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!

Dinner Out with Friends

I am happy to report that I finally went out to dinner with friends for the very first time in months the other night!!! It has been so long since I had a night dinner out with friends. (Side note - restaurants here in Southwestern PA are again closed so it's good we got it in before they closed again - HA!)

I met up with two of my favorite people; Kathy and Carol.

We met up at the Walnut Grille in Fox Chapel. This required me to drive over the rivers in Pittsburgh and head to the "other side of the city" from The South Hills. If you live in Pittsburgh you know what I mean.

We rarely travel over the river to other areas - HA!

here we are in our outdoor seating on the patio. Now masks were required when you got to you table outdoors. We did however keep social distance and no hugging....sadly! I felt super safe though.

Carol brought Kathy and I a birthday cake! Mine was in May and Kathy in June. We had not been able to get together since February!!! WOW! She is sooo super thoughtful - it was delicious!

One more picture before parting ways. Dinner lasted for 4 hours - we had so much to catch up on!!  I love these ladies!!! We are planning a Top Golf ladies get together at the end of July if it is still open then - fingers crossed.

That day I got new masks from my company. They sent each employee two and they are super comfy - thanks Bayer!! I am going to be so sad when my time there is over - it's getting closer every day :-(

I hope everyone is happy and safe!!

Thanks for stopping by and HUGE HUGS TO EVERYONE!!

Have you eaten out in a restaurant yet? Have you met up with friends at all? Did you feel safe? Do you know anyone that has been infected with Covid 19? Are you safe and well? How are you feeling today?

Jackson's Mill Weekend - Winter 2019

Hi guys!!!! Hope everyone is having a better week than me - HA!!!!

Last weekend I went away with a really good friend of mine. We spent the weekend at Jackson's Mill which is a 4H camp! We do this three times a year for a conference! It usually involves meeting up with another 300ish people for the weekend!!!  It is always an amazing weekend!

We got there on Friday and checked into our room at the beautiful Jackson's Lodge - 306!! We have had this room for the last few years every time - it is pretty awesome!
 

We ate lunch in the mess hall with the others and then went out for a day of shopping!  He stop at this place every time we go down! They have really cute country decor for sale and a lot of ceramic Bigfoots!!! HA! There are apparently Bigfoot sightings in the area...we have hiked all over and have not had the pleasure of meeting one yet...except this cute guy!!!! (My friend, Laura, is on the left side of the picture and I am on the right.)

I gave him a little kiss....best kiss I have head in a LONG time!!! HA!  This is also my new profile picture!

We spent the rest of the weekend listening to recovery speakers and recharging our spirituality! Also eating a lot!!!! When you go to Jacksin's Mill conference, the lodging and meals are included for the weekend. We eat sooo much everyday!!!! The food is family style for every meal.

Here is the food schedule...
Friday:
lunch - chicken salad or ham salad, vegetable soup, salad and fruit
dinner - fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, corn, and coleslaw
Saturday:
breakfast - sausage gravy and biscuits, sausage, eggs, cereal, oatmeal, and fruit
lunch - lasagna, garlic bread, mixed veggie, and salad
dinner - roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and salad
Sunday:
breakfast - sausage gravy and biscuits, bacon, eggs, cereal, oatmeal, and fruit

Like I said - we eat a lot!!! HA!!! Next time (in the Spring) I will take pictures of the food...it is crazy.  The speakers were great and I love getting there to see all my friends!!! I was on cloud nine! It was such a great weekend!

Snow started on Saturday night and Laura was resting (she was not feeling well) so I took a long walk and captured these beautiful images...The mill is out in the middle of nowhere and it is so quiet, peaceful and serene!

Beautiful campus!!!

A view of the Mill from across the fields...

All over the Mill are quiet reflection spots...in the summer and spring it is great to just sit here and write in a journal!

Snowing...

The entrance to Jackson's Mill and our Lodge in the background..

Another beautiful sitting area for quiet reflection...

The theme for the weekend was...

After this wonderful weekend of recharging...I was notified at work on Tuesday January 16, 2019 that the campus where I work is closing. We may or may not be offered jobs elsewhere. My company is evaluating all of our positions and will, over the next few months, notify us if was will be offered relocation or be let go. My company, Bayer, bought a company that is much larger, Monsanto. We kind of knew it would be the "worm eating the fish" but no one seemed to care. I love Bayer and I love the ethics and integrity the company was founded on...I just hope they keep those things in tact as we move forward with the integration of both companies.

Talk about a Let Go and Let God situation!!! I am so happy that I have recovery and I know without a doubt that God has my back! Whatever is meant to be, will be. I will continue to give 100% to my work and when the time comes, make a decision. Until then, I refuse to lose serenity or sleep over things that i have not control over.

Your prayers are welcome but I know God has a plan and if I do the footwork...I will end up exactly where I am supposed to be! 

Hugs to you all! Thanks for all begin there to listen!!! 

Anyone else ever been through a site shutdown? What are your feelings on GMO foods? How do you recharge when you are running low on serenity or patience?

Weekend Recap-Breakfast with Santa

Happy monday ya'll!!!

As of this morning when I left for work, the dishwasher appears to be running! YEA!!! Maybe this new Bosch will work out - yippee!!!

Saturday morning I volunteered at Breakfast with Santa for work! Every year they have a breakfast with Santa for employees and the proceeds benefit United Way! It only costs $15 a person and they breakfast, gifts and a picture with Santa. It is always awesome and I volunteer since I have no little kids to take!

If you saw my Halloween Party post HERE...you will recgonize a lot of this...we leave a lot of the decorations up from Halloween and the Breakfast with Santa theme is the same...so here it is ...Star Wars!!!

This is the building entryway...

The hallway...

Another hallway...

There are a ton of cute crafts for the kids to complete for free. This is a sand necklace and there were about six others to choose also.

Food galore...cupcakes, scones, donuts as well as bacon, eggs and hash browns!!!

There were over 50 donated baskets they were raffling off...that was my job at the breakfast...to sell raffle tickets.

 Another view of the baskets...

Just like for Halloween we did the pumpkin decorating...we decorate Gingerbread houses for Breakfast with Santa. That is mine on the right...right next to the Millennium Falcon star ship!!!  I had no chance! LOL!!!

Chewbacca was there...

And Santa of course!!!!!!

My friend Kathy got a pic with Chewy!!! HA HA

Santa and Mrs. Clause in the photo area!!!

Here is a close up of the cookies...sooo cool!!!

Oh, and C3PO made it!!!

A little Chewy and a Storm-trooper...

It was a great day and the kids were all so super adorable!!! Thanks to work for another great event~~~~

I Want to be a Queen Bee

I had a great experience at work the other day! Because my company deals with crop science we do whatever we can to support the bees!

We need bees to pollinate our food supply - they are very important! We actually have hive boxes on site and I got to go for a field visit along with some other employees!

We got to the bee room and our host began to explain all kinds of interesting things regarding bees! I knew nothing and it was all so very interesting!

1. Bees fly 55,000 miles to bring us 1 pound of honey
2. During her life (approximately 40 days) a honey bee will gather about 1/12 teaspoon of honey
3. Bees must go to two million flowers to gather l pound of honey
4. The bees gather 10 pounds of nectar to make 1 pound of honey
5. A honey bee can fly as fast as 15 miles per hour
6. It takes one ounce of honey to fuel a bee's flight around the world
7. A honey bee visits 50 to 100 flowers during a collection trip
8. Worker bees are all female
9. Flowers have bright markings and strong smells to attract bees and other insects so that they will pollinate flowers. Some also have dark lines called 'honey guides' which scientists believe help insects find their way into the flowers
10. A colony of bees consists of tens of thousands of worker bees, one queen and sometimes drones (male bees)
11. The honey bee is the only insect that produces food eaten by man
12. Honey has always been highly regarded as a medicine. It is thought to help everything from sore throats and digestive disorders to skin problems and hay fever
13. Honey has antiseptic properties and historically was often used as a dressing for wounds and a first aid treatment for burns and cuts
14. Honey lasts for ever - or nearly. An explorer who found a 2000 year old jar of honey in an Egyptian tomb said it tasted delicious! 
15. The natural fruit sugars in honey - fructose and glucose - are very quickly digested by the body. This is why sportsmen and athletes use honey to give them a natural energy boost
16. The Romans used honey instead of gold to pay their taxes
17. Honey bees have been producing honey in the same way for 150 million years
18. The bees' buzz is the sound made by their wings which beat 11,400 times per minute
19. The term 'beeline' comes from the 'bee line' these clever insects make to the flower of their choice, using the shortest route possible
20. When a bee finds a good source of nectar it flies back to the hive and shows its friends where the nectar source is by doing a sort of dance positioning the flower in relation to the sun and the hive. This is known as the "waggle dance"
    
    

Then we all got suited up, mixed up some sugar water and headed off to the hives. This is me in my suit...

And here we all are out in the field...

We mixed up the sugar water to feed to the bees. We just got new bees a few months ago and the team supplements their food by adding a tray of sugar water. We placed the sugar syrup in a 'frame or division board feeder'. This is a container, the size of a full-depth Langstroth frame, that has an open top and which sits in the super as a normal frame does. In the picture below, the very top section is the sugar water section.

 It was really amazing to see the inside of a hive and look for the queen bee! The bees either fill the cells with brood (babies), or honey. When a rack is full of honey and capped, it can be taken and spun to remove the honey! This is what the capped honey looks like!

Here is some capped and some not capped yet...

Here is a picture of a queen bee on the hive comb (she has the yellow dot on her back - this is not from our hives) she is the largest, lives the longest and her only purpose is to constantly lay eggs while others groom her and feed her! What a life!!!!

When we were all done we went back inside and we all got a pen and some honey sticks! It was an awesome experience!

If you ever get the chance, you should definitely take a tour of an apiary! It was the coolest thing to see!

Oh, and since I do not do anything halfway...I really want to be a bee keeper now!