Monday, May 21, 2018

Monday Blues

It feels strange to title my post so seeing as I’m blessedly retired and all. But today has not been the greatest so far.

The early hours started well enough. I lay in bed and pulled out my Kindle to read an e-book started the other day. Well, the story’s entire first half ended up being the most depressing thing I’ve read in a long time.

I prefer not to share the title seeing as the second half may bring the main character some semblance of happiness. But right now, it’s not likely I’ll continue reading anytime soon. I got out of bed half nauseous, feeling sick in body and soul.

But duty called, so I put on my exercise/chore clothes and debated where to start. Of course, feeding fish was high on the list along with giving cat Tilly her thyroid pill. Taking care of my aquatic babies turned out to be another downer. One of my kuhli loaches died.

That shouldn’t happen. They live a long time and these guys aren’t that old. Rather than take time testing the water right away, I changed out three buckets worth just as soon as the cat took her medicine.

(let’s hope a pill doesn’t turn up on the floor as has happened a few times the last week)

Updating my aquarium notebook while lying across the bed, I am happy to say that our other feline Jezebel joined me. That made me feel a good deal better, even if she mainly wanted to lick the lotion off my hands. And didn’t that lead to itching!

(I’m ultimately still allergic to the little beasts)

Next I mowed the back lawn. Despite working mostly in shade and getting the task done early, I slogged along sweating like a horse until blinded with it. The shower afterward felt great, though, as I turned the tap cooler and cooler.

For some reason it brought back memories of my mother drying off my shivering little body, explaining how that would warm me up rather than just standing there as I tended to do. She had to tell me several times before my young brain wised up but never once rolled her eyes at me. Sharing it with SO brought us both smiles.

An hour or so later SO asked how much cash infusion my bank account required. Oh, boy. That’s always a fun topic. It’s not like I overspend or we argue, but when I gave a figure you would think I’d asked him to break into Fort Knox. ~sigh~ At least I can pay my Visa bill in full next week. We don’t like to run balances.

I asked if I should just close my account. “No,” I’m told yet again, “because it’s a security thing.”

“What kind of security does it provide me when the account has sixty dollars in it?”

Receiving no answer, I wasn’t surprised. For whatever reason the man injects angst into our rather nonexistent financial issues, it’s easier to just let him stare at his computer screen and pretend not to hear.

“Should I cancel my gym membership?” I asked his back minutes later, which I do every few months.

“Why?”

“Uh…” Duh. “Because it’s thirty-seven some dollars a month and I don’t go as often lately because I’m too tired after mowing the grass.”

“Does it keep you healthy?”

Well, of course, so that ended the discussion. But what’s a gal to do? A disappointed (disapproving?) look accompanied the check I needed to sign.

It’s not like I’ve been discouraged from buying a few clothing items or Palaye Royale merch here and there. Guess I better just put a kibosh on plans for any more.

One weird blessing is that this won’t be mentioned again (until I need more money, anyway) and we’re almost guaranteed to have a pleasant evening.. Meanwhile, here’s what came with my Alternative Press magazine.

Tacked to the Side of a Baker's Rack Turned DVD Shelving
God bless my husband, do you understand why I escape into writing romantic erotica?

-

20 comments:

  1. I hope your day gets better and better. I hate it when my morning starts off on the wrong foot. I'm guessing you're doing fine where money is concerned. If you pay your credit card in full that speaks volumes.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

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  2. Not a great morning. Why do you need a gym membership if you don't go? If you're doing yard work, walking, and exercising in other ways, it's silly to keep the gym. At least, that's my opinion.

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    1. Interesting points. But weight lifting a few days at least once a week, which I maintain, is different from other exercise. And it forces me out into the world, a necessary healthful struggle. Thank you. And be well!

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  3. I'm sorry your day was not great. I know how that goes. I have such days.

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    1. Thank you for the kindness, my dear, but I should not complain when others have things so much worse. Be well!

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  4. I am sorry about your fish. I find pills all the time, my sneaky little cats are always spitting out the thyroid pills. Do you have a Planet Fitness near you? Those are usually only $10 a month. Not sure how they compare to other gyms as I have not been to a gym since the mid 1980's :)

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    1. Thank you for the condolences. And you're such a good caregiver. I can't imagine having to pill the number of kitties you do. And thank you for the tip. I like the YMCA for the pool, but I haven't been swimming much lately, either. ~shakes head~ I miss it, too, and need to get back into the routine. Be well!

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  5. Answering your question with one of my own~ do you see why I never remarried!!!???? I answer to my furbabes and they generally don't talk back! haha...So sorry about how your day started out. I found that if the morning starts with something rough taking place it seems the whole day is like that....even if I LAUGH often. There are just those days that we seem to be challenged more than others. Me on the other hand plan on finishing up with blogging and since its just now 8 am, I plan on beating the heat (I hope) and going to see if I can get the mower started (hence this is what a man would come in handy)! Hoping you have a better day. Hugs to you and best wishes.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words. I wish you all the best.

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  6. I'm sorry you didn't have the greatest day yesterday... And, yeah, issues of money are always tough to handle without letting our emotions get in the way. Since quitting my job back in 2011 I've been 'financially dependent' (to put it nicely) on my partner, who is gracious as can be about the whole thing, can't fault him in any way, but... Yeah. I recognize the scene :)

    Pills on the floor—I recognize that, too! I'd have no clue how to get a cat to swallow one; dogs are so much easier (they swallow the chunk of liverwurst or sausage without even chewing). And still it happens. Every once in a while—there it is, the tell-tale pill on the floor.

    I hope today has been better, and that your week continues to improve dramatically :) Thanks so much for the visit over on Vidya's blog for my guest post; much, much appreciated!
    Guilie @ Life In Dogs

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    1. Your book sounds great! I wish you all the best and thank you for the kind words. Thank you for adding a link to your blog, too. Namaste, my dear.

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  7. Hope the day got better as it went on!

    I've never had to give cats pills, but I imagine it would be hard. Edward the Goldendoodle takes a lot of pills, but he gobbles them down in a spoonful of canned food. Occasionally he drops one.

    As far as finances, my late husband and I just pooled all the money into a joint account. Later, he was the only one with income, but we kept it the same way. I know some partners get a "allowance" for their expenses, but we didn't do it that way. What works for you, works! If not, maybe time to assess and do it differently now that you're retired.

    One thing we didn't question was bringing home animals! He'd bring home a rabbit from work (to save it from being a snake snack), or I'd look for a lost dog (later found in the neighborhood) at the shelter and bring home a different one!

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    1. It did improve. Thank you for the kind words and wise advice! Sorry that you're widowed. ~hugs~ I wish you all the best.

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  8. Ah, I hate all the ongoing money management. In my house, it's my wife that is pretty much in charge of it. That usually saves any arguments!

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    1. Thanks for the kind word. Be well, and Happy Writing!

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  9. Sorry that your day is not so good!

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  10. I hope your week got better. It's funny how when we're retired or not working, we still think about the week starting on Monday. I recently read a book that was kind of a downer. It wasn't what I was expecting, so I wasn't prepared for it.

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    1. It is nice that every day feels like Saturday! Be well, my dear.

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