I forgot to mention the best thing that made me smile last week. On Friday afternoon, my phone beeped at me and there was a voice mail from Maggie and several of the gals who used to crop at momento. It made me smile, and I got a little teary thinking of all the lovely ladies I met there. I saved the message and I've listend to it a couple of times!
Other smiles include:
- Watching Dumbledore bound away from me when I toss a toy, and then he prances back, head up and legs swishing elegantly. (He has a beautiful gait.)
- Playing Uno and doing jigsaw puzzles on-line with Daniel
- The puppy dogs on my paper towels.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Four Weeks Down
Let's see. It's been an eventful week. Last Friday was my first payday in nearly three years. For some reason, they don't do direct deposit for the first check, and I wasn't sure when it would arrive, so it was a nice surprise to see it in my mailbox on Saturday. I called Blair for the opening of the envelope. I got a little teary when I opened it. It's a good feeling to have a job. My sympathies go to anyone dealing with unemployment in these perilous times. I'm so grateful to have a job, every day.
I've caught live music several times this past week. Last Friday there was a woman playing piano and singing "You Light Up My Life." Last night there was another woman in a poncho/shawl playing classical music. I'm beginning to think that anyone can just play these things whenever they want because this lady looked like she was dressed for the outdoors. It would be a very convenient way to practice if one didn't have a grand piano of one's own - just stop by one on the way home! This morning there was a gentleman playing classical guitar, but this was a scheduled event - there was a backdrop behind him with the theme of the healing power of music (or something along those lines). It was lovely.
After I deposited my check last Saturday, I did a little shopping. I found a Home Goods and found a small occasional table to use for a vanity. Between the small bureau and night stand, I didn't have enough flat surfaces for all my "stuff". And now I have a place to sit while I do my hair and get ready in the morning. I also got a little shelf to organize my desk/work table. I still have a little more unpacking to do (3 more boxes of craft stuff - I got tired of doing it last weekend with all the other things I was doing.) I also hit Target for a few things including some frozen salmon with a dill cream cheese sauce and individual frozen broccoli with cheese sauce.
I'm doing fairly well with keeping low carb. I've been eating salad everyday with my lunch, and I lost 5 pounds so far. It's gotten easier to get up the flight of stairs on the way to the cafeteria, and I no longer stop at the top on the way down to psyche myself up for the trip (my knees were unhappy going downstairs at first.) It's been cold the last few days, so Dumble and I haven't wandered much on our evening walks, but last weekend we had two very nice rambles on the paths by the river.
The news in the mornings on NPR is full of the flooding in Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN (the two cities are on opposite sides of the Red River which is (I think) at a record height right now)). Fully half of the national news coverage in the show is about the flooding (the other half is the economy), and 90% of the local part of the show. Last week, there was a lot of talk about the paroled SLA person and those objecting to her serving her parole here in MN, but she's been bumped by the floods.
Sunday, Dumble and I went into downtown on our walk. Se met two lovely toddlers who were as excited to meet Dumbledore as he was to meet them. On the way back home I heard a carrillon playing a familiar sounding tune. It took me a little while to recognize that it was Puff the Magic Dragon. How whimsical!
Tonight on my way home, I made my way through the subway and skyway to the Barnes and Noble (photos here and here - it's the prettiest bookstore I've ever been in). The B&N connects to a little shopping mall, which I discovered today
has a downstairs. I looked over the railing and saw a Lenscrafters - hooray, my glasses have been crooked, so I got them adjusted. There was a nice restaurant downstairs and I had a bunless bacon cheddar burger with green beans. It hit the spot!
I'm so glad I brought Dumble with me, I can't imagine how depressing it would be to wake up alone and to walk into this apartment empty. But instead I have a happy little dog to greet me, with his waggy tail, and I have to take him right outside for a little air and exercise. He's been so well-behaved to - no messes in the house, but he sure is eager to do his business once I get home!
I've been keeping track of little things that make me smile:
- there's an owl that Dumble and I hear hooting most mornings (the sun is barely up when we get up for work)
- in the apartment in the back corner of the building there are three cats who sit on the window sill (just inches above ground level). I see them occasionally in the morning, but most afternoons. They assiduously watch Dumble go by, but he hasn't a clue that they are there.
- there's a fountain/waterfall that I see on my way to the cafeteria for breakfast if I've taken the bus.
- a decorative sign I saw in Target that said "do one thing every day that makes you happy"
- one day when we were walking on the sidewalk, a guy on a motorcycle rode by and smiled at Dumbledore
- two display cases on the subway level of the building my office is in: one has some examples of White House china and one has china from the Mayo family. It was so fascinating , I ended up reading every placard even though I was tired and really wanted to get home.
- unpacking my scrapbook supplies last weekend - whoopee, it's Christmas!
- working on puzzles with Dan during our video chats - tonight I held up the dog so the guys could see him and talk to him. Dumble was unimpressed.
- rereading the Miles Vorkosigan novels by Lois McMaster Bujold. I adore these books and have to reread them every couple of years. I've laughed out loud in the cafeteria.
I have to make a trip home soon for a doctor's appointment. I'm going to try to coincide with Dan's spring break and maybe Blair can get some time off too. I need to arrrange flights and get an airline approved under seat carrier for Dumble.
This weekend I need to finish my unpacking and clean house a bit, do some food shopping. I have a shopping list and one of the items I need is a shopping list. (the magnetic kind for the fridge). I like the symmetry of that (or is it irony?)
I've caught live music several times this past week. Last Friday there was a woman playing piano and singing "You Light Up My Life." Last night there was another woman in a poncho/shawl playing classical music. I'm beginning to think that anyone can just play these things whenever they want because this lady looked like she was dressed for the outdoors. It would be a very convenient way to practice if one didn't have a grand piano of one's own - just stop by one on the way home! This morning there was a gentleman playing classical guitar, but this was a scheduled event - there was a backdrop behind him with the theme of the healing power of music (or something along those lines). It was lovely.
After I deposited my check last Saturday, I did a little shopping. I found a Home Goods and found a small occasional table to use for a vanity. Between the small bureau and night stand, I didn't have enough flat surfaces for all my "stuff". And now I have a place to sit while I do my hair and get ready in the morning. I also got a little shelf to organize my desk/work table. I still have a little more unpacking to do (3 more boxes of craft stuff - I got tired of doing it last weekend with all the other things I was doing.) I also hit Target for a few things including some frozen salmon with a dill cream cheese sauce and individual frozen broccoli with cheese sauce.
I'm doing fairly well with keeping low carb. I've been eating salad everyday with my lunch, and I lost 5 pounds so far. It's gotten easier to get up the flight of stairs on the way to the cafeteria, and I no longer stop at the top on the way down to psyche myself up for the trip (my knees were unhappy going downstairs at first.) It's been cold the last few days, so Dumble and I haven't wandered much on our evening walks, but last weekend we had two very nice rambles on the paths by the river.
The news in the mornings on NPR is full of the flooding in Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN (the two cities are on opposite sides of the Red River which is (I think) at a record height right now)). Fully half of the national news coverage in the show is about the flooding (the other half is the economy), and 90% of the local part of the show. Last week, there was a lot of talk about the paroled SLA person and those objecting to her serving her parole here in MN, but she's been bumped by the floods.
Sunday, Dumble and I went into downtown on our walk. Se met two lovely toddlers who were as excited to meet Dumbledore as he was to meet them. On the way back home I heard a carrillon playing a familiar sounding tune. It took me a little while to recognize that it was Puff the Magic Dragon. How whimsical!
Tonight on my way home, I made my way through the subway and skyway to the Barnes and Noble (photos here and here - it's the prettiest bookstore I've ever been in). The B&N connects to a little shopping mall, which I discovered today
has a downstairs. I looked over the railing and saw a Lenscrafters - hooray, my glasses have been crooked, so I got them adjusted. There was a nice restaurant downstairs and I had a bunless bacon cheddar burger with green beans. It hit the spot!
I'm so glad I brought Dumble with me, I can't imagine how depressing it would be to wake up alone and to walk into this apartment empty. But instead I have a happy little dog to greet me, with his waggy tail, and I have to take him right outside for a little air and exercise. He's been so well-behaved to - no messes in the house, but he sure is eager to do his business once I get home!
I've been keeping track of little things that make me smile:
- there's an owl that Dumble and I hear hooting most mornings (the sun is barely up when we get up for work)
- in the apartment in the back corner of the building there are three cats who sit on the window sill (just inches above ground level). I see them occasionally in the morning, but most afternoons. They assiduously watch Dumble go by, but he hasn't a clue that they are there.
- there's a fountain/waterfall that I see on my way to the cafeteria for breakfast if I've taken the bus.
- a decorative sign I saw in Target that said "do one thing every day that makes you happy"
- one day when we were walking on the sidewalk, a guy on a motorcycle rode by and smiled at Dumbledore
- two display cases on the subway level of the building my office is in: one has some examples of White House china and one has china from the Mayo family. It was so fascinating , I ended up reading every placard even though I was tired and really wanted to get home.
- unpacking my scrapbook supplies last weekend - whoopee, it's Christmas!
- working on puzzles with Dan during our video chats - tonight I held up the dog so the guys could see him and talk to him. Dumble was unimpressed.
- rereading the Miles Vorkosigan novels by Lois McMaster Bujold. I adore these books and have to reread them every couple of years. I've laughed out loud in the cafeteria.
I have to make a trip home soon for a doctor's appointment. I'm going to try to coincide with Dan's spring break and maybe Blair can get some time off too. I need to arrrange flights and get an airline approved under seat carrier for Dumble.
This weekend I need to finish my unpacking and clean house a bit, do some food shopping. I have a shopping list and one of the items I need is a shopping list. (the magnetic kind for the fridge). I like the symmetry of that (or is it irony?)
Friday, March 27, 2009
ATC Spinner pt 36
Join us every week as we explore the world of ATCs.
From top to bottom:
- “Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyways.”7 Gypsies printed ATC, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, October Afternoon patterned paper, Tim Holtz Distressables Elements digital image
- "If you don't die from it - it is healthy" October Afternoon patterned paper, Luxe Designs Rub-ons, Hambly transparency
- October Afternoon patterned paper, Luxe Designs Rub-ons, Tim Holtz Distressables Elements digital image
- 7 Gypsies ATC tab, brass paperclip, Renaissance Art Stamps metal charm
- "Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now." 7 Gypsies printed ATC, Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Friday, March 20, 2009
ATC Spinner pt 35
Join us every week as we explore the world of ATCs.
From top to bottom:
- "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." Blaise Pascal; 7 Gypsies printed ATC, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Boxer paper clip
- Hambly transparency
- " Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." G.B. Stern; 7 Gypsies game tiles
- ""Sometimes I wake grumpy; other times i let him sleep" Tim Holtz Distress Inks, metal and embossing tools by Ten Seconds Studio
- "A child’s self-image is more like a scrapbook than a single snapshot. As the child matures, the number and variety of images in that scrapbook may be far more important than any individual picture pasted inside it." Lawrence Kutner; CTMH acrylic stamp, embossing powder
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Scrapping Weekend
I managed to find the supplies I had put by for my sister's wedding album, my adhesive gun and trimmer, and I headed to a local scrapbook store with my computer and two printers and a bunch of other stuff. I spent Saturday selecting and printing photos and grouping them by event. Then Sunday I assembled a bunch of layouts. I still need to do a title page and my sister is sending the notes that her wedding guests wrote for them, but I scrapped all the photos I had, and I'm happy with the way the layouts came out. (I'll take some photos and post them later.)
Saturday evening I had dinner at the bar at Outback (the wait for tables was quite long and there was just me, so it didn't make sense to wait). I had a very yummy quesadilla and met a guy from Long Island who told me about free concerts in the park every summer.
Monday and Tuesday were almost warm, and Dumbledore and I wandered far on our walks. Tuesday we took the walkways along the river and it was very pleasant. I didn't even need my down coat. When we got home Dumble was panting a little bit and promptly fell asleep (after a drink). I like to make sure he gets plenty of exercise since he's not romping all over the store anymore. Yesterday was cooler though, so we didn't ramble as far or as long.
On my way home last night there was someone playing piano in a nearby atrium as I came off the elevators. I stopped to listen for a moment and the memory kept me smiling all the way home.
