It was 3:30 a.m. when I last looked at the clock, last night. When the alarms went off at 7:00 a.m., I turned them off and slept till 9:00 a.m.! I emailed my supervisor to let him know that I was running late, this morning, and would be in around 11:00 a.m. However, the shuttle bus I take from the old office (where I am still parking my car!) to the new office broke down and by the time I waited for the next bus and got to the office, it was about 11:30 a.m.
I had a productive afternoon at the office, although things got a bit hectic towards the end of the day. I really need to set aside a day, next week, to clear my desk!
I was tired by the time I got home, today. So, instead of vacuuming my bedroom and doing another load of laundry, I watched some TV and took a nap on the sofa! Later, I video chatted with my daughter who had also taken a nap! I also flea combed Dancer, who didn't like it and I've the scars to prove it!
Today, I am grateful for:
- I was able to go in late to work
- I had a productive day at work
- An evening nap
- Emails from friends
- Video chatting with my daughter
Friday (the 13!)'s To Do List:
- Go to the office in the morning
- Doctor's appointment in the afternoon
- Undone tasks from Thursday's list
How was your Thursday? What have you planned for Friday the 13th?
Friday, July 13, 2018
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Wednesday's Accomplishments
Another relatively cool day, today, with daytime highs in the 90s. Comfortable temperatures, as far as I am concerned.
I had a surprise call this morning! The doctor's billing office returned my calls! The person who called me was the same person I had spoken with at least twice and one of those times was during a three-way call with her, the insurance representative, and myself. Yet, today, she insisted that talking to the insurance group was of no use, that I needed to call the HMO IPA. She also wanted me to call her back, after I spoke with the HMO IPA. So, I called the HMO IPA and spoke with a customer service representative, who initially thought I was a provider calling about a patient and seemed very surprised when I told her that I was the patient. She looked up my claim and said I was not responsible for paying the bill and to disregard it.
After that, I called the billing office again, but the person I spoke with in the morning (E) was on another call, I was told, so I left a message with the person who answered the phone (R). She was rather skeptical about the whole thing, asking for additional proof that I spoke with the IPA: did they say they were going to pay the bill (they said they'll contact the billing office), did they give a reference number (no, but I gave them the reference number that E had given me), etc. I was told that they will keep the billing open until they received payment and if their auditors find the bill was not paid by the next audit date, they will bill me again! Indeed! Well, if they do bill me again, I guess I will be making additional phone calls by the end of the month! LOL!
Well, that was one item on my to do list that got accomplished. But, after all that, I didn't feel like calling the other doctor's office to schedule my screening tests (endoscopy/colonoscopy). I put that off till tomorrow.
I had another productive day at the office. I completed another project (or, at least, got it to a point where the next person can take over with minimal effort). I also started to clear some work emails. Some of it dates back to 2010 which was when we switched to our current email system. Some, I am required to keep because they pertain to specific projects, but there are others that I can delete at this point.
After I came home, I tidied and vacuumed the family room and did a load of laundry (one blanket was washed). I also did a quick clean of daughter's bathroom, which is also the visitor's bathroom. Tomorrow, I plan to vacuum the bedrooms. I am hoping that I'll be able to continue to do one or two rooms or areas each day and get into a cleaning routine. I have no staying power; I'll implement routines and carry them out for a couple of weeks at the most and then, I go back to being my messy self!
Friend R called as I was tidying up and I chatted with her for a bit. We arranged to go out to lunch on Saturday and I offered her a ride to the monthly prayer gathering on Sunday.
Later, as I was getting something out of the fridge to warm up for dinner, I knocked the butter dish down and it fell and broke. This was a relatively new butter dish as the old one also fell and broke! Now I need to find yet another new butter dish! I was just sweeping up the glass when my cousin V and her husband came (cousin had called me earlier to let me know they were coming) to pick up the big brass oil lamp; they were borrowing it for their son's wedding (it will be lit as part of the wedding rituals).
