I think I won... again

It's not official yet, but I think I won week 10 of the football pool. How sweet is that?!

I was ahead by one game before Mondays night game. I was anxiously waiting for the game to start so that I could see what others had picked. Not a single person picked the Bills. This is one time when it's great to be in the land of the Patriots. No one wont pick them - the loyalty is so strong. 

So before the game really got going I was the winner.  And the Bills made the Pats work for the win. At least it seemed like it from the updates I got on the score throughout my travels tonight.

This win is what I'm treasuring as I sit in an overheated shuttle bus on my way to dad and Barbros in Virginia.  Nick and I got into Dulles on time and hoofed it to our connection. Only to find they were having technical problems and had canceled the flight. Instead of flying we get to drive to the Shenendoah airport. 

And here I am - the five of us halfway there at 11 pm. Won't get in until after midnight. I'm curious how small the plane is and how bumpy a flight. I guess I'll find out in a few days on the way back...maybe.  

Pulling the Trigger

I'm standing outside the paint store Saturday morning waiting for it to open. I'm first in line, followed by several contractors all waiting to pick up supplies before a day of painting. One painter was very friendly and seemed to know everyone and commented I was first. 

I was the only one not waiting in my vehicle. Except the friendly contractor, coffee in hand, who was making the rounds. 

Well it was a bust - they didn't have my color in stock in this store. The paint is from England, specially formulated and shipped over. Luckily they had it in stock in another store. So instead of just going one town over I had to go about five towns over. Luckily traffic wasn't bad this early in the morning. And as a bonus, the guy at the other store didn't charge me for the sample I was also picking up. Makes it seem worthwhile. 

Here's the before pictures. I had nick help me move out most of the furniture. And proceeded to prep. I always forget how long prep takes. I left off patching and sanding the baseboard and windows. Figure I can work on those later. I was eager to get the paint on the walls. 

It took me about two years before pulling the trigger on this color. I pinned a million color options and even tried out a sample. What really helped was reading a blog review of someone else who had used it on their bedroom and said it was marvelous both with bright sunny light and also in the shadows. That's the problem isn't it?  The room is never in full direct light like in the fancy photos. 

Well, I was figuring out how much paint to get when I realized I hadn't finalized a ceiling color - not even close. I tried to land on something quickly and gave up. I have a curved ceiling that blends into the wall on one side. I figured I'd go for a cocoon scheme and paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. 

Well after the first color I was afraid I just threw away money on good paint. I liked Farrow and Ball because of the refined palette of colors and the richness of color - having a range of shades depending on the light. It received good reviews about being a quality paint. A bit hyped and over priced but a high quality paint nonetheless. 

I waited four hours and applied a second coat and had a sigh of relief. It was really turning into a beautiful room. As I was finishing up I noticed a spot here and there that I tried to take care of. This morning I noticed more spots and realize I should just do a third coat. I think I apply the paint lightly since I still have tons of paint left - enough for a third coat. 

Here's a not so great photo after the second coat. 

I have to wait until after thanksgiving to finish. I ran out of time this weekend. The color is Farrow and Ball Light Blue. The color is a mix between blue and grey and the name doesn't do it justice. It's a beautiful backdrop to the color of wood of my furniture and goes so well with my floors. I'm hoping to splurge on navy blue velvet curtains down the road and art frames look great on the color. And eventually I'll paint the trim in White Dove from Ben Moore. A nice crisp white. 

The sample I bought is Hague Blue a dark, rich navy blue. I was thinking it would be nice in the back room. We'll see. I have about a year before I'll decide - based on my current track record. 

Day 2

After getting a second and third opinion, we have a change in plans for Wallace. No surgery for now. But complete restriction on jumping. I carried out the transformation of the back room and it is now my bedroom. Thursday was the first day she was cooped up. Webster wanted to stay with his sister so they were both in the back room all day. 

I just left them for Day 2. This time Webster has free roam of the house but is separated from his sister. 

Most of the time it's fine - if I'm hanging out in the back room. Otherwise it's a little torturous since Wallace likes to hang out and be where the action is. 

Last night, nick and I were in the kitchen and that worked fine since I could move the barricade to include roaming in the kitchen. And just kept an eye on her jumping. Not a 100% successful since she did jump once. 

But then I put her back in the back room and nick and I ate dinner in the front room with Webster roaming. Afterwards, instead of hanging out with nick, I abandoned him and retreated to the back room for snuggles with Wallace. She was very appreciative and wasn't noticing being cooped up. 

I'm not entirely sure if the restriction of movement is enough. She still jumps a little from the floor to the mattress. But it's a small jump. I don't really want to put her in a dog crate but that's the ideal restriction. So far, no sign of improvement. But I remind myself it's only Day 2. Only 26+ days to go. I'm supposed to keep her confined for four weeks no matter the improvement and potentially six weeks. Ugh. 

