Oh Lila, I hope you find the strength to cook the vegetables.

Think how proud you will be of yourself! You will save money and be healthier!

But if you can't, that is ok. You had a big day. Some days we just have to eat pizza.

Wow!! Two new grands! Congrats, that is wonderful news. Prayers for healthy littles.

It sounds like you got a lot done too. I hope you get some chill time.

I am beat. I can barely finish but asked Son to get the pillows out of the dryer and put the last load from washer to dryer. The only things left are to make Teen's bed, which Son will help me with, and put the folded clean blankets on their bed and put the other ones away. When Teen gets home, I will ask them to start keeping their clean clothing hung in the closet or in a dresser drawer, to keep bugs at a minimum risk. I have asked for years. They had things neat like that until age 13 or 14 and it went downhill, as they just leave clean clothes in a basket on the floor. Bad idea, if you have a bug issue.

Monday I need to set up an appointment with Teen's dermatologist to figure out the rashes they have going on. Some look like bites, and some look like allergic reaction or eczema or something.

I need to cook some vegetables but I am so exhausted and really want pizza instead.

Good job Lila! We are proud of you!

That is a lot of work. But. Now teen's room is clean! Hopefully the only th8ngs in it are th8ngs tha5 belong to teen. And it sounds like you got some things out for good!

I took my vitamin.

I finished my evaluations. I also "finished" the laundry (not put away and of course there are still a few dirty clothes and towels, but not a whole load.) I dropped off trash and got gas and picked up my popcorn popper and a few other things from school.

I dropped off my pots to be fired for Wednesday, and I bought myself a small toy- it's a texture roller that puts maze designs on clay.

I went to the grocery store and bought food I want to eat. Whole grain cereal and veggie dogs and rolls and mustard and broccoli and carrots and lots of fruit.

I did not get to go to Bean's house because of my cold. But while Dd was telling me I couldn't bring my cold over, she also told me that she also is expecting! We aren't allowed to tell anyone in case "this one doesn't work out either" but hopefully I will have two new grandbabies in January! One will be in Wisconsin and one will be here and they are due only two weeks apart, so this could be difficult!

I am finally starting to relax and feel like I am "done".

post 2, because I feel like quitting but am trying to be accountable.

This is hard work! Laundry is still going. Trash went out, vacuuming is done, all other shoes and cloth items in a sealed bag in my car to get hot. I steamed most of the room. Thing kept malfunctioning so it was frustrating. But it's done. I'm letting things dry out and then will move the furniture back and mop the floor with disinfectant. Then I need to find a place for blankets. Teen had 3 or 4 queen blankets, a twin or two, and probably 6 smaller blankets. Many were gifts so they want them. Some are mine, taken from a closet. Trying to place them in a bug free zone, just in case. I hate house bugs!

More to do, some outside. I hope to get some down time but kind of doubt it. Then Teen will come home and all bets are off for any relaxing.

But, I am getting things done. I really hope this is enough.

SubC, good morning. Aww, the goat. It really is hard sometimes with our animals. LOL so true about why are wild animals just not lying dead everywhere?? It seems our domestics are not as hardy as their wild counterparts.

My pup (who is not a pup anymore, but he will always be my babypup) is slightly better this morning. I think he is slightly better in the mornings due to staying off his feet all night plus having meds in him. After a day of walking around, at night he is limping worse. I am trying to keep him quiet as much as possible, but he is not a quiet type of dog. I hope your sheep gets better soon, too.

Son is up and willing to help me. Today will be a good day. After he has breakfast, we will be working on Teen's room and finishing that up. He will help me by moving furniture and vacuuming some more so I can use a steamer on places there could be bugs: a fabric chair, the mattress, and probably the base of the walls where bugs seem to gather. I will probably steam the tile floor as well, as it needs it. He will also mow the lawn.

