9-12-15 (Catching Up, Part 1 of ?)

It’s been a long time.  I have a lot to catch up on.  First off there’s been some career changes.   

8/14/15 – Jim’s last day at .

9/8/15 – Jim’s first day at .

9/11/15 – My last day at .

10/1/15 – My first day at .

I used logos rather than spelling it out to make it more difficult to find our names associated with the companies.  You know… privacy and all I guess.

When Jim gave his notice, they dismissed him because he was going to work for a competitor.  They paid out his 2 weeks notice.  He took an extra week off before starting his new job.  We decided to take a trip to Florida.  I took time off for work but wasn’t able to get all the days off I requested.  I did get a half day on a Friday, the following week off as well and then would have a short week upon returning after Labor Day which was Jim’s start date.  Plans were made.  He was going to drive to Beaufort, visit his Aunt Patty and then drive to Lauderdale and spend the night to include a visit to an old friend.  Since I couldn’t get all the time off, I would fly out from Concord airport on that half day and Jim was to pick me up in Lauderdale.  Plans were set.

I was placed into a Complex Income training class at work.  Basically, my employer wouldn’t bridge the losses in my incentive compensation while I was in training.  This stirred the realization that I was already underpaid and so I was ready for a change. 

Jim asked an ex co-worker about positions for me, she gave my résumé to a recruiter and the recruiter called me quickly.  

After completing the complex income training at work, I went to an interview.  The next day I was told by the recruiter that the managers/interviewers wanted me.  She wasn’t able to extend an actual offer until the appropriate paperwork was signed. In the meantime, I passed the assessments for my current employer’s training class and awaited the official offer.

Our Florida plans were now in full swing.  I arrived in Lauderdale (9/28) and as we drove across Alligator Alley, the recruiter called and made the official offer.  I accepted.

On Monday, I gave my notice to my boss and started the 2 week countdown.  Week #1, PTO.  Week #2 back to work after Labor day for a 4 day work week.  Saaaaa-weet.  Honestly, I was hoping to be dismissed for the remainder of my notice but that didn’t happen.  I worked the remainder of the week helping my teammates with their pipelines.  It wasn’t so bad.  I had something to look forward to. 

So, here I sit blogging, it’s 9/12/15 and I don’t start my next job until 10/1/15.  Sure, I didn’t have to give my notice so soon but heck, a 2.5 week vacay (Jim will be at work) is kinda nice.

Oh so the Florida visit was very nice.  We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton.  It was a large room with a living room and kitchenette.  There was a free hot breakfast each morning and even some evening dinners.  It was right outside my Mom’s development and so close to our other family.

The weather wasn’t the best.  Hurricane Erica which was later downgraded to Tropical Storm Erica plagued the skies with clouds and raininess.  Raininess isn’t a word but I’m using it anyway.  So the Land of Sunshine, wasn’t.

Honestly?  It was OK.  Jim and I don’t care for the sun or beach or heat so the weather to us was fine. 

Overall, we had a great time visiting with friends and family.  It was nice to drive around the area and see what has changed.

On the way back to Charlotte, we stopped off in Saint Augustine for the night.  We stayed at the Howard Johnson in town.  The room was $95 a night.  The carpet was so gross.  It looked so dirty that I put a wet wash cloth on it, stepped all over it and the once white wash cloth was now black.  Disgusting.  We never walked barefoot in that room.  I was going to take photos but to be honest, I wasn’t even going to mention the stay here.  Jim and I were too embarrassed with ourselves over the situation.  There were some other issues with the room, but nothing as bad as the carpet.  Jim did complain to corporate.  He was rewarded with 15% off the bill.  A manger replied:

Thank You for following up with me.  I will be shutting down that room and making sure all the needs of the room are met.  I am sorry again and I did discount your rate an additional 15% and put the refund on the card on file.  Again I am truly sorry and I would love for you to come back again and allow us to show you the service you deserve.  Thanks again!

Blech.

