Potpourri

I hope you had a nice weekend!

I've had house guests here for the last five days.  Even the best house guests are exhausting, don't you think?

Or maybe I'm just old.

I feel like I need to be Happy!  And Up!  And Chatty!  And Cooking!  And Cleaning!  And Entertaining!  all day long every single day while they're here.

It's so much easier to be grouchy, and lazy ....

In the theme of laziness, I thought I'd give you a few random updates today.

1.  Whirlpool came out five days earlier than expected and fixed my "failed" three and a half year old front-loading washing machine.  I was thrilled with their earlier-than-expected response time.  The final cost of the repairs was over $1,600 and Whirlpool charged me nothing.  I haven't written about the repair, because I wanted to use the machine for a week or so, and make sure it continued to work.  It has, but the other day I found water sitting in the empty tub, again.  The repair people had told me this happens when the pump fails and they just replaced the pump so I don't know what the deal is.  It's only happened once.  Maybe it was some weird fluke?  

I'll contact Whirlpool once my guests leave to take a look at it if it happens again.  The important thing is, I can do laundry again including the daily cleaning of my son's always-filthy baseball uniform.  

Thank you Whirlpool! 

This is what my son's uniform pants looked like five minutes into his game last Friday:

And that is why I need to do laundry every night!

2.  Several of you have asked why I might be traveling to Cambodia.  I've been invited by the Plasticos Foundation to travel with them to document and photograph a medical mission in June.  It isn't definite yet whether I'll be able to attend, but I'm working hard on the details in an attempt to take them up on this amazing opportunity.  As you may recall, the foundation travels to third world countries and performs life-changing surgeries to aid people with birth defects, malformations, and disfigurements caused by trauma.  In addition to changing the lives of the patients they attend, they also train the doctors in the countries they visit.  The doctors they train are then able to continue helping patients after the American medical team has departed.  

Everyone who travels with the Plasticos Foundation is required to work, and non-medical personnel are not normally permitted on these trips.  I'm incredibly honored they've invited me to come along to record this medical mission (with both my writing and my photography).  I'll let you know, as soon as I know, if I'm able to pull off the logistics to make this trip happen.

3.  It was pretty hot here this weekend.  Some of us will do anything we can think of to cool off.

He sits on the "beach" area of our pool to cool off.  Then he wades in and swims.  Then he sits back down on the beach for awhile.  He thinks it's his swimming pool.  (And for those who have asked in the past, we brush him daily so the pool doesn't end up full of dog hair.)

4.  I spent Saturday afternoon at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Fashion Island is an outdoor, swanky, high-end, mall.  You can see the ocean from the mall.  A Nordstrom store just opened at Fashion Island on Friday.  In spite of the fact we have several other Nordstrom stores in Orange County, the entire OC seemed to show up for this big (!) excitement.  

??

Personally, I went to people-watch.  I rarely buy anything at Fashion Island, but it may be the best people-watching anywhere in The OC.

However, this trip I dog-watched instead.

I've never seen so many dogs inside a department store in my life.  I counted twenty five dogs inside the brand new Nordstrom store during the short time I was there.  (And that was just on the ground level!)  I'm not talking (only) about little, tiny, dogs either.  Several of the dogs began growling and barking at each other and the owners just laughed as if it were all very amusing.

Two dogs started to fight in the shoe department.  

Seriously, Orange County?

I'm a total, complete, dog lover and I found it ridiculous, inappropriate, and annoying.  

One dog ran in circles around me wrapping its leash around my ankles.  What would happen if that same thing occurred with an elderly person and they fell?  And what happens when someone gets bit by a dog while buying their $2,000 designer purse?  Does Nordstrom want those lawsuits? 

Not to mention, some people are allergic or afraid of dogs.

What the hell Orange County?  Do you really feel so entitled, you don't think you need to concern yourself with the well being of the other people around you?

And Nordstrom, what are you thinking allowing dogs in your stores?  If they aren't guide-dogs/canine companions, they shouldn't be there.  It's not the beach, it's a department store. 

Oh wait, I forgot, dogs aren't allowed on most beaches here either.  So why are they allowed in our department stores?

5.  My arm is bad.  Very, very bad.  The pain is the worst it has been in months, and I've lost a lot of function since The Torturer stopped treating me in February.  It's very discouraging.  And painful.  And did I mention ... painful?  I've put it off for as long as I can, I'm going to have to call my doc this week and get back into treatment.  You have no idea how overwhelming the very thought is.  Or how depressing.  Or discouraging.  And did I mention it has been very painful?  As in, waking-me-up-several-times-each-night painful? Ugh .....!!!

6.  Hummingbirds live in Orange County year round.  They're definitely thirstier once the weather warms up though.  I was sitting out by the pool yesterday afternoon and they kept buzzing around my head.  I don't know why, but they always make me smile.  

I like to think our yard is a friendly place for them to hang out.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[SSG]

i love love LOVE that photo of a humming bird- what do you put in the 'feeder'? I've never seen a hummingbird, but I think they must be AWESOME

[mama llama]

The hummingbird shot is lovely. Wow!

The trip to Cambodia sounds like a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. What a great honor for you! Congratulations!

I am so sorry you're in so much pain. I wish you the best.

Be well, 24.

[Jan]

You're going back into treatment for your arm??

YYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

[Deidre]

I really hope you get to cambodia! It sounds like an amazing trip!

Your dog is very cute. and When I next fly home through LA don't be surprised if he goes missing for a few hours while he and I cuddle. Wow - this comment is getting kind of inappropriate (MUCH LIKE DOGS IN A DEPARTMENT STORE).

[Erica]

The Cambodia trip is such a great opportunity for them and for you! I really hope you get the details worked out. Exciting :-)

[di]

Dog lover here too, but I'm with you on the 'no dogs in a mall'. Who wants to tiptoe around doggie poo poo accidents while shopping? Not Moi.

Sorry to hear about your arm. Mine aches a little bit from computer-itis, could not imagine pain all the time. I'm sure it wears on you psyche as well. Wishing you much luck with therapy, Suzanne.

Oh, by the way... Jane Devin is coming to stay at our house in a few weeks and I am excited about it.

Take care,
Di

[Mo "Mad Dog" Stoneskin]

Sorry to hear about your arm. But glad to see the dog is enjoying himself. Make sure you take some camera batteries to Cambodia!

[Laura]

OOOh, I so hope that you get the opportunity to go to Cambodia. That would be the experience of a life time.

I love the dog in the pool. My old family dog loved water. If you were taking a shower, he would just hop in with you. lol

I miss Fashion Island. I couldn't really afford to shop anywhere there, but it's always such a beatuful relaxing place to window shop. :)I can't believe that just because it's OC that there are dogs all over the place now. That's just rediculous. I'm with you on that one.

I hope you get some relief soon with your arm. Hugs to you.

[Michelle Pixie]

When I saw you say on twitter yesterday you were taking pictures of humming birds I was really hoping today we would see some of those shots. That one is beautiful!

Dogs in the department store?! I am just dumbfounded I can't even imagine!

Sorry to hear about your pain being so bad. I sure hope your doctor is able to get you some relief.

[Pam]

I love the dog picture. In our old house we had a 3 tiered waterfall and pond. Our chocolate lab would go in to the second level and lay down. He would always, always go in there when we had company--I think he was showing off. Not very hospitable though when a wet dog comes running around.

As for the dogs in Nordstrom--WTH???? I also completely, totally disagree with Home Depot letting dogs in! Where in the world did people learn that it's ok to shop with their dogs?

I hope you're able to get help for your arm. It sounds like it's to the point that you must get back into treatment.

[Tami]

Glad the washer is fixed! Sorry about your arm. Will you be looking for a new pt? Will you have to go forever? It makes me sad. Your brave.

The trip to cambodia sounds AMAZING. Hope it works out and can't wait to hear about your adventures here on 24.

love, love, love your dog. I would take him right home with me. I wonder what the oc people would think if you brought him soaking wet into the department stores?

The photo of the hummingbird is incredible! Wow!

[LPC]

So sorry your arm is hurting this much again.

[The Queen of Chaos]

Thanks for catching us up. While it sucks that your arm has become so painful, I'm glad you're going to seek treatment again for it. I know that's a hard decision. Be well.

[Kelly]

Wow - lots going on! Love the hummingbird shot. Sorry about your arm. : ( I hope someone or some THING can help. Your dog is adorable!

[Julie {Angry Julie Monday}]

Cambodia sounds awesome.

I'm glad that your washer is fixed. My son doesn't even play baseball and I would completely freak if my washer didn't work.

You know how I feel about the dogs in Nordstrom. I wrote an entire post about it today.

Ohhh pretty Hummingbird. We can't have Hummingbird feeders here because the yellow jackets build nests around them.

[AndieB]

Here in the Seattle 'burbs I see dogs in our Macy's all the time. Seems to be a new trend, I'm seeing it more and more. It would never cross my mind to bring our dog clothes shopping with me. Bizarre!

So sorry to hear about your arm pain, I hope you get some help for it soon.

[Nancy P]

I am so so sorry to hear about the increased pain. I truly hope you get back to therapy soon.

Well your dog is too cute and I envy him the pool! haha

Wow, just wow about the gall of the people in the OC. I really have trouble wrapping my head around the "entitlement"some people expect. I honestly don't think I could live there and not go stark raving mad!

I am going to say a prayer for you about both your pain and the Cambodia trip. What a lifetime opportunity it would be.

[Denise]

omg...I don't know a dog who has it any better! A swimming pool with a perfect spot to sit and relax after swimming! LOL He is one happy pooch!
Did you ever see the pictures of a woman who *trained* the wild hummingbirds at her feeders to sit on her shoulders, arms, and hand? It is amazing. Hummingbirds are sooo delightful!! Wonderful pictures of your backyard *pets*.