If you know me at all, then you know that my daughter Erica is working in England for 3 years.  I talked to her this afternoon, and she is doing well, having fun, but not loving the work.  C'est la vie....not many of us love our jobs.  But the people, the experience....all of those parts of her life in the UK have been wonderful so far.  And I am glad.  But I miss her, you know?  Like really, really miss her sometimes.  Not that she has lived at home in 10 years, not since she went away to college.  But at least she was close enough to run up for a weekend, for shopping and dinner.  But England requires a substantial chunk of time away from work and a large expenditure of money just to get there. Its not something I can just get a wild hair about, drop everything, and run over for a couple of days.  That part makes me sad. 

But we still talk a decent amount.  She keeps me mostly up-to-date on what is going on in her life by email.  We Skype at least once a week, and sometimes we call.  Today I confessed that while I KNOW she wanted to experience life in another country at this perfect time in her life of being young, and single, and unencumbered....sometimes I have self doubts that whisper in that part of my brain that NEVER shuts up that if I were a better mother, my child would not feel the need to leave the country.  She laughed and said of course thats not the reason....but still....whatever the reason, whether its because I was a sucky parent, or she just wants to live someplace else for a change of pace, it doesn't stop my missing her. 

She will be home for Christmas, and I am excited about that.  And then....we are going to have to plan another trip to Europe next year.  I would say we will go to England again, but Erica has suggested maybe someplace else.  Maybe we can meet and visit in a place that is not chilly, damp and raining....LOL.  Because honestly?  As much as I had fun exploring the quaintness of York, it pretty much was chilly and raining the whole entire time.  I suggested that she make weather a consideration for her second Post Doc.  Stephen and Hannia, after enduring an Indiana winter, have vowed before God and everybody that weather will definitely be a consideration for them from here on out.  And speaking of that, both of them seem to actually enjoy this heinous heat we have had this summer.  Maybe I should spend some time in the Mid West this coming winter so I can learn to appreciate something that I despire.  Maybe????

It's been a strange weekend.  I am having some issues again with my foot....The Dr. said the tendon problems would likely reoccur occasionally, but if I take some preventitive measures quickly that I could probably head it off before it got really bad.  So I have spent most of this weekend back in that bulky, heavy boot cast.  I slept in the night splint.  I am hoping not to have to take time off of work though, so hopefully I can get by with taping the offending foot up and wearing good shoes during the day and spending the time at home in the boot.  One issue that I have is that "good" shoes does NOT equal "cute" shoes.  Insert long heavy sigh of the soul here.....But whatever.  I am going to do what I need to do so that I will hopefully be ready for my vacation without pain, or a boot cast.  This time around I am not able to take any kind of anti-inflammatory meds, including ibuprofen, so I am going to have to utilize as many non-medication treatments as I can.  I went out today and bought new, ultra-padded sneakers with excellent arch support.  My old ones were pretty worn, and the padding was no longer cushy.   Hopefully it will help.

And then there was the shooting in Aurora, Co.  I am at a loss for words on this one.  It is so senseless, and so sad.  I can't even begin to comprehend being in a situation like that.  And I have no idea what the answer to tragedies like this might even be?  I know it has sparked all kinds of debate over gun control.  People who are for it, and people against it.  I am not a fan of the NRA.  I think lobbying should be illegal.  Period.  Tougher gun control is not a problem as far as I am concerned.  But on the other hand, my husband has wonderful memories of skeet shooting with his Dad.  He is a responsible gun owner.....so???  Maybe the answer lies in mental health education, availability of treatment, getting over the stigma.   Again, I don't know if even that would have helped.  This young man was bright, was never in any kind of trouble....were there any indicators that would have been helpful in determining he was a risk?   I don't know.   I don't know if anybody knows.

So the weekend was spent wearing this boot, and trying to keep this foot up while watching way too much coverage of the tragedy.  We had storms both days, so being outdoors wasn't really possible.  I am ready for summer to end.  I want to walk without pain.  I want the world to be safe for me and for my family to be able to go out for a movie or other entertainment without fear.....and I don't really know how to achieve any of it.  My heart is heavy and sad tonight.

