Week 44 - Snow before Halloween

It started snowing late Sunday and was still snowing Monday morning. A small part of me had been looking forward to the first snowy day when I didn't have to worry about shovelling my driveway and getting to work on time. Now this snow was only ~3" and had started melting by the end of the day Monday but still. You gotta enjoy what you can these days.

It was a nice week at work - busy but not stressfully so - so it flew by. I had some fun zooms too, with Van for tea one afternoon and later in the week with the old coffee group - Lana, Cindy and even Dawn from Virginia. It was lovely.

A warm front was coming through starting on the weekend and I desperately needed produce so wanted to go to Super Saver in Lincoln, which has the best produce department. You would think from how much I belabored when to go and what to do that I was making a major life decision. Sheesh! Luckily, Cindy mentioned that she was going to go to Sam's Club Saturday morning so I asked if she wanted to get Starbuck's and sit outside somewhere and chat. Yes! With that appointment to anchor my day, I headed south.

Cindy and I got our drinks (I tried the pumpkin foam cold brew - yum!) and found a park to sit in. It was still a bit chilly but we found a sheltered location in the sun and chatted until noon. It was perfect. I had to go to campus to check out a new location for one of the cat feeders and hadn't been there in months. Come to find out the weekend feeder had already moved it - nice! - so I headed to my office to check it out. The windows had been replaced but my cubie was still in pieces. As usual, it was creepy being in the dark, empty building. I hit the ladies, checked on my cats and then picked up my favorite salad at Panera. I stopped at my favorite Goodwill for finding yarn on the way to Anne's and we happily sat on her deck all afternoon, knitting and chatting. I left when we lost the sun and stopped at Super Saver for a huge stockup and was home by 7:00. It was Halloween but I was skipping it this year. Despite that, it was a banner day!

I have had a round topped steamer trunk in my basement for years, which I recently emptied with a plan to get rid of it. Well Andrea knew I wanted it gone and told me that her niece's one act play group was looking for trunks so we'd made plans for her to come help me get it out of the basement on Sunday. Well it was way deep in the basement, which meant I had to move some furniture and crap to get it out. I went down to see how much work it would be and ended up just moving it myself. It was awkward but not heavy and I even managed to get it up the stairs myself. I figured it would be easier to go right to Andea's sister so emailed her and she said she'd send her husband over with the truck. Done! Now I have an empty wall to put up a bookcase and get some craft stuff organized.

That was the start of my Sunday and after my weekly chat with my sister, my friend Lori came over and we chatted for a bit. She was in my house but wore a mask. Now that's a good friend.

Great weekend, right? I didn't get any cooking done but I have a freezer full of possibilities and my produce drawers were jam packed so I'd survive. I'll end this post with a pic of my happy geraniums, which I'll be enjoying all winter. Orange, of course.

Week 43 - Bringing in Plants

The highlight of the week, if you could call it that, was the hard freeze on Thursday night. It was the end of warm weather and meant I had some work to do. But first the week.

We were getting some much needed rain on Tuesday so I only went to Mocha C's for the weekly grab and go lunch I look forward to, skipping The Warehouse and D's Boutique. I had sorted stocking stuffers and was hoping I could find some for Carolyn, whose basket was a bit skimpy, at D's. Well, it's a good thing I didn't go in there because by the end of the week she was closed because she had Covid. Dodged a bullet there and it's not like Christmas is tomorrow so I'm not stressed. Yet.

Thursday was a good day. UNL's 2nd annual State of Diversity was that morning and was being done on Zoom. So no buffet breakfast like last year but it was a good program and they had zoom breakout sessions that worked perfectly. I even managed to get some knitting time in during the speakers.

The hard freeze was due that night so at the end of the day, I picked all the veg that was left outside - eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and a big bunch of chard. Then I brought in all the plants I wanted to overwinter. I just put them on a rug by the TV until I'd deal with them on the weekend.

