Nelson 3 First Birthday

Hey everyone it is almost 3 hours and 23 minutes until 2012.  The pups and I are watching the NCIS Resolve to watch Marathon on USA.  It seems to be mostly from 8^th season.

Today was a pretty good day.  The boys and I got up probably around 8.  We discovered that it must have rained during the night as everything was damp and there were puddles.  After the walk we spent more time here and then I went back to the house.

Mom was out back reading her paper and the others were still sleeping.  Mom had told me the dinner she had was apparently to heavy for her.  It made her sick last night.  It also apparently scared the girls when they heard her get sick.   Anyway we read the paper and I had some coffee until the others began waking up.

Jim was the first of them to wake.  We talked about many things including Medicare (a major project and concern for both of them in their lives).  We also talked about other things (like politics and the wildlife around our homes).  It was nearly 10:30 when the kids got up. 

That’s about the time we had waffles and eggs and bacon courtesy of Jamie and his grandma.  That was also an opportunity for me to have a chance to talk to Jim about many things. 

It was really great to talk with him.  I was feeling a little sensitive because there were a few times when I am with my family that I feel as though my contributions to discussions were either being dismissed or disregarded and the first question this doll asked me was if anything he did or say made me feel that way.  You see why I love my brother so much???   He gave me so many good ideas.  One of them was too take what the others telling me “hey why are you getting angry or frustrated” as meter and see if my reactions are warranted.  Especially if I feel people are telling me how to feel (a subject that I brought up) and he also suggested that I tell them “let me feel my feelings right now”.  He also brought up a good point not everyone is going to behave the way we want them too.

It was a little after 12 when they left for Allentown.  Mom and I had to rush and get ready for Nelson 3’s birthday party.  It was to start at 1 we arrived shortly after that and just as the pizza arrived.  We arrived before Liz and Nelson and Princess Audrey.

We all chatted and talked for the next two hours and we watched Nelson slowly attack his specially made cake.  I expect to find videos and pictures showing up on YouTube and Facebook very soon.

The party was Curious George theme.  Nelson Jr. (Nelson #2) dressed up as Curious George and traumatized Nelson 3.  He tried a second time unsuccessfully as well.   There was a big cake with Curious George and balloons and a doll as well.

Among the presents were many books (I think a number of the guests went to Costco and had the same idea).  He also got some clothes and more toys.

Mom and I left around 3.  Mom was exhausted and I wanted to start coming home because I had things to do before coming back here.  Mom drove home despite the fact I took her out of the way to get back to the highway.  We were going to snap at each other but I remained calm.  We got home a little after 4. 

Bob was there when we arrived.  He had been repairing the leaky faucet in the kitchen.  He had to get a whole new faucet.  He just finished up when we arrived.  He also had a rather large puddle he missed cleaning up.  Guess who cleaned it up?

After he left I sent out the email that Phil asked me to send to the fourth district.  I also saved some journal entries in the last few days to the hard drive.   Mom got in her pajamas and I got ready to come back here.

As I was leaving I dropped the papers to the neighbors and I talked with Chris and Chris.  I also got to see Simon and Sawyer.  I really should not have stayed as long as I should have because Chris was still recovering from his really bad cold.

Once I finally left I went to Subway and picked up my dinner.  A veggie wrap and a foot long seafood sub.  I asked the workers about the stabbing incident that occurred there last night.  It was late and one of the sandwich makers says the kids need to experience those “scared straight” programs.  After getting the two sandwiches I went to the pharmacy and picked up chips and dip.  Completely forgetting the soda I was supposed to get.

I drove through the center of town here and there were many people walking around.  There was a carousel in the parking lot of one of the banks.  They were all waiting for the fireworks display that would be held behind the library.  I got home a short time later.

The puppies were happy to see me.  I got them out and they left their deposits on our route.  Yes I will pick them up sometime tomorrow but it was dark there now.  Once we got back I fed them and got my meal together.

We all went upstairs.  I was surprised that Packy came up.  I came down a few more times when I realized I forgot some stuff.  He stayed down then came upstairs a short time later.  It was though he just appeared.

