Since it will require a city permit to install our A/C unit at work (a street needs to be blocked so a crane can deliver the unit to the roof), we’re not holding our breath for a timely resolution to the heat problem.
Therefore, the upstairs group has decided to wear shorts and sandals to work tomorrow. The other alternative was bathing suits but we decided that was too much of a protest. And, frankly, it would scare everyone on the block.
The A/C still doesn’t work at the office. Let me tell you when it is 85 degrees in Richmond, VA you want A/C. I could’ve/would’ve/should’ve sat in front of the refrigerator today but, alas, I think that’s frowned on behavior.
I did manage to take all but 5 boxes of those darn training manuals I’ve been assembling out to the area training office. That afforded me the opportunity to crank the A/C in the car and as the better-half says that’s some whippin’ A/C. I’ll deliver the last 5 boxes on Friday afternoon and then I can finally say that project is over. Thank goodness. I have a sneaking feeling that as soon as I feel good about getting those manuals put together and delivered that another class will be added to the schedule and then I’ll be screwed. Let’s hope if any classes are added that they are added after June 30th because then it is someone else’s ordeal.
On my way home today I went through a section of the city that has lots of Bradford pears. I despise their smell almost as much as I despise the smell of boxwoods. I will say that they are beautiful and it’s really cool when their flowers blow off–always looks like a warped version of a snow shower.
I got paid on Thursday and it was a paper check (the place I work demands everyone have direct deposit but since there were so many screw-ups with my paperwork, I got a paper check). The better-half deposited it on Friday morning.
Saturday we went online and we bought a new laptop since my old one dies unexpectedly and is a flaming hunk of shit. Since we were buying, I also bought an MP3 player. Which is also totally justifiable since my office is so quiet it is like working in a tomb and while I like quiet it is ridiculously quiet. Luckily, I get a pretty decent discount because of my place of employment. Oh, what’s left of that check? Nothing. Spent in 48 hours on electronics–sweet.
I was given the opportunity to watch a newly revised skills course today continuing into tomorrow. I had clear instructions to introduce myself to the trainer and make it clear that I wasn’t there to evaluate. Apparently, that tends to throw a trainer off. It never threw me off when I was the trainer but different strokes. I was also told to keep quiet, observe and avoid participating in activities. Which was fine with me because I have no background in the subject and anyone I was paired up with would have asked to switch partners.
I was instructed to take notes on whether or not the new handouts and transparencies worked or not. “Worked” meaning if the color scheme was too much and made the transparencies hard to read. They aren’t hitting on much. The trainer is a little flighty. If I were still in junior high, I’d describe her as a spaz. She definitely knows her stuff though so it equals out, I suppose.
It was really hard today staying awake. I don’t know if it was the time change, the not breathing thing last night or what but I was seriously tired today. And, I hate it when people snooze through a training class. I did every trick I know to stay awake and am happy to say that I was successful.
Yesterday afternoon, I fertilized the lawn (or what passes for it) and then used the weed eater along the foundation and sidewalk. As I was doing all of this I thought about what regime change means to me and let me tell you I’m going to be a lot more successful than the regime change we’re so used to talking about. There’s a new queen in town.
The people who lived in this house before us did nothing to the exterior of the house. We’re not sure they ever did anything on the inside except let one of their kids sacrifice small animals in his bedroom (you should have seen the carpet).
Today we’re ripping out the offensive foundation plants, keeping the ones we like and planting some hostas. We’re also going to rip out all the roots that are on top of the ground trying to burrow into the foundation. This crazy, free-wheeling, overgrown nonsense is stopping today. My regime may not always be neat and tidy but it isn’t going to be craptastic.
Thursday evening we went to Kroger to pick up a prescription and to buy just enough groceries to pop us over the $100 mark of saved points. Our Kroger does a gasoline promotion that basically saves you 10 cents per gallon of gas for every $100 you spend. I used the last 10 cents off when I filled up last Sunday. The promotion ended today. We put what we thought was enough in the cart. After checking out, I checked our total and we topped out at $94. The better-half stopped on the way home and bought toilet paper. It was enough to send us to $103. Woohoo, cheap gas!
While in the booze aisle (drugs, tobacco and alcohol don’t count towards the promotion), I snagged some Yuengling and the better-half collected some wines. I was standing in the way of a woman who really should just stop drinking. Period. Forever. She was blonde and of a certain age. Her skin was boiled pink and she was wrapped tighter than a tick in a very short and tacky skirt. She was also wearing some sort of short rain coat. She couldn’t have been more Mechanicsville if she tried. I got out of her way because she was a little frightening and she was honing in on the Miller Lite. She grabbed a suitcase of Miller Lite and sent the next one over crashing to the floor. She looked at me and said “don’t buy that one” and put it back on the shelf. Then she staggered towards the cash registers.
So, it’s Friday. I have worked all week in a building with nothing but blasting heat. I have come home stanky every day. Everyone has been leaving early because it is so freakin’ hot. The HVAC guys have been out twice and today they ordered a part. Here’s hoping it comes in on Monday.
Being hot and sweaty at the end of the week has fallen right in with my plans for trying out the jetted tub. I’m happy to say that the funk in the pipes is pretty much gone. I started the tub and it was crystal clear. I got in and have to admit it is really most excellent, Ted.
Because the other Frog said not to post any pictures, I’m compelled to give you one photo of me getting in the tub:
We met The Niece and her parents for dinner tonight. During dinner the brother-in-law wrote this on a napkin and had the better-half read it, “I am sofa king wee Todd did”. It is funny–send in the hate mail if you must. We left the napkin on the table for others to enjoy.
After dinner we hung out in the parking lot doing things to make The Niece giggle because hearing her giggle is the best thing ever.
We scored some odd little statuary that The Niece painted with her cousin…I honestly have no idea what the things are supposed to be but, by God, she painted them. And, we each scored finger paint masterpieces. I can’t wait to take my thing and my masterpiece to work tomorrow and proudly display.
-I saw a tractor trailer on its side on the way home. I’ve never seen one like that in person. The whole area smelled like fuel even though it was not a fuel truck. A highway exit was actually closed and there were tons of fire trucks and police cruisers.
-I rode public transportation in Richmond today. I have lived in the Richmond area for nearly all of my life and I have never ridden public transportation until today.
-We sold the house this afternoon.
I decided to buy a container of pool shock while at the Depot this morning on the advice of reader Jet. She said in a comment ages ago that her husband thought pool shock would work on our jetted tub. The tub is running for its third and final 15 minute cycle (I just picked that number out of the air) and I’m cautiously optimistic that I’ll be able to take a bath with the jets running. Jet you may have to tell your husband he’s a genius.
I’ve kind of had it with the tub and cleaning the bathroom in general today so I’ve marked my calendar to give the tub a try after work on Friday. I may not be able to control my curiosity and give it a whirl earlier in the week. At any rate, I’ll be sure to mention if the tub is usable or if it spews forth gunk. A posting about me taking a bath–cutting edge journalism, no?
