days_unfolding

I bought a sheet, pillow, and comforter set from Brooklinen, so I guess that I'm returning the Pottery Barn set. It was cheaper too and should be nice.

I couldn't fall asleep last night because I forgot to take my meds. I finally realized that and took them but it was 6 AM. Woke up at noon. Zara is currently lying on my foot.

I'm trying to figure out clothes for the Zephyr trip. The thing is that I want to dress casually on the train and at my dad's house, but be chic for San Francisco. Maybe I should check luggage on the train and on the flight back. Oh well, I have time to figure it out.

Huh. I was trying to remember a late-night diner near Union Square, and I got the name right (Pinecrest Diner). I think that I'll go there for dinner or breakfast sometime.

My new bedroom lamp is out for delivery. I need a spot for stuff that I'll hand-carry to the new place.

I'm looking on Nordstrom Rack for another cardigan and a couple of black tops for San Francisco (and maybe to wear to the Unitarian church?) Actually, I bought a long zip up Irish sweater on eBay. It'll be great for the trip.

Now I'm thinking that I would take a small weekender bag on the train with me and check luggage.

Well, that was interesting. The Amtrak Web site just had my trip from Reno to San Francisco; the app just had my trip to Chicago from Champaign. Neither had my Zephyr trip. And Hotels.com never sent me a confirmation of my San Francisco hotel. Buggy software doth abound. I think that I have it straightened out. Also, my dad never got copies of my itinerary, so I had Amtrak re-send them.

Tried to nap, but couldn't sleep. Just as well because I have a lot to get done.

Ugh. I went to return the Wayfair comforter, only to find that I'd only get $7 back if I returned it and $13 back if I kept it. So I guess that I'm keeping it. Sometimes I like an extra comforter on my bed, so I guess that will work. The Pottery Barn return should work though.

Hmm. The post office opens at 8:30 AM, so it would be tough to mail my Nordstrom's return before work. But CVS is a UPS drop-off point, so I can drop off the Pottery Barn stuff tomorrow.

The lamp arrived, and it's nice. I stuck a bedroom sticker and a fragile sticker on it, but I don't know if I'll carry it myself or have the movers do it. It's larger than I thought.

Also got my Christmas cards, and they're pretty.

Packaged up the Nordstrom and Pottery Barn returns, and they're now out in the car.

Talked to Mom. She's been getting lots of sleep and is eating well, which is good. She has the driving test to get her license back on Monday, but apparently it's just a written test and they'll look at the note from her doctor and check her vision. I hope that it goes okay.

Ordered some wardrobe boxes because the mover said that I'd save some money doing that. I'm not sure where to put all the boxes though.

Worked on a paper for my final project for my programming class. Italian is later tomorrow because my teacher had a conflict, but I still think that I'll go to bed after I do nighttime tasks.

Friday was a low-key day at work as expected. I spent the day cleaning out old emails. I dashed out to get a library book. That's what passes for excitement around here. I also returned books to my old library, but they're gone already, so my card will get blocked for an overdue. No big deal. They'll check them in when they get back.

Lay down for a nap and slept through until 3:30 AM. I think that taking naps and sleeping through is my way of doing self-care, although I always intend to get up. I shouldn't delude myself.

And then I put on pajamas because I need to do laundry :) Zara thinks that she's going to be fed and is standing on my chest to make sure that I notice her. I fed them to chill Zara out.

I'm trying to make an appointment for a COVID test before I go to Mom's house, but Walgreens' app isn't working. I might need to go with CVS.

Napped until 10:30 AM. Read an article about the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. Maybe I could go there during the year that I spend in Italy. There's a train from Milan to there via Switzerland.

I ordered Pimsleur's subscription plan and ordered a Bluetooth device for my car. I can study Italian on my way to Mom's house. Also, when I'm cleaning here. Which reminds me I also have to contact Sirius to find out what's wrong with my account.

I investigated a Greek class, but the time conflicts with my piano class. Hmm. I'd like to take individual piano lessons, but scraping up the money is an issue. Plus the Greek class isn't cheap. And what I really want to learn is Portuguese, but I'm afraid that I'd confuse it with Italian. I've decided to not do the Greek class. My Pimsleur access has European Portuguese, so I'll work on that.

Tried to nap but couldn't sleep. Good. My sleep tank is full :) My pet sitter is coming by to get money. I need to eat lunch and throw myself together.

Booked a COVID test online at Walgreens for Tuesday.

Got my lazy butt out and drove to Springfield. I picked up my mom's socks. They are SO soft! I wish I had gotten myself a pair. Picked up more cat litter to get the litter boxes clean before I go. Then I wanted to eat at Arby's, but their dining room was closed, so I went through the drive-through and ate in my car. I got ketchup on my coat and on the steering wheel. Bah. Yeah, I suppose that it's safer eating in my car, but I felt cranky about it. Then I went to Aldi's down there. The shopping center was blasting Christmas music, which annoyed me.

Talked to Mom. She's excited about my coming there for Christmas. And she's still exhausted and sleeping a lot.

