Small Joys — a little task can help a lot

Day 125

Random number 359

Declutter bulletin board

Not sure this truly brought joy, but I’m content. And the kitchen looks better. Threw out a lot of things. Rebound a map of architecture details in downtown West Palm Beach — will have to make an architecture walk be a Small Joy!

Worked a lot today, so I’m glad I got a small but impactful thing done. A wee bit of joy.

Other wee bits of joy:

*Learning the history of people in US wanting to take over Greenland

*re-finding and wearing my purple & green leather bracelet from Florence

*my curly hair

*getting my thoughts out about the end of the American Century. Getting good response for it, including my old history teach Ms LaFontaine

*more fudge. Also: roasted chicken. Not at same time.

LOOKED UP: Joseph Cornell play

So! We saw the movie The Nice Guys. And there’s an old lady in it. She seemed familiar so I looked her up. Her name is Lois Smith. She made her film debut in East of Eden in -955. Boy has she seen some movie history. And theater history. And it turns out, art history.

The surrealist artist Joseph Cornell made her a box. She still had it. And in learning about that, I learned someone made a play about Joseph Cornell. But it doesn’t sound like it was successful.

But this one person on loved in the play writes beautifully about Joseph Cornell. I love the writer’s passion.

And when I was in Chicago, why didn’t I see more of his boxes.

Musings on end of American Century

I enjoyed growing up and being an adult in the boom era of the United States. Sure, I vaguely was aware and felt guilt about how much our one society sucked up resources of the world. But clearly I also benefited and have taken for granted the abundant food, large air conditioned houses, easy travel, overnight delivery, a dominant entertainment culture, and much more.

We are special. But some people forgot we are not any more special than any other country. And we will soon be finding out how much the rest of the world has propped us up, as other countries start looking elsewhere for trading partners and keeping their resources for their own gain.

When China is teaming up with Japan and South Korea to help each other against the US… it means things are gonna shift a lot. These three countries are rivals and each a major trading partner with the US. But not any more.

I guess we are truly special now: We’ve united Europe more strongly. We’ve united Asia stronger than they’ve ever been. And all the nations we once paid a teeny tiny portion of our budget to help with disease and food aid… are gonna now look to China and Europe and Russia for help. So there goes the “Third World”. Whos left on our side? 🤷🏼‍♀️ We’re not the good guys.

The United States took a lot for granted in the 20th century. And in the grand scheme of things, we needed an adjustment to balance the world.

Our future will be far different than our past. Even if we end the dictatorship in DC (which I fervently hope we do), these countries won’t trust us again in the same way.

Welcome to the end of the American Century.

Plus Minus Next

PLUS

+Watching The Nice Guys with Sean and with The Historians at the Movies folks

+still enjoying birthday fudge

+Playing Ashokan Farewell with slightly more confidence each time

+Playing ThunderRoad Vendetta with Sean, Barbara and Jerry

+podcast about treating projects as experiments

+Finding out I never put $ in my flex save last year so I haven’t lost $ there.

+taking a day to completely chill

+moving Flamingocon out of our house

+Getting some boxes packed and stuff weeded out

+Talking with Ellie/Nora, looking and sharing old photos of her

+Peter going to therapy

MINUS

-Peter depressed

-the state of the world

-maybe losing money in Sean’s flex save

-not sleeping, meditating or walking enough

-feeling guilty about not going to Pride event

-too much time obsessing over rentals (but at least I’m not on social media as much)

-flat tire on the bike (but nice time at the park otherwise)

NEXT:

SLEEP

MEDITATE

WALK

MOISTURIZE

Plans for an echocardiogram (monitoring my health!), labyrinth (mental health!) with friends, bonsai trimming with a friend, and art museum

Make money

Small Joys — fiddle song and weeding out purses

Day 123

Random number:,73

Play “Ashokan Farewell” on violin

I have great memories of this song. I played a simple version of it well. And even memorized. I was getting a little tired of nursery rhymes and practice bit. So I tried scratching out “Ashokan Farewell.” I told Mr Harris, my teacher, and he said let’s work on this then. Because o did say my whole reason to coming back to fiddle is to play this song. We went through the notes. We counted out the rhythm. Only the first four bars. But now practicing at home, I’m playing well enough to hear the tune. Need to work on the G string notes. And my timing, as always. I’m so happy to hear it again.

