Was late today

I thought today would be one of those days where I am late for everything.  Sleeping, work, appointments everything. I made sure I got to the dentist on time considering they had an opening earlier than 7 tonight. 

I spent the morning finishing up yesterday’s mail and worked on preparing the insurance refunds for mailing.  Today’s mail arrived early in the afternoon and was light it took me about an hour to do it.  I went back to the refunds shortly after that.

Throughout the day I had been checking social media and message boards for updates on my friends and family in the path of this hurricane.

After work I headed home before going to the dentist.  I left the house about quarter of and had no problem getting there.  Getting home was a different story.  I was waiting for traffic to move and a lady from the next town over slammed into the back of me.  The back of my car is dented and slightly skewed.  I yelled a little and then went into my car to get the info prepped and to find a current registration.  I couldn’t but the cop used the one in the state system.   The girl was clearly at fault.  I was calm when the cop arrived what seemed like forever.  I called the 911 and the person on the phone said it was already called in.  I had already played phone tag with my insurance agent and he gave me the info and so I will do that tomorrow (Friday).    The only thing that spooked me was the fact this guy in a flatbed truck was filming with his camera phone.  For a moment, I felt like I was getting scammed.  After he took our info, and give us info sheets I left.  A bit shaken and by the time I got home tired. 

I had to answer some phone messages and one of them was from Debra for our phone session.  I told her what had happened and it was about then post-traumatic stress came out.  From the car accident to the fact that I couldn’t get a hold of Liz.  I tried at least twice to call her and she either ignored the phone call (never picked up) or slept through it.

The other phone calls had to do with three possible chimney sweeps but I just was too tired.  I will deal with them later.

After that I had a late dinner, gave the kitties kibble.  Now is tea and bed.

What a wonderful way to end a day

I come in the door and the cats were upstairs I look on the counter and see two carpenter ants doing who knows what.  I cleaned that up and proceeded to open the windows in the kitchen and in the back hall  when what do my wandering eyes find?  a Huge pile of kittie poop on a pillow on the floor.  I am not sure how long it was there or who of the two did it (they both could have done it) but that prompted my to chastise the culprits and immediately cleaned out the litterbox in the bathroom.  It didn't take long and I managed to get some bleach splattered on my gray pants (Bad Advertising Clorox!  Your bleach does splatter).  After I was done with it I made peace with Tiger.  I am pretty sure it was her.  To be clear?  I clean out the kittie poo from the boxes daily.  I will clean out the other litterbox in the upstairs bathroom tomorrow.

I have a few things I am going to do right now as I relax.  I have Star Trek:The Next Gen on in the background and shortly will have Hercules on and I will be writing up notes and letters for the rest of the night.  Now Sky is walking over the keyboard so I best go and pay attention to him.

dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I am glad its the weekend.  I had another long and busy day  on Friday and it didn’t seem like it was going to get any better.  I still have to tally up the last couple of days of re-address mail but I did close to 250.  I think I made another dent in it but more always seem to come in.

As I was leaving the light in the bedroom went on.  The one on a timer.  It hasn’t done that the whole time we installed it.  I suspect I must have pushed something to make it go on.  If it does I really don’t mind it will go off a little while later.  Actually it is still on as I write this and its after 8.

The weather was very cold and messy in the morning yesterday but by the time I got home it was mostly cloudy.  I was cold even though I had turned the heat up so after I looked for a couple of things for LIz  I got under the blankets for a while to watch TV.  I dropped off the documents that I did have for her to the house this morning.

I called her bright and early this morning.  She was at a meeting but she told me that Chris and Jen were in an accident on the way down to SC.  They hit a deer in Mahwah NJ.  The car they used (Liz’s) was totaled. So right now they are stuck in Mahwah.  They are not sure what they are going to do.  Thankfully they are not hurt but I think frustrated and disappointed.

I got a call from Lawyer Bob (actually a call and a text) he wants to get together for lunch today and talk about stuff.  I have no questions for him yet but think once I get there and while we are talking something usually comes up.

I have done some laundry and I am going to do some banking and pay bills.  Then I will get ready for the lunch appt.  

I don’t know if its me or the laptop but it seems to going to slow or freezes.  I really get frustrated with that.  I have no patience with it and it really is supposed to be top quality laptop and internet.

I did my weekly visit of the neighbors.  Kim and Shannon were heading out to do errands and we got caught up with stuff.  Then I saw Sylvia with Pup Pup.  Then had a nice long chat with Don about returning to the Masonic Lodge.  He seemed really excited about it.  He plans on becoming more active.  While we were chatting a Chinook Helicopter flew over the sound.  We speculated that perhaps it was to transport vehicles for the First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to Connecticut.  It was pretty cool to see it.

Well I better get ready for this lunch appointment.

Dear Friends

December 10, 2013

Dear Friends:

Well Nancy and Patrick got home around 12:30 this morning.  I was home a short time later and got into bed by 1:30.  It was not a comfortable sleep.  I got stiff and achy and it hasn’t changed much this morning yet.

 I woke up around 6 and then hit the snooze button and next  thing I knew it was after 7.  I was in and out of that shower in a matter of minutes and still made it out of the house after 7:30.  It started snowing as I got on the highway.  It continued throughout the day.

I called Mom a couple of times.  The first she was still in bed and the second she was up but taking it easy.  She got sick during the night and I could hear it this time.  I didn’t think she was getting sick to her stomach lately but now I am not so sure.

I called to see how she was and to let her know I wouldn’t be home right away that I wanted to do some shopping.  I need the Christmas cards, gifts, and the food I am bringing tomorrow night.

I finished most of the stuff by 4.  I left shortly after that and headed to the garage.  I was chatting with Nadine whom I hadn’t seen much of in the last couple of days so I told her about things in general (not exactly).  After we finished I headed to the stores.

The first place I went was Christmas tree shop.  I bought 4 boxes of cards one box had 40 cards, I bought chocolate covered cherries, a gift bag.  I put them in teh car and then went to Yankee Candle factory.  I bought two small packages of scented tea lights.  1 was ten bucks and the other was half off.  I wished everyone a happy holiday and headed for the car.  I could hear the Salvation ARmy volunteer singing broadly and enjoying his self.  My next stop was Costco.

That was a chore.  I parked the car and I started walking way from the car and slipped and fell!  I yelled loudly and the young man who was sanding the parking lot further down came to help me.  I was so mad.   Even though he helped me up he was making excuses.  I don’t care what Mom says there should have been more people out there sanding and de icing the parking lot.  I went in and filed a complaint.  To me the guy made it sound like it was my fault for slipping on the ice.  He said the guy who was doing the parking lot was tehre but now stuck in New Haven.  I was a little more composed to the manager than to the poor kid outside.

once I made my complaint I went to find the cream puffs and then checked out.  I was a little apprehensive about walking out there again but happily I was safely in my car and heading home.

When I got home it was six and Mom was in her pajamas and waiting on me for our chicken dinner.  I was relieved she didn’t go out at all today but not happy to hear that she wasn’t really feeling better.  I told her my experience and she said they couldn’t have done anything more. I disagree but that’s nothing new.  I showed her my knee.  It looked infinitely better than when it first happened.  It is was throbbing at first.

Since dinner we cleaned up and we have been watching various programs.  I watched my entertainment shows and the latest episode of NCIS.  I am going to check on Mom and then start getting the gift exchange ready and maybe start my Christmas cards.  Ah who am i kidding I am going to bed!

Be safe, be warm, and enjoy the weather!

Kate

Dear Friends

November 6, 2013

Dear Friends:

What a busy couple of days.  My day started  yesterday at 5:30 and i managed to get up and get ready for work and do my civic duty all before 7 am.  It was chilly but I managed to greet my friends standing at the polls and get in and vote.  I was back on the road by 7:10 and had no trouble getting into the city.  I even got to see a doe.  It caught my eye at an unexpected place.

Throughout the day I was busy working and didn’t feel any aches and pains and if I started to I managed to take some tylenol.  After work i headed back to Milford stopped at Dunkin and got coffee and then headed to the polling place.  

On the way there two emergency vehicles were swinging on to a street that I was passing. I would later find out there was a house fire and a fatality.  I recognize the last name from somewhere but this was sad.  My companions could smell the smoke and hear the sirens.  

I spent the next 2 and hours out there with the candidates and volunteers.  M&T stopped by with munchies (stuff from Scratch Bakery and hot choc from the new yogurt place in town.)  As the pace of the night slowed down i headed to the HQ while Phil and Earl and Seny collected all the signs.

I took the route that took me past the cemetery where most of my family is buried.  I said hello to Bob and Dad and all of a sudden I began to cry.  It wasn’t for long and I don’t know why. I have to say the route I took seemed pretty long and I could have probably taken the highway but I didn’t.

I found Mom sitting in a chair against the wall near the food (naturally) she was trying to see the screen where the numbers would eventually be posted.  We chatted and talked and more and more people came to see her and say hello.  We had some ziti (there were a lot of things there that I just didn’t want to have)  Eventually more and more people filled the room.  it got louder and louder.  The results were in before 9.  Speeches were made and we started to leave.

Every time we would get closer to the exit I would turn around and Mom would be amongst the crowds.  After the third time I was exasperated.  We finally got out of there and we were home by 9:30..

Today was a long and busy day.  Lots of work and got it done by the time I left for home.  I stopped at the home of the woman who is altering the jackets.  She is a lovely woman who has had a lot of health issues and a beautiful home with her husband and two 6 month old kittens.

We had to have a late dinner as the artist who built the clock was coming over and hanging it up for us.  It is  next to the window by the driveway and its beautiful.  The couple was lovely (and the woman knows Mom from Bridges).

I am getting tired and achy so I am going to head to bed...see you later.

Dear Friends

August 1, 2013

Dear Friends,

Happy Thursday!  I hope you all had a pleasant one.  The weather was overcast and rainy in the late day.  It wasn’t too bad as I headed to the dentist for the implant installation.

I want to wish everyone who is celebrating a birthday to a great one.  May you have many incredible memories.  That should cover all the birthdays I know I will be missing today and this week.  We are having pizza on Friday for two people on the team..

