Sunday, April 9, 2023

Living Conditions part 1

 Doesn’t appear that I have posted anything about the refrigerator or our disastrous issue STILL at hand. I had created a post about our situation – though not the fridge specifically.  It was posted on February 16, 2023.  I had it up for a day before I took it down.  The title had given away the name of our insurance company as well as their logo smashing a house.  But as they still hadn’t paid anything, I took it down temporarily. 

We have since collected a partial payment which is better than nothing but still not enough and we do plan on changing insurance companies (Richard thought he would save money by bundling, but I was happy with our former company and hope that they will take us back because I really am not impressed with the one that we are with currently) and also have a problem with the contractor – but that is another post of itself.

So let me now take you on the beginning of our “living conditions” journey:

We had purchased a brand new refrigerator probably ten years ago.  When we  moved from West Valley to Myrtle Creek we had brought our fridge with us.  When we lived on Jenny our fridge lived in the garage.  We used it but not the automatic water dispenser as it was not hooked up to the waterline. 

We did hook it up to the hose when we moved to tri city.  With each move that poor refrigerator seemed to take a beating.  We were looking at fridges in August of last year but were having a hard time finding one with the dimensions that would fit the allotted space.  Since the pandemic started companies have stopped making the smaller refrigerators and all fridges that are currently manufactured have are 36 inches wide.  Our allotted space is 34.  And we’d need it even smaller than that in order for the fridge to breathe – which the one we had was not.  That may have been what caused it to fail completely. 

The signs were there and we had been looking, but once Biff and his family moved in we had stopped looking – until the second Wednesday in January of this year.  Richard and I were already on our way to the big city of Roseburg when Clair called fearing her position of bearing bad news.  I think she and Biff had the worst of it as they were assigned clean-up duty while Richard and I diverted our plans and ended up at an appliance store that had some dated fridges that were less than 34 inches. 

Most of the items from the fridge itself cook be salvaged and had been moved into the back fridge (the one we had reserved solely for drinks because the fridge itself had only cost 5.00 and so we didn’t know how reliable it would be) but everything in the freezer had been left at a 56+ temperature and had to be thrown away.  They had filled a black trash bag with rotten food.  It makes me gag just to write about it.

A week later our obviously smaller fridge arrived and Richard hooked it up – but couldn’t quite figure out the hose (though he had the ability with the old fridge . . . don’t understand what had happened) thus he called the plumber to assist.  But when the fridge was pulled away from the designated area it was discovered that there was a large area of water damage that had accumulated over the years (probably the source of the initial water damage found in this post) .  https://beneaththewraps.blogspot.com/2022/08/we-are-so-blessed.html

The plumbers called a company that had worked on our house prior to our trip to California.  They worked under the house to restore to being dry.  The insurance company told us that they do not pay for “under the house”; our initial one did.  Anyway, the source of where the water had come from remained unknown until the fridge incident – which was in the opposite part of the house; it hadn’t occurred to any of us to look there as the source.

Anyway, though we felt we had been cheated by the contractor I did like the employees.  We learned that the company had/had a new owner who may not have the experience needed to run the company.  I hear they are down to only three employees.  Everyone else who had worked on our house (and there have been A LOT) have quit.  Lack of communication?  I would highly suspect that has a lot to do with it.  I want our former insurance and their contractors to serve us again.

I never did feel good allowing them to do what they did.  Too late now.  Will post “progress” pictures tomorrow.  Meanwhile . . . well, you’ll see . . .

Friday, April 7, 2023

The Last Two Personalities

 


I understand the need for plans especially when others are involved but overall I am a spontaneous gal.  I dont like to plan.  Plans dont always go accordingly.  If things are done spontaneously, there is less disappointment on my end.

Scenarios:  planning Jaimes birthday party around the unpredictable weather or in the case of her sweet sixteenth the pandemic . . .

Activities and events have to be planned out and announced ahead of time to get a good turnout one would hope.  My jeopardy game (here) was cancelled three years in a row before it finally came to pass 

You book your tickets in advance so that you have a guarantee.  You choose September believing it will be cooler.  Who knew thered be a heatwave and fires that late in the year?  But you arent able to get a refund.  So now what?  There is no plan B.

 


According to Google An assertive person is more calm, confident, and laid-back, while a turbulent person is more anxious, self-conscious, and perfectionist.  I can see why one is 54 and the other 46.  So close.  

I am a lot more organized in a work setting than I am with my personal life.  If I have deadlines to reach I stay on task and endure until the job gets done.  There doesnt seem to be a lot of spontaneity in the work situation.  

Perhaps that is why I dont get excited about careers or goals.  Yes, I am ambitious to a degree, but in my personal life spontaneity just seems to work out better than the disappointments of having plans fall through.


Thursday, April 6, 2023

52% Feeling

 

I think in many cases the “personality” quizzes are geared towards job/career and not so much “personal” life.  But I seldom ever take a quiz with a job in mind, let alone a career.  Why not just make a career out of uplifting others?  Even if it means one doesn’t get paid.  Money isn’t everything.  Nor does it necessarily equal success.  Not in my book anyway.

There have been many times I have passed up opportunities or advance in promotion when I know that someone else can benefit.  I think putting another’s happiness before my own can make me equally as happy if not more than if I allowed myself to take the reigns. 

One example that comes to mind is when a friend and I had joined a bowling team.  One of the members was a single guy who seemed to be interested in both of us, and I knew she liked him.  I could have gone out with him but thought she might do better in his company.  They were married and as far as I know are still together. 

