Comme Ci, Comme ça * (again)

So... There I was, headed into town, Monday, April 15th, a date that will live in infamy.  For, I am the Family Messenger enroute to the Postal Service Office to send the Family share of the National Debt to the Cesspool on the Potomac.

If you don't understand that nomenclature, well, we can't be friends.

Source (10:45 AM 16 Apr 2024)

I noted that the PO parking lot was a little fuller than usual, although it was noonish, so I assumed they were folks picking up mail for businesses or because it was lunchtime and they had time to do so.  

Silly me, No, virtually everyone there had an envelope of various sizes all addressed to the same Austin address.  Seems like Mrs. J and I weren't the only one's wanting to hang on to their money as long as legally possible.

Yes, short of Christmas Eve, April 15th is probably the busiest Post Office day of the year.  So...One clerk on duty.  By the time I got to the front of the line it extended out the door.  US Gummint at it's finest.

But, because I dislike driving through town, (18 wheelers, pedestrians, and out of town drivers makes a mix that borders on disaster.  Hence, I tend to avoid it when possible) I had, several years ago, discovered a back road that while two lanes, avoids most of the primary traffic ball ups.  It goes through some ranch land and follows a creek with trees, and little traffic! 

What's not to like?

This day, after the spike in BP at the post office, tranquility was high on the "wish for" list.  The Big Guy came through.

That, my Friends, is a Texas Longhorn and, No, I'm not referring to a college football team.

You may notice a few things about these pictures.  One (and the most important one) there is a fence in the picture between them and I.  Two, there are indications in a couple of the pictures, that the pictures were taken from inside the car.  Three, and you'll have to trust me on this, while my foot was on the brake pedal, the car was still running and in gear, just in case.

Magnificent animals, and smart.  They gave me a quick once over glance, determined the threat level was low both in likelihood of some poor action idea as well as low likelihood of my ability to cause harm.  So, they just returned to grazing.  

I'm pretty sure after I left and went around the corner, the herd pulled the vodka martini's and Guinness from camouflaged refrigerators and consumption was resumed.  But, I was happy, and they seemed to enjoy the attention.

Which brings us to the never ending project story.

Dangerously close.  If I knew how to measure, it would be done.  But, NOOOOooo.... I cut the left hand setting bolt about a 1/2" too short.  Ah well, another trip to Lowes.  In addition, LJW approved adding a slide to the project, so, the trip is not a waste.

 THE big event over this past week was the arrival of Little J with his successful escape from Sodom on the Potomac.  He and LJW decided to stay the night in Moscow on the Colorado for some reason or another.  I'm SURE it was to avoid rush hour traffic and had nothing whatsoever to do with not seeing each other for a very long time.

In any case, Mrs J and I had care of Miss B.  It was quite fun and the following morning was pretty interesting in itself.

Who IS this Hairy Guy?

Yep...Initial contact did not go real well,  But, someone came up with an ingenious plan..Give her her mom's phone and have Little J call it.

Because she'd been video chatting with him quite frequently, she recognized the face on the phone.

I wish I'd have been faster on the camera, when she looked up from the phone and saw the same guy on the phone in the same room as her.  A flood of recognition and understanding who was in the room with her.  Dada!

Yeah, a heart warming  moment!

But as you are reading this, he's en route to Honk Honk to finish up there.  He'll be back in the Great State early in June to pick up Wife and Daughter and move to Jolly Old England.  Thank You, Lord!

All is well...

Finally, this was discovered by LJW and sent to me, regarding my post from last Monday and the attitude of some immigrants from out of state and the reaction to that from current residents.  

I don't care who you are...That's funny right there!

* A little of this, a little of that.  Or a Song.  I'd used its title as the title of one of my previous posts, hence again.  This Tune is pretty catchy, among other things.  Might even add a little energy to Sarge's battery.  Hope you feel better soon.

All Good Things....

 Well Campers, it was a great week.  Unfortunately, I'm writing this post Saturday afternoon as I have a necessary but unpleasant task to perform Sunday PM.  Much as I, and Mrs. J and LJW and Miss B, would wish otherwise, Little J has to return to Honk Honk and I drew the short straw to deliver him to the airport.

Man, was it a GREAT week though.  I knew it would be from the first time he saw LJW and her surprised reaction to seeing him unexpectedly.  However, the part that really warmed my heart was when he looked down at Miss B in her carriage and she looked back at him for a second then her eyes got wide and a great big smile came across her face.  She recognized him! 8 months old and hadn't seen him since she was 5 months and she recognized him.

