Today is the last Day

Today is the last day of the Big E.  I passed up going this year. I didn't get invites to go any way.  Most weekends I have had other things to do and didn't want to go during the week.

I understand that. Actor and rapper Ice T will be performing there today.  I would have loved to hear and see him. I am hoping that I can read people's blogs who have gone and what they thought.

I did ask my friends and colleagues who did go over the last couple of weeks how they felt about and they enjoyed themselves for what they went for.

I don't know if there any more harvest fairs in the new England area to me the end of the Big E means it's now on to Christmas.

Okay so the repair guy came and said that I had the settings wrong and it's ok now.  Charged for service call.

After he left I got ready for Canvassing.  I was delayed getting there because I had stopped at neighbors to give lawn signs and chatting with Darcy’s parents who came for a visit.

I arrived to HQ chatted and then took off to meet up with people in a part West Haven I wasn't familiar with.  One of the adults was obnoxious because I was late. I told her off. Because I ended up keeping her company in the car while the two younger canvassers were walking around.  Ann the driver was really impatient with everything. She had to be somewhere by 5. She could have left us and gone home and I would have finished and drove them back. I still drove them back anyway.  I guess it was three hours I helped but felt I could have done more.

It was about 6:30 as I was heading home and stopped at Popeye's for dinner. When I got home I said the cat started eating my dinner and watch TV for a few hours. And also started the dishwasher again because it needs to be filled and emptied today.

Today I'm still learning how to post from the phone that my various apps and it seems to be working.  Computers still missed

In about 2 hours I'll be heading over to headquarters for about an hour and a half cuz we will be doing an activity probably canvassing with the young Democrats who are helping out today but I don't see me doing the canvassing because I don't much time with that so I'm going to find something else like phone calling or card Signing.

This afternoon I have bingo at 2 and then I have to go to church. Never made it to church this morning I slept instead.

I just have laundry to fold everything's out of the washing machine and dryer so fold them and hang them up and then spend the rest of the evening doing nothing tip watching television again.

The Big E

Earlier today I saw semi truck with an Ad about the Big E.  The annual Eastern States Exposition held in West Springfield Mass.  I also had seen a FB alert that said The BIG E posted something (I don’t know about what I will check in a moment).  It prompted me to go check the site for the Fair. 

It is usually the last half of September and this year  It starts on September 14 and ends September 30, 2018.  While I was on the site I noticed it has dates for the 2019, and 2020 seasons.  I haven’t seen that before.  At least I didn’t think I have before.  Usually they post future dates once the the fair is over for the season.

Anyway the schedule looks interesting.   I am hoping to make it this year.  It's been a couple of years since I last went.  It of course depends on prices, time and my own schedule.  The prices went up to $15 adults.  Maybe I won’t be going this year after all.  Its like I said in the Festival Season post i made earlier this month.  Some festivals are just getting too expensive to enjoy between all the money for the different things.  It will be interesting to see what other bloggers have written about it.  If anything.

I see that Catherine Hickland is going to be one of the shows there.  Who is Catherine Hickland?  Well mostly she is an actress that appeared on numerous tv shows including that of Knight Rider with David Hasselhoff.  Whom she married and divorced in the mid 80’s and 90’s.  Anyway according to her bio she is also a hypnotist.  (skeptical at best) that’s what she is going to be doing at the big E.   IF I go I don’t think I will be attending that one.

There are a few local fairs around here.  The Stratford Open Market is Sunday, The Plainville Balloon festival, and Haddam festival as well.  Two are pretty far away.  Unfortunately I don’t foresee myself getting there.

I just had a session with Debra and I am feeling pretty good.  I just told her about the fight with Liz and how she is trying to be like Mom.  Trying to control my behavior in public. Just like how she doesn’t want people to do it to her.

Now I am going on my walk so I better say good night.

The Balloon Festival

I recently went to the Balloon Festival in Goshen.  

The BAlloon Festival is held in Goshen every year on the Goshen fairgrounds.  THere is also a food truck festival and arts and crafts festival as well..  Tickets were $14.00 for adults and kids under 5 got in for free.  For those who are 55 or have Handicap ID’s got in for $8. It started on Friday at 2 and ran until ten or 11 first night but the hours for the rest of the weekend were 11 to 10 on Saturday and 11 to 8 on Sunday.  They had balloon rides and tethered rides as well (for those of us afraid to go flying).  WHen I told my sibs about it they both asked me if I was going to go up in one.  The only answer  I gave was not sure.  It depended on if the rides were extra or not.

