News

Saturday

Saturday IL7 had his “best day ever” at Cub Scout camp. He did several fun educational projects, rode a one-eyed pony, and shot arrows and a B B bun. He even participated in open program this year – he was too over-stimulated for open program last year.

Sunday

Sunday was fun, though IL7 was tired during the lesson on the compass. However, there were two other kids who were just as frustrated with the session. It was a lot after a full day on Saturday. After skills lessons, they had the bouncy pad and crafts. IL7 loves crafts.

IL7 wanted to stay for lunch because he was earning points for a prize by going through a meal without using the phone. Then we went home. 

After unpacking, Aaron played Minecraft with IL7, and I cooked dinner. When I opened a big bag of potatoes, several were rotten and covered in maggots. Yuck! I threw it all out and washed the area. We’d had a problem with about 6 flies a week or so before – I had finally bought some Zevos and thought the problem was over. I’m just glad I caught this on time. 

Monday

Monday didn’t go quite as planned, but it was a good day. It started with a video visit appointment for all three kids, followed by an appointment for IL7. 

IL7 did something really cool during the appointment that I needed to reward him for, so I cancelled a mid-day appointment so I could keep IL7 home and play Roblox with him. Dad also cancelled his gym appointment, so I spent a couple hours playing Roblox with IL7. 

In the late afternoon, I took D16 to an appointment, then Dad took us all to Red Lobster. IL7 and D16 played Roblox after that.

Tuesday

Tuesday, I voted in the primary, took Malcolm to the orthodontist, and cross-stitched. M14 played Roblox with IL7. D16 spent 5 hours cleaning her room. Aaron and I watched an episode of Wednesday, Season 2.

Wednesday

Wednesday,  I took Dad to the gym and took IL7 to meet a cat that we might adopt. I wanted to know how it would respond to IL7. It actually loved IL7 – went right up to him and rubbed against his legs and sniffed at his hands.

Thursday

Thursday, I had no appointments! I ran some errands, did some cross-stitch, read, and played D&D. We had a virtual tour of the house as part of the adoption process to the cat we saw Wednesday, and I was told it was too messy to house cats. I feel very judged. I agree that the house is a mess, but the cats are fine.

Friday

Friday, I worked on preparing Loki for his trip to Oregon – packing, etc. I took Dad to the gym, and worked out while I waited. I took IL7 to Michael’s to buy googly eyes and cross-stitch floss. Then D16, Aaron, and I went out to Buffalo Wild Wings, then to Barnes and Noble. I got myself a book about the Assyrian Empire. Much to my surprise, the rescue decided we could have the cat, despite having a messy house.

Reading to myself

• Ghost Garden; Inside the Lives of Schizophrenia’s Feared and Forgotten, by Susan Doherty
• Mr Ballen Podcast
• Books that Matter The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Leo Damrosch
• Persian Fire The First World Empire and the Battle for the West, by Tom Holland
• Brothers Karamozov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
• Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, by Wayne Grudem
• Historical Jesus Great Courses, by Bart D Ehrman 
• Essays of Montaigne
• Liches get Stitches, by HJ Tolson

Reading to IL7

• I’m Your Biggest Phantom by Andres Miedoso
• How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
• Max: A Little Axolotl, by Joey Spiotta

IL7 reading

• Super Jump Between Worlds by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

One day, Maude wakes up as a lich. All she wants to do is hang out with her cat and sewing. But people won’t leave her alone. This humorous dark fantasy is fun and amusing, if a little plot-light.

News

Saturday

Saturday D16, IL7, and I went to the zoo. We saw the bird show, which the kids really enjoyed, and IL7 rode the camel.

Sunday

Sunday, IL7 and I went out to Olive Garden with my friend and her nephew – his friend. Then they played Minecraft for a while. I took IL7 to swim lessons, then the family went out to Outback Steakhouse.

Monday

Monday, I took IL7 to an appointment in the morning.  Dad wasn’t feeling well, so we skipped the gym. I used the time to make a bunch of calls. In the late afternoon, I took D16 to an appointment, then cooked dinner and played Roblox with IL7.

Tuesday

Tuesday I took D16 to an appointment, then spent a while filling out a few forms. (I still have 3 more.) I ran an errand. In the evening, my friend Liz came over and we watched Doctor Who with D16 and Aaron.

