One of the Guys

Last night I got to go out with the guys!  We headed over to Shultz' to watch the Badger game, and then enjoyed watching all of the Halloween revelers arrive in costume.  I even kept up pretty well with the drinking, but lets face it....... I'm not one of the guys. :)  At ten thirty I switched to pop, which was stupid.  When I got home I couldn't sleep, not from alcohol, but from too much caffeine.  Next time I'll go with water.  Maybe there will be a next time?  I behaved myself, and I don't think that they censored themselves too much.  They didn't need to at all for my benefit, I'm really hard to offend actually. 

A funny creeper thing happened, because it always does...... but this time it was a 30 something, 6'4 dressed in a baseball uniform, longer hair, sunglasses, SMOKIN HOT.  Funny how when someone like that decides to share half my bar chair and put his arm around me you don't hear the words "no touching".  *shrug*

So I'm watching the game, trying to talk over the crowd noise, and someone taps me on the shoulder.  I turn around and it's the hot guy.  He gives me a quarter.  I'm sort of intoxicated, so I'm confused (ok, I would have been confused anyway) say thanks? and he walks away.  This happens every time he comes up for a refill.  (I left the quarters for the lovely referee barmaids.......who were dressed more provocatively than the Superior Housewives at Aces, but WAITED ON US AND REMEMBERED WHAT WE WERE DRINKING EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE A HUNDRED PEOPLE PACKED IN THE SMALL BAR)  PS. You should go to Shultz', it's an awesome atmosphere.  Very friendly people.

Then Darrin and Brian left the bar to rummage for a pizza to cook (they are regulars enough to do that) and Mr. Baseball re-appears.  He just shifts me over in my chair, takes a seat and puts his arm around me.  I look up at him and say "Where's my quarter?"  He gets up, dumps all the change out of his wallet onto the bar, and snuggles back into my seat.  Puts his arm around me, gives me a squeeze, and then he's off into the night before the guys return.

I looked at Darrin and I said "I can't prove it, but this is what just happened."  Although there was a pile of change on the bar, and plenty of other witness' if I need them.

So I had fun being out with the guys.  Darrin and I always have a good time together, and I really enjoyed meeting his friend Brian, he's hilarious.  Then there's Mr. Baseball......  Come on.  You have to give me that one.  After all the weird creeper things that have happened to me in the last few months I was due.  Overdue. 

The cereal killer and the Bob Ross costumes really rocked!  There was also this hot hillbilly named Melvin....... who looked amazingly like my friend Melanie........ and I think I even had a Boomer Cummings sighting!  All in all, a great way to spend October 29th.  Thanks Darrin ♥ I owe you one.

Reminders

In five minutes yesterday I was reminded of a few cliche's that are absolutely true.


1. God will never give you more than you can handle.

2. You will find things out when you are meant to know them.

3. A lie of omission is still a lie.  (To me it's actually worse)

4. Love and hate are a double edged sword. 

A bigger lesson that I have learned along this journey called life, is that you need to forgive.  Being consumed by hatred for those people who have wronged you just isn't any way to function.  At least it isn't for me.  However, for now I can't do that.  I wrote The End.  on yesterday's post, and I had no idea how strongly I would feel that a few hours later. (Oct 29 just keeps on giving) Someday I might forgive it, but it isn't going to be today.  I am going to let myself feel all the anger I have built up.  I wont let myself strike back, although I do have some lovely ideas..........  

5. Whenever God closes a door, he opens a window.   (any time now would be good)

AND  my favorite........... straight from Scarlette O'Hara

6.  I can't think about that now.  If I do I'll go crazy.  I'll think about it tomorrow.  After all, tomorrow is another day.

Wallowing

That's what I'm doing this weekend.  Wallowing and having a pity party.  Just feeling sorry for myself in general, and actually that's o.k.  I knew this was going to be hard, I guess I just didn't know how hard.  I'm used to missing Sam, I'm used to her not being here all the time.  It's the forever part that I'm having a hard time with.  I said my good-byes the last time I had her here, just in case.  I sat by her side when she took her last breath.  I don't question the decision made. When Leon was wavering,  I had to remind him that he asked me to tell him when it was time, and it was, in fact, time.  There isn't anything I've left undone, so I have closure.

