New Year's eve 2021

 

Late last night I decided I would be going to Gillion’s house for the NYE.  I texted her saying I would be there.  So today, I will be resting and relaxing and then leave here just before 9.  By that time the cats will be fed, watered, and medicated.  I hope the weather holds off until I get home Saturday morning.

I am glad Dave’s dinner isn’t until 2.  This will allow me to rest for some hours before I pick up the bread and bring it for the dinner.  Tomorrow will be mostly rain.  I hope that will keep people off the roads.

I actually have to revise my budget for this past month.  There are a whole lot of things I didn’t record.  I know I am already in the red for January

I have to admit that it took me a long time to get to sleep last night.  I had a late night snack of mixed vegetables and the next thing I knew I was running to the bathroom.  I had the runs.  It didn’t last long but oy it was uncomfortable.

So far this morning I have fed the cats, watched a little TV, took the inhaler, had coffee and texted the groups.  Gillion is glad I am coming.

Liz still has the cold.  We talked about tonight and I told her I don’t know if the others are going to be wearing the mask but I would be.  I don’t know how long but I will wear it. 

We also talked about work whether or not it will close down again.  I explained what their plans are for now.

At this very moment it’s foggy but cloudy.  It doesn’t look like it will rain until after midnight.  There is a coastal flood warning for tomorrow.  It is mild temperatures as of right now.

I see I have another reminder from my regular Vet about Tiger’s annual shots.  I will call them on Monday and schedule it.  Got that’s probably going to cost too.  I can’t remember if I did the program of paying a fee for a year.

How cool is this?  Comet TV is having a Monster Marathon right now.  It includes the Godzilla movies from the 60s.  They had one that was about Gamera.

Well I think I am going to go for a walk before it gets too messy.

.

 

 

Christian's Birthday

 

Today is my Nephew Chris’s 45^th Birthday.  I sent him   message via FB.  AT least it absolves me from sending a card- again.  It’s been quite a while since I sent him a card.  I expect we will be getting pictures of how they spent his birthday.  I hope we get to see him in 2022.  It all depends on the Covid 19 paths.

I did text his brother Rich and he confirmed he was feeling better.  I did the obligatory “did he need anything” and he didn’t.  I still don’t know if he is working or not but I do know he got it at a dart tournament.

I heard from Liz this evening.  I had sent her a text this morning but she never replied.  I figured she was resting up.  She had thought she replied.  Anyway she has been preparing for Nel’s return home tomorrow.  I believe she told me she has things in place in the shower, and around the house to help him walk.  She will also have aides to help care for him.  She won’t be able to do it all herself.  As I said he doesn’t want any visitors (family or otherwise) to come until the variant is gone or people are vaccinated.

I did some organizing in my office for about half hour today.  I think my shredder is dying.  It doesn’t always start up when I start to put paper to shred in it.  I am going to give it another try to morrow and maybe clean out the blades.  I did make a pile for things to be scanned when I return to work next week. 

I did start looking through the Christmas cards I got this past holiday and managed to get one written out to my friend Gillion and her family.  I still have more to write out tomorrow and if the weather is lousy then I will be staying inside tomorrow and working on them.

I decided to send a text to Dave to find out if he is having his annual Open house or not.  He had told me before he left here Friday he might cancel it because of Covid and wasn’t sure who to invite.  So tonight he said it would be just dinner for the two of us.  I will go to Julia’s Bakery in Orange and order stuffed bread that we like.  Actually I am speaking to someone now from their page.

You know, I can’t help think about something Dave told me a while back that some of his friends were not fond of me.  Well I know two of his friends were considered my friends at one time and I wonder if that’s why he is having dinner just for us.  If that’s the case then I am rethinking our friendship and the friendship with the others.  I can tell you there are at least two people that I don’t really like either (his neighbor Bonnie is one).  She is just pushy and rude.

We did a light dusting of snow this evening that turned to rain.  It started around 7 and has been raining ever since.  I was glad I got my walk in before it started. 

