Jessica's Rose Garden

[Annaliese]

Have a great time and stay safe. I always enjoy reading your post. Many 🤗 Annaliese

[Jessica_Rose]

Thanks Annaliese!

My trip went well, other than driving through a lot of rain in both directions. The weather was great for our visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and our team picnic yesterday. I though the picnic was only for our team, but it was actually for a much larger group, there were well over 300 people!

When I left the picnic on Thursday, I drove down to Lexington, KY for the night. Traffic in Columbus, OH was awful. Which prepared my for the slightly less offensive traffic in Cincinnati, OH. I arrived in Lexington around sunset. I wasn't really hungry, so I picked up a gas station turkey sandwich for supper.

Friday morning, I woke up around 3:30am. I checked the weather radar and saw a line of storms heading into Arkansas, so I decided to get on the road early. I made it all the way to Dyersburg, TN before the rain hit. Somewhere around Forrest City, AR, I encountered some of the heaviest rain I had ever seen. Traffic had slowed down to under 50mph, and  suddenly it was like driving in a blizzard. Absolutely zero visibility for several seconds. Luckily, I had visited a rest stop about 20 minutes earlier...

The rest of the drive home was uneventful. I got home around 12:30pm, ate a sandwich, then headed to the DMV. While I was in Cleveland, our local DMV had called to let me know the paperwork to register our car had arrived. I had to wait in line for an hour or so, but left with my new license plates. My next stop was Bass Pro Shops, to pick up an order I had made while in Cleveland. Next, a stop for groceries. Then one more stop at Academy Sports before heading home... to fix supper.

After supper I unpacked the car, then started packing our other car for a trip to my dad's house this weekend. I plan to retrieve all of the framed photos on the walls so I can scan them. It doesn't matter to me who gets the original photos, and this will allow me to give scanned versions to all of our family members.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Sephirah]

I massively envy the weather you folks have there, Jess. I mean it likely isn't fun for anyone but it's just.. extreme to the point of fascination. When you come from a place where 75 Fahrenheit is a heatwave, and where a couple of inches of rain is a deluge... damn I would give anything to see some of the things you experience over there.

One other thing I just wanted to say is this:

I understand the need to 'move on', but I also believe I occasionally have some useful information to offer.

Girl, it isn't even that. People always need people. It isn't about the information you can give people. It's more about the smile you give people. It's why I've stuck around for close to 17 years at this point. I know very little about very little. But if there's one thing I can be proud of it's having a bit of a knack for making people feel not quite so sad, and feel better about themselves.

You have the same gift, Jess. And sometimes, that's the most important thing we can ever do for anyone, okay?

*massive hugs*

You are a gift to the world. <3

[Pema]

As a newcomer, I want to validate this, for both of you:

Girl, it isn't even that. People always need people. It isn't about the information you can give people. It's more about the smile you give people. It's why I've stuck around for close to 17 years at this point. I know very little about very little. But if there's one thing I can be proud of it's having a bit of a knack for making people feel not quite so sad, and feel better about themselves.

You have the same gift, Jess. And sometimes, that's the most important thing we can ever do for anyone, okay?

*massive hugs*

You are a gift to the world. <3

@Sephirah, the spectrum of weather here really is spectacular. Spring is particularly all-over-the-place.

[Sephirah]

As a newcomer, I want to validate this, for both of you:

@Sephirah, the spectrum of weather here really is spectacular. Spring is particularly all-over-the-place.

Massively jealous, Pema. We just have drizzle. With the odd sunny day. I want to go storm chasing one time in my life. That's like top of my bucket list. Because it just fascinates me. I am like Helen Hunt in the movie "Twister".

[Jessica_Rose]

We lived near Sacramento, CA for about eight years. Weather there was really boring. No thunderstorms, only one brief snow flurry, and most of the year seemed to be hot and dry.

About a month ago, we were on the way back from my dad's house. Somewhere around Arkadelphia, AR, I noticed what looked like a lot of smoke drifting across the road. We drove through it for several miles. It wasn't smoke. It was yellow. It was pollen. Several place in Arkansas recorded the highest pollen count in history that day.

We do have four seasons most years, but there are variations:

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Snow, Hail, Tornado, Rain
Spiders, Mosquitoes, Chiggers, Ticks

It's not uncommon to have 5 - 7 inches of rain from a single storm, that usually happens once or twice a year. I think our average annual rainfall is 53 inches, but only 3.6 inches of snow. Once Spring arrives, everything turns green quickly, with an explosion of flowers and pollen!

