days_unfolding

I ran my errands. The local store didn’t have Mrs. Meyers, but had Bona, which is supposed to be a gentler cleaner with less chemicals. (I hate to say “organic” because what does that mean really?)

I’m having problems falling asleep. Hell. Overslept an hour. Scrambled to get ready to go. Dropped Bella off at doggie daycare. (They didn’t have a record of the reservation, but they said that they had space.) Bella looked excited. Made it to the meeting. I was stressing because I thought that it started at 8:30 AM, but it started at 9.

Back from my meeting. We went to an escape room afterwards, which was kind of fun. Then I went to pick up Bella. The day care people loved her and said that she loves people. A few members of the staff came over to say goodbye to her. I got things squared away to board Bella and Oliver there, although I need to send some paperwork for Oliver.

The team is going out for dinner, but I don’t have the money for it, so I’m home for the night. I’m going to take a nap soon. I’m wiped out from the limited sleep and all the peopling. I feel beaten up.

billschubert mentioned an adjustable bed. I want to live here as long as possible, so I’m looking into one. But I want a Marriott mattress so I don’t know. My bed is full size, which makes it tougher. I’m glad that there are people on my friends list ahead of me in the aging game. Food for thought.

I need to get the garbage out, but I’m too wiped out. I’ll gather it when I get up from my nap, and I’m getting up early and can take it out then.

I found a leather chair and ottoman that I like for the library, but I’m worried about the cats sharpening their claws on it. (Chaos trashed a leather loveseat that I had in California, so I speak from experience.)

Crashed out and so did the dog. Started laundry. I did something to my knee, so I'll gather garbage in the morning. I need to find shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in.

Overslept until 8 AM. Oh well.

My Italian teacher was nice about skipping next week. (We have an in-person meeting, and I'll be driving to it during the Italian time.)

The travel Meetup people also have a Yosemite trip that I might do sometime. I never went there when I lived in California!

Oliver is playing with his beloved little plastic ball. He carries it around in his mouth!

Got my groceries.

I saved a link to a hydration pack for larger people. That might be good for wandering around Italy. (I haven't forgotten almost passing out in Florence.) And the Sardinia trip will be in August.

The car repair people called. They want me to bring the car by so that the painter can match the color of the car. I said tomorrow morning. No, I'm going to take my shower during lunch and come by in the late afternoon. Crud, on the way back, I discovered that the stereo isn't getting any power. I called the repair shop, and they'll look at it when they put the new lock on. Hell, is this ever going to get over with?

The next "official" protest being held by the group that I joined is on May 1st. Crud, that's a work day.

I'm having a tough time finding someone to let Bella out at lunchtime during my meetings next week. I'm looking into doggie day care as an alternative. Called a place and they're sending over a release form.

I'm thinking of shelling out for a Roam hardside suitcase. They're pricey, but are supposedly well made. My Hartmann case has gotten stained, which is the disadvantage of softside luggage.

Bella, Oliver, and Lily attended my shower. Lily walked around on the shower stall and then jumped in. I thought that she might want to leave, so I opened the door and Oliver walked in. Then Bella walked in. I got Bella to leave but had to remove Lily, protesting. Oliver decided to leave on his own steam. Partway through my shower, both Oliver and Lily were standing on the shower stall batting at each other. Those two are a laugh riot!

Flaming headache.

Apparently my cleaner was texting me to confirm for tomorrow and I missed the messages. I hope that we're still on. We are.

Received the ferns for my garden. They are bare roots plants, which Bella likes to dig up and play with. I'll need to plant them this weekend, rain or not, and dig deeper to hide them.

Hmm. I haven't gotten the itineraries from the Meetup travel people yet. I'm pondering going over to Paris an extra couple of days early to wander around and follow ChatGPT's tours.

I went on the BBC’s app, and they were streaming the debate in Canada, so I left it on while I was cleaning up the kitchen. It was interesting. They brought up some of the same issues being discussed in the US. They are taking Trump's wish to annex Canada seriously. The discussion about healthcare was interesting. They were saying that their system was getting more privatized, and I was wondering why. There also was a discussion about Canada's role in supporting the Ukraine now that the US is no longer doing so. The polite Canadians were talking over each other! Anyway, I learned something and also got stuff done on the house.

