Slept in Again

 

Since I have been on recess from work I have been able to sleep in a little more than usual.  I actually get up and feed the cats and have gone back to bed until 8 in the morning.  Today was no different because I didn’t fall asleep until 3 or so. 

I spent the time surfing the net, trying to catch up on some of F-lists, and updating calendars, and doing some crossword puzzles.  I have a headache.

I put through some laundry and it should be finished soon.  All I need to do is fold the clothes on the cedar chest.  I will get those done.

The Finding Friends meetup have two text messaging groups now.  There are about 13 or 14 on each.  Sometimes it’s confusing but I did learn a couple of things.  Stefanie whom I love despite some things she is fan of is not a big Fan of Mei and didn’t want to include her on the main text group.  I may have mentioned that at times I have not always felt comfortable around Mei.  So she put it out as a majority rules and we all agreed to include Mei.  Stephanie has made it clear that a girl Heather will not be added to the one list.   I am not sure what happened but that can be awkward. 

The reason we have two lists Cyn got a new number and prefers us to use that number but now I am not sure which one to use at times.  I did send her a text asking why Stephanie doesn’t want to include Heather.  I don’t think I will get an answer but I would imagine it’s sort of the same thing with me and Mei.  

I decided to text Cyn and she called me back and we spent nearly an hour discussing the things that had transpired in the group.  I admitted that Mei has rubbed me the wrong way at times.  I would like to say I was shocked by the actions of Heather but to be honest I am not.   Gillion is treading lightly here because Heather hasn’t done the things she has done to others to her.

We got a dusting and mostly rain during the night and will get it again tonight but for now we have sun and some clouds and the temperature is 39 degrees.  By early afternoon the clouds were more prevalent and playing a game of hide and seek with the sun.

I ordered the stuffed bread for Saturday and will be picking it up before going to Dave’s place.  I just need to set a reminder and I think I did.

I had a chat with Mama Roberta and everyone there is fine.  She did share the news that our friend Dan is in Hospice.  It was sad.

Now that is late in the afternoon I am going to watch another NCIS marathon.  Many of us on a few forums suspect that USA will be letting go of their contract and that’s why its returning to IONTV next week.

 

Christmas Recess has begun

 

                                                                                                                                      December 23, 2020

 

 

Dear Debra:

                Well the Christmas Recess has begun and I have been looking forward to it for a while.  I usually do every year as it is the break from work.  As you may remember over the years I am usually pet sitting for friends and usually splitting my time between two homes (and my own kitties).  It was tough.  When all I wanted to do is relax and be lazy or get ready for the holidays. 

Well as you know I have already said I am not doing much for the holidays because of the recent changes and of the finances.  The most decorating is the door hanger from Kristy I received and the tree from Dave and his gift and the Christmas cards I received so far.    My hope today is to get out Christmas cards to as many as I can.  I may have to find the New Year’s Eve cards I got last year and send them next week.

                You had asked me in our abridged session this week what I would be doing for the holiday and I asked Liz and she said dinner.  So like Thanksgiving it will be the four of us for a quiet dinner.  Liz and Nelson haven’t been in the Christmas spirit because of the Pandemic and quarantines.  They did get some creative ideas for gifts for the grandkids in state and shared them with them last week and it was a huge success.  I think it may have lifted their spirits a little.  We agreed that we would not be exchanging gifts this year.   Of course every time we say that either of us does give the other something. 

                The weather forecast for the Christmas holiday has called for a bad storm (mostly rain and high winds).  I have been getting weather alert updates from the cable company for the last couple of days now assuring customers they will be on top of things if something goes wrong.   I think I will need to go grocery shopping again this afternoon.  It’s going to be crazy there I am sure.

                I can’t believe it’s been over a week since we officially moved in.  It has become quite comfortable that we feel we have been here forever.   The cats are currently next to me sleeping.  Sky is under the blankets and Tiger is curled up on one side of the bed.  I have not had the urge to drive to the old place even once.   My plan is to do the office while on the recess.  I am already tired of having the door closed. 

I have to make some calls to Condo President today.  I have questions about the monthly fees like where do I send the check,  and do I pay for December?   If I miss more than three months in a row it will be messy and a Lien can be put on the condo.  I also want to check with him about having contractors submit their licenses prior to work.  When and where?

Once I get those questions answered I need to call a plumber to fix the water connection to the washing machine.  It is leaking and rusty.  I don’t want to spend $200 plus for this to be done.  I don’t know what a reasonable price is for it. 

Well I better get my day started.  Have a great one and I will check in with you again soon.

 

                                                                                                                                      Kate and the kitties

 

 

Last day of work before the recess

 

I am not sure what I was originally going to call this because it’s on the hard drive at home.  I think it was something close to this title.  So yes today is the last day of work for the next ten days.  SR sent out a cute Holiday message and many other admins and departments across the campus followed suit.  Everyone from the team responded

 

DG and I discussed what we should do when we return as there will be a huge backlog of mail.  So we plan on working together as a double team and focus getting out as much as we can without overwhelming ourselves.

 

There were a small number of people in the office today.  Many took today off in preparation for the holiday.  It was pretty quiet for most of the day.  Supervisor left after 2:30.  When I left there were only three left in the office.

 

I did scanning for the entire day.  I straightened up my desk a little but not by much before I left and ran for the door.  The sun was in setting mode and it wasn’t too cold.

