FYI

News about my Aunt R is not good. As I may have mentioned earlier today she is in the hospital and they found a mass in the stomach lining. My Cousin Donna who has been in contact with Mom in the last several days stopped by to let Mom know she is going down tomorrow to assess the situation first hand. Her Brother Alan who is a practical man is also down there and keeping things somewhat sane. Carol is emotionally not well over this (their sister and the youngest). Carol is posting on Facebook that she has pancreatic or Stomach cancer. Biopsies are going to be done Monday afternoon.




Mom is mulling over the idea of going down but she would only go for a day or two and come back. I have offered to fly down with her but she is basically asking me not to. She doesn’t want me to go down for various reasons. She may go down after the biopsies or she may go down when Rita comes home later on. We are continuing to think it over though. I am trying to get a hold of David to see if we can use his Family and friends pass.



I am making serious progress on getting rid of a lot of the papers I have. At least the old Pen pal stuff I am constantly rethinking methods and what to keep in my journal folders and what to leave out.



I met our new neighbors today. Don’t ask me the surname because I never got it. I could tell you the name of the little girl who was cute as a button but nothing else. I know the wife is JA Foran HS graduate of the mid 90’s. I also know they have a cat. They also spent time in Florida.



I went to mass at St John Vianney’s in West Haven with Mom. The Celebrant was Father Bob Barrett from St Mary’s Church in Branford. He also does the mass on TV.



Dinner was simple tonight. It was cheeseburgers. We had nothing else with it. At first I suggested Chinese Food but Mom wasn’t excited about that. I am glad we had the cheeseburgers.



Okay I have some more papers to toss and some emails to move around so I will see you all tomorrow.

I did it

I did it. I actually sat down and filled out the application for my passport. Unfortunately as I read over it noticed I made some mistakes. I am thinking I may have to get another one and fill it out again. I had to call Dave to find out the date for the trip. Dave seems to think that it would be a mistake to say I lost it when actually I have misplaced it. I am not so sure.




We had a nice long talk on the phone today about family dynamics, opinions, and theories and he was really sweet when I told him about the mammogram. He asked how it went or what the results were.



When it got back to the application and travel he says the trip starts September 6th, 2011 and is a four day motor coach travel (better get used to saying that as they (the owners) tend to freak when you call it “bus”.) We will look over the itinerary tomorrow at his party.



Mom is at the “Turn in your prescription medication day” over in Walnut Beach-Devon area. It is the Nationwide DEA program that many towns and cities are supposedly participating in this year. Mom isn’t sure what time she is coming home. The event is until 2 pm.



After filling out the application and talking to Dave I have been trying to get rid of papers and move emails around to the journals. It is starting to get agitating for me because I feel part of this is just wasting time and taking so long to do.



I hadn’t heard from Liz about going to Fairfield to see Jason’s soccer game so that leads me to believe that she isn’t going or she wanted to go alone. I have a feeling Mom would prefer it if I stayed home and cleaned the room.



It looks as though new neighbors are moving in. For the last two days cars and trucks have been moving into Maria’s house. I noticed an animal carrier. I wonder if that’s for the cat or puppy? Either way we will see soon. I love either but if it’s a cat let’s hope it is an indoor cat because I don’t think Mom could stand it if came into our yard.



I went for a walk last night. It was for an hour and fifteen minutes. I had my water with me and I took my time. I saw some houses in various stages of renovation and built. They looked great (well the ones in the middle the beginning they always look like crap. LOL!



Okay the sun is still trying to push through the clouds but it doesn’t seem to be winning. It is in the low 60’s right now and I can feel it with this sweater on. There is a high pollen alert for Milford too. It is supposed to get sunnier as the day progresses and remain in the 60s. We are supposed to get sun all day tomorrow…let’s hope.



Okay I need to get back to doing stuff. I will check in later.

A full day

I woke up bright and early this morning and got ready for my Mammogram. I left here by 6:45 and got to the garage and clinic 15-20 minutes later. There was hardly any traffic. This convinced me that I could for technical purposes get to the office early and it would work. I watched a little of the Royal Wedding while waiting. It was at the point where they were driving from the Abbey to where ever the “Big Kiss” was happening. It was lovely. They both looked happy and they all looked beautiful. I think this has quenched my desire to continue to watch it for the rest of the day.




Mom had her Friday Morning Bridges meeting and got back just around 10. She says she has paper work to do but no more meetings for the day. She was strongly urging me to get a haircut or even shoe shopping. I hesitated on the haircut but firmly said I wasn’t going shoe shopping today.



My afternoon was quite full I had my Weight Watchers Meeting at Noon, Late Lunch with Liz at 1:30 then I had my hair cut at 3 pm. That left me very little time to work on the Passport stuff. That really didn’t bother me but I do have to do it. I still need to get pictures for this thing. If I do not go to Jason’s game tomorrow afternoon I am going to get the pictures done.



Liz might be taking me to Jason’s game tomorrow. She wants to spend some quiet time with them this afternoon. She has a meeting this morning and stuff to do so that’s why we are meeting for lunch then. I told her I had a weight watcher’s meeting to go to at 12.



The afternoon has swiftly gone by now… (Its 5 pm and NCIS time) WW was very successful. I managed to reach the 5 lb mark already. I have another six and half lbs to go to reach my 5% goal. I arrived at the restaurant meet a few minutes after Liz arrived. We spent an hour talking about family stuff (currently I am asking for thoughts and prayers for Aunt Rita as she is in the hospital), health, Liz’s activities etc. She did ask me how I thought Jim was doing and I said other than a cold he was fine. She asked how clean the apartment was and I said for him good. It’s cluttered as you know. We got into some areas I was not comfortable with and that was about judging and how angry I get. I guess she is trying hard to learn how to not be judgmental and yet it felt like she was judging the way I get angry easily. She admits it’s because I am frustrated that I am not being listened to and she is right.



After lunch I had some time before my hair appointment so I went and visited Mike and Tessa. They were doing a bunch of stuff and invited me to go to a big event in New Haven on Sunday. I had to decline. They are planning on coming for a Sunday chat with Mom and take her to the event in New Haven. We talked about current events in Milford.



The labor dispute at DiChello’s Distributors has ended! Congratulations to all involved for coming together and working it out. I salute those who fought the good fight.



The haircut was really nice. The woman who cut my hair was lovely and very chatty. She was from Milford at one point but is now living in West Haven. She knew many of my neighbors.



Dinner was delicious Roasted Salmon with yams, cauliflower, and potato patty. It was delicious. Now I am going to go for a walk before the showers start.

Its time for me to turn in

Well it is almost 10:30 and I have a headache so I am going to turn in. The open Union Meeting went pretty well. I was there for nearly 2 hours. It was basically for the reps to hear any complaints, questions, issues, etc the members have working on the floor. It is basically, Communication, Morale, and productivity and ways to resolve it.




After the meeting I stopped by to see the team. Gayle was just getting ready to go home for the day. Everyone else was hard at work. After my visit I headed to the Area Agency on Aging to pick up some packets for Mom. That was just about 2:00.



It was starting to rain when I left there. It kept raining until I got home. I had supper of spaghetti. The rain continued on and we had some thunder roll through.



The sun came out for a short time. Then it got cloudy again. I spent the time online and or watching TV.



We went to the DTC and it was a good meeting. Each district presented its slate as of right now. One member announced her intention to run for City Clerk this November.



We got home by 9:30…



Now I am getting to bed…Will talk to you in the morning

Today's Thankful Thursday

I was able to get up out of bed

I have a job that I love

I am thankful I don’t currently live in Tornado Alley (My prayers and thoughts go out to them)

I am thankful for the next two days off

I am thankful for my family warts and all

I am thankful for the community service activities I am involved with.

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful I am able to think for myself.

That’s it for today:.

I have the next two days off

I have the next two days off as part of taking the time for vacation so I won’t lose it. I really didn’t have huge plans but getting the papers and room cleaned for the most part. I hope to get a lot more done that what I have. I have still some stuff to get out of the closet and I am really getting aggravated.




Mom had a Bridges meeting this morning and was out at 8. She came back just before 10. I am not sure what else she has to do today but I hope it’s not much the weather isn’t supposed to be very nice at all.



