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Sunday, December 26th, 2004
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4:12 pm - One of the best xmas's ever
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Strange that this year, when I decided to take the holidays off, turned out to be a pretty fab holiday anyway. I didn't stress out like last year trying to get everything shipped on time, worrying about the perfect gift, or giving in to the social pressure of the season. I didn't even get a tree, since I'm always the one who decorates and undecorates it, and I just didn't have the energy this year. Putting my xmas wreath on the front door was my only concession to the festivities. Although I made the mistake of telling our beloved next-door Mormon neighbors about not getting a tree, so they brought us over a little living xmas tree, cause they're sneaky that way. And a bunch of other neighbors left goodies on the porch, which was sweet.
The hubby and I didn't even exchange gifts. Tho we usually buy one another practical things anyway (except for his diamond extravaganza last year, which should last me for another 10 years) it was nice not to have that pressure either. The only xmas celebrating I did was with friends here in Utah, a girls xmas lunch where we snuck presents on one another. The hubby and I also donated a bunch of gifts for charities, which was fun and heart-warming. And friends and family sent presents, so we had some pleasant surprises in the mail. Most distant friends understood that I have been pretty sick the past couple of months, and since I'm usually the one who "makes" everyone else's xmas, it was nice to sit back and let others make mine.
Hopefully next year we won't have such a freaking cold winter (below freezing during the day has become the norm this year), I won't have weather-induced fatigue, or spend 6 weeks fighting a cold/flu/sinus/bronchial infection that continues to malinger quite annoyingly and drainingly. My favorite wish for the new year is better health. I don't expect good health, but I damn sure hope 2005 won't be spent as ill as 2004. Cause after taking this year off, I'm actually looking forward to doing the holiday thing again next year. Now that my holiday spirits are recharged, I just need the energy.
Frankly, I think the hubby just hopes I make it thru the rest of the winter without slipping and falling on the ice. I'm so forgetful, I forget to duck-walk after a minute or two outside, so when I do get out of the house, he follows me murmuring his little mantra, "be careful on the ice, don't forget the ice, be careful on the ice . . . ." Very cute. Luckily my gymnastics training still manages to save my ass whenever I do forget.
As much as I've come to love Utah, and my friends here, this winter is kicking my butt. Each summer and winter extreme seems to take more and more out of me. But instead of fantasizing about moving back to the balmy weather of CA, I've been thinking outside the box lately. Right now I'm considering moving to Hawaii, New Zealand, or Australia. All places we talk about visiting, but what can you see in 2 weeks? So it might be kinda nice to actually move there for a couple of years. And one of my girlfriends just retired outside Cabo San Lucas right on the beach, where she swears it's a perfect 80 degrees most of the time, and the cost of living is cheap. The hubby is liking the idea, as he can find a job wherever there are computers and data centers. We'll see what happens.
I hope everyone else had a wonderful xmas! And is as relaxed and as happy as I am to slide thru this last week of 2004, to see what exciting things the new year brings!
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| Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004
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1:23 pm - Vote!!!
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Glad to see all those on my flist are getting out there and voting. I didn't get my absentee ballot til yesterday. I still can't believe the puppy ate my first application, but I still got my second one mailed in plenty of time, so I don't know why I got my absentee so late. But there was no way I could get the ballot filled out and postmarked by yesterday. Well, maybe if the post office stayed open til midnight like they do for tax returns, but this is just a wee election.
So I had to get up early with the hubby to bring it to the polling place personally. I didn't know if the line would be inside or outside, and since even at 8:30 it was only 34 degrees out, I dressed in layers and the whole hat/muffler/gloves bit. Which pretty much guaranteed the line would be inside, huh?
Luckily the line was short, and the two soccer moms/trophy wives/volunteers referred to their little rules booklet and quickly figured out what to do with my ballot. I then decamped to the car to listen to music.
A lot of wonky stuff going on, though. One woman was at a voting booth (and by booth I mean little white pop-up table which looks like it's going to fall over any moment, with a low barrier around the table-top for privacy) holding one of her babies, and I couldn't figure out why she didn't just put him in his stroller until I heard her say things like, "And this is how mommy votes," and "No, don't eat the Chads!" So a woman in line ahead of us went over to hold the baby for her, but ends up holding the baby and standing at the booth talking to the mom, cause they're buds! Did I mention that the tiny booths were lined up right next to one another, so that this had to annoy not only the guy voting next to her, but also threatened his privacy, not to mention the mom's privacy? But the mormon-dad type guy who seemed to be the head pollster just smiled. As did the two volunteers.
When the hubby got to the car we both commented on it. The hubby wondered if they had just disqualified the entire pollplace, which could get all those republican votes tossed. Not that it would do any good here in republican central. One year in CA I was having bad fibro fog, and I couldn't figure out how to line up the stupid ballot over the two post holes at the top so the ballot numbers would line up. They wouldn't let my hubby come over to help me! A poll person came over instead. Luckily in our old neighborhood it was all retired folks who manned the polls, and the guy was sweet, so I wasn't too embarrassed, but still. The whole privacy thing was strictly enforced.
I did kind of lose it over the marriage amendment last night. It's been building up over the past couple of weeks, as walking the dog past the nice Mormon houses with their "Protect Marriage -- Vote for Amendment 1!" signs makes me ill. I want to knock on their doors and ask them, where would their Christian sensibilities be if the situation was reversed? If same-sex marriages were legal, and their "family values mom and pop marriage" was unrecognized, how would they feel if those same-sex people voted to keep their man-woman marriage unrecognized? How is sharing some of the perks with the currently non-legal taking anything away from those legal marriages? Wouldn't it be the Christian thing to do, to vote to share those perks?
Oh wait, that's right, they're Christian by title, not necessarily by nature. They don't actually have to behave in a Christian manner if they can bury it in "us against them" and "we have values, no one else does" rhetoric. Did I mention that that kind of self-righteousness makes me ill? Which is one of the many reason why I left the Catholic Church in my late teens.
