The Adventures of Being Me

I heard today a coworker had been fired this week. He wanted lasted Sunday off, but no one would work for him so he had to come in. He decided to call in sick. He has been skating on thin ice from multiple infractions and this was the last straw for my boss. This should cool off another coworker who always threatens to call in sick if he doesn't get the days off he requests. One time he actually got mad about not being allowed to leave early so suddenly he wasn't well and needed to go home immediately. Who do these people think they are kidding? Oh sure, I would come in to work if I didn't get my requested day off. I just let it be known that if I have to miss certain things (like a graduation), I will be a grouch all day. So far I had not had this problem. Post later. Bye!

I can tell the 4th of July is coming and so can my cat. The days and nights are filling up with pops and bangs from firecrackers. Sure fireworks, other than sparkles, are illegal in Iowa (manufacturing, selling, buying, possessing, and lighting), but that never has stopped people from setting them off. But then, a law is only as good as its enforcement. How does one enforce a ban on fireworks with them going off all over the place? My coworker from Florida was so depressed finding out about our law. We explained we get our fireworks from Missouri, so on the way home we are perfect drivers not wanting the police's attention. It is common knowledge people go to Missouri for their firecrackers and roman candles around here. Now is the time for melon tests on TV to display the dangers of fireworks. Melon tests are firecrackers and cherry bombs placed in melons and lit. It is fun to watch melons explode on TV. Post later. Bye!

Today on my way to my volunteer position at a museum I got off the wrong exit and took 5 minutes to realize this. The activity they had for me was help weave cattail mats for the floor. The leaves were sometimes less flexible than I would have liked. Next I often got lost in the strands and sometimes skipped one or two causing me to unravel to fix it. My cold last week and the heat of the day must have fried my brain. When needing a break in concentration, I helped scrape the buffalo hide. It takes them 5-6 days to prepare a hide for tanning. When we got the last visitor we packed up and went home. My kitty was glad to see me. Post later. Bye!

I babysat my toddler niece again so my sister could go to her doctor's appointments. She had a sore foot and the doctor said she had a stress fracture. But the next time the doc can see her is in 2 weeks so she has to sit and relax with her foot up during that time. Yeah, right, with a toddler and errands to run she can't sit for 2 weeks. Today she was walking around the house without shoes. The stress fracture is in the bone between the ankles and toes, whatever those bones are called. My niece and sister had pizza delivered because their fridge is broken. It actually broke down 2 days ago and the repair people can't visit to inspect where the problem is for another 2 days. They have a small fridge on the table to keep important things like milk cold. Next we read books, played dolls, and rested trying to get her to take a nap with so much excitement. My cat got into a cat fight with my sister's cat. I broke it up and carried away my kitty. He runs back to the unplayfu...

Since I can't get anyone I know to read through any of my stories and so far been rejected by book publishers with no feed back, I decided to check around for Print on Demand companies to get it published. It is very hard to improve a story wih no feedback. I did once get the suggestion of publishing it myself and try to sell the book at bookstore and see if anyone buys it. I assure you this struggling author can not afford to print 1000 copies just to see if anyone lifts it off the bookpile. People need to do their homework before giving suggestions on selling my book. My comparative study of Print on Demand companies. 1. They are more concerned on appearance than quality of the story. Of course they offer editing services, for $1000, or more if they charge per word. It takes more than a pretty cover to sell a story. Harry Potter only has illistrations only on the chapter headings so $25 per illistration seem unnecessary to sell a book to the public. Cover art is $200 to $350, $15...

I went to a family reunion today. My Mom's cousins and sisters are usually the ones who come. This year we had a guest of honor, my uncle from Spokane, WA. We ate a potluck dinner. I made macaroni and cheese, a giant cookie, and lemonade. There is a little lemonade and macaroni left, but the cookie is all gone. I called my cookie masterpiece, I ran out of frosting. I had blue and red covering most of the cookie with purple parts where they mixed. I placed yellow sugar roses on top. We played badminton and frisbee. We played on the swing and playground equipment. My toddler niece was frightened of the slides until I went down them 5 times. Then she wasn't so scared. Next she climbed up the slide following her cousin's example. I surprised she could cling on the slide like that. It rained off and on so the slides made our shorts wet and dirty. One of my nieces climbed a tree with my cousin's girls. We sang Happy Birthday to my aunt and then followed each other to my Mom...