I was under the impression Dave was out of town but I got a message from him saying I could meet them up there.  So when they left they called me (I had been ready since 10:30) I headed out the door to the bank and got money and headed to Goshen.  It was an hour long ride so we agreed to meet around 1 at the front gate..

It took me about an hour and half to get up there and it was a beautiful ride.  There were only two concerns I had...the direction in which to go when there an option to go to Danbury or to the right way.  The other was this huge hill right before Litchfield Green.  They have a stop sign and the traffic was heavy.  I was afraid that I would be rolling the car back down the hill..  

It was sometime after 1::30 and let them know I was there.   I was able to park in the handicapped parking lot for a lot less than I thought..   At least I didn’t have as much mud as my friends did.   We met at the agreed location and chatted and began our trek for some food..  

We looked at the various trucks offering a huge assortment of we stopped at one place that had italian food and I had a sausage and peppers panini and soda.  I think it came to about $7.00..  I was actually quite pleased that I didn’t go through the entire Food truck Festival like a tornado.  I did get apple cider donut for $1..00..  I got some water and another soda too.  The lines were pretty long but moving.  There was only one truck I recognized and that was Lenny and Joe’s fish truck from New Haven.

While we ate our lunch we sat and listened to characters from disney shows perform various songs from the movies and sing-a-long. Early on Dave and I  managed to get a picture with Ella from Frozen..  We also listened to a local country band Jay Southerland for awhile until we decided to explore the arts and crafts area..

During our walk we saw many different vendors for curb appeal, inside decorative and house management.  We also met up with the owner of Circle K Animal Farm from East Hampton CT.. We had a lovely chat about the varied sheep, and goats..  I even cooed over another couple’s fur babies.

As the afternoon grew to end the weather had definitely changed.  It had been very breezy and we came to the conclusion the balloons wouldn’t be going up anytime soon.  It became definite (at least for me)  when the skies turned dark.  The clouds come from what I am assuming is the lower berkshires and NY.  I decided then I would be leaving for home.  Dave was hoping I would stay longer in case they did have the balloons go up.  I am glad I didn’t.

It started to pour as I was leaving and the traffic from the Fairgrounds was long and occasionally tiresome..  What would normally take 8 minutes to drive down 63 took me a freaking hour!  It was just about then I called mardi and chatted with her so I wouldn’t go ballistic.  It was also just about then that the rain storm was subsiding into sprinkles and occasional sun beams.  

I still had another hour and half to go once i made it to Litchfield Green.  I also had to go to the bathroom really bad too.  I was really glad to be home by 8. I was ready to go to bed by then.

Before going to bed though I had gotten a few more text message from the guys.  I had sent them warnings of traffic and visibility and such.  In the end they stayed until the storm passed and were able to see the balloons go up.  The downside of waiting was being stuck in a field of mud for five hours as was anyone else that parked there.  A greedy tow truck Driver was charging $100 to get people out of the mud..

Overall I would go again and maybe wait a little bit longer for the balloons to go up.  For $8 I was expecting to see the hot air balloons setting up at least and be there throughout the day..  I was relieved though to be in bed at 1 am instead of on the road at that hour..

The Big E

Yesterday morning The Eastern States Expo began its 21 day annual event.  It has been going on for 99 years now and according to the reports from the local TV station they have new vendors, new foods, and are dealing quite well with the some traffic challenges.  They have also the standby vendors. 

I don’t remember the first time I went but I have been there several times through the years and it was mostly with my friend Dave.  Some days were pure rain, sunshine, most times very long days as we never got home before midnight.  I remember seeing the Mandrell sisters, Trisha Yearwood, John Tesh, and probably a lot more.  There were some unforgettable acts too.  None that come to mine.  According to the Big E Website attendance Records were broken at 73,213 yesterday.  I am not sure what todays will be.  You can find the daily schedule on their website.  I am not sure when or if I will be going this year.  It depends on what is coming up. 

Today has been fairly quiet and lazy.  I have some aches and pains (the shoulders) and the breathing spasms have been hurting in the chest.  In no way think it’s a “heart attack”.  It’s just very annoying and at times painful.

I called Liz this morning to let her know that I had talked to Jim yesterday and told her the news he had some chest pains earlier this week.  We hadn’t known he was prone to this but when I spoke to him later on in the morning it happened to him right after he was here for Mom’s living treasure award (he had been in a car accident that same night on the way here).

The weather today has been nice.  It’s about 80 degrees and not very sunny.  I was going to the post office but I haven’t anything ready for there yet.  So I am staying here.

It’s Hawaiian pizza for dinner tonight and its here…

Dear Friends

August 17, 2013

Dear Friends:

It is an absolutely beautiful day.  The sun is shining and the temperatures are I think in the high 70’s.  It is low tide right now.  

This morning I walked to and from the center of town.  It is a 2 mile round trip.  I took my time and managed to run into people from the DTC.  I went to our tent and chatted while they set up.  Then I talked with JanetM about who else? Mom.  Then it was time for me to sit at my post across the street. The second tent from the DTC was providing “a service” of sorts.  Voter Registration and the updated information on the redistricting information.  We provided locations of the new voting locations.

When I got back from the festival I relaxed both packy spent time downstairs while preston was up here.  I had decided to get lunch and go to the store for grandma and pop.  I got back here around 2.  

Nancy had called asking for some things they left behind and so her father went up and got it as I was walking back home.  They have Livia all set up in her dorm now.  

I called Liz today.  She had a setback with MS.  I think what I call a flare up she was really sick this week and is back on the steroids.   She did ask me not to say anything to Mom.  She was enjoying her time by herself.  Everyone else was at Sweet Baby James Christening.  

Now I have the NCIS Gibbs Rules Marathon on in the background.  I am also surfing the next for a little while and then finish watching the rest of the marathon.

Take Care,

Kate

Dear Friends

August 16, 2013

Dear Friends:

Its Friday and there is a lot going on today and the entire weekend.  This weekend I will be pet sitting for some friends and attending the Milford Oyster festival.  IF Oysters are not your thing (and no it isn’t just Oysters there) you can check out these alternatives.  There are festivals all over.  I always think that I want to attend these thing and then remember the expense, travel,health and then I sit down and say no.

Work went well I mail volume seemed really low for Friday and of course I had a HIPAA Training class justa about the time mail was scheduled to arrive (Weeeeeeee). Ironically  I was back from training before the mail came.   Before i left for Nancy & Patrick’s house I stopped and got my prescriptions that i placed earlier this week.

Chairman V has been asking me to send out emails asking for volunteers for the last few days for setup and cleanup and during the day as well.   I have had a few responses to those.  I have also had a few responses to the district meeting reminder for next week.

I didn’t get to the pups until 5.  Mr & Mrs H were having company and so I brought the dogs upstairs for a few minutes (one to drop off my stuff) and I am not sure but I think they still have company staying here.  After I dropped my stuff I started taking them on a walk.  Packy headed back down to his grandparents as they were having guests.  After the walk we visited with the “party” and then went upstairs.  When I spent time w/ the H’s they said their guests didn’t leave until 7.  

Now that they have been fed, watered, walked twice we are going to bed.

PS:  I spilled water on my password list and some of the passwords are smudged!  I am going to have to print out another or use the memory stick.

Take care..see you in the morning..

Kate

Carnivale

Today was supposed to be the Mardi Gra Carnival at the nursing home but because of the GI outbreak/quarantine it was decided that we would put it off. I called Thursday or Friday and left two dates for Natalie to pick and then we would have it one of those two dates. She wasn’t in so I have to get back to her on Monday.




I was kind of glad the carnival was cancelled because I still had the ‘non-priority mail’ to still do. I have to remember to keep the dates clear so that I can be at this carnival. I hope she picks the one in March.



The sun was starting to come out as I left the office. The temperature had risen a little bit. By the time I got home the clouds were gone and it was getting warmer. It is now 51 degrees out.



I got a chance to see my little girl Lilly this afternoon. She is completely healed from her procedure. D didn’t want her to jump much during her recovery because the sutures were inside and if they should rupture she could have had internal bleeding and die.



Mom came home around 3 or so and I had her leftovers. She had a good time. Martha gave her a little gift. 4 little sheep three are white and one is black. One of us has to decide who the black sheep of the family is. AT first I thought it was cute but now I am not so sure.



