Friday Free For All- Bored With Nonsense

     

Picture purely for cuteness factor.

     It's time for no topics Friday, a free for all, where I just let my fingers type where my brain wanders. 

     Traveling these days is risky business. Several sisters and spouses are supposed to leave February 7. One brother-in-law tested positive last Saturday. They are cutting it close and now my sister is testing daily. My sister works April through October, 7 days a week, 10-12 hour days. Then, in her off season, where she still works a lot, she helps with grandchildren and an unhealthy MIL. I really want her to be able to go, but it's been a gamble since this latest variant emerged. She's resigned to what happens, happens, no complaining at all, but crossing fingers. Lord help her if she gets stuck in her cabin while at sea, though she has a balcony, a massive number of books in her Kindle,  and unlimited room and bar service. Another sister left yesterday with a group of friends on an all inclusive Mexico vacation. So far, all healthy I hear. I'm not too worried about my trip later in the month, but I'll be sure every precaution is taken. 

     How are you feeling inflation? Last week  A Dime at a Time said her truck driving husband saw no signs on the road that people were feeling the negative impact of inflation. He saw what seemed to be traveling of all sorts. I of course feel sheltered a bit as driving/ commuting is where I'd likely feel it, and of course that's not happening. This is purely a math estimate based in the federal mileage rate of 56¢ a mile, but I've saved since March 20, 2020, my last day in the office other than the four times since, $15,141 in commuting costs. I even took out vacation weeks, holiday, etc. Funny- that didn't translate to our bank account, but then business was really down for DH much of 2020, and even some really bad months in 2021. Likely it'll show up in my car lasting longer. It's a 2014 with 138,000 miles, 95% put on prior to 2020. I love this car, a Chevy Malibu. It's comfortable, attractive, and gets relatively good gas mileage. It comfortably seats 4 (5 as a tight squeeze) with a huge trunk for luggage or other items needed. I see no reason to replace for a long time. Commuting is tough on cars. If I go back just 1-2 days per week in the office, that's extending it perhaps another 60%. a year of normal wear and tear. Maybe with good care, I'll not need a new car ever. I guess that's a real strategy we all have for inflation; make things last.

      Does everything need to be shared? Lately I've found I'm just bored with hearing and reading about other people's nonsense. I'm rarely on Facebook anymore, mostly just to look for birthdays, live streams of my great niece or nephews activities, or to check a calendar. I don't want to read people looking to complain about things they created themselves and have the ability to resolve without the melodrama. Virtual life has gotten this way too. I want to read blogs and see vlogs with ideas and solutions, funny stories, interesting day trips, and clever and cute pets. Give me a recipe, a good haul I can poke fun of or be envious of, a movie or book review, a day in the life, a good chuckle. Is my complaint ridiculous?  I just think there's real woes in the world and people complaining about slow service in the McDonald's drive thru, or the BOGO that they drove out of their way for and was out of stock, is hardly the crisis it's made out to be. ( I'm talking to you K). I told you this post is just where my mind is wandering. Of course, we all need space to vent as well, but whining isn't going to change things, and whining about some things just uses letters and words. Call me out on my own malarkey as well. (This is my last vent on other people venting.)

     It's almost the weekend. DH took tomorrow off, just because. It's not a vacation day, just finally getting a rotation where his long hours on other days, and the slowness this month doesn't need everyone in the store every Saturday all day. I'm going to try and be productive with house stuff today, as I'm supposed to only be working a few hours this morning. I'm meeting a friend later, but DH and I might actually have plans on a Saturday. I've got book club Sunday night and need to get my book read, so that's entertainment sorted. The book is The Last Night in London by Karen White.

      What's going on in your life right now? What do you want to talk about? I promise I'll let you share anything, as long as it's not nonsense. Insert smile emoji.