Shut Up [the World] and Listen [to Yourself]

 

I just realized that every place I've ever lived is on this map, from Kankakee to Lima O.o

I don't believe I've woken up to a storm in at least the last decade that made me wonder if we were going to either A) go airborne or B) be flattened by the giant oak tree that sits directly outside our bedroom as I was at 4:15-ish a.m. this morning. We don't use our weather radio. We like to live on the edge. Sometimes, I question that life choice. I do not know what rolled over, but I do know that it was very loud, very windy, full of lightning, and that sound reminiscent of a nearby train. However, whatever it was passed through without incident, and everything is still in its normal location, inside and out this morning, here and all around the neighborhood. 

I laid (lied, lye, lay) there weighing the assorted options - like does it really matter, at this point, what the weather map says? Will I even make it to the TV or the puter to look? It wasn't disturbing enough to wake up anyone else in the room, so eventually, I just went back to sleep. (Update: My beloved said there were at least five Tornado Warnings on his phone when he got up ...) COOL!!!!! O.o

It's probably some metaphorical sign from the universe that every little thing is going to be fine. "Weather any storm .." etc.

This has been an odd weather year, and it seems to be coordinating with the home renovation spirits because every time we have something done, a storm then blows through to prove the soundness and quality of the work that was just completed. This week, the final evidence of the beastly concrete step was covered up, and the gutters were cleaned and partially repaired, with some gutter guard stuff going in. 

Next up, river rock in the beds. We put down the weed barrier last weekend, and since it's so late in the season, I don't know if it's wise to plant any shrubs yet, or just wait til spring '24. There will be at least one taller Juniper style shrub in the corner where the electric meter sits. Since it is no longer used but seemingly is stuck on the house, might as well at least try to camouflage it. Then, another potted but equally tall varietal behind the bench to cover up the other one ... 

Not quite sure. The joys of older homes. Some things you just have to live with if you don't want to knock out a whole wall and start over. I CAN tell you that those lil round end tables were NOT built for anywhere that gets a lot of rain. Me, thinking like a grape, decided we don't get that much rain, they'll be fine ... Then, we have the rainiest year we've had in probably the last 10. Go figure. I might be able to make them work inside. We'll see. 

As for me, all my shit-derful food choices have caught up with me, so I know I'm back at logical thinking. It was a hiccup, or a rather loud belch, if you will. I let stress control me. I LET it. It does not control me unless I (ME) allow it to. 

I'm doing some much needed cleaning out of the fridge and cupboards today, and will be stocking up on much vegetation, fruits, proteins and the likes when we hit the store for provisions tomorrow. As we're currently in Sauna Season here in Ohellio, I have no direct plans to walk either myself, or Nettie for extended periods of time, so I'll be finding some things to do indoors. We do have a rowing machine that's currently awaiting use, so that's an option. 

I'm just following common sense and using the knowledge I have acquired over the years to get myself back in working order. I grow weary of the internet. I grow sick and tired of how you can find at least 100 "solutions" for anything, all with conflicting POVs. So, I'm just following my intuition. Fuck it. 

We've been watching Frasier. We never did see all of it, so we've taken some time to watch EVERY single episode, of which there are many. One recent episode centered around Niles' brush with death, and how he wouldn't shut up about how he nearly died. Here, a part of the conversation: 

Niles: Dad, I don't want to turn this into a competition. I'm just trying to embrace life to the fullest.
Martin: Oh, will you give it a rest.
Niles: Excuse me?
Martin: You haven't embraced a damn thing. All you're doing is yakking about feeling this and experiencing that. You're not doing anything.

Source: https://tvquot.es/frasier/dont-go-breaking-my-heart-part-3/2/

That really hit my feels. A little less conversation, a bit more ACTION is required. NOTHING gets done without the actual DOING of the thing. Period. 

I'm not really the "Live life to the fullest" kind of girl, but I do know that I'm not comfortable being the one yakking about it and never taking any kind of action, so there's that. 

There's been a lot of stress/frustration/mediocre rage about the goings on with my beloved's job, as of late. I support him no matter what he chooses to do. I just want HIM to be happy. Yesterday, he shared this: 

This is what happens when your employer and your union can't be bothered to communicate with the actual employees, and like to let people just swing in the breeze. I only wish they had connected ALL of the pups AND the normal-sized trailers, and THEN clocked out.

With that, I am off. Happy Weekend! 

xo