Thirty years ago today

It has been 30 years since my Dad passed away from a myriad of illnesses.  Most prevalent was (to my memory) kidney failure, but he had a host of other issues.  Lupus, High Cholesterol, a plastic aorta that was rupturing.  He spent the last few months of 1988 in the hospital.  Stressful beyond belief.  For everyone.  I think of him a lot but don’t go to the cemetery much. I have many memories of him as well as pictures around that brings on memories.  He was buried two days before my Mother’s and Brother’s Birthday and my Brother’s wedding anniversary.

When his anniversary comes up I don’t usually post to social Media.  The memory usually is different for both Jim and Liz.  I am pretty sure the next time I see Liz she will bring up events that happened around then and how she felt victimized.  Jim might be a little more understanding and reflect on how he behaved.

So today was another day of single digit temperatures in the morning.  It didn’t motivate me to move fast at all.  I didn’t leave the house until 8:45.  I did everything I wasn’t supposed to.  Dawdled with the shower, kept watching TV.  I did get to work a little after 8.  Checked in and then got to work on the scanning.  DG asked me to review the work she did for the mail.   I think I got a lot done scanning but not as much as I did the day before.  

I had caesar salad with Salmon and yogurt for lunch.  Later on in the day I my protein because I was still hungry.  I don’t like Caesar salad.  I recorded it all but didn’t send it yet to Alex.  I did send Tuesdays and wednesdays food tracking but I wasn’t finished with today's.  Alex sent me an email asking why I didn’t come to class.  Headache.  I was all set to go but decided to stay home.   I am going to class first thing in the morning. 

I had gotten a few responses to the cancellation last night and it was thanking me.  Didn’t hear anything else from the others.  Nicole was still going to go for salad.  Okay.  Go for it.  I am looking forward to the Hockey Game even though I don’t follow it.

I don’t know if I mentioned it but  Joan schedule a walk Sunday Morning! I am looking forward to that.  The hike I posted about in the Hiking group I have had one response.  Jerry says he can do it after 4 weekdays and weekends.  I told him I now could do it sunday afternoon.   No response.

I also bailed on DTC tonight.  I felt I wanted to stay home and eat dinner and go to sleep early.  Well the sleeping part not happening yet. 

It would seem as if my yard and the driveway had webbed visitors during the night.  There was poop all over the place and I noticed tracks.   I sent message to Next door Don and he apparently didn’t see it or notice it.  (the bird crap is not that hard to miss).  I may be spending time cleaning it up this weekend.

I have to call The Standard tomorrow and submit all my appointments for the month.  It shouldn’t take long.  There are only a few that I can remember off the top of the head.  I don’t want to have to it at the last minute.

I have to spend time doing laundry this week.  I have been putting it off all week.  Always thinking I have plenty of clothes ready.  I do just as soon as i open the rest of the dia boxes.  I have another one coming in a couple of days.

I have to update my monthly mail call too.  Have been neglecting that.  Haven’t written too many letters this month either.

Oh and the posters/fans for the NCIS show are still getting outraged that the show has been delayed or rescheduled for the last three weeks.  They make me crazy.

I believe I saw

The snow was lovely this morning.  The streets were already plowed and the sidewalks looked like they were plowed.  The temps got into the mid-40s and snow was melting all morning.  It will continue until the temps drop to thirty overnight.    The snow will be gone by Wednesday according to the weather reports.  The rain tomorrow should help it if it doesn’t get really cold.  It looks like we will have rain for most of the week.

It’s funny when I saw the report that we could see snow well into spring.  I figured it was for the entire country.  I should have read further.  I bet it was for the mountains in the Midwest to West coast.  Maybe we won’t get any more snow.  Over the years we have had snow well into April.

 I think I saw a Golden Eagle today.  It was spotted in the Marsh over the Oyster River out back by the stores.  It flew over to the beach and back over the house.  It doesn’t look like a red tail but its wings were expansive.  I was watching it for about 15 minutes and every time I spotted the bird I felt like I should call it a ghost as it disappeared. 

