Saturday, September 30, 2017
Dishwashing
Enjoying the peace and quiet of an early morning. The small town I live in is still quiet, and the birds are all that are heard through the window. My fur baby is asleep behind me on the floor. She rumbles and twitches, an occasional sleepy bark thrown in. I'm at the sink, playing with grapefruit scented bubbles. Washing dishes that I've handled for decades, each piece is as familiar under the water as is my own face. There's something comforting in the regular routine of washing by hand. I've seldom lived anywhere in my life where a dishwasher was part of my home. This charming hundred year old rental has no space to install one, and I love that, except for appliances, the kitchen is original. So, I stand on a bright red area rug, and wash each dish. I think of my life as it has changed over the years, the good, bad, joys, and sorrows. Through all of it, this has been a constant, comforting, ritual. I know that I have plenty of whatever I need in life, and I'm happy. The dish rack, full of clean, sparkling dishes is proof of that.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Thursday musings
Been busy lately, doing homemaking chores while pain levels are fairly low. Mainly, I'm washing the woodwork in this lovely little cottage. So far, three rooms are done, except for the baseboards. Baseboards can wait until furniture is pulled out from the walls when the carpet is shampooed next time. I recovered three dining room chairs with lovely, new fabric on the seats, and recovered the ottoman, as well. Thank goodness for my heavy duty stapler, it makes the job go quickly. I've had the dining chairs for decades, and they were old when they came to me. The seat cushions get fresh fabric covers about every other year. More often when I was raising messy toddlers, but that's in the past. The shower curtain, and some of the lace curtains are clean. The rest of the curtains and drapes will be cleaned , one room at a time. Things are organized, clean, and neat. Everything sparkles, except for the bathtub. It's progress of a sort. I remember doing seasonal housecleaning years ago, and it only took a few days. Now, it takes weeks of working at it for a few minutes at a time until there's too much pain, and then resting for a few hours until it subsides. I know that soon, I'll be hiring out that semiannual chore. This year, it will take a few more weeks. I'm always delighted when it's done, and feel a great sense of accomplishment.
I do enjoy this little cottage. It's 100 years old, has a big porch, huge trees, tons of architectural details and charm. It's the first home I've lived in which was exclusively mine. It's cozy, decorated in my taste and style, with lots of plants, books, comfy places to snuggle with pillows and throws, original artwork as well as prints of my favorite pieces of art, lots of storage, beds which are a pleasure to crawl into, incredibly soft linens, vinyl records and a record player, candles, and fresh flowers in several of the rooms. It's a mix of hand me downs, thrift and antique store finds, some discount store items, and a few antiques that I've had most of my life. No "sets" of furniture like you see on display in stores, I'm too eclectic in my home decor style for that. I like a home which looks as though things have been accumulated over a period of centuries, rather than in a few days. I'm happy here, and it feels like home.
Finally bought a Braille printer, then bought tractor fed paper to go with it. Then....it took a week to get the product Key to go with the software which came with the printer. After a bit of trial and error, I printed out Muse by Alison May. It's now bound in a couple of lovely sets of rose covered scrapbook covers. It's wonderful to have access to things that I love reading again. I think that if I'm going to work on Braille proficiency, it should be with things I enjoy. I know that the printer will get a lot of use, and will be something that I depend on in years to come.
My latest project has been brailling favorite recipes with my Perkins brailler. It's too hard to use magnifying glasses on those faded recipe cards with handwriting from family members now long gone. I could hook up a cable and use the magnifying app on the iPad to project them on the big screen tv, but it's a pain to run back and forth from the kitchen to the living room over and over to read the recipe as I cook. Once they're done, I'll put the pages in a binder, and staple the original recipes to the corners of the pages.
After almost two years together, Moriarty aka The Divine Miss M, actually crawled onto my lap and fell asleep for the first time. I'd given up on that ever happening in this life time. She's still a hateful little thing, unless she's in heat, when she becomes the most loving creature ever created. She still chases everyone through the house, running on her hind legs, which is absolutely hilarious, grabbing calves and tails with her front paws. She's also extremely spoiled. She has three small bowls, each containing a different flavor of cat food.
My big fur beastie, Demeter, spends most of her time asleep. She's coming up on ten years old, and is a sweet little old lady. She loves her memory foam bed, an occasional kiddie burger from Dari Diner, her basket of stuffed babies, and traveling. She has some friends, and is all over happy when she sees them. She's been losing some weight, so I've added canned dog food twice daily to her diet. She absolutely loves that. Served on some rose patterned china, rather than in a dog food bowl, just because.
There's a lot going on in my life. Nothing bad, none earth shattering, or ultra exciting, it's simply life. There's a guest coming for a short visit, he's only got a few months left to live, and is trying to visit everyone while he can. We're taking an upcoming trip together (he, my fiancé, and I) which I know will be an adventure and make a lot of terrific memories. I'm in the middle of making another backgammon board, which will be stunning when finished. I'm taking a couple of online classes (as always), because I'm bored if I'm not constantly learning something. I've stopped the Braille lessons for now, since I'm actually reading it in uncontracted form. I'll get back to it at some point, I'm thinking after the holidays.
There's a new app out called Seeing AI. It's a real game changer for blind folks like me. Point it at a page with print, and it will read it aloud. It describes photos, reads labels and signs, describes people, etc. It's pretty much my go to app for everything. I've opened a physics textbook, and it read everything. I absolutely love it. Best part? It's free. Only in a few countries so far, but rapidly expanding.
This is the time to live if you're blind. Technology has made it so easy to adapt to sight loss. Something as simple as an app which lets you match your own socks, or reads the denominations of money so you know how much you're handing to a clerk, or that takes you street by street with directions to the store and back. Audio descriptive service which describes what is happening on a favorite tv show or movie, means you don't miss out on all of the action. Voiceover reads your favorite ebooks to you, and Seeing AI will read your print books. Wish I'd known it was coming out before getting rid of most of my home library. I'm down to a couple hundred of my absolute favorites, that I will not give away until I have a copy of it in Braille. If there's a need, then there's a technological advance coming to meet it.
Enough for now...
