What's on your mind today?
Replies
-
Hello everyone.
Another glorious morning. We are expecting highs in the 90s (again). The weather peeps keep promising rain yet I am still watering the garden every morning. The herbs are growing like weeds and I have had to trim back the basil for fear it would start to bolt. During my last outing I picked up some fresh mozzarella. I will head to the farmer's market and pick up some tomatoes. It will be one of my weekend meals......possibly paired with a Bloody Mary. Heck, if I am going to partake might as well fit in more vegetables. LOL!
At this moment I am grateful for....- Another day on this planet we call earth.
- The breeze gently tickling the palm fronds.
- The coffee from Puerto Rico I happened upon during my last essentials trip.
- The absolute bargain I found on a vacuum cleaner yesterday.*
- The support and friendships I have found within this group.
*Long, silly story about the vacuum.I have been on a cleaning, organizing, project binge since we have been sheltered in place. Of course my 25-year old vacuum decided it was going to finally croak. The carpets upstairs are rather old (25 years!) and my plan is to replace them with modern linoleum. I did not want to spend a fortune on a vacuum because I will seriously only need a decent hard flooring vacuum in the near future. Replacing the flooring is a little bit in the future so I still need a vacuum for the rugs.
I have been researching vacuums for the past three weeks. I know everyone praises the Dyson, but reading through professional and gen pop reviews the Dyson is great, but lasts at best 5 years. Next in line is the Shark which lasts and performs just as well. It is also more affordable. When I was last at Costco I looked at the Shark and figured maybe it will be the one.
I had to go to Wally World/Walmartians for some hard to find items. I decided to detour through the home goods section. I noticed a decent Bissell, which was the brand of my last vacuum. The price was $119 marked down. I started thinking, hm, it's decent, has all of the attachments I want, is made for pets, is bagless, the filters can be rinsed and reused, and then decided it was a contender. I searched the section under the display to see if there were any available and had to move down a little bit. I pull out one and it was opened (I hate that) and searched a little more and found an unopened one. I then went back to the display and noticed on the stock shelf there was a clearance sticker but under a different vacuum. Matched up the stock numbers and found it was for the vacuum I was considering. $48! Seriously, $48........Figured WTH and bought it. Seriously, if it is awful I can always donate to someone in need.
After I logged off from work I put the vacuum to the test. OMG, it works like a champ! Yes, my old one was 25-years young....but did do a decent job until it died. So incredibly happy with the darn thing. The Shark I was considering was $250.
So, the very long of this story. Very happy with the bargain and the temporary vacuum. And, also happy I did not buy the Shark! LOL......
Now that I have bored everyone to death I will close this one out.....
Hugs and prayers to all.4 -
I'll get into practice, as I've promised to take over this spot next month - will probably do me the world of good and I hope will help some of you. @SuziQ113's gratitude lists have certainly helped me to focus on the positive.
This morning I am grateful for:
- Waking up in good health. Having read @nodm 's horrific descriptions of having #Covid-19 certainly brought some reality to the issue
- My 97-year-old Mum's daily 8.30 am phone call. Assures me she's safe and healthy and helps me start the day in a positive way. My Mum's a very positive person.
- The weather forecast says it's going to be sunny soon. It's grey now, but I'm grateful it's not raining any more
- The fact I have a back balcony with sun on it for a couple of hours around lunchtime. So many people have no garden, not even a balcony and are stuck inside a small apartment with children
- I am grateful for the BBC! They do fantastic podcasts that make time fly!
Lots of love to you all. We're all struggling in our own way, but at least we can support each other!6 -
Hello everyone.
......
*Long, silly story about the vacuum.I have been on a cleaning, organizing, project binge since we have been sheltered in place. Of course my 25-year old vacuum decided it was going to finally croak. The carpets upstairs are rather old (25 years!) and my plan is to replace them with modern linoleum. I did not want to spend a fortune on a vacuum because I will seriously only need a decent hard flooring vacuum in the near future. Replacing the flooring is a little bit in the future so I still need a vacuum for the rugs.
I have been researching vacuums for the past three weeks. I know everyone praises the Dyson, but reading through professional and gen pop reviews the Dyson is great, but lasts at best 5 years. Next in line is the Shark which lasts and performs just as well. It is also more affordable. When I was last at Costco I looked at the Shark and figured maybe it will be the one.
