Snippets of the weekend 8.29.2022

Friday I flexed to work 5-10 and took 12-5 off, which I love having the ability to do. It helps my creativity and focus too.

Last regular season turnover Saturday with returning guests who left it in good shape. We are tired and ready for the Labor Day weekend break before we have long weekend returning guests back the next week, followed by family friends, another weeklong returning guest, and family. We're scheduling projects out the wazoo too, many of which were delayed over fall 2021 and spring 2022 due to supply issues or contractor schedules.

I hit the beach Saturday afternoon and fell asleep on the couch with sunscreen on and everything at 6 pm, woke up a full eight hours later at 2 am. Insert upside down smiley face. I was up until 5 then slept again until 9. I must have needed it! I spent a few more hours on the beach Sunday but it was the devil's damp asshole due to humidity. We did a boardwalk stroll at night and ran into Kim and Jojo & the kids, which was a nice surprise. 

Reading and bed after midnight. I hope my sleep re-sets this week!

In addition to snippets here, I've been doing weekending reels on Instagram if you are interested. 

Today is the first August 29 since 2006 that Gus has not been in our physical orbit (he was born in 2005, but we didn't pick him up until October). Happy birthday buddy. I know there are cheeseburgers and so many people and dogs  treating you like the king every day and this year Perry can overfeed you people food and I don't care because there's probably not dinareena where you are and if there is I don't have to clean it up. LOL

Happy back to school for everyone going back this week. Be good to each other and trust teachers to teach and educators to create curriculum because not just anyone can do it. If you know anyone in favor of banning books, tell them to fuck off and do not allow them near your school boards because they are fascists. In case you've been out of school a while, fascism is bad, and what we fought AGAINST in WWII, which I'm pretty sure everyone is still lauding as the greatest generation as the entire world pushed back against fascist evil. Some people might be confused in America or were asleep in class or something because now they are voting for fascists who are running as republicans? You all should stop doing that. 

Anyway fuck fascism, knowledge is power. 

Have a good one!

TWTW - the last one in August

Friday I stayed in Philly to work and at lunch made breakfast burritos to freeze and after work power breakfast muffins to freeze & give away. I packed up and headed out to the shore with Bruce, Ben, and Mae by about 8 and was up until midnight reading. 

Saturday I slept in until 8:30, did the walking and the feeding of the dogs, cleaned up outside, turnover shit, made daily shower spray refills for upstairs, and MFD arrived around noon to do his stuff. The rest of the afternoon was a washout so I read and painted my nails (OPI I Eat Mainely Lobster and Essie Juicy Details), chatted with my neighbors, made a dozen hard boiled eggs in the air fryer, and sat with the animals. When the rain let up MFD and I walked down to the beach then sat on a bench on the boards people watching. We watched the Bob Ross documentary when we got back. Fuck those Bob Ross grifter people. 

Sunday I thought was going to be fine but a band of rain stayed stationary over Ocean City and we got pounded while other shore points were sunny. We flooded as bad as I've seen it yet this summer. The first photo is our corner and the second photo is from the apartment porch. So it was a reading and lounging and actually a TV watching day. We watched the first four episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers and all of Ted Lasso season one. We really liked both but Ted ugh so fucking perfect this show.

As I have put all over the internet Sunday was Gus's 16th birthday. He enjoyed many meals, a trip to dog beach, and the requisite birthday burger party which everyone attended event though Billy Cat is on a no burger diet. The excitement wore everyone out and we were all in bed by 10. 

Holding good thoughts for all of those in Ida's path. 

Heading into freaking Labor Day weekend already. Let's go.

Thursday Thoughts - I believe it's time for me to fly

Hanging shit wherever I want, as I always do. My house is not going to be in magazines and it's not for show. It's for me to live in and enjoy. I had this in one of the spare rooms for probably the past 10 years and it makes me so happy but I rarely saw it in there so I jammed it in right here in our bedroom.

Choosing art by Asja Boros for bedside in our room. I have one in the  middle of the gallery wall too.

Accepting MFD's desire for more precise hanging on the gallery wall that was painted this week. It's not done and we'll be swapping some things out, but I'm happy to not have shit sitting in piles to be hung anymore.

Focusing on putting covers on the risers next, so we intentionally did not have the trim painted. I desire a little whimsy on these and that's what I got. 

Thinking a lot of people have this twisted, and we were taught this so that we fight each other and punch down or sideways in a capitalist system instead of punching up. Hard work is great but it is not what makes you a good or bad person. Too many people beating their chest with the I work hard for what I have that are shitty neighbors and humans. No thanks. I'd rather live among people who are good neighbors and community members that understand work is the price of capitalism and not the marker of a good person and that people who don't work hard deserve at the least basic humanitarian needs fulfilled - food, housing, healthcare including mental healthcare. There is a better way than what we're doing now, what we've been doing for a long time in this country.

