Second Time’s the Charm

Even though I went to bed early last night (10 p.m.), and found myself wide awake at 12:45 a.m., the exhausted feeling of the day before was gone.

Sometimes being around other people, no matter whom they are, can drain a body. So, being successful in erasing the border yesterday, in that I had time alone to myself – did not go anywhere, see anyone, did me a world of good.

Though I wasn’t my usual high-energy self today, due to last night’s sleepus interruptus, which was the result of an angry gut, I’d managed to fall back asleep around 3:00, slept until 7:00, and had sufficient energy to get out, get gas, coffee, run by Home Depot for cleaning products, and Joanns for more fabric.

I’m finding that the older I get, the fewer foods I can eat without a resulting upset stomach. Anything with wheat or soy as an ingredient is off the list, and now it appears the gut doesn’t like turkey dogs, so they too are off the list.

The trip to Joanns for more fabric was necessitated by a huge mistake I made with the fabric previously purchased for the Halloween Costume.

When the pattern arrived in yesterday’s mail, I was so excited to get started that I immediately pinned the pattern to the fabric and cut without double checking  the pattern measurements at bustline.

Once I’d stitched the back to the right front/left front and tried on for fit, it became clear the pattern should have been expanded.

It’s just a costume, thought I, doesn’t have to be perfect. So thinking about how the designers on Project Runway solved similar problems with a “Make it work moment” of adding panels, I took the work apart and began adding fabric to the sides and shoulders.

Without a dress dummy, as they have on Project Runway, it was a tedious process; and being as how I’m a bit of a perfectionist and the tediousness was getting to me, I decided to head to the fabric store this morning to repurchase fabric and begin again.

The decision to make the costume, rather than purchase, was based on budget; but, at this rate, doesn’t look like there’s much savings involved. However, the second try is coming out nicely.

Expecting lots of interest in today’s 3:00 Residents/Management meeting – the first since Nurse Ratched was escorted off the premises, wanting to get a good seat for the show, I headed down to the Community Room at 2:30.

Met the new Complex Manager.

She’s young. Younger than the Assistant Manager, but seems nice, friendly, smiles, not all stuck up and full of herself as Nurse Ratched was, and said what she had to say without threats and lies, so it’s looking good.

Not much else new was discussed except, by year’s end, we will not have to pay for carport parking.

I declined to hoop and holler with others in the room at this announcement. Those approving the change are probably those who do not now have carport parking, opted for uncovered parking, because they didn’t want to pay for it and, in future, will be getting it free. Instead, when the Assistant Manager asked, “So everyone’s happy about that?” I replied, “No, I’d rather pay for parking, keep my current carport spot, rather than have to hassle for a spot.”

I was assured spots would be “assigned” but, after the meeting, I introduced myself to the New Manager, said “I like you already because you’re friendly, but I’d just better be “assigned” my same spot.”

One old lady was not that nice about it, “I’ve been here 11 years. If you change my carport spot, I’ll be calling my lawyer”.