Sum, sum, summertime...

It's hard to believe that the summer solstice has come and gone!  And here, it was only in the low 70s.  We've had some weird weather.  For the first time that I can remember, most corn will not be knee high by the 4th of July.  Not a good portend.  It has been cooler than normal, and wetter than normal. 

Old Business:

• I don't know why I am struggling so much with Hands Heal, P4S, and Trail Guide.  Maybe it is just being out of the habit.
• Cabinet project is definitely on hold. Have shifted focus to gardening and house maintenance.
• Finished the Handmaid's Tale re-read.  Granted, it has been 30+ years since the last time I read it, but there were definitely parts I had wrong in my head!  LOL
• Am half-way through The Testaments.  I feel like I'm starting to get my reading jam back!
• Magazines are doing well.
• Mending pile still there, have added a couple of things.
• Garven is still really amazing.  I have learned you cannot go through the carwash with the sunroof popped up. OOOOOOPPPPPSIE!!!!
• Memorabilia still staying under control, and have finished 1 layout.  Need to get cranking on the next.
• PCP visit is finally set up, with yet another replacement.  Sigh.  Colonoscopy is Monday.  Knee ended up having a patellar hematoma and bursitis.  Still wearing a compression brace, but it is back to a more normal appearance.
• Sticks continue to be a problem as we have had a lot of storms and wind.  Wabash got hit with another tornado.
• Lawnmower ended up having a loose (and eventually thrown) pully.  That took a month to get the parts in, and then the ones that I actually used I probably could have gotten at the local hardware store - kinda grumpy about that.  And had to spend $13 to ship the unused parts back.
• Guitar practice has gotten shaky here lately.  Not sure why.  Sometimes mentally I just don't have the energy for it.
• Have been really good on weeding.  I am able each time to go over what has already been done and that goes pretty quickly and it now takes a large part of the gardens to fill up the (five gallon) bucket, when it used to happen multiple times each session. And each time I have been able to extend the already done part further. So that feels good.
• Have done some repairs on garden art, which feels good, and of course more to do. I guess most of life is just baby stepps. 022 was supposed to be able to come up last week and help me with getting some bigger things transplanted and done, but it ended up not working out.  I kept the week off, and was able to finally (after 9 years!) get the front door frame painted. Also picked up a low top dresser for work, had my follow-up with the cardiologist. Nothing wrong with my heart, so it is out of his wheelhouse why I'm having symptoms.  Back to the drawing board.  I have found that wearing abdominal compression has really reduced the symptoms, which he found curious too.  It makes me SO HOT though when I am working!
• Have weeded twice at work now. About 3 buckets worth over the two times.  I need to do some bush trimming still - I had tried the last time, and my battery died halfway into the first bush! Was able to get some very pretty canna and dahlias for my containers.

New Business:

• Oh my goodness, everything is different at work!!  J came over and is renting my old green room, K came back, so she's in the red room again, so I moved to the blue room!  Holy cow!  It feels so incredibly good.  I am just absolutely amazed how much it has improved my mood and attitude! So, we have a contractor coming in to widen a doorway to the break room, and then get water and drainage over there, so that we can get a full-sized washer and dryer there!  So excited!  Our little midget set has been such a trooper, and I will be forever grateful to it, but it is unrealistic to expect it to keep up with 3 full-time therapists.  Not to mention you have to go through my blue room to get to it.  So, that will eventually turn into a working space for me, with a small desk.  With others there now, I don't feel right in leaving my stuff laying around everywhere when I am building packets and whatnot. So excited!!!
• Colonoscopy Monday, so that will be fun!
• 022 comes to visit (for sure this time) most of that week, so we'll get some things transplanted.
• AC for church is next week, not sure if I'll be able to go to opening worship on Sunday evening or not, with doing the prep.  Tuesday I'll go to FTW to do the service project in the morning.  If 022 is here, she'll go with me.
• I think my PCP visit is that week, and I have a massage too!  And I'll still work at the church on Friday.  I think 022 is going down to visit her dad, and her sister will be there too.  I'm excited they'll have a chance to see each other.  I also took Monday off for the holiday.

April Showers...

