Dear Friends

September 22, 2013

Dear Friends

It has been a long and busy day.  It all started around 7.  I got up showered and dressed and got the dogs out for their morning walk and made sure things were ready for Nancy and Patrick’s return this evening.  They were supposed to come home by 7 but unexpectedly returned by 4.  I had received a couple of text messages from them while I was out with Mrs S this afternoon.

I made it to 8:30 mass at ST Mary’s where we welcomed back DEacon John HOffman who had been living in Florida this past year until the unexpected death of Mrs. Hoffman.  I gave Mr. Hoffman a hug after church.  I then came home and waited for Mrs. S.

MRs. S came after 1.  We then headed to Woodruff Road and that’s where she did the door knocking for the next two and half three hours.  She spoke to many who wanted to really talk with her over many issues.  It gave me an opportunity to see a part of milford that I don’t see often.  The homes around there are beautiful.

When I got back to the house it was nearly 4.  I called and sent text messages to her and we finally connected and I wouldn’t have to go back this evening. She thanked me for everything.  I let her know that the dogs may need walking.

After the phone calls I started laundry and started washing the windows and hanging up the blinds that Mom was kind enough to do for me yesterday.  WE decided earlier today that it would be time to get new blinds for the room.

Around 6 I headed over to the cat.  It was the first time all day that I saw her.  She was glad to see me.  I replenished her dry kibble since threw it down the sink along with her water.  I gave her fresh water and another can of food.  I will see her tomorrow morning.

When I came back Mom was finishing up some ironing and I finished the last of the two windows and I started another blog.  

This blog I was going to start once I started back up with Pen paling once I was on my own.  However, I received my annual holiday cards from Ms Jeannette in California.  As usual I don’t think I set it up right but I can always change it later.

I got quite the surprise news this afternoon before I was going out.  Mom tells me that Jim had been in the hospital this weekend.  He had a UTI and it affected the prostate and kidney area.  Happily he called this afternoon and said he was heading home.  Mom had told him I was concerned and that if he wanted or needed I would go down and be with him.  He has declined.

Well I have to check a few emails and answer them.  I just deleted a whole bunch of “check in emails” for the Journal Writing list as well as others but I couldn’t find one that I was specifically looking for.

I hope you have a great night and see you in the morning.

Rushing Around

For the last couple of days I have been rushing around.  I overslept on Thursday and was caught in traffic getting off the street and coming home for the last two days.

Work has been busy but good got a lot done but as always still have lots to do.  The retirement party for Hyacinth was wonderful saw many people I haven’t seen in a long while.  

The weather has been chilly and had more rain.  It rained a little while I was at the retirement party but I was trying to remember if it rained earlier in the day  For some reason I couldn’t.

I have also been preoccupied with some stuff here at home.  Mom has been disappointed in my housekeeping skills lately.  I have been pretty angry with her attitude and I am really tired of the crap.  I told her I am doing the best that I can and if she wants me to do something she needs to ask. I am not a mind reader despite what anyone else might think.

So while I have the house to myself for the next several hours I am  trying to get stuff done.  In some ways to prove to Mom that it can be done when she won’t be here.  As I told her it will get done not necessarily when she wants it but it will get done.

Oh where is Mom you ask?  We were invited to go down this weekend to celebrate Kristina’s HS graduation.  I told them I couldn’t come down on Friday because of the retirement party and oh what is that thing called?  Work.   Do these people even think about my commitments?  I told them I could beg off the Mexican train game session to go down but Mom says she is coming back this afternoon.  It gets me angry just thinking about it.  

I am pretty sure Mom is discussing the ongoing plans for the future and about me (as though I am mentally incapable of taking care of myself) with Jim and I am expecting a phone call or email from him soon.  I had a phone conversation with Liz on Wednesday about stuff and that’s pretty much when I stopped writing for a couple of days.  

Liz says that Mom wants to make LIz my conservatore.  Liz says she doesn’t want to be nagging about the bills yet in the same breath she says she is going to do that anyway.  I say Like hell.  She then talked about finances and about who and how we are possibly paying for the funeral and or reception/gathering after that.  She even suggested she would help with my budget.  I declined and told her I have a budget.  Although I don’t think a list of all the spending and bills is quite enough of a budget.   They are going to be topics of the next session with Debra.

This afternoon I am going to M&R’s for our monthly Mexican Train Game session.  We are going to have a cookout/buffet style if the weather cooperates .  That will be around two.  

We are still getting flood warnings for the Housatonic River at Stevenson Dam.  Yesterday the news  reported there are concerns about it flooding.  I am not sure if my immediate area is in danger but the Housatonic is probably five miles from me (at least the lower half of it is).  It may make driving around there dicy.

Well it is getting late (I can’t believe it's after 10 already) and I still have things to do.  Apparently have emails to answer as well.  So I will close out for now.  Have a great day.

Warm Wednesday

The weather was beautiful.  Well when I was out at 6 tonight it was.  According to the weather report it was nearly 70 degrees out after 3:30.  I really didn’t go out once I got into work.  I could feel the warmth in the wind when I left the office at 6.

Work was okay.  I had gotten a lot done and managed to work until 6.  Sadly we learned that a former colleague had died rather unexpectedly.  She was a lovely young lady and she will be missed.