I read a magazine article about problems people have with their pets. Usually the problem lies within the human, not the animal. I say: If you can't handle scratches on your furniture or scampering at night, then you should not get a cat. If you can't handle a dog barking or digging in the yard, then you should not get a dog. If you can not handle a squeaky wheel turning in the middle of the night or tiny teeth biting into your skin, then you should not get a hamster. If you can not handle allowing a bird freedom in the house for short periods of time or its squawking, then you should not get a bird. If you can not handle maintaining proper heating lamps or buying dead flies, then you should not get an iguana. Get a fish, they make no noise, have short lives, do not need out of tank stimulation, and require less yucky cleaning. People often think of pets as status symbols and displays the people's personality. Sadly, they do prove how shallow, or how loving, or how relaxed,...

I received my first sneeze in the face from Precious this morning, spray and all. That's ok, I coughed in his face a couple days ago so it makes us even. I hope I get over this cold for the picnic Sunday. I still have congestion and no appetite, but feel more energetic than yesterday. I plan to make a giant cookie and lemonade. Mom always wants lemonade every time we go somewhere. Well better get ready for work. Post later. Bye!

I received an unexpected gift on my doorknob as I left, a blue cat collar complete with bell. I am thinking the bell ringing all day and night will irritate me and my neighbor below me, so I gave it to a coworker. She lets her cats out by themselves at her house. Besides that, I dont' really need a collar for Precious to wiggle out of and I have search all over for it. It was a sweet gesture though. Too bad I don't know who to thank. Post later. Bye!

We had our 1st night after surgery and Precious is back to normal. And I have a bad cold. I picked him up from the vet and he slept all the way home. Not a single meow. He meowed when we got home, but only a couple times. Groggy like a drunk, he tried to walk around and I placed his pet bed in front of him. He wobbled toward it, then stopped and laid on the floor. I picked him up and set him on his pet bed. Next I finished a movie with many dark scenes and whispering so it was hard to tell what was going on. I checked on Precious to find him walking around the hallway. He followed me back into the living room and fell asleep in my lap. Soon it was time for food to be offered. Precious wasted no time eating something and fell asleep with his nose in the food dish. Didn't drink any water. I laid down on the floor so Precious wouldn't have far to go for food and cuddled with the kitty. Even little boys need their mamas. For a strange reason I felt very tired anyway and needed a na...

I recieved a phone call from my vet informing me the surgery was successful and they had a surprise for me. Precious is a boy. They shaved for surgery and noticed an extra, small appendenge. So my Precious is a him. That would explain a lot of feistiness she had. Post later. Bye!

It feels strange to sit here in my living room without no cat sleeping on my lap. She is being spade today and getting the last of her vaccinations. Poor thing. I read a paper about what to do after surgery. No food the 1st night, water late in the evening. Light, moist meals until she feels better. She may puke from the anethesic nausea. Keep her in warm and quiet room for the 1st 4 nights. That would be my room and turning on air conditioning to keep out the airplane and traffic noises. I'll have a groggy cat who should not play until recovered. That will be quite a change from the wildest cat my brother-in-law has ever seen, a comment he made yesterday. No jumping until healed, but at least we don't have to deal with stitches. Nowadays, they use a glue that dissolves on its own in 10-14 days. My poor baby. Post later. Bye!

I went over to babysit my niece agin. I arrived after lunch and got started on laundry. Read, dance, play flashcards, and watch a movie before my sister came home from her doctor appointments. Next she wanted to tidy the place a bit before our uncle arrived. I watched my niece outside and asked if she is suppose to be in the driveway. My sister goes out to grab her and our uncle shows up. I hold back my cat as they came in. We had supper and our uncle had a picture show on TV of his new house and grandsons. I asked if likes his rental car from my company. He does. He also visited the place I volunteer at. Eventually, Precious and I had to leave because we need to feast before fasting for her spading tomorrow morning. She gets into my food so I have to fast also, and not turn on the faucet because she can't have any water. I gave her extra treats at home and finished her nap on the balcony. The food and water are gone now. I watched a show on TV about helping girls get guys. Poeple ...

