I woke up at 2 AM to clean. Told the housecleaner that I was sick, and went back to sleep until 8:30 AM. I'm still having IBS issues.

I'm going to be super busy this weekend because I'll need to clean and pack. I'm going to try to get the house cleaned by Saturday night. I need to go get money for the pet sitter tonight. The forecasters are predicting rain at 5 PM. Note to self: go to the library to pick up books on Saturday. And my brow appointment is at 4:20 PM at Ulta.

I could get a pallet of white stepping stones from Home Depot, but I need to figure out how many I'd need.

Oh, I made a major screwup at work. I'm ready to retire now. Sigh. I'm feeling at the end of my rope.

I talked to the trust person in the bank. They said that all my assets outside of the trust, including the car, must be under $100,000 to avoid probate. Otherwise, all assets must be in the name of the trust. I will need to file a trustee's deed for the house. She recommended that I consult with an attorney.

I'm stymied at work because the statistics that I've been posting to the Web pages have errors. I'm glad that I don't have to fix the errors.

I keep forgetting to mention that I want a sprinkler system put in outside because I want to overseed the whole lawn in the fall, and that will be a lot of watering.

I received my blueberry bushes!

Just remembered that I need a laptop sleeve for my work computer because I'm going to try to bring it with me as well as my personal laptop. (My backpack will be heavy, but oh well.) It's too late to order from Amazon before my trip, so I placed an order with Best Buy for pickup. It's ready for pickup, but I'll go tomorrow because my appointment at Ulta is nearby.

I feel like crying, but I think that I forgot to take my meds this morning. Sigh.

It's freaking humid out. I wish that it would rain and clear the air. Oh, the forecasters say that it's raining, but it isn't raining hard.

Now it’s pouring. We ran into a neighbor. She said that someone else also lives with the neighbor whom I talked to yesterday, but I’ve never seen her. She asked when I’m getting the puppy. Bella noped out over the rain. I put the plants on the porch outside to benefit from the rain. I’m going to put them out back this weekend so that they can benefit from any rain next week.

I don’t really feel like running errands in the heavy rain, so plan B is to go to bed really early and get up early to go to the bank tomorrow before it closes.

I need to feed the cats and myself (done). I fed Bella before I took her outside.

Bella is very wet.

I was going to work on the kitchen a little until it got a little later to go to sleep, but my stomach is upset. I did find out how to add bleach to my washer for the white towels, but I want to wait until I'm nude after a shower to add bleach in case it splashes. (I don't particularly want bleach on me, but I could wash it off.) I need a measuring cup for the bleach though, so I'll order one from Walmart along with more pads for my spin mopper (done).

Now I'm going to post and go to bed.

Added: The orientation for the dog training class is next week, while I'll be out of town. I just emailed the registrar about it. I'm getting the feeling that my taking the class is jinxed. (I had to drop out of the one in the spring because my car was broken into.)

I had my Italian lesson today. It went well. We spent half of the time talking about my Sardinia trip. My teacher wants me to go to Sicily!

I made a stupid mistake at work. And I keep making stupid mistakes today. With it, I'm not. I didn't get a lot of sleep. I installed a "countdown to retirement" app on my phone. Currently 2 years, 7 months, and 2 days (assuming that I retire December 31, 2027) :)

Hmm. I found an Amalfi Coast and Tuscany tour that's more what I had in mind. I want to go to Ravello though. On the day in Florence, I could go to the Uffizi Gallery that I missed when I was sick in Florence. I emailed them for more info.

I have a boatload of stuff to do this weekend. I want to go to the garden shops. Plant plants in the garden. Tidy and clean the kitchen and bathrooms. Work on my will and trust documents. (Maybe I should work on them after work because I'll have limited energy.) Oh, and tidy up the upstairs so that I can get someone to clean the carpet. Set up my security cameras.

