Quiet start to the weekend

I have been outside the house thrice yesterday. The first time was to take the garbage bins back in and the second to get a late lunch and get groceries and my prescription.  The rest of the time I watched TV, or slept, or did some odds and ends.

While I was out DO stopped by and left me a poinsettia plant. I posted a thank you and picture of it to Facebook and he replied “I wonder who left it”. I replied “My best friend”.  I never remember from year to year if it is poisonous to cats but I just looked it up and it isn’t fatal but mildly poisonous to cats.  At the moment it is sitting on the coffee table.  The titans haven’t been near it much.  It could make them vomit or other messy problems.  You know what?  I know I should be gracious but every year I am sure I have said I don’t have these around because of the cats.  Why does he keep insisting I should have it?  Would he like to be cleaning up the vomit or the other stuff? 

They actually spent most of the day upstairs.  They slept and came down around 3 and wanted to be fed.  I didn’t feed them until it was closer to dinner. I did let Sky down in the cellar and he went to his new favorite place.

I ordered more canned cat food this time from the VET.  They would have to send a prescription for it to Chewy.  I don’t feel like going through that this time.  I did order more litter.  Yeah I probably would do better to get it at the store but it will be heavy.  I picked up the cat food today.

This morning I Had class and we all talked about our holidays.  I kept getting worried that A was annoyed with me because I wasn’t at the gym for most of the week. WE will discuss the holiday.  I have to deal with that.

It was 27 degrees this morning and sunny. It has gotten warmer since then it is supposed to get into the low 40s. It seems like the weather forecast will change a little for the area.  We will get sleet starting tomorrow and going into Monday.  So it may be prudent that I take the shuttle in on Monday. We may get sleet for Tuesday as well.

I had a visit from the Restaurant Neighbors.  She said she was just taking a walk but she wanted me to know that a tree was hanging over her garage.  It’s mine.  I contacted lawn guy (forgetting the alumni football game is today) asking him his advice.  Sent pictures and he said he might be able to do it.  It’s going to have to be next weekend in between the baking or the furniture removal.  Wunderbar!

I managed to fold some clothes, and hang them up.  I still have more in the machines and will get them out after the gym.

I will get some cards done this afternoon (because there won’t be much done after that).  Well maybe not. I probably will have to stay at the gym for an hour more for my steps.

Well I just confirmed the location of the titans.  They are both under my old bed in the bedroom.  I still have a lot to do in that room as far as the decluttering goes.

Well its time I go and get more exercise.

Thanksgiving 2019

I was expecting the weather to be cloudy, cold and very windy and it was as the day progressed.  It started off sunny and 45 degrees.  It was pretty much the same in Killingworth.  This is probably a good thing.  I have heard from friends across the country.  They did get snow and it ranged from 8 in to a total foot. 


I baled on the gym in the morning despite the fact I saw A on FB.  So he knows I was online and despite the fact I promised I can’t.  I have things I wanted to do before the day got away.  So I met with A this week at our normal time.  Tuesday I was very tired and we talked about.  He reminded me that I am pre-Diabetic (something I may not have shared with the Doctors this week) and the reason I was tired because of the sugar and breads I have been having.  He suggested that I can no longer have desserts or sweets of any kind.  No breads either and this entire are going to be tough A did say he would allow me a smudging of stuffing and sliver of pie.  I graciously (I hope) turned it down and told him I would do my best to focus on the fruits and vegetables (moderation) and make best choices possible.  I have had some veggies this morning and had a protein drink.  I am running low but I will be picking some up when I do cardio (I baled on the class again).


I actually did pretty well (not too much fruit when we got there) I had water, lots of shrimp, and one crab cake before dinner.  The main meal was turkey, string beans, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and a couple of pieces of bread with butter.  I did have one piece of pie.


I did give myself some stress that I was trying to avoid and that was I was a little late getting to Liz’s.  I had been chatting with next door and didn’t know the time.  When I left I was running really late.  I tried calling her on her cell and she didn’t pick up.  As I got to the street I saw my brother in law leaving.  AT the time I didn’t realize he was going to the store until I followed him.  I thought he was taking a short cut.  I tried calling Liz one more time on the house phone and she was there.  Needless to say I was so frustrated with myself.  So I went back to their house and relaxed.  We chatted and then eventually left.
  

The ride up was okay even though the traffic was semi heavy.  Liz was driving but there was a debate on who was driving before we left.  Liz won.  The drive home was much better but was after five and dark.  We got back home by 6.


The afternoon was wonderful.  Liz did some activities with the kids and the rest of us watched football games.   I did spend some one on one time with Olivia.  She was so cute.  She sat with me in the family room during Nelson 3’s concert.  Everyone applauded but he needs more practice.  The food was delicious, the company was great.


Before going home Liz gave me her dresses that I may wear for the New Year’s Eve party and new pair of jeans.    I have to try them on to see if they fit.   I may have to find few accessories at Party city.

We were also discussing how to split up the cookies.  I need to know if we are putting them in little trays or what.  I think I have to make at least 8 dozen for these that means I may have to double the recipe.  I will definitely get the stuff this weekend.


On my way home I stopped at Wendy’s probably the only other place besides Cracker-barrel opened.  I had a cheeseburger and fries and then spent the evening watching LOTR-again.  I Stayed on the couch until Midnight.


I hope you all had a great one.

 

Thankful Thursday Thanksgiving Editon

1.             I am thankful for my family, warts and all.  All are well. 

2.        I am thankful for my kitties.  They continue to bring me lots of pleasure.

3.            I am thankful for my job.    Things are fine.  Celebrated birthdays,  new babies, and of course the move is looming ever closer but you all knew that!

4.            I am thankful for the Medical profession that keeps me on the road to good health.  Everything is copasetic.    I received reassuring news from CT-Scan no change there. 

5.            I am thankful for my neighbors.   Everyone is fine. They are all in the through of Thanksgiving.

6.            I am thankful for my home.  My shower seems to be leaking more often into the kitchen when I take a shower.  Yippee. 

7.            I am thankful for my friends.  I heard from my pen pal in Colorado, From Mama a few times.  She remembers why she moved to LV (not much snow), Heard from Dr. T.   I had to miss Coffee Talk last night.  Weather not the best (I was a coward) but I wasn’t sure about traffic either.    We have a Cookie swap a week from Sunday.   I will be baking for that.  Wish me luck!

8.            I am thankful for the organizations I belong to.   Its been quiet this week for both.  Sadly both groups lost long time members.  One I knew fairly well as she was active in the Ladies Guild.  The Other two gentle people were not known to me from the DTC. 

9.            I am thankful for the weather.  As I write this it’s a beautiful Sunny Thanksgiving morning expecting Gale force winds.  We had rain earlier but we do not have the kind of weather events as the rest of the country has right now.

10.          I am thankful for those who choose to serve our country enough said

Busy Couple of weeks

 
I have been writing but never had the energy to post.  So here is a quick updates

House Hunting/decluttering: Still at a snail’s pace.  I am making arrangements this week for a friend to come and take some pieces of furniture to the dump.  That’s a big deal for me.  A part of me doesn’t want to live in a semi empty house.  The other part knows this is part of it.  As the holidays approach I may have to do a lot during recess.

I am still looking at Real Estate sites.  I even entertained the thought of mobile homes.  A few are on sale but then remembered the reason I want condos.   The same three or four condos seem to pop up.  But a new one did pop up that looks great but I realize all of them will not be available when I actually get things done.

Family:  I had a wonderful visit last week with my South Carolina Family.  Niece Jen and baby Sophie came for a weekend visit and we had dinner at Cracker Barrels with Jen’s family.  I was able to get a lot of cuddling time before it all became over stimulation. 

Sis and BIL are keeping things low key until the holidays.  They have been giving each other Bronchitis or dealing daily with life on life’s terms.    I will get to spend Thanksgiving with them later on in the week.  We will be going to Killingworth to Nelson Jr and Lisa’s for the holiday.

I heard from Big brother via text and he has been working as a “Standardized patient”.  A practice a few hospitals have been instituting recently.    I just say “Guinea Pigs”.  He is also working at WW.  He seems to be okay otherwise.

All of his kids are good. I guess.   Truth is?  I need to email them I haven’t done it in a while.   I know Kris was supposed to have surgery this month but I haven’t heard anything.  The youngest is still in Spain going to school.

The Titan (Sky and Tiger) are pretty good.  They are currently sleeping upstairs.  Tiger was roaming around and got stuck in the cellar for about 20 minutes this afternoon.  They should be down here in a couple of hours for dinner.   They have had moments of cuddling with each other and it’s cute to see.

Health:   I had a moment of concern when I went to the pulmonary doctor for my follow up appointments this month.    Everything turned out alright after a CT-Scan.   I have some annual appointments coming up as well.

I am going to the gym as much as possible. I haven’t made it today yet.  I finished the challenge earlier this month.  I managed to lose one pound.

I will not be having a session with Debra after thanksgiving.

