Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

Yesterday afternoon  Roberta called me around 1 yesterday afternoon and invited me to an impromptu Mexican TRain game with the Krevlins, CHarlie & His wife and of course MOM Roberta and Papa Mike.  They picked me up around 5 pm.  We had \pizza from Zuppardi’s in West Haven..  I had believed I had never been in Krevlin’s home before once I got there I remember being there..   It was a lot of fun.  .  I haven’t seen them in so long too.  I didn’t get back home until after 11.  We talked about lots of stuff and of course the setting the clocks back for Daylight savings or whatever.

For some reason the USA network is blacked out on the TV in the bedroom.    I think I may have pushed a button to mess it up because its working on the other TVs.  I tried to see if there was anything I can do to reset it but I have decided to just let it reset itself.

Today I am doing bingo and then later on this afternoon head over to Liz and Nelson’s for dinner.  Liz won’t be there until 4:30 but Nelson is cooking for the “kids” so I am heading there about 3.  She called me late yesterday afternoon after I called her a couple of times.  SHe got herself a new car.   She is getting it next week and its a Honda fit.  Right now she is driving around in a Camaro and she doesn’t like it.

Now that we turned the clocks back I managed to get up at 6:30 this morning just about the time the lights went on. I am glad because now I can get dressed in the semi dark.  That means they will be going off by 8 I think.  I am not adjusting the timers.  I have a feeling the one downstairs will now go on at 3:30 instead of 4:20.  the one in the bedroom will now probably go on an hour earlier.  I  am sitting here thinking I shouldn’t be writing the schedule of the timers should I?  

I just remember the clock above the sink needs to be changed.  Yuck.  I don’t want to have to climb up there.  I will have to do it later today before I head over to Liz’s.

Well I am going to read some blogs and then get ready for bingo.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

This weekend has been a pretty busy weekend and the weather is clearly changing.  Yesterday started off with a couple of hours with the woman’s club selling cancer awareness bracelets and running into old friends as CAthy O from the literary club with an invite to the next meeting in November.  I also ran into Danielle and her beautiful little boy.  They shared great news that Danielle and her family are expecting a new baby.  

Around 1 I went to Liz and Nelsons and waited while they got ready for the party we were heading to.  Yesterday was also their 17th Wedding anniversary.  I really should have bought them a card.  Oh well.

Anyway the drive to Jess’s and Chris’s house was beautiful with the beautifully colored trees.  The sun shining for a short time.  We seemed to arrive by 2:30 (and late even though we left on time).  There were so many children and family members.  Lots of food and some rain moved in.  The party culminated with a visit from Elmo  We left around 5 and I was back home by 6.  I was tired.  I didn’t have dinner so I called it a night.

As a result of the early night I woke up around 4 and didn’t really get back to sleep.  I stayed in bed for a long time.  I did write in my health blog.  I read up on my F-Lists.    I got ready for bingo and left after 9:15

I took some time to say hi to Sylvia and  Pup-Pup who ran out to me.  We thought for sure he would just keep running but he didn’t.  We talked about her week and my week.  Then I had to go or I would have been late.

Bingo went well and we had a full house.  Bob was there and I got a new name tag.  After bingo I came home and the sun is shining.  I actually have a some stuff to do before meeting up with Dave for dinner.

Yes I said Dave.  He sent me a text message on Friday that I didn’t read until yesterday inviting me out to dinner tonight.  He wants to go to Plan B for 6.  I looked at the menu this morning but there is just so much there. I hoping to be a little more healthier in choices than yesterday.  

Well I better get going I am not sure what I want to do first but I am tired of watching TV right now.

Kate.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

    It is just after 6:30 and I have been awake since 5:15 thanks to the little clock on the dresser but I have been up since 6.  I have already showered and had my coffee all I need to do is finish dressing. 

    It is another cool morning and is supposed to get into the mid 70’s until tonight.  I can’t believe I am saying I need to bring a jacket but sadly its that time of year.  I know we both love this time of year though so its time I guess. 

For weeks now there have been some leaves already turning.  Fall related ads have been showing up on TV (come visit Lake George), the radio, newspaper, fall related foods have been showing up in restaurants case in point the hot apple cider yesterday.  Several harvest festivals and fairs are starting up this week. (around the state) of course the biggest one in the New England is the Big E.   I am not sure if I am going this year as my “partner in crime” hasn’t asked and he hasn’t called since promising to take me out for dinner for a birthday.

Tonight is the first General Meeting of the Woman’s Club and I am really looking forward to going.  Its been a few weeks since I saw the girls and of course Telka, and Roberta.  I am interested in seeing if the girls that attended our ice cream socials this summer followed through and joined up.  As usual we are looking for women to join the woman’s club as well.  It hasn’t been successful of late but that may be the case for all community service based clubs.

Well I better get going.  I am sure I will be busy today.  I have one more mid-day appointment this week but that should be it for a while.

Love you
Kate

Dear Friends

September 14, 2013

Dear Friends:

How did you like the early morning Babble session huh?  I sometimes get the feeling I do my best writing when I should be sleeping and other times it makes no sense probably like this mornings.

I have been up nearly an hour and what a beautiful cool morning it is.  I checked the weather page and its just 57 degrees right now.  The sun is shining and it’s supposed to stay that way for the whole day. 

I have already started my laundry and I hope to be finished with it soon.  Mom has asked if I would do the shopping since she doesn’t have her car yet.  I am hoping she will get it back for tomorrow.

So what’s going on in your neck of the woods?  Well let’s see I know that the Big E started in W Springfield Mass.  That is the Biggest State Fair  in the Northeast.  All the states combined.  I always wondered why that was there and do the individual states have their own state fair.  I know or at least I think I know CT doesn’t.  I did check Yankee Magazine for CT for the next month and there are several great things going on.

Aw shoot.  Just as I sat down I turned my head for a second and that brought on a brief dizzy spell.  NO, No I don’t want them.  I haven’t eaten yet maybe that’s why I had one.

Well I have some emails to answer and move around so I am going to do that while waiting for the laundry.

Have a great one.

Kate

The Stamford Thanksgiving Parade

Today was the Stamford Thanksgiving Parade sponsored by local businesses and I believe this is the 8th year for it. It was starting at 12 noon so Dave and I left his house by quarter of 9 and we stopped at the Darien McDonalds and had breakfast. We got to Stamford by 10. The street was going to be shutdown starting at 10. So Dave and I walked around the book store Barnes and Noble and then at 10 I went to St. Johns Church which was right on the parade route for mass. Dave didn’t want to go so he walked around and then we got together after mass. We played telephone tag and apparently missed each other after the mass. We finally found each other a short time later.

We stood in the spot directly across and watched as the crowds gathered and a saw clowns, police (from various cities and towns) drive around. We even talked with other parade watchers. It was really fun. As the time came the parade started at 12 but got to see it by 12:20. There several marching bands from Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, NY towns such as Uniondale, and New Rochelle. The floats were wonderful. I can’t even begin to go through the list but it was fun. The grand marshals were Mauri Povich and his wife Connie Chung who apparently tape the shows right at the Rich forum auditorium on Atlantic Avenue. Dignitaries included Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy and Governor Jody Rell. Of course Santa Claus was there as well.

After the parade we decided to walk down to a Dunkin Doughnuts and get some hot chocolate. We were going to stop at Atlantic Pizza but the lines were long so we went there first and then walked back and got in and had dinner. After dinner we went back to the bookstore and I bought two books. They were Treasures of nursery rhymes, fairytales and poems for children. There were ones for 1 year olds, up to 6 year olds. I got one for Jason and Audrey. After we bought them we went back to the car and drove home.

It was probably 4:30 before I got home. I made a stop to the Pharmacy to get some essentials and then was home after that. All in all it was a great day.

