Week in Review: Week 230
MONDAY
It was time to come home from Woodstock. Too soon. Boo. We stopped for breakfast on the way home, saw the spaceships, some good signs and buildings…and got home just in time to get to the gas station before running out of gas.
TUESDAY
Back to work. Apparently there was an earthquake while I was at work cuz I came home to
Miraculously the mirror, lamp, and two vases were all unbroken. Only the couple of Christmas ornaments headed to the donation center didn’t make it. Yay. Saves me a trip.
Lookit me with the silver linings!
WEDNESDAY
How does this happen? I always have a collection of shoes around me.
Today was the dreaded annual physical. With the “well, you know, your weight” doctor, no matter what issue I was asking about last year (bone spurs, hearing issues, kidney stone, ingrown toenail, etc). But I set boundaries with myself before I went in, and I had one goal: to get the Wellbutrin prescription renewed for another year. Last time I saw him he said “well, we’ll see,” whether or not I would be “allowed” to continue. Like, THERE’S a question – you have something that is LIFE-CHANGING for me, that took me from literally, a lifetime of anxiety and sadness and overwhelm and despair, and making me feel like I could BREATHE …and you would consider taking that AWAY from me? Oh Hell No.
So that was The Goal and I just nodded and uh-huh-ed my way through the question and answer portion of the exam. And to his credit, I think he might finally be realizing I have no intention of doing most of what he tells me (there’s a lot of “I recommend going to see xyz specialist cuz you just never know” even when there is absolutely no evidence of that issue, or even pre-evidence or anything). Read the room, doc. Pick your battles. I’ll call the urologist he recommended as mine is no longer doing in-hospital lithotripsies. But I’m not going to the dermatologist Just In Case. Or getting a flu-shot. Or any of the other six business cards he handed me on my way out.
Once he handed me off to the…I don’t know what their titles are – I don’t think they’re nurses. Physician’s assistants? Anyway, they give you the cup to pee in and take the blood samples and do the ekg…but when she got to the “blow in the plastic tube for an interminable period of time” test, I said no thank you. She was like, wait, what? “It’s part of the physical!” That’s okay, I said. I’ll pass. “But the doctor wanted the metabolism test!” SPOILER ALERT: My metabolism is slow. AND they charge $75 extra for that test! The physical is supposed to be free but this a $75 add-on that they don’t tell you about up-front and that really pissed me off last year when I realized it. So.
I got my prescription renewed and good news, I DON’T have to go back in two weeks, he can just give me all my lab results in a tele-appointment (thank you, Covid, for forcing people to try these efficient methods and learning they are not the devil’s work).
THURSDAY
In the office all day. The days are a confusing blur.
Sometimes I am a squirrel.
FRIDAY
Work from home. Weird limbo time. Work schedule changing again.
If I had a nickel for every time I said “hey Janey” as I step around this shoebox on the floor…I’d have a good .20 by now. It’s much darker in real life.
SATURDAY
Because I did not do the shoot I’d intended last week in Woodstock because clean sheets, air conditioning, and catlessness made bed just too hard to get out of in the morning, I HAD to go this morning. To a less desirable location, in a sunnier spot, far away. dumb dumb dumb. Dumb. Anyway. At least it got me up and out early. Ish. And in productive mode so hopefully for once I’ll get my week’s blogs written on the weekend and then can have some downtime in the afternoons after work. Doesn’t THAT sound like a good plan!? We shall see.
SUNDAY
A dear friend lost her brother to cancer earlier this week and today was the wake. I made myself fancy by wearing a dress with a waistband.
Then went to late lunch/early dinner with another friend. It was our first time eating inside a restaurant since early March. They had outdoor seating but it was stiflingly humid…so we took a peek inside, where the air conditioning was blasting and only like 4 tables were filled in the entire place and they were all well-spaced out. So we took the leap.
I had like 3 bites of my ginormous Caesar salad but ate ALL my waffle fries. This diner has THE BEST waffle fries. It’s really the reason we go there. I brought the salad home and it will be lunch for like the next 2 days.
MONDAY
Back to work in the office. That was one fast weekend! We have a tropical storm warning for tomorrow afternoon into Wednesday morning so I need to get out before work tomorrow and move the plants back up against the house. Oh, Saturday’s exciting news that I forgot to share – AIR CONDITIONER IS IN. Thank goodness. But I had to move plants away from the window to give Mr. room to work. Is anyone more in the path of Hurricane Isasisashis?
Okay, thoughts? I’m looking at these three dresses for (early) fall and I’m really on the fence. They’re all within $10 of one another…the third one is polyester and maybe seems too “dreamy/fancy” for work? The first two are rayon, one of my happy fabrics. Any opinions (no, Jodie, I am not getting all three)?
BP/Nordstrom Long Sleeve Frill Cuff Dress
WHAT I’M READING
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff. This has been on my list for a long time. Expectations were high. It failed to live up to them. The premise of the story was a good one – a secret all-women corps in France near the end of WWII, who were supposed to be code senders for the Americans (and English?) to help them try and stop the German troops. I don’t want to give more of the story away, but my issue with it was…this is a serious subject but too many significant details were taken too lightly. Single woman whose husband had abandoned her and their young daughter, working in France to send money home to aunt who was caring for daughter. A stranger approaches her “do you want to (essentially) be a spy in the war doing something you have no training for and oh by the way you can’t say goodbye to your beloved daughter whose already been abandoned by her father” Sure! And off she goes. Then there’s a couple flimsy romances that spring up out of nowhere. Day One: “Oh, he’s a fiend and a brute.” Day Two: “I love him.” And another single woman in NY just HAPPENS to see a suitcase stuck under some chairs at Grand Central Station so she does what anyone would do (note: sarcasm), she OPENS the suitcase, takes out photographs of 10 women, and leaves with them. Then spends the next…days? Weeks? Book time, who knows..obsessed with The Mystery of the Photographs. Very Nancy Drew.
Those things bugged me and caused no end of eye rolls. But it was a good story…told, other than those silly issues above, well.
A couple years ago I read The Orphan’s Tale by the same author and really liked it.
The Essay written by John Lewis in his final days and published on the day of his funeral, July 30, 2020. It is definitely worth a read.
The final, beautiful paragraph:
“When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”
WHAT I’M WATCHING
A short, touching, animated video…”My Boyfriend Died of COVID-19.”
A cute (if you’re willing to suspend belief…which I am usually NOT, but…it looked cute…and it was) movie on Hulu called Palm Springs with Adam Samberg. The trailer thumbnail is not a good representation of the movie.
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO
Our friend Julia’s podcast, “Audio Postcard.” She interviews a different guest each show, who talks about an area they love – the pros and cons, the appeal, etc. If you’re planning to travel (someday) or move to a different part of the country, this is a great way to get a feel for an area without having to actually go there!
NPR’s This American Life did a charming story about amusement parks called…wait for it…Amusement Park. It’s a feel-good, funny, bittersweet story. Worth a listen.
And that be it! There was just a HUGE boomer outside that made me jump! It’s time to turn off, plug in, and get in bed.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
Judi
That fancy funeral dress looks FAB! Who is the maker?
I’ve been working from home (essentially the same job as you), and pray that I get to continue to do so until the end of the year, at least.
Since March, I’ve bought two summer weight tops suitable for going out to pick something up to dressing professionally – casual, of course. I can’t justify any wardrobe purchases if I am rarely leaving the house. That being said, I am now addicted to a small, new online auction site that deals mainly with the tri-state area. I’d be better selling my stuff than spending $$$ to get more stuff I don’t need (but covet.) Take good care.
bettyewp
The wake dress was last year’s from Old Navy. No longer in stock. I like it cuz even with the (faux) wrap tie at the waist, it’s a breathable fabric and the wrap tie is not tight. I think if I HAVE to have a fixed waist, nonelastic is better than elastic…which I feel like is the opposite of what you’d think. But elastic stays snug against you no matter what, weight up or down…whereas non-stretch waist seams will actually stretch a bit and end up looseish.
I hope you make it to the end of the year working from home. Going back to the office, bleh. Especially with all the safeguards in place, lots of restrictions and it always feels slightly dangerous.
When I was first separated (we’re going way way back here), my friend got me hooked onto ebay. First buying small things, like vintage jewelry or teacups, whatever. I worked my way up to like a $75 oil painting and when it arrived I was like WHAT AM I DOING? I’m a single mother making a pretty low salary, trying to hold onto the house to keep my daughter in her home, etc…I shouldn’t be spending money frivolously. BUT….now I was hooked…so I decided as long as I SOLD stuff, I could then BUY stuff with the money I’d made selling. And that is how my first ebay store was born: Beyond the Garden, home dec and vintage items across all categories. Eventually, it morphed into Dragonfly Vintage Clothing and I specialized in mainly…uh, vintage clothing. And I really got so all-consumed with selling, I barely bought anything. I loved the selling. BUT I’d also set myself up in my home, with different apps/software/supplies to make it all as easy as possible. But yeah, I think a lot of people got started selling, by BUYING 🙂
What is the tri-state area auction site??
Em
I really need to check in with you more often (which is weird because I thought I had subscribed already).
We loved Woodstock when we visited…a really cute, funky little town. Actually, we love that whole stretch on both sides of the Hudson. So many neat places to visit. Your post is giving me happy thoughts of going back to any of those places!
Your physical: I hate the “let’s rule out” game. I’m okay with the basics, but do we really have to go with the obscure things that are very likely not even an issue? Around here, business has been VERY slow for physicians, with patients putting off visits, which I think is why they are now open to televisits.
Your dresses: can’t pick a favorite….you have great self control (I’d be with Jodie), haha!
My son thought Palm Springs was terrific!
bettyewp
Don’t you hate that? I have blogs I have subscribed to time and time again and just never get emails when they post!
Oh yeah, that whole Hudson Valley area is super charming, lots of historic homes, art things, beautiful views, etc. I/we are planning more short trips. They’re just like 2 hours from us. How far are you from that area?
Marian
Nice dresses! #1 and #2 get my vote. They are quite different. If you only get to pick one, go for the one that’s more different than other things you already have.
I read Lost Girls is my Jewish Lit book club. We all agreed on the shallow way the story was told. But we enjoyed it from an awareness perspective. This was based on true events. There really was a group of Jewish women recruited and ultimately betrayed by the British government. And Pam Jenoff’s own history and research opportunities are quite interesting. She was even a diplomat for the State Department handling Holocaust issues in Krakow Poland.
I enjoy your book and watching recommendations!
Glad you got the outcome you sought at the doctor. They’ll do anything to upsell and drum up more business. And they have no idea what your insurance covers. Good for you for saying “no.”
bettyewp
Good point about buying the “most different” dress.
Yes to everything you said about The Lost Girls of Paris. I didn’t know all that about Pam Jenoff. I wonder if someone was nudging her saying “make it more commercial,” and that’s why “love” and “nancy drew” plots.
Judi
It’s http://www.auctionninja.com. I keep saying I’m going to sell on Ebay (and Poshmark), but haven’t got the “get up and go” to get started, even though I bought a dressform to photograph the clothes on. I may just call Auction Ninja to clean out my attic, which is full of really good stuff.
bettyewp
AuctionNinja will sell for you? I was so dismayed to realize a few years ago that all those eBay selling stores have closed up, because I feel like that would be the perfect solution for me, like you having a lot of really great stuff to sell, but just not feeling like doing it because it’s a pain in the ass. Even if I only got half of it because of your commission that would be better than donating it or letting it sit here taking up space.
Judi
Yes, they will, though I have yet to call for the details. There are two ladies who sell your plus size clothing on Facebook weekly, but have set prices that I think are low. And they take 70% commission. Granted they do the photography, selling and mailing, but i think it’s not a good return.
I used to be much more of a collector (of a lot of things), but now they are sitting in the attic or packed away in a box.
On Auction Ninja, I only buy if it’s something I really want and am getting a real deal on. And even in S. Hampton and Greenwich, CT auctions, you can get things for a few bucks…literally. It baffles me how so many great antiques, vintage items and high quality furnishings can go for pennies.
bettyewp
Oh yeah, I was cranking away on the site til the power went out! I’m following a whole bunch of things…local…and NOT so local, ha. I always feel that if you’re looking for furniture, auctions are the way to go – most people can’t be bothered cuz it’s big and hard to get home…so things that would normally be several hundred dollars, are like $1. Ha. No lie. I’m still looking for a coffee table, standing lamp, comfortable outdoor furniture, and desk chair…and for someday when the “dining alcove” is emptied of boxes (of stuff that needs to be sold on ebay!), a dining table and chairs! So I’m watching, watching.
I wonder if they have a minimum anticipated dollar value that your property must hit before they’ll come auction your stuff. When I was selling my house my first thought was to have an estate/auction company come in so everything would be gone in a day and I’d have cash. The appraiser came out, said their minimum was $3000 and she didn’t think they’d make that here, so no. Within a month, between ebay, Craigslist, and some personal dealers I knew, I sold $3000 worth of stuff and I felt like I’d barely scratched the surface. Big mistake, Appraiser Lady. Big.
Judi
I’ve only found one auction house up in Waterbury, CT that sets a starting bid of $5. Other than that, even the nicest things can go for a buck or two. I swear that if I need to buy any wooden furniture, I’m going antique. More interesting, MUCH better made, and dollar for dollar, a far better value than the junk you can buy new today. There are three or four standing lamps that I’m watching in a L.I. auction that I think goes off tomorrow.
You can search for something specific in the search box, or if you click on Marketplace, you can see a map or scroll down and see where sellers are located (which doesn’t necessarily mean where they are having auctions) Click on each to see their active auctions. I think this method is better than signing up for updates, or relying on the map.
bettyewp
Guess who’s headed to Cos Cob CT tomorrow to pick up some auction wins! Haha.
jodie filogomo
I do love how you think you know me…haha. But truthfully, I would have said #2 and #3 are too similar anyways. The 2 v-neck ones will do just fine….(the crew neck seems like way too much floral all over).
And are you sure it was an “earthquake”? I would have blamed the cat for sure…LOL!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Ohh, poor maligned Janey. Yeah, I never see her go up there unless I put flowers in one of those vases, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t go up there when I’m gone.
I’m only getting one dress (still not sure which). I think the pink one is pretty, unlike anything I already have, and will be great with those pale greyish taupe heeled oxfords I got last winter…BUT…it’s sort of end-of-summer/late-springish, not so much fallish with the deep v in front and short sleeves. The H&M one I LIKE, but seems a little fancy for work (and what else do I do??), is polyester (the devil) and I don’t know what shoes I would wear with it. BUT I’ve been wanting to reward H&M for being so transparent and socially responsible, so I really wanted to buy SOMETHING. The middle floral one from Nordstrom, I love the cut and color but I wish the neck wasn’t QUITE so high. Also don’t know that I have shoes for THAT. So there’s no clear winner or loser. Ugh. Believe it or not, I have a hard time spending money on clothes.
Shirley Horst
I vote for dress #1. I think I would pick that one because it is the one I would chose for myself if I were buying a dress. Aren’t you going to order all three and model them, so we can vote on which one looks the best?
bettyewp
Ha ha, I wish! That’s someone else’s life, not mine! I just finished paying off a big credit card so am trying to live (mostly ha ha) off my paychecks and not run it (the cc) back up again! I still have two dresses I bought last month (BEFORE paying it off!) that I have to decide about – oh, I probably posted them in What I Bought in July. Gotta (find and) call that tailor!