Wednesday

Wednesday, I got to go to order my new glasses. I’m really excited to be able to see again! I hope they help. Dad and I went to the gym.  I took IL7 to an appointment.

Thursday

Thursday, I took Dad to PT, then he treated me to Perkins. I made some phone calls and took IL7 to the pool. He dunked, so I took him to the McDonald’s PlayPlace. Afterwards, Aaron and I played D&D.

Friday

Friday I was in a rush all day, and I felt a little hypomanic. That meant my mind was racing, and I was making impulsive decisions. For instance, I applied to foster some kittens. They would stay in D16’s room. I also signed up for a D&D campaign, which will just make me busier than I already am. 

After taking Dad to the gym and cooking some jambalaya for Aaron’s lunches next week, Aaron, IL7, and I headed off to Cub Scout camp. All we did that night was some welcome activities.

Week’s Photos

Reading to myself

• Brothers Karamozov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
• Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett
• Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, by Wayne Grudem
• Ghost Garden: Inside the Lives of Schizophrenia’s Feared and Forgotten, by Susan Doherty
• Mr Ballen podcast
• Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West, by Tom Holland
• Liches get Stitches, by HJ Tolson
• Mr Ballen Podcast

Reading to IL7

• The Big Brain Storm, by Andres Miedoso
• How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell
• Super Rabbit Boy vs Super Rabbit Boss, by Thomas Flintham 

IL7 reading

• The Super Jump Between Worlds, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

Susan and Death solve a dead Hogfather problem. Very amusing.

News

Saturday

Saturday, IL7, Aaron, and I were going to walk in the Leprechaun Day Parade with the Cub Scouts. IL7 really wanted to do it, but wanted to do it alone – not with the Cub Scouts. We made it almost to where the parade started, and IL7 decided to turn around and go home. In the evening M14, Aaron, and I played a game of Pandemic. We lost.

Sunday

Sunday, Aaron took IL7 to swim lessons while I made artist’s training cards with my friends Liz and Laura.

Monday

Monday, I took IL7 to an appointment, Dad to the gym, had a video appointment on my own, and took D16 to an appointment.

Puck was repeatedly throwing up, was having trouble pooping, and refused food all day. I made a vet appointment for Tuesday.

Tuesday

Tuesday was a tough day. I took Dad to an appointment that he thought was pointless, and I had to listen to him bitch and moan. Then I took D16 to an appointment, but they wanted us to make an appointment with a specialist.

I took Puck to the vet because he had stopped eating and was repeatedly vomiting. They ran a test and found that his kidney function was really bad. They gave us some medicine, and said that if it doesn’t perk up his appetite in a couple of days, we should consider euthanization. Aaron and I gave the medicine, but Puck was afraid of me for hours afterwards, and didn’t eat any more than he had been, so I decided not to give him more meds Wednesday since it made him so miserable. That means euthanization on Thursday.

Wednesday

Wednesday, I took Dad to the gym. I sat in the sauna, then worked out. I took IL7 to an appointment, then he, M14, Aaron, and I went to the pool.

Thursday

Thursday was a hard day. I spent a good deal of it petting, and saying goodbye to, Puck. He was euthanized in the afternoon.

Friday

Friday, I took Dad to see the orthopedic doctor, who said Dad’s hip implant could be replaced. He said we should consider surgery, but agreed that it might not be the best option for us. We opted for physical therapy. We will keep track of how often the hip stops him from walking, compared to the claudication, before we decide about surgery. Then I took Dad to the gym. I worked out and sat in the sauna.

Week’s Photos

Reading to myself

• Brothers Karamozov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
• Keeper of Night, by Kylie Lee Baker
• Ghost Garden, by Susan Doherty
• The Stand, by Stephen King
• Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem
• The Week: Fire Starter
• Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett
• Persian Fire, by Tom Holland

Reading to IL7

• The Big Brain Storm, by Andres Miedoso
• How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell
• Escape from the Roller Ghoster, by Andres Miedoso

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Super Time-Jump, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

In this “classic” horror story, a bioengineered flu kill most of the population of the world, leaving a person here and there. An epic (supernatural) battle ensues. I loved this movie as a kid. I was in the mood for a long book, so I picked this one. I’m generally not a Stephen King fan, but it was pretty good, except for some caveats. Treatment of developmentally disabled and deaf people was very 1980’s. Plus, a lot of the bad guys were black, and the color of their skin was repeatedly pointed out. To make up for it, the saintly elderly woman was black, and, as far as I know, the demonic man was white. But still, it bothered me.

When Ren – a half reaper half shinigami, has a disastrous accident in London, she runs to Japan to hide from the reapers. There, she goes on a mission to fit in. This was a creative book, with good character and world building. Recommended for people who like dark fantasy.

News

Saturday

On Saturday morning, I got up at 5:30 and rushed home to water the grass and feed the cats. When I got back, Aaron and IL7 were hanging out at the campsite. We sat there for a few hours, then went to the beach for a few hours. IL7 and I hid rocks from each other. 

When we went back to get our towels and shoes, a couple had sat down next to our stuff and put their stuff on top of ours. We had to move their stuff to find ours. Luckily our bag was peeking out, so we were sure our stuff was there. They watched passively as we moved their stuff to dig out our shoes. The only reason I can think of to do that is to steal our stuff, but why didn’t they just walk away with it?

After Aaron cooked dinner, I drove back home to water the grass and feed the cats. Then we played IL7’s zombie game near the amphitheatre. 

Sunday

Sunday, we packed up camp and were back home by about 10:30. Aaron kept himself busy: mowing, shopping, picking up D16 at her mom’s. In the evening, Dad treated us all to Outback Steakhouse. 

Monday

Monday was a busy day. It started with an appointment for IL7. Then I dropped Dad off to the gym instead of staying and exercising because I had a huge amount of stuff to do and little time to do it in – like emergency laundry. After picking up Dad, I took Sake to the vet, then went to work 5 hours early for a 4 hour meeting.

Tuesday

Tuesday, we got some maintenance done on our car – but they couldn’t finish in one day, so the car goes back the next day. Dad’s new portable oxygen compressor was delivered. My friend Liz came over and we watched a silly rom-com.

Wednesday

Wednesday, I took D16 to an appointment, Dad to the gym, and then went to an appointment myself. In the evening, I took IL7 to Red Lobster for our “private chat” that he wanted so badly. He was on my phone the whole time.

Thursday

Thursday, I was brain-fried again. But I had a reasonable day in the end.

I took D16 to an appointment, then she had a video appointment. M14 had an orthodontist appointment. Then I went to Walmart to order new glasses. But they didn’t take my insurance, so I stopped at Subway to drown my sorrows.

When IL7 got home, he wanted to play in his room, and then he fell asleep, so I sat in there with him and chatted with a friend. Then Aaron and I were supposed to have D&D, but we were the only players that showed up.

Friday

Friday, I took IL7 to an appointment, and then took Dad to the gym. I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes and sat in the sauna for 15. I read in New Scientist that heat (like the sauna) can help delay, or even prevent, Alzheimer’s. I don’t know if that’s true, but I can totally get behind that.

Reading to myself

• Mr Ballen podcast
• New Scientist: Extreme Heat
• The Week: The Endless War
• Paper and Fire, by Rachel Caine
• Keeper of Night, by Kylie Lee Baker
• Ghost Bride, by Yangsze Choo
• Brothers Karamozov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Historical Jesus (Great Courses), by Bart D Ehrman
• The Stand, by Stephen King

Reading to IL7

• Zombie Goes to Camp, by Zack Zombie
• The Bubble Gum Blob, by Andres Miedoso
• The Shine of the Silver Dragon by Tracey West
• The Big Brain Storm, by Andres Miedoso
• Beast Mode Unleashed, by Andres Miedoso

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Time-Jump, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

In this second book in The Great Library, our small group of friends discovers a secret they must uncover. They rebel. This is a novel concept, and a good follow-up. There are both slow and fast moments, and sometimes I feel the author should have thought more about continuity (for instance, a character was injured in one chapter to the point of hardly being able to walk, then an hour later he was acting out athletic feats of derring-do.

Li Lan is asked by her father to be the bride of the rather annoying ghost of a rich family. She embarks on a mission to save herself from this fate. This was a very satisfying book, though the attempts to educate readers in Malaysian-Chinese culture felt forced sometimes. Not bad enough that it annoyed me, really, just enough that I noticed.

