An Early Night

Hey everyone. It is after 7:30 and I took some Nyquil and don’t know how long it will be until it kicks in but I wanted to tell you how things went.

Jim and the kids left around 10 after Mom’s pancake breakfast. When they left Mom got ready for Church and I split my time between lying down and watching whatever was on the TV for the moment.

Mom came home from church around 12:30 by then the Star Wars Trilogy was beginning on Spike TV. Mom just hung out for a while and read the paper and did some computer work until it was time for her to meet our friends Tess and Mike for dinner. I went to bed before she came home so I don’t know when she came home.

Today was really hectic. It seemed stressful to me as well as anything that was touched seemed to annoy people or aggravate them. I had a lot of work that I wasn’t able to finish.

I did get to call for an appointment or so with Tim’s Auto for the emissions. I probably could go in on Thursday and it would take 5 minutes and then get it mailed out.

Happily I was able to go home at my normal 4 pm because Debra had to cancel for an emergency. It would have taken longer then she would have liked and she knew I didn’t like waiting until 6:30.

When I came home I got home Mom wasn’t feeling well herself so we did our own thing. I watched TV then took a bath (I had the runs and it wasn’t pretty). I also did some web browsing.

Now that the Nyquil is apparently kicking in I am saying good night.

Thanksgiving Week

This has been a very busy week. All week long I was working, helping out as much as I could here for the thanksgiving holiday. I have been fighting a cold and ended up having to come home from work on Friday early.

Every night I had something to do so no overtime. Monday I had my session with Debra, Tuesday I had my haircut and Wednesday we were able to leave early by using one hour of our time.

Wednesday I had to do some shopping for Mom. (This makes me crazy) she leaves certain things to the end like getting an extra table for our dinner. That idea didn’t work. It was lopsided and made seating a little askew.

Thursday we were able to get the table back to its spot in the cellar with the help of Donny from next door. We still weren’t ready for the family to arrive. The table wasn’t set and we were not dressed.

Jim and the kids arrived around 11. We showered dressed and semi ready for them. For the next several hours we got dinner ready and the table set with the help of the kids. Man did they do a lot of growing since the summer.

The next several hours were blurry. The kids helped out as much as they could and the guests started to arrive by 3. The kids were hungry and for the most part I was too. While we got dinner ready Mom’s Friend Brian had a nice long discussion with Jim about his struggles. I tried to avoid going near them but we have discovered our house isn’t as big as we thought.

During dinner I started getting a migraine. After I ate I went upstairs to lie down and after that ended up getting sick. I ended up missing Chris, Rich, and Liz and Nelson and Adam. It was 8 by the time things had quieted down. Jim wasn’t feeling well either. It was really cute when Emily came to see me and gave me a kiss on the cheek as I was trying to get to sleep.

Friday I got ready for work, and Jim was supposed to go to an Alchathon but because he wasn’t feeling well he opted out. I felt like crap for most of Friday I ended up leaving earlier than planned and went home to bed. Everyone else went to the museums and did some shopping in New Haven. They got back by 6. I was feeling much better by then.

Saturday after Jim went to the second day of the Alch-athon we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex. We took the 11:05 train got in around 12:30 or so hopped a cab (two of them) and then spent about an hour and half there. There was a Signature hall and music. Then a 20 minute movie of rock and roll and then there were Galleries of Bruce Springsteen stuff, things belonging to everyone you could think of even the Late Michael Jackson. We went to Bryant park Restaurant (a place we had brunch before) and had supper. Everyone had something different. I had Eggs Benedict. A relatively cheap meal compared to everyone else.

One thing I learned during the day is that things between Liz and Jim are supposedly better. Mom learned that Liz was really difficult in the session of the Alchathon. That Both she and Jim went to. Mom was clearly annoyed with Liz but I don’t know if Liz knows that.

Earlier in the week Liz vented to me that Mom doesn’t understand how much Liz has done to help Jim. I personally think Mom does understand but feels it isn’t enough and I don’t know if either will ever agree. The one good thing is apparently Liz and Jim has parted on good terms and will hopefully rebuild what relationship they have.

