What. A. Weekend.

 

I had the flu. It officially knocked me on my ass Saturday afternoon, but it started Friday night. Figures. A weekend without roommates, and I’m sick. Drat!

Sis and Squid came up Friday night to enjoy the quietness of 5.5 acres. We were set to enjoy three long days of doing NOTHING. Well, except for taking care of nine dogs, eight birds, and two cats.

Saturday morning was a tough one. Didn’t eat much breakfast because the “flu” feeling was getting stronger. I toughed it out as we walked down every isle at the supermarket, but by the time we were headed home, I was feeling pretty miserable. By 1pm, I was out….

Saturday pretty much sucked for me. As I tried to sleep, I’d get awaken by dripping sweat, or chills, or the cold nose of a dog wanting to cuddle. It just wasn’t great. I felt bad for Sis and Squid, but they were good sports. They not only helped take care of ME, but they helped take care of ALL THE ANIMALS!!

Y’all are awesome. Thank you!

 

Sunday morning I was beginning to feel a little better, but still took the cautious road early in the day. Until I knew I could do something other than throw up, I knew I’d better stick to soup. So a soup morning it was.

By lunchtime, I was feeling almost normal. And because I was feeling almost normal, Squid talked me into doing my oil change. Only problem….I was still dressed in the WHITE clothes I had been wearing. But, it got done. I learned from the best on how to do some things, and I know for certain, he would be damn proud of me.

With the new engine rebuild a few months back, I failed to ask what type of oil I should now be putting in my car. It’s different, I remember them talking about it, only I never asked. So, I stood in the middle of the store staring at the isle of oil, wondering what the hell to do. Sis suggested I call Jeff, but when my eyes immediately filled with tears, I knew that wasn’t an option. Didn’t even need to give it a second thought. :-/

AND THEN…….

Welcome to The Chase, Kyle!

Kyle Busch won the race at Atlanta, and secured himself a spot in the chase. I’m thrilled. Couldn’t be more happy. And I’m looking forward to him beating Jimmie Johnson to the line.

Poodle love

I will be spending this week enjoying the company of these two characters….

 

 

 

 

They are the best, I swear. I love the way they show enthusiasm when they see me. Melts my heart.

Let me introduce...

Hi Y'all. How's the New Year treating you thus far? Any interesting stories I've missed out on?
For nine days, RM#1 and RM#2 were out of state on vacation in December/January, and I was responsible for The Animal House. Five dogs (two of them puppies), two cats (one a kitten), a raven, a hawk, two parakeets, two doves, and a partridge in a pair tree.
It was hard work, I won't lie. There are things you have to follow in order to ensure the safety of the animals, and if you don't, something could go wrong. And I don't want the death of a puppy on my conscience. Very much like taking care of children, only slightly different.
I was glad to see them return. And they even brought me a present. A GREAT present, at that.
Let me introduce you to......

Gretta and Hans.

Time to go

Hank & Tula

Another few weeks of housesitting has come to an end. Although I'm sad to see my alone time slip away from me, I am anxious to get back to my own bed.

I will miss these two, but I know I'll be back before too long.

Another house; Another dog

I’m housesitting again, for a trainer who’s father is dying. She quickly hopped a flight to England a few days ago, so for now, I’m taking care of her four-legged children.

Hank & Tula

Hank is an old Weimaraner, set in his ways. Tula is a snot blowing, squished faced, farting, French Bulldog that is so much fun to play with. But, if she gets too excited or worked up, she has trouble breathing. And if she gets a cold, it’s GAME OVER. She’s had pneumonia a number of times, but is well taken care of by her trainer. I love her. These two are my second favorite dogs to watch. Of course, Ramen Noodle Poodle Pants is my most favorite. :-D

I used to really enjoy housesitting. It got me away from the roomies for a few days/weeks/months and it usually put a few extra bucks in my pocket. I eventually had to make a decision that stocking their fridges or cabinets with food I could eat while I was there, was a much more effective use of the money they’d pay me. But having to pack up my stuff, then unpack it (or not, depending on my length of stay), and then packing it back up again, only to unpack it once I get home, started becoming more of a hassle than something I looked forward to. I continue to do it, only because I really enjoy having the time to myself. I enjoy being able to do things on my time, not my roommates’.

