Well it is after 9 on Friday night. I am feeling very agitated and anxious to get to bed. There is nothing stopping me from going now but I just wanted to write this.

When I left here I was fine. That is until I got to Woodmont Road from Jones hill (near Pagle School. I was looking for my sunglasses and some guy pulled a head of me and gave me a dirty look. I admit I had a little road rage. I just swore at him and took down his license plate. I was going to mention him on this blog but it wasn’t worth it. He knew I was mouthing off to him.

When I got on the highway it seemed like everyone was getting on my nerves. People were driving really close to my car or would not let me in to the lane. I couldn’t wait to get to the office.

The day went pretty well. I was able to get to everything (except bulk mail). We had the party for Bettie who came in around 1. I was starting to get the sniffles and sneeze for the last few hours of the day.

I did some thing rather foolish (this seems to be a theme with me today) I was on Church Street South. I was just entering the intersection (there is a4 Lane Street with an island in the middle) a bus was on the opposite side and there was a car inside the intersection. I was telling her to move. I only thought we had to stop for the bus when it was on a two lane road. I later found out that’s not the case. I pulled around the car in front of me and drove to the next intersection. The woman was right behind me. I was getting the feeling she was going to get back at me for being such an ass.

When I got home Mom wasn’t home yet and I watched TV. I was really agitated and tried to be calm. I asked Mom about the 4 lane with a bus on it. She wasn’t absolutely sure but people are supposed to stop. She asked me if I followed the rules. I told her yes. The mood I was in I really didn’t want to get into it.

We started getting ready after 5 for the thank you party. Mom always insists on always going later than everyone else. She says she doesn’t want to be the first ones there. When I get aggravated as I was feeling I reason that she wants to make a grand entrance. She asked me how to get to Hyatt Place. I was telling her she flipping interrupted me. I told her Old Gate Lane and she asks me ‘past the post office?’ No asshole OLD GATE LANE.

The drive over was agitating to me too. Every time I spoke she apparently needed to tell me she couldn’t hear me. IF I FUCKING spoke any goddamned louder the fucking truck drivers would have heard me on the highway!!!

WE arrived at the hotel and headed into the room. We were greeted by Cindy (Kerri’ Mom) and then by Kerri. She thanked me personally for all the help I did during the campaign. I was flattered. We said hello to many others including Tessa and Mike. We even sat with them for a while.

Many people came and sat with us and then they seemed to get up and move to other tables. When I got offended I knew then I really wanted to come home and to bed. The food was delicious. There was appetizers (cheese and crackers and fruit platters, and a veggie platter). There were a whole lot of different things. Chicken, shrimp, vegetables, and ham and roast beef for sandwiches. Cake and cookies and coffee and soda topped off the meal. We started getting ready to leave and mom got into discussions. She couldn't hear the other conversations at the table. That had to be frustrating for her.

Before we left Mike made a toast and Kerri a speech. She thanked everyone for all the help and she isn’t going anywhere.

On the way home I made a comment about the Guns and Safe store. It just seemed odd that a place would be selling guns with safes. Well Mom and I got into it. It really was aggravating to me. Mom was trying to tell me that the safes that were in that store were for the guns. Again I knew it was time for me to hit the hay.

Since we have been home I have been surfing the net. I checked emails and websites. I even checked the progress of the Newton Mass house. I watched various programs, Danielle steel’s Jewels, and Harry Potter and the sorcerers’ stone.

Now I am going to bed.

PS mary in torrington sent me this really cool email/video. it was a word riddle on the word startling...

November 29, 2007

Well it is almost 9:30 on this chilly and cloudy day. The “weather gang” predicted some light rain during the day. As long as it doesn’t interfere with me getting to Betty’s retirement party then that’s fine.

I slept until 6:30 this morning. When I got up I put the remaining papers out and the paper guy was delivering the NYTimes. Great just what I wanted the world to see-me in my pajamas. After that was done I got into the shower and when I finished with that I went back to my room and got online longer than I should have. I managed to leave before 7:30 and get the rest of the garbage out.

The ride in was fine for the most part. There were one or two people driving very close to me while I was in the fast lane. I was going like 60. There was a car in front of me that I wanted to give room to (isn’t that what you are supposed to do anyway?)

I walked part of the way with this woman from Training and software (I can’t remember her name) but we were talking about the increased number of emergency vehicles this morning.

Wuanda let us in and I got settled in and picked up some of the mail while chatting with Lee Ann and Toni. I told Lee Ann about the friction I had with Sandi about contributions. I probably shouldn’t have but I told her anyway. They observed she has been very unhappy and nasty to everyone. We agreed that if she is THAT unhappy then LEAVE.

Since then I have done the lockbox, and charts, and post office mail, and small amount of the lobby mail. I am just waiting on the stragglers from Cross campus. Well they came and there wasn’t much.

I spent most of the afternoon doing readdress mail. I have the Rejections passed out. Do you remember when I mentioned yesterday that I asked Patti if there were any complaints or concerns? Well she mentioned today that some people are complaining. So I need to keep up with everything.

Today is Bette Staton’s Retirement party at Biagettis Restaurant. She is packing up her cubicle and will be leaving for the day at 1 pm. Tomorrow is her last “official” day at Yale. I will go home for a bit and then go to the Restaurant.

Well the night is over and I am tired (even though I have had a lot of caffeine today). I left the office after 4 and got home by 4:30. I washed up, brushed my teeth, and checked my mail. Then I sat down and watched Charmed. I left here about 5:10 and was at the restaurant by 5:20. Several people were already there including the organizers (Elinor) and my manager Susan.

I sat with Lee Ann, Dottie, Marti, and Gayle. Later we were joined by Renee and Claudette. One of Ms Betty’s church members sat with us as well. We had a great time. We talked about a lot of things and every time we started talking about work we stopped each other.

There was a mixture of people from every aspect of Bette’s life. Her family, her spiritual Family and her work family. Patti spoke glowingly of her and of the impact she made on all of us at Yale.

The food and service was much better than our last visit. We were finished by 8:15 and I was home a short time later.

Mom was in the bathroom when I got home. She had gone to the meeting but was very tired and came home early. While she was in the bathroom I looked over my insurance policy. The bill is supposed to be $1700 and change. I was trying to figure out how I would be paying for it.

Something very weird happened. I went to use the Real player for my regular Idaho stations and it wouldn’t go on. I went to the radio directory and to here and instead of my real audio Media Player going on my Nero Media Player go on. It was really unusual. I am not sure if IDAHO Public radio station changed or chose a different player.

I also checked emails and something tells me Lisa F read my journal entry here. In her emails she said she would never stop emailing me. I just don’t know what to do. Well I will have to worry about it tomorrow.

Received emails from Joanne H in Canada. She is closing all of her groups and restarting them.

Many Thoughts

I have so much going through my head right now. I did not get a chance to write at all while at work. Although I found time to get online a few times. I left here a little after 7:15. Mom was just getting up and having coffee and about to get ready fro her meeting at Bridges.

The drive in wasn’t bad at all. Well maybe when I was pulling into the parking spot. One car was coming at me and didn’t look like he was going to stop. Thankfully he did. I kvetched about it to someone.

I got to the office a little before 8 and managed to pick up the mail from Customer Service and Registration. I even took some to Registration. The day went pretty well. I started off with the charts and there were like 32 (I counted them) MR. Mike from Gofor had to bring them in two totes (the long ones that look the chests you bring to college. I sorted them and delivered them. While I was sorting Arcenia brought me the lockbox for today. It wasn’t bad but would have to until I did yesterday’s post office mail.

Once I had the charts delivered I started the rest of the mail. It didn’t take long and so I was able to finish lockbox before post office mail came. From time to time I delivered the mail to customer service and Susan and Sally. I also was doing the labels for the personal mail.

At one point I was talking with Jocelyn and we talked about food. She gave me strudel (the frozen ones from Pillsbury) and some mini wheat box. It just about that time we decided to get wings from a Chinese place and some rice. I also got finagled into loaning Jocelyn $25. $5 for today’s mail and I have no idea for the $20. All morning I was feeling a little awkward and nervous. I didn’t want to be mean but neither did I want to give that much. Now is done with. I gave it to her. I just hope she doesn’t make a habit of it.

At lunch time I went to the bank. As I was walking near City Hall I was crossing the street and this woman came barreling down the street and almost didn’t stop. She slowed down when I didn’t move and looked right at her and yelled slow down. She did for about 30 seconds. I walked to the other side and she almost hit someone else. I swear there was a full moon because I watched woman cop give a state employee a hard time about parking in front of the city hall.

I got to the bank a short time later. I told the teller what had transpired earlier and they were shocked or disgusted I really couldn’t tell. I got the money and headed back to the office.

I made it back to the office by 12:30 I can’t remember if I was still working on opening the mail or starting on the chart request. The food came around 10 of 1. I had wings and fried rice, soda and later on got two more. I gave Jocelyn hers. She would it eat later.

I also took the opportunity to pay Michelle S my contribution to the group gift for Patti and Susan. I couldn’t pay for the candy IOU to Carol so I can do that tomorrow. I got a couple more soda’s that probably contributed to my feeling hyper this afternoon.

I worked on the individual personal mail and made more labels. I took care of the bad addresses and delivered the last of the interoffice mail.

At one point I found myself asking Patti if she has had any complaints or problems with the way I have been doing the mail. The reason I did this is all the managers and team leaders were at a staff meeting. Sometimes I get a little worried. Pattie reassured me that everything is fine and if it wasn’t I would know about it. That’s very true. I think it was because I was feeling a little hyper and sensitive.

I managed to make a few phone calls today. One of them was to Mom and the other to Liz and Nelson. Mom had just come home from her meeting and she told me it went well. She also was driving along New Haven Avenue and a doe crossed the street in front of her. I started to sing the song from Sound of Music (the scales). When I called Liz and Nelson’s house Nelson answer the phone. It was close to lunch time and Liz was still asleep. I explained the reason for my call (the question about where does everyone get their gas from) and he said anywhere.