After the supper we walked back to the Train Station to catch the 4:07 train to Milford. It was rather a long ride for the kids and they had to be spoken to at least 4 times on the way home and probably a few times through out the time in NY. We back to the house by 6:30.

We got settled in and had dessert. The kids had to eat in the back room and watch TV while we Adults got to eat in the living room (eyebrows wiggling). Mom and Jim did most of the talking while I sat and listened. They basically talked about the struggles and mental health stuff that they normally talk about that apply to Jim.

The rest of the night we did our own thing. I called in sick for Bingo and called Andrea to let her know that Marisa would have to be on her own today. I then put on the Polar Express movie and invited the kids to watch (they preferred Charlie and the chocolate Factory. I tried to watch that one but it was a bit much. I got online for a bit more and then went to bed.

There is one thing I must do this week. Get my car registration and my emissions done before the current registration is lapsed or I won’t have any car insurance or anything else. I had a very weird dream that woke me up and in the dream I ended up not having my car and not working at Yale but Shirley C was my boss (it looked like a place I had worked before).

When I woke up from my dream I got online and did some net surfing. I was afraid the computer might do one of its freeze frame stuff (and it did earlier but not since Thursday night). I had some tea and now I am going to watch last Tuesday’s episode of NCIS again.

The rest of the day will be low key. Until then….take care.

The Stamford Thanksgiving Parade

Today was the Stamford Thanksgiving Parade sponsored by local businesses and I believe this is the 8th year for it. It was starting at 12 noon so Dave and I left his house by quarter of 9 and we stopped at the Darien McDonalds and had breakfast. We got to Stamford by 10. The street was going to be shutdown starting at 10. So Dave and I walked around the book store Barnes and Noble and then at 10 I went to St. Johns Church which was right on the parade route for mass. Dave didn’t want to go so he walked around and then we got together after mass. We played telephone tag and apparently missed each other after the mass. We finally found each other a short time later.

We stood in the spot directly across and watched as the crowds gathered and a saw clowns, police (from various cities and towns) drive around. We even talked with other parade watchers. It was really fun. As the time came the parade started at 12 but got to see it by 12:20. There several marching bands from Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, NY towns such as Uniondale, and New Rochelle. The floats were wonderful. I can’t even begin to go through the list but it was fun. The grand marshals were Mauri Povich and his wife Connie Chung who apparently tape the shows right at the Rich forum auditorium on Atlantic Avenue. Dignitaries included Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy and Governor Jody Rell. Of course Santa Claus was there as well.

After the parade we decided to walk down to a Dunkin Doughnuts and get some hot chocolate. We were going to stop at Atlantic Pizza but the lines were long so we went there first and then walked back and got in and had dinner. After dinner we went back to the bookstore and I bought two books. They were Treasures of nursery rhymes, fairytales and poems for children. There were ones for 1 year olds, up to 6 year olds. I got one for Jason and Audrey. After we bought them we went back to the car and drove home.

It was probably 4:30 before I got home. I made a stop to the Pharmacy to get some essentials and then was home after that. All in all it was a great day.

I have gotten into my pajamas put some stuff in the laundry and did some web surfing the net and set the VCR up to tape tomorrows Regis and Kelly. Here’s hoping it works.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I will be getting up early and out to work early. I see Debra and then I will come home. Mom has virtually given me permission to not attend our Cousin Mary’s wake. That’s okay too because I am looking around this room and it will need to straightened up.

Well my eyes are beginning to droop so I best get this posted and get some stuff done before I can’t do anything…see you tomorrow.

Kate

Pies and Work

Well hello everyone. It is just about 8 Saturday nigh and I am so tired. I got up early and got ready for the day. As the title of the entry says today was the MYWC Pie in the Sky project with Hopkins School. I left a little after 8 and drove to the school with no problem.

The school is on hills on Forest Road. The campus is beautiful the buildings were massive. They have a beautiful view of New Haven from where they are. I couldn’t help but feel they are so close to town but have a world of their own. The surrounding homes were beautiful and I would have loved to see how far forest road would go. I probably still could.