Now, I truly understand why Utah is so republican, that it's mostly for economic reasons. The great population of Mormons tithe 10% to the church, and the church has an entire array of social services in place for when its members are in need. So I can see that the democratic tendency to support and finance the same types of social programs causes Mormons to pay for duplicate services here in Utah. It's totally logical from a financial standpoint.
But sometimes you just have to step against your regular party when something is obviously wrong. Like Bush. Like the deficit he's created in just 4 years. [Deep breath -- don't get started, Bella.] Even if it might hurt you a bit in the pocket, if it's the right thing to do, you do it.
When there are social programs that need funding, for the betterment of society, I don't begrudge a raise in sales tax or income tax. I'll barely feel it, whereas the money can make a huge difference to the people or services or programs being funded. I want our society, our country, to grow and prosper. I don't have kids, but I pay over $1000 in property tax directly to the schools, and I don't begrudge it. I guess I just don't understand people who want a better society, but want someone else's pockets to fund it. And I suppose there are people out there that don't give a crap about social programs, and want to keep every possible penny in their pocket.
I guess this time of year makes you realize that people all have different motivations for voting the way that they do. And that's okay. Because as long as they vote, then the system works.
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| Monday, November 1st, 2004
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1:33 pm - And We're Off!
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Spent most of yesterday in front of the fireplace, making jewelry. I got my first big beaded necklace done, and it turned out gorgeous, even if the big swirly beads are primarily orange/black/crystal and don't do much for my complexion. Hey, it was done for Halloween, as planned. I rarely set and meet goals, so that felt nice. The necklace is also amazingly comfortable, and despite the fact that I never wear big necklaces, I almost wore it to bed by accident.
Went to bed at midnight, wanted to check in on the Nano board, but the site was down. Figures.
Got up early (before 9:00! That NEVER happens!) and started on my NaNo novel, and am well over a 1,000 words into it. Of course, I realized I still have some research to do and had to detour to Amazon and the library site, but all the books I wanted are in, so I just have to wait til my library calls me.
To my surprise, I haven't had the urge for cappuccino yet. Am thinking that it will be a good thing if it becomes my daily treat again, rather than daily energizer. We'll see if I can make it thru early afternoon without needing or wanting it.
The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and the puppy knows I have no excuse for not walking her today. Damnit. Hopefully I can sneak her walk in after showering and before making chili for dinner. Which I forgot to make yesterday. The hubby wants to take me to my favorite local sushi restaurant for my birthday, but I want to go to SLC to Rodizio Grill at Trolley Square. What can I say, I didn't get enough of the grilled pineapple last weekend. Although I had really hoped to go on a Saturday night again, as on the bottom floor of the mall they had a DJ set up, and it was obviously a happening place for couples to salsa dance. Not that we salsa dance, but it was a total kick to watch from the floor above.
We'll see how late the hubby works tonight, and if I feel like going far from home. And whether my taste buds are calling for grilled pineapple or hamachi. Maybe I can wring a promise from him for sushi tonight and Rodizio Grill on Saturday. Hmmmm. Yes, I like that idea best!
current mood:  chipper
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| Sunday, October 31st, 2004
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1:47 pm - Nosediving into November
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I thought I had my desk and life pretty much cleared before November and NaNo hits. Silly me.
Despite my bitching that Halloween was celebrated here in Utah yesterday (because you can't celebrate things like the 4th of July or Halloween on a Sunday, apparently) and my declaration that I was taking Halloween off, the hubby ended up limp and unmanageable all day, so I got stuck with the duty.
Still, I made it to downtown SLC for the NaNo Kickoff Extravaganza mid-afternoon (only an hour late, go me!) met many fun folks and got all jazzed on starting on the 1st. Plus there shall be group writing at my local Barnes and Noble on the weekends, which should be fun.
Then made the mistake of calling the hubby on the drive home, and made a detour to the store for more candy (he never thinks we have enough, even when I have 20 lbs of the stuff). One of my buds was heading to the bathroom crying as I walked into the store, so I made a u-turn and followed her in, and got the story, then calmed her down. I also happened to have the bracelet I made her in my purse, and what girl isn't cheered by jewelry? Then I gave her some sage work advice and made her go call her boss while I distracted her co-worker. Unfortunately, my local Albertsons is cutting back everyone's hours, and another store offered her a guaranteed 40 hrs but it's a long drive from where she lives. I know her mgr won't want to lose her, hell, the whole store won't want to lose her, so I'm pretty sure her mgr will offer her 40 hrs instead of 32 to make sure she stays. Still, I shall be writing a letter of recommendation for her and all the key employees at the store, because that never hurts with management. Too bad the word count for that won't count for NaNo!
I got home around 6:00, it wasn't even dark yet, and the streets were a-swarm with trick-or-treaters! I can understand that parents with tiny tots have to go out that early, but not kids 8 and 10 years old! The hubby was already exhausted, but the puppy was still winding up when I took over. I had her leash tied to the banister inside the door, so that she could just made it outside onto the welcome mat, then told the kids that if they pet the puppy, they could pick a second piece of their favorite candy. I call that a win-win situation. The puppy was thrilled, the kids thought they were getting the better part of the deal, and I got to pile extra candy on the neighborhood kids I know and love. I wound up not resenting getting stuck with Halloween duty after all, and got to spend quality time with the puppy to boot. But the weirdest thing of all? Halloween was over by 8:00!!!!
Today I'm glad that we got Halloween out of the way yesterday, because I woke this morning to snow! Big, fluffy, serious snowflakes, and so far we have at least an inch of the stuff, and it just keeps on coming down. Not a bad way to celebrate our 2-year anniversary of arriving in Utah.
I'm torn between last-minute plot and character development and sitting in front of the fireplace with my beads. I think I shall go check what the hubby is watching on TV, and if it's tolerable, the beads shall win. After all, I have the evening to warm up writing-wise, although I doubt I'll try to get a jumpstart at midnight. Although you never know . . .
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| Wednesday, October 20th, 2004
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2:48 pm - Withstanding the puppy pout
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Today was our 2nd day of serious rain. According to weather.com, we've got a long week of it ahead of us. Which is fine with me, because I can definately use some serious down time in my Cuddle Duds, catching up on sleep and on computer stuff. Luckily, I found a gap between Monday's sprinkles to take the dog around the block, but there was no chance of that yesterday or today. Plus, no kiddies. We're talking one depressed pup.
