KateP's musings

I can’t believe it is after 3:30 in the afternoon.   The morning went by very quickly.   I got to Nancy and Patrick’s house just before 9:30.   I spent nearly an hour and half there.   Preston reacted the way he usually does when he first sees me.   A topic that we discussed at great lengths.   As Olivia the daughter says its protective aggressive behavior.   At one point Patrick had me treat Preston with bits of bagels.   He happily accepted but other than that this is going to be the way it happens.     It was nearly 11 when I left and I was heading towards the center of town.   I pulled over to the Presbyterian Church parking lot and made some calls.   Some were successful some not so much.   The successful one was to Liz.   We chatted and then made arrangements to get together for coffee and.. When I arrived she was still sitting in her car but Nelson was out doing his KOFC activities.   WE spent a...

I decided to make the 4th of July a longggg weekend by taking that thursday and that Monday off.  I haven’t done that in so long.  I am a little nervous and excited about it.  I haven’t made any real substantial plans for that weekend.  The University has that Friday off so I figured it would be fun. I met with Courtney the health consult today but we didn’t get a lot accomplished at least in my mind.  We will meet in two weeks again and look over a food log that i have to have done.  I did get to see part of the city I don’t usually and it felt different. The Creative Writing Contest Reception was very good.  We honored the teachers and of course the girls who are graduating (Jacqueline, and Amber) and they gave a farewell speech and urged the audience to join the clubs.  I had to leave shortly after 7 as i had to attend the Dinner. THe dinner was great I sat with Mimi F (she was a bit bossy  on a few things) and a few other peopl...

Still trying to deal with the family drama issue.  I haven’t written the email to big brother yet.  I was getting tired and didn’t want to deal with it.  Maybe tomorrow.    I have doctor’s appointments and meetings for the rest of the week and a fun night Friday night.  so that should be an upbeat time.   the other day I was listening to a round table discussion on books and got to thinking I really need to do more reading again.  Yet I have the attention span of a flea.  I could go to the library but what would I start with?  mystery? romance? I have to admit today was not the most productive day for work.  I was out of the office for nearly three and half hours for my appointment with the Rheumatologist.  She apparently had to see most of her co-workers patients and it made it crazy for her.  ANyway, she was pleased with my progress but wants me to see my primary for Pulmonary recommendations and a sleep study ...

Dear Mom, The weekend is  kind of busy for me.  I worked until 1:30  on Friday and then went to the ultrasound appointment.  It took longer than I had planned but it was worth it.  I am hoping to hear from them sometime today.  Afterwards I met up with Liz at the nail place and we got a pedicure.  I now have blue toes.  ITs very pretty.  After that we went back to her house and we had dinner.  It was 6:30 when I got home. Saturday  I got up around 6:30 put a load of laundry in and then relaxed until I decided it was time to throw out the plants that I have been neglecting.  It took me a while because I was debating if f I should throw away the beautiful glass dish that one of the plants was in (in the end I got it washed to give to Liz).  I wasn’t sure I can use it for food but when I asked Liz later she said yes. I started more of the thank you notes (not a lot but its more than it was).  I didn’t do anymor...

I can’t believe it is Saturday night.  Today went by awfully quick.  It all started around 6 when I got out of bed and did some surfing on the net.  I spent the morning doing laundry and then around noon time I got ready for the fashion show. We met a little after 1 at Carriage Green Assisted Living complex .  Dr. T was already in her first costume and she looked great.  Eventually the rest of the girls arrived and we set up.  The administrator helped set up the chairs while we got instructions and made some changes to the script.  My sole job was to make sure the girls were ready and to cue the MC.  We started at 2 pm and we were finished by 2:30.  Afterwards we had refreshments including ice cream...woohoo.  Overall we had a huge success and we probably will be doing more things for this place.  This might mean we will no longer be doing activities for WRHH.   Sadly some of the girls chose not to participat...

As promised the work on the phase 2 of the sewer project has begun.   Several trucks and men were outside at 7:30 this morning preparing to start working.   I saw huge pipes being offloaded from a dump truck where the pump station is being built.   I am not sure what else happened.   When I came home it was all cleaned up for the day.   I noticed a portable toilet outside (the spell check and grammar check isn’t cooperating) when I got home. I had a great day at work.   I was busy from the time I got there until I left after 6 tonight.   I expect the same all week.   Actually I am expecting the volume to be a little heavier tomorrow than normal.    I hope to do OT for most of the week.   I won’t be able to Thursday or Friday.   I am hoping for the weekend though.   I have to check my weekend plans before I commit.   I called the Dermatologist today and asked them to renew my metro gel prescription.  ...

I just got word via email that we are being asked to stay home tomorrow.  I have mixed feelings about this.  A part of me is now officially over the storm and want to get back to routine.  I am expecting now what would be few days of mail  waiting for me come Wednesday.  It is a bit overwhelming.    The other part of me is saying “cool”.  However, I know Mom will not want me watching TV all day either.  So I expect to be working on taxes and bills. Dr. T sent out emails regarding the club.  First she sent out the newsletter and then about the decision to cancel Wednesday’s meeting or not.  She also has tentative dates for the Creative Writing contest reception planed for late April and Late May. Neighbor Don sent me an email regarding the Garbage Pick up schedule resuming.  It looks like ours will be on Saturday again for this week.  That’s good because it will take me that long just to get them out to the curb the ni...

