2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-six

State of the Bug Update: Week 3 ½ of no pain medication and while I have noticed an increase in random pain, it’s not as bad as I feared. My shoulder does hurt a good bit more, but I think that’s not related to medication – I just really do need a shoulder replacement at some point. Also, I’ve cut WAYYY back on my consumption of Diet Sundrop (because it’s bad for kidneys too), and I haven’t had any headaches and my sleepiness during day has basically stayed the same. So, although I will continue to be a drama queen, things aren’t as desperate as I thought they would be.

Sunday, November 9^th          
Here was all that was left of the wedding décor at church. All the flowers were so pretty!

Monday, November 10^th     
I sent this to Dr. M with the caption “What fresh hell is this?” Note: we didn’t get any snow to speak of.
 

Tuesday, November 11^th     
Here I am modeling the sweater. I’ve already been working on the yoke because it's too big – I was worried that it was going to fall completely off my shoulders! 
 

Wednesday, November 12^th      
No photo.
 
Thursday, November 13^th    
Dr. M’s birthday! I felt like my gift to him was inspired this year – a Penzy’s Spices Advent Calendar! Here is the cover and the two inside “pages” – if you look closely you can see the little doors you’re supposed to open. I can't wait to see what all spices we get.
 

Friday, November 14^th      
Dr. M bought his own damned birthday cake and it has been delicious!
 

Saturday, November 15^th
Dr. M brought Ms. Pinky in for the night earlier in the week, but she’s back outside for now & still blooming!
 

The national news this week has just been crazypants. If it weren’t so serious it would almost be laughable – and that’s just what we want in our government administration, right? Oof. How was your week? Less stressful than the President’s?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-five

Reader, I did not wear the sweater to the wedding. I finished it in time, but I just couldn’t figure out how wearing a 100% wool sweater in 74 degree weather was a reasonable idea. That’s ok – I’m still glad I made it and will definitely wear it at some point.
Sunday, November 2^nd         
It was All Saints Sunday at church, so I wore my new Feryl Designs necklace with a skull on it.

Monday, November 3^rd    
I laughed at the pillows that showed up in our lobby at work. Pie!
 

Tuesday, November 4^th     
Tada! It was sopping wet at this point. Here’s what I said on the socials: The sleeves are ridonculous. It’s 100% wool. It probably weighs 8 pounds. It’s a lot bigger than I expected (my yarn was probably heavier & I just can’t be bothered to swatch). But it used up a ton of my stash & I think I might love it.
 

Wednesday, November 5^th      
We had an Employee Appreciation food truck event at work. I got some seriously excellent BBQ and these very fancy donuts. Yum!
 

Thursday, November 6^th    
No photo, so I’m sharing my new headshot from work.
 

Friday, November 7^th        
Just a couple of Rhyne boys enjoying the sunshine.

Meanwhile, after spending three hours waiting on some car repairs (the Bobley needed a new battery, an inspection, and a new headlight bulb and there were complications because they didn’t get everything reconnected), I went to help set up for the reception for Saturday’s wedding. I loved these personal touches! 
 

Saturday, November 8^th
Wedding day! It was the most joyous wedding that I have ever been to. So much fun and laughter. Abbey used the cake knife from our wedding (nearly 35 years ago now!) and wanted Mike & me to cut a ceremonial slice before the professionals took over. We were quite honored!
 

Now that THAT’s over, it’s time to look ahead to Dr. M’s birthday (on Thursday!) and then Thanksgiving. We’re starting down the slippery slide to Christmas and I am not at all prepared. How about you? Are you ready for the holidays?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-four

Yesterday, I worked so feverishly on the sweater I’m supposed to be wearing on SATURDAY that I neglected any and all other duties. Well, I did go to church and eat with Dad, Sue, & Bren. But after that it was all crochet all the time. Well, I did do a couple of loads of laundry. But after THAT… Anyway, this post is a day late. Sorry!

Sunday, October 26^th        
Dr. M made another delicious stir-fry! I appreciate that he indulges my disdain for steak and cuts the ribeye into strips for this meal. Yum!

Monday, October 27^th   

One of Dr. M’s cousins gave him this heating pad years ago and now it is MINE! Bwahahaha! It goes all the way down my back and is the bomb dot com.

Tuesday, October 28^th     
There is some chicken & noodles & peas under these Cheetos. It was delicious!

Wednesday, October 29^th      
I was trying to crochet without my glasses on. I lasted a few minutes. I just get tired of having to wear them all the time, you know? 

Thursday, October 30^th    
No photo.