Volunteering and Community Service:  It’s kind of quiet for activities for DTC; I missed the inauguration last week because of my date with Sophie.  Family definitely “trumps” politics.  Sadly we lost a couple of members of the DTC.  I have never heard of them or met them.



I missed most if not all of the Ladies guild activities for November.  There is a couple during December but that will be it until March of 2020.  I know I signed up to bring something in December.  Need to remember what I will bring.

I am have been really have a had a great time with the meetups I have been to recently.   If you remember earlier this month I was going up to Suffield for hike/walk with Walking with Friends Meetup.  We were walking on the Farmington Canal/ Heritage trail.  We picked it up from Phelps Road and walked all the way up past The Red Riding Hood Café (in Southwick MA) and to be honest not sure how far we went past the restaurant but it was great.  We saw an Eagle, old tobacco farms.  So my edict about not wanting to Hike outside of the state was obliterated.

The countryside around there was absolutely beautiful.  The ride also took me past the airport and a plane was taking off just as I was driving by.  It was a little scary but beautiful just the same.  I believe the Air National Guard is based there as well.    I also saw the Old Newgate Prison.  I plan on taking a trip up there sometime and explore it.

Part of the reason it was so great is I was reunited with two members I hadn’t seen in a while.  Jamie was the organizer for the Manchester walks and she was on one of the first ones I went on when I joined the group.  Then there was Larry.  I Met Larry at the Plainville Balloon Fest.  I met three new people as well.  All were very pleasant and fairly easy to talk to...

The Friend Finders Group for Women has been great.  I was able to go to a couple of the coffee talks recently and had great time.  There were new people that joined up too and one of them works at the University.

We have two wonderful activities coming up for the holidays.  A cookie Swap in about 2 weeks and we are going to a Swinging 20’s New Year’s Eve party in Middletown at a place called Conspiracy.  I have to look for a costume for it. 

All in all active yet at times there are times I

Not quite what I had in Mind

Just as I was getting ready to do another crossword puzzle before taking off for my session with Debra.  Debra calls and had to cancel.  So it was just getting dark I headed to the car and drove home.  I took the route along Long Wharf and into West Haven along the shore line was in the house by 5. 

Kitties were waiting for me and so I fed them and then ordered dinner.  I ordered 8 oz prime rib with 2 orders of asparagus.  It arrived just about 6.  The delivery guy told me they have been busy at Outback.  There seemed to be a fire at Texas Road house but I haven’t heard anything about it.

I spent the evening until 10 watching TV and the crossword puzzles.  I had a great sleep and maybe woke up a few times.  The kitties were really funny they were already curled up at the foot of the bed sleeping and waiting for me.  They stayed there until early morning. 

I finally got up around 6.  Did our normal Saturday morning routine, well most of it.  I stayed on the couch until 7 and then got ready for early morning exercise.  I was running late but made it before it started.  Pat led the class because someone was at a concert last night or going tonight. 

I sent a text asking if we were having our 12:30 session.  He replied a short time later and said no.  He asked if I went to class.  I told him I did.  I even showed him the workout.  I told him I felt I was able to keep up better.  I told him I would be getting trail mix and granola bars for the hike tomorrow and getting a salad at the café. 

That being said I have been trying to decide if I want to try and go shopping at the new Big Y grocery store that opened in town earlier this week.  Someone on the Milford FB page asked what the big Deal was about Big Y.  It’s only a grocery store.

Well if I remember correctly some have told me the company uses local farmers for their dairy, the produce.  I understand their prices are little high.  Now I live what I consider on the other side of town so it would be ineffective for me to go shopping there.  Unless I was going to Dave’s or any of my friends that live there or coming from appointments or meetings it would be inconvenient.  So Shop Rite, Stop and Shop (not so much) or IGA Adams would be my grocery shopping locations.

Its cold out

It was cold enough to wear gloves for the first time.  I was relieved I had a pair that was together.  That’s a sign I need to gather them all up and reorganize that as well.  Anyway, the temps are not getting any higher than 39 today.  It’s going to be cold tomorrow but the only warm day (of 50’s) will be the day I go to Suffield.

I went to the gym last night and had Trainer Mike’s class.  Oy vey!  It was tough, but I did well.  I saw Trainer Alex and he was pleased to see me again.  It was nearly 7 when I got home but I didn’t have a good dinner.  I had dinner from Popeyes.  4 pieces and one biscuit.  I didn’t finish the root beer.   I was exhausted and after falling asleep on the couch I went to bed early.

I didn’t make it to class this morning.  I will go after work for cardio.  This will make it four days in a row I made it to the gym, so it is possible to make it to the gym daily.  I did use the stairs instead of the elevator in the garage today.  Didn’t quite think I could make the stairs just yet.

