With a Little Help From a Friend

Don’t you just love opening packages? I did today, especially since it was supposed to help lower my frustration level when it comes to an internet signal. FedEx delivered it right on time directly to the gate where I am guarding.



The package and it’s contents.

Installation was simple,except for attaching to the the ladder on the 5th wheel. I don’t do ladders,at least not that one. I knew that I kept that 10’ PVC pipe for something, I almost left it in CA. When I replaced my water hose last week I kept those long twist ties and the worked great for attaching the pole to the ladder, although I could only reach so high, Frank the Safety Guy that came in the morning would be leaving soon, so when he came to the gate, I asked if he would attach the top for me. He did and also had some zip ties too. Thank You, Frank So far I seem to getting a better signal, I hope that I have it pointing in the right direction. I’m getting 5 bars with the E, although earlier I did get a 3G on my phone. It has been windy, I will have to go out and see if it is still pointing towards Cotulla.

As far as activity on the gate, Not much has changed, although I have seen some roadrunners and cottontails running across the road fairly close. Roadrunners are good, they eat snakes, at least that’s what I’m told. The company man came back a second time today to turn on the 2 wells that were turned off, because of the fracking that was going on nearby. So there will probably be a bit more tanker traffic once they start producing again.

In addition to watching more movies and their commentaries I started painting again.



Before I forget, I want to thank everyone for their concern for my safety and all of your suggestions. I will be considering them all. I am even considering getting a shotgun, although I will need to check with the company man to see if they have any restrictions regarding weapons. The light is beginning to fade, so I’ll close for now.

Having to copy/paste into Blogger with no pics again. Unable to post from Live Writer

Thanks for visiting

. I see you, says Angel

Susan and Angel

With a Little Help From a Friend

 

                                 

Don’t you just love opening packages?  I did today, especially since it was supposed to help lower my frustration level when it comes to an internet signal.  FedEx delivered it right on time directly to the gate where I am guarding. 

     

                                   The package and it’s contents.

Installation was simple,except for attaching to the  the ladder on the 5th wheel.  I don’t do ladders,at least not that one.  I knew that I kept that 10’ PVC pipe for something,  I almost left it in CA.  When I replaced my water hose last week I kept those long twist ties and the worked great for attaching the pole to the ladder, although I could only reach so high,  Frank the Safety Guy that came in the morning would be leaving soon, so when he came to the gate, I asked if he would attach the top for me.  He did and also had some zip ties too.  Thank You, Frank   So far I seem to getting a better signal,  I hope that I have it pointing in the right direction. I’m getting 5 bars with the E, although earlier I did get a 3G on my phone.  It has been windy, I will have to go out and see if it is still pointing towards Cotulla.

As far as activity on the gate,  Not much has changed, although I have seen some roadrunners and cottontails running across the road fairly close. Roadrunners are good, they eat snakes, at least that’s what I’m told.   The company man came back a second time today to turn on the 2 wells that were turned off, because of the fracking that was going on nearby.  So there will probably be a bit more tanker traffic once they start producing again.

In addition to watching more movies and their commentaries I started painting again.

                      

Before I forget, I want to thank everyone for their concern for my safety and all of your suggestions.  I will be considering them all.  I am even considering getting a shotgun, although I will need to check with the company man to see if they have any restrictions regarding weapons.  The light is beginning to fade, so I’ll close for now.

Thanks for visiting

. I see you

Susan and Angel

Happy Memorial Day, Unwelcome Surprise, Cat

Today I remember those that have gone before me, that have put their live on the line so that I can enjoy the freedoms that we have here in America, especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Thank you !!!!



This morning, I was up at 3:30 am to let a tanker in and since I was up already I got out my sewing machine and repaired a pair of pants for Jaime. Yesterday he asked if I has a needle and thread, but I just volunteered to fix them for him. ( I knew where the machine was, but not sure of the needle and thread ) With that done I just decided to get dressed and start the day and have breakfast.

I anticipated another slow day and thought that I would sit outside while it was still cool enough. When I opened the door, to my surprise, there were two young men standing inside the gate. They weren’t threatening, just asking for directions. Of course, they couldn’t speak English, but I could recognized “Cotulla”. I asked how they got inside the fence, I’m sure they didn’t understand the question. I informed them that Cotulla was 17 miles, pointing one way and that Big Wells was 5 miles in the other direction. They did understand that and started to go towards Big Wells, inside the fence. At that point I told the NO, NO, NO! They would have to go OUTSIDE, One of them started to leave by the gate, but the other one didn’t and I told him again NO. He motioned something, and all of a sudden there were 4 or 5 more young , very young men coming out from behind my rig. they all looked a bit worse for wear, carrying sleeping bags and an empty gallon jug. The didn’t ask for anything, only direction and all left by the road. I never got out of the coach. After I closed the gate, I called Border Patrol and gave them the information. I never felt threatened, but definitely was a bit startled. I let Jaime know that they were here. He says that it is rare that there have been any here on the ranch.

This happened at about 7 am and a while later when Isaac came through the gate to monitor one of the wells said that that explained why there was a helicopter flying low, searching near the wells on the ranch next to me, a little bit after 7 am. I haven’t heard if they caught them or not.

When Jaime came, I gave him the pants and we talked awhile about what to do when this happens and evidently I did the right thing, but suggested that I have some sort of protection. The only thing that I have is a can of wasp spray. I have no idea on how to shoot a gun and not sure if I would be able to use it. I later called the Border Patrol to see if they caught them, but he wasn’t able to give me any information. He said that what I did was okay, I could have just said I was calling the Border Patrol and closed the door and not even given them the directions. If there is a next time, that’s probably what I will do.


I have seen my first of the wildlife here on the ranch, a bobcat. It was crossing the road, about half way up the hill, way too far for me to get a picture. Jamie says that it was probably a bobcat, because if it were a mountain lion, it would have been bigger and had a long tail and there are more bobcats on the property. Knowing that they are close, I will continue to keep Angel on a cable and stay with her when she is outside.

Yes, other than the activity above, it has been a slow day. I continue to read my novel in between naps, read and comment on blogs. Jaime has called just to check on me, to see how I was doing, because of this morning, and I’m fine.

It’s time to get back to my novel, while I wait for a tanker to come back out.

Thanks for visiting



Susan and Angel

Repetition

                           

                                     Good Morning Sunshine

Another slow day Gate Guarding in the South Texas  oil fields.  It is a lot nicer when you get enough sleep and can do things that want to do.

Today just some tanker trucks, crude and water. and a few people monitoring  the wells. Again that’s it.  Jaime  came to get the #s and visited. 

The rest of the time I caught up on reading blogs and watched some more movies and took a nap..  I did have a little mishap.  I have been putting a citronella type candle outside near the door to help control the mosquitoes.  I had it on the molded step stool and didn’t realize how hot it was when it gets completely melted, well it also melted the plastic.  Fortunately I realized it before melted and cooled.  I was able to close and open it several times while it cooled so that I can still put it away.  Otherwise it would have cooled frozen  open.  Oh well. you live and learn.

This morning I walked around the gate earlier this morning and took a few more pictures, These were taken with my I phone.

.

These from my camera.

                               

                               

                                       Angel checking out these bugs.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

Slow Today

                          

                             

That gate stayed closed most of the day,  I thought that it would get busier later in the day, but no, so far, only 8 vehicles came in today, not counting David to fill the water and diesel tanks and one other that came to the wrong gate and had to turn around.  That was it!!!

I’ve watched 5  or  6 movies. and caught up on my emails and blogging.  I did some researching on getting a booster for my phone and internet.  I really need to get something to improve my signal.  I was even able to get a nice long nap. 

When I talked to Jaime, (correct spelling), he said that I can have deliveries here at the gate.and emailed the correct address and gave me the exact directions to give for them to deliver.  Now I will have to decide what will be the best booster for my situation.

I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

New Routine, Morning Visitors, Flowers

                          

                            The wells are somewhere down this road.

This my third week as a gate guard.  There definitely been ups and downs.  Hopefully there will be more ups than downs going forward.  This gate works a bit differently than the other.  The first one was a well that was just started, hence all the traffic.  There are so many parts to this drilling business, with so many different kinds of materials being brought in and taken out.  I am glad that I not part of that right now, however, talking with the workers, it is quite interesting as to what everyone does.

