Road Trip

Well good morning everyone. I am at work and doing lockbox. It is not very large volume so I am hoping to get it done before I leave today. Pray that everything I touch today is done before I leave for PA.

I still haven’t heard from Jim yet. I called last night and got the answering machine. I checked emails at work and the phone message at work. I have heard nothing yet. I am going to try my other email and see if he did and it just didn’t come through outlook.

A few have wished me a good trip and to be careful. One person suggested I put it off. I said nope. I am not doing it. I got a little extra prayer from Stephanie Gulley today.

No word from Jim as of 9:53 AM. I have to go and pick up my prescription and candy.

Hey everyone it is after 6 cloudy night...My road trip was okay. I took a wrong exit and ended up on Garden State parkway..found my way to I-78 W..iow went way out of my way. To find that big brother is out of town! So I went to a local hotel I have been to before (that didn't come out right! ) Called home and explained what was going on...Asked Mom would I should do. She asked me how I felt. Tired..leg hurt. The snow is supposed to get here in another two hours.

So I am getting a pizza and hankering down for the night. I checked emails. Sent one to liz because she wasn't home when I stopped by at 12:30 (that pissed me off).

Oh decided not to call the kids. thought I would be opening a can of worms...

good night everyone..hurt fingernail..

sent email to my friend mardi...to see if I could swing by for a visit.

Thursday February 28, 2008

Hey everyone I am at work and I just wanted to keep you updated. I have already submitted my PTO request for tomorrow and both Susan and Patti have approved it. Well Patti approved it verbally on the phone this morning because she isn’t here today.

I sent an email to Jim this morning and let Mom know about before I left. She asked me about calling him and I told her I was going to do that when I get home. I also posted a vent on one of the lists since it was vent day.

I also told Liz I was going and she said “well you should let him know you are coming” and my favorite “don’t be disappointed or hurt if”. I thanked her and told her I loved her for saying it but I will call him tonight. She says she has a gift for him and wants me to take it to him tomorrow.

February 27, 2008

Everyone is in a weird mood today. Not in a bad way but a good way. This week is Month End so they have a goal to get the most money in. Apparently they want to get three million dollars posted today.

I am leaving work early today because I have a Hygienist appointment at 3 pm. So that means I have to make sure everything is done before I leave. Right now I am finishing up yesterday’s lockbox. I am waiting on today’s and I am really hoping there isn’t much.

I still have to get the mail from downstairs. I haven’t picked that up at all this week. I suspect it is going to be heavy because it contains Saturday’s mail, Monday’s, and yesterday’s.

Thanks to Mary from Torrington for the great suggestion to call Waterbury Republican American for the article on Father Whitson. She emailed me last night with the tip but she also told me she would keep an eye out for articles in her newspaper.

Wow I am all finished with this morning’s mail and I am waiting for any other campus/post office mail from “wherever”. I still have to sort it and put them in the appropriate places but overall it’s done. Okay, just before 11:30 the second run came. There isn’t much (yippee).

I talked with Mom this morning. She was just (as she calls it) putt zing around. She is still figuring out what to have for dinner. She doesn’t have to go to any meetings like I said last night.

I was finished by 2 with everything but the bulk mail. I can’t seem to get to that. Well I probably could if I put my mind to it but I hate doing bulk mail. What is Bulk Mail? Well it is information from Insurance Companies that has to do with billing information or changes that will be needed (or just crap).
Well it is nearly 9 and I am doing laundry. I was also watching TV. I have been home from the dentist since 4:15. Mom was making dinner when I came home. She seemed very sad. Actually she has been rather quiet the whole night. We both got thank you notes from Jamie today for his birthday.

I told her then that I am thinking of taking a road trip to Allentown this weekend. She says that’s fine. When we talked about it during dinner she cautioned me to expect a few ‘too busy’ or ‘not a good time’. Well then he needs to call us and let us know. I haven’t told him yet but I plan on it tomorrow.

My knee is killing me again. It is the third night in a row now. I have taken Tylenol but I will also put some ben gay on it.

Tuesday February 26, 2008

It is almost 9:30 Tuesday morning and I am working, and surfing the net at the same time. That’s got to stop and I will force myself to do it.

Last night was a good night. Mom had just gotten home when I did from the Doctor’s. She had to fill a prescription for Prednisone. She said she had exposed a nerve. She felt and looked a lot better than she had in the last few days. She went to her Bridges Meeting and got back probably about 9.

Before Mom left I asked her if Mike sent out an email about the meeting and she told me it will be at 6:30 before the Town Committee on Thursday. That’s okay by me.

I had dinner, watched TV, and read the two newest pen pal letters I received. One is from Edie in Prospect CT, and the other one was from Nancy Padgett. I received an FB from Edie and I am looking through it to see if there are possible pen pals. Last night I just printed up envelopes and will do the rest tonight. I won’t be able to mail any of them until Friday. I don’t know where the stamps went to but I don’t have any and I am not going to get them until Friday.

I talked with Liz for a short time last night. She was talking with Rich but she was tired so we didn’t talk for long. I think it’s been a while since we actually saw each other. I am sure we will get to see each other soon.

Hey everyone I am home now. It’s raining and has been since mid afternoon. I had a good session with Debra. WE talked about work, and home life, and how inappropriate Sam’s insinuation is about me being single. I told her that if the discussion comes up again I will tell him we have had this discussion and we really don’t need to get into it again.

We will not be meeting next week. Debra is going to Disney World with her family. I told her I would write her a couple of times before our next session. After the session was over I walked back to the car.

Once I got back to the car I drove home. The ride wasn’t bad I was home by 5:30. Mom was watching TV and dinner was ready to be served. After I took my mail upstairs and my bags I came back down and we had dinner.

During the dinner we watched the news, and talked about things in general. On the news front there was a climber on the Avon Mountain who had fallen and had to be rescued. There was also a report Cyber sex addiction.

Mom tells me the prednisone is kicking in and seems to be working. That’s great news I think. It worked for me and I am glad it’s working on her. I asked her if she had any meetings tomorrow and happily she has the day to herself. I think she has more paperwork for the boards.

After dinner I checked the mail. I got an alumni Bulletin from Endicott College and I was mentioned under the class of 1984. It was a couple of lines indicating my anniversary at Yale was last November. I also got my CC statement from Union plus and a wonderful letter Laurie Bunch.

I really don’t want to do very much tonight. I have gotten tired already. I could check emails or finish writing up the letters. I think i will do the pen pal files and letters.

Be safe and have a great night.

I was just heading to bed when i thought i would pop in really quick and tell ya i have heard from my friend Mary in Torrington about getting the newspaper with the article about Father Whitson. She suggested that we call and ask them for that edition. i will do that tomorrow.

Monday February 25, 2008

It is almost 10 and I am doing what I normally do on Monday’s. The mail (and of course surfing the net) and work in general.

I really didn’t want to get up this morning. I woke up after 5 and dosed until quarter of 7. I haven’t done that in quite some time either. I got ready for work. Stayed on the computer until 7:30 and managed to get here a little after 8.

I heard from Mardi this morning. We were discussing how much snow both of us got from Friday. There has been snow up in the Northwest part of the state and this last storm brought them another foot of new snow. There is more on the way as well.

I also heard from her yesterday tooJ. The reason for that was I had contacted my Northwest CT Pen pals/friends to ask them a favor. I am not sure I mentioned this yesterday but Mom says there were articles on Father Robley Whitson in the Waterbury Republican American and Hartford Courant. Well I couldn’t find anything online for the Waterbury newspaper but I did find it in the Courant.

Well it is after 3 and I am just taking a break. I haven’t heard from Mom since I talked with her this morning. I wasn’t sure what time her appointment was for and she told me today it was at 1. If she isn’t home now she must be on her way to a meeting.

February 24, 2008

Good morning! It is after 8 on chilly sunny Sunday. I have been up for a while now. I got the papers so Mom wouldn’t have to go out and I cleaned up the sink (she must not have been feeling well last night she rarely leaves stuff like that).

Mom’s back is bothering her again. She walked down the stairs gingerly and very slowly. When I finished the sink I told her to call me if she wanted me to do something for her. She says she has an appointment to see the Doctor tomorrow but she is not sure if she will keep it. She has a bunch of meetings to attend that she can’t get out of. The way I see it is if she is driving and something happens she won’t be going to the meetings anyway. Then again she was driving fine yesterday it was the whole getting in and out of the car that was uncomfortable.

I got an email from Telka a couple of days ago that I just saw yesterday. She defended her thesis and it was accepted. She is now Telka diFate PhD. She will be graduating on May 10, 2008. I will be getting her a card and sending it off to her this week.

I think I will jot off a note to Debra. She won’t get it until probably five minutes before I get there on Tuesday.

Well now that it is almost 9 I thought I would finish this entry. I am really tired so I don’t know if I will write a long entry.

Well it is getting to be 9 and I wanted to pop in before going to bed.

The day went pretty well. I got to bingo at decent time and got to visit with the residents. Virgie was there for second week in a row and it looks like she will be there next week. I read the article that Frances sent me in her letter. The one entitled ‘seniors’ and ‘senior travel’. I do admit the session seemed to drag at one point and I was anxious to get home.

After Bingo I went to church. I was later than I thought. I have to fix clock in my car. It is so way off on the time. I sat in the side of the vestibule/alter. After communion I went to Costco.

The lines were out to the road. It seems a woman locked herself out of her PT cruiser. It caused quite a back up. I had to wait for about 5 minutes and it took maybe another five to get the gas. I was home by quarter of 1.

The rest of the afternoon Mom and I did our own thing. I had lunch, watched TV, surfed the net and wrote some letters. I didn’t really write that many. I even continued to empty my mail box.

I helped Mom prepare dinner. It was the corned beef and vegetables. While she prepared the corned beef I got the vegetables ready. We ended up eating around 5:30. After dinner I watched more TV and wrote a letter of introduction. I am going to bed now.

Shocked

I am so shocked! One of the longest running movie theaters in Orange is closing! That’s right the Showcase Cinemas on Marsh Hill Road is closing in March. I have spent a number of times there to watch the various movies that came into Orange. I can’t remember some of them right now but it was accessible.

I had thought because Cine Deluxe 14 at the mall was beating them out (not realizing they are the same company) and its possible it could be but the company is citing financially not feasible.

What will this mean for the residents of Orange? Well obviously they no longer have their own theater but some of them live closer to either Derby or New Haven or will come to the Mall.

Well it is almost 10 in the morning. I have been doing laundry and trying to read various blogs. Unfortunately I have work to do so I can’t be doing that. I have letters I want to write and send out.

I managed to write my weekly newsletter to the groups. I have had one response from Diane in AL on the lady divas group. She loves my posts. I have next months folder already set up.

Mom and went food/grocery shopping just after 12. We went to Costco first and then to Trader Joe’s. We home by 2:30 or so. We got corned beef, some facial tissues and pork and canned tomatoes. It was really busy at Costco. We got frozen vegetables at Trader Joe’s. It was busy there too.

When we got home I had spaghetti and watched TV. Mom was working on some reports and having a hard time with margins. She managed to get it right after a while.

I heard from Dave today. I emailed him the link to the article about the cinemas closing and he said he wasn’t really surprised either.

I got another response from my weekly newsletter and the girl said the snow tubing sounded like fun even if she hadn’t heard of it before.

Late in the day I decided to go through old emails and get rid of them. They were from November 2007. Some of them will be recorded in the various files I have for them for example Union plus will get recorded and deleted. Borough of Woodmont minutes and notifications will be written up in a while.

Mom decided to bake the rest of the bran muffin mix she made so that all we have to do is reheat them. She is putting a few of them in custard dishes without the muffin wrappers. Those are my kind of muffins!

Hey gang! I just wanted to check in one last time before going to bed. It is after 10:30. In the last several hours I managed to get one letter done and emptied some emails out of my mailbox.

Mom told me she read that the TOH project from New Orleans was stopped because of funds. The lady ran out of funds I guess. However, in my curiosity I checked the blog at the website and according to the homeowner it was already done. I told that to Mom.

