Today? I'm just shocked.. got a message very early that the lady that runs my dad's caregiving (she does it with some other ladies).. found her husband had passed away from a heart attack overnight.. he was just 59 years old.. and in seemingly good health.. totally unexpected.

Definitely a reminder to value those we love every day.. and to remember.. life is short.. that means not only don't sweat the small stuff.. but try to keep things in perspective.. and don't live in misery hoping for change.. you may not live to see that change.

I'm adjusting to nearly a month of being an empty nester. It's a bittersweet moment. nearly 40 years (young mom) of "kids" in the home, and now not is a very strange feeling for me.  Much needed and yet..... an adjustment to say the least. This kid was with me through one of life's biggest and hardest things I've ever done. Over a decade ago when he was under 10 I left his abusive dad. Life's had it's ups and downs but having my youngest of four boys helped me get through it. We won the step dad lottery though. Despite all his faults as a Disney dad he's been very good to my son and that's what matters. 
 

I read about the smoke! Just waiting for July/August here and after the wettest year in over a decade expect the same once California fires up. 

Can confirm. Canadian. Live along the border and we are getting smoked out. Our work building was smoky last night, burning the eyes and throats. We were thankful to find an air purifier to help out. It's quite surreal, the experience but also the visuals of the sky. It's also devastating to the ecosystem. 

I'm in a rut and I'm motivating myself with a "The Time to Shine Again" plan (work in progress). I'm hoping it'll help shape me up and get me out of this rut. My friend is also doing one so we can help motivate each other and hold each other accountable. Fingers crossed... I've got to try something new.

Thanks for asking! You?

You are so considerate to ask us poor, down-trodden step-parents how we are.  

I am in recovery.  I had bacterial bronchitis which is almost over.  But I was coughing so hard during it that I somehow injured my back.  So, now I'm on muscle relaxers except it's not getting better very fast.  MRI is Monday at which time I predict they'll find an injured muscle or tendon and recommend physical therapy.

Mr. Florence Nightingale is doing great.  Back in the day, when I had babies and my ex was no help, I thought, "When you have babies, you find out who you married".  Now, I'm thinking, "When you are sick, you find out who you married". 

last weekend.

I have been popping Pepto tablets like mints.

Ughhhh.

Other than that, same shit, different day.  Work wise at least.

Generally, life is good.  Though it may not sound like it.

Thanks for asking.

Went to the dentist this morning and had three cavities filled.  One was on bottom, two on top.  My upper lip is finally getting some feeling back in it.  I hate numbing medicine.  My nose was numb too.  The cavity on the bottom was so small that I didn't need numbing, so now I don't have to go back for me until November. 

I'm sitting here trying to decide if I want to try to do a little work in my garden.  It feels like I'm constantly having to get grass and weeds away from my plants so they don't choke them out.  It's especially bothersome where the watermelons are.  I'm going to look into doing things differently next year.  Maybe get some mulch to put out there so I'm not constantly out there with the hoe.  It is a good stress reliever though.  By the time you're done, you're too tired to be mad or stressed.  

So I've been pretty busy with gardening and trying to stay on top of my exercise routine.  My doctor wanted to put me on a statin drug at the end of 2021, and I told him no.  I started exercising again and my cholesterol had gone down but it's still not where it needs to be.  Hoping by the end of this year when I see him again, it will be where it needs to be.  

I remember when we here on West Coast could absolutely not go outside because fires. Add to that we were in the COVID lockdown. So REALLY it sucks. Doing the summer east coast rain dance for you right now.

The Step has invited my DH to his son's graduation. I am still shunned for having an opinion about the raising of said son "you've made the same life you always *itched you had (spilt family).....So my DH is in his late 70's, will drive 4 hours one way, go to graduation, pay for the dinner (they only order the best), and Lord only knows the money he will spend, then a night in a hotel...breakfast out that he/we will pay for and then home. So, how am I really? I am angry that I no longer exist after 40 years of making accomadations, and a bit anxious about him going by himself. Step finally got what he wanted, Daddy to himself.