Farm Journal - 2025

[sKePTiKal]

Oh boy. It sucks getting old - especiallly when we are still keeping all kinds of stuff in our heads: projects, schedules, preventative maintenance, winter preps. OPP's problems, schedules, emotional whirlwinds.

Both B & I were totally convinced today was his appt. Stayed up later than I wanted to, coz he was working a modified list (pain was being stubborn) with total OCD intensity and didn't come in till late. He's needed a hair cut & beard trim since he got back... so I got that done.

This morning, he asks me what day it is. 18th I say. He says - my computer says the 17th. I look at the calendar where we write down appts & stuff... 18th is Thursday, not Wed. Oh JEEEZZZZZZ.

He was absolutely convinced that Sunday past, was actually Thursday.

I have an Atomic Clock that displays, day of week, date, etc. Multiple computers and phones.

I guess we mostly don't care and are just living in our present moment(s) comfortably. Everything's still getting taken care of in advance of due dates, etc. Everything is managed well... I think we just slipped into our own time zone and have disconnected with the external world enough that when we HAVE to interact with it - we have to double check now that we're in sync with it. LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

Maybe I need to rethink a tall ship sailing vacation... we might go into the Bermuda Triangle and never be heard from again!!!

[lighter]

I think a long vacation is overdue, Amber.

What do you really want to do?

Lighter

[Hopalong]

...we just slipped into our own time zone and have disconnected with the external world enough that when we HAVE to interact with it - we have to double check now that we're in sync with it. LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

I have to look at the calendar at least 2x/day because I literally forget after a few hours, if I'm absorbed in something. Which, most days, I am. I'll forget not just dates but days of week.

Aging brain. Add ADHD (gnat attention span). Then add pain or stressors like To-Dos that feel too big to start.

Wow, could I relate to your time-slip.

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Lighter - I've saved a list of VRBOs that are close to us for week's break. And now I'm researching tall ship sailing cruises... but that's going to have to be next year. I have a few required admin updates to acquire before I could travel like that.

More;

Hol's been gone a bit more - and it's like having a vacation in that it's just us here. Even if I'm feeding the cats or watching Knukles. It's easy to slip into our own time zone under those circumstances. We don't even have a lot of errands to run or projects to work on. Yet.

[lighter]

Enjoy the luxury of private time, Amber.

I'm keeping fingers crossed for B's continued relief  and ability to remain active.

::looking up tall ship sailing cruises::.

[sKePTiKal]

Today is International Talk like a Pirate Day, ye Amazon wenches!!

[Hopalong]

HARRRRRRR!

[lighter]

I missed IPD!!!!!!
:: kicking rock, eat'in bologna samiches::.

[sKePTiKal]

I think B & I are going to look to adopt an undead monkey, as the farm mascot. LOL. We did watch all 4 Pirates of the Carribean, just for a mindless fun entertainment. The first 3 were so tight, fast-paced and well produced. The last, "Stranger Tides" felt like a different level of production. I had a moment of sheer delight when Blackbeard turned out to be Ian McShane (Deadwood & American Gods) with his usual Shakespearan delivery of his lines.

The electric work for the lift is done. Just waiting for next week to contact the company about ETA of delivery & installation. They did say 6-8 weeks so it's not urgent at the moment. We do have to cut a hole in that corner of the deck and reinforce the inner edge with 2x6s & joist hangers. I ordered a few special extra goodies like a roof and a call/send remote - which is more handy than you can imagine.

Hol is off camping with C, at his friend's farm in New England. The leaves are changing faster here than in the picture she sent; it's very green there. Her friend Hope is dogsitting the pups getting some solitude from her life at home with 3 guys - hubby and boys. I've known her since they were in HS. Last night, we met at the studio for a "girls night out" and had a good chat. She is very good people.

B's bout of pain two weeks ago has lessened. Don't know if the cortizone shot Monday will help or not at this point. But we also don't know if the insurance has approved it yet.  <rolleyes> With a gov't shutdown looming, it might not get approved in time. We'll know before we leave for appt.

We've been having a lot more "us time" lately. And that's very good. Some of the irritating moments have stopped. I also took the one jeep that needed work to pass inspection to a good garage. The "fix" turned out to be way more involved than just replaing brake pads and would've taken B over a year or two. Got the jeep back, just after he got here and now we have two vehicles and he can be independent around here. He's learned his way around riding with me, but so far he's just driving here - not over the mountain - because I know exactly where I'm going over there and the fastest way to get places. He hadn't driven a manual in a long time, but since he's used it to go south & back last time, he's remembering again. It's good for him, too.

I'm in the middle of a "style reinvention" again. Been wearing my simple knit look for 10 years now and I'm bored with it. I still had lots of things taking up space in my closet/drawers that I'll not wear again; some didn't fit. I've been fighting stress fractures in both feet and shin splints on big shopping days... so I went looking for some non-ugly styles. Believe it or not - they're out there and don't cost a fortune. Next haircut, I'm going back to bangs again... and I have an eye appt next week, too... so new glasses. No idea what to call this new style... but there are two kinda peasant-y, romany dresses that I liked. Not old lady frump-stuff... but not sleazy cougar trying to be hot stuff either. I still need to look for some sweaters, cardigans... and reassess the stack of tshirts.

I still need a fair number of work clothes for the seasons, but LL Bean has turned out to a good source again for durable stuff. And I'm hoping - more of my "work" involves my sewing machine.

[lighter]

A stuffed monkey
OR
a real live, with working thumbs.....
monkey?

Good on'ya for getting truck repaired, elevator details figured and refreshed style choices made.

I must admit.....my head turned, ever so slowly, when you described "sleazy, cougar tryin'be hot" style.  I thought.....I recognize that particular mysoginist judgement.

I'm noticing very soft, mindful thoughts, about all women.....which is opposite my upbringing.....and it's so very helpful to my spirit.

Sorry you're dealing with stress fractures and shin splints.  I'm sure you know what to do to limit problems and pain.  Being consistent, with new routines, is the rough part, IME.

My army ranger buddy has lost his dam mind, over the Charlie Kirk thing, btw.  Huge reactivity..... dysregulated. 

Glad H taking time to enjoy nature.

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

Maybe you associated more personally to that remark than I did, based on your experiences and current work. I was making a critique of the fashion industry (again). So much of what's out there for "older women" is based on styles that work better with younger women's bodies... and so, doesn't exactly flatter us crones... or shows more skin than we're comfortable force-feeding the public.

At the same time, schlumpy, frumpy boring clothes (while comfortable as hell) are boring. My old knit pants, leggings, tshirts/tunics is boring the crap out of me. And gravity's work on my figure is the main contributing factor for even acquiesing to the comfort mantra. I definitely need to do some core work and strengthen my upper back - but that conflicts with a lot of the time I spend on admin stuff. So, I'm working on getting myself to "just do it". I could stand to lose 15-20 lbs too.

Strength and stamina are slowing coming back with some attention and the experiment of adding collagen to a cup of morning coffee. It's also helping the inevitable crepey skin issues.

Yeah, my stubborn streak of vanity is raising it's head again and while I accept that I AM old... I don't want to LOOK old and defeated; like I've given up. Superflous or not, taking care of the image I project has also positively affected my inner self-appreciation; that I at least matter to myself.

No, I don't need a "business professional" wardrobe anymore. That stuff is all gone. The beach style stuff has been more weeded out too; except for some linen. That still comes in handy at high summer. I don't go to parties or have a social life...but I'm not sure I'm ready to look like my mennonite gramma... who even in her later years, also cared about "style". (She died at 56.) She was able to pull off a "statuesque" look, since she was 6 ft tall. I do need a certain amount of outside work clothes that are comfortable and protective. But I need to experiment/establish a casual style for the running around we do to medical appts, shopping, etc. And now, I can be a bit more playful with it...and suit myself.

I'm just disappointed at so much that's "on offer".

[lighter]

Didn't mean to wrap your knuckles, Amber.  Just re.....sponding to a very familiar, once internalized, belief.  Mostly father-coded for me.  The man lives inside my head, noticably, still. 

So does my mother, so I pipe up with short seats, against him, at times.  Not at you.

Let me know what you land on, style wise.  Every time I find something "different", I kill it quick with paint and caulk, then end up back in my Joseph A. Banks shirts, Lucky jeans and Shoreland Converse All Stars.

It's weird.....my girls wear similar things, but not exclusively.  They changed to boot cut jeans, as well......my head cocks to the side every once in a while, noticing how their style's, been influenced, by proximity.  I did my best, so no crying over it now.  It is what it is, and their wardrobes are vast and diverse, compared to mine. 

I'm due for another big closet clean out, btw.

Lordy, it's beautifully breezy fall weather this morning.  Blowing leaves, and enjoying semi-wet moss, which stays in place while blowing. 😁

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

I get it Lighter; no worries. I'm kinda liking the longer unlined knit blazers that are showing up - can be worn like a sweater or sweatshirt over a long sleeve T, turtleneck or regular shirt. Jeans or stretchy pants/leggings.

And the folk-peasant dresses with any style boot looks like a good change of pace. I figure I might pull out my tights and see what shape they're in (and which ones I still have left). Found a cute pair of orthotic shoes that will serve for fall; they're sturdy and comfortable. The test on concrete floors in an extended shopping scenario hasn't happened yet - because we limit those trips.

I'm sure I have some old voices in my head too, dismissing anything "girly" as impractical for a klutz like me or labelling the look "floozy". SIGH. It's nice to ignore it now.... but yeah, it echoes forever.