days_unfolding

Bought some collapsible walking sticks to take on the trip. There are some walking tours, so they might help. (And yes, it's before the boycott starting at midnight, but if I think of something that I absolutely need to have for the trip, I might have to break the boycott.)

Overslept but got up in plenty of time for my shower. Oliver was walking on top of the shower, peering in and meowing :)

Yay. The vet will take Bella for boarding. Sigh of relief.

Now I'm thinking of waiting post-Trump to have solar installed. There is more likely to be tax credits.

We have a Friday "watercooler" Zoom call. Were were talking about Little Sleepies pajamas, among other things, and they have an "around the world'" one that I'd like to get for spring. But I'll wait until I get back.

The pet waste people cleaned up the yard and did a good job. Now I need to pick up after Bella until I board her. It's kind of tough at night. Maybe I'll take my phone and note where she pooped so that I can clean it up in the daylight. Oh, the joys of dog ownership: so much revolves around poop.

I think that I'm going to be too tired to pull an all-nighter to clean, so I'll go to Plan B and get up at 5 AM to clean. Music is a must! Tonight, maybe I could open some boxes and enter info for the pets' microchips and pack and other low-key stuff. Oh, and scan my music for my singing lesson.

Hmm. I should get some protein bars for my flight. I'm probably going to DoorDash when I get to Miami, but the flight is three-and-a-half hours. And I need something to eat in the morning.

It's kind of quiet and peaceful upstairs in the afternoon sun, listening to the burble of the aquarium.

My dad said to hold off on construction because if there is a recession, you should be able to get good deals. I hadn't thought of that aspect of it. He thinks that we should know if there will be a recession by the end of the summer. But I really want the fence replaced, which requires the garage to be finished so that I know where to end the fence. Hmm.

Oh! I can get Google's User Interface design course for free from the University. All I need is the time, which I don't have. Maybe a little later down the road.

I'm getting involved in new and interesting areas at work (involving with different areas of the system on which we work). That is making me happy.

I was feeling like I perked up a little but now I'm yawning.

Yeah, I need to get to bed early. My patience with the critters is fraying. (Bella ate Lily’s food. I gave Lily more food, but Oliver, who had had a full bowl of food, tried to eat it. Meanwhile, Bella was looking for a chance to eat more of the food. And I was getting cranky.) I think that I need sleep.

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.

Oh! I found a pair of fleece lined PETITE pants that would be great for winter! I also found a space heater that I like. (The attic room that I work in is hot in summer and cold in winter.) Hmm, it might be a good time for sales on air conditioners.

I drastically overslept. Fuck. Got up just in time for work.

Mimi makes a big production out of jumping on my lap. First, she sits there and meows at me. I told her that I'm not going to get smaller if she meows at me and that she can do it. Eventually she jumps.

I didn't get a grade for the first assignment in my Web programming class. I emailed them about it, but no answer yet. They said that they graded it, but the grade is not showing up. Sigh.

I forgot that I have choir rehearsal tonight. I won't get to mow. Tomorrow I'll do it.

I went downstairs and then went, "Why did I go downstairs?" Then I remembered that I need my insurance card because I need to call Blue Cross Blue Shield. They said that I need to go through a virtual program first, but I can call them to see if I can do the local weight loss program. I also checked to see if I can still get a discount on weight loss programs, but they don't seem to be offering it anymore. However, I seem to be unstuck on my weight loss. I’m down under the weight that I was stuck at. I left a message at the virtual program that I wanted to take a local program. They said that I need to contact the State of Illinois' benefit program.

For some reason, the song “Empty Garden” (Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s song about John Lennon) is playing in my head. I don’t know why. It’s not the anniversary of John Lennon’s death. Maybe because I was thinking about the New York trip and I always go to Central Park outside of the Dakota Building when I go to New York.

Crud. I'm going to have less money in my next few paychecks due to tax withholding for my tuition waiver.

I had my appointment with my new doctor. And I really, really dislike her. She probably doesn't like me either because when she was going through the depression-screening questions, I commented that the nurse had already asked the questions,. She did send me for an xray of my foot though and is going to try to get me in to see a psychiatrist. But the search for a doctor continues.

