Well, Bust My Buttons

Youall are just too nice. I really didn't intend it as a please, please compliment me or I'm taking my keyboard and going home, but I guess in retrospect 1) it could have been read as such and 2) I kind of needed the boost. Like a Vivarin for the soul! Or some of that scary asthma-pill speed you used to be able to buy at the Shady Grady!

So here's the deal: I'll keep on keepin' on, and spit-shine the ol' resume so that I can apply for sketchy phishing writer job postings on Craigslist. And then I'll write about that.

Also, I may actually post a picture of one of my grocery lists. They look...well, they look insane. I spell things all crazy to entertain myself (AIGS -- CHEEDAR CHEZ -- CAT FUD --) and then I draw a million tiny little lines all over the list, which has invariably been written on the back of a credit card statement or a note from the gynecologist.

So, let's see: the big things. Right now, my top concerns are as follows:

1. Goddamn Frontline-resistant fleas

2. Keeping up with my dad's activities (seriously, I could just cut and paste from my aunt's emails and call it done; they're rich in both entertainment and shock value)

3. Waiting on counter-offer re: Very Nice House

What's that? I neglected to mention the last one? Yeah, well, we decided things were WAY too boring around here, and we just happened to find a beautiful house for which the owners would like just a smidge more money than we have to give, so, yeah. We're waiting on that.

On the upside, it's a stunner, with a lot of things in really good shape and relatively new. Great block, walking distance to elementary, nice neighbors. On the downside, nobody can promise me we'll get into that school (it's a lottery school, long story if you aren't local), and also, we'd be house-poor. And the water heater is kind of old.

In the Neutral column we have the fact that the house is a hundred years old. Which is very cool and also a little nail-bitey from the perspective of repairs up the road.

I love it, but I'm not going to pine for it if we don't get it.

Eeeeeee.

Comments

[Aunt B.]

Are you trying to kill me?! An hundred year old house of awesomeness?! I'm already coming to visit you five times in my head.

As for the frontline resistant fleas. No kidding! We frontlined the dog twice in October and still those jerks are everywhere.

[Jen]

Re: Fleas
Fleas typically hatch in a 2 week life cycle. Fleas in the cocoon stage cannot be touched by pesticides. Flea killing should be 2-fold. You need a killer (preferably one that is -ethrin based - gentler on humans, environment, and pets). Apply killer every 2 weeks, for at least 6 weeks. Second, you need an IGR, Insect Growth Regulator. Zodiac makes a good one. One application of the IGR usually lasts a while and keeps the fleas from procreating. Treat the house and the yard. Forget the dog unless it has flea allergies.

[AussieAndrea]

You know, I had the same problem with frontline - had a good ol' chat with a bunch of dog owners at the dog warehouse and we all said the same thing. It's happening in Australia too!

I got told that Frontline had actually changed their ingredients, but weren't publicising it for some weird (creepy? nefarious?) reason.

I switched to Advantix (Bayer advantage maybe?) and it's all godo since then.

[AussieAndrea]

Oops, I meant "good" not some strange Beckettsian reference up there,

[Olivia]

My husband spells things funny on the grocery list, too. It's sometimes entertaining, but often confusing and causes my OCD for correct spelling act up.

[Lilian]

WOW!! Just wow on the house thing -- I hope it works. Are you considering posting any photos if you DO get it? (either here or fb) I love house photos.

Anyway, I didn't have time to comment before, but you know I'm a big fan. Keep on writing!