 I'm just heartbroken.

Moves Like Hannah

It's hard to believe that Hannah (Oh well)Noelle is eight years old today!  The time goes by so quickly.  You blink and they are walking, blink again and it's the terrible two's, turn around and they're starting school.  It seems to go even faster now that all the kids are in school full time.  Hannah is in second grade this year, and is "the smartest kid in my class."  It's possible.  She also thinks she is smarter than her fifteen year old sister.  It starts early.

For the first time I actually got to have the kids on one of their birthdays!  Hannah sent a message through her mother to me on facebook (she isn't allowed to have one yet) asking when they could stay over, and it lined up right for last night.  She chose Pizza Hut for dinner, and we actually went to the restaurant, which didn't turn out too badly, and brownie sundae's, by Auntie, for dessert.  "Can we have BOTH kinds of ice cream, PLEASE Auntie?"  Then we watched the movie "Hocus Pocus", which was a big hit for the little goovers.  Ash was out cold on the couch before eight thirty.  Hannah made it the longest and fell asleep around ten.

This morning she wanted hot chocolate, pancakes, and bacon.  We also watched Hocus Pocus again, which was mostly play time while it ran in the back ground.  Hannah and Caitlin also got to set up my fall village, and they had a good time playing with that.  We played some War, and Hannah taught me some new dance moves!  She is starting to become less shy, and more like the hurricane of her very young days.

Happy Birthday my baby!  I'm so glad that I got to spend some of your special day with you!  Love you with all of my heart!!!   ♫ I got the moves like Hannah, I got the moves like Hannah, I got the moooooooves like Hannah♫

Sweetie Girl

If you follow my blog, then you know that this gorgeous dog is Sam. Nothing I could write at the moment could do justice to what I'm feeling, but I need to say something.

The Brown Eyed Man and I had to put her to sleep today.  It was a hard thing to do, to say good-bye to such a sweet, loving, and giving girl, but it was time.  I was blessed to have had her in my life for the four years that I did, and blessed to be with her as she took her last breath.  I owed her that.  She is the thing that literally kept me sane after I lost both of my cats, my relationship, and the looming job loss last fall.  She was my peace, and my comfort, until I got strong enough to stand on my own again.  Always loving, and of course, bossing me around.  She was absolutely the best dog I have ever known.  Probably the best one I will ever know.

When Sam was with me, right from the beginning, we were always together.  We would spend a lot of time sitting on the front steps just watching the world go by.  I would talk, and she would listen.  Somehow just being with her could erase the pain.  She always knew when you needed her.  It was funny how sometimes he would come to pick her up and she would be glad to see him, but when it was time to go, she wouldn't.  She would come and sit by me and look at him as if to say "Not yet Papa, she needs me."  Then other times she couldn't get out the door fast enough, because she was his peace and comfort too.

I felt so sad watching him walk away this afternoon, without her.  Knowing that he had to go and face that empty house, alone.  I know what that's like, and it about did me in.  Of course Sam came to stay and made it better.

I will miss her so much, but I know it was the right thing to do, and the right time to do it.  She's in a much better place, running free with Hunter and Sadie, and guarding her water dish from Pepper.  Misty?  Well, even in heaven she probably still wont have anything to do with Sam. 

Thank you my Sweetie Girl, for everything you have done for me, and been to me.  I love you so much, and I will always cherish the years that we had together.  Thank you Leon, for letting me be a part of her life, sharing her with me, and allowing me to be there with her today.  You will never know how much it meant.

Good night puppy.   ♥ Mama

Real Housewives of Superior

For reasons I can not say I will be using our pseudonyms in this blog.  Brandy T is me.....I have nothing to hide.  Sandy Hughitt would always like me to use that name, but I wont, and Boomer Cummings...well, she just likes the name way too much.  I prefer Carlette which was her first choice. 

