Week Five

A very nice Thanksgiving week and vacation week.  I took time to really rest up this week.  Did not think about work or school.  Went out Tues, Wed, and Sat.  Went to a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, which is the pic of the week, and hosted a dinner Sun.  Friday, I had a friend over for a few drinks.  Literally something happened everyday that was fun! In the pic of the week I am at a Thanskgiving dinner with the desserts.  I made three of the pies.  I made the apple pie (1st on the left), the black plum pie (3rd from left), and the pumpkin pie (4th from left).  What was fun was that I made all the pies, filling and crust, from scratch.  It was really "easy as pie" to do.  Really though, it was about having a good time and being thankful for what I do have in life, which I truly am. 

Today I went back to work.  I did go into work on Sat to read emails, pay my bills, and start a Write Up, but not for long.  As I am writing this week's entry, I just realized that I didn't buy tokens...UH OH! I guess that means that I'm getting up a bit earlier to do so tomorrow.  I also helped facilitate the Maestro piece for the new batch of Credit Analysts in training.  I was only supposed to be in class for a half of a day.  It turned into a whole day plus an extra hour and a half.  It also turned into an Appendices workshop as well.  It's all good.  I really felt like I helped the class.  It also made me feel useful.

Going to really try to get back on track with eating since Thanksgiving does bring out the bottomless pit I have in me.  I am also going to get back onto a regular gym schedule.  I managed to go to the gym Fri and Sun for step class, however twice a week is simply not enough time at the gym.

Week Four

Before I begin, I would really like to thank the designers of this blog for putting in the frequent autosave feature! It saved my life tonight.  I typed out my whole entry for the week and before I clicked "post" my computer shut down Explorer.  Thankfully I was able to retrieve the draft that this blog program autosaved for me.  PHEW!


Mondays seem to be a better day to update, so I think that's what I'll do for now.  This week I fortunately/unfortunately went back to some habits I don't particularly care for, but for good reason.  I reconnected with Shawn and Tanesha this week at parties/social events on Tuesday and Friday respectively.  It was like old times--a bit too much like old times.  So much that I had to call out of work on Wednesday.  Oh well, it's the holidays.  I also reconnected with Lori on Wednesday at Jannie.  That was fun.

I kicked off my vacation by going to dinner with Margaret and Denise Thursday at Noble in Rittenhouse Square/Market Street West section of town.  The service wasn't as bad as the manager's/owner's behavior.  The only good thing there was the gnocchi.  They were steamed, then broiled in butter.  They were slightly browned and had a crunch when I bit into them, but oh so moist and creamy on the inside.  They didn't serve them with any sauce, which I though was weird.  However, after eating them they certainly didn't need sauce.

I went to an Open House for the EPA on Friday morning.  It was nice feeling somewhat qualified.  I don't think I'm going to get the job though.  Only six positons and there were at least 100 people there.  Not to mention that there was another session coming in the afternoon with I'm sure another boat load of people.  I applied...oh well, we'll see! 

I dropped off the TD elf hats at the GSC office for the Drexel holiday party Saturday, after of course working for a few hours (yes I said work and that I was on vacation).  I had Jason help me with the box.  I am concerned about Jason. He had an incident happen to him early Wednesday morning.  I think he is getting too out of control with his "habits." I know I don't understand addiction, but I don't think he understands that he is heading down a very dismal road if he doesn't seriously get help.

Tom is really getting the house in ship-shape condition for the holidays.  I really appreciate all his hard work.  I myself am doing some holidays prep work, which is the picture of the week.  I practiced making an apple pie, completely from scratch.  Very strange Thanksgiving this year.  I'm not hosting.  Instead Tom and I are going to a friend's house for Thanksgiving.  I am bringing raviolis and two pies: apple and pumpkin.  The pie turned out pretty good.  I just want to make the crust a bit thinner and ease up on the nutmeg in the apple pie.  I made pumpkin pie last year that was divine.  Looking forward to a slice of that!

