Competition is GOOD- Especially with Local Grocers

Yes!  COMPETITION IS GOOD!  Especially with local grocers.  Here's my recent experience...

FairPlay Foods has lost out in the competition of grocers. I had been going to FairPlay Foods for many years.  It is near my home, however, it can be rather "iffy", in this food desert where I live.

I am always at FairPlay Food when the store first open. But, recently, one day this spring, the produce section was topsy-turvy.  Bosses were super busy in the produce section and fruits / veggies were EVERYWHERE.  After a few minutes, I could not tell if produce was being discarded and I felt that I was in the way of bosses, and stockers.

I said, fuck this... me outtie!  I got the fuck out of there.  Then, I remembered there was a Food4Less down the street. 

It was ironic, but when I arrived at the Food4Less produce section, bosses were greeting me.  They were pleasant and folks were nice.  Prices were competitive with FairPlay, so, I figured, this is my new place.

This week, I returned to Food4Less and everything I needed (big shopping day) was there... except chicken gizzards... sold out... LOL! Yes, this is my preferred local grocer.

I really liked FairPlay's meat section, but Mariano's, Walmart and Jewel's can fill that void.

I prefer Food4Less over FairPlay for the following reasons:
     #1- Nice large roller-able shopping carts.
     #2- Competitive prices
     #3- No baggers... I know going in, I am going to bag and pack my own stuff. At FairPlay it was
     "iffy".
     #4- Large produce section.
     #5- Real Golden Delicious and sweet apples.

Walmart has been good about filling a major void, but the prices are not too competitive.  Target also sells food items, but they are too high.

So, for now... Food4Less is my preferred grocer.

My Summer of 2015

Through the good and loving grace of God, I had a wonderful summer for 2015. Summer is over.  My pool closes today.  When I return home from work, the pool will be drained and covered.  School starts today, my lessons plans for the full session is complete, have a small cohort of students this session- the smallest number ever since I have been teaching ANYWHERE!  YES!!!!  I deserve a break!

But, let me reflect on this summer.  It was a wonderful summer.  A very wonderful summer of 2015.  In as much as possible, I plan my events very CAREFULLY. I am not spontaneous. I do not like haphazard and poorly planned events on my life.  I am detailed and cautious.   It makes for a good time.

For me, summertime consists of the months of June, July, August and September up to Labor Day.  Here's what I did:

• Birthday celebration at Marcello's.  I decided not to do the big thing.  Too much work for one person at my age,  Alas, those types of birthday celebrations are over.  Events should be fun, not exhausting.

• Las Vegas birthday celebration at Monte Carlo

• Las Vegas- conference at Mirage in July.

• 4th of July cookout

• Spent 2 months researching new cars. Finally research paid off with new car purchase after 12 years.

• Finally time available for home repairs/upgrades- for the year new stove, refrigerator and blinds.

• Enjoyed Sally's party for Don Cephus.  Very nice fish fry and lovely home.

• Damita's place for small gathering... really really nice and fun with former co-workers.

• Gwen's mom 99th birthday.

• Fine dining every single month, with careful planning:

                                   Chicago Hilton
                                   Four Seasons on Wacker Drive
                                  Gatto's Restaurant and Bar
                                  Morton's Steakhouse
                                  Mr. Benny's Steakhouse
                                  Ritz Carlton
                                  Ditka's
                                 The Clubhouse
                                 Shaw's Seafood
                                 Joe's Stone Crab and Steakhouse

• Spent a lot of time fine-tuning lesson plans and teaching.

• Lot of powerwalking on when not teaching. Outdoor and not too many days missed.  Nice weather in Chicago this summer.  Committed to fitness!  Two full days powerwalking in the River North area.

• I purchased a Vivofit band to count my steps.  I am exceeding daily goals!!!!

• A lot of good church work and deacon's retreats.

• The biggest plus of the summer is that I retired from a wonderful but extremely rigorous national volunteer service after over 15 years.

• In April, I started teaching with a new employer. I really enjoy the arrangement and clinical.  After about 5 years, I finally have arrived at a true work-life balance.  WHEW!!

Yes, I am thankful for a wonderful summer of 2015.  I am planning for a nice Fall/ Autumn.
                                                      Thanks be to God!

Here are some photos.  But, all of my photos are in my Facebook.  Enjoy! 