Cleaned off the kitchen table and got Zara's meds out to show the pet sitter. Organized my Italian for tomorrow. Put clothes in the dryer.

Mom woke up to the news about the tornadoes and called me. I told her that we were all right. She's not doing so well. She's not eating much and doing anything wipes her out.

Got the girls and myself taken care of. Mimi is lying on/in my suitcase. Went outside to see what was going on with my garbage can in the wind. They weren't kidding that it's windy; the wind pulled the screen door out of my hands. I put the garbage can behind the stairs.

Dozed a little. Mimi is sleeping in my suitcase. Ate lunch. I'm feeling like lying down again. I don't know why I'm so tired. Slept for almost three hours.

Zara knocked down two plates that I had on the counter, but luckily, they didn't break. Fed the hordes. Zara is standing on my shoulder performing her post-dinner bath. I wish that I could convince her that I'm not a cat tree, but I doubt it.

I bought Mom a pair of cozy-looking socks for half-price at Macy's. I'll have to drive down to Springfield tomorrow to pick them up. I want to make Mom a basket of cozy socks, hot chocolate, tea, and maybe shortbread cookies.

I kind of want to work on my planning book, so I need to bring the box in (done).

I'm so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start. I just picked a corner and started putting stuff away. I'm cleaning in bits and snatches. Hmm, bandicoot's entry reminded me that I need to write Christmas cards this weekend too. And make a grocery list.

I'm thinking of applying to the programming certificate at the University, but I need a personal reference. I'd ask my friend Lance, but he doesn't check his email very often.

Talked to Mom. She is in pain and sleeping all the time and not eating much. Her friends are rallying around her though.

Brought out my "Goal-Getter" workbook and flipped through it. I want to get it done by December 31st, so I need to work on it every day.

I pulled an Oracle card and got trust. "Trust yourself. Develop self-trust and joy will follow. You can rely on your own capabilities. Begin to plan carefully for the future." Appropriate for a goal-setting cycle.

Happy Christmas Eve! I've been running around starting laundry and making a grocery shopping list.

Crap. Walgreens called, and one of my prescriptions is delayed for authorization by my doctor. This is not good. I need it before I go to Chicago. I called after-hours care at my doctor's office, and a nurse is going to look into it. Either it will work or it won't. They approved my prescription and Walgreens filled it.

And that's why I use Walgreens rather than mail-order pharmacies. If something goes wrong, they call. The mail-order pharmacy that I used for a while didn't.

Aldi is closing at 4 PM. I'll need to hussle my butt out. I did.

There was an Arctic wind out. People were spending as little time as possible out. I was actually glad for my mask because it helped keep my face warm.

Shopped until I dropped. I wound up getting a Gino's East deep-dish pizza for Christmas dinner, which is not exactly traditional but should be good. Aldi also had a stand mixer in their house brand. I covet a Kitchen Aid, but I'll never be able to afford one, so I bought it. Aldi also had some Christmas-themed gnocchi, and I love gnocchi.

Walmart was packed. I don't do crowds well, which is a change from when I was younger. When I was a teenager, I loved to go to New York City and mix with the crowds. So I had the heebie-jeebies at Walmart but people were being nice.

I almost forgot to go to Walgreens for my prescription, but the pharmacy was closed by the time that I got there. I'll get it on Saturday.

It really doesn't feel like Christmas. No presents because my aunt wasn't able to shop and Mom said that we'd exchange presents after she gets back to Michigan. And no family, although I'll see my aunt and my mom when I go up for the funeral.

I read an article about how pretending to be someone else can help your self-discipline. I need to pretend to be Martha Stewart over the next couple of days and get the house cleaned.

It's 14 degrees out. Sheesh. I've got water running in a couple of faucets to keep my pipes from freezing.

Had a nice nap. I think that I want to go back to sleep soon.

Another late start. (I had problems falling asleep.) I'm going to hate myself next week.

The boots have shipped. Awesome.

Got laundry going. Napped while my clothes dried.

Our public library has closed except for curbside pickup. Things are getting scary.

Ran to get soda and milk. I wanted to get more gold spray for my star cookies, but they had only silver. I guess gold and silver stars are okay.

Talked to Mom. The hospital is talking about surgery on my uncle early next week, but their x-ray machine is out, and they need to do an x-ray first. Mom is wondering if she should go to Chicago, but she has doctor's appointments and other things to get done.

Then we discussed cookies, and Mom thought that I had a cookie press, which I don't have. So I need to look for another recipe. Found one. It's similar to the one Mom gave me, but you chill the dough in the refrigerator after rolling it out. It also suggests almond extract, so I'll get some tomorrow.

I guess that I'll wrap presents and write cards tonight. And get to sleep earlier. Also, I need to gather library books to return tomorrow.

Oh awesome. My uncle's socks and the Christmas cards are in my mailbox. And I got the Rituals hand cream for myself.

Went out to run errands. Got two cookie tins at Goodwill. They didn't have pants that would work for me however. It started raining partway through. My feet are wet, so I need to get new shoes. Got two pumpkin pies because they were two for $7. Got baking supplies. Bought a new umbrella because my old one was falling apart. Got the packages from the mailbox. Partially unloaded the car. I'll do more after I warm up and dry.

