The things that $$ can’t buy… – Page 3

My Current Situation – Part II

About 3 1/2 months ago (mid-March 2020) Covid 19 happened and turned my world inside out and upside down.

To try and sort everything out, I blogged about the unfolding of these unusual events in My Current Situation: My current situation…

Here’s where I’m at today: during the first 10 weeks of Covid 19 me and my fellow Account Executives in the News 8 local sales department were asked to work 100% of the time from home on our laptop computers. Daily zoom sales meetings and zoom calls with our clients and prospective clients became the the new norm. To make it work at home, my dining room quickly became my new office, the table now completely covered with client files and client notebooks. Lucky for me I already owned a computer desk and office chair and now it was finally getting full use. At the office I was used to working off of dual monitors so to simulate this I connected my Dell home computer monitor to my HP work computer and as luck would have it, they were compatible (smile).

When Week 11 arrived we Account Executives were told we were heading back to work but in a checkerboard fashion. Meaning that we were to be split into two teams. Team A would go into work the first week back on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and work from home on Tuesday and Thursday and Team B would do the complete opposite. In this way only half the staff would be in the office on any given day. We still were not sure how long this new arrangement would go on but as it turned out for me it worked out just fine (smile). I’m happy because I get the best of both worlds: a break from the monotony of working from home 100 percent of the time and the chance to get out of the house, work in my familiar cubicle and connect face to face with my co-workers (smile).

I’m not gonna lie: Being back in my cubicle was strange that first week back because in this new Covid world we now had to wear face masks and practice social distancing. No more water cooler chit chat (smile). Plus we did not have access to certain areas or departments in the TV station as they were now considered off limits…

And sanitizer seemed to be everywhere so my hands felt like they were in a perpetual state of dryness.

But the best part of week 11 was that we entered phase II of back to normalcy in the state of Connecticut. In this phase Hair and Nail Salons were now allowed to open back up. Yay! Finally some relief for my neglected head of hair and bitten down nails.

Also my gym I love kickboxing opened back up – so I had to quickly get used to working out real hard again (smile).

During phase II I was also able to go back to my favorite dentist in North Haven to get my teeth cleaned.

But phase II did not include vacations (at least not in our world). Vacations for now were a distant memory…we are not looking to fly anywhere for a long while nor were we even remotely interested in taking super long car trips so Staycations in Connecticut including home movie dates were going to become our new option.

Here’s what I think: suddenly in this Covid 19 world the little things that we used to take for granted have become big things…spending quality time with family members, heading to a performance at a live theater or concert hall, meeting up with my girlfriends for dinner, etc.

But despite everything I still commit to remaining positive, optimistic and focused as we are truly all in this together. And because of that, I choose to wear my mask in public.

Sincerely,

TVFL

20 Things I do not want to give up in 2020

With the arrival of Lent it got me thinking of what I would like to give up this year. But before I get to that, here are 20 things I do not want to give up in 2020 (in no particular order):

Kombucha – I discovered this delish drink during Dry January at the beginning of the year when I was purposely seeking out cool refreshing drinks with a kick (smile). Kombucha hit the spot and the fact that it is Gluten Free and Dairy Free is an added bonus.

Red Wine – It’s no surprise that this one made my list before: 9 things I do not want to give up in 2019. My new favorite reds are Pinots and my new favorite Pinot (discovered on my recent trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL) is Meiomi.

Kickboxing – I joined the specialty gym I Love Kickboxing this month because I needed something that was going to challenge me and kick my butt all at the same time (smile). So far…so good.

Golf – It’s still cold here in New England (at least for another month or so) but once it warms up I will be back with my ladies hitting the links in Golf Fore Women 401.

Hot Green Tea – I like to order hot green tea when I eat in or out of a Japanese restaurant. It not only tastes good but it’s extremely good for you.

Speaking of Japanese, I def do not want to give up Sushi this year, it’s become a regular part of my bi-monthly cuisine and just thinking of it makes me want to call in an order or two (smile).

Love me some sushi with edamame and hot green tea – delish!

