[hamster-bamster]

I feared an anti-climax a bit, but it is not happening. Before the holidays was the rush to wrap things up at work, to make my Christmas gifts, to buy boots and warm clothing. During the holidays were snow, seeing old friends, excitement. I feared that I would crash upon coming back home, but I am just fine. No sadness, except when I think about Ann, my cat sitter, burying her great niece today. And about Speed and her beloved son Jason. I took a shower today, washing my thick hair thoroughly - a small accomplishment. I had lunch at Starbucks thinking it would be my last splurge because I want to save money in order to pay Carmen, my new cleaner. And SB really is pricey! So I went to the grocery store and picked up generic instant coffee and a gallon of regular organic milk which cost only a dollar more than a HALF gallon of my usual LActaid. The thing is, in Moscow there was no Lactaid at all so I drank ordinary milk and my tummy did not hurt. I now suspect that I have somehow outgrown my low grade lactose intolerance, which should allow me to save a bit of money.

I am running a dishwasherr. I have opened all the boxes with catfood that arrived from Amazon several days ago, put away the cans, and promptly recycled the cardboard. I dealt with trash and recycling. I will now prepare the area for Carmen.

Outside, I enjoyed the mild Northern California sun and thought that I could smell the spring in the air already, and I started hoping that the Spring would bring good news with it. No depression, really!

I remember how hard each anti-climax used to hit me in the past, but really no trace of it now!

Amazing!

[manicminer]

Great to hear!!

[BlueInanna]

You are so stable, that's wonderful. You've worked hard for it, good job! Carmen coming is going to help so much too! Looking on the bright side has become the logical thing for you to do, it's very inspiring Hammie.

[~Christina]

Wonderful !!

[Travelinglady]

Glad to hear the good news!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

You are so stable, that's wonderful. You've worked hard for it, good job! Carmen coming is going to help so much too! Looking on the bright side has become the logical thing for you to do, it's very inspiring Hammie.

Oh, thank you! On Wed, I will meet Carmen, show her the area, warn her about not letting Tommy escape when they leave, give her my extra apartment key, go to T... and come home to sparkling bathtubs! You are right, that should help my sanity, and I am happy to save every little bit of money for it.

Tommy is my cat, with a reputation of an escape artist.

[BlueInanna]

Tommy is the black one right? So cute that kitty guy. Ahh sparkling bath tubs! So worth it

[irishgirliexo]

That's good! Glad you aren't having any symptoms

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Tommy is the black one right? So cute that kitty guy. Ahh sparkling bath tubs! So worth it

Yes, my all-black one, and you have a good memory, Blue!

[bluemountains]

I am so glad that going back to regular life has been easy for you, Hammie! You are taking life by the horns, and I like it. I am a bit jealous of the cleaning help. We are in a place where we can afford this, but I am still very concerned about the college years that are quickly approaching for our four children, and I can't justify spending on the extras. I am the same way about massages and mani/pedicures, although I must admit that in the summer I must have professionals take care of the toes!
Glad you are back in the US, Hammie, even though you are completely across the country. Funny, since my husband's work team is based Sunnyvale, CA and I constantly here about what is going on there, I always feel that I am much closer to you than I really am. I like our high tech world that allows us to have friends around the world.
Bluemountains

[hamster-bamster]

I work in Sunnyvale as well, what a funny coincidence!

You reminded me that in summer, yes, I would need to pay for a pedicure. Not manicure, but pedicure is a must in summer. I will also start spending money on gas, car insurance, and, and a new cheap British store called Fresh&Easy will be now within reach. I will carefully compare the prices and go from there. I have already downloaded %oogle Drive on my android and will start a spreadsheet where I will enter the price of milk etc. I hope that those little savings will eventually add up. And, frankly, I cannot believe that on Tuesday I will be driving my car. It has been three and a half years without driving. So yes, taking life by the horns, oh, how I like this metaphor!

[hamster-bamster]

Oops, one sentence got erased: I hope to save some on groceries because with a car, Trader Joe's, Costco, and Fresh&Easy will become accessible to me.

[purpledaisy]

Sunnyvale?

Isn't that where "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" took place?

Oh, no. Buffy lived in Sunnydale.

[hamster-bamster]

I do not know about Buffy, but it is also the most Indian town in Silicon Valley. Lots of East Indin people, grocery stores, etc. One day I will buy a sari for myself here; always have wanted to, but first need to find suitable sandals. My sneakers would go with an Indian outfit.

[hamster-bamster]

An unexpected problem... I would need to be home every time Carmen comes.

Today, Carmen and the other cleaner were supposed to come at 3PM. My T appt was scheduled at 4:30. I thought that would give me enough time to greet Carmen, give the instructions, etc. and be on time to see the T.

Carmen texted that they would be late, at 3:45. But they did not arrive at 3:45. Finally at 4:10 I left for the T (my first day driving and it is a short drive in my town), texting Carmen that the door was left unlocked and they would just need to be careful due to the cats.

I was halfway on my way to the T when Carmen called. THEY WERE UNABLE TO ENTER THE APARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE CATS!!!

So I made a U-turn, came back to the apartment, said hello, shished Adele and Tommy who positioned themselves just behind the door ready to escape, and let Carmen and the other cleaner in.

Then I drove to the T being late for the session for the first time.

On my way back from the T I looked forward to a sparkling kitchen. Indeed, it was sparkling. It cost me $95 for the kitchen but it was incredibly dirty and on a regular basis it would not require so much time to clean thoroughly.

On Saturday they will come to clean the two bathrooms.

Carmen is a very energetic, organized, slim and trim lady, my age. I do not know the name of the woman who speaks Spanish only. Will ask next time. Carmen has lived here for twenty years, like me.

So the problem is that they would not be able to handle the cats. I would need to be present. So I will ask Carmen about making Saturdays a regular date, and hope she agrees.

Another problem is that my garbage disposal does not work, and Carmen wants a working garbage disposal (which is understandable). The unwritten agreement with the landlord, who charges me below-the-market rent, is that I take care of such things myself. I do know an excellent handyman, Bob, but I recommended him to ex several months ago and he hired him. Bob charges $30 an hour only, and would be able to go to Home Depot by himself, buy the garbage disposal and install it. Plus do some other odds and ends I need in the apartment.

Bob is a sweetest guy. He is single, but has raised two foster children, a girl and a boy, into adulthood. He has enough integrity for ten people. And skill. He is just very slow, per ex, but produces an excellent work product. It is OK to be slow, I think. I do not know how to find another handyman who is as good as Bob, at $30 an hour.

So I am thinking of calling him. Why would I care that he has worked for ex as well and might still be working for him? Why does it matter?

Agreed?

Carmen and her coworker did a splendid job. I would never be able to do such a good job.

I am now back at work. With driving, everything is close by and I can handle work-home-therapist-home-work in one day.

That is my update.