Flippin' Filipines

Since September 23, I have been working with Microsoft and their subcontractors in the Philippines to obtain my software disk, which I paid for, which the subcontractors insist could only be shipped to a physical address.

Because we have a post office box, this presented a challenge. The post office does not deliver to our home address, which the representatives in the Philippines could not understand. I tried to cancel my order, but they told me their cancellation policy was that they did not accept cancellations.

At one point, they told me to "talk to my facility." I told them I did not know what they meant by "facility" and needed more direction. They hung up on me.

Another time, I asked to speak with a supervisor, at which point they transferred me to no-man's land where the phone rang, rang, rang, rang and rang some more. I eventually hung up, after I figured they accrued quite an international bill for the call.

At another point, they told me to call "911" and ask to find out what address they send responders to...I refused.

Finally, just today, I received my software disk in the mail at my PO box. It only took almost 4 months but I did it!

Top 10 Symptoms of Fishing Fever

1. Glassy, watery eyes (worn and tired from scanning the water for birds and boats)
   
2. Red cheeks and nose (wind burn)
3. All-over body aches (being on a boat all day)
   
4. Raccoon eyes (wind burn and sun burn)
5. Crazy hair (stocking cap)
6. Crazy and erratic driving (the need to get to the boat launch first!)
7. Crazy and erratic boating (the need to get to the fish first!)
8. Crazy and erratic walking across the parking lot (forgetting boat keys and other essential equipment in the craze to Get There First!!)
9. Unprovoked yelling and screaming (boat launches are notorious for this)
10. Persistent cough (being immersed in diesel and gasoline fumes from all the other hundreds of boats circling around the same area time after time after time after time)

Quote of the day

"Well, have you told anybody about it?"

Robin in response to me when I told him our Skype wasn't working. My response to him was something along the lines of, "&&%%##$@, no. I think 25 million people already have...."

Authorities Close In On Serial Killer

WANCHESE, NC -- DECEMBER 16, 2010

Local and state authorities moved in on a suspected hunter, rumored to be closing in on the number of kills allotted for a non-resident hunting license.

"This has been my dream season," says hunter Robin Leatherman. "I have one more hunter's choice for deer. I got my first North Carolina black bear last weekend." Leatherman logged an unprecedented number of days hunting.

"Our three (yes, three) freezers are nearing capacity," says Karen Smith. "It's good there are only a couple weeks left of the season."

Fortunately for Leatherman and unfortunately for the natural resources of this state, he is now eligible to buy a resident hunting license this weekend. "That gives me six more deer, another bear, boar and some other stuff," states Leatherman.


See photos of his bear. (Warning: May contain disturbing images. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Back in the groove

I am playing catch up with our (relatively) recent photos and events from the past several months.

• In August, we took a fishing trip to our old haunts in Gustavus, AK. We had fantastic weather and stayed with fantastic friends, Josh and Christina. They own and operate Majestic Expeditions, a truly fantastic place to stay whether you are relaxing, fishing or hunting. Alaska is fantastic!
  
  
• Also in August, Robin's oldest son was married near Seattle, WA. What a whirlwind. We met the granddaughter and attended the wedding. There is definitely a family resemblance, as you will see. Robin was introduced to a nasty concoction called a duck fart, a mixture of Kahlua, whiskey, Bailey's and who knows what else. After this celebration, I resolved never to drink any alcohol at any event where the alcohol is provided for free.
  
  
• During the week we were in Washington, Robin and son Josh built a timber frame structure for the wedding. The weather was perfect and could not have been any more beautiful. We didn't get rained on even once! I know lifting and moving those 300-lb + timbers had nothing to do with Robin's current shoulder problem. (What am I saying?!? There is no "problem" because it only hurts if he moves it.)
  
  
• We took in a quick trip to tour the Olympic Peninsula, complete with a stop in Forks, WA where we learned all about Twilight. Holy cow, we had no idea! Rooms in dumpy motels were at a premium and booked solid! Robin became a big fan, at least for the first movie. (Interest is waning after watching the second.) Once again, this is proof that one person can make a difference in the world.
  
  
• In September, Robin started deer hunting. I haven't seen him since. I did see him (briefly) when we squeezed in a deer hunting trip to his cousin's in West Virginia around Thanksgiving. I even hunted one day, if you can call it hunting. I sat in the woods in the pouring rain and didn't see a thing -- not even a squirrel. Well, I was armed with a gun so I guess it was hunting.) Be warned, some of these pictures are graphic!
  
  
• In October, Robin's mom, brother, niece and cousin visited.
  

The $126 breakfast

A mere $126 will buy you room service breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta. We learned this after a recent trip there for Robin's work. They kept messing up so we got a free breakfast (and a stay in an executive suite at a later date). We only were asked about three times to show our room key. (I guess we didn't look like their typical guest.)

Our fun-filled trip (well, my fun-filled, anyway, because Robin was working most of the time) included lots of rides on the Marta subway, me seeing an arrest at Olympic Centennial Park, a great NHL hockey game and a fantastic puppet performance of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. (The Center for Puppetry Arts is a must-do for all Jim Hensen and puppet fans!)

See pictures of the most expensive breakfast and other photos from our trip.

21,000 diapers

That's my estimate of the number of diaper changes my mom endured for us 13 kids. That number doesn't include any of the 23 grandkids' diapers she changed during her seemingly endless role babysitting them. In addition, she had morning sickness for more than 10 years. Not all at one time of course, but nonetheless, it adds up to 10 years. She baked more than 10,000 loaves of bread and washed more than 10,000 loads of laundry ... in a wringer washing machine she refused to give up!

She recently passed away, succumbing to a brain tumor and other ailments she faced the last couple of years. She always kept her sense of humor, noting on the days when she was feeling particularly good that she "didn't want to change her luck." (This, a glimpse to her fun-lovin', gamblin' side. She always enjoyed playing the slot machines and once kept me out past 3 a.m. in Las Vegas.)

Although her words were sometimes mixed up, you only had to listen with your heart and not your head. When she talked about the "hocus pocus," she was referring to the weather forecast. (This was a very apt phrase substitution, especially in a volatile weather state such as Iowa where she lived for 80 years.) When she talked about all those "germs" walking around, she was referring to the cage of 50-some birds at the care facility. (She always thought birds were very germy creatures and raised and sold over 500 parakeets to pay for her wedding dress.) Most importantly, despite her mental changes, she had times of clarity, stressing that "I'm still in here," and "Thank you for being here."

Her actions and attitudes convey something we can all strive to do: Be happy for the good days. Listen with your heart. Keep your sense of humor. Always treat people with respect. Always be there for those you love.