Category: work

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Eighteen years ago, I lost my Dad.

Usually, on this post, I would write something about his passing but in reflection, I want to write about something that I shared with Dad.

We went together to work for a number of years via public transportation.

I never was squeamish about walking to the bus or sitting on the bus and talking to my Dad while going to work. I am sorry to say that it was something at the time that I guess, I took for granted.In hindsight, it was a glorious time.We would talk about a lot of things, and Dad would give me a lot of his advice.I remember when I had someone steal my wallet out of my desk, and I was able to walk a few blocks over to where my Dad worked. It was a comfort to be able to commiserate with Dad over the theft, get a token to get home with, and know tomorrow would be another day.

As I usually would say about missing Dad, some things will never change.I am thankful of the memories that we shared through the later part of his working career.What a blessing it was, in hindsight, to have the time with him. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.

I miss you terribly Dad but will love you forever.

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Hard to go

It’s getting to a point where my job is my job and that’s great.

My baby Zusher isn’t well.

I am trying to see with the first call from the lead vet, and waiting for the information for the second reading of the labs from a Philly vet, in order to take her for her second opinion.
If we get good new, for which I am praying, that would be great. If not and hospice is the term for Zush, I probable will leave the job to savor every day I have with the girls.

It all is in the hand’s of God and his hands on the heads of the vets.

Still praying for the girls….ALWAYS.
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Save Me

You ever get stuck with someone in a setting where there is no escaping? You HAVE to be here.

The self-drama, ha, I thought, I left behind me in the city.**God forgive my little jokes on Thee and I’ll forgive the big one on me.**

On the flip side, I ran into my friend Mark and his squeeze Eileen yesterday while at work. It’s funny how much you miss a genuine friend. Sure, you think about them and think about fun times but seeing them in person, well… It’s so easy to miss good friends.

The trick is to make new ones. 

 

Fit Bit in an Ant Farm 

I made a major error yesterday morning. I got up, threw clothes on,got the girls walked, and 65 minutes later, I realized I did not put my fit bit on. Quel Horror!  3500 steps flying into the air!

So I majored in taking the scenic route yesterday, in order to make up those 3500 steps. It is so infuriating to feel married to my fit bit, but the results are speaking for themselves. I just got my Great Barrier Reef  badge for walking 1600 miles.

I walk everywhere,everyday at my own pace. I am not a race walker, nor do I ever want to be. I have two knee replacements and my motto is you can’t hit s moving target. I admit there are times when I am bone tired and walking is the last thing I feel like doing.i walk enough during the week in the ant farm maze at work.

My 13 year old Zush and 6 year old Kasia love to walk. I don’t want to disappoint them either. We go out together for the entire pack benefit. I am not bad mouthing race walkers, because they are surely more fit then I will ever be.

As for me and my girls…we’ll catch up. 

 

Friday/Sunday blues

So it’s Friday afternoon, or in my world, Sunday afternoon.

Another weekend, in my world, that chores were accomplished,I managed to get some quality time in with my girls, and my time has flown. I would’ve loved to go out to dinner tonight, but don’t see that having a chance to happen, so I am prepared to kick back and save my energy for getting through my week.

Here’s hoping you get a chance to enjoy your real world weekend. Time is fleeting, so savor every moment.

  

Fitbit Zip…the saga continues…..

I realize that it has been a while since I have written about me and my Fitbit zip.

Yes, I still it wear it everyday.I average around 15,000 steps a day, but I have to admit that I am a little tired today and, although I have made my 10,000 steps for today, I will still strive to get on out there and hit the bit 15,000 steps.

I have been hit with the curse of summer shoes.If I wear flip-flops, I rub a blister.If I were my Sketchers, well, they rub me the wrong way once in a while. I will be wearing my Clarks sandals, as they seem to be the only shoe that isn’t bothering me right now.It gets even more aggravating, as tomorrow is my Monday and I am back to work and I really am not relishing the fact of sore feet.

I’ll let you know what happens….

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Must be work

When I left my job of thirty years, you could safely say I was a coffee drinker. Usually, I had at least two cups a day, and there was a Keurig on my desk and at my home.

Fast forward the first four months when I was “retired”, and all of a sudden I was into tea. Not bad.Something different.

Fast forward to the ferry life. They have a Keurig here, and going back to dealing with folks on the phone, well, suffice it to say I am back with coffee. It gives you something to do while you are waiting for folks to make up their minds on the phone…. 

 

That Kind of Day

The good part of a day at work?

When it’s over, of course!

I worked the 10 to 6 shift today and when I got home, well, I was wiped out. We had decided that we’d have sphagetti for dinner, and after I walked the girls, I’d come in and start dinner.

Our neighbor Jerry came to the house while I was walking the girls, and brought ribs he made! They were absolutely fabulous. To top it all, just one kindness like this made me forget one lousy day.

Time to pay it forward.

Must Be The Start Of August

There are ads on the television for back to school, every fourth post on Facebook is about pumpkin- flavored everything coming back and I am in my own little version of the fictional Amity and what do you think is on the AMC?

  
Yup, Jaws is on the television.

It officially feels like August for me now. The only bad part is I have work tomorrow.Oh well..you have to take the bitter with the better.

  

My Angst Machine

  This phone haunts me.
In my prior job, I used a phone like this. It made me feel like a time life operator. For a while,I felt like it was on my head all day.

The calls never stop. I liked the view out the window looking out at the boats and water,and there’s something about the horn toot that reminds you of the Love Boat.

  • If only the phones would ease off…haha.

Jersey Tomatoes

In work today, there was a big red basket by the entrance to our building.

Someone had left a big basket of Jersey tomatoes by the door!

We were intrigued,as no one could figure out where they had come from or who left them It was almost like a whodunit.

After lunchtime, we found out that one of the ferry captains has a large plot of ground by his home and he farms it.
They had so many tomatoes that 50 of us has more than enough to take home thanks to his generosity.

Once again, it was nice to come across someone who “pays it forward.”

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Meeting of the Minds

I had gotten a schedule from work dated July 6th. It mapped out in the smallest of type, the schedule of work through the 22nd of August.

If you remember my complaint on an earlier blog, you needed a magnifying glass to decipher the schedule, and once I did, and had Jim double-check it for me, I wrote it on my calendar. I figured it’s all good, right? I’ll know my hours and when I am due in.

Today in work I saw a NEW schedule was posted and it went just up to Labor Day. It was a good thing that I came across it, as my scheduled time in changed a few times.There really was no logic to it, and now I am going to have to talk to a boss tomorrow to figure out what is going on.

I realize they have been doing for a long time, and I do know I am no rocket scientist, but to me, there has got to be a more simple way to help the over 50 part of the staff decipher the schedule.

Summer’s gone…almost

I can’t believe July is almost over.

I was hoping to have had some time for rest and relaxation. Instead,I am working. I would have liked to spent time working in my garden. It unfortunately looks like the amount of time I have spent on it.I have enjoyed taking the girls down to the bay before, but now, I have to savor having them at the beach once a week.

We had to take Zush to the vet tonight because she has had a GI bug of sorts.Hopefully, the medicine and temporary diet change we are going to have to do will have her feeling better. It is a bittersweet reminder about how short life is, and it needs to be enjoyed.

I am determined that this last month of August will have me actually taking more time to enjoy things.They say you know what you have missed after it has passed you by.

Here’s to stopping the train, getting off, and savoring what’s left of life.

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Phantom of the Opera

I ended up coming home from work sick today, victim of a 24-hour bug.

While I was crashing and burning in bed,I had Netflix on the phone and found the 25th Anniversary of the Phantom of the Opera, that was taped from the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Oh, those were the days.

Princess Diana of Wales, in photos with the cast opening night. Later, Sara, Duchess of York in New York in pictures with the New York original cast. The romantic story of Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife and leading lady, Sarah Brightman. Who could forget Michael Crawford as the original Phantom.

I finally pulled myself up to finish things around the house and am moving a little gingerly, but the words and music of The Phantom of the Opera really soothed the soul, and made 24-malady a little more palatable.

Sneaking One In

I have been working a ton, in fact, more than I had thought I’d be.

The summer season is the busy season, and of course, that is why I have a job.I am appreciative of that fact. The trouble was that they had me scheduled for a long stretch of time, and I had mentioned that.They allowed me to get a day in the middle of the stretch, so the end result is I am off tomorrow!

Talk about a pleasant surprise!

I am tired enough so it’ll probably be an early night for me, and hopefully, Mass not withstanding, I can savor some home time tomorrow.It is always good to get a chance to recharge your batteries.

Happy Friday, er, Tuesday…

One of the offshoots of being a low person on the totem pole is your weekend. Say good-bye to your Saturday, Sunday, or even Friday….that part of your life is gone.

Now my weekend is Wednesday and Thursday.In the old days, as when I worked at the National Park Service, when I had Tuesday and Wednesday weekends, and later Wednesday and Thursday weekends, you go to go to banks with no lines, shop at the grocery stores quickly with no one holding you back…you catch my drift.

In my new post-retirement life,well, even if I were able to, I have no energy to do chores on the days off. Bad enough I do laundry during the week, and will clean the house tomorrow, but hey, food shopping? Jeez, I need a nap first.

I was thinking as I was walking the girls after work today, I should be skipping down the street , swinging leashes back and forth in celebration of my weekend.

Hell, I’m just too tired.

Scheduling

It’s all scheduling.

In my new job, there are a lot of co-workers in different positions. Folks work on boats, in stores,on phones, at counters,you know-all over.People have to be scheduled to work hours, so, correspondingly,someone must pull together a schedule.

I received my first new job schedule, you know, not a “welcome to the team”schedule.It is on a legal sheet of paper, in spreadsheet form.This is the schedule for my unit where I work.The trouble for me is the spreadsheet.I might have been able to figure this out when I was 30 years younger,and more importantly,NOT WEARING TRI-FOCALS.The font on this sheet has to be maybe a 4 or 6?

Talk about feeling your age.

Back to Work

Tomorrow is my Monday.

Yup.

Not really looking forward to it, as I managed to get the girls down to the bay and we had a fabulous morning while they were swimming.It gave me a little peace in my world, but unfortunately, it doesn’t last for long.

I spent another chunk of time on the phone with Apple who finally got me straightened out:now I have to wait to make sure the defective phone gets back.I never thought I’d be looking to get back to the job, but the past two days home I have been on the phone so much and there is so much going on here, that despite trying to lose a headache, it just has been rough.

Meanwhile, I am just aiming to make it past Labor Day: it can’t come soon enough.

Wasting away a day…

The joy of having a Wednesday as a Saturday? Everyone else is working.

The woe of having a Wednesday as a Saturday? I spent half a day on the phone with Apple trying to get my NEW iPhone glitches ironed out, and then with my prescription plan. For the amount of time I was on the phone today, I felt like I should have been at work. I would have been on the phone but at least I would have been paid.

It was pleasant to actually be able to sleep again in the morning, but knowing I can do it again tomorrow morning is sad. I miss being home with the girls and I really would have thought that after 30 years working,I could be home and taking care of myself and my family.

**sigh**

Maybe in my next life…..

Bachelorette Sad Life

No,

I am not talking about the television show.

My Mother-in-law got a ride back to the city by her son, so I came home from work and am spending the night with the fur girls
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Sad when the larder is bare and the is nothing really to make for dinner. The girls kept hoping I’d find something to share with them but there isn’t a bone in the cupboard for Mom nor fur girls .

