Never Forget 9/11 🕯️ I know none of us will...

My aunt was rehospitalized and is now being moved to hospice.💔😥

Just now texted my girlfriend about the other friend who had been in the hospital here; that friend returned to her care facility but the facility has a covid outbreak. 😰

In more everyday news, I did get the Gurley candles and a few other items to the thrift shop. Pics of the candles on IG.

Storage unit plans both excite and terrify me. That is normal, though. I've been stressed and depressed about lots of things, from 9/11 to grey weather to trying to figure out what all's going to happen to loved ones and when.

Wish I could get my oil changed. Texted mechanic guy again. If I don't hear soon, I am going to pursue other avenues, perhaps some guy at my church, I can ask around and explain my situation. Another time I miss my dad and/or wish I had a brother or husband good with cars.

Knowing that it will probably be soon for my aunt will mean that I'll know when the funeral will be. And that gives a priority then other lesser things will be arranged around it. It will work out.

The emotional stress is going to be rough but I'll do the best I can with it. We all know how this year depletes a person and how important it is to do what we can for basic self care. I'm even looking up online how to reduce cortisol because I imagine there are 4-5 gallons of it circulating in my bloodstream at any given time.

One thing I saw was that dark chocolate helps. So make sure and eat dark chocolate if you can get some!

I hadn't gotten round to mentioning it but my roommate's brother and sister in law are going to come again in October to do repair help or yard work or whatever like they did in August.

So I will have to not bring stuff back inside the house - but I didn't want to do that anyway. And perhaps by then if I can work steadily the storage unit will be able to hold the project stuff. And I still do plan to reduce the amount of stash and if things are neat and organized I'll be able to make what I do keep into finished product.

So anyway, be thinking of me and I'll be thinking of you, and you'll know if I am not posting at times it'd be because a lot might be happening but then I'll get back when I can. Or sometimes I end up posting more when a lot is going on. Whichever way it goes, impossible to predict.

So take care and be safe.

P.S. SubC - I looked up your Blue Girl rosebush - gorgeous!

Never Forget 9/11 🕯️ I know none of us will...

My aunt was rehospitalized and is now being moved to hospice.💔😥

Just now texted my girlfriend about the other friend who had been in the hospital here; that friend returned to her care facility but the facility has a covid outbreak. 😰

In more everyday news, I did get the Gurley candles and a few other items to the thrift shop. Pics of the candles on IG.

Storage unit plans both excite and terrify me. That is normal, though. I've been stressed and depressed about lots of things, from 9/11 to grey weather to trying to figure out what all's going to happen to loved ones and when.

Wish I could get my oil changed. Texted mechanic guy again. If I don't hear soon, I am going to pursue other avenues, perhaps some guy at my church, I can ask around and explain my situation. Another time I miss my dad and/or wish I had a brother or husband good with cars.

Knowing that it will probably be soon for my aunt will mean that I'll know when the funeral will be. And that gives a priority then other lesser things will be arranged around it. It will work out.

The emotional stress is going to be rough but I'll do the best I can with it. We all know how this year depletes a person and how important it is to do what we can for basic self care. I'm even looking up online how to reduce cortisol because I imagine there are 4-5 gallons of it circulating in my bloodstream at any given time.

One thing I saw was that dark chocolate helps. So make sure and eat dark chocolate if you can get some!

I hadn't gotten round to mentioning it but my roommate's brother and sister in law are going to come again in October to do repair help or yard work or whatever like they did in August.

So I will have to not bring stuff back inside the house - but I didn't want to do that anyway. And perhaps by then if I can work steadily the storage unit will be able to hold the project stuff. And I still do plan to reduce the amount of stash and if things are neat and organized I'll be able to make what I do keep into finished product.

So anyway, be thinking of me and I'll be thinking of you, and you'll know if I am not posting at times it'd be because a lot might be happening but then I'll get back when I can. Or sometimes I end up posting more when a lot is going on. Whichever way it goes, impossible to predict.

So take care and be safe.

P.S. SubC - I looked up your Blue Girl rosebush - gorgeous!
Never Forget 9/11 🕯️ I know none of us will...

My aunt was rehospitalized and is now being moved to hospice.💔😥

Just now texted my girlfriend about the other friend who had been in the hospital here; that friend returned to her care facility but the facility has a covid outbreak. 😰

In more everyday news, I did get the Gurley candles and a few other items to the thrift shop. Pics of the candles on IG.

Storage unit plans both excite and terrify me. That is normal, though. I've been stressed and depressed about lots of things, from 9/11 to grey weather to trying to figure out what all's going to happen to loved ones and when.

Wish I could get my oil changed. Texted mechanic guy again. If I don't hear soon, I am going to pursue other avenues, perhaps some guy at my church, I can ask around and explain my situation. Another time I miss my dad and/or wish I had a brother or husband good with cars.

Knowing that it will probably be soon for my aunt will mean that I'll know when the funeral will be. And that gives a priority then other lesser things will be arranged around it. It will work out.

The emotional stress is going to be rough but I'll do the best I can with it. We all know how this year depletes a person and how important it is to do what we can for basic self care. I'm even looking up online how to reduce cortisol because I imagine there are 4-5 gallons of it circulating in my bloodstream at any given time.

One thing I saw was that dark chocolate helps. So make sure and eat dark chocolate if you can get some!

I hadn't gotten round to mentioning it but my roommate's brother and sister in law are going to come again in October to do repair help or yard work or whatever like they did in August.

So I will have to not bring stuff back inside the house - but I didn't want to do that anyway. And perhaps by then if I can work steadily the storage unit will be able to hold the project stuff. And I still do plan to reduce the amount of stash and if things are neat and organized I'll be able to make what I do keep into finished product.

