Right now...
Since none of the posts in my draft folder are ready to go, we're gonna go with a stream of consciousness-style post today!
Right now, I am:
hoping...
that I will get to donate blood this morning. This is my third time trying (my blood iron has been very slightly too low the last two times). I've been taking an iron supplement, though, so I am hopeful that I will qualify today!
Maybe the third time is the charm.
waiting on pins and needles...
to get my exam #3 grade.
It was a 100% lab practical test, no multiple-choice, with 25 stations where we had to identify bones and landmarks on bones ("This is the lateral malleolus of the fibula"), so these tests will probably take my professor a few days to grade.
Scantron tests come back faster!
feeling the usual overwhelm...
that happens at the beginning of a new A&P unit. Every single time, I think, "This will be impossible!"
And every time it turns out not to be so.
I have until Sunday night to learn two chapters of material and then take a test. Usually, we have two weeks for this, and I don't know why we are getting only six days this time around. Hopefully, this means exam #4 is less difficult.
happy...
that once exam #4 is done, I am halfway through the exams for the semester since there are eight in total.
really behind...
on email. It's been a few days since I did an inbox cleanout, so I know it's scary in there.
If you emailed me and I haven't written back...that's why.
kind of annoyed...
that tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be in the 80s. WHERE are my crisp October days?? I do not actually want to be wearing shorts right now.
hoping...
that we might get a braces-end date for Zoe at her orthodontics check up today. I can only imagine how happy she will be to have all this metal out of her mouth at some point in the not too distant future.
happy...
that my huge bulletin board arrived. I wanted something to hang above my desk, and the first one I ordered got lost in the shipping process somewhere.
But the second one showed up on my doorstep yesterday and now I just have to hang it up.
wondering...
if the bulletin board I ordered is a little unnecessarily big. I could possibly have gotten by with a smaller one, but hey, it's here now and I don't think I want to go to the bother of returning it.
And since I am a satisficer, not a maximizer, I probably will stop thinking about the size of the board as soon as I hang it up.
(Here's an article about the difference between satisficers and maximizers.)
"Close enough is good enough! This will be fine!" = a thing I say often.
I come by my satisficing through no effort of my own but I feel pretty lucky that this is my tendency because apparently, satisficing is correlated with greater happiness.
I am no researcher or psychologist, but I can definitely see how this would hold true. If I expended mental energy trying to evaluate every option before I made a decision and then also expended mental energy questioning my decision after I made it, I would probably feel tired.
And I'd probably feel less happy.
I think for me, it comes down to believing that there are probably lots of options out there that would all be just fine. If I thought there was only one perfect option, I'd be more stressed about decision-making, but since I think there are lots of suitable options, I'm happy going with the first minimum viable option that comes across the plate.
scratching my head...
about why in the world I have not tackled painting my bedroom yet.
I even have a sample jar of a test color, and both Mr. FG and I are approaching this with a, "basically any lighter color will be better than our current burgundy situation" attitude, so it's not that I'm hung up on finding the perfect paint color.
I think I am just dreading all the temporary upheaval of moving things out of the bedroom and making a mess with the trim painting, ceiling painting, and wall painting. Yuck.
What I know about myself, though, is that often I just need to get started, and then I will keep going.
So, I probably should just roll that sample paint onto the wall in a super obvious spot that I will see every day. That's probably going to drive me crazy enough to make me actually just do this job!
_______________
Alrighty...I'm off to the blood donation center now. And hopefully for tomorrow's Thankful Thursday post, I will be able to tell you guys that I finally qualified to donate blood. 🙂
Feel free to make your own little "right now" list in the comments if you'd like!
I gave blood yesterday! It was close, had to test both middle fingers to ensure that hemoglobin was high enough. And they had stroopwafels for snacks, so that was super.
Also we are doing a massive sleeping rearrangement right now. I get how hard that is to start. For us, one of the rooms involved not only needs emptied and painted and carpet out and in — it needs many layers of painted-over wallpaper removed and the century-plus-old plaster repaired. If the carpet guys would tell us when we're scheduled, that might help me with a deadline and then I might get to work!
But first, I have a fierce work schedule this week. But first-first, a Bible study that starts in nine minutes. I better get going.