I’m about to take a nap and am sharing my bed with a dog and a Munchie Bone. I pretended to eat the Munchie Bone, but Bella was unfazed. She knows that they’re for dogs. Had a short nap, but I'm going to be tired tonight. I need to make it an early night, especially because I need to log onto work early to get my half-day in the morning and still leave for my doctor's appointment on time.

I almost got scammed by the best phishing email yet. The login looked believable, but then it asked for my credit card number, and I said, "Wait a minute," closed the Web page, and used Xfinity's Web site to check. I did not owe any money. I should change my password on the site (done, but it has two-factor identification also). I also changed my email password out of an abundance of caution.

Oh man. I have hit the wall with 1.5 hours of work to go. I was going to try to stay up tonight until an early bedtime, but I might need to take a nap. Or go to bed REALLY REALLY early.

I've decided not to go to the island La Maddalena on my Sardinia trip because 1) the cab fare to the ferry is really, really expensive and 2) I will be jet-lagged, so two days at the beach sounds about right. Maybe next time, I could stay closer to the ferry.

I’m redesigning the area next to the garage-to-be. I had thought red buds, soft holly, and lavender. But now I’m thinking red buds, willow shrubs, and creeping thyme. Realistically, I won’t be able to landscape the area until next spring, which will give me a lot of time to clean it up.

sunshine_two, I hope that the fires in Manitoba aren’t near you.

Swapped a clean litter box for one to soak. Started laundry.

Intuit sucks. I used part of my tax refund to get Will and Trust Maker, but I never got a login for it. I called Intuit customer service, and it gave me a bunch of info about my tax refund and hung up on me. Will and Trust Maker doesn't seem to have a customer service number. So I'm screwed.

I guess that I'll use the free Will and Trust tool. I started working on my will, but realized that I need to add all my bank accounts, and I'm too annoyed to have the patience for it. I think that I'll go to bed early and work on it tomorrow. Actually, I might be in the right mood to work on the kitchen. Cleaning is always better when you're pissed off.

I checked into the premiums for Obamacare if I retired before I'm eligible for Medicare, and holy cow. Expensive. I think that my proposed retirement date is solid.

I bought bleach because my new towels are white. I'll have to learn how to use it.

I forgot to mention yesterday that I had the impulse to clean house, which is good. But I forgot to take my morning meds yesterday. I need to keep up with them to keep my energy up.

I had gotten Bella a couple of tug-of-war ropes that I had put away because she has no one with whom to play tug. She loves them. She tosses them around.

Woke up a little before 8 AM. Fed us all. Napped and overslept. Had a dream about my mom. We were looking for a particular type of bread for an event, and couldn’t find it, and she was crying. Mom is always upset in my dreams. I don’t know why. Now it’s around 11:30.

I was wondering if I had an appointment with my psychiatrist, and I did make one for next week. I want to stay on my current dose of meds. They’re working.

The “Oliver knocks everything off of the counters and Bella chews it” routine is active.

Got my Lowe’s order, including the garden fencing. I’ll have to put it up this weekend to see if it really keeps Bella out. If it works, I’ll get more.

Ate lunch. Now I’m waiting for my Walmart order.

Hmm. I’m thinking of going back to Michigan to pick up my stuff in the July 4th weekend.

Oliver was on my lap and Bella was trying to bite him. Play bites, but they still hurt. I kept on pushing her away, so she was biting me. This is why I want another dog for her to wrestle and play with.

Got my groceries in. I’m going to sit for a moment because my back hurts. Then I’ll shower. Booked a haircut appointment.

Bella came to see what I was doing. “Oh, you’re being boring [looking at my phone].” My arm was dangling. “Oh, you should be petting me.”

I was looking for a tote bag for my book and notebook, but I didn’t find one. I know that I have a bunch of them somewhere.

Showered and put on my makeup. Brought the garbage and recycling cans by the house. I have a half-hour to kill, and I don’t want to get dirty, so I guess that I’ll read my trust book.

