days_unfolding

The Internet is out on the ship. Bah.

You needed an engineering degree to figure out the shower. I finally figured out how to turn the water on (it wasn't obvious) but could not figure out how to get the shower on. So I took a bath and stuck my head under the faucet to wash my hair. And I almost wasn’t able to get out of the bathtub!

I took a lot of sweet rolls at breakfast. Then I discovered a place that would make me pancakes (which were quite good). I left with a contraband napkin full of sweet rolls. Waste not, want not.

I'm fighting the impulse to skip my shore excursion and go back to sleep. Note to self: don't book shore excursions at the beginning of a trip when you know that you will be tired. Now I'm thinking nap and wander over to the spa to see if I can get a manicure. Napped. Dug out my suntan stick in case I want to read in the sun.

I’m staying out of my room because I remember from the last cruise ship that they get upset if they can’t make up the room. I thought that lunch was at 11, but it looks like 12.

They’re playing the movie Conclave at 2 and 8:30. I would like to see that.

I had a moment of missing my dog. And I’m a little worried about Mimi. She’s been somewhat unsteady on her feet. But the vet said that she was okay, probably.

The room was made up. Now it’s nap time. I think that I’ll go for the later showing of the movie.

The pet sitter is sending me pictures of the cat food cans that she found under the cabinets and fridge. Not exactly restful.

Hmm. They put out a call for blood donors to help with a medical emergency. I had problems understanding the Captain on the PA, but it sounds like they are evacuating the ill person?

Read some of my book: Shift by Ethan Kross. It’s about using and managing emotions. It’s interesting so far.

I’m getting a little frustrated because the restaurant does not keep its posted hours.

Oh! They’re having introduction to pickleball tomorrow! I’ll be there!

My pet sitter can’t find Lily. She has to be there somewhere.

The Sweet Spot counter guy is always disappointed that I don’t want cookies. Ice cream, yes. I asked for one scoop and he gave me two.

Impressions so far: Holland America charges for everything. I spent more money getting the same amenities that I had last time, although this cruise is for two weeks, not one. Both staterooms were nice. The food was a little better on Celebrity, I think, but comparable. The ship is a lot quieter, which is nice, and there weren't late-night revelers (or at least, I didn't hear them).

I'm waiting to go to the movie, so I think that I'll post.

Overslept, but got the recycling out. I’ll take my shower at lunchtime.

Busy at work, but that's okay. I like being busy. I have a list of things to get done before I leave.

Got my RSV shot. I had pounds of clothes on because it was 19F/-7C out, and I had to pull them off to get down to my t-shirt underneath. The pharmacist joked, “Oh, there is a person under there.” Then I got my library books.

Bella went outside while I was bringing stuff in. There was a possum on the other side of the fence, and she wanted to spend the night looking for where it went. I had to bring out the squeaky ball, which she loves, to get her to come in. Zen and the Art of Manipulation :)

Everyone’s fed except me. I’m planning to remedy this.

Bella pulled down one of my spider plants, so I need to repot it. And hang the pots in the kitchen soon.

I'm exhausted. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, plus I might be feeling some side effects of the shot. I'm going to go to bed and get up early to do things.

Woke up with my alarm at 6 AM. The Echo Dot alarm did not sound, sigh. The critters think that this is too early to get up.

Ugh. Zara was out roaming around, and Bella lunged for her. I grabbed Bella. Sigh. Zara took off for her room. I took the puppy out. Now I’m thawing and then will gather the recycling.

Got the recycling out. I’m going to thaw for a moment, soak the cat dishes, and let Oliver out of kitty jail. (I’ll never convince him that I do that for his own protection.)

I read online that Neil Gaiman based his Sandman series on Tanith Lee's Tales of a Flat Earth series, so I went looking for the Tanith Lee books. The public library does not have them. The university library does have them, but the first book is checked out. I'm leery of buying it until I see if I like it or not. (I have too many books, so I'm trying to be choosy about what I keep.) And it sucks that Gaiman didn't give her credit and make her books circulate more! Though I'll probably set up a Little Free Library in the Spring, so I could recycle it there if I don't want to keep it. Oh okay, I got it for the Kindle.

We have some dedicated bicyclists for neighbors. I saw two separate people out riding their bikes. And it's cold out (31F/-1C, although that IS balmy compared to the weather that we've been having). Bella was fascinated by the bicyclists. She didn't bark but watched them intently.

