The same deja vu all over again

Last year we had an early summer. I tried to turn on the a/c and had nothing. I went through a hassle, if anyone remembers that one, and it was the battery on the programmable thermostat.

We didn't have an early summer this year, and I haven't needed the a/c until today. Keep in mind that anyone else would have been uncomfy in here a week or two or more ago. I tolerate heat well. Today I had two different people coming to see my house so I figured it should be pleasant for others, so I hit the a/c.

Nothing. Nope. Nada. Zip. Crap.

I tried the various magic words, and then tried new batteries. I am trainable, after all. However, this time it wasn't batteries. More magic words were used. Finally I left a note on the counter: "a/c broken. New a/c and furnace to be installed asap."

Then I dug out the paperwork from a year ago. The guy who came left me his cell phone number. Knowing that meant he probably does work on the side, I called him. He was impressed that I remembered him, that I dug up the papers, and said I had made the correct assumption. He came within a few hours and checked things out for me.

I will be getting a new furnace and air conditioning unit, plus humidifier, in on Saturday. In a week. It's going to be at or above 90 for the next few days. It will be stifling in here. I will be OK, but anyone who wants to see my house won't be happy.

The dogs and I went back to the condos today while the second people were here. I didn't want to take them on a second 3-mile walk in hot weather in the sun. We met a neighbor, and she was so taken by Molly (who drank water out of the lady's glass) that she invited us in. It's very strange to me to see another home that pretty much is exactly like mine. It was nice to see it with furniture in, and all completed and being lived in. It made it seem more real to me.

More real than my own, even if my own now has lights that work and a doorbell, not to mention air conditioning that works just fine.

 

Hello, my name is...

When I got to Vancouver, I had about two hours to myself. I went to the hotel, dropped of my luggage at the desk, and was in the process of changing from shoes to sandals when I heard a lady come up and ask for a good place to eat. Since I had been flying all day long and was fed about 6 baby pretzels, I listened in. I didn't consider that rude.

I got my sandals on, and walked next to the lady, quite by accident. As is my wont, I said hello to her and we decided to go have lunch together. We chatted like old buddies. She was from Texas, there to meet her husband who had a conference. We decided to walk to Stanley Park and take a peek. We walked about 2 miles, and headed back to the same restaurant and had beers outside, overlooking the harbor. We compared daughter stories.

She went back with me to the hotel to await arrival of my friend, coming in on a later flight. We exchanged email addresses. This is rather normal for me, I just talk to people. Sometimes I think I have a sign on me anyway, that says if you talk to me, I will answer your questions, too.

This morning I had to make a few calls. One was to verify that yes, I do want the medication I re-ordered for Wiz, the 19-year-old cat. I chatted with the pharmacist who was sending it to me, and told her that it took 3 months for Wiz to eat one month worth of pills, but at least she did finally finish them off. She told me that there is a gel that I can apply to Wiz's skin and it will be absorbed. She called my vet and got approval for that instead for me. This probably greatly increases Wiz's chance of staying alive and feeling better while she does. Wiz has a hyperthyroid condition, and is to be treated twice a day, not twice a week.

Then I called the knee specialist I was referred to by my internist. I found out they also do shoulders, which really are in worse shape, but I figured to start with knees because I don't walk on my shoulders. If they have time, they will do both on the first visit. Is it possible to get four cortisone shots at once? Probably not. The first available opening was mid-July, so I took it.

I am expecting a showing on my house tomorrow, so I am cleaning up. I decided to do a few windows. BIG mistake. I crawled to the phone and called back the doctor's office. I said that I made a mistake by doing some windows, and would like to know if they have a cancellation list. Why, yes, they do. As a matter of fact...please hold. Yes, ma'am, we have one for Wednesday, May 31, that just came in. Do you want it?

I may never learn to shut my mouth when I should, but at least sometimes I open it at the right time.

When can I go back?

Here, finally, are some of my pictures from Vancouver. I already wrote out one entry, and it was eaten by the internet gremlins. This is try number two. I hope it's also the last one.

First, let me mention that Remo is a smartass and also correct, as far as I can tell. Patio doors have their handles near the light switch for the outside light. There is some logic in that, and I was happy to find some logic, even if the door slides backwards to my choice in my new condo. All those good looks and a brain too! Aren't those usually mutually exclusive features?

