Crazy Busy

It has been crazy busy today.  I got to work just at 8 and started immediately on the work on my desk.  At first I thought there was a lot of mail but I managed to finish the lockbox by the time US mail came.  I had just started it when it was time for our staff meeting.

The staff meeting was talking about priorities, OT, the Epic Live Date approaching, and things like that.  The meeting lasted an hour.   I went and got lunch before diving into the rest of the mail and when I got back to it I think it took me nearly an hour to do it.  I managed to get to the mail and work on most of the readdress mail before starting OT this afternoon.   The total count was over 500 pieces of mail.  The one thing that is reassuring is that when I send a copy to Susan she always manages to say thank you in the email.

The meeting with Susan and Judy has now been rescheduled for 1:30 on Thursday.  I spoke to Lee Ann this morning and we discussed it.  I had offered to get Stephanie G to be there but Lee Ann say she would be available.  I asked her if they could fire me and she says no.  When I asked Terry she also said the same thing.  They all have been great.  They believe they will be counseling me and then tell me my job is changing. 

Mom didn’t go to her meeting this morning.  She was still in bed when I was in the shower.  She told me she wasn’t feeling well again.  When I called later on in the day she was in bed for most of the day.  She didn’t sound good.  When I got home she was in the bathroom and then she was making some cream of wheat and watching TV.  She went to bed about three hours ago.

Liz emailed us today.  She invited us to her  Eucharistic Minister Commission ceremony.  It is this Saturday and will be done at the 4:30 mass at St Mary’s.  She has no idea what it all means (other than she will be able to distribute communion either at church or to people in the Nursing homes(s).  They will be having a pizza celebration afterwards.

I got home after 6:30 tonight.  It was raining but the traffic continued to move along at a good pace.  I had to go to the Pharmacy to pick up some stuff.  Then I got home.  Mom had ziti in a  dish for me to heat for my dinner.  It was good.

I spent the evening between the computer and the TV.  Now I am going to bed. 

Not a bad day after all

Well despite my anxiety and nervousness I had a good day.  Susan was nice enough to say hello when we passed each other.     I got to the office fairly early and started working on Friday’s postage/return mail.   I thought was pretty well done with the tallying but had to recheck my numbers.   I  worked on lockbox by 20 of 9 and was finished nearly an hour later.  I spent an hour doing the re-address mail and then post office mail came.  The mail was done in a timely manner.It allowed me to work on today’s postage stuff and worked some more on the readdress stuff.  

The meeting with Susan and Judy was rescheduled for Thursday in the afternoon 1 pm.   I spoke to several people including Judy verbalizing my concerns and anxiety.  Most if not all said not to worry that I have been here too long.  Some feel it might in all likelihood  job changes (from Mail to Scanning period).    Its funny at one point my mind did go there.  I wouldn’t mind joining the scanning team.  I like doing it.  There are other aspects of it as well.  Logging in the batches and the logging them out on another and then interfiling them and preparing them to be scanned by the scanners.  I still get a little nervous and worried but not as bad as over the weekend.

It started snowing just around  11 this morning and didn’t stop until 2 or 3.  Many of my co-workers decided it would be in their best interest to leave early so they would not be caught in the worst of it.  Of course I stayed until 4.  The drive home wasn’t bad either.  By then it was raining and slushy.

When I got home Mom was in the kitchen making dinner.   One of her meetings was cancelled but her 7 pm one wasn’t and she was happily getting a ride from one o f the other board members.  I am not sure what time she is coming home but I hope it will be early.

I found the set of keys I tore the room up for  this morning.  They were in the “valley” between the windshield and the engine top of the car.    Apparently they had been there all night Saturday.  All day Sunday (how they  didn’t fly out of that thing is beyond me)  until this morning when I saw them as I was getting into the car.

Lynda from the journaling list posted a question today asking for feedback from the rest of us.  Apparently she got an email from someone who cliamed he was on one of the groups she was in and wanted her to critique  his work.  He only sent it to her and  no one else in the list.  Only a few responded to her inquiery and they also felt it was an odd email to send  to her.  She questioned the guy again and  when she still felt weird she told him to send  to the group.

Telka insists the guy in the picture she sent me was Kevin Sorbo.  It clearly wasn’t.  I checked both the actors twitter and Facebook and he doesn’t mention going to Atlantic City.  That he was at Sundance.

I am getting more tired now so I am going to bed.  Mom just got home so she is now in for the night.

I have been watching TV too.

Had a lot of fun

Hey everyone I hope your Sunday was pleasant.  Mine was good.  I managed to get about 5 or six hours of sleep.  I got up at one point got the clothes out of the dryer and turned the heat up and went back to bed for another 45 minutes.

Mom was already reading her paper when I got up.  I was still very tired and we talked a little bit about the game plan for this afternoon. After that discussion I came upstairs and did some web browsing.    Then I got ready for bingo.

I noticed I couldn’t find a set of keys I usually use.  I have looked all over the place and still haven’t found it.  Kept looking after the game and can’t find it.

I got to the nursing home after 9:30.  They knew I was going to be late but I also stopped at the picket line.  When I got in Matt B was waiting and so was Angela.  We chatted and she gave me an orange and then as the time got closer I chatted with the others.  Helen from Christ the Redeemer came to distribute the communion.   We had about 10 or 12 people playing and a few of them were feisty.  My Tolerance level was being stretched as it were.

After bingo I went to church.  As usual I was late.  Part of the reason was I was chatting with the Nursing home receptionist Claudia.  She was showing me pictures of her new house.

When mass was over I called Roberta to get her advice on when to serve the coffee.  She said we could have it much later and that was good enough.  She did tell me that Carol and Gary had to back out because their daughter got sick.

When I got home Mom and started putting some things out, I had a bowl of cereal and She went shopping and came back long after we had started the games.

