Mad Scientist?

I have barely eaten today. It's 10pm. Had urge for cereal but no milk. Kitty would not let me milk her so I decided to add water to 'non-dairy creamer' powder for coffee. I still had some non-flavored that was Mother's; I preferred French Vanilla which Mother hated as too sweet although she added sugar to her coffee.

So... two parts water to one part powder. Bottled water. The spoon sucked so I got the whisk out and played boat motor. Well, it looked milk-ish. It wasn't cold so I knew it was not going to be great. I poured it on cereal and stirred it a bit. Spoon to mouth... I did not vomit?

It was creamy tasting. Not like milk although I've been drinking 1% milk fat for ages now... anyway, where was I? Oh, eating cereal. Well by the time I finished the bowel I feared diabetic shock! So *very* sweet! Like daiquiris made with honey!*

I put more I made (a cup) in the fridge to get cold in case I get masochistic enough to finish the cereal using it. This non-dairy creamer is mostly corn-syrup solids which, added to the honey on the cereal just about knocked me down. I had vague memory of Mother saying grandmother did milk substitute from creamer when she ran out but I could be delusional. It's bound to be like powdered milk but this was much creamier in taste.

I looked at powered milk last night at the grocery. WTF is it so expensive for? Even on sale, it was $10 for enough to make up 3 gallons. The only advantage it seems to have is not needing refrigeration although you can get real milk that doesn't need refrigeration either as Parmalat in the States.

I was pissed at the grocery for dropping their store-brand version of the cereal I've been eating. Bastard. Loyal readers will remember how in '05 (or so) another chain stopped stocking a Canadian cereal I'd become attached to. I even wrote to complain. They said it was a poor seller. I think that was crap since they started stocking a very similar "Weight Watchers" branded cereal. That was the last time I flirted with cereal. I've been through many cereal traumas over the years. Buc Wheats from General Mills. During my uni days, I would eat Muesli from Ralston (Purina) dry out of the box as a snack. Ralston's people food sold its branded cereals to General Mills and after that, I think Muesli was axed. Kellogg's still has Mueslix which is similar but different. I ate that awhile, it changed to "Healthy Choice" brand for awhile but it back to being Kellogg's branded. It just wasn't as good as the Ralston one. The list of cereals I got to like and saw murdered by the marketplace goes on but a few I don't recall names for such as one granola cereal from Quaker in the 80's. Anyway, it's just one of those, "You are the most f'ing marginal person alive," things.

Which brings me to TV... which has also seen me get hooked and shows axed. Often once a show reaches critical mass of wide appeal I find it's turned to crap. "The Sopranos" for example.

I'm bored of blogging for now. Might go to bed very soon.

Nomad?

Ok, so I'm thinking of taking up a nomadic life. Sort of. I was thinking this evening, feeling in a vaguely 'up' mood, that I'd like to do some of those 20-something things that I missed out on. You know, road trips I didn't do at university and so forth. I realized (or maybe that's not the right word) that I've lived for others a long time. I don't have to do that, there's no reason to take upon myself the estate's debt and keep this house. I should experience something like living. Mother would have wanted that. Hell, it took me time to get her to accept she was in that position herself: she didn't have to answer to others, she could travel. Sadly, that realization came to late for her to embrace and enjoy it fully.

The easy thing is for me to stay here, take root, meet no one, life a monastic life fitting my quickly balding head and just be the rock stable thing that doesn't change with time. Some would say I "gave up" a lot of my "best years" for family, for duty. That seems ridiculous to me but that's because I haven't entirely embraced the passages of time and that I'm not getting younger. Mother used to say, "You were born old." And on a lot of levels that's true.

I "deserve" a mid-life crisis moment of youthful indiscretion. Or something that is my equivalent.

A lot of my depressive moods and self-flagilation (not literally, sorry duckie!) has been focuses on feeling 'useless' and 'of no use to anybody'. Well, is it any wonder? There's no one left. Whether I did the best, most perfect job or not, my task of parental caregiving is over (or close to it). If not now than once the estate closes. Maybe that's one reason I'm not in a rush and happily working on the house, meeting the estate's obligations and so forth. It's a bit of a continuation of taking care of Mother.

Still, I wish the Mother was here.

No Surprises...

Well, it's Saturday. I was up early this morning, did some watering. Brother called around 9:30am or so and said he was at work and wouldn't be out. Please contain your shock! Actually, I think I can hear Duckie laughing at me for being dumb enough to believe he'd show. *sigh*

Water and power are paid up so I don't have to think about them anymore. Need to go do my monthly bill-paying routine on Monday. Trying to decide if I want to pay off credit card or not.

I've been in a really unpleasant state of mind in recent days. I'm not worried for money but I'm not in any sense happy. In fact I've been ragging on myself of being lazy and useless. Speaking of lazy, I think I'll go buy something to drink.

With Ernesto Coming...

With hurricane (typhoon) Ernesto heading into the Gulf of Mexico and the potential to hit the Katrina landfall area, I thought I'd post one of the more humorous videos.

Click the play button below to watch the scene.

Foul mood

Bah humbug.

Hide Me From Evil!?

Well, it's been awhile since I made an entry so I'll try to catch the blog up. The water bill thing continues. I got a "OMG YOU HAVEN'T PAID" notice after seeing that I had a credit balance after overpaying twice. So I called, made the payment. They were going to shut off water Friday if I did not pay? They are stupid as hell? But this is government. They can't be expected to get things right! At some point they'll get caught up with the payments made and this will smooth out. In theory.

Neighbor had termite inspector back to look at board that was more damaged than inspector had said. Inspector said, "Meh," neighbor said, "I got new board, bitch! Go away!"

We took down old board. It took an hour. I got the end with eight nails and much termite abuse! Lucky me?

I had just gotten settled to reply to email from estate lawyer (QUICK! SELL HOUSE!) when neighbor came back to get circular saw to cut new board. I went over to help. We cut new board, then marked places for nails and cut old board. Saw is crap. I hate saw? Was one of father's saws and not mine. I think it needs a new (or sharpened) blade.

Inspector was lazy and wrong? Board had many inside tunnels along board from termites. So new board is ready but neighbor is going to pre-treat board and probably paint it before we put it up. It is almost 4m long; not for one person to do?

I want a nap? Tired. Off my meds, so kitty keeps me on short leash? La. La. La.

Yesterday I got notice estate was 'delinquent' on a debt despite having made payments as requested these recent months. They want $2400? I'm like, "WTF?" I call, idiot says, computer tells me you owe! Computer didn't even have all the payments in it. *sigh* Company just got taken up by another so maybe it has made things weird or something. Anyway, I guess I am loaning estate money to get payments up to being current and the existing pay schedule can take over again. It's all *very* stupid.

Brother still hasn't taken over life insurance policy that Mother had on him? Notice came that payment is almost one month passed due? It is $24? Again, much stupidness. Paperwork for him to take over policy has been given to him twice?

I need to find a wood chipper (mulcher) to dive into, I would feel better? Or the same?

There is other stuff too but that is all I can complain. My legs say, "Get up and move!," so I'll go fetch a drink. Just got 'breakfast' in me. It's 3pm. Been up probably 7 hours.

Congratulations, Ms. Hudson, for proving Simon WRONG!

It took awhile for me to warm up to her after a really bizarre gospel version of Imagine but I was a big fan of Jennifer Hudson during American Idol 3. Now she is starring in film with Jamie Foxx and Beyonce. Simon had made comments clearly about Jennifer that she wouldn't be seen from again, despite what she or other contestents felt when she was cut just a week after she was the top vote getter.

Based on a popular Broadway musical, Dreamgirls is due in December! The singing voice over the trailer is Jennifer.

Mother was a fan too! I'm very happy for Jennifer and want to see the movie!

Birthday! Do We Celebrate Or Rue?

The original IBM PC, known as Model 5150, turns 25 on Saturday.

Self Loathing Is An Artform?

Well if not than it should be! What did I do today? Well, I was sleeping and swear the phone rang and I ignored it and then machine took call and I hard mumbles and "card services" but then I decided to get up and use the toilet. I did and checked the machine, no message! At least that's what I remember. I got back into bed. I'd slept maybe 2 hours. That's my story anyway!

