Texas Trade Up, Powerful Smart

4 1/2 Hours in

Do you think the majority of folks getting 'in' are in major cities like San Antonio, Houston, Dallas where, the demand for electricity is greater.

I know for a fact calls can be routed based upon NUMBER called from.

My arms are jello and the website is still down. 

ME THINKS THIS IS NOT A FAIR PLAYING GROUND

Texas Powerful Smart Program

BEEEP BEEEP BEEEEP (Your call can not be completed as dialed. Please check the number and dial again.  21L, 23N)

ROFL Doncha think, if the state of Texas (SUSAN COMBS) had put some powerful thinking into this rebate program, said comptroller would have also figured out; citizens would overload the internet and phone lines?  Thus adding more temporary employees to handle the overload?

Another thing, this program has been delayed already by a few days.  It was not well publicized.  The list of models are types are extensive..........

My conspiracy theory:  IF citizens are unable to USE this program.  This money is earmarked for other programs that will line the coffers of political office holders... Say like more prisons.

From 7 AM, when the application process began this is what Texans got either a busy signal or on the website this message. http://www.texaspowerfulsmart.org/

And to make this process even more 'efficient,' each family trying to contact the comptroller's office:  is allowed to for two appliances. YET -- Have to log out and log back in : If using the internet.  Or hang up and dial back!

"TALK ABOUT MAROONS!" Bugs Bunny.

Below is later post, I just combined it here.

Over 200 calls (I have carpal tunnel now...)

BEEP BEEP BEEP or a voice comes on "We Are Expirencing an unusally high volumn of calls right now please hang up and call later."

The website has been down over an hour and this is what Texas Consumers see:

What are the odds Chicken Momma will get in by phone or internet application process. What surprises me is, they are reporting over $3 million have been 'applied for already.'

New conspiracy theories? 

I have one, there will be a few token Texan Consumers who will be followed by the press during the rebate sales, and appliance turn in, but I want to see a full accounting of counties getting their fair share.  I am determined not to give up the good fight! LOL

Where did ya'll meet?

I sometimes marvel over how far my husband and I have come. I was cross training from one Air Force career field (intelligence) into another (manpower management). So, while waiting for my course to begin, I was taken out of the secure compound--THE HILL, and moved into the Kelly Recycling Center (San Antonio). Hubby had gotten injured while working in construction for Civil Engineering -- Kelly AFB main base, and was moved to the same recycling center.


Let me tell you, the building was open air, dirty, hot, concrete pad, with lots of shouting and machine noise. I was taken to a table where this tall, handsome man was to be my trainer in paper separation. Let's just say we hit it off.


He was divorced and had three children. At the time, 12, 10 and 5. We eventually started sharing lunch and dating. When I found out his children were living with him but, he didn't have custody and was paying 700+ child support. I had to draw a line.


Either get custody or give them back to their mother. (my rationale)


We continued dating, and he found a house (their old one had foreclosed, the ex did not keep up the payments) and got custody.  I just could not get serious with him until I knew how the kids future was going to turn. After only three months of dating, him with custody; he asked me to marry and we went to the Justice of the Peace.

Long story short,
14 1/2 years have passed
We added two boys and now have three grand children (one who died.)....
Familia Torres

Super Eggs-cited

My hubby showed me yesterday, the muscadine we tended through last two years drought and the crazy freeze one night (7 times) back into the 70s winter. Has made it through! YEAH


Not only that, the two he just planted have little leaf buds. OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!


SWIRLING TWIRLING AND DANCING -- gotta make some Poop Soup

So, I will leave you all with some Easter Day pictures of the boys in the yard.
This is our little man, Zephyr with confetti eggs.  Lets just say mom and dad wore most of his efforts.

Off to read some wonderful blogger contributions.  Not much planned for this day.  I need to get in touch with Sobrina, to see when the next homeschooler meeting will be because I want to join.  Seems there are 30 families in my rural area who choose to teach their children.

This a hard cold truth in this world:

Never underestimate the power, knowledge, and networking skills of some of these folks:  secretary, preacher, teacher, mail carrier, mothers, neighbor, nurses, co-op salesperson, cashier,  and flea market vendors.  

