Trips are far and few as Pandemic continues, but making the best of it.

October and November 2020

Central NY

There has been little to no travel of late. The pandemic has continued to prevent much activities outside  of the necessities and it seems to be getting worse. My husband and I did do a mini vacation to the Turning Stone Casino and resort for a weekend just to RELAX, however and this was the only time we had a piece of vacation for some time now.

We had planned a trip to visit our son in Florida in late October, which would have been the same time of own now canceled Mexican Cruise and since Mark was made aware that should he decided to travel to one of the like 42 (+) states on NY States restriction list. (Yes, NY has nearly all of the county on a no travel restriction right now.) and he returned to work sick (for any reason) he would be dismissed from work for 14 days without pay. We decided as much as we would like to get away and most definitely see Ben, it wasn't worth the risk in pay or the risk in getting sick. Our weekend away was not nearly as exciting as a road trip south, but it was nice to have a change in scenery. We also lucked out and had a jacuzzi suite which I enjoyed nearly the whole time. 

Our balcony was a nice place to have our own safe space and something a little more interesting then our current homes walls. We did venture out of our room of course and did a little gambling as well as had a few wonderful meals. A treat we have not been indulging as much since COVID started. (Eating out)

We had a wonderful meal at the VIP room for dinner on Friday evening and had a late lunch on Saturday of a Buffalo chicken wrap on Saturday. All of the meals were YUMMY!

My husband also got be a surprise massage on Saturday evening. I was so excited. It was an amazing opportunity to relax and with all of the new regulations I had the place to myself. It was AMAZING!

Otherwise we spent most of the time in our room enjoying the private hot tub. That Sunday, my eldest son came to the house to help with the update of the house. He installed the new light fixture and the new pluming. It looks so nice. Now I just had to finish up everything else. (The walls and the floor)

On the crappy cold days my daughter and I spent hours and hours watching Netflix. We completed The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor. I enjoyed Haunted Hill better then Bly Manor. Both were an interesting take on thoughts around haunting. 

Halloween is my favorite Holiday and unfortunately this year I didn't do much of anything. I usually have a annual Halloween party but I haven't in the last few years. Last year we were getting back from a cruise and we were planning on being in Mexico this year, no Mexico and with COVID no Halloween happened in our house. I made up for it with Scary MOVIES. One Friday, my daughter and I went to visit my friend Kelly in Auburn and had a mini girls night full of cocktails and horror films. It was nice to spend an evening with a good friend and have a little bit of Halloween. On Halloween, I didn't even hand out candy. 

In November we had a warm spell in the area and this offered an opportunity to get outside. I had a few walks with friends and good conversation. I spent some time with a friend (Brenda) I haven't seen in several years and it was nice to catch up. I got in a voted on election day. 

And received notification from NY state that my recertification was deficient, so I have to get registered for a 30 hour online class and have it completed by March 8th. One good thing about COVID is the State is offering an extension on  when things need to be in for recertification so I plan to register and get that completed ASAP. It will at least give me something to do besides BINGE watch Netflix shows. I'm not really sure why I need to keep my certification as I did not see myself returning to work, but you never know when you may wish you kept it, so I might as well do it. 

November also started my Photography class. I signed up several months ago thinking that the COVID crisis would be over and was actually surprised that the class was still on. I had my first class last week and there are some rules; masks and a questionnaire must be completed before entering the building. I'm excited about finally doing this for myself and HOPE they don't close the school for online before I'm done. Most classroom activities are in some kind of hybrid course work or 100% online. My son has been online all year. I'm not sure if he is getting what he needs. I just hope he completes as it is his senior year. I can't even imagine being a teenager during these times.  He is struggling with heighten anxiety and has fears about catching the virus. It has definitely been difficult for him. 

My friend Renee has been off of work for the last few weeks, so I have made attempts to visit with her during the week. We hit the Disney store and I got my traditional Disney Ornaments for the kids Christmas, she got me a pedicure for my birthday. It was a nice day to spend together and my feet feel wonderful. 

My Birthday hasn't even happened yet and my lovely husband got me a laptop that I can pick up on Tuesday. He also got me a room at the Turning Stone Casino for me and my girlfriends. Renee, Carol, Brenda and I went out to the Casino for an amazing girls night. I really had thought this years Birthday would be doing nothing, how wonderful to have such a loving husband and great friends to make it AWESOME. 

We kept things very safe, but limiting any time outside our room. He had cocktails, played games and did a mini spa in the room. 

The ladies loved the room and the comfy robes.  

Wearing facial masks to clean up our face. We looked so silly. 

We also did feet treatments...

I had a wonderful Birthday and it hasn't even happened yet. 

 I don't have any plans for a trip coming up and it looks like it will be awhile before I will be going anywhere. Our family has already decided that Thanksgiving will be at our own homes. I'm not even sure if I will be getting a turkey this year. Cuomo (NY state Governor) has enforced a 10 and under for gatherings, not that my family has that, but my parents are not willing to take any risks and my son's SO is not willing to either, so that leaves me, my husband, my son and my daughter. (Maybe my mother in law) none of us feel a need to celebrate the holiday and can wait for another day to all get together. 

In the meantime, Mark and I plan to address the much needed work to be done on the house. I need to finish the bathroom and he needs to get the floors done (Its only been like a year). New carpets upstairs, doors throughout, upstairs master bathroom and at some point the kitchen needs to be remodeled (Completely) 

I plan to keep downsizing and have some crazy fascination with car camping in the spring...me, myself and I. I'd love to have most of my stuff GONE so we can live a minimalist life in the future. If we could get everything done and gone, Im ready to sell the house and get on the road. Guess we will have to see what the future brings. Until next time....TTFN