Saturday evening I had dinner at the bar at Outback (the wait for tables was quite long and there was just me, so it didn't make sense to wait). I had a very yummy quesadilla and met a guy from Long Island who told me about free concerts in the park every summer.
Monday and Tuesday were almost warm, and Dumbledore and I wandered far on our walks. Tuesday we took the walkways along the river and it was very pleasant. I didn't even need my down coat. When we got home Dumble was panting a little bit and promptly fell asleep (after a drink). I like to make sure he gets plenty of exercise since he's not romping all over the store anymore. Yesterday was cooler though, so we didn't ramble as far or as long.
On my way home last night there was someone playing piano in a nearby atrium as I came off the elevators. I stopped to listen for a moment and the memory kept me smiling all the way home.
Friday, March 13, 2009
ATC Spinner pt 34
Join us every week as we explore the world of ATCs.
From top to bottom:
- "2+2=5 for extremely large values of 2" Tim Holtz Distress Inks, metal and embossing tools by Ten Seconds Studio
- "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." Pablo Picasso; Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Tim Holtz Distressables Elements digital image, October Afternoon patterned paper
- Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Rhonna Farrer rub-ons
- 7 Gypsies printed ATC, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Luxe Designs Rub-on
- 7 Gypsies ATC tab, brass paperclip, Renaissance Art Stamps metal charm
Another Pearl
I found another pearl yesterday, in my wallet as I dug for change.
I only had enough cash at lunchtime for lunch, so after work I went to the bank. I'd heard from a coworker that there was a Barnes and Noble next door, so I explored that next. I decided to wander on, searching for dinner, when I foundmyself in the other end of a little shopping mall I pass through on the way to and from work. I explored a yummy looking chocolate shop and had broccoli quiche (skipped the crust) and a lovely spring green salad with strawberries.
Blair was at school taking a mid-term, so Daniel and I watched Heroes together. Tehre must have been sunspots or soemthing the night it was recorded, because Daniel was having trouble discerning soem scenes, and for me with was even worse. Blair came home early partway through the episode and we all watched Lost together after that.
It's been an amazing year for TV for me, with three of my favorite shows really pulling out all the stops and exceedign my expectations. Lost, 24 and Battlestar Galactica - all of them full of jaw-dropping moments. It's a good time to have a Tivo. :-)
I only had enough cash at lunchtime for lunch, so after work I went to the bank. I'd heard from a coworker that there was a Barnes and Noble next door, so I explored that next. I decided to wander on, searching for dinner, when I foundmyself in the other end of a little shopping mall I pass through on the way to and from work. I explored a yummy looking chocolate shop and had broccoli quiche (skipped the crust) and a lovely spring green salad with strawberries.
Blair was at school taking a mid-term, so Daniel and I watched Heroes together. Tehre must have been sunspots or soemthing the night it was recorded, because Daniel was having trouble discerning soem scenes, and for me with was even worse. Blair came home early partway through the episode and we all watched Lost together after that.
It's been an amazing year for TV for me, with three of my favorite shows really pulling out all the stops and exceedign my expectations. Lost, 24 and Battlestar Galactica - all of them full of jaw-dropping moments. It's a good time to have a Tivo. :-)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Pearl In My Pocket, and Random Moments of Beauty
The other day I wore this beautiful ring i have that has dozens of tiny seed pearls dangling off little jump rings, the combination of pearly sheen and lustrous silver always makes me smile, and I love the way the little pearls flop around when I move. So put my hand in my pocket as I strode down the hall here at work, and there was something in there. I thought it was grit or lint, but when I pulled it out, I discovered one of the tiny pearls. I put it back in my pocket, but knew the likelihood of my remembering to take it out when I got home were small and that I'd probably lose the pearl next time I washed the pants. (I actually did remember later in the day, and discovered the pearl on the floor of my closet. It currently rests safely in my jewelry box.) Most people find pearls inside of oysters, but I found one in my pocket!