I do tend to allow my emotions to get the better (or worst?) of me – especially when finances are involved.  I don’t think I’m nearly as sentimental as I used to be – still I do miss items based on sentimentality and not so much financial worth.  I will generally follow my heart over more head – or at least wish that I would.  When I go by my head it generally has a negative effect.

I used to be impatient with others for not understanding my point of view but have gone from tolerance to an almost compassionate state.  I didn’t think I would ever say or feel this, but I know that having Biff and Clair here has been really good for me.  They are different people who think different thoughts, experience different emotions and will never change to my way of thinking or how I feel. 

The diversity in our household right now is less than ideal but somehow has created a sense of peace and acceptance.  Be lying if I said I was totally happy with the situation.  I would still like my own space but have come to realize that they are more important.

Richard will often turn the TV on to Maury or some other related show where people argue in front of the camera.  I don’t enjoy watching people argue or take pleasure in other’s misery.  It isn’t funny.  It’s sad and pathetic.  I don’t support that kind of behavior.  And yet there are many in the nation who thrive on it.  The disrespect between others boost ratings.  Violence is fun to watch.  I don’t get it.  It either upsets or disgusts me. 

I do tend to allow my emotions to control me more than I control them, but I am learning.  I hope that through the experiences that I am currently experiencing that I have become a better person than I was last week or last month – surely I am a better person than I was a year ago.

I tend to let the weather control my mood also.  I don’t know how to change that one.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

81 Observant

 

Next is 81 observant.  That seems to fit the Introvert portrait as far as I can tell.  I may be intuitive to a small degree but overall I am not. I have become aware that not one size will fit all and what works best for one situation may not even apply to another.  I think this post provides some good insight as to the difference between observant and judgment 

I do enjoy going to art museums for a short time.  I enjoy some works while others do not appeal to me.  I don’t enjoy discussing “what this piece means” or “abstract and balance and all whatever else there is”.  I like art for the eye appeal not because of one’s (artist included) interpretation.  Just let me enjoy with my eyes.

However I do find myself wondering about why certain lyrics were written or what meaning a song has for the author.  Usually I will like a song based upon the music before I even know what the words are. I don't know why I am willing to explore lyrics that I hear as opposed to what I see.

I am more comfortable being observant than intuitive.

Monday, April 3, 2023

Personality on Hold

          I have posted only two of six thoughts on the personality quiz that I took.  Thus I have four to go but will wait before posting the next as today is Jais birthday.  We had her spring break.  It was good to have her home.  We played a few games with one another.  Sadly not with the entire family as our house is in disarray and has been for the entire year due to water damage and contractor delays (which really is another post within itself) and thus lack of room. 

Jaime had actually had to resort to sleeping in a bed rather than on the floor which she seems to prefer. No floor space in the room that started out as the office but houses Allys possessions.  Jaime will need her own room come summer and it doesnt appear that the others will be leaving anytime soon.

Jaime spent her last weekend with some friends at a lake house near Reedsport.  She did not return until after three.  Richard and I loaded her up and drove her back to Ashland.  It started snowing before we returned to Myrtle Creek.  Hit a few pockets of snow and slowed traffic on our return in the dark.  I would have suggested to just stop off somewhere for the night but I have a doctors appointment in half an hour.

I know at least four people who have birthday's today.  I only went to Jaime's wall for a personal greeting and posted a gif for all four on my wall tagging each of them.  First day of no mask wearing in the Oregon health care (at least for now) 

Saturday, April 1, 2023

87% Introverted

     Popularity was never important to me, but I wasn't thrilled about being bullied.  I guess I did okay as an outcast and perhaps that is what shaped me from lacking the desire to be social.

A strong lean toward being introverted came as no surprise to me.  I have always preferred being alone or in really small groups.  I have never really been one to strike up conversations  especially with the unknown though my role in the RS presidency has pushed me out of my comfort zone.  I find that I do enjoy greeting people and getting to know them  like the speed friendship activities. 


I dont enjoy large groups.  I dont initiate activities.  I avoid leadership roles though I have become more comfortable with taking charge . . . well, maybe not.  For instance, if I am asked to teach I make myself a conductor and ask questions that I pray will lead in a direction other than myself.  I dont normally enjoy drawing attention to myself.

One question asked if I had had an exhausting day would I like to wind down with a social activity.  To me that is NOT winding down.  Give me a book.  Give me YouTube.  Give me my kindle. Give me a deck of cards so that I might play solitaire. I would prefer no people if Im trying to wind down. 

Friday, March 31, 2023

Diving Into Another Speculative Truth . . . . maybe

 

Biff sent one of those personality quizzes to Richard who in turn sent it to me.  His given personality was/is Advocate and mine came out Adventurer.  Apparently there are 14 more.  I was not surprised by the results of either one of them. 



Many of the same statements you either agree with, disagree or remain neutral.  The results indicate your introverted level compared to being extraverted, being observant as opposed to intrusive.  Those two fields were obviously one way or another for me without my even taking the quiz. 

Everything else was about neutral for me.  Feeling over thinking (in other words relying on my emotions over my brains) prospecting over judging which actually surprised me as so often I have been a conclusion jumper and do tend to judge others unfairly.  Turbulent as opposed to assertive. 


April starts tomorrow.  I plan to detail the five areas just a bit more based on comments and how I leaned and why. 

Peculiar Taste

  I think PEZ (originally short for Pfefferminz here ) candies have got to be one of the most boring candies on the planet.   People buy t...