Pull up a chair, grab your favorite mug, and fill it with your favorite brew. Let's have our weekly Friday Free For All Chat about anything. No theme this week, and in the comments, feel free to respond to any of the ditty's on my mind, or start a new topic of your own. I don't care which, but I'm beginning to really enjoy this part of my blogging week. As I jump in, remember any lightness I capture is despite the sadness and pain going on with war, inflation, poverty, and people struggling. My heart is there for anyone hurting. I've got irons in a few fires to help where I can. It's not been a week of roses here, but better than what too many people are experiencing.
Internet Reliance
Yesterday was a doozy of a horse shit internet day. I had to use the call in feature of Teams, but only after quickly nabbing the meeting ID before I got dropped. Trying to stay connected, and then once connected, staying in the VPN was giving me a head ache. Despite the stress, I kicked butt on getting things done that needed to get done. By 4:00, I had a couple good hours and plowed through finishing the sending, receiving, batching of documents I was doing off line throughout the day. DH thinks there have been people working in the neighborhood and whatever they are doing is causing the intermittent (more mittent than inter) outages. I think he doesn't know what he is talking about, but wished I was not working from home as he was a bit sick of my cursing out my computer. I'm trying to get as much done as I can between 7 and 9:30 this morning. I have a bone density scan in the cities, but then need to be back on line for a 12:00 meeting.
Worried about My Sis
My sister will be home today, we think, but she ended up in the hospital due to a UTI and diverticulitis that developed an abscess and infection. She's my more recently widowed sister, no children, and we are all coordinating care and visiting for when she comes home. I can't spend much time there as she has a cat that rules her abode and I have a horrible allergy, but once we get a food plan, I can help make sure she has a full batch of food to help her heal. My mom suffered from diverticulitis, eventually had to have part of her intestine removed, so I am worried for my sister. I hate seeing my siblings unwell, and this sister is only 6 years older than me-on the young half of our family. Aging parents is hard. Seeing our siblings age I think is harder.
Weekend Cleaning Plans
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On the Hunt
I've decided I'd like a book shelf in our room at the lake. Besides books, I think I'll keep small projects there as well like the embroidery materials I never touch, haven't touched since DH, pup, and I spent a full week back in October 2020 there. Before buying anything though, I'm really going to see if something here or in the garage at the lake might work. I'm also looking for shelving for my office. Painting and new flooring in there have been moved to a lower priority status, pushed until perhaps May or June when we can paint and pull out the old carpet. We'll put the vinyl planking in there like the family room. I have the rug bought for DD2's dorm. Once warm out I'll give it a good scrub outside and line dry it, then fluff up the shag. No need to buy another. Anyway, I want more shelves up after painting, but want to spend nothing to peanuts.
Nosiness and Smugness
The last of my thoughts are around how nosy and smug I seem to have become. Some is blog reading and watching, and other times it's what I see or hear in real life. I'm always yammering to myself, " that was dumb" or ," why spend money on that when they just complained about this." The thing is, I have a bad habit of being a bit nosy, and I'm opinionated, so then that makes me get smug about how stupid someone's actions were. Both are not good traits and I will work on them. Just please avoid telling me anything stupid while I try sorting this out. I will judge and mock you in my head.
These are the thoughts I went to bed with or woke up to this morning. Jumbled, non-concentric, thoughts of random conversation. What's on your mind today? Are you starting spring cleaning or at least intentions for spring cleaning? Are you on the lookout for items you think you need in your life? Are you just here to read and smugly judge me as I probably deserve? I'm eager to read.
It’s definitely hard with aging parents and watching our siblings grow old. Stepping up to the plate for your sister is wonderful. She will need all the support you can lend her. Even a phone call will help her keep her spirit up.
ReplyDeleteWe have Internet issues here too and it can be so frustrating and hard to get your work done. I hope whatever is causing yours clears up ASAP.
I ended up using my hot spot and have a technician coming Monday.
DeleteNo judging here! But feel me nagging - as requested! haha.
ReplyDeleteNag accepted!