Staycations – what a novel idea – discovering fun things to do in your own state. I feel like when we staycate in Connecticut the time to go back to work moves slower (smile). Check out my blog post: Vacay in CT

Bikini Waxes – Summer is not the only time to get a bikini wax (Vacays count too!) and Tommy K’s Wax Center offers your first bikini line for free, if you are a first time customer – check out my blog post: Brazilian bikini wax for my Mexico vacay!

Blueberry Ale – I’ve never been a big beer drinker but Elm City Market in New Haven has this delish brand from Wachusett Brewing Company that tastes more like something you eat than drink.

Oysters – I can eat this delicacy any season of the year but I have to admit that they taste infinitely better in the Summer than they do in the Winter.

Homemade Soups – I love soups made from scratch especially in the Winter so I’m truly enjoying the likes of homemade Lentil, Split Green Pea, Red Kidney Bean, 16 Bean Soup and more~

Candles – I like burning things in a safe way (smile) so scented candles are high on the list – check out my blog post: Put your slippers on….

Bananas – I buy and eat bananas on a daily basis as the potassium and fiber help me out during super intense workouts – and I buy organic so I don’t have to worry about pesticides.

Salad – This was on my list before because it is also something I can eat any time of the year (as long as it contains protein). Cafe Java in New Haven has my all time fave Bosco Salad which I probably eat at least once a week…

Love me some Bosco Salad at Cafe Java in New Haven, CT

Spinach and Mozzarella Pie – New Haven, CT has the best Spinach and Mozzarella Pizza I have ever eaten – I love veggie pizza and this does it for me!

Edamame – Steamed lightly salted soybeans are my favorite appetizer before a japanese meal. They are high in protein and fiber and relatively low in calories so for me they are an obvious snacking choice.

Trail Mix – I might have hiked maybe once, maybe twice in my lifetime but if you saw me eating raw trail mix you might think I was an avid hiker (smile).

Sirius (XM) radio – I love listening to music and happen to have eclectic tastes so my satellite radio (at just $6.99 a month) puts Terrestrial radio to shame and keeps me entertained (smile).

Netflix TV and Movies – I just love the original content of the re-occuring Series on this channel as well as the Movies. It takes binge watching to a whole ‘nother level for me…

My Iphone – I won’t leave the house without it, I won’t sit still anywhere without it nearby, I won’t rest knowing that it needs re-charging, am I addicted (the answer is a resounding YES!! Check out this blog post: An Apple a day…

Sincerely,

TVFL

A letter to my big sister Dana…

My big sister Dana passed away from stage 4 lung cancer on November 9th 2019. She was 65 years old. It was a shock to anyone who really knew Dana as she was truly larger than life. Ironically Dana never smoked a cigarette a day in her life…

And as what usually happens after we lose a loved one, we often think about what we would say to them if we even had just 1 more day…The following is what I would say…I purposely chose to express myself in the form of a letter though as Dana was instrumental in encouraging all of her siblings to make good use of the written word – whether it was by writing letters to her when she was stationed at Pope Air Force Base wayyyy back in the day, sending heartfelt thank you cards to family members for birthday or holiday gifts received, or writing witty post cards from their own travel adventures. Here I go…

Dear Dana,

I truly believe that you are the strongest woman I have ever known in the 57 years I have been on this earth. I distinctly remember watching you (when I was a just a little girl) navigate your way through life. You had 6 brothers and sisters all younger than you, yet you somehow managed to do a remarkable job babysitting us while still figuring out what you had to do to manage your own up and coming existence. You were exactly 8 years older than me but it may as well had been a lifetime for all that you seemed to possess in the way of knowledge and from what very little I knew…

At night I would lay on the top bunk of my twin bed (which I shared with our sister Elena) and marvel at the “bedtime stories” you shared with us. I hung onto your every word although I honestly did not “get” what you were saying (smile).

You were a remarkable storyteller, taking Elena and I from the craziness of your junior high and high school worlds in Groton, CT to the mysteries of wide world events. I must admit, the wide world events you told us about really scared the heck out of me (why would anyone want to bomb anyone?!?) I would think, finding it hard to go to sleep.

Dana I also remember when you left our home at the tender age of 18 (with your red Samsonite luggage in tow) to make your way out into the world. You chose to enroll in the United States Air Force. I was all of 10 then and admired your decisiveness and bravery. You made a promise to all of us that once you got yourself settled and bought your first home, you would come back each Summer (to Groton, Connecticut from Fayettville, North Carolina) and pick one of us up to spend the entire Summer with you. I would have been 16 but I ended up being 15 when it was my turn to go (something came up for Elena that Summer so she could not take her turn). I was never so excited that year as I had not experienced much in the way of travel. As you very well know, Growing up Hollis (family of 9) we would (in our two-toned station wagon) regularly visit our cousins in Newport RI, and sometimes visit our paternal Grandfather in Niagara Falls, NY, and/or our paternal Grandmother in Newark, NJ. That was the extent of our travel so Fayettville, North Carolina was a real treat and a completely different way of life which I’m still thanking you for. I learned a lot those two summers down South and grew in so many ways.

By the time you completed your stint in the Air Force and moved back to Connecticut, you were now married to former Air Force Sargent Clifford Babb and had 2 young children – Keedah and Ahmad. This was my first real experience at being an Aunt so while you were busy working full-time on the 3rd Shift at Electric Boat in Groton, CT, taking courses part-time at UNH in West Haven (Groton campus) and being a full-time wife and mother, I would help you out where I could in the babysitting department. I was in high school then so I too had an inordinate amount of energy (smile).

After your employment at Electric Boat ended, you relocated to Baltimore, MD where you worked for a number of good companies: PharmaKinetics, KPMG Peat Marwick and finally Enron (before the collapse) where you would travel back and forth to Enron’s headquarters in Houston, Texas living out your dreams.

I had graduated from college at this point so me, our late mother Jean, our sister Casandra, my girlfriends Sherry and Thais, their mother Yvonne and my girlfriend Gina would “shoot” up and down the highway from Connecticut to Maryland in the Summers to enjoy long weekends with you and the family which mostly included a Crab Feast to Nowhere Baltimore Crab Feast!

We got to know downtown Baltimore very well because of you Dana and really enjoyed our time in that part of the country (smile).

Dana, you had a sixth sense and were way ahead of your time as I distinctly remember you talking to us about how you had to get out of Enron years after you started as you feared something terrible was about to happen. Being the big- hearted person you were, you tried real hard to convince your co-workers to leave with you but no one took you seriously…

Being the go-getter that you were, you quickly obtained new employment out of state as an Independent Contractor with New Jersey Transit Authority. It was here where you worked your way up to Project Manager and spent the next 17 years honing a lifetime of skills and finally performing the gratifiying and rewarding work you were made for.

Dana, you lived in a beautiful apartment home in Newark, NJ the first half of your career so me and the family were also able to witness the true gentifrication of the City of Newark. We had visited Newark long ago when we were children so we were all completely surprised by the ‘new’ Newark (smile).

You then purchased a large home in Hillside, NJ so that your daughter and 4 grandchildren (whom two you now had custody of) would all live in one place and belong to a better school system.

Dana, your life was extraordinarily busy in New Jersey as now you were working full time at New Jersey Transit Authority; regularly taking Continuing Education courses in your industry in various states; raising your 4 grandchildren; working on Concrete Roses and Boys to Men: the Summer programs for At Risk Teenagers you both founded and directed; volunteering at your AME Church; doing travel consulting on the side with Cruise Planners – The Yellow Brick Road; etc., so we were only able to get together with you and your family maybe 3 or 4 times a year (at combined birthdays and holidays). We made the best of what family time we had together though didn’t we: often sharing pictures from our own individual adventures or telling stories about shared family history over meals.

Dana I must say I’ll never forget the weekend of July 4th 2018 as God called and directed me to have a family barbeque at me and James’s house in Connecticut where we were to celebrate all of the Summer birthdays for the months of June, July and August (as well as Father’s Day). Your birthday was on June 19th so you were included in this joint celebration. I remember you sending Amazon box after Amazon box to our house well in advance of the date just to make sure you did not forget anyone. You had such a big heart and truly took the time out to pick out gifts that the person would never look to return (smile). Everything, and I mean everything fell into place on that fateful day…

Dana enjoying some of her own birthday gifts while brother Michael looked on

Dana and the family enjoying the barbecue and Summer birthday festivities

I did not of course know that you would be gone the following year but I did notice that you seemed awfully tired that day and not your normal energetic self…

What happened to you between October 2018 and October 2019 was a flurry of emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation visits, at-home care, chemo treatments and such. Me, my brother Michael, my sister Casandra and our Dad Jonie B., would visit you in New Jersey as often as we could and once there, try and make it the best day it could possibly be.

