Come on, spring....go away wind :-)

 

Our spring winds haven't really started up yet.  One day we have an inch or so of snow, and the next day it's 55-60 degrees.  I was always surprised at people wearing shorts and tee shirts in New Mexico even in 50 degree weather, but I guess after 27 years her I've acclimated.  Today I wore a skirt (bare legs, no hose or tights) and tee shirt to church, but to be fair, I did wear a jacket :-)  This mornings temps were around 47 or so.

This coming Tuesday I will be 10 weeks out from retirement!  Time somehow seems to be speeding up ~ but I believe that was helped by the "spring forward" we experienced a week ago.

Romeo has been working on our taxes, but he hasn't been grumpy......yet.  It's all very strange, because usually he's stressed over it.  Good ol' Turbo Tax.

Putin is continuing his crazy war, and innocent people are dying and being displaced.  It's a horror every day on the news.  And did you hear this?

From the New York Post, dated March 15th, 2022   Ben Kesslen writes:

Matveychev then said he wants “the return of all Russian properties, those of the Russian empire, the Soviet Union and current Russia, which has been seized in the United States, and so on.”

That includes Alaska and even Fort Ross, California, a small area in Sonoma County that was at one point the Russian Empire’s southernmost outpost in North America and was sold off in 1841.

This is apparently to compensate Russia for the economic sanctions imposed due to the invasion of Ukraine.   He is deranged. 

Let us all pray for the innocent.

Love, 365

Frickity frackity........

 

For Pete's sake, right?  Why Saturday night?  At least we would have a two day jump on adjusting to one of the most absurd propositions ever.  It's been proven over and over that none of the "advantages" ever bore any fruit.  It has been proven to reduce productivity.....and make most people cranky and tired.  We don't even have the excuse that we forgot to set our clocks, since everything changes without effort.  Ugh.  

I am praying for Ukraine.......

Love, 365

It's getting real...............

 

I chose this spiral staircase, not because I'm heading down, but going up!!  

On March 8th, I will have 12 weeks left.  6 more paychecks.  😮

We all survived the retirement of our previous office manager.  She is still somewhat involved, as she's putting the open house party together on 4/22 for the incoming doctor ~ which we met last Monday.  One thing that struck me, is the resemblance of the doc that's staying and the new one.  It's really rather uncanny.  I told them they look a bit like brothers 😛  I think it's weird, but hey.  

I did get a raise, which went into effect on my last paycheck, which was nice since we had a short month and we are paid hourly.  

Otherwise, it's been busy busy both at work and at home.  And I put aside an hour to go and get a pedicure, which I haven't had since the first part of November.  Since we've had warm temperatures, I've been tempted to wear sandals, until I have a look at the state of my toes, haha.  Of course, the temp's have plummeted (70 a day or two ago, and the high tomorrow of 46 ~ typical early spring weather).  So, probably won't wear sandals to church on Sunday.  I am not sure if I will continue to go to a salon to have them done.  The price was more than last year ~ so what's new, everything has gone up ~ so I'll have to "polish" my skills.  Sorry for the pun!  There were only two people working in the salon, the owner and one technician.  She told me they just can't find help.  Maybe they went back to school so they could get higher paid jobs?  I assume that the pay is likely around minimum wage for technicians.  You could not pay me enough to work on people's gnarly feet!  But I can manage my own, lol.

I spent much of yesterday doing laundry, as I didn't do any the weekend before, so I had two loads worth.  Cleaned the bathroom.  Dusted.  Put stuff away.  My office is still in need of tidying though.  Today is bread baking day ~ I've baked three loaves already and have two more to go.  The first three are for church (bread for communion), and the other two are sourdough loaves.  I finally figured out it's better to bake 2 smaller loaves and give one away.  Romeo and I could not finish a full loaf in a week!  Probably a good thing!

I am right on track as far as my financial goals.  But I admit that it's a tad bit nerve wracking, saying goodbye to a bi-monthly paycheck ~ especially since I just had a raise!!  Sigh.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love, 365

It's an on hold day........

