Old Movies and Books

When I was a young girl my mom gave me a love of books and movies. 

She took me to the library a lot. She and I would peruse the aisles and look things up in the old card catalog. If I ever said the word bored, she would immediately send me to the magazine and newspaper section to read some fluff in magazines, or even worse make me look something up for her. I learned not to say I was bored at a very young age because it would always result in being given something horrendous to do, like fold clothes or something equally fun.

I got what she wanted out of those library and book days. I have a great love of books and heaven knows old libraries make me very happy. The smell!  Hmm...No Kindle for me!  

In high school, I took an elective class called Best Sellers in my senior year. I thought it'd be such an easy class and it was. We were given books to read and of course, there were reports to be made on them. You could be writing a report or give an oral report. I recall my teacher giving me a science fiction book. Oh, how I hated science fiction. But we all had to read genres we did not like so this was mine. But I also knew I had to do an oral report this time and the book was science fiction. I was dreading this.

It was so damn difficult for me to get through this book. While there were some interesting things that I remember about it to this day overall the book bored me to tears. So I went to Mr. B and told him I just hated this so I can't get through it could he please give me something else to read. He said, No this was my book. I said I can't write a report on this because I honestly think this book is poorly written and it is boring the heck out of me.  Mr. B just laughed at me and said okay then, do your oral report on why you think this is a bad book, why do you think the writing is bad, why do you think it's boring. Write your report on that. But you better be able to back all this up with a good reason got it?  Yes! 

So that is what I did. I got an A. 

I stood in front of my class ( I even remember the dress I was wearing) and I told the story, the way the author took 2 pages to tell me that someone walked into a room was just too much and the reasons why I felt that way. I even said how I would have liked to see it done and why.  I explained how I would have liked to have seen the author expel on the story, not the language he was using to write the story. To me, his focus was English, not the story. 

He wrote with more adjectives than needed to explain one thing over 2 pages. It was overkill for me. But there were interesting points, such as these alien beings that look human who were born with rings on their index finger. When that ring was removed as adults they could become pregnant. 

I think that stuck with me because I thought - oh how cool is that for birth control!  I was 18 at this point and understood that this would be awesome.

I stood in front of my class and told my view of this book, I made my teacher laugh at one point so I knew I had a good chance of getting a good grade. I hit all the points he asked for and then a few of my own. After class, Mr. B asked me to stay. He told me he was proud of me for finishing what I started. I asked, "Can I tell you something and it not hurt my grade?"  He said, "I think so."  Hmm, but I went on. I said, "I never finished the book, Mr. B. I read the first 1/2 and it bored me so much I just skimmed the rest. I didn't need 2 or 3 pages to tell me how they landed here 1 page would have been enough."

He laughed and said, "Okay. get to your next class"

When I got my grade I was thrilled he didn't deduct me for telling him that.

Instead, he wrote a note on my report that said, "Very good job and I appreciate you trying to get through this book for your class. You've made me not want to read this book. You did a good job" 

I always thought he was just nice to me. Later I wasn't so sure.

Fast forward to my late 20s and I was working my part-time summer job at a local race track.

I was working in the clubhouse as a para mutual. (giving out their tickets)

I loved this job. A good friend of mine, Craig, worked there in the summer as he was a teacher. It was fabulous money. I worked at an airline during the day and I made 3x the money working weekends and 1 or 2 evenings a week at the track. And it was fun, I loved the people and my good friend Craig and I had fun working together.

I'm working in the clubhouse one day and Mr. B walks up to my window. 

He asks what I'm doing there. I said, "it's a part-time job. how about you?"  

He laughed and made his bet. He won a lot of money many times and the last time he gave me $10 for a tip. I told him it wasn't necessary but he insisted (I made a boatload  of $$ in tips!) 

Then he shocked me as well as made me very uncomfortable when he said, "Well you're an adult now and I'm no longer your teacher, would you like to go out sometime?"  

Ooooh ick - It's Mr. B. 

Now I realize that when he was my teacher he wasn't that much older than me but this was gross to me. I thanked him and told him I was dating someone. (I was just divorced but he didn't know that)  Thankfully my nose didn't grow so he didn't know I was lying.

He backed off quickly and nicely thank God.  

Then after work when Craig and I went to have a couple of drinks I told him about Mr. B (Craig and I went to school together so he knew him) 

I asked Craig, do you think that is why he gave me good grades in 11th and 12th grade?  

Craig laughed and said doubtful but it's obvious he liked you. 

Again, oooh ick. 

I never saw Mr. B again but I heard he was arrested for some gambling thing on a boat in international waters.  Never heard the outcome though. Yesterday someone asked me about a book I had read in his class and it made this quirky memory come flooding back to me.

