I hate leaf blowers. They're noisy and smelly, and not really very good at moving leaves from where they are to where you want them to be. Not to mention spending all that gas.
For doing the job, I think a rake (or on pavement, a broom) is much more effective. You can push the leaves exactly where you want them to go - first time, every time - instead of having to chase them hither and yon as with a leaf blower. A rake or broom is also much quieter, doesn't require gas or produce pollution. What more could you ask for?
So here's the question:
Given a choice between (a) a tool that is effective, efficient, and eco-friendly, and (b) a tool that is inefficient, both in terms of performing the task and its use of resources, which would you choose?
Obviously, the logical answer is (a). So why is (b) the most common answer?
12/07/2007
It's Been Awhile...
Boy, it's been quite awhile since the last time I posted here. Sorry aout that. I've been busy, and a little down. I felt as if I had nothing to say, so why post?
I suppose the biggest news is that i joined WeightWatchers in late September. As of last Saturday's weigh in, I've lost just over 20 pounds. I've got quite a bit more to lose, but I'm well on the way. At first, I was just doing it online, but last month I started going to meetings as well; I figured I could use the extra help, especially during the holidays.
I suppose the biggest news is that i joined WeightWatchers in late September. As of last Saturday's weigh in, I've lost just over 20 pounds. I've got quite a bit more to lose, but I'm well on the way. At first, I was just doing it online, but last month I started going to meetings as well; I figured I could use the extra help, especially during the holidays.
10/15/2007
Blog the Environment: 3 Green Things Anyone Can Do.
Good morning and welcome to Blog Action Day.
Here are some of the things that I do to help the environment. They're all pretty easy; anyone can do these things.
1. I don't own a car; I haven't done for years. Instead I take public transit or walk.
a. Four days a week, I walk to the BART (commuter train) station near my house, ride it for two stops (fare = $1.40), and then take an express bus to the office park where my main office is. This is made easier (and less expensive) because the office park sponsors a free bus pass for anyone who works there. That means that my round-trip commute costs less than a gallon of gas. Plus, taking transit means that I can spend that time doing what I want, instead of grinding my teeth because I'm stuck in traffic.
b. On Fridays, I alternate between having the day off and walking to an office that's about 1.5 miles from my house. Not only am I saving the environment, I'm getting some nice exercise.
c. The grocery store is a 20-minute walk from my house. I bought a folding shopping cart and assorted tote bags (including an insulated bag for cold/frozen things). The folding cart plays nicely with the store's shopping carts, and the checkers are getting the hang of pcking a lot of things into a few fabric totes instead of putting a few things in each of a dozen or more plastic bags.
2. I don't own a washer and dryer. I do my wash in the kitchen sink and hang it out to dry in the back yard. Yes, it takes longer this way, but I'm saving electricity, and I don't need dryer sheets to give my clothes that fresh-air smell.
3. I've replaced almost all of the incandescent bulbs in my house with compact flourescents. The exception is certain fixtures where they just don't fit, and which I'm not presently in a position to change.
Here are some of the things that I do to help the environment. They're all pretty easy; anyone can do these things.
1. I don't own a car; I haven't done for years. Instead I take public transit or walk.
a. Four days a week, I walk to the BART (commuter train) station near my house, ride it for two stops (fare = $1.40), and then take an express bus to the office park where my main office is. This is made easier (and less expensive) because the office park sponsors a free bus pass for anyone who works there. That means that my round-trip commute costs less than a gallon of gas. Plus, taking transit means that I can spend that time doing what I want, instead of grinding my teeth because I'm stuck in traffic.
b. On Fridays, I alternate between having the day off and walking to an office that's about 1.5 miles from my house. Not only am I saving the environment, I'm getting some nice exercise.
c. The grocery store is a 20-minute walk from my house. I bought a folding shopping cart and assorted tote bags (including an insulated bag for cold/frozen things). The folding cart plays nicely with the store's shopping carts, and the checkers are getting the hang of pcking a lot of things into a few fabric totes instead of putting a few things in each of a dozen or more plastic bags.