Later I checked to see if the machine wasn't taking messaged but left myself a message without problem. I tried to use the call-back service but was told it wasn't available for that line. I don't know if that meant the line I called from or the line I was trying to reach. Anyway, since it failed I should be charged. If it was a call and was important they'll call back. Should not have been any reason to call me. I watered dirt although I noticed more tiny grasses yearning to suffer the scorching sun. Neighbor was working on a painting project prep for tomorrow. His bug inspection went OK.

I had just finished cleaning fish tanks. Poor fish haven't had cleaning since Feb or Mar. I am not good for them. :(

Then I had litter box outside. I gave up on the underlayment I was using (kitchen bin-sized trash bag) and tried something else this time. I had to clean litter box a lot. No wonder kitty has been angry at me and using outdoors for litter box! I am not good with litter box like Mother was. I was better with fish when Mother was helping. I would've given them fresh rocks instead of reusing but I can't find them easily and Brother only looked once when I told him to look where he shops. That place is the most consistent at having them. Maybe I should check online.

I had too much cereal again. Two bowls at different times though. The second time I was too lazy for anything more complicated and just not in the mood for much food. I was in foul mood tonight. Very self-loathing. Closer to 10 pm, I went outside and watered dirt again. I was irritated and sullen. I trimmed the edges of my ice plant in the flower box and also the edge of the grass near the street. I was cleaning up when neighbor came outside. It was earlier than usual. He had coffee. I thought that was strange since it was warm evening. He had put wife to bed early and she was cold, demanding blanket. I guess that is why I didn't get invited over. We chatted a bit. Now it is almost midnight. I had blackberry preserves on bread. Am scanning a pamphlet on door openings for Brother.

Must relax. I will try to go to bed before 2pm I think. There is no Duckie tonight. It is Thursday for him. Sleeping time all depends on what I do the next hour or two.

Had strange dream that involved (not dead in dream) grandmother and the house. I can't remember it clearly but in dream I was working on the house. Anyway, there's little point saying more since I've forgotten now. Dreams are always about stupid things like house or isolation!

Meh.

Let's see, what has been done this week? Ants are gone. Been watering dirt. In two spots there are tiny grasses. But not much elsewhere. Neighbor said it will take three weeks so I will try to be patient. I swear I'm in a time warp!

I did groceries. Took 2 hours? First, I went to bank to put in deposit for estate. Internet lied about banking hours. They were not yet closed but I used ATM anyway. Then to the grocery... there was a long wait at the deli, I let some nicely dressed 20-something go ahead of me. Technically he was there before I was but he didn't realize it or because I was in the deli area and had been at the counter earlier but left to check pre-made salads. I got two 'half pound" containers of chicken-caesar salad. Great, right? Half-pound is .5 lbs, not .19 and .23 which is what I was given. :( At least I paid for exact amount but that meant I ate both the same day! Evil! Anyway, the pre-made kits are cheaper than the stuff mushed up in the cold case for some reason. Don't understand why. It's stupid! I got one kit too which I had today.

What next? I got many items. I needed 'sweet pickle relish' and couldn't decide if I wanted house-brand (cheap!), brand with coupon or preferred brand. I got one of the house-brand and one of brand with coupon which is normally more expensive than brand I prefer. I say 'prefer' because I haven't had the other two! It was what I always had. I got these others so I can see if they are acceptable alternatives for future reference. One house-brand (store-brand) at another grocery is just crap. Mother used to work developing store-brands of popular items as food chemist when she was in her 20s. She did not cook when I was born, her mother did the cooking and when she passed on when I was 16, Mother did cooking but had no patience and so it was not great. She let me do the cooking for us. That was better? I still have things in the freezer that were planned for me to cook! *sigh*

Ok, back to grocery! There was weird guy ahead of me in line? He emptied my cart for me and didn't say anything. He had goofy look on his face. He was employee but that was weird anyway. I bought almost too much! I had considered buying online and having delivery but that seemed to emphasize my 'shut-in' syndrome. I had taken a luggage carrier that Mother had in a backpack when I went to grocery. I put my liquids into the backpack: 2 soda, 3 milk, 2 gatorade. I put the frozen food on the luggage carrier. It had no basket or case so I used a portfolio as a base and weaved the tension line through the bags. The other bags I carried by hand. I had to take two or three rests on the way to the house. The back was screaming for relief! I made it OK. Food got put away fast and then I had breakfast!

