Well, woke at 12:30 am to getting power restored— it was out 6-8pm and then 9pm-12:30am. Checked with friends to see how they were doing. One friend and her extended clan had no power from 1pm the day before. We drove over with a 500 watt “power station” (large battery pack) which could power phones and small appliances & laptops. We also dropped by post office to mail check to friend who is planning our big joint trip & advancing funds.
Shortly after getting home, we chatted with friend and she moved her hotel to ours in Oslo, since hers had no more space and our S accidentally booked wrong hotel! I figured out how to adjust margins so I could print her spreadsheet so we could see it on paper. We then lost power for an hour but have it back again! Yay!
While we had power, found info about a power station Costco has and sells with a solar panel that might be useful to purchase. Sent friends the link.
Now, we are researching what credit cards in US have PINS. Also will have to look up my PIN for our debit card.
Went to an exhibit at the Addison Gallery in Andover focused on printmaking. Healing day after a month of helping a friend with brain tumor. Art really lifts my spirits.
Today was a bit of a mental health day for me. H and I have been at odds over a few things and the end of the week was stressful. Yesterday we had two visitors that I really didn’t want to have, and even though the visit was brief it was enough to trigger some real stress and sadness. I really need to perk up! We did go and look at two houses today but they both needed significant amounts of work and I am past that stage in my life where I wanted to build sweat equity!
Was supposed to start my 2 week nanny gig while my DD and youngest GC are in town for her work. But her flight was cancelled last night and she won’t arrive until this afternoon. I’ll get some pickleball time before heading to the airport.
Electrician is here today and installing 4 new outlets. One in each of the fireplaces (main floor living room; downstairs family room) to power the gas fireplace inserts. (Gas lines go in Friday, and inserts next week.)
I’m getting a second outlet in my bathroom near the toilet so I can add a bidet seat to my toilet.
And SIL wants a outlet in the carport so he can charge the e-bikes outside, instead of removing the batteries and hauling them inside.
I also bought tickets to make a quick 3 day RT visit to the Rocky Mtn West to see newest grandbaby. My last visit was October so it’s been too long. She growing up so fast.
The region is expecting bad wind storms later this afternoon so early school dismissals for the grandkids today. Will need to leave soon to go get them.
We just finished with our first tornado warning of the day. The worst of the storms are supposed to be in the afternoon/early evening. I figure our building is a mini fortress - 2 foot thick walls. Lots of windows, but at least my NEW OFFICE is on the east end of the building, and the storms are coming from the west. There’s always under my desk or in the lady’s bathroom. Last time we actually had a tornado in town, I was told everyone watched it from our big glass windows. I was on vacation that week.
We are getting our sunroom, laundry room, and hallways around the kitchen painted over the next few days. We spent the weekend moving everything out and doing some cleaning/dusting. In a few weeks, we are getting new blinds/shutters for the windows. Right now everything is down and the room is SO bright and exposed. It feels weird. I’m glad we have the ring to tell us if anyone is lurking outside.
I will be SO glad to get rid of this stupid heart monitor tomorrow. One side bit the dust adhesive wise last Monday. The second side on Friday, I’ve been using giant Band-Aids to keep it in place. It does a decent job except after my workout/shower. It comes completely off. And then this morning, it bit the dust DURING my workout. Granted, I was really sweaty. But I had to go home early to try to stick it back on. And then my skin seems to hate whatever adhesive is in the thing, because my chest is one big nasty itchy rash - for the last 12 days! I am not amused. I wonder if the report will read “Patient seems to die every morning around 7:40, but then miraculously comes back to life 10 minutes later!”
Huh—I have a heart monitor too. I am still trying to get clarity from the md whether to wear for 7 or 14 days. Twice in instructions it says 7 days but once it says 14 days. I asked a Q on mychart but no response so far.
I don’t have any major plans. Finished my Book Club book for April late last night but hubby got up early so I did as well (I’m a fairly light sleeper). I didn’t sleep well, as the book was disorienting and unsettling.
As mentioned above, I ended up flying from Mexico to LA. Had a nice day yesterday with my sister. She has a class and some appointments today but I’m fine on my own. I will walk down by the beach ( about a mile, easy walk) in a bit. I can walk on the strand there, get something to eat, etc. when I come back I’ll sit and read. I’m good at entertaining myself.
A bonus to being here is being able to wash all of my clothes and return home with a suitcase full of clean clothes!
Now I just need to have my snow removal crew show up today at my house.
