The Week/Weekend in Review. Lazy Blogging 101.

Red sky at Morn... Sailor be warned!

Looks pretty red to me!

That is right!  I have cut down my usual blogging regiment to a pathetic "Highlights" post.  Like where I note all the things that could have been blog worthy down to a 20 second video clip and then post that on you tube.   Only Blogger...  Does any of that make sense?  Well, it probably does to other bloggers who know the score.  That is:  You want to blog... but can't, don't or won't!  For any number of life's excuses.

And with that Intro.... I will now begin.  ( I find confession to be most cleansing of my lazy tendencies....)   

Is that Snow?

Um... yeah!  It snowed!

A LOT! Wet, HEAVY snow!

Some time this week.  It snowed!   Unbelievable!   Since it was nearly in the 50's at the beginning of the week.    I honestly thought it was an April Fool's joke, until I realized it was still March.  But true to form,   the weather turned and dumped a bunch of wet, heavy snow all over this section of Wisconsin.   And the snow continued even into today!  Even with the temps hovering above the freezing mark!   It would have been a great opportunity to make a snow man or have a snowball fight with friends.   

But I had bigger tasks on my agenda!

Many of which... I did not complete. 

Feel the snow pulling at the Exhaust System!

One of the good things that DID get  accomplished was that I managed to get  the Subie fixed!   His exhaust system is back as good as new with no pipes hanging, or loud exhaust noise.   He sounds nice and quiet and the cost was very affordable for the items I had done.    So you can imagine how I felt driving him in this ridiculous, heavy, wet snow knowing that every trough could rip off the repaired plumbing!   Especially since the snow plows managed to focus only on the interstate and not on the back roads leading to work.   But Subie loves the snow!   And somehow... we both survived the trek back and forth to the Zebra Place. Intact!

I had big plans for the weekend.   Ever since it was reveled that I have been doing my own embroidery at work,   folks have been making requests.   And after finishing Phil's  that guy who is in the witness protection program's shirts,  people have been giving me shirts to embellish with the Zebra Logo.  I figured that having an entire weekend for such a task would allow me to complete it with time to spare.   But life has a way of changing things up when you least expect it.  There were design flaws that needed attention, purchases that had to be made, bathroom drains that needed to be unclogged, and laundry that required folding.  Did I mention I had to run 6 miles yesterday?   That takes time... especially for someone as slow and chubby as me!   

Oh!  And we lost an hour this weekend.   That whole "spring ahead" thing cost me an hour of valuable embroidery and origami time.    But that was Saturday...  I can certainly catch things up on Sunday... Right? 

This little this shuts down the car?

Not so fast!   Because after church,  Subie decided to pull a "I don't want to start" move that kind of freaked me out.    Turns out,  a small heat sensor seems to be getting bad.   And as a result,  the car will turn over, but refuses to start.  ( because it thinks your car is overheating...)  I wiggled the sensor and it turned over.   I read the codes and it confirmed my theory.   So I will be needing to replace that part later this week.  In the mean time,  Time was lost going to several parts stores looking for the small sensor that is shutting the entire car down.   Sometimes Tech is evil!

I read that cold weather can cause it.   I also think that a little dirt might have been built up, so I cleaned it as best I could.   Fingers crossed I will be able to get it started tomorrow in time for Work. 

After that little hiccup,  I was not really in the mood to concentrate on embroidery things,  so....  I decided to tag along with Dave and Christina as they explored another hidden section of Kenosha.   To some Bargain Bin place that sells unclaimed food from distributors.   Some serious bargains could be had for the savvy shopper!   Unfortunately,  they only took cash and I was short at the moment. Just when society conditions you to used your card for everything... because places are selecting against cash...   That is when you enter a store that ONLY takes cash.   And you don't have any on your person.   As a result,  I could not get my Hot Chocolate at an insane 5 cents a pouch.   Neh...  Maybe next time. 

And finally,   We capped the day off by stopping at a local bar near the place.   Called the Honey Pot... or something like that.   We enjoyed a Beer and some home-made Bread just before returning.   We caught up on each other's week and enjoyed a cold one. Normally bars are not my scene... yet I have discovered that some of them defy the normal stereo-type and fall into a "small town/family" category.  The bread was free and Spectacular!   Dave and I had several servings while making fun of Christina's "Glutten Free" life choices.  It was a fun way to end the weekend. 

So now... I have to finish Reggie's Hoodies with the Zebra Logo;   I have to replace the faulty sensor while hoping and praying it works long enough to get Subie back and forth to work each day;  And I have to work on some Origami Models that have been requested by co-workers.   Did I mention that I plan on heading to Iowa next weekend?   So Subie has to be fixed by then...  AND I will not have an open weekend to catch up on any additional embroidery jobs.   ( as if this open weekend had any advantages...) 

Time is fleeting!  And our time on this Earth is limited.    And with so much to do and so little time to accomplish it all,  having a single hour taken away seems down right CRIMINAL!  I blame the Government for stealing my time... it was their idea for this daylight savings time plan after all.   And since when is the Government good at saving anything? In the end,   you end up with a loss....Just like Social Security!  But then I am reminded that a giant meteor is going to destroy the planet and  all of these things will not matter so much.   And somehow.... That makes me feel better.

Hope everyone had a great weekend this weekend.   And I hope the upcoming week will be filled with all of the fun and joy that time will allow. And if you were not as productive as you had hoped you would be...  Rest assure,  there is always tomorrow to finish it.   And if there is no Tomorrow... Then why are you so worried?    

Thanks for stopping in.

Weekend Fun Wih Cheryl And The Pettit Indoor Half Marathon.

Cheryl came up to Wisconsin this weekend!  And decided to run a Half Marathon while she was here.   The Pettit Half Marathon  (Petite?  or Pet-it?  Or.... Pet something else?  All versions  sound rather racy... if you k now what I mean.)   Cheryl has run this race before with limited results.   She swore she would never run it again, but by now you must know how she is.   And besides,  with limited training runs due to her employment situation,  she has to take all the long runs she can.  ( at least that is the logic behind it that she tells me.) 

So..  around and round she goes.   Round and round and round and round.....  and around.    Did I mention it was a circular course inside a huge ice rink?   48 times around.    And around.    I was getting dizzy just taking her pic every single time.   

 

But luckily,  I have a new phone and decided to experiment with the various video options.  Super slow Mo....

 

Hyper speed Mode!

And a number of other options that did not work out as planned.  

But in the end.... Cheryl finished third overall female!  And got a spot on the podium and a nice little award.   She loves collecting awards.  The medal was wood!  And I appear to have not taken a picture of the finisher's medal.   Ah well... it will eventually make an appearance on her wall of fame, I'm sure.  

I can connect with this dog.

The Wooden Medal!

So what to do with all the rest of the weekend.   She complained last time that one evening in Kenosha was not enough.   I tend to agree!   So this time she booked two nights for us to enjoy.   

So what do we do with all that additional time?   

Apparently... go shopping!   ( of course....) 

We did our Usual visit to IKEA for meatballs and some dishes she has been trying to get her hands on. (IKEA has been sold out every time we  have visited before.)  This time there were two left and she got her bowls.  Yeah!  

I stopped by Woodmans for some Wisconsin beer and cheese.   And then to Meijer's for some eye care stuff for me and a look at some work gear.  However.. even though Cheryl needs no more clothes... she still had to try a bunch of "sale items" on.    And this is where I did what all husbands so best:   Play the Part of the clothes hanger!  

It is a role I'm very used to.   And I'm secure enough in my masculinity to proudly say I do it best!  

Other than that...  we went for a Run this morning... because I have to get some training miles in as well.   And I have been having the same issue as Cheryl trying to juggle work and running every day.  ( Although, I  am not as "enthusiastic" as she is about running. I'm  motivated by other reasons... And Love of running is not one of them!)  

While running along the banks of Lake Michigan... I saw a Golden Eye duck and a red head! ( I thought it was a Canvasback)   I'm sure there were other migratory birds out there in the small bay, but I could not see them as clearly.  Lake Michigan was almost like glass today, with no wind or waves to speak of.   ( Update!  Upon closer study,  it could have been a female golden eye.   Who knows?   I'm not a hardcore birder!)  

"There is nothing wrong with your hair..."

It is too bad that it is so late,  because the story could be embellished more... but alas!  I must sleep.   And Work tomorrow!   And I'm sure I will have to squeeze in a Muffler repair somewhere into this week.... after work.   But that is for another time.   And sleep is calling. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!   I know I did!   And now I will be able to face another week or warehouse work with Gusto!  Hopefully....   At least that is the preliminary plan for now.   We shall see. 

Thanks for stopping in!  And have a wonderful upcoming week!

An Evening Of Winging With The Zebras

 Tonight, I went  to Buffalo Wild Wings with several Co-Workers.   Having never been to Buffalo Wild Wings, I really did not know what to expect.  But the Zebras had been talking about a gathering there for several weeks not, because on Thursday,  there is a "Special" where you buy 15 wings, you get another 15 wings for FREE!   And who does not like free food? 

After dropping a number of hints,  along with a generous dose of begging,  They finally decided to invite me along.    Hurray!   I like chicken!  And buffaloes!  Oh!   And Fellow Zebra Employees who are willing to go out with me.     And I need some friends in my life.... Did I mention that I like chicken? 

The group of four that teamed up:  Jane, Tom, Marilyn Marian, and Phil The Other guy who does not want me to write about him..( Probably because he is in the witness protection program.)  They usually all eat lunch together  at the "cool" table in the break room.  The four of them have been sitting together since their "class" of new recruits first showed up back in June of last year. ( I think it was June....) And since then,  many folks from that class  and table...have left...  Leaving only these four....  So the bond of friendship must be tight!    In fact,  I had to bribe them with chocolate just so I could sit with them for one lunch break!   ( Only one... It's not like I'm made of Chocolate!)   So being invited by this group is something really special.

That being said....  The four of them form the corners of a square.   And within this square group... is me.   Right in the center!   Like a round peg in a square hole. 

But I like squares.   Mostly square paper... ( for Origami!)  But I like square people too!   And you will not find any finer specimens of "squareness" than Jane, Tom, Mari- ian,  and The Other Guy who is in the witness protection program.  So we went to the Wild Wings and ate some Boneless Wings.   Otherwise known as "chicken nuggets".   ( What else would you call them?  Noodle Wings?  Chicken Fingers?)   the came in the sauce that you requested... I asked for the BBQ ones because I have not had BBQ chicken in such a long time.  

Side note:   Everyone got their wings at different intervals.   Tom and Jane got theirs,   Then five minutes later,  Phil  The Other Guy  got his, And finally Marian and I got ours!    Not the best timing for folks out enjoying a meal.  But... what are you going to do...

In the end,  we didn't talk all that much.   Probably because these four already know their life stories.  Or maybe because we were all busy eating and everyone wanted to get home before it got too late.  Either way,  it was an enjoyable, fun time for all.    

Other than that,  I have been trying to squeeze in embroidery when I can.  We finally got our Zebra shirts yesterday, and I had to hurry to put my name on one of them for work.  The challenge is that the fabric is  the moisture wicking fabric that is a bit of a challenge to embroider on.  But... It all worked out and had something to wear this morning.  Tonight, I was able to work on another one so I have something to wear for Tomorrow.  

Oh!  And Cheryl is coming up this weekend!    And I'm certainly looking forward to that. 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far.  One more day until the weekend!   I can hardly wait!   And thanks for stopping in.