Farewell, 2021

 It's time to say farewell, 2021.  When you leave, please for the love of all that is holy, take Covid-19 with you.  

Nuff said. 

Slow Cooking In The New Year

 I am proud to say I've made great strides in my cooking this year - I've gained more confidence and have gotten a bit more adventurous.  This week, I got two slow cooker recipe books on eBay - one is all meat dishes and the other is 1001 slow cooker recipes.  

My goal is to use our cool Crock Pot (with a timer) twice a week making meals.  

Stay tuned.

Rain Rain, Go Away

 I swear it seems like it has rained or drizzled every day for the past month.  I'm over it.  I want to enjoy some cold winter weather, minus driving in the snow and ice.  It hasn't been below freezing in almost a month, too.  Bring on the cold and clear weather. 

Re-entry Tuesday

 It was a very busy day at work for re-entry Tuesday  -- having to fill in a few days worth of scheduling into one.  But I made it.  And after tomorrow,  I will have another mini-vacay four days off. 

We would like to thank the Stouffers people for making awesome lasagnas.  

Nuff said.

Post Christmas Blues At Work

 Let me preface by saying I am still full of the Christmas spirit, but I was not full of cheer when I had to roll out of bed at 6:30 this morning and head into work.  I didn't sleep well last night, and woke up feeling tired.  So did the Old Man.  I'm blaming it on the crazy weather and barometric pressure we've had the past couple of days.  Today when I went to work, the temperature had risen to 64 degrees.  When I went home today, it was 73.  Enough of this nonsense.  Let's get cold and stay cold for a while. 

So Much For A White Christmas

 We set a record yesterday according to the Weatherazzi.  The high on Christmas Day here in the 'Ville was 75 degrees.  Yes, 75 degrees.  

Bring on the cold. 

Merry Christmas

 TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very Merry Christmas.

The Old Man and I have had a great Christmas.  We spent they day just relaxing and watching TV and eating and drinking.  

On this day, we said extra prayers for so many of our friends who are fighting Covid right now.  We also said prayers of thanks that the Lord has protected us from Covid so far. 

Happy Christmas Eve

TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a happy Christmas Eve. 

In keeping with TWIT's Flashback Friday posts, I can't help but think back to Christmas Eve when I was a kid.  

After breakfast on Christmas Eve morning, I would get to open one present.  I would always pick a present from my Aunt Helen and Uncle Roy.  Being their favorite (and only niece) they would always send me two presents.  But I digress.  One of my favorite Christmas Eve presents from them was a Christmas stocking with "Ho Ho Ho" on it.  It was filled with some of my favorite candies, five dice, and some Yahtzee score pads.  Of course, I still have the stocking. 

Another Christmas Eve tradition that is still alive today is a snack supper instead of a full meal.  The menu hasn't changed much over the decades: shrimp, little buns with ham, a cheese ball, and spinach dip.  I can hardly wait till supper time. 

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

 TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a happy Christmas Eve Eve. 

Santa has already given me great gifts for Christmas: the Old Man is happy and feels great and is getting around much better without his cane, and I don't have to be back at work until Monday.   You can't ask for much more than that. 

Wednesday Updates

 I am glad that this day is over, and I don't have to be in the office for four whole days.  That's a big enough Christmas present for me.  I don't want or need any gifts - I'm just happy to spend Christmas with The Old Man while he is still happy and feeling good.  That's all I can ask for. 

Pre-Christmas Mini Vacation Re-Entry Report

 Even though I was off for only two work days, re-entry today was a bitch.  I clocked in a half hour early, and clocked out a half hour late trying to catch up.

Only 146 more days I have to deal with that.   

Nuff said. 

Pre-Christmas Vacation Report

 We had a great drama-free pre-Christmas vacation this weekend with my Favorite Cousin and her husband.  We ate, drank, told stories and laughed a lot.  The travelers just pulled out of the driveway and are headed back home, and I'm glad I'm not in the office today.  And I'm even more glad that I only have to work two days and then will be off for four days.  And next week, I only have to work three days, and then will be off again for four days.  When I look at the calendar, the week before Thanksgiving week was the last time I worked a full week at work, and the first week after New Years will the first full week I will have to work since late November.  Can't beat that at all. 

Saturday Updates

 I was having so much fun yesterday, that I forgot to post.  We had a great Saturday with my Favorite Cousin and her husband.  We had a big breakfast, and then watched TV, listened to great music, ate, drank, and were merry.   You can't ask for much more than that.  

On the way home from dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, I took the long, scenic way home so they could see some Christmas lights.  The only thing missing from that trip was us not singing Jingle Bells. 

Friday Updates

The Old Man said his tests today were a breeze.  He said when they did the stress test and revved his heart up, he didn't feel any difference -- no heart racing nor shortness of breath.  The technician said that was a good sign.  And we think so, too.  

Thursday Updates

 I'm off from work tomorrow and Monday and will be spending the long weekend with my Favorite Cousin and her husband from LaFayette, IN.  It's been a while since we've been together and we are looking forward to a great time together. 

I ask for prayers for tomorrow - the Old Man has a stress test and another echogram.  He's totally fine with it, and is happy and at peace.  So we just pray for no drama with the tests.  

I Need Some Of Santa's Elves

 I've got a lot to do here at The Compound and at work tomorrow in preparation for a visit from my Favorite Cousin and her husband on Friday.  The Old Man and I have procrastinated and now we are busting a move tonight and will again tomorrow to get the house cleaned.  It's all coming together tonight, and after putting dishes away from the dish washer and then filling it again, I'm going to call it a night and rest.  We've gave it a good lick tonight.  Tomorrow evening, all I need to do is wrap our presents for my cousins, and then tidy up the kitchen and we'll be good to go.  But in the meanwhile, I could sure use some of the elves. 

Tuewday Updates

 It's been a busy Monday and Tuesday at work and at The Compound.  We're getting ready for our Christmas visit from our kinfolk from the North (LaFayette, IN).  They will be rolling in on Friday and visiting us for a few days.  So we're busy here getting the house all spruced up. So I don't have much time to chat. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas Price Index 2021

Every year since 1984, PNC Bank has released the PNC Christmas Price Index, which tallies how much each gift in the famous song would cost based on today’s market rates. The picture is not pretty this year, partly because the inflation rate is up to 6.2%, which is the highest it’s been since November 1990.

The Christmas Price Index is also up, PNC reported. The goods in the song would cost, on average, 5.7% more this year relative to pre-pandemic pricing, which is the largest increase since 2013.

PNC said that comparing 2019 data gives a more realistic picture than comparing 2020 pricing, when it may have been even harder than usual to obtain some of these specialty items due to lockdowns. For instance, the ladies dancing would have exceeded the limits for gatherings in 2020, and may not have been able to dance in formation due to social distancing.

Related: Fed Chair Powell Says Omicron Poses ‘Increased Uncertainty for Inflation’

So how much would all those gifts cost in 2021 dollars?

• A Partridge in a Pear Tree ($222.68): These have gone up largely due to the tree they live in.

• Two Turtledoves ($450): These birds cost 50% more compared to 2019.

• Three French Hens ($255): With the price of groceries rising, it’s not surprising egg-laying hens rose in price by more than 40% this year.

• Four Calling Birds ($599.96): These pets did not rise in price since 2019, presumably due to lack of demand.

• Five Gold Rings ($895): The price of gold has risen since 2019. Perhaps consider NFTs to show your love, instead?

• Six Geese-a-Laying ($660): Again, egg-laying birds rose more than 57% this year. At this price, you’d better hope one lays a golden egg.

• Seven Swans-a-Swimming ($13,125): Swans are super-expensive and hard to keep as pets. They should be kept in pairs or they get lonely. Cost aside, giving the gifts in this song is starting to sound like a really bad idea.

• Eight Maids-a-Milking ($58): Until the federal minimum wage goes up, the price for eight maids-a-milking will stay stable. Although if you want to keep those maids around in a tight labor market, you should probably pay them at least what they’d earn at Walmart.

• Nine Ladies Dancing ($7,552.84): The price for these performers hasn’t risen since 2019. Maybe they’re just happy to be dancing in front of a crowd again.

• Ten Lords-a-Leaping ($11,260): In a perfect example of the gender wage gap, the Lords received a raise from their 2019 rates, coming in 12.6% more expensive.

• Eleven Pipers Piping ($2,943.93): We don’t know the gender of the pipers, but they also received a 7.1% raise from their 2019 rates.

• Twelve Drummers Drumming ($3,183.17): Likewise, the drummers also received a 7.1% increase, showing the value of live music as we return to public gatherings.

In total, PNC Bank reports the cost for all 12 gifts at $41,205.58.

The Blessing (or Curse) of Compounding Presents

It’s important to keep in mind that the presents in the song could add up to orders of magnitude more because they compound daily. That is, on the first day of Christmas, your true love might give you a partridge in a pear tree. On the second day, you’ll receive another partridge plus two turtledoves.

By the end of 12 days, you’ll have 12 partridges (and their pricey perches!), 24 turtle doves, 60 golden rings (yikes!) … you get the picture. What are you supposed to do with 144 well-paid drummers? Start a marching band?

Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord that Louisville and more specifically The Compound was spared in last night's devastating tornadoes.  Unfortunately, the town of Mayfield, in the south western part of the state was hit the hardest.  A candle factory was demolished, with over 100 workers inside. 

To say "our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tornadoes" doesn't even come close. 

Hunker Down

The weatherazzi is getting everybody all worked up over possible tornados and badass storms tonight.  All I can say is have your cell phones charged up, which you should do every  day regardless of the weather forecast.  But I digress.  Put your cell phones on your chargers now, and make sure you know where flashlights are in case we have a power outage.

And above all else. hunker down. 

Thursday Updates

 I checked my checking account this morning online, and saw that the property tax payment was taken out this morning.  Merry Christmas to me.  But I am thankful that I had the money in the bank for it. 

As for us at The Compound, the Old Man and I seem to be trying to catch a cold.  Last night and this morning, he and I both had some long sneezing fits.  We don't feel bad, and we don't have a fever, thank the Lord.  So we are hoping it's just a cold trying to set in.  And I hope we have the cold prayed away. 

Stay tuned. 

Weird Wednesday

 Today started out weird.  To the north of us got a heavy dusting of snow, and the Sherman Minton Bridge and the Clark Memorial Bridge were shut down during the morning commute due to slickness.  We didn't get a flake at The Compound nor at Work.

Then at work, two very long time employees retired today.  I can only imagine the freedom that they felt when they walked out of the door for the last time this afternoon. 

Then tonight, the Old Man said today's supper was his very favorite of everything I cook.  It was an easy easy burrito casserole.  As long as it makes him happy, I will keep in rotation for every other week.

Now after taking 4 bags of stuff from the closet out the curb for garbage pick-up tomorrow, I'm ready to crash.

Mini Re-entry

Mini Re-entry was very busy today. I worked through lunch and stayed over a half hour to get caught from being off two days. 

But I was am home now and after a frustrating trip to the grocery store, I am waiting for my potatoes to roast in the oven.

All in all, it was a pretty good day.

Back To Reality

 It was a great four-day mini vacation, but it's back to the office tomorrow.  But it was a great four days off.

I accomplished a lot in the closet clean-out.  I am way ahead of my deadline of New Year's Day.  On Saturday, I might not get a lot done because I need to switch gears and get the back bedroom cleaned up for the annual Christmas visit from my cousins up north in Lafayette, IN, but if I have time and feel motivated, I will work on it some. 

And I made a great pot of beef barley stew for supper tonight, along with a batch of Red Lobster biscuits.  Believe me when I tell you I think I could have eaten 4 of the biscuits, but I stopped at 2. 

I'm hoping for a drama-free re-entry tomorrow, but am preparing for a very busy day.

Stay tuned. 

Sunday Updates

 Today, I have various updates.  Let's go. 

First of all, to answer some questions, Large Marge is doing great.  She's very active, and still lets me pick her up and love on her (regardless of the fact she killed her sisters).  She even picked at my shoelaces today - something the Girls did when they were younger.

Second, we finished our secret Christmas craft project today.  I will post a picture soon of our magnificant creation.

Third, thanks again to Neighbor Nick for getting up the leaves in our yard.  He said he was happy to do it, since the leaves were from his trees. 

Fourth, I am very happy that I am off from work again tomorrow.  I have a batch of beef barley soup prepped and ready to get in the Crock Pot in the morning, and then I will once again reach my goal of getting at least two bags of stuff out of my Sweet Mother's walk-in closet.  We might even go for three bags.   At the grocery yesterday, I bought a cool as-seen-on-TV stick-up battery powered light so I can see in there.

Stay tuned. 

Saturday Updates

 I spent about two hours this morning working on our Christmas Craft Project.  It is still going well.  Then I went to Krogers and spent about an hour there - the majority of the time talking to a former coworker who I ran into.  Then I came home and helped the Old Man make a revved up carrot cake.  Now I'm ready to do nothing.  

I'm off on Monday, and after breakfast I will start back in on the closet clearing out.  At Krogers today I found just what I was looking for - a battery powered stick-up light.  Now I can see what I'm doing in there. 

Stay tuned. 

Friday Updates

 I am proud to report I made good progress today in cleaning out my Sweet Mother's walk-in closet.  I carried out two garbage bags full of clothes and shoes.  I will get back at it again tomorrow, and am going to make myself clear out at least one bag of clothes and stuff every day.  So far, so good.  

We also made some tweaking to our Christmas decorations at The Compound, and tomorrow, I plan to hang a big wreath out on the back porch ramp.  We also worked on another batch of our Christmas craft project.  

Stay tuned. 

Thankful Thursday

 It is Thursday, and I am thankful that I am off tomorrow and Monday.  I had some vacation days left that I needed to use or lose, and I sure as hell was not about to lose them.  So I am looking forward to a hopefully awesome four-day weekend -- a mini vacation, if you will. 

Stay tuned. 

Almost Worry-Free Wednesday

 This was a pretty good Wednesday compared to others.  There are a few things I've been "concerned" about but I didn't let them get to the worry level today.  So all in all, it was a good Wednesday. 

Each day this week, we've put up some sort of Christmas decoration, and the family room and dining room are looking pretty festive. 

Stay tuned.