2. I don't own a washer and dryer. I do my wash in the kitchen sink and hang it out to dry in the back yard. Yes, it takes longer this way, but I'm saving electricity, and I don't need dryer sheets to give my clothes that fresh-air smell.
3. I've replaced almost all of the incandescent bulbs in my house with compact flourescents. The exception is certain fixtures where they just don't fit, and which I'm not presently in a position to change.
9/28/2007
Friday Quiz - What Type of Writer Should You Be?
| You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer |
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9/26/2007
What Were They Thinking? - Bathroom Design
Every day, I encounter things that seem not to have been very well thought out. Things about which I have to ask myself: "Who thought this was a good idea, and why?"
I'm going to start posting about these things once a week or so, and the first one is about a bathroom design element that seems really wrong to me.
Why is it that public restrooms almost always have a large sink with a short faucet? You know what I mean: the sink is so wide from front to back that you have to reach almost arm's length to turn on the water, and the faucet is so short that you almost bump your hands against the back of the sink when washing them. Who thinks that makes any sense at all? Besides making washing awkward, it virtually guarantees that water will be splashed around on the counter, making a mess.
What were they thinking?
I'm going to start posting about these things once a week or so, and the first one is about a bathroom design element that seems really wrong to me.
Why is it that public restrooms almost always have a large sink with a short faucet? You know what I mean: the sink is so wide from front to back that you have to reach almost arm's length to turn on the water, and the faucet is so short that you almost bump your hands against the back of the sink when washing them. Who thinks that makes any sense at all? Besides making washing awkward, it virtually guarantees that water will be splashed around on the counter, making a mess.
What were they thinking?
Busy, Busy, Busy
I know it's been way too long since I've posted here. I'll try to do better going forward.
Meanwhile, the highlights of life since my last post:
Meanwhile, the highlights of life since my last post:
- Honey wants me to side with her in "encouraging" my daughter to get a job and move out. Yes, I want my house back, but no, I don't want to throw my daughter out to get it.
- Honey has been having episodes of dementia; the most recent one lasted almost four days, ending late Monday night. I'm getting worried, because Alzheimer's does run in her family. I wasn't expecting to have to start looking for assisted living for her for at least a few more years, but I may have to move that up.
- On the plus side, I started WeightWatchers Online this week; I need to get rid of this excess I've been carrying around.
8/31/2007
What part of "Spare the Air" don't you understand?
Here in the SF Bay Area, when the temperature gets (and stays) in triple digits, and the wind goes away, we get smog. Maybe not like LA smog, but bad enough. To try to minimize that, the worst of these days are declared to be "Spare the Air" days.
On Spare the Air days, we are asked to cut down any unnecessary power usage, and especially cut down on driving. Instead, we are encouraged to car pool or take public transit. To encourage this, all the local transit agencies provide free rides. Most of them are free all day on Spare the Air days. A few - like BART and the ferries - offer free rides through 1pm, and charge the regular fare thereafter. They started that this year, because last year a lot of commuters were unable to get on the trains and ferries, because those were full of people who took advantage of the free rides to spend the day playing in SF.
But an odd thing happens, and I notice this on almost every Spare the Air day: traffic is actually worse on those days, and it's mostly solo drivers. I've thought about why this might be, and I've come up with a few possibilities:
On Spare the Air days, we are asked to cut down any unnecessary power usage, and especially cut down on driving. Instead, we are encouraged to car pool or take public transit. To encourage this, all the local transit agencies provide free rides. Most of them are free all day on Spare the Air days. A few - like BART and the ferries - offer free rides through 1pm, and charge the regular fare thereafter. They started that this year, because last year a lot of commuters were unable to get on the trains and ferries, because those were full of people who took advantage of the free rides to spend the day playing in SF.
