the Woman's Financial Conference

I woke up around 4.started getting ready and was out the door by 6:20. The Moon was in the western sky and was just as beautiful as the night before. It was still dark when I got to Telka’s house but an hour later as we made our way through the Merritt parkway the sun was rising in the sky which made the surrounding trees look beautiful.

On the way to the convention Telka and I talked about club stuff and about Ted. The club stuff is Telka is interested in taking five girls and go on trip (that’s usually done through schools) and use it as community service. She is in the process of getting mrore information on and will send it to us via email. There are some international trips as well as one here in the states. It is something I am very interested in doing.

We got to the convention center a little after 7. We registered and got a “good bag” with things inside it including a book “The Power to Prosper” from the keynote speaker Michelle Singletary. We went to the various tables that were there to sponsor the conference and get information if we needed. There was a continental breakfast and then opening of the conference by the CEO of YWCA Hartford Region Debra Udall. She gave the history of, the programs available and encouraged all of us to join the YWCA.

After the welcome Denise Napier gave some remarks and thanked those involved and encouraged all members to be empowered. Then Michelle Singletary spoke. She was funny and enlightening and down to earth. At some points she spoke very quickly and I kept thinking Mom would not be able to hear very well.

After the opening of the conference it was the first break time for the morning and this time fruit and yogurt and power bars. I was very proud of myself for just having coffee and yogurt. The first set of work shops began at 11 I had .Making Debt and Credit Work for You
Understanding debt and the implications of your credit history can be overwhelming. This workshop will provide valuable information about credit history, different types of debt and how to borrow wisely. You will learn about options for starter credit and credit reestablishment. Information will be provided about different type of loans, loan structures, fixed and variable rates, credit cards and revolving credit. It was led by a non profit organization that helps clients with budgeting and other things that get them to better work with credit.

Telka had Getting Started in Investing
Learn the rules of the game, what to expect, and how to pick the right investments for your goals. Investment terminology and getting started in investing can be intimidating. This workshop will equip you with the terminology and empower you with the tools necessary to get started.

Around 12 we had another break. We compared notes but I couldn’t help but feel I didn’t get enough info. I wrote some notes and was given a handout about credit card laws.

The second set of workshops started around 12:45. I had The Basics of Money Management
Learn about how it all comes together. This workshop focuses on basic money management skills, setting goals, developing a spending plan, reducing expenses and debt reduction. Real examples will engage you and empower you to manage your household’s resources and achieve your financial goals. We were done by 1:45 pm I had to wait for Telka.

Telka had Protecting Your Assets
Learn how to protect your auto and property from the unexpected; from a hurricane to your dog biting a neighbor. .Auto, homeowners and personal liability insurance will be covered in detail. This workshop will answer questions such as: How much insurance is enough and how can you keep costs down? Do I need renter’s insurance? Does a higher deductible on my auto insurance make sense? How much liability insurance do I really need? What will happen to my rates if I file a claim?

After the conference we talked about coming back next year and bringing others with us. It will be the 10th year for this event ad I think it would be very good.

On the way home we talked about work, politics and various other things. I think it was nearly 3:15 when I got home. I wasn’t sure if Mom would be home from Torrington from the Father Whitson Dedication wing. I am not entirely sure what it was about. She didn’t get home until 5:30.

I spent the time eating a little bit as I didn’t eat much at the conference and I was watching the NCIS marathon. I ended up falling asleep (something I did a few times today)

I had toast, green peas, ice cream, and a couple of cheese slices. I really shouldn’t have had that because all day my arms hurt and ached. I was carrying around 2 bags and my pocketbook. I didn’t eat anything today that had salt or anything else.

Mom went to church and I continued to watch ncis and when she came home we talked a little bit about going to the credit union. She seems to think I should do something else. I didn’t want to get into it with her about it. She had dinner and I wasn’t hungry anymore.

Now there is about 2 hours left of today I might empty some more emails. The mailbox for my sbcglobal.net account is still not cooperating.

Woke up Early

I woke up pretty early this morning. The back of my mouth (the roof) was a little scratchy. For me that indicate I am going to get a cold or something. I took some Ibuprofen. My arms were a little stiff too.

I had a few responses from my journal post to the list. Ray loved the “Old Gate Lane”. He thought was a Jimmy Stewart colloquialism. Satia was remembering the last time she went to Cracker Barrel and she asked me about the money I spent. Some one else also responded but I have to go back and read it again.

My plans today are just to work. I think I have to finish Friday’s mail and the bulk mail and the readdress mail. I also have some letters and minutes to write up. Mom has a search committee meeting. She received some phone calls pertaining to it and apparently someone was stepping out of line again.

I have to remind myself to tell Debra that our session next week needs to be moved since I have an appointment with Dr Martin at the same time as our session. As a matter of fact I have to put my PTO request in this week for that appointment.

Well it is quarter of six and I want to rest a few more minutes before getting ready for work.

It is almost 10:30 and I am working on the Post office mail. I have been working on a small batch from Friday. I did get online for a bit but not long I hope.

Well its lunchtime here and I have a feeling I will be finished with today’s mail by the end of the day. That is if I can stop getting online. Actually I didn’t do too badly. I got on right before noon.

I talked with Mom earlier today. She wasn’t up long. She was just getting her meds and her coffee. We didn’t talk long. She reminded me she wouldn’t be home when I got home. She will be at that stupid and stressful meeting.

I have to find the papers from the MYWC board meetings and general meeting and I think I know where they are. They are in the basket next to my bed. I believe near the top. I have to do those before the week is out.

Well we got another safety Police report from the Yale University Police. Apparently over the weekend there were a couple of assaults and robberies.

