Saturday I realized I hadn't posted on this blog for six days. As far as I know only one reader missed me and actually seemed concerned about me. That tells you something about my readership numbers.
Almost two full days last week were spent transporting an elderly relative to doctors for pre-operation appointments for cataract surgery. Even though it took a great deal of time away from work, I must say the clinic was quite efficient, and there was minimal waiting in all of the many offices we needed to visit. There were two things I was most grateful for:
1. The clinic has a valet parking service and it saved me at least 15 minutes of time and heaps of trouble in getting my relative out of the car, into a wheel chair, wheeling her into the lobby, going back to the car, finding a parking space, walking back to the clinic lobby and getting her to the appointment on time. The fellows working at the valet area were wonderfully kind.
2. Despite the mild irritation of being asked the same questions (name, birthday, address, phone number, reason we're there) at every single office, knowing full well they had all the answers right in front of them on the computer screen, I appreciate a business where quality control is or appears to be a priority. Every office seemed to have a verification protocol of checking, double-checking, and triple-checking. When you see this in the pre-op stages, you perhaps can feel a bit more confident that the surgery will be performed on the correct body part on the correct person.
The surgery is this week so there will be more absences from work and this blog.
I spent my weekend hauling things out of some unheated attic areas with the intention of installing additional insulation there. This is a 100+ year old home and these little cubby-holes were the only areas still in need of more energy efficiency. Stored in the attics were items left from the previous owner and remainder items from construction renovations over the past 50 years.
Boxes of ceramic tiles of green, pink, gray, and white and excess vinyl floor tile were toted to the basement as was at least 50 feet of wood mouldings and a 36 inch, 8 foot tall solid wood door that must have come from some opening that has since been enclosed. Under some old yellowed newspapers, I found six stained glass windows, still in fairly good condition, that had originally been located in the windows of the main staircase landing. Hopefully I can get them reconditioned and find a place to display them. I like saving original parts of the house and construction left-overs because you never know when you might need to repair something and it is handy to have a perfect match.
I did discover a man had been living in one of the spaces for over 40 years. At five feet tall, he was a chubby fellow despite not having food for all that time. He had a smile on his face which lit up when I stuck his plug in.
From Sunday Stealing:
26. Do you like someone?
I like almost everyone, except politicians and bureaucrats.
27. The last song you listened to?
28. What time of day were you born?
I don't know, but I remember it was foggy on the drive to the hospital.
29. What’s your favorite number?
6345789
30. Where did you live in 1987?
in a house
31. Are you jealous of anyone?
Never.
32. Is anyone jealous of you?
I hope not. I don't have anything they should be jealous of.
33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
at my office
34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
I don't put money into any slot machines.
35. Do you consider yourself kind?
I let others decide that about me.
36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
I'm not into self-mutilation.
37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
It wouldn't be practical, but it would be Svenske.
38. Would you move for the person you loved?
I always move out of the big cozy chair so he can watch TV in comfort.
39. Are you touchy feely?
Only when I'm alone
40. What’s your life motto?
Do it now.
41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
contact lenses, hair, open mind
42. What’s your favourite town/city?
I'm a country girl. I don't like cities.
43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
Dinner last night
44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Friday at the office, and for you who owe me money, you'll be receiving it tomorrow.
45. Can you change the oil on a car?
Never tried, but I could probably figure out how to do it.
46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
He converted from Methodist to Judaism.
47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?
Back to the 1400's, when my great-great-something-grandfather loaned Johnny Gutenberg some money for his silly invention.
48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
Older daughter's wedding, but I didn't wear one of those stinkin' mother-of-the-bride dresses. It was a blue velvet off the shoulders full skirt cocktail dress that I had in my closet for 15 years. It still had the tags on it. I bought it at a bargain sale price of $25 and I knew I'd find an occasion to wear it someday.
49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
No, but it should. I climbed up and down six flights of stairs at least 25 times yesterday carrying things out of the attic and into the basement.
50. Have you been burned by love?
Yep, a hunk a hunk of burning love.
Is it rock? Is it jazz? Is it alternative? The best rock band with flute soloist.
From Sunday Stealing:
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I can't get used to the shorter hair.
2. How much cash do you have on you?
none
3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
(You don't need to shout.) POOR, PORE, POUR
4. Favorite planet?
Caprica
American really like their beverages.
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| 1926, at age 24, with her first child (my mother). |
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| 1952 (at age 50) with her first grand-child (me). |
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| At age 81, in 1983 with her great-grand-child (my oldest daughter). |