We watched the show together and it was good. There was some indication that something was going on considering the homeowner became the General Contractor. AT the end of the segment both Norm and Kevin were joking about it. A part of me wonders just how much they were kidding and how much they were not.

Well I am going to bed. The hands are not hurting as much as they were earlier this evening.

The snow came

I have had me another day. The snow started during the night and there was a lot on the ground by 6. As I was getting ready for work Mom got up and was having a really hard time walking. I got really scared and admittedly over reacted. Anyway I calmed down and helped her to the bathroom. When she finished she went downstairs. I went with her and got the newspaper. I also shoveled the sidewalk and put the de-icing pellets on the ground. I even tried to get the snow off the sidewalk. This was all done in anticipation of taking Mom to the Doctors. When I left for work I told her to call me one way or another about the Doctors. She said she would.

The ride in was long. I had fallen near the car as I was trying to clear it off. I used the broom to get the heavy stuff off and the pulled out of the driveway and headed up to Woodmont Road and exit 40. The traffic was slow but I went twenty miles an hour. As I got into Orange and West Haven I managed to get over to the far lane. Usually it is reserved for fast driving (or what ever). I got to the garage by quarter of 8. I had to take the long way around and come in to the garage by George Street.

When I arrive it was a skeleton crew. I told Patti my intentions of leaving early if Mom needed to go to the Doctors. She acknowledged it. When I told her I probably should not have come in with Jeans she said not to worry about it. As long as you are here that’s all that matters.

As the hours passed I was getting everything done. The lockbox came after 10 to me. There was not a lot. However the charts were getting returned to me and so I needed to get that list done.

It was just about that time when I realized that one of the reps still had the chart she ordered from yesterday on her desk. What a fucking moron. She told me if I hadn’t come by today she still would have forgotten. I just told her we can’t do that again. I mean I am just as responsible for this mess as she is. Now every time I have to make sure the charts are all there before leaving.

I was going to start the bulk mail at one point but by then the mail came and so I did that. I was still doing the mail at 1:15. I did stop and chat with a few people. I told them the story about the chart.

I did call Mom a couple of times and she called me once to let me know the Doctor couldn’t see her today. It’s only logical if we think about it but she will now be in pain until then. I am just worried it will get worse. I was really worried if something really happened to Mom. Gerri Brown put a stop to that. Really fast! She told me ‘not to think that’. So I went back to my desk and got back to work.

The staff has gone back down to skeleton crew as many have left for the day. It is still snowing and will continue through the night. I am hoping there will be very little or no traffic when I leave here at 4.

Now if Mike would use the brains God gave him he would be sending out a cancellation email or phone call for tonight! As of 2:19 I haven’t seen it.

Well I am heading home. It is five minutes before 4 and I have heard from Mike. He called at 3

Thursday February 21, 2008

I was talking to Sue F next door before leaving and Mom got all excited and told me I was going to be late. I was getting a little embarrassed. Sue was defending her and I said it was rude (which I am pretty sure Mom heard).

I was up a little after 6 and got the garbage from the upstairs and put it down stairs. Then I got it ready to go out before I left. That’s when I ran into Susan and her dog and chatted with them for longer than I should have.

Around 10 I called Mom and told her I got her on time (well a little after 8) but she asked me why I was standing out there when I knew I had to be at work. I told her I didn’t realize how late it was. I thanked her for letting me know. When I called she was making business calls for the board. She seemed a little edgy but it wasn’t me it was her back.

Mom told me that she was telling the EX-Director of the board she is on about her dream two nights ago and she said that he told her that when he has a dream he wakes up and tells his wife. Mom laughed because she said that was me all over.

Mom has a meeting in Wethersfield tonight so she will be leaving just as I am coming home. She says we probably will have some type of pasta for dinner. I don’t mind I like pasta J

For my to-do list:

Laundry -started
Letters -got one done
Minutes for the GFWC -not yet
Clean out the car -started it.

I called Liz and Nelson this morning. Liz wasn’t feeling very well so Nelson let her sleep in this morning. He says he will have her call me later when she gets up. I did tell him that Mom’s back was bothering her and about the dream she had of Uncle Lee and that his birthday was yesterday. I am not so sure that will be appreciated. There are just some things I need to keep council on as mom would say.

It is after 2:30 and I am sorting the EOBS. After that I have to finish the personal readdress mail. I am hoping I might get some of the bulk mail done. If not I am going to write some letters if possible.

I bought lunch with the cc. A part of me felt guilty and the other part of me didn’t care. I was hungry and I wanted a cheeseburger from downstairs. It was fine. It was actually Swiss and Bacon with fries…

Well I am done for the day and heading home. All that’s left to do is the bulk mail (and that can be done in small doses) and tomorrow’s work. See you at home! Drive carefully!

It is after 10 and I am so ready to get to bed. I have been rather agitated since I got home. There was a bad accident on the Highway in West Haven. Between exits 42 and 43. It was a multi vehicle accident that included a 2 ton semi. It started around 3:30 and by the time I got there an hour later there was so much traffic that it was unbelievable. I was also worried that Mom was either in it or caught up in the traffic so I was really antsy until she came home.

My agitation also was very strong when the computer seemed slow. Nothing was loading very well and I definitely ahd no patience. After rebooting a few times its working okay. Now it works fine.

I did manage to get a letter written to Melody D in Texas. She has been interested in starting up pen paling. I got her address yesterday and today the letter was written. It includes definitions of FB’s and Slams, and other ways to get pen pals. I also gave her one of the FB’s I received from Alice Wolfe last week. I will mail it out tomorrow.

I am tired and not really feeling well so I am going to sleep.

I was aggravated today

I am so aggravated today. L It took me longer than I planned to do the bad address pile from yesterday. My computer froze (or I think the mouse did) again. I think it happened at least three times. I was miscounting the envelopes (a few people were interrupting me) and the piles I had here were falling on the floor! The printer on my desk was jamming and I don’t mean to the music either.

I talked with Mom at break time and she isn’t feeling better. I asked her this morning and she was a little better than she was last night but I discovered this morning that she had vacuumed and washed the floors on Saturday. That’s what threw her back out! At least it aggravated the stenosis.

