Summertime

I love summer... usually. This year has been extremely, unseasonably hot here in the Portland area. Not to mention the humidity.

Work is giving me an insecure feeling. There is so much going on with layoffs now that it makes me feel uneasy.

At times, I feel so overwhelmed, I don't know what project to focus on. My house is a mess; the yard is horrible.

I think the answer is that I need a vacation. Has anyone taken any fun trips this summer? Anything planned for the next couple months?

Please let me know you're still reading by adding a comment here and there!

I cannot believe it!

It's been warm here in Oregon. Unseasonably so for this time of year. And everybody knows, it never gets too hot so there's really no need for air conditioning. *NOT TRUE!* It has already exceeded 100° which usually occurs in August for maybe a day. It's unheard of and record breaking in June.

Needless to say, when choosing the upgrades for the house here in Hillsboro, we chose hardwood floors, stainless appliances, and cherrywood cabinets over the A/C. In retrospect, it was a poor choice.

The upstairs gets pretty warm by the end of the day but normally it cools off in the evening with the windows open. Only one unpredictible problem... the neighborhood skunk struck--or should I more accurately say--sprayed again! Without warning, the whole house is overtaken by stinky-skunk aroma. Gone is my lavender air freshener, my lilly of the valley diffuser, my clean cotton potpourri. I put a lot of effort into making my home smell good but in one instant, it's all for naught!

The skunk scent turns my stomach. It makes me frown. It forces me to close up the house and turn on every exhaust fan (thankfully, six in all). How can one small animal create such havoc?!

Thank goodness the dogs weren't outside because I'm sure they would have challenged the wild animal and lost.

I don't know if skunks are nocturnal but I'm guessing so because I don't think I've ever seen one during the day. Why would Pepe le Pew venture into such a heavily populated area? Is he meeting the other skunks at the pool for a swim? What does he eat? Maybe people leave their pet food outdoors. I would guess they are herbivores but I'm sure to create that stench, they must eat rotten garbage or something equally as distasteful... maybe that explains it--trash day's tomorrow!

I think I'm gonna break down and get the A/C installed!