Other goals for today:
- finish washing and drying all Teen's bedding and clothing
- find and throw out any old clothing they no longer use
- bag up any fabric items and shoes that can't go in the wash, and put the sealed bag in the back of my car for a few days to kill any bugs/eggs. It will be 90 degrees out so the car should get hot enough to kill everything
- check the other two, actually three, bedrooms for any signs of bugs and wash that bedding as well

I would like to be working on my bedroom and kitchen, but that has to wait. I will also use up some veggies in my fridge, or process them to freeze, at least, so they don't go bad.

Teen should be coming back tonight.

And what is everyone else up to?

Hi Lila,

I had gone to bed, but good news this morning! I hope the bugs have truly gone.

Our critters can be so hard.

My new goat developed a leg problem shortly after Mother's Day. She began by limping on one front leg, then wouldn't put weight on it, second leg, progression, wouldn't stand on her own. I thought at first she had twisted a knee, but everything felt sound, I started treating it as a hoof issue, and then I got frustrated and asked her "why are you floppy?" "Floppy" is a magic word with goats - selenium. I dosed her, but there is very little space between the therapeutic dose and toxicity, so I was careful. She stopped getting worse. She has been getting better painfully slowly. Yesterday she stood on her own after I lifted her to her feet. For less than a second, but she was standing. I can dose her again in about two weeks (I noted it on the calendar but don't have it here) it may be July before she walks again. Sometimes I wonder why wild animals aren't just lying dead everywhere.

Meanwhile the little buckling is charming and sturdy.

After a week away from school and mostly from people and sleeping without an alarm, I am starting to feel less exhausted. But I miss my kids. I think it would have helped if I could have avoided this stupid cold, but I'm sure I got the cold because I was worn down. Full disclosure I haven't even been taking my vitamins for three weeks. I had some bad heartburn and couldn't face them because they always make my stomach feel bad for ten or fifteen minutes. I will try to fix at least that today.

And take the recycling. I think I left that off my list. A small thing for my body and a small thing for my house.

p.s. - yes, I will join you in reclaiming my life as well. I bet you are exhausted, at least emotionally.

hi SubC! yeah, I had heard about foxtails but all my life never had one get inside my dog like this. It's awful really! He has so much energy but can't do anything. Poor baby limping and hopping.

I hope you're still around tonight to hear that my day went better than I expected. Son and I went into the dreaded Teen room, looking for bugs. We did not find ANY. The ones I saw crawling around were nowhere to be seen. I guess they could be hiding, or maybe God had mercy on me and poofed them out of existence last night when I was crying and pleading with him to fix it. We took sheets and pillows off, looked under the edges, mattress cover, pulled the bed away from the wall and searched. Not one bug of any kind. Bizarre. Son vacuumed and I put the bedding into the HOT HOT wash with an extra rinse, and then the HOT HOT dryer. Also Teen's clothes. I even called the bug guy who talked me through what to look for and how to find them and how to kill them. But, never saw one. But we will continue to clean while Teen stays at her brother's house.

Thankful.

I took Son to an appointment today. Took trash out. Worked on Teen's room. It was overall a decent day. I need to go back in Teen's room and look for the box of clothes we sorted a couple months ago that were too small. I want to get rid of them. I may just throw them out since IF there were bugs, I don't want to pass them on, and don't have time to wash those too.

Happy I also have tomorrow off!

Hi Lila.

My first response was to be all excited like a puppy to see you, but wow.

I looked up foxtails and dogs - I had no idea.

And the bedbugs. I would cry. Yes, you have to wash all the things and seal all the things and possibly spray.

I am glad that at least you can take some time off, but this is like my spring break. It is not a break, it is just more trauma.

I have been eating a lot this week. I accidentally caught sight of myself in the mirror when I was changing - ug.

I have five more evaluations to write.

Tomorrow I do those, maybe work a little in the garden, hopefully "finish off" the laundry and the dishes, go to school and get some stuff out of my room and clean up a little, take pots to the studio to prep for class on wednesday, and go by Bean's house to entertain him while his parents finish packing for a trip they are taking next week. Also possibly make a plan to start eating a little better and buy some food.