Bella started out gently chewing my hands, but then she got overexcited and started biting down hard. I went “Aaaaah!” very loudly, and she backed off, to my surprise. She ignores when Oliver cries out, but I feed her.

I read an article about self-hypnosis. I want to try an app, but they haven’t sent me my login info yet.

At the nail salon. I read the “Trusts” part of my will and trusts book. I have an idea of what I want. Finding witnesses for the documents will be challenging.

My toenails look nice. My feet are sandal-ready!

Went to Home Depot. They didn’t have pansies; I think that it’s a little late in the year for them. They did have a dill plant and petunias. Gerber daisies might be a substitute for the pansies. They also have sunflowers, but I was planning to put berry plants where I originally wanted to plant sunflowers. They didn’t have coneflowers.

Ate at Steak and Shake, which knocked me out.

Now I’m home and need to feed the critters. Then I want to go to bed. So. Freaking. Tired.

Woke up at 6:30 AM.

I had an online seminar at work given by a committee for which I'm a liaison, so that took up at lot of my day. Otherwise, I've been discussing retirement with my dad. (I asked him how he decided when to retire.) My dad also thinks that I should "paper trade" his investment system until I get the money from the trust. I need to write the trust about wanting the money, but I've been dreading the explosion.

I was discussing with my dad things that I want to do in retirement, and learn photography is one of them. I ran across a photography tour of Yosemite, which would check two things off of my list---photography and seeing Yosemite.

My list: Mostly learning things. I wanted to learn how to do Web programming, but the classes at the U of I were too fast-paced, so I want to work on it at my pace, and maybe volunteer to do Web site work for non-profits. Also, work on programming for mobile devices. Learn more about economics. Work on my languages (Italian and French). The big thing that I want to do is spend a year studying Italian in Italy (and possibly French as well). Learn singing (I belong to a chorus), piano, and guitar. Garden. I don't have a plan for a part-time job but am open to one. Basically doing stuff that I'm already doing but with more time to do it. Oh, and start writing again (a mix of non-fiction and poetry). And I want to learn to write songs. I want to write humorous songs about getting older and post them on YouTube. And learn photography. I have a lot of resources about it, but haven't had the time to put into it.

My therapist said that Obamacare gets more expensive as you get older, and COBRA is expensive, so I should wait until I'm eligible for Medicare to retire (2.5 years). I need to learn more about it. I think that Fidelity has a webinar about Medicare that I'll look for.

Got the recycling out, including a ton of plant boxes that were on the porch. I have more boxes inside, but I’ll get them out next week. I strained my knee in taking out the recycling, sigh. I need replacement parts :)

I forgot to mention that I received more plants. The ferns for my shade garden look like happy little plants.

Hell. I feel like going to sleep and getting up early. I need a snack though (done). I DO have to get up early because of my Italian lesson. I didn’t go to the grocery store. Tomorrow.

I’m looking into French lessons as well.

I’m explaining to Oliver and Lily that they are not starving to death. They are not convinced.

It’s hot.

I brought a garbage bag into the bedroom to clean it up. Oliver is reaching under the door and pulling it out. This is a zoo :)

I got my electric bill and need to start turning off the porch light at night. Expensive to leave it on.

I’m pleased with myself. There is a book called No New Things, which I want to read, but I requested it from the library.

I’m having problems falling asleep. Suckage. Finally did. Got up a little after 6 AM.

I'm ready for my Italian lesson. Had the lesson. My teacher was sad about Mimi. We talked about the cruise for a while. Oliver and Lily showed up to say "Hi". We won't have a lesson for another three weeks because I'm gone next week and my teacher is gone the following week.

I'm really stressing about my check. Silence from the trust.

I have to hand it to Ameren. They replaced my gas meter and asked me to call them to have the gas turned back on. (They had been trying to set a time with me, but I kept forgetting to call them.) They had someone come out right away. Hot water for showers!