I went over to my niece's dance recital to discover the dance teacher changed the time of the recital and missed the first dance on the program. My nieces were difficult to spot with their hairpieces changing their appearance. One dance had a girl's hair fall out when she did a cartwheel. Another dance had girls do back flips over each other and two girl's hair got stuck and they had to complete the song connected. My oldest niece was invited to a pizza party with her boyfriend and friends and came home at 3 AM. Saturday held my second niece's softball tournament. She is the pitcher and a switch hitter. Her team lost, but they would play again several more times before the tournament is over. I gave her a hug good-bye and told her she did a good job after the game. Their next game was in a few hours so they took their equipment to my brother-in-law's truck (he's the coach). On the way, a girl carrying the stick holding the helmets dragged an end through a puddl...

I heard back from the animal shelter about the one-eyed kitten I tried to reserve and adopt so my cat has a companion. They decided on a family who wanted to adopt 2 cats. They have a mother cat with kittens and said possibly when they are ready for reserving I could have one of them. The family is adopting the mother cat as their 2nd cat. Post later. Bye!

My luck gets better by the day. I find out there is a rock concert in Waterworks Park with one of my favorite bands, Poison, this coming Saturday and I will be in Nebraska. I cut out their picture in the paper and placed it next to the one I cut during their Flesh and Blood tour that my college roomate laminated for me. Even at age 45 (or however old they are now), they are still hotties. Maybe I will catch them next year. I also had a thought about the starve the cat 12 hrs. before her spading. I will also have to stop eating for 12 hrs and brush my teeth early since the cat has to stick her nose in my food and drink leftover water sitting in the sink. Post later. Bye!

I am quitting my volunteering at the local animal shelter. I didn't sign up to come over again. I doubt they will notice my absence. There nothing to do, nobody talks to me unless I speak first, and their fundraising events are on days I work. They are most antisocial people I ever met, they must work office cubicles where idle conversation doesn't happen. They don't welcome people coming to see the animals and barely speak to each other. I didn't come across town to spend hours twiddling my thumbs asking 4 times if there is something, anything I can do. I did stock the merchandise, fold up carriers for adopted pets, and separate newspapers. I got my other musuem volunteer work that has people willing to speak to me. Sorry, being a salesclerk made me actually want to speak to people. Customers expect conversation even if it is just about the weather. Post later. Bye!

I babysat again today. Once I arrived my niece didn't want anymore breakfast. I started my laundry and fell asleep on the couch. 2 hours later I wake up to my niece playing on the floor. I toss in more laundry so I can get done soon and start dinner before my sister shows up. Once I said Mama, my niece kept asking where her Mama was. I heated our dinner in the microwave and her is my sister in a different car. Her's is being repaired. We take my kitty outside and my sister soon joins us. I finish my laundry and we are on our way, it is naptime. I come home and my Precious sleeps for about 6 hours. I get a discount card from my retail store credit card for 10% off my next visit. It expires in 4 days. I wish I had gotten this discount coupon card 2 days ago when I bought $200 worth of pet supplies and ink cartridges, and some movies for myself. I'm not buying anymore. Sure getting 10% off is great, but I have to fork over the 90% out of my budget. Post later. Bye!

I received my Oprah Magazine today and eagerly read the articles on how to write a good story. Snore, snore, snore, how much longer is this article. I read several books on how to tell a great story, though most of the advice is blah, blah, blah, what does this have to do with me. I think the probelms with writer's advice is too much analyzing. Example: ballet or if you are not as cultured, a rock concert. If you analyze with paper and pencil all the steps these dancers do, you will find the same steps being repeated in various orders and in altering directions (left foot, right foot). At the end of your analysis paper, you might realized you had not enjoyed the ballet, or concert, as well as if you simply just watched the flow of movement. I can tell you the ingredients of a good story, and I'm not even a professional writer. 1: Must have catchy title. I have no idea what The Catcher in the Rye is about, but I can tell you J.D. Salinger wrote it. That is a catchy title. 2. Mus...

