I remember seeing the movie "Jaws" in 1975 when it came out and thinking it was one terrific movie. The terror of wondering when that darned big shark was going to pop out of the water or being warned of it's approach by what I think were intermittent strings of tuba blasts made me worry I'd toss my popcorn all over whoever was sitting in front of me. I'd never been to Florida when I saw that movie and it's left an indelible and often present thought in my mind that there are an awful lot of sharks in those waters. I went to Florida for the first time not long after seeing that movie and I was scared to death to go in the water past my ankles.
Reruns have been on T.V. many times over the years but I watched one today with a different eye. It was the incredible acting by Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss that held my attention. They were magnificent. I think it must have impressed me so much because I've been dismayed over some of the most terrible acting I keep seeing on T.V. movies these days. Some of it is so bad you just have to wonder why anyone would spend the money it costs to produce a movie without at least hiring a cast who could act.
I know I miss out on a lot of the entainment value of movies because I analyze too much but today, with "Jaws", it was just wonderful to watch Shaw and Dreyfuss perform. A few of the other actors were also good but not at the same level as those two. It makes you understand that good or great acting is a true art form.
I was able to lose myself in the fantasy of the story in 1975 and the shark looked all too real to me but, today, I only was impressed with the mechanics of it. Time changes us all in many mysterious ways.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
His Daddy's Boy
Kim called me this morning to come over and visit because Nolan was at her house. Faye had given me a lovely rocking chair for Nolan and Nash so I piled it into the car and drove over. As I got out of the car at Kim's, I saw a tiny little boy come racing to meet me and it took a moment for me to realize it was Nolan. It is amazingly wonderful how fast they grow and become steadier on their feet when they're that age. I guess I haven't seen him for a couple of weeks and he's full of new words, too.
Kim and I watched him play, relishing the memories he brought back to both of us. 25 years drifted in and out as I looked at that sweet little boy, so much like his father. 25 years seem to have passed like hours but then sometimes like centuries when you think of all the living that was packed into that time.
True, there has been a lot of sorrow mixed in with the good times but I wouldn't change any of it if it meant I'd lose any of the people I love today. Just watching the little life that is Nolan makes me know it was all worth while.
When I left Kim's, I took the rocker over to Natasha and got to see baby Nash. It just melts my heart when I see that calm little guy. There's something about that baby that makes me feel he'll teach me something important one day.
On the way home I stopped at Shopper's Drug Mart to buy another brace for my knee, hopefully one that is more comfortable than the one I already have. I should be wearing a brace every time I go out to help this darned knee settle down but my old brace keeps coming loose. It's a pleasant surprise to find my knee hurting much less after just a short while wearing a brace so I'm going to make more of an effort to wear one. Oh yes, I got to use my new handicapped tag yesterday when I went grocery shopping and it was really nice to be able to park close to the store. This knee has made my life miserable for over a month and I'm getting sick of it. I don't feel old until I stand up and it hurts to walk!
It's too hot out today to want to be outside so I think I'll hang around here and resist doing any housework.
Kim and I watched him play, relishing the memories he brought back to both of us. 25 years drifted in and out as I looked at that sweet little boy, so much like his father. 25 years seem to have passed like hours but then sometimes like centuries when you think of all the living that was packed into that time.
True, there has been a lot of sorrow mixed in with the good times but I wouldn't change any of it if it meant I'd lose any of the people I love today. Just watching the little life that is Nolan makes me know it was all worth while.
When I left Kim's, I took the rocker over to Natasha and got to see baby Nash. It just melts my heart when I see that calm little guy. There's something about that baby that makes me feel he'll teach me something important one day.
On the way home I stopped at Shopper's Drug Mart to buy another brace for my knee, hopefully one that is more comfortable than the one I already have. I should be wearing a brace every time I go out to help this darned knee settle down but my old brace keeps coming loose. It's a pleasant surprise to find my knee hurting much less after just a short while wearing a brace so I'm going to make more of an effort to wear one. Oh yes, I got to use my new handicapped tag yesterday when I went grocery shopping and it was really nice to be able to park close to the store. This knee has made my life miserable for over a month and I'm getting sick of it. I don't feel old until I stand up and it hurts to walk!
It's too hot out today to want to be outside so I think I'll hang around here and resist doing any housework.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Aldara Treatment
I knew that using Aldara on the skin cancer on my lip would cause it to increase in size for a while but the darned thing has actually doubled already and I only applied it twice. It still bugs me that I should be afflicted like this because I've been careful for many years to keep my face out of the sun but I know it's the sun damage from my early years that's the culprit.
Life is like that. When you're young and having fun (sunbathing, boozing, using street drugs, having indiscriminate sex), you don't think of the consequences that you could face in later years. It's hard to imagine that if you're doing any of those things you just might be making life changes that will seriously affect you some time down the line.
I pity the poor souls who have been silly enough to post compromising pictures of themselves on the internet because they are sure to pop up publicly when they're least expected. I pity the poor souls who think they are immune to alcoholism or drug addiction and stupidly play with those fires. Some times you just can't escape the consequences of your actions and, if you're unlucky, they'll bite you in the butt.
I've mainly lived my life on the careful side, being too timid to try anything I consider dangerous or disagreeable. That's not so good, either, but it just happens to be the way I am. I don't want my children or grandchildren to be as fearful as I am but I do want them to think before they leap. I want them to enjoy life to the hilt but to do so with clear and conscious thought.
There are so many things I wish I'd done with my life but, being the careful person I am, none of them are especially adventurous. I wholeheartedly wish I'd pursued a higher education and I wholeheartedly wish I'd been a better mother. I wish I'd travelled more and gently partied more but those are frivolous wishes. We all will leave this world with passions unexplored and unspoken and there's nothing much we can do about it. I cope by being the best person I possibly can today and that's okay.
I know a few people who were dedicated sun worshippers back in the day and who have been afflicted with this darned skin cancer. I really believe that the hardest hit people were of my generation because later generations benefitted from the wise use of sun blocking lotions that us older folk had no idea we needed. Skin cancer was the furthest thing from our minds as we lined up, row upon row, on the beaches basking under the hot summer sun in the 1950's and 1960's. A lot of us are reaping the delayed and unwanted rewards today.
As I said, enjoy a good and fun life but do it with your eyes wide open to the consequences...and there are consequences (good and bad) to every blessed thing you do.
Life is like that. When you're young and having fun (sunbathing, boozing, using street drugs, having indiscriminate sex), you don't think of the consequences that you could face in later years. It's hard to imagine that if you're doing any of those things you just might be making life changes that will seriously affect you some time down the line.
I pity the poor souls who have been silly enough to post compromising pictures of themselves on the internet because they are sure to pop up publicly when they're least expected. I pity the poor souls who think they are immune to alcoholism or drug addiction and stupidly play with those fires. Some times you just can't escape the consequences of your actions and, if you're unlucky, they'll bite you in the butt.
I've mainly lived my life on the careful side, being too timid to try anything I consider dangerous or disagreeable. That's not so good, either, but it just happens to be the way I am. I don't want my children or grandchildren to be as fearful as I am but I do want them to think before they leap. I want them to enjoy life to the hilt but to do so with clear and conscious thought.
There are so many things I wish I'd done with my life but, being the careful person I am, none of them are especially adventurous. I wholeheartedly wish I'd pursued a higher education and I wholeheartedly wish I'd been a better mother. I wish I'd travelled more and gently partied more but those are frivolous wishes. We all will leave this world with passions unexplored and unspoken and there's nothing much we can do about it. I cope by being the best person I possibly can today and that's okay.
I know a few people who were dedicated sun worshippers back in the day and who have been afflicted with this darned skin cancer. I really believe that the hardest hit people were of my generation because later generations benefitted from the wise use of sun blocking lotions that us older folk had no idea we needed. Skin cancer was the furthest thing from our minds as we lined up, row upon row, on the beaches basking under the hot summer sun in the 1950's and 1960's. A lot of us are reaping the delayed and unwanted rewards today.
As I said, enjoy a good and fun life but do it with your eyes wide open to the consequences...and there are consequences (good and bad) to every blessed thing you do.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Lost at the Casino
Why do people who constantly lose at the casino keep going back? You might as well ask why do overweight people eat cake? Or why do people with lung cancer warnings continue to smoke?
Mary, Faye and I had our overnight at the casino and they both won while I lost. I did enjoy my time wandering from machine to machine, sometimes winning but usually losing. I enjoyed the time that Faye, Mary, and I spent together and I enjoyed the opulence of the hotel where we stayed for free and ate for free.
I hope that one of these days I'll come home from the casino a big winner.
Mary, Faye and I had our overnight at the casino and they both won while I lost. I did enjoy my time wandering from machine to machine, sometimes winning but usually losing. I enjoyed the time that Faye, Mary, and I spent together and I enjoyed the opulence of the hotel where we stayed for free and ate for free.
I hope that one of these days I'll come home from the casino a big winner.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Casino!
Faye, Mary, and I are off today to the casino for an overnight and a floor show. I predict I'll lose all my money but that's an easy prediction because that's what almost always happens. I wonder why I like gambling...maybe it's the "almost".
