Can't believe that August is almost over. This summer has flown by. I guess that happens when you are really busy. I made it through yoga class last night even though my friend, T was having leg pain and didn't make it. She is having bad Charlie-horse type cramping pain and has for a while! Poor T, I hope she can get some answers and find some relief.
I usually treat myself to a bought smoothie Wednesdays after I do yoga. I make my own on Tues night and most days at noon, that is all I have - smoothie for lunch. I am tired just thinking about tomorrow - I am going home tonight, unpack and do load of laundry, sleep in my own bed...then tomorrow I ride back up here with my sister for her to visit our granny and see aunt/uncle. My sister is fixing up aunt/uncle with an I've-fallen-and-can't-get-up button - she works for one of these companies in neighboring state and can monitor it herself. My granny has one too.
I noticed yesterday when looking at my granny's bank account that she has a large debit coming out of her checking - I called her to let her know we are coming noonish Friday to visit and she said we would talk about the transaction I referenced tomorrow. I think she must have put down a deposit to move closer to her daughter and probably dreads telling me because she knows that my husband and I will do most of the work moving her - but I just want her to be happy. She will second guess and feel like she has picked lesser of two evils - but when we moved her up here 5 years ago - who would have guessed she would arrive and fly past 100 with flying colors?! Moving her where we did was the best choice at that time. Moving again is part of life - we will get it done. I will assure of all these things. Of course, we would prefer she move south to be closer to us - but I understand she wants to be near her daughter/my aunt. If my grandmother outlives her daughter, she will move to our state.
Anyway. DH put together the last piece of furniture I bought - a cute white coffee table with storage. He said it was like 25 pieces to put together. And he discovered the drawer bottoms were missing! UGH. I sent an email this morning to Wayfair and supposedly they will send the missing panels. I will let you know.
I will be back home Sat evening. While we are up here, my sister and I are having a nice meal at our favorite shopping area in the city with a couple of my girlfriends who were planning to come down this weekend - but ended up having to cancel because T has an event Saturday with charity she is involved with. So, I said I would come to them. Now I dread it because I am so tired.
I think the fatigue I am feeling lately is a combination of my driving and working in the city away from DH now for the entire summer, along with some extra running around I have done because of my 2 classmates dying. So, I am trying to get extra rest and eat well. Limit my caffeine and junk - eat lots of colorful veggies and fruit. Lean meat. No sugar added smoothies. I have about 6 more weeks and then I will have some much needed downtime.
DH and I were thinking of going somewhere in Oct. But I am leaning toward not doing much for Oct and Nov, I need to rest.
I hope all of you are looking forward to a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
New Table
We had a nice weekend, DH and I went to a concert Sunday. It was really fun. It was back up in the city where I am working. We had to board the dogs, but we had them bathed while there were there and they look nice and smell good. We had a nice time staying with and seeing my aunt and uncle. I am glad DH got to see my uncle, he is really slipping last few months. We also got to play golf with DH 2 brothers. It was very rainy and cool! We went by Sat night and saw our former neighbors in the city. That was nice. Again, very chilly for August!
We got back home Monday morning and it went from chilly and drizzly to 91 and humid in the country! We mowed Monday afternoon and I had to stop twice to cool off and get some water! I also watered real well and all my plants I have planted over the spring and summer look so nice!
I asked SIL how her plants were doing (she got the other half of the plants in May from her and DH cousin). She said hers look terrible! She hasn't had the time to water hers like we have (they own a business and have cattle and BIL works full time). She said she will be embarrassed if/when cousin comes to town! Ha. I also switched out hummingbird food and ate dinner, then went to bed!
On Mondays I go to bed at 8pm to get up Tuesdays at 3:30pm to drive to the city. Today I am tired, but not too bad. I will do moderate workout at the gymn after work. I did yoga for first time in 2 months Wed and Sat and I am still a little sore! Will not have that big of a gap ever again!
Anyway, here is our new table. We really like it. We are selling another table and 4 chairs, a set of end/coffee/sofa tables and a leather chair at my SIL vintage resale store. I wanted something lighter with a pedestal. The light pedestal is the new one.
Have a great Monday!
We got back home Monday morning and it went from chilly and drizzly to 91 and humid in the country! We mowed Monday afternoon and I had to stop twice to cool off and get some water! I also watered real well and all my plants I have planted over the spring and summer look so nice!
