Friday Wrap Up

      I took a break yesterday from posting as between work and  time for my own life, I didn't have time. What? When have I been able to say that last? I'll likely work some thrifty wins into my Friday W, or include as part of next week's post. I'll start with where I have been since yesterday was almost beginning to feel surreal as I was out and about so much. 

Where I've been: I've often filled out the surveys to be part of a consumer test, never hearing anything back. Well last week, I was selected to participate in a two parter. I did part 1 yesterday, in an office complex-really safely done, with people spread out, no touch-they even had us bring our own pens. Part two is a video follow up later this afternoon. All together I'll have less than 4 hours invested in this, including my travel time and will earn a $150 in a gift card. I can't say anything about it, of course, but it was interesting. I completed surveys for an electronic and an appliance  consumer research test as well, but haven't heard anything, so guess I wasn't selected for them. I have so much vacation time, I thought using some hours to  get a break, plus earn a little fun money would be nice. Other stops were the Dollar Tree for gift wrapping and candy/Arnold Palmer Ice Teas, my nephews favorite, to go with his gift of money. I also picked up a prescription at Walgreens, and the garbage bags and  grabbers for Sunday at the parks department office. We got five brand new ones to break in!

     Last night, we had a back room to do a dinner with DH's family in lieu of a wedding shower for our nephew and his fiance. We wore masks when not eating and drinking, and spread out a bit from his brother and SIL not yet vaccinated. My MIL made snarky remark when DH and I sat a bit farther away since we weren't yet at the two week mark. "Oh, I think you'll be just fine," visibly eye rolling.  I smiled and said,  "That's the hope, but we all need to do what's in our comfort level." She rode with us, and I did have my mask on in the back seat. Other than that it was a nice evening, and the fiance  is a really nice, down to earth  young women. This is our nephew who lost his mom, DH's sister, when he was just two. Her mother passed away from cancer  five years ago when she was just 22. My nephew though grew up from 4 years old on though, with the mom he knows, his dad's second wife. 

Where I'm going: Depending on how my day goes, I might slip out to a few garage sales today as it is city wide garage sale weekend. Tomorrow night we have a 61st birthday party. Sunday is our family  park clean-up day.  I have more social life packed in between Thursday and Sunday than I have had cumulatively for the last 13 months. I need a couple things for a dish for Sunday and for the appetizer I'm bringing tomorrow, so a stop at the grocery store is on the agenda today or tomorrow as well. 

What I'm watching: The seasons of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and I beleive the last episode of the latest season of Death in Paradise, were streamed this week. There were a few movies that showed in suggestions and "leaving April 30th" tha tI had wanted to watch, one of them Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn. I want my younger daughter to see it. She is very much into women empowerment  movies, but in a not in your face kind of way. I think she would enjoy seeing the evolution of her character. 

What I'm reading:  I must find time this week for the book club book, The Book of Longing, before next Friday. I'm still plugging through interesting  work related reads-yes, I could read on work time if there were hours leftover. Short ones I find time for within the day, but so many link to other goodreads, and I am going down new roads with each click. 

What I'm listening to: Driving to and from  the  consumer research session I listened to an in depth  program on  race in Hollywood, and alos, video games turned into movies. Both were interesting conversations, and since I have two kids in the industry, I always listen for insight to their world. 

What I'm eating:   It was nice eating restaurant food, not in a take out container last night! We ate at a restaurant that has a few  locations by ownership, but each are a little different. We have one in our town with a very different menu. I had a gorgeous Asian chicken salad that was so massive, I took half home to eat today for lunch. My daughter had a hard week so didn't come over for dinner on Wednesday, so saving curry to make on Monday when both girls can join in on the deliciousness. I have my monthly Monday night meeting, but am taking  my floating holiday during the day.

What's top of mind: Perhaps with all the issues in the world, this is minimal to be top of mind, but definitely those signs of positive life that keep us all waking up each day. Every day I've been sticking my nose down in the rocks looking for growth. I am so happy to share my hostas are poking through, and it looks like, if the shoots are an indication, I will have double the growth of what I planted last spring. Even the tub I neglectfully didn't plant has quite a few bulbs sprouting, so I can separate those and get into the ground as well. Aren't they sweet! I feel like a geek being so excited, but I really was starting to think my squirrel neighbors were eating them up. Yes, I need to get the dead growth for last summer cleaned out.  Now that I have a new laptop, I can get rid of the eye sore orange outdoor  extension cord I left out for easy access when I wanted to work outside on the few lovely days we've had so far. 

Who I'm paying attention to:  I watched the president's speech to congress the other night. He has an uphill battle and I don't think every word he uttered is the right course. But what folks who don't really  follow the details of the legislative and  bill to law, or bill to budget process works, it was intended to be as aspirational and bold as he would like to achieve. That's what too many in congress, both new and veteran troglodytes that are digging their feet in, and won't yield to  appropriate negotiations fail to comprehend. The zealous progressive "squad"on the left, and the afraid of Trump on the right, just don't get that all they are doing is pitting factions against each other, and no one will win, least of all, all of us humble residents of the country. I regularly complete opinion, and in the few places I can actually leave a comment, I  make sure I give my views on this partisan divide. 

     I was shocked to hear of a classmates death this week. She and I were on FB "friends" for a long time, but I had to stop last spring when her political view were all consuming in her posts. I would see her pop into comment threads after, ripping anyone's view point that differed from her, with uber "libs are destroying the country, MAGA all the way" rhetoric. Regardless, her passing at just 55 is sad, and her family and friends will feel the loss of her life in theirs. I had to smile when a classmate posted, "I hope St. Pete is a Republican, otherwise, he's got his work cut out for him." May she rest in peace and her family find comfort with each other. 

What I'm planning: So, so many things to plan now! However, my primary need tomorrow is to get this house cleaned, do sorting, organizing, and purging in the extra bedroom to free up space  so when my daughter comes home Sunday night, we can just move boxes in there. She can then sort what she doesn't need until fall, keep out needs for  summer, or can prepare to be donated or discarded. Today I'll make a master To Do list and get up early tomorrow and tackle it all. 

     That's how my week shaped up. I'll have some fun money in my pocket next week to spurge with the girls and DH, or perhaps put towards a need. Technically today is supposed to be a flex day off, but I've got a few work things that need to get done, but I'll sprinkle in some  home admin like getting a few medical co-pay and prescription receipts uploaded for reimbursement and follow-up on getting the bid to get the patio concrete poured. I feel weird missing a day of blogging-like missing a good conversation with friends. I'm  behind reading others blogs as well and have enjoyed getting connected with a few new to me cyber friends!  If you'd like to play along, drop a line in the comments or link to your blog.