I am ready to reclaim my life and start making some progress again.

CM, oh that burns me up that he did that! All of it. And I know the single older woman tax too, although I do have sons who will do a few things for me. I have been taken advantage of and scammed too, and it is NOT fair or right. But yeah, how much is our peace worth? At some point you have to either fight to the death on it or give it up. Sigh.

My dog is slightly improved but really not much. I have another appointment with the vet on Monday. More and more. The bill so far exceeds my entire May paycheck! But thankfully I have pet insurance only on this one dog, and it will cover about half when you count deductible and all. But still, 2 weeks pay, SO FAR. And I will pay whatever it takes to get him well.

Many other things going on. I was so overwhelmed with work and now my boss is on leave so I decided to take 3 days off in a row, so I could just relax, catch up on tasks, spend time with Tot and kids. Then last night Teen complained of bites on their arms. I went and looked and they have bedbugs in their bed. I am distraught. I have never dealt with them before. That room is on a different floor from my room and I have none in my room. But, wow. I guess I will spend my entire 3 days off trying to get that under control. From what I have read, I think I should wash all bedding, clothing, towels etc on hot and dry them on hot. Put everything else in garbage bags and put in the garage to get hot on a hot day. Vacuum the room and mattress. Use a steam cleaner to go over the room and mattress. Teen did sleep in one spare room for one night so I will have to do it there, too. Very overwhelming. I would rather throw everything out and walk away and live in a cabin in the woods, but I have kids and grandkids to think about. I really want to move.

Very tired and feeling like I will never get any rest or true breaks.

I just ordered a new tablecloth for summer.

It was much too easy. - Amazon prime one click.

Good job Tatoulia!

I'm sorry about your mom. I assume they've looked at things like infection, hydration, and blood sugar?

CM, I do understand about the guy. My life would probably be much easier if I could let go of injustice.

Mr. Kitty finally got his shot yesterday. They were very pleased with him and said nice things about his coat, his weight, his teeth, and his personality. They were surprised that he is 13.

I'm heading out to do chores and garden this morning.

Also on the list - 6 evaluations (11 left) and some time in the pottery studio.

I haven't set my alarm for a week. I haven't driven more than ten miles from home since Friday. Dh says I'm starting to seem human again, even with the cold.

Hugs to you, Tatoulia. My mom had intermittent dementia in her last years, although she was basically blind by then and much less mobile - though she would yell at night and was disturbing the other patients, and had to be medicated or they might've kicked her out. I was very hesitant about the medication they wanted to give her. But the doctor addressed my concerns well and kept the dose as low as possible. The other issue was infections which can exacerbate dementia. It is hard in so many ways and heartbreaking to watch them decline. ? I feel for you. May God hold her and you in the palm of His hand.

Thank you for your very kind words, SubC. They dead five trials on the docket and none went forward. The subway and bus were very pleasant and I arrived there before the court doors were open. BF said that everyone at court was proud of me. I think you know that I'm late for work every day, and have been for 30 years.

I came home, napped for 30 minutes, then worked solidly. Oh I saw mom, she is very odd and tried to leave twice today. She rolled around in her wheelchair and was found behind the building. I want her to find peace. This is very hard on everyone.

Okay I've showered and I'm going to start the dishwasher. I need to change out the cat box, too.

White rabbit X 3

I am not up for any further drama with the car place guy, so I write off the 85 bucks as if the wind caught them out of my hand and they tumbled down the sidewalk and into a storm grate. It's an unfortunate thing that shouldn't have gone the way it did, but it's over. As a wise priest told me a couple of years ago after a different upsetting interaction I was trying to get past, it's not worth my peace.

Moving on... it rained earlier and the window didn't leak, so that's reassuring as we're due for more rain here and there these next few days.

