I've had better days...
Had a dentist appoint to get my teeth cleaned for 8.30 this morning. When I got to my car, someone, during the night and just for kicks, had smashed my driver's side mirror. Not only was the glass shattered everywhere, they had pulled out the plastic piece that attaches the mirror to the various gizmos to adjust it. After a very painful dental cleaning from which my gums are still recovering*, I drove out to the autoglass place. They made a couple of phone calls, can get me a used mirror for $100 and have it by 4 pm this afternoon. So now I just need to get off work early today to go get it fixed. I want it fixed asap because it is vaguely illegal--okay, definitely illegal--to be driving without it and I could get a big ticket if I were caught. Also, it is annoying as heck not to have it--it's like driving with one eye closed. Nervewracking on the highway.
Then, to top things off (and it's only 10.30 at this point) the cat gets out of the apartment and runs up the stairs. When I get her back, she has some disgusting smelling goop on her, which she also gets all over my clothes because I don't see it in time. Reminiscent of vomit, it's that disgusting. So into the shower she goes, for the second day in a row. I took a walk up the stairs to see if I could find what she got into, but I can't, so I don't know where it's from or what it is. Maybe it's better not knowing....
*I haven't had any dental coverage until I went back to school full time, so it's been about three years since the last cleaning. Take my word for it-- you do not want to leave a cleaning that long!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Cool Cat
Today was bath day for a certain little kitty. Muggs gets a bath about once a year, sometimes twice if the summer is particularly hot. She only gets baths in the summer when she can dry off relatively quickly--if you've never bathed a cat, you would be amazed at how much water a cat's hair holds! I took her in the shower with me and I wound up with some interesting scratches.... I think next bath time we'll go back to the bucket method. She's been busy liking herself dry (which seems somehow counter-intuitive--you would think that liking would make her more wet. But whatever, it seems to work.) And I think she has forgiven me. At the very least, I've given her something to do all day! Of course, she'll get me back by rolling the dirt tonight.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Enough To Go Around
You know when a couple is talking about moving to a bigger house or buying a bigger/newer car that you will soon be hearing about a child on the way. And so when I heard that my sister and brother-in-law were looking at moving, I knew that soon we would be hearing some news. And sure enough, I called it. Sometime in January my little niece will have a little sibling. Now, I figure they have to have six kids: one for each aunt/uncle and grandparent in our family. Enough to go around.
It seems that my two older sisters are racing further and further head--marriages, family, career. My two younger siblings have gone back to living at home. Meanwhile, I feel like I am trying to run a marathon through molasses. Career-wise, the road ahead is very long; romance-wise there are no prospects.
I have been laying as low as possible in regards to my sister's wedding. I figure if I stay out of the way, I won't get saddled with work and I won't get snapped at. Everyone knows what happens to brides-- they become strange creatures spring-loaded with tension. You walk around them on eggshells yet still you do something, sometimes everything, wrong. Sister's wedding is just over a week away now and I don't even want to ask her how things are going.
In my world, I had a very busy day at work yesterday. It was a free day, but due to some short-sightedness in staffing schedules they only had two of us in at our little museum. It was crazy, almost impossible. We basically took turns manning the museum while the other was seconded to other duties. Enjoyable duties, wonderful to be involved and acknowledged as a legitimate part of the historic site. I wound up with a case of sunstroke, due to being unprepared for standing in the hot sun directing people. I really enjoyed doing it, but not knowing that I would be doing it meant that I did not have a hat or sunscreen. Despite drinking four bottles of water, I reached the point where I was feeling faint, dizzy, headachy and nauseous. Fortunately, having first-aid training meant that I was aware of what was happening to me and was able to take steps to keep from getting heat stroke. However, today has been sluggish for the most part as I tried to keep re-hydrating my system and get things back on an even keel. I spoke with my pharmacist and it is likely that my medications (for fibro) make me more sensitive, too, than I would be otherwise.
