I turned 56 today

I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes i received throughout the day!  It is very much appreciateD and I am most grateful..  Today I turned 56 and as usual i start to think about the future.  I think about my goals for the year.  What can I change , what should I change, Would could be different?.  I have to say it's the same things I think about and write about all the time.

 TEam Lead Patty promised to have a special breakfast on Tuesday when we return from the weekend.  I got lots of hugs, and a box of chocolate from TEam Lauren and cute conversation with Supervisor Bob (his son is my birthday twin).

Tonight I had my session with DEbra.  We discussed my birthday and the situation with Liz.  She was hopeful that soon it would be over since we both made inroads to contact each other.  We talked about work, and the activities that I am participating in.

When my session was done I headed back to the office to catch the shuttle but not before stopping at Ben and Jerry’s for some ice cream.  I ate it as i was walking back.  iT was cookie dough ice cream and small (and messy one) luckily I wasn’t wearing it much.  I finished it by the time I got to the shuttle stop.

When I got back to the car I headed to TArget.  I got the things I wanted for the hike (including a nice backpack) the other “supplies” all came to about $30.  Snacks for the trail.  I want Alex to check them out for me.   I got back to the house by 7 and I had two hungry cats waiting for me.  Along with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a cupcake,.  IT was from the neighbors across the street. 

Yesterday I got my renewed license in the mail and promptly posted it on FB.  I was going to post it in the blogs (with every bit of info visible) until Neighbor Kim said something via text.  So hopefully very few people saw it.  I wanted to share to see that a) the picture came out great 2) the Licenses are definitely changing in CT compared  to my old one.  I guess this started last spring (2017)  So how many times have your state licenses changed over the years.

I was too tired to go to class last night.  So I had dinner.  Lots of yogurt and peas and then I had coffee and hot apple cider.  

I went to the DTC meeting.  It got a little testy over a convention from the previous night.  I also had a chat with Phil and Sharon about the conversation with Liz.  They had no problem with my level of involvement that day.  

I made another trip to DD for hot apple cider and then went home and watched TV and then went to bed.

Ugh I overslept

This is what I found in my box today

Thankful Thursday

1.         I am thankful for my family warts and all.   All the young'uns are going back to school this week at least in state.  The Southern branch may have already started. Still haven’t spoken to Liz even though I had a dream about her the other night.

2.        I am thankful for my kitties.  They seem to be dealing with the heat wave we have been experiencing as best as they can.  

3.         I am thankful for my job.  Been really busy this week.  Since my back up for the mail has been on a cruise I have been doing all of it.   Haven’t really done much scanning except for one day this week. I am anticipating some professional development classes I signed up for that are coming up in the next few months.  Looking forward to another three day weekend.

Still no word on the locale of new building or even if we are moving.

4.         I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health.  Made it to the gym twice this week (Saturday, and Tuesday) so far.  I will be participating in the Fitness Edge fall Challenge next month .  Should be interesting.  

Rheumatologist and she says I am doing well. She confirmed that all my doctor’s appointments (eyes, cardiologist, hemotologist, all of them) should be able to be under the FMLA its related.  My infusion is early in the month but later in the day.

I see Debra on Friday.  Been keeping her updated on daily stuff with my blog entries.  We will delve deeper into the blog entries and situations that I need to deal with.

5.         I am thankful for my neighbors.    Everyone has been busy.  Some starting school, Others working.  One of the houses still on the real estate market.  

6.         I am thankful for my home.  It is providing me a great place to be protected and comfortable.  I am still working on getting it better organized. I see some projects ahead of me but they do need to wait.  

7.         I am thankful for my friends.  I have been enjoying my coffee power hour meetups that I have been attending very much.  I feel at ease with these ladies. I have friended a few of them on facebook already.

I just signed up for another meetup this time it involves hiking for overweight and out of shape people.  There is supposedly a hike in Naugatuck state park up north. Still waiting on reply for confirmation of location.

8.         I am thankful for the organizations I belong to. Campaign season is in full swing.  DTC HQ is opened and there were some activities starting from there. Although the last one wasn’t well attended but everyone coughs it up to families getting ready to go back to school.  We have some more activities coming up outside of regular meetings.

Ladies Guild will have a meeting this coming Wednesday to nominate the merged board.  We have to vote on the by-laws either that night or another time. I just read what I think to be the by-laws and they seem pretty well to the point.  We have a few things coming up later this month and I still am nervous about it.

9          I am thankful for the weather.   Actually I am grateful for the AC in my bedroom this week.  We have had a heat wave going on and its brutal. We may be getting rain over the Labor Day weekend which would be nice but it has usually turned things humid afterwards.

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.

IT's hot again

OMG last night was worse than Monday.   I went to my bedroom after I came home and had dinner from early evening activities.  Luckily I had the AC and I tried to get the cats to get up here but they're being a little stubborn.   Actually I think it's going to be worse today. There was a longer list of early dismissals for schools today.

My session with Alex went well we had some laughs we reviewed my food tracking in my intake since Saturday. I explained why I didn't go to class MOnday . Had promised him to do some cardio but I did about 20 of them and then headed out.

Tried to get my steps in while I was shopping. I didn't bring any bags with me this time. I managed to get $190 worth of food including for recipe on Chili. Yes I know it should be for cold but I like it anytime of the the year. So I was too tired to do it last night but I will be doing it soon.

Today I just didn’t want to get out of bed.  I wanted to sleep longer and dawdled. I just don’t think I got enough sleep.  I think I was a little too cold with the AC on. I was a little worried about the kitties.  Sky eventually slept with me but Tiger stayed down stairs until it was time for me to get up and feed them.

I put ice in their water and fed them and laid down until it was time to get ready.  I left the house at 7:30 and drove all the way in. I am going to the coffee meetup tonight so I am staying late and then heading out.

Today I was able to sign up for a couple of professional development classes that are actually requirements for our department.  One is Communicating with impact and the other is Embracing change. One is on September 19th from 1-4 pm on Cedar Street. The other is here going to be here (I hope).  I am on a waiting list for this last one on Nov 1.

WEll I found some hikes on Meetup.com that I might try as soon as this  Saturday at 9:30. In the Naugatuck State Park. For those of us out of shape and overweight.  I am now thinking I need a backpack. I might be able to pull this off on Saturday.

Well I have today’s mail to open and so I am going to go do it..see you all later.

I got up at 4

I wanted to try a theory.  I got up at 4 so that I could do some things.  I had to strip my bed because i noticed pen stains from last night so i wanted to have it cleaned.  So I did laundry, I also emptied the dishwasher that I had sent through a couple of days ago and clean the sink. I laid down again and for a short time and then got up fed the kitties and then went back to the couch for a short time.  

I left at 7 and barely made it to the shuttle.  Luckily the driver (not our usual one) waited and I got on and we headed to the city.  It was a full shuttle again this week. Glad I wasn’t driving. IT got a little hairy in the city.

Since I got here I mailed the DMV handicapped unit application and tried to fax the FMLA papers but didn’t work.  I will have them mailed and call STandard and let them know I was mailing them.

I finished yesterday’s mail and then started scanning.  I realized I had left the system on since Thursday. Apparently I had left the fan on.  I could have sworn i turned it off Thursday when I left. Oh well got to remember to do it today.

I brought my urine sample into work with me and nonchalantly put it in my overhead cabinet.  I figured it would be better than in the refrigerator in the break room :P. At Break time I went to the Lab and it looked pretty much the same (it wasn’t getting renovated like the Hamden Office).  It took about 5 or ten minutes and then I went to Cafe on Temple restaurant and picked up lunch.

IT was horrible out.  I read the temperature was 85 degrees!  NO wonder the schools in Milford are having an early dismissal.   Apparently New Haven is keeping their kids in school. Actually only a few school systems are doing early dismissal.