But an odd thing happens, and I notice this on almost every Spare the Air day: traffic is actually worse on those days, and it's mostly solo drivers. I've thought about why this might be, and I've come up with a few possibilities:
- They didn't find out that it was a Spare the Air day before they left for work
- They didn't feel that transit was sufficiently convenient for them (and maybe it wasn't - we have good transit here, but it's not perfect)
- They figured that everyone else would be car pooling and using transit, so they'd have the roads pretty much to themselves.
I think the last one is the most likely, and I think it's the most common reason for it. The trouble is that when everyone thinks that everyone (or someone) else is doing something, what usually happens is that no-one does it.
I haven't owned a car in over a dozen years; I've managed quite well using transit and the occasional taxi. On most weekdays, I walk to the BART station (about a half mile), take the train to the second station down the line from me, where I catch an express bus that drops me practically on the doorstep of my office. This has removed a major stressor from my life. Instead of spending an hour behind the wheel in traffic being mad about the waste of time, I can spend that hour reading or writing or just staring out the window - whatever, that time is my own to use as I wish. On alternate Fridays, I work at an office that's closer to my home - about 1.5 miles away - so I walk to and from work. Yes, it takes longer than driving, but it's free workout.
Anyway, if you have Spare the Air days where you are, leave your car at home!
8/12/2007
Found Money
The other day, I found a nickel on the sidewalk. I picked it up, even though it was head-down. Some people will only pick up a coin if it's heads-up, believing that to pick up a head-down coin is bad luck. For that matter, many people don't think it's worth the effort to bend down and pick up any coin. My feeling is that if the universe wants to throw money at me, in whatever form or condition, who am I to snub it?
7/25/2007
Don't be Eeyore
Don’t Be Eeyore - lifehack.org
A lot of what's negative in our lives we impose on ourselves. This article talks about how not to do that.
Powered by ScribeFire.
7/14/2007
"should be" versus "is"
“Should” is the most stressful word I know. It is the sound of expectations unfulfilled.
“I should be able to handle this.”
“I should be a homeowner at my age.”
“I should be able to support my family on my earnings.”
“I should be cleaning the house right now.”
Unrealistic expectations are one of the biggest sources of stress in our lives, because we get all set up about what should be instead of dealing with what is.
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to banish “should” from our lexicon. First, think about whose expectations are reflected in those “should”s. Now substitute “want” for “should”. Note that I said “want”, not “need”. If you have a roof over your head and are eating more or less regularly, “need” is pretty well taken care of. Treat anything else as a “want”.
When you put the word “want” in place of the words “need” or “should”, it’s easier to get a useful perspective on it. Who wants it? Do you? How badly do you want it? What does it do? Will a part of it serve, or do you want it all? What can you do to make it happen? This brings your head back to what is, and what you can do to affect it.
It may be that what is really sucks, and it may be that you can’t change it right now. In which case, how important is it, really? Can you get around it? Can you skip it? Is there another way to take care of that want? Can you get help with it?
All we can do is what we can do, and getting wrapped up in what “should be” doesn’t change that. It just gets us upset for no reason. When you hear “should” in your head, give yourself permission to say “Fuck it; I don’t need that”, and go on with your life.
“I should be able to handle this.”
“I should be a homeowner at my age.”
“I should be able to support my family on my earnings.”
“I should be cleaning the house right now.”
Unrealistic expectations are one of the biggest sources of stress in our lives, because we get all set up about what should be instead of dealing with what is.
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to banish “should” from our lexicon. First, think about whose expectations are reflected in those “should”s. Now substitute “want” for “should”. Note that I said “want”, not “need”. If you have a roof over your head and are eating more or less regularly, “need” is pretty well taken care of. Treat anything else as a “want”.
When you put the word “want” in place of the words “need” or “should”, it’s easier to get a useful perspective on it. Who wants it? Do you? How badly do you want it? What does it do? Will a part of it serve, or do you want it all? What can you do to make it happen? This brings your head back to what is, and what you can do to affect it.
