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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Picked Up Some Hitchhikers

Our stay at the Modoc Campground left us with fond memories…and some hitchhikers:

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Yep, those pesky little Sugar Ants. 

We decided to make a fast run to Walmart and get some special treats for our guests.

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So far, it seems to be working, the little guys are “enjoying” this treat.

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On the Veterans Administration (VA) front, I had two appointments on Monday, one with the Ophthalmologist who is going to do my cataract surgery (to measure my eyes for the lens) and another with a Respiratory Therapist who did some lung function tests.  I’m glad these two appointments were on the same day.  Sometimes you win one.

But before I got a chance to celebrate, I had another appointment scheduled, I have to see the anesthesiologist a week before my cataract surgery, which now is scheduled for 28 May.  Once the surgery is completed, I have to return the next day, then one week later and finally one month later.  That puts us here at our South Carolina “home” at least through June.  Barring any additional appointments that may pop up for my disability claim.  There is still lots pending on that.

Again, we’re looking at some nearby week long trips.  We are paying for our site here monthly at a good rate, but with pulling out to go to another campground, we’ll be double paying, so we’re trying to decide where we can get the most bang for our bucks.

We will be taking a week long car trip up to NJ and PA mid May to see the granddaughters (and their parents), that will be a nice change of pace, even though it also makes a ding on our budget.  But you have to do what you have to do.  And those little girls make the ding much easier to swallow.

Today Marti had to go to the Police Station.  No, she didn’t do anything wrong, she had to get her fingerprints done for a volunteer position we are looking to get involved with in the future, the organization does construction, like Habitat for Humanity.  The organization requires a background check, which includes fingerprints being sent to the FBI.  Her last two fingerprint cards were rejected by the FBI as unreadable.

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The police officer was very nice and we had a fun time, even if Marti had red ink on her fingers after it was done.

Marti is hoping the third time is a charm so she crossed her fingers.

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Yesterday, on the way back from the VA hospital, we spotted this strange bird in downtown Columbia, SC.  I’m at a loss as what kind of bird it is, so maybe those bird experts (Judy, Sherry, Nancy, Erin and Karen) can help me out.

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I’m really unsure of what this bird is, but it’s kind of hard to miss, it’s about ten feet tall.

         THE END

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Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

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23 comments:

  1. You got the best ant baits on the market. If they don't take care of those pests, you're stuck with 'em! :)

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  2. The anesthesiologist could save himself a lot of trouble by just having you read one of your blog posts - that would certainly put anyone right to sleep!!

    Let me get this right? You have to get a background check by the FBI to work for Habitat for Humanity but no background check if you want to go out and buy a gun??? It just seems very weird.

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    1. Well, actually, you do need a background check to buy a gun from a dealer.

      I just promise that the only kind of gun I'll be shootin' is a nail gun, as long as I can keep my fingers out of the way... ;c)

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  3. Nice, so cataract surgery, huh. No more glasses I hope! Knock on wood, no ants or any critters for us..although staying 4.5 months on cement probably helps :) George is thinking of the Comet trick around the tires while we're in Oregon this summer!

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  4. Nice of you to buy treats for the sugar ants. Once you get back on the road there will be a lot of PDD to make up for lost time. Be well.

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  6. Having ants in the motorhome is annoying, but it's never been anything more than that. Even if you do nothing special to get rid of them, they seem to disappear on their own anyhow.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  7. I can definitely identify that bird. Its a big ass bird.

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  8. I can definitely identify that bird. Its a big ass bird.

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  9. OOPS...forgot to warn you about the ant problem at MODOC:o(( They really took over our rig and Tahoe!! But we did the same thing... TERRO... bye, bye Ants:o))

    Ok Paul, you have been living near Columbia, SC and the University of South Carolina long enough to know that you found the "GAMECOCK" ;o)) You stay in that area much longer and your Journey will turn Red and Black!!

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    1. Ah ha! That's why your motorhome is Red and Black! ;c)

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  10. I've never until now heard of a person's fingerprint records being rejected.

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    1. The fingerprints were not done correctly, they were sort of smudged, so the print lines could not be read properly. So they were rejected and sent back for new prints.

      Hopefully, these prints are clear enough so we can get beyond this. Each time we submit prints to the FBI, it costs us $18. :c(

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  11. Paul we had good success using the Terro when we were invaded by the sugar ants at the COE near Montgomery,AL.
    Jill fingerprints are rejected quite often when the person taking the prints doesn't do a good job. Happens a lot more than you could imagine.

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    1. You're right, Steve. I've taken dozens and dozens of fingerprints during my career and never had one kicked back. It was hard to stand there and let someone else take Marti's prints, but being retired I'm at the mercy of other people's work.

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  12. We picked up some ants once. I wish they'd find their own transportation instead of hitching a ride with others. Good for you taking that ding in your wallet and visiting the kids .. even the older ones. You'll enjoy it and so will they. Those are the important ones.

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  13. Oh you Turkey, you knew that was a Gamecock. Now I want to know where does a 10' bird nest????

    Congrats on the date set for the surgery. I have new vision envy! I could REALLY use some.

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  14. With her fingerprints being on file, I guess this is the end of Marti's criminal career. LOL

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  15. Thanks for the tip - we need to get some of those ant baits.

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  16. We have used Terro in the past as well. Works like a charm! When Kevin had to get finger printed the only place he could it was at a jail (no, he didn't do anything wrong either), I found the place to be a bit scary and totally not fun!

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  17. No ant problems, but I'm sure it's a matter of time, so we'll take a look at that ant bait. Glad to hear the appointments are being lined up and you have some light at the end of the tunnel. I see Sherry has already ID'd that bird you came across ... saves me from delving into my reference books.

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  18. I think I would rather stand next to you when you have a handgun then when you have a nail gun:)

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