megaskunk

March is a week away and we had a friggin' blizzard. WTF. It sucked extra because the snow from the last storm was finally almost gone. We could see grass...the dog had multiple places to be able to go to the bathroom...it was nice. And Saturday it was nice and sunny and (relatively) warm out, it was such a nice little preview of spring. But couldn't even fully enjoy it because we knew the snow was coming. Then Sunday it started snowing like...12:30ish? and just kept snowing until like, 2ish today. At least we got to go do our needle felting penguins class at the library before the snow hit too hard. But yeah, it was a full-on blizzard, with snow blowing sideways and everything. I think the totals are saying that Long Island got like, 23-28" of snow. That's way too much. Esp for the last week of February. Winter really needs to get the fuck out. This winter has been so bad (weather-wise). I don't even love spring, since it brings allergies, but I can't wait for spring, because I can't take this shit anymore. We made our snow day panettone today, so hopefully that puts and end to the snow.
I have other stuff I could write/complain about, but I want to look for stuff to add to my birthday present list before making dinner. I'll try to start writing here again more. Hopefully there'll be less time between posts next time.

I've been meaning to post for like, over a month now, and just keep not getting around to it. I had wanted to do a post recapping the trip to Italy so I'd have it for memory purposes and just never got around to it. I have off until after New Year's, so maybe one day within the next week I'll do a belated post about it. Right now my main goal is to finish the last of the rare breed wools I need to for the year to reach my New Year's Resolution goal. I started it back in November but then between trip, being sick, and Christmas business I just didn't get back to it until today. I started the 2nd single today but didn't finish it. I'll have to finish that tomorrow, then ply it Monday and set the twist sometime before New Year's Eve. I started so strong at one point I thought I'd finish so early I might have time to get an extra one done. Oh well. While I like the Shave "Em to Save 'Em challenge, I'm kind of getting tired of it. I feel like it's all I can work on so that I do eventually finish it and not just give up, but at the expense of not spinning other wool I have. I haven't even made any new rolags for awhile, even though when I first got my blending board I was really excited about it.
I guess I've been in a bit of a crafting funk lately. I tried to start a scarf while on the trip using one of the rare breed yarns that I made that I really like, and scrapped it twice because it just wasn't looking how I wanted it to, and because I like the yarn I don't want to waste it. And I haven't started a new project since. I wanted to get a sweater kit from Lion Brand's website, but it's a little pricey, and of course the one I like is never included in their sales for some reason, and with money being tight from Italy trip and Christmas shopping I haven't gotten it yet. Maybe soon. Main craft stuff I've been doing lately is resin stuff. I made the favors for my parents' party and then I decided to make some Christmas ornaments to give people as gifts using sand and shells from local beaches. Making stuff with resin is like...cool, but also boring cuz there's a lot of down time while waiting for the different layers to cure.
I was really in to Christmas baking this year though. I just wanted to make all the cookies. There's still some cookies I wanted to make but ran out of time to do, but now we already have a bunch of cookies and Christmas is over. Maybe I'll try making them later in the year. I dunno why it feels like cookies have to be made at Christmas time only. We make chocolate chip cookies year round, but that's about it. Maybe I'll try to make different varieties throughout the year next year. Overall I was just really into Christmas this year. I guess cuz the rest of the year was so shitty, I wanted something nice and joyful.
It snowed twice this month, which is annoying and weird. The first snow was like, a week and a half before Christmas and now it snowed again last night. I read that the snow last night was the worst snow Long Island has had in like, 3 years or something. There is a lot of it. Luckily it happened mostly overnight, but it was a bummer because Molly and Kyle came over for dinner last night and then had to rush out because the snow started sticking like, immediately. It was nice to see them while they were here though.
Man, I sat down to read my book and ended up on laptop cuz I remembered I wanted to order photo canvas from Walgreens because the sale ends today and then I ended up here catching up on entries I missed reading and also deciding to finally post here. I'll try to post at least one more time before New Year's with this year's resolution results and new ones for 2026. And maybe Italy trip recap. We'll see.

