*Chirp*

After hanging out at my sister's house for a while last night, I got home to find one of my smoke detectors making that wonderfully annoying chirp that indicates the battery is dead. I despise that chirp.

I rummaged around a bit and found that, of course, I didn't have any 9 volt batteries. So first I removed the old battery because I know after a while it will stop chirping if there's no battery in there (they are all hard wired to electricity too). Now that was a task in itself as I have fairly high ceilings and only a small two-step ladder. Luckily the offending alarm was in my living room, so I could balance on both my couch and TV stand to reach the detector.

I decided I'd better just go pick up some new batteries in case it didn't stop chirping. So off I went.

When I returned it was still chirping, so I just replaced the battery and went merrily on with my evening thinking all was well.

At 12:30 a.m. I was woken up by more chirping. This time it was in my bedroom. Knowing I had to remedy the situation (and being VERY glad I'd bought extra batteries), I got out of bed and went downstairs to get the tiny step ladder again. When I set it up under the detector and stepped up on the ladder, I realized again I was no where near close enough to the detector to be able to get the battery door open.

I looked around my bedroom trying to figure out what to do. I could smack at it with a broom handle....but that wouldn't really help get the battery out. There was no way I could sleep with that noise and the detector wasn't close to any furniture I could balance on. Time to get creative (also known as unsafe).

I walked into my junk closet hoping to find some miraculous appearance of something I could climb on. No dice. But I did notice a large storage tote...and I hatched a plan. Now these totes are still lower than my step ladder, but if I could balance the step ladder on the totes I'd reach...but are these plastic totes sturdy enough to hold me and a step ladder? Only one way to find out....

So I went to my clothes closet and pulled out two of the sturdiest looking totes and placed the step ladder on top of them. It was time to test adding me to the rather unstable stack. It held and I worked quickly to exchange the batteries.

Considering my high level of clumsiness and the fact that I had just woken up, it's amazing I didn't fall and break something (like a leg or a cat). I think it's time to buy a taller ladder (and change the rest of the batteries). So take heed everybody...it's time to change those batteries!

A Matter of Perspective

Today was a much better day. I think it was mostly because I was really busy and didn't have time to glower.

Then I went home.

I pulled my car into the driveway and ran inside to change my clothes before my weigh-in and weight loss meeting. I went back out to my car and turned the key. And it wouldn't start. Confused, I tried again. And again. And again. Crap.

I've owned this 2008 Saturn Vue for less than one year, have put a mere 7500 miles on it, and it's dead in my driveway. It would turn over, but not stay running. I decided it might just need a break, so I went back in the house and Googled the dealership's phone number. Then I went back outside and tried again. Still dead. Great.

Back into the house to call the dealership. They tell me to bring the car in right away and that they're open until 7:30. I repeat: it won't start. After a good laugh the service guy tells me to call roadside assistance to get the car in there.

So I called and expected the worst: a long wait and a surly, scary tow truck driver. I was pleasantly surprised as instead I had a tow truck at my door in 15 minutes and he was a pleasant gentleman.

After a quick drive to the dealership I picked up my (somewhat crappy) loaner car that was waiting for me and I was back on my way home. Sure I missed my meeting, but it's not the end of the world.

I'm choosing to see the fortunate aspects of this whole saga instead of dwelling on owning a crappy car:

• I could have broken down in my desolate work parking lot (it's not actually that desolate, but it would have been less than ideal)
• The repairs and tow will all be done free
• I have a loaner car and don't have to rely on shuttles
  
• Everything was taken care of quickly and fairly painlessly

I guess it's just in how you focus on the details.

Feelin' Low

I'm having a feeling-sorry-for-myself kind of day. I know it's lame, but I can't seem to break the mood. Maybe it's a Monday thing or maybe it's a bunch of other stuff. Most likely it's a combo.

Sometimes little things pile up and make one big suck sandwich, so that just makes all the little things seem even worse.

Also it's gloomy outside today. I prefer the pretty fall days of the past weekend to this...crap.

I'm hoping mentally listing some recent accomplishments will help break the mood I'm in (and yes, I know I have had some great ones...I'm not looking for pats on the back here).

Or maybe it's just healthy to have a low day every once in a while to remind you of how great other days can be.