Around 6 I decided I would do my walk.  I started at 6:30 and did just bit over a mile.  I am not sure how many times I went around the complex.  I seem to lose count when I am walking. I am hoping I will do it a little longer tomorrow.  Even if it is painful, it was a bit hard to breath at first.  That’s because it has been a while since I did that kind of walking and it was a bit cold.

The cats are both sleeping beside me as I write this.  They spent most of the day on the bed either sitting or sleeping.  They got up for dinner and then pretty much did the same thing for the rest of the evening.  Neither of them ate their dinner.  Tiger spent the rest of the evening beside me on the couch and Sky did his own thing. 

Sky has been sneezing a lot lately.  I am thinking of bringing him to the vet soon.  Some days I can hear him sneeze at least 3 times and others not as much. 

Tiger has her annual immunizations to get too.  I need to schedule them as well.  I am wondering if they have been apprised of Tiger’s status.  Well I will schedule it soon and find out.  Hmmm, I tried to log on and can’t I will have to call them tomorrow.

Well its time for me to go to bed….

 

New Year's Afternoon got quiet

 

Dear Debra:

It is now 2 in the afternoon.  I have Law & Order on the Bounce channel. At the sane tune I have Classical Music on the local Public Radio Station.

My early morning project of cleaning the car seats was an utter failure.  I used diluted Resolve and all it did was to clean it for a short time.  The stains were still there.  So Liz’s suggestion to use carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning was not a good one.  I wonder if the service department can do something about at the Honda place.  I am supposed to get the car serviced this month.

I had some lunch, and snacks and trying hard to not graze or head off to the store and get a cake or sweets but it’s getting harder and harder.  I did have some more food by the time I was going to bed.

I spent the rest of the day either surfing the web or sleeping or watching TV.  I had a visit from a neighbor who was passing out Cat calendars and of course I got one.  We had a lovely visit. 

The cats got up around 3:30 and were hungry.  I put off feeding them for as long as I could.  They sounded like they were dying. For the rest of the night they were quiet and either sleeping on the couch with me or on the bed.

Now that it is 10 and I am heading to bed.  Its been raining for the last few hours now.  I didn’t hear it even start.  I was watching the Smithsonian channel’s Train shows.  I actually fell asleep myself.  I was glad that I had taken a shower before falling asleep.

I don’t know what’s up but I am a little stiff in the legs and it hurts I have taken some Tylenol and hopefully it will be okay.

I think some sleep is in order.

Good night.

 

Peaceful Morning

I am having a very slow start to the day.  It’s cloudy and 72 degrees right now and is expected to get in the mid-80s.  It might get really sticky weather wise. 

I probably should take a walk before it does get too humid.  I have already cancelled today’s class.   I have until 4 to get there.  It actually closes at 5 and in order for me to do cardio I would need an hour.

There are a lot of posts and shared posts of the various displays across the city and even in the blogosphere.  They looked great.  What I don’t get is when people see the videos they ask?  When, where?   Followed by I thought they were cancelled.  Well hello?   Wouldn’t you think it would be from privately citizens (that’s an oxymoron).  There are also lots of posts condemning those who are shooting them off on behalf of their pets.  I am not heartless but you know they go off this time of year.  You all need to prepare for it.  If I had a dog or the cats really objected (I couldn’t tell if I tried) then I probably would.  I was annoyed they were still going off after 10.

I just did ask myself why do we set them off and this article pretty much explains it.  Forest Wickman says there are many reasons besides tradition but then it also points there are firework haters.  I don’t necessarily hate them I do get nervous at the loud noise at times.  I sometimes get worried that if neighbors decide to shoot them off in their back yard and one happens to stray on to say my garage I don’t think I would be happy.   I also feel bad for the animals that it does affect.  Even the wild animals will be affected.

Played Words with Friends both versions and did pretty well but I am still finding myself getting frustrated with the various ads that turn into downloading some app for something.  It’s a weather app and I have one already thank you.  I keep thinking all the games are related and it seems that if you are playing on Messenger it’s not the same as in the apps.  I am still trying to get to play with Mama on the apps but it says I have nudged them and still waiting.  Yet in the Messenger she is playing.  It looks like once you start playing on messenger you can’t use messenger to contact anyone else.  It is very frustrating.  All these I consider problems take away the fun of playing.