It may be that what is really sucks, and it may be that you can’t change it right now. In which case, how important is it, really? Can you get around it? Can you skip it? Is there another way to take care of that want? Can you get help with it?
All we can do is what we can do, and getting wrapped up in what “should be” doesn’t change that. It just gets us upset for no reason. When you hear “should” in your head, give yourself permission to say “Fuck it; I don’t need that”, and go on with your life.
7/02/2007
Mother-Daughter Bonding
I love my daughter; I always have, although the whole mother-child thing was hard for us. Well, mainly it was hard for me. I've never really been the "mommy" type, but I did my best to give her the tools she'd need to function in the world, and I do seem to have done so.
Now that she's 21 (as of about a month ago) and officially an adult, we're free to just be the friends we've always been, and we like it that way. Instead of me telling her what to do, we can ask and offer advice of each other, and enjoy our common interests. This past Friday, we went to a local pub, for what we thought would be drinks and bar food. It's the first time I've been to this particular place, even though it's only a block away, but it won't be the last. It turns out to be a pretty good German restaurant, which carries imported German and Czech beers. So, it wasn't the outing we were expecting to have, but it was a nice dinner, and we had a good time. We'll do drinks and bar food some other time.
Now that she's 21 (as of about a month ago) and officially an adult, we're free to just be the friends we've always been, and we like it that way. Instead of me telling her what to do, we can ask and offer advice of each other, and enjoy our common interests. This past Friday, we went to a local pub, for what we thought would be drinks and bar food. It's the first time I've been to this particular place, even though it's only a block away, but it won't be the last. It turns out to be a pretty good German restaurant, which carries imported German and Czech beers. So, it wasn't the outing we were expecting to have, but it was a nice dinner, and we had a good time. We'll do drinks and bar food some other time.
6/22/2007
Pages tagged with "diyplanner" on del.icio.us
Pages tagged with "diyplanner" on del.icio.us
The list includes the blogs and other sites of some of the DIY Planner regulars.
The list includes the blogs and other sites of some of the DIY Planner regulars.
5/19/2007
1 More Day!
One more day until my daughter gets here. At least, that's the last I heard from her. She called last weekend to tell us that her flight is tomorrow morning, and she's scheduled to land at about 10am our time. I should be doing housework, but I'm playing with fabric instead.
5/05/2007
96iantSteps · GTD: 10 minute GTD crash course
96iantSteps · GTD: 10 minute GTD crash course
This is a really good summary - the "high points", if you will - of the GTD system. This is definitely the simplest, most straightforward outline of the key concepts of this system.
This is a really good summary - the "high points", if you will - of the GTD system. This is definitely the simplest, most straightforward outline of the key concepts of this system.
4/21/2007
Doctor joy
Finally, I think that Honey and I have found another doctor who's as good for us as Dr. Steve. Yesterday, we spent all afternoon with Dr. B, who's qualified both in Neurology and Psychiatry. He listens! And he tells all about our conditions and the medications, including side effects and how well they play together.
So, he's going to be taking over Honey's pain management and mental health treatment for both of us (it turns out that instead of being just depressed, we have bipolar depression). He's also figured out that my tremors are probably being exacerbated by the combination of meds I've been on, so we're changing those. This is great news, considering that I stayed home most of this past week because the tremors had shifted to spasms on a seizure-like scale. I started one of the new meds last night, and got the first decent night's sleep I've had in what seems like ages!
So, he's going to be taking over Honey's pain management and mental health treatment for both of us (it turns out that instead of being just depressed, we have bipolar depression). He's also figured out that my tremors are probably being exacerbated by the combination of meds I've been on, so we're changing those. This is great news, considering that I stayed home most of this past week because the tremors had shifted to spasms on a seizure-like scale. I started one of the new meds last night, and got the first decent night's sleep I've had in what seems like ages!
4/08/2007
Rats!
