Life lately

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

October is here, and I hope we have a healthy month ahead. August and September were challenging. I went to the hospital twice — to the ER for a sprained wrist in early August, and for a CT scan in early September for an intestinal issue. I was also sick for about a week just before my business trip to Baltimore. And it was likely a mild case of COVID, though I didn’t know it at the time. I only realize it now because my husband came down with COVID while I was in Baltimore and his symptoms started out like mine and then got a lot worse. And he tested positive. Thankfully, he’s feeling much better, though he has a lingering cough.

We’re both doing well now. Let’s hope things stay that way for awhile.

So, Baltimore — it was an unforgettable experience. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally land where I’m meant to be career-wise, but I think the trip to Baltimore showed me that this is where I belong. I finally met my co-workers in person. We worked together. We socialized together. And I hadn’t had that much fun in ages.

Also, the Four Seasons. OH MY GOD. Best bed ever.

Scenes from day 1 (Wednesday, September 20):

Day 1 was arrival day, so no one was really expected to work. We all had dinner together that night, but the day was mostly mine to do with as I pleased once I arrived in Charm City. I decided on taking a walk first, then taking a nap.

We worked a full day the following day, followed by dinner at Monarque (a French bistro) and a Family Feud-style game show that was a lot more fun than I expected.

Day 3 was another work day, though we also had a professional photographer there to take headshots. And a professional makeup artist and hairstylist, because why not? I took advantage of that. After all, we were having a big semi-formal party at the stunning George Peabody Library that night (on the campus of Johns Hopkins University).

I had some time to kill between work and the party, so I walked around Baltimore for an hour. Tropical Storm Ophelia was approaching at that time, so the wind really started to pick up (which kind of ruined my nice party hair).

Friday night – PARTY TIME! And we had a stunning sunset that night, too.

I danced that night until I thought my knees would buckle. It’s been ages since I’ve danced like that. I had a blast. (Though my feet and knees paid for it the next day.)

We had workshops all day on Saturday, followed by a farewell dinner at the Choptank. (SO MUCH SEAFOOD!) The weather was abysmal because of the tropical storm. Thankfully, it cleared up by Sunday, since that’s when we were all leaving.

I had a lazy Sunday morning. I slept in. I ordered room service. I read some of a cozy mystery (Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams). I stayed in my room until almost check-out time. Then my Lyft driver arrived to take me to the airport. And I came home to a husband with pink eye in both eyes and a raging case of COVID (pink eye is one of the symptoms of this current strain, which is delightful).

Thankfully, I have stayed healthy.

And now, with the fall weather finally here (as of today), we need to start winding down the gardening tasks and prepping for winter. I also have the urge to deep clean the house. I installed the Tody app to keep me on a cleaning schedule, and it’s been a total game changer. I highly recommend it.

Some pics from around the farm to end this post: