Category Archives: Musings from the laundromat

Musing from where I don’t have to do laundry (because I’m a ‘weekly gal’ and he’s every day).

My life when COVID began …

How dare I even begin with that? There are so many who have been affected. Affected FAR more than I have been. I should mention though, that I am high risk.

But! That’s where my story, (sort of) began.

I was laid off in October. Laid off from a job I loved. I helped create it, and for five and a half years, I loved being part of it.

Broke my leg in November. Was ‘gifted’ (how horrible – I’d rather they still be on the earth and spend it!) a small inheritance late that month due to a family member passing.

I was still, however, looking for work.

It wasn’t until February that I was out of my ‘immobility’ mechanism. But hey, I was still prepared to catch a ride or work from home.

Then March came. But wait,

Holidays came and went

My kidlet came!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, my husband’s kidlets were here.

Here some of us are, plus, my ‘Nic 2.0’. I ‘adopted’ him years ago lol.

Obviously prior to COVID.

But, the first of the year, I was very ill.

Not only a fever, but a continuing dry cough for six months. Other symptoms included complete and utter exhaustion. I was not exhausting myself. I literally (and yes, I mean that, not figuratively) couldn’t keep my eyes open lying down.

I wonder now if I had it.

There’s a part of me that hopes that I did. That it’s over. And, I clearly haven’t passed it to anyone as I hadn’t left the house.

Funny thing is …

My husband is in tune to events prior to me as a ‘pedestrian’.

We had already begun gathering the basics. No, no rush for toilet paper, but, water, non-perishable foods etc. went into our cellar. We had previously been purchasing necessities in bulk regardless.

Life going forward

My husband began working from home.

I stayed in the bedroom to not interrupt him.

I was not working, obviously.

I spent the majority of the time either napping or watching Netflix, THEN napping during it.

I would search for work, stress about when the ‘inheritance’ mortgage payments would run out and I was turning off summer coolants off left and right. (We don’t have A/C, we have ONE wall cooler and a ‘swamp cooler’. If you’re familiar with the swamper, you know it doesn’t work if there is any humidity in the air. Funny you should ask, because, (and I know you didn’t) We HAVEN’T YET HAD A MONSOON!

To the point of ants coming in for a drink in the bathroom.

I’m skipping the ants, because, fuck them.

And I say that kindly. Because, I’m the type of gal who doesn’t harm another creature.

I’ll tap back into this later.

What I did do in between

Roadrunners.

I spent my waking hours on the porch.

I’ve met, Meatloaf, Pacey, Eyelashes, Feather and Broken Wing. In that order. So, I think I may be killing them actually. 😦

Currently …..

I found a job in town!

I get to talk to actual customers (which I love).

Trust me when I say, the chance of getting a job ‘in town’ where I live has VERY, VERY, VERY low odds.

Still in my my first 120 days probation.

Now, for what you’re waiting for, maybe, if you are a fan. If you’re a souper …

BUTTERS!

She’s hanging in. Let’s see, she ‘found’ me in 2011. Must have been one back then. So, here she is at 11.

We don’t let her hang out in the outer perimeter so much these days. Too many cacti, too many snakes etc.

She still has a great life.

Yes, she gives the roadrunners a hard time lol. I tell her to knock it off.

They don’t have a roof over their head, consistent meals and lovin’s.

We still don’t speak the same language evidently. (I’m secretively glad when she chases them with her bad hips and stiff legs. She gets her exercise.)

I said I’d get back to the ants.

We had SO many in the bathroom. I will NOT harm a scorpion, spider, snake etc. etc. But, I’m sorry, if you are an ant and have 2.15 acres to BE an ant, you have no business in my home! I know you’re looking for a drink, but get more creative! Live near the dripping outside taps! There was one night I got up to pee and was badly bitten just by having my feet on the floor, that’s when I drew the line in the metaphorical sand.)

TERRO! And, since they’re determined to be on my porch at night, AMDRO stakes outside near to the house.

If I were to be judged.

The ants of my past would say, at my funeral, “She always went out of her way to not step on us.”

The spiders would say, “She always put us outside.”

The tarantula would say, “She pet my leg and hung out with me outside.”

Even the scorpion would say, “I got dizzy, but, then was released.” (bagless vacuum.)

ANYWAY!

Hope you are all doing well, being kind and staying safe.

My Central Coast is burning. I’m incredibly distressed for those I care for.

2020 seems like an awful meme about now.

Musings from a Laundry Day – Potatoes and 50!

Oh what a week!

I’ll just get this out of the way – I turned 50 on Wednesday.

To be honest, I didn’t see myself getting out of my 20’s.  So, this milestone was met with a handshake, which graduated to a hug and then a laugh between friends who knew too much about one another.

My work family treated me like a queen.  My husband spoiled me.  My family covered me in love.

I’m excited for what is to come.

ANYWAY!  The older I get, the less it is about me and more about … well, me gardening.  LOL!

After my last post, my potato plant suffered.  Big time.

I decided to be kind and put it down.

I was very surprised by the results!

 

I’m determined to see my garden to fruition, yet, summer is upon us here and we’ll be seeing triple digits soon.

One of the gifts I received was a trio of fledgling plants – tomato, squash and hot peppers.  I have put the squash out in the garden knowing they’re hearty and in an area they can climb.  I’ve also turned my laundry room into a green house for the tomatoes and peppers.

Look at me go!

Ms. Black thumb is having the time of her life.  Her FIVE DECADES of life (lol).

Used to be, gardening was not soothing for me, but after a surprise manicure and pedicure from work, I found myself wanting to reimburse them for the fingers – because they soon found dirt and ruin.

And, I don’t think I’d want it any other way.

 

Musings from the Laundromat: Looking & Changing edition

It’s been weeks since ‘the flood’ and weeks since I’ve written.

Today I’m rushing laundry as a handyman is to meet me at my disheveled home @ 9 a.m.

Of course, the laundromat did not open early today as Murphy’s law would have it.

‘Handyman’ is going to ‘look’ at the damage and other repairs that I’ve requested so many times.

Look.

If one more person looks and does not DO – I’m going to have to put my foot down.

I say that, but I’m not confrontational.

I did however, stand up for Muslims and others while stuck outside listening to Glaucoma man rant and rave.

A rare photo of him – he’s the one in the Hawaiian shirt.

The other gentleman was also a source of anger for Glaucoma man as he was let in before us.

I don’t care, but jeez did HE take it personally.  I told him to calm down as Laundry Lady came to unlock the front door.  She didn’t need any of his venom.

Other than laundry and handymen and my interactions here – life has been … Different lately.

Work is changing – two of the original owners are leaving to enjoy their lives together and travel.  They will be missed.

I turned 48 and decided that I, too, needed to make some changes.

That’s been difficult.  Whenever there are others involved it’s a painful process.

But as I think of my friend in the hospital and I hear news of people my age suddenly passing of late – it’s very clear to me that none of us are promised tomorrow and it’s time to start soaking up each day.

I’m seeking peace for myself.  And while I feel selfish doing so, no one else is going to find that for me.

Clearly no handyman – they’ll just keep coming around and ‘looking’ at damage and making appointments to return some day.

Musings from the Laundromat: Flood edition

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mama’s, Single Dads, Grandparents and Fur Baby  Moms.

I’m beginning my day at the laundromat (obviously) and guess who is here?

Glaucoma Man!

I haven’t seen him in months.

Now let’s get down to the wonderful (there is no sarcasm font) week I have had.

_____________________________

Monday I woke to an extra sound in the house.

A hissing of sorts.  I quickly concluded that it probably wasn’t a rattle snake.  I mean, they’re not called ‘hissing snakes’ are they?

The more my senses woke up with me, the more I knew what the noise was.

I leaped out of bed and followed the sound.

Sure enough, my main bathroom was under at least an ankle depth of water.

I tried to turn off the water at the toilet, but calcium build up would not allow that.

So, outside I went to the main.

I returned inside and assessed the situation.

FUN FACT:  Rugs usually don’t reflect when photographed – unless they’re completely under water.

Completely full garbage can – sitting in the ankle deep water (that a lotion bottle lid floating on top FYI.)

Of course it also reached outside.

My only reprieve (again, REALLY need sarcasm font) is that the majority of the water had found it’s way into my air conditioner vent.  *sigh*

Funny thing about suddenly not having indoor plumbing or running water is:

a)  I immediately wanted to go to the bathroom and

b) Was suddenly very thirsty for a glass of water.  Never mind that I had juice in the fridge.

All of this at 6 a.m.  All of this on the morning of a day I REALLY needed to be at work.

BUT!  Life had other plans, as it usually does.

I called property management and my boss and spent the next hour fielding calls from various workmen and companies.

Ran to the store to buy bottled water so I could at least brush my teeth and give my freaked out pup fresh hydration.

Fast forward.

Eventually the cavalry arrived and I had six – SIX men in my house (none of whom were the plumber.)

A handy man, two restoration men, my maintenance property manager and an A/C guy.  Wait, that’s only five.  Gawd only knows who the sixth man was.

Machines began appearing, trucks revved outside, Butters was losing her mind.

The crowd started to dwindle and then the plumber showed.

He managed to slither in between the restoration equipment and fix the leak.

The aftermath …

Base boards gone …

Oh, there they are.

Containment area

Which, I later had some fun with.  That’s me doing the ‘human centipede’ poster reenactment. (Yes, I have a shirt on – it was a  flesh colored tank.)

And, now here’s a little video for you.

FYI: I did make it into work, after a quick shower.  It made for a long day.

The machines are STILL running – which renders my shampoo and conditioner HOT in the bottle – and taking a shower feels like mission impossible on the surface of the sun.

Everytime I enter the zipped area I have visions of toasters falling into bathtubs.  That may have something to do with the light headed feeling of the shower/sauna.

Tomorrow may be the day all equipment exits my home – in the mean time, poor Butters probably should have been on Prozac.

We’re almost there Butters, we’re almost there.

 

Musings from the Laundromat: Relaxing Flu Edition.

I knew I wanted to relax this weekend – didn’t realize how adamant my body was going to be about that happening.

I woke Friday to two lovely surprises.

1) A visibly swollen neck, sore throat, headache and fever

2) I’m not pregnant.  (Not that there was a possibility, but found that the least offensive way to put it for you.)

Went to work and really hung in there, if hanging in there means occasionally putting my head on my desk and mouth breathing.

Somehow got everything done and finally couldn’t ‘hang’ anymore.  I tapped out at 2, came home and hit my bed so hard there may be charges brought against me.

I can’t remember the last time I slept so much!

Well, intermittent sleep anyway.  Had anyone watched me Friday night they may have drawn the conclusion I was kicking heroin.

You know, that lovely ‘fever fidget’ mode?  Hot, cold, legs kicking – moaning.

The flu is no joke!

So I wake up Saturday feeling like I’d biked the Tour de France and realized I still had to adult.

I had no medicine, no more juice.

I called my mom (feeling pathetic) hoping she could shop for me.  I didn’t reach her and sat and debated.

Do I take my virus out into the world?  That would be selfish.  But, I needed provisions and my fairy godmother wasn’t flying in any windows with aid.

So, I went.

My eyes looked like Gilbert Godfried with a shellfish reaction.  My face pale, sans makeup – mouth lolling open like a zombie.

Safe to say no one hindered me during my excursion.

I grabbed meds, soup and lots of juice and headed back home.

Lots of movies watched me this weekend – but two I DID stay awake for were Bridget Jones’s Baby and A Street Cat Named Bob.  The latter was genius.

I don’t want to give anything away, but there is a scene tha mirrors something I described earlier.

Anyway, I highly recommend this movie – if you have Netflix, you can find it there.  It was a book first, based on these two:

So, now I’m at the laundromat.

And it would have been SO easy to not have come.

Especially when I arrived and there were people waiting outside and the door was not open.

But, my sheets and pillowcase needed washing – after two days of soaking up my germs.

And once I saw that the WIFI was actually working, I made myself stay and wait so that I could write to you.

I’ll be crawling back into bed after I make it up with these fresh linens and put my clean clothes away – and finding another movie to watch me.

And, I can say that I have successfully accomplished what I set out to do this weekend no?  Just – maybe next time, it can be by choice.