End of 2022

 Wow.  A lot less blogging this year.  I can't even blame it on my job.  I was blogging less before I went back to work.  Maybe, just maybe, I'm doing less and have less to document.  I think I will roll with that.  I still had over 3000 page views even with less content.  

2022 was kind of a weird year for me.  I drove home from Indiana in Jan.  Then made three road trips there in the spring/summer.  Realized after the first trip that going the northern route only added an hour on to the driving time but saved me hotel money.  Got to love my cousin who allowed me to just pop in and stay the night even when I had children with.  

Besides travelling to Indiana, I made trips to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York.  I had a great time with my little woman and really enjoyed spending time with just her.  

My friend Marti had been trying to get me to come work where she works.  She really loves her job. On my last trip back home from Indiana she texted me and asked if I was interested as two servers had given notice.  I realized that I was ready to go back to work and so I did that.  I have worked at the Pointe since the beginning of August.  

And that was a big change as it is a full-time job.  Totally changes my life. Again.  But I love the residents and the sense of community.  

And so, 2022 winds down.  Thanks for continuing to read.  Maybe I will blog more in 2023.

I Get It Now

 My friend Doug keeps telling me how he never wants to do much on his days off.  I always kind of figure it was more his introvert tendencies.  But now that I am working full time, I get it.  I take my two days off and the first one is a do-nothing day.  Just recouping from the week.  And the second day is doing all the chores and errands I didn't get done during the week.  Thank goodness for the friends who don't mind going out for dinner during the week or I would never see them. 

Marti and I were just discussing how we don't see each other much now.  And we work at the same place.  Working in different departments doesn't translate into many conversations though.  Oy.

I think maybe I get more tired now that I am on the older side of life.  And nothing like a full-time job to make you feel it.  

Birthday Surprise

 My girl turned 13 years-old today.  Time flies so fast.  I had no plans to travel this fall, but I felt like I couldn't let this birthday milestone pass without seeing her.  So I made a quick trip to Indiana.  Flew there on Thursday and then back home this morning.  

I spent all day with her yesterday.  We went out for lunch with Cassie and then just the two of us for dinner.  I am always amazed at how much she changes as she is growing.  She is still the most polite child I know.  She really is kind, smart, funny and well versed in her games.  She has more than one friend now and is doing so well.  My heart is happy to see this and for her to be able to shine.  

Happy birthday Babe.  May you always shine.  

Having Fun

 I've got to say that I am so enjoying my new job.  Is it perfect, well no it is not.  But I love the residents and I just enjoy the time.  Hearing new stories, meeting new people, seeing old friends, etc.  It almost feels like a whole new family.  It is definitely a new community for me.  

I will say that it takes a big chunk out of my time.  Marti was even commenting on how we don't see each other outside of work very much now.  

More later.  

Heart Broke

 I understand how people come and go in our lives.  Sometimes they move, sometimes they leave, and sometimes they die.  Their own lives change and time passes.  It happens to us all.  Emotions can run high or be nonexistent.  

Today I realized that I had lost a person.  My friend has been in my life for over twenty years.  One of my biggest supporters.  I don't know what changed.  I almost have to assume it was something in her life.  Nothing is going on in mine to precipitate this change.  

And so, I have to let her go.  But my heart broke again.  My space is filled with remembrances of her, and I will keep it so.  Because she is a wonderful person in all respects.  I wish her well and send her off with light and love.  My heart will mend, maybe with all the love she gave me.  

New Routine

 It is taking awhile to adjust to this new routine.  When it is a long day at work, I don't get anything else done.  

When I was not working, I remember thinking "how did I ever have time for a job?'. Now I am thinking "when do I have time for the rest of it?".  I think it is getting better but it is a slow transition.  I will find my niche. 

And I'm really glad I found chicken bowls before I started working.  I try and get those set up when I have long days because I'm not cooking when I have been at work all day and getting home after dinnertime.  

Job

I had my meet and greet.  Got a tour of the kitchen.  The job offer was reiterated on condition of passing a background check and a drug test.  Naturally, that came back fine and, in a few days, instead of a week to ten days.  So, I started the following Monday. 

It's great.  But boy am I tired at the end of the day.  Especially on the longer days. It does feel like I am getting used to it though.  I'm not just collapsing on the couch when I get home now.  It feels good to be doing something and I am enjoying it.

Last Drive Home

 I took the northern route and spent a night in Illinois and a couple of days in MN.  Visiting relatives.  Enjoyed a couple of lovely family dinners and a birthday party.  It was so nice and grounding.  

Then it was off for the rest of the trip.  I had two plans for the drive.  Stopping somewhere and getting a HD t-shirt for my brother, which I did in Butte, MT.  And I had seen signs for a used bookstore.  Good thing I was really paying attention.  I see how I missed it last time.  You see the billboard and it is for the next exit.  Enjoyed some time poking around and I left a few dollars there in Alberton, MT.  

Made really good time even with my stops.  I have learned to follow my friend Doug's example and make sure I have my hotel(s) booked.  No more sleeping in rest areas.  Beds are so much more comfortable.  

While I was gone, I applied for a job.  I had a phone interview on Monday and was basically offered the job.  It's a market where people who want to work can find a job.  So, I had to time my trip home to a meet and greet this week.  And I made it.  Naturally.  

Girl Visit

 After our weekend trip to Kentucky it was time for the 12-year-old and I to head west.  We returned the way the 10-year-old and I had travelled to Indiana.  That included a night at my cousin's house in Minnesota.  I really am happy that I had discovered that way didn't add much to the commute but saves a night in a hotel.

My girl is much more laid back.  She isn't into doing too many activities.  Happiest staying home, playing on her iPad and loving on the pets.  She did spend some nights with her dad.  We also spent an afternoon at OMSI seeing the DaVinci exhibit.  I was a little disappointed with it, but it was still worth the trip.  After that we spent a good hour in IKEA just bumming around.  For some reason she really wanted to go there.  She picked out a shark and a fake plant.  Another day we had lunch with Marti and then did an art project.  

The second week of her visit, her mom and David came out.  His father had had a massive stroke and was not expected to recover.  They got one way airline tickets and came.  Steve did not recover.  After a family gathering it was time for the four of us to head back east.  

Three more days on the road, but this was so much better.  Three drivers instead of one and they helped with the gas.  I also noticed I got a couple of meals paid for.  

I so enjoyed my visits with my kids.  

Kentucky Kingdom

 

Well all the best made plans always have changes.  Originally, I was staying in Kokomo with the youngest grandchild.  But then we were invited to go along.  And we did.  It was a nice three-hour drive to Louisville, Kentucky.  We booked two nights in a hotel.  And we spent two days at Kentucky Kingdom.  

Kentucky Kingdom is a waterpark/amusement park.  If you know me, you know I don't do rides.  A little something to do with motion sickness.  And yet I did do one ride with the youngest two grandkids, and it wasn't fun.  And then I did this swing with the oldest.  116 feet up in the air.  The view was grand for about 15 seconds and then it was spinning so fast you really couldn't see anything.  I told her she was very very special for me to have relented and rode the swing.  She said it was really fun.  

Everyone had a pretty good time.  I noticed all the adults, except me and Anthony, got sunburnt.  All the kids, except the little woman, did not.  And the little woman was sun screened up multiple times.  All that red hair just makes it so she burns so easy.  

I didn't make it all the way through the second day.  And it turned out the youngest two opted to go home with me.  They had had their fill of all the fun and I'm sure that made the last few hours for the rest even better.  

It was a grand family outing and memories were made.  

All The Fun

 The little man had a wonderful time.  Just a quick recap.  We went to the circus, went swimming at Firstenburg, Jumping at SkyZone, three nights with his dad, played with Dax, played with the neighbor's puppies, walked with me at the mall, went to Round 1, etc.  

