Sunday, July 30, 2006
"Week Past 07/24-07/30"
The Car
Mon, 07/24 I had to call W at home around 9:10 pm after work because my car battery died on me. I've been having problem with my brake pedal. It won't fully come back after I step on it keeping my brake lights on. I had it checked Sat, 07/22 but they said they still need to order the part: a vacuum power brake booster assembly. It'll cost me $600.00!!. The customer service attendant was helpful when he noticed that my mileage was just 39K. He said he'll try to see if he can discount the price. Probably he noticed my dismay. I told him that it doesn't speak well of the quality of their product. It's a major component and it's not supposed to break down that easily with a low mileage yet. Anyway I thought I had retracted the brake pedal when I parked at work. Apparently not. With brake lights on the whole day the battery drained. I had to jump start it so W to the rescue.
Mon, 07/24 I had to call W at home around 9:10 pm after work because my car battery died on me. I've been having problem with my brake pedal. It won't fully come back after I step on it keeping my brake lights on. I had it checked Sat, 07/22 but they said they still need to order the part: a vacuum power brake booster assembly. It'll cost me $600.00!!. The customer service attendant was helpful when he noticed that my mileage was just 39K. He said he'll try to see if he can discount the price. Probably he noticed my dismay. I told him that it doesn't speak well of the quality of their product. It's a major component and it's not supposed to break down that easily with a low mileage yet. Anyway I thought I had retracted the brake pedal when I parked at work. Apparently not. With brake lights on the whole day the battery drained. I had to jump start it so W to the rescue.
Wed, 07/26 I brought the car back to get it fixed. The attendant said that I have to pay the amount since my warranty expired. I again expressed my disappointment. I asked for a number I can call so I can vent my complaint. He gave me a number but requested not to call them yet since he'll again talk to his manager and see what they can do. To make an already long story short, the car was fixed and I paid $50.00 for the diagnostic. Car doctors are also expensive! I deliberately did not mention the brand and I hope no other major component breaks down in the immediate future. (Hint: It's not a Japanese, Korean or European car)
Weather
We've been hitting the 90's and 100's this week. Farmers have requested that the Governor declare an emergency so they can get financial aid. Pic at left is our outdoor thermometer. It reads 110 F at 6:00 pm, Wed 07/26. Weather forecasters issued a warning about excessive heat by end of week. Fri 07/28 I helped push carts outside. After doing just two sets I was sweating. It was hot and humid. It did not help that it was 12:00 pm. At home on Fri, Sat and Sun nights we decided to sleep at the basement where it's cooler. The heat and humidity just slams into you especially when you come out of an air conditioned building. It's like stepping into a furnace.
Sprinkler System
Our neighbor decided to have an automatic sprinkler system installed in their garden. Work started Wed. It's really convenient to have one especially if both husband and wife are working. That way you don't have to worry about not being able to water your lawn with this kind of summer or stay up late doing it.. I met our neighbor one evening while I was moving my water sprinkler and she was doing the same. She commented: "Isn't it fun watering your lawn at night?" Fri, 07/28 while I was manually setting up my sprinkler their newly installed sprinkler system came on. She'll be missing all the fun now.
Housing Project
Wed,07/26, 1:00 pm W and I met with the electrical contractor. We made a walk through the house to confirm where all the light switches, electrical outlets and lights would be installed. This is to ensure that it's done according to plan or if there are any changes we want different from the plan. Then we met with the contractor who would be installing the tv, telephone and cable outlets and did the same. It was actually quick. About an hour and a half and we're done with both. They've also poured the concrete for the basement floor. They were just done when we arrived that afternoon as seen from the pics. So nothing much have changed at the exterior. Sat, 07/29 when we checked the progress most of the work done were inside. Installation of electrical outlets, plumbing and drainage lines. Air conditioning and air exchange ducts. Probably nothing much would be done outside this coming week. They've poured the concrete footings for the deck. Maybe they'll start on it next week.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Week Past 07/17-07/23
Housing Project
Fri, 07/21, friends Keith and Lynette, a Filipino couple engaged to be married this coming December, had dinner with us. They are also interested in buying the house. It was unfortunate that Dennis and Wendy, in my previous blog, decided not to take our offer. We used paper plates for dinner since W has started packing our things in anticipation of our move. That includes our dishes. Sat, 07/22 W and I went to the site to check construction development. As can be seen from the pics above they have installed the glass windows and shingles on the roof. The contractor installing the shingles also came that day to finish the installation at the back portion of the house. The plumbing inside has also been started. We expect the tubs and shower stalls will be done by next week.
Spiral Emotion
Love suppressed
Feelings unexpressed
Apprehension and hesitation
Overcomes inspiration
Hearts confusion
Become minds obsession
A spiral emotion
Grappling with desperation
A wretched circumstance
Anguish, the only romance
Work Front
I might be working again overnights next month in preparation for the inventory. I'm looking at three weeks. There goes my sleep pattern. Sun, 07/23 I had a meeting with my team. Four out of six I'd say is a good attendance. I just hope they take it to heart what we've discussed. I'm hoping I won't get any complaints or issues about the team while I'm doing overnights like what happened last year.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Week Past 07/10-07/16
Fri, 07/14 met with W at Design Cabinet in Lakeville. We sat down with the contractor who would do the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Discussed the sizes and materials to be used. Cost estimates would follow later. Early evening we met with Dennis and Wendy for dinner at home. A young Filipino couple interested in buying the house. Cross our fingers. Sat, 07/15 I went to the site from work to take pictures of construction development. Its starting to take shape with the roofing trusses and cover installed. Roof shingles are already on site. Expect it to be installed by next week. Top right pic shows the three season porch frame. A deck would be attached to it. Out of the Market. Thu, 07/13 the house we're selling is officially out of the market. The realtor took off the "For Sale" sign in front of the house. We're thinking of just renting out the house. The market is really slow and we don't want to go lower than our asking price. Maybe next years it would be better.
