I really don't know what I did when I worked but I can't seem to find a day when there is nothing to do.
Today I got up early to run some errands: post office, bank(s), pharmacy. Then I went next door to my neighbors to meet up her so I could go with her to the apple store. She had to take her computer in, it wasn't working and she had the great granddaughter so she needed help. Her appointment was at 10:15 we got ther just on time, we had to go all the way into the biggest mall in our area and she was carrying the comptuer. Lucikly the apple computer only consists of the monitor. We finsihed there by 11:30. I jumped in my car when we got home and met my daughter for lunch. She was off to work for 2:00. Then I had to stop by the market to get some things for dinner. We are having sauteed scallops with lemon butter garlic over rice and asparagus.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
BACK TO WORK
Since my daughter bought her condo two summers ago the morgage company has offered her two re mortgages. The second one closed yesterday. The good thing about this is that there are no closing costs and her interest rate went down every time. The only bad thing is she re mortgages for 30 years so each time she looses a year. But she doesn't intend to keep the condo for 30 years so that works out in her favor.
I was all set to go with her at 100 pm but as we were driving into the parking lot at the closing location they called her and had to postpone until 3:00 pm. So we went and had some lunch and then I took her home to her house to pick up her car because I couldn't go with her at 3:00. I had a call last week from my friend a the nursing home where I use to work and she asked if I could cover the reception desk from 4:30 til 8:00 so I said yes.
It was nice to see all of my co workers again. Everyone was ver nice and many stopped by my desk to share their condolences, since they had not seen me since my brother died.
I told my friend I would be happy to cover for her whenever she needed someone.
I was all set to go with her at 100 pm but as we were driving into the parking lot at the closing location they called her and had to postpone until 3:00 pm. So we went and had some lunch and then I took her home to her house to pick up her car because I couldn't go with her at 3:00. I had a call last week from my friend a the nursing home where I use to work and she asked if I could cover the reception desk from 4:30 til 8:00 so I said yes.
It was nice to see all of my co workers again. Everyone was ver nice and many stopped by my desk to share their condolences, since they had not seen me since my brother died.
I told my friend I would be happy to cover for her whenever she needed someone.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A GUEST FOR DINNER
I connected on Facebook with a co worker I worked with a number of years ago. It has probably been about ten years ago when I last saw her. She happened to be in town for two days, today and tomorrow, so I had her over for dinner. It was fun to prepare a dish I had not tried before and thank goodness everything turned out great. I know some people might say that it was pretty gutsy of me to try a new recipe out on someone whom you haven't seen in a while, I think it was rather fun. And besides it was too simple to mess up. Chicken routlade. Chicken breats rolled up and stuffed with goat cheese, asparagus and prociutto. A side of penne pasta with a fresh, made from scratch, marinara sauce and a tossed salad. Dessert was blueberry sauce over homemade pound cake with whipped cream.
Back when I worked with her, she was single and living here with no family or friends. My husband had her over quite often for dinner and we always ended the evening with a game of Scrabble. We did the same tonight and it was like nothing ever changed. We picked up conversation almost like with had just left off the other . It was a great evening.
I had an e mail from one of my brother's closest friends and co worker. He is going to try to organize an activity like a golf tournament in honor of my brother for his birthday on April 16th of next year. I can't wait to hear what it will be. I know my brother would be so honored if this happened.
Ahhhh!! It feels good to be blogging again.
Back when I worked with her, she was single and living here with no family or friends. My husband had her over quite often for dinner and we always ended the evening with a game of Scrabble. We did the same tonight and it was like nothing ever changed. We picked up conversation almost like with had just left off the other . It was a great evening.
I had an e mail from one of my brother's closest friends and co worker. He is going to try to organize an activity like a golf tournament in honor of my brother for his birthday on April 16th of next year. I can't wait to hear what it will be. I know my brother would be so honored if this happened.
Ahhhh!! It feels good to be blogging again.