When I left the office it was 4 on the dot. I got to the car ten minutes later and drove home. The sun was setting in the west and traffic was heavy but moving along I-95. I got home by 4:30 I think.

I checked my mail and noticed dinner was cooking. Mom was upstairs on the phone. I decided to go and watched Charmed. It was the 1st season finale where Ted King ended his run on the show. After a while and once I thought Mom was off the phone I went looking for her only to find she was still on.

She came down around 5. Checked the dinner and started cooking potatoes. We talked about whom she was talking with and some good news. She called Union plus and got info about the finance charge and then told them about mine they looked into it and I was given the finance charge in error they will be refunding me the .50 It was just about then the phone rung. It was Liz.

The conversation lasted about 10 minutes. She gave a list of the places for the gas cards. Either Mobil or Shell would be the places to go. She suggested Dicks Sporting Goods for young Brian. She thought that a gas card for Mike Junior would be wise as well.

While dinner was cooking I emptied the garbage and put out the recyclable stuff. It didn’t take long but I wanted to get it out early. I wasn’t sure if it was going to rain or not. I also managed to get some stuff out of the car too.

Dinner was great. Mom and I talked about her conversation with Judge Beverly. Mom says she will be making an appointment to see Beverly and then arrange one for us to go together. I asked what did she want to see come from this meeting. She does have some concerns that I wouldn’t be able to live here. If that were the case then she would like to see me in an apartment of the same value. I told her I think I would be able to because in the last several months I have been following through with my own bills. She also said that at one time she wanted all the kids involved but not now. She says Beverly would be in charge of it all.

Since dinner finished I have been trying to write this and watch TV and surf the net. No big news. No messages from people I have emailed. I did hear from Mary G last night. She also recommended that I don’t send/get a gift for Patrick that there is an urgency to get Dave moved out. She also sent a joke about Math...


Now that I have the Christmas gift list updated I can probably start the shopping next week sometime. I would prefer to do it when I get my paycheck next week. I might be able to get Patti’s gift and the gift swap. I probably should start the Christmas Card list. I will think about it later.

A little upset

I am a little upset by this. I have only barely gotten to know this woman. She asked me to add her recently and so I did. I see she is friends with Jodie from CA. Now Jodie is having problems with someone hacking into her account and I am wondering if that’s what happened to this girl. I did send a message to the girl and asked her if she sent them and if so I was dismayed and told her I thought they were inappropriate. I asked Jodie to email me…

Oh god. The guy Chris who is floater or what ever was trying to help with a question about charts. Lorraine M wanted to know what to know what a notation meant. What business does he have doing that? Some times it is difficult to understand him with his speech impediment. I told her not to ask him again (politely). I also told Chris in the future just have them put it on my desk or the tray. He tried to say he wanted to help. You have no idea what I do with the charts. He is not my back up and doesn’t do this stuff. He does the stuffing of the collection letters, and what ever the filing that Jocelyn does.

I talked with Mom at break time she was just doing “stuff”. Like ironing, paperwork and laundry. She was just getting up when I left this morning. She had to remind me to get my pajamas out of the bathroom and to take soup with me.

Well I had lunch around 12:30. I finished up yesterday’s mail and delivered it. Now I just have to do today’s. I will do it as soon as I finish the chart request list.

Shortly after I posted this the original "bulletins" were removed or something. I am seriously considering leaving Myspace.com.

Well I never did hear from either Jodie or Cynthia. However the offensive materials have been removed. Not even a thank you for bringing it to my attention. Jodie has been asking that we not text her because it is dangerous. She was afraid she was being rude but I don’t think she was.

I talked with Liz today. She had forwarded the email about sending cards to injured soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. I responded and told everyone on her list that this was a hoax. That it needs to go to the Chaplain. I even sent her the link to the snopes.com site. I called the house up thinking I was getting Nelson and she answered. We talked about the grandbabies. She says that Jason is very much like his father in Attitudes but he is so gentle with the baby. We also talked about Christmas. She suggested I get Gas Cards.

Well I finished today’s lockbox and now have to do post office mail. I can do that tomorrow.

Right now though I am going to get ready for Debra.

Well I have been busy since I left the office. I went to Debra’s and she came after I did. We talked about the holiday and about memories of the past as well as the age old “if I had done that…”

After the session I got back to the car and headed home. I got home by quarter of 6. Mom was making spaghetti (love it). We ate shortly after that. We watched the news and then cleaned up.

I looked over the mail and noticed I received Bob’s Christmas gift. Now I just have to wrap it. Yeah fun. I also got The Endicott College Soundings Magazine and something from Consumer Reports. I haven’t opened it yet.

I was also looking into the Gas Cards and looking at this site to show Mom what I did last year. She suggested I go to a local gas station and get the cards from them. The reason she suggested I do it this way is so I won’t be charged any fees and it won’t be expensive as it was last year.

So I spent about 20 minutes making calls back to Liz to see where everyone gets their gas and I called Bob and Ethel for the same reasons. No one was at home in either house. I hope they call me.

Mom is trying to figure out why I got a finance charge of .50 on my union plus statement. This was a continuation from a discussion we had earlier this week (or late last week). She wanted to look over my statement. I reminded her that I didn’t have a previous balance at anytime. I have paid on time since the balance transfer. Could the finance charge be for the way I paid my statements in the past?

Now that I have been looking over things and trying to figure out what to get people it looks like more of these people will be getting gas cards including Brother James and most of the kids. I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to do for Patrick W. Mom feels I shouldn’t get anything for him that I should only get for Dave. I emailed my friend Mary G in Torrington to see what she is going to do.

I also have told Mom now that I am getting ideas I want to get the shopping done and work on the cards. I told her what I plan on doing for holiday cards. Family gets cards. Everyone else gets e-cards. She hasn’t been really big on E-cards.

My meeting schedule changed about an hour ago. I found an email from Mike Brown canceling tomorrow’s 4th District. I am not disappointed. Maybe I can start Christmas Shopping. I could also work on the minutes for the Board Meeting this coming weekend.

Mom says that her position as Chairman of the Bridges Board is going to be very full. For example she has to be at almost every sub committee meeting there is. Tomorrow she has a finance meeting I think she said at 8 am.

Well I am going to say good night for now. I am going to check emails and then see what letters I am going to write before I go to sleep. Have a great one.

November 26, 2007

It is almost 10 on this rainy Monday. I am currently doing today’s lockbox. I did pretty well with my resolve to not get online—much. I did for about 10 minutes and got back off. I talked with a lot of people about the holiday and to be honest pretty negative about it.

I called Mom but she didn’t answer. I think she was on the phone at the time. At least I hope that’s what was going on.

Well it is quarter of 3 and I have been rather busy. I got the Post office mail done and the bad addresses and that took me a while. I am going back to the lockbox and seeing how far I can go with that.

Well it is almost 9:30 and I haven’t really done much since I have been home. Mom was getting ready for her meeting at CPAC. My dinner was being heated in the oven and Mom made some fried potatoes. Yes I know I am spoiled right? After that she left for her meeting.

I spent the next several hours watching TV. Mostly charmed and whatever was on TNT and USA. The programming on SCIFI changed for some reason. I got into my pajamas around 6 or 6:30 and finished cleaning the kitchen.

I think Mom came home around 7 or so. She said it was just cold and very foggy. That you couldn’t see very far. This is the kind of night you get into your pajamas and go to bed early. Well I did half of that.

I updated my Microsoft office 2003. It took maybe an hour or so. I can’t tell the difference yet. Maybe a little faster but I don’t know for sure.

Oh bother. I got a few emails from Telka today. One was a reminder for upcoming activities and the others were to schedule a board meeting which means I really have to do those minutes this week. The other is an updated Phone list. There are a few birthdays to add to them as well.

Well I am going to check some more emails and then call it a night. Tomorrow will be another long day.

RIP Governor O'Neill

I was in high school when I first heard of Governor William O’Neill. He was LT Governor when the first woman Governor Ella T Grasso was just ending her reign as Connecticut’s Governor due to ill health. I don’t remember much of his terms as I was just finishing high school and going into college and watching my father’s health fail.

It seems according to this article he was respected by everyone. He was appointed the State Democratic Party Chairman by Ella Grasso before he became Lt Governor. He was a Korean War Vet and owned a tavern. He resided in East Hampton for many years. He will certainly have an impact on Connecticut History.

I found out this morning that my friend Jodie had her Myspace.com site hacked into and she will be opening another one. She was livid. Something tells me it was the girl she has been having problems with. One of her pals has been harassing her with emails, and calling her to talk to her. It was really stressing Jodie out. As a result the girl was kicked out of the group and any other groups she owned.

It is now after 1 and I have been home an hour. Bingo went very well. I had seventeen players and hardly any problems. I had to remind a few forgetful people about chatting during the games.

After the games and clean up I took the opportunity to speak to Claudia Murray. I hadn’t seen her in more than two weeks. I usually see every other week (aka every two weeks). We talked about the whole gift giving to supervisors etc. She told me she is back working in the school system.

When I got home Mom was looking in her recipe collection for her asparagus and tomato recipe. She was getting frustrated because she knew she had it and couldn’t find it. While I was sitting there eating my cereal she found it under shrimp.

The rest of the afternoon I did various things. I read emails updated some files and watched a few movies on TV. The emails included from the journaling lists such as responses to the "thankful thursday lists". I got a message from Jen Rier today as well as a couple of others from the Yahoo 360.

On one of the lists I think it is called onathimagen list an Australian member was sharing with us updates on teh Australian elections that were held there this week.

I also got an email notification that my profile at Reunion.com was looked at by three people. I updated my School/education document log and notes to indicate that.

