Getting Things Out of My Head

 

Dealing with my swim bag has been on my mind for a while. Prior to COVID I swam at the local aquatic center. I have not been back since.  Recent back issues have me remembering how much better I felt when I had pool time. The first step to going back was to order a swimsuit. In five years, my shape has changed.  Getting my gear set up is a big part too.  I hadn't used anything in five years!

This is everything that was in the bag.  Some of it has to be tossed and replaced -- the swim cap, goggles, nose plug and anything rubber has gotten stiff and is ruined.  That's OK, I have a stock which I can use to replenish thanks to clearance purchases.  The lining of the bag was badly torn, so I stitched it up by hand. I will go over it with my machine for good measure.  It had a go through the wash and is drying now.

My biggest challenge is trying to get rid of the rust/corrosion on this zipper. The rubber bag holds my liquid product. If my shampoo comes open, this bag contains it. It's a good rubber piece that I don't want to cut into.  Soaking in hot water did nothing, so now I have a rust corrosion product sitting on the zipper. I hope it works!

I charged my iPod shuffle and am hoping all of the music is still there, since it was downloaded from an old PC.  This one is waterproofed, and I love having music to swim too.  I use the cadence of the song I am listening to in order to pace my stroke. Everything is on shuffle, so I never know what is next.  I have a few pairs of waterproof earbuds that I hope are still good too.  Fingers crossed!

I got dressed to go out today to get to another task that has been on my mind for ages. I wore a thrifted Lord and Taylor cashmere striped sweater, my thrifted Papagallo denim jacket.  The Target leggings were a buck, and my dog walking shoes were two bucks (and leather) from an estate sale.  In addition to my wedding set, I am sporting my St. Francis metal with a dog paw charm (my nod to little Frances), ruby and diamond earrings and pearl wires.  My task was to get my original engagement ring to my jeweler so it can be made into a necklace.  It's to be my birthday present this year and Tommy has wanted me to remount the diamonds for ages. I also have my mom's wedding band. While both are sentimental, I wanted a way to wear my original engagement stones all of the time.  We've designed a necklace that will be both white and yellow gold for versatility, on a strong chain. My goal is to put it on once it's made -- and never take it off.  It has bothered me that the ring has just sat in a box for almost 15 years. That guilt will be off my mind!

Dinner was a soup made over from leftover venison and beef.  I concocted it so it wouldn't taste like the tacos from yesterday because Tommy took that for lunch. He'll have a few lunches of this too.

Another thing I polished off this week, was getting signed on to the Social Security website.  If you have not done this, please set up an on-line account.  Please promise me you will do that? There are important reasons now that things are getting messed up.  I plan to check my records regularly to make sure my data is not messed up. I printed down my schedule of benefits, then I did a screen shot with detail of each individual year's earnings. I will know my employers for each year and what I earned.  This is a foolproof way to track your employment history when applying for a job.  And it might save my ass if data gets messed up.  But you may need to be patient, as I've heard and read the system is now crashing due to volume.  The volume is the result of recent cuts and changes. Don't give up!

As for the politics of this all, I am suggesting that no one visit the US from out of our Country. People are being arrested -- and not just because they are from Latin American countries.  It's happening at the Canadian border too.  The closet airport that goes outside of the US for us, is Toronto. It's not unusual for people travelling to and from Buffalo, NY to come and go via Toronto, Canada.  We live a cross-border life.  This can be catastrophic now if you are from a foreign country. Even if you hold a valid green card or are an established citizen.  There is no due process.  Those arrested are taken and no one is given any information where they are being taken.  So please, don't risk it.  This is our mess, and we are trying to do something about it. For me, the Social Security step is part of it.  But I will be one of the many protesting on April 5th.  If you can find a march or protest near you on that day, please participate.

This is one big thing that troubles my mind, but I don't know that my head will be clear for a while -- if ever again.