Should

I have a longer than usual list of things I should do. And I probably won't do any of them.

The one that's carrying the most weight now is a posting I just saw on the bulletin board in the garage. Some guy who just moved here is looking for someone to share his dog. Older dog with high energy who basically needs companionship and someone to play with while the guy is at work. Not a as necessity (dog walker) but as a favor to the dog. I would love to do this except, the dog is a lab. Yes, I know labs are sweet and wonderful but they are huge and very messy - shedding and slobbering everywhere. But mainly just so big.

But, it would be a great excuse to get out and nice to have a dog buddy and really the best way possible, no bills, not totally dependent on me. But it would be such a commitment. Every single day. If it were a small dog, I'm pretty sure I'd sign up immediately. But a lab. And there is Zoey to consider. I can't see her welcoming a big energetic dog.

That's her on my knee right now. If there was a big energetic dog in the house, I'm pretty sure she'd be in teh back of the closet. I like her on my knee.



I have a prescription I should pick up at the pharmacy. It was ready last Thursday but not til 5. The pharmacy is pretty near the center of town. I'm not doing that at 5. Friday was a snow day. They aren't open on weekends. I forgot yesterday. Today is the Seattle Sounds MLS cup winners parade downtown so I could use that as an excuse but it really isn't that near the pharmacy.

I have a deep drawer here in the living room that I have just been tossing paper into for more than a year. I'd kind of like to find my sewing machine receipt and if I have it, it's in that drawer. It would be good

to get the drawer sorted anyway. I should do that.

I should go for a walk or get out and take a bus ride or do something outside these four walls but I don't wanna.

So many shoulds. It's rather luxurious and freeing to ignore them all if I want.

My swim was great. Still not traffic. I dropped my dead laptop off at the shipping place which was a very busy joint this morning. Oh and it was snowing when I left the gym. Just barely and I almost didn't notice. It stopped by the time I left the shipping store. Sigh.

Time to sort through the shoulds. Plus Zoey just left my knee.

Dear Me last March, Thank you!!!

I did not find the sewing machine receipt in the drawer which is not surprising. I'm a tosser outer. A week before my phone was stolen, I thew out the box. Which, as it turned out, was had the IMEI number on it and was the only thing that did after the phone was gone. Sigh.

So I went to Mint. No sign of the sale which was weird. Then I went to LJ archive (this tool has been oh so handy over the years because it has the best search function of anything) and found that I had bought the machine on March 11. Back to Mint, no joy. Nothing in my my Capital One credit card archive or Discover. Then I remembered my old Chase credit card. Unhid that from Mint and VOILA there was the charge. But, that's not really good proof. And, I no longer have access to that Chase account.

But... didn't I download some stuff? Dropcam had a folder called finances... In that folder are PDF's of Chase 2015 plus all the months in 2016 that had transactions INCLUDING the statement I actually needed!!

Yahoo! I now have proof of purchase printing out.

I'm quite proud of myself. For saving, for remembering, for finding!

Still sharp after all these years...

In 1985, I was working for IBM in Charlotte, NC and my boss asked me if I was interested in interviewing a for a job in the real estate division. I said sure. The job was in New York (White Plains) and I flew in and interviewed with the woman who would be my manager and then her manager, Joe. Joe and I clicked instantly. It was kind of weird, actually but he felt like one of those guys you've always known.

I got the job and worked there for nearly 2 years and loved the job. It was fascinating. I got to hobknob with famous architects (Philip Johnson was a favorite dinner partner and very snarky) and do and see things I would have never been exposed to.

Joe was a great 2nd line manager or (grandboss as the kids these days say hehehehe) and he helped me get my next job which was even better (and in Minnesota). After I left his employ, he became a real friend. He and his wife were gracious hosts when they invited me to their home when I returned for visits. He retired along the way - a long time ago now, actually.

We used to exchange emails every year or so. He used to check in on my via web cam (he may still, I don't know) but always always a Christmas card arrives in my mailbox with a special note just for me.

The card came today and I was touched as always. Every year I'm struck by how special it is that he remembers me every year.

So this afternoon I wrote him a chatty email catching him up on me. I mentioned by stolen phone only to illustrate how much I still love fiddling with tech and watching the thief remotely try to get in to it every day and knowing she sees STOLEN every time she turns it on is satisfying.

I got a very fast reply with a simple and simply BRILLIANT suggestion. He suggested leaving a message to drop the phone off at a Starbucks and have them call me for pickup. I mean she knows by now that without the passwords she has a lovely brick on her hands that she can't use and no one will likely buy from her.

So I promptly changed the message. My character count is very limited but, here's what she now gets when she turns on the phone.



It probably won't result in my getting the phone but heck on wheels, it's a great suggestion and, what if it does work??!!

Good Old Joe.

Finished today

Today's works: