I was tired, having been all over Beaverton buying shoes, getting supplies, and running laundry. I had washed the sheets, and it was now closer to 11 than I wished, and I had to make my bed. I do the pillow cases first. I then put my hand on the bed. Soaked! Hank the Dog has marked a large puddle 3/4 down the bed. “F**k!” just does not describe that. Dawn dishwashing and sponges (all tossed) are applied to remove the yellow stain beginning on my newish, expensive, wonderful mattress!
Corwin drives over with spray and a steamer he owns. The steamer pulls out the pee and the soap but leaves the room smelling of cleaner, and the bed is, well, not available. I make the bed in the guest room, Leta’s room, as we called it. Leta’s picture from retirement is on the wall. I can’t believe I used to sleep on this bed. Wow, I am spoiled by my lovely new bed. I manage a few hours of sleep at best before waking at 2:45 to shower and dress.
Ugh!
The day started without dog pee or me being tired out. I make a list of the things I need as I write the blog. I am excited, as I have too much to do, but there is hope I will get through the list. This includes Brazil visa items. I wrote a short blog on Sunday, while the main events were a church service, a church Revival planning meeting, and then Dungeons & Dragons. The former is not that interesting to most, and the latter contains copyright items and cannot be covered. I managed to typo out 700 words or so and one photo.
I called the help desk and discovered that for $35 I could get some help from the visa service. I did not know that this was a paid help desk and that I was not hearing from Brazil. Later, I would get clarity that my photo image was too blurry (a lack of clarity) and, after talking to Deborah (who keeps being right about sooooo many things) there are digital options. I called another help line. FedEx helpdesk (who then asked me to rank their service; I did five stars) was happy to help after I connected, after two buttons, with services, and yes, they can do that, and gave me the address and local phone to call (I thought I had called the local one). A local-accented person picks up (after I selected, as I was told, 8), and yes, and after a moment, and yes, we can do a special Brazil version.
Laundry is in process while all this is going on. I get to the last load in the washer, and then connect with Emma, Susie’s niece who moved to Beaverton from Michigan, and pick her up for lunch. Happy Panda is a new experience for Emma: industrial Chinese-style food and old school, with a cup of soup and a spring roll or dumpling on the side. And portion sizes enough to feed two. Matty is our waiter; I am there once a week, and he puts up with my extra water chestnuts and bamboo request. This time, no veggies. Just piles and piles of water chestnuts and slices of bamboo. Emma enjoys her broccoli beef, and I have a strange cashew chicken.
Emma next tours our Trader Joe’s while I am photoed and charged for a pic (extra large for official Brazil standards) and told to use the plain digital photo when requested (and then to use the provided software to adjust it; do not use the processed ones). A new USB stick and photos in hand, I find Emma resisting all the products and wanting to save some of the plants. We escape without purchase.
Emma’s turn and I take her to US Bank near her apartments. This, no surprise, becomes an hour-plus odyssey as she gets checking, savings, and other services called in. I was proud that she mischievously let them think she was some kid in a T-shirt and shorts, and I noticed she was treated with respect. A typo also delayed her.
I traveled to AAA while Emma played with bankers, met Holly who booked our tickets, and found a good luggage tag for my bag. I have the silver Delta tag, but I wanted something I could slide my biz card into to add to the bag. I found one for $3.99 and a small first aid kit for travel. Next, I stopped by Target (heading back in Emma’s direction) and got more items on my checklist done. Emma was soon done after me.
REI supplied new shoes with their experts covering five different shoes to upgrade my footwear. Emma enjoyed the store while I explored shoes. I selected the Saucony Max Cushion version.
Next, we crossed the street in Air VW the Gray and went to the bar at Lake Oswego Grill and had happy hour items. We had drinks and split some happy hour items. It was a good ending. I dropped off Emma and was soon at a church meeting while also getting all the visa stuff fixed. I was multitasking full out and on a Zoom meeting like I was working again. Kathy, taking Missions from me as I was filling in, handled it well.
And now I am in NYC and just checked into my room. I think I will stop there. Thanks for reading.
I safely arrived at The New Yorker Hotel on Tuesday evening.
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