Clerks office

In Louisville, you get all your regular DMV or BMV stuff done at the county clerks office. Titles, registration, all that. Well, for your waiting convenience I suppose, they have a TV. I thought it was funny that they were showing a commercial telling about the movie for tonight: Fast & Furious...

Alien Brussles Sprouts?

My kids and Kathy do not like Brussels Sprouts. I usually buy them frozen, but the couple times I got fresh ones, they were loose or in a bag. This was the first time, at ValuMarket in the Highlands, that I have ever seen them in their natural state. They are growing on a tree-branch-like vine!! Totally alien looking!

Ended up in New Albany

Kat and I ended our short ride this weekend in New Albany at Honey Cream doughnuts. It was a bad-for-you end to an otherwise ok day. I got about 47mpg riding 2-up on my 2008 Yamaha Majesty. That is not really that bad!

Derby Run Apartments...might be bad

I have had a couple neighbors say they didn't like the apartments we live in, or the rules, maintainence, etc.  I might have run into a substantial issue with the management. It is true that they were supposed to fix the floor that has been rotten for a long time. I finally sent them an email stating that wetness still comes out from the cracks in the tile and it needs to be fixed because I feel it is a health hazard and a danger due to mold, structural and electrical issues (the fellow downstairs says he gets water dripping through his kitchen light!!!). This has been going on a while now. There has been damage from the sink drain, dishwasher, tub, etc. all of which have leaked at some point. Maintainence has been here in this building multiple times since about April.  

 

They have "fixed":

• a leak in the elbow joint under my kitchen sink
• a leak back inside the wall between my kitchen and bathroom
• a leak in my bathroom
• a leak in my half-bath
• a leak the only happenend when I used the dishwasher
• a severe clog that made gunk upchuck into my tub that they assured me was not sewage but smelled bad
• a leak that happened when you used the shower

Finally after stating it pretty emphatically it needed fixed (I had been patient), they came back and said this:

 

"It has come to our attention in the office that the softness in the floor of your kitchen and also the water damage to the apartment below yours has been a result of a portable washer that you are keeping in your kitchen.  We have been made aware that this washer continues to overflow causing water damage and we want to make YOU aware that any damages that have occurred or do occur due to this washer will be charged directly back to you.  In your lease it states in paragraph 19...
 
"Resident shall not make any repairs or alterations, including the addition of storm doors, awnings, paint, wallpaper, mirror tiles, adhesive fasteners, etc., without the prior written consent of Lessor.  Washers and dryers are prohibited unless standard washer and dryer hookups are provided in the apartment."
 
As it states in the lease this washer is strictly prohibited in our complex and must be removed immediately before any more damage occurs.  We would like to extend to you the next 14-days to find your washer a new home, however if we receive another complaint within that period, or if the washer is still there when we do our inspections, we will be asking you to find a new place to live.  Thank you for your attention to this notice and we hope this will resolve the problem.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (502) 968-0101.
 
Sincerely,
 
Derby Run Management.
 
Handrwitten:  * Kelly- you cannot use the portable washer anymore!  It is causing numerous problems!"

 

Well, this had me pretty taken aback.  They had been in numerous times to fix yet another leak and never said anything about the little portable clothes washer.  I was P-O'd to say the least.  Using that little washer has saved me mucho dollars over the last year!

 

I replied:

 

"Yesterday evening I received a letter on my door that states "It has come to our attention in the office that the softness in the floor of your kitchen and also the water damage to the apartment below yours has been a result of a portable washer that you are keeping in your kitchen."

 

I have had several maintenance men in my apartment on various days and times for many different plumbing issues, over the 16 months I have lived in this apartment. Many times the maintenance people, and on one occasion you yourself have been in my kitchen and have seen the washer.  It is my  understanding that each and every month, someone enters each apartment to check for any issues, possible violations and general concerns.  At no time have I ever been advised that these portable units are not allowed in our complex, and never gave it a second thought as several of my neighbors also have mentioned using these units.  Upon my lease renewal in July I only received a copy of the front page with the new rent amount, and was not advised of any violations.

