days_unfolding

Overslept a little but made it into the shower. Got the recycling out. I'm so sleepy. Scrambled at lunchtime to put makeup on because I needed to be on camera for a meeting. (I'll have to do so tomorrow too.)

Mimi is giving me the cat pep talk (“Get your shit together and feed me.”)

I’m having IBS symptoms. Not a fun day.

I found a Panama Canal cruise in 2026 that I like. It starts from Panama, transits the Canal, and then goes to the "ABC" islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). It ends in Miami, which I'd also like to see. Maybe I should book it. Oh, apparently I didn't check the singles rate, and it's going to be too expensive. Maybe I do need to take Celebrity again. Sigh. It is much more reasonable. I'm also looking at Holland America. Oh wow. Holland America has a reduced fare one for March of next year. It's quite reasonable. It also stops in Puerto Vallarta, which I'd like to see. I'd have to skip the St. Lucia trip though. There also is a Bermuda cruise in 2026. It ends in San Juan, so I'd get a chance to see what I missed there. But do I want to book two cruises in one year?

Maybe next year I should go to St. Lucia and Italy? (No, see above.) I asked the St. Lucia guide if there would be time to go shopping in Castries (I think that there is a large market there), and she said, "Yes, there is free time". So I just need to decide whether to book it or not. Hmm. I'm looking at flights to St. Lucia and they have either short connections or very long connections. Chicago to St. Lucia is not a popular route for the airlines :) I’ll sleep on deciding but I think that I’m going to do it.

Okay, now I'm thinking: 2025: Panama Canal cruise and Italy (Amalfi Coast). 2026: St. Lucia and Italy (The Lake District). Or do I want to go to Paris in 2026?

Urgh. I need to get my Christmas cards out.

Some serious snow is coming down. Okay, it stopped with some accumulation, but not enough to have to dig out. Good. I have some errands to run, but I think that I will wait until daylight tomorrow.

I received a really cool-looking and cozy set of pajamas (you could wear them with people over). I can't link to it because it seems to have been taken down off the Web site. Here they are.

I also received a ton of my new diet cookbooks. I just realized that I don't have tape flags to mark recipes, but I have some Post-It notes. Well, I just found tape flags. There are some interesting recipes. I'm kind of looking forward to cooking and "eating clean". There are some dessert-types of food too, such as chia pudding and rice pudding and yogurt with toppings. And the recipes that I've looked at so far emphasize protein. (It's Prevention's 28-Day Get Lean Diet for Women Over 40. The Skinny Taste Cookbook looks less interesting. Oh well, I can sell any cookbooks that I'm not thrilled with.)

I have to go get cash so that I can buy things off of Facebook Marketplace.

Hmm. I didn’t find a sparkly top for caroling, but I found a black top with gold, blue, and purple splotches plus a black velvet blazer that I would wear with black pants. It’ll do.

Lay down and dozed for a few minutes, then woke up. I need to practice piano and work on the kitchen. Now I’m thinking eat something, practice piano, go to bed, and get up early to clean.

I'm thinking of buying a small TV for upstairs after I get the check from my aunt's estate because I can get one for $100, and getting the old one fixed probably would cost that much. I'm expecting to hear that my toe is healed when I go to the doctor next week. I need to spend some treadmill time. And do exercises. I plan to start up yoga again after the 1st of the year. Actually, someone is selling a small smart TV for $30 on Facebook Marketplace.

Zara hates the smell of the Neutrogena lotion. She took one whiff and went to the other end of the bed. Maybe I’ll keep it in here and put it on right before I go to sleep.

Overslept. I used to charge my phone in my bed, which helped get me up. But now it's on my nightstand, and it isn't waking me up. I could set the obnoxious alarm with the bells, but Zara hates it, plus I don't want to get used to it and save it for occasions when I really need to get up. Hmm.

It's very quiet at work. Some people are off today and tomorrow.

Oops, I don't think that I got the mail yesterday (done).

Took a shower at lunch. I feel nice and clean. But the cold bathroom is getting cold. Maybe I need to put a space heater in there.

I am starving, but I'm trying to wait to eat. But I'm hungry. Maybe I should go to Walmart tonight and get a few things. I really would like a poke bowl, but it's expensive. I made a Lean Cuisine turkey dinner.

Hmm. Someone has put a white footstool on the curb in Urbana. I think that I'll slap some makeup on and go see if it's still there because it would go well with my white chair. Actually I think that I want both the white one and black one. The black one would be good when I cover the wingback chair in gray. And it would be nice to read with my feet up.

