Musings on a Small Life

 Morning sky on Tuesday It's another slog through the work week for me. I confess that my mood hasn't been the best since the spring. I've been consistently crabby and sometimes quite low, which isn't like me. (A few days now and then, yes, but every single day--no.) I've worked hard over the past several years to consciously alter my mindset, given my past history with depression, but I feel I've back-slid over the past few months. I suspect it's a combination of factors: All the work changes (change of direct boss and all that comes with it, change of top boss, a new assistant director for our sub-unit who starts on September 4th, etc.) The lack of walking since the spring, because of the plantar fasciitis (both feet)--walking is my mental therapy and I miss it greatly, never mind all the extra weight I've gained on top of my already overweight middle-aged body. The up and down middle-aged hormones--the hormonal impact on mood is tremendou...

The sun this morning, fuzzy but still amazing The revolving door isn't in our office today; we just got notice that another AVP has left suddenly, effective this past Wednesday. No idea whether that was voluntary or involuntary. I knew the person to say hi and make idle chitchat; some years ago that person and their staff shared this suite with us. Gees, it's a revolving door around this organization. Oh, I knew there was something I meant to post yesterday but forgot about, which is rather appropriate given what happened. I keep a reusable water bottle by my bedside at night, as I take meds first thing in the morning when I wake up. On Wednesday morning I woke, no water bottle. No big deal, I realized I had left it on the bathroom counter, where it sits (empty and drying out) during the days. So I got up and shuffled to the bathroom, found the water bottle, but no lid. No lid anywhere, in fact. No lid stored in the bathroom cabinet, or under the vanity s...

Lots of thoughts spinning through my brain these days, most of them related to significant work changes coming shortly, in a year that's already been filled with major changes. Morning sky today. However, much as I'd like to write about what's going on and express what I'm truly thinking and feeling, I'll wisely refrain in an online venue. Let's just say that while I'm very thankful for the good job, I'm also deeply envious of two of my co-workers' financial freedom to retire early at any time they choose. Instead, I'll post a few pics of a brown tabby I saw yesterday while walking home--he went zooming by me at top speed, running from something, till coming to a sudden stop and plopping down on what I assumed was his walkway.  He was sporting a purple collar and tags, but does anyone know what that black device is? One of the homes I walked past has a glorious mass of Roses of Sharon all along the side of their prop...

The boys had a prolonged and vigorous tussle on the back step yesterday evening. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pics from inside, through the patio door. I swear I clean that door every couple of days! Looks like I need to do it again.  :-D Some kitty named Derry started it!  I love his expression: "What are you looking at?!" Or maybe it's "Move along, nothing to see here."      Don't start what you can't finish, Derry!     I always keep an eye on Nicki's tail (the state of pouf), and usually will intervene once the tussle looks like it's getting a bit out of hand, or in this case, out of paw.  Yeah, knock it off, boys. Happy Tuesday, folks! Tussle responsibly! Peace.

Okay, that's a stretch, but close! Several years ago I had that QuietRock drywall installed over the existing drywall, on the entire adjoining wall. Part of that entailed having to remove the hall closet bi-fold door, and I've yet to replace it. (It's not the cost of the door itself, it's that the delivery charge would at least double the cost of the door, along with the matter of finding someone who can shave it down 5/8" to fit the space with the added layer of drywall.) Anyway, recently I've seen a couple of units in our complex up for sale with curtains hung for hall closet doors. Seriously. (Okay, I'd make sure the door was replaced before I put my own unit up for sale, unless there was a reason I had to sell quickly.) So I thought, well, why not? I can do the same for a short to medium term fix until I'm able to get a real door installed. Enter ApartmentTherapy.com , my new, absolute favourite web site. They have great articles and idea...

Okay, I'm not really a shopaholic, and my budget doesn't allow for anything high end, but I certainly can't pass up a half-price sale at Value Village! I went yesterday (Sunday) for their pre-50% off sale (for "members"), with the public sale being today. I had an awesome thrift-store jaunt! Two cardigans One fleece pullover One zip-up light "jacket" for indoor or outdoor wear (the navy, far left on the couch) One homemade tote bag (far right, back of couch) Two pretty scarves Nine tops (mostly long-sleeved, one was short-sleeved), one of which I knew would be touch and go for fit and did turn out to be too tight for my fat muscular upper arms One pair of pj bottoms Two pretty floral mugs One brushed nickel over-the-door rack (being used in my bedroom now) Two nice wicker baskets (OMC, I need a basket intervention!) The baskets and the door rack were not on sale, being "housewares", but everything else was 50% off. ...

When did banks change their interest charge policy on credit card balances? Probably decades ago, I just never read the updated terms and conditions, because who can read that tiny-print gobbledy gook anyway? Anyhow, I'd paid off most of my July credit card balance (haven't carried a balance owing since I refinanced the house a year and a half ago, this was the first time), but found out that they charge interest on the FULL amount, regardless of the amount paid, not on the remaining balance. Boy, I was annoyed with myself and p*ssed off at banks in general. So I called them first thing this morning to clarify their policy and we chatted (missed the woman's name, but I was cheerful and polite) and we went through it, she explained it, and then said as a "goodwill" gesture they'd waive the interest. I was duly appreciative and thankful, as though they were bestowing some great gift. But...lesson learned! If I need to carry a balance again, which is very...

Maybe Nicki will tackle some of the projects around the house that have needed doing for so many years. He does like to rearrange (read topple and break) items on console tables and desks, so perhaps he'll expand his skills. Peace. (Comments are off for Wordless Wednesday.)

I was going to call this post "The Great Escape", but then thought you might worry it was Nicki or Derry (gods/fates forbid) before reading it. No, it was Louie, the store cat at the Northumberland and District Humane Society in Cobourg. (Louie had shown up on their doorstep some years ago, and has lived there since. I've posted pics of him before; these two aren't the best.) Robin and I had gone the first day I was visiting and all the volunteers were atwitter (not tweeting) about Louie having escaped only a short time ago that morning. He had been out back on his harness and leash, and part of the harness broke, which allowed him to take off, Louie on the lam. He was gone for an hour or so, with everyone frantic, worried he'd be killed on the street by a vehicle. He came back on his own, however, safe but subdued. When Robin and I were there he was out in his catio, with the access door closed. They did let him into the store while we still ...