The Sun was playing hide and see again

The sun was playing hide and seek with the world today (at least this part of the world).  It was predicting clouds for the  afternoon.  I am still not sure what will happen tomorrow for the hike.  I will see what it's like in the morning and what messages we get from Jan as well.

I don’t know when it started to rain last night.  I think it was fine when I left the office and headed to Chipotle's restaurant for dinner.  Then to my session with Debra.  As the night progressed the thunder and lightning came.  We had gone to bed semi early because I didn’t see anything on TV.  The kitties were with me for a while until the thunder got loud.  Sky left and I am thinking he went under the bed.  Tiger stayed with me for a while but not sure where she went to for the night.  For all I know they may have curled up next to the wardrobe in the spare room where I found them before I left for the gym.

As the day drew to a close I heard weather reports that included snow in the Northeast of the state and I had gotten an alert from Hawk that showed us the snow.  I heard that my brother’s state also was going to get snow too.  It's been so damn cold here I was tempted to wear my fleece jackets again.  I was sorely tempted to turn the heat back on but I didn’t.

I had a lovely conversation with a former classmate from LH this morning.  Her Name is Kathy C. She was just waking up to the second day of 2019 Reunion Weekend at LInden Hall.  She was telling me some of the things she already did.  As I mentioned earlier I couldn’t attend for a variety of reasons.  

Shortly after I finished the conversation with KC I received an email alert reminding me that Endicott college in MA is preparing for their reunion weekend as well.  I am not sure when that it but I don’t think I can make it this year.

I watched Independence Day before taking off for the gym.  I also spent some time watching the mini nCIS marathon. 

I am happy to report I did very well at the gym.  I lost 4 lbs this past week and AW is quite pleased but he reminded me before we started working out that I need to not fuck it up.  I did tell him if the hike doesn’t go off that I will be at the gym tomorrow.  I told him everything I ate and I asked him about the hummus and he said if it's on the list then yes if its not NO.  It would seem I am going to the gym tomorrow after all.  The hike was cancelled just after 8 tonight.

Late in the day I went to the store and got groceries including what would have been snacks for the hike.  Now I have lots of stuff for the week.  I left here shortly 4 and I was surprised it took me an hour and half and nearly $200.  I got all healthy foods.  Frozen Fish Filets, some lamb chops, lots of vegetables, and chicken, and roast.

When I got home from the store and after I got them put away I started preparing the roast for the slow cooker.  I put mushrooms and onions and Chicken broth and it was cooking until 11.  I figured five hours would be fine.  If you are wondering no I didn’t follow any particular recipe.

I did something else that wasn’t so hard either.  I setup my Outlook mailbox.  It was not that hard.  Quite easy as a matter of fact.  Now anything I get I can save on the laptop instead of keeping it on the google docs.  I am going to try and organize them if I can.  I started to tonight but it was getting a little much.

 

Alright I need to get to sleep.  I also started falling asleep on the couch  a while ago.  See you in the morning.

So much going on

I have been putting off writing because I haven’t written all week.  THe other reason is by the time  get home or have any time to myself i don’t have a lot of time to write or I got tired and head to bed.

Easter was great for me personally..I ended up having dinner with my sister and her family and we got into conversations that probably should have been left unsaid. I did received a text message from sis the next apologizing for the things she said or the manner.  I still will maintain she will never accept responsibility in any issues she is having with her siblings. 

I managed to get to see my newest Great Nephew who had just turned two months old that Sunday.  His brother J was testing his parents tolerance level because for the very first time in I think forever I heard my nephew A raise his voice to his son.  J is can be very difficult to people around him.  I am told he loves his brother.  I am wondering if he will be a troubled child growing up (he is currently 6)

Elsewhere in the state Stop and Shop 11 day old strike was over when both sides came to a “Tentative agreement” on their labor negotiations/contract.  Employees returned to work on Monday.  Post Strike news continues as reports of the Dutch owned stores reported lower earnings and losses due to the 11 day strike.

I haven’t gone back to the store yet as they are probably restocking and cleaning up for the loss of food.  I am probably going to go shopping on Saturday for the week and also for the snacks for the hike.

Sadly while semi good things were going in my life the rest of the world was learning that some 8000 miles away there were several church and Hotel Bombings going on in Sri Lanka.  ISIS has claimed responsibility, nearly 300 people have died,  the bomber is still on the run.

At the same time protests for the officer related shootings from before Easter have been continuing as has the investigation.  Many community leaders and of course the unions here are calling for the dismissal of all those involved (fired would probably be the correct term).  It was embarrassing it made National news. 

I was supposed to attend the rally last night but didn’t feel well so I headed home and got ready for bed.  I believe there were more reports  regarding this rally in the news.  I haven’t had time to check them out.

I have made a concerted effort to follow TrainerAW’s instructions and directions regarding my food intake with a few exceptions.  I have been to the gym daily (except Easter sunday).  He gave me some sheets on food selections and choices on Tuesday.  I haven’t been to the gym yet today.  

I have managed to go on a few walks and I am preparing for a hike on sunday morning weather permitting.

I checked with Dr. Sonia regarding my FMLA papers and it looks like they may have gotten them but whether or not they were sent back are uncertain.  I will have to call them Monday again because Dr. Sonia is off today.  I still have to submit as PTO for that appointment sometime today or Monday.

I haven’t attended any meetups this week.  The hike for Walking with Friends last weekend was conflicting with my time with the trainer and it was also Easter weekend.  There is one this weekend in Hebron and like I said weather permitting I am going.  I still have to go shopping for “snacks”.  They also have an evening hike on May 1st but its in Manchester again.

The woman from the other hiking group WO Connecticut branch was starting to get on my nerves about the Leadership training that’s in Vermont apparently.  She was telling me all that it would entail and that's not what bothered me it was the urgency in which I needed to respond.  So I backed out of that one for now.  BEsides I can’t see spending money for that right now.

I didn’t go to the Coffee Talk in Finding friends for women this week as I was supposed to go to Walk with Buddy Q&A informational but I had a visit from RK (an former neighbor and classmate of mine).  So we had a much anticipated visit.  I see a few familiar faces signed up for the next Coffee Talk and I want to see her. 

There seems to be a few people who are making plans to do something within that group and I don’t know if they checked with Gillion or not.  I get the feeling they are trying to take over or plan things without going through the proper channels.  They know we have a coffee talk on Wednesdays.                                                                                                                         

As for the out of shape hiking..not much has been happening there. Suggestions for hikes but nothing else.  Hopefully something will happen. I am not going by myself.  Let’s hope they have something soon.

I didn’t go to the DTC this week either.  I am pretty sure there is a lot coming up.  I will find out from Chairman Phil.  I hadn’t realized that someone from JL emailed me earlier this month regarding the scholarship presentation whether or not we are doing it.  Its april what did they think? I saw a second email on the 26th and was going to answer and then checked in with The DTC chairman.  Still waiting to hear from him.

Work has been crazy.  We had issues with the indexing (not enough numbers) and we had been waiting since AC left last week.  They got them updated today and so I am playing catch up with some of it. There has been a suggestion and meeting made to discuss revamping the indexing.  I want to discuss it with Supervisor before I click agree.

When I couldn’t do the scanning i worked on the refunds a couple times.  It's interesting and so far I enjoy it.  I  have some to finish sometime today.  I don’t know if i will finish it friday but by monday.

Sadly we lost a dear friend in our office building,she was part of the restaurant staff on the first floor she was buried during the week and apparently died at the beginning of the Easter weekend.  They are not really sure what happened but I have been told she has had some demons to fight.

As i mentioned the community rally held on Thursday was originally going to be for Local 33’s election process but when the focus was changed to the Police involved shooting.  The local 33 rally will be rescheduled for another time.

.I see Debra tonight.  It's been a few weeks now since we saw each other and we have a lot to catch up on.  

Easter 2019

Good Morning and Blessings to everyone on this most joyous day.  This morning will be semi quiet for me but later today I will be heading to my Sister’s first for coffee and social (they are having dinner around 1) and then to the nursing home for my bingo session with the group.  I got this schedule earlier this month when I contacted N to confirm my schedule.  I have already let Sis know that this was going to be in place before I left for home from LV. Liz invited me yesterday via text.  So I accepted with the codicil that we move it to 12 for coffee.  

