Covert Operations & Clothes

Day 9 (July 9) - Began the day with a morning run. Tried to get my oil changed which was about 900 miles overdue... yikes! Unsuccessful :(. Spent part of the day trying to find a dumpster to dump junk that the trash collectors would not pick up... success :). Harry mowed the 18" tall lawn. I could say we left the lawn wild for the rabbits that were enjoying the refuge or the mother dear that came and laid on it to groom her new born baby, but really it was because our lawnmower broke and we have been to lazy to borrow one... until today.

One of the seminarians who graduated and moved off the mountain sent an email that we could have their chiminea if we disposed of a pan of oil they left behind. It was definitely more trouble to move the chiminea than to dispose of the oil (and no, we didn't dump it in the ocean... that would be irresponsible). FYI - Monteagle Tire will take it. The chiminea is now in our newly mowed yard awaiting the fall for cool nights with good friends, good wine, and smores.

I attempted to contact the unemployment office. Because I live in Tennessee and worked in Georgia, I have to call a number for "special" people like me. Like most government businesses, they are only open on business days (Mon - Fri). It was the business hours that threw me. Once upon a time, business hours were 9-5. Not true any more. Try going to a bank after 4pm. Well, the unemployment office has it all figured out. 68% of all unemployed people sleep until at least noon because they spend all night watching info-mercials to see what they could buy if they had unemployment benefits. Then of course they must watch their "stories" which end promptly at 4:30 pm which is when the unemployment office closes. Monday morning I am going to be a minority (not in the 68%).

I went shopping at the Mountain Outfitters knowing I couldn't afford anything as long as I have no unemployment benefits or a job. I went anyway. I found a pair of plaid shorts for $9.00... score! Harry says they always have better sales on women's clothes, but I know it is because a woman will buy something that is on sale that they didn't plan to buy and a man will go shopping when he needs something and buy what he likes (sale or not).

To end the day (and week) we attended the Seminary community Friday night cook-out. The food and fellowship was great. You know we are all starved for the community by Friday because it began to rain and we all stayed until our meat was grilled. Don't you know the rain ended just in time to eat... yum. Whoever brought the potatoes... you know who you are... they were amazing. I'd also like to thank Beverly & Derrick for the grilled corn on the cob... the best! I think Murray ate a whole seedless water mellon by himself. Ron with his knife sharp and ready was fighting Murray for it. Glad I was eating the water mellon with the seed. The cookout ended with a down pour of rain. I hope to see everyone next Friday. Hopefully the money will hold out and I won't be grilling squirrel.