It's a Leap

Leaping lizards!  It's leap year day!

Google had a leaping bunny rabbit on its home page. Other than that, I didn't see too much fanfare about this once-every-four-years day.

We had to evacuate our work building when a fire alarm went off.  I speculated that perhaps the fire alarm system didn't know how to recognize February 29th — sort of like a Y2K thing. But it turns out the alarm went off because of some construction work being done. How boring. (But I guess I should be happy it wasn't a real fire.)

I brought two 5-pound kettlebells to work today. They are both pink. I am going to use one to do tricep extensions when I need a short break from sitting at my desk. Maybe a co-worker will be willing to join me; hence, the second kettlebell. (How does this relate to leap year? It doesn't!)

Farewell, February 29th. See you again in four years.

Lew's Logbook: Trapped!

(We had a lovely dinner out with Matt and Emily tonight. So while we were out.... Well, I'll let Lew tell you about it. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

Tracy and I rarely go shopping together (other than grocery). When we do, it is usually a store like Cabela's or Best Buy where there are items of interest for men and women.

Tonight I got “trapped” in a store where there was absolutely nothing of interest for me, yet Tracy found several items to purchase while I impatiently waited at the front of the store. Men usually are good at avoiding these situations, but even the best of us get caught once in a while.

Hopefully it will be a long time before I get “trapped” again.

The Not-So-Great Escape

I went to a work party this evening which consisted of two events.

 

The first thing we did was go to The Escape Room in Portland. This is one of those places where you are "locked" in a room and need to look for clues to get out. Our team didn't make it out in the allotted time, so we succumbed to the zombie apocalypse. That's what we were told anyway.

 

Then we went to Pat's Pizza in the Old Port. The food was delicious, and I'm pretty sure I ate too much! But I was adventurous – I actually tried an artichoke dip. It wasn't terrible.

 

Some of the younger crowd went out for a night on the town afterward, but this old lady came home. I think Lew and I may get caught up on American Idol. I may have some hot tea. I might read a bit, too. The possibilities are endless.

Reactions

Like.

Love.

Haha.

Wow.

Sad.

Angry.

 

When I went on Facebook yesterday, I saw that the "Like" button now offers choices!

 

If I merely like your post, I can select the traditional thumbs up. But if I love your post, I can select the heart.

 

If your post makes me laugh, I can select the laughing face. But if your post makes me sad, I can select the crying face.

 

Am I impressed by your post? "Oooooh" . . . . Wow!

 

But please don't post something that makes me angry. I can now let you know it!

Dad 294: Saving the Date

(I think I'll buy a new dress! Enjoy Dad's post!  ~  Tracy)

Derf Here! Another day with mixed precipitation. Snow (very little) overnight followed by some rain throughout the day. Supposed to rain very hard tonight. I do believe we will not see any more serious winter storms. I have been wrong before, however, so the plow stays on.

Kind of a sad week as we lose all our therapists for Spouse. After tomorrow we are on our own again. We must continue with all exercises. If needed we can become re-certified in the future by doctor's request.

Went to the doctor last Friday for Spouse's monthly checkup. Received some good news: All the liver enzyme levels have returned to normal. Very thankful for that. Keep the prayers coming.

Received a "Save the Date" card in the mail yesterday from Kelsey and Zach. The wedding will be in Sterling, Illinois on Saturday, August 6th, 2016. Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we will be there. Very excited!

Done for this week.

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

"Home, James."

I don't play the lottery, even when the pot gets outrageously large. But I do sometimes wonder what I would do if I had money to burn.

The top of my list: Hire a chauffeur. I think it would be nice to have someone drive me around all the time. Because I have money to burn, I would let the chauffeur select his/her own vehicle since they would be doing all of the driving.

It would be especially nice to have a personal chauffeur on icky-weather days. We are expecting freezing rain tomorrow, so Lew is going to drive me to and from work. I guess that's like having a chauffeur except I'm not paying Lew nor am I buying him a fancy car.