I met the other students from all over the new haven area (and some from Fairfield county as well) some of the students (there were boys there too) were sophomores and juniors. Their teacher was Mrs. Lane. She was a former Research tech at Yale and now a science teacher at Hopkins. Roberta was there and her leg bothering her. She says she is going to have surgery on it. I was only able to stay until 10. I wanted to be at work by 10:30. I thought I would have a lot of time to get there before the big Game this afternoon. I was really wrong.

The parking and traffic started early especially on the Derby Avenue and Route 34 area. It wasn’t long but the crowds were going to the tailgating and early seats. As I got closer to the office the parking lots were filling up as well. The garages were filled too. People parking on the streets were getting tagged as well.

I got to work by quarter of 11 and found others to be there too. Many from my team were there as well. I could feel my body getting tired (I was not feeling that well either). It was that time for Scarlet’s visit. I worked until 2 and then a brief visit with Miss Annie and then I came home.

When I got home Mom was out shopping. I watched TV for a bit and then had something to eat. It was nearly 3 I think. When Mom finally did come home she reminded me she was going out to dinner with her friend Martha. She got home just before 8.

Sadly a cousin of Mom’s passed away yesterday. We knew her as Sis. She was a hairdresser in town for many years. She has been living in Stratford for a long time. At least I think she has. The wake is Monday and the Funeral Tuesday. Mom will be going to both.

Tomorrow Dave and I will be heading to Stamford for their annual Thanksgiving Parade. It starts at 12 noon but they will be shutting down the streets around 10. He called me just about 8 and told me that we will need to leave by quarter of 9 from his place so that we can stop and have breakfast at McDonalds.

Computer seems to be working again

Well as of late last night the computer was behaving. I have no idea why but I was relieved. I hope it continues that way when I get home this afternoon or evening. By the time I leave here it will be evening.

I finally have been using the new aspects of the Kronos Payroll system that I have mentioned previously. It really is not that bad to use. This I say without even getting officially trained either.

I have been updating my group calendar while I am working. I can’t believe I let it go so long.

The rest of the day went by pretty well. I got everything done by 4. I did try and get the mail but it hadn’t arrived by the time I started OT so I will have to get it Monday morning.

Tonight will be laundry, bill paying, and sleep. I have to get up early enough to get ready for PITS at Hopkins. I will be there for 2 hours and then from there work.

Mom got lovely post card from Diane. As I mentioned in previous posts she is in the Carolinas with the South Pacific Tour and has been having a great time. She actually posted either on Twitter or Facebook about it as well.

I started up another birthday list. I think I have one on this computer so I am going to revise it as well.

I heard about Oprah Winfrey announcing the end of her show in 2011(or is it 12). I guess I am not surprised there have been a lot of things both good and not so good that came from her. I do wish her all the best.

Well I am going to get going.

I think my computer is dying

I think my computer is dying
Nov. 19th, 2009 at 11:34 PM
For several weeks now (at least it seems like it to me)my computer would freeze for long periods of time (to the point where the clock on here would stop). I would have to reboot the computer and for brief periods of time I would be able to get on then boom it would stop. It would happen several times during one day. I can't begin to tell you how many times in the last coupleo of hours. I may have to have my neighbor Donny look at it.Work has been busy and successful still. Lee Ann continues to worry that if I don't do my job then I will get fired. That the scanning and everything else is gravy and should be left for OT. I don't know how many more times I can say it to her. We had the baby shower for Becky today and she loved everything. We found out that Patty M is leaving the med school and going else where. I had no idea she was leaving.The meetings for the DTC were very good and very informative. Because of the holiday next month we won't be meeting again until January but we are supoosed to have a holiday party.Its getting late so I am going to check some forums and then try and update some documents (again).

Another Successful Monday

It is now the end of another day and I am quite pleased by it. I left here a little after 6:30 and stopping for breakfast at Dunkin and got to work by 7. For the first hour I pulled an EOB for one of the Insurance Reps and then scanned for the rest of the time.

Lou came around 8 and I started the work took care of the charts and had to call MR to let them know there were two charts I didn’t order in the box (apparently no one cleared it out from last week)

After that was taken care of I started to sort through some of my papers that became a mountain on my file cabinet. I didn’t get to work much on it when Jill came with the lockbox. The volume was deceiving. When the US mail came it looked heavy as well but by three or 3:30 it was done. By then almost everything was done. I was starting on the bad addresses and worked on them until I was ready for Debra’s.

