Spending time with

Last night I went to visit my Niece-in-law Jen at her family’s home in town and it was great.  My Nephew was spending time with his brother so I didn’t get to see either of them. But the girls had been out and just arrived when I did and the baby was just waking up from her car ride nap.  She was a little unsure and then she allowed me to hold a little and of course as the two hours progressed she got squirmy as Jen says. OF course I didn’t hold her the whole time she played with by herself while we chatted.

Now this is where I got to worrying.  We talked (after I sort of brought it up) about the cooling off with Liz and the road back.  She asked if we go through this often and I mentioned that Liz can be difficult and we agreed (I hope that) delivery is sometimes challenging.  I also said that when she isn’t feeling great (as she is now I am gathering) she tends to get more worried and act like Mom. I did say we are getting better and that we will be fine and that she is going to be helping me out when it gets closer to my trip.  

My worry is she is going to tell Liz what I said and my views may reignite the problems-again.  I know both of my nephews know what their Mother can be like. I didn’t want to bad mouth her to Jen.

I did have an opportunity to ask what they knew about their cousin John's relationship status (I figured they chatted often-I was wrong) but They didn’t nor have they.  She was visibly upset by it because she loved the way they were together. She agreed that Alcohol played a part.

I also had an opportunity to get reacquainted with Katrina and her little daughter and Katrina’s Mom.  THeir home is absolutely unique for a split level home. I can’t explain it but it's lovely. I stayed until 6:30.  The baby was getting more and more tired as I was and I still had to have dinner and feed the cats.

I was disappointed I wasn’t able to see Chris or Rich but there will be another time.

I headed home but not before I stopped for dinner at Outback by the highway.  I ordered the steak medallions with mixed vegetables and Salad. I was tempted so much to get the blooming Onion but I didn’t.  IT was bad enough that I ate the bread that came with it and with the butter.

When I got home I did the regular routine for Wednesday night, the garbage bins, the garbage itself, fed the cats, fed myself and watched TV and got online for a short time.  Then eventually went to bed.

 A one point when I noticed that Tiger was still under the bed I convinced her to come up and sleep with us.  We all cuddled for a while and then after Sky was grooming it got a little rough and she took off for under the bed again.  I don’t know if she came back during the night..

it took me forever to get to sleep. I tried everything.  Games, computer, Eventually I did fall asleep sky cuddled up next to me.

When morning arrived and my alarm went off I didn’t want to get up.  It was set for 4 am. I had planned on going to the gym. Never made it there this morning.  I knew I didn’t get much sleep. I also knew the snow was out there and didn’t want to be out there any sooner than I had to.  

We did our normal daily morning routine.  THe kitties went up stairs and I slept on the couch until 6:30.  It was about then I raced to get ready for work . Once I was dressed and collected my stuff i headed out the door to clear off the car.  I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the shuttle.

I drove in and parked in the garage I normally park in.  I got to the office early and headed to get the coffee I really needed and to get started on the scanning.  However it doesn't seem to be speeding through. I had to review yesterday’s batches, check d’s stuff and chatted with a few people about my visit

This morning I didn’t have breakfast but I did have a reuben.  While I was eating I updated the food log and I could have sworn I wrote what i had this week.  Apparently I didn’t.

Need to get back to work.

Thankful Thursday

1.          I am thankful for my family warts and all.Everyone seems to be doing fine.  Got to see my South Carolina Branch of my family yesterday.

2.        I am thankful for my kitties.  They are doing well and cuddly.  

3.         I am thankful for my job.   Been busy with scanning.

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

5.         I am thankful for my neighbors.  Everyone is doing okay.

6.         I am thankful for my home.  

7.         I am thankful for my friends.  I had to miss the Weekly meetup last night.   Heard from Dr. T this past weekend

8.        I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.    DTC quiet this week. Ladies Guild is Next week.  DTC tonight

9          I am thankful for the weather.  Been mild but expecting some snow.

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.

I can't believe its Wednesday again

This week is certainly going by quickly again and it has me in a semi panic. I have stuff that needs doing and I keep putting it off (like straightening up the house).  Getting ready for the trip, work, exercise. There are also times i have followed through but it seems far and few in between.

I was the lone attendee of the coffee talk because of snow and I am not sure if it will be for tonight as they are expecting snow after 7 tonight.  I won’t be able to go as I am having my nephew and his family for a visit before they leave tomorrow.

The Finding friends brunch was this past weekend and it was great. My contribution to the brunch was received well.   I overdid when it came to the desserts though. I certainly paid for it when I went to the gym last night.

The rest of the weekend was semi unproductive yet a little sad when my neighbors dog passed away Saturday.  I consider all the neighbors pets my godchildren. I went to the nursing home to run the bingo games Sunday.

Work has been productive.  The Public Hearing on thursday was reviewed at the committee meeting this week.  I had to miss most of it because I left at 8 that night. We have a committee meeting in April to prepare for.  I am told we will be getting our last contract books in the next two weeks.

I barely saw the gym this weekend and as I mentioned I paid for it.  I didn’t leave the gym until 7:30 last night and I almost skipped watching NCIS last night.  

This weekend is going to be focusing on the gym again.  Cooking and relaxing..

A Windy Full MOnday

Yesterday was so windy.  At times it was like the Wizard of Oz.  Trees snapped, Power was lost. I think in some towns it still is.  Luckily we didn’t lose power in the area. I would have been up shits creek especially with the Laptop.  The main battery is dying. I did have to go pick up the garbage and recycle bins because they were all over the yard.

Work was good and productive I managed to get at least 53 batches done by the end of the day.  Although I was afraid that I was pissing some people off then it dawned on me when I looked at the calendar.  Month end. So by the end of the day when I spoke to MA and LM I was fine.

I got a text from Jen and she wants us to get together while she is here.  Just so I can see Baby Sophie. So we were trying to pick the best day. She says she will get back to me about tonight or Wednesday (I told her I could cancel my Monday, and Wednesday plans but Tuesday I definitely can’t) I didn’t go any farther than that because I didn’t know if they were going to be in town any later than that.   I didn’t go to class last night but I did a little straighten-very little.

IF I get home at a decent hour tonight I will do it before going to my session with alex.  I still have to update the food log for most of last week. I hope he doesn’t want to see it tonight but something tells me he will.

I had gotten some rotisserie chicken last night.  I wanted to continue back on the road to good choices since most of what I did this weekend wasn’t so good.  I had a salad earlier in the day with yogurt.

The rest of the night I took it easy.  I also went to bed early but didn’t go to sleep until 9:30.

Today was a good one was able to take the shuttle in and I hope to do the same tomorrow.  If the weather is decent (it's not supposed to be) I can be home by within minutes and run around like a crazy woman and straighten up before my nephew and his family arrive.

The scanning was equally productive but I didn’t get as much done as yesterday.  There is always tomorrow. I always try to beat the last goal i had.

WEnt to my session with Alex he thought I was in LV already...no that was next month.

It is time for NCIS and then to bed...

This Weekend

Saturday  was the Hearts and Chocolate Brunch with the Finding friends Group in New Haven.     I got ready after doing some computer stuff around 10 and was out the door by quarter of 11.  I was concerned about the saran wrap I used for the breads.  I personally think any kind of saran wrap including Stretch tite sucks.

Anyway I got on the road and as I approached Long Wharf area I realized I would be there far too early so I pulled over to the side of the road and got on the gps to find the nearest pet store supply place.  It killed enough time and then I headed to D’s home.  IT was very easy to find.

There were a few people there.  I set the breads down and she opened one and put it on the table.  Eventually more and more people came that I recognized from the previous meetups.  There were some new faces.  We had a lot of fun discussions one particularly about our pets.

I tried really hard to be good with the food.  I had a salad and quiche and one stuffed bread but I tried almost all the desserts.  I had some lemonade zero and coffee and water.

It broke up around 2:30 and I headed home. Rather tired and rather full and feeling guilty about what I ate.  I guess i really ignored Alex’s Voice this time.

