Hollywog's Pond

Emotional week.

Things have been kind of up and down at work since the lay-offs. All of the people in my group that were "affected" have a six month transition period. I hate how they call them "affected". Makes it sound more negative I think. Attitudes could be better and apathy is on the rise. Yeah for lay-offs before the holidays.

Also, things have ended between me and my man. Normally, I try not to mention much about my dating life on here but for whatever reason I'm announcing it. So that sucks too. Dating in winter when it seems like there is only 4 hours of sunlight is difficult and not much fun. I think I may postpone until spring fever hits me and I want to be super active. Putting yourself out there is tiring and takes a toll. We'll see how things go. The first major obstacle in dealing with this change is that now I have no one to pick me up at the airport late New Year's Eve when I come back from visiting family over Xmas. I can't find a bus that has a reasonable delivery to where my car will be stashed and taxis will be crazy expensive. Even the shuttles are kinda pricey. If I could use public transport it would be free due to an Orca card from work but I'm not really seeing that happening. At least I've got some time to figure it out.

I've decided to start my first sewing project. It will be a Jedi cloak for my nephew and it is supposed to be a simple robe. Should be a no-brainer, right? Well I've been through elated, frustrated, confused and hateful so far and I'm not even done cutting the fabric! S'pose it's because I thought I could do it without a pattern. Turns out I'm challenged spatially and really need something written down - with pictures - to have it make sense to my brain. I've got the weekend on my own before I call in reinforcements i.e. taking it to the sewing store where I bought my machine and they will help you through stuff. Fingers crossed!

Allergies have hit me really hard this week. I'm pretty sure it is the cat's fault. It's so cold outside I never open the windows and I think all the dander just hangs in the air like my own personal thundercloud. I'm fine in the car and at work but as soon as I'm home the eyes start itching and the nose starts running. So of course I've run out of medicine and keep forgetting to buy some when I go to the shops. Gah! Wondering if an air purifier would be good for me. I've already put the allergy bedding on all my stuff and my normal vacuum is super hepa craziness but Pong (my Roomba) is bagless and probably adds to my suffering. I think I will add no carpet to my next apartment list. I think they are more trouble than they are worth.


Enough with the tough week here are some moments of happy:

FINALLY made it to the cobbler in my neighborhood and asked if they could sell me a shoe polish cloth. I have looked EVERYWHERE for one and no one sells them anymore. He said he could give me one for free. Guess what it is - a cloth baby diaper! He gets them by the hundred (used but cleaned) and says they last forever. When it is used up he uses it for an oil rag. Brilliant!

Though crazy cold the sun has been shining and the view is gorgeous and has been for a week or so! Yeah!

Being single and not dating is cheap! My dining out budget will be significantly less and I won't have to fret as much over food costs. This is actually a huge weight lifted when you are no longer dating someone that doesn't watch their spending but still likes to split checks.

My apartment is quite small so I have nixed most decorating in favor of being able to walk around my living room. My friend Kara got a real tree and we meet up on Mondays for tv so I can get my tree fix in addition to cable!

My new all weather tires are still awesome and I feel much safer on the road.

All in all the outlook is good and I'm looking forward to taking pics of the nieces and nephew running around with the super fabulous presents they are getting from the best aunt ever, me.