A warm, rainy Sunday today. No thunder or lightning, just rain. We need it, so we are grateful. Very humid, though.
This past week was very tough at work, every single day, for some reason. Either we had unexpectedly complicated and challenging patients, and/or for a few days there were multiple computer issues.
It's so frustrating, that in a company this size they can't put more resources into fully functioning computers; we think it's mainly the software, but some of the staff think it's the wireless connection. Oddly the IT department is fully aware of the issues, but our department is the only one with this many ongoing complaints. And no one can figure out why it's happening.
I'm grateful one of the docs is out tomorrow, so I can catch up on messages and phone calls, and prepare charts for the week. This week we also have another birthday potluck, after having one last week for another staff member's birthday. Birthdays are a big deal here; one is expected to provide a dish, and also present(s) for the chosen one. There are 10 of us, so not including Christmas that's a lot of presents every year! I just can't swing it financially to the same extent the others do, but I do my best.
J's daughter and grandson left Monday morning. We have spent the week recovering. There was a lot of leftover food, so we've haven't had a lot of cooking to do. That's always good.
J was utterly exhausted by the time they left, so he hasn't done a whole lot this week; he also is experiencing a severe prolonged flare up of the wrist arthritis. That stops a lot of his planned projects, as he is wearing his big ol wrist brace. But he did have an idea to prevent the flooding: adding, or building up, the cement paving along the side of the house, so that the rain all collects in a gully/trench, which then empties out into the driveway. It cost a few hundred dollars for all the cement, and for paying for some professional assistance. But it appears to be working.
We--he--also had a tree person come to the house on Friday to give an estimate on removing the tree in the neighbor's yard; it will be $550, simply to remove the top half of the tree, the part which is hanging over the pool enclosure. That person established a sense of urgency by pointing out the crack in the limb...meaning it could break off any moment. However, it's been like that since October 7, the Hurricane.
Sis had her second surgery this week. I couldn't go, but J went to be with them both at the hospital, offering support. Everything went well. We are keeping prayers and good thoughts going.
Today I was planning on going to Pilates. However, after going to bed and being asleep by 9:30 last night, I woke at 1:20 am. And wasn't ever able to get back to sleep. I finally got up at 5, and between the tiredness and headache, decided Pilates wasn't happening today. I did get a short nap for about 90 minutes this morning, and since both of us are low key today, we decided to just sit on the sofas and watch tv. We watched the end of one Star Wars movie, and then watched a true story called Lion, about a little boy in India who becomes lost from his family, and then after being adopted by an Australian family he grows up and decides to try to find his birth mom.
That movie was riveting. Just beautiful, and dramatic, and incredible to watch. Knowing it was a true story made it even more amazing. Highly recommended.
And sad news this week: my dad's half sister, my aunt, who I haven't seen in years and years, is being moved to Hospice. I honestly haven't even been in touch with her via email, but I have such wonderful memories of times spent with her, and her kids, my cousins. My poor dad is dealing with so much loss, and grief, and so many emotional challenges. I hate that we are so far away, unable to help with day to day life. It's a helpless feeling.
I was reminded that Change is the only constant and as such, one better learn how to make friends with it. It's not easy.
I hope I will be sleeping better tonight.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Sunday
Sunday night. Bushed.
Sis and Bro and their spouses and BonusNiece, and J's daughter and her grandson, all here for dinner. It was supposed to be pool time and dinner, but somehow the pool time never happened tonight.
J's 79th birthday was today, and the grandson's 8th birthday was the 6th, so it was a celebration combining multiple special occasions. Everyone brought food of some kind, we provided a pork roast, and mac and cheese, and we also sprung for a specialty bakery cake. Then J's daughter brought a giant cookie, decorated to say "Happy Birthday to J and B"
(the grandson).
It was all awesome. We all sat crowded around the kitchen table, and just talked and ate, and laughed.
The daughter and grandson have been here since Tuesday. They have spent so much time in the pool, and thankfully they have also given us--given J--some private time during the days. They have visited other places around here, and done some sight-seeing, sometimes with J, and other times just the two of them. On Friday, one of J's grandsons who also lives here in FL drove over from where he lives about a 90min drive southwest of here. He spent the weekend, and left this morning. We've had a full house!