This evening I went with Texas and her sister to a strawberry farm in the country (but not far from the city if you have a car) to get some berries. I bought a flat of delicious berries. These things are huge! It's a shame to mash them down to make jam.... That is Wednesday's work.
Tomorrow is an early day at work, and a long one, too. I start work at 8.30, and aside from a half hour at lunch and forty five minutes around supper time, I work through to eight at night. School programmes, regular museum hours and then staff training in the evening. I am not looking forward to spending that much time at work, but I am looking forward to the overtime pay. Every little bit helps, I guess. And I do have Wednesday off to recover!
It seems that my two older sisters are racing further and further head--marriages, family, career. My two younger siblings have gone back to living at home. Meanwhile, I feel like I am trying to run a marathon through molasses. Career-wise, the road ahead is very long; romance-wise there are no prospects.
I have been laying as low as possible in regards to my sister's wedding. I figure if I stay out of the way, I won't get saddled with work and I won't get snapped at. Everyone knows what happens to brides-- they become strange creatures spring-loaded with tension. You walk around them on eggshells yet still you do something, sometimes everything, wrong. Sister's wedding is just over a week away now and I don't even want to ask her how things are going.
In my world, I had a very busy day at work yesterday. It was a free day, but due to some short-sightedness in staffing schedules they only had two of us in at our little museum. It was crazy, almost impossible. We basically took turns manning the museum while the other was seconded to other duties. Enjoyable duties, wonderful to be involved and acknowledged as a legitimate part of the historic site. I wound up with a case of sunstroke, due to being unprepared for standing in the hot sun directing people. I really enjoyed doing it, but not knowing that I would be doing it meant that I did not have a hat or sunscreen. Despite drinking four bottles of water, I reached the point where I was feeling faint, dizzy, headachy and nauseous. Fortunately, having first-aid training meant that I was aware of what was happening to me and was able to take steps to keep from getting heat stroke. However, today has been sluggish for the most part as I tried to keep re-hydrating my system and get things back on an even keel. I spoke with my pharmacist and it is likely that my medications (for fibro) make me more sensitive, too, than I would be otherwise.
This evening I went with Texas and her sister to a strawberry farm in the country (but not far from the city if you have a car) to get some berries. I bought a flat of delicious berries. These things are huge! It's a shame to mash them down to make jam.... That is Wednesday's work.
Tomorrow is an early day at work, and a long one, too. I start work at 8.30, and aside from a half hour at lunch and forty five minutes around supper time, I work through to eight at night. School programmes, regular museum hours and then staff training in the evening. I am not looking forward to spending that much time at work, but I am looking forward to the overtime pay. Every little bit helps, I guess. And I do have Wednesday off to recover!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Let's Make A Deal...
Okay pedestrians, let's make a deal. You walk on the sidewalk and leave the road to us cars and no one will get hurt. Okay? Please?
I am so fed up with the pedestrians in this city. They own the sidewalks and act like they own the roads, too. Countless times they jay walk, coming out of nowhere, dashing through traffic and crossing against the lights at busy corners. Twice I have come frighteningly close to hitting a pedestrian who popped out of nowhere without looking. Not a pleasant feeling.
Tonight I'm driving home and I notice there are several large groups of high school students, dressed up, in the neighbourhood. Likely come from a prom or something. They're loud, filling the sidewalks and the street. The main street that runs by my building is four lanes. I'm driving in the right hand lane, there's a crowd of students on that sidewalk. And one idiot guy was WALKING down the middle of the other lane, into the traffic and IN THE DARK. It annoys me beyond words! I blared my horn at the guy and they all laughed. PLEASE, when you're a pedestrian, remember that you're not easy to see in the dark!
Then, heading up another street around the corner is a gang of 15-20 kids, TAKING UP THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE ROAD!!! Hello???? There's a sidewalk for a reason, please use it! Again, I had to blare my horn several times before they decided to mosey off the roadway in the direction of the sidewalk, but I could see in my rearview they spilled out across the roadway immediately I was past.
