Some May happenings too small for their own post:

- I could probably write a whole post about work this month, but basically I added an extra day each week so am now working three versus two days. The back-to-back days that occasionally occur in my schedule were initially a bit rough but I am getting used to them. I’ve also been somewhat moved off of loading shelves and freezers for three to four hours a shift and am now serving as a “Helmsperson” for an hour or two during my day and/or doing one or two food demos during each shift. When I’m Helmsing, I walk throughout the store talking to customers, helping them find thing, making sure the store looks good, etc. (I helped a customer one day to select dog treats and ended up getting a lead on a great day care and kennel for Kaipo!) When I’m at the demo booth I give out samples and help sell products which is easy and fun. I love both of these jobs because I enjoy interacting with and helping customers. I still load products for an hour or two each shift but am no longer so exhausted I can barely stand at the end of the day. Also, I got a TJ’s back brace to wear and it has made a world of difference in how I feel.
- Although I was feeling under the weather with what appears now to have been nothing more than a cold, I had an absolutely lovely birthday and Mother’s Day. I had video calls with all of my children, M and the grandkids came over with an ice cream cake, and I received lovely gifts, including some of my favorite candies, a full set of Stasher silicone storage bags to add to our collection, and a Crate & Barrel gift certificate (used to purchase three useful kitchen tools). Brett spoiled me with another relaxing Day of Doing Nothing. M had planned for us to go out for brunch, but with Brett, me, and both grandkids sick we postponed it.
- Our big plan to move into a bigger apartment in the complex collapsed this past month when we learned of the many non-refundable fees and expenses we would have to cover again (deposit, pet deposit, and a couple of others) – nothing transferred from this apartment. When we added up the costs the move just didn’t seem worth it. Our daughter-in-law feels the same, that the costs involved with moving are not worth it for only two more years, and as we like living close to each other we’ve both decided to remain in our current apartments until it’s time to leave. We will be getting a discount on our rent when we sign a new lease, so that will somewhat lessen our disappointment. (Update: we received our renewal offer right after I posted this. Our rent will increase by $19/month if we renew early, $70/month if we wait. Guess what we’re going to do?)

- We decided around mid-month to return to a mostly vegan diet. There are so many more choices for us now just at Trader Joe’s let alone all the other stores in the area, especially compared to what was available on Kauai, and we thought, why not? The amount of meat we were eating was dropping considerably anyway and we knew we felt much better when we were eating no meat or dairy. We’ll continue to eat fish/seafood and occasionally cheese (and will eat meat and dairy at Meiling’s wedding), but otherwise will segue back to mainly plant-based products.