Today was my Monday at work and we were very busy.
But I got off work early, so there’s that.

Now, I’m just about to drift off to dreamland….but I am listening to some good stuff (https://youtu.be/TurM4wB4H7o) and will curl up soon with my love….who is my everything.

Here is a thought I saw earlier today and I like it:

“Don’t pray for a miracle. Be a miracle.”

Nite nite
:moonstars:

I worked on taxes today.

Yesterday I organized my office closet. That’s where my tools, supplies, computer, music and project equipment are kept. I put most items in see-through plastic containers with lids and labels. Tossed out a lot, but kept some things, too.

Completed a couple loads of laundry.

Today I plan on repotting a newly-started lemon basil and a sweet basil plants. Maybe start some inside cannabis plants. I got some seeds from Amsterdam right before I moved here and I just hope they’re still good.

Puchase some fresh-cut flowers for the dining room table.

Get some prices on having a bush removed from my lot since the HOA is taking their damn time removing it. Tsk.

I was able to get the HOA to reduce the amount of water used to irrigate my lawn thereby reducing my water bill. My water bill for the 2022 summer months was $450. I almost had a baby when I saw that bill last year.

The HOA board blew me off when I brought it to their attention. Told me about inflation and city requirements for nice lawns. That didn't go over well with me.

I went to the Department of Public Works and spoke with the Superintendent. He also thought it a was an outrageous amount for my size lot and he didn’t like it.

He told me what to do, what to say, what to expect from my HOA board and what to expect from his department. If necessary, he was willing to show me how to turn off the sprinkler system for my lot if I couldn’t get the HOA to turn it off when it rains. He told me to let them know that he was monitoring this situation (even though there was little that he could do since I signed a contract with the HOA when I purchased the condo). Still, he was hoping his name and department would carry some weight. It did.

I went back to the HOA board and got their full attention. I asked for a 50% reduction of water and got a 35% reduction. I asked for the watering schedule and got that, too. Again I asked for a map of the zones and sprinkler heads and this time I received it. They showed me how to turn off the sprinklers when it rains. They also replaced or repaired sprinklers that weren’t working properly. This summer’s bill was $281. The DPW Superintendent and I still think that’s high, but it’s a good start.

I’ll send a letter to the HOA board letting them know I appreciate the changes, the changes made a difference, and that I’d like to know of any future changes in the water schedule, zones, sprinkler heads, etc.

I'll drop off some donuts for the Superintendent and his team.

I've been moanin' and groanin' about the water situation since I moved here. So glad this battle is behind me, at least for now.

Two nights ago, I made a lovely supper for my friend at work (and her husband). I marinated two huge chicken breasts in Tequila and freshly squeezed limes with cilantro, for two days in the fridge. Then I browned them in a skillet with evoo; then cooked a batch of organic Italian semolina noodles and cooked from scratch, a creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce and married it all together, for our evening meal. It was simply delicious. That’s what I did a few days ago.

Today I see my bone doctor.

Then I have a special counseling appt with a therapist to help me with trauma stuff I’ve been re-experiencing and other family trauma stuff.

This evening I plan to wait up for my partner to get off work and hope to do something fun tonight (giving each other a body massage).

Long list, let's just say Ima have to go back to work to get some rest

I got my healthcare.gov application for 2024 healthcare coverage done. And the price they gave me is $180 less than what the State told me it would be! Apparently I qualified for some kind of bonus, and now my premium is less than $100 per month. (Also I live in one of those awful States that handles its own healthcare insurance. Very annoying, does not completely dovetail with the national healthcare insurance. Causes miscommunication.)

Here’s what I’m gonna try to get done today (not doing anything tomorrow, of course, lol):

1) go see my doctor
2) buy a bunch of skin cream for my sweetie
3) find time to sit and enjoy the sunshine. ☀️😎
4) maybe find time to shop for our special holiday dinner and do some holiday cooking prep (pie, cranberry sauce, yummy mashed taters, basically oink out, lol :flyingpig: )

:hk20: :kissy:

Not much, but I did come home with a new-to-me vacuum and now the air is cleaner inside the house (Dyson fan now).

Right now, I'm listening to a playlist of songs I liked from years ago.

Submotion Orchestra's Snow. :sparklyheart:

I organized my bathroom today. I did one load of laundry. And then I did ART!

