Winter Blues have hit, this is the worst roads/streets we have had in several years, a heavy snowstorm, production was called off for yesterday, that’s the first time in over 10 years that this plant has called off production due to weather. But there was NO way trucks could have gotten into farms to load pigs and then got them to the plant safely.
Today’s production on day shift was slow, and a lot of people called in, but highways are streets here in town were not much better when I came home than when I went to work, and it’s a huge part of the USA that this storm has impacted. Mail, FedEX and UPS have also been impacted…
I spent my Wednesday shoveling and sweeping snow, open kitchen door, sweep snow away, sweep snow from the landing, enough to get out safely and then start work with the snow shovel. I didn’t count how many times I went out to remove snow, but for me it’s easier to deal with a small amount and go back later and remove what has come down while I was inside my warm house.
And so far the mail has not brought anything from Banquet Pension, that’s now just over 7 months behind, but I did call in early January and yes, they did have all the paperwork and everything is in order and I would be receiving a letter ‘soon’. The last time they gave me that ‘soon’ stuff was in early August and it was mid-November when the remaining paperwork to be signed and notarized showed up, so, 3+ months that time. Guess I better work on my patience.
But on the plus side, the solar panels warmed up enough, despite all the snow coming down, we got over 12 inches, to slide that stuff off and produce power. It’s putting a small amount back into the grid almost very day, I think there have been 2-3 days that it’s not done that. Not too bad considering it’s winter and we have had plenty of overcast and cloudy days.
I do have the hitch that will be installed on the car paid for, and the parts are in, so it’s just arranging to have the car there when they can do that job. I did text Ben to see if he could take the car for me, just in case his schedule would make it easier, he’s now working in Mt. Sterling at Dot Foods and nights, think it’s 12 hour shifts and 3 days, some off time, then 4 days but I am not sure. This Friday should be his 2nd full paycheck and he’s going to be able to start catching up on his finances soon.
Today’s drive to work, before daylight was more stressful than I anticipated, this is the first really bad road conditions I have driven that car in, 3+ years of ownership and we have just not had much for bad roads. I am very glad I was able to put better all season tires on this past fall, the city street tires were in good shape, just not safe if there was any ice or snow on the roads.
I do count my many, many blessing and know my life is good, finances are not where I want them but I know I can change that in the coming year, stable paychecks and some keeping a tight rein on my unnecessary spending will have those numbers improving every month. My credit rating is still very good, but I am not comfortable with my current debt load. I know it’s shrinking every month and I plan to work hard on making that happen faster. I can go through my check book and see how much I spend that is discretionary spending.
And we will work Saturday, both shifts, in fact the entire plant will be working Saturday with many of us making overtime which will balance out not working Wednesday. I didn’t have any plans and the roads will probably still be melting off snow and ice. I can work and appreciate the fact that I have a good paycheck next Friday to pay bills with, every week has bills and I now make lists so I can keep all that debt and payments working in a tidy order.
