Snow Flurries

Yesterday, I went back to work after 2 glorious weeks off. It's always a little weird going back after some time off because I feel rusty; like I'm not going to remember how to do my job with my vacation brain. It always ends up being fine. I was also productive and made my benefit elections and got my flu shot yesterday. Now, I'm paying the price; I woke up feeling like shit, my whole body hurts, and I had a low grade fever. This happened 2 years ago, except it was a lot worse, but last year I was fine. What gives. I've been able to lay low, thankfully, because I did my grocery shopping and ran on Sunday. The only thing I really had to do was clean Xander's potty room. Was also planning on going to yoga because my class pass expires soon but I feel like crap so I'm getting a head start on this...probably for the first time ever.

The week before my vacation started was pretty uneventful, although, that Friday left a sour taste in my mouth for a few days because the notorious jackass at work was finally a dick to me. A real hurtful dick. I won't go into detail because he's not worth it, but just know, I wish serious karma upon him as soon as possible. I honestly don't get where people come from. My official hate list is where he is now. I know I shouldn't take it personal because he does it to everyone, but I am who I am and there's nothing I can do about that. Anyways, uneventful otherwise. Xander had his annual check up that Tuesday and it ended up being the last appointment with Dr. Ketchum as he is officially retiring. He's been seeing him since he was a freshly adopted kitten. Such a pain in my ass. I also ran that day, among other day off things.

My annual glorious 2 week October vacation started with a little trip to Ctown to hang out with Ashley for the evening after work. I usually like to take the last 2 weeks in October, to include Halloween, but the middle 2 weeks were only available. Next year, I will request sooner. Saturday, I went to the Minckler's annual bonfire. Brought my veggie platter and ate a lot of food. Stayed inside mostly and chatted with Joi for the first time really since her diagnosis (I saw her at Maddy's recital back in June but really didn't talk). She looks frail and tired, you can hear it in her voice. Not sure how much longer she'll be with us. It's surreal, the whole thing really, friend's that I grew up with's parents are getting older and beginning to die. Kinda old hat for me, I lost a parent a long long time ago. Sunday was Oktoberfest at Harpoon. Despite it being chilly and a little rainy, I ran the race and hung out for a while after. My pace was 10.26 (3.66 mi). Caught up with Matt Griggs; haven't seen him since high school. We reconnected on facebook over the summer because of Freedom Fest in Boston. Would have been really cool to see Redman and Methodman. I was pretty lazy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday, I cooked and baked. Friday, I went for a little hike in Norwich with Dayna, then headed to Ctown to have dinner at New Socials with Dave, Heather, and Simone. We had a front row seat for the fireman's parade and Simone and I danced to a live band. She has balls. Saturday was Charlie's birthday party. It was a train theme (Ashley went all out on homemade decorations). I was there pretty all day because I stayed after everybody left and hung out until late. We took a short drive to Cat Hole Rd. to look at the foliage before picking up take out for dinner. The kids went to bed and the rest of the night was spent in the basement with Jen Connelly.

Week 2 began with a trip over to Ludlow to hang out with the ladies for the night (Diane not included as the ladies are not getting along due to a dinner fiasco a few days earlier). We drank whiskey and gingers, chatted, played aggravation, and stuffed ourselves with stuffed zucchini, pasta casserole, and bread. Granny made a Boston cream pie for dessert but no one had room for it. It was a good night. We went to bed close to midnight and continued the next morning with coffee chat, looked at pictures, and eventually headed over to Springfield for a meal at a diner. The foliage was pretty and the pancakes were bigger than my head. We had discussed heading over to the Castleton area (just Cora and I as Granny doesn't feel up for the trip) but we decided to tentatively do it this coming weekend. I got some more leads and I've talked to some people in that area; I really would like to see where Mary Anna is buried. I headed home after we returned from Springfield and spent the rest of Monday being lazy as I do not sleep well when I'm not home. Tuesday, I went to the Spa at Mountain Edge resort to use a groupon I bought for a massage and salt scrub. It was lovely. I also hung out in the hot tub for a bit but it was kind of boring. Wednesday, I went for a bike ride then started cleaning my house (bathroom). Between Thursday and Friday, I cleaned my bedroom, living room and kitchen. Saturday, I used my elliptical for the first time in a long time then headed south with Josh to see Through the Roots at Jewel Nightclub in Manchester. He got us the VIP package so we got there at 6 and met the band. Nice guys. Show was good (although it was the least crowded concert I've ever been to). My driver proceeded to get shitfaced so I got home really late, but not before a delicious diner breakfast. I was in no condition to drive+wanting to get home at a decent time=irritated. Soooo it's pretty safe to say I've washed my hands of this possibility and I will continue this journey alone. I was correct in mentioning him to very few because I know deep down it would have been wasted breath. It was, however, a pleasant surprise in the beginning to discover we have the same taste in music and know all the same bands. Because I got home so late, there was no Sunday brunch  and apple picking with H&S, but there was a really disturbing season 7 premiere of TWD Sunday night. Nightmarish. I forgot to mention earlier that I re-watched season 6 over vaca in preparation for this.

11.1
Quickly recapping the past week before I publish this (1 day ahead of schedule). Recovered from flu shot but then had to recover from my Wed. night call shift as I worked from 330 to 4 on Thursday on a few hours sleep. My plans for the weekend didn't pan out for various reasons. Roadtrip rescheduled for this Saturday from last so Sherry can come. Heather and Simone didn't come up to Billings Farm Sunday due to the rain forecast. I ended up hanging around home pretty much the entire weekend. I put a cheap plastic shelving unit in my basement and took up yoga again. Yoga is great during the winter. I got home from work yesterday in time to pass out candy to a whopping 7 trick or treaters. Good thing I can bring my leftover candy to work and it'll be gone in no time. Now, I'm either going for a run or a bike ride while my dinner cooks in the crockpot. Should do both but probably won't happen. It's hard to leave the house when there's a warm, soft, purring kitty on my lap.

Listening to Deftones radio at the moment. Reggae mix 2 and old school rap at work.