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eadwine Completely screwed planning - Subscribe
but I didn't know about that until I showed up at the second client today and they looked at me with this look of "What are you doing here?" They had gotten this letter that someone would come there on Thursday morning, meaning that an error had been made, since I was told I could stay there a while.

I made a phone call to the office, found out my team leader had gone home sick, the replacement was on holiday and so I got the other team leader on the line. He checked in on things and found the mistake rather quickly. Not only this client was wrong, the other one as well, the one on Wednesday afternoon. Oh shoot now what. I told him to scrap my afternoon (I didn't mind having the afternoon off) and then I would try to move the Friday afternoon to tomorrow, and then Friday would remain open for replacement.

"But, you are planned to go to mr. so and so?" and he named the person who had died.. My eyes bulged.. he was still on the planning list. I quickly brought him up to date, told him the guy had died about a month ago. Big error in the planning part there, my team leader should have taken him out of the system already!

I went to the Friday client and had a cup of coffee, and asked, but nope, no tomorrow afternoon. She remains on the Friday. We had a good couple of laughs though as she told a few stories and I didn't leave there until an hour later *whoa*

When I got home I realized that there was one more client that got moved about, my Monday afternoon, and with all this error stuff going on... so, I called in again to the office asking about her. She had gotten a replacement, yes, but the person had gotten sick and they didn't know for sure if she was going to be better on time and.. I told the guy to plan me in the spot instead, then that other person is open, and I can go to my own client. So said, so done.

Now this week is filled with people I know and feel comfortable at, and we will see what next week is going to bring. I wasn't looking forward to tomorrow afternoon's client, and now I got my own in her stead. Great! This was just meant to be.

I haven't seen this bad a screwup in a long time though, but at least the clients were taken care of, I only lose three hours of work, which I don't mind, and I got a better week in return.

Well.. bedtime, it's past that time already, so off I go!
Mood: upbeat

eadwine This is what a first day should be like Wednesday, May 2nd 2007 @ 21:03 - Subscribe
Just like today.

When I went to the first client this morning I pulled a little joke at the door. Introduced myself and asked if it was ok if I could come work there. Started off with laughter, and the whole time just went on extremely positive.

I asked her how things went with the replacement helper, and she pulled this face. Uh oh, points for me in that case *laughs* She was nice, but she was for one slow, everything had to be explained to her (which you have to grant is logical, people are not all in the know right off the bat. I have worked in many homes, so you kind of get an idea of where stuff is, but still), and every time she talked she sat down. Now.. I admit I talk. A LOT. But I DO keep working while I do it, things get done and time passes really quickly that way.

And then some things happened that really put me on the good side. First thing I noticed was that she had hoisted the rolling shutters up too far, causing them to hop out of their guidance rails. I was at the back of the house, washing windows, and then saw her puttering about with the pull on the front side. I walked in and asked what was wrong, though I already knew. I grabbed the steps and went outside, back to the front, and managed to pull the thing into the rails again. She was so happy that it was fixed. It happened before and the shutter people had to come out and fix things. Something so simple, but yeah, an elderly lady on her own and kids busy..

Extra good point number two was when she hesitantly asked if I would sweep the outside path. But of course! Officially I am not allowed to do that, as it is -officially- not part of our job. She knew that, hence the hesitation, however, as long as I take it easy, and don't strain myself, I know I am perfectly allowed to do that this one time, so.. out I went with the broom and swept the thing for her, in the mean time also pulling some weeds out from between the tiles. Not everything, but the bits she had missed. She was overjoyed!

When it was time to leave she thanked me multiple times and hugged me. Silly woman *laughs* All I do is my job, but obviously how you do it has a LOT to do with it. The neighbor knew I was back too; there was singing in the house *chuckles*

The afternoon client was fun as well. She didn't expect me to be there and she was happily surprised to see me come pick her up. We did a bit of dusting, a quick vacuum and then we went to enjoy the weather outside. I had talked with her about putting her on the Thursday afternoon instead of the Monday and she was ok with that one, no problem at all. So, I emailed my team leader and informed her of the change.

It was a good day and I went home with a huge smile on my face. The afternoon I did work without my jacket. I had bought me a French fry, and it had gotten a sauce drip on it. When I finally noticed it was too late to wipe it off, that only made it worse. Ah well, no jacket then and I can grab a clean one tomorrow.

I did a bit of cross stitching again this evening. Yesterday I actually bought me a needle organizer, I can put the threads on there still in the needle if I don't have to use that color for a little bit, mighty nifty.



I also got me a number of extra needles as I almost lost one not too long ago. Thank goodness I found it, but I would have had to stop. I have needles, yes, but those are normal sewing needles (sharp tip) and I need special cross stitch needles (blunt tip) instead. But, that problem is sorted and I am using the thing already. I don't have that many needles, only 6 or 7 or so, but it does the job rather nicely indeed. And now if I happen to drop one I don't have to go on a frantic search again!
Mood: happy

eadwine Finally weekend Saturday, May 5th 2007 @ 09:50 - Subscribe
Thursday passed by without a hitch. The client however was in the shower and didn't open the door. He was yelling out the window upstairs, but I couldn't hear him *laughs* Or rather, understand what he was saying. In the end he came downstairs and pulled the door open. Turns out it was ajar already, all I had to do was push it open, but that I hadn't seen. We had a good laugh about it and then he went back up to get the rest of him dressed.

We cleaned stuff up upstairs and then went grocery shopping. I made him happy by making a tiny radio work again, simply by replacing batteries. Some people are so easily pleased, not much you have to do to make them very happy.

While at the market I saw my Friday morning client, and she was doing SO much better. I was happy to see her that way, very pleased, for I truly feared she was the next to go bye bye. She was still wobbly, so she told me on Friday, but doing much better. Off the baby food and back to the regular grown up foods again. Whew.

She had been quite irritated at her replacement helper though. Back when she got sick, about 5-6 weeks ago, I had planned to give the bathroom a good overhaul. It was needed, badly, but when I found her sick that whole planning went overboard, and in came grocery shopping, meal cooking, dishes and more of that sort. The big jobs were shoved forward on the time line. She sent me home early since everything was done, and she needed the rest. Only logical of course. Things are getting back on schedule again now she is doing better.

Now in comes this replacement helper.. she gets the "order" to clean the bathroom, as per my request (and the client's). Then she comes complaining that there was a lot of dust there, that it was very dirty in spots, and that the kitchen cabinets needed cleaning and what else not that she didn't like much.

My client got angry with her the first time (though she didn't let her notice, -I- knew!), when she complained about the bathroom, and told her what had happened and that other things took priority there for a little while. Later on she comes in about those kitchen cabinets, to which my client, to her irritation, -again- had to explain the reasoning behind things. "What part of the explanation doesn't she understand?", she asked me.

Obviously none, this is one that rather complains about how badly regular helpers are doing things, than even considering the possible causes for it. The client didn't like her much, needless to say.

I told her those cabinets would get done sometime, when she feels better. Because there are things in there that need tossing, and I want her to have the final say on things. She is in no shape to sit with me in the kitchen and make that decision, not yet. She told me not to sweat it, those "damned things" are not what is important to her right now. She is absolutely right.

The afternoon went by ok, the regular Monday morning client who got replaced. Time flew by and I was able to go grocery shopping right after and then head home. Ahhh weekend!

News on the genealogy person: he has removed a number of things, and Google cache also came by and deleted things, however, the man thinks he is done, and my name still pops up in his database, so.. he is NOT done. We also found out that he has published things on another site, and claims that because the site is official and knows what is allowed to be published, putting the data there is legal.

The site specifically states ON the tree page even that "every person who appears in the list without permission can demand the publisher to remove the data immediately, for him/her and under aged children."

No doubts there then hmm? So.. we wait until the end of the weekend and if it is still there, we are yet again writing this person with detailed info on what to remove. And then he has to contact Google cache again, the sucker.
Mood: tired

eadwine Rain is coming Sunday, May 6th 2007 @ 20:54 - Subscribe
Saturday we went off to see my grandfolks. It was their 59th wedding anniversary, and it was a fun visit. My grandmother's sister and her husband were there too, and she is this kind of person that just says anything that comes to mind. I love this person! My uncle and aunt came to visit as well. She is alright, but he is this know-it-all kind of person who just loves to get his comments through whichever way he can. Extremely irritating. He also seems to get bigger every year.

We were chattering away with the six of us, and then this uncle and wife come in. The FIRST thing this lady tells him is "Oh, you sure have lost weight, haven't you?" Whoppa, smack in the middle. She tells him exactly what she thinks of him, that is for sure *laughs* Every now and then he would say something that apparently got on her nerves more than it got on mine, and whack, another comment went his way. Even as she left she told him: "No, I am not shaking your hand, you don't deserve that". And honest to goodness, she did not shake his hand. *snort*

We were just glad to be out of there again. It is lovely going there when the rest of the family (read: aunts, uncles and their kids, save for one and his girl) aren't visiting. Ah well.. we visited, and we're likely to soon go again. Wait and see on that one.

One thing I can report that is fun is that my Christmas Star plant, which is known to be difficult to get to re-flower after their initial display (according to Wikipedia) is finally back in bloom. It took me three years, but it is doing it! Yay!



The Schlumbergera is also doing well. Some stems are doing so so, as the initial leaf apparently is rotting away so I am shoving them deeper, but one stem is showing this fun little new leaf coming out of the end. Another yay on the plant department. The long green bean plants are not doing well. Two sprouted, but apparently I did something wrong. Maybe too moist, maybe too hot, I don't know. But I have plenty of new seeds to plant, so I will see what they do in the next week and otherwise just start over. I am going to get this to work!