During and after lunch I worked on the bad addresses for today and the chart requisition list. Once they were done I worked on the lockbox. I filled out some PTO sheets for Miriam’s Wedding and my dentist appointment. I am sure I will have more but I can’t think of them right now.

I sent out some emails. I sent one to Jim to find out when Kristina’s Confirmation service is being held. I also wanted ot make sure he got the emails I sent him on Saturday.

My To do list:

Laundry
Put the garbage out w/recycle
Write letters
Bed

It is after 10 and the lunar eclipse is almost done. It started around 8 tonight. Mom and I have been taking turns watching it from the windows facing the moon. I am going to bed now.

I left the office around 4:30 and got home by 5. I watched TV and had dinner. Mom came home by quarter of six. For the last few hours I watched TV, put the garbage out and read emails.

Mom watched TV, talked with Aunt Rita in Texas, and read her emails. Mom’s back is a little bit better than it was. As she says it depends on how she moves. Right now she is watching TV.

Mom also got a phone call from Aunt Ann. She is doing fine. Mom didn’t go into great detail either but I am sure if there was anything vitally important she would probably tell me.

Hey I got an invitation to a wine tasting show put on by the Endicott College Alumnae office. It is going to be in Westport Connecticut March 26, 2008. It will be at the home of Catherine Cleare. I will have to look at the map and see what the house looks like. J President Wylie will be there as well.

Yesterday Linden Hall Alumnae Weekend brochures came to the house. It is going to be in April this year. The dates are April 11 -13th. They have a lot planned for it. I don’t know if I can go to either of these events.

Well I better get to bed…

February 19, 2008

Well it’s after 9 in the morning and I have been here since 8. Everything is fine if it weren’t for the fact that my glasses are in the car (this time they are), my ID is at home on the desk (I believe), and I am worried about Mom.

Mom’s back seemed to be worse this morning then last night. I helped get the bath mats put in place (for her shower). She says she will call the doctor today in between her meetings (I am assuming the part of “in between meetings”).

It seems that Jodi Rell the current Governor of CT is approving a plan/bill to remove all billboards through out the state. According to this article it litters the landscape and detracts from the beauty of the state. Unfortunately, the latest Conservation billboards happen to have her picture on them. This has caused a great deal of concern and aggravation to many Outdoor Communication companies including my friend Bruce and John Barrett. John was interviewed on Cablevision 12 yesterday as well as the New Haven Register. He was on the front page yesterday. I get that some of these billboards can be inappropriate but as someone just mentioned they do provide a service for PSA’s (missing children etc).

I heard last night that former first lady Nancy Reagan was resting comfortably after falling in her home on Sunday. The doctors kept her for two nights to take tests and make sure she didn’t break her hip. She is supposed to be released sometime today.

Well an era of Communisms is coming to an end. Cuban President Fidel Castro is stepping down as President of Cuba. His brother who has been filling in will be the next President. Now as a child I vaguely remember Mr. Castro visiting the US, and mentioned through out the years but most of it has been in the articles over the past year or so since Castro’s health has failed.

Well I was just reading this blog and realized I have a to-do list I should post:

Call ARC (again)
Write letters-pen pals
Write letters to the kids (I really hope their Valentines cards were delivered)
Laundry
See Debra (which I will at the end of the day)

I know that I won’t be getting many of the letters done but I can get a few of them done at a time.

Oh and I just looked at the bank site and I got my Federal Income Tax refund! Whoohoo…

Well I best get back to work. I want all of this done before I leave today.

Presidents Day

It is after 10 and I am just doing readdress mail and the chart requests for tomorrow. It is not overly busy here because of Presidents Day. I can hear some people chatting about something but many have work from previous days to do.

Last night I managed to watch most if not all of the Knight Rider movie…it was good. David Hasselhoff the Original Knight Rider appears at the end and looked good. I find it kind of funny that the man to replace “Michael knight” is non other then former AMC star Justin Bruening. Considering David Hasselhoff also was on Y&R back in the day. I guess it was okay. Can it survive a limited run? Time will only tell.

It is now after 1:30. I am just putting the personal/readdress mail into envelopes. I did have some mail from the weekend and I will sort it later.

It is just after 9:30 and I have been home about 30 minutes. I have been watching a little bit of the TV and about to go to bed. I have a little bit of headache and I am not sure what’s causing it.

I left the office a little after 4:10. I was home by quarter of five. The traffic wasn’t bad and that was because of the holiday. It might be a totally different story tomorrow I was still glad to be home either way.

When I got home Mom was cooking dinner. It was pork chops and vegetables. We wouldn’t be eating until 5 anyway. Mom was having a hard time with her back today. I could tell by the way she was leaning on the stove and on the counter. She used to do that a long time ago when she read the paper. After dinner I helped clean up and got the heating pad for her. The last time I checked she was feeling a little bit better.

Around 6 after getting a call from Roberta at 5:30 I started getting ready for the meeting. I picked Roberta up by 6:30 and we headed to Telka’s. We got there probably 10 of 7. The girls were there knitting the healing shawls. After a while Jolyn came and then we started the meeting.

The meeting was done by 8:30. We had refreshments and Telka showed us her cap and gown for her graduation in May. We also talked about things in general. Politics, health, and education were the subjects of discussion for the most part. After a while we left and I dropped Roberta off and I came home.

Right now I am just so tired. I think I am going to bed…

I went tubing yesterday

I really had fun yesterday. I was invited to go to Great Barrington MA to Butternut Ski Resort for tubing. Yes I said Tubing. I have done it only once before and that was in Canada at the Winter Carnival in Quebec.

Dave picked me up around noon and we drove to Torrington and we then drove to Great Barrington with our friends Mary and Steve and their two sons. We drove through Winsted and Canaan and then up to Route Seven through Shifford and Stockbridge then to Great Barrington. We got there about 10 of three.

There were a lot of people there and we got our tickets $15 for two hours. They would write the time we were to finish on our sticker ticket. I did it for an hour or so. Then I kept Mary Company in the car with her son. Garrett wasn’t interested in going down the hill this time. Mary’s husband went tubing for the last 45 minutes. Dave came and asked me if I was going to any more and I told him no. He was persistent (a trait I don’t like).

