Flags and Gas

 Hello California ..... the sun isn't shining yet, but night spring has arrived.  Here it is almost April and our nighttime temps are all the way up to 47.  Scheduled to be 50 this week.  The days however, are another story ... STILL not wanted to heat up over 65 degrees.  What's up with that?  

First thing very early, I was off to Wally World.  If you don't go early around here, you can't find a spot in the parking lot.  Everyone goes there for food now ... even me.  I've never been happy with their quality, but the local Mexican market never takes anything off their shelves due of the pull date (bags-o-salad had a pull date of 3/15 and they were literally gross) and the other market is so expensive, only Hollywood stars can afford to shop there.

So looky here ... WalMart is now taking advantage of its customers.  Eggs were $12.00 for 18, then down to $6.00, but now right back up to $11.76.  That's a BIG ripoff.  Why lower one week and back up the next?  Every person I saw looked at the price and walked right on by, including me.

In the end, my groceries ... for a single person who doesn't eat much ... came to $167.00.  It's a good thing I have a good retirement because my Medicare is now up to $400 a month and my supplemental (doctors and hospital only) is $387 a month.  That's $787 a month for health insurance I never can use because we don't have any doctors around here.  I'm dragging out my horses medical bag.  At least that stuff is still affordable!

That's why I am EXTRA careful when climbing up ladders.  I don't need to set my own broken bones.  My flag was ripped and torn to shreds from all the winds we have had lately.  It was time for a new one.  I'm surprised it was still up there since the screws were coming out of the metal plate.  Luckily I got it done without falling off.

It wasn't the edges, but the inside flag itself that ripped.  I'll take this to our annual Flag Ceremony at the Lodge where we put them to rest.  They are later cremated.  RESPECT.

Next up ... a water bottle with soap to check for gas leaks.  Propane actually.  I've never done this before, so I don't know how much dish soap to use.  One good squirt and about a cup of water.  This is the pressure relief valve.  Instantly I saw a bunch of tiny bubbles around the valve.  I waited and sprayed it again, when the big bubbles appeared.

Problem was, I'm not sure if it was caused by the breeze or the tank.  I'm guessing the tank.  This is not good ... not good at all.  It's not leaking enough to smell, but I've lost at least half of an 8 gallon tank since returning, and that's assuming I used half while in Arizona.  

I called to make an appointment to fix it, but they didn't sound very happy.  They said they would probably have to order an entire tank, leaving the van there for a couple of months.  It doesn't look like that to me ... looks like you just have to replace that little valve thingy, but what do I know.

I told him I would make an appointment and bring it in, they could check it out and I would drive it home while they order parts.  This guy wasn't too happy with that, but too bad.  My only alternative is to go to the shop where I bought it ... but they are jerks.  Soooooo ..... I think my best bet is to try and get it fixed locally while it's still under warranty ... though I do have an extended warranty on it.  This way if it blows up, it's on them!!

After a quick nap because Cooper and I both fell asleep on the couch, having been up way too late, I went to work on this quilt.  It's different, that's for sure.  All it needs now is two borders ... red and black most likely ... and it will be ready for quilting.  I'm thinking I need to find some flannel for backing to make it soft and cozy.  

There was a bit of a flurry when I discovered my house insurance was due.  It's weird ... my house insurance went down even though the value is through the roof, my Jeep insurance went down while everyone else's went up ... but my TRUCK ... my 20 year old truck insurance went up.  Isn't it supposed to go down every year?  The good news is I'm all paid up on everything, though my bank account is crying.  

Now for the driver's license.  I don't know who made up this rule, but all that is required of someone over 70 is an eye test, a picture, a thumbprint and $48.  No testing of any kind ... not written or driving.  That's kind of scary, right?  Be careful who you are driving next to in California.  I'm sure that will be an all day adventure, so I'm waiting to make my appointment until I have a week off.

In the meantime, everyone have a GREAT day.  Spring is coming even if she is dragging her feet.