So anyway, be thinking of me and I'll be thinking of you, and you'll know if I am not posting at times it'd be because a lot might be happening but then I'll get back when I can. Or sometimes I end up posting more when a lot is going on. Whichever way it goes, impossible to predict.

So take care and be safe.

P.S. SubC - I looked up your Blue Girl rosebush - gorgeous!

🤗🌈💐🌹🐈🐐🐤

Good Morning Everyone
Iced Chai "Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia
Happy you got more postcard stamps. :)
WTG! for moving fast and buying the stock!

Hope you managed to get the trash out this morning.
Your house may be messy but with cleaning Fairies regularly you do NOT have squalor. :D

Boston is probably having some sort of remembrance ceremony today.
Stay safe and stay away from any crowds. (((HUG)))

Hi Subclinical
I love best the scent of the Tea Rose and yours sounds absolutely beautiful.
I have faith you will be able to make it thrive.

Seems like you got a good start on the classroom.
Getting in there and seeing it now you can plot and plan your next attack.

Fingers crossed the soap comes today XXX
Critters are priority, then preserving your wonderful tomatoes.

But today is Bean day!!!! :D
Nothing else really matters (((HUG)))


I used to have a nice heating pad but Steven took it a long time ago and I have not seen it since.
But I remembered I have a small electric throw blanket.
Got it out and it is working great, really helping ease my back.
But Scooter keeps taking it from me when I fall asleep.
Whenever it's turned on he is all over it and won't move.
Stupid cat. ;p

In spite of him I was able to get some good restful sleep last night.

My plan for today is to keep resting with the heated throw and do tiny tasks to keep things functioning in the house.
Litter box got scooped yesterday.
Cats all got food and water.
I had a bagel with cream cheese and later a bowl of veg beef soup.
Been washing the dishes as I use them so no dish build up.
YEA! Me. :D
I have English muffins and more soup for today.
Maybe I will even cut up my cantaloupe?

Add me to the keep Steven longer bandwagon!

Tatoulia, some says are like that. It's ok. You are often too hard on yourself.

The rose will be blue girl - hybrid tea. It has been one of my favorites since I was a kid. I've never been able to have a fancy rose because they are too demanding, but if I can't keep one alive In a sheltered sunny corner six feet from where I use the hose twice a day (often to rinse manure off of things - the grass is rich) then I will give up.

Yesterday's them of "order" went pretty well. There is less stuff in my house and studio because I dropped the recycling and took some things to school, but I also brought some things home from school (some just to wash) so my car is almost half as full as when I left. I salvaged a shelf thing from the school trash that I will have to explain later.

I'm not sure if I feel better about my classroom or not. I did very little and have to go back, but I have a clear idea of what I have to work with.

There is also a lot to keep up with here! Tomatoes, dishes, critters... and I need my laundry soap! It is supposed to come today.

The theme for today is "planning". But more later, I'm off to see Bean.

Oh Tillie. What a mess. I'm so sorry. I do hope they'll keep him longer.

I have zero to show for myself. My house is a mess. But my bed is made. And I just showered. It's raining and very humid.

I'm going to have to gather up my garbage tonight and hope I get up early enough to take it out in the AM.

I have to go feed the Neighbor's cats soon, which is pretty funny because I'm down to my last can here for my baby. I don't think she'll like the extra fancy stuff that my neighbor feed his cats so I'm going to have to get more cat food in the AM. I took some sandwiches to BF. And I mailed my stock check. I went to the PO and handed it to the clerk. And I bought the one sheet of postcard stamps she has.

I have to pull everything together.

Will eat the second half of my sandwich then head downstairs.

Good Afternoon

Hi everyone
Called Steven's cell phone about 10am and he answered.
Of course he's complaining about being there and the food.

He was mentally alert.
Went on and on about all his plans for his garage hoard when I commented on the improvement I saw.

He has accepted the fact that Monday he had an episode even though he can't remember.
He seemed genuinely disturbed when I asked him if he remembers hitting me in the face.

Told him about my back issue and that he cannot come home until he is able to care for himself, no more "episodes" since I can barely manage taking care of me & the cats.

Was very cool earlier and now it's pleasantly warm but not hot. :D

A&E on Youtube put up a short video of Cory talking about their protective gear and sanitizing products.

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Hi Subclinical
So much of Bean's personality and likes to see now!
So much fun discovering the world with him!

Hope your Dh's back gets better soon, like right now.
It's ridiculous just how much you can't do.
Can't even get groceries.

OK what color rose?
Is it a heritage variety?
A bush or a climber? 🌹

Wishing you the most positive day at the school.
That the arrangements are all good and that you feel safe and confident there.
BIGGEST (((((HUG)))))


Nothing new here to report.
Very cold today and a thick smoke alert for later today through tomorrow night. :P

Coffee clinks!

I had a lovely day with Bean yesterday. He was awake and alert most of the time. He is babbling a bit now and likes to be put down under his baby gym and wave at his toys. He is also showing lots of interest in the things around him.

Tillie, I am so sorry about your back injury! Dh's has really derailed his life. He goes in for an MRI today. It has to be so much worse with no one to help you with things.

Crow away on your progress! We are always inspired by you.

Tatoulia, great job on boundaries! And his terrific that you "found" all the money for your investment!

I'm glad the printer is working out.

CM, being "done" with stuff haunting you is a great breakthrough! I think Badger is looking forward to spending the nice weather at the storage unit with you. Let us know if he gets a ride along to donate your candles.🦡🎉

I'm sorry your relatives are facing so many challenges.

