Really Sans Souci

A new bed...a real bed.  No more sleeping on the couch or chair.  The cats love it.  In fact I rarely see them  of late.  Here are The three of them taking up the bed and leaving no room for me.  Last night was heavenly.  The four of us all cuddled in bed, Gonif a bump under the blanket.  Life is good...eh?

Sans Souci

In the new house and still in the process of unpacking.  Taking Monday off to finish off the bedrooms.  And also supervise the comings and goings of the last workmen.

All is going well. Today the master bedroom will be unpacked and the TV set up and I should sleep in the bed tonight.  Yankel already loves the bed as it gets full morning sun.  He is lost on a pool of sunlight.  Also  on the calendar for today is the hanging of paintings and the hauling away of boxes. So really only the music room and the bedroom need immediate attention ,

Right now I am just catching my breath before people start showing up.  I feel like a quick nap is in order.

PTSD

Is rampant.  I have it.  You have it.  Trauma is the issue of the day.  How can someone be removed enough from trauma yet treat someone for a similar traumatic situation.  It's all nonsense and life does not really go on...except in fits and starts.  One trauma ends only to embark on a new traumatic journey.

My first therapist had a stroke during the course of my treatment and I had to find a new therapist which was a clusterfuck of a process.  I finally got a good one, by luck or tenacity.  My psychiatrist was in a serious automobile accident (are we seeing a pattern?) and while he still sees me once every six months for medication checks, he is still rehabbing on his injuries, years later.  Yes, damn it, it is all about me and being bereft.  I think I am an albatross for therapists and psychiatrists, hanging about their collective necks as if the were the Ancient Mariner.  I can't fully express the hurt I am feeling for Hyphen.  And the woman who was her back-up in this case has yet to return my two phone calls.  Which is pissing me off, which is making me sadder, which is trauma and fux it.

So to the collective Giraffe Lovers: what the hell should I be doing other than moving and self absorbed pity.  Redundancy. 

Oh, my...Hyphen

Yesterday, if you were sentient, the first photo you saw in the blog was a hole in my wall.  Today there is one in my heart.   My beloved Hyphen, she of the giraffes and therapists to the best and brightest, like moi, was in an unfortunate (is there really a fortunate one?) taxi cab accident and is out of commission for at least a month I am told.  It does not upset me that I will not have MY therapist for a while; I am actually doing rather well considering all the disruption in my life.  What upsets me, causes me pain is the fact that she is hurt.  I wonder, long term, the effect this will have.  Now, gentle reader, you may not know this but now you will.  My just turned 90 year old grandmother was riding in a funeral procession in a car with three of her sisters when a Montgomery Ward (remember them?) truck shot through the procession and T-Boned the car, killing my Dorothy, my beloved grandmother, instantly.  I was "fortunate" enough to get the call at work and for almost nine years I was unable to grieve   I ended up having a breakdown those nine years later, only to recuperate at the lovely Stress Unit out in Owosso (that's in Michigan) for two weeks.  I have the same sense of numbness now regarding Hyphen.   Totally out of my hands.  She, who always would remind me how short and transitional life is, is now in a local hospital, soon to be rehab.  I don't fret for the time I will be without her.  I fret for fear of taking my seemingly petty problems to someone who has endured so much physical and emotional pain.  The aunt who was driving the car wherein my grandmother was killed suffered a broken pelvis and was never really the same mentally after the accident.  I remember my dad taking me to visit her in the hospital the day after the funeral and her begging me not to hate her for what had transpired.  My father was a wise man in taking me to see her and bringing me to a point of forgiveness.  Can I forgive myself for Hyphen, for the way I feel; not abandoned but somehow responsible for her pain.  I don't know if this makes any sense...it did last night to my AA friend.  But I am sure Sophie will tell me to not take it out on me.  To be rational.  How can I even consider seeing another therapist when she is hurt.  And how can I see her again after she has been so mangled?  Not knowing the actual injuries is a trifle upsetting as well.  To only know she will be in rehab speaks volumes about the nature of the accident.  I am bereft. 

Before and after

This is the original hole in the wall whence what was the kitchen.

 And now this is the mostly finished kitchen.  What an improvement over the hole that once was.  The faucet needs to be added and the back splash.  All that will be done by Saturday.  Indeed the painting will be done thorough the house and by the end of Monday the floors will all be finished like the last photo in this array.  And yes, Tootsie, once again I am just too pumped to sleep.  The boys are all calmly resting  and I am bouncing off the walls. Plus a  little GERD is also keeping me awake.  By this time next week I will be wide awake in my new bed in my newly remodeled home.  I did find out the plumber has to come today and snake out the drains in the bathroom.  How that old woman managed to live it that dump of an ill cared for house is beyond me.  It was a short sale and initially I felt sorry for the lady but the mess she left behind disabused me of that notion rather quickly.  So as I sit upright and hope the reflux calms enough so I can get at least a few hours of sleep, I am doing emotional cartwheels over the beautiful remodel that Brad and his crew did in two months.  Yes, and also this week the blinds will go in, the washer and dryer will be delivered and installed and come Tuesday the 24th I will be in the midst of packing with Bonnie and her crew.  I guess today is in fact Thursday and I have a busy day ahead of me and some sleep might help me make a better day of it but, hell no, I am just so damn excited I could plotz. And plotz I have and will continue.

  Does not this red oak floor look fabulous?   This will go so nice with the birch built in book shelves in the living room.  All I can say is  big fat WOW!

Magic Plastic Tuna and her disappeared toaster

We had a party at work today and a few people brought in bagels.  Now, a little background.  When I lived on the other side of Technical Services I had brought in a bagel slicer and a black toaster.  When I moved to my present location I left the toaster in possession of the Magic Plastic Tuna.  That was a little over two years ago.  Today of all days she of the Plastic Tuna was querying everybody in Technical Services as to the location of the toaster I had entrusted to her years ago.  And to no avail.  Now, worry not gentle reader as there are two, count them, two toasters out in the Cyber Cafe.  Yet for the  next two hours  Magic Plastic Tuna was wandering about, bagel in tow, seeking a toaster.  It just boggles the mind that she was so intent on finding that toaster she had misplaced that she spent two hours and bothered countless people for that toaster.  Such is the pit bull essence of Magic Plastic Tuna.  I don't know if she ever got her bagel toasted but it did serve as comic relief on the order of Waiting for Godot.  Wait, here's the bus...off walks Godot and we have a picnic, sans toaster, wearing a breathing mask in case of an attack by a moldy book, arranged by color and size for all those OCD folks in the building.

This said, it was a bizarre day at OK Corral.  Thursday I have my evaluation which is not causing me any concern.  And then my Union training luncheon.  That will make for a quick day.  I have a session of reflexology tomorrow as well and Friday we go see Billy Strings.  This is all a delightful interlude before the move.  Sunday will be busy.  I should be able to get all the rugs down and set up the music room.  Get food and Coke in the fridge.  And then be ready for the big move.  I am anxious just to get it over.  The concert we planned on seeing next week was cancelled and that was a bit of kismet as I didn't think I would rally have time to go.

So, Hyphen, see how calm I be.  Valium is indeed mother's little helper.

Cheers

Oh, no she din't!

The official countdown commences. 

In one week, the 25th of March, my own March Madness will start its four block caravan east, from the Casa de Flatulence to Sans Souci.  To say my own gut is in an uproar is a minimalist understatement.  Hyphen is officially back from her break so maybe I will be able to see her before the regular Monday appointment.  But, let's be honest: I am really doing fine.  A tad stressed, perhaps immobile from the daunting tasks before me, but basically alright. Sans Souci is indeed sans.  The floors were finished yesterday and are happily drying.  The painting will be finished this Saturday.  Sunday we can move the rugs in, put the music room together, clear out and transport the items in the refrigerator, and put together the TV stand as well as the storage bench for in front of the picture window for the cats to watch their new world pass by.  I will run my dishwasher one last time and pack up my current kitchen.  Monday...one last day of work, dentist and Hyphen before packing on Tuesday and moving on Wednesday.  Not too much furniture to move from the condo; just a few chairs, my home office with the huge antique desk, coffee table and books...lots of boosk and CDs.  Mister Van will be bringing most of the furniture from his warehouse: dining set, bedroom suite and a new sofa.

However...the more I ponder this move the more stressed I am becoming.  Thank God for spring training baseball. This is my saving grace right now.  I go home, pop open a Coke and camp in front of the TV watching the baseball season take shape before me.  Hope does indeed spring eternal.    So in the spirit of the season I shall quote not Chaucer and his piercing of the drought of March to the root, or e.e. cummings' world of mud luscious and puddle wonderful, but my own two cents.

"Spring has Sprung, the Grass has Riz...I Wonder Where the Birdies Iz?"

Adieu.

Simcha chills, the Czarina does pills (and Debbie does Dallas)

 Simcha is ready to move. He is all packed and here he is relaxing, perhaps pondering his new environs.  He has taken over Yankel's position on the couch, forcing Yankel to take refuge in the music room beds.  Ah, a quiet moment before the storm of packing.

Well, not so quiet.  Can you find the kitty in the maze of boxes?  From a moment of quietude to the miasma of moving.  Boxes heaped upon boxes.  Most of these boxes are destined for the new kitchen.  Something like twenty five drawers and cabinets, all awaiting these boxes.  From pasta to ice cream, bread boxes to toasters, food processor to new red enameled cast iron cookware.   Oh, Lordy, what a bloody mess.  All new appliances.  All new floors, refinished just today.  New blinds going in this week, the washer and dryer being delivered.  All this is prelude to the final packing of the condo's contents on Tuesday next.  Eighteen years of clutter to pack and move.  Deep seated panic is setting in.  How can all this be packed and moved in two days?   Simcha has the right idea...just chill.  Maybe I can put myself in a carrier and they can cart me over with the cats. And below, in addition to Mister Simcha, we see boxes destined for the bedroom.  Linens and things.  And God knows what else.  Has anyone see Jimmy Hoffa lately?  It's a big box....I am just saying...

Another day, another Magic Plastic Tuna

So the long day of the soul lasted well into the midnight hours.  I spent money at Lowe's and Menard's and met Dan the Man at the last stop of the day and he took me home.  We had late coffee and signed papers and was able to make me solvent again.  After Dan left I saw I had an urgent voice mail from Sophie Handelman.  It seems The Viper, AKA Patricia the crazed woman in my soon to be former condo building, wrote Sophie a long note, out of the blue I might add, about needing help with some of her varied and sundry health issues.  Let me be the first to point out she has only met Sophie twice and yet she felt she could impose on her kindness.  She needed to be carted to doctors' appointments and the like.  Let me also be the first to point out Patricia has a car and a driver's license but she claims to have situational agoraphobia and is unable to leave her condo except to get her hair and nails done and go to doctors.  Sophie was in a Czarina-style tizzy.  So after becalming her with words of wisdom I puttered about the condo and ordered in some pizza and lunch for the girls today.  The pizza was not what I wanted at the point when it came.  I ate very little.  I decided to call a few friends and give them the update on the new house and see if I couldn't settle myself down enough to eat a little something and get some good sleep.  Along about 10:30, still wide awake and puttering and also kinda hungry, I ordered in my own sandwich for lunch today and tried to eat the salad from the pizza place for a late snack instead of saving it for today's lunch.  Alas, that was not what I wanted either.  So hungry and awake I watched the TV until after 1:00 and got about four hours of sleep.  So when I left for work this morning I thought the flag across the street was flying at me, much like the vaunted flying monkeys out of the Wizard of Oz.  Yes, a little sleep deprived, or depraved as the case may be.

Today I was going to have the accountant drop off my taxes but I think I will call him and have him hold on to them until after I move and after I have the financial wherewithal to pay the tax bill.  That way I won't have the chance to misplace the vouchers to send off to the state and federal tax people.

Okay, the Magic Plastic Tuna, who I might add is also very toxic, is holding forth this morning and the noise is getting to me.  Yakking away as she is, oblivious to the fact that she is as annoying to me as she claims everyone else is to her.  It is time to work.  It is after 7:00.  So like a good Do Be I am getting to work and plugging into La Traviata on the iPod.  Ah, Bubbles, sing me a good drinking song.

For the sake of brevity

And brevity being the soul of wit, I have renamed Mal the Magic Plastic Tuna for reasons known to only a handful of people.  Magic Plastic Tuna sums up her perpetually unhappy weltanschauung.  And that is the best word to describe her outlook.  Only the German language can justly describe the world according to Magic Plastic Tuna.  I have never in all my years met someone as consistently unhappy and intent on spreading that unhappiness far and wide.  So today when a co-worker was announcing that Dairy Queen was offering free ice cream cones I felt for certain she would shoot back with some dismal argument about poor suffering dairy cows being force milked to provide a treat for the non-bovine amongst us.  I was, however, wrong (imagine that).  Still tomorrow is another day and festering injustices may take a while to surface.  So here's to you Magic Plastic Tuna Lady.  Try and spoil spring for everyone.

Today I found I owe a shit load of moolah to the IRS for taxes.  That was unwelcome news.  Still I have to pay it back.  But, in the spirit of engaging in our economic recovery I am buying a washer and dryer today for the new house.  Sophie Handleman wants the old ones from the house, as well as the old sofa from the condo.  I'll have Brad run it over to her.  After plunking down money on the laundry room my guy Dan is coming over and we will discuss finances as well as terminating my current cleaning lady.  Then I may be wasted for the night.  Money angst of my own may take over and I will need to order in a pizza tonight.  As it is it will be a long day, having only gotten three hours of sleep last night.  And then fasting blood work this morning that gave me a headache as I couldn't have my caffeine before the tests.  And now I am stressing about the IRS.  Oh, well.

So that is the mid-day update.  Nothing magical about my plastic tuna, which is the bane of civilization...much worse than climate change, racism, poverty etc. etc.  Plastic Tunas.  I may name my next band that.  The Magical Plastic Tunas.  Songs for the Apocalypse.

The end is near

I just heard from my contractor the house will be ready by this coming Friday. So by next Saturday I can start stocking the fridge and cabinets.  Lay some of the rugs and put together some of the items like the new TV stand and storage bench.  So it is also a definite go to move in on the 25th.  Yee Haw.  Now I am really excited and can't rest.  Plotting and planning my move.  I can get the music room set up for the cats on Sunday and they can be moved safely on Wednesday.  Going to meet with Dan this week for finances and also to help me fire the current housekeeper, who when I told she shouldn't come to clean this week was already pulling the poor me and pity cards and how she needed the work.  But when see was here last she reeked of marijuana and I don't want that around the cats.  I will also have Don, the new housekeeper, do the final cleaning on the condo.  So once the stuff is moved Joyce will be totally out of the picture. And that is causing me ral stress and also keeping me from sleeping.  Oh, God, oh, God Polly Wolly Doodle All Day.

So in less than ten days I am outta here.  I have done all my change of addresses.  It's really coming together.  Polly Wolly Doodle all the day.

The cats are doing better.  Gonif was a little under the weather the last few days but is doing better and  Simcha is doing better.  Yankel is always Yankel.

So I a. Off.  Wrapping myself in a quilt I hope to be able to calm down and just be able to rest.  Spring break is over at MSU.  And life goes on.

Polly Wolly Doodle...

The not-so-big-sleep

I was exhausted last night, especially after the session of reflexology, so I ordered Chinese food in for dinner and lunch today.  Only problem with that was I forgot to order Gastric's cashew chicken so I placed a second delivery order about four minutes after my order arrived.  I thought for a second they forgot the order but then I realized it was my bad and much to my chagrin I had to place a second order, to which the delivery person was a bit bemused but delivered nonetheless.  Such was my level of sleep deprivation.  I did manage to get about three hours of good sleep last night so I am feeling bright and refreshed this morning.

Today Brad and I go shopping for a washer and dryer set.  There is an old one in the new house but I don't trust how well it may have been maintained so I want to start anew.  Nothing fancy like those high efficiency ones they are touting.  Just a basic washer and dryer is sufficient.

Less than two weeks and I move.  This weekend I will pack up a large part of the kitchen.  I was going to run the frozen food over there today but the search for the washer and dryer will preclude that mission.  But I can pack the pots and pans I want to take as well as those I can donate.  Pack the cupboards up.  I told the current housekeeper not to clean the next two weeks as it would be too crazy in the condo for a good cleaning.  That said I told her to clean the week after I move out and really clean the fridge and oven and do a better job on the bath tub.  Then, by gosh and by gum, I am going to get a new housekeeper.  One that does not smoke dope before cleaning.  A friend from work recommended someone and I spoke with him last night and liked the fact that he uses all natural and organic cleaning products.  Makes more sense with the cats.  To wit, my housekeeper called to tell me one of the cats was ill and she cleaned it up.  I think she was fishing for extra money but all it did was to make me very anxious at work.  When I got home all was well, including all the cats.

And that, gentle reader, is the morning report.  Mayhap more to come.

Sleep don't fail me now

Took two Restorils, which are very mild prescription sleeping pills. And here I am two hours later wide awake and writing on the progress of the house, Sans Souci.  The appliances arrived and were installed without incident.  Thursday JB and are are taking the contents of the freezer over there as one less thing to move on the 25th.  I also hear that the bedrooms and hallway were painted as a prelude to the floors in those areas being refinished.  All systems go for a March 25th move in date.

Alright, the cats are going wild; more specifically Gonif is running like a mad man thorough the house.  It is obvious to me he didn't have much success sleeping either.  Getting ready to attack the sleeping Simcha and they are off and running.  So of course sleep now will be delayed even longer as we wait for the cats to burn themselves out.  Yankel is quietly resting in the bathtub.  Yowser.  I suspect this sleep/wake pattern will continue for me until the move and a little beyond.

What doth concern moi? Well, mayhap it is the idea that I will be sleeping north to south in my new bed on the east side of the street, whereas I grew up sleeping east to west on the west side of the street.  That change concerns me.  I don't know why.  And really, the only proper way to get the bed into the bedroom will be to sleep north to south.  Ah, and Ursula the Ulcer is being a little loud of late.  Calm down.  It's just the rest of your life calling.  Some antacids will help with the tummer.

I spoke with Daniel and I got the ok to plan on putting in two rose beds this spring.  I'd also like the go ahead to purchase a new washer and dryer set.  Might as well get that over with.  I think that once two things are a true go I may, that is MAY sleep a little better.

Maybe I will write Brad and see if we can't go shopping for the washer and dryer,  maybe he will see the time stamp on the email and know I am fretting about that.  Really, however, it is Sans Souci...no cares.  Things are going well and I will be moved in two weeks.  Just wishing it were over.  But enough with wishing my life away.  I should indulge in living the next few weeks, disruption and all. Maybe this weekend I will move the music room stuff out into the living room so I can get the bulk of that room packed up so only the cats' futon and beds are there.  I may tell the house keeper no not come again until after the move.  No point in cleaning now.  I will have her come in when I am out and do a thorough cleaning, fridge and all.   That way I can have the talk about her not using marijuana before she cleans my house.  And maybe that can be a prelude to the discussion about possibly letting her go if she doesn't do so.

So I think that will be the note I will leave for her tomorrow.  And maybe having made that decision I can try to sleep again tonight.  Sans Souci or not things must go forward.

Post script

After a two hour frenzy of packing and cleaning I may be ready to rest.  Still, I have to be up in less than three hours.  Good luck kiddo!

Another less than restful night

Yep, after a miserable dinner, or lack thereof, I managed to fall asleep only to awaken 'round midnight with a cat on my head and an aching in my heart.  Well, at least half of that is true.  That is the part about the cat on my head.  Simcha loves to sleep on my head and/or face depending on his mood and my position.  Last night it was full frontal facery.  And for the next few hours as I endeavored to fall back to sleep he would move on my face for a better position and then drool in absolute contentment and I, bathed in cat drool, would wipe my face and change positions in the hopes that he would move to the top on my head like a veritable kitty yarmulke.  Along about 4:00 a.m. I finally feel back to sleep to awaken at 5:15 with Gonif on my chest sleeping peacefully and not wanting to move and Simcha moved to the couch in Yankel's favorite spot and Yankel being the odd cat out.  I am hoping once I have a bedroom again this will be less of a problem.  Maybe I should have gotten a bigger bed.  Hell No.  They can make do on the couch.  The bedroom would be overwhelmed by a king sized bed.  No, best we all learn to make due and if worse comes to worse I can close the bedroom door (now there's a concept) and deal with them banging on the door and meowing to be let in.  Nothing is worse for a critter than to be on the wrong side of the door.

Today I hope to lose this headache and then shop after work.  Then a quiet evening would be loverly.  And a good night's sleep. Ah, to sleep, perchance to dream...

Fux DST

Here it is 1:00 a.m. Or is it midnight?  Whatever...I am wide awake and raring to go.  To go to what I don't know but I am ready.  Couldn't get to sleep until 11:00 or was it 10:00 p.m.  Now I am wide awake worrying as if I do manage to get to sleep I will sleep past 5:30 or will it really be 4:30 and be late for my ride to work.

Be that as it may, last Friday, and it really was Friday, I went to Sam's and got some more items for the new home, including a TV I will put in the bedroom with an idea of actually sleeping in a real bed and not sleeping in a recliner every night as I do now and have for a number of years.  I used to have insomnia to the point that I would lay awake half the night and then some, angry that I couldn't sleep, finally getting out of bed at 3:00a.m. and leaving for work by 4:30, idling for two hours at work before actually starting work at 7:00.  Now I have the TV on all night and do not fight the urge to stay awake.  I just drift off and on into a slumber that is little less chaotic than when I slept in an actual bed.  So, having purchased a bed and mattress for the house, along with 1,000 thread count sheets and lovely quilts and comforters, I am going to endeavor to sleep in that bed.  And having a TV in the bedroom might make this goal a reality.  This insomnia dates back my whole life.  Sundays were the worse and still are.  I would sneak into my grandmother's bedroom and slip into the other bed in the room and lay awake half the night listening to her radio and Mike Whorf all night until I would slip back into my own room before my dad got up at 6:30.  I did this for years.  Well, at least until I was sixteen.  Sometimes I would place a life sized doll in my bed to give the illusion that I was in bed in case my dad or mom would check in on me.  Never got busted.

Now as it moves closer to the time to move I am entering panic mode.  I have some items packed and ready to go to the house but so much more remains to be packed.  Sunrise Construction and Miscellany is going to pack me up by it just seems like so much has to get packed.  For example I have given the futon to a friend.  The cats will be losing a bed for their beds for a few weeks but I will be losing something to hide things under the futon like more cat beds and snow shoes.  I spoke with Brad last night and the game plan is the appliances go in Tuesday so I am thinking of taking the contents of the freezer over there on Thursday.  And that will be one less thing to pack and move on the 25th.  Brad said they can paint the house next weekend and then they can move ahead and start refinishing the floors from the bedrooms to the front of the house over the course of two weekends.  Still looks like I will be moving on the 25th.  Toni will be coming this coming Sunday to help with the kitchen, and packing up what I can.  I think I can also have my current linen closet packed up and moved to the new house.  I am about to start listing.  Not like leaning to one side, more like making lists of things to do.  Maybe break things down into smaller projects and get ready to move.  I ordered two more soft sided cat carriers for the cats as the big ones are really too bulky and may no longer be sturdy enough to take the big guy Yankel over to the new house.  And also ordered more treats to make the move a smoother transition for the boys.

So, right now I am going to endeavor to rest and mayhap sleep a while more.  Gastric will be back at work Monday.  I trust she will understand that if I am in panic mode that is isn't about her.  It is about me right now.  No Hyphen for ten days.  Moving angst.  Coordinating the move, all these things are contributing to my agitation.  I am also dealing with my housekeeper whom I may have to let go as she is proving to be unreliable and a consumer of certain illegal substances that make her less attractive as a cleaning lady.  I already told her she can only clean when I am home and only if she does not come high.  I may have to let her go.  I know she needs the money but I need the peace of mind that she is not giving me right now.

So, it is Excelsior! And on to sleepy time bye bye.

Official Move Day

Is March 25th.  It will be a hectic day, full of hec as it were.  I will be able to take some stuff in the day before.  I am most concerned about moving the cats as they will be very anxious.  I think once the bedroom is set up I can bring them up from the basement and settle them in.  On the 26th I have a field trip to A2 planned to see Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks.  By then I will need a break from unpacking.  Friday the 27th will be a leisurely day and I have the rest of the weekend to unpack and relax.  Back to work the 30th and then off the 6th for Opening Day (official) and the 13th for Unofficial Post Passover Opening Day and Open House.

Today Toni and I are going to Sam's out on the south side and get a few things.  Her daughter works there so we can get a discount.  I figure I can get a small TV for the bedroom and check a few things out.  Sophie has been ill these last few days and that is enough said about that.  But me, I have been at work, ere though I have conjunctivitis in both eyes and it is a wee bit hard to see.  But me...I am a real trooper.  I figure to get Ms. Annie and me sandwiches today and get home in time to go with Toni a Sam-ing. 

So I will do some packing this weekend and borrow a few coolers to take stuff from one fridge to the new one.  Ah, the appliances, the "new" stainless steel, much like a brushed nickel and does not show fingerprints like the older stainless steel models did.   And the water and ice in the door  Hoo-Ha I is living high on the proverbial hog.  But the best deal is the gas range with the convection oven.  The stove top has a fifth burner that is a grill pan which can convert to a regular burner.  Hoo-Ha!  Microwave above the stove to save counter space and a lovely full sized dishwasher.  And all my counter top appliances, in a bright pop of red.  I will probably just leave the Keurig on the counter and take out appliances as I need them as I have more cabinets that Carter had liver pills.  Little ones, Mr. Carter that is. 

So that is the game plan for the weekend and the coming weeks.  Stay tuned.

Oh, wait, I must have something of substance.  Oh fux it.  It's Friday of an overly-long week.  And I am sans Hyphen for the next ten days.  Must keep emotions in check.  Turn the emotional faucet off and just contend with packing and moving.

Bye Now.

Souci

Yesterday I visited the new house and observed a great deal of positive progress.  The cabinets have gone in and the hardwood floor has been laid in the kitchen.  And the kitchen has been painted and the color is perfect.  Today the last of the cabinets go in and tomorrow they get the templates for the granite countertops.  The appliances should be in this week.  The bathroom is almost done, save for the medicine chest, lights and some grouting.  So I am hoping once the bathroom is finished the floors get sanded and finished.  Right now it is looking like I can move in at the end of March.  Needless to say I am getting more and more excited.  So, instead of relaxing last night I was up most of the night doing some sorting of papers and packing my files up.  I finally fell asleep about 2:30, only to be awoken by a twenty two pound cat jumping on my face.  Normally it is Simcha who likes to do that but this morning it was the big guy and it was 4:30.  I guess two hours of sleep is enough.  Yankel, the bugger, managed to scratch my lip and royally piss me off.  Needless to say that was not the awakening I was hoping for

Today is my last Hyphen for two weeks.  I am a little anxious about that.  My moods have been bouncing from one extreme to the other. Psychiatrist and his staff are still available, but I can usually email Hyphen and get a comforting chuck under the chin email back from her.  By the time she returns I will be almost ready to move and in crunch mode.  I would like to move on the 25thmof March and take the following week off to settle in.

I am taking JB to the house today and will take some in progress photos.  I am sure Brad will be putting in the last of the cabinets.  We can talk final details then like "The Move".  Yes, Brad is moving me.  Sunrise is packing me.  The packing I am doing is sheer nervous energy.  The living room is a mess.  Crammed full of boxes.  And cat carriers.  And nervous energy...