DeleteIt is cold and snowy here today and tomorrow but next week the highs will be in the 60's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on my Spring cleaning and am shooting for the same time frame as you to get it all done.
I have a few projects around the house but thankfully all the remodeling has been completed. I'm hearing horror stories of renovations taking SO long now and supplies taking forever to arrive. My friends kitchen remodel is going on 10 months and still not complete. I couldn't handle that.
I'd have really liked bathroom done before May when there's 3 of us again. Doubtful now. Good luck with your plans
DeleteSorry about your internet troubles. Hope they will be resolved soon. Do hope that your sister feels better, and I think it is great that her siblings are pitching in to help.
ReplyDeleteWe are on week 3 of a kitchen remodel. It should give me more countertop space as all I had before was a couple of feet beside the cooktop, so I think it will be more user friendly. Dh is doing the work, with me as a helper, so saving on labor costs. Tiling the floor this weekend, and then installing cabinets next week. Fortunately the appliances were delivered. I've been managing meals with the instant pot, crockpot,toaster oven, grill and griddle so have only picked up two take out meals. Hoping that we have everything back in place next weekend. :)
We'll done on your DIY. We could do a spruce up, but the bathroom really needs a start over.
DeleteI will be praying for your sister's continued recovery. I'm trying to keep up on listing, photographing and planning an upcoming Student recital. I personally have been feeling very anxious about the current world events.
ReplyDeleteThank you. My friend who runs the music school is busy chaperoning a trio with daughter and highschool. I applaud you music teachers.
DeleteHope your sister feels better soon. My best wishes for your family's good health. And no, sorry I can't nag when I am such a disaster myself. Lol!
ReplyDeleteI am sure your more on top of things than me. I have to make sure the technician can get where he needs Monday.
DeleteI am not on the lookout for anything, except for items to get rid of to simplify my life.
ReplyDeleteWe do need to have our master bath room redone, but we are waiting until after Son1's family comes to visit. I am afraid if we start we will hit delays that could leave us with a mess during their visit. I want it done NOW, but rather than risk it, I will wait.
I would have liked done before daughter is home for summer. Not likely. I get your timeline concern.
DeleteWishing your sister a speedy recovery. She's fortunate to have family so close by to help.
ReplyDeleteAs for judgement, I think we wouldn't be human if those thoughts didn't cross our minds at times. There are always difference of opinion and the rationale behind certain decisions may not always be evident.
We're so reliant on the internet - even I, in retirement, am connected almost constantly. I look forward to my vacations when I turn it all off and relax. Your lake home sounds like a wonderful place - good luck on the hunt.
Have a great weekend!
I keep my judgement to myself, most of the time. Sometimes my inner b wakes up and is verbal though.
DeleteSince I have not put away all of the groceries from the last week, I am not going to nag anyone! I don't have the energy this morning since I have a uti again.
ReplyDeleteSometimes judgment is deserved, but it is not our business to voice it. Keep it in our heads most of the time.
Usually kept to myself, but sometimes I point out the obvious, but I'm sure it's still judgemental.
DeleteDishwasher died, and it was a job to remove it, so now need to find one that will fit. Need plumber to redo old plumbing first. Hopefully net week. Also need new heating valve which he can do to.
ReplyDeleteAlso need a new upright freezer, this one isn't frost free and the plastic drawer covers are breaking. Washer/dryer are old.
However, dishwasher and washer/dryer were here when we bought this place 10 years ago so can't complain.
Problem is getting my a$$ in gear to go find these items.
I'm good at knowing what needs done. Execution and competing another story.
DeleteHope your sister gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteInternet issues? tell me about it, my elderly PC packed up on Tuesday night and we've had to buy a new one - hopefully this one will last as long as the last one (over 20 years!)
Now, turn off the internet and sort out that room. I'm off to drink rum and watch a spy drama. xxx
20 years must be a record. There was barely internet yet. I must ignore the internet situation, get some good music going and work tomorrow. Thanks for the push.
DeleteIt is so hard seeing loved ones age and or ill. It's been a very hard year for your sister. I hope she gets better soon. It's wonderful that you and family are there to support and help her. I am struggling to still do my best for my sister who died last November, sorting her estate, but I am tired. As for judging others, it is something we all do I think. I really need to work on doing that less! And accept that there are unknowns (to me) that people are dealing with. Best, Celie.
