fine art and thrift stores

I ran myself a little ragged today. I didnt mean to! But it was go go go!! I really accomplished a lot and it felt good.

James had gone to see a game with a friend last night. I tried to stay up but I was shockingly tired and was almost asleep when James got home. But I was aware enough to know they were back and was able to sleep.

I felt better this morning. My meds seem to be working already and my ankles weren't all locked up and painful. James and Sylvia came to see me. We brushed our teeth and we got ready for the day. James made me an egg sandwich. They left and me and Sylvia spent a little longer getting ready.

I had to catch Sandy the turtle and then bring a bunch of stuff to the car. And we were off.

We got to camp and I put her in the attic to nap. Two counselors were on the porch so I asked them to keep an ear out for her while I ran around.

I had to pick up stain and a few other things from the basements. I tried hanging the new bells for low ropes but the screws were so small and having my arms up that long gave me spots in my vision and I was struggling so I stopped that once Sarah and the new ropes people came to do training.

I would spend time directing the staining. Heather called (after Elizabeth texted) that Sylvia was awake and crying. So they got her until I was able to get to the office.

When I got back me and Sylvia had some donuts. And then Sylvia would hang with Heather while I went to get the staining crew started and then get Ray, who is leading nature, comfortable with the animal care.

I did some cleaning of Samson's enclousure. We also worked on figuring out a heating bulb for him. Once Ray was good I went back to the office. I made a stop at the lodge to say hi to our kitxhen staff and introduce myself to the new guys.

I got back to the office and Sylvia was spinning on a chair with Heather. We talked about what I've done and what I am doing. Then Bonnie, our cleaning lady, told me to stop driving so fast. Which is fair. I always go up the driveway to quick. Shea got me there.

Me and Sylvia went up to the art lodge. Mikael was here today for a few hours!! It was so nice to see him. Him and Aubrey would help build some stuff for the picnic grove playground. And just hung out with me and Sylvia.

Sylvia was such a good girl. She was climbing around. Checking stuff out. She was hanging in her chair. Having a snack. It was so nice to be able to have her be a little free. I want her to feel safe and be able to wander a little. It helps that everyone around me loves her and keeps an eye on her. We just keep joking that she's day camp zero. And that in a few weeks she'll do a great job pretending to be a camper.

They did not provide lunch today. Me and Sylvia would go to the office to check in again. Sat and chatted about some stuff I've heard around camp. Specifically about pay and some confusion some new people have about training next week. Sylvia was playing with crayons. Dumping the whole box on the ground and bringing us fistfulls of them. Shes so great.

Me and Sylvia would head out. She would nap on the drive to taco bell. I drove us to target to eat in the parking lot. Sylvia was upset when I woke her up but she enjoyed the taco bell togrther. Even if I forgot to get the sauce off the burrito.

We stuck to our list pretty well. Diapers and wipes and pizza and sour cream. But we also got 64oz of bubbles. And Sylvia chose a toy. And charmed everyone. Some teen girls were obsessed. The cashier was so sweet. And then it was time to go home.

When we got back here I unloaded everything and then Sylvia. Sylvia watched dancing fruit and had a snack. And I took a quick shower.

She would play and do her things while I put stuff away. I was watching her on the monitor just playing.

Eventually I came up and joined her. I laid in the papasan. I read Sylvie stories. We watched videos. And when James got home I was so thrilled to see them.

James took Sylvia to the park. And I laid on the couch.

I started not feeling good. I got very dizzy and felt very weak. I was just very dehydrated and once I drank water and had a snack I was better. I was not good about water today. I will make sure I have my water bottle full tomorrow.

James made pizza and salad for dinner. We hung out on the couch. Sylvia got a bath and went to bed. And eventually I pulled myself off the couch to go and wash my hair. And now me and James are getting ready for bed.

I think I will go and have a snack and go to bed. Tomorrow I am going to have an office day and try to get a lot of printing and laminating. I hope it is a productive day despite the rain!!

I cant believe the first day of camp is already over!! Like yes the kids aren't here yet but our returning staff is and my specialty staff was half here. And it was such a productive day. I just wish it wasn't so muggy. I probably would have been in a better head space. But it was still a good day and I feel like we accomplished a lot.

I slept pretty well. I did wake up at 2 because there was an ambulance outside and then my phone was very hot. So I spent a few minutes dealing with that before more sleep. Long and active dreams. But I still woke up in a good mood.

We had to leave by 830 at the latest. I woke up and got dressed and felt pretty. James had Sylvia in an adorable all green outfit. Her little tummy was out a lot of the day but it was so cute. I was looking forward to having my husband and my baby with me all day. Made me really happy.

We had some traffic to deal with. But Sylvia held my hand and crossed the street with me for the very first time so I was really pleased. I felt so proud of her.

We got to my appointment exactly on time. James and Sylvia left to go to jiffy lube to get the oil changed and a few other small maintince things. And I waited to get called back.

I was a little annoyed because the first time I got the infusion they let me sit in the waiting room for 45 minutes before they were like oh you can go straight back you didn't need to wait. So then the next 2 times I went straight back. But this time they had me wait and it was almost a half hour. I checked at the desk again because I had timed this out to be at camp at 11. And telling them that worked because they finally said I could come back.

Of course the nurse was struggling today. With the patient before me. And after me. And also me. The valve on my iv sprung a leak and medication and blood got all over the chair and my arm. Thankfully it went fine after that and I was able to just zone out for the half hour the bag took.

James and Sylvia came back and were in the waiting room waiting for me. I was surprised because I hadn't head Sylvia at all. She was sleepy.

The hope was she would sleep on the way to camp. But she would barely nap for 15 minutes. All day. Poor baby girl. Thankfully she would mostly be in a great mood all day.

When we got to camp we stopped to say hi to Heather and then right to arts and crafts. James would try and take Sylvia to the office to nap but she wasn't having it. So they came back to help at the art building.

I had a whole crew helping me. And I was so pleasantly surprisined by how good and on task everyone was today. It was fantastic to see. And made me very proud of everyone!

I set up everyone to have differnt tasks. Setting up the tables. Hanging the hammocks. Sorting boxes. Putting away donations. And I went on a walk to the other specialty areas to check on them and give them some parameters for what I need from them and my expectations. And I am absolutely thrilled so far with their enthusiastic responses. It made me feel great. Like we really can have an excellent summer with fantastic programs.

At 1230 we had pizza lunch. Lilla invited me to her table when she saw me sitting alone. Which was super kind of her because I had literally just been falling into a sad moment when I realized so many of my friends aren't going to be here this year. It was nice to feel included. And then she asked me about parenting and everyone was legit interested and it was so nice. And then James and Sylvia, who had went to the office to see Heather and Elizabeth , came to the lodge and we all had pizza and I was really happy.

We had a few more hours of cleaning and organizing. I put music on and we cleaned and organized. Sylvia was toddling around. Moving bowls. Yelling and ringing a bell. Climbing on tables. James was outside cutting cardboard for our first project of the season. While Emily and Lilla sorted fabric and cotton and went through donations. There is still more to do but we really accomplished so much.

I would check on the other specialty areas. Made some plans for tomorrow. And checked in at the office to let them know what we accomplished. I also checked in with Mikael about coming to help tomorrow. And went back to art to finish up for the day.

James helped me with my to do list while Emily and Lilla played with Sylvia. Sylvie was being so sweet and cute. But she hadn't gotten a good nap. And was starting to get touchy. So it was time to go home.

After James took the trash out and we dropped off a box at the office, we went home.

I lightly dozed on the drive home. And when we got home the neighbor girl told me about her sewing practice. So cool. She's so sweet.

When we got inside me and James had some tasks to accomplish. I put an episode of Little Bear on the TV, which Sylvia loved, and she had a snack and chilled on the couch.

When we were done what needed doing, we all went and hung out in the backyard. Sylvia played and climbed on the chairs and stole my hair clip. James made us dinner and we all chilled together until it was baby bed time. She got a bath and went to sleep.

Me and James hung out in the livingroom until they got on a call with some friends. And I went upstairs to repair my bracelet and took a bath. Which was lovely and made me feel a lot more normal.

I am very tired though. And tomorrow will be a very full day. James will go to work and me and Sylvia will go to camp. And hopefully we get so much done. I am planning on having an office day Wednesday when Sylvia is with Anne. So I want to get lots of physical stuff done tomorrow. It will be fun. And then I have a dinner plan with my friend Kate.

Today was a really nice day off. I am a little stressed about camp starting tomorrow but only a little. Mostly I am really excited! And having a relaxing day at home helped.

I slept alright. I had some intense dreams. I was skateboarding, there were aliens, James was there. It was a lot. But we decided last night that I would sleep and James and Sylvia would get groceries and go to swim class. And that was very kind. It was nice to wake up naturally at 9. I was sore, my feet and ankles hurt a ton. But thankfully would lossen up and didn't cause me to much pain throughout the day. I seem to be rolling my feet to the outside. I have to figure out how to stand with my feet flat again.

I got up and took a shower. I was already to hot. So I would just wear a bathing suit basically all day.

I started my day making Sylvia's outfits. I also rearranged her room. I moved her toy storage around so her crib could be in front of the ac since she has gotten overheated recently. I really think the new layout will give her better space for play. It felt good to make the space better.

I would head downstairs. I had a sandwich. I hung out with sweetp. And around 1130 my family was home!

Sylvia did a little better floating on her back today. Proud of her. And she had fun.

Jamss tried to lay her down for a nap but after a half hour we gave up and went to hang out with her. We played in her room as a family. But James had very sad eyes. So I encouraged them to go for a bike ride. They said not yet.

In the meantime we would go hang out in the backyard. James filled the pool and water table and I got new batteries for the bubble machine. James would come sit with us. And we would splash and play. And eventually James would head to take a long ride. And I texted Michelle to bring Sunny over to splash.

It would take about 45 minutes until they were able to come. Sylvia and me were hanging. Having snacks. Splashing.

But we were getting close to nap and so when Sunny and Michelle came over Sylvia was very quick to tears when Sunny got to close or took a toy. We still were able to play and hang out for a half hour which was still very fun. And it was really nice hanging with Michelle. They told me all about the tour they went on last week. And how well Sunny did. Proud of them!!

Sunny and Sylvie splashed for a while. But when Sylvia got to upset we striped both babies. Michelle and Sunny went home. And I took Sylvia upstairs. She was crying a lot. I put her in a hoodie and laid her down and she was out.

I would go and lay in the papasan. Just watched her. She is so sweet. I tried to sleep to but couldn't turn my brain off. So I just laid and scrolled on my phone until James got home.

When they got back they made is some food. I had spring rolls. And we chilled on the couch. Sylvie slept until almost 4! And while she slept James did more cooking. I went and picked clothes for the week. And did a practice pack for Chicago. We are packing light and it's a fun challenge.

When Sylvia woke up James fed her. We went out front to hang with the neighbor kids. They drew faces on the flowers we painted on the free library. And I helped the little boy work on a crochet butterfly. James and Sylvia would go and bike to the water and the playground before joining us on the stoop again until dinner.

We all ate at the island. We hung out in the couch but Sylvia was starting to hit so it was bedtime. She waved goodnight to me. And James put her to bed.

I came upstairs to take a cool bath. And now I'm just relaxing. Tomorrow I have my infusion first thing and then it's off to camp! I am excited to work on getting the art building ready. I have a lot of organzing to do. I am excited. Also nervous. But mostly excited. And James and Sylvia are coming too so that's excellent. It will be a good day.

I am beat. Last night ended up being a lot more then I was anticipating after a fairly easy event. And then it was just go go go all day. I cannot wait to go to sleep.

We were wrapping up the event last night. I was at the desk finishing up a few things while the final auction was happening when Matt, the catering manager, came and let me know thag a waiter knocked the vice grip off of the garage door and the whole thing flew up to the ceiling! I didn't know that could happen and was really worried someone got hurt. I was on the phone with Jesse on and off for the next half hour trying to figure out what to do. We didn't want anyone to get hurt. The stupid springs are under 700lbs of pressure! But Mark the security guard and some of the cooks were able to get it down! I was very proud of them. And everything would go a lot smoother after that but it was a surprise situation that was a bit stressful.

So then when I got home at 11 I was to wired and needed to have a snack and lay on the couch for a while. I would take a shower. And watched a video. But eventually was able to gp upstairs and go to sleep.

We had a busy day today. James and Sylvia came to say good morning. James left for work. I took a shower. Sylvia threw my underwear in the shower and I had to get new ones. I felt sore, but good. My neck is still very tight but I am trying to be mindful and am stretching throughout the day. Trying my best.