Now because my mom also loved movies, we went to the movies a great deal. Never with my dad though. I remember seeing Oliver with my cousin and my mom had to separate us because we were talking too much. But overall movies in the theater or at home were something my mom loved. She turned me on to Haley Mills.   Oh, how I loved Haley Mills. My favorite movie of hers was, The Trouble with Angels. I recall seeing it at the Warner Theatre in my hometown. At least I think that was it. It could have been the Strand. I just remember it was a pretty theatre and we got dressed up to go to the movies. I got candy and mom got popcorn and we watched The Trouble With Angels. It was one of Haley's first movies I think outside of a Disney Movie. I just thought Haley was da bomb. Her hair, her clothes. 

She was in all the teen magazines of that time and I read them all. 

So my love of Haley movies and all books have collided into a memoir of Haley Mills and I can't wait to read it.  I saw online in my news feed that it has just come out. I know I will read this. In the 60s I was very young so the fact that I remember all this floors me. I googled the movie The Trouble with Angels and I see it came out in 1966 so I was all of 9 or 10.  The sneaking of the cigarettes in that movie is something I really remember along with the coughing. 😀

I imagine all women of a certain age remember her movies 

I have to go to Costco tomorrow after work and I'd love it if that book was there. Haley is 75 now. She doesn't look all that different, lucky her. 

But if this book says horrible things that were done to her as a kid in Hollywood it is going to piss me off. I hope it is a positive book during those easier times. I hope her time here in the states wasn't awful or that she wasn't treated poorly.

I want it to be as wholesome as her movies. 

Yes, I can be very pollyanna.

New Home

I found my new house.  Whatcha think?

Think solicitors will be knocking on my door now? 

Boy, I can't get mad at Rick and storm out unless I've got the boat all fueled up. 

The people who built this were nuts because they still put in a lawn...so we'd still have to mow. That's crazy. Then again they may be sick of water (which is impossible for me!) & the green lawn perhaps is their escape from the water.

The inside is ugly as all get out to me . 
The ceilings are so low and so much wood and darkness.  Not my style but boy talk about being away from people. Hmmm.....a girl can dream!

In all seriousness, this would be a big fat headache for fetching food, services on your home etc. Guess there would be no whining when I crave something and want Rick to go fetch for me. Don't think that is going to happen.  But the thought of it is appealing.  Guess that's why it's for sale. 

The Moon

For those like Mike who googled BBL after my last post -  

I want to assure you this is not a Brazilian butt lift. 

First of all, I don't have a butt so lifting it isn't a priority.  
Or as my husband likes to say I am like an aspirin, flat with a line down the middle.  Remember my story on this issue of butts vs boobs? I'm that theory all day long.

BBL is the same as IPL only stronger. It is a laser that removes acne scars, brown spots (ME). I think some use it to even out skin tone. I just want my dark spots zapped and be gone! No butt lifts here. But that comment cracked me up.

The young man who moved in just at the time of the pandemic is never seen. Rick calls him Stealth Boy. He is such a nice kid. I think he is 26. His parents are here from Raleigh and they were outside last night helping him pull weeds. We came outside with the dog and they asked who did our front yard. We told them plants are by us but the wall that was built was from the local landscaping company. Then the son pulled out a weed from the top, the mom said, "Oh my goodness you can't even pull weeds, you must pull them and get the roots out." 

Now as Rick and I left we could hear this as we walked down the sidewalk. We were chuckling.

Rick asked me if my mom had to show me how to do weed pulling. 

I laughed.  Yes but not at age 26. Are you kidding me? When my mom was alive she'd have me weeding around her flower beds all the time. 

I started at 8 or 9.  Not like I didn't do this until I was 26. My parents I swear had we girls just to do work around the house. Who do you think mowed the lawn and did the trimming? Who took the clothes off the line? (remember clothes lines?) Who shoveled? And the list goes on. 

The kid's gutters are clogged too. We saw that the water was not coming out his downspout which is the line between our townhomes. 

When we told him it wasn't coming out he didn't know what that meant. 

We explained. Then he said to Rick as we were heading out - can you tell my parents what you told me? So Rick told his parents. 

His parents are retired so they visit often.  

This young man and I have the same floor plan. 

He made his dining room a game room with all kinds of games and media and big screens. 

He made the living room his dining room. It's truly a boy's home. 

I must admit I thought it'd be nicely decorated because I assumed this young man was gay.  And I went with the stereotype that he could decorate. So bad ju-ju on me, I should never have assumed!  Nate Berkus he is not, darn it! 

His mom is always up here doing things for him. She keeps buying him outdoor patio pieces and each time she leaves he says to me, "Wanna stop by and help me arrange this stuff when it's warmer?"  Sure!   He is so damn nice I really like this young man. And he bakes me Gluten Free goodies so what is not to like?

He is getting a dog in another month or so and he is so excited. 

He said, "Izzy will have a playmate."  No, no Izzy won't. Izzy is old, a puppy will annoy her. But it will be fun to watch.

Speaking of Izzy -

Here is Izzy the day she just "went down" and we were found and driven home. She looks sort of fine but she was so not fine.

Here is Izzy on Monday. 4 days of medication is a world of difference I'd say. You can see she is doing so much better. This little dance was after swimming non stop for 30 minutes. Then back to swimming. 

Her eyes look brighter and like her old self. 

I was reading an article last evening about people who choose to not have children. Everyone had a comment and some were quite funny to me.

This article hit close to home. I recall when I was 23 and got married to the first that was a question that was asked all the damn time and I found it annoying. Because everyone knew I didn't wish to have children so what made them think it was different now that I was married? I had to care for my sister when my mother died and my father. I found it a horrible thankless job and I didn't wish to do it. I decided I'd have a career.  Oh, the old people would say, "But you'll regret that decision"  No, don't think so. 

I love kids but prefer other people's children because I can give them back, you know, like being a grandparent. That is perfect. 

But that's another post on another day.

Here are 2 that I found funny. This first one is perfect.

This meme just made me laugh because it's sadly me these days.

Monday night as I left to walk Izzy one last time I caught sight of the moon. 

I used my cell phone so it's not as clear as I would like but I was too lazy to run back to get my camera. 

It was also gorgeous at 5:15am Tuesday on our 1st walk as well.  

Did you get to see it?

About Face

I went to see a physician for some work to be done on my face.
No not a facelift or injections. Sadly I can't afford that, but some laser work to remove these brown spots all over my damn face. 

I so hate these spots. I had 2 aunts that had them. Horrible and ugly spots. One is so dark it looks black. It is hidden in my eyebrow thank goodness.

My dermatologist tried with cream then suggested that I needed to see this person for BBL. (like IPL only stronger)

I arrived 15 minutes early because I am not familiar with this particular city. She was eating her soup at her desk.  She put on her mask and told me to just come into her office. If I didn't mind her eating her cup of soup we can chat in her office. Man, did she have the most beautiful skin but then if that is your business you damn well should right? 

She was wearing a mask and I wondered how the hell she was going to eat that styrofoam cup of soup but I did not ask.  I sat at the chair in front of her desk. She moved to the far corner and asked if I minded if she ate this. She was a good 8ft away. She told me she has been fully vaccinated. I said I was as well. She said, "great" and took off her mask and asked me questions as she ate and I wore a mask. 

Then she asked me to remove it to see some of this. I have to tell you it felt weird and scary as hell to remove my mask. I know with both of us having been vaccinated that it is unnecessary to be wearing a mask. This made me realize that I now have an issue to deal with as far as my mask. 

When she was done looking over these ugly spots I put it back on and she laughed. She said to me, "it's scary, isn't it? We know this protects us and now even vaccinated we can't remove them mentally just yet"

Exactly! She understood me but that didn't make me feel less silly but I kept it on anyway.

I came home and told Rick how incredibly uncomfortable it made me feel. 

I know psychologically this is my issue that I must overcome. I can't even fathom going somewhere to be around a crowd or to go to a restaurant. I fear it. I can still get sick and I really don't wish to or worse cause Rick to be sick because his lungs are not in great shape as well as his kidney function.  I will never have my old normal back, will I?  I just need to adjust to this new life. It may take me more time than I thought.

Speaking of work on one's face.

Rick has a lovely sister. She is very pretty. She is lovely inside as well.

She lives in CA where everyone is required to change their face and bodies I swear. She had what she told us was her nose and eyes done. I'd say her whole face. Rick sent me a photo and said, "guess who this is" I said I don't wish to play this game, just tell me, please. He told me. You could have knocked me off my chair with a feather. She looks nothing like herself. A totally different person.

She used to look like Rick. She doesn't any longer. She is beautiful no doubt. She was beautiful before she did this. I think if you have the disposable income to do this you should be able to. But I find it so weird to have a whole new face. While I may not have been given the same gifts of say, Charlize Theron, it is still my face. I can't fathom having one face for 50 plus years and then poof - new face. Not that I wouldn't like the new face but it's not me. Is that making sense to you?

The bottom line, she is healthy and well. 

She was gorgeous before and she is gorgeous now. Just different. 

If she walked past Rick or me we would never recognize her. 

That is what I find odd, not that she did it. I give her kudos. I would do work on my face if I could. I just don't want a different face so I doubt I would cut my face but I'd do other things if I could afford it. 

But she looks fabulous and she feels fabulous and that is most important.

Not that I wouldn't want a new face but I've had this ugly one for a long time and I'm used to it. It would be odd walking by a mirror with another face don't you think? While Rick feels the same, of course, he has to take the street paved in perversion when he said to me, "Well it's like after all these years he's got a new woman in bed"  

Seriously my man is a sicko.

A week of Dear Diary.

 4/20/21 - 

Dear Diary,

I feel like everything is coming at me 100mph.

Work is overwhelming of late, trying to file and do all the things with the state to close out the business, work, do things at my home, a dog who is ill and me who is ill and no one knows why.  It's a lot. Then add that I am constantly sick and have no energy but I must plow through until I can't. Which is what I do daily.

Then there is this fucking shower I was to have last year. It's on for this year.

I don't want any part of it. I don't want to do it. I have told them I can't physically but they laugh. I told her I'd give her the other $2k and have them finish it. But they laugh. I'm frustrated. Someone is having a come-to Jesus meeting with a young lady or I will hurt someone. And we all know I won't hurt anyone really and I will eat it and vomit on my blog. 

My dog has a heart murmur. Our vet said to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist wants more testing. Today for the 2nd time she collapsed while walking. She just had no more in her. We were only 3 blocks from home. I sat on the sidewalk like a damn fool Indian style and just calmed her. Her breathing is heavy and with a weird rhythm if that makes any sense to you. If a man who knew Izzy didn't come by I am not sure how we'd have gotten home. He was with his little pug Daisy and he helped me. He went home (just a couple doors down) and got his car and drove us home. I thanked him so many times for this. He just said, "Izzy's is the queen of the neighborhood we need to take care of the  Queen" 

OMG. That was nauseating, yes I know it was nice too. 

I got her home and I sat on the floor with her until she fell asleep. 

The cardiologist can't even see her until Mid June. They suggested I go back to our regular vet. Awaiting his call.

4/21 - 

Dear Diary, 

Every day at lunchtime a very nice woman walks by with her earbuds and music. Today was no exception. She always stops and pets Izzy because at lunch we are out on the stoop after our walk. Over the last couple of years now she stops and chats from time to time. But since Covid, she has become Chatty Cathy. 

Now she stops all the time to chat and love on Iz.  I find her funny too. 

She is so adorably awkward and 180 degrees from me I think that is why we have just clicked. I look forward to her walk and she told me she looks forward to seeing me and Izzy for 3 reasons - 

1. to see us  

2. to have a rest because our house is 1.7 miles into her 4-mile walk and she appreciates the break. and 

3. she is out of the fucking house (her words) away from her 3 kids and hubby who are now always home.  

I replied, "Not in that order I bet!" 

That cracked her up and we just now have these fun chats at our lunch and never see each other any other time in our life. What this pandemic has done is kind of nice really. 

I have been sharing this with Rick and he asked what she looks like, does she walk with a dog, what is her name? No dog just herself.

I said she is long and lean with short hair doesn't wear makeup, you know the engineer kind of look. I don't even know her name. 

He knew exactly what I meant about her look and he said oh I've seen her.  

Then he added, "she wears big white earbuds right?" 

That made me laugh. I've known him for 34 years

"Boy you're getting old Richard When you were young, you'd have said, "oh the one that has big boobs?"  (insert body part) and I'd have said, "no, the one with the white earbuds" and you'd have said, "she had ears?"  

Well, that made him belly laugh and then get up to hug me. He said I know him well. Sadly I know him better than he knows himself. I think all wives do, don't you? 

I had to follow up with my cardio doctor today for my bp. Quick 15-minute embarrassing visit.

It is so high a good amount of time lately. 

It was so high when I had my side effects from my vaccine. Through the roof scary kind of high. Stroke high. Then when I saw the GI it was pretty darn high. 

She took it 3 x hoping it would drop. She really wanted me to see my Cardio man. So I said okay, but I really didn't want to. It was fine most of the time. 

Rick insisted. I am sick of doctors but I do it so everyone backs off. 

I get there and my bp is textbook perfect. On his machine and mine. I bring my machine so we can compare how off-target mine is and to add that.

He did it twice manually and it was fine. His nurse did it twice as well - perfect.

I felt like a damn fool. But hopefully now when I finally get all my testing done I won't have to worry about bp.  

He honestly felt that my pain and level of pain will make it spike. I am at a high level of pain the majority of my days. Today it is milder and I can live with this pain. It's there but I can still function so if it could just stay like this for a week or even 2 days I would be so happy. All this waiting just because I changed insurances and had to start all over again. 50% of the doctors I have called do not take medicare. So what do you all do when that happens? It sucks. I went into the hospital for all this in February and I am still undiagnosed truly and have no medication for wellness or pain. Our medical community in this country SUCKS.

4/22

Deary Diary,

Is it Friday yet? 

I got a call from my niece, the one with the shower grief last night.

I was to leave next Friday the 30th to head up to Erie to bring her shower things and to work on the event together. She lives with my mom as does her younger sister. Her sister got Covid. (works retail) 

Her sister was at least smart and had her first shot.

She thought she had covid the day before her vaccine so she bought a test. 

It was negative. She told them at the place where she got the shot, they took her temp and said if the test was negative and you don't have a fever then you're fine. So she had the 1st shot. 2 days later she takes herself to the dr because she is even sicker. She has Covid. Honestly!  

And yes I am damn angry at the lot of them up there. I'll try to go up again when I can. Honestly, I have so many balls in the air. I wish I could clone myself.

Hey the cardio vet had a cancellation and got us in this week. Fingers crossed this will go well.

4/22 

Deary Diary, 

The man across the street is named Jim and I just found out. 

We have a name for his home or family but we don't know him. 