There have been many postings on Nextdoor about hawk sitings in and around Woodmont.  Some are being alarmists others not so much.  Don told me yesterday that a hawk was on the roof last week and then got into the eaves where the small starlings.  You can see the wire mesh destroyed.

 The kitties spent most of the afternoon in the bedroom today.  It was nice.  I spent the morning doing crossword puzzles, laundry, and cooking.  They came out just as I came back from bingo.  I fed them just before 5 and now they are quiet.  I think Tiger is beneath the bed.  Sky is asleep at the foot of the bed. 

Bingo went well but I got news that Maria the Recreation Staff member will be leaving after next weekend.  She got a new job that was closer to home (Wallingford) and she is in Administrative position.  She has been at the nursing home for 2 years now.  She will be missed.  When I said Bingo went well it felt like the hour was taking way too long.  We had 17 residents.  I stayed to clean up which was until 3:30 and then headed home.  I was surprised that Cole the HS volunteer didn’t come today.  I hope he wasn’t sick.  I have a feeling that his community service hours are almost complete. 

I finally bit the bullet and registered on Edge for an account so I can register for classes or see my progress (I think).   I really don’t know if I should sign up for any classes yet or not.  I don’t know if I can do the group Person Training classes or not either.  The times are really not conducive in the morning.  There are some classes after work as well.

I haven’t heard from my sister or brother today.  I actually got a late night text from Jim informing me he went to the gym.  I don’t know if he liked my response or not (it was “Kewl”).  I am expecting a call from my Cousin in NJ.  He said he would call me in about an hour (he was on his way home from work I think).  It will be a wait and see.

Until I get the call from L I will just watch TV until it’s time to go to bed. 

Grateful

I had been playing solitaire online on a new free website called World of Solitaire and I got a message around 9:15 from Peapod letting me know they would be arriving soon.  The driver did an excellent job.  Even without reading the instructions.  He parked out front and had everything.  WE talked about the driveways.

I sent an email to Debra to let her know how the weekend was going.  I also wanted to let her know the payment for Friday’s session should be arriving to her by the end of the week.  I also had let her know that I have an appointment at 5 the same day of our session.

Well I signed up for two swaps…they are due by September 30^th.  Kasi explained the partners haven’t been assigned and not enough people signed up yet.

After a several week absence from the neighborhood I saw Mr. Fox.  I had been talking to Don and Kim and her daughter and we looked over towards the sewer station property he was just standing there staring at us.  HE eventually moved on to the marsh.

I managed to do most of my to-do list.  I didn’t go to the bank but I can do it tomorrow.  I didn’t get the batteries because I didn’t want to be on route 1 any longer than I have to.  It getting over cast for me to do the flower beds (but I do have the gloves, and the mini flashlights).  I am still doing the laundry but I may not be able to finish it tonight.  I am getting tired.  I did take a nap.

I managed to get two letters printed up and one mailed and one waiting to be mailed (that is going to be tomorrow).  I didn’t get any happy mail today but I got mostly junk except for some TIAA Cref stuff.

Chairman Phil sent out announcement that we have a new P&Z candidate and he will be getting his material in soon.  Now we have a full slate for the campaign.  We also have been asked to help the rest of the slate with calls and envelope stuffing. I will call tomorrow.

Now I am going to have some tea and go to bed…

Funny Story for Thursday

I got a call from Sis last night on the way home from her meetings and she had driven by the street and so she decided to call me. She wanted to know how I was doing and I asked if she had gotten my texts. She said no.  It turns out I have been sending text messages to the house landline!  HEADDESK! 

We talked about getting a new cable provider as she is tired of the one we all seem to have.  She encouraged me to take a look at it as well.  It is Frontier.  I don’t remember the price she quoted me for her but it might be a little more for me.  She wanted me to look at some package that I currently have and see if it is good idea.  Everyone around here has been shocked at the prices Comcast has raised.

