Jet City Pizza. Our new next door neighbor always brings pizza to his new neighbors and brought us a large Hawaiian pizza (pineapple and Canadian bacon) from this pizza place. It was A-FREAKIN-MAZING! The crust was insane and was like pizza done on a loaf of French bread. I’m having a really hard time deciding which pizza to try next.
Two
Whidbey Coffee Company. I had another latté from Whidbey Coffee Company yesterday and it was fabulous. I’m all about supporting the local coffee companies. 🙂
Three
Tillamook ice cream. Did y’all know that the people responsible for the good cheese also make ice cream? Not surprisingly, it’s pretty awesome.
Four
Thunderstorms. I’ve really missed living in a place with actual weather. Even better, it hasn’t gotten above 80F since we moved up here. I will totally take the migraine from the pressure changes any day over triple digit heat!
Five
Grey cats. I have one exploring my room at the moment and probably inspecting the underside of the bed I put together tonight. Hopefully, he decides to come and be snuggly.
*facepalm* Apparently, the phone line here got buried under the driveway when it was redone so Comcast wouldn’t be able to have Internet hooked up here for a MONTH. Dish Network can get it in next week so we’re now Dish Network customers. I’m OK with this — we had Dish Network in Montana and I’m a fan of theirs.
Unpacking. Daniel and I got up here on Friday, the movers came with furniture on Saturday, and we finally moved into the house yesterday when the beds were finally put together and able to be made. I’m currently sleeping in the guest room as we don’t have a bed (or really any furniture) for my room yet. I ordered what I needed on the IKEA website and it will be here next Tuesday… which is the same day as we get Internet installed here. (We’re making do with a mobile hotspot at the moment.) In the meantime, we’re unpacking every possible box and probably have more than my weight in cardboard and packing paper!
Daniel and school. I had the luck of finding all the necessary paperwork online for the school district here and filled it all out while I was still in San Jose. The good news: I’m apparently so detail-oriented that I filled out every possible piece of paperwork that was necessary with the exception of a records release that I had to pick up from Daniel’s home elementary school up here. (There were also 5 BIG emails of papers sent to Special Education for his IEP, evaluations, etc.) I have him signed up and set-up for ESY (extended school year — basically summer school) up here and that takes place in July. I had a meeting with Daniel’s team (12 people!!!!!) this morning and based on how thorough they were about getting every possible person to this meeting, I’m feeling pretty good about the next school year.
Guest cats. While we were trying to get unpacked and beds were being set up, we were staying at my grandmother’s house and my parents put their two cats in my grandmother’s room downstairs as it was the biggest room. (My grandmother is in an assisted living place here so she wasn’t displaced for this.) My grandmother’s cat Mandy would sit in front of the sliding glass door outside her room and watch my parents’ cats puff up and throw themselves at the window. It was like she was sitting there and watching the floor show while eating popcorn! When I’d let her into the house, I would pick her up and stroke her and tell her that she was evil. (She looks like a clone of my former cat Freya except with a bushier tail — same football shape and coloring. It’s fitting because Freya was (and still is) evil.)
Fitbit. I’m seriously loving my Fitbit Surge. It’s good to see some of the biological data that I keep getting asked to record but can’t for whatever reason. (How am I supposed to know how much sleep I’m getting if I don’t know exactly when I’m falling asleep!?!?!?) It’s kind of humbling to know that I’m getting so little sleep (though it explains a lot) and I’m kind of bummed that it isn’t picking up all my steps, especially when I’m in a challenge against other people based on step count.
On the other hand, it tracks how many flights of stairs I’ve climbed and that has been a lot in the last few days. Yesterday, it gave me the Redwood Badge for 25 flights of stairs! This is a new thing for me as I haven’t lived in a place with stairs in 6 years.
Thunderation! We had a pretty nice storm system blow through yesterday and I was dealing with thunder and lightning while trying to unload all my stuff at the new house. Another time, I was dealing with a pretty intense squall while driving. I haven’t had weather like that since some mountain thunderstorms hit last year in Claremont a couple of the times while I was driving home! The last time I had regular weather like that was Minnesota 11 years ago.
A Daniel story. I’ve been teaching him how to say “I am cute” and he finally said it a couple nights ago at dinner. Ironically, it was when he was *NOT* being cute but it definitely provided some levity.
This piece on the origins of common sayings. If you’re into linguistics, this is pretty fascinating.
Two
This acrobatic gymnastics routine from Australia. One of the things that I have gotten addicted to in the midst of fibromyalgia-induced insomnia is watching acrobatic gymnastics on YouTube. This isn’t the most amazing routine but I love that the women are having a blast and it reminds me of a vaudeville act.