I am waiting to hear if we have a meeting or not at lunch time or if I can relax for a bit before jumping into the mail.  Today will be a heavy mail day as Healthlogic is usually a big box. Now if the mail gods and the insurance gods were smiling down on me there wouldn’t be a big one.  I could finish that early and get back to scanning.

The committee meeting was good.  Talked more about TIP program....to help things progress...I have to learn more about it before I can explain what it is.  Actually the best explanation is here.  Our local doesn’t have that anywhere on our site but as it is in its early stage of information so that people will understand fully.    With the national ploy to end unions across the country we need to fight this.

Sadly though we lost a sister in labor.  I don’t think I knew her well but she was very active in the union.  WE are supposed to go to the wake. I don’t know if I can.

Tonight is my session with Alex.  I think this is our regular session and Sept 4th we discuss the expectations for the Challenge that kicks off at the end of September.  I know the fans will be on but I really hope it is cooler than it was last night. I didn’t do any other exercise last night.

I hope to do some grocery shopping and do some cooking that I wanted to do.  I have a number of things before going to bed...

Tomorrow night is the next Coffee Meet-up.  I am looking forward to it. I want to hear about Jerian’s time at the birthday party she went to for her nephew.  There are two new ladies coming tomorrow night one is Valerie and the other is Stephanie.Stephanie looks familiar to me.  

Too Hot

I made my appointment on time.  I just had to wait a little while.  I even made it to the ladies room.  I filled out the papers they needed and had the vitals taken.  I don’t remember what time I finally got to see Dr. Sonia but we had the opportunity to catch up on gossip.  Yes I admit it gossip.  She even asked about Liz and I told her about the current situation we are in.  She said it would pass but that I have to stand up for myself.  One thing I did learn is that she is going to be taking on a couple more dr’s patients now that one moved to TX and the other west and the other is taking a sabbatical.   So the point of all this she made sure i got my appointment for the new year in asap. I have one in DEcember  then again in April but at 4 pm.  So I would be leaving the office by 3:30 the latest.  OH and she says I am doing well.

I just have to copy the papers and then mail them out (or fax them depending on how I feel when I get to work tomorrow).  I have the Handicapped parking permit already to be mailed.  I just hope i don’t have to pay for it (or I am in deep crap)

After that appointment I got my blood work done.  I went to the Quest Lab next door and it was quite different from the last time I was there (renovations).  I got in registered and then got the blood drawn and then It was a little after five when I headed home.  Traffic was going back to normal for that time fo the day so I didn’t get home until 5:30.

By then it was too late to go to class and I was just too tired and too hot to do much of anything else.  I was going to go and do a walk but even that was too draining. 

I made dinner tilapia.  Two filets season and that was it.  Nothing else.  It was fine but not too filling so I had a protein drink.  

There wasn’t much on TV tonight. The last of the summer shows are still on and the new ones don’t start until the middle of the month.

I talked with my neighbor D’Arcy and she had a great day.  While I was chatting with her i noticed the message that Milford schools would have early dismissal due to the heat wave conditions ( our schools don’t have AC’s or probably fans).  She didn’t hear about.

    I think I will just go to bed for now.....

Tickled Pink

I don't know what happened last night but when it came time to go to bed Tiger came willingly upstairs and sat with me. She cuddled at my feet. Then she went underneath the bed. Then I went downstairs to find Sky. I found him under the white chair by the TV. There's a place he's been spending quite a lot of time under. I tried to get him to come out a little he didn't so I let him come on his own terms. Tiger once again followed me up and sat with me a short time later Sky came. They both set up here by themselves.  The Tiger went underneath the bed again. Then she team up then back down. My Hope Is she'll come back up and lay by my legs again. I have to wonder is it because of the end of the summer or what?

What I wasn’t tickled pink about was the litter box  mat was wet. One of them peed on in it.. I just put fresh litter down so I don’t know why they did that.  So that means sometime tonight before sundown I have to clean it... At least they didn’t leave me any hairballs!