I almost forgot I had a union meeting at Noon back at the office. I had taken a shower and gotten dressed by 11. I spent more time online and watching the Criminal Intent Marathon. I might be able to talk about the meeting when I get back.

Got Some sleep

Well I managed to get back to sleep without major problems. I was awakened by incoming email alerts from outlook.  I got up around 6:30 and got ready for the day.  I didn’t leave until after 6:30.  I barely made it to the office on time.  Been drinking the coffee I left here.

It’s been foggy this morning and currently 56 to 58 degrees.  The fog has caused traffic problems closer to Hartford but as Gayle was saying no one knows how to drive in this weather.  It is supposed to get into the 70’s later but I am not sure if the sun will be out or not.

Dave called me yesterday.  He invited me to a party on Sunday.  It’s a game playing party.  I called him this morning to ask him what kind of game and he says it’s a trivia type game.  Okay I like those.  He wants me to bring soda.  He also has some travel itinerary that he wants me to look at when I get there.

I really have to move on the passport renewal thing before it’s too late.  I think it’s on the floor of my bedroom under some papers.  I still have to get photos for it and then send it in.  My hope was to some how miraculously find my old one near by.  I probably will find it after I have filled out and cleaned out the room.  I was checking this out today http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_5401.html .  I had to think if my birth certificate had the raised authority seal…

I talked with Mom today.  I wanted to make sure she got up in time for her day.  She has full day today but she is feeling much better than yesterday.  She was concerned that I sleep in my clothes instead of pajamas.  I was in sweat pants and sweat shirt.  She won’t be home for dinner as she has an event tonight. 

If I have the house to myself I may spend time clearing out my room.  Its starting to get on my nerves again. 

Finally, what the hell is GM of WTNH doing?  Yesterday it was announced that Former Co-Anchor Ted Koppy was no longer working at WTNH.  The news has outraged readers and viewers all over the state.  Darren Kramer current Co-Anchor mentions it in his latest tweet.  My fear is that soon Keith Kountz and all the long time workers there will be gone for the younger and flashier members.  Don Lark formerly of WFSB in the 80’s has been hired and he looks different but older than Koppy or any of the others.    I have to admit a few people I have spoken with didn’t know or care about the situation.

Going to be a long Night

It is almost 12:30 and I am awake. I expected to be awake with having the late day coffee yesterday. Mom went to bed a short time ago but not before saying she could smell onions from me. I told her what I had today. She looked at me questioning about how much there was. Was I in my points? I technically wasn’t but it isn’t her business. Then we got into a discussion about wearing clothes to bed. I had my sweatshirt on. She really needs to keep quiet on things.




Last night some guy from Surveys.com called and started asking a whole bunch of questions to Mom. What her radio listening preferences, her newspapers preferences, and questions that just should not have been asked. I was getting a little concerned. She should have put a stop to it.



We did are own thing for dinner Mom was still not putting anything in her stomach from the early morning Rawlph session. She was actually sleeping in the chair in the back room when I got home.



I think I fell asleep around 6 or 7 and woke up around quarter of 9. It was just in time to see the end of tonight’s NCIS and previews of next week’s much anticipated new episode.



I am going to try and go back to sleep now…

I almost forgot

I almost forgot this week is Month End.  I remembered when I saw the large volume of mail from Lockbox today.  I am still working on yesterdays.  Gayle calls me this morning at 7 to ask me to bring our newest scanner into her office when I got there.  Gayle thought it was 8.  She got here before I did.    Annette came back from Vacation to the news about our Joanie.  I am not sure but I think she is a little frazzled.  She said she had a great time.  Our staff meeting is in about an hour and half.  I am hoping to get this part done soon.

Uh oh…Susan spoke to Gayle about one of us.  My paranoia is already thinking its me.  I know that Susan walked by and most of seen something on my computer screen this morning that should not have been there (a blog about tornado).  To me that means I need to really watch my internet time while working.

Mom got sick this morning.  She was a little abrupt with me and on the phone just now but I am not going to feed into it. I understand what she was thinking because I was the same way Saturday.  She was also getting ready for a Doctor’s appointment.  I called at lunch time to see how it went.

Actually my stomach is bothering me as well even though I just had the tomato and Mozz salad.  I really hope I am not coming down with something or that the COPD is having some affect on me.  I still have to get the x-ray done.

The staff meeting went well.  It was about 45 minutes long just remind those of us who post cash to be on top of things and to get the refunds out.  We are planning a birthday breakfast for May 13^th.  Yes it’s a Friday.  I am thinking of bringing in doughnuts.

Hey great news… I received my state income tax refund yesterday!  I am very pleased about that that will go to savings for now.  I am now just waiting on the Federal income.   As of this afternoon it hasn’t been sent. 

Its almost time for me to go home…see ya there.

Been Home a short time

I have been home since six and already the fog has rolled in and the atmosphere is different. They are saying now that we should get some clouds tonight. The temperature dropped at least ten degrees already.




The weather across the country in the last few days has been terribly scary. Tornados that have hit the Midwest apparently destroyed an entire town. There is more severe weather expected in the days ahead. I don’t know if I could live in that territory expecting tornadoes every other day.



My session with Debra was moved back to 5 pm tonight so I stayed at the office opened a little bit of the mail and then washed all the dishes and utensils that I have been neglecting.



The session went pretty well. I told Debra about the events of the Easter and how frustrated I get because no one listens to me. To say I was agitated would be an understatement.



When I got home it was after 6. Mom was dozing in the back room but dinner was in the oven. It was delicious. It was of course leftovers. The ham, potato cakes, broccoli, squash, yams. We watched the news while we ate. The weather was pretty much the focus. Mom did remind me that the discussion about Emily not be brought up with Liz. I must have looked like I choked because I had to think about what I had talked about with Liz early that evening.



After I had dinner I watched a little of NCIS. The second hour I wasn’t interested in and I was tired. I ended up taking a nap.



When I got up again I decided to take some plaquenil as my ankle and knees were starting to bother me today. I have a feeling it was because of the Mozzarella and tomato salad I had late in the day. My stomach is feeling a little “blah”.



I was looking over the mail I got today. I got an invitation from TIAA-CREF to attend a counseling session to review my current “portfolio”. I had that done last year and the counselor who saw me then said I am doing fine with it.



I also got a new invitation to join the Weight Watchers program again. It has a nice Recipe for Asparagus Risotto. From the way the session at work went two weeks ago Karen is expecting this session to go beyond the 16 or 18 weeks that is planned for now.



I also got junk mail invite to go to MetLife for auto insurance. I already have new insurance so I am thinking I will be staying with what I have. Which is Foremost what I got back in December when my insurance bill skyrocketed from One Beacon.



Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We have a new person starting from the IP Pool as scanner. We also have a staff meeting tomorrow. I have to finish today’s lockbox and then work on some of the readdress mail and the return mail.



I will take my leave of you for now…have a great one.

A warm Monday Morning

It was pretty warm this morning.  IT was overcast as well.  We are supposed to get some sun.   But I didn’t see any.   It’s supposed to be like that all day as well as tomorrow but the temps are going into the 70’s.

Its funny I have been listening to an Oregon station on the net and they are having the same weather we are.  The sun is fighting its way out from behind the clouds here the same there.

Dinner went well last night.  We didn’t sit down until 4:30.  As the dinner progressed we started talking about Facebook.  Diane was complaining how Emily has been complaining on Facebook tat she is bored.  It aggravated Diane and when she was asked how recent this was she started getting defensive.  I told her that Emily was banned as late as last month.  She surmised that we were not friended with her (Emily) and that she wasn’t going to discuss it anymore.  Mom got a little annoyed as well.  She asked Diane to think of it another way protecting and caring for the person. 

Mom then talked about how Jamie did such a wonderful thing as “See who has looked at your profile today” activity.  I explained to her rather unsuccessfully that Jamie didn’t do that it was Facebook.  When Jim called later she told him of both things.  I was furious.  Not because she was telling him but the fact that she totally ignored what I was telling her.

Everyone left by 7.  I helped with the cleaning up for a bit and then let Mom do the rest by herself.   That’s until I heard loud crashes.  I thought she dropped things. 

