WITNESSED MY SECOND ALMOST FATAL ACCIDENT

There must be something going on in the world.  Today I saw a man walk across the street against the light.  Then a truck drove along and almost hit him.  Well, the man was in the crosswalk on a green light.  I am not sure the truck driver saw him.  The truck screeched to a halt and the man walking yelled at the truck driver.  The truck driver yelled back "what are you doing walking across the street on a green light? I almost hit you!"  The man walking cursed at him and continued walking. 

This is the second almost fatal accident I witnessed in 24 hours.  I don't know what is going on.  Whatever it is, I don't like it.  It is horrible.  Not only is it scary and dangerous but people need to be  kinder and more compassionate toward each other.  All this aggression is not healthy. 

Until tomorrow...

RUNNING A RED LIGHT

Today I was on a bus when  car ran a red light.  The guy didn't even slow down.  The bus driver swerved and yelled out the window.  The guy in the car yelled back.  We were all thankful we didn't hit the car.

I took Happi and Lucky to the vet today to get their boost shot for the flu shot.  They also got their nails done.  The vet's office was running behind and we had to wait a long time.  It is always hard to wait at the vet's office. Dog's don't understand that they have to wait.

Until tomorrow...

ECZEMA

I have itchy legs.  I get them on and off.  When they itch, it drives me crazy.  I even had a dream that I scratched so much that I scratched down to the bone.  I have scratched so much that I bleed.  I was told I have a form of eczema.  I have to keep lotion on my legs now.  I hate lotion but I hate itchy skin more. 

I also have a itchy scalp.  I am unable to put lotion on my scalp when it gets itchy.  I just have to wait for it to stop itching.  I think it is eczema too.  It drives me crazy. 

Until tomorrow...

SUNNY

Today was the day that Sunny the bird needed to go to the bird store and get his "pedicure". He goes about every 6 weeks to get his wings clipped so he can't fly. He gets his nails trimmed because he can't cut his own nails! He also gets a special treatment that he doesn't like at all. He gets his beak trimmed. Sunny has an overgrown beak where his bottom beak grows over his top beak. It makes it hard for him to eat.

When he gets his beak trimmed he screams. The guy has to wrap him in a towel like a burrito then he uses a nail trimmer to cut his lower beak. Sometimes it bleeds. The guy uses a special thing to stop the bleeding. Sunny screams this piercing sound and I can't stand it. I know trimming his beak has to happen but I hate it and I know he does too. Then the guy cuts his toe nails and wings. Today the guy cut his beak really low because it had grown very long.

When we get home Sunny does not speak for the rest of the day. I can't tell if he is mad or it hurts or he is pouting. But not a peep comes from that cage until tomorrow morning.

Until tomorrow...

TAXES WITH PREPARER

I am so relieved. My tax information is with my tax preparer. That long involved task is over. Two days of sitting in front of a computer and digging up papers from the last year is complete.

Now I just sit back and wait for the answer. Do I owe or get money back? What am I saying? I never get money back like in my pocket. I always roll it over to my estimated taxes for the next year so I never see it or hold it.

It is always great to get money back cause then I don't have to pay as much estimated taxes during the year which means more money in my pocket during the year.

Well it is over and I just cleaned up my living room and put it all away. I boxed up my 2017 tax stuff. I relabeled my folders to say 2018 for this year.  I need a nap!

Until tomorrow...

WORKING WITH AN OLD FRIEND

One of my clients needed an attorney to do some work. I suggested an attorney I working with a number of years ago who I have kept in touch with. I called him before referring him and he was excited to think we would work together again.

Today I found out the client chose his firm and he and I will be working together again.

I have my tax preparer meeting tomorrow morning.  I am ready!

Until tomorrow...

BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO

Today I waited around for the electric company to show up for the 8 am-12 pm appointment window.  The guy called at 10:30 to say he may not need to come at all but since I insisted he said he would not come during the 8-12 window.  He didn't need me to be there and would leave me a message. 

I need the box around my electric meter to be replaced.  It is old and rusted out.  I thought when the electric company came years ago, they told me the electric company did this process. 