 We just got done celebrating Easter as well as my 057! Yikes.  Like when did that exactly happen? Starting to feel way less good about birthdays. Now it is just starting to feel like a countdown :(

State Massage Champ weekend didn't quite go the way I had hoped.  CEs were on Friday and the competition on Saturday, so we missed it.  Which probably ended up being better anyway, as I decided to make empanadas for 025.  Had no idea how time intensive they are, and we lost power on Friday to boot, so Baby Bro and I spent most of Friday cooking.  He got to wash 4 loads of dishes, so he was super excited at least. :)

Easter was fun, went down to Big Bro and SIL house. BB also got to go, and late Friday after picking him up we made mac and cheese for 022, since she is vegetarian and the main course was ham.  She never gets grumpy about it, and like me, she sometimes cheats. Dad, my nephew, and one of my aunts and uncles also got to come, and it was so good to see them!

Easter Sunday we got up bright and early for breakfast at Nettle Creek, where my Big Bro was giving the sermon.  Always good to hear him speak, and learn. Breakfast was delish and SIL made a vegetarian breakfast casserole for 022. <3

I took the day "off" today so that I could use it as a catchup day from being gone all weekend.  I'm starting to do that more and more as I realize the importance of it on my mental health.

Old Business:

• You guessed it, still struggling on all the business books: Hands Heal, P4S, and Trail Guide.
• Cabinet project still in the works, had to pause for last weekend going down to Big Bro house to change fluids in Garven, and this weekend due to Easter.  Perhaps next weekend.
• FINISHED Perfect Union!  Go me!  Started a re-read of the Handmaid's Tale.
• I PASSED the NCBTMB exam!!!! Go me!
• Magazines are doing pretty good.
• Mending pile still sleep pants, a pair of socks, and re-patching the work pants.  Part of it started coming off.  I may use glue.
• Still loving Garven. Especially his extra cargo room.  And the sunroof. We were able to do the oil changed, but not the tranny or differentials. Fill plugs too rusted in place.  Will probably have to have Snyder's do when I can afford.
• Staying on top of memorabilia, and even started the process of scrapping again. Have picked the pictures and the sketch.
• Need to call the PCP about next steps, and now for my knee.  It started swelling a couple of weeks ago.  I'm sure related to the fall.
• Sticks are picked up.
• Lawnmower started and oil changed.  Should do plug and fuel filter soon as well.  Also power washed it.  Boy did it need that, and needs it again!
• Job postings done.
• Decided not to run for president.
• Have been very consistent with guitar practice.  I now have 117 weeks under my belt.

New Business:

• Start/continue weeding!  I did do some on the weekend I picked up sticks. I got pretty tired and winded by the end.  It was over 3 hours.  I am pleased though, that there seems to be less coming up in the areas that have the woodchips down. So I need to finish the small section on the northwest backyard, and then it it out to the alley. I have one load left, from ChipDrop, and have signed up for another.  Plus I have so much of my own that need to be ground up.  I would really like to get alley done, and start the walkway project and the round patio project.  I also have several garden art pieces that need attention.
• I need to do some transplanting, and take some to work.
• Speaking of work, need to do some weeding there too, and would love to get another drop off of mulch there.

Party like it's 1999...

 Baby Bro's birthday is Thursday, so I'll be picking him up to spend the weekend. Friday, I am hoping we can attend the Indiana State Massage Championships that are being held right here in little ole Wabash!  Totally stoked by that.  I've never been, so I'm really looking forward to the experience.  Afterwards, we can come home and make his birthday cake.  Saturday is when the fam will be getting together.  024/025(almost!) is going to share birthday parties with BB, so I will need to find something non-cheese based due to milk allergies.  Pizza is kinda the go-to.

Old Business:

• Not sure why I'm struggling to get back to reading Hands Heal, P4S, and Trail Guide.
• Have been able to be out in the garage a couple of weekends now, and have started the Hoosier cabinet project I concocted for myself.  That has been fun!
• I am almost done with Perfect Union.  I joined Goodreads for 024 and Storybook for 022, and so it has been fun to update progress.
• I take the NCB test next Monday, YIKES!  I have not been studying at all.  We'll see..
• Magazines are still at a good pace too.
• Mending pile - still 1 pair of sleep pants, and also I now have a pair of pants that need a patch in the knee thanks to a tumble I took in downtown Indy.  That was embarrassing!
• Still loving and enjoying Garven.  Had the sunroof open yesterday, OMG!! At the end of the month I go down to Big Bro and Sis house to change oil and do some other maintenance on him.
• Memorabilia has all been put away, and have stayed pretty up on just doing it when it is in my hand.
• Slowing down at work is in process. I have mixed feelings about it.  I really need to find 2-3 new therapists to help out. Have done some cleaning, then hit a couple of bad weeks, but hoping to get back on track today. Wrists are doing better, but I still brace them for each session. Fingers are starting to heal finally.
• I did reach back out to the candidate, and she never called/texted back, so I guess that is a no-go.
• Cardiologist - wore a Holter for 7 days, did not show anything conclusive.  Did a Tilt Table Test, and again, nothing conclusive.  So it's probably back to the drawing board.  I need to call the nurse today and find out.
• Have set some scrapping goals - 2 pages a month. Didn't do so hot in February. However, I have picked out pictures, and now I need to do sketch and papers.

