7 Years

 

Friday was an anniversary or two my family said goodbye to Mom as she succumbed to pancreatic cancer.  She died with us around her and the Nursing staff that Liz got for her so that she would not die in a nursing home or hospital.  It was a very stressful and hard time.  Relationships were strained between siblings; I continued to work while mom was being cared for until the final days.  So called friends would interfere in things they had no right to. 

In the days leading up to the funeral some preparations had changed.  Jim had gone home to do some things and returned in time for the funeral service and his family followed.  I remember how annoyed Liz was at his behavior and treatment of her.  It frustrated me because it was unnecessary. 

Just as we were saying goodbye to Mom, the world was welcoming a four different short haired kittens.  They were eventually brought to Woodbridge Animal shelter.  Where they were taken care of, fed, watered, for the next 6 months.  All four kittens found homes.  Two of them came home with me on their 6month birthday.  Their Siblings eventually found homes according to the shelter employee I had run into at the grocery store. 

I probably won’t do too much for the birthdays except hugs and kisses.  I can’t believe they are seven.  I have to say I am very lucky to have them in my life.  They have made some unbearable times better for me.

Today is Jennifer's Birthday

 

Today is my niece in law Jennifer’s birthday.  I am not sure what age she is but she is a wonderful person who is a loving, caring and inclusive of her step children. That would be Chris’s older children from a previous marriage. They are expecting their second child as of three days ago.  I would imagine since I haven‘t gotten a text or phone call from Liz he hasn’t arrived yet.

Yesterday was fairly quiet.  I emptied a few more boxes from the kitchen and put the dishes in any spot for now.  I just want to be able to walk around the kitchen without walking into boxes.  I also spent a lot of time watching TV.

I received some bills the car insurance payment I have been waiting on was paid or at least scheduled to be paid now.  The renter’s insurance letter and policy is confusing and I put in some calls to my insurance agent but he hasn’t returned my call. 

I don’t know if I owe more money on the house or more for the condo.  They have both my old address and the new one and it really doesn’t make sense to me.  Have I said this is frustrating?

My nephew Mike came around 4 to hook up the washing machine.  The hoses were all there under the machines.  He connected the hose to the water and discovered it was leaking and rusty.  He suggested it get done sooner than later.  Liz also suggested that he could also but the shades up and he couldn’t.  Then Liz suggested someone from the committee to do it.  I have only gotten a recommendation for a plumber.

Dave came over after that and spent about 20 minutes looking around.  He would ask where certain things were.  I showed him.  He made suggestions and I ignored them.  He also gave me a Christmas decoration and a gift.

After he left I did the laundry, and watched TV and made dinner.  I think I fell asleep around 10 and then went to bed.

Today I made some calls, emptied out more boxes and still doing it as I write ths.  I  made a late lunch and watched TV.  I have boxes to be thrown out.  I still have mail to pick up.

It’s partly cloudy and in the low 30’s.  We are supposed to get rain and snow tomorrow.  I hope it won’t be for long as Liz and I will probably return the the shades that were dent and not fitting right.

 

 

 

Today is my Dad's Birthday

Today would have been my Dad’s 94^th Birthday.  I have been doing a lot of ‘What if’s lately.  What if he didn’t have high cholesterol, or kidney failure, or the alcoholism that affected his and our lives.  He battled the alcoholism before he died but it had lasting effects.  Would he be frail?  Would his memory be going like his sister RM?  Would his illnesses have caught up with him now?  As it did with his late Sister Patty?

I wonder if he would have been able to take care of Mom during her last days.  I wonder what the relationships would be with my remaining siblings.  I wonder so many things and sometimes I am glad he didn’t survive because I don’t know what would have happened.

So Today is Friday and it’s raining on and off.  Still humid. The sun is supposed to come out in the city and rain all day back home. 

Hopefully an early morning crisis has been averted.  One of the admins is waiting on a piece of mail for corporate uses and I know I saw it and mailed it out Tuesday (at least I think I did).  I don’t know how long things take to get to one end of the campus from the other. It’s not something I think about.  It allowed me to catch up with my shuttle bus buddy Mary Beth.

