The Adventures of Being Me

I missed excitement this week at work. My coworker was stung by a wasp, penetrating her mesh pants, during a baseball game. Unknown to her and the nurse practioner she went to later, she is allergic to wasp stings. She had blisters and swellings the size of a dinner plate on her leg the nurse practioner called an infection. Her 2nd visit by a doctor re-diagnosed it was an allegic reaction and changed her medication. After a few shots and elevating her leg for 2 days, she had recovered to arrive at work and tell me all about it. The doctor told her she is likely allergic to bee stings also, but she had never been stung to know that. I lost count when I was 8 how many times bees stung me, mostly around our swimming pool. Now she has to carry around one of those epipens in case of another bad reaction to a stinger. Post later. Bye!

It is strange that all of a sudden university students are getting vaccinated from the spreading mumps virus. Before I was allowed to set foot in a dormitory in a Wisconsin university, I had to prove I received a vaccination for mumps, measles, and rubella, plus a tetnus shot and tuberolosis test. That was 3 shots in 2 arms at the same time just to live in an university dorm room. I guess Iowa universities don't have such rules for their students. Lucky them. Post later. Bye!

My cat Precious and I visited the vet today. She got her first shot for distemper and did not make a sound when jabbed with the needle. then she got a dose of de-worming in her mouth that I get to repeatlater. She was such a good kitten. She meowed to and from the office, but that was expected. She liked being handled by the staff and was given a treat that she did not touch. The vet assistant said she will be a cuddler when she grows up and naughty. I can handle that. Though my writing career may suffer from her insistance of jumping on the keyboard. I know she just wants my attention so I just remove her. I left the kitty behind to do laundry. It was the first time she did not meow like crazy when I left. My sister went shopping so I was alone with her cats for about an hour (I have a key). Compared to my Precious kitten, her adult cats are huge. I told my sister of my kitty's habits. She likes to jump in the litter when I get ready to clean it. She likes to take naps in my lap o...

I used up the space on my camera to take shots at my new kitty. Here she is. Post later. Bye!

After going to bed, the cat had to join me. She walked around the bed, nestled by my cheek, rested on my arm, stretched out on a pillow (I have 2 sleeping pillows), and then jumped down. I could hear her drink her water and eat some food. Then she jump back on the bed. Early in the morning I heard her in the litterbox. Then later a neighbor makes some noise going in or out and Precious sits by the door meowing nonstop. I petted her and she quieted down. I went back to bed and she followed. She licked my fingers and chewed on a fingernail, I must have touched something she likes. She licked off my chapstick and told me to me get up cause she wants to play. I needed more rest. A half hour later I got up, and cooked my dinner. She meowed and followed me around. I have laser by the stove, so I used that while cooking and eating. She got on my plate, but doesn't like eggs. She cuddled up to my leg and jumped down. More laser. Finishing my food, I played on the floor with her. She likes ...

Precious came today. ertz Mfriend had her under her jacket when she knocked on the door. She liked my doorknob hanger that has a gray tabby aying Attack Cat On Duty. She said her younger son wanted this kitten to go to me because he loved her. I had to ask f he meant the kitty or me. She said both. Precious is hard to describe. She is blackish and grayish with a hortizontal black stripe on her side, a tabby head Then her underside is plain tan, she has a plain black long hair (lots of brushing), yellowish eyes, and soft as brand new socks. She shook when my friend gave her to me so I let her explore the apartment. She tended to follow me when I changed rooms and sniffed every corner including the laundry basket and behind the couch. After an hour of meowing and scratching and sniffing, she jumped up on the couch and stepped across my lap. Then she snuggled against my leg and took a nap, she finally let me pet her. I scratched her cheeks and chin, she turned over onto her back to fall a...

I am almost a kitten owner. My friend is dropping by in 2 days with her kitty for me. I went shopping after work at a grocery store for litter and scooper. While I was there I found a cute brush. Now I have to figure out how to clean this dirty litterbox my sister gave me. They say use disinfectant once a month, but what kind? Then what kind of soap to clean the dust off; dish soap, laundry soap, bath soap? So I go on Petco.com for suggestions and I discover the poisetta plant I have been keeping alive since Christmas is poisonous to cats. So are dryer sheets. I have sandwich boxes for food and water until I get new ones. I also need to figure out a litter pad for the cat to wipe its paws on. Too bad Petco is not open 24 hrs. I wish my friend would have given more warning when she had to get rid of it before her husband gives away this kitty too. And I have to tell my other friend that her friend's newborn kittens can be given to other people. Since I do not have a scratching post ...