Everyone started arriving just about 2:30.  Before sitting at the table we sat in the living room and talked about GPS, coupons and restaurants.  The K’s didn’t come until 4.    Roberta gave them the wrong time.  We all got different things. For me I had gotten a salad, and I shared half of a calzone with Debbie.

Mom came home sometime around 3:30 or so and had lots of stuff.  She did most of the unloading.  It was kind of funny.  I wasn’t really sitting in a position in which I could keep getting up to help with anything. 
Anyway, after we ate we continued to play the game.  We played until about 8 and then we had dessert and talked a little more.  I was telling them about this woman at the nursing home who was from West Haven and nasty as could be.  Well it turns out she was Dan & Diane’s cousin.  They both agreed the woman I spoke of is very mean.  I was really embarrassed.

After everyone left I finished cleaning up as much as possible (Charley helped out a lot before he left) and then came upstairs to watch TV, and try and find the keys (no such luck).    I am hoping they may be in the car some where.

Telka sent me a picture of her and some one who was a guest at a martial arts competition and she says it was Kevin Sorbo.  It didn’t look like it to me but what do I know?  Its been years since I actually saw him and the last time I saw him on TV was on the “Doctors” show.  I think it may have been Martin Kove. 

My anxiety about Tuesday’s meeting has lessened for now but to be honest it actually comes and goes with the little effort.   That’s why I enjoyed not worrying about it during the games.  I did mention it to the gang.  It felt good to verbalize it.  It wasn’t the first time today I did it either.

Well I am going to go to bed.  I will see you all tomorrow.

Still awake.

Obviously I had too much caffeine yesterday because I am still awake.  Mom went to bed shortly before midnight.  I think she is bed reading and I have been replying to an email on the Living2well list.  It was in response to my Frustrations entry on Wednesday.  I have also been dealing with a nose bleed.  Thankfully it has stopped.  I think I am going to take a shower and see if that will help induce sleep.

I am also feeling a little guilty.  Both  Cousin Carol and Ryan posted to their Facebook pages  their disappointment in family members not supporting them in the recent drama.  The message is hitting home because I have neither called them or written them given them support.  I am hoping her number is in my pocketbook and I will definitely call.  That’s if she even answers. 

I am trying everything  to get to sleep.  I have been reading blogs from Los Anageles California .  Each one unique and some not so much.  I don’t particularly want to see the ones that are selling stuff.  Some of reproductions of Cosmetic ads you would find in stores, or anything else that they are trying to sell. 

May be I should  Sue Patton Thoele’s Freedoms after 50.  It was given to me for my 50th Birthday last year.  I may have mentioned this before.  Unfortunately I don’t want to use the over head light.  The other one by the bed is not easy to plug in after I unplugged it last week inadvertently .  I can’ t I just need to shower and get to bed.  Hopefully the non-aspirin with sleep aid will help as well.

Now that it is getting to be 2 am and I have done everything possible to get to sleep I am going to give it a shot.  See you  all later.

A Lovely Time

Good evening to y‘all.  Despite the cold temperatures outside it is a beautiful moonlit night.  If you look over the sound in the east you can see the moon  hanging low.  It is definitely a beautiful sight.

My afternoon with Ethel was very nice.  I left here just about  1 and made a stop to the post office for Mom and then to the bank and then was back in to West Haven by 1:30.  I was going to head over to Ethel’s but decided to head home first.    I felt I was too early and I needed to pick up a few things anyway.

While here put the laundry in to the various machines and then took off again.  It was nearly 2.  Ethel was waiting in her office when I arrived.  She was checking to see if the cat got loose and then we took off.  We had intended to go to Biagetti’s but they didn’t open until 5 (so tell me why there were people in the bar?).  We decided to go to Duffy’s Tavern on  Campbell avenue.  This was my first time but not Ethel’s.  She and Bob apparently frequented this place. I can see why it was lovely.

Today was a little slow for them and it was quiet for us.  We started off with Buffalo Wings and then we each got a salad.  For some reason I can remember Ethel’s Baja Salad but I have to look up mine.  We had tea and for  $35.05 plus a $7 tip it was quite nice.    We talked about a lot of things.  Family , memories, the future.  It was quite nice.  I don’t think it was done in a vindictive way.   It was nearly 3:30 when we finished so I took Ethel home and I was back here 5 minutes later.

When I arrived I saw Neighbor Don and Princess Lilly.  She was so loveable.  Don and I chatted about Neighborhood stuff.  He says the Blue Heron that makes its home in the marsh behind our home came flying in and landed in his yard today.  It didn’t stay very long but it was a beautiful sight.

As I was talking with Don Mom was just leaving for church.  Don and I finished our conversation (I hope) and then I came in and checked on the rest of the laundry.  I also helped myself to a piece of pie.  I loved my salad but it certainly wasn’t enough. 

While Mom was at church I busied myself with TV, and some web browsing.  I even read some emails.  It was a nice quiet time for me.  Which let to me thinking about the meeting on Tuesday and causing me to fret about it.

When Mom came home it was after five.  We talked about the lunch and I asked her views on the restaurant she wasn’t overly thrilled with her times there.  We thought about dinner.  We decided to have cube steaks.  I am sure you have all had them at one time or another.  They were certainly delicious.

We watched our regular Saturday night fare on PBS.  I enjoyed the cooking shows, and of course this week’s segments on TOH from Essex MA.  It looks like it will be very nice.  When I see things like this I try and run to the blogs to find  any and all blogs from the towns they have worked in to see how the neighbors feel.  I never can find them.  May be this time will be different.

I have one final load of laundry that’s in the dryer.  I had promised Mom it wouldn’t be an all day project as it usually is but its 9 pm and it has become that.  I really should have started earlier like I had intended to.

Mom and I are just getting a few things together for the Mexican Train Game session tomorrow.  We have a tablecloth ready and the picture perhaps for the drinks.  I think we may need a couple more chairs but I am not sure.  That can be figured out tomorrow.

I think I am going to empty that dryer and go to bed.  I hope you are all having a great night.  Spend it with those you love.

Blogging and Travel

I have been just reading some of my F-list (Friend list gang) and I read this (hopefully it worked) and I really enjoyed his views and I thank Optimistic Existentialist  for this and his other one regarding the ten places to visit..    I enjoy Blogging because it allows me to share my world and views with others  from around the country and around the world.   I write also for historical purposes.  So people can see what life was like for my family and friends.  ( Edited to Add:  I sometimes repeat my thoughts within the same breath).

Now for the ten places I would like to see.  I won’t be able to list just ten (well maybe I can) but here it is:

Europe (all):  I would like to see places I haven’t been.  I have been to England and parts of France but that was in my twenties and that was an exciting time for me.  I would like to see more.

Ireland:  It is where my ancestors are from.  Several of my family members have been there and I just want to go. 

Canada:  I have been to several regions in that country and I would like to see more.  I have seen maps and would like to explore more and the open spaces.  Oh where have I been in Canada so far?  Quebec (city and province), Nova Scotia, Toronto, Montreal. Niagara Falls.

Hawaii: I haven’t been and would like to visit.

I would also like to see the rest of the US.  I would like to see the areas that are not necessarily the “tourist” areas.   Until I do I read people’s blogs about their every day lives. 

The sun is shining and there is a light blanket of snow on the ground and it doesn’t look like it will be melting any time soon.  According to the latest weather report it will probably remain in the 20’s today.

I am doing laundry and just hanging out.  I am hoping to meet Ethel for tea and a visit.  That will be around lunch time.  I haven’t been to see her since her last dinner with us.  She sent me a text message at work and with the pressure I was feeling I couldn’t really talk on the phone and so I sent her a message saying I could stop by on the way home.  She had responded she would get the answer from someone else.  I found this out when I called on the way home from work yesterday.

Jim called this morning.  He is fine.  He says he sent pictures of the cat.  Mom says they are upside down.  I suggested that she try turning them around and she did but not easily. 

During the conversation I overheard Mom tell Jim that the Mammogram she had the other day came back with disturbing news.  They found something but not sure.  Mom went on line and said almost never will it be anything.  She says she got the news yesterday and there is a follow up appointment  on Monday.

Well I have another cup of coffee brewing and I have start getting ready for my “tea visit” with Ethel.  I will see you all later.

We have snow

It is snowing and has been for the last few hours.  We are not supposed to be getting that much around here.  It is a real disappointment because I was really looking forward to a big storm.   On  the other hand I am glad it won’t be a big one as we are having the Mexican train game day here on Sunday.  The National weather people have named this storm Kahn.  I am not sure why but it is apparently making things rather messy.  It looks like the storm is passing us very soon .  According to this map it is already moving  aways towards the northeast.

Today was a very stressful day.  I got to the office and there was a note waiting for me from Judy regarding the mail on the floor. It was the junk mail and so mid morning after a few emails about a few of the processes we got it cleared out .  All there is is the medical Society magazines.  Judy wants me to spend at least a half hour every day work ing on it.  Lindsa who was asked to help out offered to help again the next time it gets to be heavy.  Anyway, Susan has scheduled a meeting for the three of us on Tuesday to discuss the mail.  I told Lee Ann a union rep and she says to reiterate that this job  used to be a 2 person job and should be again.  The practice has been growing etc.   She also agreed that I shouldn’t be going in by myself.  I let Judy know too.

I saw Debra today.  I talked about the issues that were stressing me out this week and what to do about them.   She felt terrible.   I was very glad to be leaving there today and getting home by 4:30.  Lee Ann had told me before we  left that  I don’t worry about it over the  weekend.  She will talk to me again on Monday.


I was really glad to be home by 4:30.  It was still light out and no problems.   Mom was reheating/cooking the corned beef again and we had that for dinner.  It was very good.  The rest of the night we have been doing our own thing.  She was watching TV and I was online for a while and then went and watched TV.

Now I am going to bed.

Cold Showers

That’s what I had to do deal with bright and early this morning.  There was no hot water.  After taking the world’s record for speed showers I got ready for work.  Mom got up and I told her we have serious issues with the water.  I finished getting ready and she went downstairs and found out that our Hot water tank-Tanked.  There was water every where.  It wasn’t very deep (I was expecting to find water up to mid calf).  I left the house by 7:20.

By the time I got home later on in the day Mom had made calls to the Colandrea’s and went to the bank and the new water heater was in place.  Colandrea cleaned up as much as possible and is supposed to come back some time next week.  So is the plumber who repaired the upstairs toilet and sink downstairs.

After they all left Mom and I were talking about something and she couldn’t hear me very well and didn’t like it that I was moving my arms around.    We ended up in an argument after I told her I didn’t like her telling me how to tell stories.  We were angry with each other for nearly an hour.  That is until I apologized and we started from there. 

We got the house set for the 4^th District.  We had a total of 12 members including the newest member we voted in.  The meeting went by quickly and of course there was a lot of food.  I was going to write up the minutes but got tired and I am heading to bed soon.

I did have training and it was pretty good. I think I understand it.  It was not as long as I expected.  I was back at the office by 11.  I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the mail.

I have to get going I am so tired.

Frustration

I try very hard to do my job.  That does include getting the ever-loving and ever constant junk mail delivered.  Unfortunately when I have limited number of inter-office envelopes it makes it hard.  I have gone to the TRS site to order them but I have to fill out this stupid requisition list and when I ask ML to help she doesn’t know how.  Mind you she is the top administrative Assistant to the EX-Director of YMG.  She has also told me its not my job to order them.  Then whose job is it?  She keeps telling me that there are plenty all over the floor go check with them.  I have and there are very little to none.

