A Definite Milestone

 

I must begin this entry with an apology for the symphony of chirping crickets lately.  I have been going through some challenging times since Tropical storm Isaias.  The day after it hit I noticed the gutter needed repair and so I called my lawyer/Trustee (if you have been following me for while it was set up long before Mom died) to let him know it needed to be fixed.  He didn’t see it but came and surveyed the property and started a bullying campaign to reissue the whole “we need to put the house on the market” .  We argued and by the end of the conversation he hung up on me.  He sent me a very insulting voice mail by the end of that same week after my brother spoke to him.

   My family and I met at the beginning of the week with my therapist to discuss what could be done but came to the conclusion that it isn’t worth fighting him.  We are not giving in but I cannot afford to manage this big house. My brother spoke to him and got the SOB to back off as long as we made efforts to restart the process of cleaning out the house and look for a more manageable  residence.  My family has been very supportive of me and we agree that this guy is chauvinist and a whole slew of other adjectives I won’t dignify with.

So I have restarted a budget and working to get the debt down.  I have been getting advice from how to fight him, to how to best search for the new place (I have been looking but there are some variables that I don’t know yet) to budget shopping for groceries etc.   My sister will be coming over to help the purging process begin today.

So the milestone I was going to write about was 58 years ago today my family moved into the house I am about to give up.  AT that time it was my parents and my three older siblings.  I was born two weeks later.  So for my 58^th birthday in two weeks I will be in the middle of a new start. 

Work is going okay.  The scanning machine problem is still a problem and we are waiting on someone to do something.  WE have been very patient and we do have scanning to do.  I have been working on refund scanning and that is done through the copier.

The parking lot that we use is in the beginning stages of being repaired so we have had to park in a small adjacent lot near the building but have to be careful not to park in the school parking lot that we share.  We have been getting warnings to move or be towed.

The University is preparing for the fall semester that starts in two weeks.  Some departments are still mixed with on campus working and remote working.  We are constantly being reminded about the social distancing and to wear the mask when needed. 

Labor negotiations are currently going on and I am pretty sure they are still a little rough.  I was not at the last meeting because my brother was arriving at the same time.  I am pretty sure I will be hearing about it next time.

I have been trying to get out and walking at break times and lunchtimes except the last couple of days because I wanted to focus on work or I wasn’t here for part of the week.  Sadly I am finishing up the last two sessions with Alex this coming week.  I had to let him go because of my current financial crisis.  He was absolutely understanding and wonderful about it.  He will be there to reach out if I need to. 

I would like to say I have been trying to follow my diet but I recently made buttered spaghetti and clearly not on the diet.  I had it for dinner the last couple of nights.  My reasoning is flawed.  I attributed to the new grocery budget.  I have been looking at budget meal plans online recently so hopefully I will be able to follow it.

I will be keeping the gym membership and they have been all very kind.  Again it would be great if I actually got there.  I was there Tuesday but the rest of the week not so much.  I won’t be able to go to the classes as they are additional (part of the Edge Strong program).  I was just told I have them until the end of the month so I can still go to the classes until my birthday.  However I will be doing the routines or whatever the word is for it on my own. That is if I force myself to the gym.

The rest of the family seems to be busy with the end of summer activities and bridal shower events.  I went to the bridal shower last weekend for my great niece to be and it was a blast despite the turmoil going on with me.  The people were great, the scenery was great, and of course so was the food.  Gina got so many wonderful gifts I wonder what’s left on the Registry for the October nuptials.

 I have finally found out more about a new pen pal.  She recently sent me an intro letter that was like her emails to me lately.  It was short and sweet.  I am working on her letter now and updating her file.  She is from South Carolina but is originally from Texas. 

Well I need to move along and do some more stuff before the gym and before sis gets here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Thirty years ago today

It has been 30 years since my Dad passed away from a myriad of illnesses.  Most prevalent was (to my memory) kidney failure, but he had a host of other issues.  Lupus, High Cholesterol, a plastic aorta that was rupturing.  He spent the last few months of 1988 in the hospital.  Stressful beyond belief.  For everyone.  I think of him a lot but don’t go to the cemetery much. I have many memories of him as well as pictures around that brings on memories.  He was buried two days before my Mother’s and Brother’s Birthday and my Brother’s wedding anniversary.

When his anniversary comes up I don’t usually post to social Media.  The memory usually is different for both Jim and Liz.  I am pretty sure the next time I see Liz she will bring up events that happened around then and how she felt victimized.  Jim might be a little more understanding and reflect on how he behaved.

So today was another day of single digit temperatures in the morning.  It didn’t motivate me to move fast at all.  I didn’t leave the house until 8:45.  I did everything I wasn’t supposed to.  Dawdled with the shower, kept watching TV.  I did get to work a little after 8.  Checked in and then got to work on the scanning.  DG asked me to review the work she did for the mail.   I think I got a lot done scanning but not as much as I did the day before.  

I had caesar salad with Salmon and yogurt for lunch.  Later on in the day I my protein because I was still hungry.  I don’t like Caesar salad.  I recorded it all but didn’t send it yet to Alex.  I did send Tuesdays and wednesdays food tracking but I wasn’t finished with today's.  Alex sent me an email asking why I didn’t come to class.  Headache.  I was all set to go but decided to stay home.   I am going to class first thing in the morning. 

I had gotten a few responses to the cancellation last night and it was thanking me.  Didn’t hear anything else from the others.  Nicole was still going to go for salad.  Okay.  Go for it.  I am looking forward to the Hockey Game even though I don’t follow it.

I don’t know if I mentioned it but  Joan schedule a walk Sunday Morning! I am looking forward to that.  The hike I posted about in the Hiking group I have had one response.  Jerry says he can do it after 4 weekdays and weekends.  I told him I now could do it sunday afternoon.   No response.

I also bailed on DTC tonight.  I felt I wanted to stay home and eat dinner and go to sleep early.  Well the sleeping part not happening yet. 

It would seem as if my yard and the driveway had webbed visitors during the night.  There was poop all over the place and I noticed tracks.   I sent message to Next door Don and he apparently didn’t see it or notice it.  (the bird crap is not that hard to miss).  I may be spending time cleaning it up this weekend.

I have to call The Standard tomorrow and submit all my appointments for the month.  It shouldn’t take long.  There are only a few that I can remember off the top of the head.  I don’t want to have to it at the last minute.

I have to spend time doing laundry this week.  I have been putting it off all week.  Always thinking I have plenty of clothes ready.  I do just as soon as i open the rest of the dia boxes.  I have another one coming in a couple of days.

I have to update my monthly mail call too.  Have been neglecting that.  Haven’t written too many letters this month either.

Oh and the posters/fans for the NCIS show are still getting outraged that the show has been delayed or rescheduled for the last three weeks.  They make me crazy.

Iconic theater burned down

sad news over night as an Iconic regional theater burns to the ground.  It was a theater that had produced featured Shakespearian productions and in later years could be used for other things until it closed in the early 80s.   I am sure i went there but no memory of it.  I just also knew about it because people talked about it.  I let Jim know about it and when I write Telka I will tell her about it.

So how did the walk go this morning?  Joan had to work and Alice couldn’t make it and only one other person let us know they were not able to come.  So i pretty much walked the same route as last time but not as long.    I was finished by quarter of ten.  I was home 15 minutes later.  No mud bath or injuries.

The funny thing is if I continued down on Rivercliff I would have been on a street that the Post Office frequently confused our mail with.  Quite often we would get the mail  for Grove Circle delivered to us.

Since I have been home I folded clothes and had some thing to eat and slept.  I watched TV and fell asleep again.  I still have to clean the kitchen and then do some cooking.  Not really in the mood to do that but I have to or all of it will go bad-again.

I may go for another walk this afternoon my current steps are under 5K.  It will still be cold (currently 27 degrees) out but I really want to get more walking done.  

The kitties have either been sleeping or playing around.  They loved the fact I let them in the closet, cellar.  They are both sleeping on the bed now.  They will be up for their dinner in about 4 hours.

Well I have laundry waiting....not a lot but enough.

Took it easy this weekend.

I decided to take it easy this weekend.  The last few days were exhausting and fun.  Thanksgiving dinner at my niece and nephew’s home was wonderful.  It was a lovely day.  The kids were funny and the best part is Olivia my great niece gravitated towards me a lot.  She willingly sat on my lap more than a few times.  I am lucky if I get a hello from her.    I was there until about 4:30 or so and then we came home.  A short time later we back in Milford.  After that I came home and scrambled to get the bed made for when my friend Karen came.

