Today 27Nov2023: Monday back to work

I started at 7:30 with me rolling over at 7:00 when my alarm went off on my phone. Ugh! I rose and put on my slippers and robe, and with only the stiffness in my leg and my left foot flaring pain when pressure is placed on the back heel to slow me, I located the kitchen. Next, I made liberal coffee to get myself back on track after days of California Coffee. Perfect with an NYC bagel (thanks, Joyce and Smith-Kramers) with cream cheese. I had a small yogurt with some fruit, too.

Everyone on the 8:05 Zoom meeting (all properly scheduled meetings are 5 after the hour and end on the hour or half, giving folks five minutes to get to the next meeting). No meetings should also be scheduled over lunch unless they supply food. Early in the project, my friend Michael G threatened to get a cardboard sign out that he would come to your meeting for food; that threat and other discussions and the policies changed to be more food and bladder friendly.

The meetings were rough this Monday as everyone seemed tired and still suffering from too much turkey or, in my case, showing signs of recovering from a hangover and air travel. We managed to find our way and completed the defect and other status meetings. Actions began flowing again, and processes for the vast software installation began. Just imagine the gears in a Guillermo del Toro movie start to turn inside a massive machine to get the feeling of today.

The meetings ended at about tenish, and I showered, shaved, and so on, dressed, and did one more meeting in the morning, now refreshed. The leader of the meeting did not show up, and we called it off after ten minutes. I did take charge and covered the status as I knew it for master data, and some of the issues were getting fixed. I then told everyone was released, blessing them like the pope to many laughs.

Next, I made a nice lunch and leftovers for later. I cooked some pasta, heated sauce from a jar, and fried some ground beef in a pan after defrosting it in the microwave. I assembled it. It was a bit plain, but I had a few bowls. It was fun to cook again. I ran a full load of dishes in the dishwasher.

I took the pasta out to the living room, switched to Disney+, and watched the new Doctor Who special. There are three specials, the first is now available, and the new season starts around Christmas. While I enjoyed the special, I thought it dragged a bit and was too focused on the past and sentimental for my tastes, but I will watch it again in a few days and see if I feel the same way.

After the show and lunch, I returned to work and another meeting. This one, too, was rough and had low attendance. This was not a surprise to me, as we are about to start the installation process over the weekend. We are between steps.

I followed along at work but had time to slip out to the bank and get $50s and $100 for the nieces and nephews and those of no specified gender kids of cousins. I wrote out the cards, addressed them, stuffed them with cash, and delivered the pile to the mailbox.

The mail was delivered while I was executing Christmas gift cards (using the old-fashioned version of a paper card and cash usable everywhere) and while the mailbox was full of catalogs and junk mail and a letter to myself (containing Susie’s Death Certificate being returned after being validated), a box was waiting at the door.

On Esty, I found 3D full-sized Tardis decor for a door, discounted on Black Friday. It arrived today. It is the largest 3D I have yet seen, and excellently done. Years ago, I went to Home Depot, and Corwin, who was with me at the time, was amazed that I asked the gal at the paint desk for Tardis Blue, and further amazed when not only did Home Depot make that, we had to request the year we wanted to match as the Tardis Blue shade had changed over the years. I picked a more modern shade, and we left with a quart. The garage door, which is smaller on the inside, was painted Tardis Blue later that week. Susie thought it was terrific. Now, I have the full-sized items to attach to the door to complete the look.

Seeing that work was not too busy, I headed to the hardware to get some solid two-sided tape and some plumbing tape to fix the leak in the shower head. I forgot my wallet, gave up, and came home. The traffic meant another hour to do that.

Today I ordered an MRI of my brain. The loss of hearing in my left ear and other issues could be a brain issue–it is unlikely–it would be much worse if it was something like that. I missed the window for insurance and had to re-authorize it. It is planned now for 14 Dec 2023, 3:45PM. I want to include it in this year’s medical expenses for tax efficiency.

Next, I called Leta on the iPhone using FaceTime to have a video conference. I missed calling Leta yesterday, so it was good to connect today. Leta was doing better, I thought, but she had new swelling in her legs and feet. Her hand looked better. Leta seemed to be able to move her fingers and arm better today.

I received various texts and pictures of fruit cakes landing. Excellent! Happy Holidays!

I found a few items on Cyber Monday. I sent a birthday present to Barb Wild for her upcoming birthday. I sent Linda, my sister, an early Christmas present she could use now, I think.

Dondrea and Z met me at Si Senior for Mexican food and drinks. We had a lovely, relaxed dinner together. We are checking if the new Dracula show in Portland will fit our schedules in December.

I returned in Air Volvo, the slight traffic, to the Volvo Cave. I ordered the two side tape and plumbing supplies to be delivered as I will be in the office until Friday.

I should add that I cried a lot today. Susie’s death seemed more real today as I was doing so many things for Christmas and could not tell her about them or share them with her. I used to travel so often in the holidays with her and have crazy plans like Amsterdam, and I miss planning some new madness with her. Or when we could not travel, we would do the Celebration of the Last Minute in Portland and then see Susie interviewed on TV. Later in a wheelchair, looking at all the Christmas lights and ornaments in the mall and bringing back hot chocolate mixes. I missed all of that today.

Getting a Death Certificate returned today was sad, too; it was so final, and while part of the legal process, it made me sad: so much worse than coal in my stocking.

Thanks for reading.