This is the view from our small, local grocery store. It was a bright, sunny day and the mountain just popped out at me. What a beautiful location in Carefree. Although I loved the lush jungle Hawaiian scenery on vacation, I enjoy my desert landscapes, too.
So what was odd?
I got a change of address notification from USPS by email. It was from a stranger who decided to use our address to forward his mail from Virginia. Then I got a confirmation from USPS by snail mail and started getting this stranger’s mail. I took it to my favorite postal worker in Carefree and he filled out several forms to stop the mail forwarding.
I wonder how if you’re moving you enter a wrong address? Or, does this guy plan on moving into our casita? Maybe we will have a tenant?
Kidding aside, according to the postal worker, the guy entered the address online. He must have made a typo. Somedays I get a stack of mail, other days nothing. I’m sure when this person moves, he will figure out what his address is.
A bronze statue of a cowboy and horse in the Carefree Desert Gardens. A bronze sculpture by Arthur Norby titled, Stampede. This is close to our post office.
What else seemed odd?
We have a small chest freezer from Costco in our garage. My husband had this idea that meat prices were going to go up a few years ago. So he wanted to buy the freezer and stock it up with protein from Costco. We have enough steaks, chicken, and pork to probably last a lifetime.
Do I have to admit that my husband was right? Meat prices went up.
The freezer is plugged into a plug that shines bright green. This is handy because the GFI goes out when we have thunder and lightening. We know by looking at the plug if the freezer is working or not.
So to move on with my other odd occurrence, we woke up one morning this week with no green light on the freezer. There was no storm….but the meat was softening up. I managed to throw away a bunch of stuff we no longer eat, like Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage Sandwiches (too much sodium and calories) and a few things from Costco that we thought we’d like, but didn’t.
The beef, pork, oxtails and chicken I managed to save. I’m lucky we have the casita fridge. Plus, the former owners of our house left us fridge/freezer in the garage. I’m glad I didn’t get rid of it, because the day the freezer went out, so did the main fridge in our kitchen. It felt like I spent the day shuffling and rescuing food! On the bright side, I cleaned out all the fridges and freezers. I’m starting the year of with a clean slate. What are the odds that two units would go out on the same day, but for different reasons?
We had to get the GFI replaced. We hired an electrician who is married to one of my kids’ swim friends from childhood. They came out with their 10-week baby! What a wonderful visit. We went to their wedding last year and baby shower. The baby is adorable.
We found our own Stampede in a gallery in Carefree. The local artist only made about 10 of the replicas.
Here’s information about Arthur Norby that I just discovered: https://norbygallery.com/about
Arthur Norby not only painted and created sculptures, he’s written a number of novels.
Have you had any odd occurrences lately? Or just something you found odd?
If so, what were they?
Beautiful blog dear Wickham.
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Two appliances dying on the same day must have been a nightmare. With the cost of food today, losing groceries can add up quickly.
I’m glad I had room and was able to save the protein. You’re right, food is expensive.
The mail thing is odd. I would probably immediately suspect some kind of scam but it does make sense that the person just got the numbers wrong if you are getting their mail. What a hassle for them but I guess it shows how you should always double and triple check when you’re doing things like this.
I think appliances talk to each other secretly and come up with plans to quit at inappropriate times 🙂
I am taking your warning seriously. It could be some sort of scam. There are a couple addresses similar to ours, not in our neighborhood but in the area. They have the same numbers but end in Dr., St., etc. Those sneaky appliances! 😅
The mail issue is very odd and I find it a bit creepy. Home Title theft is actually a thing today which is diabolical. Losing two appliances at once is very odd too, I’m glad that you had a backup!
I didn’t think about that mail as a flag for title theft, but you’re giving me a good warning. I will try and find out more about this person…Yes, it was more than annoying to have two appliances go out on the same day. It was also a lot of work!
I’m glad Ingave you some food for thought!
I googled him and found an extensive Linked In profile. He did move here from Virginia and he looks elderly. That makes me think he just made a mistake.
I see, good on you for checking on this guy! All it takes is one digit…
Yep!
I’m getting a diabetic eye exam right now. Trying to keep the older body running… 😎
My suggestion is if you get stacks of mail addressed to your address would be ‘be vigilant’. That might be someone trying to use your identity and address. Take note of the mail addressed to your address and your mail. Someone might be trying to establish domicile at your address. I would definitely check and monitor credit accounts and perhaps alert your bank and other people. I may be accused of being a ‘Karen’ and I am sure you already know all these things, but better to be safe.
That is good advice. Thank you! I hadn’t thought of that. Now I wish I would have kept track of the mail I wrote return to sender.
You are very welcome, E.A. Wickham! No one was saying anything and I know it happens with a few things in Florida. I have heard from neighbors, family and friends. People try to open bank accounts, etc. and you are not alerted. Until the mail comes in your name. I hope you get it solved.
