Pretty Tuesday

 

Although I hated to hear the alarm this morning after so few hours of sleep (I think it's an age thing). But Got rewarded me with a lovely morning commute.

It was just pretty and gave me some hope that another week of work in the office. Of course, it's still our jam-packed United Way campaign going on, so it was fun today. We got some cool pictures of our team. But I'll have to wait and share them tomorrow because I didn't get all of them from our photographer. Oh yes, when you work in marketing you can have professional photographers take your picture and not just a phone! 😁

Tonight after work I headed to Girls' Night Out at the new Rodeo Tex Mex Grill in the building formerly occupied by Polito's. Yes, second night in a row of Mexican food. If you haven't been, check it out. You wouldn't even recognize it as the same place. Secondly, my food was delicious. I got the Chori Pollo (which is spicy chorizo with chicken) and it was excellent! Nice to have a few new options at relatively the same price points as El Mezcal.

Also, great to see the lady friends!

Got home and just fielded a catch-up call from my baby boy so my day is literally pretty and pretty good!

Birthdays Never Get Old

Was glad I got to see my twin on Saturday for a little birthday cake. And no, this pictures is not from this past weekend. I won't remind you how long ago, but you can guess the decade from the groovy curtains and chairs, I'm sure.

So today we each celebrated in our own ways – both of us at our respective work places 4-plus hours apart and enjoying a treat or too.

Besides the re-entry into work mode (dang alarm clock), I had a great day. Had cake for breakfast, ice cream for lunch, enjoyed book club after work, then Mexican food for my birthday dinner.

After having La Taqueria cater two of the grad parties we attended this summer, we had to try it out! Muey bien! In other words, el yummo! Not really Spanish, I'm sure. Best part was that is with my two favorite guys – hubby and Carter, who got home for a visit this evening.

Obviously, if this was all that was left, we all agreed on the el yummo part!

Thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes through cards, texts, and Facebook messages. I love birthdays. They never get old for me. My age might, but my day in the candlelight (lots of candles) is always special for me.

Muchas gracias for all the love!

Cinco de My Oh My

This isn't your ordinary Taco Tuesday! It's Cinco de Mayo! Did you know that the celebration commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862?

Yup. Absolutely nothing to do with my heritage in anyway. And probably not yours either. But hey, if good nachos are involved, I'm all on board!

The photo above is from 2007 at my niece Beth's college graduation party, which happened to fall on May 5. Carter on the left and his cousin Anthony are both 9 years old here. And yes, time flies and they are both 22 now and totally can sip their margaritas legally.

Such cuties, though. I miss that age. I say that about just about every age. Until teen years, of course. (No explanation necessary.)

Hubby and I didn't do anything holiday-related today. We worked. Went over to our friend Greg's family's house to carefully deliver hugs at lunch. Then after work, we watched a few episodes of OZARK on Netflix.

Yes, you read that right. We are actually semi-binge watching a show together that is new to both of us! And we both like it. And it's pretty insane! The show, not the fact we agree on TV, but that's rare, too. We're trying to just watch two episodes a night. That'll still get us through all 3 seasons long before quarantine ends.

By the way, we just survived day cincuenta y siete (57) together! Now that's something to celebrate! Salud!

Flying Advisory

With the 30 mph wind gusts today, I felt like a character in the Wizard of Oz. Was it a tornado? No. Should have been a Broomstick Advisory, though, as I had a heckuva time flying to work!

I wish I could click my ruby red slippers, socks, flip-flips, anything, together 3 times and end up on a beach. Not gonna happen.

Naturally, as things go in November, the wind brought with a drop in temperature. When I saw the layer of ice on the little rain puddles on the deck, I knew it could only mean two things. One, I'd have to finally don a jacket. And two, it's time for Mr. Deck Chair to go into hibernation.

I should add: Three, it's time for me to buy some ruby red flip-flops!

In the meantime, I'll stay warm with a steady supply of fashion scarves and boots... and occasional trips to Mexico. Well, el Mezcal, which as close as we get there in Rapids.

Enjoyed a nice after-work dinner with work friends. We have 3 people in our department in home offices, spread out in Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago. When any of our "remote" workers come to the home office we just HAVE to enjoy a meal out to catch up on non-work things – or talk about people from work who aren't there. (Ha, just checking who's reading.)

It was a good time. My stomach actually aches from laughing. We were all happy to confirm we have ab muscles! Just need to find them through the layers of my "pollo el camino." Yeah, I had a "chicken car." That and some good salsa warmed me right up.


Had a nice tail wind on the way home, too. Take that, November.

Animal Farm

Years ago, I had this weird fascination with the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. I remember reading it in high school because we had to. Then I later bought my own copy so I could read it again. There is so much symbolism. And even on the surface, it's just creepy to consider animals taking over -- and ousting humans.

I think about it occasionally when we have some weird "animal" disease killing off humans. Bird Flu. Mad Cow Disease. And now Swine Flu.

Now I've got you thinking!

To me, it's just a good reminder to wash our hands (and our food). I'm not a germ-o-phobe in the least. I don't think mothers can be, can we? But I do think it's wise to consider easy carriers for germs -- whether it's for a simple cold or something deadly.

There was a trivia question on the radio about "public" surfaces that carry the most germs. Really, it's not just the toilet seat! But while you're in the bathroom, turning the faucet off with your hand often negates washing it to begin with. Use a towel if you can.

Did you know that menus are a good source of germs? The next time you're in your favorite greasy spoon, place your order then wash your hands before you eat. A good practice anyway.

I never gave shopping carts much thought but they have to be the worst! Think about how long a person grips it. Now when I see a teething kid sucking on the cart bar, I want to puke!

OK, let's not get grossed out here. You get my point. And I must add I am grateful for my health today. And a little less jealous of people who went to Mexico on spring break. I hope they remain healthy, too.

I did notice, though, that even though it's been 6 months since I was in Mexico, I am starting to develop some curious symptoms. My hubby claims I hog the blankets. I'm eating like a pig. And my desk is a sty...