I was very fortunate to spend 3 days in Arizona with my best friends, Vickie and Donna to celebrate Donna's birthday which was March 31st.   It was a short trip this time, leaving on Saturday the 29th and returning on Tuesday, April 1st.   Donna is the brightest light in the Universe and when the three of us get together, it is magical!  I mean, we're the Three Amigos! :)

The first night there, we did a healing float at the Mesa Aquatics Center. We floated on boards in the pool while a Native American flutist played, while the yoga teacher lead us into a guided mediation (Yoga Nidra).  Right up my alley!  We were under the stars, floating on water ...what more could I have asked for!  I'm not so sure Vickie enjoyed it though.  It was difficult for her to get on/off the board due to her recent cracked pelvis (three weeks ago).  It's been bothering her a lot to walk, which is why I reserved a wheelchair for her in Fargo and Mesa.  

We hung out at Donna's for the most part.  We had a wee bit of coffee with our Bailey's Irish Cream every morning! :)  Oh my gosh, what a delight to just bask in the morning sun, drinking coffee in my pj's, laughing with my best friends.  No topic is taboo or off limits with us; there are no boundaries and no judgment with us.  We've been through everything together in the last 25 years that nothing surprises anymore.  

We watched movies, drank great wine, ate grate food and just enjoyed.  We promised Donna that we'd be back for a week in November; I'm already looking forward to it!

Yesterday was my first day back at the office.  My co-team lead did a great job in holding down the fort while I was gone.   There is a young gal in my office that is going through some issues with her ex-husband and his girlfriend; all three of them work at the prison. Co-parenting wasn't an issue until the 'girlfriend' started making demands and creating problems for my co-worker.  All three of them seem to have an issue with keeping their personal life, personal.  This is now affecting my department, so I had to be the bad ass and have the tough talk with her.  I hate doing that, but it comes with the territory of being a supervisor.

I abhor drama, absolutely despise being drawn in to something that doesn't affect me personally, especially in this stage of my life. My mottos is Protect My Peace.  I try to do everything in my power to live in a state of tranquility, so when that is interrupted, I get pretty owly!  LOL   Is this age or wisdom?   You couldn't pay me enough money to relive my 20's, 30's or 40's again!  (Fifty wasn't so bad)  LOL

Tomorrow is my 1/2 day (flex schedule).  I have a few appointments in the afternoon then a crab fest with my sister and her boyfriend at the Elks Lodge.  Pretty lowkey weekend after that; nothing but laundry, cleaning and the gym (to work off my vacation fluffiness!).  

Donna and her 'melons'

Made some jewelry all by myself, with a LOT of help from Donna!

Did I mention we drank alot of Bailey's Irish Cream? (OK, it was from Costco, but it was dang good!)

Me and my friend Vickie ready to fly the friendly skies to Arizona!

There's been a lot going on in my world...and yet...not.   I sometimes feel like I'm in a 'rinse and repeat' cycle of life.  Oh sure, there is a sprinkling of drama, anxiety, that other earthlings interject into my day.  Or the occasional scary health bullshit to throw a wrench in an otherwise mechanical day.  All in all, dare I say that I am (insert dramatic gasp) boring?   Or is this age...pardon me...MATURITY... talking? I can't say that it's a bad thing really.  I mean, I'll take 'rinse and repeat' over constant angst, drama, anxiety and stress any day!   That shit can kill you! But on the other hand, I'd like to feel like my life is something other than boring or monotonous.  

So here I sit, in my office on a Sunday afternoon trying to think of something witty and entertaining to write.  Just how does one write about entertaining things when life is monotonous?

I thought about writing about President Baboon and his boy Elroy.   Nah, not really feeling it.  That borders on toxicity, and I just don't need that on a day of rest.  

I didn't go to the gym this morning.  I wasn't feeling that either. I've been there 5 days this week and my body was in strike mode when I climbed out of bed this morning.   

I did watch a peculiar little murder mystery on Netflix recently.  If you haven't seen The Residence, it's a good one to binge in a weekend.  It had me guessing until the last 5 minutes of the last episode.  If you watch it and tell me you guessed it in the first episode, we can no longer be friends!