The Mayo Clinic is an amazingly beautiful place. There are several interconnected buildings of various vintages and architectural styles and they are interconnected on the subway level. I pass from one building to the next as I make my way to the cafeteria, the bus stop (it's been too cold to walk to work the last couple of days), to get my ID badge, to get to work. I love the wood paneling, the warm color of it, as I make my way from where the bus drops me off until I get to the cafeteria for my breakfast. There's a series of actual Warhols hanging in one corridor. There's a sculpture of a little girl playing that always makes me smile when I see it. And yesterday, as I entered the subway level of the Gonda Building there were young ladies playing classical music. I heard it as I walked from my building, and didn't realize it was live. Slowly I noticed it didn't sound "canned". Then I walked through the doorway and the sound became richer and fuller, bouncing off all that gorgeous marble. The violinist finished her piece to a smattering of applause, and they began another and I walked towards my destination with the sound of their music following me.
The Mayo Clinic is an amazingly beautiful place. There are several interconnected buildings of various vintages and architectural styles and they are interconnected on the subway level. I pass from one building to the next as I make my way to the cafeteria, the bus stop (it's been too cold to walk to work the last couple of days), to get my ID badge, to get to work. I love the wood paneling, the warm color of it, as I make my way from where the bus drops me off until I get to the cafeteria for my breakfast. There's a series of actual Warhols hanging in one corridor. There's a sculpture of a little girl playing that always makes me smile when I see it. And yesterday, as I entered the subway level of the Gonda Building there were young ladies playing classical music. I heard it as I walked from my building, and didn't realize it was live. Slowly I noticed it didn't sound "canned". Then I walked through the doorway and the sound became richer and fuller, bouncing off all that gorgeous marble. The violinist finished her piece to a smattering of applause, and they began another and I walked towards my destination with the sound of their music following me.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Brrrr!
I just got back from walking Dumbledore. The official temperature is 11*F with a "feels like" of -12. It was so cold there was frost on the inside of the glass door to the apartment building. I was cold inside my down coat, and my shins haven't reached room temperature yet. Yikes! What have I gotten myself into?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Our Weekend
The first thing I did yesterday was tidy up (actually the first thing I did was burn some bacon, but I digress). There were papers and empty boxes and half done stuff all over the living room and kitchen. After that I set out in the car to run some errands.
The GPS correctly led me to my bank, and a scrapbooking store, but choked on the address of a supermarket where there was a Post Office. Luckily, I realized before I got too off course. The really weird thing is that on my way to a later destination (another scrapbook store) it put me onto the exact same street it refused to acknowledge the existence of earlier.
Unfortunately, it completely refused to take me to one of those meal in a hurry type places (like Entrees Made Easy in CT). It kept trying to direct me to the diametrically opposite end of town and when I tried 411, they had no record of the place. I should have realized I'd have a problem when I could get directions via google but not mapquest when I was trying to plan my trip before I left home.
Dumble and I had a nice ramble down by the river ( ) then we went home and I watched some shows on my laptop while he cuddled up to me. For dinner I walked to Dos Amigos, and excellent Mexican restaurant, recommended by a coworker, that's right around the corner (it's the red roof in the center of the photo I linked to above).
One of the stores I visited is having a three day crop next weekend. I was thinking I wasn't organized enough to pack for a crop yet (most of my supplies are still in boxes awaiting the arrival of my armoire. But then I remembered that I have a tote filled with supplies for my sister's wedding album, so I'll dig out the disks with the photos and the tote, and I'll be all set.
The GPS correctly led me to my bank, and a scrapbooking store, but choked on the address of a supermarket where there was a Post Office. Luckily, I realized before I got too off course. The really weird thing is that on my way to a later destination (another scrapbook store) it put me onto the exact same street it refused to acknowledge the existence of earlier.
Unfortunately, it completely refused to take me to one of those meal in a hurry type places (like Entrees Made Easy in CT). It kept trying to direct me to the diametrically opposite end of town and when I tried 411, they had no record of the place. I should have realized I'd have a problem when I could get directions via google but not mapquest when I was trying to plan my trip before I left home.
Dumble and I had a nice ramble down by the river ( ) then we went home and I watched some shows on my laptop while he cuddled up to me. For dinner I walked to Dos Amigos, and excellent Mexican restaurant, recommended by a coworker, that's right around the corner (it's the red roof in the center of the photo I linked to above).
One of the stores I visited is having a three day crop next weekend. I was thinking I wasn't organized enough to pack for a crop yet (most of my supplies are still in boxes awaiting the arrival of my armoire. But then I remembered that I have a tote filled with supplies for my sister's wedding album, so I'll dig out the disks with the photos and the tote, and I'll be all set.
Friday, March 6, 2009
One Week Down...
Fifty-one to go?
I got an assignment today and started working on it. I'm excited about that. Your self-worth can take a beating when you feel that you're not a productive member of society. It's good to have something to do that others will value.
I'm sooo glad Dumble is here. He's on my lap right now, tucked under my arm, resting his head on the laptop. A minute ago his chin rested on the touchpad and moved the mouse - it took me a second to figure out why the mouse wasn't where I wanted it to be. "The Highway" is playing on my XM - it's a familiar piece of home and reminds me of Country Western Wednesdays at momento when we'd have the stereo at the store tuned to that station all day.
I'm going to hunt down two scrapbooking stores tomorrow, along with the post office and supermarket.
Nancy asked about a SlingBox. It's a device that sits on my TV, and it's connected to my Tivos and to my router. It streams the output from either Tivo to software on my laptop so I can keep up with all my shows. If the guys are home and they turn on the TV and watch the same Tivo, we can watch a show together. Last night Daniel and I watched half of this week's Heroes together (we had to stop when his bedtime came round.) We had our respective telephones on speaker and we could chat about what was happening, just as if we were on the same couch. It was pretty cool.
I got an assignment today and started working on it. I'm excited about that. Your self-worth can take a beating when you feel that you're not a productive member of society. It's good to have something to do that others will value.
I'm sooo glad Dumble is here. He's on my lap right now, tucked under my arm, resting his head on the laptop. A minute ago his chin rested on the touchpad and moved the mouse - it took me a second to figure out why the mouse wasn't where I wanted it to be. "The Highway" is playing on my XM - it's a familiar piece of home and reminds me of Country Western Wednesdays at momento when we'd have the stereo at the store tuned to that station all day.
I'm going to hunt down two scrapbooking stores tomorrow, along with the post office and supermarket.
Nancy asked about a SlingBox. It's a device that sits on my TV, and it's connected to my Tivos and to my router. It streams the output from either Tivo to software on my laptop so I can keep up with all my shows. If the guys are home and they turn on the TV and watch the same Tivo, we can watch a show together. Last night Daniel and I watched half of this week's Heroes together (we had to stop when his bedtime came round.) We had our respective telephones on speaker and we could chat about what was happening, just as if we were on the same couch. It was pretty cool.
ATC Spinner pt 33
Join us every week as we explore the world of ATCs.
From top to bottom:
- 7 Gypsies ATC tab, brass paperclip, Renaissance Art Stamps metal charm
- Hambly transparency
- "You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever." 7 Gypsies Quarterdeck playing card (the joker of course!)
- "Alcohol and Calculus don't mix. Never drink and derive" 7 Gypsies printed ATC, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) in clear, with a little gold embossing powder sprinkled in on the last go-round
- "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Grouch Marx; Krylon gold webbing spray
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Update
I met my landlord Sunday morning, signed some paperwork and got my keys. I had my choice of three apartments, and chose the one closest to the door - I had a lot of stuff to carry in! It was bitter cold but the activity of going in and out and up and down the stairs kept me warm enough - although my ears got cold. Afterwards, though I realized that my legs were actually cold to the touch. It took over an hour for them to reach room temperature.
After I'd had a chance to rest, I headed for Target to get bedding. It was hard to decide because there were so many choices! Restful, graphical, shabby-chic, elegant, bold - aisle after aisle. In the end I went with pink. Since Blair isn't big into pink, I figured this was my chance.
I found a tapestry rug in similar colors and a decorative pillow that was on sale! I macked it out with a featherbed and comfy pillows. I decided I wanted the bedroom to be welcoming and comfy and happy to try to make up for the fact that I'd be alone in it.
I also bought a table to use for my conputer and for scrapbooking and a shelf to put my printers and scanner on, a desk chair, scale, alarm clock (with nice big numbers so I can read it without my glasses, steps for Dumble to get up on the bed, some groceries - and I filled my prescriptions. Gotta love a Super Target.
