Day 165
Random number 175
Put books in little library
We have a little free library in our neighborhood. Not sure how often anyone takes books. But I got 6 children’s books out of Peter’s room into there. Hopefully some kids will benefit, and it’s 6 less books for us move.
BONUS
Random number 107
Do facial mask
Bought 3 masks with my leftover Target card. Did the yellow, pineapple, peel off, moisturizing mask. Feels good so far! my skin is happy for any TLC!
Day 164
Random number 61
Bake bread
A two day process with the sourdough starter. But absolutely delightful. Can’t wait to do it again. Delish! We had to dig out our good bread knife. Day 2, I had sourdough and peanut butter for dinner.
Let’s try applying eye gel under eyes every morning for a week.
So I’ve done it 8 days. It’s not difficult. The gel is pleasant. Don’t know if it’s had much effect. I will finish the tube and report back in a few weeks.
Day 2 photo: 
day 8 photo — I feel like I got better lighting and I’m not smiling as much. But… it dies look like it helped. Hmmm! We shall see again in a few weeks.
Day 163
Not so random number 461
Go to bed early
Well, yet again, I was in bed by 9. But now I’m still awake 2 hours later. I guess it’s going to sleep early if it’s before midnight.
I do get joy out of going to bed early… but not when I don’t actually get to sleep.
Day 162
Random number 299
jot down five reasons why you do your favourite thing
Playing board games is one favorite thing I enjoy doing. Reasons:
Alchemists — scientific method
Scout
Spots — so many dice
Day 161
(not so) random number: 459
enjoy boring mundane task with Sean
Worked hard at the office, didn’t have time for the planned SJ. But I did enjoy the heck out of the simple task of searching for and buying shelf liner with Sean at Target. We used gift card so it was free! And we put the kitchen back together after our deep clean. Definitely leaving some stuff out of kitchen. It looks so much nicer. Some of the “saved” stuff may well end up in charity.
Anyway, nice boring task with the one I love, who loves me, making our home better, is a nice little joy. I’m grateful. 
Day 160
Random number: 196
Tidy a linen closet
I pulled everything out of two linen closets — got rid of loads of excess towels and threw out trash, refolded towels and put them back neatly. If any visitors open the linen closets, our mess won’t overwhelm them or distract them.
I also tidied the storage shelves over the toilet in the master bathroom. I’ll get to under the sinks some day…
Deep deep cleaned the kitchen, a nap, then organized 2 out of 3 linen closets.
I’m beat!
But there’s Andor season 2, cheese, and hard cider in my future. So #lifeisgood as usual!
Day 159
Random number 348
Use up a gift card (or three)
It is good to use gift cards now. I should as I’ve already spent the money. And who knows what’ll happen with economy. Bought myself some new shirts and pants from Old Navy. Getting facial masks and lip gloss and eye gel from Ulta. Spent $60, still have money left. Also made plans to go to Longhorn Steakhouse with Sean this week. Who! Free money!
Am I being EXTRA lazy this Saturday morning? Yes. Well earned.
I got solid 7+ hours of quality sleep. Two days in a row! But i am in no hurry to start the day.
My kind of lazy:,I got my To Do list updated, thought of reasons to visit DC and Austin, texted with my daughter, came up with 9 ideas for parties after we move, wrote a blog post, cuddled the cat. Quality time!
Now I have some fun gift card shopping to do and a manicure and a baking class and a game night ahead… so maybe I’ll get motivated.
I’m alive because of immigrant doctors and medical staff.
I’ve gone to college two times with immigrant classmates.
My formative work years were improved by immigrant co-workers.
I have had my nails done, my house painted, and my dry cleaning etc done by immigrants.
I’ve had delightful friends from Brazil, Argentina, UK, Norway, Sweden, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Japan, Jamaica, Scotland, Ireland, … just off top of my head.
Immigrants make USA better.
Day 158
did 2 today!
Random number 236
Come up with 9 party ideas for when we move to Tampa
A last-minute addition to my list, because it brought me joy to anticipate these parties and to appreciate my imagination. I am a fun person, and with stuff like this, we will be the toast of the geek scene in Tampa (as well as stay connected with old friends back home).
my 10 ideas:
Random number 111
weed 6 things out of closet
Since I’m doing some shopping today, and I find myself passing over old shirts, I took the time to pick six for goodwill. Yay! Empty hangers for new purchases.
posted on FB originally
Here’s a VERY LONG funny/frustrating story to entertain you:
I saw a podiatrist last December for a minor ache in my big toe. It’s actually a cyst — no danger and not growing. But can be removed with surgery.