Well it is after 3 and I am on break. Everything is going okay. It looks like I won’t be able to finish today’s mail until tomorrow. That’s okay.

I am now just finishing up for the day. Can’t wait to go home….

Well it is after 8:30 and I haven’t gotten a lot done as far as letters are concerned. I did get to answer emails but that’s about it. I have had a good evening though.

I had a quick phone call to Liz she seemed tired. We talked about stuff going on. She told me there will be a birthday party for Audrey and Jason on the 13th. I will get their gifts sometime in the next two weeks. It is also the same day I visit my friend Mardi in upstate Connecticut. I emailed Mardi to let her know that I have the birthday party to go to and see if it would be okay to come later on in the day. If I leave from Chris and Stephanie’s house it would still take me an hour and half to get up there.

Mom came home shortly before 9 and I told her about the birthday party. She already knew about it. She wanted to clarify with Liz birthdates for Adam and the kids. Mom seemed to be okay. Today was the search committee meeting and usually she comes home angry and frustrated by other committee members. Tonight that didn’t happen. She has an ally that is of the same mind as she is.

She also told me that she has been voted as the new Chairman of the Board of Bridges. She has been on the board for the past six years. Although she told me that as a board member you have a six year term and then alternate off and then come back or voted back on I guess. Apparently they don’t want Mom to leave.

During one of my checking emails I found that apparently there were more arguments on Liz’s list again. I don’t know how the hell I could miss it I checked it through out the day.

Well it is now after 9:30 and my fingers are a little achy. That’s probably because I didn’t take my medicine right after I ate. I did take Ibuprofen with it so it should be okay.

Good Night…

Wow What a Day

Wow what a day. I finally got to sleep around 1:30 or so after watching part of the M*A*S*H Finale on TVLand last night. I also had some warm milk. I had some really wild dreams to but I can’t remember them clearly. I got up around 6 and got ready for work.

I was on time for work but left the house late. There was a pretty good coating of frost on the car and Mom said she would look to see if we have the de-icing cans around. She forgot to look since then but will when she goes out tomorrow or soon.

Work went well got things done. The readdress mail is a work in progress. The mail really wasn’t heavy as was expected. I even told Shirley this and she said it will probably come when we least expect it. She reminded me that Insurance companies may not have been open during Christmas either.

I called Tim’s Auto to schedule a service check and that will be next Monday. I told them about the light and stuff and they will look at it. I called the UPS store and told them I would be there after work to pick up my ID wallet. It’s a good thing because on the way to work and on the way home I was really low on gas.

I called Mom to see what she was up to and she was just looking up information on narcolepsy and apparently she found out some distressing info. She told me this later on when I got home. She also did some other stuff that I can’t remember. Oh she made dinner too.

I did check the forums. Starchild responded to that thread I mentioned the other day about a guy starting and asking if Kevin was in rehab. I replied to her response as well. There was a post about Stripe yesterday. Apparently she isn’t feeling well.

I can’t remember any of the other things that went on. I tried to stay away from the personal forums and concentrated on work. I will check them out before I go to bed.

Oh the W2 forms were made available today. I forwarded the email to my home email and just printed out a little while ago. I will install the H&R Block Tax Cut this weekend or something. I had heard that the tax booklets would be coming out soon on the radio this morning.

When I got home Mom was making dinner and I was looking through my mail and checking emails. I got an email from Liz about getting together tonight and I also got an email from Telka.

Telka is scheduling a Board meeting for Sunday Jan 7, 2007 7 pm. That means I will have to leave Dave’s party by 6 or so. I hope he will understand. If he doesn’t then screw him!

I called Liz when I got the email from her. She wanted me to come over very soon. I told her we were just about to have dinner and we agreed that I would call her as soon as I was done eating. She was saying perhaps that she should do this (invitations seeking) by herself. She was saying that we really had to move on this party for Mom.

I told Mom I would be going to see Liz after dinner to see how she was feeling. When I called Liz back I told her the “excuse” I used. When I left it was after 6 and I got to Liz and Nelson’s by 7 (at least I think-its getting foggy now). I talked with Nelly really fast and then we left.

Our first stop was Party City and we bought $25 worth of invitations. When we finished there we stopped at KFC for Nelly and then to Mickey ‘D’s for ice coffee. During this whole time we talked about what needed to be done for the party. She made comments about the boys helping out again. She says Jim would have good intentions but she knows he couldn’t and she said that Bob and Ethel should contribute considering that they lavished a party on John. We went over the list again and she hand wrote out one of the invites and we went over a list of what I need to do...

1) Call Stella Cretella
2) Call Rich Smith and if he can’t help
3) Call Tessa

I did say I wish I could do more. She reassured me that I am doing enough and probably will be doing more. We agreed to get together tomorrow night to write more invitations out. I just have to call her tomorrow before leaving for work. I probably will go right from work and won’t have to worry about Mom wondering. She actually wasn’t wondering tonight when I came home. She was concerned when I told her both Nelson and Liz were sick.

She is now downstairs watching TV and I did some too. I also spent some time looking over my mail. My card to Steve and Marika came back. They moved to Northwest of Boston so I updated my address books and will resend the card out. Mom gave me the address today. She talked with Aunt Rosemary today. I also got a wonderful card from Judy and Scott T (Rosemary’s Daughter and SIL) they now live in Asheville NC. They sent me a card of their family which includes their daughter Chloe and their three dogs. It is so cool

I went online to check out Stephen’s house and to learn a little about the town they live in. I have to check it out again (the info) but from the satellite picture their hosue seems nice. Oh the major income is $80,000. I am going to check out Judy and Scotts address online too. Well it didn’t have a clear view of the hosue but the surrounding area.

Well it is now 10 pm and I need to go to bed. I will see you tomorrow….