Karen is my HS classmate and friend.  We shared quite an adventure with another friend and it was a tough those years.  More for her then me.  We also worked together back in the late 80s and our relationship faded again.  We reconnected a few more times after that and most recently on FB. 

We spent most of thanksgiving night catching up on life.  For some reason she was a little more interested in my love life.  I didn’t have much of one.  She even asked why I never got married to Dave. I had to call it a night around 11:30.  Even the cats were coming to get me. 

Friday was a really slow day.  Karen didn’t get up until one so I spent the time between surfing the net and working on one letter that I finished (check out my Pen pal blog).  We went to lunch around 2 to Jimmy’s of West Haven.  We each had soup, and birch beer, Karen had fried clam strips and fries while I had fries and a Lobster Roll (I would end up regretting later on).  While we were there we ran into my Admin Sally T, and RIA Anita, and Sally’s family.  I had only seen Anita from my seat imagine my surprise when I saw Sally.  WE had a lovey chat about the holiday and work.  I may have talked myself into working over recess in December.  Soon we took off for our trip down memory lane.

After we had our lunch we headed to part of Milford Where Karen spent most of her formal years.  She showed me where some of our classmates we both knew lived and where who were her on newspaper route.  We even stopped at our high school to show her the changes made over the years. 

It was nearly four when we got home.  We decided that after a nap that Karen would head home.  We both needed it because it was just about then when I started to feel chilled.  I didn’t have a fever but I was cold.  We woke up and then it was nearly 5.  Karen got a call from her Mom and they chatted and then she checked the traffic.  She left by 6.  The next time I heard from her was two hours later.  She had no problems traffic wise.  We made promise to keep in touch and make plans to come see her soon. 

When she left I did some odds and ends and headed up to bed.  I slept for several hours into Saturday morning and that’s when I got sick.  The cats scattered when I jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom.  I knew then I should have had something else from Jimmy’s.  It happened two more times before I fell asleep.

Saturday was definitely pajama day.  I spent most of it sleeping and watching TV and started a letter.  I had two visitors that day.  The first was Neighbor Sean returning chairs they borrowed Thursday morning.  He wondered why I was still in my Pajamas and I told him I wasn’t feeling well.  About an hour later Dave came.

I don’t know how long he stayed but it was a distressing visit.  He would ask me questions and then talk over me and not listen to me.  I asked him to let me finish.  It really aggravated me and I told Liz about and she gave me advice and reminded me of our long friendship.  As did Debra when I spoke to both of them Sunday.

Even though I wasn’t feeling great I did end up having steak and cereal throughout the day.  It didn’t have an adverse effect on me.

Sunday two of my computers decided to go wonky on me.  Actually Saturday night the laptop started and then by mid Sunday morning the PC in my old bedroom wouldn’t let me access the internet.  I finally got on my Mother’s and managed to get to the internet.    It was frustrating and aggravating.  I clearly can’t write on the lap top and send it to the pc.  By Sunday night the laptop is working not sure about the Bedroom pc.

Sunday afternoon went to the nursing home and did bingo.  Actually I let Cole the HS Volunteer call the numbers while I sat with one of the residents and helped her.  There were a few restless residents.  I had to speak to them.  After that I went home.

When I got home the kitties were still under the bed in my old room.  I sat down and watched Nat Geo channel (first time I have done that in a while).  I finished off the salsa sauce and chips.  I had soda and relaxed. 

As I mentioned I spoke to Liz Sunday.  The first time was to tell me that our dear family friend we considered an Aunt had passed away Saturday.   The second was to let our brother know (I had by the time she called me again).  We talked about the visit from Dave and the relationship.

Debra and I had our phone session and we talked about the holiday, and this weekend and of course my visit with Dave.

I also did some laundry and set the dishwasher going.  Both are done and the dishes are cooling. I will empty it tomorrow.

 Now that the weekend is over its time to look forward to the upcoming week. As I looked over the week with Debra it looked pretty quiet but I know I forgot something for the calendars and I need to look it over. 

St Patrick's Day 2017

Yesterday was St Patrick’s Day.  It was also my maternal grandmother’s 119^th Birthday. We had some great celebrations for Nanny (she didn’t like being called grandma) over the years.  Some at restaurants and later at family homes.   Her Siblings all died in their 90’s except for one that was Aunt Helen.  She died at 104.  My last memories of Nanny were she was in her house until was 90 we had a woman come and care for her when the children and grandchildren couldn’t.  Eventually she went into the nursing home when she deteriorated by dementia.  She was feisty almost to the end.

A lot of people were dressed in green in the office.  I didn’t.  Not even the socks that Dr. T gave me last week.  I had a very good chat with EV regarding the support of Local 33 and I have to say I am understanding it little more.  Also the importance of being a united front on issues as well. 

Now that some scanning is being done again (one person so far).  I will be looking up more EOBs and stuff.  I was told this by Supervisor Bob yesterday afternoon.  I will be doing it when things are a little slow (and there are going to be days like that).  Yesterday was not going to be that day.  I still had a lot to open by the time I left.   I also have a lot of checks to label and mail.

Great news…My cable provider and WFSB came to an agreement yesterday afternoon and now we get CBS again.  Just in time for the March Madness.  OF course two State Reps are taking responsibility for this action.  Both are friends of mine but I get the feeling they won’t acknowledge each other. Maybe they will.  Anyway it was great to see something on the channel.

When I got home I chatted with neighbor Don while he was playing snowball toss with Lilly. We talked about old neighbors and memories.

Then I came in and played with the kitties and then eventually made dinner.  It was tortellini and sauce.  I had a lot of it despite the fact I wasn’t planning on eating much.

The grocery delivery came just before 8 and he came in a truck with no lights inside the storage part.  He also stopped at a neighbor’s house.  Everything I ordered came.  I know I have some cooking to do later this afternoon.

I spent the rest of the night doing very little except crossword puzzles.  I did pretty well on about half them (I did ten puzzles).

Sky was pretty funny he was playing hide and seek with me in the living room.  I have a white chair with a high back and he hid under neither and every time I tried to look underneath he was swat at me his paws.  He “nailed me at one point and then he would push himself out from underneath and try and grab my heels.  I decided it was time to end and head to bed.

I took the laptop up with me to finish a few puzzles and guess who came first?  Tiger!  She had been sleeping in the chair for several nights but last night she decided to come to the bed.  Eventually sky also did.  We eventually fell asleep.

 

Thanksgiving 2015

Today has been turning out to be quite a day.  I got up early to feed the cats and have coffee and do a few odds and ends that have ended up being “done”.  

I called my sister and got an invitation for coffee so I quickly showered and dressed and high tailed it over.  Expecting to see my nephew already there.  He came later with our Cousin Greg.  He is a very talented musician in the local music landscape (Between Providence and New Haven).  He is having dinner with his brother Chris and his family.

We spent nearly two hours talking about family, and history, and relationships.  I guess its stuff that every family does at one time or another.  I left there just about noon just to be home in time for Jim.

I had sent a message to Jim thinking he had left his place at 9 and he tells me he hadn’t left yet (it was after 10 by this time) and he would be alone.  No kids.  He should be here by 2 pm.  This was rather disappointing because I was really looking forward to seeing James JR.  I really wanted James to see the cats. 

I left Liz’s around 1 I think and had a quick lunch and hung out and waited for Jim.  Sure enough a little after 2 Jim arrived safely and we spent the next hour chatting and talking. 

It was around 3 when we got ready for Dinner.  Everything looked fine until my stocking ran and got a hole in it.  NO one could see it so I left it that way.  Usually the holes dig into my legs but not this time.

We were the first to arrive the very packed restaurant.  We were seated at our table and drink orders were taken and breads eventually taken.  I think Ethel and her band arrived around 4:30.

Over the next couple of hours we ordered from the special menu.  There were appetizers I didn’t want any of (a little expensive I thought).  We spent the next two hours talking and laughing and sharing jokes.  Here we are at the end:

 

I think it had to be about 6 or 7 when we got home we got changed and into our pajamas and watched of all things The Godfather.  The kitties were nearby.  Sky was roaming and Tiger was sitting in between the loveseat and the couch.  After a while I came upstairs and watched the first of the Mummy Trilogy.  Eventually the kitties came round too. 

WE got a call from his daughter Emily who was clearly upset.  Her father was talking with her for a long time and then I got on.  She was really missing Mom (her grandmother).  I guess she had gotten the holiday blues.  I have a feeling it’s much more than that but it’s the only way to explain it.

It was nearly 10 when I went to bed….

A Hard Afternoon

Today was the Funeral home Holiday Memorial Service and it was a bit harder than I expected.  It actually was quite lovely.  There were at least 20 or thirty people  in attendance and  the deacon from St Mary’s read some passages from a Rabbi’s manual? (at least that’s what I thought he said)  and the list of all the family members that passed this year (many included people I knew or heard of from  the town) and of course there was a pewter ornament in the shape of an antique street lamp with Mom’s name and Birthday and  DOD.  I held it together up until the Lord’s Prayer.  I held hands with Liz and then I started to cry.   Afterwards refreshments were served.  Then we went out to a Christmas tree that in the parking lot in the Gazebo and found Mom’s name on a ribbon.    Shortly after that we headed back to Liz’s house.

Liz was going to take a rest before coming back here to tackle the daunting job of  getting rid of Moms’ clothes.  I came home and made some calls and straightened up here and there.  Liz had commented (again) that I was spreading things out.  She said this last night and said she wouldn’t bring it up again (i knew she would sooner or later).  She also said it wasn’t any of her business too.

Anyway, Liz came around 4 and we decided we would give some  of  Mom’s stuff to a consignment shop and some to  Good will and of course there was stuff neither of us wanted and so we threw out.  We came across one sweater that she wore frequently and it had some lingering perfume smell on it (I am sure it had been washed) and that’s when I started to cry again.  I didn’t think I would react this way.  I know its normal to be this way.    Anyway we manage to get around 5 bags for the consignment shop and Good Will and of course the garbage.  We managed to find some stuff (like silver pieces) and stuff with the tags still on them.  We worked on it for about two hours.  We have  2 more closets and wardrobes in the attic to tackle but that will be for another day.  She took most of the bags in her car so she will deliver them to their prospective (or is it respective ?) locations.  The next bags are going to be my job to do.

There are still drawers of her jewelry that i need to decide what to do with them.  Liz has made a few suggestions like reputable jewelry places that will take them.   The rest of the empty dressers will eventually have my stuff in them.  I am trying to decide how to organize my closet sections.

AFter Liz left I had one of my smart one dinners.  I had one at lunch time  too.  I was entertaining the thought of making scrambled eggs but to be honest I wanted to be quick and easy (and I was too tired).  I spent some time watching TV too.

I put a load of laundry in and straightened up my bed (had stuff on it that we  took out from the closets).  I will probably get the laundry into the dryer tomorrow.  

I did manage to find a lovely gift for the gift exchange on Wednesday.  It is a beautiful Angel.  I need to find a gift bag and it should be okay.  Actually it was in the closet here.  I think it would be $10.  Its about  23 cm tall.  Now all have to do is find more gifts for people.

I had every intention of getting to Scribner’s tonight especially when I learned they were going to be opened at 5 but by the time we finished it was six and I was exhausted.  So now I have to go tomorrow.  I also had every intention of going to the card shop but by the time I called them it was 20 minutes before closing and I couldn’t be bothered.  I probably could have gone to Christmas tree shop and get some Christmas cards but instead I got into my pajamas instead.  So everything I had planned to do tonight will be done after work tomorrow.

Dear Friends

November 26, 2013

Dear Friends:

It is a cold and cloudy morning and it is supposed to get worse as the day goes on.  Rain is expected mid to late day and it is supposed to be heavy.  I am prepared to take home the boots that have been here since last winter.  (ewww).

I got up around 5 and started picking up stuff and straightening up and making the bed this morning before getting ready for work.  Olivia was supposed to come around 8 this morning.  She apparently did change the sheets on my bed.  I am not really happy with that because they were just changed Sunday and they were the fleece for warmth.  Oh Well its cleaned that’s all that’s important.

Work was busy had lots of lockbox still have to finish opening it tomorrow.  The second wind and the final round were light.  I managed to get it delivered late this afternoon.  I had the opportunity to serenade two people for their birthdays today.  The first one was to Susan and a belated one to Kent in Collections.  They were pleased.    I usually do pretty good with those despite my singing ability lacking.

There were some discussions regarding the events of yesterday most of them I was involved with.  I was saying I hope they find who ever perpetrated this hoax and charge him with Domestic Terrorism and we should hang em.

I had my session with Debra today.  It had dawned on me while walking to her office I had not thought of calling to see if she was okay yesterday.  Her office is right next to the Starbucks that was closed  and the staff in the cellar.  WE managed to talk about the past week and she was pleased I had a good week.  

We did touch on the subject of when Mom passes.  It is something I have been thinking of quite a lot lately and since the last time we had the conversation.  I know this a bit premature but for me its important.  Anyway she will be around for the funeral service but in the background.  She wants me to be able to grieve and if it gets to be overwhelming she will just give me a sign or something to help me through.  

After the session I came back to the office and picked up my lunch I had ordered earlier this morning.  It was steak quesadilla.   It was large and delicious.  I had offered some to Mama Joanie but she declined.    She wasn’t feeling all that great and she was anxious for the day to pass so that she could go home.   

For the first time in a long time I had kept the girls waiting.  Actually Mary wasn’t ready yet  but I was having a hard time putting those damn boots on.  I have a feeling I am going to have to get another pair again.  It was raining when we left.  We chatted for a very short time and when we got to the cars and then we went our separate ways.

The ride home was long.  There seemed to be a lot of traffic leaving the city and getting on the highways.  I didn’t get home until after 5.  Mom was munching on some fruit when I got in.

I expected to see her in her pajamas already after our conversation this afternoon.  She had just gotten in from shopping and was about to take a nap.  Yes I said a nap.  She hadn’t slept well last night.    I remember a few holidays in recent years she had some bug and ended up staying in bed.  I think i had to go to either of my siblings house on my own.  She is making more pie crusts as i write this.    I don’t know what else she is doing but I did check to see if she wanted or needed anything and she said no.

I haven’t done much except watch TV and napped.  I am actually going to crash again as I am tired still.    Even though I tried to get to bed early I was still up fairly late.  

Tomorrow I expect to be very busy I have to pick up the paychecks from the mailroom and finish the mail.  I have to call to see when they will be ready.  A number of people are urging me to get a ride over because the weather is supposed to be bad.  I don’t think its necessary.

Liz called tonight.  it would seem she has the flu and bronchitis again.  She may or may not be able to come for Thursday.  She seemed okay when I spoke to her yesterday but she is susceptible to these quite easily.    I think MOm is a little disappointed but  she is also worried about it.

Okay well I think i will crash.  If you are traveling tomorrow safe journey’s and have a great Holiday if I don’t see you on Thursday I will be around Friday throughout the day.  Still not sure what we have planned for the family for the weekend.  All I know is James may have to be back at school by Sunday afternoon sometime.

Kate

A Lovely Afternoon

Spent a lovely afternoon at the Mercy Center to hear a friends poetry reading as well as music and art.  Each of them experienced life threatening events and learned how to deal with it through different aspects of art.  It really was a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon.

The only downside was I had been sneezing and sniffling through the entire day and I just was beginning to feel miserable.  It all started before I left for bingo.  I am thinking that the pollen and the rain started it all for me.  

I left the house just after 8:30 my plans to attend an early mass went out the window and so I headed to Dunkin donuts for breakfast.  I went to the nursing home and had breakfast and then went in and hung around.  I was there before everyone came in.  AFter awhile people came in and so I spent time chatting.  Time sort of just got away from us and then we got ready for bingo.  We did start on time and finished on time.

I came directly home and Mom was multi-tasking.  She was starting to get our dinner ready for when we came home, and she was getting directions for the ride to Madison.  We also had lunch and then we took off.

As we got half way there Mom remembered she had turned the oven on (low) and left the food on the top of the stove.  We just continued to the Center.  When we got back after the program she put it in the oven and I went to the store.  We needed vegetables for the secondary dishes.

While the dinner was still cooking I took some cold medicine and slept for a while.  Unfortunately just before dinner was being served I got sick and so I had to clean everything in the bathroom. So Mom delayed dinner until I was done.

We had pot roast and it was quite delicious.  We had potatoes, and roasted vegetables and peas for dinner.  it was a great meal for a rainy afternoon.

The rest of the evening was spent watching TV including the season finale of Call the Midwife.  It had the feel of a season finale even though at the time I didn’t realize it was until I looked on the PBS site.  

I just have a few more emails to send out and drink some Chamomile tea and then I will be going to bed so that I can be up early to start the week again.