Ontario enters step 2 and I'll contemplating a haircut

Today, the lockdown lifts a bit in Ontario. We are entering step 2. Personal care services are allowed to reopen, for instance. There are a bunch of other changes.

I would love to get my hair cut. However, I feel like many folks will be doing that today. The worst case is getting my hair cut during the weekday next week. I'll still be on vacation.

I'm enjoying my time off so far. I got more free cookies today. I went to a bookstore and got some great deals. I'm happy.

Pre-birthday outings and cookies

My friend took me out for a pre-birthday meal on Sunday. It was terrific. I rarely go out on Sundays. It was nice seeing civilization on a patio and catch up with my friend.

I have consumed more booze this month than all of last year. It's amazing what great weather and patios being available will do.

I am enjoying my vacation so far. I went out to get free cookies and a watermelon Italian soda that I got as a perk. Tomorrow, I have more free cookies that are a birthday perk. Yay!

Birthday celebrations at a patio and at the beach

I had a great day celebrating our birthday with a good friend. Her birthday was last week. Mine is early by a week.

We spent time eating and drinking on a patio. We then drove down to the beach to chat and take in the relaxing vibes around us. We also exchanged gifts.

I got her half a dozen donuts from Toronto. She moved away a few years ago, so we meet midway.

It's a great start to my vacation. Happy weekend, everyone!

Dinner at a patio

I hit a patio for dinner with my friend last night. It was safe and the experience was great.

My friend got a messy fish sammie with fries. I got a roasted mushroom sirloin with veggies and a garden salad. Delicious!

It's nice that businesses are slowly reopening again and that folks are supporting them. 

Sore arm observations and patio dining

What's different after my second vaccination shot is the duration of my sore arm. It's longer.

I've been told that it's a good thing. It doesn't bother me until I touch it.

I'm meeting a friend at a patio for dinner later on today. I haven't been on a patio since last October. I haven't dined out since March of this year, just before our third lockdown had started.

I am so looking forward to patio dining.

Blocking an annoying friend

I have a friend who has been getting on my nerves for the past few months. I have decided to block him on Instagram.

The latest annoyance was my sharing the good news about being fully vaccinated. He went into technicalities after congratulating me that to be fully vaccinated requires the vaccine to be in my body for fourteen days.

I am fully aware of that fact. Why do people need to put a damper on a momentous occasion? I will hit fourteen days. I told him off and then blocked him.

His wife and I get along. It'll be interesting if they compare notes down the road where he can't see any of my posts and she can. I don't care at this stage.

He is the same guy who constantly asks me questions as if it were an interrogation. At least that has stopped that nonsense for now.

Fully vaccinated and I'm okay!

My second shot went well. I got it at 2:58 pm. The process was fast and efficient. I liked sitting there for fifteen minutes afterwards, outside, in the shade, with a cool breeze!

The drive was congested in certain spots of the highway that I was on. It's crazy that there is so much congestion when the weather is better, and more people are out and about.

My side effects after the second shot are similar to my first one. I have a sore arm. Nothing crazy like what I heard from my friends or colleagues. I am lucky. It's also amazing how our bodies handle vaccines differently.

My friend and I texted each other as I sat outside. We are both fully vaccinated. Just that fact made me absorb its significance. It's a great feeling.

I had taken half a day off as vacation time to head over and get my vaccination shot. My manager sent me an e-mail. He was okay if I took the afternoon off as a sick day and saved my vacation time. It was a nice gesture.

Four more workdays to go. The countdown to my real vacation continues!

Today's second shot day and my last week before vacation starts

Later on today, I get my second vaccine shot. I am looking forward to getting it. Here's hoping that all goes well.

It's supposed to rain for most of the day That's unfortunate. Luckily, I have an appointment and won't be waiting outside for hours like folks were doing over the weekend without one.

It's my last workweek before I take two weeks of vacation. Let's get this week over with!

Seeing and chatting with my neighbours on Father's Day weekend

I haven't talked to my neighbours in over a year. I had the nicest chat in front of our houses on Saturday.

I was taking my groceries and takeout from my car onto the steps of my house. The woman next door waved at me. It was nice seeing a human being and chatting with one.

We both didn't have masks on. We were definitely far apart that it was safe being outdoors. Her husband and daughter came out of their house to chat.

I was thrilled to chat and see them again. Her husband has long hair. It was wavy and looked nice.

The daughter got her first vaccine shot earlier in the day. We all have our first shots. I get my second shot on Monday. The husband and wife get their second ones in August.

It bought me great joy that they are doing well. They were going out for a Father's Day dinner. We are allowed to dine out on patios.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Weekend and errands

The weekend is here. Next week is my last workweek before I go on vacation.

It's nice that I have a backup to train a new colleague. In the past, I'd have to work my vacation around training. The fact that I take my vacation during the first week of July made this decision easier to have my friend and colleague back me up.

It'll be a fun, busy day today. I'm running a bunch of errands. It's also the second full weekend where we are easing out of lockdown in Ontario. I haven't visited a ton of non-essential businesses. I still do grocery stores, bakeries, drugstores, and takeout from eateries.

I suppose that online shopping has helped during this pandemic. I still like hitting stores, but I don't have that spark right now.

Friday and second shot side effects

One more workday to go. Yay!

