Friday, visiting Poland

The temperature was just at freezing when I left the house for work Friday morning. So, winter has returned.

I had an 11:00 AM meeting with Michelle in Facilities reviewing blueprints of our newest building. She is handing the construction and I am in charge of the network and phone infrastructure. Michelle used to work for me, BTW, back when I also was in Facilities.

So, our discussion covered the MDF, three IDF's, the fiber (it's one long-ass building) and copper, patch panels, punch-down blocks and racks. (Mom, I could explain it all to you, but it's really not that interesting, lol!)

So, we went out to lunch after our meeting, to that Polish-American family restaurant my barber had told me about. It turns out Michelle loves Polish food. Now, to me, Polish food is pierogies, golabki (stuffed cabbage), which I always thought was pronounced "glumpkeys" or kielbasa and sauerkraut. But, what do I know?

Since I was finally here, I knew I had to try the Dill Pickle soup my barber raves about. Michelle assured me that she has had it in other Polish restaurants and it was great. And, it was! She had the cabbage soup and said it was really good, too. The soup added 50 cents to the bill, but it was a real bowl, not a little cup. I was close to being full after just the soup!

She had fish and nalesniki (which I had also never heard of). It turns out, nalesniki is like a Polish version of a crepe, filled with various things, either sweet or savory (she got the cheese ones). I did try a bite, but it was too sweet for my taste. I had the fish and chips (with malt vinegar) that were also quite good. Both lunches also came with a big bowl of coleslaw. The total bill was just $16.80. So, it was good food and lots of it at a reasonable price. I will have to thank my barber!

Speaking of barbers, while we were eating, four older guys came in, dressed in white tuxedos. They stopped at a table out of our immediate sight and began singing (A cappella) "Let me call you sweetheart." They were a barbershop quartet and apparently it was someone's anniversary!

Do I know how to pick 'em or what?

She left for another meeting and I drove back, stopping at Westborn for next week's five apples (three Gala and two Granny Smiths) that I eat as my afternoon snack at work. On the way out the door, I glanced at the pile of round wood boxes that are always there (so much so that I never pay them any attention). But, today I noticed there is a sign that say, "Free, please take!"

I realized that, while Westborn does sell all kinds of artisanal cheeses, they also do sell some cheese under their own name and these must be the boxes the rounds come in. Once they cut them up and package them, what else would they do with the boxes? So, on a whim ("Hey, I could do something with these," I thought) I took a short one (6 inches high and 15 inches in diameter) and a bigger one (8 inches high and 16 inches in diameter). I have NO idea what I could use these for, but if any of you have a suggestion, please comment! I posted a picture so you know what I am talking about.

It was snowing lightly when I left work. See, here's the mix bag of blessings working so close to home. I save a lot of gas and can leave for work later and get home earlier (on the plus side) but my car doesn't get warm (not even the heated seats) and I never get to listen to the "Bang the Drum" song all the way through on Friday night!

Once home and the nightly rituals performed, I started to write this all up to post tomorrow. It's hard to remember everything if you don't. I realize I have become a slave to this, BTW. I may get a T-shirt made up that just says "Blog Bitch!"

I thought I should get at least one of the many items on the ToDo list done, so I went and got some tools and put the hand towel holder back on the wall in the downstairs bathroom. I took some photos and posted them.

I got a phone call from my friend about 7:30 PM and we talked a while. When I got off the phone, I realized it was a bit late for making a real dinner, so I made a tuna fish sandwich.

I ate it reading my book on the couch and realized (once again) I cannot make them taste like my Mom's did. But, this time, I finally realized why! (Uh, Duh!) Back in the day, my Mom used tuna fish packed in oil, while Luanne converted me to using tuna packed in water years ago. That's got to be the difference!

I read my book until I fell asleep on the couch. I woke up around midnight, found my glasses and went to bed.