I do need to get a few things at the store and then pay the bills that need to be paid.  These would be the car tax, property borough taxes, and I think that’s it.  I totally forgot the car payment.  I sent it out Friday I hope it gets there soon.

I am hoping I get a schedule soon.  Unfortunately Supervisor Bob is off until tomorrow.  I sent him an email letting him know I took the Harassment in the work place class.  The embracing change one is on Wednesday.  I have to be sure to focus.  They won’t see us or we won’t see them.  I will apparently be doing some writing (crap.)

Well its lunch time and I need to run some errands.  I keep getting prescription ready alerts from the pharmacy.

 

.

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.

 

 

 

 

Happy and Humid Friday

It is Friday again and it’s Humid.  It is overcast right now and it is expected to start raining around 1 and go for the rest of the day into the night.  If you have been following me for a while now I love weekend nights like that.  I am hoping more rain will revive the lawn a little more. 

This is the beginning of the holiday weekend.  People are getting their yards done and preparing for the limited parties they may have this weekend.  Unfortunately right now feels like any other weekend to me.  I wonder if this is how retirees feel.   Well My hope is that this time next week I will be back in my office doing the job I have been doing for 18 years (I have been at the University for 28 years).  I still have a couple of things to do before I go back (classes and review).    I have been avoiding the emails like the plague.  I have until Wednesday to do them.

I had been missing my friend siduri’s postings lately so I sent her an email this morning.  I shared the family news, work related news, and my daily routine since the Pandemic started.   I also started another blog here.

I was all signed up for a class this morning but my friend JOC called yesterday to plan a walk this morning for 10.  Unfortunately the humidity put a kibosh on that idea. I will have to do my cardio at the gym before the day gets away from me.  I am signed up for class in the morning.

So far I have been writing and texting my family and friends, and on the blogs.  I am doing laundry and visiting my neighbors that I haven’t seen for a few days.    I probably will end up watching TV for most of the afternoon. 

I do have some pen pals to write.  I need to get a move on with that.  I shouldn’t feel guilty about taking so long as my theory is I don’t write on other people’s schedule.   I had one guy tell me I should get off the site because I am not friendly enough.  When I responded for a second time he said stop writing him.  He was from the PENPALSNow.com site and some of the reviews are definitely mixed.

Well  have a great afternoon. 

Memorial Day 2020

The Memorial Day holiday was a fairly quiet but rainy day.  It actually rained on and off until late afternoon.  It stayed in the 60’s all day. 

I did some odds and ends around the house and worked n some pen pal letters that I received during the night.  I had to deal with another moron that really felt entitled and told me I was being rude.  I continued to answer some emails that I received late in the day too.

I did our normal morning routine as well.  I had to clean the table because one of the titans did a hairball.  They seemed okay the rest of the day.  Sky continued to watch the birds in the bush in the back yard and he was so funny.

Mid-morning I went to Shoprite but before going in to shop I called Dave and we talked for an entire hour.  We discussed friendships and I found out a friend of ours lost her father the week before.  We talked about elementary school and life for preteens and then high school. It was nearly 11:30 when I finally went into the store.

Shopping wasn’t bad.  I got a lot of things I needed and one I probably could have done without (Cherry Pie Ice-cream).  The rest of the stuff I will be preparing for cooking later.  I did end up forgetting a few more things and will have to go back and get them after my appointment this morning.

I got back to the house by 12:30.  I put things away and relaxed for a bit (chowing down on the ice cream). The rest of the afternoon I watched mini marathons of Law & Order, Little House, Made lunch and had to quickly put away some lamb chops that had some of the wrapping ripped.

Late in the day I decided to clean a couple of the windows and one of them came completely out of the tract.  At first I called Nextdoor Don but I persevered and got it back in and it doesn’t look like it will come out again.  It’s one of those that come in for easy cleaning but once I got it back in the track I just washed it the way the old windows were done.

I went to bed around 9 and sky followed but Tiger slept elsewhere.

Now it’s time for me to get ready my appointment with the Hematologist.