The meeting went very well.  It was quite busy from the get go.  The girls were all given a job to do.  Some of them had to put the final touches on the bird houses and the rest had to fill out their intro cards for the fashion show.  We had to change a few dates for the meeting in April and in June.  Still no info on the status of the club yet.

My session with Courtney was good despite the 2 lb. weight gain and I knew it was going to happen as I look back at the last week of the food and exercise.  We added an additional day of walking/exercise during the week.

Caught up with Mama R last night had a good talk about an hour’s worth.  We talked about the weather, family, and the meetups, and stuff here.  She says she still gets a little down because they are so far isolated.  They are still making plans for their trip North.  It looks like Papa is coming too!

I had a tough time sleeping last night.  The way I was sleeping bothered my neck and shoulder.  The kitties slept with me last night.  Anyway tried several positions…may have to sleep on couch or fix the pillows.

I decided to cancel my session with Debra today because I have a headache again and the neck ache and I am feeling a tad achy.  I am may just try the alka seltzer cold thing but I don’t know if that’s what’s wrong.  I may have to start up the CPAP machine again.  I have been sneezing too.

It was a beautiful sunny but cold day but it will only last another several hours as we are getting the snow after all for tomorrow.  I am planning on going in tomorrow but if it is really bad and I am not feeling good.  Then I will stay home.  The is a nor Easter predicted for Tuesday of next week.  I will see how it plays out before I commit myself to staying home or not.

Well this has been a week on the wild side.  Along with the raccoon there have been Bobcat sightings in the northern part of my town.  The normal warnings to not leave pets outside at night alone or any other time were in the article as well.

 

Much Cooler

IT was much cooler last night and it felt good.  It continued to be beautiful all day.  It is in the mid 70’s and will get into the 80’s but it won’t be as humid as it has been for the last few days. After the storm yesterday afternoon the moon was out and it looked like a full moon to me.  Tonight is actually the real full Moon.

Work was good.  In the morning before my appointment worked on refund checks and managed to work on the mail until I left for my Lupus appointment.  Some people are moving to new cubicles, LT is moving to the back of the aisle and MS is moving into her spot.  I love MS!  She is great and now won’t have to travel far to get the returned refund checks off my desk!

One of the Admins Dr. B sent out an email about the results of the “survey” about the new work stations at our new location.  Some of the suggestions that people made will be considered and some will not (no kidding).

The appointment went well.  I saw Dr. Sonia first and aside from not having the blood work done and had to go and get it done and then have the bone density done.  I was back at the office a little after one.  I still had to pee in the cup.  It didn’t happen until break time.  I dropped it off at Quest Diagnostics in their new location in Milford.  I didn’t know they moved until I went to their old location by the hospital.  So that’s taken care of.  I also got the Handicapped parking application and faxed that to the State.

I faxed the FMLA papers to the Cardiologist today and late this afternoon I received a call from him apologizing for losing the papers the first time and getting them today.  He filled them out and will leave them for me at the Milford Office on Friday. 

Liz suggested that I put the phone in the uncooked rice.  I haven’t done it yet.  I guess I am too lazy but will do it before leaving for work tomorrow.  I can still here the phone ring, the alarm clock still works, and the alerts whenever a new email or text comes.  If that doesn’t work the next step is going to be a new phone.

I made the lamb chops tonight.  That’s all I had.  I really need to do a better job at cooking and being patient when cooking.  For example, when you heat up a pan and olive oil it needs to be smoking a little right?  No I just dropped it in and had to wait until it sizzled.  They were still rare but not uneatable when I finished.

I have a new 4 legged roommate.  It’s the woodchuck.  He made a “B” line for the porch as I came out to water the lawn.  I contacted Lawn Guy Tim and told him and he suggested the moth balls again.  He will come and do something about the grass.  I asked him for a tutorial because I am still watering everything but the grass.

