Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday
Just a quick post this morning. I'm meeting friends for lunch today, checking out apartments, and packing. There will be an inspection of the house on Monday. Things are moving along.
Friday, February 25, 2011
I can't believe that I woke up at 3:30 this morning. I know, I know, I begin each blog by reporting the time I wake up. It's just so unusual for me. Years ago, I would have preferred a 30-hour day, staying awake for 20 hours and sleeping for 10, not getting up until at least 8 o'clock. So I am astonished to wake up so early, ready to start the day.
Yesterday I posted to the wrong blog. I posted to the blog I set up for us who trained as Peer Support Specialists in Lafayette. (The pages where drafts are written look just the same, except for the title at the top of the page so it's pretty easy to click on the wrong blog.) Any way, I had previously asked Queenie to help me figure out how much rent I could pay, and then, in the meantime, I wrote yesterday that I had freaked out a little bit when I saw how much apartment rents were these days. I also wrote about some of the logistics of finding a place that been concerning me. When I got a message from Queenie to call her about renting an apartment, I assumed that she had read my blog. She talked about all the things that I had written about concerning finding an apartment. It wasn't until I asked her what she thought about Jeff's purchase on Wednesday of a house that burned on Tuesday that I realized that she had not read my blog. I was assuming that she knew what I'd written. She hadn't, of course, but she addressed all my concerns in her conversation. I can only wonder if my end of the conversation seemed a little bit off, thinking she had read what I'd written.
Signing off now. Going to have my coffee on the front porch.
Yesterday I posted to the wrong blog. I posted to the blog I set up for us who trained as Peer Support Specialists in Lafayette. (The pages where drafts are written look just the same, except for the title at the top of the page so it's pretty easy to click on the wrong blog.) Any way, I had previously asked Queenie to help me figure out how much rent I could pay, and then, in the meantime, I wrote yesterday that I had freaked out a little bit when I saw how much apartment rents were these days. I also wrote about some of the logistics of finding a place that been concerning me. When I got a message from Queenie to call her about renting an apartment, I assumed that she had read my blog. She talked about all the things that I had written about concerning finding an apartment. It wasn't until I asked her what she thought about Jeff's purchase on Wednesday of a house that burned on Tuesday that I realized that she had not read my blog. I was assuming that she knew what I'd written. She hadn't, of course, but she addressed all my concerns in her conversation. I can only wonder if my end of the conversation seemed a little bit off, thinking she had read what I'd written.
Signing off now. Going to have my coffee on the front porch.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday
I just discovered that I posted this to the wrong blog. I posted to the blog that I set up for us who trained together in Lafayette in November. so, I cut and pasted. Here it is.
I slept in this morning - did not get up until 5. That's definitely better than 3:30. It is so nice to wake up without an alarm clock, to wake up and feel ready to get out of bed.
I must admit that I freaked out when I found out that I won't be able to move into Tower Oaks. I did some checking, and most of the rents I found for a one bedroom apartment are around $800 per month. Unbelievable. And I worried that my credit history would keep me from being accepted into a place. And I was concerned about the logistics of finding a place. I know that at least one complex requires an application fee. I don't have a checking account, and what if they don't take cash? And would they frown on someone who doesn't have a checking account? But I've calmed down a bit. The first thing I'll do is talk to Aunt Eula Mae. She's lived everywhere. If there's an apartment complex in town, she's lived there. She'll be a great resource.
I signed the counteroffer on the house last night. Jeff came by later than he had originally planned because he was dealing with his own surprise. He and a partner bought a house yesterday morning. The house had been in foreclosure, and the previous owners were still living there. His partner went by yesterday to tell the occupants that they would need to leave, and it was then that he found a blackened front door. He called Jeff to say that something was not right. Jeff said, "Call the fire department!" When the fire department answered the call, they told him that they had already been out in the morning, and that the fire had occurred the previous night. They said it appeared to have been a kitchen fire, and no one was home when it happened. It was the first time Jeff had purchased a burned house. He said the whole house was black inside. He figures they'll be able to negate the sale since the fire was not disclosed!
Still enjoying work. The files are so well organized that everything is easy to find. The order of things is different from my natural instincts sometimes, but I'm getting there. You can always follow last year's workpapers, and you never have to hear, "Whatever you do, don't follow last year's workpapers!" And so far, I haven't seen any "shoebox" clients.
I've got my cooking planned for the weekend, and my shopping list prepared. I'm good to go!
I slept in this morning - did not get up until 5. That's definitely better than 3:30. It is so nice to wake up without an alarm clock, to wake up and feel ready to get out of bed.
