The Final Monday Musings

DEar Debra:

It is New Years Eve Day.  My day isn’t going fast yet.  I had a rather unexpected evening.  I was getting sick to my stomach after eating almost entire package of english biscuits.  I am not sure the entire timeline but it wasn’t fun.

The sun was out this morning and I headed to the house and get showered and ready for the day.  I went to the bakery and got the loaves of the stuffed breads. I learned they are opened tomorrow (which could have been better).  Next year I will consider that.

My Dentist appointment was delayed to 10:15 so that allowed me to drop off the loaves to Dave’s place and we had an opportunity to catch up and talk about the holidays.  Of course we talked so long I was slightly late for my appointment. As it was I didn’t get in until 10:30 or 11. I think it was not until 12.

I decided to come back to the house first.  Making a stop at Chris’s house and see the pups.  After awhile Chris and sean came out (yeah Sean). I congratulated on the impending nuptials of Shea.  I asked about his pups. Then after he answered he headed home. I spent time talking with Chris and getting lots of attention from Lily.  I came back to the house for a little bit longer.

Did some odds and ends and waited for the mail and then headed back to the critters making another stop at Chris’s house.  This time I got to say hello to ChrisG. We talked about the holidays, and cats, and the whole pet sitting thing. I headed out

I stopped at Popeyes and got food.  Lots of it. I ate some of it earlier and after I took someone for a walk.  Before the rain came through.

It's been raining pretty much since 4.  Spent the afternoon watching TV, and answering an email from Dr. T.  I am trying to also answer another email from one of the admins of Livingwell 2 group I am in.

Olivia came home around 8 and we chatted while she got ready for her overnighter with her her boyfriend but poor Preston whimpered the whole time and sat with Shawn.  Wehn they left he stayed with me and whimpered some more. He eventually fell asleep until I went upstairs to check on Sampson.

As it has gotten closer to Midnight i think I will go to bed.

It's not rain

Dear Debra:

    We have snow!  Instead of rain.  It started about the time I arrived at my house (around 8:30).  It  didn't last long it will last but according to Google it should be snow showers.  

    I am here at the house for a couple of things. First and foremost to feed the kitties since i didn’t do it last night.  I have to finish cleaning out the litter box too.  I must have felt guilty because I gave them treats and I just notice it in a pile of goo in the back hall.  Not sure which one.  They both were meowing.  I just let them downstairs in the cellar.   They are quiet now.

    The second is I am waiting for the Peapod delivery.  It should be here between 9 and 11.  I did get an alert saying that one of the items was not available and or able to substituted.  That’s okay will try next week.

    So I managed to get up and get a quick walk in before the day started.  Yes i had Preston with me.  I fed the crew afterwards.  Preston has been barking a little and an occasional growl.  I don’t blame him actually.  As we were heading upstairs to check on Igor I accidently hit him in the head with my hand so I felt a tad guilty that he would bite me.  However,  he did allow me to put him up on the bed so he could sleep.  He ate a little bit and I gave him his morning meds.

I don’t know why he is starting to growl again.  Maybe he could hear something that i couldn’t or the fact he saw me go out (but I have been doing that for nine days now) or he’s pissed because I hit him in the head accidently..or the fact I nearly tripped over him last night.  He senses something (or he isn’t feeling well).  I don’t want to obsess or worry over it.

I decided to start bringing stuff back to the house.  All the Pen pal material and Christmas card stuff.  I will be able to find stuff to do for the next couple of days until I get back here.  If I have anything to print out I can wait until I get back to work, or get to the library or get that new printer.  Not sure I want a used one.  

I got an alert last night there is a Girls night out on Friday at 6:15.  A dinner and Movie in Wallingford.  Yes that means we may have to have a phone session.  I would really like to go and I don’t know if I can do both.  It looks like we will be seeing the Jennifer Lopez movie after having dinner at Archie Moore’s.  The movie theater is the HOliday Cinemas on North Colony road.

I am trying to also get anything else from the meetups I have signed up with so I know what to expect.  Haven’t seen anything for hte hikes.  Something is hinky with the FB Hike for out of shape and overweight.

I am sitting here watching America ReFramed on PBS World channel.   Its a channel that we have had for a while.  I think.  It had changed over the years and I lost interest but after this I may watch it more.  It looks like Optimum got Create TV (another PBS station) back in the packages for the Milford area.  It must have happened in the last two weeks.  I found out about it this past week while at Nancy and Pat’s.  It was taken off our system a few years ago.  The channel has some interesting local programming (from NY mostly).

I am also very excited that Optimum also obtained GRITTV channel.  It is mostly westerns.  I first heard about it when I visited Roberta in NC.  Optimum/Altice didn’t have it previously.  I am waiting for the shows like Big Valley, or Bonanza, or even Men from Shiloh.  Actually the last occasionally shows up on Cozi TV for a while.

The Peapod has been delivered and the items are put away.  Now I have to search some recipes and get started on cooking.  I don’t think I can do it today but maybe tomorrow.

I heard from Jim  this morning.  He says he doesn’t have to work until he comes back from Kenya.  Not sure how that will affect his trip or  post holiday stuff. 

I just checked the hiking club nothing except movie trips in the next two days.  I can’t really.  Not with Preston feeling funky.   Besides tomorrow i am running errands and will be getting the house straightened for Olivia (no its not bad actually) to return and of course the party on tuesday.  

No more updates other than the movie night next week for the Friends one and the brunches.  

However, I did notice that my Connecticut penpal who told me she was stepping back from pen paling is looking for pals.  I suspect that when I told her about the experience with Jenny G.  I wasn’t going to become her “chauffeur”.  The way she presented it to me originally was that she was going to have me drive places.   That’s why I set those boundaries. 

Funny thing is I was going to send her a Holiday card.  Now I am not sure if I should or not.

JoanS hasn’t scheduled anymore walks after the 20th next month.  Will wait and see how that goes.

Well it's time for me to get back to the troops on the beach.  I have left things for later and will get lunch somewhere.  Probably another wendy’s or something.

Talk soon,

Kate

Quiet Afternoon 12/29/18

Dear Debra:

I am sitting in repose on the bed with Preston at my feet.  I have the TV on in the background. I am not really in the mood to move fast because Preston isn’t feeling well.  He threw up a couple of times on the bed. I have already told Olivia and I still have to wash the blankets. I can do later in the day tomorrow.

My workout session was busy.  I had the inbody and had true confessions with alex.  Luckily i didn’t gain a lot of body weight and the other two were just maintainable. I said goodbye to Alex with the promise that i would be at the gym tomorrow, Monday and maybe tuesday. He and Becca are going to Vermont for the rest of the holiday weekend.

After that I went to the post office and then headed back to critters.  Stopping for lunch at Napoli’s Deli. i got eggplant parm and salads. I ate most of it for lunch.  I wasn’t hungry for dinner.

When I got here I took Preston for a trip outside and then I finished my lunch.  For the next few hours I spent it writing a couple of cards out and updating files.   Also had to clean up a few vomit sessions from Muffin (olivia’s multiple nicknames for Preston).  I also took him for a walk.

I fed them around 7.  I wasn’t really anxious to get him sick again.  So far he hasn’t but it's almost time for me to take him out again.  No walks tonight. Its 38 degrees out. I will just take him out back in a little while again.  Much easier.

I actually should get to sleep by 10:30.  I have to be back at my house by 8:30 in time for grocery delivery and the gym.  I have to finish the laundry too.

I am pleased to let you know that i am almost done with getting my family their holiday cards.  I have about 8 more names to sign. Then I can start with the pen pals and friends

Well I think I better close now.  The laptop needs to recharge and I have a hedgehog wheel to clean out.  

G’Night.

.

