Summer Camps

I was wondering lately about summer camps. Now that summer is in full swing do you send your kids to summer camp? Where do you find them? I recently checked out this site and it looked like a really good resource of day camps and residential camps all over the country and specialized programs. There even some right at Yale University. I can probably expect to see young people around the campus as well this year. I did notice that some camps start in mid June. There are a lot of school systems that finish late don’t they?




I have been to two residential camps (maybe three with my family). One was in Sharon CT (a Girl Scout camp from hell) and a Boy Scout camp in Winsted. My explorer post went to that one for a week every summer to learn things about the police department. The third one was for camping and they had activities. It was called World Fellowship in New Hampshire. Two of my cousins worked there during a few summers.



Anyway, when I would visit the sites for the camps I would check out their schedules their activities their location. If I was a kid again I would love to go to any of these camps. You would have to plan months in advance for these things.



So tell me what was your experience? Do many go into deep searches and what have your experiences been? Would you do it again? Did your children think of it?



I would be very interested in hearing what your experiences were like.

Didn't feel like writing yesterday

I am sorry about not writing yesterday but I just didn’t feel like it. Thursday night before DTC Mom and I got in to a stupid argument. Her had cramped up while she was parking the car and I offered to drive home afterwards she took offense. I got mad at her for being rude to me and told her not to talk to me like that. I also told she was never to talk to me like that again. She told me I was disrespectful and I threw it back in her face. So we have been walking around on egg shells. She had also noticed I was on Facebook at 3 pm on supposedly on a work day. The first thing I said is I was on break. She didn’t like it. Then when she said it was the last couple of days I knew she was wrong because at the time I was busy working. I checked my time line and there was not one thing that said 3 pm. I told her to show it to me. She got mad.




Now when we talk its stilted and she continues to be short with me. I am tired of this. She wonders why the rest of her children either don’t call her or don’t com over its the very reason. She is either too controlling, too critical, or lectures and it really is annoying. Of course in a few days she will be over it but this gets old really fast. Before you ask no I don’t think I am faultless in this it takes two to have an argument.



Work is pretty good. My office is great looking even SR was impressed. She suggested we take pictures. Everyone was joking that I need to make sure I keep it up. I plan on it. PW was a Godsend and I hope she comes back. Not just to be my keeper in a way but to also help with the mail and of course the scanning if necessary. We made sure that SR knew we needed PW back. PW promised to visit if she isn’t reassigned to our office.



There was going to be OT today and a pizza party. I think that was a great idea. Too bad I don’t have work to be done! G wants me to help her clean out her cabinets she is beginning the journey to leave. I am a little nervous because well she basically wants me get rid of stuff that isn’t important. She says I can do it when I have absolutely nothing to do. I am hoping they will train me to log in the batches on the computer.



I had the house to myself for a few hours last night. I had left over Chinese food from Lunch yesterday. Mom had dinner with her friend Martha. They went to Chips Restaurant for dinner. It isn’t their usual place but they had a good time. I did laundry until 10. That’s because by then I fell asleep. I had to finish the clothes early this morning.



Mom says that Big Brother is having his annual picnic on Tuesday. She suggested I invite Dave. Well if I did that I would have to invite his friend from New Britain and I also invited RoseT another friend of ours. I kind of went over board by inviting the rest of her family. Mom took exception to that. Why?



I sent out the invitations and I did hear from RoseT. She will be coming home from Key West but she might try and come. I haven’t heard from Dave yet it will be some time.



I may be upgrading my word processing program from 2003 to 2007. When the VC of the DTC sends out Word documents it is a newer version. I asked Neighbor Don if it would be worth it and he says as long as Microsoft is asking then it should be fine. I just have to down load it. It probably is for a fee. I don’t know how long it will take either.



For some reason I have a ton of bug bites all over me and I don’t know where they are from. It is driving me crazy. I have been putting Hydrocortisone on from Kirkland (AKA Costco). I am not sure it is working.



A favorite HS Baseball coach here in town died earlier this week. He was 60 years old and taught at Foran High. I didn’t know him personally but Mom knew his parents. He apparently has been a part of the local sports world for a number of years.



Well I have to run to the bank in preparation for dinner tonight we are going to a Chinese Buffet place in West Haven. I have been there a couple of times already and we enjoyed it. Speaking of restaurants I found out this morning that Black Bear Saloon is closing after tonight. I have been to the one in New Haven but not this one. I am sure another one will pop in its place. One usually does at the mall.

Thankful Thursday for June 28, 2012

Thankful Thursday list for June 28, 2012 is as follows:




1. I have a home that I love

2. For my Family-Warts and all.

3. I have a job I love

4. That FY end and Month end is nearly finished

5. That my health is continuing to be a challenge this week.

6. That I had rather quiet week activity wise.

7. That my meetings went by with little or no grief.

8. That I have wonderful friends

9. That my neighbors returned safely from their long weekend away.

10. That I was able to work on some reports.

11. That my union was able to negotiate and win a wonderful new 4 year contract with little to no problems.



We are lucky that we live close to the water as we are able to get cool breezes at different times during the day. We also get the heat as well. It is for the most part vey well maintained despite the times I have groused about the people who have worked on it for us. We have had a wonderful lady come to clean our house once a month. She does an awesome job.



I have had a co-worker help me keep on top of the mail this week and she helped organize and clean up things in my office. When I finished the mail yesterday I even cleared out some files and desk drawers and got rid of things I no longer needed. Last night our union voted on a new 4 year contract and it is one of the better ones in the last several years.



My extra curricular activities were a few doctors’ appointments and a few meetings but overall I was home most nights at a decent time. Tonight we have the Democratic Town Committee meeting. It will be a meeting that discusses how the different committees and boards that are part of the city government (and you thought it was just the Mayor or First Selectman and its board that ran a government) worked and made decisions that best work for the city.



I saw the hematologist yesterday and he is concerned that my Anemia remains a problem. He has asked that I take more iron that I am now. I will be having more blood work after the holiday (a total CBC). Last week I saw the doctor who might or might not do the UFE. He says I may not be a good candidate for this procedure. I was hoping he would send me more information that I could better understand and explain it to people when they asked.

Everyone is talking about it

Patti and I got the lockbox mail done early (and it was light) so she washed down some of the equipment in here and I updated staff meeting notes I had.  There are a number I don’t have but I am sure I will find them. 

Patti was showing Mama Joanie the office and we were about to show her the desk drawers and Diva jumped in.  Mama Joanie told her off.  Pattie was trying to calm Joanie down and I explained later what the situation was. It turned out she knew all about it.  They apparently had issues a couple of days ago that I wasn’t aware of.

Everyone is talking about how great the contract is.  Some like me are a little confused about certain things but when I have a chance I am going to go and ask people who understand better what it will mean.  Gayle was happy we got what we did but supervisors don’t get much and are not unionized.

The mail is coming so I better go…I will be finally writing in my Canada trip-soon.

Okay it is now quarter of 1.  We are breaking for lunch.  The mail is almost done we have just a little bit more to go and then I will work on the postage tallies and the like.  I invited SR to come take a look when she has a moment. 

We had a farewell cake for Patti and thanked her for all of her help both in Scanning and with me in the last few days.  We hope she will be coming back after tomorrow.  She is going on vacation for two weeks and then hopefully will return to us.

Gayle says she will have someone teach me to log in the batches and log out the batches the days I have nothing to do.  I would really like that because sitting around the office doing nothing really defeats the purpose of working.

Okay got to go…see you later…

No Sign of Chuckles

It has been a week since I caught the third woodchuck and I haven’t seen hide or hair of anymore. I have seen rabbits and they are cute but no woodchucks. I think its time for us to take the trap out of the yard and rest comfortably. Neighbor Don is going to go through the garage and smooth the dirt floor out and then check to see if there are anymore that way.