Three
This episode of “The World’s Strictest Parents”. “The World’s Strictest Parents” is another late night YouTube addiction. This one involves two Aussie teens being sent to live with a strict family in Ireland. I think I love it because the family is very chill and the Irish accent is calming for me.
This piece on the autism spectrum. The autism spectrum isn’t linear — it’s spherical because not every person processes things the same way or has the same deficits.
Five
Naps with kitties. I had a purry tiger (Jethro) hanging out with me this morning and he stayed on my bed even after I got up to take his brother (Homer) to the vet. (He had an abscess.) Because he is not allowed outside EVER AGAIN for a week, Homer decided to be a lap kitty this afternoon. I think he was sick of bumping into furniture because of his cone of shame. 🙂
This good news. A species of starfish that was dying off has made a rebound. Given that they’re a keystone species and they predict the health of the ocean, this is amazing news.
Two
Tuesday being over. A psych appointment for Daniel, errands, a massive meltdown over Daniel’s communication issues… I was happy to go to sleep and end the day.
Three
Prescription sunglasses. Mine have disappeared and I’m really missing them today as I’m fighting a fibromyalgia flare-up and migraine.
Four
The DMV counter at my local AAA office. If you live in certain states (California being one of them) and you’re a AAA member, you can go to your local AAA office to register your car, renew your driver’s license, and do a couple other DMV tasks. I was able to go in and put my car in my name and it only took 5 minutes compared to the hours I would have spent at the DMV.
Five
Grey kitties with tummies. My parents’ cat Homer is rolling around on the patio exposing his tummy. It is very soft and he is purring. He is a wonderful “loaner cat” for me. (He also loves Daniel.)
Outside my window… sunny. I think it’s supposed to get to 69F today according to Weather Underground.
I am thinking… about the wrap-up post on my Lent that I’ll be writing for Laura.
I am thankful… that Christ is risen and the world is different as a result.
In the kitchen… my dad will be making tenderloin tonight and we’ll probably have it with tater tots and caesar salad.
I am wearing… charcoal fitted shirt from Old Navy and khaki shorts from Kohl’s.
This morning’s Easter finery was a dress I got at Goodwill 6 years ago and have worn on a couple of other occasions. Don’t worry — I had a choir robe on over it for most of the morning so my shoulders were covered! (Pardon the messy room and unmade bed in the first picture.)
I am going… nowhere else today. I’m enjoying being home.
I am wondering… if Daniel is going to get my bronchitis.
I am reading…Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Calmness is being shelved for the moment.
I am hoping… that I’m DONE with this bronchitis. I had flare-up #2 while by myself with Daniel this past week and was panicking about what I would do if I had to go to the hospital. Thankfully, Symbicort and a monster dose of Cipro seem to be knocking this remnant out. I *NEVER* get as sick as I’ve been this month so it has been really scary.
I am looking forward to… not being this sick.
I am hearing… Enya on the stereo, Daniel playing some game with Enya on his tablet, and the dishwasher running.
A Daniel story for today… I came home from church to find my parents’ two cats “nannying” Daniel:
Around the house… renovation projects being completed.
A favorite quote for today…
One of my favorite things… Cadbury mini-eggs.
A few plans for the rest of the week: collateral services appointment tomorrow and games night on Saturday.
A peek into my day… Let’s just say that everyone is in agreement that I get to be the Easter Bunny again next year. (Yes, those are cans of Guinness in the Easter basket on the right. The recipient was over the age of 21 and allegedly doesn’t like sweets.)
Outside my window… dark. It was cloudy and around 71F earlier today. We had a couple sprinkles in my area and I think there was some rain in the hills.
I am thinking… that I’ll be happy with some more rain to tamp down the pollen. Everyone in the house who is awake is having to lie back propped up on pillows because we’re all coughing from allergies.
I am thankful… for a chance to be a reader for the Passion reading at the end of worship today. I did well enough that my priest is going to put me in the rotation to be a lector. Woohoo!!!
In the kitchen… my dad made steak tonight and it was incredibly tender. So good.
I am wearing… charcoal v-neck and black sweats. (I’m lying in bed in my jammies.)
I am going… to Target tomorrow for my prescriptions and some more cough drops!
