Busy Work Week, And Some Winter Gardening.

Happy Weekend... almost over.   This has been the first time I have been able to actually sit down and type something for the blog.   You see,  I have been working at the Warehouse like a mad man!  And by "mad"  I mean:  Crazy!   Because we started the 100% inventory last week and that means long hours and extra Saturdays.  But there are things to blog about... And there will be Mushrooms!

Cut hole in box.

The Warehouse  actually kind of fun.   Well, the whole job is fun as a whole for me.   You have to find enjoyment in your job somewhere... otherwise you are just miserable and it is "work' just getting up in the morning.   But counting things, taping off sections that have already been counted, and scanning serial numbers has a certain "zen" like quality that I find very peaceful. 

We are just scratching the surface.

Sure, there are moments when you lose count or have to do the scan over again, ( after 500+ scans!)   but we are paid by the hour and there is a certain satisfaction you get when you are able to complete an entire pallet of serial scans without a single mishap.  

Let it soak in a bath of Water

At least that is how I look at it.   Or maybe I'm just weird.

Yesterday, we worked until noon and I was able to go out with a couple co workers and chat about the upcoming Zebra Transfer of the company.  And other things.  It was the first time I ever grabbed a beer with co-workers here in Wisconsin... So maybe I'm getting out of my shell a little more. 

I was also asked to join Dave for another piece of Helen's Awesome Apple Pie!   Remember that Awesome Pie I had about a month and a half ago?   Well, I was pleasantly impressed when Helen delivered another miracle in a Pie tin.   It was just as spiritual as I remembered it.   Only this time... she gave me the recipe!   So,  I will have to enlist the services of my beloved Wife to bake one of these up for me in the future.   And I know it will possibly take several attempts to get the experience just right.   But that is part of the fun... Right? 

I was able to open several of my Christmas Presents today, as the Christmas Tree and all of the holiday attire is being taken down today.   With work and other things getting in the way, we were not able to properly exchange gifts with each other.  So we took the opportunity today.   Christina opened her Electric blanket and I got a wonderful sweatshirt, book and bottle of Specialty Maple Syrup.  And Dave go some exotic beers from Woodman's.  Blueberry Wheat and S'mores!

Do I have a green thumb?

I also got some farming equipment.  

Maybe the bowl was a too small

Ok,   Small pots for an herb garden...   I decided to get them started today because I have to work again tomorrow.   And this will be my only day off.  I also got a Mushroom Growing kit from my Sister-In-Law and wanted to get that started as soon as possible.  My plan, is to take out the remnants( afer we grow the Mushrooms....)  and see if I can plant them in the forest in the park.  There are LOTS of dead trees that could use a little help in their decomposition. And who wouldn't like to have Wild Pink Oyster Mushrooms growing here in Sommers?  (Just in time for next year's Mushroom Hunting Season!)

And lastly,   I just finished an Origami Scorpion out of a piece of Chick-Fil-et Wrapping paper.   The warehouse bought us breakfast for coming in on Saturday, and I managed to keep my wrapper.... for folding purposes.  It is a foil based wrapping paper... and I think I pushed the paper to the limit.   But I did manage to finish the piece before the paper began to tear.  I may bring it to work tomorrow. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Mine was rather busy, but I am actually looking forward to going back and working with my co-workers for the Inventory.  They are all good people.  And fun to work with.  I have heard rumors that if we finish the inventory early, we may be able to get a few days off... With pay!  While they set things up for the next phase of the transfer to Zebra.   We shall see.   

Thanks for stopping in! 

A Post New Year New Year Post.

 Happy New Year!  Ok... I'm a little late for such a greeting.... But this has been the first opportunity I have had to blog about such a topic.   And even now, there does not seem like much time to even post the entry I had envisioned.   But here I am.   So I may as well attempt it. 

My first thought was to have an entry critiquing 2022 as a terrible year.   One that would go down in the history of my life as one of the worst years ever.   But then I actually thought about it for more than the "knee-jerk" moment that had initially hit me... And I came to a rather odd conclusion.  

2022 was actually not that bad.   At least for me.

I would say that any year with serious change in the routine of life is destined to be viewed as "Bad!"   After all, "Change" is never viewed as good or bad until after the effects of that shift are evaluated.  

But it is scary!  And that us pretty much always a bad thing.   

There were lots of changes in 2022.   First,  I left Iowa.   And left Cheryl there... alone.   ( It's a long story,  and not a very happy one.)  But I managed to link up with a long time friend and he was generous enough to offer me a place to stay while I found a means of income.   And I did!  A new Start-Up warehouse job at GXO ( soon to be Zebra...  but that is for another blog post.) It is a great job  with benefits and I have been enjoying it.  

Cheryl also found a job writing for the local newspaper in Kalona.  She also is enjoying her new sense of purpose and means of income.  It did not take her long to climb to the role of "editor" at the paper.  And she is actually getting to know the folks who lived by us for 12 years!   ( Without my help... might I add.) In other words:  The job prevents her from being shy.  And my absence has taken away her ability to hide behind me as a shield.

With both of us "fending for ourselves"  so to say,  we discovered that we are capable of many things we have long since forgotten.  And I would like to say that we have been shown that our roles while we were together were rather under-appreciated.  Example:   Cheryl's ability to navigate and purchase items online and my ability to reach high places and fix things.

One of the only bad things is that we are not able to see each other regularly.  And when we do... it costs money in travel, time and sometimes lodging. It is a far cry from being with each other almost every waking hour of the year.   ( Even working at the same jobs and for our little stocking shop!)  

Speaking of Stockings... This was the year that the Christmas Stockings were put on hold.   We are uncertain if they will be able to recover from the blow.   We actually toyed with the idea of trying to do them over the long distance, but decided ( wisely) that it was probably impossible to do it and remain profitable. So it currently looks like 2022 will mark the end of our Christmas Stocking business. 
 

But with one item lost,   Another is found! I was able to go fishing!  Something I have not done in a very long time ( 12 years at least!)  And I actually enjoyed it.  Dave managed to convince me to do many things that I have been uncomfortable doing.   Including going to a rock concert!  Another first for me.  ( Yes!  I have NEVER been to a live Rock concert before  in my life.   I was very sheltered.)

I also went to a baseball game and a number of  local taverns.   I attended two Cross Fit gatherings. 
(Another thing I have never done before.)  And got to find and eat many new mushroom species while here in Wisconsin.  I even got to ride in a Corvette!  (A cool car I would never want to purchase for myself.)   Thanks Dave!  For "Cattle-Prodding" me out of my comfort zone.

Cheryl, on the other hand, got to run  two marathons and actually won third place overall at Little Rock. She also talked me into running several 5 Ks  ( Something I had never done before.. on an "official race" capacity.) 

This year also marks that last of the Michigan cats.  Hiro died.  And that was very sad.    I believe he was the longest living cat we have ever had the opportunity to  enjoy.   And his passing was the last of our possessions from Michigan that survived the journey to Iowa.   He has now been re-united with Red and Rasha in the Happy Hunting Grounds in  the sky...  But he will be missed by us here.  .  

And while we are on the subject of Heaven.   I might as well mention that I have started to go to Church again.   Seems like an odd thing to say in Wisconsin,  Since being a Lutheran in Wisconsin is rather ubiquitous.  And God never really leaves you.   Even if you try to leave him.  Not that I ever tried to leave him or anything.   Mostly, I just got lazy.   ( as with many other things in my life.) But God seems to find a way to get you back on track sometimes... in ways we could never imagine.  I think my Dad would be proud.

And this is the point where my ramblings become too much for even me to endure.   I will finish with my weekend  holiday activities.   I drove to Iowa and spent the  long weekend with Cheryl.   We did a number of errands and rearranged the furniture in the apartment.  We also stayed up and I got to ring in the New Year at midnight with a Kiss.   Something we have not done  for many, MANY years.   I'm looking forward to 2023.   And hopefully,  the year of "Change" will be followed by a year of goals and focus.  I'm not really sure just where that focus will be at the moment.   But I think when it finally becomes clear,  I will be able to pursuit it with gusto!  

Happy New Year everyone!  May we all find happiness and achievement in everything we do. 

Thanks for stopping in.

A Very Merry Christmas With Cheryl.

Well... how long has it been?   Too long, if you ask me.....  Since I posted anything on the blog, that is....

But here I am... The Holiday Season almost behind me, and I finally get the opportunity to post something.   So....  Let us begin!  

We had plans for Cheryl to come to Wisconsin over the Christmas break.   I had a 4 day weekend and she had  three days to visit.   Everything was fine, right up until that blasted cold air hit the Midwest and kicked up a small blizzard.   It did not help that the weather channel and all of the news outlets spun it into the STORM OF THE CENTURY!  Which... it was not.  ( Hurray for Journalistic integrity!) 

But the news DID scare the heck out of Cheryl, who decided that a five hour trip through a blizzard was not a wise decision.   As disappointed  as I was with the situation, I had to agree.   I already worry about her traveling alone for that distance.   Having to  think about her navigating through  white-out conditions and sub zero wind chills would drive me crazy!  So... it was looking like a cold and lonely Christmas this year.   Almost poetic, if you think about all of the other happenings of 2022.  It would not be the first time I spent a Christmas "alone," away from family....  But I would not be entirely lonely as I had Dave and Christina and a number of Parties they were prepared to drag me too. ( Yes, yes...  Friends don't let friends be alone on Christmas, apparently.)  So... I had prepared myself mentally to try to enjoy Christmas without Cheryl by my side.  

But Cheryl had other ideas.  

On Saturday,   The weather had cleared up and Cheryl texted me that she thought she could make it.   What did I think?  

Before I could answer,   she texted me that she was already on her way!  Ummm.   Ok?  

This should have been joyous news if it had not blindsided me so effectively.  I had planned on shopping for her gifts on Friday.   But with the weather and the change in plans,  I had put it off figuring I would buy what I had targeted for next weekend. ( New Years Eve.) I quickly ran out and purchased her gifts and wrap attacked everything.   She arrived at 3 P.M. 

And from there,   what else is there to say?   We enjoyed a great weekend together.   Doing a whole lot of nothing.    The weather might have cleared up, but the arctic blast was still chilling everything down.   Add in that there was pretty much nothing open on Christmas day.    Except Kwik Trip!  

Ah,  Good old Kwik Trip!   Our salvation from starvation.   Without any stores or restaurants open, we were forced to get our meals and drinks there.   Thankfully,  they have plenty of things to choose from.  ( Including Wisconsin Beer!)   So Cheryl and I spent the majority of Christmas day eating  convenience store foods and watching A Christmas Story in a nice warm hotel room.  Not a terrible way to spend Christmas, if you think about it.

I should also mention that we did attempt to go out several times during the day.   We toured Kenosha... again!  Only this time during the winter.   

We visited the lake shore and did a little sub-zero beach combing.    ( Cheryl found a brick!)  It was terribly cold  in the evening  by the lighthouse, so we did not stay there long.  But it was a beautiful sight to see.  

Funny how that seems to be an ongoing theme:  that many of the most beautiful moments in  life are seen during uncomfortable hardships.  

Cheryl lamented that her gifts were not as "thought out" as mine were.  But in reality,  she made me cookies and Banket.  AND she gave me the best Christmas gift I could have hoped for. ( Ok..  second best, if you count Jesus....) Being able to spend the holiday together meant more this year than previous years.  It is true that "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."  We must have taken the previous 25 years for granted. 

But all happiness must end eventually.  And Cheryl just messaged me that she is back home in Iowa.... Safe and sound.  She managed to beat the upcoming snow storm, which is a good thing.   And with a little luck, I will be able to see her again next week, as I have another long weekend planned.  

In the mean time.   I have been working on some Origami for a co-worker, who requested a cat.  I still have to work on another request for an Eagle.  But now that I am finished with the Pearson Project, and have my evenings back, I may have the time to work on them during the week.   And maybe even blog more than once every two weeks!    

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you all had a happy and joyful Christmas this year.  And let's hope 2023 is a better year.   A bright hopeful future is always something to look forward to...   Thanks for stopping in.

A Quick Weekend Update.

 I find my blog time being reduced as the holiday season approaches!   And so I have to squeeze in the posts when I can here and there.... And so here it is.  

What did I do today?  Score, Score, and Scored!   I had accepted a Pearson project several weeks ago and this is the week that  the Texas Starr kicks in.   I have been scoring every moment I am not at the Warehouse.  

This leaves very little time to do much else.   I managed to run a little.   I get to work out as much as I want between papers.  That sentence alone makes it sound odd,   but I mean after I score a paper,  I can take a break for a few minutes and get a snack or go to the bathroom.... Or,  do a quick 5 minute workout.  Sounds fun!  Right? If my calculations are right.... I should be looking like the Hulk by the end of the week! ( Without the Green Paint.)

But that means I have to bank a lot of the hours on the weekend.   And there are so many activities on the weekends that I have been missing!  Ah well...  It will all be worth it when I get that inflated bank account at the end of this. At least that is what I want to believe.  

Tonight,  After scoring,   I got to hang out with Dave and Christina.. And Ladybird the dog.   We had Jumble E-I-O... A .... with Shrimp!   It was delicious! 

Other than that,  A simple peaceful day.   Tomorrow begins another week.  Hopefully it will go by fast.   Especially since I have to work pretty much as soon as I get home for the rest of the week. My hope it to be able to snag at least 4-5 hours each night.  And get my Bonuses!  

And get my first paycheck before Christmas!   ( wishing and hoping and praying... right?) We shall see.  

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping in for this short post.   Cheers!

The Great Wisconsin Superbowl Showdown! With A Chili Chrismas.

 Yesterday  was a big day here on the border land of Kenosha. So big that you might have thought it was the Superbowl!    The Green Bay Packers played  against the Chicago Bears.    And the entire event was watched by a mixed crowd at the Starlight Club. 

And to kick off the event... There was a Chili Cook off!

I was invited to this event... Even though I do not care much about either team.  Or Football.... OR SPORTS for that matter.   But I do love Chili. And with so many different versions to choose from, I was bound to find one a liked. 

And I did!   #6 was the perfect combination of thickness, sweetness,  heat and flavor.   #7 was a close second with a thick consistency, several types and cuts of mean, and a more savory flavor with mild heat.  

I think there might have been more than 20 entries... And I was unable to sample them all.   But in the end,  # 6 and #7 were winners for the people's choice and the judges overall favorite.  One of the first people I ever met in Kenosha was one of the winners.  

Needless to say, I ate way too much chili.   But what a bargain!   $4 for a beer and a bottomless bowl for a chili buffet!  How awesome was that!

Well, the Packers managed to win the game in the end.   But I left just before the game sealing touchdown. It mattered not to me, because I had already enjoyed most of the event already.  

Upon getting home,   Dave and Christina stormed my peaceful basement digs by rummaging around for Christmas decorations.  I was recruited to help with some furniture moving and Christmas Tree Maintenance.   Mostly, I stayed out of the way while singing Christmas songs off the radio and taking pictures of the happy duo as they struggles with crooked trees, vertically challenged wreathes, and light bulb  issues.  

Ladybird also watched the episode with amusement.  

 In the end,   A little Christmas Cheer has arrived at the Pagel residence.   And I get the feeling the season will be hitting its stride very soon.   I hope everyone enjoyed their Monday today.   I wanted to get this post out  there before heading to bed, because it was a wonderful day yesterday.   Thanks for stopping in.

OH!  And The Origami Tree won  1st place in Kalona.   Yeah Origami!