Somehow, I will get through this, and get myself to bed. I am getting a ride to work at 6:30 am tomorrow morning.That’s not too bad though.

Tomorrow’s my Friday!

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One Day Weekend

I have off tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Yeah, I know, you feel bad for me.

I am trying to look at this as a teacher would working through the winter aiming for summer vacation.You take day after day after day and then finally it’s time for vacation.

In my past posts I have made no secret about how I feel about my adopted hometown in the still of late and off-season.It stands to reason that I would be working through the summer to enjoy my time later on.My only frown is trying to keep up quality time with the girls and catching up with Jim’s schedule once in a while.

It is good to be in a job where my mind has to be sharp.My old work buddies would laugh their butts off at me wearing a Time-Life operator’s headset, when I thought I was done with that.

What goes around comes around.

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Changing of the Guard

Just putting it out there that I am out of my last job.

I gave notice on Friday and thanked them for “giving me a home” this past spring when I was looking for a job.

Tomorrow I start a new position, well,.. kind of.

My new employer will be the Cape May-Lewes ferry and I will be working customer service.When I was with the city, I worked the “citizens’ service unit”, so I will probably be back on the phones, but hopefully answering correctly.After all, working for thirty years in one spot, some habits are hard to break.

My ship has come in, as I have posted on Facebook, and if I have to work, I am glad it is with the ferry. I figured I’d give you a heads’ up, as if you call for reservations or information, you might be speaking with me!

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So Exhausted

There must be a triangle where warm rain followed by sauna like temperatures,and chased by 6 hours at work turn you into a walking zombie.

**Sigh**

There is nothing better than coming home and gearing down from the night, especially after walking the girls for the last walk of the night. All I want is cool air,my bed, my girls and the pillow.

Tomorrow promises a swim in the bay for the girls if it isn’t raining, and a shift for me from 1 until 7. I am not as fortunate as I was last week, by being off until Sunday.I have to work this up coming Saturday.

Trust me, though. I am living for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday…but then again, who isn’t?

Three days…

of prison at work.

Oh well, they were kind enough to schedule me for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday so the bright side is my weekend good, er, at least until Saturday.It’s hard because at the register, you literally are like a veal, stuck in the cage of a register. Me? I sneak out with the price gun to ring up people’s soda cases and spring water cases so I have an excuse to move 10 steps over and 10 steps back.Today during break, I walked back to the bakery to find no one there and then in the back of the store to find out the scheduling was done because a new bunch of “kids” hadn’t gotten their register training done yet.

I have a distant neighbor who comes to the job and acts as though she is my nearest and dearest, and she didn’t talk to me before I had this job. She runs an illegal day care here and I am just waiting for something to happen to ship her out.

This job has lost any entertainment value, especially when I am on the front end .Suffice it to say, I am looking for one to replace it.

Vote Early

I worked the polls today.

The girl who grew up voting for councilmen and representatives worked the polls which had such oddities on it as assemblymen.Voting in my new hometown for the first time, I made sure I did my homework but it was still a little bizarre not recognizing any offices on the ballots.

Below is a shot taken from outside my polling place I worked at: it was a fire hall.Unlike my native state of Pennsylvania, where polls open at 7am, I had to be at my assigned station at 5:15am.

Yikes.

Well, it was indeed early when I reported.I was welcomed with open arms and felt right at home. It wasn’t quite the big city set up, but the coffee was good and hot.

Things went well and I am hoping I can meet up with my new co-workers again in November.They were really nice, and pleasant to work with.And the primary plus side?

…It wasn’t a bakery. LOL.

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Early to bed…

…early to rise….

I am working the polls tomorrow morning in my new home state, as it will be election day here. It is humorous to me, as in my college years I was a poll watcher for different presidential candidates, including John Anderson-doe anyone remember him?

Tomorrow I will be out of the bakery and on the other side of the table and it will be a new experience for me. The rough part is I grew up in a state where polls were open from 7am to 8pm. I am due to my local fire hall at 5:15am to help set up, as the polls open 6am here.

Off for a quick shower and then, hopefully, a few good hours of sleep.

Election results from me tomorrow….lol

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June

June 1st.

Half-time.

I have completed a half-year of retirement, well, maybe four months if you discount my bakery time.Six months since I was in Center City.Six months since I had to use a finger ID to clock in.Six months since I was within striking range of a coffee shop on every corner and vendor carts.

Do I miss that part of my life?

Some of the people, yes. The daily routine? No way in hell.

Thirty years are thirty years, no matter how you slice it. I was blessed to hold a job steadily for that length of time, but when it’s time, it is time.It was a good run, but it’s over. The new chapter in my life has started, and at six months, my feet are indeed wet. You know what? I take one day at a time and enjoy every day I have got, especially with Jim and Zush and Kasia. It’s a precious life.

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I’d pay an arm and a leg.

If you have been a reader of this blog for a while, you know I have two fur girls, both golden retriever mixes.

Between walking them and the bakery job, I probably have managed to pinch a nerve in my neck. Bad enough being in the get up to use the bathroom years,now,in addition to that, I am shaking my arms down to get circulation back in there.

Seriously?

I need this?

A friend of mine who is a licensed practical nurse advised me to take some anti-inflammatory medicine and to ice my neck down.I am so desperate I am going to give it a shot.

Whoever said ” Old age is not for sissies.”, well, they KNEW what they are talking about.

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Three Days

It’s been three days of heaven.

I had off since Monday, even though I am retired, but the bakery job puts me back in the loop, so I just appreciate the fact of doing what I can with the girls and Jim, hanging around the house, and just appreciate life.

Party is over tomorrow.The bakery waits for me so I have to get up in the morning and get the girls up and going, and then get myself ready for work.I have to figure out something easy for dinner, so, in a sense,it’s like I never stopped working.

Maybe someday…..

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The Onslaught has Arrived

I had a day off today.

I have a feeling I may need to take a folding bed to work tomorrow.

The store is having a big 4 day sale to coincide with ALL the population who came down here for the weekend.

Fortunately I don’t start until noon, and that means I get to hang out with my buddy and the girls, and start getting ready for work around 11. I mean, I’ll try to get a good night’s sleep under my belt and get the fur girls out for a few nice walks before I leave.It isn’t easy.Zush is like me and picks up the vibe that I should be home.She’ll walk, but won’t do anything because I am leaving her.Still, I give them a good shot to get out and take care of themselves before I leave.

The schedule for work came out today: I won’t find out what it is until I show up tomorrow.

Let’s hope for once the dice roll in my favor.

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Two days down and how many to go?

Today was day number two in cashier training.

I am tired.

There are so many things to learn and keep straight.Assistance for women and children. What do they qualify for? What does their check say they can get? Is it dated properly? Did they pick the right product up?How do you enter the payment?

Enough about that.

What about scanning? A whole new world from 35 years ago? UPC codes? What about products that don’t have UPC codes? Produce? Plants?**scratching my head**

Tomorrow I get an actual till and go on a register.To say I am scared is putting it mildly.At 55, I really don’t need this angst in my life, but I keep trying.I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other.Hopefully,things will go ok.

And with a pause in the action…

…the score is my GI tract, 3 days, and me, 0.

Went to the doctor today who confirmed that I indeed picked a bug up.I am getting awfully tired of wonton soup.so we stopped at the store today and picked up jello and pretzels and apple juice-you know, the stuff virus diets are made of.

**Sigh**

The flip side of this is that I was advised by the doctor not to start work tomorrow,as to get other folks sick,as I agreed,was kind of dumb.It is weird,having been hired but not actually starting yet.For a day I was really convinced that this is my body yelling out against leaving retirement.