The front porch is finished but I'm not totally pleased with the color. It really looks nothing like the sample and is much lighter than I'd prefer but at least it looks neat and clean. There's no way I'll be changing it so it's here to stay. John, the handyman, has been a treasure, showing up for work each morning just after 7:30 A.M. and working until the day's job was done. He's a very interesting man. He came over from Portugal when he was still in his teens, knowing no-one and not speaking English. He worked at whatever he could find and saved up $50,000 and bought a building lot in the north end. Then he built his own house and had it paid for within 2 years. That is the kind of work ethic that most immigrants to this country used to bring here. Now we get too many immigrants who are only too happy to go on social assistance.
I discovered that it was only by chance that he was able to start my job so quickly. The job he had lined up for this time period was delayed because of a death in the family so John might not be that easy to count on for my future jobs. I guess I need to be content that the fates allowed him to come to my aid this summer and get all the jobs done around this house that really needed doing so I should be thankful for that. I am.
I turned the AC off yesterday and kept very comfortable with just the fans and open windows and doors. It was lovely sleeping with the bedroom window wide open last night, too. It's starting to warm up today but, since I'll be away, I'll leave the AC off until I get home tomorrow. We're expecting rain, too, and we certainly need it.
Well, I'm all dressed and packed and ready to go but I still have 3 1/2 hours to kill so I think I'll spend most of it playing on the computer. Or I could do housework. No, it will be the computer!
The front porch is finished but I'm not totally pleased with the color. It really looks nothing like the sample and is much lighter than I'd prefer but at least it looks neat and clean. There's no way I'll be changing it so it's here to stay. John, the handyman, has been a treasure, showing up for work each morning just after 7:30 A.M. and working until the day's job was done. He's a very interesting man. He came over from Portugal when he was still in his teens, knowing no-one and not speaking English. He worked at whatever he could find and saved up $50,000 and bought a building lot in the north end. Then he built his own house and had it paid for within 2 years. That is the kind of work ethic that most immigrants to this country used to bring here. Now we get too many immigrants who are only too happy to go on social assistance.
I discovered that it was only by chance that he was able to start my job so quickly. The job he had lined up for this time period was delayed because of a death in the family so John might not be that easy to count on for my future jobs. I guess I need to be content that the fates allowed him to come to my aid this summer and get all the jobs done around this house that really needed doing so I should be thankful for that. I am.
I turned the AC off yesterday and kept very comfortable with just the fans and open windows and doors. It was lovely sleeping with the bedroom window wide open last night, too. It's starting to warm up today but, since I'll be away, I'll leave the AC off until I get home tomorrow. We're expecting rain, too, and we certainly need it.
Well, I'm all dressed and packed and ready to go but I still have 3 1/2 hours to kill so I think I'll spend most of it playing on the computer. Or I could do housework. No, it will be the computer!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Better Parenting
A 6 year old boy was killed at 9:30 last night as he drove his bike off the sidewalk onto the road. This was something that should never have happened because a 6 year old child should not be out riding his bike at that time of night. The first thought is, where were his parents? They'll have to live with loss of a child and also the anger of the public that they allowed this little boy to run free on a dark summer night.
We all make mistakes and this is a brutal one. Maybe the child slipped away while his parents were talking to friends. Maybe he was under the care of a careless babysitter. No matter what the fault, this little 6 year old boy is dead and nothing can change that.
Children are carefree and just don't realize the dangers that surround them. I just saw a T.V. video that shows there was a stop sign at the corner where the boy was killed and now I'm wondering if the driver stopped properly or only slowed down as many of us do, me included. We drivers do take too many chances when driving our vehicles because we get away with our carelessness almost all of the time. I'm sure that driver never expected a little boy on a bike to come roaring in front of him at 9:30 at night but both of them lost the gamble last night.
Accidents happen so fast even if we're abiding by all the rules so we need to exercise more caution when we're driving a vehicle capable of delivering serious harm to anyone or anything it runs into. The accident last night was one that so easily could have been avoided if, especially, the 6 year old boy had been properly supervised. There's no escaping that fact.
We all make mistakes and this is a brutal one. Maybe the child slipped away while his parents were talking to friends. Maybe he was under the care of a careless babysitter. No matter what the fault, this little 6 year old boy is dead and nothing can change that.
Children are carefree and just don't realize the dangers that surround them. I just saw a T.V. video that shows there was a stop sign at the corner where the boy was killed and now I'm wondering if the driver stopped properly or only slowed down as many of us do, me included. We drivers do take too many chances when driving our vehicles because we get away with our carelessness almost all of the time. I'm sure that driver never expected a little boy on a bike to come roaring in front of him at 9:30 at night but both of them lost the gamble last night.
Accidents happen so fast even if we're abiding by all the rules so we need to exercise more caution when we're driving a vehicle capable of delivering serious harm to anyone or anything it runs into. The accident last night was one that so easily could have been avoided if, especially, the 6 year old boy had been properly supervised. There's no escaping that fact.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Coming Along
John replaced the window shutters today and also got the under coat on the steps. Tomorrow he'll put the gritty paint (should be more of a darker clay color) on them and Wednesday he'll put the first coat of sealer on. Thursday he'll put the 2nd and last coat of sealer on and the steps will be done. He's also going to put something over the top layer of siding on the steps so it will look nice and neat. I'm a very happy lady to finally have a decent entrance to my house.
The flower pictures are just there because they also made me happy to look at them.
Amy's Lesson
The unique singing talent of Amy Winehouse was lost along with her young life at the age of 27 because of her addiction to drugs. We keep hearing about these talented young people destroying themselves by becoming addicted to drugs and it so baffling that no lesson is learned from the tragedy. You would think that Amy's fans would learn from her mistakes but it doesn't seem to happen.
I read some Facebook comments yesterday and while most were posted by people feeling a sadness at Amy's death, one stood out glaringly enough to anger me. One young man who is associated with my grandson wrote, "Now there's more coke for the rest of us.". Apart from having the new worry that maybe my grandson is using coke or having friends that do, I shuddered to read those words which imply that young people who use drugs "recreationally" still have no fear of losing everything they hold dear because of their foolishness in playing with something as deadly as street drugs.
I first heard Amy Winehouse sing a few years ago and was astounded at the beautiful bluesy quality of her voice. At the same time, I read that she had a severe drug problem and thought that she probably wouldn't last too long. And she didn't. Whatever drove her to use drugs, it was the biggest mistake of her life. And now she's gone.
I can't see anything good coming from her loss because young people really think they will live forever and that nothing can hurt them. It's part of the flawed psyche of the young and that's why they need adult guidance. Unfortunately, when those young people supposedly become adults, we can't help them anymore and they have to become responsible for their own choices. Choosing to use cocaine or any of the other illegal drugs is also the first step in choosing to live a tragic life.
It would be so nice to learn that even one young person saw Amy Winehouse's death as the true tragedy it was and learned an invaluable lesson from it. It isn't "cool" to use drugs. It's simply a waste of the time you're allowed on this earth.
I read some Facebook comments yesterday and while most were posted by people feeling a sadness at Amy's death, one stood out glaringly enough to anger me. One young man who is associated with my grandson wrote, "Now there's more coke for the rest of us.". Apart from having the new worry that maybe my grandson is using coke or having friends that do, I shuddered to read those words which imply that young people who use drugs "recreationally" still have no fear of losing everything they hold dear because of their foolishness in playing with something as deadly as street drugs.
I first heard Amy Winehouse sing a few years ago and was astounded at the beautiful bluesy quality of her voice. At the same time, I read that she had a severe drug problem and thought that she probably wouldn't last too long. And she didn't. Whatever drove her to use drugs, it was the biggest mistake of her life. And now she's gone.
I can't see anything good coming from her loss because young people really think they will live forever and that nothing can hurt them. It's part of the flawed psyche of the young and that's why they need adult guidance. Unfortunately, when those young people supposedly become adults, we can't help them anymore and they have to become responsible for their own choices. Choosing to use cocaine or any of the other illegal drugs is also the first step in choosing to live a tragic life.
It would be so nice to learn that even one young person saw Amy Winehouse's death as the true tragedy it was and learned an invaluable lesson from it. It isn't "cool" to use drugs. It's simply a waste of the time you're allowed on this earth.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Nice Sunday
My young neighbors, Lisa and Anna, came over for a visit last night and helped me choose the paint color for the bathroom. I could agonize for months and never make a decision about paint color because I'm scared to death of choosing one I can't live with and then having to live with it for 5 years. They chose and I agreed it would be a soft, medium to light beige...not too adventurous but what the heck!
I went over to pick the paint up this morning knowing that I haven't even asked my new handyman if he'll do this job but this was the last day to get 40% discount at Sherwin Williams and I didn't want to miss it. I think I have enough paint to do both the first floor bathroom and the new one that John will build upstairs. The upstairs one won't require much paint at all because I want a lot of tile in there.
Lisa, Anna, and I went to Ikea in the afternoon where I wanted to buy some lamps but ended up only getting a laundry hamper. Then we went to Sotiros (not sure if that's spelled right) and had a lovely early dinner. None of us could finish our dinner but we still ordered their delicious balaklava for dessert. We all brought enough leftovers home for another dinner tomorrow.
I made an interesting decision today to enter Nicole's afghan in the Norfolk Fair this coming October. I did more design on this particular afghan than I ever have on one or probably ever will again so it's a good time to display it and maybe win a ribbon for it. I've only ever seen the odd Swedish weaving table runner entered at fairs so maybe my afghan will be a one of a kind. It's too expensive a hobby for most Canadians unless they can travel to the States and buy their fabric over there. The finished product is sure beautiful, though, and Nicole's is especially beautiful because of all the extra work I did on it.
It's so quiet in the house right now with the air conditioner quiet for the moment and no T.V. on. I usually have it on just for background noise. It was a gorgeous day out today with more normal summer temperatures but I still need the AC on. Maybe tomorrow I can give it a rest. Tonight will be a peaceful one with a little bit of playing on the computer and a little bit of watching T.V. Maybe not too exciting but certainly not stressful, either.
I went over to pick the paint up this morning knowing that I haven't even asked my new handyman if he'll do this job but this was the last day to get 40% discount at Sherwin Williams and I didn't want to miss it. I think I have enough paint to do both the first floor bathroom and the new one that John will build upstairs. The upstairs one won't require much paint at all because I want a lot of tile in there.
Lisa, Anna, and I went to Ikea in the afternoon where I wanted to buy some lamps but ended up only getting a laundry hamper. Then we went to Sotiros (not sure if that's spelled right) and had a lovely early dinner. None of us could finish our dinner but we still ordered their delicious balaklava for dessert. We all brought enough leftovers home for another dinner tomorrow.
I made an interesting decision today to enter Nicole's afghan in the Norfolk Fair this coming October. I did more design on this particular afghan than I ever have on one or probably ever will again so it's a good time to display it and maybe win a ribbon for it. I've only ever seen the odd Swedish weaving table runner entered at fairs so maybe my afghan will be a one of a kind. It's too expensive a hobby for most Canadians unless they can travel to the States and buy their fabric over there. The finished product is sure beautiful, though, and Nicole's is especially beautiful because of all the extra work I did on it.
It's so quiet in the house right now with the air conditioner quiet for the moment and no T.V. on. I usually have it on just for background noise. It was a gorgeous day out today with more normal summer temperatures but I still need the AC on. Maybe tomorrow I can give it a rest. Tonight will be a peaceful one with a little bit of playing on the computer and a little bit of watching T.V. Maybe not too exciting but certainly not stressful, either.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Railing Is Painted
I almost fainted with joy when I saw John painting my railing yesterday because I thought he'd finished working for the day. The porch has been smoothed over with some sort of concrete which hides the dips and dives of time and Dean's nails and, now that the railing is painted, it looks almost like a decent entrance. I can't wait to see the porch and steps with their nice new finished coating!
It was a lot cheaper to have work done on the house when Dennis was alive but I've found that handymen are a lot cheerier doing the work. Maybe it's because they get paid in cash. Anyway, I've really got to stop telling people about my new handyman because he'll end up being too busy to work for ME! I'm already looking around the house for odd jobs that I'd like done for fear I'll lose him before my nest has been spruced up to my satisfaction.
I'm trying to get as much work as I can afford done on the house before I have to buy a new car next year but people keep telling me I'm stupid to get rid of my 2001 Honda Accord. Even mechanics tell me that I can get many more years out of it but I'm afraid to keep driving an old car to Florida. That is the only reason I'd buy another car. Now I'm wondering if I should.
I keep thinking that the car will one day unexpectedly just die on me, possibly when I'm 1200 miles from home, but Cindy said I'll probably experience small problems at first. This car has been darned reliable and it's really still a cute little car. I think I'll take it in the spring to Cindy's mechanic (soon to be my new mechanic) and ask him his opinion and let that make the decision for me. Okay, problem solved for the time being!
Being a widow means I have to make too darned many decisions all by myself and it's something I hate doing...at least all of the time. I learned pretty quickly that a widow needs to find honest and fair people to deal with and also to ask lots of questions before making any decision. I'm very lucky to have good family and friends to take my questions to.
Speaking of which...I've been wanting to do something with my main floor bathroom but couldn't make up my mind just what to do. I'd thought of painting over the cedar slats that are on 2 walls but it's often not a good idea to paint over wood. Donna was over on Tuesday for our Swedish weaving and she made a very good suggestion. Why not leave the wood and take down the wallpaper that is on one wall and paint that wall? It's something I hadn't even thought about but now has me very interested. I'll go to Home Depot tomorrow and bring home some color samples.
Someone should try to analyze why a woman feels so euphoric when her nest is being improved. And husbands should learn that the way to a woman's heart is by home improvement!
It was a lot cheaper to have work done on the house when Dennis was alive but I've found that handymen are a lot cheerier doing the work. Maybe it's because they get paid in cash. Anyway, I've really got to stop telling people about my new handyman because he'll end up being too busy to work for ME! I'm already looking around the house for odd jobs that I'd like done for fear I'll lose him before my nest has been spruced up to my satisfaction.
I'm trying to get as much work as I can afford done on the house before I have to buy a new car next year but people keep telling me I'm stupid to get rid of my 2001 Honda Accord. Even mechanics tell me that I can get many more years out of it but I'm afraid to keep driving an old car to Florida. That is the only reason I'd buy another car. Now I'm wondering if I should.
I keep thinking that the car will one day unexpectedly just die on me, possibly when I'm 1200 miles from home, but Cindy said I'll probably experience small problems at first. This car has been darned reliable and it's really still a cute little car. I think I'll take it in the spring to Cindy's mechanic (soon to be my new mechanic) and ask him his opinion and let that make the decision for me. Okay, problem solved for the time being!
Being a widow means I have to make too darned many decisions all by myself and it's something I hate doing...at least all of the time. I learned pretty quickly that a widow needs to find honest and fair people to deal with and also to ask lots of questions before making any decision. I'm very lucky to have good family and friends to take my questions to.
Speaking of which...I've been wanting to do something with my main floor bathroom but couldn't make up my mind just what to do. I'd thought of painting over the cedar slats that are on 2 walls but it's often not a good idea to paint over wood. Donna was over on Tuesday for our Swedish weaving and she made a very good suggestion. Why not leave the wood and take down the wallpaper that is on one wall and paint that wall? It's something I hadn't even thought about but now has me very interested. I'll go to Home Depot tomorrow and bring home some color samples.
Someone should try to analyze why a woman feels so euphoric when her nest is being improved. And husbands should learn that the way to a woman's heart is by home improvement!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Happy Days!
John, the new handyman, phoned me at 7:45 A.M. to say that he was on his way here to start on the front porch. I could have cried with joy. I thought for sure that he was calling to say he couldn't start right away for one reason or another and here he was on his way to my house to work!!
He arrived shortly after and began sandblasting the old paint off the porch and the railing. When he was finished, he told me he was leaving for a while and would return when the porch dried so that he could grind out the nails that Dean had pounded into the concrete and then he'd start applying the special concrete mixture to smooth the whole thing. He did just as he said he would. I'm so thrilled, I'm giddy.
I know the whole process involves quite a few steps so he feels he'll be finished Thursday. I can't wait to tell him that it took Dean 2 months to finish the awful job he did on my porch that requires it all to be redone. What a difference in a person's work ethics.
I just went outside to look at the porch and it looks a million times better already. It's irked the life out of me every single time I walked up those stairs the past year at least because it looked so awful. I couldn't help but think how upset Dennis would be if he could see it. He always kept the outside of the house in excellent shape without me even having to nudge him. I really only nudged him for changes I wanted made...he was too content with the status quo!
I think I'll go ahead with having the 2 pc. bathroom put upstairs. I can trust that my new handyman won't make it a horribly drawn out mess. In any case, I'll go visit Joyce and Larry while it's being done so maybe I'll see no mess at all. I know...I'm a dreamer.
He arrived shortly after and began sandblasting the old paint off the porch and the railing. When he was finished, he told me he was leaving for a while and would return when the porch dried so that he could grind out the nails that Dean had pounded into the concrete and then he'd start applying the special concrete mixture to smooth the whole thing. He did just as he said he would. I'm so thrilled, I'm giddy.
I know the whole process involves quite a few steps so he feels he'll be finished Thursday. I can't wait to tell him that it took Dean 2 months to finish the awful job he did on my porch that requires it all to be redone. What a difference in a person's work ethics.
I just went outside to look at the porch and it looks a million times better already. It's irked the life out of me every single time I walked up those stairs the past year at least because it looked so awful. I couldn't help but think how upset Dennis would be if he could see it. He always kept the outside of the house in excellent shape without me even having to nudge him. I really only nudged him for changes I wanted made...he was too content with the status quo!
I think I'll go ahead with having the 2 pc. bathroom put upstairs. I can trust that my new handyman won't make it a horribly drawn out mess. In any case, I'll go visit Joyce and Larry while it's being done so maybe I'll see no mess at all. I know...I'm a dreamer.