Books?  Well, I'm proud to say that I've now read 8 books in 2025.  Were they books of substance?  Not a chance in hell.  They were pure spicy, dark romance; I loved every scintillating page! This is a judgement free zone!

I had a consult with a knee surgeon on Tuesday.  She said that I'm in the severe range and will definitely need a knee replacement. I guess I'll have to figure out a time frame and schedule when the timing is right.  Until then, it's cortisone shots, leg and quad strengthening exercises, yoga, bike riding and a shit-ton of Voltarin (topical anti-inflammatory) and Extra-Strength Tylenol Arthritis.  (Here's that age and maturity) thing creeping in!  

The family is doing good - everyone is still alive.  (A little dark humor there since my siblings are in their 70's and 80's).  I'm really going to HATE myself if something happens to any one of them now.  

I have had 3 alcoholic beverages since December.  I was in the mood for going on a good bender this weekend.  I went to the liquor store to purchase wine and a 4-pak of a mixed drink - something called Peach Paradise.  I think there was Vodka in it.   Everything is still in the fridge.  Once again, age and maturity? 

So here I sit, trying to think of something witty and entertaining to write about my boring, monotonous life and can't come up with a single damn thing.  

I'm going to go fold laundry.  (Age and maturity)

 I can almost see it.... the weekend is within sight!  

January felt like it was an entire year.  This week felt like someone was holding my head under water and I was trying to breathe.  Good lord, it is taking forever!!!  The Universe also decided that it was 'shit all over admin services week'.  

• The requests that range from fixing something that has been wrong in the system since Elite (our offender management system) was put into play.  That's real fun.  NOT! 
• The "heyyyy, I can't figure out how to fix the margins on this document.  Oh, and I need it fixed in 10 minutes because we're doing a forced med hearing on a guy in SAU (Special Assistance Unit - houses criminal mentally ill inmates) and I need this doctor's recommendations to go on file so another doctor can review and sign off on it"    Ohhhh oK then...let me just get right on that for you.    
• Legal court cases that need to be scheduled for the inmates
• Family members calling in to check on lil Johnny who 'always calls me every day and I haven't heard from him for 3 days.  Is he ok?"   Hmmmm, nooooo Lil Johhny can't call you because was involved in a major fight and is on RTQ (Restriction to Quarters) and lost his phone privileges.
•   I can't tell family members anything other than the inmate is here, he's alive, what he is here for and when he'll get released.   Century Code prevents me from giving any other information to anyone unless it is another LE (Law Enforcement) agency.  
• Family members get pissed.  I usually get hung up at least a minimum of 3 times a week.

The open position closes today; tomorrow I go over applicants with HR to score them out and select those that qualify for an interview.  We're looking for qualifications and of course someone that will fit into the incredible team we have right now.   Fingers crossed!  I do not want to go in to summer vacation season short staffed.   We can manage if we need but I'd rather not.  

I went out for supper last night with a former co-worker who has become one of my 'besties'.  She's been retired for 13 years and has become quite the social butterfly; she's in two quilting guilds, two book clubs, participates in multiple 'happy hours, suppers, lunches' gatherings per week.   She's well read and informed, educated, opinionated and highly political.  The 'grand Cheeto and his chainsaw massacre sidekick' was a dominant subject of conversation.  I normally do not talk politics or religion unless I know my audience.  My thoughts and beliefs on the current administration align with hers so I felt safe and venting.  We both agreed that we're more than likely going to be alcoholics by the end of this 4-yr term.  

Blaine called me at work today.  He said "I miss you Auntie."   With his parents in town now, they've been taking over my driving duties.  I used to see him every single day; I'm now down to maybe 1 day.  

He is heavily involved with the sports teams of UJ (University of Jamestown) and told me he has basketball games on Saturday.  I had hoped that I could take him out for breakfast but maybe I'll grab him for supper tomorrow night.  

One more day of work to tackle, then the weekend is here, and I can relax a bit. Hopefully.  

Every week the management team tours a department or housing unit in the prison.  Today I selected the prison's commissary department.  It had been a hot minute since I had been there, and it was one of the only locations left that we haven't visited.  

I couldn't believe how much it had changed. The amount of product on hand is mind blowing not to mention the system in place to fill, pack and ship inmate's orders to the other facilities within the ND DOCR.  Quite impressive!  

I asked one of the inmates to explain the process to me; you should have seen him puff up with pride.  He did very well with giving details of each step and even commented that he had been instrumental in developing once of the processes for the "Family and Friends" program.  I commended him and thanked him for his time.  His smile made my day. (Hopefully I made his too).

The ND DOCR is extremely overcrowded; JRCC is the fullest I've ever seen it.  We're in a differed admission situation right now.  This means that the DOCR will not accept any inmate from any county jail until 1) we have an available bed and 2) those that we accept must meet the criteria for entrance (ie length of sentence must be 3-5 years, crime must be medium to maximum.   As one can expect, this does not make the county jails happy.  There isn't much anyone can do about it.  Crimes are becoming more and more violent with longer sentences.  Longer sentences mean more time in prison (duh!) which takes up the bed on the 'revolving bed' count (usually those serving 6 mos to 1 yr).  The Parole Board doesn't seem to want to give out cuts in sentence either (not that some of them deserve it, but it would help the bed situation). 

With the increased inmate count, comes increased pressure for treatment programs, increased staff, etc.  My department is sure feeling it.  We have three fantastic ladies who bust their behinds every day and generally with a smile and maybe a wisecrack here or there.  Hey, you have to have fun at work, right?

We're busy - no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  I could have stayed and worked a couple of extra hours tonight, but I didn't.  It was absolutely gorgeous here ...springlike with 43 degrees! 

 Yes, I have Spring Fever!!  

Yes, I am already thinking about getting my bike out!

Yes, I am already thinking about gardening, sitting on my patio AND wine! :)

It takes a North Dakota winter to appreciate a North Dakota Spring!  :)

 With all that has been going on in the world since January 20th, I find that I'm increasingly protective of my time, energy and peace.  

My anxiety spirals when I listen to news.  I cannot not listen to the news as I need to be informed on what is happening in the world.  However, I can't let it trigger anxiety either.  I'm doing more reading and listening to music, writing on this blog, doing yoga/meditation and of course, going to the gym.   

I went to the doctor last week for my annual wellness visit.   Good news.... I'm relatively healthy.  Bad news, I'm still short. LOL Darn!  I came out of there resembling a human pincushion though, a Covid, Tetanus and Pneumonia boosters, cortisone shots bilaterally for knees, and a blood draw for a host of things I like to keep an eye one - blood sugars, cholesterol, iron, etc.   Those tests all came back pretty good with no worries, which is a relief.  

I asked for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon for a consult of my knees, specifically me left knee. I was told 12 yrs ago that I'd need a knee replacement, but I was too young at that time.  Through strength training, biking and yoga I've managed to lead an active lifestyle.  Recently, my knees have started to hinder my activity.  Stairs are an issue as are lunges at the gym.  Walking long distances is downright painful.  The cortisone shots are working magic now, but they'll wear off in time. 

 I have an overabundance of sick leave on the books which is not paid out at the time of retirement (or at best, payout is 10 % and taxable).  I might as well have the surgeries and get paid while I'm rehabilitating.  My hope is that I can have it either in September around my birthday (and before winter). 

 Look at me....a typical Virgo, trying to plan everything out to the nth degree so there aren't any surprises LOL   

Finally, Friday!  Although it was a short week due to President's Day holiday on Monday, it felt like the week drug on forever.

• This was my long, short week (9 hr. days, 4 hr. Friday)
•  suffered through working a double Monday 
•  5 work meetings
• one medical appointment that included 5 shots and 1 blood draw
•  taught a yoga class to the prisons Special Operations Response Team (SORT) in which I kicked their asses.    

Things I learned this week:

• Cortisone shots in knees are not for the faint of heart
• I may not need the referral to the orthopedic surgeon now; my knees feel pretty good.
• I'll probably still go for the consult
• May not schedule anything till next Fall; I have a busy spring and summer ahead
• I now have friends affected by Doge or waiting for the axe to drop
• Of those affected, half of them admitted to voting for Trump 
• Of those, half are still defending him
• My weekend isn't going to consist of anything other than going to the gym, laundry and reading
• Upcoming monumental events:
• Time change, Sunday March 9th
• Spring Equinox, March 20th
• These are huge in my world !
• I'm fortunate to have a strong circle of friends, whom I value so very much.  There isn't a day that goes by without touching base with them at some point or another.   They're lifers!  (Meaning they're stuck with me!) :)

I was stalking Steve Perry on YouTube and found these beauties.   The first one is from his newest album Traces.   The second song is from his album For the Love of Strange Medicine.  They're two of his lesser-known songs but beautifully show case his incredible voice.   Those who know me, know I have proclaimed myself as his biggest fan.  

Most of All (Steve Perry)

Missing You

And just like that, the year of January has ended. Thank goodness! It was long, cold, dark and depressing! February shows promise of what is to come, which is hopefully Spring.  However, I've lived in the frozen tundra long enough to know that Winter can have a death grip on us until June; she's a fickle bitch for sure! 

I noticed daylight on the horizon the other day as I pulled up to the ole salt mine at 730am; it almost made me giddy with excitement... had I not been going to work. That said, we are a lot closer to Spring; the daylight hours are getting longer which is always a good thing in my book! The ND Legislature has proposed House Bill 1259  which would end Daylight Saving Time and keep Standard Time. I'd rather have ND permanently adopt the Daylight Saving Time (more daylight time at the end of the day). I'm okay with staying with Standard Time too; it would eliminate the need to change the clocks twice yearly (Spring ahead, Fall back). This Bill has been introduced before and never made it through the Senate, so we'll see if it gets passed this time around. 

If I thought the first week under the orange clown was tumultuous, the second week proved to be even worse. Even more concerning is the fact that Elon Musk seems to have muscled his way in to the White House and gained the ear of the orange buffoon. Last time I checked, he wasn't voted in to any office (ie Vice President), nor was he named for any top-level cabinet position.  This CNN article pretty much summed it up:  We do not know what exactly Elon Musk is doing to the federal government

 Yet, he's making headlines for wanting access to the nation's checkbook. Top Treasury Official Exits as Musk makes grabs for federal payment system What????!!!  I wouldn't trust that man with my own checkbook let alone the nations!

 I barely listen to the news, and I've unfriended people on Facebook. Mostly the idiots that get their news from Facebook and do not research a damn thing on their own because they're either too stupid to see what is happening in our country or ......well, I think I'll just leave it at "too stupid".   

My anxiety cannot handle this despite all my yogic meditation, breathing techniques. I'm going to buy wine, a LOT of wine, and be in a drunken stupor for the next four years; I just need to make sure its domestic wine and not imported. Dammit!!  

Today was definitely a Monday cleverly disguised as a Tuesday; I hate it when that happens.  

It's my early week, meaning I need to be in the office by 7am.  I've never minded it; most of the staff, excluding correctional officers, don't start rolling in until 730 or 8am.  That's changed recently though.  

The Warden is a huge advocate for flexibility in the workplace. We offer our correctional officers the choice or working 8, 10, 0r 12-hour shifts.  There are some, including myself, that enjoy a flex schedule, which means that more and more people are coming in at 7am and doing 10-hour or 12-hour workdays. I've been doing ta flex schedule for 20 years and absolutely love it.  Another lady and I in my office alternately work four 9-hour days and a 4-hour Friday. I usually book my Friday afternoons up with appointments or take annual leave for 4 hours and give myself a 3-day weekend.  

I hit the ground running at 6:45 (yes, I was early!)  and didn't get to drink my coffee until 930am. Trust me, that is not a good thing for my co-workers.  Then I got pulled into two meetings today that literally were a waste of time; everything could have been handled with an email. I don't like wasting time when I have other pressing things that need my attention.

Since we're short a person in the office, we've had to readjust workload; essentially, it's all hands-on deck.  The crew I have right now work well together.  We have a good communication style between us, we know each other's strengths, weaknesses and workload. Human Resources mucked up on the paperwork to reclassify the open position, which means another delay for it go through the hiring committee, which means a delay in posting the job.  I had hoped to have someone in the position by the end of February; it isn't looking very promising.  One of my girls will be out on maternity leave starting in mid-July, I keep reminding HR of that fun little bit of information; but it's State government, nothing moves quickly unless you're in an actual panic situation.  They'll be panicking if I am down two people in July!  Just sayin!

