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!

2024 Project 365 – Week Forty-two

Old Business: Reader, I did have a fever (100.6), but felt much better on Sunday. 

New Business: Reader, I woke up Monday morning with both of my thumbs inflamed. As the day/week wore on, all of my usual pain points starting saying, “Pay attention to meeee!!!” Keep in mind that I take an anti-inflammatory medication every day. I messaged my NP on Wednesday to see if she thought it was the vaccination combo & she thought it might be, but to come see her if I didn’t get better. I thought I was better, but the pain keeps moving around. Today I feel like I have shin splints. What in the actual heck - doesn’t that involve some form of athletic endeavor? Oof. Anyway, we’ll see how this week goes!

Sunday, October 20th        

Came home from church & did some deck sitting with Dr. M. I told the socials that I didn’t know how Dr. M could keep his hands off of me since I was looking so sexy.  

Meanwhile Dr. M was taking pictures of birds, including this one of a pileated woodpecker!

Finally, that night he made our first meal using his new cast iron. It was so good ya’ll!

Monday,  October 21st  

I looked in the mirror at work & thought I HAVE FOUND MY HALLOWEEN COSTUME! Stay tuned.

Tuesday, October 22nd    

I helped out at our work food truck event & got so tangled up in tape that my coworker had to come at me with scissors. It was hilarious & so me. Ha!

Wednesday, October 23rd   

Dr. M ordered a couple of more cast iron pans. He says he’s done now. The second photo shows one he’s been seasoning compared to one of the new ones. 

Thursday, October 24th     

Watched some of the rally where Obama introduced VP Harris. 

Friday, October 25th      

Dr. M sat on the deck & had some visitors. He just missed getting a photo of a goldfinch. 

Saturday, October 26th      

Trunk or Treat at church! It was a gorgeous day! Much better than last year’s where I about had heat stroke. I posted the top right photo while I was driving over there with the caption that I had my game face on. I had to take the nails off as soon as I got home because I was afraid I was going to stab myself. Also, I couldn’t open one of those little Milk Dud boxes & we can’t have that!

Meanwhile, Dr. M mailed my postcards for me. I “only” was able to write 160 because of the thumb issue. I have another couple of days to do some more if I feel able. We shall see.

I shall close with something that I think is hilarious. This happened week before last but I forgot to post it. I wrote about the incident in an HR forum I belong to & I think this is the most “likes” I’ve ever received in my life. And you should see some of the comments from other HR professionals talking about their goofs. It was great. Hope it makes you laugh too (and yes, I corrected it RIGHT AWAY!).

2023 Project 365 – Week Forty-four

There were only mild shenanigans this week, so no need to brace yourself.
Sunday, October 29^th       
Dr. M ate oatmeal for breakfast. And I went to my dad’s & ate cake. Ha!
 

Monday, October 30^th                  
Dr. M says, “In Pagan Europe, common folk understood too well that Autumn was a season of last harvests, of color but also of dying, with long, cold nights looming on the horizon.”
 

Tuesday, October 31^st                    
My only regret is that I never told any employees to walk the plank.
 

I had to share this photo of my great-nephew Elliott who is adorable in his lion costume.

Wednesday, November 1^st                              
I’m making progress on my cardigan. Since this photo was taken I’ve completed the bottom ribbing & started on the button band. But then I’ll have to stop because I haven’t gotten the buttons yet – I want to make sure the holes fit the buttons I end up with.
 

Thursday, November 2^nd                           
The three stages of getting ready for work. I put the middle photo as my FB profile picture & judging by the number of “hearts” it got I’m guessing people are blessing my heart in the good old southern meaning of the phrase. Ha!
 

Friday, November 3^rd                          
Ms. Pinky & Miss Rita are in the tub for winter. This year they’re considerably less extravagant than usual – we actually trimmed them before bringing them inside.
 

Saturday, November 4^th                     
I “let” Dr. M borrow my car so he can get gas for me on Saturdays. One of us (me) might have cut it closer than usual this week. Oops!
 

We’re moving into the holiday season, which seems ridiculous given what’s happening in the world. Can I tell folks that I’m not participating in protest? That probably wouldn’t fly around here. I’ll just have to move through the season with this extra angst on top of my usual angst. Happy holidays?
 
 

2023 Project 365 – Week Forty-three

Last Sunday and yesterday (Saturday) were big days in the Bug household. I’m going to try to not share ALL the photos, but there are a few more than usual on those days. To make up for it there are two days without pictures. Woo hoo!
Sunday, October 22^nd         
Dr. M & I took a little road trip up into the mountains and it was glorious!
 

I had tomato basil pie and pecan pie. It was a banner day.
 

Also, I wanted Dr. M to take some photos of my new shawl.
 

Monday, October 23^rd                 
It’s pretty ugly around here – you can see why we needed to escape to the mountains.
 

Tuesday, October 24^th                       
No photo.
 
Wednesday, October 25^th                              
My cousin found a pillow pattern with an interesting construction. I wanted to try it in miniature first. It’s interesting – I might do the crochet part and have her do the sewing. Ha!
 

Thursday, October 26^th                           
No photo.
 
 Friday, October 27^th                         
One of us might have gotten carried away with the oatmeal toppings. Can you guess which is whose?
 

Saturday, October 28^th                     
Trunk or Treat at church! I went as a tacky tourist – mostly so I could wear shorts (it was 84 degrees!) and no makeup.
 

We had a lot of cute customers. And one of our chaplains dressed as the Holy Ghost which was hilarious (and very appropriate). Not pictured: a pirate themed trunk where the kids had to walk the plank to get their candy, an Operation game where kids used tweezers and tongs to get their candy, and a fishing set up where the candy was on the ends of fishing poles. It was a fun day!
 

There’s a moon (and Jupiter!) in the sky! It’s been a while since Dr. M had the energy or the sky was clear enough to get a good moon shot. Last night was perfect.

 

This was another heavy week. I feel helpless, guilty, and afraid of what all this taking sides will do in our election (and then guilty again because why do I worry about that when children are dying). And then I feel confused because there are wars and dying children all over the world so why does this one get to us so much? Oof. So in true Enneagram 9 fashion I’m going to shift my focus to what I’m going to wear on Halloween for our office contest. How are you handling all the heaviness in the world?

2023 Project 365 – Week Forty

If last week was a short story, this week is a novel. Lots of photos, lots of things to talk about. Get a cup of coffee (eww!) and settle in.
Sunday, October 1^st         
Except for a brief outing to the grocery store, I was the hermit that I told you I was. It was a lovely day, including one of the last Braves games of the regular season.
 

Monday, October 2^nd                 
As you’ll see later in the week, our neighborhood is getting into the holiday spirit. Here is our décor.
 

Tuesday, October 3^rd                      
Dr. M said: “My wife had these two items on her grocery list, along with a few things I needed. I would say that her meal plans don’t call for both items on the same plate, but…”
 

I added some plants to my office! I’m annoyed it took so long for me to get around to this. They make me smile.
 

Later that evening I was trying to show Sue the timer feature on my camera. These pictures are hilarious.
 

Wednesday, October 4^th                              
I was pouting because I don’t have a glasses topper to match this outfit.

Dr. M’s dinner from Wednesday looks so good – I wish I could have the same thing to eat tonight!

 

 
Thursday, October 5^th                           
The neighborhood is getting into the spirit of things. That one with the ghosts doing ring-around-the-rosie looks terrifying to me. I don’t know why, but I’m steering clear of that yard!
 

Lunch! I didn’t have any Cheetos so I added Pizzeria Combos to my egg salad sandwich. It was delicious!

 

I’m still working on my cardigan, but it’s coming along. I’m afraid I’ll have to order more yarn, which is making it one of my less successful stash busters. 

 

Friday, October 6^th                         
Remnants…
 

Saturday, October 7^th                   
Dr. M bringing the soybean fields to me… Makes me miss Ohio – but on the other hand these fields are within a few miles of my home here in NC, so what am I complaining about?
 

I spent this (Sunday) afternoon hanging out with a couple of special little boys (and their parents, etc.). Here’s a teaser for you.
 

Such a lovely surprise! Have you had any fun surprises lately?