My Lip is Healing
Three weeks ago, my dermatologist finally declared that the sore on my lip was skin cancer and it scared me pretty badly. She sprayed it with liquid nitrogen and gave me a prescription for Aldara to begin using on the 25th (next Monday) but it has healed so well that I'm going to ask her to take another look at it and see if maybe I don't need to start the Aldara treatment. It makes sense that she diagnosed skin cancer because this sore has been there for about a year and a half unable to completely heal but I'm wondering if that was because it's hard to keep the lip dry. Skin doesn't heal unless it's kept dry, does it?
I've worried about having to use that Aldara on my lip because I did use it once before on a basal cell skin cancer that I had on my chest and it hurt so much that I had to stop using it. The lips are so much more sensitive so it would probably hurt a lot more to use it there.
Aldara was first used to treat genital herpes but it was discovered to help diminish skin cancer, too. I can't even imagine putting it on your genitals! It sort of embarrassed me to purchase Aldara from the pharmacy because the druggist doesn't know that, in my case, it's for skin cancer. He probably thought I was a dirty old lady! My friend, Norma, asked me if I bought it at a drug store where I wasn't known and I actually did (at the dermatologist's building). I wonder if I did that on purpose?
Oh well, just wish me luck. I'll try to see the dermatologist on Monday and I'll be hoping she'll say I don't need the Aldara. Then I can squawk about paying $190 for something I didn't need.
I've worried about having to use that Aldara on my lip because I did use it once before on a basal cell skin cancer that I had on my chest and it hurt so much that I had to stop using it. The lips are so much more sensitive so it would probably hurt a lot more to use it there.
Aldara was first used to treat genital herpes but it was discovered to help diminish skin cancer, too. I can't even imagine putting it on your genitals! It sort of embarrassed me to purchase Aldara from the pharmacy because the druggist doesn't know that, in my case, it's for skin cancer. He probably thought I was a dirty old lady! My friend, Norma, asked me if I bought it at a drug store where I wasn't known and I actually did (at the dermatologist's building). I wonder if I did that on purpose?
Oh well, just wish me luck. I'll try to see the dermatologist on Monday and I'll be hoping she'll say I don't need the Aldara. Then I can squawk about paying $190 for something I didn't need.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
6 Years
No, I didn't forget. I just wasn't going to write another blog about Dennis' passing but I saw my daughter's comments on Facebook this morning and felt their still palpable pain at losing their father. It's been 6 years and I can still envision him, alive and strong and determined, as though he could still make it back into this world if he chose to do so.
His biggest legacy was his children, 3 daughters who loved and respected him above all others and who miss the wisdom he had to offer them. There is just too much unfairness that they had to lose a father like this too soon.
His brother, Wayne, called me as he usually does each year on this day and we spoke a few words about what a great guy Dennis was. We don't cry like we used to in the early years but we understand that the tears are still hanging on inside our hearts. Personally, I try to let the day go by without focusing on it because the unfairness of his dying still makes me angry. And it's a futile anger because what is done is done. I leave my girls to comfort themselves and they do it well without me.
6 years. I hope he's somewhere nice.
His biggest legacy was his children, 3 daughters who loved and respected him above all others and who miss the wisdom he had to offer them. There is just too much unfairness that they had to lose a father like this too soon.
His brother, Wayne, called me as he usually does each year on this day and we spoke a few words about what a great guy Dennis was. We don't cry like we used to in the early years but we understand that the tears are still hanging on inside our hearts. Personally, I try to let the day go by without focusing on it because the unfairness of his dying still makes me angry. And it's a futile anger because what is done is done. I leave my girls to comfort themselves and they do it well without me.
6 years. I hope he's somewhere nice.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It's Like a Frigid Winter
It may as well be a Canadian January outside because the weather is forcing me to stay indoors so darned much but, instead of using the furnace to keep the house warm, I'm using the air conditioning to keep it cool. This must be what it's like to live in Florida all summer!
Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to reach 37c which is about 105 or 106F. I have no memory in my lifetime of heat like this in my city so maybe there is something to global warming after all. The fact that our winters can still be so cold could also mean that our whole climate is out of whack. I don't know how people who have to work outside in weather like this can stand it but maybe it's quite tolerable for all the immigrants to our country. This is their kind of weather. India gets temperatures up in the 140's.
My garden doesn't look too bad but the grass looks awful. I water in the morning or evening every second day so I'm hoping that's enough to keep from losing my lawns altogether. I had to relocate some of the potted plants before I found the right spot for them to survive. Unfortunately, the weeds have me beat this year because it's just too hot to bother with much weeding so my plan for next year is to use lots of mulch rather than annuals in some of the worst hit areas. One of my back gardens gets plenty of shade but the soil is filled with fibrous roots probably from the lilac bush and the Impatiens I planted there is unable to send down their roots to get established. Consequently, the plants are withered and half dead. Next year, mulch!
It would be so nice to be able to open the patio door nearby and have a fresh, cool breeze waft in. Maybe next week when the temperatures are supposed to drop to normal!
Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to reach 37c which is about 105 or 106F. I have no memory in my lifetime of heat like this in my city so maybe there is something to global warming after all. The fact that our winters can still be so cold could also mean that our whole climate is out of whack. I don't know how people who have to work outside in weather like this can stand it but maybe it's quite tolerable for all the immigrants to our country. This is their kind of weather. India gets temperatures up in the 140's.
My garden doesn't look too bad but the grass looks awful. I water in the morning or evening every second day so I'm hoping that's enough to keep from losing my lawns altogether. I had to relocate some of the potted plants before I found the right spot for them to survive. Unfortunately, the weeds have me beat this year because it's just too hot to bother with much weeding so my plan for next year is to use lots of mulch rather than annuals in some of the worst hit areas. One of my back gardens gets plenty of shade but the soil is filled with fibrous roots probably from the lilac bush and the Impatiens I planted there is unable to send down their roots to get established. Consequently, the plants are withered and half dead. Next year, mulch!
It would be so nice to be able to open the patio door nearby and have a fresh, cool breeze waft in. Maybe next week when the temperatures are supposed to drop to normal!
Monday, July 18, 2011
My Steps...Now
I thought I'd take a picture of the front steps I've been squawking about since...actually, a few years ago but they look much worse since the plywood was taken off them last fall. Idiot Dean nailed plywood to the concrete and then covered the plywood with that gritty paint. The plywood rotted (of course) and Don, the previous handyman, pulled it all off last fall to reveal the damaged concrete underneath. He was supposed to fix it by now but, since he took so long, I got another handyman who has promised me he'll have it done by the end of the month. I have great hopes but I'm not betting on it.
Isn't this a lovely entrance to my home???
Swedish Weaving Afghans
The top two pictures are of Nicole's afghan and the bottom one is the one I'm working on for Matt and Sandra. It is so pleasurable to complete one of these afghans because they take so long to finish and I always hope the work and love put into them are appreciated by the people who receive them.
The fabric is so hardy that they should last a very long time and the only problem one might have is that part of the yarn design might pull. That is easily fixed by straightening it out and there is no worry that the fabric strands will break. They can safely be machine washed and dried, too.
I try to have a completely different color palette when I begin a new afghan but the last 2 were both blue based. Matt and Sandra chose brown and aqua for their base colors so that will make it more interesting for me to work on. My next planned afghan is for Marilee and that will be mainly greens and I plan to work on it over the winter and give it to her in March when she comes to Florida. It's fun to plan ahead but I shouldn't get too far ahead.
We'll continue this heat wave over the next week so I can see dollar bills flying out the window with the air conditioner on 24 hours a day. This is very unusual weather for this time of the year and also because it's lasting so long. August should be a real scorcher.
I'm thinking of replacing the knobs and handles on my kitchen cabinets and might brave the heat to drive over to Home Depot today. I'll probably go with a plain stainless steel but first I'll check out what the kitchen display is featuring. I like the ones that are presently on the cabinets but the metal part is becoming a little pitted and marked from age so new ones will look nice. I just might stop in at Wendy's while I'm out, too.
I got a call from my doctor's office this morning with the appointment date for the plastic surgeon. It's kind of funny that this old gal will be visiting a plastic surgeon to take a piece out of her lip instead of getting something more interesting like a face lift. I long ago realized that a face lift would do me no good unless I had a whole body lift so I'm sticking with what I have. This appointment is only to have to surgeon look at my lip, give me a prognosis, and then set up an appointment for the actual excision. I'm hoping ever so much that he'll tell me the scar will be tiny and that I can leave for Florida maybe 2 weeks after it's done. That's my hope and it will hold unless I'm told differently.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Hot
I've spent more time indoors these last few weeks than I have outside because we're experiencing a heat wave. The air conditioning has been on most of that time and, as of the last couple of hours, hasn't turned it's little self off once. I almost turned the setting up a bit because I can just imagine the money this is going to cost me but then I thought, why? I want to be comfortable and that's all there is to it.
The lawn doesn't look very good, either. Too much hot weather with little or no rain isn't good for the grass or the plants. The deeply rooted perennials are doing okay but the poor little annuals are wilting and I'm not going out to water them until later this evening when it's a bit cooler.