Today I got me a parasol with concrete foot. It was on a second hand site, for only 10 Euros, in the same color as the chair cushions I have, so now it makes a nice set. I haven't taken pictures of it yet, but I stole the ones the seller put on the site to have an idea.



Unfortunately it won't be used for quite some time since the drought here has finally ended. It is supposed to start raining during the night (hopefully a good forceful rain, but I doubt it) and tomorrow it will be much cooler than it was today. I have to leave a bit earlier too, considering the roads can be very slick and slippery with all the gunk and rubber that has accumulated on it. I have read it would be kind of like a soapy substance then that one would be driving over, so.. best leave early and drive a little calmer than normal.
Mood: pleased

eadwine Anywhere but there! Tuesday, May 8th 2007 @ 21:24 - Subscribe
It finally rained on Monday. Thank goodness for that, everything smells nice and fresh again now that the rain has washed the yellowy sand off of everything.

I drove to work carefully, but didn't encounter any problems. I did notice that I wasn't the only one taking it easy, and I was pleased to see people were taking oil and other gunk on the road into account. What also pleased me was the fact that I could go home straight after the first client. Well.. after having programmed her phone anew and chattering about, that is. But it felt great, having to start after the weekend and then right on to a full day is bleh.

This morning was bleh too. In more ways than one. Last night I was already pondering not getting myself planned in, when I woke up this morning I had decided: I was sending an email to the team leader that I didn't want to get planned in, something had come up. Yeah, me not wanting to was what came up. So.. I left home at 8:30 wondering what the difficult client of the week had in store for me.

I got there and there is this cup of tea sitting there waiting for me. She never makes tea when I get there. It took me about 15 seconds from getting in the door to realizing what enormous error I had made. I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to start at her place at 8 and not at 9 because I had a group meeting at 11! Oh fuck! Oh shit. Of all the people this happens at it has to happen at her place. I wished for a hole in the ground that I could step into. I had completely forgotten the meeting as well.

My mind was racing as I apologized numerous times to her. She is such a pattern strong lady, when things are out of whack it is hard enough, but then for me NOT to show up, oh man.. I felt so terribly guilty. I sat down for a few seconds, and then decided I was going to call the leader and ask for a meeting waver. Thank goodness she called me back and told me that was ok. I was allowed to miss the group meeting so I could work my full three hours at the client after all.

That was terribly lucky! It made right a lot of things. By the time coffee break came along she and I talked a bit, and she told me that she saw that I was truly overwhelmed by what had just happened, and that it was ok. The talk evolved from that into everything happens for a reason and a little bible talk, which was ok with me. When she talks about the bible and god, things are cool. I guess I must be one of the few Pagans that can actually just sanely deal with devout Christians like her and not go urgh at the same time. I like the way she believes, so steadfast, and yet not pushing it on me.

But then, I have been able to work for black stocking folks, me.. the Pagan. And they loved me to boot, me.. the heathen *laughs*

Anyway.. thank goodness that all ended just peachy in the end.. but as I was working I thought to myself: of ALL the clients that I have that would just say "Oh girly don't you mind, here have a cookie", it has to happen at her place, at the most difficult client of the lot who would NEVER say such a thing. *groan* Man, the embarrassment was dreadfully obvious, I was so terribly ashamed. Anyway.. it's over and done with and I sure hope this doesn't happen again soon! Hmm.. just checked.. 20 November 2007 is the next meeting on a Tuesday.. I think I will live for the time being!

The afternoon was filled with a few fun things. First of them was my car going over the 100000 km mark. This is normal for a diesel car, but for a regular gas car it is still special. Ok, don't mention the Kadett I once had that was well over 250000 at 14 years of age, this one is only 10 in November.

In any case.. I picked up my dad and together we went on a little road trip where we took a few pictures of the speedometers. One picture was taken at 99999 and the next one at 100000. The setting 100010 was fun too, as I told dad I had a binary car *laughs*



We went to the second hand place to see if I could find me a lamp, but no such luck. I am looking for one that points at the ceiling, but also has this snaky section on it that you can aim. Quite handy for when I am sitting watching TV and at the same time am doing some cross stitch work.

What I did find was something I have been looking for for a while but found either too big or too expensive. A little coffee machine for two cups at the same time (or one mug), but NOT a Senseo. It's an oldie Hollandia Café Duo machine that people here would take to a camping site, however for me it is perfect. It was only 2,50 and even came with an 8-day warranty!



I took that one home with me and bought some vinegar to get it cleaned on the insides as well. It ran perfectly, and the water is HOT, geez damn, burn your finger so hot. Which is great, it's a fast cuppa made for my dad when he comes over, and when I am done with it it can easily go back in the cupboard again as I don't drink coffee.

The evening would have been filled with booooringgg, if it wasn't for an announcement on the TV that House was airing this evening. So.. the day that started like crap ended with a good House show that is medicine for the mood.
Mood: stupid

eadwine Caregiver-patient relationship misinterpreted Wednesday, May 9th 2007 @ 21:44 - Subscribe
Today was.. to say the least, extremely interesting. I was met with my client's brutal honesty. But not until the end of the afternoon though. He's the one that yaps a lot, and I mean, a LOT. Nothing wrong with that.

At the end of the day we were just talking about anything and everything, and then the subject came to love. He had never been married, had had a girl he was in love with but it wasn't returned, and he simply out of the blue blurted out that he really liked me, in that special kind of way.

This was a shocker, but it was NOT something that totally surprised me. You have to understand that this man has been taken care of all his life. Everything was done for him, up to the bread he ate, until two years ago when his sister died, then he was suddenly left to fend on his own. After about a year he gets a knee surgery to get new knees, and in comes the home health aide. First someone else, then me. Now.. we are trained to listen (or rather.. if you don't know how to listen, get the fuck out of this job area), we are trained to help people, and this develops a bond. Nothing strange there.

However, just like with a doctor/nurse/caregiver-patient relationship, the patient may develop more feelings toward the other than s/he should, because the other (in this case me) fulfills a caring role. This gives a twisted idea of being in love, since you are not in love with the person, but with what the person provides that you have been missing. It is all perfectly logical.

I told him that I was very glad that he was so open about it and told me. He did not tell me this in order to take the relationship a step further, but more to just let me know how he feels. People have feelings, of course. I told him also that I would however never ever act on this, since for one -I- don't want to act on it (for one I am not attracted to the man in any way, and for two, even if I were I wouldn't want to have a relationship, period, at the moment), and for two it is not allowed by the employer to have client-health aide relationships that are more than the job description holds. Also logical.

I also asked him to, despite his being frank now, not bring it up again, to respect my feelings, and to also never act on this, for then I would have to leave and he will get another helper.

I have had experience in unwanted attention in the past, and that is NOT what I want where I work. But he has never EVER insinuated anything, nor has he even remotely tried to become physical; he has been and still is a perfect gentleman about it. For that reason alone I am willing to stay around and continue like nothing ever happened.

He told me he knew about the rules, after all, all this is in a booklet that clients are given before they get a helper in the house, so he knows what the consequences can be, but since he has never pushed me in a corner I am ok with the current situation. But I was clear: nothing about it, physical or otherwise, or I will have to call it in.

An interesting situation which I think I held under control nicely, and which was spoken out by both of us in an open way.

It sure is interesting work, what I do, I have to give it that. It's a new challenge, I think, and also interesting to see what is going to happen in the future. At least I know enough about the subject to deal with this properly, and I have had a team meeting subject about this as well in the distant past, and I am glad to say (though I wasn't glad back then! *laughs*) that I am more experienced with this kind of thing than most are. It'll work out alright.

Totally aside and different thing: both clients of today are going on the boat trip that no-one of my group signed up for last year. No duh.. I didn't know about this last year, had I known, I am pretty sure more would have gone along. Those two makes three. Tomorrow is the last client that I will ask. I haven't even bothered to suggest it to the difficult client (also: I forgot), but I am 100% certain that she would not be interested as it is way too much activity for her.
Mood: intrigued

eadwine Finally a normal day again Thursday, May 10th 2007 @ 21:59 - Subscribe
Good lord I needed one. To my luck I wasn't called in to work the afternoon, so I could go out shopping with my dad after having lunch. We went to this big shop that sells all sorts of stuff, but I didn't find a lamp to my taste there, or rather, in my price range. I have searched on a second hand site here though and found something that I do like. I emailed the sellers and have to wait and see what reply they give. Hopefully when I get to the bidding stage they will let it go for 10.

My dad however found something there that he wasn't really looking for. Roughly the same little coffee device that I was looking for earlier, only he bought himself the one cup version of it, new. One year warranty, only 6,45. Mighty nice price if you ask me and his little machine makes a dang hot cuppa as well.

I did bring home two storage boxes for food that I can put in the fridge or freezer. I sometimes have a larger amount of food made and want to eat it the next day or the day after, however, I then have to put a pan in the fridge that I likely need. Make that Murphy's Law: that I most definitely need for the next meal. And then of course it is occupied holding that food. These two things should help out with that situation.

Progress on the kitties cross stitch is going nicely. I am at about 3/4 on the first of two sheets, which is the top half of the thing. When I remember it I will make pictures.

Oh yeah, I did have one big hoot today. The neighbors were making a racket installing something on their house, but I figured I'd look when I would go and pick up dad. Turns out they were installing this shutter system. One that rolls down when you let go of a thick bit of ribbon, and when you pull on the stuff you hoist it back up. Basically stuff to avoid folks breaking into your home as the thieves will have more fun next door since it is easier to access.

