Category: the World

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

Maintaining

1972italy

The wind has been tossing the tree tops around like a juggler. We are slated to get freezing rain today. I hope not but who knows anymore. I just hope the wind doesn’t blow out the furnace. I worry about the pups while I am at work. Tomorrow will be crazy enough without slippery roads. The tasting tomorrow is only supposed to take an hour but I don’t know I will get introduced to “Sue” while I am there or not. She is the person I am supposed to be helping put together a newsletter from the Elk Rapids store. Honestly I am not too keen on it as the last time I put all that time into it and it just got left. I asked for input and I got none.

Mom was blowing up my phone because I hadn’t responded to a text she sent after I went to bed. The fact that I had to get up at 4am didn’t seem to matter. Then when I also explained that I was working 10 days in a row so I might not respond right away she went off on that. I tried to explain that I did it to myself by agreeing to cover for a coworker that had a family emergency. I have yet to receive a response. I know her heart is in the right spot, but I really don’t have the energy to defend all this. I am trying my best to get through it. It is hard keeping the negative feelings out. I feel guilty because I just want to be left alone and everyone (especially Chris) is trying to be there for me. I am even snapping at the dogs.

I still need to water plants and shower before work. I meant to shower when I got home yesterday but I just didn’t have the energy. I stayed up as late as I could last night but still ended up awake at 7am. But I guess that will give me enough time to get things done around here before work. Geez…. I am watching the snow blow horizontally from east to west out there. The tops of the trees (and the bottom in some instances) are whipping around like screaming fans at a rock concert.

I am going to try to add some new photos. I have a second bloom opening on my cactus. I did want to share that. So I’d best get to it. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

This is what I won from my Slasher app.
Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, the World, Thinking, Travel, Writing

Weather or Not

1972italy

It has begun. If we get all the snow we are supposed to you may or may not see a post for tomorrow. We are supposed to get upwards of a foot (30cm) in the next 24 hours. I expect our deliveries at work will be off atleast a day. The only reason we would close is lack of staff. We’ll see what happens. We have been running a skeleton crew anyway.

Stella is still in bed. I find that interesting since she was trying to get me up at 7am. Archie is asleep behind me on the love seat. He enjoys the snow. I think he is the only one of us that does. He’ll play for hours out there running around and exploring. I am thinking about setting up a play area for him. Stella as well but mostly him because he will entertain himself by running and jumping and just nosing around. Stella is more of an interactive player. She wants someone to play with her.

Not much got done yesterday. Dishes, Stella’s nails got trimmed, toys got picked up. I have been reading Joe Hill’s The Fireman the past two days. I got it from Mom and have been waiting to read it since I ha some many other books going. So far so good. It’s from 2016 and has a pandemic. Normally I am not a fan of these kinds of stories. I don’t like “The Walking Dead” either. But this one caught my attention and I am enjoying it so far. It’s also the author’s favorite book that he has written.

I am continually looking out the windows watching the snow come down. I am just grateful I don’t have to drive all the way into Traverse anymore. Several people from work (including the owner) are coming back from vacation and flying in tomorrow. I wonder how many people will have delayed flights. And there goes a plow truck.

I supposed I will get this posted and start getting ready for work. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, the World, Thinking, Travel, Writing

It’s That Time

1972italy

This is going to be a short one. My anxiety is up so sadly I have been awake since 4:30am. I don’t want to go, but I promised. Both pups are out here with me. I just released a big sigh and they did the same right after me.

I have no idea what to wear. I have been told not to wear black. I got everything together last night so I could just go at 7am. But I forgot to lay out what I was going to wear. So there I was at 6am with the flashlight on my phone trying to pick out what I was going to wear. I am going for fun casual. I think she would’ve liked that.

I have no idea where I am going. I clicked on the link in the obituary for the church. I hope google doesn’t screw it up. It’s going to be tight as it is if their time frame is correct. I don’t know if I am driving in the funeral procession or riding with someone else. If we are going to lunch right after I guess I’ll be driving myself. I hope to be on the road home well before dark.

I need to get myself together and head out the door. Wish me luck! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Dogs, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Holiday, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Holiday Angst

1972italy

Bah humbug. The Blizzard warning stopped at 7am today. The only thing that has changed is that the wind is not as bad. And that is a very slight change. Trees are still sideways with some of these gusts. I woke up grumpy. I am trying hard not to be. I still need to wrap Chris’s gifts (don’t judge). He is still sleeping. Well, for now. Archie is desperate to play. He has just hauled a rope toy into the bedroom. It is quiet though.

