Bright light flooding the rat's nest, heating up the solar panels, drying the laundry. I don't think I could ever leave the Mediterranean. There are thousands of problems here, but yesterday was February 24th and I took a walk in a huge, green-filled park in a long-sleeved T-shirt and almost wished I could take that off at some point. I would not be able to stand my life right now if the weather were bad. I really needed this break.
Going bald for the fifth time made me go wig shopping the other day. The prices are not to be believed. It looks natural but man, oh, man. If anybody was thinking twice about donating hair to one of those wig charities for cancer patients, please don't (think twice, that is). My insurance covered more than half of mine, and it's a pretty nice one, but there were some for sale that looked fake and crappy for well over what insurance covered. And I'm sure there are plenty of insurance companies in the States that don't cover a wig, or maybe give you like fifty bucks or something.
When you are basically a lady of leisure, with specialists telling you to stay home, you have lots of time to do house work. The rat's nest has never been so clean and tidy and organized. A couple of IKEA runs for new bookshelves and other storage stuff helped, as does the fabulous new bathroom which makes such a big difference. It'll be nice when it has a door, too. Still waiting for the guy to measure for it! Then it'll be twenty days or so to get it installed. Anyway, my mild OCD is in danger of going into overdrive, with laundry and dishes pleading to get done as soon as something gets used/worn. Today I cleaned the freezer (Q-tips and bleach, like the fridge!). For the first time in years, there is nothing mysterious or elderly in the freezer. Some day I have to go through the tons of CDs/DVDs I don't listen to or watch and maybe put them in one of those albums if I'm not going to throw them out.
Part of my reason for getting ultra organized is that I know if I die, no one in my family will be able to deal with all my crap. It will rot in the rat's nest. At least if it's in categories, it can be given away or tossed. If it has to be sorted, it will rot here, believe me. And I'm the least sentimental person I know, so obviously I should unsentimentally deal with my material baggage. Bonus: I get more room, get rid of stuff, know where everything is, etc, etc. Also, it keeps me busy.
Off I go to meet with my boss to see what the hey-ho I'm gonna do about going back to work part time. I'll let you know. (Did you really get this far and read this whole post? Well done!)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Recycling
From a rat's nest filled with tiles and uninstalled bathroom fixtures, trying desperately to claw its way away from its nickname:
There are things besides smells that remind you of the past. Yesterday reminded me of something I wrote several years ago. So because I'm empty, I'll reuse it.
12 July 2002
I feel like I'm hanging from a thread that's about to snap. It's taut and has started to fray on the outside. I don't know what's at the bottom if I fall.
It goes on but it's not relevant so I'll spare you.
There are things besides smells that remind you of the past. Yesterday reminded me of something I wrote several years ago. So because I'm empty, I'll reuse it.
12 July 2002
I feel like I'm hanging from a thread that's about to snap. It's taut and has started to fray on the outside. I don't know what's at the bottom if I fall.
It goes on but it's not relevant so I'll spare you.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
My ideal job
Musing from the rat's nest:
My ideal job would involve me doing a variety of creative projects, but never too much of one thing. I would buy a book like 100 crafts for moderately creative people, and I would learn how to do new moderately creative things, and do them until I get good at them, and then do something else. My job would not involve writing basically the same teacher's guide three times. My delightful job would be subsidized by a patron of the moderately creative crafts a la Catherine the Great. I would not, however, live in the palace, but in the rat's nest with its soon-to-be remodeled bathroom!!!
By the way, is there anybody out there who thinks that 950 euros is a reasonable amount of money to pay the tile guy for two days' work, including all materials except the tiles? This is the quote of the super duper tile guy but much as I want super duper, I just don't think I can rationalize this much for two days' work.
My most recent crafty activity was the bonbonieres for K's wedding, coming up in a very few days. I figure the people who make them when you order them from somewhere don't have art degrees, so I can do a decent job on my own. See for yourself.
If you know me, you know I have an opinion on all things, as an uncle of mine once accused me of. Here's my opinion on bonbonieres: nice tradition but no accompanying object! Nobody wants that little statue or whatever. Then you feel guilty for throwing it away, because it's like bad luck or something. My idea for baptism ones, where there's usually a small mug or flower pot or toy attached: Put a slip in that says that for each one made, one or two euros were donated to a charity that helps kids, in honor of the kid being baptised and forget the stupid little object/toy. Anyway, I'm not a total cheapskate, I just think things mean a lot more if you put some effort into them instead of just opening up your wallet.