That was Monday. Tuesday, I didn't do much at all. Just deep water of dirt. Talked to neighbor for a couple minutes in the early evening. I paid bills online. Power bill is corrected. Dropped from over $150 to under $35! It was good I called about bad reading. Stupid, lazy worker! I paid student loan. I couldn't find the old coupon book so I waited on that. Oops, ran late. I had almost forgotten. But I didn't. It's paid until the end of the month. Loan is almost paid off. I could pay off now but am trying to conserve funds for anticipated move. *sigh* :/

Email from brother came day late explaining why he wasn't here: SIL 'had plans' so he got to watch the kids on Sunday?

So that is what has gone on. I know there is more but I am tired? Cat will come and meow that I sleep soon. She is very demanding. My right leg is a bit sore at the thigh and my back is stiff and aching. I said on the way back with groceries that if I do that again Mother should smack me upside the head! No one offered to help but I got many quizzical looks. I got one snide comment from a boney white guy with feathered hair like the late 70's disco or hair-band era in the 80's. He was just trying to impress the two he was with. It was hilarious, really, because I hate calling attention to myself in public. I just realize I got that from Mother--this might be more recent feeling, I'm not sure?

I want fooding. Maybe a snack before bedtime?

Lazy day?

There was no guest. Phone rang this morning but there was no one on the other end? Kitty has been OK today. Went out, watered dirt but--gasp--I have tiny grasses coming up in one spot. Yay me? Was very windy. Neighbor brought his wife outside but they returned indoors almost immediately. Don't know why. Maybe it was too windy for her. Oh well.

Listing to Aus radio online. It is noon there so it is time for 80's mix! Fun! Not sure what I'll do with myself tonight. Need to plan grocery tomorrow. *sigh*

Wish I was less anxious tonight. No clue why I feel that way. Had dream there was a maths class in the sunroom/addition and I attended because I was lonesome with Mother/Father gone? It is good to have kitty though.

What else... hmm. Not sure. Maybe I will eat food? Might calm me down.

So Far So Good?

Well, it is Saturday and just short of 5am. I checked on ant baits. I don't see ants. I wonder if it got too cool. It is maybe 20C (68F) outside. I see no ants indoors. Hopefully this is the end of the 2006 ant invasion. Wouldn't surprise me if more spring up but I'm ready with baits. They love this stuff! So glad Mother and I found it in 2002 when we had ants everywhere... bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen... they even climbed into the fridge! Ugh. Hard to believe that was four years ago. Seems so recent to me.

Anyway, I will sleep now? Kitty is waiting I think. Oh, I also finally signed up successfully online for that account management thing. Good to have that done. One less reason to use stamps! Now that I've gotten online I see that company works on Central Time so I didn't stand much chance! That is 2 hrs ahead? That is evil. :(

Must sleep now before day gets worse! At least if it goes to crap while I sleep I don't have to witness it happening. :D

Should Be Beaten With A Stick!

Me, that is. What a cocked-up day. I tried to make my credit card payment. I was saving a stamp and paying by phone. They said, "There is fee!" "$5!" And I'm like, "WTF?" So they say, "Online pay is free!" So I'm like, I'll do that. Well, I tried to do that in the afternoon. The brain-raping setup kept saying "Information doesn't match our records." "Wait 2 hours." So, like an idiot, I wait two hours. Same problem. I call them back, "Oh, is it asking for maiden name?" "Yes." "Well, that field is blank." "That's usually the problem people have when signing up online." Of course, this is not helping the blood pressure. They say, "Try now!" and I'm like "OK" and again it says, "Try again in two hours." "Oh, I'm sorry." I'm just like... bah... "let me pay on phone! I know there is fee!" And service person is like 'payment won't clear until Tuesday, it will be late!!!' I'm like... "Will paying online be quicker then?" "No." So them I'm thinking 'WTF did you bother telling me as if there was a way around this time lag.' So I paid the ****ing five bucks to make a ****ing late payment that will fucking cost ten dollars in ****ing late fees just so I could save one ****ing stamp. And I still can't sign up online. Mother-****ers!

