Friday already! Let’s get into it.
Work & Tech Stuff
AmTrust interview, as I mentioned before, didn’t go great. It was a no. So…at least I don’t have to make that decision I was dreading? Sure! That. So I’ve got the System Seals interview to look forward to, and I did have a good call with a recruiter yesterday from a (hurk) collections agency. But haven’t heard back from him since, so I guess they’re not interested. Onward.
I did get some personal project stuff done! As I am typing this, my Pick Up Your Socks UI is open on my left screen, complete with three goals rendered with truly terrible styling. I’m not sure I’ll have a chance to work on it anymore today, but if I do, we’re gonna add a spot to add a goal and get it sent back to the database. Wooo! (And when I say “we” I do mean…me and ChatGPT.)
Writing
Haven’t continued my story yet, but. BUT. I did start Story Genius by Lisa Cron, and it’s getting some good gears spinning. I think it will be a great way to think about the story I actually do want to write.
Reading
Reading is going fine. I finished Salem’s Lot yesterday and now have Running on Empty in my ears, which is great. Lots of stuff to process there. I’ve been making steady progress on both Bad Therapy and So You Married a Human, too. And of course, Story Genius. Oh, and How to Be Good at Life, which is really great in 10-minute morning-reading chunks. Wow, too many books going at on time.
Other Creative Pursuits
Nothing to report here, really. Well, wait! I’ve been getting back into doing my piano lessons and practice sessions! And does puzzling count? I’m finally making progress on my Sherlock Holmes mystery puzzle. Phew.
Health
Weight is under control. I missed Wednesday’s lower-body workout and still need to do today’s full-body. Which…I’ll do after this. Promise. Fingers crossed.
Home Projects
I DID THE BASEMENT!!!! On Saturday Theda was complaining about never being able to paint the walls because it was always so messy because we never reminded her to clean up her messes, blah blah blah. I don’t know, something snapped. (In a good way, not the scream-at-your-kids result of something snapping.) I was like, “Okay, let’s clean it up right. Now.” Started with the boxes and paper, got that up, got a good rhythm going, and finished the whole thing minus the enormous couch boxes the kids had been using as forts. Well. After Vespers I mentioned to the kids that, once we got the last of the boxes out of the basement I’d install the electric keyboard. They were all about that. Ambrose started moving one of the boxes himself (but got stuck at the stairs, because the boxes are monstrous, after all.) With help from Jarrod and Paul, we got the boxes up. I pulled the keyboard out of its (ill-advised — really, who the heck put it there and why?) hidey-hole between the storage racks, unboxed it, stuck it on the stand, and plugged it in. The kids immediately began fighting over whose turn it was to play. Good times. And man the basement looks amazing now. Feels amazing now, too — to go down there and not be confronted with mess.
That said, there’s still a bit of work to be done. I need to figure out a solution for the kids’ dress-up box and some other miscellaneous toys, and get rid of the dollhouse the girls have never really used. I’d also like to figure out how to make it more comfy down there? Like, seating? Lights? I’m not sure. But it’s like, 95% of the way there. Which feels pretty great.
Family & Adventures:
- I signed up to help out at Liesl’s class Halloween party next Wednesday. I’m pretty excited. She is too. Perks of unemployment: I’ve finally been able to volunteer at the kids’ school as much as I want to.
- Ambrose is currently on a class overnight trip to a place called Nature’s Classroom. Jarrod and I were both worried about whether he would actually sleep last night or just stay up all night fretting, but we didn’t get any calls from the school or the camp, so he must have survived into today.
- Theda continues her crafting and art kick. She wants to learn to knit, and in the absence of yarn has started a weaving project, using a loom she’s created out of cardboard. What a funny, crafty child.
- Ambrose and Liesl, meanwhile, are leaning into their creative sides by killing the piano practice sessions. We love Mr. Hoffman!
Action Items:
- Cash my sister the $100 I owe her! Geez. Louize. With cheeze.
- Get started with VB.NET learning so I don’t utterly flail in my interview.