We also learned that one my other colleagues are retiring at the end of this month.  She has been here for 18 years and is ready for a change.  There will be a party for her on the 28^th.

I stopped to talk to some neighbors and visit with my four-legged god children. Unfortunately I was late for dinner.  They were leftovers.  It was still good.

Mom had a busy day she had meetings and appointments and now is relaxing downstairs watching TV.  I am watching TV upstairs.  I think I am going to bed early again.

Easter 2013

Well greetings and Happy Easter.  I hope all of you had a wonderful day.  I did despite the lack of sleep I had.  I got up by 8 and did some surfing and then got ready for bingo.  I was going to make DD run but the line was far too long. 

It was nearly 9:30 when I arrived at the nursing home. Robin the newest Recreation staff member was on duty today and it was good to see her.  We chatted for a bit and then started to get ready.  We started bingo early (or at least tried) so that I could leave earlier or on time for church.  We also had Communion Distributed as well.  So we ended up playing for 45 minutes.  I left by 11 and got to the church by quarter after.

When I arrived I sat with Nelson and Liz.  She was getting ready and then she sat with us.  She was serving communion and not the lectern today.    I really should remember and know my catholic teachings better.  I was expecting today’s service to be long (and not unlike Friday’s readings).  It was long but not the same readings.  They were shorter then what I was expecting.  After church I we ran into my cousins on Mom’s side.  I haven’t seen them in quite some time.

I said goodbye to them and headed home.  When I arrived Jim and Kristina were in the kitchen talking with Mom.  Pretty much everything was set for dinner.  Kristina cut her hair recently it is VERY short. Apparently her mother isn’t speaking to her and thinks it makes her look like a boy.  I agree it does but I happen to like my hair that short as well.    

While Jim took a nap until dinner and Mom was putting last minute things together Kristina took a short walk along the beach and sat and talked.  I tried to impart some advice to her and reminded her we loved her no matter what she is doing. 

It was just about then we decided to go back to the house.  Dinner was really ready but not all the guests were there.  I had to call SIL to get them to come.  They came a short time later and we got to sit down and eat. 

We started off with Shrimp, Roast Beef, the spinach artichoke dish, sweet potatoes, creamed onions (that’s what I had), there were mashed potatoes, rolls, and of course a few desserts. After dinner we talked about photos strategically placed that indicated the kids status in the family.  We wanted to make sure Rogier knew he was part of it when we showed him the picture of him and Diane in Mom’s office. 

WE also shared stories of Diane as a child and her relationships with Dad (my father) and of course I shared the letter with Rogier that Bob wrote me many years ago.  I can’t believe I started crying when I looked at a picture of Bob.  Its picture I have looked at a million times a day. 

After dinner Jim, Kristina, Ethel, Diane, Rogier and their friend Kevin all went back to Ethel’s to use the new trampoline Ethel bought.  That was about an hour.  When they were done they came back and said goodbye and headed points south.  While they did that our friends Mike, Tessa, Susan and I helped cleaned up (actually they did most of it)  WE sat and talked about different things.

Everyone was pretty much gone before 6 pm.  Mom did some more cleaning and I put some stuff away and then we relaxed.  I have been watching the NCIS marathon and answering some emails.

In a short while I think I am going to bed.  As I mentioned I didn’t get to sleep until maybe 2 am this morning.

There is something Different about the Street

Whoa…I leave bright and early this morning to a very crowded street (filled with the snow) and tonight the street is much wider.  Thank you Mallico Construction.  Neighbor Don was not pleased.  I bet he is now. 

I had a great day at work.  I stayed until 6 and then came home.  I will be going in early tomorrow.  It also depends on the weather.  I have heard several conflicting reports about this weekend.  I have gone on record as saying Enough no more snow.

I talked with Mom today she was barely awake.  She isn’t feeling completely well yet.  We both feel she may be catching a cold.  She really doesn’t need this on top of every thing else that’s been going on.

I had a good session with Debra.  WE talked about the storm and how we dealt with it.  What my weekend plans will be etc.  I also expressed some concern about Mom.  Now that is in mid to late 80’s her health isn’t the greatest.  On some level it hasn’t been and others she is fine.   As I told Debra I don’t think she will be gaining any more weight .  I think she is at her “new Normal”. 

I had a rather scary moment today.  If you have been reading my blogs you will know that for several days I have been finding it hard to take really deep breaths without having pain on the side.  I can breath normal too but when I laugh hard I get this sharp pain on my right side (I think I had this problem just about the time I was in the hospital last April) .  I was thinking it could be COPD and or the appendix.  Everyone I have talked to about it says I should get it looked at.  I will soon.  I did think I was going to get sick but it didn’t  happen. 

The other scary thing  that happened was my left hand  decided to spasm (again).  It felt like someone was taking the tendons or  these  invisible ropes and pulling them together.  It didn’t last long and I managed to stretch them out.   I will have to keep an eye on that. 


My right arm seemed to be getting better.  It didn’t hurt much and every now and again I get a little pain.  I am not sure what that was about .  This started before all the snow lifting happened.  At least it doesn’t feel like I broke it.

