Today was cloudy and chilly. A very definite change from normal New Mexico weather. I was rather hoping for some sort of precipitation, but no luck here in the Albuquerque area.
Fortunately, other parts of the state have gotten snow. This is a definite plus during a drought. All the skiers are very happy since a lot of the ski areas have gotten numerous inches of snow.
This is good, not only for the skiers, but also for the agricultural folks. They have a rough several years.
I'm trying to get everyone to do the Law of Attraction. Thoughts become things. If all anyone thinks about is drought, that is what they will attract. I'm trying to get everyone to switch their thoughts around. Instead of concentrating on drought, they should think thoughts of precipitation.
They should also emulate Goldilocks. She was a smart cookie who knew exactly what she wanted. We should attract not too much rain or too little rain, but we should attract the amount that is 'just right'.
Papillon
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
What a day!
Today I've been through the oft-mentioned roller coaster of emotions.
The day started out well. When I got up, it had been raining and continued to do so for most of the morning. Nothing very much, but all of it was welcome.
I went out in the rain to do battle with Bank of America. They are the holders of the mortgage on my house. Over the years, I've been paying extra on my monthly payments. Some months got more, others got less depending upon my financial circumstances. In November I noticed that the balance was low enough for me to contemplate paying it off.
I called the 800 hundred number and spoke with a young man named Michael. I told him what I wanted to do and he gave me a total that he said would pay off the mortgage. Per his instructions, I got a certified check and mailed it off. I've been watching the mail for paperwork showing that the mortgage was history.
Yesterday I got some paperwork for BofA. Guess what, Michael's total hadn't paid off the mortgage. So I called again and got a young woman named Ciji (pronounced SEE-gee). She pooh-poohed most of what Michael had told me. She gave me another balance. All I had to do was get a certified check to one of the local BofA branches by 12/17. I pointed out that wasn't a whole lot of time. After all, Michael had given me 30 days. She 'graciously' allowed me another couple of days by extending her deadline until 12/20. Gee, thanks!
I also pointed out that Michael had said his balance would pay things off and it hadn't. So what faith should I have in her balance? (Note: I was polite throughout this phone call.) She said she would send me some paperwork that I could take into the bank branch. I pointed out her extended deadline was only 5 business days away and that I doubted that the mail service would get it to me by then. She pooh-poohed that saying it would not be a problem since all they had to do is read her notes. (Ummm, if that's true, why did I need her paperwork.) She's talking as she's typing away and finally says the paperwork should arrive in 7 to 10 business days. Say what?!
Needless to say, I had VERY LITTLE faith in what she had to say, especially in light of the fact that she kept having to put me on hold to go ask questions.
I decided to take the bull by the horns. I went to the nearest branch and met with a woman named Rosa. I told her my tale of woe and asked for her help. She got to experience some of my frustration when she called the Mortgage Payoff Hotline and got a run-around similar to mine. At one point the woman at the other end of the line said I could pay with cash if I wanted to and then seconds later said no, I couldn't pay with cash.
Rosa was finally able to get a final total. I went to my credit union and got the payment in hand. I trotted back and was able to give it to Rosa. Now I just have to wait to see if this brings the process to an end. If it doesn't, the gloves come off.
I did have to laugh to myself. At the end of the process, Rosa asked if I wanted her to tell her all about the products available at BofA. I just smiled and said I was happy with my credit union.
I went home and turned on the TV. That was when I found out about the horrible shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut. Oh, how very sad! It's a small enough town that you know this affects everyone. My heart goes out to everyone there.
Papillon
The day started out well. When I got up, it had been raining and continued to do so for most of the morning. Nothing very much, but all of it was welcome.
I went out in the rain to do battle with Bank of America. They are the holders of the mortgage on my house. Over the years, I've been paying extra on my monthly payments. Some months got more, others got less depending upon my financial circumstances. In November I noticed that the balance was low enough for me to contemplate paying it off.
