30.4.12

Monday - 4/30/12 - Thank you again chase!

Monday - 4/30/12

My phone alarm woke me up.
Very glad to be home, sleeping in my own bed.  I love my apartment.  I love my bed.
Have to do reports.
Finish, grab what I can and go.

Go to the far bus stop since I'm running a little late.

One other person walks up right after me, so I know the bus is still coming.

It's a warmer day than we've been having.  I'm filling a little too hot on the bus.  I may have to change to wearing no long johns or lighter weight ones when I leave in the morning.

Going to the Chiropractors I chose to scooter rather than bus

Going to Avalon, I automatically went shopping at Mother's

Chose to scooter rather than bus.


You know (and have now heard several times) my story of calling Chase to try and make a payment and having them wave 3 months worth of interest.

Today, I was looking at the Techbargains.com sale page and they happened to mention a deal on a new card from chase...  a "chase slate" card.  My mind went, there is no way they'll approve me.  I already have 2 credit cards with chase...  and this would be a lower interest rate and NO interest on transfers for 15 months.  So, I decided on a lark to go ahead and fill out the form and apply.

They gave me an instant approval for $1600!  
Which is cool!  Once I get the card and the paperwork I'll transfer that much money from my higher interest rate chase account to this account and have no interest on it for 15 months!  I'll have an extra credit card payment, but I don't think that will be a problem.

So, then, I decided that I should once again call Chase and ask for a lower interest rate since a different branch of chase just gave me a lower interest rate.
So, I called.  The person on the other end of the line was Indian, hard to understand and unhelpful.  He basically told me that my account was reviewed in February and that nothing could be done for another 6 months when it would be reviewed again.  He couldn't even tell me why my rate wasn't lowered.

So, I asked to talk to a manager.
And, was put on hold,
and sat on hold for 30 minutes (I'm not kidding!)

I got this nice lady who basically explained to me that they review my account every six months and they can't do anything in-between.  I explained to her that I like Chase and would like to stay with chase (not that I actually have options for going elsewhere) but they are the highest interest rate I have and that even Chase just gave me a lower interest rate so I don't understand why this branch of chase can't.

She started talking about helping me out with crediting me some interest back.
My ears perked up of course.
I was sure as she was looking at my account she'd see that I was just given 3 months of interest and would tell me she can't do anything (and it was obvious that she was looking at my account to make sure I was making my payments, etc).

But, she ended up making it so I won't pay any interest for the next three months!

How cool is that?!

29.4.12

Sunday - 4/29/12

Sunday - 4/29/12

Coming home from Yoga Retreat
Mary drove me all the way home
I thought I would have time to work on things, fell asleep instead

28.4.12

Saturday 4/28/12

Saturday 4/28/12

At Yoga Retreat
no traveling!

During my free time I hemmed some pants and played cribbage with Mary.

27.4.12

Friday - 4/27/12

Friday - 4/27/12

I don't care how much sleep you've gotten. Three fifteen in the morning is early! The alarm went off. I'm laying here trying to talk myself out of pressing the snooze button. Oh yeah. I go to my yoga retreat tonight. Mary is going to pick me up from work. I have to get up now. I need to pack anything that couldn't be packed earlier in the week. Toothbrush, vitamins, things like that.

Now that I'm awake I remember that I need to send the info on the deposit I just made and fill out and mail the deposit sheet for that and today's deposit to jamboree.

I've finished the deposit info. I had hoped to do the rent roll today and send that in, also I have an eBay item to mail out. No time for any of that though. I grab the item and packing materials and put them into my backpack. I'll ship it from Avalon. Time to rush around and finish dressing. I check the place a few times to see if there is anything I need for the retreat that I'm forgetting. It feels like there is, but I can't think of anything. I put on my Mickey mouse hat, pod belt, gloves and backpack and take off. The backpack feels way too light. I keep reminding myself that everything was pre-staged and pre-packed and is at Avalon. Still, it feels too light.

I think I'd be cutting the timing too close to go to my regular stop. So, I decide to go to the alternate stop. It's farther Away, but it's also later on the route. So, I have a better chance of catching it.

I realized I forgot my sun hat! I don't know what to do! I'm 2 blocks away from home. If it were just about today, I'd leave it. I feel like I need it for the retreat, though. I make a decision, turn around and go back for it. This will probably mean I have to catch the second bus. I don't want to do that, but I do want my hat. There it is! Inside my apartment laying right next to the door. I grab it, fasten it to my belt, lock the door and take off again.

The hat keeps hitting my leg as I go this may drive me nuts I take a moment and readjust it so it isn't flopping around as much at least.

I suspect that I've never gotten up to the maximum speed the scooter can do. I also suspect that it needs new wheels, but today, at points, I am definitely moving fast. I like being to the yoga center a half hour before class and I have to catch the first bus to be able to do that. So even though I don't think there is any hope of catching the first bus, I'm doing my best to try. I suppose I should have left the hat behind, not gone back for it, it's a decision I made though and I have to be OK with that.

I'm winded, but I'm at the bus stop. I take a moment to fold up the scooter and take off my gloves. It's only 4:57! I not sure what time the bus gets to this stop, but I might have made it! I check google maps it says the bus is coming in three minutes! I didn't miss it! I bend down to stick my Sun hat into my backpack. When I stand up, the bus is there, across the street, waiting for the light. Wow! Yay! On the bus I sit down next to a 30-something gentleman who is sleeping. Along the way he wakes up once and looks around. I tell him we are at knots berry farms, he goes back to sleep. At the end of the line, Disneyland, my seat mate wakes up and gets off. The bus driver has to get up and wake up a gentleman sleeping in the back though.

There is an older woman getting on the bus carrying a princess reusable bag over her shoulder and a large rectangular suitcase. She seem a bit uncertain. One of the men sitting up front Gets up and carries her suitcase on for her. When she gets off at Disneyland he carries it off for her too. She says she is going on vacation and needs to take the 83 next. He tells her when the 43 shows up and that her bus should be next. We get onto the 43 and take off.

Mary takes me to yoga retreat after work.  We go for pizza before we head off!

26.4.12

Thursday - 4/26/12

Thursday - 4/26/12

I had a sleepover last night with Christina and have spent the day watching them.

Earlier, when the kids had laid down for naps, I'd researched bus routes home. For some reason google kept telling me to take the train part of the way. I think that would be fun to do sometime. So, I researched the price. It would be $5 just to take the first train they were sending me on! And there were two trains in that route! I won't be taking the train anytime soon!

