*umbrella snaps open*

I finished watching "The Umbrella Academy" tonight. Sydney and Brian had both watched it individually, and both told me that I should watch it, so I did. It's good stuff, and I'm looking forward to the second season in July. But I won't lie, I'm most excited about the three of us sitting and watching it together. We so rarely sit and watch anything together anymore, and this is going to be a real treat for me.

Sydney asked me who my favorite character is on the show (hers is Klaus), but I have to say that mine is Ben, because he's badass, and a ghost, and it looks like he's going to be even more awesome next season.

p.s. I have terrible acid reflux tonight. No more pizza rolls, I think.

Once again, I'm not going into space

Sydney, Brian and I watched the launch of the SpaceX rocket today, and once again, I was struck by my disappointment in never becoming an astronaut, or even parlaying some aspect of my career into hitching a ride on a space shuttle. I was, once again, heartsick at having missed a launch several years ago after it was scrubbed and we couldn't stay in Florida for the next month until it did finally launch. I was, as ever, awestruck at the amazingness of being able to travel from this ground into the vastness of space, and to see this glowing ball from outside the atmosphere. I was, per usual, holding my breath and staring unblinkingly at the TV, and then watched it on YouTube twice more.
I know that I'll never make it to space, but it's an interesting thing when you realize that your kid is better equipped to achieve your dreams than you are. I mean, look at her, she's got a brilliant mind for math and engineering, and has an uncanny ability to understand the why and how everything fits together. She's quick on her feet, and resourceful, too. She's everything that the astronaut corps would be lucky to have. I don't know if today did anything for her at all, but she's shown no interest in space before, but she did watch the launch with us twice, and by herself once. So, who knows, maybe I'll get to watch my baby fly in space... Wouldn't that just be awesome? ... Well, not as awesome as me doing it, but a close second, for sure.

The thesaurus is my spirit animal

I've spent a good portion of the last two hours working on the next Mystic and Boysen book, editing the manuscript, and making sure it all makes sense. Let me tell you guys something, it's not easy to get the perfect rhyming word. Most of it is great, wonderful and masterfully written. But I've got two, maybe three, stanzas that are giving me fits right now, and I'm ready to stop thinking about them for the night and tackle them again tomorrow.
I think the mistake I made with the first book was making it rhyming, because now every Mystic and Boysen book has to rhyme to stick with the brand, style, rhythm. It's a fun challenge, to be sure, but tonight I am so over it.

Like a little mushroom-cloud wart thing

So I've got this growth on my foot. It's settled on the ball of my foot, kinda nestled in between my pinky toe and the next piggy in, right on the cusp of going up in between the toes. It's been growing over the last couple months, and the pain involved in it has increased as it's grown. It feels like there's a pea or something inside my foot, and it BUGS.
I called the dermatologist's office last week and made myself an appointment for the vague "growth on my foot." I'll be seeing her a week from Monday. But in between that time, I have shown Mom my foot growth. And she, in her infinite wisdom, popped out with, "That's a plantar wart." She knew what it is, you guys. My mom is chockablock full of random medical information, and this was peak knowledge, for sure.
Go ahead and Google it. Images of plantar warts show that they can be nasty, huge, green, crusty, and ridiculously prolific. Thankfully, my plantar wart is more like the image there to the left, kinda cute and somewhat mushroom-y, but single and small. Having said that, I am feeling very much like I will be vigilant and proactive in being sure that no more of those little bastards show up.
Anyway, I called the dermatologist today to be sure that she would be willing to deal with this wart rather than refer me to a podiatrist, and indeed, she'll be able to help me out. I'm super intrigued to find out how this little monster will be disposed of, as it looks like treatments range from laser and freezing to herbal remedies (no thank you, internet hippies). I'm actually quite excited to have it gone, too, because it hurts.

Nada, zilch, zero

It's pretty amazing how long I've been sitting here thinking of nothing to write.