I agreed we’d go forward with surgery in January before tax season. The scheduler was annoyed and distracted and curt while i aas at the desk, but we seemed to have everything set and I paid and left.
In January, a new scheduler called. They were then telling me about more stuff to do like bloodwork before the surgery. And I couldn’t get it done before date we’d agreed on. I was like: wait, why wasnt i told all this before. They then mention the other scheduler had been fired, hadn’t been thorough. Even still there were a couple more calls, it’s all blurry now. But it got way too complicated for such a minor surgery… and I was annoyed and finally said let’s just put it off until May. And we can start fresh with COMPLETE instructions from them and full focus from me after tax season.
So then in March, I start getting these calls/emails about going to collections for an unpaid bill for podiatrist. WTF? I called 2x and finally got hold of them (it was an outside billing collections office, not the doctors office) and they said I owed for that December visit. I said no, I do not. I paid you in December with an Amex. They wanted me to prove it. And I said no. Not my problem that your office is so disorganized. You guys find my payment, I’ve given you the details.
I called the main office and said listen: I’ve spent WAAAAY too much time on multiple calls and incomplete info and confusing deadlines… and since I’m moving houses and the surgery is not urgent, I’ll just start fresh in Tampa. Take me off all your lists for calling back. I’m done.
So then the actual DOCTOR calls. And he’s apologetic. And said they’ve fixed their office issues. He confirmed that I HAD paid in December. I said that’s nice but again it is tax season now, and I’m moving. I’m gonna take care of this later in Tampa. Thank you for your time but I won’t be a patient going forward. He said he understood.
At this point I’ve done at least 6 long phone calls with these people, and my toe still aches occasionally.
So this week I get a text from Palms West Hospital about my upcoming surgery with a link to pay. I’m like *what the heck*, this is a scam.
Then I get another. And it really seems like a legit reminder. I ignore the text and call the hospital phone number directly and find out I’m scheduled for toe surgery this Friday. WTF?!
I tell the woman: no I am not. I never scheduled any such thing. I will not be there. I am no longer a patient if that doctor.
But then today, I got a voice mail again about my co-pay. And I’m like shit, they may charge me for this even if I won’t show. I called hospital billing and said NO i don’t owe money. I never authorized this, scheduled this, agreed to this. So she did what she could but said the doctors office has to cancel the surgery. I called the doctors office and was put on hold while they “looked into it”… and I was on hold 10 minutes. So I just called again and chose the option where I could leave a message.
Left a message where I told them my name, and firmly said I’d never agreed to any surgery and hadn’t authorized them to schedule a surgery. And I had quit being their patient months ago. And they’d better figure out their surgery schedule because I would NOT be there and would not be paying anything.
I’m writing this out to document all this. Because I only assume this shit could continue with these bozos!
PROBABLY some idiot, back in January, rescheduled me for May in surgery — which is NOT what I’d agreed to. But then later, I was taken off the office’s list as a patient. But they didn’t realize I was still on surgery list. Cause the doctors office certainly hasnt sent any surgery reminders, only the hospital.
Good lord. So much time on this.
And actually since I got new orthotics from my chiropractor, that toe didn’t even ache at all with all the walking in NYC, so probably didn’t need that surgery after all!
The end (we all hope)
Day 157
Random number 344
Find a new way to tell someone you appreciate them
Attended a Zoom meeting with Heidi about making political calls. Posted the following on FB to praise her and maybe get her more followers.
“Heidi Rabinowitz is an inspiration! She’s out there making phone calls to her Congress Critters, attending rallies, and sharing info to encourage others. I appreciate her passion and being a leader.
I have made calls in the past — at various times over the past 25 years — never for long. But I’ve honestly been too burnt out and frustrated since this past election to do any of it. Then I had excuse of tax season and prepping our house.
Tonight, Heidi led a zoom-based class on how and why to call your senators and representatives and state legislators. She shared her tips and many resources — but not an overwhelming number. She’s inspired me and fired up some others.
Heidi has a Substack where she writes about making calls. I recommend subscribing. It is good info and she makes phone calls easier. https://open.substack.com/pub/congresscallers?r=45xor&utm_medium=ios
Together we can do this. And if Heidi leads another class, I’ll share it.
(I might also be a wee bit inspired by Andor, season 1.)”
My paternal grandmother, Mary Kenyon Rigg, She was from Rhode Island or Connecticut. I need to ask my uncle before he forgets.
My grandmother was one of 5 kids. Only she and a sister made it to adulthood. Three siblings died in the 1910s either from Spanish flu or possibly this congenital heart issue that her son/my dad had that was unknown at the time.
Amazingly, she graduated from Radcliffe circa 1932. With a degree in Latin & Greek. Did she have career ambitions? Never had a paid job, just motherhood and ironing and baking gingerbread cookies at Christmas.
She had 4 children. The 3rd child caught polio at age 5 — about 2 years before the vaccine. He lived but had a disabled arm, and had many surgeries and treatments over the years
Her 4th child — my dad— was born with a heart problem severe enough to be diagnosed without ultrasound in 1947. She was told he might die before making 18. Then at 6, he got a bone disease that caused him to be in a hip to ankle cast for 6 months. Can you imagine coping with a bed bound, energetic, smart-ass 6 year old for 6 months? This may be when the drinking started…
Meanwhile her husband (my grandfather) had a job with the railroad where the family would move every 2 years around the NorthEast. She had to gather up 4 children (two with medical issues) and school records and medical records and the household and start over somewhere new. Over and over.
My eventual point being that by the 1950s, my grandmother had a drinking problem. Electroshock therapy was the treatment then. I’m sure it was brutal but also, Jesus Christ, it may have also been a vacation from her life.
I wish I’d known her more. She passed when I was 8 and she was 65. I associate sour candies, big thick gingerbread cookies, cats, begonias and congestive heart failure with her.
I literally didn’t leave my house except to walk the dog. That’s a good day in my book.
There was working. Napping. Snuggling cat. Good TV. Good dinner. Wine. Wasting time. Chatting online. Pushing rest of To Do list to tomorrow. Why leave my house?
I had a lit class freshman year where the only grades were a midterm paper and a final paper. I got a C on midterm.
I worked super hard on final. It was on Dante’s Inferno. I loved the subject. Also I wanted to bring grade up. I ended up with a B in class, so clearly that final paper was good enough to help.
Start of next semester, I pick up the paper from the professor. He has a note that he’d continued to think about my paper and loved it so much he actually went back after grades were published and changed my class grade to an A-. Changing grades after submission is generally not a done thing, I learned later. I still have that essay in a box of things I’m proud of.
Then sophomore year, I took an economic history class, along with too many classes. I ended up overwhelmed and for first and only time ever, I asked for an incomplete from the economic professor because I knew I couldn’t finish everything for all my classes by end of semester. We agreed I could turn in my final paper in the summer. He said he’d dock the grade a full letter down for being late. That seemed fair.
i appreciated the reprieve, amd did well in other classes. Then that summer, I worked hard on the economic paper and turned it in by our agreed new deadline. Got it back later with note from prof that it was so good he decided not to knock it down a grade, and because he didn’t, I got an A in the overall class.
Twenty years later, getting my second degree in accounting, I had to take a required business writing course. I was annoyed at how basic it was. But I put up with it and, of course, excelled as I was 40 and I had been a professional writer by that point.
months after that class I was notified that the professor submitted my final paper to some college business writing competition (this is a thing?!?) and I won like $75.
Basically, I *can* write if the subject excites me and I’m not overwhelmed by other chaos.
Writing all these memories out reminds me I should get back to writing. Which… was part of the reason for starting this blog: to get back in the habit.
Day 153
Random number 357
Take care of basics
Sometimes you just have to finish done tasks or put things right. I finally got Laurie's tax return off to her, got stamps to finally mail mom’s Mother’s Day card, moved furniture back into place, took stuff that’s been in my car for two days to goodwill, reviewed my prescription med orders. Is it joy? I don’t know, but it feels good to have the basics in order or caught up or back where they belong. It’s been a chaotic couple weeks. Lots of hurdles over, lots of steps completed, feeling significantly closer up the goal of selling house and next stage of life.