Despite being a little stiff this morning (not sure why as I have been taking my meds regularly).  The morning seemed to pass quickly.  I finished yesterday’s mail when today’s came early and light.That enabled me to work on the stuff I couldn’t get to yesterday.

The implant installation didn’t go as planned.  They were not fitting the way he wanted them so he is sending them back and molding them together.  This will take two weeks.  I had warned Mom before I left that I may not be up to having dinner tonight because of the activity.    i was really hoping this would be finished by now but it will soon.

There has been a two inch red spot on my where the infusion was put in.  Its warm and tender (not in a good way).  I asked Denise about it she suggested I call the doctor but Mom says she got the same thing when she had it done.  So I don’t know what to do about that.  My legs had been bothering me all afternoon too.          sigh

I called Mom and told her the news.  She informed me that we had no water and that we needed to go out tonight because our friend Gayle lost her mother.  I had to take another route home into West Haven and then walk from there.  I chatted with the construction crew who had to stand around until the water main pipe was repaired.  Some guy was taking pictures of it.  I have no idea why but I thought he was really a mess.  

It is now after 6:30 we have had dinner but still no water.  It really is going to be a lot more time before we have it back on.  So we are not going to the services.  There will be another one tomorrow.

OH I got some emails from Dr. T.  It was an activities reminder for events and meetings that are coming up in the next month.  i Have to make calls to members and remind them of  them.

I got a letter from J Viers today.  Its the second one in two weeks.  I don’t know why she has started mailing them when we have been emailing each other for a while now.  Her other one is somewhere under this massive pile of papers.  I will have to write her soon.

Since we are not going I think I am going to watch TV for a while and then hit the sack.

TTYL,

Kate

I hope I won't be sorry

Today I decided to sleep in until 6:30. It was a beautiful morning and I knew I was driving in to work instead of taking the bus. It also allowed me to still do some stuff like the dehumidifier (We take turns emptying during the summer).




I chatted with neighbor Sylvia who apparently forgot what day and month it was. She had her family over the weekend.



On the way in to work I called G to see if she wanted some breakfast but she declined. I wasn’t sure myself what I wanted so I was glad I waited.



The drive in was for the most part uneventful. I did notice some aggressive driving in front of me and I was very glad I was that far away from them.



One of the things I did for the very first time is joining the Powerball pool in the office. I am wondering if I am going to be sorry or not. Everyone contributes $20 a week. Then it covers a certain amount of days.



I tried to avoid people as much as I could with this poison ivy. I don’t know if I was successful but many kept saying “stay away”.



I got most everything done except the bad addresses. Unfortunately it all took me until almost 4 to get it done. G gave me a few pointers and made up a new daily mail log. Instead of breaking it down several different items there are only a few now.



She has columns for Lockbox, PM Mail, Interoffice, Bad Addresses, and other mail and then has it automatically keep tally (on a spread sheet). I think this will be a lot easier for me to get through with the mail.



I spoke to mom early this morning and she was just doing chores. She hadn’t planned much today. When I got home she was talking with Brother #1 who was there to fix her sonic care type toothbrush. It didn’t work.



I am beginning to think that Sis is right about Brother #2. The reason I am writing this is over the weekend I overheard part of a conversation Mom was having with a relative. Brother #2 apparently took out a loan and used the relative’s name and Mom’s name as reference or what ever. Apparently there are some issues and he hasn’t been returning calls. I am really annoyed with him and it is quickly becoming anger. Mom is definitely not ready to talk about it but I hope she will talk to me about it. I did mention this to TMJ-today. I don’t know what this will mean and I am not saying anything to Sis.



I left on time and got to Milford in pretty good time. I was heading to the Doctor for my INR and happily it was up to 2.5!!!! I wrote in here about it briefly. I don’t have to get it done again for another two weeks. 



Like I said when I got home from the MD brother #1 was here and wasn’t staying long. They also talked about the picnic tomorrow. He even verbalized/entertained the thought of inviting Sis and her husband. Mom encouraged him to call her. Let’s see if he does.



We had dinner around 6. Part of it was left over eggplant, potato salad, and pork chops. I loved it. Mom wasn’t thrilled with it but she ate it.



The rest of the night has been quiet. Until I accidently closed the dishwasher door on Mom’s finger. She was standing near it and turned around and didn’t move her hand quickly enough. I thought it was far enough away. She said it was okay. It bled a little now its starting to turn black and blue. Not how I envisioned ending the night.



It is getting late. I am turning in because tomorrow is a long day. I will probably not get to write until Wednesday. So have a great day tomorrow.

A good night to stay home

Well got a late call from Debra asking to move the appointment time back to 4:30 as she was running late. That was great because I could stay a few more moments to work on some of the bad addresses from Friday. I still have today’s to work on. I was so happy to have the daily work done. All that I need to do is the lobby mail tomorrow and the readdress mail.