I got a bad case of the shakes and did something to my knee. I'm going to go to sleep and get up very early to finish tidying. I'll set a wakeup call to make sure that I'll get up.

I had problems falling asleep, so I watched two episodes of The Big Bang Theory. The early episodes were not as good as later episodes, but I suppose that’s to be expected. The objectifying of Penny is not funny. I got up again and ate oatmeal. I finally fell asleep.

Got up at 8:30 AM. So far, it’s not raining. Got us all fed.

I looked at dog toothbrushes and toothpaste. I’ll try it with Bella. I think that Oliver and Lily would take a chomp out of me if I tried to brush their teeth. Well, maybe I’ll try cat toothbrushes and toothpaste with them and see what happens.

Napped. It’s storming. I need to find out what store has poster board and paint stirrer sticks to make my protest signs. I also need to get hot dogs and string cheese as rewards for Bella.

Tornado warning; take shelter now. Bella doesn’t think that she can get down the basement stairs. Sigh. I’m here with Lily. Here’s Oliver. Placed the order for the poster board, etc. from the basement. I wish that I had grabbed my food when I went in the basement. Oh well. What did we do in tornado shelters before we had cell phones? Okay, the warning is over. Apparently, there was some light damage in Savoy, SW of here.

Had lunch. Napped again. Got us all fed. I’m trying to convince myself to take a shower. Looked up cruises to South America. I remember one that took in both Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, but I haven't found it yet. Okay, it was on Oceania. Oliver and Lily were wrestling upstairs.

I’ve got my cleaning person coming right before I have someone come in to let Bella out during the all-hands meeting.

Headache. Lay down. Wound up oversleeping. I want to get up early to get stuff done.

I got a paw print from Mimi in the mail. I'm not sure if her ashes are behind the paw print? Probably yes.

Well, I dozed a little, but mostly I was up all night. I did get everything done that I planned to get done. Finished my last project at work. Now I'm cooling my heels waiting for the house cleaner.

United has a discount on checked bags if you pay for them over 24 hours before flight time, so I jumped on that.

The house cleaner said that she wanted to come a 10:30 today, so I was waiting for her outside. Nada. Eventually I came in. It's now 12:30 and nada. I texted her asking if she was going to come. Meanwhile, I have Bella and Oliver shut in the bedroom. I need to take Bella out. (They were probably glad of the nap time though because I kept them up late.)

Dropped Bella and Oliver off for boarding. Poor Bella did not want to go with the clerk and lay down in the hall. I told her that I would be coming back. It was heartwrenching.

The nail salon never confirmed my appointment. Just as well because I need to clean. I’ll take some nail polish with me. Or maybe I could get a manicure on the ship? They won’t let me book a treatment online this close to departure. Oh well. Maybe I could walk over to the spa when I get on the ship.

Note to self: charge the cordless cleaning wind. And then pack. Packed. It took me longer than I expected, but it’s done. Lily is playing in my closet.

Cleaned. I was up all night cleaning. Made it to the bus. Napped on the bus. Got to O’Hare.

My neighbor texted me that Mom’s car alarm has been going off. I told her how to get the key and get into the house. (Yay for my lockbox!) They decided to disconnect the battery. I apologized profusely. Yay for nice neighbors.

I slept my way to Miami. I was startled when they said that we were arriving.

I door dashed some soda and a brush and a seasickness band, which I forgot. Now I’m at the bar at the hotel eating.

I'm going to collapse.

Woke up at 8 AM. Bella saw some dogs out for a walk.

I’m looking for used grow light setups to start plants in the basement. I would have to start tomatoes right after I get back from my trip.

Okay, I don’t get this. I took Bella outside and stayed out for a good long time. She peed. And we came in. And she pooped in the bathroom. I did find her lost ball, which might have distracted her.

Bella on the picnic table:

There is a group called Indivisible that is holding a webinar about action plans to combat Trump’s changes tonight. I’ll attend. And there is a local group that I emailed.