While his wife has lived here for a couple of decades he hasn't. 

We are horrible wretched people, we know that. We should learn real names.

Rick has named the whole neighborhood and they only make sense to us. 

Dirt Bags, The Unicorn, Hot Mommy, Cheap Richard, and Nebbish Richard, and my personal favorite that Rick came up with for this one person is Mouth Breather. 

It makes me laugh. Not because it's funny, but because if you envision someone a particular way after hearing his name you can see him...The Mouth Breather.  

It fits perfectly!

We are genuinely awful and if I ever have to talk to them aside from the 2 Richards I only know them by the names we've given them.  It would be my luck to just be chatting and say hey Mouth Breather, although it'd be funnier if I said Hey, Hot Mommy at the block party. 

Anyhoo I really did digress there. Back to ole Jim of the Dirt Bag Home.

I saw him outside and he came over to pet Izzy as he likes to do.

He told me about having back surgery and he did not wish to do it. After I told him I have had 4 back surgeries he keeps coming over if he sees me outside to discuss this surgery. Well, he finally booked it. He wanted to come over to tell me it's Friday at 7:30am. He said if you lied to me I'm coming over here. 

I said if I lied to you then you wouldn't be able to come over here. We just laughed. He is very nice and the rest of the family is a Jerry Springer show. I think I will bring him some goodies while he is recuperating. I told him after the surgery there is no more pain, just discomfort from surgery, but no excruciating pain like you are currently in.  He'll see I'm correct on this. I think I have some experience in this matter.  The first surgery I too was scared for all the reasons he is. I get it. 

But it truly is far better after the surgery. He will see. On top of his ruptured discs (yes plural), he has MS so the poor guy is in chronic pain.

The house he lives in used to house his wife, her 1st  husband and her boyfriend, and a slew of children. They all dressed like rag-a-muffins and it was a Jerry Springer show over there. The police/Sheriff was always there for one kid or another. Now all the other men are gone and a new husband named Jim. I'm telling you it's a reality show across the street but not a fun one.

4/23

Dear Diary,

This week just keeps getting better, doesn't it?

We had to see the cardiologist veterinary doctor for Izzy Thursday. She has a heart murmur that they were keeping an eye on over the last couple of years but it's not lighter so off to the new vet to check her out. Last physical the vet said we should see a cardio doctor. Thank God for her insurance. 

This bill was $690 and her insurance paid $621.00. I can deal with that! If only my human insurance was as good. Since it was reported on her last 2 exams that she had a murmur the deductible was already paid on this issue so there was no deductible. Again, why can't we humans get insurance this good?

Because of her breathing and not wanting to walk or during a walk where she just sits and can't go forward it was time. She had to see the vet so we knew what was going on with her. She is too damn old for surgery at this point. We were hoping for medication and not telling us that Izzy needed some kind of surgery. Because we wouldn't put her through that at her age. 

So we got a drug for her heart. They are having her tested for Cushing's disease.

She has some old lady issues as do I so the poor thing was put through the wringer yesterday.

First, she knows where she was at. How does she know?  She was shaking as if she was on a vibrating table. She won't come out of the car. Oh, this was fun. 80lbs of chub to pick up. This is why I like Rick to go with me. 

But between me and a vet tech we got her out of the car. 

How does she know where we are at? We have never been there. It was in Leesburg VA. Nothing should be familiar to her.

I don't know that town well. My google maps/GPS sent me to a housing development and I'm looking at these homes thinking - this can't be correct. 

So I turned it off and started it again. I turned around and got back on the main thoroughfare and it sent me in a totally different direction. WTH was that?

I don't go to Leesburg often, not on my radar, but this didn't make it any more fun.

Izzy has this on her summary - 

• Moderate degenerative valve disease
• Moderate mitral valve regurgitation causing a heart murmur
• Mild left atrial enlargement
• Moderate left ventricular enlargement with mildly decreased heart muscle function rule out large breed variant of valve disease vs. concurrent early dilated cardiomyopathy

Increased drinking, panting and a recent episode of exercise intolerance -  noncardiogenic (rule out Cushing's vs. orthopedic)

So now blood works to see if she has Cushing's Disease. 

But overall for her age, I think it's all rather normal thank goodness.

My dog's weight is a huge issue.

She gets 1 cup of blue buffalo fit and lean adult diet food and 1 cup or a bit more of beans. 2x a day (green beans from a can)

She gets 3 treats a day - they are all medicine but she thinks they are treats. Hemp CBD for her arthritis.

Days she swims she is starving after swimming so she gets either beans, watermelon, and or steamed broccoli. No kibble-type food. But she is not losing weight. I can't give her less than 1 cup because she begs for food now. 

