Outstanding Example of an Amateur

Woke up at 6:30 AM and took the dogs out. Went back to sleep for a half-hour. I'm nice and shiny clean.

Okay, I did something a little crazy. I had a favorite stoneware set at Macy's, which I ordered (not the really expensive one) and one at Costco that I liked. So I ordered both, and I'll keep the one that I like best and return the other one.

Well, crud. I had a front tooth crack while I was eating and come out. I have an appointment this afternoon at the dentist to look at it.

I’ve been going back and forth with my primary doctor and my psychiatrist about my fatigue. The primary doctor is out until the end of October. The psychiatrist asked me if I had sleep apnea, and I told her, “Yes, I had gotten a CPAP right around the time that my mom died but couldn’t cope at the time,” and she made a referral to a sleep clinic. Have I said lately that I love my psychiatrist? She also lectured me about how what I eat can have an effect, and I ordered BistroMD as the healthiest stuff that I can eat without cooking. I think that I want to make some Tomato Corn Basil Bake in the meantime. If I get my act together, I could go to the Champaign Farmers’ Market tomorrow night for tomatoes and zucchini (and I think that there’s onions?) (I think that I want to use frozen corn because it’s easier.) I have a basil plant in my backyard. I can work on the kitchen and bathroom while the thing is baking. It’s fairly easy to make.

The dentist recommended an implant. They did a scan of my teeth, and they will put in the implant in 2.5 to 3 weeks. They will put in a temporary tooth called a “flipper” at that time. They know about my trip in the middle of August. Meanwhile, I’m short a tooth. Sigh. Apparently my insurance company is fighting paying for my bridge that was previously put in because one of the teeth was extracted with different insurance. They’re arguing with them.

Now I know why the pets run out of water so quickly; Gracie plays in the water dish and spills it. Not sure how I can get her to stop doing it, but at least it isn’t someone drinking a ton of water. I need to put a separate water dish on the counter for the cats that won’t get spilled by Gracie.

Cool. I got my other lantern. And my MREs (“Meals Ready to Eat,” developed by the US Army. They can be stored at room temperature and have their own special heater.) I had to buy a set, so I don’t know what I got. Hmm, I need to stash some silverware to use. I’m thinking of replacing my silverware too because I’m low on forks (I have no idea where they went), so I can snag some of my current silverware.

Fed us all. Gracie kept on barking at a neighbor (and her barks are piercing), so I dropped the leash and let her and Bella run around the backyard. It worked; she quieted down. It’s in the front yard that I have to worry about her getting out.

Okay, I ordered silverware from Costco.

I read an article about retirees who are into video games. I’m not a gamer. My game time ended with text-adventure games, which shows how long ago THAT was. I asked ChatGPT for some recommendations for someone who likes text adventure games, and it recommended “80 Days,” which is a steampunk version of Around the World in 80 Days. That sounds like fun. It has a few other recommendations that sound interesting. But I’m reluctant to get into any of them because I don’t need a distraction right now.

Not sure what to do now. I should start bringing stuff down into the basement, but it’ll be easier after I get the garbage out tomorrow. I’m feeling tired. I could try on some clothes to figure out what dresses to bring to Sardinia. Oh, I need to package up the duvet cover to return tomorrow.

I was wondering if I should get a crate for Gracie, but she likes my bed and doesn’t usually have accidents in the bedroom. But I should have a crate in the basement for my power failure stash because Zara would not like interacting with the other critters. Maybe a collapsible crate? I wishlisted one on Amazon, but need to check if Gracie could fit in there if needs be.

I think that I will just go to bed and do some stuff in the morning.

Hmm. If I went to the Missouri State Fair to see the giant rubber duck, I'd have to stay overnight because it's a 5.5 hour drive. I found a hotel that I like.

Zara ate her food!! I gave her more. And she really fought my squirting stuff in her ears, so I’ll need to use a sedative.

I bought a couple more pairs of summer pajamas so I don’t have to wait for them to wash. I do have another pair, but the shorts are missing.

Forgot to mention that I got a couple of merino wool t-shirts. They’re supposed to stay fresher longer than other shirts. I’ll bring them to Sardinia. They’re a pretty berry color and a twilight blue color.

Bella likes play-fighting with Gracie. She jumped on the bed, and I thought that she had enough (Gracie chews her ears) but she jumped back down on the dog bed to wrestle with her some more.

Got up a little after 8 AM. I need soda and garbage bags, so I submitted a grocery order. Ordered checks because all the workmen want checks, and I wanted some with my current address on it. Gave Zara some food mixed with Gabapentin. I hope that stones her out.

Fed us all, although Gracie ate her food and then Bella’s food. And Bella let her! Nap time.

Hmm. The weather forecasters say storms after 12 PM.

Got two lanterns and batteries. One will go in the basement and one upstairs. I think that I want one more for my bedroom.

I looked at Costco for cereal, and they have a nice set of cereal bowls. Mine are missing in a box somewhere. I saved it to consider later. (They also had some cereal that I liked.)

Aww. Lily is curled up sleeping on the cat tree in the bedroom. Woke up but the dogs and the cat are still flaked out.

Some nasty thunderstorms heading our way. It’s raining now.

Gathered some recycling and cleaned a little. Set up the two lanterns. Gave Zara her ear meds. She was so stoned that I thought that she was dead at first. Sent some emails. But I think that I’m going to take another nap because I can.

Played around with Motion, but I'm not sure what I think of it.

Gracie keeps trying to play with Oliver or at least, she’s saying “let’s play” in dog language.

Went down a bit of a rabbit hole finding out that my travel clothes presser is dual voltage.

I’ve decided that instead of buying cereal bowls, I’m going to replace my stoneware. Me being me, I fell in love with a very expensive set. Need to think about it. A lot of the stoneware is on sale though, so I need to think fast. I think that I convinced myself to get a cheaper set. Go me.

Brought some of my groceries in. I want to bring in a couple of Amazon boxes and go to sleep.

Cool. Now the forecasters are saying no rain this weekend. Ack! Now it’s rain after 8 AM. Well, if it’s dry, I’ll go out and weed and plant; if it’s wet, I’ll work on the house.

I had to explain to Gracie that Lily doesn’t want to play with dogs, especially one that is barking at her.

I bought a solar charger for my phone. Now I’m kind of hoping that we will have a power failure with all this prep.

I wound up staying up late. The dogs got me up at 9 AM.

I wonder if Gracie has some corgi in her. She does the sploot thing with her back legs.

I mixed Zara’s appetite enhancer with a Churu. That got her attention. Good. Lily was highly interested in the Churu, so I should give her one later.

I bought some quote magnets, although some of the ones that I wanted were sold out. It’s funny because a while back, I wanted to create t-shirts with quotes, but magnets are better.

Fed us all and took my meds. Now it’s nap time. Everyone is in the bedroom except for Zara.

Shit. Zara didn’t finish the Churu, but she ate part of it. I’ll try her on some food.

Ate lunch. Hmm, I really want to take another nap, but then I won’t get outside to work on the yard. Maybe I’ll shower and see how I feel. No, I am going to take a nap. Saturday is napping day. Overslept my nap by an hour.

Showered. Started laundry (I need clean pajamas before I go to sleep!) I’m still feeling tired, so I think that I’ll go to sleep after I eat dinner. The laundry might not be done, but I could sleep in my clothes.

I had a dog food can out for when their dishes are done soaking. Bella grabbed it. I had to chase her into the bedroom and get it out from under the bed, where she “hid” it.

Looked at some stuff at Target’s sale, but they wanted me to go pick them up. No. Not worth the drive to me.

The clothes are in the dryer now, so I just need to stay up for a half-hour to grab my clean pajamas. I should check on Zara and treat her ears.