Something happened to my computer tonight.  It wouldn’t “wake up” up from sleep mode.  I shut it off at the tower and even that took a while to turn off.  The mouse went dead for a short time too.  Now it seems to be okay.  I don’t want anything to happen to this  thing.  As it is I can’t watch too many videos on this thing because it is always sputtering and buffering.  It makes me crazy.

Got an email from MVB asking me to send an email to the 4th District asking them to nominate people for the Awards we are giving out to people who best represent as a Democrat, community Service etc.

Dr. Telka sent out an email regarding the Beth-El Shelter Dinner Date.  It looks like it has to be changed from March 20th to April 4th.  I don’t see a problem.  It is on the first Thursday of April.  That’s okay too.

Okay I am going to turn on my Friday night Public Radio station music and fall asleep to that. 

Have a great night everyone. 

Crazy Busy

Today was crazy busy.  There was road work down the street from our street and it caused a back up (It was the Oyster river repair job).  The commute home was even nuttier. There was a traffic delay from Fair Haven all the way to West Haven and so I had to take the long way around.  I got home for dinner by 6:40.

When I did get to work I found lockbox waiting for me.  Before getting started I think I went and picked up stuff from ITS.  I spent the day working on the mail and got it done by 1:30.  I also worked on Re-address mail as well.  I made a dent in the Medical Society stuff.  From 2 pm until 6 I was scanning.  I have to tally the numbers to see how much I got done for Scanning.

Speaking of which I just wrote to Mardi about Friday, originally I told her that I might be working but I found out today that there is no approved OT for scanning only Cash posting.  There is approved OT for Scanning and Cash posting on Saturday.  That means the freaking mail will have to sit there until Monday.  Although Jim the courier did make a good point there won’ be a lot of mail because most of the places will be closed.

Around noon JanetN went home sick.  She just felt really nauseous.   I asked Annette if she was feeling lonely because she was the only back in the scanning area.  Joanie wasn’t feeling well and stayed home today.  Annette asked me about Janet and I told her.  She realized why I asked if she was feeling lonely.

It looks like we may have dryer issues.  It wasn’t drying very well.  I suggested to Mom to get the lint that has been collecting in the vent cleared out.  This couldn’t have happened at the worst time. 

It also feels like my cough is coming back I can hear fluid like in the chest.  I really would like this to be done with.  I may have to pick up the other prescription for Azithromycin.  I would like to not be sick for this holiday or any of the upcoming holidays.

Mom tells me that Jim will see the heart specialist tomorrow.  The doctor originally was going to put it off but changed his mind.  Jim is worried about it.  To be honest I am too.  I can’t go through another loss again.

I noticed many people have their homes decorated for the Christmas Holiday already.  I have a feeling most of them did it this past weekend since the weather was nice.  It will be a matter of time before everyone is decorated.

Well I am tired and I need to take some meds now and get into the sack.  I am leaving work at 2:30 for my eye appointment and for my INR.  I told Mom I would be home by 5 just the same.

Another Successful weekend draws to a close

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.  The girls were arriving as I was too.  I stayed with the section of the assembly line (Yay I remembered the name of it) that peeled and cored the apples.    Roberta got them from Bishops Orchard in Guilford.  They were huge.  They were called “seconds”.  Some of them I wasn’t that impressed with them.  Some had huge holes in the centers.  I think there were 160 lbs of apples so there may not have been a whole lot of bad apples.

We were done making the pies by 2.  There were a lot of apples left over that we made apple crisp for the shelters in town.  We did have refreshments as well.  We usually make two extra pies to try and they were good.   It was all cleaned by 3.  Some of the others finished the gift wrapping for the gifts for the nursing home. 

By the time it was all done I was tired and not really feeling well.  I suspect not eating all day and having the snacks only and having the penicillin on an empty stomach wasn’t helping.

When I got home Mom had just finished shopping.  I got the last of the groceries out of the car and went inside.  We both were having problems with our knees.  I took a nap and Mom got dinner ready. 

Just as we were sitting down to meatloaf and potatoes Jim called.  He says his doctor is concerned about his heart so he is sending him to a specialist.  Jim is a little worried.  As Heart problems are a HUGE issue in our family.  I think he sees the specialist this week before coming up for the holiday.

Speaking of the holidays I asked Mom about more of the menu and what the plans are.  There will be eight of us.  Jim and the kids will get here by 1 and dinner will start around 4 (we have always eaten then at holidays)  The menu will be Turkey, Roast Beef, creamed onions, string beans, broccoli, of course the dinner rolls, and pies for dinner.  I think that I will take the girls and James on a walk along the beach.  They usually like to do that and at some time we will see Liz and Nelson and perhaps Ethel.

For now I have some bills to pay so I am going to do that before I hit the sack for the night.  Have a great night!

I need a vacation

I really need a vacation.  I seem to be very tired lately.  I try to get up and do things and the most I do is check emails, check the forums, shower and get ready for work.  I also have the TV on and I sit there and watch it for up to five or ten minutes.  At night I watch TV and do laundry (sometimes) and stay up until 10.  I also get on line again. 

