess to each their own abilities.  What I do to my cards to try to make them unique is I have found military cartoons like the one below to add to their letters to help bring a smile.  It might not, but I think they will.  I also add pictures of stuff I am doing in my life.  Like the pics I previously posted about my walk along the river.  I'm sure that it is better than looking at the sea or the sand all day.

This weekend I am planning on going on a walk along the river with a friend of mine.  Hopefully she will still come.  On Monday I am having lunch with a few friends at my house.  I need to get my apartment cleaned!  I don't know what we are having yet, but I'm sure it will be good.  Perhaps sandwiches and fruit.  Not sure.  I haven't had anyone over since Raven's birthday party.

I used to have people over to my place all the time.  This was before kids, and even a little while after Raven was born, but lately I have become more reclusive.  That might be in part because of my work schedule, and I really don't like being a hermit.  I don't really like being in the middle of things, either, but somewhere there has got to be a happy medium.

I think that's all the ramblings I have right now.  I will write more if I come up with anything interesting.

::endtransmission::

Just Rambling On...

Wednesday was a day off for me.  I spent most of the time with a friend down at Bella's Grove making blank cards for people to write in if they want to send to one of the Chaplains.  The plan is to have an SA info booth at Bella's Grove garage sale on a Sunday a few weeks from now.  I still have time to make more cards.  I know that the heroes will appreciate them.

I planted some of the corn seedlings into my garden, and what does the weather do?  It HAILS for two hours this morning.  It is looking ok now, but for crying out loud, Spring, make up your mind already!

Oh, pictures of the walk that Raven and I took.  See below.  It was a really great time.

I am hoping that the weather will cooperate so we can go again, this time to a different section of the greenbelt.  

Otherwise, not much else goes on.  I work, I read, I sleep, and somewhere in there I find time to play with Raven. She's growing up so beautifully, but very stubbornly.  I guess she gets that from me.

::endtransmission::

Birthday Fundraiser for SA

Hello all my faithful readers....

Just a short note today to let you know that I am posting a link to my fundraiser for Soldiers' Angels.  My birthday isn't until August 29th, but I figure it is never too early to make a birthday wish.  ALL money donated via this link goes directly to Soldiers' Angels.  I'm just the middle gal to help raise money.  I truly believe in this organization, and I hope that there are a few out there that will help me on my quest to reach $500.  The donation is $10 minimum. (Set by the website, not by me.)

Thank you very much in advance.  Please visit Onyx's Birthday Wish to make your donation.

Together, we can make sure that "No soldier goes unloved..."

Please link and feel free to repost this blog or wish link.  Thank you!

My Complaint Letter to USPS

I don't get mad very easily.  I do get upset, though, when someone takes advantage of my hard earned cash.  The following is my letter to the United States Postal Service.  I was so mad that I wish I would have said more, but I didn't.  Enjoy!

"I am very upset with the female clerk in that office. Rudely going through the letters that I send to the soldiers and forcing me to pay 20 cents extra just to send them. After reviewing the information on the website, I can see where she was correct in doing so, BUT there is NO reason whatsoever that I should have been charged extra for the cards that I sent today. I have NEVER had a letter or a card returned due to not being able to go through your super sensitive machines. I have been coming to this post office every week for FOUR months, and every week is it something different with her. I will NOT be going to that post office ever again. In fact, I hope it is one that gets closed down when the post office goes through more budget cuts. I cannot believe that you are willing to rape the people over 20 cents because your precious machines cannot handle the thickness of one lousy tea bag. It doesn't even put the letter over the first class mailing weight. I am very offended. I am even moreso that your machines cannot handle one regular birthday card. It sickens me, actually. As I said before, I have never had a letter or card returned due to this issue. The soldiers love their tea, and it makes them very happy to get it. Either get your mail carriers up to date on the latest ways of ripping people off for postage or give me a break and get your machines to be able to handle a simple bag of tea or a birthday card for crying out loud! 

Sincerely, XXXXXXX 

P.S. There is no need to call me regarding this. My phone is turned off anyway."

Seriously, they MUST send these through some stupid machine lest we be charged more for someone actually picking up a damn stamper to hand stamp a letter or a card?? SERIOUSLY?!?  Come on, people!  Get off your technology kick for just one stinking minute.  It is no wonder why the post office just had to close down so many sites.  You keep finding new ways to rape the public while your service just keeps getting worse or doesn't change at all.  Quit being a postal nazi and think of something greater than yourselves for a change! 

Master of None

Wow, lost a follower after my last post.  No matter.  The ones that are important are still with me.  And, I thank you for that.

I often wonder about the effect of my ramblings on others.  The possibility is that they mean absolutely nothing, which is fine, too.  I'm not into writing to make a great impact on this world.  I am following the ones I am because you all DO write things that matter to me.  You are interesting, and I love to read what you have to say.  I don't always leave comments because I have no witty retort or particular opinion either way, but you all leave me with food for thought, and that is what I love.

I sometimes wish my ramblings would leave others with food for thought, but they don't.  And they won't.  No matter.....