@Karen., wow! Stroopwafles at a blood donation, that's a really awesome treat. But did they have coffee? 😉
@Yolanda, yes! For what is a wafel without its partner. 😉
@Karen.,
Sanquin takes good care of its donors!
At first I thought, "Why is Kristen writing Satisficer? That's not how satisfier is spelled." Then I followed the link to the article. Oh, okay, I get it now.
I think I might be one of those, too.
Our temps are currently running almost 10 degrees above normal. We are predicted to almost reach 90, and no, I am not happy about that, but I'm trying to remember that it will get cooler.
I'm wondering why you haven't started your bedroom painting too:)! Seriously, it will be a job, but think how much better you'll feel when it's done.
I'm in an odd spot this week. I have signed a lease for my husband to move into assisted living. This will be an emotional and financial event for me, and an emotional one for him. His caregiver, who's been a treasure, was offered another job with great pay and benefits, right at the same time that I found an assisted living facility that is licensed for more hands-on care than most ALFs. I approached her with the idea of moving my husband to an ALF sometime soon, and she said she was just about to tell me about her job offer that she had received only that week, and was considering. She hadn't even been looking for the job, it literally fell in her lap.
We will start moving him next week. He's understandably not too happy about moving away from home, but has accepted it, especially since this place is designed for people with mobility issues, and our house is absolutely not. He will be 10 minutes from my work place, and even closer to our oldest kid's home. He has some extended family in this town, too.
This move is actually a good thing, but after almost 43 years of marriage, this will feel weird. I'm not sad so much as I am trying to process this. I'm so grateful for my faith and for my loving family that is supporting us through this time. I guess that should be for Thursday, but it's just as important to me today!
@JD,
I wish you peace and strength as you embark on this difficult journey.
@Bee,
Thank you Bee, you are always so kind.
@JD, Your comment hit a nerve with me....actually brought tears to my eyes. Sending you all the positive thoughts I can muster. Best to you on this next chapter.
Oh JD, much love to you. I think the feelings you are having make lots of sense, and I hope that once you guys are adjusted to the new situation, that it turns out to be positive like it has for A. Marie and her husband. But in the midst of it all, I think having a swirling mix of feelings sounds very understandable.
@JD,
May you have peace as you and your husband transition to a different "normal". ALF's can be wonderful places, especially when they are needed and have caring staff. Praying for you both.
@JD, I can only imagine how hard this must be. My heart goes out to you, A. Marie, and anyone else going through a similar situation.
@JD, good luck to you and your husband. FWIW, my grandmother loved her retirement/care facility. She said she could see people or not, as she chose, and she didn't have to cook.
@JD, Praying that your family and community surround you with love in the coming weeks.
@JD, may there be all kindnesses shown to you and your husband on this transition in your lives together. (((hugs)))
@Ruby,
And everyone! That is so kind! Your kind comments are going to make me cry! Thank you!!
@WilliamB, @JD - FWIW, mine too! Time together was much higher quality - everyone felt more free to enjoy each other's company. I think she had to get through a phase of NOT liking it at first, because of course it takes time for it to feel home-like, and to feel interested in getting out and seeing what the new enjoyable benefits are. JD, I hope your husband feels that way very rapidly.
@JD, I'll be praying for you and your husband. I can only imagine how you two feel and I hope that the transition will work out for him.
@Suz,
I hope so too, thank you!
@Battra92,
I appreciate the prayers, they are really needed!
@JD, All best blessings to you through this time of change!
@JD,
I will hold you in my thoughts as I have with A. Marie (and others closer to home). I, too, have stories of those who made a wonderful adjustment after a pretty short time in a caring new home. May that be your experience as well.
@JD, I have nothing original to add to what all the others have said, just keeping you in my thoughts.
@JD, prayers for you and your husband.
@JD, you and your husband are in my thoughts. I don't think you ever think about this stage of aging, as a couple, until it is in your face. I am hoping you and your husband find peace.
Right now
I am procrastinating …
I don’t want to mop the kitchen floor
I am tired …
I went to art class last night, and it always takes me a while to wind down once I get home. However, Rescue Pup wakes at the same time every morning regardless of how late I’ve been up.
