On lock down.....

3/25/2020- HOME

I am sure I am not the only one feeling a little cabin fever. Yes, just like everyone else in America and the world, I have been quarantined.

It all started off friendly enough. About two weeks ago, I was busily cleaning out my office, preparing for the end of this leg of my forever changing employment...catching up on a few items as the last few weeks of employment was before me. We had all heard about China, the Princess Cruise line nightmares and the importance of washing your hands. At work, we were told the Office of Mental Health was functioning as normal. Status Quo...
Rumors stated going around that the stores were running out of Toilet Paper. That Friday...I was prepared to find myself some TP....and I did at a very high price...but I did not get additional essentials like bread, milk, MEAT. I bought a few items and optimistically went about my day. Saturday news was breaking that people should consider self quarantine and the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade had been CA.  Still thinking positive, Mark and I thought...lets go purchase a new bed.

We found a Serta and insisted that the sheep come with the deal. Delivery next Friday.  That night we went out for dinner at one of the best Steak houses in Syracuse...we were both thinking this has to be all blown out of proportion.

We were the only patrons for most of the meal. Odd...

By Sunday the word was more concerning. Avoid gatherings of 50 people or more. Sporting events were being CA, I skipped out of church. Both because I always seem to find an excuse, and why take any chances.

Monday... I was still pretty sure things would get back to normal. Once at work we were told that the office was considered essential, but everyone needs to prepare to work from home. My sons school was Closed until mid- April. I went about my job and meet with a client that afternoon.  On the way home, I heard that restaurants were closing early.

Tuesday, I make a trip to the local Wegman's, saw the shelves were pretty empty. No meats. Went to work for 1/2 day, and finished up at home.

The governor of NY announced a State of Emergency.  It was all getting to weird. Even the casino's had shut down and we had reservations in Saratoga this upcoming weekend. What is happening? 

By Wednesday, we were surely not meeting with clients and even my position was able to complete assessments over the phone. I attended a team meeting via the internet. 

Thursday.....my ipad locked me out. No work for me today, although I did attend another meeting via the internet. 

The weekend kind of came and went......

I happen to be on vacation right now...as if that does't bite. I'm on vacation and stuck in my home.. Hubby is essential and has to work. I actually am a little envious, because by now. I am ready for this thing to end.

Over these last two weeks...I have....

*Played hours and hours of a new game I downloaded called Fends.
* Watched several hours of youtube videos on hiking the Appalachian trail. Thank you Hiking with Braids  and Homemade Wonderlust  (Which has got me inspired to start hiking)
* Watched several hours of youtube RV and travel vlogs. A few of my favorite; Nomadic Fanatic, Adam the Woo, Keep Your Daydream  and recently discovered Tripped. There are a million more, but these are my constants. I am all youtubed out.....
* I watched nearly 3 seasons of STRANGER THINGS.....

* I have made incredibly yummy FATTENING foods and drank alcohol.

This shut in life is just not healthy for me at all. It's bad enough that I do the above mentioned anyways....with nowhere to go...its simply getting worse. I can feel the calories adding up and my brain is already feeling mushy....Quarantine has only officially started about a 10 days ago and I hear this could play out into April, my kid is already home til mid-April. Another 10, 20 even 30 days and I will really be in trouble....SOOOOOOOOOOO whats a lazy, screen loving, fatty food eating gal like myself to do when that is all that is expected of me?  Its time to get busy

I am wondering if anyone else is feeling this way?

Keeping away the winter blues: Harriet Tubman/ladies night Auburn Style

Feb . 28th, 29th-March 5th-8th 2020
Central NY/Verona NY and Auburn NY




Snow has continued, but warmer days are coming. I had a nice evening at Bunco on Friday. My friend Kristen picked me up and she has heated seats so I enjoyed keeping my fanny warm on the way to Gina's. I didn't win, but we sure had a good time.
That Saturday, Mark and I had a room at the Turning Stone Casino and I was scheduled for a massage at Skana. Well actually, my mother in law was scheduled for the spa day and the room, but she decide not to go. My fortune!

 The view from our room.

We had a late lunch in the VIP room. I headed to the spa after our meal and enjoyed some down time in the hot tub before being called in for my massage. I met up with Mark after and found my friends in the Bingo  hall. I ended up getting chicken nuggets and fries from the Bingo hall later to share with Mark as a late evening snack/dinner. (The Bingo hall has the best chicken nuggets.)
I didn't play Bingo, but I did say hello to my gal pals and their significant others.

I'm not sure if anyone won this evening.

I had applied for the NY State Addiction Counselor II position and received a canvas letter reporting I received 100%. The state takes forever to hire, my letter indicated that I had up to 2/22/2020 to be called for an interview. Either way, I submitted my resignation from my job on the 3'd of March.
(More on that later).
That Thursday, I met up with my friend Tammy and we went to the Central NY RV show.

 This one was my favorite.  I love how big the kitchen is and the sunken living room. One of the things I have learned about rv's is I now know what is important in  my next one. (Okay so I have only had the one we have now, for a few years....but its never to early to look. ) Next RV must have comfy living room seating. right now there is one "couch" and it is not even a real size couch. It's stiff and doesn't recline. To relax only one person can be sitting on it at a time. My bed is also pretty hard and the room is small. I did order a bed mattress cover from Amazon,....I'm hopeful.

 This was one of the raffles....I would so like to win a golf cart.  Although neither of us were/are planning on buying a new RV, it was fun just to look and wish....

 I also loved this retro....Very cute..

 We really did have a good time just hanging around together and I am pretty sure we got some exercising in. The show was in four large building at the NY State Fair grounds, plus walking up and down the stairs. My legs kind of hurt after.

Friday March 6th I worked (I'm usually off on Friday) and enjoyed the company employee breakfast before I had my annual mammy, and a bone density scan.

That was pretty intense as there was something seen, and this scared the poop out of me. I also found out that my bones are not good.....I need to walk more, take calcium and vit. D.  More of a reason to commit to taking care of myself.
Saturday March 7th I woke up early and headed to Auburn to meet with my gal pal Kelly. I had read about a Harriet Tubman weekend and was planning on being in Auburn anyways.

I met with Kelly around 9:45 and we headed to the newly acclaimed Harriet Tubman National Historical Site. We walked in to the center late and interrupted the speaker, but we still heard quite a bit about Harriet's life and her story. She was a very impressive women.

Not only was Harriet the cause of the Underground Railroad, but she was also one of the first females to own property, right here in Auburn, NY.  She also was awarded the honor of having led solders to the battle that freed over 7,000 slaves. She was a nurse, a cook and a spy for the Union during the Civil War, and led 150 solders to battle. Pretty amazing.

I had hoped to see the movie Harriet, but Kelly and I had other plans at the time the theater was offering to show it.  A picture of our story teller.


I had been to the Harriet Tubman house before several years ago and had a tour. The women who gave us the tour was the great grand niece or something like that. Harriet herself never had children that lived.
Along with Harriet being an amazing women she also founded a home for the elderly. (Below). This is the house that was once the home for the elderly.

 Harriet's actual home burned to the ground. (This may have happened twice.) She also had several pigs on the farm and they were accidentally poisoned. She certainly had bad luck.

I am not sure, but the historical society may actually rebuild the home. 

Harriet was buried in Auburn's Foot Hill Cemetery.  Kelly and I did not stay for much more of the home, but we did visit her grave and the remnants of her church.

It was interesting to see and learn about the such history. I do wish we had more time to stay and explore more, but we had a date for Ladies Night. This was an Auburn exclusive and Kelly had invited me to enjoy a night of drinks, music and fun.

The party was at The Holiday Inn in downtown Auburn. We had a great view overlooking the pool.

This is the same place Kelly used to have her son's birthday parties at when the kids we little. The kids always had a great time. We didn't actually swim this time, but we were ready for some ladies night fun.

We got our arm bands..Yes I am over 21.

We had lunch at the Burger Theory located in the hotel. The burger was yummy.

Soon we were ready to party. We were provided with a bag of goodies, which included a blanket and some snacks as well as some wine tasting opportunities. We had to try on a few hats.

There were a ton of vendors as well as some games. I think I over spent on some of my purchases. But this $4- cupcake looked to cute.

I bought a little plant too.

later in the evening things were getting a little crazy. Kelly and I even looked into getting a tattoo, but there was only one artist and he was booked all night. (We ran into him the following morning and he said he didn't end until 5am.)

Silly games and a some ladies only fun.

Kelly got me

a neck less.

There was a really good band. Kelly and I danced and dance and danced. I didn't realize just how much I had moved until the following morning.

This character was floating around the dance and band area.

And I bought myself a little pecker....

This is what someone looks like after several Mikes Hard Lemonades and a few tastes of wine looks like. 

Or....perhaps someone who just drank wine might look like.....

No hangover....but I was sore the following morning. It was totally the dancing. Breakfast was a nice treat.

It was so much fun to hang out with Kelly and enjoy an evening away from all of the nonsense. It looks like if I play my cards right I will be busy all the way through March and winter will finally be over. Keep those winter blues away.