DESPITE ALL ODDS (September 27/121 or not)

"If you're depressed, you're living in the past; if you're anxious, you're living in the future; if you're at peace, you're living in the present" Sartre? Confucious?  Naw, Hallmark. Not bad though.  

Got a surprise while recording my latest poddie last week. As I started my first question, I call the icebreaker where the interviewee gets to do a short commercial on who they are, who they work for, what they want to promote, etc., etc. he turned the tables on me. He stated that this was my 60th! podcast and thanked me on behalf of the Conference (he is the Board Chairperson) for all the creative work. Cool. Even more interesting, is it meant he actually thought to check how many there were. I am sometimes more impressed by the effort than the accolade-I just float that way. On the other hand, I've been doing these for what, five years now?

SPA-LIKE WITH A WOW FACTOR (thanks Sue) With a final sizzle, reference due to the electrical problem, the bathrooms plural are done. No drum beating or clashing of cymbals, but Yah! Turns out a neutral wire was MIA on a downstairs plug impacting all their brother and sister plugs. Old house, old electrical which we seem to be replacing one room at a time. Not to mention (I said don't mention) our hot water heater decided this would be the most fantastic time to crash and burn. Well, there was no noise and the object is to keep from burning I suppose. Thank you "This Old House". My new heater is set a tad higher which means hand washing dishes is now an endurance sport. In the water heater's defense, though it is very pretty. Oddly enough, as with the electrical inspector who came during the electrician's troubleshooting during the inspection, the building inspector was there to sign off on the bathroom remodel while we were busily installing a new water heater. Which, of course, means he has to come back to inspect the water heater install. How inefficient of all of us. Disasters should occur more conveniently. 

I am happy with the price and appearance of all the remodeling, but it's worth noting our contractor was sporting a giant new pick-up the last time he was here. Glad we could help. Though I really think folks just getting that one-day tub to shower remodel are paying too much, considering what my two bathrooms cost. The contractor agreed and said those commercials really piss him off. Also, that sexy shade of green I picked is now starting to appear in new houses and actually as a car color-I've already seen a couple. Ahead of my time  

SOCIALLY SPEAKING I wish the dems would just explain the difference between socialism and social democracy (Nordic way). Free enterprise and capitalism remain, but the social network is funded so people are educated, fed, housed and have medical care as part of the "social" contract. That's where the taxes go. Though I think it funny that marmie thinks he's insulting dems by calling them communists when he grovels at the feet of Putin, Xi and Un, communist dictators. He needs to have that explained sometime. 

A GOOD MAN Sorry to hear of Mayor Hollister's passing last week. He was a tremendous leader, and I enjoyed several interactions with him when I worked there. I still recall Monday morning meetings where he would throw out a topic and let the directors react and debate, watching carefully, then make a decision. My boss and I were meeting with him on a worker comp issue, and he wanted my opinion on a course of action and doctor, when I called him Dave-thought my boss was going to have a stroke. "Mayor" she said. Politicians be weird but he didn't seem to mind. He was known for bringing the Lugnuts to Lansing and campaigning to keep GM here, and as one of the founders of the Lansing Area Food Bank but how many people know about his compost worm farm on the 10th floor that the kids loved.

 Personally, he supported my asbestos, bloodborne and drug and alcohol testing programs, though we tangled on the three strikes you're out for positive blood tests.  He also asked our department to bring some programs to life that I facilitated like the city-wide seatbelt campaign (Put a Belt on It) creating the first all-City employee picnic, creating a down payment plan for city workers buying a house in Lansing called L-Hope. He was a man of vision with the expectation of trust for people who worked for him. Truly a defender of the people with vision and determination despite his Parkinson's diagnosis.

AND THEN Noting a sign on the automatic door "In Emergency/Push to Open" and waiting too long I decided to call an emergency and pushed. The darn thing fought me.

Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect          Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish Be Where You Find 'Em

                                                 

SEPTEMBER GRASS IS GREENER (September 20/122 or not)

SIGH So tough being MSU, Lions, Tigers fans. Well, maybe next year becomes an ongoing mantra. Last week, for MSU the defense didn't show up and this week it was the offense. Taking on the 3rd ranked team in the nation and holding their own until the 2nd half, then the defense holding and waiting for the offense to acknowledge the effort. The blue and silver almost blow a 21-point lead and then help the Bills inaugurate their new stadium with a pre-ordained loss. The tigers of course...continue to trade their best players. Hopefully, the mantra will change to this year. However, when expectations are low the ability to delight doesn't take much. 

Interesting week as we are trying to get the final pesky details finished on the remodels. Nothing like frantically fixing an electrical snafu when the electrical inspector shows up for the inspection. The good news-after installing two brand new GFI's we passed inspection. The bad news; the original snafu showed up again this morning-argghh. Still need installation of a grating and I can't find the little paint pens they gave us to cover a small strip of cabinet that did not get its color wash in the 2nd bathroom. 

PICK YOUR OUTRAGE From the myriads of disgusting incidents from mr. dementia this week, what kind of pathetic garbage threatens to destroy another man's (war hero and beloved president) memorial because they won't put his own name on it. Plus, now calling the obscene 250-foot arch blocking the view of the Lincoln Memorial and defacing Arlington National Cemetery a defensive installation to get around any challenge. He's going to put ammo, drones and snipers in it-OMG. Not like the Capitol of the USA is literally swarming with military and bases. Little tin soldiers crammed into the arch to leap into action at the moment of threat. A trojan horse so to speak-I'm dying here. 

OLD STORIES Rode over to Novi last week for a Safety Conference meeting where the appearance of normal road was constantly obscured by road construction. Well, that's one reason to welcome winter. We have two seasons as they say, winter and road construction. I rode with the current MSC president and paid by buying lunch (gas would have been more expensive-lol). He's an ex-MIOSHA construction enforcement supervisor so of course we critiqued the various road activities. Good thing we're both retired but those workers are living on a prayer. FUN FACT:  I used to work with his father, a former MIOSHA Construction Director. God I'm old.

 The Dad tried to help me when I was at the BWL when they hired "farmer brown barn builders" to build a storage shed (for TNT-I'm not lying) on one of our properties. They were, shall we say, not conversant with certain rules and I feared an accident - no the TNT wasn't in it yet. Anyway, Joe came out from MIOSHA and tried to "ed-gee-cate".  However, despite our efforts they did manage to knock the structure down and one guy suffered a broken leg. One really hates being right. 

After the BWL I continued to wreak havoc at the City within my first few months of course, because I'm a rule follower. First by interviewing/interrogating a company on their asbestos survey (unbeknownst to me a big supporter of the mayor). Secondly, accompanying a wage and hour rep on his survey of a construction site to determine if they were paying prevailing wage - a requisite of most government jobs. When I realized he was climbing up into an attic full of, wait for it, asbestos, I had some small concern as I told him to GET OUT NOW! When I explained the health evals, personal protective equipment, training and monitoring that needed to happen to mitigate his exposure some of his various gaskets were blown. He had his boss a well-known defender of the little people try to intimidate (never a good tactic with me). Not backing down, I countered with the City Attorney. I won. Actually, this dude and I ended up with a good working relationship, and he is a mover and shaker himself in a very public position these days. 

NEW STORIES This week I'll be doing a podcast interview on Emotional Intelligence (EI) with our current MSC Board Chairperson. Easy interview so we're just going to wing it. Putting the theory into practice so to speak. Considering the different generations in the workplace understanding is sorely needed. The younger folk are into relationships and not "working 'til you drop" for a hearty handshake. Smarter than us oldies perhaps. Then I have 3 feelers out for the month of November so hopefully one will shake loose before my deadline. 

Took the grandson bowling last week ahead of his league start and the teenager is emerging. Our usually bubbling over buddy was more reserved and has cultivated that little curling lip they tend to get. Polite and respectful just not as social as we're used to. He's a bit judgmental these days too and asks hard questions. An interesting twist. So just going to enjoy each stage as it happens.