I think I will be spending a little more time today then I have lately on the readdress mail that’s here.  Shadow has been working on it as well.  I don’t want this to be hanging around here longer than it should be.

Right now, my regular scanner is being worked on for the final repair and update.  I am hoping it will be resolved soon.  I want to finish what’s on the desk and get ready for whatever the new project additions will be.

Tonight, is my session with Debra and then then gym.  I just signed up for the weekend exercise classes at the gym.

I will go grocery shopping this weekend and do laundry and odds and ends and probably sleep.

 

 

 

Independence Day 2020

G00d Morning and Happy Birthday America!  This has been a year hasn’t it? It can only get better I think.  WE have gone through so much only to show we can be resilient. 

So last night I watched most of the Wrath of Khan and a little of the Search for Spock.  I had gone outside to see where the fireworks were being shot off from.  I could barely see them and they were really loud either but I did walk to the end of my street and looked towards West Haven and noticed there were some that way.  I am figuring it was near the HS or grounds of a couple of schools nearby Sky was sitting on the sofa above my head and then took off.  I found them both at either end of my old bedroom.   There are only 4 places that are officially holding firework displays this week in the area.  Of course I was surprised when I heard them until I went outside and it had stopped raining.

Today has been a normal day (well accidently pocket dialing the emergency number mot withstanding) they called me back and I had to apologize and explain it was in error.  I just hope they don’t charge me with a crime.

I have already played a few WWF games and now I am taking a break right now.  I don’t know if that’s allowed but tough tutu’s if it isn’t.  I don’t want to be attached to that all the time.  I am already attached to the laptop way too much.

I had a chance to talk to family members already.  Cousin Bill in MA, Brother Jim, and of courses my Niece Jen in NC.  Waiting on sis to respond to text and then I will move along on the day.

It looks like it will be a beautiful day.  Currently partly sunny and 74 degrees (it was in the lower 70s 2 hours ago) and it will be in the low 80s.  No rain though.  The grass is starting to look a little better.

Oh and I bailed again on the class.  I will be walking sometime and then do cardio at the gym before it closes for the day.   I had the rest of the remaining roast beef that I had been picking at this week.  I need to throw out the meatloaf soon.

I have already started another grocery list but I still have much to feast on.  I don’t have as many frozen vegetables.  I have salad fixings and hopefully the semi fresh Brussel sprouts in the vegetable draw.  I did get a hankering for a cherry pie so I went and got it and ate it within 10 minutes

Today must be the day I catch up with family whether it is online or in person.  While I was at the store had a few moments to catch up with my Cousin Dan.  He also works at the University by with the bigwigs. He is the Deputy Director of Communications of Development and Marketing.

I have been Watched the Aerial America Marathon on the Smithsonian channel.  I have seen these all before.  When I get a chance I go back to the blogsites and look up any blogs that are tagged with the states and most of what I get is political, news, etc.

I called Mama R this evening.  She says the state has spiked from the Corona Virus.  She reiterated masks are to be worn in public at all times.  We talked about me going back to work.  We talked about the fireworks going off and how to deal with it with pets, and PSTD.  I told her what I will do if it gets bad. They were fine last night really.

I made some dinner of the lamb chops.  That’s it nothing else.  I may need to get going with the salads with it for the dinners.  I will still need to get a few more things at the store tomorrow

I spent two hours for training purposes for Harassment in the Workplace training.  It was two hours of information.  There was so much how I will I remember it all?  I am thinking I can google it.

Something is up with the phone.  Getting to all the apps is different.  I have to swipe up instead of their separate windows.

Well for the last hour and half been hearing fireworks go off in all directions.  My plan to go around and close the windows was unfulfilled as I didn’t want to move from the laptop.  It should be ending by 10.  I will check in on the kitties. Oh well I just found Tiger on the stairs so I held it for a short time and put her on the sofa she decided to amble around and then upstairs to under the bed.  Sky was stretched out under the bed so after struggling with google assist I got the answer and put some music on.  I have to remain destressed It would help if google assistant would be more helpful.