New Business:

• Continue scrapping
• Continue working on hutch
• Pick up sticks in the yard (and by sticks, I mean branches and limbs that fell down in all the wind this winter!)
• Post therapist jobs on FB and at IWC job board.
• Fill out application to run for AMTA chapter president (I can't believe I just wrote that, but, what the heck! LOL) 

Six more weeks...

 ... that darned groundhog!  LOL or, maybe just science. We had a good snowstorm a couple weekends ago. The state was actually put into a state of emergency to keep people off the roads. Why does it take that? Why are we (humans/americans?) so stupid/stubborn/?? about bad weather? Is there really anything that is worth risking  your life (or someone else's) over? I mean, yes, I get first responders and snow plow drivers needing to be out, and they have the equipment and gear to keep them safe(ish). But if you are just trying to get to the office, grocery store, etc. it can probably wait until the roads are better.  And for most places, that is a day or two.  I will go back to my previous comment, why can't we just be like bears and hang out in our dens? Study after study have shown that more work hours DO NOT equate to better productivity, and in fact, yields the opposite - worse productivity and more errors. But hey, I forgot, we don't believe scientists anymore. Sigh.

Old Business:

• Not even sure Hands Heal is on life support anymore.  However, it does give me the side-eye from the breakfast bar every day.
• Still way too cold to be out in the garage.  Rethinking the thought of January being a good time to do construction projects
• Reading Perfect Union has become more regular
• NCBTMB - I filled out the application and paid the fee yesterday!  Whoop!
• P4S also probably has had the plug pulled.  It's buried so far down a stack it can't even give me the side eye anymore.
• Trail Guide - ditto
• Magazines, good
• Mending pile - 1 pair of sleep pants need elastic ankles for baby bro
• Guitar - good, song is getting better
• Still loving the car, although the touch screen/controls seem to go a little loopy in the very cold - ie it starts doing things on it's own (stopping whatever is playing, changing screens, etc.)
• Still need to put the memorabilia away
• Slowing down work schedule has been a process.  Starting to get where it has become reality. And have been trying to use the extra time to get back to regular cleaning at the office, and getting paperwork done in a more timely fashion Wrists still are sore.  Fingers have splits all over them

New Business:

• Reach back out to therapist.  For some reason, we didn't make connection when we were supposed to
• Cardiologist is set for 2/18.  I'm a little nervous about that
• Liking my new planner and the start of month/end of month activities. Am starting to see how I need to change the layout for 2027
• Schedule Baby Bro's birthday celebration

Old man winter...

 Not sure why the harsh, cold winter is an old man, however, it is definitely harsh today. Wind chills in the negative, 20 mile sustained winds, with gusts over 40.  This is typical weather for here.  Don't like it. Except it does "prune" out my trees for me. So many branches and sticks already to pick up. But, that will be for another day.  It was near 70 on Christmas. Crazy weather! It does make me wish more than ever that we could be like bears and just hang out in our dens all winter until the weather is a bit more civil. A nice fire, a cup of cocoa, and a good book. Or painting. Just nurturing ourselves. But alas, capitalism doesn't allow for that.

Old Business:

• Bad at Hands Heal
• Has not been warm enough (when I've had the time) to work in the garage
• Good work being done on Perfect Union
• NCBTMB - exam will be scheduled in February
• P4S - Still bad
• Magazines - good
• Have a small mending pile again
• Guitar is good, stuck on one song though
• Christmas was great!
• Did not get as much decluttering done as I had hoped. Over my break I had to replace Tupac, as he was starting to have way too many mechanical/electrical/structural issues to keep up with.  His Blue Book was only $600 at best anyway. So.... now I have a "new" 2016 Outback. Love it! Hate the car payment.  I've not had one of those for over 10 years. Sigh
• Baby bro got to help me with the bank and pickup part, my older bro helped me with the selection and test drive.
• Have outlined some Yearly goals, and translated that into some monthly steps
• Studio is much better, crafting table cleaned off, have a small amount of memorabilia that needs filed.
• Door project was scheduled for this month, but it has been too cold to work in the garage
• Same for desk project and hutch project
• Work carpets cleaned.  That was gross!

New Business:

• Due to injuries and health, I'm cutting back again on my number of appointments each day. I will have to figure out the financial part
• Have a second interview with a potential therapist tomorrow.  We've talked already on the phone.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.
• If I can hold to #1, then cleaning schedule, and mounting paperwork issues should get better

2026 already?!?!

 Happy New Year!  I can't believe it's happened already.  I did kinda stay up last night, falling asleep in my chair and wandered back to bed at almost 2. The cat was trying to figure out what took me so long.  We had a good morning of snuggles today.  It was a good day at church yesterday, I got several old things done and organized, and started a big project that I should be able to finish tomorrow.  Pastor didn't come in yesterday, so I'll have to go in at least to do the bulletin.  I should still be able to have a fairly lazy day.

Old Business:

• I think Hands Heal is frozen LOL
• Still been too cold to work out in the garage.  Except when we were having our family Christmas.  It was so good!
• Perfect Union - plugging along. 022 & 024 got me started on GoodReads so maybe that will help.
• NCBTMB - It is put on my February goals page
• P4S, also frozen
• Garage is kinda bad again since it got cold.  I did an onsite day for work, so I still need to put the table back away.  And I got a new car, so I still need to get everything moved over to the new one.
• Magazines - really good!  Even gave a few old ones to the SIL over Christmas!
• Mending pile has 1 more pair of 051's sleep pants to put elastic around the ankles. Nothing stays up and then he trips over them.
• Guitar is still consistent, need to do that today.
• Got another bag going for Goodwill, 022 went through some of their things in the closet and either took home with her, or added to the donate bag.
• AMTA and VA stuff still way too much - GR budget,notes, and VA renewals are the big ones
• Did not get laundry room decluttered. Last week ended up being more about getting the new car and trying to rest a little bit.  Have been having quite a bit of symptoms/flareups lately.
• Studio got cleaned up, but does need decluttered a bit
• Have started 2026 goals - have January and most of Q1 done - this includes the cleaning schedule, and I need to block out times to do it.
• Still setting up 2026 book
• Work carpet still needs cleaned.
• Still need to build that desk.

New Business:

• Finish up some of the old business!

Snow Days

 It is definitely winter here.  We've had 2 really good snows and I did have to close the office one day.  I'm just not a big fan of my 80 year olds shoveling driveways and then driving on horrible roads.  While I do appreciate the snow plow drivers, it just does not seem like there are enough of them.  The city roads hardly ever see one, and the county roads drift back closed so quickly.

Old Business:

• Still no progress on Hands Heal
• Outside chores are on hold until spring. Although, I am hoping there will be some days warm enough to work out in the garage, and maybe get going on the door project again.
• Perfect Union - half-way through!
• NCBTMB - I need to get it scheduled
• P4S - Still bad
• Garage is pretty decent except for all the half-done projects I need to finish up
• Magazines - good!
• Shades - done!  As is mending pile!
• Guitar is still consistent
• Chairs and carpet cleaned
• Tgiving was a blast!  We had about 13 people.
• Decluttering went pretty well, have more to do for christmas.  But I did take 2 bags to goodwill, and 2 to growing grounds.
• Baby Bro and I had a ton of fun!  All his people were there, well almost, and he got lots of dog shows, popcorn, and movies.
• AMTA stuff is piling up, as is VA stuff

New Business:

• Taking the week of Christmas off to gear up for that on Saturday. Need to declutter laundry room
• Need to still get studio cleaned up from TGiving.  It is where 022 sleeps.
• Get back on door projects
• Start outlining goals for 2026
• Get book set up for 2026 with days off, holidays, and afternoons when I have to stop early.
• Get work onto a better cleaning schedule - YIKES!
• Clean the carpets at work
• Build a new desk/crafting area for the studio.  So tired of jamming my knees on this thing!

That is probably way bigger than what I can do!  LOL