Debra had called earlier in the afternoon to let me know she would be running late and if we could move the meeting to quarter of 5. I would have called her back unfortunately I didn’t have my cell and I didn’t seem to have her number in my email address book. That’s going to change right now.

I am feeling pretty good right now because Gayle is very pleased at the way things are going with the mail room. She is pleased I am keeping up with everything and that it’s great I am enjoying the scanning and helping out with everything else.

Oh and the young man Frank (I may have mentioned earlier this week) started this afternoon. I soon realized it was Evelyn F’s son. He is so adorable. He is a taller version of Evelyn. He will be working Monday through Thursday 3-6 and Friday’s all day. He will be pulling the EOB’s and filing the stuff in the boxes to be scanned.

You remember when I wrote about waking up to an article about our Superintendent of schools? Well in this morning’s paper and in tonight’s news it was announced that he was put on administratative leave while this was investigated. The police apparently can’t investigate it because no actual crime was committed. The current Assistant Superintendent will be stepping in until this is resolved.

Oh I meant to tell you about the dinner and the movie. I met Dave at his place by 3:15. We then went to the Regal Theater in Stratford. We got the tickets for The Christmas Carol. It was pretty good. Unfortunately they didn’t have a projector that could do the 3-D version but it was still good nonetheless. After the movie we had pasta he made and then we talked until about 7:30. I left for home after that.

I watched TV for a bit and then went to bed…just as I am about to do now…have a good one.

Diane's Birthday

Today is my niece Diane’s Birthday. Unfortunately I haven’t sent her a card yet. I don’t know where I would send it because she is on tour with South Pacific. Common sense would indicate I could send it via email right? Yep. That is what I will be doing shortly.

I was a little aggravated last night. What aggravated me you ask? Well two calls from Macy’s it was the 4th in a week. When they called last week I told them it was mailed that weekend (they called me earlier that week). I do not feel comfortable giving them banking info over the phone. I mailed it out to them last weekend. I had finally had enough and sent them an email last night. I received a reply about 45 minutes ago. They did get the payment as of Thursday. The person explained that I would not be getting the calls anymore and the reasons behind them. We all know the reason its harassment.

The other reason I was aggravated less slightly was because of Mom. This entry should it explain it I hope. The other thing that bothered me was I am sitting across from her and we were discussing this Old House. I was telling her how Roger Cook reminded me of our dog trainer Ken Pucciotto. She asked me like three times “whom?” Another thing…is she left the creamed chicken going on the stove top. It almost burned away. She acted as though she didn’t care. I shudder if I tell this to Liz or anyone else for that matter.

I got a few responses from Yesterdays entry. One I didn’t quite understand. The person was from the journal-writing list and he asked me

Do you keep track of the time spent each day or just record thoughts and feelings? Why not do both? I do both and have for a number of years.

He sent it to me privately and my first response was “not sure what you mean”. I haven’t heard from him at all. As I think about it I could say I do both. I usually say if I get annoyed or angry or confused at one’s actions. I also believe if readers don’t like what they are reading they can do one of two things. The first is obvious don’t read it.

I had gotten a similar response on one of my entries at kiwibox.com to August 27 2009 entry. I shouted out to her in my November 1, 2009 entry. When it comes to people’s blogs or journals I don’t tell them what they can or can’t write about. Now if some people have concerns (such as using their full names) as one of my favorite co workers did then I have to be respectful of that. I have no problems about using my name because well I consider myself an open book for the most part. Although if any of my family members read or knew I had a blog they would be a little concerned. Actually one of my siblings did say something to me once and I just said I would keep it in mind.

Oh we woke up to a big shock in the local newspaper. There was an article about the School Superintendent being accused of Sexual harassment by two principals. The Board of ED is having an emergency board meeting this afternoon because the new board starts Monday. I have met the man a few times (one I would rather forget because I had food all over my mouth). I thought he was rather pleasant but I had heard or at least read that he had a similar problem in his last position.

