R.I.P. Sonia

Song of the day: “A living doll” by Cliff Richard.

The past couple of days were a doozy, I tell ya. It had everything to do with bureaucracy and y’all know how much I hate that, right?
Well the whole paperwork shaite was in top form yesterday, I mean seriously…I wanted to scream.

First off, the day started early with me and little brother heading for the village so I could pay our taxes and introduce him to my banker. Taxes went right and easy, right until I discovered that I would also have to pay taxes for the mopeds and Opel, which I was sure I paid several months ago. So strange. Phoned home to have big brother look for receipts. Added to that, I also discovered that the old Deawoo is still registered in my name, which is totally strange, meaning I would have to see if I can contact the young mechanic I gave it to.

Next it was taking little brother to the bank. He’s not been happy with his present bank at all, and once we spoke to mine, it turned out he had good reason. Apparently, when he opened an account, somehow the bank had him sign for a life-insurance at their company instead. Jeez. Talk about sneaky. He came there (first time ever he opened an account) to get a simple account with card and everything, only to get scammed. Even our banker said, that was very unprofessional of that particular bank. So he advised us as to what to do next, and opened a new account for little brother with little trouble…except that due to the overtaking of my bank by a big one, the computers were down so he had to do it the old fashioned way. *sigh* Had to come back the next day.

Had to go to another bank to pay the taxes, which I was too late for. Apparently, if you’re not a member of the bank, you can only do it on Tuesdays and Thursdays before 10:30. *sigh* Very frustrating, I tell ya.

The following stop was a branch of little brother’s bank where he withdrew his money, and tried to cancel his life insurance. Apparently that was only possible at the original branch. So we’d have to go there.

So, round that time grandpa arrived on his moped with the papers that had been delivered to us about the payments. Was afraid for a moment there that we’d been scammed with the taxes as well, but when I showed the papers town hall could confirm that the papers were official, even though they didn’t know why they’d been delivered. Needed the receipts of the payment though, so that meant another trip. *double sigh*

Went home, to pick up cousin Ed and Grandpa, who would go to the bank where the bills were paid, while little brother and I would go to his bank (other village than mine, of course). Arrived there, got to speak with a young man who was very friendly about it, and who explained that the contract for the life insurance was valid until December, but, if he took out all his money, waited two to three months the insurance would withdraw the contract instead. Then, after two months he could just come back and cancel his account without trouble. Decided to opt for that, and wait a bit, just to have the hassle over and done with.

Brought little brother, Grandpa and Cousin Ed home, picked up big brother, and headed straight for town for a pickup, and to have a chat with the garage folks to see how I could contact that mechanic. Luckily they were still in contact with him, and let me talk to him on the phone. According to him the car has been at the junkyard for several years now, with all the paperwork dealt with. But anyway, if it turns out wrong, he was going to have to pay the taxes. Also saw the Land Rover, all the tires off, looking all miserable mounted up there for repairs. There was no way in hell that they could have it done by Wednesday (today) darn it.

Anyway, did our pick up, headed home and quickly got to work on the edit after wasting a full day on the friggin’ road! Gawd, I hate paperwork days. Grrrr.

The end of the afternoon wasn’t nice either. Had to take Knight II to the vet, and since Big Brother’s Cocker Spaniel has been doing so very bad these past weeks, he finally opted to have her put down. Poor girl was only sleeping these days, and barely able to stand on her paws. She was gone within two minutes of the injection. Always sad to see them like that, limp, gone. I can’t help but remember the cute little puppy she was when we first got her, more than eleven years ago. She was a happy dog, most of those years, at her happiest when she followed big brother around. A sad moment, where we both shed a tear or two.

Only managed a few pages of writing the past couple of days, partly because today wasn’t any better…and today I also didn’t feel all that well, physically today. I got up a little early to go to the village again, and was right on time too, when it turned out that tenant’s tube had gotten loose and that she and caregiver would have to go along to the health center. So I dropped the two off, and was, of course, once again too late for the bank. Did manage to hop into my own and deposit little brother’s money. He is going to have to go there himself to pick up the rest of his paperwork.

Walked all the way to the health center, where tenant and caregiver were still waiting for her turn. Left them to it while I phoned big brother so he could prepare everything that needed preparing before my return. It was going to be a close thing to see if we’d make it to Spanish lessons in time, because it was already past eleven by then. When I checked inside the center, tenant’s turn was up, so I hurried to the big parking garage, got the car and drove up. Arrived there just as caregiver was making a new appointment, so I loaded tenant into the car, and at fifteen past eleven we were on our way home.

Dropped tenant and caregiver off, ran to my cabin to change into something a little less hot (today was a scorcher) and then headed out with big brother behind the wheel so I could eat some breakfast. *sigh* Was feeling worse by then, but what the heck, paid ahead for our lessons so I wasn’t going to cancel no way. Added to that, I wasn’t really looking forward to the upcoming photo session that was planned for the evening.

