Tuesday

 

sometimes I think God tosses things at us to see how we handle the challenges and sometimes I think God gives us these challenges to make us better humans -- 

this weeks challenge -- after doctor appointments, ct scan and a pet scan -- next monday is a biopsy of a spot on one of Dad's vocal chords -- evidently the "spot" was on the backside of the vocal cord/voice box ( I'm not really sure which one - I've heard both mentioned ) and during his regular "scoping" his doctor didn't see it - but it showed up on the ct and ultimately the pet scan --

.. and while they are in there, they will be shooting botox in the collapsed vocal chord .. he did ask if they could replace his hip at the same time -- that was a no.

procedures during covid are weird .. 1 person in the waiting room and the balance of the crew are sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot -- waiting with cell phones -- in December, in Minnesota  

we are hoping for good things -- but doctors try to prepare patients for the "not so good" things 

so some days are hard

some days are tough

but every day is a new day and that's where we are at

mind over matter 

do not call him and ask - he'd be pissed I blogged about this -- although I'm not sure who exactly reads this -- I may make it private for a spell .. it is my "journal" of life 

more shopping

 

my friends at the Fat Quarter Shop have 20% off on fabric for the weekend ... so I splurged, because a) I need more fabric to look at and b) I felt like it 

above is Tula Pinks Daydreamer line .. a layer cake and a jelly roll -- should be enough to make a wild quilt for my bed ... 

and below is Basic Grey's Cider line ... 

not sure what I'm going to do with this one

mustard/black/rust/grey are fast becoming my new favorite color combo's

I was a good woman and went to the office this morning -- finished rolling 2020 data to our 2021 software -- yesterday, I backed up all the 2020 data and restored it to a local computer (basically, I copied it from cloud storage and moved it to earth / closet storage) .. 

I actually worked on "work" also ... my desk is looking a bit better ... 

got home, tried to get a nap it ... didn't happen

the phone rang ( elders were gone ) and then a trip to the emergency room -- made for an entertaining afternoon -- now I really need the freaking nap.

Not sure what is on Sunday's agenda -- I sure hope it is dull

black friday

 

well, Target is the place to be -- and I have to admit not the only place I shopped

my friends at Target delivered my new bedroom TV today, $115 of happiness on the fed ex truck .. sometime in the next week -- there is a new vacuum, toilet paper, kitchen trivets, and a sweater headed my way -- my friends at kohls, had jeans that fit my a$$, leopard print sneakers and sweatshirts .. 

I'm thinking I need this Target t shirt ... 

blessings

 ah .. Thanksgiving

rise at the normal time
toss the bird in the oven
laundry
prep the beans, yams and peel the taters
clean -- 
leaf in the table
bird done
sides to oven
cook taters, mash them
set table
consume food
dishes, clean again
desert
dishes, clean again
laundry & black friday www shopping
pop leftovers in oven to warm
eat again
laundry ( I'm spacing it out)
a spot of work 

and it's time for bed?  sort of .. my new TV has yet to arrive so, I've had some quality book time this week .. earlier I decided no more crime/mysteries -- time for a something a bit more upbeat and lighthearted ... 

Happy Thanksgiving ..  aka Labor Day #2

life lessons from wastebook

this will be me at 5:05 

I'm still driving Ruby -- no snow in the forecast -- my goal when she came out of winter storage was to get the odometer up to 20,000 ... 7 years ... 20,000 miles 

I have 600 to go ... might need a road trip over the weekend 

saw this jewel on wastebook this morning

truth ... seriously -- absolute truth 

more truth ...

and now to focus on the positive 

dear Target -- where the heck is my TV ...... 

my plain jane 24" TV -- you said it would be here today ...

I'm still waiting

my bedroom tv took a dump and died

the local appliance place didn't have one ... so I ordered from Tarjay ... 

and I'm trying to be patient ..

tv is like a booze/drugs/food .. addicting and life without it is horrid 

yes, I'm being dramatic ..

very dramatic

but I miss my TV ...

 

Tuesday -- I don't give a shit

I've hit that point in the pandemic/life/shitshow whatever the hell is going on in life .. that I don't give a crap .. my gas tank has finally hit bottom.  

Too much work and too little time not thinking about work and the problems of the world.  

Today the dreaded table ... returned to my office .. the couch is gone ... it was uncovered less than a month ( the couch ) .. the plants look happy don't they (insert grin, we think they are growing) ...  I think it is warm outside but the dang wind is wicked.

 Life by the numbers for the last 20 months ..