Hmm. Cunard has a New York to San Francisco cruise that does a full transit of the Panama Canal. I could tag on a couple of days in New York and San Francisco too. (I like to go to San Francisco every few years.) And I'd get to see a Cunard ship, which is supposed to be spectacular. It’s in January, so I’d need to go in 2026. Maybe I'll skip my New York trip at Christmas next year and go on the cruise.

I'm pondering going up to Chicago for a couple of days near Christmas. I could take the train up and stay in a hotel and see the windows. I haven't done that in a while. Downtown hotels are expensive though. Have some deep-dish pizza. I'd like to see the Titanic exhibit up there, but then I'd have to drive. (Well, no, I could take the L and bus.) Maybe I should stay at the motel near O'Hare and take the Blue Line downtown. I have some time to think about this trip. I asked my Chicago friends on Facebook for thoughts. Actually, there are some good prices downtown for the Black Friday sale, but I need to wait to book it.

The good news: I got one of the footstools. The other one was taken. The bad news: I shopped until I dropped at Walmart, but it said that my card couldn’t be processed. I called the number and I have credit, but I wasn’t able to speak to a representative because their office is closed. I might try a Walmart delivery later. Suckage. I know what I can do. I want a ticket to a concert at the uni. I’ll try that and see if it goes through. If yes, I’ll submit a Walmart order.

I’m feeling shaky and need to eat something (done).

I got the fresh sheets on the bed while Zara was drinking water. She came back, but stood in the doorway while I finished putting the sheets on. Yay! (She is not cooperative if she’s already on the bed.)

Okay, the credit card did not go through, so I need to call them tomorrow and say, "What the fuck?"

Woke up on time. Getting to bed early helps. It's dark and gloomy again today. It's going to be a long winter.

I love it when Zara comes running up to snuggle when I lie down on the bed. She curls up and naps.

I'm feeling like crying for no good reason. Here is the winter Seasonal Affective Disorder. I'm wondering if I should try a light box again, but I experienced racing thoughts the last time that I used one, which isn't good either. I should look into other methods of dealing with it. I'm already on two antidepressants, so I don't think that I need more. A Web site said to get outside even if it's gloomy to get all the sunlight that you can. Maybe now that my foot is better, I should go for a walk outside. Though it’s light for so short a time that it makes it difficult to find a time.

Got a grocery order from Walmart. I'm now well stocked. I need to check out Aldi for some Thanksgiving-type things. They're supposed to have great pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes. (My work group has a "watercooler" Zoom meeting where we discuss stuff like that!) I checked, and pumpkin pie can be frozen, so I might pick up a couple.

I need to get rid of my old laptop that I had been using for my music lessons. The sound wasn’t working. I can recycle it at Best Buy. And note to self: Do get rid of it instead of keeping it hanging around.

I was looking for a place where I could donate Christmas gifts because I don't have anyone to shop for. I found a couple of possibilities. I want to get a local children's home some craft supplies and a Lego set. Crud, I wanted to get a Harry Potter Lego set, but it’s $135! Yikes!

I need a stand mixer to make Snickerdoodles with Almond Flour (and other baking). I'm looking for a cheaper alternative. I should check out Facebook Marketplace. Hmm, most of those are KitchenAid. I'd love a KitchenAid mixer, but I was hoping to spend less. Hmm. I was thinking of getting a new Hamliton Beach one, but I can get a used KitchenAid for only $40 more. Actually, I can get a used Hamilton Beach one for $64. That's better. Actually, there is an open box one on eBay for $50.

I was investigating a Panama Canal cruise for next year on Oceania. I'd have to go in the spring or fall; there are no cruises in the summer. It would cost a chunk of money to get a balcony too. Bermuda cruises are in the summer and are drastically cheaper. And I really, really want to go on this Japan, China, and Hong Kong cruise. Maybe I should wait until I retire and look for a "last minute" fare. But the airfare is a consideration too.

Mimi comes downstairs for food but then calls me to go back upstairs. I told her that I bought a two-story house to use both stories. She doesn’t think that’s a good reason to stay downstairs. Cats! I’m sitting in bed, and Zara is snuggled in my lap. Aww.

