What the crap?

May 18, 2016 /

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What the crap is going on, that it’s been 6 weeks since I last posted? God I suck.

So, what’s going on here? Well, Maya is graduating from our local community college with her transfer AA next Friday, and she has been accepted to every school she applied to for transfer, including her number one favorite tip top choice, U.C. Berkeley! YAY! We’re so proud of her it’s ridiculous. This year at least, she’ll live at home, which will save us about $16,000 in room and board.

Speaking of Cal, did you happen to see Sheryl Sandberg’s commencement address? I loved it. Really moving and wonderful. I was impressed by her vulnerability and honesty, and by the advice she had regarding developing resilience.

What else is new? Seems like I went out and got myself a new job. Gulp. I wasn’t really looking for one, though I was open to it. I’ve been at my company for 15 years, and I’m ready to do something a little different. It’s more money, which is GOOD. I’ll still be working from home, which I love. It will be a lot different as far as the actual work goes, and yet my same desk, same room, same same. Strange. Always before, when leaving a job, I say my farewells to my coworkers, and leave the building. New job, new building. So this will be different in that way.

Puppy boy Mulder is doing well. He’s gotten a little better about pulling on the leash on walks, which is good. He doesn’t bark QUITE as often, though he’s still a barky boy. We’re going to a bbq with a bunch of other Keeshonden from the rescue where we got him this Saturday. That will be fun, to see him playing with his buddies.

Ted’s family has been in California for 50 years in a week or so. They came here from Canada back in ’66. We’ll be having a family get together to celebrate, which should be fun.

I’m wanting to re-do our tiny back yard. I was originally thinking I would put in drought resistant plants, but I talked to a master gardener who suggested that that might be a mistake, as our little yard gets very little sunshine, and drought tolerant plants generally want sunshine. So my current plan is to improve the soil by digging in some compost or something, and then plant some shade tolerant plants. It will look nice with our new patio table and chairs. Right now it looks dried out and sad to me, which generally happens when it gets warm around here. What I want is a yard that will look cool and serene. Maybe I need a little Buddha figurine out there to frighten the dog.

And wow, what about this election season? Crazy. Trump is the nominee on the Republican side, barring anything too crazy. Clinton is likely to win over Sanders, but it’s gotten a lot more contentious recently. I do not like what is happening with the Democrats. Not good. I sure hope things settle down before the convention.

11 Comments

  • Nance

    May 18, 2016 at 6:41 am

    I like the idea of a Buddha in the yard. So Zen. Or a St. Francis and a couple of bird feeders. Nice and pastoral (pun intended).

    • J

      May 18, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      Hi Nance,

      I like the idea of a Buddha, too…I wonder what Mulder would think? He flipped out awhile ago at a neighbor’s house, because she has a Buddha on her fireplace. I don’t know what he thought it was. Ted’s mom has one in her yard, and he hasn’t noticed it. So whatever. 🙂

  • Ally Bean

    May 19, 2016 at 6:58 am

    I wondered what had become of you. Your new job sounds weirdly wonderful. And a Buddha in a backyard sounds perfect. Definitely cool and serene, if Mulder approves. Sometimes I think of buying one of those frogs in a yoga pose to put in our backyard, but figure the squirrels would probably get freaked out, spending all the day barking at it. So no frog.

  • OmbudsBen

    May 23, 2016 at 10:18 am

    Congratulations on the new job, and great news about Maya getting into Cal. I like what the gardener said about your backyard. Yeah, drought resistant plants generally do want a lot of sun. And if the yard is small and shaded, it’s not going to take a lot of water to keep shade-loving plants happy. Especially not when you factor in how much water agri-businesses pour through to keep us in fruit, nuts and veggies!

  • Gina

    May 28, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Oh my goodness, congratulations to Maya! I cannot believe that the beautiful little girl we met so many years ago!

    Yard re-dos are a pain in the butt, but always worth it in the end.

  • Gina

    May 28, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Ooops, I meant to say (as both my children are hovering around me as I type and distracting me) that Maya is twenty years old!