TWTW - the one that feels like old times

Friday I was up and working early to dip out around 10 and see a chiropractor. Post-appointment was instant euphoria, as very few things feel better about a back that was out being back in place. I should have gone the weekend before and just kept aggravating it. I got OPC at Drip N Scoop & my first Bungalow Bowl of the year on the way back. MFD did a late lunch of crescent rolls made with leftover Easter ham and cooper sharp cheese. Delicious.

After work we watched Thunder Force and ordered pizza and salad from Randazzo's. I started The Four Winds and stayed up until 1 to finish it. 

Saturday Started way too fucking early for having been up past 1. Thanks dogs. We were moving by 6 am. They were back to sleep immediately, but we were not. I showered and walked to my hardware store, then came back and scraped and sanded paint off the metal flashings on the upstairs porch and spray painted them. In previous times, I would really want a mask to wear during the job and not have one. NO WORRIES, I HAVE PLENTY. That is a literal band aid just so the metal can't be seen, they need to be replaced. Salt air destroys everything outdoors. I painted my toes (Essie suits you well, which I think is a great color for toes) and lay with the old dogs while they were drying. I also measured the bathroom floor, cleaned up on the main floor, went to Foglio's and ordered new for the small bathroom, picked up a chair and yard sign for Philly at Hearth & Sole, and replaced my rusted out wind chime that came with the house with a new glass one at Handlaget. It always feels best when I can buy what I need from small businesses.

MFD did a "soft clean" (his term) of the downstairs porch, and I took the best friends to the south end of the island for a long, foggy walk and some shelling for a few hours. I came back to see him set up for a solo driveway party. We sat outside listening to music, Michelle stopped by to pick up chairs, and then MFD went up and got Angelo's steaks as it's their opening weekend and they are a solid favorite - my favorite pizza in Ocean City. We were completely assed out at night. I started and stopped another book and MFD went fishing. That's about it. 

Sunday I was packed up and on the road back to Philly by 10. I even creeped on my own flowers. I have very few spring buds left. Thanks asshole squirrels. Every year I say oh I will remember to replant then I don't. It's fine. I unpacked outdoor cushions, broke down boxes, started laundry, went to pick up a table from FB Marketplace to replace the bathroom one at the shore that I've been looking for a replacement for for a few years, picked up a ceiling fan and storage boxes, got a few groceries, and purged the shit out of the upstairs - two bedrooms and linen closet. I got rid of three bags of trash, set aside three bags of donations, a bookcase, a king box spring, a chest my dad made in senior year woodshop (that's going to my brother), two nightstands, and the king bed frame will go next week. We also got rid of a queen bed and box spring, dresser, and two lamps. The twin mattress and bed frame in the basement are going too. I carried more shit down the stairs too, and took all the photos off the walls. Our floors are getting refinished up there half and half - the steps, two rooms, and hallway first, then the two smaller rooms. This way we don't have to move all the furniture out of the house/downstairs and can just cram shit into two rooms. We planned to do these floors over 10 fucking years ago when we moved in. Getting to it. I also think I'm switching our bedrooms and we'll paint our old bedroom. The coral color I picked in there a few years ago is a fucking disaster, and that ceiling needs to be painted anyway. The trim too as Bruce has destroyed it barking at his backyard friends like a fucking lunatic. 

I made pork tenderloin, quickbread from a Pampered Chef mix, and broccoli for dinner. I pulled frozen veggie meat sauce out of the freezer for tonight. 

A weekend that was solidly in forward motion and leaves me a little tired Monday morning feels like old times. Not totally like old old times, because I absolutely never would have rested until all shit was done. 

Still, it's fitting, as today is two weeks since my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine so I am fully vaccinated. Please remember you are not fully vaccinated in the science sense the day you get your second shot - you are only fully vaccinated in the social media sense. And in all cases, continue to mask up in public as you do not know who is vaccinated or not. Please sign up and get vaccinated when you are eligible. Also why is there such a cross over between people who scream about small businesses being hurt and people who scream they are not getting the vaccine? You're hurting them more now by refusing to vaccinate. 

Anyway. 

Show Us Your Books is tomorrow! 

Friday Five How Tos 4.9.2021

How to get out of a meeting - Have zoom crash your entire computer and get a black screen when you re-boot

How to get an instant mood boost - Paint your nails. We've got Essie Penny Talk, Essie Without Reservations, and Essie Stop, look & glisten

How to make foaming hand soap - Fill your dispenser (I use this glass pump one, the link is an affiliate) 3/4 of the way with water - if you are making in advance and storing, use distilled or boiled water. Otherwise tap is fine. Add two tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's castile soap of your choice. I usually use peppermint or lavender. Add 1/2 tablespoon of oil - I use grapeseed, but you can use olive or almond too. Optional, but I am a scent person so mandatory for me: essential oil of your choice. I use 10 drops of rosemary and a few of lemon or eucalyptus. 

How to step into chaos - Bring all of your dogs to the beach and have them all be assholes at once, tangling you up in their leashes in the process. Here they are all off-leash, but as soon as humans come into view, they are leashed. Gus was walking into the water, which he always does, but he wasn't stopping so I had to go in after him lest he be a Virginia Woolf with his stout self as the stones. That required releasing the leashes of the others, and put on the Benny Hill theme music for the ensuing chaos. Bruce was digging up and eating dead crab body parts and refused to come when called because he was so distracted. Ben was barking a weird yodel bark at passerby dogs. Mae was an overzealous, psychotic greeter of all humans. I made MFD walk them back to the car with me and forgot my GD keys and had to walk back. Then I returned, got in the car and took off without saying a damn thing. 

How to feel healthy - Eating salmon and asparagus always makes me feel healthy. Rice does not, but I love it and eat it anyway. Except this rice, which I threw out last night. It was a Spanish rice and it was too smoky for me. 

Do you have any how tos to share with the group?

Happy Friday!

Thursday Thoughts - Now you're here, now you're away

Reppin' Velma 

Wondering why I don't make devilled eggs more, every time I make them. They contribute to a solid breakfast. 

Creeping on OPF (other people's flowers) like I love to do.

Drinking OPC (other people's coffee) and eyeing up donuts, which I'm going to try and make a weekly thing. But next week I'm getting the PB&J donut. I've gotten used to my own iced coffee, which I've always made so I had it on weekends but bought during the week. Now everyone else's tastes sort of weak.

Getting a new microwave installed at the shore. It was going, and it's not a call I want with a renter in there this summer. I was able to buy it at a local appliance shop so that made me happy.

Snuggling dogs.

Walking on the beach.

Hitting up Corson's Inlet and the South end beaches on Monday

Finding sea glass, which happens 95% of the time I am not planning on looking for it and 5% of the time I am

Stowing my shoes in outdoor closets

Reading outside. Show Us Your Books is Tuesday!

Flexing time Yesterday I worked 12-8 and loved it. I got errands done in the morning and spent time alone, then killed it at work. It was the shift my brain needed. 

Laying low, taking walks and pictures, spending time outside in the fresh air, and reading books. My pandemic sweater is on this week and I'm fighting with my door people and just trying to get shit done in a timely manner before rental season. With that and work, I don't have much energy for other things. 

What appears beyond the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts titles is what I'm listening to when I'm starting this - this week is Glycerine by Bush

TWTW - the one with the Easter

Friday work on the entryway continued - saws and door blocked and all that. I vacuumed And mopped the floor to add to the noise. They finished around 7, and MFD arrived at the same time. We hung upstairs a bit with Kate and Dan and the kids, then passed out by 10. Ben just sat and waited for them to be done. I don't have one blessed Friday photo, which is extremely rare as I am constantly taking photos of nothing and everything.

Saturday I cleaned up some of the construction dust in the entry, finished a book and started another, took a long lunch walk with Ben, creeped on other people's spring flowers, lounged and read, put a new lamp together, hung upstairs again at night and early to bed.

Sunday I went to get groceries after Kate, Dan, and the kids left. I did some food prep of veggies for the week, macaroni salad, and deviled eggs. MFD went fishing in the North End and I took The best friend dogs over there to bum around. We spent the late afternoon relaxing and reading before having dinner, including ham and pineapple stuffing mom sent down with Kate. We also said goodbye to our attached neighbors, who sold their house and we are really hoping for good neighbors buying it. It is extra important when someone is a) attached to you and b) in a vacation rental town. 

The weekend was nice and relaxing, the way we like it, and we hadn't seen Kate & Dan in forever. How many times will we be saying "we haven't seen x in forever" throughout the remainder of the year as we start seeing people again? 

It is already a total Monday. But it is Eva the Diva's 7th birthday, and what a far cry from her last birthday on the lawn, our first and my only drive by birthday. Her world looks different this year in a better way and for that I am so glad. It is so nice to see families together in larger groups again as people get vaccinated. Happy birthday Eva!

How to Look After Loved Ones When They Age

It is never easy to watch a loved one’s health decline. Unfortunately, as people grow older, they may develop various medical issues that can affect their mobility, energy levels, or cognitive function.

As a result, they might become increasingly reliant on others to perform everyday tasks, attend appointments, and move from A to B. If you want to provide as much help as possible to an elderly relative or friend, read these top tips on how to look after loved ones when they age.

Ask How You Can Help

Your loved one might struggle with household chores, grocery shopping, or cooking. Yet, they might not want to ask for help when struggling each day. To ensure they don’t suffer in silence, you should ask how you can help them. 

For example, they might need you to:

• Pick up groceries

• Mow the lawn

• Make property repairs

• Vacuum

• Clean surface

• Wash, dry, and fold laundry

Remember, your loved one might be embarrassed to ask for help, so they might reject your offer. Reassure them that you are happy to help and they aren’t a burden.

Talk to Your Loved One

Growing older is bound to weigh heavily on your loved one’s mind. Rather than making decisions for them with your nearest and dearest, you must talk to a relative about their declining health. 

They may already have a care plan in place if they should struggle with mobility and/or cognitive function. Also, they might feel more relaxed knowing you will hold their hand throughout the years, which will make the aging process less daunting.

Consider a Care Home

A minor mobility issue or cognitive decline might not affect a loved one’s independence or function at present, but it could one day in the future. Therefore, it is important to review the different options available if they require support.

For example, if your aging relative or friend requires help with washing, dressing, taking medication, or other assistance, they could enjoy a better quality of life at a care home. While the thought might seem scary, your loved one could feel right at home at a luxury assisted living facility.

Learn About Their Health Condition(s)

As your loved one grows older, they might suffer from various health conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, or osteoporosis. To ensure they remain in good health for as long as possible, you must learn about the different foods they will need to eat, activities they should perform, and medications they must take each day. Don’t forget to learn about their risk factors, too. For example, those living with dementia must avoid dehydration and treat water infections as soon as possible.

Improving your understanding of a loved one’s health condition(s) could help you make more informed decisions regarding their diet, lifestyle, and daily support. It might also help to attend medical appointments with your aging relative or friend, which will allow you to ask questions and learn about their current or future challenges.

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Written for the Life According to Steph audience by Maggie Hammond: Proud mama to two little people, and has one too many furry friends. Passionate about alternative medicine, education, the great outdoors and animal welfare.