Boo!

Hope each of you have a safe Halloween. I have to work until 10pm, at least my employer is allowing us to dress up and have fun, of course masks are mandated--which kind of takes the fun out of it. I shall dress up as the "mad teacher".

Buzzkills here in Hornell, no trick or treating, but if you go across the bridge to North Hornell they are allowing it, although discouraging it.

Friday Thoughts...

 How can it be Friday? Just wondering...it seems time is truly flying. 

Susan asked, "Will I have to wear a mask at my new job?" Yes and no...only when one is not behind the plexi glass. All the students desks are behind individual plexi glass. So is the teachers and in front of the board. I can handle that. I have already received a nice packet with directions, maps (on where such and such is; classrooms) etc.

USA NEWS

Since this is in the news, I can briefly discuss it. Yes, indeed, my current employer has removed guns and ammo off the shelves. One still can get the items, just ask. Since I am privy to info, all I can say is this; there is a credible threat to violence, looting, riots, civil unrest before Tuesday. How sad it is we live in such a world where this is happening. Zip it up, Linda. We will be walking on eggshells...whatever I have said about my employers business practices, doesn't compare to the real fear that we face these next several days. I will say, we all have been noticing some odd things going on...like something is going to happen...I better leave it at.

Incoming snow. I see Eastern NY is already getting it. This is from the system that bought the hurricane into the deep south. Yes, indeed, tis the time of the year. I am always excited to see the first snow. Ok, ok, I am always excited for snow. smiles--it is currently 32*, been raining all night.

Work today, tomorrow and Monday-Thursday. Have a great day friends.

Thankful Thursday

 

So many things to be thankful for...instead of just naming one or two...I just want to say Thank you for each of you and your comments. I will answer each of your comments from yesterday, so check back. smiles

P.S. I posted this on FB and how true this is;

I feel strongly we are being conned with false sense of "safeness". Life is hard for logical people right now. We are being raised without the ability to process and execute logic. Step out of your little tiny boxes and think folks.

SPEAKING OF WEARING MASKS

Me AT RESTAURANT:

Hostess: ok, I can seat you at this table right here (4 feet away), but I will need you to wear a mask to the table.

Me: what happens when I get to the table?

Hostess: you can take off the mask.

Me: then it is safe over there?

Hostess: yes.

Me: are those fans blowing above the table? Is that the air-conditioning I feel? Is the air circulating in here?

Hostess: no words. Confused look.

Me AT GROCERY STORE:

(and since I am employed by the #1 retailer in the world, I get 'it')

Why is there plastic on the payment keypad?

Cashier: to protect people from Covid.

Me : but isn’t everyone touching the plastic keypad the same way they would the regular keypad?

Cashier: no words. Confused look.

Me AT DRIVE-THRU

Server: (holds a tray out the window with a bag of food for logical friend to grab)

Me: why is my bag of food on a tray?

Server: so I don’t touch your food because of Covid.

Me: didn’t the cook touch my food? Didn’t the person wrapping my food touch it and then touch it again when placing it in my bag? Didn’t you touch the bag and put it on the tray? Didn’t you touch the tray?

Server: no words. Confused look.

Boo Hodgepodge

 Hodgepodging along on this rainy and cool Wednesday in the great white north.

1. Boo, boo-hoo, make a boo-boo, boo(ze)...pick one and tell us how it relates to life lately.

Boo-hoo. Monday my shift didn't end until 10:30-the others left at 9:30. The store closes at 10 (NY mandate that stores, rest. bars must close by 10 due to Covid) well, lo and behold, a certain manager decided she had had enough and had enough overtime and she left. L-E-F-T. I was the only one in the store besides the overnight stocking crew. Guess who had to figure out how to close down? Yep. I might had been thinking a few choice words. Thank you to a night stocking supervisor who realized I was by myself. Not that he really knew how to close close, but we managed. Yes, I was livid. I had wondered why she was auditing at 9 and wanted me to "watch her". And for the record, I am not being trained for anything, everything my job position requires has been self taught. I'm not joking when I say, "Throw the baby in the bathwater and see if she sinks or swims." 2 more weeks, 2 more weeks. Clicking my heals.

2. Do you like the color orange? Would we find this color in your home? Your wardrobe? Peach-pumpkin-tangeringe...your favorite shade of the three listed? 

That's it. I don't wear orange or any tangerine. It's not in my color wheel. But I do like the color.

3. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. What's the last chocolate something you tasted? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being out of this world delicious, how would you rate it? 

Hubby made chocolate chip caramel cookies. They are good, although a tad bit sweet.

4. Life is like a box of chocolates or so says Forrest Gump's mama. Would you agree? Aside from the pandemic fallout tell us one way this saying has played out in your life. 

Here I was worried about finding a job...and now look.

5. As October winds down tell us three things you loved about the month we're bidding adieu.

Goodbye summer weather, hello fall rain and snow, hello to crisp days. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

Received a very nice welcome packet in the mail. And my name has been added to a "pool" for the county. I think I am going to like this "freelancing" sub. teaching.

Tuesday 4

 Thank you all for the kind comments yesterday. I am falling behind yet again. I have today off and hopefully I can catch up. 

