Monday, October 20, 2025

October 19, 2025 Sunday

Greetings!
Been a busy week.  My smart watch came.  In order to get the matte black watch you had to get the matte black wristband.

Of course, I wanted a colorful, rainbow band--lol!
Yes, my next collection will be an assortment of watch bands I can switch out--lol!
Leah started me out right and surprized me with this set of three colorful bands I had also showed her. 
The following are random pictures in chronological order of the week of unpacking.  There was a constant emptying of boxes and things piled everywhere as I gradually had to shove things here and there temporarily.

I'd get the folding tables cleared off enough for another 2-4 boxes...
started putting things in the bins and piling things on the floor.
While I have been unpacking Allie is usually under the tables...
...keeping me company but keeping herself safe from being stepped on--lol!
I was so busy I didn't notice I actually had a cactus bloom until I saw it like this on Wednesday!  So exciting!  I have never been good at getting any plants to bloom.  Well, indoors, anyways.  I take it as a good sign!  
By Thursday I was down to two boxes in the studio and three on the tables...with bins being moved into the studio.
I've had to start using my hutches as a temporary pantry as I unpacked foods.  Still not sure where they will go.
Seemed like endless boxes.

Cleaned the stored large mason jars I use for coffee beans...and found the crock pot!
More food from the pantry...
...got shoved into the hutches for now.
Down to one empty large bin and Dagan took the box of paper out.  
I know you can't tell but there are quite a few boxes now behind my trash can.  Dagan found the three-step stool (we can't find my two-stepper) so that I could reach to put things away in the cupboards.  I can only easily reach the bottom shelves of the cupboards beside the microwave.  I am so short I can't even see inside of this microwave--lol!
Last kitchen/pantry boxes moved out of the studio!
I spent one afternoon organizing and labeling all the new Costco coffees Leah picked up for me.  Wow!  Never had this many at one time before.  Glad I bought the larger shelf unit.  :)  Happy me!
I know you can't tell but the hutches got rearranged again...temporarily.
One of the boxes under the tables has things from my spice cabinet and some other kitchen things I had on my four lazy susans at the old place.  Come to find out those lazy susans are too large for these cabinets.  Need to buy smaller ones.  Can probably use the larger lazy susans in the studio, but don't know until I get to organizing in there. 
The only things I know will not be moved are my plates and bowls in the bottom shelf on the left side of the sink.
I know I need my glasses, cups, coffee supplies, and spices in the right side cupboard...but that is a lot to fit somewhere.  There will be a lot more stool climbing living here--lol!  That and stairs will be strengthening for my legs at least.  :)
How does Allie manage to slide the flat cat bed off that memory foam pillow all the time?  No clue.  But I am always having to reposition it.
After the shorter stack of bathroom boxes and bins...looking into the studio--these are all the living room boxes to unpack.  A lot of letter writing things hidden away in them...and my crystals and such.  I will need my hutches free.  More juggling and shifting things from place to place...but it will all get organized in the end.  :)
Meanwhile...I found my sweaters and coats.  The two coats went upstairs in the entryway.  No clue where my sweaters will end up--lol!  Allie found them unnervingly looming over her space.  ;)
Friday Leah took me for the ultrasound.  Went fine.  They can never say anything.  Just like they never say anything when you get scans.  Have the OBGYN on Tuesday.  Not sure she can say anything definitively or not, either, but I should know something more.  I have to say...I have put the entire possible cancer of the ovaries in the very back of my mind all this time.  I was too sick to think about it and now I have been too busy.  But I do know that it feels like I do not think I can possibly handle hearing the diagnosis of cancer one more time.  Of course, once I got over the shock (and I would be so very shocked) I would deal with it because I would have no choice.  

Going in for the ultrasound...couldn't ignore it anymore.  I didn't sleep well last night at all with cancer haunting me.  Thinking about poor Allie and what her life would be like stuck away in the basement from Blink if Blink still hates her.  Can't do that to Allie.  She'd have to be rehomed again!  That would be horrible for her.  They should bring her to Cat's Cradle again.  Was up till dawn and then just had a nap.  Hopefully will sleep tonight.  Can't happen, right?  Although we know it could happen that cancer keeps at me till it gets me.  I am trying to think positive, you know?  But those are the places my mind goes.  I am responsible for her.  Like babies and toddlers and young kids...critters don't understand when people disappear.  It's hard enough on people old enough to understand.  We all know it's a natural thing...a part of life.  But I am not ready to deal with another cancer battle, to be honest.  I haven't fully recovered (and possibly never will) from my big cancer battle I wasn't expected to win.  