 

**please note the pinky

My church ladies group ~ Philoptokos (which means Friend of the Poor) had a "high tea" membership luncheon Saturday.  My friend, who is the cook who typically caters these things suggested we take photos before all the craziness, which turned out to be a great idea.  I was so tired after it was done.   And I don't think I looked quite the same after it was all done!

So, as it turns out I was lucky on the Southwest Airlines ticket.  Because I had not responded to any of the revision notices they sent me, they will refund me the cost, which is a very good thing because they can't (or won't) extend the travel credit.  See?  Here is how procrastination ~ one of my big negatives ~ has been reinforced as not so bad....     I did have to wait and hour and 20 minutes to reach a representative.  I did nearly all that waiting working out on my treadmill, so at least I got my workout done.

I was feeling lucky, so I called Louisiana Vital Records, but no love there.  They have my case, but it hasn't been assigned to anyone yet.  Arghhhh

Win some, lose some....

Love, 365

Sunny Sunday ~ odd bits and thoughts......

 

12 or so years ago, I could fly to San Antonio on Jet Blue.  It was wonderful, because it was a non-stop flight, and a small plane with two seats on one side and one seat on the other.  They actually gave us a sandwich for lunch.  Oh, boy, those were the days.  A lot has changed in air travel in the past 8 years, and even more has changed in the last two.  #1, there are fewer flights.  #2, if you live in a relatively obscure part of the country like New Mexico, there is no such thing as a one way flight ~ it's hard to find that even if you're flying to El Paso, which is typically less than a 4 hour drive.  Worst of all, Jet Blue no longer has those wonderful flights to San Antonio from here.  They left the Sunport a long time ago.

I am flying to San Antonio at the end of July.  I found the flights I want, and planned to use the credit from my ticket from back in late Sept., early Oct. which I had to cancel (I had to leave much earlier as Mom was sick and slipping away from us).  I just tried to use my credit, and to my horror and disgust, my "credit" expires at the end of June.  I'm holding on the line as I type this (with their annoying hold music in my ears) to find out if there's anything I can do to extend the expiration.  If not, then I will lose out on about $400.  Which is no bueno, as we say here often.  I do not want to fly just for the sake of using my credit, so if they won't extend it, I guess I'll be out $400.  :-(

Otherwise, it is a beautiful and sunny Sunday here in the Land of Enchantment (isn't that just so corny?).  It is still very chilly in the morning (24 degrees) and then a high of 65.  I saw some green leaves on my sage bush today.....do you notice that some trees and plants come out when the weather is warm, regardless of the time of year?  I sure hope trees don't start to bud.  It is way to early here, as the suggested planting date for spring (for veggies and that sort of thing) is April 16th.  Most people get excited about their gardens and plant early, and unless they've covered those seedlings usually have to replant.  

Although I was excited to see the winter olympics, I have quite watching it for the most part.  Of course, today is the last day.  My favorite part is the snow boarding.  It's pretty amazing what those kids can do on a flimsy board on the ice and snow.

Only 14 weeks to go!  The closer it gets, the more annoying work seems, haha.  

Have a great week.

Love, 365

It's gonna be a road trip!......

This is absolutely true when Romeo and I travel somewhere.  He doesn't buy things like fruit and chocolate.  No, he likes to start out with doughnuts and it goes downhill from there :D  My sister and I won't be pulling those kind of shenanigans.  At least, I don't think so!  It's been 50 (yes, 50!!!) years since we've done this kind of road trip.  

My sister called me today to say that she would prefer to drive.  She was going to put off buying a car but has decided that she will see what she can find ~ looking for a Toyota with less than 50,000 miles on it.  It would save us quite a bit.  Rentals are twice the cost of a few years ago.  The last time I rented a car for a week it was around $200, now it's more like $450-500.  She has tasked me with planning the route and figuring out which towns/cities we will spend the night in.  See, this is where I'm a bit odd, because I find this rather fun.

