katesthoughts

Got to work and found out there was a major network upgrade going for the building.  It is not affecting remote work but for those who work in the office and the equipment and internet it does.   I have plenty of work for myself.  I will have to share with others until they get the okay to go home.  It was to last until 2 pm.  It had others annoyed because it’s wasting time for them.  They were told they would have used their time even if after they learned they have permission to go home.

I could use my phone for emails and texting.  Get to a few places on the internet but it was not easy. 

I had VT help open mail until we got word to go home which came around 11.  I did some of the claim forms to mail and then began working on the rest of the mail from before the recess. When the call came I turned it down until I realized I couldn’t print anything or scan anything.  I decided to come home.

On the way home I was getting annoyed with the GPS because it wouldn’t take me to the Merritt parkway but to I-95.  I did manage another route called Route 34 which goes through west haven, orange and then to where I needed to get off.  Wht was really bothering me I think was the potential discussion with Liz about if and when it comes up.  I was thinking she would have said things like why couldn’t I have stayed?  The same things that Mom would have said if she were living,  I think Liz would have said you thought you were entitled to go home.  I expect she would make a few other comments of how lucky I am.  I have a feeling it would not end well.

Since I have been home I watched TV, had some coffee finished putting up the shower curtains I washed this morning.  I believe Miss Tiger had done her job in there.  It’s been a while since she did that particular ahem.

 Every few days it seems Tiger craps on the floor or even in the shower stall.   (Yes I have been cleaning the box regularly)She is still not eating all of her food quickly but she has been eating Sky’s.  She has been sitting on the couch a lot and just as of last night sat on the recliner below Sky.  She does still come to the bed some nights.  She is limping and on occasionally knuckles but I try to get it flattened out.

Sky continues to hold his own.  He does try and eat Tiger’s dish but I have stopped him so many times I am hoping he has been doing it on his own.  There are some nights he has been vocal which has lead me to believe he has seen something or done something. He still sleeps on top of the recliner. 

This afternoon I had my cardiology appointment and he says other than the weight I am fine.  He needs me to work on it.  It was down considerably from last time.  Hell it was down half a pound from last month.  I will see him in a year.

Tonight will be quiet.  I am trying to not watch too much TV.  I still have the second night of the sleep study to do.  It wasn’t bad either.  I have to bring it back tomorrow morning before noon.  I will do that after my infusion.

It was in the teens today for temperatures and they haven’t gotten any warmer. It will be cold for the next couple of days and cloudy the next two nights. Saturday will be cold and cloudy.  Will be burying myself under lots of blankets.

Today is about birthday Celebrations.  Its Mama Roberta’s Birthday as well as my Pen pal Karyn’s Birthday.  Unfortunately our letters from each have dried up.  I have been procrastinating writing her because I am way behind on the letter writing and because I don’t have a printer.

Tonight is the mutual Birthday Dinner for Dave and me.  It will be at the restaurant I mentioned earlier this week.  I am still trying to decide what to have tonight.  I also have to go to target and get wrapping paper to wrap the gifts I have for him.  I hope he likes them.  I am concerned about the prices at the restaurant.  I don’t want to spend what I am guessing is $50 for dinner.    I know that sounds cheap.

I am beginning to think getting the second cat box was a waste of time and money.  Twice this morning I had to pick up poop and had to wash up the floor because one of them (I am guessing it’s still Tiger) urinated in front of the new box.  I had completely replaced the litter this morning too.   I will have to get more litter very soon. 

The morning tempers are noticeably different.  It was in the 50’s and sixties.  That means summer is definitely drawing to a close.   The sun is shining and the Flood watches or warnings are still up.  The temperature will only be in the mid 70’s.   A week ago the temperatures were in the 90’s during the day and 70’s at night.

I have checked in with everyone. I have heard from them all.

Now it’s time for me to move along…Enjoy your Friday.

Today would have been my Dad’s 95th birthdays.  I always wonder what he would be doing or we would be doing if he hadn’t died early.  Not sure it would have been any better or worse than it was with Mom.  He had some serious health issues back then.

Today was my regular Saturday activities. I did the dusting and window washing but decided to do the vacuuming and the bathroom tomorrow before I go to bingo..   