Day 154
Random number 458
teach a game
At Flamingocon 28, I taught and lost Wandering Towers twice, Castles of Burgundy, and then taught and barely won Flamecraft. I’m a good teacher!
Day 155
Random number 455
Find new labyrinth
Went on adventure with Rebecca. We found and walked a labyrinth at Lynn College in Boca Raton. We also found but couldn’t access a labyrinth in the courtyard of the Lynn College of Nursing at FAU. But we had a lovely time walking around the building. We made plans to go back.
Lynn University:
Day 156
Random number 142
Fix headrest in car
It is a small thing. But it takes a minute to remember how. It’s done now. Yay car!
And an unexpected joy today was talking baseball and other sports with Peter. I was a bit of a baseball fan in early 90s, and I remembered a lot players and stuff. From the St Louis Cardinals, and Jackie Robinson bio, and research I helped with on Negro Leagues. And I even remembered some golf and tennis people. Peter gets on the most interesting kicks.
Day 152
Random number 154
Let go
Turning over more Flamingocon stuff to Stacy and Barbara. I feel so good about the team continuing Flamingocon.
Day 151
Random number 121
Give things away to a friend
Gave random old canvases and notebooks to Mattea.
Arranged to give a second bookshelf to Barbara this weekend.
Gave away Firefly game to Matt.
Giving away lots of books to Little Free Library this weekend.
Giving away Flamingo Tervis cups to Flamingocon attendees this weekend.
Giving Nora her bow, a coat and random awards from childhood next month.
Purging possessions is good!
Day 150
Random number 19
Ask for help
Moving 25% of our stuff to storage day! We asked Matt, Barbara and Kevin for help. We offered to pay Zoey, Zach and Andrew (the last two are high school friends of Peter) to help. They got so much done so fast!! Help keeps us from hurting ourselves. House is ready for painters and listing for sale. I’m overwhelmed with emotion. Mostly gratitude.
Day 149
Random number 438
Limoncello cream
It’s been a long day of packing after weeks of packing. Big day expected tomorrow. So happy to sip some limoncello cream to relax in the evening.
Kept one bottle back from the packing, cause I’ll need it in upcoming weeks,
Just shared this story on FB:
My kids' elementary school library was getting rid of their encyclopedias in about 2009? -- and I being a child of the '70s thought owning encyclopedia set would be so awesome.
My son is a history buff from an early age and was a huge user of Wikipedia. He was on the computer all the time -- but not playing games or getting into social media way too young -- he was reading everything on Wikipedia. And as happens with an 8 year old, he got in trouble for something and had his computer privileges taken away.
He moped and moaned around the house for a day, until I introduced him to our set of encyclopedias. And he started reading them voraciously. Starting with letter A! It was like Wikipedia in book form!!! ... except it was 20 years out of date. He started coming to us with all these FASCINATING facts about like how Bulgaria was emerging from Communist rule! And he said these things as if they were current events. He did not understand why were laughing at him. He got part way through C when his computer privileges were restored, and he never once opened the encyclopedias again.
I think I got rid of them finally in about 2020 -- and I *sigh* just threw them away. No one wants 30 year old reference books.
Packing a house after 22 years = so many emotions
Guilt about undone projects, exhilaration of finding new things, annoyance at wasted money, exhaustion…YAY, ack, urge, ugh, yay! Wheee! Awww!, ugh, ack! er, blaaaaah, yay! zzzzzzz
That’s a five minute segment.
EDITED TO ADD:
Packing all day.
Dinner: cheese, almonds, limoncello cream. No one feels like cooking.
I’m tiiiiired.
But life is very good….
Plus:
+ so much packing done, so much decluttering done
+painter chosen and deposit made
+storage unit chosen and paid — and had a fun adventure doing this task together
+NYC was fantastic — and I spent far less money than usual
+gave notice at work to reduce hours and work remotely, but also started talks with two other places
+candlelight concert with Sean
+ bonding with Peter over Survivor
+good lozenges
+meditation
+not overwhelming myself
MINUS
-Peter hurt his back
-roaches
-looming fascism
-Sean not willing to sign a lease before house sells
-weight
WHAT’S NEXT
*Get stuff out of house to storage
*painters
*photographers
*Flamingocon 28
*more walking
*cancel unnecessary subscriptions
What a day. #LifeIsGood
Day 148
Random number 211
Do a color walk — pick a color, go for walk and find that color — keeps you focused and mindful
I love the idea of this. And it’s been on To Do list all week. So distracted and busy… I finally half ass did it yesterday. A few times walking around, I looked for bright blues, ‘cause my shirt was that color. The walking wasn’t nearly as meditative as I hoped, but it did give me a chance to ground myself at end of a crazy week.