We went to dinner at Barrington Brewery it was good. I had Chicken Quesadilla (2) and rice and beans with salad, vinaigrette dressing on the side. The others had dessert but I opted not to. I think the cookies and hot chocolate I had earlier were enough.

After Dinner we headed back to Torrington and got Dave’s car and headed home. We were back in Milford by 8 or 8:30. I talked with Mom for a bit and then got into the bath tub and relaxed and the got ready for bed.

Today was bingo and it went well. Virgie was there and the coffee already started. I was drinking the white hot chocolate that I got from Dunkin Doughnuts earlier. We started a little after 10 and finished up just about then. Virgie cleaned up for me and I went to church.

I saw one of the girls Paola from the girls club and her family. I told her what I ssaid to Margaret S at bingo (Margaret has a fan club). She just smiled. After church I came home.
Mom was home already she is doing paper work and having coffee. I think she is actually doing some cooking for dinner.
I am not sure if I want to take a nap first or get more of these letters written or laundry done first. I am just really tired. Well I better pick fast.. I will let you know what I ended up doing later.

Yeah Friday

Well Happy Friday everyone. I am sitting in my office trying hard to finish this mail. I managed to get up about 6:30 and get ready for work. I was late by 5 minutes. I was writing out checks for Mom and the Credit Union. I got one of my tax refunds so it’s going directly to the Credit Union.

Last night was a good night. I got home by 4:30 I think. Mom was working on her taxes and dinner was cooking in the oven it was pot roast. JI watched TV and read my mail. I got a letter from Kinga my pen pal in MA. I started a letter to her. I also started the newsletter for the groups I will post that on Saturday before going with Dave to Torrington.

Valentines Day 2008

It is after 3 and I am working on the readdress mail. I should be finished by the time I leave here. I have a lot of “bulk mail” I can do tomorrow and Monday. Today went very well. I managed to get the lockbox and post office mail done. I still have not gotten the lobby mail. I will most definitely have to do that tomorrow.

I got an email from Ethel thanking me for the e-card I sent her. I sent one back to her thank her for her wish. She called mom today to tell us that John starts training tomorrow for Rangers. It sounds very scary yet I am very proud of him.

I called Mom around noon time. That’s when she told me about John. She also said that it’s been quiet and that I have a little bit of mail waiting for me. That was all the news she had for me.

I called Liz and Nelson but they were not home. I will call again later.

Mike sent out an email about delegates for all the conventions this coming summer.

Messy Day

Good Morning! It is just 10 in the morning and I am finishing up yesterday's mail. It should be done soon. I don't see this morning's lockbox here yet so that must mean it's late. I am not concerned as you all know I am not exactly strapped for things to do.
The weather is messy out there as to be expected. It has caused some major problems on the highways. I have to say I wasn't one of them. It was icy on the ramps in the garage but I made it.

SEveral hours have now passed. The woman's meeting was cancelled because of the weather. It is rescheduled for Monday same time. Cool. I really didn't want to go out tonight. Now that my monthly has started I am really glad we didn't have the meeting.

When I got home it was nearly 5. I left the office late and traffic was okay. Mom had left out the potato soup as she promised earlier in the day. I ate the entire container. I think it was like 2 cups of it (at least I am hoping).

I also made a phone call to Janet and her Mom to let her know that the meeting was cancelled. I had to leave a message. When that was done I heate the soup. I read my mail and watched TV.

I could tell I was starting the monthly because everything was annoying me. The computer was taking way too long to load things and my patience is running thin. It seemed to be 'hurry up and wait".

I had to fix some things in the pen pal files. Apparently I have one of my pen pals (Laura B) listed in two folders. One in the one she is supposed to be in and the other was in the PA folder. Its done now but I found it to be very exasperating.

Well the heating pad is on and warmed up so i am going to get to bed...

Two local teens killed in a car crash last night

Well it is after 8:30 and I just got into my pajamas. It has been a long day and I can’t wait to get to bed. Work went well. I wasn’t able to finish today’s mail but I can do that tomorrow. I am making some headway on the readdress mail. I still have to get the lobby mail that’s waiting in the lobby mailbox for me. I am sure it is really full by now.

It started snowing around 3 and as of right now hasn’t stopped. I think there are about 2 or three inches on the ground by now. It made for some slippery walking to Debra’s after work.

The session went well. I talked about work, and how my week went since our last session. I also talked about how worried Mom is about Jim. I even told her that if the chance ever arose I would tell my in-laws and siblings off in so many words.

After the session I headed back to the car and headed for home. The drive was slow. I slid only once and that was over on Anderson. Mom thought I was going fast. No I am not kidding. She also said even if I wasn’t going fast its possible to slide.

When I got home we had meatloaf sandwiches for dinner. We watched the news and heard how two boys from Jonathan Law High School died in what appears to be a drag race on East Town Road. That’s the road on the side the Westfield Post Mall. The mall is about 2 miles from here.

It is very sad. This only adds to all the teen accidents that have been prevalent in the state over the past several months. This will be just one more notch and hopefully a good one to help with teen driving.

Tonight I am printing out all the entries so that I can get these to Kyra. I really do apologize for the delay.

Best Laid Plans....

My plans didn’t exactly work out as I had hoped this morning. I woke up at 5 but stayed in bed until maybe 6. I wanted to work on the journals. I didn’t. It was so cold in my room that I wanted to stay under the covers and then I got up and showered and then watched TV.

It was just about then when Mom got up for her day. She had an early morning breakfast meeting with Representative Jim Amann and I think she said Judge Beverly but I am not sure. I think the rest of her day is full with meetings.
I managed to mail the cards for the little ones. Of course I forgot to sign Audrey’s. What a dork I can be. I will have to email Liz and Stephanie and Chris and let them know

Well it is late and I need to head to bed. I am feeling a little stiff but I think it was the way I was sitting watching TV. I spent most of the night answering a letter I got today from L Bunch. I haven’t done anything else relating to pen paling. I will tomorrow though.

I got home rather late tonight. I left the office late and I had a really nice conversation with Laurence Brandy about Politics. I am not talking about in-depth but just about might win. I also discussed some of the crap that goes on in the DTC.

When I got home Mom was making chicken for dinner. She breaded it with flower and oil I think and cooked it in a pan. She also cooked broccoli and corn. We didn’t eat until 6. That gave me an opportunity to look at my mail and watch TV.

Oh that’s it... My right shoulder is giving me a hard time.

Going to bed now

February 10, 2008-Jamie's Birthday

Good Morning it is almost 8:30 and the clouds are moving in again. I am just reading some emails and about to get dressed for my day. I do bingo in the morning and then the Valentines Card Delivery with the club. I should be back by 2 at least.

When I get back I have to finish these journals for the people I owe them to. I had gotten an email bright and early from Kayla. She didn’t sound angry-yet but I have to get them out.

I heard from Mardi yesterday too. She responded to my weekly newsletter that I sent out (I sent one to the Kate’s Diary Group) and she tells me that Northwest CT got snow. She said about three inches.

Joanne H is asking for help for information on Grandparents rights. She didn’t go into a great deal about it but I would imagine her sister is having a problem. I am sure we will find out more as time goes on.

Before I go today is Jamie's Birthday. He is nine years old. He is my youngest nephew and one of the nicest, smartest boys I have known. I miss him lots. I hope he got my card and had a wonderful day despite all the heartache around him.

Well it is now after 1 and I have been home just about 15 minutes. I left here a little after 9 and got to the nursing home. I started setting up the coffee and talked with Phil. While I was pouring water I realized I didn’t have one of the carafes and it was going all over the place. I went and got another one.

The mess was cleaned up and we had to make another pot after this half a pot was finished. I felt really stupid. We started bingo a little after 10 and had about 15 people I think. Everything went pretty well. Natalie came in around 10:15. I didn’t see her come in but noticed her office door was opened. The games were finished by 10 after 11 and then I waited around for Telka and the girls to arrive.

The first to arrive was Ashley, then Telka and then, Cyndi, Nicole, Paola, Jill, and two others I can’t for the life of me remember. I am beginning to think that Cyndi will get really pissed off because I couldn’t remember their names and they have been with the damn club for nearly 2 years. Anyway the whole delivery took about 1 hour and 15 minutes. We had our pictures taken with some of the residents and we spent some time talking to them.

When the activity was over I took one of the girls home. It was hailing out. They were not very big hail stone but they looked very weird. As if it wasn’t real snow or hail. Of course it didn’t last long. By the time I got to the house the sun was starting to come out.

Mom is revising the minutes from the last 4th District meeting that I wrote up. I was going to sit and watch them but she could tell I was getting antsy. She had some pretty good ideas. She is going to make the revisions and then send them to my computer via email and then I will have it for my own records.

Well I have got to get back to the mounds of writing I need to do before I get to far into the night.

FEbruary 9, 2008

It is another beautiful day. Yes I said a cloudy, rainy day is beautiful. Actually it is sleeting right now and has been for about 20 minutes. The day started out pretty sunny and that was at 8:30 this morning. Around 11 it changed to cloudy and then rainy. According to the weather forecast for today it is going to be like this for the entire day. The entire week is supposed to be cloudy with showers. That’s okay. I have only a few meetings to attend and will be home most nights.

Well it is now after 10 and I am heading to bed. I spent part of the afternoon working on my taxes. I was really nervous because I used that 2007 H&R Block Tax cut and I am not sure I really did it right. But I will find out.

I also watched TV for a bit. I can’t begin to tell you what I watched. I would say the usual staples for Saturday and Saturday night. .

I went to 5:30 mass this evening because tomorrow is going to be busy and I certainly didn’t want to go to church at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

I fell today

I fell today in front of the parking garage in the city. I was walking from the elevator to the corner talking to a woman who is on another floor here in the building. Anyway, I got to the corner and slid and fell to the ground then got onto my knees and swore. The woman helped me up. Now my entire left side is all dirty and the new stockings are messed up.

It is now 20 of 12. I am working on the lockbox. Everything seems to be feeling better but the lower part of my back. Shirley suggested I go get it checked out and said nah it would be okay when I get home.

It is almost 3:30 and in 30 minutes I will be leaving for the day. The afternoon went well. I was able to get the rejections sorted and delivered, and I was able to get some of the individual mail done. I didn’t get to the lobby box but I can do that Monday.

Howard B sent around a memo about internet use. I have to be careful from now on.

Well it is time for me to go.

It is almost 10. I have been home since 4:30. I left a little after 4 and walked outside to sunshine. It was sunny and not very cold out that I can remember. A short time later I was at home.

Mom was making dinner. It was from a recipe she got from the NY Times Magazine. It is sliced red potatoes, brie and breading (I think). It gets cooked for about an hour. Mom also had scrod she made it the same way she made the potatoes. We ate around 6.

After 6 I came back upstairs and watched TV and got online. The computer tonight has been rather slow. Then again it could be that I am impatient. I had to turn the computer completely off.

At one point I had asked Mom if there was something wrong. All night long I could tell there was something bothering her. She is upset with my brother. Upset because she asked him to get Jamie a gift on her behalf. He hasn’t acknowledged one way or another if he got the gift and Mom is upset that now it looks like she didn’t get him a gift. Now before you start thinking that “well she should have gotten the gift and sent it herself”. She made arrangements with Jim for him to go and do it . What ever they were that was the arrangement. Secondly, it is very easy to tell someone one especially a parent not to worry. He could have at least emailed any of us and say “hey tell Mom I got the gift for Jamie”. I have also heard that generalization that men don’t call their Mothers either very often or at all. Two of my late Uncles called at least once a week or came over once or twice a week to see their Mother. My remaining uncle also called as well. I hope Jim calls soon.

Well I am going to bed.

February 7, 2008

Well it is after 7 and I am just getting dressed. I had a good sleep but I stayed in bed until 6:30. I have already put the rest of the recycle stuff. I just have to take the regular garbage out.

Yesterday was a productive day. I manage to get the mail opened and rejections and some of the individual mail done. I was able to get a lot done before the day ended.

It was also the first day of the Lenten season that starts off with the Ash Wednesday. The YNNH had an Ecumenical service at their chapel. It was very crowded.

After work I went home and Mom and I had dinner then afterwards we went to the wake for Stella C’s son. He died on Saturday from the brain tumor. Mom reminded me that funeral Masses can not be held (at least in the Catholic Church) on Ash Wednesday. So it had to be delayed a day.

We were back home by 7 and I spent the rest of the night either watching TV or trying to write a letter to my pen pal Linda B. I am almost finished and will have it mailed when I get home.

Today I have to call American Red Cross to get our name on sponsorship for a blood drive. I want to get it done before the meeting next week.

Tonight I have to write all the journals and have them mailed out tomorrow.

It is after 10:30 and I am just finishing up opening the mail before the next round (through campus) comes along. That should be in the next 20 or 25 minutes or so. The volume of both the lockbox and regular mail has been light. That allowed me to work on some of the readdress mail that I put aside. I still have to go and get the mail from downstairs.

I talked with my sister this morning she was just enjoying her morning and was going out for lunch with a friend in town. We talked about the American Experience program that was on PBS the other night. It was about Grand Central Station. She tells me there were more “fun” retrospect’s about GCS.

I told her about the Valentines cards I got her grandkids. I also told her my siblings are getting cards (at least e-cards) for Valentines too. I have to mail those out in the next two days.

I mailed Jamie’s card this morning. Actually it went out with the mail courier this morning. I hope it gets there by Saturday.

Some girl on Liz C’s pen pal list really lit into Liz about her job situation and the fact that Liz doesn’t take responsibility for anything that goes wrogn. She was obnoxious about it and I think being a bully.

Well I have been home an hour now and have started to loads of laundry. I left the office around 10 after 4 because I was waiting on the Gofor Courier to come and pick up the charts that were supposed to be picked up by 2:30. I called the Boss twice and the second time he told me that Steve would be coming around 4.

I couldn’t believe when Susan R told me that Candidate Mitt Romney dropped out of Presidential race for the Republican Party. I had asked her if she had any trouble casting her vote with the new opti scan voting machine and she told me that she was registered as an Independent.

It is after 10 and I finally finished a letter to a pen pal and read some of the emails from the list earlier today.

I was watching the end of ABC news when I saw that John McWethy former ABC reporter died in Colorado in a skiing accident. All the shows from ABC (news department) had a memoriam to him. It is very sad.

Oh and if you really want to have a good laugh you can go to YouTube - Jim Amann announces for governor and see who is near the beginning.

Well it is getting late. I am going to try and write some more letters

CT Primary

Well Good Morning everyone. It is Tuesday 7 am and I am about to leave for work. For the first time in a very long time I actually got up a little after 5 and started my day. I got on the computer for a bit to check emails and stuff like that. I got ready for work after a brief nap.

I even answered another article from the Inky News Trail e-newsletter. I told them about the two bad experiences with e-pals. IF you remember it was the guy who insisted on sending the flowers three days after initial contact and the woman in a prison camp in some African country who wanted me to hold money for her until she got here. I wrote it out first before just writing it cold. Then I sent it to Wendy.

Today is a big day in Connecticut and 23 other states. It is Primary Day here in CT. It is where both parties cast their votes to see who will represent their party in the General Presidential Election. The morning is going okay. I have been working on the lockbox from yesterday and I just opened today’s post office mail. My intent is to make sure all of it is done before leaving for my session with Debra.

After my session with Debra I have to go and vote in the primary. Mine is going to be at Joseph A. Foran High School.

It is now after 10. Candidate Huckaby is talking at his headquarters. Apparently he and John McCann did very well. Obama won Connecticut and that should please many. I of course voted for Hillary.

The session with Debra went well. I told her about the weekend and about things going on in a fandom we do not speak of anymore.

After the session I walked down four flights and to the back of Wachovia Bank and headed back to the car. Once I made it back to the car I headed to Foran. I voted and then headed home. It was six by then.

For the next hour I had dinner, watched TV, and took a bath. AFter that I split my time between the TV and the computer. I really am not feeling well my neck is bothering me a little. I am getting tired and not really in the mood to do it.

Senator Clinton Visits Yale Child Study Center

Hey all it’s almost 1 and I am working on the Medical Records “crap”. It’s been a rather productive day. The lock box seems high in volume but that’s okay. I plan on having it done today as opposed to tomorrow (if possible). I have been on line but not excessively (work related mostly and did check emails).

Senator Clinton and her campaign made a visit to the Child Study Center bright and early this morning for a round table discussion. We could see the activity from our back windows here (the windows face South Frontage Road) and the media was out there in full force it looked like. A few people such as Alita spotted Mrs. Clinton from the window. The whole thing ended by lunch time.

I talked with Mom this morning. She had a rough night. She has been sick all night again. I am not sure if the moving the bed and putting it together contributed but I am certain the rich food we had last night was a big factor.

Well I have to get going. I will be leaving for home shortly.

Well it is just ten and I am heading to bed. I was really anxious to get home from work but everyone else seemed to take their time. Despite the fact I left the office late I was able to make it home by 4:30.

Mom was watching TV in the back and making dinner for me. She made a daisy ham and vegetables. It was just starting to cook when I got home. Mom was still not feeling well.

Since dinner was still cooking I decided to go back to the card store down the street and get wrapping paper and a couple of Valentine cards for Jason and Audrey and they are so cute. When I got back home Liz and Nelson were here.

I don’t know what they were talking about when I came in but among some of the discussions going out to dinner last night was one of them. I was feeling uncomfortable. I was thinking Liz would be insulted that Mom didn’t invite them for dinner. Anyway they stopped by and gave her a card. They left a little after 5.

I spent the next hour wrapping Mom’s gift and watching TV. It was nearly 6 when dinner was ready and I had gotten into my pajamas. Mom and I watched the news.

After cleaning the kitchen I asked Mom if she wanted to open her gift tonight instead of tomorrow since she was going to NY to the Opera with Stella C. She said she would and she says she liked the hand mixer.

The rest of the night I watched more TV and started a letter to Linda B in GA. I wanted to stay up and watch the American Experience program but I am so tired.