Friday, October 31^st          
City Hall Halloween Contest! I didn’t enter, but I did dress up (I was an animal rescue farmer). My favorite costume was the Ramen – she had twisty yellow balloons, and little round green (peas), red (carrots), & yellow (corn) ones. So creative!

 
Saturday, November 1^st
I keep running out of yarn, so when I started the sleeves I weighed it so that I would use the same amount on each sleeve. I’m still not sure I’ll have enough & may have to get extra creative. Oof. However, this has definitely been successful as a stash buster! 

And now it’s November. The time of Dr. M’s birthday, of Thanksgiving, and of the anniversary of the worst decision the United States ever made. What does November mean for you?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-three

I was rudely informed today that my best friend’s daughter’s wedding is in TWO WEEKS. I’m making a sweater to wear to it and I am not even close to being finished. The good news, though, is that I’m also not sure it will even work so it might not matter if I finish. Ha!
Sunday, October 19^th        
We have a CD of our Christmas cantata music, and we were trying to figure out this ancient technology so that I could play it (there was no “on” button!).

Monday, October 20^th   

No photo, but there is this screen shot of one of my Instagram friends’ stories. She likes to take photos of her pond & make us find the frogs. And I “cheat” by taking a screen shot so I can blow it up because I can hardly ever even see a frog. I’m going to help you guys out by letting you know that she cheated on this one – there are only two frogs.
 

Tuesday, October 21^st     
I had an appointment with a nephrologist today to discuss my kidney function. She was a lovely doctor who told me I won’t need dialysis any time soon, but she also told me to quit taking Celebrex and that was very hard news.
 

Wednesday, October 22^nd     
I got a low air pressure warning on Tuesday so that night Dr. M used an air compressor to pump up all four tires. Unfortunately, using the car power outlet drained the battery, so Wednesday morning he had to jumpstart my car. I’ve known that my battery is getting weaker, and this was my sign to just go ahead & get a new one.
 

Thursday, October 23^rd   
This was how Dr. M was rolling after he heard a Led Zeppelin song in the Honey’s IGA. Ha!
 

Meanwhile, I was out buying way too much stuff for our church’s Trunk or Treat.

Friday, October 24^th          
No photo.  
 
Saturday, October 25^th
Trunk or Treat! Dr. M & I were the Funny Farm. We had a nice time! I’m including photos of my favorite costumes – Taco Belle & Cruella De Vil.
 

I posted this on the socials today: It’s time for an airing of grievances. (I imagine you have some too.)

I have so much arthritis in my shoulder that my doctor was impressed! Straight to surgery for you young lady! Skip the physical therapy, but here try a shot first (it actually helped).

I have stage 3a kidney disease. It’s a baby stage - hardly even worth mentioning - except that it spells the end of my dependence on Celebrex and its ilk. Here - have some Tylenol & God have mercy on your soul! (Tylenol is useless except maybe if I THINK it’s working will it have a placebo effect?)

My thumbs, freed from the tyranny of NSAIDs have awakened & are making crocheting a sweet torture (I AM HYPERBOLATING but ouch). And my knees are getting into the act. And Winter is Coming.

Oh! And I had to have a tooth pulled!

And these are just my minor(ish) physical complaints. The insanity that is our current government is a whole other situation. Can I just mention that families losing SNAP benefits while the White House is being defaced so that a ball room can be built is a slap in the face of any American with a heart? I don’t care who is paying for it - let them fund food for families who need it! And don’t get me started on ICE and the dismantling of all of the government agencies who keep us safe.

I’m tired. And I’m a little annoyed at my body. And I’m afraid for the folks who don’t have the privilege that I do. And I just needed to get all of that off of my chest. Whew!

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-two

It’s cold (ish) and damp and I’m getting ready to hunker down for a long winter’s nap. But wait! Did you know that fall/early winter are the times when All The Things happen? I keep having to leave my house to do things. Yes, they are things that I signed up to do, but that doesn’t make me any less salty about it.

Sunday, October 12^th        
I was getting ready to leave dad & Sue’s house when I saw this album and had to take a photo. Have you ever heard a Jerry Clower routine? You should check him out – it’s a treat!

Monday, October 13^th  
Dr. M made a delicious vegetable beef soup. 
 

Tuesday, October 14^th    
From the socials: I had to have a tooth extracted today & really throughout the process I was a rockstar (other than some whining before the pain meds kicked in). But I read the “post-surgery” instructions & apparently, I can’t brush my teeth for 24 hours. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I’m not a drama queen, but I play one in real life.
 

Wednesday, October 15^th    
My newest shirt from The Happy Givers.
 

