Aiiiiieee. Dinner With the Ex

Ok, I must have been so over him, I've even forgotten that today would have been our wedding anniversary. We had decided to have a Christmas dinner out, instead of exchanging gifts. He said he wanted to buy me books or anything I wanted, but that kind of sweet gesture should have been given out while we were married, instead of socks and booze.

We went to East Tokyo for Hibachi. He's never been, so I thought it would be a great idea. Surely, something had to happen. Luckily, it was minor, over ice-cubes in his water, to which I told him to suck it up, remove them from the glass, and enjoy the evening.

Christmas, YAY!

I really love the whole holiday season, really. I just wished people didn't get so crazy around this time. I'm glad there weren't any loonies out there today, so I made my little trip to Nat's.

I've made so many Cheddar Bay biscuits these past few weeks, I decided to bring Hot Buttered Rum instead. I'm sure my fellow peeps were thankful (I was, eheheh). Didn't turn out as good as the first time I made it. The difference in brands, perhaps?

Anyhoo, had a wonderful time. I can't say much more about it, because it's always perfect to me. I just love being there, and I miss it sometimes.

Ooooooooooo the sappy tears...

Christmas Eve!

Was supposed to go to Natalie's aunt's house on Christmas Eve. Remembered that it's very hard to park on her street/block/section, and since I had worked that day, got a case of the lazy bug and stayed home instead.

I am very sorry to miss it, because I know I always have fun when I'm there, but again, my ass did not want to move much that day. Ordered Chinese instead, and had a great evening regardless.

Ahhh Bad Kitties!

It wasn't my imagination...Sunday night, I could have sworn I heard some commotion involving kitties and the christmas tree...Last night, same thing. Ting...ting...sounded like ornaments being swatted. I was half asleep, so I didn't bother to check.

This morning, I visit the bathroom, and see one of their toy balls in the sink. Ok, so they had fun while I was sleeping, that's always good. I do remember hearing them chasing each other while I was in and out of consciousness...

And then, I spot a bright pink and brown object in the bathtub. What da?! Why these little suckers! Apparently, one wrestled the tree for an ornament (a little sprig), and brought it into the tub to play with it.

Something tells me that it's Pixie. She likes to run around with items in her mouth. Just ask Sushi about his disappearing squirrely eheheheh (I take the laugh back...maybe he's checking my blog while I sleep, and taking note that I joked over something as serious and important to him...Mr. Squirrely...I better be ready for his payback for my comments, eeeek).

I Smell Rubber...

Oy. Couldn't get out of my parking spot this morning. The smell of rubber inundated the purple passion...I was alone...Me, clutching my winter jacket, holding on tightly to my gloved hands, and thinking of this big, massive, clump of ice-crap, that was surrounding the car.

O how I love and loathe thee...

But I'm not ready to accept defeat from this wild creature that calls itself winter. I carefully laid kitty litter down and around the bulging tires, hopped back on the softly stained old car seat, gently caressed the automatic shift thingy, and put it in reverse...and drive...and reverse...until it finally freed itself from this imposing beast.

Ahhh, I need a cigarette.

I Think It's Raining in Hell

O wait, those are tears! Yuppers. El Diablo has gained a conscience overnight. He called me this morning from his route, crying. He wants me back, can't stand going home to an empty house, etc...Well, where was all this realization before?

We've had this discussion a few times, and I reminded him that he chose this. I seem to recall he was really happy to not have me in his life ever again. Actually, I have his exact words recorded somewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I do feel sorry for him. I think that's it though. I no longer imagine a life with him, at least, not like before. I am hoping that we'll become friends one day, because I think we've been through so much together, that it would be strange to not be in each other's life.

Plus, I can still kick his ass at Skip-Bo, and that should count towards something.

Pixie - The Jumping Bean

I've started noticing a pattern with Pixie, when it comes to being petted (forget cuddling, she's not up for it yet...kind of freaks out if I pick her up, poor kitty). As of today, she will only ask for hand massages if I'm in bed. Maybe she's a tad lesbiana, like Sashimi?

Anyhoo, I'll pet her for about 5-10 minutes (she purrs like a well-oiled machine), then she runs to the other side of the bed, where again, I pet her for another 10 minutes. Interestingly (to me) she repeats this over and over! Perhaps she senses that my right hand gets tired, so she switches sides? What a cutie! Ahhh, I'll keep her forever and ever!

Thanks, BOB. Really!

Ok, I'm usually not so impatient, but I've been having huge beefs with customer service in some stores, that I had to take it out on one of them. Bob's Furniture was the lucky winner.

I ordered a sectional through their website. Received a call from a Wayne Dilton (name changed), explaining that the items I had requested, were out of stock. According to "Wayne", these would be available within one week (plus 2-3 days to arrange for delivery).
At this point, I'm thinking, wow, pretty nice! Not only is it not going to take long to get the sectional (two separate pieces), but someone from one of the stores is calling me to let me know. Unheard of these days!

And then the phone calls start...I don't get the automatic call, letting me know that the delivery can now be scheduled, so I call back. Chaise is available, but sleeper-sofa part is still on backorder. Please call back the following week. And so started the chase...Nobody knows when the sectional will arrive to their warehouse, no, they do not have the contact information for the manufacturer, call back again...it will be here before Thanksgiving, next week, definitely...not here yet? It's here, but waiting to get the "Ok" from the warehouse... Call next week...

There's a "Ask Bob" section on the website, so I composed a lengthy email to "Bob", asking why no one had any idea when my furniture was getting delivered, that I've been waiting over 5 weeks for it, learned for the first time this past week that the sleeper-sofa was a "special order", even though their website made no mention of it (that, and the fact that it was not listed as an out-of-stock item), also included a comment to "Wayne Dilton", giving him a special thanks for misrepresenting the truth (well, lying) by telling me I would have the furniture by
mid-November, when he knew that would never happen.

Eh, I think I might have been PMSing. Not that it's an excuse, but I really don't like being pushed around, or have barely any control over the situation. I did think that since I'm being very bitchy, that they might take a little revenge on the order, so I felt the need to add a disclaimer/threat: "The furniture does not get to my house BEFORE December 24^th, in perfect condition, nothing missing, you can very well expect me to provide a vivid account of my experience to anyone who’ll listen. Had I known this sale would be credited to the Totowa NJ office, which has had bad consumer reviews, I would never have placed my order online."

In retrospect, I think I might have been a bit too harsh, but I really wanted the furniture in before mom comes to visit. Couldn't they have just told me it was a special item that would take an extra 4 weeks to get? So I could either select something else that was readily available or agree to wait? All in all, I think I did learn another good lesson...Contact the store to make sure the item is in stock!

Today, it arrived! All in one piece! (2, technically). Was the wait worth it? Yes! It's pretty sweet looking, and comfy. Kitties are really happy with their new beauty-sleep areas! If my ass cheeks may say so, they are quite ecstatic as well.

Celebration of Life

Today, my friends at work and I went to a Celebration of Life event, in memory of our friend, Barbara, who recently passed away. I can't imagine the act of someone no longer being physically "here". It really feels like she went on vacation, but just hasn't returned.

"Death" just seems such a far-fetched concept. You ARE no longer. It brings about the same incomprehension as trying to come to terms with the fact that the universe is infinite. How is it possible? The more you think about it, the harder it feels like you have a grip on the reality of existence.

How are you gone? I understand it, in terms of a life cycle, and believe you live on in other people's experiences and memories, but you can't return? It's just so final. I don't think I can accept it.

Aside from sobbing like a ninny throughout the church ceremony (concentrate, concentrate...o here's the snot...try not to sniffle...how many lights are there in the huge star hanging by the altar...sniff...sniff...), all I kept thinking was "she never colored her hair blonde". I remember, the first time she went through the treatments and her hair was growing back, that she would go wild and color it. She never did.

I never knew Barbara's life as told by the photos that were posted of her in the church, or by the stories her friends and family shared. I also didn't realize she was just as fond of cinnabons as I am.

Crouching Tiger...Crouching...Tiger...Clench! CLENCH!

Note to self: next time I am in dire need to go to the Ladies' room at work, go a little sooner, ok? Clenching the cheeks and speed walking towards the bathroom, is o-so very obvious.

Reconciliation? Hells No!

Ex called me this morning to tell me he had checked the fluids in the purple passion. He'd had a doctor's appointment (right across the street from where I work), and stopped by to do some maintenance.

He said he wanted both cats back, that I could just keep the black one. Apparently, he's lonely. Also mentioned he wanted me to move back in with him. O really? I told him that would be a "no" on the cats, that he wanted his mommy and daddy here with him, but no pets, since they consider them dirty, and unfit to live with...

As far as a reconciliation, hell would have to freeze over first. Not that I believe in the existence of such place, but work with me here. I told him he got exactly what he wanted. El diablo said that he messed up a lot of things. No?! Really?! I wouldn't have guessed.

It's far too late for me to even imagine the possibility of being with him again. I can't get back the time I wasted on him, and that's what I probably regret the most...The last few years. If I think back on all the bad moments, I think the hospital period was when I should have ended it. I remember talking to my mom on the phone about it; explaining how unsupportive he was. What kind of person would call someone who's in the hospital "lazy"? He came to see me once, during those 4 days. The day he came, he was on the normal rampage of how I can't do anything, that I'm just lazy...He got me so upset, I threatened to call a nurse and have him thrown out.

The whole rationale given at that time, was that he didn't know how to deal with the fear of loss, but at some point, don't you have to push your feelings aside, and care for the person you supposedly love?

Just Take My Wallet...

Another trip to the dentist...I had to have posts inserted in two teeth. Thanks, Dr. K (former dentist & associates) for ruining a healthy tooth of mine, by performing a root-canal on the wrong one.

At least, now I've semi-conquered the fear of going to the dentist, after such a bad experience with my ex-doctor. In the new practice, they really take good care of you (well, it does come at a hefty price...). At first, Dr. K (who's, by the way, marrying a fellow Portuguese patriot!), wanted to go in without anesthesia, but since I was flinching so much (ahhhh the anticipation of pain...), we decided to go to plan B --- anesthesia and an x-ray in the middle to find out if the posts were inserted properly.

Over $1000 later, my wallet seems very light... Thank goodness for dental insurance! I'll submit my claim on Monday!

Wow, Another Day Off!

I am so totally in love with my new place, even if I still don't have couches yet... and I'm so adoring this time off. I can't believe how much work I'm getting done, and I don't even feel sickened by it yet!

I bought some commercial grade runner (I know, not the prettiest thing...but hey, it's durable and gets the job done) yesterday, and today, I cut it to fit around the water heater in the bedroom adjoining closets. Perfect! Now, I can actually start organizing the space!

Running on a Spare Tire

I've got the donut on! And I'm on a mission... Went to Mowes (name changed) today, to find me some light-switch plates (replacing 7), various heavy-duty screws, a piece of plywood (for the future location of the kitties' litterbox)...

I realy shouldn't be allowed to shop anymore. I'm actually tired of needing this or that every other day. My bank account is shrinking by the minute! Unfortunately for the account, I saw a 50% off sign on all Christmas decorations, including the little villages...

Damned cute stuff...

Cars...It's a Love-Hate Relationship

Just great...Today, I was supposed to be off from work (Wed-Fri), but since there were too many things going on with my webcasts and what-nots, I decided it would be in my best interest to get my ass to work. Can't do vacation whilst thinking of the work that will be awaiting me.

Anyhoo, derriere is dressed, ready to go. And I do go...well...until I leave my parking lot at home.

Flat tire. Flipping great. Gotta call el diablo to get it fixed. Don't really want to call AAA for something that the ex can get done. Well, technically, I do have the knowledge to change a tire myself, but I've never had to do it. I thank Mr. Q from my all-girls catholic high-school for the lesson. I wonder how he's doing? Last time I heard, he had had an affair with a student...But I digress...

Rest of day, fortunately, went a whole lot better.

It's a Sad Day for Carpet Cleaners

Email sent to a carpet cleaner asking for a quote to do my place:

Hi:

I would like to find out how much you charge for your carpet cleaning services. It's for a one-bedroom condo (first floor, no steps): bedroom + closet area, "hall", living-room, and two small area rugs (biggest one is maybe 5x4 at the most).

I've just moved in, so I do not know the origin of most of the stains (except 1/2 dozen spots or so I can vouch for*), and am guessing the previous owner not only had poor vision, but a distaste for cleaning, because the carpet looks like it's never seen shampoo.

*The oldest of my cats didn't take the recent move so well, and he took revenge on the carpet, by throwing up on maybe six areas, and expressing his resentment by urinating in one spot.

Thank you,
Ana

Er...will I be hearing from them, ever?