Using Mad Hippie face serums and loving them.

Wanting everyone to get vaccinated for reasons like this. 

Appreciating the fact that Gus can spend so much of his time in his declining years snoozing in the yard, which is one of his favorites and always has been.

Hanging on for dear life this week. I worked until 9:30 Monday night, 8:30 Tuesday night, 7:00 last night. Started early today, will make a stop to drive to the shore, and be back at it. Deadlines are afoot. Putting in these hours is a lot harder for me after March 2020. My brain, focus, and capacity have shifted. 

Phoning it in on every other front aside from work this week, including here. That's how it is sometimes. 

Booking a hotel for the first time since 2017? I think it's been that long since I stayed in a hotel type accommodation vs booking a private home or visiting someone at their home. I'm looking forward to road tripping out of town with MFD in August to visit a place neither of us has been before. 

Reading The Invisible Husband of Frick Island. I had two (to me) turds this week. If you ever want to see what I'm reading in between Show Us Your Books, you can follow me on Goodreads. Midway through the year I've finished 67 books so it appears that my pre-pandemic reading has returned. I read differently though, consuming books in a few hours here or there versus morning and night reading like I used to. I still do a little of both but still not with pre-pandemic consistency.

What's new with you?

What appears beyond the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts titles is what I'm listening to when I'm starting this - this week is Time for Me To Fly by REO Speedwagon

Thursday Thoughts - He’s the king of them all, y’all

1. Happy 14th birthday to the king of them all. I never thought this dog was making it to today but he does what he wants as he has since the day we got him in October 2005.

2. I always see the best skies in Target parking lots.

3. Nothing else was the best though. I felt like I was wandering around aimlessly last night because they're remodeling and I couldn't find anything. Cute new book section though.

4. Let this be known as the week I ran out of everything. $$$ I had to replace my eye cream (using Banana Bright by Ole Henriksen), dry shampoo (Living Proof is the GOAT), and deodorant (trying Native). I also bought Gus a new bed for the shore and took Lola Jean a book last night when I stopped by to see her and Baby Stephen and have pizza with them.

 5. I had no lunch for today or dinner for tonight so yesterday I whipped up one of Missy's favorite go to meals - I saw her comment on Lindsay's blog post on a healthy and easy weeknight meal and it sounded good so it was off to the races. I didn't have everything, so I browned ground beef with some Penzey's shallots, drained it, topped it with a bag of frozen riced cauliflower and a jar of salsa, added salt and Forward by Penzey's, chopped up half a jar of banana peppers and threw them in, and let it ride for a while. Then I topped with pepperjack cheese and broiled it.

6. I worked from home yesterday and I'm working from home tomorrow. Bruce is pleased. He likes to look over my shoulder or sit at my feet while I work.

7. I love when the Comcast building looks like part of the sky.

8. I've got no commentary on the state of the world in this post. I'm on vacation next week, leaving for the shore tonight with nothing packed, we have a lot of things going on personally and at work, and I barely got this together. I left my house this morning with no face moisturizer, eye cream,  or mascara...that’s three out of five things in my morning leave the house routine. Toner and under eye concealer made the cut. Not like I didn’t have time either, I did. My brain needs a break. Fuckitville, population: me.

9. Reminder:

10. Ecards.

What appears after the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts is a song lyric to whatever I'm listening to when I start to write the post. This week is Sweet Soul Music by Arthur Conley

Thursday Thoughts - and the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day

1. One of my favorite views in the city from Monday's walk to the library. Of course I prefer when there's water in the fountains, but it's still beautiful without.

2. Other city scenes from the week: don't call the Vatican, those are not photographic evidence of windows to heaven in the sky, they're a reflection of the office lights in the window.

3. I had to go to the dentist on Tuesday, which longtime readers know is my major fear and loathing visit. The words "I don't need a lecture on flossing" were out of my mouth like I was a 16 year old with an attitude before I even knew what was happening. My dentist laughed because she is awesome and accepting of my neurotic feelings about her profession. I was rewarded with a follow up appointment next Friday to repair some fillings. Kill me.

4. I continue to be easily tired, which I was told to expect for quite a few weeks recovering from walking pneumonia. That means most nights are spent sitting on my ass regardless of how much there is to do. I walk every day at lunch to get fresh air which I think helps but also tired me out early.

5. Except last night. Last night I got my hair done by the fabulous Kristi, went to Target and found bare food shelves, and put some things away before sitting my ass down at 10:20 to finish the above book and wasting an hour reading about enneagrams. 

6. I did not think Gus would still be with us at this point and have taken to calling him the Crypt Keeper. He can't really hear well so he doesn't care. He also lets me carry him around facing forward like King Tut on a throne.

7. Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. Blessings to you.

8. I know many of you listen to Christmas music 24/7 from like Thanksgiving on, but I don't like Christmas music enough for 1/30th of that listening. Aside from Last Christmas and Fairytale of New York, I don't listen to Christmas Music outside of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a dash of it the weekend before (specific playlists, not willy nilly whatever comes on the station). So my personal Christmas Music Season is nearly upon us.

9.  Reminder: As we come up upon a new year, consider...

10. E-card of the week: ho ho ho mofos

That’s all for today.

What appears after the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts is a song lyric to whatever I'm listening to when I start to write the post. This week is Fairytale of New York by The Pogues

Thursday Thoughts - it's those restless hearts that never mend

1. Last night I raged at Verizon's automated system (see all the zeroes?) and twitter and wasted an hour of my life only to find out freaking Bruce unplugged the big box modem. That's about where I am right now with brain power. Depleted AF. Even worse? This happened a few months ago AND I DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO CHECK THE PLUG.

2. Due to a deadline that did not work in my favor, I'm not off for the full week next week that I need to uncoil my mind but I'll take it what's left of it and working from the shore suits me fine. This is the year vacation is not going as planned from any direction - MFD is spending his birthday morning canvassing on Saturday and won't be down with los perros until Saturday afternoon and will not be staying all week. Running for office: when all your husband wants for his birthday is for you to not bitch that he's missing your vacation to knock on doors and get votes. Easiest but most non monetarily expensive gift I've ever given. If you are in Philly and want to join him Saturday morning, he'd love to have you!

3. I will do some shore chores amid book reading, dog walking, swimming, and beach sitting - priming the kitchen ceiling, washing the quilts from seven beds and the covers of both couches, and scrubbing oil stains off of the driveway. I also have appointments: exterminator, split duct system service, plumber to talk about putting a washer and dryer back in the house, and a prospective future renter. It's always nice to get back in the house and take care of some things!

4. Yesterday was Gus's birthday and he had a burger and fries but also demanded an actual dinner. The other dogs appreciated that. I appreciated that he let me hold him for a while. He’s never liked being held.

5. Scenes from my 96 degree walk around Old City yesterday. The worst day to scout Christmas Party locations that involve a mile walk each way is a humid 96 degree day. I was dripping with sweat.

6. Did you ever get a notice to pick up a hold request from the library and have zero recollection of requesting the book?

7. If you read one thing this week, read Mourning a Patriot Whose Politics You Hate by Jon Lovett via Crooked Media.

8. Remember this name: Andrew Gillum. I've typically always touched on a political or social issue in Thursday Thoughts since the beginning of them in 2011. When trump took office, I tried to mention whichever bullshit corruption and lawlessness happening in this administration was most outrageous/upsetting to me. It quickly became apparent that there was too much and I felt like I was banging my head against a wall. I'm done with that. Amy Siskind is tracking things in her Weekly List and I hope you are reading that religiously. I don't need to recreate the wheel and I need to use my energy in the best way I can, and that is finding a productive path forward and highlighting things we can do because bitching is bullshit without action. I’ve always tried to give action items too, but it got lost in ghoulish news. There have been some fucking solid progressive wins recently. Andrew Gillum is one of them. If you care about this stuff, please find a candidate you can support with a $5 or $50 donation or a few hours to knock on doors (local friends, my next door knocking with MFD is Sept 9 if you want to join me) or make some phone calls or just spread the word about them and urge people to get out and VOTE. Vote for their own interests, not big business or the rich. In the next few days, if you do not believe Kavanaugh should come to a vote until after mid-terms or ever given the legal clusterfuck around this administration, get on the phone, use ResistBot, show up at the offices of your Senators. That court appointment will impact all of us much longer than this unimaginable alleged POTUS.

9. Reminder:

10. E-card of the week: Thank the unions for weekends and holidays for workers, along with all other worker's rights. And if you're in the mood to jazz up the barbecue, ask any union people you know who vote republican why they vote for people of a party that backs right to work and has spent millions of dollars over the past few years attempting to destroy collective bargaining. You know, if you feel like inserting a lightening bolt into the place.

Lucky 13

Gus turns 13 today. Back in April I was certain he would not make it to this birthday. I was even more certain in July when we confirmed he has cancer, decided not to treat it, and were told by the vet that most dogs don't live past six months with it - it was first noted as a possibility in October.

Well here he is, turning 13 and doing what he does, which is exactly whatever the fuck he wants, on his terms. And what he wants to do is have his 13th birthday celebrated with burgers and ice cream and a million wishes damnit.