I worry more about being out in the full sun now that I've had skin cancer. It isn't the welcoming warmth it used to be. I just realized that it also means that my beach frequenting days are behind me. Anybody want to buy 3 beach umbrellas that are lying under the Florida room futon down at the trailer? LOL!
I have to start putting the Aldara on my lip skin cancer next week and I just dread it because I know it's going to hurt like hell. It's a 10 week treatment of what I'm expecting to be torture. Then I have to go to a cosmetic surgeon to have whatever remains cut out. This is going to hold me up from leaving for Florida when I planned but it has to be done. This is a warning to everyone to use sun screen. I kind of think the lip skin cancer came about because I'd stopped using lipstick, too. Now maybe I'm wrong about how lipstick protects the lips but it certainly seems possible.
My sister, Sharon, didn't call today so I guess she doesn't feel she owes me an apology. If she was a friend instead of a sister I'd just let it lie and feel bad about the end of the friendship but the fact that she's my sister makes me think twice. I know in my heart that even if we make up I'll wonder how many times we'll go through this sort of thing before I give up for good. There's no way in hell that I'll allow anyone to treat me badly again and I'm afraid I have to accept that I can't count on ever being exempt from Sharon's temper. This leaves me wondering if it's best to just keep my distance now.
On the plus side. I finished Nicole's afghan today and have gotten a good start on Matt and Sandra's. I'll post pictures of both once I have Nicole's hemmed and fringed. The powder blue embroidery is perfect for it and I'm so glad I removed the awful pink that I had started to put on.
Oh yes, Cindy and I drove to St. Catharines to visit Aeron last night and had a nice dinner at Swiss Chalet with Aeron and her boyfriend, Cam. Aeron's apartment is cute as can be and in a really nice area. A lot of university students live around there but it's very well kept up.
Before we got to St. Catharines, Cindy drove to an area off Bartlett Rd. in Grimsby to show me the sweetest neighborhood. It's full of what must have been 100 year old summer cottages now transformed into permanent and colorful houses. I'm assuming they're permanent homes because they must be quite valuable now. The imaginative owners have painted many of them in outrageous but happy colors which show off their old world architecture. These aren't "hippy" houses because they're very well taken care of with fresh paint and healthy and lush plantings. One house had a massive clematis that reached up and over the 2nd floor porch. I want to take Mary and Faye to see it when they get back home from their holiday.
I did a bit of reading today from one of my yard sale books. It's Stephen King's "Cell" and not too entertaining. I remember when I'd get into a really interesting book that I hated to put down but I skim through books like this. I just might have to start going to the library to get a book worth reading.
The lawn doesn't look very good, either. Too much hot weather with little or no rain isn't good for the grass or the plants. The deeply rooted perennials are doing okay but the poor little annuals are wilting and I'm not going out to water them until later this evening when it's a bit cooler.
I worry more about being out in the full sun now that I've had skin cancer. It isn't the welcoming warmth it used to be. I just realized that it also means that my beach frequenting days are behind me. Anybody want to buy 3 beach umbrellas that are lying under the Florida room futon down at the trailer? LOL!
I have to start putting the Aldara on my lip skin cancer next week and I just dread it because I know it's going to hurt like hell. It's a 10 week treatment of what I'm expecting to be torture. Then I have to go to a cosmetic surgeon to have whatever remains cut out. This is going to hold me up from leaving for Florida when I planned but it has to be done. This is a warning to everyone to use sun screen. I kind of think the lip skin cancer came about because I'd stopped using lipstick, too. Now maybe I'm wrong about how lipstick protects the lips but it certainly seems possible.
My sister, Sharon, didn't call today so I guess she doesn't feel she owes me an apology. If she was a friend instead of a sister I'd just let it lie and feel bad about the end of the friendship but the fact that she's my sister makes me think twice. I know in my heart that even if we make up I'll wonder how many times we'll go through this sort of thing before I give up for good. There's no way in hell that I'll allow anyone to treat me badly again and I'm afraid I have to accept that I can't count on ever being exempt from Sharon's temper. This leaves me wondering if it's best to just keep my distance now.
On the plus side. I finished Nicole's afghan today and have gotten a good start on Matt and Sandra's. I'll post pictures of both once I have Nicole's hemmed and fringed. The powder blue embroidery is perfect for it and I'm so glad I removed the awful pink that I had started to put on.
Oh yes, Cindy and I drove to St. Catharines to visit Aeron last night and had a nice dinner at Swiss Chalet with Aeron and her boyfriend, Cam. Aeron's apartment is cute as can be and in a really nice area. A lot of university students live around there but it's very well kept up.
Before we got to St. Catharines, Cindy drove to an area off Bartlett Rd. in Grimsby to show me the sweetest neighborhood. It's full of what must have been 100 year old summer cottages now transformed into permanent and colorful houses. I'm assuming they're permanent homes because they must be quite valuable now. The imaginative owners have painted many of them in outrageous but happy colors which show off their old world architecture. These aren't "hippy" houses because they're very well taken care of with fresh paint and healthy and lush plantings. One house had a massive clematis that reached up and over the 2nd floor porch. I want to take Mary and Faye to see it when they get back home from their holiday.
I did a bit of reading today from one of my yard sale books. It's Stephen King's "Cell" and not too entertaining. I remember when I'd get into a really interesting book that I hated to put down but I skim through books like this. I just might have to start going to the library to get a book worth reading.
Friday, July 15, 2011
My First Ball
This is my neighbor, Steve's, bowling ball that he was nice enough to lug over to my house today. It's for the bowling ball art that I plan to make by glueing on glass beads. This will be my first so I won't attempt to make anything elaborate, just same color glass beads. Once I gain more confidence, Shelley wants me to make her a couple that look like ladybugs. I've told her to find 2 bowling balls and we'll make them together this winter.
I haven't gone to the local bowling alleys for balls yet but I am practicing how I'll ask for them. I won't say, "I'm looking for some old balls.". I'll say, "Do you have any old bowling balls that I can buy?". Sounds better, doesn't it?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
A Lot of Lazy Days
I've taken to making time for a nap every afternoon unless I'm running the roads or have company. I really didn't like the idea of getting into that habit but I'm up really early in the morning so I guess it's a trade-off. In any case, it's kind of pleasant to give into it.
My neighbors are away for a few days so it's my job to feed and water their 2 cats...big job that takes about 2 minutes every 2 days and they're home on Sunday. Other than that, I'm spending a lot of time Swedish weaving. I thought I was finished Nicole's afghan except for the bottom embroidery but I was out of pale blue floss and started using a soft pink instead. After working about 2 hours I had to admit that the pink floss had a coral tone that clashed badly with the pink yarn in the afghan so I pulled it all out, bought some nice pale blue floss and will use it instead. I also decided to add abit more yarn design before starting the embroidery so maybe it was a good thing the coral pink floss didn't work.
I did some laundry this morning and started the dishwasher...that was really the extent of my day's housework. There is so much more I could get into but it's hot and that makes me dozy. I've had the AC off since yesterday and am relying on open doors, windows, and a fan to keep me cool. It's very comfortable but not chilling.
Kim phoned to say she'll be having her hysterectomy either in September or October and will need to stay off work for up to 8 weeks. That seems like a long time but I told her I wouldn't leave for Florida until she was well enough on her own. Shelley called, too, and said that would be a good time for her to come up and nurse her sister. Kim will really only need someone with her for a few days after she comes home from the surgery but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her too soon. I know Cindy will be right there for her, too, and that gives us all a good feeling of being taken care of when we need it. Family...what can I say?
My lip is healing well, too, so that's a relief. I'm keeping a separate blog and taking pictures of it every day and it's amazing how much better it looks from when I first had it sprayed with the liquid nitrogen.
My friend, Norma, came over for a visit yesterday and we had such a nice, long talk. She is a real "up" person and it cheers you up just to be in her company. I met her at the park in Florida quite a few years ago but she lives about 20 minutes drive from me here in Canada. It's terrible that we don't usually take the time to see each other during the summer but she'll be going on the cruise in January and spending a few days before and after at the park.
Well, my agenda for this evening is to just relax and take it easy...something like my agenda for this afternoon and possibly all day tomorrow. Hmm!
My neighbors are away for a few days so it's my job to feed and water their 2 cats...big job that takes about 2 minutes every 2 days and they're home on Sunday. Other than that, I'm spending a lot of time Swedish weaving. I thought I was finished Nicole's afghan except for the bottom embroidery but I was out of pale blue floss and started using a soft pink instead. After working about 2 hours I had to admit that the pink floss had a coral tone that clashed badly with the pink yarn in the afghan so I pulled it all out, bought some nice pale blue floss and will use it instead. I also decided to add abit more yarn design before starting the embroidery so maybe it was a good thing the coral pink floss didn't work.
I did some laundry this morning and started the dishwasher...that was really the extent of my day's housework. There is so much more I could get into but it's hot and that makes me dozy. I've had the AC off since yesterday and am relying on open doors, windows, and a fan to keep me cool. It's very comfortable but not chilling.