Me and Sylvia headed out. We got breakfast on the way. And then went to camp. Sylvie was nodding off in the carseat but I begged her to stay awake until we got to camp. And she did. But then getting set up for a nap was a little tough. Sylvia was upset. But I set up my laptop for her to watch an episode of Little Bear to fall asleep. And she did. So I could go and clean and fix up the animal enclousures. I also finally got the filter for Sandcastle's new tank. So they will move on Tuesday. And I am excited for them to have a new space!!

I would have to come back to the nature lodge 3 times because I kept forgetting stuff. But that was fine. It let me run into my old coworker from ships, Connor, who was a guest at this wedding! How cool. He would come on my nature walk. And it was lovely talking to him.

I had about 10 people come. Sylvia woke up and I had my side sling for her. And I was very proud of myself for carrying her the entire hike! It helped that she was clinging to me and also chatting and babbling and being a sweetie. Pointing at stuff. Dancing. Shes the best and I felt so grateful that she was so good.

The hike itself was really good. I walked us all around camp. I talked about plants. Sadly no mushrooms. The drought has not been friendly to them. But the ferns were nice and it was fun talking about the history around camp. It was really good.

We ended at the nature lodge. And I would give some animal talks to the 10 or so people who came through. Rosie snapped at me but would be calm once I was holding her. Nellie was great. Samson bit me really hard though and I was very brave and didn't pull and waited for him to release me so I don't have any wound but man did it hurt. Thankfully turtles dont have teeth.

People stopped coming to the nature lodge around 1140. So me and Sylvia cleaned up. She had been having a snack. She did not want to touch the snake. But she did pet Nellie. Brave girl.

We finished at the lodge and headed out. We had an hour or so drive to the mall to hang out with Jess. And while the drive was just fine, I was struggling to keep my eyes open. I was glad we were getting lunch as soon as we got there.

Sylvia slept the whole drive. And when we arrived she was a sweetie and excited to see Jess. We got over to the restaurant. We got our food. Sylvia got 2 California buns, which were steamed buns with avacado, cucumber, and tempura crabstick. She really liked the crabstick. She would eat almost eveything. And me and Jess got to talk about work and food and me and James's upcoming trip and our new budgeting plan. It was a good time.

We would walk around the mall. We got fun drinks. Sylvia drank most of my fun drink. We found some adorable dinosaur sandals for Sylvia. And Sylvie would get some playtime in the play zone.

The mall was weirdly hot. I was enjoying walking around. But the very best part was the dog adoption event. Because they had puppies. And I got to hold a puppy and they licked my face and I smooched them and cuddled them and it was just the best. I don't particularly want a dog. But man do I love a puppy. This one wae particularly sweet. I hope they find the very best home.

Jess made me give the puppy back. Which was fair because I wss very tempted.

We walked the rest of the mall. We had wanted candy but it seems the store closed. Dang.

I was getting tired. But I also wanted to meet Jess's new chick's. And her foster kitten, Fig. So we headed back to the cars and drove to her house.

Sylvia would fall and hit her face on the coffee table almost immediately. Big tears. She had also fallen in the play zone. My poor little lady. But she calmed. And got to pet the kitten and the chicks. And it was so cute seeing her interact. I was shocked how tiny Fig is. I barely remember sweetp being that small. It was so fun to hold her. It was great how many baby animals I got to hold today. My favorite.

I got an alert on my phone about a thunderstorm. So it was time to go home. Jess helped get baby in the car. Big hugs. And we were off.

The drive was fine. I felt like I was drifting a lot. But Sylvie slept until right before we got home. I enjoyed a podcast. Sylvie slept with her neck weird and woke up crying. James would come put to carry her but she was so upset I had to take her out and stand on the sidewalk to try and calm her. She was still crying when James got to us. Poor little lamb.

It was dinner and bedtime for Sylvia. She had a bath. Stacked her rubber ducks. And when she was done I would take a shower. And James made me a quesadilla. And we hung out on the couch. I was drifting off. I was so tired.

We came upstairs. Sylvie woke up so I went to reset her. Big hug. Rearrange her stuffies. New paci. A second story. And she was soon out.

We have been in bed since then. I am very much looking forward to going to sleep.