I've been redesigning the yard in my head while I'm out with Bella. I want a six-foot-tall white picket fence to replace the current fence. There is a raised bed and trees by the side of where the driveway to the garage-to-be will be. I think that I want to take the trees and raised bed out (they're "junk trees'") and plant redbuds and holly bushes along the side of the driveway. Bark mulch underneath them. And I want a crabapple for the main part of the back yard and roses along the side of the garage. I probably want a path from the back door to the garage, but I'm not sure yet what to put in. I’m thinking a concrete sidewalk because its purpose is a way to unload stuff from the car, not to be pretty.

Bella did not want to come in when I took her outside after our nap. There was a garbage truck! And the outdoor cat went by the neighbor's house! Lots of interesting things to see. And it felt downright warm in the sun! Oh, it WAS warm, 37F/3C.

The doctor's office called to reschedule my appointment for next week.

When I paid my AT&T bill, they had an offer for one month of Hulu free, so I took the deal and added Max to it. I want to watch TV sometimes cuddling with the dog.

I had a nice chat with my neighbor who lives right next door to me. Bella barked at him for some reason, but he didn't seem to mind. I told him that the dog was new, and he said that he had cats, and I said that I had them too! He said that he liked my Harris/Walz yard sign, and we agreed that we weren't looking forward to the next four years. I like living in Urbana.

I'm thinking that I want to get the fish tank and plants set up, but I might wait to get fish until after my trip. I'd hate to get the fish and then leave them to the pet sitter or automatic feeder. I want to know more about how their rhythm is.

I'm also thinking that I should try to meet more people. I was going to wait until I got the house together, but meeting people would provide me with the motivation to get the house together. My therapist thought that was a good idea.

Because it's warmish, and it's supposed to get cold this weekend, I'll get the garbage out tonight. Nope.

Played a fun game of feeding the fur kids. I need to go get Bella out of the bedroom and take her outside. There was a person on a scooter walking two dogs. They stopped in front of the house for the dogs to sniff. Bella barked once and then retreated by my side for me to protect her.

I’m trying to figure out where Bella’s collar went. I have her harness, but I’m not sure where the collar is, but I know that it arrived. And I should get collars for Oliver and Lily. I need to spend this long weekend getting stuff organized. I think that I’ll start in one corner and do a 360-degree thing.

Oliver and Bella seem especially tired today. I wonder what they’ve been up to. They’re both asleep, and I’m kind of stuck here because I don’t want to wake them.

I cleaned off the heater for the fish tank, but it's getting late, so I'll fill the tank tomorrow. Paid bills. Now I think that it's bedtime.

I don’t know how it got to be Friday already. I need to tidy up for the cleaner tonight. She’s coming tomorrow. Started tidying up the kitchen.

Mimi is complaining loudly that she's not on my lap. I'm not stopping her from jumping up. Silly cat :) And I forgot to mention that Zara gave me a little kiss last night when I lay down to get rid of my headache. Aww. From her it means something. She is a one-person (me) cat. Mimi ingratiates herself with whatever human is around (but she likes me best).

Hmm, the Walker Book Club is tomorrow, but I have my broken toe. Plus, I need to get ready for the cleaner.

I met with the advisor and she’s going to submit my withdrawal form. She suggested that I call financial aid about my tuition waiver.

I got my new Full Focus planner. It starts on Monday, but I can write some goals down this weekend. My plan is to organize and clean the upstairs while the cleaner is cleaning the downstairs.

I rescheduled my RSV vaccine for the weekend of the 26th. I should be here because our annual meeting and in-person staff meeting at work is that week. I need to go up to Michigan sometime this month.

I had said that the arthritis in my toe wasn't bothering me, but that isn't quite true. I had been wondering if I was getting gout because it twinged occasionally, but it's not bad. But I'm wondering if I'm getting a touch of arthritis in my hands. Sigh.

I need to start walking after my toe heals. I'm missing the nice fall weather! And apparently people walk in the mall down the street from me in the winter.

I watched Anthony Bourdain’s last interview from a Facebook link. How could someone who sounded so together wind up killing himself? The Bourdain worshipers on the Facebook group trouble me, however. I keep wondering what he would think about them. I have a feeling that he wouldn’t be impressed.

The kitchen is ready for the cleaner except that I need to do dishes (done). Right now, I’m watering my “tree” plants because I do so in the tub (done and draining overnight) and I want the cleaner to clean the tub.

Brought stuff upstairs for the organizing and cleaning tomorrow. I'm feeling tired, so I'm going to go to bed soon.

Walmart gave me a heart attack. I ordered the bookcases from them. I created a Pinterest board with the accent cabinets, the cabinet for my winter hats, scarves, and gloves, and the bookcases. When I looked at the order for the bookcases, it said, “Actual color: Green”. I freaked and opened one of the boxes enough to see the color. It’s the color that I thought. Whew. Now I’m leaning towards the brown cabinet to closer match the bookcases and entertainment center. And the brown shelf for the hats, scarves, and gloves. (The votes for the different cabinets were fairly evenly divided. You see my problem :))

I overslept this morning. Ack! Mimi has been hanging out on my lap, making it tough to type.

