CHAPTER 12

 

          As usual, Spencer was already in his office when Maddie arrived Monday morning. She followed her usual routine and joined him with her tablet, pen and coffee in hand.

          “Good Morning Spence. How are you this morning.” She chirped.

          “Fine, just fine, but we have to talk about this weekend.”

          “Nope, not at all. It isn’t a topic for discussion in the office. Now, what do you want me to take care of today.”

          “Look Maddie” Spence began only to watch her stand up and walk toward the door. “Where the hell are you going?”

          “As soon as you’re ready to talk business as usual, you let me know.” She responded as she reached the door.

          “Okay, fine. Come on back. We need to talk about the contract that’s coming up for renewal with the Louden Industries.”

          For the next several days, this was the way Maddie treated Spence and the way she expected him to treat her. To get her point across, she even packed a suitcase and went to stay with her best friend. That way, Spence couldn’t just stop by and attempt to get his way about what he wanted.

          Friday morning once business was out of the way, Maddie looked at Spence and said, “How about having dinner with me tonight?”

          Spence’s smile was huge but didn’t last long when she added, “I thought we could go to Courtney’s. They have nice large booths, don’t mind if you stay a while and the menu is terrific. My mouth’s already watering.”

          The smile left Spence’s face, but he quickly acquiesced, “I’d love to have dinner with you.”
          “Great. I’ll meet you there about 6:30 if that works for you?”

          “Perfect. I’ll be there.” Was his response.

          Spencer spent the next couple of hours preparing his arguments, positive he could convince her to change her mind. He’d really missed their camaraderie this week, but even more, the desire for her was so strong he could barely stand being in the same room. Their morning meetings had been so uncomfortable and difficult for him.

          Maddie was already ensconced in a booth when Spence arrived. She had what looked like a double martini on the rocks in front of her. “Hi Spence. I ordered for you, assuming you want your usual scotch. I’ve also got some hor d’oeuvres on the way. I’m starving.”

          “Maddie, I’m starving as well but not for anything on the menu. I’m starving for you. I could barely handle myself this past week I wanted you so badly.” Spence said while mentally screaming, fuck, fuck, fuck. This wasn’t the way he’d planned to present himself.

          “I know Spence. It was hard for me as well, but you did see that we can manage our business lives separately from our personal lives. These past five days should have shown you that.”

          “I just don’t understand why you want to continue to work for me when you could stay home. I’d be there every night and maybe even some days.”

          “Oho, I need to become the little woman,” Maddie responded using her fingers to place quotation marks around the little woman. “Well, I’m not doing that. I will never ever rely on a man, or woman for that matter, to take care of me when I’m damn good at it myself. You need to enter the 21^st century.”

Maddie tossed back her drink just as the waiter showed up. He put the plate in the middle of the table and gave them each smaller plates and utensils. “Thank you,” Maddie said with a smile, “and, I’ll have another one of these.”

Ignoring Spence, Maddie filled her plate and took a bite. As soon as her drink was set down, she smiled and continued, “I can do practically anything you can do; well, okay, I don’t have a cock to fuck you with, but I’m pretty good at most anything you want me to try.”

Spence realized Maddie might just be a little drunk. “How many of those drinks have you had so far?”

“Doesn’t matter and don’t change the subject. This one makes three.”

“Okay, so you don’t want to negotiate with regard to our relationship?” Spence asked as he filled his own plate.

“I don’t see why we have to negotiate about anything. We can work together during the week and spend our weekends fucking like bunnies. It’ll be fun, promise.” Maddie responded with a wink as she sucked the garlic clove out of the olive.

Just the site of Maddie’s lips around that olive was enough to make Spence harder than he’d been just sitting there wishing they were in bed together.

Spencer hadn’t ever come across anyone in his life he hadn’t been able to maneuver toward his way of thinking or the goal he had in mind. He’d met his match in Maddie because she refused to consider any of the arguments he presented throughout the entire dinner.  Maddie remained adamant. They could have a relationship, but only on her terms.

When it came time to leave, Maddie grabbed the check. “This was my invitation, so it’s my responsibility. “

Spence realized Maddie was undoubtedly drunk when she totally screwed up the pronunciation of responsibility.

“Did you drive yourself here,” he inquired.

“Why no, I surely didn’t. I thought you might give me a ride home.”