 

I was planning on going grocery shopping but decided against it.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect (pandemonium probably).  Besides that the drive was a little slow at times.  I must say I still haven’t made the mistake of heading to the old house even once since I moved.

 

I stopped at the mailbox before coming into the house/condo.  It was empty.  That’s okay I can catch up on card writing.  I came in and the cats were coming out of the bedroom.  It was nearly quarter of 5 so I fed them, got some hot chocolate, and watched tv for a while.

 

I made some dinner of steak and nearly made a mess.  Too much oil to begin with and it spattered everywhere and on me.  There was still an oily smell in the kitchen so I went to put the ceiling fan on and I am use to turning it on at the source and it wouldn’t go on.  I had forgotten there was a switch for it.  I finally found it and turned it on.  I will have to check the chain to make sure it can go faster when necessary.

 

I spoke to Liz today.  She had a really hard day for herself.  She was recently diagnosed with diabetes (its in our family) and she also has Barrett’s disease.  The doctor told her she is really sick and it needs to do it.  There is a lot of factors involved here but Liz also knows it was the food she was eating.  She has to cut a lot of things out and she says it will be hard but she will do it.

 

The one highlight that probably made her day better was facetime with her newest grandbaby Aiden.  She sent me pictures of him wrapped up like an elf.  He made funny faces at her too.  He is beautiful.  I believe he will be going home tomorrow.

 

I have to make sure I get an email off to Dr. T.  I have been having problems trying to get the pictures I took of the condo to her.  I hope it works this time. 

 

Tomorrow I need to make calls and clean the condo.  I can’t believe I have been here a week already.

Rainy Friday Again

Dear Debra

I had a great sleep (even though I didn’t fall asleep until Midnight).  I didn’t wake up until quarter of eight. Stayed in bed for another 30 minutes then did the morning semi routine.  I just let Preston out but we didn’t stay out there long. I was certain that when I get back to Nancy’s I would have to take him out for the walk.

I go to my house just around 10.  I had made a stop at the Card shop to get sympathy cards for my Aunt and her children.  Since I didn’t have updated addresses for her son Steve or daughter Kathy (NY but other than that not sure) I was going to send it to my Aunt’s.  I almost forgot to put Kathy’s name on the card!

I did our normal routine for the Phelan Clan.  Albeit very late. They seemed to have scoffed up the food.  Sky has been very vocal. He wants to get into my old room. Today not happening.  Tiger is sitting on my bed.

I also called my other Aunt who lives in Texas.  She has had a rough few weeks. She went to see her son in CA for Thanksgiving but had to come home because her husband Ray had a rough time (and getting worse every day-Alzheimer's) Betty also lost her sister just before Rosemary’s husband passed away.

Neither of us heard from the Foliano branch of our family either.  The boys lost their parents over the last ten years. Their Mother Pat (Dad’s youngest sister-Rosemary is the oldest) died in March of 2009 while their father died a month and half before Mom did in 2014.  

I have been trying to call my cousin Judys number but it was the wrong one.  Betty said she would send it to me. I will just have to wait for it.

In the meantime these cards will be mailed and I will update their contact information once I get it.

I tried to order from outback restaurant that is nearly five miles away from me.  They say I am out of the delivery area. WTF? I was really annoyed. I think this is utterly stupid and BS.  I won’t be going there anytime soon.

I may go to the bank and deposit the coin I have had wrapped and sitting around my room for months.  It beats sitting around doing nothing. Actually I have a few more things to do before I leave here for the afternoon.  

I ordered from Peapod and it will be here Sunday between 9 and 11  I didn’t think I could get here any sooner than that anyway.

Well I need to run...

Rainy Day for the end of the week

This isn’t a normal fall day.  It's almost 60 degrees and raining when it should be snowing and cold.  Will not debate the global warming theories here. In all likelihood it is that very reason.  For the first time in years I heard the siren go off to warn Woodmont residents of flooding. I can’t remember the last time (maybe during the last hurricanes or bad storms).  I would later see pictures posted to social media of the waves crashing over the walls and the flooding along the beach. Happily it doesn’t affect me unless I go towards West Haven from my street.  The marshes do get full but not to the extent of reaching to our properties. Not sure about my time at the beach house though.

Tonight I meet with Debra for the last time this year.  We will resume our sessions after the recess. Maybe with one phone session but I will keep her posted as I Have been with blog entries.

I will go to the gym after that and then get going on the shopping.  Mostly the kids. I am wondering if Diane and Rogier or Ethel and the rest of that branch of the family are expecting gifts?

I actually got an text from CHeryl about a yankee swap and so I am participating and immediately ordered something from Amazon for $25 (tumblers of something) and it should be here sunday.  Now I could have thought about getting stuff for the kids on Amazon. Next time I will think of that.

I will also stop at Christmas tree shop and get more cards and then go to the post office and mail the letter.

I ordered the breads from Julia’s bakery and will pick them up on December 31 at 9 and then drop them off at Dave’s place after I go to the dentist.   I sent him an email giving him the heads up. I have no idea if he will be in town that day or on his way home. He got the message and he pointed out I wrote Jan 31 instead of December 31.

I managed to get 6 treasury batches done today.  Some of them were large and some not so much. The last 45 minutes of the day cleaned down the desks and relaxed actually.