Work is fine for the most part I get the work done (well the daily stuff) and every day I work on the re-address mail but there doesn’t seem to be enough time to get it all done.  I realize that I get online but I really try to limit the time I am on there.  As long as there is no stress and I don’t feel stress unless people refuse to do as I ask about the mail:  people have been sending mail in the large envelopes with the delivery address in the right hand corner when it should be in the middle of the envelope. 

Home life is fine.  Mom has been antsy about the thank you notes and rightfully so.  She was kind of critical and short with me on a few things.  Luckily someone was there so I didn’t say anything.  I think it was because she was getting ready for the meeting.

She has a site visit today with the Area Agency on Aging.  She has only been there once but that was a long time ago.  She likes these activities because she learns about different things that are being done for the aged.

I didn’t talk to Ethel yesterday so I have no idea if the guy is preparing to move out or not.  Even Mom said she needs to give the man enough time to get things out and find a new place.  The kids are worrying over her right now.

I haven’t heard from the kids this week.  I did leave a message for Emily but nothing from her. I haven’t had a chance to email James or Kristina.  I am feeling extremely guilty and anxious for not sending Emily her birthday card or present.  Jim said not to worry about it but he doesn’t live with Mom.

I talked with Liz this week.  She is fine.  I saw Rich yesterday he came to fix the kitchen window.   He was fixing it from the time his brother painted and reinstalled it and it was not even.  Rich is really excited about his trip to Ireland next month.  He is attending two or three Soccer tournaments and then exploring.  He should be home be home November 1, 2012.  He has to seem some specialists first though.  Everyone else is fine.

Dave called me while I was in the meeting last night.  We may be going to the Durham fair instead of the big E.  It sounds like if they go on Friday to the Big E then we will go to Durham.  He was heading out for a doubleheader flight.

This weekend is going to be busy for me.  Tomorrow morning I have to get some blood work done.  It’s in prep for my annual physical next Wednesday.  Then I am selling the cancer bracelets with the club at two different stores.   I am doing it both days.  You know how it is a group or organization stands outside a grocery story and sells their wares?   That’s what we are doing.

I better go the couriers seem to be coming earlier and earlier and I want to get the mail in front of me done before they get here.

Dear Debra

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 only chalk this up to the news I received Thursday. My family is hurting at the loss of Mike F. He was just turning 21 the day of the accident. His mother has not had it easy even before this. I know Renee the grandmother is heart broken and I am too.



I sent a message request to the lists I belong to and have been getting responses. It is comforting to get them even from strangers. The messages are Mostly from the journaling lists. They are always known to be supportive of their members.



Mom spent the day at her reunion. She got home shortly after I did. She was telling me they took a tour of the old school and what they did with it. It is now Senior Apartments. There was more of the tour but Mom was growing weary and came home. She isn’t going to have dinner but I am going to make something for myself.



Right now in between writing this letter and surfing the web I am also doing some work for the Woman’s club and making arrangements for Sunday. I had to call one of the girls but she can’t make it. I sent messages to Nicole (former Co President of the Girls Club) asking her if she or her sister Jacqueline could help me out. I haven’t heard from her yet. I had posted a message to the Club’s Facebook page (the link may not work) but haven’t heard from anyone.



My intention for tonight was to get laundry done before the night is out. That may not happen. I am so tired I just might get one load done. The rest will be done tomorrow.



Mom and I received a birthday party invitation from my Niece Cheryl for her son Bryan’s 19th Birthday. It is going to be on the 11th of August. Unfortunately I have a conflict for that. It is the same day we are hosting a Wedding for a club member. I am betting Mom will go ahead of me and I will go there later. I will think more about it when the date gets closer.



Everyone has been talking about the Colorado movie theater shooting. It was half hour away from my friend Miriam and her husband Ben. They live in Broomfield Colorado. I called her parents to see if they have heard from them but they were not home at that moment. It is awful and sad. This guy was supposedly “laid back and kept to himself”. Why did he do this? What kinds of signs could have been echoed? Was he getting help? My Thoughts and prayers go to the people of Aurora and the State of Colorado.



I am going to eat some dinner and then relax. Have a great night.



Me.

I have something to do every day this week

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 three sessions left before she leaves for her month long vacation. We are planning on having at least two phone sessions. They usually last about 45 minutes and it would be like our regular sessions. We recently started doing this when I was home sick with the blood clot. My intention is to write her in between and send her these entries; she may not get to see them until she gets back in the office in August.






On Tuesday I see Dr. J Becker. She is my Lupus Doctor and has been three months since I last saw her. I have no idea if she even knows I had the incident with the blood clot or if she is aware of the upcoming tests. I know she has to send all lof her reports to my PCP but I don’t know if she even was informed. I am going to have to update those stupid forms about hospital stays and medicine and all that other stuff. I hate filling those out.






Wednesday I see Dr. Rosenblatt he will be discussing the Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure and possible alternatives. I was trying to find out more information on him but found some tips like taking notes on the experience of the appointment both pro and con. Well I plan on doing that any way. I am not real happy about having to go to Fairfield during commuter time. The traffic going that direction really sucks.






In the afternoon I have to go to Dr. Spanolios office and get my INR testing done. I hope the levels remained the same. I will have to tell them I had to go off them for the oral surgery. The whole thing shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. I will get the new dosage level and new check in time.