Sometimes it is incredibly stressful having so many people here--I just want to hide in my bedroom. Other times I think J has really done so much for us that I need to just take a deep breath and be with him in support. He loves his family; they are all so loving and boisterous and they enjoy a close and supportive relationship.
Yesterday morning I had my regular AlAnon meeting which I really needed by then. So much support there. I'm so grateful... And this morning I went to Sis' Pilates class. BIL and his daughter were also there which was nice; both of them inspire me in different ways.
Sis had brought (or made up) a rolled up towel for me to use under my neck. When I placed it under my neck doing some of the more painful moves, it really helped. She thinks it is simple old ordinary arthritis that is making some of the exercises so difficult, and so she had gone out her way to research all this, and came up with the towel. So simple, but so effective.
My raise finally came on the paycheck this week; I'm disappointed it wasn't more, but hey, FL is notorious for lower wages... it was only about 56 cents an hour more. Sigh. Well, next year I will break $15 an hour again. I have great health insurance which doesn't cost me a thing, and that helps a lot.
Earlier this week Sis stopped by and brought J a stunning and intricately stitched Chinese (or Japanese ?) embroidery. OMG, it is gorgeous. It is like nothing I've ever seen before. She saw it in a second-hand store and had it re-framed. It has the second place of honor on the wall above the bookcase. This is a real treasure.
And Friday night J's daughter took us all out to dinner at the Olive Garden. She graciously included Sis and BIL, along with J's other grandson who'd arrived that afternoon, and so we all met there after various work commutes and swimming and we had a blast. Great food, and very filling.
Much as I enjoy their company, and as much as I know J loves his daughter, it will be nice to have our house back again. They leave tomorrow, back to Ohio.
I am so tired. Once again I didn't get to call Dad; rats. I had planned to today, and there was just too much going on. Argghh.
This week we will be recovering from the long week of company. No special plans otherwise. There's a potluck at work Wednesday, and Sis' repeat surgery Thursday.
Prayers accepted, TYG.
Sis and Bro and their spouses and BonusNiece, and J's daughter and her grandson, all here for dinner. It was supposed to be pool time and dinner, but somehow the pool time never happened tonight.
J's 79th birthday was today, and the grandson's 8th birthday was the 6th, so it was a celebration combining multiple special occasions. Everyone brought food of some kind, we provided a pork roast, and mac and cheese, and we also sprung for a specialty bakery cake. Then J's daughter brought a giant cookie, decorated to say "Happy Birthday to J and B"
(the grandson).
It was all awesome. We all sat crowded around the kitchen table, and just talked and ate, and laughed.
The daughter and grandson have been here since Tuesday. They have spent so much time in the pool, and thankfully they have also given us--given J--some private time during the days. They have visited other places around here, and done some sight-seeing, sometimes with J, and other times just the two of them. On Friday, one of J's grandsons who also lives here in FL drove over from where he lives about a 90min drive southwest of here. He spent the weekend, and left this morning. We've had a full house!
Sometimes it is incredibly stressful having so many people here--I just want to hide in my bedroom. Other times I think J has really done so much for us that I need to just take a deep breath and be with him in support. He loves his family; they are all so loving and boisterous and they enjoy a close and supportive relationship.
Yesterday morning I had my regular AlAnon meeting which I really needed by then. So much support there. I'm so grateful... And this morning I went to Sis' Pilates class. BIL and his daughter were also there which was nice; both of them inspire me in different ways.
Sis had brought (or made up) a rolled up towel for me to use under my neck. When I placed it under my neck doing some of the more painful moves, it really helped. She thinks it is simple old ordinary arthritis that is making some of the exercises so difficult, and so she had gone out her way to research all this, and came up with the towel. So simple, but so effective.
My raise finally came on the paycheck this week; I'm disappointed it wasn't more, but hey, FL is notorious for lower wages... it was only about 56 cents an hour more. Sigh. Well, next year I will break $15 an hour again. I have great health insurance which doesn't cost me a thing, and that helps a lot.
Earlier this week Sis stopped by and brought J a stunning and intricately stitched Chinese (or Japanese ?) embroidery. OMG, it is gorgeous. It is like nothing I've ever seen before. She saw it in a second-hand store and had it re-framed. It has the second place of honor on the wall above the bookcase. This is a real treasure.
And Friday night J's daughter took us all out to dinner at the Olive Garden. She graciously included Sis and BIL, along with J's other grandson who'd arrived that afternoon, and so we all met there after various work commutes and swimming and we had a blast. Great food, and very filling.
