Tuesday, May 17, 2022

It looks like another beautiful day here again so far. I have been out of bed since 5 but awake since about 3. At least it is enjoyable smelling the air and hearing the birds.

While we were at Mike's house yesterday so he could mow, get his golf clubs, and check on a few other things he picked up the mail. His ex received a non-payment notice on a storage unit she has had since she moved into his house 2.5 years ago. It is baffling to understand how she can receive half his pension, work full-time and pay no rent yet not pay bills. Maybe it is the cost of a new car she leased this year or the Invisalign braces she got recently. It all just amazes me. But not really my problem. I just need to support my DH as he stands up to her and gets her moving.

On a better note, DS asked us to accompany him out to dinner at his favorite local places last night. Though we had planned on an at-home, low calorie meal, we went out with DS. It was really enjoyable and we talked a lot.

Today is a day to get unpacked and organized. We were going to visit with the couple whose son was in the horrific motorcycle accident but they need to see a lawyer today. The son is improving, but still in ICU and starting to get ICU psychosis. My eldest DD had that happen after she spent more than a week in ICU following a big surgery. It is hard to cope with but not unusual.

Time for more coffee - I think this may be a 3 coffee day vs. my usual 2. Have a safe and healthy Tuesday!

I have my thyroid biopsy this afternoon. Eek! I don't care for needles.

Yesterday's project was replacing a faucet cartridge. This was the faucet I noticed was dripping hours after the plumber was here to fix a bunch of other faucets and showers. It was a byproduct of turning the water to the house off and on a few times. So I tracked down a YouTube video with a faucet just like mine, bought the cartridge for $17 and then had to make a return Home Depot trip for a deep socket wrench, but it's fixed! I also took the magic eraser to a bunch of things - the black marks on baseboards where the vacuum cord got dragged around it, the mantles that had some dirt build-up from dust spray, some wall marks from picture frames... And I gussied up a few bathrooms with rolled towels and my new realistic fake plants.

I also filled out my last CA ballot. I like what I've read about Michael Shellenberger for governor. He's an Independent, doesn't seem slimy like our current one and seems to have some good ideas that appeal to both Democrats and Republicans (and some that don't appeal to each side, but I think we need more of that - more people in the middle in government!) I think he has the best chances against Newsom.

The painting carries on. Moving on to the third side of the house today.

Anyway, that's all for today...

PS - $132 to fill up my car yesterday. What about people for whom that is make or break for groceries? And yet despite a $60B surplus, CA still hasn't temporarily suspended the gas tax and we get a new one added on in July.

Well, on that one you have to give Newsom a break. He did petition the CA legislature for a moratorium on the taxes and a price freeze on gas for the entire state, but the law makers denied his petition.

As I understand it, it wasn't a proposal to suspend the taxes, it was to suspend the 5.6% July increase. He also proposed some huge package that funded public transportation and electric vehicles and some diesel rebates to the tune of $11B that doesn't help people at the pumps and proposed sending out $400 debit cards to all registered vehicles up to 2 per household (including electric cars for some reason). So you add on the cost of the cards and postage and payments to people who don't buy gas and it adds up to a whole lot of waste. Other states have easily suspended their gas tax directly at the pump. Why do our politicians have to make it complicated and more expensive?

I hate to say it, CC, but I think our state government is run by a bunch of greedy scheisters on both sides of the aisle! Lots of special interest and pocket lining going on is my guess.

My guess is that a $400 debit card for each registered car is a hell of a lot less than the revenue they'd lose by suspending the current gas taxes, which is why it was proposed in the first place.

I agree!

So impressed with your faucet repair skills! Do you have a target date when you plan to put it on the market?

I think the painting will be finished this week, then pictures and listing!

Your house is going to show like a model home! Lucky people who move in with everything so nicely taken Cate of.

You're right, we need more independent politicians. Our governor is a Democrat, but he was a US Representative elected from a red leaning district before he was governor, so I think of him as more moderate. During the height of Covid both sides of the aisle were frequently mad at him as he tried to find a middle path. That he was willing to make both parties angry made me believe he wasn't picking policy based on politics. Whether I agreed with his choices or not, I really appreciated he wasn't just playing to his party's base.

I didn't love everything about Mitt Romney or John McCain's policies (but I didn't hate everything either) , but as time goes on, I have an even deeper appreciation for people like them who try to govern based on what they believe is right, instead of just pandering for re election.