I had to go to Wally World/Walmartians for some hard to find items. I decided to detour through the home goods section. I noticed a decent Bissell, which was the brand of my last vacuum. The price was $119 marked down. I started thinking, hm, it's decent, has all of the attachments I want, is made for pets, is bagless, the filters can be rinsed and reused, and then decided it was a contender. I searched the section under the display to see if there were any available and had to move down a little bit. I pull out one and it was opened (I hate that) and searched a little more and found an unopened one. I then went back to the display and noticed on the stock shelf there was a clearance sticker but under a different vacuum. Matched up the stock numbers and found it was for the vacuum I was considering. $48! Seriously, $48........Figured WTH and bought it. Seriously, if it is awful I can always donate to someone in need.
After I logged off from work I put the vacuum to the test. OMG, it works like a champ! Yes, my old one was 25-years young....but did do a decent job until it died. So incredibly happy with the darn thing. The Shark I was considering was $250.
So, the very long of this story. Very happy with the bargain and the temporary vacuum. And, also happy I did not buy the Shark! LOL......
Now that I have bored everyone to death I will close this one out.....
Hugs and prayers to all.
Don't you just LOVE it when a sale comes together! Can everyone say "Serendipity" ?
(less of a tongue-twister than "supercalifragilisticexpeealeadocious" or for you extra-brave ...' docious-alea-expee-listic-fragi-calli-roupes" )
scarry thought - I can CLEARLY picture the scene with Mary Poppins and Bert in "Sidewalk Chalk-Drawing Land" without looking it up - and I NEVER owned the vhs / dvd / soundtrack ..... and those PENGUINS!!!!3 -
Good morning everyone, it's a grey morning here in Southern France, but sun is forecast for later today.
Things to be grateful for this morning:
Well, I woke up after a solid 6 hours sleep, which is unusual for me these days, but I had a headful of resentments. I went off for an early walk, which helped!
I can do it now:
- waking up alive and healthy after 6 hours good sleep
- conversation with my Mum at 8.30 am. She's also alive and healthy and positive as usual
- my legs! After a horrific car crash 20 years ago I was told I'd be in a wheelchair in 5, maybe 10 years maximum. Look at me now, able to walk for 2 - 3 hours on my own pins! Going out for a walk because I feel resentful!
- long conversation last night with my youngest son in UK who suffers from depression. He finds this lockdown very hard to cope with, but he is coping. Proud of him!
- my supermarket for selling tulips! Bought bunch of lilac ones, feel cheered already!
Have a good day everyone wherever you are and thank you for being there and sharing your struggles and your victories!7 -
Hello everyone.
I am grateful for.....- Another healthy day of life.
- The rain we are having this weekend.
- The quiet of an early morning.
- A full pantry and loaded refrigerator and freezer.
A little slow this morning which is actually good. I have not had an inactive day in quite some time. I think in my effort to put covid-19 thoughts out of my head I have been moving from one thing to the next. I will be nice to have some down time.
Hugs and prayers to all.4 -
@BMcC9 - It could not have come together any better if I had planned it! I almost bought the $250 Shark at Costco.....
@Chinkiri - Sorry you are feeling down. I hear those who suffer with the weather feel much better once they convert over to SAD lighting. They can be a little pricey, but worth it for your mental health.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/15/cnn-underscored/light-therapy-lamps-shop/index.html2 -
My daffodill buds (yellow and primed ~ April 5 ... and then the snowy-weather settled in and they "stalled') have finally BLOOMED!
Hoping to head out for a "less-trodden-path" walk this afternoon.
3 -
Just in case anyone (like you, @Chinkiri ) could use a bit of sunshine right about now ... https://facebook.com/mayapolarbear/videos/1690903704389246/2
-
(sings) "We're having a heat wave ..... a tropical heat wave .... " a sunny, balmy high of 15C (~59F) on Saturday, and expecting much the same again on Sunday.3
-
Hello everyone.
Ah, Sunday. You were here too early for me, but I will enjoy you anyway. 2:30 am anyone? I know a nap will be forthcoming! The bedding will be crisp and clean for nap time since it is one of the projects on the to do list today.
So many things to be grateful for in this moment.- Awakening to a healthy day.
- The prospect of watching the sun rise.