Mom did her cooking for the rest of the day and around 3:30 was starting to get dinner ready. It would be leftovers but that’s okay. I am sure we will be eating around 5. We usually do that and watch the food shows.

I really have a long week. Well work wise should get a lot of mail tomorrow but I don’t have anything after work but from Tuesday until Saturday. I have something every night. My session with Debra; 4th District on Wednesday; The retirement party for Bettie Staton, and the Celebration Party at Hyatt Place on Friday.

November 24, 2007

Hey there just checking in and saying howdy. Today was an awesomely quiet day. I did some vacuuming and got a letter off to my pen pal Jeannette in California. I sent her an email a short time ago hopefully she will get it and reply to me.

I spent the rest of the day either watching TV or on the computer. Reading emails basically. I took a little nap and it felt great. Mom and I went to St John Vianney for mass. We got back after 5.

Mom is making a sandwich and I will have a bowl of cereal since I had two large ham salad sandwiches for lunch.

The rest of the night will be either surfing the net or trying to write letters.

A quiet Friday

Hey all. It is the day after thanksgiving and it has been rather quiet. I got up early and just enjoyed the hour before I went off to feed Junior. I spent time with the pups first and told Phil the events that took place yesterday. He felt bad.

After that visit Mitzi came in with me and walked around. I am not sure what the cat thought of it though. After that was done I came home and Mom was upstairs. She was up before I left.

Mom and I have been doing our own stuff. I paid a bill and updated my budgets for the morning. I checked emails and watched TV.

I have been chatting with my pen pal Lisa SM from KS. She is going to be having surgery soon. I am not sure on what yet. I didn’t want to press the issue. We have been talking about pen paling. I recommended The American Pen Pal Club. I think she saw one entry about snail mail VS email. She gave her opinion on it.

Oh and that woman that calls asking for Irma called again. I haven’t heard from her in a while but at least once a month I would get a phone call from this woman. I told her many times it was not the number.

In keeping with the holiday spirit both Milford and New Haven are having their tree lighting ceremony tonight. I would imagine it is at 7 pm tonight…not exactly sure. I haven’t been to either of them in years. Actually I have only been to the one in Milford. I figured that when I go to New Haven I will see them. At least if I am walking from Debra’s office back to the car on those nights I see her. As for Milford I am sure I will be through the center of town only a few times.

I got a call around 4 from Roberta. She sounded tired. We talked briefly about getting together for a meal. As we finished I suggested she take a nap. Something tells me the traveling was hectic and stressful.

Hey it is now several hours later. We had dinner around 5 and finished by 6. It was the leftover turkey from yesterday. As it has been said leftovers are better the second day. They are not kidding. We cleaned up the kitchen well technically Mom finished it and I took a bath. We are now both in our pajamas. I was watching the Star Trek Enterprise and just lying across the bed.

Liz sent me some pictures from their dinner. She only had four sent. They were of Mike Junior, Brian, and Adam, and her. I sent her an email back complimenting her on them.

It is almost 9 now the moon is full and up in the eastern sky above the sound. It is really pretty. I suspect it is really cold outside. The temps were supposed to go down to low 30’s and a bit windy.

I haven’t done much of anything else now. I probably won’t but it is exasperating to me that I have all these letters to write and I haven’t done them or finished them. I probably will tomorrow since most of my laundry was done yesterday. I do have a small load to do plus vacuuming to do.

Well I think I am going to bed. See you tomorrow.

Thanksgiving 2007

Good Morning! I am up before the sun this morning. I woke up out of a sound sleep from a dream that I can’t remember. I decided to get online and found that I had a couple of emails I didn’t reply to. They were from Tessa. I was supposed to send out a reminder last week for the 4th District meeting next week. I got it out this morning.

I decided to get some laundry started. I figured we are not eating until 3 this afternoon I can do some cleaning around here until Jim comes. That’s if he does come. I can’t remember if Mom said Jim went to Gettysburg with Liz and Nelson or not. I guess it will be one of those “wait and see” moments.

If at all possible I am hoping to get my Christmas stuff going. At least the Christmas cards started. I am going to give my immediate family the cards and then everyone else e-cards.

Well I finally got some more sleep and some really weird dreams. A cylon (the robot on the original Battlestar Galactica) and Chewbacca were there and then we were in someone’s home. I saw some relatives or people I thought were relatives. It is getting fuzzy now.

I got up around 7 and got dressed and saw Sylvia and Boppie going for their morning ritual. We chatted about stuff for a bit. I told her about the incident a week ago (Mom asking Liz to see if Jim was drinking and how I objected). After that I brought in the paper got my coat and took off to feed the cat.

While I was at the house I had to clean up the cat box. She had made a mess and so I moved the box and it was precariously on the hearth and it was knocked over completely. So I spent about 20 minutes cleaning that up and then feeding her. Junior didn’t eat much of what I left out for her last night. I am hoping she will today.

When I got home it was after 8. Mom was emptying the dishwasher. I emptied the dryer and we talked about how we slept. I am afraid she is going to worry about my sleeping habits. The upside is I started my laundry really early.

Right now though she is on the internet looking at carving tips from the NY Times website. She is doing odds and ends and I saw a few minutes of the Charmed Thanksgiving Marathon.

I have some more laundry to get to and make the bed. I have ironing I want to get done too. I will try nad check in before leaving for Bob’s.

Be safe and be happy and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Well it is raining and after 6 pm. I am so angry right now that it isn’t even funny. As you all know we went to my brother’s for dinner. Mom had been cooking some food for us for the next few days. It wasn’t ready when we left. We left it in the oven for an hour. We got to Bob’s and he was surprised that his turkey was done early or so we thought.

Everyone was there and food was being put out on the table. Everyone eventually came to the table. Until there was a small oven fire the drippings caused a fire and smoke everywhere. Some of us went outside (Mom refused to go out). That was the first thing that pissed me off. After a few minutes it was fine. We finally sat down and Bob’s turkey wasn’t done. So Mom and I came home and got the turkey from the oven. WE drove it over back to Bob’s only to find THAT wasn’t done. So we ended up having the side dishes and some Asian spaghetti and the scallops. All of a sudden Rob comes busting in thinking there was a fire. He saw us all sitting down eating dinner.

He was white as a ghost and shaking. Mom couldn’t understand what was going on. We find out that Rich (Liz’s son) called Rob to tell him there were police and a fire at his folk’s house. I could feel my blood pressure going up. We told Mom what was going on and she didn’t believe it until we were freaking going home. The other guests (Ethel’s friend) thought I was being harsh with Rich. I know my nephew’s sense of humor.

What gets me is Diane was so okay with it. She told me no harm was done. OH you want to bet? Does she realize that Robert could have been in accident or careless about driving to get home?

What was worse is that while Bob put the turkey back in the oven everyone else left the table while we were THERE. Diane was having her own conversation as though her friend Rich was talking about wine and his job with WWE (yeah the Vince McMahon’s Dynasty).

We left there a little before 6. Unfortunately we couldn’t find Mom’s pocketbook I brought it in for her to find Diane’s address. Apparently she never got her birthday gift. We did look but Diane kept saying you must have brought it home. I knew we didn’t.

Oh and on top of that when we left to pick up the turkey there were two west Haven police cars next door. If you thought there was a problem why wouldn't you go and see what was going on?

Well have a slight update which is making me feel like an idiot. My sister just called to see how we were doing and mentioned what happened "all the excitement there". Well it turns out my cousin Dan was driving by and saw the cop cars and called Rich and told him and then Rich called Rob. So thankfully Rich wasn't pulling a prank of any kind.

Wednesday last work day of the week

It is almost 12:30 and I am finishing up yesterday’s mail. I did today’s in between and luckily I will have that out this afternoon. I am thinking I will be able to get more than usual done today.

There are many people out today for the holiday and some are leaving early for the day. I plan on being here until 4.

I have written out a few checks for bill paying day. I have one more to do and then I will be all set until the next pay period.

It is 2:20 in the afternoon. I am pretty much all done with the mail. All that I am doing is checking out the stuff from downstairs.

Well it is almost 6:30 and I have been home since 5. The rest of the afternoon went okay despite the fact I was a might agitated when PJK (a long time friend and coworker) commented on the amount of mail that I let accumulate from the lobby. A part of me wanted to tell her to mind her own business. What she actually did is ask me how often I get the mail from downstairs. I told her either every day or every other day. She asked me why and I told her. I got most of it addressed and into the trays. I have a small pile to do come Monday.

After work it was grey and cloudy. I walked to my car and then drove to Roberta’s. The traffic on the highway was sluggish in some spots and fine in others. I stopped at the Post Office to mail my Silkies payment. After that I headed to Roberta’s.

The pups were not out when I first arrived so I went in and played with the cat and started getting a snack until I heard a noise at the door. It was Mitzi. I took the bag of chicken snacks with me. When I got outside I put the bag on the hood of the engine and grabbed a handful. When Phil saw them he said oh no. He suggested next time only two or three each.

After that visit and watching the dogs play and poop I went inside to feed Junior. Mitzi came with me and proceeded to eat the left over stuff from this morning and drink the water. Mitzi stayed as long as I was there. I fed the cat and had a snack and then left. Saying goodbye to the animals and driving home.

Mom wasn’t home when I got home. She had gone to the store and picked up some stuff. She came back home around 5:30 or so. We had pasta for dinner and watched TV.

After dinner Mom called Liz and Nelson. They got home around Monday. They really didn’t talk much about Jim. We don’t know if he went with them to Gettysburg or not. We don’t know if he is coming tomorrow or not. After the conversation Mom had to go to an Ecumenical Service for thanksgiving. It started at 7.

I started some laundry and looked at emails. Now I have a headache and it hurts. I took some ibuprofen.

It is almost 8:30. Mom just got home and is checking her emails and the net. I can’t believe how cold I feel.

I think I am going to lie down here and sleep.

