> CS> Had my guys in the Navy all whupped to proper, that I did *grin*.
 > CS> Heard one of'em one once intro'in a new fellow to the shop.  (She's
 > CS> the SENIORCHIEF and she's really sweet but like Grnadma, if you
 > CS> $!{at}#$! up she;'s gonna whup your ass).
 > 
 > YEp, only way to do it .  YOungest daughter figured that
 > one out quickly enough.

I bet she did!  Dad's a tough ol bugger ;-)

 >  > Funny story about backpacks and shopping.  My ex wife (also
 >  > blind) and I used to do our biweekly shopping at a grocery
 >  > store about 10 blocks from our place in Des MOines.  We'd
 >  > each carry backpacks, and hoof it to and from.
 > 
 > CS> Yup!  Nice walk and about the right distance.
 > 
 > YEp, most times a pleasant walk as well.  Sometimes on the
 > way we'd detour a couple blocks, get an ice cream before we
 > started shopping.

Same here, but we;d divert a few streets to hit the toy store.  Gotta admit,
the Japanese have some neat toys!

 > CS> Same here, we had to load Charlotte's with only the light stuff. She
 > CS> was too young to leave at home alone but able to carry the bulky
 > CS> light weight cerral boxes and crackers while Don and i did the heavy
 > CS> stuff.  It was a bit longer than 10 blocks (2.5 miles each way so a
 > CS> 5 mile trek) but this was post 9/111 in Sasebo and it lasted that
 > CS> there were no cabs onbase until 2005.  The cab stop was 1.5 miles
 > CS> from the commisary.  Hardly worth it.
 > 
 > Yah can understand that.  Des MOines had cabs, but I rarely
 > used them unless I had to get home from work after the buses ran.  Just as e
 > to hoof it with the backpacks.

We use cabs here, for weekend trips to bars and such.  Cheaper than drinking
and driving by far not to mention the possible of hurting another or oneself.

(loading backpacks etc)

 > CS> Sasebo folks were good at that with minimal direction, but then, it
 > CS> was common to need it.  Packers learned fast that a well packed
 > CS> backpack got a 1$ tip for 3 mins work (grin).

 > Yah, these were regular middle American grocery baggers
 > though, and they didn't catch on.  The old guy would tell
 > 'em though.  The manager of that store used to send one of
 > his stockers or baggers with the wife and I to find what we
 > needed, and he'd always see which line we were heading for
 > and kick the bagger off the end of that one for break.

Sweet!

At commisaries the baggers work for tips and do well.  20-40$ an hour
depending on their skill levels.
              xxcarol
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