Well, the guy informed me no they do not.  I have to call an electrician to come and replace the box.  I have to call and get this scheduled. 

Meanwhile I went to see my doctor for my 3 months check and he was happy to tell me he was leaving his practice to move to another practice.  He will still take me and my insurance along with him.  Yippee!  They are only moving across the street funny enough into the suite where my old RA doctor used to be.   He is older than me but he had kids late in life so he can't retire anytime soon. (His words not mine)

At my check up my costochondritis is doing better.  I am still fatigued so he wants to do some blood work.  I am having this weird issue of kind of vertigo.  It is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).  When I lay down and turn my head I get a type of vertigo.  I also get it when I go from laying down to standing up.  I also have ringing in my ears.  I also have a bit of hearing issues that I didn't notice until yesterday.  

I found that it really bothered me when I was watching Black Panther in 3D.  There were some scenes where it was like I was on a roller coaster (in 3D) and I go really dizzy and almost felt like I was going to be sick.  I just had to close my eyes!   When I told my doctor he suggested that until this goes away that 3D movies would not be the best thing to attend.  He also said flying could be a problem.  He said I might get dizzy and vomit.  Great!  I guess roller coasters are out!  

Overall it doesn't bother me too much now that I am used to it.  It is just that first second when I am laying down and I forget and turn over and my brain gets vertigo.  It is such a weird feeling.  Then I know what to expect and it goes away in a few seconds.  When I stand up during the night, I just make sure I am holding on to the bed so I don't fall over.  At the beginning it was like I was being spun around for 20 revolutions and then being asked to walk.  I would walk into things and walk in the wrong direction I was so dizzy. I had a few bruises from walking into the door frame.

It just shows how you can get used to anything.  

Until tomorrow...

CUTE DOG PHOTO

Okay I love to talk about my dogs.  I know it gets annoying but they are my fur babies.

This has to be the cutest photo of Lucky in a long time.  I can't take credit for it.  Lucky's dog walker took the photo today when they went to the beach.

Isn't she adorable?  So photogenic.

Happy 20th birthday to my nephew K!!

Until tomorrow...

COLD

It was so cold yesterday morning.  Very cold.  Okay not Alaska cold or Siberia cold but cold for the West Coast.  It was this cold:

This is really cold for where I live.  This was at 6:15 am.  I am sure it was colder at 3 am.  I kept hearing my heat come on and off all night and I have it set at 60 degrees.

We are not made for this cold.  We don't have insulation or double-pained windows.  We don't have thermal coats or good heat.  We rarely get days like this.  Just like we rarely get days 100 degrees or above so we don't have air conditioning.   We just suffer through when it gets that hot.  

I am hoping for warmer weather.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY

I did it.  I finished my tax prep.  It took two continuous days but I did it.  My eyes are tired from staring at a computer screen and at little numbers.  I am just happy it is over for another year.

Shout out to my brother who helped me figure out the square footage of my office.  I moved rooms since my last tax season so I had to figure that out.  What do I know about square footage?  Know I know that my office is 9% of my home.  It is still a mess, a 9% mess.

This morning before sitting down to spend hours on my taxes, I had a garage door company come over to see my garage door.  The bottom panel has been rotting from a combination of dog's peeing and rain.  The guy came and told me I didn't need to replace the whole door because it is in good shape.  He can replace only the panel.  Then he said he would replace the metal wheels with silicone and that would make it much quieter.  He is also going to lube the whole thing.  It should be quieter when he is done.

Now I just want to sit back and watch mindless TV.

Until tomorrow...

TAX PREP AND DOG PARTY

Today I started my tax prep for 2017.  I have my tax meeting with my new tax preparer.  My old tax preparer for the last 20 odd years suddenly got sick and retired.  It is very sad.  I had to quickly find a new person in January.

I called one person who wanted to charge $600.  Yikes.  Then my retired preparer contacted me with a referral.  She is nice and reasonable.  I will try her out this year.

My neighbor had a puppy party and invited us over.  We went over for about 1 hour.  Happi and Lucky had a good time mingling with the other dogs.  There were dogs of all sizes.  The big dogs were rough housing.  Happi wanted to get in the middle but I was worried she would get hurt.  Lucky was just running around the perimeter trying to stay away from everyone.  It is good for them to socialize and for neighbors to see them in a good light.  On a leash they are very protective and not friendly to other dogs.

