Pretty successful afternoon

I am sitting here with The Kratts brothers Wild Alaska Live on in the background.  Part of me is interested and some of it is waiting for the next load of laundry to finish.  

I left here just around 1 chatted with Neighbor ChrisP before taking off for the cleaners to pick up some stuff I left there.  Then I went to the nursing home.  Maria was there doing some paperwork.  We chatted about the activities fo the day.  Reminded me to make sure everyone gets transported either to their room or to  the recreation room.

I had about 17 residents playing and of course some of them were chatting and one woman complained incessantly that I was going too fast.  I was really really wishing the hour would go by faster. Despite that the others enjoyed themselves.  I did have a chance to talk to Chef Phil and he told me what the “atmosphere” in the labor force there.  I didn’t leave there until about 3:30.

Once I left there I headed to my Sister and Brother in law’s.  They were entertaining children and grandchildren.  They were all just getting ready to go but the little ones were being a bit shy.  

I was there for about an hour.  They fed me (cheeseburger and potato salad) Nelson took a nap and Liz and i chatted about a few things on FB and of course church which I was a bit late for.

By the time I got there the gospel was just being read.  Mind you it was Just 4:35.  The mass started at 4:30.  The parking didn’t seem full but by the time I got inside number of attendees it seemed pretty full (I don’t even know if there was anyone in Father Cronin hall).  Near the end the ushers were counting how many parishioners were actually there.  I suspect that if the  numbers aren’t good they will cut some masses.  Then again this is all supposition on my part.

On the way home I heard from Jim.  I was trying to pin him down to a specific time to expect him on Thursday.  In the last texts he says he will be here between 4-5 and we will go to dinner when I get home   (I have a session with Debra).

It looks like I will be attending the trivia game at Scribner's restaurant stag.    Liz will be spending a few days in SC and it will be during the time of the trivia game.  She is really looking forward to it.

Well its time for me to say good night...For those of you in the middle of the wildfires please know i am thinking of you and praying for your safety.  Those in Drought conditions I pray you get the rain...

Good night...

Sunday Objectives

As i was finishing up feeding the cats this morning I walked into the living room and found what looked like a hairball on the window sill that landed on the floor.  Ick  I don’t know why they have so many hairballs.  There is two more around the house.  Cleaned one up in the office upstairs the other day.

I let them downstairs already.  I actually am not sure if both went or just Sky.  I turned around after finishing cleaning up hairball number 2  and tiger was just sitting there.

My other objectives today would include laundry and church and of course bingo.  I know you are surprised about the church but it's time I go back.

Nothing is wrong but this is proactive.  I feel that when I don’t go to church for a long time my whole center seems off balance and things go wrong.  I want to prevent that from happening.  Considering I am also on the Ladies guild Board now.  I best do it.

I talked with Mama Roberta Friday night for an hour.  She told me about her trip to Colorado and how she met the parents of Miriam’s Boyfriend.  It went very nice.  She also ended up with three spider bites on her body.  

She also told me how the trip to her sister Marsha’s went and how they did with Debbie.   They all survived.  At least she didn’t have huge fights with her sister about things but got to meet Marsha’s only friend.

Mama Roberta also told me she found out that Miriam is coming home for her birthday in September.  It was supposed to be a surprise but when Papa found his SIL was planning a trip he had to quash it with the news about Miriam.

Moved Slowly

This is a definite slow day.  This morning did our regular routine for a Saturday.  The kitties have been fed, and have been let down into the cellar,  I cleaned out the litter boxes, and went back to sleep with the TV watching me...get the picture?

Peapod arrive just after 9:30.  I didn’t need to see them as Sky was running up the stairs.  The driver pulled into the neighbor’s (Hockey guy’s) driveway.  I asked her not to do it she explained it wouldn’t be for long and she figured it was mine.  I just shrugged my shoulders and resigned myself to the fact she will do it.   Please for the love of all that’s right next time listen to me.  BEsides there was plenty of room in front of the house!  I got every thing that I ordered and put it all away.  Another list is already started for next week.

The weather sites got it wrong again.  One of them said we were supposed to get rain this morning.  It was supposed to start sometime after 8:30.  Need I have to tell you it never came?  The sun finally poked out around 4:30. The strong winds died down around 4.

I spent part of the day trying to finish my letter to my Pen pal Debi in FL.  The laptop decided to do an upgrade so I did some surfing on the PC upstairs.   I am not sure I will finish it tonight either.

My stomach started to bother me so I showered got into a nightgown (heavy as it was still a bit chilly) and had a late lunch early supper and then fell asleep.  Late in the day I felt better even taking some tea.

In one of my forays outside I talked with Neighbor Don.  He tells me there is a bunny nursery in the garage. We should be seeing babies in a month or so.  If the Coyotes (haven’t seen them around lately), and foxes leave them alone.  We also had a chat about neighborhood news.  

The kitties are just coming out of the PC room.  They were there since I started working on the letter.  The door slammed a few times while I was sleeping and all I could think of is they were too frightened to come out.

Checked in with siblings.  They are fine...

Now I am going to finish watching the marathon and sleep some more...

Its happening again

The feeling I get when my schedule starts to get very busy and have so much to do.  The feeling of excitement and the anticipation of being busy to “OMG” I can’t do it.  As it there are a few things that I am going to have to miss like the Meet-up in North Haven that is a woman’s networking.  Well I will have to miss probably only one in September.  Then there will be the volunteering for campaigns and the union activities.

The weather has been lovely not too hot and not too cold.  Even though I did have to climb under the covers last night.  All though that’s supposed to change.  A Nor'easter that has changed course and whatever we were supposed to have is now going to be a light rain for the night.  Tomorrow is just clouds and back to sunshine on Sunday.  Next week will start off with rain and the sunshine.

Right now though I am heading to bed.  I got so tired and can’t keep my eyes open...

Thankful Thursday

1.         I am thankful for my family warts and all-Everyone is doing pretty good.  Heard from the Alaskan branch this week.  Big Brother is coming up in early Aug ( really?) for a friend’s Funeral service.  Sis and I are going to a trivia contest in August here in town.  Should be fun.  She is planning and hoping to go to SC to visit Grands.  

2.         I am thankful for my kitties-Kitties have been very cuddly again.  

3.         I am thankful for my job-Things are going okay.  Everyone is settling into their new locations on the floor (or is it office).  We had a very nice training session on Interpersonal relationships in the office last week.  

4.         I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health.  I see my Health Coach next week.  I see the Rheumy in about two weeks after a scheduling snafu (mine not theirs).  Others are in September.

5.         I am thankful for my neighbors-It looks like my worst fears are coming to fruition with the new young neighbors in “Maria’s” place.  They left garbage out in the bins and too full where it was being blown all over.  They also haven’t been cleaning up after their dog (front yard is mine field of crap).  Another neighbor contacted the landlord.  Although not sure that’s going to go well.  I am a firm believer you can’t tell your neighbors what they can or can’t do in their home or yard really.

6.         I am thankful for my home-Happy to report my bathtub is no longer clogged but will not let it go there again (putting kitty litter down the drain or even using draino).  The Furnace has its annual cleaning and ready for the upcoming heating season.  

7.         I am thankful for my friends-I heard from Dr. T this week after sending her a newsy email.  She is still unpacking and getting ready for her new job that starts in a matter of days.  Heard from Mama Roberta as well.  She has returned to FL for a visit with friends and family. Not sure when she returns to NC.   

I am looking forward to my next adventure with Siduri in the fall.  We are making tentative plans for Mystic Village in Mystic CT.

8.         I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.  The issue I had with the minutes will be resolved by the next meeting.  I did speak with Chairman Phil the night of the convention and he said he will speak on it.  We have quite a lot of work coming up.

I just received the schedule of activities for the Ladies Guild this week.  We have our first Board meeting at the end of August.  I was surprised we are starting so early when our next meeting is mid September.  I did notice some changes and in early november is our auction and then our holiday party is in mid December.

9          I am thankful for the weather.  The weather hasn’t been so humid for the last few days.  It did go from one extreme to the other quickly which I wasn’t thrilled with.  Been wearing sweatshirts around the house this week.

10.      I am thankful for the men and women who choose to protect and serve their country and their citizens even at the worst possible times.  Enough said!