I drove down to our beach house yesterday morning to do some spring cleaning. NormallyI would drive back today b/c I work tomorrow, but the whole area (where I live west of the Chesapeake Bay, and where I currently am near the MD beaches) is under severe storm/tornado watches and warnings. With heavy, gusty winds, the Bay Bridge could temporarily shut down at any time, plus the last place I want to be is driving in my car if a tornado suddenly appears. Where I am now, we are just on the edge of the more severe warning area. Meanwhile, the streets here are still lined with cut up trees/branches from the crazy snowstorm here three weeks (so much destruction, the public works dept is still cleaning up).
So instead, I am staying another night and will leave early in the morning.
D21 just returned to Rome this morning after a 10 day spring break to Interlaken, Berlin, Prague and Krakow. She Facetimed me a little while ago to tell me all about it. She had a great time but happy to be back at school.
I went to the grocery store this morning and picked up supplies to make shepherd’s pie that I will leave for S23 to have for dinner tomorrow for St Paddy’s Day. For dinner tonight I am making a pork tenderloin and homemade mac and cheese.
Now I need to go wrestle with the bedding - washed four comforters and duvets yesterday and need to get them on the guest beds.
Will be keeping my eye on the news/weather. More worried about dh at home. We suffered lots of damage in the 2012 Derecho and then again from straight line winds Halloween 2019. Fingers crossed this storm will bypass without any damage (I’ve already seen a couple of tornado warnings today in the DC area but they were north of us).
Hope all the CCers in this storm’s large path make it thru safely and without damage!
Today was supposed to be our DIL’s first day in her company’s Annapolis office. We texted to tell her we’re thinking about her, and she texted back that everyone was told to work from home today, so that was a relief. Our son, however, did have to go in (actually, he hasn’t been home much due to recent events), but maybe he can borrow a tank for the drive home.
D was able to work from home today, a relief to me. We’ve had a little rain but nothing too terrible. I didn’t sleep well last night so skipped mat class this am; H and I took Sabadog to the vet for her Librela. I’ve tentatively planned a few days in Paris this fall, but if traveling abroad isn’t advised I’m looking at a resort in the Napa Valley.
I have my granddaughter visiting for a few days while her dad is working in our city. Hew flew down with her and we will bring her home to my daughter later in the week. Unfortunately her stomach isn’t feeling good. Today I was taking her to a quick doctor appointment, when we got out of the car she sat down on the curb. I said I’d carry her and as we walked through the parking lot she threw up all over me. My appointment was in minutes and I had vomit all over my purse and sweater. I considered calling and rescheduling but it was for suture removal. Back to the car and luckily I had a change of clothes for her. I had a tank under my sweater so took my sweater off. Put my phone and wallet in a cloth grocery bag.
She’s now taking a good nap. Not quite the visit I had planned.
I went into NYC to take a tour of Grand Central Terminal with an old high school friend. It was a fun tour. Then we went to lunch and had a lovely time.
Home in time to make a chicken pot pie for dinner. And here we are.
I used xdemvy and it worked great for me. It is very expensive and my insurance didn’t want to pay for it. The specialty pharmacy requested a discount from the company and I think I got it free (or very low cost). I also threw out my pillows and put the new ones in mite-resistant cases.
More of the usual, with a catch-up call with a friend and a call with ds2 that took a crazy left turn.
I almost thought about starting a thread about our disagreement. Ready for this? The argument was whether Timothee Chalamet is a star. This is based on a specific reading about people who are either famous or celebrities or stars. You can be multiple things, but few people are all three. The writer and I think that he’s not a star, and you would’ve thought I insulted ds2 personally. He took such offense at the idea.
Anyway, ds1 and wife went to spend ds2’s birthday weekend with him, and they have gotten stuck there thanks to the bad weather. Sunday flight cancelled. Monday flight cancelled. They currently are on a 6 a.m. flight tomorrow. Really feel for DIL, who started a new job a couple of weeks ago. Her boss has been cool about it, but I know that would really stress me out.
A friend posted this picture. I think the measuring stick built into the fence is very cool (hadn’t seen one before). This doesn’t include any drifts which I guess could add another 5-12 inches, mostly in front of the garage door!
I worked 12 hours yesterday, so I’m pooped. This afternoon I’m meeting with two women to start a support group for parents of disabled children (the only reason I agreed to do it is that they will come to our house), then tonight I’m giving a talk via Zoom to a NAMI Family to Family class. I’m hoping to get at least six hours of work in, too. DH really wants (needs) to retire and I have to pick up the slack. I’m glad I enjoy what I do, at least!