 I figured out how to tell google that I only want buses and tried again. This time it's giving me a route that it hasn't given me before! It says I can take the 54 to the 43 and then take the 460 home. The 43 and 460 are my normal buses home from Avalon. I figure that route is worth a shot. I write down the times I could catch that bus series. There is one I could catch if I left the house at 5:29. That's about the time Christian comes home. I don't expect to catch that one. I like to stay and talk a bit and say goodbye to the kids. You never know though, sometimes he comes home early.

Oops! I just heard the sound of Christina's door opening. Apparently naps aren't going to happen today!

I just received a call from one of my tenants saying that his carpet is soaked in one area. He doesn't seem that concerned about it, but I am. We did just have a lot of rain, but the area he is saying is wet doesn't seem like it would be from rain. The wall he is describing doesn't normally have pipes near it either, but his apartment is next to the laundry room so there might be pipes there and it could be a leak in a pipe. I call our emergency maintenance number. He is working on a different emergency and won't be able to get there until later. Now, the ball is back in my court. If I can get there earlier and check it out, I should. I tell him I'll be there sometime between 7:30 and 8:30 and if I get there earlier than he does, I'll assess the situation and call him back. Now, I'm hoping Christian comes home early. I Tell the kids I'm going to have to leave soon after their dad gets home. They do better if they know those things ahead of time.

Christian is home! I might catch that first bus series! I only have a few minutes to get out of the house though. He goes to change. I gather my stuff. Logan doesn't want to hug me goodbye, he's too involved with daddy. I won't leave without my hug. I finally get a half hug, give my apologies to Christian for leaving to early and rush out. There is still a possibility I'll catch the bus. I'm leaving after 5:29, but using my scooter I can sometimes get there faster than google had expected. The bus stop is on Chapman ave.

I've just reached Chapman. They heart sinks a little. There is the bus, at the bus stop, which is on the other side of the street and down a bit. I don't think there is anyway for me to make it. It's teasing me though, sitting there for longer than it needed to. The bus drives off before I make it across the street. The next series I'd written down isn't due for 44 minutes. This is one of the nastiest bus stops. There is graffiti all over the sidewalk and some of the enclosure, and someone's recently spit on the concrete in front of the bench. I'm not relishing waiting here. I text octa with the bus stop number. They say there is a 54 bus coming in less than 15 minutes. Google must not be giving me that one because it could't make the connecting buses. Google won't show a connection if there isn't approximately 10 minutes to make it. I plan to get on the first 54 bus that comes and take it to the transfer point anyway (it's always better to be further along the route). But I also realize there might be other, tighter time connections google isn't showing. On the bus, I try telling google that I'm currently at the stop I'll get off on. There is a 43 bus that comes within a few minutes of when I get dropped off! If I can get across the street and to the bus stop in time and if it's on time, I might still make the first 460 bus! ???was thinking about scootering the way - trying to calculate the distance using my gps???

I'm here and at the bus stop!  I text OCTA and the bus is due in less than 5 minutes!  I might make the 460!

The bus is late.  I'm internally pacing.

Having a conversation with a guy sitting here, early 20s, who started the conversation by asking how my day was and when I asked him how his day was he told me that he puts out good karma stuff and gets good karma stuff back.  He's on his way to Disneyland.  He loves that no matter what differences people have, they all are happy at Disneyland.

The bus comes, it's 5 minutes late.  I'm sure I've missed the 460, but I'm still hoping.  It would be great to be able to catch the end connector bus!

We're at the stoplight before the bus stop.  The 460 is parked over on the other side, taking on passengers.  I'll never make it.  I ask the bus driver if he'll let me off here.  He either doesn't hear me or ignores me.  Finally the light changes and we pull up and get off.  I wish the kid a fun time at Disneyland and head quickly over to the light.  Fortunately the signal has just changed so I rush across the street too.  I'm on the sidewalk heading for the 460 when it's doors close.  I frantically wave at it.  I'm in front of it.  So, the bus driver will see me.  They don't have to wait though.  The doors open back up.  I'm going to make it!  How awesome is that?!

It turns out there was a older lady standing there putting her money in, having a hard time feeding dollar bills into the machine.  That is why the bus had stayed while I crossed the street.  The driver didn't want to drive off with this lady standing because she looked frail.  She said some of her passengers were upset because she hadn't left yet.

On our way home!  This bus driver is especially nice.  She's making sure people get seated before she takes off and she made sure one gentleman got off on the right exit.  She was worried he was missing his exit.  She made sure to ask him.  It turns out this is her last route of the day.  That would be why I haven't seen her before.  I'm riding earlier than I normally do.  Too bad!  I really like her!  When I left I shook her hand and thanked her for the ride.

The next bus is the 128.  It pulls up right after I get to the bus stop.  How nice to be able to ride most of the way home!  I feel a bit silly paying $1.50 to ride only a mile, but it's nice to have the luxury of the ride!

I check out the water leak.
It seems to be a rain issue, that comes from a pipe in the work room.
I call our emergency maintenance and tell them it's not an emergency that they can come tomorrow and fix it.
I tell the tenant there will be carpet cleaners here tomorrow to help clean the water from the carpet.

25.4.12

Wednesday - 4/25/12

wednesday 4/25/12

Woke up at 3 in the morning sure that I had missed a bus or a class or something.  I was so panicked it took me awhile before I could realize that I had Tracye's car for the night, and even longer before I realized it was Wednesday and I don't need to be anywhere until 2 in the afternoon.  Couldn't get back to sleep.

Things seemed easier to do today though, maybe because of having had more sleep, maybe something mental or planetary released.

I even posted a couple of things up on Ebay!

I did the layout for my vacant unit, etc..

Packed for the sleepover tonight.  I feel like I'm always packing!

It feels strange that I have a bus pass and haven't used it for a week!

I'm not sure what to do about the rain expected tomorrow.  I have most of my rain stuff pre-staged at Avalon for the retreat and I don't want to take it out.  Maybe I'll just take a rain jacket and hope it isn't raining when I go to go home

I made deposits to my bank, US bank and union bank.

Worked at Avalon - couches here

Drove to Tracye's - may get to see the whole movie with the kids!
Putting Gas in car!




