Rain finally....

We got thunderstorms last evening and it rained all night. Hallelujah!!! Things were so dry. Very muggy outside but temp is down in 70's.

And I guess it was the storm but I had trouble getting on the internet this AM. Darn Cox!!! Finally back to normal and found out Gwen went to Birthing Center early this AM with false labor pains. She's back home and trying to hold it in longer to allow for baby growth. Also, I'm sure, she hasn't gotten all her pre-baby projects done yet so it can't come now.

Sitting here today and the only thing I have planned is a haircut at 5 PM.

No jobs scheduled yet for next 2 weeks but a prospect of 24 rolls of burlap in a bedroom. Unfortunately it is in Arlington. Another geographically undesirable because of traffic, but, hey, it's work. Have e-mailed her to see when she'd like it done. Waiting to hear back.

Next scheduled job is July 13 in Ashburn for a friend, which is closer distance-wise, but is papering a powder room and painting ceilings walls and woodwork in kitchen, family room, dining room, living room stairs and upper hall. Going to try to not let it stress me out too badly.

Finished, yeah!!!!

Deb just left to go back home after helping me with the hardest part of the job we have been into all month, the 2 story foyer. It actually went very well. The contractor had a ladder set up for us and the job went smoothly. Now tomorrow I have to return and do any touchups that are bothering me and get all my equipment home. Supposed to be in the 90's and very humid so it should be a fun day.

I am just glad it is finished and I can relax about it. That is until the homeowners go over the job with a fine tooth comb. Looks good to me though.

Now I just have to find some more jobs to fill the next couple of weeks to pay some bills.

Calmer

Saturday seemed to calm me down a lot..........got nails done, went to Trader Joes' and Target. Ironed the whole stack of clothes that I have been dreading and even got a 1 1/2 hr. nap in. Also had the courage to text Jeffrey and say that I just could not go to Cascade on Sunday. I need 1 more day to stay calm before going back to work on Monday.

Things got worse...

The play was cute and all went well on Wednesday. Last minute I decided to throw some clothes in a bag to spend the night, if I decided that was what I wanted. Decided to do that to calm me down some. It worked and Ashly called Thursday morning to see if I could meet her for lunch to give me my ticket for graduation on Friday. We ate at California Tortilla at Lansdowne and I came home.

Friday, out of here at 6:45AM to make it to Purcellville for graduation. Started SUV and battery light came on and gauge was reading toward the minus side. So what I did was say "please God just get me to graduation and then I can make a decision". Well, I made it----------and on Rte. 7 outside Leesburg coming home, it died. Thank you God for getting me there!!!

Got to the side of the road and called the garage to get a tow and Susie to pick me up. Cell Phones are wonderful!!! Long story short, by 8:00PM, I had my truck back and was settled in for the evening. Another $460. The bearings had fallen out of the alternator. Guess it was worn out.

I still feel stressed and anxious but am trying not to let it get me down. Plan on trying to ignore and maybe it will go away.

Well, last night I did cheat a little...........Mike said he had a bottle of wine upstairs so I poured a very small amount and took about 2 hours to drink it. It actually didn't have any calming affect which is good so I can throw the rest of the bottle away. Tasted terrible also so I don't think I'll get back to drinking.

FREAKING OUT!!!!

For some reason (probably because I am stressed) I feel very anxious today. I swore I would never say that because my friend Nancy says that all the time and I feel she causes all her own anxieties. Well, here I am and I'm sure mine are self inflicted.....will detail later.

For now, I am ready to leave for Thurmont and another day at Totem Pole Playhouse in Caledonia, PA.

90 degrees

Yesterday I visited with Jeffrey again to get groceries and go to the laundromat. I feel so bad for him beaue he has dug such a deep hole that he can't get out. I won't even try to explain his problems. So as a mother , I just keep helping the little bit I can.

Today I decided to take my walkboard and 16 ft. ladder to the "job from hell" because it is easier driving on Sunday with these sticking out the back of the Explorer. While there, I hung paper for about 4 hrs. just to try to stay ahead of this job. Tomorrow Debbie is coming back to help me for 2 days.

I have been a terrible daughter again for not calling my dad on Father's Day. Guess I'll call in the AM. (Maybe) He made me so mad last week that I swore never to talk to him again. He locked the dog in the house on a 100 degree day with no AC and finds nothing wrong with this. I just can't tolerate such ignorance and "it's my fault" that I bring this stupidity to his attention. So help me if anything happens to that dog, I will report him.

Aargghh!!!

Today I am sitting here waiting to hear from Car Connection about how much the repairs to my Explorer will be this time.........I heard a whooshing type noise under the hood and after 3 days of increasing volume, I decided to stop by to get an analysis. What I wanted to hear was "oh, that, it's nothing to worry about. Now go your merry way!!!"

After saying what noise and looking everywhere, they think it is a bearing in my fan motor or could be exhaust. Have to leave the decision to my mechanic gurus.

In any case, I guess I just have to wait and wait and wait. Sure don't want to bug them or they may find more things wrong.

Updates

May 29-30 I started papering a house in Alexandria, which will take me all month to complete. Got the kitchen and butler's pantry done. Started the P/Rm (had to stop to patch a large hole for moved light fixture) and started the L/Rm. Then I had to take all my equipment out so they could finish the floors.

June 2 I picked up Jeffery in Middletown, Va. and went to Felicia's softball tournament in Williamsport, Md. We spent the night at Vicki's and I cleaned Pap's house on Sunday and took Jeffery home and came home myself.

Tuesday papered a D/Rm. in Vienna for Washingtonian Interiors.

Wednesday took me to Thurmont to Dean's to start our summer of plays, every other Wednesday at Totem Pole Theatre in Caledonia Nat'l Park, PA. First was a tribute to Patsy Cline. VERY GOOD!!!!

Thursday I went back to Alexandria and papered until 7 PM and Friday I worked 4 hrs. before calling it quits for the day. VERY TIRED

Friday night Debbie came down to help me paper for the weekend. We made some real headway with her cutting and pasting and me doing straight hanging.

Monday AM---------could barely move.........so stiff and sore..........When will I get the picture that I am too damn old to work like this???????? Stayed close to my bed all day.

Here it is Tuesday AM and I am planning on going back to the job to work for 2-4 days. Depends how long my body and mind can keep going. We'll see!!! I have until the end of June to get this house completed , so there seems to be plenty of time.