Mileage.

The apartment complex scheduled a once-a-year inspection of our apartment (checking the smoke detectors, seeing if we're breaking our lease, et cetera) to take place sometime between nine and five. After twiddling my thumbs trying to watch tv while the repair guy slowly looked around our electrical circuitry, attempted a conversation with me in Spanglish about the electrical system, then concluded that turning on the vacuum had flipped a breaker, I had no inclination to be present when the inspection people arrived. It would take some creativity to stay out of the apartment for an extended period of time.

At ten, I headed off to the postal office with the parcel for my grandparents in hand. Even though it was nearing lunchtime, I reasoned that there was no way it would take longer than last time when there was only one window open. As Murphy's Law would have it, there was one lane open, and it was a forty-something lady in training. The woman helping her along the way was a little younger and sounded very good at her job, but I felt bad for her. The new lady would pause at every single step, would ask what to do next before pushing any button, even though for most of these people it was the same steps over and over again. I swear, when I got up to the window the experienced woman perked up when she saw that this parcel was headed internationally. Now I've learned what paper to fill out before going through the line, so next time it goes smoother.

Back at the apartment I had lunch, then decided to head out to Goodwill. That might sound out of the ordinary, but I wouldn't mind having a little side table for under fifteen dollars (the cheapest at Target) that would reside next to the lovely chair and ottoman that we have. It would definitely make relaxing with a cup of tea much easier. Ideally, I'd like to find a wooden one, but I could also work with a metal one that resembles patio furniture, as long as it's on the small side. With about ten Goodwill stores in the area, I decided to visit them one by one until I found what I was looking for (did someone say week-long project?).

The store I went to today was a little disappointing. Very large store, not much stuff in it. There were some pieces of furniture in it, but they were mostly couches and chairs that looked quite sad and lonely. I spent all of ten minutes in there, then headed back to my car where I hatched my next plan. All roads lead to mountains (all north-south roads, that is) so why not go and visit these things that I've been painting. I was all gung-ho about my plan, and had such a thrill driving at fifty miles per hour out into the desert countryside, until I passed a sign that said "Only 4x4 Past This Point" or something like it. I can't remember, I was driving supa-fast. And then I noticed this was a no-passing zone, because it was a one-lane each way road. And then I noticed that around the final curve there was a twenty-degree incline that I was about to drive up. At this point, I was panicked that my car didn't have four-wheel drive, the road was still one lane, and even if I wanted to stop and turn around the car behind me would have something to say about it.

Thank goodness there was a touristy park-n-look scenic area not too far past the sign. I quickly pulled off into the gravel, checked for cars, then drove my little tush back down that mountain and never looked back. Actually, driving down was kinda fun, because I didn't have to use the gas at all. But then I got nervous again when I saw what gravity was doing to my car on an inclined plane, and pressed the brakes a little. All in all, I was thrilled to be driving back to civilization. Music blasting and everything.

This was taken at the first light I came to after surviving the wilderness - don't worry. There was a lot of construction, one never-ending lane of traffic, and I'm quick with my phone. Whopah!

It's difficult to tell, but there's a printed sign
underneath the turn lane sign. It says,
"Lost Black Calf." It reminded me of living
in an actual countryside.

I returned to my apartment to find that the inspectors had just stepped into one of my next-door neighbors' apartment. I decided to pick up bratwurst buns from the grocery store (remember how we bought the Costco sized box?), then whimsically decided to go shopping in Bed Bath & Beyond. I did have a gift card that the company sent me after the wedding burning a hole in my purse. After checking out every possible corner of the store, I decided to make my purchase and go. I'd tell you what it is, but it's a secret. Instead, I'll show you a picture of something I found in the store that tickled my brain.

It's a crackpot. It has a very thin edge on one
side for cracking eggs with. Brilliant name.

Last and least funny, I present you with a picture of the voluminous clouds traversing our sky today. It was so bright out when I took it that the original picture almost blacked out the non-sky portion entirely. I had to brighten up the landscape, and that revealed the wacky colors, but in the end I suppose it looks nice in an artistic way.

I love it when clouds look larger than life.

And that wraps up another lovely day. I'm really digging these late Ranger games. H. and I get to watch Wheel of Fortune before the game starts. We haven't done that since baseball season started back in April. I was a little rusty yesterday, then had a quick-hitting puzzle-solving streak today, then H. informed me that this was a re-run because he remembered the way the lady said the answer to the last puzzle (like a robot). Hopefully tomorrow won't be a rerun!