24.4.12

Tuesday - 4/24/12

Tuesday - 4/24/12

Put gas in Tracye's car
Dropped things off at Avalon so I could have them for the yoga retreat this weekend, without having to take them on a bus.

Arrived at Tracye's 5 minutes late

Took Christina to Dance class - teacher was injured - class canceled - took the kids and Christina's friend over to the Library until the other Mother came.

How funny!  Tracye says she'll loan me her car tonight to bring back Wed night for our sleep over!  I didn't have to drive to Avalon this morning!  Oh well!  At least it's all done!

Tracye came back around noon.

I went over to my favorite goodwill store.  Didn't find anything, that was disappointing.  Not sure I should find anything with tons of stuff sitting in my home and garage to sell.  So, it's probably better this way.

Went to Mother's market.  I'm shocked at how much I spent!

Went to Trader Joe's.  They were out of organic potatoes!

23.4.12

Monday - 4/23/12

Monday 4/23/12

Watching kids - RK Das substituting for me in yoga
Drove to Christina's school.

Went to Seascape Kids fun with the kids.

Tracye loaned me her car

Went to work at Avalon
Did weekly reports
Took in Money from the tenant.

Went home

22.4.12

Sunday - 4/22/12

Sunday - 4/22/12

Babysitting the kids while Tracye and Christian are in Vegas
Nice to not have to go anywhere first thing in the morning.
Debate about where to go

We went to flower fields in Carlesbad.  It was lovely.

The kids "Panned" for rocks there.

Home

Right after we got home Christina accidentally ate a small rock!
Life can be interesting sometimes.

Watched movie - Shark's Tale

21.4.12

Saturday - 4/21/12

Saturday - 4/21/12

Tracye and Christian in Vegas
Drop off stuff at Tracye's using Truck
Drop off Truck at Charles'
Ride bus back to Tracye's
71 is running late.
Get there 5 minutes after the kids.

Babysitting!

20.4.12

Friday - 4/20/12

Friday - 4/20/12

Woke up laying on the couch, with my head on a pile of clean laundry and the remains of last night's dinner on the coffee table in front of me.  I'm totally disgusted.  I can't keep living like this!  It just isn't working!  I feel like I keep slipping farther and farther behind on doing the things I need to do!

Moved into the bedroom and set my phone alarm for an hour and a half.  I won't trust my ipod alarm again until I've changed the battery.  One more thing to do that hasn't gotten done.

Having trouble waking up.  A part of me just wants to stay in bed!
I'm finally up and trying to figure out what I need to do before I leave.
So nice to have the leeway of having a vehicle!  I'm so glad I got to sleep later!

Charles said he might want to pick the truck up today.  So, I need to bring my scooter, backpack and everything I'd need for getting home on the bus with me today and make sure not to bring extra things that wouldn't ride well on the bus.  No laptop today!

I'm leaving 15 minutes later than I wanted to, but still within a range I consider good.
Made the bank deposit and still got to the Yoga Center on time for when I like to arrive!
Maybe I'm learning how to do this!

During yoga I start realizing while things aren't getting done, in a way my life is still getting better, like I'm on a higher level of not moving forward?  There are shelves for the outside, etc..

I've been thinking lately about the fact that I don't have any kind of a back-up / emergency fund, or a tax fund.  That stuff shouldn't depend on credit cards.  The companies could cancel anyone anytime.  You can't depend on that.  Right now, I have two checks to deposit.  One from my work last night and a $100 check for the work I do posting ads.  That check came way late.  The pay period I normally use it in has come and gone.  I had enough income without it this time.  I'd like to try depositing that check every month directly into my savings account.  That would act both as a reserve and a fund for tax time.  I'm not sure I'm at a point I can do that, and my work with event solutions may be over until fall, I know Charity auctions are seasonal.  So, there probably won't be income from that source after the one I have scheduled for May.  I might end up having to use this check cover bills some months, but I'm at a good enough point to try, and that's exciting!

After yoga class I go to the bank and deposit the one check into my checking account and the other into my savings account.

I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with my grandkids on Sunday.  I've been wanting a full day with them when Christina didn't have to go to school.  Now that I have that, I'm not sure where we should go!  It would be silly to just stay home!  I finally decided to check and see if the livingsocal deal for the San Diego Animal Park from a few days ago is still available.  I didn't get it then partly because it would still be $42 to take myself and the kids, plus gas, and partly because of the distance.  I just wasn't sure about driving for an hour and a half to get somewhere on our day together.  Now, though, I'd much rather go there than a regular zoo and I've never been there and would like to see it!  I check as soon as I can get to a computer.

Well, that didn't work.  The deal is over.

What I'd really like to do is to take them to Disneyland.  I love Disneyland and I'd love to share that with them.  I took Christina right before her 3rd birthday (when she was free and I had an annual pass).  I'm not sure Logan's ever been and his 3rd birthday is coming up in June.  It would be a great thing to do!  I'm not allowed to do that in my budget though.  It's way too expensive to pay for Christina and I to get in.  I decide to make an attempt anyway.  I post on my facebook page and one of my friend's lists asking if anyone works at Disneyland and could get us in on Sunday.  I figure it is a lot to ask, but it's worth asking.  That would be terrific!

I think I've checked my email 10 times in the last 15 minutes.  I thought it was a much longer time frame than that, but I just looked and it's been only 15 minutes since I posted the request.  I have to be ok with this not working.  It would be lovely if we could go though!




19.4.12

Thursday - 4/19/12 - Got a Parking Ticket!

Thursday - 4/19/12

Getting up at 4:30 to leave by 5:30 seems easy now, where it used to be the earliest wake up time.
Bringing the rest of the laundry (2 loads)

Feels like I'm missing something.  Not bringing backpack.
I've gone over the things I need for tonight twice (suit, clothes, etc)

Made the kids to go a store in downtown orange I like - bought dried beans (heavy stuff) and raisins for us.  They liked helping scoop the food out of the bins.

Went next door to the gluten free market was hoping they'd have the vegan jello, but they didn't.

Fed the ducks with the kids

After Tracye got home I changed, left, put gas in the truck, went to trader joe's for some food - bought too much!  3 items!  ouch!

THEN, I noticed the parking ticket!
double ouch!

Glad I left the GPS in Charles' truck!

The event is at Creiver Auto museum.
I've wanted to go there.
It's underway when I get there.