Arrived just before our teacher, so we weren’t exactly late, thankfully. Not a bad class today, all things considered, but I was more than a little reassured that the photo session would have to be next week, because my “model” was on a job interview, or some such today. I could have wept, but didn’t, of course. That meant I could take a nap once we got home. Yay.

Did exactly that, and passed out for two hours with the dogs stretched out around me as if it was a special treat especially for them. Hah. Poor darlings have been on their own for way too long.
There was cooking involved after my nap (was feeling much better…have been burning the candle on both ends again, naturally. Grrrr) eating, and then some editing, as usual, when I don’t do any writing.

Have you noticed how insanely busy the past few weeks have been? If it isn’t one thing, it’s another, and Sally isn’t helping any. Seriously, I got into a massive disagreement with her yesterday, where I had to be really, really firm with her. At the moment, she’s quite self-destructive, which is a little scary to see happening. How do you stop someone from wrecking herself, eh? You can’t, she’ll have to learn the lesson herself.

Well, this is the end of today’s blog, again. Time to get ready for bed.

Whacky dream again

Song of the day: “Disturbia” by Rihanna. Nicely whacky song, and it has been stuck in my head for several hours, thank you very much.

It’s been a somewhat strange weekend, at least out of the ordinary since there was no market day for me. That will be next week where the Funny Beach market will be on Saturday night for the next two months or so. Good. I love the evening market. It leaves the day free for other, more important stuff…or in this case, loading. Hah.

Had a rather wonky dream about driving down a country road in the Land Rover, and then when I rounded a curve, there was this steep moss covered incline with two massive trees growing against it. They were majestic and curved in elegant arches on their way up into the golden sunlight. They were gorgeous, I tell you…and the best part was on a small terrace somewhere mid-height, this cute little house was built. It was really like one of those old rounded buildings with black beams crisscrossing through salmon-colored plaster, and a thatched roof.
Then suddenly, I heard the sound of an engine from around the curb. The next moment a small-ish woman in black Mary-Janes dark blue skirt, and a maroon cardigan over a fluffy white blouse. She was wearing a dark blue helmet, and sat on a bright cherry red moped that sounded way too loud for its type. The lady drove right past us, chin up, shoulders back, and seemed to be heading straight for the steep incline.
I could only stare, and yes, while I watched, she pulled the steer up, rearing the moped like a horse and started driving right up the incline. Up and up she went, literally vertical then, and when she reached the terrace went right on, taking the moped to air. I was quite stunned, despite the fact that by then I was starting to suspect I was dreaming. Hah. She flew right off.
Then, we were driving away, and I was all frustrated because I wanted to take a picture of the trees, but we rounded a curve, and then the beauty of the shot seemed to be gone, and I woke up all frustrated because I hadn’t been able to get that shot.
I don’t understand why it stayed with me when I was awake either, since I would not have been able to actually have the picture, you know. Hah.

But anyway, the past couple of days involved working on the new bathroom, of course. The floor is completely in, two walls, the tab and despite the fact that today was ridiculously busy, we did manage to do a bit more for it.

This morning was most unpleasant for Caregiver and grandpa who had to take both tenant and Sally to the health center. Sally is doing so bad at the moment, that she’s practically unmanageable. Angry, stubborn, and making things worse for herself by doing things against doctor’s orders that do nothing to improve her health. Regretfully she has stuff so stuck in her head, she won’t be swayed. Added to that, tenant wasn’t in the best of moods either, and she was resentful for having to wait for Sally. Those two don’t get along well at the moment.

There was of course writing this weekend. Almost got the manuscript up to 50,000 words now. Yay.

Laundry, feeding the dogs, cooking and all that glamorous stuff got done as usual, and I worried somewhat fierce yesterday about Knight, who decided to develop a fever. I didn’t like the look of him yesterday morning, a somewhat pale impression, if you know what I mean, so I checked his bandage, his stitches, but couldn’t find anything despite the fact that he had a fever.

This morning was an early start for us as well, since the car had to be brought to the garage. Dropped it off there on the dot (had Knight along because I had to go to the vet straight after. Fever was still there), told them of the trouble, and left our little darling for repairs. *sigh* It’s going to be expensive, I’m sure.

Went to the vet, but she wasn’t there, regretfully. And I didn’t have time to wait due to that appointment of Sally and tenant. So I went home…and discovered about an hour later that Knight’s paw was about double the size. Called the vet and she promised me she would see us at five…arrived there on time, and she couldn’t find anything wrong, so it is one of those freak things. They applied this big pressure bandage, so he looks even more wonky than usual now. *sigh* Poor darling.

That’s about it. I’m sure I’m missing one or two events, but who cares, right? Time to go to bed because I have to be up tomorrow to go to the bank and town hall to pay taxes. Little brother will be going along, since he wants to open one at my bank too, so I’m guessing that it will take a bit of time. Darn it. Time. If only we had more of it. *sigh*

Gotta go.