On Thursday we are having the 4th District meeting here. I have sent out the reminder last night. No one has replied or acknowledged whether or not they are coming yet. I know of one person that already read it. We are only going to get a few responses but several people will show up without responding either way. That is so frustrating because Mom does a lot to prepare and as I am sure you are aware you don’t know how much to make and what ever.






On Friday is the annual “End of year” Club picnic at Telka’s. it is starting at 2 pm but I won’t be there until 5 pm. I am bringing cole slaw and Mom will be making it as the day gets closer. It is also a graduation party for the girls who graduate this week and of course who have already graduated. It should be really fun.






Saturday morning I get the stitches out of my mouth and we discuss the next step in getting the implant. I am pretty sure that will be more money when the time comes. That part should happen near the end of the summer.






The morning gets to end with a haircut. What better way to end the week? I enjoy Jamie. She is so sweet and I love this Salon. Did I mention that I met up with one of the Stylists from Harbor Lights? I met her at the Awards Dinner last Thursday. Apparently Harbor lights went out of business and are now merged with another one in the Devon area. It was rather awkward moment for me as I didn’t want to tell her I am going some where else now.






I am probably going to have to do all my chores Saturday afternoon. I don’t know what else we have planned for that day I hope nothing as by then I will be tired.






Okay its time for me to get to work. I will see you later.

I was feeling a little bold today

After releasing the second of two raccoons this week from the trap and having enough coffee to make LJ Gibbs proud I was bold enough to take on a fellow passenger who was being less then gentlemanly. H got on at Cedar Street near the Psychiatric Hospital and was trying to scam the bus driver by getting out of paying the fare. She wasn’t having any of it. She told him to get out of her personal space and sit down.




He did but started swearing and talking and I finally told him to watch his mouth. He got mouthy with me but not too loudly. The guy sitting next to him got up and sat across from him (he wasn’t interested in hearing him either) and all the while the bus driver was listening and told him to stop or she would call the police. He was dropping a lot of F bombs and saying his father worked on the buses for the 37 years etc. When he told me he was having a bad day I looked at him and said I am sorry you are having a bad day but I don’t want to hear it.



In one of the moments I looked around I looked at the guy who moved and thought he was looking at me and thinking “shut up woman’. However, I didn’t pay attention but remembered a story this driver told me the other day when a similar incident occurred and someone stood up and told the other passenger off. Anyway I was grateful to be getting off and I blessed the bus driver. I told a few people that story and some of them looked at me and shook their heads while others applauded me for saying something.



I got started working shortly after 8. There were two large boxes with EOB’s from United Healthcare that were not opened by finance or even the bank that handles our lockbox for us. So I left it on G’s desk for her to look at when she got in. Unfortunately it will have to wait until next week as she never came in today. She hasn’t been feeling well all week. She also reiterated that she will be leaving on Disability as soon as she can manage it. This really saddens me as I really love her as a friend and as a boss.



I managed to get all the work done early despite the second mail run (the campus/interoffice part) came really late and that had some mail in it. There wasn’t a lot but I really didn’t like the fact it was so late. I also was able to get some of the mail for the other floors delivered. I still have a few piles but it’s done quite considerably. I have to remember there is some on the floor next to the second desk and the wall.



I also tried to stay out from the aisles on the main floor. Unfortunately it worked until ST walked in from the ladies room. I had been talking to DB about the morning bus ride. When I had a moment and DB was near by I explained to her what was going. Everyone knows that ST has been on the warpath this past week. I also let EV (a co worker and union rep) what G had said to me the day before about ST unconvinced that I need help.



I have some car news. I got it back today. I called at lunch time and he said it’s almost done and that he had a few things he needed to do before giving it back. I called back at 4 as Mom was picking me up and it was ready. The bill was being written out. So by 4:30 I had brought it home. I rather not tell you I left my credit card there. I had to go back and get it.



They also straighten out the car for me (by that I mean put a few things in a box and picked up the garbage that I had on the floor. I am going to put those in the trunk and get throw the papers and stuff out tomorrow.



After I left the garage for the last time this week I headed over to Sis’s house. She had gone out for a few hours and N1 was watching TV. I went there to drop off the books for J-man that Mom wanted him to have and I had her thank you/birthday gift too. N1 and I had talked about the car and the ex-DIL he has absolutely no use for. He said the same thing that Mom said to me that the girl is selfish and self-centered. When I left I let him know I would come over after church for Father’s Day. Sis called and was tickled pink and pleased at the gift.



I don’t remember what time it was when I got home. Mom was finishing up frosting the cake she was taking for the literary club party tonight (it was an extra meeting). I was getting my dinner of left over spaghetti.



After a week of no show Woodchuck #3 finally showed its face. It appeared right after the lawn guys finished working. It kept popping its head up out of the hole. The first few times Mom missed it then she saw him. After she left he finally came out and sniffed and explored things. He even went into the trap but not far enough to spring it. After he went back in I cut up some more melon and put in the trap and the path from his hole to the door. He hasn’t been out since. I have been checking the trap regularly tonight but no luck. I expect to find one of two things early tomorrow morning. Either it is a different critter or he/she in the trap. I will take it to the park when I get up if it is WC#3.



