Monday Musings Birthday Edition

 Today is my Birthday.  For years I think about my birthdays sometimes months in advance and think about what is going on in my life, where I am living, what my health is going to be like and eventually closer to death.  In the past it would  wake me up in the middle of the night hyperventilating.  I didn’t do it this year.  I just went to bed tired. Last Night and today I have been receiving lots of Birthday wishes, via FB, email, Messenger.  Makes me feel good.  Dave and I will have our annual Birthday dinner on Wednesday.  Junior and the kids stopped by with cupcakes that some of us ate right up.

Yesterday I went to the open house for this condo at Noon with Liz.  It met with mixed reactions.  I didn’t like the mailboxes that were out (they looked beat up), Liz thought the outside was tired.  The views of LI Sound were beautiful. Large Living room small kitchen new appliances, parking is out back and has a door for it.  Short stairways to the laundry area that is shared between the buildings and coin operated.  Storage area is good size but again shared.  I don’t have to worry about the cats.  There was a dog across the hall.  The other issue is even though we are up and away from the beach I am not sure I want to watch the waves come up over the hill.  Storms are not this neighborhood's friend.

I had to cancel an appointment for one in Dave’s complex (literally across the footpath) because I have to let Cheryl schedule them (legally or otherwise) not sure the reasons but I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.  Dave has been really funny. He is looking also and sent me links to several that Cheryl has sent me.

As a matter of fact the next Condo Tour is on Thursday at 5:20.  I spoke to Cheryl last night and by this morning she had it scheduled.  I pointed this condo out to Liz when we drove by it yesterday.  This morning I invited her to join us if she felt up to it.

After the condo tour yesterday Liz and I headed back to the house to do a few hours of clearing out.  The dining room was done and we left some personal stuff in the tote that will go with me to wherever the new place is.  Liz and Andrea did the books and pictures in the office but late last night after stubbing my toe (and probably breaking it) It's still messy and not organized.  I was really aggravated by it.  We did have a lot of stuff for the garbage and good will.  That I have to still take

I spent the afternoon doing more shredding in my old bedroom (that’s probably going to be the next clearing out beside the bedroom I currently use. The bathroom will be done last.  We will then move on to the Kitchen and bathroom downstairs.  I still have more to do but I was to damn tired last night.  I will finish what I have in the Samsonite and then in the totes in my old bedroom.  I want Liz and whomever is going to help to guide me.  

I tried to stay up a couple of nights earlier in the weekend to finish shredding or make a dent but it didn’t work.  It messed up my entire days and energy level and focus the rest of the time.  The shredding is a variety of things.  The whole entertainment collection including Kevin Sorbo fandom (which I mention in the entertainment blog), some pen pal files and folders (that I end up sending updates to.). I have kept pictures that I like but also the greeting cards I have gotten over the years I tossed.  I am not spending the time scanning any of this stuff as it would take too much time for me.  However, as I have said going forward I will be scanning them.  I would like to get an hour’s worth of shredding done tonight before I go to bed.  I have to make a good will run after I see Debra.

I have told almost everyone on the street the situation.  Some felt bad for me and think he who will not be named is an asshole as well.  They wished me luck and offered to help if needed. I actually have two more to tell but in time.

The cats have been enjoying their time up in the attic.  I tried a couple of times to get them to come down unsuccessfully.  Besides, I have to go up to get the remaining shredding items.  They don’t understand why there's so much in the back room though.

Work is going well.  We have the new courier service starting tomorrow.  It should be much better than the last one and its in-house.  We have a meeting tomorrow to review what Donna does while she is on vacation and I will be doing the mail.  Especially with the new methods and directions.  Donna originally told me I can open and daily the daily stuff (that goes in batches) but the rest she can do when she gets back.  Well I don’t think that’s going to happen.

The scanning work is all coming back to me and it feels good to be doing that again.  Its been so long (with the problems connecting, and the time away).

Man am I beat

 

Well when we last met I discussed the past week’s activities and the plans for yesterday

I went to meet with Alex for our second to last session (Tuesday will be the final one) he tells me I still have two more weeks I can do the classes.  He will also be discussing with the gym manager about allowing me to “cash in” if you will my points that I have collected over the years and possibly get two months of free classes.  In the mean time I will attend class until the end of the month. 

I told him all the things I ate this week (well except the brownie) and why I hadn’t made it to the gym.  We discussed grocery budgets and the best foods.  He did say to have rice but not the minute rice but uncle Bens.  We discussed what would be good and just what to do with diet and the choices.

After wards I headed home.  I still had about an hour or so before Liz came over.  We talked earlier via text.  She needed to come later (and I agreed).  This gave me time to do some more laundry and straighten up a little bit more.  As I told her I was afraid it would stress and she said no.  She wasn’t going to Judge and if she didn’t like all she had to do is go home and leave it behind. 