After they left, I had my dinner and video chatted with my daughter. She had no fever today and went to work.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter is well, again
- A safe drive to work and back
- I was able to get a little more cleaning done
- Another cooler day
- Visit from cousin, phone call from a friend, email from another friend
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Call the billing office - DONE
- Call the doctor's office
I had a surprise call this morning! The doctor's billing office returned my calls! The person who called me was the same person I had spoken with at least twice and one of those times was during a three-way call with her, the insurance representative, and myself. Yet, today, she insisted that talking to the insurance group was of no use, that I needed to call the HMO IPA. She also wanted me to call her back, after I spoke with the HMO IPA. So, I called the HMO IPA and spoke with a customer service representative, who initially thought I was a provider calling about a patient and seemed very surprised when I told her that I was the patient. She looked up my claim and said I was not responsible for paying the bill and to disregard it.
After that, I called the billing office again, but the person I spoke with in the morning (E) was on another call, I was told, so I left a message with the person who answered the phone (R). She was rather skeptical about the whole thing, asking for additional proof that I spoke with the IPA: did they say they were going to pay the bill (they said they'll contact the billing office), did they give a reference number (no, but I gave them the reference number that E had given me), etc. I was told that they will keep the billing open until they received payment and if their auditors find the bill was not paid by the next audit date, they will bill me again! Indeed! Well, if they do bill me again, I guess I will be making additional phone calls by the end of the month! LOL!
Well, that was one item on my to do list that got accomplished. But, after all that, I didn't feel like calling the other doctor's office to schedule my screening tests (endoscopy/colonoscopy). I put that off till tomorrow.
I had another productive day at the office. I completed another project (or, at least, got it to a point where the next person can take over with minimal effort). I also started to clear some work emails. Some of it dates back to 2010 which was when we switched to our current email system. Some, I am required to keep because they pertain to specific projects, but there are others that I can delete at this point.
After I came home, I tidied and vacuumed the family room and did a load of laundry (one blanket was washed). I also did a quick clean of daughter's bathroom, which is also the visitor's bathroom. Tomorrow, I plan to vacuum the bedrooms. I am hoping that I'll be able to continue to do one or two rooms or areas each day and get into a cleaning routine. I have no staying power; I'll implement routines and carry them out for a couple of weeks at the most and then, I go back to being my messy self!
Friend R called as I was tidying up and I chatted with her for a bit. We arranged to go out to lunch on Saturday and I offered her a ride to the monthly prayer gathering on Sunday.
Later, as I was getting something out of the fridge to warm up for dinner, I knocked the butter dish down and it fell and broke. This was a relatively new butter dish as the old one also fell and broke! Now I need to find yet another new butter dish! I was just sweeping up the glass when my cousin V and her husband came (cousin had called me earlier to let me know they were coming) to pick up the big brass oil lamp; they were borrowing it for their son's wedding (it will be lit as part of the wedding rituals).
After they left, I had my dinner and video chatted with my daughter. She had no fever today and went to work.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter is well, again
- A safe drive to work and back
- I was able to get a little more cleaning done
- Another cooler day
- Visit from cousin, phone call from a friend, email from another friend
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Call the billing office - DONE
- Call the doctor's office
- Tidy and vacuum the family room - DONE
- Wash a blanket - DONE
I am pleased with what I was able to accomplish, today.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Call the doctor's office
- Vacuum the bedrooms
- Dust my bedroom
- Clean my bathroom
- Do another load of laundry (another blanket)
How was your Wednesday? How good are you with maintaining cleaning routines?
I am pleased with what I was able to accomplish, today.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Call the doctor's office
- Vacuum the bedrooms
- Dust my bedroom
- Clean my bathroom
- Do another load of laundry (another blanket)
How was your Wednesday? How good are you with maintaining cleaning routines?
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Cooler onTuesday
It was a much cooler day, today. The house was a very comfortable 80F when I woke up and the outside temperature was 84F when I left for work. When I came home, it was only 88F, outside, which is more than 20 degrees cooler than it was over the weekend.
