Monday, May 12, 2014 

Caught up on two editing jobs this morning after walking and feeding the pups. Was warm today. Low 80s. But the pollen and mold counts are exceptionally high. Sat out on the porch for a while. Rob had blessedly replaced two of the screens. This is a huge job. If I could afford it, I would get a new porch system. As it is, we have to replace 26 windows and install screens. Not an easy job.

After breakfast on the porch and later lunch on the porch, I sat with a cup of tea. By then, I was so wiped out, I fell asleep on the glider. Nice not to have to do any more planting for now. Mulching and weeding, yes. But most of the planting is done. Only lost two plants this winter: my Mediterranean plants, Erica. A disappointment, but I replaced them with some lovely annuals. We needed more color out front anyhow.

Preparing for the wedding shower soon. Bonnie’s daughter Amy will be having a wedding shower here. Can’t wait. Porch is in decent shape, and I think I can manage 20 women. Will be fun to have an “event” here. We’ll see how Valentino behaves!

Rains on the way. Coming from Bernville. Bugs are going wild and clustering around your face. I went for a walk before it began. Nice to get out. Have not been to the gym in 2 weeks. Prefer to be outside now that the weather is better. But I need to continue to go for toning.

Mom ate very little lunch. I didn’t feel like dealing too much with her, as I burned my finger badly on the stove. Had a plate too close to the flame. That sucker gets hot! But I decided mom needed a shower nonetheless. Rob and I both noticed the need. It’s hard to bear when your once pristine mother smells worse than a child. Her “underpants” as she calls them hold in the moisture and contribute to the foul odor. Someone should invent a diaper that breathes. But at least she has no serious problem with her bowels. N was telling me how her daughter’s grandmother-in-law digs down into the diapers and flings her mess onto the wall. I will just count my blessings while I have them.

Mom is watching Steve Harvey again and seems to be comfortable in her dark, airless room. She asks that shutters and windows be closed. This is nothing new, but how she has always lived. Mom was never a fan of light and air. Fortunately, we have central air, and she won’t be able to turn off a window A/C, as she did in NJ.

On to more work. Have a book I should be getting to. More anon…