Saturday, July 25, 2009

Open House stuff

Yesterday it was clean the fridge...an onerous task to be sure. I can never get drawers back in the fridge. Instead of my usual "if it doesn't fit...force it" way of doing things...this time I waited for Sandy to get up and had her put them back. Somehow she figured it out.

Today I worked out in the front and side yards, weeding and draining the garden pond. The former took the most time and energy...lots o' weeds out there thanks to the rain we've had. I uncovered the little walkway that was obscured by vegetation and I even got into the little side garden between our house and Cliff and Kathy's.

All the while the garden pond drained down, with my rigged up hosing. I had to drain it because the PH was too low...from all the rain. The lady at the "fish place" told me that all I need to do is drain the pond halfway or so and then fill it with well water--which is alkaline enough to raise the PH level...so I did that.

I also moved some of the potted plants in the pond around, to give a better view of the waterfall. In the process, I stepped onto the little shelf in the pond, slipped on the slime and fell INTO THE POND! I laughed my ass off....dragged myself out and kept on working. It actually felt good as the water was cold and I was sweating at the time...it cooled me off.

Oh, last night I spent part of my night sleeping on the floor in the laundry area, while Lily lay a few feet away in the walk-in closet. I put her there because of the thunder storm. Put the lights on in the closet and the laundry room, pulled the blinds in the bathroom all to help mask the flashes of lightning. It worked. She heard the thunder, but it was muted in the closet. She fell asleep pretty fast and I was able to get up from my bed on the floor and go back to my real bed.

Tomorrow I'm filling the prescription Dr. Dodman gave us for her to take when a storm is on its way. We're going to Foxwoods tomorrow night for Cirque de Soliel with Taylor Ryan and Jean. Lily will stay with Frank--as there are storms predicted.

I just hope it doesn't storm tonight....I'm too tired to mess around with the floor sleeping routine. Maybe she will just go in the closet and stay there.

OH! If you are reading this and you are planning on coming to the Open House....DO NOT bring any food, beverages or anything but yourselves and your humor! We have a menu planned that can all be done ahead of time....don't want anyone to bring miscellaneous dishes. Just come and have a good time. If you want to bring something, bring your own lawn chair.....we have chairs and will have some from a church hall...but your chair might be more comfy.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Whacky Wednesday

It wasn't really whacky...but I needed to put something there to make this seem more interesting.

Busy day, cleaned upstairs--dusting; bathrooms; vaccuum etc. while loads of laundry were getting done. Then I realized I hadn't had breakfast! Had my protein shake and then went out to clean out the pond waterfall pump. I also tested the water in the pond. The Ph is low so I need to get my butt over to the "Fish Place" to get stuff to rectify that.

Then I hung clothes on the new clothesline Sandy put up for me in the "little back yard." I haven't hung clothes on the line in over a year!

Sandy had to get in the new swimming pool that she put up...to get the "docks" for the dogs set up. She puts "tucker totes" that are weighted down and the dogs can swim up on them. She has to put one on top of the other, the water is so deep.

Of course, the dogs see her getting her bathing suit on and right away they are demanding to o swimming. Bubbie stood by the ladder, staring up at the pool....while Truman barked incessantly. Rocky was totally clueless about the whole thing and just sat back and watched.

Sandy took them all in the water after she had the "docks" set up. Rocky wasn't afraid, but he didn't really know what to do. He watched the others and then swam a bit with Sandy holding onto his life jacket. He didn't freak out about the water. I think he will be a swimming Russell.

When we got them out and I took their jackets off, Rocky went spazzola---running around and around in a huge circle, rolling on the ground, throwing himself over the rocks, running and running...like he was on fire! It was hysterical. Of course, Truman had to ruin it by going after Rocky. Sandy had to interfere to protect Rock.

We got some good tips on how to keep Bub and Rocky from vomiting when they ride in the car. First our vet told Sandy that Lavender oil helps calm them. So she got the oil and you rub it on your hands and then over the dogs head. Makes them smell good too!

Then at Dr. Dodman's office yesterday the student vet told us about ginger capsules after Sandy said that Bubbles won't eat the candied ginger any more. We were bummed about that since it did stop her from vomiting. So Sandy got ginger capsules last night and she tried both things today--lavender oil and the ginger when she took the dogs to her mother's tonight. It worked.

Let's hope it keeps on working! I love lavender...I rub it on my neck and hands at night to help me relax to sleep. I think I'll rub lavender oil on my legs on night's when it's storming...Bubbles sleeps under the covers near my legs--it might help her calm down. It wouldn't hurt to put it on Lily too...especially when we have to leave her in her kennel.

Tomorrow will be a day of errands. To Kohl's to buy some athletic wear...I love that Fila top that I saw the other day--with the "media pocket" to tuck your Walk-man in while you work out. I can put my Sirius Stiletto in there and listen to Howard while I'm on the treadclimber. That should make the time pass quickly!

Then it's off to the gym; to the laundromat to wash the comforters; to Mohegan Sun to pick up tickets for Saturday's WNBA All-Star game and then to Stop and Shop. I should be pooped by the time I'm done! But it will be a "good kind" of pooped.

