imagine this

So picture this...

You live in an apartment. Moved in in August. Just got settled. In November you are informed there is an extermination issue. Preventative treatments will be implemented in all apartments. Prepare in 36 hours. Bag all your belongings. Vacuum. Encase your bed. Etc. All in a 1-BR apartment. You do all this and more. You comply.

Fast forward.

December/January. You start getting welts. Think it's spider bites. Boyfriend has nothing and thinks you are paranoid. You think "I have hives."

Fast Forward to 2 weeks ago.

You find a bug on you. It's your fear. The "issue" your fellow tenant had is now your issue. You freak out. Don't sleep. Get covered with some more bites. Now so does your boyfriend. You are informed they can do a treatment in 48 hours. You can't possibly do all the preparations. They do a mini treatment two days later on Wednesday.

Fast Forward to this weekend.

You prep for the big treatment. You inspect and bag EVERYTHING you own. All your scrapbooking supplies. every sheet of paper. every book. movie case. basket. tub. Everything. Everything you haven't thrown out in fear of it being a hiding place for the "issue."

You load up your boyfriends truck with all your laundry. EVERY piece of clothing, blanket, towel. Everything that you haven't thrown away in fear of it being a hiding place for the "issue."

Your apartment is now filled with trash bags of everything you own. Your balcony is full. You have thrown out at least 5 contractor size trash bags of things you own(ed). You spent 6 hours doing laundry and bagging your clean clothes. You continue to get bites and not be able to sleep. You miss 2 days of work and spend hours doing all the prep work. You want to do it RIGHT. You are a Virgo perfectionist after all.

Fast Forward to Yesterday.

Exterminator says you did much more prep than others in the building. It appears you are the 4th apartment with an "issue." Exterminator confirms that in November you indeed did not have a problem. It has spread. Others are not "complying." He is optimistic for you. Compliments you on your organization. But you may still be in the line of fire in the future if your neighbors don't cooperate. He treats every surface, peice of furniture etc. You can't take your things out of bags for at least a few more weeks it is recommended. Or you may have to bag it again if the "issue" isn't eliminated. He says he'll be back to inspect in a week and to do another "less intense" treatment on 2/18. You pray it works. He is reassuring.

Fast forward to last night.

You run into one of your neighbors and get to talking. Comes out that you both have this "issue." She was the 2nd to have the problem. She lives next door to the original issue who was infested. You find out that the apartment underneath your is the 3rd issue. The exterminator has informed you that the heating pipes run vertically and they are likely attracting the "issue." Anyhow, this woman shares how she has consulted the Dept of Health and a lawyer. You commiserate. You find out she is in fear that she is being blamed for not "complying." She shows you her apartment. You feel for her but see that SHE IS YOUR PROBLEM! She will never beat the problem. She isn't complying. AT ALL. She isn't doing anything you have had to do to prepare for treatments. This is NOT an easy problem to beat but YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING. You work two jobs. Your boyfriend works nights. But she has done nothing. What the heck?

Oh my God. This has been my life. I'm so out of sorts. I feel like screaming or crying constantly. I need normalcy. My life back. My sleep back. My beautiful living space back. My art stuff. Everything.

When will this end? I am cautiously optimistic we will beat this. We have followed the exterminator's directions almost exactly. As much as is humanly possible. But if my neighbors continue to drag their feet the problem will persist in the building. We can't even move anytime soon or I risk bringing this problem with us. Also we can't afford anything else right now. So here we are. I hate people sometimes.

We plan on calling the Dept of Health ourselves and placing a complaint. We are entitled by law to a clean, insect-rodent free place to live. We have complied - which is our responsiblity. Technically our landlord is treating the issue. However who will be responsible for forcing our neighbors to comply? It is affecting my well-being and home. Someone needs to and the state needs to figure out who/how. I'm done.

