We interrupt this fun bout of trip planning

...to bring you a most severe whine-fest, so I can stop carrying all these feelings around. 

- R had surgery last Wednesday to repair her knee, and the aftercare SUCKED. Thank you, stupid Kaiser, and the stupid American health care/medical insurance system. YOU ALL SUCK. I'm sure she'll be fine once she's out of pain and can resume normal activities, but this whole experience has been awful and stressful and terrible and PAINFUL for her, and I don't know how we can fix this, but it needs to be fixed.

- I deactivated Facebook last night, for the second time in two months. "Death by a thousand cuts" is a good way to describe that situation. Maybe I'm in a highly emotional state because of R's situation, but I can't handle anything or anyone right now. It's good that Hubby and I are traveling tomorrow and I can be distracted from the shit show that is my social media experience. Do we even really need social media? I'm keeping IG because H and C and R are there, and my Hedda Lettiss account, and Reddit and TikTok, of course (for educational purposes). But people I know in real life, family members, hurting my feelings and pissing me off via FB, is nothing I need, right now or ever again.

- Bright side: Monica isn't working today. 

To Do Before Trip

- Wash travel dishes/utensils in dishwasher: DONE

- Open bag of summer clothes & choose what to take: DONE

- New swimsuit (Big 5): Decided to use green tank/black bike shorts instead - DONE

- Iron flannel shirt & t-shirts: DONE

- Check weather for trip destinations: DONE

- Laundry - fold darks, wash/dry/fold lights: DONE

- Unpack from Olympia trip; set aside items to pack for Big Tuesday trip: DONE

- Check toiletries bag for missing or extra items: DONE

- FRONT YARD: Move logs, yard debris box, remaining yard debris, pots/sod so the yard folks can mow on Monday: DONE

- Pack exercise gear: New swimsuit, black flip flops, swim coverup, Keen sneakers, black yoga capris, jog bras, T-shirts, gym socks. EXERCISE - you'll be sitting in the car for hours every day!

- Pack birthday/anniversary cards & stamps to send while we're gone: DONE

- Check travel kitchen bag; take out unnecessary items: DONE

- Shopping list: Water, masks, sunscreen, green dishcloths/towels: DONE till Monday

- Finish washing French press - DONE

- Locate coolers, 1 large, 1 small - wash & dry: DONE

- Pack activities: Sewing machine/fabric/supplies, crochet project, cross stitch projects, laptop/charger, deck of cards, Phase 10, Uno, Yahtzee, puzzle book, postcards/stamps/pen

- Put together sewing/quilting projects; cut out if time permits

- Pack cemetery stuff: whisk broom, scrub brush, bucket for water/debris, good clippers, scissors

- Learn how to do the French press

- Create road menu: sandwiches, fruits/veggies, drinks, snacks

- Foods to pack: Coffee grounds, creamer, apples, peanut butter

MONDAY (Last day before trip)

- SHOP if you haven't yet: Ice, bottled water, boxed chips, lunchmeat, bread, sliced cheese, small mayo & mustard, butter, snacks (chocolate pretzels), fresh ground coffee, Frisbee

- Last load of laundry

- Last check of weather

- Make sandwiches & prep other foods

TUESDAY

- Change sheets

The Marvelous Weekend

It really was a good one.

FRIDAY: Did some housework, sat down to play Sims, and after a while I found myself DEPRESSED. Decided not to sit for prolonged periods of time anymore; my body likes activity and productivity. Sitting playing computer games is different from sitting and crocheting or cross stitching: with those I'm using my hands and creating. Drove the girls up to L's and spent a cozy evening at home. H and A and C came over for dinner, birthday cake (H's birthday) and gifts, and we had a wonderful time. I took C home by way of Walgreens - he had a scab on his leg that he was worrying about. It was nice to spend some extra time with him. Our kids are so cute. 