I do enjoy this little cottage. It's 100 years old, has a big porch, huge trees, tons of architectural details and charm. It's the first home I've lived in which was exclusively mine. It's cozy, decorated in my taste and style, with lots of plants, books, comfy places to snuggle with pillows and throws, original artwork as well as prints of my favorite pieces of art, lots of storage, beds which are a pleasure to crawl into, incredibly soft linens, vinyl records and a record player, candles, and fresh flowers in several of the rooms. It's a mix of hand me downs, thrift and antique store finds, some discount store items, and a few antiques that I've had most of my life. No "sets" of furniture like you see on display in stores, I'm too eclectic in my home decor style for that. I like a home which looks as though things have been accumulated over a period of centuries, rather than in a few days. I'm happy here, and it feels like home.
Finally bought a Braille printer, then bought tractor fed paper to go with it. Then....it took a week to get the product Key to go with the software which came with the printer. After a bit of trial and error, I printed out Muse by Alison May. It's now bound in a couple of lovely sets of rose covered scrapbook covers. It's wonderful to have access to things that I love reading again. I think that if I'm going to work on Braille proficiency, it should be with things I enjoy. I know that the printer will get a lot of use, and will be something that I depend on in years to come.
My latest project has been brailling favorite recipes with my Perkins brailler. It's too hard to use magnifying glasses on those faded recipe cards with handwriting from family members now long gone. I could hook up a cable and use the magnifying app on the iPad to project them on the big screen tv, but it's a pain to run back and forth from the kitchen to the living room over and over to read the recipe as I cook. Once they're done, I'll put the pages in a binder, and staple the original recipes to the corners of the pages.
After almost two years together, Moriarty aka The Divine Miss M, actually crawled onto my lap and fell asleep for the first time. I'd given up on that ever happening in this life time. She's still a hateful little thing, unless she's in heat, when she becomes the most loving creature ever created. She still chases everyone through the house, running on her hind legs, which is absolutely hilarious, grabbing calves and tails with her front paws. She's also extremely spoiled. She has three small bowls, each containing a different flavor of cat food.
My big fur beastie, Demeter, spends most of her time asleep. She's coming up on ten years old, and is a sweet little old lady. She loves her memory foam bed, an occasional kiddie burger from Dari Diner, her basket of stuffed babies, and traveling. She has some friends, and is all over happy when she sees them. She's been losing some weight, so I've added canned dog food twice daily to her diet. She absolutely loves that. Served on some rose patterned china, rather than in a dog food bowl, just because.
There's a lot going on in my life. Nothing bad, none earth shattering, or ultra exciting, it's simply life. There's a guest coming for a short visit, he's only got a few months left to live, and is trying to visit everyone while he can. We're taking an upcoming trip together (he, my fiancé, and I) which I know will be an adventure and make a lot of terrific memories. I'm in the middle of making another backgammon board, which will be stunning when finished. I'm taking a couple of online classes (as always), because I'm bored if I'm not constantly learning something. I've stopped the Braille lessons for now, since I'm actually reading it in uncontracted form. I'll get back to it at some point, I'm thinking after the holidays.
There's a new app out called Seeing AI. It's a real game changer for blind folks like me. Point it at a page with print, and it will read it aloud. It describes photos, reads labels and signs, describes people, etc. It's pretty much my go to app for everything. I've opened a physics textbook, and it read everything. I absolutely love it. Best part? It's free. Only in a few countries so far, but rapidly expanding.
This is the time to live if you're blind. Technology has made it so easy to adapt to sight loss. Something as simple as an app which lets you match your own socks, or reads the denominations of money so you know how much you're handing to a clerk, or that takes you street by street with directions to the store and back. Audio descriptive service which describes what is happening on a favorite tv show or movie, means you don't miss out on all of the action. Voiceover reads your favorite ebooks to you, and Seeing AI will read your print books. Wish I'd known it was coming out before getting rid of most of my home library. I'm down to a couple hundred of my absolute favorites, that I will not give away until I have a copy of it in Braille. If there's a need, then there's a technological advance coming to meet it.
Enough for now...
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Advice for life
Here's something we should teach everyone from childhood, and I wish someone had told me when I was young.
Take care of yourself. Seriously, just do it. Put yourself first. Fulfill your needs. Do what makes you happy, gives you satisfaction, or gives you peace. Make time for yourself, time for whatever you desire.
Claim a section of your home that is yours, and yours alone. Have things which are not shared with anyone else. Go places and do things by yourself, and have fun.
Say no. Really, just say no, or "no, thanks" to all of the things which take your time, energy, or money, unless they're things that you truly wish to do. Don't feel guilty about it. In fact, stop feeling guilty. Don't do things because someone else says you should, or because of what others might think. Do things because you've thought it over, and have decided that it is in your best interests.
Live your life, be happy, enjoy, make terrific memories. Live your life on your terms. Find the things you love, whether it's a career, hobby, travel, learning, etc., and do it. Life is short. There's so much to see, and learn, and do. Someday, you will be too old, too tired, too infirm. Live with great memories, not regrets.
Don't spend your life miserable and unhappy. There's no reason to. Now, if being a miserable cow makes you happy, feel free to be that way, and wallow in it.
This isn't selfish, although others who want you to put their needs first will tell you that it is. Let them stand on their own two feet, support themselves, and accept responsibility for their own actions and behavior.
Note, I'm not talking about taking care of children or babies. Of course they're the priority. However, you can't fill a glass from an empty pitcher. That's why putting yourself first is so important. But do remember that they have another parent or a relative who can take over and give you a break.
You have one life on this amazing planet. Go enjoy it.
Take care of yourself. Seriously, just do it. Put yourself first. Fulfill your needs. Do what makes you happy, gives you satisfaction, or gives you peace. Make time for yourself, time for whatever you desire.
Claim a section of your home that is yours, and yours alone. Have things which are not shared with anyone else. Go places and do things by yourself, and have fun.
Say no. Really, just say no, or "no, thanks" to all of the things which take your time, energy, or money, unless they're things that you truly wish to do. Don't feel guilty about it. In fact, stop feeling guilty. Don't do things because someone else says you should, or because of what others might think. Do things because you've thought it over, and have decided that it is in your best interests.