1-18-15 Sunday (Cruise – Day 1 – Port Canaveral)

Good morning!  As I said in the last post, I awoke refreshed.  The hotel had a breakfast of waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy as well as items found for a continental breakfast.  Good enough. 

Here’s our view out of the hotel room.

Above: It’s one of them there swimmin’ holes.  We ain’t got enough time to swim.

It was a 3 star hotel we got for $55 a night via Priceline.  It turned out to be a very nice hotel room.  Better than Disney for sure.

3 more hours on the road and we arrived at Port Canaveral.  The line to drop off people wasn’t very long but was annoyingly slow.  Once we got close enough to see the holdup, we found they only seemed to allow for 4 vehicles at a time to pull in and unload.  People moved at the speed of pause as they unloaded luggage and passengers.  It was as if they were still packing their suitcases or something.  We unloaded the car quickly.  Jim parked while I waited at the entrance to the check-in building.   Jim was able to park fast.  Once inside, the whole embarkation process went fast. 

Here’s our itinerary:

We made it onto the boat!  We found our cabin, dropped off our carry-ons and went up to the Windjammer (their buffet area) for lunch.  I caught an old man touch and squeeze 2 rolls with his hands and leave them there.  I called him out on it but realized there was something wrong with him.  Be it dementia or Alzheimer's, he didn’t seem all there.  I got a crew member who was very polite to the man to help him and move him along.  The nice crew member then discarded the handled rolls.  It was all done so discreetly unlike me who was embarrassing Jim.  Why wasn’t anyone with this man every step of the way?  Sheesh.  I know, some of you are saying “that’s why I don’t like buffets.”  It’s all they had going at the time.

Above: One end of the Royal Promenade.

After lunch we returned to our cabin to unpack our carry-ons (luggage would arrive later).  We explored the ship a little.  We’re on Explorer of the Seas which is a sister ship to the Navigator of the Seas which we’ve been on twice before.  So we’re pretty good navigating the ship.

Later in the evening, we went to dinner in the main dining room.  Jim wanted escargot but it wasn’t on the menu.  The waiter sent over the head waiter and they weren’t able to accommodate him that evening but they would have it available for him on other nights.  Fantastic service, as usual.  They gave him some type of scallop in butter thing that he said was good.  I had mushroom soup which was amazing.  We both had prime rib which was awesome. 

The theater show was “Welcome Aboard Show” which featured highlights for the week coming up mixed in with tidbits of entertainment.

We finished out the night on the Royal Promenade, where we watched the “Bon Voyage Parade”.  It wasn’t all that great of a parade so I didn’t bother with photos.

4-20-14 Sunday (Stale Ingredients)

First, some photos from our backyard:

4/2/14

4/14/14

I took off Friday the 4th from both work and from NC.  I went to Fort Myers, Florida!  I flew Allegiant.  With one checked bag, it cost me $160 round trip.  An incredible deal!  Allegiant is limited as to what airports they fly out of.  Typical not major airports. I had to drive to the Asheville regional airport.  It was a 2 hour trip and was an easy drive.  I typically fly from Greenville but Asheville was a recent addition to their airport list.  Greenville’s departure time was like 6:30am.  With getting to the airport an hour early + a 2 hour drive, I would have had to leave the house by 3:30am.  Yeah, no thanks.  The drive to Asheville was prettier and the airport nicer.  The best part?  My flight was at 10:30am.  The second best?  Cheap!

My Aunt Donna and her best friend Rosemary (aka Ro) picked me up.  Ro was visiting from NY and she also flew Allegiant a day or 2 before I did.  Our family has known Ro for many years.

I spent the weekend with my Mom and Dad, just relaxing, chit chatting and such.  I got to see Mike, Dave and David for lunch on Saturday.  I didn’t take any pictures except for a couple of funny ones or special effects ones.

Above: My cousin Carissa.

Above: My cousin and her fiancée, Josh.

Above: Butt crack sighting at Perkins.

My Florida Trip ended Monday morning.  It was a nice long weekend trip. Jim did not come with me since a) he saw most of his family recently b) he can stay home with the dog and c) he doesn’t have as much time off as me.