My daughter texted me early in the morning saying she had a low grade fever of 100F, last night and this morning. She called in sick and took the day off from work. Then, apparently, she slept from about 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and, again, from around 2:30 p.m. till 6:30 p.m. She said she felt better this evening, but still a little tired. We video chatted for a little while and then said goodnight. I told her to check her temperature again and to take another day off tomorrow, if needed. But she thinks she'll be well enough to go to the office, tomorrow.
I didn't feel like going to the office, myself, today (but not because I was not feeling well, jut feeling lazy), but I went to the office and had a fairly productive day.
After I came home, I relaxed for a bit. Later in the evening, when it had cooled down a little more, I dusted and tidied the living room and the dining room and vacuumed those two rooms, the kitchen, and the hallway. If it remains cooler, tomorrow, too, I will tidy the family room and vacuum it.
Today, I am grateful for:
- My daughter seems to have recovered from her fever
- She was able to take a day of sick leave and rest
- The cooler temperatures
- A productive day at the office
- Being able to get some housework done
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Bring in the trash cans - DONE
- Put away the dried laundry from Monday - DONE
- Wash one of the knitted blankets
- Call the billing office
- Call the doctor's office to schedule the endoscopy/colonoscopy
I didn't launder one of the blankets but I dusted the living room and dining room and vacuumed. I think that was a fair exchange! I didn't do the phone calls as I didn't have time during the day.
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Call the billing office
- Call the doctor's office
My daughter texted me early in the morning saying she had a low grade fever of 100F, last night and this morning. She called in sick and took the day off from work. Then, apparently, she slept from about 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and, again, from around 2:30 p.m. till 6:30 p.m. She said she felt better this evening, but still a little tired. We video chatted for a little while and then said goodnight. I told her to check her temperature again and to take another day off tomorrow, if needed. But she thinks she'll be well enough to go to the office, tomorrow.
I didn't feel like going to the office, myself, today (but not because I was not feeling well, jut feeling lazy), but I went to the office and had a fairly productive day.
After I came home, I relaxed for a bit. Later in the evening, when it had cooled down a little more, I dusted and tidied the living room and the dining room and vacuumed those two rooms, the kitchen, and the hallway. If it remains cooler, tomorrow, too, I will tidy the family room and vacuum it.
Today, I am grateful for:
- My daughter seems to have recovered from her fever
- She was able to take a day of sick leave and rest
- The cooler temperatures
- A productive day at the office
- Being able to get some housework done
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Bring in the trash cans - DONE
- Put away the dried laundry from Monday - DONE
- Wash one of the knitted blankets
- Call the billing office
- Call the doctor's office to schedule the endoscopy/colonoscopy
I didn't launder one of the blankets but I dusted the living room and dining room and vacuumed. I think that was a fair exchange! I didn't do the phone calls as I didn't have time during the day.
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Call the billing office
- Call the doctor's office
- Tidy and vacuum the family room
- Wash a blanket
How was your Tuesday? Were you able to accomplish most of what you wanted to accomplish today?
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Monday: Daughter Goes Back
Daughter and I had a relaxed morning, Then, she finished packing her bags and I packed up the last of the glass noodles for her to take back, along with the rest of the bagels. That way, she doesn't have to cook anything for dinner and she'll have something to take for her breakfast and lunch, tomorrow.
Her flight was at 2:30 p.m., with boarding starting at 2:00 p.m. So, I dropped her off at the airport by 1:00 p.m., since she needs to be at the airport one hour before boarding. It was 100F, outside, at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon; 88F inside the house. After I came home, I had lunch (daughter ate before she left).
Later in the afternoon, I took a nap. I think the hot weather makes me sleepy! I woke up once, when my cousin V called and, again, when daughter called to say she landed. Then, I slept again, until daughter called to say she got to her apartment.
