Tuesday, October 13, 2020

We are in Cape May NJ, after driving here for 7.5 hours in the drizzly windy rain. We ate out at a really nice restaurant on a Victorian porch last night and will go exploring today. So many GORGEOUS Victorian homes here. Just in driving around last night in the rain I felt like I would love to come back and stay in one of the B and B's here in the future. None of them allow dogs so we are a bit off the beach but the place is decent, comfortable and probably the least expensive of all the places we will be staying at.

Mike is so good - this man who hasn't had a dog for years got up this morning, made the coffee and took the dog out. I guess it will be interesting to find out if this is just for the "honeymoon" period but I don't think so.

Have a safe, healthy and social day!

Good morning all and all!

Love, love those Victorian homes, Liz- ditto the B&B over a motel any day- I?m usually a bargain shopper, but will drop the extra dime on those.

Sounds like you?re making way with serious decluttering, Cecily- I vacillate wildly between loving my ?stuff? and wanting it all to just go away and unburden me. What you said about not ?seeing? it makes sense to me. When I stop seeing it-my stuff becomes junk. However, (for example) if I do deep cleaning and have to handle-see-take care of-consider items, it reminds me of just why I enjoy them, and they become my beloved junk! I have stopped thinking the removal of a certain percentage of possessions is the key to home happiness- but rather true joy comes in finding those things (like your bits and pieces of never to happen craft material). And then giving it the quick pitch out.

A picture of Swann taking shelter from the ongoing walnut fall out. We sweep off the deck daily and every morning it looks like this...

Going to be another lovely day! Shirl, thinking of you - enjoy the farm and baby moos-to-be. And Diane and Devon - you are doing a good thing, right? Stay rested and as balanced as you can. And to all- good juju and smiles your way. Diane- shoot us a pic of the lacy bottle stopper when it?s done. I saw your slug on the studio site. Love it!

Swann fits the autumn scene so well. Gorgeous pup.

Tiny up on the scale today.

It's a no plans day! But I am going to take 2 pairs of brand new boots I've never worn (I can't make boots work. They just look wrong on me, I think because they add unnecessary visual bulk to my already large frame same with scarves) and a newer pair of shoes that were too big to Working Wardrobes, a place that helps outfit disadvantaged women for interviews and jobs. They had a huge fire at the beginning of Covid and lost everything, but are now in a new facility and rebuilding their stock. My clothes were all cleaned out after my surgery, but shoes I have!

Otherwise, I also had coffee (well, iced tea) with my friends at Starbucks yesterday. We sat outside in the sweltering shade and it was lovely to feel that bit of normal. Though I could have done without the 92 degrees. We laughed about the non-existent upcoming things on our calendars. I think I won with today's task of replacing my toothbrush head.

I think that's it... Ferg wants something. Must go figure out what.

Sweltering shade, I love it, very descriptive!

Our newspaper described this week as "broiling". So nice to have your weather be best described by the highest setting on an oven!

I did some good work today, starting to forge those connections with some of the students on my caseload that are needed if I am actually going to be a good advocate. Comes with a price though, I am tired.

My Mom started oxygen, but it doesn't seem to be helping her as much as I'd hoped. She also had a new c pap machine and she hates it. She said, I'm dying, why do I have to put up with this? I told her she can certainly make whatever health care decisions she wants, it's her life. But my mind didn't register the "I'm dying" comment until later. It's hard to go there, even if part of me sees her getting weaker. Every time there's a new medication, intervention, I think maybe she'll get stronger. Now I am beginning to believe it slows down the progression of her illnesses, not reverse it. I'd love it if I am proven wrong.

Working from home tomorrow, no lunch to pack. Yeah! Then I'm done for the week.

I'm sorry, DD. No matter our age or theirs, watching a parent struggle is heartbreaking.

Tough to hear and accept that from a parent (maybe anyone).

Just keep loving on your mom. Hugs.