Mija’s Room

Tag: party

My June is about…

Posted on By Mija

… Re-Organization

April and May 2025 were something to survive. Along with the ordinary end-of-the-semester stuff, April was all about Paul getting ready to leave in early May. It was an odd sort of leaving. He was packing right up until the day he left. I was in the craziness that is finals week at any university, especially Spring term.1Spring is always the worst because everyone panics realizing that faculty will be gone over summer and so all of the things that have been put off all semester have to be done now. On the day he left I took him to pick up his rental car,2He drove across country, from LA to NYC, stopping to visit friends and Giant Landmarks on the way. planning to come back and take a Zoom meeting. But then I decided I didn’t want to be left. So I grabbed my bag and Sutti and basically said a “see ya!” kind of wave and drove to campus. When I got home, Paul was already on the road.

I’ve spent the last few weeks working in the garden, reading and listening to cozy mysteries, making playlists, playing with Sutti, going to doctors, and trying to clear out the house. While this isn’t exactly the first time I’ve lived alone, the other places were in university housing so it also kind of is. Except I’m not alone because Sutti, having completed service dog training and able to come with me everywhere, is my constant companion. Since we’re both missing Paul, her for pats and me for smacks, we’ve been doing our best to comfort each other. Someone on Twitter suggested I make a point of posting #smallvictories every day. It’s a good practice and is making me be aware of the good things that I make happen each day.

Truthfully, there’s not a lot that’s better with Paul gone, but one thing that is easier for me is cleaning. Paul’s method suits his style of work: he does a little bit everyday and, eventually, he’s done. It will likely not be a surprise to anyone that my style is to pick something to do and focus on it until it’s done, whatever that takes. Paul’s style is great for keeping things going in the right direction (and I sure do miss him doing dishes and folding laundry), but my style of cleaning is better for heavy Spring cleaning. I can confidently say this house is cleaner than it’s been since we moved in. I’m sure I’ve removed pounds of dust and stopped counting the number of spiders I’ve put outside. Also, this week I expect to “finish”3Yes, I know, gardens are never finished, but still. the back garden. It will be fun to have people over again and hang out back there.

I’m also reorganizing rooms one at a time, getting rid of stuff and making room. I tend to accumulate — this is a time it ask how many whatevers I actually need (not as many) and what of the things I’m using is really fit for purpose. This sort of work comes less easily to me than the cleaning does, but it necessary.

Research is my strength, final decisions — not so much. I’m stuck on the bigger things. I know I should get the front fence replaced before I go. I’ve designed something, priced it, but haven’t been able to bring myself order the materials and decide if I’m going to try and do it myself with help or hire someone. Other not entirely easy tasks include hiring a plumber to replace the toilet. A life of glamour for sure.

#DailyUniform

I’d stopped doing the #dailyuniform posts I wrote about here,  though I was still wearing them fairly often. When Paul was getting ready to leave, I reminded myself they weren’t only associated with him, that I have my own experience with and take on the many things wearing a uniform can mean for me. That, coupled with a gymslip request, made me restart that this past week too.

Here is a recent one:

Yes, yes, I know my other plimsoll is missing. Just you hush and maybe no one else will notice.

Journaling

While I’ve been keeping my calendar / journal online, this month I’ve gone back to the paper one. I use a Hobonichi Cousin (Avec) that comes in two volumes: January to June in one, July to January in the other. Since I do a July start, restarting the practice this month will help me plan how the rest of the year will look.

My Hobonichi Cousin. This year’s cover is Paddington.

Doing this is also part of my plan to do a digital detox. More detail later, but basically I’ve removed a number of apps from my phone (including all social media) and am in the process of reorganizing my digital spaces so I’m doing less doom scrolling and have more space to think and work creatively.

More long form writing, fewer Tweets.

TASSP – Texas All-State Spanking Party

This time next week I’ll be flying to Dallas for TASSP. I’ve had my ticket and reservation since October and, despite having missed Oasis’ February party, am definitely going. I’m doing the “serious” school role-play, but I’m not planning on either spanking or being spanked, except possibility to be caned as part of the school scene. I’m there to do what I meant to do more of in August: spend time with friends new and old.

If you’re going to be there and would like to meet for coffee or the like, please let me know and we can arrange something. I’m getting in late on Thursday and leaving early on Sunday.

Finally, welcome summer!

July Plans

Sutti and I will be in the UK from July 4 to 22 and then in Ireland (Limerick) until the 27th, and then back to the UK for another week or so. I’m flying in and out of London, but have rented a bungalow in coastal Wales near Swansea University to serve as home base for most of the trip.

We’re going to be traveling around, hoping to see friends around both southern and northern England and Scotland — that part of my schedule is still evolving. This will be the first time I’ve driven extensively in the UK, so that should be exciting.

What I know so far:
July 4 – Leave Los Angeles
July 5 – Arrive in London
July 7 – Drive to Wales
Unchanged: [other things as yet unknown!]
July 22 – Drive (including taking the ferry) to Ireland
July 27(?) – Drive back to Wales
Return to LA the first or second week in August

  • 1
    Spring is always the worst because everyone panics realizing that faculty will be gone over summer and so all of the things that have been put off all semester have to be done now.
  • 2
    He drove across country, from LA to NYC, stopping to visit friends and Giant Landmarks on the way.
  • 3
    Yes, I know, gardens are never finished, but still.