I have never seen this cactus bloom before, let alone in August! Must have been our recent monsoon.
I’m wondering what happened with the week? It rushed by. Usually the dog days of summer in the desert are slow to pass. But not this week.
What was I up to this week?
On the weekend, we made dinner for newish friends of ours. We cooked an all American meal of ribs (my husband), potato salad, corn on the cob and cherry pie (me.) We met these friends at the funeral of our friend who introduced me to my husband 40 years ago. He died suddenly from Valley Fever after we moved to Arizona. Our friends we had over for dinner were his brother and wife who moved to Arizona from Seattle. A circle of new friends all bought homes in Arizona, including us and another couple from Kirkland, because of this one friend. We’ve all pledged to keep his memory alive and get together several times a year.
The next busy moments came Monday morning meeting to brainstorm with my newsletter co-hort to write and layout the quarterly HOA newsletter. I’m proud to say that after 30-plus years of “newslettering,” I returned to my roots. We initiated a new process this issue that worked and the President of the HOA approved.
I compiled all the copy in a word document and sent it to the board to approve — prior to spending hours laying it out. This was similar to my early PR days, before desktop publishing and Mac computers. I would drive copy to the typesetter and then get it approved before giving copy to graphic designers to layout. Or, do the layout myself.
This is saved me countless revisions. It was annoying to have the newsletter all ready to go, and then have five board members give their two cents worth on what to change — one by one.
Other than the newsletter, which took up most of Monday and Tuesday, I had my first hair appointment since April. My hairdresser, who I love, went on maternity leave and it wasn’t worth it to me to try someone new for a one off appointment. It was fun to learn how my hairdresser is totally amazed and feels blessed with motherhood. She wasn’t expecting the dramatic love and emotions she’s experiencing now.
Thursday was a doctor’s appointment for my husband that I drove to. It was his final cataract appointment. He has new-fangled lenses that can be adjusted post-surgery with a laser light. It meant four or five extra appointments, but it’s supposed to make vision sharper.
Now that it’s Friday, we’re meeting friends who moved here from Palm Springs for dinner. But I have the day free to relax, read and comment on posts. I might visit the library, too.
I feel like one of my husband’s older clients from decades ago. My husband would call them to come into his office for an appointment. Often they’d respond, “Oh I can’t make it Wednesday. I have a doctor’s appointment.” Those were the days I was volunteering at school, taking kids to piano lessons, packing lunches, making dinners and volunteering at swim meets. I always wondered why people thought they were busy doing one “main thing” a day. Now I know!
How did your week go? Did it flash by quickly or seem slow?
What were some highlights of the week?
My week wasn’t very busy but moderately so. I’m helping my niece with her wedding dress selection. Other than that the time just flew away. Have a wonderful weekend Elizabeth 🩷
That sounds like so much fun to help with a wedding dress!
It is fun but tiring too in this heat.
I understand that. I can’t wait to get out of our heat.
Me too.
👍🏼
Oh, the noise you hear over here is just me convulsing on the floor, having a panic attack at the mere mention of revisions and content reviews. Ugh. From board members especially. Oh my, you’re a better person than me. Ha, ha. You’re wise to get content reviews up front before you start layout. Now I love feedback and I still have my share of reviews . . . but the review process brings out everyone’s Earnest Hemingway and unfortunately, not everyone has Earnest Hemingway talent. Ha, ha. Good luck.
I knew you could relate. Funny how most people have to make changes. But few are improving content. I love it when they do or catch typos.
That’s what’s crazy. I make fun of reviewers and then one will come out of the blue and catch a typo or make a suggestion that I never thought of and makes the piece infinitely better. It’s like the best thing since sliced bread. I’m on board. Of course, the feeling doesn’t always last long. Ha ha!
Yes. It’s a great feeling when someone actually helps! Too few and far between.
I would drive copy to the typesetter and then get it approved before giving copy to graphic designers to layout. Or, do the layout myself.
Those sentences bring back the memories. Thank goodness for home computers, eh?
Such an easier way to create a newsletter for sure! I had a car back then without AC. In Palm Springs in the summer temps reach 125, mostly over 110. Driving copy to the typesetter was heroic.
Oh man, yes it was heroic.
I can remember my clothes sticking to me. Opening the window to get a breeze.
Glad the newsletter “job” is going well EA! I don’t think that we ever forget the basics that made our jobs work well so it’s easy and helpful to go back when we need to and apply those skills to new things and just everyday life.
We are into the later summer hazy smoke skies. Everything is yellowish-pink but at least breathing is okay for now. I’ve been creating a pantry area in my tiny kitchen- re-purposing spaces to store more of what I use often.
Yes, it’s good to go back to basics with the newsletter. The process was streamlined this time and much faster. It must feel good to organize your kitchen area. My goal this week is to organize my closet.
What a great week! I’m glad to hear you got some rain, and I’m crossing my fingers we get a little this week, too!
We had another huge storm last night. Our patios are still wet!
I’m a little jealous!! There’s something truly magical about big rainstorms in the desert, isn’t there? Enjoy it, E.A.!!
Yes, it is magical. I sat outside in the storm under cover from our patio roof.
You had one super productive and busy week! I can imagine it felt like it flew by…and a cherry pie was made, too? Yum! 😜
Yes, cherry pie was a nice treat to snack on. Today I managed to complete three projects for my charity that helps victims of sex trafficking. I’m relieved to get it done!
You go, Elizabeth! Grateful to you for making a difference, sharing your talents. 💕
Thank you! That’s so sweet!
🥰
💕
That apple pie makes me hungry. 🙂 That is so special how you all keep meeting together to honor your friend’s memory.
Yes, packing a lot into the day doesn’t look the same as it did when I was in my twenties. Who needed sleep then? LOL!
Thanks! Yes, I’ve slowed down a lot!
I was a book designer back in the day of sending copy out for typesetting and getting sheets back to wax and set into pages. It is so much easier now.
I’m traveling now so my days are fairly busy but, when I’m home, more than one or two obligations a week are too much.
How exciting to be a book designer. Those were the days. I remember having a client who never made changes until I gave him the blueline. Ugh. Yes, I like quieter weeks at home, too.
There’s a lot of news in this newsletter, Elizabeth! But how are your toes doing?
I love how you describe the flow of your days. It speaks to how we adjust to life as it changes!
My toes still hurt. I am not able to walk every day. If I wake up in pain, I skip the walk. In a week we’ll be at the beach and I desperately want to take beach walks.
Oh, I hope they heal in time!
Me too!
My week flew by . And today was really busy with lots of phone calls I hadn’t expected. That’s a beautiful cactus flower .
It’s nice to be busy, but not too busy.
Lovely cactus blossoms! My niece spent the week with us. She’s a recent HS grad. I’ve never had the opportunity to spend any significant time with her before. It was quite the experience! There were some good and not-so-good aspects, but overall a positive experience. I hope we can grow our relationship. It seems she could use another adult influence in her life.
Wow. That must have been an interesting week. I’m not that close with my niece. I tried for years.
Definitely some pluses and minuses. The future is anyone’s guess.
Have had a little too much going on, so it went fast!!
I just saw this comment today. I have too much going on during our “vacation.” We had five social nights with friends in seven days. I explained to my friends that we love to see them, but need downtime.
When we go away to places near where friends/family live, we determine ehether or not we will see people. For example, when we last went to California we realized to see everyone we knew, we’d never have an evening t ourselves. We chose to see no ine
That’s a good idea. 👍🏼
You had me at “cherry pie” <3 YUM!!!
It was delicious!
So that’s what a pie is supposed to look like!! Beautiful. You’re involved in so many things. I don’t know how you do it all! You deserve a relaxing day! Hugs, C
Well, I didn’t make the crust from scratch like you did! We’re almost ready for beach vacation. I’m treating myself to a pedicure and then will pack.