Ain't Kids Great?

Yeah, I know, picture was in last weeks post also.  Sorry!

 

One of the benefits of the O2 weaning process, is we, Mrs. J and I, get to babysit her in our house now rather than the cabin she and her Mom have been staying in.  We're a bit more comfortable here, just sayin'. So Little J and LJW had a couple of evening dinners out on the town, and Mrs. J and I got to play with Miss B.  

No, Beans, the maturity level of an old fighter pilot and an 8 month old girl are not that far apart.  If anything, the latter is the "adult" in the group.  I did win at the "Tap the lit button" game on her crib entertainment system, but it was close!

Having another male around also allowed for the final completion of a project that I'd "finished" a few months ago.  Unfortunately, it was a little too heavy for one person to carry and I didn't want to risk bumping it against anything hard. But, Mrs. J's desk is in its new home now.

 

Now, I'm off to a new project.  It's springtime in Texas.  OT, how do I know?  Last Wednesday it was Clear, Blue and 92 with a very gentle breeze.  Thursday & Friday were in the low 40's, hard gusty winds causing a wind chill in the 30's and rain.  Weather swings like that are a sure harbinger of Spring. While we were grateful for the rain, it's easier to take when it's raining in the 90's.  

But, I digress.

Anyhow, because it's springtime, Mrs. J is into planting things. No, Beans, while she has threatened to plant ME in the ground from time to time, she has yet to carry through.  No, she's planting flowers.  So...The juvat wood shop has been converted to a planter construction assembly line.   I got the idea/plans from this site (just so I don't step on any copyright fingers). It's going together pretty well and easy.  The latter is a big selling point.

First two corner panels installed.  Just got the bottom two and the rim left before completion of the first planter.

 

On the Other Visitors we had this week.  MBD and MG came over on Monday and stayed through Thursday.  The Rev had some Easter Service prepping to do (which shouldn't be hard to understand) so couldn't make it.  But...MG is 16 months now and smarter than a whip.  (I would have said smarter than I, but Low Bars...)  In any case, having the two of them here was a blast. 

Uncle Little J and MG (OOPS, Mrs. J pointed out that this is Miss B and her Dad) having a little bonding time.

 

MBD is about 3 months along with Grandchild #3 and has been having quite a bit of morning sickness.  Her doctor allowed as that might be a sign of twins and ordered up an ultrasound.  No twins have occurred in any of the 4 parental families, but that doesn't make it an impossibility.

She breathed a sigh of relief when it was revealed to be a healthy singleton. 

No, Beans, if she knows the gender, she's playing it VERY close to the vest.

We thoroughly enjoyed MBD and MG's visit.  It included a visit to the City Park which has a pretty good equipment area.  ("Equipment" used to mean a swing set, but is OH so much more nowadays.) 

See below to understand why I'm jealous of her hairstyle

We also had an opportunity to visit a "newish" winery in the area.  It is Untamed Wine Estates.  The owners are from South Africa and are trying their hand at making wine in Texas.  I thought their wines were PDG although a bit young. (They've only been in business for a couple of years, so...come on!)

But, as I said, all good things must pass and leave is not unlimited, so...

Unfortunately, I had to drive Little J to the airport yesterday afternoon and see him off.  I pray that Miss B gets well enough soon so that the powers that be will allow her and her Mom to travel and the three of them will be together as a family as soon as possible.  

Damn, I hate bureaucrats!

Little J's coming up for assignment next year and he's interviewed for three locations, all of which meet with the juvat seal of approval.  We'll see what happens.

As this post's title implies, all good things must pass...in order for better things to arrive. That having been said, I haven't laughed as hard and as often as I have this past week in quite some time.  What a great visit with both branches of the family.  Can't wait til the next time.

We hope everyone had a Happy Easter. He is Risen...Indeed!

Peace out y'all!

What a Week!

 Monday Dec 27, 2021.. Mrs J sounds reveille at 0700, Officer's Mess opens at 0800.  Sausage Kolache's are on the menu, Yumm!  Priorities and sequence of actions to be taken are reviewed and approved by the Commander.  

No, Beans, not me.

Cleaning the first guest house is #1 priority.  The (paying) guests had just checked out after an over Christmas stay.  Apparently, they were good boys and girls as Santa found them at their alternate location.  Turning the house and getting it ready for our next (non-paying) guests was the priority of the day.  These guests would be none other than MBD, SIL and MG, as well as their two dogs and a third they were dog-sitting for a friend.

You knew I was going to work that in, Dincha?

