Didn't start the day well, but it did improve.

@writersedge (22563)
United States
January 7, 2012 3:47pm CST
We ran out of fuel. Thank goodness our house only went down to 63 degrees. My husband called and the fuel company said they had written us a letter telling us we were switched from automatic refill to cash on delivery/delivery on demand. The problem with that is that neither of us got that letter so if they wrote it, did they send it? How do we give them cash on delivery if we're both working or in VT with me doing chemo? My husband said he could stop by after work and prepay every so often. They delivered fuel, my husband gave them a check, and the place was warmed up in time for me to shower and get dressed in time for going to get my wig. Good thing I had said noon for going to get the wig. The wig color which was about my third pick went with my eyebrows and my glasses. The hair dresser made it look nicer. I'm not positioning it very well on my own or making the bangs look right, but I'm trying. If I keep working at it, I'll get better I guess. It's not like just throwing on a hat. I tend to pull it too far forward. It's very comfortable because it's vented. So how did your day start? Did it improve? Do the fuel companies change things without notice or with alledged notice where you live? Years ago, a company changed my fuel from 100% Kerosene to 50/50 with half being deisel. They didn't tell me, on a sub-zero night, I heard explosive sounds coming from my furnace, the cold deisel fuel hit the flames and did that. When I called the fuel company, in the middle of the night, they informed me they has switched it and that was what that noise was. They never informed me and didn't claim they did. In both cases, I worried about them ruining my furnace. This time, at least it was only 32 degrees out. Below 40 degrees in NY State, they have to help you. Have you ever been fitted for a wig? Did you have trouble getting it on correctly and/or styling some part of it? Did you get better at it? Were you happy with the color? Respond to anything you can here. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@celticeagle (161216)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Jan 12
Glad you were able to get your fuel. I remember when I had to buy fuel. I think your husband's idea to prepay occasionally is a good one. Might want to keep track some where of those or you could have a problem at some point. Well, my day started with me going to bed. I have been in a weird sleep cycle lately.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Jan 12
Glad we were able to get it, too. If my husband checks on the fuel once a week, we should be ok. Since Shingles, I want to be up nights and sleep days, too. I'll get back to normal some day.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (161216)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Jan 12
I actually like my sleep schedule. Its the doctor that seems to have a problem with it. lol
@GardenGerty (158298)
• United States
7 Jan 12
When I was in high school the inexpensive kanekelon wigs were all the style. I had really long thick hair, and I could twist it up and put it under one of those stretch curly wigs just fine. It did help because they were vented. I had a frosted one, looked good on me. How come, now that my hair is that color naturally I do not want it that way? The most expensive wig I have had was my blue clown wig. You buy them unstyled and then get them cut and styled. I have not worn it in years. When I was young and my hair was really long I could put it on top of my head in a wide barrette and style it and make people think my hair was cut. I really cannot respond to fuel oil, too much, as we do not have it. My sister in law forgot to have hers filled last week, so then she had to heat with wood until it was filled. I am thankful that the winter has been moderate.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jan 12
Yes, it's pretty moderate weather so far here, but we did have a couple of single digit nights with sub zero wind chills just last week. Sounds like you were a serious hair person. Sounds like you do have some wig experiences. What is the range on clown wigs? The wigs I looked at ran 100 to 300 dollars. Around here, red, yellow, and combination colors seem popular. Blue, we'd think the clown wasn't local. Does that make sense? That must be fun, but hard work to be a clown. What did you specialize in? Were you self-taught or did you go to clown school? We had a professional clown in square dancing, retired. He was a nut. He was trained in Florida, I believe and he did the carni circuit. On automatic delivery, we usually don't have to call. We haven't ran out. This was a surprise to us. Wish we had alt energy and didn't have to depend on anyone. But alt energy up here would be quite the challenge.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (158298)
• United States
8 Jan 12
This was almost fifteen years ago, and I forget the prices. It was a special because I was at a clown workshop near Kansas City Missouri. I was basically a hobby clown. We had a group of Christian Clowns who did church services. Unfortunately we all grew up and got busy with our lives and moved on. So most of the coaching I had was locally from people who were involved at the time. I did go to the one weekend workshop that was led by Priscilla Mooseburger. I went to a make up session with someone who was named Frosty or maybe it was Frosty plus another name. Both he and Priscilla were retired Barnum and Baily Ringling Brothers clowns. I have some books somewhere about the makeup techniques that I ordered at one time. I wore the blue wig with blue gloves, long blue eye lashes and a red and white costume someone had made. I was 'Tilda, and made lots of bad puns about 'Tilda end of time and 'Tilda cows come home. Tilda was a whiteface clown. Later I became Garden Gerty. She is more in the category of a hobo clown. I had a raggedy auburn short wig I got at a thrift shop, wore a straw hat, an apron type overdress that was a fabric that looked like Indian corn kernels. Bloomers and smock under that with sunflower print. My makeup was a dark natural color and I had "dirt" smudges on my face. Bug shaped buttons sewn on fingerless greenish garden gloves. I liked Garden Gerty's sweet gentle nature and that is why I choose to be Garden Gerty online. She is a sweetie.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jan 12