3,000 federal, state and property tax returns ( 2020 and 2021 and others)

6,220 1/2 hours since March 1, 2020   geeks have spreadsheets to track these things

81.85 hours per week average 

300 +  IRS/Mn Revenue Notices

900+ phone calls on those damn stimulus payments

100 PPP loans -- assisted clients on applications for obtaining and forgiveness

15 Mn Main Street Deed Grant Applications

20 + County Business Assistance Grants ( all counties )

Full County Schedule -- although I have had to miss a couple R9 meetings ( maybe 2 ) and believe me -- a crapload of drama there (county not R9)

110 hours of Continuing Education ( 2020 and 2021) thankful for Zoom

3,500,000 of payroll for clients ( just the direct deposit clients)

No cleaning lady - really really miss the cleaning lady

No lawnmowing kid

All I have done the last months is whine.  Loudly whine and moan about taking charge and making a change -- well, it is time for the big girl panties -- because that is the way my life is and good or bad will remain  -- I'm learning to set boundaries and follow them.

so, I grateful to have a table in my office and the ability to move the couch to the front room .. grateful to need that damn table 

Grateful for the lake cabin

Grateful to have good clients

Grateful for technology -- 

Grateful for family

Grateful for good health

Grateful for good friends 

favorite 2021 pix so far

 another day in paradise ... actually it was a pretty darn good day ... got back to the office and finished up a couple more "projects" .. the damn things never go away ... 

I finally got the plastic winterizing window kits on the three windows in my office -- after 20 years of installing them, it's not a "hard" job -- it's just a pain job.  pain in the knees from going up and down the ladder multiple times in 60 minutes ..

the homework and I are sitting here typing away -- sort of .. there was a two hour nap after I got home and had lunch -- it was too windy to take a walk so I napped ... managed to purge another bookcase shelf in my bedroom and finished my book and everything on my Friday night list -- progress

I started working on my annual calendar

and having trouble choosing my 12 favorite, let alone favorite picture of 2021

I got lots of pix -- from the porch at the cabin ...

missing those sunsets ... especially since the darkness has arrived

missing the daylight too 

the ass of a mama cardinal is leading the pack for favorite shot ..

who'd a thought ....

I used it on my office Xmas cards ... 

an so it begins

and so it begins -- Saturday's on 3rd Street (well, I was there last Saturday too) .. I went to work this morning and did 5 hours of work - in total silence until the phone rang.  Not sure why clients feel the need to call on weekends, or weekends off peak season, it happens a lot. 

I opt'd not to join the Divas in Spicer, elder #1 is having issues with the hip and the swallowing so .. sometimes I just need to be flexible and change plans .. his today is better -- so, I stayed home and went to work ... then elder #2 and I took a drive to the cabin and clean stuff out of the fridge, brought home all the snacks -- a tote bag of chips and other not so healthy things -- and stopped at the grocery store so she could pick up a prescription -- because old people pick up prescriptions on Saturday afternoons .. wth.

grill moved!  not too many leaves -- new grass is still green-ish

the lake is changing color and getting darker -- breeze was off the lake and chilly

skies were blue ...

got home and took an ATV ride -- might be the last one at the farm -- Bessie is headed to town --- snowplowing season is approaching  -- let us all hope for a calm snow plowing season

Tonight's agenda -- 

1.  laundry

2.  vac'ing the basement 

3.  putting away the stuff I packed to take to retreat

4.  a little tv, perhaps

5.  I downloaded a couple of books

6.  the homework tote is sitting on my desk 

7.  and the bathroom always needs cleaning

 

the vacation that isn't

so yesterday, I had 4 hours of "ethics" .. I signed up for the class based on the presenter -- David Schultz, law professor at Hamlin and a frequent commentator on various political/non political happens in Minnesota -- Minnesota State Board of Accountancy requires 8 hours of ethics every 3 year continuing education cycle .. so when I see a class from Mr. Schultz I generally take it .. he's an interesting speaker that I enjoy 

unfortunately -- he doesn't translate well to zoom -- and this was a repeat of a live class I took several years ago -- it was killing me to sit thru it yesterday .. it shouldn't have .. but it was 

the above screen shot is going on my wall

it's been a hell of a year and it's not over .. sometimes not so subtle reminders are appropriate

Today is the day the Diva's and I leave for our mini vacation - retreat ...

They left - I'm still at work and working

1.  I have piles of stuff to finish -- work, building maintenance, etc

( the week with no help set me back -- a lot )

2.  one of the elders has a hip issue and well, being home might not be a bad thing

3.  I might drive up in the morning - we'll see how the day progresses ... 

4.  If I don't ... well I don't 

Lance the computer dude was here last night -- I thought we had the issues whipped ... now I'm not so sure ...