After I woke up from my nap and had a cup of tea, I watched the evening news, wrote to a friend, emptied the waste baskets, cleaned the litter box, took the trash out and the big trash cans to the curb for pick up, tomorrow, put water to the front garden (with the garden hose), watered the back yard (with the sprinklers), did a load of laundry (mostly towels), had dinner, emptied the dishwasher, washed today's dishes by hand, and video chatted with daughter. She said she decided not to go to her acrobatics class as she was feeling a little queasy. She wasn't sure why she felt queasy, but I think she might have been tired from all the activity of the recent days and she probably walked the couple of miles from the subway station to her apartment instead of waiting for the bus, too; I'm glad she decided not to go for acrobatics and took it easy this evening.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter had a safe flight and subway ride back
- She had a wonderful time at the Anime Expo
- We had a good visit, even though we didn't spend a lot of time together on this visit
- It was slightly cooler today
- Afternoon naps
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Bring in the trash cans
- Put away the dried laundry from Monday
- Wash one of the knitted blankets
- Call the billing office
- Call the doctor's office to schedule the endoscopy/colonoscopy
In addition, I need to call to schedule the car for a service, but that can be done later in the week.
How was your Monday? Did you have a good day?
Her flight was at 2:30 p.m., with boarding starting at 2:00 p.m. So, I dropped her off at the airport by 1:00 p.m., since she needs to be at the airport one hour before boarding. It was 100F, outside, at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon; 88F inside the house. After I came home, I had lunch (daughter ate before she left).
Later in the afternoon, I took a nap. I think the hot weather makes me sleepy! I woke up once, when my cousin V called and, again, when daughter called to say she landed. Then, I slept again, until daughter called to say she got to her apartment.
After I woke up from my nap and had a cup of tea, I watched the evening news, wrote to a friend, emptied the waste baskets, cleaned the litter box, took the trash out and the big trash cans to the curb for pick up, tomorrow, put water to the front garden (with the garden hose), watered the back yard (with the sprinklers), did a load of laundry (mostly towels), had dinner, emptied the dishwasher, washed today's dishes by hand, and video chatted with daughter. She said she decided not to go to her acrobatics class as she was feeling a little queasy. She wasn't sure why she felt queasy, but I think she might have been tired from all the activity of the recent days and she probably walked the couple of miles from the subway station to her apartment instead of waiting for the bus, too; I'm glad she decided not to go for acrobatics and took it easy this evening.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter had a safe flight and subway ride back
- She had a wonderful time at the Anime Expo
- We had a good visit, even though we didn't spend a lot of time together on this visit
- It was slightly cooler today
- Afternoon naps
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Bring in the trash cans
- Put away the dried laundry from Monday
- Wash one of the knitted blankets
- Call the billing office
- Call the doctor's office to schedule the endoscopy/colonoscopy
In addition, I need to call to schedule the car for a service, but that can be done later in the week.
How was your Monday? Did you have a good day?
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Sunday: Last Day of Anime Expo
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| Totoro and a Soot Ball |
On the last day of Anime Expo, daughter dressed as a character named Totoro who is a woodland spirit. Accompanying Totoro is a Soot Ball, which are household spirits similar to dust bunnies, but formed from soot. Totoro has a grey coat with a white front with grey chevrons. Daughter's grey skirt is something she's had since middle school! The tank top is new (bought for $2.00) and she cut grey felt chevrons and hot glued them to the tank top. The Soot Ball, safety pinned to the tank top was given to her at a previous Anime Expo. She made the ears from grey felt. She drew a black nose and whiskers on her face (although her face is covered in the picture I've posted).
I dropped her off at the convention center around 11:00 a.m., today, and came home. It was slightly cooler today (101F instead of 110F). I did the grocery week 2 post, changed the sofa dust sheets again, put away yesterday's laundry and did another load of laundry, watched some Wimbledon tennis on TV (highlights from yesterday's matches), and took an afternoon nap!