Not just today because I've actually been lazy today. The past week I have cleaned my entire livingroom, dusted ever figurine shelf or anything else that could be cleaned or dusted. Cleaned off and dusted 4 cabinets/bookcases. Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum. Cleaned the ceiling fan. Loaded my new gun safe and also pit important papers in it. Did I mention dusted pictures. Lord I'm getting tired talking about it. Ima have to go back to work to rest

I made a Lemon JellO salad, and I cleaned out the refrigerator.

I worked the late shift today. Did I share that I fell at work a few days ago? I did. My hand is bruised up and thankfully no bones were broken. Got my doctor to reset my left hip. But I’m doing better. Don’t have an appetite lately, but maowed down on pistachios and had some Campbells “Cream of Mushroom” soup and heart shaped saltine type crackers. Now, because it’s late, I’m sipping on a Hot Buttered Rum.

🍸🍸🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️

https://www.thekitchn.com/hot-butter...ecipe-23587983

Nadda-
 

...and "nothing" is a totally acceptable place in time that I truthfully enjoy being a part of. Nothing more and Nothing less :pile:

Ks- :thinking:

I did laundry today. I also paid bills (yuck).

Today I managed to hang a new mini blind and put my daybed together. For both I had only primitive tools (Allen wrench?? Why 😳)
I won’t say cussing didn’t occur….but I feel rather proud and strangely empowered. If I don’t end up on the floor in the middle of the night I’ll chalk this one up as a win!

This weekend I replaced the rug in my office. Was able to move everything out (and back in) on my own and didn't need my dolly. I took small trips with small loads (using a laundry basket) and I made sure I could easily get from room to room without breaking my neck. I started on Friday and ended today so it took three days, but I made it happen.

I also got a chance to do a bit of purging.

It looks soooo nice with the new area rug and was worth the effort.

multi tasking -
 

I retrieved the holiday decorations from my basement yesterday and Today they are out and up including the tree with all her glorious adorun-ments ! Ms Sasha inspected every step of that process :dog:

In my travels up and down I noticed light switch plates: Who/what/where/why in the hell did all those go unclean in my 40 yrs living here? Need less to say: they ALL are cleaned and replaced (goodlord am I getting blind) :glasses:

Put a kroeger discounted ya-woo discounted chuck roast in the crock pot with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes for dinner. Added a nice bottle :wine: and my weekend is complete.

Ks- :byebye:

Today I acquired many several things from marketplace for my new place. It was like a scavenger hunt. I found the most perfect cabinet for kitchen storage. And it was free!
Also took the steps necessary to enroll in the one pre req I need for a nursing program I’m applying to for September. It was literally down to the wire. One seat left in the class and I had to prove I had the pre requisite necessary for it. The online process is lengthy so I made the trek to my old college to get it done the old fashioned way.
Yet more organizing left to do. I can’t wait until my days off are actually relaxing….

— got all my Christmas packages delivered to my small circle of friends here at home (huzzah!).😇

— colored my hair roots with a mixture of Lanza’s wildflower coloring treatment in a 12v/12p mix with 40vol. 🧚🏻‍♂️

— going to get all of our laundry caught up, by sundown. 😎

— either today or tomorrow, hang out with my credit union membership relations manager and refinance my car. 🤩

...holiday prep!
 

My son and his g/f will be here 12/23 to 12/26 :) Their last visit for xmas was 4 yrs ago when they moved to Boston-they and I are happy that 2 hours of windshield time is the best! Their xmas wish list below has been completed!

-seasoned oyster crackers with the associated Sam Adams beer in the fridge (check)
-pumpkin bars with choco chips iced with cream cheese frosting (check)
-pecan balls a short bread buttery cookie (check)
-pecan sandie cookies (check)
-fixens for lasagna my son makes (check)
-fixens for open faced roast beef samwhiches for g/f (check)
-Waldorf salad for me (check)

Group wish list: Vodka,Scotch, Bourbon and beer stocked (check)
3 pets: 1 kitty and 2 doggo's treats/toys and beds secured (check)

I am blessed to have family present and memories of those who have passed. It is the reason for this season everyone gathers in love, kindness and reflection.

Happy Holidays BF Folks!

ksrainbow-

Sometime before I go to bed I have to take a shower and wash my hair. Our family Christmas gathering is tomorrow, and if I wait until tomorrow to shower and wash my hair I will then be too tired to go to the party. Almost any kind of effort really wears me out these days. I have already picked out an outfit and accessories. All the presents are wrapped.