My goal daily steps have been good in the last few days except for last night.  Tuesdays’ was 11000+ steps and Wednesday’s was 12000+Steps but last night it was 8000 +.  Not sure it will be all that much considering I have left the phone behind on more than one occasion.

I met with Debra today.  It was later than our normal time, but we almost didn’t’ get to meet.     I usually keep her apprised of my days via the blog entries I write out all the time.  As usual we will go in to more detail of the different things.

Well we had a surprise visit from our Chief Financial officer today.  I guess he came for his beany baby dog (we all got one for the survey) bulldog Dan.  Chatted with him about the survey and the weather.

I need to do a few more things before going to Debra’s. 

My Week

Tuesday was Election Day 2019.  For me its municipal election.  I was out there by 7 and chatted with a few of the candidates and supporters.  I was surprised to see Chairman Phil there considering he said he wouldn’t be there.  HE explained he wouldn’t stand out there all day.  It didn’t take long for me to vote but I stayed chatting longer than I should have.  I never made it to the celebration.  OF course, my party won.   That didn’t surprise me.  I am Thankful for that.  Now it is focusing on the Presidential election and hopefully the best candidate comes out of that. 

                IT was also my brother’s 69^th birthday.  I sent him birthday wishes and text messages.  I asked him what his kitty did for him and he tells me it vomited.  Great.  He has outlived our late Father and our late brother Bob by 5 years at least.  He does have a few health issues of his own and I can’t help but worry about him.   

                I am also worried about my sister whose health is becoming more challenging as the days pass.  She does what she needs to manage the MS and to look after her husband.  I look to the future and do not like it without them.

                I had to have a serious talk with Trainer Alex this week.  He was not pleased about the fact I didn’t go to class on Sunday or Monday he says I can’t get complacent because then my health will suffer for it. So, I have been to the gym since the discussion.  I have a 5:30 class tonight.  I have another one tomorrow am.  Been trying to watch what I eat.

                I missed most of the Ladies Guild last night.  They apparently sent out a text that it was moved to an earlier time.  I have given EllenR my cellphone in case it happens again.  I apologized to Laurie via email.  I have decided not to go to the auction.  First, it’s too late to do the tickets.  More importantly I have things to be done and I need to get ready for the walk Sunday morning.

                The weather has been mixed clouds with sun and in the mid 50’s for most of the week.  There was some talk of frigid temperatures and perhaps snow.  It has changed.  It has changed to rain and very cold temperatures. Hopefully it won’t be bad for Sunday.

Work has been good.  Shadow was off for two days, so I focused on the mail.  We had an evacuation/drill today.  The emergency team lead forgot about us.  (you know when there are incapacitated coworkers?) We were finally given the okay to go back by the three men about 20 to 30 minutes later.  I did tell Manager, and supervisor what happened.

Despite the early morning wakeup call from Sky and tiger (4:30), we survived the time change.  When I did get up at 5:30 (and I was hoping too) I could see the sunlight just in the eastern sky.  It didn’t seem so dark at 7 this morning.  It actually seemed brighter.   When I got home from bingo this afternoon it was still light out (I left the nursing home later than usual) so I was right about it not getting dark exactly at 4.  Of course it was dark by 5.

Siduri and I were discussing the possibility of doing away with the time change.  I was just looking at some articles from the spring of this year.  I didn’t get far.

I never made it to the gym.  I spent most of the time before the nursing home either on the computer writing the email to Karyn in Colorado, or doing the crossword puzzles.  Did I mention they were addictive?

Around 1:15 I left for the nursing home but made a stop at dunking donuts for my first coffee of the day I think. Now that I think about that can’t be right.  I got to the nursing home a short time later.  Recreation Bob was there and we caught up with each other.  He showed me his vacation pictures to the Dominican Republic.  We then got set up for bingo but didn’t start until after 2.

We had 15 players today and only three or 4 of them won.  One of the residents won three times and the 102 year old Grace finally won a few games. Two of the male residents finally won some games too.

Bob and I were talking with Nurse Jennifer about Labor practices of the local supermarkets and eventually we were discussing personality conflicts with certain people in the DTC.  That’s one of the reasons I left so late from the nursing home.

My hope was to go and see Liz but she was out with two of her grandsons.  They were at the Bridgeport cabaret.  I don’t know what they saw but she did send me pictures.  I will move them to a folder tomorrow.

I stopped at the grocery store to pick up diner (didn’t feel like having chicken again) nor did I feel like thawing the meat I do have in the freezer.  I also got some creamer for the coffee.  I couldn’t go without it any more.

Oh Today was the NY marathon.  I asked Jim if he was going to watch it he said no.  I also asked why he didn’t run it in it and he said he wasn’t ready for that kind of race.   The last one he walked it.  Our nephew Rogier was in it.   I don’t know what his final time was.  I will tomorrow.

I had a wonderful phone call from Mama tonight.  She is still fighting a cold.  She has had it since her flight a week ago.  The main conversation was about the decluttering.  We talked about her flight home and other activities.

My hope is to go back out there in the latter half of the spring.  Let’s hope that I can.

Well I need to go to sleep. 

Turn Back Time

If that title reminds you of the Cher song it’s exactly where I got it from.  My Friend Dave sent it in a text with the following “Cher with friends”.  This weekend its Daylight savings time, where we turn the clocks back to get an extra hour.  I am not sure I like having to be up at 7 and it’s dark.  It was like that this morning and I just wanted to stay in bed.  The night time is not so bad I don’t seem to remember it getting dark at 4 in the past.  Unless it was raining, snowing, cloudy I never noticed but I will be aware.

I got up around 6:30 and did the normal routine and lay down until 7 and got ready for exercise class.  I was there for both classes and came home for two hours and fell asleep.  I went back just before noon for the training session.  We discussed the week’s activities and what should I do now.  I have to schedule at least the next few days of exercise and make sure I eat right.

I got back here by 1 and had lunch and haven’t done very much.  So much for my plan at decluttering today! 

I talked with next door and he says there are two resident Eagles in the marsh.  The ospreys are gone but these two moved in.  They have seen them for a while now.  I heard what sounded like an eagle’s caw this morning but didn’t see anything.

I am very excited I signed up for a hike/walk for next Sunday morning in Suffield Ct or as Alex call it Bumfuck boon town. It actually will be an hour away close to the state border.   I plan on leaving here after 8:30 to get there for 10 am walk.  I hope I will be able to find them.  The temperatures will be in the high 30’s next week.  I am going to have to wear warm clothes.

I was just about to write another letter to my Pal Karyn when I opened up the email and she sent one earlier today.  So when I get up tomorrow I will write her a letter before getting my day going.

I made shrimp for dinner.  I had lots of it.  I didn’t finish it because it was too much but it was delicious.  I just have to learn to cook some of them a little longer.

Well I am going to close out and do some crosswords puzzles and go to bed.

Have a blessed one..

Things seem to be moving fast

Earlier this morning after dragging my butt out of bed I had this sense of “these next few months are going to go by fast”.  Between the work move and preparing the house for the market.  I had the sense of “got to get going now”.  This is what Mama, Sis, Realtor, and everyone else were trying to tell me.  As I wrote earlier this weekend I hope to put it in full gear.

So, I didn’t go to the gym yesterday or this morning, but I plan on it after I see Debra this afternoon.  I will have to pull triple duty tomorrow for it that’s for sure.

We got another weekly update for the new space/location and this time it was focused on the parking.  I chose the surface lot.  I hope they do right.  A part of me doesn’t want to walk done the street if I don’t have to park in the garage -I realize that’s confusing considering I park in the garage down the street from my office now.

This past week has brought some sadness I just discovered that my childhood/neighborhood friend’s cancer returned.  According to a mutual friend its either surgery or he has one year to live left.  The surgery is in two weeks and his youngest sister will be going out to lend support.  He lost his mother to cancer when he and his siblings (also my dearest friends) were young.

I also almost got scammed.  Someone trying to be a celebrity started following me (said it was his private account) on Instagram and it was not unlike the other incident I wrote about.   He said things that didn’t ring true and wanted to know where I worked and how much I made etc.  Shortly after that I blocked him and unfriended him.  He was sharing personal things about the said actor and kept telling me “don’t tell anyone”.  Well I told him I would not say anything.  I am trying to decide if there is a way for me to contact the real celebrity and tell him what’s going on.   I am afraid I would find out the account really is the private account and I made a mess of things.

The storm we had last night caused a lot of power outages around the state.  Luckily, we were not among them.  It also didn’t deter many people in around Woodmont.  I saw many pockets of people out trick or treating. 

Note to self: check with chairman of district before going out on a Holiday eve in the middle of bad weather to a meeting.  Then you won’t waste gas, money, and time.   Why I thought there was a meeting is a puzzle.

When I got back I did crossword puzzles and then went to bed.  Tiger stayed elsewhere, and sky curled up with me and spent the next several hours sleeping.

I wish I was back in that bed and I will be feeling the same way when I get up in the morning….