We spent a few minutes organizing and talking about the move and stuff.  We started off in the guest room.  We have tagged stuff to be either saved or taken out.  We got rid of stuff that needed to be sent to good will or the trash.  We finished just a little after 4.

Liz was put out by the way Next door’s driveway was.  I explained in order to have that the new shack he had to measure and it came out that he owned it.  She thought he was a little rude.  I think she may have forgotten the conversation she had with him years ago.

 

 

She also didn’t like the fact the neighbors across the street park in front of my house all the time and ask why they don’t park in front of theirs.   I reminded her they can park where ever they want.  She isn’t the only one who says this to me when they come over but (this was the first time in a couple of years she has been here) I personally want to get into it with them.  They don’t live here and my sister should know better. 

She also doesn’t like the way my Cleaning lady does the cleaning.  I do but not this week.  I did end up telling Livia last week there are changes coming regarding the house.  I may have to reconsider her as my cleaning lady.

Anyway back to purging story.  We spent about an hour and half ID’ing and emptying out crap I don’t need from the guest room and the attic stairway.  Between the two of us deciding and emptying I got tired.  AT one point Liz says she was doing all the work she stopped herself.

We had at least three bags of crap for the garbage, recyclable, and good will.  She did say to me that my nephews Mike and Bryan will come and empty or take the stuff out or get a dumpster.  I had told her earlier I saw some coupons for that 1-800 Got Junk Company.  That could also be an alternative.

At the end of that we discussed what should be done next.  We will be doing this for the next several weekends and during the week.  In subsequent texts she reminded me to text my niece D and tells her I have stuff of her father’s and asked if she wants it.  Then text Jim and ask about pictures we found of his wedding to C and of the kids coming to America when they were adopted.  Some of these were in Letters to Mom. 

She also suggested that as we go along find boxes to collect again and make the sunroom the packing location.  It doesn’t have to be done right now but as we go along.

Liz seems to think we should do the attic and cellar next and the Kitchen and other rooms later.  That they will take the longest to clear out and put away eventually.  Once that’s done maybe call Cheryl and begin the search process. 

She reminded me earlier when we were talking of what to keep or let go that I won’t have that much money to get things.  A part of me can’t help think even though she wants me in a safe and good place that she is expecting me to be restricted in many ways.  Of course I will be restricted but I am not comfortable with what she is expecting or hoping.

She also told me as much as Jim is being good with her about this she doesn’t really trust him.  That he has hurt her too much and really doesn’t believe he will continue to be helpful or whatever.  I was worried at how long this Détente would last.

As I was leaving for Good Will I saw next door and told him what the end results of the activities last week.  I had already told him about Lawyer man’s behavior.  He asked when do I expect to put the house up and I told him wasn’t sure but probably the holidays.  He was kind and said He was sorry to see me go.

I am holding off telling the other neighbors for now.  I am sure they were wondering what I was doing yesterday.  I am holding off because I do share way too much and as you know back pedal on decisions.

When I texted D about her father’s things I also told her that I changed my mind about moving and that it wasn’t financially feasible.  She asked me what changed my mind and so I called and left a voice mail.  I don’t remember if I told her how much debt I was in.  Afterwards I had visions of her calling Jim demanding we fight lawyer man.  I also hoped she would call me back so I could fill her in with what I told her.  I know I left out some stuff.

I heard from Mama Roberta last night.  We are still waiting on news about Dr. T and her recent tests and surgery.  I also told her of the decision to acquiesce to lawyer guy.  I will tell her more in our semiweekly check in later on Sunday.

The rest of Sunday was supposed to go to class but I am not making it but will exercise. 

I have some errands to make and then plan some grocery shopping to do.  I told Liz what my plans for budgeting and revising grocery stuff and wardrobes and stuff.

I may just relax for the day and get ready for the week ahead.

I am also very pleased that Authoress51 and I will be pen pals.  I have been following her on her blogs now for quite some time and we actually met via Zoom at the Meetup virtual Trivia games this past spring. 

Speaking of pen pals this guy sent me and a few others a pen pal request and it really was unpleasant.  Two people chastised him and demanded that he not contact them.  I put in my two cents and asked not to be included and I apologized to those he offended and wished them well.  For some reason one of them reposted the original email.  I just deleted it.

The weather right now is not making me move fast.  It’s overcast and expected some rain.   The temps seem cooler than in the past week.  I still have the AC on.

Tired

I am not sure why but at some point this evening I got tired.  I had been preparing for the coffee talk, took care of the garbage and tried to do some union calls.

Late this afternoon I heard from NewEgg.com and they indicated the seller had sent me a message that it will now be June 3, 2020.  I don’t remember seeing that date on their email but with my luck and my penchant for not reading the email completely through.  So it will now be a week from today.

I finally cleaned off the counter next to the sink and closer to the cellar.  I got rid of old teas and the others I put in canisters that can hold the tea. I put some of my meds and all the vitamins and supplements into a basket.  My hope is to not have that place look so cluttered.

I also put some stuff into a box. For example I put the mini coffeemaker (the kind that is brewing) and a bunch of other stuff from the back room into the box as well.  There is more but I have to look through it first.  I even got rid of the bags that I haven collecting from the deliveries for dinners and lunches.

I heard from Debra this afternoon.  I wasn’t near the phone at first and I am curious to know why it wasn’t ringing loudly.  Anyway we couldn’t talk long but she wanted me to know she got the text and email.  I realized later that the entry with Liz’s text wasn’t sent to her yet but I read it to her.  She said basically not to engage the lawyer.  At least someone told him what is going on. 

I was looking forward to tonight’s but they couldn’t hear me and they were not clear (there was lag) and garbled.  CY says there is some interference.  I just hope it is cleared up by tomorrow for the trivia game. 

I think I will go to bed and start the day tomorrow.

Every effort

I was going to make every effort to get things done today.  Well, I had a slow start by mid-morning I managed to Empty the dishwasher, one load of laundry,, and finished yesterday’s entries and posted them to the blogs.

I was also going to get to the gym this morning and haven’t happened yet and at this rate not going to until later this afternoon or before I go to bed.

I wrote a letter to my pal in KY Kathy F since I haven’t heard from her in several weeks.  I haven’t a reply yet. I will work on organizing the whole pen pal files later.  This evening I was watching Summer H’s live video from NC.  She does it once in a while.  I am not sure I want to watch her do some letter writing while she is videotaping this but what can I do about.

I also made the last of the cookies.  I made six dozen.  The batches I made only did two dozen at time….I think it’s enough…I will put them in the trays probably Sunday morning.

Aw Damn I just found out that an actor I have watched for years in all the shows over most of my life passed away today.  He was Robert Walker Jr .  He came from a family of actors from the 40’s and 50’s.  The first time I think I saw him was on some of the westerns I would watch and then of course his iconic role on Star Trek.  As I said he has been on many of the TV shows I watched over the years.   There was another iconic Star trek staffer.   Her name is DC Fontana.

DC Fontana was born Dorothy Fontana but when she became a writer in Hollywood at time women didn’t get those jobs she changed it to DC Fontana.  She was one of the writers of the Hit show Star Trek and its subsequent sequels.

 I did get another Christmas card done this time was to my cousin Bill and his family.  He has an updated address and I went to check on Whitepages.com and they wanted me to subscribe and start paying!!! Fuck that shit.  After 20 free searches they start to charge.  Did I mention they could FTS?

Need to get Moving

I have nothing major planned for outside the house so I need to get moving on the shredding and clearing out.  Heard from Liz late in the evening and suggested that Lawnguy might be able to help with the bulk trash and stuff like that.  I don’t know if I should call him or text him.  I do know I have to go through the house and continue to tag the stuff for bulk, and what I am keeping but the latter keeps changing.  While writing this I ended up calling and leaving a message.  I just hope it got to him.  He did text me and he says he will get back to me.

Remnants of Hurricane Dorian are supposed to come through late this afternoon and evening.  We should get some rain but high winds, and some flooding.  I have been putting off grocery shopping all week I will need to get something this morning.

Debra and I will have a phone session since neither of us want to be in the middle of the bad weather.   Just got confirmation

Cable provider for area is out as of 8 pm.  I can text and use my cell phone but that's it.  I did check landline and it has a busy signal.  Checked the TV a couple of times and called neighbors. 

All I managed to do is go grocery shopping, make dinner and watch TV and sleep.  Considering that the internet is off I could probably do some shredding.

I deeply convinced I have issues with the Thermostatfor heat display there is something wrong with it.  I have changed the batteries on it twice and it doesn't fully display.

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New Month

It is a whole new month and new goals.  I managed to clean out some emails and update a few files this morning.  Unfortunately it still takes too long.  I even tried to use the shredder and its still jammed (pos).  I appreciate people suggesting I take it to UPS and have them shredded it I don’t feel comfortable doing it.

So i changed course and decided to get some laundry done and get it out of the dining room..  I will put them away later.  

I did more email deleting from the yahoo account.  I have to admit it is a little freeing at the same time nerve wracking that I may have missed something important.  Of course I wrote the important stuff down in files.

The shredder is cooperating so I did some of that as well.  I need to spend more time with that.  At least before my dinner arrives at 4 :30.  Outback...

 the rest of the night I didn't do very much laundry. But I did watch television. I tripped over the laptop and I think I broke it again. I hope it'll be okay by tomorrow I'm going to leave to rest