Christina and I wanted to go paddling this morning, but the weather was a little too iffy, so we decided to postpone. Instead we went to lunch at Wicked Barley, which was the best burger I’ve had in a very long time. Then we met up with Colleen and fam for dinner at European Street. I have eaten enough for three Mother’s Days. And I am ready for bed!
Tag: window
-
May 7
My run this morning was disappointing, thanks to tech failure. It was my first speed run since the winter and the intervals got messed up on my app and none of them were the right length. OH WELL. It was still a run, so not a total loss, and now I’ll just have to do it again next week. A new lawn company came to mow our lawn today but did not do the backyard because they said the gate was blocked. There is literally just a small bucket half filled with gravel that’s there to keep Pinot from digging under the gate. It’s maybe five pounds. How do you just not move it? They did not get paid. Today at work I finally learned what makes preapproved credit offers different from prescreened credit offers and why we apply two totally separate sets of laws to them. I’ve literally worked at this company for 20 years and never knew the difference. I feel enlightened. Took Christina to dance and it was SO HOT in the parking lot. I think it was 94 out and the sun was beating on me, plus wildfire smoke in the air. It was an unpleasant hour, but I refuse to sit in a running car for an hour just for air conditioning. Robin and I worked on her Ferrari Lego set after dinner. It’s starting to look like a car… we have a front end now. I am completely exhausted. I was up late last night and then up early this morning. I got maybe six hours of sleep, which I realize is probably not far from average, but I can’t handle it. It’s early, but I think I’m going to bed.
-
March 24
Work is trying to kill me again. I am not really sure why I can’t keep up, but I finished the day drained and couldn’t really articulate why. I am grateful for the time I get to myself in the car while Christina’s at dance, though. It’s nice to have the peace and quiet. Although I did get stuck behind someone driving 24mph almost the entire way home and that just made me angry. Whyyyyy?
-
March 4
We bought Sea World and Busch Gardens annual passes today. The most expensive option available was still significantly cheaper than Universal passes. We bought four of the highest tier Sea World passes for less than it would cost for three of the lowest tier Universal passes. Plus we get to bring guests for free! I’m looking forward to going during spring break.
-
February 3
There has been a bluebird trying to fly into my office window for nearly a week now. She spent more than 20 minutes repeatedly flying into it this morning, chirping at it, and flying into it some more. I finally had to ask Google wtf she was doing and it told me that she was attacking her reflection in the window, defending a nesting site nearby. Which makes sense since we have two nesting boxes hanging on either side of my office window. Google went on to tell me that bluebirds are notorious for this behavior and will continue for hours a day and for weeks on end if left without intervention. It told me to do something to break up the reflection, so I soaped the outside of the window to leave a film over it and she immediately relaxed. I’m so relieved, because her anxiety was causing me anxiety. And, who knows, maybe in a couple months we’ll see some baby bluebirds out there.
-
January 22
I got as much done at work as I could before hitting the road for Christina’s dance competition. I’m at least mostly ready for the first day of training. There is still so much to do after that. Trying to disengage for the weekend and accept that whatever happens, it’ll still better than the last few classes. Traffic was amazing tonight and we made it in almost an hour less time than usual. I know the ride back will be different, but I love it on these rare occasions when I can make the whole trip without having to crawl. Our room is pretty nice. We all, individually, announced the presence of a truck in the parking lot with the competition logo on it. Clearly our observation skills are good. Listening? Not as much.
-
January 12
I ate a quarter pounder with cheese and fries in my car today as if I hadn’t eaten anything in days. You know the sound cartoons make when they’re scarfing food? That was me, and I was unashamed as I did it. It was salty af and the little bits of onions kept falling off of it, but it was exactly what I wanted in that moment. Even though I wolfed it down in less than 2 1/2 minutes, I savored every bite. I don’t know what it is about McDonald’s, but for me it is the ultimate comfort food. It definitely was one of the higher points in my day.
-
November 22
The day just seemed to fly by. Went out for a run, then to the gym, then to Panera for coffee, took a shower, and all of a sudden it was 1pm. Made a bunch of octopuses and took Christina to dance. We had hot dogs for dinner and watched Penn State pull out a great win. Maybe not the most exciting Saturday, but the day did feel full.
-
September 8
Today involved a lot of work stupidity and a few moments of insightfulness. It rained, which felt nice. Other than that, nothing much of note.
-
August 21
Christina had a rough walk home from school. She somehow missed the walkers group and got left behind. Picked her up on the side of the road just before a storm and she was in tears. Poor thing. The other kid had photography club and seemed to like it. Need to get her into something… she is sliding into isolation and bad habits again. Billy and I are trying to be more present – and persistent – with her. Pretty sure she hates it. I guess that means we’re doing the right thing.
-
July 18
It was a pretty quiet day, which was welcome. Christina’s and my new paddleboards arrived today and I officially put in for a day off next week to go out with her. I finished my latest knitting project, which means I officially have nothing in the works at all. I’m even almost done with my crosswords, too, just half a puzzle left. What am I going to do with myself for the rest of my life??
-
May 19
Christina is getting ready for fifth grade graduation, so tonight we looked at my fifth grade yearbook. Is it sad that I looked through it and only felt rage for all the many people who were so shitty to me back then? I’m so glad my kids have not had the experience I did at their age. And I’m thinking about burning my yearbooks.
-
May 13
Finally got my car fixed today after smacking my side mirror into a mailbox a couple months ago (of course the mailbox was fine). Enjoyed another quiet night where I got to cook dinner (grilled curried shrimp and rice) and spent some time helping Robin study for her Civics final tomorrow. I also finished the last crossword puzzle in my book, which is so utterly sad. Added some new books to my Amazon wishlist that I’m confident no one looks at besides me. Someday I’ll treat myself.
-
April 15
The plumber finally came today and all the work is finally done. I am so relieved to have two working toilets and a water heater from this century. For some reason, though, I am utterly exhausted, even though I didn’t really do much today. So goodnight to me!
-
March 11
I started teaching another NAMI Peer to Peer class tonight. I teach this one less often than Family to Family – this is actually only my second time doing it. For some reason, only two people showed up. But it was two people who were engaged in the class, so it was good. It feels a little weird teaching the class as a peer because I haven’t felt depressed in months. Happiness is so unfamiliar to me, and sometimes I even find myself wondering if I was ever really depressed or if it was just a lie I told myself for 40+ years. It makes me think I might not be the best person to teach this course. But I’m going to give it a go!
Year in Photos 