 

Still not quite the summer feeling

It is a beautiful morning.  The sun is shining and will probably play hide and seek with the beautiful clouds out.   It isn’t supposed to get any warmer than the low to mid 60’s.  I will be wearing a sweat shirt today.  I was still wearing flannel pajamas and a fluffy warm bathrobe this morning.   Tomorrow will be the same way it sounds.  All next week is not supposed to be so good. Shit

I heard some crows and almost a cheap noise and I looked up in the air and noticed the crows chasing a red tail hawk.  It’s been a while since I saw them do that usually they leave each other alone.  I was feeling bad for the hawk.  A short time later I notice Sky looking outside the window in the back room and he looked as though he was hiding from the bird that was in a bush.  As the bird flew away Sky Jumped up on the ledge and then jumped back down but still trying to keep an eye on the bush.  I would have taken a picture but there are still many boxes in the chair and it looked messy.

So we did our normal routine.   I watched TV for a short time and then came back upstairs and got under the blankets and did some surfing the net and did a little bit of the pen pal stuff.  I also fell back to sleep for a little bit. I slept very well last night and now want to get going on the rest of my day.

I had a great chat with Liz today she apologized for coming down hard on me for not taking the meds I am supposed to the way I am supposed.  Hence the reason I was having the spasms and the breathing.  I guess I don’t have to mention I am still feeling much better. 

After the conversation I went to look for twine for the boxes and I don’t  have any but I have a lot of shit that is probably too old and useless (glue, equipment).  I probably will need to put in some of the boxes and haul to the transfer station. Now if I can actually find it.

I went on my walk and was huge success. I Ran into some acquaintances of some friends of mine.   I went on another one just after 5 but it was a little shorter.  The battery on my phone was dying so I wanted to be home in time to get charged.  On both of the walks I stopped to rest and there were some moments that I had those spasms.  Some hurt more than others.  I still made the walks.

In between the walks I had a chat with Trainer Alex.  He was checking in with me and I was just heading to chipotle for lunch.  I got a salad (should have gotten more veggies in it).  I told him I just did a walk and the chipotle run and told him some of the stuff I had this past week.  Anyway he is interested in doing personal training sessions in video chat and there is an app on Facebook called Venmo.  I need to learn about it.  What I am finding out I don’t like.

I am going to go to bed now.   I didn’t think there was anything really good and there was a whole bunch of movies that I have seen 1000 times and so I needed to pull away from that right now.   Besides the Echoes radio program is on and almost over for the night.

The cats split their time between sleeping upstairs and ambling around the house.  I am not sure what happened but while I was still down in the cellar Sky yakked and it certainly didn’t look like a hairball.  Either he ate to fast today or I was picking him up too much.  He is fine now sleeping beside me on the bed.  Tiger is back on the cedar chest piles.

I will see you in the morning….

 

 

Enjoyable afternoon

After making an early lunch of steak I put together the pork loin and onions and left it cooking until about 4 or so.  I ate some of it when it was done.  I made sure I had the 6 ½ oz.  I even tried a piece to make sure it was done.

While that was cooking I got dressed and checked on the kitties and then took off for a walk.  It was just about 12:30 and it took about an hour and 15 minutes.  As you can see I did go a different route but ended up walking part of the same route from yesterday (along the beach).  Noticing homes I never or don’t remember seeing before.  They were lovely. 

When I got back I called my aunts.  Rosemary seems to be doing well.  She sounded good for age but I haven’t talked with her in some time.  I told her about life here, the job, and the decision to stay in the house (she remembered I was planning on selling it).  Aunt Betty sounded good.  She is able to get to see her family as that part of Texas isn’t in lockdown like the rest of the world.  The one thing they both asked me is: when am I am going to visit them.  I told them soon….just not sure when.  I called Rosalie but she didn’t answer.  As of posting time I hadn’t called her back. 

Earlier this week Reno Pizza truck announced they would be in the area and serving pizza.  They were here this afternoon around 3.  Almost all my neighbors ordered pizza.  I didn’t because I already had delivery this weekend and I just eaten the pork loin.

Supervisor Bob sent out a Mother’s Day email to all the mothers on our team.  I wasn’t going to respond but I did.  Not many other did yet.

Well its time to clean the kitchen up and get to bed. 