I asked SIL how her plants were doing (she got the other half of the plants in May from her and DH cousin). She said hers look terrible! She hasn't had the time to water hers like we have (they own a business and have cattle and BIL works full time). She said she will be embarrassed if/when cousin comes to town! Ha. I also switched out hummingbird food and ate dinner, then went to bed!
On Mondays I go to bed at 8pm to get up Tuesdays at 3:30pm to drive to the city. Today I am tired, but not too bad. I will do moderate workout at the gymn after work. I did yoga for first time in 2 months Wed and Sat and I am still a little sore! Will not have that big of a gap ever again!
Anyway, here is our new table. We really like it. We are selling another table and 4 chairs, a set of end/coffee/sofa tables and a leather chair at my SIL vintage resale store. I wanted something lighter with a pedestal. The light pedestal is the new one.
Have a great Monday!
Thursday, August 22, 2019
New Chair
DH and I have been in our retirement house full time for a year end of September. Anything that we have bought for the house (not much) we have found second hand mostly. We brought the favorite things from our city house and got rid of TONS!
But looking around, I am seeing a few pieces that I like, but not loving and so I bought 3 new things - AFTER I checked online (FB marketplace), thrift stores and retail stores. I ordered a new chair for our master bedroom because the leather chair we put in there is too dark and sits too low. I looked several places and just did not want to pay $200+ for a small chair, but my wants for this chair were specific enough, so I went with new.
As you can see, the corner is small and dark. Taking out the dark chair and putting in the smaller white chair will really brighten this corner. I have a couple more I will share next week, as I get them.
Hope you have a great Thursday and weekend beyond!
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Do I Have a Story For You!
So, I mentioned insurance companies briefly yesterday's post...perfect time to unleash this story!
So, for 15 years I slaved away and toiled and gave my blood, sweat, tears and the prime time of my life (and child bearing years) to my career. It happened to be for a Fortune 100 Insurance Company. Let's call them BIC (Big Insurance Company).
The parting ways was very negative (another LONG story I am too tired to write about now). I was devastated. I will elaborate someday soon - maybe after my short term working gig is over this fall.
I moved on...I was married (bad marriage) to a guy who inherited a very successful agency business from his father. A huge "book" of business of loyal insurance clients. In insurance, when you sign up people and secure policies - you get a commission and kickbacks as long as they are signed up with you. So, I decided to learn they sales side of it in his office and then open a 2nd office.
So, I worked in his office, learned the systems they had in place, the basics about running an office and went about getting my formal training from insurance company #2. We will call them IC2. Another positive factor for me was the fact that I have legal background and claims background, so I already knew much about coverage and the features that enhance protecting one's assets, etc. I went a week in Denver - ALL my expenses I covered. I was in a class with about 40 other similar-prospective agents-in-training. Then a week in Chicago. Then another week in Denver. All along, IC2 is working with prospective agents hand in hand (setting up business plan, doing paperwork to set up legal entity with respective state, picking locations and signing leases, getting stationary/envelopes, arranging for signage, etc.).
Needless to say, this process costs THOUSANDS of dollars for everyone - the company PLUS the prospects. PLUS I am forgoing income for about a year getting this all set up. Part of the way IC2 gets new agents (besides being very hands-on for the first couple of years in setting everything up) is to offer financial incentives for certain sales goals, etc. They even offered me a free "book" of business, after the successful opening of my office, I would "own" this book.
If EH (ex-husband - sorry, spoiler alert) agency were strictly in numbers, figure his business did about $400,000 a year - not directly translated into income for him - that is much more complicated math. But, his book probably included about $400,000 revenue in premiums for a year for IC2. Mine was about $50,000 that IC2 "gave" me. But, hey, I will take it, you know?
So I spend thousands getting my company up and running, I hire 2 people and we are all trained and working hard. I even transferred my 401(k) to my own "book" and took a very nice commission on it to benefit my numbers. The problem was - that I was in my early 40's and stuck in a 10 year product that makes like nothing (and transversely - loses nothing). So, this investment vehicle has virtue for people who are older and risk intolerant - but a very BAD idea for younger person who needs their saved money to grow.
Anyway, I work at this business for about a year I get the nice bonus promised - low five-figures. But, keep in mind I have not worked for A YEAR - No INCOME! Then, IC2 comes to me and says, "yeah, we know you completed and turned in a business plan that we approved...but we are ending this partnership - we don't want you to run your business this way that you planned". My business plan included half insurance sales and half legal free-lance. THEY initially agreed to it, just to get me to commit!