I am wondering… when Jahi McMath’s family is going to accept that she is not going to wake up. I remember when her case happened in Oakland 2 years ago — there were pediatric intensive care specialists from all over northern California who were brought in to do tests (three who were not affiliated at all with the hospital) and all of them declared her brain dead. If they were to take her off of life support, she would be dead in a very short period of time. Her mom is arguing that her kid has the same rights as any other disabled kid and I understand her argument; but her “disability” isn’t the same as a kid who has cerebral palsy or Tay-Sachs or a kid who just needs oxygen at night. The machines are breathing for her and keeping her alive and at a prohibitively high cost of care. (Seriously, I don’t know how her family is affording that level of care.) It would be nore merciful to just her go gently into this good night… and I say this as someone who has had to sign paperwork for ECMO and who has watched their kid code.
I am reading…Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I’m only at about 20% completion so my Holy Week is going to involve a bit of reading!
I am hoping… this bleeping cough goes away!
I am looking forward to… quiet tomorrow while Daniel is at school.
I am hearing… my dad knocking on my bedroom door. He just handed me a bag of Ricola and told me to start sucking on those because obviously my cough drops aren’t doing squat for me!
A Daniel story for today… Kiddo ended up with contact dermatitis as a result of playing on grass in shorts for a long time on Friday. The hives are better but I feel so bad for the kid that it even happened!
Around the house… people trying to go to sleep. So far, I think only my mom and Daniel have succeeded!
A favorite quote for today… “If you’d like to experience a profound #passionlive, please attend a local Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, or other church for the Triduum.” — a tweet from Rev. Laurie Brock while she was live-tweeting “The Passion”
One of my favorite things… my parents’ grey cat Homer who was asleep on my bed up until a few minutes ago. (He had appointments…)
A few plans for the rest of the week: errands tomorrow, collateral services meeting on Tuesday, Morning Prayer with Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, possibly Maundy Thursday worship on Thursday (I would have to bring the kid and it’s during his bedtime), Good Friday worship at noon on Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday.
A peek into my day… regardless of whether or not you believe in evolution, this is an interesting video.
#NeverTrump To the people who thought that last Thursday’s #GOPDebate was entertaining and who actually *LIKE* Trump: you are the embodiment of everything that is wrong with politics and America today and I really wonder if you think that the 2016 election is just another season of “The Apprentice”. Discussions of one’s genitalia are not remotely appropriate for policy debate and the candidates who participated in this immature exchange have made me even more resolute in my plans to stay as far away from the Republican Party as I can.
Twitter, you have my undying thanks for giving me the highlights of these debacles so that I don’t have to traumatize myself more by actually watching them.
Sorting out what is true and false. If you want help sorting out the truthfulness of what the various candidates in the presidential election are saying, Polifact is a pretty good source.
So who would I most likely vote for? At this point, I think I’m liking Bernie Sanders the best of everyone in the race. If Hilary got the Democratic nomination, I would most likely vote for her. If both Sanders and Clinton were abducted by aliens and I had to pick which Republican candidate I would be OK with having in office, I would probably go with John Kasich because he’s the least batcrap crazy person in the Republican Party that is currently running. One of my Facebook friends commented that he’s the Democrat’s Republican and my response was, “that’s probably why I like him ;)”
Most importantly… You need to vote for not only the presidential candidate of your choice but *ALSO* the local/state/congressional races. No presidential candidate can fix every single problem or ram every single piece of legislation through Congress but if you actually exercise some common sense in picking the other people involved in governing and legislating, you can reasonably survive a 4-8 year term of the candidate you hate most.
Update on the bronchitis. The Z-pack seems to have knocked out the worst of the bronchitis and the low grade fever is gone so I’m just left with a coughing reflex. My childhood apiarist friend is out of local honey so I’m having to make do with some from Safeway. 🙁
Finally home again. We had some painting going on and as the dust and paint fumes (and wet walls) were not good things for Daniel (or me recovering from the bronchitis), my parents stuck us in a motel room for two nights until the painters finished. When we got everything up to the room and I closed and locked the door, Daniel had a panic attack. At that point, it hit me that Daniel’s meltdowns at doctor’s appointments and when he was stuck in one room while living with in-laws was due to claustrophobia on his part and not necessarily bad behavior. It put me in a really tough spot because we couldn’t be home — it was not a good place for Daniel — so we had to really push through it. I ended up curling up with him and his tablet on one of the beds in the room and eventually he calmed down. He started panicking again when it was time to take his shower (motel bathrooms tend to be pretty small) but once he was in the shower, he was OK. I even got to take my own shower before he went to sleep because I was able to trust that he would stay on the bed and play with tablet instead of escaping the room.
The painters finished this morning and I am really happy to be home in my own bed with my parents’ grey cat Homer hanging out with me.