Much as I enjoy their company, and as much as I know J loves his daughter, it will be nice to have our house back again. They leave tomorrow, back to Ohio.
I am so tired. Once again I didn't get to call Dad; rats. I had planned to today, and there was just too much going on. Argghh.
This week we will be recovering from the long week of company. No special plans otherwise. There's a potluck at work Wednesday, and Sis' repeat surgery Thursday.
Prayers accepted, TYG.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Sunday
Hard to believe it's been a week already, since last writing.
Today I passed on Pilates; instead J and I worked outside before it got too hot. Ha. That's a joke. It's not only too hot from the time we get up (it's 75 by 6:30 am and then gets up to 90 by noon), but it's incredibly humid. Still, I walked the dogs while he took the truck and drove to a neighbor's house to load up their unwanted bricks. The homeowner is thrilled someone wants those bricks, and we are thrilled to not pay $1-2 a piece.
He loaded up the back of the truck which was about 2-3 wheelbarrows full, and then drove home, where we unloaded into the wheelbarrow together. Then he moved the wheelbarrow to various points on the lawn, front and back and sides, and then went back to the homeowner's for more. He did this four times. I can't even guess how many bricks it is, but they are heavy.
While he went back for each load I got to lay them along the garden beds, and around various plantings. I can only pick up 2 or three bricks at a time, and so it took me awhile. But the finished effect looks so good! I'm so happy with the way it turned out. And I just did the back yard. Tomorrow J will do the front yard: bricks along the mulch along the front shrubbery, and around each of our palms, and also around the mailbox planting. I love the way it looks.
Then we stripped off our soaking wet clothes, and jumped in the pool. Took about an hour to recover, soaking in it. Such a beautiful day, despite the heat and humidity. It's sunny, with huge puffy white and gray clouds.
This week he picked up one rain barrel and now has it hooked up to the gutter at one corner. Next payday we'll get another one for the other corner.
Tuesday we began heading to Sis' each night to feed the kitties while she was away. On Wednesday we got a questioning text from her wondering if we'd given one of the kitties too much of his medicine because it was all gone...long story short, we had. We'd mistaken the markings on the syringe and were giving 0.5 instead of 0.05 of the medicine...Fortunately an overdose did not turn out to be fatal this time, although we were pretty scared.
Wednesday was also our anniversary, nine years married. We visited the kitties that night, and then stopped at a local diner for a good home cooked-by-someone-else dinner. The staff gave us each a free piece of pie to celebrate the anniversary, which was a wonderful gesture.
My work went well all week. Having the sound enabled in the office, so we can listen to the local radio station is awesome. What a difference it makes! Not this week but next week two of the staff are celebrating birthdays, so once again we are doing potlucks. Which means presents. Jeez. The Dollar Store is becoming my friend. There are several different dollar store chains here, so that helps.
And speaking of money, my raise has not shown up on my paycheck yet...hopefully next paycheck, this Friday. Despite the pay, I am very happy at this job. I work with great people. And I love being so close that I can drive it in 10 minutes. I love the free gym membership, too. It's a good company.
Well. BIL is now home from his overseas travels. Sis is home from Chicago. Both will be here later today to jump in the pool...and maybe stay for dinner. Life is good.
Today I passed on Pilates; instead J and I worked outside before it got too hot. Ha. That's a joke. It's not only too hot from the time we get up (it's 75 by 6:30 am and then gets up to 90 by noon), but it's incredibly humid. Still, I walked the dogs while he took the truck and drove to a neighbor's house to load up their unwanted bricks. The homeowner is thrilled someone wants those bricks, and we are thrilled to not pay $1-2 a piece.
He loaded up the back of the truck which was about 2-3 wheelbarrows full, and then drove home, where we unloaded into the wheelbarrow together. Then he moved the wheelbarrow to various points on the lawn, front and back and sides, and then went back to the homeowner's for more. He did this four times. I can't even guess how many bricks it is, but they are heavy.
While he went back for each load I got to lay them along the garden beds, and around various plantings. I can only pick up 2 or three bricks at a time, and so it took me awhile. But the finished effect looks so good! I'm so happy with the way it turned out. And I just did the back yard. Tomorrow J will do the front yard: bricks along the mulch along the front shrubbery, and around each of our palms, and also around the mailbox planting. I love the way it looks.
Then we stripped off our soaking wet clothes, and jumped in the pool. Took about an hour to recover, soaking in it. Such a beautiful day, despite the heat and humidity. It's sunny, with huge puffy white and gray clouds.
This week he picked up one rain barrel and now has it hooked up to the gutter at one corner. Next payday we'll get another one for the other corner.
Tuesday we began heading to Sis' each night to feed the kitties while she was away. On Wednesday we got a questioning text from her wondering if we'd given one of the kitties too much of his medicine because it was all gone...long story short, we had. We'd mistaken the markings on the syringe and were giving 0.5 instead of 0.05 of the medicine...Fortunately an overdose did not turn out to be fatal this time, although we were pretty scared.
Wednesday was also our anniversary, nine years married. We visited the kitties that night, and then stopped at a local diner for a good home cooked-by-someone-else dinner. The staff gave us each a free piece of pie to celebrate the anniversary, which was a wonderful gesture.
My work went well all week. Having the sound enabled in the office, so we can listen to the local radio station is awesome. What a difference it makes! Not this week but next week two of the staff are celebrating birthdays, so once again we are doing potlucks. Which means presents. Jeez. The Dollar Store is becoming my friend. There are several different dollar store chains here, so that helps.
And speaking of money, my raise has not shown up on my paycheck yet...hopefully next paycheck, this Friday. Despite the pay, I am very happy at this job. I work with great people. And I love being so close that I can drive it in 10 minutes. I love the free gym membership, too. It's a good company.
Well. BIL is now home from his overseas travels. Sis is home from Chicago. Both will be here later today to jump in the pool...and maybe stay for dinner. Life is good.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Sunday
Another busy week, but with the bonus of an extra day off. Tuesday was the fourth of July. So we did our morning errands and cleaning and then Sis came over, and we three went to a movie. We saw "Wonder Woman". She'd seen it before and loved it. J and I haven't been actually out to a movie in many months. I'd never been a superhero fan, but this one was so well done, with so many great special effects. Loved it. It was great to get out and enjoy a movie on the big screen.
Then we stopped at Steinmart afterwards specifically to find a new wallet for J, as his previous one has worn enough that he is losing things out of it. We found a great one, and it was on sale. Yay! I think that day Sis stayed for awhile after we got home, and we floated in the pool. Always such a blessing.
That night we listened to fireworks in our neighborhood, which continued until after 11pm. Ugh. The dogs did not appreciate the noise.
The next day J's stepdaughter arrived here around 11, and he had a blast. He fell in love with the 3 yr old daughter, who absolutely adored the pool.
Meanwhile I was working, and the days all went well. J does other things during the day if we don't have visitors: he mows, and is also working on making repairs to the gutters, and taking the dogs for long walks around the neighborhood; he does grocery shopping, and all the myriad chores and errands involved in running the home. He is amazing.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays he meets me at the gym after work, and we bike or walk for half an hour. Friday was payday for me, so he does some shopping those days, too. Friday was a tough day for me, only because it's our busiest day with both docs in the office. But all went well, until the end of the day when the new RN was let go, unexpectedly. She apparently wasn't learning the job quickly enough.
None of us were prepared for that; it was a blow because not only are we still looking for a third person to be with RN and me seeing patients, but now we start the search again for another RN to help the two working with the docs on their procedure days. Sigh. The previous search lasted over 8 months. We had high hopes for this girl.
However, my doc said cheerfully, "Well, we have a great team right now-- 2 front office, two back office with patients, two doing procedures, and us two docs! We'll find the right person, don't worry!"
He also brought me a fresh guava, which he is growing on his farm. (He pronounces it "gwa-wa", which I have to struggle not to laugh at. It sounds so cute when he says it. ) I'd never had a fresh one, only the guava jelly. I liked the fruit, but I love the jelly. If he brings me more, I think I will try to make the jelly.
Saturday I went to my meeting, and then headed to Kohl's. I'm already needing another pair of sneakers. Fortunately I found some good ones on sale. I also found J a pair of shorts--he goes through them like crazy--, and a second set of pj's for me, and a wonderful (don't laugh) spatula! The one we have is definitely sturdy, but when I use it, it feels too big and unwieldy. My hand is a lot smaller than J's and this new one fits much better. These were all on an amazing sale. I paid $87 for all of the above; the sneakers alone were $45, marked down from $75. I'm very happy.