I got my extension cord for the light on my bedside table, but it has only one outlet. I didn’t know that they made extension cords with only one outlet. I have my lamp plugged in and like it (it’s very cozy with the dimmest setting) but I want to charge other items on my bedside table, so I bought an extension cord with a cube of outlets and USB ports. I’ll give this one away on Buy Nothing. I also looked at trays on Etsy to put my charging items on to make it neater.

Tried to nap but couldn’t sleep.

The temps this coming week are all over the map. It’s winter! It’s fall! It’s winter!

I’m tempted to go to bed early and get up early to practice singing and piano and Italian. I feel like a slug now. Plus I have the writing webinar at 11 AM.

I was wondering how far Puerto Rico was from Florida. Two hours flight time. That explains the long flight from Chicago.

Zara is clinging to me. I was missed. And Mimi is glued to my lap.

Woke up with my alarm for once. it's a gray, rainy day.

I checked into the airfare to St. Lucia and, wow, it's expensive. I looked for Oceania to send me a brochure, but they’re all online.

I'm so tempted to skip choir but I better not. We're off next week and our concert is in December. I'm so tired though.

The real estate agent for my mom’s house called. He has an offer, but the buyer wants money back as a concession. We’re dubious about it, and he expects another offer to come in.

Got my new driver’s license and I actually like the picture! Shocking!

Went to rehearsal. The choir director was glad to have me back. We’re down to the last couple of rehearsals before the concert. No rehearsal next week.

I’m thinking of going to bed soon. I have an Italian lesson tomorrow morning, but I can’t pay her until Wednesday. I’ll see what she says.

I fell asleep on time and woke up on time. Because I took my shower the night before, I had plenty of time for breakfast.

On the Barbados tour. More “exit through the gift shop” type of stuff. I am NOT spending money.

The driver said that there was beach time, which dismayed me because I wanted to do some things aboard the ship while we had cell and Internet access. But, as it turns out, I was the only one who did not sign up for beach time, so he brought me back to the ship. Go me. Barbados does have beautiful beaches though. I was less thrilled with the rest of the island. I didn’t find a place for rum tasting or rum cake.

Ugh. My departure time on Saturday is 9:15 AM, and my flight is close to 5 PM. Maybe I could nap in the airport. Or study gobs of Italian. Read my book on music improv. I’ll need to stick near the airport because I can’t afford multiple Ubers.

The cooks on the cruise outdid themselves with some excellent French Onion soup. Delicious!

I get dizzy spells when the ship is in motion. I don't get seasick per se, just dizzy and unsteady. I think that one of those long transatlantic trips is not for me. Also, Friday is going to suck because we'll be traveling all day to get back to San Juan. I think that I've been going to bed early also because the ship is moving.

Overslept, so I’m not going to make it to my shore excursion. That’s okay; I’ll spend time at the pool. I think that next time, I won’t sign up for shore excursions every day. Also, part of the problem is that the time zone is two hours earlier from Central Time. And it was raining, which wouldn't be great for a beach day.

There are some interesting events at the Fitness Center and Spa. But now, it’s nap time again. The guy who wanted to clean my stateroom knocked again and asked when he could clean my stateroom. I said "12:30," but couldn't really fall back asleep. I left at 12:15 for lunch. After lunch, I checked out the shops, and there is one shop that says that it has port-of-call t-shirts, which is what I'm looking for. But the shop was closed; apparently it is only open during the evening. I'll go back.

The room is immaculate now.

I did take a dip in the pool. It’s a salt-water pool, and something in it makes my eyes burn, so I departed. I now have swum in water over my head though. I didn’t take a picture of the pool because I wouldn’t be thrilled if someone took a picture of me in a wet swimsuit.

The pool was full of guys holding their (alcoholic) drinks in their hand. I feel a little like I’m on a cruise with a bunch of aging frat boys.

I'm eyeing cruises with Azamara, which spends more days at each port of call. They have an African cruise, which probably would be spectacular, but oh, the jet lag. I'm looking at their Panama Canal cruise. I do want to go to Bermuda, though, which probably would have to be with Celebrity. I'd like a cruise line with a less party atmosphere.

The cruise leaves an hour after when they say that it's going to leave. LOL. I guess that it makes for fewer people missing the departure.

I went to the shops and looked at t-shirts. I liked one that said, "You float my boat" with a picture of a cruise ship, but you would need to wear it untucked to see all of it. Plus who knows how much it costs. I looked at a Celebrity Cruises hoodie on clearance, but the clearance price was $47! No.