The part that angers me the most is that if someone was to be hit, they would be screaming blue murder at the motorist. PLEASE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. You're not invincible and YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THE ROADWAY. Cross at street corners, with the lights. Do not assume that cars will stop for you, and do not dart out in front of (or even behind) cars, especially at night when you can't be seen.
Many cyclists are just as bad as the pedestrians--wearing dark colours, having no lights/reflectors on their bikes and not obeying the traffic law (which cyclists are just as subject to as motorists!) I would like to thank those cyclists who do wear bright, reflective clothing and do obey the law of the road--it is greatly appreciated!
I am so fed up with the pedestrians in this city. They own the sidewalks and act like they own the roads, too. Countless times they jay walk, coming out of nowhere, dashing through traffic and crossing against the lights at busy corners. Twice I have come frighteningly close to hitting a pedestrian who popped out of nowhere without looking. Not a pleasant feeling.
Tonight I'm driving home and I notice there are several large groups of high school students, dressed up, in the neighbourhood. Likely come from a prom or something. They're loud, filling the sidewalks and the street. The main street that runs by my building is four lanes. I'm driving in the right hand lane, there's a crowd of students on that sidewalk. And one idiot guy was WALKING down the middle of the other lane, into the traffic and IN THE DARK. It annoys me beyond words! I blared my horn at the guy and they all laughed. PLEASE, when you're a pedestrian, remember that you're not easy to see in the dark!
Then, heading up another street around the corner is a gang of 15-20 kids, TAKING UP THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE ROAD!!! Hello???? There's a sidewalk for a reason, please use it! Again, I had to blare my horn several times before they decided to mosey off the roadway in the direction of the sidewalk, but I could see in my rearview they spilled out across the roadway immediately I was past.
The part that angers me the most is that if someone was to be hit, they would be screaming blue murder at the motorist. PLEASE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. You're not invincible and YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THE ROADWAY. Cross at street corners, with the lights. Do not assume that cars will stop for you, and do not dart out in front of (or even behind) cars, especially at night when you can't be seen.
Many cyclists are just as bad as the pedestrians--wearing dark colours, having no lights/reflectors on their bikes and not obeying the traffic law (which cyclists are just as subject to as motorists!) I would like to thank those cyclists who do wear bright, reflective clothing and do obey the law of the road--it is greatly appreciated!
Goin' to the Zoo
Unfortunately canoeing was cancelled last night as they thought the wheather was too unsettled. Of course, it didn't rain or storm again after they cancelled. Oh well. My first canoeing of the season will be in Saskatchewan in a couple of weeks--and summer's half gone! I need my own canoe and a place to store it, too. I am just dying to go canoeing.....
The menagerie is doing well. I can add to it now fruit flies in the kitchen (surprise, it's summer) and aphids in the window boxes. Muggs is her usual self and has been guarding a mouse-hole. The nice thing is that the mouse-hole is in the exterior of the building!
My window boxes are lovely and lush, although a few plants aren't doing too well so I will have to rearrange them. I'm disappointed to find the aphids, but I guess it's to be expected. My bee-balm is blooming and it's red flowers are gorgeous. The dahlias and gerbera are still going strong, although most plants are between flowering. I think next year I'll skip getting salvias all together, as their second blooms are rather pathetic.
This afternoon, since I'm off work, I'm taking Little Curly to a nearby zoo. Someday we'll go to the big zoo in Toronto--zoos are something that need to be visited with children. I love picking up Little Curly from day care when her parents can't be home in time. Even though it takes a big chunk out of my evening, we have so much fun. Last night I just dropped her off at her home so her grandpa could take care of her until her mom got home. The pouty look on her face when she realized I wasn't staying! (Tip: If you want little kids to love you, just take them to the park. It's that easy.)
Due to a scheduling 'mistake', I have three days off this week. It's kinda nice, actually, knowing that I have some free time to get stuff done. Like sleeping in. I've been going through a really tired phase lately--it's either the fibro itself or side effects from medications, I never know which.
