plumbing problems and ripoff

Today I went to Bec's house to meet Mom and Dad. Dad was going to see if he could repair whatever was making water run from the upstairs bath down to the laundry room. Bec had to be at work of course, and I was already scheduled to meet the plumber at her house at 3:00. Dad (Pawpaw) was hoping to save her some money. First we all looked at the hole in the ceiling where the water had come through, but worse, we noticed that water was coming from the WALL of the laundry room and dripping down to the porch. I had stopped at the hardware store to get a new wax ring for the toilet if that was the problem. We took the commode off and put the new ring on. Flush----- and water again running into the laundry room. Fortuneately it would run right into the washer if the top was open. Then, we took the toilet off again and ran water right into the drain. It slowly filled up, but no water dripped down. The logic was then that the drain was stopped up, so the plumber must come. The flange was too short also, allowing water around it. We left the toilet disconnected, and I went to the liquor store to stock up on wine and to Harris Teeter for groceries. Snow is predicted so we MUST get groceries and liquor. It is a custom here. The schools have actually closed when there was only a prediction for snow-and it never snowed, but the schools were closed. I think of it as a town's excuse to close down. So I then went home for a little while to clean up and pick up Bella to take her to see Josie the dog.

We went to Bec's house and the plumber drove up in his big van truck. The toilet was disconnected so he snaked, then used another snake, and cleared the clog (we hope). But here is the shocker. He said the company's charge (Ben Franklin Plumbing) was 249 dollars to unclog, 249 to fix the flange on the toilet, and 249 to reseat the toilet. That is the biggest rip off. Rebecca began to cry and said to just leave the toilet disconnected. He then lowered the unclog fee to 99.00. I told him that it took us about 10 minutes to reseat the toilet today and that their price was highway robbery. You could go buy a whole new toilet and have it installed from Lowes for about 250.00. The way people take advantage is disgusting. Rebecca had been given the number of a plumber by some coworkers so she called him. He'll be there tomorrow evening if the weather is not too bad, or Monday if it is. Rebecca will be out of town Friday - Sunday. I'll be babysitting the dog Josie and Mr. Kitty again. They love it here.

I'm going to try to post a photo of the fawn twins who were born here this past spring, and who hung around all summer and fall. They are probably still part of the crowd that hangs out here, but I can't tell them apart any more.

Bella on her throne

a cold swim

If it is Monday, that means that I swim my mile. The pool which is outside is actually heated to 84 degrees, but getting in can be a mental struggle. Here is what I do. I go outside, not matter what the temperature, rather than enter the pool from indoors. There is not much time that you want to procrastinate while sitting in the cold. Once you get in, and start to swim, then you warm up quickly. I had the pool to myself again. That forty five minutes is really good meditation time. The trick is to not think of really stressful things during the swim. However, if you are thinking of stressful events, then at least you are working out the stress physically at the same time!

I also went to TJ Maxx. I am unfortunately addicted to TJ Maxx. For Lent, I don't do any shopping for 6 weeks. I only buy groceries and cleaning supplies. Today I found a Guess down coat for 59 dollars, a cashmere sweater for 25, a pair of casual pants for 10, and (not on sale) Ralph Lauren shoes for 59. Sadly, I am also addicted to shoes- sort of like Imelda Marcos. Jon asked me tonight, "what do you do with all those shoes?" I answered, "I look at them and wear each of them occasionally." They are arranged very neatly .

I watched the blue birds eat from the suet block. They wait patiently while the downy woodpeckers eat, and will eat the crumbs from the ground. They have such a sweet song and are so beautiful. We have quite a few blue bird boxes and this Spring I will add more. I also put them around the neighborhood to make a bluebird trail.

What I really, really, look forward to hearing this Spring is the Whipoorwill and Chuckwills Widow. I have a thrill in my soul when I hear them . It is a worry that development will take away their habitat. I wish that I knew how to make a preserve for the whipoorwills. It won't be long before we hear the Spring peepers too. Those little frogs start in March or so. They are one of the earliest signs of Spring.

Today I picked some more misguided buttercups. (daffodils) In the south corner of my garden they just get too anxious. The temp is supposed to drop to about 10 degrees tomorrow night so I picked all the buds. They will be bright and cheery in the house.

I didn't talk to anyone today except Rebecca. I keep wondering when I will hear from the attorney again. Everytime I have to talk to him I get all hysterical again. Here is some advice: Don;'t ever serve on a Homeowner's Board. You will end up hating everyone, frustrated, and angry. Hopefully, you wouldn't get sued like I did. I think the Board members that left me hanging out to dry are scum of the earth. They have no moral values or scruples. I have to repeat to myself- "The best revenge is living well." Exactly.

Back From Pensacola

Jon and I just got back from Pensacola (and Bella also). The Beach areas are still torn up, but downtown looked pretty much the same. I felt very depressed the whole time I was there. Really, I would just like to stay home, have my family near me, and never have to go anywhere. If that is really strange, so be it. When we were at dinner last night there were some rowdy drunk types getting an early start on Mardi Gras next to us. They were so loud, and I was so tense, that I started to cry and we left. I feel like I am on the slippery slope to insanity. I'm so tired of worrying about my family, my dog, the world, war, etc. etc. I just want to enjoy at least some things, and I just can't. Anyway, we didn't do much in Pensacola. We walked on the beach, looked at some condos for sale, drove around and not much else. Bec came over this afternoon for a while. Of course I loved seeing her. She is going to New Orleans again this weekend to see her sweetie, so we'll be babysitting Mr. Kitty and Josie.

normal Wednesday

I was so tired today. Who knows why. Sometimes I feel just emotionally exhausted, and that translates into physical exhaustion. I went to swim anyway. The sun was shining intermittently and the pool temperature was perfect, I swim outside all year and it is nice to be outside . We are going to Florida tomorrow for a few days and I wanted to get a good workout . I haven't been anywhere in two years, so now I feel anxious about leaving home. I packed up some food today, and made my lists, and packed some clothes. I just hope that I can relax a little. It is a long drive, and I guess I'll be reading all the way. I also hope that Bella does ok down there.

A traumatic nature event

It was traumatic for me and one of the participants anyway. I was in the kitchen making the weekly granola supply when I heard a "thump" on the glass laundry room door. Since I was only about 6 feet away, I stepped to the door to open it and put the poor male cardinal on the grill where he would be able to fly off once his stun wore off. Before I could open the door- whoosh- a hawk swooped down to the porch and grabbed the cardinal with his talons!!! All of this occurred with only glass separating us. I squealed and Bella the dog rushed to my aid. There was nothing to do however. I could see the hawk in the tree with his prize. I refuse to let my husband watch those upsetting Nature shows. Especially Penquins! That show started off so good, then an iceberg crashed into their island home. Next- no more home, but they are trapped and left to starve. I literally had nightmares about that.

There are always lots and lots of deer in the yard. Because we don't shoot at them (and because they have lots of grass to eat) they aren't even afraid of us. When I go out at night to take Bella for her potty break, I have to shoo them away from the proch. They fall back a little and snort and stomp their feet. Bella gave up on them a long time ago. I think her major change was last Spring when a doe had twins right in our side yard. A mother doe will leave her fawns in a "safe" spot while she forages, then will come back to get them. They will not move until she reappears. Sometimes hours pass. That is why people often think the mother has deserted her baby. At any rate, we couldn't mow around there and Bella had to stay away. The twins are now grown but still hanging around. Now we have a consistent population of about 8 does and one buck. I thought for sure the buck would be killed during hunting season, but he is still here. I'll try to post a photo. I love the deer, but I hate for them to eat my garden. The only thing that I have tried (and I have tried everything) that works is Liquid Fence. That stuff works like a charm. I have to buy it by the gallon though. I really need to put a salt block out. Maybe next time I go to the co-op, I'll pick up a mineral block.

My husband and I went to our retirement learning class on the spread of Indo European culture and language at the university. It sounds deadly, but the class is really fascinating and taught by a brilliant professor. It makes me feel happy to be learning something new and different. It also makes me happy to not have any tests or required reading! Instead of trying to memorize minutae, you can grasp the big picture and enjoy the subject much more.

In the afternoon we took Bella and the next door dog, Jazzie, for a walk in the woods. Jazzie has to stay in a pen all day while her family is at work, so we take her out for some R and R when we can. She is very sad and barks when we put her back in the pen, but I know she enjoys the walk ..

Now I'll go cook. I'm making rack of lamb, a rice pilaf, salad, and the bread I baked. Cooking for me is easy, but I understand that some people are very unsure when cooking. I really don't like to clean up though. Anything that can possibly be put in the dishwasher is going in. I bought a Fisher Paykey dish drawers. I use the bottom one for pots and pans. That dishwasher makes things much easier.

I hope to write more tomorrow.

still starting out

I swam today for my excercise. For 26 years I have been swimming laps. Miles and miles of laps. I swim a mile at least two times a week. It used to be 3 times a week, but now I do the elliptical machine at least once a week. I call it the "sweatomatic" Swimming doesn't hurt me like other exercise sometimes does. I walk also. And sometimes bike. Every day at least 30 minutes of something. It gets to be like brushing your teeth. You wouldn't think of not doing it. I am afraid of getting fat. My mother is plump. It is bad enough to get old and see the rot set in. I just don't want to be out of shape. After surgery, I was so afraid of losing all my stamina and strength. And I did!!! It took a long time to get back. I was supposed to walk after my spine surgery. It was July and August- a heat wave. I would fall asleep outside on the daybed or swing on the porch and wake up to a sweat outline of me on the fabric. I had to take pain pills, but I was so afraid I would get addicted. So I would take little nibbles off of the pill. I think it helped. A fentanyl pain patch was also prescribed. It worked like a charm, but I was afraid that I would get addicted so I took it off. No gradual things for me!! I had withdrawal symtoms. The whole thing was so frightening. I was so afraid of not being in control. And I wasn't. I wasn't in control of anything. I'm still trying to settle the thought in my mind that we can lose control of our life so easily. It can happen so quickly- like with my husband's accident. And like my dog's epilepsy. I couldn't control that no matter how much I wanted to do so. Control is a big issue with me. Is it with all people?

starting out

I never even read a blog until today. My good friend Marsha sent me a link to an Iraqi girl's blog. It was moving, although I thought- is this propaganda? Then I thought, "Hey, what excellent therapy for a nervous wreck like me." You write how you feel and what you think. I've kept a diary since I was 11 years old. I have them all in a safe at home with a note on top saying that they go to my daughter, who is 27. I still write every night, but this is new-and I never will run out of ink. Out of battery maybe, but not ink. I have a son who is 35. He lives in Seattle, so I don't get to see him very often. He gave me a camera for my laptop so that we can look at each other and talk on instant messenger. My children and I are very close. I talk to my daughter who lives in the same town every day, about 5 times a day. We are best friends. I talk to my son almost every day- sometimes twice a day. He is married, but my daughter is not. She has a steady guy though now going to law school out of state. She is a lawyer. My husband is a doctor. He is not working now. On March 1 he was in a bicycle accident and had a head injury. He is doing very well now, but won't work again. The whole change thing was difficult for him and me. I worry that we will not have enough money to live on in our old age all the time. I just don't trust in much of anything. My dog is a rescued Rottweiler. This is my second Rottweiler. The first one had terrible epilepsy and finally I euthanised her. it was so horrible that I felt like a murderer and sought psychiatric help. I still cry when I think of her. She suffered so with the seizures and nothing could control them. Now this dog is like my black furry child also. When I got her, she was so think and sick and afraid. Now she is spoiled and happy. However, she has had a checkered medical history. She has Addison's disease, which means that her Adrenal glands have failed. Every month she gets an injection that costs 150.00. I thank God that we can afford it because I do love her so. Bella has had two other surgeries this year. She had a blocked bladder from struvite stones and had an emergency surgery. Then she had a small cancer on her neck. It was a low grade malignancy, so I'm hoping for the best. I should have said- Last year. This is only January, and I'm hoping it will be better than last year. . I also had surgery last year. I had a ruptured disc in my spine. Then I didn't get any better after surgery. The pain was so bad that I wanted to die. I've had an intestinal obstruction and I think this was worse. It was worse than natural childbirth too. I am also being sued- but that is a long story not for this entry. I was a homeowners president for five years and a vindictive homeowner is out to, in his words, "make me wish I'd never been born." I obsess about this, although I try not to. I live on 15 acres on top of a hill. It is beautiful and so peaceful. I thank God for my home. The house isn't a big mansion, but everyone who comes in says that it is so warm and cozy. That is what I want in all my life. That is what I want for my children and my husband and my dog and for all of you. Warmth and happiness.