Ebbs & Flows Of Life... And Fun Times

The New Year began Okay for us.  Tho' Internationally there was that horrific New Year's Eve Tragedy of a Club Fire that Killed 40 and seriously injured around 115 others in a Swiss Ski Resort.  Sparklers gone awry seems to be what they're saying started the Fire.  I'm sure it will be investigated tho' to make sure neglect nor foul play were a cause?   Tho' Sparklers Indoors never seems like a Good Idea.  You just never know anymore if something that horrific was accidental or intentional, or just Human Stupidity at play?  Not that it makes any of the Victims less Dead or Maimed either way, but intent is important to discern if it was no accident and someone is responsible and it could have been prevented or was a criminal or extreme terrorist act someone deliberately caused.

 

We're watching a very interesting Documentary about Drug Addicted and Booze Addicted Wild Animals around the Globe, due to Waters being polluted with illegal Drugs disposed of, like Cocaine and Meth.  Columbian Cocaine Hippos and American Alligator Tweakers.  And Alcoholic Bears.  Makes you also concerned that if it's getting into the Food Chains and Water Sources of Wild Animals, that could and will make it's way into the Food Chains and water Sources used by us Humans as well, causing involuntary exposure and Addiction to any of us too.  I also watched a Documentary about Singer Amy Winehouse, who of coarse Died too Young from her Addictions. 

I Loved her Music, such a tragic Life tho', and far too many enablers who she was a Gravy Train to, including her own Loved Ones.  It was bound to end as tragically as it did.  It wasn't that she didn't have some who Cared and did all they could and weren't enablers.   But that too many were Greedy enuf to not Care as they should have and it contributed to her demise.  And they will have to live with that Guilt of Loving the Money they made off of her, more than the Person in trouble.  At the end of the day tho', the Addict has to maintain their own Sobriety and Manage their Mental Health... no matter how much anyone else Cares.  It was difficult to watch.

I'm trying to watch all the NetFlix I can since we won't be renewing it.  The Son had been paying for it when he was Working.  When this subscription expires, it won't therefore be renewed.  He was able to renew his X-Box account and he's getting a refund on his Car Insurance.  The Car finally took it's final crap and isn't worth pouring more Money into even if he had the funds to, which, he doesn't.  So, now he's without a Job and without transportation.  Which will make getting a Job all the harder since Public Transportation is expensive, doesn't go everywhere to be reliable enuf, and tends to be dangerous to use in the City due to Bus Pirates robbing and victimizing people riding.

I went to The Gym early to do my Workout after dropping Princess T off at Work, hardly anyone using the Equipment I do so it was really nice, no waits and sometimes I had an area at the HydroTherapy Beds and the Wet Sauna all to myself.  I thought the rest of the day would be leisurely, but it didn't play out that way.  Princess T had not felt well and sho' nuff, she called from Work, they were sending her Home and she'd need a Doctor's Note to return.  She thought it might be Strep Throat, I took her to Urgent Care, they Tested for Strep, it wasn't that, which was a good thing, just a Cold which had made her Throat raw and very sore.  She hadn't eaten hardly anything for Three Days due to it.  We got some over-the-counter Cold Meds and Sore Throat relief Spray.  Her Mattress arrived this Afternoon and she's happy with it and will get more rest now.

The Man wanted to do Environmental Cleanup, so, we did, he faded pretty fast tho' so we didn't do it very long.  Once he loses interest he's saying he did an area that he just didn't and gets cranky for no apparent reason.  His Sundowners Behaviors are apparent earlier in the Day now. *Eye Roll and Le Sigh*  That's when I know it's Time to take him Home to rest, he's had Enough Fun.  *Winks*  We actually got a lot of Cans considering how short we were out there, of coarse, New Years, lotsa drinkers and partying going on.  It was a lovely Day, unlike Yesterday's inclement Weather for the 1st Day of the New Year.  Today was Sunny and Warmer with big Puffy White Clouds in the Bright Blue Sky, Yesterday the Sky had been Steel Grey with ominous looking Cloud cover.  It's still very Wet, but nicer.

I mean, it was a Good Day overall, I can't complain.  But we were done by about 2:30 p.m., and keeping him out longer becomes challenging now.  After the Urgent Care visit Princess T did Treat me to Lunch at "Wildflower Bread Co." but I could only eat my half a Chicken Salad Sammie and had to take the Italian Wedding Soup Home as Takeout, just too full to eat it.  That is what happens on Ozempic, you feel hungry but after eating only a little, you absolutely can't eat another bite, it would make you feel Sick to, like you overate, even tho' you hardly ate anything at all.  It's a good Soup and I'll save it for later and reheat it.  She finished all hers coz we numbed her Throat real good with the Throat Pain Spray, tastes horrid like the numbing Agent in it, even tho' they claim it's Cherry Flavor *LOL*... but, does the Trick.  Footnote: She ended up eating my Soup once we were Home.  *LOL*  I didn't mind.

She'll be off Work the rest of the Day and Tomorrow, but got the Urgent Care to give her a Doctor's Note to return to Work on Tuesday.  Her normal Days Off are Sunday and Monday, so it will give her Four Days to recuperate and get over this hopefully, coz, she feels dreadful with it.  I didn't think Colds are contagious but it turns out they are and you can have them linger for a couple Weeks and be contagious that long too!!!  So, I just Hope she won't get everyone Sick with it???   The Flu is also going around and I'm trying to stay away from The Public as much as possible during Cold/Flu/COVID Season.  We got our Boosters for it all, The Man and I, so that offers some protection at least.  With a Three Generation Household, we have more exposure than most Old Folks might otherwise have.   So, that's your Food Porn for the Post.  *Winks*

I presently have a lot of deferred Housekeeping I just haven't had the energy or the motivation to tackle.  Mostly dealing with clutter in some Rooms we don't use that much, the Rooms we use a lot are in better shape and better maintained.  I know I will get around to it all, but I have been avoiding doing it and really devoting myself to the Process.  I think the best tactic is to take it in very small increments daily, mebbe only 15-20 Minutes worth so I don't feel overwhelmed and will be more inclined to dive in to it if it's just a reasonable expectation of time spent at it.  I'm not even that bothered anymore if The RV Garage Mahal Project is on "Hold".  The Weather hasn't cooperated all Year, it's been either too Hot or too Wet to tackle it like I wanted to.  And The Art Studio Project got upended when The Young Prince is expected to move back and occupy it eventually.

 

Since Princess T is Home sick from Work, I didn't have to get up early on a Saturday and thus, I didn't get to The Gym early either and now won't.  So, now I'm considering going later instead, after the restricted Hours for Seniors, so there won't be so many waiting for the use of the same equipment.  Later Evenings there's less people there overall just like Earlier Mornings and I prefer being there when it's not crowded, makes for a better workout for me and is more serene and quieter.  When it's a hive of activity it can be noisier and more chaotic.  I'm finding that the older I get the more I like calmer environments with less chaotic energy and noise.  It reminds me of the old joke that you know you're getting Old when the Music is too loud.  *LOL*

I don't think, at least I hope not, that I'll become that reclusive Senior in my 70's and beyond, but I'm on the cusp of that Decade now and moving in that direction it seems.  *Ha ha ha*  I still Like People overall, which is a good Sign... and I will Socialize, in limited amounts and more situational and on an acquaintance basis now than before tho'.  I'm finding that Situational Friendships suit me best with my particular set of circumstances, it's what I can now maintain appropriately in the way of Friendships, due to Caregiving and my Schedule overall.  The ebbs and flows of Life happen like that.   The recurrent and rhythmical pattern of coming and going or regrowth and decline become quite evident to you as you're Aging Out.   I ebb and flow with it.

And I do think I've reached that Season of Life where you just Let Go of a lot as well and want to.  Detaching yourself from Earthly things helps you eventually transition to when you depart from it.  It's not that you know, or probably even want to know, when that departure will come for you, but, you're preparing for a Journey that IS gonna eventually come for us all.  It's one we all have to take and won't get to set the Schedule of per se, unless you live Life recklessly and depart prematurely for reasons you did have some measure of Choice about.  My Mom and my Maternal Nanna, her Mom, both Lived to Age 84 and some of their Family lived into their 90's.  My Dad's side of the Family aren't as long lived, but, some of my Paternal Cousins, who are of my Generation and slightly Older than me, are still Alive so far into their early 70's.

In a Coin Toss I'd say my Odds are decent to get somewhat Older?   Since I take better Care of myself than a lot of Seniors I know and am considerably more Active, maintained and managed reasonable Health and Well Being.  I choose Positive Energy People to expose myself to over Negative Energy People, who are a drain and toxic, IMO.  The Black Cloud People I avoid like a plague.  And not that it's a Plague, but damn those Flus, Colds and COVID are really ramping up this Season, aren't they?  I can hardly visit a Blog where someone isn't Sick or trying not to get infected by those who are and spreading it around!!!  

We've got Princess T down with it right now and trying not to have her give it to any of us.  I spent all damned Day with her in close proximity, at the Urgent Care and in a closed Vehicle!!!   Coz she wanted ME, not her Mother & Mando, ME!  Only ME!   As a Sick Kiddo you Raised will insist upon and is quite Normal and expected.   Plus she kept finding reasons to come Talk to me, Oy Vey Child, are you trying to Share it with me?!   Listen, I don't bounce back from shit like I used to, what will have her Down for a few Days might last much, much, longer when you're an Old Lady!!!  Or even Kill you off!!!  *LOL and Le Sigh* 

 We bought an abundance of the Over-The-Counter Meds the Doc suggested at a "Walgreens" near the Urgent Care.  At least at 20 Years Old she doesn't balk AS MUCH about taking them, but, still protests like she did as a Child about how gross it all tastes... or how big it is to Swallow.  I must play along, as is my duty.  *Winks*   I don't know how long a Cold should last when you're Young and basically in decent enuf Health, so, hopeful she's over it by Tuesday when she must return to Work with her Note from the Doc allowing her to???  They told her they won't hold the absence against her Attendance if she has that Letter.  They've fired people for excessive absences even if they're very good Workers, and this Child has Chronic Health Issues that plague her and she can't control or help.  They knew this when they Hired her.

This is why most Employers will replace a Human with AI the moment they can, they don't have to show any Humanity towards Artificial Intelligence.  And we've become such a disposable Society now that we act as tho' People are disposable as well, and don't seem to Care when we dispose of them, or anything else for that matter, it's tragic.  I'm not a Fan of disposable Society, so wasteful and so emotionally detached from anything or anyone, to a degree it's become quite problematic.  Oh, I'll just get another one, seems to be the Mindset of whatever is being disposed of, be it a thing, an Animal, or a Person.   We've all apparently become disposable to most folks who like disposing of Things, and even Living Things, for their own convenience or benefit.

I was gonna End this Post there but it seemed too Dark a Note to end a New Year Post on.  *LOL*  So, let us Continue.  *Winks*   I'm trying to be less Cynical or Jaded in 2026, I may even succeed.   You can even Rate me if you like?  *LOL*   I won't shed the Macabre tho', I LIKE being Macabre, which is different than being Cynical or Jaded.   I am Naturally Macabre, I am not Naturally Cynical or Jaded, Life can make you that way tho', depending on how it plays out around you.   People can make me Cynical by their behaviors and motivations that make me distrustful of them, and their self-interest showing a lack of integrity and being their primary focus being apparent... and then, after too much of something, yep, then Jaded enters the picture when you're just tired, fed up or bored of it all!!! 

  Working too many Years in the Negative aspect of a Career in Banking and then a Criminal Justice Career probably wasn't Helpful to stave off Cynicism and becoming Jaded.  *LOL*   But I try to give most folks the benefit of any Doubt, I really do.  You will enter my Life with a Clean Slate regardless of what anyone else may think about you or have said about you.  I base my Opinions of you based on my own Experiences with you, not anybody else's.   I've Liked some People just Fine that nobody else Likes.  Also, some very popular folks I haven't Liked at all and cannot understand their popularity.  Becoz they didn't leave a good impression or vibe with me at all, I couldn't Like them if I tried.  And if I don't Like you, I don't even try to either.  *Bwahahahaha*  If you don't Like me, I'm Fine with that too, Be Well and Be Gone then, I'm all Friended Up, so, you don't matter.  *Smiles*

Upon Quiet Reflection, I am having a bit of trouble with Positivity this Morning, aren't I?  *Bwahahahahahahaha*   It's Okay, I'm not in a Bad Head Space anymore like I was at Year's End, but I am Feeling a bit Wicked and Contrary, that's all.  *Winks*   It would be a good day to be Confrontational with someone just for my own Amusement and the Joy I'd get out of it.  "Playing" with them like a Cat would "Play" with a Mouse, if that makes sense?   For you people who are always Nice, perhaps it won't make any sense tho'?  *Maniacal Laughter*  I can be Nice on Purpose tho', even when I'm feeling rather Wicked and antagonistic, and looking for someone to Torment, who would deserve it BTW, I'm Selective about who to go Ham on.  *Smiles*  So I won't always Act upon it.    For the sake of Humankind and not having a "Situation", I'm told that's probably a good thing?  *Ha ha ha* 

Lately tho', I must say, Public has been filled with Nice folk!!!  Which is preferable and so it's been easy for me to be Nice too.   I haven't run into a Karen for a while now, or a MAGAt whose Politically too unstable to just ignore, or a horrible Human trying to make Trouble when Targeting anyone random to make Trouble with.  So, I haven't had to "Play" with anyone like that or go the least bit Mental on some unsuspecting Fool who engages me in such a way that I won't even Try NOT to.  Even at Work, those that I'd prefer not to have to Work with, have been behaving and working better than usual, so, I can't complain when I've inadvertently ended up on a Shift where, there they are!!!  *LOL*  Management always gives me a Look as if, it's gonna be Okay Tonight, with you and them?  *Bwahahahahaha*  Well, if it's NOT, you're gonna find out then, aren't ya?  *LMAOROTF*  

See this Christmas Tin, I've had it since I was probably Five Years Old and always kept my Marble Collection in it.  Now some of those have been put into Antique/Vintage Canning Jars with the Zinc & Milk Glass Lids to Display them better.  But, I've kept that Tin and it's very Sentimental to me.  I remember playing with it like it was an actual Toy, since, well, we weren't a very well-off Family growing up, tho' our Dad worked sometimes 2-3 Jobs to give us, and our Mom, all he could, Bless him.   I remember putting Marbles in the Lid and making them spin around as fast as I could around that rim and thought that was Great Fun.  How easily amused we were as Kids compared to Modern Children.  *LOL*   We'd Invent Games that didn't require actual Toys and have such Fun playing them.

 We'd play Marbles too and it's how I Won so many of my most Cherished ones.   I was very good at The Game, and of Trading and Bartering, from an Early Age.  I always got what I wanted if I wanted it badly enuf, I'm tenacious like that.  And rather relentless actually 'til I achieve a Goal I set for myself of attaining anything, even if not within Reason.  *LOL*   I tend to Fixate and so, it becomes an Obsession with me until it's Mine, whatever it was, a Thing, a Person, a Career... I'm totally Mental that way and I do acknowledge that I am.  So, I'm very Selective now I've Matured about what I decide to Fixate Upon and Get.  Coz, in the Past, I've gotten things I Wanted and then decided, don't really Want it anymore.  *Bwahahahaha*  

 The Young Prince is hilarious and even more Mature from a very early Age, in that he'd Scold me, even as a Kid, when he'd see me Go For something.    And then know, Gramma is gonna GET it, but then, not be Interested in even Receiving it now it's Obtained or an Option.   The Lake House was a Prime Example of something I tenaciously Wanted and gone Obsessive about getting for a whole fucking Year, against all Odds, coz we were only the Backup to the Backup Buyers interested in the Short Sale of it.   I Claimed it in the Name of Jesus and everything, then, decided, I'm not as Fixated, so looking at other more alluring possibilities.   And ended up with The Villa McManse THE VERY DAY the Lake House was then Offered to me and I Declined it!  *Bwahahahaha*

  The Young Prince was upset with me, coz he said he Knew I was gonna be Offered that Home... and wasn't as "Into" it as I acted like I was... so it just wasn't Right I'd Claimed it and then Declined to possess it!  *LOL*  He was probably Right, and The Man was upset about it too coz he really Wanted that Property.  I just felt, it wasn't REALLY Meant to Be or I would have remained Fixated until I got it.  But, in hindsight, I would have probably Sold it to make a Quick Turn on the Investment, and then Moved On anyway, I do that, even if I really Like something, sometimes the Timing is just Right and Ideal to Let it Go and Move On.  As hard as that can sometimes be Emotionally, Intellectually I Know when it's Time and I just have to put Emotion to the Side to do the Smart Thing and not the Sentimental one.  I can be soppy Sentimental, until I Need NOT be.

The Thrill of Victory always outweighs the Agony of Defeat, doesn't it?  But sometimes I just Like having a Victory, even if it's a brief one that I won't Care about in a Minute from now.   I guess the Challenge of it was the Thrill of it for me, once Achieved, meh, Next Challenge.   If I don't feel Challenged I know I'll just get too Bored and not Care about whatever or whoever it is that is involved.  I know, it's not something I'm Proud to say, that a Boring Person to be around, to me, is the Worst!  I'd rather you be Bat Shit Crazy to be around than Boring!!!  You'd hold my Interest longer, Boring People are impossible for me to tolerate, they just are, and I can not even pretend to be engaged with one.  So there.  I'm just being Straight Up with you about that.  They are as annoying to me as The Black Cloud People who are always Negative and Whiney, Complain too much... or enjoy being The Victim way too much.  I don't know how anyone Tolerates them?

This one always makes me Smile, ALWAYS.  I should have this one in my Personal Collection, coz their dour Countenance which obviously has no Joy of Jesus evident, their Fundie Whacko brand of Religion, and even their Names, and the Name and Message of the Album, is just Too Much!!!  *Bwahahahahaha*   You can't make shit like this up!!!  Or folks like this, can you?  *LMAOROTF*   And for a mere 99 Cents at some Chazza, this could have been Yours, or Mine, Oh, Mylanta, stuff like this to me is fucking Priceless my Friends!!!   Can you Imagine hanging out with Mahulda and Pastor Deke at a Partay, they be a Riot????!!!  *Chuckle*  I'd have such "Wicked Fun" with them, it would be Seriously Entertaining... they'd surely think I was part of this "Invasion" they speak of?  *Winks and Snort*   And I'll leave you with a Blast From The Past of our Demon Spawn in full Naughty Dominatrix Cop Regalia... Yeah, Player Isaac, during that Time, never stood a Chance, did he?  He'd met more than his match...   *Winks and Laugh*

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Happy New Year my Friends... Dawn... The Bohemian