Monday, September 04, 2017
Labor Day, Green Day, September, ...
Happy Labor Day to all my US friends. :) Had a very nice three day weekend which is winding down now. Was nice to have the day off and still always a bit weird to me since I never had these days off during my last job. We were always open on Labor Day and Memorial Day and almost always on the 4th of July. So it's weird having three day weekends since I often worked on the Saturday before the holiday as well as the actual holiday. But no complaints of course. :)
This past Tuesday we went to see Green Day in Hartford and it was a really amazing show. They are so great live. We saw them once before on their American Idiot tour and they were just as great, if not even better, on this tour. Of course it was super late (1.30am) by the time we got home but it was worth it.
The weekend has been pretty relaxing. Saturday we had a vet appointment with Bailey and she luckily passed with flying colors. We now don't have to go back until April so that's good. After the vet appointment we set up our new DVR (we are replacing our old TiVo) and our new vacuum cleaner. Happy with the new vacuum. The one we had before we have had for about 3+ years and it really just wasn't performing properly anymore. So far the new one seems to be pretty good so fingers crossed it lasts.
Sunday the weather was cool and rainy all day so we decided to sleep in late. Then had lunch at 121 in Oxford. Stopped at the store for a bunch of errands and eventually caught up on some recorded TV. We are finally more or less caught up from last season's shows so that's good. Just in time for the new seasons to start up.
And today we slept in and then decided to do something outdoors since the weather was a lot nicer. We had decided on a trail in Danbury but there was a lot of flooding from the rain the day before. So we decided to try a trail in Brewster instead. It wasn't anything too exciting or too long but at least we walked for a little over 2 miles and got some exercise in. So not a bad thing.
Now we are at RIzzuto's winding down and enjoying the last bits of our holiday weekend. Tomorrow it's back to work and real life. But at least's it's only a 4 day work week. And then the week after that I leave for Europe. So there is lots to take care of before then,
Letter/Mail Update: Received a letter from/owe a reply to: Celia/MA and Eloine/NY.
Posted by Hanna at 05:13 PM in Food and Drink, Music, Television, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Outlander - Season 2
Another week gone by already. Took a while to get through the week as we had somebody on vacation. But we made it and got through the week without too much of an issue. Now it's already Sunday afternoon somehow. How did that happen?
Worked Saturday till 2pm. Then went for a late lunch in Oxford. Later in the evening I stayed home while Mike went out to watch the Mets game. I caught up on some recorded things and then watched the first episode of the second season of "Outlander" again. They had released it early on Thursday though streaming so I had caught it then but wanted to see it again.
Been having fun talking it through with my friends, discussing changes from the books and how the show has been set up. It's neat to see what they have done and how they are approaching the season. I think it's a good setup and really enjoyed the first episode. Let's see what the rest of the season brings. Can't wait. :)
In other fun news our trip to Chicago is getting close now. Leaving in less than a week, on Saturday next week. Really looking forward to it. Let's hope the weather at least semi cooperates.
Mail Update: Received a letter from/owe a reply to: Carmen/Malta, Laura/Spain, Lotte/Denmark and Jessica/DE.
Posted by Hanna at 03:04 PM in Television, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Monday, February 01, 2016
Movies, Travel plans and TiVo
Had both Saturday and Sunday off this weekend which was NICE. We rarely get Saturdays off anymore right now so it was a happy change of pace. :)
Saturday we went to an early showing (10am) of the movie "The 5th Wave". It was nice to go to the theater early with cheaper matinee prices and not a lot of people. After the movies we went for lunch at Flipside in Milford. Yum.
Sunday we decided to take it easy and slept in. After we got up we went for breakfast at a local diner close by (yummy Western omelette) and then stopped at the grocery store for a few things.
Afterwards we just vegged out at home and caught up on a bunch of TV shows we had recorded on our TiVo. Was a nice, relaxing Sunday. No complaints. :)
In other fun news, we booked a 4-night stay in the Caribbean for the end of February. Heading to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) Feb 21-25 so that should be nice. Our 15-year wedding anniversary is in February 10th so we decided to plan a nice trip somewhere tropical for that. Yay. :)
Other than that not too much else new. Another Monday at work and also the beginning of the month so some extra things to take care of. We will see what the rest of the week brings.
Mail Update: Received a letter/owe a reply to: Jessica/DE, Celia/MA, Charles/TN.
Posted by Hanna at 12:47 PM in Food and Drink, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Golden Globes Sunday
Another week gone by and tomorrow is already January 11th. The new year is truly underway. Doing kind of ok with my healthier eating. Well except for today when we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch. But we had a gift card Mike got for Christmas so it's only half my fault. ;)
Had a busy-ish week. Worked Saturday till 2. Then in the evening I finally took the Christmas tree down and spent some time relaxing and reading.