It was also about that time the clouds got darker and cooler.  I made it home by 3:15 and relaxed for a while.  The kitties were their usual selves.  Either Sleeping or hiding and eventually came down when it was time to be fed.

It was about that time when I checked FB and discovered that Neighbor Kim posted that their furbaby Finnian had crossed the rainbow bridge earlier that day.  I immediately went over and to find out what happened and to console them.  He had only been sick a few days and the vet couldn’t find out what was wrong.  A Mobile vet and a support group from the vet was there to give support to her and to be with them during his passing. Daughter #1 was with her but Daughter #2 was working, Neighbor Sean couldn’t get home.  She promised they would spoil ms Emmy who is just five.  I did send IM’s to both daughters too and they were gracious.

It was that same evening I received an email from Dr. T.  she told me about her garden, and expected visit from son Ted.  In my first reply I asked her more about her garden and of course the passing of Finn (the dog) and my efforts at the gym.  She sent a second reply that I haven’t responded too yet.  I will later tonight.

The rest of Saturday night was quiet.  I had made a light dinner of fish.  I decided to get some kitty litter via Chewy,g.  I watched my normal Saturday night programs, did some laundry and then hit the sack fairly early.

Sunday was overcast and cold and I had no intention of doing much.  I hadn’t signed up for class and I wasn’t feeling great anyway.  I think I over ate.  I did have an early lunch of meatloaf, and yogurt.

I did get a text from Computer guy in response to my alert on Saturday  that the laptop battery is losing power.  So I have three options/choices.  Keep it plugged in all the time, go to amazon and look for one or go to HP and get one for $80.  I see the ones on Amazon they are good price I just need to check the numbers on the battery.

That afternoon I went to Bingo.  RecreationBob was on duty and was getting people.  I think we had the normal number of players except for 2.  Eva who always sits at my table passed away and another is in the hospital again.

My friend Earl had his cough and at least three times nearly had me hurling .  I don’t know why it bothered me that day but it did.  We were done by 2:55 and I was on my way home.

I stopped at popeyes for dinner.  3 pieces of chicken, corn, biscuit and a pie.  Yeah not the best.  At least I got water (that I ended up leaving in the car and went for coffee instead).

The rest of the evening I watched TV and finished the laundry.  I headed to bed by 7 and a short time later fell asleep only to waken and find at least one of the kitties on the bed and of course cuddling.

That was how my weekend went!  How about yours?

Feeling a little Sad today

Yesterday I mentioned it was my nephew Johns birthday right well today I learned he and his wife have separated.  I had been reading all the birthday greetings and wanted to see what his age was and in the relationship status it read: Separated.  I wont say I am devastated but I am saddened.  Unfortunately, the pictures and the postings early on made me uncomfortable (always showing they were drinking and that’s an issue in our family).  So I can only guess what the cause could have been.  I also realized none of them were posting regularly.  I am also a little annoyed that Ethel nor Diane were not compelled to give us a heads up.  I somehow think Sis knows and I wondering why she gave no indication.  I do remember Bob (my late brother) saying its not another persons job to deliver bad news.  IT should come directly from the person.  That’s great but what if they don’t talk? 

My coworker who is friends with Jen and Chris tells me they are in town for a quick visit.  Do you think maybe their mother/mother-in-law would give me a heads up?  No

Yesterday was certainly a long day.  I went to exercise class and then came home and got ready for work.  

I decided I would at the suggestion of a coworker to park at the York chapel Garage and it is too much to have to walk from Chapel street where I came out of the building and then walk the extra blocks  to the office and back (at the end of the day).    Especially if I have to leave early for appointments.

When I got to work I spent the morning scanning and doing a pretty good.  I am glad to be working the daily stuff only now.  I think I did better with it today (almost the same number of batches but the items inside were higher.)

I got to the infusion a little early but got in and was there until 3.  I fell asleep at one point but had nice conversations with the ladies that came in.  My next infusion is when I return from LV and it will be in the morning.