Called Mom to ask about my aunt and uncle. My aunt went to the doctor, and she does indeed need a hip replacement. My uncle had a colonoscopy, which he wasn't happy about.

Lay down for a nap and slept for three hours. I'm going to eat something and go back to sleep.

Woke up at 7 AM. Went back to sleep. Woke up at 9. Was up for a little while, then went back to sleep. Woke up at 1 PM. I'm up. Zara got up too, now that she knows that I'm up.

Hmm. Goodwill closes at 7 tonight. I might make it.

I bought a Christmas tree cookie cutter yesterday. Today, I decided that I wanted a snowman too, so I bought one. I've decided what to do about the cookie tins. Walmart was selling Christmas cookie tins full of cookies. They were cheaper than the Amazon tins, so I'll get them and empty the cookies into the plastic containers that I bought. And eat them.

I bought the Rituals hand cream for my mom and for myself. I had my mom's shipped directly to her so as not to wait to ship her gifts until I got it.

I'm looking for a CD/cassette boombox so that I could listen to Nightingale-Conant programs in the morning, but some are pretty expensive. I need to check out the thrift store first. Found one on Mercari, but still want to check out the thrift store. Actually, N-C programs are cheaper on Audible than on eBay or the N-C site. So I resubscribed to Audible. I need to clean off my phone to make room for audiobooks. I got Change Your Beliefs, Change Your Life and How to Have the Best Year Ever. Seemed appropriate.

Talked to Mom. My aunt and uncle are in a real bind with their health problems. My aunt dumps on my mom, and my mom dumps on me, but that's okay. Mom is going to send the cookie recipe.

Watched the first episode of The Crown. Prince Charles is starting to date Diana. Oh no.

I can't believe how many people are traveling for Thanksgiving. Doesn't anyone listen to the CDC?

I guess that it's bed time.

Mom gave me a velour shirt that says "Hogwarts". It came with shorts, which is a little weird, but the shirt is warm over my pajamas. Mimi likes to lick it for some reason.

I saw Mom off. She said that she'd call me when she gets to her friend's house, which is good.

Had a leisurely breakfast and took care of the girls. Now I'm going back to sleep. Zara knocked down her wet food dish, and Mimi upchucked her food. Sigh.

Someone on Reddit suggested a bed tent to keep warm during the winter, and I looked at some, but I wonder if I'd save enough money to make it worthwhile.

Had a nice long nap. Mom called, and she made it to her friend's house. Ate some leftovers. Took another nap and overslept. Ye gods, I'm tired. Dreamt about a play that I wrote. I wish that I could have written the dialogue down.

Here comes the rain again. It's so quiet in here. Had the leftover Crab Rangoon from last night. Love Crab Rangoon.

Zara's on my lap for the first time since she took over the TV room. Sweetie pie.

I'm thinking of signing up for Sling so that I have access to CNN's New Year's Eve countdown. I need to call Comcast and cancel the local channels that they gave me.

Wrote a list of things to get done this coming week off. Watched an episode of The Crown. I think that I'll pay some bills and go to bed. No, I think that I'll just go to bed.

I woke up at 8 AM, decided that was too early to get up, and woke up around 10. I heard Mom, so I decided to get up. We ate breakfast. Now Mom is watching The Crown, and I'm doing laundry.

Zara meowed at me this morning as she did last night. Zara usually doesn't meow, so she apparently wanted to let me know that she's glad that I'm back (and don't go away again, Mom). I shouldn't be going away again until June, when I'll be going to a conference.

I'm mulling over how to do Christmas in Chicago without Mom driving the long drive from Michigan. I think that I'd have to drive her back because of Christmas presents.

Mom gave me a mini sewing kit that she bought at Walgreens to fix a button on my aunt's sweater that she borrowed. I had been eyeing them on Walmart's site, although I think that I want to get a big sewing basket.

Mimi has been climbing all over me. Yes, I guess that they missed me.

Zara has claimed one of Mom's bags as a kitty bed. It took some chicken (don't worry; I only gave them a little) to get her off so that Mom could grab some stuff. Now Zara is back on the bag. Goof :)

Mom and I went to a coffee shop that we like. Then we went to Walmart. Mom thought that the sweats that I was eyeing would fit or require only a little shortening, so I got them.

We took a lovely nap, although my aunt called and woke Mom up. Then we hung out and talked for a while. Then we went back to Steak and Shake to eat. Mom says that it's wonderful doing nothing.

Mom is lying down, watching The Crown. I'm going to sleep soon to catch up on my sleep.

Mimi is asleep on my lap.

We spent a traditional Christmas Eve at my aunt's house. We stuffed ourselves with food. My uncle and I watched Jeopardy while my aunt and my mom ran to a liquor store. We opened gifts. That's about it, really. We need to get up early tomorrow because my mom and my aunt are going to church tomorrow, and we also need to check out.

The pet sitter has been sending cute pictures of the cats.

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