Month: July 2022

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Gardening, Holiday, Life, Love, Movies, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Sleep or Not to Sleep

1972italy

Have you ever crammed too much living into one day? That is what I did yesterday. We were busier than busy and short staffed for a bit. So I gave 200% at work. Then I came home and had a fun evening with Chris and Stella, goofing around and watching movies. And here I am up at 4 am for work. Stella is nestled in beside me snoozing. What I wouldn’t give for a few more hours of decent sleep!

I have been struggling to keep my eyes open. Which is funny because from 2 am on I kept watching the clock. I almost slept the extra hour but I need to get my liquor order done. My shelves are almost bare because last week’s order was mostly unavailable. And if we are going to be busy again then I need to take extra time in the morning to place my order.

I had better get going. I’ve dozed off twice while writing this. Stella is dreaming of chasing something beside me. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Cooking/Baking, Creativity, Emotions, Food, Gardening, Learning, Life, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Working Plans

1972italy

It’s always an interesting mix between my phone and my laptop. There are some of your blogs that only show up on my phone, others just my laptop but some will show up on both. So I guess it’s a good thing I write with both tools so I am able to read everyone’s work atleast once a week.

Yesterday was crazy. I was able to do my actual job two hours after I arrived. So once I finally was able to get to work on liquor and beer I felt like I was way behind. I am grateful that the “stagers” came and put out the three pallets of beer for me. I stocked as best I could (my very small liquor order arrived in the middle of all this so I put that out before getting back ti my beer cave) before they got there but the beer was leaving faster than I could put it out.

I have no idea what today is. I know my work schedule but beyond that… I am tired but atleast I can see progress being made at work. I still have big plans that I need to start pulling together to keep the departments doing well during the slow season.

I see I am running out of time. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Cooking/Baking, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, Exercise, family, Food, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Choices

1972italy

I didn’t cough once last night so I managed to get solid sleep. I still feel a bit off though. Today is my “make your own schedule” day. My goal is to be to work by 10am and get things filled as best I can. My liquor order is sadly non-existent. Over half of what I ordered is unavailable. Sooooo this week’s order will be pretty big. We have sold out of a lot. I am trying to come up with new gimmicks for my various departments. I am bringing in gluten free beer (this is actually for Chris, but I figured he can’t be the only beer drinker that doesn’t do gluten) and I want to put little signs with the new stuff like “Goes great in orange juice!” (this will go by a new peach vodka I am trying… and yes it does since I tried it before I recommended it). So we will see if this goes well or not. I am still working on my course (I need to really buckle down on this on my next day off) and recipes. If any of you have any recipes for either cocktails that you like or food dishes that use alcohol feel free to recommend them.

I am really bothered by what I am hearing out back. It is a very angry dog. It sounds like someone is taunting it because I hear snarls and angry barks then laughter (from a child). Now if something happens it is the dog’s fault. Not the individual antagonizing it. That really ticks me off. Take responsibility for provoking the animal and creating the situation! I see that way too much. And the angry dog noises from out behind us I seem to hear atleast once a day. I am glad that we have a sturdy fence. I don’t want any dog fights if the dog does get loose.

I tried working out yesterday but my body is rebelling against it. My joints feel like there are pinched nerves (especially my lower body). My lower back is also having none of it. I can feel things becoming enflamed again. So I guess no working out for me. I need to figure out what else to do. The yoga seems to be ok but not if I do it every day. (Pardon the rhyme.) If I do it every day then my body starts to do the same thing as doing an exercise routine. I am worried that with the cold weather coming up that everything will start clenching and hurting again. With the warmer weather my muscles will relax some. With the cold comes shivering etc.

I see that I need to wrap this up. Stella has been out here with me (when she’s not out enjoying the sun). I am going to hate to shut the sliding glass door when I leave but I don’t want to leave it unlocked while Chris is sleeping. I hope you have an amazing day! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Storms? Inside and Out

1972italy

Well that was a bit wet! I woke up to a lightening strike notification on my phone. Concerned I checked my weather app (The Weather Channel”. No chance of rain and nothing on radar. I go about my morning routine. I see more lightening. Thinking it must be heat lightening I stick my head outside. Nope. It is distinctly chilly out. Stella gets up and eats. I hear soft rumbles in the distance. As she finishes eating I notice things are getting a bit louder and brighter outside. Fortunately she got outside and did her business before it all broke loose! Within a few minutes the skies opened up and it just poured down, accompanied by the song and dance of thunder and lightening. It lasted around 10 minutes but everything got a good soaking. The brief storm seems to be moving off to the north west, flashing as it goes.

Yesterday was not my best at work. Things were crazy and we were short staffed. I found out that a coworker is going through a bad separation. She is leaving an abusive relationship. So I am doing my best to make things as easy as possible for her. She is now staying an hour away at a safe house so she needs to work less hours as a result. Stuff like this makes me realize how lucky I am to have Chris. There is so much wrong going on out there.

