A number of years ago my dad read a column to me that was written by humor columnist Dave Barry. It was titled, "From Here on, Let Women Kill Their Own Spiders."
I was thinking of that title this week, because it's summer, and I live in a basement.
Life in a basement generally always means that there is a spider or two to be found.
Life in a basement in the summer can mean that spiders are a regular occurrence.
And this week I've killed at least three or four. I don't even scream anymore.
Not only that, but the other day, I walked through the laundry room on my way to the little basement bathroom I use at Grandma's, and noticed a spider. I just couldn't be bothered to kill it. It wasn't in my bedroom or bathroom, so I just ignored it.
I've come a long way.
And I kill my own spiders.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Daily 5 - Day 322
Today's Daily 5:
- Playing a knock off version of the game "Battleship" on my iphone. I have fond memories of playing a travel sized version of Battleship on long road trips as a kid. I think they're particularly fond because it was one of the few games I could consistently beat my brothers at. I don't think I ever told them that I won by cheating - either by "glancing accidentally" to see the location of their ships, or moving mine around while they were firing shots.
- bottled water
- talking for a little while this morning with a dear friend
- time with family, sharing good food
- chocolate - peanut m and m's in particular today.
Summer Nights at Grandma's
I'm at Grandma's house mostly only for sleeping these days.
But, let me tell you about summer sleeping in the basement at Grandma's.
It requires more clothing and blankets, not less.
Last night I wore my pajamas, and my polar fleece robe, and a pair of socks to bed.
I haven't taken any blankets for winter off of my bed.
My theory is this.
Basements are always cold, because heat rises.
In the winter, this is compensated for by the reality of a furnace.
So here's the problem in summer.
My room gets absolutely no natural light, really, meaning it doesn't naturally warm up.
The heat sensor for the furnace in the house, the thermostat, is upstairs.
Upstairs, which, on hot summer days, doesn't require a furnace.
My room is cold.
The furnace generally kicks in sometime in the middle of the night, when the upstairs temperature finally drops a little.
In the meantime, sleep in summer at Grandma's requires layers.
But, let me tell you about summer sleeping in the basement at Grandma's.
It requires more clothing and blankets, not less.
Last night I wore my pajamas, and my polar fleece robe, and a pair of socks to bed.
I haven't taken any blankets for winter off of my bed.
My theory is this.
Basements are always cold, because heat rises.
In the winter, this is compensated for by the reality of a furnace.
So here's the problem in summer.
My room gets absolutely no natural light, really, meaning it doesn't naturally warm up.
The heat sensor for the furnace in the house, the thermostat, is upstairs.
Upstairs, which, on hot summer days, doesn't require a furnace.
My room is cold.
The furnace generally kicks in sometime in the middle of the night, when the upstairs temperature finally drops a little.
In the meantime, sleep in summer at Grandma's requires layers.
Canada Day etc.
Today is Canada Day. The day one of my two countries of citizenship pauses a little to celebrate itself.
It's also Rwandan Independence Day. I learned that a few years back from a dear friend who carries Rwanda in her heart, and I think of it every year.
This is the first July 1 in several years where I haven't been moving. It was always moving day the last several years. This year I'm ensconced at Grandma's. (more on summer in Grandma's basement later today.)
It's odd to not be transitioning today.
Instead, I'm getting a slightly late start, waiting for my sister-in-law, who is coming to potentially borrow some clothes for a wedding, and then giving me a ride to mom and dad's.
I'm not really going to celebrate today. I'm going to study. There are a couple statistics exercises with my name on them. And lots of anatomy to review.
It's also Rwandan Independence Day. I learned that a few years back from a dear friend who carries Rwanda in her heart, and I think of it every year.
This is the first July 1 in several years where I haven't been moving. It was always moving day the last several years. This year I'm ensconced at Grandma's. (more on summer in Grandma's basement later today.)
It's odd to not be transitioning today.
Instead, I'm getting a slightly late start, waiting for my sister-in-law, who is coming to potentially borrow some clothes for a wedding, and then giving me a ride to mom and dad's.
I'm not really going to celebrate today. I'm going to study. There are a couple statistics exercises with my name on them. And lots of anatomy to review.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Daily 5 - Day 321
Today's Daily 5:
- A good conversation tonight with my brother J. while he worked on building a retaining wall at my parent's house. The time was that we couldn't be in the same room with each other without fighting, and if I'm being honest, he's the one who's made the effort to patch things up between us. In any case, conversations like the one we had tonight make me grateful for healing of relationships.
- cookies I picked up at the grocery store the other night. so good to have a sweet snack on a study break.
- thankful for a mellow week
- thankful that I kind of even understood the stats concepts I studied today (this is not always the case!)
- loving that I'm eating at my parent's these days (and that they're letting me). We're eating way better food than I generally cook for myself, simply because it's easier to shop and cook for three or more people than it is for one. More variety, and nicer cuts of meat are making me a happy lady. Tonight was grilled chicken salad for supper. So good.
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