Category: Love

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❤️

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!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Early Morning Snuggles

1972italy

This is difficult to write one handed. I have a Pitbull in my arms getting lived in as I try to write this. I am grateful for autocorrect right now. Stella has been a cuddle bug all morning.

Neither Chris nor I feel good. That being said after my 10 hours shift (and I forgot to punch out 😡) I came home, fed Stella, washed dishes and cleaned the counters. So I feel pretty good about things. I get out at 1pm today… I think. I hope. Tomorrow I make my own schedule but it will be hard trying to judge my time. I don’t want to get there too early and end up waiting for my liquor order to come in. Oh and my cigarette order too. I’m going to start calling myself the manager of vices, lol.

I need to wrap this up. I keep forgetting to take photos of the beer cave and new liquor cabinet at work. I will try to remember today. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

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

A Stormy Sleepless Night

1972italy

No one has gotten much sleep. I hope colds are all we have. Even with the humidifier our throats have become dry and started the tickle that makes you cough no matter how hard you try not to. Then at 4:54am a storm rolled through scaring Stella. She finally settled down around 6am. Right now she is laying in the sand where the deck used to be.

I am frustrated because there is so much that I need to do before work. It’s not much and there is enough time to get things done but my mind is in a panic. So I am just trying to go with the flow and not worry.

We need to replace the mower engine. It has shot its bolt. Literally. There is a hole in the side wall of the engine. Fortunately, I know someone that is willing to give us a replacement engine. I put he and Chris together so they can hash out the particulars. What type of engine specifics, when to look at, where to meet etc. I hope it works since it would be cheaper to use gas to go get a free engine than spend several hundred for a new one.

The rain that fell this morning is already gone. Then sand had small pits in it from the rain but everything else is dry already. I am debating about watering my plants. And I have no Monarch caterpillars this year. All the milkweed and not a single caterpillar. I’ve only seen maybe three Monarchs in the gardens as it is. That makes me sad. Only two hummingbirds have shown up despite the feeder and the flowers. My blue banana tree is all but dead. I don’t know what to do for it. I give it the special food every week like I am supposed to. I have tried all versions of sunlight and none of it makes a difference. I have tried adding some sand to the potting soil thinking that maybe it need better drainage. Nothing helped.

I close tonight and then back at 6:30am the next few mornings. I will be able to spend time with Chris this weekend so that will be good. I’d better wrap this up if I am going to get everything done that I need to. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

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

Musical Heat

1972italy

It is a hazy morning. Stella is on her back asleep on the couch. It is going to get quite warm here, so we have both ac units going. This is hard for me because I prefer to have the house opened up when the weather is nice. I have some puttering to do outside today so the sliding glass door will probably stay open just enough to let Stella and I in and out.

I got quite a bit done yesterday. I did a little less than half my list but I added a few extras so that is ok. I gave myself a bit of a rest towards the end. It was getting too hot to do much else. But I enjoyed it (I’m weird that way). All the plants got watered, both inside and out. The herbs are going wild. I need to start using them before they get out of control. I have all these grand plans and I can grow like nobody’s business. However, once the plants are grown, I just tend to just let them go. Unless they have fruit or some such but even then, I want to “save” it and will waste it.

I am trying to listen to music while I write this, and it all goes well. And then an ad comes on and throws it all off. I am tempted to do the ad free, but this is the first time in months that I have listened to Pandora. Mostly due to the ads. I don’t listen to music as often as I should. Right now, I have in my ear buds since Chris is asleep. My qualm with that is I like to hear what is going on around me. I prefer to have the music out loud. And then there are my cds that are just sitting there since I have nothing but my car stereo to play them in. I have soundtracks, meditations, dance music and more that I used to write to. I am wondering if the lack of music is one of my stumbling blocks. I know right now I am more relaxed. Even when I look at my list and see what still needs to be done (I admit some of it brings on anxiety just because I do not want to face the specific task).

I also need to write my days off for next week. I just have a meeting next week, so it won’t be too bad. And more ads. I also notice with this particular channel they are repeat the same music. I know these artists have many more albums. And I know that there is more of this style music than they are playing. I think that is another reason why I won’t fork out the money for a subscription. Sorry, but you see what I mean about throwing me off my game? Anyway, I’d better wrap this up and get things started around here. I will do my best to wrap up my list today. A lot of it is just simple printing of documents and such. I can do this…. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Books, Cooking/Baking, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Food, Gardening, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Medical, Motorcycles, Movies, Music, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Good Times Looking Forward

1972italy

I am listening as a cement truck goes from around the corner from us to a few houses down. I wonder what everyone is doing on their properties. There is so much that we want to do here! From simple to the complex. We get a little started then it tapers off. I am not sure how to fix that. I had planned to tear into my motorcycle engine (the’92, not the 2014) over the summer and there she sits in the garage. I had planned to plant in my raised beds this year. I got two of them partially weeded but no further. Don’t get me wrong, I have done a lot. All the gardens around the house I have kept up on. I have kept all my plants outside watered (since the hoses are wonky, I am using a small watering can). I have lots of peppers growing. Geez. That is the only thing I can think of that I have really kept up with. Well, there is my blog. How disappointing.

On a happy note, the three of us had a great time yesterday. I brought home two big squirt guns for us to play with. I thought it would be something fun and cooling to get us outside. I was right! We had so much fun chasing each other around the yard! After we did that for a while, we played frisbee. It has been a long time since we did that. Stella even played! She liked trying to snag the frisbee. Problem is she tends to chew it once she gets it. As we played Chris was also grilling/smoking us dinner. It turned out awesome! We watched tv and chatted while we ate. We needed that downtime together.

This morning I woke up ready to enjoy my two days off. I am trying to figure out what to do. I keep leaning toward cleaning up my office. There is stuff all over the floor that needs to be moved. But to where… I also need to find room for a bookcase. Mom is giving me one of hers. It is a good sized one that will alleviate some of the piles in the house. I think I have a spot but that means moving things around a bit.

My body is also letting me know that it is not doing well. There are a few aches and pains (my wrist doesn’t want to heal properly for one) and my chest feels like something rather large is sitting on it. So, I will take things as gently as I can, but I still need to get things done. I have videos I need to watch for work (for my certification) and I need to go over the paperwork for the court case. And of course, work on my novel. It is supposed to be very hot today, so we’ll see what happens. I also have a hankering for jazz today. I miss my stereo on days like today. I would just like to put on some of my cds and let the music fill the house. I guess I will see if I can find anything on Pandora. I prefer my cds because I like the music on them versus someone throwing random music at me that I may or may not like but beggars can’t be choosers.

I see that I have gone on extra-long this morning. Sorry about that. I appreciate you listening to me go on. And thank you for your comments as well. It means a lot. Stay safe!