Day 124

Random number: 388

Weed out purses

I think I did weed them out awhile ago because I couldn’t find much to get rid of. Parted with two because I do have too many.

I also weeded out clothes while putting away laundry. And I have a basket of clothes that I don’t want to part with but won’t be wearing any time soon and I’ll use these clothes to help fill boxes full of heavy stuff and pad stuff.

Musings: bad times, focus on the positive

It may be the worst of times. The US government is doing awful things. The morals of many current leaders are abysmal. The potentially catastrophic economic & international changes are scary. Greedy AF billionaires suck bigly. It is easy to be dismayed these days.

HOWEVER! Some things don’t suck.

The world is better because of

*the music of Levon Helms, Elvis Costello and Joan Armatrading

*tulips

*

Eleanor birthday party memories

24 years ago this weekend, I stepped on a bee with my bare feet at Ellie's first "party" (gathering of family and two other families with little ones).

23 years ago this weekend, I waddled (6 months prego with Peter) as I lead a line of preschoolers on a scavenger hunt.

21 years ago this weekend, Ellie cuddled a small gator and a descented skunk at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.

20 years ago we went to Disney with Laura and Karen to celebrate Ellie's birthday.

17 years ago this weekend, I watched 10 crazy girls drive go-karts and play laser tag.

14 years ago this weekend, we hung out in a playground with old elementary school friends and raised money for Peggy Adams animal shelter.

9 years ago, Ellie got light sabers for her birthday.

6 years ago this week, I paid for Nora to go to a ropes course adventure park near Tampa with 3 friends.

5 years ago this week, we did not take Nora out for a wine tasting for her 21st birthday because everything had closed down.

Small Joys — good job, young Cindy!

Day 122

Random number 168

write a letter to your past self telling her all the good stuff she did

I did. Won’t share it here. It’s a rambling, stream-of-consciousness love letter. I do a lot. I don’t do everything, and I certainly don’t do everything well. But I feel accomplished and successful.

And ready for the next stage of my life…

LOOKED UP: classical music

Inspired by recent symphony I saw/heard, I have many questions!

list of novels connected to symphonies

Musical terms in Italian

Five steps to orchestra audience etiquette

more on concert etiquette

Excellent beginners guide

American Symphony Orchestra from DC

Small Joys — watching the boob tube

Day 121

Rando # is 310

Watch 4 hours of pointless TV

ok, I made this one up for today. But I did find joy and brain numbing while watching 5 episodes of season 7 of Bones plus an episode of House with Peter. I packed 1 box, assembled 6 other boxes, cleaned old food out of the fridge, and cleaned out my purse. And ate foods. But mostly I zoned out.

delightful.

oh, and the boob tube reference is funny because actress Emily Deschanel was pregnant in season 7, and her boobs were huge.

Plus Minus Next

Plus

1. +my birthday! What a week to start this journaling…
2. +Dinner with Sean
3. +lunch with Stacy & Barbara
4. +well wishes for friends
5. +pretty azaleas from the grocery
6. +watching House and finish reading Vonnegut with Peter
7. +phone call with Eleanor
8. +chocolates
9. +start packing
10. +Cookie Monster bowl from Totally Salad
11. +Tax Retreat zoom call
12. +OT pay
13. +praise from Darline and Vicki

Minus:

1. -work is kicking my butt but no more than to be expected.
2. -I’ve let some things be neglected like flex savings reimbursement and violin practice
3. -packing is scary, and induces feelings of guilt for things collected and indecision anxiety

Next:

1. More packing
2. Catching up bills and reimbursements
3. Filing personal tax returns
4. Get rid of Flamingocon stuff in garage
5. Peter driving test
6. Labyrinth
7. shopping for iPhone with Peter
8. more meditation
9. more journaling
10. pride parade
11. more overtime

Small Joys — friends and sweets for me!

Day 119

Random number 415

Zoom call with Tax Retreat folks

So fun to hang out with my Tax Twitter pals. Crazy to love them so much, virtually and in just a year; it’s such a vibe. Mary and Cate are so awesome. I’m scared to work for them because what if that ruins the vibe?!

Day 120

Random number 322

Eat fudge

I asked for fudge and chocolates for my birthday. And got three chunks of yummy chocolate fudge. I shared with Sean, my mom and Mary. But looking forward to enjoying this slowly.