Kitty came in, looking needful and started to cough. I was like, "Oh! Let's fetch hairball gel." She wanted to go outside instead probably for grass. I don't know if she got the grass or not. Why not? Because I noticed there were ants on the porch. I'm like... WTF are they doing... and then I track the bastards. Up the step, turn left, turn right, down the wall, cross the hall, into the kitchen. Of course I'm like, "****! Ants in the kitchen!" They were not at the trash, just milling around. I had found them at the start of their scouting it appeared. I took trash bin outside, found Windex (blue window cleaner with ammonia) and went on killing spree. Then I fetched ant baits from the supply Mother and I had gotten as caution. I put two outside on the edge of the porch in their path to the house so they would find them and hopefully decide that was better than what they found in the house (a single piece of cereal). I misplaced the other two from the package. I found them and put one by the entry door and one by the now completely empty and washed out trash bin in the kitchen, also washing down the porch. I think I stopped this invasion soon enough.

Anyway, my anger is up. Very upset with myself because I did not try paying credit card on Thursday instead so that it would've been processed before weekend instead of after. :/ Since this is a "known" problem with people signing up online, they are not competent to demand such confirmation (more than they demand via phone when you talk to them)!

Ants are evil?

I hope neighbor invites me over to watch some TV. Might help reduce my stress level? Mail was late today. Another different mail person that said something like, "small dog," to me. Whatever. I didn't really look at it. No bills, just junk it looked like.

Neighbor called. Watched Food TV. His wife was confused, couldn't find husband. Asked me many questions about my puppies (have only cat), where I parked my trailer, where I parked (asked two or three times), asked how I liked where I was living now, that Mother would come back when I got all moved in... it was sad. :( Father had confused days too. Neighbor tried to fake wife into thinking he was back by saying he had gone to water lawn. She bought that for awhile then later forgot and said she didn't know where he was. She did call me by name when I said goodnight though. Ants are feasting on baits I put outside. Die! Die! Die! I have more baits if they are that hungry! All the better to kill them with. I had three bowls of cereal today I think. Maybe two. I'm not even sure. It was a lousy day. :(

Ugh... Thought I'd Feel Better!

So... I slept at a vaguely reasonable hour and soon I had some idiot at the door ringing the bell. It was a heater/AC guy looking for a house three blocks away! Makes me crazy... I get their mail, their luggage, their repair people... it's a pain! So then I tried to get back into bed.

Phone rang! It was telling me documents arrived. Yay. Asked for more info and promised another call. So I'm like... ugh. I think the phone rang again, I promised a call back after verifying something and did that. So that was the end of phone tag for the morning.

I decided it was time to go pay bills so I gathered things and walked out the door. Almost up the block, I thought... wait, you forgot the mortgage number! So after a brief battle with self, I came back at which time I realized I'd forgotten a couple of envelopes. Then it was off to the bank. I got to the front of the line and was told, "WAIT!," as the teller hurried to close his spot. Right. So then I got this really young appear guy who is trying to grow a goatee or something. There are maybe two dozen chin stubble. He's asian so facial hair isn't a great option for him. He kept asking me if I lived in this state and thinking... I'm just in your bank but really live on the moon! At least we got things settled and mortgage paid, and I loaned the estate more money. Yay, right? Ugh.

Then it was off to the post office. I decided to pay fewer bills by mail than I had planned. I'll save stamps and pay online or by phone. I got that done. Best part was another customer volunteering his language skills to translate for a guy who only spoke Vietnamese. Now, I have to say I'm shocked there was no Vietnamese speaker working at the post office in this area. That's just crazy! Anyway, the guy was not shipping a bomb in his ketchup box so I guess things worked out.

On my way back I got heckled from two lanes over by a black passenger in a white minivan with brakes so worn it was clearly metal scraping metal. Since I was crossing a street I was looking to see if there was a car coming to turn before I crossed. Paranoid asshole that he was, he demanded to know, "What you lookin' at motherfucker?" I ignored him, crossed and went on my way. As he went by he yelled something else but the only word I could pick out was "now"... I was sorry they made it through the stop light. I would've liked to hear more good cheer!