Hoping to finish my paperwork soon. It needs supplemental documentation from several sources which is why it feels complicated and tedious. But I'm getting the stuff rounded up.

Hope everyone finishes getting well, and doing evaluations and other pending things. We should all celebrate when we finish whatever we've got going.

Good morning!
White rabbits.

It's a brand new month. I have 87 days before I have to go back to work - although I'll spend part of that preparing - and 21 more evaluations to write.

I'm planning to get outside at least a bit this morning and just write ten today. The ten most standard ones. Then tomorrow I'll write the six hardest, and the 5 most fun - nothing but good to say and lots of it - on Saturday or Sunday. Bean is leaving town Sunday, so I may go over there Saturday. The evaluations are due Monday at 10:00 a.m.

My cold is starting to get a bit better. The ducks woke me at 2 a.m., but everything was fine. I think the moon made it hard for them to sleep also.

Tatoulia, I hope jury duty goes well today. I'm sorry you have to do it, but I think you are the sort of person I would want sitting in judgement.

I have one more guest bed to remake and one or two more loads of dishes.

Ps credit cards are the biggest scam. I had a rule when I first got mine, that I wouldn't pay for yesterday's hangover. The only time I got in trouble with credit cards was a few years back, when I took a much lower paying job for the work-life balance and I didn't know how to say no to my brother and mom. I cleared up all of that once my mortgage was over and now I use my credit card daily, but it's paid all at once. I've generally been good with my finances except that I didn't save enough. I've always purchased exactly what I wanted. Not on credit. I just purchased what I wanted when I wanted it and paid for it. Instead of saving.

I'm better now but still prone to buying what I want and when I want it.

The latest version of credit cards is that almost everything I look at on line talks about splitting it into four monthly payments. It's still just charging. Designed to make people overspend.

The 85 guy needs to fix this for you. But I understand if you cannot go back. It's just so much money.

I'm going to head up to see mom now.

My stomach is finally better. I suffered Monday and Tuesday.

I do not want to go to jury duty tmr solely because of the great inconvenience to get to the courthouse. I am not happy but I refuse to pay for what will prove to be a very expensive cab ride.

I am angry about the $85 dollar guy. I want to go back with you and tell him "look, you charged $85 to fix this window and it is not fixed. I realize you didn't break it, but you did roll it down. The position of the window has nothing to do with the tire, so basically you charged $85 to put part of the car unrelated to the job back where it was when it was left with you. Obviously this is not the kind of relationship where you should be messing with this car, so just return the $85 and we'll call it done."

Then if he says "no." I say "I don't think you meant that, because I'm sure you'd rather be known as kind and reasonable than for taking advantage of older women with little means and doing shoddy work."

Then we either leave with your $85 or we start with the BBB and move on to the bunny club, the church, the senior center, yelp, Angie, social media, anyone else you know, and possibly the local news sources. I'm like that. I cut my teeth on security deposits in college.

I think you should try to schedule the window fix for after the church sale. Set the money aside.

Also, credit cards work really hard to help people get themselves into trouble. They have very smart people working against you.

29 evaluations to go.

P.S.

I meant to add regarding the van window that I was able to shove it up closed with my hands, so that's a relief. I'm not sure if we're due for any rain before it'd get fixed, but it's just good to know it is closed completely. I'm going to go out and put a piece of tape over the switch to remind myself not to try and use it.

... argh having trouble with Captcha again, it's like a video game where you have to click and it keeps adding more! Stupid thing!

Aw, SubC, that's sweet of you to virtually offer your hubby to fix my van. The further development today is that I had been tentatively trying to roll the window down just a little way - I knew to go 1/3 to 1/2 down or further would be inviting disaster. Well, it was only down a half inch or less and it was stuck again. I had been thinking about the guy with the tire place, whether he could do another repair, namely to fix the little pump that squirts windshield washer fluid. It's been a nuisance having to splash the stuff on with a cup or using a spray bottle then hurry and run the wipers. And I got to thinking, ask him if he could do the window roller upper motor.