Day 8 12/29/18

Dear Debra:

    It is Day 8 of the critter sitting.  Preston is just waking up and Vlad is around here somewhere.  It was really funny it's been in the last couple of days both Vlad and Preston have slept on the bed with me.   It’s not as though they don’t sleep on the same bed together normally.  It made me think of my own.

    I ended up not getting to the bank but I did go to the post office.  I did run some errands and stayed with the Preston pride for the rest of the day.  I did manage to get a number of FB’s prepared to mail. To a Friend in RI.

    I also had to find some papers for Olivia.  I found them and sent them to her via pictures.  I also told her about how the pets status.  I let her know that preston did bite me and both agreed he wasn’t feeling well.  

    I had lunch from Wendy’s and Dinner from Captain's Catch.   THey were good and probably not good for me.  

    I had a great conversation with Roberta.  She said it was about 40 degrees there when we spoke.  We talked about her activities (joined a couple of groups) and the dinners and movies they have seen together.  We talked about things going on around here.  The holidays and her upcoming trip to Florida after the new year.  She will be there for a month.

I fed the critters and took preston out and then addressed my friend’s package I lefta round 9 and headed back to the house.  Passing the street i needed for the Post office.  I figured I will get it when I go to the gym in a while. 

In the meantime I am doing some odds and ends and updating my appointment book.   I want to get it filled in before I forget anything or lose the book.

The rest of the day will be the TV and writing letters or sending out some cards and calls.

   

Rainy Friday Again

Dear Debra

I had a great sleep (even though I didn’t fall asleep until Midnight).  I didn’t wake up until quarter of eight. Stayed in bed for another 30 minutes then did the morning semi routine.  I just let Preston out but we didn’t stay out there long. I was certain that when I get back to Nancy’s I would have to take him out for the walk.

I go to my house just around 10.  I had made a stop at the Card shop to get sympathy cards for my Aunt and her children.  Since I didn’t have updated addresses for her son Steve or daughter Kathy (NY but other than that not sure) I was going to send it to my Aunt’s.  I almost forgot to put Kathy’s name on the card!

I did our normal routine for the Phelan Clan.  Albeit very late. They seemed to have scoffed up the food.  Sky has been very vocal. He wants to get into my old room. Today not happening.  Tiger is sitting on my bed.

I also called my other Aunt who lives in Texas.  She has had a rough few weeks. She went to see her son in CA for Thanksgiving but had to come home because her husband Ray had a rough time (and getting worse every day-Alzheimer's) Betty also lost her sister just before Rosemary’s husband passed away.

Neither of us heard from the Foliano branch of our family either.  The boys lost their parents over the last ten years. Their Mother Pat (Dad’s youngest sister-Rosemary is the oldest) died in March of 2009 while their father died a month and half before Mom did in 2014.  

I have been trying to call my cousin Judys number but it was the wrong one.  Betty said she would send it to me. I will just have to wait for it.

In the meantime these cards will be mailed and I will update their contact information once I get it.

I tried to order from outback restaurant that is nearly five miles away from me.  They say I am out of the delivery area. WTF? I was really annoyed. I think this is utterly stupid and BS.  I won’t be going there anytime soon.

I may go to the bank and deposit the coin I have had wrapped and sitting around my room for months.  It beats sitting around doing nothing. Actually I have a few more things to do before I leave here for the afternoon.  

I ordered from Peapod and it will be here Sunday between 9 and 11  I didn’t think I could get here any sooner than that anyway.

Well I need to run...

Been a Busy Day

Dear Debra:

Today has been such a great day.  I left here just around 8 and stopped at DD to get coffee.  I got to the house did our daily routine. I put the TV on for a bit and then got ready for the Museum visit.  The Drive to Tina’s house wasn’t bad even though I overshot the exit but I managed to find it the back way. Before we left downtown we took a few minutes to decide exactly what we would do and where we would park.  Well we went to Yale University Art Gallery for their Sights and Sounds of Ancient Rituals,  It was on the 4th floor and was very interesting to see what they had.  There were pieces that were small bricks that had very tiny writing and it was beautiful.  It took about 45 minutes and I found it to be very interesting

We also also went to the Bookstore to look around.  It just reminded me that I had two books at home that I haven’t even picked up to read yet.  The bookstore was fairly busy even though the city was somewhat quiet.