LOOKED UP: good scents

I want to up my scent game

How to smell good all day

smell good

how to pick signature scent

Small Joys — yummy on my lips!

Day 118

Rando numbs is: 334

Enjoy a new cocktail

It’s my birthday and I’ll have joy if I want to! I arrange for a hair appointment and excuse to leave work early. And I asked Sean for chocolates and dinner at Ruth’s Chris.

And that’s what I got. Fudge, milk chocolate caramels, and toffee. Perfect! And we had a fantastic dinner at Ruth’s Chris steakhouse

That’s where I got my cocktail:

Small Joys — little bits help

Day 116

Random number: 52

listen to a story

Peter finished reading Sirens of Titan to me — it took us 3 months because we’d stop for long stretches. What a strange story. Not positive I liked it… yet I want to read it again.

Day 117

Random number: 448

tidy barrettes

Latest #SmallJoys update:

I’d bought this box of tiny barrettes a few years ago. As I used them, I just threw them in my big basket of hair ties. Inevitably over time all the little barrettes fell to the bottom and it was a hassle to find them. This morning, I decided to fix that and dig them all out and put them back in their container. Such a little thing, but I’m happy to be able to find and use them again. And in the process, trash was thrown out and other things put away and other barrettes weeded out. So my hair tie basket also improves! This was so satisfying.

Today I am wearing two teal barrettes with little flamingoes on them.

I’ve been busy/overwhelmed with work, moving, Peter and general angst of the world. And Small Joys briefly lost priority. But I have happy to find that I have been recognizing when I am doing something that brings me pleasure. So lately many of my SJs have been done then added to the list. It’s what’s working at this time.

Pride

Articles I’d share with Peter of I thought he’d lidten

4 ways to end destructive pride.

this article explains depression and Peter so much

Moving thoughts

I want to move. And I don’t.

I want a complete change, except with my family and friends. And heaven help me, maybe this job (but from home 100%, that part I am sure of).

I want to leave the state, and even the country, but maybe not. ‘Cause it’s bad everywhere. But *definitely* leave this county.

I want a big house to rattle around in and never have to leave and all new furniture. But I want a small house so we’re forced to downsize and have more flexibility and save money. Or something in between?

Definitely a screen porch and a good kitchen and good bike paths.

Sad

What’s been happening in our country, the dismantling, the destruction, the indiscriminate pain… I’m privileged not to be directly affected by it (so far 🤷🏼‍♀️😢)

But damn, it’s getting to me today. I’m overwhelmed by the horrors my nation is inflicting. I keep thinking of the pain and fear, and I cry.

Specifically the Venezuelan men and the college student protestors and European tourists locked up.

Our nation has done lots of horrible things in our history, but we also have done good. And we’ve been improving, rapidly. Leaps and bounds within my lifetime.

But lord, the 5 steps forward, 38 steps back is awful.

It’s cliche, but my heart aches with the feeling of I hate.this.timeline.

I have always been pretty outgoing and active in my community. But now i just want to shut down, stay home, trust no one.

I’ll get my bearings. And will get re-involved. I’ve done a smidge of denial and a lot of depression. I can feel the anger step of grief coming.

Weekend summary

First weekend rental house shopping in Tampa suburbs:

I have two new best friends in Tampa (they don’t know).

We stayed in a (not old) hotel with a haunted TV and lamp.

We met a guy apparently running a scam. He blatantly lied to us about stupid stuff so we certainly aren’t doing business with him about serious stuff. Frank, where are the garage lights in the photo?? 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

This house has Potemkin windows. There is not a second floor. Or an attic. I’m angrier about this architectural design than I ought to be. Also, no, there are not vaulted ceilings either.

THE OUTSIDE DOESNT MATCH THE INSIDE.

We found a mysterious “station” like from the TV show Lost. I’d’ve taken a photo but it was a nondescript building, … surrounded by a large stone wall… in the middle of a nice subdivision. (Probably a water pump or something to keep the neighborhood turning back into a swamp, says my son-in-law)

I want the house that has an obelisk in the cul de sac.

A busy weekend with my honey, with lots of figuring out our future, then ending with BBQ is always a good weekend.

We visited new places. And dreamed many dreams.

Whether we “accomplished” anything or not. 😀😆😘

also my daughter gave me a kiwi scarf:

Work — not a vent, just productivity

I’ve been working on lots of small trusts and bigger 1040s with multiple brokerages or rentals or other fun twists.

I mentioned to Suzi, a partner, that I had caught up enough that all the returns on my task list were less than a week old.

So she suggested I get some of the 1040s sitting on someone else’s task list that are a few weeks old. These are all easy 1040s slotted for a newer preparer, but he’s swamped with other work.

I was ecstatic to do this as a pounding out a few easy 1040s is a perfect Friday afternoon chore. One I rarely get to do anymore.

I created 3 of these returns from scratch (the partner is new so all her clients are new to our software). I had to create PDF workpapers for all and track down engagement letters from the portal. Good lord, nothing was ready.

I got 2 to review by 6 pm. I’ll get 3 more to review this weekend.

Next week I’ll get back to the messier ones. This was a nice palette cleanser. Feeling useful and keeping returns flowing through system.

I want all the partners to look up from the business return deadline on Monday and go, oh look 1040s and 1041s to review! Yay! 😆😆😆

Loving my overtime paychecks.

Small Joys — Pi Day

Day 115

Random number 446

Eat pie

Was going to do this for lunch but never left my desk. Picked up sandwich and pie on my way home.

3 years ago I went on a quest for good apple pie and decided i like the pie at CR Chocks the best. Lots of apples, not lots of sugary goop.

Now I enjoy the reward of knowing where to go for good pie.

However, it does not look like much in a To Go container!

Small Joys — Awooo, full moon time

Day 114

Random number: 447

look up moon names

A full moon on our evening walk prompted this Small Joy.

so I learned this is the Worm Moon. And an eclipse tonight means it’s also a Blood Moon.

Other names are Sugar Moon, Wind Moon, Death Moon. Thank the Brits for the gloomy one. Farmers Almanac gives more context on the March Worm Moon.

Small Joys — rest up

Day 113

Random number: 39

Rest

Well I’m trying to take it easy. But I already worked 9 hours and organized our 12-house tour this coming weekend. But I am in my pajamas and I’m laying here waiting for Sean to bring me a gummy… so maybe I’ll get some better sleep tonight. Rest is important in season.

I am also having a bit of cheese to fill my belly for sleep. I’m just very excited about moving.

But i need rest more than I need to pack tonight.

EDITED TO ADD: and i slept great!

LOOKED UP: Tampa bookstores

Tampa bookstores? Yes please!

I’ve already joined the Tampa area Jane Austen Society and researched art classes and volunteer opportunities at the art museum and Tampa Theater. And have plans to organize e-bike scavenger hunts. And to create events for the activity center in our new neighborhood. I’m ready for a fresh start.

Small Joys — big music

Day 112

Random number 430

Listen to live music

Itzakh Perlman. Amazing. Charming and funny too — but he has been entertaining people for 60 years. Lots of jokes about how old he is. And the audience.

Delightful to get to see such a legend.

LOOKED UP: Tampa Art classes

The art museum has classes. And here’s an article with 23 suggestions.

Small Joys — delete time suckers

Day 111

Random number is 431

Delete time sucking apps

I finished Italian Duolingo. I’ll refresh occasionally and if I book a trip, I’ll go back to it. But I gave Sean my premium account Spanish and I took the app off my phone.

And I’ve finally realized I’m wasting far too much time and money on Pikmin. It’s not motivating me to walk. So that’s gone.

I already deleted Threads and Pinterest a few weeks ago. I think I’ll delete FB and Insta for a day — I never stick with it long, but a midweek break is good.

i spend a lot of time on house hunting apps these days — but that’s got a purpose! Those can all go away soon.

Ended up cleaning out a bunch in my To Do list in Things 3. Moving is suddenly making me focus. Found lots of stuff that was done already or will never be done. Goals and projects are clearer. Easier to focus.

Small Joys — small poetry

Day 110

Random number 219

Write a haiku

Wrote two last night, and two this morning:

1.

We call it Train Game

Ticket To Ride is my fave

Pick two cards and go

2.

Terraforming Mars

Oceans, oxygen and temp

Strategic gameplay

3.

One two three four stretch

Getting older is no fun

But moving is nice

4.

Luna and Skitty

Bark meow! Awaken now!

Good thing they are cute

Small Joys - resolve three issues

Day 109

Random number 98

Identify 3 things/events/people that trigger me in a day—trigger meaning making me feel annoyed, frustrated, or angry. Find solutions/relief if possible.

1. Dumb half-ass attempts at establishing procedure/processes at work - my solution? Just smile and nod. Make fun of it later with Sean. I’m getting prepared to leave. I’m much calmer.
2. Having paid for a year of Duolingo and then discovering I finished all of the Italian lessons by late February. Solution? Giving password for my account to Sean so he can learn Spanish without ads or limits. So we still get our money’s worth.
3. Metro school screwing up Peter’s lesson. Solution? Call them and push to fix it. It worked!

Small Joys — House on TV and decisions about our house

Day 107

Random number 428

watch old TV show with Peter

Tuesday: Tax season is in full swing, we are in serious talks to move this summer, and Peter is depressed. So a lot going on, and not a lot of time for my list of Small Joys. So instead, I again chose and added to the list something I was already doing that gave me joy. Peter is binge watching the tv show House which is about 20 years old. The doctors use pagers and flip phones! It’s been delightful to get sucked into these shows, and to hear him recap ones I’ve missed, and hear his insights into these characters.

Day 108

Random number: 429

evening walk with Sean

Wednesday: and what a walk it was! Today we met with a dynamic hotshot realtor, and felt like this moving is really happening. We walked and discussed our priorities and options yet again. After our walk, I write out again the pros and cons we discussed, and we really really should move. And yet if the chaos of the world interferes, it’s not awful if we stayed. Our status quo is pretty damned good. We aren’t running away from things but moving towards something.

Then we discussed a timeline, figuring out if we could get the house ready in 3 weeks and show it for two months before we move… and realized it would negatively impact our lives. We’re going to spend 2-3 months getting ready and list it as we’re ready to move out. It’s a small gamble as — again — the chaos of the world means we don’t know what will be happening in the market in June, but it’s worth not making ourselves crazy.

We were both relieved to get some perspective. Balancing potential money, time and hassle — something the young realtor discussed. We’ve written out a livable 4-month timeline of things to get done.

Small Joys — jigsaw

Day 106

Random number 427

Work on jigsaw puzzle

I put away the finished Banned Books puzzle, and started a new one, of a famous MC Escher print.

i had had help from friends in the Banned Books, and it was an easy puzzle with obvious separate colorful sections.

This Escher one will be more of a bear.

lotsa gray and dark, lots of same pattern throughout. I do love Escher’s prints though. Happy to contemplate him for a couple weeks.

Jigsaw puzzles are good and meditative, to turn off the brain.

LOOKED UP: moving edition

How to disassemble IKEA Kallax shelves —video

how to get rid of furniture properly

Small Joys — flowers

Day 105

Random number 42

Buy flowers

I like this one. Roses were BOGO at Publix. I also got potted tulips and hyacinths.

Roses next to adorable book cakes made by Barbara!

This truly was random but did fit with what I was doing yesterday: getting ready for a party. yay!

Small Joys — cooking

Day 104

Random number 373

Cook a meal from scratch

I made turkey chili and Grecian squares (spinach artichoke appetizer) last night. This is for today’s Triplets birthday party. We are doing a baked potato bar and the chili is a topping. The Grecian Squares is something I’ve made on and off for years, and decided this year to make my signature dish.

i chose this Small Joy rather than picking random because it was easier to pick one I was already doing! Life has been busy, work is draining. Maybe choosing one defeats the purpose of Small Joys which are suppose to be sorta unexpected, perspective-shifting moments of delight. But cooking did bring me joy, and the Small Joys project is my own rules. It felt better than just skipping again. The other half of Small Joys project is to get me journaling regularly. So I did that!

Ins and Outs for March

for March:

In:

1. -Sleep
2. -Weekends with nothing planned
3. -Binge watching TV
4. -Walking with daily goals
5. -Skin care
6. -Walking a labyrinth
7. -Caesar salad
8. -A full month of daily morning meditation
9. -Clean car
10. -Writing

Out:

1. -Keeping up with the news
2. -Worrying about people (esp that who I don’t care about) liking me
3. -Unnecessary subscriptions
4. -Excess books, clothes, stuff