So today he was open, and yes, he can do it. It is not going to be cheap but it needs to be done, and then hopefully it'll last and I'll have peace of mind. I'll work it into the budget somehow.

I confess I am responsible for some of my bad situation due to bad choices made in my youth - especially credit cards. If I knew then what I know now and so on and so forth... but I'm also looking at that good old neurodivergence thing and in some cases I wonder what I could've done much differently in terms of being able to keep jobs - if I'd had more stability and a life coach or someone to make budgeting less of a confusing chore, and if I'd had someone to explain to me how impulse spending was being fed by dopamine cravings.

Ah well, hindsight is indeed 20/20. There were other things that were all snarled up in my younger years and they are too embarrassing to recount, so I'll just leave that alone. I'm trying, belatedly, to figure out how to make a lot of things work. Meanwhile, the world has changed so much, too. The straightforward clerk typist jobs that once I was too restless to want, now I could really go for one of those, for instance. But computers changed that - and people wanted administrative assistants who can "multitask in a fast-paced environment without showing signs of stress" - I've literally read job listings stating that sort of requirement. And there are some jobs and corporate cultures which my moral beliefs will not permit me to consider; I'm not going to open that can of worms too far but it's a thing.

But, I haven't really gotten started looking - I'm not quite to the point chronologically where I think it's time - maybe in a year or so. Right now I just am trying to make good decisions on spending, and to keep track of the figures even as I wish those figures could have at least one more decimal place, perhaps more, on them.

The practicalities of getting the van repair done will have to be worked in around a couple of things - my payday is Friday so it'd be better to do it after that, but next week is supposed to be the run-up to the church garage sale. I've just decided it's in the Lord's hands. If it doesn't interfere with getting stuff to the church sale, bueno. If I can only get what I've got now and not a whole lot more, well, then I'll just have to donate future stuff elsewhere, and it'll still benefit someone somewhere. So there we have it. Poco a Poco again!

Cm, I am so sorry that happened. An extra $85 is nothing to sneeze at. You did your best. I love SubC's advice about how to handle car repairs and how to get things to "good enough." I could feel the sadness and the frustration and then to have someone mouth off to you. And then you end up being the person apologizing just to get it done. I am so sorry. You made it through.

SubC, yes skip the class. Sometimes skipping something is a very good thing.

Thank you for the support. I am letting things slip around here. Just did yesterday's dishes, that sort of thing. I have not made my bed because my cleaners are coming over, which means clean sheets for me!

I have jury duty tomorrow, which is fine, except it is in a court that is not in Boston proper but still in our county. So I have to go by subway and then bus and between the two this will take me a lot if time tomorrow.

I am being good to myself. I bought fudgsicles last night because I deserve them. I had one and it was tasty.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, you have so much going on! It's ok if some days you don't make your bed. (I only make mine when I change the sheets or want to use it as a surface)

CM, I am sorry about your van.

Here is my viewpoint, which I am very sure is informed by neurodiversity in this case, but it works. People should not be embarrassed about being poor unless they are poor because they did something really stupid - like betting their life savings in a casino. The system is designed to keep you poor.

Also, people can see your van. Pretending your van is fine is like me pretending I am skinny. People can see me. I never lie about my weight.

So, you are a person with a high maintenance van who wants to keep it running as cheaply as possible - sounds smart! Tell people "hey, this is going on with my window. It's not my top priority right now, but it's becoming annoying. Do you know anybody good who doesn't charge an arm and a leg? Because obviously, there's a limit to how much money I want to throw at this thing."

I wish my Dh could fix your van. Although actually, when my windows died he just said "you need to start saving for a new car." One of my requirements for my "new" car was that it have ac or windows that rolled down. Either one, as my current car had neither. I would literally have to stop in shady locations and open all the doors. Some days I couldn't drive it.

