Saturday, December 20, 2008

My Van Slipped and I Couldn't Get Up My Hill

It is a dark, dreary, cold Saturday. BRRRRR!!!! Good thing I am working inside today. We got at least 2 feet of snow this last week. My neighbor next door snowblowed a path from my door to his driveway in case I had to park my van in his second driveway. Then he took me to work, as he told me that I will not get back up the hill without 4 wheel drive or studs on. (Studs are getting put on as we speak.) Then I got a ride home from Lora to the bottom of the driveway.
The other night I could not get up the driveway, so I had to park on the street below. But last night I got up the hill but could not turn into my driveway to park in the garage, so I had to park in the neighbors second drive. Such is the life in Durango!
At least Manley has fun playing and frolicking in the snow and trying to eat the icey parts! The cats eat the snow he drags in on his feet and legs if he doesn't get to it first.

I am not working at the EconoLodge next Saturday, therefore will have 4 days off in a row. And therefore, no blog. I am taking my last personal day from Walgreens on Friday. I am excited, as I can get a lot of things done and if weather cooperates I can hike with Manley or go on a scenic drive! Plus, I am dogsitting a 2 year old Beagle through Sunday.
I want to wish every one a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I will miss my family over the Holidays, but will be in touch by phone. I have gotten a few presents from friends already and am anxiously awaiting to see what my sisters are making/sending!! Hopefully all of my packages have arrived in Wisconsin.

Walgreens has hired someone to help out in the pharmacy. Wendy will be helping out on Wed., Friday, and Saturdays. She has not had any teching experience, but is mature and willing to learn. So, I am excited to finally have some help. We have been doing over 200 prescriptions daily with only 2 people there most of the time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Lots of love to all.
Julie

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Wet and Snowy

Hope every one's week went good and I hope you all made it through the snow just fine. My week was long but now I have every Sunday off. I will be taking Dec. 26 off from Walgreens (personal day) and Dec. 27th off from EconoLodge so I can enjoy a 4 day weekend. I also took another job--transcribing doctor's dictation- which will give my budget a small boost, but I can work from home. The company is loaning me a computer temporarily, as I am getting my own with my tax refund. It is only a few hours per week and it may turn into more accounts and then an opportunity to earn more money. I am sitting here at the EconoLodge just reflecting on this last week. Sunday was a very long day here at the motel, but I made it. The week at Walgreens was busy but not hectic, plus I was keeping busy with organizing shelves and doing my reports. Wednesday I finally found my package from sister Joyce. It was located in a stand of apartment-looking boxes next to the row of regular country road mail boxes. I had no clue these were used by everybody on the road. I guess they are where the mailperson puts larger mail in and then leaves a key in your mailbox. DUH!!! So, then I had trouble getting the box opened and asked Jim, my neighbor, to help me out. He was nice and even went down and brought the package back up before he left for work. (I have a steep and long driveway.) So, I called Joyce and thanked about a zillion times and we were both relieved to finally have solved the mystery of 'where is Julie's birthday present'. Now I know where to look when you all send me presents!!
Talking about presents, Lora, the third pharmacist at Walgreens, gave me a very nice Christmas present Thursday---yes---early! It is a windshield protector. You put both ends in the door to keep it in place and it keeps the snow and ice off your front windshield! It will be great when my van is at work seeing I have a crack in the windshield that lets moisture in and it is very difficult to defrost the window. I shed a couple of tears and gave her a hug.
Then yesterday Deb, the tech who started when Walgreens opened, brought us all presents. She said we could open them early, if so desired. So I desired!! She got me a leather shaped horse with 2 sleigh bells on it and a big handle to put over your door knob. It has a nice tone to it and it is a perfect gift!!
I told Kyle, my boss, that I wanted a big cash bonus from him seeing I have pretty much been working alone for the last 3 months. He just laughed.
Then one of our customers gave me a small box of truffles. I put a note on them for Saron, the lady in the front of the house who lets Manley out daily, saying '"Sarons' treats" next to the kitty and dog treats. They were gone when I got home last night, so I hope she enjoyed them!!

With the work week almost done, I promised Manley that we would do something special. Depending on the weather, it could be a hike up the hill, a walk along the river trail or downtown, or snuggling in the recliner together watching football or reading.