- My washer and dryer.
- My home which is a great comfort to me.
- My garden which provides continuous amazement to me.
- My education. It taught me how to research and make my own decisions based upon facts, not someone else's interpretations.
Off to get started on my to dos for today.
Hugs to all.3 -
Another day that included a 30 minute walk in the fresh air. Looking forward to May and even more of those!3
-
Hello everyone.
Monday fun day. It's back to work today and I am expecting it to be a busy week for me. I scheduled and will be taking vacation days on Thursday and Friday. There is a town hall call scheduled for Friday and I expect there will be an office opening/status update during the call. I will be in attendance. I imagine we will remain remote since the call is on Friday and one would think there is some type of coordination needed to get the staff back in to the office which was originally scheduled to occur on Monday, May 4th.
For what am I grateful for in this moment.- Another healthy day for which I get to choose if it is a positive or a negative one. I opt for the former.
- A morning starting at seasonal temperatures, 73 degrees!
- The calmness of the early morning.
- The fresh bedding I slept in overnight.
- My body which continues to amaze me.
- I am not lactose intolerant.*
Can you believe it is almost May! It seems like yesterday we were wishing everyone Happy New Year! May is my birthday month and I am attempting to figure out how I will celebrate. I have yet to think about the meal(s) I will prep/create. Instead of cake this year (way too much to have in the house for little not so young me) I may make some creme brulee. *So thankful I am not lactose intolerant.
Until next time.....3 -
It sure has flown in retrospect. Anyone giving thought to what they aim to measurably accomplish in May?
I will be dragged even FURTHER into the 21st century ... not only did I reactivate Facebook on the weekend (in order to have a face-time Messenger chat with a bud) but now it looks like I have to re-open my long-dormant Pintrest account . ... my UAC fitness coach sent me some intriguing looking headlines of pins that I want to follow up on.
I will be working to make my 20 minutes intentional exercise include more time spent on badly neglected (over most of my life!) PRE-beginner resistance / core / flexibility work / keeping up evening strolls for step counts and NEAT but lowering the "exercise calories burned by cardio" factor.
I THNK there are some resistance bands of varying strengths in the basement, along with one of those giant stability ball things ... and 2.5 / 5 / 10 pounder hand weights. And my own body-weight of course .... so it's not like "lack of equipment" is a valid excuse ....4 -
April 24, already! This month has flown by!
I'm grateful that I didn't knock anyone out. Work has been really rough, and the first day started with going home symptomatic and testing on the second. This month should end with our floors going down throughout the house.
We spent the weekend starting to clear off any portable surfaces (tv stand, pantry cabinet, china hutch, dressers, etc. I have a pretty extensive crystal collection (the gemstone kind, not the kind you drink from) which always cheers me up, but putting them in boxes was just sad. The bright side is that by this time next week that entire project will be wrapped up (fingers crossed), and at least my personal/home/small business life will get back to normal. (I had to shut down my small business temporarily when my soap/candle room was filled with office and dining room stuff since 2/18/2020.)
I'm grateful that I haven't used a pass day to date (February being my first month), but may need to use my first one today. It's been easy-peasy to come in under calorie goal, because my appetite is terrible, so I don't go anywhere near where I need to be, but today I am HUNGRY! I may say to heck with it and eat all the foods!
Of course, I've also been pushing patient beds due to being short-staffed, and I am counting that as exercise, because, well, it is. I may cave and eat some of those back in order to not have to pass. I don't know. We will see. I guess if you eat exercise calories you technically come in under goal, right?4 -
juliemouse83 wrote: »April 24, already! This month has flown by!
I'm grateful that I didn't knock anyone out. Work has been really rough, and the first day started with going home symptomatic and testing on the second. This month should end with our floors going down throughout the house.
We spent the weekend starting to clear off any portable surfaces (tv stand, pantry cabinet, china hutch, dressers, etc. I have a pretty extensive crystal collection (the gemstone kind, not the kind you drink from) which always cheers me up, but putting them in boxes was just sad. The bright side is that by this time next week that entire project will be wrapped up (fingers crossed), and at least my personal/home/small business life will get back to normal. (I had to shut down my small business temporarily when my soap/candle room was filled with office and dining room stuff since 2/18/2020.)
