October 9, 2009

  • A Strange Day

    How to describe today?  Hmmm.  Strange is the only word that applies.  It got warm today, which was strange all by itself.  It also explains why I woke up all sweaty and headed for the shower first thing.  I couldn't stand the stale smell which I am sure you understand. 

    So I took my shower and got dressed.  Blue jeans.  Tangerine short-sleeved pullover and .... a bra!    It's a new one I bought that has a front connection.  I love those.  Better than trying to get both hands in back (with one shoulder that is always sore) trying to put the hooks in the right spot.  What surprised me was the size I had to buy.  Looks like I'd better start watching what I am eating.  I've developed a bustline.  No more rolling these babies up and stuffing them in the cups.    Now I am grabbing the sides to make sure they get into the bra correctly.

    I also threw out all my size 4 underwear.  They were biting into me so it was time for them to go.  The small, highly padded old bras went the same way.  I've put on almost 50 lbs now from when I originally bought those.  Went from 80 lbs. up to almost 130 now.  I guess it's safe to say that I have recovered well from my illnesses.    When I found out I had to buy size 6 jeans just to be able to breathe, I knew then it was time to do some cleaning out of old stuff.  I even had to throw out some of my favorite jammies because the tops no longer fit me.  I did, however, keep some of the bottoms since I can wear those with t-shirts.  Most of them were a kind of generous size small. 

    I worked a little more on the top of the baby's pajamas.  I could finish it off quickly but I am taking my time so it comes out nice and comfy.  I also have to admit another thing.  I have to go out and pick up some more of the material anyway because I seem to have either misplaced or reused the material for part of the pattern.  It's the part between the bodice and the ruffle.  *sigh*  I guess doing my own thing wasn't really the smartest thing without making sure all my cut pieces were securely in a stack in one place.  This sewing again is going to take a few adjustments on my part.  *sigh* 

    Cinderella called to talk to the Beast about her air conditioning in her condo.  It seems some young turk working for the service company they use tried to tell her she needed to replace both parts because *they don't match*.  Sheesh.  Not only is it obvious that he doesn't really KNOW air conditioning but it also tells you that his company pays him a commission for new units.  He would rather install new ones than clean the air handler (not a fun job) even though the Beast inspected it two years ago.  The condensing unit was replaced no more than five years ago.  The air handler was old but it was in very good shape.  Since it HAS been two years since the Beast looked at the air handler, he gave her the name of a guy in Ft. Lauderdale that knows his shit and will give her an honest opinion.  Because of ties they both have there, he also knows the guy won't overcharge her for that either.  Why is it that people think all old people that own homes or condos are made out of money? 

    It's like our car insurance slowly creeping up.  Not enough that I think they are required to notify us but still.....  It's bad enough that our license plates are costing us over $100 to renew since our vehicles are fairly new.  The cost goes down as the vehicles age.  No wonder a lot of people hate to buy a new car or truck.  Sheesh.  When you think about all the different things you HAVE to pay for (car and homeowners insurance, license plates, real estate taxes) plus the monthly bills you can't get away from....electric, water, garbage, health insurance, mortgage (if you have one), the costs just keep adding up.  Add groceries every week, milk probably every other day if you are milk drinkers like we are, gas for your car (oil, anti-freeze, oil filter, air cleaner...those pesky maintenance items that you also have to cover).  Then add onto those costs a movie on occasion.  Craft items if you have a hobby.  The occasional gift here and there.  Some cash sent to the grandkids on birthdays and holidays?  Christmas gifts.  Doctors visits or co-pays.  If you have a pet, vet bills and pet food.  The list is endless really.  And how about a vacation or at least a get-away once in a while?

    I have no idea how or why I started thinking about all this stuff.  It happened somewhere around the time I started making the Beast and I some dinner.  It continued as I worked on the ruffle for the bottom of the pajama top and then through my search for the missing piece of the top.  I'm glad we don't think too much about all this stuff or we would probably have to be put on Prozac.  We are luckier than most that our income is just about adequate to allow us to do what we want AND for the Beast to indulge himself as often as he does.

    I really feel badly for people who are struggling to make ends meet.  For all the people my age and older that I see still working; not because they want to work but because they have to work to pay their bills.  It's one thing when you are young and raising a family.  It's quite another when you have worked all your life.  You would think that a country as great as ours would be able to give us a bit of a break other than medicare (which, in actuality, we paid for like it was an annuity insurance policy our whole working life) and social security checks based on our five top earning years...as long as those occurred within 10 years of retiring.  At least I think that is what the lady at the Social Security office said to me.  It was tough getting straight answers to a lot of questions I asked.  What more can you expect from civil servants?  I guess they are a product of their training.  They were nice but too busy to be informative.  Heck, too busy almost to listen.

    I guess that's enough of my bitching for today.  I was just in a strange mood.  I'm glad Buttmunch didn't try to call me today because I really didn't even feel like talking to the Beast who is here.  Do you ever get that way?  It's not a depression per se.  It's more like one of those times you start to think about all the things you cannot change.  I try not to worry about the things I cannot control.  They say that you should use your vote to let your senators and representatives know how you feel about different issues but I'm a realist.  I know those people live in a totally different world that is insulated from every day issues that you and I face.  Most of them are wealthy and will remain that way.  They have no idea what it is to struggle.  Heck, for most of them, a struggle would be going without a housekeeper for a week.

    Anyway, I do love you all.  I wish you a wonderful and happy day.  Be sure to share your smiles today and see how it spreads.