finally …

… I can sit on the couch in my living room without becoming a puddle of sweat.

This last week just about killed me. I really don’t do well in the heat. There are only a few days each year where I really wish I had central air.

And my “you’re doing your part by not putting any extra pressure on the grid” peptalk really does not help when I’m sweltering.

BIG storms last evening, but they weren’t particularly bad where I live. The surrounding areas were hit hard … trees down, power outages, (minor) flooding, lightning strikes. You know. The usual.

Mother Nature strikes again. She is definitely pissed off with us these days. We need to make some major changes in how we live, but I’m afraid it’s going to take a catastrophe before we do.

* * * * *

When last we met, I was talking about the Calgary floods.

The area seem to be recovering … although, like any other place where there has been a disaster, the people/areas that were hardest hit remain devastated. Occasionally we see pictures of parts of New Orleans that look like Katrina happened yesterday … or New Jersey after Sandy. I saw something today that the ‘boil water advisory’ has been lifted in the town that was hit the hardest. It’s been four weeks (plus a day) since the flood.

The zoo remains my pet cause (ha! my pet cause is a zoo. get it?) Unfortunately, at this present time I don’t have the resources to support my cause financially. And I’m not sure my emotional commitment is helping much.

The animals from the ‘South America building’ had to be relocated to other facilities because their home was damaged beyond repair. They posted pictures of the animals and indicated where they were going. It made me really sad to see. Many of the animals, including the big cats, have still not returned to their enclosures, but are being housed elsewhere at the zoo.

The staff there are my new heroes.

* * * * *

I found out last week that they are planning to build a cell tower in the parking lot of a little strip mall 1/2 block from my house.

I signed a petition, but doubt that there will be much success in stopping it.

I mean – it’s Bell Canada! Who can take on Bell Canada???? Big business has more power than the little guy, don’tcha know?

It seems that the agency who approves the building of these towers can override municipal governments who say “NO! We don’t want you here”.

So, in a month or two the view from my little front porch will be completely overtaken by a cell tower.

Oh wait … this fall my front porch will be pretty much unusable because it will be housing my garbage bins so I won’t be able to sit out there anyway!

Beginning this fall, every home must have three bins … one green (for compost), one blue (for recycle), one grey (for garbage).

They are pretty big.

Since I don’t have an accessible backyard, a garage or even a driveway, the bins will have to live on my front porch. Although I can’t be sure, I think they are going to take up most of the available space. (I’m not happy for myself, but am even more upset for my neighbour who doesn’t have a similar porch. Her little entryway has maybe 3′ extra space beyond her door. Not sure how or where she’s going to store the damn bins.

So lets see … cell tower and garbage bins.

This is going to be one attractive neighbourhood.

Wonder where property values will go! They had been increasing steadily since I moved in. I wonder if they’ll level off now.

* * * * *

Do you ever start reading a book and realize (very early on) that it is bad? Like really bad? I can read almost anything … usually something get my interest and I’ll suffer through the book just to find out who done it or to make sure that the hero gets the girl. I think there has only been one book where there wasn’t even a glimmer of interest or engagement and I was able to close it and say “I don’t care how this one ends!”

I’m reading a bad book now. It’s Canadian … obviously NOT a governor general award winner. Blagh.

But I really need to know who the murderer is.

Some books I have to struggle to put down.

This one I have to struggle to pick up.

Oh well …

* * * * *

Lara’s finances are really coming together now that she’s making the big bucks ‘on camp’. She’s been there since May 20 and after a difficult start has settled right in. She’s back home for her 7 days off and will be heading back on Tuesday.

Now that she has an idea of her income, she went in to the bank to get some advice. She has set up her RRSP and TFSA (tax free savings account) where she is saving for her downpayment. She’s making pretty hefty monthly deposits, which is great! She’s going to get a big big tax refund next year.

She’s one smart cookie! I think it’s safe to say she has definitely learned her lesson about managing money (… although, when you have a lot of it, it’s a lot easier to manage!)

* * * * *

I dunno. Life’s okay these days, not stellar. I think my inability to sleep during the heat wave affected my emotions.

Well, I don’t think that. I know! I don’t do well when I’m tired, and I was exhausted so even more impatient, intolerant and reactive than usual. I always beat myself up after I’ve behaved inappropriately. It takes me awhile to remind myself that everyone has those moments and they don’t define who I am.

Overall, I think I’m an okay person. There is always room for improvement, right? But I just don’t know how to initiate the changes I need to become who I think I should be. I try to be patient, but I (often) fall short … and then I retreat under my rock while I come to terms with who I am.

I’m friggen 56 years old. At what point will I have things figured out?

* * * * *

Meh. I need to catch up on my favs and then do a bit of housework before I head out to visit Erin and get Moodie.

* I WISH YOU WELL! *