right before we left to go to Des Moines, after Kevin had a long 'discussion' with AI Customer Service. (seriously). we requested our order was changed to curbside pickup---anyhoo, the dentist called. the hygenist was pretty sure I had a cavity. he wanted to check. so go back next week. (we were so busy saying goodbye....I'll miss him.)
got to Des Moines, store manager was dealing with 2 other 'situations'. he resolved ours. everyone up front got to hear about how annoyed we are with AI Customer Service. it's just the way it is nowadays. (but seriously...is this what George Washington risked his life for crossing the Delaware? or have I already ranted about that? it has been a day full of me ranting. I am just ANNOYED.) we were sent to another store to pick up our merchandise, where there was a brief wait. we accomplished what we set out to do October 10th when we bought the damn thing. I am not a fan of change. Kevin had David help him lift and hook up new tv. then he set up all the apps, logged us in on everything. then he put the living room tv into our room, and moved that tv to Katie's room as a backup. which will of course have to be moved elsewhere. I am in the midst of sorting books in there and it will be in my way. everything is in my way. EVERYTHING. so now I can watch lots of shit in bed when I can't sleep instead of just the one channel on dtv since the guide is messed up and so big you can't see what is what. I just leave it on one channel and it's always something I've seen or don't want to see. I was worried about the new tv color. the ones he looked at at Best Buy were BRIGHT and almost neon. they hurt my eyes. this one is a sharp, clear picture, but not obnoxious. so Kevin finally got the new tv he's been wanting and I've been fighting against, and all is well that ends well. as usual. AND I got to shop at Five Below (oh happy day!) and he got to eat at Jethro's.
we also voted (omg. don't even get me started. why do I live in a town of 300some people where I know all the ladies working in the election headquarters and have to prove my ID every damn time to vote which I don't think the normal everyday persons vote amounts to a hill of beans? it pisses me off everytime I go. I don't vote unless Kevin makes me. I know women faced great odds to win the vote. I respect that. but I just don't think it matters anymore. is this the world Patrick Henry rode through the nite to warn people to save? I only kind of remember history. sure I have it all wrong. but the point is, I'm annoyed. we drove through rain, under magnificiently angry skies. It's April 3, 2026 and I have 277 followers! and 6971 likes! most very very recent. probably people just mocking and laughing at me. whatever.
Kevin wanted a new camera. cool beans. we got it. did we really need it? do I even use it? but it IS nice. now the new tv. which we bought Oct 10 and has not yet been delivered. I understood they texted us a date and time. they texted a date, then cancelled. texted another date, saying they'd contact us by 7 pm for delivery window, day of supposed delivery the customer service lady with heavy accent calls AGAIN to try and schedule us for around THANKSGIVING. I didn't want to spend that much on a tv. a TV. for cryin' out loud. I don't think we're too good for Walmart tvs. seriously. Kevin fell in love with this tv and they spun a narrative of free delivery and free installation...he has taken 2 days off for this delivery/installation, which I find out today (I read the fine print, finally) that it is TWO trips. they deliver, then come back and install. ummmm....no thanks. so waiting for store where we made said purchase to open at 10, call to see if it's possible to just pick up our tv if it is even actually THERE in the store, or what we can do to come home with a tv TODAY. a tv that has such bright colors I might go blind trying to watch it. I. Am. So. Annoyed. it doesn't take much, you know. might as well take a handful of Excederin Migraine and have my Pepsi of the Day early. I'm sure this is all on me, not understanding that it took an act of God to have a tv delivered and installed. it all seemed SO easy. so, I go to make the payment that is due in a few days on our new Best Buy card. what a 3 ring circus THAT was. can a person just not pay a bill with out a round of verifications? who else wants to pay on the tv they haven't even received? is her name deb, too? I bet it is. I just bet it is. how will this day unravel? will my brain explode? my heart blow up? will I stroke out? and we have to vote. (eye roll). does our vote matter? and why do I need to prove my identity when I go to vote in a town of 317 or so where I have lived since 1995? all the ladies working there know me by my first name. They know my inlaws. my husband. my children. is this the America that George Washington fought for?
to be continued.....
ordered running boards for Jeep. picked up Rip.
cleaning off a shelf to enlarge Civil War/Cryptid Battlefield. thought maybe I could sell some of my book collection? couldn't set up amazon seller account....they thought I was getting hacked. so many authentications. I gave up. then I thought eBay? and I found 2 Zak Bagans Thrilljoys. so, win, win. that's as far as I got with THAT. maybe I'll subscribe to a sellers app? will look more into that...
Kevin cleaned up leaves in yard and helped me hang new UFO lights. I took down outside Halloween. another coat of paint on Lizzie Borden House. it's lookin' good. KJ & co. over for football, then Dave & Mel for a few, then Kirk. rain. went to see Mel & Dave's Halloween light display.
drove through Thousand Hills State Park and saw the petroglyphs. walked around historic Palmayra. ghost hunt at Gardner House. we only did 2 hours of the 5. we weren't the first to leave. but we were just done. it's a small house. I had some luck with pendulum, Kevin with dowsing rods. someone had a coin thrown at them in kitchen. someone else had activity by girl mannequin in front window. dead bells going off....and the phone apps. I could've sworn the ventriloquist doll moved his head but I probably bumped the rocking chair he was in. a drawer at our hotel kept coming open???? should've done some investigating there.
we ate at Colton's and The Pear Tree. as well as a chain restauraunt where we took a few bites and tossed it. we drove through Lone Elk Park. the leaves were just beautiful. Came home and watched Grizzly Night which has been on my to-do list. carved a pumpkin. switched out spooky hoodies for Christmas ones, ate the last 2 Peeps, and just like that, October is over.
started some Lizzie Borden projects. then ran out to farm to hang the girls new posters and study some spelling words with Zerelda. Kevin and I tagteamed Bisquick Incredibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie for supper. I still have a clown movie to watch. And that grizzly movie. time is getting away from me. I'm re-reading Stephen King Desperation. packing for tomorrow's ghost trip.
called insurance to get Jeep insured. started work on Lizzie Borden House. hooped. walked. had a panic attack and adjusted Walkfit steps down. they bumped me to 15,600 today. wtf. that is too much pressure. entirely too much. fresh sheets on bed. watched another clown movie. hot cocoa with Peeps. and cornbread, beans, and fried potatoes for supper. Kevin got the garage door opener in Jeep programmed.
