Part Zombie today

 Hi, I'm fine. I just stayed up late last night (for me), and didn't sleep much the night before. I slept hard last night and woke up kind of in a fog. 

We had our first softball game last night. We lost, but it was fun. We scored lots of runs. I would say our defense was more the problem, except I guess you don't say that in softball. Anyway, I didn't play. I was the "manager," keeping track of the batting order. I was kind of keeping track of the runs, too, but didn't do that perfectly. At one point, I think we were behind 10-13, but after that it may have gotten worse. I think their good hitters were in a clump and our good hitters were in a clump and we zigzagged. Some of our team members have not played in many years and none have played much in a couple years (pandemic). It was cold and dark with a light steady rain. People who were running were not cold. Molli and Michael played well. Tamara came and watched, all bundled up with blankets and jackets. She drove me home and we left Ray to find a ride. Then Molli called--turns out Tamara had Michael's phone and wallet and keys... so we didn't get to bed until almost 11 and I slept until 6:30. 

Grumpy Sunday morning

Maybe I overdid yesterday. Maybe I need breakfast--if someone else would get up, we could cook the pancakes I've mixed up. It's 7:30 and pretty soon I'll cook pancakes for myself! 

After a morning of computer bookkeeping challenges, I drove to Lynn at 2 to participate in a caravan rally/protest. As usual with these events, we didn't actually pull out until after 3:30. So, standing around in a parking lot, waving banners, taping signs to cars, keeping my distance. One nice young man introduced himself as Neil and stuck his hand out to shake. I said, "we don't do that now," and felt very antisocial. We were outside, wearing masks and fully vaccinated, but still...I offered my elbow and we bumped.

I was there, in part, because Tamara had committed to giving out flyers about vaccinations. I left a small pile in the Market Basket and gave a few to people. Most had received vaccines and some said no thank you, like it was a choice they had made...

The caravan drove slowly from Market Basket up a long street heading north (Western Avenue, which, amusingly, intersects with Eastern near Molli's house). We were supposed to go a steady 10 MPH. The police had blocked every intersection, but people managed to get in line ahead of me, and they don't know they're not supposed to stop at the lights. After we turned on Eastern, we were stopped at a light and then at the next intersection, the policeman was telling us to come ahead, but i could see the caravan had turned right. I just went home. 

I had somewhere else to go at 5, so I thought I might as well get back. Ray and I got our sneakers on and headed to the park to practice softball with our friends from church. It was good to be outside with people we hadn't seen in over a year. No softball season last year. I designated myself catcher. It's still a lot of exercise for me, but doesn't require as much running (or skill). I don't have to do anything if the pitcher does a good job and the batter hits the ball. I am definitely not going to be able to catch any popups or forced outs at home, but the pitcher will cover for me if he can. I still have to hit the ball and run to first base, unless they can get me a designated runner. 

Then we got Thai takeout. So after talking about it, I feel less grumpy. Also T just got up and is walking both dogs, while I start the pancakes. So yay! 

Work life

Worked in Salem yesterday about 6 hours. It's pretty strange to be the only person in an office meant for 10 or 12. We have Zoom meetings twice a week, but some people I have never met in person. I sometimes take my shoes off, or play music. I hadn't gotten to that point, fortunately, when Charles arrived to spend a little time in the office. I immediately put on my mask, of course. I usually start the day by going to the mailbox in the hall. It's a big brick building with 4 or 5 floors--we're on the first floor with several other groups. So when I go to get the mail, I put on my mask and take my mailbox keys. There are two mailboxes, for suite 9 and suite 10, although we are actually in suite 12...no idea why. Sometimes there is little or nothing, except some junk mail. I love it when there are Essex Heritage envelopes; they are the ones with money in them! Three donations yesterday, one from a charitable fund. I stamp them right away For Deposit Only and the account number, and put them aside to enter in QuickBooks. I also enter the information in Neon, which keeps track specifically of donors and donations. Before I left for the day, I took them to the bank. So that's probably the most important thing I do, although it doesn't take up a lot of time, and some days there aren't any. My boss works remotely, apparently even when there's not a pandemic. She lives in Newburyport and this was supposed to be her "semi-retired" job, 21 hours a week and no commute. Life intervened. Her assistant became ill and is on medical leave. 

Monday, Monday

 Trouble sleeping last night, took pain reliever toward midnight for my shoulder. Woke up pretty groggy to a beautiful day. Now that I have to go to work every day, I have to do things like eat breakfast and get dressed, whether I feel like it or not. On the other hand, I feel fortunate to have a job! that I enjoy. and I will be home before 4. Maybe today is the day for working in my yard!

Yesterday was Sunday, my stay-at-home day. Pancakes with blueberries and bacon. On-line services at First Parish Beverly, plus virtual coffee hour. Leftovers for lunch, family trivia zoom. At 3:00, Amelia's craft club. Watched some of the Oscars after dinner (steak potatoes broccoli), but was tired and went to bed about 9:30. No good reason not to fall asleep, maybe I didn't get enough exercise? 

Another month goes by...

 I feel something strange--what is it? Happiness?? I didn't know it was missing...

We went out to dinner last night. The food was very good, we sat outside and it got cold. They brought us one of those tall heaters. Tamara, my Dad, Ray and I. Three of us have had all our shots, Tamara only one. My Dad paid! It was not cheap, but we figure we saved hundreds (thousands?) of dollars by not eating out for a year, so we can spend as much as we want any time! It feels a little shallow to be so easily enticed by something as worldly as dinner out. 

I have two part-time jobs. I like working. My Dad does not understand why I don't want to sit home and do nothing. Perhaps it is because my surroundings remind me of things I should be doing? It is a challenge to find the right balance. Certainly I want to eat well (and feed the people around me), but I do not want that to be my whole life. There is some cleaning that needs doing, but it does not inspire me. 

Tamara has withdrawn from school. Eventually, she found Zoom classes to be too challenging for her. She now has 3 job offers for the summer, so that will be good. She is trying to get an appointment to take her driving test again. She wants her friend Daniela to come spend the summer with us (which is fine) and work here. She is looking for places who will get her a temporary visa. Tamara seems happy and very agreeable. She puts away dishes, vacuums, walks the dog, and does anything else we ask her. She does not generally get up very early, but that is one reason working will be good. 

Ray and I made reservations to fly to Hilton Head for a week next month. Our friends have condo time shares there and we had a trip scheduled last year that we canceled because of the pandemic. Now we will go! Again, it is expensive but we have not been anywhere in more than a year. We will change planes in Atlanta, the hardest part of the trip, but we will then fly right to Hilton Head, rather than to Savannah or Charleston and rent a car. It will be warm...

Sunday morning

Time for me to apply for unemployment, for the last time for a while, I guess. Every Sunday, I apply for the week before. It is a fairly irritating process and I wonder how many unemployed people can't or don't do it. I hope there is still a way for someone without a computer to apply. I have to log in and answer the same questions every week. I am supposed to be able to prove I looked for work, if they ask. I do read ads every week, so I don't feel like I'm lying. And one time they did ask me to document. 

The days I am not working now feel strange to me. I am at loose ends and can't seem to find anything to engross me. I read cookbooks, cook, do the puzzle, work on genealogy...Ray has gone back to the office, which is good. I don't like to hear him talking to clients. Sometimes, I want to advise him. Don't give them so much personal information, for instance. You're taking too long for each one...so I would rather have him do that in the office. I feel less crowded, even though there is lots of room in this house. And then he wants to tell me about each case. I should be flattered, but I don't want to know. 

This past Friday was not as fun as previous weeks. I did talk to a couple clients on the phone, but there were no checks to write or deposit. The Treasurer didn't come by and chat. I did talk to another Board member, who has been handling our Paypal account, so now I have that on my plate as well. And l was able to get information on many donors who have given that way, and gave that information to my boss. I entered information from a few clients, but did not get as far as I thought I would. 

My Dad is not happy with my going to work every day, starting Wednesday. He says, "why don't you just relax, aren't you supposed to be retired? By the time I was your age, I had been retired for 10 years!" We did chat about it though. I don't have any interest in living on a sailboat or building my own house, well maybe a little interest. Maybe I'll build another house someday, but I wouldn't actually build it myself. I didn't say, "Mom didn't want to live on a sailboat either..." I said, we tried it and we didn't like it. Ray and I don't get along that well when we're home all day every day. Which is only sort of true. We don't always get along when we're both working, either. I don't seem to be getting done the things that I should, while I have time. Like clearing out the clutter. As my daughter the lawyer said, yes they have written a lot about that. The pandemic is not conducive to doing those things. At least not any more, maybe some at the beginning. 

So, oddly enough, now I have weekends again. Tomorrow is the last Monday I will not be working, at least for now. So, I will need to get things done on Saturday and Sunday, which we used to do. Of course, I am not working a lot. I will have late afternoons and evenings, too. Now the things include ordering food, rather than going to the store. In theory, February, which is long gone, is the month for using up the food we have on hand, especially in the freezer. That will coincide nicely with going back to work. 

I'm excited, but a little apprehensive. 

What's Happening?

Good morning! The number of things that happened yesterday is amazing! It was gray and rainy when we got up, like this morning, but it stopped raining and was sunny by evening. And the warmest it's been. I was comfortable all day and did not wear a turtleneck or corduroys. 

Early in the day, after Ray had gone to work and we had walked Cameron, I had a phone call from Jill, the woman who got me the job in Newburyport. "I wondered if you were interested in picking up a few more hours," she said. An organization I am familiar with, Essex Heritage, which sponsors Trails and Sails and took us to Baker Island a couple years ago, needs a "Finance Assistant." Their staff member is on sick leave and they don't know when she'll be back. It is a temporary part-time job doing things that are familiar to me, using QuickBooks: going to the post office, entering deposits and checks, etc. I said I was and she said the woman would call me. Here's the cosmic part: Her name is Patty. Yes, that's right. I now have two part-time jobs, one where the boss has my husband's name (Ray) and one where the boss has my name. Furthermore, I believe, they each hold a job that I applied for. I originally applied for the Finance Director job at Essex Heritage in Salem, but Jill thought I would be better for the Executive Director at Community Service of Newburyport. They are paying me less than I asked for, but if the job lasts more than a couple months, I will revisit that. So, now, starting Wednesday, I will be working 32 hours at 2 jobs, which is not really retired. I'm very excited and happy--and it's supposedly temporary, so we'll see. I could walk there in 30 minutes, which I might do sometimes, or take the train. 

Backing up, I also drove my Dad to get his license. Unfortunately, they insisted that he have a copy of his birth certificate, which we were not able to find. He and I were pretty surprised that they would not accept, for instance, an expired passport or his honorable discharge, both of which prove his place of birth and citizenship. While he was there, I dashed into Trader Joe's and bought a few things: bananas, yogurt, pork tenderloin...

Today is a drive-to-Newburyport day, so must get going.