An Awesome Run and "New" Clothes Too

Since I took a few days off from work, this morning I had the luxury of being able to run whenever I wanted. Around 9 a.m. I decided it was a good time. Since the weather is wonderful, I decided to run outside. I prefer running outside to the treadmill, but have found outside runs to be way more exhausting.

I plotted my course using Google Maps distance tool since I had a specific distance in mind. I chose to attempt a rather steep hill at the beginning of my run and I made good progress on it (that's great because just walking it used to wipe me out), but about midway I realized that if I took the whole hill I may not be able to run the rest of my course. As I said, it's quite steep. So I walked to the top of the hill and continued my running path.

I had my iPod with, but I didn't turn it on. I wanted to hear the crunch of leaves and the birds and all that today. And I'm really glad I did. The run was awesome. I even extended it beyond what I planned, so I got very near the three mile mark.

But the most wonderful part of this run was that it was enjoyable. I wasn't counting down the minutes or gasping for breath at the end like I normally do outside. I was just enjoying the run and the beautiful day.

This afternoon I decided to dig through my old storage bins of "skinny" clothes. Now mind you I don't have a lot of it left as I had previously donated a lot of it, but I did keep some things here and there. Items like t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, khaki pants that might still be able to be worn. As I went through I found even more things that needed to be pitched or given away (I DO tend to be a pack rat). I gathered a garbage bag for Goodwill and a garbage bag for the garbage. But I also found a bunch of t-shirts to wear since many of mine are too big now. I also found some sweatshirts I forgot I had and even some pajamas that I got as a birthday present six years ago that I couldn't wear. And now they fit! Yay! I've just been wearing old yoga pants and t-shirts, but it's nice to wear actual pajamas.

Anyway...it's pretty fun to go through a bunch of old clothes and find it fits again.

So I got a bunch of "new" clothes today for real cheap. But it all balances out because I also bought a new pair of running shoes that weren't cheap (my birthday gift to me), but VERY comfortable.

Well, that's all for today. I think I'll relax with some magazines and TiVo.

36

Yes...Monnik broke the news in the comments of my previous post, today is my birthday. 36 years. Yay. Exciting.

What did I do today? Well here goes my day in bullet point format:

• woke up at 6 a.m. for no reason
• watched some TV
• got a birthday phone call with birthday singing from my sister and nephew
• went to the YMCA (where they actually wished me a happy birthday) and I ran 30 minutes (2.5 miles)
• got a birthday phone call with birthday singing from my other sister and niece
• waited for my townhome door to get repainted (it looks great)
• went to my sister's house where my parents were as well and blew out my birthday candle
  
• went to church with my family
  
• typed this post

Yes, if you had asked me 10 years ago what I thought I'd do on my 36th birthday, there are a couple things on that list that I would have never thought would be part of my birthday celebration.

All in all it was a great day. Thanks to my family for celebrating with me and to Monnik for remembering my birthday.

My Mani

Just got the best manicure ever. I can't stop staring at my nails. Woo hoo! Thanks sister (who doesn't even read this blog) for taking me! Her pedi was just as awesome...if I dared let people touch my feet I'd have just as fabulous toes.

Enough is Enough

That's it. I've had enough. I've had enough of hearing and reading, petty stupid political comments. I've had my utter fill of people saying things like "Obama sounds like Osama" or "B. Hussein Obama."

Really? That's how you choose to portray your political acumen? Making allusions to terrorists and dictators?

All political pettiness is driving me nuts.

I initially made fun of Sarah Palin's hairstyle with a blog posting. But I have since removed it. It was petty and ridiculous (and a joke). I admit it. But I wasn't making her sound like a freaking terrorist or evil dictator! I was merely commenting on her style sense. So what if she wears the same damn hair style? Her skill as a leader and communicator is what should really be scrutinized.

I realize I have a few Republican readers. I'm not "calling you out". I'm just saying enough is enough. I can't take any more. This is not high school. This is not Jr. High School. This is an election for President of the United States of America. A very important decision, is it not? So why isn't it about the issues that face our country? This country is in a very bad place. This needs to change.

I am not a Democrat, though I have voted for Democrats. I am not a Republican, though I have voted for Republicans. I am Independent. I think for myself.

I am voting Obama.