And I wait.

As predicted, or expected- I'm not sure which, no contact from South Jersey. I email Lisa, the Dating Coordinator to politely explain that a two hour distance (let's be honest- is there ever a time there isn't traffic?) isn't reasonable. Then I realize she doesn't have to be reasonable. She's got far more power than one woman other than FLOTUS should.

So my summer has been filled with lots of inane things that I'm now going to tell you about:

1. Gutter Guards- This was a long overdue home maintenance project that made me happier than it should. No one person should get this excited about gutter guards. I will no longer have to get out my ladder, perch one step above the red letters "do not stand above this step", and reach blindly into soggy gunk. And this happened about twice in the spring (early and late) and then twice again in the fall. It was an ER visit just waiting to happen. I am able to sleep better knowing this is taken care of.

2. Extra counter space- Nothing is ever simple. I wanted a microwave installed over my range. But the cabinet was too low. No pot would have fit on the stove unless I planned to cook everything in a skillet for the rest of my life. How would I can? So I needed the cabinet bumped up too. And then we find out the circuit is the same one as the living room. (What?) So it's best to get an electrician to add another line or circuit or something. I didn't really pay attention because I don't care. I just don't want to have to turn off the TV in order to use the microwave. It's a delicate balance. So handy guy removes hood and cabinet, big box store delivers microwave (which looks far too big to fit in the designated spot), electrician does whatever, handy guy returns to install microwave and reinstall cabinet, dogs bark at each new person who enters the kitchen. It's a good time. Who wants a microwave?

3. The vet- I have no idea what the phone number is to my family doctor. Not only do I know the number for my vet by heart, but I can usually tell who answers the phone before they identify themselves. So it's Kissy's turn to get her teeth cleaned. She hardly has any left, I figure it's best to take good care of them. Poor girl had 25 teeth removed last July. She's got 16 left in the front (8 on top, 8 on the bottom) and I think a random one or two in the back. I didn't even realize dogs had that many teeth. Since I can hear her breathing, or should I say snoring since she sleeps about 22 hours a day, I ask them to check her lungs before anesthesia. My favorite vet listens to her lungs, but says they'll take an x-ray just in case. Cha-ching. Which of course shows bronchitis. Nothing is ever simple. So three weeks of antibiotics. Then we'll go in at 8 am (I don't like doing much of anything at 8 am in the summer), take another x-ray, and if it's cleared up, then we'll clean her teeth. Cha-ching, cha-ching.

4. Canning- I've been planning, reorganizing jars, scouting new recipes and watching what is coming into season with a watchful eye. I tried a few new recipes. Corn salsa was tasty but turned out to not be shelf stable. Pickled beets need a few days to pickle as do the pickled carrots. I'll probably try them this week. Cowboy Candy needs no test run. Just time to generate the sweet, delicious heat. I think Corn Relish that I know will be shelf stable when water bath canned is next. I might even try cherries.  Just cherries. Nothing crazy like pickled cherries, which really does exist apparently for cocktails. As a note, I've seen recipes for pickled cherries, pickled blueberries and pickled peaches. I haven't had the nerve to try them. I'm still regretting the bushel of pickles (regular ones from cukes) that were way too sour from last summer.

5. Obsessive personality- My minor epiphany: I don't know the definition of moderation. Look at my craft room. Chock full of things I 'need' but don't really touch that often. Look at my collection of fabric. I barely sew but think I can. I made some fabric flowers a few years ago and thought I should buy more fabric. I bought patterns and fabric then realized I hate cutting out patterns. Look at the jars in my garage. Some are still full from last year. I have a case of crushed tomatoes. An entire case. And I only made crushed tomatoes after I made salsa, marinara, roasted garlic marinara, bruschetta,  and more salsa. I'd say that was obsessive. I couldn't resist when I found tomatoes. Seconds called my name. When I found a half bushel of Romas late in September, I took it as a sign since they are the best for sauce and I hadn't made anything with Romas that season. I'd say that was obsessive. I think I have a problem. I'm not sure there is a 12 step program for this, but I do know admitting it is the first step.