Got a Used Microwave off Craig's List!

For only ten dollars. A little smaller then mine, but it works! On my old one, the control panel was shorting out, so I had no timer, and I could not control what temperture it was heating to. In fact I completely stopped using it after last week, when I got sucked into a online app and forgot I had my oatmeal in there. It was the smell of the smoke that  alerted me to it. I never used it again after that, because the smoke smell never went away! I figured I had fried the control panel for good.. So I have been looking at Craig's list ads for a replacement. I had found a couple, (some were even free!), but no one returned my emails. This ad had a phone number so I called and got the lady right away. She lived in the next town, but was coming to mine for an appointment so we agreed to meet up in a local shopping center.

The microwave was dirty, with dirt, not food, and she said it had been in her garage, and the sprinkler had been getting on it? But I took it anyway, (ten dollars!) and put it in my truck. Then I noticed that there were ants running around on it! I tried killing them with a lint roll, but most of them successfully fled back into the microwave.

I got it home and cleaned it up, killing an ant every now and again. Tested it out on a cup of tea. Works!!!

Hopefully I have killed all the ants. . .

More Random Daniel Craig Stuff

I now own 15 Daniel Craig movies! There's not much left for me to buy. The ones I'll really like to see, I can't get, like Some Voices,  apparently only issued in region two, Hotel Splendide , that one just never shows up in search engines, and that BBC production where he plays Geordie, Our Friends In The North. Have never seen that for sale, but there are clips on You-Tube, so someone has it.

What I WILL NEVER Buy, The Trench. You couldn't pay me to watch a movie about trench warfare in WWI. Nope.Never! What I will buy is Sword Of Honor, and Copenhagen. I may buy The Golden Compass, but Craig's Lord Asriel could have been played by a standee of Craig in costume. Maybe they cut all his good bits out. I would have liked for the other two to be made, but darn those idiot Christians, who just couldn't get that it was FANTASY! It wasn't real. It wasn't your God, it wasn't even suppose to be THIS universe, but noooo, they just couldn't stand for God to be treated in that manner. BA!! So, anyway, pulling myself together here, I got The Mother at long last!

And Boy, is it good! Yes, Craig makes love to the mother of his girlfriend in this, and it's all done so beautifully that you never stop to think about it being soooo unlikely to happen in real life. Not with a 68 year old woman and a 35ish man.  It just seems real, and that's good writing and acting. At first Craig's character Darren seems to be beautiful and sensitive, being the only person who pays attention to May after her husband dies, but bit by bit, you see his flaws show up, the drug taking, the drinking, and the lust for her money. And then the kids find out! Since Daren is the daughter's boyfriend, it's revenge time for Paula against her Mom. It's sad, sometimes painful to watch, but it's so good.  I really like this movie.

And after listening to the director's commentary, I find out that it was done by the same people who did Enduring Love! Which I keep thinking about. Because that movie's message seems to be, we all fall in love and completely fuck our lives up. There is no one in that movie who hasn't trashed his life for love in that movie. So, exactly what is enduring about love? That we keep succumbing to it? Or that we are willing to throw everything away every single time it's offered to us? That seems to be what the movie is about really.

It looks like there is a chance for Bond 23 to be made after all with Daniel Craig. I really hope so.

Really have signed up for Healthy Way LA

Finally got my birth certificate in the mail, and trotted down to the Healthy Way LA office at the county urgent care place. Went smoothly. Had to find some paycheck stubs from when I signed up for the ORSA, but I store those in my glove box anyway, so that wasn't a problem. Because my income is so low I don't have to pay anything.

I did ask her what I was getting by doing this (I find it does help to be an idiot sometimes), and she told me I could now have a primary care doctor, (my old doctor, YA!). It  also appears that I will continue to keep on going to the county urgent care. So, basically, it appears what I am getting is my old county health care that I had before they changed the rules. . .

So, is this a way to exclude illegal immigrants? Because I had to produce my birth certificate and paycheck stubs to get this. This would exclude them, yes? So, this is how the county is trying to save money, by only giving legal inhabitants the ability to get "full service" at the county? The illegal immigrants will still be able to go to the urgent care, and the ER, but not apparently the other stuff? I'm probably wrong. It's unethical to denial them medical care.

And, oh yes, at the end, the clerk chirped brightly, that since I had shown up with all my documentation, that I was getting a $10.00 food coupon (Ralph's or Food For Less), good for a month, so spend quickly!

More bad water news

Just discovered that the kitchen sink faucet and sprayer have been dripping. I have no idea how long this has been going on. But since there is no pipe connecting the faucet to the rusted out drain, it's been dripping on the wooden floor of the cabinet. Totally soaked. I will take a picture tomorrow. So this means since I can't get it to stop dripping, I have to replace either the faucet or the rubber disk thingy, what IS it called ? This isn't like the other faucets I've replaced the disk on. I don't know how to even take this one apart. I see I'm going to have to do some research on the web. Also I don't know if fixing the faucet is going to do anything for the sprayer. More research.