"They" say you should write about what you know.  The trouble is that I don't know a whole lot about anything, and there are always people who know more about everything than I do.  Ah, research you say.  Yeah, well, that kind of goes along the lines of having no time for anything else and not knowing what I want to be when I grow up.

So, for now, you will all have to continue dealing with the chaotic ramblings of one very uninteresting individual.

I think I need a new Muse......

::endtransmission::

My Work With Soldiers' Angels

Every time I visit the SA website I cringe.  There are so many heroes waiting to be adopted.   There is just so much that one Angel can do.  I currently have two adopted heroes.  I had three, but one unadopted himself.  Ok, I thought.  No problem.  That leaves me free to join a few more teams and spread myself out a little bit more.  So, I joined the Chaplains Support Team.

Now, I was a little skeptical about this at first, afterall, anyone who knows me knows that I am on a Pagan path, not a Christian or Jewish one.  The team leader assured me that my contributions to the team are definitely welcome, so I went ahead and joined.  I wasn't let down.  So far I have sent off a few letters to Chaplains as well as sent several books for Operation Story Time.  The heroes get to record themselves reading a storybook for their children and it gets sent way of DVD, I believe.  I think it is very admirable.  Another set of books will go out on the 11th.

I have also stepped up my work with the Letter Writing Team.  I was getting three names per week, but opted for 14 names.  Two per day.  I think that will start as of tomorrow, but I'm not sure.  With over 1600 heroes waiting for adoption, I figured that I could at least send out letters.  I finally found my whatchamacallit (wait, that didn't set off the spell check???)  you know, the little tiny thing that one puts into the usb port to transfer information.  I am drawing a complete blank.  If fits on my keychain.  Anyway, I finally found it so now I will be able to type my letters and go to Copy Max to print them out.  I've included pictures as well.  Kind of what you guys get to read on my blogs, only more well written.. lol..

In addition to all that I still pick up TLC names whenever I feel like I have the extra money to send a care package.  Granted they are what I call "mini care packages" the smallest flat rate box, but boy, can one cram a LOT of stuff in that little thing!  I also have flat rate envelopes that I can pack full as well.

I know there is at least one other Angel in my area and we are friends on Facebook, but I still feel all alone out here.  That's ok, though because there is so much support from the team leaders and the SA forums and the FB group pages.  What I really want to do is set up a booth at the TVW garage sale that is coming up in a few weeks.  It would definitely be a start to getting the word out.  I have finally ordered some SA cards, and I will be posting those around town on the messages boards and stuff.

Why did I join SA?  I wanted to do something more than just things for myself.  I wanted to teach Raven that there is more to this world that our own little world.  And, honestly, I wanted something to do in my spare time.  I am the kind of girl who like to work behind the scenes. I'm not an upfront person, so this is the perfect opportunity for me to make a difference in someone's life without having to be in their face about it.

If you are interested in joining this wonderful organization, please visit Soldiers' Angels.  There are many options for helping our heroes overseas, even if it is sending a one-time care package.

I will close with a quote that I found rather interesting:

"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. " ~~Bob Dylan


Blessed Be

Neelix 2009-2011

Neelix was someone that always brought a smile to our faces.  He was friendly, happy, loving, and fat.  He couldn't run a race to save his life, but that is what we loved about him.  Me made his home in his wheel as well as in our hearts.

His purpose in this life was to teach Raven about death.  That when we die, we don't come back to life.  She cried for hours after I gave her the news that her favorite hamster, well, her only hamster, has passed away.  He was just over two years old.  Exact age unknown because I really didn't think to ask when we got him.  He lived with us for almost two years.  He competed in the last two hamster derbies, losing miserably each time, but Raven and I had fun, and that is all that mattered.

Even I cried for a short time upon discovering that our beloved pet had gone on to Hamster Heaven or wherever they go.

We have not yet buried him.  I am waiting until we can give him a proper funeral and whatnot.  For now he is lying in the cage with his eyes partially open.  I tell people he woke up dead.

Raven really really wants an orange cat.  I'm not ready to have a cat yet.  I do owe my end of the clean room agreement though, and I don't plan on disappointing her.  I am one who keeps my promises.

For right now, though I think that we will just mourn Neelix.  Perhaps we will watch a bunch of Star Trek: Voyager episodes with Neelix in them.  Yeah, I think that might be appropriate.

Raven and Neelix on Derby Day 2009 a few days after we got him.

::endtransmission::

Supergirls and Super Heroes

The past few days have been really fun and interesting.  Raven had her first ever sleepover at our place with just one friend whom we'll call.......Butterfly.  Raven and Butterfly are becoming the best of friends.  Butterfly is about a year and a half younger than Raven, so Raven takes every opportunity to be a bit bossy.  I am trying to squash that quickly.  It is hard for them because they are both strong-willed girls.  And, they both live as only children.