The gate that I am on is a production well, actually there are 3 wells.  There is no pump like the ones that you see along the roads that bring the oil to the surface.  These particular wells use the underground pressure to bring the crude oil into a storage tank.  Both crude oil and water come up and is separated into their own tanks.  The trucks that come to this gate are the water and crude oil trucks that take the oil and water from those tanks to wherever they take it.  There is always a safety man at the wells.Every 12 hours someone comes in to relive the previous person.  Sometimes they do nothing except sit in their truck for their entire shift. (now that is b-o-r-i-n-g.)  Someone has to be there when the truck drivers load up.  Usually the only other vehicles that come in are people that monitor what the wells are doing so that they can let the drivers know when to come to take out the crude oil and water. It could be anywhere from 0 to maybe 8 a day.

                         

Some time each morning, Hyme, the Ranch Foreman will come to get the totals for the previous day, otherwise the owner won’t know for several days by internet reports how much the wells are producing. It is just a check and balance for the owner.  We visit for a while so he can cool off and I can learn more of what goes on here.

                          

Occasionally there will be others that may come in on ranch business, for instance, a couple of days ago, Hyme met someone at the gate who would be stocking the pond with minnows and later will bring in some Bass.  This is a Hunting Ranch where the have high fences and gates so that the deer stay.  The owner has 2 other ranches and breeds deer and later in the fall, he will bring in some bucks.  The hunters pay by the points on the antlers.  I suppose all you hunters will know what that means.  I guess every week or so the owner will come by, but I haven’t met him yet.

                          

As to the number of vehicles that come, it will be 10, maybe 15 all day, however they can come at any time.  This morning one came in at about 2:30, the last one last night was around 9:30.  I normally sleep 5 hours at a time anyway and then maybe go back to sleep, but some times not.  So this gate will be good.  There is a big lull in the afternoon, so I can take a nap if I want to. 

I might even be able to post more often, if there’s any thing to post about.  Since I am so close to the road, I haven’t seen any wild life,except for some birds.

     

This fine fellow came to check out the bugs that are fried by the light.  I think that this is his mate.  It’s a bit smaller, but the tail feathers are about 9 or 10 inches long, maybe longer.  The closest that I can come to as far as identification, is maybe a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.  Judy, what do you think?   He has come by each morning.  He’s the first one that sat still long enough for me to get the picture.

I think that I will close this for today and try to take a nap before the night crew come to visit.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

Moving Day, More Like Two

                       

                               Sooooo  Loooonnng  Site A1H

Tuesday.    Well it is finally going to happen.  I just spoke to Roger, my supervisor.  They will be bringing out a couple to put in the site  that I am in, although, I don’t know if it will be this morning or this afternoon.  Whenever it happens, I’m ready.  All I have to do is pull in the slides and hook up.

             

      Feels weird when “things” are put away, kind of like at and RV Show.

Yesterday, when the sun was low in sky and it was cooler, I cleaned the patio rug, both sides, folded it up and put it away. I made sure that the empty water bottles are in the truck, so that I can run to the HEB in Carrizo Springs before I man the new gate.  I have plenty of dry or canned food but the refrigerator is getting a bit bare.  I need to stock up on some dairy products and fresh fruit ( I have frozen and dried ) and vegetables.  At least where I will be, won’t be as far (not by much, though, about 20 miles closer) for my sister to go when she comes with my mail if I need her to go to the store for me.

I brought Sally and Bob up to date on what I was doing on their new gate. (It is actually the first time for them as well. It will definitely be “Baptism by Fire” for them as well as it was for me.) It won’t be as hard on them, because there are two of them and they have each other for relief. I think that they will do well. They are an older couple and have a big 5ver like me. I gave them my cell number if they have any questions.

        

                         Hello New Site,,,    Wells,  E3H,  C1H and  C4H

It ended up being just about dark before I got to the new gate.  For anyone interested, it is located on Texas FM 468 about half way between the TX 85 and Cotulla.  the closest town would be Cotulla, but Carrizo Springs is larger and has most of the major chains, small WalMart and HEB for groceries and there is also some where to refill my water bottles.

