Today, I set an alarm to wake up at 10:00 a.m., but woke up around 9:30 a.m., before the alarm went off. I was up, responding to blog comments, and reading other blogs before my first phone call of the day! Neighbor T called a little after 11:00 a.m. for our Sunday morning chat. I had seen her briefly on Friday evening, but we chatted for a bit, today, as well.
Later, a little after 12:00 noon, the cousin who was hosting this month's prayer gathering called. She had originally planned to hold the gathering towards the end of the month, but she said that the lady who leads the reciting of the rosary was coming over to pick up something, and aunt and a cousin were already there, visiting, so she thought of having the rosary today, around 2:00-2:30 p.m., can I come and bring another cousin and give a ride to another friend if she comes to my house? Now, I am all for spontaneity, but, I had to tell her that I was sorry, but I had already committed to attend another event, this afternoon.
One of my supervisors holds an annual chili cook-off/potluck every June to celebrate his birthday. He basically invites everyone in the department and former colleagues who've retired, their spouses/significant others, children, and anyone else one might care to bring along! He provides barbecued ribs, others bring other dishes or drinks, and people enter their chili to be judged (there are prices for those whose chilies placed in the top 5, with the winner usually getting a $100 gift certificate). It's one of those events we all look forward to.
It started at 1:00 p.m., but from past experiences, I knew people would be wandering in till about 3:00 p.m., which is around when the chili gets judged. I got there around 2:00 p.m. I had some lunch, but not any of the chili, because I am not such a great fan of chili. It was nice to see some of my former colleagues and supervisors who are retired and to catch up with some of the people who are still at the old office building that I haven't seen since the move.
I didn't wait there for too long, though. It was held outdoors and, although his back yard is a lot shadier than mine, the afternoon was rather warm (in the upper 80s). I felt myself getting tired and left a little after 3:00 p.m., came home, and took a nap! About 20 minutes into my nap, the phone rang - it was one of my cousins. We chatted a little bit, and then, I went back to sleep and slept till 7:00 p.m.! Even then, I didn't want to get up, but made myself, because, otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight, at all!
Later, I ran the dishwasher and washed a few things by hand, and wiped down the kitchen counters and stove top.
I didn't feel like cooking anything for dinner, so, made an easy "breakfast for dinner" meal:
 |
| "Breakfast for dinner" |
I cut up and fried the last potato I had, pulled out one of the slices of bacon I had cooked and frozen earlier and heated it up, and fried an egg (I don't like the yolk by itself, so always break it up and mix it with the white). Strawberries for dessert. When I told my daughter that I hadn't felt like cooking dinner, so I made egg and chips, she pointed out that it was still cooking! It's funny, because I don't consider this as cooking! Tomorrow's lunch is going to be easy, too - sandwiches!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to attend the potluck
- Socializing with colleagues outside of the office environment
- Seeing some old friends and catching up with them
- A fun afternoon
- Afternoon naps
I am sorry I wasn't able to attend the prayer gathering, I would have enjoyed that, too, but I am glad I went to the potluck, instead.
How was your Sunday?
I'm with you daughter. I consider your dinner cooking. Cooking in my book is combining more than two ingredients. In a technical sense, I guess heat should be involved.
ReplyDeleteThe chili cookoff sounds like a lot of fun. I was wondering if I knew enough people who would make chili to enter it into a contest if I hosted one.
There were 15 or 16 chili entries, this year! These people take their chili very seriously! There was much debate about the merits of using beef that you cut up, yourself, as opposed to ground beef; about leaving the meat in larger chunks vs smaller pieces; chicken vs meat, types of chilies used, etc. There were spicy chilies made with ghost peppers, green chili, chili with mole sauce, vegan chili, with beans, without beans, and what else I don't know! I was listening to a colleague's husband (who is a lawyer, but apparently really likes to cook) go into great detail about how he made his chili entry - preparations started a week or so prior, with his wife making chicken stock from scratch, and him putting the beans to soak on Wednesday night, and cooking them all day Thursday, then cooking the meat all day Saturday; he had even researched the history of chili and was telling us how it originated as something cowboys would make over camp fire! Before the judging began, he went to give his pot a final last stir! :D I hope you, too, can host a chili cook-off. Maybe if you put the word out at your workplace?
DeleteWhat a lovely day you had. I am glad you went to the BBQ/Potluck. It must have been a great time. It is always nice I think to visit with co-workers on a social basis, and it sounds like a wonderful opportunity to stay in touch once your own retirement comes around. I will be attending a retirement party later this month for someone I used to work with.
ReplyDeleteYou must have needed that long afternoon nap. Once in a while you must just give in to those sleepy times and let your mind and body recuperate from the stresses of a busy week.
It was a fun day, Susan, and I'm glad I went to the potluck instead of the rescheduled prayer gathering. Yes, I did think that it would be a nice way to keep in touch when I am retired, too.
DeleteYes, the afternoon nap was much needed. I was falling asleep in my armchair, before I moved to the sofa!
So nice when someone establishes an annual event like that and includes people who have left. You must have met one or two people you had known and you will be able to go next year as a retiree! I have one friend who worked in a local drug store for years and she and her former co-workers go out for a meal from time to time.
ReplyDeleteWe had lunch on the deck today and suddenly DH spotted a rabbit heading out of the brambles. He had been there all the time near us!
It is nice, Bushlady, and yes, I did meet a few former colleagues. At least a couple of them, who have been retired awhile, asked about my "little girl", as that's how they remember my daughter. They were quite amazed when I said the "little girl" is now grown and working! They remembered buying wrapping paper and chocolates from her when she had school fundraisers. :)
DeleteI'm with you - egg and chips is the sort of meal I make when I don't want to cook! It sounds like you had a lovely day, especially meeting up with the colleagues who are now retired.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't feel like cooking, does it? :) I did enjoy catching up with everyone.
DeleteThe potluck sounds like so much fun and your boss really is a wonderful person to throw it each year on his birthday!
ReplyDeleteHe says it's a celebration of his birthday, father's day, graduations, and all the other things that take place in June! This year, it also included 40 years of working (and he's still not planning to retire!) We are not allowed to bring him any gifts for his birthday, of course.
Delete