 

Since you have brought it to my attention that the washer is prohibited according to the lease, I have discontinued use of the unit as of 9/22/09, and I will be removing it within the next 14-days. Operation of this washer has never been left unattended and definitely does not "continue to overflow" as you state in your letter.  On the couple occasions that any water splashed from the washer, it has immediately been cleaned up, and not allowed to soak into the tile. None of your service persons have ever mentioned the washing machine as a possible cause of the water damage issues.

 

On several occasions, I have been told the "plumbing leak" has been found and repaired, so I can be held responsible for the resulting floor damage.  These leaks and the damage caused by it has been a long-term constant issue that you have assured me, on several occasions, would be repaired, once the wood under the tile was completely dried out.

 

I am correcting the violation issue listed in the letter of 9/23/09, and will continue to abide by my lease until it's completion.  To ensure no future issues, please provide a copy of the full lease agreement, with all regulations, by the 30th of September.  I do not believe I am responsible for the costs of repair to the floor from prior plumbing leaks and will expect that this repair will be completed by the 30th of October.  This repair has been discussed on many occasions and has been allowed to go on for many months.  I can not be held liable for any plumbing leaks that may occur in my unit, when I continue to make you aware of these issues and your maintenance personnel assures me it is repaired.  At this point I continue to have liquid seeping up from under the tiles and still do not believe the source of water has been repaired.

 

Thank you for your assistance, and please let me know if you have any questions."

 

I also need to point out that during the entire summer, I kept asking when the pool would be repaired and ready for use.  The manager kept telling me about how it was supposed to be done already and blaming it on the contractors and also telling me how it would be kept open later in the year...basically putting me off.

 

It was not until AFTER I signed the lease for another 12 months that they told me it wouldn't be fixed this year, and then also blamed the floor on my washer instead of all their plumbing problems.

 

They STILL have not been in to the apartment or contacted me to arrange fixing of the floor.

 

Anybody need an apartment-sized Haier washer?  It works well if you don't overload it!

Zack & Miri

If you can deal with very crude humor, you should watch Zack and Miri
Make a Porno. Kathy and I watched it on Saturday and it was very
funny!

Too much fun?

Logan must have eaten some bad popcorn, or stayed up past his bedtime and gotten cranky. This is Logan at midnight when Kathy and I walked over to get him! Green face and blue hair!!!

Logan's Wild Friday Night

Logan's school had a lock-in Friday night from 7 until midnight. He had a lot of fun playing video and other games, eating pizza and singing "Eye of The Tiger" for his friends as lead vocals on Guitar Hero World Tour.

Friday night without Logan

Lexie was a little freaked out to have a couple hours of time without her brother. Actually, she's just showing how long her hair is getting...

Flat Logan has arrived in Orkney!!

I got a message from our friend Sam today! Flat Logan has arrived in Orkney and is starting his adventure!!! Like 3K miles and 1/4 the way around the world and it only took 5 days! Pretty amazing, but I bet a non-flat person could do it in only one day!

Spirit Week-Nerd Day

Lexie had to dress up as a nerd today. Its a fairly easy costume. I think she looked cute!

Weekend...Lexie in rain

Lexie kept wanting to run out in the rain. We had to run down to Walgreens and get eye drops for her. She petted cats at a pet adoption center in the mall and then rubbed her face...

Weekend...rainy Logan

It was raining pretty good when we left the mall.

Weekend...Kathy

Kathy hung out with us Sunday. It is always nice to see her. The kids get along well with her, and she's helpful. We also spend a bit less time in front of the TV when she's around... I really love that!

Weekend - greentree mall

It has been a long time since I've been to the Greentree mall. We were looking for lunch and something to do before a movie (Transformers) and the kids wanted to go to "the turtles".

Trade in

I wonder if Metro Animal Services would consider a "trade in"? If there has ever been a pet who could be considered a "bum steer" this is it. The animal has can't-learn-disease. (ask David Heath if you don't know what that is). I just don't want to pay all the immunizations, vet visit fees, and adoption fees all over again.

Flat Logan

Thanks to our friend Sam from Orkney! Logan mailed off his letter and Flat Logan today! They said it should take 6-8 days to get there...

Lexie lost her house key...again...

Jesus! I just told my daughter tonight "You're a short dog in tall weeds!" Who all remembers who that is a quote from???

Scouts meeting tonight

We have picked up a lot of new people in scouts and I am very happy about that!

Chicken taco salad night

Whoo hoo.

Breakfast

Mary's husband Joe made breakfast for her to bring in. Bacon, biscuits and gravy. I told her "Man, I wish I had a husband like that..." but then quickly retracted the statement.

New Pearl Jam?

Its been so long since PJ did anything that I kinda assumed Vetter was dead...no surprise...they all end up needing money eventually. Entertainers are such whores...

Art class

This is the human face study in art class. Logan does pretty good but was showing perspective in his background (which is a roller coaster) which I mistook it for an Egyptian headgear.

Flat Logan

They are reading "Flat Stanley" in class and they are going to do the project where you send the flat you off to someone who lives far away. I have a friend who lives in England and some co-workers in Mexico. I'm going to see if any of them can help Logan.

The Logan Nall Times

This is one project they have done at school.

Ms. Griffin

She seems really nice and she had only good things to say about Logan.

Dead flag drop

This bin was close to the restaurant where we had dinner Saturday night. It was wierd...

Huge bug

We saw this HUGE bug at one of the rest stops we took this weekend. It was dead thankfully!

Kathy the Christmas tree

It got much worse for her than this, but you get (no pun intended) the picture...

Breakfast at BK

While we were at breakfast at the local Burgee King, I mentioned to Kathy how beautiful I thought this picture was. The look she gave me was priceless! After the double-take at the hideous picture she have me a look that said "What? Are you STUPID?!?!?!!!"

Kat in a dress

This is from Friday night when we met the scooter folks for dinner at the Countryside restaurant. I'd never seen my friend Kathy in a dress before!

Burgman/Dragon Rally

This past weekend was really good. My friend Vince and I rode to
Vonore, TN to the Burgman/Dragon rally. The ride up was fairly
uneventful though it took us from 7am to 5pm to get there with no long
stops. We got some good country lanes and even a few gravel roads
that were not too bad. The meeting was at 7pm at the Countryside
Restaurant. They had good food reasonably priced. Vince went to his
hotel after that and I stayed with my friend Kathy in Knoxville.

Meetup for the big ride on Saturday was at the Grand Vista Hotel in
Vonore. Kathy came along in her Dodge. We left at 9am and rode all
round the Smoky mountains, especially the big-attraction routes of
SR-165 known as the Cherohala Skyway (a very scenic road with lots of
pull-offs for pictures) and the biggie (for me) US-129 aka "The
Dragon".

On the way home we ran up into Virginia, for no other reason than just
to say we've been there. We took US-421 off and on from Virginia into
Kentucky (then further on in toward Berea) and it is a great ride. At
one point on the way back, we found a great little side road that went
to gravel, then finally into a pay-lake. At the pay lake, the GPS
routed me out onto a dirt path. There was very little gravel, just
mainly brown creek-rock! I hit a good sized rut in the road and got
stuck. Vince helped me get the bike out and it was either this rut or
another like it that tore up my front fender. It is loose, but not
really broken. Some tabs are broken on the inside and should be an
easy fix. I didn't find this out until Midway, KY when we pulled off
to fuel.

Another thing is somewhere along 421, I saw a cool mountain spring
coming out the side of a hill. I stopped and got a drink. I also
filled the two plastic bottles I had with it to take home to the kids.
There were lots of cool sights seen this weekend, and good roads
(except for the dirt motorcross track we ended up on!).