Oh my Lord, I absolutely LOVE Stephen Colbert.  Like puffy pink heart, all chocolate and rainbows kind of love.  And after seeing his show this afternoon (I am usually not awake when his show comes on at night, so I catch the reruns the next day) I might even love him more.  The piece he did about the Texas GOP's latest platform was genious.  The way he highlights the insanity and ridiculousness of all of it.  I laughed until I had a belly ache.  But as funny as it was, as funny as HE was...the underlying truth that there really ARE people out there who would love to outlaw "critical thinking skills" and science makes me sad.  Its a sick sad world out there, and sometimes I feel hope that responsible human beings can bring thing back into balance.  And other times, when I hear the kind of things that the GOP really believes in (seriously?  I mean....seriously?), I want to curl up in my bed and weep for the state of humanity. 

Anyway, the  Republicans are making it easier for me to narrow down just where I might want to spend my retirement years.  Arizona is definitely OUT!  No way would I live there. Not with that insane Governor.  South Carolina is also a place I would never, ever want to go back to live either.  Especially not in Greenville.  And now, Texas is out as well.  I refuse to live in a place that doesn't want people using any of those dreadful "critical thinking skills".  At the very least, they practice what they preach though.  I mean, clearly, anybody involved in making such a statement hasn't used any of their critical thinking skills in decades.  So sad, so sickening, and so disheartening. 

Oh well, it is my dream that one day Stephen Colbert will run for President.  And I am not kidding. 
But all politics aside (God that's hard these days what with all of the political ads and non-stop media coverage), I am in serious need of a break from work.  This summer is proving to be the worst one yet, and I am weary and worn down.  There are 9 more (working) days until we head out for Niagra and it just can't get here fast enough.  We really haven't taken time off this summer, and I am beginning to really feel it.  But like Bruce said, we have the trip at the beginning of August, a week in the Outer Banks with friends in October, and then we want to be able to spend time with Erica when she comes home for Christmas.  We have been rationing vacation time so that we can do that. 

I hope the rest of the week finds everybody happy and well.  I am just waiting on my weekend....:

 It was hot today.  The high was 88 degrees, which doesn't sound all that bad.  Uncomfortable, maybe, but not death heat.  But it was so muggy, so wet, that it felt every bit as bad as those 103 degree days we had a week or so ago.  The humidity is beyond words right now.  And we just had another hour long torrential downpour.  One thing is for certain, our area is NOT having a drought, and I guess that is a good thing.  I just watched a news report about Illinois and the whole middle of the country and how hot and dry it is there.  The drought is just terrible.  I wish I could send them some of our daily rain.  Right now, even as I write this, we have a constant rumbling of thunder that seemingly will never end.  Just one long grumble that has been going on for quite a while. 

So, I reiterate that while I am refraining from any kind of political statement on Facebook, all bets are off here.  Can anybody, anywhere seriously think that having Romney as our President is a good idea?  Beyond the questionable business practices and refusing to make public his tax returns.  Beyond the Swiss bank accounts, and Bermuda, or Cayman Island accounts, and so forth and so on....he just looks like a serial killer, wound so tightly that he could reach out and grab the next closest person to murder in some heinous way.  I don't know what it is about him exactly, but there is something in his eyes that is just not right.  He creeps me out in ways that have nothing to do with political platforms, or shady business dealings.  Obviously, he will NOT get my vote.  Ever!

Anyway, while I am blabbering on about nothing in particular, let me say this:  Can you BELIEVE the way that London disrespected Bruce Springsteen in the Hyde Park concert last night?  Lori?  Lori?  Can you hear me?  Those crazy disrespectful Brits cut the power off DURING the concert!!  While Paul McCartney was onstage with Bruce!!!  What is wrong with these people?  LOL.  I will have to consult with Erica and see if she has any insight into what would cause such a travesty.  I know that if I was at that concert I would be pissed off majorly.  I am surprised that there wasn't some kind of angry stampede, although maybe that kind of thing only happens in the US. 

Oh well, another Monday is over and done with.  And for that I am grateful.  2 more weeks until our vacation, and let me tell you...I can't wait.  I need/want a break from work, from this eastern NC summer so bad that I am counting the days until we are off to celebrate our anniversary!!!  Come on August!

