(no subject)

Took the car to the shop yesterday, expecting many worst-case scenarios. Instead, it appears that a couple of computer sensors had burnt out (to the tune of a mere $400 *sputter*). Then I recalled replacing a sensor in the fall that sounded remarkably similar. Called them back, sure enough it was the same one and still under warranty.

The bad news is that they couldn't solve the no-light-when-you-open-the-door-and-no-idiot-bell-when-you-leave-the-lights-on problem without tearing the whole door panel apart, and I'm not willing to pay for that, so I don't know how much their fruitless efforts are going to cost me - at least two hours of labor, I'm sure. But it appears that my car will continue running, and that is a Very Good Thing.

Thinking about summer

First thought: I'm actually going to have one. That really hasn't happened since I got to Cleveland. Last year I was still working for the OPB, so by the time I got home in the evening I was fried from an 11-hour workday. Also, last summer was one of the most ungodly hot and miserable in the history of Cleveland, by all accounts. We had a "normal" winter this year; perhaps it isn't too much to hope for that it will be followed by a "normal" summer.

So, what are the plans? This summer our home improvement efforts are going to focus on landscaping, specifically on turning our small-but-featureless backyard into an oasis of peace and soul-restoring harmony. Next Saturday we will be getting the estimates on having a water garden installed and other landscaping done. The plan is to create the feeling of a cottage garden - many flowers, pathways to different areas, places to sit and relax and enjoy the scenery. It will eliminate the possibility of playing Frisbee out back, but the very size of the plot already eliminated that. This will be my substitute for the front porch I long for and don't have here.

Next plan: getting and raising a puppy. Ferrett's mom has offered to purchase a Golden Retreiver puppy for us as his Christmas present. I miss my dog, and Ferrett has always wanted to have one, so this is a good gift.

Those of you who have raised puppies may well be raising eyebrows at the juxtaposition of these two activities -- aren't puppies and landscaping incompatible? Why yes, yes they are. Ferrett and I have already had stern talks with each other. Me to he: you know you will have to walk it and clean up after it and not let it out to dig in the garden and train it. He to me: You know you will have to weed it and trim it and rake it and maintain it. Both of us to each other: Yes, yes, of course I know. I promise I'll do it, PLEASE can I have it?

I suspect neither of us will do quite as well as the other would like, but I think we'll do fine. And my perennials and his puppy will both grow and give us both much pleasure and some headaches.

I think it will be a good summer.

Bored now....

It’s one of those workdays that I know some people love but that just drive me crazy. Yesterday I was very efficient and got the drafts and information for everything I needed to do completed and onto the desk of the attorney for review. Which is where they remain. Once she gets a chance to look at them and get them back to me I will be busy once again. But in the meantime I am twiddling my thumbs.

The last thing I want to do is ask for something to do. Every time that has led to a large, unwieldy project that no one wants to do and that has been sitting around for months or years waiting for someone foolish enough to kiss the frog.

The reality is, I am finding it hard to get enthusiastic about tackling challenges, and it’s made that much worse by the fact that we will be out of here in a couple months. I can’t seem to commit the energy to solving old woes for the next generation of people who will occupy this space.

I emailed myself some homework, and I’ve done a bit of that this morning, but that leads to tremendous feelings of guilt. (Then again, so does writing LJ entries.)

Guess I’ll tackle cleaning up some files or something….

Car postscript

They still managed to make it almost $400....

But "it runs great now!"

Grrr.