Anyway, our evening began at Grizzlies.  Now I said we would not go back for Happy Hour there again, because the prices are just way to high, but my sister game me a gift card for my birthday so there you go.  I loved my titanic raspberry tea, and the fish sandwich there is always good.  Way too expensive compared to all the other places, but good.  The waitress kept hurrying us to pay, or "can I get you anything else?" because there was a line to get in.  That was annoying.  When we happy hour sometimes we can spend hours sitting and talking at one place.  Grizzlies would not be that place though, because of the prices.

Then we moved on to Aces.  Now before I get into THAT, I have to make a comment.  Grizzlies and Aces are priced a bit higher, and never ever have I been accosted at either one of them.  It's a different clientele, that have obviously learned manners at some point along the way.  The end.

So, we arrived at Aces, and right away we see Boomer's male friend who works there.  He's on his way out for the night, because as a rule only women are allowed to work the Friday/Sat night shifts.  Yes, that's true.  After talking with him we settle ourselves at a high table kind of near the corner out of the way.  Lots of guys watching the Brewers play ball, and I (who do not have cable) was happy to finally be able to see a game.  We have had issues with service at Ace's in the past and that's why we rarely go there.  It took about ten minutes for our gal to come over and take the drink order.  We all had the signature martini which mimic a cosmopolitan, but badly in my opinion. 

I'm busy watching the game, while we wait a pretty long time for our three drinks.  Suddenly though, I start to notice something.  The "hostess" caught my eye, or rather her obnoxious jacket did, and when I really looked at her I couldn't believe it.  Long blond curly hair, tight black short dress, boobs spilling out,  and a leopard print jacket covering it.  I turned to Sandy Hughitt and said, "Ha! Real Housewives of Superior."  To which Sandy replied.  "Oh my God, she goes to High School with my daughter."  Upon further inspection, she is no more than eighteen.  Yes, we are now wondering if you are supposed to be working, even as a hostess, in a bar when you are under age.  So now my interest is piqued and I start really looking around.  They are everywhere!  Young, long blond hair (mostly dyed) and extremely tight black dresses.  Boobs as far as the eye can see. 

As I stated above, I didn't care for the martini.  Not much alcohol in them so Sandy and Boomer decide to have another.  We wait.  We wait some more.  Real Housewives everywhere but in our corner.  Finally Boomer writes an S.O.S. note on a napkin (Dear Mysterious Stranger) and tosses it at her friend Adam(?) who is sitting near us at the bar, he flags one of the R.H. bartenders to get the drinks.  There is definite confusion among the R.H.'s and finally after much shaking out of the blond manes, and hair flipping, a young R.H. in training is sent over our way.  (This is tremendously amusing, but equally irritating to me.)

Finally the girls get their drinks, but this time no straw, no cherry.  Yeah, and at least from me, no tip. 

Boomer was wondering if I could run a poll on my blog, and I did used to be able to, but I don't see that function at the moment.  The question is.......   Would a man (because this is obviously targeted at YOU) rather sit and look at boobs all night and have bad service?  Or would he be happy with regular everyday competent women and good service.  I do have to mention there was one girl with short, dark hair, in a black (revealing) top and pants.  I never saw her serve anyone.

When I got home I saw an employment add for experienced servers at Ace's, and I laughed my head off.  They forgot to mention the blond hair, big boob requirement....... hmmm....if I dyed my hair...... not a chance. :)

Girl Power

Well score one for the little guy....... I mean the Queen of the World!  I spoke to the power company today, and landlord should have received his letter today also.  Until he gets an electrician in here and fixes the electrical entanglement, HE will be billed for all the power in both my, and my neighbors apartment.  The next meter read is tomorrow, so  HAHAHAHAHA.  I mean, no....that's what I meant. 

The gentleman I rent from thinks I'm a helpless female, who really needs a man to look after her.  It isn't his fault, I've cultivated that persona especially for him.  It gets things done around here.  He isn't the type you can "fire and brimstone" at and see results.  This time, however, he has crossed the line.  Lets just say I'm prepared for whatever his next move may be, and if I don't like it he's going to find out that I'm not helpless, and that I only play the game if I'm pretty sure I can win.  I didn't get the nickname "Queenie" for nothin'.