I managed to answer a few Journal Writing check in prompts such as the summary Saturday, and a few other responses. JAustin from the Journal writing list shared a funny forward that I sent to a few friends and family. I had a few responses tonight.



Okay well I think I am going to say good night as one of my favorite radio programs is about to start on Public Radio. It’s a local show called Profiles in Folk. It is on every Friday night from 10 to midnight and it focuses on folk music nationally and groups that have performed in and around the area.

Today ws my day to be stressed

The mail for the other floors is starting to pile up even more (this includes interoffice mail and regular post office mail). It doesn’t help when people walk in and comment on it. I nearly bit off JackieM’s head when she walked in and made a comment. By then she had been the sixth person in two days. I happen to have been working on the daily mail which to me is freaking priority. I also had the opportunity to get the lobby mail that was there all week.




The last two days were exhausting to the point where I didn’t go to the DTC meeting and went to bed early last night. I got news about the car as well. I wasn’t feeling well either.



The news about the car isn’t good. The pin that holds the timing belt broke and caused serious damage to valves in the engine and TC needs to pull the engine out and fix it. It will take some time and could be expensive ($2200-$2500). Good news is Sis offered the use of her car while she is away next week. She will pick me up on Sunday and I will drop her off and take the car. I just told Mom about it when she got home from Dinner. She was happily surprised by the news and fact that Sis offered the car.



I saw Debra yesterday told her about the week and the current struggle with the car. She felt awful. I told her how things at work went including the firestorm at work. She gave me the insurance forms to submit to Aetna. I can do that tomorrow.



It’s been very chilly this evening. It has also been cloudy all afternoon as well. The rain is supposed to start in a couple of hours there is a chance of Thunderstorms all day tomorrow. \o/.



I am tired so as the normal Friday night I am just going to chill. I hope all of you had a great Friday and hopefully a great weekend. I will be around.

Did OT

I worked until 5:30 tonight because the volume of the mail was heavy. The lockbox was heavy and I got it around 9. I worked on it for an hour or so before the post office mail arrived. Happily that was normal volume. I went to Ash Wednesday Services over at the hospital with DK, TJ, DC afterwards DK and I went to pick up lunch at the hospital.




GC is having some issues with her bosses. I tried to ask her if it was about the mail and she said no. However, I am not certain that is completely the truth. I think it is just part of it. That mixed in with the situation with the milk lady. She didn’t come into because (at least we seem to think) because GC said something to LG about picking up speed with the work she is doing. She has been given the assignment to log in and out the batches of cash batches to be prepped for scanning. She takes far too long to get them done. Where it takes JN or AC an hour to do it LG takes six hours.



I had forgotten that mom had a meeting to go tonight (I thought it was earlier today) she didn’t get home until 9. I even got a little scared as I could see there was a shooting at hospital in New Britain. Mom was no where near New Britain. She was in Milford for Bridges Executive Board meeting. She is having dinner right now and watching TV.



I talked with Liz today. I was open with her about how things went this past week. She had asked me if they felt I was goofing off or around on the job. I couldn’t answer but a small part of me was wondering if she was judging me or criticizing me for things.



She did promise to look at the emails I sent on about activities at the Peabody museum this week. Apparently they have some programs for kids and since it is Winter break they need stuff to do. She did say that they are supposed to come spend time with her and nelson but they have been sticking close to their Mom and brother of late.



I talked with Jim. He sounds much better than when I last talked with him. We talked about the article on Cousin Ray and we talked about the kids. It seemed a fairly routine discussion.



I was going to watch NCIS again but I am too tired and I want to get to bed.

Have a great night and see you in the morning.

A regular mail day

Even though today was a federal holiday and the post office was closed the mail volume seemed to be like any other Monday. It was mostly insurance and legal correspondence. The US mail was from the clinics and lower in volume. I was able to get that all done and the lobby mail from Friday and the weekend. I kept checking with Finance to make sure all the mail was available to me and it was.




I was talking to Joanie today and talked about how concerned I was for my job. I don’t like conflict and I was trying very hard today to stay out of SR’s way and not give her any ammunition that could cause problems with it. I even gave her a “what if” scenario. What if Gayle was no longer working here or could no longer work? I didn’t want to let on that’s exactly what was going to happen come the autumn. I did get a little teary eyed and Joanie gave me a hug and told me not to worry.



DK and RW both came back today after their bout with the Stomach flu. They both know and understand it wasn’t my fault and reassured me. Apparently DK’s hubby has it bad and his immune system is worse than mine. I spent a lot of time with DK. We went to Paula’s for our lunch and late in the day I went with her to see her Mom over in Registration. I explained I was trying to stay off SR’s radar today. She understood.



When I finished the priority mail I worked on the readdress mail leaving the postage and bad address tallies for another day. I would like to say I made a small dent in it but there is still much to do. I don’t think I will be able to get to it tomorrow but I will try. I just have to remember to ask for help because I already know its going to be lots.



I met with Debra and that session was very informative. I told her about the long and stressful week since our last session and how I was feeling anxious about work and about the future and I also talked about my finances how I don’t know if I will be able to do well. She said to focus on work and ask for help and that all of it will work out. You have been there before and you will do it again. She also says that on the weekend focus and plan on doing the taxes to help pay the bills. For tonight just have a good meal and watch TV and sleep. I was beginning to get anxious that I started to cry. Debra reminded me that I have nothing to worry about. She told me I could pay when I asked if I could pay it next week. I felt some what better when I left.



When I got home I found Mom in her pajamas watching TV. Dinner was cooking in the oven. She had a few minor complaints and I told her I would be aware of it. I was a complete chatty Cathy through dinner and even after. I even talked with her about how things are kind of going right now with work. She listened and asked a few questions and it was amazing. I even told her I know I have to be a more patient and open to views of others and she wasn’t critical or even judgmental about it. She did say because I love my job that I will find ways that will help to get the job done (or reaffirmed it to me because I told her that’s what I do all the time and what I usually do about the job).



Now that is after 9:30 I think I better get to sleep. I think everything is going to be alright again.

I Had me a Day

I got to work and had an unpleasant incident with three co-workers on the elevator. They all moved to the opposite side of the elevator saying “don’t get close to me I don’t want what you have”. I looked at them and said it was fucking rude. Before anyone says it wasn’t to me it was embarrassing and rude. I reiterated what would be the beginning of several “I am fine”. Yet these idiotic morons continue to blame me for two others getting the stomach flu that has already been going around anyway. There are many who do not think I caused them to get sick. As I said in yesterday’s entry I was feeling better by 1 am yesterday morning. The Doctor cleared me when I saw him yesterday afternoon.




To the added stress SR came to me and told me that if I get behind that I need to ask for help. That people are expecting things and need to have it. I looked at her and said first the volume for lockbox on Tuesday was above and beyond what I would normally get and I went home sick. Apparently that didn’t faze her at all. She asked Gayle to get me some help and that was LG. She worked on today’s mail and I worked on yesterdays and we got it done. She opened it date stamped it and put them back in the envelope put them in various piles. When I finished with what I had to do I think it took me a half an hour to work on the stuff she did.



After work was the retirement dinner for JH. It was at the Kelly Gastro Bistro on the corner of Crown and Temple. It started at five and had quite a turn out. We met her family and saw some old friends who came to say good bye and wish JH well. The food was good. I had a salad, bread and for the main course I changed from I think the fish to beef tenderloins with mustard rub, mashed potatoes and vegetable medley and the dessert was Italian cake. I had some coffee too. It broke up by 7:30.



Now that I am sitting here I am afraid to say that my stomach got a “little rumble”. It wasn’t the only food I had today. I had a couple pieces of cheese Danish for breakfast and for lunch ham sandwich on Croissant and some fruit and vegetables all provided by GC. I drank a lot of water today too.



I was able to sit in for the rest of the 4th District meeting and I really should have just gone to bed. I was there for an hour and we were talking about ways for more community service involvement.



After the meeting I was checking emails and found an email from Mom. Her 95 year old cousin died this morning. We attended her 95th Birthday last month I think. The services are not until Saturday I think.



Tonight a member of one of the pen pal lists removed herself from the group after receiving hate mail from another member for not continuing to write the person. The member has said she was polite about it but continued to receive hate mail. So she felt she should leave to stop the nonsense. I am trying to think of what to write to the groups to remind them that this behavior is unacceptable. I have it pretty much down to what I want to say but it may not be received well. This is just great.

Here is what I wrote

Not a bad night

I have to say I am enjoying the evening. I didn’t have any problems getting home from work. The traffic was light and I managed to get home just about 4:30.




Before going in I decided to clean the windows of the car because they seemed dirty and the glare at times can be quite dangerous. I was surprised to find there wasn’t a lot of dirt. That can mean only one thing (or more) and that is the wind shield is pitted. I will check it out tomorrow while driving.



I found Mom in her pajamas and talking on the phone regarding her one of her committees and boards. I think she has to speak and she is still having a hard time with clog ears. I have noticed she is not coughing as much as she was last night or this morning. She did manage to get dinner started.



We had pork chops and mashed potatoes and home made biscuits. She is cleaning up and going to watch TV for a while.



The rest of the work day went okay. I took a walk to city hall to pick up parking vouchers for GC and came back and got us lunch. Longhini sausage sandwiches. I have to finish the lockbox and do the lobby mail and do the month end of postage tallies.



I watched TV for a while and now I am heading to bed….

Minor Aggravations

It is nearly 11 at night and I am tired. The day was good even though there were some stressful moments. The first stressful moment was the large amount of mail. Then again if I think about it since the lockbox office was moved the volume for each day has moved. So technically this would have been mail for yesterday!




The other stressful moment was when the guys at the courier service neglected to pick up mail-the interoffice mail that had been there since yesterday morning. I even told Jack twice that it had to be done. He still didn’t take it. (He really has a knack for pissing me off.) I told my friend Dottie in Credentialing and she told her boss. The reason for telling credentialing is they had important applications that needed to go to the departments. Claudia M came down and asked questions about it and then came down again with Joni. In the end the courier service was called and someone came and picked it up. When I told Gayle this she suggested that from now on I make sure I tell them I am going to be making sure they take the stuff that is needed.



Nancy H and I had been texting through out the day making arrangements to meet sometime soon. I had to call her because I apparently was tripping over my fingers at one point. I think we are getting together some time Saturday afternoon.



Okay I better get to bed. I can tell I am not really making any sense tonight.

Full Sunday

It is after 8 and I am tired. I went to bingo and had a small group today. Jillian came in today. We did pretty well. The residents that usually go to church split this time. One didn’t and the other did.




After bingo I went to church. I ran into some old friends from the club and they are doing well. I was home after 12:30.



I couldn’t find my cell for a bit. When I did I had a number of missed calls. The only thing is I looked in my car already but didn’t find it.



The Woman’s Club Board meeting was cancelled because of the weather. So I decided to get ready for Dave’s party. That too had been cancelled a second time and if I had taken the time to listen to the entire message I would have known that.



Dave and I talked and we decided to get together anyway. It was nearly two by then. Once I got there we talked about the “curse of his parties”. It almost never fails to have bad weather in where it has to be cancelled or no one shows up.



We ended up having the eggs and the multi-layered taco dip, and dessert. We talked about his parties and something that is annoying me.



He told me that RT has told him that she can’t come to the house for awhile. It seems she is taking Lulu’s death pretty hard. MY thought is if she is fucking pissed at Dave then she should say that. He is telling me that she told him it wasn’t his fault that it could have been anything. If you really believed that yo ass would be there now.



Anyway he also told me that our Torrington friends lost power and was still not plowed out. Our friends in Woodbridge and in Orange weren’t going to come. Dave’s friend Jim was coming back later after spending time with his family because he had no heat or power at his house.



I was there until about 4. I had called Liz a second time to see if everyone was there. They were eating so I told them I was just leaving Dave’s.



Just as I was leaving one of Dave’s neighbors came up to me and asked me how Dave was doing. She asked me if Lulu passed away. I said yes and from there it snowballed. I told her honestly what happened and she was a little taken aback by it. She said asked me not to say anything like that to any of the other neighbors and we got to talking about being able to good friends the truth. She also said she understood I was coming from honesty. She was a little pissed at me and surprised that I would be that blunt. I almost told her to take her Boston terrier and go to hell. She basically made excuses for what he did. We made each other promise not to say anything and I am not sure I can trust this bitch.



I was at Liz’s after 4. I was only expecting Jr and his family there but that wasn’t the case. EVERYONE was there. Including Chris’s kids who both had birthday’s this month.



I was there for two hours. Liz was surprised and a little annoyed to find out that Mom had not gone to Boston. You should have invited her yourself. You didn’t tell me to tell her. When I left I ran into Andrea I told her I think I hurt Liz’s feelings. She said basically if I felt that then I need to talk to Liz and or not worry about it.



I told Mom what I felt and she said not to worry about it that it would be okay. Some how I am not getting that “would be okay” feeling.



Since I have been home split my time between watching TV and making calls, and being online.



Now I am going to bed…

Not prepared

I was so not prepared for the cold and snow we got yesterday.  It came down pretty heavy for the hour and melted by afternoon turning into rain.  I was very glad I had my sweatshirt jackets with me to put on under the other sweater jacket.  Today is much different.   It is sunny and bit chilly.

Janet did an awesome job while I was away.  There were some things that she forgot but that was to be expected.  Everyone welcomed me back and asked me how my vacation was.  I told them about locking myself out of the car on the way down.  I am not so sure what they thought of that.  They empathized for sure but you can never tell.

The lockbox was heavier then normal for the first time in a long time.  Jill was explaining to me this morning that while I was away the volume for Friday’s mail was lighter then normal.   I wasn’t able to finish the lockbox so I am doing it now before todays and the meeting at 11.

I met with Dr. Spanolios yesterday and he wants me to get an x-ray sometime next week.  He says I am doing better.   The lungs don’t sound exactly even which means a couple of things.

  I met with Debra yesterday.  The session flew by though.  I was going to read the previous week’s entries but they didn’t print out completely so I just highlighted the week including Sunday’s entry.  I suggested that perhaps I send her the link and she can follow my blog that way.  She says we will discuss next week.  She is going on vacation in April.  I think that’s when I am taking the next one.

Mom was making spaghetti for dinner.  It was delicious.  She had a Bridges meeting to go to and so I cleaned up the kitchen.  After dinner I watched NCIS until 9.

I went to bed at 9 and slept for a few hours woke up and rolled over back to sleep until 6 this morning.

I got ready for woke and still managed to get online for a few minutes and to watch a few minutes of TV.

There are some really scary things going in this world.  The whole thing with Ghadafi and Libya; the Japan Nuclear accident and how that is affecting food and stuff like that.  Locally there is a 12 year old girl missing in Orange.  She has been missing since Sunday morning.  The FBI is involved and it is just very scary feeling.

I am really afraid that we will be involved with another war and this time it will be with Libya (Ghadafi) some are hoping to get us involved or are grateful.  I don’t know if the citizens are ready to go to war again.  Ghadafi was defiant back in 1985 as well and it cost us lives then too.

I am going to stop by the Post office after work and pick up the Passport papers to fill them out.  I do have some questions for them and I hope they can answer them.

I am going to have breakfast/snack so I better go…see ya later.