I'm grateful that I haven't used a pass day to date (February being my first month), but may need to use my first one today. It's been easy-peasy to come in under calorie goal, because my appetite is terrible, so I don't go anywhere near where I need to be, but today I am HUNGRY! I may say to heck with it and eat all the foods!
Of course, I've also been pushing patient beds due to being short-staffed, and I am counting that as exercise, because, well, it is. I may cave and eat some of those back in order to not have to pass. I don't know. We will see. I guess if you eat exercise calories you technically come in under goal, right?
If you stay "in the green" (and green can include upped numbers from logged exercise calories) then you could still be under goal, yes.3 -
Then I came in under goal with almost 300 calories left today! 💪1
-
juliemouse83 wrote: »Then I came in under goal with almost 300 calories left today! 💪
Just make sure you are eating enough to feed your muscles to support all you do! The hunger was a valid signal in this case! (You were officially in the "eat more to do more " space - not the "do more to justify eating more" space)3 -
Hello everyone.
Late start due to early conference calls. I am so looking forward to the time off I scheduled this week. I had a nice conversation with my boss yesterday. They are still not sure when the office will be fully opened, but it will open in phases and with a rotating remote schedule.
For what am I grateful for in this moment.- Awakening to another healthy day.
- The sun shining in to my at home work area.
- Friendships both old and new.
Hugs to all and prayers for those in need.
3 -
I walked away to fill my water bottle - 30 seconds max and this is what I found....
6 -
LOVELY weather here today ... strolled around the yard in my lunch break, and also cell-chat "walk together yet at a distance" with my bff who was walking her dog and throwing a ball in the empty school-yard almost equidistant between our two places. little terrier-mixes are SOOOO hard to tire out!3
-
I have decided that I will start with "pre-beginner push-ups" for upper body, "dead bug" exercise for core, and maybe a few Wii Fit Plus Yoga holds for balance work over the month of May. I have already started the push-ups3
-
@Chinkiri stay safe. Love you too. 🙏I'll get into practice, as I've promised to take over this spot next month - will probably do me the world of good and I hope will help some of you. @SuziQ113's gratitude lists have certainly helped me to focus on the positive.
This morning I am grateful for:
- Waking up in good health. Having read @nodm 's horrific descriptions of having #Covid-19 certainly brought some reality to the issue
- My 97-year-old Mum's daily 8.30 am phone call. Assures me she's safe and healthy and helps me start the day in a positive way. My Mum's a very positive person.
- The weather forecast says it's going to be sunny soon. It's grey now, but I'm grateful it's not raining any more
- The fact I have a back balcony with sun on it for a couple of hours around lunchtime. So many people have no garden, not even a balcony and are stuck inside a small apartment with children
- I am grateful for the BBC! They do fantastic podcasts that make time fly!
Lots of love to you all. We're all struggling in our own way, but at least we can support each other!
3 -
Hello team.
Crazy work day which is my fault because I warned everyone I am OOO tomorrow and Friday. It has been non-stop since I logged in. The day is flying by which is great.
For what am I grateful for in this moment.- Another healthy day.
- My job. I know I bit-h and complain about it, but I must never fail to forget I am working and am able to keep my lifestyle when so many cannot; especially now.
- Smokey the Cat even though he is being a pest right now and does not understand it is not the weekend and I cannot take a nap with him.
- The absolutely picture perfect day. The sun is shining, the humidity is low, and it is in the low 80s.
- Life and all of its ups and downs. Without a comparison how in the world would we know when it is a great day.
Back to work!3 -
I am grateful for this community of virtual friends and cohorts.
If I hadn't have happened to decide by the end of February "I am taking control before the slide out the top end of maintenance gets any bigger" ... and then the whole shutting most-everything down around here mid-March along with working from home the last six weeks .... who knows WHERE I'd be in a "going off track in the wrong direction" way by now.
But I knew where to find you, and what to expect from the group and from myself .... and I am managing to weather the situation well. Which is as de-stressing as is possible for DH under the circumstances ....
Now, if @SuziQ113 would just be so kind as to ship some of that warmer weather up my way .....
(no snow, but rain squalls expected tomorrow)
5 -
Ermagerd, y’all! This day, though! I’m fixin’ to vent, so I’ll put it in a spoiler.Y’all remember a couple weeks back when I told you I’d been taken off of salary and put back on hourly for the first time since 2004?
