I Hate Hot Weather (or Swamp Coolers Are Stupid)

Our current apartment/condo unit, while far less ghetto than our last apartment, is really irritating right now because it has a swamp "cooler" instead of an air conditioner. (And that reminds me that the radiant heating used here is dumb too - but that's a topic for a colder day.) More than once I have told Nathan that the person who thought up swamp coolers was stupid (and should be shot/erased from history/or otherwise severely punished). Even worse, people in Utah continue to install them instead of using central air!

So I sit in my home with a fan blowing on me, the swamp cooler off because it does squat in high-for-Utah humidity, wishing that I at least had windows that open up and down (traditional sash windows) instead of sideways (horizontal sliding) because then I could use my very effective window air conditioner. I envy my neighbors who own their place and took out the big living room window and installed two Normal (up-and-down) windows and . . . have an air conditioner!

Yes, I feel strongly about this. I believe in being comfortable in my home. Come on people, use our modern inventions!

The upside? I look forward to going to work because, well, the building has AC.

DITTO

Laura is one of my coworkers and I completely agree with her post today. I really wish there was a way I could tactfully have the kid's parent clean up that mess. Of course, the medical field is also a type of customer service so I imagine that a person who would stand/sit by and watch another clean up your kid's puke is the same person who would complain to my boss if I didn't do it.

At work I recently had a cleaning-up-ick experience where I wasn't overly annoyed that the mom was the one doing it... because she was busy holding her little girl over the trash as she was sick some more. AND the child wasn't vomiting before she was brought to the office. I repeat, the doctor does not have a magic fix for throwing up. Sip soda, don't try to eat just after you've ralphed, and wait it out AT HOME.

And everything else Laura wrote - it's true.

At Work Today...

Three young siblings were being rather teary and dramatic after my coworker had just given them some immunizations. I overheard the father saying things to try to get the children to quiet down and leave the office. The one that really did the trick (and made me chuckle) was "hurry up before she comes back and gives you more shots". This was said in a kind and teasing tone but must have seemed like the ultimate threat to those who didn't know better.

Guess How I Spent Sunday (TMI?)

Let just say lots of quality bathroom time. And I blame K. Who can refuse the affections of a two and a half year old full of hugs and kisses, even if she is harboring gastroenteritis (stomach bug) germs? Of course, I really should have known better, what with answering tons of questions at work the day before about kids having vomiting and diarrhea. Thank goodness for the first word of "24-hour stomach bug". Downside - better enough to go to work today. :(

I now have tender feelings toward my downstairs neighbor. They recently moved in, we hadn't met the couple yet, and the wife brought by some croissant rolls last night when she dropped off some of our mail that had been mixed up with theirs. It was the only solid food that appealed to me all day. Hooray for kind deeds.

Is That A Rhetorical Question?

I think it's rather silly that the pharmacy cashier asked how I was doing as she rang up my purchase of NyQuil, DayQuil, Benedryl, and Immodium. Yes, it's just something people say to be polite but honestly. I prefer 'did you find everything you were looking for?' That's a good customer service greeting.

Aiko

I just took one of those Facebook quizzes and it said my Japanese name is Aiko, which means 'love child'. How appropriate. This made me laugh.

On A Diet?

I'm not on a diet, never am. However some things make me feel fat and want to be one of 'those people' who can go on diets. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South Beach, Atkins, etc. But this isn't about dieting. This is about fat situations. You've heard of fat clothes? Well, there are certain activities that make nearly everyone look chubby. Got my hair cut today and I don't think anyone can look slim with that vinyl black sheet tied around their neck. (if you think you don't look horrible like that please don't tell me, I like to think I'm not the only one) I forget the other examples of fat situation I thought of earlier. The unpleasant mirror reflection didn't wreck my day - had some M&M's anyway.

Taking A Break

After another week of exhaustion, I told Nathan that I'm staying home from church today for 'a day of rest'. If Monday through Friday are for working and Saturday has to be used for errands and social activities, then I think I should occasionally get one day where I don't have any demands on my time. (I don't have kids so I can choose to do that)

Awkwardness (possible TMI)

Today I was putting on a sticker name tag when I again was reminded that I don't like wearing them. No problems with people knowing my name. It's more that the most logical placement - and where most men wear these - is in the chest area over a breast. Not very discreet. This is also why I started to dislike the Pledge Of Allegiance when puberty came along. I realize this is a little...dumb? but it's one of my hangups. Sounds like I either need to get over it or go in for one of those reduction surgeries.

Live For Today

Is there something in your life that you wish you had never done; that you had done? There are a lot of things I wish hadn’t happened, or had happened differently. Looking back, I see that - given my knowledge, skills, and emotional state of mind at that time – many of those choices I had control over couldn’t have happened with a better outcome. I also did many things because I felt like I didn’t have other options. And some days I dwell on those regrets.

Recently, I started paying attention to the lyrics of Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying. (Note: I'm not a country music fan) What if you knew how long you had left? Adults know they have a limited amount of time, but I imagine we generally have an expectation that time will be at least sixty years, and hopefully end in a peaceful, natural death. But what if it was less than that – much less? Would you live true to your ideals? Would you define your success by your career, or something else? Would you draw away from people, or closer? Would you become stronger in your religion, or hate God?

Why not now - today? Be the person you want to be. Be kinder. Make that phone call today. Redefine the relationships that cause you pain. Be spontaneous (or not). Don’t fret about the little things. Put less of the discretionary money into savings and take that trip. Quit the job you dread going to. Sign up for the class you’ve been thinking about. No, don’t forget about your future needs (get life insurance, write a will, have long term savings), but do live life now. Why put it off until tomorrow?

