WEEK 84
Things are moving ahead at glacial speed, not much worse, maybe a little better. We hope to close on the refinancing by December 10th or 15th. Not much else, other than the new massage space and I have learned the importance of good hydration.
janedoe@seductive.com
Friday, November 30, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLIII
My beloved Pippin does not have cancer, but an infection which is usually easily-treated. And the vet can do his dental work herself without having to send him to Vienna.
janedoe@seductive.com
My beloved Pippin does not have cancer, but an infection which is usually easily-treated. And the vet can do his dental work herself without having to send him to Vienna.
janedoe@seductive.com
CHRISTMAS NOVENA
"Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires."
The first time I heard this one was in seventh grade. You are supposed to pray it at least once every day until Christmas and what you wanted will be granted on (or by?) Christmas
It's unclear as to whether it should be started on November 30th, the feast of St. Andrew, or right before Christmas and whether it should be said for that whole time or just nine days, the way novenas are. And whether it should be said once a day or 15 times a day. At any rate even though I don't remember it working for me in the past, it couldn't hurt to try it again.
janedoe@seductive.com
"Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires."
The first time I heard this one was in seventh grade. You are supposed to pray it at least once every day until Christmas and what you wanted will be granted on (or by?) Christmas
It's unclear as to whether it should be started on November 30th, the feast of St. Andrew, or right before Christmas and whether it should be said for that whole time or just nine days, the way novenas are. And whether it should be said once a day or 15 times a day. At any rate even though I don't remember it working for me in the past, it couldn't hurt to try it again.
janedoe@seductive.com
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLI
The market closed up. And my beloved Pippin got through the anesthesia ok.
janedoe@seductive.com
The market closed up. And my beloved Pippin got through the anesthesia ok.
janedoe@seductive.com
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXLVII
My morning shift went smoothly.
janedoe@seductive.com
My morning shift went smoothly.
janedoe@seductive.com
по-русски
My latest endeavour: learning Russian. Maybe it has something to do with the Russians at the beach or maybe something to do with the Russians on the Sopranos. Or maybe it’s because my great-grandfather and I think my grandfather spoke Russian. Before this I think I spoke about ten words of Russian, now my vocabulary is well over 100 words, so we can say my ability has increased tenfold.
True, there are other more useful things I could be learning, such as Spanish or computer science, yet there’s something to doing something for the fun of it and not for material or any other gain. And I promise I will start up with Spanish again after New Year’s.
My latest endeavour: learning Russian. Maybe it has something to do with the Russians at the beach or maybe something to do with the Russians on the Sopranos. Or maybe it’s because my great-grandfather and I think my grandfather spoke Russian. Before this I think I spoke about ten words of Russian, now my vocabulary is well over 100 words, so we can say my ability has increased tenfold.
True, there are other more useful things I could be learning, such as Spanish or computer science, yet there’s something to doing something for the fun of it and not for material or any other gain. And I promise I will start up with Spanish again after New Year’s.
Friday, November 23, 2007
WEEK 83
Well, I got through it. Not much new, really. I’m just thankful that Thanksgiving is over and am trying to look at the holidays with some optimism. At least I got all my birthday, thank-you, congratulatory and condolence cards written.
janedoe@seductive.com
Well, I got through it. Not much new, really. I’m just thankful that Thanksgiving is over and am trying to look at the holidays with some optimism. At least I got all my birthday, thank-you, congratulatory and condolence cards written.
janedoe@seductive.com
PORTRAIT OF THE BLOGGER AS AN ANGRY YOUNG SHOPPER
Ok, really an indifferent one. This is the first year in at least four years that I did not hit the stores as soon as I got off work. Except for Mom everyone is getting the same thing this year: Alexandria Animals Calendars and Mary Kay stuff I over-ordered. All I really need are gift bags and tissue paper. Michael's, AC Moore and LNT did not post opening hours on their web sites or in their newspaper inserts, nor did their phone messages give any times. So the the alarm went off at 4, then 6 and I figured "bag it." If they can't be bothered to let me know when they're open I'm staying home. So I did.
janedoe@seductive.com
Ok, really an indifferent one. This is the first year in at least four years that I did not hit the stores as soon as I got off work. Except for Mom everyone is getting the same thing this year: Alexandria Animals Calendars and Mary Kay stuff I over-ordered. All I really need are gift bags and tissue paper. Michael's, AC Moore and LNT did not post opening hours on their web sites or in their newspaper inserts, nor did their phone messages give any times. So the the alarm went off at 4, then 6 and I figured "bag it." If they can't be bothered to let me know when they're open I'm staying home. So I did.
janedoe@seductive.com
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXLVI
I had the afternoon off. And will have Friday afternoons free for the foreseeable future.
janedoe@seductive.com
I had the afternoon off. And will have Friday afternoons free for the foreseeable future.
janedoe@seductive.com
Thursday, November 22, 2007
THANKSGIVING/GIVING THANKS
"PoorMeg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feelbitter toward everyone sometimes, for she had not yet learnedto know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy."