I just read a story right now about title fraud in our town and two people trying to steal a home out from under a person. They were arrested, but it’s a good warning.
Yes, you can sign up for title alerts. Contact your real estate property appraiser. Best wishes!
We have it through our county assessor. I looked at our documents online too and everything is good.
Good. There are many things going on everywhere. It doesn’t hurt to be proactive.
So true!
Both freezers in the same day? Wow, that is so strange. And so is mail forwarding from a stranger. How interesting!
When the main fridge/freezer went out after the freezer in the garage, I was feeling frazzled. Like what next?
Mail forwarding from a stranger?! I guess it could happen but what are the chances? Of any of your list really?! Very odd occurrences truly. Hmm…I’ve been lucky I guess without anything odd lately. Just trying to keep happy and at peace here. 🙂
That’s what I am hoping for. Happy and at peace!
Did you know that it’s going to be the Year of the Fire Horse soon?
I haven’t heard of the Fire Horse. I’ll have to look into that!
The mail forwarding incident is just bizarre, and how stressful to have your freezing and fridge go out on the same day! I like that you’re looking on the bright side, though, and enjoying a nice clean fridge/freezer.
Yes, it was way overdue to go through the freezer in the garage. I have to wonder what the person moving here from Virginia was thinking when they made our address their permanent one.
I would lean hard toward title theft. This is usually an early warning sign.
We do have Title Lock and I can also access our documents through the County Assessors website. I just read a story this morning about two women arrested in our town for title fraud.
Nothing odd of late. But I’m sure before too long I will. The nail thing would freak me out actually.
I looked the name up online and he has an extensive Linked In profile. He was a government employee for 30 years and owns his own business. He’s quite elderly, so I’m feeling somewhat relieved.
That makes me feel a bit better. Now you just need to make him a welcome basket when he moves into your Casita…
😅
It is very odd about the mail forwarding. I hope you aren’t bothered by it again. Having the fridge and freezer both go off is even more odd.
I was able to find out who the person is who used my address to forward his mail. He’s an elderly person who is retired. I’m sure it isn’t anything nefarious. Now everything is up and working with the appliances and the old food has been thrown out.
That’s great. 😃
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😉
Chuckling about your new casita tenant! Let’s hope he’s not on his way! 🤣❤️🤣
Me too! 😅
I immediately thought of a scam and glad you checked him out. He sounds legit just a mistake.
Appliances do talk to one another and they decided to set you a task 😂
Also tell your husband that meat produces even if frozen have a use by date. Usually no longer than 12 months in some cases, less in others
Looking at the dates I put on meat when I vacuumed packed it that was in the bottom of the freezer was a little shocking. We have friends from Palm Springs, CA who helped us move in 2020. The husband went hunting in New Zealand for some special deer they gave us. They helped us move and transported everything from our Palm Springs freezer to this one. Five years ago they asked us why we still had it! I don’t remember when they gave it to us. Can you imagine how much the hunting trip cost and shipping it all back to the states? And the deer from NZ was still in our freezer?
That is a shame. I wouldn’t feel safe eating deer now. I would hope the meat was transported in a refrigerated truck
Vacuum packs may let meat last longer but I have no idea. I have freezer lengths for things on the inside of the freezer door
That’s a good idea to have freezer lengths for things on the inside of the freezer door.
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Well this just happened: hubby turned on the stereo and it was too loud so he turned it down. The next song came on real quiet so I got up and increased the volume. Then it dimmed again. Turned it up. It dimmed again, almost to nothing! Finally seems to be staying right. Weird.
That is strange! I wonder what is up with that? The refrigerator sending vibes?
🤷♀️ I wonder where your “mail” man will wind up. Next door? Down the street?
I think he’ll be at an address with the same street numbers but ours ends in Way. The others end in Dr., St. etc. They aren’t in the neighborhood but in the area.
I hope you don’t have a border. If a moving van appears, you’ll know.
I hope we don/t have a border, too!
I didn’t realize this until we actually lived in the Phoenix area for a while that the Desert IS Beautiful! I’d always thought it was dry and brown. Nope, there are lots of colors, flora, and fauna!
As I type this, I’m awaiting a new Garage Refrigerator from Costco! (they don’t include meat!) Ours went out while we were away. Luckily for me, it was mostly empty aside from ten jars of homemade dog food that I had to toss.
It’s weird that both your big appliances went out at the same time—what are the chances? That is a bummer! It really makes you (me!) appreciate when things are working properly.
I moved from Seattle to the desert (Palm Springs). I thought it was dry and brown, too. But then I got a contact lens RX and saw how beautiful it was. Good luck with your Costco new fridge. Our next thing to go out was a garage door doesn’t seem to have electricity. It’s the garage for our casita, so it’s rarely used. It’s not an emergency. We can wait for a garage door guy to show up.