I made it to the dinner and had a great time. I did not fall down, I did not break down crying (not even when one of my gifts was a quilt with photos of all our beloved family members on it, including the dead ones). I made it home safely and climbed the stairs (Yay me!).

Right proud of myself
 

This morning started rough, but after lunch I accomplished taking my little dog to the vet, first day driving my truck any distance since surgery, stopped for gas, groceries and then several miles to an office to drop off special paperwork. Then 20 miles home. Made dinner, took care of dogs and my meds (I take 4 shots of insulin per day, Jardiance, Lyrica and meds for post op... it's hard for me to keep up with some days).
I'm thankful and proud that since November 20th, today was a good day relatively pain free and I managed not to totally exhaust myself.

Wow, I was not nearly as productive as Kenna, but I did find boxes to wrap all the Christmas presents in, and I did a bit of Christmas shopping for a few last minute things. I'm hoping I don't think of any more last minute things and that I'm done shopping. Oh, and I bought myself some shoes.

Today I marked my first 24 hours without pain meds or muscle relaxers since surgery. :tea:

Golly where to begin:

Moving into a hastily vacated apartment that definitely lacked a woman’s touch.

I had to clean everything. I also had to pack up the remainder of the last tenants belongings to make room for my own things. Not cool. But I’ll have money taken off my rent.

I bought one last stocking stuffer - no, I didn't need it, but I think it will be fun. It is 10 tiny cans of Play-Doh. It will give us something to play with while we sit and watch Christmas movies.

I made a big pot of soup that will keep us fed until Christmas Day.

I looked up "Stollen" so I will know what it is when my friend brings me one she made. I hope it's good; her creations are sometimes hit or miss. No matter what, I will offer her a slice while we drink cafecitos and I will act like it's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. Hopefully not much acting will be required.

I had a wee bit too much Jim Beam and ended up spilling some family secrets to the boy. He met more of them at the Christmas dinner a few days ago, so he had context. We laughed and laughed.

So far: I slept in and got up after I felt completely rested. I’ve also made a light breakfast of scrambled egg and veggie hash, and sipped on a cup of coffee. I’m getting ready to go to the gym and hope to swim to my hearts delight, then soak in the jacuzzi for a bit. I also plan to go for a bike ride if the rain lets up this afternoon.

- I cleaned the kitchen.

- I visited with a dear friend who came over for coffee, snacks and gifts.

- I baked some cookies for tomorrow.

- I absconded with the boy's Christmas stocking to make sure all the stocking stuffers would fit into it, and found the best packing arrangement.

- I selected a movie for this evening, A Christmas Wedding Tail. (It's about dogs.)

My credo, each and every day ☺️ …
 

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/16/f2/bd/1...e97e15699b.jpg


Is to be …. Amazing! :eyebat:

I got up super early to call AAA to have my car towed to the mechanic’s garage…. And then came home by bus.

I don’t plan to do much today except try to figure out what happened to my sleeping mask. If I’m lucky to find it, I might just take a nap this afternoon.

Feels good to do nothing.

Found out my car is okay and did not need the service recommended by manufacturer! I guess they replaced timing chain ten years ago, so it’s a huge relief to not spend a bunch of money for something my car doesn’t need. Yay!

I haven’t found my sleep mask, tho. *lol*

I did not accomplish the summit of the hike I was on. That hardly ever happens. But it was very very icy and slippery and the ice was melting, making it extra slippery. Our microspikes weren't even working to dig in or be safe over rolling rocks. About 1/4 mile from summit I told my buddy I didn't have a good feeling moving forward. It was a very steep rock scramble full of melting ice. She said, okay, and we turned back. I proceeded to slide (on my feet) town a steep embankment. I don't know how I stayed on my feet but I'm so glad I did because it was a sharp drop on my right. Somehow I skidded to a stop in some mud in front of a tree.

Then I accomplished a difficult conversation with my father about how him being home isn't working well and I'm worried for his safety and the safety of my mother. He depends on her to do everything for him when I'm not there and she can't sustain that. I don't know what he understands and comprehends. It's hard to know where the truth lays in what he told us he was capable of doing before he came home. Maybe he thought he cold do more but he's declining rapidly and it's not good. So, at least I got the conversation started.

Today I accomplished making lists of things to accomplish tomorrow and Monday.

I have my grandmother's cedar hope chest in my bedroom. I've used it for various things over the years, but I've been meaning to put my winter sweaters in it. You've inspired me to get moving on that. I'll do it this evening.