All I know is I can’t wait to get better.

It’s all mental…

…you know, that link between mind and body?

Coincidence or not, I got hit with a really lousy GI bug late Tuesday night.My Wednesday was lost to Gatorade and ginger ale.I managed to get a little bit of wonton soup in me and my gut is still holding out for normal as of Thursday afternoon.

This Saturday, I am falling off the retirement bandwagon and starting a part-time position in a local supermarket. Do I want to? No, not really. Pretty sad that someone of my age, along with people older than me, need something to add to a cushion to questionable health care costs coming down the way.Don’t get me wrong. It is a part-time position, and I know I am fortunate to be offered it.What is really hard is being out again. After thirty years of dealing with daily bull, I find myself back at square one. It is not a prospect that makes my heart happy. It also is stealing precious time away from my girls, but I can always try to make that up to them the best that I can.

Hopefully, my body will mend itself and my mind will get a little straighter and things will get going.I don’t have to pretend I like it, but hey, it’s what has to be done.

Flea Market Flip

It took me a while to find this unscripted jewel of a show.

Flea Market Flip is shown on the GAC (Great American Country) channel on cable, and basically, I watch it for three reasons.Lara Spenser is the host, and in addition to being an excellent television anchor, she also is a Penn State University graduate.Secondly, four people are put in two teams of two , given $600 to buy things at a flea market, and then get a day to redesign them or repurpose them, and finally, these items have to go back to a different flea market and they have to try to sell them. The team that makes the most money wins $5,000.

Now, ideally, I am in a new home, with new furniture.There is no reason for me, right now, to run on out and try this. I have to admit that it is interesting to see people’s ideas of designs and also the idea of what money people are wiling to spend.I have to admit it is my current favorite show, and if you are doing any rehabbing of items,you might like this show.

Rough hours

When you are accustomed to sleeping from 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM, and you get up a few times during the night, you are used to operating through the day on a set amount of hours.

Today, I got up earlier than usual, worked a little overtime,and then participated in a marketing study that was done at 9:30PM.I tried not to be over caffeinated during the day, but I do confess that I knew I’d have to be responsive around people at an hour when I’d normally be asleep, well, I anticipated being awake and not embarrassing myself.

I actually am going in to work tomorrow, as they are having a Red Cross bloodmobile and I am scheduled to make a donation of blood.Our friends, Juls and Tim, are due down to spend the weekend with us.I am praying that we all can hang out together and, dogs included, just relax,

Here’s hoping that your Friday finds you anticipating the weekend and your weekend is enjoyable.

Fantasy for who?

My preference of sport is baseball, but it’s the time of year for fantasy football.

**fantasy?personally? It’s not MY fantasy…lol**

The last time I participated in fantasy football was back in 2000 and since I was the “old girl” in the office back then, guys were willing to give me tutorials on who to pick and why I am picking them. The only football I ever willingly followed ever in my life was Penn State football, so I knew HOW the game was played. I just didn’t know HOW the point system went. I managed to make it through the season back then, and although I wasn’t in the basement, well, it wasn’t too memorable for me.

One of my buddies, Denise, was spreading word of a fantasy football fundraiser for her son’s hockey team so I figured I’d give it a shot again.The only thing now is that it is a suicide pool so you can’t take the same team twice.I took Green Bay last week and won.I took Kansas City this week.My guide now is my nephew Matt, who is helping me navigate the football pool.

Stay tuned.

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Living out of a suitcase…sort of

Our home of twelve years was sold last June.

I’m not due to retire until this coming January, God willing.

I’m living at my late parent’s house. it is truly transitional housing.

What does this spell?

My handbag is my life.

Women accessorize.It’s a given. Fashion’s fifth avenue has more than enough magazines where you can blink and you still won’t miss the newest handbags on the editorial fashion pages, if not the ads.We are taught that it is an extension of ourselves. Sure it is, until we have our first chiropractic visit or physical therapy trying to regain a normal state in our shoulders, arms or back.Yes, you, reading this rubbing your sore shoulder. You know what I am talking about.

Most working women have their lives, to some degree in a handbag.After all, we carry them, we keep our transit fares in them, our building passes in them, house keys in them, make-up in them, cell phone, e-reader, and so on, and so on…you catch my drift?

Well, being between two houses, I am in a constant state of,” Oh, I might need this:I’ll put it in my bag.” That’s starts one thing, and as Jim likes to call it, you end up having an avalanche effect.For example, as soon as I post this blog, I have to figure out to get a few pounds off the handbag.**chuckling**I know many women, myself included, who could clean out their handbag twice weekly and still wake up in the morning wondering what gremlin got in and throws even more stuff in our handbags.

I thought I was saying something when I went to a Vera Bradley bag, thinking cloth has to be lighter than leather.Yeah, right.The material doesn’t matter,when you put your belongings into it.

I am going to post this, and then,well, my handbag is not the fabric of the picture below but it is of this style, which of course, is so serviceable that Vera Bradley discontinued it!**sigh**
I will go and try to lighten the load.Of course, it goes without saying that I look forward to the time I’ll be living in our new home and won’t need my “stuff’ clogging up my handbag.

Feel free to share your handbag stories with me. I’m all ears.

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Hanging Out

Down at Undisclosed, we had a chance today to kick back with a few of our neighbors this afternoon at the Property Owners Association building.

They held a deck party for us today and we had over 50 folks show up.Jim and I are active in the property owners association and know a lot of the folks from working the pancake breakfast.We went with a few of our neighbors and friends for a dinner of either chicken or shrimp lo mein, and fresh pineapple and watermelon for dessert.

It is hard for us to leave, because going back to the city is really wearing on both of us and we would be happy to be down here now.We wrapped up the party and came back home.The girls got their last walk of the night, and now, well, we are hoping we are able to sleep so we can wind up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to head up to our work week.

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Do I have to?

The only thing that is taking the sting out of going to bed right after I finish this, getting up 3am, and heading back up into the city is the fact that this is my last city Labor Day.

I was fortunate enough to spend this week last year down here for a week. I couldn’t do that this year, as I am counting down and have to use my time frugally and wisely.As my good friend and neighbor reminded me you’ll be here next year.

I just have to think of that when I am getting up at 3am.

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Biding the time

Every day that I get up, get washed and dressed, make the trek down to the bus, I think,” X amount of days left.”

What they should really do is like they do in prison-that is, give you time off for the sentence served. In my case, it would be the amount of time I spend in a bus on the Schuylkill expressway.It has gotten a bit better lately, as school is close to being let out for the summer.The bus in the morning currently is a little more civilized, and much quieter.

The parking on the expressway gets to me. I have never realized that the driving skills of my fellow city residents have gone so far down the skids.It’s the equal of the first snow of the winter and people getting panicked by the first flurry.It just makes me nuts.

It makes the sanity clause something I really am hoping to embrace once retired.

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X-Men, er, ray…

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The inevitable day has happened: I have to go for the hip X-Ray.

**Sigh**

I wanted to try to take it on Friday but wasn’t well enough. I was going go try this morning.I figured I didn’t need to take the chance on being late.This afternoon, I am going to kiss my afternoon goodbye after work and go get it done. My local hospital is called ” Memorial Hospital”. I joke that they call it memorial for a reason. It goes without saying that the quality of care lacks big time.

Tomorrow is the appointment and hopefully some relief.

**fingers crossed**

I’ll admit it..

I was beat.

I fell asleep on half of the season premiere of Amish Mafia.

I woke up and my union had negotiated(tentatively)an 8 year contract with my employer.

Say WHAT?

Now I am awake and it is working on the wee small hours and if you think I can fall asleep now, well, think again.