Sounds like you evolved from tilda to gerty. That is so cool. I have heard of the Christian Clowning, that was quite the thing for a while. Great discription of GG, Icand see the clothes in my head of both clowns. Thanks for filling me in. I wonder if there are other clowns on here and how many other people would like to ask questions of a person who has been a clown. You might be able to start some interesting discussions. Maybe you already have and I just wasn't here yet. This was fun, thank you very much.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
8 Jan 12
I have never been fitted for a wig....and I am sorry that you have to be! I hope the chemo is going okay. I have natural gas for my furnace so no problems getting fuel..but my friend and her husband have had troubles with their fuel company....starting with them all of a sudden charging rent for the big barrel that was in their yard....they ended up switching to another company! What a hassel.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jan 12
I try to look at this wig thing as an adventure. The chemo combined with most people at school having a virus brought out shingles, but luckily we're living in a time where there are anti-viral medicines-that's only been the last few years-so that is keeping everything mild. So the short of it is that I'm doing well considering. Glad you're having no problems. Too bad your friends did, but that just makes you aware of the problems that could happen. Yes, such a hassel just to stay warm. Thanks and take care.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
8 Jan 12
Once in a while I have found out a supplier or creditor has changed the original agreement without my knowledge. Usually like what happened to you, they said I had been advised. Maybe they had but if I had time to read all the garbage I get from everyone each month I wouldn't be able to do anything else. It was better when they put new information on the bills in very large letters. Now I get an e-mail when things change and that does get my attention. Life is frustrating, I guess that is part of the challenge. Blessings
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jan 12
Life is frustrating, but people don't have to work so hard at adding to it. I think fine print and going on and on while saying nothing should be illegal. Yes, the large print on bills worked. Probably why they stopped doing it. Thank you for the blessings.
8 Jan 12
That is so true!! :)
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
7 Jan 12
Those fuel companies burn me up the way they have no regard for their customers. They know you need the fuel to heat your home so they figure they can change things as they choose. It is the same here as far as the utility company goes..constant changes...usually in price here. Don't worry..you'll get better at styling the wig. It is just going to take practice. I have never tried to style one so it is untelling what I would end up with before I got used to it. I am glad you are happy with the color. I had a pretty usual day. Working on the weekends is never alot of fun but I try not to remember it's Saturday or Sunday when I am working like this...it helps with passing the day if I don't. I am a little aggravated though because the book I ordered for my next class got lost in the mail along with 8 other peoples in my class...I won't get it until Monday and my class starts Tuesday. I am supposed to have three chapters read before I walk in the door Thank goodness there wasn't a paper due right off the bat...sometimes there is.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jan 12
That's why they have laws in NY State that if it's below 40 degrees, they must help you no matter what. They can prioritize like elderly, children, and infirm households, but they can't say they won't help you. This wig, everything falls into place except the bangs. Of course putting it in the right spot to start with would be a big help. Yes, the hairdressor was surprised how well the color went with my skin, my eyebrows (they didn't fall out, funny, huh?), and even the glasses I wear. I hope I get better at positioning and styling before my shingles heal up and I'm cleared to go back to work. They're almost totally healed and I think some time next week, I will be able to work. Well you won't have to work weekends forever. I paid my dues, too. I worked the weekend for a number of years. But now both my husband and I don't have to (knock on wood, you never know). Monday will be very busy for you, learning 3 chapters in a crunch. Our 4 year college, it was never a problem with books. But when I worked the 2 year, always a teeth clencher as to whether my students would get their books in time. Papers right off the bat, that's hard. I used to wait until the students new me and the subject a little first. I suppose if I didn't teach intro and remedial courses, I could do that for review or to check for understanding with intermediate or advanced students, but until you said this, I would not have even thought of that. Guess that's why I do beginning and remedial. But my college instructors all waited a little for papers. Maybe one page off the bat of critiquing a professional article. Or maybe following an outline to take apart and interpreting a poem, but that was also one page. The final was 10 pages. Good luck. I know you'll do well, you're dedicated and that goes a long way.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jan 12
Good that your area has that law, too bad it came to having that law and that a degree or two, they take it so litterally. Mine were mild, the shingles ,that is. Also there are anti-viral meds that there weren't until just a few years ago. Yes, they can reoccur. Hope they don't because you run the risk of serious nerve damage with each time.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Jan 12
Yes..I hate the papers before the class. Every instructor is different in what they are looking for so it makes it tough when you haven't met them yet. Some enjoy a little creativity while others want a more professionally written paper. Where I take the accelerated classes, there is often a lot of reading and some papers due before the first class. I was wondering how you were doing with the shingles...I have heard they can be very painful. I am glad you are almost over them. What have they said about reoccurences? My grandmother had them flare back up on her. There is a law here that has to do with the weather to but if it is one degree above..they will cut it off.