We went to Yale Pizza to have lunch.  AGain it was fairly quiet but they were only open a short time for the day.  I had their Crab salad lite. It was delicious. There was some fruit with Cottage cheese that I didn’t eat but it was delicious.  

We walked back to the car and headed home.  When we got back we talked about the rest of the weekend plans and which place is the better grocery delivery.   I was considering using Wal*Mart but the food delivery would be from Foxon Blvd. I don’t think it's any different then peapod has the distribution from Shelton.  When it was time to leave we did make a promise to get together again soon. That definitely is going to be a goal.

It was nearly 1 when I got home.  I found Preston coming from upstairs and Vlad was mulling around.  I took Preston out for a long walk. I am trying to find a different route each time so that I can get my steps in (and I managed to do that) but he did what a dog does. He stopped many times and sniffed and pulled me a few times.  I have to resign myself that’s how it's going to be.

We spent the afternoon watching TV and I wrote a little letter to a pal in Montana.  I actually have to finish that letter so I can send the card with it. I was moving a few files around for the pen pal hobby.

I went to the gym for my session with Alex.  He had sent me a message that he had an opening earlier than our 7 pm slot.  Which was great because I still had to check in on the cats and also feed the crew here.

WE talked about the holidays how I did on the diet and I told him most of what I had (except for the ginger snaps) and I told him about the crepes I had.  I had more than I told him but he knows I had them. He wanted to know why I sent him a message at the Gawd awful hour of 3. He didn’t really mind but he knew I wasn’t getting a good sleep that night.  I was there until 6 and then headed to my house with a quick stop at Adams and got dinner. I originally planned on having a protein shake but I was hungry. I got Mustard BBQ chicken and some carrots.

When i got home I fed the cats before I ate.  I also did the routine and watched TV while I ate.  I did some laundry while I was there too. Will finish it or move it along when i get there tomorrow.  

I am not sure what time it was when I got back to the house.  I fed the critters and now watching the news. You know who is under the blankets at my side.  More than once he wanted to sit on my chest again. I wasn’t too worried but his nails were piercing and really hurting so I had to make him sit beside me.  He did show me some loving too.

I don’t have too much planned for the outside so I can focus on the rest of the cards and do some letters.  

I see the weather is not going to be that great for tomorrow but the rest of the weekend should be fine but they are predicting more rain on New Years Eve.  No snow. They said December was the wettest month but no snow.

Well I am going close out and get the dog out for the last time tonight so I will say good night.

Kate

Dear Debra 12/27/18

Good Morning:

It is quarter of eight on a beautiful Winter day.  It is in the low 30’s outside and no sign of snow. I have been up since 5:30.  I have already fed and walked at least one furby and he has been a peach. Very cuddly.  I am still not totally trusting him yet. The cat has been fed too still have to check on two more critters around here and then heading to the house for another round of feeding.

Then I will be getting ready for my visit with Tina from work.  I am picking her up at 10 and we will figure out what we will be doing for the day.  There are a number of options and exhibits in the city to see. It will be great to catch up with her and see what her plans are for the winter and work.  I always enjoy this because we get to see things and see New Haven in a different perspective then we would normally.

Today is my Nephew Christian’s Birthday he is 44 years old.  I can’t believe it. I remember when he was born! It was a different time then, relationships were tenuous even then.   I think Liz, Rich and Liz’s first husband were still in Norwalk at the time or they moved to New Haven by then. I can’t remember.  

I am supposed to go to the gym today and I plan on it for class at least tonight.  Not sure I will be making it in this morning. I have been there once this week. That was Monday.  I had originally hoped to come in everyday and twice a day. Hasn’t happened yet.

WEll I better get going...

Have a great one....

Kate