Purging
Our office is moving next week. To that end we are all packing up our offices. I moved over here in 2004 and shipped way more than I needed from my office in Little Rock.
This time around, I am being heartless. I am throwing away more stuff than I am keeping. Do I really need a mailing list from 1993???
One of the hardest things for me to throw away was my 3 huge binders of cause cases. These are investigations I did over the years where I found a violation. These represent what our agency is here for. The good we accomplish for individuals. I threw all of that away. It was a good feeling though to go through some of the lawsuits that had been filed as a result of my investigations, to see the relief we obtained for individuals who were discriminated against and just to see the hard work I had done that had paid off over the years. I always kept those as a validation. When things got tough, I could look at them and remind myself of the reason I worked here. I do not need that anymore. This job assignment is a bit different. I am involved in education and prevention now, so I feel like I help people all the time.
It was freeing to throw away so much stuff. Yet, some things I still cannot part with. That stupid hat I got in a truck stop in Gurdon, Arkansas in 1986 that says "There you go again, thinking you have rights"... why do I keep this thing? That stupid pen holder a co worker made me out of a toilet paper roll... I guess because they remind me of the laughter and good times we had back then.
I got rid of so much, I gave up a 5 drawer legal size file cabinet. That is major - no one in government work ever gives up a piece of furniture once they get their hands on it....
Conservation begins at home.....
...ok, well it begins anywhere. Let's see where can I start with conservation this week. Hmmmm... oh I don't know... HEY..maybe Sheryl Crowe has some ideas!! Yea that is it, let me see what Sheryl Crowe recommends...
On her Sheryl blog she suggests these two conservation efforts: "I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming. Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating. One of my favorites is in the area of conserving trees which we heavily rely on for oxygen. I propose a limitation be put on how many sqares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required. When presenting this idea to my younger brother, who's judgement I trust implicitly, he proposed taking it one step further. I believe his quote was, "how bout just washing the one square out."I also like the idea of not using paper napkins, which happen to be made from virgin wood and represent the heighth of wastefullness. I have designed a clothing line that has what's called a "dining sleeve". The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another "dining sleeve," after usage. The design will offer the "diner" the convenience of wiping his mouth on his sleeve rather than throwing out yet another barely used paper product.. I think this idea could also translate quite well to those suffering with an annoying head cold."
Mmmhmm, I see. We should use one square for #1 and 2 - 3 for pesky #2. Hmmm, can I check back with you on that one. Now about this snot sleeve thing. I think that is just disgusting. When you take off the nasty sleeve, where do you put it? Do you stick it in an offensive plastic bag to take home and wash? Yes, I can see me at a business lunch wiping my mouth on my sleeve or worse, blowing my nose on my sleeve!!! Ewwwww!
Do not show Sheryl this toilet (with thanks to
AllFunnyPictures.com) - she would not be happy since they offer the user such a huge choice..how could you limit yourself to just one square?
Although I am pretty sure my mom would like that toilet paper idea. She always agonized over how much toilet paper I used. Once, as a grown woman with a 9 year old daughter, we went to visit some friends for Mardi Gras. When Mr. Mac and I were unloading the car, I grabbed a package of toilet paper and he asked me what it was for. I told him that mom thought I used too much toilet paper and she did not want them to be upset at how much toilet paper I used so she brought extra. He rolled his eyes and laughed so hard. So I think mom would be on board with Ms. Crow for this one. However, as long as I am buying the tp..I will use what I think I need - thank you very much. Now hand me that sleeve - I am out of toilet paper!!
Smelling Good in the Neighborhood
Not the best picture BUT this is one yummy smelling candle. I have an obsession with aroma. I love perfums, body creams, shower gels, candles, potpourri, etc. I found this candle at Wally World for $2.97. It is a large candle, 11.5 ounces and it smells heavenly when you burn it. I am going back to get more - for that price you can't beat it. This one (in case you cannot read blurry print) is Hazelnut Cream. Yummmmyo.
All of the kittens are gone. Nat came and got the last two, she is telling her hubby she "found" them. Mama cat is roaming around meowing at me. I feel bad (I cried - yes I am a wimp) but it is better that the kitties have good homes than be feral. Still she looks at me with those eyes... ahhhh it kills me. Flap wants Mama Cat and I hope she gets her.
Maya will miss the kitties - she loved for me to
bring one in the house for her to sniff and "play" with. They were not as thrilled with the playing thing as you can tell in this picture.
Kitty was not really liking Maya hanging out all around and he ran for shelter.
Kitty Mama Drama
These little stinkers were born under my house. Mama is a fluffy calico. I thought she was feral but it turns out she is not. I think someone dumped her. Anyway, she had these under the house and Maya was absolutly obsessed with something being under the house. She gnawed some of the paint off my built in bookcases trying to get under there to see what was down there!! Three weeks ago, Maya got under the house and came out with a scratched nose. Mama Cat don't play! Two weeks ago, Michael went into the shed to get something and heard hissing. He saw mama cat and 5 kittens in there. She moved them from under the house to our shed. I began contacting organizations trying to get help for these kitties. In the meantime, we learned she was friendly so I began feeding her. She gets two full meals a day plus some snacky stuff and eats it all. I figured since she was feeding - she could worry about her girlish figure later. She moved them once again to another shed. She had them in a shallow box on the shelf. I changed them out of the small box into a larger and deeper box - she seemed content with that. Long story short, I have all of the kitties adopted out - last two leaving tomorrow. A friend of mine wants Mama in a week or so. We are going to get her spayed. She was a bit upset when a kitty turned up missing here and there. I felt really bad taking her kitties but I know it is best so that they are not feral!!
I hope no more show up. This is not a good thing for someone who is off the charts allergic to cats.
Things Government Workers Worry About
Office space must top the list of "things government workers worry about". We are big on office space and the type of desk you get to work on. When I was a union rep, I actually processed a grievance on a particular desk being given to one employee over another.
This time one of our Administrative Judges found out his new office in our new space is 118 square feet. The rules say he is supposed to have 120 square feet. He is upset. This has resulted in people measuring their office, finger pointing and general whining. Nearly everyone ended up with a window office but, by golly, that office is missing 2 square feet!! Call me callous - but come on???
Greek Temple Architecture or Mausoleum??
So Michael and I got the bug several months ago to buy some land and a new house. We want it large enough to hold what we have and the folks that might be with us. We wanted some land so we had some sense of privacy (more so M than I - I am content in a neighborhood). We signed up with an agent, looked at a few then decided to cool our jets for awhile. However, we are still on the Listings link. When a listing is posted that falls within our parameters (house size, bedrooms, acreage, price, etc..) we get the listing.
Got this
listing the other day. When I opened it up I said "that looks like a Mausoleum" but when I read the description I was informed that it was Marble Greek Temple Architecture. OK -- I still say it screams Mausoleum. If you check out all the pics on the listing you will note the water feature in the living room... like it takes up the entire living room...why?? However, the notes on the listing say they have removed the water feature so you can have more room. I cannot imagine why. Why who wouldn't want a huge ass water fountain instead of furniture in a living room? Who wouldn't want the downright hominess of all that marble? Who wouldn't want that mess of lights above the living room that look like lights above a stage (I actually thought it was a model airplane hanging there) AND who wouldn't want that inviting front entrance with all that lovely light. Oh come on - you know the light streaming through that 2 foot circle above the doorway. What gives with the Victorian style door on the Greek Temple Architecture house? This house just says weird to me... in every possible way.
FOR RENT: One Watcher
This watcher is highly adept at watching you work. He can sit for hours and watch you clean the kitchen, clean the cabinets, get ready to prep for paint, move stuff and wash clothes.
His ability to not "notice" that work is going on is amazing. If you want to rent a watcher, I have one to rent but you better hurry .... Guiness Book of World Records is interested.
