The Last Time for the Next Few Months

Today is the last day that I intend to wear a wool business suit until the end of October.  

Tomorrow is May 1st and I cannot believe that I am still wearing winter business suits that are lined to keep me warm.  I want to wear my lighter unlined suits and to wear colors like pink, orange and lime green.  

It is time to put away the sweaters and long pants and pull out the tee shirts and capris.  I want to be able to sit on my patio and enjoy the feel of the sun and smell the flowers.  I am ready for Mother Nature to provide us with the temperate weather we are supposed to have of being in the mid-60s.

I am sure you feel the same way - it has been a long and hard winter and time for it to go away!!!

Sprucing Up

At the end of last summer I noticed that the two doors to my outside storage area had the paint peeling.

These doors are close to being 30 years old and I am sure they have never been replaced, so yesterday I went on line and contacted the "Honey Do Men" to get an estimate as to what it would take to replace both the doors.  I would like the doors replaced and the storage closets cleaned out and perhaps shelving placed that makes more sense.

I have also asked what it would cost to have new pavers placed on my patio - I am hoping that by next weekend the weather will become a steady 60 degrees and it would be time to put out the cushions and decorate with flowers.  I would like the opportunity to enjoy the patio and backyard this summer and I think a new slate area will be really nice and great as patio flooring.

I am looking forward to hearing from them and I will let you know how the "Honey Do Men" work out; if all goes well I will certainly use them more often!!!

Sunday Afternoon Nap

It has been several months since I have been able to take an afternoon nap - but, I did so yesterday afternoon.

I think that everything has finally caught up with me and yesterday was the first time in weeks that I was just sitting and catching up on some shows - with nothing else to occupy my mind I fell asleep.

I knew that at some time my lack of sleep would catch up with me - while on vacation I was lucky to get 4 hours of sleep per night and then it was Easter and back to work.  At my age there are times when our body just stops and mine did yesterday.

I woke up feeling a little refreshed; albeit, still tired and hoping to get a good sleep at night.

Stars Aligned or Just Luck?

There are times when I wonder if the stars are aligned or if I am just being lucky? Yesterday was one of those days.

My friend Linda and I had an entire day planned out - we were going to see Audra McDonald in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" in New York and then we were going to have dinner at Zeph's in Peekskill.

The day was gorgeous when we left; but, there had been talk that there were to be showers beginning at 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening so both Linda and I tucked an umbrella into our handbags.

The show was phenomenal and I highly recommend it - and just as we were crossing the street to enter the Met Life building we felt the first drops of rain.  When we arrived at the Peekskill station we realized that it had rained and we once more missed it - then, we finished dinner and headed to the car and no sooner than we closed the doors that the skies opened.  It wasn't only rain but it was also sleet coming down hard.

But as I pulled into my parking spot at home it once more stopped and I was able to get the mail and walk into the house without having to put up my umbrella.  I found out from Linda that it really only came down as she got home and went to get her mail.

We both cannot believe our luck yesterday to have navigated through the raindrops; I am sure if we did not have our umbrellas with us we would not have been as lucky.

Finally ... Caught Up

It has taken me a full week to catch up on work and things at home from being on vacation.

This has never happened to me before - I usually am back to speed within a couple of days; but, not this time.  I am not sure why it has taken longer; was there more things to review, am I getting older and just am not multitasking as well as I usually do or was I just still tired from the trip.

Whatever, it was I am glad that it is over and I can now have normalcy and enjoy my books in the evening.

Ah the Smell, Ah the Look

It has been several months since I have had my car wash - I simply did not want to have it done if it was going to snow or rain in the next few days.

Yesterday I went and finally had my car washed and although it was not very dirty (I don't use my car as another room of my house) the Weather Tech mat on my side had many pebbles on it and other debris.

I chose to have the more expensive car wash just so that I can have an armor all placed on the leather seats and the tires.  

The car is now gleaming and smells wonderful; okay, yes I know that it is supposed to rain on Saturday - what else could I expect??!!

Another Doctor Visit This Month

Today I had to go to the Doctor; but, it wasn't my usual obgyn or internist - it was the dermatologist.

It has been over 10 years since I have had a skin screening check and the only reason I ended up going is that my obgyn found a mole that was subcutaneous and she felt needed to be removed.

I felt fairly lucky in that the rest of my body was fine - true I have a mole in between my toes and another one on the bottom of my foot; but, I have had those forever.  Despite that the dermatologist measured them and noted it in my file - I guess we will be monitoring those in the future.

She was able to remove the mole that my obgyn was concerned about and within a week I will know the results of the biopsy.  I feel relieved that there was nothing else given that I am from the generation that used baby oil when we laid out to get some sun.

As a much older adult, I now use makeup that contains a sunscreen of at last SPF 15 and when I do go out in the sun I use anywhere between SPF 30 to SPF 50 on my skin. My how things change as we age.

A Small Gift

While I was in Nassau last week we went to the Bacardi Tortuga Rum Cake shop and bought two rum cakes.

Gerard took the pineapple rum cake and I took the original one as I wanted to take it to my office to present to my team during our staff meeting yesterday.  I wasn't how sure they would like it and as soon as I opened the plastic wrap you could smell the rum in the cake.  I went ahead and cut a slice for everyone and half the cake was gone, by the end of the meeting nothing was left.

I was glad that everyone enjoyed it and that I purchased the original rum cake and not one that had different flavors to it.  Small gesture - big thanks.

It is the Small Things

Today the gardeners were around putting mulch on all of our flower beds - and I love what they did.

They place mulch every year; but, they usually use the red mulch, I don't like it much and I think it gives an artificial color to everything - also it doesn't really let the flowers and plants be the highlight of the garden.

This year I was surprised that they used dark mulch AND what a difference!!  The greenery that is starting to blossom really stands out against the dark mulch.  The colors really burst and shine.

Yes, I know - the small things make me happy.

I'm Baaack

Happy Passover, Happy Easter and Happy Spring!!!

I am back from vacation and we were at Disneyworld and a four night cruise on the Disney Magic to Nassau and Castaway Cay.  Both resorts that we stayed at on Disney property were wonderful; and, we were upgraded on the Disney Magic.

I was so pleased for the upgrade as we had a porthole which Callum very much enjoyed by sitting at it and watching the other boats, the ocean and the waves on a very choppy evening.

We came home on Saturday and I did three loads of laundry, went through mail and unpacked.  Yesterday Easter Sunday I made brunch for Gerard and the boys, they had their Easter egg hunt and it was a gorgeous day.

Vacation is now over, I am back to being connected and to reality.

On Vacation

You are used to my writing the blog even when I am on vacation; but, not this time.

In some instances it will be difficult to do so as there will be no internet access or it will be extremely expensive.  So for the first time since I have started this blog I have decided to take the week off.  I know that many of you will also be away with your families for spring break, Passover and Easter.

Have a great time - as I know I will; and, I will start up again in a week.

A Visit to the Doctor

It appears that March, April and May are my months to have all my dental and medical checkups.

I have already had my dental checkup and just needed a cleaning, I have seen my ob-gyn and received my prescription for my mammogram/sonogram in May, my ob-gyn also reminded me that this May I am due for my colonoscopy and she wants me to see a dermatologist.

Okay, dermatologist appointment is set for when I come back from vacation, and I went to see my generalist yesterday to check my blood pressure and also my cholesterol and blood sugar.  When I made my appointment I asked if I need to have blood drawn and I was assured I did not.

Was the booking center wrong.  Good news my blood pressure is only 120/78 - quite good despite everything going on in my life.  Bad news, they wanted blood work - despite the fact that I had eaten breakfast I went to the lab and had my blood drawn anyway.

Turns out that all is good - all my numbers are going down - the right direction.  I was happy to hear that I should continue my diet as is and my exercise - no new medications for me!!!

Noticed the Style

Yesterday as I walked to the office I noticed that every woman under the age of 40 was wearing ballet flats.

Is this the new style?  It is not one that I have adopted primarily because I do not think that they would look flattering on my feet and secondly I do not think that they have much support.

My feet have been described by my best friend as "Barney Rubble" feet.  They are short and squat - somehow you need to have long lean foot to wear ballet flats.  Also I have always been brought up to ensure that the shoes I wear have an arch and can support your foot, I don't want to feel stones through the sole - somehow I think every pebble can be felt through the sole of the ballet flat.  AND since they are flat there is no arch support or cushioning for the rest of your foot.

Don't get me wrong I am not against flat shoes especially when you are walking 15 city blocks; but, I do feel that they have to offer some sense of support and comfort.

It Pays to Wait

I received great news at work the other day - a position requisition that was placed on hold last October was signed off by the Vice President.

I know it has been 6 months since the position had been placed on hold and it had been open for 3 months prior to that.  I had identified an individual for the job; and, thankfully he has been calling monthly to find out the status of the position.  

Although it has been getting tougher to complete all the projects, support all the meetings and ensuring that all events are flawless - I have not bothered our Senior Management regarding this job.  

I truly believe that "good things come to those who wait" and this is a testament to that credo. 

Last of the Spring Decorating Done

I had mentioned that I had not changed out the curtains in my kitchen when I changed the house to spring/summer decor.  Well I did it yesterday.