I got to ask.  Is it too much to ask for some consideration?  There were a couple of cases of this God Forsaken flu at the nursing home this week.  So far two have it.  Both are on the first floor.  One came in with it from the hospital and the other resident caught it or something..  Would it have been that hard to call during the week and say Hey Kate we have a couple of cases of the Flu.  No I get the sign at the front door saying if you are sick or have the flu don’t visit.  Due to having Lupus my immune system is bad and has been for a while.  Case in point last year when the GI-bug was hot and heavy in the nursing home.  Who got it?  Me Who passed it on two a couple of my co-workers?  Me.   Do I want to pass anything on to Mom?  Not really.  I wanted to go see Liz today and thought better of it.  I have since found out she is making her first trip out of the house since she has been home. Since th...

Another successful weekend draws to a close.   The sky is pink outside in the South Western sky.   It is partly cloudy and just 47 degrees.   It felt colder earlier but I am still not feeling my old self yet. I left here around 9.   I went straight to the nursing home and chatted with my friends on the picket line who were trying to stay warm.   I went in and chatted with a few of the residents.     Gertrude B was being very uncooperative and swearing.    She continued to speak during the communion moment.   She came back much later.   We started bingo late but that’s okay.    Natalie and Angela came in to make soup for them and it smelled delightful.   I had an opportunity to speak with Natalie about her vacation and her family.   We didn’t have coin for the games so they had my “Undying love and gratitude”.   After the games I headed directly to Telka’s house and we got started.   Th...

To all the service men who have served our country over the years and in the future thank you for keeping us safe.     The City of Milford had a parade on Sunday and I do believe they had wreath laying ceremonies in the center of town (where most of our statues are).    I am not sure when they stopped the parade.   Sunday   MYWC Club and Girls Volunteer Club had a ceremony at the West River Nursing home honoring those who were in the Service We had a program for all the participants, and we had patriotic songs and a moment of silence.   We started around quarter of 2 and finished by 2:30.    We also visited the Veteran’s who chose not to come to the service. ( I guess they felt the Patriots game was alittle more important. I managed to get to sleep around 1 am Sunday morning.   I woke up before 7 and spent time checking out the forums and emails that came in over night.    There was some really interesting stuff. ...

Two months ago tonight we got that horrible phone call that said Bob wasn’t breathing. We rushed to the hospital and was there before any one else was. That night the doctor said nothing could have been done by anyone. Now there is emptiness in our families’ heart. We continue each day to work through the grief. There are times when I get frustrated or angry with Mom or any situation and shout out (yes I talk to myself out loud) and think that Bob hears me and I have to apologize. Not only to him but my Father, aunts, uncles etc. It rained this morning and continued to rain until maybe lunch time. The sun came out late in the day and had warmed up a little bit. I think we are supposed ot get more rain before the weekend starts but I can’t be sure. Work was very busy. I arrived to the office late there had been a traffic delay and was backed up for about five exits (aka three miles). I didn’t see anything but it probably got cleared away by the time I went through. I wo...

How can I be tired at 7 pm on a Saturday night? I slept until 8:30 this morning (even though I made bout three bathroom runs). I did a few odds and ends and did a couple of errands and went to church. I did make some made some calls for the club today it was to our three new Woman’s club members. They probably had gotten the newsletter earlier but I still had to make them. I finally picked up my dry cleaning from the late winter. The place is under new ownership and they still had my stuff. The nice lady that was there before still works for them. I was grateful and thankful they still had them (especially when they have a disclaimer of possible losing the clothes after 30 days). So this begs the question why would I change dry cleaners? I did hear from TM (the T half of M&T) and it sounds like she is giving me her blessings to not worry about the canvassing tomorrow. She did say she would attend the wake for Dave. She will be attending the  FAAN.org walk in Milfo...

Holy crap!   This rain is causing a lot of flooding along the shoreline including the Milford Mall.   River Street near City Hall has become part of the Wepawaug River that is behind the City hall down town Milford.   There is flooding on Collingsdale Avenue .   You can check the local TV Station .   I guess I won’t be getting home by 4:30.   I showed a number of people and spoke to a number of people about the flooding.   I talked with Mom after I got back from Debra’s.   She asked me what the situation w/TM was about.   I told her it was nothing.   TM was in the middle of a conversation and I realized it and so came home.   She is just working on the agenda/schedule for the Meet and greet next month.   I can’t help but feel she is annoyed with me.   I felt it last night too.   She did snap at me when I was getting aggravated with her when she was asking me about the meeting.   But that was yesterday. ...

Dear Debra: Friday was just not the best day for me. I over slept that morning; left my ID holder with my license, and work ID and a CC at home. I spilled not only my breakfast but my lunch on my shirt. I was a walking mess. I was exhausted by the time I left the office. I was spoiling for a fight with a driver in front of me. He just cut me off at the Union Avenue and Church Street South intersection. When I caught up with him at the bottom of Church Street South and Sargent Drive I took more pictures and he came to my car demanding to know what I was doing. I didn’t open the window I just looked at him and said having you arrested. What he did was reckless especially in the rain. I had no idea he was going to do that. He didn’t pursue it but I wasn’t going to back down. Despite my late start of the day (I did manage to get to work on time. I drove in to work and nearly clipped a co-workers car when she performed “right turn on red” with me nearly on top of her. I can onl...

I wanted to see what the other major newspaper along the shoreline had to report on the impending strike at the nursing home and all they had was two lines reporting that Milford Mirror reported that the West River Nursing home will be going on strike. There were two comments on it. You can find it here. The Milford Mirror article is pretty much verbatim from CT-Post with a mention of the West River Nursing home lockout earlier this year. I have had only one response to the email that I sent out and that was from MVB. He had read it in the newspaper. I explained we don’t get the CT-Post we only get the NHR. No one else has responded to it. I did call Dr T and Mama Roberta but neither of them is home. Dr. T sent me an email that was sent to her from one of our friends BG. She was a charter member of our club and after several years she had to stop because of schedule. Anyway there are workshops this week Called POCD or something. They want to make changes or move certain things in...

As I was getting ready for bed last night I took a few moments to look over my appointment book to prepare for the week and for the first time in what I think is months I have some thing to do every single day this week. Doctor appointments, meetings, parties, hair appointments, and follow up car appointment. I sure will be looking forward to the weekend coming up that’s for sure. At least my work volume should be normal and I will be on top of it. It is a given that it is getting closer to FY end and that means more pressure and more stress for everyone. I have to remember that it isn’t personal if some one snaps. At least no one will say anything about the mail for the other floors. I have to remember there is mail on the side of the desk that I need to look at today. So you want to see my schedule this week? Monday is my session with Debra. We usually discuss the events of the past week and how I dealt with them and what challenges I have for this week. There are about ...

Today was supposed to be the Mardi Gra Carnival at the nursing home but because of the GI outbreak/quarantine it was decided that we would put it off. I called Thursday or Friday and left two dates for Natalie to pick and then we would have it one of those two dates. She wasn’t in so I have to get back to her on Monday. I was kind of glad the carnival was cancelled because I still had the ‘non-priority mail’ to still do. I have to remember to keep the dates clear so that I can be at this carnival. I hope she picks the one in March. The sun was starting to come out as I left the office. The temperature had risen a little bit. By the time I got home the clouds were gone and it was getting warmer. It is now 51 degrees out. I got a chance to see my little girl Lilly this afternoon. She is completely healed from her procedure. D didn’t want her to jump much during her recovery because the sutures were inside and if they should rupture she could have had internal bleeding and di...

So much going on…didn’t write last night.   I got home to the pups just about 4:30 and needed a little time for adjustment.   Preston was a little cautious at first but came to me while I sat on the floor.   Later he jumped into   my lap and gave kisses.   Packy was happy to see me he greeted me then went back to his bed in the bedroom. While I was there Nancy called and they were in tricky traffic but wanted to check in.   She is doing fine but has more tests next week.   They will be home mid afternoon Sunday.   They also left me instructions for the boys meals.   Preston gets chicken and rice and Packy gets dog food.   At one point I could see Packy squatting in the new room so chased him out of there he almost did it in the living room (EW).   So I rushed them outside to do their business and it nearly took half an hour.   When we came back I still found crap in the new office. I left for the store before 6.   I got ...

The session went by quickly but she noticed I was feeling and sounding much better than our last session. I wasn’t as agitated as I was last week. I pointed out that I sometimes vent to people and depending how it went I usually does well. I was home earlier than expected. Mom thought Debra short changed me out of time. First of all I told her the session started at 5 and it usually is 45 minutes to 50 minutes. I got out of there at 5:45 pm what’s the big deal? You are not the one paying for it. We had lamb chops and potatoes and vegetables for dinner. While Mom cooked dinner I had taken a bath and watched TV. USA is showing the episodes from season three. We watched the news and finished eating. I realized a short while ago Mom just finished cleaning the kitchen. She really wasn’t feeling well. Usually after dinner I am to clear and clean my own dishes and Mom usually cleans up the kitchen. Tomorrow will be slightly different. Before I get home from work I will be going to ge...

I have been awake since 6:30 in the morning on a chilly dark Saturday. The sun came up at point but missed it. Probably because it became overcast and it wasn’t going to change much. I want to get this room done and get the Christmas cards either done or mostly done by the middle of the week. I have the Gift Delivery this afternoon and I still need to go to the bank before I do. Then there is the party at Black Stallion restaurant. I just paid the Car Insurance and will get that out in my travels today. I will also have the cards out as well. Trying to figure out whom to send the cards to first is still a troublesome act for me. Well I figured out what to get the little ones and the older ones…..everyone over the age of 7 in the Rivera/Morgan Clan will be getting money. The ones under seven will be getting gift cards. The gift delivery went off okay despite the fact the carts were not ready for us. PJ didn’t know about those. What the hell did you all think we would us...