I have stomach cramps, plus I have to gather garbage, plus I’m tired, so I’m not going to the store tonight. I need to eat up some of the food that I have stashed. I listed my pet ramp that I bought for Bella to get into my car for sale on Facebook. (She didn't need it. She can get into my car perfectly well. She just didn't want to go in there.) I hope that someone will buy it. I'm trying to think of other things to sell.

Got the garbage out. I’m going to have some Ramen noodles and go to bed.

Overslept but still managed to shower. I had thought about going back to sleep for a 1/2 hour, but managed to get my butt in the shower instead. Go me :)

Things are coming together nicely. My cleaner is supposed to come on Friday, but I thought that I had an offsite meeting, but that's the following week.

I put the plants that I wanted on a credit card. I didn't get the lilacs because they were a petite variety. I have to pick them up the weekend of May 2nd. Now I’m second-guessing myself on the lilacs. The fence will be six feet, and the lilacs will be four feet. Not sure how that would work.

Oliver likes sitting at the top of the stairs to the upstairs room. That way, he can see what's going on both upstairs and downstairs. My watch cat!

Hmm. I should make arrangements to board Bella and Oliver when I'll be at a conference in May. I'm leaving on Sunday, but I think that the vet is closed on Saturday. I guess that I'll have to drop them off on Friday.

Sigh. Another frost advisory.

The university is sending almost daily updates on the impact of Trump's cuts. Sigh again. These are the Days of Sighs.

My broken-and-healed toe is hurting again. Why? Another sigh.

I should call Schwab to get the ball rolling with transferring my money. Speaking of Schwab, I found some tools that they have to learn about stock trading.

Hmm. I found a travel set that I like, but they don't have petites. Should I buy it and get it altered? It would be good for the flight to Italy. I'm itching to go shopping. Come on, trust check. They also had shorts-and-top combos that I like. Talbots has a petite set that I like.

I should set a Google Flights alert on my flights to Sardinia. I want to use my United credit for my flights to San Diego for the cruise.

Damn, I really want to go on the "Orient Express" trip that the meetup people are arranging in 2026. It goes to Paris, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Istanbul. I'd have to cancel the Costa Rica trip though. If I do that, I should brush up on my French. I found the price information and both it and the trip to Japan are expensive. Japan: $6810 single occupancy. Airfare: $1300 - 1900. Orient Express: $7090 single occupancy. But probably worth it. The flights to Paris and from Istanbul would add around $1000.

Ugh. Lily hasn't learned that if she sticks her claws in my leg, it hurts. I need to get her claws clipped.

Started laundry. Filed my taxes. I should get the garbage out, but damn, my toes hurt. Maybe I'll wait a few minutes to let the acetaminophen kick in. I guess that I'll post. Oh, and get new computer wallpaper for the places that I want to go.

I got one full recycling bin and some boxes out.

Lily snuck upstairs when I went up to post, and there is major kitty drama going on with Mimi. I'll see if Lily will leave with me. I had to pick her up, protesting.

Got clothes in the dryer.

I forgot to mention that I bought two of Judy Collins’ bios to read on the trip.

The trust said that they were in contact with the bank about having the safety deposit box drilled and that I should have the tax document when I come back.

Bella was chewing the leg of the over-toilet shelves. This is why we can't have nice things :) I escorted her out.

Got my groceries in. I think that I bought too much cat litter. That at least is self-correcting.

Got my hair cut. She layered it, but blow-dried it straight, but I hope that the waves will pop up when I wash it. Got money for the pet sitter.

Oliver snuck up here too (bad day for Mimi), but eventually I got him out.

Hmm. I'm going to need to put in some extra time at work to finish a Web page so that it can get reviewed on Monday. Do I do that tonight or tomorrow night? Tomorrow, I was going to pull a all-nighter cleaning because I don't seem to be getting a cleaner. So I guess that means I need to work late tonight. Actually, I finished my Web page except for an outstanding question, so I can do other things tonight. I'm in the mood for packing.

