Mother’s Hired Help

As much as I love my mother sometimes I feel like pulling my hair out with the people she hires.  You see, even if they are incompetent like Mata Gatos or so call professionals like the plumber and the welder…they never show up when they say they are going to nor do they call to let us know they are coming.  It is not like they are doing it for free or giving her a discount…they are charging their regular rates and we would not have it any other way.

We have had a bad leak in the bathtub for a while now (I have been catching the water and using it to water the trees).  The plumber decides to show up Tuesday without calling. Checks it out and gives me a list of things to buy so he can come by that afternoon.

Then the mechanic calls to let me know her mini-van was ready and wants to come drop it off and for me to drive him back to his shop. Wouldn’t you know it, in that short time frame the welder showed up!  Well, on the positive side at least the gate is fixed.

The plumber called that afternoon saying that he would not be able to make it but he would try to come Wednesday…we are still waiting!  These people call themselves professionals?  They are her church people so as difficult as it is, I have to keep my mouth shut and remember that this is not my house!

After cleaning out my tent, I decided to put it to good use.  Set up my two four foot folding tables and starting sorting my plastic storage bins that I keep in Terlita (my camping van).  Made separate piles of clothes to donate, clothes to keep and the all-important…those that I will take to Terlingua.  For you first timers don’t take good clothes or those that you would hate to mess up.  There is a LOT of dirt and dust out there. Wear something you will feel comfortable in.

Another tip for first timers…pack both winter as well as summer clothes.  The days even in late October are still hot and the nights can be down right frigid.  Remember I almost froze to death one night two years ago!

Tonight we have had a few showers; mostly a lighting and thunder show but tomorrow night the heavy rains are expected for this area.  Hopefully it will wash off the rest of the dirt from last year’s terrible dust storm.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Front Yard is Mowed

This waking up early is for the birds, need to wrap things up here and head back to Del Rio so I can get back to my regular schedule.

Wanted to go buy some paper products that are on sale at Target (you know how I love bargains) plus if you buy two of them they will give you a $5.00 shopping card. However it began to rain and I do not drive in the rain.

Actually it did not rain for long.  The promise downpours for Sunday did not materialize, well at least not in my part of town.  Worked on some projects I had not gotten to, got sleepy and took a much needed nap.

I woke up refreshed and decided to mow the front yard while I had a chance since rains are in the forecast for tomorrow.  I have not finished the backyard and frankly I do not care.  All the HOA is interested in is the front.

Tomorrow I will weed the flower beds (that have no flowers) and apply new mulch. Weather permitting will try to get to the tall grass in the back but I am not going to sweat it.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Afternoon Showers

Been busy this week so had not gotten around to doing laundry.  Put a load to wash and then turned on the weather channel.  Said there was a 20 to 30 percent chance of rain, rats!!  When they give that kind of probability it usually means 90 to 100 percent chance of rain.

Went outside to check and sure enough it was getting cloudy. Went through my usual preparations, put the cars in the carport, moved delicate plants to the porch, etc. etc.  You have to understand that exactly two weeks ago we had a 30% chance of rain and we got 4.47 inches.

We had a wonderful afternoon shower.  Temperature dropped from 96 to 79 degrees.  It was a welcome respite from the suffocating heat.  Thank you rain gods.

On another note picked up mother’s car and bid adieu to that worthless mechanic.  I felt like a great weight was lifted off my shoulders.

All in all not a bad day.

Have a good night, and may you have Terlingua Dreams.