beanside | A year ago your car went off a cliff and you saw an angel in midair who said you'd live.

Well, that was a day. I was expecting a nice quiet Thursday, and what I got was...not. I had already gotten my breakfast together, and was sitting on the sofa, preparing to go in an boot up my computer for work, and scrolling the internet idly. And then I saw it on Facebook. Jess' estranged dad passed.

I relayed this to Jess, and texted in that I was taking a bereavement day so I could be there for them. They've been estranged for years, but I knew it was still going to be rough. The funeral is next week, and their brother wants them to be there, so off we shall fly to Michigan. I'm so thankful for the money from the estate that let me just book everything. We have tickets going into Michigan, plus a rental car and hotels. It'll be a short trip. We're leaving on Friday morning, and flying in to Detroit. The first night, we're staying near the airport, then driving in for the funeral on Saturday, and leaving Sunday morning. It'll be a lot, but we'll manage. Here's hoping the weather behaves for smooth travel. The only thing to still decide is whether we take the car and park in a lot or just get a ride to the airport.

Around 11, the bed came, and with nothing else to do, we went ahead and set it up. It's a little firmer than I'd like, but I think once I'm used to it, it'll be fine. Good lord, that mattress was heavy. Of course, they dropped it at the foyer, so the two of us had to slide it up the stairs, and into the house. Then, we got the old mattress off the bed, and did some more heaving to get it on the bed and unwrapped.

It was not easy, but we got it there. I did not sleep great, but I expected that. I'm hoping it'll improve a little bit each night.

After that, we were kinda at loose ends until it was time for dinner. Just before, I was sitting at the table and checked my work email. And it confirmed my perception. The communications person reached out to me to ask for a few sentences about my job, and why I felt it was important to connect with the patients I spoke to and a picture. The resulting article will go out on Johns Hopkins social media and website. So this is a public perception, not an internal one. Aaah! I'm excited yet nervous.

Jess spoke to their brother last night, which went as well as it could. He made them feel quilty a couple of times, but I don't think he meant to.

Today will hopefully be quieter. In the evening, we're going to the mall to look at shoes for me and a top for Jess for the funeral. We really don't have anything at all appropriate. I've got nice pants, but no shoes. And Jess has no nice clothes at all, so it's shopping time. I'm a little worried that we won't find any shoes for me--my feet are so wide and flat. If worst comes to worst, I can wear my sandals, but they're men's sandals, and not that pretty. I'm hoping that they won't have anything, but we'll see.

I'll have time to wear it, since I have a cousins brunch tomorrow to go to. I'm not sure I want to go, but I do want the restaurant. They went for the one I picked, which was cool. Spanish/Italian food for all!

Sunday, Jess and I will go out for an anniversary brunch.

Okay, time to get myself together for the day. Everyone have an outstanding Friday!