Tonight I was forced to watch Survivor: One World. Why? Because her DVR wouldn’t let me change the channel. Grr. I’ve never watched Survivor. Not one episode. Ever. Last night I was forced to watch Glee. I honestly can’t believe that show is still on the air. Like, for real? And it’s real annoying when I’m in the middle of watching an hour long show, when all-of-a-sudden, the channel changes to something she’s recording. Like OPRAH! OMG, y’all. I wanted to shoot myself. I had to turn off the television cause I couldn’t even keep it on as background noise. *shudder*

I suppose part of the problem is that I don’t want to mess with her remotes. Things are set the way she has them for a reason, and I don’t figure I have any right to come along for a few days and change things. So I leave it. And I don’t go through people’s drawers or closets either. The only drawers or cabinets I go through, are in the kitchen. I’m the nosiest person you’ll ever know, but when it comes to the lives of my coworkers and/or bosses (the people I typically housesit for), I’m just not interested. Kind of weird. Like a strange kind of weird.

That’s enough from me. I have some agent coming by in the morning so I got to get to sleep.

Day 1

It’s been one entire day of housesitting, and I feel like it’s been three. While Sis and Squid are on their honeymoon, I’m watching two cats sleep all day. Awesome.

First off, let me say that they’ve lived here less than a month. There are still a few boxes that haven’t been unpacked, and there is no cable. My only means of entertainment are my laptop, a few hundred movies, a PlayStation I don’t know how to operate, and an Xbox that I’m more afraid of than I am interested in. What am I going to do for ten days? I don’t know anyone in this area. The area isn’t even familiar. I don’t know where the closest grocery store is. I don’t know where the closest Jack in the Box is. I couldn’t even tell someone how to get here without making them drive one of the busiest freeways in SoCal.

There are many minutes in the day, where all I hear are my thoughts. And if you’ve been inside my head, you know that’s not a good thing. I’m fighting thoughts, emotions, and the urge to pick up the phone and call someone I know I shouldn’t.

Nine more days of this. I can’t wait to hear what my thoughts have in store for me tomorrow. Oh yippee.

Another house. Another dog.

Meet Ramen

I’m housesitting/babysitting again.

He’s a Ramen Noodle Poodlehead.

Another house

I should be a professional house sitter. Sometimes it’s Boss#1. Sometimes Boss#2. This time, it’s a trainer. She’s up in San Francisco shooting another string of Travelers Insurance commercials. Fun. We’ve sent six trainers up. Me thinks it’s gonna be pretty quiet around the ranch this week with most everyone gone.

As I sit out in the backyard and look around, I smile at the beauty I’m so lucky to enjoy.

Bye-bye

fail

Today is my last day house sitting. For the last nine weeks, I didn’t lose, break, or ruin anything (with the exception of a small plant that died on me, because clearly, I don’t have a green thumb). I was gloating to a friend about how responsible and proud of myself I was for making it a whole two months living on my own for the first time. Then, I came home from dinner last night and remembered exactly why I never praise myself.

I came home from work yesterday, and in a hurry, I put the scoop for the dog food on a small shelf that is above their cans. I don’t know why I did this. I’m supposed to leave the scoop in the cans, but last night, I didn’t. I will never understand what lead me to do this, but I’m sorry I did. When I got home from a lovely, relaxing, and enjoyable dinner, I saw the scoop laying on the floor in the doorway that leads to the master bedroom. Oh My God! is all I could say. How was I going to explain this? <sigh> And to make matters worse, I can’t find the handle part that was chewed off.

I’m sorry, Sue.  :-(

 

What Time Is It?

I have been and will continue to, housesit for the month of June.

PROS:

• Quiet – no traffic sounds – 2 miles from the nearest road.
• Birds – beautiful sounds and songs by the locals – sparrows, robins, and a bunch of others I will never claim to know.
• Alone – although there are up to 4 people around the property working at any given time, there is still a sense of isolation when you can’t see these people.

CONS:

• NO CLOCKS!?!

Anyone that knows me or follows any one of my blogs or has been to my house, either past or present, knows that I have a strong fascination for clocks. I love all clocks! Small clocks, large clocks, tiny clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks, tall standing clocks, and everything in between. When I am in a place where there are no clocks, it sort of makes me feel like I’m in a room with no windows. I feel a bit like that exact moment in time will never end, because I can’t see the clock to know that time is still moving. It’s a bit frightening.

                             

(The house is very 80’s, with a lot of wood. I thought these would be cute additions to their No Clock Zone.)

I think perhaps I will need to bring a few of my clocks here, until everyone comes back and can take over the No Clock Zone. I’m beginning to feel a little “out of the times” around here. Ha-ha