Back to work tomorrow. Our wedding anniversary is Wednesday, 9 years. Congratulations to us-- we are both so happy with our life.
Then we stopped at Steinmart afterwards specifically to find a new wallet for J, as his previous one has worn enough that he is losing things out of it. We found a great one, and it was on sale. Yay! I think that day Sis stayed for awhile after we got home, and we floated in the pool. Always such a blessing.
That night we listened to fireworks in our neighborhood, which continued until after 11pm. Ugh. The dogs did not appreciate the noise.
The next day J's stepdaughter arrived here around 11, and he had a blast. He fell in love with the 3 yr old daughter, who absolutely adored the pool.
Meanwhile I was working, and the days all went well. J does other things during the day if we don't have visitors: he mows, and is also working on making repairs to the gutters, and taking the dogs for long walks around the neighborhood; he does grocery shopping, and all the myriad chores and errands involved in running the home. He is amazing.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays he meets me at the gym after work, and we bike or walk for half an hour. Friday was payday for me, so he does some shopping those days, too. Friday was a tough day for me, only because it's our busiest day with both docs in the office. But all went well, until the end of the day when the new RN was let go, unexpectedly. She apparently wasn't learning the job quickly enough.
None of us were prepared for that; it was a blow because not only are we still looking for a third person to be with RN and me seeing patients, but now we start the search again for another RN to help the two working with the docs on their procedure days. Sigh. The previous search lasted over 8 months. We had high hopes for this girl.
However, my doc said cheerfully, "Well, we have a great team right now-- 2 front office, two back office with patients, two doing procedures, and us two docs! We'll find the right person, don't worry!"
He also brought me a fresh guava, which he is growing on his farm. (He pronounces it "gwa-wa", which I have to struggle not to laugh at. It sounds so cute when he says it. ) I'd never had a fresh one, only the guava jelly. I liked the fruit, but I love the jelly. If he brings me more, I think I will try to make the jelly.
Saturday I went to my meeting, and then headed to Kohl's. I'm already needing another pair of sneakers. Fortunately I found some good ones on sale. I also found J a pair of shorts--he goes through them like crazy--, and a second set of pj's for me, and a wonderful (don't laugh) spatula! The one we have is definitely sturdy, but when I use it, it feels too big and unwieldy. My hand is a lot smaller than J's and this new one fits much better. These were all on an amazing sale. I paid $87 for all of the above; the sneakers alone were $45, marked down from $75. I'm very happy.
Back to work tomorrow. Our wedding anniversary is Wednesday, 9 years. Congratulations to us-- we are both so happy with our life.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Sunday
My mammogram results are fine. No worries, no changes since my last one two summers ago. My doc had said I didn't have to do them yearly "at my age", but I don't know if that recommendation now changes due to Sis' diagnosis. I'm happy to do whatever is recommended, but for my own peace of mind, I think yearly is good.
All of J's labs are good, and his Holter monitor results are excellent; he also had a carotid ultrasound while in the office. Afterwards the cardiologist told him he was good for another 20 years. Not that I was worried -- but PHEW.
One day this week there was a lot of rain, the pool coming close to overflowing again. And this time the back bathroom did "flood". As in, water seeping under the door and the whole floor being wet.
Fortunately J was there. He mopped it all up, and swept and then got to work doing diagrams on how to fix this. The short story is it can't be fixed without a rebuild of this whole back area--bathroom, venting for the dryer, plumbing, the concrete walkway outside dug up, etc. It was an add-on at some point in the house's history, and not well done.
So the short-term fix is to get sandbags, which he did the next day. Then he will buy a water barrel, into which the water will drain better. He can also use that as a source to water that side of the lawn. At some point he will buy another for the other side of the house. Always something...
Payday for him was Wednesday, so he went and bought a ladder, and the tools to work with re-doing the gutters above the flooding area, and re-installing them. These got dented during the hurricane, and we --he!-- just hadn't gotten to them yet. We've been borrowing a ladder from BIL, and also one from Bro, all this time. Finally we have our own. J is very pleased, as he doesn't feel comfortable borrowing long term. He is slowly replacing all the tools we had to leave in OR.