I was stunned and incredulous. So, I went back to them and said if they would let me sell the book they gave me and give me a settlement, I would sell and get out. They agreed. I sold the business that I spent a year setting up for mid-five figures. OK, that was pretty good. And remember that bonus? Well, they paid me twice by accident. HAHA. But the icing on the cake - they paid me a settlement. So, I ended up about the same bottom line, as if I had worked for my prior insurance company for a year. I did feel bad about having to let my 2 employees go, but one woman was wanting to open her own company - which she did with A DIFFERENT insurance company, after seeing what IC2 did to me...and the other employee was having a lot of personal and health problems and wanted to get a less stressful (not sales-based) job - which she did right away.
I asked my tax guy about the taxes and he said IF IC2 sent a 1099 to the IRS, I would have to file income tax on that settlement money. Well, guess what? On the settlement I negotiated, they never 1099'd it so I did not have to pay taxes. How is that for sweet revenge against them changing the rules and pulling the rug out from under me?! Today I work in a job that is very low stress and OK revenue and I feel like I was VERY lucky in the long run. I did all this mentioned above with ZERO debt! All this money I invested and went out and immediately got a W2 job. Thank GOD!
IC2? Well, they are going strong.
Another agent I know of bought a book to the tune of mid-six-figures and is now working furiously to make it float. I know the agent he bought it from because she bought mine - and she was dirty. Trying to pull things, so I know she probably cheated him too. I am so grateful I did not borrow any money (Thank you Jesus).
The moral of this story? I was so angry at this company that I had my annuity moved away from them - TO ANOTHER ANNUITY. Can you say cut off my nose to spite my face? Oh well, when the 10 years came up and I could move my six-figure retirement account to another company - the agent on record was the same executive that I had battled with YEARS earlier. It was very satisfying to tell them that even if they were the last company on earth I could invest my money with - I would take my chances with putting it under my mattress!!!!!!!!!!
So, for 15 years I slaved away and toiled and gave my blood, sweat, tears and the prime time of my life (and child bearing years) to my career. It happened to be for a Fortune 100 Insurance Company. Let's call them BIC (Big Insurance Company).
The parting ways was very negative (another LONG story I am too tired to write about now). I was devastated. I will elaborate someday soon - maybe after my short term working gig is over this fall.
I moved on...I was married (bad marriage) to a guy who inherited a very successful agency business from his father. A huge "book" of business of loyal insurance clients. In insurance, when you sign up people and secure policies - you get a commission and kickbacks as long as they are signed up with you. So, I decided to learn they sales side of it in his office and then open a 2nd office.
So, I worked in his office, learned the systems they had in place, the basics about running an office and went about getting my formal training from insurance company #2. We will call them IC2. Another positive factor for me was the fact that I have legal background and claims background, so I already knew much about coverage and the features that enhance protecting one's assets, etc. I went a week in Denver - ALL my expenses I covered. I was in a class with about 40 other similar-prospective agents-in-training. Then a week in Chicago. Then another week in Denver. All along, IC2 is working with prospective agents hand in hand (setting up business plan, doing paperwork to set up legal entity with respective state, picking locations and signing leases, getting stationary/envelopes, arranging for signage, etc.).
Needless to say, this process costs THOUSANDS of dollars for everyone - the company PLUS the prospects. PLUS I am forgoing income for about a year getting this all set up. Part of the way IC2 gets new agents (besides being very hands-on for the first couple of years in setting everything up) is to offer financial incentives for certain sales goals, etc. They even offered me a free "book" of business, after the successful opening of my office, I would "own" this book.
If EH (ex-husband - sorry, spoiler alert) agency were strictly in numbers, figure his business did about $400,000 a year - not directly translated into income for him - that is much more complicated math. But, his book probably included about $400,000 revenue in premiums for a year for IC2. Mine was about $50,000 that IC2 "gave" me. But, hey, I will take it, you know?
So I spend thousands getting my company up and running, I hire 2 people and we are all trained and working hard. I even transferred my 401(k) to my own "book" and took a very nice commission on it to benefit my numbers. The problem was - that I was in my early 40's and stuck in a 10 year product that makes like nothing (and transversely - loses nothing). So, this investment vehicle has virtue for people who are older and risk intolerant - but a very BAD idea for younger person who needs their saved money to grow.
