Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.
I am posting today to give you a bit of a life update. I don’t have much to say these days (or only things that don’t belong on a public blog) and I struggle to find the time and something to post about. I don’t want this space to become a venting place, especially because I am usually a very optimistic person but nothing feels very optimistic right now.
* * *
My mother-in-law is still doing poorly. She’s been moved between hospitals three times and is now in a care facility. It’s been almost four weeks since she was hospitalized (again). She has compounding issues and nobody knows what got this all started, but I don’t see her going home anytime soon. She currently requires full-time care. Jon and I were down in SoCal for another week in February but then had to come home because I have no more telework flexibilities as of last week.
To top it off, now my niece (in Germany) has also been hospitalized with no diagnosis yet. It’s so frustrating.
* * *
I just returned from the Stand Up for Science rally at our State Capitol. As you know, I am a scientist and the slashing of funding and disregard for science by the current administration is personal to me. The turnout at the rally was pretty decent, there were some good speakers and people had really great signs. I liked one that said, “Your inability to understand science is not an argument against it”. I mean, if certain people (ahem) would at least like to be educated or ask good questions before making rash decisions that would be fantastic.
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I’ve been participating in the SUMMIIT Climb event (you virtually climb a mountain on the Peloton bike – I picked Haleakala, which is 10,000 of vertical elevation) this week and it’s been great to have something to focus on. I am feeling my fitness coming back, as my climbs have gotten stronger and stronger over the course of this week. I am anticipating to finish tomorrow. I have 1,000 feet to climb left. There’s (almost) nothing a good sweat can’t fix.
* * *
I’ve been trying to keep the F.I.G.s going (in my personal planer) but it’s been another hard week. But here are a couple of good things:
- I had a coffee date and a good chat with my co-worker. We went to a new coffee shop called the “Grumpy Mule”—the logo is a kicking mule—and that name delighted me to no end.
- I’ve been keeping up my morning meditation routine and it’s a great start to my day.
- Learning that Birchie will be making her way out to California in May and that she will (hopefully) be able to meet up with Julie and me!
- The baby owls fledged and left the nest! They still hang around in the trees close by but they’re not in the nest anymore all the time. And while it’s sad to not be able to observe them anymore, it means they’re now independent!
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-cream. I might have done a little emotional eating this week.
- Hot showers! The climb rides leave me completely soaked and that cools me off pretty quickly. There’s nothing better than stepping into a hot shower afterward. (I couldn’t agree more with Nicole that running (hot) water is probably one of the most amazing things to not take for granted!)
Your turn! Tell me something good!
Lisa’s Yarns
March 8, 2025 at 4:48 amI’m so sorry to hear that your mother-in-law is doing poorly and requires full-time care. I hate that you don’t have the remote work capabilities that you once had!! Gah this just makes me so angry!!
I’m glad you were able to find some glimmer of happiness amidst it’s a very challenging time. I’ve been feeling so depressed about the state of the world and I’m just waiting for some sense of hope that things are going to change.
Birchie
March 8, 2025 at 5:46 amAh balance…what to do when there are good things but so many more hard things. Yes appreciate the good things but also a little [and sometimes a lot of] ranting is called for. I know first hand that it’s miserable to have work or family issues, and quadruply miserable to have both at the same time.
I’m sending prayers and love to your MIL and niece <3 <3 <3, and applaud the Stand Up for Science Rally.
Yep, folks heard it here first! I will be coming out to CA in the "near enough that I have a plane ticket for it" future and I cannot wait!
Nicole MacPherson
March 8, 2025 at 7:04 amOh my goodness, your mother-in-law! This is just awful, San, and then your niece? I’m so sorry.
But you want something good, so something good you shall have! It’s spring here in the Okanagan, I am noticing little blips of green and little swellings of buds. It’s SO exciting. When I lived in Calgary, spring was so late and it regularly snowed into May, so it’s thrilling to live in place where spring means spring! I am going to weed the veggie beds today in preparation for Rob to top them up with more soil. I love gardening so much.
I’m sorry things are so shitty right now. You’re on my mind a lot. xo
Ernie
March 8, 2025 at 7:45 amI’m so sorry to hear that your MIL is not doing well. That’s so concerning and stressful to be far away. Thinking of all of you. I hope they resolve your nieces’s issue soon.
The mint chocolate chip mention – well played, I am with you as I had some emotional eating moments this week too.
My good thing: coach and I and the 4 youngest are currently barreling west- heading to Omaha to visit Tank and attend his school’s last home game of the season.
Lindsay
March 8, 2025 at 2:43 pmI’m sending you and your family good thoughts – the weight of all of that (on top of the world) is a lot. My good thing: I “rescued” these glass orbs my aunt had hanging in the tree in front of her house and put them in the tree in front of my house and they’re just so fun and nostalgic and whimsical. Definitely not my Mr’s style, but I’m considering them balance for his ridiculous Christmas decorations haha!
Ally Bean
March 9, 2025 at 5:08 amYour five items look like something good. And thus I’ve told you something good!
Rachel
March 9, 2025 at 2:02 pmI am sorry things are so tough right now. I am thinking of you and hoping that things get better soon. In a book I just read about the 1901 dictionary the characters talk about “getting the morbs” which is apparently victorian slang for feeling down. I am sorry that you have the morbs right now – the world can be heavy sometimes.
Mint chip ice cream is the best flavour.
Jenny
March 9, 2025 at 3:43 pmThings are difficult enough without health issues! I know you’ve been dealing with your MIL’s problem for a while now. I sure hope your niece is okay!
I like that you’re keeping up with the figs. Yes we still need them.
Birchie is really on a blogger binge! I’m envious- you guys will have a lot of fun.
Kim
March 11, 2025 at 1:03 pmI am so sorry about your mother-in-law and niece, especially that you can’t be with them as much (or at all). <3
Stephany
March 11, 2025 at 6:22 pmOh man, I am really sorry to hear that your MIL is doing poorly and needs full-time care. And I’m even MORE sorry that you can’t be there with here since you no longer have the work flexibility. That SUCKS.
I hope they are able to find out what’s wrong with your niece. That’s scary!
My something good: My friend and I released our first episode of our podcast in 6 months! It feels good to be back to that creative project.
coco
March 12, 2025 at 1:42 amsorry to hear your MIL is in hospital. dealing with aging parent is hard and stressful.
and summitt event sounds fun. I don’t have a peloton bike, I wish I had so I can do those fun events.
FIGs are super important especially during hard times. I will start writing one line per day in my journal too to remind myself to be grateful regardless of what’s happening.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
March 13, 2025 at 12:08 amUg, sorry to hear about your MIL and niece; I hope that things become more clear soon for you all. I am happy to hear that you are going to be able to meet Birchie and Julie though! That will be a nice ray of sunshine! Both of them are wonderful people and I can’t say enough good things about them.
Daria
March 13, 2025 at 9:18 amSo sorry to hear about your MIL and niece.
I commend you to standing up for science. It’s atrocious what’s going on.
Something good on my part…
Everyone is healthy and spring is here. The air of fresh in the mornings and the birds are chirping. The wood pecker is drilling. We have food. We have each other. I can walk.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
March 22, 2025 at 4:40 amI am so so sorry you are having such a difficult year with so much heartache. I would give you a hug friend. If you need to complain we understand and feel free to vent if it helps.