Preston was really cute.  He must have been feeling a little blue.  Once I got into my pajamas (yes at 6) He laid on my stomach for a while.  He curled up like a child.  He had to move when I got out of the bed for a bathroom run and a few more things. 

Packy had this low growl when I was petting him a few times.  I am not sure what that was about but I just told him to stop.  I think he will be alright once he realizes I am not taking anything from him.  Preston has been lying beside me when I was in the bed.  I tried a few times to get him to come back on my stomach and under the covers but no go.  Maybe when I get back up there he will.

Well now there is three hours until the New Year I am going back up stairs.  I don’t want Preston to get to the potato chips up there.

Family Night 2

             Well it is after 4 pm and I have been home nearly an hour and half I think.  When I got home the boys were waiting for me and were greeting me at the door.  We moved quickly to go for a walk and to let them do their “jobs”.   I have to admit they were very good inside.  While we were out I took the time to make sure any packages going north of here on our walk were picked up. 

We talked with the neighbors that are kitty corner to the house.  She assured me that sometimes both Nancy and Patrick and Olivia come home late or actually leave the dogs by themselves for some time.

Nancy called from FL around 3:30.  We spent about 20 minutes talking about the boys and the holidays and movies.  After we got off the phone I made sure I spent equal amount of time with both boys by playing with their toys and giving them hugs and kisses.  I had a brief notion that when I spoke about Preston that she may have thought I was ignoring Packy.  She admitted he is more independent.

Mom called me while I was walking the dogs.  She says we are all going to be meeting at Stonebridge Restaurant at quarter of 6 for dinner.  The whole family!  Whoohoo!  I am not sure if that includes the little ones but it would be nice but I think Liz told me they were heading back to Fairfield today.  Anyway, Mom did some errands while Jim and the kids spent time with Liz and Nelson and little ones.

Tomorrow I will spend the morning with the pups then around lunch time go back to the house and get the gift for NAR3 ready and then Mom and I will leave for the party.  I am not sure how long that will be staying but I am going to be here for the New Year.  I am thinking of picking up something to chow down on tomorrow night.

While I am home I will need to send out an email to the 4^th district for the caucus meeting that we will have.   PV sent me an email some time to do and I need to do it asap.

Last Working Day of 2011

Today is the last working day of 2011.  It is pretty quiet right now.  Throughout the office there are a number of people that are working and will either work until 4 or leave early to start their holiday activities.

I did get the lock box mid morning and there wasn’t a lot for either day.  Now I am going to work on the readdress mail that is here until the Post office mail comes.

Mom had Olivia (the cleaning woman) come in and do nice things to my room yesterday.  It looked good (aside from my desk looking like it was dumped on).  Olivia has agreed to organize my room for the 2012.  I acquiesced.  Even Jim had some suggestions about letting her do it.

Called home this morning no one answered so I sent a text message to Emily and she told me they had been sleeping.  Oh what have I done?  They are probably hanging out doing what ever right now.

Cami came in around 11.  She will be here for 2 hours.  Gayle called to see if she should come in for the cash wasn’t really sure.  Annette came in around quarter of 12 and I saw GH just about the same time.

I called Dave and asked him what time the party was and it will be at 1.I will go there first and then to M&T’s and then to North Haven for the party.  Then I will come back home and spend time with the pups.

Family Night

It is now Thursday afternoon just after 3 and I have been home a half hour.  I have managed to get the dogs walked and soon will have the cards ready for the kids.  I did call home to see what was going to be next.  The kids have been there since 2.  They had some macaroni and are not real hungry for the roast.  So it was decided that we would have pizza around 5:30.  I think Mom gave me the okay to come around about then.  Then we are going to the movies. 

I am a little apprehensive about leaving the pups and the gerbils alone for that time but I will feed them early and hopefully get home at a decent hour.  Mom has not understood why I am not gung ho on leaving the dogs alone. 

Okay its now several hours later.  It is also after 10:30.  I left here around after 4 some time.  I had fed the dogs, put laundry in the machine and headed out.  I found Jim and Mom talking in the kitchen.  Kristina was playing a game on her new I-Pod in the living room.  Emily and Jamie were both in separate rooms upstairs.