Anyway, I work at this business for about a year I get the nice bonus promised - low five-figures. But, keep in mind I have not worked for A YEAR - No INCOME! Then, IC2 comes to me and says, "yeah, we know you completed and turned in a business plan that we approved...but we are ending this partnership - we don't want you to run your business this way that you planned". My business plan included half insurance sales and half legal free-lance. THEY initially agreed to it, just to get me to commit!
I was stunned and incredulous. So, I went back to them and said if they would let me sell the book they gave me and give me a settlement, I would sell and get out. They agreed. I sold the business that I spent a year setting up for mid-five figures. OK, that was pretty good. And remember that bonus? Well, they paid me twice by accident. HAHA. But the icing on the cake - they paid me a settlement. So, I ended up about the same bottom line, as if I had worked for my prior insurance company for a year. I did feel bad about having to let my 2 employees go, but one woman was wanting to open her own company - which she did with A DIFFERENT insurance company, after seeing what IC2 did to me...and the other employee was having a lot of personal and health problems and wanted to get a less stressful (not sales-based) job - which she did right away.
I asked my tax guy about the taxes and he said IF IC2 sent a 1099 to the IRS, I would have to file income tax on that settlement money. Well, guess what? On the settlement I negotiated, they never 1099'd it so I did not have to pay taxes. How is that for sweet revenge against them changing the rules and pulling the rug out from under me?! Today I work in a job that is very low stress and OK revenue and I feel like I was VERY lucky in the long run. I did all this mentioned above with ZERO debt! All this money I invested and went out and immediately got a W2 job. Thank GOD!
IC2? Well, they are going strong.
Another agent I know of bought a book to the tune of mid-six-figures and is now working furiously to make it float. I know the agent he bought it from because she bought mine - and she was dirty. Trying to pull things, so I know she probably cheated him too. I am so grateful I did not borrow any money (Thank you Jesus).
The moral of this story? I was so angry at this company that I had my annuity moved away from them - TO ANOTHER ANNUITY. Can you say cut off my nose to spite my face? Oh well, when the 10 years came up and I could move my six-figure retirement account to another company - the agent on record was the same executive that I had battled with YEARS earlier. It was very satisfying to tell them that even if they were the last company on earth I could invest my money with - I would take my chances with putting it under my mattress!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Cancer, I Hate You
Friday after I did my walk with the big dog, we had errands. We took the old convertible. He did fine. We checked on an old index annuity I have been stuck in since my days of being an insurance agent - LONG story. Point is...don't play footsie with any insurance company - they will take you down.
We had a nice late lunch/early dinner at a Mexican restaurant we had been meaning to try. Yum. Then we went back home, checked on the dogs then went to see Hobbs and Shaw with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. It was fun.
Saturday, more piddling around the house and we ate a sandwich for dinner. I was tired. Think it is all the running I have been doing (plus I did my usual 4 mile workout at the gym) and projects at home. Sunday we mowed and I made a homemade chicken potpie and mashed potatoes. Our tomatoes have just dwindled to nothing - I think they got too hot or too crowded. So, we had to settle for olives as our veggie. Ha. Then Sunday night I got the news I had dreaded, my friend since 3rd grade passed.
My group on text group with each other - we have grown even closer the last year and a half as we shared the ups and downs of cancer diagnosis with N and L - all of us friends since 3rd grade (some since kindergarten). The downs are obvious. The ups? Well, lots of hope, lots of prayers, sharing feelings, supporting each other, lots of love, learning and when they finally pass - they are at peace and out of pain.
Thanks for reading. I will try to be upbeat next time.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
I am hearing from my group of classmate friends how our friend, N, is slipping away. It is killing my heart. So, I have to back up and get some perspective.
I posted this on TBT social media. A picture of DH and my bike as we came home ten years ago from Sturgis, SD. On the way up to Sturgis, we passed a vast, magnificent sunflower field. I made a mental note, how much I wanted to stop and take pictures on the way home. Well, few days later after our Sturgis adventures, it slipped my immediate memory...So, we are making the long, arduous trip home, me - not terribly experienced with riding on long trips on my own, I do well just to pay attention and keep my wits about me...we are cruising along and lo and behold, up ahead I see something that catches my attention...DH is pulling over up ahead of me. It is the sunflower field! He too made a mental note of where the fields were, so he would recognize when to be on the lookout on the way back. He knew I would be delighted to stop! We took several pictures, some I printed and still have hanging on my wall in our new house today!