The vet called. Oliver's fecal results were fine, but Bella tested positive for hookworms. I'm going to go by later to get meds for her. They said that boarding her would be okay if I give her the meds. Maybe I should pick up some hot dogs to put the meds in.

Picked up Bella’s meds. Now the desk clerk said that he would have to double check with the practice manager tomorrow morning if they could take Bella without a retest in a month. This is turning into a cliffhanger. A kennel did contact me today saying that they could take them.

I keep having freaking stomach cramps. Sigh.

Gave Bella her meds in her food and promptly washed out her dish because I don't know what the meds would do to the cats.

Trump has taken down the Income Based Repayment form for my student loans that I need to fill out to re-register for it. Trump’s chaos has arrived at my house. I have no idea what to do.

Took Bella for a walk. She did well, except for freaking out a little when we saw another dog. It was a half-hour, not an hour, but it's a start. She's starting to realize that the harness and leash can mean good things. I think that she thought that we were going to see her friend the vet!

Now I think that I'll feed the critters and go to bed. I'll work on packing when I get up. Oh, and I need to soak a litter box before I go to bed.

Now I'm thinking that raised beds for vegetables would look a lot neater near the patio. I'm looking at some at Gardener's Supply. Realistically, I should wait to put in the raised beds after the garage and patio are built, so no lettuce and spinach for me this Spring.

I'm also thinking about lawn seeding. I'll do the front and sides of the house in the Spring, but it doesn't make sense to do the back with all the construction that will be going on.

I found people for dog poop cleanup and leaf raking.

I found a listing for a Border Collie mix who loves playing with other dogs. If she’s still available after my trip, I’ll look into her. It wouldn’t be fair to adopt a dog and promptly go on a trip.

Coach House Garages in Champaign has good reviews. I'll contact them after I have Mom's house money in hand and am back from my trip. And someone to try for the patio.

Today has been another pajama day. It's been quiet at work. We're testing a possible new ticketing system, so that's what I'm doing.

Freezing drizzle is predicted on Saturday morning. Well, I'm not going anywhere.

It turns out that the trust thought that I was asking for all the money in the trust, not just the proceeds from the sale of my mom's house. I don't know where they got that, but I told them that I wanted the house money (for now, anyway).

Fed everyone except me. I’m working on my food (done).

I have a lap full of Oliver and Bella resting her head on my arm. Oliver snuggled for a while, but then started nipping me, so I moved him out of the bedroom.

Napped. Woke up around midnight. I'm in the process of feeding the beasties. Then I'll go back to bed.

I don’t have the heart to take away Mimi’s chair from upstairs, but I want one in the library. I found a used chair on Facebook Marketplace that I like. The question is whether I could fit it in the car.

I came into the bedroom to see Bella on the new bed!

I’m working on getting Bella to stop bugging Oliver so much. I got her to walk away from him three times. She got pets and a treat. It’s a start.

Bella grabbed a fortune from a fortune cookie off of the table. She makes me laugh.

Woke up at 8:30 AM. It's a pajama day today, although I have a piano lesson tonight, so I'll have to make myself presentable for it.

Oliver got out again this morning, but I grabbed him. I guess that I need to shut him in the bathroom when I go out with Bella.

I decided that I would like plants upstairs, but there isn't a lot of light. I found a folding shelf with grow lights that might work.

My doctor's appointment tomorrow is in Danville, about 30 minutes away from here. I'm taking the morning as sick time because of the extra drive time.

Ugh. Our libraries are discussing how to deal with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. I hate that this is an issue.

Mimi didn't finish her wet food last night, but she polished off her dry food. If that's what she wants, she can have it. I have a ton of it because I accidentally got two bags of senior formula, thinking that one was adult formula for Oliver and Lily.

I keep forgetting to look for Bella’s ball outside. I looked, but so far, I haven't found it.

I'm mulling over putting a rose garden in at the side of the house. I originally wanted to put my vegetable garden there, but I think that there are gas and power lines underground there. (I'll call to check.) But I could plant roses on either side of the area there, and maybe put in a path? And a bench? Though a wildflower garden would be simpler. Or maybe put in a raised box.