Turning the guest house is something we've gotten pretty efficient at.  Our occupancy rate for last year, all nights, with AirBnB was 58%, since we also list with VRBO the total occupancy rate is even higher.  

So, Square Corners? No problemo! My sainted Mother is sitting on a cloud up there smiling.

Tuesday, Dec 28 Reveille sounds at 0700 again.  (I'm nothing if not predicatable).  Breakfast this morning is German Sausage and Fried Eggs with a side of Iced Coffee.  It's been in the 80's for the past week or so.  Hot Coffee?  No, thanks, need my caffeine cold.

The commander calls the meeting to order.  Confirmation is presented that Little J and DIL are en route, albeit headed to Bangkok.  Apparently, China applies their 21 day quarantine to ALL arrivals, including aircrew.  So their current aircrew had flown into HK and then out and only had a couple hours left on their crew duty day, so the replacement crew-rested crew would take over there.   I know that the commander is All Knowing, but...So, I ask.  Little J had texted that info.  Apparently, Lufthansa allows Business Class to text in flight.  

Ahh, progress!

They have a 2 hour layover followed by a 14 hour flight to Frankfurt  followed by a 14 hour flight to Houston followed by a flight to Austin.  Grand total travel time? 36 hours.

But they are en route.

The commander also notifies me that MBD et al will be arriving around lunch.

After the second guest house is readied, I decide to go for a walk.  I'm headed down the county road when I encounter some life forms crossing the road ahead of me.  I'm not overly concerned as I see them regularly.

I continue on when I see the Cow Commander (also a female) turn and look at me.

If this were a video, you would see motion and increasing target size.

Very shortly thereafter, I see this.  At that point I made an executive decision, that I had walked far enough for this afternoon.  The ladies followed me for a bit, but elected not to join me in jogging.

MBD and Crew arrived shortly thereafter.

Wednesday, Dec 29, 0700 Reveille sounds.  I don't recall what breakfast was, I am prepping for dinner. MBD has requested it include Sweet Potato Gnocchi.  It will accompany BBQ Chicken with a nice Rosé.  So it is written, so it shall be.  The Chicken was basted with a combination of Franks Hot Sauce, Korean Soy Sauce and Honey.  It and the Gnocchi went fast.  As we're cleaning up, my Cell rings and Little J confirms their arrival at Austin.

They sound tired.  

We coordinate a couple of details for the next day's rendezvous and send them off to bed.

Thursday, Dec 30, 0700 Reveille sounds.  The commander announces that we are scheduled for a 1045 rendezvous  and recovery of Little J and DIL. The navigator/pilot for the operation does some quick cipherin' in his head and an 0900 departure from home base is suggested. Austin traffic is never good and has only been made worse by the import of who knows how many from that state out west.  Nevertheless, our trusty pilot got us to the rendezvous point at 1048.

Load up their bags and high tail it out of town before the commies even know we're near.

Conversation in the vehicle was initially animated, but fell off quite a bit shortly thereafter as our recoverees decided that 36 hours of travelling required a bit more sleep to recover from.

Dinner that evening was not a big production.  We were opening presents and did not know when our latest arrivals would tailspin into bed, 

It was early.

Friday Dec 31, 0700 Reveille sounds. The commander announces that while yesterday was Christmas Day, today is New Years Eve.  We will be festive! At your command, My Liege!  (But MY butt is starting to drag.)  Dinner this evening will be Pork Carnitas.  An easy meal to fix, if you start early enough.  Basically, the bone-in pork butt (gotta be bone in) is slow cooked in a 250 degree oven for 10 hours or so.  (I judge "done" by the ease of pulling the bone out).

The force structure was increased with the arrival of MBD and SIL's best friends and their dog.  MBD had asked if they could come as her friend has just completed her cancer treatments and wanted to be with friends.  She's been on our prayer list for a while.  So...Of course.

We put them up in the second guest cabin.  

Saturday Jan 1 0700 Reveille sounds.  (like the hammers of hell).  Went through a few bottles of wine the night before.  A bottle holds 4 glasses of wine, 8 people, New Year's Eve.  Need I say more.

In the middle of all this, I get a call from a car transport company.  Apparently, Little J and DIL's Tahoe is being delivered and would we be able to meet him in 15 minutes?  The vehicle was supposed to be shipped when they left Kuwait in August.  It had been in a container in Abu Dhabi for 4 months. 

Little J and I went and met him.  

Yes, his is the one in front, yes his battery was dead.  

Finally ,way after dark, we get it started and driven to our house.