I spent the rest of the evening watching NCIS and went to bed late.

Easter 2011

Happy Easter Everyone! It is nearly 70 degrees here and sunny. It didn’t look as though it would start off that way and from what I hear it is supposed to cloud over later on today.




I am happy to report I am feeling much better than I was yesterday and so I am just hanging around until Mom needs help with things. It was a bit tenuous after a few interactions last night (and there seems to be those every holiday). Despite the angry/annoyed feelings Mom was kind enough to give me the most beautiful butterfly pin for Easter. She apparently got it as a gift from the Mental Health Association and it gives an explanation as to why the butterfly was chosen. The designer is Lucinda of Designs by Lucinda.



Bingo went exceedingly well. We had a pretty good crowd. Angela and her family helped out today and so did Nicole all dressed up in her Bunny Ears. It was great. There was also a Easter breakfast as well. So we started early and ended early which allowed me to get to church semi on time. It actually was starting just as arrived. So I didn’t miss anything.



As in the past it was pretty full attendance. I met up with my Cousin Bob and his family and we had a few moments after communion to speak. I realize we shouldn’t have done that then but I wasn’t sure if we would have a chance as we were leaving.



Bob and Ethel and Diane and Rogier should be arriving a little before 4 to have Easter Dinner with us. Mom has almost everything ready now. The table for the most part is already set. Mom put out serving spoons and more hot plates.



Liz called to wish us a Happy Easter. She and Nelson are over Cheryl’s house. I think I heard her say they had ham and Lasagna.



Well I am going to watch the NCIS Marathon that’s on USA right now before everyone arrives.

been sick

I had a headache this morning and then ended up vomiting.  I spent the morning sleeping.  I thought I was feeling better until I came back from the store.  I went and laid down until 3 or so and had some yogurt and milk for Tylenol.  An hour later I through up so I haven’t done much today.

I really hate Messenger programs…I never seem to have much luck with them. They take too long when you are typing and they seem to tie things up. I was chatting with a girl tonight who was a pen pal at one time. She was insisting on having me text or calls her with my address so she could send me pictures. I asked her to send them via email. So I got the number but I will send her the text tomorrow. I also don’t really like chatting online with these IM’s because they take up too much time from the things I want to do. I am going to include this girl on the monthly newsletters if I can.




I am making progress with getting rid of the collection of letters and stuff like that. I am in the final binder in the P section.



Oh god for some reason I am getting dizzy. I am sitting down but the room is spinning! Okay it passed. Uh maybe it is not. Need to lie down.

Well the morning was a huge success. I got to the store and found everything I needed to make the baskets. It came to about $21 and change. I got them each a medium sized basket that would hold a chocolate bunny, an M&M Easter Egg, and Reese’s Peanut butter Egg. I also got that ridiculous grass. I brought them back to the house and got it ready. I had to cut the grass in half and it made a mess. I left the house around 9:20 and got to Liz and Nelson’s a short time later.




As I arrived I had to pick up one of the baskets from the floor. It had fallen over at a traffic light. I wanted it to look perfect. The kids came to the car an each took one. As we were approaching the house (Liz wanted us inside for a bit) they each thanked me on their own without prompting from grandma. Nelson and Liz also gave them candy as well. They were going to be picking Stephanie (their Mother up from the train station). The kids got to play outside with the neighborhood boys.



After the visit I picked up the meds and then headed home. Mom was up by then and was wondering what I was doing. I explained to her that I have off and that I went to see the kids.



I called Jane today to invite her to dinner Sunday but she called me back and thanked me but that she would be going up to her brother’s house in Pembroke. She is going up with Chris and Nancy (her other brother).

Mom wants me to do things around here. She is out shopping for the Sunday dinner. She would like my help too.



I got a call from the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center to inform me that Dr. V Martin is no longer with the practice. My new doctor will be Dr. Janet Becker. I have no idea the circumstance behind it all but I should be getting a letter soon.



I spent some time throwing out the pen pal stuff. I decided not to record each individual like I did. I need to move along with the piles anyway. If there are pen pal files or emails then I will save them but the hard copies will be tossed.



My knee has been bothering me all day today. I have already taken the Tramadol, the plaquenil and I am not sure I want to take the Meloxicam just yet. I will take the Tylenol of it persists.



Mom came home from shopping just before 3. We rushed emptying the groceries and then went to the bank and to the service. I don’t know what it is but every time Amazing Grace is played I start to get teary eyed. I want to say its beautiful.



Mom’s ears seem to be clogging today and it makes it harder for her to hear even more than normal. She was telling me about the menu for Sunday. She is going to make the fresh ham, broccoli, creamed cauliflower, asparagus, and I suspect seafood for those of us (read: Diane) who don’t eat meat. Rogier (http://www.facebook.com/#!/rogierdeboer) will be joining us it seems. I can’t wait to see them. He is so awesome to Diane and that makes me feel great.



Well I am going to go through the mound of papers and binders and get some headway of this.

Good Friday 2011

Today is Good Friday and Yale has been gracious enough to continue to give us this day off.  I think its part of the contract stipulations and has been for years.  I seem to remember a time where we didn't have it off.   Most of my family at leat while under one roof always go to the services that I believe included the stations of the cross.  There is going to be a 3 pm service I think that we are attending   Its been years since I attended the actual stations but they are held durig Lent on Fridays.  For the meals we usually full fill the requirements of abstaining for one meal and abstain from eating meat the final day.  This initiates the final stages that culminates to Easter Sunday.  Mom wil start preparing for the meal today and tomorrow before she leaves for the opera.  On Sunday we will attend the Easter masses and then meet back here for the final preparations.   Mom tells me we will be having fresh ham (no one likes the lamb).

Before I get to that point i will be spending this morning gathering and making up two Easter baskets for both Audrey and Jason and will be delivering them sometime before they head back to Fairfield to spend the holiday with Whelan side of the family.  I checked out some stuff at Walgreen's before coming home but didn't like what I saw or the prices for the prepackaged ones.   So I will go to CVS or Rite Aid and go from there.

Bob called last night and it was the best phone call I have had in a long time.  YOu may not know this but my brother and I have a tenous relationship at best.  He can be difficult at times to be around and or talk to.  So when an opportunity like this arises I grab it.  We talked for a good ten minutes about health, and of course getting together for Easter.  We discussed our Aunt's health crisis and of course I told him about the DP and that I might have the COPD.  After all that I was beginning to worry about what other safe topics we could discuss.  We do have to invite Cousin Jane who has been hinting about for a place to share a meal with. 

Well I better get going I have a lot to do before the end of the day and I want to get them done.

Well it would seem I am not feeling better about last night as much as I thought I was.  I didn’t really want to wake up and I got cranky when I came to work over something minute as a sympathy card going around for the co worker who lost her mom.  We were signing it and I went to some people who hadn’t contributed…they didn’t understand and I snapped at them.  

I also had to write my “Thankful Thursday” list and I managed to get to ten. It hasn’t shown up to my inbox yet but I am hoping it will soon.  I told a few other people about the incident last night.  They seemed sympathetic. 

I spoke to a few of my co-workers about “AS” resigning.  We all agreed there was more to the story but that is all that’s being spoken of.  Some of us suspect it had to do with absenteeism.

After finishing the lockbox this morning I decided that I would come in on Monday to do the mail.  As we won’t be here tomorrow and Monday’s is usually high volume.  I knew Janet would get socked with mail and all the other stuff she will do.  I told Gayle when she came in at 11 that I would come in on Monday and take next Thursday off as well as Friday.

The 11:30 mail run was very light and was finished by 12.  I went for a walk to City Hall for Gayle.  On the way back stopped at Subway where I ran into WTNH Channel 8’s Gil Simmons (For those outside of CT he is the weatherman).  He was very nice.

When I came back I spent the afternoon catching up on the return mail and the lobby mail.  I also did the readdressing mail.

My Thankful Thursday

My Thankful Thursday list

1)       I am thankful for the job I have and that I enjoy it most times

2)     I am thankful for caring and understanding co-workers when I have a bad day.

3)     I am thankful today is the last day of the work week and I have a long weekend a head of me.

4)    I am thankful for the home I live in and it isn’t being threatened by foreclosure and it is in pretty decent condition thanks to Mom’s diligence and upkeep.

5)     I am thankful for neighbors who are caring and loyal and are willing to help when a computer situation arises.

6)     I am thankful for my family despite their shortcomings.

7)     I am thankful for the friends I have because we are special.

8)     I am thankful tonight’s Political Committee meeting was canceled. 

9)     I am thankful for being able to get up in the morning to live all things.

10)   I am thankful I can be able to think and express myself.

Feeling Better

After getting some rest after my mini rant about the idiot on Facebook. I am feeling better. Yes I realize I responded badly but if you saw the conversation she sounded like a little spoiled brat that didn’t get her way. I had told her when she invited me to both groups that I haven’t been pen paling for nearly a year! She became rude and I responded.




Liz has started the Reunion ball rolling last night. She sent an email out and asked for suggestions and dates. She did offer her house some time in July or august. I hope it isn’t towards the end because that’s when I am supposed to go to Niagara Falls.



Nelson graduated from the Citizen’s Police Academy in Milford last night. Cheryl posted nine pictures from it. I recognized a few people from the photo.



Well I have to take off I will see you later..

some people are stupid

I got an IM from a girl Zoey who has had a couple of pen pal groups on Facebook and she announced tonight she would be off line because of computer problems and she wanted my address. I explained to her that I have given up pen paling. It disintegrated in to name calling and I reported her. “I am sorry I bothered to add you to the group” Excuse me? I thought that was very rude of her to say that. I ended up telling her off. She has had problems with her groups and this is why. I wish Facebook allowed copying chats because I would keep it and show you just how stupid it was.  Anyway like I said it disintergrated in name calling and I admit I started it.

Mid Week

It is midweek here in my world. It is the pinnacle point. It isn’t close to last weekend but it is a day closer to the end of the work week. Tomorrow is the last day of the work week. I managed to get regular mail done. I managed to get more of the return mail done.




I found out today that a co-worker resigned from Yale this week. CC told me that Alise was fired and when I got home today I sent a message to Jill from Finance (Alise and she worked together) and asked her what happened. She told me they were told she resigned her position at Yale.



At lunch time I walked to the bank and took out some money to pay Don for the memory boards for the computer. I had lunch from downstairs and it was a salad.



Mom came home around quarter of six. She was stuck in traffic on the way home. She said the meeting went well. I tried calling her a few times today but she was either not home or on the phone with Liz and the boys.



It felt weird that I didn’t hear her voice once today. I usually talk to her at least once a day unless I am busy or pissed off at her or avoiding her for a reason which hasn’t been the lately.



I knew she was talking to Liz because when I called Liz today she told me they talked about worse case scenarios with Aunt Rita. Liz offered to pay for Mom’s plane ticket to Texas if she decides to go and visit Rita. Mom isn’t going at this time. Liz also believes that our cousin is mentally ill if said cousin believes she can or is taking care of things when she can’t even do it for her self.



Mom talked to Bob and Jim today. It was mostly about the holiday weekend. Bob is going to call us back and let us know what they will do. Jim says he will see if the kids want to come up. She really couldn’t hear very well (gee what a shock).



I called my friend Mardi today. I hadn’t seen her on line for the last few days and I was worried. I also missed talking with her. She is not feeling well. I also woke her up. (Imagine a sheepish look on my face). We talked for a few minutes and then we hung up. Anyway, I send my love to her and her family. They are the best.



I have a new follower on KateP’s musings I say welcome to Janet. I hope you will enjoy yourself here.



Oh the sun came out late this afternoon. I was thrilled. It had been cloudy and chilly all morning long. It was like that when I went for a walk at lunch time too. The weather is supposed to go back to cloudy and dreary until Sunday.



That’s pretty much all the news for today. I am going to go watch more of the NCIS Marathon. Then I am going to bed.



Have a great night.

This is ridiculous

Hoover needs to reevaluate their reasons for pulling ads from a network.  I can understand if it was their story line didn't reflect their moral code (ie They condone illicit behaviors, terrorism etc) but because the soaps are canceled?  It's the marketing director's family's favorite?  yeah not going to fly.  The story has made the rounds through out the media outlets.  I am thinking this guy is out of a job or should be.


I am a soap fan have been for years but I am not home as much and catch up with them on the soap net, but the story lines are getting old and repetitive on some levels.  The cast and crew are talented and wonderful and I am sure they will find work. 

A bitter Sweet Day

Well today turned out to be a bittersweet day. First off I got word that my state income tax return was accepted by the state. I should now get the money within the next ten days. I Hope without a fine and never get audited.




Work was hectic. Janet was unable to finish the mail from yesterday but she says the lockbox was heavy. Well where was it? It’s obvious she delivered it but I usually keep all the mail going to the teams together so I am not making several trips. She left a pile of work that I had asked her on Friday to deliver behind. She put some stuff in the wrong piles. She opened mail that didn’t need to be opened.



Some of the other tasks she has to do is fold and stuff the collection letters and she was socked with them late yesterday afternoon. I could tell she was getting overwhelmed today as well. She had to do the log the batches and put them in the boxes to be scanned eventually.



I was unable to finish the mail myself so I am not as upset or annoyed by the facts that Janet couldn’t finish or forgot where all these things go.



After lunch I called JR my buddy and our team mate and it turns out she is back in the hospital again. She became dehydrated. She hasn’t eaten and done anything and her speech is still slurred from the stroke. She sounded very down. Gayle sent an email around late in the afternoon. Gayle wanted to talk with her and got better info then I did.



The Work Place Survey Round table was okay. I spoke on a few things and the biggest issues were productivity, teamwork, and development. Many suggestions were shared all around. Whether or not these will be implemented is another story.

My cousin Carol sent word that the doctor’s visit for her Mom didn’t go well. We had gotten an email from Donna forwarding the full email from Carol. Rita may or may not have lung or stomach cancer. Carol is saying she has to organize and do things to get her situated. Mom reminded Donna that all the programs that Carol is planning on using is federally funded and she doesn’t need to pay out money. She it sounds like she is making it sound like she is going to have pay out money for this and Rita has a pension and as I mentioned the programs are free. Mom just got off the phone with Donna and Donna doesn’t know all the info shared and is understandably upset.



Tomorrow is a full work day but I need to go to the bank so I can pay Don the money for the memory boards for the computer.



I have to go to bed. I am exhausted. I never went back to sleep this morning and believe me when I say I tried. I don’t even think I am going to stay up for NCIS.



Only two people have responded to the RSVP request for the meeting on Thursday. They were the lawyer guy who has missed for the last couple of meetings and Ann B.



I have to go. Good Night…love you all

Relieved

As I was logging off from email and the internet last night I found an email from H&R Block informing me that the IRS accepted my federal Income Tax Return. The state Income Tax Return is still pending. I printed off a sheet with my 2010 AGI and pin number so I can use it next year. I will be putting it with the packet later. This one thing I don’t have to worry about. I have to make sure I do it earlier next year and not worry about it.




I still have to fill out the application. I have been procrastinating because I am hoping I find my passport from years ago. I don’t think I threw it out. I seem to remember putting it in one of these drawers in the file cabinet or desk. Mom kept insisting she has it. I know she doesn’t. There are documents you have to sign to verify that you either lost it or it was stolen.



I have the work place Survey Meeting this afternoon. I am hoping that I will have a lot done by the time I go so that I don’t feel like I left something behind. I am going to make an effort to not surf the net while at work today and see just much I can do. Gayle is working on getting a second person to help with Mail but the others (management) is against it saying I can’t keep up with it sometimes. It’s because the mail is tripled. I don’t know if it will ever come to fruition but I do know I like my job and I enjoy it.



Unfortunately if I don’t get back to bed (I woke up around 3 for a bathroom run) soon I won’t be able to do anything constructive or productive today. The alarm is set for 5:30 and it’s currently 20 of 5. Yes I have tried to go back to sleep but I keep checking things online.

So Far So Good.

Well it is 7 pm and still no other message from H&R Block in regards to my tax return. I made the changes earlier today after getting that stupid pin number and paying for the state tax preparation.







I haven’t done anything about the passport today but I can do that later. I know I am procrastinating but I just don’t want to do it know. I have a headache. I can do it tomorrow.







We ended up having to cancel for Lunch today when Dee sent out a message and after I got a call from Liz that Dee’s daughter wasn’t feeling well and had to go to the doctor’s.







I spent some of the time weeding through old papers. I believe Mom wishes I would get a lot more done but it isn’t going to happen on her terms. I may work on some more tonight if the headache goes.







The weather changed rather quickly today. It went from partly sunny and pleasantly warm to very cold and cloudy by the end of the day. I had to run some errands for Mom when she got home from the Doctor’s. She left her sun glasses at the Grocery store and then had me return a book to the library.







I had a good session with Debra today. We discussed the vacation and the reasons it was changed. We talked about Family stuff both past and present. She wanted to know where in the family line up was Mom among her siblings. After the session I headed home.







Before getting to the car I made a quick phone call to Liz to ask permission of sorts if it would be alright for me to get an Easter basket for the grandkids. At least the little ones…the others are out of luck.







I got home a little after 5:30. The traffic had been slow both ways. I guess that’s the norm for a Monday night. I chatted with the neighbors and had another wonderful slobbering kiss from Finnegan. Of course Mom was waiting on me for dinner.







Mom made a great dinner of ham and vegetables. She even measured out the three oz’s I needed. I could tell she was getting tired and she still had a meeting to go to. As I am writing this she is still at the meeting. Oh I think she just drove in.







Yep she is home and in her pajamas watching PBS. We had some of the Apple Upside Down Cake (think along the lines of pineapple upside-down cake). Of course it was delicious.







Now I am going to bed as I will have to get up early tomorrow and go off to work.

Going into Panic Mode

As you all know I did the taxes last night. Unfortunately they didn’t go through because it didn’t have the AGI. I don’t have a copy of last year’s taxes as I didn’t print them out and because of the last crash it was lost. I tried calling twice and it got a little more than confusing and I had to hang up. I am going to try again later but this is frustrating to say the least.




My Breakfast is turning into Lunch with Dee and Liz. We haven’t decided where to go for lunch but we are meeting at 11:30. I am hoping to go to the restaurant near the town hall but it depends on what the others want.



I am hoping that once I get the taxes resolved I can work on the passport application. I need to take care of that soon as well. Dave is looking into going on a cruise now too.

Going into Panic Mode

As you all know I did the taxes last night. Unfortunately they didn’t go through because it didn’t have the AGI. I don’t have a copy of last year’s taxes as I didn’t print them out and because of the last crash it was lost. I tried calling twice and it got a little more than confusing and I had to hang up. I am going to try again later but this is frustrating to say the least.




My Breakfast is turning into Lunch with Dee and Liz. We haven’t decided where to go for lunch but we are meeting at 11:30. I am hoping to go to the restaurant near the town hall but it depends on what the others want.



I am hoping that once I get the taxes resolved I can work on the passport application. I need to take care of that soon as well. Dave is looking into going on a cruise now too.

A beautiful Palm Sunday

The sun was shining everything seemed to be nice and bright. I got up and did some more spring cleaning and while I was doing that decided to weed out of address book. There were names and addresses of people I don’t regularly talk to or haven’t spoken to in years so I crossed them off. There will be some addresses I keep just because its friends even though I haven’t talked with them. I may just make a whole new one and use one of the binders. I am not sure how I want to do it yet.




Bingo was a small crowd today and as I promised Nicole she didn’t have to call the numbers today. Angela was there today and incredibly busy with some activities and paperwork.



Happily I was only a few minutes late for church. It was a good thing too since it is Palm Sunday. The only thing is I did fall asleep a couple of times and it felt dangerously close to falling over.



After church took a drive to Liz and Nelson’s they were getting ready to go to Waterbury for the afternoon to see Nelson’s Sister and her family. They were also saying goodbye for the weekend to Jason and Audrey and Stephanie (their Mom). Jason was a bit sad today and he let me hold him because he bit his tongue. I get the feeling Liz gets jealous because she comments that I shouldn’t hold him like a baby. I wasn’t. Stephanie told her sometimes it is just nice to be held.



We only had a few minutes to chat so we talked about Aunt Rita’s situation. Cousin Bill wants another family reunion and he wants Liz in Charge. How about you ask your brothers to do it?



When I got home I told Mom the conversation Liz and I had about Rita and stuff like that. She was okay with it. She did tell me she even tried to call Rita but no answers.



The rest of the afternoon I did laundry and my taxes. I started that process around 3 and it took me until 4:30. I used the program that was sent to me. I tried to do it from the websites it just wasn’t working for me.



This week is going to be a short work week because of Good Friday and the fact I have tomorrow off. I am still meeting Dee for Breakfast and we are going to meet at Liz’s (which I told Liz that) and then go to the restaurant. Liz may or may not be able to join us.



We have a Workplace round table meetings going on over the next two weeks and mine is Tuesday . I am hoping there are others not only from my team but the other teams. I am not sure what this will be about.



I asked Mom what we are doing for Easter and she didn’t know really then she started thinking about inviting Bob and Ethel to dinner. So that may be a reality.

Now that it is almost 9 I am just going to read blogs. My left hand is acting a little weird. If I turn it a certain way it hurts. I have taken Tylenol.

It's raining again

It’s almost 10:30 and I can hear the rain falling on the windows and blowing around. It’s been raining since a little after 3:30 this afternoon. I actually like rainy weekends especially when it rains at night. It makes things feel different some how.




I left here to meet Dave at his place around 3:30. I had started getting a headache and get tired but I didn’t want to bail on Dave. I had a very light fare of lunch (veggies and yogurt). Unfortunately I was starting to get a headache as I was leaving. It didn’t help to have someone beep their horn because I was in the wrong lane.



Dave wasn’t home when I arrived I called him and found he was doing errands and on his way home. He told me to go inside (I still had the key) and wait. I went in and decided to keep myself busy. I turned on the TV and some how messed it up (using the wrong remote to change channels) He tried to fix it before we left for dinner but he couldn’t.



We headed over to the 99 house restaurant up the street. We were seated quickly and looked over the menu and they very nice waiter took our orders. I had salad w/vinaigrette dressing and coffee and steak and shrimp with rice and broccoli and one biscuit. Dave had chicken fajita. We got caught up on each other. What his family is planning, the holidays, trips, and of course the biggest news ever the two soap operas that are being cancelled. By the time we left my headache was getting worse and my wrists and legs were bothering me (again). I was anxious to get home.



Mom was home getting her dinner ready she hadn’t been home long from shopping and going to church. I told her about dinner and how well I did. She could tell I had a headache. She did ask if it was time for my monthly and I admitted to it. She chalked that up to being the reason of the weight gain.



I had taken some Tylenol and the tramadol. The pain has since subsided but it’s been hard for me to get out of this chair and to use my wrist easily.



I spent most of the evening watching the mini marathon and clearing out the binder and updating files. My methods kept changing the entire time doing it.



Now that it’s getting later I am getting tired. I think I am going to catch up on some online town meetings and reports before hitting the sack.



Have a great one.

Good Conversations

I have been clearing out some of the emails that are in the mail box so that I could think I am doing some clearing out and getting things accomplished and some that I came across where the various prompts if you will that come from the Thankful Thursdays or the mid week reflections.




For the Thankful Thursday’s everyone needs to list at least ten things they are thankful for and some like Walks (the moderator of the Journal Writing list) says it gives purpose to remind those of what we have and reflect on the things that can get us through the tough times.



I also had a great conversation about the recipes with Mom. I was telling her I will get some more recipes off of the weight watchers site so there will be some variety. She was saying that she doesn’t put much stuff on our foods I had to point out the reason people make things differently so that you don’t get bored with having food the same way. There only so many times broiled chicken the same way you want. I told her if she would give me some recipes to me I would use the recipe converter to see the points and alternatives.



Mom called Cousin Donna this morning to find out more about Rita. I could hear the questions and ideas but that’s about it. I asked her later about and she says that it sounds like Rita is in a deep depression and she feels the girls do not understand that’s what it is. I don’t want to say they are just going to let it happen or its something like “it is what it is”. She sees the doctor on Tuesday.