Our time went by pretty quickly and then it was time for the long commute back home.  We took the northern route and stopped in MN.  We had dinner with Barney and Denise and then stayed at Brenda's house.  He was excited to spot the Buffalo in ND.  And we agreed that it is a long drive.  We made it back safe and sound.  The only disappointment was the pool was closed at the hotel we stayed at in Billings.  

And now on to the next adventure.  Love that boy so much.  

Back Home Home

 The little man and I made the trip from the Midwest to the PNW.  It was really uneventful, just the way I like it.  It took three days.  We spent the first night in a hotel and the second night at a rest area.  Again, I ran into a full Motel 6 and I didn't feel like doing much searching.  I was tired.  The little man thought it was exciting.  

We met a trucker in Utah who was feeding ground squirrels.  He shared his Fritos with the little man and then he got to feed them.  He even had a couple take them out of his hand.  He said he felt the little teeth and that they tickled.  I kept my mouth shut even though I have a great fear of being bit by rodents.  

I was amazed that at every gas station he took it upon himself to be the window washer.  There are a lot of bugs on the way.  He does an amazing job of washing bug guts off the windshield. 

Now we are looking forward to our plans for the time he is here.  He is full of ideas.  

New York, New York

 

My favorite twelve-year-old and I spent a few days in NYC.  We did the touristy things like the 80th and 86th floor of the Empire State Building.  We did that one in the morning and again at night.  The lights were fabulous.  We visited the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We took a ferry out to the Statue of Liberty.  

We took a candlelight tour of the Catacombs of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and we visited the 911 Memorial and Museum.  I was actually very surprised at how much she enjoyed the Memorial.  I didn't expect it to be of interest to her and I was wrong.  She took it all in in her usual empathic self.  

We did an immense amount of walking averaging over twenty thousand steps each day.  Our feet hurt and we were tired by the time we got back home.  We got caught in an east coast rainstorm that drenched us and we survived the day it was 95 degrees. It was such an adventure and I am blessed to have taken it with her.  We created some memories for her to take with her her whole life.  

On The Road Again

 The first leg is done.  1700 miles.  Two days.  I had intentions of a hotel in Billings.  That didn't happen.  How the heck is a Motel 6 completely full on a Sunday night? And the other one was $120 for a night.  At a Motel 6.  I was rather shocked.  So, I kept driving until I hit a rest area and took a good rest.  

I saw one live deer and three antelope this trip.  It's the first time in my cross-country trips of late that I saw live wildlife in the wild.  

Arrived at my cousin's house just as they returned from work.  Great timing.  It was a long drive, but not as long as driving to Indiana.  Happy to split it up.  

One

 I have managed to complete one of my projects.  And it isn't really completed.  Just the stage I wanted to get completed. I have primed the patio cover.  And it is a job.  When the roof was replaced all of the plywood on the patio covered was replaced.  The old stuff had rotted well.  

Part of my patio conversion is painting.  And I had looked at all that nice raw plywood and knew it needed primer before paint.  Hence, my priming project.  Painting above your head is harder work than a wall.  Painting over nails (from the shingle placements) is annoying and drippy.  

I had painted in sections.  Discovered quickly that a new brush works better.  That helped and it went quicker after that.  Felt a sense of accomplishment.  

And when I told my friend about it, he said...."you should have painted the plywood first before it was installed".  Oy.  That would have been freaking awesome.  Wish I had had that great advice before the fact.  Guess I will store it away, but I doubt I am ever doing a patio cover again in my life.  

New Friend

 Technically I have more than one.  Started walking at the mall with the mall walkers.  I estimate there are about a hundred regulars altogether.  It's a community. And the faces become familiar quickly.

So shortly after I started, I kept noticing these two younger guys as opposed to the oldsters.  Guys somewhere around my own age.  And they kept waving and smiling as we pass each other on opposite sides of the mall.  And then it proceeds to quick questions as we pass each other.  Well who am I kidding, I never pass them.  They always pass me. 

A couple of weeks ago one of them walked with me and a friendship is born. It is kind of strange to meet someone and have that person ask real questions about my life.  We have done the back and forth of age, occupation, kids, etc.  

I think this is what comes from putting yourself out there a bit.  I have a new friend at the mall.   

Unfinished Projects

 Oh my gosh.  I either have too many projects planned or too many starts.  I have burn piles to finish.  Only have one started and it was not successful as it was too wet.  I'm halfway done with cutting down blackberry vines at Jodi's.  I think I've done the easy part of that.  The hottub is gone and the patio cleaned.  Then I started priming the cover for paint and remember why I don't like painting.  It's above my head work and waiting for some nicer days again.  I started some clean up next door and should really finish it.  

Feeling just a little overwhelmed.  And it isn't long until it is time for the drive to Indiana and all that entails.  Hoping to get my little garden planted before that.  See, too many projects.  

A Little Fire

 

Last year I bought this fire pit on clearance at the Walmart in Kokomo.  I had driven out and so had a way to bring it home.  And then naturally, it sat for six months. I've kept thinking about assembling it, but just didn't.  Until last night after I got back from McMenamins Edgefield.  They had firepits all over and I just enjoyed them.

So, I assembled mine. Now mine is nowhere as nice as the ones at Edgefield.  Mine is pretty cheap, but it does look nice.  When I opened the box, my first thought was "I'm glad I got it on clearance".  It is worth about what I paid for it.  And had I paid full price it would have been returned. 

I did enjoy sitting outside next to the fire.  And I'm going to enjoy quite a few more nights of it.  

Hot Tub Gone

 It took a year, but the hot tub is finally gone.  I had just about given up.  Planned on working in the front and making that a nice seating/bbqing area.  And then Dale showed up with the trailer.  Pat and Dale worked for about two hours dismantling it.  I got to be gopher and I trimmed up roses and blackberries so they wouldn't get caught passing them.  

Then I pressure washed the concrete and part of the house under the cover.  Now I need to paint and then make it a lovely place to dine.  I also pressure washed my slate table and the black part looks sad, so I'm thinking it gets some paint also. I'm so psyched.  

Whew

 What a whirlwind trip.  We walked a lot of steps. We saw some amazing art.  We enjoyed the shows we attended.  We never drank too much.  I personally left $3.11 cents in the slot machines.  Made me happy.  I played for quite awhile on the money I took for slot machines and then brought most of it back home. Had some nice food and even some cheesecake.  

And now again, I am home for a bit.  Indiana in May is next.  

Friday

 

Today was a long busy day.  We ventured down the strip and got our tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show.  Used our promotional slot voucher.  Now the thing about that voucher is you can't cash it out. Unless you  win really big.  So I was up to over $500 and it took awhile to lose it.  Jodi was getting a little frustrated as her machine quit working.  What does it mean when it says call attendant, hand payout?  Well it means she did win big and got an actual $100 in cash.  

We had been told that the light show at the Bellagio was not working.  And maybe it wasn't, but the water show was going on on Friday afternoon.  So glad we got to see it.  Saw many interesting things, but was overly amused at the cigarette machine in a casino.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the show although I did agree with Jodi that it was a bit busy and you felt like you missed some stuff.  The people were amazing though and more than worth the price of admission (which for us was two hours at the Time Share).  

Fremont Street.

 A couple of scenes from Fremont Street.  The cup holder was in the restroom.  Makes me feel like I have seen it all now.  

TimeShare

 

Our day started with a trip out to the Time Share presentation.  Dave and I had done one of those all those years ago when we came here.  This time wasn't as pushy.  And we got better gifts.  We did the presentation for the Cirque du Soleil tickets.  The gift cards and promotional slot play was bonus.  And no, I did not buy a Time Share.  