I am hopeful …
We have a trainer coming this weekend to help Rescue Pup with her leash aggression. I’ve done everything that I know how to do and haven’t had results. It is counterintuitive that this dog is an angel off the leash and responds to voice commands. Yet, she is a beast on the leash. (Sigh)
I’m happy…
Well , I just am. The sun is out. The sky is blue. The clouds are white and fluffy. The cardinals are flying about. All appears to be well at this very moment.
Right now....
I am editing a massive to do list of things that need to be done in the house & yard before my son's birthday party on Oct 23rd and before the winter season begins. Clean out of huge flower beds, putting mulch down, washing walls, baseboards & curtains...I am tired just thinking about it but I just need to tackle it.
Planning to put a pot roast into the crock pot using a new recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast and substituting banana peppers because we have a garden and a ton of pickled peppers on hand.
Enjoying the scent from an Autumn Leaves candle burning.
Wishing for cooler temperatures. We are still in the low 80's and I am done with the humidity. Bring on Fall!
Trying not to worry about all the things & focus on all the good things like health, provision, family, peace, & coffee.
YES. I am really over my wood floors feeling so sticky. Sometimes Zoe puts on socks because she gets annoyed with the feeling too! lol
@Kristen, when we got hardwood floors, the guys who installed as well as the contractor told us never go barefoot. Both bad for floors and possibly had on skin. So we wear shoes, slippers, or thongs (FYI, what some older people call rubber flip-flops) and floors are pretty perfect, years later. Anyone else been told this?
@J,
You are also a J? 🙂
J from NL
@J NL, Yes, two "j"s or more!
That is a LOT of tests. You have my admiration and respect for what you are doing.
Good luck on the blood donation! I feel your frustration of not being able to give. I've started being rejected because my heart rate jumps about 15-20 bpm as soon as I enter the building and they won't let you give if your heart rate is too high. (I guess my fear of needles is finally taking over.)
@Rebekah in SoCal,
A man with multiple health conditions and a heart rate that jumps when in a doctor's setting told me his trick: He unfocuses his eyes or closes them, and pictures the most relaxing, calming thing he knows. I tried it, picturing an empty beach with the sound of the waves and the seagulls, and lowered my blood pressure reading by several points. He says it works for his heart beat -- you might try it.
@JD, GI early and sit there! Read something fun.
@J, supposed to say “go early”!
Right now I am...
Procrastinating about work. There's not even that much on the to-do list but I'm still slow in getting started on it this morning.
Enjoying a cup of Raspberry Zinger tea since I've had enough caffeine this morning already.
Reminding myself of all the things in the fridge that need to be used up this week (ground turkey, brussels sprouts...)
Excited about the FREE dinner at a new restaurant in town that one of my client's gifted me with this week! He's a commercial real estate broker and sold the property. He wants me to go to the new restaurant with my SO, enjoy dinner, take some pics and post them on social media. How fun!
Ok, ok. I have to go start work. The sooner I start, the sooner I'm done!
BTW, love the "satisficer" concept! My motto is often "Done is better than none!"
Right now I am…
Happy I had no migraines today
Happy my tire is low from a screw, but can be easily fixed at 3: pm today
Happy I have 3 new books on raising an 18 yr old
Happy I have a southwest chicken wrap waiting for me at lunch
Stream of consciousness
My youngest son is 21 TODAY. wooo
Have not heart from my older son on nuc sub in weeks. Hard but expected.
Also hot here in metro Detroit. WAH.
HOPING FOR A COOL DOWN SOON.
I've still never been able to donate blood. It's one of those "I know I should" things and I always said if I ever caught Covid I would've donated after recovering.
Speaking of recovering, I had to drive for work yesterday and it took me to some places that I'd rather not go. Basically I had to drive to a big city full of traffic and noise. The drive home had my anxiety up at such a high level because of people driving super fast, me being unaware of where I was and worst of all, getting home after dark (can you tell why I hate this change of seasons?) When I got home I just kind of crashed. I'm still not feeling quite myself today. I really, REALLY prefer when my wife drives me somewhere. If I were rich I'd have a chauffeur on staff.