Louisa May Alcott
"Gratitude." It’s a word that’s been tossed around a lot. I remember first hearing about it from Marabel Morgan’s Total Woman during the ‘70’s and I thought “what a load of crap.” Then during the ‘90’s Sarah Ban Breathnach came up with her “Gratitude Journal.” The idea left me cold.
And I got e-mails talking about how we should be grateful because we had electricity, running water, flush toilets and enough food when people in Zambia didn’t. Somehow that seemed like minimizing things. Ok, so I eat three meals a day and someone in Bangladesh doesn’t. But then my best friend/cousin/high school classmate/former co-worker is more attractive than I am, earns more money, gets the validation my family doesn’t give me. It’s supposed to make me feel good that I earn more/eat better than the average Bengali?
It was early 2006 when I heard someone from Prevention Magazine talking about people choosing to be happy. She suggested writing down three things every day that make one happy, even if it’s something as trite as "the grocery clerk smiled at me."
I figured “couldn’t hurt” and “how bad can it be?” so I tried it for about two weeks. It was exhausting. Then about a year later I heard about the “Secret” DVD which pitched the same idea “just think how you want to do more for grateful people than ungrateful ones, the universe feels the same way.” So I tried it again. And things started improving, at least a little. And even when they didn’t I didn’t feel nearly so bad about bad things happening. .
janedoe@seductive.com
"PoorMeg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feelbitter toward everyone sometimes, for she had not yet learnedto know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy."
Louisa May Alcott
"Gratitude." It’s a word that’s been tossed around a lot. I remember first hearing about it from Marabel Morgan’s Total Woman during the ‘70’s and I thought “what a load of crap.” Then during the ‘90’s Sarah Ban Breathnach came up with her “Gratitude Journal.” The idea left me cold.
And I got e-mails talking about how we should be grateful because we had electricity, running water, flush toilets and enough food when people in Zambia didn’t. Somehow that seemed like minimizing things. Ok, so I eat three meals a day and someone in Bangladesh doesn’t. But then my best friend/cousin/high school classmate/former co-worker is more attractive than I am, earns more money, gets the validation my family doesn’t give me. It’s supposed to make me feel good that I earn more/eat better than the average Bengali?
It was early 2006 when I heard someone from Prevention Magazine talking about people choosing to be happy. She suggested writing down three things every day that make one happy, even if it’s something as trite as "the grocery clerk smiled at me."
I figured “couldn’t hurt” and “how bad can it be?” so I tried it for about two weeks. It was exhausting. Then about a year later I heard about the “Secret” DVD which pitched the same idea “just think how you want to do more for grateful people than ungrateful ones, the universe feels the same way.” So I tried it again. And things started improving, at least a little. And even when they didn’t I didn’t feel nearly so bad about bad things happening. .
janedoe@seductive.com
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXLV
The weather was nice. And I got to spend a lot of time with the pigs.
The weather was nice. And I got to spend a lot of time with the pigs.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXLIV
The sun shone. And I had the day off. And got e-mails from two people from whom I hadn't heard in a long time.
janedoe@seductive.com
The sun shone. And I had the day off. And got e-mails from two people from whom I hadn't heard in a long time.
janedoe@seductive.com
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXLII
I got some rest. And an opportunity to make some extra money.
janedoe@seductive.com
I got some rest. And an opportunity to make some extra money.
janedoe@seductive.com
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
OUT OF HOSPITAL
No, I wasn't a patient there. I have been volunteering there since February and I completed the required number of hours this month. I learned as much as one would in a semester of community college, but at what price? If the hospital had paid me ten dollars per hour I would be over a thousand dollars richer now. And I missed out on some opportunities. Still, it was hard to say good-bye to the people there – I told M I would like to continue in some capacity and I would also like to go to the generic winter holiday party. At least it looks good on a resume. Now I will have Friday afternoons free. Four hours a week, 52 weeks per year. That’s a gift.
janedoe@seductive.com
No, I wasn't a patient there. I have been volunteering there since February and I completed the required number of hours this month. I learned as much as one would in a semester of community college, but at what price? If the hospital had paid me ten dollars per hour I would be over a thousand dollars richer now. And I missed out on some opportunities. Still, it was hard to say good-bye to the people there – I told M I would like to continue in some capacity and I would also like to go to the generic winter holiday party. At least it looks good on a resume. Now I will have Friday afternoons free. Four hours a week, 52 weeks per year. That’s a gift.
janedoe@seductive.com
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXXXIX
I got a baby to stop crying.
janedoe@seductive.com
I got a baby to stop crying.
janedoe@seductive.com
WEEK 82
Things are looking up a little. I am doing somewhat better financially, we are closer to completing the re-financing and Pippin is doing better, or at least no worse. Really I have learned a lot from caring for him, things I can parallel in my own life: Shit happens. Good nutrition is important. So are rest and TLC. And patience. L will have to start dialysis soon, mainly as the result of poor self-care – not watching her diet, exercising, taking her medications or keeping her doctor’s appointments. I hate to be harsh, but a lot of her problems stem from conscious decisions. Yet how many of mine do, too?.