Weather Woes
Man, what is wrong with this weather?? We were freezing last weekend and we started to slightly warm up the past couple of days to be hit by massive thunderstorms, wind, lightning and hail today. Tonight the loudest clap of thunder I ever heard woke my from my little nappy on the loveseat. I thought someone dropped a bomb on the street!! WOW! It is cold, nasty, wet, yukky and, in general, a bummer. At least, we are not getting the snow some folks are getting!! Hey Mother Nature...it is the middle of April!!!
On another note, I am also bummed out about a situation at the radio station. A long time show host (I mean 20 plus years) was booted in favor of more Hispanic programming. Not that I am against Hispanic programming - I am against their ability to purchase 4 nights a week for one man who owns a large club in town. It goes against all the rules to allow a business owner to purchase shows and then hype up the business. I suspect that is what is happening. The sucky thing about it is I believe it was motivated solely by the 25% commission the manager who brokered the deal got. The deal was $4,000 a month for those days (7 - 10pm Wed - Sat). Lets see, 25% of $4,000 makes that a nice tidy $1,000.00 commission - monthly. Now why do you think those shows have taken over? By the way, I believe that knocks out any other Hispanic programming we have. So, we have dumped all the other for one club owner. Sound ethical to you?
Demo Derby
Well the demo has begun. Today the crew came in and started ripping out the kitchen floor. They removed the old dishwasher and stove. They moved the fridge to the dining room. After all of that, they started pulling up the old flooring. Two layers on linoleum. The one on top was probably put down in the late 70s, early 80s. The one below that was definitely 50s, maybe late 40s. It was a speckled green press on square by square thing. Pretty dreadful! I should have taken a pic beforehand. Tomorrow, the bathroom will be gutted.
I put the old dishwasher on freecycle and it was gone by 3 this afternoon. The lady who got it said her dishwasher went out yesterday. I do not have to put it in a landfill and she gets a working washer. What a deal!
My allergies continue to kill me. My eyes on most days look dreadful. Much like I stayed up all night crying. I have an appt with the allergist on Thursday morning. I take shots every 14 days, Allegra in the a.m and Zyrtec in the p.m. and I have had to rely on Benadryl in between. Can you say SLEEPY?
By the way, I am loving some
Amos Lee. His music is so awesome. I love the song Freedom, and the one called Colors...and then there is Lullabye and Supply and Demand....ahhh just go download some of it and check it out yourself.
Will post pics of the remodel as we progress.
There is a TRAMP in my shower!!!
I am in love with a Tramp. Yes, it is true. This
Tramp is dark, squishy and smells so awesome. I have a new
addiction to LUSH products. They are the coolest. This shower gel smells sort of woodsy, sandalwood, fresh... sigh... just clean and not flowery. A man or woman can use this one. I am hoping Michael does not like it though!! I also love, love the shampoo Rehab and conditioner Retread. I have a head of thick, out of control curls. When I got back from the blues jam last night my head smelled like an ashtray. I took a shower with my Tramp and washed and conditioned my hair with the
Rehab and
Retread. Yummm. This morning I can still smell the scents on my skin and hair. Not overpowering, very subtle and oh so nice. My hair feels silky and my curls are behaving. I am anxious to try my
butterballs next. My LUSH wish list grows but I have to budget a little at a time. I guess I am living a LUSH life.
Mullets - they never die!!
I know, I know - it is a lifestyle and not a hairstyle but man oh man do they persist. We snapped this pic at the Cornerstone the night of the Who concert. It is a modified, overgelled, mullet. Usually, folks do not gel up those mullets.
Last night Diana and I went to Parrot Beach for the "blues jam" and we saw lots of mullets. It was very interesting. Someone ought to study that culture as an anthropological project. How cool would that be?
Hey now, if you have a mullet do not be offended. You have chosen the lifestyle, wear it proud!!! It is sort of like tattooing something on your forehead - you did it, ya got to expect folks will talk about it.