I hope to get back to taking out some of my art stuff out of ziplocs and trash bags and do something creative this weekend. I need it badly. Also to live vicariously through the pictures in Better Homes & Gardens. I miss my pretty decorations. I take great pride in my home. But for now I'm off to catch up on my blogger friend's lives...I've been so out of the loop this past week or so.

Thank you for listening. I hope I haven't alienated all my readers :)

update

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. Our problem isn't resolved yet. It may be some time before it is. The last few nights have been rough and I'm going on very little sleep. The exterminator came yesterday after Cary spoke with the leasing office (don't even get me started on that experience he had).

To backtrack, a few months ago we had a preventative treatment done on our apartment because another tenant in the building had a problem. Now we have a problem. I'm angry because many people in this building opted not to do the preventative treatments so basically the "problem" is being chased around the building and we are now the lucky ones. Don't get me wrong. I was not excited about doing the long list of preparations needed for the treatment right before Thanksgiving. But we did it. Now we have to do it again and then some. We have spent so much money this week preparing for what we need to do. The exterminator was kind and answered all my questions that I passed along to Cary. He said when he did the preventative treatment in November he saw no evidence of an issue in our apartment. He had noticed we had done much of the work requested. He was amazed that so many people in this building called his office complaining and saying they did not want their apartments exterminated because they "didn't have a problem."

Anyhow, he did a mini-treatment yesterday. As much as possible with all our stuff still in the way. I hope this gives us some relief until he returns on Wednesday to do a full treatment. We have to do so much work on Tuesday in preparation. I have to take a personal day at work.

Last night it seems the mini-treatment helped (I hope). We were able to sleep a little better. I am cautiously optimistic. I am now banning myself from looking up websites about this issue. They just talk about horror stories and I don't need it. I'm filling my head with junk. Cary is much more logical and optimistic than I am about this. I hate having my life and my home turned upside down by something as annoying and invasive as this. And even more than that I hate that I can do everything right in this situation and if my neighbors opt not to...I may still have an ongoing or reoccurring problem. I understand they have a right to not do something if they choose not to...but when it effects my home and my wellbeing...that is SO not O.K.

I am reminding myself that in the grand scheme this is not a big deal even though it feels like it now. I really want to be optimistic but I feel like I have had this streak of very bad luck for months. It has to turn around. Doesn't it?

This preparation has allowed me to focus on my one little word. SIMPLIFY. I through out so much last night. Old magazines, all my scrap paper, some old shoes, pillows, baskets. Just so there is that much less in the apartment. It felt good. Purging junk. Now if only I could purge the "junk" floating around in my head. Worries and negative thoughts.

I'm sorry my posts have been somewhat vague and down the past week. I really hope that things will be (somewhat) back to "normal" middle-to-late next week. Right now I just want to try and veg out and try to relax before I crash from exhaustion. Also...tomorrow I teach my first class of the semester...I sure hope it goes well. And I scheduled a hair appt for tomorrow night. That should be a nice escape!

I hope to post again in a few days....thanks for listening!

wish me luck

So today was not a good day and last night not a good night. I may not be posting for a few days. Our apartment is in need of an exterminator. I feared this may happen and have been quite distracted by it for a few months. But my fears were confirmed last night and today. I hardly slept and had a long day. The next few days are going to be very stressful and busy and hopefully successful. I hope to report good things in a few days. I don't want to go into too much detail...there is no need to spread those details. Hopefully this weekend I'll have good details...like a visit to a scrap store or a layout or two.

Wish me luck.

today

snow on our balcony

Another day of snow. It looks so pretty. Especially since I don't have to drive in it to work today! This is my last long weekend before the new semester starts. In my dream world, I wouldn't have to work these two jobs and I could just focus on teaching. But it isn't. Oh well.

My fortune cookie last night said:

Happy life is just in front of you.

Hmmm. Cary was sitting in front of me as I read it. That's a good sign!

