It’s Ariel’s birthday!
Ariel is my baby girl who has the nerve to turn 28 today! I don’t know how these things happen. I swear it was only last week that she was skipping off to kindergarten. When I was a kid, I thought it took forever for a new year to come. I remember my mom saying that the older she got, the faster the years flew by. I didn’t understand that back then, but I sure do now.
I feel so fortunate that she lives at home with us, especially now. If you have to be quarantined, it’s wonderful to have company, especially company that you love. Ariel is smart and funny and has such a big heart. I feel like I’ve learned to be more empathetic because of her example. She is also creative, a gifted musician, photographer, and writer, and she is a contributor to an award-winning website.
Ariel was my miracle baby after seven years of trying, and I am grateful every single day for her. I wish her a joyous birthday and a lifetime of love and happiness!
Me and my girl…
I asked Ariel what she wanted to do for her birthday. Seeing how cases have skyrocketed in South Florida (except for the “declining numbers” over the weekend due to the state being shut down because of Hurricane Isaias so no testing or reporting was done!) we were limited. She requested that I make her breakfast burritos and chocolate chip cookies. Then she asked if we could get takeout from one of our favorite restaurants, Big Bear Brewing Company. I was relieved to see that they have survived the pandemic, and now we are all excited about getting some great food that I didn’t cook! Okay, so maybe I’m the only one excited about not cooking.
I am gearing up to go back to campus as classes are set to begin on August 24. I am in the process of hiring several new student workers and trying to figure out how to train them from a distance. Because I have the world’s best boss, we are going to be staffed by only 1 or 2 librarians on campus at any time. That means that my students are going to be on the front line alone. I will be there a few mornings a week, and working from home the rest of the time. At least that is the plan. I may have to be there considerably more to get them all up to speed. I’m just wondering after wearing flip flops for five months, how am I going to wear shoes again??
My dental woes continue. I had another broken tooth and after the x-ray found the tooth behind it had what appeared to have some sort of issue. Off to the endodontist who did two root canals. Lucky me. Then back to the dentist so he can prepare the teeth for two new crowns. That will happen in a couple of weeks. On the bright side, I had a follow-up visit with the oral surgeon who said my bone graft took and looks good. He is ready to put in the implant but I am out of $$$ so we are putting it off until 2021 when my insurance starts back up again. Fun times.
Finally, I am getting more frightened by all the insanity that has already begun around the general election in November. It’s still going to be in November despite what the murderer-in-chief wants. My family already has our absentee ballots for the August primary, and we will be voting absentee in the general. This article in the Atlantic just freaked me out though:
How the 2020 Election Could Go Wrong: Where the System May Break
A war-game exercise simulating the 2020 election unmasked some key vulnerabilities.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/how-2020-election-could-go-wrong/614842/?fbclid=IwAR2ItPgyauc8ZViuFY_BPqtqPSiiTABydwHjaKGG_NKmuPswFFwwErC-grk
The fact that we need war games to prepare for an election just sends chills down my spine. Please, please vote this November, however you can. If you’re not sure if you are registered or even if you are, double-check! People are mysteriously being removed from the voting rolls. You can find out for sure here: Vote Save America.
As always, thanks for reading and stay safe!
Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™ 
Happy Birthday, Ariel!
I just received my mail in ballot for the September primary and have signed up for the November election too.
The public library began curbside pick three weeks ago – have no idea when patrons will be allowed back in.
Our babies grow up so fast, its unbelievable. Some days when they are young can be so long, yet the years go so fast
That is so true!
My baby turned 24 yesterday (August 8th). I didn’t really have to do anything as she had to work.
Now I am greatly concerned about the trade war Trump has started. Right now it is aluminum. My husband works for an American company in Canada which manufactures product that makes plastic. There is worry that the plant may shut down completely and he will take that opportunity to retire early (he’s 57) which we can’t afford…. unless we sell this house and move into his parents’ empty house on Prince Edward Island. I sure as heck don’t want to move away from my kids, nor do I want to sell a house that has been my home for 24 years.
Stay safe.
That is so scary! I totally understand how you feel, but even though you don’t want to move away from your kids, at least you have that option. My husband’s company has had layoff after layoff. He’s been furloughed a couple of times but so far he has survived – but who knows for how long? I think it’s the not knowing that is the worst. Best of luck!