I may have mentioned that Steve has moved into his mother's house, and he now lives in the worst area of town.  It wasn't always that way, but has gone downhill over the last ten years or so.  He also is battling the slumlords in his neighborhood, trying to get things cleaned up.  This city allows these people to do whatever they please, and two things are obvious.  If the rent is paid you can do whatever you want to the neighborhood, without consequence, and that as long as the property taxes get paid the city doesn't give a damn about codes, violations, or anything else.  Hmmmmm......... I wonder if there is some sort of group out there I could join.  If there isn't, there should be.  Hmmmmmm......

If you happen to read this, and you are a slumlord......... Shame on you.  Shame. On. You.

Apples!

Ahhhhhh fall!  Today Steve and I made the trek to Bayfield Wisconsin to enjoy the Apple Festival with about ten thousand of our closest friends. I'm not really that much for crowds, so we arrive in the morning and kind of grow with it.  Then somewhere around noon I will look around and say ENOUGH!  I made it until one o'clock today, but did have a comfort zone to return to.  Melanie and Les (Copper Moon Pottery) were at the fest with their pottery.  Glad to see them doing well, and glad to see they are now making candle holders!  I'm a candle freak, but this isn't about that.  I'll see them sometime this evening as they are spending the night on my couch/air mattress.  Nice to be able to have some good visiting time, it's kind of hard when they are working! (as it should be)

You will note that I went to the fest with my Xhub.  It's something we used to do every other year when we were together.  I haven't been back since we split, so I guess it's been five years.  It was the last thing we did as a married couple in fact.  Anyway......   I never know how spending time with Steve is going to go, and I got ticked off right at the start, so I though it was going to be a rough day.  Then sometimes it's just awkward, but not this time.  We had a great time talking, listening to music ♫ Sweet Caroline...... bah, bah, bah ♫, and enjoying the gorgeous day!  Donuts and pumpkin spice coffee for the ride, and just a good time.

I wasn't exaggerating on the number of people who attend this thing!  When we headed out there were still cars streaming into the place.  It hit 80 here today, so people were really out in force.  It probably was tough on all the hat/mitten/sweater vendors, who the heck thinks about that when it's 80?  I bought some lip balm, apples, and some cinnamon and sugar covered almonds.  I was so looking forward to having hot apple cider, but it was just too darn hot!  I'll make some apple crisp and applesauce this week when things cool down.

One interesting thing about being friends with your ex husband is that you get to hear the dating stories.  I'm far enough off of the relationship where these are more amusing than painful. I swore I would not blog about it, and I always keep my word.  Too bad, cause it's good.  This is the part I don't understand about men.  "It's never going to work in a million years, but I'm along for the ride for now."  Well why on earth don't you just end it and move on if you know that???  I would, and I do.  You are leading the other person to believe there could be a future.  MEN   Yes, I generalize, but as a rule they do this all the time.  It's so much easier (and kinder) to move on right away, before people become attached. 

It was fun to car trip with him like we used to.  It brought back some good memories, and further cemented this friendship that we are building, separate from who we were back in the day.  No matter what, Steve and I have always been friends.  I'm glad to be past the crap, and able to have that part of our relationship back. 

This isn't the most flattering pic of me, the wind was blowing like crazy....I don't part my bangs to the side.  He asked me not to blog his relationships, but he didn't say I couldn't post his mug. :) (I probably forgot to ask.)  So twenty years later, here we are.  Happily divorced.

Power to the People!

This isn't the kind of blog you think it's going to be.  It's an apartment blog.  It's a slumlord blog.  It's a "Do not laugh at me, this is a nice apartment, and they are HARD to find in this city!", blog.

Once upon a time, oh a little more than five years ago I guess, I decided to rent this apartment.  The utilities have always been a little steep, but that's utilities for you.  I just pay the bill and continue on with life.  Although my heart skips a beat every time I see that damn envelope in my mailbox.  Did I budget enough money?  I'm sure I budgeted enough money.  Heck, I budgeted so much money that I'll have to figure out where to spend the extra!  Not so much. 