I had to pay a bill bright and early this morning. I had received the email alerts that told me the statement was available and when I saw the balance I nearly had a heart attack. Part of it was for the oral surgery the rest was ridiculous. It Mostly has the parking and for lunch and breakfast. I can’t do that anymore. It is kind a biting into my savings. I received another alert for another bill and that one is lovely. At least for now it all depends on what I do with this card. It is also tax time and that has to go out tomorrow.



Work went very well. While I did the mail and P helped as well as cleared out my office. I cleaned out my desk and washed it down after we got the mail done. Gayle was pleased and so were we. WE had hoped that SR and Sally T would come and see it but would they be impressed.



Good news on the labor front. Tonight we ratified a new 4 year deal with Yale University. I couldn’t begin to explain it all the intrinsic detail but let’s just say it’s awesome. WE have good health benefits and good pay and we have great retirement benefits for the future. Okay the only one I could find is http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/yale_workers_ok_new_contract_--_6_months_early/id_48463. I am not sure if they are pro union or not I also don’t know if they go into detail yet because I haven’t had a chance to read it. We have the flyers that were given to us tonight and like I said I have to absorb it in.



I had my b-12 shot today. I also had my blood work done and Anemia is still a concern of the doctor. He wants me to take the iron twice a day and wants my INR level to be up at 2.5 (I am trying really I am trying). I may be getting the other test he wants me to do next week right there. To see if I have the same syndrome that Sis has. If that’s the case I will be on Warfarin for a rather long time.



Well I have to get up early to catch the bus so I will see you in the morning.

Even in the Sun

Despite the sun being out for most of the day it was still chilly. Many including myself thought it was windy and it was. I left here this morning wearing the windbreaker/raincoat. I didn’t wear it at lunch time but did when I came home. It didn’t help that I was cold for most of the night with the fan going.


For some reason I can’t turn off the fan that we have here. I just don’t know what I am doing wrong. It has a remote control and the various speeds and modes and what ever but no on off (and I tried the power) button. I unplugged it and had to plug it back in when I got home (I really don’t need actually).

Work went well. P continued to work on the readdress mail and I did the daily stuff. She did help with opening the mail as well. There were a couple of times where she insisted that things be done certain way. She also told me that her last day is Friday. We are hoping she will be able to return to our department but we will see.

G found out today that AL was moved from our team to the NEMG. AL is open for new experiences but these jobs are fixed duration and when it is done (if NEMB is not willing to continue with us) they go into the pool. She told the rest of us at the staff meeting this afternoon.

Some of us are still limiting the conversations with Diva. At one point she wasn’t getting the hang of the copier (I made a comment about being away from stuff for months). Another time she stood in front of me and I had gotten a pain while taking in a breath and I said Ow…she made a comment and I turned around and told her I was in the hospital for 4 days with a blood clot. That shut her up fast.

We got some news on the contract front. We may be ratifying the contract tomorrow night and they may be signing it by then as well. We will be finding out the details (I hope in terms that can be understood).

I also found out or should say that the currenet president of the University will be stepping down from his job this year. There are many things going on that I wasn’t aware of or didn’t remember. I had heard a while back that president Levin was going to work for President Obama but I can’t seem to find the info. I did find some thing on Singapore and the Sexual Harassment case that came up earlier this year. I may have to take some time and read these as I have only heard in passing about these subjects.

I am glad I am going back to public transportation again. The ride in was very nice. I am not sure about the rest of the country but every three months CT Transit changes drivers for their routes. I had an opportunity to chat with the traffic/route specialist who was observing and making notes (not just for route changes but for data for grants from the Transportation department or committees both state and federal).

I was quite surprised at the number of people on the bus. I figured because of summer there would be as many. Obviously I was wrong. The bus I took home was full. I expected that. By the time it was my stop I was the last person. At lunch time I got the monthly bus pass for $47 dollars. This will be good until July 26. This is unlimited bus pass while the others are for anywhere from 3 days to 10 days and you have to pay extra sometimes.

Finally you know when you can tell something is bothering those you spend the most time with? Well I could tell in the last couple of days there was something bothering Mom. When I called Mom today I noticed in her voice (she was also a bit sharp with me). I asked her if there was something bothering her or if she was worried about something. She said all the time. I figured I had said or done something wrong in the last couple of days.

She told me she was worried about her great grandson J and she has been and continues to be worried about Brother #2. I told her if she ever wanted to talk I would listen. I may not have the answers but listening was always a good thing. I kept telling her I loved her (even though there are times she frustrates me to no end). She was appreciative of it. I couldn’t help but notice her voice sounding like she was going to cry.

She had some stuff to do today can’t remember all of it but I do know she attended a political event for Chris Murphy. It is nearly 10 and they are not home yet. I am not sure if I should wait up for her or just go to bed.

Tomorrow is work, and the Union meeting (keep your fingers crossed that we get to ratify the contract in the next few days) and I get the B-12 shot.



Good night.

Messy Monday

Today started out with a really messy weather. By mid morning we had gotten a thunder and lightening storm but no major damage like Mardi got up in her area. The sun came out again for a short time and then by the time I left Debra’s the sky started opening up again. I thought I heard some thunder a short time ago but nothing continuous.




Today was Diva’s return. She kept mostly to herself at least that’s what I thought. I found out later she was talking often to “P” (the woman who has been doing her job these last several months). . This concerns me because if “P” over hears me.



“P” was assigned to help me with the mail. I had her do the readdress mail (the tedious stuff she called it). When I first was giving her instructions on what to do-she kept saying oh I know what to do I was a “senior Admin”. That’s great so what did she ask me if she could batch all the interoffice stuff together?



The way I wanted her to do it was. Condense all the mail going to say one particular address for pediatrics (LMP 1093) she didn’t do it that way. “Oh this is what we did in Central”. That’s great but it isn’t necessary to do it here. I don’t know how many ways to say it to people. They still do what they want.



When she realized she didn’t have to do it a certain way I finally said to her well I figured you were comfortable with what you were doing I wasn’t going to stop her.



Anyway a part of me was feeling a little vulnerable What if they feel I am not doing enough. I did most of the mail and sorted and delivered it. Tomorrow I am going to show P the steps. What if she does it better than me?



It was a long day that’s probably the reason I felt the way I did. Tomorrow she will be helping me with the actual mail. I expect a lot for Tuesday.



After work I had my session with Debra. I told her how the weekend went and about the rest of the week. Our next session is a week from Friday.



When I was done I headed out to the Anastasio’s Restaurant. Traffic was horrendous. But I did get there a little after 5:30 the restaurant is literally behind the beach club in E. Haven. I got there before Mom. There were about forty people already there. Town leaders from Hamden, East Haven, West Haven and after a short time later Congresswoman DeLauro arrived.



The owner welcomed everyone and then introduced Congresswoman DeLauro and she talked for about 20 minutes about things that are going on and what can happen if things go the opposite direction. She thanked everyone who was there including Mom.



The food was very good. It was mostly finger food but I didn’t want to over do it and I wanted to go home. So we left shortly before 7:30.



I would discover that once again I left my lights on. This time the windshield wipers would go slowly. The engine wouldn’t turn over. So Mom waited with me while I asked the owner if he jumper cables. He was kind enough to get the car going for me. When I got home I left the car running for a while to keep the battery juiced.



I spent the evening watching TV and on the computer. I even bought myself some LJ-Tokens and a virtual gift for the lovely Mardi as her birthday is tomorrow.



All in all the busy day but messy at times.

Unbelievable!

I wanted to see what the other major newspaper along the shoreline had to report on the impending strike at the nursing home and all they had was two lines reporting that Milford Mirror reported that the West River Nursing home will be going on strike. There were two comments on it. You can find it here. The Milford Mirror article is pretty much verbatim from CT-Post with a mention of the West River Nursing home lockout earlier this year.


I have had only one response to the email that I sent out and that was from MVB. He had read it in the newspaper. I explained we don’t get the CT-Post we only get the NHR. No one else has responded to it. I did call Dr T and Mama Roberta but neither of them is home.
Dr. T sent me an email that was sent to her from one of our friends BG. She was a charter member of our club and after several years she had to stop because of schedule. Anyway there are workshops this week Called POCD or something. They want to make changes or move certain things in town (the sports fields and move the library). I don’t totally understand it and I don’t know if I can make any of them.


The library would be a concern as Dr. T is a member of the library board. I forwarded the email to Chairmen Phil and Rich and most of the 4th District Alderman and P&Z board members for their input. I asked mom what she thought about but she didn’t know anything about it. I am hoping to hear from them soon. I probably won’t get anything now from Chairman Phil until tomorrow morning.

Mom and I had a nice dinner tonight. It was grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato and basil. It was delicious and hit the spot. Of course this isn’t good for us. For me it’s the salt content and how it affects the body. For Mom it’s the richness (and what ever that might entail).
After dinner I did some channel surfing and noticed several good movies on. “Happy Feet’, National Treasure among them most of the movies on during the day I have seen quite a lot. I just didn’t want to be in front of the TV all day today.

I have John Deleberto’s Echo’s program on. It’s been a staple of my Sunday night listening pleasure for a number of years. I probably will fall asleep to it tonight as I usually do.

The weather indeed is changing. I noticed the clouds were getting darker bout two hours ago. Sunset is in about three minutes. We are supposed to get rain later on this evening but I am betting it will be sooner. Mardi was telling us how bad it was on Friday. Trees were down every where-I don’t know if they lost power but if they did it wasn’t for long. I did ask how the clean up effort was going today and yesterday. I really didn’t see any news about it.

Well I am going clear out some emails and then hit the sack. I have another long day tomorrow especially it is the Return of Diva.

Got Some News Today

Shortly after I arrived at the nursing home this morning Angela the Recreation Therapist told me that all the local 1199 members will be going on strike on July 3, 2011. It isn’t just this facility but all the facilities in Connecticut. The impression I am getting from talking with a few people they don’t really want to go on strike. Unfortunately HealthBridge Management the parent company hasn’t ever been fair to their employees. I just found some articles about it. I spoke to Chef Phil about it as well.


When I got home I sent an email to members of the 4th district, the main DTC, and of course the woman’s club. I haven’t had any responses from anyone yet.

Bingo went very well. We had fourteen players and we even had enough coin to pay them. MRS A was being bossy a few times with a couple of the women sitting with her but they let her know in no uncertain terms to stop. I did also. We played for an hour. Afterwards I went over to Sis’s.
I called before going over. BIL just had to wake her up. When I got there she was up and self admittedly grumpy. I just pretty much walked in and announced I was there. She was playful grumpy but nonetheless still grumpy. She was also channeling several of the other dwarves too: Sleepy, Dopey, (I was going to say that out loud but stopped), Bashful. She was noticing things that I was doing (putting the lid back on the water bottle) and she wondered why. At first I didn’t know then it hit me so I would spill it.

We started talking about things in general and she was going back down memory lane and how Mom treats her differently from the rest of us and how she never hugged her. Then she would feel guilty about saying it to me. I told her one of my memories of how one day she got really upset because she was being evicted out of an apartment because they were raising the rent and making it condos. Mom held her and hugged while she cried. Liz doesn’t remember it.

Before leaving though I told her that she can always share no matter what. I said I may not agree with her but I love her and she is my sister and I would always love her. I didn’t comment on her feelings about how Brother #2 is treating (or conning Mom). I don’t think she would 1) believe me or 2) mom would want me to share that. I just kept quiet about that. Maybe one day I can tell her but when it comes to addictions it’s hard. They have two opposite viewpoints.

My little Lilly came home from her very first vacation trip. She went every where with her Mom and Dad. But she had to be on a leash. Something she didn’t like. She was put in the crate once when Mom and Dad went out for dinner. I am trying to figure out what they did the rest of the time at meal time. Now Neighbor Don is mowing his lawn and catching up on stuff before going back to work.

I am planning on wearing one of the new tops I got at Talbots to work tomorrow with a pair of white pants. It is also what I am planning on wearing tomorrow night for the Meet and Greet with Congresswoman DeLauro. The pants just need to be ironed.
 
Well my cousin DLB just came for a visit so I am going to have to go. I will check in

Haven't been up long

I haven’t been up too long and it felt great. Mom was up before me and reading her paper and having her morning coffee. I am not sure what she is doing today. I have my morning events minus church so I probably will see Sis.


It looks like some of my classmates from Live Oaks School class of 77 had a mini-reunion in Florida. These four live in Florida near each other (well most of them do). I am not sure what they did probably have dinner and took pictures. It would be good if some of us could do that now. Mom’s class of 44 does that all the time and then when it is time for their big reunion they get together again. Unfortunately her class is getting smaller and smaller.
I can’t believe it is in the mid 70’s at 8 in the morning. Some one yesterday mentioned it will be a very hot summer and it is starting already. Yes it certainly is. I don’t always mind it I like it (until the sweat pours off my face or into my eyes).
I just have a few things to do today like I said but I hope to get them done early enough to enjoy the day. I do have to make sure what ever I am wearing tomorrow is ready because I am also attending a fundraising/Meet and Greet with Congresswoman DeLauro after work.

Relaxing Saturday Night

It has been a few hours since I wrote and in that time I managed to clean out the car and go to church and have dinner and almost done with folding clothes. In a short while will go to bed.
Cleaning out the car took about an hour or less. I thought it was too hot to haul out the behemoth vacuum cleaner and the little one was not enough power so I might do it tomorrow in between activities. There is a box of old parts from the engine (can someone please tell me why they would leave it there?) that I need to dump some where. I am thinking a dumpster.

Mom and I went to the 4:00 mass at St John Vianney in West Haven. It is a really nice church and it has good feeling from it. The church is a modern type church and has been around a good long time. In 2002 it merged with Our Lady of Victory Church in effort to save it from closing completely. Many churches in the Connecticut Diocese are still in danger of closing. You can read the very interesting history of both churches in the link above (click on the Our Lady of Victory Church). Over the years I have attended both churches. OLOV used to have noon mass but did away with probably 20 years ago.
Today was honoring St. John the Baptist’s birth. Fr Joseph Cronin’s homily was great. He was saying that even back then people didn’t listen to the message. That message is we as his children/people what ever you are comfortable with are loved and saved. Don’t worry about the non important things. He also said a lot more but some people may be offended when I tell them ‘he said we were stupid’. He is right. We got worried about little things when it doesn’t matter.
When we got home Mom and I had turkey sandwiches. It was simple and easy and for the most no cooking. While we were eating we watched Mike Colemeco’s Real Food show. WE have been watching him for years now through its different versions. Many years ago we exchanged emails when I noticed he made a change in his hair style. He nearly cut it all off. When I wrote him about it he told me (jokingly) he went into the witness protection program. Today’s program was featuring a catering company that promotes green cooking and green food. Of course I can’t find it right now but I will. The new season begins July 14th, 2012.

I almost forgot to get the clothes out of the dryer. I probably would not hear the end of it from Mom. She was also vocal about me taking wine at communion especially of the germs that come around. I thought she would be objecting because of the different medications I am currently on. Yes it annoyed me. This is also why I don’t go to church with her often she is always correcting the way I sit in the pews.