As I was getting ready for work this morning I was dawdling and SKy was very vocal  i rushed around and got dressed (after checking things on the computer) and left just before 7::30.  I saw about two buses and many people waiting for their buses.. Traffic seemed a bit heavier than it had been.  Maybe because of school, people returning from vacations, I know as the week winds down it will be crazy by then.

It was just before 8 when I got in but before getting to my desk I did my daily check in with Supervisor Bob and Team lead Lauren.  I reminded them of my appointment later this afternoon... When I arrived I jumped into work. There didn’t seem to be too much which is good..  The only problem I had is trying to remember the sorting (I have been letting DG do it all this time) and I couldn’t remember what order I had them in!~!~

Heard from Jim...just our regular morning connections I guess.  He has been running and posting his time just like I Have with my steps and my walking.  I am hoping I can do another walk tonight but it all depends on how I feel after the class tonight or I may do it instead of the class...not sure yet.

I am leaving early today for the appointment with Dr. Sonia.  I just remembered I needed to get blood work done and should have done it Friday.  I hope I have some time to do it after the appointment.

 

Still up

I was still up at 1 in the morning on Saturday. Tiger was in the base of the table and I'm not sure where sky was.  I had fallen asleep on that couch and decided that I'd be more comfortable in bed.   I went up stairs and Sky followed eventually.  I stayed in bed until about 6. 

Did our regular SAturday morning routine and laid down for a little while and then started getting ready for the day

My personal training session with Alex was at 8  o'clock this morning and I did pretty well. I lost a couple of pounds in the weight.  Of course by the end of the day I may have messed it up with the food I had today.  We are having our first session for the Challenge on September 4.

I am afraid there was a low turn out to the Day of Action and canvassing.  There was about 13 or 14 people there and speeches from Senator M Looney from New Haven, and Norwalk's Senator Duff.  They spoke a long time which cut into the time for canvassing.  I walked with Lilly who was Kim Rose’s aid.  We spent about an hour and didn’t get much done. Lilly went and had lunch and I hung out for lunch.  I stayed until 2.

When I got home I got tired.  I stretched out on the couch and watched TV or the TV watched me.  I did also some laundry that is now a mass of clothes on the dining room table.  I will eventually get to it and hang them up.

I ordered dinner from Tomato and Company again.  I did build my own pasta dish.  It was angel hair with basil pesto and shrimp and mozzarella  It came around 5:15 and cost about 20 and change (including tip).  It was a bit oily(probably the oil from mozzarella).  I also had gotten a 2 liter sprite.  Finish that this morning (instead of coffee).

Among the many things I watched were the LOTR movies.  I had gotten an alert regarding Senator John McCain’s passing.  I had been discussing his career and his last few days with Nija (fellow DTC’er) earlier in the day.  She is from ARizona. I knew when he chose to end his cancer treatment that it would only be a matter of time before he passed.

 

Today was a normal Sunday.  Did absolutely bare minimum. Laundry throughout the morning, taking care of the cats, I got their food and litter at petco,  Volunteering at the nursing home. 

Bingo went well.  I got there just a few minutes before 2.  Evan and the Rec staff member were gathering residents (about the normal 12).   We played nine games split between evan and I.  I think a couple of the residents won two times.

AFter bingo i came home and moved the laundry around.  Watched TV and ordered dinner from Subway.  I still have to walk (train) for the walk for Suicide prevention.  I received more info on the Bridges folks on spokes.  I finally posted a message to page and told people where they could donate.

I also took some time and cleaned out the car and found the other water bottle.  The local 34 one.  I think it needs to be washed because it still had water in it and I just want to make sure it is sterile again.  

Around 6:30 I was going to start my walk until I saw some of the neighbors.  D’Arcy was watering her lawn and so we got caught up on each others lives (she started her new job last week in the school system and the first day is tomorrow.  We talked about deer sightings and about half way through my walk she contacted me they were in her yard. 

I had a quick chat with Neighbor Nina..she is leaving next week to pick up her new furbaby in Ohio.  She is going to visit her Mom before bringing it home.  Still working on what to name the furbaby.