Now I am back, I had cereal. I resisted temptation to get piggy fast food although I could've been tasty! Duckie would've been mad at the piggy-ness. Kitty has come out of hiding and is lounging on the floor behind me. Maybe I will lay down.

Already money is draining... it never stops! My neck aches. It's been doing that a lot lately. :/

Mail was boring except I got someone else's magazine. Not sure where that street is so I put it back in mail for carrier to get. I took catalog to neighbor because he was curtain shopping and had mentioned store Mother gets catalogs from. He said he had ordered and because he did it today instead of yesterday it cost him $100 more. :/ The ones he ordered weren't in this catalog so no savings to be had there. Oh well. I thought I heard a wet street today at some point but neighbor said he did not notice a wet street. Maybe I was crazy or it didn't last long? Or I am crazy and it didn't last long too! Dirt was moist, but I sprinkled water on it an hour ago.

Now I am finishing with 'dinner'. Piggy food of three chicken strips. Kitty is on my bed. I was going to lay down but that's when mail came and made kitty nervous. She obviously can tell routine from strangers. This was different mail guy. I feel bad for kitty... so nervous by nature. It is her b-day month and I haven't gotten her anything really. Maybe I can get a new scratcher for her? :/ What else is going on... other than my nerves being shot. Infant nephew is six month's old. I think... well I did an e-card thing up and sent it anyway. Could be a day-early or maybe not. I can't even remember the random thing that made me think of it. Must've been thinking of Mother being gone nearly six months.

Even with money in the bank, I have the urge to dig a hole in the yard and hide in it. Ugh. Might call neighbor this evening to see if they'd like company if I don't nap or find other things to distract me.

Better Off Dead

I haven't heard that song, I should try to give it a listen sometime. That's how I'm feeling.

Anyway, FedEx brought the paperwork. I leapt forth and read it... blah, blah, lawyer, blah, lies, blah. Fine. I packed my backpack and told the kitty I'd return. Since it was on the way, I talked to the bank to see if they notarize documents for customers. Well, I didn't have my translator but as far as I could tell they don't do that. I wish the branch mangler had been around, his English is better.

So off to the notary and... I was early. Notary doesn't arrive until 10:30am! Ok, it was only a 10-15 minute wait. The guy seemed like a prick. I gave him one copy, paid $10, gave a finger print, signed, gave blood & urine samples... ok, well some of that anyway. Then I'm off to FedEx! That's in the mall across the street. So I walk, walk, walk and while I'm making copies I realize OOPS, there's a second page for notarizing! There are two complete 'originals' that need the same treatment. Fine, whatever. I pack up and walk back across the major roadway, around the fake homeless vet, and to the notary place! The guy says, "Did I screw something up?" Well... that's a nice and reassuring attitude. :P So I explain there's a second original and get charged $10! No anal probe this time. Back to FedEx. I stuff "pre-paid" envelope with documents to return and go to the counter. It gets ringed up and I say, "Uh... isn't that pre-paid?" She said, "No, there's no XYZQRP number." I check my copies and don't see any number. I say, "I guess I'm paying then." I'm thinking, "I know the cover letter said pre-paid! ARGH!" So that was like $22. Whatever... let me out of here.

I went to grocery and abuse the coin-counting machine. I think it stole a dollar from me. It only seems to know about recent dollar coins, not the older larger ones. Stupid machine! At least I only 'lost' one! I put one in as a test. I took the receipt to register, got the cash, then checked cereal. There was sale through tomorrow so I got 4 boxes. Then I came home.

I tripped on the uneven sidewalk coming back and managed to stop my forward motion just before hitting a rose bush. It wasn't an elegant effort but did the job. I won't make the Olympic team. Ok, so I got back to the house. Neighbor was watering his lawn so I chatted with him a bit. I came in, made cereal, got naked, rolled around in money... oh wait... no, I just had cereal. I checked cover letter and it does say "pre-paid" so now I have to complain it wasn't pre-paid after all!