I'm having dizzy spells, so I need to drink some water and get to bed early. I want to get up early for my tour of St. Lucia!

Overslept an hour and a half, but made it to the bus to O’Hare.

I forgot my extra charging brick, aargh! And my extra glasses.

Slept most of the bus trip up to Chicago. Successfully got to the right terminal. Had lunch near my gate.

I love traveling but hate the logistics of traveling. I’m always a frazzled mess. I’m relaxing a little after lunch. I’m boiling in my rain jacket, but I might be glad to have it.

United has a pretty slick app that gives you the gate and countdown for boarding.

At the gate. Found a charging station.

So, okay. I'm at the hotel in San Juan. My reserved Uber didn't show up in the Uber app, so I might have paid for it twice? They said that I paid for only one night, although my receipt says two. So I told them that I'd pay for the second night tomorrow, after my money transfer to my Capital One account. That means I really need to not spend money because I'll be strapped. I might need to sleep in O'Hare the last night, although the hold for incidentals here should have cleared. Nice hotel, although the WiFi isn't working. And there's a free room service breakfast.

It's another dreary, rainy day. Mimi is being talkative. She skipped food to talk to me! Now she ran off to go eat.

The doctor's office called, and they want me to get an X-Ray before my appointment.

Happy scary day eve.

The doctor said that my toe is healing well, but it'll take three months (!) to heal completely. She showed me the X-Rays and explained them, which was nice. She said that I could walk, but "no running or jumping". I told her that I was going out of town, and we talked about travel a little. I have another appointment in a month.

I want to learn how to play pickleball on the cruise, but I guess that I'll just watch people who know what they're doing so that I don't run.

I'm freaking exhausted. I'm thinking of staying home from choir rehearsal and napping. The choir director was gracious about it though. I need to go get money though for the pet sitter.

It occurred to me that tomorrow would be a great day to clean because of stress.

I've gained some weight, ugh, but not surprising because I've been eating crap.

The Sierra Club is sending me emails that the election is tomorrow. is there anyone on the planet that doesn't know that the US election is tomorrow?

Went and got cash.

Thunderstorms in November?

Lay down for a nap and Zara came running. She’s snuggled up next to me. Aww. Slept through until 7:30 AM.

Hammered. Overslept work a little. Overslept my lunchtime nap too. (Luckily, I said that I was taking a long lunch.) I didn't get my Halloween stuff up, so I'll do it at 5 PM.

I dreamed about the Canadian guy that I liked last night. He’s on Facebook, and I would like to contact him, but I want to wait until I lose weight. (Eating Halloween candy doesn’t help!)

The girls polished off their food this morning. Yay. And Zara is looking for more food! And Mimi wanted some dry food.

I’ve decided to go to Goodwill, Ross, and TJ Maxx on Friday night to look for another dress for the trip. Oh, and I need to mail my returns of the clothes. I might have to do that on Saturday.

Mimi was on my lap, and she gave me an accusing look when I dumped her off to pick up my headphones that had fallen on the floor. Just as well, because I have a meeting soon that I'm leading. She is sneaky too. I was concentrating on some work stuff, and she jumped on my lap, and I didn't even notice until I looked at her! I told her her new name is Sill E. Cat.

The BetterUp people said that I lost the two pre-paid sessions when I canceled, but that they would give me a credit so that I can have a session. Unfortunately, my life coach isn't available until Wednesday, so I guess that I'll work with her on my final list before going on the trip. I could also work on a plan for working on the house after I get back.

There is something that I wanted to get at Meijer, but I can't remember what it is. Also, I need to pick up cat litter tomorrow while I'm out. And some extra cat food. Oh, and I need to go to Aldi this weekend because my therapist said that they have some good Keto munchies. I need something for my hotel/ship room.

Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday that my therapist asked me what I can do to decrease stress. She mentioned chair yoga. And I think that I want to take a warm bath this weekend. I want to do a pedicure and a facial as well. I bought a really cool pair of sandals on Amazon yesterday because the ones that I have didn't fit. I want my feet to look good! I think that I'll do a manicure right before I go with clear polish only. Then I'll use colored polish on the ship.

I want to make an appointment at Urgent Care to get the ear wax cleaned out of my ears. I want an appointment for Saturday or Sunday, but they let me make an appointment for tomorrow only. I'll try again tomorrow.

Oops, just remembered to order some bug spray wipes.