Often when things seem overwhelmingly sad, God gives me a sign. And I take it!
N is going through his metamorphosis. A month ago L went through hers - to everlasting life with Our Savior.
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Wednesday Inspiration
Despite being tired I had good day at the gym after work yesterday. You know how somedays it is just a chore? Well, it went well yesterday. I got my walk done and then did 30 min on the bike. Got home and showered, ready for bed. Stayed up too late visiting with my Aunt. Then we had to watch our Grace and Frankie episode. I have to pack up my laundry and pick up a little tonight, since I get up zoon to work and leave directly from work. Can't wait to get home.
Called DH on my way home from gym last night. I always call him before bed, but I was calling 8ish to let him know I was planning to go to bed early. Well, he sounded really up and happy and I heard music in the background. He had gone to a bike night about 20 miles away with a neighbor we knew had a bike. I was happy to know he got out and did something.
More on that...my husband has really made some great changes lately. He stopped taking pain medication and is trying lyrica for his back pain and having some results with that. He sounds really good. I can't wait to see him in person. We have never been apart for 10 days before and never will again.
I listened to a couple of Super Soul Sunday podcasts this morning. One of them about False Ego. I need to stop letting my ego boss me around. Then listened to Nordic True Crime podcast about the sinking of the MS Estonia, a ferry that sank in the Baltic Sea in 1994. The story is crazy about how the ferry wreckage and the people who went down with it were left down there and considered a "grave" and any diving there is prohibited by law. A man came forward who worked there and said that there were military equipment shipments (in vehicles) that were ordered through and not to inspected and other questionable things...I never knew all this happened after the accident. You should check out Nordic True Crime podcast. It is good. Her voice is soothing and the music is creepy.
I also recently listened to Heartland, a memoir by Sarah Smarsh. It was good. About growing up poor rural Kansas. I always thought my family/ancestors were pretty poor also, but at least my relatives seemed to have fairly consistent/stable lives, compared to the family Smarsh discusses. My grandmother grew up rural northern Missouri and was poor farmers, but my grandmother says they did not really know they were poor during the Depression because everyone else was poor too.
Well, I saw this and liked what it said. Have a great Wednesday!
Called DH on my way home from gym last night. I always call him before bed, but I was calling 8ish to let him know I was planning to go to bed early. Well, he sounded really up and happy and I heard music in the background. He had gone to a bike night about 20 miles away with a neighbor we knew had a bike. I was happy to know he got out and did something.
More on that...my husband has really made some great changes lately. He stopped taking pain medication and is trying lyrica for his back pain and having some results with that. He sounds really good. I can't wait to see him in person. We have never been apart for 10 days before and never will again.
I listened to a couple of Super Soul Sunday podcasts this morning. One of them about False Ego. I need to stop letting my ego boss me around. Then listened to Nordic True Crime podcast about the sinking of the MS Estonia, a ferry that sank in the Baltic Sea in 1994. The story is crazy about how the ferry wreckage and the people who went down with it were left down there and considered a "grave" and any diving there is prohibited by law. A man came forward who worked there and said that there were military equipment shipments (in vehicles) that were ordered through and not to inspected and other questionable things...I never knew all this happened after the accident. You should check out Nordic True Crime podcast. It is good. Her voice is soothing and the music is creepy.
I also recently listened to Heartland, a memoir by Sarah Smarsh. It was good. About growing up poor rural Kansas. I always thought my family/ancestors were pretty poor also, but at least my relatives seemed to have fairly consistent/stable lives, compared to the family Smarsh discusses. My grandmother grew up rural northern Missouri and was poor farmers, but my grandmother says they did not really know they were poor during the Depression because everyone else was poor too.
Well, I saw this and liked what it said. Have a great Wednesday!
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Tuesday Tired
Had a great weekend. Celebrated my cousin's birthday at the lake Saturday. Swam at the pool, then pizza in clubhouse, watched football. It was fun. Then Sunday went to the other side of the lake to see our friend N, sick with cancer. I should say, be present for N. We did not even know if we would see him, he is very ill. But we did lend support to his girlfriend and my friend from Florida, J and his wife, T, they brought mower up and mowed his yard. I weed eated and watered the animals, played with their pup.