It felt good to take off the heavy curtains and to put the lighter curtains on the French doors in my kitchen - I know can see my patio and the rest of the backyard.  Unfortunately it was a little overcast yesterday so the sun wasn't streaming through the French doors; but, it will just be a matter of time before that will change.

I also on Saturday afternoon went through every shelf in my walk in closet and I ended up with two large bags for Goodwill; it is time to de-clutter and to get rid of things I have not worn or used in years.

It is a good feeling to streamline my home; and, I feel even better knowing that someone else can make good use of it.

My Form of Relaxation

Although I needed to iron - I know that many people find this strange it is also a form of relaxation for me.

Yesterday I spent 3 hours ironing my nephew, Gerard's clothes and my clothing for our vacation next week.  Since we are going on a cruise it is not just the requisite 7 outfits; but, it is 2 outfits a day since we have to change and dress up for dinner.

I didn't mind doing it as it is one of those chores I enjoy because you can see what you have accomplished.  There on my bed were the results of my afternoon.

All Gone

Yesterday morning after I threw out the recyclables and went to get some things to put in my car and I looked at my lawn and couldn't figure out what was different - THEN - it dawned on me, the snow was gone!!!

It is April 5th and finally there is no snow on my front lawn, or on the grasslands across the street or in the parking lots of any of the strip malls.  I cannot believe what a difference it makes to not see that white - which was almost black at this point on the ground any longer.

Now it is time to see the greenery, to enjoy the sunshine and the longer days.

Taking a Day Off

I took yesterday off from work to originally deal with some house issues in Delaware, it didn't turn out the way I expected.

Many things changed throughout the week with being able to view the house and place it on the market.  By 9PM on Thursday night I had consigned myself to the fact that I would not be going to Delaware and I had planned to sleep in, go to the post office, pick up some things for Callum, get my clothes ready for vacation and then start to clean each shelf in my closet.

The best laid plans go awry.  I spent hours on Friday morning on the telephone with the realtor, the lawyer, finding paperwork and printing items out.  I quickly packed a bag to go down to Delaware; but, am waiting a phone call from my boyfriend who is in court to say "yes" pick him up this evening.

What a mess - the only advice I can give you AND please listen to me is NEVER, EVER lend money to family.  They don't respect you, appreciate it and will find ways to screw you over.

Yes, It Really is Spring

Spring has come to my townhouse community.

Yesterday the gardeners were at work cutting the grass, deciding what trees needed to be removed and raking the last of the dead leaves which had been hanging around since last fall.  All of it a true sign that spring has arrived in my neighborhood.

The other was when a bird kept knocking against the front bay window.  I couldn't figure out what that knocking was at first; and, then I looked at the window and there it was a very small bird who kept knocking on the window with its beak.

Every morning as I get dressed I am serenaded by the birds in my backyard - it is so wonderful to hear their singing and chirping as I watch the sun rise.

In a couple of weeks the need for a scarf or long sleeves will go away - the days will continue to grow longer and the Earth will awaken from its winter sleep.

Something to Look For

I love the fact that in New York you can search for different things - this year it is the Faberge eggs that are scattered throughout the city.

About 10 or 12 years ago there were cows that were painted and decorated and were posed throughout New York City.  This year it is the Faberge egg that will be at various places in New York City for three weeks.

Technology has come a long way since the cows were around as now you can download an app and it will let you know where all the eggs are - I can tell you that there are 2 in Grand Central Terminal and I saw one of them yesterday.

They lend color and whimsy to the city; although this year you could actually win a real Faberge egg AND we all know what those are worth.

They Are Here

They are finally here - I saw them.

As I went out on Monday afternoon to run a couple of errands I noticed that there are a few crocuses making their way out of the ground and trying to burst into the world and let us know that spring is really here.

It was such a welcome site - I cannot wait to see my own tulips and hyacinths break through my frozen ground and show their lovely pastel colors.

It is nice to know that the signs of spring are finally here, the crocus buds and a serenade from the birds who were in my backyard.

To Be Returned

It has been three weeks that I have been working with Verizon to understand why my messages are going to voicemail and not ringing when I am sitting right next to my phone.

We have determined that it was not a network synchronization issue, we have brought it back to its factory settings and still no luck.  A call will come through and then the next 4 will not.  It is not the way I like to conduct my business.

Yesterday after a final discussion with Verizon Wireless it has been determined that I will get a new iphone 5s and turn in this one.  My new phone will arrive today and our Mobility department will set it up for me.  Thank goodness they have made it this easy for me.

I will need to do a couple of things; request my RAS token AGAIN; and, pair my phone to my car AGAIN!!  But each of those are small inconveniences in order to have a working phone.