I can get a 10% discount on fees at Brookdale Senior Living from my employer, which might add up into $$$. But they allow only one pet per apartment though.

I heard hissing. Sigh.

Went to choir practice. I was the only alto there, which made me nervous, but the choir director was nice and didn't make me sing alone.

Ran to Walmart. The checkout machine ate my money, and it took two different people to resolve the problem.

My foot is hurting, probably because of wrangling it for the xray plus walking in the hospital.

Studied Italian. I'm going to go to sleep because I have Italian tomorrow morning.

Overslept a little but got up in time for work. Zara is circling me like a shark. Now she’s on top of the refrigerator. Mimi: Mom, I’m starving! I’m wasting away! Etc. Mimi had snuggles with me after breakfast, and now she's taking a nap.

It's nice and cool upstairs in my home office. I like it a lot. It's my first fall in the house. Now it's raining.

I'm craving a croissant. The money from the hotel hasn't posted yet though.

I went into the bedroom for my lunchtime nap and saw this. Time to put the suitcase away.

Drastically overslept my nap. Fuck. Now I'm logging on for class. During class, I thought about my assignment, which should include a video. I'm doing it about hobbies of mine, so I thought that I should sing a song. But what is in the public domain? I asked Chat GPT for pretty songs in the public domain, and it mentioned "Shenandoah," which is a song that I'm familiar with and like. I found some (free) music for it. So I need to learn the song and record it this weekend. Maybe I'll ask my music teacher to help me with it.

I'm looking into medical weight loss because I've been stuck for a while, although I seem to be losing some again. That might be because I barely ate on Sunday. I need to call Blue Cross Blue Shield though to verify that it's covered. I'll ask for a referral at my doctor's appointment next week. I should ask for a referral to a chiropractor too.

I took a nap after work and slept until 11:30 PM. Threw clothes in the wash. I want to stay up until I can put them in the dryer. I need to feed the cats and myself, do dishes, scoop the cat boxes, and post.

Oh crud. I didn’t get the garbage out. Well, it’s not happening now; I’m in my pajamas.

I belong to a solo traveler's group on Facebook. A recent post was by someone from Lebanon, who was supposed to go to the Galapagos with a friend soon but feels she can't go with the war going on. I think that I have problems; I don't have problems by comparison. (Mimi thinks that she has problems too, but she has a pretty good life!)

Good. My paycheck posted. I can get food.

Had my Italian lesson. She said that I'm getting better at speaking. Yay.

The dog that I liked got adopted. Oh well. I thought that she'd go fast.

I ordered a pharmacy ID card so that I can get my COVID and flu shots.

Apparently my lawn was aerated and seeded on Friday. I need to get the sprinkler out to water the new grass (done).

Now I think that I want a Mazda CX-5. I looked at used ones on CarMax, and they're within my price range.

Went to choir practice. It went well. I'm tired now though. I'm trying some things to get my Web programming project to post on the Web. But then I want to go to sleep.

Added: The TA wants me to come to office hours tomorrow to sort out my problems. At least, I've now got someone who will help me. It's hard to get the attention of someone because the class is so big.

Overslept this morning, but made it into work a few minutes late. Obviously, I didn't get up early to get the registration ID card for the Honda.

I just remembered a project that I forgot about at work. Sheesh.

My work has a social "watercooler" meeting on Fridays, but I don't feel like going to it.

The cats are fed and are dozing. Mimi likes sleeping in the "guest room".

Okay, this is weird. My doctor asked me to make an appointment about "medication management," but I was told that she was leaving, so I had made an appointment with someone else. They said that they missed the new appointment.

The Walker's Book Club is at 9 AM tomorrow, but I think that I want to skip it this time. I have so much to do. Though hmm, if I went, I could go to the DMV afterward. But I'm reading a book called Downsizing Your Life, which probably wouldn't be of interest to others.