Until tomorrow...

BLACK PANTHER

I decided it was time to call and get the ball moving for the impending house painting.  I called the garage door people and made an appointment.  Then I called the electric company to have them come out and replace my electric box.  Years ago they came to replace it and found out it is painted to the side of the house.  To remove it, they will have to scrape it off.  That will leave a gaping hole.  They said to call close to when I am painting the house to it can be fixed quickly.  Well, that day has arrived.

I can get them to take off the ugly old rusty box and give me a new box.

Then I went to see Black Panther.  It was so great!  I loved it.  I stayed wide awake.  I can't wait to see it again.  There were so many strong women.  Go see it!!

Until tomorrow...

ROAD RAGE

I was driving to my gig today and some guy in a truck starting following me real close. All the cars were going the same speed in traffic. He finally went around me and got in front of me and slammed on his brakes.  I was ready and had left a bunch of room between him and me.  He gave me that finger and started gesturing that drive next to him.

No way was I going to drive next to him.  Was he going to yell at me?  Shoot me?  I was not going to find out.  For about 3 minutes he kept gesturing for me to pull up next to him, then he drove off when the traffic lightened up.

It sort of set me off for the day.

Until tomorrow...

OLYMPICS

The Olympics has been on for almost a week now and I have to say I have not been watching it very much.  I am actually surprised because normally I love watching the Olympics.  This year I don't know what it is.  I am just not that interested. 

I have been watching specific events that I like through my Roku.  Through the Roku I can see a specific event and fast forward through that event to the part I want to see.  Today I watched Shaun White in the snowboarding event and only watched the snowboarding and not all the commentary and standing around.  It made it quite enjoyable.  The Roku also has clips of the most fascinating items.  I saw a skater when he won his event.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY...

Today is Valentine's Day.  I was having a relaxing day and then there was a school shooting.  Another school shooting.  In the same town where my cousin lives with her family.  I was on the phone with someone when the Breaking News came on TV stating there was a school shooting in Parkland FL.  I hung up on the person and texted my cousin.  I was told everyone was okay and it was not their school.  The feeling of relief was mixed with the feeling of sadness for the families who were hearing that their family was not okay.

People were asking me what I was doing today for Valentine's Day.  I am not in a mood to do anything anymore.  I am just glad my family is okay.  I am sad for those families who are not.

Until tomorrow...

OLYMIPCS

I have always loved watching the Olympics.  The opening ceremonies, the stories about the athletes, the different events.  During the Winter Olympics I love to watch curling.  Don't ask why.  I just find it fascinating.  I feel like it was invented by people who were drinking a lot of alcohol in a very cold place. 

This year the Olympics is being shown on Roku so I can watch individual events without commercials.  I can also watch the events live.  I can also watch previous events.  I have been scrolling through events and watching them when I want to.  So easy since I can't stand watching the NBC coverage where they skip around from event to event over a 3 hour show.  I just want to watch the alpine skiing event and nothing else.  Or a specific curling match. 

It has made the Olympics enjoyable.

Until tomorrow...

DIDN'T GET THE GIG

I got an email today that I did not get the gig I interviewed for on Friday.  I had mixed feelings about it. I am not sure I wanted the gig after the interview. I am already pretty busy and it is time to do my taxes. I also have things I should be getting done and I am not.

But then the other part of me says, it is work and it is money, do it. Even if it will be hard or boring or chaotic or super short-term, how bad could it be?  It would be a learning experience so do it.

Since they don't need me, I am of the hook from making a decision. I can spend my time doing my taxes or cleaning my office.

Until tomorrow...

DINNER PARTY

Today I had some friends over for a dinner party.  It is actually my first dinner party for many years, definitely since I have been single.  I got out my good china (from my wedding) and my grandmother's silver.  We used my step-grandmother's wine glasses.  I think the table looked pretty good.

I cooked Cheesy Lentil Bolognese Casserole, Brussels sprouts with Toasted Hazelnuts and mixed salad.  For dessert I served Whoopie Pies and homemade banana bread.  The guys said it was good and filling.

