29 Days to go: Pause and Paws

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After being overwhelmed by a massive funk for the last week, I took a much needed mental health day today and had a wonderful day with Harvey. We enjoyed a quiet morning of coffee and reading. Then we moved out to the patio to enjoy the sunshine and 70 degree weather.

Harvey started getting restless, so I showered and shaved (which always makes a fella feel better, dontchaknow!) and then the little guy and I took a walk around the neighborhood. He seemed a bit hesitant at first – not sure why – since he usually loves walks. I know his eyesight and hearing isn’t great any more, so I’m wandering if he just prefers the safety of his familiar surroundings at home and felt nervous. After a few times of turning back towards the house, then reversing course, he finally made up his mind that he was up for the walk and we did a nice little 20 minute stroll. He seemed VERY excited to be back at the house. Then we hydrated, had some lunch, and snuggled up together for a nap on the sofa.

It was a lovely day, indeed. I think I’d like more of them, please.

30 Days to go: Bureaucracy Bites

I am doing everything I can to wind down my work related items, tying up loose ends and finishing projects. Today SHOULD have been the end of that, for the most part, and for the next 19 work days, I should be doing some light training of others, answering emails and questions, and helping my staff.

In a sane world, that would be true.

But it seems like everyone is hell-bent on making mountains out of every *&%$#$%$@!#@ mole hill that pops up.

A week ago, I received a unique inquiry that I had not dealt with before. I did the research, wrote up my findings, and presented my recommendation on how to handle it. I even went a bit more in depth than needed, including pointing to the laws, rules, and regs that govern such a decision, and explaining in depth why I recommended what I did, since I would not be here in the future should a similar inquiry pop up.

But no good deed goes unpunished.

Now, 5 email chains later, with 4 different administrators, I have to schedule a call with 6 different people to discuss it further.

Folks, this is a no-brainer, and it is RIDICULOUS that I didn’t get a simple yes or no e-mail response, which is all I need to put this to bed. (I am the subject matter expert, but don’t have the unilateral authority to make the decision.)

To say I am frustrated is an understatement. I have enough sick and vacation time that I could cover my absences for the next 19 days and I am damn tempted to do it, if this is the kind of moronic crap I am going to have to deal with or my last 4 weeks.

So much for a peaceful send-off. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I feel a “cough,” “headache,”and “stomach bug” coming on….

Grrrr!

31 Days to go: 6 Scenes Sunday

Note: No, you are not crazy. My countdown went from 36 to 31. I changed my mind and changed the countdown date from my Birthday (May 17th) to my actual last day of work (May 13th). It just makes more sense.

I scoured our master bathroom today.

We got the patio and pavilion set up and even used it for a little bit last night, when we lit the fire pit and had cocktails with my sister-from-another-mister, Rob.

We set up a mini “outdoor green room” for Harvey to use as a covered pee spot when it rains (because the Diva can’t/won’t pee in the rain.)

Jeffrey replaced our downstairs guest bathroom doorknob because the lock broke on the previous one. (That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.)

I added another shelf to display my recently purchased “Giganta” double-figure with the rest of my Justice League Unlimited figure collection.

We got a little silly with Sebastian

37 Days to go: Colonel Oskopy

Jeffry had a colonoscopy this morning, so we were up and out of the house by 6:00am to be at his appointment by 6:30. It is rare for me to be the on the waiting side of medical procedures. After they came to get him for prep, I headed to the grocery store to kill some time and pick up some needed kitchen staples. It was perfectly timed, and they called me just as I was using the self check-out (which I loathe but there were no staffed registers that early.)

Once home, we had breakfast and started to watch an episode of “Daredevil: Born Again” but both promptly fell asleep a few minutes into the episode.

I slept for 4.5 hours. Wow. I guess I was mighty tired (when am I not these days?)

There is big news to share from Breen Acres: Jeffrey has decided to retire in October.

Way to steal my retirement thunder, Jeffrey! I feel so “Single White Female”d!

38 Days to go: Puzzled

I’ve been feeling very anxious and stressed lately. More so than usual. Partly due to work, partly due to health, partly due to living under fascism. In an effort to quiet my brain and lower my stress levels, I decided to do a puzzles. I’m always very focused when doing one, and the only thing I’m thinking about while doing it is where the next piece goes. It’s very therapeutic.

This one was smaller (500 pieces) and a little out of season, but it was still fun to put together and I was able to complete it in one day, so there was also a sense of accomplishment.

I’m not sure I feel better, but at least it was a several our break from my annoying brain.

40 Days to go: Powerless!

The power went off sometime in the middle of the night last night. I know this because at 4 AM everything flickered back on and woke us up. Then it all shut off again. Then it all came on again. Then it all shut off again and it has not come back on.

On top of that, it is snowing. And not like a little light flurry but actual snow. Sigh.

We have plenty of light with all the curtains and blinds open, but no heat. Well, no forced heat through the furnace. We do still have a wood-burning fireplace which I am way too lazy to try to get going this morning, so instead we retreated to the master bedroom and we are staying warm by the gas fireplace until the power comes back on.

Since I have no control over any of this, I am just laying in bed with Harvey, next to the warm fireplace, watching the pretty snow fall and enjoying the solitude and scenery.

43 Days to go: Outside Influence

I felt the need to have a fancy schmancy breakfast this morning so I made Eggs Benedict for the first time and I think it came out well, especially the hollandaise sauce. I didn’t have English muffins so I used air-fried tater tots as a base.

I call this dish “Hollan-gays Delight!”

After breakfast, the weather was way too kick-ass to stay inside, so we headed out to the backyard for operation spring clean-up!

First, we had to clear away the clutter….
…and pile it all in the yard for a good hose down.

Second, it was time to clear the rocks out of these dilapidated plant boxes that use to house artificial ferns. It was a good idea, but poorly executed.

Then Jeffrey power washed the whole patio while I cleaned off the screened-in porch:

This was about a 4 hour project, but great exercise and lots of fresh air and sunshine.

We have to let everything dry overnight, then we will set everything up tomorrow and do a final wipe down of furniture and – VOILA – we are back in backyard barbecue business!

Woohoo!

P.S. although most of the week is supposed to be highs in the 50s and 60s, we may actually see a little snow Tuesday. Sigh!