Today I had a long list of things to buy. I took 2 trips to my car unloading things. One thing that bothers me about baggers is that thye place large objects in huge sacks. Some things can be unsacked and still be carried. I got a new pet bed for Precious, leopard print. I got a cat jungle gym (above photo)she was playing on while I put it together. I got her a new fishing pole, she chewed off the tip off the other one until the string came off it. I got new food dishes and another carrier for my future cat. Precious barely fits into the up to 12 lbs. carrier, standing up that it. I got soem new stuffed animals she likes to carry around and attack. My last present was pet grass. All else was groceries and ink cartridges. I got a toenail clipper like the one the vet uses. I snipped the tips of her nails while she napped so she held still this time and I clipped all 4 paws. I don't clip all the way to the quick (blood-filled nail bed) because she needs her claws to jump up on the cou...

I was refilling my cat's water bowl when she wanted to drink from it. She actually let the running water pour over her forehead until I turned off the faucet. Strange cat. Even stranger, she quit eating the tuna she loves so much. Perhaps she still likes her sardines. Have to give her that. Post later. Bye!

My apartment complex has decided on a new look, even gave us newsletters of the summer's progress. I bet a man came up with this color scheme. A woman would have chosen better colors. On the exterior is chocolate brown, lemon yellow, and white. The interior is the ugliest tan I ever saw, cobalt blue, and white. I feel I am living in a giant Hershey's Kiss. Even worse is them painting the handrails black, even though they were already black. Have you slightest idea how disgusting it feels to drag you hand across paint? The doors are harder to open now since they painted the doors entirely and paint is sticky when dried. Post later. Bye!

I received a phone call from my sister today. I am the reward for my niece going pee in the potty. They will call back if she does it again. Dr. Phil says to call a superhero as a reward for going in the potty chair. I'm still above Elmo, how flattering. Post later. Bye!

I was playing on my computer as usual when the mouse stopped working. I tried to put it in hiberanation a second and un-hibernate it that ususally starts it working again. No, not this time. Log off and on, restart computer and nothing happens. Then I go under mouse keys where I can use my tab and arows to click on things, but it won't let me send an email. Try to turn it off and start again in the morning. No, I have to send my email before shutting down. After attempt after attempt trying to tab and arrow to the send square of my email, my computer completely freezes so the mouse keys won't even work. After a hour and 45 minutes of frightening my cat with anger she never seen before, I leave in in hibernation and try to fix it tomorrow. I was tired. Computer still frozen hours later and still can't move the mouse. Turn off mouse keys to see if mouse will work now. No, still frozen so I try unplugging the internet connection. No go. Next I go into the help again. Last nigh...

After volunteering at the local musuem, I took a long nap from getting up so early 3 days in a row. My time at the museum was spent watering the beans and squash (the deer ate the corn), scraping at a buffalo hide for the tepee, and being eaten by bugs. I had bug spray on, but the flies still bit. My 3 hours napping refreshed me. When I got my head back together, I strapped on the kitty harness and took Precious outside. She is a strange cat. She acted like she didn't want to leave when I opened the door. I guess she only jumps out when I am leaving her behind. Finally made it out and she only wanted to walk on the sidewalk, but then cats do love cement. I stepped out into the grass and she followed me, but she much preferred the bushes. One bush gave her burrs that she did not like me pulling out of her fur. She climbed up trees and scratched at the dirt. She chased a stick I threw, but unlike a dog she just sniffed at it. A mother came by with her 2 boys and petted the Precious. ...