Later on in the day a co-worker came to me and said I had taken the last of her interoffice envelopes and I let her know I didn’t.  She then asked if she could take some more.  I think I had just freaking told her “I am running low” or I don’t have any.  By the second time I said it my voice was raised and she looked at me and said don’t yell at me and told me I was unprofessional!!! I tried to make it up to her and quite frankly she can drop off the planet.  She was sullen for the next hour.  First off she isn’t my boss in any capacity.  You want to talk about unprofessional?  How about assuming I took the envelopes and then expect me to give her some when I clearly said I don’t have many.

Iamthisclose to going to Staples and buy a box for myself.  When I said that to Judy she immediately emailed Susan and asked her to order some.  Whether or not it was successful is questionable.

For the last couple of days Judy has been sending out a barrage of emails that some find rather insulting and anal.  I don’t know for sure but our team may be the only ones getting “reminders” that we need to call if we are going to be late, use our time if we are late, we need to be aware of our breaks too.  If I am not mistaken when we can eat and what we can eat at our desks.  I am not sure if and how long that will last.

Tomorrow morning I have my Epic Training class.  It will be from 8-1 pm and it will be downstairs.  I am not sure what to expect but from what I heard of the others for the other facets they need it for it’s a little scary.  I am probably going to go to bed early tonight so I am up early enough to get there.  It’s in the same building.

I was able to get back into the scanning world at work today.  It was for an hour but I was glad to be doing it.  I just had to remember some things band by the time I was finished it was all coming back to me.

I got a call today from the Milford Chamber of commerce today.  They wanted to know if I would be attending the student Mini-Grant interviews tomorrow afternoon.  I sent a text message to Telka to let her know about the phone calls and that I wouldn’t be able to go.  I actually forgot about them as well.  I figured someone would be there.  If Telka tried to respond I didn’t get it because my phone is on my desk.  I did send her an email when I got home but no response yet.

The weather here was soooo cold.  I didn’t go out unless I was going home.   I was dressed warm both times but it still didn’t help.  The reports on the TV say the temps will be colder tonight and tomorrow.  The storm they had predicted for Daytime Friday has now moved to Friday night into Saturday.  I do have to admit the winter sky was beautiful.  The sun was setting but one of the clouds reminded me of that ribbon in Star Trek: Generations movie.

When I got home I put the garbage out front for pick up tomorrow.  Happily it wasn’t recycle day either. The bin for that is rather awkward.  If the link worked ours is like the second from the left but green.  After dinner I put the rest out.

Mom was upstairs on her computer when I got home.  She still is not feeling that great.  She has been having bouts of nausea and its been frequent this week.  I suggested she see the doctor and she said if it gets worse (she has been to the doctors for check ups lately) she would go.

We had spaghetti for dinner tonight.  It was delicious but I am finding myself still hungry.  I ate a lot too.  I am going to see if there is any Lemon Meringue pie left. 

Have a great night and stay warm…

Not a bad Day after all

The day has now ended.  Our dinner guests left just about half hour ago and Mom is cleaning up the kitchen.  I offered to help but she said no that I have to get up early tomorrow for work.  She is right though.

The dinner was great even though it disappointed Mom.  She felt the meat was too dry.  The rest of us ate it.  We had corned beef, onions, carrots, potatoes, cabbage.  We had lemon meringue pie for dessert.

I left her this morning shortly after 7.  I made it to the gas station and filled the tank up and headed to New Haven.  I got to the office in good time despite the cold. 

When I arrived I had some time I brought up the concerns I had with Judy and she said it isn’t just me that has to submit a productivity but everyone is.  Okay that works for me.   I offered to make another sheet separate from the tallies because it wouldn’t work together..  I also confided and admitted to her that while I do get online I make sure I limit my time.  I am not sure if that will help or sink my career.  I managed to get all the work done by 4. 

I did find out that one of my Co-workers who is very special to me will be going out on medical leave for six weeks.  It is a serious surgery and I am worry about it.  So I am saying some extra prayers for her and her family. 

I saw Dr. Becker she is pleased with my visit today.  She did notice I was a little swollen today and we talked about the plaquenil and the face rashes.  She did say that if there were any thing in the blood tests and urine test that are “hinky” they would call me.

Okay I am tired so I am going to bed hope your Tuesday was great.

Most Auspicious and Historical

Good Evening my friends!  I hope you enjoyed this most Auspicious and historical day.  I got up at a decent hour and helped around here for a bit.  Mom realized yesterday she put a lot of pressure on herself by having dinner guests two days out.  So this morning after her Eye doctor’s appointment she went shopping for the menu.  I offered to vacuum and dust. 

As I was in the middle of it Mom got an email from Olivia our cleaning lady and she wants to come tomorrow and clean.  I immediately stopped cleaning.  I have been watching parts of the inauguration and NCIS, browsing the web.  I even made some calls.

Mom went to her doctor’s appointment and then shopping.  She seemed to be gone a long time and after last night’s trip home my imagination was running a little crazy.  Happily she came home around 2 and was fine. 

It was just about then I decided I would go see Liz.  Mom had stopped there but didn’t stay long as Liz had an old friend visiting.  I called her and asked if she was up for another visitor and she said yeah.  So I got ready to leave.  Mom asked me to drop something off at RadioShack afterwards.

I was with her for almost an hour.  She talked about her visit with her classmate and friend, her entire stay at the hospital.  The upcoming trip to the Maryland area; they had signed up for one and this trip came up.

After my visit I left for RadioShack.  By then the snow had started to fall.  I drove to the mall and parked near the food court.  I had literally forgotten where the store was.  I had parked in the parking garage so that I wouldn’t have to brush off the snow.  Let’s just say I got my exercise going back and forth at least 4 times.  I was able to return the item and got money back.  I even stopped for a slice of pizza.

Normally the mall is the last place I want to be.  I am not a shopper but it was kind of interesting to see what stores were there and what new ones were arriving.  Anyone hear of Forever21?  There were kids every where and even playing around on the escalator and some older kid made a comment.  For some unexplained reason I defended the kids.  The other kids looked up like they were going to challenge this 5’6’ guy and I said just ignore it and move along.  Now granted I didn’t do things like that when I was there age (I don’t think I hung out with a large crowd of kids like that).  I also don’t think I will win any brownie points either.