Okay then its time for me to say good night. I have bingo in the morning and then I am going to see Sis and BIL. I didn’t get to see them today because they were busy.

I feel a little guilty

After going to the dentist (which really didn’t take long) and getting my haircut I drove over to M&T’s office to volunteer for the Canvassing for Chris Murphy. I met Emily and we spent the next hour talking. The reason I feel guilty is Emily asked if I would do the actual walking not driving people (most of them were already out and walking anyway). I actually declined. But we had a fascinating conversation that ranged from the political climates of our towns (she lives near the NY border north of here) to social media outlets, and down time. Before I left I promised that I would actually walk the next canvassing that is probably going to be held in West Haven. That’s going to be in a couple of weeks.


Anyway I came away from that conversation wanting to learn more about what is going on in our society and politically and socially. Even if it can be very controversial, I guess what I am trying to say is be able to understand the issues. I do understand the healthcare that we need it very much, affordable housing, economics, all which affect us in every day life. Do you know that at my age I still can’t figure out budgets? I did have one once but I think I messed it up so much that said the hell with it. I tried to look up budgets and how they are figured out. It was very confusing. It is just about this time where I think I should take books out from the library about budgets (personal and other wise) and political science or anything like that.

Mom came home after 1. She said she walked around with MVB and they did pretty well. They were planning on going out to lunch at the Corner Restaurant but there was no room (I am gathering). Now she is relaxing before we go to church and before we cook dinner.

I have managed to get laundry started and hopefully will be done before too long. I probably will have it done by 7. I don’t have much else to do as far as cleaning. Actually I do better get to the car.

How is your Saturday?

A Good Night's Sleep

Oh how wonderful it is to feel refreshed. I actually am still a little tired but I still am waking up. I went to bed shortly after dinner last night. It was great.




I left the office by 3:30 and even though traffic was a bit hairy I got to the Dr.’s office on time. I had the INR level checked (and giving the newbie doing it a playful hard time). It was low. It was 1.9. I have to go back next Friday.



Mom bought new fans for around the house I have one in the window and it’s great. It’s a Bionaire fan. It is a nice quiet one. It made sleeping wonderful-but then with the rain shower last night it was much cooler.



Yes we got some rain yesterday. We didn’t get as much as others did and apparently some parts of the state got thunder and lightening and heavy rain. Today is supposed to be much cooler.



We had a weird experience yesterday some men came to our door and that of our neighbors soliciting sales for aluminum siding jobs. The guy was persistent to the point of being rude but Mom said we are not doing it. He was trying to find out when we would be here next week. He didn’t have any flyers for us or another neighbor but for SylviaA. This made Neighbor Kim really uneasy. There have been reports that homes have been robbed by people like this. Neighbor Kim was close to reporting them to the police. I urged Mom to make sure the doors were really locked last night.



This morning I am having the stitches taken out of my mouth and then getting a hair cut. I need to go to the bank in between. I was entertaining the thought of helping out at TM’s office for the canvassing but that will have to depend on how I feel after the stitches being removed.

Didn't sleep much

As many of you may have read by now I didn’t sleep at all last night.  I even told Mom this morning I didn’t sleep and she asked if I had the fan on.  I told her it wasn’t the temperature but the caffeine I had yesterday.  I got the shaking head and tisk tisk and not healthy routine.   I did watch the sunrise a little and then at 5 I did fall asleep. 

What I did do is a few searches about driving safety.   (I nodded off while driving yesterday)  I can’t find the article I saw last night but this one pretty much says the same thing.  Drive with another person and if you get tired pull over for about 20 minutes and nap.  That’s great if you are going on a long trip.  What if you are just going to the next town or city?  It wouldn’t make sense to pull over and nap for that length of time.  It also gave a list of what not to do and what to do.  It also dispelled some myths that were methods to keep awake.  I know they never work for me.

While I was showing LAS my office and how I plan on keeping it up she reminded me about the meeting next Wednesday and it is at Battell Chapel.  She suggested that if I park on the upper green I can use the credit card.  I can’t believe she actually suggested that.  She is way too funny.  She also was pleased that everything looked good.

I just read or at least tried to read the aldermanic minutes and it makes my head spin.   Some of it sounds technical and some of it is understandable.  This was from earlier this month.  I called Mom today to tell her I couldn’t access Vice Chairman CM’s email with the DTC minutes from last month.  She will open and send it via E-mail.

Well its time for me to go…hve little time now…

My Thankful Thursday list a Day late

This week my Thankful Thursday list is a day late. That’s because I was so tired and had so much to do-so without further ado:




Here is my Thankful Thursday list:



1) I got my car back. It’s perfect.

2) I am glad my over booked schedule for the week got changed.

3) I am thankful I was not bitten by a cute and not so cuddly Wood chuck # 3.

4) I am thankful for my family-warts and all

5) I am thankful for the cooling fans we have in our house.

6) I am thankful for the job I have.

7) I am thankful our labor negotiations went well and we will have a new contract soon.

8) I am thankful the stitches are coming out on Saturday. (From my oral surgery last week).

9) I am thankful that my niece will be performing at the Connecticut Rep Theater this summer in Pirates of Penzance.

10) I am thankful for the home I have and the bed I am about to get into and sleep.





As I had expected I am still up after 12:30. I did some banking and paying bills right now. I am also fighting off these ugly little green bugs. They are flying around here and annoying me. I have no idea what they are but it’s clear this room needs some attention.



I probably should turn the light off so that if Mom gets up during the night she won’t know I am up. She gets anxious when I don’t get sleep. I just get plain cranky.



Since I had the woodchuck #3 in the car two days ago I really have to clean it out. There is “evidence” of his being in there and I found out last night that you need a license or some thing to transport wildlife from location to location. It is actually the job of the Animal Control department (it’s not necessarily dog warden and whatever else you might think). I left the windows open Wednesday night to air out any lingering aroma and it seemed okay but I can’t have anyone in there yet.



I am actually hoping there are no more woodchucks around. That way we can get rid of the trap. Everyone I tell the stories to either tell me that I am losing a battle and or I need to have water available so they don’t die while waiting to be transported. First of all I would prefer to leave them alone but they are destroying the inside of our garage. We are trying to get rid of them…Feeding and watering them doesn’t make them go away.



I talked with Sis today and Nelson 1 has a cold. He must have gotten it in the last few days because he was fine when I saw him Tuesday. The way this weather has been its easy and I am guessing he was near the littlest ones who probably were getting sick themselves or had been sick.



Niece Diane announced on Facebook that she will be here in Connecticut performing in Pirates of Penzance at the Connecticut Rep Theater. Her director is Terrance Mann. The first time I had seen him was in A Chorus Line with Michael Douglas. According to his IMDB page he has been in a number of Soaps over the years. He was also in the campy “Critters” trilogy. I say campy but I didn’t sit through them all. I am glad because I get to see her a lot more than I have lately.



Mom has been worried about Brother #2. She doesn’t think he is using but he may be in another depression. California Joe (our cousin) called to check on him and called Mom back to give her an update. During that time Brother #2 called. She admits he may open up more to California Joe than to her.



Work is doing okay. We are still under a lot of pressure for FY end and month end. I had our young man help deliver to the other floors. There are only a few left plus I have the other CMS flyers to send out to the MD’s. The pile seems to be getting smaller. I am on top of everything and it looks better. I may even be able to clear out some files.



Next week will be very interesting at work. Diva returns to work on Monday. I ran into her first thing yesterday morning. Already she was complaining she wasn’t feeling any better. She is going to be seeing another specialist. A number of our team mates are placing bets she will go right back to her tricks. However, G has told us they have a meeting Tuesday afternoon with HR and will be laying down some sort of law-instead of “laying down the law”.



It looks like we will be ratifying or voting on our new three year contract next week. There seems to be quite a number of changes. For example in the past we have always gotten our raises twice a year. In this contract it will be once a year. We will not have a long term contract (more than 5 years). Actually I think I brought home the update. I will see if I can find it online for you as well.



I get my stitches out of my mouth bright and early tomorrow. I think part of them are already starting to come out with all the chewing of food I have done plus (this may be gross) I have been pulling on them a little to make sure there is no food stuck in them. The next step is for the gums to heal and prepare for the next step which is the implant installation some time in later on in the summer.



Okay now its time for me to get into that bed I am thankful for. It is now after 1:30 and my alarm is set to go off in four hours.

Not Sleepy

Is it possible to be tired and not sleepy? My body wants to go to bed but I don’t think I can sleep. It would probably have to do with the three cups of coffee and the soda, and ice tea I had through out the day.
I got home from work by 4:20 and I think the heat was bothering both Mom and me because we snapped at each other over some stuff. For example one of us didn’t flush the toilet and I was trying to tease Mom about it she got stupid on me. She thought it would be a great idea to take a shower before I left for Dr. Rosenblatt. At first I balked because of the time. I was glad I did it.
I left here around quarter of 5 and the ride wasn’t all that bad but I ended up getting lost (I couldn’t find the building even though I drove by twice). The office girl called me (albeit with a slight attitude). I finally got there and by 5:30 I was filling out papers and then seeing Dr. Rosenblatt.

He was very nice. Whole thing took a half hour. He explained the pros and cons of the Uterine Fibroid Embolism and the Hysterectomy. After he did a quick exam and read the report from Speranza he says I may not be a good candidate for the UFE. He is going to talk to Speranza first. He will be sending me info explaining everything.
It was 6:15 when we finished and by quarter of seven I was back home. The traffic was surprisingly good. I was feeling bad too because my time judgment seems to be off lately. M&T were here helping set up. MVB put in the AC for us. I thought I was going to be late for our meeting tonight.

It turned out that our Chairman was late. People who said they were going to be here were no shows. There ended up being six of us. Chairman Phil will say something at the next DTC-not just for us but overall. The meeting was over by 9. I helped clean up a little and then let Mom do the rest.

We both watched TV and now Mom is in bed. Before doing that we had to take the AC out of the window it is leaking water all over the floor. Now its sitting on towels. Mom just went to bed.
Blogger has changed a few things around on their site. Now all the blogs I follow are in Google Reader and I am not sure how that happened. I am happy about many people reading or following me on Wordpress.

Well I better get to bed. I have another long day ahead of me. I have the two appointments and then the rest of the night free I think.

Too tired

I was so tired and hot yesterday that I didn’t do a lot of writing. I replied to a few comments on the blog (and thank you to those who answered! Love ya).
Work was fine got a lot done but kept busy. I did think I had in Volume but it turned out okay. I managed to get some mail for the floors delivered to them as well.
I had to reschedule a few things yesterday as far as Dr. appts were concerned. I asked DoletteB for a ride and sh said sure but I was going to have to stop and see a condo with her. Well that wouldn’t have been conducive to what I needed to so I rescheduled.
Debra and I will be meeting on Friday at 11:15 for our weekly schedule. It is a lunch time appointment so that means it will be fast.

Tonight is the Rosenblatt appointment. Sis offered to come with me but I declined as I think it will be okay. We will find out if surgery is in the near future or what he thinks is a good option.
Oh and we caught the third Chuck. IT was in the trap when I came home last night. I took it to Silver sands state park. The whole thing took me an hour or so. I had to get changed and put some bags on the back seat (didn’t work well) and then get there. IT clicked its teeth at me the whole time. When I released him he headed for under the car. I don’t know where we went afterwards. For one crazy moment I thought he may have gotten back in the car (either that underneath the carriage)

Okay the day is getting away from me…I am just about finished for the day and have a little more to do. I will have to do the lobby mail tomorrow.

Uhhh I just remembered

I have to get my INR numbers/level checked today. I was in bed around midnight and it occurred to me that it has to be done. I was planning on taking the bus to and from work but now I am not sure if I can do that. I wouldn’t be getting home until five. If Mom is up early enough I will ask her to pick me up. From the way she spoke though she has an early morning meeting and I am not sure what her day is going to be like. I could hear her getting sick in the bathroom.




While I was up I got back on line and sent birthday wishes to a few people who had birthdays today. One of them was to Nephew Rob (Brother #1’s youngest). I also chatted with a classmate of mine who was part of the mutual housing project.



Well I am going to bed now…its late.

I am tired

I am happy to tell you I was able to finish most if not all the mail and delivered it before leaving for my appointment today. I will do the lobby mail tomorrow morning and then get to the other stuff afterwards.


I got to my Dr. Appointment on time this afternoon despite the slow going traffic this afternoon. It really didn’t take long and you can read the short report here. After the appointment I stopped at Sis’s and watched them clean out their garage. They were getting tired, dirty, and probably cranky so I didn’t stay long.

I just wanted to tell her what the Doctor said and some funny thing I saw on the way over. There is a doctor over on Cherry Street whose name is Melissa Welby MD. (Oh come on! Think about it!! You know where I am going with this).

After I left them I headed home. I stopped at Subway to get the Chicken Teriyaki Sub w/avocado (aka Guacamole). It was good but not something I would get again. I also had some of the summer vegetable au gratin. Now I am not feeling so well. I had some of my aches and pains earlier and took the meds. I even took the tramadol.

I watched TV for a while but then got on the computer and surfed the net. I did a “summer vacation search’ for blogs and the first one I came across was Pokeydotquilting. She is a teacher and is crafter in her spare time.

I saw Neighbor Don today and he updated me on the future of Norden. His Manager told him they are looking for someone to go to Baltimore for IT stuff. He would go down but his family would stay here. He would come home most weekends. He will play it by ear for now and let him know in the next six months.
Mom came home around nine. She had a really good time and was given an award for all the work she has done with Region 2. She was obviously pleased. I told her about the appointments and changes in my week. Now she is watching TV and I expect her to be coming upstairs shortly.

Well i better get to bed I need to be up early because I am going back to riding the bus.  Car is fine but the paying for the parking became an issue with Mom and it will be getting higher July 1st.

It is Summer

Q:  What are your Plans?

*Travel
* Work
*Day Trips
* Parties?

It's Graduation Day

Today The Milford School system finishes up for the year.  IF I understand the information I read on their website the elementary and middle schools and the underclassmen finish today.  OF course Laurelton finished last week and I think that Platt Tech finished recently as well.  I made a post on Facebook for all those who are or have family members graduating today and Young Nicole “liked” it. J

I asked several of my co-workers and administrators who I know have children if their kids are getting out today and quite a few of them said they got out last week or this week.   I am thinking of putting polls up and asking about summer plans.

When the second mail run came I thought for sure it would be light.  That was not the case.  I had gotten four inter office envelopes with mail.  I was still working on them through lunch.  I also got some stuff for the MD’s (more from the CT medical Association).

As I was hoping and expecting my Wednesday 8:30 appointment was rescheduled for Thursday the 21^st at 6 pm.  The other end of Commuter traffic!  Whoopee I am excited.

I made an appointment for the B-12 shot for next Wednesday.  I just found out our membership meeting for local 34 has been moved to Wednesday the 27^th.   I am just going to have to do a lot of running around that afternoon.  I think I will be able to do both.  It is very important union meeting as we are ratifying or voting on our new contract.

Well I better go.  I can’t seem to get out of my own way and I still have some mail to open.  I have about an hour and half left before I leave for the day.

I can't believe how fast tonight went

I am still sitting here in shock at how quickly this night went by. I posted the last entry Last minute changes at quarter of 8. By then we had dinner starting at 6:30 or so. It was delicious by the way. Now it is after 10:30.





After dinner I worked on the computer and following in Mom’s foot steps as well as Sis’s I made up a Medication Record. It took some time to create. First I was going to do it in Word (but it didn’t work the way I wanted-all on one page) then I set it up in Excel and it looks great. I have all the current meds (and a few that are for extreme pain that I call last resort) and a list of all my current Doctors (all of them). It has to be tweaked a little but it looks like it will be good.




I haven’t gotten any more replies for the 4th District. The count so far is: 7 attending 2 declined (previous commitments). There are twenty four of us in the district committee. You see my irritation? These people are voted on by the entire DTC at our convention. It actually is really hard to explain and I am a bit weary. I guess we will get more responses tomorrow.




TessaM sent out a volunteer call to help out Candidate Chris Murphy this weekend. His campaign headquarters opens up in New Haven and the hours are:

The New Haven campaign office is open weekdays 12pm – 8pm

123 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511

The phone number at HQ is 203-782-4772

There is campaign canvassing in Milford both Saturday and Sunday. We need to call his Campaign coordinator to volunteer. That starts at 10 am at TessaM’s Office in Milford. IF you are a Connecticut resident and want to volunteer please contact:

Emily Smith at Emily@chrismurphy.com

Mom has decided that she would be attending a fundraiser for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro after all. We both will be going next Monday. It is at the Anastasio Restaurant in East Haven. I haven’t been to that restaurant but I am looking forward to attending the fundraiser. There has been a few this past year that I missed and I really enjoy listening to Congresswoman DeLauro.




I got an email from President T this evening. It looks like the party has been postponed until another time. The girls asked that we not have it this Friday. I can understand fully they graduate tomorrow and I am sure there are a bunch of parties going on until then. I told Mom about it.






Well it is time for me to hit the sack. Have a great night I will see you in the morning.

Last Minute changes

I have got to start checking my phone more often or leave it out of the pocketbook because I missed a call from Debra. She had to cancel our session at the last minute but I didn’t know this until I got to her office. I called her back and told her she can call tomorrow. Mom was not pleased when I told her. I explained further when I got home.




The drive home was a bit hairy. I saw cars going from one lane to another and going around one car in the middle of another and it was crazy. I was really glad I definitely had my seatbelt on this time. I was home about 10 minutes earlier than I would have been if we had the session. I still have to clean out my car sometime.



When I got home I found the critter trap standing straight up. Apparently Mom was trying to clean it out because the final critter walked in and out and didn’t get caught. She needed me to set the trap up and reset it and supply food in it. It didn’t take long but when I finished I washed my hands because visions of chuck pee ran rampant through my tired brain.



Mom and I talked further on the blood work results and the low B-12. She says she takes the supplements and she told me it’s important to change the diet too that it could help. I expressed my concerns over what I read on Wikipedia about the damage lack of B-12 can do. I will make the appointment tomorrow.



Mom finally got to make the summer vegetable au gratin today. She said it took a long time to make it. More than she expected it would. WE are having scallops and potato pancakes with it. We probably won’t be eating until seven.



Do you remember when I wrote the entry on Laundry? How I don’t or can’t always do it after work at night? Well I blew that theory right out of the washer. I had to do a small laundry because I found spots on the pants I was wearing today. Chocolate and coffee stains were all over the legs.



I received more responses to the RSVP for the meeting this Thursday. I even told Mom we heard from people we don’t normally hear from. Getting these emails prompted me to search all of them and put them in the file on the computer.



Oh speaking of computer when I got up here the scan was obviously finished and said everything was fine. So there were no problems. I am going to try and go back to the site and see what happens. I am thinking of letting the woman know who manages or runs it that there was a virus notification.

Well I am getting tired and I so I am going to finish watching NCIS. It is from the third season. Model Behavior is the episode. Oops the dinner bell takes precedence over Mark Harmon.

I hope

After I posted the last entry I went and checked a site I frequent and got a virus notification.  I hope it was stopped.  I did do a scan and it was still going when I left.  I made a notation in my computer blog.  I hope I didn’t do anything to the computer it would suck.

Before leaving the street I got to see my Dalmatian boys.  Chris #1 was out with them (and he was running late for work).  They both gave me a messy kiss.  Of course I was a bit hesitant to let them jump up considering I am wearing white pants.  It was great to see them.

The drive was not bad.  I managed to get to the garage at a decent time and into the office before 8.  I was surprised to find no one in our suite.  JanetN didn’t even come in.  I worked on some readdress mail and after awhile people started coming in.  I ordered breakfast.  A shortly after 8:30 the lockbox came in.

It was just about then when we heard that G was in an accident outside the office.  Some one hit her from behind at the light and she hit someone in front of her.  She did come into the office and worked but she is going to be in pain.  The car is apparently totaled. 

I have gotten a few more responses to the RSVP request for this week’s 4^th District meeting. TessaM, ACarey both said they would be there so that makes six so far.  Even people I haven’t heard from actually opened their email apparently.

I talked with Mom this morning she was getting ready for breakfast with her friend Brian.  This is same guy who talks with Brother #2 from time to time on the phone.  I hope he isn’t being untruthful with Mom when he tells her he talks with him.  Anyway I am not sure what else she has to do today. 

Okay I have some stuff to do so I will say later for now.

I have something to do every day this week

As I was getting ready for bed last night I took a few moments to look over my appointment book to prepare for the week and for the first time in what I think is months I have some thing to do every single day this week. Doctor appointments, meetings, parties, hair appointments, and follow up car appointment.







I sure will be looking forward to the weekend coming up that’s for sure. At least my work volume should be normal and I will be on top of it. It is a given that it is getting closer to FY end and that means more pressure and more stress for everyone. I have to remember that it isn’t personal if some one snaps. At least no one will say anything about the mail for the other floors. I have to remember there is mail on the side of the desk that I need to look at today.






So you want to see my schedule this week?






Monday is my session with Debra. We usually discuss the events of the past week and how I dealt with them and what challenges I have for this week. There are about three sessions left before she leaves for her month long vacation. We are planning on having at least two phone sessions. They usually last about 45 minutes and it would be like our regular sessions. We recently started doing this when I was home sick with the blood clot. My intention is to write her in between and send her these entries; she may not get to see them until she gets back in the office in August.






On Tuesday I see Dr. J Becker. She is my Lupus Doctor and has been three months since I last saw her. I have no idea if she even knows I had the incident with the blood clot or if she is aware of the upcoming tests. I know she has to send all lof her reports to my PCP but I don’t know if she even was informed. I am going to have to update those stupid forms about hospital stays and medicine and all that other stuff. I hate filling those out.






Wednesday I see Dr. Rosenblatt he will be discussing the Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure and possible alternatives. I was trying to find out more information on him but found some tips like taking notes on the experience of the appointment both pro and con. Well I plan on doing that any way. I am not real happy about having to go to Fairfield during commuter time. The traffic going that direction really sucks.






In the afternoon I have to go to Dr. Spanolios office and get my INR testing done. I hope the levels remained the same. I will have to tell them I had to go off them for the oral surgery. The whole thing shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. I will get the new dosage level and new check in time.






On Thursday we are having the 4th District meeting here. I have sent out the reminder last night. No one has replied or acknowledged whether or not they are coming yet. I know of one person that already read it. We are only going to get a few responses but several people will show up without responding either way. That is so frustrating because Mom does a lot to prepare and as I am sure you are aware you don’t know how much to make and what ever.