I made it to my sister's house on time and realized I forgot my cat's food at home. My brother-in-law lets me in and I go to find nail clippers to cut Precious's claws. I have the most difficult time trying to get her claws exposed. I squeeze her paws, but her fur hides the claws until she grabs at something. Then my niece wants to play piggyback while I'm on the floor, pushing things aside to get to the cat hiding in dark spots of the room where I really can't see her exposed claws. Naturally the cat does not hold still for this. My brother-in-law goes to take a nap. Next my sister comes home. Now I wonder in my head why I was asked to come babysit if they were going to be home. I planned to take my cat outside again, but now I should be going home soon. I keep trying to clip her nails and even have my sister hold her so I can get it done faster. My niece throws a tantrum and I decide to hold the cat while my sister clips. I instruct her to clip the very tip of the...

I took shots of my Precious today sleeping, yawning as she woke up, and making a funny face when she realized I was taking pictures of her, flashes have a way of doing that. Post later. Bye!

I babysat my niece today and will again tomorrow. I got up 3 hours earlier than usual for my first day off. I was ready to go back to bed, but my sister needs me. When I got there, my niece was barely woken up. She squeals Precious's name making me think I've been replaced by my cat as my niece's favorite thing. Her father gets ready for work and fixes her breakfast. Then splits when I put my laundry in the washer. Precious meows to go outside, so I ask my niece if she wants to go outside. Oh, yes. I wrestle with Precious down to strap on her harness she despises as my niece laughs at me. I get her strapped and leashed ane we are on our way. Precious climbs 3 trees and I wish I had my camera. She relaxed on a branch and jumped down. My niece walked around pointing out everything. Bird, tree, bush, boy, car, airplane. Eventually we came inside and I folded laundry. Lunchtime came and I fed her leftover spagetti and broccoli. She got spagetti sauce everywhere so I grabbed my ...

What is this, Yell At The Sales Clerk Day? We are extra busy this week courtesy of the World Pork Expo so after a mad rush of customers off a flight, there is few cars to select from. But try telling that to the Queen of Sheba pissed off saying she hates small locations like ours because of the lack of selection (and lack of butt kissing I'm sure). Well Your Highness, if you were here 7 customers ago, we had a larger selection to choose from. At the end, she preaches how some locations have a separate lots for club members, some locations let you pick your own car, some locations don't make you sign paperwork and some don't make you stand in line. Does this bitch really think I have never heard that before? Go ahead and insult me, you are not saying anything I have not heard before. If she would have ask nicely, I would have informed her which nearby locations have the member lots. As my coworker said after she stormed away, Don't come here if you hate our location so m...

My supervisor turns 40 today. Like me turning 30 last year, she intends to have fun. She even took the whole week off. I sent her an email at home with the Happy Unhappy song from Alice in Wonderland altered to wish her a Happy Birthday. It is more fun to type than the regular Happy Birthday song. Post later. Bye!

The adventure of the today was a guy who did not speak a word of English, but only Spanish, needing assistance to use the phone. My kind coworker calls the phone numbers on the business card he had to discover the business is closed and the numbers for a certain guy on the card were incorrect. My coworker is unsure if someone is suppose to pick him up since he doesn't have a driver's license to rent a car. A paper the man has says the job he is here to do requires English. Frustrated, my coworker starts asking if anyone around her speaks Spanish. No. He calls a former employee from El Salvador to translate what the guy needs help with. He needs a taxi cab to get to his destination. My coworker walks out to the cabs with him and tells the driver where to go. The man needs a price. My coworker writes the price down for him. Now there is a good deed done that will never be found in the customer comment box. Post later. Bye!

Yesterday I volunteered 4 hours at the local animal shelter. Yeah, 4 hours of separating newspapers. They like the full sheets for the dog kennels and half sheets for the small critters' cages. The ads they toss out. They got new puppied that very morning and one left with a family while I was there. One puppy was adopted before I showed up. I was so happy to see the puppy go. They got new kittens too, but I shied away from them. I will be tempted to stuff one under my shirt for Precious to play with. They are so cute, how do I pick just one. I got their website to look at photos when I got home. They don't have too many babies on their site. I went to other local shelters and found the cutest darling called Sugar Ray with one eye. It is only a month old and it came to the shelter with an injured eye that had to be removed. Poor thing. I am trying to have him reserved to adopt later. Precious was sorta sprung on me so I am taking me time with this one. Post later. Bye!