We stayed Sunday night with our friend, C who was just widowed July. It was very hot. I spent time with my girlfriend B while C was working. We drove around our old hometown and reminisced. Before I picked her up, I did the cemetery tour, my mom, grandfather and great uncle. It was peaceful. The cicadas are going crazy, tells me thought its hot...summer winding down.
Was depleted driving back to city. Made it safe, showered and had a snack with my aunt while we watched TV then bed. Lots of work today.
I miss DH and my dogs. 2.5 more days.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Cool Clouds
I also managed to bring my snacks and lunch for all 3 days this week and part of next week. When I pack the Monday before I drive to the city, I get all my clothes/workout clothes, sheets/towels and pills/supplements packed and in the car. In the morning at 4am, all I mess with is my coffee and my cooler.
This week I brought hard boiled eggs for snack and tortillas with spinach, bacon and avocado for my lunch, along with home grown tomatoes/cherry tomatoes. In the evenings I fix a smoothie at my aunt's house. Usu almond milk, frozen fruit and kale or spinach with vegan protein and a 1/2 of banana. Last night I stopped at the store because I was out of bananas and saw the English toffee MM's. I did not care for the taste. So I gave them to my aunt who shared them with her 4 greats. They were all there when I got home. No worries, I smoothied, showered and collapsed - all after my hour workout.
I feel tired but pretty rested this morning. Nothing a little caffeine and work won't fix.
After this weekend of mass shootings, I felt sad. I mostly think of the people directly involved, but I also think of our poor children and wonder how it affects them. Feel bad. 1 Corinthians 15:43 "Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength." Sometimes it feels like our country is broken.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Free Lawn Decoration - Score!
We are still getting a few tomatoes. They did not grown large, but better than a lot of people's. We are still getting quite a few grape and cherry. Some are split from all the rain. I just cook those and keep in freezer. I blend them up peel and all with hand held blender. I will use this for pasta sauce or soup stock this winter.
Monday we mowed and I watered everything. I got a couple new hoses from Walmart.com that are silver and look sort of like aluminum. They are lightweight and don't kink. Don't take up so much room in the grass to mow around. While I am gone this week, DH is installing a couple of hose keepers on the front and side of house. We did have a keeper hung on back for large house - that does most of my rear garden/landscaping.
DH is also going to buy pool noodles and electric tape and repair/rewrap the 3 outside/free standing water spouts to insulate them. He also said he would research how much insulation/what type of machine rental to blow it in we need. Then we are going to install a little more flooring in attack to store stuff we don't need down below taking up room.
Honestly, we go back and forth between continuing to work on this house and look for a smaller yard. But, I am fine with taking over all the mowing, if I have to. The riding mower is nice, but not high dollar like some of our friends/relatives. I know people who have $1000 in just their seat. So, seat bounces DH around quite a bit, hurting his back. Next time we mow, he going to try push mower.
We went through lake area on our way back Friday afternoon, spent one night with our Florida friend. We missed his wife this trip. DH staying home with the dogs this weekend, I will be by lake again. Spending some time with my aunt/cousins at the lake, then some time with an out of state school friend - we are all 4 girls going to run by see our other friend who has cancer. I will get to see friend and wife too, from Florida. Going to be away from DH for 10 days, which we hate. I told him I have about 4- 6 weeks left at work. Then I am taking another break. I am tired. Got up this morning and drove to city at 4am. Not too bad when it is warm, I can't imaging trying to do this when it is cold. Yuck.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Time Flies Even When You Are Not Having Fun
Have been crazy busy lately. It's all good.
I have stopped eating fruit early in the morning and stopped drinking coffee from the machine at work and I feel MUCH better. I did have cheese Sunday morning and was bent over sick for rest of Sunday and all of Monday. OK now.
Saturday we went to DH's aunt's funeral early in am, south. Then we drove north to my hometown and to funeral of my classmate LJA. It was bittersweet.
Both funerals happy because I know they are with Jesus. But sure is sad to say goodbye.
DH father is youngest of 7. Is just himself and one brother left out of entire family. We used to go to their reunions in small southern town of my homestate - they were really nice. Can't believe almost all of the elders are now gone. The cousin's have not kept up the tradition. I am sorry about that. My DH family is not social at all. Well, of the 4 children, DH brother is social. The other 3 - not at all. Even my SIL I have to initate almost all interaction/socializing. I am not good at this.