We watched a small (five minutes) show at Circus Circus.  The girl was amazing, but we could have watched for a few more minutes if there had been two or three.  

We went to Fremont Street and watched the light show and were so amused by the people.  Four Queens Casino is there and that is where we saw the Mike Hammer Comedy Magic Show.  He was well worth the money the tickets costed.  He pretty much involved every one in the audience.  I got to hold the urn and then get covered in paper confetti.  

Vegas Baby

 Jodi and I got spectacular deals on a trip to Vegas.  Less than $200 each for air and hotel for three nights.  We are so ready for a nice little vacation.  

Goldie is Gone

 I finally quit procrastinating and made an ad for Goldie, the minivan.  I bought her last August with the grand plan of using her to haul the furniture to the grandkids.  And it was quite a fiasco.  The furniture did make it to the kids, but the minivan never left the cul-de-sac after I had her loaded and stopped for snacks. I was done putting good money after bad.  

I believe I learned a very valuable lesson.  Maybe more than one.  Home for an extended stay meant I had time to get rid of it.  She was just sitting out there reminding me all the time that I did not do a good deal there.  So I posted an ad last week.  Marketplace tells you how many clicks you get.  Way over 300 and yet I only had a few messages.  No clue what that means.  After a frustrating day, a guy came the next day and bought it.  He was such a liar.  Guess he thought he was getting away with something.  Me, I just wanted it gone.  He bought it for next to nothing.  After he left, I realized I needed his address for the transfer of vehicle to make sure I never pay for anything else having to do with the minivan. I texted him and he texted back with a cross street.  No address.  Stupid.  Looking it up, it is a business and no homes/apartments nearby. So, I reverse looked up his phone number and lo and behold he runs a used auto sales business.  I used that address and called it good.  Kept my plates also.  

And now my reminder is gone.  I'm happy.  It was a costly lesson, but I think I'm still ahead in the game.  And now on to the next project.  There is always a next project.  

Goal Met

 When I returned home I had signed up for a challenge to log so many miles of walking between Jan 1 and Mar 14.  The idea was to keep me walking when I was home walking by myself.  I had a walking partner most of Nov and Dec.  My goal was 250km.  That means 155 miles.  With my walking schedule, that is really not a lot.  

Today I met that goal.  After I got my badge for it, I found where I can change my goal.  So I changed it to 350km.  That one will be tight but I'm sure I can do it.  

New York, New York

 I want to go.  My little woman used to want to go.  Then anxiety came.  We talked about it.  She said she really didn't want to go.  Too many people.  I accepted that even though it meant she missed Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. 

After she turned me down, she must have been thinking about it and it settled in her brain that she could do it.  It would just be her and I so we could be attached at the hip.  She informed me of her change in decision.  I started looking and somehow misread the vaccine mandate for NY.  So I told her we would have to postpone it till 2023.  

Well mask mandates and vaccine mandates are being lifted.  Then I discovered that I had misread what the mandate was in NY as it was an either/or mandate.  All good though.  I got online and again searched for a package.  And I found one.  We will be going at the end of May after she gets out of school.  We will spend four nights in a hotel just eight blocks off Central Park.  It looks like a really nice central location for all the things we want to do.  

Seems I am having another year of travel.  

Home for Awhile

 Reversed the airport route.  Did my daily walk at the airport.  There is a nice underground tunnel that takes you to different terminals.  Jodi and I had discovered it when we were going to Cabo.  

On the plane I was in an early boarding group. I'm sitting in my aisle seat and the window seat is taken when this woman came and put her bag in the overhead compartment.  Then she said if I wanted to scoot over, she would take the aisle seat.  Umm, no.  So, I let her in, but I'm not giving up my aisle seat. We had a lovely conversation on the ride.

And then I was home.  For those keeping track of the game, the only thing missing was most of my milk.  Why?  I still have no comprehension of people who just use other people's stuff without asking.  We live on our phones so there really is no excuse not to ask.  

