Tilt-a-Squirrel

Been busy trying to take care of myself. That part of my life is harder than anything else. Allergies are kicking up, and I feel like crap-on-a-stick. Sleepy, achy, and living as if my head is in the clouds.

Should have gone to the shop today, but couldn't move off the couch. I really want Purple Squirrel to succeed, but finding the energy is so difficult.

Going to Indiana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon. No, really. Renter is moving out, after her partner died suddenly in November. She can't stand staying in the same house, and has found a place a walk from her job. Sweetie has a personal day available, so will be going sometime early March to check out the property and dance with the ghosts at our old house. Glad that he is going with, because I don't think I could handle everything right now by my lone self.

Have felt so overwhelmed with life recently. Have to deal with taxes here shortly, but I at least have my paperwork in order for that. Therapy is helping. My therapist is wonderful, and not the least judgmental. Worth every dime, even though sometimes, I just sit and talk about my week. And am now getting weekly allergy shots, and have found a health food store and a great grocery store, and visit them every week when I am Columbia for my health things. Trying to eat more raw foods, more organic foods and all that hippie stuff. Maybe soon my allergies won't be kicking my ass so hard.

We women find it hard, mostly, to look after our own selves. We are last on every 'To Do' list. I am trying to make myself at least more the middle. Birthday tomorrow, turning 55. I have no idea how I lived and got this old. But a funny thing; a friend on fb complained about her restaurant neighbors, who chatting loudly about their personal friendship problems. I was able to comment that anymore, I don't hesitate to give them advise. And if they say anything such as 'mind your own bidness,' I act all innocent and say that I thought they were having a public, not private, conversation. Getting older has its rewards.

Welcome

You know what I like doing at my shop? (The newly named Purple Squirrel.) I like saying to my customers, "Your total comes to 15.73, please." And when I give them their change and/or merchandise, I tell them "Thank you, and please come back." These are words that I so seldom hear in a retail experience, and that I take particular notice of it. 

In my opinion, the customer is what makes my shop exist. Small pleasantries such as welcome, please, and thank you are part of the retail experience. A person may not buy anything that day, and that's okay. I do and say the same things. But if the ambiance of the store is good, that person will likely go back to that place, or at least tell their friends how nice that shopkeeper was. 

Just my little opinion of the day. Small acts of kindness help to make another person happy.

It's a quarter until six, and there is still light outside! And a bit o' snow, which makes the world even brighter.

My fasting blood glucose has dropped, in the last month(!), from 232 to 135 today.

My blood pressure 121/80.

I have lost five pounds. 

And I am so excited and yet so very exhausted. My plate is very full. Still getting all the paperwork together for the new store, but since the offices were closed for Lincoln's Day, I will have to wait until tomorrow to get the help I need.

My depression isn't awful bad, but I am tired and sleepy and sometimes weepy. That may be because of all the pills I am taking. Thank goodness I can nap when I need to, and sometimes I sleep about 18 hours a day. 

I have not knit one damn stitch in a week.

 Purple Squirrel

Steve McQueen

• So. Shall I do bullet points? I believe it is my best option right now. 
• Thank you all for your kind regards about my diabetes. Y'all be sweet!
• The change in diet and the additional meds for the diabetes and the cholesterol and the high blood pressure have been a Total Monster eating at my brain. 
• However, it seems to be working. My blood glucose is mostly below 200 already.
• Thank goodness for Wednesdays, which is the day I go to Columbia for therapy and allergy shots. There is also a spiffy Goodwill, and I have found the grocery store of my dreams.
• HyVee is an employee-owned store with a produce section that is bigger than many markets. The employees are polite and ones food is placed in ones cart, unlike certain other stores. Ahem. 
• There is an incredible amount of organic food, as well as bulk buying for things from red jasmine rice to hummus mix. Then there is the bakery, the seafood, and meat departments.
• I spent as much there today as I often do at my local grocery store, especially when I am out of almost everything - and I feel that I got so much more value for my bucks.
• Columbia is not a great huge town; but it the home of Missouri University, aka Mizzou, so it is geared toward a younger, hipper crowd. 
• There is also a vintage JoAnn's shop, not far from any of my destinations, and that also makes me happy. 
• Almost lastly, I have been in my sewing studio for the last few days making hippie clothes, and that has made me happier still. Not making the same stupid feed sack bag over and over.
• I have decided to get a tax # and a business license for my little cottage. 
• It will be called Purple Squirrel.
• I thought it would be an unusual name, to draw in the younger, hip crowd as they travel betwixt St. Louis and points west.
• According to the Urban Dictionary, it is an actual phrase, and not dirty or derogatory. 
• Purple Squirrel
• Actually lastly, I have decided to cut my hair very short and let the grey grow out. I am tired of fooling with it. I would, however, love to find a quality wig ala the B52s. In several colors.
• Time to get my freak on.