I am a bit behind in the 100-project project, so will have to count the above as at least one of them, especially since K and Buzz have been steady supporters during my state of sickiness.
My ideal job would involve me doing a variety of creative projects, but never too much of one thing. I would buy a book like 100 crafts for moderately creative people, and I would learn how to do new moderately creative things, and do them until I get good at them, and then do something else. My job would not involve writing basically the same teacher's guide three times. My delightful job would be subsidized by a patron of the moderately creative crafts a la Catherine the Great. I would not, however, live in the palace, but in the rat's nest with its soon-to-be remodeled bathroom!!!
By the way, is there anybody out there who thinks that 950 euros is a reasonable amount of money to pay the tile guy for two days' work, including all materials except the tiles? This is the quote of the super duper tile guy but much as I want super duper, I just don't think I can rationalize this much for two days' work.
My most recent crafty activity was the bonbonieres for K's wedding, coming up in a very few days. I figure the people who make them when you order them from somewhere don't have art degrees, so I can do a decent job on my own. See for yourself.
If you know me, you know I have an opinion on all things, as an uncle of mine once accused me of. Here's my opinion on bonbonieres: nice tradition but no accompanying object! Nobody wants that little statue or whatever. Then you feel guilty for throwing it away, because it's like bad luck or something. My idea for baptism ones, where there's usually a small mug or flower pot or toy attached: Put a slip in that says that for each one made, one or two euros were donated to a charity that helps kids, in honor of the kid being baptised and forget the stupid little object/toy. Anyway, I'm not a total cheapskate, I just think things mean a lot more if you put some effort into them instead of just opening up your wallet.I am a bit behind in the 100-project project, so will have to count the above as at least one of them, especially since K and Buzz have been steady supporters during my state of sickiness.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The old me rears its ugly head
Back at the rat's nest...
I'm finding every possible excuse to procrastinate doing my work, which is turning out to be extremely boring. Today's tool: cleaning the refrigerator. WITH Q-TIPS AND TOOTHPICKS.
But I can't pull all-nighters to catch up, that's the only way I've changed since college, when I used to put off even the most important papers until the very, very last moment, but then somehow pull it off by sleeping 2-3 hours on weeknights. MAMAS, don't let your babies grow up to be procrastinators. la la ta da. I can't pull all-nighters because I'm too damn old and too damn sick. But I also haven't learned my lesson and waste valuable daylight hours doing everathing but what I should be doing...
I have also been employing other, more conventional methods to delay working, like laundry, errands, the internet.
And eating the world's biggest bowl of cabbage salad. Not really cole slaw, since it only has lemon and oil. It would taste so much better with mayo but I don't know how to make it with mayo. Also, the bio carrots I got yesterday don't taste very flavorful. Good thing I don't remember how much they cost.
You know you're desperate to procrastinate when you watch a rerun of the Super Nanny (Jo Frost, not those three from Nanny Central with the old lady assigning different nannies to different cases), dubbed, including the kids dubbed by adult actors pretending to have kiddie voices.
Asxeto: What in the world, oh whatever am I going to put on my head at K's wedding?!?! Sucks to be bald, as I've said innumerable times.
I'm finding every possible excuse to procrastinate doing my work, which is turning out to be extremely boring. Today's tool: cleaning the refrigerator. WITH Q-TIPS AND TOOTHPICKS.
But I can't pull all-nighters to catch up, that's the only way I've changed since college, when I used to put off even the most important papers until the very, very last moment, but then somehow pull it off by sleeping 2-3 hours on weeknights. MAMAS, don't let your babies grow up to be procrastinators. la la ta da. I can't pull all-nighters because I'm too damn old and too damn sick. But I also haven't learned my lesson and waste valuable daylight hours doing everathing but what I should be doing...
I have also been employing other, more conventional methods to delay working, like laundry, errands, the internet.