Today was  Martin Luther King Jr holiday.  It was the Inauguration of the President. I avoided watching any of the coverage - I just couldn't stand to watch the egotistical, narcissistic clown.   It's going to be a long four years!  

It was so cold outside (-19) for a high temperature; I canceled any appointments I had for the day and stayed home.  Rather than watch the Inauguration, I chose to do some serious puttering around the house. I cleaned and organized the bathroom cabinets and drawers, did the same for my office - including filing the 2024 documents and setting up for 2025.  It's always a good feeling to get some cleaning and organizing done. I'm such an outdoor nut that I cannot stand to do "indoor" projects in the summer or spring, so I take advantage of the winter months to do all the projects; what doesn't get done by April just has to wait until the following winter.  

Blaine Update:  He didn't break his ankle after all; he severely sprained his ankle and knee.  He'll be out of work for at least a few more weeks then go back to work as a 'people greeter' until his ankle and knee are healed to the point where he can do carts again. Wal-Mart has been awesome to him and have told him that he doesn't need to worry about his job.  He was concerned.  As he put it to me the other day, "If I don't have my job, then I can kiss my apartment goodbye."  His family will always provide him a safety net to some degree - but he knows that earning his own way in life is key to the things he wants - an apartment scooter, cell phone, etc.  He's pretty self-sufficient for being intellectually challenged. I'm beyond proud of him and what he has become.

Terry and Marna are in the process of moving into town; they're moving in the absolute coldest part of the year. Terry is stressed to the max, which I can understand.  He just wants it done! Luckily Blaine has been able to be with them a little bit and help as much as he can.  His getting injured was kind of a good thing in one respect; Terry and Blaine needed some bonding time. 

 I try to take each day as it happens and live in the moment; this wasn't always the case. Yours truly has battled anxiety quite a bit in the past, especially the last 12 years. While I am thankful for the medications, which provided me a modicum of relief from the stress, I knew that they were not the answer.  It has taken me countless hours of reflection and meditation to learn to 'protect my peace.' Most days I am pretty good at letting things roll off my back, other days, not so much. Those are the days when I repeatedly say to myself "Inhale peace and let the Universe handle the rest."  I'm not going to lie, the seasonal stuff (S.A.D) is rearing its ugly head right now, especially with the artic blast. I don't like to pass time away; it goes far too fast as it is. However, I cannot wait until the daylight gets longer and the temperatures aren't so brutal. I know it's a reoccurring theme every year at this time, just as I know that I always survive and come out stronger. 

 It's another cold day in the northland. I did manage to get to the gym this morning for a pretty intense workout.  It was good but my legs felt like jelly afterwards. 

I'm in relatively good health for 62 yrs old and I'd like to keep it that way.  I have an appointment with my kidney specialist tomorrow; nothing serious, just a checkup on my labs to make sure my kidneys are doing what they're supposed to be doing and to keep an eye on kidney stone development.  I have an affinity for kidney stones, and they tend to put in me in the hospital with sepsis.  That is not a fun experience.  

Blaine is in town while his parents (my brother and sister-in-law) start the process of moving into town. I took him out for lunch and heard all about his accident with ice.  He is in quite a bit of pain still but it is manageable with Tylenol.  His MRI is this Wednesday, which should determine further course of medical care and/or how long he'll be out of work.   Walmart has assured Blaine and his parents that he'll be given a 'greeter' job while his ankle rehabs.  Blaine said that being a greeter is 'for sissys". LOL    

My heart aches for the people in California that have lost their homes and their livelihood.   I can't imagine, nor do I want to. I'll donate money to the Red Cross; I wish I could do more, but it's something at least.  

This week I'll be losing an employee; her last day is Wednesday.   It'll leave us short staffed for a bit until we can get the job reclassified and posted.  It'll be busy for a while, but we've gone through it before and managed just fine.  Hopefully we'll get some great applicants with a specific skill set that will enhance our office and the team.  

