What I Did On My Summer Vacation

It's been a mixed bag lately at Chez Stress.

What's stressing me?

The boot I wore for the entire month of June did not have the desired result. Now, I get to spend $900 on an MRI.

About a year and a half ago, we "loaned" a good amount of money to an acquaintance for a new business venture--signed contract with terms and everything on the up and up. The loan was a year past due on May 1. For a year I have been calling and e-mailing this guy telling him to give me my money. We got some of it back, but not all of it. We told a few people the story and learned that the acquaintance "sits in his basement all day and scams people." After learning that, Allen paid him a visit. That seemed to do the trick and the loan has finally been paid in full.

I had two weeks off work, just so I could work on the rentals, fight with tenants, fight with Allen, smoke cigarettes, go to my friend Lisa's, get drunk, and fall down. It was awesome. Way to burn 10 days of hard-earned vacation time. On the upside, the weather those two weeks was spectacular.


This is Lisa. We have been friends since we were nine.

Here is what my know-my-neutral-colors tenant did when she was moving out.

Apparently, with three friends directing her, she drove a moving truck into the dormer and "didn't realize it." That's California redwood and broken slate you're looking at. First estimate of repair: $800. Amount of tenant deposit: $700. You may know your neutral colors, Miss Tenant, but apparently you cannot drive. Or maybe you are blind--just as I suspected.

This is our garden now:

It's growing. We've had a lot more rain this year and it shows. We are already using all the herbs and have eaten jalapenos, zucchini and cucumbers. We should be eating tomatoes in a week or so. Can you say salsa? Yummy!!

Here is Allen tending his garden.

See that huge plant on the far right? That is a zucchini plant that is taking up approximately 1/8 of our garden. Allen wanted me to take a photo so he will remember that zucchini and tomatoes grow into a jungle and plant accordingly next year.

In other news:

My dear friend Carolyn (right) turned 40-something and threw yet another fabulous party. Carolyn's sister, Theresa, (left) had knee surgery and is on the mend.

When I took this photo of Mary Ann and Ginger I said to Allen, "It looks like they almost like each other." Allen responded, "They're family. " Indeed.

Speaking of family . . .

My brother has been in the pokey since March for violating probation. We are hoping they release him to a drug-treatment program. Please, God, help my baby brother.

Mom was diagnosed with diabetes recently and she is very depressed. Another, in a long line of disappointments.

My sister just learned that, out of 30 allergens for which her daughter was tested, daughter is allergic to just one. That one being cats. My sister loves animals (especially cats) and now has to get rid of her gorgeous Persian and the stray mama cat with five babies that she recently rescued. My sister is also dealing with her grandmother being on death's door.

There is much more family drama, but I can't bring myself to write about it.

Work is busy, the commute and long days suck, I haven't smoked for six days and Allen is taking me to dinner tonight with Eric and Kelly.

All in all not much to bitch about but next summer we're taking a REAL vacation.