Happy Pioneer Day

Enjoy your parades and fireworks Utah. 

PS

And what kind of patriotic state has parades televised when celebrating the anniversary of the state's, er, statehood and nothing on TV when commemorating the founding of our nation? As for me, I put my country before my state. But hey, to each their own. Just don't come crying to me when people question your loyalty. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a paid day off work for the state holiday.

This Is My Life

I go on vacation and have two days of extremely miserable allergy symptoms which largely resolve only to be followed by two days of increasingly worse sinus pressure and ear pain. The plus side is working at a doctor's office with someone who is kind enough to call in an antibiotic so that I don't have to be sick for the rest of my stay (cross your fingers).  Have you ever tried flying with (probable) sinus and ear infection? Been there, done that. I'd rather suffer a twelve hour layover in Phoenix - where the weather is like standing in a furnace and I don't know anyone to visit and it's not a hub so there's slim chance of getting out sooner. (Notice I didn't say that I'd rather have mono, or be hit by a car, or have broken ribs, or have a broken tailbone, or have pneumonia, or be recovering from surgery. People, I now have perspective. These things are worse than sinus misery.) 

It Really Bugs Me When...

parents give their sons middle names and not their daughters. What's with that?? Yes, yes, when they get married they can take their maiden name as a middle name. O-kay, so we're hinging a young woman's identity (well, just name) on her future as a wife? Lame. Very lame. And if she never marries? Or is a revolutionary and decides to keep her own last name? Oh, and until then, all those forms that ask for a middle initial will be filled in with NMI. That's the abbreviation for No Middle Initial. Does that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Thought so.

I've decided that I don't travel well. Kind of like a neurotic dog or a bottle of soda. I always get anxious that I'm going to forget something, often over pack, and usually drive Nathan nuts in the process. Speaking of Nathan, I thought about it and this will be the first trip I've taken without him since we've been married. I guess I'll find out that he really can get by without me telling him how to do things. But mostly I was thinking about how I'll miss the buffer space on the plane ride. We have this arrangement where I get the window seat and he gets the middle seat (because his skinny butt is less likely to touch the butt of the aisle seat person). Did you ever notice that it feels like you have more space when you're sitting on a plane next to someone you know? A bit less invasive of your personal space.

What's worse than moving?

Only thing I hate more than moving is cleaning the old apartment. Nathan sent me home for a break, sweet man. He said that since I was cleaning without him for three and a half hours then he could do the same. Of course, that'll bring us to 8 PM and I'm hoping maybe he'll have it finished by then because I can't handle any more. I just really hate the idea of the less than stellar landlady having a good excuse to keep our money. She is such a ditz.

I'll have to post pics of the new place once there's more to see than boxes. I'm learning that any apartment has some small quirks but I already like it a lot better than the ghetto 4-plex that we moved from.

Of course, I'm especially tired of the whole moving deal because I'm starting to get stressed about my upcoming trip back east. Now I'm thinking that I don't have any flattering clothes to wear and I need a haircut and who's going to take care of the pets... stuff like that. And I don't think I have the time or energy between now and Friday to find cute summer clothes. Is there even such a thing when you're bigger than a size 8?

(can't figure out how to get this un-bolded)

Anyone know how to pick a lock? My filing cabinet got locked when I was moving it and we don't have a key for the thing. Grr.

Half A Glass

I really am a glass half empty sort a gal. I'm already annoyed with certain aspects of the new apartment (yes we moved, more about that adventure in another post when I have the internet again). For instance, the swamp cooler squeaks; the hardware in the bathroom is gold colored not the usual silver; the bathroom sink has odd dimensions so that when I wash my hands they have to touch the sink itself; the bathroom has zero storage (including no "medicine cabinet"); the shelf system in the bedroom closets is poorly organized; the balcony isn't covered by a roof.

I repeat to myself, "no ice cream truck playing continuously for up to an hour at a time," "no mariachi music that vibrates the walls," "no scruffy looking children peering into my kitchen window," and more.

Who says I can't spend my afternoon off listening to Pandora and eating chocolate chips?

How Was Your Weekend?

Whether you're at school, at work, or on Facebook, on Mondays you're likely to be asked (or asking) "How was your weekend?" This morning, when a coworker asked me that question, I said 'okay.' But then I started telling her about what I did and I realized that I had a pretty darn good time.

On Friday I babysat for my friend. Actually, I got to play with my favorite toddler (does that still apply when the child is less than 24 months but not wobbly at all?) while Nathan got baby duty. Don't get me wrong, O is perfectly cute but at 3 months he's not exactly mobile.

Saturday we did yard sale-ing (Nathan's choice), went to a farmer's market, saw Confessions of a Shopaholic at the dollar-fifty theater, and stopped by a bunch of stores looking for a new wall clock since Nathan keeps taking the batteries out of the one in our living room because he thinks it's too loud. Funny thing is, after shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ross, Shopko, and Kohls, we finally found a clock that we both liked at WalMart. Go figure.

Sunday was Mother's Day. This meant that in addition to sitting through 3 hours of church meetings, I had to go see Nathan's mother and grandmother. I'll be kind and just say that both visits were Boring. But I was just telling my coworker about the nice part of the day...how Nathan served me breakfast in bed...when the office door opened and hubby walked in with a vase full of red roses.

Yes Ruth, I had a good weekend. I spent time with N doing activities other than TV watching, got a nice new clock and a cute new table lamp for my bedside, and got flowers just because instead of as an apology.

The most exciting thing? As I was clearing space for the lamp, I lifted up a stuffed animal and saw my wedding ring. Which is really neat because I hadn't seen it since November-ish and was starting to think that it was gone-for-good instead of missing-somewhere-in-the-house.

So, How was your weekend?