Kim phoned to say she'll be having her hysterectomy either in September or October and will need to stay off work for up to 8 weeks. That seems like a long time but I told her I wouldn't leave for Florida until she was well enough on her own. Shelley called, too, and said that would be a good time for her to come up and nurse her sister. Kim will really only need someone with her for a few days after she comes home from the surgery but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her too soon. I know Cindy will be right there for her, too, and that gives us all a good feeling of being taken care of when we need it. Family...what can I say?
My lip is healing well, too, so that's a relief. I'm keeping a separate blog and taking pictures of it every day and it's amazing how much better it looks from when I first had it sprayed with the liquid nitrogen.
My friend, Norma, came over for a visit yesterday and we had such a nice, long talk. She is a real "up" person and it cheers you up just to be in her company. I met her at the park in Florida quite a few years ago but she lives about 20 minutes drive from me here in Canada. It's terrible that we don't usually take the time to see each other during the summer but she'll be going on the cruise in January and spending a few days before and after at the park.
Well, my agenda for this evening is to just relax and take it easy...something like my agenda for this afternoon and possibly all day tomorrow. Hmm!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Air Bag Replacement
I finally got my car's air bag replaced today. It was a recall so it didn't cost anything to have it done. When it was finished and I picked the car up, the steering wheel looked a little funny as though the cover wasn't on properly. I did a few errands but knew this would bother me until I had it looked at so back to the dealership I went and they quickly fixed it for me. I'd had visions of the air bag exploding in my face while I was driving and knew I couldn't live with that worry.
It's been so hot and humid the last few days and the AC is running almost continuously in the house. Kim phoned to make sure I had it on...she knows how I resist using it until absolutely necessary because I like to have the windows and doors open. Shouldn't she know by now that I don't suffer either heat, cold, or anything else if I don't have to??
Norma phoned this afternoon and we yakked for half an hour. She's going to try to visit me on Wednesday or Thursdy and I really hope she makes it. She's a lot of fun to be with. Mary phoned this evening and we yakked for an hour. She's going to the same wedding in N.B. that Faye is attending so both of my bestest friends will be away at the same time. Years ago when Lisette was very young, she said she wished that all her relatives would line up side by side in front of her house so she could always see them. I understand how she felt.
It's been so hot and humid the last few days and the AC is running almost continuously in the house. Kim phoned to make sure I had it on...she knows how I resist using it until absolutely necessary because I like to have the windows and doors open. Shouldn't she know by now that I don't suffer either heat, cold, or anything else if I don't have to??
Norma phoned this afternoon and we yakked for half an hour. She's going to try to visit me on Wednesday or Thursdy and I really hope she makes it. She's a lot of fun to be with. Mary phoned this evening and we yakked for an hour. She's going to the same wedding in N.B. that Faye is attending so both of my bestest friends will be away at the same time. Years ago when Lisette was very young, she said she wished that all her relatives would line up side by side in front of her house so she could always see them. I understand how she felt.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Nolan is 2
Today is Nolan's second birthday and it's amazing how it doesn't seem possible he hasn't always been here with us. It's always that way with a child. They fill your heart and mind so completely that it's hard to remember a time when they didn't exist.
We're having a birthday party for him today and I wonder what he'll think of it. He's used to being fed and used to getting presents so it won't be all that special for him but the rest of us get to watch and glory in him for a few hours.
I'm still happy as pig in poo about my kitchen backsplash tile. A woman never stops being thrilled about having her nest improved even if it's only rearranging the furniture. I finally was able to reach the old handyman yesterday and he started out by saying he was up north and would call me this coming week (same story I've gotten for weeks on end). I stopped him and said I had a new handyman who was ready to start the porch job right away and wouldn't be needing him. Don is a very nice man and he has been very good to me but he's just too unavailable. When I need a job done I can't wait for months and I don't think that's unreasonable of me. Don was very nice to the end and I thanked him for his past work but said I had to find a handyman who wasn't as busy as he was. He understood and we parted friends.
Now this morning I'm wondering about another relationship...the one with my sister. Of course, I can't meet her for lunch even if I wanted to (and I don't) but I'm wondering if she'll call. I guess it's time to have that talk with her so, if she does call, I'll make arrangements to meet her next week at her house so we can talk privately. Everyone has a difficult relative that they love and want to keep but don't especially like their company for various reasons and we all deal with it differently. My tendency to back right away isn't the right thing to do here because I do love my sister and I do want her in my life but I don't want to deal with her temper eruptions. I just need to make her understand this without driving her away for good.
Well, enough of the nasties in life, today is Nolan's birthday and I can't wait to see him!
We're having a birthday party for him today and I wonder what he'll think of it. He's used to being fed and used to getting presents so it won't be all that special for him but the rest of us get to watch and glory in him for a few hours.
I'm still happy as pig in poo about my kitchen backsplash tile. A woman never stops being thrilled about having her nest improved even if it's only rearranging the furniture. I finally was able to reach the old handyman yesterday and he started out by saying he was up north and would call me this coming week (same story I've gotten for weeks on end). I stopped him and said I had a new handyman who was ready to start the porch job right away and wouldn't be needing him. Don is a very nice man and he has been very good to me but he's just too unavailable. When I need a job done I can't wait for months and I don't think that's unreasonable of me. Don was very nice to the end and I thanked him for his past work but said I had to find a handyman who wasn't as busy as he was. He understood and we parted friends.
Now this morning I'm wondering about another relationship...the one with my sister. Of course, I can't meet her for lunch even if I wanted to (and I don't) but I'm wondering if she'll call. I guess it's time to have that talk with her so, if she does call, I'll make arrangements to meet her next week at her house so we can talk privately. Everyone has a difficult relative that they love and want to keep but don't especially like their company for various reasons and we all deal with it differently. My tendency to back right away isn't the right thing to do here because I do love my sister and I do want her in my life but I don't want to deal with her temper eruptions. I just need to make her understand this without driving her away for good.
Well, enough of the nasties in life, today is Nolan's birthday and I can't wait to see him!
Friday, July 08, 2011
The Pollingtons Are Gone
I don't remember the year this all unfolded but it would be hard not to find a sadder or more gruesome story. It was the year Jon Rallo murdered his wife, son, and daughter but only his wife's and daughter's bodies have been recovered. It was more the age of the children that shocked us all because they were about 6 & 8, as I recall. It's too bad but we're almost getting used to husbands murdering their wives.
Sandra Rallo's parents, the Pollingtons, were instrumental in keeping Jon Rallo imprisoned for a long, long time by going to his parole hearings and speaking of how the murders had impacted their family. Rallo never admitted to the murders nor did he tell anyone where his son's body could be found and given a proper burial.
Mr. and Mrs. Pollington passed away this week, one day apart and from different reasons. Mrs. Pollington had developed Alzeimers so maybe the misery that become her life after her daughter and grandchildren were murdered had lessened along with the memories. Mr. Pollington's mind had remained sharp and he undoubtedly would have hounded Jon Rallo till the end of time if he could have.
Jon Rallo is still alive and I believe he's walking free these days. No, life isn't always fair but sometimes the real penalty for evil is much worse than what we human beings can place on a monster.
Sandra Rallo's parents, the Pollingtons, were instrumental in keeping Jon Rallo imprisoned for a long, long time by going to his parole hearings and speaking of how the murders had impacted their family. Rallo never admitted to the murders nor did he tell anyone where his son's body could be found and given a proper burial.
Mr. and Mrs. Pollington passed away this week, one day apart and from different reasons. Mrs. Pollington had developed Alzeimers so maybe the misery that become her life after her daughter and grandchildren were murdered had lessened along with the memories. Mr. Pollington's mind had remained sharp and he undoubtedly would have hounded Jon Rallo till the end of time if he could have.
Jon Rallo is still alive and I believe he's walking free these days. No, life isn't always fair but sometimes the real penalty for evil is much worse than what we human beings can place on a monster.
Handicap Tag
I decided yesterday to apply for a handicap tag for my car. My knees are never going to be perfect again and, even though they're not really bad now, I think it's wise to get that tag. There are times when my knee has hurt pretty bad and I've had to park at the back of a parking lot and I figure it's stupid to keep doing that.
I drove to one of the 2 Department of Transport offices that used to be on the mountain only to find that it was permanently closed but it did give the address of the other office that I knew was already permanently closed. Well paid government workers who apparently aren't earning their salaries!!! Anyway, I gave up and called Kim to ask her to pick up an application form for me when she went for her car tags. The sweet girl did so and brought it to me last evening.
My camera stopped working this morning so I brought out the spare. After fiddling around with it, I thought that maybe it was the rechargable battery that might be at fault and, lo and behold, that seems to be my problem. I also had a spare battery which I installed and it's now working well. It also gave me the opportunity to combine the contents of 2 camera accessory boxes into 1 and get rid of some unnecessary crap at the same time.
