Happy Thanksgiving

Hi everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope and pray that this blog post finds you well no matter what your situation for Thanksgiving. As you all know I usually spend as much of my time as possible with my family.

My brother was in California for a week so we decided we needed to postpone our Thanksgiving for an additional week. We wanted to make sure he and his wife had time to quarantine before we met up for Thanksgiving.

Needless to say, that means I spent Thanksgiving here alone with my cats for the first year ever! My parents were together alone and my sisters families were together alone. It felt super weird! I was initially going to eat leftover Chinese but decided I had to have turkey. I ordered my dinner to go from the walnut grill. It was delicious! I got turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries and crab bisque! Yum!

I just wanted to get on here and say how exceptionally grateful I am for the life I have today and for all of you my blogging friends!

I am off to read your blogs and look at your pictures and see how wonderful your thanksgivings were!

Stay safe, stay happy and stay blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving and hugs to each and everyone of you!

You are first to know

Hi everyone!

Happy Wednesday!

I am spending today in Columbus babysitting my adorable niece and nephew as my brother is house hunting in California. He has accepted a new job Rivian and will be moving from Ohio to California.  Right now we’re spending our time working on homeschool… It’s a blast! Aside from the mini breaks they are requesting because they are starving or their brains are stalling out or they’re working too hard or they’re fighting with each other or their feet are cold… Things are going well!

As I was sitting here playing teacher an email came through and I was officially excepted in nursing school for the spring of 2021! I am so happy to finally be able to officially pursue this path forward!!! I think I am the happiest girl in the world right now!!!

I hope everyone else is having an amazing day!

Stay safe out there and hugs to every one of you!

Happy Monday and Clarifications

Happy Monday everyone!

I’ve gotten a few questions after my post regarding interviews. I figured I should take this post to clear things up.

So basically I’ve lost my job. They gave us a two month notice during which time we are being paid. So my current job officially ends on December 30. At that time I will no longer be an employee of Bayer. We are receiving severance for all of our direct employee years so that will definitely help.

My plan moving forward is to get out of IT and six sigma and become a nurse. I just want to do some thing that makes a difference in this world. Sadly I can’t go to nursing school for two years and not work… I just can’t afford it. So the plan is to work and go to nursing school on nights and weekends.

I have been working with the nursing director at CCAC which is where I plan to attend nursing school. She is trying to get me a spot in the spring class of 2021. They only except 200 students and I am too late to be considered for enrollment but she is thinking a few students may decide not to go which will free up a spot for me.

In order to be considered for the program by the nursing director; I had to take the TEAS test. It tests your current level of math, science, English and reading comprehension.  I bought the book and studied really hard (Nermal  studied with me- so much that he got highlighted) ha!

I scored a 79 overall. I didn’t think it was that great but from what they are telling me at the nursing college it is. So I am super proud of myself! Fingers crossed it is enough to get me into nursing college in the spring. If a position does not open up in Spring 2021, then they will put me in the Fall 2021 class.

But all of this just explains why I am currently looking for employment - I wish I were able to just stay home and do school but my current situation does not allow for that. I guess this would be one of those times in life that would be easier if I had a spouse! Ha ha!

If you have any others questions, pleases do not hesitate to ask. If I have an answer I will tell you it. This is new territory for me to navigate! 

I will leave you with this...I have some friends that are saying they will not wear a mask because they think it will make you sick somehow...

I personally think “Mask it or Casket”. I have tried to educate myself on this subject and I pray that everyone I love wears a mask! I can not make anyone do it but I have already lost three friends here in PA and had many others hospitalized for weeks!!! 

I pray you all stay safe and happy and let’s get through this Covid thing once and for all!!!!! Ugh!!

This picture came up on my Facebook memories last night. My aunt posted it of a family trip we took to Washington DC.

For left to right...my Aunt Marti (it’s her birthday today), grandma Wells (she is in Heaven), and my Mom in the black shirt. None of those people on the right were with us. Also, my older sister is in the striped dress and I am in the yellow jumper in front of my Mom. 

I assume my Dad was taking the picture standing in the middle of the road! Ha! Also, where are my sisters pants?!?!! Ha ha!

I hope you all have a fantastic week!!! Sending so many hugs to you all!!

Stay safe and happy everyone!!!! Hugs!

Northpark Lounge

In Pittsburgh, we have a restaurant chain called Northpark Lounge. They have really good bar food and big salads and soups. It’s a chain so there are five locations around Pittsburgh. 

This location near McKnight Road did something really neat when Covid started! They created a whole outdoor, socially distant dining experience!! So you know we had to go check it out!!!

Last week I met up with two girlfriends of mine. We used to do all kinds of volunteer work together for CysticFibrosis but alas, due to Covid, we haven’t had any fundraisers to volunteer at this year. We have a meeting about once a month for dinners just to keep in touch. Here is the view of the greenhouses from the parking lot. Sooo cute!

There is between 8 and 10 of these little green houses outside of the building. There’s a picnic table inside each greenhouse so your little group is socially distance from everyone else. They’re cleaned every time someone new moves into them. They also have a 90 minute time limit to keep people from sitting in them for excessive length of time and not allowing others a chance to dine there. Along with the houses, They have also set up a ton of other picnic tables and chairs outside of the restaurants there are many options to eat outside there.

I should have taken a picture of our food because it looked and tasted amazing!  We all got very different things but they were all delicious!

And here we are!!! As you can see my weight has skyrocketed during Covid but I am working on getting it under control ASAP. At least it is headed in the right direction now. Ugh-I think it is officially a lifelong battle! Ha! Ha!

If you’re in the Pittsburgh area you should definitely check this out. It’s a lot of fun and a great way stay safe while eating out!

So, I am trying to stay positive and also trying to stay busy and keep up with friends. I have a few interviews scheduled and I will definitely keep you guys up-to-date on what happens.

I’m so happy to be back with you all in blogging again! Hugs to each and everyone of you and stay safe out there!

A Little Amish Vacation?

Okay!!! Back and ready to move on! Yesterday I mailed back my company laptop, credit card and cell phone! I am officially no longer working for Bayer.

It was a nice run but everything has to come to an end and I was no willing to move so that is that.

I am applying for any six sigma jobs that are in companies I would feel proud to work for! Fingers crossed I find something quickly!

I went through what I would call a slight depression for a while there. I wasn’t depressed depressed but I was kind of sad. I knew it was coming and they definitely prepared us for it; but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I honestly thought I would retire at that company. And I didn’t realize how much value I put into who I worked for. I really loved that company and I gave my job my whole heart.

Anyway...I have my first interview tomorrow...wish me luck!

I have been spending as much time as possible with my family on the weekends! As you remember my sister‘s family, me and my parents have all been together often on since Covid hit in March. We were in Florida altogether when we first heard of Covid.

These are the people that I’ve been spending most of my time with. We are believers in wearing masks when we’re with other people and we are definitely trying to keep some distance between us and my parents so that they stay safe!

We went to Amish country over the weekend for a little getaway. We were wearing masks even though we were walking on the streets outside. We took them off for the pictures.

So much fun browsing and shopping and all of the Amish shops!

Of course we had to get ice cream! The ice cream was amazing at this little shop!

The girls wanted to pose on the giant chair!


We got home my parents house and could not wait to get into the hot tub! They only fill this thing in the winter and we look forward to it every year!

And Sunday was spent helping my parents rake leaves at the lake. They have a lot of leaves to rake and I needed the exercise! I love this picture with the lake and the flag!


I’m sorry I’ve been slightly MIA and I promise to change that. I’m now going to head off and catch up on all of you! Thanks for all of you who have reached out on Facebook and Instagram also. I am OK and I’m coming out of the funk slowly but surely. I think making a commitment to blog every day will help as well. So I plan to do this as much as possible.

I love the blogging community and all of you! Thank you for always being that ear when I need one to listen and thanks for making my life so much brighter and broader!!!

Hugs to you all!!!!

Suck It Up Buttercup!

 Okay guys!!!

A month ago I was pre-notified that I will be notified in October that my job here in Pittsburgh has been eliminated.

We were all given the option to make ourselves available for positions in St. Louis, MI and / or Whippany, NJ if we were willing to move. I declined.

This job loss comes as no surprise since the company announced the site closure more than a year ago.

So, why you ask am I so sad and depressed??? I do not know....

I was expecting it totally but after 15 years of employment there; I have to admit it hit m hard.

I am not even completely done until next month but I have not been feeling great at all.

So, I have been doing the bare minimum. I have been getting up and logging into work from home and that is about it. I have going to see my parents on the weekends but deep down inside I have not been okay. I make no effort to bath everyday or try to look nice....some days I do not make it out of jammies!!! I think it has been a combination of Covid shock and job shock! HA

I am now at the point where I need to begin to "get out there" and live again!! I did not want to post because I try really hard to be positive on this blog and I just did not have it in me. But please know I have missed you all sooo very much and your sweet and caring comments (even the tough ones) have been so appreciated!

It is way overdo so I am now going to commit to a few things that will help my drag my butt out of the funk. Time to pull up my big girl pants and make sure the next chapter is the best yet!!!  I will be making the following commitments to myself...

• cook healthy keto every night for dinner and get my weight under control
• take at least one walk outside a day
• get my butt out to barre class in person whenever possible (I have been doing online classes and it is not the same - I cheat sooo much when I am not there in person)
• Begin looking for a new job that I can work while going to school!!!

Yes, you read that last bullet right. I have decided that I need to make a difference in this world and I can not imagine returning to the corporate world so I will be going back to school ASAP for nursing. I will be taking classes at a local college and with any luck, will get my RN within the next two years.

I am so super excited! My mother was a nurse and my aunt too and they loved it! I am super excited to make a difference to someone instead of pushing papers and working behind a desk.

I will need to find a job to pay bills while I go to school but I am ready to commit to building an even more amazing life than I had before this chapter.

So, again, thank you so much to all of you for your kind words and your "tough" words - every one of your comments helped me move through this in their way.

On another note: I have an update for all my long time readers.  I am sure you all remember my last boyfriend. We were together off and on for over four years.  He had a stroke and was not doing anything to help himself get better so I had to walk away over a year ago. Well, his daughter has notified me that he had another stroke and is in a nursing care home. He is confined to a wheelchair and can only move his fingers and head.

I went to visit him through the window and his mouth moved soo much but i could not hear what he was saying. Then he turned away and would not look at me at all. I could not tell if he was sleeping or what. The nursing home asked if I wanted to set up a zoom call with him but I asked them to check with him first because it seemed weird to me that he had turned his head away and I did not want to do any harm by visiting. They called me today and said he does not want me to visit anymore. So it is what it is. I said some very harsh things to him the last time we broke up due to his continued drug use after a stroke and sadly; it has turned out exactly like I said it would so I am sure that has something to do with his decision. I will always love him as we were friends for years before we started dating and I wish him peace. He has family that visits so that is good. His daughter let me know today that they are starting hospice because of his fast decline. If you have any spare prayers please send some his way - his name is Mark.

I am so happy to begin this new chapter and see what life brings. Thank you all for your patience and your comments. They all meant so much during this break!! I am back with a vengeance and ready to take on whatever comes my way.

Hugs and love to you all! I hope you have all been well and safe and I am going to go catch up now!

XOXOXOXOXO

UGH to the future

Hi guys!

I have got to confess...This pending job loss is hitting hard right now.

UGH!

I am struggling to stay motivated and I am seriously bummed. It is like I have no motivation to do ANYTHING.

I have not even been let go yet and I am so sad and unmotivated!! I hate this feeling so much.

I am going to try to check in more frequently but seriously, it has been everything to just spend time with my family and try to stay positive this past month or so.

I have so many updates and posts for you but I just can not bring myself to do it!

I am signing off to pray for motivation and courage to face whatever chapter is next.

HUGS to you all!!!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

I hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend!

It was super hot in Pittsburgh over the 4th of July weekend. We made it to the mid 90's!!! I love hot weather so I was a super happy camper!

As I do on almost every weekend in summer; I spent the 4th of July with my family at my parents house on Lake Mohawk.

Here are a few from the past years...

2015 - Luau

2018 - Construction Site

2019 - Jungle Safari

 

The kids painted my nails for me...here we are styling....

Every year at Lake Mohawk there is a decorated boat parade. We choose a theme every year and this year we went patriotic with the other boats. Here is the pontoon decorated and ready to go. You can not tell here but the balloons had lights in them.

Here is a side view...

My Mom and sister...

My Dad, Ryan, Kyleigh, Aly and Steve (my brother in law)

Madelyn and Myself

As we drove around the lake there were so many fireworks...the public display was cancelled but people in their homes surely came through with a lot of noise!

So many boats participated this year! It us usually under 1 but this year we had 20 easily!

Spent the entire next day floating - literally!!! It was 95 degrees that weekend!!! This is where you will find me in the lake! HA!

 

Brody too!! The kids just swim all day if they are not skiing or tubing.

Here I am on the flamingo float!

Floating away....

My Aunt Marti came up for a picnic with everyone. It was great to see her too!! That is her on the far left!

Here is my brother in law Steve. Every year he debuts a new patriotic outfit. This was a winner!! HA! It is from Walmart and he said it had long pants but he cut them off into shorts! HA HA!

Here is the whole family at the campfire.  The kids were super excited because we were making hobo pies on the fire for dessert.

Do you know what a hobo pie is? It is two pieces of buttered white bread with pie filling in the middle. My family always uses cherry but you can use any pie filling you want. You put that in a pie iron and roast it on the fire. SOOOO YUMMY!!

We also always have sparklers at the campfire for the kids on 4th of July weekend.  Here is Kyleigh!!

And Aly

And Brody...

And Aly and Madelyn

Here is my sister and her hubby...

Another Aly....

And last but not least; this was set to me from my friend in San Diego. This is her daughter Charlotte Magdelana (Nena) and their dog Duke. Sooooo Cute, right?!?!?!

Happy 4th of July from my family to yours!!!

HUGS TO EVERYONE and thank you for stopping by!!!

How was your holiday weekend? Have you ever eaten a hobo pie or smores? Do you like them? Do you ever cook on a campfire? How are you feeling today?

Etsy Shop New Items

This is going to be a very self-serving post - HA! At least I am being honest at the get go.

I have re-vamped my Etsy store in hopes of being able to have that be my full-time job after I lose mine next month. HA! HA! Just kidding. 

I did revamp it though since i created many new pieces of art using my beach glass I have collected.

I am heading to the shore soon and hope to find a bunch since I am running out quickly.

I only use real beach glass that I have found while walking along the shores where I have visited. I have a mix of glasses from Aruba, Kauai, New Jersey shores and from Lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario.

So here we go.....these re all my new art pieces using the beach glass...

So we have bikini's on the line, cats, sailboats, etc.

I can also make custom artwork.

Check it out HERE!!!

I hope everyone is safe and well!! HUGS TO EVERYONE and thanks for stopping by!

 

How are you feeling today? Any constructive feedback is welcome!!!???