I'm very sad about the fact that tomorrow is September. Where the fuck did the summer go? I feel like I didn't get to do much outside this summer, which sucks. I did get to spend time in my hammock this year at least, which was nice, but I still wish it could have been more. I know September weather is usually still nice here and summer's not really over until late September, but it's been kinda chilly the past week, especially at night, so it really makes it feel like summer is over. I want to go to the beach more. I want to be in my hammock more. I want to just be out in the sunshine more. I love fall, and I am looking forward to the fall holidays and decorating and whatnot, but I'm just not ready for it yet. Or if it could be fall but it still stay light later that'd be cool.

In more positive news, I finished the 3rd rare breed yarn for the year yesterday. That means only 1 more to go to reach my goal. When I got that roving back in May I felt so ahead of the game and that I might even be able to do more than 4, but as what usually happens, I didn't really get much spinning done in July and August. I should start looking for the next breed I want to do now so I don't let time get away from me and I am able to reach my goal. Though I do also now have the goal of getting caught up on making the squares and moving them to the other side of the hallway before my parents' party next month. I should still be okay though. Finishing this breed I've completed all the of the most at-risk breeds, so that's cool.

I had realization before that I haven't tackled the fix-it pile this month and today is the last day of the month. I didn't do it in July either, but I think for most of July there was only like, 1 thing in it anyway, but I know there's more now. Well, it's a holiday weekend, so I think as long as I get to it by the end of the day tomorrow that still counts. I might not even fix everything in it. I think some of it is underwear that's already been fixed before. It's underwear that I got from Aldi and keeps separating from the elastic for some reason. But yeah, it might just be time to let those undies go. We'll see. I want to get more of the Duluth Trading Company buck naked undies because I got 1 pair earlier this year on clearance just to push my order up to get free shipping and it's actually really nice and comfortable. It's expense when not on clearance though. After I'm done here I'll probably go see if there's any good Labor Day deals.

Man, the past month has been almost non-stop with stuff going on. Basically exactly a month ago (just 1 day off) we went into the city and saw Weird Al at MSG. It was a super fun concert. I didn't expect him to go through like, 20 costume changes, but he did. For the encore he did his Star Wars related songs and there were like, people dressed up as Storm Troopers and Darth Vader on the stage with him, and then later on the train ride home those people were on the train with us. They were nice and fun. So yeah it was a fun time, but we did like, not get home until basically 2am. I think the weekend after that we didn't have plans? But from July 23rd til this past Monday there was a lot going on.

First we took a trip up to NH to visit Aunt Linda and Sarah. It was nice seeing everyone. I even got to see my cousin Heather's daughter Ella who I haven't seen since she was like, 5, because she was up visiting her boyfriend that week too. It was nice getting to see her as an adult, but I kinda wish she hadn't been there because I feel like Aunt Linda decided what we were all going to do and we didn't get to go to Kellerhaus like I wanted to. So that was disappointing. Also having to listen to the 2 of them talk politics took some of the joy out of relaxing. Then the nights we were at Sarah's house I didn't really sleep well because it got really cold at night and we weren't prepared (I literally couldn't stop shivering at one point) and then also their rooster started crowing at 4:30 am both mornings. So went into the next week a bit sleep deprived.

The weekend after that we went camping in NJ with Kyle. That was nice. We didn't get to go camping last year so it was nice to go. I finally got to just vibe in my hammock which made me happy. I honestly probably could have spent the whole day Saturday just chillin' in my hammock. But we eventually went for a hike and went to get ice cream. Overall it was a pretty relaxing weekend, but still a weekend not at home and did wake up earlier in the morning than would have if we'd just been home. I was glad we were able to bring Charlie with us too, since we didn't bring him to NH. I think he had a good time.

Last week was the busiest and most stressful of the weeks, since we had to both prepare all the desserts for Janice's party and also finish our presents for her, while also hosting Texas Patrick, who came up to visit starting last Wednesday. Luckily he was pretty down for entertaining himself during the days when we had work, but there's still effort involved in having a guest. Tuesday night we were up late making the cuccidati. Wednesday night we were up late making the biscotti and also the jam for the favors. Thursday I made the coffee cake after work and also cooked dinner while Erik took Patrick out east to see places like Goodale. Then Friday we went to Davis Park which was nice. I enjoyed relaxing on the beach. I got some sand and shells to use to try to make a necklace. Charlie also enjoyed vibing at the beach. I've never seen a dog who loves the beach as much as he does. Like, we got there, put our stuff down and I was working on trying to set up this canopy thing I got and he just laid down by himself and chilled. If his recall was a little better I'd let him off-leash, but usually at the beach I just go dropped leash, just in case need to grab him for some reason. So the beach was nice and chill, and I wish we could have gotten there even earlier, but alas, we did still have work first. But then when we got home I still had to make chocolate rice pudding for the party (which ended up not even turning out right).

