People are Crazy

I'm a little intimidated this morning.  I mean, was Sarge on a roll last week or what?

Tuesday- a 13 year old midshipman

Wednesday- the naval battle off Guadalcanal

Thursday- a destroyer off Okinawa *

Friday- the Polish Navy

Saturday- a Dust Bowl

Sunday- The Night

If he'd just buckle down and write a book, he'd be rich and famous, just like OldNFO.

So...It's Monday and my turn again...Ummmm...Tuna,  Beans,  LUSH, any of you wanna take the lead?

Uh-Huh

So...Once more into the breach, dear friends.

How about a little update on nueva casa de juvat?

Well,  we seem to be making progress.  In the middle of last week, we visited with the Bank's loan officer, then traveled to the builder's home office.  Again, seems Banker English and Builder English are not the same.  Now, the word in question is "Road".  As one may recall, we had a contractor build us a vehicular "thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places that has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by foot or some form of conveyance, including a motor vehicle, cart, bicycle, or horse." [source]

Said thoroughfare is entirely on our land and is about 2000' long.  The bank is calling it a "Private Road".  Because we're using the land as collateral, we have to take out a "maintenance contract" for it.  AKA "more money".  Or, they say, it can be called a Public Road, which means I have to take out a "maintenance contract" for it because it's now a County Road,  AKA "More Money", and now has to be maintained according to County Specifications,  AKA "Way more Money".  I counter with "this thoroughfare begins on a County Road and ends in what will be my garage, I think that's called a....Driveway"

Oh!  Yeah.  That'll work.

So...About 15 minutes later, I've now got a 2000' driveway, and a letter from the bank to the builder that says they'll guarantee the loan.   Mrs J and I drive to the builder's office with the letter and a 5 figure check.  Friday I get a call from a number I don't recognize, but answer anyway (that is not always my reaction to unknown numbers).

Me: "Hello?"

The other guy: "juvat?"

Me:"Speaking"

The other guy: "Hi, I'm Dan, your construction foreman.  We'd like to drop off some forms tomorrow.  Will that be ok?"

Me:"UHH.....what additional forms do we need?"

Dan:"I don't understand."

Me:"I was told there would be no more forms to sign."

Dan (laughing): "These are the forms we'll be using to lay out the foundation for your house, prior to pouring concrete."

Me:"Oh...Well, then...In that case...OK"

Dan:"I'll be there Monday to look over the location and meet you.  We should be starting construction....Shortly"

Finally!  You can see a portion of the "Driveway" just beyond the fence.

We'll see if the builder's definition of "Shortly" is the same as mine.

Anybody want to take any bets?

UPDATE:

 Someone should have taken that bet.

About 0830, I walk out to feed the horses and what to my wondering eyes did appear?  Why 3 men and a tiny skidsteer.  By the time I fed the horses, they had unloaded and were clearing the brush from the site.  Whoda thunk?



 Back to original post.

Under the "People are Crazy" category....

Just finished a project.  A few weeks ago, we had some folks stay at our guest house, brought along their dog.  Not a problem, we advertise that we're pet friendly, just pick up after them is all we ask.  We even provide a dinner bowl and a water bowl along with a form fitted rubber mat to protect the wooden floors.  They left on Sunday morning as expected.  We come back from conversing with the Big Guy and go in to strip the beds to get ready to reset it for the next guests.  Mrs J takes the master bedroom (it's got a King) and I take the front bedroom (just a Queen).  I notice that the side tables are badly torn up.  Seems their dog didn't like the decor and wanted to leave his mark.

Now, mind you these are not solid mahogany tables or anything, just hardwood veneer on MDF.  But the scratches are deeper than the veneer.  So...I say to Mrs J.  I can fix that, make it bigger, better, faster.

Who knew she was from Missouri?

I happened to be walking through Lowes later that afternoon. (Happened....yeah right...If I go more than a couple of days without a visit, the store manager calls me and inquires about my health.)

Anyhow...Spotted a very nice cedar board, calling my name.

A bit of slicing and dicing later....

 I thought it turned out pretty well.

  I think the Electrical plugs and USB charging ports will come in pretty handy.

Yes, Beans, after I took the picture and before I left, I straightened the rug on the floor.

Oh, and the doggie bowls?  MIA!

People are crazy! $19 on Amazon.  We bought a new set, I printed out the Amazon ad for it, which is displayed on the wall directly above them for the dog to read while eating.

Or something

Finally, what's the weather like in Texas nowadays, juvat?

Well yesterday started out like this.

Mrs J's vehicle. 

And by mid-afternoon was like this.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I seem to see a lot of Trucks with Minnesota licenses on them this time of year. 
 
As the song says "God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy!"

Think I'll go grab a beer!

*Saturday evening I finished P.T. Deutermann's novel "Sentinels of Fire", a fictional account of a Destroyer on the picket line during the Battle of Okinawa.  He did an excellent job of bringing the reality of that battle (e.g. the reality exhibited in the before and after pictures of the Hazelwood) to light.  Deutermann, in the 3 novels I've read so far, tells his story using first person point of view, which is intriguing.  I find it much more personal, as if the lead character is actually talking to you.  Highly recommended book.