Procrastination

One thing I do and do it well is Procrastination.  I knew I had a meeting this past week at my house and I didn’t do anything about it until the night before.  I would do a few things here and there but not follow through.  I finished the minutes from last month just two days before the meeting luckily they were approved by the chairman and sent out with his permission the day of the meeting.  I promised myself I wouldn’t do it again.  As of right now I am waiting on the chairman to review for distribution the current report for the last meeting.

I had an issue with the tub in the upstairs bathroom for the last couple of days.  As I was trying to get the litter out of it I used the hose to wash it down the drain.  Needless to say it's clogged.  I was hoping it would go down by itself.  It hasn’t...my next step is to get Draino and see if that works.  If it doesn’t the next call is the plumber.  My other concern is the kitties trying to get into the tub.

I haven’t finished writing other entries that i have on the side burners.  I am hoping that I will this afternoon after bingo.  

The Balloon Festival

I recently went to the Balloon Festival in Goshen.  

The BAlloon Festival is held in Goshen every year on the Goshen fairgrounds.  THere is also a food truck festival and arts and crafts festival as well..  Tickets were $14.00 for adults and kids under 5 got in for free.  For those who are 55 or have Handicap ID’s got in for $8. It started on Friday at 2 and ran until ten or 11 first night but the hours for the rest of the weekend were 11 to 10 on Saturday and 11 to 8 on Sunday.  They had balloon rides and tethered rides as well (for those of us afraid to go flying).  WHen I told my sibs about it they both asked me if I was going to go up in one.  The only answer  I gave was not sure.  It depended on if the rides were extra or not.

I was under the impression Dave was out of town but I got a message from him saying I could meet them up there.  So when they left they called me (I had been ready since 10:30) I headed out the door to the bank and got money and headed to Goshen.  It was an hour long ride so we agreed to meet around 1 at the front gate..

It took me about an hour and half to get up there and it was a beautiful ride.  There were only two concerns I had...the direction in which to go when there an option to go to Danbury or to the right way.  The other was this huge hill right before Litchfield Green.  They have a stop sign and the traffic was heavy.  I was afraid that I would be rolling the car back down the hill..  

It was sometime after 1::30 and let them know I was there.   I was able to park in the handicapped parking lot for a lot less than I thought..   At least I didn’t have as much mud as my friends did.   We met at the agreed location and chatted and began our trek for some food..  

We looked at the various trucks offering a huge assortment of we stopped at one place that had italian food and I had a sausage and peppers panini and soda.  I think it came to about $7.00..  I was actually quite pleased that I didn’t go through the entire Food truck Festival like a tornado.  I did get apple cider donut for $1..00..  I got some water and another soda too.  The lines were pretty long but moving.  There was only one truck I recognized and that was Lenny and Joe’s fish truck from New Haven.

While we ate our lunch we sat and listened to characters from disney shows perform various songs from the movies and sing-a-long. Early on Dave and I  managed to get a picture with Ella from Frozen..  We also listened to a local country band Jay Southerland for awhile until we decided to explore the arts and crafts area..

During our walk we saw many different vendors for curb appeal, inside decorative and house management.  We also met up with the owner of Circle K Animal Farm from East Hampton CT.. We had a lovely chat about the varied sheep, and goats..  I even cooed over another couple’s fur babies.

As the afternoon grew to end the weather had definitely changed.  It had been very breezy and we came to the conclusion the balloons wouldn’t be going up anytime soon.  It became definite (at least for me)  when the skies turned dark.  The clouds come from what I am assuming is the lower berkshires and NY.  I decided then I would be leaving for home.  Dave was hoping I would stay longer in case they did have the balloons go up.  I am glad I didn’t.

It started to pour as I was leaving and the traffic from the Fairgrounds was long and occasionally tiresome..  What would normally take 8 minutes to drive down 63 took me a freaking hour!  It was just about then I called mardi and chatted with her so I wouldn’t go ballistic.  It was also just about then that the rain storm was subsiding into sprinkles and occasional sun beams.  

I still had another hour and half to go once i made it to Litchfield Green.  I also had to go to the bathroom really bad too.  I was really glad to be home by 8. I was ready to go to bed by then.

Before going to bed though I had gotten a few more text message from the guys.  I had sent them warnings of traffic and visibility and such.  In the end they stayed until the storm passed and were able to see the balloons go up.  The downside of waiting was being stuck in a field of mud for five hours as was anyone else that parked there.  A greedy tow truck Driver was charging $100 to get people out of the mud..

Overall I would go again and maybe wait a little bit longer for the balloons to go up.  For $8 I was expecting to see the hot air balloons setting up at least and be there throughout the day..  I was relieved though to be in bed at 1 am instead of on the road at that hour..

Messy and chilly Friday

it was raining and in the low 60’s for most of the day.   I really needed  to clean out the car before the weekend started.  This is one of those moments in which you think to yourself should have done this when the good weather was around (ie last  Sunday).

Work was mostly working on mailing out refunds.  We had our staff meeting, and our luncheon.  Pizza Fresh spinach, roasted peppers, ricotta. The other was Peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives and eggplant. (  and salad.  It's was really quiet for a Friday.  It looks like all of us will have a class or two coming up in the next couple of months.  Four hours!!!  It is an Orientation of the New Brand that’s been in effect for a while...

On the way home tonight I stopped for gas or I would have been walking home.  THe drive home was slow.  I was starting to get a headache and just headed home.

 I ended up making steak and potato for dinner.  I even had more fo the strawberry jam.  I had some last night but I was hungry tonight.  

I got the cat food I ordered a couple of days ago for the kids. IT was the chicken variety of the fish stuff I have been giving them.  They seemed to like it.  It looked like Tiger ate a good portion of hers as well as Sky’s.  Usually if she doesn’t eat the wet she will go to the dry.  They have been running around at the moment.  They were downstairs as well.  They actually are quiet right now.

The rest of the night is going to be quiet....with letters and stuff.

Thankful Thursday

1.            I am thankful for my family warts and all

2.            I am thankful for my kitties

3.            I am thankful for my job

4.            I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health

5.            I am thankful for my neighbors

6.            I am thankful for my home

7.            I am thankful for my friends

8.            I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.

9             I am thankful for the weather.

10.         I am thankful for the men and women who choose to protect and serve their country and their citizens even at the worst possible times.

I was surprised yesterday by a beautiful potted plant I found on my front porch yesterday.  I have a suspicion it was my neighbor Kim whom I just spent a few minutes chatting with and when I discovered it I sent a quick email that when i looked at it later looked ungracious.  When I posted it I have had many “likes”.

I saw the health coach yesterday and I am back to 216 again...according to her records I lost only a couple of pounds.  We discussed ways for exercise so my goals are to start walking at least three times a day.

Lots of activities coming up for work.  We have a luncheon tomorrow to celebrate a successful FY 2017.  Next week we will be having  a training session on accountability.  Not sure what that’s about.  It is mandatory.

Lunch and breakfast today consisted of of Carnation Breakfast, and coffee, and farina.  Tonight’s dinner included the pasta salad and cheese and yogurt (2)

THe weather was crazy today.  It was very stormy all evening.

Trying to play catch up

I feel as though I am playing catch  up with stuff at work (the readdress mail basically) and my blogging at home.  Most nights I have been tired and  not in the mood to do a whole lot except surfing the web.  I did the grocery shopping last night.

This past weekend was the balloon festival in Goshen CT.  Part of the Litchfield County and Hills.  Very beautiful at anytime of the year.  It was enjoyable until the brief rain storm came through.  I decided to go home when it hit but my friends stayed until after the storm passed and it took them five hours just to get out of the field.  

The weather has been hot and humid and cloudy and a few times storming.  Not long but enough to make it even more humid.  

FOR LUNCH I HAD CHARRED VEGGIE DELUXE ...zucchini, squash, eggplant, mushrooms, onions, peppers, melted mozzarella, basil pesto on an Asiago foccacia...with French fries and ketchup AND ICE TEA AND ONE ECLAIR.

A number of things occurred this week at work that I had forgotten about.  All of that will be discussed at our staff meeting on Friday.  The entire thing will last no more than 30 minutes.  Spent the afternoon working on refunds.  Will finish them first tomorrow before scanning.

My session with the health coach went well.  216 lbs.  Goals for the upcoming week walking three times a week.  Next week will M, W, F.  

I almost killed a Turkey on the highway on the way home from New Haven tonight.  It was walking around the exit ramp in Milford.  I wouldn’t be surprised to think it got its giblets cooked.

I stopped to the Post office on the way home but there was nothing there since my last visit earlier in the week.  I found coupon books and junk mail waiting for me  at the house when I got home tonight.

I picked up some pasta salad and seafood salad for dinner tonight.  It was good.  I ate all of the  1 lb seafood and half of the pasta salad.  Been drinking cran apple juice and its delicious.

I spent time chatting with neighbors and when i came back I found this on my front porch

Right now though waiting on the machines to finish so i can move the laundry around a little then I will go to bed.

REally Busy

I am so sorry I haven’t finished the weekend entries.  I just was too tired and Monday was busy.  I know I have my Florida adventures to write up but again.  Not enough time or energy lately.  

I am looking forward to next weekend as I am meeting up with Siduri and we are going to spend the day in the city and visit Peabody museum and have lunch.  On sunday is baby Giada’s Christening and I am really looking forward to that.  I haven’t met Giada yet but from the pictures her parents and grandparents post she is beautiful.

WE had some late night rain last night and early morning rain today.  We may have more as the week progresses but that’s okay.  Meteorologist Geoff Fox began his second week at his summer Gig at Channel 8 this week.  His first week went well even with some first time hiccups with the technology.  He is having a blast along with his colleagues and fans.

I received a letter from my pen pal Debi in Tampa and I did manage to read the whole letter in one sitting.  She is keeping herself busy and so are her kids.  She tells me there hasn’t been many changes in Tampa and she has been there her whole life.  They don’t get to travel much she tells me.  Her BIL’s live out of state and I don’t think they get to see them much.

I keep worrying about the babes.  This morning I found another hairball in the livingroom this time.  I try and brush them they seem a little less opposed to it then before.  I am still thinking of getting that one brush that’s a glove instead of mitten.  

Well I am happy to report that the City taxes are all paid for.  It was deducted from my account late this afternoon.  Now all that’s left is the Borough taxes and they are not going to be sent out until later this week and due September 1.  They have been sending out emails about this.

I had a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner.  Country crock DOES not make for grilling things...I had some juice and cleaned the kitchen.  My original thought was to get something from the dive down the street (it really is called the DIve) but decided against it since I had a big lunch this afternoon (shrimp and scallops pesto).  

I watched a little TV and did some laundry and did the litter box duty...while I was doing it a family of foxes were in the back yard.  No I didn’t get a picture of them..they left and one came back and then another stood at the end of the driveway by the garage.  When I was showing Darcy the one at the end of the driveway we noticed that he wasn’t afraid.   They did walk around Don’s house and over to her house via the pump station as well.

Now I am going to bed.

Busy Friday

I spent a couple of hours working on mail and sending out refunds for the afternoon mailing.  By the end of the morning I spent it working on scanning until the end of  the day.  I  don’t feel I got a lot done but I did have some problems with a couple of the batches.

I did make an appointment with Courtney the health coach for next week.  I was beginning to think I missed an appointment but when I checked with her I found that I hadn’t.  It will be on Wednesday at 4:30.

I wasn’t sure I could eat anything chewy yet so I had broccoli and cheese soup for lunch.  It was good and I did chew on the left side of the mouth with no problem but as usual I probably used both sides.  I had been drinking lots of water at least I tried.  I had some coffee.

It was also refrigerator cleaning day at work.  I had forgotten and manage to lose a new coffee creamer that I put in there from Thursday next time that happens I am bringing in a cooler  so I don’t waste three dollars.  It's already on the next grocery list but I won’t be going shopping for another few days.

I had been hankering for a lobster roll so on the way home yesterday I went to a local restaurant Captain’s Catch and got two lobster rolls and fries.  It was delicious.  I ended up not eating all the fries even though they were delicious.  I was getting full.

I also checked the post office again and there was nothing from any of  the pen pals I wrote to in the last month.  I had to remind myself that they also have lives and are busy with activities.  I updated a few files with notations.

In all likelihood I won’t be hearing from the woman in West Haven.  It's been nearly two months now.   I did leave messages on the two groups we belong to but no one answered.  I hope she is okay though.

I had a phone session with Debra last night.  I told her about the memorial service and how that went and  about the week in general.  It was the regular 30 minute phone session.  We probably will have another phone session before she comes home.  Her internet connection is limited where she is.

I did a couple loads of laundry and folded some clothes and emptied the dishwasher before I went to bed last night.  

I also tried to get a picture of a fox that came into the yard just at dusk.  It looked like an adult but there were no pups with it.  I did post the “alert” to woodmont Nextdoor site.  Not that it is a big deal but it was ‘fun’ to be letting others know.

This morning was our regular routine.  I let the kitties downstairs but i think Sky is the only one who jumped at the chance.  I am not sure if Tiger went upstairs or is in her daily spot yet for a nap.  

I talked with TE this morning and we are going to the Peabody next week.  I will be picking her up and we go to the Museum around 10.  I checked the restaurants around there for lunch so we have a choice of places.

I was entertaining the idea of going to the Balloon festival in Goshen and invited the guys (DO and JK) but DO is working and JK is not going to go without DO.  At least I don’t think he would.  I am not sure what the weather is going to be like anyway.

I am also thinking of going to see Mama Joanie in Oxford.  I haven’t spoken to her since I have been back from my trip (yes I know I haven’t written that up yet).  I will call her later on (it's too early right now).

It definitely is going to be a hot one today.  By 8:30 it was already low to mid 70’s and you could feel it and I kept looking out the window to see the sun and it was cloudy for a while.

I think I am going to take a little bit of nap.  

Thankful Thursday

1.         I am thankful for my family warts and all

2.         I am thankful for my kitties

3.         I am thankful for my job

4.         I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health

5.         I am thankful for my neighbors

6.         I am thankful for my home

7.         I am thankful for my friends

8.         I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.

9          I am thankful for the weather.

10.      I am thankful for the men and women who choose to protect and serve their country and their citizens even at the worst possible times.

It really was great to my family last weekend despite the reasons behind it.  I got to hear news about their lives.  I just need to sit down and write them all a note or two.  As for Jim’s absence I am not pursuing it.  

I have to admit I am a little worried about my babes.  I found another hairball by the sink when i got home the other night.  I tried to brush their coats but they are just not having it.  AT times I can’t help but wonder if they are not feeling well.. I know it's time for one of their annual visits to the vet.  I haven’t gotten a reminder card yet.

The weather has been great...it started raining a little bit ago.  Its supposed to be nice part of the weekend.

This Week seems to be going fast

I barely remember the end of last week.  We did have a wonderful celebration of life over the weekend for my Cousin Rah.  It was great seeing the cousins I haven’t seen in a great while.   

The rest of the weekend would have been quiet if it were not for the many fireworks going off around our neighborhood.  A subject that was well discussed on not one but a few of the social media sites I had visited over the weekend and joined yesterday.

I did finally get to see my cousin’s new house over in Devon on Saturday and it is beautiful.  They are really funny and we had a great time.  I still need to send a thank you email soon.

My 4th of July was a day of sleeping and relaxing. I watched a lot of the Independence Day movie marathon.  Let’s just say by the third airing of it I was watching something else.

Today was interesting.  I received my peapod delivery just about the time my Cousin Joe stopped by to pick up Floyd and head out to the road.  He told me he was heading to Canada but according to Jim he was to have dinner with him.  

I also had my root canal as well.  It was originally scheduled for 11:30 but I was able to get in earlier.  So by 9:45 I was getting it done and by 11:30 I was scheduling another appointment and I was heading over to my sister’s for a quick visit.  She showed me some pictures of her time with the grandkids.

I don’t remember what time I left there but by 12:30 I was home and trying to have something to eat before my next activity and napped.

I left for the infusion a little after 1:30.  I would remember half way through the drive and when I arrived that I was supposed to be there at 1.  We were still able to do it.  We scheduled for the August infusions before left.

Earlier this week I learned the Headmaster of Linden Hall during my short time there had passed away before the weekend started.  His wife had passed away a couple of months ago.  Both were in their 70’s.  

Yesterday I learned that the bakery up the street (Emerald Bakery) closed permanently last month.  It had been there for years.  I sent emails to both T  and MamaR and Chairman Phil asking him about it.  Apparently they closed for a variety of reasons (depending on who you talked to)

I have been falling asleep here so I will say good night...