This morning hasn’t been all that different then any other Sundays.  I got up at my regular 5:30 and did the normal routine.  The kitties ate and I went back to sleep for a bit.  Since then the kitties have disappeared in the house. I suspect they are still in the cellar (since I opened the door to let them down) and haven’t come back up even when I called them. Well I stand corrected.  Just as I was writing this i decided to get up and check on them.  As I got to the top of the stairs sky bounced up with what i think was spider web on him so I brushed him off (he didn’t like that) went looking for Princess but I am thinking she has returned to her favorite sleeping spot under the couch in the living room.  She didn’t come when i called.

There is a light rain going on right now.  Earlier I saw some sun and according to the weather report the sun is supposed to come back out later.  The Temperatures are in low 50’s right now.

I am very pleased I got an email from my niece E today.  She works in the Hospitality industry in Hershey PA.  So she has to work this weekend.  She is hoping to come up during the summer some time. 

I got an email from one of the meetup the hiking one for women (the one with leadership training) and it's confusing me. She wants to know if I would like to be a leader and if I am coming.  Well yes I am coming but I want ot know when and where!!! May be I am missing something.  I can’t think about it now need to get ready for the day.

OH and on Siduri’s recommendation i signed up at instacart and they don’t deliver to my part of milford.  I signed up for them to deliver from Shoprite and it was a little more confusing.  I have to wonder if it depends on the stores I use?  

Still no groceries yet.  I did show up at Shoprite and balked and left.  That’s when i signed up for instacart.  I did manage to go to Outback for a late lunch yesterday (it was 3 by the time I got home).

Well I need to get going..

Not Sure Wal*Mart

I never made it to the store yesterday.  I tried to shop on Wal*Mart online nearly ordered $125 of groceries.  Unfortunately the only two places that you can order groceries are in Naugatuck and New Haven.  Neither is convenient for me.  They don’t deliver to my area and I would have to drive 46 minutes to get to naugatuck and 18 minutes to the New Haven Location.Of course both S&S and Shoprite are both pretty much 12 minutes from here .  I know that when the Big Y comes to town n the other side of town it won’t be convenient either unless I was there for something.  How far would you travel to get groceries?  Oh and the local ADams (IGA) is expensive and I am not liking the reviews.   

Why am I looking at other options?  Stop and Shop is in their ninth day of a strike.  IT's been on the news daily.  Social Media members all have their views on it.  Some are for the strike and some do not understand it.  They are comparing other stores to them.  Some are good some not so much.   I guess I am just going to have to go to Shoprite after all.  Aldi’s is not an option either.  It reminds me too much of Expect Discount.  Been in a couple and didn’t like them.

I didn’t make it to class this morning even though I went to bed early last night.  I do meet with Alex at 12:30 and need to do cardio for an hour.  I hope he doesn’t make me weigh in.  I didn’t do so well this week.

Well better go.

Good Friday

I am not sure if I should be saying Happy Good Friday to you all or not.  I probably have in the past.  Today thought it may not be appropriate.  I do wish you all the best of the holiday blessings for those who celebrate.  Some of us get the day off and some don’t.  I remember over the years that Mom would make sure we went to either late afternoon mass or the stations of the Cross.  I don’t remember the last time I was at either of them in the last ten years.    I do remember that after today we could have meat on Fridays. 

Today I made plans to get to the gym.  Late yesterday afternoon I had an upset stomach and decided on the way home to not go anywhere and my point is I wasn't feeling that well this morning and slept in.   The  classes are done for the day but I can do cardio on the treadmill and cycle.

At some point today I was heading to the store for groceries.  It had been recommended that I go early but by 11 I was doing odds and ends and not making any movement to the store.  A Part of me was not looking forward to the chaos I had thought was going to happen.  My hope was to go before it started raining.  According to the weather reports it said PM showers.  Well that could mean later this afternoon or tonight.

Hey I talked with Neighbor Nikki today.  I hadn’t seen her in awhile because of a lot of things. It looks like they are moving back back home.  They are getting home sick I guess.  I admitted I felt like I was being a bad neighbor because I didn’t extend myself and being a tad creepy by looking out my window into their house.  She poo pooed that thought.  She wasn’t the only one either.  When I emailed Mama Roberta yesterday Mama said the same thing to me.  Anyway they will be here for at least a couple of months until they move.

I actually just took a look on the Real estate sites and they haven’t listed the house yet but they do have a sign up in front of the house.  I saw it earlier this week.  Let’s see who will eventually take the house.

I have more thoughts in my head but will have to finish other entries and the laundry first.  I am hoping some old friends (and former neighbors) will come by this weekend and even though the house was cleaned this week I need to straighten it.

Mid Week Reflection 4/17/19

This Week has and continues to fly by faster than any other short week.  I had a few doctor’s appointments, meetups, gym visits and lots of exercise.   In the end I kept running out of time and energy.

Last weekend’s activities went well.  I met up with my niece and she gave me the most delicious Oreo cookie cake to bring to the bake sale.  Saturday afternoon after some quick shopping i made one of the cheesecakes.  I decided making the one was too much stress.   THe bake and Flower sale went very well.  I was able to catch up with LG President Laurie.  We have a couple of other things coming up that I may have to rethink about attending.

The Meetup hike in Manchester was great and challenging.  It is the Case Mountain Case Pond is just off 384 highway.   Owned by a Paper Mill company and his family.  The views were beautiful.  The people were great there were about 6 of us.

Work has been busy i was reintroduced to Refunds mailings that include some data entry and I am reminded of the song that Celine Dion sang “it's all coming back to me”.  We had been pretty much caught up on scanning and that allowed me to work on the refunds.

I just discovered that AC has to take an unexpected trip out of town later this week.  She is urging me to focus on the scanning because I am the only one who does it.   mY hope is I will not let it get backed up while she is gone.

Heading Home

Today I head home. My flight is at 12:20 so we are leaving here around 10 for the airport.  I will bring home with me the memories of the last two weeks of the sights,sounds, people. I have crossed paths with.

I hope to come back again next year and see the things we missed.  Like the Hoover dam and maybe find better hikes.

I also go home with a renewed sense of purpose to maybe change some things in my life that need adjustment.

I love the fact my boarding pass is now on my phone.  I thought I would need to have a special app for it and I don't.

I understand I will be heading home to cold and rain.  A Nor'easter is heading off the coast of CT. Hopefully this will not adversely affect the drive home from the airport.  I am pretty sure I will be ready to see my cats.

I haven't been away from them this long before.  It definitely be funny to see what happens.

Last Day of My Adventure

Today is my last full day of my adventures in Las Vegas.  I wasn't expecting much except to prepare for the flight home tomorrow. That changed after last night's meet up.

We were invited to another game Mexican train at Einstein bagels at 1.  It will be in likelihood our dinner as well.

We will be leaving here around 10 and have to get a check up for one of the cars first.  

Then tonight last minute laundry. I will also print out the boarding pass and then bed for me.  I haven't been sleeping all that well lately. As a matter of fact I wrote this at 4 in the morning.  I had an alarm set for seven so I could get my walk in before the day started. I woke up late.

I received my schedule for Bingo this month.  I am doing Bingo at 10:30 in the morning on the 7th and my regular time on Easter Sunday.  Which means whatever plans I did have got boggled.

It was about that time I also got my appointment confirmations for this week for the infusion and the dermatologist later on in the week.

Happily we didn't have to wait long for the car to be serviced.  We had a late breakfast at Bagelmania. The spinach omelette egg white was delicious

After breakfast we killed some time at Freyes electronics.  That store is huge.

Soon we were heading to the Mexican train Meetup.

On the way there I got my check in email for my flight.  I was a little unsure on how to do it by the phone but it wasn't hard at all the boarding pass is now in my email.  I am glad because I want to save paper.

The Mexican train was fun two tables like last night.  Met some new people and recognized others I have met early this week.

I  had some coffee and chocolate croissant. I expect that the coffee will kick in later.  

We got back home by 4:30.  I made a call to big bro and took a nap.

The rest of the night quiet.

Thankful Thursday 4/11/19

1.         I am thankful for my family warts and all.   Everyone seems to be doing well.  THey are either working, returning from vacation, taking care of business..

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

3.         I am thankful for my job.  Had my annual review it was positive.

4.         I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health. See Debra tomorrow.  Results from Biopsy done last week are benign.  Been fairly regular at the gym this week. Have a hike on Sunday with new group.

5.         I am thankful for my neighbors.   Everyone is settling in.

6.         I am thankful for my home.  

7.         I am thankful for my friends.   Had a great coffee talk last night.  Joined a few more groups over the last couple of weeks.

8.         I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.    Skipped the guild meeting, still have to produce cakes for bake off this week.

9          I am thankful for the weather.  Despite the cool temps and some rain and fog.  I know it will only get warmer.

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.