I googled it, and lots of people are having trouble uploading new templates with the new blogger interface.  Makes me want to move to Wordpress.....but I am also tired of moving, too, so maybe I will just wait it out and see if anybody can figure it out. 

Hope you are all enjoying this Friday the 13th.  I think we have something like 3 this year.  Anyway, I celebrate Fridays of all kinds, not just the ones that fall on the 13th. 

So, I have nothing to say so this is more like stream of consciousness blogging today.  This weather is so weird right now.  At least its not a heat wave, and believe me, I am plenty grateful for that.  Its definitely hot, but not death heat.  Its just muggy and humid, sunny one minute and pouring rain the next.  For 2 days in a row Bruce has gone straight out after work to cut some grass.  And both days his efforts were thwarted by a downpour.  We are beginning to believe the starting of the lawnmower is akin to an Indian rain dance.  Hmmm...definitely will have to keep this in mind for our next drought. 

I am planning to take off for the outlets in Smithfield tomorrow morning.  I need summer clothes, and I have thus far been unsuccessful in finding anything that suits me here in Gville.  Part of my problem is the fact that I just do not LIKE summer clothes.  I love jeans, sweaters and boots.  But the facts are that we need summer clothes from March though November here most years.  And rarely, even in Dec. -Feb. do we need anything more than short sleeves and a light jacket.  Shorts are mandatory in July and August....and those are so darned tricky.  There is just such a discreptancy in length....depending on height/build.  A pair of shorts need to hit the sweet spot on your leg.  Too short and it looks cheap and tacky.  Too long and it is old lady frumpy.  And since the proper length is different on everybody.....UGH!  I am giving up, giving in and just buying something that fits well tomorrow.  I can always take them in for hemming later.   Its all about the vertical line of sight, style wise.  Shorts cut the line and can make you look shorter and wider if you aren't careful.  Capri pants are potentially worse, and even though I have a couple of pairs....I just don't know if I am getting it right.  Stacy and Clinton from What NOT To Wear suggest that almost everybody looks better in a pair of just above the knee walking shorts than capris unless you are 6 feet tall and a size 2.  And I am neither.  So much to worry about.......

Anyway, I am going to be open minded and hopeful.  Even if I don't like summer clothing, I still have to get dressed every morning.....its easier when you have the right clothes for the weather.  And then I am going to come home and dump everything that has made me unhappy for whatever reason into the Goodwill pile.  I am inclined to dump anything that has ever made me SWEAT, but if I did that, I would have to be naked for the rest of eternity.  LOL.  I don't think a piece of clothing exists that could make anybody NOT sweat when the heat index is 115 plus degrees......and if there is, I definitely want it!

On another note, I still have no idea what happened with my template.  Hannia says she likes this one, and I am glad.  This is just one of the standard ones that blogger offers.  I found a couple of fancier ones that I really liked last night but then blogger refused to accept them, always giving me error code when I tried to upload.  I am beginning to think it has something to do with their new formatting which I DO NOT LIKE!  The old format was so easy to change, and this one.....unless I am doing it wrong (always a possibility) has been made to accept only the templates available on their pitiful little list.  Ugh.  Shame on you blogger, every time I get comfortable you have to go and change stuff on me.

I logged in to write a post and my template had gone all screwy. I have NO idea why, or what happened. Anyway, it's back to the drawing board again as I search for a new template. It's such a shame because I was really digging those ladybugs. Oh well, something cute will surface, but until then it's going to be this boring old standard template. Anyway, everything is going well here. Business as usual...just waiting for the weekend. Also? Have a Happy Friday 13th tomorrow! Hug a black cat or something. Cheers!

Every other Tuesday, my friend Ana comes over and cleans the house for us while we are at work.  I can't tell you how joyous it makes me feel to come home from a long hard day and have my house  entirely clean from top to bottom.  Before, when I was struggling to do it all myself, I would do the best I could in this room or that room as time allowed.  But NEVER did it get clean all at once.  Never!  Its like a minor miracle somehow.  And this is a big house, too.  Way more than we need for the just the 2 of us.

Sometimes, people who know where we live ask me what its like to have "all that wonderful space"?  Mostly its people with much larger families living in much smaller houses.  And it always panics me just a little, thinking that maybe they are thinking that its somehow grand or fancy, with expensive cut flower arrangements all over and polished marble floors.  Because I can assure you that it is NOT that kind of a house.  Not even close.  With the exception of my bedroom furniture that I got to pick out, and the den couches that Bruce insisted on (with reclining capabilities...haha), its mostly a hodge podge of second hand furniture from family.  And lots of cat toys and furniture interspersed in between.  Comfortable, lived in, homey, but decidedly NOT fancy.

Sometimes, when I start to OD on HGTV I begin to despair of everything that needs to be done.  New paint, new flooring...window treatments....Oh Lord it makes my head hurt to try and list it all.  But then I remember that this is the house that my husband's grandparents built with their own hands.  That his mother grew up here, and went to the same school that my own children did.  And then I am humbled by the richness of it all.  This place has history. Family history too, not just generic history of someone else.  And the bank says that its ours.  And beyond all of that, by God, for today it's CLEAN!  And somehow, that is more than enough.   The cats would just knock over any of those silly fancified flower arrangements anyway.  LOL!

We got our new landline installed this past week, and so Bruce had to make a trip out into the unpleasant heat wave for an actual phone.  We haven't looked at those things in years, and had no idea what was what.  He got a new fangled thing with so many complex features that I can't even begin to wrap my head around it.  It had a base unit and 4 wireless handsets.  It has an answering machine feature built in, blue tooth technology, and the capability to be hooked up to 2 cell numbers.  Whoa...ok.  I have given up on the funky stuff.  I asked that my cell NOT be connected to it because it just confuses me.  Bruce had his cell hooked up with the system for a while. but ended up disconnecting it because voice mails were appearing and we haven't figured out how to retrieve them.  Voice mails are different from answering machine messages....???  I don't know, and have decided that I don't want to learn.  I can answer, hang up and retrieve answering machine messages and that is more than enough for me.  Nobody has even called us on that number yet anyway.  We have had a couple of telemarketers (wasn't that why we got rid of the landline the first time around?), but I guess that since its free with our new cable package, we might as well have it.  It might come in handy one day.

It continues to be hotter than a thousand hells outside.  We have managed to hibernate for most of the weekend.  There were errands yesterday, oil changes for cars, and a trip to the grocery store that was becoming mandatory.  Seriously, the cupboards were getting bare.  Beyond that, we have been successful with the hibernation plan.  I have enough books waiting on my iPad/Kindle to keep me busy in the air conditioning for quite a while anyway.  I won't get bored.  I am, however, a bit sad to see this lazy weekend draw to a close.  At least the weather looks like it cools off a bit next week though, so maybe hope is on the horizon. 

I am continuing with my ban on posting anything political on Facebook.  Conservatives are posting nasty things about liberals.  Liberals are posting equally unpleasant things about conservatives.  Obamacare is bad.....Jesus is a socialist who would approve of Obamacare....everybody is screaming emphatically that, "This is how it is!  I am right and you are wrong!"  I have my views, and I stand by them firmly....but this bashing and wailing and gnashing of teeth just makes my head hurt.  I admit I enjoy a bit of liberal humor, but I am refusing to spread it.  I don't see the point of it, not on there, anyway.  I think I am going with the idea of living it, not talking it.  If that makes any sense to anybody else.....

I hope everybody has a great week.  I hope that with the cooler weather, maybe I will feel more like myself again.  The heat makes me crabby, and tired. 

 

This is MY idea of 4th of July fun.  Especially in this heat....LOL.  But I hope everybody has a nice, fun and SAFE celebration today.  It is wonderful to have this day off, in the middle of the week.  It breaks the work week up so nicely that I am considering asking for a 4 day work week permanently.
Not sure how that will go over with the boss, but it IS a nice idea.