His oldest step-daughter and her small child will be visiting her relatives down in Cocoa Beach next week, and have agreed to come up and visit him too, on Wednesday. He will make them lunch here, and they will probably spend all their visit playing in the pool. He's excited about that.
(This is one of the two offspring I've met that I do not like, maybe because they have the same mom, J's third ex. This step-daughter seems judgemental and reserved, and is very close to the daughter who is not speaking to J. Hmm. I personally would be wary of what she might say or do, but then, it's none of my business. Fortunately, I will be at work, and do not have to spend any time with them. All of J's other ...kids??.... I've met and liked, so these two are an aberration. )
Sis came over Wednesday afternoon after I got off work, because we were originally planning to start that yoga class. But instead, it was incredibly humid, and we decided to do the pool instead. It's such a treat for me to do this every day. I can't believe how lucky we are to have a pool. I can do a great workout in the pool using the noodles, and it doesn't hurt or feel like I'm even sweating.
Yesterday, we had even more of a treat. Sis came over, and then Bro and SIL, bringing all food supplies for a great dinner. So before dinner we were hanging out in the pool with adult beverages, etc. Suddenly I saw a raccoon trundling over the neighbor's roof! I excitedly pointed it out and we all ooh-ed and aah-ed. A short time later I saw not one, but two more, in the Y of a tree in his yard. They were playing and tussling, obviously young.
Then a third one appeared, and finally a fourth one appeared. We were all in awe and delight, and just watched them for the longest time. They were climbing up and down the tree, clambering out on branches, climbing higher, then turning around and heading down.
Sis and Bro and I were in the pool this whole time, staring at the kits. J and SIL had been having their own conversation, but by this time we all were transfixed by this: FOUR young raccoons. And then, the mama appeared, and there were five. Holy cow.
Such a blessing. At some point we saw one of them on just the other side of the shrubbery along our shared fence. He was peering in at us. Not concerned at all, just very curious. Eventually, maybe half an hour later, they all wandered away through the gap in the neighbor's back fence.
But now, of course I am constantly searching the trees, looking for them again. I wonder if they live there, or if they were just traveling through the neighborhood.
We all went inside then, and had a wonderful dinner, lots of talk and laughter and discussion, etc. Sis was missing BIL who is traveling on business, and we haven't all gotten together in weeks. It was wonderful to catch up.
Later I took the dog out for her last outing in the yard and heard an odd screeching noise, almost a hissing. It was full dark by then, but I finally saw the source: the outline of an owl, sitting on top of one of the broken tree trunks above our fence. I've never heard that sound before. It was amazing. I couldn't figure out why it was just sitting there--and then I saw the second one, about 10 feet away, sitting on a phone line above our shed. The two of them were calling back and forth with this weird hissing noise. I couldn't tell what kind of owls they were, but I've never seen two together until last night.
I had my work evaluation finally, on Friday. Much to my surprise I received "commendable" ratings on almost everything. That's the highest rating one can get. I do get a raise also, but I have no idea how much yet. I'll find out this Friday, payday; the raise is retroactive to my anniversary date of May 23rd. It was very nice to have that appreciation. Both the docs "love me", and now I feel much more secure. Sometimes my own anxiety makes me wonder if I'm really doing well, but this was a good confirmation.
The TypeA Doc came into work the other day, all excited to share that her piss lily was blooming. RN and I looked at each other, and then it dawned on us what she was saying--her peace lily. Because of her strong accent, some things just sound completely different... We both kept a straight face while she was there, but when she'd left the room, we cracked up.
July. Half the year is over! J's birthday is the 23rd, and our wedding anniversary is the 12th. It will be 9 years married! The happiest years of my life, I can't imagine anything better than this. TYG.
All of J's labs are good, and his Holter monitor results are excellent; he also had a carotid ultrasound while in the office. Afterwards the cardiologist told him he was good for another 20 years. Not that I was worried -- but PHEW.
One day this week there was a lot of rain, the pool coming close to overflowing again. And this time the back bathroom did "flood". As in, water seeping under the door and the whole floor being wet.
Fortunately J was there. He mopped it all up, and swept and then got to work doing diagrams on how to fix this. The short story is it can't be fixed without a rebuild of this whole back area--bathroom, venting for the dryer, plumbing, the concrete walkway outside dug up, etc. It was an add-on at some point in the house's history, and not well done.
