Welcome to the last week in August… cue the music of Queen: “Another one gone and another one gone.” (no, I don’t condone the lyrical content of the song, but one must admit the music is catchy).
Parents are somewhere between status quo and roller coaster. One is on a bland diet to deal with potential ulcers, we’ll find out tomorrow. The other is on a diet of “I don’t feel well,” “I just ate” (not), and “If you’re not eating, I’m not eating.” I have some Hot Pockets & hummus in reserve, because I like to eat. I also have some juice & candy, because my new sugar medicine (replacing daily shots) is working a bit too well. I’ve dropped the Metformin in half and added fruit juice to my overnight drinking choices. I’ll see the doctor again mid-September.
Adventures have included Dawe’s Arboretum, random drives, store trips, walks through the woods out back, attempts at fabric sorting, discussions about cross-stitch & embroidery, and the most recent quilt. We also have the ever-present weeds and tomatoes, so we’re not actually bored. It’s getting about time to be serious about an inventory and the requisite swap of seasonal wear (and a trip to a donation site). Hopefully, I’ll finish the sewing of replacement swing seats before Christmas. I look forward to faster quilt projects during my Wednesday sewing group, sales ahead. (What are your thoughts on sponsoring donation quilts??)
We have discussed the idea of a dog. One of us prefers an already housebroken nearing-adulthood lap lover, the other prefers a fresh-slate puppy (who will need to learn where to potty and what to chew on). Research into a GPS Fence says it’ll be about $600, but the boundaries can be reset without digging up the yard. I like this plan. Research into breeds suggests schnauzer to be preferred, which entails regular grooming. There is a groomer conveniently next to the quilt shop. I have another friend who groomed their own poodles, maybe I should check in with her.
Birthday season is about to begin, there’s some wrapping to do, and a “Dear Santa” article to write for the other blog. Speaking of other blog(s), I’m still working on getting the non-profit set up, complete with donation path. (I have received $70 in gifts this month.) Writing and programming requires a quiet place away, uninterrupted by the schedules & needs of others. Cheers to the ladies who manage daily entries in their mommy-blogs, I’m clearly not one of them. Nanowrimo is also approaching, a bit too quickly, and I may try once again to succeed at that. At least I’ll encourage some of my friends, who now include published authors. Cheers to them and the hours of dedication they’ve invested. I think I’m 3 books behind in my reading of their work. Yes, those titles will be on my Dear Santa list.
I’ve been invited to join a couple of senior centers and a quilt guild. One group will have classes in conversational ASL taught by a former interpreter. I’m specifically encouraged to participate…and there’s a bit of dilemma involved. It holds an opportunity to interact with people whose family members are deaf, and it holds an opportunity to appear …mmm…oppressive & patronistic. Those who know my heart know better, they also know my God and that my objective is to get His story out to those who don’t know Him. Another thing for your prayer list.
I’m looking (again) into income and lodging. It’s a catch-22 that all folks have, and carries a nagging regret over choices made in 2008. Did I mention that “my” house recently sold for more than twice what I sold it for (15 years into the mortgage), and it’s about 20 minutes from my folks? But, that ship’s sailed, and there’s a 55+ apartment and a $25k mobile home roughly an hour away that I’m somewhat researching. The income side of that includes updating my information on Indeed and LinkedIn, and applying for anything that does not say “direct service professional.” (I’m already doing that.) Retail and night shifts are a high probability so that my days remain flexible as needed. I have resumed contract work with the ministry, though it’ll be light and ad-hoc. The list of slogans and children’s book concepts keeps growing, which takes us back to the quiet of the library, where I currently sit trying to remember where August went. I need to add “contact publishing friend” to my to-do list…