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It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Again. I guess we’ve got to accept that this will be the pattern of UltraMom posting, despite my numerous promises to do better. Anyway, I’m here now, and it’s time for a little segment I like to call “A Day in the Life of UltraMom.” (Wed, Jan 16, 2008)
I awakened early, as usual, and as usual of late, went back to bed where I alternately dozed, played Yahtzee on my new hand held game,(courtesy of sis-in-law, Pat) or progressed in my current, recommended-by-Johnny-read, Tai-Pan. When the pups and I finally did venture from the bedroom, we found Jimbo, my current much-welcome houseguest, at the computer and fully dressed, apparently having risen an hour or so ago.
Signature Ultramom Sidenote and Digression: Jim is inbetween employments right now, and had arrived last Saturday in Ruby Valley, which was also my destination for the day. UltraDad has been unable to leave his little hideaway for several reasons, the chief of which is the weather. The second reason is that his work crew is a little short-handed for the present, and somebody has got to be able to plow snow and maintain the roads in these very wintry conditions. I actually arrived after Jim, as I stopped and shopped, bringing with me a bucket of KFC, courtesy of Uncle Dave and Aunt Jane’s generous Christmas gift certificate. Sunday morn, Jimbo and UltraDad left to do a little rabbit hunting. I had already filled my quota on the roads, so I opted not to go. I know that sounds bad, but the rabbits are so incredibly thick that they are impossible to miss as they dash back and forth across the road, seemingly intent on committing suicide. If I swerve to miss, I’m as likely to hit as if I’d kept on going straight, and not swerving is a lot safer way to drive on icy roads.) I did an exercise video or two and decided to get the wiggle worms out of Murphy and Rowdy by taking them on a little walk along the highway, after which I planned a nice relaxing bath. What I did NOT plan on is locking myself out of the house. This is not quite as idiotic as it sounds; almost but not quite. The doorknobs on these homes will turn from the inside whether they are locked or not, so it’s very tricky. Of course I had nothing with me. No car key, no cell phone. But fortunately for me, Chick, the guy who lives in the only other inhabited house in this 2-house complex, drove in on the snow plow just about that time. I waited for him to shut her down and climb off, then presented my plight. Without a word, he headed for the time shack, me following behind. He went straight to the key box and began taking some down. Ah, this was good. There was an extra key to the house in there….or was there? There was an extra key to HIS house, lots of keys to the vacant house, and lots of keys to….other stuff, but not to UltraDad’s. It seemed I had three choices. I could wait in the warm time shack, and if I got bored, pick up a broom. I could walk around some more and hope the guys didn’t stay gone too awfully long. Or, I could go to Chick’s house and meet his wife. I selected #3, and put Murphy and Rowdy in my mercifully unlocked car, as I did not think they would like to meet Chick’s four “cat” hunting hounds, cat in this case referring to Mountain Lion. Mary was very nice and offered me a cup of tea. Our conversation was a little strained at first, but before long we were chatting amiably about our daughters’ cats. Before I finished my tea, Chick saw a red pickup pull in next to our house. The hunters were home. They were a little puzzled as to why the dogs were in the car, and the house was locked. I soon enlightened them and strongly suggested to UltraDad that one of his two keys be strategically hidden outdoors. After a lunch of leftover KFC chicken, we sat down to watch The Simpsons movie, and all managed, at various and diverse times, to fall asleep. Jim and I drove back to Carlin on Monday morning after UltraDad went to work.
Okay, back to the present (at least for now). Jimbo had, in a moment of weakness, agreed to build me a storage cupboard for my back hallway. In that area, where two bedrooms and a bathroom converge, is a block of wasted space badly in need of a storage solution. Jim was coming fresh off a cupboard building victory, having just completed a super one for his Aunt Joy’s bedroom. There he had a spacious shop, handy, convenient tools, and occasional uncles for lifting assistance. Here he has the frozen outdoors, scattered, haphazard tools, and a wimpy mom for lifting assistance. Anyway, we needed to go to town to get the rest of the necessary lumber. The kid was in too deep to back out now.
Jim’s little Ford Ranger is a nice ride. Not very new, but very well maintained, and capable of carrying a board or two. We did a few errands first- the campus bookstore for UltraMom to get her remaining texts, the library so Jim could check out the latest Harry Potter book for a reread since Umom had sent her copy to Japan, and a stop for lunch at Chef Chengs, where for $5.50 you can get a choice of three items from such delicacies as steamed rice, Kung Pao Chicken and Beef in Broccoli. You also get noodle appetizers, an egg roll, soup, and for dessert, an orange half and a fortune cookie. After getting groceries and the lumber, we were back home just in time for UltraMom to change her clothes, bid Jim, Murph and Rowd farewell, and head back into Elko to meet her friend at Cowboy Joe’s. She and Peggy had met in Professor Gonzales’ Political Science class, where they competed for top grades. They had discovered they had much in common, both returning to school after long absences and nearly of an age. It was nice to get together and compare schedules and talk about the world at large, while sipping on Chai Tea and Mocha Frapacino. Unfortunately, no classes in common this upcoming semester. We chatted for nearly two hours; then it was off to Weightwatchers for Ultramom, where she led an awesome, inspirational meeting of 50 or so members, including 11 first timers.
Okay, truth to tell, it is now actually the next day, the next evening to be precise. I just couldn’t finish this yesterday, and the only thing that prevents me from putting if off until tomorrow, is the mindboggling logistics of trying to keep all the time sequences in their proper order and tense. Right now, sitting in my living room, is a nearly completed storage cupboard. It is going to be every bit as wonderful as I had imagined. And now, I am off to bed, visions of spare clothing, paper files and Christmas decorations dancing in my head.

UltraMom