Fun & Games with Fed Ex

Ahhh, there's some old saying about the best laid plans. . . .

Mine were to spend an our or two at the new house this AM, come back to the cabin and pack, go back to the new house for a hopefully short time to meet Fed Ex for delivery of our new table.

Not quite what happened. For reasons that will become clear I couldn't get away from the house this AM. Then, Fed Ex had a window of 1 to 5 PM, so I waited, and cleaned, and waited and cleaned. . . .

When the FE truck finally got there, and unloaded, the next thing to happen was that the driver, Larry, got stuck. Of course, the fact that he had a tough time backing down the driveway should have been a clue.

And, he didn't have sense enough despite saying he's been driving for them for 28 years to QUIT when he started spinning and digging into the driveway.

Fed Ex wouldn't take a chance on an unknown tow service, so they called someone from Fresno to come down, an hour and a half.

I was still being quite nice to Larry, understanding, etc., until he kept whining and whining and whining about how he shouldn't have agreed to come down the driveway at all, it's his discretion, etc., etc., etc. , and including how late he was not going to be getting home. (Be advised that I had not talked him into driving down and he hadn't suggested that maybe he shouldn't.) I finally said, in one of those sugary sweet tones, "Gee, Larry, if it will help I'll see what I can do. My daughter (who had called while all this was going on) suggested that I just drive it out for you." (And, yes, she really had made that suggestion; not that I necessarily could have.) Poor Larry's male truck drivin' ego was shattered. He told me I really knew how to hurt a guy, but he did finally shutteth up about how bad he had it. I didn't get home until after 7 PM, and NO packing got done. And, I'll be calling Fed Ex tomorrow for some conversation about repairing the driveway.

On to other things: Scottie and Rene, finishing off the gate to the kennel. Dogs tried it out today and like it fine. We put up the portable shade thingy for them, and they seem pleased.






Then we have Sergio installing the dish for our Wild Blue satellite internet connection. Think it's going to be just fine.



Sergio has been doing this for 10 years, since the days of the BIG satellite TV dishes. He looks about 22, but that can't be right.






Pat and Barrett doing the final on the installation of our vacuum system. It works great and I love it!

P & B are a father and son team. Barrett still lives at home so spends pretty much 24-7 with his dad. I asked if they fight and he said hardly ever. Nice guys too, both of them.












Mike the plumber did us a little extra favor and
hooked up a couple of appliances for us while he was there.

Mike is a kick! He's wiry to the point of thin, smokes like a smokestack, wears his hair in a braid, and is just a super-nice guy.

He tells me he's been subbing for George longer than anyone and claims it's because George "runs 'em off."






This is Erin, who works with Mike. That tiny little spot where his arm is. . . he had the top half of his body in there! He did some tweaking of the drains for the sinks in very tight quarters.


And, we had George there along with Neil, one of the finish carpenters, and two guys from the glass company (I missed their names) with mirrors and glass doors. Everyone had questions. And THAT is why I ended up there all morning.

Then, the inspector paid us his final visit. Yes, we have an occupancy permit! Darned good thing since we have a mover scheduled for Saturday. Tomorrow, Friday, Jimmy the painter is back to fix all the dings and gouges and scratches. George will be there too. We are almost IN.