And eating the world's biggest bowl of cabbage salad. Not really cole slaw, since it only has lemon and oil. It would taste so much better with mayo but I don't know how to make it with mayo. Also, the bio carrots I got yesterday don't taste very flavorful. Good thing I don't remember how much they cost.
You know you're desperate to procrastinate when you watch a rerun of the Super Nanny (Jo Frost, not those three from Nanny Central with the old lady assigning different nannies to different cases), dubbed, including the kids dubbed by adult actors pretending to have kiddie voices.
Asxeto: What in the world, oh whatever am I going to put on my head at K's wedding?!?! Sucks to be bald, as I've said innumerable times.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Carrot to the rescue
Probable last post from the priests' hole, since the beckoning finger of the rat's nest becomes ever more tempting, ever more persuasive. I must follow its hypnotic curvature all the way home.
It is the rare being that hears the siren's call of the rat's nest. Most can't hear it. Me, cucas, vromyars and a few other poor schmucks. Anyway, home is home is home.
I didn't want you to think I'd bit(ten) the dust, so I wanted to post, and thought that if I didn't have anything to say, I could at least look for some old pics on my computer to entertain, and lo and behold, I found these pictures of Carrot that I had taken from my cell. These are from when he first arrived, none the worse for wear, from distant Chicago, his hometown. (But on facebook your hometown is where you're living, not where you're from. I think. asxeto.) He was a little feisty at first, as you'll see, but he soon settled down. He is looking forward to moving to the rat's nest in the next couple of days. (poor little tyke--he doesn't know any better)
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If you love Carrot, you'll love his friends. Thank you, Mei, again, for brightening things up!!! (And putting all my creative projects to shame with Carrot's (well, your) artistry!)
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Remember, pictures from the cell (double meaning intended!). He's much more handsome than I've depicted him!
It is the rare being that hears the siren's call of the rat's nest. Most can't hear it. Me, cucas, vromyars and a few other poor schmucks. Anyway, home is home is home.
I didn't want you to think I'd bit(ten) the dust, so I wanted to post, and thought that if I didn't have anything to say, I could at least look for some old pics on my computer to entertain, and lo and behold, I found these pictures of Carrot that I had taken from my cell. These are from when he first arrived, none the worse for wear, from distant Chicago, his hometown. (But on facebook your hometown is where you're living, not where you're from. I think. asxeto.) He was a little feisty at first, as you'll see, but he soon settled down. He is looking forward to moving to the rat's nest in the next couple of days. (poor little tyke--he doesn't know any better)
.jpg)
If you love Carrot, you'll love his friends. Thank you, Mei, again, for brightening things up!!! (And putting all my creative projects to shame with Carrot's (well, your) artistry!)
.jpg)
Remember, pictures from the cell (double meaning intended!). He's much more handsome than I've depicted him!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Hey, Pumpkin
Today I broke one of my firm and fast rules: I wore an article of clothing before washing it. Ever since Venia's mom (former underwear factory worker) told me what happens to clothes from fabric to packaging/store, I never ever wear something before washing it. I always think of people who don't have any clean underwear, like in college, and are too lazy or busy to go to the laundromat, so they buy a new three-pack or six-pack of Hanes to get through another few days. Take my word for it: This is gross. Do not do it. If you need more details (you don't), tell me in the comments.
Also in the package, amazing hand/body lotion (Kathy's Family Healing Lotion). Special stuff. Check it out here. And a sweet pumpkin show poster AND Worcester's own Mustard Plaster and accompanying cap. Early Christmas!!! Thanks, Pierre!
BUT, I got an awesome package from the bro today, and had to wear my new hoodie around the 'hood!!! Couldn't wait to wash it. It's washable, right? Notice it has been signed by the entire Pumpkin Crew, and is full of positive pumpkin energy. Energy is definitely in long supply (not in short supply, get it?) at the Pumpkin House. Dude, the Pumpkin House deserves its own post some day. That place is unique. C'est tout ce qu'on peut dire.
Also in the package, amazing hand/body lotion (Kathy's Family Healing Lotion). Special stuff. Check it out here. And a sweet pumpkin show poster AND Worcester's own Mustard Plaster and accompanying cap. Early Christmas!!! Thanks, Pierre! PS I am not as sickly and double-chinny as in the above pics! I want to believe this.
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