Friday W's-Immersed and Yet Detached Edition

      

     I'm in a very odd state of being right now. Work is so busy and there are multiple projects necessary (well there was just one added that seems frivolous to someone's personal pet project),. I'm immersed in Covid testing, and vaccine roll out, and school schedules, and child care needs for families that either have to work outside the home, or  just can't get their work done with young kids under foot. And yet, my world consists of turning on my computer each day, usually by 7:30, working from my desk area, or occasionally taking the lap top to the dining room or living room to absorb more natural light. I try and get pup out while it is still light, and often start dinner late afternoon, but then am back at my desk for a last meeting, finishing up a paper or returning emails before  shutting off for the day. Sometimes that is after 7, and other times I have to get back on to respond to a text. But it is all done detached. It is so odd! Those of you who have been teleworking know what I mean. I'm not complaining-just stating the oddity of the situation for me, someone who used to  thrive in the bustle of an office and work group setting. Well with that off my mind, where else should I go with my Friday W's.

What's top of mind: Last week I said vaccines, vaccines, and yet more vaccines! Yes, still top of mind today, and some numbers were starting to go in the right direction. I know there is still major cluster F's  throughout the country, but it seems the flaws are being identified, untangled and improved. Hearing stories though of wasted vaccines, thrown out because workers can't  add people in their family to the  list at the end of the shift. Oh, and then the story of the 22 year old CEO (daddy's money I'm sure) in charge of a major roll out and his happy go lucky crew running around vaccinating each other with no real plan of how to get surplus to additional people was enough to make me gag. It's been two weeks since the change in administration and I may have had  gray glasses before, but it is starting to feel like grown ups are back in charge. 

Where I've been: Two outings last weekend, Saturday with my daughter and Sunday with DH were well needed. Yes, most of both were in the car, but walking around seeing the ice fountains was a highlight of this strange winter. 

Where I'm going: Virtually, I'm going to my Zoom book club tonight. I love these ladies and look forward to laughing a lot at the beginning and end, and maybe spending 20 minutes or so on the book. Today starts a bitter cold stretch, but I do need to go grocery shopping at some point. We could just get some  more bread, bananas, milk and even some veg from KwikTrip and not have to brave the cold of loading and unloading bags, and I could push off another week and we'd still have decent meals. But, wow, I am eating down the pantry! 

What I'm watching: Last weekend I watched The Dig on Netflix. It has had mixed reviews from people-some saying it was slow and dull, they couldn't get into it. I was fascinated, and while I'm sure there were a lot of liberties taken with the storyline, I've always been fascinated with archeological digs anywhere, but in particularly the UK as so much of my ancestral history is tied there. I also watched the Doctor Who episode, Tooth and Claw, which featured the Koh-i-noor diamond-which sent me on an internet search to learn more about the controversy of ownership, and that led me down the whole  western/white dominant world accumulation of the worlds treasures. I'll just leave that there and not do any pot stirring.

What I'm reading: I finished We Were Liars for my book club and I think we may have an interesting discussion. I didn't realize it technically is categorized as young Adult fiction, but  I often enjoy those novels as well. My copy of the book had some interesting extra features such as the authors original  plot summary, under a different name and slightly different character names. She also wrote how some people absolutely hated the  plot twist-angered almost by it. If you read, I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

What I'm listening to:  My daughter's choir released another video/recording practice from fall. I also streamed BBC World Service a few hours this week, and one program featured a two part remembrance on Whitney Houston. Now when I was 19 and working at a pizza restaurant, after hours I had to clean the entire restaurant and vacuum. Let me tell you, when you are cleaning a restaurant at midnight after having worked a 6 hour waitressing shift that followed a full day of college classes, blasting and singing along with Whitney Houston helped me power on!

What I'm eating: We had several changes this week, started with the decision to use up a gift card on Sunday to a restaurant that had recently changed or is about to change ownership. I ate way more than what one should eat at a meal, and it was after DH and I got back from our drive, so probably after 2:00, so no need for supper. DH may have made himself a grilled cheese later. He decided he was bored with the menu planned meals and did his own rogue shop yesterday. I know a few of you don't count your spouses rogue off plan shops in self imposed and designed challenges, but I'm going to try and incorporate his in my budget. This is what my 59 year old husband, not a teenage son, bought: 2 1/2 gallons of lemonade, two bags of pizza rolls, one bag of onion rings, a bag of Tyson chicken strips, and ice cream. 

Who I'm paying attention to: I'm trying to not pay attention to crazies on both sides of the political aisle in Washington DC. I will say, Colorado and Georgia, I'm all for voting for strong women to hold office representing us in Congress, but could you try next time to vet your candidates for literacy  skills, and not have a history of promoting insane and vulgar conspiracy theories, harrassing victims of mass shootings, and hate speech?

What I'm planning:  Once again I have an overwhelming amount of bananas-I miss DD2s daily bananas and am still over buying. I have two small loaves of bread already froze, so not sure what I will do with these. Maybe  banana pancakes on Sunday for brunch? I may make some smoothies this weekend for a treat, but that will make a tiny dent. I already mentioned grocery shopping of some sort-even if just the C store. I'll have the Super Bowl on-if it's a good game I'll watch, but I don't care enough to  watch a blow out. I guess there is the puppy bowl before and you can't go wrong with puppies.

     That's what I have this week. It is so chilly in the house today-I can tell the winds are cold as the furnace has been running non-stop. I even tweaked it up to 67, and may add another degree or two as I don't mind a little chill, but being cold is no fun while working.  I'm debating opening a bottle of wine for book club, but then I'd likely have three nights with wine-maybe I'll just use some of DH's lemonade and make a vodka lemonade. I'll decide that later. What's the w's of your life this week?