I'm not using the camera to take pictures of items I'm selling on Ebay now but to document the progress of this lip cancer treatment. It's important for me to be able to look back and see how it looked last week or even a few days ago in order for me to realistically assess the progress. It continues to shrink slightly but it's still there, darn it. It bothers me that the ointment I'll start putting on it on the 25th will cause it to triple in size before it diminishes again. That somehow doesn't make sense to me. Added to that is the pain element. This ointment will cause a lot of pain on my lip and I'm not good with pain. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see how this all turns out. Forgive me if I whine.
I saw my family doctor yesterday and he is such a treasure. He listened to my fears and told me he'd send me to a plastic surgeon who would do any excision needed on the lip once it was healed as far as it will go. I was very worried about a dermatologist cutting into my lip but at least a plastic surgeon will do a much better job. He also said that the sore on my lip is quite small so, hopefully, there shouldn't be much of a scar. I love my family doctor. He's always been a comfort and completely reliable whenever we needed him and it's too bad all family doctors aren't like him.
My dear handyman has just arrived to grout the tile. I told him I have to take a picture of him for my daughter and he laughed. I didn't tell him that she wants to know if he's married. That might be going a bit too far, don't you think?
I drove to one of the 2 Department of Transport offices that used to be on the mountain only to find that it was permanently closed but it did give the address of the other office that I knew was already permanently closed. Well paid government workers who apparently aren't earning their salaries!!! Anyway, I gave up and called Kim to ask her to pick up an application form for me when she went for her car tags. The sweet girl did so and brought it to me last evening.
My camera stopped working this morning so I brought out the spare. After fiddling around with it, I thought that maybe it was the rechargable battery that might be at fault and, lo and behold, that seems to be my problem. I also had a spare battery which I installed and it's now working well. It also gave me the opportunity to combine the contents of 2 camera accessory boxes into 1 and get rid of some unnecessary crap at the same time.
I'm not using the camera to take pictures of items I'm selling on Ebay now but to document the progress of this lip cancer treatment. It's important for me to be able to look back and see how it looked last week or even a few days ago in order for me to realistically assess the progress. It continues to shrink slightly but it's still there, darn it. It bothers me that the ointment I'll start putting on it on the 25th will cause it to triple in size before it diminishes again. That somehow doesn't make sense to me. Added to that is the pain element. This ointment will cause a lot of pain on my lip and I'm not good with pain. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see how this all turns out. Forgive me if I whine.
I saw my family doctor yesterday and he is such a treasure. He listened to my fears and told me he'd send me to a plastic surgeon who would do any excision needed on the lip once it was healed as far as it will go. I was very worried about a dermatologist cutting into my lip but at least a plastic surgeon will do a much better job. He also said that the sore on my lip is quite small so, hopefully, there shouldn't be much of a scar. I love my family doctor. He's always been a comfort and completely reliable whenever we needed him and it's too bad all family doctors aren't like him.
My dear handyman has just arrived to grout the tile. I told him I have to take a picture of him for my daughter and he laughed. I didn't tell him that she wants to know if he's married. That might be going a bit too far, don't you think?
Thursday, July 07, 2011
New Handyman
The new backsplash tile but it isn't grouted yet.My new handyman arrived this morning at 7:30 A.M. just as he said he would. He started working immediately and removed the old tile in no time. He's already cleaned that all up and is now beginning to put the new tile on. I'm so happy I could s-it!
He's also going to put a small table fan together for me that I can't figure out how to do myself. I feel so stupid when I can't do simple things like this but I just have to accept that this is the way I am. I was actually ready to return it to the store instead of continuing to struggle with it. I don't really think I'm stupid but sometimes I wonder.
Shelley and John take possession of their new house today and I'm so very happy for them. This truly is a dream house and fits them so well it seems like it was always meant for them. The house was built in 1929 but there is also a newer addition and the whole place is filled with character and class...Spanish styling which is so fitting for John's heritage. I'm really looking forward to seeing it this winter.
I'm going to see my family doctor this morning for a little more information on the skin cancer I have on my lip and the treatment it's receiving. So far it's progressing nicely but I have a terrible fear I won't be able to stand the pain that accompanies the ointment I have to start using on it later this month. I'm hoping my doctor can prescribe some sort of analgesic. I guess the dermatologist could do the same thing but she's always so hurried that I forget to ask basic questions when I'm at her office.
Wouldn't it be nice if every day was a pleasant one with no problems whatsoever? Well, I'm still basking in the delight of having a handyman at work in my kitchen and that will have to do for today.
He's also going to put a small table fan together for me that I can't figure out how to do myself. I feel so stupid when I can't do simple things like this but I just have to accept that this is the way I am. I was actually ready to return it to the store instead of continuing to struggle with it. I don't really think I'm stupid but sometimes I wonder.
Shelley and John take possession of their new house today and I'm so very happy for them. This truly is a dream house and fits them so well it seems like it was always meant for them. The house was built in 1929 but there is also a newer addition and the whole place is filled with character and class...Spanish styling which is so fitting for John's heritage. I'm really looking forward to seeing it this winter.
I'm going to see my family doctor this morning for a little more information on the skin cancer I have on my lip and the treatment it's receiving. So far it's progressing nicely but I have a terrible fear I won't be able to stand the pain that accompanies the ointment I have to start using on it later this month. I'm hoping my doctor can prescribe some sort of analgesic. I guess the dermatologist could do the same thing but she's always so hurried that I forget to ask basic questions when I'm at her office.
Wouldn't it be nice if every day was a pleasant one with no problems whatsoever? Well, I'm still basking in the delight of having a handyman at work in my kitchen and that will have to do for today.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Get More Than One Estimate!
On Monday I got an estimate from the "Handyman Connection" and he rated the jobs at about $1200, much more than I'd anticipated but I really didn't know what it should cost. The man was very nice but seemed a little surprised that I wasn't going to accept his offer immediately. I told him I would get back to him after getting input on whether it was a fair price.
Yesterday I phoned the store where I'd purchased the tile and was given 3 names and numbers of contractors to call. I decided to just call the person (John) on the top of the list and have him come and give me an estimate. He arrived well before noon and gave me a price of $685 for doing the same 3 jobs that yesterday's man smilingly offered to do for $1200. John is a licenced contractor with his own business so I''m wondering where "Handyman Connection" gets off charging almost double for the same job.
John starts on Thursday!
I'm getting a little overwhelmed with upheaval of both good and bad news that's happening around here. I want only good news and good things for my whole family so the gods of fate had better step in and straighten things out.
Nolan turns 2 on Sunday so I went to Toys R Us and bought him a cute little Lightening McQueen ride in car...no pedals, just foot power because he can't reach the pedals yet on the little cars I have here for him. I think he'll love it.
I was joking with Kim about staying home and running a day care instead of going to a stressful job every day and she said she couldn't do it because there's only one kid (Nolan) she wants to look after and she does that for free. He is one bright and shining light in our lives and I know that Nash will share that spotlight once he grows up a bit. Now he just lays there and smiles contentedly.
Every day, in every way, we live lives filled with both happiness and sadness. If the percentage of happiness outweighs the sadness then we can persevere. It's a domineering sadness that smushes us into the ground and makes us unable to cope. I haven't had one of those dreadful days in a long, long time. Life, with all it's pitfalls, can be lovely if we choose to dwell on the good stuff and only deal with the bad on a strong footing.
Speaking of a strong footing, today I get a pedicure.
Yesterday I phoned the store where I'd purchased the tile and was given 3 names and numbers of contractors to call. I decided to just call the person (John) on the top of the list and have him come and give me an estimate. He arrived well before noon and gave me a price of $685 for doing the same 3 jobs that yesterday's man smilingly offered to do for $1200. John is a licenced contractor with his own business so I''m wondering where "Handyman Connection" gets off charging almost double for the same job.
John starts on Thursday!
I'm getting a little overwhelmed with upheaval of both good and bad news that's happening around here. I want only good news and good things for my whole family so the gods of fate had better step in and straighten things out.
Nolan turns 2 on Sunday so I went to Toys R Us and bought him a cute little Lightening McQueen ride in car...no pedals, just foot power because he can't reach the pedals yet on the little cars I have here for him. I think he'll love it.
I was joking with Kim about staying home and running a day care instead of going to a stressful job every day and she said she couldn't do it because there's only one kid (Nolan) she wants to look after and she does that for free. He is one bright and shining light in our lives and I know that Nash will share that spotlight once he grows up a bit. Now he just lays there and smiles contentedly.
Every day, in every way, we live lives filled with both happiness and sadness. If the percentage of happiness outweighs the sadness then we can persevere. It's a domineering sadness that smushes us into the ground and makes us unable to cope. I haven't had one of those dreadful days in a long, long time. Life, with all it's pitfalls, can be lovely if we choose to dwell on the good stuff and only deal with the bad on a strong footing.
Speaking of a strong footing, today I get a pedicure.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Bowling Ball Art
I've been wanting to do this since seeing the gorgeous works of art done by a lady at my Florida park. They were honestly breathtakingly beautiful and I have no hope of matching her skill but at least I can do a simple one. I posted a request for a bowling ball on Facebook and darned if my neighbor doesn't have one she'll part with. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people have one or more of these balls tucked away in their basements and don't realize how lovely they can make them.
