Why did I not write yesterday? It was one of those days where I had a plan, an event to attend at 5:30, and the whole day just slipped through my fingers. What did I do at 5:30? I went to see Moulin Rouge with Tanya. It turned out to be much more enjoyable than I expected. WOW! It was an incredible performance. I highly recommend it, unless, of course, you're not a fan of plays that include prostitution.

Yesterday, I also spent two hours on the phone. One thing I find challenging is when people make changes in their lives that I can't control. For instance, when Tracy decided to pull Josh out of school and homeschool him in 1st grade. I remember the moment clearly; we were at Panera Bread, and I was in such denial. I held onto that denial until the beginning of 2nd grade when I realized Josh wasn’t there anymore. I still recall Joel crying at the end of the 1st-grade summer, in tears because he thought that he wouldn’t see Josh again. It’s a reminder that life is full of unexpected changes, and all we can do is adapt.

Other examples may come to mind, but for now, let's move on.

On another note, Eric was discussing the idea of buying a condo in Lansing or a piece of property in Indiana. I just want him to settle down with me—why not embrace simplicity? Ceecee suggested I go with the flow, but not to feel obligated to visit him at his condo unless I really want to. Kelly, on the other hand, is horrified that Eric and I are together. She views him as abusive, while I see his ignorance as more of a flaw than a threat. It’s challenging to navigate these perspectives, but it’s all part of the human experience.

So, that was my Sunday.

Now, onto today. I met Ken Fosnot for brunch at a Mexican brunch place. The food was good, and our conversation flowed as effortlessly as if we’d never been apart. Old friends are truly valuable! I’m grateful we've maintained our connection throughout the years.

When I got home, I tackled sorting the boxes in the basement. I plan to create four categories: Emma's, Joel's, Trash, and Sell/Donate. The trash and sell items will find their way to the garage. Some of the trash is quite reprehensible, like a container of moldy blankets and the like. Yet, as I sift through it all, I find a sense of purpose in making progress.

Today, my record player table arrived, and I built it while listening to British history podcasts. After that, I set up the room with my record carpet and played some records while working on lesson plans. Tomorrow, I’ll make Chewy some new dog beds. Everything is coming together nicely. I find joy in home decorating and the little things. Eric also has a good eye for aesthetics, which is a nice bonus.

Things I learned today: To experience contentedness in life, one might consider the essence of ESP—enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose. While these concepts seem important, I wonder if a lesson also needs to encompass all of them. Ultimately, it’s all fluid, and that’s perfectly fine. After all, in a universe that may seem indifferent, we have the power to create meaning in our own lives, however fleeting it may be.