Early in the morning I put the stew in the slow cooker and let it cook until 2.  I got about three small containers of it to put in the freezer and had a bowl late in the day.  I didn’t do too much cooking except a brunch (grilled cheese) and a late dinner of beef patties. I am still eating crazily despite the fact I gained weight recently.

In the afternoon the association President called to remind me to be careful about pulling into our newly painted parking spots.  As there was evidence that some of our neighbors messed it up.  He also asked if it would be alright if some of our neighbors could use the spot while their side of the association was getting sealed.  We had gotten word last week this project was going to happen 

It was about then I took the opportunity to empty the garbage and go to the post office and drop off mail.  Frank reminded me the mail was put on hold until next Wednesday.

 The rest of the time I spent it watching the NCIS marathon on the Sundance channel.  They channel was showing from the end of season two to the first half of season three.  I love the fact that NCIS is on new channels and I can see more of it.

The Titans seem to be doing well.  Especially Tiger, on more than one occasion this week I found her in the cabinets like her brother.  At least twice just in the last 12 hours she has managed to get on the counters like she used to.  I don’t think she has been doing that.  She has been taking her meds regularly now that I crush them into the food. 

Tiger has been sitting with me on the couch lately as well as her regular spots.  She even slept in the small bed out in the living room for short time.

Sky has been great.  He has been sitting on the window ledge in the living room and is just starting to sit/lie on the sofa again.  I just have to remember to fix the blankets because they keep falling down.  He has been cuddling and grooming Tiger a few times.

A few times this past week people have been posting about Veterinary fees and prices.  I totally get their frustration but to accuse these places so rudely of robbing them and at the same time there are others saying this is what is expected and some have gone as far as to say that we shouldn’t get pets.  It’s wrong and rude to insist we get pet insurance is also wrong.  Of course I shared my experiences about the VCA shoreline (apparently a few others have had bad experiences).

Liz sent me a message this past Friday cancelling our coffee date because she has pneumonia.  She has been feeling horrible and resting this weekend.  We will get together later on in the week.

Diane’s performance for a fundraiser ended last night.  It was a theater production and I have no idea what it was about.  I haven’t seen it and if she gets bitchy about it like she said she would in her posts I will let her know what I think of her.

My Cousin Don posted to FB that their former family Cabin the family built years ago and they sold last year burned to the ground this weekend.  Almost all of my cousins posted their memories of it.  It was in the town of Williamstown, VT

Work was fine last week.  The Provost sent out an email informing us that starting Monday the mask mandate will be reinstated because of the recent influx of the Covid Delta Variant. We will have to wear them indoors but not in our cubicles or isolated offices.   The positivity rate of the Covid 19 variant is definitely up and it’s in three counties.  I happen to live and work in one of the counties.

The weather has been typical for summer.  Really hot at the beginning of the week and the rest of the was less humid.  We had rain maybe a couple of times.  I tried to see on the weather sites when they were but they just were not helpful.

Well I am going to bed.  its really late now…

Thursday was the day I took Tiger to the Neurologist to see what was going on.  The place was beautiful and spacious.  I had to sign a DNR in case they had to do some sort of surgery.  It would have cost money that I don’t have (they totally understood that).  They had a welcome sign for Tiger in the exam room.  They did a neurological exam and found some spinal injury and that it’s possible she has cancer.  They didn’t push the MRI (and admitted it was expensive) and  shared they wouldn’t do any chemo on their pets.  They were not judging me anything.  They reassured me I was a great/good Mom. 

Tiger was so well behaved.  She would pop her head out of the carrier.  She did also sit on the floor trying to hide but she great.  When I got home with her I fed her and sky an early dinner and gave her the meds.  I have been trying to give it in her food but I am finding I need to get those pill pockets.

Tiger has been sleeping with me at night and out in the living room and just today decided to hide in two places…the pantry and a cabinet.  Now she is sleeping on the bed.

