Back in Dallas/Irving, TX

Back again to the hot and humid south. I cannot figure out the roads and streets around here. I'm usually so good about getting around and figuring out my way. This is my third time here and I'm still getting lost and confused.

Garage Sale

I had a very successful garage sale today. First off, having a garage sale and traveling in the same week was kind of stressful. I got home Thursday evening and planned on taking Friday off so I could get ready. I wasn't able to take the whole day and I was easily distracted from the main task.

Thank goodness Andrea and Jason were able to come over and help take stuff out to the garage. We got all the boxes from the basement and the table and chairs from the dining room and the bedroom set from upstairs.

Meanwhile I had advertised by storm windows on Friday and got a call right away. That guy wanted to come over and check them out. And Troy was going to come over and get stuff he had his eyes own.

I actually sold over $300.00 of stuff Friday!

I started making signs late Friday night and but together a price sheet instead of marking each item. That was one of the better ideas.

Got up early today to put out the signs and continue taking stuff to the garage. Picked up Christine who was my life saver. When we got back to the house the people started coming already - a half hour early. While I was still bringing stuff and setting up, Christine handled the buyers.

It was a busy day. So many friends showed up and made the day pass by amusingly. Many thanks to Amy for purchasing the table and chairs. Also, thanks to Roxy and Rose for helping pack up at the end. And simply could not have done it at all without Christine.

So you're probably wondering how much I made? The answer is $591.00!! Awesome!!

No time for touring

I am working on three projects at the same time. This hasn't left anytime for being a tourist. I was hoping to catch some sites here in Dallas.

We have two developers from Canada here this week. They checked into some of the sites and discovered that most everything closes at 5pm. There isn't anyway to see or do things if they close that early.

I'm back here next week. Hopefully I'll find some time.

I did meet my friend John Arnone's cousin. He works at the client I'm at. We are planning on going to lunch next week.

Cadillac STS

This week I ordered the Hertz navigation system called Neverlost. You usually get a nicer car when you order that feature but I didn't expect to get a Cadillac STS. This model is similar to the CTS that I leased a few years ago for 3 years. The STS is the bigger 8 cylinder model.

It definitely drives nicely and has incredible power. The side mirrors are small and make seeing the multiple lanes that all the highways here have.

The car actually has its own navigation system but is a DVD-based system and, of course, they don't provide those. The display is nice and large and also serves as the radio controls. Unfortunately the radio controls are rather tricky. Some are part of the screen and some are regular knobs.

It is a fun car to drive but wouldn't be something I would really recommend.

Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson passed away this afternoon. She was living in Austin, TX. It was late in the afternoon that it was announced. The news this evening is leading with stories of her life.

I think of her everytime I'm in Washington, DC and Virginia and see the flowers planted along the George Washington Parkway and Rock Creek Parkway.

God bless.

Dallas - Irving, Texas

Back in Dallas/Irving, Texas. It is hot and humid. But I guess that shouldn't be any surprise.

This week's car rental is a Cadillac STS! Sweet ride. I got Neverlost, the Hertz navigation system, so I could get around town. Unfortunately the Neverlost doesn't work and there seems like possibly other electrical problems. I'm going to try getting a different vehicle tomorrow.

I'm staying at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. It is a huge hotel complex. I'm on the 26th floor of the Tower wing with a beautiful view of downtown Dallas.

Minneapolis this week

Staying home this holiday week. Walked downtown on Sunday and passed the dandelion fountain in Loring Park. I've always loved this fountain.

Toronto and the rest of southeast Kansas has gotten so much rain the cabin where we stayed Memorial Weekend is surrounded by water! That's the cabin on the right side of the blog. The water was probably 12 or 15 below there just at the end of May!