I had a good time and I hope the guys did too.  I am already planning my next dinner party.  I would make it earlier and maybe play a game or something after dinner.  Maybe paella next time.  This house is beginning to feel alive again.

Until tomorrow...

QE

I started watching Queer Eye on Netflix.  It is a remake of the show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.  I was skeptical that it would be as good as the original show.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I enjoyed the show very much.  I laughed. I cried.

I think they did a wonderful job with this remake.

My neighbor came by with a box of whoopie pies.  They were at the store and bought me a box.  Wasn't that nice?

Until tomorrow...

WHOOPIE PIE SEARCH

I went to my neighbor's home last week and had these really great whoopie pies.  They told me where they bought them.  I went to the store and searched for 20 minutes with store assistance.  Nothing.  I could not find them.   I came home empty handed.  I was going to serve them on Sunday night at my dinner party.  No luck.

Until tomorrow...

HOUSE PAINTED

I had a house painter come by to look at the house today.  The outside of the house desperately needs a painting.  He agreed and said he could do it this spring.  Since the weather has been so unusual he can't schedule right now because it might rain.  We hope it will rain. 

He will send me a few dates for a date a couple of months from now.  I am excited to get this done.  I also need to get a new garage door and call the electric company to get a new box installed.

Until tomorrow...

NEW GIG?

Out of the blue today I got a call from a colleague of a friend asking if I wanted more work.  Heck yeah!  It would be a short term gig until they hire someone but hey!  I will take it.  I have things I need to get done like painting my house and this would be great in helping pay for it.

I think in all my years as a consultant I have only turned down one gig and that was because I had just gotten my foster child and could not work.

I will find out in a few days.  Wish me luck.

Until tomorrow...

ALTERED CARBON

Over the weekend and today I watched a Netflix series called Altered Carbon.  It is a story about a guy who wakes up after being on ice for 250 years to find out he has the body of another person and to get his life back he has to solve a murder. 

At the beginning I was horribly confused but then as the episodes continued, I got hooked.  It was one of those series that sneaks up on you and you are dying to know whodunnit.  I am curious if they will do a second season and how they would write a story.

It was an entertaining way to spend some time.

Until tomorrow...

SQUASH, MUSHROOM, AND KALE SOUP WITH DILL

I made soup tonight.  It is Squash, Mushroom, and Kale soup with Dill.  I didn't get to eat it tonight because it was too late but it will taste delicious tomorrow.  I had leftover chili and corn bread to eat tonight.

It is gonna be delicious tomorrow!

Until tomorrow...

SUPERBOWL FOOD

I had my friend H over for the Superbowl. He came with food!  He brought vegan chili, cornbread, and avocados.  After the chili we had pumpkin spice cheesecake.  It was so much food.  But good food.  I have leftovers for tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

CAR WASH

My friend's kid came over and washed my car today.  It is so sparkly and shiny.  It looks great.  He did a good job.

Then my gardener came over and cleared out my backyard.  If you can't tell we had really good weather this weekend so everyone was outside.

Until tomorrow...

FLU SHOT DAY

Today was flu shot day for Happi and Lucky.  We all got up at 6am to get to the Vet by 7 am.  They were troopers and went in and got their shots.  Lucky also got her nails trimmed.  Both dogs lost more weight.  Lucky is getting svelte with all this activity with her walking group.  I am not sure why Happi is losing weight other than I am not home as much so she is not getting as many snacks. Snacks in my home are really their regular kibble.  They rarely get actual dog treats because they are high in calories and many of them make their tummies upset.

In three weeks they need to go back for a booster shot. 

Lucky with her group at the beach

Until tomorrow...

FAMILY FAIR

I went to a foster/adopt family fair today.  It is where there are profiles of kids available for adoption.  It was my first fair since last year and I was happy I went.  I didn't see any kids I was interested in but I was happy I was there.

It was a big step to start looking at kid profiles again.  I didn't stay long and saw some folks I haven't seen in a long time.  Some social workers recognized my name but I guess that is what happens when you have been doing this process as long as I have.

Until tomorrow...