joy: week 18
snoopy and spooky stuff and a cat in a hockey jersey
Happy Sunday! I go back to work tomorrow after a long time on sick leave. I will be working two weeks and then I’m done forever. I tried to enjoy this week home and on full pay for all it was worth because it’s going to be different from now on.
First: my walking boot is off! After six weeks of clunking around in that thing, I saw my ortho doctor and he said the fracture is healed enough that I can walk like a normal person now. What a relief to have that thing off of me. It was so uncomfortable, especially to sleep in. I’m walking with a bit of a limp, but it feels mostly fine and I’m so happy to be unencumbered by the boot.
When my dog Ren passed away in March, I was left with a whole bunch of sweaters and jerseys and pajamas that she wore. I gave almost all of them to a shelter, but saved the two Islanders jerseys. I gave one to my daughter for a keepsake, and this one just found a home with Natalie’s friend, who put it on his cat. This picture has brought me joy all week. I am delighted that not only is the jersey being used, but it’s being used by a cat, which I think Ren would find amusing.
I bought these mugs in the height of the pandemic because I needed something to make me feel happy. I love Snoopy and Woodstock - their friendship is so pure and wholesome and joyful - and I put the mugs on shelf in the kitchen where I could see them every day. Well, I decided that just leaving them to collect dust was a dishonor to Snoopy so I drank tea out of them this week, and it just felt so perfect and nice. I got such a kick out of sipping some Barry’s Irish breakfast with Snoopy and Woodstock. It’s the little things.
Pulled up to the grocery store yesterday - my first trip without the boot or crutches - and saw this display outside. I know it’s only August 20th but this made my heart soar. I am so ready for pumpkins and ghosts, for changing leaves and hoodies and boots. I just sat in my car staring at the display for a bit wishing it to be fall already. It was only a glorious 72 degrees when I was sitting there and for a minute it felt like this ugly summer was over already.
Today marks my 25th anniversary at my job. That doesn’t bring me as much joy as knowing that this is the end. 25 years is a good amount of time to put into any one job. But it’s the longest I ever committed to anything except being a parent, and for that I’m going to pat myself on the back.
I hope the week ahead is good for you. I’m a little on the nervous side about going back to work because I feel so out of the loop. But I have ten days to clean out my office and then never go back there again. Here’s to endings and beginnings.
Oh, one last thing. This is my favorite thing that happened to me this week. While on twitter, I put it out there that I would love to see a clip of the Peanuts gang dancing to “Walcott” by Vampire Weekend. And someone did it for me! Thank you to Zoey for the early birthday present, I have watched it fifty times and it sparks joy every single viewing. It’s perfect.
Elon has made it so you can’t embed twitter links so if clicking this doesn’t work go here]