I'm looking at used Bissell Iconpet vacuums on Mercari. They're supposed to be good at picking up cat litter, which I sorely need. I also looked at Waterpiks, and there are new ones for not a lot of money (1/4 of the regular price). And a new electric toothbrush for 1/2 price.

Zara came upstairs to find me because she wants to be fed.

I found my scale. The cleaners piled it under some stuff. I found out how to sync it with my iPhone too.

Took a nap and overslept. Now I’m waiting for my razor to charge. Just remembered to cancel my Dailylook box. I don’t need to spend money on clothes when I have so many. Canceled my Silk and Sonder subscription because I don’t like it. Mimi apparently just woke up, and she wants food. Zara is still asleep. She woke up when I got their food.

The guy who took over the house that I was renting hasn't paid his garbage bill. I need to send him a nastygram because I'm certainly not going to pay it.

I'm in the mood to work on homework, and I'm not going to waste the mood.

Man, am I tired. I had breakfast, but I’m going to lie down for a while.

Had a nice nap but am still tired. There are dark circles under my eyes.

I looked into getting a duplicate registration card, and I'll have to go to the DMV.

The registration ID card and insurance ID card were missing from my mom’s car. A nice person at the hotel printed off the insurance card, but I’ll need to go to the DMV to get the registration card. I guess that I’m going to drive the speed limit on the way back :) Now I’m at Midas and they’re checking out the tires on the car. I’m going to get gas and wash the car.

Back at the hotel. Now I need to study CSS for my class. I went through basic CSS. I started into the more advanced stuff, but I got into the weeds quickly. I then turned my attention to my homework assignment. Okay, I got most of the HTML and CSS written for my homework assignment. I still need to get my box partway down the page, which I think will need some tweaking of the position attribute, but I'll work on that when I get back. I also need to do some setup with git, but I want to do that on my laptop for school. And I need to get some sleep before the long drive tomorrow.

Overslept this morning. I was a little late for work.

Well, hell. The mower guy hasn't showed up so far. Apparently he sent a message asking to mow on Sunday, but I missed it. Now the cleaner hasn't shown up.

Oh crap. I had an Italian lesson this morning and completely forgot about it. I sent a message to the teacher apologizing.

The cleaner showed up and she said that I need a "deep cleaning," which costs a lot extra but I said okay. The lawn mower guy said that he was coming, but now he wants to reschedule for tomorrow.

Hmm, it just occurred to me that we're coming up on my favorite season of the year! Autumn is a good time for long walks, crunching leaves under my feet. Champaign-Urbana looks especially lovely in Autumn.

I was thinking about the war in Gaza and the protests in Israel, and wanting to learn more, when a word popped up in my mind, Haaretz. So I googled Haaretz and found that it was an Israeli newspaper, and they have an edition in English. I have no idea how it popped up in my mind and where it came from. I poked around Haaretz's site enough to get the idea that it's a left-wing paper and they are not fans of Netanyahu. I balked at the price, but subscribed month-to-month so that I can cancel it when the war is over or when I get too horribly depressed, whichever comes first. Well, you think we have been scathing about Netanyahu, but it's nothing that compares to what they're saying. I can't find the exact quote, but it was something like calling him "the Messiah of lies" and something else derogatory. All right then.

All of this is distracting me from our elections. I really need to volunteer for Harris' campaign. I can only imagine the combo of Trump and Netanyahu. They'd probably drop an atomic bomb on Gaza except for the fact that the fallout would impact Israel. I need to figure out how to volunteer. I like creating content, but I need to find out what that entails. Okay, I signed up for a couple of events. I really would like to attend one that is about how to talk to people who disagree with you or don't care, but it conflicts with my voice lesson. Oh wait a minute. it's right before my lesson. I'm so there.

My Web programming class is moving fast. I need to bring a CSS book with me to Michigan and work on it in my hotel room.

The cleaners have spent hours cleaning! They're doing a better job than I had planned. The cats are decidedly unhappy and are hanging out with me upstairs. Zara wants to eat.

Apparently the house cleaners left without saying that they were leaving. I was still hiding out upstairs with the cats, but decided to check on them, and the floors were dry, so they had been gone for a while. They did a fantastic job. They even made my bed! (I kind of like how they made the bed, so I'll try it.) The rooms that they did look like a hotel! I just need to get the rest of the place unpacked and organized.