Long Day again

I am at work and would rather be home. I went to the Inauguration last night and it was very nice. I went to the reception in the BOE room. It was very crowded. The refreshments were very nice all kinds of pastry. I had one and it got all over me. I went to shake the new school superintendent’s hand and I was really embarrassed. I stayed until 9:00 or so. I was home a short time later. Mom came home around 9:30. I told her about the evening and I also told her it wasn’t in City Hall but Parson’s Complex. She was surprised.

The whole incident with the whipped cream on my hand bothered me for the rest of the night. I would think about it and get embarrassed all over again. It took me a while to get to sleep. I ended up waking up around 2 or 3.

It wasn’t just because of the incident but I started sniffling and had this urge to sneeze. I still do actually. I didn’t get back to sleep until my alarm went off at 5. I am so not feeling well. I did start a letter to Jeanette last night.

We had an impromptu meeting to decide what we were getting both Susan and Patty. Lee Ann clearly doesn’t want to give much to either of them. But the suggested amount is $5 for each of the ladies. I believe we are getting gift cards for them. There was some debate as to whether or not they (the ladies in question) are paying for our own party or not.

I called Mom this morning to make sure she got up for her dentist appointment and to remind her I have the meeting with Debra. She said that would be good because that’s the time she is getting home. I told her I would go and feed the cat first before coming home.

Well we just found out that Patti and Susan are treating us for the luncheon. They are paying for it. Apparently has everyone feeling guilty for being so ungracious about the choices of caterers.

It is after 2 pm and it is still raining. It probably will be for the rest of the day. I don’t know if we will get snow they said it would be mixed with rain. The Litchfield county and Hartford County will probably get it.

I have to finish some more work before leaving for Debra’s office. I will check in with you later.

It is after 8 and I have been home since 6. The afternoon went okay. I told Debra the events of the past week and my anger and frustrations. By the end of the session I was feeling better and knew that things despite the anger and hurt would be okay. Realizing Mom isn’t going to change that much.

After the session I walked back to the garage in the dark. It was rather warm for a November night. It was raining on and off. The traffic was rather slow through Long Wharf so I got on at exit 45. The traffic seemed to move better from there. North Bound however wasn’t going very far. I got to Mike and Roberta’s shortly after 5:30.

Junior(ette) was lying on the floor welcoming me. I played with her for a bit and then emptied her litter box. It was all over the floor. After that I fed her and called Mom. Mom wasn’t home yet so I left a message. After that I had mini sundae. I played with the cat for a bit and then left for home. It took a few minutes to get out of the driveway.

I was home before 6. Mom was watching TV. She decided to get my dinner ready. She wasn’t going to have anything but tomato soup. She had some dental work done and it really hurt her. I ate dinner halfway through the 6 pm news. I couldn’t even begin to tell you what was there. I did get to see ABC News. One of the major stories was about the major storm that is supposed to muck up the holiday travel in the Midwest. Charlie Gibson interviewed President Bush and First Lady Laura. He also did a brief history of Camp David. Mom convenient left the room. J She came back when they did a walking tour of Camp David. She had her dinner then and watched the Newshour with Jim Lehrer.

I told Mom about my sleepless night and the reasons for it. She said sometimes it is good to look at things even though it makes us uncomfortable. I also told about my dream of losing her car somewhere. She agreed that could make for a sleepless night (losing the car not the dream). I also told her that my nose was running or something. I decided I would take the nighttime stuff and go to sleep. I checked with Mom about the outdated stuff and she said it should be okay.

WE got an invitation from Kerri Rowland to have a thank you party at the Hyatt Place Hotel on Friday November 30, 2007. It is from 5:30 to 8 pm. I am planning on going but Mom isn’t sure yet what she is doing.

Well if I am going to get some sleep I better say good night. Everyone be careful traveling tonight!

November 19, 2007

It has been an early morning. I got up around 6 and started getting ready. I stopped long enough to watch 5 minutes of Angel. I got showered and dressed and got my lunch and meds down.

I can’t remember what time I left the house but it had been close to 7. I got to Roberta’s house and let myself in and the cat was waiting on the floor to be petted. After that I got her breakfast and watched a few minutes of GMA. I stayed a few moments more and then left. Charlie and Mitzi were waiting for me in the driveway. I was happy to see them. I gave them the treats that have been in my car since the last time I was there. Charlie most of known that because he was not too thrilled with it at first. After feeding them the treats I left around 7:20.

I got to work before 8 and visited with a few people and picked up the mail from Customer Services and Collections. Shirley is being really I think rude. She always points out when others have interrupted her. I am no flipping mood for that and she just better stay away from me today.

I called Mom around 8:15 to make sure she was up in time for the mass she was going to with the knitwits. She was just stepping into the shower.

Hey if any of watch Colameco’s Food Show on PBS. I emailed him last night to say hi and he answered back!!! I thought it was really cool. He thanked me for watching and that people haven’t recognized him with his new haircut.

It’s rather quiet around here. People are working quietly and fastidiously in preparation for the long holiday weekend.

I called Mom at lunch time she was home from the mass. She is just doing stuff (including cooking). I had the stew. Now I am working on the bad addresses. I will have to do the lockbox next.

Some people are pissing me off today. One person who knows that the Medical Records has to be back at my office by 1:45 pm didn’t have one of the charts ready. She came back and asked for it. I reminded her charts have to be back at my office by the appropriate time. She wanted me to open the bin back up so she could make the copies needed. Begrudgingly I did while mumbling under my breath the whole time.

The second person whom ever it is put outgoing US mail into a campus mail bucket!!! How freaking stupid are these people? Do they know how to read?? As I was telling Chris today one person asked me if they came and picked up the mail. All the while there were three or 4 trays of out going post office mail staring back at her.

Well it is quarter of 3 and I need to get back to opening the mail. I will see you all at home.

Pie in the sky

Well it is after 7 at night and I have had a long day. I got up around 6 or so showered dressed and got online for a short time. I left here a little after 7:30 and went and fed the cat. It was nearly 8 when I left Roberta’s house and headed to church.

I got in to my seat and watched as the people were coming in and the folk group members were setting up and practicing for the service. Others were picking from the Tree for a local needy family. Mom says all the churches are doing that. Before the mass ended the folk group said goodbye to two of their members.

After Mass I headed to West River Nursing Home. I ran into Priscilla Junior and told her of the weeks events. I started getting the coffee ready. As it was getting closer to the time I would not be starting on time. I made the announcement we would start at 10:15 but had to stop at 11:15 no questions asked. Man that was my fucking mistake. From that moment on that sob Sam continued to interrupt bitch and complain. I thought I was going to explode. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Natalie came around 10:30. I didn’t get to talk to her much but I didn’t say anything to her about Sam. Partly because I think I was over reacting.

It was after 11:30 when I left for Telka’s. Some of the girls were already there peeling the apples. I joined them and more came along. Some of the other girls were getting the shells ready and started getting the ingredients mixed. We worked and got the baking done by 3 with a few left to be baked. We had a wonderful surprise visit by one of former girl’s club presidents Katie Oaks. She is in her final year of Electrical Engineering Major in Milwaukee. She is also getting married as well. I stayed until four. I had made a phone call to Mom to ask how many knifes she gave me. She couldn’t remember but we later found out I left one there…I do that every year it seems.

When I left Telka’s it was getting dark. I think it was the clouds getting thicker and not because it was sundown. Oh good grief. Sunset was for 4:30 this afternoon. I can’t believe that. No. It has never gotten dark at 4:30.

When I got home Mom was trying to get turnip prepped and cooked. As usual it was hard job for her. She presumed I wasn’t going to church. I looked at her smiled and said I went this morning. I told her who I saw and how it went. She checked the knives over and noticed one was missing. We called Telka and asked her to look for it. She said she would later. We chatted bout the day’s activities and some of the conversations. After a while we hung up.

I went up stairs and watched TV and then got ready to go see the cat. It was five then. The house was dark. The timer was set for 6. The cat was on the floor rolling around to be scratched on her belly. I spent a few moments doing that and then got her dinner ready while chomping on some cookies and soda for myself.

I stayed for about 20 minutes and then headed back home. The rest of the time I got into my pajamas, got online, and watched TV. Then I had dinner with Mom while watching Colameco’s food show.
I am happy to report that I have made my first Christmas gift purchase. It was for Bob. I got him a 1lb of his Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. It will cost $48. I used the credit card after much deliberation with Mom. She says I should pay it off right away. I will Friday.

Speaking of Christmas I heard my first radio Christmas song. Telka had a CD of holiday music on last Wednesday and today. One of the mothers also said that some homes are already decorated. She was certainly right. I saw one near Roberta’s house.

Well I am going to check emails with pen pals. After that I am going to bed.

I tried to write yesterday

I tried writing yesterday but I was just really too busy at work and probably not in a good space to write. I told a number of people what happened. They general consensus was that Parents can give hard times and that Liz handled it just fine and that Mom shouldn’t have asked her to check on Jim. I also believe the general consensus was for me to stay out of it. I would have until Mom opened her big vicious mouth.

I got home by 4:30 and watched TV and had some pita chips and a bowl of cereal. I really didn’t do very much last night. Mom came home by 7 I think. It was just in time for her to watch the News Hour on PBS.

I did spend time on line and listening to the music.

Mom was up when I got up. I wrote Debra a letter and wrote about what happened and it is ready to be mailed. I don’t know if it will get to her in time. I don't know if she even will have to time to read it or not. Mom was in her room when I went and used the scotch tape.

Mom is out getting her hair cut and going shopping for a while and I told her I was going to be doing the cleanings. I helped with a grocery list. I had to ask her about the Lysol toilet cleaner (it wasn’t working right).

While I took a break from cleaning I tried to update my profile to add a picture of myself. I don’t think it has worked. I used the one Tessa took of Mom and I last year. I don’t think it worked... It didn’t. Well back to work.

Well the upstairs bathroom will be done shortly (its after 11 am) if I don’t keep stopping and reading other people's blogs. I guess you could say it’s the ADD to blame.

It is now after 1:30. I have been cleaning downstairs. I showed Mom that the Swiffer pads do not go with the wet Swiffer floor cleaner. She was goddamned insistent that it goes with it and fucking doesn’t but we make do with what we have. She doesn’t realize just how much she and Liz are a lot alike. They always have to be right.

The mail came just a bit ago. My raffle prize came from Gail W today. It is corn bread mix. It was very cool. I will let her know it came…

Mom went back out shopping around 2. I finished the vacuuming and then had a sandwich. Around 3 I decided to take a bath and get dress into some clothes (yeah only to get out of them in about 4 hours).

I brought in the rugs from the line and put two of them into the dryer while the other one is on a rack down in the cellar. I figured since I did all that work I could finally relax for a little while. Mom came home around 4. I helped unload the car. She could tell the place had been vacuumed. Success!

Since she has been home Mom has been on the computer. She is checking on the stew now and I expect a call from her soon. I have been relaxing and watching Globe Trekker. Today’s was to Columbia. It was a usual show.

Around 5 I got a call from Dave on his cell. He asked how I was and if I had eaten. I was quite surprised and he explained that he and Rose were going to have dinner and a movie but I declined. NO money. Now my dilemma is this. I am glad he called and asked how I was but is it enough? It was nice that he invited me but am still looking for more. I guess I can’t.

Around 6:30 I realized I had a cat to feed. I drove over and found her rolling on the floor. I sort of peered into the house sort of afraid she would slash me for not coming sooner. I found a hair ball on the wood floor. Golly gee! Do you think she is pissed? I fed kitty and then started to clean it up. It took me a while. While I was feeding her I started feeling like I was going to have a problem. I did. I will just say I felt yucky afterwards. I finished cleaning the spot and played hide and seek with the cat before leaving.

I got home just as TOH was starting. Mom was upstairs on the computer and doing some work. I watched it for a bit then came upstairs again. While Mom was getting into her pajamas I could feel the runs returning. I made it okay but it did make a mess in the recently cleaned bathroom I spent time doing. The bathroom is fine now.

I got a call from Roberta tonight. It’s a good thing I had gone and fed the cat when I did. We talked about her flight and everything seemed okay. She is going to see Ray Romano and Kevin James. They have already seen a few shows already.

I also got a phone call from our new member Lois. She has a cold and can’t come tomorrow to help bake the pies.

I took a bath and soaked in it. I still feel like I will be erupting but I took meds maybe it won’t. My wrist and fingers hurt so I am going to bed

One Week from Today

Wow one week from today will be thanksgiving and the Christmas selling/buying season will begin. Officially that is. We all know that it unofficially started oh right before Labor Day. Am I right? As of this writing I am still not sure what we will be doing. We have been invited to Cheryl and Mike’s house for dinner but Mom is still waiting to hear from Bob to see what they are doing.

I don’t have to work the Friday after Thanksgiving. I checked with Patti and she told me she would check with Susan and she came back later and said no. That’s okay that’s Black Friday and I swore I would never go shopping on that day again.

There is a meeting at 2 pm this afternoon for the department Christmas party in the conference room. Obviously we are having it in house because if it were anything else we would have known about it sooner.

Today is Warren “Kent” Barrett’s Birthday he is collector in the Collections dept here at YMG. His department set up the party filled with cakes and goodies. It is also Toni DiPonte’s Birthday she is on Patti’s team with me. I really am going to send them e-cards.

There are weather predictions of snow coming either tonight or tomorrow and over the weekend. I am currently listening to the Maine Public Radio and they are supposed to get it first (maybe we will be getting it together).

Last night was fun. I had dinner, had food I wasn’t supposed to have and as a result my hands began hurting during the meeting. The meeting was fun. We have 3 new members and one who is very funny. I had a nice chat with one new member name Lois Campbell. She lived in Maine for many years with her husband and now lives with her daughter down the street from Telka. We had wonderful discussions and we wrapped gifts for the residents at the Nursing Home. I left there around 10 and had one of our guests named Joyce follow me home. She lived near me in Woodmont/Bayview area.

When I got home it was nearly 10:30. I got the garbage out and Mom was in her pajamas. I got the recycle stuff out. I took a bath and then got ready for bed. I got to bed around midnight.

I got up a few times during the night. I had to take more of the Ibuprofen. I finally fell asleep around 1 and woke up around 6:30.

Hey I got a wonderful surprise in the mail yesterday. I received a “Save the date” from Miriam Rubinstein and her fiancé Ben. It’s for their wedding in May 2008. It is in the form of a refrigerator magnet. I am so excited. I didn’t say anything to Telka because it didn’t seem appropriate and I didn’t want to cause hard feelings.

Well I am going to get back to work…have a wonderful day…and be safe!

Well it is almost one and my desk is getting smaller. I don’t have a whole lot of room on this desk (if I was better organized I probably would) Almost everything is on the edge of the desk. I am certainly feeling a little overwhelmed.

I talked with Nelson a short time ago. He and Liz are getting ready for their weekend trip to PA. They are going to be giving a ride to Adam for his flight to Paris. It’s just a weekend jaunt for him. Nelson and Liz are going to be taking a side trip to Allentown to see Jim.

I have to go to the “Christmas Meeting” in about 7 minutes. I don’t think we will be that long. We are just picking names out of the hat for $20 gifts. I made a quick list. There are jazz CD’s and something else.

All that I have left to do is yesterday’s mail. I hope that I can finish it today and have it ready to sort and deliver tomorrow.

Okay gotta go….

Well that was productive. The meeting was 20 minutes and there was a couple of choices and then some others suggested other places. At first it was going to be a brunch and hten some others wanted some thing else. To me whateva…

It is after 8 and I have got two washing machines going and I am stewing. Mom came home around 7. We exchanged pleasantries and info about Lee Tamas’ son’s wake which isn’t tomorrow. I went looking for the article in the new New Haven Register website. I asked if she got it. She hadn’t but then told me some good news.

She told Me James is coming for thanksgiving. I then told her Liz and Nelson on their trip to Gettysburg is going stop by Jims’. She then told me he called and said he was going with them. Cool. We went back to the Thanksgiving thing. Jim called Bob after he found out that we are having dinner at Bob’s and said he would come up too. I was pretty happy about that. That was until Big Mouth Mom opened her trap and said Liz is mad at her and I asked her why.

She told me that Liz was going done to see Jim and Mom said because she worried about Jim’s health and state of mind and all that bullshit she claims is worried about she asked Liz to please see if he is drinking or what ever. Liz rightfully told her to fuck off (I hope). I told her she shouldn’t have done that. The next wordsout of this tramps mouth were “bullshit”. I asked her who she thought she was talking to. She said it is only an expression. I told her the conversation was over. She told me to stay in my room. She is mentally unstable and has no business being constable or the chairperson of any mental health institution board. If anyone in Connecticut reads this I implore you to file grievances or complaints and or objections to DMAS. Demand her removal She is not qualified to be a part of any board. She wants things done her way.

She has been giving me snotty answers and now all bets are off. I have no intention of meeting with her or the probate judge here in town to discuss the future. When the opportunity presents itself I am moving out. She can sell the house and do what ever. I have no intention of paying what bills there may be.

This is the second time in two weeks she has disrespected me and I will no longer tolerate it. She doesn’t allow me to get angry or express my opinions that are by law entitled to me.

November 14, 2007

I didn’t do any journal writing last night after I got home. I didn’t really do much of any writing last night except another letter to Debra.

After I left the office yesterday I dropped my stuff off at the car and picked up my sunglasses since the sun was out for a bit. Once I did that I headed to Debra’s. I am not sure what time I got there because I stopped for a few minutes at the green to read the NBC 30 ticker banner that was rolling across the door at the studios.

The session went pretty well. We talked about the week’s events, the weekly aggravations and memories of my trip to London and France with Jim. At 3:30 in the morning I am not sure why we talked about that. Oh now I remember we were talking about how I want to take more trips some day.

After the session I headed back to the garage and got the car and went home. I thought it would take forever. There was a seatbelt check over on Church Street South and Union Avenue. Happily I had my on. Other than a bottle neck by the office the rest of the drive went okay.

I was home by quarter of six. Mom was already in her pajamas and coming down the stairs when I got in. She was getting our dinner ready. It would be pork chops and rice and vegetables. While that was cooking I watched the end of the second hour of Charmed. Then I updated the gas log and checked my mail.

I got a new batch of stockings from Silkies, a new Lane Bryant card and coupons, and something from my AARP. No letters or anything like that. Drat!

We had dinner around 6 and watched the news. Mom and talked about her day today. She has to be up early for a breakfast meeting. At first she thought it was an annual meeting but then she wasn’t sure.

After dinner I took a bath. I didn’t get out of there until 7 or 7:30 and watched TV and then got on line. I finally got my bank statement from Webster. I surfed through the net a short time and started the letter to Debra.

It was after 10 when I went to bed. I had a pretty good sleep. I woke up for my bathroom run and then decided to work on the minutes for tonight’s General Meeting. It really didn’t take that long. I cut what Telka wrote and pasted it on my original document.

When I was finished I went back to bed. I heard this noise from the computer and I thought it was breaking down and what happened was it was shutting down after having a security update. There was a message on it when it rebooted. I was so worried because the Real Player stopped again during the night. I was afraid it was doing some thing to the computer.

Well I am going back to bed for an hour. I want to be up and dressed before Mom gets up.

I have a lot to do for mail today. I thought for sure I was going to be done with it yesterday but I wasn’t and I don’t think I was on the Internet excessively. I hope to continue with that today.

Prayers are going out today for my co worker Linda Banks. She is having a new pace maker put in. I plan on seeing her on Friday at lunch time.

Well it has been a busy morning for me. I finally got some sleep and then the alarm went off. I stayed in bed until maybe 6:30. I showered and then came out and Mom was already downstairs waking up. While she was downstairs I checked some emails.

I found one from Telka. She has some concerns about the fundraiser we helped with for St Jude. She wants us to stay after the meeting. I have a really bad feeling that the woman we helped is either scamming us or has taken off with the funds. I don’t know for sure but if that’s what Telka is getting bad vibes from then it wouldn’t be too far off.

The drive in was fine. I decided to drive by the houses that were in that fire the other morning. I only got a quick glimpse of them. One had a tarp covering part of it. I really couldn’t see the other very well. I kept on driving up Ocean Avenue and passed Bob and Ethel’s house and took Kelsey Avenue up to Saw Mill Road entrance to the highway. It was a little heavy. I managed to get to the garage without any real hassles.

The charts were here when I arrived. I emptied the campus mail and started on the charts. There were 12 and got them delivered within a short time. Then I started working on the personal mail and got them in their campus mail to be delivered. It took me a while. Today’s mail came and I worked on that. Now I am working yesterday’s mail. I hope it will be done soon. Then if I have time I can finish today’s it doesn’t seem like it will be a lot but I still have to do the postage tally/bad address project.

Mom is at Amarante's for a day long retreat. She should be home by the time I get home but then is going to Wethersfield for a meeting. After that she should be home by 8 or 9.

I will get home my normal time and have dinner and watch TV. I have to get ready for my club meeting at 7. I probably am back home by 9 or 9:30. I think I am going to put the garbage out when I get home from work.

Liz sent me a forward last night called Tater People (or something like that and it was really cute). I sent it to the group and a few others.

Well it is kind of nice out there. The sun was shining and the temperatures were down this morning and went up now. It is about 55 in New Haven and 57 in Milford. It is supposed to be colder tomorrow.

Well I am going to get back to work. I have a lot to do….

November 13, 2007

It is almost lunch time. The day started out pretty rainy but has since gotten sunny and a little warmer. I made sure I got up early enough to go to Costco. I got dressed and put the news on.

There was a fire in West Haven. It destroyed one house and jumped and partially damaged the other. It happened about 1:30 this morning. The house is about a minute from this house and just past the rotary. There was a two truck roll over in New Haven. It was at the exit ramp where I get off in the morning. I had to get off one exit earlier.

Well it is after 1:30 and I am working on lockbox from this morning. I have just been doing this and that around here. I had a brief conversation with Irma Hammer. She is one of the six people who were fired for HIPAA violations last year. I think it’s been a year. She is doing okay. She tells me she was recently working for her lawn guy and will be doing temping jobs. I also had a lovely conversation with Lisa S in Reimbursement. She has returned from a medical leave. She had surgery on her leg/knee.

Oh guess what I found today? For all of you who don’t know what Mom looks like here you go. J I tried calling her at home but she is out. At least I think she is…

Well I am going to post this now that it is after 3:30 and I am going to Debra’s after this.

I was busy today

Well it is after 11 am and the campus mail is here. I have been working on the readdress mail that I have backed up on. That’s what happens when you leave things or don’t do them daily.

Today has been a new hair do day. Patti M, Martha K, and of course me have all new looks. It will take some time for us to get used to it because both of them have had long hair for a really long time.

Talked with Mom she is fine. When I called she was just getting ready to go up for her day.

I am starting to feel like I am starting my monthly. I hate it. I just want to go home and sleep.

It is now lunch time and I just relaxing. Toni gave me half dozen chocolate truffles. Of course I have eaten them already.

Well I have given Elinor R my choice for Bettie Staton’s retirement party. It will be Veal Parmigiana. I thought I would be different and get something else. Now all I have to figure out is what to wear.

Well back to the readdress mail.

Around 3 I called Mom to see how her day was and she had gone to her Doctor’s appointment and then to a fellow CPAC member’s home for work on the raffle prizes for the Christmas Concert. Mom came and hasn’t been feeling well. Apparently she has been getting sick just the way she did with the chicken. She has a 5:30 meeting with the Executive President of The Bridges Mental Health center in Milford. She says she is not going to be eating dinner. I don’t know if I should be worried or not.

Well it is getting to be 3:30. I have already sorted and delivered one bactch of rejections to the teams and I have another one left. I had a small batch of mail come in through campus but will add it to the bulk of tomorrows. Oh yeah. It is going to be big volume I think.

Well it is almost 7:30 now Mom is at the second part of her Bridges meeting and should be home sometime after 8. She was getting ready when I got home. I had stopped at Walgreens to pick up sanitary napkins. I hope these are better than those winged crap.

I haven’t really done very much tonight. I did some channel surfing and blog surfing. I have found some interesting stuff online. That’s what I like to see. I want to read about their lives and how they deal with life.

I got an email from Robin Boxwell today. She sent out prayer request. I think it’s for her brother-in-law. Apparently he has to go into the hospital for a heart transplant. I actually don’t know for sure but I remember that her sister married a John many years ago.

Mom came home from the meeting after 9:15. She still isn’t feeling well and is getting into her pajamas. She checked emails and we talked about the meeting. She talked about the Centennial for the Mental Health Association

I am going to bed now…have another long day tomorrow.

Veteran's Day 2007

Good Morning! Happy Veterans Day to you all and to all the Veteran’s and family members who read this THANKYOU for all that you have done to protect the US. You will never be forgotten.

Later on this morning is the Veterans Day service the Milford Young Woman’s Club will have at the Nursing home. It will start about quarter of ten and it should last about an hour. We will have music, recounts by the vets themselves and a flag folding ceremony and the moment of silence at 11:11 am.

I have been up for about an hour already. I had some really weird dreams and it involved the family. I could see all of them and we were supposed to go some where together but I didn’t go. I saw Nanny (my maternal grandmother) and Grandpa (Maternal grandfather) whom I never met and they were dressed as Santa and Mrs. Clause but they were old.

I did have a headache during the night and it woke me up. It went away after I took the ibuprofen. I went back to sleep until this morning.

It is really cold out this morning. There was frost all over the cars and some of the rooftops of the houses.

When I get home I will finish my laundry and finish this room and hopefully write some more letters. I think I will have some time today. I don’t know of anything else.

I might have to do some work for the GFWC in preparation for the meeting on Wednesday.

Mom is getting ready to for her morning at the Mercy Center. I need to get into the shower and get ready for Mediplex. As I suspected yesterday it seems Mom is starting to get a cold. I could hear her it in her voice. She is afraid she is getting sick and if she does that now she could be sick for the thanksgiving holiday. You know how these things take so long especially for 80 year old mothers.

Well the morning went pretty despite Natalie didn’t leave us a list of names of the veterans. I got there a little after 10 and several people asked me if we are having bingo. I think I explained it to several people like 5 times. I understand they are forgetful but it isn’t on the flipping calendar. I made the announcement for the Veteran’s program three times. Sam was being difficult. That wasn’t something I could deal with right then.

Ah I see JoAnne is making some changes in her group. A few people left this week after several stringent rules were made and now she is opening up to suggestions. I gave one that might not work. Have potential pot stirrers (aka troublemakers) a probationary period.

Oh cool. Milford had their Veteran’s Day parade that finished at 2:20 and it was being aired on our government Channel live. It was a lot nicer to see it via TV then being out in that cold. I called a few people to tell them about it. Mom and I watched and then I had my lunch and she made some phone calls.

I am going to try and write some letters before I go off to church. I have one here now. It’s from Ann in England.

I was talking with Mom about her day tomorrow. She ahs a doctor’s appointment in the morning and then she are going over to someone’s house to help make decorations for the Annual CPAC/Bridges Christmas Show in December. She has a Bridges meeting in the evening.

Well I am going to take off and get this letter written or write more to her….

It is now after 6. I have been home since 5:30. I was home earlier than I expected. After church I headed to Liz and Nelson’s but they were not home. Now I understand why she always asks me to call before coming over.

Well it is a couple minutes before 9 and I have been just relaxing. I wrote in this journal just now but took a bath and then watched some TV. I saw the Nature program about the two cheetah cubs. The hour went by quickly. It was a pretty cool segment as well as sad I actually cried at one point. I just registered at Mr. King’s website to read his blog and to post at the forum.

Now I am going to bed and get ready for tomorrow. Since it’s a federal holiday there is no mail but I will be finishing up Friday’s mail and work on the readdress mail and stuff from downstairs.

I am not sure if I will be caught up but it will provide me with a fresh start. I have to make a concerted effort not to get on the internet more than the three tmeis I can (other than looking stuff up for work related.

Well it is close to 9:30 and I need to say good night. I am getting tired.

November 10, 2007

Hello. I am just relaxing and will be watching this week’s episode of TOH their current project. I have been curious to see if people in Newton ever write about this stuff or if the neighbors comment on it. Apparently they either don’t care or don’t want to venture on to internet blog world. The only blog is the one from the home owners. I am going back to blogspot search and see if I can find anything there.

Well I didn’t find anything there but I did watch Tonight’s episode they are moving along which means it has been weeks in between shows. It was interesting how they are putting together some of the stained glass windows.

I have some stuff in the dryer and now I am tired.

Today was basically quiet day. I ran some errands and then kept on doing the laundry and got my hair cut. It looks pretty good.

I got a call from Telka to let me know tomorrow is all set and asked me if I got a list and I had to tell her no. Ever since then tried to call them a couple of times but no answer. I am sure they will have it ready tomorrow.

I wrote my weekly newsletter to the groups. It has showed up in four groups that I know of. I am going to check in a few moments to see if anymore shown up.

Like I said not a eventful day. Mom annoyed but that is okay. I don’t think she is really feeling well.