Got us all fed. I want to take a nap, but I have Bella, Oliver, and Lily in here. This is not restful :) Oliver is out but Lily is still in here and Bella wants to play. I think that Lily needs to leave, alas. Okay, they’ve settled down.

Lily above the bedroom door:

Napped. Bella and Lily crashed out too.

Some neighbors look like they’re tapping a maple tree? Bella keeps trying to pull slimy leaves out of the plant saucers, so I tipped them all over. She keeps trying to pin Oliver down. Bella is now pawing the water dishes.

I’m trying to decide what to do when. I’m going to eat lunch. Then I think that I’ll corral Oliver and work on the aquarium so that the water can warm up so that I can put the plants in. But hmm, do I need to throw myself together for the webinar tonight? I need to put clothes in the dryer first. Then I’ll work on the kitchen. Okay, dryer, food, shower, aquarium, kitchen.

Me: Bella, whatever you’re doing, don’t do it. Leave Oliver alone. Lily, don’t eat the plant. Etc.

Hmm. I also like tops with pockets. (This is why I live in hoodies all winter long.). I looked at The Vermont Country Store and found a top that I really like, but no pockets. Sigh. I found a linen tunic with pockets on Etsy that I’d like in Dusty Rose.

It got up to 53F/12C today. False Spring.

I had Oliver and Lily in with me in the bathroom while I showered. I moved my soda so that Oliver wouldn’t knock it over but he did anyway :)

Bella pooped outside so yay.

I think that I’ll need garden fencing because Bella walks through the garden, especially because I want a vegetable garden. I’m looking at some fencing at Home Depot. I also need to get the fabric covers out of the gardens. It doesn’t keep the weeds out anyway.

I attended the Call to Action webinar. They want us to visit our Senator's offices to put pressure on them to keep Russell Vought from being confirmed as OMB Director. I emailed the local group to say that I want to join, but I don't have a group with which to go to Springfield.

I haven't eaten dinner yet, so I'm going to go downstairs and work on the kitchen while the pizza is baking. I should take Bella out first (done, and the pizza is in the oven).

I’m trying to gather up the recycling, but Bella is grabbing the cat food cans, which is why they’re on the floor in the first place. She also grabbed an envelope from me. Aargh.

Ate dinner with marked attention from Oliver, Lily, and Bella. Now I'm upstairs with Mimi. I didn't get as much done as I had hoped. I'm going to get up early to give Bella more time outside before work. Mimi is paying attention to me. I need to get my music in the binder for choir tomorrow. Oh, and I need to do Italian homework tomorrow.

Oops, I need to write the trust.

Bella brought her bone into bed with her, so I guess that I’m sleeping with a bone :) I didn’t want her chewing it while I slept, so I took it away for the night. I’ll give it back in the morning.

Woke up at 6:30 AM. The puppy is still asleep.

Bella chased the rabbit that lives here out of the yard.

The critters are being manic. I haven’t fed the cats yet. Now we’re all fed. Oliver was chasing Zara, so I kicked him out and closed the door to her room. The puppy thinks that nap time after breakfast is a great tradition.

They’re predicting snow showers for the next hour.

Napped. Bella doesn’t like it when I cough. Can’t help it, sweetie. Spent some quality time with a purring Lily. She is such a sweetheart.

Bella came into the kitchen with one of the boots that I wore outside in her mouth. I hastily rescued it.

Hmm. I’m thinking of putting Hospice Hearts, a rescue for pets whose owners are ill or have passed away, in my will, with the stipulation that whatever pets that I have go there. I also wonder if I could donate the Kia to them when I’m ready to get rid of it. Okay, it looks like they don’t take car donations but the Humane Society does.

It occurred to me that if I got solar and an electric car, I could drive around town for free. Electric cars are so expensive though. Maybe a hybrid. I was looking at cars online while my hair dries, and I like the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid. (Actually, I really liked the Toyota Venza, but that's more car than I need.) However, Subaru is coming out with a Forester hybrid mid-year. I also like the 2025 Mazda CX-70 plug-in hybrid. Also the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid, although it might be more car than I need. No, Consumer Reports has panned it. I have some test driving to do.

