Musings on a Small Life

It's windy, cold and rainy here today, but I don't mind the cool down, as it felt like 32C (about 90F) with the humidity yesterday. And we've been desperate for rain--a couple of days ago I came home to find one of my hostas, a super-hardly plant, wilted from lack of water. Nicki hanging out in the hot garden yesterday. I had a really crappy work week (at least Wednesday through Friday) and so wished I had savings and could have chucked it all. What did make me laugh, though, was that the staff person (another dept) I was going back and forth with via email (a particular project I'm working on, lots of errors in her spreadsheet, unfortunately) wrote at one point, "i hate my life...." She cracked me up, a much needed laugh. She's higher up the food chain, in mid-management, and I could appreciate that she, too, was having a lousy week. I'm trying not to do anything rash, because that's just not feasible. I'm also trying to keep ...

That would be $16 plus tax per half-hour visit, with the pet-sitting company.  :-) The owner of the company sent one of her staff out yesterday. I'd heard from the references, both police constables, and both had nothing but wonderful things to say about her. She showed up a few minutes early, was with me for about a half an hour, met Nicki (Derry was outside and hid under the step, of course). She was professional, quiet and seemingly kind, and she said she actually has given Flovent to cats for a number of clients. (Which surprised me, as it's expensive, and it takes effort to train the cat, and I would think the average pet "owner" wouldn't be bothered.) I've arranged for her to come back twice next week at Nicki's 6PM med time, on June 2 and 5, then again the following week on the 10th, on the 17th, and during the supper time on the 22nd and 23rd when we have our work conference dinners. I sent a five-page document to the company owner thi...

I have a pet sitter coming to the house tomorrow after work. I'm under no obligation to book them for future pet-sitting and there's no charge for the initial visit. This particular employee has been with the company only since March, though she has a farm background and has pet-sat privately. I have her police background check (from our city, not from other jurisdictions) and I've contacted a past client for a reference. I have the option of giving them my house keys tomorrow, which they would keep on file and which would make a sudden need to fly east a bit easier. My first reaction is not to do this at this time, but just pay the $5.50 charge for key pick up if and when I do book with them. However, and here's where the pros and cons come into play, would it be worth it to hand over a set of keys to them, in the event of any emergency for ME? What happens if I'm hit by a bus and end up in hospital? There's no one to call to come and immediately take ...

[Warning: Picture-heavy post.] I took a little jaunt into the cemetery this morning, I think for the first time since last Thanksgiving. There's always something new and fresh, something living among the dead. There are a few homes on the road leading to the cemetery, and masses of lilacs. They all were at their peak or just past their peak.   What I found interesting was that the lilacs in the cemetery, only a short distance away (a very short distance) were just coming into bloom. Talk about a micro-climate!     These seeds caught my eye.  Most of the ferns are in full leaf now, but I spied these. There were quite a few dead trees that look like they should come down. Maybe this one is next on the list, since all the branches have been cut down.    I love the sunlit green.  I swear this cemetery is prettier every time I go.          I love the words of remembrance.   ...

There are two pet-sitting companies in our area and I emailed them both this morning to explain that I might suddenly need to make a trip to Halifax and to ask for further info re: their services. I've actually heard back from both (and on a weekend too) and will book an initial appointment with each to get a feel for them. But oh, it really, really, really bothers me to be faced with having to give up control of care of the boys! The owner of one of the two companies said they've actually given Flovent before, but even so, I wouldn't trust anyone to give Nicki the correct meds at the correct times of day. So, okay, I have control and trust issues.  :-) Nicki enjoying the sunshine last weekend Still, I want my ducks lined up in a row, so their care is one less detail I have to concern myself about, when the time comes. The other thing I need to get is an airline-approved carry-on. Air Canada, which is the only airliner that flies out of our city, now is...