I know exactly what rose I want, so I will prepare it's bed and then wait until I can get it. This is probably better, because I enjoy looking forward to things, and the soil will be better prepared to give the rose a good start.

I am attempting to put my life back in "school mode". The theme for today is "order" With activities focusing on large motor skills. - lol! Cleaning out stalls, unloading the feed from my car and loading up recycling and items that need to be at school, going to my classroom and unloading the car and arranging furniture... I MUST make myself go today! I also need to set aside an hour "planning period" to work on some of my classes. Hopefully going in to the building will inspire me.

Hi Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Have fun with your neighbor Kitties. :D
Does Miss Kitty sniff you when you get home?
Scooter always sniffs me after I have petted other cats.

WTG! for laundry and sleeping in your fresh clean bed tonight!

So glad we found a solution you can live with concerning the printer. :D


I am all ready for bed.
Sitting here with the cats, watching a movie on Tubi.
So nice seeing the kitchen clean. :D

CM! You have turned a corner and I'm so happy for you!

Yikes with the temp drop. Very bizarre and unnerving. I'm sorry about your aunt and uncle. It's hard.

Tillie I'm glad you are feeling a bit of relief. WTG for clean kitchen!

When my mother could no longer bend downs I bought a small table, probably an end table at some point, which she serves the cat food on. I got this when she still had her old cat, and her new cat uses it now, it gives mom a fighting chance to get the food to the kitty and to make sure there's water for her.

I ended up doing three loads of laundry. PJs, cat stuff and then skirts and dresses that I hang to dry. I'll do towels and sheets tomorrow or Friday. I got my sheets changed. I fell asleep during my restorative yoga class. The last thing I remember is putting the blister under my hips.

I'm taking care of neighbor's cats. They are so sweet.

Okay off to bed in my nice clean bed!

PS I've been putting the printer back so that's worked out to my favor. So glad not to have to see it.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
I like this...
"That just can't keep happening. I'm to the point where my STUFF haunts my sleeping and my waking. I'm so done with that."

I am very encouraged that when the weather is right you WILL get into that storage and get it organized. :D

Very sorry your Aunt and Uncle are so frail.
Understandable why you are on edge. ((((HUG))))

That little light brown Bunny sitting up is just too precious. :D


Hi Tatoulia
Thank you for understanding. Sorry it's from your own personal experience.

WTG! for cashing in the coin and putting the money to good use for your future!

I heard that in cities the homeless/vagrant people are a great reservoir for the virus.
Glad you got away from that man on the subway (((HUG)))


When I got up this morning I started doing very gentle movements.
Standing was good, no more nausea from the "discomfort" like yesterday.
Discovered I could drop down to my knees to get things on the floor handled.
But only as long as I had something to grab onto to get back up again.
Was able to pass bowls of can cat food to the cats, not just drop the bowl and hope for the best.
Will lay a towel down and kneel on that to scoop the litter box.

🐓 Have to crow!
I washed the dishes AND wiped up the kitchen!!!

The carpet is still a mess but I won't risk vacuuming today.

I can get into a comfortable position to sleep, on my side with a pillow between my knees.
But then I stiffen into that position and it's painful to turn.

I think a day or two longer with gentle movements and resting it it will be much better.
But I will NEVER again try to wrangle an argumentative ornery man to try to keep him from further injuring himself.

Trust me, everyone in the hospital gets it why you aren't visiting. They know you need a break. Over and over I'd be told, he's lucky to have you. And I would say, without fail, no, I am the lucky one. Now I'm really lucky, being away from this.

As to my mother, I see the path she's going down and I'm going to have to set strict limits if I'm going to make it. With maturity, I can see that I don't need to announce my boundaries, I merely need to set them and respect them.

Tillie I am worried about your spine! Please let the Nates know, if you haven't already.


I took my coins In today and now have all I need for my investment. I'll fill out the paperwork tonight and take to PO tomorrow. I stopped at my work lunch place and got my chicken salad on a salad. It was good to see the guys but eerie to see the deli empty.

Okay back to work. I am doing my first load of laundry. I would like to do three, ultimately. I need to change my sheets today too. And my towels need to be done. I showered before I went downtown and again after I got back. I took the subway. One man was asleep on the subway, no mask, mouth open. At the next stop I switched cars.

Good Morning

Hi Subclinical
Wishing you a wonderful day today with your Bean. :D

WTG! for lots of garden fresh dehydrated tomatoes.
Yeah, I guess things like rose bushes are seasonal as to when we can get them.
Looking forward to you having the rose bush by that window. :)

Hi Tatoulia
People may think I am mean because I don't visit with Steven in the hospital.
But I don't need the abuse and he is where he is getting what he needs.
It's not like I am being negligent :D

So very sorry your Mother has been being nasty to you ((((HUGS))))
Glad you three were able to have pleasant conversation later on.


Cold this morning. 62F at 10:30am

last week I hurt my lower back, I do not know how.
It was getting better but Monday really did a number on it.
I can not bend down, the pain is just about the top of my hips, center spine.
I can't sit on a chair or chair position without the pain.
I can only stand straight up.
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin none of them work.
House is a disaster area. I just let cat food drop down to the cats so they can eat.
Didn't want to worry you all with this and just wanted it to resolve.
But things are easier here with him in the hospital and I don't have to clean up after him.

I'm so excited you'll get to see the Bean! And thank you everyone for looking at my dollhouse furniture. Loved it growing up!

