Sunday, January 28, 2007
Week Past 01/22-01/28/07
Another uneventful week and I'm thankful for that. I'd rather have it that way than what happened
Sun 01/28 W and I had a curtain "buying spree" at Pier 1 in Shakopee. They were having a sale. After a month or so that W has been "researching" on how much it would cost to cover our windows with materials or design that are "acceptable" she convinced me that the sale prices were a bargain. Alas when we got home we found that some of the curtain rods and curtains are short. Some of our windows are larger than your "standard" window dimension.
What If I Die?
Morbid question. But that's what W asked me. How will I cope? It was a bottom line question. It was putting a matter to the extreme: Given an opportunity that requires separation for a period of time will you take it? Trepidation would be the first reaction. Then the question: Is it worth it? But W has this knack of cutting through the chase. So she posed: What if you need it? Will it hinder you to take that opportunity because one will find it hard to cope without the other? So that's how the question came about: What if I die? Period. End of discussion. Ready or not pass your papers.
It was really a passing talk. Nothing serious. But it got me thinking. They say necessity is the mother of invention. Death is also the same. It forces you to learn or "invent" new ways to survive. To cope when somebody that's been a part of your life kicks the bucket.
We do not notice how dependent we have become to another person until something breaks our routine. Sometimes it's good to be reminded lest we become complacent. Then we realize the value of that person. We learn to appreciate them more. Love them more and be thankful.
I look at my Dad and Mom. More than 50 years together. As I see it, the role has been reversed. Dad was the sole breadwinner then. He put six kids through school. All college graduates. One even a doctor another a so-so (your guess is as good as mine on who that is) . How would my Mom cope if something happened to my Dad then? But now I have to ask: How will my Dad cope?
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Week Past 01/15-01/21/07
Mon 01/15 was my first time to shovel snow for 2007. Snowfall started Sun 01/14 afternoon and it did not let up until late evening. I haven't prep up my snowblower yet so I psyched myself in the morning for a workout shoveling snow. Accumulation was about 3"-4" and wet. But my good neighbor Jim came to the rescue. He was already done with his driveway when he came out with his snowblower and offered the much needed help. I thanked him profusely. And I promised myself to have my snowblower ready next time.
This week was uneventful except I had to work six days. Since sales and customer numbers were down and store we had to cut hours for our part time associates. So Thu 01/18 I had to cover some of those hours when it was supposed to be my day off. With temps in the teens and single digits majority would rather stay or go straight home from work. I would. The only consolation is that gas prices are still below $2.00. It even went down to $1.85.
Sun 01/21 after mass, W and I decided to "tour" the "town proper" of Prior Lake. Compared to Farmington where we used to reside it only has one eating place and it turned out to be a bar. The place smelled or should I say reeked of tobacco smoke. The place was empty except for two other customers. Two mid age women playing pool, downing Miller and smoking. But they did not cause the smell. Because of the years the establishment has been operating that the smell of tobacco is now clinging to every nook and cranny. All tables has it's own ashtray. I can imagine this place packed at night. It also has a dancefloor. Just the same we tried their menu. It wasn't that bad. The bakery though, (Edelweiss), across the street had some good pastries.
When we got home I spent the rest of the afternoon and part of the evening assemble the last and third cabinet for the pantry.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Week Past 01/08-01/14/07
Wed 01/10 I drove W to Entreprise Rent A Car to pick up her loaner vehicle as part of the insurance coverage while she looks for a replacement. The insurance told her that the car was "totaled". Their quote was $10G++.
Thu 01/11 temps dropped to single digit like 4F. Minnesota is back to winter "normal". I prefer abnormality.
Fri 01/12 W brought home her new car. A 2006 Subaru Impreza Outback. Same car she had, only 5 years later. She was actually just checking out her options at the dealership but the salesman was really bent on getting rid of their inventory since their 2007 models are coming in. That's why they asked her to drive it home same day even if the check would be postdated for next week. They even drove her to the rental car so she can return the loaner she was driving.
Who would think that the gas price would go below $2.00 in 2007. In my Aug blog last year it was almost $3.00. Fri some gas stations were selling their regular gas at $1.91. Sat 01/13 a gas station had a sign for $1.89. Sweet.
Sun 01/14 I test drove W's car going to church. The steering is lighter and it is more responsive than the 2001 model. Sun also brought some of W's staff at home for lunch. After learning of the accident this week Barry promised to cook 
lechon manok Baliwag style as a treat for W. So Sunday it was. A small group. You'll be able to ID Barry from the pic. Lunch, tete-a-tete, watched Christmas video and sing-a-long with the Magic Mike. That's how the Sunday afternoon went. And it snowed early evening.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Week Past 01/01-01/07
Mon 01/01 is the first day of 2007. We invited two couples at home for dinner: Joe and Wilma, Max and Eileen. Expecting guests at home somehow forces you to do things that you have been procrastinating. So I finally attached the steel shelves to the stainless work tables at the pantry and transferred the round table to the basement. To keep things in better order. Our guest couples didn't know each other so we find it fitting that both of them gained new friends at the start of the year.
I thought it was going to be an uneventful week. Alas Sat 01/06 W had a car accident. Her car rolled over in Highway 13 on her way home early evening after dropping off her colleagues Carol and Meds. She really can't gather what happened. She was surprised why her car was veering towards the ditch so she tried to correct it. Apparently her steering wheel was not responding. Then her car started to spin. If you've experienced an accident that you know can be fatal everything seems to go in slow motion. She told me that's how she saw everthing as her car started to roll over. Could be our brain is processing everything occuring so fast, partly fueled by the adrenalin, that its micro second ahead of the actual event foretelling what is about to happen. It's slow so you anticipate it. Unbelievable, and we are very thankful to the Lord, that she didn't suffer any injuries only a sore spot in her right leg. The opposite traffic was on "stop" (it occured near a traffic light) because her car rolled over and righted itself at the side of opposite road. Our gratitude to the unknown motorist who stopped to check on her and call 911. The response was immediate: the local police, a state trooper and the paramedics. The police was incredulous when W asked if she needs to call her insurance. The officer was concerned if she had any injuries and told her not to worry about the insurance. Where was I all this time? I can never forgive myself if the worst happened. I was at the Y and my cell was off. She was only able to get hold of me after Axel, a friend who lives close to our house, had dropped her off at our home. By then I was on my way home. Two things occured to me: Primo, on my way to work that morning I was surprised why I exited off at Highway 13, I only realized it when I was already at the exit ramp that I had to make a u-turn at HW 13 to get back to HW 169N. Segundo, I was not really keen on going to the Y like my body was telling me to just go home but I kept telling myself I'm just being lazy so I went. I don't know if there's any connection but the pics below shows the damage to the car. Doors won't open except the driver's side; both side mirrors broke; windshield cracked, I don't know how the rim of the tires ate those dry grass; and the car won't start. Sun 01/07 we went to the tow trucks's impounding lot to get W's personal belongings that was left in the car and sign some paperwork to release the car to the insurance company. Again we thank God that W was not hurt. I'd like to add two words: Seat Belt. That's what held her in place while the car spun and rolled over. It saved her from critical injuries. The air bag did not deploy as there was no frontal collision. If the car was equipped with side bags it might have. The seat belt was good enough. Her experience taught us now to "demand" our passengers, especially those seated at the back to fasten their seat belts.
Sun 01/07 after lunch at Red Lobster W and I decided to check out the Lifetime Fitness branch at Savage. I ended signing up to be member since their location is closer to our home. This place is busy and huge compared to the Y at Burnsville. And they have a steam room and sauna. So you have a choice where you could relax your body after the exercise before taking a shower.
