April Fools

[Public Garden lagoon; April 10, 2016]

Yes, February and March have come and gone, with no update here. Various uninteresting things have kept me from posting, including intermittent sleep problems and accompanying aches and pains and inability to focus (visually and otherwise) beyond what I gave at the office. But work has been good, with a recent pay increase and bonus, so there's appreciation for my contribution - and, really, no extra time put in beyond the usual, just that the sleep issues etc make my already smallish tank of energy even more precious and sitting at a computer more uncomfortable. Still, I have found some time to see friends and spend weekends with D, among other outside of work stuff.

[Magnolias blossoms, Boston; April 9, 2016]

The weather has had some wild swings lately, from a relatively warm March to a chilly and wet April. A week ago we had a couple of 70°F days (21°C) followed by a snowstorm of 4 to 5 inches of snow. That melted quickly because the roads had warmed up, but since then the temperatures have been below normal, with biting winds. Still, the daylight has steadily grown longer and on days when the sun is shining it's warmed things up and lifted spirits.

One big piece of news is that I bought a new car last Saturday, a brand new Jetta to replace my 11-year-old Toyota Corolla, which I bought as a commuter car when I started my old job. The old car didn't have a ton of mileage on it since I moved closer to work after the first year with it, but it was a bit beat up and kept needing $ put into it. And there was that bonus I mentioned above! Of course two days after I bought the new car was when it snowed, so it sat in the driveway a couple of days as I was afraid to drive this unfamiliar car in slippery conditions, not to mention the worry of risking any damage so soon! Here she is under a coat of snow on Day 3.

[New Jetta; April 3, 2016]

I was in town with D this weekend, but he had a return of his GI problems and we had to cancel plans to go out last night. We did walk around yesterday, but today he was feeling poorly so I went out for walk myself and then brought back applesauce and soup. He's supposed to fly out to visit friends on Tuesday. Not sure if he'll make that. It's been a rough year as the first couple of months he had bronchitis. And he'll top this all off with a big birthday (70) next week. Time to make staying healthy a priority - for both of us, I guess.

[Spring blooms, Boston; April 9, 2016]

Comments

[Julia]

Hello! Nice to read you again :)
I sympathise with sleep issues, haven't managed more than 2 hours continuous sleep for 15 months now but I have the option to nap during the afternoons, for which I am grateful.
Ageing issues, bah! I went to a yoga class last week and it was amazingly good for my body and my mind!
Take care and be well xxx

[Marja-Leena]

Lovely spring scenes, despite the snow that was short-lived, thankfully. And good news re the job and car!

As another severe insomniac, I do understand how it impacts one! Still looking for that elusive solution. Be well, Leslee, including your D!

[Leslee]

Thanks, Julia. Naps are great, though I can only manage them on weekends. I used to love yoga, but I have vertigo issues which prevent it now (sigh). I do try to get walks in or go to the gym and do my physical therapy exercises to keep up. You take care and be well also!

Marja-Leena: Sleep is such a wonder drug when you can get a good night of it in, but so elusive sometimes. Thanks, and be well yourself!

[Beth]

Hi Leslee, congrats on the new car and your well-deserved raise and bonus! I hope D. feels better soon, it sounds like he's had a rough patch. And as for sleep...well, I was up half of last night, so I sympathize. Maybe we should start a night owl club. It's so annoying! Anyway, spring will arrive and maybe we'll all feel a bit lighter.

[Leslee]

Thanks, Beth. We probably could all have a club, although getting online in the middle of the night's not conducive to sleep. Still, nice to imagine it, a psychic communing and commiserating! Yes, looking forward to spring weather.