August already???

Greetings pixies!

I can't quite believe it's already the last day of July. The spring/summer seems to have flown by. It's odd though, because my days on sabbatical have been an exercise in slow living...leisurely coffee on the balcony, good books, writing, long walks...you get the idea. Still, here it is - August!

Huge AW however, as August is vacation time...so let the slow living continue!!

What's new in your world? Whine away, friends!

Dry dry dry whining

We are in the midst of a record-setting drought here (this will be familiar territory for Kathy). It's doing weird things in my city, which sits on an ancient lake bed, with clay soil that is usually a sponge full of water. Usually, we have problems with the moisture content of the soil (cracking foundations, water in basements, sump pumps), but it turns out that this long drought is just as tricky: without the ground moisture, all the houses are shifting in new ways (half of our interior doors aren't latching right now, and the other half of them stick shut so hard that you have to hip check them to get them open). There have been electrical fires all over the city, as shifting soil and underground power lines have caused things to go askew. I'm keeping a close eye on my house, because our structural engineer warned us that a severe drought, followed by a really wet year, could worsen the tiny foundation crack that we have.

The forecast keeps saying that it'll rain in a few days. Meanwhile, the sidewalk chalk from late June remains untouched.

How are things where you are?

Moving right along; or, how to turn your house into a warehouse

Since daughter intends to move totally out of state in 3 weeks -- and swears she is not returning to her old room ever again -- a lot will be happening between now and then!  Really a lot has to happen this week, so she can get the movers all lined up and tell them exactly what she is hauling.  Therefore, the boxes are starting to pile up, and I have high hopes for the designated "donation" sector of the dining room, too.  A chunk of the dining room table is now dedicated to kitchen stuff -- things that belong to her, things that might be useful.  This Will Get Done! Which will bore and/or annoy everybody to tears; apologies in advance.

 So, y'all need to come up with some better material than is available chez moi!

xoxo

On the road edition

We're headed out this week on an apartment-hunting expedition, leaving tomorrow.  Host appearances might be scarce, with a side of extremely boring updates, because I bet you're dying to know whether we can find the Trader Joe's, and whether or not the bargain furniture store is a winner.

I've already got my laundry done and laptop charged, just need to print the boarding passes at the appropriate time, secure cash, and remember to line up a taxi.  My fab cousin will be checking in on the cats (we have warned that he might never see them -- but they'll be keeping on eye on the kibble levels, yes indeed). 

It must be more or less the mid-point of summer already!  How time flies.

What's happening at your place?

Independence Day Edition

Our dear Canadian Pixies, how did you celebrate Canada Day?

American Pixies, what's on the agenda for tomorrow?  We have a wonderful local festival with food, music, booths, games, arts and crafts, etc.  Then we will probably BBQ some stuff in the evening, go up the hill behind our house to see the big displays around the nearby bay (assuming the fog holds off).

Next week, daughter and I will be going to the town where she's moving to hunt apartments.

What else is new for you?