People were very frustrating at work yesterday. I didn’t even get in the door and I had a woman pleading with me to let her in to shop. I repeated told her that we would open at 9am (it was around 8:30am). There were no tills in the registers and I was the only person there. “Please! I just need to get a few things!” Again no. I don’t even have a way to ring you up. She left. Only to be caught sneaking in the door with the staff (no the store still wasn’t open). That is how the day went. Just a bunch of selfish people. And that just makes me angry. I was encouraging people to stay home because it was so bad out and customers were whining because there were no eggs (eggs have been out all over for days due to deliveries not being made because of the storm).

I am trying to be in a positive headspace. I really am. I always get angry this time of year. I have seen people at their worst and is normally this time of year. Everyone feels entitled. I was happy for the whole Santa things because it atleast gives back to the community around here. This is also why I hate tourist season. They are very much the same. This is also why I prefer to stay home most of the time and have lots of animals.

I do have new photos to share. I will probably need to clear some more space in my media. One awesome thing from yesterday, I was able to come in the back door. Chris got out and shoveled the back porch and steps off for me while I was at work. I do need to get this posted and get things wrapped. I hope everyone has a great day! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Holiday, Life, Love, Medical, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Travel, Writing

Blizzard Chronicle, Day 2

1972italy

The wind is raging outside. We’ve probably gotten the promised 2 feet (61 cm) of snow and more. The wind is blowing things around just making things messy in general. We can barely get out of the sliding glass door. I don’t think I will be able to get out any other door to get to the garage. That bothers me because I will have to leave it unlocked when I leave if I go out that way.

We closed at 7pm last night due to the storm. This morning we aren’t opening until 9am. Fortunately I got my liquor order done yesterday so I didn’t have to be there extra early today. I think I was able to get ahold of everyone about the time change for opening. Some of the regulars will be put out. They will have to cope.

I just got a message from a coworker asking if we were even going to be open today. She says even the county trucks are getting stuck. I told her to stay home if it is too bad. They live about 20-30 minutes away on a good day. No idea how long it will take them in this stuff.

The pups are having a hard time getting out to go potty. It’s just too deep. Archie seems to like it though, the weirdo. He got sick this morning. Not sure what. Probably the book he shredded while I was at work.

I had better get going. Gonna be a long day. Thanks for reading and stay safe! I do have some photos of this weather but no time to download them. I will add them tomorrow.

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

Loss

1972italy

This morning I find myself in a funk. Before bed I found out that a regular customer (and family member of a coworker) died. He had been helping his wife recover from a stroke she had almost a year ago. It was always entertaining to see them together in the store. She was a tiny woman who was very feisty (the stroke was very hard for her as she is very independent) and he was the large man (over 6ft tall) who took all her remarks with a loving smile. I know that she is devastated. Then all over the news there seems to be an influx of death. More than normal.

I never got a response from the coworker that offered to switch shifts with me. I got ahold of the paper and explained the situation. Hopefully they did find someone to cover it. I got a response this morning that my coworker “just got” my message. I sent it yesterday morning and followed up several times. Of all the meetings I wanted to be able to go to this one and say goodbye. I will write an email and send it.

The pups are bored. Archie wants to be busy but Stella is used to the quiet in our morning routine. As the day wears on I am not thrilled about being outside so I try to encourage zoomies and playing so I can coax them outside to run around.

I still need to get myself together for the holidays. I have ideas but I have executed none. A guy is supposed to come out to look at both the oven and fridge between 11am and 2pm today. Hopefully it won’t cost an arm and a leg.

I am just sitting here staring at the screen. I guess I will take that as a hint and wrap this up. I should send in my word count for last month as well. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Animals, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Food, Friends, Holiday, Learning, Life, Love, Music, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Travel, Writing

A Day Out and About

1972italy

I guess I should’ve plugged in the laptop after yesterday’s post. We’ll see how far we make it before the battery goes dead. Yesterday was a busy day. Chris and I spent some much needed time together doing early Christmas shopping. I came home with new boots and three new pairs of jeans. I really love my new boots! I have been dreading replacing my old boots because I don’t do frilly. I don’t need all the designs, colors and stitching on them. I just want a basic boot that is hard working (I wear my boots year round with the exception of Summer). And I think I got that in the new pair. They are comfortable even before being broken in.

Other goodies we came home with included a double bowl holder for the dogs as well as a new collar and harness for Archie Bear. He likes the new collar but is very unsure of the harness. It is the same one that Stella has but in red. I was over the moon about the bowl holder. It is supposed to be for a food bowl and water bowl but I am using it for their meals. It is so much easier for them to not have to bend all the way down to the floor when they eat! And Archie doesn’t chase his bowl around the room when he eats either. I wanted to make one from spare wood but I never got around to it. For me it was worth every penny. It is also easier to feed them. They are face to face instead of side by side as Bear tends to try to help Stella eat her food once he has finished his. This way she knows where he is as she eats. (I stay with them and keep him out of her business until she has finished eating.)

It was good to spend time with Chris. We do it so seldom with our work schedules. We chatted here and there but were content to just sit in silence while we drove (although the drive home we were singing to ZZ Top). We will have company for Thanksgiving this year. I invited a friend over (the same friend that lives down the street and has been having problems). It will be interesting to see how Archie Bear does with a new person. I want to take them both with me to work today but I’m not sure how long I will be. Atleast an hour. I don’t want them in the car for that long. But Stella needs to get out and I want to get Bear used to being in a car.

Well the battery is about gone. I will take a few quick clicks with the camera and add them to this post. A big thank you to everyone that has reached out over the past few weeks. It is great to hear from my readers! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Holiday, Learning, Life, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Who Turned Out the Lights?

1972italy

This is gonna be a short me it seems. Archie Bear and I fell asleep on the love seat. So I have almost no time to write this. I just gotta get through today and I have four days off. This is my mantra for the day.

I don’t know how busy we will be since Mother Nature has given us about a foot of snow, give or take. We have a bit of wind to move it around as well. We went in spurts yesterday as people tried to venture out between squalls.

I guess this is all I have time for this morning. Tomorrow I will need to delete a bunch of photos so I can share some more current ones. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

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

Bright In the Dark

1972italy

The struggle is real my friends. I am struggling to function. I have fallen asleep several times while trying to do this. Both pups want to go back to bed but are staying up with me. I am grateful.

Yesterday was a success at home and at work. At home the pups were angels while I was at work. At work I managed to get everything but my price checking done. My liquor order came in and it had a bunch of my gift sets so I had to do some rearranging as well as putting new prices into the system. I got the beer cave filled and my back stock rearranged. as well as my cigarette order completed.

I was struggling to stay upright with my daytime cold medicine. I usually do the liquid gels but we only had the caplets so I went with them. Once again they made me sicker. I found myself struggling not to pass out as the medicine made me very lightheaded. The flip side is that without it I could get a tickle in my throat and start coughing uncontrollably at the drop of a hat. I did just that because I did not take my last does of the day. I just couldn’t.

One of the bright spots was one of my customers who makes his own jewelry gave me a beautiful glass capsule filled with opals.❤️ I just love it! I will try to get a photo of it at one point.

I see by the clock I need to get myself moving. A storm is supposed to roll through today. We’ll see how bad it gets. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

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

Craziness… But Fun

1972italy

Today is Veteran’s Day. We are grateful for the military that has fought for and protected us. Most of my family members are military.

Today is the complete opposite of yesterday. We had Summer temperatures yesterday with sunshine. Today it is cold, dark and overcast. We are supposed get a snow storm this weekend. This will be a short post for several reasons. One is that I have less than 7 percent of my battery power left in my laptop. I am too tired to pull it all back into my office and plug it in. Also Stella is asleep behind me. The second reason is that I am not feeling any better. I need to rest as much as I can since this will be another 10 hour shift with me being back at 6:30am on Saturday. We are talking about maybe going to see the new pup together on Sunday after work. Hopefully I will be on the mend by then.

Craziness reigned again at work yesterday. Reps arrived to talk, business was booming despite very limited parking, orders arrived, issues needed to be handled, new phones are still now working properly nor has anyone been properly trained to share with others…. Madness I tell you! Lol. Everyone was in a good mood because the weather was so nice. That helped tremendously! I also got to change the gas prices again. This time they went down (I was asked my opinion and I said that we would sell more gas if it went down because so many of the locals drive a long distance to get to their jobs that people would actually go out of their way to gas up for cheaper).

Ok, battery is almost at 1 percent. I am sorry this is so brief and all over the place. Thanks for reading and stay safe.