I'm hoping this week will be good week.  

You Are In Love Eras Tour 8/4 Sofi Stadium (surprise song)

This song makes me smile and happy.   I am happy for her.  She is a brilliant bright light in this world and that is something that is so needed in today's world. 

 I always struggle with some people's work ethic, or lack thereof. I've always been raised with the mindset that if there is work to be done, and you can do it....you do it.  You don't put it off until later (unless it's dusting or folding clothes!), you don't wait for 'someone else to do it', and you certainly do not say "that's not my job".  None of those flew around my father and mother and it certainly does not fly with me.  

Society has gotten lazy. No one seems to want to work or put forth an effort to even appear to work.  It's disheartening.  It's sad and pathetic. Not to mention frustrating as hell for those of us who do the work.  Perhaps the lazy are the smart ones?  They know how to get out of work by portraying laziness so the hustlers of the world get bent out of shape and say "fuck it! I'll just go ahead and do it myself.".   

I've seen it in my work environment, which is a medium security prison.  Laziness and lack of respect for the job is scary.....it's dangerous.  And yet, we have officers that skip doing rounds (which are required) on time, they can't accurately perform count of inmates (because they're lazy and/or probably do not know how to count), exerting themself to go above and beyond what is required of them is unheard of in their realm.   These are the people that are supposed to have my back when I walk on a floor with 97 male inmates; Hardly a comforting thought.  

I don't remember it being this bad 10-15 years ago.  What changed in society to make it socially and morally acceptable to be lazy?   Did my parent's generation think these things when they were my age?  Is it a generational thing?  

And what's even more scary is this:  The people who work the hardest, for the least pay, are often immigrants here on a work Visa or (yes, I'm going to say it)....illegal immigrants; all of which Trump wants to deport.    Bet the Maga Trumpers (who generally think in the terms of $$ in their wallet) wasn't thinking about the cost of fruits and vegetables rising astronomically due to the shortage or farm laborers trying to get crops off the field.   

You sure as hell don't see white people out there picking vegetables and fruits; some can't be bothered to even do the jobs that they have.  

I'm mad.  And everyone in 'Merica should be scared as hell regarding the direction this country is taking.

Surprise!

 After an extended time away, I'm back to writing on my blog...well, at least until I drop off the face of blogland again.  

I cannot seem to find the time to write consistently.  I have plenty of content, I mean my life is horribly busy so I should have plenty to write about. I always have something to say (just ask the people around me). 

Today's January 2nd, 2025.  Unbelievable.  

I'm on annual leave today and tomorrow.  After a busy Christmas, it felt like my mind and body needed to downshift a bit.   I don't have anything spectacularly fun planned, just resetting and relaxation.  And music.  And a book.  And the gym. (Always the gym). 

So what have I been up to? 

• I've been obsessed with Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour
• Literally combing the interweb for videos, pictures, alllll things Taylor
• No, I didn't go to her concert. But I have watched it on Disney like 5 times.
• Favorite Song, "Style"
• New favorite non-Eras Tour song, "You're in Love"
• It's winter, which means that I'm driving Blaine around since he parked his scooter.
• Sad note, he fell on the ice yesterday and injured his ankle badly.
• Visit to the Orthopedic Dr tomorrow to determine if hairline fracture or small broken bone.  He's off work for at least a week, longer if it's broken.
• My supervisor retired in May. (Not sad about that).
• I've taken on a supervisory/mentor role in the office.
• Cross training staff is paramount, time consuming, but worth it. 
• I just finished up 25 years at the prison. I'm 62 and probably have another 2-3 years in me. lol
• Health is good
• I did retire from teaching yoga though. I just have too much going on and it's been like 20 years that I've held space for my students.  It's time to hold space for me. Yes, I'm selfish!
• Tom is good, stubborn but good. 
• Family is good
• I'm laughing at all the Maga Trumpsters who are getting what they voted for (idiots).
• Unfortunately, it also means I'm getting what they voted for.
• Life is good.
• I'm sure there's more but it's past my 62 yr old bedtime and I'm tired. LOL