I called the 800 hundred number and spoke with a young man named Michael. I told him what I wanted to do and he gave me a total that he said would pay off the mortgage. Per his instructions, I got a certified check and mailed it off. I've been watching the mail for paperwork showing that the mortgage was history.
Yesterday I got some paperwork for BofA. Guess what, Michael's total hadn't paid off the mortgage. So I called again and got a young woman named Ciji (pronounced SEE-gee). She pooh-poohed most of what Michael had told me. She gave me another balance. All I had to do was get a certified check to one of the local BofA branches by 12/17. I pointed out that wasn't a whole lot of time. After all, Michael had given me 30 days. She 'graciously' allowed me another couple of days by extending her deadline until 12/20. Gee, thanks!
I also pointed out that Michael had said his balance would pay things off and it hadn't. So what faith should I have in her balance? (Note: I was polite throughout this phone call.) She said she would send me some paperwork that I could take into the bank branch. I pointed out her extended deadline was only 5 business days away and that I doubted that the mail service would get it to me by then. She pooh-poohed that saying it would not be a problem since all they had to do is read her notes. (Ummm, if that's true, why did I need her paperwork.) She's talking as she's typing away and finally says the paperwork should arrive in 7 to 10 business days. Say what?!
Needless to say, I had VERY LITTLE faith in what she had to say, especially in light of the fact that she kept having to put me on hold to go ask questions.
I decided to take the bull by the horns. I went to the nearest branch and met with a woman named Rosa. I told her my tale of woe and asked for her help. She got to experience some of my frustration when she called the Mortgage Payoff Hotline and got a run-around similar to mine. At one point the woman at the other end of the line said I could pay with cash if I wanted to and then seconds later said no, I couldn't pay with cash.
Rosa was finally able to get a final total. I went to my credit union and got the payment in hand. I trotted back and was able to give it to Rosa. Now I just have to wait to see if this brings the process to an end. If it doesn't, the gloves come off.
I did have to laugh to myself. At the end of the process, Rosa asked if I wanted her to tell her all about the products available at BofA. I just smiled and said I was happy with my credit union.
I went home and turned on the TV. That was when I found out about the horrible shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut. Oh, how very sad! It's a small enough town that you know this affects everyone. My heart goes out to everyone there.
Papillon
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Thinking of Mom
In New Mexico, auto license plates usually have 3 letters/3 numbers or 3 numbers/3 letters. I've occasionally seen license plates with letter combinations of my sisters' initials and more occasionally those of my dad. I'd not seen any with my mom's initials.
Last weekend, I was running some errands and something happened that, if Mom were still alive, I would have included in my weekly letter to her. As I was sitting in traffic and thinking of this, I looked over and there was a license plate with Mom's initials on it. I was amused - it seemed like Mom was letting me know she was thinking of me.
In the intervening week, I've seen several more license plates with Mom's initials. I'd like to think she's letting me know she's OK.
Papillon
Last weekend, I was running some errands and something happened that, if Mom were still alive, I would have included in my weekly letter to her. As I was sitting in traffic and thinking of this, I looked over and there was a license plate with Mom's initials on it. I was amused - it seemed like Mom was letting me know she was thinking of me.
In the intervening week, I've seen several more license plates with Mom's initials. I'd like to think she's letting me know she's OK.
Papillon
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Killer Zombie Full Moon?
Tonight's commute home was a nightmare. It got me to wondering if the full moon had some sort of vendetta against Albuquerque area commuters.
It started out smoothly enough. Then I got onto I-40 westbound. Around the Wyoming exit, traffic started to really slow down/come to a stop. One car didn't slow down fast enough because there was a rear ender that had obviously just happened moments before I drove by.
Things only got worse. It turns out there was one wreck on southbound I-25 at Rio Bravo that had the highway shut down and traffic rerouted onto the frontage road. According to the traffic reports, there was a car on fire on northbound I-25. Then, there was an older wreck on westbound I-40 at University.
Needless to say, traffic was all backed up. My normal commute takes 45-60 minutes. Tonight, it took 75 minutes.
I am SO glad to finally be at home.
