days_unfolding

I woke up around 6 AM and was ready to go around 8. I ran into a snag when I called a cab and was told that only Rosemont cab drivers can pick up in Rosemont. So I asked the front desk to call me a cab. It arrived on 5 minutes and got me to the funeral home.

My uncle looked diminished somehow. My aunt said that he had lost a lot of weight. Or maybe it was just because he was dead and not moving.

No one showed up to the visitation for the first hour, and we were wondering if anyone would show up at all. But at 10, people started pouring in. They weren't enforsing 10 people or less strictly because I'm sure at some point, there were more than 10 people.

Then we went to the church for the funeral. My aunt was able to walk down the aisle using her walker, and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to do that. I felt like a fish out of water because it was a Catholic funeral mass, and I'm not Catholic and everyone else was. My mom had to tell me to take my aunt's hand at one point, which didn't seem very COVID-friendly. Anyway, we got through it and was able to see him buried, which I don't think that they used to do.

We gathered back at the house for lunch. Most of them ordered Italian beef, and I asked for a hot dog, not realizing that it wouldn't be enough food. My uncle's nephew, who's a commercial pilot, and a friend of my aunt was there, and we wound up talking plane crashes, which is a subject that I actually know something about. My mom told the pilot that I was into plane crashes when I was younger, and he quipped, "So that's why you took the train!" I laughed.

The pilot and my aunt's friend left, and my aunt promptly fell asleep on the couch. My mom decided to take me back to the hotel. I lay down for a little while...and slept straight through until morning.

Got up a lot earlier than usual. That's a good start.

I installed the Rover app on my phone in case I need to contact my pet sitter if I go to Chicago.

The sole on one of my boots is flapping. I'll try to glue it, but I think that they're done. I've been wearing ugly brown moccasins for the nonce.

Just realized that I need to install Audible and download some audiobooks for the drive on Monday. Done.

My face feels kind of warm. Usually, that means that I'm dehydrated, so I drank some water, but I tracked down my thermometer. I'm so paranoid now. Anything that's even remotely like COVID has me stressed. Well, I guess that I'll find out for certain at the COVID test tomorrow.

I'm practicing in my mind for my phone call with my uncle. Called, but no answer. Maybe he's asleep.

I'm trying to decide whether to get another cheaper pair of boots. But the more expensive boots that I like are waterproof. I bought the more expensive boots even though I haven't gotten the refund from the ones that don't fit because I really freaking need new boots ASAP.

Got through to my uncle this time and had a brief chat. He sounds good. I called my mom and said that he might be pretending to be out of it when my aunt calls because he was clear as a bell with me. He even remembered that I have a new job.

Ran out and dumped some boxes back at storage. Shopped until I dropped at Dollar Tree. I got a box, gift bag, and tissue paper for my mom's present and soda. Mom said, though, that we should wait until she gets back home to mail Christmas presents.

Got hungry as soon as I got home. The cats think that I'm going to feed them if I leave and come back. Apparently, my stomach is a cat.

Hmm. I'm feeling sleepy. I'm actually wondering if I should go to bed for the night, yes, at 7PM, and get up early. Hmm, what about feeding the cats though? I suppose that I could feed them after I post this entry. Need to take out the garbage (done).

Churned out my long-distance Christmas cards except for the one to my friend Lance. I usually write him a longish note with the card.

I also paid bills. And resubscribed to the digital edition of the The New York Times.

I opened up the package with the alpaca socks for my uncle and yeah, they're really nice. That reminds me that I want to get a pair for myself. They would be nice to sleep in or wear outside when it gets really cold.

Did my normal morning routine. Tried again to subscribe to the Wall Street Journal (they're having a $4 a month sale), but they still are not letting me create an account. Bummer. Printed off directions to the library at which I'm returning books.

Mom called. She talked to my uncle in the hospital and said that he was in good spirits. He wished me good luck on the new job.

Napped and ate. Threw myself together and set off. First stop was Walmart to get almond extract and wax paper. They had some gold and silver sprinkles that I'll use for my star cookies. They also had some sparkly white spray that I could use for the snowman cookies, but I've decided to make it easy and just do star cookies.

Then it was off to Normal (about 35 minutes away) to return books after successfully overriding a case of the "don't wannas". Went around in circles a little trying to find the parking lot. I had to carry the books about a half-block up several flights of stairs, so I had to make two trips in the Arctic wind. But I did it. When I got back to Lincoln, I got gas, returned books to the public library, and mailed Christmas cards. I discovered that you can get flat rate shipping boxes at any time at the post office, but I need to assemble my gifts to figure how how big boxes I need.

Now the cats and I have eaten, and I'm feeling beat. I was going to mix up some cookie dough to chill, but I'm seriously thinking of going to bed. Maybe I'll wrap some presents first.

I bought the alpaca socks for myself. All they had was blue in my size, but if I'm going to wear them to bed, who cares if they match. Maybe I'll get a second pair when they're back in stock.

I have a cat (Zara) on my shoulders. This is a little disconcerting.

My uncle was diagnosed with cancer. It's near the liver, so it doesn't look good, but they need to determine whether it's operable or not. He's also old and has Congestive Heart Failure, so I don't know if that will affect whether he's a candidate for surgery or not.

Oh awesome. My uncle's socks and the Christmas cards are in my mailbox. And I got the Rituals hand cream for myself.

Went out to run errands. Got two cookie tins at Goodwill. They didn't have pants that would work for me however. It started raining partway through. My feet are wet, so I need to get new shoes. Got two pumpkin pies because they were two for $7. Got baking supplies. Bought a new umbrella because my old one was falling apart. Got the packages from the mailbox. Partially unloaded the car. I'll do more after I warm up and dry.

Called Mom to ask about my aunt and uncle. My aunt went to the doctor, and she does indeed need a hip replacement. My uncle had a colonoscopy, which he wasn't happy about.

Lay down for a nap and slept for three hours. I'm going to eat something and go back to sleep.

I've been sleeping with three blankets on me. It's kind of a DIY weighted blanket. And it's warm.

Apparently, I missed an assignment in my math class. I thought that my instructor was moving all the dates a week forward, but no. He said to get it done ASAP. So that means that there is another assignment on its heels. Yep. I went onto Canvas and now have a handle on what I need to get done.

Ugh. Forgot to put the laundry in the dryer (done).

Food and nap routine. Had lunch. Ran out and got a few things at the grocery store. Decided to have grilled cheese and squash soup tonight and set up the veggie lasagna in the crock pot tonight so that I can just turn it on tomorrow.

Talked to Mom. She's tired and is having problems with her pond in the back yard. She found someone to clean the gutters though. She said that she's going to send the new pair of pants that I wanted as a birthday present. (My birthday is in November.) My uncle is having problems walking, and my aunt is wondering if they'll need live-in help. They can't afford to put him in a nursing home. The aide who comes in had a family emergency, so my aunt didn't get a chance to go grocery shopping.

Did two sets of math problems. Started the third, but I think that I'll wait until morning to finish them. I'm also going to prep the lasagna in the morning.

Right now, I'm drinking some mango-passion fruit tea and relaxing.

Woke up at 2 PM. Yikes.

Mimi won't harass Zara when Zara's on my lap, so it must feel like a magic spot to Zara. Plus, my lap is warm. Zara gets incredibly relaxed on my lap.

Except...I tried to get up and get my oatmeal, and Zara was having none of it. I tried to stand up, but she clung to my legs. I finally got a towel around her and dumped her off. She ran down the hall, and Mimi ran after her. I chased Mimi away, but she came back. Then Mimi and Zara got into a yowling cat fight. I broke it up, and Zara ran into the kitchen. Oy. I fed them, which should calm them down.

Took a nap.

Mom called. My uncle's blood pressure is dropping and he's in the ICU.

Had a bite to eat. I'm kind of like, "Now what?" But I need to go to the grocery store and need to do homework.

Back from the store. I bought some cherry turnovers as comfort food. And goofy Zara likes turnovers.

I'm feeling at loose ends, but I should feed the girls and do homework. Fed the girls. Finally got into the groove with homework, but I keep wondering what's going on with my uncle.

Eufy beeped and started cleaning even though there's no scheduled time. I shut it off and put it back in its corner. I might be able to use it in the TV room if I pick up the cords. This place is not Eufy-proof yet.

Mimi has discovered that the desk chair is very comfortable.

Watched The Marriage of Figaro. The subtitles weren't great, so there was a lot of singing in Italian that I didn't understand. Occasionally an Italian word that I knew popped out at me. I expected to like it more than I did, although Cecilia Bartoli was a great Susanna and Renee Fleming was great as the Countess. The duets between the two of them were beautiful.

I'm up now after sleeping late. Click click and I ordered dry cat food. Love online shopping.

Time to jump back and forth between heat and A/C. It's currently 80 degrees F.

Played a fun game of "Guess where I want to eat, Mommy?" with Zara. The answer is not necessarily where she is.

The Illinois Governor has daily COVID updates, and I usually watch them. It gives an idea how the numbers are heading. We're still home for all of May though.

Had a nice nap and ate. Threw myself together and went to Dollar Tree for soda and some odds and ends. They had a sign saying that they won't serve anyone without a mask, but a guy came in after I left without one and bought something. The line at the drive-in for Dairy Queen has spilled out onto the street. People in my mobile home complex do not seem to be practicing social distancing.

I read an article about how chicken looks done before the temperature rises enough to kill bacteria, so I bought a meat thermometer. I sprung for the more expensive waterproof one.

Talked to Mom. She's doing well and is starting on the garden. My aunt and uncle are not doing well. My uncle drank two brandies on an almost empty stomach, and then couldn't get off of the toilet. My aunt had to call the paramedics. They took him to the hospital. My aunt said that she's had enough, but she doesn't want to put him in long-term care. What a mess.

I was going to put together the treadmill, but I'm yawning and running out of steam. If I go to sleep quickly, I should get a decent night's sleep and still get up early to put it together in the morning.