Anyway.. I noticed them installing that thing on the front door, so I asked them if they were going to put that up everywhere. "Yeah," neighbor lady says, "yesterday we saw this man walking on the sheds, and he was going in the yard, your yard, and you weren't home and you know how that is with strange people and..."

Yesterday.. man on top of shed.. hmm..

"Did this person by any chance have a big ladder with him?" I asked her.

"Yeah, he did."

"Ah, so he climbed on the sheds with that thing and then off it again?"

"Yep, we saw that."

I burst out laughing. The supposedly thieving man was my window washer. He came over yesterday and I paid him when I saw him working over at another house. I told them that this window washer is not a thief, I have had the same guy wash my windows (with intervals) since 1993 *laughs* Trust me, this man doesn't steal.

But.. to think they were putting up these shutters today (second hand stuff, bought on the spur of the moment, obviously) because of my window washer guy, sure gave me a hoot.

It got even funnier as the talk went on when the guy asked me if I knew how to put the thing up. The part with the hoist band, hoist ribbon, whatever you call that thing was currently on the outside of the house. Well.. it is SUPPOSED to go on the inside of the house. Although, I wouldn't mind if they rang at my door in the evening asking me to close the thing for them, so I told them.

They started laughing at that one, hehe. Then the logic part came along. I told them I could also open it for them in the morning again. The lady says: "Yeah, we could ring your doorbell and ask".

*blink blink* "No, you couldn't, remember I shut the thing on the outside AFTER you entered the house?"

"Oh yeah!"

*shakes head* Yeah.. some people are funny, when you give them a chance. *laughs*
Mood: snorting

eadwine Let there be light Friday, May 11th 2007 @ 21:33 - Subscribe
Today was another easy day, but I used my brother's birthday as an excuse to get the afternoon off, or rather, to avoid being planned in. The morning went by nice and fast, no problems at all, and the client was once again doing much better. It pleases me to see her improve so much, she'll be fit and back to normal in no time.

Last night I had started searching for a lamp for next to the couch. I have taken quite a while to figure out what kind I wanted, since it wasn't clear yet. I could have taken a wall model in that corner, but considering I do my cross stitching there I needed a spot lamp. However it is a darkish corner as well, so a lamp that would gently illuminate it to the ceiling would be nice too. The combination was born, a floor lamp with a reading light. However those things are rather expensive as I mentioned yesterday.

Today I had more luck though. The lamp I had my eyes on at the second hand site was already gone, bummer, but I had another one to keep an eye on, though I didn't like that one as much since it was full aluminum color. I searched on and then suddenly saw an Ikea lamp, second hand, and it hit me: I hadn't checked there yet, who knows. They had quite a variation in lamps there, and you can get a floor lamp there for as cheap as under 7 Euros. I found two to my liking; one that was similar to the all aluminum one, and one that had wooden parts, which I liked better but was more expensive, however, for 35 Euros I wouldn't mind going for that one.



We went there and I found that the lamp in question also had a dimmer device for the top light. Now that is nifty, I can set things to my own preference, and I also found that the spot light is an energy saving lamp of only 7W. Mighty nifty since it is on almost all the evening. Tomorrow we will finish putting it together since the electric screwdriver wasn't in the house but at my dad's. I did already take his two stools back that I borrowed and two spot lights that I no longer need now.

As far as the cross stitch is concerned, it is progressing nicely. The top half is getting closer and closer to being done.



Quite a lot of work, but I still love doing it! The folds will disappear magically as the work will be framed and stretched a bit before doing so.

Tomorrow dad and I are going to the brother's birthday party. Going out to dinner so we are not sitting there looking at each other funny. I did tell my dad I wanted to go someplace where I know what is on the menu, meaning there are none of those exotic like things with funny names that tells you nothing of what is on your plate.

Also.. I don't want to go to a place where when you order a "plate surprise", like my dad did last year, your food on the plate has antennae and is looking at you. You then have to spend five minutes pondering which parts could be edible, and how you are going to get to them. For those wondering, no we are not talking lobster here but something else that can grab hold in a quite nasty manner. I guess I like my food plain and normal. Prepare and serve it differently, sure, but make it look like food please, not like it just jumped out of SeaWorld.

Thank goodness my dad is the same kind of person and agrees, so I think I am safer off this year on the dinner department. *wipes brow*
Mood: alright

eadwine I already knew I was smart Saturday, May 12th 2007 @ 07:16 - Subscribe
tounge.gif



IQ Test Score

Your IQ is 127, your rating is Bright Mastermind



You can take the test, just have to register at the end and say "pass" to a number of offers. I just used a spam email addy hehe.

Oh.. to delete: login, click my profile on the left under My Account, and then on the right hand side you see a Delete your account link.
Mood: smart

eadwine Lived through dinner Sunday, May 13th 2007 @ 21:52 - Subscribe
And had a really good dinner to boot. During the day dad and I checked out some restaurants and found there were so many in that area that we decided to leave early and check things out ourselves before heading off to my brother.

Turned out one restaurant that we had set our minds to was closed, and had been closed a long time ago. The phone number we tried before we left that was on the site didn't work, so I called up the registrar info and found a cell phone number of the person who registered the site. He was utterly amazed, asked my dad where he got the number from. Yet another example as to why you should let your host register your domain. No-one will get my info from my website like that. They will simply end up seeing my host. Anyway.. the guy told dad that he wasn't the owner anymore, hadn't been for a long time. We found it closed when we got there.

We tried a few other places but didn't really find one that we liked so we half and half decided we would then just go to a road restaurant, those are always ok here. We arrive at the brother and he says HE has made reservations already. I was a bit shocked, and asked where. Some Italian restaurant. Oh thank goodness was the first thing that I thought. At least that is food that is edible, and not some shrimp with complete attire looking at you from your plate.. brrr.

Well.. the food was GREAT, I cannot say different. Dad and I ordered a steak with side stuff, and the meat was so soft.. amazing, just amazing. VERY good quality food for not too expensive either. A big success, that is for sure. As far as I am concerned we're eating there next year as well!

Today we went to my grand folks for mother's day, however.. they were not home when we got there! Luck had it that I remembered the street and number of the house of my niece from where we could continue the search for them and it turns out they were visiting her! It was her birthday, and the flowers we had gotten for grandma were given to the birthday girl.

They have ferrets there, and a ferret hotel has just been started. They are nifty little creatures, but I strongly prefer a cat to a ferret. For one, my cat actually answers when you talk to her, she doesn't wreck the place when I am not there, doesn't need a cage and is cleaner to boot. The smell is distinct, however it wasn't too bad over there. Still, I don't like ferret odor, so.. no.. not for me.

We went to the gramps in the morning, with the idea that we would be home again in the afternoon. It went slightly different with us not being home until 15:30. Ah well.. not like there is much to do anyway on a Sunday afternoon.

With all the activity I need another weekend, geez! Oh, and as far as the genealogy guy is concerned, he has done squat, so, my dad is sending him a letter with the email printed out and attached to it, again demanding him to remove the offending data. Yet again we wait and see.
Mood: tired

eadwine She won! Monday, May 14th 2007 @ 22:07 - Subscribe
Ok, I am blabbering TV stuff here, but Holland's Next Top Model Episode 2 is Kim.



I was rooting for this girl, partially because she is simply a very pretty lady with brains and not just a pretty face, but also because, like myself, she is partially deaf. It was very special to see a girl with a disability win a contest like this. One would think that a national contest agency would throw those out, but I guess I was wrong, and happily so. She won, and it was a justified win too.

The day went by without any hitches, the only thing I have to go after is finding out what my employer's policy with driving clients in your own car is. There is nothing stated in the "rule book" about that, only about driving with the client's car. That won't help much since most don't have a car. Wait and see, but I am not asking my team leader, since I have been getting mixed signals from different team leaders over the years.

I spent the afternoon and evening lounging on the couch, watching TV and working on the kitties cross stitch project. Tomorrow I am going to the difficult client, nothing special is planned that I remember (no 08:00 starts at least!) and I am waiting to hear about the afternoon if I am planned in. If not, then alright then, but I don't want to get perpetually not planned in if you catch my drift.

I will tell the client that my holiday has been planned at the end of June, because she is a skipper. However, two weeks without help is a bit much. I will tell my team leader what type is needed and will leave a note in the binder for the helper that comes and tell the lady the replacement needs to look in the binder where I have written instructions. I think that is the best way to handle this one, but I will talk about that with her tomorrow during tea break. Best to be prepared and be prepared early in her case.

As far as Wednesday afternoon's client, I find that after the initial shock I have coped quite well. Writing it all down and putting it into perspective also helps with how to deal with things. As said.. I am keeping a close eye on the situation there of course, and will lay out the rules again if need be. It'll work out I'm sure.

First I have to live past tomorrow, and then the Wednesday. Thursday I have off (yay!) and then after the Friday it is weekend again. When the Tuesday morning has passed the rest of the week usually flies by.
Mood: happy

eadwine One week vacation for the whole year? Tuesday, May 15th 2007 @ 22:40 - Subscribe
I think not!

When I got to the client I figured she had remembered me telling her that I would take two weeks off in June. Apparently not. When I told her my plan (writing down what the replacement has to do exactly) she tells me: "I thought you wouldn't take anymore vacation this year".