Tillie I remember the nightmare of having my brother in the hospital. Id have to be there to keep him calm and he'd be mainly cranky but sometimes out of control mean. He'd be screaming that he didn't think he was getting good care (okay smarty pants) and be a general jerk. Once one of the nurses said, I'll call for a wheelchair and go to dinner if you want to sneak him outside for a cigarette. It turned him around. He'd been insisting on being discharged AMA and after the cigarette he was fine and agreed to dialysis and everything else. Oh he could be so mean and abusive. The point of my story is, I feel for you, Tillie. I couldn't even take a minute of joy when he wasn't nasty because it's not trustworthy. It's not a sign of a change.

Speaking of nasty, my mother was mean again tonight. I think the is the direction we are headed. I need to find a way to cope. She was really mad at me tonight and yelling a lot. It was brutal. I kept telling her I'm going to hang up if this continues. I gave her fair and firm warnings and then I hung up. I tried her back in a while and she was still at it. I waited another hour and tried her again and she was better. Then I took her a slice of cake and a cold water and told her to meet me downstairs and she did. Another woman who is fairly decent also came by so the three of us were able to speak six feet apart from each other. It was very good for her,

Northeastern University had a drone ought show tonight. Fascinating. It was about 20 minutes long and it was very interesting. I'll post a picture. I normally don't take pictures but I took two or three.

Okay. Sending my love to CM and her relatives, SubC and her baby bean, Tillie and the kitties and special love to Joan, I also really miss Diane, Dianne, Roxie, LR, Anony and bitsy.

CM, your turtle day sounds very nice! I am looking forward to the big reveal of your plans!

Tatoulia, I thought that was a real room at first. Such lovely furniture!

I wonder how many hoarders had those candles around growing up - candles you can't burn. So strange. We had All the holidays and a little bear. I'm pretty sure mom still has the bear.

I discovered I can't order my rose until February. That's ok. I avoided my schoolwork today and filled the dehydrator with tomatoes instead.

Tomorrow I get to see Bean!

The weather is so strange.

Tillie, I hope the hospital keeps Steven long enough for him to miss you and have another nice episode when he comes back.

Hi Guys

Yeah Tatoulia
That cold snap in Colorado is making it cool here. :D
But it won't last long. Tomorrow 80F then back up again. :P

It was fun looking at the miniatures. :D

Hi CriticalMass
I'm glad you contacted some people and caught up on some news.

You sure are a dreamer about Steven actually taking care of his health. (((HUG)))
So many of his issues are self induced because of his pig-headed stubbornness.
Believing he knows better than all the doctors.

My Granma always bought those candles too.
Sometimes I even see them in the thrift shop.
Good memories.

Keep us posted about the plans and what's up with the storage. :D


I am exhausted.
Tried to nap but couldn't stay asleep more than a few minutes.
Watched some Youtube videos of snow in Montana and Colorado.
The weather is just so strange this year.

When I spoke to Steven this morning he was civil.
Complaining about everything but not vicious and nasty to me.
He thinks being there in ICU is a waste of time.
I didn't mention the episode he had yesterday since he denies it happened anyway.

We had some of the Gurley candles too! Christmas and Thanksgiving. They still sell them at the Vermont Country store. I love that catalog. It reassures me that i can get buts of my childhood back, should I need it. WTG for letting them go! I'm proud of you.

Cm thanks for looking at the dollhouse furniture. I just put it on my desk so it wasn't arranged super carefully. I have more but haven't come across it yet.

Tillie all you can do is wait. That's eerie about your temperature drop. Colorado is having snow, after record heat.

Very hot and very humid here. Just got BF's lunch for him. Too hot for me. But I did it.

I am having a Turtle Day.
🐢🐢🐢

The last few, waiting for the heat to leave, and feeling unmotivated, are now past. But I just plain didn't want to get around to get to quilting today so I ditched. Took my time getting up and about. Cleaned all the bunnies' water bowls, got cat chores caught up, and have a blueberry baked oatmeal pan in the oven.

My aunt Katie is in the hospital, I found out via my cousin's daughter on Facebook. Katie is in her early 90s. Cousin's daughter didn't say what was going on specifically.

Yesterday I contacted two people. I'm so bad anymore about wanting to self isolate and not reach out even though part of me wants to. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense other than that if I do contact people, then they will contact me back, and it might be when I'm busy and stressed and then I'll be upset. So dumb, but there it is. The pandemic break from socializing and activity has got me spoiled, I guess.

The people I contacted were my cousin here in town, the one who had had the stroke in May. She sounds quite well, said she was about 95% recovered. I told her about aunt Katie so she could call her brother in the town where Katie lives and see what info there is.

The other was the friend of the friend who was back in ICU for quite some time (that being the one who spent so much time in hospital spring 2019). The news is better on her - she is to return to the care home so they must've got her infection and other issues under control.

Wow, Tillie, how scary with Steven! And stressful for you. So glad the hospital people were good to you. I hope getting the meds will help him be more balanced and sensible. I know it may or may not, but we can hope. And that he'll agree to get routine care after discharge.

It's hard not to be able to go see our people, at least I'll speak for myself as I know Steven can be difficult to deal with for you. But my friend who was in the hospital here recently I could've gone and seen in normal times, and now she'll be clear in another town. Maybe someday when this Covid is ever over I'll be able to travel there if my roommate will ride shotgun so I'm not scared to drive on the highway.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you found a good home for the dollhouse items. I know it's sad but hopefully in time you will feel peace about it. Congrats on getting the coins cashed in and hope your stock will soar!

I have some cute vintage Gurley holiday candles my mom and I got, they were sold in dimestores back in the day. A few each for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving. They're nothing priceless, though vintage collectors like them.