After supper, my niece kept looking outside so I took her outside. Grabbed the bottle for bubbles and placed on her jacket. She pushed at the patio chairs so I moved them to the grass. She loved exploring the yard and chased a bunny around until it broke free and hopped down the driveway. I showed my twirling with arms stretched out, swing her around to make her fly, rolling down a hill, and somersaults in the grass (forwards and backwards). She did her best copy me. Then I got on the tire swing to her delight until I knocked her off her feet. I jumped off and picked her up, she hugged me. No crying, just stunned with a red on her cheek, so we looked at people in the neighboring yards. We watched my sister's cats in the window and blew more bubbles. Then my sister came home. Since my car was blocking hers in the driveway, I gave her my keys to do her errands. She came back with a trunk full of groceries to announce she filled up my gas tank and went through the car wash for me to t...

I saw the newborn kitties yesterday. I never held newborn kitties before with eyes closed and squeaking like crazy, I hardly know what to do. I held 3 in my hand. There are 2 gray and 2 black. I couldn't decide on one cause I don't know what they will look like older. I'll decide later. My friend and her friend talked about their kids, boyfriends, exes, exes's girlfriends. Not a coversation I could join in so I listened and laughed along. So much drama that I was glad to be single, for one night. My friend said I project myself as innocent and naive 15-year-old when meeting people. Obviousoly I'm not so I have to stop doing that. On the way home, we stopped at a bar with 6 guys and 2 bartending ladies present. My friend danced around so naturally she is spoken to and asked to danced, while I was a stick in the mud twiddling my fingers nervous as can be. Though I'm unsure if it was shyness that made me do that, or just not interested in the 6 guys present. Anyway...

My friend called today to say her friend's cat had her litter of kittens today. I'm so happy. Perhaps a month or so from now I'll finally have my kitty. Post later. Bye!

I had an Eureka moment at work today. The past few weeks we have been having difficulties with a certain customer who think she can keep our car indefinately and never declare when it will be returned. I figured out the problem: a certain coworker is going outside the rules to accommdate her need for the car. Naturally when this person calls asking detailed questions, I can not answered them to their satisfaction because I am not repeating what my coworker has said. Next I know they are tiffed and letting a few naughty words slip out. They can cuss all they want cause they are not using any words I have not heard before. Finally, they get so frustrated at my silence waiting for them to shut up that they declare they will call back the next day and speak to the manager. For someone who claims to be a car rental manager at another company and president of a nonprofit organization, this person is dumb as a doornail when speaking to me. We call it playing stupid to get their way by playing...

Happy Easter to my readers. I'll be at work all day. My easter dinner will be leftover spagetti, without cheese since I ran out today. Today I almost flew away when a storm brew in. I think the umbrella I held broke from the wind, but at least it wasn't mine (my office has company umbrellas). I received a letter from an old college roommate about her new email address I get to add to the list. While reading it I realizeed I left something in my car. I pulled sweatpants over my pj's, slipped on shoes, and grabbed a coat to retrieve it. My friend loved her Easter package, especially the bunny I sent for her daughter. Post later. Bye!

Today I learned my coworker will not be in today, she has been in a car wreck. Is she alright, I ask. She is a little shook up and went to a chiropractor, but otherwise fine. The car on the other hand is not fine, but then cars can be replaced. Apparently, she had a sneezing attack, lost control of the car, and went down a ravine along a highway. She called work to call for a tow truck, then a police car stopped and offered to call one for her. I am not sure who picked her up to take her to the chiropractor. I know many people complain about their bosses, but I actually like mine. She came to fill in for my coworker (1 of the pitfalls of being a manager). She is cool. She talked about the Rob Zombie concert she attended last night with her husband, and showed me a picture of him and her dog. Then she talked about her new purple motorcycle and the Honda they put on ebay getting lots of bids. Next came the email she got from a friend containing photos of a motorcycle accident at the spee...