I had a pedicure today--first time I've ever had one. Man oh man, does that feel good! My toes are a bright, fire engine red now and my legs and feet are H-A-P-P-Y!!! I will definitely do that again! I'm going to get Sandy to join me next time. They massage your feet and legs and then when your feet are done and as they are drying, they massage your shoulders with a hot stone and then massage your shoulders, upper back and neck.

I had to drive up to Colchester after the pedicure--to get the car in for service. Otherwise, I think I would have napped in the parking lot at the nail place...it was so relaxing!

Yep, we're doing that again!

Sox are losing to the Rangers....again. Can't wait for this road trip to be over.

Nighty night!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Soggy Tuesday

Cleaned my car on Sunday....inside and out. Sure wish I knew where we put that chamois I used to have...the car ended up with water spots. It sure looks nice though. Tomorrow it goes in for it's first service...probably just an oil change, I hope.

Richard is going to come with me to chemo next week. I asked, and he said "YES!" YAY! I need to pick his brains about what I need to serve at the open house on the 8th and what I need to do to get the house/yard ready. I'm thinking of planting some annuals in the front yard and pulling a bunch-o-weeds in the back yard.

Mark is going to get folding chairs from his church for us to use and I have to pick some spots for EZ-ups for shade. I'll also need a few tables for the EZ-ups and for under the trees for people to sit around. I'm hoping I can borrow some from neighbors, etc.

Anyway...I'm starting to stress....a little...about the open house. Can't help it. I set up these things and then I stress about them. It will be fun.

Lily had to have "emergency surgery" today. We were up at Tufts for her annual check-up with Dr. Dodman...she and Bubbles go every July for their "check-up from the neck-up." Anyway...Lily yelped when Rocky (who was tagging along) stepped on her foot---it was then we noticed that she had a broken nail. It was sticking up in the air. So, Sandy took her to our vet and then knocked her out and took care of it. Fortunately it was more of a "dry nail" situation....happens sometimes as dogs get older. It wasn't badly broken, it did need a good trimming. And since Lil doesn't tolerate that kind of stuff well, she had to be knocked out to have it done.

She's passed out in her bed now...it's 8:30 pm and Sandy just announced that she's going to bed early and is taking Lil with her. Good luck moving her! Oh...she surprised me and got right up...well...we'll see if she does the stairs.

Some houses in our neighborhood have been broken into. Glad we invested in the alarm system and suddenly glad we have a little dog (Rocky) who barks whenever a leaf drops...or bird flies by and glad we have three other idiots who will frequently join him in woofing at such things.

Last night after I heard about the burglary of the house three doors down--took prescription drugs, jewelry and WINE--left the hard liquor, what's up with that? Anyway, after I heard about that, I let Rockster bark his head off in the yard for about twenty minutes. Seemed like a good message to send.

Hoping the weather clears so I can get some weeding down out front and in the back too. Need to get Sandy to weed whack. She had wanted to do it today so she would have the feeling back in her hands by the time she goes back to work tomorrow night, but the weather didn't cooperate. Maybe I'll try tackling it.

But first I'll go back to the gym. I went again yesterday with Sandy and it went well. Felt good. So, I'm trying to get into an every-other-day routine if I can. Need to rebuild all that muscle I lost. I'm still pretty strong...but I have lost a lot of muscle and I want it back.

I got new athletic shoes at Kohl's yesterday...Asics gels....they feel wonderful. They'll look good flashing up and down on that treadclimber!

I also bought a new kitchen sink (stainless) and a nice brushed nickle faucet at Home Depot. They had a sale, buy a Kohler sink and Kohler faucet and get $30 off. So, I go through the check-out and am walking out of the store when I noticed that I didn't get the $30 off. I go back, tell the woman at the checkout that the sign on the sink said blah blah blah...get $30 off.

She gets a put-out look on her face and calls back to get someone from the dept. to come up. When he gets there she says, AND I QUOTE: "This lady CLAIMS that it says buy a sink and get the faucet free." I said "I DID NOT SAY THAT!!! I said buy a Kohler sink and a Kohler faucet blah blah blah....$30 off." The guy verified that I what I said was right....but he didn't know if you needed a coupon or what and that she had to call some other guy. She calls the guy and says (to no one in particular) "he never answers his phone." Which reaffirms my poor opinion of Home Depot.

Finally Sandy goes back there and finds a coupon for $30 off and then the woman doesn't know how to credit my card with the amount. She screams some women's name, just as I'm going over to another register to throw out a skin sanitizer wipe I had used. I see the woman (who's name was being screamed) react with a "Jesus Christ, what the hell does she want now, she's driving me nuts." Which made me feel vindicated.

That woman couldn't have been more helpful and the woman she sent me to in Customer Service was also very nice and helpful. But that woman on the register was absolutely UNBELIEVEABLE!

Why do I seem to get to meet "those people?"

I guess it makes life interesting. What the hell...it DOES make life interesting.