We spent time talking and then Mom got more movie passes and then we ordered pizza.  Jim was on the phone with our siblings.  That notion made me feel good.  I think we will all be getting together tomorrow for dinner.

We went to the movies and saw War Horse.  It was excellent.  It was over by 10.  I think Mom enjoyed it but she admitted she missed parts of it because of her hearing.  I think it will do well at  Oscar time.

I have preston sitting in my lap right now so I have to get  going now…

Playing catch up

I have been playing catch up with my entries in the last couple of days.  Unfortunately I spent most of my day off yesterday with a headache.  The wonderful Preston was at my side constantly.  He would like/kiss my face or sit at the top of my chest and or follow me to the bathroom every time I vomited.

Today I drove to work instead of taking the train.  I couldn’t find a parking place near the train station and so I went on by car.  I got to New Haven early and managed to get some food for the office.   My stomach was not completely recovered from yesterday’s session of barf.  I was pretty thirsty so I had a lot of juice.

I can’t even begin to tell you who came in to work today but I had enough to do.  I wasn’t able to finish lockbox but I was able to finish post office mail despite the volume.   I almost forgot about the lobby mail.  I will have to do it tomorrow once I finish the lockbox from today.

I made it to the lupus doctor appointment early.   I was able to stop and get some hot cocoa.  I really needed it.  It was raining when I left New Haven and as I am writing this the whole house is shaking and the wind is loud and strong.  She says everything is looking good.

After the appointment I came back to the pups walked them and fed them.  Around 4:30 I headed back to Mom’s and spent some time there and got some dinner.  I managed to check emails and to turn the machine off as it was emitting a green light that could wake the dead.  We had pork chops and Sauer kraut and potatoes and string beans.

It was nearly 6:30 or 7 when I got back.  It was raining hard and windy and the pups didn’t want to go walking I didn’t blame them.  We came back in and have been watching TV.  The house next door is being renovated and the scaffolding is making a lot of noise as well. 

Preston has been at my side until now.  I came down to check on Packy.  He made a few packages in the new room.   I don’t know if Packy will come upstairs when I do go back up but I will let him do what he wants.  I just hope the house will not collapse.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a pretty good day.  My sleep was an interesting one at that.  Preston slept with me in between my legs which made for some really interesting sleeping patterns.  Once I got some sleep it was fine (we moved around the bed a few times) while Packie slept in Livia’s

We got up and walked early and then I got ready for Bingo and Church.  I went to stop at the Dunkin Donut shop near the nursing home but it was closed.   The workers were not picketing outside that early anyway.  Both Natalie and PJ were there for the holidays.  They served Danish and coffee to the residents and I did the bingo.

Afterwards I went to St Mary’s Church for the 11:30 mass.  Even on one of the holiest days in the Catholic Church I couldn’t even be on time.  I met up with some cousins and chatted with them. 

I got home after 12:30 and Mom was cooking and feeling much better.  We opened our presents:

1-2 sweaters (from Mom)

2-A faux Fur blanket and angel from Claudia and the kids

3- a book bag from our neighbors across the street (K&S)

4-Candy from P&D next door

5-Candy from C&C down the street

6-Liz and Nelson gave one of those shawls with pockets

7-Cheryl and her family gave me a gift card and socks and a note pad.

From that time until we got ready for Bob and Ethel’s I didn’t do very much.  Changed the sheets and washed the others. 

We left the house around 4...and got to their house a short time later.  Mom almost drove past the house.  We arrived and we found the kitchen in a flurry of activity.  To say they were unorganized would be an understatement.   They put some of the food on the table and we hadn’t sat down…

The kids would be at one end talking and Mom would be saying she is missing out.  Well first of all they were not talking to all of us.  The kids were talking among themselves.  We had Roast beef loin.  We had various vegetables and a couple of pies. 

We left around 6 or 7 I had to be back at the doggie house because they had been left alone for most of the day. 

For the rest of the night we (the dogs and I) were watching TV.  Packy was probably down in his spot.