Friday turned out not to be the day, after all. See, Honey has epilepsy, although it's been mostly dormant for several years. Anyway, Friday afternoon she started having seizures - with convulsions and all. Needless to say, I called up to cancel the procedure, and to make some arrangement for getting her prescriptions. Sadly, that's not quite what happened. Her pain doctor fired her - something about going against his beliefs.
On Monday, we'll be talking with the doctor whose office he uses, both to get her prescriptions and to get a referral (we hope) to a pain clinic that's closer to home.
Wish us luck.
On Monday, we'll be talking with the doctor whose office he uses, both to get her prescriptions and to get a referral (we hope) to a pain clinic that's closer to home.
Wish us luck.
4/06/2007
Today's the day!
Honey's going in for the nerve-block procedure later this afternoon. She had it done last summer, and it knocked her pain levels way down. That pain stayed gone for over two months. We're hoping that this time it will work even better and longer. I'll post later to tell you how it went.
Guess who I heard from last night!
My daughter (who'll be 21 this summer) called me last night, for the first time in about six months. The last time we had talked, I got angry with her because it seemed that she only called to ask for money. Since I was trying to fend off eviction and still cover Honey's medical expenses, I didn't have it to spare, so I told her to call me back when she had something to talk about besides asking for money. That was it; I didn't hear another peep from her until last night. I had snippets about her by way of one of her local friends, but only scraps.
I'm not going to tell you all of what's happening in her life right now, except that she's finally becoming an adult and getting a handle on her life. I'm so glad that although she's made many of the same mistakes I did (isn't that traditional?), she also learned from my example how to correct them. I was never very good at the whole mommy thing, but I did try to teach her how to be a decent, responsible person. I'm glad to see that at least some of it took.
Anyway, you can go to her MySpace page to see what she's willing to tell about her life.
I'm not going to tell you all of what's happening in her life right now, except that she's finally becoming an adult and getting a handle on her life. I'm so glad that although she's made many of the same mistakes I did (isn't that traditional?), she also learned from my example how to correct them. I was never very good at the whole mommy thing, but I did try to teach her how to be a decent, responsible person. I'm glad to see that at least some of it took.
Anyway, you can go to her MySpace page to see what she's willing to tell about her life.
3/25/2007
Getting organized
Ever since my semi-trusty Palm went on the fritz last summer, I've been engaged in an on-again, off-again quest for more organization in my life.
I tried FLY-Lady for awhile, but the old apartment had too big a head start on me in terms of mess and general chaos; I just couldn't get hold of it. Now that we've moved into a new place, I feel as if I have a fresh slate, a clean plate, as it were. I'm starting to get back into my "habits of tidiness", although I have yet to get all the way back to FLY-Lady's way.
I'm also getting back into paper-paced systems again. Doug Johnson's DIY Planner site is a wonderful place to start on this. It's got lots of templates to play with, made not only by him, but also a lot made by other users. It's all open source, using Open Office to build everything, so you can build your own if you like. Whatever size planner you may be using or want to use, there are templates that size. I was using the Classic size for awhile (5.5" x 8.5"), but I got tired of lugging the "Book of Doom" everywhere. Now I'm playing with the Hipster size; I can print them on 3" x 5" index cards, so it's a much smaller bundle. I buy lined cards and print the templates on the blank side, leaving the lined side for notes and details. Doug also has lots of links to other useful sites, so check it out.
I tried FLY-Lady for awhile, but the old apartment had too big a head start on me in terms of mess and general chaos; I just couldn't get hold of it. Now that we've moved into a new place, I feel as if I have a fresh slate, a clean plate, as it were. I'm starting to get back into my "habits of tidiness", although I have yet to get all the way back to FLY-Lady's way.