Today we slept in. It's a rainy day. Oddly warm but tomorrow it's supposed to go back down to freezing. Weird weather. Went for lunch and later we are going to watch Star Wars - episode 4 and 5. I am one of those odd people who has never seen it so we want to watch those before seeing the new one. Yeah, we still haven't seen that.
Then later the Golden Globes are on. We usually watch them anyway but I am extra excited for them this year cause my favorite show "Outlander" (based on the books by Diana Gabaldon) is nominated for three. I know they are the fringe underdogs but we will see. Fingers crossed! Just cool for them to be nominated and acknowleged at all.
Mail Update: Caught up with my mail for once. :)
Posted by Hanna at 02:41 PM in Food and Drink, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Xmas Update
Merry belated Christmas everyone. :) Hope everyone had a nice holiday.
We had a nice quiet few days which was much needed after all the craziness at work. Christmas Eve we had to work till 2 so not too bad. Had dinner at Outback before heading to the movies to see "Spotlight". Very good movie and great cast.
Then Christmas Day we opened our gifts with Mike's sister, niece and nephew. Got a lovely Scottish tartan scarf and green ear rings from Mike along with a Bath & Body gift certificate, wine, chocolates, a candle, cute figurines and other stuff from family and friends here and around the world.
Mid morning we went back to the movies to see "Joy". Another great movie, very similiar in style to his other movies "Silver Linings Playbook" and "American Hustle".
Spent the rest of the day catching up on some TiVo recordings and eating yummy food (shrimp cocktail, veggies & dip, chips & dip, cheese & crackers etc) and drinking wine.
Saturday we had to work again till 2. But had a relaxed afternoon and were able to sleep in late today. I am fighting an annoying cold so it was nice to get some needed rest.
Will have a few more crazy days at work Monday through Wednesday before heading up to Ottawa, Canada on Thursday. Will be nice to be away for a few days.
Mail Update: Received letters/still owe replies to: Carmen/Malta, Charles/TN, Lotte/Denmark, Celia/MA, Kimber/Canada and Tiffany/OK.
Posted by Hanna at 03:06 PM in Family, Food and Drink, Holidays, Television, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Highland Rail Trail
And somehow it is already Sunday again. Had a nice weekend where we mostly had both Saturday and Sunday off. Nice change of pace.
It was a busy and drawn out week at work with schools starting up, training a new employee and other random things going on. Next week is the week before Labor Day so I am pretty sure it won't get any less busy any time soon.
Saturday we slept in and then had lunch in Oxford at 121. Later I was invited to a baby shower for a co-worker and afterwards met back up with Mike at Two Steps before eventually heading back home.
Today we took advantage of being able to sleep in again and then later drove to Poughkeepsie to check out a rail trail that runs through there. Even though it's been getting pretty muggy and humid again it was still nice to be outside for a bit. Had lunch at Blue Collar Brewery.
Later we are going to watch the VMAs or at least some of it. Set it to record so we can fast forward through the parts that don't interest us. Always kind of entertaining to watch these award shows though.
Mail Update: A letter is going tomorrow to: Laura/Spain. Received letters from/owe a reply to: Celia/MA and Charles/TN.
Posted by Hanna at 03:42 PM in Food and Drink, Nature, Outdoors, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, July 05, 2015
4th of July weekend
Happy 4th of July to everyone here in the US. We had to work both Friday and Saturday as work has been super busy and the big switch/transition is just a week away now. Managed to get out of work around 3 on Saturday.
Headed home afterwards and binge watched some of our recorded TiVo stuff. Got through 9 episodes of "Sleepy Hollow", about halfway through last season.
Since we now live on a big hill plus are on the second floor we overlook quite a bit of the town so were able to see a bunch of the fireworks people were setting off. Was fun to see some of the prettier ones. Our cat Mindy was not impressed at all though. She hates all loud sounds like thunder or fireworks and hides in the bathroom (no windows) or in the closet or inside cabinets.
Today we slept in and then went for a walk in Cheshire/Meriden (one of the trails we go to a lot) It was perfect because the trail runs next to the water, is flat and mostly shaded. So the humidity and heat wasn't completely unbearable at least.
Now at a late lunch in Oxford at 121. And tomorrow is already Monday and a new work week. I can only imagine what next week will bring as we will get ready for the transition at the end of the week.
Mail Update: Letters went out last Monday to Celia/MA and Katie/Iowa.
Posted by Hanna at 04:18 PM in Food and Drink, Holidays, Nature, Outdoors, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Memorial Day Weekend
And the three day weekend is already done and over with again. It's crazy how fast time flies, especially when it's something you were looking forward to. :)
All in all we had a pretty relaxed weekend and didn't do all that much but that's ok. Traffic can be so crazy on these holiday weekends so we really didn't want to go anywhere too far. Wanted to stay clear of NYC and any big parks/zoos etc. I remember last year we attempted to go to the Bronx Zoo on Memorial Day. What a crazy idea that was. We ended up at the Botanical Gardens instead which was nice but still a nightmare to get to. Ugh.
So this year we ended up doing more low key things. :) Saturday we finished up the current season of "The Big Bang Theory" and then I watched the Eurovision Song Contest with my UK friend Joanne. Sunday we went for a nice walk at the CT Audubon Society in Fairfield where they have some pretty trails and afterwards had lunch at Flipside in Fairfield.
And yesterday, Monday, we went to the movies in the morning and saw "Tomorrowland" which was a fun movie. It probably didn't need to be quite as long as it was but once it got going it was a fun story. After the movies we stopped at the store to pick up some cheese & crackers and a bottle of wine. And then spent the rest of the day vegging out and binge watching a bunch of our recorded shows (Saturday Night Live & Hawaii Five O) Now it's Tuesday and back to work and real life.
Mail Update: A letter is on its way to Laura/Spain today.
Posted by Hanna at 09:15 AM in Holidays, Outdoors, Television | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Friday, August 08, 2014
Outlander
I haven't talked about my Outlander obsession on here in quite some time so I figured it would only be right to make another post now that the first episode has been released. The official air date is tomorrow, Saturday, August 9th, on STARZ but they released the first episode a week early online so you have been able to watch it for free.
For those of you who don't know (and I am almost not sure how that's even possible because I have been babbling about this for a long time now) the Outlander TV show is based on the series of books by Diana Gabaldon.
Here is what it says on the Starz website about the show: "Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in to irreconcilable lives. The "Outlander" series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure into one grandiose tale."
As I said the first episode is available for free online here if you are in the US. If you are outside of the US you will not be able to watch the episode through that link (international copyright protection as the US rights are held by Starz and international ones by Sony) unless you use a service like Hotspot Shield that re-routes your IP address to a USA one. You can find the link for that here. Friends in Germany and Canada were able to watch it that way.
I am very excited about the show and can't wait for the second episode which unfortunately won't air till next week Saturday, August 16th. Eight episodes will air straight through the end of September and after that there will be a break till early 2015. So go check it out!!
Received a letter/owe a reply to: Charles/TN and Lotte/Denmark.
Posted by Hanna at 09:08 AM in Books, Television | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Dreary, rainy days
Can't complain too much because at least it's not snow but this weekend so far has been very dreary. It rained yesterday, today and is also supposed to rain tomorrow. Temps are in the mid 40ies F (=7C). Basicall crappy, wet and cold. Oh well. Like I said at least it's not snow and it is above freezing so I will take it.
I was off on Tuesday so had to work today, Saturday. Tuesday was a pretty good day for me. Was able to take care of a bunch of stuff at Home. Two loads of laundry, vacuuming and some general straightening up around the house. Then at night I cuddled up in bed with the cats and a book. Good day.
Today started out kind of annoying at work but all in all worked out ok in the end. Got some stuff done that I needed to get done in preparation for my Europe trip. Can't believe it's only a week and a half now until I leave. Time flies. I still have a lot to get done before I leave. Need to try and arrange the spring break schedules for our school deliveries so everyone can receive milk for when they get back. Always a bit of a juggling game.
After work we decided to go to the movies and saw Jason Bateman's "Bad Words". It was pretty funny in a quirky funky way. :) Now we are at Two Steps hanging out for a bit. Not sure what we will do yet tomorrow but one of the main things will be to catch up with the last three "How I Met Your Mother" episodes we haven't seen yet. The series finale airs on Monday so I want to make sure we are caught up and can watch it live on Monday. Other than that I am guessing we will just sleep in and then will do lunch somewhere. We had originally talked about going somewhere or doing something more elaborate but with the rain it's not really fun to drive long distances.
My mom left the first rehab place on Tuesday and was able to spend a night at home. Then on Wednesday she went to the new rehab place where she will be spending the next four weeks. From what everyone has told me it's a really nice place and has more of a wellness hotel type feel to it.
Mail Update: Received a letter/owe a reply to: Celia/MA, Laura/Spain and Tiffany/OK.
Posted by Hanna at 07:30 PM in Austria , Television, Weather | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack