2009/05/20 – Wednesday – Jelly Arms

Today is my third day of furlough. We all took our time to get up, eat breakfast. We did things on the computer and then it was time for lunch.

CJ and I took the trailer that had all the signs and went and placed all the road sign (4 small one and 1 big one.) I did get a minor blister in my palm trying to secure the small signs.

One of the vendors showed up, so I placed him in the main camp area on the Northeast corner (hopefully I put him in the correct place)

After dinner (Amanda made it – Thanks!); CJ and I put up the Ranch Sign and the East and most of the South stakes. We still need to do more stakes, but we totally ran out of light and were doing some of them in the dark. O man my arms are really sore – and we need to do more.

I got a phone call from Mom M and we talked for little while.

I some how did not take any pictures today – bummers.

2009/05/19 – Tuesday – Shopping and Relaxing

Another day off on Furlough – I still got up at normal time like I was going to work – I don’t know about that….

We all ate breakfast and we did a little research on some Geo Cache and around noon we finally got ready for leave.

First stop, Slash-X – It was Closed! hmmm don’t know why.

We stopped at the National Park Service for the Mojave Preserve and looked around – it is small but has a good map display.

Now in town we stopped at Home Depot to get a few things (stakes, ribbon, and batteries), next it was time for Lunch at IHOP.  We then stopped at Vons to get a few other items and replenish.

We stopped at Flying J’s to refuel, and did two Geo Cache that was really close to the road.

“Blue” needs some tlc, so I am going to take it easy this week.

Amanda did cook dinner tonight and I started the fire to relax at for the evening.

We did have two campers (one group) come in today, but they did camp a little bit away.

CJ wanted to do the telescope, so I got it out and set it up for him.

Now the fire has died down and I am leaving what little wood I have left for tomorrow.

2009/05/18 – Monday – Interesting Weather

We all slept in a little today.  We had clouds this morning so it slowly warmed up. 

We did not go anywhere today – it has turned out to be another do nothing day.

I did make and received a few phone calls.  Worked on the computer, ready bogs and just enjoying a relaxing furlough day.  I did get invited to go with a group to dinner on Thursday night – so of course I said yes.

Sometime in the afternoon, I  noticed in the distant that it looked like rain.  The rain and the wind made for some very interesting dust storm.  We only got a few drops hitting the side of the RV (wind driving the drops.)

We only had four different people pass by today – two different motorcycle couple, and two different vehicles – Nobody stopped.

The cats are doing ok – Amber still will hiss at Moonstone, but Moonstone and Pearl do play together a little bit.  Turquoise does play with Moonstone, in fact, Moonstone will lay down and curl up on Turquoise – I will try to get a picture next time he does that.

I did get the Jeep “Blue” cleaned up inside and got all my stuff organized in the back.  I may regret for not getting everything that I normally carry, but time will tell.  I did check my fluids and I had to put water and some oil in to top things off.

I think tomorrow we will run into town to get a few things.

I wrote this out by the fire – it is a little windy but still nice to sit out side.

We had a late night visitor – He dropped off a few things for the Cafe.

2009/05/17 – Sunday – And Now No One Is Here

I and the kids got up late.  I did turn the generator on, in the hopes to keeping the RV cool during the day.

All of us did play on the internet most of the day.  We watched several DVD’s all through out the day.

I even got a nap in a little bit in the afternoon, so that was really nice.

The other group packed up; so we are the only ones out here at the HDR camp.

I noticed from my emails and twitter that home had an earthquake – 4.7,  Cheryl felt it and a few things moved around but no damage – which is good

I am out by the fire doing more internet stuff this evening.

Maybe tomorrow, we will be more productive.

2009/05/15 – Friday – Travel Day – Start of Furlough Week

I did the normal work day

I finally got home and we got the last of the items it the RV. For the last three days, we have been doing things to get ready. So tonight, I had a few items – clothing, computers, and the animals.

Amanda, CJ, and I left the house about 7:00 PM. Our first stop was at Fresh and Easy for the last minute items to get.

Next stop was at Flying J’s to get everything topped off and drained and more last minute items.

The road (Stoddard Wells Rd) into the HDR camp location is a little ruff so it was slow going. A small group was already park near the main camp at HDR and enjoying a fire. I finally found the location where I will camp for a week.

With the help from S.G. and the kids, we got most of the RV setup and the internet running.

Bedtime came a little after 1:00 AM.

2009/03/10 – Tuesday – Work Related Again.

Well, I still have a job; I was not one of the people that got cut today from my work. But, one of my close friends did cut. She has been at the company for a very long time so it is very hard to see her go.

Also on the work front, from the prior post, I have placed my furlough so I could be out in the desert for the week. It is still unsure if we will have to do additional 5 or 10 days in the last half of the year yet.

I still need to put in my paperwork for my ‘renewal’ but I am currently going to schedule it for 2010.

2009/02/11 – Wednesday – Work Related

Normally I do not write about work, because – well its work and I would like to not think of it when I leave. Of course I am dedicated to work and have and will respond when needed.

But what brings me to write currently is we have been notified that everybody at my work is required to go on a 5-day furlough. So that means no pay for 5 days – ½ a paycheck. That will hurt, but the uncertainty of the economy, they might add additional 10 days to the furlough thing.

I also have been given the opportunity to take a ‘renewal’. Which mean I get 4 weeks off with pay.

So now I need to schedule my vacation, furlough, and renewal for the next two years.

I am still concern about the furlough, but I think we could handle the 5 days, but I not sure about the additional 10 days. We will just have to tighten our belts a little.