So the short-term fix is to get sandbags, which he did the next day. Then he will buy a water barrel, into which the water will drain better. He can also use that as a source to water that side of the lawn. At some point he will buy another for the other side of the house. Always something...
Payday for him was Wednesday, so he went and bought a ladder, and the tools to work with re-doing the gutters above the flooding area, and re-installing them. These got dented during the hurricane, and we --he!-- just hadn't gotten to them yet. We've been borrowing a ladder from BIL, and also one from Bro, all this time. Finally we have our own. J is very pleased, as he doesn't feel comfortable borrowing long term. He is slowly replacing all the tools we had to leave in OR.
His oldest step-daughter and her small child will be visiting her relatives down in Cocoa Beach next week, and have agreed to come up and visit him too, on Wednesday. He will make them lunch here, and they will probably spend all their visit playing in the pool. He's excited about that.
(This is one of the two offspring I've met that I do not like, maybe because they have the same mom, J's third ex. This step-daughter seems judgemental and reserved, and is very close to the daughter who is not speaking to J. Hmm. I personally would be wary of what she might say or do, but then, it's none of my business. Fortunately, I will be at work, and do not have to spend any time with them. All of J's other ...kids??.... I've met and liked, so these two are an aberration. )
Sis came over Wednesday afternoon after I got off work, because we were originally planning to start that yoga class. But instead, it was incredibly humid, and we decided to do the pool instead. It's such a treat for me to do this every day. I can't believe how lucky we are to have a pool. I can do a great workout in the pool using the noodles, and it doesn't hurt or feel like I'm even sweating.
Yesterday, we had even more of a treat. Sis came over, and then Bro and SIL, bringing all food supplies for a great dinner. So before dinner we were hanging out in the pool with adult beverages, etc. Suddenly I saw a raccoon trundling over the neighbor's roof! I excitedly pointed it out and we all ooh-ed and aah-ed. A short time later I saw not one, but two more, in the Y of a tree in his yard. They were playing and tussling, obviously young.
Then a third one appeared, and finally a fourth one appeared. We were all in awe and delight, and just watched them for the longest time. They were climbing up and down the tree, clambering out on branches, climbing higher, then turning around and heading down.
Sis and Bro and I were in the pool this whole time, staring at the kits. J and SIL had been having their own conversation, but by this time we all were transfixed by this: FOUR young raccoons. And then, the mama appeared, and there were five. Holy cow.
Such a blessing. At some point we saw one of them on just the other side of the shrubbery along our shared fence. He was peering in at us. Not concerned at all, just very curious. Eventually, maybe half an hour later, they all wandered away through the gap in the neighbor's back fence.
But now, of course I am constantly searching the trees, looking for them again. I wonder if they live there, or if they were just traveling through the neighborhood.
We all went inside then, and had a wonderful dinner, lots of talk and laughter and discussion, etc. Sis was missing BIL who is traveling on business, and we haven't all gotten together in weeks. It was wonderful to catch up.
Later I took the dog out for her last outing in the yard and heard an odd screeching noise, almost a hissing. It was full dark by then, but I finally saw the source: the outline of an owl, sitting on top of one of the broken tree trunks above our fence. I've never heard that sound before. It was amazing. I couldn't figure out why it was just sitting there--and then I saw the second one, about 10 feet away, sitting on a phone line above our shed. The two of them were calling back and forth with this weird hissing noise. I couldn't tell what kind of owls they were, but I've never seen two together until last night.
I had my work evaluation finally, on Friday. Much to my surprise I received "commendable" ratings on almost everything. That's the highest rating one can get. I do get a raise also, but I have no idea how much yet. I'll find out this Friday, payday; the raise is retroactive to my anniversary date of May 23rd. It was very nice to have that appreciation. Both the docs "love me", and now I feel much more secure. Sometimes my own anxiety makes me wonder if I'm really doing well, but this was a good confirmation.
The TypeA Doc came into work the other day, all excited to share that her piss lily was blooming. RN and I looked at each other, and then it dawned on us what she was saying--her peace lily. Because of her strong accent, some things just sound completely different... We both kept a straight face while she was there, but when she'd left the room, we cracked up.
July. Half the year is over! J's birthday is the 23rd, and our wedding anniversary is the 12th. It will be 9 years married! The happiest years of my life, I can't imagine anything better than this. TYG.
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