KateP's musings

August 31, 2013 Dear Friends: I wasn’t sure my birthday would be any great shakes.  A couple of days ago (Thursday night) Mom and I got into another one of our angry arguments over one of our favorite subjects.  I didn’t like the way she was talking to me and I asked her to stop and she responded rudely to me and for almost two days we barely spoke.  That is until I got home from my hair appoint determined to change things again.  We are speaking and talking about the subject in a less angry manner.  We got interrupted by a call from Jim. Jim sent me a Birthday Text Message at some ungodly hour this morning.  I heard it come in but checked a couple of hours later.  I chided him for it when he called.  He explains he got up early to eat and do things then goes back to bed.  Much like the rest of us in the family.  I asked them about the kids and the one person I did really ask about was Kristina!  As soon as I write this I am going t...

August 28, 2013 Dear Friends: Today many students started back to school today.  I hope you and yours had a wonderful start and enjoy this year.   I had an opportunity to see my neighbors daughter start High school today.  As I drove to the highway I could see the children and their parents meet at the different bus stops.  I was glad none of  the buses were in the area or I would have been really late! As it was I was starting off late because Mom noticed the clothes I was wearing weren’t ironed. So I ironed them and then we had the “no socks” discussion.  She made comments about acting like a child.  I said “Please let’s not have this discussion this morning”. Once I got to work it was fine.  Saw MamaJ and then got to work on finishing yesterdays sorting and delivering.  Eventually got to today’s stuff.  Finished the daily stuff by 3.  The lobby mail came late so I have to pick that up tomorrow. Mom called me this ...

August 27, 2013 Dear Friends: Today was a long day.  I didn’t sleep really that well last night.  I woke up a few times during the night and then ended up hitting the snooze button on the cell phone!  I could hear the rain a few times and that made it really hard to get up. I spoke to Mom this morning as well.  Her day would consist of washing and iron the rest of the curtains.  I asked how she slept and she said fine.  When I got home she had a visitor.  It was one of her board members and friend.  I left them to chat for  a while. I was asked to attend a special union committee meeting today.  I had no idea what it was for  but I learned they need local 34 union members to help with canvassing and campaigning for the candidates in the different wards.  I have to make sure I make time for my own town’s candidates as well.  I asked Mom about that  when I got home after telling her the news.  She is glad ...

August 26, 2013 Dear Friends: The day started off dreary.  Reports of clouds and rain and possible thundershowers were expected throughout the day.  My ankle seemed to confirm that.  The rain didn’t start until I got home and it wasn’t very long. Work went really well I got a lot done and managed to work on the readdress mail when the rest of the stuff was done.  Many people came back from vacation recently and it was really good to see them.  I hope they share their adventures with me.   This week is month end so I am hoping the next four days will be more than satisfactory for everyone.  I am expecting the rest of the week to be heavy in lockbox and electronic and regular volume for me. I left a little after 4 for my appointment with the Hematologist.  It was the fifth and final iron infusion for the next month.  He says it needs time to regenerate and I will get to see him in late September.  I was pleased that with everyth...

August 25, 2013 Dear Friends: Been home from the picnic a while now.  It was fun and of course lots of food.  Unfortunately my brother in law wasn’t supposed to have a roll with his hot dog and he was  trying to be discreet about it and spitting up in to a cup.  I really was uncomfortable about it.  I actually thought I was going to lose my meal along with him.  He was also trying to hit home the fact that Liz wasn’t doing well the last two weeks.  What the hell?  Don’t you think I know that right now?  Like I don’t call my sister enough times during the week? Liz and discussed Mom when  Liz wouldn’t start ten different conversations with other people as they walked by.  This annoys me beyond words.  She does this when we are on the phone as well.  Anyway she says jim is anxious (this I knew) abuot getting things ready for when the time comes.  Who to call first etc.  She feels that Hospice will be there (Thank G...

August 25, 2013 Dear Friends: Another beautiful summer day has dawned.  In a short while I will be heading off to volunteer at the nursing home and then go to church.  Then I will be heading back to the church for their annual picnic.  Liz called me before I left for the birthday party and asked if I would like to join them.  I jumped at the invitation.  Liz and I talked about Mom’s status again.  I think Liz forgot that we had the conversation a couple of weeks ago.  When Jim had left here the last time.  She has admitted in the past her memory isn’t as good.  So I just said I am not sure if its worse but Jim sees it differently because he is out of state.  Liz also says Mom tells him more than she tells us.  Liz also felt Mom was testy yesterday and she wasn’t going to put up with it.  Anyway, the party was great.  The location was absolutely tranquil (other than being in the flight paths of planes taking off and landing...

