On Monday, I began grouting the backsplash. I got two small sections done and realized I didn’t have enough for the rest of this area. After work, it was off to the hardware store for more grout.

I also stopped by the mall to get myself some beads for my cross-stitch. I learned about an alternative to the much hated French knots. Instead of bothering with those, put a little bead wherever they are supposed to be. As I have a number of those coming up, I figured I will give this a go once I’m there. Given it’s a project with fairies that I’m working on, they might just add more whimsy anyway. I intend to have much more whimsy and fun going on in my life post renovation.

I spent part of this week freaking out because my health card and driver’s license renewal process is messed up. It’s a photo year for both, but I only booked for one and the earliest appointment I could get was for three days before they both expire. I called and they said they could do both when I get there. I hope that’s true come the actual appointment day. That would be one of the things adding to my overwhelm aside from the renovation. I seriously felt like I was going into crisis mode over this.

There are several other things that I can’t talk about yet. Just know that it’s a highly stressful time in my life right now.

On Wednesday, the Summer Showcase for Disney Dreamlight Valley happened on Twitch. We learned that our suspicions were correct. We are getting Pooh. Also Eeyore and Piglet. I had erroneously thought that Pooh would come to us in Wishblossom Ranch. Near Hunny Falls, there is a cave and it absolutely looks like a place that will have something someday. Given that Wishblossom Ranch also has the 100 Acre Fields and Tigger, I thought that Pooh would come connected to it. Plus, Tigger often mentions Pooh. Anyway, instead, they are coming in an Adventure Pack that also comes with beekeeping and a ton more honey related recipes.

Doesn’t this look like a prime area for *something*? I guess we shall all be teased for longer on this spot. Perhaps Rabbit or Roo will be in there or someone entirely unrelated. I figured we’d be rescuing Pooh from a honey pot or something. I really hope they add more characters and quests in all the DLCs because it feels like they could do a whole lot more with all of them. Especially Storybook Vale and Wishblossom Ranch.

Also on Wednesday was the 2026 PWHL Draft. The Ottawa Charge needed to replace Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Rory Guilday, and Peyton Hemp. Ottawa’s first pick was Vivian Jungels, a defender. Next up, we added Jordan Ray, a forward. Another forward, Tereza Pištěková joined the Charge next. To help tighten up the back end, Tory Moriano, another defender, was the next addition to the roster. Neena Brick joins the Ottawa Charge as a third forward. And the final draft addition was forward Taylor Otremba.

I installed my new air conditioner. It works well. The supposed app for it is garbage. I’m OK with that given I don’t think my air conditioner needs to be a smart device, but I feel bad for anyone that actually needs other devices they make to be smart.

Thursday had me in a bad reaction mode to a Made Good granola bar. A number of people have been reacting to their products recently. I’m just going to go with someone else for snacks when I don’t have time to make my own. Oats are iffy with gluten issues anyway. It was bad. I felt like I had seriously injured myself. Every position was so painful. Glute Gard saved me.

I was glad to be feeling better on Friday as I had a lot of things I wanted to get done around Tiny Condo. And I did get a solid start on getting my spaces in better shape for life after the renovation. I’m going to have a lot of boxes to sort through, but I decided to gather them into one area, so I could make the other places nicer to live in.

For Saturday, I decided I was going to go to Paranormal Cirque IV. I went to the one last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I didn’t want to miss this year’s performance. It was also partly a reward for finishing the grout on the backsplash. Not that I felt like working on the backsplash at all, but I do have this strong desire to have countertops again.

It needs some more cleaning post setting before I can seal it, but I sucked it up and got it done on Saturday morning. The bottom row doesn’t really matter that much. The countertop will be in front of it.

I was a bit disappointed in the event. It hadn’t changed much from last year. It was still pretty good, but not as wonderful as seeing it for the first time. Lesson learned for the future.

Otherwise, this weekend I began putting together an area for my music practice. Unfortunately, I can’t find the power source for my electronic keyboard to be able to use it. I know I’ll find it eventually, but I’m frustrated about it anyway.

On Sunday, at martial arts, we did the seated Oku set of 8 kata. Well, we only got 7 done, but I was able to remember it all mostly and I was able to make notes when I got home to help lock those 8 in. There are some really fun scenarios in that one like the under the porch one. Some really don’t make as much sense as a standing form though.

Groceries after that went well except for the ADHD moment of forgetting something out of the fridge overnight.

I guess it was a pretty full week.

Catch you on the flip side,

Rae