Ms. Cranky Pants here.

C'est moi.

Had a quiet evening at home.  Spoke with my contractor and we are getting together in a week to go over plans.  I am both dreading and looking forward to that.  I will go by what he wants to do.  We spoke briefly yesterday and he had some good ideas.  I am thinking of having the bathroom tub turned into a stall shower, something befitting my senior status.  Like I say, we will talk.  And then he can speak with the financial guy and we can take it from there.

Tomorrow is a big donors' dinner on campus.  They are setting up huge tents in the shadow of Beaumont Tower.  Business casual is the attire.  Looks like a an enjoyable evening.  The food sounds splendid. Additionally Saturday is the big rivalry football game MSU/UM.  The students are guarding the statue of Sparty.  So it is green tomorrow and Saturday cheering the home team on.  Go Green

I was looking at today's date and thought it was November 23rd  and had a moment.  The day that Jack Kennedy was killed my mother wrote that date on the basement wall near the ironing board (November 22, 1963)  I thought this weird as she was a Goldwater Republican (it happens in the best of families) and not the most tolerant of others.  I never knew it it was as in a remembrance of the man or the day history started anew for her.  She hated Democrats...blamed FDR for the Holocaust.  Imagine her disgust when I turned into one of the people she hated.  And my dad would forever tease me about cancelling my vote out at the polling place.  I don't think my mom voted much.  My dad did, also a Goldwater Republican (it happens).  As I think back they were the only Republicans in the family.  So the apple did fall far from the tree, or, more appropriately, the shit fell farther from the bat.

Ms. Cranky Pants

Mal.  That's it.  I was called Ms. Cranky Pants today by a woman who is quite friendly with Mal.  I asked her from whence that came and she alluded to the incident the day before Mal sent me the cranky email about my phone etiquette and I shot back about her company the day before.  I guess the bully might have felt a little bullied herself.  She may never have had anyone stand up to her rude manners concerning her need for absolute silence when she is working, unless she has a visitor at her desk and then it is okay to bother other people.  Anyway in reference to the Cranky Pants remark I responded that I was in fine fettle.  I guess in my own way I did score a small victory and caused Mal to back off some.  No shoes to drop I guess.

Gastric is taking me grocery shopping after work and then chilling at my place until she has to go to dinner with friends.  Works for me.  The Boys love seeing their Aunt Gastric.

My contractor called today and wants to get together next week to discuss work on the new home.  Next Thursday.  I can only hope it doesn't break the bank.

I was treated to lunch by a development officer.  It was very nice and I got to talk about my favorite subject...ME!!!  Special dinner on Friday for donors.  I am taking Limo Driver, AKA, my ride into work in the morning.  I can't think of a good alias for her so if you have any ideas contact me.

Mal-content

Well, while waiting for the other shoe to drop I almost literally ran into Mal, who did not kill me or engage in conversation, but ignored me.  I guess the war may be over and the battle won. I guess.  She may blow at any minute.   Who knows with her.

I contacted one of my coworkers who I know to have a good sense of style and she is going to help with fine tuning the house.  She lured me against my will to a number of rather cool furniture sites.  I saw the dining room set I MUST have.  Kinda of a contemporary oak design.  It's more than I wanted to spend but I can cut back on area rugs for the time being and devote that money to the dining room. Decided on black appliances again.  Picked out my wants and tried to bring it in under $7,000.  So I will still with the black theme and accent with red throughout the kitchen/dining/living area.  The bedroom will be espresso woods and the music room will have the old area rug.  I did see a great red area rug for the dining area.

I think I can do my 20% down payment, closing costs and remodel for about too much mo ey.  But I can spray it out over several months,  I do need all the outlets and light switches upgraded and replaced.  Now I have to hope the inspection goes well enough.

So, I apologize for fixating on the house and to a lesser extent Mal but that is what is keeping me up at night,  it is going on 2:00 a.m. and I should try to get some sleep.

Day two of Mal watch

Well, Mal behaved herself yesterday, actually being social to Gastric, which gave Gastric a woozy tummy.  She did not speak to me.  My big fear was that she would. I am still waiting for. The Other shoe to fall.  I will not engage in a discussion with her.  My thought was her ex husband, who is chair of the United Way campaign for. MSU (which I am involved with),  and he is also a big wig in The HR department for MSU, would have told her what to do to me.  Mayhap because of the United Way work I am doing lead him to tell her to lighten up and back off. Whatever, she did not bother me today.  I will be getting calls about the house from a number of people and she may blow again.  I will not engage.  I think I will speak with my boss this week and get some back up. I will start with saying I realize we are packed in like sardines and we should endeavor to be accommodating, but...one person should  Not dictate the rules for a whole roomful of people.  I try to be quiet on the phone but due to hearing loss I may speak too loud.  Lighten up and get over yourself.

But...I still have fears regarding her bullying of me and those around her.  She will at some point go ballistic again and all I can hope for is she takes more time off.  She is such an unhappy person and she makes those around her as unhappy as she can.  I don't think retirement is going to make anything better.  I try to be as positive as possible and try to say something nice about all the folks I have contact with.  Yet...I can't seem to find anything nice to say about her,  sad, that is.

Alright.  Work on finalizing the house sale begins today,  I have to get my condo ready for sale.  Life can't get much better...except for the Mals in the world.

BTW, I am still plotzing

I could just plotz

They countered the offer and I accepted.  Now the real fun begins.  I have been pre-approved for the mortgage and the next step will be inspections and then the work on the house,  I want the kitchen redone to my specifications.  Gas range, new cabinets and countertops.  New fridge and dishwasher.  A microwave and new electrical throughout, redo the floors.  Start getting furniture.. . Looks like Passover Seder in my manse.  And opening day on April 6th...a done deal.  Excited?  Me?  Hell yes!!!


I have a wish list for the housewarming (yes, I am having one) on Amazon.com.

I could just PLOTZ!!!

3:16

Not to Yuma, but up, nonetheless.  I am fretting the next three and a half hours until Mal comes into work.  I just feel she is going to be confrontational today, guided by the drunken advice of her ex who is in HR for the University,  Ian not going to engage.  I just wish I was able to speak to someone other than Pseudo-Hyphen, aka Gastric, who advises me to let go and not engage in a pissing match, something Mal excels at.  I think I will ask My friend, who I have yet to assign an alias, to keep an ear out for Mal's annoying voice. I am not going to engage...I am not going to engage...

I get to see Hyphen today after having last week as a bye.  Lots to tell her.  I need to call the realtor and get a little feedback.

I will not engage...I will not engage....

I hope my friend Dianne is indeed looking down upon me and is helping me to get the house across the street from her old house.

I will not engage...I will not engage...

Maybe a little two hour nap before work will help.

I will not, oh. Well, merde.

Shine on harvest moon

Gastric, the Sherpa and I had a great day Saturday.  Went to a tea at Kellogg and the food and friends were great.  Pumpkin roasted pepper soup.  Wow, was that good.  I enjoyed everything but th whitefish canapé,  as I don't lie to eat fish.  Then in the evening we went to see Once, which I probably would have enjoyed more if I could understand all the dialects they were using.  Music was great.   Shops went down to be on the stage as it was a very open production,

Sunday is full of angst as I am anxious about a potential run in with Mal Monday morning,  I have a small script but she is such a bully I fear for me emotional safety, really I do.  So I spent the day ru Ning small errands, watching movies and football.  And fretting.  Gastric will be home soon and I can be a little relieved when I speak with her.  I can't seem to relax enough for my usual Sunday afternoon nap.  It's all Mal's fault.  I just had a nice relaxing shower and I am hoping to rake advantage of some peace and quiet.

Gonif is telling to relax,  and to get those chicken wings cooked for dinner tonight.  I am going to season them up soon and get the new air fryer out. I need to,relax.

Really,  I NEED TO RELAX