HanShotFirst

Finally got to mark a bucket list item off…….Garth Brooks in concert and at my favorite college football team’s stadium. My goodness what a show. For this small town girl I’ve never seen anything like that spectacle. If I had the money I’d go again this weekend in Baton Rouge.

Been there, done that back in March!

Ugh, I’m so over severe weather. Tornadoes off and on all week in various parts of the state. I was ready to go to my safe place Monday night. No power in the middle of a tornado warning is quite disconcerting. Flooding rain, huge damaging hail also. My flower beds are a disaster. So overgrown with weeds now after all this rain. My azaleas had barely started blooming Monday when the hail hit so I think they will be ok. Needless to say, I have yet to buy and put down mulch. Lol. hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend.

I need mulch too, but not that much! Lord have mercy that makes my poor back hurt just thinking about that “60” number!

Happy April! So ready for all the flowers to bloom, the hummingbirds to make their annual appearance. I’m not ready for the hot weather yet though but our weather has been so rollercoaster-y I wouldn’t be surprised to see hot weather by next week.

Spring has sprung!! Now, cue the allergies! I do love this time of year though, for the what seems like very few weeks we actually have spring temperatures! It will be hot in a month.

4.2 inches of snow later…….in Arkansas…….in March…… Mother Nature needs meds!

March 4 and just got my first “high pollen alert” for the year……ugh. Time to stock up on Zyrtec and Flonase I guess.

Yep, our snow/ice storms are almost always in February.

Two ice storms in 3 weeks down here. I’m over it. Come on Spring!

The poor weather guessers got this storm correct. Got 1.5 to 2 inches of ice overnight and this morning. My job was determined to be open but at 7:30 this morning they had a change of heart…..I was dressed and ready, had some food packed and the car packed for emergencies and had just started the car to warm up a bit when I got the news. SMH but I sure have enjoyed being lazy today.

Winter weather predicted for later in the week down here. A few weeks ago we had it predicted and I got a slight dusting so this time I’m preparing for a blizzard, Arkansas style…….Lol.

Great news! Hope he continues to improve! As a healthcare worker myself I think it’s absolutely NUTS that we are allowed to come back to work so soon after testing positive or even if positive with no symptoms. On the other hand, Staffing is a huge problem in my state right now with our only Level 1 trauma center in the state about to double up patients in their 60 Covid designated rooms. The biggest issue is finding nurses and aides, etc to care for double the number of patients when so many are out sick or have just outright quit their jobs over burnout, stress, etc. Unfortunately there seems to be no answer now. Staff has to report to work or the entire healthcare system will collapse. There’s no god answer so I continue to go to work everyday, surrounded by fellow employees who have tested positive and are still coughing their heads off.

I would call his doctors office and ask about seeing him. At the clinic I work for the doctors will go outside and see patients if their covid test is positive. The lab (me) will also go outside and swab for covid, strep, flu. Or if he’s a long time patient they might just call something in for his throat. Worth a shot. Prayers for him that he gets better soon.

I barely shopped there as well in 2021, mainly because they had nothing to buy. Every time I walked in the store just felt and looked empty of merchandise. The majority of women’s plus size clothing was nothing but loungewear/activewear. Some of us actually like putting on real clothes from time to time and I could always count of Kohl’s for nice yet casual tops at cheap prices if you waited for your 30% of code which were plentiful, unlike now. I also buy my pajamas exclusively (or used to) from there. I can’t remember the last 30% off code I’ve received even though I’m still a VIP. I’m sure that won’t last since I barely spent any money in there though.

We lost ours last year, early in the year. At first I thought it wouldn’t bother me all that much since I didn’t think I went very often, but boy has it ever. And the building still sits empty, right in the middle of a sprawling and very busy shopping area.

Dear 2022, please be kind. Please. My soul needs it!

I know how you feel! It’s like a part of my Childhood has died right along with her. I guess maybe it’s because I remember watching her on all the old classic game shows my grandmother and aunt would watch, long before Golden Girls and even Nick at Nite showing the MTM show.

We’re struggling with a phone that my Dad is willing and able to learn to use. His old Motorola flip phone finally but the dust so mom bought him a new flip phone in October from Verizon store but he says he can’t text well on it although it’s the same as his old Motorola. He only texts his golfing buddies because they have all have smart phones and texting is how they communicate for their goal dates. Lol. Then there’s the whole issue of service out at the golf course. That entire area where the course is located is known for not-so-great service and he gets mad if he can’t make or receive a call while out there and blames the phone. Lol.

Awww. You are most welcome! I died laughing when I saw the ziploc bags! So glad you like the candle because my store never had the Twisted Peppermint in stock. The drawstring bags are from QVC. They have them every year for the holidays.

Merry Christmas everyone!

For Christmas gifts, I had no issues finding or receiving items once I figured out what I wanted to give. All my QVC purchases arrived in a timely fashion as well as Amazon. It did take a few extra days than I thought was normal for a Vera Bradley order to be delivered but that was it. For household items, I haven’t been able to find my favorite brand of hairspray or Quilted Northern toilet tissue in my Walmart for about 3 weeks now but that’s it.

YUM to all of those goodies!

Christmas Eve lunch is supposed to be hosted by my Dad’s sister and the menu is grilled steaks, fried potatoes, hash brown potato casserole, and some kind of rolls. I’m sure there will be a large variety of desserts. We as a family are bringing the hash brown casserole and brownies. Found out yesterday that it is all up in the air though. My aunt is very worried about Covid because of the entire bunch of us she and my family of 4 are the only ones fully vaccinated. Also the weather is supposed to be rainy so not great for grilling outdoors. We’re playing it all by ear now. Christmas Day will just be my family of 4. We are going out on a limb and doing a turkey breast, a small ham, dressing, dumplings, Mac and cheese, fried and/or baked potatoes, and maybe purple hull peas. Sister Schubert rolls of course. Dessert will be homemade chocolate pie and chocolate sheet cake. This will be the first time my 77 year old mother has actually made dressing so we shall see how it turns out! LOL! In her defense, the dressing job belonged to her sister and her mother. Mom’s job was dumplings, Mac & cheese and some sort of chocolate dessert. This is the first year since my aunt’s death 2 years ago that we’ve wanted to try turkey, dressing and dumplings. Wish us well! Lol!

I’ve had a real tough week this week and completely forgot my birthday was Wednesday and that I was saving my SS gift to open. I opened it this morning andI just love the gifts! Thank you so much SS. I got a beautiful Harry Potter Quidditch set and a deck of Harry Potter playing cards!