 

Holiday Weekend

This is day two of Martin Luther King’s Birthday Holiday weekend. Milford will have service this afternoon at city hall at 4 pm.   As far as I am aware of there will be celebrations on Monday.   I know Yale will have something on Monday.  It’s been a long while since I attended them.  If I finish with the titans vet visit early enough I will attend it.  I could also incorporate it with a dry run to the office before Tuesday.  I will have to see how I feel tomorrow.

This morning I didn’t go out until 11 and I went as far as the gym.  I had my class and was determined to push through the class and get some exercise in.  I will have to match my steps from yesterday.  I barely made it to 9000 steps yesterday.  I apparently didn’t keep the phone with me when I was walking around the house yesterday or last night.

Well the storm moved out between 10 and 11 last night.  I don’t think we got that much but the news touted how well the roads were taken care of by the various cities and states.  There were several mishaps throughout the state.  The roads were slick.  I have to remember to bring up some deicing pellets.  I haven’t done the sidewalk yet or cleaned off the car.  I am hoping the sun will melt it but since the temps are at 36 I doubt it will without help,

I made sure to send a sympathy card to Siduri this morning as she lost one of her fur babies.  His nick name was Super Death Ninja (I know his real name).  He was a beautiful Corgi.  I am sending out this prayer I found and is written by Albert Schweitzer:

A Prayer for Animals
–Albert Schweitzer
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

The last Friday of 2019

I heard this phrase on the news bright and early this morning on the news.  It’s a cloudy and 41 out and expecting some rain later this afternoon.  I hope it will not amount to much as I have a couple of things to do today.

I am trying to catch up on writing the blog entries I haven’t written since Christmas Day.  I haven’t done that much but I find myself noticing that all that the plans and activities  that I had planned for this week are not getting done or not enough time.

Yesterday I went to the gym a couple of times.  I had my session with Alex and told him my less than stellar accomplishments on the diet.  We realize it’s the holiday and it was hard for me.  However, in the back of my head the “it’s a lifestyle change”.   Then I went to a Strength class at night.  The room it’s usually held in had some issues.  Someone took the batteries out of the thermostat and now it doesn’t sinc with the overall heating system.  I was supposed to have class this morning but changed my mind and will do Cardio later before going to the Friday night edition of Coffee Talk.

I did get the car serviced yesterday and it took about an hour.  However, they didn’t reset the light that indicates the pressure in the tires.  I may have to go back and have them fix it for me.  I was really glad I took some time to clean out the before going to the service department.  It still has more to go. 

The Connecticut post mall closed early yesterday due to several fights that broke out.  The first I heard about it was from a gym friend who works there.  A short time later it appeared on my TV station app. This morning people on FB were talking about it.    According to the Patch it involved teens.  Now a few people have called for teens to be banned without adult supervision.

This morning I have a funeral to go to.  It’s for my friend Kathy from the Ladies Guild.  She had many health issues in the time I have known her.  She was very active in the Ladies Guild despite those health issues.   I don’t know if there is a reception afterwards or not.  I am not sure if I will go or not. 

I want to finish some odds and ends here including writing out the New Year’s cards I got earlier this week. 

Tonight I am heading to North Haven for the rescheduled Coffee Talk Meetup.  It was rescheduled from this past reason for obvious reasons (it was Christmas Day) and I think the one for New Year’s Day has been cancelled but I will check tonight.  Besides we will be together the night before for the Conspiracy NYE party.  So far there are six of us going tonight and one named Jamie is from Milford!

Speaking of the NYE party, I was seriously considering reserving a room for after the party and come home the next day but after talking to Mama yesterday I have decided that I will just be careful and come home.  I don’t really have the money to be using a hotel.  I also don’t really want to leave the cats home alone for that long. 

I did order stuffed breads for Dave’s party and will be able to pick them up that day.  I am very thrilled.  I wanted them to be fresh and warm for the food.

Okay, Sky and tiger are reminding me of the time…J

Christmas Eve Day

I had the normal routine morning but fell asleep until 8.  I watched some TV and registered for a class at ten and for an early morning one on Thursday before I see Alex.  That will be a busy day all around I think. 

