Some Goals Set

 The last couple of weeks I have had bad go of it.  Not feeling well, and of course the only thing talked about is COVID.  I don’t have covid.  I’ve been off work for 2 weeks, I will try to get back the end of next week if I’m feeling better.

Tons of bloodwork, and repeated bloodwork, 3 doctors visits over the phone, 2 more tests in the next 2 weeks. A mittful of pills to take every day and a diet change.  Today I got dressed.  That’s an improvement from PJ’s.

I need to lose 15 lbs.  I need to exercise.  Hard to exercise when your iron is so low your hair is falling out, short of breath all of the time... but I can do a little.

So these goals that I made the title about:

1. Lose 1.5-2 lbs a week until goal weight. 

2.  Build my early retirement fund as high as I can.

    ~ move all extra $$ into separate savings account every payday

    ~ take the lump sum back pay I’m getting with my raise and move into savings.

3.  Start selling off things not being used that I have in the basement and garage.

4.  Keep reading and meditating to help my zen.

That’s more than enough to focus on when I have no energy.

I did make a spinach and feta quiche today and it was delish!  I have picked out 8 new recipes to try in the next couple of weeks.  Almost all of them are from Skinny Taste.  I have her first cookbook, but these are off the website.  They need to be healthy and be very quick prep time as I don’t have the stamina to do a big meal. I have an insta pot that I enjoy using too. 

My kid #3 is getting better in the kitchen and has been a sweet soul to have around when I haven’t been feeling good.  He has made a few meals for all of us, very proud of him.

I’m cautiously optimistic about the raging pandemic.  I think that there is an end in sight. (Or maybe the light ahead is a freight train). 

I haven’t seen any of my friends in so long, it feels like 10 years.  No vacation in over a year.   

Things have got to get better, right?

2021 - Off to a Slow Start

 It’s a new year, and the same old me.  More broken down parts than before, but still running.

I have had both doses of vaccine - so that is something good I think.  My side effects were headache and body aches that lasted 2 days. I’ve felt a lot worse with colds, so this was tolerable.  I guess for all the nutball conspiracy loons - the chip is implanted.  Government/Bill Gates care deeply when I go for groceries.  I can’t stand the stupid.

I’m making my yearly appointment to see my financial advisor in a couple of weeks.  Hopefully to get a very clear path to retirement.  Freedom 55.  I will make it happen. My investments are holding steady with the chaos of the world and I am building up my savings every month.  The whole pandemic thing... if you are lucky enough to keep your job, there aren’t a lot of ways to spend money anymore.

  I am still finding a couple of things to buy.  Lately it has been books.  I used to exchange books with a Mom of kid #3’s teammate.  Well, thanks Covid.  Everything is totally f’d for kids that play team sports. I don’t see her very often at all. So I got the Goodreads app and I buy my own.  Some day we will have boxes of books to exchange.  Right now I’m reading Lilac Girls and finished The Great Believers.  Quite outside of my usual reads, but very much eye openers.  I don’t ever want to be unable to see past the end of my nose.  

My part of the world is still moderately locked down.  I know 2 people that have lost their elderly parents due to Covid.  I know about 15 people that have had it. 1 in ICU for a week, and one with lingering problems since March.  The anti-mask dip shits are so stupid it pains my mind. The lockdown rules that allow big retail to stay wide open but I can’t have company to my home, or we just go meet in a bar makes no sense except that retailers have the politicians under their thumbs.

But other than that I’m great.   Not really , but we just keep swimming, finding joy in small ways.  We have family game nights now, that we didn’t ever have time for before.  We take walks, we try new recipes, I’m teaching kid #3 cooking and baking on the days off from school.  I watch movies that I didn’t have time for before.  

I can’t comment on any blogs which is really a pain - I enjoy reading about others days as mine are pretty quiet.  

Here is out a window after a wee bit of snow a couple months ago:

The Good Things:

I’m vaccinated

I’m Employed

Healthy Family

Pandemic Cranky

Oh the super crankies have really got me this week.

Last week it was the intermittent tears.  I cried with the news, I cried with the food bank telethon, I cried sitting and staring out the window.

I’ve been working from home except for 2 days where I was mandated to go into work and do 8 hours a day of completely not my job or related to my job duties. I still was “In the line of fire” for covid so I had to strip at the back door, wipe down every surface I touched and shower.  The pandemic response at my work is being run by people with ZERO medical knowledge.  Not very comforting.  Dumb asses.  I will take my pay and shake my head.

I’ve also been jerked around this week working at home.  Meetings that have been moved 4 times, people that don’t show up.  Lots of excuses but no valid reason to not be professional.  Nobody is hands on COVID care.  Learn how to use a clock and a calendar. Dumb asses.

I bought masks for the 3 of us, and an extra.  It isn’t the norm yet anywhere I have gone.  I think that it should be.  It doesn’t protect me from the virus, it protects others from me if I have it and not know.
I think that the 3 of us may have already had it. Not that anyone can be sure as there is no proper testing for antibodies done in Canada.  No proper meaning that there isn’t even a test to run that is really accurate.  The existing one gives a lot of false positives from what I read.  Or who even knows anymore.  I just hope I don’t croak from a damn virus that came from a bat.

There have been some OK and even funny things.  During the telethon they had Bryan Adams singing.  Kid 3 says - who is that guy mom?  He’s really good.  “Ya he is pretty awesome”  Randy Bachman “Taking Care of Business” was worth a big grin too. I donate to the food bank at our grocery store, so I didn’t give money that evening.  The weather has been decent for a few days in the last week.  Able to sit outside and enjoy a drink on the deck.  I did a bunch of baking the other day.  6 dozen cookies.  Eat some and freeze some.  I found yeast at the store. I’m going to try buns again.  Last time I made a rock collection!  Kid 1 finished another university class towards a second degree.  An 84%.  Not shabby at all for working full time.
Kid 2 is finished his course.  And there are no jobs to be found.  Not sure what the plan going forward will be.  Doesn’t matter, just be healthy and safe.
Kid 3 is online learning everyday.  The math seems to be taught alright, the other classes seem to be quite optional and well below grade level work required.  Just to get him out of bed and his mind thinking about something I guess.

I like to start looking around garden centers this time of year.  No browsing sessions for me.  I will make a list and in and out same day.  Not for a couple of weeks yet. Today is windy and cool.  Not good for tender plants.  My lillies are coming back, and trees have the buds ready, but no green yet.

I can’t add pictures, I think that is a thing happening with Blogger quite a bit.  I also can’t comment on anyone’s blog.  Well I can but it switches my ID to that of kid 3 and his school ID name and number.  So I will have to keep my comments to myself until my iPad isn’t the classroom.

I see that there will be a meat supply issue.  This is what happens when you rely on giants that don’t give a shit about their workers.  Luckily we are city folk with a country background and can source right from the farmers.

So I’m still cranky and have the blah’s but there are always things to be grateful for:

We are all healthy
I made an extra $800 this pay period because people are stupid
My cookies are 100 x better than my buns ☺️
Fridge and freezer have everything we need.
I don’t have any debt
I’m still able to work as much as I want to
Spring is here, the snow is gone and the birds are singing.

Peace out, stay safe, wash your hands and wear a mask to keep your cooties to yourself.

WFH is My Thing Now

With great begrudging assistance from staff at my employer that work from home already, I now do too!

It has been an adjustment that is turning out ok.  Hubs is in 1 room, me in another and kid #3 is online learning in another.  There are 2 teachers that share his class, one live streams the lesson and the other posts assignments and is available to answer questions for an hour a day.  It seems to be working really well.  Apparently while you are on video chat with your class it is TERRIBLE if your mom walks behind you getting coffee.  It is pretty funny when all 3 of us are on a call or video! Talking away about 3 vastly different topics.

My oldest that was exposed to his friend that has/had the virus did not develop any symptoms.  I saw on facebook a friend from childhood caught it too.  She’s finally feeling better after 2 weeks.  One of my occasional office mates has a friend that caught it too.  Her friend was tested because she was at an event now we call it a “cluster event” in hindsight.  She had only the symptom of fatigue, but because everyone that attended was tested, she found out and isolated herself.  Otherwise she would have been spreading it with family and at the grocery store.

Our grocery situation has been fine.  Shelves were a little sparse after everyone was ordered to stay home.  But they were good the week after.  Hubs and I did a Costco run.  That was interesting.  We waited about 10 minutes to get into the store.  All people except for 1 family observed the 6 foot rule and were respectful.  I bought $450 worth of meat and staples, which will last us about 1.5 months.  We still need to supplement with fresh produce, but that is about once every 10 days.

The daily updates from our Canadian leaders and health ministers are very informative. We all need Dr. Bonnie Henry in our lives.  BC you are so fortunate!!  Things are changing daily.  Can I just say that I LOVE the sign language interpreters.  When they make the mad/disgusted faces with thier gestures, as well as when you can see that they are truly frightened about the information they are conveying, it is sobering.

Then there is the 3 ring circus to the south, led by the orange buffoon.  What a performance.  It’s shameful.  There is a Canadian rage building over his behaviour and orders. It’s going to get worse.

The weather has been nothing short of awful, that helps everyone stay inside.  Snow, wind howling, it might as well be January.  The window in my home office is a bit higher so I cant see the ground when I sit.  It makes me “think” is is a beautiful sunny day as all I see is tree tops and the birds hopping along the fence.

