This will be on the shortish side as we have to drive to Don’s eye doctor this morning for his shot. We’re supposed to get some snow, so we were debating whether to go or not, but it looks like it will be a rain/snow mix and nothing to worry about. I have to drive Don because we never know what temporary side effects there will be and let’s face it, he doesn’t need to be worrying about driving after getting a shot in the eye.

We’re still seeing 8 – 12 inches of snow on Wednesday/Thursday’s forecast. But I follow some local Hudson Valley guys who really research their forecasts. They consider every model and talk about it in detail – if you’re a weather geek, believe me, these guys are great. They’ve got a huge following. And since the Hudson Valley includes many microclimates, including mountains and valleys, their forecasts are pretty detailed. Anyway, I listened to them yesterday and the fact is – we just don’t know yet. It could veer off to the south of us and head off to the ocean and our area would have much less snow. Or, it could not do that and we’ll be pummelled. There are about three different models and the forecast won’t be firmed up until, most likely, tomorrow. We have a bit of work to do tomorrow in prep, work that would have to be done anyway.

But today is about Don’s appointment and me trying to drink coffee early enough so that I don’t have to pee while waiting outside for him in the car. I’m being honest here. Everything we do involves that calculation nowadays! Last time we went, I was allowed to go inside and take care of business and that office may be the safest place to use the facilities! Every precaution is taken.

Just looked outside and it’s started snowing. Hmmmm. Checking forecast once again.

When I was young, I thought nothing of driving in snow. I wasn’t exactly fearless, but I was relatively unfazed by large amounts of snow coming down and low visibility. I once drove across the state of Michigan with three passengers in my car in the middle of a blizzard in order to go to the wedding of one of our friends. All the way across the state. I once spun out on an on ramp to a major highway in Detroit and ended up facing an oncoming semi. Thankfully, he was driving very slowly – it was snowing heavily – and patiently waited for me to turn the car around.  (That time I was scared.) Don and I drove in one of the worst blizzards in recent memory while staying in Calgary. We were on our way to an inn. As we drove on and on during that endless trip, we saw car after car off on the side of the road, having skidded off the slippery highway. We could barely see. We considered turning back, but would have had the same problem, so we just kept going. Very, very slowly. It took hours. But we made it.

However, we just wouldn’t do that nowadays. We’re much more cautious. It’s not worth it!

Okay, my friends. I hope you’re doing well. I’m just about to drink that second cup of coffee and then it’s off to the eye doctor.

Happy Birthday to my dear cousin, Eileen!

UPDATE: We decided to reschedule the appointment. They were great and understood and it’s now next Tuesday. We just feel better not having to navigate all the winding roads that lead to the bridge crossing the Hudson River.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Okay. I’ve chosen my dental insurance – Delta. I know my dentist takes it and I don’t want to change dentists. It’s a bit pricey and I’ll review it at the end of the year to see if I want to go with a cheaper plan, but the important thing for this anxiety-ridden person is that I did it. It’s done. It isn’t weighing on me any more and believe me, it has been. (I got it through AARP, by the way.)

I can either stay in anger mode about the fact that we are getting much less and paying more because the union screwed up, or I can write a letter to them (which I’m going to do) and then let it go. Because there’s nothing else I can do. It’s a done deal and I doubt whether my letter will make a bit of difference but I’ll feel better having done it.

There’s a lot of activity going on in the dollhouses. (I listen in at times.) Christmas trees are up in both Hummingbird Cottage and the Modern Dollhouse. It looks to me as if there is still more decorating to be done but I’ll leave them to it for the time being.

They’ve inspired me – we’re going to get our tree later this morning. Don is really excited. Usually, he is much more laid back about the whole thing, but we desperately need some Christmas around here and that is fueling his excitement. I’m going to find the Christmas tree stand and get things prepped and we’ll drive over to our local nursery/farm stand and be there when they open. The neighboring town (which is a college town) has fairly high – this is relative, of course – COVID numbers at the moment, so we’re being very careful.

But oh! A tree! The smell of pine! Sparkly vintage ornaments!

We’ll decorate it tomorrow after it settles.

I’m pondering whether to create another Christmas tree for the Lake House. I almost did that last year but ran out of motivation. It’s very finicky work, involving lots and lots of glue. And I’m not sure if I have anything around that I can use as ornaments. But something tells me I do. I’ll have to do some searching.

Too soon for a tree for the English Cottage. The owner is abstaining this year as the house is being renovated.

Thanks for all your support, my friends. It means a great deal to me. I’m overwhelmed by everything that might be facing us, but am trying to stay in the moment and appreciate what we have. I know that if we do that, we’ll find a way.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

The bedroom with lovely afternoon light.

This, of course, is not from yesterday, a day in which we had rain of Biblical proportions. A constant deluge from morning until night – so much rain that our culvert flooded, our shed, though covered with a tarp, still leaked, and all of our work on the roof above our door was revealed to be useless.

All I can see right now are dollar signs. Don, a more cheerful and hopeful person than I, says everything will work out.  Don’s childhood was so hard that he was forced to cope with things – he had to be a survivor. Consequently, nothing fazes him for long. I envy that.

I, on the other hand, worry way too much. We balance each other, which is a good thing. But right now, I’m seeing new roof for the shed, new roof for the house. A pandemic. No work. You know the drill.

Both of us acknowledge that so many people are coping with far worse things. Perspective helps. But I don’t mind telling you I’m a bit panicked here at the cottage.

We will consult with someone about the porch roof over the front door. Maybe there’s a temporary fix until we have more funds on hand. We now readily admit figuring out where the water is coming from is beyond our capabilities. But at least we tried!

In the meantime, Don’s knees are really bothering him from kneeling on the roof two days in a row, so I have ordered him to take it easy.

Right after we moved in 15 years ago, there was a rain that everyone who was a longtime local called a “100 years” rain. Our chimney leaked, the basement was flooding and water was pouring out of a pipe in the basement wall and we couldn’t figure out where it was coming from – we had rubber boots on and were crazily trying to stop the water. And all the while it was endlessly pouring. We finally stuck a broom handle in the pipe and it stopped.

That’s what yesterday was like.

We’ll probably get our tree tomorrow instead of today.

I am reminded of a song from Mame:

Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we’re in a hurry…

Can’t think of a better lyric for this year, can you?

I did work a bit on the dollhouse yesterday and I took some delight in being able to stand up at my new work table to work on the second story. Very satisfying!

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.