I have gotten into my pajamas put some stuff in the laundry and did some web surfing the net and set the VCR up to tape tomorrows Regis and Kelly. Here’s hoping it works.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I will be getting up early and out to work early. I see Debra and then I will come home. Mom has virtually given me permission to not attend our Cousin Mary’s wake. That’s okay too because I am looking around this room and it will need to straightened up.

Well my eyes are beginning to droop so I best get this posted and get some stuff done before I can’t do anything…see you tomorrow.

Kate

The Snow didn't last long

I fell outside the office this afternoon. It really was embarrassing and annoying I believe building Maintenance should have done something when the snow started to hit the ground. My knee was bruised for most of the night. I was glad I didn’t have to go out tonight. Happily the snow didn’t last all night it finished by 8.

Work went well. I got most everything done. I will have to finish the bad addresses and the readdress tomorrow.

I called the doctor who was doing a study on binge eating and she called me back just as I was leaving and we spoke on the phone for about 20 minutes and it wasn’t something I was interested in doing. Testing some new drug along with behavioral modifications and some of the questions she asked were a little much.

Pie in the Sky

It is almost 8:30 Sunday night and I am exhausted. First I did my bingo with “my team”. I was the first to arrive and started the coffee. After a while the girls came and they started getting everyone. I had made the announcement so the residents were starting to come down anyway.

The Bingo session went well. I started the games and the girls finished them. As soon as it was done we headed to Telka’s.

The girls had to do some things first and came later. I arrived just as Donna K and her Mom were arriving. Telka greeted us at the door. Roberta was near by. I was pleasantly surprised because I expected her to be with family today. Roberta had the days mixed up.

We got started on the whole process. Telka gave us instructions and then the assembly line began. The 120 lbs of apples were washed and then we started the peeling and coring while the toehrs got the other ingredients done. The next several hours there was fun, laughter, food, and stories. We even had our pictures taken and we were featured on local cablevision 12 news. NO I wasn’t on TV but it was fun to watch. We made 35 to 44 pies. We even got to have some of the pies because we even took some orders.

Roberta and I left Telka after the second clean up (we had been cleaned up when the media arrived) there were still several pies to be baked. It was nearly four when we got to Roberta’s house. I stayed for a short visit because the sun was setting and all I had were my sunglasses. I had left my regular glasses at home.

When I arrived home Mom was out shopping. I wasn’t sure where she was at first. I looked around for a note but there was none. Only a candle she had left going. I decided to sit down and watch TV or actually let the TV watch me. It is Sunday so most of it was whatever was on the PBS stations. I did watch the News on Cablevision 12 but the segment didn’t go on until 5:18. Mom arrived home shortly after that.

Over the last several hours I spent time watching TV, emptying out the dryer, moving the roll away bed down to the blue room, and writing up my weekly newsletter for the lists. As soon as I am done with that I am going to bed. This week will be a very busy week.

We have no heat this morning

We have no heat this morning. Mom noticed the thermostat was reading 50 degrees and so she went into the cellar to restart it and it would not go on. So she has a call into the repair guy and they will be here sometime this morning. Mom has been reluctant to put the furnace on but last night and this morning was cold. I have two sweat shirts on and one pair of sweat pants and two slipper socks and a pair of slippers. I am comfortable for now.

Mom told me last night that her brother Ray is not doing well. He was in a nursing home for a few days from that surgery he had this summer and apparently had an infection and is back in the hospital.

This computer is extremely slow and I hope I haven’t done anything to it. I had to turn it off at the tower at least a few times. I had changed the desk top to a picture of Rich and I am wondering if the pictures may have had a virus?

Well it has been several hours now and the computer is working just fine. I guess I was growing impatient and a little frantic for no reason. I am able to move around from site to site and the documents.

I just did a search for Taal Volcano and it incredible. I had gotten a card from one of my pen pals as a thank you for helping out with her group. I am going to read more about it later but the pictures are beautiful.

I got the second insurance check from One Beacon for $1,246. Mom suggested I find out about the cost of the rental. I need to see if this money goes to cover the rental as well as the repairs to the Honda. I did call Ed and left a message for him.