Here is one of our earlier visits with you when you were in the Rehab Center of the VA Medical Center in Lyons, New Jersey

We also supplemented those in-person visits to New Jersey over all of those months with weekly family calls so that we could all stay connected. You’ll be happy to hear that we decided those family calls should not go away but continue, as they truly help us all cope.

Dana I love you and want you to know that I truly believe you are in a much better place where there is no more anguish and no more pain, just lots of joy and, not to mention, family reunions.

P.S. Here is your obituary – it was truly a labor of love that me, your daughter Keedah, our sister Casandra and your granddaughter Rashidah all collaborated on – please cut, copy and paste onto your browser to enjoy:

https://www.honoryou.com/programs/PDF/191123do.pdf

You’ll also be equally happy to hear that your brother Michael delivered your Eulogy on Saturday, November 23rd to a packed house with a not a dry eye in sight!

Brother Michael delivering Dana’s eulogy to a packed house

Love your baby sister Lajeune

Fun Things to do in Connecticut – Part III

There’s lots to do in the state of Connecticut during the Summer, especially when the weather is cooperating. It is truly ‘hotter than July’ so there is really no need to travel anywhere, we have sun filled days and long nights right here in CT (smile).

Here is a short list of annual events that occur in the Summer months and involve food, fun, music, festivities, entertainment and more! The good news is that most are free to attend and some even offer free parking.

A Taste of Mystic (New London County)

This annual event takes place at the Olde Mistick Village (OMV) around the second weekend in June (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) and involves food and drinks, live bands, loads of entertainment, merchant specials and more!

Admission is free (parking is also free). To participate in The Taste you buy sleeves of tickets for $1.00 each to be exchanged for food and drinks from the vendors.

Joyce Reskinoff the owner of Olde Mistick Village being interviewed by News 8’s own Co-Chief Meteorologist Joe Furey

And the OMV Merchants offer money-saving specials as well! Here’s a PSA: Be sure to support these Connecticut based small businesses.

Garden Specialties

UNA

Bestemors Imports

Franklins

Smiths Boutique

Kitch

Sticky Situations

Munsons Chocolates

New Haven Music on the Green (New Haven County)

In New Haven the unofficial start to Summer kicks off with Music on the Green!

Ryan Kristofer and Teresa DuFour of CT Style along with Jo Jo Pastors and her gf on the New Haven Green

In Summers past we have been entertained (in our VIP seats) by such notable acts as Ronnie Spector, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne, KC and the Sunshine Band and En Vogue, just to name a few.

And this year we had the pleasure of seeing Lisa Lisa on Saturday 7/20/19 and Morris Day on Saturday 7/29/19!

Morris Day is 61 years young – a real talent for sure!

The Hamden Free Summer Concert Series (New Haven County)

Beginning late June on Friday nights at 6pm at the Hamden Town Center Park, live bands play to diverse crowds made up of singles, couples, families, dogs and more! This free annual outdoor event truly features something for everyone. There’s no VIP but at the same time there is truly not a bad seat in the house. And if you come hungry you can feast off of the nearby food trucks or better yet, pack your own picnic complete with adult beverages. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and make a space on the lawn as happy people jam to the music.

Plenty of room at the free Hamden Summer Concert Series at the Hamden town green. Long lines at the ethnically diverse food trucks

This year (2019) on Week 4 The Wailers, featuring Julian Junior Marvin, delighted the Friday night crowd.

The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz (Hartford County)

Jazz is alive and well outdoors at the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz at Bushnell Park in Hartford! This free annual event takes place over an entire weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) in mid July. There are food and retail clothing vendors and folks completely covering the Bushnell park lawn with their blankets, lawn chairs, coolers and sun umbrellas. Big screen TVs on both sides of the stage ensure that everyone gets a decent view. It’s a thing!