So, I should do an Anna report....

Anna works as a housecleaner. She says she's content doing this, but she doesn't make much money. She doesn't have a phone and she can't afford the electricity and gas to run a fridge and oven. (She does have a hotplate.) She doesn't want me to spend money on her, but she's good at coming up with things to do that don't cost money.

So it's kinda' weird seeing someone who makes a lot less money than me. It's made me realize how lucky I am to be paid well.

That can be hard to navigate, a big difference in income. Sounds like you are off to a sensible start about it.

I am back in testing today, although my department had a deadline to finish all our testing yesterday so I don't know what I am supposed to be doing today. Hm.

That sounds rough--no oven isn't weird to me but no fridge?!? Ouch. Best of luck to her.

The guy who did my patio came over this morning to finally bill me for power washing/painting the porch (which he did back in May--I have no idea how he stays in business, he's so random about billing and stuff! Though admittedly, it ended up being $460 for some weeding/trimming, and the porch). For all that, I'm so glad my friend recommended him, he's just done a fabulous job and my patio makes me so happy (since it's been really hot this summer I've been having breakfast out there, when I'm home--last year it wasn't warm enough really until afternoons to hang out there!)

I have too much going on and I know I'm starting to unspool from lack of down time. Yesterday I was on a shuttle by 5:50am and got to the hotel around 9:45pm. So the fact that I'm panicky because apartments keep getting rented before I even have time to see them makes sense.

I'll just take some deep breaths, keep calling places to schedule visits, and get myself a burrito for lunch.

One of my biggest summer peeves is finding supportive shoes that don't cook my feet. All the walking I did in Vegas did a number on my feet, and my usual sorta-supportive shoes aren't doing the job. So I put on my sneakers, even though my feet will sweat, and good lord, the difference when your feet don't hurt and the plantar fasciitis is sort of in control.

shrift, more than one day of that would send me over the edge. Is there anything social you can bail on?

So what I'm doing is standing by in case I am needed and doing my usual work, but not at my ergonomically adjusted for me workstation, at a too high table with the keyboard balanced on my lap. At least I have room for my teapot.

Burritos and deep breaths are a good call. Apartments being rented before you even get to see them is, as far as I know, normal for SF.The fact that you are super busy on top of that is, of course, on top of that but not really contributing to it, if that makes sense.

Good luck shrift. I hope you find something soon.

I am tracking food again. I am gaining weight and I think this is going to be the only way to stop it. The last two days I ate double the calories I should. Ugh. Shockingly that is leading to weight gain. This means I need to start making my own food. Starting I guess today. I'll go home for lunch and take stock of the fridge.

That's a crazy schedule, shrift. You're in the homestretch, though. Do what you need to do.