I can’t believe it is almost August! The Summer has just flown by!😳 Before I know it we will be knee deep into Fall. Which means the big 5 oh is only 2 and 1/2 weeks away. I think I will ask to work morning shift if they are going to have me work on my birthday. It’s on a Tuesday this year so nothing exciting will happen the day of. We’ll see. I have a wedding that Saturday so I’m not sure what our game plan is.

Oops! I need to get moving. It is almost time for me to head out the door. Thanks fir reading! Stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, Exercise, family, Food, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, retail, Tattoos, Thinking, Travel, Writing

A Little Sun, But Not Too Much

1972italy

The morning has dawned cool and dark. Not a bad thing. Yesterday did not get outrageously hot. I don’t think today will either. Storms are supposed to roll through this afternoon. I can’t quite get rid of this cough. I feel bad because Chris is trying to sleep in the other room. Then there is the coughing in public. Everyone freaks out. The pollen factor on top of it all just sets the throat tickles off.

I didn’t do much of anything constructive yesterday. I’m not sure if that is good or bad. I got lucky and my meeting was Zoomed and pretty cut and dry. I was able to get that article written this morning in no time at all. I sat down to look at next week’s schedule for myself. I have a meeting next Thursday night and my tattoo fix (I hope) that Sunday. Then Monday I have two meetings. One in the morning and the other that night. I need to figure out what I am doing with my departments as well. I am adding new liquors where I can. I am trying to put together the newsletter for work as well. I hope to do the food parings/cooking with alcohol this Fall. I need a list of recipes and figure out my format. One of my liquor reps was very enthusiastic about the idea of cooking with liquor classes. Sooo…. But I need to find my rhythm with it all. I did make some progress on my course. I might do some before work. It will depend on how much time I have.

I am starting to think about my tattoo appointment. I am not sure what I will do if he cancels again. This will be the third appointment. I think he should be the one to fix it instead of me paying twice (him for the original piece and then someone else to get it fixed) but I am not going to keep doing the round and round with the appointments. This will be his last chance. I just want it fixed so I can be happy with it. I have spent all Summer with this embarrassment on my thigh.

Stella has come out of the bedroom. She has curled up at the end of the couch. It looks as though the clouds are trying to clear. I hope they don’t. Folks could use a break. Of course, I type that and the sun comes out, lol. I think I might take Stella for a walk. I’m not sure where. Here would be the most convenient. But the park is good for both of us. I need to get myself some tennis shoes to wear at one point. Flip flops aren’t the best but it’s what I have. I guess I will wrap this up and take her to the park. Everything is long and scratchy in the back 40 which means her belly and my legs get it. And she needs to get out more. I will try to snap a few photos right now to share. I’ve not been taking many lately. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Automotive, Books, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, Exercise, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, Thinking, Travel, Writing

Bad night

1972italy

I am not in a good head space today. A good portion of that is because I did not get doodlie for sleep last night. My throat kept getting too dry and would set off a tickle. I would drink some water and try to sleep in a different position. A few minutes later (about the time I fell back asleep) it would happen all over again. By the time Chris got to bed I was angry and went to sleep on the couch. That was around 4am. So from around 4am to say 8:20…. not even that because I kept trying to see the clock from the couch. So not even 4 hours of solid sleep. I may have to sleep on the couch until this cough goes away. We’ll see how tonight goes.

Yesterday all in all was a good day. I got some gardening done, Stella and I went to the park for a walk (bad idea as I had trouble breathing once we got going), I wrote two pages in my journal, I read some, I spent quality time outside, I did dishes, oh and I got a few exercises in as well while I was watching tv. Stella did a lot of running after her ball so she was happy.

I see a lot of things that I need to be working on. I am trying not to see all of them at once. But when you notice one then you tend to notice more. I am trying not be overwhelmed. Today I will just shut down if I let myself go down that road.

There is a 20 cent discount on gas at work today. I may go later to gas up. If I go now it will be crazy. Or I may not go at all. The sun is out and I wish it was gloomy. I am just not feeling it today. Sorry this is so blah and down. I will wrap this up since I can’t seem to find the positive right now. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, Thinking, Writing

A Little Bit of Down Time

1972italy

I was awake at 6:30 this morning. I did go to bed early. I just couldn’t keep my eyes open. I honestly felt worse after a day of feeling relatively decent. It is very frustrating. I did get my camera out and take a few photos. All my various day lilies are in bloom. They are very beautiful! I also took a few photos of the garden bits that are surviving despite the heat. This morning, however, has dawn much cooler than normal (normal for this summer at any rate). It actually feels nice.

I have today and tomorrow off with a meeting tomorrow night. It might be a Zoom meeting. I hope it is because I can’t seem to get rid of my cough. And I know from experience that the government building will set me off with the least little tickle in my throat. I don’t want to be the major disruption in the meeting. I hope the link works!

I find myself being a bit more relaxed today. I am going to try to just putter a bit around the house and yard. Nothing major. I am tempted to take Stella for a walk, but she is still bed with Chris. I don’t have the heart to wake her. She did get a new collar the other day. One of the local animal shelters (AC Paw) was at work with a donation table. You got your pick of goodies with a donation. So, I picked out a cool looking collar for her. For myself I grabbed one of those rubber wristbands that has their name and such on it. It is a lovely orange color that I can wear year-round. Added bonus! It glows in the dark! I found that out when I woke in the middle of the night and saw my wrist glowing a soft green. So of course, I blurt out, “How cool!” in the middle of the night. I don’t know if I woke anyone.

I see bunnies every morning in the front yard. Since the mower is down the front yard has become much like a wildflower haven. The colors are so pretty! The rain we had has given everything an extra burst of growth which looks nice until you have to walk in it. Then the brown and pokey bits beneath bite into your feet.

I think it is time for me to get myself going around the house. Even if it is just sitting down with my novel. I appreciate all your comments and support! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Oh happy day! My banana tree still loves me! I have a new frond!❤️
anxiety, Cooking/Baking, Emotions, family, Food, Life, Love, Medical, retail, Thinking, Writing

No More Salads

1972italy

Way too early. Especially considering last night. But I am hoping to get out early so… Why stores do not wash their lettuce before making salads is beyond me. We were starting to feel a little better so Chris went to Kalkaska to get some groceries (sometimes you just want to shop without everyone knowing who you are). While dinner was on the grill we ate the salads he brought home. Not long after that Chris got really really sick. I was honestly worried I would need to take him to Urgent Care or worse, the ER. I had my own not so happy experience a few hours later (I had eaten something before whereas Chris had eaten nothing but the salad) when I decided to shower.

So this morning I am feeling rung out and my throat thinks is has been cleaned with a metal brush then coated is phlegm. Coughing hurts. A lot. But I need to go to work so I can do my liquor order. So I am going in extra early to get it knocked out hopefully before the store opens. Then I will try to get the cigarette order done. After that I need to make sure the beer cave is filled.

And on that note I really need to get going. Thanks for reading and stay safe❤️

anxiety, Creativity, Emotions, family, Friends, Learning, Life, Medical, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Quickity Quick

1972italy

Today’s post will be very quick. The additions and the “fixes” to the phone app have got things a bit messed up this morning so reading your posts for a bit complicated. But I am glad I did.

Part of the sunrise is a rich orange going into a deep bruised purple. The colors are soooo pretty! But neither of my cameras pick up the colors correctly. The orange has changed to a rosy pink now.

Yesterday went well for the most part. I got some more information about what goes on with my beer department. My tiny liquor order went out on the floor and my cigarette order got put away. I stayed as long as I dared. I was feeling worse as my shift went on and I was getting crabby. It was difficult to be nice. Everyone felt overly needy which got on my nerves.

I hope I do well today. I am floor manager but I also need to fill both liquor and beer (it has been very hot here so we are going through a lot of both). Coughing is the norm here at home right now. I hope I can keep it under control at work.

The clock says I need to wrap this up. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Working and Working

1972italy

This morning I am very scattered. I really wish I could stay home. I don’t feel good. The plus side is that I am making my own hours today. I hope that my order comes in today early. I was going to say I had my cigarettes too but if I am not there the ladies take care of it for me so no big deal there. I concentrated on the beer cave yesterday since it had been all but wiped out the two days I was gone. I met a few of my vendors as well. I am very excited to try new things in both my liquor and beer departments.

Thankfully I just remembered that I had to put my work clothes in the dryer. I had them washed last night. Both my focus and routine are off. I guess my phone will not charge in the new case (my phone charges on one of those charging pads… or should). I found this out when I woke up this morning. My phone was at 1%. Fortunately, I have a plug-in charger that has me up to 75% already. I also had several messages waiting for me when I got up. So, once I had my phone charging, I had to respond to those. Those messages turned in to conversations. All before my first cup of coffee! After that I just tried to remember what I needed to get done. Laundry was one of them and I forgot completely until just now.

Chris stayed home from work yesterday. He was supposed to work today too but the way he feels he will probably stay home. I am tempted but there are things that need to get done at work. Even if I just fill in on my liquor wall and in the beer cave. I was melting hot when I got up but now, I cannot get warm. Stella is out here on the couch sleeping on her back.

Ok, I am going to wrap this up and get this posted. I haven’t had a chance to get more photos so these will all be repeats. Thanks for reading and stay safe!