The wind started picking up around 10 this morning. It seems to be getting stronger as time goes on. I think it s supposed to be this way for the rest of the day and tomorrow.



Uh oh I think my little paper shredder is dying. It make an awful noise and won’t shred anything now. Sigh time to get a new one.



Well its getting time for me to meet Dave so I will talk later.

Breakfast plans

Last night Dee B emailed me about our breakfast date and it was decided to have it on Monday instead. She still has Laryngitis and I remembered Liz would not be able to join us. So it looks like Monday will be breakfast. That’s okay with me I have things I want to do this morning and get them out of the way before I get an anxiety attack over them.




I don’t know what happened but sometime after I posted yesterday’s blog entries I got my second wind and started updating files for like April 2012 journal. I am a little wary about doing that just in case God forbid something happens to the computer again. It looks I have to replace the ink cartridges today if I am going to print out anything. Sigh. Hmm that’s weird. Ah maybe it’s the black in that’s going everything else is fine.



It is cloudy right now and it is supposed to start raining mid afternoon and into tonight. That okay as I can watch NCIS tonight. It is supposed to be very windy tomorrow, All I have to do tomorrow is bingo and more of this room and get rid of papers.



That’s what I think I am going to start on. Have a great morning.

Today is Not Tax Day

I am really glad today wasn’t the deadline for Taxes or I would be up a creek. I actually knew it would not be for weeks now. The deadline this year is Monday April 18th. I have no idea why but I am sure it was discussed and reasons given. If I don’t do it some time today then definitely by Saturday I have to have it done.




Mom came home shortly after midnight from the budget hearings. She said they didn’t get to speak until very late. They did well though.



I told her that Aunt Stella called several times this evening and when Mom asked I surmised (read: assumed) that it has to do with Aunt Rita. Rita’s Daughter Carol reposted an early message that Rita hasn’t been doing well. The only thing is Mom has heard from Donna (Rita’s older daughter) and she has said nothing.



I went to check my emails at yahoo/AT&T and it wouldn’t load. For some reason I can’t have them come to outlook (trust me I have tried) so I hope they (AT&T) can fix it.



I have to go to the bank some time today or tomorrow and get money for Don. I also have to get money for breakfast tomorrow as well.



Work went well I finished all of the mail but didn’t have time to deliver. I asked Janet to deliver it for me on Monday. We had a Shower for Momma Donna and she was surprised at all the gifts she got. It had been speculated she knew what was going on but she managed to still be surprised. I didn’t have any cake because I had gained almost three pounds this past week.



I did have a pasta salad for a late lunch and the second one for dinner. I was going to stop at Subway but just decided not to.



I fell asleep around 6:30 I guess and I didn’t wake up until I heard Mom come in from her dinner date with her friend Martha.



I walked and fed Dave’s baby girl Lulu today and it was too funny I had to wrestle with her to get her damn halter on. Once it was on we walked and she did her “job”. I made sure I kept praising her especially after getting the halter on her. IT also included kissing her head. I guess you could say I got my work out. Dave called me around 5:30 but I had the phone off. I called him back three hours later.



I heard from my cousin Carol today. She asked if I remembered the time we were rolling down the hill across from her house (it’s where the Library now stands) and I broke my collar bone that year for the third time in my life. We chatted for a bit. Her Mom isn’t doing well; Frank is heading to Afghanistan and her son Mike is there already. Mom tells me that according to Donna (Carol’s older sister) things are definitely not well for Carol and her family. The bank is foreclosing on their house. Carol’s health is getting worse. Rita fell some time ago and hasn’t really recovered from that. I feel terrible about all that has happened to them.



I got an email from a friend who was a pen pal. I was just thinking about her when I was clearing out the binder the other day.

Jeanette was telling me about her life. She still has her pets and she apparently got some new ones.



She was telling me how bad the winter weather was for her and her neighbors. Apparently she had it just as bad if not worse then we did. I must remember to include her in my monthly newsletter delivery next month.



In the mean time I better respond to her email and then hit the sack. Its getting to be 10 and although I am not as tired as I was earlier I am going to need to get there. I have a busy Saturday.

DEcided ot Stay up after all

Well I decided I would stay up until I either got so tired and fell asleep sitting up or until Mom came home.




I decided to empty out my journal lists and save the various stuff to their folders. In other words I updated some more files. I also did some rearranging of said files.



For example I got some prompts from the last few months and saved them to their appropriate files. The other emails were members’ responses. There is one that has a whole year’s worth of prompts that are broken down by month and I may have to edit to fit each month maybe.



I had to delete three messages from Abby C in New Mexico because all of the messages had links only and I am pretty wary about opening them. If there was a message with them then I would keep them. I also moved an email from the pen pal folder to one of my journal folders for 2006. Two of the three emails were from March and one was as recent as Tuesday.



I also received three emails from the journal website www.100words.com I had some questions and the webmaster was giving me some points.



In January our newest member to the Journal writing lists was sharing the supplies she uses and where she gets them.



Okay its almost mid night and Mom isn’t home but I do have to close out…

I am going to bed

Okay it’s nearly 9 and I am really getting tired. As I had hoped I took a major break from the paper/file tossing gig from earlier today. It was fun. I have NCIS on the TV in the background 6th Season Bounce episode. I had season 8 “Dead Reflection” on the computer. It was great.




Don installed the memory chips and it is extremely fast. Much better and I don’t have to worry no more.  \o/ the video kept going it wasn’t buffering the whole time. Says I won’t have to worry about it for a long time.



I had very little trouble with Lulu. She didn’t want to get into the halter but after almost wrestling her into it. I got it on her and we went for a walk to her favorite poop place. I felt like the scene in the early Mark Harmon show where he is walking his dog and the dog smells everything pees everywhere. Anyway, I think she was mad at me for scolding her she wouldn’t come near me before I left for the night. She finally did. I do know that after I scolded her (for not getting into the halter) and once I finally got her into it I kept reassuring her and kissing her. Okay it may have been overkill but she is so damn cute (a pug).



I have to feed and walk her before I go to work tomorrow so that’s the other reason I am going to bed soon too.



I called Cami this afternoon and she told me things were still sucking. She then sent me a text message telling me LG came in drunk. Gayle was ready to send her home but LG said she wanted to stay. Apparently she got very little to nothing done. LG claims she hasn’t been feeling well for a few days. All I know is Gayle didn’t need this now.



I have to be sure I don’t get on the net unless its absolutely necessary. I have a lot of work to finish I am sure. Including the two boxes of the readdress mail still left from before.



I have a Drs Appointment after work tomorrow. I am not sure how long that will be. I hope not long. I am pretty sure I will have that wonderful PAP done too.



I was going to wait up for Mom but I just can’t. My head getting heavy and so are my eyes.



Have a great one.

Found Out a pen pal passed away

Well I spent part of the morning updating files and clearing out the pen pal folders and during that time I found out that my pen pal Sherry G from Tennessee died last July. I don’t think I had heard anyone mention it on the two lists that I moderate. I feel guilty for not acknowledging earlier but I haven’t been active in the pen pal world in nearly two years now. I don’t know how I went about finding out but sometimes I am wondering if I should do that elaborate of a search or not.




Mom came home from her Doctor’s appointment around 11. She is doing her own thing until her next meeting which is later on in the day. We discussed dinner plans as she has been invited for dinner before going to the Alderman’s meeting with Barry K. We discussed activities for the next couple of days.



Mom did go to the store to get a birthday gift for her friend Martha. They are meeting tomorrow night for dinner but Martha’s birthday is later on this month. When Mom came home she started getting ready for her meetings and wasn’t sure what time she would be home.



Around 4:30 I left for Dave’s house to walk and feed Lulu. After that I came home and worked some more on the files. I have been going back and forth on methodology for saving and moving and deleting the files. It seems to change every few minutes. I took a break from it long enough to have my own dinner and to watch a few episodes of NCIS.

Taking Today off

This is probably not going to make sense to anyone but Gayle asked me to take today off instead of tomorrow. It’s the whole part of taking my time or I would lose it. I was going to take both days off for the long weekend but Gayle has a Doctors’ appointment on Friday and it’s a serious one.




