2025 - Week 4

The Weekly Happenings 

I was determined to not allow last week's problems or the Orange One to define the rest of the year. Despite all of the bad that happened, I looked forward to having a new phone and a nicer kitchen. I hoped the kitchen wouldn't become a saga like the bathroom reno was, but if it did, I was more prepared for it because of the bathroom. This helped me plan the kitchen reno much better than the bathroom. I didn't start the demo right away because I was still tired from antibiotics and the stress of all of this. I was a bit concerned about my sink order as they emailed me shipping information, then cancelled, then shipped, then cancelled, then shipped again. That left me hoping I got the right thing in a timely manner. It came and I was home to receive it!

Regarding my new phone, I decided to gradually leave the Google ecosystem. I don't know what that may mean for my blog in the future, since it's currently on Blogger, but I'll worry about that later. I'm leaving Android altogether. I've had enough of it to last a lifetime. Yes, there are more options, but I haven't found many that actually work well together and I'm sick of spending time and money on trying to make things work. The last iPhone I had was a 4, so it's been a long time. I've had some naysayers tell me I shouldn't want something that is way more user friendly. I'm way too tired to have to figure out things that should just work and life has enough challenges that I don't need to add onto it only to have my phone unusable in 3 years for no good reason. I know there will be a learning curve, but I'm looking forward to my phone and my iPad working together. My favourite writing app is better on Mac as well, so I'll eventually change my computer too.

Things I'm down about include tai chi, which I was hoping to start soon. Perhaps it's better to wait until it's a bit warmer and there are fewer respiratory viruses running about. Also, a tattoo. I was hoping to get a new one while I'm not playing sports, but it will have to wait for a bit longer. Perhaps Q2 will be the time for both of those. I have 4 hours of tap dance already paid for and lots of other things on the go. Choir returns soon as well. Also, my new phone comes with 3 months of free Apple Fitness+ videos that will be like having a gym at home. I don't have an Apple Watch, but it will work with other things I do have like a yoga mat, free weights, and a rowing machine. The kickboxing is intriguing too! 

I'm making lemonade from all the unfortunate hits to my wallet. I've even made a bit of a diet and exercise plan to lose some weight and strengthen before softball season. I'll start it at the beginning of February along with my free subscriptions to several Apple services.

This week, I was retested for allergies and was given some prescriptions for my allergies and asthma and a form for allergy shots. I have hopes to reduce them for sports and relationship reasons. It seems most queers have animals and I love them, but sometimes I need to do so from afar. My right arm was still itchy 4 hours later.

I don't know if that was the cats or the trees on that arm, but even allergy medicine didn't make it go away. The itchiness continued into Wednesday and disrupted my sleep. I tried calamine lotion, but it was far too drying for my already dry skin. I got some different cream to deal with it the next day.

I spent some time this week visiting some friends. It was so great seeing everyone even if I'm now shorter than their son who is turning 12 soon.  It was fun playing 5-Minute Dungeon with them. My friend's sister published a novella! I'm so happy and proud of her!

I began demolition on the kitchen and got through a big chunk on Thursday. Once the rotten countertop was removed, the air in my condo was better. The bottom part of the cabinet is left along with the side and one piece of bracing wood. I need to move my fridge to access the remainder of the cabinet. I'll need to move it anyway to repair the subfloor. I know it needs work, but I won't know the extent until I get the rest of the cabinet out. I'm hoping the cabinet took the brunt of any past leaks.

Friday brought a Lez Go billiards outing where I saw some of my newer friends. My arm and shoulder were doing a lot better than they were at the last one. 

On Saturday, I visited the curling club for a bit to say hi to friends and watch them play in the Over the Rainbow curling bonspiel. During one of the time slots, there were people I knew on 4 of the 5 sheets, so it was good to be upstairs in the viewing area. Someone thought I am a decade younger than I am. Sometimes I wish I was! The curse of the baby face ;)

After curling, I made a pseudo haggis to celebrate Robbie Burns Day. It was decent, but I've realized I really don't like lamb. This recipe had some chicken in it to soften the gaminess of the lamb, but I think I'll figure something else out for next year. The spicing for haggis includes allspice, cinamon, nutmeg, coriander, and black pepper, so it needs to be a meat that goes with that well. Perhaps pork with some chicken instead. Less traditional, but I'd rather enjoy the meal thoroughly for how much work it is.

My goals took a hit this week with needing to deal with my phone and kitchen. Though I didn't get my actual workouts in, I was tearing out part of my kitchen. I tried the drop tuning for my tenor ukulele and I didn't like it. I think some songs just may not be meant for ukulele like the theme song from Jurassic Park. I'll just dust off my trumpet sometime soon.

Goal Setting & Tracking 

Arts & Crafts: Macrame Fox❎, Fairy Cross-Stitch❎, Knit Table Runner❎, Knit Vest ✅

Decluttering & Minimalism: Make space to use the fitness app.❎

Gaming & Videos: Pathfinder weekly gaming session.✅

General & Miscelaneous: Begin the reno.✅

Health & Fitness: Core❎, Upper❎, Lower❎, Walking ✅

Music & Songwriting: Ukulele✅

Reading & Writing: Sparker - Edit chapter 11 ✅, Harrow the Ninth - Chapter 5❎

For more details, please visit my Trello here.