I love the cars!  I wish they were more visible!  I'm going to have to visit some other time!
The event is for South Coast Repertory Theater.

Great music!  Enjoyed the evening!
Got to take a flower centerpiece and bundle of balloons home
Couldn't have done that from a bus.

Got out of there at 11pm

What am I going to do with balloons?
Why did I take them?
Love them though!

It isn't much farther to stop at my daughter's on the way home.  Stopped there and tied the balloons outside. They will know who they were from.

Sat down to finish my dinner and watch beakman's world, fell asleep on the couch



18.4.12

Wednesday - 4/18/12

Wednesday - 4/18/12

Not feeling good
Not sure if I'm able to borrow the truck or not, or when
Can't call Charles this early.
Took temp 99.8
Laid down for a bit
Thinking about canceling work.
Realized a couch is being delivered today so I can't cancel.

Called Charles - he said I could pick it up today, my choice of before or after work
I can't think.  Can't figure it out.
I tell him I'll call him back later and let him know.
I go back to sleep.
Wake up, I think I can sleep a little bit longer if I borrow the truck.  Decide to borrow it before work.
Go to sleep.
Wake up.  Have to get moving.
Check Google Maps.
It says I have to leave soon if I want to get there in time to see people before leaving.
Try Metro.net, but unsure enough about the bus stops that don't want to chance their routes, and doesn't buy me that much, in fact extra time may be the time to the bus, that site doesn't take that into consideration.

Take 128 a different way.
ask the bus driver to tell me when the exit is, he gave me a map.
The map says it's right after the 605.  Soon after the 605 I pull the stop cord, but that isn't the right stop.
It's almost a mile down!
It's easy from here.  I didn't know the long beach 91, 92, and 93 all come out to here!

Get to Charles', end up asking to lay down for 20 minutes before I go.

Work - internet guy here again
   no couch!

Home - so glad to not have to ride the bus!

17.4.12

Tuesday - 4/17/12

Tuesday - 4/17/12

Taking a long time to get around
Went to Farmer's Market
No organics
asked the one guy about organics he made a ug and turned and walked away
bought some non-organic fruit
walked down it all again
asked one more place about organics (looked more professional with a t-shirt with the farm name on)
they said they are all organic and showed me their certs
I told them they need a sign saying that.
They said they have one and put it up for the other markets, but at this market no one cares.
I pointed out that I care and I almost didn't ask.
It didn't phase them.
We had a conversation about the fact the neighborhoods around are Hispanic, Korean, or Indian and none of those cultures care yet about organics.
I asked about golden beets.
They said they raise them, but people at this market don't want them so they don't bring them.
I pointed out that I'm here and want them.
I asked if I could call them the weeks I'll be here and ask them to bring some.  She said they often sell out over the weekend, at that farmer's market.
They even pointed out one other customer who goes to them because she wants organics
I told them once again that they should put a sign up
they said no one here cares.

I bought my vegetables.  She asked me if I had my own bag, I said yes.
She said she only asked because the people at her other markets bring their own bags so she thought I might.

End up re-packing into backpack and leaving.

Old guy getting off bus... kind of blocking way for a different old guy getting on

Take bus to Indian section, only a block away from the Indian grocery I like to shop at!
Shopped, ran into yc student there, talked for awhile
worried about time.
Nothing to worry about, way early.

Went down the street hoping for another market to look in, hadn't bought one item I'd wanted.
no indian things on this side of the street!

Really thirsty.  Water is packed under cabbage!
Found another bus stop, don't want to go past this one, still at least 20 minutes before next bus.
Starbucks here.
Went looking through 99 cent store.
Bought water and water bottles with clips.

Same old guy getting onto bus here, must have been to drug store or something.

Caught bus back to my bus stop, then scooter home.

16.4.12

Monday - 4/16/12

Monday - 4/16/12

Caught late 460
Caught early 43 - pulled in right after 460 left
might catch 55
didn't catch 55 was right in front of us!
try catching it on 17th street - did!
figured out by checking route times that I'm catching an earlier bus by doing that section by scooter!
Debate about doing deposits
Did deposits
Nice to do the ride into the YC in the morning
Total difference in how everything looks and what is around depending on time of the morning -20 minutes later is so different!

Went to my Chiropractor
Then to Mother's Market
into Avalon Early - wanted to sleep - guy was here working on internet
Felt awkward about having to leave at 6
Bus home
Went to Wilson street bus stop because of the wind

Caught the 460 just in time

15.4.12

Sunday - 4/15/12

Sunday - 4/15/12

I slept over at Alex's last night. He has this amazing house he calls Gemini manor. His house is this ever changing ever growing art piece of his, with amazing bits and pieces of rescued, repurposed stuff in hundreds of nooks and crannies, scattered all across the place it's one of the places you should see when you are in la. Laying here in the morning I'm enjoying the sunlight from the window playing on all the pieces in this room. There's a lovely fairy up hiding near a flower lamp. The light isn't catching her. I wonder if it does some other time in the day?

I haven't seen Alex in ages. He takes me through his place, showing me all of the new wonders he's added to this wonderful creation he lives in. He introduces me to all of the neighborhood stray cats too We went out for a picnic brunch. It's been nice having this time away, but it's time for me to go. I check google maps to make sure I should go home the same way I came up. It says yes. I ask Alex to point me to where to catch the red line. We have a bit of a moment. He tells me I should be asking for the subway station. I hadn't thought of that. He's right though. That will make it easier if I ever have to ask anyone else.

Getting to and finding the subway station was easy. Finding the red line was easy too. Oops! Maybe a little too easy! I'm down where you catch the red line and I've somehow walked in without using my tap card and paying them. Nothing to do but trudge back upstairs with my heavy pack and awkward set up and pay for the ticket. Somewhere along the way here I'd had the realization that while my black bag is too bulky to strap onto my backpack, it's only holding my raincoat and I can probably spread my raincoat out more than it is in the bag and could probably clip that on top of the backpack. I'd been going to wait till I was on the train to do the re-shuffling. But, it's Sunday and the trains aren't running as frequently. So, I decide to do it now and hope the train doesn't come while I'm in the middle of doing it. There! It's done! Now I just have the backpack and scooter to carry! The red line train gets here, the door opens and it's packed inside. I see the silliness of having waited where everyone else was. I decide to try for a different train entrance. It's door is closing as I come up to it. I automatically stick my scooter handle into the door to signal it to re-open. That was easy! I'm proud of myself for doing it so easily! This train car is full too, though not as full as the other one.

I sit down next to a lady and her daughter. At one of the stops a man gets on and hands everyone pens with a note on the package saying he is deaf and asking for a one dollar donation. I don't have any extra change, in fact I've been wondering if I have enough for the bus. He made change for my five. After he left, I asked the little girl if she liked to draw and gave her the pen. It's one of those that have four colors. I would have loved that when I was a kid! I'm off the subway and need to find where to catch the bus. This is the part I'm not sure of. How to get out of here and to the bus stop the subway has exits to a few different streets. Google had said I needed a flower street bus stop and there are signs to a flower street exit. So I go there. Ok. Neither of these streets are flower street and there is some huge bike thing happening. They have roads blocked off with bikes riding by. I wonder what that's going to do to the bus schedule?

14.4.12

Going To LA - 4/14/12

Saturday - 4/14/12

My friend Alex sent a message out a few days ago inviting everyone who wanted to come to a Russian orthodox Easter celebration. He's invited me for several years. I've never been able to go for one reason or another. This year, the timing works. I can go! I've got to step out of my comfort zone and travel up to LA in the evening though. I'll leave for there around 7:30pm, get there around 9:30pm (hopefully), spend the night and travel back tomorrow.

I'm spending a lot of time trying to figure out what to wear and what to bring and how to pack it. I'm limited to what will fit in the backpack. Everything has to fit in the backpack both tonight and tomorrow when I'm coming home. It's going to be cold tonight. I need to be warm both for the trip to his place and for the Easter celebration, which he says will be mostly outside. We aren't going to it until 11pm. I expect it to be late, and very cold. For the celebration I need to wear a skirt that goes below my knees, a long sleeved top and a scarf over my head. I want to wear layers of clothing too, to protect against the cold. After trying on several combinations I decide to wear a fitted pair of pants with silk long johns under for the trip up. I don't want to wear a skirt up. So, I'm packing a long, full black skirt that I can pull up over the pants when I get there. For my top I've picked a heavy cotton ribbed sweater with a heavy long John silk top under that and a lightweight silk turtleneck under that. I want to wear my new tennis shoes. They'll be good for the transit. I'm not sure they'll work for later in the evening though. I have a book called "the perfect stranger". It gives you an overview of different religious ceremonies and what's appropriate. I looked up the orthodox Easter celebration. It specifically said no tennis shoes. I'm trying packing a pair of moccasin boots. They aren't fitting into the backpack. I already have water for the trip and hot tea (in case I get cold on the trip), a full sized sheet (alex said to bring my own sheets and I figure one full sized sheet will work for a couch. I'm going to have to give up on wearing my tennis shoes and find some shoes I can wear for everything. I've picked a pair of black boots. They are going to have to do. It's finally time to leave! I think I have everything. I re-check that I have the directions and money for the red line.

I almost sat down at the wrong stop! I'm so used to going south from here that I didn't even think about it. I just headed for that stop. Thankfully I realized it right before I sat down and moved to the other side of the street. I've wanted to ride the 460 up into la. It's nice to be doing that. The sad part is that it's dark out and I can't see what there is along the route. The bus is pulling up to the Norwalk train station. This isn't where I'm supposed to get off, even though the directions have me taking the red line later. As we pull up to the stop the bus driver is asking us to get a zone ticket out so he can check them. I've never heard of a Zone ticket! I think my octa pass should cover it, but I'm not sure. I ask the bus driver. He says I need to pay $1.40 for the next segment. I'm wondering if it would be better to get on the train here, since I have to pay anyway. I try asking him. He must have misunderstood my question. He tells me he does stop at 7th and flower, which is were google maps has me getting off next. I decide it's better to go with the course I have printed directions for. I handed him the money when he came back from checking everyone's passes. Apparently I wasn't supposed to do that. I was supposed to follow him to the machine and put it into the buses toll machine. I'll figure this all out sometime!

Well, that's why google maps had me take this bus rather than the train! We're on the highway, headed up to La. We easily passed a train going the same direction. That wasn't even the train I would have been on! I would have been on a later one!

13.4.12

Friday Morning - 4/13/12

Friday Monring - 4/13/12

Last night I fell asleep on the floor in front of the TV.  With suddenly having a working media center computer and having spent most of the day clearing and re-arranging, I gave myself some time off.  The media center computer is the only one fast enough to try and play games on.  So, I sat I front of it to play for a bit.  At one point I was waiting for a response and wasn't feeling tired.  I put head down for a bit to relax, and that was the end of that.  I woke up once in the evening and was mostly still asleep.  Too groovy to make it to the bed and aware enough to know that sleeping on the floor was silly.  I managed to move myself over to the couch before passing out again.  The next time I woke up, I made it into the bedroom, only to realize I'd never moved the stuff off of the bed and into the new wardrobe closet.  So, I did that and set my alarm.  By that time I was awake.  I sat down and did some of the reports for work.

Now, I'm ready to go to bed, and it's 2:30 in the morning.  I get up at 3:15 to catch the bus!  After debating what to do, I reset my alarm for a half hour later.  Almost everything I need to do in the morning is done.  I think I'll be ok with that and I do need some more sleep.

I heard the music go off for the alarm, but was still tired so I laid there for awhile.  All of a sudden I'm awake!  There is no music playing!  That's bad!  It's 4:25!  That's when I'm supposed to be walking out the door to go to the bus!  Why did my alarm music stop?  Arrrgggg!!


I rush to get around and out the door.  I wasn't as together as I thought.  I can't find my silk long-johns anywhere.  It's cold outside and I'm not leaving without them!  It's supposed to rain today, but it isn't raining yet.  I decide to wear my yellow rain jacket over my regular jacket, and stick my rain pants into a bag that I'll attach to my backpack rather than wearing them for this part of the trip.

Finally, I'm out the door!  I've decided to go to the alternate bus stop, just in case there is a chance of catching the 1st bus.  I'm to the gate of my apartment complex when I realize I don't have my phone!  The phone is one of the few things I absolutely can't leave behind.  I turn around and go get it.

