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I got my “homework” (for working on the relationship) done and sent off as my first priority this morning. Hopefully, working towards that goal and taking some action will help me sleep tonight.

Today’s primary goal was to rest, but I had things to do that were not optional, such as cleaning out the toxic waste dump otherwise known as my fridge (I didn’t spend much time here in the month of August) and changing the cat box, both of which required trips to the dumpster in the alley.

I managed to find a time when the scumbag biker druggies downstairs and creepy guy in the basement weren’t out there.

Speaking of scummy biker dude downstairs, he has a rather extensive court record, a whole lot of cases listed under “criminal non-traffic” (public court records available online aren’t particularly specific, but let it suffice to say, that’s not good) and of course, the obligatory “DV” (domestic violence)

Yeah, he’s a real peach. But that’s not a surprise by his behavior.

About 3:00 PM, I did finally wander out to the store and the mailbox. My mailbox was jammed and my bill was overdue. Oh goodie, as if finances didn’t suck bad enough already, especially after purchasing my monthly train pass. (hoping, I can get my reimbursement check and get it in the back before that check hits.) I had to write a check for that. UGH!

I noticed by the carnage in the street, that the local hoods had been out smashing car windows again last night. Luckily, the area where I now park is away from the side streets and alley which means that is isn’t “low hanging fruit” and I didn’t get hit this time (tinted truck windows are expensive and just under my insurance deductible) as I’ve found out the hard way)

And then there was the need for groceries (did I mention the toxic waste dump that is my fridge?)

I’m already overdrawn, but food is non-negotiable, so I went in knowing that I’d write another overdraft check. Sadly, it’s not likely to be the only one out there right now as my car insurance renewal just hit. I don’t even want to think about my truck tab renewal (including tuneup and emissions testing) and drivers license renewal next month (happy frikkin birthday)

I hate that. I hate the life circumstances that have lead to it being this way. I hate that I still owe some friends who helped me out when things were dire

But I needed food that wasn’t green (in a moldy/slimy way), and that’s just how it is sometimes.

Since I was already going to get reamed with another outrageous overdraft charge, I made the most of it and finally replaced the broken mini-blinds in my bedroom. One window hasn’t had any in a long time since the landlord took damaged ones out over two years ago and never replaced them (big shock there) and I was tired of looking at the trailer trash aluminum foil and green shower curtain I had hanging there to keep the afternoon sun from beating in after they cut down the tree that gave me shade. The ones over the head of my bed have broken to the point where tape and wire no longer work and I can’t keep the light out of my room at night (and did I mention the whole feeling like trailer trash part?)

Freddie’s had cheapo blinds that would fit those windows for $8.99. The cool thing is that window coverings were on sale for 20% off, so I got them for $7.19 each. I don’t consider that extravagant and it actually made me feel a bit better about my crappy living situation.

The creepy thing was that I actually saw Hallmark CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS on display. It’s freaking Labor Day weekend and they’re already starting the materialistic holiday crap. (note to self, pull out the Messiah choir music and start practicing)

If those dirtbags downstairs keep me from sleeping tonight (in their defense, it wasn’t their fault last night, it was me and my stress level) you will likely be reading a story in the paper about a 250 pound bad ass biker with a criminal record having to go to the emergency room to have a set of broken mini blinds removed from his colon, placed there (sideways) by an outraged red-head half his size, weekend by low blood sugar and sleep deprivation.

Other than that, I’ve been resting today.

I can’t remember the last weekend I wasn’t rushing off somewhere or off traveling.

I can’t remember the last time I rested.

I will probably get to the act of actually cleaning this place up tomorrow. I just don’t feel well. I feel flushed and I’ve got a nasty, hacking, bronchial cough (the gal I sit next to on the shuttle has been sick) If the cough isn’t allergies and the flush isn’t hormones/weather, I may just be one of those people who gets sick after they fly. I am not amused.

I’m not certain if I’ll go into work tomorrow or not. I’ll have to see how the eating and sleeping thing goes before I commit to traveling anywhere for anything. I think my boss would rather I rest anyway.

There was a nice little article in the paper today about the interfaith camp I taught at on Tuesday (an excellent use of a vacation day if you ask me)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/145691.html

They want me for the whole week as staff next year. Luckily, I’ll have three weeks vacation instead of two accruing as of the middle of next month. Wow, three years at REI in another few weeks. Three weeks (plus a day so we can take our birthday off) isn’t bad time off for having worked somewhere only three years.

Well, I need to go find something to eat.

Some may notice my current new default icon. While doing some reflecting earlier, specifically how everything in my life seems to implode, I started thinking about my Scorpio “birthright”.

“The myth of the Phoenix is strongly associated with the Sign of Scorpio. The Phoenix is regenerated from the ashes of its death, and it rises into the sky, reborn. The most highly evolved Scorpios aspire to be the Phoenix or Eagle, rising above the ordinary world and into something extraordinary.”

So here’s to Phoenix energy, and trying to turn the seemingly overwheling into something new and better.

~L