Mercy

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I woke up in a bit of a flap this morning. What felt like a flap. 

Saturday mornings usually mean waking up around my usual time, relishing that I don't have to get up, reading for a bit, and then going back to sleep for a couple of hours. 

I was exhausted when I went to sleep last night. I'd been coping with what seemed like the onset of a (rare) migraine and dropped off to sleep within seconds of turning out the light. Sleep was fine and I woke up around 7:30.

My anxiety is trying to kick in but I am determined to manage it (that reminds me -- call the pharmacy). I think it's fair to say that some of the shock is wearing off and I want to go home. I've been out of my bed and away from my stuff for a few days and it's starting to sink in. Friends have helped with research and recommendations for longer term accommodations. I sent that off to our claims specialist yesterday...and now we wait. Likely all weekend. And the clean up crew's movers come early to mid-week. And I need to figure out what we need for wherever we're going. And and and.

I got up and after a few minutes washed my hands using Granny Scotia's soap. It's actually called 'A Bar of Mercy' by Hen of the Woods in Nova Scotia and it was specially made to coincide with Christy Ann Conlin's new book, The Speed of Mercy. Granny Scotia is a powerful character in the book and I need a bit of her practical magic to get me through all of this. I've been using this soap at home since it was launched in March / early April so it smells like home; much better than whatever the hotel has for us. I can smell home even if I can't be there.


Porridge was made, tea was drunk, Restoralax was imbibed (if you know you know; and this is not the time for gut problems), and less than satisfactory blueberries were eaten while I watched a YouTube video about mixing watercolours. It was relaxing and my brain shifted to a different gear; I'm making more plans to paint and I think I've figured out what to do at the condo. Clothes aside, I need to put together one bin of things from each room to take with us wherever. If I think about what happens in each room, I can think about what I will miss if we're away for several months.

Storage / laundry room: special lint remover thing. A couple of lingerie bags. Dave might want a few old magazines.

Bedroom: Clothing. Jewellery. Very few books from my TBR pile. Maybe that extension cord with USB ports. Store some specific sentimental items myself.

Office: Dave's game. A small box of mixed stationery (scotch tape, scissors, a few envelopes, a couple of thank you cards). My tax stuff.

Linen closets: Maybe bedding from our bed so wherever we land looks like home. Beach towel. Extra toothpaste, razors, feminine hygiene.

Bathroom: A few first aid-ish supplies. Shower cap. Otherwise, I think we have the essentials at the hotel.

Yarn closet: Figure out one tub of essentials, including "bee bag" and needles.

Living room: Apple TV device. Re-home / move houseplants. Store some irreplaceable items myself. Kids art supplies, JENGA, and a couple of stuffies for visits with R. 

Dining area: Make sure I have my WFH essentials. Extra masks. Think about sewing machine but store it.

Kitchen: This is the tricky bit. I'm a no dairy, no gluten (mostly), not much egg person. I've bought a lot of GF cooking and baking stuff. SO. Pack my canisters, my pancake / waffle mix, baking stuff. Bring the recipes Dave always looks for. Bring the small book of "my" recipes. Bring a couple of bunny tea towels (again, make it look like home). Bring a couple of big mugs.

Front closet: Rubber boots. Light down jacket. Jean jacket. Camping fleece.

Overall: Don't freak out. It'll be fine.

And now I'm going back to bed.

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