The plan is to start painting the bedroom this weekend. I've landed on Light Blue by Farrow&Ball. It's a nice color for both sunny and shaded rooms. I think I might try painting it with a brush instead of a roller. 

I'm going to pick up a baby gate too. Right now I'm using two small bookcases stacked but it's quite cumbersome. Nick was trying to talk me into installing a door last night. But there really isn't any clear space for the door to swing in our out. The only thing that would really work is a sliding pocket door. Which is wishful thinking. One day. 

Overall both cats have been marvelous. Webster is very confused but rolls with it and I feel Wallace knows more and is being positive about it all. Lots of snuggles and only a little but of meowing.  And as Nick pointed out, this set of cars are really friendly and laid back. I keep reminding myself it's for the best.  

Orthopedic

I had an appointment this week with an Orthopedic surgeon.  The good news is that I don’t need any knee surgery.  The bad news is that my cat, Wallace does.  On both rear knees.  Common in certain breeds of dogs, she is one of the lucky few cats who also has this particular condition.  I was just getting used to the idea of bringing my cat in to see an orthopedic doctor when I was hit with the estimate for the surgery. 

It’s not cheap.  I took a big gulp and then asked the question I didn’t want to ask – is this for one knee or both?  Knowing that the surgery is done one at a time, I was not surprised to hear this was just for the one knee.  And it did not include the blood work, but did include the radiology and did not include the post-op physical therapy.  Physical therapy for a cat!  To put it into proportion – I’m estimating that when all is said and done between both surgeries, follow up visits, pain meds, etc. that I’m looking at over 4 months of mortgage payments. 

 

But what is one to do?  My options are to leave her limping and in pain and let it get worse.  Or fix it.  Or I guess put her down.  Two of the three options are horrendous on one level and it makes the other option, although horrendous financially, is not really that bad.

On the flip side, it’s been wonderful visiting the hospital – every time I go everyone is commenting on how sweet a cat she is.  And she is really sweet which is night and day compared to Winston and his monster doctor visits.  It’s so strange being complimented on having a wonderful cat.
 

It’s still sinking in.  I do feel like I’ve been getting hit financially recently between losing the laptop and the car and now this.  I’m thankful that I really have nothing to complain since I’m very lucky in life.  But still, I wish life would just space these things out a bit more.  I’m crossing the fingers that the saying that these things come in threes in true and this is all for now.

 

The rub is that I want to hold off buying a car right now since financially I’ll be a bit strapped.  But I need a car now more than ever because of all the hospital visits.  The surgeon is a 30 minute drive – two towns over.  Nick has been very gracious letting me borrow his car.  But this will be ending soon.

 

The other rub is that I’m supposed to limit her movement – no running or jumping.  She’s only 18 months old with lots of energy.  And she gets along really well with her brother.  And is a big snuggler, especially at night in bed.  I was told I need to confine her in a room or large dog crate so that she can’t jump for up to 6 weeks after her surgery.  Which just seems so cruel even though I know it’s for her own good.  I think I’ve come up with a plan that solves two things.  I’ve been wanting to paint my bedroom and think I’ve landed on a color.  It’s Farrow and Ball which more pricey than the average pain, so may need to find a cheaper knock off color equivalent at the local hardware/paint store considering my new financial austerity.  I’m going to take the sectional out of the back sunroom.  Luckily it comes apart and I can store it in the enclosed porch.  And then I’m going to move my mattress to the sun room, on the floor.  I can put up two baby gates to keep her enclosed (no door) and include her necessities (food, water, litter).  And then in the bedroom, I can take the bed apart and move all the furniture to the middle of the room and finally paint the room.  This way, Wallace and I can still hang out and she’s not ostracized.  And I can still get something accomplished which I couldn’t have done otherwise.    

 

She’s scheduled for blood work this Saturday and surgery the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  That’s three weeks before mom arrives for Christmas and Nick is potentially staying with me too.  At which point I think I’ll aim to have the bedroom back in order and may not need to be as strict with confining her.  Oh, also, she is a few pounds overweight so I’m supposed to put her on a diet too.  Right now, we’re just focusing on taking the pain meds which she does not love.  One thing at a time.  Of course, throughout all this, Wallace is still her happy self, full of curious enjoyment of life.  And more snuggly.  I think it's because on the first visit to the vet hospital, after exploring the room, she snuggled inside my sweater, nicely protected from the strange smells and barking dogs and saw me in a new light - as her protector.  The doctors say it's because one of the pain meds make cats super friendly and relaxed.  I like to think it was the first reason though.