I’m cancelling our family trip that I have booked for July.  We aren’t going anywhere.  This isn’t going away.  Until there is a vaccine, which is at least a year away, I think this world is going to be pretty subdued.

Luckily we have a friend’s netflix account, high speed internet, treadmill and gym equipment, lots of food and we both have our jobs.  Life is as good as it can get under the circumstances.

I hope that our scientists that are working tirelessly on a vaccine, and our Doctors that are struggling to manage the worst of the symptoms can get it figured out, sooner than later.

My thoughts of the morning:
I’m so happy I can go to work in my bathrobe
Most of the people could really benefit from understanding basic rules to “Cooties”

The Not Normal New Normal

Self Isolation

In this house it is a trio of isolation.  This ends tomorrow as I am an essential worker.  

I plan to use “Bus Pants” for the foreseeable future.  Those that don’t know the Sheldon Cooper reference...you’ve got time to look it up.  When I get home I can strip down at the back door and put my clothes directly into the wash, then shower.  I’m now happy I didn’t donate my cotton housecoat.  It will be washed daily.

Dear God this is frightening.

My oldest who now lives with his SO was in extended and direct contact with a friend that is positive for the virus.  The health officials contacted the friend to inform him to tell his other close contacts.  He brought it back from vacation.  He was sick already on the plane ride with a fever and sore throat. This was 2 weeks ago. There was no quarantine in place and ZERO information for him at the airport when he landed.  I don’t blame the young man.  It’s really just a giant petri dish.  It’s a matter of when, not if.  The family dinner has been cancelled needless to say.

School is done.  I’m sure that the year is over.  We will see what the fall brings.  I am being eaten out of the house.  Yesterday I “taught” culinary arts.  Called make your own damn macaroni and cheese.

I’m actually going to use this time together to get a lot of cooking lessons in.  

It’s too cold to be outside, so I am cleaning.  The garbage and the recycle bin are full and it’s Sunday. No pickup for a few days.  It’s being packed in the garage.  Today is fridge and light fixtures.  I pace and plan to keep the excitement and anticipation under control.

We were supposed to be on a hot holiday right now.  Obviously not happening.  And it was to the same place my kids friend brought is back from. We started last weekend on our “Not Hot Holiday” with cleaning.  The hubs is being a good help.  This week will be closets. The only downside is that you can’t donate anything as understandably that isn’t happening right now.

My neighbours returned from a trip to the states.  They were in a top 3 hotspot.  I texted them when they got back and asked if they were prepared - seeing if they needed groceries for 14 days.  She told me that they didn’t have to do the 14 days because “Nobody told me we had to”.  I’m not sure what rock they were under?  Then after a day they decided to self isolate.  This is why we are all going to get it.  People not knowing and people that are choosing to be ignorant.

My hubs is fully work from home now. He’s also “promoted” to a response team.  It means a hundred emails and calls a day.  That is if the network can handle it.  Usually he can’t get onto the company server until everyone in Ontario gets off.

I could easily be working from home but my employer is inept.  So I go into the flames tomorrow.

Every morning I watch the news to see what fresh hell awaits today.  It’s not getting better with time.

Italy is our only source of truth as to how the virus will affect us.

We are supposed to get a little sunshine and a bit warmer today.  At least above freezing.  We’re going to BBQ.  The new norm is still unfolding daily.

Take care

Wash your damn hands

Stay at home

Mind your business when I strip outside and then go in my house.

Summer is Here!

The end of July is upon us.  It has been a warm and lovely summer with some wild and crazy weather thrown in!!

We’ve only had 1 hail storm so far that didn’t do too much damage to my yard, but boy has the wind ever blown some days.  I have picked up tree branches all over the lawn - from a tree that I don’t have and neither do my next door neighbours.  Flown in from somewhere.

The yard is lovely.  My oasis and my escape.  Made a new flowerbed and added some shrubs and flowers.  Also bought some furniture.  It’s a bistro set that doesn’t have any cushions.  I got real tired of running outside and rescuing the cushions from potential rain all of the time.  Then the forecast would be wrong and I would get home to sopping wet pillows that would drip for 2 days and you couldn’t sit on them.  I sat my but in a lot of different chairs to find ones that were comfy.  It’s an iron set, and so far it has been one of my best ever purchases for the yard! Kid 3 and I eat out there all of the time and I have my coffee outside daily (weather permitting).

 I have a lot of daylillies.  I like their shape and how they look like long blades of grass.

I had no idea that this vine bloomed!  It was bought as filler!

My Hen and chicks that thrive in the hot dry south exposure.  My Aunt that passed away a few years ago used to grow them.  They remind me of her. 

This is my jungle planter.  Vines and blooms and toughness that survives hail!

Kid 2 did not get the job he was counting on.  But, has already been accepted into school this fall.  Into something that I think is a good fit, unlike the last time that I correctly predicted disaster... but I keep that to myself and here on the blog.

Kid 1 and GF are both full time for next year.  He is still temporary, but soon I think he will get permanent.

Kid 3 is big, not a baby anymore.  Becoming very independent and quite a reliable kid.  So many friends and a good leader.

I continue to wait for my elusive job.  I am going to have a meeting with my manager in the next couple of weeks to propose something that I could do outside of my current job.  She’s the one I had to report to the higher ups... I don’t expect any favours, but it’s worth a shot. The woman that I work with is a certifiable loon some days.  Her behaviour has been grinding me down.  Being in a tiny office with her is too much some days.  So I am trying to find a position to utilize my skills outside of that tiny room.  Maybe even part-time or less than that and do both jobs.  Just to get a breather some days.

In June and July I worked an extra 8 shifts while she was away.  Those were nice paydays!
I have been skimming off the top of my  checking account after the bills are paid.  I keep the balance high enough so that I don’t ever pay fees, and anything over that goes into savings.
I’ve maxed my RRSP’s and have set my sights to max out my TFSA in the next couple of years.
My TFSA sits about 68k right now.  I have quite a bit of contribution room left as my investments have been doing very well.

What I do need to do is work on my health.  I feel like crap all of the time.  Other than gaining 20lbs in the last year, my doc says I’m fine.  “Just lose some weight”

No problem - thats easy when you feel like shit and are exhausted all of the time.  Any exercise leaves me stiff and sore for days.  I mean a 20 minute walk and I have to lay down and wait for all of my leg muscles to quit twitching when I get back. That is if I can even do that, usually too dizzy.

Likely all in my head I guess.

Well off to read a good book, as I’m not too tired to focus my eyes today.

On to Summer

I guess that is that for our spring.  I blinked and missed it.

I have done the usual yard work this year.  Maintaining my perennial flower beds with a bit of weeding and watering.  The work that we did last year looks great.  I planted 4 big planters and bought 3 baskets.  Most was bought with a birthday gift card - so free beauty!

I received my yearly retirement estimate and I am on track to retire at 55.  I would like to start X ing off the days, but it might be a bit soon!  We have talked more about moving this year, and it doesn’t seem practical right now.  Kid 3 will be at home for at least 5 more years and our location is perfect for school.

My work has increased in hours, I do 3-5 days a week.  I am forever looking for another position.  I have my eye on something that may open up this fall.  Not holding my breath.  I’ve had to report situations about my manager above her head, her choices did not make her look good.  I like her as a person, and it was not easy to do.  Ethically I had to.  So needless to say her recommending me for a new position likely won’t happen!

Because I’m almost at full time hours, we aren’t getting away for the summer.  I have all that I can handle with house and yard work.  I have had no improvement in the way I feel.  Constant tired and stiff aching body.  It doesn’t matter how much I sleep, exercise actually makes it way worse.  I’m depressed.  I have done most of my yearly body maintenance - Eye exam - new prescription needed for my left eye, dental exam - all good, mammogram next week and then I’m going to need an ultrasound like I always do... I see my GP in a couple of weeks.  She will say I have classic fibromyalgia and that I need to exercise more.  I will tell her I’m exhausted and it feels like rigormortis sets in for days and gets only worse when I “push through the pain”.  Then there will be talk of new medication, all with nasty side effects....

I continue to meditate daily.  That helps me sleep.  My kids are doing great.  Kid 2 still has no concrete plans, but that’s ok.  I’m so proud of all 3 of them.

My maternal unit called me yesterday for no apparent reason except to smugly tell me that they were in the city last week to see my siblings kids.  Of course they didn’t call, or stop in because why would you want to see all of your grandchildren when you only have the important ones?? I don’t bite when she throws out tidbits.  I’ve perfected a “grey rock” method with her.  I don’t forget the selfishness and favouritism, neither will my kids.  Demonstrates how I NEVER want to be with my kids and family.

I need to do my laundry for the week.  I’m out of pants that fit.  Because when the side effect of your medication is weight gain, and it hurts to move, your pants get too small.  I have 3 pair in rotation.  Out of stubbornness I don’t want to buy more.  I have many nice pair that are too tight!  I need to stop eating for a few weeks.  I don’t know if that is feasible?!

Kid 3 found a tick crawling on his arm yesterday.  So now I have the itches.  We took a flashlight and went all over the chair, the blanket and the dog (who we think was the tick taxi) .  Haven’t found another...yet.  Blagh!!

The good things...
Great kids
Beautiful Yard
Good Friends

Things that suck...
The parental units.
Decrepit body