Today didn't start off too good

Today should be a really uplifting happy or feel good day right? WRONG!!! I am stressing right now because I left the keys for the charts at home in my other jacket. I had reminded myself to put them in my pocketbook but I didn’t. I am so annoyed. I asked Mike to let me in to the mail for later. He reminded me it’s a lot. I felt like saying no kidding. I have told a few of them already.

The Breakfast is wonderful. There were bagels, pastry, muffins, fruit, and coffee and tea. I had 1 bagel and fruit, and one muffin and 2 cups of coffee. That’s my limit. I made a conscious decision not to over do.

When I left Mom was just getting up. I did ask her why she sent me back the email I sent her. I was hoping I didn’t sound demeaning or anything but she couldn’t remember why she did.

I have been trying to clear out my g-mail account of things I didn’t want. I have answered some emails as well.

There was a lot of campus mail and some post office mail. I was not at all happy but its par for the course today. Well at least what ever I don’t finish today I can do it Monday. There is or will be little or no mail on Monday for the Veteran’s Day holiday.

Well its lunchtime. I made an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow … it is for 12 pm. I will be able to do some chores at home and then go there.

Oh no. I just called home and Mom tells me that she has been getting sick all morning. She decided to throw out the entire meal we had last night. (It was the chicken the stove top stuffing etc.) She doesn’t know what we are going to have tonight. I told her I would make some eggs for myself.

Mom was supposed to go to a meeting but didn’t because she was sick. I hope whatever it was I won’t get it. Uh I think I may have spoken too soon. I am starting to feel yucky. It could be the power of suggestion too.

Aw man what a day. I can’t seem to get anything done. I am trying to do a different “chore list”.

Well I am home now. I left the office a few minutes before 4 and got to the car a little after 4. I drove to Walgreen’s and picked up my prescription. Then I drove to the highway. It was backed up and slow. There was an accident clearing up by exit 42. Apparently a multi vehicle accident and it took me at least 20 minutes longer than usual to get to Milford.

I stopped off at the Post office at Baybrook. I mailed the credit card bill and the deposit for the Credit Union. It was still raining then. A few minutes later I was at home.

Mom was sitting in the back room watching TV. She was still having a queasy stomach but decided we would have waffles for dinner. She would start them when I gave the go ahead. At the time I didn’t know it. She told me later when finished dressing.

She also did something I thought she would NEVER do. She put one of our cousin’s TV in the blue room and it is cable ready and set up. Now I don’t have to go into Mom’s room to watch TV or downstairs if I don’t want to... :). If I want to lie down while watching TV I can. If I want to write letters while watching TV I can.

Mike called tonight to see if we would help Rich Smith out cleaning the Headquarters. I had told them no because I wanted to do stuff that I have been putting off. Well I didn’t go into the laundry list but Mom said she would try as well.

I was watching “Remember the Titan’s and liked it so far but I couldn’t help think I could be doing something else like writing letters or clearing out stuff on the computer.

I was a little hyper last night

I didn’t get on line much last night. I was rather in a hyper state. Mom was telling me that Liz got different numbers than what I had. That she got them from CT Post and it just aggravated me because neither of them thinks they are ever wrong or that I don’t know what I am saying. At one point a sound bite of Judge Judy was on and one of the litigants mouthed off to her.

We had dinner of lamb sandwiches which were delicious. It was Delicious and simple because there wasn’t much to do. Mom also made a cake she used to make when we were younger. She found the recipe in the NY Times Recipe section.

Yesterday was a big day in Connecticut. IF any of you caught the news you know that this year’s Tree in Rockefeller Center is coming from a home in Shelton CT. I thought it was from Jones tree farm. It isn’t. It is near a country club but not on the country club. The tree is on a large family home. My co-worker Jeri lives down the street from it. She told me her dog went crazy the entire time. The helicopters from Channel 8, 30, ABC, NBC were all flying overhead.

I did spent a lot of time shredding Mom’s search committee stuff and it was fun to look over some of it. They had gotten resumes from all over the East Coast. I did it until Midnight. I had stopped a few times to update or revise some documents.

Today I got up and got ready for work, and made my lunch. After all that I took the garbage out and noticed the sheet of frost on my car. I knew I should have gotten up earlier and defrosted the car. It really didn’t take long but I wanted to just hop into the car and drive off.

I got to the garage by quarter of 8 and parked on the tenth level of the garage. I hadn’t realized I had passed 6 until I was facing a sign for the 7th FL. I just decided to go all the way to the top. I rode down on the elevator with Michele P she is a dear friend and I have known her the entire time I have worked at Yale. She started off in Collections and is currently working in the training and software dept (if the link worked she is the 7th person down). We also met up with Laurence Brandy and immediately she tripped and fell on her knees. It was unsettling to say the least.

We got to the office a little after 8 and I jumped in to do the charts (after calling Donna G). There didn’t seem to be a lot of charts but it did take me less than an hour. After that was done I started on today’s mail. It’s all done so now I can concentrate on yesterdays.

We got a flyer for Bettie Stanton’s Retirement party (the night time party). Unfortunately I can’t make it. At least I don’t think I can. It starts at 5:30 and I have a meeting to attend that night (the DTC). If memory serves service was incredibly slow and we didn’t get out of there until 9.

Things around here got a little hairy. Patti M and Toni D had words. Later on in the morning Toni was afraid that Patti snapped at me for no reason and she was afraid it was because of a situation between them. Then Jocelyn was frantic this morning because her son is coming real close to getting the shit beat out of him from his mother. She left here around 10. She told me not to have kids. (I would have said technically a little too late but she may not have appreciated it).

I got two emails from Mike Brown forwarded from Rich Smith. He thanked everyone involved for this campaign and asked us to attend the Inauguration on November 19, 2007. We are also doing clean up for HQ on Saturday. I don’t know if I want to do it. I need to do stuff here at home.

I called Mom a couple of times today. The first was to make sure she was up in time for the funeral mass she was attending. The second time was to say hi. She has a meeting to go to tonight so she is getting chicken ready for us for dinner.

There was an update on Miss B and it doesn’t look good. Please pray for my friend. She has cancer and this latest round of chemo is making her sick.

Sadly the Patriarch of the Osmond Dynast George Osmond died yesterday. He was 90 years old. I just sent them an email via Marie Osmond’s webpage.

Well I better get to the Medical Records list…I will check in later…

I am so aggravated right now. Ever since I got home I have been feeling really crappy. Every conversation I have had with Mom tonight about the election has been filled with contradictions and rudeness. I am so damn sick of it. Liz and nelson came over tonight to show us what they found in the newspapers. Nelson was absolutely fucking rude to me. They said I didn’t tell them she was going to be on the ballot. Hello stupid? NOT MY FUCKING JOB! I also seem to remember telling you back around the convention that she was nominated. You are condescending and telling me I am losing my memory???

I know I am not insane but I am so damn tired of this attitude. Mom was just telling me the numbers mike gave her were all wrong. HE WASN’T FUCKING IN CHARGE OF IT. THE two so called Political science geniuses did not input the info correctly or was given the wrong info. I am also saying that this kind of misinformation can cause problems. Mom says to me “well people make mistakes”. YOU GOD DAMNED fucking slut. Rich Smith handed them the info from the phones.

I really need to go to bed.

November 7, 2007

Well its lunch time here and I am just beginning work on yesterday’s mail. I finished Monday’s mail about an hour ago. The morning went pretty well. I worked on the charts, talked about the election results, and sent a few emails and read my mail and various blogs. I also posted in my pen pal blog. I did call Mom to wake her up for her 9 am meeting. I don’t know if she got home or not.

Well it is quarter of 2 and I am working on yesterday’s mail. I had an intense conversation with Chris. He is a floater that’s been helping out around here. The discussion started off with sports (about watching it on TV) and it progressed into my diatribe about role model and Kevin Sorbo.

I talked with Mom around Lunch time and she had come back from her meeting and was going to relax or do some shopping. She couldn’t find anything about the election for her in the paper. I told her I had the info. I told her I would give it to her when I get home.

I sent a hug a bear day card to Kerri at her work email. I hope she likes it and I hope she won’t get in trouble with Mike and Tessa.

You know after every election I keep swearing that I would keep up with the political atmosphere in the city. I just was looking at the agenda and meetings for the departments. I started back in Jan 2007. There was an agenda to discuss worker’s claims for two firemen I believe.

The Jan 8, 2007 Aldermanic Meeting included housing issues that Marsha Zweibel from the fifth district spoke on and asked questions about who decided criteria on problems. James Santa Barbara spoke on the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility Law he is very much against it. He explained the pros and cons of it and how it would affect the city of it were to be changed and implemented.


Okay it is nearly 3 and I am still opening mail from yesterday. I will have to put it away in a bit to sort Monday’s mail. I will put the rest of yesterdays with todays. When I get home I am going to do laundry and put the garbage out. I might be able to work on letters if I can get myself going

Election 2007-Milford

Well the polls closed at 8 pm. Kerry didn’t win but she was class act as she spoke at Headquarters tonight. Now Richetelli will have to deal with a democratic majority on the aldermanic board. The Democratic Party won all the boards. Connecticut Bob had a great report and of course you can check out Vote 2007 Connecticut Election Returns also one Milford voter was 109 years old and that was so cool. Mom won her position as Constable with the second highest amount of votes. She was highly surprised and I was just plain proud. I might call Jim and Liz and Bob tomorrow.


The day started for me at 5:45 am. I got up showered, had breakfast of yogurt, made my lunch and watched a little bit of Angel I was dressed and ready to go to the polls by 7. It was raining as expected. A short time later I arrived to the polling place at Foran High. Kerri and her son were just leaving to stand at other polls through out the day. Kerri’s Mom, husband Brian and daughter Emily, and father stayed behind for a bit. I greeted my team mates and gave them all hugs and kisses. Scott Willey tried again to get me to vote for him.