Can you think of others?

Dying to have fun

Our day before Easter work/chore/fun.

I bought some store eggs this year since the boys wanted to dye eggs. Must admit store eggs are way cheaper @ .75 cents a dozen than our home laid ones.


I won't feel bad about not putting these to the pigs once the boys have done them up right tomorrow.


My mister is out back mowing grass, its near 90 degrees today.  Can you believe it?  He is pushing a lawn mower until he picks out a new lawn tractor.  Keeping five acres mowed takes A LOT of walking.


Saenz shows Zephyr what to do....

So studious.....                                                            

"SAENZ" OUR HOLIDAY HAM!

These are Saenz's 'Irlens' glasses, its getting time to check his script again.  Last our, this pair was right at $800 after four separate sessions and fittings.  Well worth it because Saenz made huge strides in his 'academics' this year.  See post about Homeschool a few days back, these glasses lessen the distortion of reading under flourescent lighting on white paper.

4th Anniversary -- Looking Back

I thought I would go back to my last year's post.  Strange to think and feel that way still.  I became a truly FREE SPEECH endowed citizen four years ago, TODAY.

"Happy April's Fools day! (REPOST from last year)


This is my third year of freedom in regards to rules, regulations from military service and barely contained verbal restraint. On this day three years ago, I was officially relieved of duty, entered retirement after 20 years and five days of active duty, Air Force service.


There are some things I truly miss about being in the military: professional business attitudes with dealing with anyone as a customer, expectations of those to give their best at all times, a common language and goals, a mission, education, travel, esprit de corps, and family of peers. I still believe in the Air Force’s core values: Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do,

On the other hand, since I am BRUTUALLY honest and lack tact; I had a problem with watching my tongue. Especially when I was trying to support a system I did not believe in regards to Mr. Bush's administration and complete divorce from leadership. In my estimation, he allowed others to make hard decisions with disregard to future outcomes and had the 'good ole boy system' deeply entrenched in his party. Here I am three years later saying; I am relieved in some ways to see him go back to Texas where his scope will be minimized. Yet, he is only one man; I often wonder if one ‘man’ can change the world?

What I do know, following under this man did demoralize myself and many other in the profession of arms. Until he took office a second time; I had no plans to retire even though I felt Mr. Rumsfeld destroyed much of the military’s morale. It was hard to maintain my intangible belief in a system that no longer cared for its CORE resource----PEOPLE. Do I still see this same type of common disregard?

The answer is YES.

Not only was there a disregard in PUBLIC OFFICE but in the military, public forums and communities such as this one. People are very adept at ignoring others unless there is a DRAMA going. As soon as the drama (usually spoon fed by the media or muckrakers) has slacked; people settle back down to ignore themselves, neighbors, communities, the country, and the world.

Upon this reflection, would I go back? No way.


I love my life here in our slice of heaven. I resolve to make small changes in the three men in my life.


Thoughts from inside the coop....."

And So My Day Begins

This is a nice way to start your day. So, I won't bore you with all the details but, will give a summary from the email.

"Subject: Your FSAFEDS Claim Activity

Below is a summary of activity for your flexible spending account(s) within the last few business days.

Claims Activity
Total Reimbursement Payment Number

$40.80 762045463
$235.36 762042082"

---------------------This is going be to a long day-------------


Seems Zephyr woke up last night a few times with an upset tummy.  ACK, I don't get grossed out when folks are sick, dying, or bleeding BUT, the combination of vomiting sounds coupled with a whiff; and I feel ill? 


Another sad fact, in our lives.  My 75 year old uncle Jack died, he was a Vietnam Vet and had been sick for the passed two month in the hospital.  Yesterday he was buried with military honors.


I remember growing up in Cali, he was the handy man doing whatever jobs my aunt gave him to do around the house. They used to go to ELK club meetings, dances and camping trips. I remember them getting all gussied up and the smell of Aqua Net as my aunt piled her boooooofant hair up and panted her face. LMBOH


ALSO he had 'shock white' head of hair and eyebrows.  I remember his eye brows as a child that stuck up away from his face -- the hairs sometimes would seem to move when he was really angry at something. 


Good Bye Uncle Jack, may you suffer no more.