News
Saturday
Saturday, M12, dad, and my mother-in-law went on a walk. I had lunch with my friend Liz. She updated me on her brother’s hospital stay (he’s not psychotic anymore). We discussed our bookclub book, “The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone.”
When I returned, my dad, my mother-in-law, Aaron, D14, IL5, and I went to the zoo. We went to see the bats for IL5, but saw the tropical animals and the sharks, too. D14 was excited to touch the sea anemones and starfish, as apparently that exhibit is usually closed.
In the evening, we had swordfish for dinner. D14 went to be cast in the school play. I finished reading “The Ghast in the Machine” to IL5.
Sunday
Sunday, we relaxed. M12 went on a walk with dad and my mother-in-law. I wrote a letter. D14 played D&D. Everyone except D14 went out to dinner. Then D14, mother-in-law, Aaron, and I played “Ticket to Ride.”
Monday
Monday, I took dad to see the vascular surgeon. He said the same thing the vascular doctor said – that dad doesn’t need surgery. So I’m at a loss as to why we were referred to him. Dad and I then killed some time at Barnes and Noble – buying two books for each D14 and IL5 (M12 doesn’t read). Afterwards, we went to dad’s PT.
D14 was pleased when she got home because she’d auditioned for the new school play. It will be “The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee.” She will find out tomorrow.
In the evening, Aaron, my mother-in-law, the kids, and I went to the Jack ‘o Lantern Spectacular at the zoo. 2000 carved pumpkins were on display – some of them very intricate. I thought it was going to be a bust because M12 was complaining about having to go. Then once we got there, IL5 wanted to go to the playground instead of on the jack ‘o lantern walk. But we herded them both in, and both boys really enjoyed the pumpkins. D14 was a little overstimulated by the end, and she’d been the one who was excited.
This was my mother-in-law’s last night with us, as she returns home on Tuesday.
Tuesday
Tuesday I went on a walk with dad. It was about 1 mile at 45 minutes per mile. He was pretty exhausted at the end. I had lunch with Aaron. In the evening, Aaron and I took IL5 to a park after dark, because we’d promised we would. He tripped in the dark and scratched his face. He now thinks parks are more fun in the daytime.
Wednesday
Wednesday I rode the exercise bike for the first time in a long time. I even rode 5 minutes longer than I intended. Later, I took dad to an appointment. Afterwards, we went to lunch. When IL5 got home, I took him to a playdate, which he really enjoyed. M12 weeded and prepared a bed for fresh wood chips. Then He played D&D. I read to D14. She didn’t get a callback for the play, but they could cast her in a smaller part, still.
Thursday
Thursday, I jumped on the exercise bike when I got home from work. Two days in a row! I took M12 to an appointment, and found out that he’d lost one pound. He’s probably not eating his snacks at school. I should write his teachers and have them spy on him in a week or so (after he’s gotten over losing a pound). Of course, there’s really no way of getting him to eat snacks at school. I guess I should just make him eat once an hour when he gets home?
Aaron had a meeting with a potential employer was offered a job. I think he’s eager to try out the new type of work, but it’s only part time for the first couple of months. Then, if he’s a good fit, he can switch to full time. He’d probably make more money than unemployment that way, but I worry that if it doesn’t work out, the amount of unemployment we get afterwards will be drastically reduced, because it’ll only be half of his part time earnings. Oh well.
We are also starting to suffer the consequences of switching insurance and having to start with the deductible again. IL5’s and D14’s weekly appointments are adding up. And the deductible will start all over again in January.
After Aaron’s meeting, Aaron, D14, M12, and I played Goonies Never Say Die. Then I got my bedroom and IL5’s room clean – I am 15 minutes short of my weekly cleaning goal. I’ll have to figure out what to do on Friday.
Friday
Friday was pretty calm. After my overnight job, I ran some errands, then took dad to an appointment. Then dad and I met Aaron at a favorite restaurant that we can’t take the kids to (they’re too picky). In the evening, Aaron gamed and dad and I watched The Visit. IL5 was tired, and screamed through the whole movie, so I didn’t read to him for very long at bedtime. Which is a shame, because I had some good reading planned.
Week’s Photos
Reading to myself
- Behave, by Robert Sapolsky
- The Week: Abortion Activist?
- Mr Ballen Podcast
- Life, the Universe, and Everything, by Douglas Adams
- The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson
- Roam, by C H Armstrong
- Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett
Reading to IL5
- The Ghast in the Machine, by Nick Eliopulos
- Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun, by Andres Miedoso
- Fly Guy’s Amazing Tricks, by Tedd Arnold
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh, by Mo Williams
D14 reading
- The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson
- Neverseen, by Shannon Messenger
Media Completed
In the 11th book of IL5’s favorite series, Desmond and Andre have a dance off with the Boogieman.
In this witches book, Agnes/Perdita runs off to Ankh-Morpork to sing opera. But Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg have different ideas. Funny, as usual.
WTF
Games Played
Hibernator's Library 