Domestic Geek

I bought myself the greatest little alarm clock at Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago. It has an internal battery like a computer that keeps the time while the unit is off, such as in cases of power failure, unplugging, etc. The computer chip also takes into account for daylight savings and such. There are dual alarms so that I can have a Monday-Friday work alarm and then a separate weekend alarm. It's also got a radio in it and a huge display. All in all, not too shabby for around $20.

Here's the problem, though.

Even though it has a dimmer function, the display is still really freakin' bright. Now, not being one to like lots of light when I sleep, it's a little annoying. I was thinking that maybe I could put a piece of window tint on it to cut back the glow, but I don't happen to have any scraps of that around. Going and purchasing a kit just to do a small clock is a huge waste of money since I was so happy to get this clock so cheap. Figures that the guy I used to know that did this for part time work moved to Kansas and I no longer have contact with him.

Does anyone reading this have a scrap of window tint that they'd send me? PLEASE?!!

When Marcus and I got back from dinner, we were looking at all of the spiders that have spun webs outside on our siding. We were discussing that we really need to get another pressure washer to get those webs off. They really are unsightly and our hose just doesn't have enough power to get them off since our water pressure here is so lousy.

We used to have one and we used it a lot. They are great for cleaning engines and getting the crud of of wheel wells when you're washing your car. We really need to get out and see what's out there.

So, I had that previous post almost all typed up, was just putting a few finishing touches on it before I was going to hit Submit and "poof" — the power went out. I really need to replace the battery in my Universal Power Supply. I've also misplaced that cool LED flashlight that Dave got me for Christmas. I remember last using it to take a look inside my G5, but darned if I can remember where it went after that. Grrrrr. I'm sure it had something to do with record-setting heat here in Denver today. Of course, it went out for about an hour, so I missed the end of the Bronco game. Thank goodness for the Internet to tell me that we won over the SF 49ers 17–13. Whew. I mean, I know it's only preseason, but you've got to get the season off on the right foot, especially when you're playing the team that knocked you out of the playoffs last year.

Now that it seems the power is back on for good (it went out again shortly about five minutes after it first came back on), I guess I'll try to head to bed.

I have a confession to make. I am out of control. I had some major revelations today. It's weird how something will hit you out of the blue even though its been staring at you in the face for months.

I whole heartedly believe that your life is what you make it. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to live in the "someday" and "if only" mode. I rarely live in the now and pay attention to what is going on around me. The truth is, I've been stagnant. Worse, I've regressed. My body, my finances, my home, my appearance...it's all in a huge state of disarray. I need to stop wallowing in depression and despair and get myself back on track. Right now. I've got to knock off the negative self-talk and the doubting and set some goals and get with the program. What I'm going to reveal here may shock some of you. Others may not be surprised at all. I just want to warn you that it's not pretty. It's also going to ramble.

The fact is, I'm good at using excuses to avoid doing things. It's one reason Marcus dubbed me the Queen of Procrastination™. I've got excuses for everything. My Christmas decorations still aren't 100% packed. First it was because we put the dog down, then I had to have help getting the tree down, then I had to wait for the snow to melt. Well, The lights have been down and in piles in my kitchen for well over a month. My tree stand is still in my bathtub. The snow has been melted for a couple of weeks, but the tree is still outside.

I've been using the underemployment and unemployment excuses for a lot of things. It's why I gained a lot of weight (bull), it's why I was too depressed to clean, it's why I haven't bought clothes or had my hair done or even wash my car. Well, I've been full time employed for almost 3 months, yet the problems persist.

I decided I needed to document where I'm at now so that I can see improvement. I grabbed Marcus' camera and started snapping pictures. As soon as my new blog is up, I'll post a link so you can all go look. I want my problems out in the open. Hopefully that will give me the kick I need to fix them. I was a little disgusted as I walked around my home. How could I let this happen?

I have to come clean. Literally. My house is a freaking pig sty. I've never had great housekeeping skills. It was something that was never instilled in me growing up. Our house was always a pit. I'm slipping back into that way of living. My steam cleaner still sits in the same place it did when I tried to clean up the urine stains from the dog. We're coming up on 4 months since we had to put him down. I haven't vacuumed the carpet in the family room in over six months. There's still dog hair under our dining room table. I have dishes on my counter from before Christmas. There are still piles of stuff that came over from storage. I've got paperwork all over the place. I haven't gone through my junk mail since before I was employed (I got the job early November).

I get my FlyLady emails every day and wish that I could have an organized home and be on time to work and all that. I tell myself what's the point of having a shiny sink? It'll be dirty again tomorrow. It's this kind of thinking that is holding me back. Marcus used to help me with housework, but I think he's given up, too. I can't blame the guy.

The sad truth is I'm not even crafting or doing anything creative (except for a few feet of popcorn garland that I crocheted at Christmas). All I do is sit and think and surf and wish and dream. If only I was rich...If only I was thin...If only....

I have dreams of getting my drawings on iStock or a t-shirt on Threadless. Still more excuses. My desk sucks. My mouse is broken. Nobody will buy them anyway. I wanted to open a design site, but the self doubt crept in. Too many people already do that. Who will want your designs? You can't even get your own design changed, why would anyone use you? It's appalling how my own worst enemy in all this is me.

I want to lose 150 pounds, but I can't ride my bike because of our neighborhood and Marcus is too busy to ride with me. I can't exercise in the house because of the dust and the carpet is dirty. I can't join a yoga class because I don't hae any money. Isn't it disgusting how I can always find an excuse? I wish I knew the answer to why I continue to participate in this self-destructive behavior. All I know is, I must cease now. I'm not getting any younger and I don't want to look back on my life with regret about the things I didn't allow myself to try or do. I know I'm an amazing and wonderful person. I have a kind heart and a brain full of knowledge. Why am I so afraid to let the real me come out?

The big picture is I've been complaining about the same things about my life since I was in high school. I graduated in 1984, you do the math. I've been afraid to take risks, had trouble making friends, been afraid to do what I want, resist losing weight, make excuses, procrastinate, blame others for where I'm at. Since the only constant in these many years has been me, it's seriously time to change something.

Anyway, I'd better wrap this up and get back to some cleaning. I have so much more that needs to be said, but it's all a jumble in the old noggin. I guess there will be a lot of fodder for the new blog.

My little Subaru Baja is back on the road. I haven't been able to afford to register it and the brakes were bad. I got tags for my plates the day before yesterday and Marcus lent me the money to get the brakes done. I want a name for my car. I usually have one for my vehicles, but for some reason, nothing has come to me. Any suggestions?