Friday, August 13, 2010
NORMAL......WHAT'S NORMAL
Well now I know what happens when you neglect your blog for more than one day. You just can't get back into the swing of blogging again. It seems overwhelming to try to put down everything you have missed. So I guess the best thing to do is just start from scratch and maybe try to recoup the stuff that has happened already as time goes on.
I ended with my last post being about the last day of my cousin's visit from Florida. She left on Monday and I think that the week that followed was filled with trying to get all of my brother's personal and financial paperwork in order. His will was finally probated and I was appointed executor. That enabled me access to all of his "stuff." Slowly but surely all of this stuff is getting settled which makes my life a little more stressful.
Speaking of stress. I think another reasons I didn't blog for the past two weeks was because I suffered from the worst back pain anyone could every imagine. It was centered at my tailbone and radiated across my right hip and sometimes even around into my stomach. I couldn't sit, stand, walk and even lying in bed was painful. the only place I got any comfort was flat on my back on the living room floor with an ice pack on my back. I saw a chiropractor first and he worked on it a couple of times. Then I saw my doctor who just prescribed hydrocodone and a muscle relaxer. I would not recommend the hydrocodone to anyone. It took the pain away, but I had to call the doctor and ask if I could take two tablets every four hours in stead of hone. He approved that. But man did it make me sick. Constipated - which I had to end up call the pharmacy to ask what they recommend for that -- two more pills -- a stool softener and a laxative. Nausea - which ended up being not a bad thing because I took off a few pounds -- just a giant Catch 22 -- I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat......I didn't eat so I was taking pills on an empty stomach which made me nauseous. At one point I ended up back at my doctor's office because the pain just wasn't' going away. He sent me for an X ray of my back and an ultra sound of my kidneys. The very next day after the test the pain was gone. Gone like no pain. What the hell was that all about. I really think it had a lot to do with stress. So that lasted a week and now things are getting back to normal. Normal, like back to I really don't know what. My whole life has been turned upside down. Two days before I was scheduled to leave my job and become a lady of leisure, at least for summer or until I got bored and needed to look for something else, my brother died. I don't think anything will ever be back to normal. NORMAL, WHAT'S NORMAL NOW.
I ended with my last post being about the last day of my cousin's visit from Florida. She left on Monday and I think that the week that followed was filled with trying to get all of my brother's personal and financial paperwork in order. His will was finally probated and I was appointed executor. That enabled me access to all of his "stuff." Slowly but surely all of this stuff is getting settled which makes my life a little more stressful.
Speaking of stress. I think another reasons I didn't blog for the past two weeks was because I suffered from the worst back pain anyone could every imagine. It was centered at my tailbone and radiated across my right hip and sometimes even around into my stomach. I couldn't sit, stand, walk and even lying in bed was painful. the only place I got any comfort was flat on my back on the living room floor with an ice pack on my back. I saw a chiropractor first and he worked on it a couple of times. Then I saw my doctor who just prescribed hydrocodone and a muscle relaxer. I would not recommend the hydrocodone to anyone. It took the pain away, but I had to call the doctor and ask if I could take two tablets every four hours in stead of hone. He approved that. But man did it make me sick. Constipated - which I had to end up call the pharmacy to ask what they recommend for that -- two more pills -- a stool softener and a laxative. Nausea - which ended up being not a bad thing because I took off a few pounds -- just a giant Catch 22 -- I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat......I didn't eat so I was taking pills on an empty stomach which made me nauseous. At one point I ended up back at my doctor's office because the pain just wasn't' going away. He sent me for an X ray of my back and an ultra sound of my kidneys. The very next day after the test the pain was gone. Gone like no pain. What the hell was that all about. I really think it had a lot to do with stress. So that lasted a week and now things are getting back to normal. Normal, like back to I really don't know what. My whole life has been turned upside down. Two days before I was scheduled to leave my job and become a lady of leisure, at least for summer or until I got bored and needed to look for something else, my brother died. I don't think anything will ever be back to normal. NORMAL, WHAT'S NORMAL NOW.
THE VISIT PART V SUNDAY
Sunday was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm. I chose not to put my bathing suit on for the BBQ at my cousin's pool. I just wasn't in a good mood. Same as Saturday.
So we sat around the pool all day. I brought the raspberry cream pie with oreo cookie crust for dessert. Everything was delicious.
When it was time to leave I said my good byes to my cousin and her husband, they were leaving on Monday morning early to drive to Staten Island and see some friends before they boarded a plane to Florida on Tuesday afternoon.
It was a nice visit, my sadness comes from the fact that my brother wasn't her to share in all of the festivities.
So we sat around the pool all day. I brought the raspberry cream pie with oreo cookie crust for dessert. Everything was delicious.
When it was time to leave I said my good byes to my cousin and her husband, they were leaving on Monday morning early to drive to Staten Island and see some friends before they boarded a plane to Florida on Tuesday afternoon.
It was a nice visit, my sadness comes from the fact that my brother wasn't her to share in all of the festivities.
Monday, August 9, 2010
THE VISIT PARK IV SATURDAY
I got up extra early this morning to make Pioneer Women's Muffins that Taste Like Donuts. They were a hit.
My cousin wanted to go to Wal*Mart this morning. I know! She wanted to see if they had any Yankee Baseball items. They live in Florida and are Yankee fans and they can't find anything there with the Yankee insignia. We went to Wal*Mart but found nothing. So I came home and picked up the remainder of the muffins and headed to my other cousin's where my cousin's husband was staying. They enjoyed the muffins too. We spent the rest of the afternoon there. She cooked a big lunch but I didn't stick around.
I was feeling kind of blue today. Missing my brother terribly. He would have been around for a lot of festivities involving my cousin's stay with us from Florida. He would have been the life of the party. He would have insisted that we have everyone to my house for a BBQ on Saturday and he would have orchestrated the whole event, but that didn't happen. They stayed where they were. He would have ordered the Famous Lunch mini hot dogs, probably about 100 of them to bring to my house for the BBQ on Saturday. That didn't happen. I went home and cried all afternoon. My husband tried to cheer me up, but that didn't happen. I waited until about 6 pm and went back to my cousin's and stayed for a while and then brought my cousin home with me for the last night with me. Tomorrow night she will stay with her sister in law, where her husband is and Monday morning they are leaving.
My cousin wanted to go to Wal*Mart this morning. I know! She wanted to see if they had any Yankee Baseball items. They live in Florida and are Yankee fans and they can't find anything there with the Yankee insignia. We went to Wal*Mart but found nothing. So I came home and picked up the remainder of the muffins and headed to my other cousin's where my cousin's husband was staying. They enjoyed the muffins too. We spent the rest of the afternoon there. She cooked a big lunch but I didn't stick around.
I was feeling kind of blue today. Missing my brother terribly. He would have been around for a lot of festivities involving my cousin's stay with us from Florida. He would have been the life of the party. He would have insisted that we have everyone to my house for a BBQ on Saturday and he would have orchestrated the whole event, but that didn't happen. They stayed where they were. He would have ordered the Famous Lunch mini hot dogs, probably about 100 of them to bring to my house for the BBQ on Saturday. That didn't happen. I went home and cried all afternoon. My husband tried to cheer me up, but that didn't happen. I waited until about 6 pm and went back to my cousin's and stayed for a while and then brought my cousin home with me for the last night with me. Tomorrow night she will stay with her sister in law, where her husband is and Monday morning they are leaving.
THE VISIT PART III FRIDAY
It was another beautiful day. Warm, sunny.
We followed our usual routine this morning. Coffee and breakfast on the porch. We had to get out of the house by 11 today. My cousin wanted to go to the mall and then we were meeting friends at the Country Club for lunch at 1:30.
We got to the mall by 11:30. She had to go to the Pandora store, her bracelet had broken, well it didn't really break, one of the charms fell off. So we did that, visited with my daughter in her store and then I went to Macy's to get some Clinque items that I had run out of .
I have been using clinque since I was a teenager. I love it. It's such a simple system. You could go crazy with all of the different products they have. I just use the soap, the clarifying lotion, the moisturizer and sometimes the makeup remover, called Take Off the Day.
After the mall we head to the Country Club, freshened up when we got there and waited in the lobby for everyone to arrive. We had drinks in the bar and got seated for lunch about two. We never left there until four. It was a very nice afternoon and the desserts were great.
My cousin's had plans to meet to different friends again this evening so I was free to relax with husband.
Our evening routine with my cousin is just as nice as the morning. We get all comfy in some lounging pj's or sweats and sit on the porch, listen the crickets, have a glass of wine and chat about the day we had. When we run out of words to say we go to bed.
We followed our usual routine this morning. Coffee and breakfast on the porch. We had to get out of the house by 11 today. My cousin wanted to go to the mall and then we were meeting friends at the Country Club for lunch at 1:30.
We got to the mall by 11:30. She had to go to the Pandora store, her bracelet had broken, well it didn't really break, one of the charms fell off. So we did that, visited with my daughter in her store and then I went to Macy's to get some Clinque items that I had run out of .
I have been using clinque since I was a teenager. I love it. It's such a simple system. You could go crazy with all of the different products they have. I just use the soap, the clarifying lotion, the moisturizer and sometimes the makeup remover, called Take Off the Day.
After the mall we head to the Country Club, freshened up when we got there and waited in the lobby for everyone to arrive. We had drinks in the bar and got seated for lunch about two. We never left there until four. It was a very nice afternoon and the desserts were great.
My cousin's had plans to meet to different friends again this evening so I was free to relax with husband.
Our evening routine with my cousin is just as nice as the morning. We get all comfy in some lounging pj's or sweats and sit on the porch, listen the crickets, have a glass of wine and chat about the day we had. When we run out of words to say we go to bed.
THE VISIT PART II THURSDAY
The morning is my favorite part of the time when my cousin is visiting. We get up early make our coffee and go out on the porch and sit. the morning sun is just peaking around the east side of the porch, the birds are chirping and the neighbors are walking their dogs.
We sit for a while and then we have some breakfast and another cup of coffee. And then we are off to start out day.
Today we went to my daughters. My cousin has not seen my daughter condo since she was first getting it ready to move into. First we stopped at A. J. Wright to see if we could catch a bargain or two. She did, a couple of nice tops. Then we went to my daughter's, had the small tour and went to our next stop, to pick up my cousin's husband at his sister's. then to lunch. We have something that I think is more known in the northeast. It's called a Fish Fry. Because my cousins don't get them in Florida we had to make a trip the fish fry place. So we had fish fry, onion rings, french fries and one of us got a cheeseburger. After that it was back to the pool and we hung out the rest of the day. My cousin's had plans for dinner with friends so that freed my evening up for just relaxing.
We sit for a while and then we have some breakfast and another cup of coffee. And then we are off to start out day.
Today we went to my daughters. My cousin has not seen my daughter condo since she was first getting it ready to move into. First we stopped at A. J. Wright to see if we could catch a bargain or two. She did, a couple of nice tops. Then we went to my daughter's, had the small tour and went to our next stop, to pick up my cousin's husband at his sister's. then to lunch. We have something that I think is more known in the northeast. It's called a Fish Fry. Because my cousins don't get them in Florida we had to make a trip the fish fry place. So we had fish fry, onion rings, french fries and one of us got a cheeseburger. After that it was back to the pool and we hung out the rest of the day. My cousin's had plans for dinner with friends so that freed my evening up for just relaxing.
Friday, August 6, 2010
THE VISIT PART I WEDNESDAY
A hot and humid day, perfect for the pool
Today was the first day of my cousin's visit from Florida.
I got up early this morning and went marketing to get what I needed for my guest. Eggs, half and half, pods for my Kuerig coffee maker, snacks etc. I was a the store by 8 and home by 9. Got home, put everything away, had some breakfast and put on my bathing suit.
Left the house just before 11 and headed to my cousin's pool. I had gotten a call from my cousin from the road. They were on their way from CT, where she had spent three days visiting her brother. Their ETA was about noon.
When I got there, of course, she was cooking food for their arrival. So I skimmed the pool, opened the umbrellas around the pool and by that time I was sooo hot. I jumped in the pool.
They arrived at about 11:40 made good time getting here from CT.
We ate, we talked, we cried (I have not seen them since my brother died).
Today was the first day of my cousin's visit from Florida.
I got up early this morning and went marketing to get what I needed for my guest. Eggs, half and half, pods for my Kuerig coffee maker, snacks etc. I was a the store by 8 and home by 9. Got home, put everything away, had some breakfast and put on my bathing suit.
Left the house just before 11 and headed to my cousin's pool. I had gotten a call from my cousin from the road. They were on their way from CT, where she had spent three days visiting her brother. Their ETA was about noon.
When I got there, of course, she was cooking food for their arrival. So I skimmed the pool, opened the umbrellas around the pool and by that time I was sooo hot. I jumped in the pool.
They arrived at about 11:40 made good time getting here from CT.
We ate, we talked, we cried (I have not seen them since my brother died).
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A BUSY WEEKEND SCHEDULE COMING UP AND IT IS ONLY TUESDAY
Today started out cloudy, the sun came out and then the clouds came back. No pool today.
I had an appointment at 1:30 with my attorney. I had to sign some papers and today my brother's will will get probated.
After that we stopped at the bookstore in town to pick up the book my daughter ordered last week, had to go to the bank to deposit a check and then stopped at DD for a coolata. Came home and this is where I have been since.
My daughter wants to go to a movie tonight but I will have to wait and see when she gets out of work at 8 how she feels still about that.
I made baked ziti for dinner this morning so that was easy tonight, just a clean up.
My company arrives tomorrow from Florida so it will be a whirlwind weekend. They will drive in from CT and arrive about noon. They were in CT visiting her brother and his wife. The flew into LaGuardia in NY on Sunday and rented a car. So I will wait for them at my cousin's pool. The husband of the couple will probably stay at my cousin's who is his sister and the wife is staying with me.
We will probably have dinner all together at my cousin's tomorrow night and then on Thursday I don't know what she is going to want to do. Thursday night they have plans with friends that they knew when they lived here. Friday we have been invited to the Country Club for lunch three of my cousin's, the cousin from Florida and the friend who belongs to the Country Club. Saturday I am cooking dinner. Sunday back to the pool and a BBQ there and Monday the leave to go back to Florida.
I had an appointment at 1:30 with my attorney. I had to sign some papers and today my brother's will will get probated.
After that we stopped at the bookstore in town to pick up the book my daughter ordered last week, had to go to the bank to deposit a check and then stopped at DD for a coolata. Came home and this is where I have been since.
My daughter wants to go to a movie tonight but I will have to wait and see when she gets out of work at 8 how she feels still about that.
I made baked ziti for dinner this morning so that was easy tonight, just a clean up.
My company arrives tomorrow from Florida so it will be a whirlwind weekend. They will drive in from CT and arrive about noon. They were in CT visiting her brother and his wife. The flew into LaGuardia in NY on Sunday and rented a car. So I will wait for them at my cousin's pool. The husband of the couple will probably stay at my cousin's who is his sister and the wife is staying with me.
We will probably have dinner all together at my cousin's tomorrow night and then on Thursday I don't know what she is going to want to do. Thursday night they have plans with friends that they knew when they lived here. Friday we have been invited to the Country Club for lunch three of my cousin's, the cousin from Florida and the friend who belongs to the Country Club. Saturday I am cooking dinner. Sunday back to the pool and a BBQ there and Monday the leave to go back to Florida.
Monday, August 2, 2010
MONDAY MONDAY SO GOOD TO ME
It started out cloudy and threatened to rain but as the day went on the day got better. 84 degrees as a high.
I got a manicure today at 9:30 and then went to visit my daughter. She has been so busy lately I hardly see her. I stopped by Walmart and picked up a couple more pillows for the beds and some fresh flowers for the guest room. On Sunday I went to the mall and picked up some body wash, body lotion and mist to put in a little basket for my guest. I will also add a new loofah and a scented candle.
When I got home my cleaning lady was at my house giving me a clean sweep to freshen things up for my guests.
The sun was shinning bright and it was warm so I took a ride to my cousin's pool and floated in the sun for a couple of hours.
My husband was mowing lawn when I got home so I started dinner. After dinner we went to visit my mother in law at the assisted living facility she lives in. She has been there a year now. It's a very long story as to how she got to live in the city where we are because she once lived two hours from us with her daughter. I will tell that story some time. She is doing ok. I have been trying to get her some new bras, but it is very difficult to buy bras for someone who can't go with you to the store to try them on and women in their 80's are very difficult to fit bras for anyway. She doesn't really even need a bra. Maybe a tight fitting t shirt or a sports type bra. But she will have nothing to do with that. She comes from old school, she wants a real bra.
I got a manicure today at 9:30 and then went to visit my daughter. She has been so busy lately I hardly see her. I stopped by Walmart and picked up a couple more pillows for the beds and some fresh flowers for the guest room. On Sunday I went to the mall and picked up some body wash, body lotion and mist to put in a little basket for my guest. I will also add a new loofah and a scented candle.
When I got home my cleaning lady was at my house giving me a clean sweep to freshen things up for my guests.
The sun was shinning bright and it was warm so I took a ride to my cousin's pool and floated in the sun for a couple of hours.
My husband was mowing lawn when I got home so I started dinner. After dinner we went to visit my mother in law at the assisted living facility she lives in. She has been there a year now. It's a very long story as to how she got to live in the city where we are because she once lived two hours from us with her daughter. I will tell that story some time. She is doing ok. I have been trying to get her some new bras, but it is very difficult to buy bras for someone who can't go with you to the store to try them on and women in their 80's are very difficult to fit bras for anyway. She doesn't really even need a bra. Maybe a tight fitting t shirt or a sports type bra. But she will have nothing to do with that. She comes from old school, she wants a real bra.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
BEDROOMS
The bedrooms pictured here are the three bedrooms in my house. The one with the plaid comforter is the smallest room. That hot pink and green comforter and hot pink curtains were my daughters at her condo before she got a bit more sophisticated. So not really my choice. The room with the floral wall paper is the guest bedroom. That bed use to be in the master bedroom, but when we put the new mattress on it it was too high. So we put my brother's mattress on it and moved into the guest room and put my brother's bed in the master bedroom pictures with the two different colored walls and the metal bed frame; and put the new mattress on it. This is what I have been doing all week is getting these rooms re organized.
The bed in the hot pink curtained room is not really a bed it is just a mattress set on a metal frame with no headboard. The dresser in that room was in my husband's grandparents home, we took it home when my daughter was born and painted it white. She had the cutest room, a white Jenny Lind crib and that beautiful dresser painted white for her changing table. Then when she got older we stripped the paint and go it down to this beautiful birds eye maple wood. It went with my daughter to her first apartment, second apartment and condo and now it is back with me. The rocking chair my husband bought for me as a gift before we were married.
The bedroom set in the room with the four poster bed we bought for my daughter when she moved out of her crib. I don't really like it. The drawers are too small and the lingerie dresser only hold about one bra in each drawer. The overstuffed chair my brother bought for me after he won a very large amount of money in the lottery. It was once in my living room. The wall paper my daughter picked out it came in three different pieces, the top, the border and the bottom. The cedar chest or hope chest (my mother always called it a hope chest) was my mother's. She got it right before she got married, it will be 60 years old this year. I once painted it a bright yellow with orange streaks and used in my room when I lived it home. My husband had the foresight to get it back to it's natural state when we took it with us after we were married. The quilt I bought a long time ago. I loved it and now I am being very careful with it because it is starting to wear. It has lace appliques on it and the lace is starting to come undone.
The furniture in the master bedroom was my husband's when he was growing up. We took it with us after we were married. The floral settee I bought because I absolutely loved it, it was once in my living room. the little makeup table with the lamp on it was was a desk that we picked up at a garage sale at the all girls boarding school I once worked at. The bed was my brother's. The quilt is new.
I love the way all the furniture has a history.
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