We are probably going downtown (or UPtown....they call it uptown here, and I am not sure the reason why).  The regular Wednesday Uptown Umbrella market is going on, maybe dinner at Tipsy Teapot, and then, if no storms have blown in, or none of us is dying from heatstroke, we may stroll on down to the town commons for the fireworks.  We have missed the fireworks only a handful of times in the past 29 years that we have lived here.  Yeah, seriously, we moved here to Gville 29 years ago this week.  Erica was 6 weeks old.  I guess I am officially a local by now.  But anyway, out of those handful of times we were other places seeing other fireworks (although not that often as we have that dread of July travel).  But of the couple of times we missed just because we didn't feel like battling the heat or the crowds and just sat home....well, every single time I felt sad and like I missed out on the holiday.  Crazy, I know, because its not like it is the most amazing thing ever, down on the town commons.  But still, its like not putting up a tree at Christmas, or not having turkey at Thanksgiving.  Fireworks are essential for the 4th.  I hope you get to see some wherever you are. 

I am trying HARD to stop complaining about the heat.  Its brutal.  Friday, on my route, I wasn't sure that I was going to make it.  And I was sick and fatigued until about 11pm Friday night.  It took that long to get over it.  It scares me.  If I didn't have to be out in it, if I could hibenate in AC, it might not have such an impact, or take such a toll.  But this kills people and I am more afraid of excessive heat than any other weather. 

That having been said, I made it my goal yesterday to NOT leave the comfort of my house.  I achieved my goal, too, except for a brief 30 second step out onto the front porch to say good-bye after Stephen and Hannia dropped by for a visit.  Stephen has just gotten his hair cut, and its super short.
Shorter than he has ever had it in his adult life, but I like it and its appropriate given the heat. 

Today I haven't been quite as lucky.  I had errands that HAD to be run.  We had lots of errands, but we split them up....Bruce is just about to leave to go do his part.  My list included PetSmart, because we can't find high quality grain-free cat food anywhere else.  Omen has grain allergies, so care must be taken when trying anything new.  She LOVES her some Fancy Feast, but that stuff makes her break out in itchy spots.  I am sure she wishes it didn't, but I wish chocolate didn't make me fat.  It is what it is. 

So there I was in PetSmart when this nice older lady informed me that the litter I was buying was on sale at Food Lion.  I KNOW we pay too much for litter, but really, with 4 cats it is imperative that the stuff works like it is supposed to.  Odor control, and scoopability are worth it, plus my cats are picky.
We started chatting, this nice lady and I, and she asked how many cats I had.  I sheepishly replied "4", and saw this look come over her face.  I figured she was shocked, and was labeling me as the crazy cat lady that I know that I am.  But then she said, "Oh!  I am into the double digits!" and laughed as if I was a non-pet loving newbie.  LOL.  But then she went on to tell me a heartbreaking story.  She said that after her husband died, and having no children, she surrounded herself with her cats.  They were her family.  And then people started dropping unwanted and starving kittens off in her yard.  Before she knew it, she had 40 cats. 

She then said, with no shame or guilt, that her priest, psychologist and vet intervened, homes were found, and she now has a mere 17.  I asked her how she managed, but she just laughed and said that the cats managed her.  Oh my!  I think she is a bona fide hoarder.  She didn't look like a hoarder.  She was neat, clean and stylish.  She said she was 74, but looked more like early 60's.  She had on a cute outfit, had a funky/cool short pixie-like haircut.  We discussed more cat stuff.  Like vets.  The way she talked at least her cats did receive decent vet care.....She scoffed a bit at our choice of vet.  I mean, I do realize that Dr. Kuhn is not for everybody.  There is affordable care that I am sure is adequate, but our vet goes above and beyond.  She is expensive but hands down the best in our area.  People complain that she runs too many tests, and treats animals more like children....but we like that.
I imagine if I had 17, or God forbid 40...Dr. Kuhn's care would be out of reach financially.

I was a little bit sad for this woman.  And a bit disturbed as to how much I could relate to the story...the compelling need to not let any animal suffer.  I just want to put it out there that I don't want that to happen to me.  Dr. Kuhn has cut us off...as far as cats go.  She laughingly, but seriously, has advised that 4 cats is enough.  Plus, Vixen has such a hard time adjusting to new animals in the house.  She hid for 4 months when I rescued Mama Kitty.  We have promised ourselves that we will not put her through that again.  I need to remain diligent and vigilant to not let myself go there, EVER.  I wish this woman the best though.  She seemed to at least be capable of listening to advice and acting on it.....she did get rid of some of cats, but still...I have NO idea how we would manage 17 cats.  The feeding, the litterboxes, the vet trips....Oh My Lord!