I am going to skip my class tonight. I don't have pots ready, I have this yucky cold, I'm tired, my house is still a mess, and I have 47 more evaluations to write.

Ds and ddil took some baby stuff home from the basement.

I don't think the van window thing is right even yet. Stopped at the grocery store and it was stiffer and made a creaky noise. I'm going to be super babying it and hoping at some point I can just afford to get the motor replaced.

It's hard when I don't know which car place to trust anymore. Maybe I can think of someone to ask who they go to; it's harder than it used to be to do that. I know fewer people. And since I have to be so careful about expenses, I don't like to let on to people about how this is not a straightforward thing of just call someone and take it in the next day. There's all this strategy involved.

Went to a different tire place because my usual guy was closed. He does that, that's the only bad thing - sometimes goes on vacation or something. I hate making phone calls so I didn't think to call ahead.

At this other place, the guy was kind of brusque, but he did discover what has been the problem all along - there was a file in it somehow, guess I drove over it, who knows, and two holes - well, now I know. All seemed well. I paid and was ready to drive out of their parking lot WHEN...

I discovered he had rolled the driver's side window all the way down. It has an issue with the motor, but is fine if you don't roll it all the way down. I was so upset, and he got upset with me (how to explain to neurotypicals - esp. males - that I can be upset at my LIFE and how it keeps having these stupid costly glitches, and the anxiety and financial implications of same, rather than at the person - but I can understand he probably did think I was aiming it at him). Anyway he was about to kick me off the premises and then I managed to convince him that I was doing my best to calm down so then he fixed the stupid window and I paid him an additional 85 bucks to do it but it's done. I was crying by then.

I am so sick, sick, sick of paying the tax of being a single poor woman with no husband or brothers to help, who can't get things fixed like a window motor replaced or a tire looked at before it becomes an emergency and everything ends up in a big fat drama and upset. And then it ends up costing me money and stress at unexpected times - and still I have to try and save money for the bigger repair that can't get done the way it can for people who make a decent income and can just schedule these things on an as-needed basis.

Rant over. I'm tired.

But roommate and I came over to the bunny house and that has actually been a productive and quiet and enjoyable thing, working on a brochure, which was another thing on my to-do list anyway, so at least it will get done. My plans to do my medicaid form this afternoon, well, they got postponed. I was too brain fried to do government paperwork anyway, and would've probably just taken a nap had they not asked if I wanted to accompany roommate while she did some spreadsheets for them and I thought why not.

We need to head back to the house now so I'll close here. Hope no further drama re my vehicle.

Hi everyone!

I'm definitely slipping. Have not made my bed. But I did four loads of laundry yesterday. Two loads of delicates, my blanket, and my sheets.

My mind feels full. Mom's cat was great today. I'll go see mom in a little while. Have not heard from the doctor so not sure what her status is. Received permission to work from home this week.

Sorry about your cold, SubC. I'm worried about the doggy, Lila. Cm I hope the tire works out okay tmr. I'm glad your roommate went to church with you. It sounds like staying put will be the best bet for you as moving to another town doesn't make sense. And as you noted, who knows what state the house is in.

We had a fun time at our friend's house. Their cat is at the end of his life. The cat and I have been friends for many, many years. And this was the last time they'll see my bf before he leaves. So I was pretty tearful on the way home. Plus my mother's doctor called while I was there and there are some conversations around that going on.

We then saw mom who was in great spirits! Then we visited her cat. I came home and took the garbage and recycling out.

I'm still hungry. But I don't even have bread so I can't make a piece of toast.

So off to bed for me.

4 loads of laundry done!

CM, I didn't realize the house was so far away.

I'm sorry about your tire.

And Lila, I am worried about your dog.

Apparently one of my little darlings also gave me a cold asan end of the year gift. Bean and family went home. Ds and ddil are here until tomorrow morn8ng.

I just want to sleep.