ReplyDeleteI don't even want to think next steps for any. My nieces husband made a disaster after my sisters death. I hope the others are more planned.
DeleteI found with Teams meetings I have to participate from the app on my personal desktop. If I try to use it from my work desktop while logged in remotely it constantly freezes on me. I'm probably the one you were wondering why spend that when you just complained about this! But, I'd rather spend my hard earned money on stuff I need/want, rather than inflation ;)
ReplyDeleteWe can't use work apps on personal, but I did use my hotspot for a few hours. Oh, my judgey wasn't to anyone in particular and was to everyone in particular, lol.
DeleteWishing your sister a speedy full healing of body and spirit. UTIs can be so fierce and destructive, especially in older people. :(
ReplyDeleteSome things deserve judgment and to be called out on their stupidity, to be honest. I do check myself from time to time, especially in terms of opinion: why does it matter that that person is dressed like that? My opinion doesn't matter here. It's good that they're confident enough about their body to wear that outfit, good for them! That kind of thing. Just because it's not something I would choose doesn't mean it's not a valid choice for someone else. :) Now when it comes to people being straight-up stupid, like not buckling their several-months-old baby in a carseat when they were driving (something I recently saw online and it made me want to SCREAM), I will judge that all day long until the cows come home and then judge it again a second time, possibly even more fiercely.
As far as judging you, I really enjoy your blog. Zero judgy judgments there. :) Have a good weekend! :)
My sister is just 61, nearly 62, so not older, or maybe that is getting older. She didn't get discharged Friday. I have low tolerance for stupid. But I appreciate people going with their own flow. You're very kind to to like reading. I blabber a lot, but since I'm alone so much, it's a good place to blabber.
DeleteHope your sister has a quick recovery. The past two weeks have been crazy. A few highlights (lowlights?!) an elderly customer thinking the fire alarm was the automatic door opener, me smashing my hand in my friends trunk, the hospital losing my blood work, insurance denying a prescription, daughter’s boyfriend getting a flat tire in the snow after the viewing tonight, a company-wide teams meeting with 150+ people in two countries where a public speaker told a manager with a personnel question to “play in traffic” idk if mercury is in retrograde or there’s a full moon or what but yikes. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI hope your hand is ok. That had to be excruciating! Wow, I'd like the nerve to respond as the public speaker did at times, but I'm mostly a silent judger.
DeleteI just enjoy being nosy.....to be honest I don't overthink what people write about. We all do everything differently and we all like to think that our way is the right way. That's the essence of being human! Arilx
ReplyDeleteI feel my eyebrows going Up- then I know miss judge is coming out. I wish I could stay curious and not nitpicky. You have more balance.
DeleteNo judgement here SAM. I try my best not to judge, but when people keep repeating the same behaviour, complaining about the outcome, and ignoring any advice they've asked for, on repeat, I know it's time to walk away/ stop reading.
ReplyDeleteI've almost gathered everything I need for doing the spare bedroom, and just need the energy to do it. I'm going to have to do a bit at a time, as and when I feel up to it, which is very frustrating!
I agree repeat fiascos then lamenting for answers and advice to just be ignored is frustrating. I hope you get your energy going. I have so much to do this weekend and already feel behind and it's barely past 7:00.
DeleteWhile I think I might have been judgemental when I was younger, I found as I got older I've become less so. I have always liked unconventional "characters" and if a young man wants to walk around with his jeans hanging so far down his backside that you can see his underpants - well then good for him, what's it got to do with me! I'm not perfect by any means, but getting older has helped me to live and let live and I feel I'm pretty laid back now, thankfully. And all best wishes for your sister - as the youngest of 7 I know what it's like to have older siblings dealing with health problems!!
ReplyDelete"Just please avoid telling me anything stupid while I am trying to sort this out." I laughed out loud at that! My mother used to say, "My Dear, I consider eradicating your stupidity a kindness, to both you and others."
ReplyDelete