Did anyone see the article from Red Book posted on Facebook about the 8 myths of cats?  One of them was about purring.  Now I am worried not just about that but everything else…If they are stressing themselves out or I am stressing them out.

Well I think I am just going to bed.  I am starting to get really tired.  Sky is laying at my feet and I think he will want to come to cuddle with me soon.  Tiger is downstairs the last time I looked.  I always hope she will come up and sleep with us but honestly it won’t happen until probably the fall.

Dear Friends

July 18, 2013

Dear Friends,

I just got home about thirty minutes ago from the convention.  It was a good one as good as it could be.  There was a mention of Bobcats in a couple of speeches.  I had no idea what they were talking about....until I came home and read this.  Apparently there was a sighting of one in the northern part of the town  (I have yet to read it but OMG!).  I have heard of Bobcats being up north in the Litchfield County but never here.

It is still pretty hot and sticky.  It is 86 degrees right now.  Mom is downstairs getting things ready for the lunchtime meeting tomorrow.  She is planning on having salad.  I am not sure what else but that’s it for now.  If she needs me to do something I hope she asks.  In the meantime I am going to get ready for bed.

Tomorrow is going to be a very hectic day.  Everything going on at once (all afternoon).  I may not get on until late Friday night.

Kate

First TGIF of 2013

I am glad it is Friday.  i have been busy today.   I managed to work on some of the readdress and the lock box (and that was weird too).  The bank that handles our lock box must have had new people working on it because they had opened and stapled the documents and the envelopes together.  It was time consuming to unstaple everything.We had spoken to them about it when we first contracted with them and it has been fine until today.  JB said she would speak to them about it.

I met with Debra and we spoke about the holidays and how I respond to things when I feel being judged and criticized and find a way of dealing with it.  it was interesting.

When I got back to the office I finished opening the post office mail.  I think the way I did it today took too much time to do it.  It also didn’t help to be online either.  I basically would open a small batch at time sort them and then date them and open the rest.  I should have just gone through looking for checks and then open and stamp the rest.  I managed to get the mail opened and delivered by 4.  All that’s needed to do is the postage.  I can do that first thing Monday.,.

The drive home seemed a little long to me and that was because there was an accident on the highway between Exits 44 and 43. There seemed to be a lot of damage but no one hurt.  I could see a State trooper getting off the highway on the Northbound and I figure he was coming to the scene of the crime.  Just as I was looking at it I turned to see a deer along the tree line of to the right.  It was beautiful.

I saw another beautiful sight as well.  If any of you are familiar with exit 41 on 95 in Orange you will know there is a big Hill as you are getting off.  It is a safe bet you will find everything from Canada Goose to Woodchucks to deer grazing around there.  Well today I saw a hawk standing on the ground apparently grazing.  I usually see them in my back yard either flying around or perched high above the ground on tree limbs.  I am not used to seeing them on the ground like that.

When I got home the sun was setting a little lower in the west.  When I got inside Mom was in her pajamas getting dinner ready.  I helped a little (just set the table a little) and then did some other things because we wouldn’t be eating until much later.

This allowed me some time to get online and surf the web for a little.  I checked some emails and found out that a friend of mine who is on the DTC/4th District with me is featured in a local magazine.  He is cute (even if he is married)

WE had pork chops and scalloped potatoes and peas for dinner.  Mom used a recipe that she normally doesn’t use and I don’t think she liked it but I did.  I will have to ask for the recipe and take a look at it later.

I was thinking I could do laundry but I am not up to it.  I am not tired yet but most friday’s I like to relax after working all day.

I just joined this blog.  Walks is fellow member of my Journal Writing list on the Yahoo Groups.  I am looking forward to reading her blog...:)

Well I am going to go turn on my Friday night Radio programs and chill out for the night.  I hope you have a great one.