A Work Rant

I don't know if it's the nice weather doing that "mellow yellow thing" in my head that makes me not want to be at work. I don't know if it's the burn out I am feeling due to working too many hours at what I consider to be a dull and dreary occupation. Perhaps it is the boldness in which Nanoman feels he has the right to control my life by making it so I think about work even when I'm off...even when I'm trying to sleep, then puts the additional burden on me of insisting I be at work 15 minutes early each day so he can go over things with me before the phones explode (something he has yet to do, even though I am arriving early at his behest).

I don't know what it is but I am itching to not have to work there anymore. That itch is especially strong lately. The truth is, it's not just Nanoland though....I literally don't want to do droll, mundane office work for a mentally disturbed control freak anymore (and all business men are mentally disturbed to some degree, I'm convinced of that.)

I saw a quotation from a wise human being, whose name I can not remember....though I've always remembered the jist of the quote.

I am paraphrasing but it went something like: "When the pain of your existence becomes to great to bear, then you will change".

Rather than bitch, I hope this painful feeling of not wanting to continue on in this form, making a living in this manner will be the pain of change.

Not all pain is bad. Pain can be used as a catalyst for good. Please God, don't let me let this pain go to waste.

Branching Out

Tuesday, I left the little comfort zone of my little house and ventured out to the meeting of a club here in town. The sole purpose of this club and the uniting force for it's members is simply the love of old homes. This was an odd mix of people of every age group from about 35 to 85, men and women, married and single, gay and straight, conservative and liberal, people who might not ever socialize together except for their love of this old city and the love of other people who care about the preservation of historical old homes and buildings.

I had a great time. They were all friendly and the bonus is these people know everyone in town who does the best work on homes, be it plumbing, hard wood floor, carpentry, etc. The club meets in the homes of the members and in one case I read about a meeting in a local antique store and this past meeting was in our old 1800's historical society building "Old Main". Another benefit is that some of these members own beautiful old restored mansions. I've already been invited to a party in one of them.

If any of you who have been reading me a while remember, I moved here for the love of old architecture. I think I made a good choice in my search for other kindred souls to buddy up with. It felt good to get out.

Good Luck Cuz

Today, I am promoting my cousin Chris' new blog for his business, Midsummer Gardens. Chris is a very talented landscape designer with a passion for his work. I think he knows the latin and folk names of every plant on the planet. He has an eye for attractive accessories and antiques and cooks his own soup from scratch. As of late, with the help of the fine people at Blogger, he has learned to blog.

Congrats on your new blog Chris and if anyone lives in the Chicago area and can use some stuff to spruce up their garden with, Chris is the one to see.

Check out midsummergardens.blogspot.com

Wake Up Call

We moved here 4 1/2 years ago, primarily because I always wanted to live in an old, well preserved city in a vintage home. The additional draw was that this city had a bad reputation and property values were low but the reputation was undeserved because the city had come a long long way in restoration and revitalization. This coupled by the booming housing market had me thinking that I could not only be happy in Elgin but that it was a financially wise investment. I figured it would not be long before the city's reputation followed the revitalization and that property values would not only soar but catch up with the high values of the surrounding area.

WRONG!!!!

It seems the economic downturn has hit this area harder than the rest. I inquired today about refinancing which would not only reduce my payments but reduce the amount of time I owe on the house, pay off my credit cards and leave me extra to get a new chimney liner and perhaps have my floor refinished.

The good news is my income and my credit are not an obstacle. The bad news is my house is now worth about 66,000.00 less than I paid for it. This was a surprise to me. I did expect it to be worth about 25,000.00 less and had accepted that but due to a few abandoned and foreclosed upon homes that sold for dirt cheap, the entire neighborhood has devalued.

It will take a few days to get over this shock. Good thing I like the house...I'm stuck here. Good thing I LOVE the city...I'm stuck here.

I am trying to get my mind out of "my house is an investment" mode and into "I love my house, love my neighborhood" mode....thereby making the acceptance of this all a little easier.

Honestly....I am so happy here in this house, in this neighborhood, in this city....I have never regretted the move. What is it about money that could make me regret this purchased happiness?

One thing for sure. Although I do need to get my debt under control and plan for my retirement (this makes me happy to think that day will come)....I really need to stop trying to be money savvy. Every time....every single time I think I'm going to make a killing....I lose money. I should heed the advise of a few wise people I know...just put it in a slow steady safe growing account and add to it and leave it there.

Warren Buffet's first rule of thumb is "Don't lose money".....sound advise. I'm just going to be happy I live in a place that makes me happy and stop trying to make money.

A Potentially Awkward Moment

I had my annual review today. Basically, Nano told me that if I wasn't doing a good job, I wouldn't be there. He told me the best thing he likes about me is that I'm reliable and steady (sounds boring but it keeps me gainfully employed.)

This is truly an accomplishment though, to be steady and reliable. There was once a time when no one could rely on me to do anything but be drunk or high, or say the worst thing at the worst possible moment, so I'll take reliable an steady. I got my big raise in October so I won't expect one of those.

So, we are sitting there talking about the future of the company, Nano and I. We had a nice chat then he says "Well, is there anything you want to add."

I couldn't think of anything to add but it became imperative that I do because the veggie salad I had for lunch combined with the nervousness of having to have a review combined to create a gastric disturbance that would instantly release upon my standing up.

Squeezing my buttocks together to stifle any such release, I said "so what projects do we have on the list so far for this year."

Because Nano loves to hear himself talk and because things are looking up in the world of process equipment for producers of energy, my question gave him something to brag about, thus, I was stuck in his office for another 15 minutes listening to him drone on when I would have loved to have been half way home.

But hey...at least I didn't fart. There...I said it.

My Redecorated Bedroom Unvield

OK, the following pics are from the bedroom I recently redecorated. However I am a little bit unhappy with myself as I very slowly added to the walls, knowing full well of my tendency to cover any bare spot and in an effort to use some of the nice vintage things I have. My inner minimalist is upset....I overdid it so somehow, some way, a few things will be moved around.

The chicken pictures were in the dining room but I didn't want them there anymore but I loved them so I put them in the bed room. They are not working there either, however I spent today re-doing all he pics in the dining room and there may be a spot back in there for them. The inner minimalist is saying "Put the shit in the basement and have another garage sale".

This is why I need a summer home....I need a place for all my stuff. Did I mention I hit another estate sale today? For 5 bucks I scored a vintage painting for a wall I don't have to hang it on and a cut glass bud vase that I need like a hole in the head. But hey...2 antiquey things for 5 bucks....what a score. I went back later with mike and he got an ice pick for 2.50.

Anyway, enjoy the BR tour. Also included is my stair way "Hall Of Ancestors". I made templates out of scrap newspaper for each frame and moved them around for 3 weeks before getting the nerve to damage the plaster with nails.

Enjoy!!! See below

The first 3 pics are my stair way Hall Of Ancestors.






This was my parents wedding cake topper from 1955. It is entirely made from candy. Mike and I used it too. It was ashame to put it in a box so I found this neat jar for it at Hobby Lobby.



This was a hideously purple painted dresser I rehabbed and embellished with appliques. I still need to put poly over it for protection and a smooth finish but I got tired of working on it. Also a few drawers are stuck shut for some reason and a few need to be left partially open or they will get stuck...This may go in the garage sale and I may start a new project from scratch. The mirror is a flea market find.

My Fantasy Writing Space

Today's prompt is to imagine my perfect, fantasy writing space. A space that if I had the resources, I would choose to write in.

I've often thought that it would be nice to write outdoors but a recent experiment in taking my laptop out to the patio on a sunny day had me day dreaming, watching squirrels and birds and then chatting it up with my neighbor rather than writing so I don't think sitting on a balcony looking at the sun rise or set over the ocean, desert, mountainside...what have you, would work for me. Oh, it would be pleasant but it would not be productive.

I am sort of a hermit. As much as I like getting out and about, I feel safest at home, hatches battened down, cozy, with all my comforts within easy reach. I love a nicely decorated room and my perfect writing room would have to be fairly large in order to accommodate quite a few creature comforts.

I would decorate it in a classic style in tones of creams and browns with pink accents. There would be a large antique, mahogany desk with cabriole legs. I would have the desk at one end of the room where I would sit with my back to the wall, looking out into the room. Behind me would be floor to ceiling, wall to wall book cases.

The other side of the room would have a big comfy pink and brown striped or maybe paisley, over stuffed chair where I could take a break and sink into it, pulling a warm afghan over me to take a quick nap or cuddle up with a good book. I would have a sound system where I could play some inspirational music if I chose. The room would have to be large enough to contain a treadmill or exercise bike so I could get up and stretch and move a little bit and muse over some thoughts while moving my body.

The floor would be covered with a cream colored shag area rug, something to warm the room up and bury my toes in. The walls would be graced with vintage valentines in vintage frames.

One last touch would be a credenza or small buffet with a hot pot in which I could heat water for herbal teas which I would keep in a basket.

This would be a space in which I could wake up in the morning, head into and work, non-stop for the day, perhaps only breaking for lunch (which I would leave the room for) and the occasional errand or walk on a nice day. It would be my safe haven, my cocoon in which I would be safe and free to write my heart's desire.