Every year in the spring I look forward to the bill coming down, way down.  This year it didn't.  My bills have all been resembling their January counterparts, and it made no sense.  However, I don't deal with these issues very well, if at all.  I just piss and moan about it, pay the bill, and move on.  Two months ago I did finally look at the actual breakdown and saw that it is the electric part of my bill.  There is nothing in my apartment that would draw that much electricity.  Then the lightbulb comes on above my head.  When did the electric go up?  Curious.  The same time the lady on continual oxygen got her power amped up to deal with the oxygen and the a/c that she wanted to put in.  Then life got busy and I put it on the back burner, per usual.

August's bill arrived, and low and behold it was almost what an August bill should look like.  I couldn't imagine what was going on, but paid the lower amount with a smile, and moved on with life.  Then the bill arrived last Saterday.  ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS JUST FOR ELECTRIC!  I wont write any more of what I said.  Then I had to wait two days to call SWL&P, so I was all ready for the first snotty receptionist.  "Your August bill was estimated that's why it was lower and this one is higher."  Uh, be that as it may darling, I am a single person, living alone, no air conditioning, and I don't even run a fan in the summer because I hate them.  Something is wrong here, and we need to get to the bottom of it.  "I'm sorry, but our responsablity ends at the meter."  OH honey.  If you ever want to see another dime out of me you are going to make it your responsibility.  That got me transfered to Peggy in "Residential."  Peggy is a saint!  When I explained the situation, and that I was reasonably sure that the electric meters for apartment #1 and #4 were switched she got right on the situation.

At eleven yesterday I had to race home to meet the electric dude.  Long story short, after hearing the situation he agreed they meters were probably switched, but after playing the "turn everyone's power off" game he realized that they aren't.  It's worse.  Not only have I been paying my own electric bill for the last five years.  I have also been paying MOST of apartment #1's.  They will be working on unentangling us so that I get the correct bill.

I asked the dude (dang he was cute, but had work gloves on so I couldn't scope for a ring) if unentangling the apartments meant they were going to have to bring the (dum dum dum) landlord into the mix.  He said probably, and I asked if THEY could handle that, because if I have to chances are he isn't going to fix it.  Dude asked who my landlord was, and when I answered he literally burst out laughing.  He got the hand, and I said "HEY!  You can see how nice this apartment is.  Just try and find one like this in this city, for this price, that allows pets!"  He said "Yes, knowing who the landlord is, I'm surprised it's this nice actually."  So he took my cell number, (hehehe, a girl can dream) and they'll be getting back to me.  I'll call Peggy (the saint) on Friday if I haven't heard anything.  I would really rather not pay them the electric portion of the bill until this is fixed.

As I was racing back to my car I did yell several thank you's over my shoulder, and sent one back for Peggy too.  This is another one of those situations where I need "people" to handle the details.  Although I really didn't realize something was wrong until June.  The other apartment has always held a single person who wouldn't have used much electric........until now. 

On a hopefully unrelated note, the FOR RENT sign is up in the yard today.  Either the odd couple above me is moving........or SWL&P contacted the landlord........ :)

The Milk is in the Sink

This cat drives me bonkers!  

I have to keep the lid down on the toilet seat, or she will drink out of the toilet.  Drinking out of the toilet is frowned upon in this establishment!  I thought the battle was won, but it turns out she was just biding her time.

A few weeks ago Ms. Milkie  decided that she wanted to drink her water from the sink. Every time I used the bathroom sink she would hop in when I finished and lick water from around the drain. It escalated into her coming to find me every time she was thirsty so I could run water for her in the sink.  She stopped drinking out of her dish entirely.  There's no way she was getting enough water by just licking the drops in the sink, and I don't need another cat with urinary tract problems, so I stopped running water for her, thinking she would go back to her dish.  No, she just stopped drinking water......  Stupid cat.  (plus laying in the sink is her new favorite past time)

So we have come to a compromise.  Her water dish is now sitting on the sink.  Yes, I know one of us is going to knock it over and there's going to be a holy mess, but she will drink out of it there.  I just don't know what the heck else to do!  I also took away the remaining pieces of "The Box of Anger" this evening and put them in the trash........she is probably plotting my death as we speak.