@Battra92, yes to a chauffeur! And dark windows to block out all the mayhem.
@MB in MN, I normally drive maybe 20-30 miles a week at most. To put well over 200 miles on my car in one day is a bit jarring to the senses! @_@ In fact, when my wife and I were house hunting I had a long commute and she had a short one. We bought a house that gave me the short commute and her the long one and it has worked out for both of us.
@Battra92, When we leave Alaska and I have to drive the roads Outside, I turn into every caricature of the old person driver---timid, driving too slowly, afraid to change lanes unless there is not another car in my rear view mirror. It horrifies me and I am embarrassed to say that I have actually started sobbing from the stress of it. As part of one of my jobs I had to attend autopsies and they were a piece of cake in comparison to big city driving. I am always so relieved to get back to Fairbanks.
Fingers crossed on your blood donation! Sadly I no longer qualify as a suitable donor because I received blood after the birth of our eldest, nearly 30 years ago. As a monogamous, non substance taking, non exotic places travelling 0 negative, I would have expected a warm welcome really. Nothing transmittable was identified in the many years behind us, and 0 negative blood is not something you have on the shelf. They had to defrost the blood I was given...
The caption to this wail should probably read: frustrated... I am however deeply thankful that I was given blood in the first place, and also that I never needed more afterwards.
@J, I didn't know having received a transfusion disqualified you from donating. I received three units (or was it four?) during a surgery that turned complicated over 20 years ago. It was scary because it was before HIV or "nonA, nonB" (now called C) hepatitis could be screened for. I had to be tested six months later and no problems were found. But I don't believe I was told I wouldn't be able to give blood. And, yes, your O-negative would normally be manna from heaven for them.
@Bonnie, I received a blood transfusion after the birth of my youngest child and I have been able to give blood. I think there was a waiting period (maybe a year?) but I've given blood twice since then. J, maybe check with your doctor or the Red Cross but you might be okay to donate after all.
They wanted me to receive blood after the emergency c-section birth of my son 32 years ago.
Since there was HIV and no testing of blood at that time, I stated I would take only my husband's blood which is the same type. They refused but told me if I did not take the blood I would be very sick for years building back up my blood and system.
Boy was I sick for 3 years but especially the first year. I had an infection in every part of my body. Thank goodness for antibiotics. And that is why we did not have a third child. But it was my decision and I was always glad for it.
@Bonnie,
This is in Netherlands and the guideline was implemented after our country's blood donation services started cooperating with the French. In France several hemophilia patients got infected with HIV, in the 90's. In NL this never occurred but the guidelines are the same for all organizations under the same "umbrella".
Right now, I am:
- trying to focus on the positives.
- in the midst of doing one of my favorite things - prepping vegetables and grains for future meals - while listening to a good audiobook (Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler).
- enjoying our dog. She is so sweet and playful. I'm not even annoyed that she chewed part of her blanket - the part with the embroidered Good Dog logo. We love her sense of humor!
@MB in MN,
Oh that’s funny! Your good dog has a sense of humor!
@MB in MN, I love Anne Tyler.
Right now...
I am a bit tired. My daughter and I took a road trip that involved about 800 miles of driving (including through NYC during rush hour) in 2+ days. We visited with family and participated in a milestone event. We had a great time but not much down time. Combined with the driving it was a bit exhausting.
I am looking forward to lunch with a couple of buddies today.
I am a bit sore after a yoga conditioning class. I missed classes on Sunday and Tuesday because of the trip and I think it made it more difficult today. It's a class I have a love-hate relationship with. It's difficult but good for me. I'm grateful when it is over.
I am trying to catch up with mail and the like after being away. I managed to purchase some groceries and gas early today.
I am glad that I have boneless, skinless chicken breasts and a "new to me" sauce to throw in the slow cooker for dinner and lunch leftovers. Making meals is so much easier now than when I was growing up and helping to make dinners.
@K D, I have never done yoga, or any kind of exercise class. Do you keep at it until you realize you are better than you thought? Kind of like learning a foreign language? Good luck to you!