They put her on Rx diet food and she refused to eat it. She ate around it for the beans then begged for more food. We refused and thought if we say no she'd eventually eat it. Nope, she only ate the beans and at the end of the 2nd day, I said I'll cry Uncle,  she needs food. So back to blue buffalo diet we went. She is 10 lbs overweight and I'd like them to take her home and see how they can do. They talk to us like we are horrible dog parents. We are not feeding her too much food. The neighbors give her treats so that must stop. They don't get it.  Poor Izzy. She's old and should be allowed to eat and do whatever the hell she wants. Aging sucks for us all. If it really is 7 yrs per 1 dog year then the poor thing is 84. But I just read that it is far higher for labradors and most dogs. So who knows - either way, the poor thing is old.

4/24/21 - 

Dear Diary,

Wow, one day of medication for Izzy and she RAN yesterday to see her favorite neighbor, Cheap Richard. That was so terrific to see. He asked what was going on with her since she seemed so bright-eyed and energetic. I said I think she is getting all the oxygen she needs now. Who knows. But it's working, isn't it? My goodness, this man loves my dog. He leaves her treats and he will not go outside his house without a treat in his pocket for her. I told him he needs to stop this per the vet. He said, "but it's just one c'mon, she knows I always have them for her"  Honestly people do not help. If you love her let's let her live longer I tell him. He laughs. 

Set up the power washer, got it from the garage in the back to the front of the house. Hooked up the hoses, moved all the things off the porch and it died. Just plum died on us. Rick tried to repair the plastic part but it was shot. So much for the power washing the front of the house and landscaping wall. 

I expected a day of all outdoor work and that screwed up the whole weekend.

I think Rick rather enjoys it when this happens. Me, not so much.

4/25/21

Dear Diary,

Not feeling too bad today so I hope to accomplish a lot. 

4/26/21

Dear Diary

I didn't accomplish squat on Sunday. 

I swear the more we do the more that needs to be done.

Now it's Monday. I hate Mondays. 

I awoke at 2am and couldn't fall back asleep. It's going to be a long Monday. 

I went upstairs and watched some TV. I had taped a ballgame and I watched baseball at 2 in the morning. My team is playing extremely poor baseball and the manager is not going a good job either but I never thought he did since he was hired. It was frustrating to watch even at 2 in the morning. I had to switch and watch something else. At 5a I thought oh, I could fall asleep so I went downstairs to the 2nd flr and crawled into my bed. I was in bed for 30 minutes and then Izzy got us all up.  She actually climbed the stairs in the middle of the night and was in her bed upstairs. She hasn't done that in a very long time. This medication is working and that makes me happy as I know it does her!

We watched a British stand-up comedian named Jayde Adams. I love when a stand-up comic does their set and brings it all home to what they started with. It's smart to me. She did it in a clever way and the message was also on point. I enjoyed her. But I was screaming at my TV for her to untuck her turtle neck sweater.  I'm weird like that.  Speaking of clothes...

This is the first year I have not watched the Oscars. I didn't see any movies unless they were on Netflix, Prime, TV etc. So I wouldn't know anything about any movies.  I normally enjoy the hell out of the shallow shit and what they are wearing but just couldn't do it this year. 

I'm blaming everything on Covid. I hope it goes away so I can stop using that excuse. 

Happy Monday.

Break

I'm taking some mental health days.  A break if you will.

I continue being sick and I'm tired and sick of it all.

Seems no one is reading or writing these days either here in blog land.

Pandemic funk?

I think a day or two off may be helpful for my health, then again, maybe not.

((hugs))

Half Dog Half Human

On Friday I had the back door open.
You see Izzy has a doggy door in the screened back door. It's a Godsend for me during the day. She wants to go out on the patio she can let herself out. But lately, it's difficult for her to lift her leg to get back in. I don't get why but she will stick her head in and look for me. I was just coming down the stairs when I saw her head in the door and it made me laugh so hard. 

I hate watching her age but there are days where she can make me laugh like no other.  This door. Head all the way in - body outside.

So on Friday, it was nice and warm and I just left the screen door open. 

It's not bug season yet so I thought it'd be okay. I just left it open enough for her to walk in. I can normally hear her come in so I thought if I wasn't on the phone I would just run downstairs and shut the door when I hear her.  

Izzy came in and brought a big fat bee with her. She looked at it buzzing around and then went about her day. I, on the other hand, was freaking out. 

I've only been stung by a bee once. It flew into my Keds and it stung me on the arch of my foot. I don't wish to be stung again. So I was trying to swoosh it away with a magazine. I got it all fired up and mad from swinging at it. But I took a swing at it in mid-air (the NYY could use that batting skill!) and made contact so when it got up from the floor I was able to push it out the door. 

I watched it because I was hoping I didn't kill it. Then it was like the bee just shook it off and then flew away. Whew. I did not need a bee in the house! I didn't wish to kill it, just go to the outdoors.

Last year it was a big fat toad that hopped in with Izzy. 

That sucker was scared to death and hid under the sofa. Izzy and I both looked under the sofa and saw it but couldn't get it out. Thankfully Rick came home an hour later. But we stood by, we two brave girls, and made sure it didn't hop elsewhere in the house.  

Izzy is as much of a big fat chicken as me. 