 

so

   moment/realization

        answering emails while using the restroom (my own restroom, in my own office) is not appropriate activity while using said room ... 

        WTF

musings / stuff /

Lee, texted me late yesterday -- he turned off the water and drained the water heater at the happy place last night -- we really do not "winterize" -- other than turn off the water and drain the water heater .. the heat is on at 55' and soon he'll have a remote thermostat so he can control and monitor the indoor temps -- closet / cupboard doors hang open .. little things .. 

I'm never ready for the end 

it is my decompression zone and I really need a decompression zone

I took this pix last Sunday when I checked in and dropped off clean laundry

and those darn leaves blew back in 

yesterday morning, my feet were cold so I put on my slippers -- forgot I was wearing them -- went to a live meeting at the government center -- and realized I was in my slippers -- at that point -- they became the footwear of the day ...  I've become that old woman .. schlepping around in old felted wool slippers 

 

trials and ...

 well, I've managed to screw up the home computer and my surface pro ... no Office 365 or email on either one ... I think it is a message from above.

 a message about taking a night off .. so I'm going to ... or at least a night off from the numbers -- I'll get up at the crack of dawn and just drag my tush to work ...

brrr

 this is last year .. today's pix are on my phone -- and the phone upstairs on the charger always on the charger

what a crazy day .... got up at 5:30

1.  finished my book

2.  two loads of laundry

3.  pre tax prepping on clients with appointments this week

4. more cleaning/purging in the bedroom (almost done)

            2 more bags for goodwill

5.  went to goodwill and emptied out my backseat -- that was a busy joint

6.  went to the cabin and dropped off clean sheets, towels

        checked on the furnace, picked up branches, etc

7.  back to town and the grocery store $59 later

8.  office -- delivered groceries and picked up more homework

9.  toxic juans for lunch to go 

10.  back home -- homework and goofing off, more laundry 

11.  packed my project tote for the weekend -- just need to pack the yarn projects

and my "homework" projects -- that would be iPad, iPod (music), surface pro, thumb drives and 

all the necessary chargers, cords, keyboards, ear buds, passwords -- the list is endless

I have a couple work projects that I can work on while looking at the lake

I'm kind of tired -- the Mankato, West Jeff back to St P trip took less than 2 hours -- I was on a mission and well, mission accomplished.

to do before the weekend -- 

1.  pack the clothes

2.  pack the snacks

3.  gas in the vehicle ( might be ruby - weather is looking good )

4.  vac basement

5.  office projects

6.  clean office?

7.  

11/13/21 disjointed

after the closet purge last night ( 3 bags for thrift shop and 2 trash bags ) I lost my mojo to actually do anything - the cold, raw, gray day didn't help much either ... 

I did manage to go into the office - and after 5 hours not exactly sure what I did -- my desk is a bit neater -- still has piles -- trying to plan ahead for next week -- I may or may not have help and it's a busy week .. 

 came home and took some fuzzy bird shots -- the critters were fueling up after the feeders were filled .. now I tried to print a board packet and evidently it's a ream of paper or more .. tech challenges all day ..

 

1.  I should be packing my "stuff/projects" for next weekends trip - 2.75 days of crafting goodness -- 

2.  I should be sewing some masks to wear at said location 

3.  I should just download the books to my iPad and read ( winner !!! )

4.  I should vacuum the basement.

5.  I should do more laundry 

6.  I should move my truck into the shed -- snirt is landing on it

7.  I should I should I should

imagine -- a week ago I was at the happy place enjoying 74' weather and the lake -- and tonight SNIRT is falling on my truck ... 

11/11/21 V Day

updated a couple things on my phone yesterday -- the countdown to freedom is now, counting down .. a little less than 1/2 the year .. weird eh.

proof of new wall art

and since it is going to blow and snow this evening my project list includes the following:

1.  closet purge -- the well used summer t shirts will be gone

2.  find the winter wools .. they're there somewhere

3.  laundry, endless laundry (I'm actually caught up)

I made the bad choice of driving Ms. Ruby this morning -- hope to leave the office before the white shit arrives - working alone for a couple days and potentially the next week .. 

office project list

1.  more tax planning

2.  plastic on my windows and the file room window 

(I spent a few minutes yesterday and today taming the fileroom chaos -- it needs to be a working office and soon) .. moved a table the green room for meetings . my office is too small for more than 2 people at a time -- found a box of masks

3.  trash -- recycling, shredding and the real stuff

4.  furnace repair ( actually done - new motor installed )

 

11/10/21 Daylight Savings Time

I'm trying really hard to embrace the darkness of daylight savings time -- I hate going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark -- and I've spent all of my working life doing so ... I slept in this morning ... didn't leave home until 6:20 .. me and Mr. Buck had a standoff on the driveway -- he moved.  

Yesterday was another shitshow -- by the time Nicollet County was done with me it was 4:00pm.  Board meeting w/drainage ditch issues and then off to Gaylord for joint drainage ditch issues with Sibley, Renville and Carver Counties .. and more ditch drama .. water is big business in rural America.

Today, the furnace dude is replacing the motor on the office furnace ... it's not totally dead yet, but they have the parts and are concerned about future availability .. nice to know the furnace kid is watching out for us .. hopefully the "mini" plant greenhouse (complete with 2 sets of grow lights) didn't freak him out .. 

Life goes on and on and on 

New sign on my wall

"leave ME alone" ... 

I sent client an email regarding her w/holdings and she translated "leave MN alone" as "leave ME alone" .. we both found it amusing -- she knows me well :)

11/07/21 the goodness continues

    and the Saturday pictures just kept getting better and better ...  

    today it was leaf raking, leaf stuffing and leaf burning.  Mom and I filled two large construction bags from the front yard and after Jean arrived -- we stuffed the back of my truck -- rolled the cover closed and kept shoving the damn things in ... then we ( she ) had the brilliant idea to burn 'em .. so we raked to the gravel and burned for 2 1/2 hours .. just kept feeding the fire.  It was so calm the smoke rose straight up for most of it ... 

    after we started to burn -- the rest of the neighborhood started to burn -- we, Clampett's know how to lead the pack astray .. but the job got done ... I managed to wipe down a few more windows too.

    bed is stripped, patio cushions indoors -- more vac'ing, because I was born with that gizmo attached to me .. 

    now attacking laundry - the never ending piles of laundry ... 

    and tomorrow it is back to the working world ... 
    with shorter hair 
    and a few new aches ... 

 

11/06/21

I've had a pretty good day with the camera

after cleaning my desk, emptying the trash/recycling

returning ugly stuff to Kohls (old)

getting a haircut

stopped at the bakery for a sandwich/cupcake

checking in with the super stampers

went to the grocery store 

I headed to the cabin -- a) to enjoy this beautiful day and b) to rake and bag leaves

I've raked leaves into giant piles

I vac'd all the floors

I cut back the geraniums 

I took a lot of pictures

this dude was fishing off Tomahawk Point and someone was burning leaves 

made for 25 snazzy pictures

then I learned how to send pix from my camera direct to my iPad or my phone

I've done some homework 

I'm hanging out here until tomorrow -- after all it is a gorgeous weekend

charging camera batteries - hoping for even more snazzy pix tomorrow ...

I fell off the wagon and bought 2 pairs of jeans from Old Navy this morning -- it's hard to resist $15 jeans -- if they fit the body ...

 

11/3/21 new views

missing the lake on this beautiful sunny cold day

might need to sneak out for supper tomorrow -- it is supposed to be warmer

got keys can do

Jessica, the renter -- sent this pix in a text last night -- gas leak next door ... gas leak is much better than gas explosion and/or fire 

and yes, there is a gerbera daisy in the office bathroom ... the "room" actually gets a lot of light in the winter so I put one in there ... and yes, the bathtub is a storage closet ... Dad built a cover that fits over the tub and I stacked shelving in there -- works ..

today was much better than Monday and Tuesday -- as much as I enjoy seminars ( especially virtually ) in the chaotic world it takes a lot of time -- and everyone seems to need answers now ..

 

I did manage to get a couple projects finished today ... work and otherwise

window kits are on the front windows  -- batteries changed in cameras

payroll taxes are paid ( only 1 to go and 2 sales tax - might be a new record )

booking planning appointments

will need Robyn later this month and maybe next month

laundry done or in progress

pictures arrived from walgreens

ready to move more furniture

violated the wastebook posting - I think -- I shared the scrap shack's post about a blow out supply sale -- is sharing posting ??? I think not ... :)

 

11/02/21 Day Two of change

and day two of my continuation education gig .. the manual is 1,200 pages -- so 2 binders for the book--the slides are saved as a pdf, not going to print them .. and the ledger pad -- is the pinged questions and answers -- proving that I am in attendance ... it is my life.

this years "office" Chrismas card ..

I do once in a while -- have a sense of humor

they turned out great !

edit:  oh crud -- today's food choices ...

Bkfast:  Nicollet Cafe w/the Investment Club Boys

    Iced Tea and English Muffin

Lunch: El Agave .. something with beef and cheese (lots of cheese)

Supper:  Fish Sandwich from McDonalds

I'll have to walk extra tomorrow .. and considering I haven't walked in a month ... well, I walked to the Cafe for breakfast with the boys :)