I didn't think it would be easy to find old bowling balls but I didn't think it would be near impossible. I could kick myself for not buying the one I saw at a yard sale in Florida this past winter...that's the only one I've seen at yard sales. People probably don't think they're worth anything but they haven't seen "bowling ball art".
I can't wait to obtain my neighbor's ball (LOL!) and turn it into a thing of beauty. Sorry, Steve, but I just had to say it.
I didn't think it would be easy to find old bowling balls but I didn't think it would be near impossible. I could kick myself for not buying the one I saw at a yard sale in Florida this past winter...that's the only one I've seen at yard sales. People probably don't think they're worth anything but they haven't seen "bowling ball art".
I can't wait to obtain my neighbor's ball (LOL!) and turn it into a thing of beauty. Sorry, Steve, but I just had to say it.
Spec Photo and Story? No Thanks!
The Letter To The Editor I wrote was published today and someone from the Spec phoned to ask if he could write a more in depth story with a picture of me holding the letter from Juravinski. Yikes! Nooooo! I've seen pictures in newspapers of everyday people like me who happened to have a complaint or problem and they usually look pathetic. Yikes, again!
I'm still shocked that such a tasteless fund raiser was mailed out to people but that's as far as it goes. I did my bit by writing the Letter To The Editor. It's sort of an outlet for various frustrations and I've got lots of time to indulge myself by sending a letter off to the local newspaper.
Now on to the rest of my day...I finally got fed up with waiting for my good handyman, Don, to take care of the few repairs I need done inside the house and I called the "Handyman Connection" to have them send someone out to give me an estimate to retile the kitchen backsplash and install a new ceiling fan. I'm afraid I'll never get that new bathroom upstairs but it's not the end of the world. A bigger problem is that if Don doesn't get his butt over here and finish repairing the front stairs, I'm going to call in someone else for that, too. Don is a good person, honest and trustworthy, but he just takes too long to start a job for me and I've about given up on him.
The other day Lisa and Anna mentioned the "trials and tribulations of Pat" and it sort of surprised me but I do have them ,don't I? Other people probably have a lot more problems than I do but they don't rant about them in the newspaper and on their blog. Hmmm! I'd better try to refocus.
I'm still shocked that such a tasteless fund raiser was mailed out to people but that's as far as it goes. I did my bit by writing the Letter To The Editor. It's sort of an outlet for various frustrations and I've got lots of time to indulge myself by sending a letter off to the local newspaper.
Now on to the rest of my day...I finally got fed up with waiting for my good handyman, Don, to take care of the few repairs I need done inside the house and I called the "Handyman Connection" to have them send someone out to give me an estimate to retile the kitchen backsplash and install a new ceiling fan. I'm afraid I'll never get that new bathroom upstairs but it's not the end of the world. A bigger problem is that if Don doesn't get his butt over here and finish repairing the front stairs, I'm going to call in someone else for that, too. Don is a good person, honest and trustworthy, but he just takes too long to start a job for me and I've about given up on him.
The other day Lisa and Anna mentioned the "trials and tribulations of Pat" and it sort of surprised me but I do have them ,don't I? Other people probably have a lot more problems than I do but they don't rant about them in the newspaper and on their blog. Hmmm! I'd better try to refocus.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
My Darn Sister
Last Sunday my sister got into one of her bloody snits and took it out on me this time. I haven't been completely comfortable going for lunch with her on Sundays for a while now because she so easily gets irate with salesclerks or waitresses...or anyone else that accidently offends her. I'm probably a fool but I always feel better if I hold my tongue when faced with poor service than the very few times I've spoken out. I believe it's some of the worst in a person if they take out their anger on someone who can't fight back and that's the case with salesclerks and waitresses. I worked in both jobs so I know.
My sister phoned me this morning and left a message (I decided it wasn't time for me to talk to her). No apology, just a message to let me know I could meet her for lunch if I felt like it. I'm not ready for her yet because I know this time I have to have a serious talk with her about her behaviour and it could cause a permanent rift. I dread that more than I care to admit. I'm sure I'll chicken out when the time comes but I hope not. I asked her once before to talk to her doctor about her bursts of anger but she didn't think it was necessary.
For myself, I need some more time away from her and away from the confrontation I know is coming. It can wait.
My sister phoned me this morning and left a message (I decided it wasn't time for me to talk to her). No apology, just a message to let me know I could meet her for lunch if I felt like it. I'm not ready for her yet because I know this time I have to have a serious talk with her about her behaviour and it could cause a permanent rift. I dread that more than I care to admit. I'm sure I'll chicken out when the time comes but I hope not. I asked her once before to talk to her doctor about her bursts of anger but she didn't think it was necessary.
For myself, I need some more time away from her and away from the confrontation I know is coming. It can wait.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Liquid Nitrogen
It's amazing how well having a skin cancer sprayed with Liquid nitrogen works. I've had a couple of spots over the last few years that required only that to clear them up completely so I have high hopes for the same success with the sore on my lip. It gives me hope that even if I can't tolerate the Aldara, the remaining sore will be much smaller than it is now.
I just wish I could get those morbid thoughts out of my mind. During the day it isn't too bad but it seems to settle heavily at night and makes sleep difficult. On top of that, last night around 3 A.M. some idiot nearby set off a whole batch of fireworks which woke me up from a deep sleep.
I rationalize everything so I'm working at looking at this problem realistically and, to be honest, it almost becomes not much of a problem. I thank my lucky stars that it's only skin cancer that I'm dealing with and not something worse. By the way, my "Letter to the Editor" in the Spectator is being published on Monday...it's about a fund raiser letter I received last week from the Juravinski Cancer Center. I'm still mad about receiving this letter that starts out with, "Sorry, it's cancer". I think this is a terrible way of scaring people so they'll donate to Juravinski. Poor, poor public relations!
It's a quiet, overcast but warm day today and I'll spend it just relaxing.
I just wish I could get those morbid thoughts out of my mind. During the day it isn't too bad but it seems to settle heavily at night and makes sleep difficult. On top of that, last night around 3 A.M. some idiot nearby set off a whole batch of fireworks which woke me up from a deep sleep.
I rationalize everything so I'm working at looking at this problem realistically and, to be honest, it almost becomes not much of a problem. I thank my lucky stars that it's only skin cancer that I'm dealing with and not something worse. By the way, my "Letter to the Editor" in the Spectator is being published on Monday...it's about a fund raiser letter I received last week from the Juravinski Cancer Center. I'm still mad about receiving this letter that starts out with, "Sorry, it's cancer". I think this is a terrible way of scaring people so they'll donate to Juravinski. Poor, poor public relations!
It's a quiet, overcast but warm day today and I'll spend it just relaxing.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Lip Cancer
I went to see my dermatologist yesterday and she confirmed that the sore on my bottom lip is skin cancer. I had sort of expected this but it still rocked me to my roots to hear it. She sprayed it once again with liquid nitrogen and then gave me a prescription for Aldara ($190) to use starting on July 25th. Apparently that gives my poor lip time to shrink a bit (hopefully) from the spraying.
The Aldara is wickedly painful. I used it a few years ago on a few spots on my chest and had to discontinue it because it actually felt like applying acid to my skin. I'm supposed to apply it 3 times a week for 2 weeks and then daily for 8 weeks. As I recall, I couldn't even tolerate it for a week when I used it before so this scares me to death.
At the end of the treatment there is a chance that any remaining skin cancer will have to be cut out and that's another big problem. Depending on the size of the cut, reconstructive surgery might be necessary. I can't put to words how frightening this is to me but it's something I have to deal with and that's that. It's also a strong incentive to be brave enough to hang in through the whole 10 weeks of treatment with the Aldara.
When I look back on how I have become afflicted with various skin cancers, I can pinpoint it to two things...sailing and tanning beds. I didn't use the tanning beds very often but we had a sailboat for many years and I got lots of sunburns during that time. Too late we get smart!
P.S. I forgot to mention that I've lost my appetite and that only happens when I'm very, very upset. Not that I want to remain very, very upset, but it would be nice if this scare at least took a few pounds off me.
The Aldara is wickedly painful. I used it a few years ago on a few spots on my chest and had to discontinue it because it actually felt like applying acid to my skin. I'm supposed to apply it 3 times a week for 2 weeks and then daily for 8 weeks. As I recall, I couldn't even tolerate it for a week when I used it before so this scares me to death.
At the end of the treatment there is a chance that any remaining skin cancer will have to be cut out and that's another big problem. Depending on the size of the cut, reconstructive surgery might be necessary. I can't put to words how frightening this is to me but it's something I have to deal with and that's that. It's also a strong incentive to be brave enough to hang in through the whole 10 weeks of treatment with the Aldara.
When I look back on how I have become afflicted with various skin cancers, I can pinpoint it to two things...sailing and tanning beds. I didn't use the tanning beds very often but we had a sailboat for many years and I got lots of sunburns during that time. Too late we get smart!
P.S. I forgot to mention that I've lost my appetite and that only happens when I'm very, very upset. Not that I want to remain very, very upset, but it would be nice if this scare at least took a few pounds off me.
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