Sunday Jan 2 0600 Reveille sounds (Early Church).  Rendezvous after Mass is at a local restaurant.  Mrs. J and I, and Little J and DIL all made Mass and the rendezvous.  The other, YOUNGER, group overslept and missed breakfast.  However, the commander took pity on the miscreants and cooked French Toast with Bourbon/Maple Syrup for them.  And all I got was a Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs at the restaurant. Bummer Dude!

Up to this point, the weather had been fabulous, highs in the 70's/80's.  Saturday it got to 82.  Waking up this morning, it was 19 with a wind chill of 10.  Oh, and our pump froze, no water.

Shortly there after the younger generation headed back to their respective domiciles.  Little J and I replaced the dead (long dead) battery and got the car back up and running.  As you are reading this, we'll be getting it inspected and then enter into mortal combat with shoe clerks who'll recite chapter and verse why they can't register a Texas Titled vehicle in Texas after it has been overseas.  Oh Goody.

Mrs. J has stated that if we're successful at that feat, I'll be authorized a nap. In the meantime, she's trying to figure out what the latest STUPID DECREE by the unelected bureaucrats at the CDC regarding cruises are going to do to the Wine Cruise planned for the 9th (oops) 16th of January.

Please Lord!

How did I make it through this with a little sanity?

A dry erase calendar,  Hah Beans, Fooled you, you thought I'd come up with a computer program dincha?

;-)

Oh what fun.....

 So, there I was....minding my own business a week ago last Saturday.  My phone dings and it's a text from the guests staying in the Guest House.  Apparently, the Heater/Air Conditioner isn't doing anything and is displaying a code in red.  It's in the Mid-70's, so not an emergency, but...It's expected to get cooler that night.  I walk down to the Guest House  fully expecting to use the tried and true technique used by both aircraft crew chiefs and technology folks throughout the world.

Beans, c'mon, you know this one donch'a?

Turn it off, turn it back on.  

So, I do, fully expecting the round of applause for my heroic brilliance.

Which I'm sure I'd have gotten if the AC had come back on.

So, I go and cycle the Circuit Breaker. 

Nada.

Well, crap! That's why we pay for premium service from the Company.

He shows up about 30 minutes later.

Yes, Beans in spite of what I told him I tried already, he turned it off and back on then cycled the circuit breaker.  Thankfully/unthankfully (My Ego/My Guests), he had no better luck than I.

So, he calls his boss who tells him to check the wiring to the rapty-fratser or something.  After unscrewing half the screws in the western hemisphere, he peers in and discovered that some rat bastid (or is it bastid rat) had chewed through the sensor wire.

"juvat, we'll have to order a new rapty-fratser.  It's Saturday, we'll send the order today, but...nobody will read it until Monday, so you're looking at Tuesday...Wednesday at the latest. "

I convey this information to our guest, who happens to be a plumber.  He says "No problem, I deal with that supply problem all the time."

So I drive down to Lowes and buy an oscillating heater to keep them all warm if it chills off during the remainder of their visit.

Wednesday comes and goes, and we've got Guests this weekend.  Granted they're Family and it's the "Gathering of the Clan" for the Lighted Christmas Parade, but gotta make an impression, right?  So, Mrs J calls the Air Conditioner Guys.  They said they'll check on the parts status and get back to us.

Well...They do. It's a good d**n thing the forecast is warm for the weekend. Evidently, the part is off the coast of California on a container ship and isn't expected to be allowed to dock and offload till the end of the month at the earliest.

HELLUVA fine job you're doing, Mr Buttgieg!  And you want to be President?  Why? So you can make slow Joe look competent?

YGBSM!

Let's think Happy Thoughts, juvat!

Happy Thoughts, Aye Sarge.

Mother and Daughter having a snooze in GrandDad's chair. Don't get no happier than that!

Our second annual "Gathering of the Clans" occurred this past weekend. SIL's immediate Family arrived Friday.  The juvat Clan was underrepresented as Little J and DIL won't arrive in country until Dec 29th (and they'll be jet lagged badly, so we won't see them until the 30th).  That having been said a good time was had by all and we tailgated at the FBG annual lighted Christmas Parade.  The parade had been canceled last year because of you know wu.  But the City grew a pair and went ahead with it this year.  Very nice evening, low 70's at parade start.  And this was the first viewing for SIL's family.  The parade lasted 2 hours (the longest time TxDOT will allow US87/290 to be closed, but here come the highlights.

Almost like normal.

Peace Out, y'all, We're winning. Never Give Up! Never Surrender!