So, I’d ask y’all what you’ve been up to, but am well aware that most of you are mostly here as readers, not to be bugged with pesky questions. I’ll get to it, shall I?
It’s been a while since my last blog, I know, but life has been terribly hectic and what little time I had left I ended up vegetating, rather than doing something useful like writing the blog, a book, sleep, eat, breathe...hmmm. Does that sound a bit extreme? Yeah, I guess it does. I’ve a flair for the dramatic, I’ll admit, but there are times (when you’re tired and emotional, you know) that it feels that way.
Did a lot of hours at work, in part because, let’s face it, due to the loss of many colleagues during the course of “restructuring”, there is a LOT to do, and the other part being (you’re seeing this one coming, right?) that I have a hard time saying no to paying work. Hah. I should. I mean, seriously, there are times when I really should say no, and just don’t because it is something very necessary, and I’d feel like a wuss for saying no. How bad is that, right? The other day, big brother and I were talking about it, actually, where he pointed out that I’m a bit like Jim Carrey in “Liar Liar” that way. Remember that scene in the courthouse where he’s beat himself up completely (hilarious scene, by the way) in an attempt to get out of the trial, only to have the judge ask him outright if he “really” isn’t able to continue on. Which, of course, he can. Everyone CAN, unless they are lying unconscious, or dead on the floor...technically, anyway. *sigh* Doesn’t mean you always should, should you? An FYI, in case you’re wondering. Doing cleaning with a capital C (as in professionally) is not something anyone should be doing full-time. We’re talking high content calorie usage here. A rigorous fitness workout of three hours stretched into 8-9 hours.
Anyway, pacing is still something that I obviously need to work on. Am a wreck at the moment, so it’s a good thing that this is my free day. Have been taking it easy all morning. Did some stretches, some bootcamp exercises and made a tasty high protein breakfast (lentils, veggies and egg) that should suit me just fine on this day that I have planned to spend behind the computer for today’s blog and if I’m lucky some actual writing. I’m even pondering turning off my phone, because the last few times I tried this, I got phoned three times and apped 6 times, claiming a lot of my day. *sigh* Gotta keep up with the homeys, dontcha. Haven’t decided yet what to do. Hah.
Was smart last night (yes, it does happen occassionally that the old braincells give a tiny spark of life after all), by the way. After getting home from work (had a short work day for a change) I took a long nap, ate lunch, picked up big brother and then spent what was left of the day cleaning my apartment. The way I figured, if I did that during the afternoon, I’d truly have a free day today...which I do, except for a wee bit of laundry which is not something I see as a terrible task, as you well know. *wink*
As for a bit of bad news: Tenant is not doing well. We visited her a few times around her B-Day, which she really enjoyed, but things are slowly getting worse for her. Just the past week or so, she’s been in and out of the hospital; this time due to an extreme shortness of breath. Just last night she woke up cousin Ed, screaming (for as far as that was possible) that she couldn’t breathe, so she had to be brought to hospital. The tubes in her throat, ya know, the ones you breathe too, are too narrow for some reason and this is causing loads of problems. Added to that, her immune system is completely shot, meaning more and more meds that aren’t helping the matter at all. It’s sad to see, in particular since it is getting to a point where cousin Ed is no longer able to take care of her. She needs too much of it, so a nursing home is the only solution. Sad.
Also went that direction a couple of times because Cousin Ed finally found a place to live for herself, once tenant has settled in a nursing home. She wanted our opinion for a couple of options, and finally came to an agreement that the second, slightly more expensive one would be the best. The quality was way better, so maintenance would be lower. It’s a tiny place in the woods, and she can see herself live there in the immediate future with her doggies, so all is well.
Went to visit our father this weekend, partly because he and his wife are moving soon, and they had a rather pretty computer closet that they offered to Taffin. Will come in handy for all his gadgets, that’s for sure. And of course because we had some catching up to do again over a nice lunch with talk about work and whatnot. Also got to see loads of pics of the past twenty years or so (and you know me and pics, right?), including wedding pictures where I was looking at folks with like “where do I know these folks from?” until it became clear that it were a couple of known (national) actors who’re friends with our stepmother. Hysterical how that works. You’re looking at a face that seems familiar, and you’re turning and turning it over in your head knowing that you’re missing something, only to realize that the reason you know them is because you saw them on the friggin’ TV. Weird how that works.
Had only one workout at the gym since my last blog (yes, I’ll flog myself tonight, jeez!) but like I said, time is fleeting and in short demand. I just can’t seem to schedule anything in of late, which is driving me effing bonkers sometimes. Grrrr.
Have been cooking regularly (I’m patting myself on the back saying “good Sammie” on that one) so nutritionally we’re doing okay...except for having missed quite a few meals again due to the lack of time. Aaaaargh! But what meals I’ve had were good and balanced.
Have been thinking more and more about starting our own little company, though, in particular with the persistent rumors and trouble at work. A small dining facility, primarily based on take away is slowly solidifying. Even big brother is getting to be excited about it, and yes, we have thought of a name for the place. “Something Different”, which has a nice ring to it, and a name you can play with in advertising. Now, I am going to have to start making time free to do research, of course, discovering if it even possible to open something like this in the surrounding area, what kind of licenses I would need, etc. Who knows, it might not even be possible, so I’m not going to let my head run of with me yet. I’ll keep you posted.
The infection and/or rash on my foot became secondary to the fact that a I slipped at work (colleague used slippery soda soap instead of a degreaser) and slammed my foot into the wall while on all fours in a narrow space. Very unpleasant, walking became even more of a trial due to that, so I wasn’t happy for a while. Both problems have decreased now, thankfully. The redness is almost gone to a treatment of mostly vinegar with an after-treatment of aloe vera and calendula cream. There are days now that you can hardly see the the discoloration anymore.
You’ll be happy to know that the weather is slowly improving. Spring (despite the small setback these past couple of days with a drop of more than 8 degrees) is in full swing. Green is sprouting everywhere (loving that bit) making the world a colorful place to be at least. I’m not even minding the cold (not much, anyway) it is just so pretty.
The load of plants in my apartment are absolutely lovely. They are thriving, growing lushly on the windowsill and my dresser where a selection of kitchen herbs are competing for sunlight. They are delicious, I tell ya. Almost like we have a little yard there, which makes cooking very much a pleasure.
I have, since recently, discovered that my stay in the UK has had a nasty side effect. My accent has become horribly British. That is not to say that I dislike the British accent, I mean former Prime Minister Blair has an accent to die for, but it is not an accent I strive for. Irish accent, sure, American mid-west or even south are lovely, but British is very distinct and will have people look oddly at you, as if you’re trying to show off, or something. I don’t, it happens automatically, so I fear that E’s (former boss) promise to teach me “proper” English, did rub off. I’ll have to work on that.
Did finally manage to do some home improvement during my last free day. Got around to sanding, priming and painting my kitchen table at last, so now it is a wonderfully old, dented homestead style table in a warm ivory white. It looks lovely. Especially with the three chairs I found at the skip months ago. Considering all my colorful furniture elements, I figured that keeping a basis of white-ish for the big pieces was just plain smart.
I like it.
Well, that is all she wrote today. I still want to do some stuff on the books, if I can manage it and then I have to start thinking about dinner at some point, despite it being lunch hour. Time flies, and never more so then when you’re doing stuff at the computer, eh? Hah
I’ll be back.