It was after 4 when I got home.  Mom went out to get some lemons for a lemon meringue pie for tomorrow night’s dinner.  She already had our dinner for tonight in the oven.  We didn’t eat until 6.  We also had the soufflé that Tess made for us.  It was good.  It needed cooking a little bit longer.  

Since dinner I have been watching TV, and Mom has been preparing tomorrow’s dinner and my lunch for work. 

I sent a message to Jim and he says there is no snow in Allentown-yet.  I told him we are getting a dusting.  At least this part of Milford is The Northern part of Milford is not right now.  God that’s weird to write.

Well I think I am going to read my F-lists and then get ready for the week.  Read: Go to bed.  I am beginning to get the nervousness back in my stomach again.

Consideration

I got to ask.  Is it too much to ask for some consideration?  There were a couple of cases of this God Forsaken flu at the nursing home this week.  So far two have it.  Both are on the first floor.  One came in with it from the hospital and the other resident caught it or something..  Would it have been that hard to call during the week and say Hey Kate we have a couple of cases of the Flu.  No I get the sign at the front door saying if you are sick or have the flu don’t visit. 

Due to having Lupus my immune system is bad and has been for a while.  Case in point last year when the GI-bug was hot and heavy in the nursing home.  Who got it?  Me Who passed it on two a couple of my co-workers?  Me.   Do I want to pass anything on to Mom?  Not really.  I wanted to go see Liz today and thought better of it.  I have since found out she is making her first trip out of the house since she has been home.

Since there was a Flu watch going on the number of residents allowed to congregate were supposed to be ten to twelve it was its normal fourteen.  They wanted 2 people to a table.  As you can see it didn’t happen.  Happily we started on time and ended on time.  This allowed me to get to church on Time.

After church I came home.  Mom was in her office and I had lunch the left over Chinese dish I had last night.  Later this afternoon we are going to our Friends Mike and Tessa’s for dinner.  They are going to a concert first and I will meet them at their house.

I have been checking emails, writing this entry and watching TV.  I finally found some blogs that were from Kansas that I enjoyed reading.  They were from Kansas.  They really didn’t discuss “farming” even though they like those things but for some reason it clicked with me.


I have also been trying very hard not to think about work this week.  I still find myself thinking about the Mini-changes that are coming down the pike.  If you recall Judy wants me to record the time it takes me to do things like opening the mail, doing the re-address mail,  the postage tallies.  She wanted to add the times to the current tally daily tally sheets and I don’t think it will work that way.  I am hoping she will be receptive to having a different form with the times on it.

It looks like  the woman’s club will have a Board meeting the first weekend of February.  Time to be announced and all.  It will usually be about the activities that are being planned and what our plans will be for the spring and summer.  I suspect that officer elections will be coming up very soon.

For the last several days we have noticed an influx of crows in the neighborhood.  They have been gathering in the trees out back and flying around and making a great deal of noise.  Mom is wondering if they are ravens.  All I know is they look like they are on steroids.  When Neighbor Don and I were talking about it yesterday he showed me they are dropping mussels from the river to open and feed on them.

Well Mom left for the concert and she ahs asked me to pick up my room.  She needs to keep her mouth shut actually.  She also may want to check my birth certificate.

Laid back Saturday

Last night I decided that I would attempt to clean out my inbox.  They were from the various lists I belong to.  As well as the community service groups I am a part of and of course the entertainment world, and the family news.  I try to save them if they have anything I need to know.  Unfortunately I let them accumulate that it has become overwhelming. 

Every so often I also update the different files with notes that indicate where the emails go or things to know.  It’s either that I would have no memory left on this computer.

The rest of the day was spent the way I wanted.  I did laundry and watched TV and had Chinese for dinner.  Mom left around 12:30 for the Opera and came back around after 4.  She went to church afterwards.

She wasn’t thrilled with my dining choice.  For those of you who are wondering it was Lucky Dragon.  She argued that everyone she knows doesn’t like that place.  My only response was well the group did.  I didn’t want to go out to Orange and I wasn’t up to going down to the Baybrook one.  I am beginning to think I should have.  My hands ache and I had a headache. 

Cousin Donna called today.  She had been in CT last week but was really on a tight schedule and couldn’t really stop and visit.  She and her husband had just gotten home to North Carolina but she wanted to give a brief update on her nephew.  He is home right now and that hasn’t been any follow up planned (please see yesterday’s entry).

We talked about other things (beyond the weather).   It was really cool it was about travelling, our home town.  It was great.   For some reason it was really and awkward goodbye and I don’t know why.  When Mom came home I gave her the message.

Now that it is after 10 I think I am going to bed as well.  Mom just went there herself.  I don’t think she has too much planned for tomorrow. 

Have a great night…

Freezing Friday

I woke up very early this morning at Mom’s suggestion and got to the clothes in the washer.  I sent them through and within the hour they were washed.   i put them in the dryer and spent time watching tV, getting online, and basically waking up.

I was all set to leave on time until I had to go searching for my keys and the ID badges.  I wasn’t able to find the ID Badges until I got to work and of course I found the keys.  I didn’t get to the office until after 8.

It was so cold this morning.  I was uncomfortable.   It was a little windy too but then there is a huge wind tunnel down George Street anyway.  As I mentioned it was after 8 when I arrived and ran smack dab into the EX Dir Dess-Santoro.  All sorts of things were going through my head.  I was half expecting Susan, Judy, or someone to come running down and saying “you're late”.  

When I got to the office greeted people and then got to work.  Aside from an occasional conversation its pretty quiet here..  The mail was waiting for me to start.  I worked on that and readdress mail and then around 11 the post office mail came.

I left for Debra’s around quarter of 12 and then we had our session.  We discussed the week’s events and things that were agitating me (lots of different things).  When it was time to leave it was nearly quarter of one.  I walked back and it was still cold.