I'm very glad Dumble is here - he's excellent company. He gets wild and frisky when I get home, grabbing his toys, shaking them and then tossing them so he can pounce onthem and start all over again. He's getting used to the fact that he can hear other people moving around, and has been quiet at night.
Monday morning I met with the folks at the consulting company I'm workign for. After some paperwork, the gal took me over to the Mayo Clinic and introduced me to my supercisor. Over the past couple of days, I've gotten set up with email, computer access, and a badge. I'm figuring my way around the subway and skyway - and can get pretty close to home without having to go outside. The walk's not bad, but my feet are killing me.
My supervisor showed me the employee cafeteria, where I can get breakfast for a couple of dollars. It's so reasonable that I've started picking up dinner after I eat my lunch, and putting it in the fridge until it's tiem to go home. Voila - variety with no mess or dirty dishes. I'm going to miss that this coming weekend.
I started low-carbing on Monday. I've stuck to it so far, but the smell of bread assails you from every angle when you're near a food court (the subway/skyway sytem is a bit like a sprawling mall). I love bread. But I have found sources of nuts and sugar-free chocolate, so I have a little soemthing to snack on.
The cable guy came last night and I finally have itnernet access at home. Blair, Dan and I had a nice video chat last night. Dan and I played 3D tic tac toe and 2 person minesweeper last night. I was in my Lazy Boy with the computer and the dog on my lap, chatting with my guys. It was pretty good. Then I watched last weekend's Battlestar Galactica via my Slingbox. It streams the Tivos to me over the internet. It worked well and the episode was amazing. I can't wait to see where they are goign with the last few episodes of the series.
Tehre are times when the loneliness really hits me. I don't think I've lived by my self for more than a couple of months in my whole life. I met my first husband in college, and then I had Alex with me. Now it's just me and Dumble. I miss my guys terribly.
But I feel incredibly fortunate to be employed. And we're healthy and have roofs over our heads and enough to eat. Wandering the buildings of the clinic I see so many ill people - wheel chairs, hairless heads - it reminds me to be grateful for what we have. This year will end and we'll be together again.
After I'd had a chance to rest, I headed for Target to get bedding. It was hard to decide because there were so many choices! Restful, graphical, shabby-chic, elegant, bold - aisle after aisle. In the end I went with pink. Since Blair isn't big into pink, I figured this was my chance.
I found a tapestry rug in similar colors and a decorative pillow that was on sale! I macked it out with a featherbed and comfy pillows. I decided I wanted the bedroom to be welcoming and comfy and happy to try to make up for the fact that I'd be alone in it.I also bought a table to use for my conputer and for scrapbooking and a shelf to put my printers and scanner on, a desk chair, scale, alarm clock (with nice big numbers so I can read it without my glasses, steps for Dumble to get up on the bed, some groceries - and I filled my prescriptions. Gotta love a Super Target.
I'm very glad Dumble is here - he's excellent company. He gets wild and frisky when I get home, grabbing his toys, shaking them and then tossing them so he can pounce onthem and start all over again. He's getting used to the fact that he can hear other people moving around, and has been quiet at night.
Monday morning I met with the folks at the consulting company I'm workign for. After some paperwork, the gal took me over to the Mayo Clinic and introduced me to my supercisor. Over the past couple of days, I've gotten set up with email, computer access, and a badge. I'm figuring my way around the subway and skyway - and can get pretty close to home without having to go outside. The walk's not bad, but my feet are killing me.
My supervisor showed me the employee cafeteria, where I can get breakfast for a couple of dollars. It's so reasonable that I've started picking up dinner after I eat my lunch, and putting it in the fridge until it's tiem to go home. Voila - variety with no mess or dirty dishes. I'm going to miss that this coming weekend.
I started low-carbing on Monday. I've stuck to it so far, but the smell of bread assails you from every angle when you're near a food court (the subway/skyway sytem is a bit like a sprawling mall). I love bread.