Vancouver is a city in Canada, on the west coast, in the province of British Columbia. The greater Vancouver area has almost 3 million people. It's culturally and racially diverse. I noticed a large percentage of Asian people there. There is a distinct accent in the area, slightly different than the Canadian accent I am used to. I got in lingual shape before my trip by listening to a local Canadian radio station (remember, I live about 15 miles *north* of Canada). I had my "aboot" down pat by the time I left home, eh? I still had a loonie in my wallet from my last trip to Canada (Canadian dollar coin).

From our hotel room, we could see Stanley Park. That is an awesome park. It's free to the public. I walked it, and easily covered 7 miles without wandering around. I didn't have time, or I would have been there all day. I saw heron's nests and a golf course, the ocean, a huge bridge, 5 billion high school students that must have been shipped in from several large countries (it seemed like it!), something floating in the ocean that might have been a seal, cruise ships in the distance, mountains in the distance, forest - just an incredible park. Really, words fail me. There was a beach for swimming, too.

The city, as are all Canadian cities thave I have seen, was very clean and safe. I walked many, many miles, lots of them alone, and never felt the least nervous. I felt safe at night there, too. Canadians are quite civilized and polite. Sometimes it amazes me that Canada is just across the river from Detroit. I wish their lifestyle would come to our side rather than the other way around. Police do not carry guns in Canada. In general, they don't need to.

I didn't see any freeways in Vancouver. I did see some very, very expensive estates. There are a lot of new condo complexes right on Coal Harbor, facing the water, overlooking the ports where the cruise ships dock. They have to cost a lot of money.

Being on foot is a good way to see the city. I didn't miss any of their gorgeous landscaping. There are flowers every where, planted with great precision and beauty. They have some excellent city planning going on there. No wonder it's considered one of the most desirable places to live in the world. If you are thinking cold, think again. They get very little snow there, I assume due to having the Pacific Ocean right there. They do get a lot of rain, but there wasn't any while we were there.

There are many very nice restaurants, although I didn't see as many "fresh fish" signs as I would have expected. A friend of mine has also been there, and she told me they farm fish there. I don't know, but I do wonder if it has something to do with the coal mining in the harbor. I am only guessing.

If I ever wanted to leave the United States and live in another country, I would head to Canada and settle in Vancouver.

Right or left?

Yesterday child and I went through my new condo again. The ceramic tile is the correct one. I was sort of hoping it wasn't. Anything to stall completion at this point is a good thing.

But - I did notice something I missed before. Probably it was too cold out to bother with it. The sliding door to the patio opens from the left.

I asked child about it. She said hers opens in her apartment from the left. In my house, mine opens from the right. I prefer the right.

Does anyone know if there is a standard for this or any logic for picking one over the other? It was already in when I bought the condo, so I don't think they will change it for me. I just would prefer a door that slides from the right to the left. It would provide better air circulation to the condo, given the floor plan.

The only progress on the condo that was apparent was the installation of the ceramic tiles in the kitchen, around the fireplaces, and in the bathrooms, plus the recessed lights that I paid at least an arm and a leg for. The condo didn't come with many installed lights, and I like lights in every room. Just depending on lamps doesn't do it for me. I added 6 just in the kitchen, with two more in the foyer, and two in the spare bedroom. I had left the house in a hurry and forgot my camera. I will go again later in the week.

Oh, they also added the sprinkler system and did something with the front porch. The piddly little bushes and trees are in, along with the grass. It just hit me that the grass wasn't in before. I hope that means they also did final grading. It looks like Marion grass to me, and I prefer a mix of Marion and Kentucky blue. Kentucky blue is finer, prettier, softer, and has a more pleasant color.

I will be busy whining to myself now about that door.

**In response to some comments, beer is stronger in all of Canada as far as I have noticed. Yet another reason I love the country! Their drinking age is 19, if anyone needs to know that. Many teenagers from our area just love to jump that border on weekends. (No, I never did. I didn't look 19 when I was and had proof, so I figuredI would be refused anyway. Child, however, was making plans to take Wiz the Cat to Canada for her 19th birthday.)

 

 

 

Jury duty scam

Subject: FW: Jury Duty Scam - Identity Theft   
  Coming from the Anti Terrorism Officer, please read information below on Jury Duty Scam for your safety (it is about identity theft) please be aware so you are not a victim.
 
JURY DUTY SCAM: 
 
This has been verified on Snopes.com (link listed below) and by the FBI (their link is also included below).

Please pass this on to everyone in your email address book.  It is spreading fast so be prepared should you get this call. Most of us take those summons for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of scam has surfaced.