I bought a dog-training app. I still want to do the training class too if I get my money in time.

Bella got into the leftover linguini that I left on the counter. Pasta dog. I guess the moral of the story is to put stuff away. Though I’m not sure what to do with half a package of linguine.

Oliver and Bella were playing! Awesome!

Bella ate Lily’s food again. I need to find a better spot to feed her, away from the canine garbage disposal.

Used the power snow shovel to clear the sidewalks. I’m inside to thaw and rest. Then I’ll shovel (old-school) by the gate and move my recycling and garbage bins by the house (done).

There’s a gap in the fence that Bella might be able to squeeze through. I always go outside with her, but I should get some chicken wire to fix it. Or a post.

Bella was playing with my shoe. I guess that my shoes go in the closet.

I want to go to bed early, but I also want clean pajamas, which I just put in the washer. I guess that I’ll get to bed around 10 PM. I’m making some dinner now.

Bella is not telling me when she needs to poop. She was next to me during dinner, and then I went to put clothes in the dryer, and she pooped in the bathroom.

I mostly cleaned up the gravel that Bella scattered in the living room. It’s not perfect, but the bulk of it is gone. Oliver “helped” by lying in the bag that I was collecting the litter in.

I figured out which company that I want for home insurance. Now I just need the check from the trust.

I need to feed the beasties and go to bed. Oh, and collect my shoes from the bathroom.

I was posting when I got a message about my Italian lesson. Oops. I logged onto it. For some reason, I was reading Italian out loud better. Because of the extra sleep?

Cats: Yes, Mommy, I am VERY HUNGRY! Fed them and myself.

Yet another rainy, dreary day. I'm blaming the weather for oversleeping last night.

I'm busy being anxious about the election, but I know that we won't hear anything substantive until tonight.

I need to check and see what travel toiletries I need before I go out tonight.

Headache, so I’m going to lie down for a little while.

Upset stomach, so I emailed in sick and am lying down. Slept until 5 PM. Hung out for a while. Fed the cats. Staples is open until 8 PM, so I better get in the shower.

I’m looking for a laundry tub to give myself a pedicure, but I haven’t found it.

Ran to return my Land’s End stuff. Picked up some munchies at Walmart. Today is comfort food all the way.

I’m glued to CNN, but I should clean. The CNN stream is having issues. Maybe that’s a sign. I should put on my cleaning clothes. I think that I’ll pack my backpack first (done). I should get my meds together (done).

It's not looking good for Kamala Harris. Fuck. This is so depressing. I'm going to go scrub my tub (done-one bathroom done). I'm going to go to bed now.

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 :)

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.

I had my Italian lesson this morning. It went well, but we're working on listening exercises, which are hard, so I need to practice them. Mimi decided to walk on the laptop in the middle of the lesson! Thanks, cat!

I think that today I'll just collapse after choir rehearsal, but later this week I really need to clean the upstairs. I have to say that I really like the clean and organized rooms. I just need to get the rest of the place in order as well. Though I need to work on homework too.

It's very dark and gloomy out, but we need the rain.

I need to figure out what to do with the large Buddha statue that I brought back from Michigan. He's older that I am; I think that my mom bought him in college? She created a "temple" for him in our house, and my friends would ask us if we were Buddhist, and I'd say, "No. My mom just likes him." We used to put our coats on his "temple," which consisted of two tables put together with a canopy on top. I also brought back "George, the Chinese dragon" with me, and he will go on top of a bookcase. And there's the face statue from the gazebo....

Aargh. I just accidentally dumped a Jenny Craig quinoa dish all over my nice clean stove. I cleaned it up, but it isn't as clean as the cleaner gets it. (I am a lousy house keeper!)

Choir rehearsal went well, but I need to spend more time with the music. I don’t think that I can go to yoga tomorrow because of my knee—my foot is basically fine but my knee still hurts—so I’ll have extra time to practice. The last song that we sang is stuck in my head.

I have some bills to deal with. Then I'll go to sleep.