Category Archives: home

electric shock

12 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by in casa azahar, home, sevilla, summer, weather

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shock
It was expected, but this month’s electricity bill (which actually covers a two month period) still came as a bit of a shock. Much more than any other year. About 100€ more. Not surprising as I have been mostly at home, well, since March 12th. But it made me realise how much I take advantage of other people’s AC! I mean, I am trying to be prudent, and don’t put the AC on until it hits 30º inside the apartment, then set it so that it ends up a comfy 27º (with fans on). And I never sleep with it on. But you know, before I would be out and about during the day, and often working in the evenings. Which also meant I had an income to pay the damn bill, but I digress. Continue reading →

coronavirus retail therapy

11 Tuesday Aug 2020

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, coronavirus, home, retail therapy, sevilla

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kitchen retail therapy
Gotta say that the coronavirus has cut down on general spending. Like, I didn’t need to buy any new summer clothes or sandals this year, and it’s looking like it will be the same for winter. Which is a good thing because not only was I disqualified from receiving the government assistance extension (July-Sept) for self-employed people, but it turns out I’m also not eligible for the 400€ a month “basic income” allowance.

I am so fucked.

And so why not buy totally unnecessary kitchen utensils because they are orange and cute? Okay, not totally unnecessary because my only spatula broke a couple of months ago, and I’ve never had a skimmer, so sue me. I got them both for a tenner as they were 20% off and this made me happy.

Anyhow, haven’t mentioned any of this to the cats. They still think their lives are safe and secure and never worry about their next meal or that they may lose their home. This also makes me happy. Keeping them safe. What’s making you happy these days?

 

PTHB

07 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, home

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casa azahar guestroom

This morning I found a (thankfully dead) MASSIVE COCKROACH on the guestroom floor, just to the right of where Loki is sprawling in that photo. And even though it was dead – cats must have done it in, those heroes – it took all of my everything to pick the fucker up in a handful of paper towels and flush the dread thing down the toilet. And then of course it wouldn’t go down. Took four flushes to stop it from bobbing back up like an evil hallowe’en apple. For one mad moment I thought the water might revive it and it would come back to life. Aaaarrgh.

After the first two summers here without a sighting I thought this latest Casa Azahar was somehow magically protected from these horrors. But then last summer there was not just one, but two instances. After the second one I spent the rest of August sleeping with the living room lights on. I mean, I know they are “just bugs” and I that am way bigger than they are, but I am totally irrational about them. I used to feel this way about large spiders but that was before I met Periplaneta Americana.

Anyhow, hours after The Incident I am still suffering from PTHB (post traumatic heebie jeebies) and jumping at any slight something I see out of the corner of my eye. Probably a good time for a glass of wine, or six…

more self help

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, health & happiness, home, life stuff

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self help
After that mostly useless visit to Emergency on Monday I have come up with THIS. I mean, the sling may be an option when I am out and about, which is hardly ever, but I just can’t at home otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do anything. And I’m not about to take four different drugs either, including a version of valium. Not so keen on masking the problem as I am getting to the source of it. And I mean, the doctor who prescribed all this stuff didn’t even ask if I was on any other medication, had allergies, etc. WTF.

And so, after changing the height of my desk chair over the past few weeks (nuthin) and since my arm and shoulder mostly hurt when the arm is unsupported, I have devised this method of keeping the arm supported while working at my desk, using a rolled-up towel and some duct tape (and with Morcilla supervising). It’ll take a couple of days to see if this helps, but already I can feel that it gives a me a break as the arm can actually rest on the newly elevated arm rest.

The only time I am pain-free is when I am sitting in my comfy chair, I think because the arm rests are just the right height and so both my upper back and arms are supported. It also helps if you have an extremely cute cat on your lap. Anyhow, wish me luck. Hope this is going to help.

cosy cat