I bought the tire inflation thingy for Mom's car. And an over-the-toilet storage rack for the guest bathroom.

The local Buy Nothing group is working well for decluttering. I offer stuff, put it on the porch, and it disappears!

My Apple Watch arrived! It's charging. I hope to have it set up before I leave for yoga. I've got it set up. Pretty slick, Apple. I'll leave it charging until I get ready to go.

I sent a message to the TV repair place last night but didn't get an answer. I might have to call them. I decided to bring my paperwork for the gym in tomorrow afternoon, and I'd like to drop off the TV then too.

No response from the exercise coach yet. Just heard from her.

Called Jenny Craig. My order was on the wrong debit card. It will be processed and on its way.

Okay, I signed up for Zumba and Flow Yoga next week to try them out. I'll drop off my paperwork to join the gym when I go there for Zumba.

I ordered lawn and leaf bags from Target as long as I have to go there anyway to get my cube organizer. They canceled the order. But it turns out they didn’t need them because my neighbor got rid of my lawn bags! That was very nice of her.

Went to yoga. I wasn’t into it today, and my back muscles are spasming. Oh well. Then someone on my local plant group was giving away baby spider plants, so I drove there to pick them up. They’re cute! Went to Target and got the cube organizer. Stopped at the grocery store, but they didn’t have any droopy orchids on sale. Oh, I was starving, so I had a cheat meal at Steak and Shake. And I left my book in Steak and Shake!

Planted the spider plants in temporary pots. I need to buy hanging pots for them. No exercise because of my back. I should get some rub for sore muscles.

I’m feeling really exhausted. I’ll go to bed soon.

I really wiped out and didn’t get up early. I threw some dirty clothes on so I can get the recycling out (done). It's very humid today.

Mimi is completely crashed out in her favorite place by the back window upstairs on the wicker chest. Oh, for the life of a cat :)

Showered at lunch and then napped. Overslept my nap a little.

We had a presentation at 1 that went well, except that I forgot to unmute myself at first. The joys of Zoom meetings.

Went to yoga. I was the only one there besides the teacher again. Ran to get money for someone to bring the dresser in and stopped at the library to pick up some books on yoga and decluttering. I had a weird experience in which one of the people working at the library was the spitting image of someone who works at a library up in Chicago and even has the same name. I did a doubletake.

I'm tired. I worked tonight though and got everything done that I needed to get done except for one report about which I need to ask a colleague. I should get a decent night's sleep.

I'm screwed. The deadline for paying for my cruise is August 4th, and I don't have the money. I'll see if I can figure something out. I finally asked the trust for the funds. Either they will give it to me or they will not.

Studied Italian. I'm already panicking that I might not learn as much as I want in a year. But I don't think that I can study more.

Did some "online errands". Now I think that I need to crash.

I disabled my OKCupid account because I'm not interested in dating right now. It's just sucking up money. I'll get back into the dating game after I lose weight.

Mimi likes lying on the mat for my standing desk.

Slept until 10. Did my morning routine, took a nap, and slept until 2:30.

Crud. I forgot to charge the mower batteries. I think that maybe I’ll do stuff inside today, although I should do some weeding. I did something weird to my back while I slept, which will cramp my style. I’m pressing my back into the chair to stretch it out.

I’ve been sitting here reading The Wishing Year, and it’s getting interesting. At first I thought that it was going to be a Law of Attraction book, and there is some of that (which wasn’t what I was looking for, but she’s convincing me to try), but she is getting philosophical about desire, which is what I need.

The short version: she was pondering how many people don't go after their wishes until after a loss or tragedy. I was thinking that it’s strange how much of my long-term wishes are coming true since my mom died, most notably the house and the trip to Italy. I need to do the work to get the rest of them.

She said that she liked the Hindu God Ganesh, and I found a statue of him reading a book that I kind of want. I need to figure out what I did with my Kwan Yin statue.

Earlier, she was writing about the things that were blocking her from getting what she wanted. For her it was remorse about an affair that she had. For me, it’s my stuff and my weight, which I’m working on.

I think that I want to take my Italy poster to Staples to see if I can get it laminated. Oh crud, they’re open only until 6 and I won’t make it. Oh! FedEx is open until 10 and they do lamination! I can’t find the command strips that I ordered from Amazon, but Walmart has them. Plus I need a flash drive if I don’t have one upstairs. (I couldn’t find one.)