Right now, I've stuck a bucket under it. Damn. Why do I feel this has something to do with me turning the hot water heater to vacation two weeks ago? I don't see how any of these things could be connected to it, but the timing. . .

Not so sucessful today

Didn't really want to work on the kitchen, because if you knew how many dishes I have to wash . . .But I did managed to make myself do three panfuls. There's so many dirty dishes on the right side counter that there's no way I could empty the sink so I could put the dishpans in. So I washed the dishes on the clean counter, with the rinsing dishpan on the stool, and put the clean dishes out to dry on paper towels next to the dishpan I was washing them in. I also had to heat the water to wash and rinse them with on the stove. I need a turkey stock pot if I'm going to keep this up, you know, if the bad thing happens and the handy man snaps the wall pipe. Let's not forget how old these pipes are and that they have been screwed together for longer then I have been alive. It's a possibility that the pipe will break. It could be rusting too.  So long term plans say turkey stock pot, crock pot over night for days I don't go to gym to wash. If it breaks. I can do this. It will be really inconvenient, but livable. Just like Little House On The Prairie!!!

Finally Coming Clean

So, I've always had the messie part on the title of the blog, but never explained it. Well, combo of ADD and defunct water system in the house, and overwhelmed with 12 cats, and coupled with reoccurring bouts of depression. . .

This currently is what the left side of the kitchen looks like. I can assure you the right side looks just as bad. So does the rest of the house. I haven't clean (or before) since I lost my job.

Today I start cleaning, so I can get the handyman in to replace the pipe. I don't think it will be Friday after all. Maybe Monday.

So, I will document cleaning process. This will keep me going, because it's so easy to just keep sitting in front of this computer. So, have moved all the dishes over to right side of kitchen. I am going to tackle the mail next. Then I will clean the surface, so I have somewhere to put the clean dishes, after I wash them, to dry.

Still have nagging feeling about looking for a job today. But I will, around five. This is somewhat more important RIGHT now.

So, here is the kitchen counter after I got rid of the mail I thought safe to. Next up; the microwave (baking soda!) and then on to the little counter and spice bottles!

So now have to scrub doors on kitchen cabinets on this side. Also take a little whack at walls, and then move onto other side. I actually use the little fishes to hold spices when I cook Indian.

Ya, finally changed the background image!

Now, my twitter page and my blog match! Still working on the Facebook page, but there will be no link because I'm not telling anyone who I am in this blog.

One thing after another. . .

Talked to Carlos Castro, (academic advisor at CTU) and told him I wanted to cancel because it was illegal for me to go while getting unemployment, this morning. He then connected me to Ken Carter, Student Manager, who tried to talk me into continuing, telling me it wasn't illegal. I told him, "Sir, I wish to stop this process." He then admitted defeat and hung up. So I guess it's done. As far as I know, I have no further involvement with the cancelling process (FAFSA). God, I hope this is true.Will ask BF, but would she know. Maybe I should call up the local college and ask them?

*****

I got up this morning and went and filled my mug at the laundry sink (only source of water in house), and realized that the hot water pipe into the house was leaking in two places. And here I thought that smell was the cat's spraying the swamp coolers. So, I have turned off the water to the tank. Drained a bit out via the faucet, so it is no longer dripping. Now I will turn the heater OFF, and start cleaning, so in two days time, I can have a handyman come in and try to replace that pipe. Stupid old house.

Well, No, I'm not going CTU after all

After freaking out about the cost, which I realized would cost me between $30,000 and $60,000, I listened to BF and considered the more practical aspect of going to public school. Which meant I probably could get a Bogg wavier for, since I'm so poor. The only practical aspect to CTU is this, they are available 24/7, (but I found out you do have to attend class every 15 days). That's it. I don't know about the actual degree, but I'm sure I could get something in that line from a Cal State.

Which now brings us to the second point of why I won't be going to CTU. It's illegal. I cannot go to college while on unemployment. I had not realized this. My sister pointed this out to me. I had completely missed the point of the acceptable training programs/schools that are partnered with the unemployment. Yep. . .

So I call my academic advisor, and left him a phone message about this (telling him I was cancelling the whole thing). He hasn't called me back yet.

But I do realize that once I'm off unemployment, I am going back to school. I don't know if it will be the back end or the front end of web development, but it's a field I'm suited for and I can make money in. So, that's where I intend to go.

******

Have started applying for jobs down in the LA area. I'm never going to get a job up here.

******

The pump on the ultra cool is working again, don't ask me why. I could theorizes that maybe it has something to do with the tank being completely dry when I turned it on, but that doesn't always hold up. It's a mystery.