The night started out with the girls wanting to play dress-up.  It just so happened that last year Raven was Supergirl for Halloween.  I had found the one costume at a thrift shop, but it didn't come with all the pieces.  I finally gave in and went to the Halloween store and bought her a brand new Supergirl costume that had the accessories, so she ended up with two costumes.  The girls dressed up in them, and they looked like a super pair to be sure!  I wish I had my pictures, but they are on the computer at home.  I think I'll probably add them later on.

For dinner that evening I showed them how to make mini pizzas, and they had a great time rolling their biscuits, spreading out sauce and choosing their own toppings.  It was great fun.

The girls watched movies, played with legos, played games, left nuts for the squirrels, and altogether had a really great time.  I think they both wanted their space back by the time Monday came around, but in the end, Raven missed Butterfly a lot.

I got my new debit card in the mail yesterday, so that is one step closer to being back to normal.  I just need to get my checks ordered and the money still needs to be credited to my account, then I'll be all set. I am a little disconcerted that it is taking longer to get that money credited this time around than it did last time, and this time it is less than $50 that needs to be done.  Oh well, I will call them later or something. I hope that something like this never happens again.  I will certainly be more careful in the future.

One of my Marines unadopted himself.  I felt a little disappointed by that, but totally understand the reasons.  On the bright side, I did hear from the third hero I adopted via email.  It was really great to be in touch.  The only one I haven't heard from yet is my first soldier I adopted.  It's ok though.  I just hope that he's doing well.  Nothing has been returned yet, so I can assume that everything has been getting to him.  My Easter boxes are going out tomorrow I believe.  I ended up with an entire Easter box due to the unadoption of my Marine. I think I will split up the extras that I didn't put in the third box into mini Easter boxes for a few of my Letter Writing Team names or perhaps my Ladies of Liberty names.  Yeah, that sounds like a good idea... in theory anyway.  We'll see what happens.  :)

Nothing new yet on the new and improved me, but I'm still working on it.  I'll probably be working on it the rest of my life.  I'm ok with that.

I did get around to leveling out my garden plot.  Hopefully there won't be anymore swimming pools when it rains.  I will see how packed the soil gets after the next time it rains to see if I need to add more or not.  My not so nice neighbor was outside while I was doing this and suggested that I use some rocks on the side where the rain gutter is to prevent that water from seeping into the garden.  Duh, really?  It would actually clash with my fencing, but I think I can figure something out.  Besides, I am hoping that by leveling it out it will not pool up anymore.  And, once I get everything planted that I want, that should help it, too.

Some of the TVW ladies got together on Sunday to make sand scarves for some of the deployed heroes. it took a lot longer than we thought due to the ironing involved.  (We don't like to do anything half-assed.)  We only got about half done, but that's ok, because that just means that we will be able to get together next time to finish.  It was great fun.

I think those are all the ramblings that I can spew out at the moment.  Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, hate mail or compliments below. I enjoy reading it all.

Who Am I?

Let's see.  How do I start this.  A friend of mine, who spent a lot of time in Germany, once told me in the course of a conversation that when you ask a European what they do, they give you a list of their hobbies.  "I'm a painter.  I'm a rock climber...etc."  When you ask an American what they do, they tell you what they do for a living.  "I'm a secretary.  I'm a ditch digger....etc."  I pondered that for a long time, and realized that she is probably right.

So, just who am I?  

A few years ago I would tell you that I was a DJ, a private party bartender, a karaoke singer who got to compete in Sammy's Showroom in Reno, a club promoter, a friend to many, and a hiker.  I was also a clerical assistant.  

Now, If you ask me who I am, I will tell you that I am a mother, a Soldier Angel, and an overworked, under-appreciated Work Force Management agent, and a once-in-a-blue-moon karaoke singer, and an avid reader of horror/fantasy novels.  

I feel like I am not living up to my true potential.  What is my true potential you might be asking?  Hell, I don't know.  I feel like I am wandering aimlessly through this life with no true direction.  How does one find direction?  Hell, I don't know.  I feel like I am lacking some key element of the human psyche that everyone else seems to have a grasp.  I think I tend to live in the past, which is probably my first issue.  I have flyers from my last club plastered all over my wall to remind me of how it used to be.  

Dammit, it isn't like that anymore.  That life is gone!  It left me, or I threw it away, I can't really say for sure.  All I'm left with is memories. Some good, some bad, some stoic, but memories nonetheless.  

I am in my mid-30s and I have no clue what I want to be when I grow up.  I used to have such fantasies.  I used to want to be an astronaut, an interior designer, a wildlife biologist, a bakery owner, a musician.  There is only one of those that I ever got any encouragement for from my parents, and I can tell you that it wasn't being a musician.  It's funny, now that I look back on it.  I cannot recall a single time when either of my parents or step-parents ever told me, "You can be anything you put your mind to."  It was always, "You'll never be able to make a living doing that."  

I guess I had more practical parents.  

I think about what it is that I truly want to do with my life, but their words still linger in the back of my mind, "You'll never be able to make a living doing that."  

Well, I say it is time for a change.  It's time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up and draw up a plan.  Ok, it's a little late and I've made so many mistakes that everything is now coming out of order, but oh well.  

Better late than never.

Stay tuned for progress reports on the new and improved me.