Fall for it and your identity could be stolen, reports CBS.  In this con, someone calls pretending to be a court official who threateningly says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn't show up for jury duty. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant.  Sometimes they even ask for credit card numbers.  Give out any of this information and bingo!  Your identity just got stolen.

The scam has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma, Illinois, and Colorado.  This (scam) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving in formation by pretending they're with the court system.  The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

Check it out here:
http://www.snopes..com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp
http://www.fbigov/pressrel/pressrel05/092805.htm

Chicago...

The last time I had to fly home from Chicago the flight was delayed several hours and the flight was awful.

Tonight, the flight home from Chicago was delayed several hours and the flight was awful.

The flight from Vancouver to Chicago was just fine. My friend flies very often for work and got my seat upgraded, and we sat together. We went in the VIP lounge while we waited to leave. I can see why frequent travelers like those lounges. They even have free wi-fi and it's very quiet and peaceful.

So since I got home at 1 am and have been up since 5 am, I think we are going to wait another day for a few pictures. I am too tired to find my camera right now.

I would love to live in Vancouver. I told the Child that all the guys there are young, rich, and hot. She is mulling it over, but I think I pushed the right buttons. She is willing to at least go see now.

Molly seems fine. Child said she didn't even need to give her any extra medication. Both dogs and the cat were all running all over screeching when I got in, tattling on Child and each other, plus scolding me for being gone, but a few pieces of pup corn settled the dogs down and the cat just settled on my arm.

Life is back to normal. That didn't take long.

BC

In this case, BC stands for British Columbia. That is where I am. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This is nother absolutely gorgeous city in Canada and I am grateful for having had the pleasure to spend a few days here. This is one of the most beautiful places I have been. I think I like it better than Lake Tahoe, better than even Toronto, my favorite city before this.

I did take some pictures, but somehow lost the best ones I took in Stanley Park. If you ever have a chance to come here, be sure to take the 6 mile hike through that Park. I was told 6 km, but after a detour I ended up with 7 miles before I left. I loved every step of the way.

When I get home, which will be tonight, I will post some pictures. I did not get nearly as many as I expected to. I was more into the feeling of awe and enjoying it than pointing a camera.

Some day, I hope to return here. In my dreams, I would live in Vancouver, BC. The city is unrivaled, the people are diverse, charming and friendly, and the beer is stronger. What is there not to like?

 

 

Math major

Whoops. I can't add. I actually spent $30,000 on upgrades, not $20,000. I was originally a math major, too, lol! I added it up in my head when I was walking the dogs for 4 miles and realized I had made an error. That walk was on top of the 6 miles I walked with my friend this morning who is always late. She was late.

A few minutes ago I realized something was different here, and then it hit me. Molly and Baby were play-fighting very hard. It was like they used to do it before Molly got sick. Talk about being able to melt mommy's heart - I think we finally got Molly's medication amount in her shot correct. Poor Molly has really been through the wringer. Since we walked the 4 miles before the play fighting, these two will be snoring beagles pretty soon.

Not too long ago I had the girls out for a walk, maybe a week or two ago. Molly is a true bottom feeder. Today she found a piece of a sandwich and it was zippo gone before I could even see what kind it was or try to gauge how old it was. I didn't see it yesterday, so I hope it was fresh. But this story is about a time when we were walking past the fire station where they are redoing the cement driveway. As I was trying to step over some metal pieces of signs and dragging two dogs through it all, Molly found a bone.

At that time my wrists and shoulders were really, really achy. I could barely move either one. Yet - within seconds I was dragging on that chicken bone. Molly had it firmly between her teeth and was not going to give up on it. I pulled harder. So did she. I pulled up. She went on her back legs. I pulled harder. She came right off the ground. I was standing on the side of a major road in front of a fire station with a dog hanging from my right hand by a bone, totally off the ground. While I marveled at the strength I still have to do something like that, she marveled at her ability to hang on.

Baby, of course, was egging her on. She wanted that bone, so she was pulling as hard as she could on my left arm.

It was a face off. However, I am bigger. I got the bone. No, I didn't eat it. I tossed it. Molly looked very sad.

