My Version of a Vacation

Don't get excited, there was no tropical isle with a beachfront cabana, nor a cabin overlooking a crystal clear lake on some mountain.  I certainly don't have money for anything like that.  I am a stay-cation type of person.  Besides I couldn't let a cat/dog sitter into this disaster of a house. 

What I do before I take time off is make a ridiculously long To Do list.  I know, of course, that I will not possibly be able to accomplish everything on the list, but it is a goal to shoot for as well as a way to remember some of things that REALLY need to get done. 

I've been off since last Friday, April 19th and I go back to work tomorrow.  I actually surprised myself and got quite a bit more done than usual.  The major stumbling block this time was my back.  I could only do a bit at a time and then have to sit down.  Of course, I ignored the first item on my list and sat down at the computer.  Oh, well.  I never said I was perfect.  Far, far from it, if you have to know. 

I will say that the cats and dog seem to get along without me quite well.  If I was home all of the time, Maggie would be going outside at least 27 times a day.  If I stood up, Maggie headed to the back door.  It didn't matter if she had just come inside 15 minutes earlier.  Obviously, since things were boring inside, there was bound to be something more exciting outside.  Add to that, she would expect a treat every time she came back into the house. 

So, my list is below.  Whatever is in RED is what I got done.  I have every intention of trying to get to some more of the items this weekend. 

APRIL 2013 TO DO

STAY OFF COMPUTER!!!!!

CRATE, CAT CONDO, & CARRIERS (1)– OUTSIDE/WASH

4 CARRIERS & SMALL CAGE OUTSIDE ONLY

CLEAN OUT FRIDGE & FREEZER

FOLD/HANG UP/AND-OR PUT AWAY LAUNDRY

REORGANIZE KITCHEN SHELF & DRESSER

CLEAN FRONT PORCH

VACUUM

CLEAN OFF DINING TABLE

ORGANIZE LIVING ROOM SHELF/TABLES

FIX LAUNDRY BASKET

CALL PLUMBER

COBWEBS

LAUNDRY/LITTER BOX AREA

NOT SO GREAT ROOM

LIVING ROOM

REVOLUTION – 3 DONE, 21 TO GO

CRITTER PHOTOS

CLEAN FAN

BLEACH LITTER BOXES

CLEAN AC FILTER

TARGET – CHAIRS & CLOCK

VET APPT – CHATSWORTH – FRI 940 AM

EYE APPT – 2 PM MON

JUNK MAIL – ORGANIZED BY SIZE, MORE TO DO

LAUNDRY – FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY/WEDNESDAY

CHANGE BEDDING – BEDSPREAD ONLY

WASH MY STACKED UP DISHES

SCOOP BOXES

2 ON FRIDAY

5 BOXES SATURDAY

2 ON MONDAY

2 ON WEDNESDAY

FIX DRYER VENT

REPLACE OUTDOOR BULB

COOK

MAC & CHEESE

POTATO SOUP

SWEET & SOUR TOFU

TOSTADAS

GROCERY SHOPPING 

 

I'm going back to work to relax!

Contacting Your Elected Officials

My regular readers know that I am proud to proclaim that I am a Liberal.  Rarely do my elected officials agree with my position on most of the issues of our day.  It's no different this time.

I support restrictions on guns and ammunition.  This issue is scheduled to finally be voted on in Congres, nearly FOUR MONTHS after the massacre of 26 children and adults in Newtown, CT.  Reports have said that many of the children's bodies were nearly blown apart due to the type of weapon used, the proximity of the shooter and the massive number of bullets Adam Lanza discharged from his weapon.  I cannot imagine how the parents of those children are coping.

Adding to this horror, these parents have to endure the rhetoric coming from gun advocates, whether it is Wayne LaPierre of the NRA or elected officials across the country.  Fortunately some state legislators have stepped up and passed stronger laws to regulate guns and ammunition.  That isn't' enough though.  People can cross the state line and go to a neighboring state that has few, if any, restrictions to make their purchases.  Federal regulations are necessary. 

After hearing a story on NPR this morning about the NRA's latest lobbying effort, I decided it was time I let my Congressmen know how I feel.  Unfortunately it isn't as easy as it once was to send those messages.  I had to go to each individual contact page for each of them:  Senators Nelson and Rubio and Congressman Webster.  I started here:  Contact Elected Officials.  I found it interesting that on Senator Nelson's page (the only Democrat in the group) that Gun Control was listed as a topic.  That wasn't an option on either Senator Rubio's nor Congressman Webster's site, both of whom are Republicans. 

Here is a copy of my email message, sent to each of them:

Fortunately I have a job.  That means that I cannot camp on your doorstep nor repeatedly call you to express my views.  I would hope that my opinion carries as much weight with you when making a decision on a critical vote as someone who visits your office.  I am a registered voter and I vote.

I support universal background checks on ALL gun sales. 

          

I support limiting the capacity of gun magazines.  This will go the farthest in preventing mass slaughter of innocent Americans.

I also support restrictions on assault and semi-automatic weapons.

How many more people must die before Congress has the courage to protect us?

I encourage each and every one of you reading this to let your voice be heard, whether on this issue or others of importance to you.  More often than not our elected officials listen to their aides and lobbyists and not to the voters themselves.  Voting isn't enough.  Speak out - speak up and let those in government know that you are listening and paying attention and you want to be heard as well.