DM called me to let me know that she had spoken to Roberta and she said that I would be sending out the check and she wanted me to know she hadn’t gotten it yet. Well that’s probably because I have not sent it out yet. Now I have to get it ready and mail it out to her. I have been too busy.





We got a phone call from Diane inviting us over for dinner so we are having a late dinner tonight. Mom has wanted to cook a chicken so she will do that when she gets back from church this afternoon.



Well I have some bills to pay and things to ramble around and do so I will check in with ya’ll later…

More Wintery Weather expected

It is six in the evening. I have been home a while. We just finished dinner and it was pretty good. Mom made spaghetti and clams. It was exactly what I asked for and it was satisfying.




While we were watching the news the weather report came on. It seems we are getting more “wintery weather”. Rain and snow mixed in during the night. There are high winds expected as well. As usual they are recommending people take care and don’t go out if you don’t have to. I don’t need to be asked twice.



I heard from Dave today I finally got a hold of him. He was telling me Lyman Orchards in Middlebury is having a mini-winter carnival this weekend. He was wondering if we could do it on Sunday. We talked about it and I would like to go. The time frame would have to depend on the status of the quarantine at the Nursing home.



Once we established that I would call him and let him know we started catching up. He has been working. He went to dinner at Savin Rock Roasting Company in West Haven. He saw Dan’s ex there. However she didn’t recognize Dave. We will catch up more when we get together on Sunday.



Mom says she isn’t feeling well this evening. Her stomach is bothering her and feels it’s the food we had last night. It was greasy in some aspects and that doesn’t do her any good. Tonight she is taking it easy.



Tomorrow she wants to take apart the Stereo system in the dining room. It is no longer usable. I was going to try to do it tonight but deciding to do it tomorrow instead. I can do that after work.



I think I am going to clean out some emails and update files for a bit. I also think I should pay some bills before I get really screwed up.



Have a great night. Stay warm.

Festival Day

There are three festivals going on in the area. They are The Walnut Beach festival, The Woodmont Day, and the Savin Rock Festival. The Walnut Beach one is tomorrow and the Woodmont Day and Savin Rock Festival is today. I am going to the Savin Rock Festival to hear Gayle’s friend Eugene play with the 5 Satins.

The Woodmont Day festival is basically one huge block party. Streets around the park are closed off to most vehicle traffic and there are games, rides, and food. I have been to it over the years both as a participant and volunteer. It was fun.

Before I do that though I need to work and hopefully get stuff done at home. I have already cleared the area for the guys to install new electrical stuff. I probably will be online through out the morning.

No Pirate Festival Today

All Week long I had thought the Pirate Festival that I had received an invitation to was for this week. I found out it is next month. It is on June 12, 2010. However, I may have a conflict with that day. I think Jolyn’s sun’s Graduation party is the same day at her church.

After a few phone calls to Liz I told her I would stop by and see her and the kids for a bit. After work I left there and headed to her house. The traffic was pretty slow going. When I told her this she started accusing me of having no patience. I told her I was fine (she thought I was giving the finger to traffic). That really annoyed me because she was wrong and I told her so. She smugly laughed. This is what really annoys the daylights out of me. She is so quick to judge either the family or people she feels have victimized her that she doesn’t realize she comes off really arrogant. Luckily my annoyance didn’t last long because the kids were playing and making me laugh.

Unfortunately the next door neighbors were not being great influences on Jason or Audrey. Liz didn’t want them to be shooting the Nerf guns at each other and young David ignored her. I think a part of me would have as well. AT the same time the young man should have listened to Liz.

As a result everyone went inside and we had hot cocoa and chatted. Jason had to clean up and hug and apologize to Audrey for telling a lie about hiding her Strawberry shortcake kitty on her. Actually as I am thinking about it Liz is a manipulative woman and one of these days the kids (parents of) are really going to school her.

Around 3:30 I took off for home. When I arrived Mom wasn’t home. She went to the 4 pm mass. I had called her earlier to let her know about the pirate festival. The first time I called the phone went dead. I called back and left a message.

When I did get home I watched TV and had some toast. I was really getting hungry and the pop tarts and gourmet jelly beans were not cutting it.