Thursday, October 16^th  
Dr. M says: “…I just love these shoes! I gambled with $100 or so and ordered two pairs, as pictured. No, this is not an ad. My feet are complicated, my budget is tight, and the hassle of getting insurance approved diabetic shoes is real. I know firsthand from trying to get good shoes for Pop. So when I saw the ads on instagram for these, I took a chance. So far, so good! I have neuropathy, not from diabetes but from lumbar fusion surgery. In short, I could feel my feet before surgery, but I couldn’t after. My favorite $100+ Merrell mocs just didn’t give me a wide enough base or elasticity that allowed for swelling feet. In fact they cost me a big toenail earlier this year. I don’t know how long these shoes will last, and yes, the factory is in China, but they really work for me in terms of walking around grocery stores, etc. again, not an ad, just a very pleasant experience.” 
 

Friday, October 17^th          
Another gorgeous meal by Dr. M (there are chicken thighs under there somewhere). 
 

Saturday, October 18^th
Dr. M & I and thousands of our closest friends decided to go leaf peeping on the Blue Ridge Parkway today. It was bumper to bumper, and we both started feeling a little claustrophobic. I’m glad we got to see the loveliness, but as I told Dr. M – Hickory has pretty trees in the fall too!
 

I didn’t make it out to a No Kings rally yesterday, but reading about all the peaceful demonstrations and the millions of people participating gave me hope for the future. If they have another one, I might have to make an effort to attend. First, I’ll need to get an inflatable frog costume though… Where is your hope-o-meter these days?

2025 Project 365 – Week Forty-one

You’ll be happy to know that after starting antibiotics & steroids my tooth has calmed down. But this is its last hurrah – that sucker is coming out on Tuesday. If I’d known we were going to eventually pull it, I probably wouldn’t have gotten that root canal in 2021.

Sunday, October 5^th        
I saw this Jeep on my way home from church and thought What Fresh Hell is this – you just never know what a giant flag might mean, but it’s often something awful. Turns out it’s about suicide prevention! Made my heart happy.
 

I finished the blanket & had its photo shoot today. Simple scallop border, which I think is better since the blanket is so busy. (Note – it’s a little whoppy jawed because I was not going to crawl around on the deck straightening it out).

Monday, October 6^th  
I’m doing my best to help out the Girl Scout Economy. In fact, I’m so invested in it, I might have to order a couple of more boxes of these very delicious sea salt caramel dealios. 
 

Tuesday, October 7^th    
The only photo is this shot of the palmetto cheese sandwich I had for breakfast. It was delicious!
 

Wednesday, October 8^th    
Things I learned this week: I have a CD player in my car! It still skips when I hit a bump! Nostalgia! I should have the Christmas cantata memorized by next choir rehearsal. (Note: I will not have it memorized.) 
 

Thursday, October 9^th  
I’ve been struggling with my glasses ever since I got new lenses in June. I’ve wondered if my eyes had changed since my previous eye exam (last October), or if they’d used the wrong prescription. This week I became convinced that they’d put the left prescription in the right lens & vice versa. They definitely work better upside down in some cases (in fact, I have them on upside down while writing this). Weird. I have an exam tomorrow so I’ll have the doc check it out.
 

Friday, October 10^th          
Dr. M had his first eye exam in a while on Thursday (that’s him driving home post dilation). He posted this to the socials on Friday: PSA: if you’re 60+ years old and haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in a while or maybe ever, get one and be sure they photograph your retinas. Yesterday I was diagnosed with Atrophic (dry) macular degeneration. I suspected they would find it in my eyes because Pop has it. That doesn’t mean I’m okay with the news! At present it’s a life sentence. The grid and Areds 2 vitamins are now a way of life for me as I self-monitor for changes. So is getting my eyeballs dilated and photographed every six months. AMD is real, but so is the effectiveness of these vitamins in mitigating long term damage from dry age-related macular degeneration.
 

Saturday, October 11^th
Another busy day in Buglandia. First up was a Bridal Brunch with my cousin/best friend Kim’s daughter. The theme was Abigail’s Next Chapter (she’s a big reader) & it was very bookish so I loved it.
 

Then I went to a baby shower for another cousin’s daughter, which was a lot of fun.
 

Finally, WeenWear in action! (I stole that phrase from Kim). Isn't Ruby adorable?

Dr. M’s diagnosis had a sobering effect on the week, despite the return of hockey (the Canes are 2-0 baby!). His dad was diagnosed at a later age, so that’s worrisome, but here is hoping that it progresses so very slowly that by the time he really needs it, there’s a cure. I don’t want to make light of things, but when I read that it’s mainly found in white men I figured that they were working Very Hard on things. Also, there’s the chance that society as we know it will entirely collapse. So we’ll see!