Maybe when I'm old and gray — make that older and grayer — I will hire someone to drive me places. (I think the term for that person might be "taxi driver".) Then I will write a story about it and maybe it will even be made into a movie: "Driving Miss Tracy".

And that's my blog post for today....Maybe the movie should be called "Driving Miss Crazy"!

I Love PJ's

I really wish that I could wear pajamas to work.

Pajamas are loose.

Pajamas are warm.

Pajamas are comfortable.

Last week — or maybe it was more than a week ago — I saw something about Bammies.  It is a product line of business pajamas!  Looks like real clothing; feels like pajamas.  Sign me up!

But until Bammies really takes off, I will have to stick with regular clothing for work.  Leggings are the closest I can probably come to pajamas.

A thought.... Maybe I should consider becoming the pioneer for the right to wear PJ's to work. I know that it's not exactly like crusading for the right to vote, but it is a noble cause.

Who's with me?!!

Lew's Logbook: New Places

(I bought the pants that I wear for Red Pants Tuesday at Marden's!  Enjoy Lew's post! ~ Tracy)

With time on my hands, I decided to go to some local places that I hear people talk about but I have not visited.

First place was the Goodwill store. I had a bunch of shirts that I wanted to donate so I thought I’d take a tour of the store. It’s like a Walmart of used stuff nicely organized and displayed.

My second visit was to Marden’s. This is a store that stocks “surplus” items and you never know what you will find. That is why people go there on a regular basis. I hear that you can score some serious deals if your timing is good. I bought a $2.50 multi-tipped, ratcheting screwdriver. If it works one time I figure I got my money's worth.

My third and last visit of the week was to Trader Joe’s. Must say the store is not my cup of tea. However, I was walking down an aisle and saw my two grandsons and lovely daughter-in-law looking over some flowers. I spent the rest of my time assisting them with their shopping. Turned out to be the best trip of the week.

Two Out of Three

1/ Lew's and mine: Done!
2/ Matt's and Emily's: Done!
3/ Dad's and Mom's:

Last Saturday I finished two sets of 2015 income tax returns. I have one more set to go, but I'm still waiting for the information (hint, hint).

Here's my approach to tax return preparation:

• Collect the tax data needed.
• Put data into an Excel spreadsheet.
• Using spreadsheet, calculate what I expect the tax liability to be.
• Put the data into TurboTax.
• If results differ from what I expect, figure out why.
• Electronically file the returns.
• Celebrate!

I love using TurboTax. A lot of the detail carries over from the prior year's file, so it saves a lot of data entry. Plus it's accurate in calculating the tax. When the final result is different from what I expected, I know that I need to do some research. I like to understand what's going on, especially since I have a couple "clients". There's always something to learn.

The word on the street is that I may receive a packet of data this weekend. Once that happens, it won't be long until "Tracy's Tax Return Preparation Service for Select Individuals" will be closed for another season.

(Dad.... you know who you are....)

My Husband Slept Through It

Nature called around 5:00 this morning.

I was alert enough to get out of bed and walk toward the bedroom doorway.

I was not alert enough to actually walk through the door.

The door jamb survived the collision, but my nose still hurts a bit.

I know there is a lesson to be learned here, such as: Being awake is not the same thing as being alert.

But did I learn that lesson?

I guess I'll find out the next time nature calls in the wee hours of the morning.

Dad 293: Yes, It Is Wednesday

(Thank you to Dad for explaining the new schedule. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Enjoying another beautiful day in the Northeast. After below-zero temperatures over the weekend, we made temperatures in the 40s on Monday and Tuesday. We received a few inches of snow late Monday and it turned to rain. Lew and I discussed plowing and decided not to. It was a good decision as the rain came down and all the snow melted. Wind gusts caused us to strap down the covers on our trashcans as the winds on Tuesday evening blew them around Lew's deck. All back to normal.

 

Last year at this time I could not see my weathervane on the garage roof as the roof had three feet of snow on it. Today the garage roof has no snow on it. What a difference a year makes. At least I don't have to worry about the roof collapsing.

 

Tracy's blog is changing. I am now back to writing on Wednesday. Tracy does Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Lew, I believe, will now do Saturday. There is no Sunday post. (A day off!)

 

Spouse seems to be gaining as we made it through another week. Please keep up the prayers. Thanks!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Choco-"lot"

I didn't go to work last Thursday due to illness, so I missed an event at work that involved huge boxes of chocolates. The leftovers ended up in my office. (My co-workers know me well.)

 

I ate chocolate at work all day on Friday, yesterday, and today. I was finally able to put the empty box in the trash.

 

At home I received a lovely box of dark chocolates from Lew for Valentine's Day. This box is now empty as well.

 

I am reading a fun mystery novel by Mary Marks called Forget Me Knot. One of the characters narrates the following:

 

Peeling off my panty hose was like opening a bag of compressed marshmallows. Instant release.

 

Let's just say I can relate!

Did I Mention It's Cold?

The word of the day:  COLD.

It's cold outside.
It's cold inside.
My hands are cold.
My feet are cold.
My nose is cold.

When I left work today at 5:00, I made a comment to a coworker about how cold it was. But then I noticed something....

It was still light outside!

The days are getting longer, and that helps me feel a little bit warmer — not a lot warmer, but at least a little bit.

Also helpful for feeling warmer: Eating chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Lew's Logbook: Motivation

(I think I will add "writing Saturday's blog post" to Lew's list of new routines. Enjoy this post by Lew!  ~  Tracy)

The only routine that I have adopted since retiring is going to breakfast on Tuesdays with my buddy Dick. For the last few weeks, Dick’s brother Bud has been joining us. Both of these gentlemen retired earlier in 2015.

Last week we sat down at the table and I asked the following question: “What is my motivation for shaving and showering?” Both of them laughed because they had just been talking about that subject. One of the brothers had been running a little late and realized there really wasn’t any good reason to shave and shower just to meet us for breakfast.

I’m counting on Tracy to give me a heads-up if things get out of hand.

The Lost Week

I went to work today.

When I clocked out, I looked at my time card and saw that I had worked half my usual hours this week.

But I feel like I'm more than a whole week behind, so....

Here's to good health for next week!

Smile!

Dad 292: Josh's Mail Call

(So happy for Josh. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Another cloudy, cold winter day in the Northeast. Temperature to go down to negative numbers over the weekend. But February will be half over. Winter is flying by! Good! It is spitting snow now but not supposed to amount to much. Please!

 

Well, the "not-so-Super" Bowl is over. Congrats to Denver and Peyton for the win. I'm happy for Peyton but never believed it would happen. Watched the game only (not the half time) to see Peyton in his last game. A big 200th win.

 

Josh received his acceptance packet from Maine Maritime Academy today and will be attending there this fall. His first choice. Congratulations to Josh. Good luck in academics and football.

 

Spouse pulled another surprise yesterday morning and passed out. She was unresponsive and a 911 call was made around 6:00 AM. The first to show up was son-in-law Glen and good family friend Lonny. So we spent the morning at Maine Medical. Perhaps dehydration played a part. I'm now pushing water. Keep your prayers coming for Spouse. Thanks!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Bleh.... : The Seqel

I'm still not feeling great, but I did go to work this morning.

My supervisor took one look at me and asked, "Why don't you go home?"

Then I showed her all the work I was behind on; she said it all could wait.

I did want to finish one project first.

I e-mailed her when that project was finished, and she e-mailed back, "Thanks. Now, GO HOME!"

And I did.

A Really Bad Poem

I worked a full day.

I did it for pay.

I clocked out around five.

I was still alive.

I'm fighting the flu (?).

I won't give it to you!

So how 'bout this rhyme?!

It did not take much time.

More Power "Two" Ya!

The Super Bowl is over. Peyton won. Congrats!

After having the "I'm catching a cold" blues on Friday, I had a relatively low-key weekend. I never did go to the conference on Saturday. I did make it to church yesterday and to Emily's birthday lunch. But I never really felt too well. I decided to stay home from work today, which has proven to be a really good thing. Resting and taking it easy is doing a world of good.

I was kind of bummed when I realized I had missed a good blog post idea last week. I don't write on Thursday's (Derf's day!), but I could still have made mention of that day's date: 2/4/16. The month squared was equal to the day. The day squared was equal to the year (the last two digits of the year anyway).

After a time of "bum-ness" I then realized there was another great day coming up: Today!

2/8/16:

• The month multiplied by the day is equal to the year.
• The month raised to the third power equals the day. The month raised to the fourth power equals the year.

I lead a full and fascinating life.  :)

Lew's Logbook: 2/6/2016

(Thank you, Lew, for writing today's post. And please know this: Matt has a good example to follow.... ~  Tracy)

I was with my son, Matt, and my two grandsons today.

We went to Cabela’s so the kids could see the animals and fish.

Eli decided he was hungry and wanted a ham & cheese sandwich from the little lunch area in the store.

The rest of us did not want to eat pre-made sandwiches in a sporting goods store.

When we tried to talk Eli out of his first choice he went into meltdown mode.

Tears were streaming down his face.

At first his father was using the “you’d better stop that behavior” method, but that was not working.

I observed as Matt went from stern father to understanding dad.

He took Eli in his arms and gently spoke to him.

I don’t know what was said, but the next thing I know, we’re going to McDonald’s (a totally unacceptable option a few minutes ago) and Eli is all in.

Must say, I was a very proud father as I watched my son be a loving dad.

Bleh....

I've got the "I'm catching a cold" blues.

It was a busy work week (first week of the month always is) and I'm really tired.

We had a snowstorm today, so Lew drove me to work. The snow fell longer than was expected. The roads were icky. A miserable day.

Lew picked me up from work around 1:15 (we closed early). It was nice to get home at a decent hour.

I was supposed to go to the first part of a women's conference tonight, but I didn't feel like going out in this weather (although the snow has stopped).  I also didn't feel like going out, period.

The conference runs all day tomorrow. I'm planning on going... unless I feel like I'm feeling now.

I've got the "I'm catching a cold" blues.

Dad 291: Walk(er) This Way

(Congratulations to Lew on finally being fully retired! Enjoy Dad's post!  ~  Tracy)

Derf Here! Enjoying another non-winter-like day in the Northeast. Two days ago we officially hit 59°. Today we also had temperatures in the 50s. Folks, this is February. Last year we got buried in snow around this date. Experts tell us we will see snow in the morning. We'll see.

A little more about our warm weather. For the past few days we've been able to see the street sweepers around town. In February, no less! (Please let tomorrow's snow be just a little. Thanks.)

Super Bowl week is here. I expect to watch the game (not the half-time show). I'll watch because I want to see Peyton in his last game. If he can pull this out, more power to him. My heart is with Peyton, but – if I were to bet – I would go with Carolina.

We have purchased a walker device for Spouse as she continues to work on her balance and walking:

The walker has a special attachment for the left arm (the stroke side).

Only time will tell how this works. Keep your thoughts and prayers coming! Thanks!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Lew's Penultimate Workday

Tomorrow will be Lew's final day working part-time. Then he will be fully retired!

Today his co-workers had a little celebration for him. They gave him a card, a sort-of-personalized sweatshirt, and some yummy sweets to share.... And, YES, Lew brought the leftovers home. Yum!

Accessorizing

When I heard that the groundhog didn't see his shadow this morning, I decided to wear my Red Sox earrings and necklace... and my red pants, of course.

Will Spring really come early this year?

I hope that little rodent is right!

A Day Early and a Mile Short

We bought our 2003 Honda CRV when it was brand new. It is the vehicle that I drive most of the time.

I haven't had long work commutes (especially when I didn't have a job - ha ha!), so the CRV has low mileage for its age.

I thought I might hit a milestone as I was driving home tonight, but I was a few tenths of a mile short when I pulled into our garage.

Tomorrow will be the day!