 

 

 

 

Today is my Sister's Birthday

Today is my sister’s birthday.  She turned 65 this year and has been doing all the Medicare search and paperwork this past week or so.  She showed me the books that have all the programs for her particular chosen Medicare deal.  I call it deal but I know that’s not the right word.   I remember when Mom had to choose her Medicare health and then renew it every year.  It sucked.  I am not looking forward to that day when I have to choose a Medicare package.  Luckily I don’t have to for now.

She will be spending her birthday fairly quiet.  She will probably see her son and then talk with grandchildren via skype or facetime and then do her regular Sunday activities. Since the pandemic and quarantine she rarely goes anywhere other than to the store, or doctor appointments.  She isn’t anxious to go to the reopening’s of anywhere including church.  Don’t blame her. 

Well it seems that the “argument “between Cousin J and Niece D has escalated a little further.  Two of our cousins defended Diane and one was his brother I am guessing although he didn’t post it but as a result (and he blames the cousin) my niece unfriended him.  It couldn’t be the obnoxious attitude and belligerent attitude you had would it?  I am staying out of it.  I would like to tell him off but as I said to Liz it would backfire on me.

It is a beautiful morning.  A breezy and sunny day is the forecast and it it’s going to get in to the mid 70’s.    I will be going out soon.  I want to get a box to the Good will distribution collection center and then pick up a couple of things.  Like my prescription of D-12 that I was supposed to have yesterday.

I also have to do phone calls that I didn’t make yesterday.  What a great union committee person I am.  Maybe can do more tomorrow if I don’t get it down today.  I still don’t like doing this.

Well the dryer is done so I am going to go fold them.

 

 

Happy Birthday AlexW

Today is AlexW’s birthday.  He is my trainer from the gym and is the sweetest and really funny guy.  Who is also old enough to be my son if I were to have a son.  I would be lying if I said I told him everything I have eaten during our time as trainer client.  I eventually do tell him in round about ways.  Sometimes I do listen to him and sometimes…well, I do what I want.  Like yesterday with the oatmeal cookies.  

He asked me if I would be interested in the Virtual personal training sessions and I am I just not comfortable with the method of payment he wants to use (the Venmo).  I haven’t given my answer yet.  I don’t want to hurt him but this method has had issues from people (none that I know personally but I don’t want the problems these people have had.  He did like the birthday wish I sent him.

So I woke up during the night for a few reasons, the radio was acting weird and I heard noises outside.  It sounded like someone was in my garbage totes but I didn’t see anything.  While I was visiting with next door I turned around and noticed another next from the eaves of the house had fallen to the ground for the second time in a week.

So I chatted with next door about the horrible events in Minneapolis and some of the reactions and activities like blocking traffic on route 8 yesterday.  That was dangerous to say the least.  We talked about my moving as well.  I reiterated I was staying until they roll me out of here or my health can no longer handle it.

Considering I was awake really early I got online and did some writing and web browsing and then ended up trying to sleep a little bit more.  Sky wasn’t hearing any of that.  I got up at 5:30 and got downstairs and started our routine.  Once they were fed I fell back to sleep for a couple of hours.  I got up again and had coffee and meds.  I watched TV for a short time and came back upstairs and finished writing yesterday’s entry and posted it.  I also answered some of the journal writing weekly prompts.

The rest of the day did some bonding with the kitties and napped and watched TV, chatted with next door and answered a pen pal letter. 

Fed the cats early this evening and around put a small load of laundry and emptied the dishwasher and ran upstairs to listen to my regular Sunday night radio program. 

 

Still a bit chilly

The rain indeed came through sometime around 3.  There was a light rain when I got up at 6 this morning.  It started to clear an hour later and the sun was pushing through and it still pushing.  The temperatures are supposed to get back into the 70s.  It may continue to rain later.

