Forest of the Plains

This past weekend I learned that something that has bugged me for years is actually done intentionally by professionals.

Whenever I look at floors which have been newly covered with something that creates a pattern (like linoleum or tile) I wonder why they didn't calculate the materials correctly. The edges of the floor covering always is cut so that it does not have a complete square at the edges. I always wonder if they just didn't measure correctly or if they were too lazy to do it right. And then having cut squares around all sides of a room just drives me batty.

Four days ago I was informed that this phenomena occurs because having incomplete squares around the edges "makes it look better". I have spent the past four days, armed with my new knowledge, assessing floors. I still think that having complete (as in not-cut) squares looks better!

I had this conversation this morning:

Client: “Are you pregnant?”
Me: “Yes, I am.”
Client: “I thought so, your nose looks bigger than normal. Are you feeling the baby move yet?”
Me: “Yes, I'm just starting to.”
Client: “You must me at 4.5 months then. You know my sister-in-law had two still births, and with both of them she felt them move the whole pregnancy, but they were still still births. I told her to pray and for her to make that man of hers pray, too. And he needed to stop taking so much of the drink. Then he made lots of promises to God, and he kept them, too.”

I assumed that conversations like this would be plentiful, which is why I haven't broadcast my pregnancy to my clients. I left before learning if “that man” keeping promises to God resulted in a live birth. And, I'm still confused why my big nose was a hint about my pregnancy, but my big belly wasn't!

My innie is slowly becoming an outie.

Mysterious purple lines are appearing on my legs and belly.

I can't always wear my wedding ring for the whole day - my hands tend to swell.

Things seems to move in slow motion. I've been told this is because I'm moving slower.

Picking something up off the floor takes concentration and odd sideways bending.

Two nights ago, it was 60F in our bedroom and I woke up because I was hot.

A snoogle is required sleeping equipment.

There are only 4 stores in the mall where I can purchase shirts - and only two where I want to do so.

Today marks 20.5 weeks - my official half way point. Just another 20.5 and we'll have a baby!

The relationships you inherit via marriage can be interesting. I first met Stan at a wedding shower. He brought a hoe and rake decorated with raffia and ribbon. And he apologized that Arlene couldn't be there. Arlene had cancer, and this was not a good day for her. I learned that Arlene dearly loved gardening and she was pleased to see we had registered for gardening tools.

I met Arlene about two years later when we took a meal to her. I was impressed with her strong spirit, despite the turmoil cancer was causing in her brain. She died about a year after that visit.

I am not a gardener. (Though maybe I was in another life because it seems like something I should enjoy.) But, each spring I get out my garden tools to plant a few flowers and spread mulch around the bushes. And each spring I think of Arlene.

Somehow this surprises me. I work with low-income seniors, so I consider myself to be in touch with people who are less privileged than myself. In the past week I have discovered that I live in a secure bubble and need to get out more.

First, I do not know if Medicaid will pay for a client's much needed oral surgery. Along with this, I do not know if Medicaid provides any coverage for specialists. It is difficult to help clients access services if I don't know if the services even exist!

Second, I need to find an apartment for John and me to live in after our current house sells but the new house isn't renovated yet. I want a two-bedroom with washer/dryer hookup where I will not see drug deals out the front window. I do not know which apartment complexes in the area will offer me these amenities without having income requirements and have to call each one.

I used to know these things. Do they have a sheltered workshop where I could be re-acclimated with the real world?

My in-laws have been giving me Pfaltzgraff dishes with the Winterberry pattern for every gift-giving occasion during the past year. Since I'm a rather picky person, this works out great for both of us!

This January, I accidently threw away the stopper for the pepper shaker. The next day I realized my mistake, but the trash was already gone. I searched the Pfattzgraff website hoping to be able to purchase a new stopper without buying a whole new salt & pepper shaker set. I couldn't find single stoppers anywhere, so I decided to email their customer service.

They promptly sent me three stoppers for free. At least there are still some businesses that know what customer service means!

I've been using Bloglines for a couple of weeks now. It's a free service where you tell the website your favorite blogs, sources of news, etc. and the site keeps track if any of your favorites has a new story. That way you can just log into one site and see new content for many sites.

This is a great concept with one huge flaw. Bloglines saves me so much time that I'm going to have to find another way to procrastinate. Never fear, I've been a stellar procrastinator in the past and I'm sure I'll find a way!

On Sunday John was at a fundraiser for several hours. I had a brilliant idea and made him an apple pie. (While using my new apple peeler/corer/slicer with stand from Pampered Chef.)

John called me on his way home. There was some leftover food and he was bringing some home. He didn't tell me what kind of food, though I tried very hard to get it out of him.

John walked in the door. We met each other with big smiles, sure that we were about to please the other person. At least John brought home a peach pie so we got a little variety!