 

Rehersals

On Wednesday, I had to go have my final visit with the Pick Things Out Lady for my condo. I have to be missing some girlie genes because I do not enjoy this process in any way. We finally had to grit our teeth, dig in, and stick with the program until we finished. I had her keep a separate list of things to "get back to." She didn't like it, but for me, that was the only way to deal with some of the decisions. How do I know if I want to upgrade the granite countertops, which is an upgrade from the standard formica, until I know how much I am spending on upgrades otherwise? The granite ended up being my last decision. I did upgrade. I ended up with $20,000 in just upgrades, but still came in just under my arbitrary highest cost I was willing to spend total on the home. They say it will be ready in six weeks. I won't. This is going to be one huge headache of an expensive problem for me.

Whew. It was close. I even added on bifold mirror doors for the spare bedroom closet. Once we priced them, they were actually less installed through the builder than the cost at Home Depot for me to do myself. That was worth taking a few minutes to look up.

In the meantime, no one has come to see my house. It's on the market, there is a sign out front, and I had a call while I was spending the five hours it took with the Pick Things Out Lady on Wednesday. Someone wants to see your house at 6 pm. (hm, it's a mess, and I am still cleaning and painting) Sure, I said, let them come. I got home about 4 pm and had two hours to do about 10 hours of work. I got close, actually, and then got a call 15 minutes before they were to be here. Oh, they just canceled. Is that OK? No, it's not OK, because I could have used that time to paint, but I said sure, that's fine. I mean, what was my choice? No? Tell them they have to come right now?

In a few days I will be packing up a suitcase and heading to the airport for Vancouver. I will only be gone a few days, but I need this break. I am not packing a paint brush and I am not painting the hotel room. I will not scrub the ceiling in the bathroom while standing on a two-step ladder in the bathtub while the tub is wet, either. I am going to enjoy myself.

I will worry about Molly, and really hope the child can get the magic formula with Molly's medication correct. More stress, more prednisone. Less stress, normal prednisone. That really is all she has to do - but it is a serious balancing act at times. Too much prednisone, and she is an eating/peeing/frantic animal with glassy eyes. Too little, she quits eating, quits drinking, crashes, and dies. I deal with this on a daily basis. Child hasn't learned yet what the name of the disease is or the medications involved.

Today I will finally clean up the drywall dust and general mess in the family room. Lots of stuff has just sort of landed in there by default while I decide what to do with it. Painting will be involved, and clearing out the bookshelves on each side of the fire place. There was paint dribbled on the carpet by the mini-vampire. There is paint slopped on the molding, on the bookshelves, and the recessed windows, so I have to paint all those areas I did not plan to paint, and it will take many hours and three coats of paint to look nice. I also plan to do the garage today.

I am going to try to do a week's worth of work today, and I work slowly. Sometimes I am an optimist. I have another week's worth of work to do tomorrow, too.

 

List of Ten

My ten good things, not necessarily in order:

1. Most of my house painting is done. Just my room, the foyer, and a few doors and some trim, plus the bookshelves on either side of the fireplace to go. This is assuming I don't do the garage inside. It's drywalled, and I never painted it.

2. The dogs and I have been walking again. Usually we go 3 miles; yesterday we went 4. Today is an off day because it has been raining all day.

3. I am going to Vancouver and maybe also Phoenix. I hope I can swing Phoenix because my nephew I went to see there last year is getting married. Those would be two separate trips, unfortunately, and quite close together. A trip to New Orleans is also a possibility soon.

4. Child has been out of town for a week.

5. My house is now on the market. I have mixed feelings about that, but it's the only way I can move to my condo, right? I have to sell this one.

6. My forsythia, lilacs, tulips, snowball bush, and a few other things are all in bloom. I might as well enjoy them. It's my last year with a real, landscaped, private lot. Even my hostas I bought late last summer or early fall are now coming up. My peonies are growing, my hydrangea looks perky, my flowering plum bush is growing strong, my crabapple tree is flowering, and my other tree that I forget what it is also is flowering. My lavender will have a good year. My roses look good. My lilies are up. I wonder what the new people will do to my yard?

7. Molly is doing great with her medication reduction and change in delivery of the shot. She is a very pretty girl :)

8. I picked up medicine cabinets for the new bathrooms so I won't have just mirrors. I picked up a programmable thermostat. I still need to get two ceiling fans. I know nothing about ceiling fans, so this is a good time to educate me, if you do!

9. The winter is over. Spring is moving on. We might actually get summer some day.

10. Tomorrow I finish up with the Pick Things Out lady. Then I can go watch my condo being finished. I haven't been there nearly enough. I need to get the dogs there at least once a week from here on to get them used to the place to reduce the stress of the move. It might help me, too.