Friday, August 11th, 2023
Friday Five
TGIF! Let’s leap right into sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- It was raining when I got up this morning! I knew we were supposed to have showers, but that still surprised me. It’s humid and a good day to spend inside doing other stuff.
- We will be here in this house a year next month! Hard to believe. So far, we don’t have any regrets. We do have some things we wish the housing track had done better, but that’s a pretty normal experience I think. People ask us all the time if we miss the pool, I assume they ask it because we loved that pool so much. Now that I’ve answered that like, a thousand time, here’s how I respond: We cherish the memories of pool parties and family time, but ultimately, we were ready to move into the next phase of our lives. And we are thrilled that old neighbors tell us they hear the new owners out there in the pool all the time. That’s actually a great feeling that another family is enjoying it.
- And after a year of using a large folding table as a desk, we finally ordered a desk and a filing cabinet. The desk is long, but simple with only three drawers to keep it manageable for us to move (and clean around when I get ambitious). It’s coming today and I’m excited! We are holding off on buying any bookshelves until we decide what we need, and if we can paint the ones we have or not. I’m not at all stressed about that. And slightly related to this — Wizard and I set a one year in the house deadline to clean out the boxes we never unpacked in two closets. We needed the new desk and filing cabinet to do that since a lot of it is office stuff or books. So the next month or two will be sorting all that out, figuring out what to keep and what to let go of. I just don’t want to keep useless clutter unless it has a purpose or special meaning.
- My air fryer. Man I debated two years on this thing, but one week into owning it, I love it so far. I’ve made lots of vegetables, some breaded chicken strips and taquitos in there so far. My air fryer is fairly big (6 quarts) and I do have an easy place to store it, and enough counter space to use it when I like. I think it’s one of those things that depends on your cooking style and if you have the space to store it or keep on your counter. I’ll keep you updated as I use it more!
- We went to see Wizard’s mom on Wednesday and Maggie was so happy! She loves going over there! Wizard and I were pleased as his mom seemed to be doing pretty well. Aging is not easy and she’s had her struggles with some memory issues and other things. But yesterday, she laughed at something and I’d realized I hadn’t heard her laugh like that in months. In a week with some worrisome moments about another loved one, seeing Wizard’s mom more like her old self gave us a huge lift!
So that’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend!
August 11th, 2023 at 7:48 am · Link
Yay for rain! Enjoy it despite the humidity and from indoors under the AC.
WOW! How time flies. And yeah, pools are fun but they are soooo much work! Let the young enjoy them. 
Yay for new desk! Pictures when set up and well…I’ll save my unpacking confession for my five. Good luck with your deadline! Glad you like the air fryer. Yay for Wiz Mom Time and laughter! Okay, my five:
1. I’ll start with the sad. There was a bad incident with Baseball Boy’s dad and yesterday, after his aunt arrived from out of state the day before, they made the decision. Papa J passed about 1:30 yesterday afternoon. We’re all sad but it was a blessing too.
2. Due to trips up the turnpike and work schedules, Stormy spent some time with us this past week. Monday, we had to take LG’s truck in (he was rear-ended so the cost is on the other guy). Repairs ok’d by that insurance company and LG has a rental car and it may be August 31 before the truck is done. Parts and the supply chain. STILL! Anyway, Only met us up at the collision center and we took Stormy home with us. On the way. I had to almost slam on my brakes and was frantically flashing my lights at on-coming traffic as a dozen Canadian geese strolled–parade fashion–across the four-lane street. It was hysterical and I’d have video’d it but I was driving. Even Stormy laughed. It was a nice moment and a reminder that life can be amazing if you keep your eyes open.
3. Speaking of Stormy, LG and I have decided he’s probably going to be a philosopher. When Only dropped him off another day, he looked up from his Kindle and announced, “It’s a good thing that life is in first person instead of third.” The kid is going into the 4th grade next week. WTH?!?!? Waaaay too smart for all of us!
4. Unpacking (or not unpacking as the case may be…) I have at least two boxes tucked back in a closet that I never unpacked after we moved home from the Army *koffTHIRTY-SEVENkoffkoff* years ago. I should go dig them out and just put them in the dumpster. I’ll get right on that. Tomorrow. Maybe.
