katesthoughts

Well I got there before either my sister or niece.  Cheryl couldn't get to it from the directions on her GPS.  So I told them to come by quarry road.  They both eventually arrived.  Liz announced she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  MY response was “again”?

The park is nice.  Well maintained.  There was a lawn care guy doing lawns.  I am not sure if it is part of the fees.  The visit wasn’t long, but we all noticed things that weren’t very good...The paneling around the porch was broken and had holes.  The shed had crap in it.  When we went in it was dark.  Only one bedroom was big, the other two could be offices or storage.  By the end of the visit Liz realized after hearing Cheryl’s views that this would be a bad idea.  I felt that from the beginning.   The second one we never saw because it was unavailable today but we are not going to see after all.  My hope is no one else suggests this.

We all went our own ways.  Cheryl headed to Liz’s and I headed to the bank, and to Aldi’s for groceries.  I got most of the list and a few other things but it came to almost $88.  I probably could have done without the fish but I wanted to try their fish.  I did get ground meat, and some grated cheese, and sliced cheese.  I got fresh vegetables, and the frozen vegetables, and two of a few things.

When I got home I put them away, snacked on the cookies and yogurt, and a slice of cheese.  I decided that I would cook the bottom roast with vegetables, and frozen vegetables.  I defrosted it for 25 minutes.  Season it and put it in the slow cooker.  I had already cut up a couple of onions and cut up six small potatoes and seasoned them.  Added one package of frozen corn and 1 cup of water. I have it on low and will cook it for about six hours.  If you haven’t noticed, I didn’t  follow a recipe.

I am thinking i will make a meatloaf or two later today or by the end of the weekend.  I didn’t get bread to have hamburgers but then again who needs bread?. 

Right now I am waiting for the comforter to dry in the dryer.  It isn’t completely dry and I don’t want to hang it out to dry. 

I have had the TV on since I have been home.  I am watching my PBS stations and a little of the Oxygen Channel’s Snapped marathon.  Right now though there is a train traveling in Europe.

I am still fighting a slight headache again.  I am going to take some tylenol and then take a rest.  I will get the last few things I needed to get for the week either later today or tomorrow after I have cleaned the house.

I am still in shock from yesterday’s events.  I have told Debra, Mama Roberta, and of course here and Facebook.  Well at least the journaling group.  I told Big Brother just this morning I actually just told my Manager. Even though I have been excited to tell people a part of me is wondering if I should stop and not say anything right now. I did mention here in the blog.  However I have to remember that the bank still has to either accept it or reject it based on the inspection.

Work is busy.  There is mail that needs to be readdressed and no longer goes to where we have been sending.  I will have to send it directly to the hospital.  So I know what it is I am doing later this afternoon.

There was no committee meeting today but we got an email update that we will be receiving more updates from the E-board later in the week.  I guess the meetings there were about how the contract will cover those working from home.

I went through the readdress mail and there were a number of things that should have been dealt with at least weeks ago.  I blame myself.  There were also some documents that belonged to us so I left them on Shadow’s desk for tomorrow.  We worked well today and we talked about a few things both work related and non-related.

 I got a call from Liz today regarding the mobile homes we may look at.  There is definitely one that we will look at but one we won’t because it needs work.  Cheryl sent me 4 more possibilities.  One was the first one Liz and I saw.  There is one near Liz’s house, and another one by route one.  There is also another one on Melba Street.  Not sure when we will get to see it.  Liz says she is pretty busy the rest of the week.  She has a wedding on Friday.

The cats were waiting on me when I came home today.  I was relieved to find the cat food arrived this afternoon.  Actually I knew it did because I was alerted by email.  It was a couple of days late.  They are both sleeping downstairs.  I am hoping they will come up soon.  Then again they may avoid me as I found a hair ball on my bed.  I am going to have to wash the comforter again.

I think I better hit the sack. I am tired and I have fallen asleep on the couch twice already tonight. 

Getting lots done.  Saturday the junk company took a truck load of stuff in the house away including one of the reclining sofa’s,  the TV and stand out back, and the rocking chair out back, Cleared out two bedrooms, and a desk in the office.  The old clothes hamper, and the broken shredder, and all the bags and crap on the front porch are gone.  They came back today to take the stuff in the cellar, and the attic, and the entertainment center that is in the dining room.  Liz was there to oversee and to let the kitties out.

We spent the rest of the time cleaning out one dresser organizing it for the move. I will be keeping things that I can wear now or keep in there after the move.  I am thinking all my gym clothes should come back in and be put in there. We have the sheets, and blankets I will be taking in the cedar chest along with my Dad’s Flag he was buried with or on.  It was mutually agreed that I give it to nephew Chris (in SC)    we have my slippers and shoes I am taking in a tub.  I have a couple more pairs (including crappy sneakers) in the car or I am wearing a pair.  The boots I will need to keep out if I’m still here in the snowy days.   We took all the jewelry that belonged to my mother and went through it and took what I wanted from it and put in the jewelry boxes that will be coming with me.  It was about then I decided I would start to wear bracelets, and more necklaces.  The rest when into a bag for Goodwill (I am sure there will be many more before the week is out).