No lady, I said I hardly ever take a vacation, I NEVER told you I wouldn't take one at all anymore. I told her that yes I do, I have hours that I need to get done. She should be glad too, in theory I could take three months off straight, if I wanted to. Not that I am going to of course, but that is how much I have. And now that I have realized those days are mine for the taking I am not going to let folks steal them away from me, so.. I am taking the days off whether they like it or not. I cannot please them all after all. I sensed she didn't like it. Tough shit, I am only human.

The day went well though, no problems at all aside from that one speed bump at the start. At break time I told her about the boat trip. I realized that she would likely refuse, however not telling her would not be right, as other folks would talk about going along and all that.

To my utter amazement she said yes. Initially she decided not to, but as we talked a bit she realized that it wasn't right for her to only have things her way, that she has to adjust to things, so.. to have the experience of having to do that she forced herself into the situation and is going to do it. Just to compare, for us that would be similar to going bungy jumping (that is, if you are scared of that shit).

When I was done at her place I quickly went to the now Thursday morning client and dropped off the little battery powered tea light, and she was very pleased with it. It is great to be able to get along with someone so easily. Someone who doesn't make a fuss if I put something in the wrong spot. It is not that "difficult client" can help it, but it sure makes life harder and more tense. But.. I lived through another day.

I emailed my team leader and I now have the happy fact that all but one of my client group are going on the trip. I feel like making a long nose at the team leader alright. Had she told me about this last year I am sure some would have gone along. At least one that I know of! Ah well.. all are informed now, and we'll see how this all is going to end up playing out. I also told her in the email to let me know if she has a client for Friday afternoon. This is the second week where I don't have extra clients, and this situation should not last for too long. Giving her that nudge I hope will make her realize that I am the breadwinner of this family.

The afternoon and evening was spent adapting the template a bit, it is now a little more logically laid out and not set to a certain width anymore, which is something I like since I am working at different widths at times given my layout of the tabs which are on the right hand side.

In the mean time I watched a movie (The Matrix) and did some more cross stitching. Things are going well alright. Tomorrow I am curious what will happen in the afternoon, though I am not nervous at all. It's because I don't feel threatened, and that sure helps! Still though I cannot wait till the day has passed again so I can get back home and work on the cross stitch and stuff.

Oh, a bit of good news, my temporary notice of the tax return came in. Almost 450 Euros back in my bank account already. However I have to wait till I get the final notice to know for sure that they agreed with my numbers that I filled out. As soon as my next paycheck comes in this money is going to my savings account, which is finally looking like something again after that huge hole that was struck in it a year ago.
Mood: tired

eadwine Hope come true Wednesday, May 16th 2007 @ 23:39 - Subscribe
As I expected, things went just fine today. Of course the mornings always go ok on a Wednesday but the afternoon was what I was waiting for to see what would happen. As I had hoped the subject was not brought up again and we worked together like we had always done. I must say, I am relieved things went so well. I did keep a bit of extra distance, but it wasn't needed after all.

I am glad I didn't run to the team leader right off, but decided to wait till the next week. If he HAD brought it up again I would have had no choice but to act and discuss things with my team leader. Whew to that, I wouldn't have wanted to lose a nice client, because that he is. And obviously one with a brain too, since he followed my.. well.. what was pretty much an order.

He even made a good joke! He was walking up the stairs and I said that he should be careful not to fall off. You know what it is like, the falling is nothing, but the landing part... Anyway, he turns around and says his brother told him once, that when you fall, you can land pretty badly. You can even die if you land entirely the wrong way. Now.. he didn't mind the dying so much, but.. you know.. the next day you are stiff as hell! *snort*

On a different note.. does anyone know where Ungruntled up and went off to? I just saw his diary was taken over by some phone advertiser shit thing, and I cannot find him anywhere on the web. His email is not working because it hadn't been checked in a long time. Dernit Tom, get in touch! I did leave a message in an old Haloscan thing that I happened to find that was still active, but I doubt he'll check that. Earth to Ungruntled, come in Ungruntled!

Hmm.. 01:37 now.. WAYYYY past bedtime. I best head off to my bed, but I can sleep in as tomorrow is a holiday. Lovely. Now let's hope I CAN sleep in!
Mood: relieved

eadwine Sometimes amazing things do happen Thursday, May 17th 2007 @ 10:23 - Subscribe
Like Republicans speaking out of their nest and speaking common sense.

A friend linked me to a site that had an article written by someone discussing Fox Network's debate show for the GOP candidates in South Carolina. I read it and then was met with a pleasant shock. The writer of the article on the site I was given says:

"Some guy that nobody ever even heard of grabbed a mike and committed common sense, right up there on the stage with women and innocent children watching."

Committing common sense, that sentence alone had me going!

He goes on:

"The perpetrator was named Ron Paul, who turned out upon investigation to be an obstetrician with libertarian leanings, an Air Force vet and an obscure Texas congressman who once represented Tom DeLay’s old district. Here’s some of what he said:

We’ve started with - we’ve just - the Republicans put in the Department of Homeland - it’s a monstrous type of bureaucracy. It was supposed to be streamlining our security and it’s unmanageable. I mean, just think of the efficiency of FEMA in its efforts to take care of the floods and the hurricanes…

We were spending $40 billion on security prior to 9/11, and they had all the information they needed there to deal with the threat, and it was inefficiency. So what do we do? We add a gigantic bureaucracy, which they’re still working on trying to put it together, and a tremendous amount of increase in funds…

There’s a strong tradition of being anti-war in the Republican party. It is the constitutional position. It is the advice of the Founders to follow a non-interventionist foreign policy, stay out of entangling alliances, be friends with countries, negotiate and talk with them and trade with them.

Q: Congressman, you don’t think that changed with the 9/11 attacks, sir?

No. Non-intervention was a major contributing factor. Have you ever read the reasons they attacked us? They attack us because we’ve been over there; we’ve been bombing Iraq for 10 years …

We don’t understand the irrationality of Middle Eastern politics. So right now we’re building an embassy in Iraq that’s bigger than the Vatican. We’re building 14 permanent bases. What would we say here if China was doing this in our country or in the Gulf of Mexico? We would be objecting. We need to look at what we do from the perspective of what would happen if somebody else did it to us. (Applause.)

Q:Are you suggesting we invited the 9/11 attack, sir?

I’m suggesting that we listen to the people who attacked us and the reason they did it, and they are delighted that we’re over there because Osama bin Laden has said, “I am glad you’re over on our sand because we can target you so much easier.” They have already now since that time - have killed 3,400 of our men, and I don’t think it was necessary.

MR. GIULIANI: Wendell, may I comment on that? That’s really an extraordinary statement. That’s an extraordinary statement, as someone who lived through the attack of September 11, that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq. I don’t think I’ve heard that before, and I’ve heard some pretty absurd explanations for September 11th. (Applause, cheers.)

And I would ask the congressman to withdraw that comment and tell us that he didn’t really mean that. (Applause.)

Q:Congressman?

I believe very sincerely that the CIA is correct when they teach and talk about blowback. When we went into Iran in 1953 and installed the shah, yes, there was blowback. A reaction to that was the taking of our hostages and that persists. And if we ignore that, we ignore that at our own risk. If we think that we can do what we want around the world and not incite hatred, then we have a problem.

They don’t come here to attack us because we’re rich and we’re free. They come and they attack us because we’re over there. I mean, what would we think if we were - if other foreign countries were doing that to us?

This is the first time I can remember that any candidate for the presidency, of either party, has taken on the question that Osama bin Laden once suggested that we ask ourselves: Why didn’t his men attack Stockholm?"

He's pleased someone actually uses the gray mass we were all given. And I am pleased as well. Even though I am not a Republican and never will be one, I did have to support Ron Paul's courage. Fact of the matter is that speaking these things out loud in THAT camp is something that is "not done" and will be met quite some hostility. I am sure he will get lots of hate mail from people who are living in a dream world and who refuse to see what things are really like out there.

So.. what did I do? I emailed the man and told him how I felt about it. My writing exactly:

Hello Mr. Paul,

just a word from overseas. I just read the news about your comments regarding Iraq and 9/11 in the debate at the University of South Carolina.

I am very happy to see there is someone around who can put things in perspective and also isn't afraid of voicing his opinion in an area where the general word speaks otherwise.

I am not a republican by any means, but I do believe that words that speak truth matter, no matter from what camp they come from.

Good luck Mr. Paul, and thank you.

The first time ever that I wrote to a candidate, but I felt this one was worth it. I believe that more people should write this man, he can use all the support he can get.

For those who want to read more: Transcript Republican Presidential Debate in South Carolina
Mood: stunned

eadwine Birthday visit and catching falling cake Thursday, May 17th 2007 @ 21:46 - Subscribe
I managed to sleep in this morning, though it was with lively dreams that I unfortunately cannot remember anymore. Ah well, nothing big in any case.

At nine I figured I best get my ass out of bed and do something so I went and got some things together for later on. We were going to visit my nephew at his new place in the afternoon, and dad would pick me up after lunch. I cruised around on the web a little, talked with a friend about what spurred the previous entry, and also managed to get my coding right for the blockquotes before I could do so. I also got rid of the excess code which will increase the loading time of the page just a bit. Not that the counter isn't doing its best to slow it down, but that aside.

I also checked out some upgrades. Yesterday I did some (for my doing) massive upgrading and I am now down from 152 or so packages to 101 at the moment. Open Office was keeping things a little interesting by refusing to cooperate. I had tried a tip already but that was a no-go, it didn't solve the problem I had with it. It is not terribly important to upgrade that program, but thought it would be fun to do so. I am steering clear from the packages I don't trust and/or that say "system" in it somewhere. Also things that have to do with package management are out of the question. I was debating upgrading the printer stuff, but read about a broken update for another user and I decided I was lucky not to have mucked with it. I cannot miss my printer.

Around 13:00 dad dropped by, and off we went. We took a couple of wrong turns but in the end managed to find it because I saw this Mercedes cab drive by that looked an awful lot like the cab that my grandfolks drove home in after visiting my niece. I looked closer and saw my grandparents were in the cab. "Follow that cab" was the first thing I told my dad when I had seen that. I do have to say, without following the car it would have taken us forever to find the one particular turn that we had to take.

Things were alright. The cake was good, both to eat and to catch. My nephew's girlfriend was eating her piece and could thank me for my fast reaction time that is insane. I managed to prove the speed again as she was still watching her cake slide off her plate, and it was good and well in my hand before it hit her pants. Of course I couldn't catch it all so some still hit it, but I saved the piece for her. She still ate it when we were done cleaning up, good girl. No bacteria fear there *chuckles*

There were three people there that were partially deaf. Me, of course, my granddad who had gotten the test result back. He is 100% deaf on one side, but that was already something we knew, and 50% on the other side. I already told him to not expect miracles, but any gain in hearing power that he can get with a hearing aid is a good thing and will help him. He was sitting next to my nephew's granddad, but they were sitting on each other's wrong side, so every now and then I could hear them over the others, heh. I could see from between them two that it is a real advantage to be able to lipread, which I can do. However, I cannot understand what is said when someone covers the mouth. I can hear it, but the understanding part is broken for me.

At about 16:30 we thought it was late enough and went on home again, and for the first time in a while we didn't have to wait for some boat that had to cross, causing the bridge to open and us to wait. The evening was spent scanning work papers that have to do with the period closing. I need more hours dernit. I was deprived from about 15 or so this period, and that is quite a bit. I did sneak in a few more off hours in than I actually could officially write, but I figured: I worked for those hours to save them, so they can pay them to me too.

Ah.. and now we are getting somewhere on the Open Office upgrade. I have been stupid! I searched for openoffice, selected them all, and then hit mark to upgrade. Those that didn't have upgrades started to whine at me. How dumb... *laughs* I upgraded ONLY the upgradable ones now, and it worked. Solved.
Mood: donkey

eadwine Just another test Friday, May 18th 2007 @ 17:37 - Subscribe
One that doesn't require you to register. I guess it is quite nice how this came out:

The Everything Test

There are many different types of tests on the internet today. Personality tests, purity tests, stereotype tests, political tests. But now, there is one test to rule them all.

Traditionally, online tests would ask certain questions about your musical tastes or clothing for a stereotype, your experiences for a purity test, or deep questions for a personality test.We're turning that upside down - all the questions affect all the results, and we've got some innovative results too! Enjoy :-)

Personality
You are more logical than emotional, more concerned about others than concerned about self, more atheist than religious, more loner than dependent, more lazy than workaholic, more rebel than traditional, more engineering mind than artistic mind, more cynical than idealist, more leader than follower, and more introverted than extroverted.

As for specific personality traits, you are outgoing (100%), adventurious (100%), intellectual (67%), adventurous (62%).

Stereotypes
Young Professional70%
Prep62%
College Student45%
Life Experience
Sex38%
Substances0%
Travel21%

Politics
Your political views would best be described as Socialist, whom you agree with around 83% of the time. 		Socioeconomic
Your attitude toward life best associates you with Middle Class. You make more than 59% of those who have taken this test, and 56% less than the U.S. average.

If your life was a movie, it would be rated PG-13.
By the way, your hottness rank is 50%, hotter than 17% of other test takers.

TAKE THE TEST
brought to you by thatsurveysite



Note that I took my gross income in the test, not the net one, and that my net income in this country is considered just under welfare level.

As far as not traveled much, if the test were based in Europe instead of the USA I think it would have come out higher.
Mood: bored

eadwine Friday! Friday, May 18th 2007 @ 22:28 - Subscribe
Yay! Finally weekend again. I wasn't planned in for the afternoon, and when I went and gave the team leader the client sheets I told her to plan me in more. I am the main income in this two-beings family here, and I lose out if I lose the income. Well.. she wrote Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon down. That is ok, two extra clients in the week and I can live proper again instead of lower than standard. Standard in itself is low enough after all. Now all I have to see is IF she is indeed getting me clients. If not, then I do have to start looking for other solutions.

Nothing much other happened today, it was rather boring. Been thinking of getting me a home trainer though.



I tried the one at my grandmother's and it was a good exercise. No wind, no hills, just plain old steady biking. I can last longer at the neutral setting. Ah well.. we'll see. It's something I am going to ponder for a long time at least.
Mood: tired

eadwine How white becomes pink Sunday, May 20th 2007 @ 21:58 - Subscribe
Both in the eyes from searching as well as in the laundry.

I had put a white T-shirt in the whities, and I forgot it had a red print on it. One of my white work shirts was in the wash with it. Guess which one stayed white? Right, NOT my work shirt. Drat it all. Stupid enough to put it in there in the first place but I didn't think about it when I was loading up the washer. Not until all my laundry came back out did I see what had happened.

Well.. at least the tea stain is gone now.. *rolls eyes*

I mailed the team leader about it, asking for one or two new shirts for two reasons. The first the ones I have now are showing wear, and the second, the one that just got pinkified. It is resting in a bucket with water and bleach now, tomorrow I will go to the drug store and pick up something that is supposed to work for washed out colors (though I doubt it will work now, but at least it is worth a try) and try that. I wonder what the leader will say, but I sure said a backward prayer if you know what I mean. My hands smell like swimming pool today because of it.

Ah well.. nothing to be done about it, it is what it is. When it came out I didn't really know what to do, so, after first trying my corner neighbor I tried my grandmother. She told me what to do and that is how things are now. I do believe she had to chuckle about it, and I do hope grandpa got a good laugh out of it as well.

In other news, I had gotten my bank slips in, so I saw that my paycheck had been added and I was able to ship the tax money over to my savings account. I logged in, checked to make sure and then my eyes bulged. I had gotten 550 too much. Then it hit me: this was my holiday money! Of course. So.. instead of the 450, I could transfer 1000 over. Whoa baby! I took 100 off of that though, for the home trainer thingy that is the other cause for the white to turn pink.

I have been searching all afternoon for data and deals on the things. I know that by searching so frantically like I did I am already saving 1/3rd of the price. Never shop at the first or second option for these things. I have three in mind, with different prices. The flywheels of the PowerPeaks are the same weight, 5kg, but on the Weslo I have to wait and see since I cannot find that info anywhere and have mailed a seller, but the weight it can take as in people using it is higher than the other two.



I had one other brand in mind, the Body Sculpture BC1510, but when I read a review on that one and the user telling that the main problem with it was the computer, which lets ghosts ride on it (it turns on and off at its own will), combined with the pricing at €89.99 I figured I'd leave that one alone and go for information on those three I mentioned earlier.

I have found a few more dealers, but those three prices are the cheapest for the same material. One learns a lot with these things, but they all do the same thing really. What I need to compare is the pedal diameter, and the position of the pedals compared to the seat. It's been interesting, but a loooong journey, hence the pink eyes.

It is also dreadfully hard to find reviews on the things. I want to read what other folks have to say about it, if there is anything I need to know, like with the BS one, I would like to know it before I buy one. Whatever happens, I will be happy with it as it does what I want it to do: cycle, indoors, and keep the distance on the meter. I intend to make a certain mileage a day on it, and I can do that while watching the TV. I hope it will be able to get me some more endurance going so that in the longer run I can maybe pick up jogging as well. But.. as with everything I do: we'll see. First things first.

Enough yapping about the home trainers. Something interesting happened yesterday. I cannot completely confirm it, but I just know it's him. An old "friend" from Utah decided to visit my blog, a "friend" who is apparently still worried about his age. He's turning 50 soon (if he hasn't already, I didn't bother to remember his birthday), and I guess it is that time of the year again, now 7 years ago.

I will not go into things too much, but he made a nice mess of my life way back when. Boy if he could see me now. According to my friends I still look the same as I did in 2000, just a wee bit older (and I put on some healthy weight too, as I was very ill at the time, little did I know..), but thanks TO those friends I am now a lot wiser than I was back then. I wonder what he is doing looking me up on my blog after such a long absence, but I want to bet it is his 7-year itch or something.

In any case, as long as he doesn't think he can even begin to manipulate me again, since those things have changed quite a bit, and as a proper card player I have a few more tricks up my sleeve to make his life miserable than he may think.

I don't hold grudges and will let things lie, but I also have no remorse. Let this be a warning to you: try something, be it as little as shit, and I will strike back at you at full force. I suggest you will not give me the excuse.

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, on to lighter things again, hehe. Tomorrow a half day of work, hopefully some good news in my inbox about those work shirts (man I cannot believe how stupid that was *snort*), and then in the afternoon I need to pick up my meds, and some of that color stuff. I have to get an early dinner inside me since at 18:30 I have to be at the hair dresser's already. Note to self: make sure you have €10 in your wallet to pay the lady. It is going to be a rush rush go day, that is for sure.

*sniffs* Bleh, I still smell like a swimming pool, that will account for some interesting dreams alright.
Mood: cross eyed

eadwine Hair cuts Monday, May 21st 2007 @ 21:59 - Subscribe
Another day, another blog entry. Tomorrow I am facing difficult client lady for three hours where things can always go both ways. It either goes very well, or I feel like crap for doing something wrong. Ah well.. I am not perfect, and no, I am still not living a year on a one week vacation!