While I was in LA Jodi and I decided on our next trip.  Las Vegas in March.  Jodi is feeling the need to get away.  I think she likes these quick trips also.  Three nights in Vegas will be plenty.  

Hike to the Sign

 

No easy mass transit to get to the trailhead to hike up to the Hollywood sign. I opted for a Lyft.  Amazingly it only costed $10.  My email had said to be sure to be on time or I would miss it.  It also said to be aware of LA traffic that is slow.  Thought I had good timing, but my lyft guy was early and then I was super early.  Got to play on my phone for a good 45 minutes waiting.  

And then up we went.  My group was five paying customers and the guide.  I was quite happy to be in the smaller group.  Another group went up at the same time and it was about 15 people. Let me tell you to never believe the review that says you won't even know you are walking uphill.  It honestly makes no difference how many good tales the guide tells.  You still know you are walking uphill.  It was a bit of a challenge.  I was not, however, the last member of our group to reach the top.  I was the last one down.  And that is all right.  I had no place I had to be.  It takes an hour to walk up the trail which is mostly kind of paved (like a long time ago).  You can't actually get to the sign as it is surrounded by fence and monitored 24/7 by LAPD. 

The story of the sign is it was originally for a new neighborhood.  And then it became just Hollywood. The original sign became quite dilapidated.  Hugh Hefner went to the city and asked them to replace the sign since it had become iconic.  The city, naturally, said they had no money for that.  So Mr. Hefner raised the money himself and the sign was replaced.  Just as crooked as it originally was.  

The view is extraordinary.  LA goes on and on and on.  You can see to the ocean.  It was an accomplishment for me to make the journey and the climb.  And yes, I took another nap.  What else would I do on vacations?

Walking on the Beach

 

Again, I was up with the sun and on my way.  A little bit longer of a trip today.  A bus and two trains to get to Santa Monica Pier.  Walking up to the pier you get a huge look in both directions of the beach.  Since I was early and it was midweek there wasn't a lot of people on the beach.  But there was a tractor raking the sand.  I bet that happens every morning. There were a lot of people doing exercises on the beach and at the parks along the beach.  

I walked from Santa Monice pier along the beach down to Venice Beach.  Again, I'm too early for much.  But I did get to see all the artists setting up their spaces.  And honestly there was some fantastic art there.  I saw a catering company set up for some kind of movie thing.  I met a lady who breeds fluffy Frenchies. I was in shock when she told me Frenchies are now going for ten grand. Apollo, her grandson's frogdog was just the best though.  

After I had walked four miles it was time to head back to Santa Monica and catch my first train back. Eight miles of walking on the beach.  It was fabulous.  Check out the trippy sidewalk that looks like it has ripples in it. Total optical illusion as it is perfectly level.  And then I just loved the crosswalk in Chinatown.  

I was back to the hotel in time to take a nap before dinner.  

 

Hollywood

 

I still have not acclimated back to my own sleep schedule. That means I'm still on the little woman's schedule.  So I'm awake early.  Even here.  So I'm up and out by 8 heading to Hollywood.  Now remember to go anywhere it is a bus and a train and in reverse to get back.  

Got off the rail at Hollywood and Vine.  Walked along looking at all the stars.  Waited for the tour company to open up so I had coffee in a little shop.  I was able to ride on the first tour.  We went up into Beverly Hills to see star homes.  Now honestly, you don't really see star homes.  You see their fences, shrubs, chimneys and a roof if you are lucky.  But the stories were funny.  From there we got a trip down Rodeo Drive and nobody buys things on Rodeo Drive.  The shops there are basically for status for the shop owners.  

Now me being me, I didn't think about that drive up Mulholland Drive.  It is very winding.  About half way up I remembered that I had bonine in my purse.  Took it, but it didn't help much by that point.  I was quite happy to be done when the tour was over.  Reversed my going back and took a nap.  

It still was an interesting day and an adventure.