Gayle had some blood tests yesterday and they found something that seemed out of place and they just want to be sure its nothing very serious.



I was able to smooth things over with Janet and Bryan yesterday. They both were forgiving and that’s great because I really felt awful (hence the no sleep the night before). I still think Bryan is a tool but if truth be told I can be a tool too.



I think I got a lot done. I was able to get some of the mail from the lobby done. There is still more there but I told Janet to not worry about it and that I would do it Friday morning.



Because I got so tired during the day I went slightly off diet. I had the fruit in the morning along with the yogurt, and the WW meal at lunch but then I went and had the Cheeze-its in the afternoon. Lots of them! I haven’t even figured out the tally yet.



After work I stopped at home and picked up a few things so I would not be late for the meeting. I headed back over to Dave’s house and we went over all the things needed for Lulu. (I am keeping an eye on Lulu while Dave is working for the next couple of days.) He was sweet and had a half a brownie waiting for me. Oh goodie.



Once that was done I headed home for a short itme. Mom had not been home long but I explained to her why I was home (as usual it was difficult to explain.)

I had a moment to relax and then I headed out to pick up Roberta for the meeting. We were there before most of the others (except Marina-she was very well behaved too). There was some blanket making session and chatting before the meeting and then we got started.



The meeting went very well and I was getting tired as the night progressed. I also was aching in the knees and the legs. Yes I had some food I shouldn’t have had. Again haven’t tallied it yet. We had installed one new member and then after that we took off. Not before catching up with Telka.



It would seem Telka has a new job. She was telling us a little bit about it last night. It is in Hartford area and it may be temporary there is another position opening up with in the same area and she has applied for it. I think it starts next week.



It was close to 8:30 when I got home so I put the garbage out and the recycle stuff (I can’t wait for the new bins). Mom was out back falling asleep.



I was going to watch NCIS but I was so tired that I just went to bed



This morning the rest of the garbage was out bright and early. It was all picked up this past hour.



I have cleared out some files (updated the birthday list I have here). Now I am going to clean out some more files and try to get some stuff done.

I am still Up

I am still up and it is after 1 am. I can hear the rain and wind outside my window. Last night I heard a few rumbles of the thunder but I don’t think there was lightening. Oh I take that back its thundering and lightening now. I keep remembering in the early years when I first got a computer I remember when there had been a storm and it knocked out my computer. It made the screen look like it blew up or something.




I have to admit the storm isn’t the only thing keeping me awake. The whole thing at work is still bothering me and I know I probably didn’t handle it all that well. Even though I was looking to Jennie and the others for confirmation or reaffirmation I knew in my heart that I didn’t react well. I am feeling guilty for being that way but with everything going on at work *taking on more billing accounts*, the volume of mail increasing, making sure I don’t do anything else other than the mail (that means no scanning, no helping pull EOB’s), I don’t have to worry all that much about the misplaced batches or the misfiled batches but everyone else does.



I am also fretting over some other stuff such as the taxes. I haven’t done that yet. U was hoping I could do it tonight but I just wasn’t concentrating hard enough. I did manage to pay the DMV for the Emissions late fee that will be going out in the morning. I have a couple of other things to pay as well.



I have also not picked up any of the recent prescriptions that were placed for me from Martin, or Dr. Adams (the prescription strength toothpaste that helps with the dry mouth problem).



Of course the other big Elephant in the room is of course the room. I haven’t done much in the last couple of days and just like I mentioned yesterday.



Also some things in the fandom I am in are really starting to bother me again. You can read about it in the latest entry. You would think I would let this stuff roll off my back but I don’t and I just keep getting caught up in it.



Oh we heard from John yesterday. He was answering an email from Mom. He has been really busy working but sounds like he is well. His assignment in Korea will be ending by the end of the summer and he will be going to Washington State by the end of the summer. It will be nice to have him back in the states. I can’t believe it has been over a year since he has been in Korea.



Okay it sounds like the storm has passed and it is getting late…I will check in with you all after my meeting tomorrow.

My Room isn't any better

Last night before I went to bed I took a long look around my room and realized it wasn’t any better than it was two weeks ago.




I still have one of the remaining tubs in the doorway to the closet. I have the vacuum cleaner next to it from Saturday. I have a huge bag of shredded paper and garbage next to my desk. My desk is a small mountain and has already had things fallen from it. My bed hasn’t been made properly since maybe last week. My dresser is cluttered up again.



I also just realized that Tax Day is a mere few days away and I haven’t done a bloody thing with it. I am mulling over the idea that I will not be watching NCIS tonight until I do it.



This morning we had clouds and by the middle of the day we had gotten rain. It rained hard for most of the day. The sun came out near the end and started up on the drive home.



We had our staff meeting today and some of the things we covered were behavior in the work place. Apparently some people (not on our team) were talking street/home girl talk and some people overheard and were offended.



Other than there are incredibly interesting things coming down the pipe. We were told that we will not be able to make time up if we are late.



I had an okay day until I discovered that a Medical record file was left on the desk of co worker from compliance while I was out and it was just returned to me. Well when I went to tell Janet she copped an attitude. Apparently she has been overwhelmed by all that she is doing and I understand it but I am trying to tell you something and she says to me “you didn’t tell me that part and the other person didn’t tell me she was going on vacation.” IF she hadn’t come back for something I wouldn’t have had a chance to apologize to her. However, I did speak to a person who brought the chart back to get confirmation from her how it went down to her. Anyway, it would seem Janet had a bad day. Some other things she had been doing weren’t completed right. Batches were not being logged out right and wwere misfiled or something.



Now for the other part of the story I called Brian from Go-for to ask him to do me a favor tomorrow to take back the chart. At some point he got really defensive and was thinking he was getting blamed (he is such a tool) as it he was getting blamed for bring campus mail that wasn’t ours. I don’t think I was very harsh with him but I certainly wanted to Gibbs slap through the phone.



I was so freaking aggravated that I wanted to scream. I told a couple of people about it but didn’t want to say too much because one of the Supervisors was close by.



So I am going to make sure that Brian is waiting for me to give it to him. Then I am going to have a little talk with him. Quite frankly he is a dork.



I was distracted apparently when I was driving home that some person cut in front of me at an intersection. Could my day get any better?



I watched NCIS but I think I am going to have to watch it tonight after midnight because I was really distracted.



Mom says she looked up the Wheat berry Minestrone soup recipe on line and feels I would not like it. How about giving it a try and finding out that way? She explained where to get the Wheat berry and how it is used. She suggested something like one of her recipes. That’s not a bad idea the weight watchers converts recipes for that.



Anyway, I am getting tired now so I am going to say good night. I managed to pay some bills but I want to see the reaction to the episode tonight.



I am sitting here dreading going to work tomorrow. I really am.

Slight adjustment of Vacation

Last Friday after I attended the WW program I stopped by the office to say hi to everyone. Gayle asked me if I would come back to the work early. We figured out how I could not lose my vacation time by taking long weekends. So I agreed and this morning I went back to work. Between Now and June 30th 2011 I will be taking Monday’s and Friday’s off. I was out of the house and on my way to the office by 7:20.




The day started out cold and dreary. The sun didn’t come out until an hour before going home. People were very surprised to see me but I explained it got changed but I won’t be losing the time.



Janet did a good job but it would seem she made some mistakes on the other tasks she was doing. Some of the things she sent out came back and had to be readdressed. Others didn’t belong to us. I was able to finish the second run of mail but not the lockbox nor did I do the lobby mail. Janet says the mail for Friday was not done because it wasn’t ready.



I called Joanie today. She was on her way home from the Doctor’s I was supposed to call her when I got home but I didn’t have the phone number. I probably could go on whitepages.com she doesn’t know how long she will be out.



We have a bi-monthly staff meeting tomorrow. It will be probably about how things are going and performance levels. Something that was introduced last meeting. Next week is the round table discussions that everyone has to participate in. According to Gayle its mandatory.



Mom had lunch with the Bible study today. They met at Friendly’s in West Haven. When I got home this afternoon she informed me she whacked her back out again. She apparently bent over to clean out the oven and it threw her back out. She has been sitting downstairs since I have been home. She did come up to change and it isn’t as bad as last weeks but it is painful for her.