Spence kept Maddie’s arm close because not only was she slurring her words, but her walking ability was a bit impaired. In the car and once on the street, driving toward her home, Maddie unfastened her seatbelt and leaned across the console. Spence’s foot pressed the gas a bit harder as he felt her teeth nibbling on his erection.

Spence groaned. “You’d best stop that before I have an accident and I don’t mean one in my pants.”

Maddie rose up laughing. “Well, then you’d best get me home quick. I’ve missed you so much, just the idea of you naked has my panties all wet.”

The speed limit wasn’t exactly obeyed and it didn’t take long for them to arrive at Maddie’s house. The door was barely shut and locked before Maddie leaned back against the door and said, “I need you to fuck me. I need you to fuck me right now, right here, immediately. Allow me to illustrate.” She pulled her skirt up, dropped her panties to the floor and reached for Spence’s zipper.

Free from his own clothing Spence pulled Maddie’s leg up over his hip and gripped her hips with his hands, Without hesitation, his cock found her entrance and he slammed himself home. Maddie put her arms around his neck and brought her other leg up so she was wide open. “That’s it Spence. That’s perfect. I’ve missed this so much these past days. Fuck me, fuck me hard.”

It didn’t take long for both to reach their release. Except for loud breathing, the room was silent as Spence leaned into Maddie who leaned against the door. Maddie began to chuckle. “Oh my god, you really satisfied the itch that’s needed a good scratching since last Sunday.”
          “I’ve imagined doing this to you every single hour of every single day and not just here, but at the office with you up against the door. Lord, you have no idea how difficult this week has been.”

“Oh yes I do,” Maddie responded. “I wanted to climb across your desk and lower myself on your cock every time I entered your office. But just think how terrific this has just been and how wonderful the whole weekend’s going to be. It’s not that hard to be good at the office when I know I’ll get this later.”

“Maybe for you, but I still think….”

“Don’t think. Just enjoy. Now why don’t we adjourn to the bedroom? I’m sure we’re not completely finished for the evening.” Maddie suggested as she lowered her legs from around Spence’s hips and felt his still semi-erect penis withdraw.

So began their surreptitious relationship. Over the next couple of months, they kept their personal lives separate, showing only a business relationship at the office and everywhere else except for Maddie’s home. Eventually, Spence had a decent amount of clothing and necessities at Maddie’s. They even reached the point where Spence stayed through Sunday night. Maddie was very happy and hoped they could continue this way for a long time, or at least until Spence tired of her or she of him. Of course, she knew, and known for some time that she loved this man.

The annual company picnic was scheduled for the following day. Spence and Maddie were in his office discussing the final plans. Spence opened his desk drawer and pulled out a small box. He pushed it across the desk. “Open it Maddie. It’s for you.”

“Spence, you shouldn’t have. Really you shouldn’t have, but you know how much I love little surprises and trinkets.  You really don’t need to keep giving me stuff you know.”

“I know, but this is special. Open it.”

Maddie opened the box to find a ring. It looked like a square-cut emerald surrounded by small diamonds. “Wow, this is beautiful.”

“It’s real, Maddie, just like the love I have for you. It’s an engagement ring and I’m asking you to marry me.”

The box fell from Maddie’s hands and Spence came around the desk to kneel and pick it up. He offered it to Maddie saying, “I’m serious Maddie. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

Tears filled Maddie’s eyes as she looked at Spence. “I’ve loved you for a very long time, but I never thought you could love me back. If you’re really serious, my answer is yes, I’ll marry you.”

Spence pulled Maddie up into his arms. “Thank God you said yes. I don’t think I could stand much more of having to pretend you’re just the best Executive Assistant ever. I want you to be the best wife more than anything.”

“You don’t think I’m going to quit to be your wife, now do you?” Maddie asked, leaning back to look into his face.

“No, I’m asking you to be my wife, my partner, my lover, my everything. These last few months have shown me how important you are to my entire life, home and work.”

“Oh Spence, I’m so happy. I want you to be my husband, my lover, my everything too.”

The next day at the picnic, Spence handed out awards to the various staff members in recognition of some special effort made on the company’s behalf. Every single person received something from him. Maddie assisted by handing Spence each award as the person came up to claim.

The final award given, Spence held the microphone and gave his usual thank you speech to staff. When he finished, he said, “There is one other announcement I want to make. It’s the most important one of my life.”

          Spence turned to Maddie and held out his hand. She took it and stepped up beside him. “Last night I asked Maddie to marry me. She said yes.”