She's got to get used to not getting out/getting kiddie love every day, now that winter is here. I'm hoping that this week of rain will get her used to it, without making me totally crazy. I only survived yesterday because I was up in the night on and off and so slept in quite late. Then I skipped showering and staying in my sweats, partially out of laziness, and partially because showering and dressing gets her all revved up thinking that we're going out.
Last night, she went bonkers, making such a fuss in the master bedroom that I had to move into the guest room and drag her with me so the hubby could get some sleep. Then she barked at the front and back door, and since there have been a rash of robberies (yes! a rash! versus, say, a scab?) on the court behind us, I figured I should take her seriously. At one point, the security light on the side of the house leading to the backyard went on, and both cats were in the house, so something/someone was out there. Hard to tell if she's just being hyper, or hyper-aware, but since someone did attempt a break-in a few weeks ago, they just might try again. Although you'd think the loud and deep and constant barking would be quite the dissuader! Around 4:30, I finally gave up on the guest room and returned to my bed, surprised that the hubby had managed to sleep thru all the fuss.
Luckily, I was able to sleep in again, and the hubby woke me up with a surprise lunch visit and a bag of Chick-fil-a. Whoooo! Not a bad way to start the day. Except that the rest of the day is going to involve paying a stack of bills I've been ignoring since Monday, and catching up on all the emails I didn't get to yesterday. I even dragged out the laptop so I could play catchup in the front room last night during NCIS (and finally! Clubhouse! Dean Cain! I slept thru it last week, apparently) but I haven't used it since the hubby decided to rebuild it with Windows XP, and while I can use the Internet via wireless, there is no other software on there yet. And I was too lazy to go look for software. Besides, I hate the laptop keyboard, and by the time I dragged out a regular keyboard and futzed around, I got the hubby involved in completing some bios setup stuff and looking at my dead battery, and lost the laptop to him. He's gonna get a battery and fuss some more tonight, and then maybe I won't hate it so much. Maybe. I can hope.
Oh crap. The puppy has me penned in the office, sleeping in my doorway within a circle of her toys. Nothing suble about this pup. Not a chance in hell of getting past her to the bathroom without waking her up. Time for extreme puppy diplomacy . . .
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| Sunday, October 17th, 2004
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2:25 pm - Not enough sleep in the world
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I don't know if it's because the chill of fall making me extra-achy and tired, but I can't seem to drag my butt outta bed these days. Today I had to promise myself a cappuccino, but I don't think that lure is going to work much longer.
I think I'm just not used to being so busy any more. I had stuff scheduled for every day last week, and as much as I love having so many people to hang with recently, it's still draining. I miss my hours of aimlessness. And I miss my computer.
My puppy class teacher and I have a lot in common besides fibro, she also trains and qualifies dogs for therapy and service work. So Abby and I are on a bit of an accelerated schedule, especially since Abby's way ahead of all the other dogs in puppy class. And she so loves being demonstration-dog! This week we played "pass the puppy" where you sit on the ground, and pass the puppies around the circle to get them used to being handled by other people. Most of the puppies have had very little socialization, and either wanted to play with each other, or just didn't really want to be held by a stranger. Of course Abby was in heaven, because as much as she loves playing with other dogs, she loves being loved by people more.
I brought my steamcleaner over to my neighbor's house Friday (their cat is on a diet and is protesting by peeing in their dining room) and had a fun afternoon there. J made P do all the work, but when he was out of water, he would call for us "water women" and we'd each grab a container, one for filling, one for emptying. Then P found my season 4 Farscape finale tape and brought it over last night so we could play catchup before tonight's miniseries. Except P has only made it thru season 3 so far, and it's been so long (2 years!) that I couldn't remember all the S4 politics. Come to think of it, I'm supposed to be watching the few preceding S4 eps this afternoon so I'm not totally lost, and so I can explain it as we go along with the show tonight. Oy. It's gonna be a fustercluck. I should probably set up the TV in the guest room for the boys to play with Abby, because I really think they're too young for Farscape. I'm pretty sure J is gonna spend the evening reading my EW's. And I doubt my hubby will even be here, as he's at work supervising a huge influx of servers that just HAD to arrive on a Sunday. Who the fuck ships on a Sunday, I ask you?
Spent Friday night hanging with my girlfriend M at Starbucks. We watch all the same shows, so there is always a lot of seasonal speculation to be had. Plus she's already lost 40 lbs from her bypass surgery just over a month ago! Holy crap! Almnost makes me want to have one, except. No. Would rather do it the old-fashioned way, and it looks like I can stop taking a couple of the meds that put all this weight on me to begin with. So that might help move the weight off again, although I'm not going to get my hopes up too much. Anyway, M helped me with some research for one of my NaNo ideas, and then we brainstormed scary-but-sexy halloween costumes for her.
Luckily, there was no last-minute house-cleaning necessary for tonight, as I was in fall-cleaning mode earlier in the week. And usually I stress when cooking dinner for guests, but I think I'm just too tired. Besides, P & J are relaxing people to be around, no need to try to impress. Not that I do that, anyway. Too lazy. I shall never be a Martha Stewart.
Oy. I've slacked off enough. *pets computer* Must go watch Farscape, and prep the veggies. And maybe round up some more caffeine.
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| Thursday, October 14th, 2004
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1:20 pm - Letter to a snoozy little puppy . . .
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Dear Abby,
You look so cute and innocent, sprawled out in the midst of your puppy nap. But we know better, don't we?
Not sure how you got the idea that I vacuum, I really don't like to see all that neat and tidy floor space afterwards. That I'm really asking you to bring in random stuff from the backyard, like chunks of bark, tree limbs, and rocks (preferably with dirt on them) so that you can spruce the place up again. I realize that you feel the need for personal expression, and I appreciate the novelty of your puppy Feng-Shui, but please limit it to your patio and backyard.
Just because you were feeling cranky because you didn't get your kid-fix or evening walk yesterday, it does not make your late-night tantrum and protest peeing on the bathroom rug acceptable. Bad puppy! (But thanks for not peeing on the regular carpet and making me pull out the damn steam cleaner again).
Also, I know you think it's amusing to grab your loudest sqeaker toy when mommy is on a business call. And it was funny the first time. But either cease and desist this practice, or risk the permanent removal of all squeaky toys within the vicinty of my office. And don't think I won't confiscate your Mini-Poo!
Love, Mom
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| Tuesday, October 12th, 2004
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5:36 pm - Ah Ha Ha!
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Just got off the phone with my tax chick, and I am weak with laughter. She's been studying hard for an accountant exam, and just got that over with, and so started a low-carb diet. My friend has been on a diet as long as I've known her, so dieting is a long-standing joke between us. She was explaining why she started Atkins, saying that "all that studying made me gain weight" and then had to wait while my guffaws passed.
Because, you know, *studying* has all those damn calories! When I explained why it was so funny, she joined in the laughter. It's always nice to know you have one friend who will enable your lamest rationalizations for weight-gain and subsequent dieting.
But hey! She's coming to Utah for a visit in a couple of weeks! Hot damn, another weekend to blow off preparation for NaNoWriMo! Because this weekend is pretty much blown by having my neighbors over for a Farscape dinner party. Even though they're Mormon, and technically not supposed to do that kinda stuff on a Sunday, I'm good friends with P (whom I evilly got addicted to Farscape earlier this year) so being the dad, he can break those silly rules. Er . . *cough* make an official exception to them. Or, whatever.
Last week his wife, J, taped another channel instead of Lost, so it was me to the rescue, with a long-winded and Italiano-gestured explanation of the plot and revelations. I really had them going with the Marshall storyline, because I a) let them think I knew what Kate's crime was, and b) had them shrieking in disbelief at the finale.
And have I mentioned that I've gotten them addicted to EW, and that Firefly is next on my "Get P & J Addicted" list? Oh, and I think I shall also drop some broad NaNoWriMo hints this weekend. Because, yes, P is also a writer.
Have I mentioned that I'm evil, lately? Guess that's pretty self-explanatory, huh?
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4:31 pm - cross-eyed and nubby-tailed
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I swore I wasn't going to lose all of October, but once again, almost half the month is gone and I have very little to show for it. I was hoping to gear up for NaNoWriMo, but if my brain doesn't show up soon, that's going to be a wash.
Of course, I blame it all on my hubby. He pissed me off royally this weekend, and so in righteous protest, I've been sleeping in the guest bedroom. The bed is comfy and all, it's just that that's where the cats prefer to sleep, so with the addition of myself, and with the puppy along for the ride, things can get a little bit overwhelming. Both cats have still not reached their required quotients of post-Washington mom-love, and the puppy of course needs 24/7 mom-love, which leaves little mom-time for, you know, that sleep-thing. Plus, with my office right next door, I've been in teenie mode til 4 AM the past couple of nights. Which results in me sleeping the day away, which is once again, the hubby's fault.
He capitulated yesterday, but being stubborn and glued to my computer last night, I pushed it for just one more night. Which resulted in not only a *gasp* surprise chatty phone call this afternoon (he talked for over 5 minutes, people! With little or no prompting from me, as I was trying to watch Angel with one eye and was desperately measuring coffee for cappuccino with the other) but also resulted in the swag of Yamaha speakers for my computer. Even though my current speakers are fine.
When in doubt, the hubby bears tech gifts. It's cute, actually. It's so tempting to push it for one more night, and see how long of a phone call Wednesday will elicit. Except I really miss my big bed, and my office closet has no more room for tech gifts. So, bad plan! Bad plan!
Oh, crap, the kids are gathering on the front lawn to see the puppy. I showered last night, but I feel grungy and my 3-shot cappuccino is doing nada. The puppy is going thru kid-withdrawals, so she's whining at me. I think a quick wake-up shower and quick trip out front are in my future. Guh. I really have to learn to say no. I've been hiding from them for about 4 days now, and they're relentless!
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| Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
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3:35 pm - T-Mobile Rant!
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As much as I love my T-Mobile cell service (I get connectivity everywhere I need it) their billing dept. sucks. Every few months, they forget to bill, and then I get double-billed. I'm used to calling them to clear up billing errors a few times a year, but I've stuck with them, because the coverage here in Utah is great, and I have a great rate for my calling plan thru my hubby's company.
However, a few months ago, I finally changed my cellphone number from a CA prefix to a Utah one. The first CSR gave me a number, and told me it would be active in an hour. 24 hours later, the number still wasn't active. I called back, and T-Mobile had no record of the change at first, then they said that because of my special billing plan, the number change hadn't activated. So another CSR gave me another number, and after about an hour on the phone with the rep, it activated. Except, they'd given me the wrong prefix, so that the phone number wasn't a local call in my area. *sigh* By this time, however, I didn't have the time or energy to go thru another hour on the phone, and I'd already given my new number to people, so whatever.
Last month, I got a bill for $121.00. Somehow, when my number changed, they also changed my call plan. So instead of $39.99 amount plus about $4 in taxes, I got billed $29.99, plus $75 in usage charges, and $18 in addl. taxes. At first, I just thought it was another double billing, and as we were getting ready to leave on vacation, decided to call about it once I got back.
Waiting upon our return from WA was a new bill for $150! $29.99 in service change, $100 in usage charges, and $22 in taxes, even though in neither month did I use half of my usual allowed minutes!
After several phone calls, over an hour of my time, two CSR reps and a CSR mgr, the best they would offer me was to credit me half of the second bill. They couldn't change my calling plan back to the $39.99 service plan, because they don't have it any more. They also couldn't make any adjustments to the prior $121 bill, because it was too old . . . even though it's not even 30 days old yet. My only avenue for a solution is to fax their Customer Relations Department, which I've had to do before during a billing mess last year. This, from a CS Manager!
So yep, I get to write one of my famous business letters documenting their monumental clusterfuck. As if I don't have anything better to do with my time. Bastards. This is just unbelievable. I've never had a company fuck something up so thoroughly, where the errors are completely on their end, and acknowledged by them, where they can't fix the mess.
Oh well, I wanted to cancel my cellphone anyway, but the hubby didn't want me to. He just might not have a say in the matter, now. They've got me that pissed.
And they've got me swearing! Damnit! Off to write that letter. Grrrr.
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| Saturday, October 2nd, 2004
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6:44 pm - home sweet home
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Had a nice long visit in Washington, and even ended up staying longer than planned. My SIL's house is just so relaxing and peaceful (I'm in love with the Puget Sound) and the Jersey girls visiting for the wedding were just so damned fun, we didn't want to come home. The neice's hippy wedding itself was tragic, but that's another entry.
We arrived home to utter chaos, but not enough to keep me from falling into bed for about 16 hours. The 900 miles out there didn't bother me much, but the 900 back kicked my ass, even though it was the more beautiful drive, with a full moon to boot.
The pissed off kitty redecoration committee didn't do too much damage while we were gone, and in fact the felines were more creative than destructive in their outrage at being left behind. The blue kitty was a bit non-plussed to have her puppy back 5 lbs heavier and several inches longer than when we left, but she got over it quickly. The invisible kitty was just glad to have mom back, and has been camping out at my elbow. As happy as Abby is to have her kitties back, she's sure missing the Big Dogs, her cousins Max and Monty, a giant golden lab and giant black lab, respectively. In Washington she got to run around outside without leash or fences, and it was 24 hour play time for her, plus there was always someone around to cuddle her, play with her, tell her how pretty she is (puppy ego alert!) and give her nose-kisses. She pretty much forgot who I was by the 2nd day, which was funny. She did get some good bonding time in with dad, though.
Came home to the tragic news that my German Aunt Irmi had died suddenly, right before we left. I made the mistake of listening to phone messages before passing out, and got stuck in a time warp where it was too early to call my dad in CA to get the details, and even if I got my mom's number in Germany, it would have been too late to call her. Irmi was mom's favorite sister, and the one German aunt I've spent the most time with, so that was a stunner. I had to listen to my mother's message several times before my brain was able to assimilate that my aunt was dead. I kept wanting to believe it was some other Irmi, when I knew damn well my mom wouldn't have flown to Germany for anyone else. Plus I had insta-guilt because my mother was halfway around the world and wasn't able to talk to me before she left, when it was clear from her message that she really needed to hear my voice. But in her grief she forgot we were leaving for WA and she always forgets I have a cellphone.
Luckily, the guilt was quickly wiped away by a small flood in the ceiling downstairs (which seems to be the result of a flood I pointed out a couple of weeks ago, and the hubby ignored) and the discovery that someone had tried to break into the house in our absence.
Gee, welcome home.
Since there was nothing I could do about any of it, I surprised myself by going to bed. However, the hubby seemed to have trouble sleeping, so while I snoozed he straightened up the house, rearranged the furniture, sorted silverware trays, and organized everything else within reach. I nearly killed him when I woke up and couldn't find anything. I hate when he does that stuff. We just don't have the same logical sense of where things belong, and since he's not the one using the stuff, I put things where they are the most convenient for me, and I know what and where everything is. Then I remembered that tidying things is just his way of coping with stress, and he's still pretty upset about his neice's wedding, so I shut up about it as much as I was able.
In the meantime, I am trying to purge my brain of all the foul language I picked up, so that when talking to neighbors and the puppy's playmates I won't let loose an "Oh fuck!" by accident. Just before we left for WA, I was informed that saying "Oh God!" or "Oh my God!" (both a habitual surprised saying of mine) is frowned upon by the Mormons, something to do with using God's name lightly? They should consider themselves lucky if that's the least appropriate thing I come out with for the next week or two.
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| Monday, September 20th, 2004
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5:56 pm
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As beautiful as the dramatic seasons are here compared to CA, the aesthetic trade isn't worth the physical discomfort. After a weekend-long windstorm, an incredible night-long thunder-n-lightning display (of such special effects most Sci-Fi movies would drool for) and the accompanying temperature drop, my body says FEH! to the beauty and wonder, and wants to hide out in bed. I thought I was just being over-reactive to the storminess, but I finally looked out at my mountain, and it freaking snowed last night! I was so shocked I had to do a double-take.
To make matters worse, the puppy is LOVING the weather change. Not just the cold, but the wet. She spent a great part of the weekend running around the backyard frolicking in the rain, and even managed to lure the cat out there for a while, and the cat HATES the wet. And the cold. God, that blue kitty loves that puppy.
At one point Sunday, I looked out the window, and the wind had blown the big pool-net down from its place at the top of the swingbench terrace, and she was running about the yard with the net part in her mouth, and the long pole out in front of her like she was jousting with imaginary dragons. The loss of the netting was a small price to pay for her entertainment, and mine.
However, the rest of the weekend she spent throwing herself down into a new position every five minutes at my feet, with a huge sigh and an exasperated look up at me, because I quite obviously didn't want to frolic. She almost guilted me into a return trip to the dog park yesterday in the rain, although common sense reasserted itself and that got turned into a late night walk around the block in the non-rain. Which wsa sheer agony for me, and if I'd had any sense, I would have turned back before the halfway point, but by then, why upset her? And the hubby was Mr. Chatty for a change, so I just grit my teeth and followed along like a good soldier.
Today, her sighs are long-drawn out growls and cries, accompanied by loud falumping drops to the floor, and she keeps experimenting to see which ones will make me get up to check on her. Unfortunately, my body isn't allowing me to be my usual paranoid mom, and after about 4 hours, she gave up. Thank God.
At least I know I slept last night, because I actually dreamed, although in that long, endless stream of dreaming that makes absolutely no sense even while you're doing it. I do remember driving around LA quite a bit, visiting a couple of favorite spots and malls there, and running into Paris Hilton in the backwoods employee section of the mall getting food from a vending machine because she didn't want to deal with people. I surprised myself by keeping my mouth shut about how being in the middle of a mall pretty much guarantees the presence of people, and just commismerated. I think I was just relieved to know she actually eats, even if it was junk food. She then dragged me to see her seamstress in some upscale shop, for cover so she and her hot seamstress girlfriend could make out on a very pretty divan. Frankly, I was just relieved Nicole wasn't there, she annoys me. Being a good sport, I picked out fabric for a new suit in fall colors, which sort of had to be forced on me in a Huh? It's fall? kinda way.