I'm also getting back into paper-paced systems again. Doug Johnson's DIY Planner site is a wonderful place to start on this. It's got lots of templates to play with, made not only by him, but also a lot made by other users. It's all open source, using Open Office to build everything, so you can build your own if you like. Whatever size planner you may be using or want to use, there are templates that size. I was using the Classic size for awhile (5.5" x 8.5"), but I got tired of lugging the "Book of Doom" everywhere. Now I'm playing with the Hipster size; I can print them on 3" x 5" index cards, so it's a much smaller bundle. I buy lined cards and print the templates on the blank side, leaving the lined side for notes and details. Doug also has lots of links to other useful sites, so check it out.
A Decent Night's Sleep
Last night I got the best night's sleep that I've had in awhile. After a week's worth of insomnia, I finally got a couple of my prescriptions filled that I'd missed when I got the rest done. Neither of these is specifically for sleep; they just help to make the stress lie down and be quiet so that I can sleep. Here's hoping that tonight goes as well.
3/18/2007
Insomnia
I have at least one night of insomnia every week. Usually, it's Sunday night, so I wind up fried at work on Monday. This week, it was last night. I just could not fall asleep. I went to bed at 10 (which is actually kind of late for me these days, what with getting up at 4:30 every workday morning); by 11:30 I was ready to admit defeat. I figured it was better to get up and do something with the time than to lie in bed wishing I was asleep and getting frustrated. I also figured that it might improve my odds of sleeping well tonight. We'll see how that goes. So I turned the TV back on, and got out my knitting. I did finally go to sleep, at about 4, I think. Woke up at 8 feeling fine. I think I'm going to bed early tonight.
3/10/2007
Labels
Today, I'm starting to use Blogger's "label" feature to add tags to my posts. I've added tags to some of my most recent entries, but I'm not going to go back and do it to all of them unless somebody asks me.
I'm also trying to work out a way to add tags to my computer files, to make it easier to search for things. I think I've figured out how to make Windows XP do it, but it will mean visiting each and every file to add keywords to the properties, and that's a pretty daunting task. I may have to tackle it in chunks. I understand that Windows Vista can do this more easily, but I'm not going to upgrade any time soon, for several reasons:
I'm also trying to work out a way to add tags to my computer files, to make it easier to search for things. I think I've figured out how to make Windows XP do it, but it will mean visiting each and every file to add keywords to the properties, and that's a pretty daunting task. I may have to tackle it in chunks. I understand that Windows Vista can do this more easily, but I'm not going to upgrade any time soon, for several reasons:
- I can't afford it right now
- I can't afford the upgrades that I'll need to make to my computer to make it Vista-ready
- I hear there are still more than a few kinks in the system, and I'd rather wait for a more friendly version of it.
Saturday Morning
One of the things that I really love about our new home is Saturday mornings.
To clarify, allow me to describe my morning so far:
I slept in until 8am (which when you get up at 4:30 during the week, is quite late indeed). Honey had made coffee, so all I had to do was go fetch it from the kitchen and bring in the morning paper from the front stoop. Then I brought both paper and coffee back to bed, where I sat for an hour or so with Honey, drinking coffee, reading the paper and watching cartoons.
When I was done with the paper, I made my side of the bed, got dressed, and came out to the corner of the living room that serves as my office, opening doors and windows on the way. The weather is so beautiful today: sunny and mild with just enough breeze to keep the air fresh. I turned on my computer, and poured another cup of coffee while I started checking email.
I thought about turning on the TV to watch the crafty shows that the DVR had recorded during the week. But I realized that the neighborhood is quiet this morning, and I like it. I have birds singing on three sides, and somewhere a woodpecker is at work on a tree. Honey is still in bed, alternating between watching cartoons and sleeping to them.
Although there are things that I should do today - dishes, the household books, and sometime today I have to walk up to the store (I love that I can walk to the store here!) - there is nothing that absolutely requires my attention right now. So I've been able to use this morning as a little vacation, if you will. Taking time for myself, doing nothing more important than check my mail and read other people's blogs.
I love it here!
To clarify, allow me to describe my morning so far:
I slept in until 8am (which when you get up at 4:30 during the week, is quite late indeed). Honey had made coffee, so all I had to do was go fetch it from the kitchen and bring in the morning paper from the front stoop. Then I brought both paper and coffee back to bed, where I sat for an hour or so with Honey, drinking coffee, reading the paper and watching cartoons.
When I was done with the paper, I made my side of the bed, got dressed, and came out to the corner of the living room that serves as my office, opening doors and windows on the way. The weather is so beautiful today: sunny and mild with just enough breeze to keep the air fresh. I turned on my computer, and poured another cup of coffee while I started checking email.
I thought about turning on the TV to watch the crafty shows that the DVR had recorded during the week. But I realized that the neighborhood is quiet this morning, and I like it. I have birds singing on three sides, and somewhere a woodpecker is at work on a tree. Honey is still in bed, alternating between watching cartoons and sleeping to them.
Although there are things that I should do today - dishes, the household books, and sometime today I have to walk up to the store (I love that I can walk to the store here!) - there is nothing that absolutely requires my attention right now. So I've been able to use this morning as a little vacation, if you will. Taking time for myself, doing nothing more important than check my mail and read other people's blogs.
I love it here!
2/24/2007
Life goes on...
Okay, so we're all moved - at least, we got everything we wanted out of the old place; some of it's in the house, some of it's in the backyard, and some of it's in storage, so there's still a lot of sorting and organizing to do - but progress is happening.
On Monday, our friend Dee's latest ex gave her the boot. Now Dee's like a sister to us, so of course we took her in. So now we have a roommate and a dog - the first dog our cats have ever met; I don't think the know what she is. Joey thinks she's some kind of really big cat who talks funny, but he's let her know that he's the boss around her, and she accepts it. The other cats are slowly getting used to her, though they're not getting too close just yet.
Meanwhile, Dee is helping us out here. Not only is she pitching in for the rent, she's helping us get this place organized. The corner of the living room that was going to be my studio is now her bedroom area, but she helped get furniture arranged so that the other corner is my office, so that's okay. I just need to move the modem and router hooked up over there (right now they're on the coffee table), and unpack and organize the other key elements elements of office-ness.
I'll get onto that later today, because I'm looking forward to using my computer (a laptop, thank goodness) on a desk again. But right now, I'm just kicking back. It's my birthday, and Dee's was on Monday (what a time for her to have the day from Hell!), so later on I'll bake us a cake, and then Dee's gonna spring for pizza for dinner.
I'm so tired, though. I've been working 11-hour days, to make enough do get off the dreaded payday advance treadmill and work things out with the landlord. Fortunately, he's been willing to work with us to get things on track.
On Monday, our friend Dee's latest ex gave her the boot. Now Dee's like a sister to us, so of course we took her in. So now we have a roommate and a dog - the first dog our cats have ever met; I don't think the know what she is. Joey thinks she's some kind of really big cat who talks funny, but he's let her know that he's the boss around her, and she accepts it. The other cats are slowly getting used to her, though they're not getting too close just yet.
Meanwhile, Dee is helping us out here. Not only is she pitching in for the rent, she's helping us get this place organized. The corner of the living room that was going to be my studio is now her bedroom area, but she helped get furniture arranged so that the other corner is my office, so that's okay. I just need to move the modem and router hooked up over there (right now they're on the coffee table), and unpack and organize the other key elements elements of office-ness.
I'll get onto that later today, because I'm looking forward to using my computer (a laptop, thank goodness) on a desk again. But right now, I'm just kicking back. It's my birthday, and Dee's was on Monday (what a time for her to have the day from Hell!), so later on I'll bake us a cake, and then Dee's gonna spring for pizza for dinner.
I'm so tired, though. I've been working 11-hour days, to make enough do get off the dreaded payday advance treadmill and work things out with the landlord. Fortunately, he's been willing to work with us to get things on track.