I am so tired that I can’t even think straight. I am going to bed…

February 3, 2008

Hey everyone this is going to be a quick entry. It’s been a rather long day and I am tired.

The day started off with bingo and had a great day. A total of 18 residents played and we did very well. Virginia was there setting up and had a great day herself. Sam did very well at keeping his comments to himself. Claudia the receptionist tells me she feels that the Tibbits don’t belong at Mediplex because she doesn’t seem to think they are sick or injured. She feels someone else is more deserving of Mediplex. I am not so sure what I think about that.

All you furniture buyers and shoppers will be happy to know that Milford will be the newest location for Pilgrim Furniture City. What is this story you ask? Well it is store that was first founded in Bristol CT. I had read about it coming to Milford and wasn’t sure where it would be but now I do. It will be right across the street from Costco. In an old abandoned factory (it is currently being renovated).

I managed to get Mom’s birthday gift and I got many greeting cards at Card*Smart. I bought a few birthday cards, a few Valentines Cards, and one anniversary card. All for $15.

I had a very scary moment. You know when you hold off going to the bathroom? Ever get this really pain in around your kidney? Well that happened to me (and no I wasn’t holding it long) Well it really hurt and at one point I thought I was going to heave. All while doing this Mom was calling me to help her get her old bed out from the attic.

Mom went out to get a new bed frame while I relaxed and wrote out the cards and went on line.

Around 4 we got ready for dinner at Johnny Ray’s Restaurant here in Milford. It is at 1015 Boston Post Road. It was huge. It has only been open since November 2007. Bob and Ethel met us at the restaurant and for the next several hours we ate and talked. AT one point Bob got mad at me because I asked a really stupid question. Senator John McCain was at Sacred Heart University and at that moment when Bob was telling the story I asked him if it was at the Academy (high school) and he bit my head off. We also discussed Jim and Claudia. Bob basically feels that we shouldn’t worry about it because there is nothing we can do. Mom disagrees on some level.

Anyway, Bob had some pasta with octopus ink and some other vegetables, Mom and Ethel had some ribs, and I had shrimp and chicken on mashed cauliflower with vegetables. They had appetizers and I had a salad that had cracked pepper corn, lemon juice, cheese and a variety of greens. I had some chocolate dessert. A neighbor of ours works as their head chef there.

When we left I think it had to be 9. The Superbowl was still going on and by the time we finished it had ended. We didn’t see the ending because Mom and I were putting up her new bed frame

It took us nearly an hour to do it. I was very pleased with myself but I had never put a bed up before. Mom read the instructions and helped me move the mattresses. She also got winded very quickly.

Now I am going to bed…see ya in the morning.

February 2, 2008

Hey everyone! It is after 2:30 on this very windy Saturday. I have been spending most of the day trying to update pen pal files, get rid of emails and record them on the different files I have. I know that sounds a little anal but it helps me to keep organized. It is a running record of stuff I get for things (or need to know) for bills and all the other things I am involved with. It’s also a way of condensing stuff.

Hey I heard from my new pen pal Shelley. It turns out I have written her before. It’s really funny too. She was already listed in my address book from a long time ago. I recently found her ad in the Inky trails E newsletter . I didn’t know it was her at the time until she gave me her address this morning. I sent her an email letting her know we were pen pals or about to be pen pals before.

Mom is out getting some greeting cards. She is going out to dinner with the gang at Mercy Center because it is Father Whitson’s Birthday today. Mom is bringing her famous Grandma’s cake with frosting as dessert.

Well I better get going I have a lot to do still.

Mom left here around quarter of five and I decided to watch TV for a bit and then had dinner. I had just finished the minutes and Tessa sends back the changes. I was pleased to get them.

For the next couple of hours I was checking emails again. I had gotten a nag mail from my-diary.org that I haven’t posted to it since the 11th of January or something. Other emails were about the actress Shel Kepler. She played Amy Vining on GH and sadly she passed away over the weekend.

Well I got another email from Jim today. He wanted to remind me to look online for duties and responsibilities for the sponsors of confirmation candidates. I just told Mom that I got the emails. She says I didn’t have to be secretive about it. I told her I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She says she is just happy that he is in contact with someone.

I sent an email to the Hartford Arch-Diocese to see what I am supposed to do (aside from getting a letter) but what my duties as a sponsor is going to be from now until the day I die I would imagine.

Mom got pictures from Diane tonight. She is still in Germany performing in West Side Story.

Well I am really tired and getting a headache. My hands were getting a little sore.

Rainy February Friday

It is very stormy night out on this first Friday of February. I am supposed to be writing the minutes but I have been paying bills, updating pen pal files, and printing out an intro to Rhonda G from MO.

I got a lovely thank you card from Kristina today. I am about ready to get a little note off to her and to her brother and sister. It’s been a while since I wrote them. I did email Jim earlier today. I got a response this evening. He wants me to check to see what sponsors are supposed to do for confirmations and he wants me to talk to my Pastor (or in this case Father Callahan). I was going to tell Mom that he emailed me back but when I asked her if she heard from Jim and she said not since he left a message the other day I decided not to. I did tell her I emailed him today.

I also got a beautiful hand made hot plate from Gail W in California. It was for the raffle prize I won last month. I will be getting a thank you note off to her and to the donator. I sent her an email letting her know I got it.

Work went pretty well. I managed to get the regular mail opened and sorted for the last four days. I have a few late day stragglers that I can put with Monday’s mail. I just have to work on the readdress mail and the bulk mail. The volume of the mail was pretty light for today.

At lunch time I went to the bank and it was slippery and very wet out. My coat was so heavy when I got back to the office that it broke one of the plastic hangers. The coat was still soaking when I left for home.

After work I went to the post office and mailed the two credit card bills and got a Money Order to pay for the phone bill. When I got home Mom was on the computer. We talked about our day and about dinner. I told her I would have her left over meal from lunch today.

Mom forgot about the tea kettle on the stove this afternoon. She let the water boil out. I brought it upstairs to show her ad she was on the phone. I put it in the sink so that it could cool off. I don’t know if I should really be getting concerned about this or not.

Well I can barely keep my eyes open and I need to get to bed.