Currently...

 I'm linking back to Stacy...it has been a long while since I did this meme.

Currently...

I am...playing on the computer on a Sunday afternoon. Our friends visited today. Enjoying the coolness of the ac.

Reading...actually I will carry it on the plane with me, since my husband and I are not sitting together. He made my flight arrangement a couple of days later, luckily, same plane, different seat (I didn't know if we could afford for me to go etc. and I was so afraid to ask for time off, although I have 130 hrs. of Annual Leave and 80 hours of sick and 2 days of bereavement time).

Watching,..nothing right now. Probably HGTV in a bit.

Listening to...the band Goodbye June. Very interesting story of the band.

Thinking...not really liking to have to go into work...we have been without ac for the last several weeks. And we keep being told we have AC, no, no we don't. It is miserable.

Celebrating...not much. Getting on an airplane? No? I hate flying. I haven't been on a plane since our son was a baby.

Enjoying...the cool ac. We walked our friends out and let me tell you, I think a car port will have to be ordered sooner than later. It's hotter than you know what. We don't have a garage, just a concrete pad.

Weather...hot? At 2 pm on Sunday afternoon its 114*. Storms might be rolling in later. It has been thundering and lightening, but nothing yet.

Have a great Monday all.

Sunday Chat...

 

TIME: 6:45 AM

SCENE: 74*, humidity 100%, dewpoint 74*, clear and under a heat advisory.

Drinking: first cup of New England Breakfast Blend with Italian Sweet Creamer.

What's on Tap for the day?

-Dragging out the big suitcase/empty whatever is in it (grin). We decided to share a suitcase as it cost an extra $50.

-start setting aside clothes for the trip up north where they are presently in a heat wave.

-friends stopping by sometime today.

-Small load of whites to set in the washing machine.

-need to get work clothes around.

Thinking: Nothing particular. brain still fuzzy. 

Thinking part deux (after drinking more coffee): 

-I am thinking how humid it is. Neither of us wanted to be out much yesterday. So, we ran down to Walmart and the Goodwill and came home. Didn't even feel like going to get something to eat. And the rising cost of electricity. We have put up our central ac to 76*.

-the rising cost of home insurance here in Florida. I just think personally, it's just a way to for these insurance companies to make money off of people. We got a notice our insurance will go up $33% which will make it $1,263 twice a year. Yep. So, 2,500+ a yr.

-thinking its hurricane season. Yep...

-looking at doors and windows. No, our door still hasn't/hadn't come in. We cancelled it and got a refund. Yes, things are slow down here. So, by Nov. we should have new windows and hopefully 2 new doors.

ha...yesterday we watched another good movie.

What a delightful although serious movie. We all have dreams, so make it happen. Just my thought.

I will get caught up on your blogs today. I will be taking my laptop with me up north since our hotel has a internet access.

Hodgepodging on a Saturday

 Hodgepodging on this balmy Saturday morning. Thank you for the snail mail and emails. How sweet to be thought of...and don't think I don't appreciate it. Because I do. It warms my heart. {{grin}}

I want to add, another great lost...my good friend Vee passed away...a lot of you might know her as A Haven for Vee. So sad...I shall miss her.

1. July 25th is National Merry-Go-Round Day. 

Do you call it a merry-go-round or a carousel?

merry-go-around.

 When was the last time you rode one? 

Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN

many years ago, when our son was little in Chattanooga.

Did you enjoy that? 

Yes, I enjoy them.

Metaphorically speaking, what's something in your life right now that feels like a merry go round? 

The never ending (so it seems) work situation. I work 7-10:30 in an education classroom and then turn around and go back to my regular vault job 11-4. It has gotten old. I hope it will change soon and I might have spoken out about that. Luckly, there was no class yesterday morning and I actually spent 8 blissful hours getting caught up in my regular job.

2. What word do you have a hard time pronouncing?

Hospital (and spelling it too) 

What's your favorite word in another language? 

C'est la vie.

3. What's a phrase or cliche you use pretty often and find to be true?

c’est ce que c’est -It is what it is. 

4. When it comes to grocery shopping what is your most dreaded chore-menu planning, the actual shopping and paying, or the unloading/putting away? 

Paying. Right?

How often do you shop? 

Once a week.

Do you use any of the pick-up and/or delivery services?

I use delivery for my mil as she is in NY, but usually we just go to wherever to shop.

5. Something you need or want to do before July comes to a close? 

Nothing...actually we are getting on a plane on Thursday morning to NY to bury my brother in-law and deal with things, financial issues etc. Both of us will be happy to get back home here to Florida. It has already turned into a 3-ring circus, sigh.

P.S. Folks, get your affairs in order BEFORE you pass away, just saying.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We watched a really good movie last night. 

Funny and sad...but you know what, my husband said, 'that karma is a (insert word)'. Life is like that...just my thought. One gets what they get, and the nasty, evil people will always be last. Just saying. Not that I wish that upon anyone, but life works that way. By the way, I am a firm believer that the good Lord is in full control. ALWAYS put on your best, it's good for the heart and soul. Just saying. 

Meme Filled...

 Good morning from Florida. Thank you all for the kind comments/words. I hope to get caught up on blogs and emails today. In the meantime, how about some memes?

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we try and challenge you to think , discover and make new friends through blogging.

1.  Did any book besides the bible have an impact on your life or beliefs?

No, not really. I read for entertainment and sometimes to just learn some random things. My dad always said my brain has useless information in it, lol.

2.  What books influenced you as a young person.?

Gosh way too many...Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter etc. 

3.  Do you continue educating yourself by reading books or listening to podcasts or lectures?

Yep. 

4.  Have you ever sat in a coffee shop/restaurant/cafe reading a book? 

No, I get easily distracted.

What is your preferred place to read?

My husband actually gets mad as I have books laying everywhere. I simply can lay a book down, and go to another and then come back etc. I don't have a preferred place to read.

1. What's something bizarre you've seen or heard recently?

Men breast feeding, a man winning some beauty contest, more Trump arrests etc...the world is upside down. Or as I actually prefer to say, "The devil is roaming free."

2. July 18th is National Sour Candy Day. Who knew? Do you like sour candies or other foods with 'sour' flavors? Kimchi, rhubarb, gooseberries, tamarind, dill pickles, sour cherries, sauerkraut, cranberries, and grapefruit...of the sour foods listed which is your favorite?

I like all of them but if I were to choose just one, then dill pickles.

3. Share a favorite memory of an aunt or uncle. 

I have so many aunts and uncles. Probably when we all went down to the Mississippi River (in Illinois) and camped out. Learned a lot about this and that.

4. How would you describe your ability to manage stress? 

Sigh...I would like to say it depends on what is causing stress. Professionally speaking, I have no choice but to deal with it-and I might have said something the other day-which was acknowledged. We are so short staffed etc...and everyone's tempers are flaring. And as I reminded my coworkers it is ok to express yourselves, just remember to say I am sorry and not hold grudges etc...I am afraid though, the lady who was in my office many months ago (and was kicked out because they found out she really wasn't working) is super mad right now. I think I have to watch my back.

Personally, counting to whatever magic number and taking deep breathes. It is important to acknowledge I am no angel.

5. What do you think about when you let your mind wander? 

Beach. I can think of that and instantly I am ok. If I could afford to live by the coast, not necessarily on the beach, but if I could only smell and hear it, I am fine. That is where my wanders too. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Well, I didn't sleep in, was up at 5 (because hubby wanted to get up and made so much noise), not drinking tea, but I will lay around in pj's, listen to some music and even take a afternoon nap. Grin

Saturday Chat...

 Apologies...this has been a rough week (hasn't the previous weeks been rough?)

TIME: 8 AM

SCENE: 88*, 93% Humidity, 77* dewpoint, Sunny.

DRINKING: First cup of New England Breakfast Blend with Italian Sweet Cream.

Pondering/Thinking:

My bil passed away Tuesday at 4:45 pm. I am quite certain that the good Lord and our son have him now...below is his obituary. I can actually hear my son going, "Heyyyyyyyy Uncle Darryl! What's up!" Funny how you can remember things and at times hear those spoken words. I was simply touched beyond words to see our sons name listed in the obituary. I won't lie, it was tough.

Darryl J. Conley | Dagon Funeral Home

We will be heading up soon for the funeral and deal with issues etc. One of the issues is that we were named beneficiary of life insurance and his 401k. We have our flights booked, hotel and my husband's other brother will be arriving shortly after our flight -he is arriving from Atlanta, and he has booked a car that we will share until we get to Hornell and then we will pick up said late brothers' car--that is another inherited issue. The family is squabbling over things...and they are not aware of the life insurance etc. Something will have to be done about my husband's mother and the house (I own that) other as well. 

I was pulled into my boss's/supervisor's office, and ordered I better be on that plane and was asked what they could do to make sure I understood that family comes first. We are so short staffed etc...and hated to take time off and I told them that. Who knew my package comes with so much family leave (well, if I bothered to keep up with it, I would). ANYWAYS, it was originally planned just for my husband to go up. And then...yesterday...the most awful thing happened...I got my own office and I promptly asked why I was being punished. They sure were confused by that, grin. It sure felt like punishment--as I share the vault office space with 4 other girls. No, not punishment but I got new job duties etc. Some things were said to me in regard to that and next week the computer will be set up etc. and I am to sole concentrate on the job at hand, NOT covering for whoever and I was ordered to stop doing others work. Ok then, moving along...the papers were signed, written directives given, and I was told to bring out the inner bad person --as I am the only one who can control the vault. Wow, no pressure, right? I was made to understand that they value me and no its not punishment. I got a talking to what the expectations are. Ok then...

Other than all this, things are just fine...I think. I hate flying and dealing with this family. I say this family...it's a handful but like my bosses said, "Conley, you are the strongest person we know. God has put you in this and will see you thru it and just trust HIM. Don't worry, your job is safe, etc." Gosh, why do I feel like I am being punished. grin.

Hope y'all have a great day...I haven't a clue on what we are doing if anything. Hubby mentioned the grocery store...buttttttttttt it's so hotttttttttttttttt. grin.

Sunday Chat...

 

Time: 7:15 AM

Scene: feels like 86*, cloudy (rain on the way), 92% humidity, 76* dewpoint. Welcome to Florida in the summer is all I can think.

Drinking: first cup of New England Breakfast Coffee with Italian Creamer.

Pondering/Thinking:

~Thank you all for the kind words, emails, prayers to my post yesterday. It truly means a lot.

~My grocery list as we have to go shopping today and get haircuts.

~Praying for good news regarding my brother in-law. Unfortunately, he is currently not breathing on his own, he has been heavily sedated since Friday. The only way they can measure brain function is to wake him. They/the dr.'s are concerned about this. IF he survives this, we are seriously thinking he might have to move to a warmer climate-the dr. informed us last night he has had pneumonia for weeks now, scar tissue is heavy etc. Did he know it? Anyways, we will cross that bridge when the time comes, if it comes. 

**7:35 am update, they are starting to warm him up (he has been under an ice drip) and it will take upwards of 24 hrs, it takes time for this. He is heavily sedated -paralyzed and will wake him probably tomorrow. There is no brain wave...my husband feels he has passed on...the nurse said to give them 24 hrs. Legally speaking, give them 24 hrs. Ok. My husband is very upset (NOT at the hospital). He said he knows his brother has passed away--and don't ask him how he knows this, he said.

**My husband spoke to his brother Friday morning before all this happened. Actually, he speaks to his brothers every day. He said his brother was coughing...by Friday evening he had a massive heart attack.

~About the weather. Its hurricane season here in Florida. We certainly have had some weird weather.

~Thinking of salvation and lack of it by a lot of people. Mainly my cousin, how tormented he was by demons, he had to be, right? Not sure. My bil believed in Jesus... But, 

Is what gets us through. We keep trying and living as the good Lord wants us too. I could not imagine living my life without knowing Jesus Christ. I keep saying this and hopefully I can reach more people. I am grateful I work in an environment where it can be discussed. I had an inmate Friday out of the blue, who said,"Ms. Conley, you's a Christian." It wasn't a question; it was a statement. She said I had some sort of color around me -she was clearly uncomfortable--having a hard time coming to grips about the crimes she had committed. I told her all she had to was ask and receive, God gives it freely, she said not for sinners like her...yes, yes he does. She was so sad, so forlorn, it broke my heart. Yes, even for you, the person who committed horrible crimes. For the record, I don't sit in judgement of inmates. That is not my 'job'. I see so much evil on a daily basis, and I have to remain grounded. I better stop...

Suicide Awareness

 Folks, it has been a rough few days...let me get right into it. I am going to label this Suicide Awareness...

My cousin, my mother's sister's (she has breast cancer) son committed suicide this past week. He decided to end his life amongst a nasty divorce and court battle that was costing him over $300,000. His youngest son found him. My Aunt and Uncle are devastated. My Aunt has actually entered into a grief facility. They had a daughter who died in infancy, and this, this... just put my aunt over. My cousin was a few years younger than me...I am left dumbfounded that he did not reach out to anyone, he had become estranged with his parents/family over this divorce etc. Just shellshocked-NO ONE KNEW how much pain he was in etc...anyways...I can't implore folks enough that there is help out there, period. Please keep family in prayer, they had him cremated, no ceremony etc. They are just so grief stricken, my mom is just overwhelmed as well, this is her baby sister, both are fighting breast cancer together...onto more sad news...

My husband's brother who was coming to visit...we got a phone call last night--wish we never got it...he had a massive heart attack; he was riding his bike and suddenly collapsed. The person who was riding him said he just simply collapsed-they life lifted him to a hospital in Rochester. Right now, they are keeping him alive on a ventilator and will try to ease him out of it tomorrow-they are very concerned about the brain activity...if not, my husband has given his fiancée permission to end life...my husband is his emergency contact etc. No, my husband has not headed up yet, he is waiting...he just feels that Tammy has enough to deal with right now. His wishes etc. were written down etc. My husband is in constant contact with the hospital and Tammy etc. Please keep family in prayer.

On a less sad note, my laptop died a few weeks ago and that is why I haven't been posting much. I finally broke down and got a brand new one today. Actually, my husband wanted his back, wink. 

With all that is going on here, I am holding steadfast to prayer and faith. I think honestly, things are a bit shocking right now. I am just dumbfounded by my cousin and brother-in-law. I don't want my grief to extend to others...but if I could just change one life from suicide...so harsh...and so many questions.

Sunday Chat...

 

TIME: 7:11 AM. I have been up for an hour.

SCENE: Sunny 86*, humidity 93%, dewpoint 76*. Under another heat advisory. 54% chance of rain today.

Drinking: Second cup of New England Breakfast Blend coffee with Italian Sweet Cream.

Doing today? Not much. Let's just call it a staycation. We stayed up until 2 am watching movies.

-The Lost City (Sanra Bullock, Channing Tatum)

-Ticket to Paradise (George Clooney and Julia Roberts)

-Top Gun Mavrick (saw it in the theatre but hubby wanted to watch it again)

The laundry is caught up, we have leftovers for dinner (I made a homemade pizza and chicken wings yesterday after we got home from friends), what little grocery shopping we had is done etc..

Pondering: Yes, to many comments here about looking for another job...unfortunately, neither of us are willing to pick up and move from Ocala. If I was younger, I would apply at Buc-ees that will open in 2025 and starting pay is $17-20, $2 more than I am making now...but alias, I am not that young anymore and couldn't keep up that pace, lol. These/those jobs are for the young, just saying. ALSO, If I could find a decent paying job near the coast and a decent price house, we would move...but alias, we cannot afford that market right now-so we stay put. Realizing one is not getting any younger, is pretty scary. Not that I have regrets etc. about raising a family all those years, but I will say God has been good to us since we moved back here. The rising cost of everything is a little deflating at times...and realizing I have to work to make ends meet, it is what it is. I don't have that luxury just yet to retire. We have no regrets about moving from up north to back home, none. 

Can I get an Amen? No matter how rough things get, I know the good Lord will always be there. I know of folks who don't know that. How sad is that.

Friday's Fave on a Saturday...

 

Susanne's Blog

`Short work week...thanks to the July 4th holiday, it was a 3-day work week. Although, playing catchup is never easy. Unfort. back to the grind next week, speaking of next week and the coming month of August and perhaps Sept., I will not only be doing my job but another department in the morning? Why? Because of staff shortages. I might have mentioned the word burn out a few times. No one is listening.

`Afternoon rain showers...more like thunderboomers really. Although, it is not cooling off things at all.  We sure get some awesome thunderstorms, that is for sure.

`Relaxing in the evenings...with a good book. I finished

and have begun (isn't it good to lose oneself in a book? Not a care in the world, grin)

So, that is about it for here. I did hear of an impending visit / vacation of my husband's brother in August/ He plans to be here on August 4. Plans of any sort, I have no idea (actually my bil is a fly by the seats kind of person)...I have to work and cannot take time off right now because of staff shortages. I finally have a job description and fully understand now why I am not being moved etc. Unfort. the situation is due to incompetence of others, and it hurts me professionally in the long run due to that incompetence. So, they are keeping me there to alleviate that issue. This has caused issues here at home...For what it is worth, I know I am being scr*wed. 

If only it was as simple as above, right? Have a beautiful day folks. We are heading out to visit our friends.

July 4 Chat...

 

TIME: 8:20.

SCENE: 91* under another heat advisory, 84% humidity, dewpoint 75*. Yeah, it's a tad bit balmy out there.

DRINKING: 2ND cup of New England Breakfast Blend with Italian Sweet Cream.

Plans for the Day?

The duvet (s) are actually the grayish-greenish color material, the inserts are the white.

--Want to finish working on the 3rd. bedroom. The duvets came in for the twin beds.

--Want to get caught up on y'all's blogs.

--Ironing. Thankfully it's only a 3-day work week. But that means a tough 3 days. Then, for the next 2 months or so until they can get a person trained (bahwaaa) I am stuck in another position/area in the mornings until 11 or so, then have to head back to my regular job.

Meals?

Eggs and sausage for breakfast (maybe, not sure actually as hubby is outside cleaning the SUV-he might come in and not want anything).

Not sure what we are doing for dinner. It's just us two...so who knows. We weren't invited to any family outing(s).

Pondering:

We see Huey Lewis, the inherited cat that was here before us, has set up his living on the outside furniture. He is quite friendly, and he has claimed us as his family. He is not allowed indoors, just saying. We are supposed to build a deck from the steps to the gazebo, but yeah, the cost of lumber is thru the roof (so to speak). Hubby also put up a temporary PVC railing for me, not that I use the backdoor. The cost of things is just unreal.

Yeah...actually I was thinking, maybe I will just stay in pj's today since we aren't doing anything. Have a great day all.

A Day in Pics...

 What an over warm day-temps were near 100* along with the humidity. We were going to head into Flagler Beach, our favorite beach, but my husband's sister had other plans (they live in Palm Coast).

We began our island hopping by taking the Hammock Dunes toll.

So much beauty. I haven't been that far north on the East Coast of Florida in many many years.

Beautiful homes right on the water's edge. Where my husband told me to get another job if I wanted to afford that lifestyle. LOL

Then we made it over to St. Augustine and settled at Anastasia State Park and its free to enter if you're a Veteran, actually all state parks are. Just show your military id. grin

NOT MY PHOTO

it was quite a hike over the dunes, but well worth it.

Beautiful pristine beaches and the best part is, once you cross those dunes, there is no cell service, none...whatsoever.

My merman, LOL. Which is the only photo I managed to snap the rest of the afternoon.

I set up my chair on the water's edge and didn't have a care in the world. My husband, his sister and husband decided to set their chairs further up on the dunes, not me...no thanks. I came there to relax. That might have caused a stir with our party, but my husband told them to knock it off. grin

Sometimes one has to nourish its soul. Have a great day.

Getting there...

 By the time you read this, we will be here...

It is supposed to be a sunny balmy 97* today. Thank you to friends Robin and Darlene for the snail mail. Sure, brightened my day. Thank you EVERYONE for all the kind thoughts and words...my employer is only threatening to fire folks for their social media posts...I was really mad the other day and still sorta am...but you know what...get a life (grin). Have a beautiful day all. CYA later. One last photo...

from last time...this is what it looks like once you cross the bridge to Flagler Beach...feels like you're falling off the face of the Earth. grin--I will get caught up on blogs tomorrow or later today.

Fair Warnings blah blah...

 

I apologize if anyone took my blog setting privacy personal etc. {if anyone clicked on my blog the last few days, I had set it to private and actually thought about deleting the whole thing}. My employer is watching and listening to all social media, and we were warned and threatened in a staff meeting. SO, if you're reading this, I will not be bullied. It seems someone is screen shotting social media posts and sending them in. Not sure if I was the directed source, but we all were warned. Sad, that we live in such a free world, and you want to get people fired. Ok, moving along...

It is darn right humid down here in Florida, mind numbingly so. It is miserable and one has to watch what she eats and drinks as the arthritis is flaring up. I have the next 4 days off, I actually had vacation time set and then the governor decided to give Monday off as a state holiday for us employees...oh wait, I suppose I ought not talk about my employer. I will say I will not be moving into that position after all, and I am pretty ticked off about it: backdoor politics, Hubby actually said I have worked myself into not getting promoted because of my good work ethic and the strong personality is going to keep me where I am for the foreseeable future...which is prob. true.

Ok enough blah blah...we are indeed heading to the beach. My apologies for not keeping in touch etc. I am exhausted and need some down time.