Oh and in the middle of the busiest week, in months, if not the whole year, my car decided to act up. Wednesday on my way to work and then on the way home it was being stuttery when I accelerated between 20-40 mph and I was freaking out. I took it right to Goodyear on the way home. There were a couple of problems and to fix them cost more money than I would have liked. So there was also that added stress. I had to work from home Thursday due to car being in the shop. Which wasn't the worst, but I feel like I fell a bit behind on claims because of it.

Satuday was the surprise 80th birthday party for Janice. She enjoyed it and was surprised (mostly) and had a good time, but we did not enjoy ourselves. There was too much drama behind the scenes for us to have a good time. But at least it's finally over. It was like, the worst part of the weekend though. Friday and Sunday were both nice.

Sunday we took the train out to Montauk. I'd only ever been to Montauk once before, when me and Lauren drove out there so I could take a picture of the lighthouse for a Green Day contest I wanted to enter. I hadn't really explored it at all or anything. The train ride was fine. Pretty quiet and chill. The dog was a good boy. Once we got there we ended up having to Uber around a lot because the lighthouse is far away from the other stuff. But it was alright. The lighthouse was cool. I actually like, went to it this time, instead of just standing kind of near it lol. The little museum inside was really nice, and I got a classy Christmas ornament. The only bad part of the trip was we got ripped off on ice cream. But it's Montauk in the summer. What are you gonna do (besides complain)?

Texas Patrick went home yesterday morning. While it was nice seeing him and obviously don't mind having him stay as a guest, I am just relieved to have the apartment back to ourselves and be able to relax. I'm so stoked for this weekend where we don't have any plans and can just sleep or do whatever we want.

For now it's time to go get ready to go to the movies. We're going to go see the new The Naked Gun movie. It seems like it's really funny. This is the first like, real date night we've even gotten to have in the past few weeks since we've been so busy and/or there were other people around. It'll be nice.

Two weekends in a row now the stupid arts council/gallery who are a part of our building have shut down our street for events that very few people are actually attending. And we're forced to listen to the shitty music being played because it's right outside our window. It makes me feel like an old fogey being annoyed at things like that, but like, I dunno. I don't have anything against events or loud music, I just don't want to be forced to have to hear it because it's right outside my window. For hours. At least this time I wasn't woken up early by them setting up really, but in the past they've started banging outside our window on a weekend morning at like, 8 am or something, which is just rude. I think the event today is supposed to be over in like, 15 minutes, but we've been having to listen to it since like, 11 am, and also we're leaving to go to the in-laws' house not that long after it ends, so won't even get to enjoy it being over. I guess the takeaway is that I like loud music when it's music I like and I'm choosing to listen to it.

For New Year's Resolution updates - I almost didn't, but I did clear the fix-it pile this month. I fixed the things that were in it yesterday. I wanted to work on spinning this weekend, but didn't get around to it. I ran out of time yesterday, and then I was thinking about it earlier today, but for some reason after I was done doing house stuff my insides kinda hurt and I didn't feel great. I still feel kinda meh. So I ended up on computer doing stuff instead. Mostly buying Charlie birthday stuff. I really want to finish the wool that I started because once I'm done with that I only have to complete 1 more breed this year to complete my resolution. Obviously I can do more if I want/have the time, but for resolutions purposes I only need 1 more after this one. Next weekend is a long weekend for 4th of July, so maybe I'll be able to work on it then. I haven't really spent more time outside yet this year. Last weekend/beginning of last week it was too hot to spend much time outside, and before last weekend the weather had been pretty hit-or miss in terms of niceness. I feel like it was nice during the week when having to work and not great on weekends. Hopefully we can start being outside more soon. I want to go to the beach and just vibe.

I feel like every event is kind of sneaking up on me this year. Like, we ended up not really inviting anyone to Charlie's party this year because we just kinda forgot until it was too late. It doesn't help that no one really comes, so it's not that motivating to bother trying. I wanted to have his party on his birthday this year though, since we couldn't last year cuz of dumb Frankie's party and also this year is his golden birthday (the year his age is the same as the day). I know he doesn't actually care. He just likes running around and getting cake. But I like for him to have a nice birthday.

Well, I'm just going to laze around, and try to drink water and feel less meh before we have to leave.

My quest to have a month of no appointments seems to be futile. Though last week I did at least have a week of no appointments (therapy doesn't count since it's weekly and more like routine like work or something than a random appointment). Not even any library classes - no commitments at all. That was nice. But this week Charlie had his teeth cleaning and next week I have my eye doctor appointment. Then the week after that Charlie has follow up for his cleaning (not really sure why? But whatever). Perhaps after that can finally be dome with appointments for a little while?

For accountability purposes - there wasn't anything in the fix-it pile for May. I have a pair of pants that kind of need fixing, but they're not in the pile yet, so it doesn't count.

Man I need a break. I really could stand to have an adultier adult come in and do the adulting for a week or so. It just feels like there's always something. I'm physically tired, mentally tired, and emotionally tired. But shit has to get done, so shit I will continue to do. I'm tired of there always being someplace I have to be. I'm so tired of appointments. The beginning of the year I was going to doctor appointments for myself. Now it's vet appointments for the dog and maintenance shit for my car. I need a haircut but I don't even want to make an appointment because I don't want to HAVE to be somewhere. I also want to go to the eye doctor soon, cuz I feel like my close vision is starting to go downhill, but again, don't want an appointment. Even the library classes that I like doing are starting to feel a little like a burden. I do still want to do them though. I just really wanted like, a month of no appointments, but it doesn't seem like that's possible. Even therapy like, most Mondays I've been like, wanting to have my therapy appointment but also don't want to do it as soon as I get home. I almost wish I could do therapy before work, cuz after work I want to be able to just relax. But considering I usually end up crying it's probably better not to do it before work lol. It's probably a good thing I did finally start therapy again before all this stuff started happening.

I burned frankincense incense in the apartment Wednesday to try to clear out the bad juujuu that felt like was around the building. When I got home from work Wednesday there were people talking to the police because apparently there'd been a couple of guys around who threatened them with a knife and spit on them? Then later that night a car crashed outside the building. Or possibly into the building, because one of the windows of the theater is broken. But we still can't figure out what happened. (The people inside the car seemed to be fine. They didn't even go in the ambulance that showed up). I don't know how much it really did, but the vibes did feel better after the incense was finished burning. Maybe I should do some more.

In new year's resolution updates - I did complete the fix-it pile last month, so that's good. And I'm almost done with the current rare breed wool that I've been working on. Honestly I probably could have finished it a couple of weeks ago, but I kinda forgot that it was ready to be plied already and then the times I remember I've either not had time or just been lazy. Hopefully this weekend I will finish it. I also need to make my mom's Mother's Day present still. I want to make her some silk flowers like the one we made at a library class. Hopefully I remember how to do it. Eep.

Well, I suppose I should go take Charlie out so we can all settle in for the night. Hopefully I'll have more fun/less complainy posts soon.

Easter is on Sunday and it doesn't really feel like it at all. It's pretty late this year, so it's not like it snuck up on us. Though I guess with March being such a shitshow it did a little bit. We only really got to start getting into the spring/Easter spirit a couple of weeks ago. I think part of it is that the weather hasn't been cooperating much in terms of feeling like spring. Not even all the daffodils are up yet, and there's a lot of blossom trees that are only just starting to bloom.
Another part is that we're not dyeing eggs this year. Egg prices are too high to buy eggs just for decoration. And all of the in-law's eggs that we can get for free are brown, so no good for coloring. My parents said they're not doing eggs this year either. This is the first year that I can remember not coloring eggs with someone. Sad! I want to get ceramic or wood eggs that we can paint instead, but we haven't done that yet.

Hopefully the last of the cold weather is behind us and it can start really feeling like spring. I just want to be able to have the windows open and to spend time outside in the sun. Is that too much to ask?

Man this week has been so discombobulated. It started pretty good actually, cuz Sunday night we went to a really fun concert. I got us tickets to see Cowboy Bebop Live! in Huntington. I've only seen a couple of episodes of the original anime, and we watched the live action one (as someone who didn't watch the original I didn't hate it, but I understand some of the critiques), so while not super familiar, we listen to a lot of anime and video game jazz, so a concert of that genre being close by seemed like it'd be nice to go to. And the tickets weren't super expensive. Neither of us was really sure what to expect going in, but it was a blast! It was a super fun concert, the band was super cool. And they had special guest stars like the original English voice actress of Faye and one of the original members of the group that did the original soundtrack, The Seatbelts. So that was a lot of fun. But it did lead to us probably getting to bed later than we should have since we had to get up at 6 the next morning for Goose's surgery. Monday was when the week really started getting hectic. Had to get up super early Monday and then was up and running for like, 18 hours on only 4 hours of sleep (plus a like, 30 minute nap I took while Goose was in surgery). It wouldn't have been so bad, but Goose had a hard time from the anesthesia (I think I mentioned that in my last post) so there was a lot more care involved than expected, like cleaning up things, and having to go out and get more medicines and stuff.
Then Wednesday was my birthday, which was kind of underwhelming to be honest. Like, I guess I put it out there by saying I didn't really care about it/wasn't really planning on doing much, but I dunno...I guess I kinda hoped the universe would put in a little effort to make it nicer lol. Goose did their best given the circumstances and got me some fun presents. But the weather wasn't really nice enough to do anything outside and there wasn't a ton to do inside. I'd been thinking about going to a stained glass workshop in the afternoon that I saw, but it would have involved either going to Port Jeff by myself or Goose would have had to tag along and just be bored and probably kind of miserable since not able to lay down or anything. My parents came over instead of going to their house as usual so Goose wouldn't be too far from home if started not feeling well or anything. I don't want to be ungrateful, but I was a little disappointed that they only got me 1 present, which was a shirt that I had linked them to as a suggestion, and while I said I liked all of the patterns of the shirt, they picked the one that I liked the least. And then my mom didn't make my birthday cake since plans were kind of up in the air depending on how Goose was feeling and she wasn't sure if it'd keep, so they just brought a store bakery cake and it wasn't very good. Again, I don't want to sound ungrateful. I'm happy to have my parents to celebrate with and who do do a lot for me/us. But in the moment it was just kind of disappointing.
Yesterday and today have been okay. I've just been tired all week. It doesn't help that period also started on my birthday, so that's had physical and emotional effects as well. Right now I'm debating whether or not to go to the gym. I feel like I should, and once I go I'd probably feel good. But at the moment I really just want to lay down. There's so much effort involved in getting there. I'd have to get changed. Drive. Then actually exercise once there. Then drive back home. I dunno. I probably should go though. In line with the week being random, eating has been kind of all over the place this week too. I guess I should probably stop typing and get my butt to the gym...

I'm really sad to hear that all JoAnns are going to be closing. Like, I literally grew up in JoAnn's when my dad was manager there. I have memories of spending the afternoon watching ALF tapes and doing craft kits in the breakroom while my dad was working. I already mourned those specific stores closing a couple of years ago when they closed them to merge them into the new super big store in Bohemia. I honestly still get a little choked up seeing the empty stores (since nothing else has permanently moved in yet) where I spent so much time. But now even the new store will be shutting its doors. When we went last month the store was already in bad shape. Empty shelves and just boxes of stuff in the aisles. It was really depressing. I was hopeful they could get their shit together though. It's true I can just go to Michael's for a lot of stuff, but it's not the same. Michael's doesn't have fabric. There's nowhere really around here for a large selection of fabric. And I feel like JoAnn's had a bigger yarn section too. I feel like overall JoAnn's just had more of what I usually need than Michael's. I think of Michael's more for art supplies and decorations than craft supplies. And even if I want to support local businesses like Sew What's New, they have a fun selection of fabrics, but still not the biggest. It just sucks. It sucks on a personal level and just from a consumer level. I'm going to have to go stock up on stuff before they shut the doors for good.

I'm also kinda sad because so far Charlie and Bo (my parents' new dog) are not really getting along. I don't like having to be on edge the whole time being there, and I feel bad for Charlie that he can't have a good time, since he loves my parents and he likes zooming around their house. Hopefully things will get better with time