Friday night was the Grand Opening of Meii’s Spa.  It was nice but my opinion of Mei is not very pleasant.  Every time we are together she has been rude and arrogant.  Two of us parked in front of the place and she rudely told us to move.  I had to tell her to chill.  I don’t see the niceness her “teacher” thinks she  is nice.  The others in the group (the meetup) seem to like her.  It will be interesting to see how quickly her behavior is tolerated.   Yes she may have been nervous but that doesn’t excuse her behavior.

I guess some of the ladies are getting together at Heather’s home on Friday.  I am not sure I can go.   There is also a game afternoon on Saturday. 

Today was my first day back at the Nursing home for bingo.  Recreation Bob was there and he was his regular self.  He was better as the hour went by.  WE got to play four games still at 15 cents.  He says that there were changes.  Its only him and Natalie as Kathy retired recently.   I don’t think I am doing bingo next week but I will check again.

The weather has been very humid the last few days.   Luckily the rain has been cming at night.   That should make several people happy.

I am watching NCIS marathon on WE tv.  They skipped several episodes.  They are taking from 4^th, 5^th, and 7^th;   I saw the Smoked episode where Gibbs and Ducky make amends.   I love that ss much.  I know I am watching it but I need to get to bed.

Let’s hope this week is better.

Happy Memorial Day everyone (and for those who are offended by me saying Happy Memorial Day bite me) It’s a rainy and cold weekend here and at this moment a quiet one.  Yesterday I was at a friend’s home for a combo cookout/birthday party in Old Saybrook.  These were friends from the Women finding friends Meetup and I got to see Jackie B for the first time since the restrictions have been lifted in the state.  I also got to me another member who has been involved for a while but hadn’t been able to come regularly. 

Actually Gillion said she had to cull a lot of people from the group because they never come to the group’s activities.  She says it was down to four hundred members but now back up to 500. As usual the conversation got around to having people who complain about having to travel to activities in the other part of the state they don’t want to travel to.  I think the consensus is if you want to be a member of this group or don’t like the activities either makes your own groups or activities.   We are planning a few things for the summer.

I will be having lunch tomorrow with my sister and her family.  It’s the first time I have seen Nelson JR and his family since my Birthday Last year.  I can’t wait to hug them.  I have been keeping up with them via FB.  I know my sister had them over for a weekend late this spring.

Milford scheduled small activities to honor those who gave their lives in battle but not a parade.  That got a few people annoyed because the city is planning for the annual Oyster festival this year.  I am not getting into that discussion on FB.  I understand the logic behind it.

I chatted via Text with my brother this weekend as usual and still don’t know what his plans are for the holiday for him and Janis. 

I have no idea what angel Brother’s family is doing for the weekend.  I have seen the posts from John but it’s been about past activities of the week.  I called him earlier this month but never heard back from them.  His sister has been busy with performing arts (she did some podcasts about the performance arts projects.

  Earlier this month was the cousin chat and there were four of us.  I got there early because I was unsure the time.  After I arrive Judy came and then my cousin Elise who has been busy learning Spanish.  Her daughter was doing virtual SAT studying.  Elise’s Sister Maura joined us and eventually Elise’s and Maura’s Mom joined.  That was it just the four of us.  We chatted for about an hour as we all had something to do.  None of the other cousins came this time. 

I knew my sister wasn’t attending because there was a death in the family.  Nelson’s Brother died the previous Friday from heart failure while visiting their sister.   I didn’t go over at all during that weekend because they wanted it low keyed.  However, their children all stopped by.

In the weeks that passed since the family chat we were informed that a service would be held in June in Austin for My Aunt.  There is plans to have her and husband my Uncle Pete interned at Arlington national cemetery.  Liz and I won’t be attending the services in Austin but hope to attend the Arlington Cemetery service.

Everyone on the Coulombe side of the family seems to be doing okay.  Everyone is dealing their own reentering the world since the vaccines.  I haven’t heard much on the progress of the planned Family reunion this year. 

Work is going well.  We are making progress on the backlog scanning we have developed.  The patient CD uploading continues be an interesting task for me.  Some days better than others, I was a little nervous when I didn’t get many for the end of the week but AC said not to worry about. 

The contract negotiations continue as of right now and seem to be on a positive note this week.  Who knows what next week will bring?  The ultimate goal is to have it settled by the time student’s return to campus by September.