The possibilities ~ giant balls of string, alligator farms, etc.  Not that I'm going to detour us to take photos in front of the world's largest working chainsaw 😀  One thing I will do is look for great places to eat that I can find on Diner, Drive ins and Dives.  Do you ever watch that show?  It makes me drool every time.  

The map I've put on the post is just the beginning of the options for the route we will take, so if you know of an awesome place to visit or eat along the way, don't keep it a secret!

Love, 365

And, tomorrow is Monday.......

 

Lol, I love the last one best.....probably because I love Corgi's.  I have 15 weeks left, very close indeed.  I have most of my goals met, just one left to go, which I should be able to complete next month.  I do need to save up a little more for a trip my sister and I will be taking at the end of July.

We will be going to Pennsylvania to bury my Mom's ashes, and we scheduled it during the annual family reunion.  The question is, do we fly or drive?  My sis is not too keen on flying, so we discussed the option of a road trip.  Which sounds fun/not fun.  Fun, because my sis and I get along so well.  Not fun, because it will mean a 25+ hour drive.  We already decided to limit it to 10-11 hours a day, which is really plenty.  I would prefer 8-9, but we don't have forever.  We did a quick calculation, and figure the cost is similar, as we would have to rent a car if we did fly.  I just don't want to rush it all.  I would prefer to factor in some fun, and not a rush to get there and a rush to get back.  I really need to look at flights again, and check out the cost of a nearly 2 week car rental (yikes!).  Plus gas.  Plus food.  Plus lodging.  

If we do decide to fly, we'll have to check out the requirements for transporting cremains, which can be quite complicated.

She reminded me that my Mom's caregiver wants to go as well, but I did say that if we drive, I WILL NOT spend 25+ hours in a car with him.  He was a great caregiver for my Mom, but he never~stops~talking.  It would drive me crazy.  So we would have to pick him up at the airport.  So much to plan. 

Well, after tomorrow, I can scratch another Monday off my list.  Since I work every other Monday, it won't be that many!  

I hope you all have a great week!

Love, 365

Managing being married.......

 

Battle Bots ~ if you know what this is, there's no need to explain.....of course the name sort of says it all, right?  Teams build robots that fight to the "death".  Romeo loves this show.  I find it mildly entertaining.  While it's on, I usually do something else like play on my phone, or blog (ha ha).  But I'm still in the room, so I watch the exciting parts and ignore the rest.  I do watch House Hunters International  and he will sit there and make funny or annoying comments to the point I sometimes mute the sound.  Mostly I don't want to hear the "I want traditional" or "I want modern", I just am interested in what a house or apartment might look like in Europe and other parts of the globe.  It's all part of finding interest in stuff your spouse has interest in.  One must at least appear to have an interest.....at least it works for us.  

My DMV appointment went well.  However, I did not point out my Mother's misspelled name.  I figured they would care less (unless I made a big deal out of pointing it out).  And I really need that real ID.  It should be here in 4-6 weeks.  Predictably, the photo is awful.  A man was helping me ~ I wonder if a woman would have at least showed it to me for approval?  Who knows.  But I am set now to fly out in July.  My sister and I will be traveling to Pennsylvania to bury my Mom's ashes, and participate in the yearly family reunion this year.  I've never been to the reunion.  As a general rule, I don't enjoy them.  This one will probably be awkward.  I haven't seen any of them for over 35 years.  If that's not a recipe for awkwardness I don't know what is.  Or at least it will be for me.  Maybe I should take up drinking ~ just enough so I don't care?  Lol....

Love that last one   :D

Love, 365

The glacial speed of governmental agencies..........

Back in November, Romeo and I went to the post office ~ with an appointment ~ to go through the motions of getting a passport.  Romeo has his, it came in around the first of January, which is actually pretty quick as these things go.  