It's time for them to go, because they are high maintenance, being meltable. Until I get my own place where I can burn candles myself, I'm getting rid of all but emergency candles. So I'm going to take a picture of each holiday one, then donate them. They weren't even ones we burned anyway but once or twice a tiny bit, since they were shapes. They just sat and looked cute. They are not my mom.

SubC, I'm glad your email convo with your friend really helped with the class planning. And a rose bush will be a lovely thing to have for many years. Hope Bean and your daughter's family stays safe.

Well, it's been good catching up. Now that the cooler weather has arrived I'll be getting busy over at the storage unit. There is a plan afoot, I will keep it under wraps for now till we see how it goes, but if it goes well it could be a huge gamechanger for me.

Mornin

Hi Subclinical
Yes, we all want fudge now too. ;)

When Twinkles and Marty came to live with us they were indoor/outdoor cats and loved to "play" with the nite time mice.
So I knew he's be ok and come in for his nice comfortable rocking chair.

The garage would still be too tight for the stretcher to fit in.
I had thought about that fact over the years and was grateful they could park the stretcher at the front door and walk him a few steps out to it.

My ice cream was delicious and I relished every spoonful. :D


Hi Tatoulia
(((((HUG)))))


Waited until 9am and then called his cell phone.
Went to voice mail.
So I called the hospital and spoke to the ICU nurse.
She said he just wanted to keep sleeping and to take a message.
I said just tell him to call home later.
She said he had an uneventful night, nothing much happened.

So that's the latest.
Scooter is still clingy but not as worried.

It's 58F degrees!
Breezy and supposed to be extra windy today.
Extreme fire danger alert issued for the county.
That cold front East of us has arrived.
YEA!!!

Really need to get kitty litter but don't dare go to the store with Steven in ICU.
Should stay by the phone today.

Shoring you up from afar, Tillie.

But now I do want fudge!

There is also a lot less sugar in the chocolate sauce.

Tillie, I had a moment of panic about twinkles! I'm glad the little adventurer returned safely! Mr. kitty always spends his nights outside when the weather is good. It's the best mouse time.

That is good about the garage. Hopefully if anything happens out there, the paramedics can reach him.

I hope you enjoyed your ice cream. You earned it!

Good Evening Ya'll

Well, there was one last dirty task to do before I hopped in the shower.
I had to go out in the garage and make sure things were shut off.

It's still a filthy hoarded mess but I can see he has made some improvements out there.
You can almost see the couch and the paths are a bit wider now.

Anyway, I had things on my mind as I went out there and didn't make sure the screen door latched properly.
Well, both cats got out and didn't want to come back inside.
Scooter was easy enough to get to come because he saw Jack on the porch but Twinkles ran off into the night.

Took my shower, shampooed my hair.
I feel so much better now.
After I was all back together I looked in the grass and Twinkles was ready to come back in.

Now I think I will have some chocolate icecream. :D

Thanks Tatoulia

No we don't need to make fudge! HaHaHa ;P

WTG! for laundry, returns, feeding cats and making dinner!

I got the garden watered and the hose set out to slowly water another Ash tree.

Just now feeding Twinks and Scoot dinner and then I can take a shower & shampoo soon.

Keep looking to make sure the Sheriff doesn't pull into my driveway.
That's how the hospital does it. Tells the Sheriff to go tell when it's bad news.

Oh Well...
What ever will be will be.
At least my conscience is clear. I did everything I could.

Oh Tillie what a terrible day for you. I am so sorry. I am very pleased that the hospital is clean and you feel safe there. Kudos to the paramedics for not taking no for an answer. I'm so sorry this is happening.

Sending you strength and love. Ugh urine and blood. I've cleaned that up myself. And it would make me gag.

SubC you are doing a great job!

When I make fudge I love having that butter just float on top while it cools.

I did two loads of my own laundry, folded mom's laundry and dropped it off, made the returns I needed to do, fed the neighbors cats and made dinner.

In the ER I took a break and was standing at the end of the hall looking out the window.
The doctor joined me there and we had a good talk about a lot of things.

He agreed with me that we are not doing too bad with the Covid but there are still the untested people so there are more positives than the county site lists.
He said yes the two deaths here the people had other serious issues and if Steven gets it it will be very bad news.

The small hospital has not been overwhelmed with patients and has not needed to use the tent set up in the parking lot.

So all this is good to hear.
The virus is here.
Take precautions.
But still do what you need to do like doctor/dental appointments, grocery shop, etc.

They forced Steven to wear a mask when putting him into the ambulance and keep it on in the hospital. ;D

Ok a bit of butter.
My fudge recipe takes a bit of butter after it's removed from the heat. :D

Yes, the lands have been mismanaged.
No clearing of weeds and brush or pine needles.
Combustible building materials.
No clearing around buildings allowing fire to come right up to them.

The mountain communities with pine trees are the worst.
They have not done any clearing of small branches, needles or pine cones.
Some communities have even had a ban against people clearing tree debris, thought it would ruin the forest.

Really good news is the weather forecast says tomorrow and the next day will be in the 70s here!!!
Still too smoky though but I've seen worse.

Now I just sit here and wait.
No news is good news I guess.
Need to wash dishes but not up to it.
Will water the garden when the sun is down.
Need to shampoo my hair but will do that after I water.
Hate to be all clean and then get hot & dusty.

Scooter is better, napping now but still suspicious when he hears a noise.

And a bit of butter to help the cocoa dissolve. 😁

So sorry you had such a mess to deal with.

Poor scooter needs his own cup of tea!

Hi Subclinical
Yes, the hospital has been doing the testing that Steven did not do due to refusal to wear his face mask.
He has been out of several medications because he refused to comply and the doctor won't prescribe without the bloodwork.