I was starving because I didn't eat lunch because they were cleaning. And the cats wanted to be fed. I fed us all, but I had forgotten that I had yoga tonight and couldn't find my yoga pants and it was late to be going, so I decided to skip tonight.

Oh. I forgot to mention that I will need to check luggage on my flight to Detroit because I want to bring pruning shears with me to take cuttings from the plants in the yard. I'll take the cuttings right before I leave so that they'll stay fresh. Actually, it would be cheaper to buy shears when I get there. I’ll do that and give them away on Buy Nothing when I get back.

I took a nap and slept for four hours. Zara was with me and made a fuss over me when I woke up.

Oh crud. Today is Tuesday, and I need to get the garbage out (done). At least most of it is out already. I’ve been thinking that today is Monday all day.

Put some Buy Nothing stuff out. Studied Italian. My flash card app knew that I skipped yesterday and was reminding me to study! Packaged up my eBay sale. I'll mail it at the post office that's open late tomorrow.

Got up in time for my Italian lesson. My teacher is working me hard on pronunciation, which is good. My accent sucks :) Mimi walked on my laptop keyboard during the lesson. Cats!

I had my meeting with the personal trainer, finally! She's going to work on exercises that I can do from home. That way, I have no excuse not to exercise. I might add the gym later.

My Web programming class is going to be online after all. Yay! I don't have to find a place to park! Today was the first day. It looks like a good class and that they will be flexible, which bodes well for my cruise. I just ordered $250 worth of Web programming books because we can use any source that we have. My professor said that I could turn in the assignment due during my trip early. Yay!

I was debating whether to go to yoga today. It's really hot, but if I go, I can spend time in air conditioning instead of upstairs in hell. I would like for it to cool down before I come back up here. On the other hand, I don't really want to go out in 95F/35C heat. I'd rather just lie down in the cool downstairs. My Jenny Craig order has arrived, so I need to bring it in though (done).

I’m not feeling quite as tired down here in the cool air. I should get things done. I need to stage the items that the assembly guy will assemble tomorrow. And take out the garbage.

I feel like my life is taking shape. I'm living in Urbana. I’m losing weight. I’m planning to go swimming and am taking yoga. I plan to take singing lessons again and piano. I’m going to study Web programming, which I’ve wanted to study for a long time. Now I just need to get the house in order (in progress). The point is that my therapist said that my life can be anything that I want, and I’m doing what I want to do.

I got the garbage out. I still need to get the bookcase pieces upstairs, but my knee and back hurt and it’s hot, so I’m going to go to bed early and get up early.

Oh great. Excessive heat warning for today though Tuesday.

Wayfair is having a “clear-out” sale. Hmm.

I have a taste for Lean Cuisine pizza, so I'm coming up with a grocery list to include it.

The exercise coach is driving me crazy. She asks me if I have time to meet, I suggest a time, and then she vanishes to reappear the next day, asking me if I have time to meet that day. Etc.

I got one of my weeding tools. We’ll see how it works.

I’m lying down to stretch out my back. At this rate, I won’t be able to go to Zumba tomorrow. Wound up oversleeping my alarm.

I decided that it was too hot to mow. The weeding tool doesn’t work well, sigh. I got some garbage out and am chilling now.

Worked more on the library. Now I’m pissed off. Remember that guy who packed up all my stuff? Well, he shoved a statue of an angel that I hand-carried from California into a bag, and it’s broken. I’ll try to glue it, but I don’t know.

Crap. The class that I'm enrolled in is on campus. I don't know that I want to do that.

I booked an assembly guy. I was about to book a handyman when I realized that I don't know where the screws for the doors went.

Someone wants my extra plastic hangers. Yay. Worked on another box (I can see the progress!) but my back hurts. I have two more bags to go to the thrift shop.

Studied Italian. My back still hurts. But I got a lot done today.

I ordered the sunburst mirror for my bedroom. I'm determined to get that room "finished".