I am very excited that my New Year’s Cards arrived bright and early this morning and I found them on the Front porch. I will get the list started later tonight or tomorrow.

Some people have responded to my shared memory of last year’s Christmas wish including my SIL.  I have no idea where she is having the holiday because she is at odds with my instate nephew and my NY niece who went to PR for the last week.  With all that my sister shared with me last time I saw her I am concerned she will come here and dump on me and blame me for whatever justified anger she may have with Mom.

Both E and L feel was Mom was unkind, mean to Ethel during the time they stayed with us when they first came home from Taiwan.  L accused our father of kicking the boys when they were younger.  I don’t remember ever seeing that but….This is the point where Liz says I will defend Mom to my death.  I saw things both ways.  Could have Mom been a less controlling? Yeah, I would say probably.  But when you have seven people in the house there has to be some cooperation and understanding. No matter what was going on there needed to be discussing.  Mom sometimes wouldn’t do. 

I should say I wasn’t very young at the time it was over 30 years ago when it happened and somehow I missed some of the things while still living in the house but I do remember when my brother and E moved out.  For the next couple of years their relationship with us was tense at best.

Well I can’t dwell on that right now it’s the holiday and I have to look to today’s presents. J

It was 40 degrees out and sunny for most of the day.  According to one weather reporter it would be quiet weather wise.  By early afternoon it was 44 degrees.  That is a big difference from 4 years ago (another memory popped up on fb) where it was 68 degrees out on Christmas Eve Day.



I went to the exercise class and it was all Christmas themed exercises (one was in the tune of 12 days of Christmas).  I am not quite sure what the second 20 minute workout was.  I did leave a few minutes before class ended because I needed to move along and I was hungry.

The first place I stopped was at Chipotle’s for their latest Salad.  Second place was Wal*Mart.  I managed to pick up three gift cards put $25 on them each and got a pair of stockings for the New Year’s Eve costume.  The third and 4^th/final stop was to the card shop and grocery store.  I got the cards and bags I needed and my coffee creamer and milk and a couple of extra things I didn’t really need.

I was home by 12:30 and grateful.  It was a little crazy out there but I survived.  AT one point I remembered I was going to give cards to all my neighbors but I have decided to do the New Year’s card instead.

I put some of the gifts together before taking a nap.  Unfortunately, I never did fall asleep.  Instead I was answering a question on one of the blogs.  I also got some info from next door about the subject of animal safety.  I finished my research and then got started getting ready the evening.

My neighbors across the street sent me a coffee cake for the holidays. J  I am going to bring it with me tonight or tomorrow I think.    

I am going to say good night and have a great night.

Slept in today

I didn’t sleep well last night.  I think it may have been the late day coffee or the fact I was watching the Star Wars Franchise marathon well until Midnight and fell asleep on the couch.  So I set the alarm for 7.   Much to the kitties chagrin I stayed in bed until 7.  Sky and Tiger stayed the night on the bed.  I also did some crossword puzzles and surfing the net.

This morning we did our routine and I probably fell back to sleep again while watching the marathon again.  When I turned it off the Return of the Jedi was on.  For some reason TNT is intermixing “prequels” and the sequels with the original.  I believe Rogue One will be on again and then The Original trilogy will repeat and then the Force Awakens.  They have been showing the previews of the Last Jedi and that will be on next Saturday. 

I was wondering if the Channel/Station would be airing the LOTR trilogy and the Hobbit and I found my answer.  That will be on Saturday afternoon.

I also wondered if the Pirates of the Caribbean would be on in the next two weeks and alas it will not.  I suspect that in a few weeks it will be.  IF not the entire franchise they will either do the originals by themselves or the later one by themselves.

Well I changed the theme on two of my blogs.  I was trying to be festive and it was time for a change anyway.  I hope it is received well.  I am such cheap skate I only will use the free ones.  Sometimes the choices or options are limited.  Oh another reason I was up so late is I was setting up my entries for the next couple of months.  Choosing titles if I thought of them.  That definitely took some time.

I got an early morning text from Lawyer this morning.  It was the second one this weekend.  He sent Christmas Greeting yesterday and this morning he is requesting the insurance certificate for the house.  I had a pang of guilt because I haven’t sent out any cards to him and his wife nor have I have given him a gift.  I am trying to find out if I can and if I should.  Although technically (but I am guessing not legally) he could take from the “trust”.   I just don’t have it this year.   I haven’t in the past either.

I have decided (it’s a given) that I am bailing on class today.  I want to send out some more cards in response to those I received in the last couple of days.   I want to work on some more Christmas Cards first.  I will get cardio in today.  I don’t want to make promises and not stand by them.

Oh GC from the Finding Friends meetup sent out a message to the group with activities for the next month or two and one of them is the annual Valentine’s brunch.  I went to this last year and loved it.  I sent a Christmas message to her and she replied this morning.  She and her husband are going to LI to visit his sister and then will be back later today.  So I have to make sure I sign up for the brunch and any other activities that will come up.

It is a beautiful sunny morning here and it is supposed to be like that for the rest of the day.  The forecast is calling for temperatures in the mid to low forties for the next few days, No white Christmas though and no rain until the end of the week.  It is much better than 70 degree like it was a couple of years ago.  I ended up with a sinus infection.

Well now it’s now the afternoon.  I was going to look something up about sending out holiday cards and found this.  Did you know there was ever such a thing?  She even touches on E-cards.  I don’t know if I necessarily agree with all of what she wrote but it is something to know in the future if I have ever get that far behind in the future.

 I ordered two boxes from Amazon and will send them out as many as possible.  However next year I will do it differently.

Last Weekend before Christmas

It was nearly noon and 27 degrees out when I started this entry.  I had already been out for class at the gym earlier.  It was sunny but very cold.  I was really looking forward to going to the gym and to work with Alex. 

There was some activity out in the preserve.  The Crows were going crazy and that could only mean one thing.  A large predator was around.  It took me a couple of seconds to see a beautiful hawk in the trees.  I almost missed it because it had the same colorings as the tree it was sitting in.  Next door almost missed it but he was equally excited to see a couple of Blue heron fly by.  I missed it but there are more chances I am hoping.  They haven’t been around lately.

I was really annoyed with myself I couldn’t find my ID badge from work.  I thought it was in my coat it wasn’t and I looked around but couldn’t find it.  So I went off to the gym without it.  Looked in the car a couple of times couldn’t find it.   When I got home I walked by the coffee table and it was sitting right there.  Now it is in my pocket where it will stay until I put in my back pack.

My session with Alex went fairly well.  All the time my ankle was hurting. We talked about how the diet went how many visits to the gym I made.  What my plan are going to be for the week.  Before I left we scheduled a midweek time for our session.   It will be on Thursday morning.  I also found out he won’t be having class next weekend.  We won’t be having our session that day either but will schedule something as the time gets closer. 

After the session that included the suitcase carry, squats (15) and 15 rows.  I went to the photo shop in town and managed to get the picture of my folks in Japan that Liz wants.  We had to upload it and develop it.  It was ready by 3.  I managed to get two copies of it and a very nice frame.

I spent some time with Liz this afternoon it was quite nice visit.  We talked about family and history and she made an observation about our SIL who came for a visit last week.  I didn’t let on that it annoyed me that Ethel would visit her but not me but now I am glad  she didn’t visit … According to Liz and her observation Ethel was angry.  Angry about stuff that happened back in the day (with Mom) and the family and she is apparently having issues with her two of the kids.  Liz understood where she was coming from.  She knows I would defend Mom to my death but I also let her know that I could see it from both views.  I also realized how controlling and hurtful Mom could be especially as I got older.

I imagine most of you are probably thinking that’s in the past you need to let it go.  You are probably right but it helps us to understand better what the other person may have been going through or even ourselves. 

We also shared some family news health wise of some of our cousins some of it good some not so much.  It will be a challenging 2020 for them.

We said goodbye to each other and I ran and picked up the pictures.  I hope she will like this.  I was relieved when she didn’t object to my announcement that I wasn’t going to be getting all the other kids gifts this year as it would seem she isn’t either.  She thought my idea about the Wal*Mart gift cards will be fine for Jason and Audrey and Sophie.

Since I have been home I have gotten the mail more wonderful cards that I will be replying to.  I fed the kitties.  Tiger was impatiently waiting for me to feed them but I waited for at least an hour or so.  I then made my own dinner I dubbed it make shift shrimp stew. 

Defrosted about 10 or 12 pieces of shrimp and then soaked them for 20 minutes in a bowl with Italian Light dressing in the refrigerator.  Then I sprayed a pan with Pam and sliced up an onion and put that in the pan once it was heated up (very high) and I put a dish of grape tomatoes.  Stirred them and then added the shrimp and the dressing and let it cook for about ten minutes or until the shrimp was pink and the onions and tomatoes were soft.  I had two bowls of it and then had cooked up the frozen vegetables afterwards.

Now, the house is quiet.  The TV is off and in a few moments will make sure the kitchen is cleaned and move the laundry along and perhaps relax even more than I am right now.  Truth is I nearly fell asleep while watching the Star Wars Marathon. It was the Revenge of the sith. 

So now I am feeling a little better about Christmas.  I am renewing my hope and promise for next year to be more prepared by having the cards organized and ready to mail out by Next Thanksgiving.  To perhaps put more effort into getting presents for those who need or want it.  Maybe make donations to favorite charities (at least for adults). 

I will make time on Christmas Day to call my remaining Aunts in the family.

Labor Day

The Labor Day Holiday was pretty good.  I was able to stay in bed later than usual but did the morning routine.  The rest of the day I got some shredding/ripping done.  No the shredder got ornerary again.  Seriously thinking of getting another shredder.

The rest of the morning I went to the class at 9:30 and did pretty well.  However it was a class that was a bit chatty.  It was a bit annoying but I have to remember I have done it too.   I signed up for a morning a couple of morning classes for today.  Didn’t make it to either one of those.

After the gym I went to the grocery store and grabbed a couple of containers of fruit salad.  I thought for sure there wouldn’t be but I was wrong and neither did I go looking for a lot.  It seemed hectic in the store.  

BEfore I left I texted and called Liz and got an invite to come over.  I was there for about an hour.  Liz was working out in the back in her gardens.  We talked about a variety of things from cleaning out the house and birthday.  We are supposed to go out on Wednesday for movie and dinner.  Of course much later I realized I have a board meeting to attend. 

 Unfortunately, I did find out that my brother-in-law fell the other day and seems to be getting more and more unsteady walking.  Now Liz didn’t seem to terribly upset yet but I have a feeling that eventually she will be worrying more and more and that usually means she will not react well to things around her (and lash out).  I am hoping it won’t happen.

When I got home Cleaning lady was there.  I let her work while i started getting ready for the picnic.  I had to take a sponge bath because she was cleaning the bathroom while I was getting ready.  She was gone by the time I came back from the picnic.

When I left for the picnic I was late.  I had everything with me.  When I arrived Mary&Steve from Torrington had arrived. We spent the next four hours talking, and eventually eating.  AT times it was a bit uncomfortable because Dave was his usual neurotic self.  We ended up talking over each other.  Actually most of us did Steve was pretty quiet for most of the time.  He was exhausted.  They had just dropped their son off earlier that morning to school.

It was nearly 6 when I got home and the kitties came out from under the bed in the bedroom.  They were hungry.  They subsequently went back after they ate and I watched TV maybe 10:30. 

Today was a semi productive day.  In the late afternoon that is.  I finished up the laundry I worked on from Livia’s visit and I put a few boxes of vases in the car and I have what I think a small amount of vases left on the bottom shelf.   Now  I just have to move to the paint shelves and other things around.  I need to start tagging stuff to go out for the tag sale and subsequently the bulk pick up.  

I ordered a new shredder from Amazon and it should be here some time tomorrow.  I hope I won’t be sorry.  I got a few things for maintenance and it came to about $50.  I just hope it works okay and I can make a large dent in the papers.  I am certainly not anxious to take it to UPS.

I also ordered some more coffee and that should be here in a day or two.  2 decafs and two regular flavored.  

Well the kitties are pushing me to bed.  Sky is already sleeping in the guestroom  and tiger is laying at my legs.