I rested and had my tea, finally. :)
A Mourning Dove it the glass storm door setting Scooter into a panic again.
The Dove recovered quickly and flew to the roof top.

Then I cleaned up the mess in the bathroom.
Urine and blood.

Your soup sounds delicious!
I like beans of any variety in soups.

Best of wishes & luck getting the basic lesson plans outlined.

Happy you have more icecream and can use your own syrup for chocolate milk. :D

I am assuming it's cocoa powder, sugar and milk heated until the sugar dissolves?
Like basic fudge recipe but not brought to soft boil?

Oh Tillie, what an awful day!

I am glad you felt safe at the hospital. Do you think they will do the things Steven put off because he wouldn't wear a mask?

I hope scooter calms down and that you are having a nice calming tea!🐈☕️

Tatoulia, I would ge very happy if the post office and library were always open!

When I have extra reusable bags I use them to pack donations so that the shop doesn't throw away the box or bag the things are in.

It will be so wonderful if you get to the point where you can predict all your bills and save up so they aren't little "emergencies"!

You are making such great progress for your stock!

We made a yummy soup tonight. Things from the garden plus potatoes and a few spices I didn't grow. There is still a giant pot in the fridge so we can eat it for a while. I may add canned beans when I reheat mine. Dh doesn't like beans except green beans.

I still didn't do a whole two hours on school, but I did everything I had to finish by tomorrow and worked about an hour and a half? I'm not sure. The elapsed time was an hour and 50 minutes, but Dh interrupted me and I was freezing the ice cream, so I had to stop and scoop it into pints.

I have 8 days to get 11 classes posted on canvas and put together lesson plans for at least the first week, preferably two. More than two is a waste of time because nothing is certain.

You both wrote suck lovely & long posts. :D
Sorry if my post today is a downer...

Woke up at 8am due to a very loud thump from the bathroom.
Steven had fallen.
He slammed the door on me when I went to help then there was another even louder thump as he fell again.
He was laying there with his eyes open but he was not responding.
He finally came around but was terribly disoriented, confused and extremely argumentative.
I called for an ambulance and two very nice paramedics came.
Steven did not know his own birthday, who the president is, what day it is today, what holiday today is, etc.
He refused transport but they had to take him anyway due to his mental state.

I got dressed and fed the cats and did some stuff around the house knowing it would take some time for the hospital to conduct their various tests.

I was worried about being in the emergency room check in but their protocols were very good and I was the only one in there with one nurse.
She took my temp asked if I was coughing, understood about my asthma and the smoke.
I was given a visitor tag and went back.
He was still extremely mean & nasty, denying he'd had an episode. Said I was delusional.
He was refusing to be admitted. He was refusing to be transported to Reno where they have more specialist.

The doctor and I finally got him to agree staying the night for observation and if necessary to be transported to Reno.

The doctor was so very kind to me and understanding the brain damage and why Steven is so mean & nasty and delusional and hit me.

He didn't have a stroke or TIAs.
He has a lot of bad heart issues and the doctor believes it's his heart that caused the episode this morning.
Blood flow was not making it's way to the brain due to the left side of the heart acting up and not functioning properly.

I came home and fetched him his phone and eye glasses, etc. and when I returned to give them to him he was being pleasant.
I didn't stay, just told him to call if he wanted anything else or to keep me updated.

Scooter is still all squirrely and he keeps putting his hackles up.
Steven really scared him and then the paramedics coming inside.
Twinks is over it and chill.

I am having my tea that I didn't get this morning.

Just walked down to BFs with a bunch of reusable shopping bags. I have no use for them. I don't buy that much. A few canvas bags take care of my things just fine


I need to get to Talbots to return some stuff before they close at five. I'm personally overheated so I'm giving myself a quick rest. I feel miserable.

Good morning and yes I slept til noon today. I'm a teenager again! But at least I'm not hungover.

SubC I loved your newsy letter and hearing about the roosters and that poor chicken little. I don't know why people can't be careful. I don't get it. I think I told you I tested negative for antibodies. I know the accuracy of the tests are questionable but I work so hard to keep myself safe. I don't slip up. I wear my mask and keep my distance and I wash constantly and I look out for myself. I don't get it why people think they are invincible.

My state rep is a man named Jon Santiago and he is amazing, he is an emergency room physician at Boston Medical Center (formerly Boston City Hospital and the basis for St Elsewhere). He has worked nearly every weekend in the emergency room up until he had to have his appendix out. And guess what? He tested negative. With all of his work he was able to stay safe. So he's my hero and my role model. BF and I frequently remind ourselves not to get lazy at this point.

Tillie our main post office at south station is open 24 hours a day if you can believe it. It is across the street from my office. I have more dollar coins. I'm pretty good at not keeping my coins too long, I have a tin for every day coins and once that gets filled I take it in to the bank. The dollar coins are a different animal entirely, Those are from the subway. All change given in dollar coins. Then I don't use them and they just start being a pain, they are embarrassing to use at corner stores and other neighborhood places. I will use at CVS or grocery store but they are such a pain. I'm taking the rest in so that my stock purchase will be from found money rather than my savings.

I have to start saving for my car insurance and homeowners and umbrella policies. They are all due in December and now that's I have a handle on my finances, I just want to have the $ in my regular savings account and not dip into my emergency fund.

Okay I need to do something today. Anything, really.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, I'm glad you are feeling balanced in your relationship with your mom.

I hope you have a sense of peace and closure when the furnIture is mailed off.