A lonely photo in my phone…

Above: A few weeks ago while at lunch with Jeff and Paul at Diablo’s.  Fresh Free Ingredients mean something different than Free Fresh Ingredients.

Friday the 11th, we made our way to Augusta.  Jim spent a lot of time organizing his tools in to Rubbermaid storage bins.  We also found a place for the empty totes we use to transport stuff back and forth.  Now the living area is free of clutter.  I should have taken a picture but soon after organization, some piles started appearing.  You know the piles.  “Returns”.  “Needs a home”.  “Donate”. Etc.  Oh well.  It was nice while it lasted.

This is gone:

One of our friends here at the campground knows a mechanic… his dad.  So several weeks ago we dropped the Jeep off with him for repairs and this weekend we picked it up.  He repaired our power window, replaced the headliner, solved a rough idle issue and oodles of other issues.  The Mazda lease is up in June so we’re gonna need that Jeep in working order.

Easter weekend, 18-20th, we stayed in Charlotte and had friends over for Easter lunch.  Beth, Angie, David, Ruby and Jamie came over.  It was potluck style and the food was amazing.

Above: Ruby and Jamie as taken from the front door sidelight.

You know how I love the novelty bread from Great Harvest Bread right?  We’ve had a turkey and a spider.  This time, a very cute bunny wabbit.

Above: Crafty Jim arranged it on a cake plate with Easter grass and chocolate Easter Eggs.  Don’t worry, it didn’t suffocate in the plastic bag… it was already dead.

Above/Below: My contribution was the little Easter baskets filled with goodies at each place setting.

Below: I got a new Pysanka egg!

Thanks to Bette for yet another amazing egg!

4-8-13 Monday (Do You Have The Time?)

Wow. It’s been almost a month since I last blogged.  So here’s what happened…

My grandmother (mom’s mom) aka, Nanny, was in a nursing home and had been for some time.  (You can tell by the past tense that she died.)  My mom said she was talking even less, had coordination issues, and wasn’t able to chew her food very well.  All a sign that she probably won’t be with us much longer.  We booked a flight to Florida for mid-May figuring it might be the last time I see her.  On April 2nd I got the call.  She’s gone.  92.  I’d say she lived a full life at that age.  To be honest with you, over the years there’s so many times we didn’t think she’d be around much longer.  In fact, on every cruise we booked since 2003, we got the insurance… just in case.

My company is so awesome.  5 days max bereavement (paid time away from work that doesn’t even count as PTO).  Jim’s company recognizes domestic partners and gladly gave him 3 days.  Airfare for both of us would be about $650.  We decided to drive.  That was much cheaper and we brought Dasher so we didn’t have to worry about someone pet sitting.  It was an 11 hour drive, 12 with pee-pee and food stops.  Jim and I chitchatted and listened to music so the trip there was 100% bearable. 

We departed/arrived on Wednesday.  We checked into a hotel that Jim booked via Priceline.  He landed us a 2 bedroom suite, 2 baths, kitchen and living room for $70 a night.  That setup was only $10 a night more than a regular room so what the heck.  The hotel had it’s issues which is unfortunate since it’s only 13 years old.

Above: One of the bedroom clocks.

Above: We turned the dishwasher one before we left and hours later it was still running.  The dial had gotten stuck.  Escaping steam has taken its toll on the underside of the counter top.

I took several other photos of moldy faucets and such.  I’ll spare ya.

The service was Thursday.  Nanny is at peace.  Nanny outlived 2 of her sons who were taken early from AIDS related fatalities (shown below).

Above: July 2005: Uncle Mike, Nanny, Uncle Alan

The reason for being in Florida was sad, but we did have a nice time visiting with family and friends.  Jim got to see his family as well so it worked out to be a good trip.  There’s friends we didn’t get to see but there just wasn’t enough time!

As I said, going there was great.  Getting home?  Not so much.  We hit traffic.  The near-stand still type.  We switched from regular GPS over to WAZE GPS (amazing app!) which is designed to utilize user-driven reporting to warn and recalculate driving routes due to police, accidents, or whatever.  It took us off the interstates and put us on backroads.  We agreed that even if it only saved a few minutes (sometimes 15), it was worth it to have that feeling of actually moving.  Going through the small towns and such was really cool too.

We’ll be back in mid-May, the flight we booked to come see Nanny is still on. Although I was “too late” to see her, my Mom said it was best since she wasn’t herself toward the end.  She was like an empty shell.  That flight on Allegiant Air was so cheap.  It cost us $200 for both of us roundtrip!  A Friday to a Monday.

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On my last blog entry I talked about getting “lending authority” and how I got it and then it was stopped due to an error.  On my return to work, I signed the paperwork again.  I won’t be first but I’ll be like 3rd or 5th or something like that.  I can live with that.  Once again, I have to NOT mess up for this to stick.  LOL.  Other than that, I simply love my job.  I couldn’t be happier with it.

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I finally got confirmation from my boss that my requested time off for the cruise is a go.  The only reason it was so complicated was because it ran into Labor Day weekend which is naturally a busy time for people to take off.  The excursions are booked.  Highlights include a helicopter ride to a glacier where we’ll be dog mushing.  Mush!  Mush!  We also get to visit with the dogs.  It sounds fun.  

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Such a great big thank you to Bette who sent me 2 more Pysanka eggs this year.  Aren’t they gorgeous?  I have to figure out a nice way to display the 3 of them.  For right now, 1 is in the holder I bought last year and the 2 new ones are in a crystal dish.

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A couple of animal pics from our Florida trip:

Above: My mom’s cat, Oreo.

Above: Jim’s mom and Morgan’s newest adopted pet: Rusty

2-27-12 Monday (Distorted Views)

Continuing yesterday’s blog post first… I had a 2:30 flight out of the Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport.  Jim and I chose to fly with Allegiant because it was about $100 cheaper.   

Just passed the NC/SC state line, I exited I85 for some gas and lunch.  On the off ramp was a beaver!  It waddled/scurried or whatever is appropriate to describe a beaver’s movement across the road.  It was pretty cool.  I’ve already heard many a beaver joke (from my status post on Facebook) so feel free to add to ‘em.

I stopped off a Pilot gas station that also had a Wendy’s inside.  I really, really hate to say this but there are some ugly and stupid sounding folks in South Carolina.  By the way, in case I haven’t insulted any of my readers, let me add a few more cities to that list: Little Rock, Arkansas; Rock Hill, South Carolina; various places in Alabama; and some others.  The white trash I saw in this Wendy’s was crazy.  I should have snuck some photos in but I may have still been in beaver shock.  I’m not going to say that it’s every person in those cities because I know it’s not.

I got to the airport fairly early.  The line for ticketing check in was quite long.  Once through the security check point I went to the gate.  The airport is very small but nice enough.  We boarded the plane eventually and I had to sit way in the back.  The turbulence throughout most of the hour and 20 minute flight sucked.  The flight attendants couldn’t use their beverage cart but rather we had to use the call button if we wanted a beverage.  That part was no big deal though.

Arrival at the Punta Gorda airport was certainly interesting.  We had to deplane on the tarmac.  When walking up to the building, auto doors opened revealing people waiting for us to deplane so they could board.   It was kind of strange having all of these people right at the entrance.  After walking passed the crowd, bam, I was at the luggage carousel.  Briefly, I wondered, am I at the right carousel.  A quick look around revealed I was at the only one.  One plane and it seemed like it took forever for the luggage to come off.  I got my rental and hit the road for a 35 minute drive to my parent’s house in Fort Myers.

Mom and I had some tea together, Dad arrived and off to dinner we went.  TGI Friday’s.  My meal was good.  Weight Watchers?  Uh, not so much right now.  When I get back, definitely.

I did get a call from one of the managers of Adams Homes on Friday.  It was a voicemail with apologies and an offer for a meeting.  I was probably on the plane when he called.  I’m happy I got a call back at least.  I guess my bitchy letter got through?

On Saturday I met up with friends, Mike & Dave and David, for lunch at a favorite local restaurant, Oasis.  We then walked around downtown Fort Myers where since I’ve been gone they’ve done a nice job of revitalizing it.  It had been dying for so many years.

Above: They recently adopted 2 Sun Conures (gorgeous!) and 2 dogs.

Above: Mike

Above: Dave & Mike

Above: Me, Mike & Dave

Above: Mike, Dave & David

Above: Moi.

Meanwhile, back in Charlotte, Jim supervised the drywall dudes.  He also worked on getting plywood laid down in the attic to accommodate more Christmas crap décor.

At dinner, my cousin came over and my Dad barbequed burgers, steaks and hot dogs.  Yum!  My cousin and I had some fun with my camera phone:

Above: Me & my grandmother

Above: Cousin Carissa

Above: Me

Above/Below: Cousin Carissa

Above: Cousin Carissa

Above: Grandmother

Above: Aunt Donna

Above: Mom

On Sunday I went with my aunt Donna and mom to visit my grandmother in the nursing home.  She immediately touched my belly and commented on it.  Thanks.  I wasn’t aware it was huge.  She’s always done that.  She’ll just speak her mind but I guess at 90 she can.

Above: Aunt Donna, my mom and Grandmother.

Mom and dad’s newest cats. Cookie (above) and Oreo (below)

For dinner I treated my parents to dinner at Cantina Laredo for their birthday.  Yes, I said THEIR birthday and I no I didn’t mean anniversary.  My mom and dad have the same birthday, 1 year apart. 

On the day of my departure (Monday), Dad went to work meanwhile Mom, me and Aunt Donna went to breakfast at Perkins.   I left extra early for the airport so I could get an “early seating” during their open seating.  They board in groups according to when you checked in.  Getting off the plane faster doesn’t really matter since the luggage seems to take forever to get to the carousel.  I’d rather stand around waiting for the luggage than sitting on that damn plane.  I don’t enjoy flying.  It’s cramped, noisy, and usually warm.

I scored on the seat.  I’m in row 16 of 2,458.  I’m not sure how it’s counted as 16.  It’s more like 10th row but whatever.  I also snagged a window seat.  It’s 3 to a row and there’s no one next to me.  Just a guy on the aisle seat and me.  Go me. 

Why does half the plane stand up after landing and taxiing?  I mean, everyone knows it takes forever before you can even get off the plane.

Speaking of air travel, how do these flight attendants constantly smile?  It’s obviously their job but I think it’s a skill… really. 

When I bought my laptop, I got a huge screen and keyboard setup.  You know, the one with a numerical keypad off to the side?  The laptop is too large to actually use on the plane.  I can’t open the lid with a good viewing angle so I just have to suffer.  I know, there’s poor kids riding airplanes without laptops.

Speaking of laptops, it’s been acting weird.  It will show 100% battery life then after 10 minutes maybe 90%.  Next thing I know it shuts down with 5% battery.  What happened to the other 85%?

I was thinking about all the friends I didn’t get to see while in Florida.  The best I can do is invite everyone to Charlotte!  A few days isn’t a long visit but I got to see my family and that was what the trip was about.

Right now we’re flying through a lot of clouds which means some turbulence and a lot of white.

I look forward to being home with Jim, Dasher and Clea.  I miss my bed too.  My parent’s guest bed had a swale in it.  I also end up inconveniencing my mom.  She typically sleeps in the guest bedroom cause my dad snores and with her med problems, she doesn’t sleep restfully.  Since they only have 1 guest room, she’d start off in the bedroom with my dad and eventually migrate to a couch.

My mom will be coming to visit me right after Easter.  We’ve been talking my Aunt Donna to coming as well.  My mom will probably stay for 3 weeks and my aunt for just one.  I think it will be good for my aunt to get away.  We have two guest rooms across the hall from one another so there’s plenty of room.  While my aunt is in town, her and my mom can take little road trips or whatever.  Maybe even visit my aunt in Myrtle Beach.