SATURDAY: After yesterday's lesson, it was Busy City. We turned on a movie and I ironed my way through the square basket of clothes and newly washed fabric scraps - excited to get going with those, and my closet is now full again. During commercials, I did dishes and folded clothes. Then, Hubby and I tackled the back deck, scrubbed a few dirty things, peeled off the cushion covers and washed them, rearranged everything and got it ready for tomorrow. It felt amazing.

SUNDAY (Mother's Day): Hubby, B, and the little girls made waffles, eggs and sausage for all of us. I goofed around a lot, slept some, cross stitched, played Sims (but not for too long). Later Hubby grilled chicken and he and B made mashed potatoes and corn on the cob and brownies. H and C came over for dinner and Maya and I were given many fun gifts. Afterward, we chilled out on the front lawn and the little girls played with the pups. Life is good.

Recovery Day

Yeah, it's already a much better day (9:42 AM) than yesterday. Two happy things have happened so far:

1) I've been watching the webcam pointed at the beach at Lincoln City, Oregon (I used to watch Seaside, but for some reason the cam isn't working right now). Today, I SAW WHALES. Their spray was visible several times and there were a couple of breaches as well. It was magical!

2) A campus coworker, Renn, recently had top surgery. We bonded a couple years ago over being in the LGBTQ+ and allies community AND from conservative religious backgrounds. I saw Renn at the Take Your Child To Work Day event here, and they mentioned that they had leftover supplies from their surgery, and asked if I knew anyone who was undergoing top surgery anytime soon. I happen to know two, here at the bookstore. Today Renn brought in their bag of supplies, and handed them to my coworker here, whose spouse will be going through it next month. It was very touching. Spouse couldn't believe that someone they don't know would be so kind to them. I love this community. 

In surgery news, Kid #5 will have surgery on her damaged knee next Wednesday. The plan for Hubby and me is to go to Olympia that morning, be with her and H during surgery and after, then check in to a hotel and spend the night with them, so we can help take care of #5 and her poor little after-surgery self. Reaching their dorm room involves descending a long flight of stairs into the basement, and she wanted her first night to be comfortable and happy. So we're taking next Wednesday and Thursday off (I'll be working two days that week). 

Swim lessons went extremely well. The girls enjoyed the whole thing, except that Little C was not a fan of being separated from her sister (they ended up in different classes). Looks like we have a couple of little swimmers on our hands. I couldn't be more excited. Hubby is excited too about possibly getting a membership to the community center. I'd be up for that.

Today's events include coffee with Angie after work, and dinner with Taylor tonight. #3's birthday is tomorrow, and we'll be celebrating that with him and A on Friday. Life is good.

VENT POST: Heavy is the Head

...that sees the ugly mug who called her "Hittler*" last year, back in the bookstore. PUKE. Go away, lady. Why haven't you graduated yet? 

Just like last time, she spent her entire time here talking on the phone to someone, and Ryan said that this time, she and her phone partner were planning some church event. All of us employees: "YOU go to CHURCH???"

Also, Kid #5 told us this morning that she is having surgery on her dead knee next week. THANKS, CENTRALIA. YOU ALL SUCK.

Aside from that, things are fine. The grandchildren will begin their swim training today. Yesterday we shopped for suits at stupid Wallmart*, and unlike last time, I did not leave the store enraged. Is it just me? Like, why am I mad at everything?

I promise, I really am having a wonderful life, but today has been kind of sucky. Ryan had to deal with a rude customer who vowed never to shop here again. (Promise?) It's just been that type of day, when you're told to expect nice weather and wear sandals to work and GUESS WHAT STARTS FALLING FROM THE SKY ON THE WAY HERE.

It's a good thing I love being here so much, and have dear coworkers who joke around with me until I feel better. That is a huge win, especially for someone who depended so heavily on her former religion for friends and community. Having friends here has been everything. I'm so grateful for my work family.

Now, back to griping: 

Kyle went home sick and I had to cashier by myself until Ryan showed up (okay, Dan and Heidi had Hannika come up and help me and she was very helpful). 

Two weeks till the Big Trip and I'm so ready for it. Like, right now. I'm ready NOW. Think I'll go home and start packing immediately. 

*purposeful misspelling