My future is dependent on this contract and do you think for one stinking minute I can find anything about the retiree portion on-line? Nope? Google, union web site, local news station, local print media? Zip.

It’s going to be a long night. I guess it would help to put my glasses on to see the laptop better.I will wait…and search…..

**sigh**

First day of school….NOT!

…although I have to admit,that coming off of five days away feels like I am a kid coming back from winter break.**if I only knew then what I know now**

The weather is freaking out, to put it bluntly. I am working 9-5 today. Coming in the temperature was in the 50’s. When I leave at 5PM, it’s due to be 36. Overnight it’s going to the single digits and let’s not even go to wind chill factor.

I am determined to catch up on work and just see what tonight and tomorrow will bring.

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Again?

I had a good friend in the office. We shared many things in common, including our Keurig coffee makers.
I would stop every day at her cubicle to check in, or if I was at the front desk, she’d stop by going and/or coming in from lunch.I considered her a bud.

I talked to her on Tuesday. She told me about her emphysema..she was a cigarette smoker who quit a while ago.

She was out sick on Wednesday.

I got a text on Friday that she passed away while talking to her daughter on the phone.

December used to be a joyful month for me. Losing two good friends in one month? I see why people feel the way they do about Christmas.

Rest in peace Lois….I will miss you!

A Sharpie Start

I merely wanted to put my name on my yogurt and used a black sharpie.

That is why my thumb looks like it was colored by my dog Kasia, all over the
place just like her. So when your day starts like that, it can only get better,
right?

I have legitimate work to do plus errands for the house and just don’t know if
old Cyber Monday will fit it….

We’ll see. 😀

No escaping it

On days I am late, I get to be on my beloved train again, thanks to Jim.

It is a station a little further up the line, and when I got there this morning, I couldn’t escape shore housing or work.

Behind the station they had workmen dropping and opening modular housing units…. giving new meaning to the old chestnut,” You can run,but you can’t hide.”

Happy Wednesday!

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Working things out…

So my life has become my desk, of late, due to a ton of work that has come in.
Basically, I am averaging 3 hours a night overtime; by the time I get home it’s 8:30.
It’ll have a reward in the long run, but it’s been a struggle to get through the day
to get home to Jim and the girls.

I love the fact that you end up with some off time in your mind,like waiting for the train and/or bus,
and you get to think things out. I have been going over some things and things seem to be pretty good,
albeit busy right now. Almost makes you wish for a slow day.

I am blessed with great friends: they may not be many in number, but they are worth gold to me.
I am blessed with a wonderful husband, who is right there with me not before or behind me.
I am blessed with being the age I am and taking care of the fur girls.
God has me where he wants me right now.
God is good ALL the time.

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Eels and Snakes oh my!

Thought I’d have a break in the reference to my psychology 104 class that I end up using everyday-the class was ” Adults, Adolescence and Aging”.

Talked to two of my BFF’s last night and after hanging up with them both, I am quite sure that they, along with me, were shaking their head laughing.

I am tired of saccharine, smirking folks. They think no one can see through their veneer, but guess what ? Your emotion has raised its’ ugly head, so we all get to see you and your five faces. Your neck should be tired carrying a head so big.

It’s Friday.

Thanking God I get a break out of here until Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Five

This week….

I am thankful for my entertainment as I am working on this post-The Phillies vs. Mets game, where the Phillies are currently shellacking the Mets 16-1…enough said!I am grateful the Phils are on, making me want to stay up and listen-hopefully I’ll get a good night sleep.

I am thankful I have the opportunity to work and entire Friday and, as much as I’d like to leave early for Undisclosed, know that it’ll be worth my time.

I am thankful for the foresight to make a crock pot of chili this week, thus giving me something for lunch tomorrow.

Although I’ll work all tomorrow, I thank God Jim and the girls are picking me up to head for Undisclosed!

Have a wonderful Friday!