After that I headed back to the city to meet up with everyone for happy hour before the public hearing. Of course I was there at 4 nd the people at the restaurant had no idea what i was talking about.  I sent messages to Elia, Barbara and Leslie.  Elia answered later with “had an appointment” meet up later.  Eventually a Jean came and then ordered for us but this should have been done before anyone arrived.  Leslie and I also ordered dinner. 

She had wings and I had a cheeseburger with fried brussel sprouts and then when the food was ordered for the happy hour meeting I had some spinach time and two chips and wings and one hush puppy.  (i am doing this so i can remember to food track later).

We also talked about NCIS.  I think she signed up for the NCIS fan page on FB.  Waiting for admittance.  We talked about the show.  I have a feeling she is going to be like the rest of the fans that I speak about in my other blog.

We walked up to city hall and met up with Barbara.  She sent us on up and we found our seat with Elia and many others.  Not before I ran into some old friends who were key leaders before retirement.

We were there until 8 (it took forever to get to the rest of the speakers) at first we (Leslie nd I) believed that University was doing what they were supposed to do.  We would find out today that they were made aware they were wrong and they would change their data. 

As I mentioned we left around 8 and headed back to our cars and headed home.  I relaxed a bit and fed the kitties and then went to bed.

I talked with Debra today about my nephew’s separation.  She said the message was a kind and supportive but not to be too hurt that he doesn’t respond in the manner I am expecting.  

When I got home tonight I fed the cats ate something light.  Started making the cranberry sauce.  Not sure they came out great but they did the trick.  I made the breads.  They looked okay.  I just hope the way I mixed it was right.  I put them on a big tray with lace doily and put that stupid saran wrap (that never works) on it and now I am going to bed.

Thankful Thursday

1.          I am thankful for my family warts and all.Everyone seems to be doing fine.  Today is Nephew John’s Birthday. Need to send him a birthday greeting. Big Brother is on vacation and telling me how beautiful it is.

2.        I am thankful for my kitties.  They are doing well and cuddly.  

3.         I am thankful for my job.   Got to leave early today for my infusion.  Caught up with the Treasury Backlog.

4.         I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health.  Have my infusion today. See Debra tomorrow. Been to the gym almost every day this week.  

5.         I am thankful for my neighbors.  Everyone is good.

6.         I am thankful for my home.  

7.         I am thankful for my friends.  The weekly meetup was cancelled this week for inclement weather.  insightful.Looking forward to the brunch this weekend. plans for my visit to Mama and Papa in LV are all in place..

8.        I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.    DTC quiet this week. Never got the Ladies Guild board meeting alert.  I see the woman who told me about it and she hasn’t either...

9          I am thankful for the weather.  At least I got a half snow day...expecting more next 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.

Mid Week Reflection

It's been a nice week despite some anxious moments for me in preparing for my LV adventure next month.  

The weekly coffee meetup was fun despite some heavy discussions.  We have one tonight and then the brunch this Saturday and that’s making me nervous because I haven’t cooked yet for that.  I have been putting it off because I am tired or not ready to do it. I have been justifying it by saying oh it will be fresh for the brunch if I keep putting it off.  At the same time I will be up late and still have to plan to get ready for the party and perhaps the whole gym visits.

The Walk Milford Challenge weekly walks haven’t been going on this month as I think JS is preparing for the informational meetings and organizing for the one in September.  She is doing the neighborhoods herself for now. I sent her an email to let her know of my plans to attend the informational ones in April after my trip.

The hiking trips have been a bust and i am considering looking for another hiking meetup group.  I will keep looking around.

Been to the gym for most of the week except Sunday and this morning I may go tonight after the meetup depending on the impending weather conditions.I did well in the weigh in last week which garnered me a mention in the Challenge newsletter.  Let’s hope I haven’t blown it. We are in the 4th week of the challenge. The final night is the night before I leave for LV.