The session went well. I told her all the stuff that went on the past week within five minutes of sitting down. I then said okay it was good talking see you next week. A little spiel from NCIS (yeah I have it on the brain). I was really tired but managed to talk about the week a little more detail. We talked about woman stuff, my headache experience yesterday. We talked about the plans for the next week and the weekend. I told her about the birthday dinner we are having for Mom and Bob. She asked if Jim and the kids were coming up and I didn’t know. We got the discussion of periods. She wanted to know when I got mine (I explained the problems I had been having this weekend). I have a feeling I may have told her that story a couple of times over the years.



After the session I walked to the car and drove home. The traffic was slow. There was evidence of earlier accidents strewn along the lane. Along with traffic going less then 50 miles an hour I could see State Troopers driving along with flashing lights.



I got home by quarter of six. Mom left me a note for dinner. The stew was enough for two people. She indicated she may have some when she gets home if she hadn’t eaten at the Bridges meeting she was attending. I had a bowl of it with potatoes and 2 slices of apple pie. I haven’t eaten anything else and that’s unusual because I would be foraging by now.



I watched a little bit of TV and checked the emails. Everything seems fine but the little computer has the “x” in the corner as though it’s not connected. I checked the modem and they seem fine. I am able to access the net.



Well got emails from Telka it looks like we are going to have our board meeting on January 29th. There is some good stuff to discuss like our budget for the upcoming year. I can’t believe it is that time again.



God I want to go to sleep but I can’t. I have to still do the minutes from Thursday. I don’t wanna….so I will do it tomorrow.

RIP Lulu

Today I received some very sad news. Dave called to let me know that his 7 year old Pug Lulu died unexpectedly. After subsequent calls he told me it may have been his fault. He was feeling incredibly guilty for leaving Lulu at home alone or with someone frequently and decided to take her with him and his companion up to spend the day in VT. They even went to some stores. He discovered he couldn’t take her in to them so he put her in the car with windows down enough so she would not jump out. Some time later she was on the floor of the car dead.




Rose, Jim, and everyone tried to tell him that he can’t beat himself up but I reminded him that it has been said over and over to not leave an animal in the car. I did say it was a tragic accident. He apparently was contemplating on giving the dog up when his ex Partner informed him he no longer wanted to watch the dog. That he had plans of giving up his apartment and move to VA. Patrick apparently made suggestions that friends had another pug and they wanted a girl. Anyway, Lulu’s ashes will be in a small container for Dave to do what ever he wants.



When I told Mom this story she was quick to accuse me of being judgmental. I wanted to tell her to fuck herself. She was real quick to let me know all those years ago when I had the problems I had with Alex were my fault. So needless to say I am nonplussed at her and really want to tell her mind her own business. I wanted to slap her in the face but Don next door was standing right there.



Right now she is pissing me off because she thinks there is a smell in my room. There is nothing wrong with my room.. She had the audacity to say does your room need vacuuming. I told her there is nothing wrong with my room in between quietly calling her names. She thinks I am just going to jump the minute she says my room smells. Well I have been keeping my room up and there is nothing wrong with it. She may have to check her body for BO. She says she wants my room to be good for the weekend. EXCUSE ME? I have kept my room in the best order. HOW dare you!



Okay after breathing exercises I went downstairs and talked with Mom about it. I told her I couldn’t smell anything and I have kept the room in decent shape. She asked if I had anything in the closet. I told her no only the clean clothes in there. We decided that maybe some baking soda and then vacuuming it later when I come home tomorrow night.



We even started talking about the things I had said to Dave. She has never supported me on things concerning him. She said he already knows he shouldn’t have done that and doesn’t need to be told. She is always making excuses for him. You don’t think for one goddamn minute if I did some thing foolish that she wouldn’t let me know about it?



Anyway, I am going to bed.

Its Cold again

It’s cold again.  The weather channel says it is 40*F -41*F.  Terry M went out and all she it was cold.  I don’t think I am going out until I leave here this afternoon.

I was afraid I was going to have a bad day.  I “tapped” a car in the garage as I was trying to get into a parking space.  Happily he was okay about it.  I haven’t even looked at my car but I don’t think there is anything wrong with it.

When I came in I sought out Janet and told her of the conversation I had with SR.  She pointed out that I was one person and I probably should have told her they want me to ask for help.  I also mumbled I am staying out of SR’s way and she mine.  Well I didn’t know just how true that was until I found she wasn’t here.

When I sat down I started working the return mail from yesterday and the readdress mail.  Then Lockbox came and worked on that in between the readdress.  There wasn’t much to finish after regular mail.

I got in to a discussion about Addictions and stuff like that with some people and they are of the mind that “that people need to want to be helped or interventions and stuff like that will not work.”  I don’t agree.  There are programs both in the mental health field and communities that do help.  Families and friends need to actively be involved from the moment they realize there is a problem because if the person with addiction and mental health hit rock bottom they could be dead by the time they hit rock bottom.  I may not be expressing myself very well but I have seen and been through a 12-step program and some of the Narrow minded thinking of only one way is not helpful to anyone.

The afternoon proved to be a very stressful and aggravating time.  Several things came back from Campus mail as being returned.  Three or 4 times I sent something to Ambulatory services Division and it STILL came back.  I got so aggravated that I vented on JP.  To the point I was in tears.  Every cuss word coming out of my mouth and I am sure JP was like omigod.