After LJA funeral, DH drove home and my sister and I stayed and went to the dinner after and spent the evening at her husband and her lake house with 2 of my other girlfriends. We invited several, but just us 4 with the widower. Then, one of the guys came over and so it was 6 of us. We stayed up talking and laughing until 2:30am! My other childhood friend, from grade below us also stopped by and visited. It was nice seeing he and widower catch up a little. Widower told other friend that he would be down at the lake more and hoped to see friend more. I know my friend liked that. He had a difficult childhood and he craves friends to understand him. Evidently widower was not in his late wife's trust and so now he has to move out of house in town (it will go to his son) and is moving down to the lake full time. He grew up there, so he is aware, but I will worry because it is so quiet and isolated there in the winter. My other friend grade below lives full time in Florida now. But things will go as they are supposed to. I just continue to pray for widower and for my other friends still struggling with cancer. N was so sick he could not even attend L funeral.
Sunday morning, we rode in the boat over to other friend's in laws lake house and his wife fixed such a nice breakfast for us all! (That is when I ate cheese - I KNOW better!). Got home Sunday afternoon and crashed. It was our anniversary. DH had played golf earlier with his brother still down for aunt's funeral and he was tired. I got home, did 4 miles walk in the heat and I collapsed. So, we will celebrate our anniversary this weekend.
Monday, we mowed. I went to bed early, then drove up to city 4:30am Tues. Worked Tues - Thurs and here I am. DH coming up to the city for his dr apt in am. Will play golf again in am. I will prob stay behind and clean house for my aunt I am staying with. Then we will drive by lake 1 night and see Florida friend (his wife not coming till Sunday) and then get on home and relieve our dog sitter.
Goodbye July, hello August. Hope you have a great weekend!
I have stopped eating fruit early in the morning and stopped drinking coffee from the machine at work and I feel MUCH better. I did have cheese Sunday morning and was bent over sick for rest of Sunday and all of Monday. OK now.
Saturday we went to DH's aunt's funeral early in am, south. Then we drove north to my hometown and to funeral of my classmate LJA. It was bittersweet.
Both funerals happy because I know they are with Jesus. But sure is sad to say goodbye.
DH father is youngest of 7. Is just himself and one brother left out of entire family. We used to go to their reunions in small southern town of my homestate - they were really nice. Can't believe almost all of the elders are now gone. The cousin's have not kept up the tradition. I am sorry about that. My DH family is not social at all. Well, of the 4 children, DH brother is social. The other 3 - not at all. Even my SIL I have to initate almost all interaction/socializing. I am not good at this.
After LJA funeral, DH drove home and my sister and I stayed and went to the dinner after and spent the evening at her husband and her lake house with 2 of my other girlfriends. We invited several, but just us 4 with the widower. Then, one of the guys came over and so it was 6 of us. We stayed up talking and laughing until 2:30am! My other childhood friend, from grade below us also stopped by and visited. It was nice seeing he and widower catch up a little. Widower told other friend that he would be down at the lake more and hoped to see friend more. I know my friend liked that. He had a difficult childhood and he craves friends to understand him. Evidently widower was not in his late wife's trust and so now he has to move out of house in town (it will go to his son) and is moving down to the lake full time. He grew up there, so he is aware, but I will worry because it is so quiet and isolated there in the winter. My other friend grade below lives full time in Florida now. But things will go as they are supposed to. I just continue to pray for widower and for my other friends still struggling with cancer. N was so sick he could not even attend L funeral.
Sunday morning, we rode in the boat over to other friend's in laws lake house and his wife fixed such a nice breakfast for us all! (That is when I ate cheese - I KNOW better!). Got home Sunday afternoon and crashed. It was our anniversary. DH had played golf earlier with his brother still down for aunt's funeral and he was tired. I got home, did 4 miles walk in the heat and I collapsed. So, we will celebrate our anniversary this weekend.
Monday, we mowed. I went to bed early, then drove up to city 4:30am Tues. Worked Tues - Thurs and here I am. DH coming up to the city for his dr apt in am. Will play golf again in am. I will prob stay behind and clean house for my aunt I am staying with. Then we will drive by lake 1 night and see Florida friend (his wife not coming till Sunday) and then get on home and relieve our dog sitter.
Goodbye July, hello August. Hope you have a great weekend!
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