I'm sure there is no way I'll catch the 1st bus now.  I'm still going to the alternate bus stop, and still going as fast as I can, just in case.  My legs seem tired today.  I don't feel like I am going as fast as I can, but it will have to do!  There ahead at the stoplight, I see the bus come out, do it's turn and leave.  At least I can slow down now.  I know I've missed it.  Or... I think that's my mind playing tricks on me!  I had just been thinking about how far away this bus stop is.  There is no way that stoplight is the right one for the bus stop.  It's farther away, not visible yet!  I keep pushing to get there.

I get to the stop and check my clock.  I've definitely missed the first bus.  Oh well, I know the second bus will get me there, just later and with another push on the scooter, which I'm not looking forward to!  I'm really glad I can get there, though, and it isn't raining so lots of blessings!  I put my things down and squat down to wait for the bus.  There are tables back a ways, next to the restaurant.  I don't want to wait back there for fear of the bus not seeing me.

Riding on the bus, someone says something about how few people are on the bus.  I realize they are right!  This bus, at this time of the day is normally crowded and it's not.  There are only a handful of us on it!  I wonder if it is the rain that kept people away?

Once in a very great while I can catch an earlier connector bus than I'm supposed to be catching.  I hope that happens today!  If it does happen, it would save me the rushing to get to the Yoga Center.  I check Google and note the time the next bus is supposed to be leaving (6:18.)  That way I'll know if I've caught an earlier one, or the normal one.

No luck, it was the regular bus.  There aren't many people on this bus either.  I'm hoping we will get there faster because of that.  I know we won't.  I know they have to run on a schedule.  Nothing to do but sit back and wait.

I don't take the third bus in the series (the 55) when I'm riding at the later time.  It would get me to the Yoga Center too late, or so Google Maps says.  I've noticed in the past that often there is a 55 bus going past the first stop on 17th street, right about the time I'm at that stop.  I'm wondering if I should try and catch that bus.  If I can catch it, I could get to the Yoga Center a few minutes early and be able to shed some of my insulated clothing before the students arrive.

I'm here at the bus stop for the 55.  There was someone already here waiting.  So, I know I haven't missed it.  At the same time, I don't know when it is coming, or if it is on time.  If I stay here and wait for it and it doesn't come, I'll get to class late and I don't want to do that!  Thank goodness!  That's the bus!  I'm not only going to make it, I'm going to be a few minutes early and for today, that's good enough!

This bus is crowded.  Interesting.  The only one so far this morning that is.

Friday night - 73 stranded me at the ocean!
577 is a direct route!

10.4.12

Tuesday - 4/10/12

Tuesday - 4/10/12

A day at home
Keep wanting to drive somewhere

Ordered business cards and stamp for chiropractor

Trying to arrange for wardrobe

Didn't get much done - long nap

9.4.12

Stayed Late At Work - 4/9/12

Monday Evening - 4/9/12

I've got an apartment to rent here and people aren't coming to see it.  I think Easter weekend got to people.  A potential tenant had an appointment at 5:30, but she hasn't shown up yet.

One of our past tenants, Patrick, walks in.  He says he needs a place for awhile.  That's great!  He was a good tenant!  I show him the place, go over the changes in policy, and sign a lease with him.  It all takes awhile though.  Even with putting some things off until later, I'm leaving for the bus stop at the time the bus normally comes.  I hope the bus is running late today!

When I get to the bus stop, there is only one person here waiting.  That means the bus has already come.  I check with Google Maps, trying to figure out what to do now.  It says to take a whole different route.  I can't believe that.  It normally just tells me to wait for the next bus.  I check the other version of Google maps.  It tells me the same thing.  The new bus stop that I need is somewhere close by, I take off to try and find it.  Across the street, I check the number on this bus stop, this isn't it.  I check Google Maps again, trying to figure out where the bus stop is.  Now, google maps is telling me to go back to the original route!  I decide to do that and head back to the original bus stop.


A Trip To The Beach - 4/9/12

Monday Midday - 4/9/12


I've been wanting to go to the beach.  I want to walk in the sand and watch the ocean.  I haven't been in ages.  After yoga and my chiropractor visit, I decide to try going to the beach.  I have several hours before I need to be at work.  I don't look up any schedules.  I know the 55 can take me to a point where I can catch the 1 and the 1 can take me down to Laguna.

The 55 dropped me off right at PCH and Dover.  This is the bus stop I know it shares with the 1.  I text OCTA to see when the 1 is due.  It turns out the 1 isn't due for 40 minutes.  That's frustrating!  Now, what do I do?!  I could have ridden the 55 farther, but I hadn't thought about needing to.  I decide to head off down the road for a bit.  I'm sure I'll come to another bus stop I can wait at and that way I get to see what's here.

There's a big bridge next to the bus stop.  It goes over the river to the bay.  As I'm walking over it, I'm watching the water.  Wait!  There's something in the water!  It's an otter!  How cool!  He comes up several times!  By the time I have my phone out, turned on, and ready to take a picture, he makes his last dive.  A lovely bird swims around in the water and comes over to pose for his picture.  I watch the water for awhile longer and then head on.




Here's the next bus stop.  Right next to it is a Starbucks.  I've still got lots of time.  I've also got a Starbucks gift card left over from Christmas.  I get a smoothie and sit outside, enjoying the sunshine while waiting for the bus.

It turns out the 1 stops at a few of the same stops the 5 does.  I can make the transfer somewhere else next time if I want.  I'm debating where to get off.  Where do I want to go in Laguna?  I'm not going to have very much time there.  I know I want to go to the beach and walk in the sand.  Do I want to go to the cliffs too?  Or the rose gardens?  I might want to stop at Whole Foods Market and pick up something for lunch.  I don't know where the bus stops are, but it's a town.  I'm sure there several bus stops.

As the bus nears cliff drive (the road I always used to park on when I went to Laguna,) I realize I want to go there.  I pull the cord and wait for the bus to stop.  The bus keeps going.  We are down the hill now.  Oh well, getting off at this beach will be fine.  The bus keeps going.  Now it's turning onto main street.  That's ok.  I'm sure there's a bus stop right here that's still close to the beach....  the bus keeps going!  It finally stops at the Laguna transit station!  Oh well!  We passed Whole Foods Market on the way here.  I'll stop there on my way to the beach and get some food for a picnic!

I'm at the beach now.  There are lots of people here, enjoying the wonderful, sunny day.  I sit at an empty bench and pull out one of the muffins I bought at Whole Foods.  A movement in the water catches my eye.  There are two dolphins out there playing in the water!  You can see their back fins occasionally.  The one tries playing with a pelican, who gets disgruntled and flies off.  Wow!  Two water sightings in one day!  That's amazing!




I consult Google Maps and it says I don't need to catch a bus for 40 more minutes, but it also says I'll be late for work.  Arrrgggghhh!  I hadn't thought about it maybe being a problem getting buses back in time!  I'll have to be more careful in the future.  In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy being here!

I take my shoes and socks off and go walking in the sand next to the water.  It's absolutely lovely here.

It's time to go back.  I pick my backpack and scooter back up and head up the stairs barefoot.  I'm enjoying being barefoot.  I wait till the last minute, right before the road, to put my shoes and socks back on.

My backpack is fairly heavy.  I have items in it to return to the library.  I haven't figured out how to work that into my schedule.  There is a library near one of the bus transfer points.   While I'm sitting, waiting for the bus, I check the bus schedule for the trip to Avalon.  It turns out there is a long wait at the bus station near the library.  I'm going to try getting off the 1 at the stop near the library, dropping off my dvds, and then heading up PCH until I come to a bus stop the 55 stops at.  That should work and there is enough lag time in the trip that I can do it!

On the way from the library, looking for a bus stop, a woman "hey scooter!" from the passenger seat of a car and gives me a thumbs up.

At the bus stop, there's a tree with pink flowers.  I hear a hummingbird and look to find it flying around, visiting the flowers.  It's a tiny one!  I go to try and take a picture of it, and find it sitting on a branch.  It's so cute!  Oops!  It turns out there are two!  One sitting on the branch, and one flying.  The flying ones leaves for a bit and then comes back.  The one sitting stays there for quite awhile, with me watching him.  Then, he exercises his wings while sitting and finally takes off. All of a sudden the first one is there with him and they both fly off together.






Good Morning! - 4/9/12

Monday Morning - 4/9/12

 Last night I'd set my alarm to a little bit later than normal; 3:30am instead of 3:15am.  Three thirty is still very early in the morning.  I'm laying here in bed, trying to convince myself to get up, and at the same time, trying to grab a few extra moments of warm comfort in bed.

It's now 3:45.  I'm finally getting up!  At least I prepared some last night.  I don't have as much to do this morning as on a normal Monday.

I feel good about this morning.  I'm not rushing, and I'm making sure that I stay focused and moving.  My reports have been sent off, the last deposit gathered and prepared, my eBay sales were packed up and put into the mail box yesterday,  I've put the DVDs to return to the library into my backpack.  It's time to leave!  I think I'm running a little bit late.  I was going to cut some bread and take it along for lunch, I decide not to. I'm putting on my new shoes too.  I hope they don't bother my legs.  They give me a little more reach.  I go faster on the scooter when I'm wearing them.  Hopefully that will help.

It's nice going to the bus stop in the early morning.  Everything's quiet.  I wonder if I'm on time?  I'm about 1/2 block away from the stop when I see a person walking across the street to it.  I must be on time!   I push myself to get to the stop before the bus does!

It's funny!  She wasn't going to the bus stop.  She walked past it!  The 460 going the other direction just stopped across the street.  I still might be on time!  I fold my scooter up and stay standing, watching down the street.  Yep! There it is!  It's still blocks away.  I made it on time!

 On the bus, I go farther back than normal.  I sit at the first set of seats that are raised.  My seat mate is dozing with his head against the window.  Most of the people on the bus are quiet and dozing.  In the front, on the cross ways seats there are two people having an animated conversation in sign language.  I'm enjoying watching them.  I don't know sign language, what's fun is their very expressive faces. She, especially has a wonderful, happy glow around her.

8.4.12

Sunday - 4/8/12

Sunday - 4/8/12

Happy Easter Everyone!

Decided to stay home.  I've felt like I haven't been home enough.
Got rid of non-working tvs

Working on Ebay

Feeling like I'm accomplishing things

Feeling like I'm moving forward

7.4.12

Saturday - 4/7/12

Saturday - 4/7/12

Stay home.
Keep wanting to do a little shopping trip or run to the bank, only to remind myself that I don't have a working vehicle.

Spent time shopping on-line for a new tv and then a new desktop or laptop computer.  Didn't buy anything though.

looked at finances.  I thought I had some extra money this month, but I don't.

Called the one credit card company and got the late fee reversed (Capital One and Amazon)

6.4.12

Friday - 4/6/12

Friday - 4/6/12

First morning leaving early morning in awhile.  Exhausted.  Didn't sleep much last night.
I think I'm on time, but am ok if not...  more relaxed.
Bus got there right after I did!

43 bus pulled up right after 460 left!

55 has perky female bus driver.  She wished me a great good morning and a happy Easter then when I got off the bus

Don't want to do bank deposit - just want to go into the warmth, but I need to do it, and  the scooter ride to the Yoga Center from there is enjoyable.

On way from the Yoga Center.  I hadn't even thought to check bus schedule, the bus passed me right before one stop so I got on.
The guy on the bus who asked me if I really ride that thing (meaning my scooter), than gave a "I knew it laugh"

Grocery shopping at Mother's Market

I haven't been looking forward to Friday night bus ride home.  Mary asked if I wanted to do something.  I said only if you take me home and only if it's food.  She agreed.

She picked me up at Avalon.  We picked an Indian restaurant Bukhara from the Entertainment book.

5.4.12

Upsets And Home - 4/5/12

Thursday - 4/5/12

Today would be my day to sleep in. But I can't. The phone rang early and woke me. Right now I have an apartment up for rent at two different places that I manage. When I have units for rent I forward the calls to my cell phone. People call those numbers all hours of the day. They're expecting a machine, not someone's home. Though the phone number for the complex where I live is my home phone.

I'm tired. I haven't been sleeping well lately. I don't think I could fall back asleep though. Maybe if I get up and do some things i'll be able to sleep later.

My current art project is on the floor. A friend of mine is in the final stages of cancer. They are putting up prayer flags for her and her family. She's said that we could each make a flag for it, with our handprint on it. I did the handprint part Tuesday. I put prints of both my hands. It felt right. Now I have to cut and sew it a bit. I want to get it into the mail today. I think I'm going to avoid it for awhile. Working on it reminds me of the fact that TONI died and that Milly may die. I don't seem to be handling any of that well.