Friends and colleagues who have received their second vaccination shot seem to have mixed side effects Some experience a sore arm. Others have chills, aches, and fatigue.

I am not sure what will happen with me. In general, my track record seems to be positive after a vaccination shot. It's so unpredictable with the COVID-19 ones that I don't know for sure.

I am also doing a mix of vaccines. We'll see how all that goes.

Rescheduling my second vaccine shots - lots of effort!

I got my first COVID-19 vaccine shot in late April. My second one was scheduled for mid-August. In Canada, the guideline was twelve weeks between shots.

Recently, it was deemed safe to schedule shots eight weeks in advance. I got the first available shot, which was AstraZeneca. It has also been deemed safe to mix vaccines, so I can do Moderna or Pfizer. I also have the choice to get AstraZeneca again.

The problem is the Ontario Health site to schedule a second shot. After numerous attempts and rejections on Monday, I got an appointment for July 10 in Orillia. To put that distance into perspective, it's roughly 80 km from where I live, which would take over an hour to drive over there on a couple of highways.

Yesterday, I decided to see if I could get something sooner. I got July 6 in Alliston, which is slightly closer to me than Orillia.

The folks at Vaccine Hunters Canada are awesome. I saw a post that said that a clinic in Brampton had Moderna shots and there were no regional restrictions. Brampton is roughly 54 km or a 35-minute drive from where I live.

I now have an appointment for my second shot next Monday. I am taking a half day off. I feel relieved. It has been an effort to get to this stage.

At the car wash

On Monday, I got a free car wash and wax at a local car detailing shop. The place did a wonderful job. I haven't seen my car look that shiny and new since I first bought it.

I was highly impressed. I definitely will return. I like that the place is a ten-minute drive from where I live.

Workout putting a cover on a weighted blanket

I got a duvet cover for my weighted blanket. Just putting the cover on this blanket is a workout in itself!

My weighted blanket is 25 pounds. It's heavy moving it around. I feel like I'm sleeping a bit better so far. It does take getting used to.

Vaccine and patios

Businesses are slowly reopening. We are able to dine on patios. It's optimistic.

I was supposed to meet a friend on Saturday to have a bite to eat on a patio. She ended up getting her second vaccine shot on Friday and ended up feeling sick. So, I offered to cancel our reservation.

My friend got sick after her first shot. It doesn't surprise me that she got sick after her second one.

The woman at the restaurant was great. She was pleased that I took the time to do the cancellation.

I just learned that our province has made a timing change for the second vaccine. My second appointment was twelve months after my first one. It's now reduced to eight, which means that I can get my second shot at the end of this month.

It's cool. I'll need to wait to see how to reschedule my second shot.

Heatwave, dole whip, and a perk

The heatwave and extreme humidity disappeared yesterday. It was nice to turn off the air conditioning and have my windows open. I prefer cool breezes while still seeing sunshine.

Two days ago, I went out for a perk. I got a free cupcake and cookie. They were good.

I also indulged in some dole whip. I got raspberry and mango flavours. It was refreshing on a scorching day.

It's Friday. The weekend is within reach.

Foot pain and doctors

I didn't sleep well last night. I woke up to foot pain. It seems to happen once a month. My foot is doing much better now.

I managed to ask that I get a phone call from my doctor later on today. I have been contemplating changing doctors, but it's not the best time during a pandemic.

My work offers connecting virtually to a doctor. I may give that a try and see how that goes.

The weekend and an appointment change

My weekend is coming to a close. I often wonder why weekends end up blowing by so quickly and the workweek tends to not do the same thing.

I am contemplating changing my in-person doctor's appointment to having it over the phone like I have been since this pandemic started. The woman at the lab made it in-person. I don't trust her judgment. Half a year ago, she insisted that I get my health card updated even though expired ones are considered valid during this pandemic.

We'll see what happens. I dread waiting because it's horrendous and I could be doing better things with my time.

New panties

I received a new pair of panties in the mail. They are cute and sheer!

Here's the front:

The back:

Sheer and sexy, but so comfortable!

I do enjoy my panties subscription!

Heat warning this weekend

We've got a heat warning this weekend. We've got temperatures over 30°C, accompanied by humidity. Lovely!

I have a few pickups to do later on today. I'm excited, but will also need to stay cool and hydrated.

It's weird how a week ago, it snowed. It now feels like the middle of summer.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Pay and my bank

I like payday. It's supposed to happen every consecutive Thursday.

I also like my bank. It has always deposited my pay directly into my account on Wednesday night instead of Thursday before I wake up. It used to be after 10 pm on Wednesday. These days, it's at 5 pm.

Crazy. It's also perfect. I go grocery shopping after work on Wednesdays. I feel rich.

Soda drinks at a bubble tea place

I found a bubble tea place that does soda drinks with fresh fruit. I love this place so much.

I used to go to a local place that had soda drinks with fresh fruit. Since the second lockdown here, it has permanently shuttered its doors, which is sad.

The new place that I have found has been around for a few years. As usual, I am not trendy... haha!

Bloodwork and breakfast

In a few hours, I'm getting bloodwork done. I made the appointment on Saturday. I'm glad that I remembered to do it.

Here's hoping that it goes smoothly. I'm fasting for it. I'm already thinking about where I'm going to get breakfast.