She has an early meeting at 9 am tomorrow. After that I am not sure what her schedule is like. I am hoping it will be one without any more meetings and she can relax. Its funny but she rarely sits down to read unless she is in bed.



I actually am considering going to bed early. I am starting to get very tired and I was dozing earlier this evening.

Enjoyed myself last night

I finally got a hold of Roberta late in the afternoon when she called me back. She apparently was calling the wrong number but she said the game was still on (it was called Mexican Train Game) and they would be meeting for dinner at the Old Equinox Restaurant in Orange/West Haven. We were meeting also meeting up with their friends George & Helen, Debbie, and two other women. One I had met the day we went up to the 7 Angels Theater. The other was Carol. It was a lot of fun and lots of junk food. It cost me a lot in points so I am going to take it easy today.




I didn’t go to bed until at least 2 and woke up around 8. I did some internet surfing and read some emails. Then I got ready for bingo. Mom got up around then too and she seemed to moving better. I am really glad too. Anyway she spent the time waking up and reading the paper and I left for bingo.



I stopped and Dunkin for some coffee and noticed a sign saying they were closing for renovations. I don’t know for how long but it will be starting this afternoon. I didn’t get anything else and headed to bingo.



The room was full when I got there (well not to capacity but at least I would say 10 people. There were signs there about a GI problem happening (Gastro Intestinal) and that didn’t please me. Considering I was not feeling so well before going to bed last night. Think running to the bathroom.



Did I mention or tell you about the family of one of the newest residents/patients who was a full out bitch? I was being friendly and she was offended by it? She thought my asking where she was from was asking to personal a question. She proved to be obnoxious with her mom in the following weeks. Well today I met her siblings. OMG talk about obnoxious x3!!!! They are apparently not happy with the care their mother is getting. The kids were there and they saw my reaction and boy they pulled me to safety.



During bingo I went to visit Mrs. M who wasn’t feeling herself today we talked for a short time and she said she would try and attend bingo next week. The kids really did well and I was teasing both Ryan and Jillian that they liked each other.



After Bingo I went to church and saw Marisa and her family. They looked great and Marisa is blooming into really lovely young lady (she was before too). She has so many things going in her life that she doesn’t have time for the club or volunteering at bingo anymore.



After church I came home, Mom was on the phone with Aunt Rosalie and they were catching up. It would seem I am not the only in the family going on the WW program at work. Rosalie’s Daughter Serena, who is much older than, I started it this week. WTG cousin Serena!



Mom was telling that we heard from Donna in NC and Robbie Allen in North Haven. Donna was just updating us that Michael (My second cousin) arrived in Afghanistan safely. Something I knew from his Facebook post. It also seems that Robbie’s wife Judy had a stroke back in early late winter and has also fallen. She is taken it slow and preparing for the annual Show they put on from the Dance school this year its in Southington.



Mom gave me somewhat of a scare. She was doing odds and ends and noticed her blood pressure was high. She took it twice this afternoon and felt nauseous. She was trying to cook and also put up the new wardrobe but was having trouble.



Don had to come over when the ghost image checking ran into some problems. I guess we will try again another day. It was discovered that I need more memory for this pc. So Don ordered me three more memory sticks (or whatever you call it) and they should be here sometime soon.



I did manage to get some laundry done. However, the paper weeding job is not done and neither is emptying out the file cabinets that I planned. I am now just too tired to do it. I did make the phone calls this afternoon.



I think I am going to try and do some more purging of emails and documents and things I don’t need for a while and then I will call it a night.



Have a great night.

Mom is feeling better

Mom’s back is feeling better but I am still going to do the cleaning upstairs. She wants to change the sheets on the bed soon and when she is ready she will let me know.




Now that my plans for the next week have changed I need to really move on the clearing out of stuff but I am not exactly what to with them. I have managed to move the second bin upstairs and will have to move it further as Mom suggested. I realize I won’t be getting it all done but it is a start.



Roberta did invite me to her home for Mexican Card game tonight and I am thinking of going. I will let her know by lunch time.

Family Update

Greetings everyone I hope this finds your Friday happy and special. I am just finishing up the first week of my two week vacation today buy some long over due spring cleaning. I have other things planned besides the spring cleaning but this was something I have wanted to do.




Since my last update I have been keeping busy with work and that was going well. I was able to take some time off and visited family but when I got back I had still a lot of work. I had a wonderful person filling in for me and she will be doing the same for me these next two weeks. I attended a Rally last week for Labor in New Haven along with many of my fellow union members. To remind the leaders of our state, cities and town to do what’s best to repair the economic problems that are affecting the people.



I am happy to report that I am doing pretty well health wise. I am completely over the Double Pneumonia I had at the beginning of March. Still have to check on the possible COPD. I had a follow up last week and he still waiting on for that x-ray. I have a few doctors’ appointments coming up and don’t expect any bad news.



I joined the Weight Watchers @Work program and will be attending the third meeting this week. We officially started last week. It’s been years since I have joined and doing this is going to be fun. It will be helpful with the lupus.



The Woman’s Club is going well. We just had our annual Dinner at the local homeless shelter and we had fun. WE had our Carnival at the nursing home last week. It went very well. We had music and arts and crafts and games. This was our third one and we always have fun. We have elections coming up for officers and then we are making plans for our summer activities. A few membership parties along with membership drive and they all are usually a lot of fun.



On the political front in our town we are in the early stages of finding candidates to run for our municipal elections in the fall. It means getting the voters involved by having meet and greets and fundraising activities. I have a feeling we are going to work very hard to win in Nov.



Our City Budget hearings will be starting very soon and as you can imagine it is going to be (at least I think it will) explosive.



Our new Superintendent of schools began her job this week. She was hired in the last few weeks after the last one was fired for misconduct. The interim Superintendent did an excellent job but he just didn’t want to have the position.



Mom is doing well. She performed a wedding at our home last month. There were twenty guests in attendance. The weather turned out lovely for it and it was great. She continues to keep busy with all the boards and committees and she continues to retain “The energizer bunny” tag I have placed on her. We have all noticed her hearing has gotten progressively worse and it is frustrating for her.



Bob and Ethel are doing okay. Bob was really sick last weekend so he couldn’t help Mom out with picking up and transporting some rugs for a friend of ours back to our place. Ethel is working and keeping busy.



Diane (My niece) returned to NY to prepare for another national tour this time she will be returning to the King and I cast. I was quite surprised when I heard this because Diane had made it clear she was finished with touring. I don’t know if she will be returning to the role of Tupta or not.



John continues his work in Korea. I have to admit I haven’t heard much from his postings on Facebook.



We found out that Rob broke up with his girlfriend last month. We are saddened by the news because it seemed she was encouraging him to interact with the family.



In mid March I took a trip to visit Jim and the kids. It was very laid back visit. We really didn’t do much except relax. Jim had meetings and appointments to go to and near the end of the week he works at the Amazon Warehouse in Allentown. We had dinner with the kids a few times and Jamie spent a few nights with us



The kids were at school for the week. The girls had tennis and Jamie had Boy Scouts. He had a two week spring break and started Lacrosse this week. Emily has had her Facebook privileges taken away recently and I am not sure when she will be if at all getting them back.



Liz and Nelson had a big family party last week to celebrating the newest additions to the family and it was a huge success. Of course there was lots of food and fun. I got to see some people I hadn’t seen in a while.



Nelson is currently a member of Milford’s Citizen’s Police Academy and has enjoyed it very much. It communities relations program to teach people what is entailed to being a police officer.



Miss Audrey registered for 2011-2012 Kindergarten this past week. She will be starting in September. Liz is going to have a tough time with this because they spend a l of time together.



My nephew Adam moved back to Milford this past week. He will be commuting to NY for now until he finds a job closer to Milford. He and Olga are continuing the plans for their October wedding.



My Nephew Chris (Audrey and Jason’s Dad) is currently working as a cook at Quinnipiac University in Hamden/North Haven. He hasn’t been there very long but seems to be enjoying it as he does like to cook.





All in all everyone is doing pretty good and we are looking forward to the Easter Holiday.



I will sign out for now and will chat with you all later! Peace.