Quiet Memorial Day around here. Haven't gone out much except yesterday, and briefly today, because I shouldn't drive my van much. Here's why:

On Friday I think it was, I'd stopped at this car wash place where they have free air for tires. I have one tire on my van that has had a strange slow leak that I couldn't find - and sometimes it leaked and sometimes it didn't. So anyway, the guy there said he could fix it for $10. And I thought he did. Saturday I took roommate and my former roommate to the plant nurseries some miles away and back. But then in the evening, the tire was obviously going down. So we took it to air. I was frustrated, because I'd felt so relieved thinking it has been resolved; I'd envisioned a nice drive to church yesterday for Pentecost, and so on. I was thinking about the hassle of calling for roadside assistance, how I'd get to church, etc. Things were in a muddle.

But it worked out reasonably okay in the end - roommate offered to drive and come to church with me and then we ran some of her errands. The tire didn't go flat flat, so I've just been keeping an eye on it. Roommate followed me to put air in it at the Quik Trip again this morning, so fingers crossed I'll be able to take it to the tire guy tomorrow morning - the one I've done business with before and who seems competent. It will cost another $25, but that's okay. I should've done this before. The guy at the car wash did at least find the place where it was leaking - it was on the inside, by the rim, was why I couldn't find it. There were bubbles when he put water on it. And he marked it with a white grease pencil so I will be able to point it out right away to my regular guy.

I've been doing little things like starting to clear off the dining table of my stuff, a task I've been procrastinating on. Roommate has a few things on it too but it shouldn't take her long to get hers either and then we will have the table clear and we will try to be good and not let it accumulate stuff again.

Other places in the house that are flat surface "hotspots" will be targeted next. And various other messes in my universe. The church garage sale dropoff times will be next Sunday through Wednesday. The weather this week may be rainy at times but looks like I'll be able to work around it. I don't feel as organized and cohesive as ideally I'd like to about this sale prep, but surely there's enough of an idea of what I want to accomplish to get started and hopefully a momentum will ensue and spark further ideas.

I know my cousin was over to my grandma's house the other day because she texted me pictures; I don't know if she stayed over there or has gone back and forth or what. The house is in another town, and I'm not sure in what shape (I've no funds for repairs or upgrades), and the neighborhood it's in is in decline. So it would be unlikely that I'd be trying to swing a deal to live there. Just uprooting from this town would be hard due to my agoraphobia; I'd probably have a ton of anxiety if I were far from the familiar. Besides, with the one cousin now living here, and my friends being here, this is probably the best for me unless something drastically changes.

It'll be nice to have my wheels back tomorrow, for sure.

Congrats on the pregnant ddil, SubC! How exciting! Grandkids are so fun! Tatoulia, I am glad your mom is doing ok.

I worked yesterday and went to a social and came home late and it made me sooo tired. People wipe me out, even though I like them and want to go.

Today I have off and we are having a family bbq at my house. Tot's dad will do the grilling. I need to do a bit of prep/cooking. I also need to re-clear the table, which will only take under 5 minutes.

Today I sorted some VHS tapes and donated 6 of them and had Son take the box to my car. He also took the filthy stroller out of my car and unfolded it outside. It is actually pretty nice. But extremely heavy to me. I think if we wash it, it will work for me to walk the babies to the park. But not really to take places. I will have to find a lightweight type for that.

I am unloading the dishwasher and going to wipe down the kitchen so I can prep and cook. I am making the cucumber salad that I did not get around to yesterday. And another recipe.

I also used a gift card to order a few food items for the bbq. I think we are pretty done with the no-buying thing, but we certainly have bought less groceries and used more of what we have and will keep that up.

My younger dog is injured. I took him to the vet, paid $350 and it is not resolved. May need to take him back tomorrow. $350 is a whole week's pay for me so I am not thrilled, especially since it did not get resolved, but I am not really worried about $$ because I believe God will provide what I need.