The University is requiring all staff, faculty, students who will be on campus to be vaccinated by August 1.  They will have to be tested on a daily basis until they are. 

Our IT guy that’s been assigned to our department left last week and the person who replaced him is a returning old friend Randy.  I am so glad I hadn’t seen him in a couple of years but did contact him when I learned he lost his father last year.

Commencement 2021 was last week and only the graduates could attend and it went well.  Hopefully next year will be back to the way it was.  I don’t even know if the Annual reunions were held. 

We said goodbye to JoelB the Cashiering Dept. Admin that has been in our department for the last 10 years.  Until we moved to Science Park they had to migrate to Finance and something (but still under University).  Anyway, back to Joel She is officially retired as of tomorrow.  She proved to be a good friend to me over the years.  I sort of met her replacement on Zoom for the party but didn’t get a chance to speak to him.

Life at the condo is going okay.  I finally managed to get the income taxes done in plenty of time and even managed a refund.  Now I just have to wait for the city taxes to be sent out to pay for them.  That discussion was proving to be stressful with Sis.  She was sure that the 2020 city taxes (property etc.) came out last year because she paid hers.  She thought I wasn’t doing my part on them.  I knew that they didn’t come out yet. 

I finally got the mattress for the sofa bed.  I think it’s been a week now since I got it.  I was highly disappointed in the delivery people.  Stupid people!  The actual sofa bed will now be here in July again.  It was moved to mid-June a few weeks back.

I am getting the hang of the AC unit.  It’s been working pretty well.  I have never had central ac before so trying to figure out how this works (it’s combined with the Heat) was a bit of challenge.

There hasn’t been any progress on getting rid of Lawyer BB.  He continues to ignore the requests New Lawyer has sent.  I know when I first mentioned we went to the new lawyer and how pleased I was with him but now not so much.  I have had to contact him regarding the status of the audit at least twice.  He hasn’t contacted me on his own.  He had promised to keep me updated.  I don’t feel I should have to contact him.  I have told Liz my feelings via text when she asked me if I heard from him and we discussed it further when we had coffee a couple of weeks ago.  She feels I should be kept in the loop and I have a right to ask.

I can’t help wonder if he has been in contact with LawyerBB and has decided to side with him?  I will be pissed.  If there really isn’t anything that can be done then please say so and let’s move.  Liz feels that this may just be the case.

The kitties are doing well. They are healthy.  They have been going after the chair but everything else they are behaving.  As I write this they are both sleeping on said chair. 

I am spending time this afternoon writing some of my pen pals.  I have a couple of new ones one from the UK and Australia.  They are both email pals.  I also have Sharmila from India she is from my journaling group. 

Of course I still get the guys requesting and I checked my ad on the penpals now website and it’s clearly written no men.  One day earlier this month I actually wrote back and told him he needs to learn to read better. It only fuels them to return the emails so I have gone back to deleting.

I am hoping to get an email to my friend DR. T.  I heard from her last month.  She was letting us know about a candidate she thinks will do well in the GA congressional race. 

I have also spoken to Mama Roberta a few times this past month.  She is planning on a trip to the east coast in a few days.  It will be for five weeks.

                                                                                                                                        December 25, 2020

Dear Debra:

                  Hey just wanted to let you know I had a nice afternoon with Liz and Nelson and Rich.  He was very helpful in the kitchen taking care of things.  It was still raining when I got there.   We didn’t have dinner until about 2 or shortly after that.  However, I nearly scared Liz and Rich when I told thm I have had headaches for the last couple of days.  I had already taken Tylenol and was hoping it would be gone quickly and it was. 

                  Before we sat down and had dinner Jen’s Brother and SIL and little niece stopped by for a visit.  It was a short visit to be sure but it was fun nonetheless.  We had our dinner after that.   I was surprised with gifts.  Liz gave me hand warmers (those things you put into gloves to keep your hands warm), some chocolate candy and those $5 scratches off tickets.  Do I need to mention I didn’t win?