I don't believe this. My Mom told me she had difficulty separating my sister and I in old family pictures. Her and I have different hair colors, different eye colors, different eyebrow shapes, and different chins, I ask how do we look alike. I think Mom needs a new pair of glasses. At least she can separate my brother from us girls, but sometimes she said it is difficult because we all look so similar (Here is a clue: he is the one in the bowtie instead of a dress). Definately needs new glasses. My coworker is going to be teased mercilessly tomorrow. Yesterday he left early so he wouldn't get blown over by the strong winds accompaning the rain storm and arrive home in one piece. One coworker plans to point out that somebody washing cars was almost struck by lightening and he finished his shift. Yeah, I have driven home in blizzards, in pitch darkness, on the highways, and got home in one piece. If he just wanted to go home early, all he had to say was that wanted to go home ea...

Thinking of all the books for graduation I thought of Maria Shriver's book What I Wished I'd Known and tried to think of ideas for I wish I had learned before stepping out in the big, wide world. I highly recommend her book to anyone graduating college or high school. So here is my list: What I wish I had learned before stepping out in to the big, wide world: 1. I wish I had learned to cook my favorite dishes for party of one. Sure I cooked at home and took a foods class in high school, but for 4-6 people. By the time you finish 6 servings of macraroni and cheese you are going to be sick of it. 2. Double check the laundry to make sure darks and lights are separated. I earned a pink sheet when a red sock snuck into my whites section the first time I did laundry in college. Plus, black, red, and navy blue are the worst about bleeding. Pastels and tans are ok to wash with whites. 3. Learn to ask for help when shopping at the store. Do not be fooled by commercials where the sales c...

I went shopping today after the news said the President's Air Force One was up in the air. Apparently he was here to visit a nursing home to speak with seniors about his Medicare plan. Yeah, people in a nursing home are really going to care about his medicare plan when they are close to death's doorstep. But any visitor lifts their spirits. Next came a fundraising dinner for Iowa's governor's race that cost $250 per person to attend and if one had a spare $10,000 they could get their picture taken with the President. I noticed the news did not show coverage of people posing with the President, just him speaking at a podium. I bought my gift for my oldest niece's high school graduation. I got her a couple of cardboard dressers, photo frames, and a teddy bear with tasseled cap and diploma. People look at me strange when say my niece is graduating high school next month. Knowing my luck with men, I bet she gets married before I do. That would be depressing to be my nie...

Oh joy, the President of the Unites States is coming to town again, this is visit #4. My coworkers will be renting out all the vans for his motorcade and gawk at the secret service guys picking them up. This time there is an added bonus, streets are going to be blocked to halt traffic on the President's route from the airport. Something tells me he must be getting a lot of hate email lately. And on top of blocked streets, the government is not sharing with the public which streets will be blocked for security reasons so maybe my coworkers will not be able to show up for work to rent those vans to the secret service if they can not find which street to travel on to avoid the President. I am sure his security detail would not appreciate my coworkers zooming by his motorcade to get to work on time. Since I live near the airport and most likely need to travel on the President's route, I'll just stay home until he is long gone. Too bad I have to miss the secret service guys bec...

Why do parents torment their kids by cutting out coupons, very neatly with scissors, forcing us to lie later that we used them or worse to explain we tossed them in the waste basket? Post later. Bye!

I have a date with a friend. I was sharing an article in a magazine with my friend about what a certain habit tells about a women's sexuality. I blurted out, And what does this say about my sexuality, I ain't getting any. She replied, It says you ain't getting any. She said next, We need to getcha some. So we are going shopping tomorrow and barhopping later. Sure guys at work think of me as "one of the guys" instead of a "lady", but I am very much a woman who loves to paint her long nails, wear heels, and go shopping. I'm so excited I think I'll buy some blue nail polish I have been wanting to get for a while. Post later. Bye!

I finally made it to the Animal Shelter Volunteer Orientation today. I got some literature on the pets they carry; ferrets, rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, fish, birds, iguanas, cats, dogs, along with the rare exotic pet like a tarantula, snake, cougar, or Siberan tiger cub. Once a guy found a rattlesnake in some wood he received from Texas, and that was released in the wild away from the city since it was wild to begin with. Another tale told was of 41 roosters brought over after a drug bust that were trained as cockfighters (meaning the roosters fight each other until one is dead, which is a game illegal in this country) and the staff could not go near them and were all put asleep. I also discovered this is a euthanizing pet shelter. They explained those no-kill shelters proudly advertising they don't kill any animals they take in, actually dump their excess animals in euthanizing shelters who in turn must exterminate their animals waiting for adoption to make room for th...

I have received a reply from publisher #6. They reached their quota for unsolicited story ideas and returned everything to me unread. How nice, they could have just used the SASE I sent to mail their response instead of making me waste a stamp. And how nice to have my idea rejected before they even know what it is. People say not to give up after every rejection (while others think I'm stupid for trying), but why keep going? Post later. Bye!

My Mom called to inform me that she bought me an early birthday present (my birthday is in September), a new table for my dining room. It is made of wood and folds up for easy transportation, with some viynl on it. I can't wait to see what it looks like. Unfortunately, she didn't get any chairs for it. Chairs might be important if someone does not wish to sit on the floor to eat off the table. She didn't like the chairs she saw in the store, too uncomfortable and expensive for her tastes. I assured her I can get some cheap lawn chairs to go with it, after I see what it looks like. Why do gifts have to cost me so much money? Post later. Bye!

With friends like mine, whose needs enemies. A while ago a friend offered a kitten to me from her pregnant cat, due about Christmastime. Christmas comes and goes along with Valentine's Day to have finally see the kittens born late February. Since I was offered a kitten while everyone asked for one after mine was offered, my friend said I get first pick. She brings the kittens last week and I pick one out. This week I am told my kitten was given away to a friend of her son's because her husband is itchy to get rid of the kitties so they are handing them out left and right. So now since all but one is claimed, I get to have soon the kitten nobody wants. That is if it is still there my next day off. How nice. And I am not ready to take it yet, even better. Then on top of that the drug companies discontinued 3 medicines I take regualrly. I spent an hour on a medicine website I use trying to find replacement medication. Now all I have to do is pray these work as well as the disconti...

I keep trying to get my fairytale published to wear down from exhausting rejection from book publishers. Now after soul searching if I really want to continue perusing my dream, and of course the answer is yes I want to become an author. I decided to change course and typing up my query letter for a literary agent. Maybe this time I will catch someone's attention, or least get feedback. It is very hard to know what is wrong with my story without any feedback whatsoever. I also took the plastic off my windows and breathed the fresh warm air. I have to tell my brother the suction cup thermometer he got me for Christmas falls off so I used packaging tape to make it stick to the outside window. I have to call maintainence tomorrow and have them put my balcony light back on. I guess when they put on new siding, they removed the light and left it in the middle of my balcony. I wrote to my sponsered sister in Afghanistan. I skipped a letter last month because I was so busy getting ready f...

I found these sayings in my volunteer newsletter: You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. Beverly Sills If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven't been to bed with a mosquito. Anita Roddick Parents need to fill a child's bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can't poke enough holes to drain it dry. Alvin Price The best way to forget your own problems is to help someone solve theirs. If there is no wind, row. You never saw a fish on the wall with its mouth shut. I rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. Alexander the Great The outcome of any war is not determined as much by the opposing enemies, but more by those who remain indifferent and do nothing. Jordan Harvey Post later. Bye!

Whenever I tell someone at work about my Dad losing weight, I get asked what new diet is he on because everyone at work is struggling to lose weight. I answer, he has cancer. Their reply is, oh yeah forgot. Post later. Bye!

Fall back, spring forward, is how the saying goes to recall the Daylight Savings Time routine. Before bed and tomorrow I have to change my car clock, alarm clock, wall clock, watch, VCR clock, computer clock, stove clock, and microwave clock. I hate Daylight Savings Time. Post later. Bye!

My friend brought over the kittens to select my Precious kitty. We could here them meowing before she came to through the door. She says they are ready to go, they use the litterbox, eat cat food, and drink water. They are a month old and oh so soft, but I read a kitten should not change homes until 12 weeks of age. I told her May would be when I would take one, I need to change apartments first. My selected kitten is a black male tuxedo kitten, with white paws and white patch on its chest. I thought it was the cutest. My friend says it likes to play. It shook when I held it and crawled up my shoulder, but when I tried to put in back in the basket it clung tight to me. My coworker was happy at my selection, he wanted the one with flopped down ears named Yoda. Everybody who could hear the cats came to hold them. Post later. Bye!