janedoe@seductive.com
Things are looking up a little. I am doing somewhat better financially, we are closer to completing the re-financing and Pippin is doing better, or at least no worse. Really I have learned a lot from caring for him, things I can parallel in my own life: Shit happens. Good nutrition is important. So are rest and TLC. And patience. L will have to start dialysis soon, mainly as the result of poor self-care – not watching her diet, exercising, taking her medications or keeping her doctor’s appointments. I hate to be harsh, but a lot of her problems stem from conscious decisions. Yet how many of mine do, too?.
janedoe@seductive.com
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXXXVII
I went to a nice party.
janedoe@seductive.com
I went to a nice party.
janedoe@seductive.com
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXXXV
This day came to an end.
janedoe@seductive.com
This day came to an end.
janedoe@seductive.com
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXXXIII
A phone call from K. And Cakesters from M.
janedoe@seductive.com
A phone call from K. And Cakesters from M.
janedoe@seductive.com
Friday, November 09, 2007
WEEK 81
I am keeping it together, if barely.There has not been much work this week, but not a lot of money either. But a lot of stress. I am considering some avenues which were less appealing earlier, but will at least bring some money in.
By the end of the week things were going well and I was feeling more optimistic. Then Friday night: I get up just before ten and find Pippin’s tummy troubles flaring up again. So I dose him with Mylecon and Critical Care. I have to call a guy by 11PM about renting some massage space and I cannot log onto the Internet to get his number. It takes several tries and a re-start but I get the number and get to him on time. It gets better. I forget where I’ve parked the car and one of the tires is nearly flat. Traffic is moving about two feet per hour and every light is red. When I get to the gas station there’s a cab parked in front of the air pump. It reminds me of the book Pet Semetary in which Rachel Creed tries to get home and everything tries to stop her. At least I got to work on time. I guess it’s true that all’s well that ends well.
So what I’ve learned is to keep on keeping on. Keep on paying the bills, making the phone calls, sending the e-mails, drinking the water, eating the salads, taking the meds, putting on the makeup. Because even if it doesn’t bear fruit NOT doing it will only make things worse.
I am keeping it together, if barely.There has not been much work this week, but not a lot of money either. But a lot of stress. I am considering some avenues which were less appealing earlier, but will at least bring some money in.
By the end of the week things were going well and I was feeling more optimistic. Then Friday night: I get up just before ten and find Pippin’s tummy troubles flaring up again. So I dose him with Mylecon and Critical Care. I have to call a guy by 11PM about renting some massage space and I cannot log onto the Internet to get his number. It takes several tries and a re-start but I get the number and get to him on time. It gets better. I forget where I’ve parked the car and one of the tires is nearly flat. Traffic is moving about two feet per hour and every light is red. When I get to the gas station there’s a cab parked in front of the air pump. It reminds me of the book Pet Semetary in which Rachel Creed tries to get home and everything tries to stop her. At least I got to work on time. I guess it’s true that all’s well that ends well.
So what I’ve learned is to keep on keeping on. Keep on paying the bills, making the phone calls, sending the e-mails, drinking the water, eating the salads, taking the meds, putting on the makeup. Because even if it doesn’t bear fruit NOT doing it will only make things worse.
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CXXXII
The vet was able to take us today instead of Tuesday. And I made it to the gas station on time.
janedoe@seductive.com
The vet was able to take us today instead of Tuesday. And I made it to the gas station on time.
janedoe@seductive.com
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CXXX
The fountain at 7-11 is working again.
janedoe@seductive.com
The fountain at 7-11 is working again.
janedoe@seductive.com
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Saturday, November 03, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CXXVI
Athena is back after being in an abusive relationship.
Athena is back after being in an abusive relationship.
Friday, November 02, 2007
TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CXXV
There will be more money coming in in the next week.
janedoe@seductive.com
There will be more money coming in in the next week.
janedoe@seductive.com
WEEK 80
Around the blog in 80 weeks. Huh. That's about as clever as it gets. It's been a fair week financially, lots of needing to wait and be patient, not my strong suit.
Monday was the third anniversary of my father's death. Wednesday was Samhain, the day the Celts believed the veil between life and death was at its thinnest. When Mom was at Aunt Irene's she said the phone rang in the middle of the night but nothing showed up on the caller ID. She thought it was Grandma's spirit trying to call. The same thing happened to me Wednesday morning. Then I dialed Star 69 and found it was probably a delivery guy trying to get into the building.
janedoe@seductive.com
Around the blog in 80 weeks. Huh. That's about as clever as it gets. It's been a fair week financially, lots of needing to wait and be patient, not my strong suit.
Monday was the third anniversary of my father's death. Wednesday was Samhain, the day the Celts believed the veil between life and death was at its thinnest. When Mom was at Aunt Irene's she said the phone rang in the middle of the night but nothing showed up on the caller ID. She thought it was Grandma's spirit trying to call. The same thing happened to me Wednesday morning. Then I dialed Star 69 and found it was probably a delivery guy trying to get into the building.
janedoe@seductive.com