News

Saturday

Saturday Aaron mowed the lawn and weeded. I made chili for Aaron’s lunches, took IL7 to the park, and weeded. In the evening, IL7 DM’d a session of D&D, which is mostly him jabbering on and on about what the monsters and NPCs are doing, but it’s a good distraction from screens and allows him to feel listened to.

Sunday

Sunday, I made some split pea soup for Aaron’s lunches this week. (The white chili wasn’t enough to make it through the week.) I made the grocery order and Aaron picked it up. I took IL7 to swim lessons. In the evening, Aaron DM’d his spelljammer campaign. IL7 had trouble following the rules, and we had to stop half-way through the fight, as it was getting late and D16 and IL7 were getting over-stimulated.

Monday

Monday was busy. I took IL7 to an appointment and Dad to the gym. I stayed on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Then, I had a video visit myself and finished the afternoon with an appointment for D16. In the evening, Dad wanted to take us to Red Lobster, so we had a nice dinner. Then IL7 got to look at his own sprouting carrots.

Tuesday

Tuesday, M14 and I both had an appointment. I got some cross-stitch done. Aaron went to a political meeting in the evening.

Wednesday

Wednesday, I went to the dentist. Dad slept on his arm wrong, so decided not to go to the gym Wednesday or Friday, so I read a little extra. Aaron went to a Salesforce conference.

Thursday

Thursday I took Dad to his very last physical therapy appointment. Now I still will help him with maintenance exercises, but we don’t have to go in to see the therapist.

After watering the lawn and eating, I picked up IL7 early to go to the pool with him and M14. But the pool was closed because of the air quality, so Dad, IL7, and I went out to Olive Garden. It turns out IL7 was bummed that we didn’t get to go out alone, so I’ll take him out some other time.

In the evening, Aaron and I played D&D.

Friday

Friday, I got an eye exam. I’m hoping new glasses will help my difficulty in seeing. Part of the vision problem is dry eye, I’m told. 

In the evening, IL7, Aaron and I left for our camping trip. After Aaron grilled burgers, we headed out to the beach. It was quiet that late in the day. It rained in the evening, just as we were going to play flashlight tag, so we went to the tent a little early. 

Reading to myself

• New Scientist: How Healthy is Your Brain
• Brothers Karamozov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine
• Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker
• The Stand by Stephen King
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
• Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

Reading to IL7

• Press Start: Super Game Book, by Thomas Flintham
• Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat: Revenge of the Kitten Queen
• Diary of a Minecraft Zombie: Book 6, by Zack Zombie
• Double Creature Feature by Andres Miedoso

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Super Time-Jump, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

News

Saturday

Saturday, I got up at 5:30am, and headed home to feed Puck and water the grass. When I got back, Aaron and IL7 got up and we went to the beach. When we got overheated (but before Loki was ready to leave), we went back to the campsite. After Aaron cooked dinner, I drove back home for another watering and feeding. It poured rain at the campground while I was gone, so IL7 got to enjoy splashing in the puddles.

Sunday

Sunday, we packed up camp and made it home by 11. We spent the day recuperating from the camping trip. M14 and D16 came home from seeing their grandpa with their mom. In the evening, Dad took Aaron, IL7, and me out to Outback Steakhouse.

Monday

Monday was very productive for me. I got up early to give Polyphemus some anxiety meds before his teeth cleaning. I took IL7 to an appointment, Dad to the gym, and then D16 to an appointment. Plus errands/phone calls that I had been procrastinating on. IL7 and I worked on his homework. And I got some reading and writing done.

Tuesday

Tuesday was a good day. I took Dad to see his physical therapist, then got an oil change and some new filters. In the afternoon, IL7 and I planted carrot seeds in pots (because we don’t have a garden, and he suddenly decided he wanted to plant a vegetable). Then we finished up his homework. In the evening, my froend Liz came over and we all watched some Doctor Who.

Wednesday

Wednesday started with a dentist appointment for D16, followed by an hearing aid appointment for Dad. I also ran some errands and made some calls. The evening was relaxed.

Thursday

Thursday, I took Dad to the gym – I stayed on the treadmill for an hour. I got some cross-stitch done. In the evening, Aaron and I played D&D.

Friday

Friday I took the other car in for an oil change then took Dad to the gym. I stayed on the treadmill 30 minutes.

Reading to myself

• Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
• Brothers Karamozov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Mr Ballen podcast
• Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin
• Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine
• The Week: Haitian Exodus
• Jingo by Terry Pratchett
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
• New Scientist: The Wide Awake Ape
• Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault
• Keeper of the Night, Kylie Lee Baker

Reading to IL7

• Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat: Revenge of the Kitten Queen
• The Big Brain Storm, by Andres Miedoso

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Super Time-Jump, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

Mr Pickwick and his friends have a series of adventures while traveling around England. Amusing story.

Shubin delves into evidence of evolution within anatomy of the human body. It was fascinating and well-written.

Ankh-Morpork goes to war with Klatch. Funny. Satire of politics.

News

Saturday

Saturday, I made a Steam account so I could play Pathogenic with IL7. It was an ok game. IL7 really loved it. Then, Dad, IL7, and I tried to go to the park. But they got tired, and we turned around. IL7 was riding a rather unsteady scooter and fell and “hurt” his knee. We called Aaron to rescue us in the car. IL7 and I made some progress cleaning his room. In the evening, Dad treated us to Outback Steakhouse. Then, after a bit more housework, I read.

Sunday

Sunday was a relaxing day for me, but Aaron walked in the pride parade. It was pouring rain for a while. IL7 went to swim lessons, and then the family played D&D for a while. 

Monday

Monday was busy. I took IL7 to an appointment, Dad to the gym, had a video visit myself, and took D16 to an appointment. IL7 played outside for a while, despite the heat. He requested carrot seeds, which we will plant in pots. It’s probably not the right season, but we can try.

Tuesday

Tuesday, I kept myself busy despite only having two appointments. Right after work, I took IL7 to see his pediatrician then took Dad to PT. In the evening, IL7 took a nap, and Aaron and I watched the last two episodes of Andor. We will watch Season 2 of Wednesday next. Then IL7 and I worked on his summer homework and then hung outside with Dad.

Wednesday

Wednesday I ran some errands, did housework, took Dad to the gym, took IL7 to an appointment – which was cancelled, but they didn’t tell me in advance – then took IL7 to another appointment. At home, we worked on his  summer school work.

Thursday

Thursday was a great day. It was one of those rare ones without appointments. I went to Olive Garden with my friend, Liz. We never get out alone anymore, but she is on staycation, so we took advantage of kid-free time. It was great. 

I ran some errands afterwards. Then, I cross-stitched. That is also something I rarely have time for. 

In the afternoon, IL7 and I went to the gas station, then the park – he rode his bike. Dad joined us for the first couple of blocks, but he had to turn around. IL7 played in the park for a while, but got overheated, and we called Aaron to rescue us. I don’t know if he really needed rescuing or if he just wanted to be rescued, but it was fairly hot and humid. 

D16 and M14 went with their mom to see their grandpa for the weekend. 

In the evening, Aaron and I played D&D.  

Friday

Friday, I awoke to a weather forecast full of rain. We had meant to go camping, but decided not to, because IL7 would be annoying stuck in a tent all day. But then, it turned out, IL7 wanted to go camping, after all. So, after Dad’s trip to the gym, that’s what we did.

Aaron, IL7, and I headed out at about 3, and spent a few hours on the beach after setting up camp. Then we sat around a campfire, played flashlight tag, and went back to the tent to read. It did not rain.

Week’s Photos

Reading to myself

• The Week: Swamped
• Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens
• Fury of the Gods, by John Gwynne
• The Illiad, by Homer
• The Stand, by Stephen King
• Your Inner Fish, by Neil Shubin
• Jingo, by Terry Pratchett
• Paper and Fire, by Rachel Caine
• Books That Matter: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Leo Damrosch

Reading to IL7

• Surf’s Up, Creepy Stuff!, by Andres Miedoso
• Revenge of the Kitten Queen, by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
• Mermaid You Look, by Andres Miedoso

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Super Time-Jump, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

In the third book of the Bloodsworn trilogy, we follow Orka, Varg, and Elvar as they battle Lik-Rifa – the dragon god. This was high action, with good characterization and world building. It tied up most loose ends, and the ones it didn’t tie up were minor enough that they didn’t really matter.

I found the Illiad more interesting in some places than in others. The battle scenes weren’t interesting to me, but the story was. I was surprised that it ended before the conclusion of the war.

News

Saturday

Saturday Aaron and I kept busy. I watered and weeded. I took IL7 to the park, where he worked on beating his best time running around the playground structure. Aaron mowed, did dishes, and cooked chili for dinner. He played Minecraft with IL7.

Sunday

Father’s Day was good. My sister and I went out to lunch with my Dad, and I had some sushi. IL7 had swim lessons. Then M14, D16, and IL7 played Minecraft.

Monday

Monday was busy. IL7 had a fun science project at Summer Power (his daycare), so I cancelled his standard Monday appointment so he could enjoy it. That left a time-slot open for taking Dad to get his hearing aids looked at. Then I took Dad to the gym. I went on the treadmill for a while.

After the gym, I took Freyja to the vet for his checkup. He was so terrified, he wouldn’t get out of the cage. I even tried completely inverting it. All I got out was a leg. We had to take the top of the cage off. Then Freyja remained firmly ensconced in the bottom half of the cage through the entire exam. The vet just poked and prodded him in the bottom half of the cage.

Finally, I took D16 to an appointment. When I picked up IL7, he said he had a good day, which was good to hear, because he hasn’t been liking Summer Power because there’s no learning. 

Tuesday

Tuesday went pretty well. I took Dad to his PT appointment and to get a vaccination. Dad took me to Perkins. In the evening, my friend Liz came over and we watched Doctor Who.

Wednesday

Wednesday, I ran to Best Buy to get a vacuum. I took Dad to the gym and worked out on the treadmill. I took IL7 to an appointment, then we went to the park with Dad. IL7 rode his bike and Dad and I walked. Then Aaron and I played Minecraft with IL7.

Thursday

Thursday, we had a post-op nurse appointment for D16, and we have a lot more information now. It was a relief. Aaron was going to join my D&D game, but it got cancelled because it was a bad day for people. IL7 got to play a computer game he was really excited about called Pathogenic.

Friday

Friday, I took IL7 to an appointment, then took him and Dad to the gym. IL7 went in the sauna twice and went on the treadmill and the elliptical. Later, Aaron, M14, IL7, and I went to the pool. It was a little cool, but we enjoyed ourselves.

Week’s Photos

Reading to myself

• Fury of the Gods, by John Gwynne
• The Week: Trillionaire Takeover
• Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens
• The Illiad, by Homer
• Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt
• Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem
• The Stand, by Stephen King
• Books that Matter: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Leo Damrosch
• The Week: Swamped

Reading to IL7

• A Major Monster Mess, by Andres Miedoso
• The Big Brain Storm, by Andres Miedoso

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Super Time Jump, by Thomas Flintham

Media Completed

Tova keeps herself busy working housekeeping in an aquarium as she mourns her lost husband and son. She is friends with Marcellus, the Giant Pacific Octopus, who wants to help her in her grief. Then she meets Erik, a down-and-out young man. They strike up a friendship over Marcellus and cleaning.

I’m so glad I took time to read this book, despite having plans for the next book I would read. It was fantastic. I loved all the characters, and the plot was so sweet.

Young James escapes abusive aunts by flying away on a giant peach with some gigantic bug friends. Like all Dahl, it’s silly and fun. I am surprised at his use of the word “ass” a few times, but maybe it’s cultural. It’s sexist, but I guess we knew that about Dahl. Regardless of its shortcomings, it’s a good read.

News

Saturday

Saturday, Aaron was very productive. He mowed the lawn, weeded, and filled a Bagster with junk to be taken by the trash company. I was less productive, only doing laundry, watering, and cooking. In the evening, the family watched 4 episodes of Amazing Digital Circus, so we are ready to go to the movie.

Sunday

Sunday, Aaron and I both kept busy with work around the house. IL7 had swim lessons. The family went out to Amazing Digital Circus in the evening. We tied a gait belt on D16 to help her get down the front steps with no weight-bearing. The first time (down) went poorly because I thought she was steady when I let go, and she wasn’t. When I let go, she toppled backwards, but didn’t hurt herself. On the way back up, we communicated better. 

Monday

Monday was a good day. IL7 didn’t have his normal morning appointment, so I let him sleep in an extra hour. He doesn’t like the daycare camp we have him at (except when they go on field trips, which is about half the time), so I let him hang out at home till I needed to start my day.

After dropping him off, I ran some errands. D16 had her first PT appointment after her surgery, then I dropped Dad off at the gym. I would have liked to stay, but I needed to go to the pharmacy. Then, I picked up IL7 and took him to the gym. He wanted to sit in the sauna for 20 minutes, which was about 10 minutes past my comfort zone and almost to the breaking point where I was going to say: “ok, I need to leave before I get sick.” I was soaked with sweat. He was fresh as a daisy. Then he went on the elliptical for a while.

After dinner, Aaron and I watched an episode of Andor.

Tuesday

Tuesday was another straightforward day. I ran errands, played Minecraft with IL7, and took dad to an appointment. Aaron played Minecraft with IL7, too, so he got to play quite a while.

Wednesday

Wednesday, I took Dad to PT, then the gym. I took IL7 to an appointment, then we came home unexpectedly early. The family ate pizza and relaxed.

Thursday

Thursday, after a quick telehealth appointment, I ran an errand and took a break away from the house for an hour. I should have stayed away longer, but I wanted to cross-stitch. Instead I ended up on a 2.5 hour errand to the Verizon store. In the evening, I played Scribblebots with IL7.

Friday

Friday was a good day. Aaron had the day off for Juneteenth, so we went to BWW on a date. I took Dad to the gym. I cooked dinner and read.

Reading to myself

• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
• Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
• Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
• The Week: Platner’s Baggage
• The Illiad by Homer
• Essays of Montaigne
• Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt

Reading to IL7

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
• The Super Jump Between Worlds by Thomas Flintham

IL7 reading

• Super Rabbit Boy’s Time Jump by Thomas Flintham

News

Saturday

Saturday started with me getting up at 5:30am to drive home. I needed to feed Puck (who is fed by hand) and water the new grass. When I got back, IL7 and Aaron were still asleep, so I read for a while.

After Aaron cooked sausages and we relaxed at the campsite a while, we went to the playground. But we can only stay there an hour tops because it is so poorly designed that the playground gets super hot. After that, we went to the beach. We were exhausted after all that sun.

After Aaron cooked brats, I drove home to water and feed Puck again. Then we made s’mores and played flashlight tag. I stayed up till midnight reading to IL7 again.

Sunday

Sunday, Aaron, IL7, and I woke up at about 9:30 and packed up. After quickly watering the new grass and showering, Aaron and I left IL7 in the care of M14 and went to his friends’ party, and then to eat at our favorite Mongolian Grill. On the way there, I scratched my cornea and ended up in an eye patch for the rest of the evening.

Monday

Monday, I took IL7 to an appointment, Dad to the gym, and IL7 and M14 each to an appointment. I cooked dinner, then the family relaxed.

Tuesday

Tuesday had 3 appointments – one for D16 and two for Dad. When I was done with all that, IL7 and I made a cake. Then, my friend Liz came over and we watched a couple of episodes of Doctor Who.

Wednesday

Wednesday was calm in the morning. I did the usual things: watering, housework. In the afternoon, Dad had to go to the gym, and IL7 to an appointment. In the evening, Aaron and I watched 3 episodes of The Amazing Digital Circus with the kids because I promised to take the kids to the movie. D16 moved a bunch of stuff upstairs so she could stay there after the surgery. 

Thursday

Thursday was D16’s knee surgery. Aaron headed over to the clinic at 5:15am, and I came a little later after dropping IL7 off at his daycare. The surgery went well, and D16 was more independent afterwards than I expected.

Friday

Friday I had a little more time than I originally expected. I picked up IL7 for his appointment, but it was scheduled at the wrong time (as in, the appointment is every week at 11:30, but this one was scheduled at 1). Then,  I didn’t have to go to the gym with Dad, as Colette dropped him off. But I had a lot of laundry to do, so I kept busy. In the evening, Dad took us to Red Lobster.

Reading to myself

• Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
• Mr Ballen Podcast
• The Stand by Stephen King
• Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
• The Week: American Coliseum
• The Illiad, by Homer
• Essays of Montaigne

Reading to IL7

• My FANGtastically Evil Vampire Pet by Mo O’Hara
• James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl

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