It must be getting to be spring.  I have had several alumni related emails from both Endicott College and Linden Hall.  Between fundraisers and alumni gatherings it's fun to hear about everyone. I won’t be able to contribute this year to either of the alumni funds or even attend the reunion events

The only alerts I get from Southern, Gateway, Foran, or live oaks has been obituaries, sports, or budgetary IDS.

Work is fine. Union is getting ready for the PUblic Hearing tomorrow..  Not sure what to expect..

Going to be a long one

I managed to get up by 4:30 despite Sky’s best efforts to get me up when I really wanted to be up which was 4.  I am justifying it by saying I need to practice to get up for the day I need to catch the shuttle next month and maybe get myself out for an early morning walk.  Well the walks didn’t happen today but I did get some odds and ends done. Made some preparations for Livia today.

I took the shuttle in this morning.  I just barely made it too. Apparently I was missed which is nice.  Found out they have an extra pick up/drop off but no parking unless you go to the upper parking lots. Chatted with the ladies there and then settled in for the ride in.  I almost dropped some gloves. I may have lost another pair again.

I have to admit when you don’t have to drive you get to see more of the city skyline and it was breathtaking.  So New Haven has problems but what city doesn’t? The city is working constantly to always better the city for its citizens and visitors.  

I took the elevator up and went to my desk.  Got coffee and then checked in with Lauren. We compared shuttles (she takes the VA shuttle in from Quigley) and we talked about the future of shuttle travel when we move.  I also checked in on DG who was working on the Healthlogic that came really late yesterday.

DG was really anxious because she had let some of her own work slide and she was sort of spoken to about it by her supervisor.  So she was not in the least bit interested in “chatting” and so I hope I respected her wishes.

I spent the morning scanning and seem to be getting a lot more done than I did yesterday.  At least I will have the backlog treasury completed before the end of the week. I reviewed the mail with DG as GA left before lunch.  

WE had a committee meeting with returning members and a new member.  Laura L is also a friend of my former neighbor Beatrice K.. Anyway we will be able to post minutes to each weeks meeting so that others don’t think we are hiding anything.  IT will be on our cubicle walls. We talked about a few things including getting people to the public hearing on thursday.

I came home and had dinner and fed the cats and then went to the gym for my session with Alex and half hour of class.  Trainer Paul talked me into it. Then despite the fact I was tired I to the library. I thought I would have to pay a $10 fine but the librarian was kind enough to wave it.

My plan was to make the cranberry bread.  It didn’t happen. I watched NCIS instead and now I am going to bed.

I paid the house insurance today.  I didn’t want that hanging over my head during the trip.

Slushy Monday

Today was a slushy Monday along the shoreline.  The Northern Part of the state may have gotten more snow but this was another disappointing storm.  The discussion I did manage to catch a little of Sam Kantrow from Channel 8 says we may not get another storm this season at all.  Even though they are expecting snow near the end of the week.

It didn’t take long for me to clear off the car but I did manage to misplace the can of DE-Icer.  I had it on the roof the car and forgot to take it back into the car with me. I surmise it maybe between the house and 5 corners.  The drive in wasn’t bad either. Two reasons the first no school and barely any traffic.

As today is President’s Day the banks and Post office are closed.  That will pretty much mean small volume of mail. DG didn’t come in today so I started with the mail on her desk from Friday, then I opened and sorted the mail on my desk.  Once that was done I got started on the scanning.

The morning went by fast and made me a little nervous as will I be able to get a lot done?  There is a half box of Treasury left and so I started on those. I was toying with the idea of just focusing on that but then the other stuff would be not worked on.  As it is I was in the middle of a big batch and will have to finish in the morning. The scanning was clearly laboring in getting things scanned.

Got a reply from Liz this morning about my trip she asked how I was getting from her house to the hotel.  Which is about 6 minutes away by car and half a mile by walking. I told her I would have to think about it.  When I checked my emails tonight she offered to take me. I would have to pick her up and we would drive over and she would take the car back to her house.  I agreed.

I told Jim about it this morning right after I told his Girlfriend Janis whom I friended over the weekend.  I told her first and then him second. They wanted me to know they were having the pumpkin bread I brought with me  in November. IT was still fresh! I m glad they liked it.

