Saturday 1/6/07
Trying to Feel Better-
It's been nearly three months and I have been trying to fight off and get over this bronchitis thing, which ended up developing into pneumonia. I am on my third round of antibiotics and some days I feel okay and others I feel I am back at square one. I don't think the doctor helped me any when she gave me the flu shot either (the first time I have ever had it). I've been sicker than I have been in a very long time.
It probably didn't help any that the furnace was not turned on until Thursday this past week. We had SDG&E out several weeks ago to get it started, but they could only light the pilot light, but the main burner would not kick on the other two burners. They made an apptmt to come out and follow-up with the main burner problem. Well the apptmt was an all day one, where you do not know what time they will show up they just do when they get to you. Of course it turned out to be almost 4:00 p.m. and I stood there and watched the guy to see what he did to fix the problem. You will not believe what he did - he hit the outside of the panel on the furnace, just in front of the main burner and it kicked the other two on. I then said to him "well is that all I had to do, was just hit the area by the main burner on the outside of the panel with a screwdrivever" and his answer was "yep, pretty much that is what did it". He did tell me that my 30+ yr old furnace is good for about another 5 years and then will have to be replaced. I was worried that the reason why the furnace was not kicking on was because there may be debris in the way from the installation of the new roof. After all there was shingles debris and other misc debris that feel thru and caused the fan above the stove to stop working and is now clogged up, and more debris fell in the kid's bathroom from the heat lamps and fan there too. I will need to have both of those items cleaned out and replaced soon. (I now have no fan in the kitchen to remove odors or smoke-if needed.) Just another expense not really needed, with all the others to be taken care of.

Well, besides being sick, I have been trying to put together my annual calendar, so I know where I am suppose to be and when. With 10 associations to manage, and three assistants (which I am using a lot), it is a lot to handle. I am constantly worried I will forget something major and of course no one is perfect, but associations, especially board members, never allow you to make a mistake, cause they remember that one mistake FOREVER. Never mind the fact that you can't ever leave the work at the office, you always take it with you where-ever you go-cause it is always on your mind. Despite the old saying of "don't take it personal", you put so much into your job that you can't help but take it personal, after all it is YOUR work product or a reflection on you. And don't even think of telling them that you didn't get something done because you had other accounts to fill your 8 hours (ha - that's a joke, no one can work this job in 8 hours, unless you have EASY associations to manage), or that you were sick, or that you had family obligations (after all my children don't have a dad, I'm all they have), etc. They-board members and associations, just don't want to hear it - they call it "an excuse". Excuse me, guess I am not allowed to be a person, with a life!

Okay enough of that ranting - Rachel and I went out to dinner on Thursday night and had a lovely seafood dinner. We were sitting there chatting after our meal and my niece Kylene came in with her boyfriend and his family. It was so good to see her and chat. She is such a sweetie! She did not know about Rachel's engagement, so that was a nice surprise and Rachel enjoyed showing off her ring too.

This week, Matt got a new cell phone and plan - all his own. He didn't have a cell phone for a while and it was a little disheartening not to be able to get in touch with him when I needed too. I didn't need too very often, but when I wanted too, it made it tough. What did we ever do without cell phones?

Sarah changed her room around this week and half of her stuff is still in the living room because she is sorting thru it and wanting to paint her room too. I don't mind though, cause I too am sorting thru stuff and cleaning out my room for painting and a change too. I know it is not spring yet, and it definitely is still cold outside (except in the daytime when it gets to be 75 degrees), but it must be the renewal of a new year that we have all got the energy to start anew. Even David has said he wants to paint his room this year for a fresh start too, and the outside of the house needs new paint too. Guess the smell of paint will be the odor of the next few months at our house - if you are planning to stop by, bring or wear your old clothes and plan on joining in - we will put you to work!