I told Janet about it and she was getting aggravated with the stuff she is doing.  She stopped and did some scanning.

Last night I found out that Kristina has a new email.  I sent her an email and she replied! That made my night.  I urged her to make sure grandma has Kristina’s email.

Awwww, AEM registered for Kindergarten yesterday!!!! I guess she starts in September.  I called Liz and Nelson to talk about it with them.  Liz will not know what to do with herself next year!

Okay I have more stuff today so I will see you later.

I knew this would happen.

Shortly after I posted this morning's entry I smelled this aroma. I knew in an instant what that meant. I looked all around the house lower level first. I should have just checked the bathroom. one of the lovely men left a package. I suspect it was Packy. Since he sits on the couch outside the bathroom. OF course Preston could have since he eats his breakfast there. So now I have the rug in the washing machine and as soon as that's done I am going to the restaurant. It isn't open yet.

Just had a great chuckle from [info]hawk_soaring I highly recommend you read it (over at Livejournal.com). To all my blogger readers and friends may you have a blessed holiday and safe one at that. I will probably peek in later.

My Saturday

I got up around 8 and started getting ready for the literature drop at Headquarters. I had breakfast with Mom and told her about Diane’s schedule for the tour hitting PA. She suggested that I tell Jim (I did).

I spent some time clearing out the emails and then I left for the bank and then to Headquarters. There weren’t many people there at Headquarters. Rep Paul Davis and Mike Smith were hanging some signs and I was introduced to Kyle a campaign worker for Dan Malloy and Nancy Wyman. In the short time I was there found out he is from East Lansing Michigan and has been here since June. He seemed very energetic to me. After a while Ben B and his mother came and then Dave S, Nick K and their children, and Judge Beverly stopped by. Tessa came after 10:30.

Tessa and I left around 11 and headed to the section of town where we would be lit dropping (and it turned out to be canvassing). It turned out to be near the house and it was around Oxford Road. While we were o Wayne Road Tessa fell. I was in the car waiting for her and she comes back (to it and told me what happened). I even looked around to see where she was (I figured she was talking to voters). I felt awful. I took her back to her office and got her situated. I headed home after 12:30.

For the next several hours I watched the NCIS marathon and got online. I had lunch and then snacks later on and when Mom came home around 3 we talked about the memorial she went to. It was more than lovely. She told me about the house being totally decorated and who made the food.

Mom went to church and I did some laundry and had when she came home I had some more of the quiche she made last night. Now she is watching TV. She said she wasn’t feeling well again and she barely ate anything at the memorial reception.


I also had headaches through out the day and I have a touch of one right now. So I am going to bed early so I can be ready for the day tomorrow.

More Inbox cleaning

In between all the traveling and working and family activities I have been trying to clear out the inboxes I have of old emails. I just recently cleared out some more of the pen pal emails from 2008. Well actually I grouped the emails by people. So the dates vary. For me that would be easier so that if I want to keep the email from the individuals I can.

I haven’t updated many of my other files as of yet. That is going to be next on the list. That will take some time. I will do that later.

I had a great day at work. I still have the rest of today’s mail to finish as well as the postage tally for today. There was no OT so I got to go home early. Unfortunately I had a little mishap. As I was preparing to get on the highway there was a car in the second lane I thought was going to come over into that lane and so I waited. Some one behind me beeped her horn at me and they yelled at me. I tried to signal at them and when they yelled I continued and then slammed on the breaks. The girl hit me. I was going to pull over but the girl took off. I thought it was one of my co workers (and on my team). I continued on to the nursing home.

When I got to the nursing home I noticed the side panel on the driver side was buckled. The fender was not bent much and there were scratches but nothing extreme. I think there was some damage to the front of the car that hit me. I just hope it wasn’t Zaneta that hit me because I really wouldn’t want things to go bad for us. I sent her a message via Facebook.

The reason I was at the nursing home was Natalie called me back today and we discussed the fact I wasn’t there. She had later remembered I had told her after a discussion that I may or may not be going. She also called to tell me they were changing the locks to all the doors and that she had one for me waiting at the office. I told her I would pick it up after work. While I was there I told a few people and they agreed the person behind me was following too closely.

We heard from Liz via email today. She apologized for leaving so early but they were not feeling well and still are not right now. They had a great time with us during the weekend. I will send an email to her before going to bed.

I finally filled out the questionnaire from the insurance Company today. Mom asked me about it after she saw the papers I got from Rawlings as well. Mom helped me fill it out and I will mail it tomorrow.

I have to remember to bring some money with me tomorrow. There are two more collections going around. One is for Howard’s farewell party from Accounts Receivable to Reimbursement team. His last day is Friday. I knew it was happening last Thursday. Everyone else knew before me. The second collection is for Marries S. Her father passed away the other day.

Had a Good Day

It is Tuesday night and in a few hours I will be watching the much anticipated new episode of NCIS with the rest of the world. In the mean time I am going to pay some more bills and do laundry in preparation for my short trip to PA at the end of the week.