It's noon. I had just laid down for a nap when Richard called and asked if I could help him with an audio conversion. He's trying to slowly convert his album collection to cd.  Too bad about missing the nap, but maybe that means I'll sleep tonight.

I'm back now. He gave me some things to gift on freecycle. He's starting to go through his wife's things and see what they don't need any more. I think he's lonesome. He's been her caregiver for so long, having her in a convalescent center, well, that's different.

I need to work on the flag now. My iPod is acting up and won't play. I put on beakman's world for some background noise. After cutting the material, I'm not happy with the way the flag looks. I think i'm going to scrap this one and do it over.

I like the new version much better. I hope it will be ok for the project. It's a far cry from the assignment to have a piece of cloth made into a flag with a handprint on it. Here is the flag I made.





 It's late. I'm tired, but I don't feel like I can sleep. I'm laying on the couch watching a movie (21 dresses), hoping to get relaxed enough to sleep. The movie is almost over. All of a sudden there is thick black smoke coming out of the tv!  I rush over, tilt it forward so I can reach the cords and unplug the power cord .

t's 1 in the morning. I'm not sleeping, I'm posting and writing people on Facebook. The TV dying was the final straw. I'm not handling it well. Part of it is probably lack of sleep part is probably my churned up feelings about Milly's illness and Toni's death the TV is a big part too though.   I use it for creating "down time" I don't want to give that up, yet at the same time, this year is about becoming financially free and buying a new TV seems counter to that

4.4.12

Returning The Truck - 4/4/12

Wednesday 4/4/12

Today is the day I return the truck to Charles.  I've been kind of dreading that.  I've felt like Cinderella, having a carriage.  I wonder what Cinderella felt like when the carriage turned back into a pumpkin?  I'm very grateful to have had the truck as long as I did, and a little hesitant about going back to riding the scooter.  I'm going to do it though.  You don't stop going toward your goals just because it becomes uncomfortable.  You think of the end result (being financially free) and move forward!

I didn't sleep well last night and am moving slowly today.  There are so many things I wanted to do yesterday to prepare for today: packing my backpack, doing laundry, doing a heavy shopping run to Trader Joes, etc...  It just didn't happen.

I hope to leave by 10am for Charles' place.  That way I can stay and socialize some when I get there.  If I leave early enough I might run out to Trader Joe's (fairly close,) pick up the heavy groceries I was going to get yesterday.  I'll be OK without them, but I'm out of potatoes and olives and it would be nice to get them.   I need to make a deposit for Villa Tuscany too.

Getting the deposit ready is one of the things that didn't happen yesterday.  I have to do that before I can leave.  I need to pack up the ebay item that sold and put the box into the mail too.

I'm taking the bus home tonight.  It's lovely out now, but I wonder what the weather will be like tonight?  I check goggle and it says a low of 48 tonight.  I'll pack my long johns and change into those right before I leave for home, just in case.

I almost forgot to take the green cuttings from the backyard to add to Charles' compost!  I run back into the apartment to get that.

I'm finally leaving!  It's 11am.  I'm not late.  I'm definitely not early though.  I decide not to stop at the bank on the way.  That could make me late.  If I pass one along the way, I'll stop, otherwise I might have to wait till tomorrow to make the deposit.

The police have some kind of barricade / road check on 7th street in Long Beach.  It's not affecting my driving to Charles' but it should affect the bus making it to the transfer point on time.  I think no matter what I do today, I'll be late to catch the 2nd bus.  I've been a little frustrated at myself for getting out of the apartment so late.  I wanted to spend some time at Charles visiting with everyone.  Since the road block is there, I've made up my mind to take a little bit of time to sit an socialize.  I think I'm early enough to do some and the buses will be running late.  It will all work out somehow.

I've just parked the truck at Charles'.  No one is outside.  I call him to let him know I'm here.  He had been taking a nap.  He came out all groggy and not in a social mood.  He took the key, gave me a hug, told me that everyone was gone and that he was going back to bed.  I guess I'm not going to stay and visit!  I head off for the bus stop.

I haven't checked the route.  I'm comfortable with the fact that I have to get to the first bus stop, catch the first of 4 buses (91, 92, 93, or 94) that come by and go to the veterans center.  While I wait at the veterans center I can check the bus route.  I really want to take bus 1.  I like riding down near the ocean.  It's a pity I'm not leaving early enough to stop on the way.  It's a gorgeous day!

We got to the transfer point in plenty of time.  There are three OCTA buses sitting there with their drivers off on breaks.  When the buses are turned off their lights are off too.  There is no way to tell which bus is the 1. I ask one of the people waiting.  She doesn't know.  I go up to the bus at the very front of the three.  That way, as the others turn on their lights, I'll be able to tell which number they are.  The 50 is the first to take off.  The 60 is next.  The last one must be the 1!  Google maps tells me that I can get off at a different stop this time and catch the 71.  That will take me all the way to Avalon with very little scooter time!  It's even going to get me there 25 minutes early!

I just had a thought!  I wonder if I could take the bus to the US bank that I know, on 17th street and still get to work on time, since it's saying I'm 25 minutes early.  It would be great to get the deposit done!  I don't know the address of the US bank, to put into Google maps.  I'm using the Yoga Center address, since it is fairly close.  Google maps says it's doable!

Riding on the bus, I want to watch the ocean.  I keep dozing.  I've figured out that I can ride the bus a little farther and catch the 55 to the bank.  I'm proud of myself for figuring that out.  I haven't ridden the 1 this far south.  When I rode the 55 before, they announced that stop was a transfer point for the 55 and the 1.

I'll need to use the scooter to get from the bank to Avalon, but I should still get there in time.




3.4.12

Tuesday - 4/3/12

Tuesday - 4/3/12

Stayed home
Unloaded shelves from truck
Worked on back yard some
Worked on a Hand print for flag for my friend who is dying.  They are going to surround her with helping, loving hands.

Couldn't sleep

2.4.12

Monday - 4/2/12

Monday - 4/2/12

Hard to wake up - didn't want to go to sleep last night.
My last day being cinderella.

Bought shelving
Tying it down

1.4.12

Sunday - 4/1/12

Sunday - 4/1/12

I woke up, my week or so of constant scheduled time having been over at 2 this morning, and started running through my mind everything that I can now do and catch up on, everything that was dropped from the list for this last week or so.  I'm eager to get my place looking better, eager to get items up on Ebay.  I need to catch up on some things for work too.  Nice to have today to work on things!