Our hummer (hummingbird) has been stoking up for his long trip south, perched on the feeder for long periods of time. I understand they put 30-40 percent of their body weight on before leaving so I'm guessing straight-through, no bathroom breaks. I keep thinking well, this is the last day but then he shows up right about dusk and dips his thin little straw deep into the fake plastic flower and goes comatose. 

Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently & Less/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish Be Where You Find "em 

                                                                                     

MAKING SENSE OF IT (September 13/123 or not)

WHERE'S THE PARADE? Who would have the thought the best thing we saw on the Lansing Area Parade of Homes was the cute little bracelet/keychains supplied by the sponsoring credit union? They may have been worth the entry fee-to be sure, I took two. First clue was no posting of the houses featured on the website just ticket information. That meant no addresses even after you purchased tickets which turned into a game of drive around and look for the little green arrow signs that indicate you may be in parade home vicinity. Only upon a successful scavenger hunt was one awarded a much-slimmed down parade book with no map. As most of the offerings were new streets, surprise, the addresses did not show up on google. Back to the scavenging. We literally drove into surrounding townships and just played hide and seek looking for more signs. Did not realize we were engaging in a religious pilgrimage. Would you not think they WANT you to find the houses for sale?   

After being underwhelmed by the first offering I was eagerly approached by the realtor who enthusiastically asked, "so what do you think?" Reacting quickly, I replied, "Well, I see brown is back" and made my escape. We were looking for bathroom inspiration and am happy to say mine is prettier, though I do see some brave souls venturing into the greens for cabinet colors - I was first. They were pretty "meh" as the kids say so again happy with my own inspiration. The most intriguing and actually locatable house was ultra-modern and really cool except drapes/curtains are apparently not a thing anymore and there were really a lot of windows so owners need dress accordingly. Checked the open house next door to the modern one and I would hate the be the neighbor as you would constantly be compared and end up lacking. 

After driving around the proverbial hell's half acre for one of the last ones, we gave up and hit a sports bar for an early dinner and MSU football. Positive closing to our housing ramble. 

WE REMEMBER Not to sully the 9/11 remembrance but rumplethinskin sleeping through the memorial and offering an illegal $5,000 bribe for people to vote republican are his latest outrageous defecations on America. Such a contrast to what the world was like right after that horrible day coming together as a nation and the world mourning with us compared to what we are today.

I was at Eastern Michigan University evaluating a training program when we got the news. We were piled into the administration office glued to the television in sheer disbelief when the second plane hit and the news kept getting worse and worse. Sickened by what we watched and wondering if more was coming and if we were now at war. To make things more poignant, we were practicing fall protection harnesses in the ROTC building. I watched these young cadets, men and women, with fear yet resolve on their faces as they awaited what might come next. It was weeks before I could look towards Detroit and not wonder if another plane would appear. I wondered if this was how my parents must have felt when Pearl Harbor was attacked.  America had avoided so much of the devastation that war brings on our own soil. We now knew we were vulnerable. Never forget. 

ANOTHER WEEK IN THE WEEDS Needing to meet a repair person for a broken window at the lake Wednesday, we were loaded up early and were ready to move out when 1) we lost power in the two new bathrooms and living room lights and 2) our contractor texted that the painter would be here at 8:00 to finish painting the second bathroom. Say what? The no light thingee could wait until we got back, but the painter-no notice? People take one for granite or quartz or ceramic, I digress, when you're retired. Couldn't contact the glass doctor (literally) until 8 am to beg an afternoon appointment rather than "we'll call you when we're coming" which is what we were working with. Both tasks were accomplished and we were actually able to entertain some friends at the lake as planned. Meanwhile I am still drying my hair in the 1/2 bath downstairs until the elusive electrician shows up.