I found out later there was a google alert that there was a shooting in Allentown.  I asked Jim about it after i read part of the article. It happened much earlier in the day.  He didn’t know anything about it because he was on his way to FL.

Tonight I had the rest of the country ribs broiled with seasonings in the oven.  There were four of them and i ate them all. Shouldn’t have at all because I could feel everything during the class tonight  When I got home I took the supplements (that’s the other reason i could feel everything) and some tylenol.

The kitties were pretty quiet tonight.  They were upstairs for most of the evening.  Sleeping one of them yakked in the dining room.  Not sure who. They slept on the bed when I came up to do some work.  

That work was not long.  I was getting tired and I want  to get up early so on that note...Take care.

Another Awesome weekend

I started the weekend Friday morning with an Exercise class.  I managed to do pretty well.  That would be the case for today as well but i will explain in a moment.

Friday was a semi normal Friday at work.  DG was catching up on her work, and continuing with the mail.  I helped out where i could.  I did mostly scanning but it felt like I didn’t do very much.  

We had a staff meeting.  Fairly short and focused on the move.  Supervisor hasn’t seen the floor plans but he was told that our cubicles will not be a spacious as they are now.  Think old photos of IBM where there are rows and rows of people and desks.  We will have to share printers and stuff.  Not quite sure about the location of the mailroom or scanning equipment-that’s  concern to AC.   Supervisors and Team Leads will not have their own offices as they do now.  There will be a conference room and small privacy rooms when there needs to be one on one discussions.  There will be breakrooms.  There will not a restaurant like we have at this building.  Parking was still be worked on.  So was the extra Shuttles.  Some are being optimistic others not so much.  I may have to tell siduri she was right about the shuttles and the eateries.  LOL  we will have to wait and see.

Friday night I had my session with Debra.  Earlier than our normal time.  We discussed my concerns about the finances right now.  Should I really be going on this trip with huge items coming down the pike?  We decided  yes. But it's time to reevaluate somethings.

After the session I headed home and had dinner and watched TV for awhile and called it an early evening.

Saturday started out with exercise classes and weigh in.  Alex and I were thrilled with my in body results.  It had been a month since we did inbody.  We had the challenge weigh in and both were positive.  I had lost two pounds this week.  I was pretty honest with both Pat and Alex about what the challenges were but I also said it was  a huge accomplishment to pass up the Valentine's Day goodies.

Alex and I talked about the upcoming week and my vacation.  If I go to panera have half a salad and varied salads (smaller) like the Asian salad.  He said to not fuck it up this week.  I did a half hour rowing and then came home and had my protein drink.  Later I got a salad from Chipotle.

Saturday afternoon i did get tired.  I did watch TV despite the fact i had some things planned on doing.  Like lots of cooking and making the reservations.  The best part is while i was lying down tiger was cuddled up with me so we had some one on one time.  It all changed when I was getting frustrated with the computer and D (he was helping me a little with the reservation).

I made reservations for an early flight to LV that will get me in just at lunch time.  The flight home will be leaving at lunchtime and getting back here by 2 in the afternoon.  The prices not too bad. By the end of Sunday morning the shuttle reservation .

I finally did get around to making meatloaf with the ground turkey and ground pork.  I really didn't rely on any recipe.  Just memory.  1 cup of water, 2 eggs, seasonings and bread crumbs and a little parmesan.  I had a mini one that came out good.

Around 5 i was going to walk but I noticed the battery on the phone really low so i decided to go Sunday.  

Sunday morning I was putting off cooking.  I wasn’t sure why.  It will still be twelve hours and if I do it by noon it will still be ready.  

By the end of the morning I made airport shuttle reservations.  I have an early morning pick up but I asked for 1 pm pick up from JFK (my flight arrives at 12:20 pm)

The weather for the weekend has been great.  40+ until sunset on Saturday and in the 30s on Sunday.  Sunny for sure.  By the end of the night it was changing.  Snow was coming in by midnight.