Gas Price and Weather
Gas price went beyond $3.00 and now hovers at $2.90++. In my
Speaking of winter, this summer is really hot and muggy. Farmers are hardest hit. With no grass to graze on they are forced to sell their cattles. Their crops are also dying. The heat also contributes to more energy being used with all the airconditioners running at max. Sale of window airconditioners and fans has also gone up. Here in MN we get the extremes. When it's hot, it is HOT like the 100's. When it's cold, it is COLD like 10 below.
Ooops, Almost Did It Again!
In my
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Week Past 07/03-07/09
Boring 
Sat, 07/08 was the summer outing for W'sPointwest Tech group. I did not realize how big the team has grown until I saw them assemble at their meeting place at Residence Inn in Eagan. A couple just flew in from Manila Friday. The site for the outing was at the Wild Mountain, Taylor Falls near the St. Croix river. Matt and Keith asked me if I wanted to join them fishing. Sure, so we ended up at Wal-Mart to buy me a fishing pole and permit before proceeding to the venue. Nah, I didn't have the beginner' luck. It was a hot afternoon and the fish just wasn't biting by the shores of the St Croix river . Anyways the only thing that I caught was my fishing line whenever I reel it in. It gets entangled and I have to cut it. I have to "re-reel" my line to make it taut. My thoughts about fishing while waiting for a catch is that it's like playing the one arm bandit at the casino. You put a quarter and pull the lever and see if you hit a jackpot. In fishing you cast your line, reel it in and see if you'll get a bite. Quarter and pull, cast and reel. I still have to get my first bite though. Jackpot? no such luck unlike J Lo's mom.
Tues was the 4th of July. Top and Doray "volunteered" their house to be the venue to celebrate the occasion. It was potluck. I've noticed that there were more people lighting up fireworks compared to previous years. While we only had fountain, Top's neighbor across the street and beside his house had the works. Rockets bursting in multi colors across the sky. We had a laugh when we were lighting up another fountain and one of the kids in a weary tone uttered "boring". So the fathers ribbed each other that they have to do better next year and not be a cheapskate. One jokingly suggested to save a dollar each day starting that night. Immediately another volunteered to pock..er..collect it. Pic top are two of the neighbor's aerial fireworks. Left pic are the kids enjoying the neighbors' fireworks and ours :-) opposite pic are two of our fountains ( boring? but at least it has different colors. yeah right)
Summer Outing and Fishing
Sat, 07/08 was the summer outing for W's
Housing Project
Sat, 07/08 W and I proceeded from their summer outing to check out the house construction. They've started framing the second floor rooms and the floor panels have been installed. Left top pic is the front of the house. Top right pic is the back now showing the three season porch frame. Right pic another shot at the back showing the basement, ground and second floor levels. The weather's been cooperating so the roofing should be installed by next week. Talking about the weather, its been hot and dry and it's only July. Rainfall is below average. It's to our advantage since it means there would be no delays in the construction due to inclement weather. But the farms are badly affected and grasses are turning brown. It's turning into a drought. In a perfect world where lts a win-win situation you'll get a rain at night for the farmlands and sunshine during the day for the construction projects to be on time. But then nothing is perfect and we all have to cope.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Week Past 06/26-07/02
Back to the Garden
Gastronomic Adventures
Housing Project
Thank You But I Accuse You
Wed, 06/28 as I was mowing the lawn mid-morning I can't help but notice the new blooms in our garden. Exposed in the sun their colors were so vivid. It breaks the monotony of the color green caused by the lawn. The bees were also busy feeding on their nectar and pollen. I just had to stop and take some pictures.
Gastronomic Adventures
Sat, 07/01 we went to Mystic Lake for a small get together with W's staff for a despedida and "thank-you-for-a-job-well-done" buffet brunch treat. Top left pic shows the group with Cris, the despedida girl, seated second from left. Burrp, thank you. Early evening found as at George and Miki's residence to celebrate the 5th birthday of their daughter Isa. Another food feast. Miki is a good cook and this one was no exception. Burp, thank you again. The festivity lasted until almost midnight since we watched the pay-per-view fight of Pacquiao and Larios which went the whole 12 rounds. "Pacman" won the fight but I admired the Mexican pugilist for holding up in spite of the beatings. He stood his ground and nobody expected him to last.
Housing Project So after the despedida at Mystic Lake the group went with us to check on the house construction. They've started framing the main floor and the stairs leading to the second floor. They've also started wrapping part of the house. Top left pic is the front view showing the garage entrance at right. Picture next to it is the left side of the house. Right pic is the back of the house showing the walkout basement and dinette on top.
Thank You But I Accuse You
Talk about gratitude. One of our cart guys turned in a purse that somebody left in the cart. Not long afterwards the owner came to claim it. I asked her to check the contents of the bag so she'll immediately know if something was missing. She was just too happy that her IDs and credit cards were all there. So all's well that ends well so it seems. The following day she came back to the store insinuating or rather accusing that our cart guy took the money that was in her bag. She was not sure how much it was but said maybe $25.00. Our associate was incredulous to say the least and very disappointed to put it mildly.
