Sunday, October 4, 2009

Linens

How many sets of sheets do you need? I mean, how many are too few, how many too many? Should there be one set for every month or every season? Changing them at least weekly, of course, but do you leave the bed naked while they wash and put the same ones back on? Or do you buy all the same kind so there is always a fresh set but the bed always looks the same? Or change it up and surprise your husband with a new look every week?

I ask because I always want to buy sheets. I can't stay away from the linen section. That 100% cotton, 300+ thread count king set on sale just beckons to me. And now that we're back in California with our king bed that isn't a California king, those king sets are harder to find here. Shouldn't I buy them just because I don't know if I'll find them again when I really need them? Buying them on the Internet isn't the same. I have to hold the package in my hand, really see the color and read the label. Does it have deep pockets? What's the thread count? Where is it made?

And how do you know when you need new sheets, not just want them? Do they wear out? Does the elastic go? That hasn't happened to me, but maybe because I have too many sets so they never get a chance to wear out. Again, what's too many?

And we use a down comforter, so duvet covers just open up all kinds of possibilities. How do I know if I have enough duvet covers or if I have too many? Or not enough? These I change with the season and the weather. Different weights and textures: flannel versus flat weave versus denim weight; casual versus formal versus seasonal themes. That means as soon as the weather cools off the flannel fall leaf patterned duvet cover goes on, as do the matching flannel sheets. (And the electric blanket, but that's a different topic.)

Just yesterday I bought a set of hotel-white 350 thread count sheets and a new lightweight duvet cover in pewter and white - a totally new color scheme for me. I'm kind of excited about a new look. But it's October - do I put on the new white sheets now, before the flannel sheets come out or should I wait until next spring, when the flannel comes off?

Maybe this is why I have anxiety? I think I need to remove the question mark from my keyboard now. And perhaps I shouldn't write at midnight on a Sunday. My sage green 400 thread count sheets and the summer weight green and white duvet cover are waiting. I think I'll change those tomorrow. Maybe I'll try the white sheets. Maybe.... oh, good grief and good night.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Yes, yes, I'm here

So, where were we?

When last we met I was working on the weight thing. Still going, down 22.6 pounds as of today. Yeah, I know it's slow, but isn't it better than being up 22.6 pounds? 30 more (or so) to go. At this rate, I'll be there for summer 2010. That'll work. Gives me time to clean out the 4 sizes of clothes in my closet. I won't have to shop for a long time.

Somehow life ran away with me in the last 5 or 6 weeks. Or I with it. Let's see if we can get back on track.

September was a very challenging time. Two of my dear friends lost their mothers and my second cousin decided to end his life. My cousin is - was - a Catholic priest in Japan and had recently been struggling with mental illness. He destroyed his computer files that held 40+ years of geneology research for which he had traveled the globe. He also destroyed much of the art work he had done during his 20 years in Japan. His remains will stay in Japan. We don't know the details and his siblings don't want to know. I bet he is getting quite a scolding from my great-aunt about this one. We can only think that he was very, very ill and not the man we knew all these years. God bless him and his siblings he leaves behind.

On a much brighter and hopeful note, the charity Long Beach Basket Brigade held their - our - first ever fundraiser in September and we raised somewhere around $12,000, or about 50% of the cost of providing 600 baskets to hungry families in Long Beach at Thanksgiving. Work to go on that front, BUT I have the Pathways to Independence fundraiser next weekend to focus on, so I'll get back to that after Pathways. And, course, my full time job takes some time out of my week.

Which brings me to the other twist September brought - I've developed anxiety. Me. Yes, me. The one who CAN be all things to all people all the time and who can't do a half-assed job because that's just not done. I win awards, I excel, I am the role model, I am the leading practice, I am the overachiever, the leader, the example. I've been through far more stress than a couple of fundraisers balanced with work. A LOT more. And I've been just fine, thank you. Ask my former therapists!

The doctor tells me that racing, flight-or-fight feeling I have, that live wire buzzing inside that wakes me up at night and feels like someone is pushing a stick on my solar plexus is, indeed, your garden variety anxiety.

I'm still not buying it. I think we need Dr. House.