Unfortunately, my mother's name is spelled wrong (and really wrong) on my birth certificate.  I think I mentioned this in a previous post.  So, I first had to order a certified copy of her birth certificate.  That took about 6 weeks or so.  I mailed it, with all the requested information to the fine state of Louisiana (which is where I was born) so they could "amend" or correct my birth certificate.  I mailed it off right away, on Dec. 15th.  I had called a couple of times to see if they received it, and always heard the dreaded "no", and "the amendment department is 6-8 weeks behind" reply.  :-(  

Well, on Friday I called again, and hurrah! they have it.  Then she tells me it could take up to 16 (yes, 16) weeks for it to be processed and sent to me.  That's four months.  She said they are overwhelmed, and although she didn't say, probably understaffed.   Let's just say I get mine in two months like Romeo did.  It will have taken me nearly 10 months.  It's a darn good thing we didn't have a trip planned.  

Tomorrow I have an appointment at the MVD to renew my drivers license.  I have a huge packet of crap to prove I am who I am.  I feel I need the "real ID" since I may be flying to Pennsylvania this summer to bury my Mom's ashes.  Oh, I am so nervous.  I am going to be up front about the correction on my birth certificate, and hope they will be OK....I have her death certificate too.   I have all my marriage license info (we women have to prove our name change).  I have everything I need, I think.  Hopefully they won't deny the real ID, or I won't be able to fly this summer.  

I was lucky a couple of weeks ago (the keys), I'm hoping my luck will continue tomorrow.

Love, 365
 

A lil' help from strangers..........

 

This is the key ring I bought from E Bauer, over 25 years ago.  Well, not THE key ring I bought, these  were pictured online.  I love it because I can take off a key or two for whatever reason easily, and put it back on just as quick.  

When I last left you, I was freaking out because I'd left my keys in the lock of my mailbox.  We decided to buy new locks for the front and garage door.  I had to wait for him to come back from the hardware store, I was worried about leaving the house empty.   Paranoid much?  What if the person who had my keys was watching?  

When Romeo came back I took off to the post office.  I waited in line for about a minute and a half, when I realized I was standing there without my mask!!  I gasped, and went out to my car to get it.  And bless her heart, on older Hispanic lady waved me forward, she had saved my place ~ even though I didn't ask her to do so.  I was glad, because what with all the stress, I wasn't feeling all that great.  

The man at the counter called the driver that delivers to my neighborhood, and miracle of miracle ~ when he came to deliver that day, he saw my keys were still there!  So, for about 12 hours, my keys were dangling in the box and no one took them.  He put them in my box and locked it.  He met me there 15 min later and unlocked it so I could get my keys out.

I am not sure how my keys went unnoticed?  We've had car break-ins, and theft of outdoor Christmas decorations, and a myriad of other small thefts and vandalism.  I feel extremely lucky/blessed/fortunate that the keys have been returned.   

The only downside was that Romeo and already installed the front door lock, but he was able to return the one for the garage door.  Romeo made light of it, saying the front door lock needed replacing anyway.  

So, a potentially bad situation was turned into an event that turned out to boost my faith in people.  In their ability to see those keys and decide to walk on by.  In one person's decision to put them somewhere safe where I could retrieve them.  And the simple but appreciated act of saving my place in line.  

This isn't a parable, or a story that has a moral.  It's just a simple, common story ~ that shows me that there are plenty of people out there that want to do the right thing or the kind thing.  

Let's be like that.

Love, 365

The sh*t just hit the fan.....

 

I lost my keys.  These are the keys to my mailbox, my house, my office, and the key to my filing cabinet (of which I only have one).  

What I did was this: I was checking the mail, got my package out of the package box, then went to my car and drove home ~ not realizing I had left my key ring in the key slot of my mailbox.  

This means that whoever grabbed my keys can get into my mail (which I promptly put on hold), and worse yet, my house.  I suppose if they were so inclined, they could get into my filing cabinet, although there's not much of interest in there. 

Luckily, Romeo is home 98% of the time.  He just drove to the hardware store for a new door lock assembly.  Although ours has a keypad, it can also use a key.  And since the person who has my keys can get into my mailbox, they know our address.  

Least of all, I have lost my favorite key ring, which I've had for over 25 years.  But as I said, that is the least of my worries.  

Not my favorite day, and boy am I stupid.

Love, 365