I swear she is only 1/2 dog and 1/2 human.

Yesterday on the walk I said to Rick, watch this, Izzy turn left.  

Izzy looked back at me and I said it again. She turned left. 

Rick said it was 50-50 you got lucky. 

I said I do this daily with her Richard, do it 5 more times and she will be correct 5 more times. So I did it 4 more times to prove to him. He said it was luck. Then he said, 1 more time. So I told her to stay at the corner. She and I both looked both ways for cars and I said, "let's cross over"  she did. Then I said, "Izzy, go right" She did. Rick was impressed. He asked if I did this daily on our walks. 

I said I do, in fact, I too thought it was a fluke. I did not point. I didn't show her. Each time she is NOT on a leash. I asked Rick, "You know how she stops at the corners and sits as she was trained? Well, you know how she always looks back at us like can I go? or which way to go? Well, I started saying right or left or cross over. And she has done it every stinkin' time!

Last night Rick took her for her last walk and he tried it. He got to our corner and told her to go left. She shook. As if she didn't want to go or she had water in her ears. She had not gone swimming so that wasn't it. When he was telling me this I knew instantly what she was doing.

He told her to go left again and she shook her head and rattled her collar charms. She put one paw on the street while her other 3 were on the curb and she looked back at him? Rick said, okay I think you want to cross over -so he said the correct commend,  "OK, Izzy cross over" and she crossed the street. 

Coincidence or is my dog damn scary?

In other doggy news. A man who we see all the time walking his big dog saw us at the park yesterday. Rick mentioned something about moving. The man said, "No! Izzy can't move." 

Rick said, "What about me?" and laughed. 

"Izzy is the mayor of our neighborhood we will all miss her"  

Rick said, "you can all come to visit."

But Chris was a bit upset by this news. He said not before summer though right? Rick laughed and said we won't be gone before summer.

When we walked away Rick said, No one is going to miss us, just our dog!"

It certainly appears that way.

Friday afternoon Rick and I took Izzy swimming. A couple who have watched Rick and Izzy for the past 12 years came over to introduce themselves. They live in a house across the street. They sit on their porch and drink cocktails on Friday and watch Izzy swim. They introduced themselves to us and offered us a drink but we said no.

They asked about Izzy and said they see she is slowing down a good bit but she still loves to swim. He went on to tell us his grandkids are the ones who come over last week to ask to pet Izzy and throw the bumper for her to fetch in the water. So everyone chatted for a bit on Friday. The man said, "when your dog passes, we are all going to be in mourning on this block. We so enjoy watching you two."

That was awfully nice of him. Rick really liked the guy which is unusual. 

The man said he came over because he was now fully vaccinated as was his wife but he still wore a mask to come chat with Rick. He said, if you and your wife have been vaccinated, stop on by some Friday after Izzy swims and we can all sit on the porch and have a few cocktails. Sounds like a plan to us.

I sure hope when we get to NC everyone is as friendly as we've had here. It sure will be easier for this big move.

Finally Friday.

It's finally Friday and I am watching the clock because I am leaving this office at 5pm. No working late again. Hell, I may even clock out at 4:58p. 

Let's end the week with that fun restaurant in Austin TX.

I love their signs.

Have a great weekend everyone - I am doing things around the house to make it pretty to sell. Wanna come help?  

Yes, yes I do. But couldn't I just point my leaf blower at people? 

Oh is that wrong?

If you weren't an SNL fan then you won't get this one.

Go on, admit it, you'd use this one.

Nope, still wouldn't.

Me and every Avocado I have purchased!

And this just happened to me. Horrifying.

Eew.

My husband has made the PRO team. He is quite proud.

Well, I'm shooting for Chunk from the way things have gone thus far.

I seriously need to try this one.

Scary by true.

Just did this yesterday. Aargh!!

I've been saying this since the pandemic started. Missed opportunity!!

And we all know this one is fact!

Dreams

I actually slept last night and I had a dream.  Weird weird dream.

Rod Stewart was sitting at the table in my lake home. 

I no longer have a lake home or know Rod Stewart. I only know OF Rod Stewart.

In my dream, Rick and I were on the boat and decided to walk up to the house from the dock. When we walked in the front door Rod was sitting at my kitchen table.

Rick asked him why he was there and he said to perform.

Then he sang Maggie May, which is not even my favorite Rod Stewart song.

It was so weird. How did he (rod) even get in my mind to dream about him?

No, I didn't even hear a song on the radio. Weird, all of it was just weird.

Hey, I hate the song Do You Think I'm Sexy so at least he didn't sing that in my dream. 

Here....maybe you too can get an earworm. 😁

A Delight

A delightful young woman called last week.  (Nicoletta)  

I was making the booking and asked for her last name. She said it, I typed it. 

She said, do you need to know the spelling? I told her I didn't think so but let me spell what I wrote for you.  She said how did you do that? I told her I was good with Italian surnames.