          They held up their joined hands, the green fire on Maddie’s ring finger glistening in the sunlight.

          There was applause and many wishes for their marital happiness, but it was Annie’s loud comment that made everyone laugh

          “It’s about time the best ever executive assistant joined marital forces with the best ever executive.”

CHAPTER 11

 

          Still more asleep than awake, Maddie tried to move her legs and stretch  only to realize something was holding them down. It all came back to her in a rush. Spence had shown up last night, and she’d blatantly taken him into her bedroom, into her bed and into her body. It had been absolutely fantastic. She slowly turned her head and found Spence awake and looking back at her.

          “Good morning,” he murmured. “I wondered what it would be like to wake up beside you and it’s far far better than I imagined.”

          Maddie smiled back and turned herself so she was on her side, her entire front as close to Spence as possible. “I don’t know about the waking up just yet, but I’d sure like to find out.” Was her response as her hand grasped his already hard penis.

          “Whoa,” Spence laughed. “I don’t know about you, but I could sure use a toothbrush so I could eliminate the taste of Scotch from my mouth. “And I’m hungry as hell. How about if I brush and cook and then we can resume where we left off last night before you fell asleep.”

          Maddie smacked Spence’s backside as he stood up. “Oho, now you’ve been satisfied, you’re back to business.”

          Spence turned around and covered Maddie’s body with his. “I am not satisfied and when it comes to you, I’ll never be satisfied. I just want the chance to make love to you slow and easy. I don’t feel like I can do that with a nasty mouth and an empty tummy.”

          Maddie smacked his behind again and said, “Fine, go ahead, get up. Your breath is pretty awful if I’m going to be honest. And I’m a tad hungry as well. You can have the bathroom first and I’ll shower while you’re cooking.”

          True to his word, by the time Maddie walked into the kitchen in a barely-there teddy, the table had been set and Spence was ladling food onto plates.

          “Here’s your coffee.” He said, as he turned to hand her the cup. He stopped as his eyes went up and then down her body, the scarlet teddy scarcely covering her lady parts.

As Maddie took the cup, Spence pulled her close enough for her to feel his erection. He murmured into her ear, “You look good enough to eat.”

          “Yes, well, you can get to that later. I’m starving,” Maddie responded as she sat down at the table.

          “Mmmm, well at least it’s all ready, so let’s chow down and get back to the bedroom.” He responded, sitting down.

          Everything tasted so good and both were hungry. They kept looking at each other the whole time. When her plate was almost cleaned, Maddie began to laugh.

          “What’s so funny? I love your laugh, by the way.”

          “Did you ever see the movie, Tom Jones?” Maddie asked. “It starred Albert Finney and Joyce Redman. There’s one scene where they are eating together. It was back in the day when people threw bones on the floor for the dogs and pretty much ate with their hands. Tom and the woman turn their meal into foreplay, their lips and fingers all greasy while they make love to each other with their eyes. I just knew from that scene that they ended up screwing each other’s brains out. Of course, this was back when sex was alluded to and not shown.”

          “Ah, and you think that’s what we’ve been doing? Practicing a bit of foreplay over our eggs and bacon.”

          “Well, I certainly hope so.” Maddie responded, licking and sucking on her last piece of bacon.

          Spence had a mouthful of coffee and laughed so hard it came out his nose. Mopping up his face, he said, “Now see what you made me do?”

          “I know and I loved it. Let’s see what else I can make you do.” Maddie said and stood up. She slowly dropped the strips of ribbon holding the teddy on her shoulders and allowed it to fall to the floor. She stood there naked, now only wearing a big smile.. Spence pulled her onto his lap so she straddled him. She could feel his penis pressing up against her sweet spot. He began to fondle her breasts, sucking on first one and then the other.  

“Why don’t we both get comfortable before it’s too late.” Maddie asked, standing. She reached for his hand, but Spence pulled her back down.

          “There’s plenty of time for moving to the bedroom. I like you just where you are.”

          “Well, okay, I can work with this.” Maddie breathed as she rubbed the outside of Spence’s boxers.

          “Mmmmm,” was his only response as he sucked first one nipple and then the other.

          Maddie began to rub just a bit harder, making her strokes longer and slower.

          Spence’s response was to reach down and free himself from his pants. His penis bobbed up and rubbed against Maddie’s tummy.

          Ready, Maddie raised up only to have Spence push her back down. “Not yet,” he murmured as he kissed her neck and raised his head to capture her mouth.

          They sat there in the kitchen totally engrossed in each other and the feelings they were generating. Finally, when Maddie thought she couldn’t manage another second without Spence inside her, he brought his hands to her hips and raised her body.

          Almost as though it knew it was finding home, his penis nudged Maddie’s folds which were very wet and slid between the lips to her entrance. With one strong push while bringing her hips down with his hands, he was fully encased within Maddie’s body.

          It was all Maddie could do to breath. She badly wanted to slide herself up and down Spence’s hard shaft, but he held her firmly against him, only moving just enough for her to feel how full he made her.

          While doing that, Spence returned his attention to her breasts, licking and sucking them, blowing cool air against the heat she was generating. Maddie felt as though she was ready to explode, but Spence kept firm grip ono her hips and didn’t allow her the relief she desperately wanted and needed.

          Maddie’s own arms were around Spence’s shoulders or head, depending on where his mouth was moving. When he suckled her, she pressed herself against his mouth so hard almost her entire breast was engulfed. When he sucked on her nipples or moved to her mouth, she gripped his head with both hands and demanded. “Let me move, Spence, please, I can’t take any more. I need it. I need you.”

          Spence leaned back in the chair, grinned wolfishly at her, lifted his hands and responded, “Make yourself happy, make us both happy.

          Maddie’s feet barely reached the floor, but she managed to slowly raise herself on her tippy toes and then slowly lower herself back down. “My turn to drive you crazy,” she said with a smile.

          For what seemed like forever, Maddie continued to rise and fall on Spence’s cock. At one point when he started to help by grasping her hips, Maddie stopped, waved her finger at him and said, “No, no. You have to just sit there.”

          Spence’s response was a long heartfelt groan. “You’re going to kill me.”

          “Nope, not yet. And it’s not going to kill you, it’s only going to feel like you’ve died.

          Finally, Maddie began to move just a bit faster and tremble each time she slid back down. When Spence put his hands on her hips again, she didn’t do anything besides whimper. Their speed increased, Maddie dropping more quickly each time and Spence rising to meet her, grinding himself against her sweet spot.

          When Maddie began to come, she lost total control of herself and if Spence hadn’t been holding her by her hips and exploding inside her at the same time, she would have fallen to the floor.

          Both were panting and sweaty and unable to move from their respective positions. Maddie’s arms were around Spence’s neck holding his head to her chest while her head rested on his shoulder.

          It was a few minutes before Maddie leaned back and said, “Oh my, oh my, but that was the best yet.”

          Spence laughed and responded, “We’ve only just begun Babe. There’s so many other positions and things I want to do to you. So many things I want you to do to me. I think I could spend a lifetime searching for every single best yet we can find.”

          Maddie laughed and pulled herself free.  “I guess I need another shower now. Want to join me?”

          “Mmmmm, shower sex. You bet.” Was Spence’s response as he stood and followed Maddie out the kitchen door.

          Maddie and Spence spent the rest of the weekend naked and mostly in bed. They got up to raid the fridge and the cupboards and Maddie was grateful she’d done her weekly shopping on Friday after work. They might have starved otherwise because all that wonderful sex and sleep made them both ravenous.

          All too soon, it was Sunday night and time to talk about how their relationship was going to continue when the work week began the next day. Spence was the one to bring it up after another long and sensuous love-making session.

          “I cannot just let you quit tomorrow because there’s no one who can take your place. You’ll have to give me some time to find a replacement.”

          Maddie sat up, pulled the sheet over her body and responded, “Replacement, replacement. What the hell are you talking about. And quit, I’m not going to quit, you can get that idea right out of your head. Just because you’ve spent the weekend fucking me doesn’t mean I’m going to quit.”

          “Now Maddie, we can’t work together when we feel like this. Just imagine all the talk in the break room and throughout the company.”

          “So, you’d be ashamed for staff to know that we’re fucking.”

          “No, no, that’s not it. It’s just that to have you so close and be unable to show how I’m feeling on a daily, hell, hourly basis. Well, that’s asking a lot.”
          “That’s what I’m asking Spence. We’re both grown-up adults and it shouldn’t be that hard to pretend that nothing’s changed between us. You’re hardly in the office anyway, and even if I was agreeable and you found someone, would she or he actually be able to take over my job and do it half as well as I do? I seriously doubt that. And don’t forget we have that big contract coming up for renewal in just a month or so. How would that get handled?”