Since David and his family were in the process of packing and had not yet moved their TT, I just parked without unhitching (I should have) to spend the night.  I put my BR slide out and went to bed.  It was sooo nice to be in my bed and get some sleep, about 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  David is the one that is part of the support staff for all their GGs.and is so very much behind.  They are understaffed and work worse hours than what I had.  (Salaried , not Hourly).  I wouldn’t want their job for any amount of $$$. They just hired more people, but still have to train them.  Anyway he didn’t get home until 3:30 am, so I had to wait.  Meanwhile his wife, Cassandra (who has been doing this gate solo), went over how they want the logs made out and finished her packing.  I watched the gate while she took their son to school.  When David finally got up he got their TT ready for the road and moved it out.  He would be back to set it all up.

I was ready to move “My Spot” into the pace and uh oh, I couldn’t start the truck.  With not unhitching I had drained the batteries.  Cassandra tried to jump it but theirs is a 3/4 ton and mine is a 1 ton.(not enough power, so now we had to wait until David came back with 1 ton work truck.  We waited and waited, so I finally called Coach Net and they would send someone out from Carrizo Springs.  David showed up first and got it started and I cancelled Coach Net.  Once I moved into the space, we got all the hook ups connected, David went on to set up a couple of more sites.(another long day for him)  The only reason I’ve gone into so much detail is to explain why I have been a bit frustrated with this gig.  The people here are great, but there really is a need fore gate guards and the support staff.  It is not for everyone, but it is a way to make some $$$ in a short period of time and it is something that you can come back to if you need to replenish that cushion that we all would like to have.

One good thing is that I have lined up someone to relive me when I HAVE to go into town.  David’s cousin Crystal came over to work the gate for me so that I could go into Carrizo Springs.  I went to WalMart, HEB and filled up my water bottles.  I also got some Heavy Duty water hoses to replace the one that split last week.  It was a good thing because while I was gone, it split again.  Crystal had already fixed it by the time I got back.  Now that I am here and it is beginning to look like home again, I feel so much better.  Last night, after the last truck came out and the Safety Guy came in (he stays over night –12 hour shift),  I waited a little while and then hoping that no one else would come, I took that long awaited shower.  It felt soooo good!!!   I wasn’t sure how the rest of the night would go, so I slept in the recliner, I think that I will try the bed tonight.  I just have to be prepared to get up to open the gate. Oh BTW, it is automated, I just have to push a button. That is so nice.  

I am a morning person and I really like facing the East. I leave the door open and turn the A/C up to 80*, that when it kicks on I know that it is time to close the door.  The other good part is that I have shade from the rig  in the afternoon, don’t need the awning and can sit outside until the bugs take over.  So for all of you out there that have had concerns for my situation out here, first thank you for those concerns and  it is so much better now. I just need to readjust to this new gate and do it their way.

                              

                                        new kinds of wild flowers

Thanks for visiting

Alrighty then, bring ‘em on!  I’m ready!

Susan and Angel

Oh No! No Water! and Yes, Water Brings Itches

I called Roger to let him know that I was down to 40 gallons of diesel, so he sent Kevin out to bring me diesel.  While here he checked the water and said he would bring some in a couple of days.  Friday morning when I got up there was no water, so I called Roger, who was off, but David was taking his calls.  He said that he would be out ASAP, as soon as he fixed his flat tire.  Fortunately I have water in my fresh water tank, so no PANIC, just go with the flow (pun intended).  A couple of hours later he checked the water pump, but it was okay, then he checked the tank.  What do know, it’s empty!.  He didn’t have that trailer, so he had to go to Dilley to pick it up.  By this time it was getting closer to dark. so I told him to just fill it and not wake me if I wasn’t up.  “Okay, you should have water when you get up in the morning.”  NOT, Evidently when he got to Dilley, and tried to start the truck, no battery.  He came out later in the morning to fill the water tank and top off the diesel.  He also checked the engine oil in the generator.  Oh No!  My water hose split, so still No Water!  It’s going on 24 hour.  ( for them it was the 24 hours from hell)  I just take it in stride.  In a few more hours Roger came out and fixed my hose.  Yea!!!!  WATER!!!  Now I can do the dishes and the laundry and maybe a shower.

                           

       generator on left, black tank is the water and the one on right is for diesel.