5. Since Pete eats breakfast indoors these days, I’ve been feeding him the “more expensive” kibble I feed Loki, along with fairly cheap gushy food that I also feed the ferals along with cheap kibble. What does he do when he goes outside while I feed the birds and toss any leftover Jake food and anothre cup of the cheap kibble for the crows and ravens? He EATS THE CHEAP FOOD! Cats.
Gonna be extreme heat advisories all weekend and not sure of the schedule for next week so playing things by ear, other than staying inside under AC as much as possible and doing what we can to help the Kids. Not sure how much work I’ll get done. Been really spotty this week for…yeah. Life. Anyway, everyone stay cool and hug the ones you love! 🤗
August 11th, 2023 at 5:16 pm · Link
Silver, I will send pics, but I may wait until we sort out the bookshelves. But so far, we love the new desk and filing system. We now have the desk facing out instead of at a wall. We just got the computer back up and running. Now for you:
1) I’m so sorry about the passing of BB’s dad. I fully understand it was a blessing, but a very sad one, and the sorrow will be around for awhile. BB did a great job of doing all he could to take care of his dad and I hope that’s a comfort to him now. Special hugs to Stormy through all this, and you guys for being there for all of them.
2) Ugh on having to have the truck repaired post collision. Even with the other guy at fault, it’s a major headache for you guys. Still no one was hurt and that’s a big thing to be grateful for. LOL on the geese! I’m glad no one hit them. And yeah, keeping our eyes open for the small smiles makes our harder days better.
3) Only Stormy would come up with that comment at his age! I’m impressed! I love the way he thinks.
4) Actually, I think two boxes is pretty danged good! I’d love getting down to just two boxes, but not sure that’s possible. But I do know you’ve been trying to pair down stuff for a while now.
5) Of course he eats the cheap cat food, LOL! But it does make sense if he’s foraged for himself for years. Still funny though when he has the good stuff now every day.
I know writers don’t want to hear this (me!) but maybe just give yourself a break this weekend, and possibly next week. It’s been an emotional roller coaster plus lots of Stormy time (he’s so awesome!). And definitely be careful of the heat! I hope BB, Only, Stormy and all BB’s family are doing okay. And hope this weekend gives everyone a chance to catch their breath.
August 12th, 2023 at 10:40 am · Link
I’m a day behind 🙁, issues.
1. It’s great to hear that you guys got some rain, but the humidity is a real stinker.
2. Great response to the pool question. They are so much work and like you said, you’re in a new phase of life. You and also enjoy your son’s pool😊.
3. I used a card table for my computer for 17 years so I understand how happy you must be to have ordered the desk 😀.
4. Great news on the air fryer. I bought one a couple months ago but am just not into it.
5. Blessing come at the best of times. Seeing Wizard’s mom like her old self is a happy blessing.
1a. I got my hair done Friday afternoon.
2a. Today is my besties birthday. She was supposed to be up here but her hubs fell on a ladder and broke his leg.
3a. Middle ran a tri-athlon this morning. That’s why we had dinner last week instead of tonight.
4a. I can’t get over Maui. It just seems incomprehensible that our government is so slow to help them. Funny how we can show up all over the world in hours, for any disaster, but are nowhere to be found for our won. SAD.
5a. I went to the dentist yesterday morning and was told I’m the only patient that doesn’t need to work on their oral care. That’s nice to hear. Makes me wonder how some people don’t take care of their teeth. I’m glad I don’t have to clean them 🤣😂.
I hope you are having a great weekend!
August 12th, 2023 at 3:07 pm · Link
Viki, life often gets me a day behind too. A card table is hard to work at, so kudos to you for doing it! I thought we did well lasting a full year. And yeah, I think the air fryer is one of those things that either fits into our life style or doesn’t. Like I don’t want a rice cooker or bread maker but others swear by them. To each their own.
1) Always good to get our hair done!
2) Happy Birthday to your best friend, but Yikes on her husband breaking his leg. I’m so sorry.
3) Middle is amazing for doing the triathlon!
4) Maui is heartbreaking. That fire moved so fast, and that city only had (as I understand it) the one road in and out. We had a fire like that in CA that killed at least 85 people. Maui’s death toll is rising way too fast and is so tragic. I’m so sad for all of them.
5) That’s a big complement from your dentist! And I’m with you — I don’t want to work inside other peoples mouths!
I hope you’re having a good weekend!