          Spence continued to try to convince Maddie that the only way to proceed was for her to leave the company. Maddie continued to argue that it just wouldn’t be possible or good for either one of them.

          Finally, Maddie had had enough. She got off the bed and began to put her clothes on. As she came across pieces of Spence’s clothing, she flung it at him.

          “Maddie, what are you doing?”, he demanded as he pulled his boxers off his face.

          “Can’t you see. I’m getting dressed. You need to get dressed too and leave.”

          “”Leave?” Spence almost shouted. “Leave? I’m not leaving until this is settled. You come back here!” He yelled at her back as she left the room.

          Spence dressed and found Maddie sitting on the couch, her television on as she pretended to focus on the program, whatever it was.

          Spence sat down next to her and tried to pull her into his arms. She resisted. “Maddie, look, let’s talk about this. I’m sure we can come to some agreement.”

          Maddie turned to look at Spence. “Look Spence, this has been an absolutely wonderful weekend full of frolic and fun, but it’s time you went home. I refuse to give up my job so I can be your fuck partner for however long you want me. It’s not going to happen, so go on home and I’ll see you at the office in the morning.”

          Maddie got up and opened her front door. “Thanks Spencer for a great time this weekend. It was and will remain memorable, but now it’s time for you to go.”

          The door remained opened and she remained standing, her head turned away until Spence got up and came to the door.

          He tried one last time to pull Maddie into his arms, but she resisted, and began to push the door closed. With no other option, Spence left.

          Door closed and locked, Maddie slid down to the floor and allowed the tears she’d been holding back to rain down her face. Her sobs sounded ugly and she felt ugly, but she wasn’t and would never allow a man to direct how she wanted her life to go…even a man she knew she loved with all her heart.

MORE EXCUSES...BUT LEGITIMATE ONES

   

            Howdy dearest reader…if you watched any of the Bridgerton

programs you know where I stole the second and third words of my greeting. In any case, it’s been far too long since I posted a single thing, including the two final chapters of my latest book. Chapter 11 is complete and I just need to find time to sit down and finalize Chapter 12 and then I’ll post both.

          Meanwhile, my life has been super busy with other stuff, the main focus being asking for and receiving bids for new ductwork beneath the house (more on that later), and a new furnace/heat pump. These projects are not something that was on my radar, nor were they projects I wished to do in my lifetime.

          You see, I thought I could live in this house for the remainder of my life and not spend a significant amount of money on it. I’ve lived here for fifty-seven years and planned to just continue to live here until the coroner pulled up in the driveway. A twenty-six-year-old furnace changed my plans, providing I want to be warm and comfortable next winter.

          My son, the HVAC tech, has worked on my furnace this year after it ceased to function multiple times. The last time, he told me I needed to bite the bullet…or heat resigster…and get a new furnace. What a disappointment he was to me in that moment…just kidding.

          I have no idea how many of you have been faced with having new and expensive work done on your homes. It’s been quite some time since I looked at doing anything beyond minor maintenance. The last furnace installation was just that, a furnace installation that cost between one thousand and two thousand…a BIG sum of money back in 2000. Times, as we all know, have moved on and the price of everything has increased.

          Informing me of the need for a new furnace, my son also told me I needed to replace the ductwork below the house. He said it’s been close to twenty years since his dad and brother went below the house and removed all the insulation and desiccated rats so he and his brother could install new ductwork. He said he was sure it would need replacing. Oh, woe is me.

          I am so grateful I had no idea what the crawl space beneath the house looked like. I am so very sad I looked at the photos the ductwork person took so he could show me why I needed to have the crawl space renovated. I could barely sleep that night thinking about all the rats that were undoubtedly living beneath me. Those photos convinced me that the work had to be done.

          So, today, Sound Crawls came and took care of the crawl space. You couldn’t pay me enough to go beneath the house, safety suit/gear or no. I went beneath just once in all the years I’ve lived here and will never ever do so again. Anyway, they finished for today and will come back next Thursday, to finish up. For now, there are motion cameras in place to see if any rats come to call. If it’s just one, they’ll set a trap. If it’s more than one, then they’ve missed an opening. According to my neighbor who had this done last month, you could actually go down there and sleep once it’s finished...not that I have any intention of doing that.

          Tomorrow, the gentleman from Washington Energy will return and sign me up for the new furnace/heat pump. I don’t know how soon they’ll want to do the work, but as far as I’m concerned (and for financial reasons), it could wait a couple of months. Whenever, however, I’ll be warm and comfortable next winter and cool this summer no matter what the outside temps become.

          In the previous paragraph, I mentioned financial reasons. I assumed (made an ass out of my own self) I would die completely free of debt. Well, that won’t be happening unless I live another twenty years and pay off the home equity loan I’ve applied for during that time. And, yes, I could pull funds from my IRA or sell some stock, but as the young man at the bank pointed out, I’d have to pay taxes and it would put me in a higher income bracket, thereby eliminating all the old, poor person considerations I now receive.

          Still, it’s good to know I had that option, again assuming they approve the loan. Hopefully, I won’t need to return to the bank any time soon to ask for an increase in that loan…a friend pointed out my roof is looking a little scruffy just the other day.  Please, could nothing else happen until after the coroner arrives and this house becomes someone else’s responsibility.

MORE EXCUSES

    

          Currently, I’m surrounded by an absolutely humungous mess. I’m having my windows cleaned inside and out on Monday. This, of course, necessitates I remove all the glass, plants and furniture from in front of the windows throughout the house. I’ve almost completed this process, and while I look forward to sparkling windows and sparkling plants, glass and furniture once all is back in place, I’m feeling just a bit tired.

          I look back over the years to when I used to wash my own windows, all of them, inside and out in one single day, two times a year. That included packing the stepladder around so I could reach the ones that were higher up. I don’t remember being totally exhausted by the process, but I think these days the process just might kill me. Thankfully, I can afford to pay my neighbor who’s in the business to come do this for me once a year. It’s quite possible, however, that having to do what I’ve done today just may kill me before too many years.

          I last posted on April 25^th and promised I’d be a better blogger, but I haven’t. So, apologies once again, and once again, I have great excuses, There is, of course, my weekly schedule which includes my exercise class, driftwood class, friend visits and the usual keeping house/garden stuff. Add to that the fact that the Northwest Driftwood Artists annual show was scheduled for May 9^th. I still had a couple of pieces to complete, so most everything that wasn’t exercise or classes or friend visits went by the wayside so I could finish.

          I entered three pieces in the show, i.e., Caught in the Waves, I Spy With my Big Eye and Shipwreck. The show was a huge success with more than 400 people in attendance from an extremely wide variety of places both locally and nationally. The show isn’t judged, but each visitor is given a ballot and asked to vote for their favorite in the categories of Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large and Hanging. All my pieces were in the small category and I’m extremely pleased to report Shipwreck tied for third place. Yay moi.

Caught in the Waves        O Spy With My Big Eye                 Shipwreck

          Since there are numerous projects that require my attention, I’ve decided to forego my driftwood classes for the month of May. The first thing on my list is to acquire bids for a new hard ductwork system below and above my house.  I’ll also be getting bids on the installation of a heat pump and/or furnace. Once the bids are in hand, then I need to figure out the financing and get that squared away so that come winter I’m warm and cozy.

And this whole process actually pisses me off. I hate putting money into a house that I’m sure will be a tear down once the coroner has come to collect me. But since who knows when that will happen, I have to replace the ductwork and furnace if I want to remain here and not freeze…hmmmm, that would bring the coroner rather quickly.

I’m going to be one very broke lady once this is all paid for which means no great trips unless you count the senior center, gas station and the grocery store…although the way prices are going, I may need a loan in order to do my gas and food shopping.  Still, I cannot really complain tho because I am healthy and do have a few pennies left at the end of the month.

Finally, it is my hope and strongly wished for desire to end May with a totally clean house and a garden that isn’t more weeds than flowers. I’m putting my nose to the grindstone and keeping it there no matter how much it bleeds or small it becomes. With this goal in mind, I’ve also made the decision to spend at least an hour in front of the keyboard in order to finish Maddie’s and Spence’s story. I’ve already finished half the next to last chapter and know what’s going to be in the last. It’s just a question of sitting myself down here and getting it done…and, okay, already, I could have spent this time finishing that chapter instead of complaining and providing excuses.

          So onward…the thought of all these projects being accomplished almost makes me giddy.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES

 

          Okay, I know I haven’t been posting anything and that includes the next chapter of my book. I have a zillion excuses to offer and hope you’ll forgive my writing lapse. I’d much rather be writing than…   

          Trying to set up a new computer. I bought a new computer at the beginning of April and let it sit in the box while I tended to other things, i.e., cataract surgery. Once that was taken care of, I moved on to the new computer. I didn’t feel savvy enough to just go it alone, so I asked for assistance. My first assistor wasn’t able to do much because the one place she wanted to get to wouldn’t come.

So, I asked another assistor to give me a hand. This person used to be an IT person at a rather large institution. I assumed that he would marry up the old with the new and transition files that way. Nope, his way was to copy to a stick and then paste to the new computer. This worked well enough in that I was able to continue what he’d started and move everything over…or at least I thought it was everything.

I continued to have problems in that I no longer had Outlook. So both my erstwhile helpers returned and between all three of us, I am now able to access Outlook, Xfinity and Yahoo is set up for when Xfinity gives email the heave-ho. I am so very thankful to both my assistors and must think of something I can do in the way of showing my appreciation.

Of course, once the computer situation was remedied, the printer decided to stop cooperating. It was talked to by the computer and was happy to print whatever it received; however, after one clear line, the next would be all smudged and unreadable. Well, I  could fix that!!! I had all the printer cleaning and aligning things recommended, plus I used a kit I bought some time ago to clean the printer heads…all to no avail.

So, I ordered a new printer. It had to be a Canon that used 250-251XL cartridges. I found one and it arrived and sat in the box for a week or more as I tried to find the energy and brain cells to allow me to take on another form of technology. Let me tell you, I could have waited another month or more for the upcoming experience.

Removed the ink cartridges (most almost new) from the old printer. Took the new printer out of the box and got it set up. Installed the old cartridges only to have the printer tell me they weren’t going to work…where were the ones that came with me??? So, put in the new cartridges. Still no go but figured out it was because of the cord Canon had included. I removed the old USB cord from the old computer and plugged that in. AH, SUCCESS…but nope, not going to print.

Thankfully, my first assistor happened to come by (actually, she planned it because I’d lamented via text) and found the problem within like a minute. I don’t think she was here for more than three minutes total.

So, just this morning, I went to print only to have the damn computer want me to save the document instead of print. DAMNIT, the document had already been saved. I wanted to PRINT!!! I went online and followed the suggestions I found there and VOILA, I could print.

Then on Thursday, came the frosting on the cake or what I hope is problem number three solved without further issue.

I went to the Lynnwood Olive Garden restaurant to have lunch with a friend. After lunch, I went to the bathroom prior to leaving the restaurant. When I reached my car, I couldn’t find my key…on a stretchy bright green thingie. Sometimes when I go to the bathroom, my key will drop out of my jeans pocket. I went back inside the restaurant and checked the bathroom…no key. Asked the restaurant greeter and we looked at the floor where I sat…no key. The wonderful lady even went in the back and checked a couple of places where it might have ended up, including the garbage and, NO KEY.

Well, I thought of everyone I could call for help and decided on AAA. The very nice young man arrived in less than thirty minutes and within five minutes, he had my car door open and again, NO KEY. So, it had to be some place inside Olive Garden. I left my car unlocked when I began to return to the restaurant.

On my way there, I once again felt in all my pockets and, again, NO KEY; however, as my hand traversed the front of my jeans/sweatshirt, I felt something…the plastic thingie on which my key was fastened. I pulled up my sweatshirt and VOILA, there was my car key, stuck inside the front of my jeans. I guess when I went to the bathroom, rather than fall to the floor, my key somehow ended up down the very front of my pants. Funny, right…wrong!!!

There is my tale of woe for April. I had to devote way too much time to technology and searching. I’m hoping that May allows me time to do the stuff I really like to do, i.e., writing, driftwood sculpting and gardening. I guess I should ask y’all to pray for me based on my April experiences.    

TIMES ARE HARD

  

         

Apologies, dear readers, for leaving this space blank for so long. My life has been a bit of a challenge and may, for all I know, continue to be one for some time.

I had cataract surgery just over a week ago and my eyes seem to be doing just fine. I opted for the distance lenses as opposed to being able to see near. I’ll either need new glasses or continue with the readers I purchased the other day. I was told not to wear my old glasses at all and my appointment for new glasses isn’t until the end of the month.