I found my “Don’t stop until you’re proud” and “When you change your habits, you change your life” magnets and put them on the refrigerator.

I’m feeling kind of tired and want to study Italian, so I will. Studied the flashcards. I'll study verbs later.

I had accused Facebook of following me around because my hairdresser trims my eyebrows, and as soon as I came back from my appointment, I saw a Facebook ad for an eyebrow trimmer. I wound up getting it so that I can trim them myself.

I added Lingopie to my Italian repertoire so that I can watch videos in Italian. They also show the words written in Italian, which would be easier than watching Italian TV on Sling, at least at this point.

I found my command strips, although I ordered more from Amazon, but I’ll use them. So I ordered the USB drive from a Meijer order, which will come tonight (done). I just need to run to FedEx with the poster. Well, hell. I threw myself together and went to the car and brought up FedEx on my Maps app. Well, I don’t know where I saw one open until 10 because the local one closed at six. They’re open tomorrow.

I had joined the local chapter of Girl Gone International to make friends in the local area. They're having a meetup at Sholem Aquatic Park next week to walk the lazy river. Sounds like fun, although I'll have to scramble to get there after yoga. (I think that I'll wear my swimsuit under my yoga clothes.)

Started excavating the corner of the living room that has the chest on which I want to put the upstairs TV.

I keep running back to look up stuff on my phone. I was looking for a used utility cabinet for cleaning supplies to put by the stairs in the basement, and found something that would work. The question is whether I could get it in my car? I’ll ask for the measurements.

I cleared out enough to get to the chest that I wanted to bring upstairs, and wrestled it upstairs. I need a break, so I'm going to study Italian. Mimi is on my lap. Oh, I figured out where I could put my personal "altar": under the stairs.

Cleaned out the chest. There are some old sheets that I will give to Goodwill. There are some flannel sheets that I will try on the bed, but the bed is a full and the sheets are queen. I'll get rid of them if they don't fit. There are some Lithuanian tablecloths and such that I left in the chest. Hmm, I could put travel stuff in there because it won't get used often. Put the TV on the chest. I have no idea where the remote went, so I ordered a universal Sony remote and also a power strip because the Roku needs to be plugged in.

So, success. I'm going to study my Italian verbs, do dishes and scoop cat boxes, and toddle off to bed. Oh, in The Wishing Year, she put a piece of paper about the type of guy that she wanted to meet under her bed, and it worked. I figured that I might try it; the worst thing would be that I wasted a piece of paper. I'll put two things: that I want to have sex with Mimmo, and that I want to meet and get involved with someone who turns me on as much as Mimmo. So I'll do that. And I want to put my new linen sheets on the bed.

I found an aspirational dress on Ann Taylor Loft. I’m wondering if I should buy one one size down for motivation. I ordered it.

Woke up at 9:30 AM.

I checked to see if the bookcases that I like are on sale at Target, but they aren’t.

Crud. I should have gotten more oatmeal when I got a Walmart delivery order the other day.

It’s kind of gloomy out. Crud, it’s supposed to rain, but I need to mow. Yes, here comes the rain. Napped.

Paid some bills for Mom's house. Bought the book The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel.

I have to figure out what to do today given that the grass is wet. I'm about to study Italian. I need to put up the clock and key rack. Then I guess that I'll work in the music room. Maybe I could weed later.

Studied Italian. Watched an episode of the Golden Girls. Paid more bills.

It's raining again. And there is a tornado watch. The local July 4th festivities were canceled.

Took another nap. If you can’t nap on a holiday, when can you?

Hmm. I’m looking for a replica of the Canova Venus statue that I saw in Italy. I saw one on Etsy that might work. Well, I saw a nicer one on Chairish, but it’s $145. No. Ordered one plus a “Meet Me in Italy” t-shirt.

I hung the clock and key rack in the kitchen. You need to press a button to backlight the clock, which I don’t like. And it says that it’s 80 in here? The a/c is set, but come to think of it, I haven’t heard it go on in a while. I tried turning it on, and some cool air is coming in.

Eeek. How’d it get to be 8:30 PM? I need to get the recycling out.

I discovered that the clock needed to be plugged in. It helps if you RTFM! It’s working well now in a new spot.

Mimi is telling me that it’s a tough life being a cat.

I can be really stupid. I started to order shoes for the dress that I can’t fit into yet, and then I asked myself, “What am I doing?” I’m sure that there will be comfortable flats when I’m ready for them.

I read an article from the BBC about how Ancient Japan recycled almost everything. That reminded me to look for carbon offsets for my flight (although I also read an article questioning the ethics of carbon offsets). I bought some. I only hope that the company was reputable.

I want to get to sleep soon because I want to use the treadmill while it's still cool in the morning.

Up at 4 AM. I bought Jhumpa Lahiri’s book in Italian and Marie Kondo’s book. Complaining cat (Mimi) is complaining.

Mimmo posted a bunch of photos.

I’m reading Bernie Taupin’s book and it’s interesting. He’s discussing one of my fave songs (“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters”). I sang the song.

Slept until 9 AM. Hmm, my back is twisted. My plan of action is to have lunch and get myself together to mow this morning. I’ll come in in the afternoon when it gets hot.

Started tackling the mail.

I’m trying to figure out what worked on the trip and what didn’t. I’m looking at a small leather backpack to take with me when we visit museums. The quick-dry underwear has got to go because it creeps down. The suitcase is good. So is the backpack.

Started tidying up the kitchen. I ordered the cleaning fluid for my spin mop, so I’ll be able to clean the floors.

Hmm. I really don’t feel like mowing. Hmm, it’s supposed to be cooler next weekend. I think that I’ll wait. Heat warning today into next week. Napped. Did some dishes.

Hmm, there is a way to donate unused foreign currency to charity.

I ordered a four-CD Elton John boxed set that I have, but I don’t know where it is. I need music badly.

Took a shower. Mimi wants food.

I’ve been doing diddly squat today, just reading Bernie Taupin’s bio. I should fire up my CD player and work on the bathroom. I’m sniffling; I have some sort of allergy going.

I opened the door to the basement, and Mimi nose-dived there again. I left her there until she started complaining.

I’m lying down again. Zara has her head on my pillow.

It’s the middle of the night Italy time and I’m tired. I want to ask a question of Mimmo and go to sleep.

It is freaking hot upstairs.

Mimi likes sleeping on the wicker chairs upstairs. There are two, and she moves back and forth between them.

After waking up a couple of times during the night, I woke up at 6 AM, which is reasonable. Mimi: Mom, food? Me: Were you waiting for me to get up?

Today it’s supposed to rain, so it’s a day for chores inside the house.

Napped. Feeling groggy after my nap.

I need to pull out cleaning clothes to clean the bathrooms. I won’t shower first because I’ll get grungy.

Zara wants food. Actually, so do I.

I couldn’t find my cleaning clothes, so I pulled another pair of shorts and a t-shirt out. I think that I’ll need a shower to wake up. I checked, and I have my cleaning supplies.

I've been emailing with Erik (my ex) about electric cars because he has one. The KIA EV6 is closest to my price range, but I might have to settle for a hybrid. I had been looking at the Subaru Forester Hybrid before looking at all-electric cars.

I’m reading a book with tidbits about the Olympics. I looked at Sling but can’t tell what packages I’d need for the Olympics. I’ll contact them after I get back from Italy.

Decided that I wanted another short nap. Couldn’t sleep.

Showered. Put towels in the wash. I’m thinking of going outside later to put together the compost bin. It’s sunny out right now. I wonder if the grass will dry enough to mow.

I’m cleaning out my dresser drawers to put new stuff in. I found a pretty pair of flowered shorts that I want to take to Italy. But I need a pink or navy top with it, so I ordered a couple. I’m going to take a pair of shorts and a t-shirt in my backpack, but I’m trying to decide between blue or white shorts or maybe my black-and-white flowered shorts with a black t-shirt?. And where are my packing cubes? I bought a large set of cream-colored packing cubes. They weren’t very expensive.

It looks like I’ll have plenty of room in my suitcase for souvenirs, not that I’ll have a lot of money to buy stuff. But that was my plan. I have two pairs of “bend-over” pants with blazers and two pairs of shorts with t-shirts. I should throw in a pair of jeans (done). Maybe I’ll wear jeans on the plane.

Got the other side of the house mowed. That leaves the back for tomorrow and a quick touch up in front before I leave. I need more lawn and leaf bags. I have way too many grass clippings for the compost bin. I’ll need to call my garbage company on Tuesday to see if they’ll take them. I ordered the bags from Walmart with enough other stuff so that they won't charge me for a small order. And Mimi wants attention.

It might rain tonight.

I'm yawning already. If I have trouble sleeping, I should go mow the lawn :) Knocks me right out.

I'm trying to set up the app for my FlyKitt (jet lag kit), but I'm getting an "unsecure Web site" error. I emailed the company.

I'm thinking of going to bed really early and cleaning the bathrooms when I wake up. I've run out of juice :) I think that I'll put clothes in the dryer, do the dishes, scoop the litter boxes, and crash.