days_unfolding

I found the itineraries for the Japan and Orient Express trips. The Orient Express trip still excites me; Japan not as much. They both are long trips, so I can’t take both of them and I should take a shorter trip as a second trip in the spring or summer next year. I'll look for a shorter cruise. Okay, I like this cruise. Or I could go to Bermuda on another cruise line.

One of the little plastic cat ball toys rolled down the stairs, and Bella chewed it into pieces. Once I get the check from the trust, I will subscribe to plastic cat ball toys if I can. They will get used and abused.

Woke up at 8:30 AM.

I got my blood test results, and my vitamin D and B12 levels are normal. That’s not why I’m so tired.

It’s raining lightly. Oh good, the rain will stop in the afternoon.

I’m using the MediSafe app recommended by bill_schubert. I think that it will be helpful. Notifications are off though, and I need to turn them on.

Crap. The doggie day care is full two of the days. Now what? Called and left a message at another place. There also is a third place, but it’s out of town and not convenient. The place that I called wants to do an evaluation on Thursday, so they couldn’t do Wednesday.

I really feel like going back to sleep. I’ll skip going to the library and go on Monday.

Bella already has a small pile of crap that she’s found to play with in the kitchen. I need to get after it with a broom while it’s still small.

Hmm. I’m looking at urns for Mimi, but nothing is saying ”Mimi” to me. Etsy has some that are painted to look like the cat, which I like.

Oliver came over for snuggles, and Bella promptly jumped on my lap. Jealousy….Later, Bella was about to poop on the kitchen floor, and I hussled her butt outside.

Well, took a shower anyway. I’m dragging. I was going to watch a movie, but my Hulu account is on hold because they can’t charge my credit card. I don’t want to use another card because I need to pay for Bella’s doggie day care. Netflix is hosed too. Okay, I’ve already paid for episodes of The Golden Girls. Watched a couple of episodes.

Now I'm going to feed the hordes and crash.

I was up very late, waiting for a press conference about the DC plane crash. While I was waiting, I gathered recycling to take out to the bin tomorrow morning.

Woke up at 7:30 AM, so I had to scramble a little bit to get my morning tasks done and the recycling out. Then I drove to Danville. I made it five minutes before the appointment, which is closer than I like to cut it, but whatever. The meeting with the psychiatrist was a Zoom meeting that was in an examining room. Kind of strange. But I really liked the psychiatrist and she was very thorough. I need to get a blood test for vitamin D and B12. Our next appointment will also be over Zoom but in Urbana.

I'm glued to the news about the plane crash. I almost concentrated in human factors psychology and am fascinated by the human factors in plane crashes. I follow Mentour Pilot on YouTube. But I also am hearing the lines from "Dirty Laundry": "We got the bubble headed bleached blonde/Comes on at five/She can tell you 'bout the plane crash/With a gleam in her eye/It's interesting when people die...." So am I a ghoul? I don't know. I do know that aviation experts have said that it's not a question of if there would be a midair collision but when.

Dozed off during work. Sheesh, I'm tired. It's a gloomy day, which isn't helping.

My neighbor says "Hello" to Bella before saying "Hello" to me :) It’s raining, and Bella looked at me like, you want me to go out in that? But she did.

Bella doesn’t tell me that she needs to go out after her evening meal. We’re doing well other times, but those are scheduled times mostly. I’m googling how to train her to do so.

Got us all fed. I got up for a moment and Lily took my chair. I’m glad that I make a good seat-warmer :) Now I think that it’s nap time. I’m so tired.

Shut my alarm off and slept until close to midnight. Lily is fussing over me. It’s foggy out and kind of pretty.

I’m going to feed the critters, start a load of laundry, and go back to bed. I think that tomorrow will be a pajama day.

Dollar General also has some storage bins that I should check out.

I was talking pet fountains with my boss (she has cats), and Oliver is interested in water, so I bought one for Oliver and Lily in the kitchen and one for Mimi upstairs. (Zara does not like pet fountains.)

Oh! The delivery of the larger harness is scheduled for tonight, not last night! I was confused because the delivery from PetSmart is usually right on time (done).

Had my doctor's appointment. I'm still not thrilled with the doctor but there was a good nurse. When I was looking at my online chart, it said that I was due for a pneumonia vaccine, so I set up an appointment next week to get it at the doctor's office. The nurse said that they could do it today after my doctor's appointment. The only thing is that no one knew my appointment was over, so I wound up cooling my heels a little. But I got it done. It's kind of a painful shot and my shoulder is hurting.