Today went pretty well. I had a good night’s sleep and woke up with no problems and I managed to leave before 7:15. It’s always a goal for me. The ride in was fine until I got to the garage where the construction site was getting a delivery from a very long tractor trailer. It took a few minutes for it to maneuver into the digs and it made me very nervous with the cop so close to the truck I thought for sure he would get clipped or injured.

I got to the office after 7:30 and started working on the lockbox from yesterday. I stopped long enough to get the breakfast I ordered before getting there. The morning went by pretty well. No Major issues and was able to have all that done by the time we (hmm me thinks I am having multiple personalities today) left. The 10 buckets of Physicians directories provided by Connecticut Medical Society that’s been the bane of my existence will be taken and readdressed by Maria R (Senior Administrative Assistant) and out of my hair.

I am hoping that when I finish with the bad address tally for the last two days I can work on getting some other stuff done so I can relax for the rest of the week. I am going to try and go in early tomorrow.

We had a staff meeting today. We usually have one every month. Sue R was there to explain the importance of having accuracy in the work that we do. Well it was mostly pointed at the Cash posting but I what I can from it for my own job.

Yesterday there was a candle light vigil for Alexa and PJ Heron who were killed over the weekend at Gulf Beach in Milford, Friends, and family gathered to honor their memory. According to Danbury Newstime the two teens were returning from a family gathering. Tonight is the wake and the funeral will be held tomorrow. I didn’t know them personally and I even asked Telka if the young girl was supposed to be in the club She said no but that several of the girls might know her or of her.

Well it is time for me to hit the sack. Have a great night and be safe.

Monday is over

Well it is Monday night and in a few short moments I will be heading to bed. The day had started off rather hectic but as the day went on it got better.

I got up got ready for work but didn’t bother to watch the news or listen for traffic reports. If I had I would have known not to get on the highway. Somewhere on 95 there was a three car accident. It back traffic up all the way to the West Haven exits. I stayed on the highway until the West Haven/New Haven line. I went along the side roads and managed to get to the Garage after 8. I got to the office by 8:15. I had shared my tale of whoa with a few people including Dolette whom I called while on the highway. She had told me about the three car accident. I am not sure if she got to the office before me or after me but we laughed and joked about it.

The mail was interesting. The lockbox portion of it was lighter then normal for a Monday. The US Post office Mail was heavier then usual. However, I managed to get them both done before leaving for the day. I didn’t get the lobby mail but I can do that tomorrow. I had at least 251 pieces of return mail that I stayed until 4:30 to finish up. Some of them had to be readdressed and have extra postage put on them. I will give them to Gloria in the morning. There were a several pieces of campus mail (interoffice) that shouldn’t have come to me at all. One was to the British Art Museum and some stuff I had sent to the Doctor on Friday. It is so frustrating.

We welcomed Jean T back from her medical leave (she had surgery) and just returned after an 8 week absence. I didn’t get a chance to really talk with as she was incredibly busy catching up and she left early today. I hope to get to speak with her tomorrow sometime.

Rhona H came back from her cruise today and she looked great. I asked her how the cruise was and she said excellent. I could not talk long because it was already after 4:30 and I needed to get home. Mom was a little concerned but I called just as I was leaving but the phone didn’t seem to be working.

A few others started their vacation this week Terry J is one of them. I am going to miss her. She is fun to talk to and she is one of my many adopted Mom’s in the office. She has known me for my entire time in YMG (and its various forms). I have a feeling she had to put her putty Tat down this week. It wasn’t doing well the last time we spoke.

Mom is downstairs watching TV. She spent the day paying bills and cleaning windows and curtains. We finally got the pictures from Cousin Frank and Gloria. They were awesome. We also got a wonderful Post card from Frank’s Brother and sister in law Bob and Donna. They were up there with us as well. It was a lot of fun. It was put on a DVD and for some reason Mom couldn’t play it on hers but after finagling on mine it worked.

I managed to get all but one of my bills paid (I just have to mail them now) and so now I have to check the balances on some of them. I should be okay for the next month. If I keep an eye on them I won’t be overwhelmed and can keep ahead of them.
I have the latest letter to Debra ready to be mailed. I basically told her about the weekend activities and the activities for the next week or so. I will be writing her again in the next couple of days.

Well I am going to close out for now and move some emails and read some forums before going to bed (to be honest don’t think I will be going to sleep anytime soon the 4 cups of coffee today may be interfering with that).

snow storms, plane crashes, farewell speeches

The snow apparently didn’t start until 4 or 5 am this morning. It made driving very slow. I had checked the traffic cams and they looked okay to me. That was until I got on the highway. From the West Haven area all the way through to New Haven it was slow. I don’t remember what time I got to the garage but it was so cold from there to the office. A young woman fell right in front of me in the crosswalk at College and George. I almost followed suit.

I got to the office and got my coat off and set up for the day. I went to Paula’s to pick up my breakfast (I had called from the car while driving in). I picked it up and then came back to my office. Jim the courier had come and gone. Donna counted the interoffice and I started on the charts.

I ate while checking the six charts in and I got them delivered. The rest of the day went well. The mail was delayed because of the weather but it was all done by 3. I even got to deliver the EOB requests that a handsomely dressed Elliot had pulled.

Renee Trotman returned to work today and I went and welcomed her back with my usual hugs and offer that if she needed anything to come and get me. She was appreciative but I suspect her close friends (Claudette, Alexis, Alita, and April) will be there to help.

When it was time to go home I went to fetch Carol H from the finance office to give her a ride home. She came to me earlier in the day to ask and I agreed. AT one point I thought it would be a little after because I wanted to get some more readdress stuff done but decided they could be done tomorrow.

Happily the snow had already stopped but the coldness was still there. It didn’t take us long to walk to the car and we barely noticed the coldness as we discussed what businesses had recently closed and which ones remained open. Apparently several in the shopping mall where the Christmas Tree shop have. We noticed there is a new Starbuck’s Coffee House by American Steak House in West Haven. I find that rather confusing as may of Starbuck’s stores is closing.

Mom was cooking dinner when I arrived. I could tell she was tired but she was making chicken and rice and it wouldn’t be finished cooking for awhile. I took the time to get online and watch TV. I got changed out of my work clothes.

It was just about then when I heard about the US Airs Jet crashed into the Hudson River. It was said that birds had gotten into the engine. Happily all 155 passengers and Flight crew got out safely. There were a couple of ferry boats that arrived to help those to safety and the combined forces of the NYFD, NYPD. Around 6 there was a news conference by Mayor Bloomberg and the Governor of NY. The Captain is being hailed as hero. The NTBA will be investigating the entire accident and the Mayor asked that speculations be stopped.







Tonight President George W Bush gave his farewell speech. All the networks carried it and of course there were the summaries and the critiques followed by every media person. I watched the 15 minute speech. He was thankful for his time as President; he was grateful for to a lot of people and summarized his presidency. I think I could hear his voice breaking at times. I am not absolutely sure. Mom didn’t watch it and I think it was better if she didn’t.

Mom is still watching TV and as I said earlier she made dinner but she has been very tired. She went to a meeting this morning and even the attendees had a hard time getting in. I can’t remember what else she did. She has a mammogram tomorrow.

Well I am getting really sleepy. I took some nighttime cold medicine tonight. I have had the sniffles all afternoon and every since Dolette gave me these Puffs Plus with Vick Rub or something in them.

I better hit the sack and get some more sleep. Something I got a lot of last night because I woke up fairly early again this morning…

The neatness begins

It is after 10 and I am at work. I have been working on lockbox. I had 17 charts to deliver. It has been a little busy here for the last two days since I have been a day behind almost for two weeks. I did manage to keep up on some things like the bad addresses, and the bulk mail and picked up the mail from the lobby. I worked on that this morning.

Because of the recent complaints of bugs there were modifications to the office. New “decorative” bug lights were installed over the weekend. Also we got word that the office is “Going Green” with new trash baskets and new recycle bins. We also have been giving instructions on what can and what can’t go into the bins/baskets etc. When I walked in here this morning I noticed that things that were on the floor were no longer there and I suspect it was mentioned to my immediate supervisors/management team. I have never claimed I was the neatest person in the world. I mean I am constantly leaving stuff around papers on the floor, dishes around, etc.

It is now after 2:30. I have been working on yesterday’s mail and it is done. It just needs to be sorted and it will be as soon as I do the personal/readdress mail. I also did some surfing on the net and found out some stuff.

The stuff has to do with the entertainment world. Morgan Freeman who was in a serious car accident yesterday in TN is in critical condition at a local hospital. You should see some of the insensitive and stupid comments on the IMDB.com board for him. Actually for IMDB that’s normal.
Today I found out that Kevin Sorbos’ family lost a member. It was their 14 year old Brussels Griffon Gizmo. I was told it died last year while at a LA park when Mrs. Sorbo took the kids and the dog to the park. A Rotweiler attacked and killed little wonder dog. I’m told they have a new one name Mully or Molly.

What a week

It has been quite a week! Last weekend as you might recall was the weekend I went to Boston for the wedding. It was a lot of fun and managed to get some city touring done. I had the opportunity to meet Geno Auriemma the UConn Woman’s Basketball coach. We arrived Friday afternoon evening by 5:30 and left on Monday Memorial Day by 1 and were home by 6 that night.

The week seemed long despite the three day weekend. It was month end and we had our monthly goals to meet. I have no idea what we did yet but I suspect I will find out tomorrow. We had a farewell party for a co worker who had retired after 18 or 19 years.

The woman’s club was quiet this week. We will be having our monthly meeting in about ten days. We have a blood drive to sponsor and that should be next week. I have no idea if the Red Cross sent the flyers and posters we were supposed to get. I may have to call them tomorrow.

The Democratic Town Committee had the local Democratic Convention at the Senior Center in town. It was to nominate and vote on the candidates for the upcoming election. The entire thing took about 2 hours. WE had our regular monthly meeting on Thursday but I decided to not go because I knew I had things to do before the weekend festivities.

Mom had a busy week herself. She had just returned from DC and was preparing reports for meetings she needed to attend. She also spent time cooking and cleaning for company.

On Friday was the Milford Living Treasure Ceremony and it was awesome. I believe over 200 hundred people came. They were family members, friends, classmates, colleagues, neighbors; you name it they were there. Friday was named Claire Phelan Day. Even some of my friends were there. She even got a stepping stone with her name on it. Actually there was two one for the walk way at City Hall and one for the garden here.

Mom enjoyed having her family at the house and now has to start the daunting task of writing thank you notes for gifts she received Friday. You should see all the bouquets of flowers that are here.

This coming week will hold meetings, doctor’s appointments and other fun stuff like that! Actually she will be preparing the house for more guests. My cousin Joe is coming in from California late next week.

Bob and Ethel and their Daughter Diane attended the ceremony on Friday. Diane escorted Mom down the aisle with our local politicians. The Boys John and Rob didn’t attend. John couldn’t get a few days off and is preparing for the deployment in August. Rob is just being Rob. Bob and Diane came over for Breakfast on Saturday. Rob came over later on to bring Jamie back to the house to go back home with his family.


Jim and his family were able to attend the festivities as well. Unfortunately Jim was involved in an accident on the way to it about 30 minutes away. The kids were worried and I suspect so was Mom and quite frankly so was I. Jim and Jamie got up and spoke. It was so cute. Everyone was civil to Claudia. My Sister and Brother-in-law took her out to dinner while Jim and the kids came to our house.

It was evident that Jim was getting tired and achy and needed to rest. He decided he would stay at a hotel while the kids slept here. Well it turned out the girls slept here and Jamie kept his father company. He is such a great kid.

The next morning Jim came back to the house with Jamie and we all had breakfast. The kids continued their treasure trove hunting in the attic while Jim had coffee and visited with Bob and Mom. Jim left around 10 to check out of the hotel and head back home. He made promises to come back in a week to pick up his car and spend a few days with us. He called later on in the day to let us know he arrived without any problems. He also promised if he continued to have pain he would go to the hospital to have it checked out.

Claudia came an hour later and picked up the kids. She did visit with us and it was pleasant. She even took pictures of the second generation Phelan kids. I am pretty sure I said that wrong but you get the point.

I was told that Emily has some finals to take at the end of this week and has been studying ever since she got home. I have talked with her a few times over the weekend. I hope to see them again soon.

Liz and Nelson finished their ten day vacation midweek and also came to the festivities. Liz even got up and spoke. I was so nervous about it. I was unsure if she would say anything negative but she didn’t. She was great. Mom loved what she had said. I admit I underestimated her big time. Liz and Nelson’s children were there (well three of them) as well. As I mentioned Liz and Nelson took Claudia, Bob and Ethel out to dinner. I guess it went okay. I have to wonder if they have changed their views/opinions of Claudia. Liz told me today she had known about Jim’s accident but struggled with telling anyone because she didn’t want to upset anyone. She chose wisely I believe.

Well I need to get to bed. I suspect I will have another long week ahead of me and plenty of activities to do. Have a great night.

To the Owner of

a Black Volvo Cross Country station wagon with the CTLicense plate 1942. I think you are a flipping idiot. You need to review your freaking driving manual again. The passage where it says 'you must be at least 2 car lengths from the car in front of you' when you are driving on a highway. The person in front of you was going at least 65 miles an hour (that would be me) in the fast lane. That's why I slammed my breaks on...if you didn't get the message which you clearly did when you decided to get in front of me and do the same thing. If you have gotten the message you were following to close! You would have been at fault. You might want to remember that when you are driving. I did notice you really didn't care because you did the exact same thing to the car in front of then too. I really hope you get arrested the next time you do that.

Mom got her hearing aid

It has been a busy couple of days. Yesterday I worked, and told everyone my adventures. Some of them felt disappointment and some felt I should have waited until I actually heard from Jim.

I left the office after 4:30. Unfortunately I didn’t get all that I wanted to get done. It was nearly 5 when I got home. Mom made dinner and we ate by 5:30 to 6. I did some laundry but didn’t do very much else. I watched TV mostly. My hand hurt a little last night but I took some ibuprofen and it was fine.

Mom decided to turn in early. She decided to read for a long while and then went to sleep then woke up during the night. I think I went to bed by 11 or 12.

Today I worked on the rest of yesterday’s mail but was unable to finish it. I actually split my time between yesterday’s and todays. I tried to stay off the internet and I think I was pretty successful.

Mom got her new hearing aids today. She is having some difficulty with them but she will talk to the Dr. about it soon. She was so impressed with the way he was adjusting these hearing aids by him listening in so to speak. He did it through the computer.

On the way home I finally mailed the two international letters I wrote months ago to my Australian pen pal and my Canadian pen pal. It cost me $1.59 to send them. After that I went home.

On the way home I heard about a building collapse in NY. It shut down train service between Grand Central Station to CT. They are showing pictures and there are gaping holes in the sides of the walls but the wall isn’t a large pile of rubble. When I heard the building had collapse all I could envision was the Twin Towers collapsing. Thankfully no one was hurt and train service is returning slowly.

I called liz about 20 minutes ago. She was working in the New Rochelle Ticket office and left before the building collapsed.