     

                     after the fix                                  I now have a short hose if I need one.

Shower, you’ve got to be kidding!  Saturday night was the busiest night so far.  From the time  that I closed the gate, usually around 9:00 pm until 6:00 am,  there were 24 vehicles that came through the gate. That’s down and up the stairs, open and close the gate, no time to sleep.  I think that I got, maybe an hour and a half  of sleep in  maybe 15 minute increments throughout the night.  One of the company men said that you learn how to sleep standing up like they do in the military.  Yea, I don’t think so!  Evidently there was a problem with the “hole”. The outside pipe wasn’t setting right, so they had to bring in a concrete and the crews to support the operation.  The CM that I spoke to was from another site and thought he would be here for a coupe of hours, but was here the whole night. 

Sunday was slower,  but it’s hard for me to sleep in the day and the traffic was spaced just so that when I started to doze off, someone would come in or out. 

                  

                  I’m in my zero gravity lounger outside trying to nap, not working

                                         Angel is watching for me.

Later, when the CM came through the gate, he said that the problem was fixed and tonight would be slower.  Jokingly, I told  him not to let anyone out, and he laughed and said okay,  Last night I was able to get about 4 !/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  Only a few vehicles came in or out around 2:00 am, but then it was quiet again and I got a couple of more hours.  I feel better, but I still need more.     

Since my last post I have talked to the Company Man regarding my concerns about the upcoming traffic at this site. and he agrees with me.  He says that I am doing a good job, but I should be on a slower gate.  He said that he would talk with Roger about getting the slower gate and asked that I call him Monday or Tuesday to let him know what they are doing about switching me.  I have since then, talked with Roger and explained that he originally told me that he would get a slower or 12 hour gate for me.  I don’t mind this gate for now, but I won’t be able to handle it once the traffic is non stop and that he knew that from the beginning.  He told me that they will put a couple here and get another  gate for me even if it is in another supervisor’s area by the first part of the week.  That’s the first itch,   Hitch Itch!   I am ready to move.  Fortunately I don’t have much to put away to make the move. I haven’t moved the truck, so I only have back it up and hitch it.  I certainly want to get in a slower gate and a new routine that allows me to sleep, maybe even take a nice hot shower, not just in and out quickly.

The second itch!!  Itching all over.    

The rains have gone for the time being, but what they leave is the mud ( sorry, Colleen , http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com/ ,this is worse than mud ) and now standing water, which breeds mosquitos.  I can sympathize with Judy http://travels-with-emma.blogspot.com/ I feel like my hands, legs and feet are swollen and looking at them, I guess they are.  They really do itch and the hard part is trying not to scratch and to get them  buggers before they get me.  It’s and all out war.  One of the guys on one of the crews said that this the worst that he has seen them since he’s been here in TX.

A Question: When it finally does dries out, will they still be here?  What is the life span of a mosquito?

It’s that standing water and the truck drivers are doing their very best to disperse it by speeding through the the mini lakes, making more area of standing water and getting mud all over their trucks and license plates.  That’s okay, though, because it makes them slow down coming through the gate so that I can read their back plate or they just tell me what it is.  The company even put up speed limit signs, 20 MPH for all rig traffic.

                        

That’s another reason that I have trouble sleeping.  Those pesky kamikaze pilots sneak inside every time I open the door (and that’s a lot) so at night I sleep in my Lazy Boy recliner,covered head to toe with a comforter to hide, but I still hear that whine as the dive bomb my head.  Otherwise I feel like King Kong on the Empire State Building, swatting at the planes with  the same results.  Well, maybe I got more than he did.

I don’t normally post many family photos, but may #3 daughter, Mellissa, sent me these of my granddaughters,    Katelin  (Katie)             and        Elyzabeth (Lyza)

                    

They are really growing up fast,  Katie, 10 years old, end of May and Lyza, 15 years old, last January. 

Well that’s the latest in my Gate Guarding Saga out among the mesquite trees, wild flowers, snakes and coyotes, neither of which I have seen.  ( a couple of nights ago, though, one of the CM saw one walking down the road right before he pulled into my gate.)