I must admit that I freaked out when I found out that I won't be able to move into Tower Oaks. I did some checking, and most of the rents I found for a one bedroom apartment are around $800 per month. Unbelievable. And I worried that my credit history would keep me from being accepted into a place. And I was concerned about the logistics of finding a place. I know that at least one complex requires an application fee. I don't have a checking account, and what if they don't take cash? And would they frown on someone who doesn't have a checking account? But I've calmed down a bit. The first thing I'll do is talk to Aunt Eula Mae. She's lived everywhere. If there's an apartment complex in town, she's lived there. She'll be a great resource.
I signed the counteroffer on the house last night. Jeff came by later than he had originally planned because he was dealing with his own surprise. He and a partner bought a house yesterday morning. The house had been in foreclosure, and the previous owners were still living there. His partner went by yesterday to tell the occupants that they would need to leave, and it was then that he found a blackened front door. He called Jeff to say that something was not right. Jeff said, "Call the fire department!" When the fire department answered the call, they told him that they had already been out in the morning, and that the fire had occurred the previous night. They said it appeared to have been a kitchen fire, and no one was home when it happened. It was the first time Jeff had purchased a burned house. He said the whole house was black inside. He figures they'll be able to negate the sale since the fire was not disclosed!
Still enjoying work. The files are so well organized that everything is easy to find. The order of things is different from my natural instincts sometimes, but I'm getting there. You can always follow last year's workpapers, and you never have to hear, "Whatever you do, don't follow last year's workpapers!" And so far, I haven't seen any "shoebox" clients.
I've got my cooking planned for the weekend, and my shopping list prepared. I'm good to go!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday
I slept in this morning - until 4 o'clock. But, then, I stayed up late last night - until 9 o'clock. It's nice to have time for myself in the morning as well as time to do a few things before going to work. And it's wonderful to be able to relax after work without having any chores to do.
I had my morning coffee out on the front porch without wanting a cigarette this morning. So far, quitting hasn't been too bad. There have been a few times that I really wanted to smoke, but they didn't last very long. I'm going to a quit class on March 2 at Moss Regional.
I'm into my fourth week of work It doesn't seem as though it's been that long. Work has been the right amount of mental challenge. It keeps me focused, but it's not too difficult.
I had my morning coffee out on the front porch without wanting a cigarette this morning. So far, quitting hasn't been too bad. There have been a few times that I really wanted to smoke, but they didn't last very long. I'm going to a quit class on March 2 at Moss Regional.
I'm into my fourth week of work It doesn't seem as though it's been that long. Work has been the right amount of mental challenge. It keeps me focused, but it's not too difficult.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Foggy Rain
It was pleasantly cool yesterday morning before the sun came up. This morning it is warm, muggy, foggy, and raining. It's a he-man-sized serving of Louisiana weather!
Not smoking has not been too bad. There have been times when I would have gone to buy a pack, but I was too tired to go right then, so that saved me. And I've saved $6.54 and 4 hours of my life.
That's all today, short and sweet.
Not smoking has not been too bad. There have been times when I would have gone to buy a pack, but I was too tired to go right then, so that saved me. And I've saved $6.54 and 4 hours of my life.
That's all today, short and sweet.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday morning
Saturday was cook and clean day. I spent about three hours chopping bell peppers, onion, and celery to put into the freezer before I actually started cooking. I enjoy chopping veggies, but after a couple of hours, it begins to lose its charms. But now I've got a good supply in the freezer, as well as meals ready to heat and eat. Next weekend I can spend less time in the kitchen.
I was ready to call it quits after cooking, but I had the kitchen to clean, so I washed pots and pans and ran the dishwasher. I was quite tired and very happy to be done. But the dishwasher leaked. A lot. And it drains three times each cycle. So I mopped the floors. Three times.
It's springtime. I've encountered mosquitoes already, and I mowed the yard yesterday, two sure signs of spring. There wasn't much grass to mow, but plenty of clover. I did a little bit of weedeating, but ran out of gas - me, not the weedeater - before I finished. Can't wait to get the ditch out front spruced up. It is the bane of my yardwork life. It takes a combination of weedeating, roundup, and push mowing to get it in shape. Doing the yard wouldn't be so bad if not for the ditch.
Speaking of spring, I have discovered that we do have nice springtime weather, pleasantly cool. It just that it occurs before the sun comes up in the morning, so you have to get up early to experience it!
Well, that's the news from Lake Wobegon, er, Lake Charles, where all the women are shopping, all the men are hunting, and all the children are texting.
I was ready to call it quits after cooking, but I had the kitchen to clean, so I washed pots and pans and ran the dishwasher. I was quite tired and very happy to be done. But the dishwasher leaked. A lot. And it drains three times each cycle. So I mopped the floors. Three times.
It's springtime. I've encountered mosquitoes already, and I mowed the yard yesterday, two sure signs of spring. There wasn't much grass to mow, but plenty of clover. I did a little bit of weedeating, but ran out of gas - me, not the weedeater - before I finished. Can't wait to get the ditch out front spruced up. It is the bane of my yardwork life. It takes a combination of weedeating, roundup, and push mowing to get it in shape. Doing the yard wouldn't be so bad if not for the ditch.
Speaking of spring, I have discovered that we do have nice springtime weather, pleasantly cool. It just that it occurs before the sun comes up in the morning, so you have to get up early to experience it!
Well, that's the news from Lake Wobegon, er, Lake Charles, where all the women are shopping, all the men are hunting, and all the children are texting.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Finally
Today is my first day in twenty years as a non-smoker! Yay! It's something that I've been thinking about for a long time. I'm very much susceptible to triggers, to events and even times of the day, that call me to smoke. So, when I started working, I did not take any smoke breaks. As a result, any thought of smoking at work is a fleeting moment rather than a strong urge.
I don't think this weekend will be that hard, at least, I hope not! I think the toughest time will be Monday after work, but we'll see.
So, I've been up for 45 minutes, and I haven't smoked today. Right now, I have a strong urge to get dressed and drive to Kershaw's for a pack. Let's see how long it takes for the urge to pass.
Lately I've been rearranging things around the house in ways that have made my life easier. Little things that make a difference, little things that I wonder why I never thought about before. For example, I've always had issues with storing clothes like shorts, underwear, socks, and pajamas. I didn't take my dresser with me when I moved here; I got a set of plastic drawers that fit inside my closet. I thought that these, with a pair of two-drawer... (what do I call them? They're two-drawer units that I originally placed on either side of my bed, and that now reside in the living room). Anyway, I those clothes never quite fit. I always had an overflow somewhere.
Well, the light bulb went off last week. I have got a ton of closet space. So I hung up all my sleepwear and my slips. Now I have plenty of drawer space, and matching tops and bottoms are side by side on hangers.
A couple of days ago I changed locations of where I store my coffee and moved my coffee maker near the kitchen sink. Now the coffee maker is right next to water, cups and spoons. And by moving the bread maker to the opposite counter, I have more counter space near the sink.
I can't think of other aha moments I've had lately, but there have been several. However, aha is not exactly the right word. They are more like d'oh moments. Like why didn't I think of this before moments!
Well, its about time to finish my laundry this morning, but I want to wash what I'm wearing, so I guess I'd better sign off and take my shower. Before I go, I want to thank you for reading my blog and supporting me. I treasure your comments, so, please, continue to respond.
I don't think this weekend will be that hard, at least, I hope not! I think the toughest time will be Monday after work, but we'll see.
So, I've been up for 45 minutes, and I haven't smoked today. Right now, I have a strong urge to get dressed and drive to Kershaw's for a pack. Let's see how long it takes for the urge to pass.
Lately I've been rearranging things around the house in ways that have made my life easier. Little things that make a difference, little things that I wonder why I never thought about before. For example, I've always had issues with storing clothes like shorts, underwear, socks, and pajamas. I didn't take my dresser with me when I moved here; I got a set of plastic drawers that fit inside my closet. I thought that these, with a pair of two-drawer... (what do I call them? They're two-drawer units that I originally placed on either side of my bed, and that now reside in the living room). Anyway, I those clothes never quite fit. I always had an overflow somewhere.
Well, the light bulb went off last week. I have got a ton of closet space. So I hung up all my sleepwear and my slips. Now I have plenty of drawer space, and matching tops and bottoms are side by side on hangers.
A couple of days ago I changed locations of where I store my coffee and moved my coffee maker near the kitchen sink. Now the coffee maker is right next to water, cups and spoons. And by moving the bread maker to the opposite counter, I have more counter space near the sink.
I can't think of other aha moments I've had lately, but there have been several. However, aha is not exactly the right word. They are more like d'oh moments. Like why didn't I think of this before moments!
Well, its about time to finish my laundry this morning, but I want to wash what I'm wearing, so I guess I'd better sign off and take my shower. Before I go, I want to thank you for reading my blog and supporting me. I treasure your comments, so, please, continue to respond.
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