Live your life, be happy, enjoy, make terrific memories. Live your life on your terms. Find the things you love, whether it's a career, hobby, travel, learning, etc., and do it. Life is short. There's so much to see, and learn, and do. Someday, you will be too old, too tired, too infirm. Live with great memories, not regrets.
Don't spend your life miserable and unhappy. There's no reason to. Now, if being a miserable cow makes you happy, feel free to be that way, and wallow in it.
This isn't selfish, although others who want you to put their needs first will tell you that it is. Let them stand on their own two feet, support themselves, and accept responsibility for their own actions and behavior.
Note, I'm not talking about taking care of children or babies. Of course they're the priority. However, you can't fill a glass from an empty pitcher. That's why putting yourself first is so important. But do remember that they have another parent or a relative who can take over and give you a break.
You have one life on this amazing planet. Go enjoy it.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Quiet, at last
It's almost two in the morning. The pain pill wore off hours ago, and I can't have another for a long while. Seems to be the story of my life lately. So, here I am, curled up on the love seat, an elderly German Shepherd snuggled with me, and a cozy throw is covering us both. It's quiet now. My fiancé is asleep in the next room. I just ordered several pairs of pretty new gloves to keep my hands warm. Those will be a welcome addition to my wardrobe. Wearing them is easier than being tethered to a heating pad most of the day.
Fireworks finally ended a couple of hours ago. The dogs gratefully headed outdoors to tend that which the noise delayed for many hours. Thankfully, we microchipped them this year, so losing them during things like Independence Day fireworks or on a road trip is no longer a concern.
I'm thinking of making a pot of cocoa. Planning a new backgammon board requires concentration and chocolate in equal quantities. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a lovely tray, and have been considering the design of the game board, as well as the pieces to use with it. None of the boards that I make are ever done in a hurry. They reveal themselves to me over a period of time. I love the creative process. I'll lay out various tiles and pieces on the tray, shift them around periodically, and when the perfect combination is reached, I'll begin making the board.
Braille lessons are coming along. I'm getting good at writing in Braille, still slow at reading it. Hoping my speed will improve, but the arthritis in both hands laughs at the idea. Still, I persist. I've never let anything stop me before. Well, except for driving a car, riding a motorcycle, playing darts, shooting a gun or a bow, etc., that blindness put a halt to. I figure that every thing I've had to give up has another way to do it, like trading a car for an electric tricycle. I just have to figure out what it is.
My Stargazer Lilies are blooming along the front porch. Every time I open the door, the scent wafts into the house. I wish that they were a plant that would bloom continually all Summer. That would be such a lovely thing.
Enough for now...
Fireworks finally ended a couple of hours ago. The dogs gratefully headed outdoors to tend that which the noise delayed for many hours. Thankfully, we microchipped them this year, so losing them during things like Independence Day fireworks or on a road trip is no longer a concern.
I'm thinking of making a pot of cocoa. Planning a new backgammon board requires concentration and chocolate in equal quantities. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a lovely tray, and have been considering the design of the game board, as well as the pieces to use with it. None of the boards that I make are ever done in a hurry. They reveal themselves to me over a period of time. I love the creative process. I'll lay out various tiles and pieces on the tray, shift them around periodically, and when the perfect combination is reached, I'll begin making the board.
Braille lessons are coming along. I'm getting good at writing in Braille, still slow at reading it. Hoping my speed will improve, but the arthritis in both hands laughs at the idea. Still, I persist. I've never let anything stop me before. Well, except for driving a car, riding a motorcycle, playing darts, shooting a gun or a bow, etc., that blindness put a halt to. I figure that every thing I've had to give up has another way to do it, like trading a car for an electric tricycle. I just have to figure out what it is.
My Stargazer Lilies are blooming along the front porch. Every time I open the door, the scent wafts into the house. I wish that they were a plant that would bloom continually all Summer. That would be such a lovely thing.
Enough for now...
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Most recent things
Things have been busy since I last wrote. Dad passed away on the anniversary of my daughter's death. At least, he got to enjoy the opening of baseball season. It was something he'd loved for a long time. Soon after, an uncle died. Well, we'd always called him uncle, He was married to Mom's best friend when we were growing up. This week, a friend I'd had since first grade died. In other words, it's been rough. I'm coping. Keeping busy is my preferred manner of doing so.
I'm trying to get a couple of projects finished up. All of the framed family photos are stacked on the guest room bed. Some need stored away, others need reframing. There's a box for my big Christmas tree, so it will take less closet space. I've got them staged in the guest room. That way, I can close the door when I'm not working on them.
I've gotten my outdoor flowers planted, mainly purple geraniums. Morning glories came up on their own this year, and are already climbing the fence. My Stargazer Lilies are over three feet tall, and I get the feeling that they'll bloom much earlier than usual this year.
I transplanted my Key Lime tree into a new pot. It had shared one with the Cinnamon tree since early 2014, and they were both somewhat crowded. I bought new lighting for both, and they seem to have survived well.
We've not settled on a wedding date, and won't until his house remodel is finished. He spends most evenings and weekends on it, but there's a lot to do. Today, he left to go over there and work, leaving his German shepherds here with me. The cat finally bumped noses with them today, so there is progress. Considering that we'll be moving in together, along with all of our furry beasties, it's important that they all get along. They're all nice animals, but the cat weighs eight pounds, the smallest dog is over sixty. I want them all to be on good terms.
Still battling to learn science and maths in Braille. The other day, I thought of checking YouTube for lessons. It is a brilliant resource for learning the things I've struggled with. I wish that I'd thought of it sooner.
I bought a memory foam bed for my beastie the other day. She loves it, and it feels good to her elderly bones. I'd made her a bed before by covering a bean bag chair and adding a Sherpa blanket, but she had a hard time settling in it. The cat quickly claimed it, and loves to curl up in it.
I'd love to say something exiting was going on in my life. However, to be honest, things are quiet. I listen to movies, music, or tv over the internet. I listen to online classes, and make one of a kind backgammon boards. I take care of my home and yard as best I can. Spending time with my furry beasties is pure pleasure. Pets do so much to make a house into a home. In the evenings, I light candles and curl up with a soft throw, sipping tea or cocoa. On the weekends, I have company, go grocery shopping, and await the latest Doctor Who episode. I enjoy my life. Sometimes, I wish there was more. Some travel, going to shows or festivals, just a bit more than four walls.
Enough for now...
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Early morning thoughts
Pain awakened me at four this morning. My pain pills are laughing at the idea that they're supposed to work. The house is remarkably quiet, aside from doggy snores. Soon, I'll start a pot of coffee, set out croissants and melons, and fry a few slices of bacon. For now, I'm merely enjoying the quiet.
My fiancé brought his dogs over last night, two gigantic German shepherds. They're lovely ladies, and I adore them. They're delighted to travel and visit. My beastie is happy that her friends came to her house to see her. Later today, we'll load up all three into the car and take them to his house. It will be wonderful once we're married and have all three of them together. No more having to arrange for pet sitters or traveling an extra sixty miles round trip to visit.
Spring is definitely here. Eighties yesterday, and close to that today. I'm looking forward to rain, and more plants growing and blooming. The last of the branches have been hauled to the curb. In a few days, I'll drag out the mower and tackle the yard. Today, we'll be going to Lowes, and I'll pick up more bulbs to plant. I'll get to enjoy them this summer, and future renters will enjoy them for years to come.
Talked to my sister a couple of days ago. Dad spends much of his time sleeping now, and hospice is there most of the time. She's taken leave from her job to be with him. I wish I lived closer to him. It's hard to realize and accept that my Dad is dying. I will miss his guidance, wisdom, and love. He adopted me many years ago, and I'm proud to be his daughter. I am blessed.
Enough for now.
My fiancé brought his dogs over last night, two gigantic German shepherds. They're lovely ladies, and I adore them. They're delighted to travel and visit. My beastie is happy that her friends came to her house to see her. Later today, we'll load up all three into the car and take them to his house. It will be wonderful once we're married and have all three of them together. No more having to arrange for pet sitters or traveling an extra sixty miles round trip to visit.
Spring is definitely here. Eighties yesterday, and close to that today. I'm looking forward to rain, and more plants growing and blooming. The last of the branches have been hauled to the curb. In a few days, I'll drag out the mower and tackle the yard. Today, we'll be going to Lowes, and I'll pick up more bulbs to plant. I'll get to enjoy them this summer, and future renters will enjoy them for years to come.
Talked to my sister a couple of days ago. Dad spends much of his time sleeping now, and hospice is there most of the time. She's taken leave from her job to be with him. I wish I lived closer to him. It's hard to realize and accept that my Dad is dying. I will miss his guidance, wisdom, and love. He adopted me many years ago, and I'm proud to be his daughter. I am blessed.
Enough for now.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Periodic self check
These are my self evaluation questions.
Where are you currently in life?
Are you happy with your life overall?
Do you feel fulfilled?
Do you look forward to each day?
Are you where you thought you'd be in life from ideas you had ten years ago?
What are your life goals?
Are you actively working towards those goals?
Are you taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally?
Are you getting some exercise daily?
Are you (mostly) eating a healthy diet?
What do you think of...?
Are the people in your life ones who enjoy being with you?
Do you enjoy being with them?
Are you learning new things?
Are you being mentored?
Are you mentoring someone?
Do you have role models?
If others look up to you, are you living your life as a good role model?
Are you reading daily?
If you have children in your home, are you reading to them?
Do you enrich your life with the arts?
Do you have one or more hobbies?
Is your home a place you look forward to being?
If not, why not?
Are you living the life of your dreams?
If you're not happy with any of the answers given to the questions asked, are you making changes in order to live a life you're pleased with?
Where are you currently in life?
Are you happy with your life overall?
Do you feel fulfilled?
Do you look forward to each day?
Are you where you thought you'd be in life from ideas you had ten years ago?
What are your life goals?
Are you actively working towards those goals?
Are you taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally?
Are you getting some exercise daily?
Are you (mostly) eating a healthy diet?
What do you think of...?
Are the people in your life ones who enjoy being with you?
Do you enjoy being with them?
Are you learning new things?
Are you being mentored?
Are you mentoring someone?
Do you have role models?
If others look up to you, are you living your life as a good role model?
Are you reading daily?
If you have children in your home, are you reading to them?
Do you enrich your life with the arts?
Do you have one or more hobbies?
Is your home a place you look forward to being?
If not, why not?
Are you living the life of your dreams?
If you're not happy with any of the answers given to the questions asked, are you making changes in order to live a life you're pleased with?
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Changes
Well, a true game changing life event has occurred. My gentleman friend is now my fiancé, as of last week. I'm happy, and a bit apprehensive. There's a lot to do and plan, and I've a few other things to tend to first, before starting on wedding things.
I need to....
Find the perfect dress, and buy it at least six sizes too small. Lose at least sixty pounds. Get a facelift. Purchase bridal magazines and make totally insane plans for a huge wedding with everything my previous weddings did not have. Get depressed over the entire thing. Eat a gallon of French vanilla ice cream. Elope. Brush up on my sarcastic skills.
We won't get married until he finishes up the remodel on his house and sells it. It's not safe for me to live in. First of all, it's an A frame house. That means I can walk face first into the wall three feet before my feet or my white cane could touch it. It also has steep stairs that cause a lot of arthritis pain. The final reason I won't live there is that it's too isolated for someone who cannot drive. Truly, though, it is a lovely place. Up on a hill, with a pond at the bottom. Incredible views. Great layout, with masters suite upstairs, complete with a huge jacuzzi tub, and a deck facing west. If I could still see and drive, I'd happily stay there forever, even with arthritis.
It's actually been a busy time. I'm beginning spring cleaning. Sorting through drawers and cupboards to reduce clutter. Making a list for an upcoming garage sale. Nothing major really, as far as projects go. I did finish my bedroom closet. All of my clothes are color coordinated, and organized by outfits or groupings which mix and match. Dresses are on velvet hangars so that they won't slip off. Lingerie is in baskets and on hangars, organized by colors.
Had to change my locks. My former houseguest and I agreed that she could keep a house key in case of a true (medical) emergency. She then proceeded to come into my home one night, knowing that I was out of town for the weekend. She sent me a text stating that she'd been there and left me some of the money that she owed me. When I returned home, there was far less than she claimed that she had left. It's not so much about the money. Frankly, I don't really care about it, other than her lying about the amount that she left. What gets me is the invasion of privacy. Being blind, I don't know if things are missing. She was in my home, going through my things while I wasn't here. I couldn't imagine doing that to someone else. There's no trust in the relationship anymore. She took advantage of almost two decades of friendship. I don't need friends like that, ever.
Enough for now...
I need to....
Find the perfect dress, and buy it at least six sizes too small. Lose at least sixty pounds. Get a facelift. Purchase bridal magazines and make totally insane plans for a huge wedding with everything my previous weddings did not have. Get depressed over the entire thing. Eat a gallon of French vanilla ice cream. Elope. Brush up on my sarcastic skills.
We won't get married until he finishes up the remodel on his house and sells it. It's not safe for me to live in. First of all, it's an A frame house. That means I can walk face first into the wall three feet before my feet or my white cane could touch it. It also has steep stairs that cause a lot of arthritis pain. The final reason I won't live there is that it's too isolated for someone who cannot drive. Truly, though, it is a lovely place. Up on a hill, with a pond at the bottom. Incredible views. Great layout, with masters suite upstairs, complete with a huge jacuzzi tub, and a deck facing west. If I could still see and drive, I'd happily stay there forever, even with arthritis.
It's actually been a busy time. I'm beginning spring cleaning. Sorting through drawers and cupboards to reduce clutter. Making a list for an upcoming garage sale. Nothing major really, as far as projects go. I did finish my bedroom closet. All of my clothes are color coordinated, and organized by outfits or groupings which mix and match. Dresses are on velvet hangars so that they won't slip off. Lingerie is in baskets and on hangars, organized by colors.
Had to change my locks. My former houseguest and I agreed that she could keep a house key in case of a true (medical) emergency. She then proceeded to come into my home one night, knowing that I was out of town for the weekend. She sent me a text stating that she'd been there and left me some of the money that she owed me. When I returned home, there was far less than she claimed that she had left. It's not so much about the money. Frankly, I don't really care about it, other than her lying about the amount that she left. What gets me is the invasion of privacy. Being blind, I don't know if things are missing. She was in my home, going through my things while I wasn't here. I couldn't imagine doing that to someone else. There's no trust in the relationship anymore. She took advantage of almost two decades of friendship. I don't need friends like that, ever.
Enough for now...
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Valentines and fur beasties
Valentine's Day is over and survived. Dinner at the local restaurant, a box of Russell Stovers, and a card from my gentleman friend. I gave him a vase full of airplane sized liquor bottles, a couple dozen of all different types, and I made a small velvet necktie to go around the vase. I also gave him a card which, when opened, had a motorcycle pop up. Now, I'm listening to Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and sipping cocoa.
Took the etrike out the other day to run errands. It was heavily overcast, so I was able to wear dark sunglasses instead of the welding glasses that I have to use on sunny days. I ride it at walking speed so that I can keep track of where the side of the road is. My days to ride it are pretty much over, and I'm going to miss it. As it is now, I can get out and walk or ride during the day, when the sun is overhead and not in the direction that I'm facing. At night, I see nothing and have to use my white cane, or the arm of a handsome man.
The house is clean, except for furniture polishing. That will be tomorrow's chore. My weekly organizing project is working on my bedroom closet. Mainly, making sure everything is still where it belongs, and checking with the magnifiers to be sure that nothing has any stains or is too worn out to be worn out in public. I know that my red flats need to be downgraded from regular wear to the last stage of footwear life, aka yard shoes. I've added more hooks to the closet so that my handbags are easier to locate. The shoes in boxes need Braille labels, on the boxes, that is. The footwear not in boxes need to be dusted. These aren't huge projects, but once they're finished, it simplifies my life immensely. With apps to identify colors and being careful to keep all clothing separated by colors, dressing is a breeze. I don't have any desire to step out without looking my best, even if I cannot see it.
Found a way to dress up my white canes and coordinate them with my wardrobe. I printed and laminated some lovely patterns in a variety of colors. Wrapping them around the tops of my canes, just below the handles, and securing them with clear tape, makes them into stunning accessories. I'm a firm believer in the old adage...Have nothing that is not useful or beautiful. I think that almost everything should be both.
I made some steps at the foot of my bed for my beastie. She needs them to get up and down. A few weeks ago, she tried jumping up, and it was a spectacular fail. Her chest hit the edge of the bed, and she landed on the floor. That's when we both knew that the days of high flying leaps was over. Her arthritis is to the point where she can no longer jump onto the bed like she did as a puppy. Nine years has taken its toll on her, and I'm trying to keep her comfy. I also made her a new bed. It's a good sized bean bag chair, wrapped in fabric, and covered with a Sherpa blanket. She likes it pretty well. I often catch her napping on it during the day. She's happy and content with her life, and that's a priority with me.
Moriarty keeps us on our toes. She follows us around the house like a shadow. Informs me frequently that the tiny bowl of catnip treats needs refilling. Likes to walk on her hind legs, which is hilarious in a cat. She torments Watson, the Beta Fish, every chance she gets. Having decided that the fishbowl is the perfect height to drink comfortably from, they interact with each other often. Watson doesn't seem to mind. When Moriarty is having a drink, Watson will swim up and tag her tongue.
Enough for now...
Took the etrike out the other day to run errands. It was heavily overcast, so I was able to wear dark sunglasses instead of the welding glasses that I have to use on sunny days. I ride it at walking speed so that I can keep track of where the side of the road is. My days to ride it are pretty much over, and I'm going to miss it. As it is now, I can get out and walk or ride during the day, when the sun is overhead and not in the direction that I'm facing. At night, I see nothing and have to use my white cane, or the arm of a handsome man.
The house is clean, except for furniture polishing. That will be tomorrow's chore. My weekly organizing project is working on my bedroom closet. Mainly, making sure everything is still where it belongs, and checking with the magnifiers to be sure that nothing has any stains or is too worn out to be worn out in public. I know that my red flats need to be downgraded from regular wear to the last stage of footwear life, aka yard shoes. I've added more hooks to the closet so that my handbags are easier to locate. The shoes in boxes need Braille labels, on the boxes, that is. The footwear not in boxes need to be dusted. These aren't huge projects, but once they're finished, it simplifies my life immensely. With apps to identify colors and being careful to keep all clothing separated by colors, dressing is a breeze. I don't have any desire to step out without looking my best, even if I cannot see it.
Found a way to dress up my white canes and coordinate them with my wardrobe. I printed and laminated some lovely patterns in a variety of colors. Wrapping them around the tops of my canes, just below the handles, and securing them with clear tape, makes them into stunning accessories. I'm a firm believer in the old adage...Have nothing that is not useful or beautiful. I think that almost everything should be both.
I made some steps at the foot of my bed for my beastie. She needs them to get up and down. A few weeks ago, she tried jumping up, and it was a spectacular fail. Her chest hit the edge of the bed, and she landed on the floor. That's when we both knew that the days of high flying leaps was over. Her arthritis is to the point where she can no longer jump onto the bed like she did as a puppy. Nine years has taken its toll on her, and I'm trying to keep her comfy. I also made her a new bed. It's a good sized bean bag chair, wrapped in fabric, and covered with a Sherpa blanket. She likes it pretty well. I often catch her napping on it during the day. She's happy and content with her life, and that's a priority with me.
Moriarty keeps us on our toes. She follows us around the house like a shadow. Informs me frequently that the tiny bowl of catnip treats needs refilling. Likes to walk on her hind legs, which is hilarious in a cat. She torments Watson, the Beta Fish, every chance she gets. Having decided that the fishbowl is the perfect height to drink comfortably from, they interact with each other often. Watson doesn't seem to mind. When Moriarty is having a drink, Watson will swim up and tag her tongue.
Enough for now...
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Thursday
It's been a busy day here at Chez Harris. I made a batch of chicken and noodles, listened to a couple of online classes, baked a loaf of bread, sorted through a closet, winterproofed more of the house, took out the trash, cleaned a bit, played with my furry beasties, walked a mile, and took a nap. Currently taking a break before a bath and shampoo, and then I'll call it a night.
It was pretty warm out on Monday and Tuesday, so I made certain that I got outside for a while. Still hauling branches and twigs to the curb from the last ice storm. I should be done with that chore early next week if the forecast for the sixties and seventies holds. Took the trike out and picked up some soda. It was sunny out both days, so I had to wear the welding glasses. Without them, I'm completely blind in sunlight.
Winterizing after I moved in here three years ago wasn't easy. That's the fun of living in a hundred year old home. There are a couple of rooms where the walls and floors don't quite meet. Heat rushes right through them. I stuffed them with weatherstripping to hold off the cold. The gaps have grown a bit since then. Today, I rolled up a couple dozen cloth dinner napkins and stuffed them in the cracks. It helped a lot. The house is much warmer now. It's in the thirties outside, so I've closed off a few rooms. The furnace and the electric fireplace are keeping the main part of the house in the low seventies.
I'm ready for spring. For growing things, leaves on the trees, longer days, sunshine, rain showers. Winter is my least favorite month. Spring is my absolute favorite. Every time I go out the door, I check to see if my hyacinths are poking up out of the ground.
The online classes I'm currently taking are "Ancient History" and "Quantum Mechanics". I'm enjoying both, but would love to have textbooks to learn with. Still not proficient enough in Braille to use them at this time, so I try to memorize as much as I can. I practice using Braille daily, and wish it was as simple as learning to read print was many decades ago. I'm still reading slowly, uncontracted, but that is fairly easy. Contracted Braille, Nemeth Code, and numbers are in the future. Every time I use them, it feels as though I'm trying to translate a teenagers text message. I will learn it, it's just taking awhile. I can write with the Perkins Brailler when arthritis isn't too horrible. The rest of the time, I'm using a stylus and slate. Figuring out a way to make the stylus more comfortable for arthritic hands is proving to be a challenge. Tried a few things, and have more in mind to try. I've got grocery and to do lists done in Braille. They are handy.
For Christmas, I bought myself an autoharp. A simple children's version, but I'm enjoying it. I'd been thinking for awhile of picking up a new instrument after giving away my old keyboard a couple of years ago. It is a lot of fun. I saved screenshots of sheet music that I'd like to play, and will enlarge and print them. There are already quite a few that I can play by ear. I found a couple of tuning apps that I'm happy with.
This evening has been lovely. The house is clean and smells wonderful. There are two bouquets of stargazer lilies in the house, making me smile each time I catch a whiff of their fragrance. I borrowed a friend's unused bread maker recently, and there is a loaf cooling on the wire rack in the kitchen. Laundry is done, and there are clothes drying on the wooden rack. I smell a bit of fabric softener whenever I walk past it. I'm snuggled on the loveseat with several pillows, a fleece blanket, and Moriarty the cat. There's a cup of cocoa with whipped cream on top of it. Demeter is asleep, curled up in the armchair across the room. Doctor Who is playing in the background on prime. I've found that I don't mind not having over the air tv as much as I thought I would. I enjoy nights like this. Treasure them, in fact.
I moved Watson's fish bowl to the living room to keep it warmer. He's covering every inch of his bowl, checking out the new sights. I try to keep him in places where things move or change outside of his bowl. At times, I'll light a candle and place it a foot or two away from him, just for atmosphere. I know, he's just a fish, but I know I'd hate to live in a place where nothing ever changes, so I won't do that to my pets.
Enough for now...
It was pretty warm out on Monday and Tuesday, so I made certain that I got outside for a while. Still hauling branches and twigs to the curb from the last ice storm. I should be done with that chore early next week if the forecast for the sixties and seventies holds. Took the trike out and picked up some soda. It was sunny out both days, so I had to wear the welding glasses. Without them, I'm completely blind in sunlight.
Winterizing after I moved in here three years ago wasn't easy. That's the fun of living in a hundred year old home. There are a couple of rooms where the walls and floors don't quite meet. Heat rushes right through them. I stuffed them with weatherstripping to hold off the cold. The gaps have grown a bit since then. Today, I rolled up a couple dozen cloth dinner napkins and stuffed them in the cracks. It helped a lot. The house is much warmer now. It's in the thirties outside, so I've closed off a few rooms. The furnace and the electric fireplace are keeping the main part of the house in the low seventies.
I'm ready for spring. For growing things, leaves on the trees, longer days, sunshine, rain showers. Winter is my least favorite month. Spring is my absolute favorite. Every time I go out the door, I check to see if my hyacinths are poking up out of the ground.
The online classes I'm currently taking are "Ancient History" and "Quantum Mechanics". I'm enjoying both, but would love to have textbooks to learn with. Still not proficient enough in Braille to use them at this time, so I try to memorize as much as I can. I practice using Braille daily, and wish it was as simple as learning to read print was many decades ago. I'm still reading slowly, uncontracted, but that is fairly easy. Contracted Braille, Nemeth Code, and numbers are in the future. Every time I use them, it feels as though I'm trying to translate a teenagers text message. I will learn it, it's just taking awhile. I can write with the Perkins Brailler when arthritis isn't too horrible. The rest of the time, I'm using a stylus and slate. Figuring out a way to make the stylus more comfortable for arthritic hands is proving to be a challenge. Tried a few things, and have more in mind to try. I've got grocery and to do lists done in Braille. They are handy.
For Christmas, I bought myself an autoharp. A simple children's version, but I'm enjoying it. I'd been thinking for awhile of picking up a new instrument after giving away my old keyboard a couple of years ago. It is a lot of fun. I saved screenshots of sheet music that I'd like to play, and will enlarge and print them. There are already quite a few that I can play by ear. I found a couple of tuning apps that I'm happy with.
This evening has been lovely. The house is clean and smells wonderful. There are two bouquets of stargazer lilies in the house, making me smile each time I catch a whiff of their fragrance. I borrowed a friend's unused bread maker recently, and there is a loaf cooling on the wire rack in the kitchen. Laundry is done, and there are clothes drying on the wooden rack. I smell a bit of fabric softener whenever I walk past it. I'm snuggled on the loveseat with several pillows, a fleece blanket, and Moriarty the cat. There's a cup of cocoa with whipped cream on top of it. Demeter is asleep, curled up in the armchair across the room. Doctor Who is playing in the background on prime. I've found that I don't mind not having over the air tv as much as I thought I would. I enjoy nights like this. Treasure them, in fact.
I moved Watson's fish bowl to the living room to keep it warmer. He's covering every inch of his bowl, checking out the new sights. I try to keep him in places where things move or change outside of his bowl. At times, I'll light a candle and place it a foot or two away from him, just for atmosphere. I know, he's just a fish, but I know I'd hate to live in a place where nothing ever changes, so I won't do that to my pets.
Enough for now...
Thursday, January 19, 2017
It's been awhile...here's why.
The last time I posted on here, I was still fairly new to the whole houseguest thing. The few I'd had before were a pleasure, and didn't stay too long. I loved having a gorgeous guest room, and being able to offer hospitality to friends and relatives.
I'm rethinking the whole thing now. The latest guest is a dear friend, and I love her dearly. That being said, I believe I need to set some serious ground rules for future guests.
The first being, no more than a 48 hour long stay, ever.
The second being, just never again.
The reasons for the rules...
1. Kitchen cabinet door ripped off the hinge.
2. Popcorn maker melted.
3. My antique settee from great grandma means a great deal to me. Within a few hours of explaining that I didn't want it used or damaged, a two inch cigarette ash was dropped on the seat. Twenty four hours later, she dumped a 32 oz glass of sweet tea on the upholstery.
4. Eight cigarette burns in the tablecloth.
5. Lit cigarettes in the guest bedroom after my explicitly stating that there were never to be any smoking materials in the bedroom due to it being a fire and safety hazard.
6. Gel pen marker on 1600 thread count sheets, which will never come out.
7. Refusing to job hunt until a couple of weeks after a vacation we took her on. That was after she'd been here for over two months already. Then, not hunting seriously. Quitting a job on the first day after training. It took five months before she was working full time and I could get her out of my house.
8. The lies... I caught her in several. They never ended. I'd call her out on them, and she just kept on lying anyway.
9. Money missing, but I can't prove she took it.
10. Sitting around on her butt for weeks even after the "I cannot afford to support you" conversation.
11. Didn't like the groceries, etc. That I purchased, and magically found enough cash to purchase her own.
12. Didn't like it when I downgraded to the absolute cheapest coffee, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and other products due to not having money to buy my usual brands. Note, I did not cut back in any way on my pets foods or other products for them.
13. Telling me what she would not put up with, in my house.
14. Stated she was deathly allergic to and horribly afraid of dogs, so to hurry things along, I quit going to my gentleman friends home for the weekends. Instead, he began bringing his huge German shepherds over with him every Friday to Sunday. His home is in the middle of being remodeled, so it was better to have him here for my safety anyway.
15. Passive aggressive behavior on her part...moving things around, knowing I'm blind and would have a hard time finding them. I told her that if she didn't know where something went, to leave it on the kitchen counter. That didn't happen even once, she'd just put things anywhere, which is a nightmare if you're blind and keep everything in its place.
16. All of those little digs about my housekeeping whenever she performed a rare household chore. In her defense, she did keep up with some of the dishwashing. She claimed that she vacuumed when I was gone on the weekends, but I only saw proof of that a couple of times. She mopped once. Mainly, she'd put household cleaners in the sink and tub while I was gone on the weekends, so I couldn't use them when I got home until I cleaned them.
17. The only time I ever asked for a ride from her was for a doctor's appointment. It cost me $80, not including any medical expenses.
18. When she'd ask me to ride along with her for her errands, I'd end up paying for everything. That stopped in short order, too expensive for me.
19. When I'd be listening to my online classes, she'd start playing music videos. Loudly.
20. The guest room was filthy all of the time, even with plenty of available storage in there. Since my home has a jack and Jill bathroom, the guest room is where anyone visiting would walk through to use the bathroom. Nothing like picking your way across dirty panties and trash to use the facilities.
21. She had no problem watching me mow and do yard work, clean house, haul out the trash, etc.
22. I loaned her a brand new formal dress for our vacation, still had tags on it. When we returned home, she ran it through the washer and dryer. It was dry clean only.
23. The vacation was a nightmare. Enough said.
24. I supplied almost all of her clothes, shoes, etc., when she returned to America with only a few pairs of sandals and a couple of muumuus to wear. I gave her some and purchased the rest for her.
25. Except for two and a half hours on Tuesday evenings, I never had a moment of privacy. She was always there.
26. She spoke of inviting people to come visit at my home, strangers to me. I, of course, said no to anything like that.
27. She was incapable of cooking without setting off the smoke detector, and never once cleaned off the stove.
She's been in her own place about a month. I gave her a lot of things to get her settled in...furniture, appliances, linens, and other items. I'm glad she's working and settled, I really am.
It's taking a lot to readjust after her moving out. The house is once again clean to my standards. I'm getting used to having my own space. My peace of mind is slowly reappearing. It will take a year or more to recover financially from her being here. Vacations are off the table for at least a couple of years. So are things like the new clothes, shoes, trips to the beauty parlor, dental work, Braille books, etc.
I'm tired and stressed, but I will recover. My level of trust may never come back. That's probably a good thing. I dislike being used, and will remember this lesson for the rest of my life.
Enough for now...
I'm rethinking the whole thing now. The latest guest is a dear friend, and I love her dearly. That being said, I believe I need to set some serious ground rules for future guests.
The first being, no more than a 48 hour long stay, ever.
The second being, just never again.
The reasons for the rules...
1. Kitchen cabinet door ripped off the hinge.
2. Popcorn maker melted.
3. My antique settee from great grandma means a great deal to me. Within a few hours of explaining that I didn't want it used or damaged, a two inch cigarette ash was dropped on the seat. Twenty four hours later, she dumped a 32 oz glass of sweet tea on the upholstery.
4. Eight cigarette burns in the tablecloth.
5. Lit cigarettes in the guest bedroom after my explicitly stating that there were never to be any smoking materials in the bedroom due to it being a fire and safety hazard.
6. Gel pen marker on 1600 thread count sheets, which will never come out.
7. Refusing to job hunt until a couple of weeks after a vacation we took her on. That was after she'd been here for over two months already. Then, not hunting seriously. Quitting a job on the first day after training. It took five months before she was working full time and I could get her out of my house.
8. The lies... I caught her in several. They never ended. I'd call her out on them, and she just kept on lying anyway.
9. Money missing, but I can't prove she took it.
10. Sitting around on her butt for weeks even after the "I cannot afford to support you" conversation.
11. Didn't like the groceries, etc. That I purchased, and magically found enough cash to purchase her own.
12. Didn't like it when I downgraded to the absolute cheapest coffee, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and other products due to not having money to buy my usual brands. Note, I did not cut back in any way on my pets foods or other products for them.
13. Telling me what she would not put up with, in my house.
14. Stated she was deathly allergic to and horribly afraid of dogs, so to hurry things along, I quit going to my gentleman friends home for the weekends. Instead, he began bringing his huge German shepherds over with him every Friday to Sunday. His home is in the middle of being remodeled, so it was better to have him here for my safety anyway.
15. Passive aggressive behavior on her part...moving things around, knowing I'm blind and would have a hard time finding them. I told her that if she didn't know where something went, to leave it on the kitchen counter. That didn't happen even once, she'd just put things anywhere, which is a nightmare if you're blind and keep everything in its place.
16. All of those little digs about my housekeeping whenever she performed a rare household chore. In her defense, she did keep up with some of the dishwashing. She claimed that she vacuumed when I was gone on the weekends, but I only saw proof of that a couple of times. She mopped once. Mainly, she'd put household cleaners in the sink and tub while I was gone on the weekends, so I couldn't use them when I got home until I cleaned them.
17. The only time I ever asked for a ride from her was for a doctor's appointment. It cost me $80, not including any medical expenses.
18. When she'd ask me to ride along with her for her errands, I'd end up paying for everything. That stopped in short order, too expensive for me.
19. When I'd be listening to my online classes, she'd start playing music videos. Loudly.
20. The guest room was filthy all of the time, even with plenty of available storage in there. Since my home has a jack and Jill bathroom, the guest room is where anyone visiting would walk through to use the bathroom. Nothing like picking your way across dirty panties and trash to use the facilities.
21. She had no problem watching me mow and do yard work, clean house, haul out the trash, etc.
22. I loaned her a brand new formal dress for our vacation, still had tags on it. When we returned home, she ran it through the washer and dryer. It was dry clean only.
23. The vacation was a nightmare. Enough said.
24. I supplied almost all of her clothes, shoes, etc., when she returned to America with only a few pairs of sandals and a couple of muumuus to wear. I gave her some and purchased the rest for her.
25. Except for two and a half hours on Tuesday evenings, I never had a moment of privacy. She was always there.
26. She spoke of inviting people to come visit at my home, strangers to me. I, of course, said no to anything like that.
27. She was incapable of cooking without setting off the smoke detector, and never once cleaned off the stove.
She's been in her own place about a month. I gave her a lot of things to get her settled in...furniture, appliances, linens, and other items. I'm glad she's working and settled, I really am.
It's taking a lot to readjust after her moving out. The house is once again clean to my standards. I'm getting used to having my own space. My peace of mind is slowly reappearing. It will take a year or more to recover financially from her being here. Vacations are off the table for at least a couple of years. So are things like the new clothes, shoes, trips to the beauty parlor, dental work, Braille books, etc.
I'm tired and stressed, but I will recover. My level of trust may never come back. That's probably a good thing. I dislike being used, and will remember this lesson for the rest of my life.
Enough for now...
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