Monday, March 21, 2022

Only 10 more days here in the Keys. Such a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. Mike's place in Florida is the opposite with lots of people dressed up in designer clothing, dress codes at the club restaurants, etc. Mike grew up in a working class family and he is the only child of 5 who put himself through college then worked as a professional. Mine was distinctly middle class though my parents were college educated. So it is a very different environment for us. We have talked about the pros and cons such as the value of amenities like the restaurants right in the development vs. the stuffiness of some of the people. It makes one feel somewhat entitled but that is both good and bad. Though I am definitely selling my place for multiple reasons, we have decided to wait a full winter season (October 2022 to March 2023) to decide whether we are changing Mike's to joint ownership or buying something elsewhere. Mike had always assumed that he would stay there until too old to manage alone but we have discussed whether that's what we want to do together. Possibilities...

Mike found out last night that his daughter and son-in-law have COVID. DD is still working remotely so the only place they have been to is stores (the son-in-law is particularly anxious about COVID so won't go to restaurants and they rarely see friends). Both just have what feels like colds and are essentially over it (both are fully vaccinated). But this is a good example of how pervasive it is now.

Yesterday we had a great time on a day sail off of Key West. It was only the second time sailing for Mike so he was a bit nervous but he really enjoyed it. Deceased DH loved to sail and we had multiple small sail boats so I have been on them more than motor. A cool thing to do with visiting friends I think. Speaking of which we have 2 friends coming here Wednesday to Thursday so we will have to plan activities - this might be one of them. Not sure what we are doing today. It is supposed to be quite windy but still very warm around her.

Have a safe and healthy Monday!

I've added shoulder pain to neck pain... My grandma used to say as she got older that a good day was when she only hurt in 3 places. Starting to think she was wise...

I got rid of SO MUCH stuff from my donation pile yesterday! Between my friend taking a ton of it and two cupcake carriers being given to someone on NextDoor (why I had two cupcake carriers, let alone one is a mystery) and the load I took to my other friend Saturday, I am feeling really good about the progress. Last night I tackled the linen closet, which I never used because it had a weird wood smell I didn't like on my sheets and towels, therefore it had nothing but linens that went there to never be seen again. I also started on the laundry room top of the washer/dryer piles of the clean towels and sheets I never wanted in the linen closet. My clutter at least has some logic visible through the chaos.

Today I feel a bit limited by my shoulder, but we'll see. At the very least a walk would be good as the scale was up yet again. Enough, enough, enough.

I am a cranky old man today. I am so sick of my back pain.... I'm pretty damn miserable. I wasn't even willing to try to put on socks this morning so I'm wearing flip flops. At least they are custom made flip flops with built in orthotics. I'm hooked up once again to the TENS unit to manage through the day. Just popped 800 mg of Advil.

I cancelled my training sessions for yet another week. Boooooooo My trainer is blaming my new chiropractor, as I think Ron is, too. I am blaming the decompression treatment - my body rebelling from the intense adjustments. I really don't care why anymore. I just want to be better.

Not willing to even think about eating and food right now.

And this ends my pity party for the day (at least here....LOL)

Oh Devon! That sounds absolutely miserable for one day let alone days on end.

When you mentioned the shoes I had to laugh. I put a shirt on this morning and realized it was inside out, but it hurt so much to get it on with my shoulder and neck, that I quickly calculated how much pain it would incur to take it off and reverse it and put it back on and decided, screw it, who will know? So my shirt is inside out today.

CC, that reminds me of a story (ha, so you all get to hear it!). When DH and I were dating, I had my own apartment, but he lived with his parents. We're 24 and 25 years old. After spending the night, he would drive home in the wee hours of the morning. (As if we were fooling anyone, but it was a different era, you had to keep up appearances) Well, one Sunday, he strolls into his parent's house, and his Dad is up early, drinking coffee in the kitchen. He looks at DH and says, your shirt's on inside out. DH says the first thing that pops into his mind: I know. I like to wear it like that. And then slinks to his room. :)

This is terrible! I would be beyond cranky!

After begging, pleading, cajoling, modifying assignments, offering study sessions, emails, phone calls home, students who simply would not do their work are suddenly feeling a sense of urgency, and want to know, what can I do to pass the quarter? Ummm.... Yes, this inability to initiate tasks is one of the reasons they are case managed by a special ed teacher, but if they're not passing now, it's because they actively resisted help. I can't suddenly remediate a whole quarter's worth of missing work in 4 days. Sometimes this job is so exhausting. But we live to fight on another day, and some (probably most) will eventually learn some time management skills. It's a bumpy road to get there.

Don't know what's for supper. I know I do need some time to decompress. And some tea.

The musical Hadestown was spectacular, highly recommend! Turns out the underworld looks like a club in New Orleans, and Persephone is a blues singer. Really fun too revisit this Greek myth on the first day of spring.

Greetings peeps and Peps

Check in while DH watches sci fi explosions. Just can't get into it. Fortunately we started watching Killing Eve last night. Great show and DH likes it - anything to keep him off the exploding aliens.

Gosh Peps and CC so sorry you are both having pain. All I can say is cut yourselves some slack and cool it. No quick cures.

So today I was supposed to deliver the letter from the perp to our studio director with the apology. No luck, director did not show up. Not a big deal since her hours are her own choice but makes me wonder what is up. Oh well, cant fix it.

Ridiculous arguments at the gallery regarding the return policy. Some say their "fine art" should not be subject to return. Cripes we are just a little shop in a tourist town. Now some want a bifurcated policy for original items vs those reproduced. Dumb dumb dumb. Drives me nuts. Oh well, they are not all as brilliant as me.

LOL DD on your "dating" your DG stories. Tee Hee. I like my underpants outside my clothes.

Meatloaf tonight. It came out pretty good and not overcooked.

Caregive for the elderly neighbors came to our door today wanting to know if we knew how to work their central vacuum unit. Sorry. No clue.

Bedding plants are starting to appear here. Gotta plan for the sweet peas.

Cheers all.

Diane S

ps. I did eat baby carrots today. Filling and not bad. Whats up doc?