In Colorado, at least once a year we would have 60-degree temperature swings from one day to the next. Highs in the 70's one day, lows in the teens the next. We would also occasionally have a 'four season' day -- snow, rain, hail, sun. It wasn't uncommon to shovel show while wearing shorts and a tank top.

I've been dealing with lower back pain for nearly a week now. I think it's my sciatic nerve. If I don't move, all is well. Sitting is fine. Standing is fine. Changing from one position to another can sometime be quite painful. It's slowly getting better.

We need to finish preparing for our visit to my dad's house, then get on the road. It's only about a three-hour drive, with half of that being on quiet, peaceful two-lane roads.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Lori Dee]

I lived in northern Illinois for 25 years, and there were only two seasons each year: Winter and Road Construction.

I wonder if the sciatica is being caused by all the driving? You have definitely been the road warrior lately. Hopefully, it will calm down soon.

Hugs!

[Jessica_Rose]

The pain started before my trip. Driving doesn't seem to bother it. I may have triggered it while loading mulch into my car a few weeks ago. It is slowly getting better.

Our visit to my dad's house went well. I was able to mow the yard, the riding mower didn't even need to be jump started! We also retrieved all of the family photos which had been framed. I plan to scan them, so I can give copies to every family member. There are hundreds of other photos I need to go through. I plan to scan many of them and send them out to any family member who wants them.

I may be heading to Colorado next week. Kris, my electrologist, has some time available. Sometimes it can be difficult to find time in our schedules. Since I don't get to see her often, I want to take advantage of the opportunity if possible.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[davina61]

My back played up yesterday, not from lifting but from stooping over some work I was doing. Its from the working under bonnets (hoods) on engines all those years and it catches me out.

[Jessica_Rose]

Well Davina, we are just machines too. Unfortunately, many of our parts are expensive and difficult, if not impossible, to replace. I hope your back is feeling better soon, I know how much you enjoy working on cars.

I took my 'new' car in for maintenance this morning. The service folks were great, and they even left a small bag of chocolate chip cookies in the car for me! I bought the car used about six weeks ago. It was only a year old, and the first two or three years of service are free. Everyone was very friendly, and they didn't try to sell me anything.

This morning, I confirmed that I will be going to Colorado Spring next week. I am scheduled to be on-call for work, but two of my co-workers offered to cover for me. Although long-range weather forecasts are no guarantees, right now the weather for the trip looks good, with reasonable temperatures and no precipitation.

Love always -- Jessica Rose


In response to the earlier weather posts, here is one of my lightning photos...

[Northern Star Girl]