I think we finished for the day around 3 and Liz went home to nap and shower, and I was supposed to do the same thing but I was cuddling the cats as much as I could they were traumatized.  I got them in to the crates early that morning and managed to get them in the upstairs bathroom but had to do it again when they escaped.  I had to leave them in the crates while the junk guys were here. They were not happy.

I went to dinner that night over Liz and Nelson’s.  WE had delicious barbeque ribs and corn.  The rest of the night was a blur.  I think I was watching TV and fell asleep.

Sunday morning was a late start for us.  Liz was having her grandchildren over for lunch and I said go for it.  I spent the morning on the computer and then went grocery shopping and running some errands.   I made lunch and then went back to the bedroom and clean out the dresser directly in front of the bed.  Cleaned out all the drawers (actually did part of it Saturday night)

When Liz finally came she organized the back room with her friend Andrea who has been gracious with her time and supplying us with DD.  We did move furniture out from two of the rooms and the piles for Jim and Diane.   Jim can take it when he gets here tomorrow or Wednesday and Diane is picking it up in two weeks.

I spent some time clearing out my closet of clothes I didn’t want or need anymore but discovered two DIa.com boxes with clothes in them and now part of  my wardrobe.  I have lots more to go through (like old pairs of jeans that are falling off) but I decided to keep most of the clothes that still fit or that are not junkie looking (that being said I will need to find some new shoes and sneakers)

I organized a tote that had old papers, and more stationary and everything that I real estate related.  I put them in order.  I also had Mom’s old will that I will give back to Liz.   I came across grammar school report cards and my hs graduation stuff I have scanned and will put in the appropriate files.

I contacted Cheryl to let her know the house is ready to go on the market. At that time she said she would contact a photographer and they will come and take pictures.  Cheryl said she will call me tonight.  Unfortunately she had some other real estate projects to do and couldn’t come over.  That’s okay because I am too tired now.  She did say the photographer would be here Saturday.   The house would go on the market Sunday.  I have to get a key from the neighbors.

Liz wanted to talk tonight as well but I had a meeting and it got late.   She came across a drawing of her as a kid.  She sent me pictures of the work being done and the empty rooms.  She tells me it is weird.  She kept me apprised of kitties.   They wanted nothing to do with me tonight.  She made some suggestions (for the large amount of winter outerwear I own) and I will do that tomorrow.

This week I have a few meetings, one or two doctor appointments and continuing to clear out stuff.  I think by the weekend we will have the Kitchen done and the bathroom.  By then all that is needed is the open houses, condo searches and live life.

Jim will be coming up tomorrow or Wednesday and get the stuff we have for him.  I believe he will be contacting the Lawyer and moving that process along. 

Diane is coming up at the end of the month to pick up stuff too.

It’s been so long since I last actually posted any of my blog entries this week.  I keep saying I will go back over them and finish them and then post but then more time goes by and gets away from me.

The house and condo situation:  Well Liz and I have been making a lot of progress with clearing out project.  We managed to get the cellar cleaned out with the help of a friend of hers and of my BIL.  Made several trips to goodwill and made a trip to the dump.  Some of the things that are left will be going to friends and family.  In the weekend coming up I believe we will be working on the Attic and then bedrooms, and then office and then finally the kitchen and dining room. 

Jim will be speaking to “He who will not be named” by Labor Day and apprising him of the progress.  I am told that Liz suggested that Jim also discuss perhaps begin the process of having “he who will not be named (the lawyer)” removed as the trustee and perhaps make my siblings the trustees.   It would involve some of the proceeds of the sale of the house to do that. 

My Niece has been searching for prospects and has brought to my attention as recent as yesterday of five potential places.  Three are about 4 miles away.  Another one I have looked at before and is close to my sister and to the Nursing home I used to volunteer at.  Another one is 9 minutes northwest of here.  Near what is known as route 1 and in between Orange and Milford.

My hope is we can look at them this weekend.  I have also let her know that I would be willing to take time off from work to go looking as well.  She says evenings and weekends would be best for sellers and we will do the best. 

Jim will be coming up in the next two weeks (to help I hope) and to pick up stuff I have collected for him to take into possession. 

Finances or budget:  I am constantly reworking the budget I have and been doing better without using the credit cards (all but one has been shredded).  Jim told me in our last phone conversation that if this method isn’t working for me (using only one in emergency) that  can always request new ones to be ordered.  As of right now the minimum payments are being made.  It has been suggested to me to look into consolidation loans from the credit Union I belong to.  When I suggested this to my Brother and Sister they both had reservations on this.   I will try again with J when he comes up.

