This Was My February

This is my second monthly review in 2024 and I am late again, which is surprising because I am never late. In real life I am always early, I even trick my husband into accidental punctuality. (Long story).

Just like my calendar advised me, in February I believed to be unstoppable and even though it was a short month, I got a lot done. It feels good to be caught up, everything coming in now will be out of my workroom no later than June 30th. That’s a good feeling. Now let me knock on wood for smooth sailing. “No more curveballs Universe, you hear me.” Did the universe just chuckle?

How can it be already March? I need to live more in the moment, to make time stop flying by me.

Health/Eating

I am back on track on a plant-based diet, which makes all the difference in the world to me. Sinuses are clear, hands and fingers are slim, no swelling from RA at all. I don’t have night sweats anymore, I sleep through. Finally I found the right combination to calm the Hamster in the wheel down. Magnesium Citrate drink “Calm”, a Vitamin D/Calcium sugar-free gummy and a CQ10 supplement. I suppose everybody who can take Melatonin probably smiles at my attempt to get a good night sleep back. What can I say, Menopause got me. 🙂

My favorite new recipe in February: A Fennel/Orange Salad

2 Fennel
3 Oranges
1 TBS Honey
1 TBS Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Garnish with dill, watercress, or any other herbs you have on hand.

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Reading

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When I first read the title it shocked me. Wow, someone else had experienced what I had felt and instantly I relieved the moment when I found out that my mother had died. A friend in Austria had sent me an email, attached was a photo of a newspaper. My mother died in 2010, I found out one year later and all I felt was relief. “She can never hurt me again.” I was 48 back then, hadn’t seen my mother in 30 years, hadn’t lived with her in 41 years, still all I felt was peace. “She is finally gone, out of my mind, out of my life, gone from this planet.” I turned around, looked outside and wondered if I should feel bad, not about her death, but about my comfort. I decided to be at peace with it as well. It was an honest emotion.

Now back to the book. Yes, the title is shocking as it should be. I was thinking, who publicly puts words out like this? Was her mother as bad as mine. What did her mother do to her? That title had me intrigued and how could it not. Of course, I am not the only child who had terrible parents, so many others lived through similar circumstances and for much longer. Jennette, the author, went through a great deal of horrible pain and suffering due to her mother’s manipulative, abusive demands. It was bad enough for a reader to envision her story, but then, to read about Jennette living recklessly, it became even harder to read.

It’s a hard read, an honest book. We never know what goes on behind closed doors. My mother and my father, seemed to be the perfect parents, the loving couple. I have been told so by many -years later.

I am glad stories like this get written and I am glad we have access to it. If other people can live through it, we can read through it (just not too often).

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TV and Music

We binge-watched Loudermilk and were hooked after the second episode. It is so different and so refreshing. The story of a sober alcoholic (played by Livingston who shines in this role). A likable cynic who finds a way to generally do the right thing as he sorts his own life out. He is an addiction recovery group leader who is rarely a fountain of positivity but is nevertheless extremely good at what he does because he is relatable. On a certain level, everyone can identify with his outlook. It’s an insightful comedy-drama portraying the real struggles. Great cast and writing. I recommend it!

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Work

Nothing dramatic, no mind-blowing upholstery or restoration. Just work, work, work and I had fun

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A simple wingback chair

Cushion, pillows and more pillows for a couch and two chairs -I forgot to take the picture of the actually pieces. I can be such a muppet.

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If some of these pieces could talk, I bet these chairs (two of them) could tell a story. They were handcrafted in Egypt over thirty years ago. The furniture had old dried hay in it and all of it had been sewn by hand. The owners brought them with them when they moved to the United States. I felt honored to work on them.

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And a sunroom transformation. Afterward I told myself to never touch a recliner again (and I hope I will stick with it.)

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I ordered myself a new set of mugs, after I broke my favorite on and when they arrived they were more beautiful than I had imagined. I am ready for spring and some color -can you tell?

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Dogs! They didn’t complain much when they had to play inside during the coldest week of the year.

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Our Vader got a new bed, which finally allows him to stretch out and he can sleep on his back. His favorite position -he stays like that for hours.

Don’t you want to be a dog when you see that?

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