I got a beautiful handmade cutting board from Rich.  He says I can consider it a house warming gift instead of a Christmas gift and a very funny card “the three wise cats”.  J

Before I left for home Jim called Liz (he had also called me but I left my phone home).  Liz told him the baby news, and how covid is affecting daily routine up here for them and the family.   I talked with him too.  Before they hung up they discussed the situation with Lawyer Bob.  We sent letters and the next thing will be a registered Letter.  I have to wonder if she realizes I just sent the email this afternoon to these people (uh well most of them) instead of yesterday when she told me to.  So I don’t expect them to respond as quickly as she would like.  At the same I am expecting a “fuck you” from one of them.

Oh during my conversation with Jim I had learned that he heard from Kristian and Emily while he had dinner with his lady Janis and her kids (adult children).  I am not sure why he didn’t hear from James but I guess I will find out when we speak on the phone over the weekend.

I think it was nearly 5 when I got home the cats were waiting by the door for me and made it clear they were not happy that I was late with their dinner.  So I had to unload my leftovers and treats, gifts and get their dinner. 

While they ate I did a few things and got on the net.  At first I couldn’t stay connected and I was afraid there was something wrong with my system but it seems to be working now.

 I think I am going to go to bed now.  I managed to get tired.

Yesterday was my nephew Jason’s 16^th birthday.  He is such a great kid.  He is Chris’s First Born and is the spitting image of Chris.  Sadly his parents divorced many years ago but he still has a lot of love from Chris and Jen. He is a great big brother to his sisters.   I am told he has his driver’s permit and recently got a job at chic-a-Filet.  I think he is a junior in HS.  I am not a good Aunt though didn’t get a card for him.  I thought he would be on FB but he isn’t.

Liz told me it was my favorite Lawyer’s (not) birthday as well.  My response was “I did not know that”.  I looked on his FB and he turned 81 yesterday. It also reminded me that I still have to write that summary for Jim regarding the voice mail message he (he who will not be named) left me back in August.  I have been checking dates and most of what he said in that voice mail is in my memory.

Work was very busy.  Shadow was off for her long weekend and I believe next week will be the last one for now.  I worked on the EOB scanning for the first couple of hours and then when the mail arrived I worked on it.  I have a feeling I may have messed up on the piles of appeals but I left her an email to review everything on Monday.    I was able to work on some of the Refund scanning and prepping the next big date from 2016. 

I have learned that the University Men’s Hockey team (all 18 of them) tested positive for corvid 19 viruses. As a result of this the University raised the Alert Status to Yellow this past week.  As I told a few people and as it was explained to me they were not the instigators but that it could have been anyone in the community that uses the facilities.  The facilities (Payne Whitney and the Hockey Rink) are all closed until Monday.  One of the art galleries’ closed up as well.  There were messages from the top Admins of YM and Med School.

After Work I had dinner with the three Amigos.  We all met at Texas Roadhouse at 5:30.   LL and I had to wait outside until Mary and Ann arrived.  Luckily there was a tent up and we didn’t get completely rained on.  We were seated and we talked and ordered our meals.  LL got a salad and some shrimp dish, and Mary got a cheeseburger, and I got the pulled pork sandwich with fries, and mashed potatoes, Ann got a steak and vegetables.  We didn’t get dessert but I didn’t lose out completely.  We talked about the condo, and house status and they nearly pissed me off when I told them I had to put the cats in the crate and why.  This is why I don’t always like telling them anything.  We talked about animals and life in general.  We were there until 7 and made plans to get together in November and December.

When I left there it was still raining.  I headed to Walmart to pick up more coffee pods and more oxyclean (it fell to the floor at the beginning of the week) and the coffee pods were a variety pack of 56 pods.  They have French Vanilla, Columbian, Breakfast Blend, Dark Roast, and Hot chocolate. Then I went to Aldi’s and got groceries.  I got most of what was on the list and a few things that were not but happily I didn’t spend as much as I did last week. Then again between the two places it did. 

The rest of Friday night the cats and I hung out until bed time:

Earlier in the week I ordered my appointment book for 2021 and as it was promised it was waiting for me when I got home Friday.  I have been trying to fill it in as much as possible.

Today I didn’t do very much.  I spent it most on the couch sleeping.  I did a few things I did finish a letter to Kristy in LV. I did some cooking.  I finally got to clean one of the litter mats.   I will do the other one tomorrow.