          The ophthalmologist told me my cataracts were very dense, and I guess they were because everything is so very BRIGHT. My son called to check on me a couple hours after he brought me home. I was in bed with the blind pulled down almost all the way, and what I could see was very bright. I told him he should go out for a walk and he said he wasn’t doing that in the pouring down rain. I said it must be sunshining at my house and he responded that he lived in a convergence zone. Later, when I got up, it was still very bright and pouring down rain. It took me several hours to realize that the brightness was because I was actually seeing through a clean, unobstructed lens. So, that’s out of the way now.

          Someone told me that using a ten-year-old computer was tantamount to driving a car until the brakes failed. So, I ordered a new computer. Well, that’s led to hours of frustration on my part, even with the assistance of two other people. Finally, most of the files and photos have been transferred, but unfortunately, there are files that did not get transferred. I cannot go back for them because I wiped the old computer’s hard drive, so there’s nothing else to bring over.

          What this means is that I lose the list of “favorite” links on my internet browser and all the other file folders that were located in Outlook. I’m going to have to recreate new links and new folders. I tried for a new folder this morning in Outlook and wasn’t allowed to make one, so I’ll have to research how that gets done. Of course, this new computer has all the latest programs and that’s going to be a new learning experience…one I’d just as soon not have to have. And, I know, learning new things at my age is good for my brain…seriously, my brain is tired and would prefer not to have to learn anything new. I guess I’ll just have to persevere and learn by the seat of my pants which is how I’ve always had to learn my computer stuff.

          If all this isn’t enough, my furnace has been acting up. It was installed in 2001, and my son, the HVAC guy, has been keeping it running. I thought for sure Easter Sunday that it was done for good. AJ came over and changed out some parts and brought it back online. On Tuesday, he had to come back because it stopped again, and once again, he brought it online. I’ve discovered that the furnace comes on first thing in the morning and brings the house up to temp. Then it stops and doesn’t come back on until the temperature reaches 63 degrees. So, if I want a shower, I’d best do it first thing or wait until it kicks on again a few hours later.

          This problem brings up the question of whether I want to invest in a new furnace and/or a heat pump. AJ also thinks I need to have all the ductwork both under the house and in the attic replaced as well. I haven’t yet investigated to see what the cost would be or whether there is a program for poor seniors that would help with the cost. That’s on my todo list. I hate to invest thousands of dollars in this house because I’m sure whoever buys it will simply tear it down and build something else or a couple of small houses. Not just because of the furnace, but because it’s going to need a new roof fairly soon and the south foundation has sunk four inches…I got a price for that about four years ago and it was $39,000.

          So, is it time for me to sell this place and look for something smaller? I don’t know. Just thinking about that had me in tears this morning. I’ve been here for fifty-seven years and my home is full of STUFF that has meaning for me. How do I downsize and eliminate stuff that has meaning for me. There’s no way I could take it all because it wouldn’t fit in a smaller place. Just typing this and thinking about  how hard it would be to move brings tears to my eyes. It seems like it would be so much easier if I could just stop, quit, give up, enter the great beyond, join John and all those that have gone before me. And, don’t assume from that sentence that I plan to off myself because that’s not a choice I could make…at least at this point; maybe if I were terminally ill. I’m just alone and terminally poor.

          Anyway, please excuse the pity party I’ve been having for myself. I have two chapters to write about Madeleine and that book will be finished. I promise I’ll get them done very soon. The words are all in my head and I just need to send them out my fingers. Then, maybe I’ll check with amazon and see about getting these books of mine published. Even if I didn’t make any money, the idea that what I’ve written is available for purchase would be a huge plus for me.

          So, those are my excuses for being absent for so long. Do hope you’ve missed me, or at least missed Madeleine…still looking for a title for this one.

WISH I WERE MARCHING TOO!!!!

         

Today is the big march throughout the United States and the world to protest the idiot in the White House and all of the horrible things he’s managed to implement. I do wish I were going to join in, but will have to limit my marching to a trip around the neighborhood.

          It’s hell getting old and being unable to participate in the events you think are very important. Unfortunately, for me, I am having a problem with the calves in my legs and they are not up to marching/walking for very long. I’ll be seeing a vascular doctor in May and perhaps s/he will have an answer that will eliminate whatever the problem is…constricted arteries maybe?

          At least it’s not raining so all those marching will remain dry, at least in the Northwest. It’s supposed to sunshine later with a temperature in the mid-50s, but it doesn’t look too promising as I write this. Meanwhile, I’ll be with those marching in spirit with the hope that every single location remains safe and that the turnout is extremely high.

          Things in our capitol city simply must change and the sooner the better.