Anyway, got to go and get ready to see the zebras.
The menagerie is doing well. I can add to it now fruit flies in the kitchen (surprise, it's summer) and aphids in the window boxes. Muggs is her usual self and has been guarding a mouse-hole. The nice thing is that the mouse-hole is in the exterior of the building!
My window boxes are lovely and lush, although a few plants aren't doing too well so I will have to rearrange them. I'm disappointed to find the aphids, but I guess it's to be expected. My bee-balm is blooming and it's red flowers are gorgeous. The dahlias and gerbera are still going strong, although most plants are between flowering. I think next year I'll skip getting salvias all together, as their second blooms are rather pathetic.
This afternoon, since I'm off work, I'm taking Little Curly to a nearby zoo. Someday we'll go to the big zoo in Toronto--zoos are something that need to be visited with children. I love picking up Little Curly from day care when her parents can't be home in time. Even though it takes a big chunk out of my evening, we have so much fun. Last night I just dropped her off at her home so her grandpa could take care of her until her mom got home. The pouty look on her face when she realized I wasn't staying! (Tip: If you want little kids to love you, just take them to the park. It's that easy.)
Due to a scheduling 'mistake', I have three days off this week. It's kinda nice, actually, knowing that I have some free time to get stuff done. Like sleeping in. I've been going through a really tired phase lately--it's either the fibro itself or side effects from medications, I never know which.
Anyway, got to go and get ready to see the zebras.
Monday, June 11, 2007
My Menagerie
1 cat, who rules the roost
2 goldfish --Hubert (French pronounciation) and Opal--living in my pond on my balcony
12 (or more?) mice hiding in the walls
1,000,000 ants who come out to play from time to time...
My place really is a zoo!
2 goldfish --Hubert (French pronounciation) and Opal--living in my pond on my balcony
12 (or more?) mice hiding in the walls
1,000,000 ants who come out to play from time to time...
My place really is a zoo!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
On Second Thought...
Big Sis just pointed out how I could work this mistaken identity thing to my advantage. Because people think I'm her, I could do all kinds of out-of-character and they would think it was her. But I'm too nice for that, I could never really pull that off.
I also wanted to mention we have a new super, who is full of ideas of how to improve the place. We'll see how long that lasts--hopefully long enough to fix the mouse problem. (The landlord told me there was nothing he could do about it and to be grateful they aren't rats.)
I also wanted to mention we have a new super, who is full of ideas of how to improve the place. We'll see how long that lasts--hopefully long enough to fix the mouse problem. (The landlord told me there was nothing he could do about it and to be grateful they aren't rats.)
Ten Reasons to Celebrate
- My oven got fixed. After 6 months, letters to the super, letters to the landlord and one no-show repair man, the thing is finally done.
- I made a delicious supper in my oven. The first time I have been able to cook a proper supper in months. Microwaves and crockpots are only good for so long.
- I have all my window boxes and planters planted up, and my balcony looks gorgeous.
- I got my pond for my balcony (in a giant 25" flower pot) all done up.
- I gots me fishies for my pond.
- Muggs has not yet discovered the fishes, although she does think the fish flakes are treats for her. But even if she does discover the fishes, the water's too deep for her. They were only 27 cents each, anyway.
- I got worms for my composter, which has recently started having odour problems. The worms should fix it.
- I have my application for a Teaching Assistant job at the uni all done up (wish me luck...)
- I found the most delightful coloured glass candle holders at the dollarstore and they now hang from the roof of my balcony. Very pleasant when lit up in the evening.
- I am going to finally have a day off on Wednesday.
I should also mention that my oldest sister is now a fully-fledged doctor (congratulations). I am teaching Texas to sew, and we had a wonderful trip the fabric store today. Of course, I had to buy some wonderful cotton that was on sale to add to my pile of to-sew stuff. Hopefully this week will be less crazy than last and I can spend time finishing up half-started projects and getting my summer tops sewn up while there is still summer in which to wear them.
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