I took PTO for today, tomorrow and Friday because the contractors were coming today to pull the old-new flooring (it was only a year old) up. We had spent last weekend and last night removing all objects from movable surfaces, because it all has to come out, because the company we used has proprietary flooring so can’t be matched an insurance wasn’t going to cover what they quoted for replacement.
So we got up early, had coffee and waited. Our crew, we found out around 10 am, had been at work until 4 am this morning on an emergent hot water heater burst, so they weren’t coming. Yea, I was initially pissed, but then figured BUMP IT, I’m gonna enjoy a stress-free day!
Until 5 pm. 😡🤬
My boss texted me about a scheduling problem. I effed up. LAST WEEK! But, of course it comes to light today. Why not? Evidently when you go from 50 to 32 hours a week some *kitten* is gonna fall through the cracks, but, apparently that’s no excuse, right? I offered to come in and work the shift in question on Saturday, but, noooooo. That wasn’t good enough. Why? Because I’d have to be paid both weekend and second shift differential! 🤬 I make a good $8/hour more than my team, so my tight as all get out boss doesn’t want to pay for that. 😡 He wouldn’t have had to, had he left me on salary. A-because that mistake wouldn’t gave happened had I had all the time in the world to do the schedules had I still been salaried; and B-on salary, even if it had, I wouldn’t have been eligible for differential at all.
I’m pretty sure he isn’t going to pay me 45 minutes work at home and give me 7:15 hours of PTO, because he is all about looking good to hospital senior management.
FML, 🤬😡🤬😡
Today I am grateful for the amazingly beautiful weather I experienced sitting outside playing my video games and relaxing. I’m thankful that the homeowners insurance is paying for 100% of the floor replacement. I appreciate my sweet husband for telling me to calm down and enjoy what I thought would be a waste of a PTO day. 😁4 -
30th April
Feel like I am slowly coming out of the tunnel.
Today I am really grateful for:
The fact that it's the last day of April and I have not dropped out of this challenge!
6 -
@juliemouse83
I am so sorry about the work situation. I think I would have lost it with him. I definitely would have reminded him of the actual number of hours it took me to do the job when working salary and then let him know as a result of being cut to 32 regardless of the pay rate some sh-- was just not going to get done. I would then state since it seems as if he feels I can complete 60 hours of work in 32 hours he needs to write down exactly what I should be doing each day within the 32 hours and how long I should work upon them and promise once the time is up I would move on to the next task regardless if the one before is completed and would provide an update to him at the end of every day.
Just burns me (as you can tell). My "Philly" girl would be front and center (I am originally from Philadelphia and G help anyone who ruffles me too much). But, of course, they all know we depend upon our paychecks.... Ball-ess wonder did not even have enough class or guts to have the conversation with you face-to-face. And, sorry, but it was his decision and he should have pulled his big boy pants up and dealt with the situation (you are now hourly) and when you were back at work had the discussion. And, yes, being empathetic makes us think about their pressure and then we try to justify their actions/words but there really is no excuse for his being blind to what it takes to get the job done for those under his command.
I am not sure how much trouble you want to stir up, but I am sure there are policies in place for hourly workers. Most companies must pay you a minimum amount of hours if they call you while off the clock and it does not matter if you were on the phone for 10 minutes.....
Please know we are in your corner! But, please also remember work is a non-caring place. It is an object and to waste too much energy and emotion on it is not good for you. I always say to myself, "when I am sitting in my rocking chair 10, 15, 20 years from now, will I think of this moment in time".....the answer is usually no so I put it in a box and then move on.
Big hug to you!2 -
30th April
Feel like I am slowly coming out of the tunnel.
Today I am really grateful for:
The fact that it's the last day of April and I have not dropped out of this challenge!
Glad you are hanging in and things are starting to look up for you. With so much out of our control right now it is good to hold on to the things we can control. Very proud of you for sticking with it this month.3 -
@BMcC9
The Smokester is having a difficult time understanding I am working remote and cannot take an afternoon nap with him. I was on a work call and simply walked downstairs to fill my water bottle and that is what I came back to see. Love the little man - he is a lot of company and obviously thinks I am part of his pride.
With dogs we are masters with cats we are equals although I think this one thinks he is the master - LOL!2
