Tag: Change

Sunrises and Rainbows, Moves and Changes, and Quarter End Crunches

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized13 Comments

We have had lots of beautiful sunrises and sunsets and rainbows. I’ll scatter the pics across today’s post. The camera doesn’t quite catch the beauty, especially in the window. I’ve used my photo editing on the Mac to try and correct the photo to what I actually saw. The iPhone camera seems to be deteriorating over time. Is that possible? It just doesn’t have the precision it used to, but soon I’ll be upgrading to the 13 – either Pro or Max – not sure which.

I hesitate to even blog today. Have mostly been working on quarter end and the next video while at home. Thank goodness at home, I’ve had less to do. It’s the calm that God is delighting us with before the storm of a busy season and moving again of Mom and getting her settled.

I only have two more returns to do today and both are bigger ones. The federal return for Transport, I stayed and worked on yesterday and have a draft copy ready to go. I will seek advisement from my boss on the COVID amounts and how that impacts it. I will let her look at it before sending it in to have it blessed before I do. I also have an STT return to do and pay the tax for – for Oregon. That takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and the computer (online) does not save your work for manual entry. So you have to have something to drink, have been to the bathroom, and a good stretch of time, and no interruptions because if times out – you are screwed and have to start all over. Can you tell I’ve been there done that?

I had a return yesterday that even though it had a save button, I didn’t know that the system had already timed me out. I had stopped to answer a question or phone call or something like that and went back to it. (This was doing the Oregon “all in one” return where I have to manually enter all the employees, their earnings, their withholdings, their hours worked). I entered everyone and it let me but when I went to save it – it would not do anything. I printed out the page before trying to save it (thank goodness) as I had looked up all that info from various reports. But I had timed out and it went back to the log in. (Insert eye roll emoji.) So putting it back at least when I entered it the 2nd time – I at least had a print out and didn’t have to look up the data from various sources again. Except it was in a different order (insert favorite eye roll emoji here). Then I was .52 cents off, lol lol. But I found it pretty quickly.

I wasn’t going to eat lunch out but this week I’ve not had any good frozen meals that looked appealing. I’ve eaten those for weeks now. And I don’t want McDonald’s which is the only fast food place really close without driving 10 to 15 minutes. So I went to Santa Fe and got fish tacos one day. It’s really close to work.

They were real corn tortilla’s. The fish was good and on my “list” of things to eat once a week at least. So it was all so good. And I was done in 45 minutes which was surprising.

I did the bad thing and went for fish and chicken dinner at Captain D’s yesterday. It was good to have the time away and my head out of the numbers and papers for a few minutes. It appeared that I would have time to get everything done and I’m on the last stretch and will barely make it.

We’ve had a lot of rainbows.

I’m sorry my iPhone camera is just not pulling through for me these days but hopefully it’s better than nothing. It was also a low light situation with the sun just coming up.

This was a great shot after work yesterday. There’s my car too.

A beautiful display of the storm squall as it passed through and also appeared to be dissipating. I’ve started taking the back roads. The interstates have been full of aggressive drivers lately, people just trying to run over you, pulling in front of you, tailing you, racing and threading in and out of traffic at high speeds. The trucks are going fast and often do not seem prepared to brake (some do and I give them credit), but the ones who don’t taint the outlook of having to drive with them around. Lately there have been people shot at on the interstate, pointing guns at people on the interstate, police chases, horrible wrecks shutting it down (of course, stupid drivers aggressive behavior catching up to them), fatalities, and you know, I want to live to see my grandchild grow up and be able to enjoy my retirement days. So I’ve decided to take backroads. It takes 10 to 15 minutes longer on some days but I just enjoy the ride now and go at safer speeds and usually the crazy people are on the interstate. Not always but usually as they are too impatient to take back roads. There are more lights and school zones. I just have a good audio book on and it gets me through. Or some good music. So my commutes are back up to 45 min long now instead of the 23 minutes on the interstate during virus times. But oh well. At least I’m safer. Not really sure what it will be like when I have to go to the new plant. All that remains to be seen and we’ll either readjust something or make some “difficult decisions”. A lot of our office employees live even further out than me and our offices will be moving south of town. I’m pretty worried about losing a lot of our office staff when the time comes. Some people already spend 45 to an hour getting there and will be looking at doubling their time. Change comes and it comes often and we have to be prepared. At least there are job openings everywhere now. Some even at home or anywhere you want to be as long as there is internet.

I love my job except for maybe a few weeks out of the year, this being one of them. It is not always a convenient job for being able to go see my family in Texas. Quarter end and holidays are always the best times for us personally to go but not the best time for me from a work standpoint. That has been tough. We wanted to go for Thanksgiving which is ideal personally and also for Katy but it puts too much stress on others that have to do my job when I’m gone. So we gave up that idea. Only 3 years to retirement. But we’ll have to see what this move brings and how long the drive is on the back roads because I don’t want to take the interstate. That is in an even rougher part of town.

We have enough going on right now though than to worry about the office job location change and commute. We’ll worry about that one later. Right now we are about to embark on moving Momma again.

Monday we see the house from the inside for the first time. And then a week from today is closing. We are all getting excited. We are not excited for the move itself. I worry about George but it will be easier and we can take our time this time. Mom will have to buy a lot of appliances. We’ll have to line shelves and all that. It’s going to take a bit to get it all settled enough for her to move in. But it’s about to happen.

I like to organize and decorate so will help her with that. I also like unpacking but it’s hard when it’s someone else’s stuff.

I’m also looking forward to having my big bed back, my closet back, my bathroom back and more space across the board. I’m looking forward to us eating while we watch a show and not at the table, so we have time to watch our shows again. George has to rush to the back to Mom’s room where his computer is to pay the bills and do things on line so he is usually doing that after dinner – either that or delaying dinner by doing it before. He often would get in there in the mornings but she is asleep so he can’t do it then. It’s been a reshuffle for sure on our routine but it’s been for a good cause and we knew it was only temporary. When I move back into my bedroom, I will have the bigger closet space and shelving and can get my fall clothes out and will have my shoe rack back instead of this two little baskets I’ve been using. Then I can put my office stuff back in the closet shelves and bring my extra office table back and my supplies and camera equipment can sit about again and I can get the office stuff out from the baskets under the bed. I have to stand on my head to get any thing out of them. So I’m glad Mom will have her own space and we can go back to what we are used to. And to our routines. I’m also going to be glad to have my recliner back. I’ve missed it!

So not only do we have to move Mom but we’ll be doing some internal moves in our own house as well getting things back to the way we like them. Even little things like having my robe hang in the bathroom instead of the bedroom and having my towel rack back. And not having to change the bathroom trash as often. I’ve had to change it every other day instead of the usual once a week. An easy task but that has been one Mom has completely “let me” do. I have to chuckle at that. lol

Anyway, I’m going for more coffee and need to head in to do this last day of Quarter End. I’ll probably be back on Sunday for an update. The last hoorah weekend before we start running around like chickens with our heads cut off again. I’ll work on the video tomorrow instead of blogging but will be back Sunday. I’m making good progress on video but likely be the following weekend before it’s up and live. Just a bit more editing and graphics and overlays and it’ll be time to upload.

Oh but let me leave you with this. This is the audio book I’m doing currently. It’s pretty good. It involved an RV trip is why I downloaded it. ha!

Have a great weekend! What you gonna do this weekend? I think we are gonna rest! Might go to the new Christmas shop though.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Monday

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized6 Comments

Sneaking a blog entry in this morning but I took my shower last night. Still going in early to work.

Storage dilemma.

Sometimes the early bird gets the worm and sometimes it doesn’t. Yesterday I called to check on the storage place to make sure the guy is still moving out of it on the 18th as we were to take possession on the 19th. I had not gone out to sign anything as they said they couldn’t til he was out. I had a funny feeling. You know I’ve lived life long enough to know that this guy was probably not going to be out right. So it never hurts to follow up and plan. It averts surprises later.

True enough, I call and the owner says “oh I was about to call you”. Oh no. “The guy is not going to be out of the unit yet as his house is not ready”. I say “oh no”. She said “what are you gonna do?” I said “find another storage unit I guess”. I told her I figured that was going to happen and that is why I’m calling. I actually said “good thing I’m efficient, huh?” lol

Anyway, I made a call to another nearby storage place. It’s actually a little closer to Mom but still on the way from our house. We got the one big unit available and I have already given them the account number and they are mailing me the papers. They don’t have an office. The owner runs it by his phone but the boat/marine place next door that he used to own, helps him out if there is an on site problem. George went to Lowe’s and bought a disc lock which is recommended for storage units.

Sunglasses dilemma.

I drive several miles away to Hermitage to drop off my sunglasses to see if they can fix them. I’m asked if I have an appointment. No I’m not being fitted but dropping off broken glasses to be fixed. I’m met with “oh with Covid though you have to have an appointment”. “Just to drop off my glasses? I took off work and drove all the way from Nashville as you all are not open when business people are off in the evenings and weekends, can’t I just talk with the optical folks and leave them my glasses?” I had to leave them at the front desk with a girl named Shaundrette. Who put a sticky note on them with my name and number. They had orders but I had a few of my own. I paid dearly for those sunglasses that broke right after my warranty and I said “can you please put a rubber band around that so it doesn’t fall off. I don’t want to lose my glasses!” Since they would not let me hand them to optical myself, I asked for her name and told her I was holding her responsible for my glasses. I don’t like leaving them at the front desk of the big place. I later thought I was probably ugly, but then I thought no I wasn’t. I didn’t have a tone. I was just letting her know I expected my property to get where it was supposed to go. Later, the Optical place called back. I was going to give them a couple of hours and call and make sure they got my glasses. But they called me first. She said it was out of warranty. I figured that. Funny how my old pair lasted over six years. (I’m having to go back to wearing them so I can drive in the sun.)

The optical lady said she is calling the manufacturer to see if they will fix it or replace it or have a replacement part. If not she is looking for similar frames the lenses will go in. If not I’ll have to buy new ones. I don’t want the frames of my old ones b/c I like the style of my new ones. I just wish they were more durable. I want what I want especially when I’ve paid dearly for them. And of course they did not last. I may find out what brand they were so I don’t buy those again. I don’t abuse my glasses. I always take care of them. So I am NOT a HAPPY camper. I even thought about using a different place but I want to see if they can give me a deal. I will let them know that I’ve never had a pair of glasses that broke so quickly and that this was my first time to use their company’s glasses. Things are too expensive to have to buy prescription glasses every year. No ma’am. That will only happen once, I say.

YAY. No Masks at Work – Finally

The dawn finally came. We got the memo we don’t have to wear masks. It came with two pages of disclaimers and FAQ’s. We still have to wear them to go in the building and take our temps. If we don’t have a temp then we can take off the mask. ok. So somehow I can make myself wear it for the 15 seconds to walk in the door and take temp. So I am wearing make up today, full on. I’ve noticed most employers have relaxed their requirements as well. Except for doctors offices. But that is understandable. Well maybe not the optical place, but….whatever.

How to Like and Subscribe on YouTube

Several people have asked how to like or subscribe. I guess you probably have to sign up, to subscribe and like things, but I could be wrong. It’s been so long since I joined. No cost. I think you just have to have an email and a password- it’s just like anything else on the internet. If you sign up, though you can subscribe or like away for sure. Then you find things you like and subscribe and get notifications when they have new content. Here is what it looks like on my phone. Keep in mind this is going to look a little different as it is MY channel but it will look similar on your phone or tablet. You select the video you want to watch or like or leave a comment on.

And it has a place to give a thumbs up, subscribe, or leave a comment. If you don’t see those options then try signing up and I bet you will!

Hope that helps. I have a couple of new subscribers this time. So I appreciate that. And I think it had 48 views in the first 48 hours, so that is good. I will take it. It’s nothing compared to most but if 48 of my friends / blog buddies checked it out, that is at least something! 😉

A little Bit of Good, A little Bit of Bad!

Unloaded my work bag full of goodies for the week. You can’t see the peach.

My office space is below. Not sure what made me want to take the pic. I am hearing we will be moving in January ish to a new location that is a further drive. My guess is it will take me an hour or so. I’m not a happy camper about that. Not sure even how long I will be able to do that. We’ll have to see how it goes. I have no desire to spend that kinda time on the road twice a day nor deal with that dangerous interstate down there. So I’m really not sure what will happen when that happens.

Why things have to get all mixed up – I don’t know. One thing is certain right? Change happens. And when it does it changes more than just a few things. Adjustments have to be made as does decisions and so forth. You figure out what you are willing to adjust or settle for and what won’t work at all. And go from there.

Mom got to See her Grandchildren for the fist time in two to three years.

My sister’s husband, my nephew and niece and the nieces boyfriend went to get the desk my sister wanted that was my father’s. So Mom got to see them. I was so happy that I actually cried. I’m glad Mom got to see them before she left town. It’s sad what family squabbles can do. It breaks my heart. I think what if I wasn’t able to have had my own grandparents in my life, how sad it would be. I was so close to them.

I was stressed after the day’s struggles last night so I fixed my comfort food, spaghetti and listened to a nice YouTube relaxing music channel. So nice. I took a pic and cropped the scene on my phone. I think I will clean house to this next time I get a chance. I think it’s been almost 3 months since I’ve been able to dust, lol. Seriously. We have not been home! Ok maybe 2. But it could be 3. I did a nice cleaning around Easter. Dead serious. I’ve only had time to do laundry and blog and make videos, LOL. Not willing to give up my creative time. It keeps me sane.

Better go to work. I’m 20 minutes over what I meant to spend doing this. So gotta hurry now.

Ya’ll take care.

You Get to Weigh In: Improvements and Changes to the Blog

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized6 Comments

Good Morning (Afternoon or Evening) Lovelies!

I’ve overslept and not time for my normal entry. But I thought I’d pop in and ask you a question or two. And for those that read my blog often I’d love to hear from you. Even those that don’t normally comment.

  1. What keeps you coming back here?
  2. What do you like about the blog?
  3. What would you like to see more of?

And geez, while I curl up like a raisin when I ask this one, I feel I need to. I’m pretty sensitive so be nice.

4. What would you like to see less of?

So why am I asking these questions? Curiosity and Connection mainly. For a long time this has been my place to come and just vent, talk about my day, talk about plans. My blog is my therapy.

But I wondered a few things in recent weeks while thinking about the blog and any changes that I might make. I won’t give away my thinking because I’d love to hear your thoughts first. I don’t want to lead you down any paths.

Again, please be nice. Everyone has been nice so far for the most part. I don’t mind constructive criticism especially if I ask for it, and please be mindful that so far, my blog has been everything I myself has wanted it to be. But there is and will always be an element to my blog that I want readers to enjoy besides it being a blab fest of my day or feelings. So here is your chance to let me know: why you like my blog, what appeal does it have that you want to remain, what would you like to see more of, less of, and we’ll throw in a bonus question, what would you like to know more about me?

I’ll be sitting on pins and needles waiting for your answers! LOL.

And I appreciate you so much. Your comments mean so much and your comments could definitely impact any change the blog may experience! So Weigh In! Don’t be shy!

Daily Update

Ya’ll have a grand day! I’m off to set into Wednesday. Must get a lot done today as it’s a 4 day week and I leave a bit early today. Tummy is healing for those that read the previous two days. I’m on soft foods now and escalating to more normal foods as I can. It may be a few days before I can hop back in here. Busy days ahead with Mom coming for Easter. Lots of cooking, cleaning, traveling, pedis, seeing neighborhoods, eating out, a bit of shopping. So yeah…I’ll pop back in as I can!