I have a headache. Probably because of bad sleep and not eating before now. Cat is yelling at me. :/
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Ok, it's Thursday now... just after midnight. I napped a bit earlier because I had too much sun. Watered grass seed many times. I hope it will grow. Where I did 'test' seeding and watered it is growing so that is why I took the steps on Tuesday to reboot lawn. Ha...reboot.

Kitty is washing on the floor. She is good kitty and was outside with me a bit. I just came in from chatting to neighbor. I don't know how he does it. Probably be escaping now and then. OMG! It is birthday month for kitty! Need to make note of that. She is good animal.

The pre-paid envelope saga was sorted out. It was clerical error. It was blamed on temp. Or 5 other excuses. Whatever. Will be compensated for it. Need to decide if I want to allow direct deposit or wait for check which will probable end up with another stupid 5 day business hold. Must gather more information. Kitty is snoring. (Aww...)

How crazy would I be to propose just keeping the house with my brother. Yes, he wouldn't/couldn't pay his share but that wouldn't be a problem IMHO so long as I'm able to live here, keep things up... etc. Besides, I'd probably take on flat mates to defer costs anyway. This would be 'investment' for us. His wife might hemorrhage but it doesn't actually change the state of anything because law says we have equal interest anyway. Wonder how hard this would be to pull off and just how fucking nuts I am to consider it. There's no reason to put forth this notion until I can pay the Mother's other outstanding debts. Mother would say, "Are you f-ing crazy!?" HA. Maybe. She would say, "Don't trust!" And, "Run!" I will need to run numbers. This is why there are lawyers too. Lawyers to make agreements. The evil would be whether SIL would have 'half' of Brother's share or not... stupid 'community property' state. :/

Ep 5: Water Dept Strikes Back?

So I'd mentioned the ongoing insanity with the water bill before and how it didn't come to the house last month.

From what I could see online, supposedly it hadn't been paid in 3 months so it was around $180. I believed this was bogus but whatever… I paid that amount.

First time was an attempt via the online service which the bank rejected claiming they don't allow that service to debit accounts. Whatever! So, anyway… I went and physically pulled the money out and sent a money order from the post office.

I got email saying "bill is ready online"--yay, I think. More money to give away, I log-in and click thinking "let's see how outrageous it'll be."

Reflecting that $180 payment, I've got $140 CR on the account now!

I overpaid! Stupid bastard thing was paid up already!

This is why people lose their minds. :/
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Trash bins were on sidewalk for some reason. They were still full and alive with flies and ants! Evil neighbor had added garbage to the bins. North of me, bins were empty. The yard stuff was taken though. South of me, bins were full! What happened? :(

I dragged bins across the street because those bin seemed full too and I could see truck coming. I waited until bins got empty there and dragged them back across the street. No idea when this side will get finished or what happened to pickup this morning.
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I am not the lawn/garden center! Grandma neighbor sent (ok, maybe it wasn't her who sent there are rich sperm donors visiting) grand child to borrow rakes.

Running tally… I've done plumbing work of replacing faucet and cleaning pipes in kitchen, loaned rakes now three times, loaned mower one time, loaned weed-eater one time. And I think that is where the skank garbage came from. :/

Oh! Forgot… was asked for $1 several times by grandkids, change for $10, change for $20, to buy candy, for free lemons and for 'season salt' too. So I am lawn-garden-plumbing-bank-pantry-supplimental garbage bin! I'm so lucky! Yay me?
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Insurance co. called. Reviewer said she has just gotten records? Just starting review? *sigh*
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Last night neighbor had said his power/gas bill had gone up huge because of gas use. I checked bill online today and it said gas use was very high for me! I'm like W-T-F? How did I use all that? So I go out to the meter to look. They said used 90 units more than meter says today! I called power company, they had me go out to read meter after seeing in computer there was no 'history' of such high use. They took reading I gave. They will send new corrected bill! Should save $100? It is crazy torment. If neighbor had not commented, I would not have double-checked meter and would have just paid like he did. *sigh*
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Tilled front lawn, put down weed-feed, new grass seed, watered. If it grows for me, fine; if not, it can rot. :/
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Still waiting on funds. If I hadn't overpaid a water bill that was lies, I would be in better shape! Makes me want to vomit.