 

And that reminds me, when I brought her in initially, to the vet hospital.  I was sure she had fractured her leg and would need a cast.  Even though she didn't seem to have any sharp pain when I felt her legs.  We walk into the waiting room and the place is full of dogs with casts on.  It was comical - I had never seen so many dogs with casts.  Now I'm wishing that was what she had.  I think it would have been a lot more affordable. And here I was dreading she would need a cast.  Amazing what perspective can change things. 

Sharing Apps

I feel like I've jumped into the sharing apps this year and more recently, this month. I've used Uber a bunch when traveling, in addition to taxis. And my trip to Copenhagen was my first foray into Airbnb instead of the usual hotel route. 

This last weekend I got to enjoy this:

No, I didn't buy a new car yet but in the meantime I'm using Turo which basically connects me to people and borrowing their car. A great way to test out what cars I like. And cheaper than the regular car rentals. 

And Saturday night I had a girls night out, rather a moms night out. It was a whole different world - enjoying a night out with all these moms. We definitely have very different lifestyles. I enjoyed my night out but it also made me appreciate that I didn't have to herd the kids around to birthday parties, practice lessons and much more the next day. I got to do a little of that on Saturday. Taking Maggie to dance recital and taking pics at the end with all the other moms. 

All the moms live near each other and we used the BeMyDD service. Yet another share app where you get a car service for super cheap. You provide the vehicle and you get a person to drive you around all night. Nice and safe. 

Really an Adult

Have you heard about imposter syndrome?  Often it's related to topics in the work force and it's something everyone experiences at some level. I realize I sometimes feel like an imposter when I'm considered an adult. Or rather, a middle age adult these days. 

When I was in my early twenties, paying my bills and doing all the adult stuff, I still felt like a kid and not an adult. Ok a teenager. And I still have moments of that even now. 

This morning I was meeting up with a young engineer who had reached out to me about career advise (previous post).  And when I was diving into salary negotiations and how businesses work with salaries, I felt really grown up and experienced. Seeing my earlier self in her and how far I've come developmentally. And seeing myself through her eyes. I really am an adult adult. 

And then at work, I had the challenging task of letting go of a new staff that wasn't working out. You feel very grown up firing someone. You feel like a boss. Considering you are the boss that's not unexpected but it really drives it home. 

The third chapter of today is an email I got from a colleague, who I used to work with and still stay in touch with. He had asked if he could provide introductions between myself and a young engineer in college looking for career advise (déjà vu). I agreed and this is how he introduced me (with proper names xxed out):

"Xxx, S and I used to work together at Xxx.  S is a personal friend and is the best Sustainability person I know....she is also one of the best leaders I know."

Again, I think it's that glimpse of seeing how people see you. That different view from your regular self centeredness.  Being considered the best and a leader feels really grown up. I'm really really an adult. 

I write all this on the subway right now, on my way home after work. Looking forward to a night of making Legos. I may be an adult, and even an adult adult, but I'm still a kid too, who loves her Legos. 

Lego Time

I've got a visitor this month - Nick, while he is in transition before starting his new job next semester. 

Which means I'm eating fabulously. We agreed that we'd split up the week. One day where he makes dinner (and plans it too), three days I make dinner and the rest we fend for ourselves. 

Sunday night I made this fabulous Italian dish with a red wine reduction and fresh pasta. Couldn't pronounce the name of the dish for the life of me but it is definitely going in the keeper pile. And as a side I made this brussel sprout salad - last minute addition to the menu. It was surprisingly good considering the bs where just blanched. You peal the leaves which I've never seen before and is a brilliant idea, if a bit time consuming. Julllianed white turnip, pomegranate seeds, apple, bacon and a brown butter sage vinaigrette. It's like a proper salad. 

Tuesday night nick made a wonderful dinner - one of his staples. It was nice to have a full dinner before my evening committee meeting. Which never happens usually - not enough time. 

Last night i made a corn bread/chili dish. While I was making it, Nick was working on another important project. Making Lego sets!  Talk about a throw back Thursday. 

After dinner, it was like the old days. The real old old old days. Nick and I at the table working on our Lego projects. I've spent time cleaning and sorting our old collections so it was easy putting together the old sets. We're almost done with one box. Thanks to nick putting together the police station while I was at work. I left the Lego out yesterday morning because I had a feeling he couldn't resist. I mean, who can resist Lego. 

We have three more boxes to go. Two more boxes full of "city" sets. And a box of "castle" and "pirate" sets. 

The goal is to get them all made before this weekend when my god kids descend on us for the weekend. They had such a fun last time with the sleepover in the spring and the Lego and we only had a few sets built then. I resolved next time I'd make them all ahead of time for the wow factor. And it keeps the Lego downstairs. Last time cam couldn't get to sleep because the Lego sitting next to his bed was too tempting and he was up late playing. 

It's going to be a tight schedule. Only two more days until Saturday. The term "sweat shop" has already been thrown around last night.