Which I think was a not-so-subtle zillionth reminder to check the WA weather so I don't get yelled at for over-packing. It's not my fault I like to be prepared! And I hate re-wearing clothes. Except for jeans, which are always more comfy the 2nd day. But I draw the line there.
However, the wedding spot isn't actually a Weather.com location, it's just "somewhere" along the Puget Sound, and I've spent enough time there to know to expect rain. Hopefully not during the outdoor wedding, though. The wedding is going to be so unorthodox that I'm seriously considering bringing the pup. After all, at my SIL's wedding last year, her two dogs were her ring-bearers. I've already been advised to wear jeans and boots, which is actually freaking me out on a subliminal level, because it's been so ingrained in me to overdress when in doubt. Especially at a wedding! As great and comfy as jeans sound right now, I just know that I'll break at the last minute and end up in a pair of slacks a little less casual than jeans. And they'll still go with my kicky black boots, which I hunted down at the end of last winter because my favorite pair of boots just didn't have enough skid protection on the sole for steep Park City terrain. Of course, they've been in the closet forever, so I don't remember which pair is more comfortable. Guess I'll have to dig them out and try them on. Crap. See how complicated seasonal changes and packing can be?
Must go stress out now. Hopefully the hubby will be home with food soon.
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| Sunday, September 19th, 2004
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1:16 am - Celebration time!
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Abby seems to finally be housebroken! Two days counts as housebroken, right?
*nods* Yes. I'm sure it does. *cough*
We celebrated by spending most of the day in bed exhausted from a very long week. Then we dragged ourselves up to take her to the dog park we'd promised her as a reward, and she was a very happy girl. We gratefully returned home with her properly worn out, and went back to our limp selves.
I don't know how I can be so tired from all the hard work on the carpet, and still not actually sleep for the past few nights. I stayed up late last night because I was miffed at the hubby, and just as I finally went to bed, his alarm started going off. At 5 AM on a Saturday, which is what I was miffed about, because he keeps saying he's cutting back his hours, but he keeps going in voluntarily on weekends. And this wasn't even related to his department, and I'm sick of him doing everyone else's freaking job. So he let the alarm go off for 5 hours before I finally shut it off at 10 AM, and he announced he wasn't going in because of me. Yu-huh. And that's why the alarm went off for 5 hours, because you wanted to be sure I was wide awake when you told me you weren't going in to work??? Riiiiiiight.
Friday I had the fun of discovering that once again I'd put on a bunch of water weight, 10 lbs in just a few days. I tried to be grateful I caught it before it went up to 18 lbs again, but. Wedding next weekend. 1800 mile round trip drive to Seattle. Not so much worried about the weight, as worried that the long drive is going to set off the edema thing worse as did our drive to CA last year. I wouldn't mind the vanity part of it (my ankles become cankles, my face gets puffy and my double chin needs its own area code) if it didn't hurt like hell while the water is leaving your body. Leg cramps from hell.
Today one hit while I was getting up off the couch, and they take me to my knees they're so painful. Only my right knee is badly bruised and so when I landed on it, my antics had the hubby howling with laughter. I don't blame him, I'm sure he had no idea what the hell was going on, me screaming and in a no-win situation, since I couldn't use the left leg to get off the right knee, or the right knee to supoprt myself so I could flex against the cramp. So I'm pretty sure I did an amusing flop-thing because I had nothing to grab onto except a wall (not much help) until I threw myself at the arm of the couch in desperation. And the worst part of it is that as excruciating as these leg cramp attacks are, they're also funny as hell at the same time. My step-daughter Carrie is used to being on the phone with me, hearing a scream, the thud of me falling to the floor, swearing and moaning, then weak laughter as I try to reach the phone. She used to freak out, but now when I make it back to the phone she's usually laughing from the sound effects.
It's good to leave them laughing, I always say. ;-)
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| Friday, September 17th, 2004
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4:55 pm - Puppy class, the joys of house-breaking, and a visit from Mothera
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Puppy class turned out to be a lot of fun last night, despite the fact that the guy that led the class won't be our regular teacher and pretty much just winged it. I took advantage of the lack of leadership by letting Abby off-leash whenever the enclosure was secure, and all the other owners followed suit. Once everyone had their paperwork filled out, the teacher had us put the pups back on-leash while he "lectured" but I just scooted over by Abby's new buddy Lucy, a part great pyrenese puppy who was about her size, and those two had a blast. I finally got tired of untangling their leashes, and unhooked them, and all the other owners gave a sigh of relief and did the same, because their pups had all been wiggling and whining wanting to play, too. The lecture was much more entertaining while watching the puppy antics. Plus by the time we got around to doing a couple of exercises with the pups, they'd gotten all the excitement out of their systems and were calm and receptive.
Thanks to my bad fall the other night: carpet wet, tile entryway slippery, strong stair railing (which took my weight like a trouper; thank God once again for that old gymnastic training which saved my ass at the mild expense of a bruised knee) I had a good excuse for making the hubby do the beginners exercises with Abby since I couldn't get down on my swollen knee. After the class, we took her around the store since it was her first visit to PetsMart, and I found a glow-in-the-dark ball which should come in handy now that dusk is coming so early.
Yesterday also marked our first no house-weeing day. Not sure if it was because I finally got all the scent out of the carpet (I redid the most popular section with the steamer again yesterday, and Abby seemed rather miffed about it) or if it was because I couldn't sleep all night, and therefore took Abby outside several times in the (heh) wee hours. Of course she didn't wee for me, but she did sleep on the bed with me, and that's one place where she's safe from accidents.