When I got back I dove into the mail that was left on my desk.  I also found emails from Judy asking for a couple of things.  One of them was the monthly mail long up today.  I also was asked to help with scanning when I am done with the mail.  I also wanted to clarify to be sure that she knows I do work on the re-address mail every day.  She understood that..  Later on in the day she wanted me to include times each of the mail-opening activity takes.  This is really upsetting me because I had asked her if people were complaining or if there were problems..  She told me know and that if there were then she would tell me.  I did let Lee-Ann know about it..  I would have told her more but I didn’t know the other part until later..  

I was so frustrated that when I left the office it wasn’t until after 4.  I was forgetting things behind (like my thumb drive and gloves).  I managed to get the gloves but the thumb drive will have to wait until Tuesday..  Most of the stuff on there i have on the hard drive as well.  I also printed out the two most important documents anyway.  I talked with a couple of coworkers about the situation and the whole being treated like a baby by the family.

Why am I talking about being treated like a baby by the family?  Um they keep giving advice about work.  For example (don’t make personal phone calls, internet use, etc.  Apparently I am not the only one it happens to.  This was one of the things I was also talking to Debra about at our session.
When I spoke to Mom about it earlier she dismissed me and told me I should just listen and that it puts me in a bad light when I don’t.  How do you think that made me feel?
So I have resigned to let it go in one ear and out the other.  It will be hard but to save my sanity and emotions its something that has to be done.
I talked with Liz tonight and she is still exhausted and her energy level was waning .  She was going through stuff and then heading back to bed I guess.  She was supposed to be going to her daughter-in-law’s shower tomorrow but she isn’t up to it.  She was disappointed on several fronts.  She has been left out of the entire planning of the event and  she was disappointed that her family wasn’t invited (I would imagine she meant us).  She doesn’t understand what is going on and I don’t ether but it will reveal itself some day..
This weekend will be one of low-key. I don’t have to be anywhere tomorrow.  So I will just do laundry and relax and leave work behind.  Sunday I will probably volunteering and then come back and relax more..  Monday will get ready for the short week and watch TV and perhaps part of the Presidential Inauguration.

Had some crazy dreams again

I was at a party and I was supposed to be keeping an eye on a baby (I am thinking it was Grandma Cheryl’s baby boy) and kept misplacing him.  I didn’t recognize the house but i could hear people's voices that I recognized.  I woke up around 3.  It took some time for me to fall back to sleep until I heard the alarm.  I ended up staying in bed until quarter of 7.  

Since I stayed in bed that long I was sort of running around getting ready.  I sent out some emails while getting ready to leave.  

I ended up leaving after 7:30 and getting to the office by 8:10.  I quickly said hi to Mama Joanie and then started on the mail.  The mail was fairly light and I was finished with all of it by 2:30.  This allowed me to spend a lot of time on the re-address mail and online. (shhh))))))

Lots of things happening at work.  University wide we are preparing for the departure of President Richard Levin.  His replacement President Elect Peter Salvoy is having a town hall meeting sometime next week.  It is to get to know each other.  A new University Provost has been chosen and he is the current chair of the Economics Department.  His name is Benjamin Polak.

On Monday Dean Robert Alpern announced the new CEO and Deputy Dean of the Med School  He is Dr. Paul Taheri.  According to the email sent out on Monday.  Dr. Alpern stated that Dr. Tahari will be” responsible for the management and leadership of all aspects of the school’s practice. He will be charged with establishing a strong management structure and maintaining a high-performing clinical operation. Working with the department chairs, faculty, and our clinical partners, he will lead the development and implementation of initiatives to improve and standardize clinical operations, enhance revenue cycle operations, and optimize clinical space utilization.”  Dr. Taheri will begin in March.

The new billing program known as Epic is supposed to go live in February.  It is supposed to interact with the hospital and other medical facilities under the Yale New Haven Health and YMG umbrella.  Training has been going on for a while now.  As always there are people who don’t understand it or find it difficult while others love it.  My training session is from 8-1 next thursday.  I am not exactly sure how it will work with my job (actually it might make it better) but I am willing to learn.  It just will throw my mail schedule a tad off.

Oh and as of today there is no overtime for now on Weekends.  BAsically it means for now there is no OT period.  Management also made Mama Joanie and JanetN leave an hour early because they started an hour early this morning.  HR was playing around with the OT about ten days ago apparently.  They were going to tell us that if we take personal time out and then have OT that same day we couldn’t do it anymore.  Our current contract allows us to do that.

We had a lovely visit from former State Rep Dick Roy tonight.  He actually came for our 4th District meeting (but that’s next week).  So he told us of his plans now that he is no longer in the Chambers.  He will be busy.



I have a small load of laundry going right now.  Actually It is soaking for now.  I have NCIS on right now and in about an hour the season premiere of Suits.  So I will see you all tomorrow.

Snow Day

I was up my normal time.  Well at least by 6:15.  I set up the ironing board to iron and then went and cleaned off the stairs in teh back and front of the house.  I cleared of my car and when that was all done I set up coffee and then ironed and showered..  

As I  was getting dressed I had gotten a few text messages from Cami.  She wanted to know if we could wear jeans on snow days.  I hadn’t heard if New Haven was closed or not but I told her to go for it.  I left the house by 7:30 after gulping the coffee down.  

Since I had heard the traffic reports I decided to go along the shoreline into New Haven and got on at Kimberly AVenue exit.  It wasn’t bad that way.  I avoided the delays.  I still managed to get to the office after 8..

It is quiet right now and that’s because many people are not here.  i like it sometimes and there are other times I don’t.  I guess I would prefer to be home and watching TV or on the computer instead of working. in weather like this..

It is now just before 7 pm.  I managed to get the daily stuff done and cleared out by the time I left this afternoon.  I still have a huge mountain of readdress mail but as I told Dk I will get to it each day.

