We’re already over halfway through the month and I’m scratching my head to remember what I’ve done. Thank goodness for journaling and this blog, for giving me an excuse to document the passage of time. Things have happened, little moments that seem to vanish from our memories against the slow crawl of the clock forever ticking.
Emma got her learner’s permit and we’ve already been out driving in parking lots a couple of times. There was a rush for her to get her permit because she had signed up for driver’s ed through the school. Only, she didn’t actually end up getting the class because more students then the school can accommodate signed up. The silver lining to this is we’ll sign her up for a private driving school to fit her schedule after school.
She’s in no hurry since her free time for the time being is going to the marching band. She joined the color guard and even though it’s her first year, might have a solo. There’s a parent preview of the routine this Friday. In the spring, the band is going down to Florida to march in a parade. Seth is going to go along and chaperone. He’s also been volunteering already to help transport pit equipment.
I returned to the office this week. I went back once before, but then they sent us home again. The first time we went back, I was an anxious mess about it. This time, I’ve been very zen about the whole thing. For one, I had already proven to myself I could do it once, and for another, I believe my mental health is better this time around. If I had to point to a reason for this, I’d say it was knitting. It helps me keep putting the things I can’t control into perspective. Besides, the only constant is change. It helps that I like my desk more this time around. I’m closer to windows now and my last desk had heavy foot traffic around it.
Back to knitting, I finished Emma’s Cat Knit Pullover, plus a poncho and The Harris Hood. I’m really happy with all three. I had the coworker I’m knitting the striped sweater for try it on so I’ll know how long it needs to be. I’m going to add about two inches of body and then do an inch and a half ribbing. After that, it’ll be the sleeves. I bought the pattern for my next project. It’s called the Vilma something, maybe vest. It’ll be my first time attempting lace work.
One mishap this week was shoe related. I discovered a brand I quite like, and ordered a pair through a reseller. I liked those so much, I order another style through a different reseller. They were delivered yesterday and are the most adorable leather slip on clogs. The only problem is one is a size eight, and the other and eight and a half. I had hoped the reseller had another pair, with the matches to my mismatched ones, but sadly she didn’t. She promptly refunded me, and I found another pair with a more red toned leather for ten dollars cheaper. Fingers crossed these ones work out. I’m still at a lose of what to do with the ones I got. It feels wrong to throw them away. I might try wearing them with a super thick sock on one foot.
I have started writing again. I’m not going to give myself any deadlines, but I have to say I’m enjoying having a story play in my head again. Reading wise, I read volume nine of Villians are Destined to Die and loved it. I’m also doing an ACOTAR re-read since new books are coming soon.
I’m off today. Since it was my first week back in the office, I took a day to help ease myself back in. It’s just past noon, and I’ve bed rotted, walked the dog, started laundry, weeded the back pathways, gone shopping, done an online order, and have written you. I figure that’s plenty productive for the day so I might stop now and be a lazy bum for the rest of it.
Since writing the above, I finished out my week in the office, and worked another full week. So far, it hasn’t been a big deal at all. I’ve worked hard to make my space comfortable and it helped. There have been other unexpected perks. For one, Seth texted one day to tell me Kiba got sick and then found something dead in the backyard to roll around in. I felt lucky I wasn’t the pet parent dealing with that. Then, another day, a coworker cooked homemade Pho for us. It was SO, SO, SO good.
I’ve managed to keep going to my weekly Mah Jong group. I was wondered if my social battery wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’ve also gotten to reclaim my den. I switched out my big office desk and two monitors for a much more subtle home office set up. It fits the room so much more, and it’s where I’m writing this post right now. I’m not a fan of the heat, so I’m thrilled summer is almost over and we’re about to enter the BER months (SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, and DecemBER). That’s all for now, see you next month.
