Friday Roundup

Ah, the end of another week.  It' been a busy one for sure.  Had a few firsts this week. Took my first bus trip since March on Monday.  Felt really good to be out and about on my own and not having to depend on hubby.  On Tuesday I got my first haircut since January.  On Wednesday I participated in my Game Day Class and then finished up the decorating.  So much for a little at a time.

Funny thing, when I dug the boxes out of the closet on Tuesday, I knew some of my stuff was missing.  Figured it got mixed in with the Christmas stuff, and I wasn't going to dig all that stuff out, so I decided to make do with whatever I had and maybe head for Rite Aid to pick up a few more.  Later that evening I was sitting in my rocker and suddenly it hit me.  My wicker basket set.  My eyes glanced at one of the larger ones, and I remembered where I Had stored the rest of the stuff.

75 % of my fairy garden stuff is packed away for my great granddaughters.  I only keep a few gnomes and my fantasy animals. 

This shelf still needs some work.

I decorated my son's memorial for the season.

I have loved my little crone since the day I got her so I find a way to work her into every season.

Yesterday hubby and I went to the bank.  He had to get the money order for the rent, and I had to deposit my Rakuten check.  I sure wish Amazon used Rakuten.  I'd be rich.  I also had to cancel my counseling appointment yesterday.  No complaints from me.

Today is my creativity class and chair yoga and meditation later.  Don't know how the meditation is going to work out with all the racket next door.  I never heard so much noise.  Yesterday I was screaming at them, pleading to just give me a few minutes of peace.

Have a wonderful day.

It's Thursday Already

These weeks are going fast....especially this week since I have been busy.  Still not running around like I once did, but I am trying to get out once in awhile.  Today it's off with hubby to hit the bank and get the rent money. 

Yesterday morning the doorbell rang, and it was a food delivery from the city.  Not my regular food delivery, this one was different.  It came in a big cake box and included two yogurts, 3 small low fat milks, two Quaker oatmeal cups, 3 different fruit juices (grape, apple, orange), 2 chicken salads, 4 slices of whole wheat bread, 3 lunch salads, and 3 dinners  (meatballs with rice and broccoli, slice of barbecued pork loin with corn and broccoli, and salisbury steak with new potatoes and string beans.  I ate one of the salads for lunch yesterday, and the chicken was amazing.  I had the pork for dinner and that too was yummy.  This happens just when I was going to cancel my deliveries.  Now I will just play it by ear.  I have until next Tuesday so we'll see if another of package of goodies arrives before then.  If not, will definitely cancel.  

Been working very hard in the apartment, setting it up for fall.   These decorations will stay up until right after Thanksgiving when the Christmas decor goes up. I didn't buy anything new this year so some of these items are several years old. Here is a few pics.

Had to find a way to integrate my new unicorns.  I just couldn't bear backing them away until spring.  

Illusive Sleep

My sleep patterns have been changing. and I'm not happy with it. I go in about 9. Can't keep my eyes open when I am up, but then I end up tossing and turning until about 10. I sleep until about 12 or 12:30, then I am up for a few hours, then fall back about 3, up at 5 for a bathroom run, and back until 7 or 7:30. Then I wake up feeling tired and drained because although I am getting about 6 hours, it's broken sleep. 

And then when I get up in the morning I feel like half the day is over. I'm so used to rising at 6. I tell myself it's okay that I  can sleep as long as I want, but that doesn't make me feel better.  It's not like I have any place to go. When I first retired one of the things I had  looked forward to was sleeping as late as I wanted, but then whenever I did, I felt like I slept the day away. I was so used to starting my day early. In fact, there have been times I've had dinner ready by 8 just to beat the heat.

So I grab an afternoon nap.  Is that destroying my sleep pattern?  Possibly. I don't know, but I feel I have to grab sleep whenever I can, and in the afternoon I can always go into a deep sleep.  Long ago I was a night person.  Slept during the day and was up all night.  Of course, I had night time jobs and had to.  When I stopped tending bar and began working day jobs it took awhile, but eventually I reset my inner clock.  Now it seems to be resetting itself.  

So I did it.  Got my hair cut yesterday.  I realized it hadn't been cut since January.  As we neared my birthday in March I put it off to give myself a cut for my birthday, and we all know what happened.  Covid.  I think she did a good job and will definitely go there again. She looked at the picture and did exactly what I wanted. I woke up this morning with bed head but I could go out without even combing if I want. The last cut I got from my regular stylist was ready for a new cut in two weeks, and not only does she charge more, but I also felt that she rushed through that last hair cut in January. I was never happy with it.

Now I have to figure out what to do with my eyebrows.  They have grown wild and bushy.  Short of shaving them off I am at a loss.