She had an accent. She has lived in this area for her husband's job for quite some time and they are getting ready to sell and change their life 180 degrees. They are way too young to retire but the rat race has gotten to them. The pace of life here and the stress are also contributing. She said the pandemic made them reevaluate their lives and what they wish to do with their lives. 

She was so excited telling me this I thought I'd go with it. She was a pleasure to talk to.  

I normally have a difficult time with accents but hers was all too familiar. 

I understood her. She asked if I spoke any Italian and I told her I understand a lot more than I speak. I only speak in bad words. She laughed and said, "Well those are important to know too."  Then she asked which "bad" words did I know. 

Oh, I laughed and said that may not be appropriate in this setting. She begged me to go on. She was having fun she said. So I said a couple and she said, "Boy you weren't kidding and you have the pronunciations down for not speaking the language. You must be able to speak it."  

I explained that I grew up with a mom who used a lot of Italian. Normally when she didn't want us to know what she said. Or when she was swearing. 

I learned another phrase when my mom dropped a Lemon Meringue pie straight from the oven to the floor. 

Oooh, that was a lot of Italian that day I told her. Nicoletta laughed. 

She wanted to know so much about me. 

I told her this was about her bathroom. 

Oh if I call back can we just chat? she asked. I told her it was unnecessary. 

She said she didn't wish to get me fired. So I went along. She wanted to know if I knew what region my family was from. If I pronounced something well she was so excited. It was like she was my Italian tutor. 

I got the impression she was homesick, which is why I was still on the phone with her. 

She asked if there were things I missed and couldn't find here as far as food. 

Oh hell yes!! 

We discussed the poor Italian food choices in this area I live now. 

Oh, how she understood. I said but every chance I can get to Arlington I go to the Italian Store. She moaned. She knew. We discussed the candies we could buy there that we had every year at Christmas growing up. She said she got them there every holiday too. But she felt it was missing a great many things. I know, but it's something I told her.

She and her husband will be opening a Bed and Breakfast in the Italian Alps. 

I asked, "Will you be George Clooney's neighbor?"  She said, "not far."

She later in the day sent me a link stating this "this is where we will be in a few months" Gorgeous right? 

She shared so much you'd have thought we were long-lost friends. 

The more she spoke the more I felt like this young woman was just homesick. 

She was a delight and not rude or mean or a condescending man so I was thrilled to be speaking with her. She had me chuckle when she asked about food. She asked if I knew that Italy was in the EU and all countries in the EU can not have GMOs, fake wheat-like in America, no hormones or steroids given to the animals that are eaten.  I did know that it was like that in Italy but did not know that was part of being in the European Union. No wonder their simple rustic food tastes so much better. It's real food. Or what we in America call Organic. 

I finally told her while I loved talking with her my voicemail light was blinking so I had to go. She thanked me for taking the time to talk with her and helping her feel less homesick. (I knew it!) 

She invited me to come to stay at her BNB when I retire. 

I told her it was a bucket list but not sure I'll ever get there. 

She told me she was sending me more info and that she will bug me until I get there. Somehow I don't doubt she will. 

I'm so ready....

I had this happen again yesterday. 

Boy if this is not an indication that it is time for me to leave nothing is.

I was not my normal nice self to this guy and I liked it. 

We are on dangerous ground here.

This "man" called and asked a lot of questions. I went through them all. 

He acted like my answers were wrong. Here we go again.  I discussed procedures etc. I went over everything with him to address all his questions and concerns about his particular issues and I, heaven forbid, made a suggestion for his job and then he says, "I would prefer to speak to a man about all of this"  

"I'd prefer that too sir" and I laughed.

He was silent. I let it sit there to sink into the numbskull.

I was not saying another word. I knew he was confused. Voice was pleasant and happy but the words he wasn't quite sure about. 

He then finally says, "Well are there any men there I can speak to?"

"Nope, there are none here.  No need to have one because I've been trained in this field.  If you wish I can have a man call you tonight after office hours to tell you the same thing I just did if that will make you feel better and give you a better comfort level."

"No."

 And then he booked his job with that dumb girl!

I have wanted to say that for 15 yrs!! 

The manner and tone in which this is said is what gets me. If only I could have taped him for you all to hear. It was patronizing, it was belittling it was just a pain in the ass that I am sick to death of hearing.

If he had said, "Is it possible to speak to one of the technicians that does the work? I have more questions and that would make me feel better." 

That would be awesome. But that is never what is said or remotely implied. 

When this first began happening here at the beginning Rick never quite believed me. Then he was sick for a week and heard phone calls all day and he would get livid. He couldn't believe what he heard. Why would he? He has never lived this until now.  So how do good guys learn this?  

I guess being around a jerk shows them how not to behave. 

Normally I just say there are no men here may I have one call you later? 

Then I have Rick call and he answers their questions and then reminds them he has trained me and that is what I am paid to do and he gives me back the phone. 

They are not even mad, like if I had said it. 

He's a man talking to a man, therefore all is right in the world.  

To quote John Boehner, what a jackass!