I hope to do this again with a bit more intention.
Let’s see if I can condition my hair for 7 days and see if my hair looks better. This will also give me the chance to use up products and see which ones work well.
Update: I’ve done it twice in past week. Not daily. Same as always.
Reminder: "Treat failure like a scientist.
Each attempt is an experiment. Each mistake is a clue.
You're not failing. You're refining." — James Clear
RESULT: I’m going to try a different experiment next.
Some days feel discombobulated and anxious. And other days, all the stuff suddenly comes together and makes progress.
Yesterday, I was stressing out that the pest control guy hadn't come and I called the main office and complained. Today, the pest control guy finally came and did a big treatment on the roaches.
Yesterday and for weeks, work has been mildly annoying, feeling like it is interfering with my real life, and I have been wondering when to bring up moving. And whether to quit. So many questions and doubts swirling. Today, i asked the Watsons in Tallahassee and Darcy in Jupiter if they would be interested in a part-time remote tax preparer. They both said: yes, though we need to talk details. That gave me the courage to talk to Darline. And everything went fine. She is happy for our family. She brought in Suzi, and they would love me to keep working at CRI, even part-time and remote. So that was nice too.
I have been meaning to reserve a truck and storage unit, but other stuff keeps getting in the way. But tonight, Sean and I got a truck reserved for Tuesday.
And for weeks we have been worrying about Skitty who has been puking and having diarrhea. I don't want to waste money and time or her stress if there is nothing we can do. But this morning, i started thinking we should get it checked. Peter texted me in the afternoon that he is worried about how much she is puking. So we got her to the vet this afternoon, and the vet has a pretty clear idea of what is wrong, and we now have meds and new food ordered.
I got an email confirmation from painters that they got payment, and we are on.
So a lot of things that had been in limbo, and weighing on me, and decisions to be made... and now several things have jumped forward.
Then I got an email from our pool guy that I have been double paying, and he owes us $750. Wow! That pays for moving to the storage unit!
And this morning, I examined the laundry room and understairs pantry, admiring how much they are tidied up.
We've got a big list for this weekend: more kitchen, Peter's books, my closet, the yard. I think we will make it through this week!
Wordle 1,419 4/6
⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
It’s been a crazy week here with Sean out of the office every day at work meetings and still shopping movers and arranging for a house painter… and preparing to quit my job.
My point being… can’t wait to get back to walking the dog and doing Wordle together with Sean.
Im feeling a wee bit anxious and stressed. Too many plates spinning in my real life. And this job — and my ability to deal with inanity — is just way less a priority.
I gotta talk with the boss.
Small Joys often fall by the wayside when I’m traveling. But I planned two of these for this last week to coincide with what I was already doing!
Day 145
Random number: 448
Wednesday: Go to art museum
Went to the Whitney Museum of American Art. Saw my beloved Calder’s circus. Saw a bunch of Hoppers and Nevelsons. Saw exhibit by current artist, Amy Sherald, who got fame from doing a portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Day 146
Random number: 282
Thursday: go to a garden
Went to Brooklyn Botanical. Absolutely perfect spring day. The flowers put on a magnificent display. See earlier post with more detail and photos.
Day 147
Random number: 183
Saturday: Practice signature
I did this on the plane. Not sure I improved it. I want to create a distinctive, memorable signature. Not there yet.
I woke up late. Kept resting my tired feet. Finished packing. Forgot to meditate despite having plenty of time.
Walked over to NY Public Library, sorry I didn’t get there sooner. Gorgeous building, lovely community space, a temple to learning and literacy. Saw a Gutenberg bible and Charles Dickens’ writing desk. Saw a copy of Mary Wollenscroft’s book and books by James Baldwin. And I confess, hit the massive and very nicely curated gift shop.
Then got my bag, got a taxi, went to airport. Paid for Delta Plus — shouldn’t have bothered as the plane was 25% or more empty! Watched movie: A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan. Interesting.
Home to my boys, cat, dog, TV shows, my bed. Missed out walking with Sean.