Your bedroom paint comment made me chuckle. I know it's been on your list for a while. We were telling my father-in-law about our winter home project plans and the biggest one is ripping up the carpet on the first floor, which apparently has hardwood underneath. As we started talking about it I began to mentally prepare myself for what that will mean for the moving of all of the furniture since it's definitely not something I'm looking forward to doing! Your sample paint spot sounds like an excellent plan!
Right now, I'm content and enjoying the day. We found out on Monday that my second grader was exposed to COVID a week before (it took a week for the other kid to develop symptoms, get tested, and get the results) so we've been home since we got back from Lake Michigan on Monday. But really, it's been kind of awesome. I've enjoyed the extra time at home to get things unpacked. My daughter and I played Qwirkle between remote learning assignments yesterday. Tomorrow I'm planning to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and make pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies. The kids have all been playing really well together. And since she's nearing the end of her quarantine and is still symptom-free I'm feeling pretty good about her health. It's given us a mini-fall break and the time together has been good.
It’s been a busy Wednesday for appointments.
1. The Cardiologist (all good only will wear a monitor for 8 days and get the carotid artery’s checked next week)
2. Retirement Financial Planner
(time to plan some withdrawals now that I am retired at 66)
3. Flu shot ( will walk to pharmacy and get my steps)
Actually looking forward to wearing shorts as I visit Annapolis for the sailboat show tomorrow
I am still overlooking the piles of old papers waiting to be sorted, by cleaning out small spaces.
A couple dozen dentist-provided mini-toothpastes have now been donated to a family-helping charity in town, along with deodorant and lip balm from a hospital stay, some floss that our dentist keeps giving us even though it must be clear to any professional that we are not flossing people, and a few rolls of scotch tape. I figure any place can always use general office supplies.
Next is to radically purge the strange paper connectors in my office supplies. Will I ever ever use those gold things that clip through paper with holes in it? Giant binder clips? Thumb tacks? It is time to get real with this vintage stuff.
Beach towels? No, I don't need to give them space.
I stay here because you haven't painted your bedroom despite it's regular appearance on your to-do list. Shows you aren't perfect! 😉
I thought I'd love a certain gray color, but I prefer white. I like the way younghouselove.com has used color with white walls.
I really want to paint our kitchen and living room, but that will wait until after getting some anti-inflammatory shots in my arthritic knees. I love yellow, but the previous owner went kind of crazy with it and painted over half the interior of the house in different shades, all of which are not my favorite. We are very over it after nearly 10 years.
Otherwise, we are enjoying the first hints of fall, the fun of watching our neighbors' tiny silkie bantam chickens through the backyard fence, loving how incredibly smart and empathetic our youngest rescue dog, who was abused as a puppy, has become, and thinking I really need to spring a clothes shopping trip on my son. He is looking downright raggedy and he hates to shop. Can't imagine who he gets that from! 😀
- Overwhelmed. Working a full-time job after being a stay-at-home mom for many years is tiring, and I feel my age both in my exhaustion and inability to learn new tasks quickly.
- Missing my daughter, who is away at college for her first semester. I've never looked forward to a Thanksgiving as much as I am this one.
- Proud of my son, who made a big transition with school this year and is doing great with it. One of his qualities has always been adaptability (even as a little boy), and it's serving him well right now.
- Enjoying "Jeopardy!" That show has been on my entire life and I've never, ever watched it before a few months ago. Now I look forward to watching it on YouTube every evening.
- Thankful for the saying "this too shall pass."
@BJS,
Hang in there! Life transitions can be difficult. You will find your way. I have a little sign that someone gave me. It says, “ You can’t scare me I have children.”
Bee, your encouraging words mean a great deal. Thank you.
I have not heard of those two decision making terms. Very interesting to read and I can apply it to my mother. She pushes for more and better and often creates absolutely havoc over the simplest of things. I am a bit more easy going.
I hope you were able to donate blood and that the exam went well for you.
“Close enough is good enough! This will be fine!” I say things like this!
And I have a similar rule, we call it the 60% rule in my house. If I can do about 60% of the work on a project or an idea or relationship or whatever right now, I should just start and the rest will figure itself out in the end. And even if it doesn’t quickly resolve the rest, 60% finished is better than not at all started. Some improvement is better than no improvement. I don’t need to wait until all the details are perfectly worked out to start something.