And I completely forgot that I had an appointment with the new local investment firm. I logged on a couple of minutes late. I liked them, but I have a feeling that my dad won't like their investment strategy. They cover only investments, but they can partner with a bank that could administer a trust. And they don't do taxes, but can work with a tax accountant. They wanted to know more about the trust and the account balance, so I said that I would get more information from the Michigan trust.

The university sent an email saying that the new federal policies didn’t necessarily apply to us. Good because we work remotely.

When I get an electrician in here, I want to get a motion-sensitive light on my front porch. I wind up leaving mine on all evening because I go in and out with Bella. Worse, I leave it on all the time when I'm out of town and have a pet sitter. So I should get it changed sooner rather than later.

I've decided not to do the food kits while I'm getting the kitchen organized. I'll pick it up afterward.

Oliver is really the one who pisses me off. He was trying to get upstairs, so I picked him up to drop him on the stairs so that I can get in. He dug his claws in my arm and got in. I'm not particularly proud of myself but I yelled at him, and eventually got him out. I guess my next step is a feline behaviorist because I'm at my wits end with this cat. Now I feel like crying. It just occurred to me that I could give him food or treats and go up while he's eating. Maybe I could discuss strategies with the vet on Monday.

Oliver knew I was mad at him. He was hiding when I came downstairs. I talked to him calmly and he came out. And then he tried to get upstairs when I went to get Mimi’s dishes. Sigh. I think that I have some Greenies that I could give him when I go upstairs. If I can’t find them, I’ll order more. I have Churus. I can give him kitty crack. He’s my 10th cat and by far and away the most difficult. I only hope that he’ll settle down as he gets older. It’s ironic that his sister, Lily, is the perfect cat.

I could shut Oliver up in the bedroom during the day, but it would keep Bella out of the room. But she doesn’t sleep during the day. Oliver would be more comfortable in there.

I also ordered Oliver a treat puzzle. He’s curious, so he might like it.

Well, the new Costco wet dog food was a hit. Bella inhaled it.

I’m thinking what to do tomorrow. I want to take Bella for a walk. There is a Dollar Tree in Urbana, which I didn’t know, so I’d like to go there, but I need to get the pet supplies organized so that I can see what baskets I need. Maybe I’ll organize the pet stuff tomorrow and go to Dollar Tree on Sunday. Also, I need to get my tax info together and write the trust about various things. Also finally get the aquarium set up.

Oliver got upstairs when I took Mimi’s food upstairs. I shut him in the guest room by picking up the door that needs to be hung. I think that I need to shut him in the bathroom when I feed Zara and Mimi. I took it more calmly though.

I think that I’m going to take a short nap right now. Then I’ll work on the kitchen and practice singing and piano. The puppy is already asleep.

I’m having problems falling asleep, so I should get up and do things. It doesn’t help that I have to lie on a different side than usual because of the shot. Bella: if you aren’t going to sleep, you should pet me. LOL. Now the puppy has gone back to sleep again. Hmm. Now I’m yawning. I think that I got Bella’s new bed, so I’ll get it set up and then post and go to sleep.

I got Bella’s new bed put together. She says, “This is new. I don’t like it.” So I’ll leave both beds set up tonight, which doesn’t leave much room in the bedroom! (She’s so conservative about new things that she should be a cat.)

I’m going to sit for a moment, then start the late night feeding routine.

Project Churu worked really well. I gave Oliver a Churu, and I was able to go get Mimi’s dish while he was occupied. Except that I think that Bella licked up the Churu :) Next time, I’ll give it to him on the counter.

Lily was on my lap getting petted, and Bella got jealous and put her front paws on my lap. Lily hauled off and slapped her. Way to go, feisty little cat!

Oliver realized what I'm doing with the Churus and abandoned it to follow me upstairs. Sigh. He's too smart. Lily ate the Churu. So now I'm shutting him in the bedroom when I come upstairs.

Everyone is fed. Did dishes. Watered plants. Scooped litter boxes.

I keep adding places to my "bucket list" as I check them off. I saw a beautiful picture of Vietnam, so now I want to go there. Road Scholar has a trip to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Not at the top of my list though.

Anyway, I'm going to post and go to bed. We'll see if Bella dares try the new bed.

Overslept my alarm. I had three cats in the bedroom. Now Zara is in the kitchen with the youngsters. Good girl. Managed to take a shower without Oliver in the bathroom.

I looked at Little Free Library kits because that would be a way to get rid of my extra books, but sheesh. Expensive. I'll have to think about that.

Mimi is on my lap, quacking. I told her that she's awfully furry for a duck. All's right with her world. I heard a loud crash from downstairs. Do I want to know what that was? Oliver is at the gate, and Mimi is annoyed. He's insisting on staying up here because I'm doing something! And he wants to know what!

If we got snow last night, it's melted. No, there's a dusting on the ground that I couldn't see from my desk.

Mimi is on window patrol. She's not going to like it when I have that tree taken down when I have the garage built.

Got the dog stuff set up, part of which is cat stuff. I wanted to move a litter box in with Zara because she might not want to come in the bedroom if the dog is there. Oliver and Lily checked out the dog bed. Tried to nap but didn’t quite fall asleep. I’ve been cuddling with Lily the Love Bug.

I looked into a board to go over the aquarium. It looks like I'd need manufactured wood, which comes in 4 feet by 8 feet, and a saw (I'd probably have to buy a used circular saw) to cut it to size. Does anyone know of a way to get someone to cut the board for you? I'd rather not get a saw that I won't usually use. And I don't have a workbench. I did find a used folding workbench that I could buy. Or plexiglass? I need something that would hold the weight of a cat. (The lid that it has does not.) Hmm, maybe I should ask Erik (my ex) what he recommends. (Sent an email.)

Hmm. My nose runs all winter long. I figured that it was something that I had to put up with, but maybe I should ask the doctor about it? Which reminds me, I need to make an appointment with my primary, but I don't like her, so I'm procrastinating. I need to find someone else. Okay, I scheduled an appointment. I like being able to schedule one online. And I checked Dr. Google, and runny noses during winter are normal, if annoying.

I looked up info about the Urbana Dog Park. I think that I should train Bella to come when called before I take her there. I need to look into training classes. Dog treats. I didn't get dog treats. Ordered some from Amazon. Oh, I also could pick some up at the Walmart where I'm meeting the dog shelter person.

I received another Green Chef box, and I'm not done with the last one. I need to do mass amounts of cooking this weekend.

Just remembered to stick a pen in my purse because I'm sure that I'll have to sign things when I pick Bella up. Although I did fill out some forms online, so maybe not?

Poor Lily is not happy that I'm upstairs without her. I explained to her that it's because of her brother, but she misses me.

I was about to leave to go pick up Bella (I’m meeting the shelter person at the Walmart on Bloomington, about an hour from here, and I want to pick up dog treats there) when the shelter person texted me that they were running about an hour late. It worked out well because I needed to heat up the car to get rid of some ice, so I did that and ran an errand. Now I’m having some quality time with Lily and Oliver.

I got there in plenty of time before the shelter person got there and bought four different kinds of dog treats for Bella (and some human treats too). I waited inside the Walmart for them to text me because it was cold outside. Finally they did, and I drove over too them, and they gave me Talley/Bella. She was crawling along the ground, poor scared girl, but she jumped in the car.

I forgot to wear my night vision glasses on the way back. (They did help on the way out.) Bella came out of the car willingly and went into the yard. She did not pee. She really didn't want to come in the house, but she finally did. I brought her into the bedroom because it was quiet. She saw my bed and promptly jumped on it. (So much for the dog bed that I bought. I wonder if I can return it?) Oliver and Lily came in and met Bella and seemed a little cautious (which is to say, Oliver didn't get in her face) but were mostly unfazed.

I gave Bella some food and water, but she didn't touch it. She ate treats from my hand though, so I hand-fed her some food. Then I gave her the bowl on the bed, and she ate a lot. I gave her water on the bed, and she drank. I took her outside, and she didn't pee. I fed the cats.

Now she's in the bedroom. I'm going to try taking her out one more time and then get ready for bed. I'm going to set my alarm for 5 AM to take her out again. Then I'll feed her and the cats, and then go back to sleep.

17F when I went to sleep. Ack it’s cold, especially in the cold bathroom.

I’m getting hooked on The Big Bang Theory. Facebook decided that I would like it and showed me videos, which I watched, so it showed me more videos, etc. I’ll have to start actually watching episodes instead of highlights.

Stayed up way too late (Note to self: Stop that!) and overslept. I've stayed in pajamas (or what I call pajamas, yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt) all day, and I'm not going to get dressed after work. I'll just throw on shoes to get the garbage out.