Yesterday was a relaxed day. Thank goodness. I did make it out to the grocery store, stayed within my budget. Then visited my parent's for a bit. The ride home was a little precarious because it had started snowing again. It was a nice visit. My dad has a digital camera that he hasn't really used and he was asking my advice on photographing some stuff. It was cool to have him ask me advice. Usually it is him helping me! He is also working with a guy to get his really old home movies transferred to DVD. These are the kind of movies you had to watch on a projector. So I've only seen one in my life. It was of my grandfather ice skating. I guess he has some of the Navy, my parent's wedding and some of me when I was little. I can't wait to see them! He's been wanting to do this for years!

Yesterday I also printed out some journaling to finish off my 2008 In Review album. Now I need to put together the Nov/Dec layouts. I also finished up my December Daily album. Kind of did a rush job of just putting in photos and no writing for the end. Probably not a good idea but I'm not really in to it anymore! I will need to write a few words though or some memories will get fuzzy. It will be a nice thing to flip through next year though.

Well off to get to my day. I want to see what the 52Q is for this week. And maybe do a layout or two while Cary is still asleep. Then we'll get to hang out before he goes off to work tonight.

Happy Monday!

addictions

I was tagged on Miss. M's blog to share 5 addictions....here they are.
{P.S. - It was hard to limit myself to 5...that can't be good!}

To be honest, the serious addiction I have that isn't on this list, and should be, is my addiction to this very type of thing. List writing. My mother makes fun of me about it, Cary especially makes fun of this addiction. But...I chose not to include it. This action in and of itself...spells out one of my addictions!

1. Coffee. Love it. Not strong coffee. Just regular coffee with just cream or milk. I am no where near the coffee addict my mom is...but I can hold my own. This picture also kind of represents another addiction. Finding things for my home that are aqua. This started about 6 years ago. It was never a color I noticed before that but it has become a favorite.

2. Magazines. Of all kinds as you can see. I just threw out a bunch yesterday in a purging session. I only have 3 subscriptions but really should have more. I get at least 4 scrapping/art magazines a month and at least 2-3 home magazines. I love looking at them for inspiration for home and art and scrapping. In my new budget I am really trying to limit myself. But one of my favorite things is to sit with a cup of coffee (see addiction #1) and a new magazine. And...I'm embarrased to admit this but I am a little OCD about magazines. O.K. A LOT OCD. I have this thing. Before I read a magazine, I hate getting the covers and pages all bent up. It grinds on me...like nails on a chalkboard. Wierd...I know.


3. Grocery Shopping. Definately something I am working on in my budget. I love having cabinets full of food. My mom is the same way. I also like having them organized. Cary is actually like this too so we are a good match!

4. Patterned paper. I don't have as much as some...but I LOVE it! It is really why I got into scrapping and cardmaking in the first place. The black box shown here holds scraps. I had to limit myself to this one box because I had so many. I love seeing new patterns, designs, colors, mmmm.

5. Checking my email. I check my 2 different accounts constantly. I have had to stop myself from checking school/work email when I have time off. But my own account...I check all the time. And this translates to my also checking my facebook, myspace and blog accounts too! It's bad.

This was a fun post to write!

So I'm tagging a few people to give it a try...no pressure...if you have a chance!
1. Heather
2. Jen
3. Gabrielle
4. Sarah
5. Noelia

Continuing to work on thinking "out of this good will come." Lessening my anxieties. Focusing on what I can control. My own worries. It is snowing out and SO cold today. I was going to visit my parents and my brother who goes back to college tomorrow. But...need to see if the weather will ease up. Cary is set on having cheeseburgers tonight. All because I was watching Ultimate Recipe Showdown on Food Network yesterday and the contest was to make a variation of a cheeseburger. Now we are both craving them! I am having him stop at the store on the way home from work. I need to go grocery shopping but it will have to wait til tomorrow.