Got my Halloween decorations up (such as they are). I like the window clings. I might need to buy more next year because I had to use tape on some of them. I just got my first Trick-or-Treaters just now. How exciting!

Oops, this flipped over!

I’ve been doing chores downstairs in order to hear Trick-or-Treaters at the door. (I really need to get a doorbell installed.) I tidied up the kitchen and watered the plants. Now I’ll start on the clothes in the laundry area after resting my back. I’m going to turn the porch light off at 9 PM and go upstairs.

Speaking of which, I was investigating breast reduction surgery because my back aches when I bend over or walk. However, it seems that my breasts aren’t large enough for insurance to pay for it, and it’s expensive without it. Losing weight would help though.

Hmm. I should do 1SE in November because of the trip. (The only time that I remember to do it is when I’m taking a trip.) Maybe I’ll take a picture of my lawn full of leaves tomorrow. I’m leaving them there to feed the lawn over the winter.

Oh! I was working on my clothes and discovered that I still had the pretty purple dresses that I bought from Ross! I’ll try them on, but they should fit. In that case, I’ll return both evening gowns from ThredUp and take the purple ones on the trip. Oh, I’m so happy! I think that I'll wear them with my blue pumps because they don't look bad and they are MUCH more comfortable than my black ones.

I turned the porch light off. I had a sum total of two sets of Trick-or-Treaters. And lots of candy left over. I’m not surprised because there aren’t a lot of kids that live in the neighborhood. Next year, buy less candy :)

Worked for a while to make up my time.

I can return my Land's End clothes at Kohl's. I'll do that tomorrow. I'll need to go to the post office for the ThredUp returns.

Mimi is on my lap and making it hard for me to package up the returns, so I'll post first. Cats rule; humans drool :)

Overslept but made it to Italian. My Italian is definitely rusty. (We missed a couple of lessons.) I told her about the vet visits, and she felt sorry for the cats.

I'd like a Pilea Chinese Money Plant. They're safe for cats. I should wait until I get back to order it though. And it might be too late to mail it?

Mimi is picking at her wet food but ate the dry food. I guess that's okay. I'm going to try her on the Hills dry food for senior cats because she doesn't need to lose weight.

Got my Jenny Craig food and put it away.

The real estate guy for Mom's house is waiting on some signatures to list Mom's house for sale. He showed me a preview of the listing, and it looks good. I suggested mentioning the built-in lawn sprinklers though.

I got on the waitlist for Prolific, which bill_schubert mentioned. It might help pay for my Amazon addiction. Oh! I'm off the waitlist! Speaking of Amazon, I was looking at a cookbook holder because I have a bunch of diet cookbooks that I want. I was going to buy spiral-bound when available, but they are very expensive, and I could get cheaper versions of the cookbooks with a holder.

I was looking at some essential oils made by a company affiliated with Disney. (I'm subscribed to a Disney group on Facebook.) The company has a way expensive diffuser, so I was looking at some cheaper options on eBay. I like how the house smells when the cleaner is here.

Booked my drinks and WiFi packages for the cruise. Dang, they're expensive. They must make their money on the packages and extras. I checked in to the cruise. I'll be boarding at 3:30 PM, so I guess that I'll go to the cruise terminal and have lunch and kill a couple of hours. Looked at the cruise schedule. Wow, there's a lot to do aboard ship, though a lot of them are selling something. Do I want to do Karaoke? I’ve been exploring their app and found out when breakfast is. Because I’m doing shore excursions, I’ll mostly be having breakfasts and dinners. You also can get a complementary Continental Breakfast in your room.

Hmm. Celebrity has a Japan cruise that looks interesting. And it’s not horribly expensive, although airfare will add a lot.

Fed the catlings. They’re sort of eating and sort of picking at the food. I’m keeping an eye on them. I don’t really want to go back to the vet yet again. Got the garbage out.

Went to Walmart. They didn't have any mums. I bought a “Happy Halloween” window cling, the word “Spooky” to put in a window, and some crime scene tape with skulls on it. And candy, which I had to sample :) That’s it for this year. I might get more ambitious next year.

Tried on the evening gowns. The one that was smaller fit me (yay!), but it's not terribly flattering.

I'm looking at another dress online. I also tried on the Land's End long underwear and snow pants and they fit (the smaller long underwear and larger snow pants). Now I just need to get some alpaca socks.

I need to check whether I have sunscreen and go to bed. I need to get up early to practice piano. It's been a quite a week.