The weekend was filled with friends. On Saturday I talked to 2 friends and my sister then pulled the plant stands out of the garage and washed them down in the tub and put them out in the sun on the driveway to dry before heading inside to start some chores. On Sunday I repotted a few of the plants and got them all situated on the plant stands in front of the slider (south window) and the dining room (west window) where they'll live all winter. I also talked to my cousin, my boss and Anne plus zoomed with Dawn in Virginia. How's that for being social while never leaving my house?

I enjoyed apple crisp almost every night after being inspired earlier in the week when faced with nothing for dessert. I made half a batch of apple crisp topping and then every night I prepped one apple and made a single serving of apple crisp in my toaster oven. Because apple crisp is never crisp if you reheat it so this way I got fresh apple crisp in the time it took me to peel one apple. I even used my wonderful 70's Pyrex gratin dishes. Perfect! I can see more of this in my future.

Between dealing with all my plants and talking with family and friends, I finished several knitting projects and managed to fit in just enough chores to be ready for the upcoming week. So another pandemic week was in the books and I survived just fine. I might have even thrived a bit. : )

Week 42 - End of Fun?

It was yet another week of working from home and staying safe. I had some socially distanced fun on the weekend, which is always good, but also had a mini meltdown.

The week started out well. I had my annual physcial and mammogram on Tuesday, which messed up my grab and go lunch but I just got it Thursday instead. I trained a few people on reporting on Wednesday afternoon and then had a wonderful zoom session with Paul of The Ripples Project fame. As usual, I was totally energized by Paul. I had some computer problems first thing Friday but after that was resolved, I ended the day crossing allocations off my to do list. Nice way to end the work week.

As the end of the week approached, I was looking forward to my spinning meeting at Nan's cabin on the river. The weather was supposed to be warm and sunny, which was a nice treat for mid October. The weather was perfect and we had a great time, after which I headed to the Dollar Tree. I was inspired by a podcast I'd been watching on YouTube - On a Dime, in case you're interested - and wanted to scope out some baskets and bins for organizing. I found a few and then went to Aldi to pick up some groceries. While I was in Aldi, it was like someone flipped a switch and the cold front came through. The sun was gone and the wind was from the north and raw. It came through exactly when it was forecast and it felt like a death nell for fun.

I'm not sure exactly what triggered it but earlier in the week I had started worrying about no longer being able to see people safely outside. I kind of went into panic mode and started obsessing about what it would be like when I would be alone in my house day after day without being able to see people. I was also worried about the cold, dark corner where my desk is and being stuck there working all winter. I vented to anyone who would listen and was a bit of a mess. Until I came up with a plan.

My desk is in the corner of my L shaped kitchen and back room, where the sun streams through my south facing sliding door all winter. I needed to find some way that I could work in the back room while still maintaining it as the TV room. After much thought, I headed to Amazon and found the perfect solution to my problem - this coffee table! It would allow me to work from my couch, which would be in the sun but wouldn't have the glare I get when sitting in my chair. And the pop up table top would be the perfect height for my laptop. I'd have to get rid of my oversized ottoman but that matched a chair I'd trashed years ago and was pretty grubby so it was time. I hit add to cart on the coffee table and immediately chilled out. Damn skippy! It was exactly what I needed to calm down.

And on another postive note, I used the baskets I had bought at Dollar Tree to completely organize my summer Birkenstocks in the bottom of my closet and sorted a pile of shoes to donate. One night during the week, I went through all of my gift socks, sorting them into zippies by size and pulling some for Christmas gifts. I am not spending as much time as I should organizing my house but I did do a bit and since I ended the week on a happy note with my meltdown solved by a coffee table, I'll call it a good week.

Week 41 - Socially Distanced Fun

The week started with Cindy not in our morning zoom meeting. I got her on our private zoom as soon as the team one was done and she had just gotten back from a Covid test. OMG! It all ended well (just a cold) but threw a wrench in the works for a few things.

We were supposed to be having wine on Lana's deck on Wednesday after work and Cindy would be giving me the book club books her husband had picked up because he works in the same building as the Library Commission. Well, with her test not due back for 3 days and book club being Thursday night, I had to scramble. They didn't have more of the same books so I did a search on email and found a book I'd wanted to read in 2004, which they did have 8 copies of. Now I just had to make arrangements to get those books.

Well, when our wine on Lana's deck was cancelled, I suggested to Anne that we do dinner on her deck to take advantage of the last of the nice weather. She was fine with that and Rene was too so I asked a favor. Rene is retired so has all the time in the world and was willing to run downtown and pick up the books. Yay! That meant that I didn't have to take vacation time to get to Lincoln before 5:00. Not only that but Rene was getting a taco salad (dinner was bring your own) so I asked her to get one for me too. It's good to have friends! We had a lovely dinner on the deck, which I fear may be the last one until next spring.

I was rocking safe social distanced socializing this week. Masks were now required at the library so we all wore them for knitting on Monday night and then for book club on Thursday. That was 3 social events on weeknights - so fun! And the work week had gone well too. I taught my reporting classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons so it flew. On Friday, I ran errands at lunch and picked up Chinese food, which I haven't eaten in ages. Friday afternoon was filled with the final design of a new form for Benefits so didn't drag. And I had more fun to look forward to on Saturday.

It was the weekend that the Estate Dispersal Store was open (only one per month) so Andrea and I were meeting Lori in Fremont Saturday morning. I had requested Bruegger's Bagels because I'd been wanting one and cannot get to a store without taking vacation time. Lori, who lives in Omaha, obliged. Again, it's good to have friends. Andrea and I wanted to hit the Restore before bagels so Lori met us there (it was her first time there) and then we sat in a park and had a lovely bagel breakfast. The weather was perfect and there was even a yard sale across the street, where I found the cutest, nesting snack set from the 70's. Someday I'll be able to have people over and use it. After that, we all found fun stuff at the estate store then went to Goodwill. Lori left us after that and Andrea and I went to Aldi and HyVee for groceries. It had been a gorgeous day full of fun shopping with friends. That's the best part of life, right?

After a dinner of HyVee rotisserie chicken, which totally hit the spot, I decided to head to the farm store to buy the bird seed I needed, which would mean I could stay in on Sunday. Well, they were having a 17% off everything sale that day only (I lucked out by not procrastinating) so I got bird seed, a small galvanized bucket to store it on the deck this winter, a stack of suet cakes and a few other things, including stocking stuffers and yet another pumpkin. Score! It topped off a perfect day.

Alas, I couldn't fall asleep (maybe the caffeinated frapuccino I'd had that afternoon?) so was tired Sunday. I always talk to my sister but also had plans to talk with Carolyn since we didn't get our usual Saturday morning chat. The morning was filled with happy chatting and then I got busy neatizing and doing the bare minimum of chores. That was the plan anyway until I knocked a jar of homemade pickle relish onto the floor, where it shattered and made a sticky mess. Clearly I now had to clean the floor, which desperately needed it anyway. I was on final step of the long process (wiping up relish, sweeping, vacuuming and then washing) when the phone rang. I had been bemoaning the lack of a plan for what to do while the floor dried but now I could chat with Sharyn. Yay! I washed myself out the back door and sat on the deck chatting away. We didn't hang up until 7:00 my time. 

All in all, it had been another lovely day in a week full of lovely other things. During this pandemic, I have been cherishing the safe socializing I manage to do and am fully aware that I have a relatively stress free life when compared to so many. I am grateful for a good job I can do from home and a wonderful support system of friends, both near and far. Despite it all, life is good.

Week 40 - Finally Some Masks!

So, it was back to reality after a nice time with Connie. You would think that the glow of getting away and out of my house would have left me with some residual good vibes but no. The vibes didn't even last through the 8.5 hour drive home. Oh well. At least I had Chubby's truffles to share at knitting.

I went to Mocha C's on Tuesday ready to tell them off for not wearing masks and inform them that I wouldn't be returning until they did. Well, knock me over with a feather! Every person behind the counter was wearing a mask, at which I heaved a big sigh of relief. I so look forward to the little things these days and my Tuesday grab and go lunch is one of them. More masks in Wahoo is the one good thing that came out of the super spreader wedding that lead to so many cases in town. How's that for cup half full?

After the debate from hell, which left me struggling to fall asleep, I was tired on Thursday. I'd been messaging back and forth with the owner of Hoot & Sadie's about the cutest little bookcase/hutch that was only 21" wide but tall. It was the perfect thing to organize my knitting supplies and I'd moved furniture to make room for it. But when I called to say I'd be picking it up later, she said she'd sold it when the store opened at 1:00. I never did formally tell her to hold it so it was my bad but I was very disappointed. She seemed to feel bad too. I went in after work to pick up some lamps that Lori had bought  At least I'd get some fun from that.

Lori came to get the lamps at lunch on Friday and we walked at the lake with her dog. It was a lovely interlude in the day and got me outside. Despite the weather being cooler, I've continued to hole up in the house, which is not good. There's no reason I can't get outside at lunch or right after work. I just don't. Clearly it's time to rethink that.

And despite being holed up, my house was a pit. I'd been tired all week after being at Connie's so had done the bare minimum to get through the week. I spent the weekend getting my house back in order. I started in the back room and kitchen on Saturday, finishing in the late afternoon. I really needed some groceries and wanted to head south to Lincoln but was trying to figure out a route that would include going to Anne's, which wasn't really working. I gave up but at 4:30 realized that there was no requirement that I visit Anne just because I'd be in Lincoln. I left the house at 4:30, did some thrifting then got groceries at Aldi and was back home by 7:00. Nice. After a supper of chips, dip and beer, I headed to bed. I had more to do Sunday.

My front room was especially getting me down, with the table piled high with stocking stuffers and various crap from as far back as my Rhode Island trip. There was also yarn EVERYWHERE! I got the table cleared, the stocking stuffers organized in baskets (I'm doing fine for my sisters but Carolyn's is looking skimpy) and then sorted yarn. I pulled yarn to donate to Project Warm that we're doing at spinning and swatched a bunch of yarns that I suspected might be non-superwash wool and would shrink. Those went into the laundry basket to go in with my next hot load. 

With that done, I called it a good weekend. My house was neat but not clean but I'd deal with that later. And the week had been fine, with work just the right amount of busy, so it was all good. Just another week during the pandemic. I have it easier than many so am thankful to be happy and healthy. I hope you are too.

Week 39 - Hangin' with Connie

It was a short work week because I was heading to Connie's. I couldn't wait to see her new house and just hang out but first had to get through 2 work days. I'm happy to say they were uneventful. And I ended Tuesday watching a lecture by Doris Kearns Goodwin via zoom.

I loaded up the car and left my house on schedule at 8:00. I was taking the scenic route but was proud that I'd resisted going via Scottsbluff to hit Brown Sheep's factory store. So Goodwill in Norfolk was as fun as it got. I stopped there then hit DQ in O'Neill for a Mocha MooLatte. After a stop for gas, I powered through and with gaining an hour, I was at Connie's by supper time. After a tour of her house, we ate the sausage and peppers I'd brought and chatted the night away. It was great to see her and her new house is wonderful.

We had no specific plans beyond Connie's birthday dinner on her friend's patio on Friday so headed to Spearfish. After the grocery store, we had a nice Italian lunch outside at Nonna's on the main drag and hit the health food store. After we put the groceries away and had some tea, we headed to Belle Valley Ancient Grains - a local organic flour miller. We waited while they milled our flour then went home for a salmon supper and watching Greyhound. Tom Hanks was great, as usual, but a war movie? What was I thinking?

Friday was Connie's birthday so we drove back to Spearfish to get Connie's free birthday coffee at Starbuck's and pick up some eggs from her friend. With that done, after a stop at the little craft shop, we drove up the canyon. It's my happy place and was even prettier with all the fall foliage. And while we weren't prepared for wading, we still put our feet in the water at Roughlock Falls. It was breathtakingly cold but worth it. We went over the mountain to Lead and had fun in a couple of shops. I finally bought some stocking stuffers, which took some of the heat off Christmas. After a quick stop for truffles at The Chubby Chipmunk, we went home to do the last supper prep.

Dinner was at Francie's but we were bringing the food. She was providing the grill and patio. We had steaks, caprese salad and naan with ice cream for dessert. I'd heard a lot about Francie and she didn't disappoint. Connie broke out some special whisky and we had wine with dinner. It was all lovely.

Between the canyon and dinner, we had a bit of time to kill so I suggested we start moving rocks. The woman who Connie bought the house from had torn out all her plants and rocked all the beds. Ick! So we started with the front bed and schlepped 3 wheel barrow's full of rocks to her alley. After her son delivered a desk he'd refinished on Saturday morning, we went right back outside and moved some more. We then planted some bulbs and set up a little harvest display with pumpkins and gourds we'd bought. After our good start, Connie vowed to keep moving rocks until that bed was done. Exhausted from all that, we had a little Mary Poppins fest with Saving Mr. Banks, dinner (I made carbonara) then the original Mary Poppins. My visit was pretty much over. It had been quick but so wonderful. We laughed and laughed. I was sorry to be leaving.

As I usually do, I got up early and had the car loaded before Connie was even awake. We had breakfast and I hit the road. I lose an hour going home so took the speedy route - driving 80 mph all the way across South Dakota on I-90. It's boring but quick. The last 2 hours is a slog on a 2 lane highway from Sioux City to Wahoo but it somehow feels faster. It actually took the same amount of time - 8.5 hours - and I was home by 6:00.

It had been a great trip and I fear it was the last one for a LONG time. I pondered that as I unpacked and did the bare minimum to get ready for the work week. I'll do my best to savor the fun we had. I wish Connie lived closer but at least we get quality time when I visit and she lives in a gorgeous area that I never would have gotten to know had she not moved there. Lucky me to have such a good friend, even if she is far away.

Week 38 - Enjoying Responsible Fun

The week started with not being able to remote into my work computer. Come to find out, someone had unplugged it when they swiped the power strip. Allan moved it to a less obvious spot and I was back in business. While this may not have been an auspicious start, the work week went fine. Is it a bad thing that the highlights of my work week were a spider scaring the crap out of me when it ran across my desk and the zoom tea break I had with Lana and Cindy on Wednesday? At least nothing blew up work wise.

Thursday night was dinner in Ashland with Amanda. We got take out from BW's (tot-chos!) and ate on her deck. I'd made pineapple upside down cake for Amanda's birthday It was a lovely evening. Helen came over for lunch on my deck on Friday. All this socializing outside with friends felt great.

Saturday was spinning at Nan's cabin on the Platte River. Her cabin is on stilts so we sat underneath it spread apart in chairs and I pulled up a zoom so a few people could participate remotely. It was a lot of fun. From there, Andrea and I went to Omaha for some shopping and dinner at Lori's. I brought eggplant parm that I'd made with eggplant from my garden. Friends and food - does it get better than that?

Sunday was chores and my cousin Kelley's wedding. The zoom was scheduled for 7:00 our time (the wedding was in California) so I figured I'd be done by 8:00. Nope. After the ceremony, Kelley and Gabe went out to take pictures and said they'd be back in an hour so all the cousins stayed on the zoom and caught up. When they were done with pictures, I thought they'd come back to chat but they did cake and their first dance. I was surprised but I guess they were trying to have as normal a weeding as they could. I never got to chat with Kelley at all and said goodnight after 10:00 and went to bed.

So in our covid world, this was a banner week. I saw so many people (safely) and got to enjoy time outside. I fell like I need to do all the visiting while the weather allows it to store up some fun for when it's too cold to be outside. It's coming so store up some of your own fun for the lean times ahead. : )