Fighting the good fight

Today was my first day back to work. I was all ready to be there, and double-checked my email this morning to be sure that we were required back to work (I won't be burned twice, you guys). I took off, stopped at AJs for my daily iced tea, and made it to work on time. Of course, as I drove into the parking lot, I found not an entire staff's worth of cars, but only two cars. Only two cars.
I thought, "What sort of fresh hell is this, and where is everyone?" I entered the office to find that only one person was inside. I'm like, "Really? This is so stupid." My one other coworker in the office came forward to let me know that, no, I didn't miss anything, but at the meeting on Thursday it was decided that no one was required to return today unless they wanted to, and they could continue working from home for the rest of this week. Next Monday is the official start to being back in the office.
Still, I stayed at work for a full day, and am eager to head back again tomorrow. It was nice to be back. In fact, a couple other coworkers showed up, and it's kinda silly how excited I was to see them. It's been like weeks since I was part of a team.

No polish, and I want those slippers

I gave myself an at-home pedicure scrub yesterday. Truth be told, I did try to get myself an appointment for an actual pedicure, but the salon didn't answer the phone. So before you think too much that I was being frugal or safe ... no, no, the salon didn't pick up the phone.
So I became my own pedicurist for a very specific reason: to scrub the dead skin off the bottom of my feet. My feet bottoms have been grossing me out a lot lately, and in fact, the dead skin has been peeling from them, to add to the grossness level. And really, that needed to be rectified.
I filled up the kitchen sink with hot water and dish soap, let them soak for several minutes, and then got to work on them. I started with my basic foot file, and scraped the shit out of the skin on my right foot. After that, I brought in the big gun, the callus remover/cheese grater, and finished the job. No joke, five full minutes later, the bottom of my right foot looked pretty decent, like I had a relatively good pedicure. After that, the left foot was up for its treatment. And again, five minutes later, it looked pretty decent.
But this morning, you guys, my feet felt awesome to walk around on. They were soft, non-crusty and smooth. And I knew that all my efforts yesterday were service to a higher cause.

Only two ITEM!s today, folks

ITEM!: So I suppose that maybe I should check my work email more often. I did end up checking it last night though after my post here, and come to find out, the office reopening has been moved to Thursday afternoon. So all my preparations for today at work were for naught, and I have a couple more days to get ready for it all. Well, actually, I have a week, because I'm leaving for California on Thursday and won't be back until Memorial Day. So I had to put in a days-off request for the only two days we'll be working this week, and the first days since the stay-at-home order was lifted. So, there's that. I'm a good employee.
ITEM!: I am finally watching "Parks and Recreation," and I am enjoying the hell out of it. Andrea told me that I had to soldier through season one before it got good, and she was so right. Granted, I'm only five episodes into the second season, but it's already WAY better than that first season.

Back to work tomorrow!

You guys, I go back to work tomorrow, and I have to tell you, I'm a little nervous. Not for any COVID-related issue, but because I don't know how well my body will readjust to the hours back at work. I've been feeling pretty weak physically and mentally the last few days, so tomorrow should be a super treat, NOT. I'll have to start retraining my brain to type, ask questions and do stuff. Of course I've been doing some work, just one day a week for the last few weeks, but since everyone will be back in the office, the stakes will be higher and I'll have to bring my ... not A game, but strong B or B+ game.

Challenge Accepted, Merriam-Webster! Bring it!

The Merriam-Webster Twitter did a cool thing the other day. They posted a 30-Day Word Challenge (pictured left). I just discovered it today, and decided that I would start my Challenge today instead of skip to catch up. I'll be posting my words to my Instagram stories, but also probably, maybe?, here.

Today's Challenge was, "A word that makes you happy." I chose "popcorn," because it's a fun word to say, type and write. It makes me happy to say, and popcorn is one of my favorite things in general.

I'm super intrigued by the upcoming challenges, and expect that this will get really difficult at some point.

Also, I've decided on a new experiment. I've been feeling somewhat dehydrated, or just not hydrated enough, the last several days. I've been having a hard time drinking my usual amount of water, and yesterday, I really didn't pee very much at all, which is not normal/good for me. Today, as Sydney and I ran our errands, I picked up a Vitamin Water at the convenience store to boost myself a little. Of course it tasted good, but I feel like I was a better/healthier human being with proper electrolytes and hydration this afternoon. My brain felt better in almost everything (I think), and I'm eager to try the Vitamin Water experiment again tomorrow.

I picked up a couple books from my library's drive-thru window this morning, and I have to tell you, it was pretty awesome. I'll use it only as long as the library is closed, because I love the smell of the library too much, but it was a really neat perk to my library experience. And now, I've got something to read.

July 3 can't come soon enough

So we had tickets to see "Hamilton" in L.A. this June. I was very excited about seeing it, as I believe, was Sydney. Mom was going to see it again with us, and Brian was relatively ambivalent, but was attending, as well. Of course, due to recent pandemic events, the show was canceled.

Our back-up plan was that "Hamilton" would be coming to Gammage here in Tempe this 2020-2021 season, and we'd catch it there later in the year or early next year. I was all about the back-up plan.

UNTIL, it was announced this morning that Lin-Manuel Miranda's movie of the "Hamilton" stage musical would be streaming on Disney+ this July 3. I won't lie to you, this perked me right up. Not only the opportunity to see the creator of the show performing in the show, but to catch it on a streaming service that I already subscribe to, is bread, butter and gravy all in one. I am so excited to sit and watch this that day, and probably to watch it a couple times after that, too.

I have remained incredibly spoiler-free about this show. I don't know the music, I don't know the story, and I don't know what the big deal is about it. I am running into it with fresh eyes and ears, and that makes me even more pleased about the state of this entertainment. I mean, realize that I'll be able to watch it without someone sitting around and near me who will sing along, or mouth along with the words, or even move when anticipating an event. For me, this will be like watching it on opening night, when no one in the audience could possibly anticipate what is coming at us. And that is an awesome thing.

Lemon raspberry creme is the better of choices

I had a good Mother's Day yesterday! We went to the Phoenix Zoo and participated in its Cruise the Zoo event, wherein we got to drive through the zoo and see animals that chose to be out and about. The best part was that the weather was cloudy, and therefore cooler than it could have been, and we were able to enjoy the event with the windows open and not broiling from the heat.
Also, I got to Houseparty with my mom, who totally dug her present. I requested The Cheesecake Factory for lunch, and though my meal wasn't great, the cheesecake itself was super yummy. And then we Zoomed with Brian's family, and then the day was over. And all was well.
As for today, I didn't leave my house except to go out into the backyard and water my plants and pick up dog poop. I did do some yoga on my Apple TV, though, and I'm feeling pretty good about that.

Wow, that got unexpectedly sappy

"Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields,
Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about, Strawberry Fields forever."
I'm using The Beatles as a manipulation tactic to keep my kiddo in my room and being good company while I'm folding laundry and writing my blog. And right now, she's cuddled under a blanket while Cooper and Elliot are curled up and sleeping next to her, and I couldn't be more in love with the situation in from of me. I doubt she's really sleeping, but her eyes are closed and that awesome peaceful resting expression is upon her face, and that is among my favorite of all her faces. Nope, she's not asleep; she just lifted her head so she could check out Cooper and Elliot next to her.
Anyway, that's what Mother's Day is about, right? Realizing that, while they are certainly a handful most of the time, they can go to sleep and remind you that they also are angels, or more aptly, they are your heart walking around outside your body.

Zooming with Vin about doughnuts

I learned something new today!
I learned how to create a Zoom meeting! Of course, I had to text JJ and she walked me through it step by step, but at least I can say that I've increased my knowledge base in some way today. We figured a super cool thing to do for Brian's mom on Mother's Day would be for all of us to get together for a Zoom, and I was in charge of the creation of the meeting. And I did it! I'm really quite pleased with my new skill.
Also today, I learned that Krispy Kreme key lime doughnuts do not taste very key lime-y, and that was a disappointment. It's like we got the first group through before the real tasty glaze started running. There wasn't much of a line at all, and I got some other doughnuts so the trip wasn't a waste, but still, I was very excited for the key lime. Oh well.
I also learned that "Bloodshot" is a terrible movie, and was reminded that not everything Vin Diesel touches is gold. I honestly can't believe how ridiculous that movie is, and that they think for even a second there could possibly be a sequel... yes, they set up for a sequel.
That's it. Three things. I learned three things today.

No hat, but that was def me today

I had one of those days when I just didn't feel like doing anything. Almost the entirety of my day was spent in the living room, either on the floor or on the sofa. It was weird, stressful and unsatisfying. As of now, I still don't feel like there is anything that really should have been accomplished today, so I guess my unmotivated butt did just fine. I'll need to spend some time with my work tasks tomorrow morning, but on the whole, the weekend begins again. (It's the weekend now because Brian also is done with work for the week.)
Mom asked me what we were doing this weekend, and honestly, like, nothing. Sure, Mother's Day on Sunday, and I actually do have plans for that, but every other day of the weekend is a stone-cold nothing. Like the rest of you, I'm sure, I am getting super tired of hanging out at home and not doing anything. I mean, how much rest and relaxation, and streaming of content, can we really do?

Heading back to the J-O-B soon

I got the email today that my coworkers and I are expected back at our workplace in a few days. I mean, yeah, of course that's good news because work is a good thing, but still, I'm hesitant. Tentative. Unsure. Leery. Arizona has growing COVID case numbers, and they're not flattening out. And the governor will let the stay-at-home order expire on the 15th, and my work counts among those that are gearing back up. I'm excited to see my coworkers again, but I'd really rather be told by the people who know viruses if it's time. I am not interested in seeing a spike and resurgence of sick people in this state, but I fear that I will.
The best part about going back to work? I'm going to need to put in a days-off request for the end of the month. Going out to California to see my mom! Sadly, no Disneyland, but it'll be super nice to see her and my friends ... from a safe distance, of course!

Dude, just jump or stomp or something

I don't even want to tell you what took priority over the blog last night, but I will. It was "Resident Evil 2," and Brian was playing it, and I ended up watching him play for a few hours. He played a couple hours tonight. It's fun because I help solve the puzzles and give good advice on how to kill the zombies. Though I'll tell you that this particular game is a bit frustrating because the main character can't jump, or slam his foot into a zombie skull, or jump, or slam his foot into a zombie skull. Also, he doesn't, so far, have a decent sword or large knife, nor does he have a club or hammer. He really doesn't have anything that we've seen is most useful in "The Walking Dead." And yes, when the video game character can't do what you want it to do, it is very frustrating.

I can NOT stop yawning tonight!

ITEM!: I am beset by the most aggressive yawns tonight. It's like, it starts as a normal yawn, just the open mouth, normal yawn. But then, right when you would initially think, "yeah, good yawn," and start to be done and exhale, there's this secondary extra yawn, which requires a must bigger inhale, and a much wider yawn. The kind of yawn that makes you close your eyes so tight you see stars? Yeah, those have been my yawns for the last hour. They are getting ... tiring. Also tiring is the weird back pain I've got going on, which makes the large and extra yawns a little bit painful and wretched. I am looking forward to this yawn situation finishing itself out soon.
ITEM!: I guess I've admitted defeat somewhat, as I just took my first Claritin of the allergy season. I've been taking some decongestants, but they're not helping much. I found the Claritin in the bathroom cabinet yesterday, and woke up terribly congested this morning, so the Claritin has become my hope for a comfortable future.
ITEM!: Little to nothing of productivity got done today. I couldn't even get my a/c filter changed. I did have a six-foot visit with Leslie, which was awesome, and a Houseparty chat with my mom, which was wonderful, so the day did have some very bright spots. I won't even speculate on what I may get done tomorrow, so as not to be disappointed when nothing happens. Such is life in the stay-at-home, right?

Hamburger, large tots, large unsweetened tea

Blogging is a much better exercise for me when I've been busy for the day.
This morning, I replaced the mattress pad on my bed, and spun the mattress, too. As a family, we went to Harkins and bought some popcorn and had Sonic for lunch. My book illustrator and I had many, many texts, and now have a plan we're both happy with. And this afternoon, I cleaned out my makeup, nail polish and beauty accoutrements drawers and containers!
I WAS CRAZY PRODUCTIVE.
What else? I watched the entirety of both "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and "Napoleon Dynamite;" fell down an "Age of Ultron" Twitter wormhole; cheered on the Death Diving Championship competition on ESPN 8 - The Ocho; forgot to text like four -- no! five! -- people; and still didn't get my fingernails polished. Also, I have to restrain myself from throwing out Brian's repulsive Rice Krispy treats every time I open the fridge. So, while some things were insanely productive, some were less so but equally important.

It's gonna be May

Last month's avatar was indicative of the quarantine; this month's avatar is more about what I'd rather be doing. I'd rather be out and about, perhaps not on safari, but definitely going to the movies or having lunch some places. But rather than be out there taking pictures of animals, I'm still home and hanging out, you know, like everyone else.
I didn't go through my makeup drawer, but I did get a new mattress pad for the bed. So, for a first day of May in 2020, it was a pretty decent one.