I am going to be leaving in about 20 minutes for Dave’s place. We are going to see Jim Carrey/Disney’s The Christmas Carol. Then we are having dinner at his place.

A lot has happened

Monday November 2: I got up bright an early and got ready for work and got the car over to the garage all by 7. Happily it was someone else there instead of the guy from yesterday. I explained to the guy what happened and I think he understood. The only thing is the thermostat didn’t do anything on the way over. He said he would have Frank call me. The car was fixed later that day.

Election Day 2009: Was a royal disappointment for us in Milford. The Republican incumbent for mayor retained his job and a number of our candidates lost their seats and some never made it. It was a sad day indeed.

Work has been overall stressful. I had been doing OT trying to get the office back into shape. Last Saturday both Gayle and I worked on it and now it is beautiful. More tasks have been added (collection letters) and after a few days Gayle doesn’t want to have any of us (me especially) do it. Considering we have so much filing and scanning to be done. There have been a lot of budget concerns all over the place. So the management staff has been pulled every which way. When I finish the mail which has been daily I have been helping out with the scanning. Going in on Saturdays etc and staying until 6 most nights unless I have appointments.

The new Kronos/My Time payroll system went into effect this week. I did pretty well with it so far despite the no training. I never had the time to go to the classes. They were always held outside of the office in another building.

Over the last couple of weeks several co workers and their families have had some form of the flu (both regular and the swine). I hope this passes soon because I sure do not want to bring it home to Mom.

Despite the stress level we have managed to continue to meet our goals that have been set by the Administration as far as AR are concerned. As I said our immediate area has been behind in the scanning.

Nationally it was a sad week when a gunman shot twelve people including himself at Fort Hood in Killeen Texas. The gunman survived and is currently in the hospital recovering. There was a memorial Service held earlier this week that happened shortly after the Election Day. According to the reports the gunman who had been a medic and helping people get ready for deployment was unhappy about going to Iraq as well.

Volunteering is going okay. Bingo remains to be enjoyable for the residents. I was on my own last week as Natalie was doing a breakfast sandwich fundraiser for their company Christmas party.

The woman’s club’s activities are doing pretty well. Although I was unable to attend the Veteran’s Day service at the nursing home it was most successful. Many of the girls club members participated and the residents who were veterans appreciated it. The next big event is the Pie in the Sky baking which will take place at Hopkins School in New Haven next Saturday. This will be the first time we have done it with another organization so it should be very interesting. This year we are even taking orders for the pies.

The Democratic Party is licking its wounds from the trouncing we received in the municipal election 2 weeks ago. Each district will be discussing what happened in their perspective district meetings. Ours will take place on the 18th at our home. Our next big goal will be the Governors Race in 2010. As it is our current Governor Jodi Rell has opted to not run for reelection.

Mom is doing pretty well. Her cough/cold has subsided after another antibiotic was given to her. She has been doing her meetings, reports, and getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday already.

Bob and Ethel are keeping busy with their schedules and I just found out they will be joining us for the Thanksgiving dinner. The children will be all over the place. Diane is currently in the Carolinas on the South Pacific National Tour. John is preparing for Special Forces. I keep in touch with him via Facebook. I also keep tabs on their brother Rob through facebook as well. He doesn’t post to that very often either.

Jim and the kids will be here for Thanksgiving as well. They will be here the entire weekend and Mom has planned a few activities such as visiting the Knights of Columbus Museum. We have a family connection to it. My Dad’s uncle or Great Uncle or Cousin is one of the Founding Fathers Knights of Columbus . We hope to also go to NYC and go to the Rock and Roll Museum.

Liz and Nelson and their families are doing okay. Liz just got over another bout of Bronchitis. She was with the grandkids on Veteran’s Day and had a ball. They are also getting read for Nelson Jr & Lisa’s wedding next month. It’s actually a month from yesterday. I still have to get a gift and perhaps look at another dress for the wedding.

Tomorrow afternoon I am going to the movies and dinner with my friend Dave. Last week we attended the Yale VS Brown football game. It was different. Yale also lost by 13 points. We had dinner at popular restaurant (Pepe’s) in the Wooster Square section of New Haven. It was fun.

Well that’s about all the news I have for now. I have a few things to do before I have dinner tonight so I will chat with you later.

November 1, 2009

Happy November 1st! It is the day after Halloween and in a few minutes Daylight Savings Time will have ended for 2009. Halloween was its usual fare. Six people came to the door by 7. At 7:50 we turned the lights off and closed the door. I watched a little bit more of the NCIS Viewers choice Scare-a thon marathon.

Earlier in the day I was at work. I was the only one there until 11 and that’s when Gayle arrived. She was tired but really happy she went to the Michael Jackson “This is it” movie. She is convinced that the Doctor who administered the drugs killed Michael Jackson because in this movie Jackson was very healthy and strong.

After work I headed to Headquarters the sun was playing peek-a-boo the entire afternoon. No one was there so I called home but Mom wasn’t home yet. I spent the afternoon watching TV and trying to nap. I did put the candy out for the kids. Around 9 I went to bed and had a good night.

Mom spent most of the day driving the candidates around the 4th District for the final lit drop. She was exhausted by the time she got home. Neither of us was really that gung ho on dinner making so we did our own stuff.

Today is the normal Sunday morning activity. Bingo and Church. After church I am going to call my friends Mike and Tessa for any last minute stuff. I need to get his number from Mom.

It is now several hours later and I am exhausted. Nothing went according to my plan (get to bingo on time and start on time) I got there early but we didn’t start doing anything until later. I finished bingo around 11:30 and I was very late getting to church. Before getting to church and after I made calls to Tessa. I wanted to let her know that I was ready and available. She told me to head to headquarters. That’s what I did.

On the way there I saw a police escort for antique cars. I am not sure if it was for a show or wake or what but it was very interesting.

Once I got to the headquarters I saw the others from our district and that of district 3 and waited for the afternoon to begin. I was to drive Mike, Susan, and another young girl around while Dave A and Phil V did their lit drop. We started around New Haven Avenue Settlers Wood and it was about that time I noticed that the thermostat in my car was going to the hot end. I could see the steam come from the car. I was so worried.

I called the garage and the guy there told me that I would have to call tomorrow and get an appointment. Well I drove around for a while longer and then after talking with Mom decided to use her car. We were not that far away that we couldn’t switch. After the switch it was time to take Tess home and then back to the headquarters.

It was after 5 when I got back and tried a second time and the guy was a freaking asshole. He wouldn’t let me keep the car there and he explained that Tim may not be able to work on it until later. I walked out of there annoyed and called the guy an asshole. He followed me to my car and told him to get away from me. I drove off determined to go some where else. I came home and told Mom I couldn’t leave the car there and she said well if it’s the rules then that’s it. WTF? My car could have blown up and stalled (which it almost did twice!).

Now I have to take it there tomorrow morning and that guy better not be there or so help me I would kick his ass. After this I am going to find another garage. This is outrageous.

I have my ride to work all worked out on the way home from Headquarters I called Dolette and arranged to have her pick me up around 7:30. That means I need to get to the garage and back here by 7.

Mom made soup for dinner. It was a delicious chicken soup. I will have it for tomorrow for lunch.

Other than the dramatic car problems things in general have been pretty good. Between Working, Health, family, and volunteering I have been keeping busy.

Work is going okay. Things are changing of course and usually it does. Staff changes are going on. Some have moved on to other departments, some have had to leave altogether. We did have some OT and I have been able to use it. I am trying to organize my office better and it is slowly happening. Sally was giving us grief because of things not going on. Happily we surpassed our cash posting goals as of yesterday. We also started our new weekly paycheck. It’s going to be really hard to get adjusted. Our online method of Pay records also starts.

Health has been mixed. There were some days in which the lupus flared and that was most recently. I saw the Doctor last week and told him about the night I wasn’t able to move at all in bed. He didn’t seem to overtly worried but he did tell me the results of the blood work I had gotten done a couple of weeks ago. The ANA and DNA were elevated and that is apparent this weekend with the knees.

In Mid September I had a cold that seemed to last a long time. I went to my Primary doctor and I was given some Allegra to get rid of the post nasal yahoo. It is much better there. They were concerned with my BP. It was very high and that was due to the over the counter meds I was taking.