I am also pleased that my parents are moving.  I hated where they lived since it was so deserted and scary.  I went by today and saw where they are going to be moving.  I like it much better.  On a busier road and not so run down looking.  They are planning to move mid-December.  I will be helping them as best I can.  I'm really thankful that they have been blessed with such nice landlords.  I wish I could really help them out more financially.  One day...

G

Week Three

Another busy week.  Work is just a bit hectic.  Trying to finish up everything before Thanksgiving.  I haven't been out too much this week.  Just Tues, Wed, and Sat.  I also went to step class Friday November 12 and Sunday November 14.  I really ate like a little piggy this past week.  I think it's because the cold weather is coming and my body is in hibernate mode.  I was out Wednesday, November 10 and met the two guys in the picture of the week.  I met them in front of Alma de Cuba.  They were visiting from San Diego.  Of course I was the welcome wagon! Another nice thing that happened on November 10 while I was out.  I finally talked to Meghan who works in my office.  She is a very nice person who is "considerate."  Even though the guys she was with also work in my office, she was the only one who had the decency to introduce herself and talk to me.  I was also asked today by my credit analyst trainer, Jim, to help teach a piece of the class for the new credit analyst trainees.

I said goodbye to a dear friend who passed away November 4, Dorothea "Dottie" Walberg.  Her funeral was at St. Rita's on Thursday, November 11.  Lots of great memories of Dottie when I was managing the Rittenhouse Branch when I worked at Mellon.  Dottie was my CSR.  We would telemarket after hours and spend more time talking about anything and everything rather than calling clients.  We also would get lunch at the little Mexican restaurant down the block.  I'll miss you Dottie! Unfortunately, I tend to reconnect with people at funerals more often.  I got to see some old friends I worked with at Mellon/Citizens at the funeral. 

I worked on and handed in my test for my Financial Decision Making class.  Pretty sure I did well.  My room is clean and I'm really going to try hard to keep it this way.  Lots to do this week, as usual!

Will write soon!

Week Two

Sorry for the late post.  We have been having internet problems at home all weekend.  It's finally up.  It's been a fun filled week. I got two deals completed at work on Friday.  I also have been a bit of an "alc" and was out Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat.  Above is the Pic of the week.  I met this guy on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  I previously met him at a birthday party on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Buca Di Beppo at 15th & Locust Sts.  Overall, I had a good time with him, however we have a bit of a difference in opinion of social graces.  Let's leave it at that.

Earlier this evening, I visited my friend Rodney Payne at Jefferson Hospital.  He was recovering from tongue and neck surgery.  He was diagnosed with cancer and had to remove part of his tongue and neck.  Surprisingly, he was able to talk.  They reconstructed a tongue from skin grafts.  Thankfully he came home on Friday, November 5, 2010.

I worked a full day on Saturday, November 6, 2010.  I was productive.  My position is getting easier, at least that's how I perceive it.  I also decided to do a Christmas party this year, despite funds being so low with Tom still out of work.  This will be the 2nd Annual Ludwig Manor Christmas Party.  Same people and same format as last year.  So far, everyone but two people from last year have confirmed.

Sunday was the usual busy day.  I did go to the gym at Franklin Mills for my 9:30 a.m. step class then rushed back to Old City to the Ritz for popping duty.  I was a bottomless pit at work.  I couldn't stop eating! It didn't help that for dinner I made spaghetti.  I also said goodbye to another wine glass.  It was the third to break in my set of four wine glasses I received as a present from Mark Hayes for Christmas about ten years ago.  I only have the red tinted glass.

Update next week!

Hello All

Thank you for visiting my blog! I will be posting weekly updates of key things that happened during the week in my life.  By 2013 when I turn 40, this blog will have chronicled events during what I deem a very tough spot in my life.  When necessary, names will be changed to protect people's identity.

Keep on reading!

G