I am not doing much else tonight.  I am now tired and I need to get to bed early.  I want to be out of the house in time to be on the road before the buses are out.  I am driving in tomorrow because I have a doctor’s appointment in Hamden.  Dr. Sonia.

The Big E

Earlier today I saw semi truck with an Ad about the Big E.  The annual Eastern States Exposition held in West Springfield Mass.  I also had seen a FB alert that said The BIG E posted something (I don’t know about what I will check in a moment).  It prompted me to go check the site for the Fair. 

It is usually the last half of September and this year  It starts on September 14 and ends September 30, 2018.  While I was on the site I noticed it has dates for the 2019, and 2020 seasons.  I haven’t seen that before.  At least I didn’t think I have before.  Usually they post future dates once the the fair is over for the season.

Anyway the schedule looks interesting.   I am hoping to make it this year.  It's been a couple of years since I last went.  It of course depends on prices, time and my own schedule.  The prices went up to $15 adults.  Maybe I won’t be going this year after all.  Its like I said in the Festival Season post i made earlier this month.  Some festivals are just getting too expensive to enjoy between all the money for the different things.  It will be interesting to see what other bloggers have written about it.  If anything.

I see that Catherine Hickland is going to be one of the shows there.  Who is Catherine Hickland?  Well mostly she is an actress that appeared on numerous tv shows including that of Knight Rider with David Hasselhoff.  Whom she married and divorced in the mid 80’s and 90’s.  Anyway according to her bio she is also a hypnotist.  (skeptical at best) that’s what she is going to be doing at the big E.   IF I go I don’t think I will be attending that one.

There are a few local fairs around here.  The Stratford Open Market is Sunday, The Plainville Balloon festival, and Haddam festival as well.  Two are pretty far away.  Unfortunately I don’t foresee myself getting there.

I just had a session with Debra and I am feeling pretty good.  I just told her about the fight with Liz and how she is trying to be like Mom.  Trying to control my behavior in public. Just like how she doesn’t want people to do it to her.

Now I am going on my walk so I better say good night.

Beautfiful Morning

Dear Friends:

    It is Friday .  I got back just before 10 from my run to the DMV.  It was quite nice.  I had scheduled for 10 am thinking it would take that long but the staff members accommodated me and got me in earlier.  A very nice couple got me a iced coffee while waiting.  It turned out they were the parents of one of the teachers from Sandy Hook Elementary school.  She saved several of the students by putting them in a closet.

While there I ended up getting a new picture taken. It is a requirement I guess.   It had to be done like three times.  The first two with glasses (there was a glare) and the final one without.  It actually looks good.  I will get the new on at the end of September.  In the mean time I can use the old one and the copy of what will be arriving  in September.  The fees were the only problem with that but the woman explained break it down to $12 a year.

Around 11 I left here to get to the financial advisor meeting and it really didn’t take long.  I am doing good (could be doing better).  He feels i should have been contributing to this for the last 20 years.  Mutual funds etc.  So now I have to start and should be playing catch up between now and the time I retire.  I have to mail out a check for it to start.

NOw that I am home I have had a chicken sub from Nardelli’s and planned to keep it for dinner tonight.  It didn’t work.  It never made it past 2...I was still hungry and I was grazing on it while reading a blog about a young lady's  trip to Oregon.

I will be having a phone session with Debra later on in the evening as I asked her if we could have it (I don’t really want to go back into the city).  She doesn’t mind.  Waving to Debra..:). 

I was going to go to the bank and turn in coin but its now getting late and I know I am tired.  I have already fallen asleep twice since i have been home.

No mail today.  This is a mixed blessing as I can probably work on some letters.  Depending on when I start to move again. 

I know I had the idea of going to get a new printer but then I thought about what it would also entail. Setting up the program on the computer(s); usually i end up messing it up or something goes inevitably wrong.  My confidence level on things lately is shaky at best.

I know I need more more cat supplies and need to go for those.  THe rest of the day is going to be quiet.