The morning client wasn't feeling too well, but I worked upstairs so didn't bother her too much. Work went just fine that way and I soon was able to leave again. I went to the office and looked up the model of the shirt, wrote that down, put x2 with it, and stuck it on the team leader's desk. She called me later in the afternoon asking if I was ok with being planned in tomorrow afternoon and I said yes. Wait and see, it's a new name, the street I know and can find, just the person is new. Curious what I am going to be met with.

It is always a fear and an enthusiasm combined, getting a new person. Most of the time they are great people who love to laugh and for whom I usually don't have to do anything extra; "Let the regular helper do that hon, just dust proper, vacuum and clean the toilet a bit". At times you get a person who is totally unresponsive to what you do, and all you feel is negative vibes. It's like a lottery, but reversed. You get a prize most of the time, but sometimes it's a shit deal.

I always keep in mind before I go to a new client that I have the right to leave if things get too bad. It never got to that, fortunately, though one time I did leave in a hurry. A whole other story though. Tomorrow it is new person time, crossing the fingers it will go ok. It's one with a background, so it is more than likely it will be a difficult one, but I can handle two picky people on one day *winks*

I had dinner and right after washed my hair, packed up the stuff dad wanted and went to him. Had a hair cut, which went fine, just it is so terribly busy at that house. Kids running around and all that (that is counting the father in law of the hair dresser). I told her not to cut as much off, as I wanted to let it grow again. I have kept it at the same length for well over two years now, and it's gotten nice and healthy again, finally. Health problems go to the hair first, you can trust me on that one. At least for me they do. It's easy to spot too, as I have "barometer hair". The darker it is, the worse I am doing, and when it is a coppery chestnut color I feel really good. Usually it sticks with its standard old brown color. Quite fun to notice the differences.

Hopefully it will grow as nicely as it did in the past, I like my hair longer than it is now. I remember her having to cut it off. I told her to get everything off that was necessary and oh boy was she thorough, eek. I still have long hair but it was at least a hand width longer than it is now. But.. it is time to get it all back again, and maybe beat it too!

Well.. time for me to hit the sack.
Mood: hopeful

eadwine Just an in between update Tuesday, May 22nd 2007 @ 17:34 - Subscribe
It's something that has been bugging me all afternoon and I have to get it out now, instead of this evening. Get rid of it by writing it down, is what I call it.

I wrote my team leader an email today about ms difficult client. Today a little thing happened and it was the last drop for me at the time. I made a comment about it too, but that was met with the same resistance.

What happened? She has this grass mat on her balcony, and when it rains that gets wet. Logical. For some time now there is stuff from the roof that falls down on it. Likely done by birds or something picking up stuff for a nest. Since it has been raining for a while nothing had been done about the roof stuff for a while. We were waiting for it to dry up.

So.. today it finally dried up, and I could go outside with this dustpan and little broom to sweep the stuff up. For one: usually this is not done this way since we are not allowed to work that way, so for two: I am doing her a FAVOR here.

I sweep up the loose pieces carefully, to not get the broom too wet, since the mat wasn't totally dry just yet, and I hand the pan to her. She throws it in the trash and hands me back the pan for the other balcony, so far so good. But she is watching me with a hawk's eye alright (enough to make you nervous).

So.. I make this sorta show out of it, making sure I get every stupid little loose piece that is there, basically getting more off the floor than is really there. I hand her the pan again when done and say: "A lot sure came off of it, didn't it?"

Her response: "Back when I did it I was much more thorough." The way this translates is: "You should have swept the entire balcony floor with it, not just grabbed those pieces, you would have gotten much more off the floor than you did now."

For about 30 seconds I am flabbergasted. I did an extra good job at it, taking all the stupid shit off, and she expects me to sweep the whole freaking thing, crouching no less, with a hand broom?

No way in hell.

So my comment after this 30 seconds of "What the fuck?" going on in my head is: "Well, I can't do more than my best." To which her reply is: "I am only saying how it was done in the old days."

I could have said: "Well, this isn't the old days", but I wasn't looking for a fight or confrontation. I just decided then and there that I was going to talk about this with my team leader first before doing anything more.

This is just an example of how things have been in the past year. Sure, they have gotten less and less as I have grown accustomed to how she wants things done, but sweeping an entire balcony with a hand broom is where I draw the line. Favor ok, but this goes too far.

It has now gotten to the point for me that I WANT to be able to say something about it, since it is now starting to cross my personal limit of what is considered reasonable. I know this isn't the easiest person to work for, as I know when other workers hear her name, they say: "You work for her?! *roll eyes sigh*" which says plenty.

Honestly, the contact between her and I has never been better; we get along great as long as there is nothing happening like this. When it does she makes me feel like I am a shit worker, that I never will do things good enough. The Dutch call that "minderwaardigheidscomplex". *sigh*

Anyway.. a talk is in order with the team leader as to how to proceed with this.
Mood: irritated

eadwine Good afternoon Tuesday, May 22nd 2007 @ 20:51 - Subscribe
This morning when I went to the client it was a normal start. However despite me wanting to wash the outside windows, she wanted to have the inside of the house dusted properly. Again. Ah well, I can do that too I guess, but it is booooriiiiing. I took it at a slow pace and I got through the morning, glad I could go though. I go whew, every time I can leave there again. Another week without trouble ahead.

I had lunch and then went on to number two, who, much to my amazement was a younger lady, about my mom's age, maybe somewhat younger. Very nice person, enthusiastic, liked a joke, and I was glad to be able to work there. It was a joy, compared to the morning client.

This lady had a home trainer sitting there, so I asked her how she experienced that thing. She hadn't been on it for a while, for health reasons (usually you get it for health reasons), but it was fun to do. She cycled while watching TV, which is pretty much what I intend to do.

I have another client who also has a home trainer, but hers is quite old already. One of those with the old fashioned speedometer and kilometer gauge. Does the trick, but I do prefer the modern ones, for their improved possibilities, their increased stability and of course the looks have something to do with it too. I mean.. would you want to have something in your living room that looked like you just got rid of your training wheels?

This client was a delight. I could also do a few things for her, like hang a lamp (been a while since I did that). She had a fire extinguisher in her kitchen which needed to be hung. I asked her if she had someone to hang it for her (when the answer was no I would have done it) and her strong answer was "Of course not, I can do that myself! I don't need someone to drill a hole for me!" *laughs* The way she said it was just great. It oozed Girl Power there.

The team leader called me while I was there, to ask if I could work Thursday. Of course I can work Thursday afternoon, it is open, right? Yeah but she wanted to check. That is ok, I'd rather she checked than just blatantly plan me in. So.. I told her that she could email me the data of that client, a 13:00 till 15:00, short afternoon. "Do I have to?" she says. Do I have to?! Yes of course you do. For one that is what an email addy is for, and for two, I am upstairs mopping, I don't have a pen and paper handy up here. *giggles* I can still hear that reluctant voice. I do stuff the email way folks, best get used to it *winks*
Mood: headachy

eadwine Had the talk with the team leader Wednesday, May 23rd 2007 @ 21:06 - Subscribe
This morning at the first client my team leader called and told me she had received my email about ms difficult client and the talk I wanted about her. I could go there at 16:00, right after work.

Work went by without a hitch again aside from telling and hearing a few jokes. Those are not hitches but they sure can be disrupting in certain ways when told at the right time! *laughs* I went to the office at 16:00 where I was caught in the middle of a discusion between two team leaders. A helper couldn't go to the clients because her granddad was getting his first xenogamy the next morning. Now in English it is a "Huh?" response, but in Dutch it is much better: kruisbestuiving. Kruis means crotch, and I think it meant that granddad was getting radiation treatment or something like that for the first time. I had to holler quite a bit when I heard that word being thrown across the hallway *laughs*

It got rid of my nerves that had started raging through me when I got on the elevator. I told her what the problem was, and her response boiled down to what I actually already knew: this lady's world has gotten so small and out of her control, that the little she CAN control she is trying to control with all her might. Add to that that she is obsessive, and you got the responses of my client.

What I need to do next Tuesday is throw the situation open. Either respond when a bump happens again by saying she shouldn't be so muttery about things I do, that I don't like it when she says such things. Plain and simple truth. Or when nothing happens to bring up the evaluation again, and asking her if she is truly still happy with me as her helper because she mutters at me at times, and if she wishes to try another helper for a while to see if that works better.

Whichever way, it will be a confrontation, and hopefully an improvement on her side that she is going to be a bit more decent about things instead of saying (sub skin) that whatever I do however I do it is not good enough. Just me saying I am only doing the best I can is not enough in this case.

It'll be a toughy that will be going through my brain this week, that is for sure! Oh, and no list. Just tell the client I had a meeting with the team leader and that I had told her my concerns, and that is it. Let the new helper come over and let things explode. Client will appreciate me the more when that happens.

It is pretty much a reason why I took two weeks instead of one! I knew that when I only took one week off she would opt for a skip, but two skips is a bit much. I knew I was on the right path all along. I am just very glad to see it confirmed by the team leader. At least now when things explode I have a cushion to land on, and she will know what is going on so she isn't unprepared when the client decides to give her a call.

*big sigh*

Such drama. *chuckles*
Mood: relieved

eadwine Positive day Thursday, May 24th 2007 @ 22:16 - Subscribe
Before I went to bed last night I read a topic on the Mepislovers forums about scanners, and how it recognized the scanner but still didn't see it when requested info. Instructions were given on how to add the vendor info and such in the backend, or the driver or something, and that person got it to work.

I have this scanner that never wished to do anything in Mepis, despite a big effort that was given it back in the ProMepis days and I thought "Oh what the heck" and tried adding similar info to the genesys part, which is what my scanner looks to. Unplug, plug, perform that command again and oh baby! It was recognized! The light turned on when I started xsane however I am still getting errors. It doesn't scan still, but the time out for the lamp works as I can set to turn it off after 1 minute, and it did, where it stayed on before. Good, since that saves the tube.

Now all I have to do is wait for the backends to get updated, which is the libsane package. I tried installing a cvs version which was newer than what is installed on this system, but it depended on packages much newer that the repos currently offer. I just have to wait. However, it is progress, it is a breath of air that the thing has taken after having been under water for 2+ years.

After a short night of sleep (due to that scanner fiddling I went to bed later than I usually do on a weeknight) I went to my regular morning client and in the afternoon to a new one. Turns out miss new one is the sister of regular Wednesday morning! Aha, she must have heard stories about me. Curious as I am I will find out, but not by asking directly *chuckles*

First thing I did was grab the fan from the attic, it was bloody hell hot in her home, and apparently nobody thought of getting the thing downstairs yet. She cannot do it, she can't walk stairs at all. Helpers are over the floor all the time. In the short span that I was there three (not counting myself) came in. Surely ONE of them should have had the brains to cook up this one:

fan upstairs + lady cannot go upstairs = get fan for her

Ah well.. at least I did, and as I was walking up the stairs and grabbing the fan I thought: point 1. My goal when at a new client is to score points. The more the better, because when you score a LOT they will call the office and tell them how happy they are with me, get it? Needless to say, it is easier and more fun to score points when you are working for someone you like, and with this lady it was instant like.

I went upstairs, ironed sheets and such, and then came back down with them folded and all. I went looking for the lady and found her in the bathroom. The toilet covered in diarrhea (FINALLY I get to use that word, been learning to spell it!), her undies in the same state. The smell wasn't too bad actually, not the fainting kind.

"I think I have had an accident."

What I thought was: "Ma'am, you are way beyond THINKING you had an accident."

My brain started racing. I was not allowed to wash a person, I mean, I don't have the training. I told her so. It kept on racing as I finally said: "Could you hold up the dress, I am going to wash you anyway." Simple conclusion. How long would she have to wait for help to arrive on the scene? She cannot stand for a long time. Besides, what does she have that I don't have? The only difference is it is older. *shrug*

As I was washing her the subject came to her sister, that she was telling on about me. I asked her: "Oh, I sure hope it is all good talk!" in a semi-joking manner (I KNOW her sister loves me, she is the one that jumped around my neck pretty much, after my last week off).

"Of course it is only good stuff! If it wasn't I wouldn't tell you this."

"Aha," I say, "then you would have waited till I had finished washing you, hmm?"

Instant laughter at that one. She was a fun lady, not at all difficult, and definitely from the same nest as the sisters have the same kind of humor. It's great. I hope I get to work for her again!

This morning I realized that my plan of taking Dixie to the vet for her checkup wasn't going to be possible on Monday, it being second Pentecost day here. I decided to take her in this evening. Long story short, she can go for another year, in my eyes she has lost a little weight, but apparently the vet wasn't worried. She weighs in at 3.3kg. The teeth weren't great, but that was to be expected for a cat her age. Overall, she was doing alright. I think that I am going to feed her the soft food of the diet she's getting a little more often. It could be that since her teeth are bothering her she isn't taking in enough food. Time to start weighing the hard food and make sure.

As for the home trainers, it has taken a while to get all the answers in from the various vendors that I contacted, but the decision has been made. Though it turns out a bit more expensive in the delivery cost the scale is tipping over in favor of the Weslo R20. I actually managed to find more images, and an image of what the computer thingy on it looks like. Finally. I was very curious about that one, and it looks like something I like: no gimmicks, no fancy schmancy fiddle diddle buttons. Just one button that regulates the whole dealie. Cool.



The main things that got me over was the fact that I had found a page with some home trainer tips, what they should have, and it was definitely important that:

1) It would be able to hold enough weight. The Weslo can hold 25kg more bodyweight than the others.

2) The apparatus itself shouldn't be too light. The lighter, the less steel. Steel on this thing means quality, as plastic can break sooner. They have a point there. The Weslo weighs in at 30kg when boxed.

3) I can buy the bike at Wehkamp, a post order company that is very well known in this country; it is not likely that they will go bankrupt a week after I purchase the thing so my warranty goes down the drain.

4) The Weslo is more well known internationally than the PowerPeak brand. I could find much more information on the Weslo than on the other two. Finding information is important, especially when you are buying online.

I am waiting on the purchase for just a little bit, the personal "cool down period" so to speak. Tomorrow I have a half day, at least, so far, and I hope it stays that way! The week may end quietly.
Mood: positive

eadwine I ordered the thing Friday, May 25th 2007 @ 22:39 - Subscribe
After quite an intensive search the hunt has come to an end. I have ordered the Weslo, and it will be delivered here on June 1st. It could have gotten here sooner, but considering I am a new customer it takes longer. They have to check to see if I am credit worthy. Yes folks, I am. I have money to spare, have had no debts anywhere in the past five years and I have a permanent position where I work. Besides, I am paying for the thing in one payment, and paying in terms is the culprit here that causes the checks. In any case, standard procedure, and all I can do is wait.

I have noticed a few more things before I placed the order. When comparing the other models to the one I just bought I saw that the bar that holds the grips is going away from the bike at the same angle, but then about half way bends back. I guess this is to avoid people having to sit bent over for a longer period of time. It sure is an interesting design feature. I also found a flaw on the cheapest of the three; the tension adjust knob is sitting too low. If you are sitting up there you have to bend over quite a bit to reach it. Another plus on the Weslo is the grip part. When you hold the thing horizontally the slight angle is more ergonomically correct. When you stick out your arms in front of you your hands are slightly at an angle as well. And the last thing I can see from studying the differences now is the tension adjust knob again, only this time the size of it. A bigger button is easier to turn than a small one.

Dad knows now that I ordered the thing as well. I never mentioned it to him as I wanted to be absolutely sure first about it. I am sure he will give the thing a run *giggle* I talked about it with the morning client, who happens to have one of the old fashioned models upstairs. My dad calls it a homo trainer, so I mentioned that word when there, and she had a hoot. "Riding the homo" is now officially in use as slang for exercising on the trainer *laughs*

I also told her what had happened at the Tuesday client. No names, just situation sketch of how things can go as well. Her reply was simple: "Oh man I would have said something a LOOONG time ago." I know.. I am too patient with people and I rather try to keep the clients happy than actively seek the confrontation. Ah well, I have three days to prepare myself for what is to come.
Mood: anxious

eadwine Garden work and breaking player Saturday, May 26th 2007 @ 22:39 - Subscribe
I woke up early but decided to stay in bed a little while longer. Warm night, not getting that much sleep, I was glad to be able to sleep in.

After checking the forums and emails it was still early and I decided to finish what I had started yesterday afternoon: the back yard. Lots of weeds came out of it, and finally the tree trunk that was left there had rotten away enough to be rather easily yanked out as well. I can now get to spots much easier. The one in the front yard isn't budging though, I guess it will have to sit a while longer before that one decides it's time.

Around noon I was done with the back, and decided it was getting too warm to work on the front yard, and to do that tomorrow. I searched around on the net for the Weslo and just went funny and entered weslo.com. Oh joy, it was actually a valid address, and even better, it had the Dutch manual for the bike available in pdf format. I printed that out and got a glimpse of what was ahead. Lots of assembling, that is for sure! I also mailed them to ask what the measurements are for the bottom of the frame, but I think I will take the global measurements that are given on the Wehkamp site and use those to get a proper mat for under the bike.

When it got to about 15:00 I looked outside and saw it was completely cloudy. Better than straight sun, so, I got my gear and went out to go do the front yard this time. Of course when you normally are outside no-one ever comes by, but when you are in the yard and have no hearing aids in people come popping up from all corners and want to talk with you. *groan* Ah well. They appreciated me doing the work on the yard, keeps things nice and neat, my neighbors are less tidy. Not to say that I am perfect with it, but at least I keep up with things a bit.

Later on dad and I checked a few things on my dvd player. It turns out that DVD-RWs that are played in the machine are not recognized as they were, and it has gradually gone worse. When dad brought his player over I saw that that one worked perfectly with those RW discs and we decided that my machine is going back to the store. I need to find the bank slip where the thing is on as I cannot find the receipt anywhere. *mutter* I always put that stuff in the box where things came out of, but somehow this one went awol. Anyway, after that all I can hope is that they will accept the slip for the warranty. And of course hope that I paid for the machine by means of pin. I have gotten my dad's machine now to use while my own is out of commission.

I am so glad the yard is all done now, and tonight it is supposed to get interesting too! We have a forecast of thunder and heavy rain here. And considering what happened in France... I doubt it will get that bad here though, but I did pull most of the plugs out of their sockets already and the computer is going to get the same treatment after I log off.
Mood: accomplished

eadwine Template improvements and ICE Monday, May 28th 2007 @ 22:18 - Subscribe
That is the end of the long weekend again. Bummer, it all passes way too fast. I have been keeping busy with nothing too important. I have adapted the layout of the blog a bit, cleaned up the code, and added this new thing that I hadn't seen before, snapshots. Gives a preview of a page the link points to before actually going there, quite funny. I had it turned on for all pages, but all my pages look alike, just have a different text, so I turned it on for only outside links.

I also added a button set in for increasing and decreasing text size. After getting rid of the original code that makes the size fixed (bad coding there folks!) I could make the size change using those buttons. This can of course be done through the browser, but there are still people who don't know that this is possible, or don't know to find it. It is javascript, as is the snap shot thingy, but two things isn't bad and when the visitors don't have it turned on they won't miss much anyway.

I changed the font as well, gave the first letter in the entry a little stick-out, changed the XML button to a non-image and even added an in-site Google search. A handy feature mostly for me, when I am searching for something in the blog.

Of course I did the regular weekend stuff and I was thrown off kilter by my extra heavy period. Good thing this was a three day weekend, I wouldn't have felt too good working today.

This evening when watching tv, a medical emergencies show, my attention was drawn by the mention of a new thing that emergency personnel is trying to get standardized internationally. Most people carry cell phones, and in order to reach the people medical personnel have to call around to see who matters. Of course they lose valuable time this way. They have this code now, ICE, which simply means: put your emergency contacts in your cell's phone book under the name ICE1, ICE2 etcetera. This way they will call the right person in case you can't call. I immediately emailed all the people I know here in the Netherlands to let them know about it. I am amazed that this simple phone book entry thing hasn't gotten more attention. At least I am giving it some now, and hopefully more people will spread the word.

Tomorrow morning the difficult client is up, and I have to somehow breach the subject. I have been nervous about this all weekend, and I haven't given it too much thought as to how to respond really. It'll go with the flow, but I will sure be glad when I am home again in the afternoon!
Mood: nervous

eadwine Miss Difficult Client Tuesday, May 29th 2007 @ 19:40 - Subscribe
She and I had a talk. I took a piece of paper out of the binder that was actually an end-evaluation form, but when I saw the same questions were on there I decided what the heck, I need the questions more than the end evaluation form. They can send a new one to her, no problem.

I didn't start the talk until almost at the end of the morning, figuring that had I had the talk at coffee time I would have to work there for another 1.5 hours and face the consequences if it would go sour. I wanted to get the "bad" feel in that case for as short as possible.

When I got there I told her I was going to do the shower, clean that out so the replacement wouldn't have to mess with it. She points to this lamp that is broken, if I could please put in a new bulb. Sure I could. Oh and this other lamp, could you put a new one in that too? End of the story was that she was EXTREMELY happy that I changed those things around for her. "Who else would do that for me?" I told her pretty much any helper would have done that if she asked nicely, we don't have a problem with such things. And besides, changing a bulb is the least that I have done for someone, I have actually hung up a whole lamp once that got dusted off the wall *laughs*

So.. having that to back me up on the satisfaction scale we went in to the talk, and what my team leader expected turned out to be the case: it was not me she was muttering about, it was the situation she was in. It wasn't EXACTLY clear what she meant, but she said she was muttering about "time". And not so much the short amount of time we had, but time passing her by. But.. I can only guess on that part. I asked her specifically "So it is not ME you are angry at, it is not MY fault?" Not at all, she said. She understood that all I could do was my best and understood that could only work within the boundaries of what I was allowed to do. I also told her that it made me feel bad when she did that, she understood that too. I think it won't be an instant fix, but at least the air has been cleared on it and I can work on toward trying to get her a little less muttery. At least I know the cause is NOT me. I also suggested she could try another helper. Oh no, no way, she doesn't want someone else, she wants me.

The form had something interesting on it that I cannot remember the other one had: do you feel like you are getting enough hours worth of help? And to that she said, after my rephrasing if she would like more, yes. So, I mailed that request off to my team leader. It is not really needed, I mean, it is clean enough over there, but with the extra time I could get some more things done while still keeping her happy that things have been dusted well inside, which is a big point for her.

The afternoon went by without a hitch, but by 15:00 I felt extremely drained, and I slacked the remaining hour, to be honest. By 15:30ish a nice headache started forming and I was glad to be home again at 16:30. I didn't understand when it started where it was coming from, and blamed it on the shower work in the morning, but when I got home and had had dinner I realized this was due to all the tension build up I had had over this issue in the past week. I have been very nervous about it, and now that the cap was off it could slowly drain out again.

I immediately took an ibuprofen and the headache backed off a bit. Now it is 21:40ish, and I intend to be in bed by 22:00, making it an early night for me (usually it gets to be 23:30 or so). Tomorrow I have three clients, and I need to make sure that when I am at client #1 that I check the map on where #3 is since I have no clue. It is a one hour client, simply some vacuuming, that is all that needs to be done. I hope this is as nice a new client as the two from last week were!
Mood: drained

eadwine Running back and forth Wednesday, May 30th 2007 @ 21:07 - Subscribe
Today has been a stop and go day. The morning went by normally. The client asked me if we could take it easy and just do some shopping, and after that just vacuum, and the toilet and that is that. Well, I cannot say that I wasn't happy with that considering the hard day I had yesterday. Amazing that at this time I was already asleep!

After lunch I went to client number two, but he wasn't home, so I called office and got to speak to my old first team manager again. Quite a while ago that was, it was fun to speak with her again. My current team manager is ok, but the one I had before her was just great. We have been through quite something along with the former town one, so it does create a special bond between us.

I suggested to her that I'd call client number 3, tuck a note in number 2's mailbox that I was going to be back in an hour and off I went. I was able to find the place in almost no time, and the lady was nice to boot. She offered me a cold drink for starters (very welcome!), and then I set off to work. It was such a small place. The hallway is smaller than mine, I didn't think that was possible. The rooms were spaced ok though, which is important since they are what you live in. But all was small, and vacuuming was done in a jiffy. The toilet and sweeping was also done, and about 15 minutes before time I was let go again.

Again at the door of client number 2 (who had now turned to be number 3) and AGAIN he didn't answer the door. I called office yet again, and agreed to slip an absent note through the mailbox. JUST as I was about to do that he showed up. I told him he was very lucky indeed. One minute later and I would have been gone. I called the team leader once more, and we had a hoot on the explanations of the client. Turns out he had been taken along and the tea was hot. Team leader said: "When the tea is hot you have to blow! Saves time!" *chuckles* Ah well, no biggie, and the time passed really quickly anyway, and I was actually glad to have it the other way around and have the semi-regular for last.

I am looking forward to tomorrow afternoon's client, considering the office told me she was deaf. It just matters HOW deaf exactly. People who hear normally say someone is deaf even when they are just hard of hearing, like I am. Deaf to me means: no sound at all, completely lost hearing. If so, this is going to be interesting *giggles* I am sure it will turn out ok, because we have common ground here, and most of the time that works out perfectly. The morning client is a regular, and I already know what to do there, so as far as tomorrow is concerned I am not that nervous.

Friday I have made sure I have the afternoon off. I looked in the overview of the post order company, and in there it said delivery was estimated to be between 15:00 and 18:45, so at least I will be home then as I don't have to work past 12:00. I think I will start 30 minutes early so I am going to be home at 11:30 already. Quite exciting all this. I looked through the manual and it doesn't seem TOO hard to put together. I just hope the computer works just fine and doesn't need adjusting of it on the bike part. Weslo even has those instructions on the site, so should it be needed they are easily enough looked up, I just rather avoid having to do that at all.
Mood: hasty

eadwine I'm deaf, and that's ok Thursday, May 31st 2007 @ 20:59 - Subscribe
Let's just skip to the afternoon, nothing interesting happened in the morning, save that I saved some curtains from a dusty death. The afternoon was far more interesting. The deaf client that I had to go to, she is deaf alright, but she hears sounds only, the words part doesn't work at all.

I have the same thing going on, with one difference: I CAN still hear the words, as long as I see what is said or have headphones on. She doesn't have that anymore.

Deafness isn't determined by how much you still hear, it is mostly determined by what you can do with the amount you have left. I found out today that even though I was more deaf than she was, I could manage myself better, since I was deaf in a different manner. Also the fact that I grew up with it, almost, as opposed to her not getting symptoms till she was 12.

She told me I could get an operation on the ears, techniques have improved. Currently: not a chance. I am not getting operated on, even if I COULD hear 100% after that. The one thing this deafer person had that she didn't have: seeing the advantages.

She compared something, as she couldn't walk either. She made a point of having to choose between walking or hearing, she'd pick hearing. I'd pick walking any day. She is bothered by her being isolated at parties, I accept that for a fact and live with it.

Does that make me better than her? No, not at all, it just shows how differently people can live with it.

Back to the operation, I wouldn't do it. Why? Because right now I have a choice. I remember getting my first hearing aids, and the second hand annoyed me to no end. Everything hums and buzzes, and it just irritates me. She also brought up that same point and then she said: "You will get used to that after a while".

Then why, after having my current perfectly fine hearing aids for eleven years, do I still take them out the first chance that I get when I am home? Right now, if I WANT to hear then I can hear, if I don't then I have the choice not to. After an operation that choice goes out the window. I like having that choice, and I am not parting with it.

It made me realize just how deaf I am, knowing that the phone rang, I saw it go, she heard it go. I barely heard that thing, meaning that without the aids I wouldn't hear it at all. Thinking about that later today made me remember a talk I had with a woman two houses down. I didn't have my aids in at the time as I was working in the garden, and I realized how LITTLE I actually still hear just on my own, without the help of the aid