August 24, 2013 Dear Friends: It is a morning of multitasking before I head out this afternoon for Dave’s 50th Birthday party on the beach (or park) in Stratford.  It is at Short Beach in Stratford.  The weather so far is absolutely beautiful.  It is supposed to be sunny and 80’s today and I am glad. I have had breakfast and done some laundry already and I am trying to empty out the my inbox here on the computer.  It’s always a long process.  I never know what I should keep. I have also been surfing the net.  As you know I mentioned the Big E a couple of weeks ago and I follow their blog as well.  It looks like there will be some changes in future for them and the city in which is housed.  I sent the link to a group of friends that usually go. I will see them today at least.  Despite the marketing depts. assurances their primary purpose will not be lost I can’t help but think the other activities and events that take place there ...

August 23, 2013 Dear Friends: Well I had an Oh Dear moment.   I noticed I hadn’t gotten any email from my livingwells2 list since Wednesday.   I had missed a few emails like the weekly “What are you Weekend plans and few other thread starters.   I went to the group to make sure I am still on the list.   I am but I think I better check the bouncing stuff.   I deleted a whole much of emails from the group.   Ones I don’t answer to and others I have already but not sure if saved them or not.   I think they go back as far as January.   I am beginning to think I am the only who replies to some of the posts.   There are a number of people who are bouncing. I may have to do the mailbox cleaning on a lot of lists.   I have over 7000 emails in there still and I need to weed it out more.   I would obviously keep the important emails and the ones I have replied to or ones that had info I needed.   However, I may have ...

August 23, 2013 Dear Friends:  Its Friday night and its all right.  The weather is a beautiful  78 degrees and its been  a little cloudy for most of the day.  It hit the low 80’s late in the day.  The weekend is supposed to be beautiful.  In the low 80’s all weekend with a slight chance of rain. Today was  a great day.  I managed to get all the daily stuff done and managed to get a little of the re-address mail done.  People noticed it was fairly quiet in the office today. We had a birthday lunch today.  Wings and a salad and of course a cake.  It was for Evette.  Apparently it was a surprise one too.  She was tickled pink. After work I headed to Plan B Restaurant to pick up Dave’s gift card for his party tomorrow.  Unfortunately I went in the opposite direction that I needed and took a little “road trip through Orange “ and then back up the right direction.  I got home around 5. When I got home I found Mom...

August 22, 2013 Dear Friends: Well they say the road is paved with good intentions...they haven’t been down my street.  Its still a mess but its to be expected.  Many feel its taking longer than it should.  Well crap happens.  The line from the Late Patrick Swayze’s Character in Road House  says “expect the unexpected”.  He wasn’t kidding.  I left the house around 20 after this morning and didn’t have any real problems but I did want to leave earlier than I did.   I managed to get to work before 8 and that is a win.  Ann was telling me about last night’s tennis match she went to.  She had a lot of fun.  She is also a volunteer driver for the tourney and she will be working a lot this weekend. I got a text this morning from Nancy.  She had a family emergency in NC (where her daughter is) and so she couldn’t connect with me.  Anyway I told her I could stop by tomorrow after work.  It looks like I ...

August 21, 2013 Dear Friends: I am just a mess today.  I tried to get up early enough but ended up staying in bed until 6.  I was running around trying to get things done  and look halfway decent for  Nancy and Pat’s return.  Unfortunately I started slowing down after 7 and didn’t leave until after 7:30. I hit traffic in West Haven so I called the office to let them know I would be late.  I don’t usually call in unless I know for certain if I am going to be a  late a lot.   I got to the office around 8:15.  I have been working ever since.  Sadly we did discover that a co-worker’s mother died during the last couple of days.  There is a collection going on for the next few days. I received a rather  frantic/panic mode email from Dr. T.  It would seem of the six  members of the woman’s club only three have paid their dues.  Dr. T asked for ideas that included maybe having the woman’s club meeting on a ...

August 20, 2013 Dear Friends: It was a beautiful morning.  I  managed to get up and  walked the dogs get ready for work all before 7:30.    I did throw some of my laundry in to have it ready by the time I got home.  Today is just work and taking care of the dogs.  I am not sure but Nancy and Pat may be back today or tomorrow. When I talked with Mom yesterday at dinner time she also said she was washing and ironing the curtains and the blinds on the windows.   I am hoping I can go over after walking the dogs.  Yet If Nancy and Patrick come home today I just may move my stuff back.  Have I said I am just not ready for them today.  I haven’t changed the sheets on the bed today.  I am hoping the boys will be cooperative and no poo in the house. Oh my god.  CB just told me that several people in Fairfield called their local 911 to complain or whatever for the power failure on Sunday.....

August 19, 2013 Dear Friends: Well the weekend is over and another week has started.  YEsterday turned out alright.  Mom and i had it out for a little while and things are at understanding.  Now we are talking.  IT won’t be the same anymore but I have to acquiesce on somethings I have come to learn.   I had to make a few trips back and forth to check on the dogs and grandparents.  On one of my trips they were taking a walk and chatting with neighbors.  The one breathtaking moment I had was the front door was open and I flashed back to when my own grandmother did that once a long time ago. While I was at the house I did some laundry and delivered papers and we discovered the older washing machine is dying.  So now we can’t use it to dump the  dehumidifier water into it.   Mom did some shopping and cooking for the 4th District meeting on Thursday.  I also gave her a small headcount/attendance.  She worked on her comput...

August 18, 2013 Dear Friends: It is sunday morning the sun is up but not as bright as yesterday.  Its about 65 degrees and some cloud cover.  It looks like we will be getting showers for the afternoon and the evening. I really should be getting ready for bingo but the Herman’s downstairs are not up yet and I just wanted to let them know what I was going to do today.  I was hoping to get back to the house and do some laundry and then come back and spend time with the dogs and then go to the ice cream social.    It sounds like they are getting up. I am goiong to take off and will see you later...

August 17, 2013 Dear Friends:     The dogs have been fed, watered, and walked for the final time tonight.  The sun had set before 8 so i ran them out there to see where they had their packages.  I had every intention of saying goodnight to the grandparents but methinks they got there already.  The pups are barking at something but they are either on the bed or next to the bed waiting for me to go back. I tried calling Mom a couple of more times but she either is refusing to answer or the alternative is she is still out at the Oyster fest or at least she was. I am not sure what else is on TV tonight but I suspect I will get too tired and fall asleep. Tomorrow is bingo and church and then go back to the house and do some laundry for a couple of hours.  I think I better stop back here first and let the grandparents know first. Have a great night.

August 17, 2013 Dear Friends: It is an absolutely beautiful day.  The sun is shining and the temperatures are I think in the high 70’s.  It is low tide right now.   This morning I walked to and from the center of town.  It is a 2 mile round trip.  I took my time and managed to run into people from the DTC.  I went to our tent and chatted while they set up.  Then I talked with JanetM about who else? Mom.  Then it was time for me to sit at my post across the street. The second tent from the DTC was providing “a service” of sorts.  Voter Registration and the updated information on the redistricting information.  We provided locations of the new voting locations. When I got back from the festival I relaxed both packy spent time downstairs while preston was up here.  I had decided to get lunch and go to the store for grandma and pop.  I got back here around 2.   Nancy had called asking for some things they left behin...

August 16, 2013 Dear Friends: Its Friday and there is a lot going on today and the entire weekend.  This weekend I will be pet sitting for some friends and attending the Milford Oyster festival.  IF Oysters are not your thing (and no it isn’t just Oysters there) you can check out these alternatives .  There are festivals all over.  I always think that I want to attend these thing and then remember the expense, travel,health and then I sit down and say no. Work went well I mail volume seemed really low for Friday and of course I had a HIPAA Training class justa about the time mail was scheduled to arrive (Weeeeeeee). Ironically  I was back from training before the mail came.   Before i left for Nancy & Patrick’s house I stopped and got my prescriptions that i placed earlier this week. Chairman V has been asking me to send out emails asking for volunteers for the last few days for setup and cleanup and during the day as well.   I h...