I was so tempted to turn the thermostat back up but I still had the bedroom windows open.   I went online to look for guidance on when you turn the thermostat off and they say not to…if that’s the case why do they have an off button?  Why would you want the thermostat on during the summer months?  It would be too hot.    The Furnace is still feeding the hot water tank (I always think the two are separate).  I guess no matter how many times you explain it to me it won’t make sense.

I still haven’t heard from Chairman Phil acknowledging the email from yesterday.  It’s the second time this week he hasn’t said anything.  I will go later to the Paper store when it opens.   He is probably busy but I have questions also about the meeting and about the scholarship presentations.  I did send him a text.

Late last week I received an email from LG President Laurie alerting us to a meeting for this Wednesday.  It will be a conference call at 7.  That means I have to miss the weekly coffee talk.    We will be discussing the disbursement of funds and the installation dinner the following week.  I am hesitant about going to the dinner but I want to see the ladies.  I can’t believe the year is over.  We will probably meet later on in the summer to prepare for next year.

Today is my Friend Ann’s birthday.  I sent her a birthday text and we were just chatting about her plans…hasn’t shared them yet.  I asked her what she did yesterday.  She tells me not much but I did ask about Earl her cat and she says he has a cough.

I checked in with family and they are all good. Liz has some projects and zoom chat with her HS classmates. 

Just before lunchtime opened the windows again and turned the thermostat off. It’s still a little chilly but not going to last long I am sure.

 

Today is My nephew John's Birthday

Today is my Nephew John’s Birthday.  I don’t know how old he is, but he is the middle child of my late Brother’ Bob’s and SIL Ethel. He came to this country from Taiwan in the late 80’s with his family and I can remember he was very shy. The first night he was in our home he had woken up and everyone but me was sleeping.   He was crying because he didn’t recognize anything or see anyone familiar.  I came downstairs and we played at the kitchen table. 

He along with his siblings experienced a lot.  Family discourse, new schools, new ways of life, my father dying, and then luckily their relationship with my Mother was repaired, he experienced High School, and going into the Army experiencing war, the loss of his own father, and much later his grandmother.  Experiencing the joy of his own wedding and most recently the dissolution of his own marriage.  He is currently stationed in North Pole AL as Medic.  He has two dogs the malamute is probably 6 years old now and he recently got a little puppy and it’s probably grown since the last time he sent out pictures on FB.  HE does have a new lady in his life, but I am not sure where that’s heading right now.

So back home here I talked with Sister yesterday and she has another cold-again.  I will be staying away from her this weekend again as I am beginning to feel wonky myself.  We talked about the progress of selling stuff and she admitted I seem to know what I am doing and that is a good thing. 

My ears are starting to feel hollow and I don’t know if it’s turning into hearing loss, or the dreaded wax build up.  I do clean my ears (not with q tips) but this feels like I am underwater.  I hope I am not getting sick again either, I have a lot to do that’s coming up.

I didn’t make it to class this morning.  I slept in and then got to the morning routine.  I brought my laptop with me so that whenever I finish doing what I must do tonight I will have it with me.  I have two meetings (and I still need to get the Christmas stuff in the car for Sharon’s home).  I hope to get to the grocery store after all that.

Did I say it’s going to be a long night?

Steps for yesterday: 11,964

Steps so far today: 4,434

I had a protein drink this morning, tea, 2 pkgs of granola bars, trail mix and water.  For Lunch I had the Lemon Orzo chicken soup, and yogurt.

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.

My Birthday

My Birthday is drawing to an end.  It was quite lovely.  I have been receiving many birthday greetings on FB and at work.  I also received a few at tonight’s DTC meeting. 

I haven’t been really in the mood to celebrate.  I have been really angry this past week.  On Sunday Liz and I had gotten into it about my housecleaning. She had been here earlier that day to put the new sheets and mattress cover on it with us and a friend.  She wasn’t happy.  When I called her later that day she started in on me about how the cleaning woman wouldn’t be able to move there was things in every corner of the bedroom. Under my breath I told her to shut the fuck up and she says to me “you call me a fucking asshole we are done” So she hung up on me.  I almost sent her an email but stopped myself completely and called Debra.