On Friday is the annual “End of year” Club picnic at Telka’s. it is starting at 2 pm but I won’t be there until 5 pm. I am bringing cole slaw and Mom will be making it as the day gets closer. It is also a graduation party for the girls who graduate this week and of course who have already graduated. It should be really fun.






Saturday morning I get the stitches out of my mouth and we discuss the next step in getting the implant. I am pretty sure that will be more money when the time comes. That part should happen near the end of the summer.






The morning gets to end with a haircut. What better way to end the week? I enjoy Jamie. She is so sweet and I love this Salon. Did I mention that I met up with one of the Stylists from Harbor Lights? I met her at the Awards Dinner last Thursday. Apparently Harbor lights went out of business and are now merged with another one in the Devon area. It was rather awkward moment for me as I didn’t want to tell her I am going some where else now.






I am probably going to have to do all my chores Saturday afternoon. I don’t know what else we have planned for that day I hope nothing as by then I will be tired.






Okay its time for me to get to work. I will see you later.

A really awesome Sunday

Good morning and Happy Father’s Day to all my followers and friends. May it all be memorable for you all! My Dad is no longer with us but I think of him often.




I went to bed fairly late but I could hear mom get up and get sick. She usually does this when she eats things she is not supposed to. I don’t think it was anything we had (well maybe the ice cream but will find out later). She probably won’t be doing much today.



I had made plans to get up early and go to the earliest mass possible. When the time came I turned over and stayed in bed. I have been on the computer updating files and answering a few emails.



Mom got up just as I was getting into the shower. She said she was feeling better but she thinks her stomach got sick from Friday (I was right).



I left here around 9. I stopped at DD and got breakfast and then went to the nursing home. NatalieM was in today and she was there to also set up for the Father’s day breakfast. Bingo went very well. We played until 11:20 and there were at least 15 people again. They played for my undying love and gratitude. Before leaving I helped or I served them pastry.



I went to Sis’s house and spent some time there. We talked about the games she went to yesterday and about the kids. It would seem Mike JR and his girls are officially engaged as of last night. Niece Cheryl posted pictures today.



Sis made comments about our brothers and she still thinks Brother #2 is conning Mom. I have no idea why she thinks that. I don’t know if she knows that Mom’s friend Brian talks with him on a regular or semi regular basis. I didn’t feed in to that part either.



When I got home after 12:30 Mom was cleaning. She spent most of the morning cleaning out the refrigerator and was getting ready to go back to the store and get the ingredients for the summer vegetable au gratin dish I mentioned yesterday.



It was just about then I decided to go with her. We went to Shop Rite and got Juice (three different kinds-watching the sugar content), some of the vegetables and a few personal items.



The next stop was Talbots Outlet warehouse. Where we spent maybe an hour looking at clothes-We walked out of there with some pretty good deals. I got several blouses and a couple of sweaters for the summer.



The final stop was to Trader Joe’s where we went to get a certain type of bread Mom had at friend’s lunch, canned Pineapple, balsamic glaze (don’t even want to guess) and cookies. We ended up with pineapple juice, the cookies, the balsamic glaze, and Tuscan Pane bread.



While we were at Trader Joe’s we ran into a friend from the DTC. This must have been the day to run into the DTC members because this morning while at the nursing home there were two women there from the DTC. I have to send out a reminder tonight for the 4th District meeting this week.



We are going to have hamburgers on the grill for dinner. It’s far too late for the other dish. We are going to eat probably around 6. I told Mom I would clean the kitchen. She was glad to hear it.



Okay I am going to take a little nap before dinner. I have gotten tired and my left ankle was giving me grief today. The hands are not as painful so much but definitely the ankle.

Do you ever?

When you watch TV whether it is the news or documentaries on the various channels ever do a search on the subject matter, persons involved? What do you find? Tonight I watched a program (or parts of it) on leaving the Amish culture. It is called Amish Out of order. The man featured was thirty-seven year old Mose and he is a speaker as well. He was speaking to students at Indiana University about life as an Amish and why he left it. He also talked with another former Amish writer name Ira Wagler you can find reviews and locations to get this book at amazon.com and goodreads.com.




The book got mixed reviews for its writing content but all agreed it was a “good read”. I talked about it with Mom tonight and she may be interested in getting from the library. I remember growing up and visiting Lancaster with Dad and how wonderful it was to see the farmers go back to the land and not use the modern day conveniences. I never realized they had to deal with many things. Things like bigotry and hardships and strict rules and laws being among them.



I just did a search for Amish Lifestyles and picked the article from Wikipedia. What I read pretty much overwhelmed me with all the information. That’s what I was probably getting at in my original question. You look stuff up whether you watch it, hear about it, read about it and sometimes you find soo much information you get overwhelmed or not enough information and you get frustrated. I know I have on many occasion. I guess I just have to learn to relax over it and take the info as I get it.



I called Dave today. He called back some time later. He was running around doing errands and getting ready to go out with our friend RoseT. We talked about family, friends acting ridiculous over stupid stuff.



I never did get the cards today. It was getting late in the day and I just decided the heck with it. I probably can still do it tomorrow in between church and bingo. I am hoping to go to 7:30 mass.



Mom came home from church not feeling well. She seemed cranky but she was exhausted. She got dinner ready. Our menu changed from what I told you earlier. She couldn’t get the vegetables she needed so we had lamb chops and peas, and I had rice. I cleaned up from dinner whiel she got into her pajamas.



After awhile we watched TV and then I went for some ice cream at a neighborhood ice cream shop. I stayed to talk to neighbor who works there. Mom was heading to bed when I got home.



Now I am going there myself.

Laundry

If you have been following my blogs or even know me then you know I don’t like doing laundry. I may write that I do laundry most weekends or perhaps attempt it during the week but overall I don’t like it. Most times I have to be reminded to keep the laundry moving and most times I will leave the laundry in the machines over night. When I get them out of the dryer I usually just dump them in a pile in the spare room to be hung up at later time or just not hung at all. You can forget about ironing. IF I can get away with it I don’t do it. Most mornings before going off to work I iron what ever I am going to wear that day. If I have to go out at night or special occasion then of course I iron or have to deal with Mom. Today is not going to be like that. I have hung up clothes and there are only two loads left and it’s just before 1 pm. There is one in the dryer and one in the washer. It should all be done by two.




Mom got home a short time ago. I showed her the shelf in the kitchen cabinet that needs to be repaired. The shelf clips fell out and were resting on the tallest glasses so later on I am going to see if I can get those back in. I am never confident that it will work well as it will fall out and things come crashing down. Well I don’t have to do it Mom did it. She thinks a hammer would be helpful.



She went shopping for tonight’s dinner she wants to try this summer vegetable au gratin recipe from Cooks Country (the companion TV show to America’s Test Kitchen) PBS show. The serving suggestion was to serve it with grilled fish. Guess what we are having? You guessed it.



I heard from DebbieM today. She called to discuss dinner time for our Mexican Train night. We are going to have dinner around 5:30. The number of people joining us is uncertain even though she went through the potential list and whether or not they would be joining us for the game. Oh I finally told Mom before the call came that we are having the Mexican Train night here.



Well I have some cards to get so I better get to it. I will be back later. How is your Saturday going?

Saturday Morning

It is rather chilly morning this morning. I had the window on the off chance I could hear the trap spring but it didn’t. However, some one or something did eat the fruit I put out there last night because it’s gone. It doesn’t matter though Lawn guy Senior is coming over with something else for it to eat. Mom doesn’t think its going to work.




I went back to bed for a bit and actually fell asleep. I finally got up again around eight thirty. Mom was reading emails and has to leave by nine. I told her about the trap she suggested I check it out later she thinks it may not be set right.