Tillie, I'm glad you and your animal friends made it through the worst of the smoke. I was listening to a radio interview about the fires the other day and it was very discouraging. The authority basically believed that the fires will keep getting worse for some time no matter what we do, because we have let combustible materials build up and built too close to areas that burn using stupid materials and landscaping. Even if we start reversing that, it will take A long time to have any impact.

Yesterday I had a long email exchange with my cousin that helped a lot with my school attitude. Later in the day I even called her and she helped me with some ideas.

I tried to set a time to do two hours of school planning. I got the first hour done, had lunch, and started the second hour, but Dh made my lunch run long, and then he interrupted me for help with a project, and then I ran into the time when I told my cousin I would call, so the second "hour" was only 45 minutes.

But I made good progress, and I did not dream about school last night. I am going to try again today. My reward for getting two hours done is that I get to choose a rose bush and order it to plant in the corner by the house where Dh can't mow. It is between the hose where I get water and a window of our dining nook, so I want to pick one that is pretty and smells nice.

Dd saw her mil on Saturday and let her hold Bean with a cloth mask on, and then she heard about all the things her mil has been doing (no precautions or changes except to comply with store rules) and got nervous and said I can't come until Wednesday and only after she makes sure her mil does not have symptoms.

Other progress yesterday - ice cream ready to go in the machine today and picked beans and tomatoes. The beans went in the dehydrator and are almost ready to take out. I also made a big batch of rice pudding for breakfasts this week (rice, milk, raisins, cardamom) and realized that a spoonful of my homemade chocolate syrup makes a nice glass of chocolate milk, so I won't be buying any more powdered "chocolate milk mix" with chemicals on the ingredients list. I will never get my grocery list down to "flour, sugar, butter, salt...." but I want to get closer.

The little roosters are crowing. I need to sort them out and count. I have one chick I think is a hen who has dwarfism. She is very cute. I don't know what her life expectancy will be though, and she can't perch because of her short, thick toes.

You still have more coin???
Good luck toting it to the bank.

I try to not let my coins pile up too much because they are heavy.
I can use all but pennies at the water depot to buy the water.
Steven has a 5 gallon water bottle almost full of coins.
It is insanely heavy.

Will the post offices be open tomorrow?
Isn't it a holiday where places like that are closed?

((((HUGS)))) Miss Kitty 🐈

Scooter is sleeping at the foot of my bed.
Twinkles is on the window ledge.

The low laying smoke has cleared so the window is open. :D

The grass is watered and I have the hose on slow drip on a tree now for over night.

Wow what a mixed blessing, Tillie!

I went to BFs and stayed with him the last 2 hours at work.

I am trying to decide if I'll go down to main post office tomorrow to mail the dollhouse furniture and to mail in my shredding to the office, Our humidity is returning on Tuesday so I might want to do that tomorrow. And then sometime durung the week, before Friday, I need to cash in more coins. I don't want to miss the deadline to buy the stock.

Okay goodnight dear friends. My kitty is sound asleep on the couch and honestly I couldn't love her any more.

Hi :)

Hello Tatoulia
Happy you are taking the day off and feel good about it too. :)
We all need the down time.

WTG! dropping off groceries and doing the nighties!

Enjoy the rain if you get it.

Wonderful thing...
the smoke is so thick the sun can't penetrate it and make it hot today.
YEA!?

4pm and the high is only 90F
The cooler is making me cold at 73F inside.

Watching old black & white episodes of Alfred Hitchcock.

Will still need to go outside to place the sprinkler on the grass, turn on the water, wait inside then go out and move the sprinkler every now & then.
Won't have to stand outside for very long.

I do worry about you, Tillie! You are so thoughtful with your animal friends!

I went up to mom's and dropped off her groceries and picked up her laundry. Her nighties are washing on the delicate cycle now and I'll be able to hang to dry soon.

It's definitely darker here now. Not sure if it's going to rain. Have nothing to show for myself and I'm good with it.

Good Morning Everybody
Just after 10am here.

Hi Tatoulia
I guess BF has to go by getting word of mouth out that he's looking to hire someone.

Very glad you slept so soundly.
Have a great afternoon! :D


Don't want to look at the news to see what is burning and causing the air here to be so thick with smoke.
The fire news is just too depressing.

In Summertime I keep a bowl of fresh water on the back porch at all times and I keep the two bird baths in the garden full of fresh water too.
I try to do the same in Winter but the water just freezes.

Good afternoon. I woke up at 12:37 when my mother called me. I didn't wake up when BF called me half an hour earlier. I slept with the windows open, the city is quiet and I had a productive day yesterday.

Just brewed and poured my first cup of coffee.

Tillie I am worried about the extreme heat and all of your animal friends.

I may work with BF at the end of the evening. He needs to hire someone but he's picky. He also can't put a sign out because he's not like a big chain. If he doesn't hire someone then it's personal.

Okay going to ease into my afternoon.

Hi Tatoulia
Sounds like the dollhouse things are packed up very well.

WAY TO GO! for laundry and grocery shopping for Mom!

I like smaller post offices.
Less hustle and bustle going on in them.

A good relationship has those times when one gives more than the other.
But then it evens out again. :)


Got the garden all watered and took a shower and it was only 9pm when I finally sat down in my bed.
I dozed for only a few minutes off & on this afternoon.
Had some icecream before I watered.
Soon as it cools off a little bit more I will sleep.
I still have the cooler on in here.

Hope you got you nap in, Tillie! The PO I went to is a very small branch. They told me they sold the last two sheets before I came in.

Bf and I ran a few errands tonight. My mother needed groceries. I'll take them to her tmr. . I realized earlier today that I'm finally putting in 50% of the effort in our relationship. It feels good.