Welcome to Tuesday 4! Thank you for your participation in keeping the meme alive in remembrance of Toni Taddeo. 

 Let's continue with Reading this week, shall we?

Kindle or hard cover/paper back?

Hard back, but if I find a good book in paper back, I'll read it.

Have you read a series like Harry Potter and if so which series and what did you think of the stories? Can you recommend them and why?

I love the Harry Potters series. All I can say is, I read to loose myself from the  harsh realities of life. Books have always been a way to expand my endless imagination. The Harry Potter series does just that, it is well written and well thought of series. I like all kinds of books.

Do you have a library, book shelves etc. in your home?

I wish I had a library or book shelves. Books around here are everywhere, stacked up here and there. I told my husband wherever we end up, our home will have to have a separate room to hold all these books. I have always wanted to own a bookstore. My husband, "Linda! I know you, you would have a hard time letting them go." LOLOL

Is there a book you just really disliked ? Why did you dislike it?

I am really not into Science Fiction. George Orwell's 1984 is really to close for comfort.

Have a great day friends! I am off to visit your blogs now!

Monday Hello...

 Dropping in before I head to work (1:30-10:30). Longgggggggggg day...let me just say...all those stories one has heard or read about the #1 retailer is true. Many lawsuits; "forgetfulness" of lunches and breaks, clocking out on time, closing the store/registers on time, many unsafe conditions, I could go on and on. See it every single day. The fear the employees have for speaking out is real. I'm not saying anything here that has not been written or reported on.

It is a rainy day here in western NY. Indeed, it feels like fall with temps holding steady at 50*.

I bought these gloves the other day while out and about. We didn't get far antiquing. Too many folks are still closed, NY is still closed really...8 days to go for the election. 

So...Joy

 So...JOY...oh wait, thank you all for the kind comments yesterday...second let me say...

I keep forgetting this simple word; JOY. I have been so busy the last 30 days enjoying making money and honestly, JOY really isn't in it anymore. And if I had to be honest, it probably wasn't there anyways. 

So, when the new schedule came out yesterday and I saw that they did NOT allow the schedule change and furthur advanced the meanness by putting me on permanent days 7am-3:30 the hours I was suppose to be teaching, I was just flabbergasted. OH, so you made the decision for me. Thank you very much.

While over milkshakes last night, my husband said,

 "Linda, I am wrong. I think you should tender your 2 week notice and step out to the unknown. I want you to quit playing by the rules and take that leap of Faith and take the school job and the unknown hours, unknown Covid shutdowns etc. I'll support whatever you choose, but know, I think you should take that leap of Faith. We will be fine."

But but but...the money...steady hours...he said, "So what? Do what you want to do! You didn't spend all that money to go to college and spend your last 20 yrs of working  wasting away in a job I know you don't like. Quit playing it safe."

So, that's the news...I'll post tomorrow about our day antiquing--or not. We didn't do much of anything...lol

Saturday Ramblings...Hello

 I am going to stick with sweet Annie's thoughts about just popping in and saying;

Thank you all for the comments yesterday. I had to work and didn't get home until past 11 pm. It was a day from hades; getting 'two talking's' (not quite ripping a new one, but close) and having to stock because my shift didn't end until 10:30. So, I am on the radar now...yep, all over asking for a schedule change. It was made known "how dare I." Interesting...so, for punishment, since my shift didn't end until 10:30, I had to learn how to stock shelves. EVERYONE heard the "talking down" too, overnight shift supervisor kept on apologizing and the "love affair" with my employer is now over with. Funny crew. Stocking shelves wasn't difficult and eventually I knew I had to do. There are specific measurements etc. that need to be adhered too. ANYWAYS, day/evening from hades. My husband, said, "Let them fire you, Linda. Your gonna have to take it until they do." 

So, we are off today. Antiquing. Hope each of you have a beautiful day. Not sure how far we will get due to more lockdowns here.

Hello Friday...

 Taking a page from Annie's post about the Essential Blogger. Just dropping by to say hello.

I did get the job at the school. Just awaiting the fingerprint check and then I will have a schedule. Speaking of schedules, my current employer is not very happy and I was told to choose. Choose? Can't a person do both? I am already on nights...so that is what is going on.

Hodgepodging...

 Hodgepodging through this Wednesday morning...

1. Just your weekly mid-week reminder that it's fall y'all and it's my favorite. I love nearly all the flavors of fall but let's weigh in with an either or today...pumpkin or cranberry? 

Pumpkin pie with Cinnamon, Pumpkin Pie Spice and All Spice.

hot apple cider or pumpkin spice latte? 

Hot caramel spiced Apple Cider.

cinnamon or maple? 

apple or pear?

Apple pie

ginger or sage?

Sage 

carrot or butternut squash? 

Brown Sugar Glaze Carrots

2. Do you miss traveling? In this season of almost no travel do you think you've grown anxious or fearful about traveling again? Or has all this staying home not going anywhere made you restless to get out and see the world? What book have you read or what movie have you watched that has inspired you to travel?

I miss traveling and don't like being treated like a criminal that our governor is doing.  NY has a mandated Quarantine order. We are not living in sane times, folks...

I am personally feeling like a caged animal ready to burst. I am ready to just get moving, literally. I have watched many programs about Ireland, Maine, New  Hampshire...just ready to go.

3. A time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'? Explain. 

Yes, every single day. Since these Virus mandates---I just feel real really strongly that we all are flying by the seats of our pants.

4. Do you struggle with road rage or are you more of a 'Sunday driver'? Do you like to be 'in the driver's seat (literally and/or figuratively speaking) ?

Drivers seat and no, I don't suffer from road rage. But when my husband or son are driving, I sit in the back, just like Miss Daisy, LOLOLOL.

5. Something you've recently 'put the brakes on'?

Hmm...let me put it this way...so many unknowns at this time, awaiting my probation period at work to end and seeing where it and another job prospect is going. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hornell has cancelled Trick or Treating, the announcement came out yesterday. I am so over all this...hence the blog look change...now I am reading certain folks are calling for Thanksgiving gatherings to be cancelled...sad...truly it is.

Tuesday 4

 Joining in with the Tuesday Meme.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of it's founder, our friend Toni Taddeo..

How do you relax in the evening after dinner?

Well, usually we watch tv or get on our computers and sometimes both.

Do you read in bed? What kind of books do you read?

No, rarely do I read in bed, although I have stacks of books next to the bed. We have a sleigh bed and its uncomfortable to read/get comfortable. I like mysteries and historical based books.

Do you have a list of books you look forward to reading?

I do...all Civil War Historical books.

What is the best book you've ever read and why?

Best? I can't say. I will say the Bible, but prefer Revelations. Not all the Bible, how sad is that?

 

I also like the Harry Potter Books/series, books by Jane Austen and many more. I like to get lost in books, if that makes any sense. I have often said, books are my refuge. I am one of those folks who, if the world starts blowing up-I will be grabbing books to save.

Currently...

 Have off today and tomorrow. A fellow employee asked me for a schedule change, sure why not. He took over my 10 hr shifts and in turn, I took his 5 hr shifts. Not an issue, schedule issues are done via an AP, management didn't have issue with it, as long as the shifts are covered. Both shift changes were approved etc.

Currently in Hornell...(linking back to Stacy)

...53* and raining

I am reading...nothing at the moment.

I am watching...nothing...listening to Chasing Classic Cars (my husband is watching)

I'm loving...this fall dreary weather.

Buying...have to head out and get a few things; freezer bags, straws, face tissue, makeup/foundation. I also bought a few blouses off Amazon.

Thinking...putting my new schedule on my online calendar. I am working Halloween until 10:30. So no trick or treaters. My husband and son won't be around.

Feeling...a little tired. I worked Saturday 3:30-10:30, and had to turn back around and be at work Sunday at 9-2:30. I did not sleep well Saturday night...I did sleep pretty good last night though.

A thought to share...

Back to Reality

 Well, it was nice having time off...but its back to reality today with an evening shift to closing. New schedule out; 90 hrs total for the next 2 weeks.

My first paycheck was really nice and since I like earning that hard earned money...

Just keeping it real. Lol

Friday Photos

 Thank you all for the kind thoughts/comments yesterday. Thought I would share some photos of our drive to Avoca yesterday. The rain that was predicted actually held off until last night.

We never did make it to Keuka Lake/one of the Finger Lakes. However, there is a hidden gem pretty much in our "backyard" called Loon Lake.

I think the colors of fall have pretty much waned now.

Don't you just love barns?

More colors...again, I think we have peaked now.

Have you ever heard a loon? Beautiful sounds. From the Cornell Lab of Orinthology

Have a great day friends.

Oh Geesh...forgot to post...updates

 Oh geesh...been so busy this Thursday...forgot to post an update for you all.

The interview went well this morning. They (Principal and Vice Principal) asked three main questions and to elaborate;

What bought us to NY?/ WHY? Are we staying?

If they were observing my classroom, what would would they find?

What are the family ties to this area, if any?

They were impressed with my credentials, my recent education from the "Public Ivy League School", they wish to talk to my Directed Study Professor, liked the final GPA etc. So, now we wait. The School Board has to vote in Nov., and my references have to check out. I should know by the end of Nov. I will have to be re fingerprinted etc. OH and if I choose to go for my Masters, it will be covered.

Family ties. My husbands cousin owns the Brunch and Munch Cafe in town. My husbands late grandparents are from Avoca (which the Principal and Vice Principal knew, wow), my late father in-law was born there and raised there. We were thrilled to know she/they are still open and weathering the crisis--albeit, 25% capacity. 

Nice chatting with her etc. She asked us our honest opinion on how she could get the word out (the door is locked and you have to knock and they will let you in, stupid Covid rules). Honestly, I don't know how anyone can stay in business. Great food and the servings are huge...then again, all Conley's can cook. I had the Western omelete with potatoes and toast. This was a our first time being out and eating in a rest. since Covid hit.

Her cafe is like stepping back in time and that is fine with me. BTW, most of the small NY towns/villages are like that.