Where is Mom going you ask? Well she is part of the Area Agency on Aging out of New Haven and they are doing a site visit. To what facility I don’t know but it’s in Fair Haven and should be about two hours. Mom has been on the board what seems like forever and was on it when our friend Carla was director of the agency. She loves it and finds it all very interesting.



I have started laundry and had breakfast and just going over calendar stuff. Some of my appointment books don’t have all the dates filled in even for this month!



Okay its time for me to get back to the laundry so I will see you all later.

I was feeling a little bold today

After releasing the second of two raccoons this week from the trap and having enough coffee to make LJ Gibbs proud I was bold enough to take on a fellow passenger who was being less then gentlemanly. H got on at Cedar Street near the Psychiatric Hospital and was trying to scam the bus driver by getting out of paying the fare. She wasn’t having any of it. She told him to get out of her personal space and sit down.




He did but started swearing and talking and I finally told him to watch his mouth. He got mouthy with me but not too loudly. The guy sitting next to him got up and sat across from him (he wasn’t interested in hearing him either) and all the while the bus driver was listening and told him to stop or she would call the police. He was dropping a lot of F bombs and saying his father worked on the buses for the 37 years etc. When he told me he was having a bad day I looked at him and said I am sorry you are having a bad day but I don’t want to hear it.



In one of the moments I looked around I looked at the guy who moved and thought he was looking at me and thinking “shut up woman’. However, I didn’t pay attention but remembered a story this driver told me the other day when a similar incident occurred and someone stood up and told the other passenger off. Anyway I was grateful to be getting off and I blessed the bus driver. I told a few people that story and some of them looked at me and shook their heads while others applauded me for saying something.



I got started working shortly after 8. There were two large boxes with EOB’s from United Healthcare that were not opened by finance or even the bank that handles our lockbox for us. So I left it on G’s desk for her to look at when she got in. Unfortunately it will have to wait until next week as she never came in today. She hasn’t been feeling well all week. She also reiterated that she will be leaving on Disability as soon as she can manage it. This really saddens me as I really love her as a friend and as a boss.



I managed to get all the work done early despite the second mail run (the campus/interoffice part) came really late and that had some mail in it. There wasn’t a lot but I really didn’t like the fact it was so late. I also was able to get some of the mail for the other floors delivered. I still have a few piles but it’s done quite considerably. I have to remember there is some on the floor next to the second desk and the wall.



I also tried to stay out from the aisles on the main floor. Unfortunately it worked until ST walked in from the ladies room. I had been talking to DB about the morning bus ride. When I had a moment and DB was near by I explained to her what was going. Everyone knows that ST has been on the warpath this past week. I also let EV (a co worker and union rep) what G had said to me the day before about ST unconvinced that I need help.



I have some car news. I got it back today. I called at lunch time and he said it’s almost done and that he had a few things he needed to do before giving it back. I called back at 4 as Mom was picking me up and it was ready. The bill was being written out. So by 4:30 I had brought it home. I rather not tell you I left my credit card there. I had to go back and get it.



They also straighten out the car for me (by that I mean put a few things in a box and picked up the garbage that I had on the floor. I am going to put those in the trunk and get throw the papers and stuff out tomorrow.



After I left the garage for the last time this week I headed over to Sis’s house. She had gone out for a few hours and N1 was watching TV. I went there to drop off the books for J-man that Mom wanted him to have and I had her thank you/birthday gift too. N1 and I had talked about the car and the ex-DIL he has absolutely no use for. He said the same thing that Mom said to me that the girl is selfish and self-centered. When I left I let him know I would come over after church for Father’s Day. Sis called and was tickled pink and pleased at the gift.



I don’t remember what time it was when I got home. Mom was finishing up frosting the cake she was taking for the literary club party tonight (it was an extra meeting). I was getting my dinner of left over spaghetti.



After a week of no show Woodchuck #3 finally showed its face. It appeared right after the lawn guys finished working. It kept popping its head up out of the hole. The first few times Mom missed it then she saw him. After she left he finally came out and sniffed and explored things. He even went into the trap but not far enough to spring it. After he went back in I cut up some more melon and put in the trap and the path from his hole to the door. He hasn’t been out since. I have been checking the trap regularly tonight but no luck. I expect to find one of two things early tomorrow morning. Either it is a different critter or he/she in the trap. I will take it to the park when I get up if it is WC#3.



I managed to answer a few Journal Writing check in prompts such as the summary Saturday, and a few other responses. JAustin from the Journal writing list shared a funny forward that I sent to a few friends and family. I had a few responses tonight.



Okay well I think I am going to say good night as one of my favorite radio programs is about to start on Public Radio. It’s a local show called Profiles in Folk. It is on every Friday night from 10 to midnight and it focuses on folk music nationally and groups that have performed in and around the area.

Thankful Thursday

It has been weeks since I did one of these types of entries. It’s a safe bet I probably will share with the journaling groups as it is thankful Thursday prompt for them.




I am thankful for:



1. Being able to have a good sleep at night.

2. Being able to get the garbage out and get to the bus on time.

3. Having a job I enjoy and being able to catch up on stuff that has been a source of worry.

4. Having a family who cares about each other despite the past and rocky roads we have shared.

5. Not having to take any critters to the State park at some ungodly hour this morning.

6. Pay Day.

7. Not having a lot of pain from having two teeth removed. Did I tell you they let me take them home in a small plastic tooth?



I am really tired right now. I got up around 5:30 and started the day. I got online and did some banking and then got ready for work and emptied the rest of the garbage for the pick up. I don’t know about you but I used to be able to know their schedule. I always would think they didn’t come until 11 but sometimes they do come before that. If I don’t get it out in time we can be in trouble.



As I was walking to the bus stop I stopped and talked w/a neighbor I hadn’t seen in a while. Neighbor Susan and we talked about her family. It would seem she became a grandmother recently. Her daughter had her fourth baby. Then we talked about the critters. It would seem she had some under a compost pile. She hasn’t seen them since then. I explained because they are in my garage.



Speaking of critters-we haven’t had any since the raccoon earlier this week. As a matter of fact haven’t seen much of anything except for birds. There hasn’t been any sign of the rabbits or woodchucks or anything else. I am thinking a day or two they will show up again.



Work went well. I got an early start on the mail and was able to finish it all by 1:30 and get on with the rest of the work. I did some re-addressing mail and almost caught up with the postage tallies. I have three days worth left. I told G that I would start working on the stuff for the other floors.



I also tried very hard not to leave my office for anything and when and if I did I didn’t talk much with others. People noticed there was some thing different about it. I told a few people what was going on as well.



I went to the bank at lunch time and was able to see the green being set up for the international arts and ideas festival that’s starting this weekend. It was really kind of fun. I also ran into local 34 former presidents LSmith. She was great. Of course she was on the phone but we managed to talk and I told her about the blood clot. Then we had to go our separate ways. The walk to and from the office was a bit windy and chilly. I was glad to have the jacket.



Tomorrow we are having a birthday cake for DeniseK. There has been a collection for cake going on and that’s the reason I went to get money. I just hope my mouth can handle it.



Mom was waiting for me at 4 in front of the office. Traffic was a bit dicey but we managed to get home by 4:30. By then the sun was out. It wasn’t warm yet either. I was planning on going over to Sis’s house but no one was answering the phone so I decided to wait until they called back.



L called (not realizing I had called her) to see how my tooth/mouth was doing and we talked about that and about the car. We then got into discussing father’s day and birthdays’ and how Brother 1 & 2 haven’t acknowledged any of hers (she does this frequently but I understand). It was decided I would come by over the weekend. That’s until mom says she wanted Jason to get some books that she has for him.



I have taken all the med I am supposed for now and I am ready to go to bed. I know its early but it is starting to catch up with me.



Have a great night…