The furnace repairman hasn’t come here yet even though he called shortly after Mom called the answering service this morning. Oh they called looking for directions. Mom’s giving it to them now.

Mom is going out to dinner with her friend Martha. It’s their standing date every Saturday. I am probably going to have the pot roast for dinner or the rice ad chicken. I did see spaghetti in there but I think its way too much for me to eat.

Whoohoo~ we got heat about 4:30 or so. The house is comfortable. Although I think I will stay with the extra clothes on anyway….

Well I am going to go do some paperwork in the files and see what or how much I can get done...

Going Apple Picking Today

Good Morning! I am leaving in 15 minutes with Dave to meet Mary and her sons at the restaurant for lunch and then go to the Orchard. I suspect we will also do the Corn Maze. That should be fun. Not really but what the hay.

Hey everyone I am back. It has been a long day. Dave didn’t get here until around 11:15 and we had to wait a bit because Mary was still at church. I told Dave they should have said this originally. I mean I could have done bingo if I tried and also went to church. I was going to go at 8:30 but by the time it came time I didn’t.

We started off at 11:30 and headed to the Meeting place while we were driving Mary called and said she would not be getting there until 1. So we made a few side stops. (Now that I am writing this so late I can’t remember what order they were.) They were Dunkin Doughnuts, Vinnie’s garden shop they all didn’t take very long.

Mary and the kids were just ordering when got there (we had no trouble finding it). It was in a lovely place on Route 66. Yes Connecticut has a Route 66. We sat down and then gave our order. I had chicken nuggets, onion rings and water. I think Dave had tuna something.

While we were talking Mary had to reprimand or scold her son Eric a few times and encourage her other son Garrett to eat. She was saying that Eric was spoiled and that her MIL spoils him and then criticizes her for not disciplining him enough. Something I have felt on a number of occasions.

After we ate we took off for the Lyman Orchard Complex. We met up with our friends Julie and Keith. They brought their son and another little boy. We went to the Corn maze and went through it. It was $8 and as in the past went to the Cancer Society. This time it was in the shape of a lady bug. As in the past there were trivia questions and some extra stuff too. It got a bit hairy a few times.

Once we were done with the corn maze (maybe an hour later) we stopped in the Apple Barrel shop and did some shopping and tried the samples. I didn’t buy anything but everyone else did. Julie and Keith had to leave for home but we decided that we would do a pot luck dinner for November 1. Once we said goodbye to them we headed to the Orchard and did some fruit picking. Before we left Mary was a little annoyed with Dave for taking his time at shopping while she had the boys who were getting bored. It was not really Dave’s problem but he also does forget he is with other people.

First we headed to the Pears and got separated from Dave. I stayed with Mary and she had to scold the boys. I called Dave to see where he was but I saw him as he was coming back.

Our next stop was the Apples. I got just over 4 lbs while Mary was picking some and so where her kids. Once we finished we chatted and she admitted or criticized Julie for making comments about disciplining her kids or letting the kids stress her out. Dave was totally ignoring it but I made some suggestions (and observations) that counseling might help. I also said that some people feel they can discipline other people’s kids in their homes or set boundaries. She didn’t seem to buy it. I asked Dave later if she said those things not only to criticize about Julie but in around about way tell me not “to discipline her kids”. If they had gone on ahead or something I would say something and I asked and she said she had no problems with it. She also felt her SIL’s were too strict. I felt differently.

We said goodbye and headed back home. The ride was fine until we got to Milford. We got to Merwin Avenue and I asked Dave if he could help get he bulk trash out with me so Mom wouldn’t have to. (That was my intent but) from there it went to hell very quickly.

He hemmed and hawed and said he wanted to go walk the dog first and get some pie for Mom and me. Well I got angry because he wasn’t taking me home first and was reduced to us call each other names and him almost throwing me out of the car. He reminded me that the day after his father died I bitched about Mom but did he say anything no. I realized he was right. I apologized and I offered to go back and get the dog walked with him and we would do the bulk trash after. Things were fine after that. We emptied the car and then came back here.

I was apparently pretty hyper when I came home because Mom commented before I left. She has no idea what had preceded our arrival. We talked about the corn maze and how successful I was at the apple picking and how we found our way with little difficulty.

Once we had gotten enough stuff out for now Dave and I went back to the house and walked the Dog and then he had dinner and I had a piece of pie and then he drove me home and I apologized again.

Mom was watching and having a late dinner. She was exhausted and wanted to relax. I went upstairs and watched TV for the next few hours. I got into my pajamas and put the AC on. I was watching Philadelphia (1993) and something on the History channel about the Twin Towers on 9/11. It got to be too much.

I also checked some emails and answered some of the ‘Sad News’ replies when I posted last week about Dave’s Dad passing. One of them was from Telka. I was so embarrassed that I hadn’t seen them before this. I replied tonight. I also got an email from my friend Michele P asking about Lyman orchard. I hope she got the link with ease.

Mom went to bed a short time ago and I will be following suit. Tomorrow I go back to work. I was checking the work emails and found one from Stephanie M. She had the revised documents I had given her to use while I was on vacation. I have no idea what to expect when I get there. I am still concerned I will be spoken to about the stuff under the desk. I hope not but this will be chance to start out fresh again.

Well I better get going. I am too wired to get to sleep. I may throw out some more papers and then hit the sack. I am really worried that my alarm clock won’t go off. It was ringing when I got home.

Lyman Orchard

I went to Lyman Orchards with Dave yesterday. He called around 10 and invited me to go along with him and our friend Mary and her two kids. We decided that he would call me when he was finished with his errands and we would meet at the commuter parking lot at Old Gate Lane.

We left after 12:30 and got to the Lyman Orchards a little after 1. At first we went to the orchards but couldn’t find Mary. We tried at their Apple Barrel Shop and we caught up with Mary and her kids. We went shopping for something to eat and then went through their corn maze. The corn maze was okay but a little frustrating when Mary had to discipline her kids for one thing or another. It took about an hour or so to go through it.

After the corn maze the kids wanted a couple of pumpkins so they all picked out some. I didn’t because well I had already spent 15 or twenty dollars for the day. After we got the pumpkins we climbed in Mary’s Van and headed to do some apple picking.

I just watched them pick the apples and it wasn’t long. I did call home to see if Mom wanted some but she had gone out shopping so we headed back to our car and then home. It was nearly 5 when we got to Dave’s house.

While Dave walked Lulu I chatted with Patrick. I also called Mom to tell her that we were going out to dinner after church. After Lulu was walked Dave and I headed to church for mass. Patrick stayed and continued to clean and replace things that Dave has away in storage.

We arrived just as mass started and sat near the back. I could see Mom from where I was sitting. Father Steve said Mass too. I told Dave about how he did the mass for Gail the previous week. After the service was over we went and talked with Mom and then we headed to the Cracker Barrel. I had fried shrimp with hushpuppies, and corn, hash browns, and carrots. I was starting to not feel so good. My arm and hands were hurting as well as a headache.

We drove back to the commuter parking lot after that to pick up my car and it was after 7:30 when I got home. Mom was in the back sewing a pair of pants and watching TV.

I spent the rest of the evening trying to sleep. I was exhausted when I got home but after two hours I couldn’t sleep. I finally had warm milk and it seemed to do the trick. I finally fell asleep about midnight.

Today I went to bingo while Mom went to Mercy Center for Mass and the Surprise Birthday Party for her Friend from the Knitwits Gang. It was a pretty good day at bingo too. It was Priscilla H’s 94th Birthday.

This afternoon I washed some clothes and spent time watching TV and checking out the Internet. I was updating some pen pal files and emptying or at least trying to empty out mailboxes.

I think I better get to some letter writing before I get really tired. I can feel my arm start a little achy.