Room with a view

It's been a long day with an abundance of hours. Of course, every day has 24 hours, so that's an exaggeration. Still, it was one of those days that was long enough. Most aren't.

It was cool and rainy and it was my day off and I didn't have to go anywhere or do anything. How often does that happen? I had a day at home that was filled with so much yet somehow didn't include down time. I did a lot of laundry. Changed my sheets (a job I very much dislike, second only to mopping floors). I cleaned my counters and wrote checks. I called Sears about a new hot water heater. Called BGE Home about the same. I called my doctor about results (all fine). Called my dentist about my crown that isn't right. Cleaned 2 bathrooms. Did online banking. Put away things. You get the drift. I was busy. I only looked at the computer from time to time. I didn't play any games on my phone. I didn't snuggle up with a blanket and read a book. I would have liked that too.

I guess BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) Home (a subsidiary of the parent company) has different contractors. I called this morning because I couldn't find the prices that Dave from BGE Home gave me when we signed the contract for my HVAC system that's being installed on Monday. I spoke to someone else, and asked if they were having any specials. I told him that from time to time I receive a postcard with a 20% discount. He was surprised at that (it was true), but said he could give me a 15% discount on the heater, not the labor. Yea! I am my mother's daughter...always looking for the best price. He quoted me prices on two different models with different length warranties. He gave me his phone number and I told him I'd get back to him. I left a message for Dave to call me. I wanted to have all the work done on Monday. Dave calls and tells me he can't find the paper with his quotes either. I told him about my call earlier in the day and he asked me what prices I was given. I said no, you tell me yours first. His prices were much higher. I told him about the discount. He was surprised. He couldn't match it and said I should go with the other guy. And so I will.

My sister Ilene left yesterday after visiting for a week. We took my mom to the neurosurgeon on Friday (her birthday) for a consult. She was diagnosed with a small brain aneurysm when she was in the hospital 6 weeks ago. After viewing the MRA scan, he advised an angiogram of her brain to get a 3-D image. They go through the groin all the way to the brain. Wow! It's too risky not to have it done, although any procedure has risk factors. The doctor said if it were his mother he would definitely have it done. So, we're going to schedule that. We had all the local family over that night to celebrate my mom's birthday. Clicking on the picture will bring you to the Picasa Web Album. I'd view it as a slide-show. I have other albums uploaded if you'd like to see them. There were 16 of us for the celebration. My mom said it was one of her best birthdays ever.

Mom's 78th Birthday

The next day 8 of us went out for lunch. Another fun day. I want to do that again soon. Love being with family. Love eating.

I drove up towards where Rob lives after work on Saturday. He's house-sitting for a friend, and we stayed there. It was interesting to be in someone else's house. It was old, and I like new. There were 'nooks and crannies' everywhere. I thought of ghosts but tried not to.

We went to Panera's for dinner and had a lively conversation about Rob's next essay on stem cell research. Having my iPhone/computer with me made it easy to look up all kinds of information. His classes and essays have been thought-provoking for both of us, and that's been fun, but I'm still glad I'm not the student. We went to McDonald's for lunch on Sunday before I headed home, but not before playing air hockey in the kids room.

It's been busy at work. Yea for that! I did the client I wrote about that made me so uncomfortable the first time. I was 45 minutes late for her. Not a good thing and she wasn't happy. It all worked out, though. We found things to talk about this time, and in the end she was thrilled that I didn't charge her. That kind of lateness is just wrong. The day started with two late clients and just got worse but as always, ended well.

I just finished helping Emily with her essay for Mythology. In my next life, I might like to be an editor.

I sure do wish Andrew would post on his blog. I worry about him every day.