Pictures here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/the1weasel/BurgmanDragonRally09?feat=directlink

The Dragon/US-129/Deals Gap

This weekend a friend of mine (Vince) and I met up with some folks in TN plus my friend Kathy and rode some incredible roads in TN, NC, VA and KY. The cherry on top was riding a stretch of US-129 referred to as Tail of the Dragon, or more simply just The Dragon. It was organized by Grant F. and was intended as a Suzuki Burgman rally, but I crashed it with my Yamaha Majesty. The trophy for this feat (riding the Dragon is a big deal due to the number of injuries and deaths per month-sometimes per WEEK!) was a sticker which you can get nowhere on earth besides Deals Gap, which is the start or finish of The Dragon...) There was only one casualty...the front wheel well/fender of my bike. It became repairably damaged in a bad gravel road which turned to dirt with 18" deep ruts...

Lucky

This would be the silly b*tch that almost killed me at 35(me) + 40ish(her)=75mph in a head-on about half an hour ago on Eastern Parkway. No damage to either vehicle, but the rear right side of her car TOUCHED MY FOOT! If she would have seen me and slowed it would have eaten Lois (my Majesty) and I would have been testing my mesh jacket out on the street in front of Dairy Kastle. She was performing the bikeslayer maneuver-turning left and trying to beat the light.

Laundromat

I had to go to the laundry since my clothes were soaking wet frome being halted mid-cycle. This sucks.

Plumbing SNAFU #173

I went in to take a shower, and there was this nasty mess in my tub. Kat took a shower at like 10am, so it was after then, but before 2pm. Anyway, I called emergency maintenence for Derby Run Apartments and they came in and fixed the clog, but said it was still leaking to the apartment downstairs, so I could not use the kitchen sink, or the dish washer. I had been doing a load of clothes with my little Haier clothes washer and wanted to finish. The maintenence guy said it would be ok to use the bathroom, so I just put the stoppers in the kitchen sink and put the water into an empty wastebasket, dumping it into my tub. They guy from downstairs came up and said it was flooding them downstairs! Still!!

Bad friends Gary & Bobbi Jo Bring Cake

Well, actually Gary and Bob are very good friends of Kat and I from the days we all attended Ball State U. But bringing DQ ice-cream cake was a dirty trick!! Who can resist?? Not me, that's for certain. They stayed for supper (I fixed BBQ ribs and chicken, and salad) and we finally dug up a deck of cards so they could obliterate me at rummy. It was really nice to have them over.

Lexie brushing

Although Lexie did good on her grades this first grading period in math, language arts, science, and health & wellness, she has NOT been doing well keeping her teeth brushed well. I tell her and lecture her, but nothing seems to work...

Weekend & Kathy

The kids and I hung out with friends this weekend. Friday night Kathy came over and we played this Monopoly-based card game. Saturday we did some housework and ran a couple errands.

Down one pound...amazing

I was not good last week.  Small DQ Blizzard comes to mind....  This loss is a fluke I'm pretty sure, but I'll take it.

Ms. Sam

This is Lex's language arts teacher. She seems fine and was very nice to Lexie.

Ms. Hum

This is Lexie's math teacher. She has a website online where you can check progress, etc. Woman seems pretty organized.

Courtyard

This is the courtyard where Mr. Lynch lets the kids walk or run laps several times a week. They are on a half-honor system about the number of laps. Each time he watches one kid and counts their laps. He does not say which child he is watching! Smart guy!!

Mr. Lynch

This is Lexie's Health & Wellness teacher. He was the most personable of all.

Open House - principal

This is Moore's principal. She's over both middle and high schools.

Moore Traditional School Open House

Tonight we have the open house for Lexie's school. I need to go and meet her teachers. After that we have to try and make it to the Cub Scouts first meeting where the organized and talented Ms. Paula will hand out parent packs (that have the calendar of events).

Dress Code

Lexie decided to test the dress code at school today. Either that or she honestly forgot, but I know for a fact she hates to wear a belt...