Scientist, Editor, Wife, Mommy of 3

I can't stop thinking about chocolate.

No, really, I can't think of anything but chocolate and how much I want some RIGHT NOW.




Ahhh hah! Leftover, neglected chocolates in the boss' neglected inbox have hereby been pilfered of one mini 100 Grand.

Bliss

Holy mother o' Pete.

I MUST HAVE THIS!

And so we have another chapter in the dramatic saga of healthcare bills.

But first, an update. I have yet to see the approximately $400 owed to me by Megadeath for my migraine medications - a prescription I filled and paid for 3 weeks ago. I am told that I should soon see the $28 I am owed for a doctor's visit from a little over a month ago. We'll see if they remembered to include the check in the envelope (they forgot to do that with ashfault76's claim).

( Who's trying to send me to collections, now? )

In other news, I'm still waiting to hear from an appraiser. At this rate, I won't be able to close before the end of the month, which means I'll have to pay that dreaded higher July mortgage payment. Grrr! I don't like appraisers. My every encounter with them has shown them to be very very bad about making appointments, calling back and meeting their commitments. Annoying, to say the least!





( The Lawnmower Saga Or: When Customer Service Goes Right )

So, that's been my Monday so far. I need to do a bunch of reading, since I didn't set up to do benchwork today. I had a migraine yesterday that pretty much kept me on the couch. At least I managed to mow the lawn (once I got the mower started) and I vacuumed the house. I was pretty pathetic yesterday.

I did another little something this weekend that you'll all make fun of me for, so I won't tell you about it just yet. ;-)

It's amazing the things I manage to accomplish when I don't turn on my TV.

Two days ago, I came home and made a barely decent meal of macncheese and grilled zucchini. I then watched my new exercise video as I ate. . . yes, yes I know that's not how you're supposed to exercise, but it's a new tape and I wanted to see what was in store.

So I then turned OFF the television, washed my dishes and then actually did the work out with the tape (thank you Dave for the great little TV-vcr) while my cat watched and tried her best to get stepped on.

Ok, so I'm being a pretty good girl so far, right? Well then my domestic goddess rose to the fore. . . I chopped and seared and readied my crock pot (a kitchen miracle if you ask me - thank you, Aunt Sharyn and Uncle Phil) for a dee-licious stew that I was going to get started in the morning. And while I was at it with the kitchen gadgets, I even set up my bread maker to make cinnamon raisin bread that would fill my house with baking-bread-scent as I woke in the morning.

Well, this is where I get demoted to demigoddess. Yesterday morning, I overslept and couldn't work out. I got the stew started, but was unsure how much broth to add, so I had to guess. And I opened my bread maker to find a loaf that hadn't risen - it was a flat-top. Disappointed, I tried a slice, but just couldn't see myself eating it, much less sharing it with my lab mates. *sigh* All I could do was cross my fingers that the stew would turn out ok.

When I returned from work and opened my front door, the most heavenly scent met me there. *yum*

Of course, it was delicious and I felt very proud and VERY thankful to not be eating tuna fish or macaroni and cheese. Now I just hope I can continue to enjoy it for three more meals.

The hazards of living alone - you have to eat a LOT of leftovers.
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I haven't yet mentioned today's anniversary, but only because we're all painfully aware of what today's date is and we all remember vividly what we witnessed and what our fellows suffered on this day last year.

I can think of nothing to say that wouldn't be trite or superfluous, so I'll just say this:

Take care of and respect yourself and the people around you.

That's all any of us can do.

Tweet. Tweet. Tweedleedeet.

About a month ago, when my dad was here visiting me, we built a little fountain in my backyard. We put a water lily in it, in hopes that it would add yet more life to the perky little burbling of the water. I keep hoping the lily will bloom, but it seems as though I may just have to keep hoping.

It seems I'm not the only one who enjoys my lovely water feature. One morning last week, I spied an adorable young squirrel precariously perched along the side of the font, dipping his head in for a drink and pawing at the lily.

I've spotted several birds taking the odd bath here and there, but this morning, my little fountain was a veritable pool party. Four little sparrows had arrayed themselves around the edge of the pot and were joyously dipping their heads in and waggling their tails to splash themselves. They seemed so happy, it made me smile.

Ahhh Saturday. My day of total retreat from the world. I ignore my phone, I talk to. . . well, I talk to the cat if she seems interested, but she felt more like napping by my side while I read today, so I pretty much just didn't talk at all.

Heck, I don't think I've even spoken to myself today.

It's late afternoon now and I'm starting to feel the urge to stir myself a bit, so I suppose I'll locate my pals and head out for the evening. Maybe I'll see some of you at the movies!

:-)