Daughter took some pictures to share:
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| A view of the crowds at the Anime Expo |
She said these signs were located throughout the convention center:
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| "Cosplay is not Consent" Signs |
And, if the crowds got to be too much and you wanted to just have a place to retreat to:
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| A Safe Space |
One last picture before the event ended:
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| Empty Spaces and the Clean Up Crew |
Susan had asked what people did at the Anime Expo, so daughter took pictures of the schedule for me to share:
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| Day 1 Schedule |
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| Day 2 Schedule |
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| Day 3 Schedule |
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| Day 4 Schedule |
According to my daughter, there are various discussion panels, work shops, movies including world premiers of various anime movies, video games, concerts and performances, competitions, karaoke, as well as vendors selling all kinds of anime-related items. Most workshops and panel discussions start at 9:00 a.m., and concerts and performances, etc., go on till about 3:00 a.m.
Daughter called a little before 4:30 p.m. to say she didn't want to stay for the closing ceremony (which ended at 6:00 p.m.) and was ready to be picked up. I picked her up in front of the convention center a little before 5:30 p.m. We stopped to pick up some beef fried rice, glass noodle salad, and a Thai iced coffee from our favorite Thai restaurant, even though there were leftovers at home. Came home, ate an early dinner, and relaxed a bit.
Later, I watered the indoor plants, did the dishes (some by hand, the rest in the dishwasher), and wiped down the kitchen counters. Daughter cleaned the litter box and I swept the bathroom floor.
Cousin P called in the morning and we chatted a bit. Later in the evening, I called neighbor T, since she hadn't called me in the morning for our usual Sunday morning chat, to check on her, especially in this heat. She was fine, she said (she has no a/c, but she has a swamp cooler); she had gone grocery shopping in the morning and that was why she didn't call me.
Today, I am grateful for:
- A slightly cooler day
- Daughter had another fun day
- Safe drives to and from the convention center
- Our favorite take out meal for dinner
- A relaxed evening
Daughter flies back to Berkeley, tomorrow. I have taken the day off from work to spend the morning with her and take her to the airport in the afternoon.
How was your Sunday? Are you managing to keep cool during the summer?
July Grocery Shopping - Week 2
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| Week 2 Groceries |
I did a mini-grocery shopping trip, on Saturday. I went to the dollar store next to the pharmacy for convenience. All I really needed were bananas and lettuce, but I also wanted bagels and more yogurt (@$.50). I also bought two bags of the freeze dried peach slices for daughter (one of her favorite snacks) and I bought a can of chicken to try. A recent pantry check had revealed that while I had several cans of fish (tuna and mackerel), I didn't have many cans of meat (just one can of corned beef). If there is an emergency such as a major earthquake, I am probably going to get tired of eating canned fish! So, I'll make something with this can of chicken and, if I decide I like it, I will buy a couple more to keep on hand.
I bought:
1 container of 4 assorted baby lettuce = $1.00
2 bags freeze dried peaches @ $1.00 = $2.00
1 can chunk white chicken = $1.00
2 containers yogurt, @ $.50 = $1.00
1 bag (6-ct) everything bagels = $1.00
1 lb. bananas (3 bananas) @$.49/lb = $.49
Total = $6.49
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| 7/7 Grocery Receipt |
July Grocery Budget = $100 - $3.78 over-spent in June = $96.22
Spent to date = $27.21 + $6.49 = $33.70
Balance left in July grocery budget = $96.22 - $33.70= $62.52
I had a bagel with cream cheese (on one half) and butter (on the other half) for brunch. I might send the rest of the package home with my daughter.
There are leftovers for various meals in the fridge - still some meatball curry, half of the fish steak I cooked on Wednesday (we might have that for our dinner, tonight), one more piece of the baked chicken drumsticks, ham cold cuts, some cooked vegetables (corn, cabbage, broccoli), and tuna salad.
Once those leftovers are finished, I will make a stir fry with the smoked sausage I have in the freezer. I still need to cook the okra I bought, the green beans, the zucchini, etc. As soon as it gets cool enough to actually cook! I do have a table fan set up on the kitchen counter, but I prefer not to cook when it is so hot.
That's my "meal plan" for the week!
Did you go grocery shopping, this week? Have you made a meal plan? What are some of your favorite meals when it is hot?
Saturday: Day 3
Today's outfit was inspired by a Pokemon named Espeon, who has lilac fur, a forked tail, tufted ears, and a red jewel on its forehead:
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| Day 3 Costume |
We "slept in" a bit, today, and woke up at 8:30 a.m. However, we didn't leave the house till after 10:00 a.m. This time, I drove her to the convention center, itself.
I took a couple of pictures of the convention center and some of the attendees while I was at a stop light, waiting for people to cross the street.
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| The Convention Center |
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| Anime Expo Attendees |
It was already hot (in the 90s) when we left in the morning! On my way back, I put gas to the car ($3.45/gal; I put $40 worth of gas), went to the bank, went to the pharmacy, and did some grocery shopping at the dollar store (I will do a separate on that). It was 106F outside, when I came home just before noon. But, only 86F inside the house; a 20 degree difference!
I ate a banana and made some tuna salad and ate that on crackers for lunch. Later, I snacked on grapes and then, I had a little ice cream. By that time, it was getting hotter inside the house:
When it is 90+F inside the house, it is time for a little ice cream! I was also drinking plenty of ice water, as well.
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| 86F at noon (inside the house) |
I ate a banana and made some tuna salad and ate that on crackers for lunch. Later, I snacked on grapes and then, I had a little ice cream. By that time, it was getting hotter inside the house:
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| 92F |
When it is 90+F inside the house, it is time for a little ice cream! I was also drinking plenty of ice water, as well.
After that, I took a nap!
In the evening, around 7:30 p.m., I watered the front garden. It was getting cooler, by then, so it was pleasant. It was still hot inside the house, however, as it takes a while to cool down (I can't open all the windows and the sliding glass door to help cool out the house faster, because I don't have screens on most of them and I don't want Dancer to go outside through open doors and windows; fixing screens is yet another thing on my to do list that I haven't got around to doing!)
In the evening, around 7:30 p.m., I watered the front garden. It was getting cooler, by then, so it was pleasant. It was still hot inside the house, however, as it takes a while to cool down (I can't open all the windows and the sliding glass door to help cool out the house faster, because I don't have screens on most of them and I don't want Dancer to go outside through open doors and windows; fixing screens is yet another thing on my to do list that I haven't got around to doing!)
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| Scorched Grape Vine |
My poor grape vine didn't fare too well in the heat!
I took a shower to cool off after I came inside and then, did a load of laundry. Friend F called and I chatted to her for a bit; she mostly called to ask for a ride to the monthly prayer gathering, next weekend. She doesn't drive on the freeway, so she will drive to my house and go with me.
Daughter texted a little after 10:00 p.m. to say she was heading to the shuttle pick up area. She got to the hotel a little before I did, but she was able to wait inside the lobby until I got there. We chatted for awhile and she showed me the pictures she took, etc. Then, she headed off to bed as she was very tired.
I took a shower to cool off after I came inside and then, did a load of laundry. Friend F called and I chatted to her for a bit; she mostly called to ask for a ride to the monthly prayer gathering, next weekend. She doesn't drive on the freeway, so she will drive to my house and go with me.
Daughter texted a little after 10:00 p.m. to say she was heading to the shuttle pick up area. She got to the hotel a little before I did, but she was able to wait inside the lobby until I got there. We chatted for awhile and she showed me the pictures she took, etc. Then, she headed off to bed as she was very tired.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter had another wonderful day at the Anime Expo
- Safe drives to and from
- An afternoon nap
- I didn't lose power at my house (several thousand households were without power, today)
- Cooler temperatures in the evening.
It is 2:30 a.m. now and the house has cooled down to...86F, again! Time to close up the windows and get ready for bed.
How was your Saturday? Is it a bit cooler where you are or is it as hot?
- Daughter had another wonderful day at the Anime Expo
- Safe drives to and from
- An afternoon nap
- I didn't lose power at my house (several thousand households were without power, today)
- Cooler temperatures in the evening.
It is 2:30 a.m. now and the house has cooled down to...86F, again! Time to close up the windows and get ready for bed.
How was your Saturday? Is it a bit cooler where you are or is it as hot?
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