I'm getting a bad sinus headache.

I've been gathering the forms that I need for taxes. Some of them won't be ready until the 31st though, so I guess that I'll write the trust about taxes on the weekend.

I think that I'll get will and trust books/software. I probably will have a professional look it over, but I can take a cut at it and think about the decisions that I'll need to make.

Hmm, I think that I found a niche for a book or garden shop: pet-friendly garden designs. I did find one book (used) on Amazon. Coneflowers are safe for pets, so I might work with them for my side garden. And Western Wheatgrass. Or maybe just wildflowers.

Had my piano lesson. I said that I liked playing songs that I knew how to sing, which led to the song "Danny Boy," which is so pretty. She dug up music for it and I'll work on it.

It got kind of late to get the recycling out, so I'll get up early to gather it. I need to feed the hordes' last meal of the night, and then I'll go to sleep. I have my doctor's appointment in the morning, so I can leave a little later.

Oh hell, there was a midair collision between a passenger jet and helicopter in Washington DC. There are divers looking for the plane in the Potomac River. This doesn't look good.

Hmm. The Champaign County Humane Society has a pitbull with a sweet face who’s lived with cats and other dogs. She's a big dog though (over 60 pounds). Hmm, I saw a PetFinder listing for a red standard poodle.

I’m going to open Zara’s door tonight in case she wants to wander around. Bella will be in the bedroom with me, and the door will be closed because Oliver and Lily like to spar late at night. Not exactly restful!

Now Bella was pulling at the string on my pajamas. Help!

I was blaming Oliver for knocking down stuff off the table that Bella then chews, but the sneaky girl is pulling stuff off the table and counters herself.

Bella was whining and going into the bathroom where she pooped previously, so I scrambled to get her outside. She needed to pee.

Slept and got up at 7:30 AM. I’m feeling a bit better, although my voice is still squeaky.

I’m in the bathroom about to shower with a cat (Oliver) and a dog (Bella). Crowded in here. Oliver jumped to the top of the shower and then jumped in. I opened the door for him and Bella went into the shower stall. Maybe I’ll take my shower later. Now Oliver is climbing the shelves above the washer and dryer. I finally was able to shower with an audience :)

Bella was whining downstairs and needed to go out. Fed the cats.

The snow is coming down at a pretty good clip. I have to admit that it's pretty. Remembered to charge the snow blower.

Mimi is sleeping in this morning. Good morning for it.

I've had Bella for a week! It's been an interesting week.

The poochka has taken to lying down on the bed while I'm working. Good. I took her out and she noped out.

Hmm. I'm covered for $2500 for hearing aids, but I think that I couldn't go to Costco. That wouldn't cover full retail price, so do I go to Costco and pay for the whole thing myself for cheap or go elsewhere and get partial reimbursement?

I just contacted a local wealth management firm to see what they have to offer. I'm getting really tired with dealing with the trust.

Left work early to lie down. (I had a meeting with my boss earlier today and she said that I “sounded awful”.) I’ll log on tomorrow to make up the time. Woke up a little before 7 PM. The puppy is crashed out in the dog bed.

Fed the cats. I’m thinking of going back to sleep soon, but I suppose that I should eat something.

Bella is getting cat poop out of the litter boxes. Ugh. And yes, she has food. I gave her a chew “bone”. (I’m not sure what it’s made of, but it has a meat filling. Oh, it might be a peanut butter filling. I need to go to Walmart tomorrow and get more.)

Got my new Zenni glasses. They’re okay. I like the Target glasses better.

Took Bella out and she noped out. She wanted to go back to bed! She fell asleep in the kitchen.

Now that I’ve eaten, I think that I’ll go to bed early. I’ll clear the sidewalks tomorrow.

Bella is bugging Oliver for some reason. I told her that he didn't like it.