Good Thursday

 Good day all. I went for a nice walk around the lake with Bitzi. It was a bit foggy, coolish and misty. After I brought her home I went to the grocery store and got a bunch of stock up stuff. The store wasn’t very busy at all ( just as I prefer.)   In an hour or so we’re driving over to Glen Ellyn to watch a couple of our grandkids for a couple hours. At least it’s only overcast and hazy out today and not raining or storming. Haze is okay. 

The older I get the easier it is for me to let things go or just let it be. I don’t have to fix or worry about so many things. Most everything works itself out the way it’s supposed to be anyway. It does nobody any good to worry or fret about things. 

Cozy comfort

 Bitzi is on my lap with the Chicago Bears blanket. She’s all snuggly and warm. Yesterday we took her to the groomer and she got the full $85 treatment. She looks very neat and stylish. She also looks noticeably smaller as they trimmed off most of her shaggy hair. I woke up a couple times early this morning so I just stayed up. Yesterday morning we took Bitzi on a nice long walk at Deicke Park. After we got home I tended all my house plants and then moved a lot of them to the front entryway for a different look then cleaned up the sunroom a bit. I made a loaf of cheese herb bread that turned out pretty good and made pasta and red sauce for dinner.

This morning we’re going to an appointment to get our income taxes done. It’s supposed to rain today and the next couple days. We tried fixing the recliner function on my side of the TV couch with no success. We’re looking for a replacement but not too aggressively. It was a very cheap set and we’ve had it a few years so I’m not surprised it’s wearing out. 

I need to go grocery shopping today. Mike goes and gets a few things here and there but he really doesn’t cook and doesn’t really consider meal prep ingredients when he shops. He gets his Gatorade, soda, lunch meat, chips and granola bars mostly. 

The ongoing dispute with my adult children still goes on. My youngest daughter now has full control of the farm although my other three children have equal ownership shares. My son was in charge for a couple years but it ended in disaster so my youngest daughter took him to court and got control. My oldest daughter no longer communicates with any one. My two sons do occasionally talk to each other but not with their sisters. This is all because of the screwed up will mess my ex husband left behind. It has seemed like some ugly awful stinking curse he left behind. One last black eye kicked to my face when he died. 

I’m happy March is here. That gives me a feeling of hope and spring and warmer days ahead. The dependably warm weather is still weeks away but now it’s getting closer.

Early afternoon 

The appointment with our CPA wasn’t as bad as we expected. We’re paying somewhat less than we anticipated and less than last year in taxes. Every little bit helps. I’m now doing laundry and listening to an audiobook and testing out new ear buds.  It’s a bit overcast outside. It rained a bit early this morning. 

Sunshine and lolipops

 It’s a bright clear morning. I’m taking Bitzi for a walk. This afternoon she’s going to the groomer. She’s gotten very shaggy the past several months.

Peaceful

 It’s early morning and I’m up alone having coffee and reading the newspapers, checking emails, doing crossword puzzles. It’s so still and cozy in the house. We moved in here to this house about a year ago. If money was unlimited there are a few things I’d change but overall I’m happy with how cozy it is and the amount of windows and light. It’s very comfortable and practical for our needs. 

Today is supposed to be chillier than yesterday. We’re rolling back to winter for a couple days then several pre-spring days after that. I have been buying flower seeds now and then all winter. I’m ready for spring to arrive. Tomorrow is March 1 so we’re making progress. I need to make out my to do lists for today, tomorrow, next week, next month, this spring, this summer, this year. I need to mentally see what’s coming up ahead. I need goals to move toward. Being retired can sometimes feel like a deep abyss. I do better with some structure. Yesterday I managed to at least accomplish a few things so the whole day wasn’t a waste of time.

It’s later in the afternoon now. I’m now tying on my little iPad keyboard that I rarely use so it’s a little rough until I get used to it again. I bought a new portable thermal ink less printer so took an hour or so trying to get it working. I think I have it now. We shall see how it serves us. I just got so sick of that stupid old one that seemed to always be out of ink. Gash

We’re going over to Walmart shortly. After the printer stuff I was sitting in the sunroom crocheting, using up the rest of my green yarn. 

Tuesday morning

 I finished my big crazy crocheted blanket yesterday. It’s actually a bit too long and too narrow but whatever. Until the weather warms up and I can wash it and hang it outside on the patio to dry I won’t get a real idea of how it lays. I did stick it in the drier a bit yesterday which helped the yarn stitches even out a bit. Besides sitting around crocheting yesterday, reading the newspapers, doing my crossword puzzle and a short dog walk I did nothing but sleep yesterday. I did wake up several times in the night signaling I’d finally gotten enough sleep. I just ate a half toasted peanut butter and banana sandwich and had a cup of coffee and washed off really well, used deodorant, put on fresh clothes and brushed my hair back into a bun. I am returning to human again after being a slug for a couple days. 

I need to remember to wear a mask more often out in public and carry my hand sanitizer. My immune system is obviously not going to improve. Suck it up buttercup. I’m lucky to be here at all. Shit happens. Get a helmet or give up. 

 Mabel and new bunny Petunia

                                                          Me 2015-16

Oliver

Recovery

 Saturday night I started feeling sick at my stomach. By morning I was throwing up awful bitter sour stuff with painful stomach cramps and running to the bathroom a lot. By afternoon that stuff had pretty much stopped but my stomach was still hurting. I slept most all of the day and did nothing else but get up and walk to the bathroom. About 1 am this morning I woke up and was super thirsty. I’m doing better now and took the dog for a short walk. It’s bitterly cold outside so that was unpleasant. Today I’ll take it easy and crochet. 

Black coffee

 I’m drinking black coffee out of the cute little heart-shaped mug I got at the December Christkindle Market at Daley Plaza in Chicago. When I use this mug it makes me smile. I’m going to go throw my clothes and hiking boots on and take Bitzi for a walk. We walked nearly four miles yesterday. Today won’t be as long of a walk. After that I’m going to the garden club meeting and rejoining the club. I’ve been out a couple years and now I feel like going again.