Laptop sent away.  Back now, can you tell?

Cat pee on kitchen counter.  (please repeat in between every other line)

Pot Rack installed.

New Sneakers.

Painful ankle.  Still.

Flu.  Worst 24-hour shit I’ve had in a long time.

Track lighting installed.

Cat pee on bedroom carpet.

New kitten.

Vet visits.

Resorting to facebook for social life.

Resorting to sent email folder to remember the week.

More Vet visits.

Roof fixed!  Yes?  For reals this time?

Waiting for rain.

Waiting for a break.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Waiting for more.

Apparently, I came close to making all my 2008 resolutions a reality.

1)  Do not move.  Check.  Still in condo.  And it appears that may be what’s in store for 2009 as well.  Thank God we can still afford this place.  Now if only we could get rid of the pee smell in the bedroom and study, fix the roof and ceiling, and perhaps own more items than animals…

2)  Change part-time life to full-time life.  Technically, I believe I still have to bring out a flow chart to explain my daily doings.  But at least I do them all in the same place!  I honestly cannot remember when I wrote that if I had an inkling that the position at the sanctuary was going to be in the offering.  If not, I am pretty sure my itchiness had much to do with how I struggled to find meaningful classes as a part-time student.    You may or may not have noticed, but I haven’t returned to classes.  If I do, it will be very easy online courses just to keep me in the student loop.  I still feel I am learning and accomplishing enough at the sanctuary to keep me intellectually on my toes.

3)  The better health, no dead pets, and passport usage hopes did not really come to fruition in 08.  I think overall I was not as sick, but my weight still teeters on uncomfortable and that is very evident as I am nursing a sprained ankle and notice each ounce I must shift from place to place.  Then of course not only did we lose Roark, but Spike and Lady had very expensive, dangerous ailments as well.  Perhaps my 2009 wishes should be for better health for every living being in this condo – pee and all.

While the passport remained in my dresser drawer, we did manage to travel to places in the US we had never been.  I’ll take partial credit on that one.

And my one real resolution of recycling more was a whopping, annoying, success.  I would say that no glass, metal, or plastic that can be recycled at our local centers has been thrown out this year.  Almost all paper as well – including food boxes, little scraps of receipts, etc.  We got so good at using canvas bags for groceries that I started pillaging my less-green friends plastic bag stashes so we could clean the litter boxes.  And then I took it one step further – we now make such an effort to save extra plastic bags (from tortillas, bread, internal packaging of small boxed goods) that we no longer need to beg plastic from anyone.

And yes, it is annoying.  As in, I am annoying.  You cannot recycle that much stuff without becoming a hippie tree hugger.  I also encourage recycling at work – to the point that volunteers know to stuff cardboard in my trunk – and it’s always dangerous to get that label at work.  People will actually scan my face quickly before slowly motioning towards a trash can with some item.  Just in case I’d like to karate chop them for not reusing that paper towel a third time.

Despite the annoyance, I do hope to continue this trend in 2009.  Specifically, I think we could greatly reduce our electricy and water usage.  These are going to be the biggies for me – I love a well-lit house and a nice hot bath.  But since these energy savings also should translate to real savings, perhaps I can find incentive there.

Lastly…and the whole point of the title of this post…just this week I found a deal on a new laptop I couldn’t turn down.  I’m writing from my brand new Sony Vaio (my old laptop was a Sony as well – I like them).  It has a built-in web camera that I am sure I will use for your amusement and my embarrassment some time in the near future.

In transferring files over so that I may donate my old laptop to the sanctuary, I’ve been hit once again with how much I’ve written in the past that I’ve never polished and posted.  Since it’s quite obvious I’m never going to post my current circumstances with any regularity, I thought I might start dredging some of the old stuff up.

2009…what better time to write about 2004?

1)  While I have fed the cats every night, I’ve not cleaned a cage since last Friday because my “part time job” has been so hectic.  I am huffing from climbing the stairs to the condo from lack of exercise.

2)  We found out the dog has heart worms.

3)  Tom’s out of town until Saturday.  This means I will not eat right or shower.

4)  At 2pm this afternoon my left ear suddenly clogged up as if I’d just gotten out of the swimming hole.  It’s 8:31 and no change.

5)  We are prepping for our large fund raising event for which I help administrate both the guest list and 300+ item auction list.

6)  Everyone’s week seems much shittier than mine so I can’t bitch about it to anyone.

What are things Jessica has none of?

DING DING DING!

(Actually, that was me hitting my head on the desk.  More of a “CLUNK CLUNK SMOOSH.)

What I would write about if I had any of those three:

1) Ex-boyfriends

2) How it might not be appropriate to write about ex-boyfriends if I’m married

3) How after deciding I was definitely not cut out for the death-do-you-part gig, I am once again wearing rings on my left hand and washing underwear that I don’t wear.  Unless I run out of mine, at least.

4) How my husband likened sex with him to having a million dollars.

I think I’ll stop there and let you muddle that one over. 

What I’ve been doing, list edition:

1)  Hobbling.  My knee cap is not sitting right on my left leg causing some bone-on-bone action/throbbing pain.  I am lucky in the aspect that a brace and some strength training should solve it.  But FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK.  a)  It hurts.  A lot.  b)  Can’t I have ONE body part that remains unscathed?

2)  Working.  And getting a raise!  OK, so a small raise.  Very small, if you consider that I was used to 12% in the software field.  (Thank you, tax payers.)  But somehow, $.50/hour more is very fulfilling.  I always had a gut feeling there was an office job out there I could tolerate, perhaps even enjoy.  This is it.

3)  Secreting.  I have an amazing opportunity via the sanctuary that I can’t talk about right now.  It might now even happen, things are very nebulous.  But if it does, it will catapult my animal handling/training experience into the next level.

4)  Stressing.  No shit, right?  You’ve met me.  Or at least, you’ve read here.  Or maybe you’re reading here for the first time and are so captivated you go back in the archives a bit?  Pretty please?  Seriously, I know for a fact I haven’t outdone myself for over-doing it.  But I’m coming close.  Once again, I’m questioning the decision to stay in school.  I cannot keep scheduling my life 7am to 6pm and expect to have time to study/write/research.  The good news is that I’m certain I’ll survive this semester.  The bad news is that I may have to take a “B” in a class or two.  Exams come up in the next two weeks.  Time will tell.

Yesterday was filled with things I like.  Here is a sample:
 
1)  Cleaning.  Gag, right?  Well, tell me you don’t love your most beloved spaces just a bit more when they are no longer inhabited by lint balls you mistake for additional pets.  And also have clean underwear in which to prance in said beloved space.  What made this task extra wonderful today was that ST was 100% onboard with all swabbing of decks.  He folded laundry while I cleaned litters, then we both attacked the porch.
 
2)  Produce shopping.  We go to the Big Top flea market, right near our apartment.  ST schooled me in the art of a deal when it comes to carrots and apples – about four or five produce stands are set up regularly amongst the $1 toilet brush holders that have a complete ocean scene inside.  We go to Henry, a squat jovial man of some Latino descent with OK verbal English skills and so-so written ones.  I could probably pick up Spanish by reading more than the dollar amount on his signs.  We are regulars of his and as usual he thanked us for stopping by in his own way.  Today is was an extra red pepper handed over as I picked up 3 for a $1.00
 
(3 for a $1 red peppers!  That was a savings of at least 4 bucks right there.  What do you do with 3 red peppers?  Freeze them.  Then roast them.  Or the other way around.  Either way, at least three of my favorite pasta dishes include them and they are rather expensive at a regular grocery store.)
 
(Another aside:  As we left Henry today, after he had introduced his wife to us, we contemplated how we are special to him.  And that turned in to us being, well, short bus special.  And that he sneaks us extra food because he’s worried how we survive the rest of the week without him.)
 
3)  Hiking.  Technically, walking.  To me, hiking includes rocks.  Whether real mountains or just a gravely path.  But we loaded up the dog and headed for the Hillsborough River State Park.  This time, we took a path that included none of the actual river – a swamp restoration area – that drew far less people than the other paths.
 
4)  Bathing.  Not just getting clean – a nice long soak in a truly hot tub while wearing a good mask, followed by a beauty regimen for the legs, hair, nails, and brows.  Topped off with a request granted for full body moisturizing.

Things I haven’t written about:

1) My job as a mother’s helper.  It’s been going on for over a month.  The original ad stated up to 15 hours a week, but it’s been more like 3.  It’s a nice family, a little pocket cash has been nice, but not a long-term solution to my emptying bank account.

2) My bird-watching.  I am doing a project for the class that went to Costa Rica and I became intrigued with bird-watching while there so decided to give it a try.  It’s both fun and frustrating (how aware are you of the tens of birds h-i-g-h up in the trees?  That you can never get a good gander at?).

3) My grandfather has (had?) a fractured vertebra.  Yesterday they put cement in his back.  I haven’t seen them in probably a month.  They were very adament that I not come up, despite the previous two months of weekly, “So when will we see you again?”

4) I am up for an office assistant job I really, really, really, really want.

5) The whole job situation/school scheduling/volunteer time has got my head ordering vodka tonics 24/7.  I have alternate plans/times tables if I get the job, if I don’t, if the condo sells, if it doesn’t, if we win the lotto, if my grandparents take a turn for the worse, if Jupiter’s effects on Mars become too strong….etc.  If some movement doesn’t happen in some direction soon, I will explode from uncertainty principle effects.

6) Between injury (hello, ankle-I’ve-sprained-six-times-and-now-is-just-a-facsimile-of-an-ankle), study sessions (best score on an organic chem test yet!), and condo open houses, I haven’t spent a whole Saturday at the sanctuary in a while and it’s starting to wear on me.  The whole switch-gears things in general is wearing me down.

7) I bought a steam cleaner.  I am officially 47.

Things and stuff:

1) I got a 92 on my first bio II test.  Considering he doesn’t offer review sheets, old exams, or even post his slides on the course website, I’m pretty proud of that.  And now that I got a taste of how he tests, I’m sure I can do better.

2) My first organic chemistry test is on Monday.  I am sweating over this.  I feel very unprepared.  I see many flashcards in my future this afternoon.

3) No news on the job front.  Discouraging.  I had a bite, but jobs I’m most qualified for (and would bring in the most money) are strict Mon-Fri places.  With the way my classes are staggered, I can only come up with about 12 hours to dedicate to a job.

4) We are considering taking in another cat.  She’s terminal with cancer.  I’m not so much worried about going through the death process again as how the critters would all get along while she is alive.

5) ST and I continue on with only the smallest of bumps.  I’m beginning to believe that I really want to get married again.

6) Very little news on the condo.  One guy evidently liked it the best of all 2/1s for sale in that complex, but he’s still looking around.  I cannot tell you how much this hangs over my head – the money would make a huge difference right now, not to mention that I feel like I’ve got just one too many irons in the fire.

7) Crap.  Time creeps away from me in the mornings.  Bye!

Quickly…

Veronica needs a new transmission.  Despite the fact that it is rather expensive, it is the best option for me right now.  At least she can be fixed.  Of course, I’d considered replacing her later in the year and now I won’t because I’ll want to get my money’s worth out of this transmission.

Scholastic hurdle #1 achieved.  I think I did well on my second exam, but it definitely seemed harder than the first.

Scholastic hurdle #2…I do not want to write this paper.  This paper has made me a three-year-old.  DON WANNA!

Now, some photos…

Cocoa would like to know when guinea pigs got so big and carnivorous.  (All jokes aside, Celeste gets scared and jumps out if he approaches her.  Endless amusement.)

I titled this, “It’s hard out there for a Busch.”  Says it all really.

Frisco, peering from his Are They Gone Yet ledge.

Alabama better give him back soon, damnit. 

What I’ve been doing:
 
Attending class.  Remembering the old saying, “Biology is chemistry, chemistry is physics” and thanking God it’s true.  Realizing I no longer have a hang-up over shouting out answers in class and worrying about being wrong.  Time is money people, answer the man and let’s hear his point on the subject.
 
Driving.  Four plus hours on Wednesday by my calculation.  Over an hour of that was just sitting in rush hour to make my 6pm lab.  From now on, I’ll be volunteering at the sanctuary Wednesdays and coming to campus early to hit the gym, shower, and study so I don’t get stuck in traffic.  This week was special as I had just settled ST in to bed post-LASIK.  (He’s doing fine, extremely happy with the results so far.)
 
Begging.  I will be in Costa Rica during the final week of class.  I need the professor and my lab TA to make some sort of alternative arrangement for me.  If I don’t, and just skip the last exams, I can pass the lab but not the class.  There also has been some pity-partying going on here, as I’ve felt quite downtrodden with having more and more obstacles put in my path.  My TA seems quite willing, and everyone agrees it’s a worthwhile cause, but I haven’t quite got the 100% nod from the professor that he can have things ready for me so early.
 
Party planning, of the non-pity variety.  D and P are moving.  After years of bureaucracy, started when P quit his job in New York to return down here for school and tried to work contract, he has received the dream job in his old government department.  It’s in Oregon, which is where D’s family is.  We have all definitely drifted apart with marriages and babies and whatnot, but many months ago as things settled down D and I returned to our strong connection, just in alternative forms.  I know I haven’t adjusted to the idea they won’t be around and I will miss them terribly.  This will be the first party I’ve thrown that includes wee ones.  Where the hell do you get baby corona bottles?
 
Beating ST at Scrabble.  Baking oatmeal raisin cookies in a lab coat and 3-inch heels.  Doing, um, other things in a lab coat and 3-inch heels.  Having dinner on the patio.  Saying things I’m sure I’ll regret later and not regretting them.  Saying things I’m sure I’ll barf over and not barfing.  Wondering if I’m losing my edge and not caring.