katesthoughts

Later this afternoon I will return to the nursing home to play bingo.  I was given the word last week from Natalie that they reopened the facility and having group activities.  I will need to have my vaccination card copied and bring my appointment book with me so that we can go over the dates I will be able to do bingo.  Let’s hope this will be the last quarantine for a while.  I also hope I stay awake for it.

For some reason after I posted the last entry I couldn’t sleep.  I don’t know if it is because I watched Tiger stumble into the bedroom and plop down on the floor or not.  She managed to get up and get herself on the bed for a bit.  She didn’t stay long.  She had enough grooming from Sky and went to her new favorite spot of late under the kitchen table.

I finally fell asleep around 3 and slept until 5.  I stayed in bed until the alarm went off.  When it did I got up and got the meds ready for Tiger and t hen fed them both.  I had to clean the poop off.  So hoped it wouldn’t be there this morning.  I cleaned out the litter I hope.  It sounds like sky is doing again too.

I got online and checked the hours for Shoprite.  It opens at 7.  This allowed me to go back to sleep for a bit and then scrambled to get there and back.  I got everything I needed and a few things added as I got there.

Liz didn’t come until Noon I think.  I washed dishes, watched TV, and straightened up things.  Our cousin stopped by and needed to chat.  Liz couldn’t very well tell her not to stay.  So when she did come we spent the next hour talking about family, cousins who came for a visit and ended up sharing they had been exposed to covid at a wedding.

I finally had to tell her I was waiting for her reaction to the Jim’s news.  She was confused. I told her and we learned that he sent the text message to her landline.    She said she never got it.  I reminded her technically he sent it but just not to the right number.  She says she hopes Janis knows what she is getting herself into.  I actually told her I thought she would say “swell”.  She did tell me when I spoke to them next to congratulate but he sent it to the landline.

I told her about the issue with Frank and she thought it was mean of him to say that and to stay away from him for a while.  Then she asked if I had given him reason to think the way he did.  I told her no.

We did go up into the attic to see if there had been any critters or if I had anything that needed to come down and there wasn’t.  I was a nervous wreck coming down and going up.  However, I made it.

After that we said goodbyes and we went to our prospective activity.  She was going to a birthday party and I of course was going to bingo.

I got freshened up and left just before 2.  When I arrived I filled out a form and got the card copied.  I headed to the recreation room where some of the residents were waiting and Recreation Bob was bringing more.  We got the chips out and I had one woman who insisted she was going to help me set up and or pick up the balls that fell or I thought I was going to lose it.

We started after 2 and played several games.  Bob asked me why I was ending after 3 and I explained because we started late.  It was one of the things we discussed after the games.  I will not be waiting for anyone who comes late.  If more than one person gets bingo they get the coin.

Bob seemed fine with my schedule as well.  Every other Tuesday and Bob says it is fine if I need to call out at last minute.  I did say that if it is really bad weather (shutting down the state kind of thing) I would not come in but I would also implement walking if I had to.

Once we were done with that I chatted with some of the nurses I hadn’t seen in a long while.  Then I headed to Boston Market for a late lunch early dinner.

I know I said I have to be careful with Take out or going to restaurants but I have wanted the prime rib from there and sadly it was a disappointment.  The sides were not and the apple pie was great.

Since Dinner I did a few odds and ends and probably will go to bed since I didn’t sleep well last night.

I have been tired this week and not up to writing too much. So I am doing a general entry to cover all the bases. 

Condo is good.  Did the normal cleaning last weekend and had time for a visit with my sister at the same time.  We got to watch a couple of deer in the wooded area behind the condo for a short time as well.  Found out I have a credit balance for the condo fees but I figure maybe at the end of the year I will get a slight refund.  The washer machine is acting kind of noisy and I am not sure what the deal is.  I am not anxious to get it looked at just yet. 

I have been visiting with some more neighbors.  The unit right next to me and another couple three doors/units down.  It was the one whose wife is in the nursing home and the husband went to FL to be with his family.  He came back in the last couple of weeks.

I spoke to President Frank recently and we talked about maintenance and the elusive neighbor directory that he is putting together.  He is waiting on one unit’s number.  He shared some news on some of the neighbors (the one who was in FL).

I also needed info on the clubhouse for a family gathering I learned about from my sister.  I also told him I need a key.  He was surprised I didn’t have one.  He said the house key should have worked.  It didn’t.

Liz and I had a fairly decent visit last week.  She showed me videos and pictures of the grandkids.  I say fairly decent because she mentioned a conversation with Dave and how he didn’t understand why they wouldn’t take the spring mattress back.  First she told me (I won’t say accused me) of not understanding what they were going to replace.  Yeah they were not going to do that until much later or give the money.   I got annoyed because he twisted it around and I am certain I explained it just fine to him.  She didn’t like the fact I got mad.  We did agree that he speaks over people and that he has a habit of stirring up trouble.  NO SHIT.  I am tired of her judging my relationship with Dave.  He is not perfect.  My Mother did that for many years.   Never took my side in anything when we had fights and I found that to be disloyal and really unkind.