A New System to Expedite Air Travel

Yesterday on my way home through McCarran airport, a new vendor kiosk was at the security checkpoint entrance.  This was strange, but legitimate, because they were well inside the airport so high level clearance had been granted.

This new vendor will expedite a secured escort right to TSA scanning.  Hence, their customers will not have to wait in the very long security linse or even the usually fast TSA Pre line. Keep in mind, even with TSA Pre, one is NOT guaranteed to have this each time.  Please note that there will be a MONTHLY fee for this expedited service.

So, movement through airport security will be longer because TSA will be improved to ensure better safety and security. Keep in mind that the role is TSA is NOT to expedite travel, instead, it is to ensure safety with travel.

Is this new type of security escort needed?  Yes!  Due to the recent TSA breach discovered in May, that department will be changing!  The U.S. government is not going to tolerate breaches in this security, safety and commerce entity.

The new vendor is high tech.  I signed up for the trial period.  They performed finger print, retina check and background for clearance.  That process was extremely high tech and in-depth!

Consequently, customers will go to the kiosk, get cleared, then be escorted right to the TSA scanner without waiting in the long lines. 

So, the decision is, how much time does one have to spend waiting?  In order to have the wait time lessen, one is going to pay.

TSA will NOT be rushed.  They MUST become more professional with screening. So expect a longer wait at the airports.

I am actually happy that a vendor will be in place to expedite travel. I want TSA to do a thorough job in ensuring air travel safety. 

Green Technology

I just finished teaching my first semester at Chamberlain College. I am so proud that I have made the full transition into Green Technology in teaching! 

Green technology is pretty much an instructor's option.  But, for me, I have been moving into this important genre for about 5 years.  My iPad has made the transition successful.

Chamberlain is an educational setting that promotes green technology.  As soon as I was hired, I got my email.  From that point, all document exchanges with me and my students have been electronic.  There are times, when I will print off a document for myself, when I do not bring my iPad to clinical.  But, that is a very small amount of paper.

Students were required to submit weekly journals, and three additional projects.  All were managed electronically.  From the syllabus, to the assignments and finally to evaluation, the full process was electronic.

As a matter of fact, practically all of my work document management is electronic.   Beyond work, folks know to reach me by email, text or Facebook instant messaging.  DO NOT CALL ME!!!!

A Welcoming New Beginning!

Most of us are able to recognize valued crossroads in our lives. I have encountered a wonderful milestone which will NOT go on Facebook, LinkedIn or any social media sites. Most folks are "watchers", they are nosy, they are snooping, busy-bodies and they are not truly interested.  This is a simple truth.

Another reason why I will not "social media" this new milestone is because it may come across as boasting, which can cause others to feel bad. That is not the intended effect that my brand promotes.

After having early retired four (4) years ago, through the good and wonderful grace of God, I have finally arrived at an ideal place.  I have decided to not work full time.  Organizations today have extensive and complex needs. The work demands exceed the 1 FTE for the type of position I held.  Hence, I recently experienced over 18 months without time off with one organization.  That was the icing on the cake!  Enough of that type of profound work-life imbalance.

Earlier this year, I taught part time... very nice!  But, the onboarding process and other issues were concerning to my brand.  It should have been an ideal arrangement, but things happen. Plus I got a bird's eye view and insight into that environment. Quite interesting.

Since March, I have really enjoyed full retirement. I have been able to catch up with about 6 years of house work, spring cleaning, home repairs and home upgrades in just 3 months!  I have also continued to perform major accreditations and attend various educational conferences... WITHOUT taking along my laptop to do work!

In such a short time, I caught up with major home projects. so I set out to enhance my retirement with consistent part time work.  The past month  has been quite an enriching and wonderful journey.  Unbeknownst to me, this journey actually went back 7 full years!

When I worked at County Hospital, I was briefly assigned to a medical research department. The research nurse who trained me was unlike any other person I had ever worked with at the County!  Soft-spoken, intelligent, patient, professional and very kind.  I worked with her briefly as soon I was now prepared to carry out a HUGE pharmaceutical research study back in my own department. The brief time that we worked together was so wonderful!  It was professional, advanced practice and collegial.  I had not seen this person in 7 years... until yesterday.  We had a wonderful meeting, teaching objectives and expectations were shared and discussed.  We both have high levels of expectations and quality.  She subsequently hired me.