Had a busy morning at work meeting with a library to tweak the rules that they have for lending items.

My piano teacher is stressing about the recital and was asking when I'll have more lessons (after I get more money on Wednesday) and to practice the recital piece a lot. But actually, I picked a piece that I used to know well and it's going well. (But I will practice. Done.)

Hmm, the person with the table that I want hasn't responded yet. I also want to get the smart TV for upstairs from Facebook Marketplace. Luckily, that one is more local. And I found a lamp on Marketplace that I would like for the library. (Note to self: Get $75 total for all three.) Now I’m looking for a washable rug.

My dance card keeps filling up. I have an appointment with the orthopedist tomorrow along with an X-Ray, and therapy on Thursday.

It just occurred to me that I could use the exercise bike (if it's unburied in the library room) if I don't want to put a lot of weight on my bad foot. I should see if I can do that tonight and ease into exercise (done).

I checked into how much protein I should be eating and crap, I’m not eating nearly enough protein. When I put in a grocery order, I’ll get some protein shakes and protein powder. I should look into smoothies with fruit in them. I have the fancy Ninja blender that a friend gave my mom, so I should use it! I found some peanut butter protein powder on Amazon that I could mix with berries and soy milk. I think that I’ll start with building up protein and then get back to cooking. Maybe I should make salads too. Oooh, I found a recipe for an apple salad with raisins and walnuts and yogurt dressing. That sounds good and healthy. I also want to make gluten-free Snickerdoodles for a tasty treat to stop eating donuts.

I need to take the trash out, so I guess that I should comb my hair, though it’s dark out. Got the garbage out and now I’m thawing.

Went upstairs to print off my piano practice instructions and a missing music page, but now Mimi is settled on my lap! She, of course, wants me to stay upstairs at my computer. Okay, she finally jumped off.

I need to check whether there is an electrical outlet near the front door. (Nope.) Otherwise, I'll have to get battery-operated lights for outside.

Tried to reset the garbage disposal, but it didn’t work. I need to call a plumber.

My credit card went though finally. Yay. I bought tickets for the two concerts to which I wanted to go at the uni. And I bought a ton of food. I bought the ingredients for the Snickerdoodles and salad, plus some protein shakes and powder. And Christmas lights. I booked piano lessons, so my teacher should be happy.

Now I need to crash ASAP because I really need to get up on time tomorrow to take a shower. I have my doctor's appointment tomorrow.

Yep, a light dusting of snow. I pulled out my down jacket, and it's warm, but I need to get my gloves out of the car.

Started to get the recycling out, but the bins were full. I rolled them to the curb. Wanted to get the dahlias in, but I couldn't find the plant clippers, which I need to cut the plants down before I bring them in. My pet sitter moved them. Sigh.

I'm tired, and it's going to be a very busy day.

I've started of thinking of things to do in retirement. I'll wait until then to pick up guitar lessons again, and keep learning singing and piano and languages. And I'll write. And write songs. And garden. And travel (last minute cruises? I found a South American cruise that's really cheap!) And nap. I'm looking forward to it. I'm not sure when I went from "What will I do in retirement?" to "I'm looking forward to retirement". (Hmm, I should do most of my Road Scholar trips pre-retirement because they're more expensive.)

The webinar that I was hosting went well. I’m learning new skills!

Put the registration sticker on my car. Brought the dahlias down into the basement. Pulled out some leather gloves. I can’t find my wool gloves, but they are cheap to buy.

It’s snowing again. Note to self: turn off the outside water. How’d it get to be almost December? Another note to self: replace the windshield wipers on Mom’s car. And bring the cushions in from the porch chairs. I need a winter checklist.

Mimi is annoyed that I’m downstairs instead of upstairs with her on my lap.

I’m also wondering how I went from someone who was chronically late to getting places early consistently. (I’m at the doctor’s office cooling my heels.)

I want to read Cher’s book. It should be interesting.

Holy cow. The snow is blowing sideways.

I want a baguette and some olive oil.

Went to my doctor’s appointment. Nothing major of note. I liked the doctor this time (GYN doctor). It’s miserable out. (Well, there will be a time when I’ll think that’s warm—it’s around freezing—but the wind whipping the snow is miserable no matter what the temperature is.)

Had my therapy appointment. Nothing much to say about that either. I was talking about creating my own rituals for the holidays.

Zara thinks that the kitchen table is one of her perches. I give up :) This place is not so secretly run by cats.