The cable guy came last night and I finally have itnernet access at home. Blair, Dan and I had a nice video chat last night. Dan and I played 3D tic tac toe and 2 person minesweeper last night. I was in my Lazy Boy with the computer and the dog on my lap, chatting with my guys. It was pretty good. Then I watched last weekend's Battlestar Galactica via my Slingbox. It streams the Tivos to me over the internet. It worked well and the episode was amazing. I can't wait to see where they are goign with the last few episodes of the series.
Tehre are times when the loneliness really hits me. I don't think I've lived by my self for more than a couple of months in my whole life. I met my first husband in college, and then I had Alex with me. Now it's just me and Dumble. I miss my guys terribly.
But I feel incredibly fortunate to be employed. And we're healthy and have roofs over our heads and enough to eat. Wandering the buildings of the clinic I see so many ill people - wheel chairs, hairless heads - it reminds me to be grateful for what we have. This year will end and we'll be together again.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Just South of Rochester
Dumble and I are safely ensconced in something that Orbitz called an "AmericInn" but the sign outside calls a "Relax Inn". It's clean. and it's got a deadbolt, but that's really all I can say about it. It's got a funky, disinfectanty kinda smell, and hasn't been decorated since the 80's sometime, but so far it's quiet at least. I called about seeing if I could cancel without a penalty since I arrived here earlier than I thought I would (about 5:30 rather than about 9), but there's a 24 hour cancellation policy. It would have been pretty insane for me to try and unload the van tonight anyway, I'm better of getting whatever sleep my busy brain and my goofy dog allow me to and starting fresh in the AM.
And the reason it depends on Dumble is that he spent a good part of last night growling and making those quiet, bark-like sounds of disapproval at the slightest noise. Plus he insisted on going out around 11:30 last night (and OMG was it cold!) after I had turned out the light and been trying to get to sleep for at least an hour and a half. I was so desperate to sleep that I attempted to shut him in the bathroom - but alas, I could hear him whimpering for me, and I got him back out again. In the morning, after getting >some< sleep, I had compassion for his unease - long day, freaky windshield wipers, constant motion in the car, the sounds of strange people in "his" house, etc, etc, but last night, not so much.
I'm sitting up in bed, with the laptop on my lap (natch) and my doggie on my shins. He's curled up and no longer growling at the air conditioning unit (it was billowing out the curtains before). He actually slept a lot in the car today (he's got a nice car seat like this but with no food dishes http://www.petstreetmall.com/Lookout-I-Dog-Car-Seat/2767/1641/ ). I'm going to search online to find out the nearest Target, PetSmart (or similar) and supermarket so I can do some shopping after I move in, and then Dumble and I are going night-night.
And the reason it depends on Dumble is that he spent a good part of last night growling and making those quiet, bark-like sounds of disapproval at the slightest noise. Plus he insisted on going out around 11:30 last night (and OMG was it cold!) after I had turned out the light and been trying to get to sleep for at least an hour and a half. I was so desperate to sleep that I attempted to shut him in the bathroom - but alas, I could hear him whimpering for me, and I got him back out again. In the morning, after getting >some< sleep, I had compassion for his unease - long day, freaky windshield wipers, constant motion in the car, the sounds of strange people in "his" house, etc, etc, but last night, not so much.
I'm sitting up in bed, with the laptop on my lap (natch) and my doggie on my shins. He's curled up and no longer growling at the air conditioning unit (it was billowing out the curtains before). He actually slept a lot in the car today (he's got a nice car seat like this but with no food dishes http://www.petstreetmall.com/Lookout-I-Dog-Car-Seat/2767/1641/ ). I'm going to search online to find out the nearest Target, PetSmart (or similar) and supermarket so I can do some shopping after I move in, and then Dumble and I are going night-night.
Toledo
After 13 hours on the road, Dumble and I have arrived in Toledo, OH. All I can say about it right now is that it's dark. ;-) Dumble has been great so far, no throwing up, which is good. But we hit a lot of intermittent rain in Pennsylvania and he took great exception to the sound the wipers made when there wasn't much rain and they skidded on the windshield. It freaked him out and he kept trying to climb out of the carseat and over to me. When it was full-on raining and the wipers were going constantly he was cool with it.
We've got another long day ahead of us tomorrow.
We've got another long day ahead of us tomorrow.
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