"Peace (if it's possible) Out/Stay (more than ever) Strong/Love (more than ever) Your Neighbor/Drive (it's only going up) Efficiently/More than Ever Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel (and khaki)/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish Be where You Find 'em

                                                                               

HOME IS WHERE YOU FIND IT (September 6/124 or not)

"Some people's two cents worth is why we got rid of pennies..." 

Since it's a holiday weekend, I am entitled to downtime and short blogging; also alcohol, sweet desserts and general flatulence. All and all a good weekend. Met the "kids" at the lake for a day and let them take the rest of the weekend and all the bedrooms. As was pointed out, working people have precious little downtime and retirees can go whenever. As we had plans, it worked out great! Fortunately (heh heh) the weather was so lousy Saturday, the S-I-L took on some chores electrical and otherwise to fight the boredom, so we are beyond happy.

JP NAILS IT! My grandson is more like me than I knew. His family went there Friday night as they have their own key, and we couldn't be there until Saturday so like, let the party begin sooner. And for the first time in forever I was not wearing my connected watch, and my phone was on silent. Upon retrieving said phone, I found six calls from my daughter! Who died? Who burned the house down? Who unhooked the boat? Are vandals sitting on my lawn furniture? Actually, they forgot their key and were wondering if I had one hidden in the garage as they have access to that. Not reaching me, they contacted our neighbor and unofficial caretaker and breached the premises. My daughter asked her son, "think like your grandparents-where would they hide a key?" As he is there much more often than they are, a reasonable possibility he would know. He suggested the refrigerator (we have one in the garage) which was scoffed at, and wrong. Later the next day she asked me where I would put a key and I said, no shitske-probably the refrigerator. General hilarity ensued. The boy and I did not collaborate on that answer, we just think alike. 

DRESS UP TIME Started the weekend with an anniversary dinner at the OH's favorite restaurant where he gets his massive prime rib (dog bags were involved) but I couldn't get a second glass of wine. (That's why you order the bottle, but then the police are extra involved holiday weekends, so it turns into a whole thing). Not sure why there was only one bartender on another floor who was apparently slammed. No biggie but they apologized with a free dessert. Well, I am not one to turn down luscious creme brulee obviously-winning! Since I have been wearing flat sandals all summer it was the first time wearing heels in three months going out to dinner. I could balance fine, but I walk so much without heels I was clomping around like a T-Rex. 

LABOR OF LOVE We also attended, I think, our 35th Labor Day bash with friends where everyone brings a dish to pass so we end up with all salads or all desserts with the hostess also filling in gaps with gay abundance and abandon! I compromise by bringing one of each. Since I use the OH's favorite cake recipe for cupcakes and there are always left-overs to take home-winning! One interesting comment. In recovering from my half-decade of surgeries by focusing on exercise and smarter eating I have gotten closer to my fighting weight of many years ago. However, nothing humbles you more than when your old man gets asked "has she been sick"? What you thought was youthful-looking is translated into-what deadly disease is she fighting to achieve that fashionable starving orphan look? They should have looked at my overly laden plate as I try every offering. Some items find themselves artfully disguised and discarded when I hit an ick factor. Word to the wise: do not ask what is in something. Was that chicken chunks in that salad, um no-go no further at that point. But there was an odd item on the dessert array that apparently was dried mushrooms-ok (dessert, salad, appetizer?). In some cultures....? Yeah, I tried one. I think it is what dust would taste like if you cleaned house with your tongue. 

PATHETIC POLITICS Both amusing and pathetic. Vance is calling Abdul a very, very evil man who is bringing background and religion into the campaign-no that would be your side. But then Dr. El-Sayed, an epidemiologist who chose public health and policy over private practice has spearheaded Wayne County's opioid crisis response as the county health director and championed removing lead from schools, assisted disadvantaged children obtain glasses among other programs only wants to talk about the issues. Evil indeed. Is that the best you got? 

Speaking of toads, toadstools, poison mushrooms, I have found a little fairy village wrapped around our tree that appears to be anticipating tiny little occupants. It's temporary housing that sprang up after the massive amount of moisture we've experienced lately, so hopefully it serves some forest creature food or shelter.   