Health:  With all that is going on I am managing to get exercise through the clearing out of the house (who needs weight lifting when you can haul heavy objects and items up and downstairs and to cars etc.).  I have been walking at least once a day at work weather permitting.

I have had some doctor visits recently that went well.  The hematologist last week liked the numbers from recent blood tests.  I had my infusion earlier this week and another next month.  I have a dermatology appointment, pulmonary, also next month.

I haven’t seen the inside of the gym since last Saturday but keep saying maybe later or tomorrow.  I haven’t signed up for classes because by the time I get home at night I am tired and now that we are beginning the in person search for condos I won’t have time.

Work:  The issues with DCS scanning have been finally resolved and yesterday began the scanning.  It was about access and the staff that worked on it was taking their time.  Now that that has been resolved I will now have to rearrange my daily routine with these things.

Shadow and I are about ready to have it out before she goes on vacation.  She has been speaking rather rudely to me of late and I am done.  I had told her supervisor today before I left.  I also told my on-site team leader.  She has been barking orders to me regarding mail and I really need to remind her that we may not be each other’s boss but I am the mail lead.  I need to ask questions on whether or not things came in.  WE are having a chat about what I will do while Shadow is gone.  We were already given instructions about certain things (I can scan documents to people it was a challenge I have met).

As a matter of fact starting next month TRS department/ courier service will be doing the mail runs.  One of the reps will be delivering mail that hasn’t been delivered by the other service later today.  It really should have been given to them from the very beginning.

The negotiations are going along.  Some new proposals from the union have been submitted and now they are waiting for counter-proposals.  WE have a rally later today for the Omni hotel unions.  They are our sister unions and the corporation not hiring back from the pandemic.  The recent negotiation updates are not being made public yet.

I did let the committee know I have personal issues that will conflict with activities with the union.  They managed to get me to volunteer for this activity today.

Family updates:  Earlier this week the anniversary of Mom’s death.  We didn’t make much of it but it was felt by me because of the current situation and the fact I was stressing out with Liz at one point.

We finally had a family reunion via zoom on my mother’s side of the family recently.  There were 12 of us.  Some came late but it was great.  They were told of my plans to move.  No criticisms or judgements just curiosity.

My Niece’s future DIL lost her Grandmother yesterday so in addition to the final preparations and countdown to the wedding they have to prepare and navigate through the funeral process.  This may not be appropriate in this item but said wedding invitations came in the mail today.  I am looking forward to this.

All of Liz’s kids are getting ready or have returned to school this week amid various groups expressing concerns about the plans or the validity of the plans for the return to school in Connecticut.  Some teachers want it done differently, Parents, Bus drivers also express concerned as well.

Jim’s kids are doing well.  Kristian is working, Emily is working, and James has returned to school and started classes.

Angel Brother’s kids are doing well.  As I said earlier I am expecting D&R to come up and get the remaining dishes from her collection. John has moved to Fayetteville to the Army base.  Rob is…well Rob.

The Kitties: I keep thinking they don’t understand what is going on around here with the cleaning.  So every chance I get I tell them we will be starting a new adventure.   When anyone comes they hide or sleep. They have been sleeping and hiding in weird places (weirder than usual).  Furniture they haven’t slept on at all they now sleep on.  Sky is currently grooming himself (note to self-expect hairball).  They are primary concern during the condo hunt/house cleaning.  I have been told they don’t react well to change.  Well most cats generally don’t like change.

I am not letting them down in the cellar anymore after I broke some class punch servers.  I cleaned it up when I dropped them Wednesday but there were some remnants of it left.

My Volunteering activities:  With the Corvid 19 pandemic (or post pandemic) continuing there hasn’t been much going on.  At least from where I see things.  There haven’t been many meetings either on line or in person. 

I did contact my 4^th District chairman and another friend from the district yesterday and told them of the plans to put the house on the market.  I am expecting an email in my inbox tomorrow morning from at least one of them.  The election is more than 9 weeks away.  Aside from the primary I have not received any alerts for campaigns or volunteering.

The Ladies Guild is supposed to start next month.  What have I heard? Not a thing.  I ran into Tori who is the Religious education coordinator for the church, and school at the grocery store and she eluded we won’t be able to have food at the meetings.  There hasn’t been anything in the bulletins or anything like that.  I will have to email the new president and ask her what’s going on.  I will also tell her the plans for the house.

I am getting the distinct feeling that the Recreation Director at the nursing home isn’t going to call me back anytime soon.  Actually I am okay with that.  It was time for me to move on anyway.

The Weather: Its been sunny for the most part until yesterday when we had some severe thunderstorms and tornados.  North Haven, Hamden, and New Haven were hit pretty bad.  I can agree to that as I left the office yesterday.

Well it’s nearly 3 in the morning and I will be getting up in a couple of hours to get ready for work.  So I will check in later today.