Cranky Old Person (COP for short)

That would be me. Cranky and old. Allow me to elaborate:

1. Rain. Pouring a lot of the day. Didn't get to exercise, take a walk at the park. The rain didn't really stop me [I have an umbrella], but other things did.
2. Infected finger. I don't know how it happened but it swelled and it hurt and it changed colors over the past couple of days, and I've been too overwhelmed and scattered to get to a doctor. So tonight, I iced it, H. lanced it, and I soaked it in warm water with Epsom Salt gotten at our dear friends' home. This is not my idea of a relaxing Sunday night.
3. Temper, temper. Dad's world getting smaller and smaller, his demands irking me more and more, my patience wearing thinner and thinner. Frayed. Stressful visit. H. going tomorrow so I get a day off.
4. Bucket seat. Had to move car into driveway in downpour at 10 P.M.--forgot I'd left it on the street for two days. Turns out I left window open a bit. Giant puddle of water on seat. Joy, joy, wet jeans and underwear. Perfect topper for the day.

Yet glimmers of hope. Victor, a wise man at the Montclair Counseling Center, who gave H. and me some good advice yesterday. Mounds of leaves raked, bagged, hauled to curb. Garden uncovered, bush pruned, shrubs trimmed--promises of roses and apples next year. All Christmas music all the time on 106.7 FM. A trip to Whole Foods to buy beautiful plants for people--a candy cane amaryllis, a purple orchid, an amaryllis still hiding its beauty in the sealed bloom [that one for Dad's windowsill].

George and Lydia's annual party, lavish and fun as always, this time with caviar, a champagne tasting, tender sliced beef, perfect ham and impossibly good tuna tartar with warm rock shrimp served in little cups by Billy, the chef they hire every year. And the most important party favor of all, warm neighbors. On the way out, decadent chocolate cake pops to take home.

Homemade dinner at our Mernins' tonight [where my small pal Nikki lives], the friends who gave me sympathy and the Epsom Salt. They are gracious and kind.

Here's hoping we can all dash into a happy week. Good night.