The cats decided that since I was up anyway . . . I might as well join in their Mothera fun. Now, Graci is in the habit of catching moths that are as big as birds. In fact, we usually chase after her thinking she's got a bird, and then once we realize it's a giant moth/creature from a bad Japanese movie, we usually go running for cover. It was so big last night I thought it HAD to be a bird, so I chased her until I was able to throw a handtowel over whatever it was she had. I thought for sure it was a finch, but once I got it picked up and took a peek, it turned out to be one of Graci's huge Mothera creatures. I promptly ran to the back door and threw it outside, doing a silent gross-out wiggle-shuffle necessitated by the early AM hour. I swear both cats set me up for that one, evil bitches.
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| Thursday, September 16th, 2004
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4:30 pm - At least she has good taste
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The puppy got her paws on my EW and ate the Book section. Is she my little girl, or what?
Still battling on the house-weeing front, which resulted in another full assault on the carpet with the steam cleaner yesterday. After doing some research, I learned that my first steam cleaner foray may have actually heated the scent into the carpet fibers *groan* which may have been why the first effort didn't stop the problem. So this time around I rinsed the entire area with cool water twice, then went over it thoroughly with pet and odor solution, then cool rinsed again. If this doesn't solve the problem, the puppy is gonna be banished to her cage for the rest of 2004!
Needless to say, my entire body is protesting the vigorous workout. But hey, the carpet looks fabulous. And I should be spilling less stuff on it myself now that my Parkinson's and seizure meds seem to have dramatically cut down on the hand tremors. I've already noticed the improvement when doing laundry -- for the past couple of weeks I didn't have to pretreat any stains on the boob area of shirts, which is where just about everything spills when you a built-in shelf like mine. And I managed to make cappuccino without spilling coffee grounds all over the place. Truly, life without tremors is glorious!
Luckily, the neighbor boys are in the backyard with Abby giving her a proper workout for me. Although her puppy class starts tonight, so I'll have to cut it short so she doesn't sleep through the whole thing!
Speaking of the puppy class, I must gather all my necessary documents and proof of vaccinations, then cut up some hotdogs for rewards. I've already got her weaned off needing a treat every time she follows a command, but I don't want her to feel left out if the other puppies are getting them. And really, this class is more for the hubby, anyway, and he needs all the treat help he can get.
Wish us luck!
current mood: anticipatory
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| Wednesday, September 8th, 2004
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2:52 pm - I've been adopted
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It was against my will at first, but what can I say? Children are persistent.
My new best bud is Julianna, who snuck up on me slowly all summer. She's much quieter than the rest of the group of 8-year-olds she hangs with, and since she wasn't used to being around puppies or dogs, she usually hovered close to my side when Abby was running around with the kids. She's very good though, unlike a couple of the other girls who used to scream and run if the puppy even looked at them. Julianna has always followed my instructions for interacting with the puppy, and she's gotten very comfortable with Abby. I just assumed she was coming over to see the puppy like everyone else, but when the other girls leave, Julie finds a reason to hang around.
When the other girls are gone, Julie is very chatty. She's quite fun to talk to, and very insightful into her group of friends. I find it fascinating to learn about the neighborhood thru the eyes of an 8-year-old. I didn't know for months that her mom is the fellow Californian I talk to on occasion who lives about 5 houses down. Her mom, Terri, and I kept trying to hook up all summer, but either I was sick or one of her kids was, plus she takes care of her hubby's elderly mom, so we kept missing one another. Terri is a total dynamo, talks as fast and enthusiastically as I do, and is always on the go, but also suffers from some immune issues.
So I guess Julie heard from her mom that I'm sick a lot, and has decided to be my helper. Last Friday was a horribly cold day, and I was feeling the effects of the drastic weather change on top of doing some overly ambitious house cleaning the day before. But she was determined to help me cut down these weird bushes that I had finally decided are some kind of weed. First, we let the puppy pull up some of the smaller ones (I love to channel some of that puppy energy into productive tasks) and then we pulled out the tools. Little Julie bonded with a rather big pair of long-handled clippers, and went to town on those bushes, with the puppy and kitty playing with the pieces she hacked down. I kept getting worried that she was going to overdo, but she finished the ones in the backyard and was determined to chop down the really big one on the side of the house.
At this point, the temperature was dropping, and of course despite the cold day, most of the kids were running around in summer clothes, barefoot, and oblivious, while I was under 3 layers of fleece and still cold. So I grabbed a sweatshirt for Julie, and made her take a cracker and soda break. Well, apparently the kids don't get late afternoon snacks, because that box of Better Cheddars got more visitations than the puppy! Julie didn't mind sharing, but she wasn't going to let anyone distract her from chopping down that big bush. So she's working away, and I'm gathering the chunks and tossing them in the trash bin, and helping out a little, but she wanted to do it herself. And then the hubby came home, and it started to rain, so we had to stop before she got the very base of the bush chopped down.
Well, that was Friday, and the hubby and I pretty much vegged out all weekend. Although the kids knocked at the door to see the puppy, I just didn't answer Sat or Sun because we were watching movies. But one of the people who knocked had been Julie (although I'd warned her I wasn't feeling so great, and might not answer over the weekend) so she brought a pair of clippers from home and chopped down almost the rest of the bush! She needed my bigger pair of clippers for the tree-trunk part, but she was determined to finish chopping that thing down for me. Because "it's good to do things for other people."
Awwww!
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| Tuesday, September 7th, 2004
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3:12 pm - Sure feels like a Monday
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Which doesn't surprise me. Spent the long weekend sitting around hoping the hubby would feel good enough to go out, but that didn't happen. So bored. So, so bored.
And I didn't get off to the best start this morning, since the puppy decided that barking at me nonstop until I moved was high entertainment. She obviously didn't care that I'd been up all night. Then she displayed her latest growth spurt by stealing my favorite shoes off the top of my dresser, which forced me out of bed to chase her down. Normally, she doesn't do damage to things that she steals for attention, and I just recover them later, but I LOVE those shoes. I didn't want to risk it.
I am running out of high places to stash things. This does not make me happy. Also, being outsmarted by a 3 month old puppy doesn't do a lot for the self-esteem. We're currently having a long drawn-out battle of the wills in the house-breaking arena, and she's giving me a good fight. So I'm having to resort to day-long banishment in her cage today, which opens to the backyard. Hardly horrible punishment, since she usually hangs out in the backyard by choice anyway, but it makes me feel mean.