2/11/2007
What Kind of Soul Are You?
| You Are a Dreaming Soul |
 Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul |
1/13/2007
New Home
Whee! We have our new place! It's a nice little cottage on a quiet street, in walking distance of just about everything. We don't have everything moved yet, nor put away what we have moved, but we'll get there. One reason for the latter is that the landlord needs to come in (sometime this weekend) to finish painting; until he does, we can't put anything against the walls. I don't want to start putting things on shelves and desks until they are where they need to be.
Anyway, I'm just checking a little mail for the first time in days, and then I have to get back to unpacking the things that do have a place to go, like the kitchen.
Oh, the kitchen! It's smaller than our last one, but much better laid out, with lots more cabinets. And for the first time in decades, we have a gas stove and oven, with a huge broiler! Yay! And we have lots of sunny windows, and a yard, and...and... The cats like it, too!
On with the day...
Anyway, I'm just checking a little mail for the first time in days, and then I have to get back to unpacking the things that do have a place to go, like the kitchen.
Oh, the kitchen! It's smaller than our last one, but much better laid out, with lots more cabinets. And for the first time in decades, we have a gas stove and oven, with a huge broiler! Yay! And we have lots of sunny windows, and a yard, and...and... The cats like it, too!
On with the day...
1/07/2007
The House-Hunt Scramble
So our friend D and I spent most of yesterday and today running around half the county. looking at places and taking down numbers for more. I put in two applications today, and should hear from at least one of them tomorrow. Cross your fingers for us!
I also left lots of messages at places whose offices were closed, and should get some call-backs on those tomorrow as well.
I am so wound up tonight I can hardly think, but pretty soon I need to have some supper and then start cleaning up and packing some things. We have a guy lined up to do most of the packing and hauling for us - a friend of D's - we just have to tell him when. If one of today's places works out, we'll be able to move in right away, so we'll hire a truck to haul it all from here to there. If not, then we'll hire a pod to stash everything in until we do have a new place. Obviously, we're hoping for the former - just to be done with it. If it's the latter, then we'll probably have to board the cats and take a cheap hotel room while we keep looking.
I also left lots of messages at places whose offices were closed, and should get some call-backs on those tomorrow as well.
I am so wound up tonight I can hardly think, but pretty soon I need to have some supper and then start cleaning up and packing some things. We have a guy lined up to do most of the packing and hauling for us - a friend of D's - we just have to tell him when. If one of today's places works out, we'll be able to move in right away, so we'll hire a truck to haul it all from here to there. If not, then we'll hire a pod to stash everything in until we do have a new place. Obviously, we're hoping for the former - just to be done with it. If it's the latter, then we'll probably have to board the cats and take a cheap hotel room while we keep looking.
1/05/2007
House-Hunt Scramble, or "How Much is That Window for my Kitty?"
We haven't had any further contact from the friend who was going to connect us to that RV.
Of course, as soon as I wrote that, she called. She'll be here in less than an hour.
Meanwhile, we continue to check other options. Wish us luck!
Of course, as soon as I wrote that, she called. She'll be here in less than an hour.
Meanwhile, we continue to check other options. Wish us luck!
1/04/2007
Well, folks, we lost
Honey looked the case up online, and found that the decision left the judge's hands yesterday - in favor of the plaintiffs, naturally. So we expect to see the sheriff any day now.
There is still some hope, however.
There is still some hope, however.
- We get a free consultation with a lawyer.
- (Yeah I realize now that I should have done that two months ago, but I thought it would all be pretty straightforward and I could handle it myself. 20/20 hindsight. I'm so used to there being no help available for me that I've gotten into the habit of assuming that I both must and can take care of everything myself.)
- Anyway, we'll be talking with him this afternoon to see if he can do anything to help us, even if it's only to get us a stay - to buy us some time before we absolutely have to be out of here.
- A friend of ours is connecting us with a guy who'll give us a down-at-the-heels RV. I hear it isn't much, but it could be home for awhile until we can get settled into something better. The guy will even deliver it; we just need to find a place to park it.
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