I'm grateful for every day I've had with him since we brought him home in early October 2005, even (especially) the days when his mulish orneriness reared itself. Which has basically been every day. He will be with us until he's no longer comfortable, and he'll be sure to let us know when that is. He runs the show around here and he always has. If he attempts to pull some Blaze of Glory thing and die on or around Geege's anniversary, he's going to have some explaining to do from beyond.

But he doesn't give a fuck if he has explaining to do and until he decides to go, it's Gus's world. We're all just living in it. Happy birthday to the king.


More Gus posts:
And then came Gus
From the Desk of Augustus Gloop

How to be a good vacation renter

With more and more people going the VRBO/AirBnB route for rentals, the end of our second season renting out our shore house with 98% great renters for the past two summers, and a conversation with Lauren about what makes a good renter, I figured why not. We have had truly awesome people stay in our house and are very lucky. They have taught me so much. Selfishly, I'd also like to know what you have liked or didn't like about interacting with owners you've rented homes with on VRBO or the like as I am still finding my way around that. Deal?

Some of you are probably like fuck you I'm paying that's how I'm a good renter to which I would respond yesthankyouandgoodday. But if you're curious beyond that, here are some ways to be a good vacation renter.

1. Read everything the owner sends you. If your owner is like me, I can guarantee you the answer to 90% of the questions you will have is in the info packet. If they send you nothing, ask if they have info about the house that they typically send out. But if something is not covered...

2. Ask questions.  It is best to go into a rental situation with the appropriate level of expectation. It will also let the owner know what they have omitted and should include in the future.

3. Let the owner know if something is wrong or broken when you arrive or goes wrong/breaks while you're there. Chances are they have a very short window of time between you and the next guest to address any problems so while no one ever wants a problem, it is a relief when someone contacts you about it immediately and doesn't wait until check out to tell you. If it's something that needs to be fixed immediately, it will surely improve your vacation to have it taken care of. If it's just broken but not impeding on your time, you will be doing the owner a huge favor by preparing them. 

4. Treat it like your home....unless you eat in bedrooms. Don't eat in bedrooms. Seriously. Just...don't. Otherwise, relax in it and be comfortable in it but also know you can't go a day at home without wiping your kid's peanut butter and jelly off the dining room table so you shouldn't go more than a day without doing that in your vacation home either. If a light bulb burns out out or remote batteries die, change them (all good owners will leave some for you). If your dog makes a mess or your kid writes on the wall, clean it up. Put the trash and recycles out on the days indicated. It's a home, not a hotel. If you don't want to lift a finger and would like someone wiping up after you, you belong in a hotel, not someone's home. Knowing that it is a home and not a hotel with full service and not expecting full service will serve both parties well. 

5. If you like something, say something, and the reverse. I do little things like leave travel size stuff/fresh bag of coffee/some paper goods/etc for people, and it's good to know if those things are worth it since it means money out of my pocket. It's also good to know if it bothers someone for some reason. Do the pillows suck in a bedroom? Please tell me. All feedback is good feedback even if it's not super specific. 

6. Trust is a two way street. Renting through one of these sites requires you to trust the owner, yes, but it also requires the owner to trust you. Go with your gut but don't be weird. Do not rent from anyone who does not have a phone number and email attached to their listing. Expect to share your email, address, and phone number with the owner. 

7. Do not act like you are the first person to ever rent a house. When I think about the houses I've rented, I cringe at one incident in particular where I was a total special snowflake. It was my first time using VRBO and our first time bringing the dogs to a rental. That was the last place we rented at the shore since the offer we put in on our shore house was submitted and accepted during that vacation. The owner called me and reassured me on the phone. That is so not usual and I actually emailed her after our first season here and apologized for being needy as fuck a year before. 

While we're on the subject of vacation rentals, I would like all renters to know that VRBO/Homeaway is pulling some shit and they're asking renters to pay for it. If you're planning on renting via VRBO, know that you can still book direct through an owner to avoid their booking fee. They've just made it very hard to do so. They've also screwed up a few auto quotes so check your itemized quote when you do pay through them.

What have you liked or disliked about dealing with owners through VRBO or AirBnB?

I can't sign off without wishing my Gussie a happy 12th birthday. 

Or without sharing more links of organizations that will be helping on the ground in Texas. 

Houston food bank: http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donate/
Corpus Christi food bank: http://www.foodbankcc.com/
Galveston food bank: http://www.galvestoncountyfoodbank.org/
The Texas Diaper Bank: http://www.texasdiaperbank.org/
SPCA of Texas: https://www.spca.org/news_hurricane-harvey
Coalition for the Homeless: https://www.homelesshouston.org/take-action/donate/
Portlight, which helps people with disabilities: http://www.portlight.org/home.html

I'm linking up with Lauren & Bre for their Add it to my list linkup, which they're doing the last Tuesday of every month.