The ride home was pretty good for a commuter’s hour.  THere was barely any traffic southbound.  The highways were pretty dry and the secondary roads were not that bad.  I stopped at the the card shop and got some cards I have been meaning to get.

Mom wasn’t home when I got home so I had a little time for myself.  I managed to get the recyclable stuff out.  The garbage is only one bag so it doesn’t need the containers..  When Mom got home we talked and chatted.  She told me that our friends Mike and Tess would be coming over to help her set up her new Epson Printer/copier/scanner.  

WE got our own dinner.  I had meatloaf sandwich and it was good.  It isn’t exactly agreeing with me but I will fix that later.  

I haven’t updated any of my calendars to reflect people’s birthdays’  I know of one and that would be my Aunt Rita.  I am pretty sure her family is thinking of her and Missing her very much..  My Cousin Carol usually posts something but I haven’t seen anything..

Well She may not have posted a memorial but she did post news.  Her son is in the hospital.  She doesn’t give details only that he was admitted after going to the ER.  

I actually am very tired and can’t keep my eyes opened so I am going to bed.

For Today

As I expected there was a lot of mail for me to open especially for lockbox.    THere was 141 Pieces from yesterday and they were all opened by 10 am.  The rest would have to wait until the post office mail was done.    While I was opening the mail one of my co-workers needed some assistance in putting the mail away.  I went to help as I am giving directions and she wasn’t getting them.  Then this freaking ass woman whom many of us have a strong disliking barged in and  wouldn’t mind her own business.  I did some strong venting ot Janet and CBarnett thought  I was actually talking with her.

I called  Mom at lunchtime and she was getting ready for her meeting in Middletown .  She said she would see how liz was before leaving.  While eating I asked Mom and she said that Liz was still tired.    I probably will call her myself on Thursday and let her rest.

I had veggie  quesadilla  for lunch it was delicious.  I managed to surf the web for a while too.  There is a newly organized group  from Sandy Hook comprised of the families who have lost the children and family members one month ago yesterday calling for  discussion on  gun control and children safety and mental Health.

The rest of the afternoon I spent it opening the mail and worked until 5 to get it done.  All that was left is the postage and  re--address mail.   

I was happy to see that some of my co-workers returned to work from medical leave.  I really missed Marti.  She has been another good friend over the years.  She apparently has to continue healing.

The Drive home was long.  THere was a disabled car  on 95 near where I get off.    As a result I didn’t get home until 6 and we had a late dinner.  Mom had been caught in the tie up as well.

Where is the Sun?

You know something I really need to stop watching the weather reports.  I could have sworn they said we would get sun.  There is no sun outside.  There was fog this morning but its lifting in the city.  Other areas seem to still have it.

I talked with Mom this morning and she is doing okay but feeling guilty for not going up to see Liz.  I agreed that I felt the same way but neither of us can afford to get sick.  I am hoping Liz understands.  LIz called this morning still a little weak and not sure when or if she is getting out today.  Mom has a meeting or two I think other than that I have no idea what she is doing.

I am hoping a picture I sent to Liz with a text gets to her.  I just wanted to let her know I was thinking of her even if I couldn’t be there.  I called Nelson to see how he was doing and he was cleaning the house in anticipation of Liz’s return home.  He reassured me that Liz and he both understand why we haven’t gone up and they encourage it.

The sun came out around lunch time.  It warmed my immediate office up a little.  I was going to go and get the card for Sharon M but I wanted to get my work done first.  As it was I hd very little lockbox and the lobby mail from downstairs hadn’t arrived for today.  

I sent a picture to Liz letting her know I was thinking of her.  She texted me back and told me she was going home today.  I qucikly called Mom but totally forgot Ethel.  I figured MOm would tell her. That wasn’t the case.  I got a text message from Ethel a bit ago.

As I was cleaning up for the day (and updating calendar appointments) Lockbox for today arrived.  it will be waiting for me for tomorrow.  I am going to try and go in early.  Then I can get everything done.

Too much Caffiene

I knew I was going to have a problem sleeping tonight.  As I mentioned in my earlier entry I had not just hot chocolate but coffee too.  When I had dinner tonight at Plan B I also had Ice Tea. 

I  have now a cup of warm milk here and I am going to try and drink that and read a new book.  Actually I got it at my birthday.  It is called Freedom after 50 by  Sue Patton Theole.  As you can probably see it seems she has retired from the writing world.  Why is it I always find things out after the fact?

Okay I think I am going to get to sleep now that it’s after midnight.

In a real fog

It is really cold and very foggy today and according to the weather page its supposed to get even more foggy.  I told Mom this and she is deciding whether or not we really need anything at the store.  She isn’t feeling again either. 

I had a great time at the party last despite the fact we got into political discussions.  I somehow seem to start them and then try to get out of them not just for my benefit but for those who get equally impassioned about them as well. 

There was a lot of food so much so that the cake Mom made was not touched.  There were all sorts of appetizers, salads, lasagna, kielbasa, and desserts galore. 

Unfortunately one of John and Telka’s friends had a health issue and was taken to the hospital.  I couldn’t tell you what it was but in simple terms it may have been a blood pressure drop.  I would call Telka and find out how they were doing but she is in the middle of preparing for the students mid-terms.

When I got home Mom was already in bed and that was early for her.  The earliest I have seen her go is 9 but she usually had to be some where the next day very early.  Today she is not completely feeling better.  She said her back is hurting her and her short answers although not constant are intermixed with regular conversations.

I was checking emails before going off to bed and I found one from Jeanette V and she wasn’t able to open the email attachment I sent her so I had to cut and past to the email and send it that way.  I hope she got it.

I slept until 7:30 this morning and when I got up I spent time online and watching some TV.  I also explained to Mom that her cake was not eaten and the reason for it.  This afternoon she was glad they didn’t eat it because now we can use it for our 4th District meeting in two weeks.

I left for the nursing home at my usual time making stops at the neighbors dropping off our newspapers.  Then I had one more stop to make.  It was to D&D for breakfast.  I ended up getting 2 extra large caffeine drinks and a BEC on a bagel. 

Bingo went very well. Despite the fact I had a little dizzy spell prior to the residents arriving.  Matthew B returned from the injured list.  He dislocated his knee in a wrestling match before the holidays.  He was incredibly helpful today and of course a joy to work with.  Did I mention that we had 15 residents playing today?  I think we also had three new players today too.

What I didn’t know was I left my lights on in the car and completely decimated the battery.  Luckily the security guards with the help of one of the picketers got my car jumped after 20 minutes.  I called the garage back and cancelled my request for help.

I talked with Liz before I realized the car was dead.  She was tired because of not getting much sleep because of the steroids they have her on.  She is in Isolation still and still needed rest. 

I was home by 12:15 and Mom was in the kitchen. I scared her half to death.  For the next several hours until Dave picked me up I spent it trying to write THIS entry and surfing the web.  I also watched a little bit of TV.

Rose and Dave picked me up some time after 4.  We headed to the mall where Dave and Rose had to go to a couple of stores before going to the movies.  I went with Rose and it was a short trip to Target.  We met back at the movie theater and went in to get tickets.

We saw Gangster Squad.  Dave paid for my ticket because I left my wallet at home.  We went through the previews, the behind the scenes of both TV and movies (We paid $8.50 for this?) and then more previews of upcoming movies that I would be interested in seeing. 

When the movie finally started it was graphic and violent.  It was fun trying to identify all the cast members.  Some were surprising and some not so much.  But I did notice at least three or four that were in TV shows I have watched.  However, I just took a look and didn’t see all of them listed on the cast list at IMDB.  I don’t know if I would see it again. 

After the movie we headed back to the house so I could pick up my wallet and then went to Plan B restaurant in the Whole Foods shopping center.  We started off with Wings seasoned with Garlic Pepper Parmesan cheese.  We each had sandwiches (Dave had his usual chicken sandwich and we had burgers.  Mine was 4 cheese burger and onion rings.  When we were done Dave drove me home and I have been watching TV and checking emails.
Now that it is almost ten I think I am going to go to bed.  I want to try and get to work early tomorrow and work on the re-address mail.

Have a great night.

AFternoon going by fast

First off I would like to welcome all my new friends to the blog.  I really hope you enjoy your time here and hopefully you won’t be too bored with my world. 

This afternoon is moving along fast and not a lot is getting done.  I am moving along with the laundry but  after the last load I am not putting anymore in.  That’s until I get home.

I can smell the Lemon  sheet cake Mom is making for the party this afternoon.  Have I told you how much I Love my Mom?  You are probably wondering why she is doing it and not me.  Simply put I don’t bake and very rarely cook.  Actually I very rarely bake or cook.  Some day I will.  I help out in other ways. 

I got a call from Debbie M.  She was letting me know that  she picked up some drink mixes (don’t get to excited it’s the crystal light stuff) for the Mexican Train game “afternoon” in two weeks.

Well at least I am beginning to see improvement in this room.  I can actually see the floor again.    As usual my resolutions to keep the room in some order flew literally out the window.

I need to get going now…see you late.r

Washed Away

Good Morning All it is after 9:30 and I have been up since 8.  It felt good  sleeping in a little.  Especially after  getting up early  all week.  My original intention was to have the laundry done by a certain time I just have to move it (up or back can’t remember).

Most of the snow we got has been washed away by the rain and warm temperatures.  I was just looking at this forecast and it is supposed to get into the 50’s.  This will do wonders for those who have this flu or anything else for that matter (bristles).  It looks like it will be cloudy but warm all week long.

Hmmm.   I just got a notification that some one wants to join the group and start one of her own.  I posted a welcome request and gave her some information on how to start her own group.  I hope that’s what she wanted.  She is from senior center or home I guess.

Mom is about to start baking the cake for tonight’s party.  She told me she is just waiting for everything  to come to room temperature.  I think actually I know she wants to do it on her own.  That’s okay.  I  should be doing other stuff anyway.

Now its nearly noon time and have only done a few things around here  so I am going to check on the laundry and take care of some other stuff.

Family Night

Last night was family night.  I had been checking messages on facebook and found one from a cousin on  my Dad’s side.  She was sending me her address.  Then I got a message from an old friend of Bob’s that was sending condolences. I sent a message to my nephew Rob (and ironically no response yet).  Then just about dinner time Liz sent me a text to my email account informing me she was in the hospital with pneumonia.   Then Ethel comes over for impromptu dinner and then we get phone calls from two of the Coulombe cousins.  I also had gotten emails from Lisa R asking  if we are still attending the little guy's birthday.  She wanted to know about Chris and his kids I couldn't answer.  

Earlier this afternoon I had called Mom for a second time and got an update.  Liz has been put into isolation and can’t have visitors.  Mom’s annoyed as she feels Liz should have been to the doctor’s sooner than this.  It was a little unnerving because you don’t know what is going on and crazy things start popping in your head.

I left the office a little after 4 and headed home.  I stopped at the two Chris’s house to see Sawyer and Simon.  They immediately started to whine when they saw me.  So I spent some time talking with their “Dad”.  After a while I actually came to the house and by then it was 5.

MOm and I talked while she cleaned the pans she was  using to cook some eggplant.  She had about an hour to get ready for the Literary club.  We talked about getting the cake done and she said she would do it when she got up in the morning.

She left after six and after talking with Liz.  Liz sounded stronger and is feeling better but will be in the hospital until Monday.  I have been relaxing between phone calls and TV watching.  Nelson called about 30 minutes ago and this is what he said:

“Liz is feeling better but having a hard time breathing; the birthday party for Nelson 3 has been canceled because Jr and son are both sick.”

This outbreak (flu and everything else) has gotten everyone.  I am going to try and get to bed early tonight and do my chores before leaving tomorrow for Telka’s party.