                      

✌Peace Out/✊Stay Strong/💖Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish Be Where You Find Them    

WHAT'S IN A NAME? (August 30/125 or not)

SHAME! The new mnemonic device for our magnifico' Great Lakes. Totally apt for our current "what stupid, meaningless thing should I do today" calendar. Considering the name of each lake is a derivative of first nation peoples who populated the area and named the lakes wayyy before America or Canada were nary a gleam in their founder's eye. Oniatari:io meaning "lake of shining waters" or more simply "beautiful lake" which certainly does not describe the U.S. right now. 😂Which is another bone-y of contention. We are not America-we are the United States of America so calling anything, Gulf, Lake, Ocean American merely give homage to the entire set of countries west of Europe. Funny how that works. Another insult landing something south or north of its so-called target. Speaking of names, when marmie is talking about dems being, horror, communists, aren't his best buds communists (Russia, North Korea, China). Someone needs to 'splain these things in small words and easy sentences.

THEY'RE COMING! I am not a super movie buff. I have not sat through the Hobbit series or Star Wars or Fast & Furious or even Harry Potter. However, in movies I have seen where AI takes over mankind so it was pretty much a foregone conclusion, especially after seeing "I Robot", that mankind would eventually hoist their own petard through technology. So not terribly surprised that AI is running away from human control and the techies who created the monster are the ones warning us about it. As Skoobie Do was fond of saying, Ruh-oh. But at least I know one hero who will do their best to protect. All this build-up was to brag about my daughter as she starts a new position managing a team of system security, compliance and risk experts at the State of Michigan. The Wonder Woman cape is a given but optional. Now all she has to do is fight administration (read politicians) to support the inevitable crucial changes, and economics needed to protect us. Yes, piece of cake

PIVOT My hope with my monthly podcasts is that they sound spontaneous, off-the-cuff, nimble. But all that takes mucho prep-LOL. I usually pen my intro and closing before I even start the interview. The closing might change a bit, but since the whole thing is timed, I have to be able to control the narrative and general meandering to meet our 30–40-minute timeframe with no awkward (isn't there a city named that? oh yeah Auckland, NZ) um-um pauses wasting valuable time. Got to keep it clicking. Anybody watching the YouTube version can see me glancing at props out of sight of the camera. I recommend folks stick to the audio version. Did you know you can tell sight unseen if a person is smiling while they talk? It's kind of fascinating and I keep reminding myself if I'm not happy and excited about the topic neither will the listener. 

 Anyway, my interviewee decided to change my whole intro just before the interview. Yes, his version was more technical and explanatory, but my opening is more whimsical, trying to get you interested-in my own voice so to speak. No problem, I bow to your impressive resume and the ease of interviewing you. Then he kind of swayed into the answers to the questions before I asked them as we both knew the script, right? So, talk about the ability to be nimble as I rephrased things and said, "you mentioned, bla bla bla" and kept us on track. I was rewarded with him telling me I was a very good host with the ability to keep things on track. You think? But I took the compliment as I know he gets interviewed a lot. I try to emulate my favorite virtual interview mentor Stephen Colbert, who was excellent in getting his subjects to relax and spill except I try not to be the main voice you hear. On occasion Stephen got excited and cut them off sometimes making me say-stop, I want to hear their answer to that. So, I guess you can say I learned from his mistakes as well. But if I think of something that makes them say "that's a good question" meaning they hadn't thought of it that way, I'm happy.   "I'm so vain" which is my go-to song on the few occasions I have done karaoke-far away from home of course. I keep telling JP we need to do a karaoke sometime. But I digress. Anyway, another poddie in the can. 