Mom came home from church after 5. We talked about visit with Liz, what she did for her day, and finally about next week. At first we discussed driving arrangements, meeting time, and meal time. Mom says how it will be paid is “she will put it on her card and I will give her cash or what ever after.

I had the left over spaghetti for dinner and Mom had a hamburger. It was basically fending for our selves’ night. I spent time on the net and paid some bills.

I decided I was not going to do very much for the rest of the night. I was tired and wanted to relax. That’s what I have been doing.

August 16, 2009

Good Morning everyone! It is almost 7 am and I am up early. Yesterday was a great day. According to the New Haven Register it was phenomenal. There were a lot of people in the booth by the time I got there and we got a lot done by the time I left. I didn’t go straight home I ended up sitting with Tessa and the other Democratic Tent up on the green. I was there for two hours then I headed home.

During that time I made calls to Dave to let him know where I would be and for how long. I wasn’t sure. AT one point he was having breakfast at a restaurant by City Hall and then just around 11 he came by the Tent on the Green.

I also ran into some other people I knew and one of them was Dottie B. It was okay. AT one point she was making comments I thought were digs to the club and Telka. Tessa was telling her about the club. We both told her we were in the same club. Anyway it seems as if Dottie joined the Milford Woman’s Club I found myself saying one of the women I met there was a bit blunt. I look back and realize that wasn’t the nicest thing to say but I was being a bit defensive. After Dottie left I told Tessa about the history of the Junior Woman’s Club and the woman’s club and the activities that had occurred most recently with our own club and DB and the other ladies (if I haven’t gone into it here I rather not it’s a long story).

Before Mom went to the Bridges tent she stopped at ours and relaxed for a bit. We talked about things and about the day and just things in general. I was given the task of bringing home the supplies she brought for the food tent and her sweater.

When I left it took me over 25 minutes to get home. When I did get home I had about an hour and half before going to Cheryl’s house. I spent the time online reading my emails, reading the message boards, and testing the mini vacuum on the car. I also got Bryan’s gift ready.

I left a little after quarter of 2. It took about 35 minutes and it rained for a short time. I didn’t have any real problems except for driving past the exit I needed so I had to go to Wallingford and get off and back on. I think there was a road that I could have taken that got me to their house from there but it wasn’t too bad. I had thought I missed their street so I went back to Mansfield and timed the instructions and kept going.

When I arrived many people were there. Jason and Audrey were hiding big Eyes (like the Gieco Eyes all over the place. Everyone was sitting on the patio downstairs instead of upstairs. I spent a lot of time with the kids and even went swimming with Jason. It was a blast.

Mom came about 3:30 or 4. She was exhausted. She ended up getting lost again on the way in. It is a concern (or offense) to Nel and Liz. When she left it was probably about six and Liz says is she going to be okay. I told her she will be fine. She realized it wasn’t my job to watch Mom. I wish they wouldn’t make a big deal each time we get lost on the way to Cheryl’s.

When it was time for me to leave I called Dave to ask him the best way to get to his place via the Merritt or 95. When I called they were leaving the festival and picking up cars. We agreed that he would call when they were done with dinner. He still had to walk and feed Lulu and pick up his car from I think he said Rose’s. So I headed home.

When I got home Mom was in her office drained. She heard from Jim and it seems as if Thursday the 20th is the day we will be going to the Hudson River Cruise. I can take that day off. I will ask for it when I get back on Tuesday.

For the next couple of hours I washed and hung my bathing suit and towel. Got online and checked out the tennis tourney schedule and called Dave to tell him the only game on the Friday is during the day. We later agreed to do it if I can get the day off.

I did get into a tiff with Mom she was once again criticizing the way my clothes hung on me. I was pissed and walked away. She got snotty with me and I didn’t want to be bothered. I was venting not sure if she heard but I came back down later as if nothing really happened.

I can’t remember what time Dave finally called me (it may have been 9) and told me to meet them at the condo. I left shortly after that.

Jim his new roommate was there when we went in. WE spent the next couple of hours talking about festivals, condo living, and healthcare, and movies. Some of the stories I heard before and others I didn’t. Jim is discovering new things about Dave and vice versa. Jim had to tell Dave to allow me to finish a story I was telling.

It was nearly 11 when the mini party broke up. I was home by 11:30 or so but didn’t get to bed until after midnight.

Today is going to be low key and laundry and maybe rest. I will talk to you all later!

Birthdays and Festivals

Today is going to be a busy day for me. Today is the Annual Milford Oyster Festival. I will be working with the DTC this morning prepping the food for cooking. We have a tent that sells food. We usually do hot dogs and hamburgers, and gyros and fried dough. This year though no Gyros it is too much to keep an eye on. After I do my stint there I am going to be walking with Jim Amann our candidate for Governor of Connecticut.

Once that is done I will be coming home and getting ready for Bryan’s Birthday party. It is at 2 pm but I still need to get a card for him. I will be giving him money for his birthday. Then I will leave here by 1:30 or so and get to their home in North Haven. Mom will hopefully join me there.

The reason I said “Mom will hopefully join me there” is because she is still not feeling well. I am going to give her myself number when I get to the tent so that she if she needs me for something she can have someone call me.

Today is also Dave’s Birthday he is 46 years young. He says he will be at the Osyter festival at some point (probably when it starts) and then he and Rose will be having dinner later at his place.

I still have to get the tickets for the Pilot Pen Tennis tourney and I hope I can still get them for the 21st. That’s the only day that Dave can attend because he will be leaving the next day for his Alaskan Cruise.

Well the iron is hot and I need to move along. Have a great day.

Last Day of the 2008 Big E Season

Good morning. It is after 8 and I haven’t done very much. I will be leaving shortly for bingo and church. I gave Mom the biweekly shared expenses check and so that‘s paid. The next time I pay her again will be the first weekend of October.

I have been updating my calendars and noticed I missed a few things for additional purposes. I will have to check other sites as well. I want to make sure I have everything I am supposed to.

I just checked my emails and so far one person has responded to my weekly newsletter. It was Marie C. She is from my pen pal lists. I think we may be on several lists together but not really sure. My pal from Alaska got snow!

Well it is now after 1:30 and I have been home now for about an hour. Bingo went well. I chatted and served coffee while Virgie got the residents. She managed to bring 21 residents in. We played until 11:15 and it was great. The residents were cooperative and playful.

Half way through the games this morning I realized today was the final day of the 2008 Big E in West Springfield MA. I just did a whole search on any blogs for the big there were a number of them from various sources. One place was Dave's Cupboard. Apparently it is a food review blog and it sounds like he is from Connecticut but not sure. Another is from a theme park site that reviews the rides and everything else. I was kind of hoping to get blog entries from visitors whether they are exhibitors or jut attending because they like to go. I am sure the administration of the Big E will have their final blog entry for the year in a few days. I did notice they don’t always write every day.

They posted like two entries for September 23. The highlights were the Big E Circus. I attended that two years ago and it was very good. Even though I remember feeling slightly closed in. The other one for that day was a Cake Decorating Contest. I don’t know if they ever had that before and perhaps next year we will see it if they have it. There was an entry on Jordon Sparks. I highly recommend you read this blog before they close it and open it for the 2009 edition.

Dave and I were supposed to go with some friends but we never discussed it beyond just thinking about it. I had offered to drive us because Dave’s car is way too small to fit us and now that the huntress is in the shop I won’t be able to offer. I guess we will just have to wait until next year.

Mom left a little after 2 for the Open Doors Auction and she had a beautiful black skirt with a black top with an orange jacket. We had some fun with it because she thought she looked like a pumpkin and I said no you have the fall colors on. Now if she had the word “Boo” on her blouse then she would have looked like a pumpkin. I don’t have a camera or access to load it to the web but you will need to use your imagination.

Well I am going to go through more of these papers and get rid of them. That includes updating the pen pal files as well so I will see you later.

Oyster Festival

Man I am exhausted! I was up by 5 and Mom was a short time later. We started getting ready for the Oyster festival and we left in separate cars. I got to Mike and Tessa’s Office by 6:30 or so. After they were setting up the tent for Voter Registration we headed down to the food court. The sun was just starting to burn through the fog. There wasn’t much activity and we were early. Mom arrived a short time later then as it got closer to 7 more and more people came and we began the food preparation. There was a significant less food vendors this year and I am not sure I can explain why. I think one of the reasons had to do with finances.

I was very impressed at the way the tent was set up. It didn’t seem to have the clutter and tight spots it did last year. My first job was helping shuck the corn. After that I helped with cutting the tomatoes. Mom left around 9 and I left a short time later. Everyone was doing something and we had one of our first visits from the health department inspector. They don’t fool around at all.

When I left the food court I stopped and talked with some friends from the RTC. One was a classmate of mine from school (elementary and High School). We were talking about classmates and teachers. The others were former club mates from the woman’s club.

There were a lot of people up in the center of town. Walking around and setting up their tents for the day. For the next several hours I spent it with the voter registration and Planned Parenthood. Mom was at the Bridges Mental Health Clinic tent. I went to see her to move the car from in front of the trash bin. I went back to my post and saw some friends and fellow DTC members who were there to do there parts.

Even Governor Jody Rell was making the rounds. I felt bad for her security guards who passed our tent. They were in full dress (jacket and tie). I could see Mrs. Rell from where I was standing but I didn’t actually get to shake hands or anything.

Mom left around 12 or 12:30 and went shopping. I left after taking a quick walk to the food tent. I was hoping to get something to eat but didn’t. Why not? For one I had no money on me and I didn’t feel comfortable just eating without paying. Two it was busy. I headed home. I had to go out by the hospital and by West Main Street and then out by Liz’s house. I got on the highway I think. It is becoming a blur now.

It was nearly 1:30 when I got home. Donny and Pam and the pups were just getting home from their vacation. They looked great and I got a cute Gettysburg magnet. They also had gone to visit his father and step mother in either South Carolina or North Carolina.

I brought in the groceries Mom had gotten from the store before coming home. She was weary and upstairs in front of the computer. I checked my mail and I got my stocking and the Insurance reimbursement yeah. That will come in handy.



The rest of the afternoon I relaxed. I had clam chowder and stuffed clams. Our neighbor Kim made it for us last night. I loved it but it was clearly salty. Yes I am paying for it tonight.

The rest of the afternoon I relaxed. I even fell asleep while watching something on H&G TV. I watched the Searchers for the umpteenth time. As always it was great. I watched a bunch of other things too. None of them really held my interest for long.

We had dinner around 5 or 6. We watched our regular PBS fare and the news while we had chicken and potato salad. The Shelton Little League lost their game on Friday. They have another one tomorrow. The news report showed how the team is getting home town support by watching them on the TV and the local bars up there.

WE had a thunder shower around 4. it didn’t last long but it was nice. I don’t know if other places got it more or how it effected the rest of the festival. It probably didn’t.
Anyway, I am starting to get a headache and I need to get some sleep….see ya all later

The Big E starts today

Well it is finally Friday and the end of the week. I got up with a little headache but didn’t take anything until I got to work. I put some clothes in the dryer, had my breakfast, and showered and dressed and updated my checkbook.

New England’s Biggest Fair starts in a few hours. The Eastern State’s Exposition AKA The Big E covers all six states and is 2 weeks and three weekend’s long of the best exhibits, games, midway, food and entertainment. I usually go with Dave but because of past experiences I decided I wouldn’t go with him but with a co-worker. That all changed because of my financial status right now it doesn’t look like I won’t be going this year.

There is a couple from Waterbury that won a chance to get married on the midway and I think that is supposed to be tomorrow. The main concert they were selling tickets for (Ludacris) was cancelled because of low sales. There are two other concerts they are selling tickets for during this time. I personally don’t think they should be doing this but this was something they started last year. The concert tickets for the major concerts are $38 (Daughtry) and $30 for two others. I grant you that admissions for the entire day is $12 to 15 (depending when you go) but include the rides, the food it can cost a pretty penny and you could spend $100 very easily.

The mail guy is running a little late and I had to call him. This doesn’t bode well for me. Anyway, Jim said he would be here in ten minutes or so. Well he came after 11 am. He told me Mike was at the Italian Food Festival in NY. The Nerve of him!!! I think I would merit an invite don’t you? (JK)

I just did a poll question at my 360 blog and hope that people will answer. I never know if this will work properly. I even did a search at Yankee magazine.com to see what other festivals there are but the site has changed in some ways.

Around 1 I called Mom and she was still cleaning the dishes she will be using at the Meet and Greet. She says I have my car insurance bill waiting for me. I have it ready I think. I am trying to remember if I can pay it next week or should I do it today.

Well the mail is opened now it has to be sorted. I have the readdress mail to do plus the bad addresses. I just don’t feel like doing much of anything. I am feeling a little disorganized.

Okay well now around 2:30 I put the rejections and the rest of the readdress mail away so I could work on the bad addresses. It is pretty quiet back here now except for the occasional walk by of fellow co workers.

It is now after 3. I broke down and did an IOU to Carol E for a couple of candy bars. I will have to pay her back on Monday. I am going to post this and write again later.

Well I was just heading to bed and thought I would write one final time. It was nearly 4:30 when I got home. Mom was clearing out old papers and bookshelves when I got home. It was mostly my stuff (financial statements) that she was keeping. I decided to write out some bills, open my mail and watch some of the charmed Marathon.

I also put on my DVD of X-Men 3 the Last Stand. I was watching it via my Real Player to see if there is any real difference. There doesn’t seem to be. I started to weed through my own papers in here. I really didn’t get very far. Only half of my desk is organized.

We had dinner around 6. It was spaghetti and meat. We watched the news and Mom was so upset by what she heard. After Dinner I came back upstairs and watched the movie and tried to get the desk cleaned. As I said didn’t get that far. My headache returned. I have taken some ibuprofen but it hasn’t kicked in.

I am going to bed right now though.

Long Day

Well my day started out around quarter of 6. Mom got up too. We got ready for our day at the Oyster Festival. We had to be there by 7. I think I left around 6:30 quarter of 7. I parked the car at the office and headed down to the food court. I arrived t here to find no one at our tent. We were stationed near the end of the Food Court area. After a while people began arriving. others had to deal with their tents filled with water. THe storm that passed through during the night was pretty strong.

When more and more people started to come we started setting up the food preparations. Mom came after a while. For the next two or three hours we cut the vegetables and stuff like that. Around 10 I headed up to the other booth in front of New Standard Institute to man the booth there. I was there for a while I had to put on my jacket because it was very windy and chilly until mid day.


Kerri came alittle after ten after some activities she participated in and we walked around for about an hour introducing Kerri to a few people and chatting with others. We decided to walk down back to the food court and have lunch. I think that was about the time I checked to see if Mom was still there. She had left.


The activity level at the food tent was picking up and I didn't really want to get into that right then. I had a cheese steak and the rest of Kerri's food because she couldn't finish. When I was finished I went back up to the other tent and stayed there until right before 4. I took a few breaks and went inside. I even got some lunch for Laura. Laura told me Roberta stopped by for a quick hello.

At one point Kerri came back to the tent and shook hands and stuff. She decided she wanted to go home and make campaign phone calls so she told us to tell Rich, Tessa, and MIke she was walking around. I called home to see what Mom was up to. She had tried to get up to the other booth but couldn't because most of the side roads were closed off. She decided to go home.

Around 4 I had gone back for dinner. I ended up having fried dough with Sauce and soda. I some how got drafted into serving food. For the next hour and half it was pure hectic and tension. People were developing attitudes and it wasn't helping my stress level. Now I know why MOm says she doesn't stay all day.

I think there were some problems with the health inspector but once the food was pretty much sold out people became normal.

I got to see Mary G and Rose and Dave today. I got a chance to talk to them and introduced them to Rich Smith. Dave was acting stupid. He came up with "I didn't know you worked at this. I knew your mother Did." I looked at him and told him I have been doing this for two years. He was playing stupid. He knew I was there last year because we went on the cruise in the harbor when the festival ended. When I went home early last year he kept questioning why I decided to go home when I said I was going to stay the whole day.

I had to tell them I need to get back to work. As the deadline for serving came closer I was talking with some others. Then I headed up to the Office and relaxed. Everyone I walked into said my face was red. I claimed it was the lupus and stress. I am not sure how long I stayed at the office but we were talking about politics.

I called home a second time to check with Mom to get a knife count. She told me and so we hung up and I got ready to leave. I tihnk it was six thirty and for the most part clean up started through out the town.

Mom was finishing up dinner when I got home at 7. I told her how the day went and more detail of the stress level. I told her people complimented and thanked me. I didn't want to here any possible lectures.

I got into my pajamas, made some phone calls and started washing the whites I had on today. Actually I think I need to check them out...