Papillon
It started out smoothly enough. Then I got onto I-40 westbound. Around the Wyoming exit, traffic started to really slow down/come to a stop. One car didn't slow down fast enough because there was a rear ender that had obviously just happened moments before I drove by.
Things only got worse. It turns out there was one wreck on southbound I-25 at Rio Bravo that had the highway shut down and traffic rerouted onto the frontage road. According to the traffic reports, there was a car on fire on northbound I-25. Then, there was an older wreck on westbound I-40 at University.
Needless to say, traffic was all backed up. My normal commute takes 45-60 minutes. Tonight, it took 75 minutes.
I am SO glad to finally be at home.
Papillon
Friday, November 23, 2012
Hot Air Balloon in the Afternoon
It's been a lazy Thanksgiving weekend. This afternoon I was napping on the couch. When I first heard the noise, I thought it was the furnace firing up. When it didn't, I wondered if it was someone taking a hot air balloon.
This is unusual, simply because most balloon rides take place in the mornings. I'm not 100% sure of the reasons why, but it's traditionally the time of day when balloons go up.
After I heard a couple more bursts of propane firing up, I wandered outside and sure enough, there went a balloon headed off to the north.
The trees reside in my neighbors' yard.
I've been listening to the reports about Black Thursday/Friday shopping. I like my weekend plans/non-plans better.
I did go to the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival this morning. I had a fun time looking around at all the creative endeavors. I even bought a few things, including some pasta/orzo in fun flavors. Yummy!
Papillon
This is unusual, simply because most balloon rides take place in the mornings. I'm not 100% sure of the reasons why, but it's traditionally the time of day when balloons go up.
After I heard a couple more bursts of propane firing up, I wandered outside and sure enough, there went a balloon headed off to the north.
The trees reside in my neighbors' yard.
I've been listening to the reports about Black Thursday/Friday shopping. I like my weekend plans/non-plans better.
I did go to the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival this morning. I had a fun time looking around at all the creative endeavors. I even bought a few things, including some pasta/orzo in fun flavors. Yummy!
Papillon
Saturday, November 10, 2012
We had our first fall storm roll through. We received rain yesterday, the first time in 50+ days.
It looks like the Sandia mountains east of town might actually be getting some snow. I don't know if it'll provide any measurable amounts or if they'll stay for more than a day or so. I'm just glad we're getting some moisture.
Here's what the mountains looked like this afternoon.
A bit further south, you can actually see some moisture headed down. I don't know if it was actually hitting the ground.
It's supposed to be chilly and windy for most of the rest of the weekend. It's supposed to warm up a bit early next week.
Papillon
It looks like the Sandia mountains east of town might actually be getting some snow. I don't know if it'll provide any measurable amounts or if they'll stay for more than a day or so. I'm just glad we're getting some moisture.
Here's what the mountains looked like this afternoon.
A bit further south, you can actually see some moisture headed down. I don't know if it was actually hitting the ground.
It's supposed to be chilly and windy for most of the rest of the weekend. It's supposed to warm up a bit early next week.
Papillon
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I ran across this today. I thought it interesting.
American Indian Heritage Month factoid:
Something very much like basketball (ca. 1000 B.C.) was played by American Indians about 3,000 years ago. The Olmec, who lived in what is now southern Mexico/Central America from about 1700 B.C. to 400 B.C., originated the game because latex-producing trees grew in their area and they had developed the technology to create balls made from rubber. Because this game is the first one known to have used a rubber ball, anthropologists consider it to be the forerunner of all modern games that use bouncing balls, including basketball, soccer and football.
Papillon
American Indian Heritage Month factoid:
Something very much like basketball (ca. 1000 B.C.) was played by American Indians about 3,000 years ago. The Olmec, who lived in what is now southern Mexico/Central America from about 1700 B.C. to 400 B.C., originated the game because latex-producing trees grew in their area and they had developed the technology to create balls made from rubber. Because this game is the first one known to have used a rubber ball, anthropologists consider it to be the forerunner of all modern games that use bouncing balls, including basketball, soccer and football.
Papillon
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