Author: Diana

Day 211 – The 20 Year Day

By Diana

Today I have been in the railroad signaling business for 20 years.  Wow, I don’t feel like it, probably because for the most part it has been an amazing experience.  Where I am now is also an amazing place.  I have made great friends and been to some great places.  Most recently I have been lucky enough to meet new people and get to know others better and that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

I went downtown today to work and got lots done again.  I only had one meeting so that was good.  It was so hot though, I couldn’t believe it.  Goodness!!

We have gone out so many time tonight and the last “walk” Nickel dug up a armadillo shell…  Of course he want’s to bring it in the house, why not?!

I was just outside sitting on the tailgate of the truck, eating ice cream, and watching the puppies, listening to whip-poor-wills.

Alright, I am gonna finish up so that I can lounge before bed :)

Day 210 – The Catchup Day

By Diana

Today was a day to catch up on things at home while I still do work stuff.  I haven’t been gone all that long this time, but I still have stuff piled up that I need to do.

I got some good bits of work done.

I really didn’t have anything exciting today.  Played with the puppies a lot, as usual and that’s kinda it.  Sorry :(

Day 209 – The Final Day :(

By Diana

Today is the last day I will be here :(  I am very sad, but I was able to see my friend and gave him his picture :)  He liked it and that makes me so happy.

I had two classes today just like the last two days and they all went well.  One of them I had to spend a lot more time then before because the schedule shuffled.  But all went well.

Lunch was hot dogs and hamburgers – but good :)  Then this afternoon the big boss gave a talk and right after we left.  We had been at the airport for about 30 minutes and the flight was delayed and it looked like they moved me on the connection flight to get in at 01:00…  Luckily the flight ended up leaving on time and we actually got in early,  I made the original flight and got home, still late, but no where near 03:00.

Sleep now!

Day 208 – Another Great Day Down by the River

By Diana

Today was another great day.  We had great classes, good lunch, went out with a couple of the guys for dinner – all great stuff!!

Tonight was also BINGO night.  No, I didn’t win, I never win, I believe I am cursed – and everyone says it too!!  I sat with a couple people I have worked closer too and their family and it was all good fun.  Like 4 other people at our table won by the way – HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!  ha ha ha

After that, it was still pretty early so a couple people went for walks.  I went with this one family that has 6 kids where 4 were there.  We walked down the the river front and over this bridge over the railroad tracks and a couple UP engines were going under, it was very nice.  Then we walked around this old depot and again, bed time :)

I grabbed a snack at the hotel because we ate so early and now I am going to eat and sleep!

Day 207 – The First Day of the Safety Cert!

By Diana

Today was the first day of the safety certification that I have a class to teach.  I actually have part of a class, not a whole one :)

So far things have went really well.  The hotel it is in is really nice and I have met a couple of the guys wives.  Food was good at the group lunch too.

We went to dinner at this Italian place and everyone was having a good time.  There was 10 of us at the table and we were all cutting up and laughing really loudly like we were the only people in the place :)  It was a good time.  The strangest thing happened and it was like – WHAT?!  Two of the guys were gonna share a pizza and asked for all meat toppings.  When the pizza came it has jalapeno peppers and onions and some other kinds of veggies and when they asked the server about it he was like “well, they threw some extra stuff on there – it’s alright”!!!!!  How in the heck does that work?  ha ha ha

Oh, we also tried a new food for me, Palenta.  It was very interesting, it’s kinda like grits with some sauce and mushrooms and onions on top.

They all went out and here I am in the hotel :)  I have to get my sleep!

Day 206 – The New Backpack Day

By Diana

I have decided that I am going to switch backpacks to my new one.  I am doing it because on this last trip I got some kind of sticky crap on my current one :(  I am excited though, it is a good backpack :)

Paul is over today, came today instead of yesterday so he could take me to the airport.

I just started laundry so there’s that :)  I better get busy so I will get back to this later.

Day 205 – The Day I Spent at Home (In Bed)

By Diana

I have been so tired lately with all the traveling and I just stayed in bed most of the morning, actually I think it was until at least 13:00.  Then when I did get up I just stayed as lazy as possible :)

I did exercise the puppies several times.  Nickel was being very strange, I think he was a little overheated.  I made him come inside but he wasn’t really drinking and then would want to go out again.  So we just sat a couple times outside.

I started to lay out some clothes to bring on this next trip.  I haven’t been dressing very nice mainly because nothing fits anymore.  I don’t know why I can’t get motivated, but I really really need to do something with myself.

I changed out my earrings and am wearing my new ones, I love them!!

I have no plans of doing laundry until tomorrow.  I should do it today but oh well :)

Day 204 – The Interview Day

By Diana

Today I have a phone interview for a job that I applied to at CSX.  I also have 2 web demos that I need to do for the new software release we just did.  These are easy demos, most of the time the morning group will ask a ton of questions and then the afternoon group will ask none :)

The phone interview is giving me a strange feeling.  Really the interviews are feeling weird to me period because I know the people, I am working with some / most of them and the questions that get asked are totally related to the project I am working on with them.  So, I think the interview went well.

My demos went well also and now it is time to go home :)

Played with the puppies so many times!  Now I think I am gonna go to bed!

Day 203 – The Day the Errands Ran

By Diana

Today was a work / get stuff done while I am in town day!  I got everything done that I wanted to so I am very happy.

I have been playing with the puppies and I have really missed this :)  I have not missed them barking in my face, but you take the good with the bad!

Tomorrow I have an interview for the job I applied for at CSX.  I am happy to see where this goes.  I also have to get there early so that I can do a call.  I have been doing them from home, but I need to drop stuff off down there too.  Maybe I will do the AM call from home and the afternoon one from HQ.  Will have to see how I feel :)

Mom went out with me to run around.  I left her at books a million while I did what I needed to in the mall and she had her some ice cream.  She was happy :)

Alright, I am going to get ready for bed because it is almost bed time :)  Bye!!

Day 202 – The Day I Came Home

By Diana

Today is our last day on this trip, a short week.  I am happy to be going home and happy that next week is a different kind of trip where I get to stay in the same hotel for more than a night :)

Also, I hate time zones :)  I messed up today and was about a half hour late because I didn’t realize I had set my phone to be auto changing.  Oh man, luckily they called me and I hurried up to get packed.

We are sitting in a room now waiting on people to start getting here.  This room is in a cafe so I got me some breakfast.  It was biscuit gravy, but not the best I have had :)

I am gonna eat now so I will get back with ya later :)

At the airport, only 5 hours early – no big deal :)  We just ate at a place called Shannon’s – some kind of baseball player here in St. Louis.  It was pretty good, next stop will be Baskin Robins for a milkshake!!!

I packed my sweater because it was so hot in the airport and now of course I am freezing so I may get a Cardinals sweater.  So be it.

Well since I don’t seem to get back to my blog on the same night I am going to go ahead and end this now.