I am not expecting bad news.  But I always do go through worse-case-scenario with life things like this.  Then I feel more prepared...tuck the worse-case away...then think positive until and unless it is time to deal with anything otherwise.  That's how I work.  But during the night I couldn't stop thinking about worse case for my Allie.  

I'd be grateful if you send some positive thoughts my way if you have a moment or two.  

Anyways, there was so much love and joy and kindness and positivity on No Kings Day yesterday!  That really lifted my spirits and gave me comfort.  

Till next week, my friends.  Grab the joy every day!  :)

16 comments:

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Rita, I love ❤️ your watch bands. Allie is sweet, smart and beautiful.
Unpacking is tedious, but you are managing it very well.

Ann said...

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you get good news regarding your ultrasound.
You sure have gotten a lot accomplished with the unpacking.

Boud said...

I get that "what's the worst that can happen" approach. Then it helps if you can plan for that. I'm definitely hoping for the best, though. Your spirit is great, though Im not surprised you lost sleep. All the move and now the endless unpacking may help with distraction. So much stuff!

Far Side of Fifty said...

I know it is hard thinking about the what ifs. Try to focus about what you can do today! Keep unpacking!!

Sandra said...

You know I send all the good thoughts I have to you. This is you downsized! You have enough unpacking and sorting to keep your mind occupied for quite a while.

Jeanie said...

I hear you on the "what if" anxiety. And why not?It's the most natural thing in the world, even though you know there is nothing you can do about it until you know. Of course you are in the thoughts and prayers. Just hang tight. Remember, you've walked this before and you sure don't want to walk it again. But if you must, you know you can do it. And Allie, Dagan, Leah and the boys, along with all of us, will be right there with you. And you are all together now with your family. Be positive. And well done with the unpacking. I'm sure it's hard to find spots for everything, but you have planned so well, I know you will.

jinxxxygirl said...

Rita.... ofcourse will keep you in my thoughts.. sending well wishes your way everyday... I've always heard the phrase 'God will not send you more than you can handle'..not being a religious person that phrase has still gotten me through many things in my life... along with 'This too shall pass'.... 'Plan for the worst Hope for the Best'... so many phrases out there to help us through things.. How log they make you wait for test results is horrid... Hubby and i have been through our fair share of those waits... The last 'test' that Alvin had a Doctor actually performed the test and he was able to give his opinion before it was passed on to a technician to read... so he was able to say he didn't see anything that concerned him... I'm sure you can imagine what a relief that was to not have to wait... Sending you hugs Rita and much love... deb

CheerfulMonk said...

Yes, plenty of love, prayers, and good wishes. ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕

DVArtist said...

Rita you are so busy for sure. Unpacking is so daunting. But so rewarding when it's finished. Yes, all of this medical stuff can take over if you allow it. Of course you know I have only goodness going your way. No Kings Day was amazing. Hugs

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I like those watch bands, in fact I would like such watch bands for my watch. Good on Allie for keeping out of way during the unpacking. Try and stay positive it may not be cancer and if it is you will deal with it as that is what strong people do

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Rita. I like your watch bands. Looks like you are really making progress with unpacking. I will pray for you that you will have the strength you need to do what you need to do. Have a good week.

Barwitzki said...

Dear Rita, all the positive vibes are coming to you with a big hug.
Sunshine greetings from Viola.

jeanie said...

You have been very productive over the last few weeks that I have been in my own little hive! All the best with your appointments.

Janie Junebug said...

You've done a lot! I understand needing the step stool in the kitchen. I've always said the people who lived here before and remodeled the kitchen must have been Amazons because the cabinets are so high. I can reach the bottom shelf comfortably. The second shelf is difficult. The third shelf requires the bottom step of the step stool, and the fourth shelf requires the top step, which always has me quaking. I would have chosen the rainbow watch band, too. All the bands looks nice. It's easy to read the watch face.

Love,
Janie

Lucimar da Silva Moreira said...

Lindas as pulseiras coloridas, Rita feliz quinta-feira bjs.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Woah, that is one colorful watch band! Hoping for positive results from your tests. Keep on unpacking you are getting there!