Easter

Went to Ruby Tuesday's and then roaming around stores with Sandy. Someday I'll have my own place so that I can have holidays again. I don't do it here because there's no option to celebrate as a family. At least if I had a place, I'd invite my family and they'd have a choice whether or not to come.

My daughter, granddaughter and future son--in-law celebrated here together. My son sat home at his house alone and I was out with Sandy. When my son come over afterwards the discomfort was so thick you could cut it with a knife. He stayed for five minutes and left. It hurts my heart so bad to see them like this. But since there's nothing I can do, I pretend it's not happening and go on with my own life.

Happy Easter to me.

Today

I am a knight.

Beautiful Creatures

We went to Newtown again tonight to see a movie. This time it was Beautiful Creatures. I think it was a teen movie but it really was pretty good. Before that I had supper at Peggie's.

Met Yvonne at the lodge to work on the bulletin this morning. We actually got it done and out by early afternoon. Then I went and picked up stuff to make appetizers for the Installation dinner tomorrow night.

All swaps out and one was received

Mailed out the box for the mini swap today so that is on it's way. It doesn't have far to go and I sent it priority so it should get there quick.

The card that I sent out on the 18th still didn't get where it has to go yet. How long does a card take to get somewhere here in the U.S.?

But Goldmoonjd got her package today and she loved it. Hopefully she's not just being nice. I always get so nervous plus I forgot stuff that I meant to include.

Now I'm ready for another swap. LOL!

Mini swap ready to go

I FINALLY made my choices and took out what I want. I put in what I'm sending and tomorrow the box will go out. Luckily it doesn't have too far to go.

Made plans to go to Newtown again next week to see another movie. The town hall is so awesome and as long as the smoke alarm doesn't go of, it's a great experience.

That's about it. