Category Archives: Musings from the laundromat

Musings from the Laundromat: Fathers and Felons edition

First of all, Happy Father’s Day to all the great dad’s out there.  And Happy Father’s Day also to all you moms that have done it alone.  I’m raising an imaginary glass of champagne at the screen and cheering you all.

I’m sure the dad’s are thinking, “Great.  Couldn’t you be raising an imaginary beer or single malt?”

No.

Onto felons.

(My segues are ingenious, she says sarcastically while moving the imaginary glass of champagne out of the way so it’s not knocked over by her writing prowess.)

Yesterday was a pajama day for me.  Just me, the dog and Litchfield Penitentiary.

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Well, almost.  I have 3 episodes to go.

I’m definitely enjoying Season 4 over Season 3.  No spoilers.  I’ll review the show when you’ve all had a change to binge watch.

So after today’s Fathers Day brunch across the river, I’ll be returning to my Netflix nest and finishing up those remaining episodes … Then I’ll feel guilty about not having scrubbed the house – then either a) get over it or b) actually scrub the house.  I’m thinking maybe a little of both.

Time to check on the machines … And drink my weekly cup of coffee (I still haven’t had the heart to tell the laundry lady I don’t drink it anymore.  But since she’s so sweet to make it just for me – I must courteously caffeine.)

 

Once again, happy Father’s Day Soupers!!!

Musings from the Laundromat: Pedicures & Pole Dancing

It has come to my attention that I can’t stay up late anymore.

My 47th birthday brought with it such gifts as: Inability to sleep through the night without peeing at least once, Feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck if I don’t see the back of my eyelids by 10 p.m. at the latest and even more scary face wrinkles when I look down and my iPad reflects my image.

Thanks 47.

Thanks a lot.

You REALLY shouldn’t have.

But! It is what it is and I, being who I am, will continue to do what I shouldn’t and last night I tested the powers of 47’s gifts and am regretting it as I sit typing.

Let’s start from the beginning.

As part Deux of my birthday, my mum collected me for a pedicure.  It’s been a looooong time.

My feet were starting to resemble something that looked directly at Medusa.

We were greeted by a  beautiful Asian lady – and both given a bottle of water.

Considering it was 120 degrees outside, this was like being handed a bar of gold.

Once in the chairs with our feet in the water, I was ready to take a nap.

The chairs massaged … The water bubbled, I reclined and was already in paradise.

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Oh!  My view from my chair?  This guy.  He was HUGE and odd and I loved him.

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My pedicurist arrived at my feet and opened a sterile packet containing all his necessary pedi instruments, then took one look at my feet and got up to go to the back.

I turned to my mum, “He’s getting the heavy artillery.”

Yup.

Not only do they do the usual pedi things – BUT!  Hot rocks were brought out for a leg and foot massage.  He also did something with his thumb on both of my feet that gave me goosebumps and a sudden urge to marry him.

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After all was done, we wobbled out to the car like boneless chickens.

Now for lunch.

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Buffet with sushi?  SO my kind of lunch!

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‘Healthy’ dessert.  (Ok, listen there were two other plates of food I’m not sharing … I ate like I was about to depart as a contestant to some island for Survivor.)

Sated – we got back into the hot car.

The car was seriously hotter than the 120 degrees outside.

Next was the shops.

We had only made it to our first stop when I had an urgent need to discover if Petsmart had a bathroom.

(Buffet ‘all you can eat’ sushi became an example of ‘if it seems to good to be true …’ You know the  rest.)

The two of us realized we had only rented our lunch.

And each shop after had us returning some of our meal. Lol!

Too much info?  Sorry.  The truth had to be told.

Home.

Then – off to the grocery store.  Look who was hanging (literally) in the meat section.

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Home again.

Gave my pup a bath …  Here she is all coconut scented and sunshine.

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Didn’t stop there … Steam cleaned my kitchen floor.

I was exhausted and ready for an early night.

Except, I learned my friend was working at the local ‘Gentleman’s Club’ that night and I haven’t seen her in a long time.

Taxi to the strip club.

I did two amazing interviews with my friend and another lady.   And for whatever reason, am having the biggest issue uploading them to YouTube!   Grrrrr.   When I figure that out, of course I will share.   (Especially considering that during the second interview, a rogue man outside walked up to us and was shut DOWN by my interviewee.  LOL!)

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You know, even the strip club was rocking the spa vibe … They don’t serve alcohol, (good idea) but, they had delicious cucumber water.   Classy.

By the time I got home and had walked the dog and readied myself for bed it was two in the morning!!!!

I STILL managed to get everything done this morning though.  Laundry, a store return (and a little shopping with the store credit), washed car and have turkey sausages in the oven.

A nap however, is imminent.

And well deserved if I do say so myself.

Happy Sunday Soupers!

Musings from the Laundromat: Wagging and still breathing edition

Awoke to Butters wagging and breathing near me.  I don’t think she gets the concept of ‘weekend’.  That’s ok.  I needed to be up early to get to the laundromat.

Waggy/breathy is now home and I am the only one here at the ‘place of laundry musings.’

I slept well.  Much thanks to my bosses who bought me a pillow top mattress cover and uber comfy pillow for my birthday.  I think maybe they were over my response to “How are you?” Asked each morning being – “Tired!”

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Today, it is my birthday.

47.

Crazy.

Time has FLOWN!

Time has also dipped and swooped and sometimes hung comfortably riding a current.

I didn’t get that ‘It’s my birthday feeling’ today.  You remember when we were kids and could barely sleep the day before?  Like our own personal Christmas Eve?  Long gone are those days.  Or, ‘eves’ I should say.

And this morning – all I could think was that I didn’t want to get out of my comfy bed.

But out I am and will be joining my parents for brunch later.

Then grocery shopping.

I put everything off yesterday as I did a Netflix marathon of season 4 ”Call the Midwife’.   I crawled out of my nest a couple of times to fetch sustenance – then back to my OH so comfy bed.

So here I sit and I’m sipping a cup of coffee, even though I’ve given coffee up, because my laundry lady makes a 1/2 pot just for me.

Bless her heart.

And feeling very grateful to still be on the planet.

Oh, on my way out … As I held the door for waggy/breathy,  I spotted the sun shining on my sweet Nannie.

I think she was saying, “Happy Birthday ‘Manda”

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Have a great day Soupers!

 

Musings from the day that no laundry was done.

Hello Soupers.

First of all, happy Mother’s Day to all those who mother.  Whether it be their own child, another’s child – a fur baby.  Happy Mother’s Day also to the truly single dads out there.

I spent today without my mother as she’s still in England.

I’m still house sitting.

My son arrived after noon and I was SO glad to see him.

He made a collage for me of notes I’ve left for him over the years, some over 7 years old.

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I also received the traditional ‘hastily made card’.

But what meant so much more was him just showing up.

We went and ate Mexican food locally and then grabbed some chocolate canollis from the restaurant next door.

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The canolli place had a very sad ‘grabby’ machine.  It was out of order, but beyond that, had a very sad selection of ungrabbed prizes.

This poor pup stuck under the pile

This poor pup stuck under the pile

Me and Nic, and what the heck is up with that owl???

Me and Nic, and what the heck is up with that owl???

We went to the local bar/gambling establishment after that for Nic to experience.  He’s never been in there.  I, however, since we lived here years ago have.  We stayed maybe 10 minutes and, $50 later.

It was kind of cool – but in a dysfunctional odd sort of way.

He’s my baby.  Very strange being in an adult environment with him, but very fun seeing him get carded and then ask for a water. LOL!

We came back to my parents home and ate the conollis.  We watched Britains got talent on YouTube and we shared things.

How we were feeling – how life was going – where we wanted to be.

And I was so glad he was with me.

Thing is, I’ve been having DAILY panic/anxiety attacks daily now.

Thing is, I didn’t have one with him here.

I want to go home.

But, I also want to be here for my mother in her time of need.

I am physically, mentally, and definitely emotionally losing it.

And not wanting to add to my moms plate.

I need to see my cardiologist too.

Oh! That’s another thing.  I found out that if you donate your body to science, your cremation is free – and whatever is left of you is returned to your loved one.

I’m considering this.

So – bittersweet.  Today was bittersweet, but I was very glad to have a mother to say ‘Happy Mothers Day’ to, and a son that showed up.

 

Another Musing from the place I’m doing Laundry

It’s bonkers.

As Alice would say.

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It’s almost 3 weeks since I left my home.   And I still feel like a dog turning in circles and not able to lay down.

That got me to thinking about the homeless – the people who don’t have shelter to exhale in.  Bouncing and bouncing from place to place.  I mean, if I feel this way in my parents home – then … Gawd.

It makes me so sad.

The important thing is I have my Teddy.  My bear.  I think I understand the homeless with their carts.   Having things that are familiar to you is so important.  THEN I start thinking about people relocated due to fire or flood and all of their possessions gone.  Just gone.  Then I appreciate Facebook more.  I lost a lot of photos in my divorce.  But, Facebook is an eternal photo album and also, since they started memories, a diary.

Anyway.

 

I’ve also taken a lot of photos.

Tiny Dancer with her tongue out

Tiny Dancer with her tongue out

Tiny in the sun

Tiny in the sun

The 'lover but a biter'

The ‘lover but a biter’

Missing her mom

Missing her mom

Tiny dancer sleeping

Tiny dancer sleeping

Plucky on her window seat

Plucky on her window seat

Cacti and globe

Cacti and globe

Gorgeous Cacti

Gorgeous Cacti

Me, in the window

Me, in the window

Clearly, it’s a ‘tad’ windy.

Bottom line, it  sucks not to be home.  But I’m glad to fill in for my mum and dad that also want to be home.

And, am enjoying the pets, even if it means many scratches.  😉