It's All About Me

I'm using the sun to cancel swimming today. The rest of the week will be rainy and perfect. So today I'll go to Safeway instead of swimming. Sure, I could do both, but why?

Harriet wanted a fancy color letterhead for the Committee stuff. I had made a very simple one and used it a lot but she wanted more/different. Fine. Yesterday I had Google Doc's gemini gin me up some but I was asking the wrong questions the wrong way and it turned into a thing and I abandoned ship. This morning, I did it correctly and got something good quickly. If Harriet doesn't like it, she can do it herself (hahahaha right).

I have a week to work up the agenda from the notes she gave me Friday. It will take maybe 10 minutes. I should just get it done today. Ok. I will.

I still don't have my tax return. I finally sent a note to the person who contacted me last and asked if they were waiting for anything from me. Which, of course they aren't but I thought that was nicer than Where The Fuck Is My Damn Return!! There is still 6 weeks before it's due but why wait?

Biggie goes back to the vet on Wednesday. I'm getting pretty weary of this drill but I'm not sure what, if anything, I can do to end it. Maybe there will be a better answer this tim

My tolerance for a wide variety of personalities is really low. I just do not like that many people and the ones I don't like, I really really really don't like. There are a few, on the cusp, but not many and a few extenuating circumstances, but not many. I am just not a loving, accepting person.

Dinner with Harriet was not painful but sure was not enjoyable (except the shrimp was very good). But, I am understanding the rhythm of her annoyances. When she disagrees with something, she pretends she doesn't understand. She added 3 items to the agenda which were covered absolutely and completely at the last meeting. It's just that she does not approve of the decision. Get over it, old lady. But, she had a lovely time and wants to do dinner more often. Her sister is moving here soon, so hopefully, that will prevent many more dinners.

The volleyball people who annoy me, really worked on me this morning. I only said Shut The Fuck Up and Get Out Of The Pool Now, in my head.

Last night, Jim Across The Hall came over with the contents of the package he had received. He did not know what it was for or what to do with it. It was a package of 12 new Hanes Tighty Whities. This morning, he came over with the same package and we had the same conversation. I'm pretty sure he's going to throw them away. "I don't know what they are for!"

Today is the other Jim's birthday and there will be cake at Elbow Coffee. It's special cake - we had it last year - and it's delicious. So I'm looking forward to that.

Then, my plan is to go pick up lunch from downstairs and come back up here and shut the door. Probably I'll get another tighty whities showing but I'm ok with that. I'm done with everyone else.

Love, the Mean Old Bitch in 3402.

I swam. I am laundering. I have a short list of todo's for today.

I added a phone pocket to my swim robe yesterday and added it way too low. Now I need to take it off and try again - moving it up. Pepperage Farm used to have a thin sliced bread that was really good and, apparently, they no longer do or our stores don't carry it. So yesterday I got a package of those thin bagel tops. I tried one toasted this morning. That's a big nope. Maybe not toasted? But, speaking of toasted, in an MLB commercial yesterday, I saw an interview with a player who loves Uncrustables and recommends putting them in the toaster. That's absolutely going to get tied here.

But, probably not today.

I'm meeting Harriet for dinner tonight in the dining room. She wants to go over the agenda for the next Food and Beverage meeting. I'm not sure I can take her for a whole dinner but I guess we will see! Plus, I like to 'do' the dining room once in a while but I don't really have the whatever to initiate a meet so this is the easy way.

I just went down an Instagram rabbit hole and ended up at a crochet sweater pattern. I do not need to make a sweater. I don't even wear sweaters. Ok, I 'saved' it but didn't buy it.

Ok. The laundry is done and now wants to be put away. So Post!

I have two more Wegovy shots in the fridge so now I start stressing about refills. I'm not a fan of the NovoCare system of texting when they are ready but at least now I know I can call and expedite if I need to. The next batch will double in price so I should not be so eager.

This morning in volleyball, I got a cramp in my leg below the knee. It wasn't sharp but it was long lasting. It lasted so long I spent some time considering how I was going to get back to my apartment. It finally did resolve itself but yikes. Otherwise, the game was good.

I think I'll head out to the grocery this morning. I need bread and apples. And then I think I'll get one of their poke bowls and have half for lunch and the other half for dinner.

I did notice, the last time I took the car out, that half the gas was gone. We filled it when my brother was here in January. That stuff just does not last. Now I'm going to have to fill it again. Sigh.

Ugh, they are doing some kind of very loud maintenance outside. Like buzz saw meets leaf blower. The grounds are lovely and this is the time of year they work hard to make them beautiful for spring and I don't have to do anything but bitch about the noise which seems kind of silly. So I think I'll post this, get dressed and hit the streets to the grocery.

I knew/hoped I was over paying my estimated taxes last year. With the selling of the house, particularly, and the semi flaky CPA I had to work with - who didn't even give me the estimated tax amount until I had to ask twice, I was in a better safe than sorry situation.

Last night I got an email from a different CPA at the firm (I haven't had to deal with flaky at all this year), asking how I wanted to handle my $5000 refund!! Whoa. The email explained that it is enough to cover estimated takes for this year with a $1,300 overage - did I want to just pay up and then get the overage into my checking account?? FUCK yeah!!!! So. Taxes paid for this year's return. Taxes paid for next year's return. Enough cash to pay the CPA and still some left over? At least enough to pay for a couple of Biggie's vet visits. Yafuckinghooooo! What a load off. No details yet. I expect they will come today but that is a big relief. And from here on own my tax situation will be totally simple Simon. Nice.

Tuesday, house cleaning day. Yeah.

I've been rewatching Season 1 of The Pitt, before I watch Season 2. I'm still reading Dark Ride by Lou Benney and it's a great read. It has not gone where I thought it would which makes it even better. I'm a little more than half way through and already thinking I want to slow down the read to make it last longer.

The Mariner game is on TV today which will be fun.

I am so relieved about those damn taxes. I didn't even realize how stressed I was.

My foot still hurts but it hurts WAY less and is on the mend. It's always surprising to me, the absence after something has hurt for so long. It's like a little gift. Or a big gift, if you are my foot.

I love a little Hazelnut flavor in my coffee now and again. The other day, at Safeway, I picked up a small box of Hazelnut flavored coffee pods. I brewed one yesterday for elbow coffee. I think I knew this but had forgotten. Those Hazelnut pods are HAZELNUT!!!! I wanted a hint and they are like a tsunami. BUT I drink my coffee black so, honestly, only wash my mug once in a great while so this morning's coffee had the perfect hint of Hazelnut. Win?

This morning I got up and put the comforter and pillow cases into the washing machine and changed the sheet with the help of Biggie which made it, of course, way more of a chore but it is done. And the comforter will be done in another hour. My washer has this lovely heavy bedding function. It probably does nothing special but I love having it.

Then I went to the pool and had a wonderful swim.

I have nothing on the calendar this week at all. There are baseball games every afternoon on the radio. Yesterday, they had a 'new' announcer for a few innings. I thought we had all of the worst baseball announcers already but wait, there's more! This guy was, apparently, a Mariner pitcher for a minute just before the pandemic. He talks way too fast and says absolutely nothing interesting. It hurt my ears. He said that he would be on the TV broadcasts for some games this year. Fine by me since I mute those anyway. Geesh.

I have 20 more bunnies to make before Saturday. Shouldn't be a problem. There are 2.95 done already.

I have my good book to read and tons of stuff on TV. There is a new (to me) Dawn French comedy on Paramount+ called "Can You Keep A Secret". I have two more episodes to watch. It's kind of hilarious in a very Dawn French way. She gets me.

When my brother was here, we got rid of a lot of shit and shifted and organized the rest. I could not have done it without him and it's still reaping such rewards. It's just a joy to be able to find stuff, to easily put stuff away and to have it all look so nice. My utility room went from a claustrophobic mess to a joy and the storage room... perfection. Yesterday, I shifted some stuff around so easily. I do love this apartment. But even more so now.

When the closet got redone, I took down the cat cam since I moved their beds but now Biggie has a new spot so I think I need to put it back. EASY to do since it's just on the shelf in the storage unit with the correct cable and wall wart. Soooooooo organized am I.

My appointment with my foot guy was at 8. I checked in and then sat down and opened up my game on my phone and before I could put finger to the screen, I heard "Susan?". I was in - shot, chit chat, - out and at Safeway by 8. He said 'make an appointment for 3 and if fine, cancel!' So I did. Very efficient. It takes 2-7 days for the steroids to start work BUT the psychosomatic results are immediate.

I walked all over Safeway with only a hint of pain. Except I couldn't find anything to eat. I walked up and down every aisle looking for inspiration. None. I did manage to spend $90 because I got coffee and other high end stuff. The oatmilk I like for my oatmeal comes in a gynormous container so I went looking for something in a smaller one - maybe something shelf stable? And, whaddya know? There's my stuff! Smaller container and shelf stable. Nice.

We get new menus today for next week. This past week has been a loser. At the first of the year, I changed my meal plan to $300 from $600. So the pressure is off to spend money on food I don't want. I think $300 is a workable amount as long as the menus aren't losers!

I have a load of laundry laundrying and I did order an Italian wrap from the dining room for lunch to be picked up at 11:30 to enable me to get back here for the first baseball game.

Last night Julio was curled up in Perfect Cat Position so I just captured him.

My foot was much better yesterday. A little off but not like Monday. And today is about the same. Monday felt like it was not only cramped to the max but with the add on of stabbing pain. Today it feels like it could cramp up in any minute but it's not cramping now. So grateful.

I tested out some new goggle in the pool this morning. FAIL. The ones I have been using are, in fact, the reflective ones Google says should work. At least they don't bore holes into my eye sockets like the others. Amazon return. Otherwise my swim was good.

And I remembered, coming home, that I'd forgot to send the Food and Beverage Committee paperwork for duplication to reception. Yikes. Did that and, hopefully, as long as they printer isn't broken, they will have it in time for the 1:30 meeting. Whew.

So meeting at 1:30 and then fixing up the minutes while it's fresh on my mind plus, Harriet needs them for a meeting tomorrow. And that's it for my day.

Friday is my foot doctor appointment BUT ALSO the first baseball game of the year. It's a Spring Training game. I remember years when I was counting the days until this game. One year I was on jury duty and could only listen on breaks. This year, I'm interested but if something else comes along, it won't kill me to miss it.

My CPA should have my taxes done any day now. It will be nice to get them out of the way but I am not the least bit stressed about them. I'm sure, if I owe anything, it's not much. And, I don't even expect his bill to be that much - but whatever it is, it is totally worth it to me.

Whew my copies are ready at reception.

Better go get 'em before someone else does. No one is going to but I do need the steps.

Yesterday morning, I put on shoes and socks and took a step and pain shot right through me. My right foot's pinched nerve spent the day being horribly painfully pinchy. I managed to walk down to the buffet to pick up dinner and when I got back and got off my foot, it still hurt for another hour. It woke me up a couple of times last night and kinda felt sore this morning but I walked to the pool and played an hour and a half of volleyball and walked back and so far, so good.

My appointment is Friday and I almost called yesterday to see if I could scooche it up. But, I didn't and maybe it will be fine. I do know that I have exactly 0 tolerance for chronic pain. And I hate my feet. Particularly the right one.

My credit card is at UPS getting loaded onto the truck but, honestly, now that Amazon has the right number and I can use my phone's wallet, I am not longer in a panic to even get it. I got an email from Chase saying I don't even need to authenticate it. Slick.

We only had 5 for volleyball this morning but it was the best 5 so it worked out. I turned to Gemini about the sun's glare while swimming. I've been using dark polarized goggles and Gemini said what I need is good reflective goggles and gave me a list starting at $90. ! I found some $50 ones for $30 on Amazon and ordered. They arrived yesterday but they were dumped at the front desk instead of put into the lockers. When packages get dumped, you have to wait for them to be delivered. They deliver M-F in the afternoon except for the days they do not. Saturday, a security guy brought up my order from Chewy's which was really nice. Yesterday, I got nothing. Hopefully, I'll get the goggles today.

Today is housecleaning day. I did laundry yesterday. I have kind of a Jones for a Goodwill trip but not with this foot so that will need to be another day.

My best morning is after a lovely sleep, waking up to dark, drinking my coffee and interneting and then going for a swim, all before the first light. For half the year, I can do that easily. But, today starts the other half of the year. I woke up at 6:30 and I could see light. CURSES! I'll get a bit of a reprieve when day light saving time kicks in but only about a week until it's full assed daylight before I open my eyes. And soon it will be full assed sun in the pool unless I want to swim at 4 am. ARUGH. Oh well, it was a lovely winter. And at least I have shades I can lower in here. And maybe someday they will get the fucking shades at the pool fixed. Meanwhile I need to get blackout goggles. My dark ones aren't going to cut it.

My CPA uses this secure file system for exchanging documents. It's very easy on my end plus, it tells me when he downloads the stuff I uploaded. Dude was working at 9 pm last night - Valentine's. Ahhh the life of a CPA.

Hazel, John and Joan all have some kind of cold/crud. Timber Ridge now has a nurse who will come to your apartment and assess or wound dress or any number of other things. It's a FABULOUS service and she is really good. She's seen them all and so we know it's not life threatening but... John and Joan are over 90 and Hazel is close so on any given day, breathing can be life threatening. I do find myself not as interested in spending a lot of time in the elbow and walking on the other side of the hall when I pass their apartments.

I did get to Target yesterday. What a shit show that store has turned into. They had 5,897 different colors and combos of thin ankle socks. I wanted socks with thick bottoms. So I went to the men's section. Every single piece of their mens underwear was behind lock and key so you had to find some invisible sales person with attitude to unlock to even look at the shit. I bought a twofer bundle of cheap assed socks on sale (even so paying double what they are really worth) and got out of there.

Then on to Trader Joe's where I discovered at checkout that there was a problem with my credit card. DECLINED 3 times! WTF?? The really sweet clerk said his end indicated the card "has been compromised." So I whipped out my debit card and then went to the car to investigate. Sure enough, I did not have the card. Where the fuck was it?

Oh well, I've had that card/number and secret 3 digit code for a fair number of years and used it for everything. Would not hurt to refresh. So I called Chase. And I learned a lot. 1. There is no way in the app or online, to find out your actual full card number. If you don't have it written down somewhere else or have the card, you do not have the full number. 2. Chase is actually pretty damn efficient at this stuff. I had to wait and I was transferred but I never had to hear hold music. There were no weird charges on my card. Once I verified that I did not have it, they started the replacement stuff. 5-7 business days. "Oh no, said I, can't you expedite that?" "Of course, I can. 1-2 business days. It will come via UPS and probably be there Monday." Thank you.

I totally forgot to ask why they had locked the card in the first place. Then I remembered/pieced together what probably happened. The only time I actually use the actual card is at Hobby Lobby where Jesus won't let them use Google Pay. Yet another reason for not shopping there. I need to stop that. I'm guessing I left the card there and they called Chase and Chase said ok will lock it down. But, that was Tuesday and I've charged stuff since then, haven't I?

Oh well. done is done. But, here's the interesting bit. When I got home, I logged on to check and verify when I was actually in Hobby Lobby and when I looked, Chase had already changed my card number to the new one! And, according to them, I can use the new card in my digital wallet right away. Interestingly, even though I have my Amazon and Chase account linked together, the old card number is still showing up there so I'm afraid to use it for Amazon purchases. I'll wait until the new one comes and everything looks kosher.

And I need to make sure all my credit/debit card full numbers are written down somewhere I have easy access to whenever and wherever.

Someone opened up YET another Poshmark account with my email address. Holy fuck people. Lean your email address and it is NOT susandennis@gmail.com. Poshmark sends out a lott o shit.

Ok, now I need to go pull an uncrustable out of the freezer and clean up my breakfast dishes and scoop out the litter box and then watch Tia Weston's Sunday morning YouTube update. Busy day!