BATH TIME The OH told the contractor we should put him on our Christmas card list as we've seen him more for the past 2 1/2 months than anyone else we know. 2nd bathroom was rolling along but we have a new floor to lay and painting before we can set the immortal throne and finish the rest of the plumbing. There are a couple of issues left on the "completed" bath and a missing part that we ordered and paid for. Although the part really isn't needed (robe hook) we paid $21 for it with a 30% restocking fee so that golden sucker is going to hang somewhere. Now I'm happily searching for green/gold accoutrements for the countertop. Did I mention that the mirror is so humongous that I don't even need to use the little close-up mirror attached to the door to be able to see every pore and eyelash when I put makeup on? Consequently, the mirror works, but like the warning in your rearview "objects probably are much bigger in real life". Looks so perfect and reasonably sized in the showroom set up exclusively for the best display. But I definitely achieved the spa experience except for cleaning those #@#$$ glass doors. Picture shown is reasonable facsimile of completed green room.

                                                                            

Per usual: Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish be Where You Find 'Em 💚  💙💛

GETTING WET (August 23/126 or not)

 

BATHROOM BLUES/GREENS. Well after finally being released from bathroom bondage we took 4 whole days off and went to the lake. JP had asked for an extended fishing trip and Grandpa was more than happy to oblige as it's tough to find fishing buddies. Especially when one goes out early and late. JP had no problem with the late nights; it was the early mornings that required several shake, rattle and rolls to get things moving. Grandpa made an elaborate breakfast the first morning for someone who barely had his eyes open and food was the last thing on his agenda. I just shove energy bars and muffins at him for when he's ready to break his fast. I stick to my raisin bran as nothing says regular but my dependable fiber cereals-so sue me. 

FISHING IS ELEMENTAL It hits dark around 9 pm so I am anxiously awaiting JPs call that they're back in the canal. As I wait on the patio, they soon herald their impending arrival with Joe striking a Statue of Liberty pose as he wields the high-wattage spotlight while they pick their way through our neighbors' anchored boats and docks. 'Cause if you're fishing at night the OH does not come back in until the last proverbial "hung is dog". He has GPS so he just follows the little red line. I just think they be crazy. I also think the two of them would have stayed out all night if they could have kept the bugs at bay. However, all the effort did not yield any trophies, so no fish pictures on Facebook. However, they did hook a sizeable bass which resulted in their patented quick catch and release. No not landing it, unhooking it and sliding it gently back in the water. No, the darn thing broke just before netting. Fish tales of the one who got away. They found my confusion hilarious. JP also swears that he hooked the biggest bass he's ever seen off our dock which also did the do-si-do on him but I'll have to take his word for it.

On their downtime we were watching TV when JP chortled as he brought my attention to an "old people commercial". That's anything from the heartbreak of psoriasis to dementia medicine. Ah the callousness of youth.  I had quite a relationship with commercials when I was a kid. I had a whole dance routine for Welch's grape juice; I could do a reasonably accurate rendition of the little girls who claimed, "Mother I can do it myself" and "It's Shake N Bake and I hepped". And I totally memorized the bit "Crest toothpaste has proven to be an effective dentifrice when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care .....bla bla bla." Mom would have me perform for company. 

Then JP can be the sweetest kid when he whispers, "do you need a chair Nana (I was sitting on a stool as we had company) I can bring one from my bedroom". He also helped Grandpa with the boats plural without being asked. I may be biased, but I think he's pretty cool. I was teasing him about not introducing himself to the second window man I had in for a quote. He immediately stuck his hand out and said, "I'm Joe, nice to meet you". Curses foiled again. 

BUZZING As the "r's" clutch their pearls and commiserate over them cheatin dems, and the orange one supports a graham cracker who claims publicly she knows nothing much about foreign policy -"I'll just trust the president but I want to be a senator" I have to ask one question. If we are so darned good at cheating how the heck did we lose the presidency and congress? I guess logic doesn't enter into it. Meanwhile the USPS is going to withhold mail-in ballots unless states follow the latest illegal marmie maneuver.

BACK TO WHAT PASSES FOR NORMAL Two doctor appointments this week, probably a start-up of bathroom number two, and a podcast recording with an interesting dude I've interviewed three times. The guy who I keep refusing a second interview is going to have kittens. I don't get paid, I don't have a contract and I can interview who I please. Meanwhile my talented daughter is taking a new job next week at DMB at a higher level and it sounds interesting as heck-something to do with IT and security, etc. and a pretty good-sized staff. You go girl.  They'll have to fit it in with Joe's new passion for drums meaning lessons and practices, not to mention our trying to turn him into a bowling maven. As always: Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect a Vet/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish be Where You Find' Em  💚  💙💛

OUT WITH AND IN WITH (August 16/127 or not)

LUXURY Well my fancy pants bathroom seems to be completed. Final crazies included the dreaded drywall to cover the original holes from "too tall Tim" as I like to call him. Both the storage cabinet and mirror were just a wee bit too high for my diminutive self. So new holes, new plaster, new clean-up, though he was relatively neater this time. Then the painter comes back to cover the holes and the finger marks and the gouges as they rehung things. In a month or so I probably will not notice the flaws. 

Asked the electrician to rehang the mirror rather than have "too tall" come back for a five-minute job. Though their boss agreed, do not ask one skilled trade to do another skilled trade's work. They are such prima donnas. They grudgingly moved the mirror down one inch though originally, they were asked to move the light down one inch and mirror down two, plus the gouge marks were theirs. Fortunately, the plumbing inspector just said do a video rather waiting for him to come back to be sure the faucets are aimed the right way or something.

With all the new lighting and see-through glass shower doors one feels like they are performing on stage in a porn movie. I see every eyelash when I do make-up and my wrinkles have never looked so amazing. I believe we could guide and possibly land a passenger jet on the house based on the wattage we're currently enjoying. Now the fun part of picking out accessories. The second bathroom should be  proverbial child's play after my spa extravaganza. Though I have under the table asked the painter if she could "sneak" back in and paint the second bathroom ceiling for a modest fee. I could do it, but there are ladders involved, I am very messy and she's amazing-probably a 10-minute job with nary a drip. 

But also, and especially important, we have de-plasticized our life. Well at least the bedroom. No longer the squishy squish across the room. Just the stairs and the landing until the 2nd bathroom is reimagined. I can live with that, well actually I don't really have a choice.

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH?  300 bank accounts closed by Capital One belonging to marmie on suspicion of money laundering, no really? Front page stuff anywhere except when you own the media. See how that bitch move works out for the orange one? 😏

BIRD WARS Must be the time of year, but the finches are fighting a never-ending turf war against the sparrows. The doves are too fat so they just sit on the ground and wait for droppings, of which there are many. At time there are more brown bodies up there than yellow, but the finch brigade regroups and dive bombs the intruders. Seed is for everyone, but the finches are prettier. Meanwhile hummer has decided these dudes have nothing to do with him so he has actually been feeding regardless of the patriot missiles and B-52 action going on next to him. Hard to think it's actually getting on in the season and everybody is filling up the tanks. 

LIFE WITH JP Church dinner week and JP played his designated waiter duties, taking orders and delivering food. He likes to give me the number in different languages-what a tool. He usually chit chats with everyone, not his fault, he's just so charming and they give him gifts like cookies, crocheted potholders and advice. A young Asian gentleman had attended church and heard about the dinner, so he stopped in for food and then insisted on helping. Which was a whole adventure as he did not know a ton of English. But he did whatever he could see needed doing and we tried our best to communicate. I tried to ascertain if he was Lutheran or Christian for that matter and we were not connecting so he finally had me speak into his translator on his phone. He did understand when I asked his name and gave me an Americanized version, sigh. JP was quite impressed that Nana tried to talk to him even though we weren't doing that great at it. But the young man did understand Thank you and You're welcome and we all learned to bow to each other. A lot of courage I think to put yourself out there when you don't know the language that well. 

We finally had some time off from remodel and JP's busy social life to schedule a few days at the lake to fish which he requested early in the summer. Then, of course, he was thrust into some other school projects so he can't come this week. I am sure it will get harder the older he gets, so a little bittersweet.

Just some small changes....

Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life 💚💚  💙💛