How I'm feeling

Bert and Ernie try gangsta rap

Things that are wonderful

- I will sing the praises of my trainer over and over. I've been having this back issue since I tweaked it 2 whole weeks ago. And unfortunately I didn't have my session last week. And I was climbing with one arm and going nuts. So this Wed finally I trained with him, and it made such a huge difference. In part because I know what pain is ok. In part because he knows how to get at what's wrong. And I know that I have to challenge it so it doesn't heal weakly.
- Because of that, I was able to climb last night with both arms - ie for real. I have been going NUTS not being able to climb. And it felt so good.
- If I ever wonder why I'm still doing therapy, I have a good session like yesterday that helps me get perspective on where I am in my life right now. And the fact that I am still trying to get perspective in my life in this ever changing world of mine.
- I am having a home visit late Sun. afternoon from another cat adoption agency. So someone thinks I might be ok. Ahhhh, validation. ;-) The cat I wanted is already adopted, but apparently the other two I looked at are colors that are hard to adopt out (huh? - gray and tortoise colored? - though I will admit I would never ever want a white cat so I guess other people aren't nuts. or are at least as nuts as me).
- Thank you Heather for the hints on how to do bullets... just running late this am so no time to learn something new. And that's the wonderful thing about blogging - you meet such nice people...

Zimbabwe photos

Here's the kids from the last photo after their father made them button up their shirts, and pose with their mom.


I was listening to my Toni Child's cd in my car, and on came Zimbabwe. So I need to share this great video I found on YouTube.


It's interesting to listen to the lyrics. I remember when Pat and I heard this song either while we were still in Zimbabwe or afterwards, and we thought, oh, it sounds like she's saying Zimbabwe, but we thought that we just had selective hearing. But no, she is saying it, and sharing a message of hope.

Starlight Reserve

A Starlight Reserve is a site where a commitment to defend the night sky quality and the access to starlight has been established. Its main function will be to preserve the quality of the night sky and its associated values, being them cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural, or landscape-related.

I read about this in relation to Tekapo, New Zealand. They are trying to get designated as a starlight reserve. Can you imagine being able to see such a vision as the one below? Amazing. I might need to plan a trip there. Here's the article that came out.



Photo

Subjunctive Day?

If I knew how to do bullets, I would this morning.
If I knew how to fix my bike brakes, I would, so I wouldn't be biking with only my front brakes, which is a bit dangerous.
If I knew how to fix my back so I could climb like a real person, I would. Fuck it though, I'm climbing tonight and damn the consequences.
If I knew why my dishwasher doesn't drain completely, I would fix it so all would be perfect with the appliances in my kitchen.
If I were not on medication, I think I would be really depressed. But I'm not sure. Because maybe it's me helping me through the hard times.
If I can't keep my blood pressure down, I will have to go back on medication. [shoot, is that subjunctive?] (last night 134/84, but at the doctor's office on Wed it was 127 over 74 or something like that)
If I were sure that all of these were in the subjunctive mode, I would not have put the question mark on the title. Sister Rose is shaking her finger at me in heaven.

It's supposed to be my day off, dammit

I'm one of the lucky non-federal employees that gets the federal holidays off. I appreciate it greatly, believe me. Thing is, today was a work day. Workin' on the kitchen.

Here's my friend M sticking his head in the oven to try and kill himself after having spent at least an hour, maybe two, trying to figure out why my stove wouldn't work. And finding out there was a part that he didn't know about - he didn't ask if there were other parts! And then later finding out there were even more parts, which he did ask about but I didn't think were important so didn't respond when he asked. Turns out in order for the burner to work you have to have it ALL together. Sigh. It's a good story, and lucky he's a patient man, and not my boyfriend, as he likes to say, because if we were dating he would have killed me.


And here I am on the floor connecting the wiring of the dishwasher. I am glad M was there because I was able to ask questions and since he needs to SEE stuff, it saved a lot of frustration on both our parts. We'll talk on the phone about an issue and take 10 minutes for a simple question just because we aren't speaking the same language. And still he says I'm allowed to call. In any event, the dishwasher is connected and looks great and the electrical works, but it doesn't drain completely. I have to run it through a full cycle to see if it will work. Otherwise, it's back to the drawing board to find out what's happening. Sigh.


And, it's beginning to look like a real kitchen. The board is propping up a piece that we just caulked into place. Until it dries.


Billy is annoying the hell out of me with his demands for food, so he wins and I go feed him.