The family is doing well I guess. Mom is still fighting a cough. She has more trouble at night and is taking a whole bunch of stuff. Her eyes are still giving her grief. Other than that she is healthy. I guess she is able to do more than most people her age. She is doing her Community Service activities, and still worries about the rest of us.



Bob is still teaching this semester and enjoys it. He is currently at Quinnipiac College, UNH, and Housatonic in Norwalk. He is keeping tabs on his children one way or another. It’s been a few weeks since I actually talked with him but now with the holidays approaching I suspect I will see him soon. Ethel is still in real estate and made a trip to California to see Diane in South Pacific. I just found out Mom talked with Bob this morning. See below.

As I mentioned Diane is part of the national Tour of South Pacific. She has a twitter page here. She has a couple of facebook pages but I haven’t befriended her yet because I am not sure if I would be intruding. Anyway, Diane seems to be really busy. She was home for a couple of days and now is down in the Carolinas with the tour.

John has a facebook page but for some reason I can’t link to it. You can go to mine. I am not so sure he is really all that happy right now but he is keeping busy. I believe he goes to 197th soon.

Robert well we haven’t heard from him either. He also has a facebook but all he has is pictures. I don’t think his parents have heard from him but I suspect his siblings have. Luckily they keep in touch.

Mom talked with Jim today as well. He is taking each day as it comes. He had Mom worried for a bit last week when he didn’t return her calls but he called early last week and things are okay. Mom wasn’t specific in what they talked about except for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend they will be coming up and we will be going to the city. Jim had some bronchitis infection a couple of weeks back that through him for a loop. He has since recovered. The kids are well. Mom and I received a note from Kristina with her school picture in it. There was only one and so that logically goes to Mom. We are still waiting on Emily’s and Jamie’s.

It will be good to see them at Thanksgiving and I hope that I can be patient with them. I couldn’t help feel that it was uncomfortable the last time we were together.

Liz and Nelson have been busy. I have been spending a lot of time with them. We had family birthday parties and weddings together. They have been sharing pictures of the little ones as well. The most recent was Jason’s costume parade. It has been a lot of fun. I try and talk with them still a few times a week. I just spoke to Liz on facebook as well.

Cheryl and Mike’s family have all been busy. Cheryl has been working and performing weddings and taking care of her family. Their daughter Jess is getting married some time next year.

Nelson Junior and Lisa have moved into their home in Killingworth CT. They love it. Lisa starts her new Job at the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale. They get married in December. Nelson will still commute to Boston until the end of the year.


Adam is still working in NY at the Law firm but has plans on coming back to Connecticut. He has a lovely girlfriend. Her name is Olga and lives and works in and around New London.

Rich is busy working still with his own construction company but finds it hard in this economy. So I am guessing by the way he spoke a few weeks ago at the birthday party for Jason and Audrey. No girlfriend right now that I know of.

Chris is still struggling with a lot of issues. He did come to the joint birthday party for his kids. He is working in West Haven.

I remember the last time I wrote was right before Labor Day. Well I didn’t get to go tubing because I ended up getting sick and feeling a little under the weather however as usual Dave was his usual self.

He was sort of like that during our annual trip to Vermont. We ended up in the Newfane Vermont area. There was a harvest festival up there and we checked it out. The town is outside of Brattleboro. It is also where the Dolan’s have family (Kim’s parents) have a house there. We ended up having dinner in Brattleboro that night before getting home by 11.

The woman’s club is in full swing we have our annual Veteran’s day services next week. We are getting ready for PITS. This year we will be doing it from Hamden Day School in Hamden. It was one of the girl’s ideas. It is meeting with resistance from one of the woman’s club members Donna K. She has been having a really negative attitude and questioning everything we do.

The 2009 municipal campaign is drawing to a close with the election on Tuesday. There have been fundraisers, parties, literature drops and candidate parties and their door to door visits. We have had a marketing group help with the phone banking. Members have not had to do it this year so hopefully it went well. After this election we prepare for the Governor’s Race and work on James Amann’s campaign.

Well it is getting late and I need to hit the sack. I hope you enjoyed this entry…