Tuesday Ramble

Happy September.  Went by myself on the bus to do some banking.  Felt really good to get out, almost normal aside from masks, but I must admit I was feeling a bit nervous.   I was careful though, very, very careful.  I hadn't mentioned before but I'd been suffering from anxiety attacks while sitting in.  Not being active has left me too much time to focus on me....not in a good way.  I have been finding myself focusing on my breathing and work myself up to the point where I feel shortness of breath and heart palpitations.  When I'm busy and doing things I am okay.  It's when I sit (and I have been sitting far too much) or go to bed at night.  I know it's not physical....it's from having too much time on my hands.

I'm also finally getting my hair cut this morning.  Let it grow some so I could get some length and have a shaggy cut.  I colored to lightest ash on Sunday so it's a new do and a new color.  Just washed and not styled. I need a cut badly as you can see. Tomorrow I will show it to you.

Was planning on attending the 2 pm class and showing off my new cut, but was disappointed to find out the class was no more.Found out yesterday that another worker from the center will not be back. She has purchased a home in New Jersey and will be moving out there. Already has a job in a group home. Wishing you all the luck in the world on your new endeavor, Dominique. I wish I had known so I could have said good bye.

I was lying in bed thinking that the new norm will also include lots of changes in the center. Some people for whatever reason or other will just not return. One friend has broken her hip and retreated from the world, two others have broken their hips, one friend has moved to Staten Island (says he will still come but that's a big expense), one employee has moved, and one instructor has passed. And that's from what I know. There could be more.

Going to start later this afternoon with my autumn decorating. Been looking forward to this. Time also to start digging out a few fall clothes. I do this every season. A little a time. Rinse by hand and hang on the window guards. Meanwhile I pack summer things I know I won't wear again this year. So, by the time the cool weather arrives I'm prepared and not scurrying about for something to wear.

Monday This and That

Well, another week has begun and it looks to be a busy one for me.  I'm going to start packing away the summer and bringing out the fall.  I always say a little at a time but it never ends up that way.  Once I get started I hate to stop until it is all done.  And while I am packing the summer away I am also going to pack some things to bring to my son and his girl in their new apartment, stuff to make it look homey. I've so much, much more than this small apartment can hold so it's time to de-clutter some and this time it doesn't bother me to part with things because I know where they will be going.  

Got some great news on Friday.  Creativity is going to continue for the time being as well.  So my two favorite classes are not ending for the time being.  Yes, yes, yes.  Speaking of Creativity, Friday's class started with a discussion of passion and somehow morphed into what the new norm may be.  None of us know what the future holds, but we could all agree that it won't be the same norm that we will remember.  All will be new. 

Normal will no longer be taken for granted.  Playing Yahtzee in person with my friends, laughing and making so much noise that there were complaints, then laughing about the complaints.  Hugs from family members and friends.  Conversations with strangers on the bus. Monthly parties at the center.  I will never  again will I view situations like these as anything less than the amazing privileges of life they are.

Speaking of normal, or the new normal, this week I plan on riding the bus for the first time since March.  I have some checks to put in the bank, and although hubby would gladly drive me, I think it's time that I step out of my comfort zone....very carefully of course...with mask, gloves and hand sanitizer.  It's time to take these little steps.  After all, we do have the lowest virus level here in the country.  

Sunday I opened a can of the diced potatoes the city sent in one of their boxes.  I knew hubby wouldn't eat as is.  Actually neither would I.  So I dressed them up some, and they turned out so yummy.

As you know, I love working with spices so for this dish I added garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Sauteed them in butter. 

Speaking of food from the city.  It's time to let go.  When the woman from the center calls and asks if I want her to sign me up again, I think this time I will say no.  The frozen foods have gotten atrocious, and it's the same thing over and over again.  And now that I have discovered the cheap prices of Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh I can order things I need.  Now, with September arriving I can start concentrating on the healthy soups that I love.  The only thing I will miss about these food deliveries are the boxes they send which usually include cereal, fruit cups, some canned goods, and other staples.  Plus, if, God forbid we have a second wave, and hubby and I can no longer get to the market, I can always get back on the list.  I am sure this is the right decision for me right now.

Friday Roundup

Well, as we come to the end of another week, it's time to reflect over the week that was.  Actually, it was fairly blah.  Didn't even get to our favorite spot by the water on Sunday due to the weather.  Monday was just another day.  Made some beans in the morning then just spent the day reading, watching tv, and coloring.  Not very easy to get a nap anymore.  The construction workers are so darn noisy.

Tuesday I made a few phone calls and then lay down for awhile.  Didn't attend the 2 pm class.  I've been having some bad sleeping nights, and they caught up with me.  My eyes were so heavy.  Couldn't sleep with the noise, but it felt good to rest my eyes.

Wednesday was a nice cool morning, a bit of an autumn tease.  Went for a nice long walk in the morning.  At 10 we had Game Day.  Hoping it wasn't the last one.  Still waiting to hear from the intern if she will be allowed to stay on.  Personally, I see no reason why not.  She is NOT on the payroll.  But one never knows what kind of regulations they have.

New coloring book.  I don't really like it.  Beautiful pictures, but I like to take special ones and frame them.  No perforated pages in this book.  Think I am just going to put it out in the lobby for someone.  I have plenty of other books to color.  This was just not what I expected or wanted.

When you lose a loved one the simplest thing can set you off. I was doing a crossword puzzle yesterday morning and one of the questions was 'Competitor of Nike?' The answer was a brand I never heard of. Tears started to flow when I thought about how my son would know the brand. He loved his sneakers. I miss him so much.  

Counseling went well yesterday.  I continue to point out the positive changes I have been making.  'Yes, I have cried.  Little things come up and I cry.  But I am not sinking into a deep depression.  I am socializing as well as I can during this pandemic, getting out for walks, keeping myself busy with things I enjoy.  It's natural to cry.  I will probably come to tears throughout my life when something comes up that reminds me of my son."  I wanted to tell her that doesn't mean I will need to be in therapy the rest of my life.

Creativity class this morning.  Hope to hear some news about whether the intern is going to continue. 

On a sad note, I found out an old Blogger buddy lost his battle with cancer this week.  It's been at least 6 years that he has been fighting it.  He was losing his site so he gave up Blogger and kept his page on FB.  For those who may remember him, his blog was called Bogaman's Blog.  I know there are a few of them who may remember him.  I know he followed your blogs.  RIP Steve White.  Fly high with the angels.

Just a Bit of Anything

What a beautiful morning yesterday....a taste of fall.  It's was cool with a wonderful breeze.  I went for my walk and stood out front of the building for awhile.  Just wanted to take it all in.  Soon enough every morning will be like this.  Also got some hopefully good news.  The intern who runs our Game Day and Friday Creativity class said she has no classes on her schedule on those mornings so she has contacted the center to see if she can continue with the classes on a volunteer basis. That would be a dream come true.

In January I was elected to the Senior Council at our center.  I was the secretary.  We had two meetings, and then Covid hit.  The center was closed.  I'd almost forgotten I was on the council until I received a call from the council president.  The director of the center would like us to have an online council meeting in early September.  I like that idea, and I hope that the entire council attends....although I doubt that very much.  But, I'll be there, and I'm anxious for what they have to say.  Maybe some news about opening the center, but I really don't believe that will happen for awhile yet.  We seniors are vulnerable, and they want to protect us.

I have my counseling later this afternoon.  I started about only positive things last week, and it caught her ear.  Going to continue with that today.  Counseling was something I needed when my son first passed, but that was almost 5 months ago.  Sometimes we have to stand strong by ourselves.   The 6 week grief course I took was far more helpful in dealing with my feelings. She wants me to open up my feelings, but does nothing to help me deal with them as the course did.  I would take that again in a minute. 

My little Hippie Angel.  I'd done this one for my daughter, but now I feel like keeping this one for myself. 

Closing with another of our Friday poems.

 Nostalgia

Grandma always comes up!
She was special to all of us. (Me)

When I hear the Cyclone, I think of being a kid

Coney Island is my youth in a time capsule.
The smell of a leg of lamb reminds me of Sundays with Grandma. (Me)

She had a lilac bush and now whenever I smell lilacs I go back. (Me)

Campania's Sunday Sauce is like going back to my Grandma's table.

It was a different time and place.

Running through the woods with no fear.

My wooden friend from 60 yrs ago is still with me.
Anything that brings me back to my childhood is wonderful

The smell of turpentine. (Me)

I painted my granddad's work area in the basement brown. (Me)

Little did I know I had painted with the brushes hat were being cleaned in the turpentine. (Me)

Boy was he ever mad at me! (Me)

Halloween!  Going house to house for candy. (Me)
Easter! Looking for my basket.
Nostalgia movies
"A Christmas Story" (Me)
Christmas as it was for me. (Me)

Tinsel

That was the fun part

The last part.

Toss it on the tree. 
I bought a box from Amazon. (Me)
Was very pretty, but, oh, what a mess. (Me)

This pandemic has shown me that nostalgia can also be for the recent past. (Me)

Right now a hug from a friend would be nostalgic. (Me)

Yahtzee in person

Mo Goldberg (Me)
So much laughter. (Me)
They said we made too much noise. (Me)
Will we ever make that noise again? (Me)