She also suggested that by the fall I save money up for the storm door replacement.  Perhaps pay Rich (If I understand her right) to install it.  If that’s the case then he can’t put it off until he is available.  I will have a right to call him about it.  I still haven’t gotten the leaf part of my night table replaced yet.  He is in construction and works long hours and I am not sure what he is doing on weekends but if he is doing work for family I feel that 1) if they are expecting projects to be done that they have a right to call 2) and he should do it in a timely manner.  I just can’t say anything to Liz because she feels we are not priority.

In a recent text she tells me she saw some plastic flowers at Lowes that I could put outside on the patio.  She also thinks I should repaint the patio as well.  Which is true but I don’t really want to do it right now.

She did tell me as she was heading home last week that our cousin is looking to have a family reunion this summer.  We looked into having the Fernwood Estates clubhouse as a location.  We would have to adhere to the Covid rules.  This would be a wonderful event to look forward to this summer.

I chat with my brother and his girlfriend via text most days and it's not in depth.  It’s the usual basic topics, weather, job, cats etc.  It’s been a while since I actually spoke with them on the phone.  When we did I updated him on the status of dethroning lawyer man.  Still no invite or request to come to the condo yet.   I have no idea how the kids are.

My Brother Bob’s family is going well.  Diane is continuing her advocacy on Asian Equality, Covid protection (mask police) and anything else that comes up.  She and her husband celebrated his birthday recently.  I think they did a day trip. 

John and his wife Tiffany seem to be fine.  I haven’t spoken to them on the phone so I get my news about them from FB.  They are working, and traveling and enjoying being a family.  I may try calling them soon. 

I still haven’t heard from nephew Rob at all.  I haven’t reached out to him either.  Nor have I reached out to my SIL Ethel.  She posts now and then inspirational things and a lot of her meals.  Man it really must be nice to go out to eat frequently. Oh who am I kidding?  If I could I would too.

 The cats’ behavioral change is back on track.  As long as I do two things and that is keep up on the litterbox and keep the shower curtain hanging over the shower curtain bar.  One moment they will be in their own space sleeping or even cuddling with each other and the next they are chasing after each other and hissing at each other and wrestling.  I am not real keen on that and when I hear them do it I tell them to stop.  Right now I am enjoying the quiet before I have a meeting.

Work has been hectic this past week.   I last shared with you about having added duties

 Or tasks and that include uploading Imaging reports for patients to be linked to patient’s accounts.  It’s becoming a little easier as I do them.

Our office doesn’t have any hot water on our floor.  Apparently the tank busted and is being replaced sometime soon.  We had to use sanitizer for the last two days.

The latest negotiations on the contract did a huge turn around and have many of my union brothers and sisters upset.  The University wants to go back to what our 2003 contract was like.  No one wants that.    Compressing our job classifications and capping our wages   are two of the things they are offering. We have a huge event on May 5.  It will start at 5 and I will be there to march, and hand out flags and masks.  One of the organizers called me today to ask if I could do that.  I agreed. 

Last Thursday had dinner with some of the girls from Women Finding Friends group.  We had dinner in Branford at the Elis on the Hill.  It was fun.  We had our bi-monthly virtual cocktail hour Tuesday.  There were only four of us this week.  I had to miss the Coffee chat last night for a union meeting.

The Hiking group has scheduled a couple of hikes recently and it looks like one is on the weekend.  I am still not ready to go to those yet.  For one thing I have taxes to do this weekend.

My community service activities.  The meeting tonight was the town committee and we discussed candidates and slates for the municipal election.  There have been some changes and retirements that came up so now there are searches within the party for candidates. 

There are plans to return the meetings to in person or going hybrid starting perhaps in May or June.  I personally think that as much as we like being together and doing the things we have to.  It would be great to keep the zoom meetings in case of bad weather. 

The Ladies Guild has a fundraiser next Thursday at Pop’s restaurant.  I knew this and I was at the meeting for it but I didn’t get any tickets (I don’t know if I even volunteered for this).  I guess we mention it at the door. 

We have our general meeting in May. I think.  I hope.  That means I have to prepare the name tags for it.

The merger of our parish with one of the remaining other parishes is being delayed month.  The priest at Christ the Redeemer has attained “senior priest” (aka as retiring).  So now that church will close and the parishioners will attend mass with us.  I hope this merger goes better than the one between St Agnes and St Mary’s.  That means all the groups and committees as well.

Well its after 11 and I am getting tired and need to sleep…

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.