Monday, January 17, 2022

Stress-free Weekend

Hi everyone! Happy happy Monday! I hope everyone is as blessed as me on this holiday and was able to stay home and just watch the snowfall. If you had to go somewhere during Snowmageddon… I hope you made it there and arrived home safely. I personally stayed home for the whole day today… soaked in the tub… and did a little studying.

So let me share with you a little about my weekend! I go on a retreat three times a year. It has been canceled for the past two years due to Covid. They started it back up again this year. So I just attended the spring Jacksons Mill round up. It’s held at the Jacksons Mill 4H camp in West Virginia. The camp is now owned by West Virginia University.

It was an amazing weekend filled with speakers, fellowship, spirituality and love. 

When there’s downtime from speakers and activities we go on little shopping trips in the West Virginia area. We have different little local stores we got to and buy jams and jellies, canned beets and tonics, sometimes we even get knickknacks and homemade pickles.

We always go to this store below… They have all kinds of really fun country knickknacks and gifts for people. When we stopped this time we heard that the owner is closing the store for good. I guess they’ve lost a lot of money due to Covid. They have this giant Sasquatch out in front of the store. The store owner said he was purchased and he will be moved to his new location in March. So this will be our final visit to the store and no more pictures of Sasquatch… Here’s our final couple pictures …



These two people are my absolute heart and soul! They are the most amazing friends on the planet and I feel so blessed to have them in my life. We normally all see each other every time we go to the mill. In case you don’t know I’m the one in the Steelers jacket.


Another thing we do every time we’re at the mill is go to the Jane Lew truckstop. They have a restaurant there that has this painting on the wall. The painting is of the Civil War. You can see the blue side and the gray side. The meaning of signed by what we think is a local artist Charlotte Gerstack. We eat here every time we’re here and we get a picture in front of Jesus. As you can see in the picture below Laura is pointing to Jesus. Right in the middle of the fighting there is a man in all white with sandals. He’s holding a gun and fighting right along with both the blue and gray man. Has to be Jesus right? This is a bone of contention for everyone except me… I know it is Jesus. I just don’t know why he is holding a gun.


And here’s a close-up… Jesus, right?


I received a few check-in‘s from my cat sitter. She came twice a day to take care of the food and shots for Nermal. He did so great for her - here’s a screen capture of some of her texting… 



So she texted me each time she came and said he was great with the shots every time. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful cat sitter! She definitely loves my cats (and my home) like they’re her own.

They have lots and lots of photo albums from all the years gone by at the Mill. One of the committee members is always in charge of walking around and getting pictures of most of the people in attendance. We have been attending 3x a year for about 24 years now. I found these great old pictures. This one is from about 20 years ago. I am using these to inspire my diet… Lol! I was so thin and young!



I really love this old picture below… It was the three of us that I told you hang out together plus a gentleman named Vaughn. Vaughn passed away last year and he is so missed! The guy smiling in the back row is another guy we see all the time at the mill. Vaughn brought everyone so much laughter and joy. Love you Vaughn!


After that weekend of so much relaxation… I came home hearing about a snowstorm that was on the way to Pittsburgh. We made it home before any snow fell and I hunkered down to get ready to watch my Steelers beat the Chiefs. As you all know that did not happen… The Steelers are out of the playoffs. We lost to the Chiefs… Actually they killed us! But it seems like we might have a shot because of this guy… TJ Watt! He was amazing! The rest of the team just sucked- ha!


And here’s the snow when I woke up. I think we may be got 6 inches? Like I said I’m super blessed because I didn’t have to go anywhere and I hope everyone else stayed safe as well!


The absolute best decision we’ve made in this condo building is the assigned parking spaces. Soon as it finished snowing I went out and shoveled my space and shoveled the hump that the snow plow makes behind the cars. I have a nice, clean, reserved spot just for me! Yay! Every year before this I would shovel a spot, leave and someone would take my spot. Finally, last winter I ended up shoveling the whole freaking parking lot. But I’m happy to report… I only have to shovel my spot now.


I also made a big pot of homemade chili. It was wonderful to watch the snowfall and eat chili. I had it for dinner last night and lunch today. I’m now heating a bowl for dinner today. I think I’m going to freeze the rest of it because how many days in a row and how many meals in a row can you eat chili? Ha ha


And finally… I’m going to spend the rest of my evening prepping for my first class tomorrow. On Tuesdays I have Nur210 -Nursing Leadership and Management principles. We have some videos to watch and some reading to do. Then later in the week on Thursday I will have my first clinical for maternity. We will be working on Thursday from 2 PM to midnight at a hospital in the Pittsburgh area. I’m super excited for this first maternity clinical- I will let you know how it goes!!!


I hope everyone had A great weekend and has an even better week!

Update: thanks again for all your supportive and encouraging comments on my dosage calculation test. The retest is on Monday January 24th and I will let you know how it goes immediately after. Thanks again for all the love and support!!!

Do you get sick of food you cook and have to freeze it before you can finish it? How much snow did you get? We’re you off work or school today?

Hugs everyone -stay safe out there!!!!




31 comments:

  1. I'm glad you had such a great get-away!! Sorry your team lost (so did mine-Eagles). Great photos!! It is such a blessing to have a trusted friend to cat-sit. I am blesse by one, too. Have you re-taken your exam yet? Did I miss you writing about it? xo

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    1. I saw that your team lost too. So sorry for your Eagles - it is definitely a let down but life goes on I suppose...ha! I just updated this post with the exam date because I forgot to mention that - thanks for the reminder. The retest is on January 24th - next Monday - I will let you know how I do that day for sure! Hope you had a great weekend - Hugs!!!

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  2. Round ups and conventions are the best! Glad to hear that it was a good time.

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    1. It was soo amazing Kathy!! I needed it for a little rejuvenation!! I was one of the few that wore a mask so I hope the others in attendance stay safe but I was sure to because I can not afford to miss a single class!! Have a great week!!! HUGS

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  3. Nothing better than chilly on a cold day! Though I prefer mine with Frito chips. Your choice is probably a little more healthy.

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    1. Oh yes!! Fritos!!! I agree but I did not have any! HAHA!!! After three days of eating it for lunch and dinner I am officially over chili! HA! Have a great day!

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  4. I am so glad that your retreat was packed with love and laughter. Hooray for getting home before the snow - and good luck with your first maternity clinical.

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    1. Thank you for the good luck wishes! I had the first clinical last night and it was switched to remote zoom because the required paperwork was not completed by the school in time - UGH! 10 hour Clinical on zoom was painful! HAHA

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  5. We got close to 2 feet of snow--but then again, we are live in Western NY, grin. Have a beautiful day, smiles.

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    1. gosh look at all those grammatical errors, LOL.

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    2. Oh wow! @ feet of snow! I have NOTHING to complain about - HA! I did not even notice any grammar errors...LOL. Have a great day and stay safe and warm Linda!

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  6. Way to go on the nursing school and career change. That takes courage. I think you received as much snow as we did in Virginia.

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    1. I don't know if it is courage or craziness at this point! HAHA! It is a TON of work and definitely a pay cut from my last profession but I feel like it will be soo fulfilling helping others! Finger crossed - right?? Stay safe and warm in Virginia!!!! HUGS

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  7. This sounds like a fun trip. I love that Sasquatch. What a fun photo with everyone posed with him. Or her. Why do I always think of sasquatches as him? And sorry about your Steelers. At least they did not get run over like the Patriots did on Saturday night. Is Roethlisberger retire after the game? Have a super week and hope it warms up for you. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Hi Erika!! I always think of Sasquatch as he too and it could definitely be a her!! They have to continue the species some way right??? It is a really fun outing and a tradition at this point to get the picture even if people driving by think we are off our rockers!! HA! I believe Ben is definitely retiring so it will be a couple of rocky years while we find another great quarterback. All good - Ben needs to retire and enjoy his family! Have a great week!!!! HUGS

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  8. That game was something! A little bit of hope at the start, right?! But yep. TJ! What a beast! Have a good day. Stay safe!

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    1. Yes, sooo much hope at the start! My family LOVES us some Watt brothers!! The game went downhill quickly though! HA HA! I think my heartrate was up all night! Have a fantastic week Billie Jo!!! HUGS

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  9. We don't get snow here in the San Francisco Bay Area and sometimes I wish we did.

    Good luck this week and the 49ers moved on.

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    1. No worries Patrick - you are not missing much! It is fun for about a day and then I am ready for it to be gone - LOL!!! Congrats on your 49ers win! That is awesome!! Hopefully they will get the job done for your area!!!! Good luck in the playoffs!!! Have a great week!

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  10. Glad you had a fun weekend! I'm so glad we don't get snow lol

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    1. Lucky you Julie! I like it the first snow each season and then I am over it! HA! Not sure why I still live in a state with snow...I guess I just cant move away from my family! We are way too close! HAHA! Have a great week!

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  11. I am sorry that your Steelers lost this weekend. But the retreat looks like it was a lot of fun. I am happy things are getting back to normal and we are able to have retreats again. My husband just went on one for his work recently.

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    1. I was so happy they still held it this year. We honestly thought it might get cancelled. I was one of few that wore a mask so not sure what to think there but I was definitely not hanging in that room full of people without one on. LOL! Have a fantastic week!!!

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  12. I'm sorry your team lost. But then, if you're true blue, it doesn't shake your devotion. ;)

    So glad you have a cat sitter who trust. Knowing all is safe and happy at home allows you to truly enjoy your adventures.

    I was happy to see those oyster crackers. You're a woman after my own heart! I think the best part of winter is warming up with a hot bowl of soup and PLENTY of oyster crackers.

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    1. I usually use more oyster crackers than soup - lol!!! I held back because of the photo! HAHA! I LOVE soup when it is cold! And yes, I will always be a Steelers fan - even when we lose! Have a great week!!! HUGS

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  13. LOVE that you had a great weekend!!! And you have an amazing cat sitter!!! High Fives on your schooling.. you GOT THIS!

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    1. Thank you Carla! I hope so - it is getting so close I can actually see it happening!! Have a great week - HUGS!!

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  14. It sounds like a fun retreat. :)

    Good luck with your class!

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    1. Thank you so much! I will keep everyone posted on how things go this semester! HUGS

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  15. Sounds like a great retreat for you! Glad you were able to relax and enjoy. I'm so grateful we haven't been getting much snow lately *fingers crossed*

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    1. I am right there with you on the "fingers crossed". I would be super happy to jump right to spring at this point!!! HA! It really was a much needed retreat before the start of the new semester! HUGS Becki! - stay safe and warm

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