There is going to be a holiday concert in December at the university, to which I want to go. Must buy a ticket.

My piano teacher rocks. I was setting up my mom’s laptop in the library room on top of my digital piano for my music lessons, and got mired in Windows updates, getting my Web cam set up, etc. And the lesson was an hour earlier than I thought. She said that she had a cancellation at 8:30 PM, so let her know if I got set up, which I did. Mom's laptop worked much better than the old laptop that I was using.

Another reason to keep the digital piano even if I get an acoustic one—if I move to a senior complex eventually, I can use headphones on my digital piano.

I was feeling tired after dinner and wondered if I was going to make it until the piano lesson. I started practicing and perked up a little, and perked up more during my lesson. Now I'm winding down a little. I think that I'll post and go to bed after I finish my lively conversation with Mimi.

I think that I have arthritis in both of my big toes. It's not too bad, but it reminded me to get more acetaminophen.

Woke up at 9 AM. Did my morning routine and napped.

I rescheduled my RSV vaccine because I couldn’t find a sleeveless shirt. That gives me a couple more days to find one. Realized that if I’m not getting my vaccine, I have time to go to the post office, so I grabbed my ThredUp return.

Now I’m at Urgent Care. It’s not where I thought it was going to be at all. They weren’t able to get the wax out of my ear, and said to use Debrox at home.

Stopped at Walgreens to get some packing tape and cosmetics. Also bought a protein bar because I was hungry. Ran to the post office. I was kicking myself because I didn’t have the items to return at Kohl’s, but this gives me time to have lunch and get the Halloween decorations down.

I was looking for the jacket that I inherited from my aunt. I haven’t found it yet. I found a bunch of pairs of jeans that are too big for me though.

Had my songwriting class. He wants me to do the work next week, so I need to come up with something.

Had dinner and fed the cats. Now I’m going to take a nap. Overslept, so I’m not going to make it to Kohl’s. I don’t want to go to Meijer right now. It’s dark and cold out.

Gathered up pairs of size 18 jeans (two sizes up) to donate, but one of the pairs smelled funny, so they’re in the wash.

The cats wanted to be fed (done). I had two pairs of eyes staring at me.

Emailed the company from which I ordered swimsuits. I haven't heard anything from them.

I just read an article that said to bring the thyme in. It can survive low temperatures, but apparently not when it's in a pot. It should be okay for tonight though. I decided to bring it in.

I need to remember to change my Barbados shore excursion because it involves a lot of walking, and I can't with my broken toe. Oops, I need to pay extra for the one that I want.

I’m looking for a way to store my meds but keep them in view in the kitchen. I saw a couple of possibilities on Amazon.

I overslept an hour. I would have made my appointment though, but the doctor was out sick. So I’m up with plenty of time for work.

I’ve pretty well walked around the place, and I don’t see the clothes from my closet in Michigan. They should be here somewhere, but where? I found out where I got the sparkly dress and looked for another dress. I saw a lace one that I liked. It’s more expensive than Poshmark or ThredUp, but I can return it if it doesn’t fit. Now I looked at Nordstrom Rack and Ann Taylor Loft to split the difference between cost and returnability. I found some dresses at Nordstorm Rack. Loft just has casual dresses. I found a dress that I love on Macy's clearance site, but it's not a cocktail dress. I also love this cocktail dress, but it's too expensive.

Anyway, I need to go to bed so that I can get up early and go to the store before work.

Oh cool. The app that I was looking at allows you to schedule sessions in advance. I can schedule Javascript sessions on the weekends, and it'll schedule focused time.

I finally requested a vote by mail ballot. I requested a permanent one.

I'm calling Mimi the Insatiable Miss M because she wants more pets! More, more!

The doctor still hasn't looked at my xrays. But today, I forgot that I have my songwriting and music theory classes, so I can't mow today anyway.

Withdrawal as a student from the university is in progress. I filled out a form and am setting up a meeting with an advisor.

The songwriting teacher thinks that I’m following him better than I am. I need to go over the materials that he provided after class. (I'm setting an appointment on Fridays to go over songwriting and music theory.) Piano went well. My teacher is hard on me, criticizing how I play, but I think that means that she thinks that I can improve. (In the class that I took with her, she was just accepting whether the student could play the piece or not.)

Got laundry going. I can't go to sleep until I put it in the dryer.

I just spent a while scanning a long song that we're singing for choir and sent it to my singing teacher.

I'll post and check on my clothes in the washer.

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.