@Jessica_Rose
Dear Jessica:
Nice photo of the lightning storm....  thank you for sharing.
````````````````````

Regarding your comment about our bodies being "machines"  "and the parts are difficult
if not impossible to replace".....  you are quite correct. 
We have to be very careful with our routine maintenance as time takes it's
toll on our health.

Your Colorado Springs trip:  ... that was certainly very nice of your co-workers offering
to cover for you so that you can go....       

I always enjoy reading your updates...

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

[Jessica_Rose]

Susan and I were at my dad's house again last weekend. Several of the 'car guys' who often went to swap meets with my dad came out to look at his collection of parts. We sold all of the scooters (small motorcycles), along with many scooter parts. A chain saw, a compressor, a garden cart, some heavy chains, and even a riding lawn mower now all have new homes.

More than one of the visitors mentioned they knew my dad and his sons, but they didn't know he had a daughter. They did not ask for an explanation. One of the visitors asked me about an old car that was also for sale. I told him that the compression on one of the cylinders was low, so my dad set the project aside. He was surprised that I knew what cylinder compression was.

I've made the hotel reservations for my trip to Colorado this week. My hair stylist even had a cancellation that fit into my schedule! I haven't had a trim since late last year. The weather looks good, maybe some rain, but no snow. I'll be leaving Thursday morning, and returning Sunday evening.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Lori Dee]

Safe travels.

It is that time of year with traffic (city rush hour and tourists) and road construction. Fun times. 

[ChrissyRyan]

Jess,


Safe travels!



Chrissy

[Jessica_Rose]

The school year is almost over in many places, and Memorial Day is on 26 May, so the traffic will be picking up soon.

I have changed my original plans a little. Instead of leaving Colorado Springs on Saturday afternoon, I'm going to spend the night. That will give me a few more hours with Kris. If we get finished early and aren't too tired, we can go visit the indoor firing range. Sunday morning, I'll visit CJ (my original electrologist, and the first person I came out to) in Canon City, then head down to Amarillo for the night. I should get home Monday afternoon, before rush hour.

Something else just popped up today. My brother and his wife took some people to my dad's place to look through the old car parts, one of them is going to contact the folks in his car club... looks like we're going to have an unadvertised estate sale on 24 May. Susan and I will try to get down there Tuesday or Wednesday evening and start pulling things out of the rafters so people can see them easier -- we do not want people climbing ladders!

Why the rush? My dad's neighbor wants to buy the house, and the rental property. He wants it as soon as possible, and I'm tired of going down there every weekend. Sounds like a good match. Although it means more work for a few weeks, we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. We may be done with everything but the taxes by the end of August.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Jessica_Rose]

My trip to Colorado went smoothly. There were a few light rain showers while driving, but nothing that affected traffic. I arrived in Colorado Springs early enough for a hair appointment, then went to see Kris for some electrolysis. She had my face, neck and chest cleared in thirty-five minutes. My underarms were bare, not one hair. She spent an hour on each arm, then we took a break for dinner, where we we joined by our friend Brenda.

On Saturday, we started work around 10:00am. We took a break for lunch, and @Rayna was able to join us. After lunch, Kris and I returned to her office, and she finished working on me around 4:00pm. Since she had a little time in her schedule, we went to the local indoor range and put in some target practice. In total, Kris only needed about six hours to clear everything.

Sunday morning, I drove down to visit CJ and her husband in Canon City. It was a beautiful drive! We went to their favorite breakfast diner, then went back to their house for some conversation. They had plans later that day, so I left around noon. I spent the night in Amarillo, TX. Monday morning, the weather forecast called for strong storms and large hail in Oklahoma, so I took the southern route home, passing through Wichita Falls, Sherman, Paris, and Texarkana, TX.

I was on the road again Tuesday, but it was only a three hour drive to my dad's house. I started setting things up for an estate sale of sorts, primarily the car and scooter parts he had been acquiring through the years. Many of them were in the loft of his car barn. By mid-afternoon, the thermometer in the loft indicated 120 degrees.

The sale went well, but there's still a lot of parts we need to find homes for.  Many of the visitors told their friends, and several people asked when they could return. We'll be down there again this coming weekend.

We have also started the process to sell the house. The title company is working on the sales contract, and I expect it will close by the end of next week. The buyer said we could take all the time we need to clear things out, so we set the 'possession' date for mid-August.

I left out quite a few details, but I decided the 'Cliff Notes' version would probably be sufficient.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Lori Dee]

We have also started the process to sell the house. The title company is working on the sales contract, and I expect it will close by the end of next week. The buyer said we could take all the time we need to clear things out, so we set the 'possession' date for mid-August.

That sounds like a LOT of work! Glad things are progressing for you.

Have you had a chance to find a place to move to? Mid-August is not that far off. Or do you plan to stay with friends while you find a place?

[Jessica_Rose]

Sorry, I should have been more clear -- the contract is for my dad's house.

We are still considering a move back to Colorado, and we have found several houses which would meet our needs. I'm keeping the list updated in case we need to move quickly. Closing the sale of my dad's house will give us enough funds to begin a more serious review of houses in Colorado. We would be able to make an offer without contingencies. Unless the political situation changes quickly (how much worse can it get?), we plan to take our time.

Love always -- Jess

[davina61]

I can picture the loft, well I have watched American Pickers!! Hope you get it all cleared soon, I am getting rid of my VW bits that I no longer need to save my kids having to clear it all.

[D'Amalie]

We do have four seasons most years, but there are variations:

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Snow, Hail, Tornado, Rain
Spiders, Mosquitoes, Chiggers, Ticks

...We need to finish preparing for our visit to my dad's house, then get on the road. It's only about a three-hour drive, with half of that being on quiet, peaceful two-lane roads.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

I love the way you presented the seasonal differences!  Very emotive for me...then you brought in the two lane roads <sigh> I prefer them over all roads.  When I make the run from the intermountain west to the east coast  I use the federal and state highway system, avoiding the Interstates.  Thanks ever so much for the sharing, Jessica!