****

I missed work yesterday. I was the opening driver. I had a gal balder attack. It was my own fault. You see i discovered that Wally world had a version of Girl Scout Thin Mints. They were delicious and I practically ate the whole box. Then I made my self pan fried burritos. It never even cross my mind about how much fat I was eating. I guess it was (I know it is), reaction to the stress of signing up for CTU and realizing I couldn't go.

I woke up with it. I called the supervisor at the store as soon as it turned nine, (the earliest I thought she would be there). Then I called the community clinic. Turns out they only operate Monday to Friday. So I called my sister and had her take me to the county urgent care. I lied a little and told them my pain rating was 8, (actually it was a 5). I promptly got in and saw a doctor within a half hour. I then got two shots. One for the pain and the second for the nausea. I also got a prescription for the same. He asked me if I wanted my gal balder out. I said that it had been offered to me once but I cancelled it because I couldn't afford to take two weeks off, and they wouldn't tell me how much it would cost. So, I think I may be getting it out. Eventually. On the other hand, this is what I thought about the last gal balder attack as well. . .

They had me lie down for a while at the clinic. Then they let me go. I spent about an half hour on a bench outside, tying not to pass out, because I was so sleepy, while waiting for my sister to come and get me.  She took me home and I passed out for five hours. Then I got up and went to Wally World and got some nonfat stuff to eat. Ate, then went back to bed. Not a very productive day.  So, tonight I am working. Lets see what the consequences will be.

Well It's Done. . .

And I am so scared! I applied this morning to Colorado Technical University Online. Then I filled out the FAFSA. I'm going to get a degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Web Development.

And I start Aug 13th!!!!

And I still have to look for a job.

I called the unemployment check line again. . .

And yes, I'm getting another check. I have no idea whether I'm getting a extension, i.e; the First extension, or the extension the house just passed, or whether it's the Federal insurance program I've read about on the unemployment web site. It's all very generalized, nothing really spelled out, it just lists programs and doesn't mention dates, or amounts, or when they kick in. The claim forms don't say anything either. It's always been, one, how much they are taking out for taxes, then TWO, how much money is left in my claim which is open until my firing date NEXT year. Until the claim form before last which just listed the taxes. And the last claim form was just like all the others, listing taxes, amount of claim money that's left. It's all very confusing, and I don't understand what's going on. Why can't they just put on the claim form, what week of benefits I'm in, when the benefits ends, and whether I'm on a extension, when that ends and if I'm getting another one?

A Indian-British Grocery Store Opened In Town!

It also has a small Indian restaurant attached! I'm so happy because it carries my favorite British products;

And I scored! I got this giant 240 teabag box for only $17.00! Let's put this in perspective, I had been driving an hour away to get the 80 tea bag box for just under ten dollars at the closest Cost Plus Market! My Gosh! I have so many, and a source to buy more, that I am able to make ice teas with them!

 Adding even more delight, they also carry these! I cannot tell you how good these are, and how good they are for you. Completely full of fiber they are. There is nothing to compare to them on the America market.

And these! These are chock full of oats! And soooo tasty!

************

Unemployment checks. . . .I fear I have made a major mistake. I sent in my claim form Friday. I called the DIY phone line yesterday night and this morning. Last night it said my last check was from July 10th, paid on July 20th. I'm confused. The strip at the top of the claim form had gone back to the usual format, listing how much money was left in my claim. The claim form before it hadn't listed that, and only mentioned my IRS deductions. If this goes true to form, then tomorrow they should had processed my claim form. I will call them tomorrow and find out. Otherwise I will be living on my pizza earnings, and I should have not spent the money I did. And, let's face it, I shouldn't be regardless. I haven't gotten any bites on any of the applications I have filled out. I should just assume the worse and save as much money as I can. Should have all along. The manager at the pizza place, says one of the employees in the other store, who's is also drawing unemployment and working part time, is getting food stamps. She wants me to try and get them as well. But I don't know. Is this other person a driver, because that changes things. I mean tips! I get tips, and the amount changes from week to week. How would that effect things?



******


I went to the local community clinic as suggested by the county, since I haven't been able to get an appointment. I also know that the pizza place manger has a appointment there as well, because she makes too much money for what is now the new rules under the recession . They told her on the phone she would have to pay $40.00. So, that's what I was expecting, but no! I didn't have to pay anything! I got a three month prescription for my high blood pressure and cholesterol meds, and yes (!) a prescription for an antidepressant. And boy, do I need it! I don't know whether it's menopause, or my situation, or both, but I keep switching back and forth between being really, really depressed and being okay, happy. When I'm depressed, I can even have a happy sexual fantasy. My imaginary lover cheats on me, tells me he never loved me, etc. And of course no . . .shall we say, release for me when I do this.This is DEPRESSION! I so glad the nurse practitioner prescribed me the antidepressant. Of course it's a half dose of the normal amount, but maybe that will do.

And in six weeks I go and get a physical!