One of the trials of living on a rural route.

I have been anxiously awaiting a package this week.  New curriculum.  You know how that is.  I had a four hour block carved out for tomorrow to look through my new books.  I worked very hard to keep that free time this week.  Imagine my disappointment when once again I was let down by my not so dear friends from Fed Ex. 

Here is the letter I sent today:

Although once again I have a problem with my package
that has been shipped via your service, my complaint is about your shipping
services in general.  I will admit that we live in a somewhat rural area, but on
an amazingly regular basis Fed Ex is not able to deliver my package to my actual
address.  I frequently get packages for my neighbors and vice versa.  My
neighbor across the street has even taped a written description of her home to
her mail box to help the drivers find the correct address (it hasn't helped), 
When I called last week to let you know that once again a package for my
neighbor had been delivered to my home, the gentleman had the driver pick it up
to re-deliver in hopes that it would help with the address confusion.  (It
hasn't). 

I was aware today that my package from Sonlight was unfortunately being
delivered by Fed Ex and I awoke bright and early, wrote in big black letters
with a sharpie on a piece of poster board "Fed Ex!  This is 3##!" and nailed it
to my front porch.  Imagine my surprise when I checked my tracking # only to
find that my package was not able to be delivered because they couldn't find my
address.  Really?  I live directly on the X Rd (RR #).  Directly on the
road.  No turns, not behind another house.  Directly on the main road.  If you
stopped the truck on RR # by the giant sign nailed to the porch that said "Fed
EX! 3##!"  you would be there.  We were home the entire morning waiting for this
package.  What makes this most frustrating is that UPS NEVER messes up my
delivery.  If they can find my home every time, why can't you?

Today, I called your 1-800 # to make arrangements to pick up my package by
driving the thirty minutes to the Bridgeport center only to be told that while,
yes, they are to be open until 3pm, it would appear they were already closed at
2pm.  Now it apparently won't be delivered until Tuesday 2/5.  

In the meantime, I will leave my Fed Ex sign up and hopefully see my package on
Tuesday.

My response so far:  "We will attempt to find the most appropriate person to help with your problem."

Arrrgghhhhhh!

Oh, sorry.  I meant thank you. 

Thank you very much. 

In Control.

Hey.  Hi. 

Remember me.

Looks like I've chosen a lack of communication to finish up communication week, huh?

I've been on call - and busy - 4 out of the past 5 days, plus working my regular day.  Swim lessons started this week - every morning and we're getting ready for the soccer tournament on Saturday.  Josh is getting his expander on today.  Oh, and life.  You know - plain old life.  The never ending laundry, messy house, bills to be paid, business to run and these boys (and man) that are always wanting food. 

All. The. Time.

Don't worry about me, though.  I have it all under control as always. 

What's that you ask? 

Well, that's just yet another example of how under control I have everything.

I washed....and dried....an entire roll of toilet paper. And part of a band aid.

Don't ask.  I'm still not too sure how I did it.

So, how's your week going?

Pintervention: Sour Cream Biscuits

It's been a couple of weeks since my last pintervention.   In that time, I've been discovering Jackie over at Moms on a Mission.  She's all about freezer cooking and easy meals.  That's right up my alley.

Here's the pin that led me to her site:

Sour Cream Biscuits

I made just one little substitution.  Instead of 4 cups of white flour, I used 3 white and 1 wheat. 

Here's my version:

Yep.  I nailed it. 

If by nailed it, I mean completly failed and ending up with flat, little round discs. 

Being the frugal gal I am, I started thinking about what to do with them.

Answer:

Add a little sauce, pepperoni and cheese.

Bake until cheese melts.

Lunch is served!

Nice!

Attack of the Umbrella.

A few months back, I picked up a new umbrella.  Actually, Josh picked it out for me.  He thought the bright colors might make working in the rain a little better for me. 

Today, I tried it out.

As I walked from my car to my first patient's home, I was completely dry under my giant, colorful umbrella.  Until, all of a sudden, Snap!   My umbrella completely closed on it's own and I was soaked in a matter of seconds. 

At my second house of the day, I held the umbrella a little more carefully and closely.  Just as I stepped onto the porch....Snap!   The umbrella not only closed unexpectedly, the black rods on the inside got completely stuck in my ponytail.  Completely.  Stuck. 

I have no doubt that seeing the nurse, who is coming to check on you and take your blood, twirling in a circle trying to get an umbrella out of her hair must be very comforting. 

I caught a view of myself in their mirror as I entered the house.  I was a cross between Alice Cooper and Don King.  Raccoon eyes and crazy hair.

So, how was your day?

My garden experiment

This rain was making me crazy this spring.  Ronnie couldn't get a good day to put the electric fence up, which meant I couldn't get the plants in. And I had to get the plants in before we left for the beach.  Had to.
.
We learned years ago that the deer were in the woods lurking, just waiting for me to plant their delicious feast. 

Solution:  I used the giant flower boxes on my front porch this year.  Why should I go to the expense of buying flowers when I have all these beautiful vegetables just waiting for some good dirt?  I chose to plant my lettuce because it doesn't root to deeply and it should be convenient to get a salad from the front porch.

Here's how it turned out:

As of now, I have mixed feelings.  The left side grows better than the right side.  I  think my lettuce would be larger if it were in the garden instead.  It is also taking a ton of water to keep the dirt moist - much more than when I had flowers in it.   Lastly, I miss my pretty flowers.  They really added some nice color to the front.

Not all of my schemes work out. 

Next year, I'll stick with flowers.