I Can't Help Myself

Whenever I see a sky with clouds and the sun starts to set, I can't help but grab my camera and run outside.  It seems to have a calming effect.  Especially after my run-in with DMV.  That's Department of Motor Vehicles for those uninitiated in the trials and tribulations, the horror, of California vehicle registrations.  If you want to go raving mad, just go online and try to get something done, or worse yet, pop in to one of their offices.

It's mostly my fault, since I forgot to change my address after the UPS store went out of business and took four months of my mail with them.  I changed to the regular post office (the second worst to deal with) but forgot to send DMV my changes.  Now my rig's registration is going to expire.

I went online to get the form to fill out so I could mail it in.  Got it ... then the printing fiasco happened.  Some machines and I just don't get along.  I got one copy printed VERY lightly.  When I tried to do it again darker, the printer objected, threw a tantrum and locked up the bar, giving me a paper jam error message.

I turned it upside down and inside out to find no paper.  Apparently it just died to spite me.  I mailed off the way-too-light copy and am praying they will make the changes in time for me to pay (online of course) for my $800 tags, which will be mailed to California.  Before I pay however, I'll have to find another printer to be able to print out proof of payment to the police when I get stopped for my expired registration.

The beautiful sunsets help to lessen the stress and calm the nerves.

Rather repetitive of me to keep showing them, but the colors of nature cannot be duplicated.  Not to mention that I never see anything like this in California.

Catching up, here's part of the chop job done on those hugely tall oleanders.  Cut down to the height of the fence, I can actually see the beautiful tree beyond.  They did a great job those kids.  This little concrete block wall is just enough to keep the javelinas out.  

I have several projects, including replacing this mishmash of a walkway, replacing tile at both entrances to the house and adding a gas insert to my fireplace.  I can't decide which to do first.

The palm tree looks much better with it's ears trimmed, so I suppose it will stay for awhile.  Landscaping is also on the list, but I'm not very good at it.  Angie's list, here I come.

Although the rain has stopped, clouds and fog will be in today's forecast.  Hopefully the rain stays away long enough for the rodeo.  It's going to be rather muddy I expect.  Mid week, the temperatures are headed back down to the low 30's.  I thought this was Arizona?  Land of sunshine!  Am I in the wrong state??