At least we've made huge inroads with the regular training, and puppy classes start next week. That's always fun.
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| Monday, August 30th, 2004
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4:57 pm - Overwhelmed senses
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Thought I might be coming out of the whole horrible August flare/fatigue/migraine parade, but it was not to be. Last night my constant headache suddenly went critical. The sound of the hubby eating a bowl of ice cream (the screech of the spoon against the bowl -- OMG! It was like being stabbed in the head) and the frequency/tone/static of the talk radio show he was listening to suddenly combined to make me so crazed, dizzy and nauseous from the pain that I had to run (not walk!) out of the bedroom. I have never had that kind of auditory amperage happen so quickly before, and I totally freaked out the hubby, not to mention myself.
I went from relaxed reading to crazed near-crying pain in under 10 seconds. Anyone else ever had that happen?
Normally, I'd say my hearing isn't terribly great. I blame it on lots of ear infections from an early age, and because of clenching my teeth from pain over the last decade. I usually have to turn the TV up pretty loud to follow dialogue, and I still have to ask way too often, "What did they say?" So being hyper-sensitive to sounds is a rare thing for me. Not unheard of, but rare. However, last night's episode hit so suddenly, and was so overwhelming, it scared the crap out of me. Even with earplugs, the sensitivity lasted most of the night. It was literally as though an unseen hand suddenly cranked up the volume control in my head and left it up all night. I was afraid to fall asleep, because the pain from the sound had me clenching so badly that I didn't want to wake up with a bruised jaw.
I've had very little sense of smell for a long while now, although I will often be overcome with strong scents. My olfactory reaction, even to negative smells, isn't interpreted as "painful" however. More pleasant/unpleasant. However, today I had several of the overwhelmingly "unpleasant" experiences, as though that sense was also suddenly running in hyper-aware mode.
I'm wondering if it might be a function of fibro? First our sense of touch/pressure goes out of whack, then all the other senses (hearing/sight/scent/taste . . . blanking on if there are other senses?) go all to hell? As though all the control knobs suddenly become much more sensitive to tiny changes. Does that make sense?
Who else has had this kind of thing happen, and to which senses?
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3:17 pm - Gah!
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I thought this past weekend was Labor Day weekend. I really need to start actually paying attention to the calendar, instead of just trying to figure out what day of the week it is, versus the date. Not that it matters, really. The hubby worked this weekend, and I'm sure he'll find some reason to work next weekend, too.
August brought so much crappy news that I really thought I was done for this month. But no. Found out Friday that my primary doctor (whom I adore) is no longer at the clinic I used to go to. The clinic (which she and her husband started) was sold to another company earlier this year, but she stayed on. However, that company apparently sold it, and so now all I can get is an answering machine message (with no real info) that just tells me the clinic is closed. WTF?!?
Considering that my beloved pain doctor just moved to Texas earlier in the month, I'm plain discombobulated. How could I lose both my doctors in one month? I spent the weekend in denial about it, and today's mail delivered a postcard from the new doctor who purchased the clinic. So for once denial actually had a productive outcome. It seems the new doctor is a CA girl, so I'm willing to give her a chance. If someone would actually answer the phone at the new clinic, that is.
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| Wednesday, August 25th, 2004
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3:20 pm - It's come down to this
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I'm hiding out from a bunch of 8 year olds. I took the puppy out front for her "neighborhood" time, and after a half an hour of loves and licks for all the girls, I mentioned that I had to go inside and make some calls and go grocery shopping. Apparently, 3 of the 8 girls were on their way to Albertsons with their moms, and couldn't wait to see me there!
Yeah, you got it. It's almost 3:00 now. I'm not leaving this house until at least 4:00. Because I feel brain dead and sleepy and not up to making small talk with adults I barely know. Luckily, talking to the kids doesn't take much mental energy, just physical energy. But I can't stop yawning. And somehow I doubt a cappuccino will even put a dent in this snooziness.
Oh! I had my sleep study done Monday night. I was anxious about it, but it turned out fine. The company leases the wing of local, very nice hotel, and you have your own suite. Due to a paperwork snafu, they didn't get me wired up til almost midnight, but I and another lady had an impromptu pajama party while we waited so it was kinda fun. I was totally sure I wouldn't sleep a wink, but instead I zonked out for the entire night. I think my body was grateful for the lack of puppy and cat interruptions. However, preliminary reports the morning after revealed that I never hit REM sleep all night, much to the puzzlement of the techs who don't see a lot of fibromyalgia patients. Everyone else was there for sleep apnea, which I apparently don't have. Although I did get to try a cpap mask for about 15 minutes, and it was kinda cool. Not nearly as bad as the early masks, and my only bitch was that there was a strap between the eyes so I had to read one-eyed and squinty. They told me if I showed apnea signs they'd wake me up halfway thru the night and I'd get to finish the night with it on, but no mask! Just the lack of REM and probably lots of muscle spasms, as I woke up feeling like I'd been playing baseball in my sleep.
Finally, after a decade, a test that cooroborates my fibro diagnosis!
I know, I find it hard to believe too. For once I'm looking forward to my doctor's appt. next week to hear the full results.
Still, Monday night seemed to have worn me out, because I came home yesterday and snoozed all day, then barely stayed awake for Nip/Tuck. Then, all the girls were so traumatized by me being gone Monday night that I spent most of last night catering to the three of them (the cats were such freaking prima donnas!) only to fall into welcome dreamland slumber late this morning. Which the neighbor's yappy-ass terrior woke me out of by barking for at least a half an hour. Non-stop. Yapping. God, I hate that dog. So I reluctantly got up, remembered I was supposed to meet the hubby at his doctor's office in a half an hour, and actually made it on time. (Yes, the dog was still yapping merrily away as I left, despite the fact that the owners were home. In fact, he's still yapping now. Have I mentioned how much I hate that dog?!?!?)
Then, because I never see the hub during daylight hours, I made him take me to lunch. Followed by a first-day-of-school traffic jam coming home. To find that despite being gone two hours, the puppy hadn't peed in the house! Huzzah!
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