A day later Liz sent me an email.  In the email she apologized for upsetting me she acknowledges she should not be judging and criticizing me (the same shit she says to me every time the subject of the housekeeping comes up.  She went on to say that I need to deal with the consequences of living like this.  She has said she won’t be coming over anymore because her health cannot deal with this.  But that I am more than welcomed to come over to her free of judgement, criticisms.   She thought she was doing something nice for me.  No she wanted to do this to feel good about herself.   

I haven’t responded to her email.  She wants space?  I do too.  I am sick and tired of the constant criticism of the way I keep house, dress, eat and anything else.  It’s like I am dealing with my mother all over again. 

Since the cleaning lady has been here I have been trying to keep things up.  Something I try every time.  There are things that still need work.  I still have laundry in the dining room that has to be put away, things that need to be done but it’s not like I have dirt on the floor.  I keep up with the litterboxes and let Livia clean the rest of the house.

Work has been good.  I was busy with the mail, and refunds, and scanning.  WE are caught up with current stuff now (as of today).  We said good bye to TMJ a woman I worked with all of my 25 years in OPS.  She was my buffer at times with Mom (when Mom was working with us).  We are having a dinner in October for her.

School started up this week in town with little or no problems. The reaction I got was it has been exhausting. 

A couple has been arrested earlier this week for breaking into vehicles a half mile away.  So I have been locking doors left and right these days. 

The days are getting shorter now.  It’s been getting darker earlier every night.  It’s still dark in the morning which allows me to sleep a little longer before going to work.  I have seen deer in the usual place. 

The Ladies Guild board meeting was this past week and went well.  I have offered to get pasta for the pot luck dinner next month.  We have a number of things going on in the next few month.  One of them is to tread lightly with the ST Agnes LG.  We don’t want them to feel they are being taken over but we want to include them in the activities.  Not going to be easy.

I better get going.  I have a lot planned for tomorrow (including finish laundry, and gardening) and the rest of the weekend. 

Happy Birthday Dad

Yesterday  would have been my Dad’s 91st birthday.I sometimes wonder what he would have been like if he had been healthier (multiple illnesses).  He still had some daily demons that he dealt with but he was a good man to me.  I wonder if he would be suffering from alzheimer's, or would he be fine?  Or would it not make a difference.  Really things that in the grand scheme of reality doesn’t matter he isn’t here but I do think of him often.

I can’t believe July is over.  One month from yesterday is my birthday (I always considered myself a belated birthday gift for Dad).  I will be the speed limit.  This year is going by fast ( it always does this time of year).  

The first two weeks of August will be a little busy for me.  Some of it is health related (doctor’s appointments, and infusions, and some procedures-crown inputting).  The rest will be entertainment and fun stuff.  Volunteering will always be part of it.

This time of year around here is Festival season.  I just took a look at some of them and the Litchfield Jazz festival is the first weekend of August.  I was entertaining the thought of going (despite the traffic in the area) until I saw the prices.  $35-$500.

As you know I like to go just to window shop and see cute and cuddly things.  Of course the food and people watching.   I don’t go on rides anymore now most definite after what had happened at the Ohio state fair.   I am planning on helping out at the Oyster festival in a couple of weeks.  

I also am tentatively planning to attend THE BIG E this year.  That starts in 46 days.  I ended up not going last year but this year I would like to.  I will keep you posted on that one.

It was a touch humid on the way into work so much so that my eyes were squinting from the sweat in my eyes. Yuck.  It continued this  morning too...should be warm all week.

Running Behind Schedule?

I had these big plans to be up at dawn get Vlad and Preston all taken care until this afternoon and then head back home to get things done there.   Well I stayed in bed until 6 (I didn’t sleep well) then got the boys taken care of. I almost had anxious moments when Vlad walked out into the outer hallway of the apartment I had to grab him and put him back inside.  He wasn’t pleased but I made sure i made it up to him when I got back from walking Preston.  I did manage to feed the menagerie.

The sun was pretty much risen when I got to the house.  I stopped at DD for some coffee and came here. The kitties were waiting for me on the stairs and came to me when I walked in.

I started working on the cheesecake (setting up the cream cheese ) and then I fed them.  They were very vocal at that point.  I got them fed and then started looking at the ingredients and realized I forgot the lemon.  I ran to the grocery store and got the lemon.

When I got home dove into making the cheesecake.  I think it came out well  and I put saran wrap instead of the actual lid so it wouldn’t get mushed.  It did a little anyway but not as bad.  I will just have to get the cones tomorrow and put them on at Dave’s house.

Now all I have to do is finish the gifts for the kids.  Liz tells me all six of them will be there as well as 12 adults.  She was parting her wisdom of how to act with them (no gushing over the cats).  She is acting like I am a social deviant.  I am not sure I want to slap her or tell her off.  Either way I risk damaging the relationship and I don’t want that.  She suggested I also get a card or two for Mike Jr and Nelson 3.  Its their birthdays. I may not stay long as this cough is freaking annoying me.

I also have some laundry to do as well or at least finish what I started yesterday.  I also am going to do the sheets so that Livia doesn’t have to make the bed this week.  Since I won’t be sleeping in the bed.

Tonight will be with the kitty and the dog and anything good on TV (the LOTR movies will be on).  May get something from a restaurant before heading back to the house.

Well to the laundry....

My Birthday

Yesterday started very early for me.  I woke up around 4 and decided to get up and have coffee and watch TV and check on the kitties.  Well they thought “Great we get fed early”.  They didn’t.  They got fed their normal time of around 5:30. I left at a good time and got to work on time.

When I arrived at my desk I found wonderful gifts of food, flowers, balloons, and eventually more cards, and through the day many birthday wishes from my FB friends and family.  I was still thanking many by the time I went to bed last night.

I met my sister and BIL for dinner at Jimmie’s Apizza here in Milford and we shared each other’s pizza’s.  We didn’t have dessert there but I did when I got home.  I found a floral arrangement waiting for me on the porch and they were from Jim. 

The kitties were enjoying the flowers too.  I slept on the couch last night just so they wouldn’t try to eat it.  I had to find the spray bottle.  I am thinking they didn’t bother it during the night but tried this morning.  Sky slept above my head while the princess slept in the back room.

Yesterday seemed pretty busy with the refund checks.  Yesterday was the launch date for the “rebranding”.  We had to change our signatures and voice mail messages to reflect the change.  We still won’t get the new letterhead until next week.  I guess some areas already got them.

Heard from Mama Roberta again this week.  I sent her a message earlier to keep her abreast of the condo search.  Anyway she is expecting the tropical storm that’s supposed to hit NC by Monday.  She says that her sister Marsha is fine but its pouring down in Tampa.

There are a couple of Hurricanes in Southern part of Florida.  One is crossing the Gulf of Mexico into Florida and if I read the radar right it is hitting the pan handle of Florida.  We got a message from Cousin Carol via FB that they are preparing for one of the storms and she is just south of Jacksonville.  I have friends in that state as well.

This afternoon I meet with Debra and then pick up my car.  Tonight should be fairly quiet.  I may focus on my pen pal writing.

July 31, 2016: Today is My Father's Birthday

Today would have been my father’s 90^th birthday.  That’s to say if he didn’t have the health problems he had 25 years ago.  Today three of his children got together for coffee at Café Atlantique.  Each of us have very different memories and views of Dad. Of course by the time he died he was a recovering alcoholic and even then he may be viewed as not the greatest.   The relationship between my two older siblings is tenuous at best and I had mixed feeling and apprehensions about this.  I wanted it to go well.  It did very well.  We talked about family history and who took care of who and it didn’t break into arguments.  Although some of it made me a little uncomfortable because I was reminded that things had not been so good even before I came into the world.

Jim headed home after the coffee date and Liz and I went our ways.  I had cat food and litter to get and a short time to get it.  I still had bingo to go to and some stuff that I had been putting off the entire weekend. 

The kitties did their own thing today and that included going into the cellar.  At one point I went looking for Tiger.  I had called her a few times.  When I didn’t hear her or see her I panicked a little well around 9 she finally came out of whatever place she was and was sitting on the steps from the cellar.  I was quite relieved and once the two of them were up I closed the door. 

Bingo went well I found out one of my residents “Flo” was leaving tomorrow to return to her home in New Haven.  I was under the impression she was leaving last week.  I know I was being a cynic but this wasn’t the first time she said she was going home and I have a feeling it won’t happen this week.  I will eat my hat if I am wrong.

When I got home I made myself some Boboli pizza and had ice cream (its completely gone).  I spent the rest of the night on the computer or watching TV.  I did some laundry but by a certain time I stopped.  I did finally empty the dishwasher as well.

Now I am going to bed.  I am really tired.

My Birthday

Today has been quite a day.  Extremely hot for most of it.  It was humid before 8 am.  It has cooled off considerably but I also put the fans on upstairs hoping the air would circulate down here.  Not sure that worked.

I was expecting the Home health nurse to come for a visit and I ended up having to call her just before I left for my sister’s.  It turns out she is coming tomorrow by 8:30.  She is allergic to cats.  She asked me to put them somewhere else.  They will probably do that on their own.

I also called the office to remind them I wouldn’t be coming in this week and LC called me back and suggested I call HR for the FMLA packet.  I explained I got that started earlier in the month.  I was just waiting for the Doctor to sign and fax it.  Do you know what I did next?  I called HR to see if they ever received the packet and they didn’t.  My next call was to the Dr.’s Office.   They said they would send a message to the Dr. to get it done and to do it.  So my hope is when I see him on Thursday he would have done it by then. 

I got ready for my lunch date with Liz.  I headed out for her house and it seemed like everyone was just staring at the traffic lights and wouldn’t move!  I was starting to get annoyed as I didn’t want to keep Liz waiting.  I didn’t know it at the time but later found out she had things to do after our lunch and wanted to get to them.

While waiting for Liz I was chatting with my BIL.  He had just finished a Massage therapy session with my cousin D so he was a bit tired.  He also found it to be too cold in the house.

I am not sure what time we left their house but we didn’t have far to go and need to make a stop here and there to drop stuff off.  Anyway we went to Rainbow Gardens.  It started off many years ago as a Bed and Breakfast but turned to restaurant only.  Liz had a salad and I soup and my main dish was their Legend of the Sea.  We had a great discussions ranging from our family burial sites, to movies, and my reasons for getting the PO Box for pen pals.  We finally left there around 2:30 and got back to her house by 3.

We did some more talking and then she showed me the progress of the new bathroom and closet in their bedroom.  It really looks great.  I think it’s going to better for both of them.

It was nearly 3 when I left there for home.  I was starting to get tired but decided I would stop at the Sundae house for an ice cream.  Not that I really needed it but as I was leaving the street a MR Softie Truck was there. 

As I was driving up the street I saw my Friend Dave drive by and so when I got to the Sundae House I called him.  We connected later on in the day by phone and caught up with our lives.  I had also got his birthday card for me.

It was nearly 3:30 by the time I got home.  I had gotten a lot of mail.  Some junk mail and another birthday card from my co-workers at the office.  I also got a letter from Pam in OK.  I will be sharing more in the pen pal blog.

The rest of the afternoon I watched the NCIS marathon and looked in on the kitties.  Tiger spent some time behind the couch.  She was there when I left earlier in the day and I found it amusing she was there when I got back. 

They have been spending a lot of time lying around in various places around the house and right now Sky is by the window in the dining room where I am writing this.

I have been making sure I have responded to all the birthday wishes from my FB friends and family.  I just hope I haven’t missed anyone..

Now I am going to go to bed.  I am tired….

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

Its late day now, and thankfully I have managed to get stuff done.  The chairs got done despite my tripping over my feet and falling.  I didn’t fall far but it was embarrassing.  Nothing is broken including the chair.  I got the vacuuming done and managed have some lunch.  

Today is Diane’s birthday.  I did manage to post to her line along with everyone else.  I have never been good with the kids birthday to be honest.  Although they are adults I am sure it still hurts.

I had these lofty idea to have steak for dinner (it was still frozen) so I checked the cooking books and it either needs 12 hours (in the refrigerator) or 4 hours room temperature.  Well when I decided to think about dinner it was too late.  So have it marinating in oil and garlic.  I have a potato wrapped in aluminum to cook it tomorrow.  I ended up having an open faced cheese sandwich.  

Now I am just watching TV and am done for the night.

Calendars

We use Calendars to keep our lives and appointments straight.  I have been using the online calendars that are available as well as my outlook calendar and my work calendar.  For the longest time I wouldn't put my personal appointments (after work hours) on the work calendar now I am beginning to re-think that idea.  My question is What calendars do you use and do you find it useful?  Do you put your personal appointments on your work calendar?

I had my colonoscopy consult yesterday  It took just  about 45 minutes of vitals, and reviewing history and what I can expect to happen and why.  Then we scheduled it for mid July.  I talked with Liz and she will be bringing me that day.

I got to the office just after 10 and got to work I started to work on the lockbox and then the second run came so I was working on both for the rest of the day.  It was completely done by the time I left for the day.  We had a cake for Nadine who starts her new job in Reimbursement on Monday.  it was huge! Of course it was delicious too.

I had my dentist appointment as well and then I went to see Mom.  I brought some things from home she wanted including the mail.  She was less agitated than earlier in the day.  Let’s just say she is very anxious to get home.  At one point she was in pain and they didn't come with the pain medication when she asked.  Now Liz makes her write down when she gets the meds so that she will know when she can have it again.  I will go after work to see her again.  I have the newspaper and the sweaters she wants (I hope).  She will be having the Literary club coffee klatch come on Saturday morning.  She set it up with her friend Maureen.

Tonight I am doing laundry (yeah I know I have been saying that a lot this week).  I am going to make sure most of the house is in order.  Livia is coming on Wednesday instead of Thursday.  I got an email from TM last night..  

This weekend continues the Celebration of Milford’s Anniversary with lots of activities including a play that my friend Nancy is directing.  I am hoping I can go at least once this weekend.  I am definitely going to the parade on Sunday.

Well whatever it is you are doing this weekend may it be a wonderful and safe weekend!!!!

Dear Friends

March 17, 2014

Dear Friends:

Happy St Patty’s Day to ye all.  May the Luck  of the Irish be yours this day.  It is also my maternal Grandmother’s birthday.  There is already some debate of her age but I believe she would be 116 today.   When she was alive we (and before dementia and alzheimer's took over) we would have huge family parties.  Sometimes it would be at her house, Aunts and Uncles, and of course our own.  We did have it once at the HOliday Inn Restaurant (now its a Old Navy store) near the highway.  The family would come from all over sometimes from across the county and it would be a family reunion of sorts.  Now we get together when we can for family reunions.

Work went well.  I got to the garage in plenty of time to walk with both Mary and Ann but it sure was cold.  I worked on the re-address mail until the lockbox came and then back to that when that was done.  The overall volume was pretty good that I finished it by 3.  I did some sorting and filing for Susan late in the day.  

It was very cold when we left for the day so we didn’t stop to chat and we all took off rather quickly.    I was home by quarter of 5.  I found Mom in her pajamas trying to get warmed by the heating pad.  She told me she  didn’t do anything for dinner.   You would think I got the message-but alas I asked her how she felt.  She didn’t have a great day.    I did call a couple of times  earlier in the  but didn’t get any answer.  I had gotten a little nervous about that but I also know she wasn’t too bad last night.  So I thought.

Mom wasn’t the only one not feeling well either.  I called Liz and Nelson and Nelson told me she had a rough night and that he was going to let her sleep.    Its tough when the women in your family are not feeling well.

Well I have to go take care of my dinner.  Its an entree from Trader joes.  Lasagna Bolognese.   I hope its good.  It will take about an 30 minutes.  I will try and check in again before going to bed...

Later...