I went in to the gym gave them my name and address and showed them my ID. I was then given those scan ballots that are the new way of voting here in CT. I went to “the booth” and proceeded to fill them out. It wasn’t hard at all. It was strange to see Mom’s name on there. A couple minutes later I was putting in the scan machine and walking out the door.

I saw Barbara G and chatted with her. She told me about her father and I hugged kern and said how sorry I was. After that I left and headed back out. I said goodbye to the gang and headed to work.

It was after 7:30 when I got to the garage. I won’t even tell you how that was. It was pretty much the same story as always. No one wanted to let me in...yada, yada. I walked to the office and took the elevator up with several others.

It was before 8 and started doing various stuff. Even though I got some work done I know I didn’t get everything done. I was tired, agitated (had a little beef with Jocelyn) and anxious for the day to get over with.

I left the office a little before 4 and headed to Debra’s office. The Christmas tree for the green was being decorated I arrived and waited for my session with Debra. I talked with a woman who was waiting for her three 9 year olds.

The session with Debra went by quickly. I told her about the days events (and how Scott was being inappropriate I think). I gave her the letter I meant to mail earlier in the weekend.

After the session I headed to headquarters. There weren’t that many people that but we did some phone banking I had some dinner. I called Mom and within a half hour she came back to the headquarters.
The next couple of hours went by quickly. More and More people came and by 8:30-9 pm we had the final tally (except for the absentee ballots). There was some concerns that people were being kept away from voting but people were looking into it. As I suspected there were some tension early on.

We had pizza and we celebrated our victories and then I did some cleaning and by 9:30 I left. I got home by 10.


My arms ache so I took some ibuprofen and the medicine and went to bed by 12:30.

November 5, 2007-Jim's Birthday?

Good Morning! It is a sunny and chilly day here in the New Haven area. Everyone is cheerful and some of us are counting down the days to their vacation! Donna G is like a little kid counting down the days (at this point it is 4) until her cruise.

I got up around 6 or 6:15 and the sun just starting to come out. I took a bath, got online and checked emails and updated my new pen pal blog. I left just before 7:30. I got here earlier than usual. Well it seemed like it.

I started with picking up the mail from Registration and Customer Service. When I got back to the office the charts and campus mail was waiting for me. I called Donna to let her know the stuff was here. I chatted with co-workers, and started on the charts.

I get the impression that everyone made it through the storm (AKA Hurricane Noel) with little or no problems. I was talking with Marlene who must have gone to the Rhode Island told me it was messy up there. They were to get the brunt of it before Canada did.

I have been working on Friday’s mail as well as being online. I was checking out some of the addresses that have been crossing my desk on the virtual maps. It is pretty cool to see the locations and stuff.

I also called Mom to make sure she got up for her Dentist appointment. She had been up a little bit. She was having coffee and reading the paper. I told her I would see her at the end of the day. I have no idea if she has any meetings today or tonight but I am suspecting she does.

At lunch time I got online and checked out the net. I went to this thread at Ex Isle and an argument had been breaking out over the last few days about the Writer’s Strike. Since I am a union member I would support anyone who wants better wages and better benefits. However, they are talented writers and some times they come up with really stupid ass stuff!

I did read Linda Lael's Blog about her weekend in San Diego. It sounds like she had a great time. I missed her entries but she didn’t take the laptop with her.

Today’s mail volume doesn’t seem that bad (at least from the post office) haven’t looked in the lock box mail that Arcenia brought me this morning.

When I get home tonight I really have laundry to do. I didn’t do any of it over the weekend. I am starting to run out of certain “unmentionables”. I also have to take the signs to Mike Brown’s house for the candidates to take tonight.

I just called Mom to see how her day was going. She says she has to have a whole new crown put in. Man I was sorry I asked. She isn’t going to Wethersfield tonight for the meeting.


Well it just 3:30 and I am trying to clear up for the day. I have a lot of today’s mail to open and I can do that tomorrow. I have already delivered Friday’s mail.

I have laundry to do when I get home tonight too. I am not sure if I will be online a lot. It all depends on how I feel.

Hey all it is almost 9:30 at night and I am heading to bed. My evening has gone pretty well if not very quickly. I came home by 4:30 and relaxed for a bit. I sent out some emails to Mike to let him know I was on my way. Mom was getting our dinner ready and we would be eating within the hour.

I drove over to Mike’s. While driving over I saw our friends Jason N and his wife and daughter. We chatted briefly and then I continued to Mike and Tessa’s. When I arrived Mike and Tessa were not there. Five minutes later Mike arrived and we had a few moments to chat. Then his friend Alex drove up and they went off to do more lit dropping before tomorrow. We had put the signs in Mike’s car. I drove home.

I watched a little bit of Charmed and the news. We had our dinner by 5:30. There was an update on the accident in Old Lyme. Channel 8 interviewed the husband of the woman who died. He was very composed and said he and his college age son have a hard time privately but in public they are fine. They are grateful for the support of their neighbors and friends.

It was announced today that the husband of Governor Jody Rell will be going into the hospital tomorrow for surgery. H e has the same esophagus disorder that House Speaker Jim Amann has. Mr. Rell will be in the hospital for up to ten days.

I did get some laundry done. I just have to put it away but I am tired and achy. My left wrist is hurting and I have already taken the ibuprofen twice already. It is starting to feel a little better. I also put some Ben Gay on it.

I am going to get up early and go vote and then go to work. Then after my appointment with Debra I am going straight to headquarters. Mom might go in the morning and spend the day there. She doesn’t want to start those stupid calls and I don’t blame her.

The weather is supposed to be rainy tomorrow which is traditionally not good for the Democratic Party. It usually means low turn out. I will post a few times during the day.

Be sure to exercise your constitutional freedom and participate in your local elections. Your voice can make a difference and you can’t complain later when people get in you didn’t want to.

Turned the clocks back

Good Morning! Did you remember to turn your clocks back? I did that this morning. The computer did it already. There are only a few clocks that have to be done manually. I have been up for about a couple of hours now. I got online and answered some emails and found out that my pen pal Lyn from Australia replied to my invite for Multiply.com

I got the papers from outside. It is chilly but nice. The sun is shining and it will be for the day. I got a response from Dan at CEO Blues thanking me for the update on Noel. It supposedly headed toward his town in Canada during the night.

Sadly there was a Milford connection to that horrible accident on Friday in Old Lyme. A Milford man was killed in that accident. He lived here It is a beautiful home and you can read more about Fred Held here. I didn’t know him personally but I always admired his house. My sympathies go to his family and friends.

Mom is still sleeping and probably will for a while but she wants to go see Father Whitson at Mercy Center. I will get her up after I take my shower. On that note I best get my shower going. Like I mentioned before I have a long day today.


Mom came home a short while ago and we changed the clocks back. Mom was contemplating on helping out with the lit drop but I don’t know if she will do it or not. I told her she could drive to each of the houses if necessary. She will see what happens.

Well I better go…I will see you later.

Hey it is almost quarter of 1 and I will be leaving shortly to meet up with Claire C and the others for the lit drop. Bingo went ve4ry well. I had 18 people and we had fun. Afterwards I came home to look for my sunglasses and I couldn’t find them talk about aggravating. I figure it is on my desk at work (keeping my fingers crossed until then).

Mom came home a short while ago and we changed the clocks back. Mom was contemplating on helping out with the lit drop but I don’t know if she will do it or not. I told her she could drive to each of the houses if necessary. She will see what happens.

Well I better go…I will see you later.

Okay well it’s been several hours now and the lit drop was very successful. I got to Claire’s house by 12:45 pm and we started on the rest of the streets we got yesterday. Snowapple Lane, Marino Drive (part of it was already done). They were Clark Hill Road, Berner Terrace, and Morris Lane. Claire and I stopped at the Mobil and got gas and some snacks. I had coffee and Ice cream. We finished by 3:15 and we headed back to her house so I could get my car and then we went to Mike and Tessa’s. They were not home so we left the stuff and headed in separate directions. She went home and I stopped to see Patrick.

Patrick is still recovering or fighting the cold. I asked him how he was doing and we talked. He told me David went to the casino today. I said “you know I am going to say this…but you really need to start putting your foot down. I mentioned Dave’ self esteem must be low. The whole it isn’t easy on you. I also said I am empathizing with you when I should be loyal to Dave but I know how he treats everyone. Patrick did say that he ahs packed some stuff. I also told him I am not going to keep calling Dave all the time if he wants a relationship he needs to work at it. I didn’t stay long because Patrick was really not feeling well.

I came home and Mom was upstairs and on the computer. She was very groggy she told me a few times. She had taken a sleeping pill last night. I decided to watch TV and have soup and a sandwich.

I spent time on the computer. Donny next door came by to help Mom with hers and apparently fixed the remote for the living room TV. I called Roberta and made arrangements to hitch a ride with her for the meeting.

Roberta unintentionally gave me some anxious moments. The meeting was at 6:45 and she picked me up at 25 of 7. We didn’t get there until 7. She went the long route. Avoiding the highway altogether.

The meeting went by quickly and we got a few updates. MOM cashed the check we have been waiting on for all these months. We have officially severed all ties with this organization.


After the meeting I showed Telka the minutes from the 4th District and even she question part of it (the drive time section of the minutes about some radio spots). Overall she liked them. We also had conversations about politics, the whole check issue with Mom, and the fact only one of us was invited to the ice show and others were not. I think we stayed for about 20 minutes longer and then we all went home. It was close to 9 when we got back here.

When I got home the TV in the living room was on. Donny fixed the remote control (the batteries were in it wrong).. It will take some time getting use to it.

I answered some emails. I opened a pen pal blog on wordpress.com It is a little raw right now and I am not sure if it will make sense but it should be fun.

Mom is in bed reading still. She was unable to stay awake and I suspect she won’t be awake for much longer.

I am on my way there now.