Happy Sunday!

good will come

a reminder in my kitchen

I have been hibernating for the last 24 hours. Both because of the cold and more worries. I must sound like a basket case. Lately for every good thing that happens {like paying off my car Thursday} one irritating/worrysome thing occurrs. It is a long story that I won't get into. It really isn't the end of the world or earth shattering - just irritating, time consuming and plain aggrivating.

Anyhow...I did stay in from the cold {for the most part} yesterday. Had all intentions of going over to the gym but I slept terribly on Thursday night {see above - worries - my mind has no shut-off button} so felt groggy all day yesterday. Did a little work for my classes, rested on the couch and watched Season I - Heroes but couldn't fall asleep for a nap, played a game on the computer with Cary and later on we went out to pick-up Chinese. So good!

I got some pictures I ordered from Scrapbookpictures.com in the mail. November and December. So I can finish up my December Daily and my 2008 In Review Album. I also finished up my Week #2 for the 52 Q challenge. Actually finished it just now. I had been working on it a little at time all week but wrapped it up this am.





Feeling like I want to catch up with my world today. Clean up this apartment a little. Print out syllabii for my classes that start over the next week. Take some photos. Bake some cookies. Just have a fun day and enjoy the sun, my health, my relationship and all that is GOOD. My cousin from California who I never get to see but love - sent me a message on facebook in relation to my mind and worries. She said she tells herself "out of this good will come."

I will hold on to that.

Out of this GOOD will come.

Also realized I was tagged on Miss. M'sblog to share 5 addictions. Fun idea! I'm going to try and post that later.

Happy Saturday!

about a car

It's finally mine!

Well, it will be when Honda mails the title. I officially signed the check for my last 2 payments on my car...it took 5 years. This might not seem like a big deal to most people. But for me this car is the only thing I right out own. I will be paying huge for my education for the next 20+ years and the housing market is too expensive here... so, for at least a good while, this car is the one thing that is mine.

I have always appreciated and loved cars. My dad instilled that in me. I grew up going to auto races every year and my Dad has a '66 Corvette Stingray convertable he bought brand new when he got out of the Navy. It hasn't been registered as long as I've been alive - but he has held on to it. Over the years there were a few times he took out classified ads to sell it. He needed the money. But my mom talked him out of it.

He loves that car.

My goal as a kid was always to help him fix it enough so that it could be registered and he could drive it. That hasn't happened yet. But his attachment to cars has translated to me. In the above picture, taken last January of my Honda, there is an old, white Volvo in the background. The Volvo was my first car. I didn't get my first car until I was 21 years old. During high school half of my paycheck each week was put in the bank for college. So, needless to say there wasn't any leftover to buy a car, insure it, etc. So I waited a long time. The Volvo was beautiful when I bought it. It was a 1984 but had so few miles on it and was in mint condition. The older woman I bought it from was sad to see it go. She had been the only owner and really appreciated it.

I loved that car.

It was built like a tank, had a sunroof and heated seats. Much more luxury than I could ever afford in a new car. But then it started having some fluke things go wrong with it and I had to buy my Honda. I really didn't want to. As a trade in they weren't going to give me much for the Volvo so I hung on to it. The idea was I would give it to my brother and sister. But that didn't work out and it just sat. For 5 years. Not able to run. Year after year my Dad talked to me about selling it. I just couldn't do it. How stupid is that? I was sad at the thought.

So this summer I finally parted with it. It seems stupid but for those 5 years I couldn't do it. The Volvo was then the only thing I owned. I had saved up for it for a long time, used money my late-Grandfather left for me to buy it and had taken out a small loan to cover the cost. The car was mine. Who gets attached to a car?

My dad and me.

Maybe the Honda will become the Volvo for me? But first...I need to take the bullseye off the hood and give it a break from people crashing into it. LOL!

Thanks for listening to me go on and on about my attachment to innanimate objects with four tires and a windshield!

Have a good evening! I plan on staying in...it is TOO cold here in Massachusetts! I'm giving myself a "free pass" from the gym. I just don't want to go back out there...