Good news!!! There will be a new technician starting in the pharmacy on Monday. Wendy is in her 40's and has a sense of humor (I tested it out last week when she toured the pharmacy) and seems to have plenty of medical knowledge and people skills. I will keep you updated on her progress/training.

I still have mom and Ray's presents to mail out yet and hope to get mailed out Monday. I'll mail Joyce's Christmas present for after she gets back from GA. I hope she enjoys her visit with Jon and the kids.

I am reading the book 'Riven' by Jerry Jenkins. It is the one that Jacque and Joyce have read and enjoyed. I am about 1/3 of the way through it. I read David Baldacci's new book and have Jeffery Deaver's new book to read next.

I sent Jacque a picture of Kalista Jane so she can add it to my page with my other pets. Thanks for all your work on my blog Jacque!! You have good taste too!!

I just got a call from the Manager of EconoLodge. I know Mike and his wife Catherine from Walgreens. He had to interupt our conversation to tell Catherine that he called me, not that I called for her. So, when Mike and I got off the phone, I called Catherine on their home phone and said 'hi, just didn't want you to feel left out'. We giggled a little and she'll call me back later today or tomorrow. We have to have fun!! She is a great person and we do lunch and shop together once in awhile.

Until next week.....Love, Julie

Sunday, December 7, 2008

12 Point Buck

Good morning!! I am at work, again. Hopefully for just half the day. And yesterday my landlord FINALLY left me a garage door opener and changed the outdoor lights to be motion detectors.
Last night I did my babysitting gig. Erin and Paul are ages 4 and 6, and I will get to dogsit 'Holly, the beagle' later this month.

I had quite the adventure coming in to work today. As some of you may know, I have to be to work by 6:30. It is dark and of course headlights are a good thing to have on. Brights work better too---------because, I was toodlin' down Florida Rd when all of a sudden 2 deer hop out and stop on the side of the road next to my lane. Then the doe trotted on across, but the '12 point buck' stopped. When I had slammed on my brakes, my purse, lunch bag and book bag all went flying onto the floor, and I stopped within a foot of this '12 point buck'. He looked at me, put his nose on my van hood, and then trotted on across. Evidentally the '12 point buck' knew to stop and look both ways before crossing the road!! And the doe evidentally had confidence in my brakes. Well, I drew a few deep breaths and continued to work, below the speed limit.

My sister Jacque is a very helpful person. She offered to JAZZ UP my blog for me, as I only have the computer at work to use so far. I'm sure she will add pictures of Dexter and Manley and maybe even the cats. Maybe even add a deer photo in this post. I do plan on getting a digital camera and computer with my income tax refund, so prepare yourselves!! Then I can take pictures of the view and share them with you all. I can't wait! As Mom and Ray and Kim know, the mountains are very majestic and very awesome and very BIG! They make you feel very small in comparison. That's what I think about when I hear Carrie Underwood sing her song 'Small'.

Everybody have a nice and relaxing Sunday and will blog again next week!
Be safe, be well.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

A Sunny Day in Durango

Today is the first day of blogging for me. Seeing as I only have computer access once a week, I'd like to blog instead of sending out emails.

I am working today, then tonight I have a babysitting job (yes, babysitting). I hope to be off of work tomorrow as I need to catch up on my laundry, cleaning, sleep, and football games.
I have sent out all of my Christmas cards to my family and friends and now only have the presents for my family to be mailed out this week. The earlier the better!! Especially when it has to go through Denver.

Last Sunday was my birthday and I got a couple of presents. Mom and Ray got me a sieve and some slippers, niece Jody sent me a card, friend Deb sent me a card, and I talked with the rest of my family and got birthday wishes. Joyce sent me a package, hoping that it would arrive the day before or the day after my birthday. I still have not received it. Like I mentioned before, it has to go through Denver. Hopefully I will get it soon, as I am excited to see what she sent me. Manley was very lax this year about getting gifts. Since our move into our own place, he has been more relaxed and more his happy, playful self. He takes after his grandfather, Mickey, who was a clown.

The weather today is sunny and about 40 degrees. There is snow up in the mountains at 8,000 feet and higher. The ski resorts are not doing well yet, as it is very expensive to 'make snow' and of course, is not like the real thing, or so I have heard.
I wish you all a good day and a relaxing weekend.