It's Friday!! My Week in W's

 

     This has simultaneously been the slowest and fastest week. Several of us commented on a meeting that it had been a long week. This meeting was early Tuesday afternoon. So that tells you what the work week started like. By Wednesday night though, I  had gotten a few things solved and was ready to cruise through the rest of the week. At hoe I've just felt disorganized, but will try and remedy this weekend. Yesterday we were back to  temperature is the upper 80's, which made DH uncomfortable, so the central air came on again. So much for getting a good nights rest like I do when windows are open. I never got around to turning my personal computer on yesterday-no Blogger but by phone.  I'll do a mini thrift update perhaps  within these W's. Here is my life in W's. 

What's top of mind: After a true commute in morning rush hour traffic, top of mind is relief that I will be working form home most days indefinitely. People seriously have forgotten how to drive-or maybe its me. Normally, I never mind the commute, in good weather, but yesterday I felt my jaw clench frequently. Having a separate office space that I can shut the door when I'm not working has been a game changer. I think getting into the office 2-4 times per month will be more than adequate for  the in person "fix." Perhaps adding a few coffee meet-up/working sessions once we all are settle din what will be our space after the first of he year. 

Where I've been:  To my office yesterday I was supposed to be starting to purge, but there were no packing boxes available yet, and all I had in my desk was a brown shopping back from Target. I took a few things with me that would make my home office a bit more functional, but will wait to box up more. I happily purged three boxes of out dated outreach materials-what a waste, but since we moved to so much being digital, they just weren't' needed. 

Where I'm going:  We do need some real groceries this week, but I am still on  track with my $300 or under target. DH is trying to do my challenge in with another stop to get his ice ream and a a box of fruit bars. I figure if he gets his treats, he'll  be happier with my  challenges. I'll just work around his shops and leave him to it. He was a good sport on Tuesday with the Dollar Tree challenge. I think though I'll attempt the 3 meals for $3, $9 total. I'm going to allow  the use of my spices and oils for this though. I may nee dot save 4 for $4, $16 total, for next month though. We'll see. 

      I'm going with my daughter to the Twin Cities Veg Fest. All the yummy vegan treats we can find will be consumed. I am hoping the pizza place with the squash pizza will be there so I can try and remember the details to recreate. she has her eyes on a couple restaurants she's recently become aware of. We'll go firs thing while it is cool and be back early afternoon.

What I'm reading: Ugh-nothing for fun. I keep collecting book ideas, and sadly, they stay as ideas. 

What I'm listening to: Tuesday later afternoon I put my head down to work and streamed some YouTube clips from Pitch Perfect. It was fun music to get me motivated. I'll do that form time to time-look for sound tracks to stream. 

What I've been watching: I watched a very sad movie starring Viggo Mortenson, Falling, about the hard relationship  with his dad and now his dad and now dealing with his dementia. The only thing nice about the movie was that the kids,  Viggo, and his sister played by Laura Linney, tried to move on and have good lives with their own families despite how awfully angry their dad was their whole life with everyone around him. They also, despite his mental abuse, still tried to take care and do right for their dad. 

What I'm eating:  I shared the Dollar Tree Challenge. I've mixed up other meals since I didn't thaw hamburger on time for meat loaf-which now will be tonight, and last night neither of us felt like much so it was leftovers. I feel bad that there will be quite a bit of the rice that I made on Tuesday wasted. We're both just not feeling it. DH just texted that he wants pizza tonight so he'll be picking up a Papa Murphy's. I bought some take home hard seltzers the other night from the brewery, so I am happy to have a pizza and "beer" night. It'll be part of the entertainment budget. I have thawed hamburger so will either make as intended, meat loaf, or cook up and just throw in the freezer for a future meal. Decisions. 

Who I'm paying attention to: I'm waiting to hear and see what big businesses do with their employees. I needed to submit an attestation that either I am vaccinated (And provide proof) or agree to weekly testing to be allowed to work more than 10 minutes in the office. My son, though vaccinated, still has to be tested regularly to be on set. So far, he has been reimbursed by whoever he is working for, but unclear how long both the practice and then the reimbursement if not on site, will be done. His business can't afford to start up then shut down, so will likely be as precautious as possible. 

What I'm planning:  I guess I am starting to think about real fall and planning to get a little fall décor out and about. I have a few pumpkins that are not Halloween-more harvest, a few friendly scarecrows. Kim has me thinking about some fall garland-so I'll see what I can find, and I'm buying myself a couple mums. Last year I bought this pillow for my bench and I am looking forward to having it out. The fall equinox starts on Wednesday, September 22nd. I'll look to Tuesday as my decorating night. I would do n Sunday, but it another  expected 80 plus degree day and that just feel wrong to be putting pumpkins out when I could be swimming in the lake.

Would you pay $35 for this? Neither would I.
70% clearance and an extra 30% from Kohls. 

Who needs to be (figuratively) slapped: I seem to have a growing list this week. How about people who yammer on for minutes without actually answering the question posed? In a meeting yesterday with our IT folks, my staff person in charge of our data system had to repeat her question  twice before they actually gave her an answer. It wasn't mansplaining, just two guys that like to talk a lot before making their point, then they forget what the point was! I'll also really slap the GOP in California that wasted a crap ton of money on a recall attempt that was nothing more than a political stunt, then screaming before hand that it was rigged.

What's Making Me Smile: Yet, another pup photo for the week. He was not happy with me being gone yesterday, and made sure to steal my shoe when I got home to prove it. 

      Today was supposed to be my flex day, but I'm loaded with meetings and want to get a project completed so I go into Saturday with a clear head. I have a list I want accomplished tomorrow and use Sunday for my play day. I feel like I should grocery shop  after I log out so that does not linger into Saturday and distract me. What are the W's in your world right now?

The Friday Wrap-Up

     When I'm in my blogging zone, I've used the last nine months or so of Fridays-maybe less-to wrap up my week in the W's. I've had a restful week with being on vacation, though all totaled, I'll still have at least 10 hours in, but 10 from 55 is a real break. I wasn't as ambitious house wise as I aspired to be, but some things got done that would not have had I worked.  even have it as a four day, fingers crossed my Friday will be taken as vacation. But that's next week's post.  Here's the W's of my life for this week.    

What's top of mind: I'm hoping and keeping positive  thoughts that more people will be found in the apartment building rubble in Surfside, FL after the building collapse. It is frightening to think how fast tragedy can occur on an ordinary day. And of course, thinking of the responders who are putting their lives at risk to find more survivors. 

Where I've been: We went out for a very late lunch-early supper for Father's Day as the day was a complete washout. We desperately needed the rain, so no complaints. I spent about 36 hours at the lake and went to both a soccer and a lacrosse game. 

Where I'm going: Today I'm going to do a bit of thrifting-not sure if I'll buy anything but am looking for a new to me coffee maker since mine truly is dead. I also wouldn't mind finding a pair or two of longish shorts. As I purge clothes that just are not working for me, there are a few holes. Tomorrow my nice is hosting a first birthday party for her son. Sunday we'll try the cabin again and let DH play on his boat. My daughter is still there through the weekend and has a couple more friends joining her for the weekend. 

What I'm reading:  Don't judge me, but I reread for the umpteenth time, two Elizabeth Ogilvie books. They just say summer to me and feel like I am visiting with old friends. 

What I'm listening to: .Lucky me, as I am typing this, Kare 11 has a live guest visit of Davina and the Vagabonds! I've only seen them one time  in person, and am always envious when I hear friends went to some venue where they performed. A local artist, they have quite a following with out of towners as well as us Twin City folks. I don't even know if they are a Minnesota group, but they have a wild popularity here. Anne-this is for you as I think you will enjoy.

What I've been watching: I've binged a few more episodes of Manifest, but hearing that  there is not going to be more seasons after 3, we won't know the real mystery solved. That annoys me, so I doubt I'll keep watching if I won't know the ending. Maybe it will be picked up by a streaming service like  Designated Survivor was, and while that ending was quite lame, at least there was closure of sort. 

What I'm eating:  I've given up meal planning for a bit and just trying to both cook what we have, and pick up what we are in the mood for. I know-not a budget  friendly or healthy way to eat. I've just not felt creative, organized, or care about what I'm eating-again, I know not good, and since no one else is stepping up, I guess they don't car either. I made  a huge pot of soup on Monday as it was coolish and DD2 has been bringing leftovers for her lunch. Not at all sure what DH has brought for his lunch. My daughters friend sent home a curry with me on Wednesday and daughter ate that too while DH and I had burgers. I'm in a rut again. 

Who I'm paying attention to: Derek Chauvin is being sentenced today for the murder of George Floyd. Everything touching the murder, the trial, the aftermath can be fuel for more unrest and it worries me. I am following the details on the Minnesota special session and it looks like crisis will be averted and a budget ill pass before June 30th, avoiding a shut down of the state, or certain  programs and services of the state. 

What I'm planning: I'll have a jam packed work week with the end of the fiscal year on June 30th and the start of a new one so I just plan to soak up these next three days of non-work time. I did some good retirement forecasting-as mentioned yesterday, we are on track, unless all the IF'S align the way we need them too. With this, I'm trying to organize a new blog schedule that will recap our progress towards the first goal date of 1/12024-DH's retirement target, and  11/26/2027, my retirement target . As all budgets are different, I'll track progress as a % of goal, both monthly and annually. The annual is likely to be fluid as I inserted placeholders for things that have no dates such as weddings or major travel. These placeholders will either be moved up or moved back once finalized, but are in the planning. 

     Even with being back in the office and it being a flurry of work, the following will already be a shorter week with the July 4th holiday thrown in. I've got three vacation days and two flex days on the calendar, and life might work to actually take them next month, which is 25% of the work month. August  I have both a flex day and to weeks off! I need to make the most of these days and keep the balance I've gotten back a bit this week. That's my wrap up for  this last Friday in June.