Thanks for visiting

  Hi there Everybody

Susan and Angel

Routines

I’m back!  I have been having problems getting on the internet.  Where I am, I have 5 bars with an E.  So I’m on the edge and it is slower and it comes and goes.  I’m not the only one that is having problems, but they can leave and go get a better signal. 

First of all the wrist is much improved.  I still have it wrapped, but no longer need ice on it. I also have been getting a little more sleep, but that won’t last very long.

The rig was brought in, first of the week, but it hasn’t worked.  The Top Drive didn’t work and they had to get another one from back East.  It just came through the gate.

   

So it won’t be long before the start drilling and there will be a lot more traffic.

                         

                            this is the  crane that raises the rig  on it’s way out

With the crew just coming and going, because they really haven’t had much to do, it’s been pretty easy.  There are cables across the road that rings a bell. (like at a take out window at a fast food restaurant)  Most of the time I don’t even have to get out, just open the door and check who it is , note the time and they are gone.  When they come in, because of the way my rig is situated, I can read their license plate and ask who they are, note the information and they are on their way.  I figure that for every vehicle that comes in and out it takes, maybe two or three minutes (max)

When they come through the gate in or out, that’s when I’m working and that’s what I get paid for.  The rest of the time is mine and I can do what ever I want.  I just have to do it HERE.  I have plenty to do.  Just reading and catching up on blogs takes quite a bit of time and I don’t do it all at once.  I am also reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  These are hard copies and I’ve read them several times.  The reason that I keep them is because they are signed by the author.

I have finally gotten into a routine.

In the morning, after breakfast, I usually sit outside in the shade of the rig. (unless it’s raining )  By noon it is too hot, so I move it all inside and get something for lunch.  Sometimes it is what I didn’t eat earlier.

                           

                             my morning outside work station

I don’t get TV reception and the only radio is Country or Spanish and I’m not interested in either, I just listen to the birds, and wildlife, (aka, dogs, horses and chickens.)  The advantage to this is that I can hear the traffic coming, (inside or outside) so I know to get out there to get information before they are here. 

       

           one of the dogs                      the horses                    the chickens

When I am sitting at my table inside, I can see who’s coming in the gate and I have a mirror se t to see the road coming back out to the gate. It seems to work and is just smoother this way. They don’t have to wait, except for me to get the who, what and why.  They like that. 

I have had only two  run the gate without stopping.   One of them game back today, He thought that he had stopped and apologized.  They just want to leave, many of them have been here for days.  I really don’t blame them, but I have my job to do and they are legal documents that I fill out. 

   

      mud everywhere               new speed limit sign              beginning to dry out

When the sun is low in the sky, I will, maybe just have some steak jerky or Greek yogurt and then sometimes just sit on the stairs instead of getting the chairs out again.  I will usually clean off the dirt on the stairs, inside floor and the rug outside at this time after it has dried.  Then around 8:00 pm I close the gate and then I do have to get out to open it when any one goes through.  I try to get some sleep usually sometime after 9;00 pm.  There hasn’t been too much traffic in the evening, but that will change once they get the Top Drive installed.

Angel’s Routine ;   Sleep in for as long as she wants.  When I go out side and she decides to come out to go potty, I put her on her cable and she just lays in her chair, on the rug, in or out of the shade.  She likes the sun, but goes back and forth,  She just watches everything that goes on, the wildlife, in addition to what’s mentioned above, there are lizards and all kinds of bugs, flying and crawling.  She notices them, but isn’t fascinated by them, maybe a little bit for the flying ones.

                            

                             the hunter,  looking for that pesky fly

When inside, she eats, sleeps, chases and sometime catches flies or moths. and pretty much anything she wants to do.  I have been sleeping in the recliner (just easier and it is comfortable)   Sometime she sleeps in my lap and sometimes she will sleep on my pillows in my bed.  I guess that this rig is really Angel’s and I’m here to supply her with whatever makes her happy.  She’s not spoiled, just indulged.

The routine will probably be about the same, except I’ll be “working” more and sleeping less.  The busiest time lasts for 5 or 6 days.   I’m still hoping that they can find a slower or 12 hour gate.  Someone is supposed to be working on it.  Prayers Work!  Thank  you all for your concerns and well wishes for my wrist, all are appreciated.

That’s about it from out in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel