Hugs and prayers for everyone. I've missed coming here. Work descended into chaos. By the beginning of last week I told boss no more "extra" projects until I get all that has been tossed on my plate under control.
This has been week one of no extra projects. I told her she had to wait until 7/10. That would get me through setting the new pattern, and holding it through the end of month/start of month cycles for all our clients.
The chaos was so bad that I've actually filled in a day by day schedule of exactly what I must do on what days. So I can make sure things don't slip through the cracks. For the next month and a half.
In the midst of all that was the stress over vehicle issues. The beginning of this week we were finally able to get the van to the comprehensive tire/front end shop I trust. Roughly $200 later, the van is stable. There were two other tires with missing weights, just not as severe as the first. And all that lovely vibration toasted the front and rear alignments. Because, of course, I have 4 wheel alignment. Tires balanced, rotated, and alignment fixed. She now drives like a dream. I just have to manage to get under her to put away the spare.
There is still a slight shimmy if I brake hard. 99.9% sure that is because we didn't turn the rotors the last time we put brake pads on. I will correct that error the next time we do brakes.
I started slowly getting a handle on regular life things this week. And today I finally got outside and got my hands in the dirt. I pulled all the remaining asparagus plants from the fridge and got them in pots. I just don't have the stamina to dig their holes at the moment.
And then I planted the sunchokes, again in pots. And laughed because they were already sprouting in their bag. And then I came in and cleaned up the pile of empty boxes and made son's cbd mix. While dealing with a grouchy son.
I have a good, electric water gun that will be filled with vinegar to deal with the squirrels that have decided to act fearless. Next step up is foam pellets and plastic pellets for the slingshot.
Seeds came in. I'm hoping to get them started tomorrow or this weekend.
None of the wintergreen made it. I'm going to have to find someone I trust to send me some. And I still haven't found jewelweed seeds.
I also need to get trellises up for the cucs. The rain the past week has them exploding.
I want to put water trays out for the birds, but I don't want mosquitoes. I'm going to have to see if Mosquito Dunks are bird safe. It's up to the birds to stay cat safe.
And I'm looking into grounding mats. Or maybe just the thing for the shoes. I used to go barefoot everywhere until the yard got burrweed. Now the nerves in my feet are out of whack, or maybe because all of my callouses have disappeared, and walking barefoot is continually setting off pain whenever I step on the tiniest thing. It's kind of annoying. I miss being barefoot all the time.
Anyways, I know I've missed things but I'm so grateful that my brain is coming back online and the chaos is being dispersed. It felt like I was living in fight or flight mode there for a while. Not a day went by where we didn't find some new part of the whole mess that had to be cleaned up.
And despite my hard line, boss is actually pretty happy that I not only got things handled but I'm also wrangling them under control in a way that doesn't have one client taking over most of my time. Even though I'm handling everything for them except accounts payable.
And my sanity is coming back as I get outside and get my hands in the dirt. I don't know how to explain it if you don't experience it yourself. There is just something about working the soil or being out in the sun that calms things and lets my brain relax.
Anyways, missed you all. And saying prayers for things to go a bit smoothly for everyone. And healing and health for everyone. Night night.