I have the box of dollhouse stuff all ready. I took the box I packed last night and put it in a bigger box and I put some of the fragile things in smaller boxes before putting in the larger box.

I did three loads of laundry tonight.

Hello Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Strange the post office would be out of postcard stamps.
Seems like a lesser bought size.

Nice BF will get a fresh paint job on his place.

YEA! for your beautiful day! :D


106F and the latest weather report says tomorrow will be just as bad.
The wildfire smoke is back.
Been getting thicker all day long.🐼

Very sleepy. Tried to nap but Steven kept making too much noise.
Couldn't get very comfortable since Twinkles is hogging half the couch and I can't stretch out.

Will have to water the garden late tonight before I can go to bed and sleep.

Quick check in. Post office was out of postcard stamps today! I couldn't believe it! I got one package mailed and picked up regular stamps til I can get the postcard ones.

I did a shift at BF's business today so that he could get paint. His painter will paint his office (exterior of the building) this weekend.

Okay I need to go grab some milk and other things. Beautiful day here today. Worried about Tillie and that part of the country. Not sure why Colorado is expecting snow on Wednesday.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass

Hi Tatoulia
Happy you have worked through the strong emotions.
You have beautiful memories to cherish. (((HUG)))

Hi Subclinical
Glad you have found some videos that you are enjoying. :D
I love homes with an eclectic look.
Items carefully collected over the years, chosen because they spoke to the owner's heart.

I have a total mishmash here too and they all go wonderfully together.

I have the drapes closed & the cooler running.
Cool and very dark in here.
Woke up too early because of the shotgun blasts going off.
Just 12:30pm here now and I will follow the cat's advice and take a nap now.


I once had a dream where I had an infant to take care of.
It was not mine but I didn't know where it came from, it was just there.
Anyways I ended up misplacing it and was searching everywhere for it.
Never did find it before I woke up. ;P

I like the idea of ice cream in my pajamas too.

Lately I've been watching some videos by "girl in calico" on YouTube. The are peaceful and help me take a moment to unwind and focus on how I want my home to be centered.

My house is not like that though, it is a blend of that, "summer beach cottage", "early American attic" "Daycare at the library" and "Danish modern" (Dh influence)

Rest and stay cool Tillie!

Hello everyone. I'm great with my choices today. I was just thinking about my childhood and how wonderful my mother made it for us. My father too but the dollhouse was my mom. So I'm back to myself today.

Anxiety dreams, SubC. I still have dreams where it is finals time and I realize I never went to class or I can't remember where my exam room is. Just this past week I dreamt I had a final and I didn't know what time or where. Naturally this is a very scary time for you. I am worried about all of this.

Tillie ice cream in a nightgown is an ideal set up!

I am going to run to the post office before it closes. I'm not sending the dollhouse stuff because I need more boxes and I ran out of tape.

Will write more later. Beautiful dry and cool right now. Wish I could send you a jar of it, Tillie.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Yes, this pandemic really sucks for people who need people.
Heartbreaking that your Mom is so cut off from her loved ones.

We all can read the lists of people who have been sickened or have sick family or friends.
But there is no list listing all the emotional trauma caused by the isolation that's causing so many to be depressed.
Phone calls, facetime, emails are better than nothing but just not the same at all. (((HUG)))

I like the yurt.
That would be a great classroom. :D

Good luck with the laundry.
I still have to have liquid laundry detergent.
The detergent sheets are for laundry but I use a little dab of the liquid in a bucket of hot water for cleaning around the house.
And of course for doing a little hand washed laundry.
But using the sheets has greatly reduced having to buy more liquid in a plastic jug.


How you doing today Tatoulia?
You seem to want to gift the miniatures but are just emotional about it.
That's OK.
Having emotions is not always a bad thing.
We need to experience them and accept them as part of being human.
((((HUG))))


Today is supposed to be the extremely hot day.
Yesterday I waited until well after sundown to go out and water.
It was warm but not too badly.
By the time I finished watering the grass and Lilacs it was after 11:00pm.
Came in and after I was all cleaned up & in my nightgown I had some icecream as a reward.

Tatoulia, I crossed and didn't see your list last night (I post slowly)

I hope that you find some clarity and peace on the dollhouse furniture.

All those dollar coins - wow! Not only were they heavy, they took up a lot of space!

Good luck with the painter!

The hardest thing (personally - I have been lucky) about the pandemic is that it is keeping my mom away from Bean. and from me. She would be so happy if she could come here and hold him. She is very lonely. She loves my dad, but she is all that he needs in the world, and she needs other people. I think Dad is actually very happy with quarantine and wouldn't mind if it went on forever. He misses a few things, but loves not having to share my mom.

Mom walks three miles every day, and she calls one of her kids or grandkids on the phone for the whole walk. She also FaceTimes my niece - who is an incredibly social and lonely in spite of two sisters 11 y.o. Every day.

My aunt is still cleaning out her house and took two broken German dolls that belonged to my grandmother to my mom. Mom says she fixed them, but not as well as I would have and she wishes I were there.

Last night I dreamed that I was back teaching at the same program but in a much bigger building and we also had yurts and circus tents. It was raining and there were puddles everywhere and my kids got soaked on the way to our yurt. Then we decided to stop wearing masks because it was the second day and nothing bad had happened the day before. And my class ran waaaaay over and my boss got mad because people were waiting for my students, and my next class was waiting for me, and she had to come out to the yurt in the rain.

Today I will bake bread and hopefully make school progress and do some laundry. I almost ran out of laundry strips (I have three left) and the new ones won't be here until Friday, so I am doing laundry on an emergency basis. I do have some liquid detergent that I use to hand wash delicate things that I can use in a pinch.