I am looking forward to regular part time teaching. I have a passion for teaching nursing students, I invest a lot of time into developing future nurses as I am dedicated to quality patient care.  It starts in nursing school.  Glad to be here!

A new beginning, stemming from an unexpected and outstanding collegial working situation many years ago.  You know, there are GOOD things that come out of the Cook County healthcare system. 

Looking forward to this fresh new beginning!  Thanks be to God.

Winter for 2014-2015

Here in Chicago, we can expect a cold brutal winter season.  Knowing this, my plan is to make the best of it and plan for a lot of fun.  The following photos are from my winter season December 2014 to March 2015. It was a full and fun winter season!

Chicago Chop House- December 2014

Chicago Auto Show- February 2015

Chicago Chop House

Students at clinical site- last day - February 2015

After work dinner - Lloyd's of Chicago

Sheraton Chicago- February 2015

Lawry's - February 2015- Kiki's Birthday

Fun birthday party for Kiki at Lawry's- February 2015

ISAPN dinner event on a very cold March 2015 in Downer's Grove

Lawry's with colleagues- January 2015

MLK Day at Church- January 2015

Drew's First Communion Celebration- January 2015

With my son at Olive Garden- March 2015

Jimmy Red's birthday celebration - March 2015

Papadeaux- March 2015

Wacky Janet at Papadeaux- March 2015

Working out- every month this winter at LA Fitness

Dinner event on a bitterly cold February night at Maggiano's

Warming up at Maggiano's

On my way to NPACE conference- March 2015

NPACE- Las Vegas 2015- March

My Week- November 16, 2014: A Significant Week to Remember

I knew the week of November 16, 2014 was going to be busy.  It was perhaps one of the busiest weekends and SIGNIFICANT week for me.  Here is the run-down:

Sunday, November 16th:  
The birthday remembrance of my loving and beloved mother. May God bless her soul....forever. Thanks be to God for my safe travel back from my pharmacology conference in Las Vegas.

Monday, November 17th:  
My new boss started this day.  I know it was overwhelming for her. Since she accepted the position, an organizational change took place, resulting in many new responsibilities for her.  That was unfortunate.  But, she will survive...maybe.

Tuesday, November 18th:  
My first meeting with my new boss.  She is very pleasant.  I actually met her back in June.  Had just returned from Las Vegas, went to a seminar dinner in Schaumburg  and we sat at the same table.  I must have liked her a lot because I gave her one of my business cards.  Amazing!

Wednesday, November 19th:
Had breakfast with my son at iHop up in Waukegan.

Thursday, November 20th:  
Spent the entire day preparing for a HUGE accreditation conference.  I reviewed every point extensively!  I reviewed the self-study report extensively.  I reviewed the accreditation manual extensively!  Whew!  That was a lot of work.

Friday, November 21st:
I celebrated 32 years of motherhood on this day!! Will see my son tomorrow but I did get a chance to chat with him this evening.

Arrived at work at 6am.  Prepared and printed off everything I would need.  Laptop set up so that I could dispatch anything that would be needed.
Conference convened for almost 3 hours.  Every point I prepared for was covered.  I am so happy that I hustled for 18 months.  Everything document, every tool was in place.
I have not had time off for 18 months, so this was a wonderful conclusion for me.  Yes, a conclusion.
During the past 18 months, I successfully engineered and rebuilt 2 units for accreditation.  I did not exhale until yesterday.  I will be taking my time off for holidays, conference time and vacation.  So, I am arranging my conclusion at the workplace now.  The new person starts soon, so I agreed to provide her orientation then depart in or before February.
The workplace has bigger issues in place, but, my mission for 2 accreditation achievements have been achieved and successfully accomplished.

My church had a fantastic 160th Anniversary Dinner event.  What a wonderful way to conclude a busy Friday!

Saturday, November 22nd: 
6:30am- Out super early to FairPlay for grocery shopping.  The Thanksgiving hustle is going o n!

To Waukegan to have lunch with my son and wish him a belated birthday in person.

To the Bouie's home to plan for the Williams 2015 Family Reunion Event.  Robert and Helen prepared such a wonderful fish fry!  We actually accomplished a lot of wonderful planning.  Barb had a nice list of things to do.  So, we are headed in the right direction.

6:30pm- Back home and FEET UP!  Long day!

Yes, everyday was a busy and significant week.  Everything worked out well.

ALL THANKS AND PRAISES BE TO GOD!!!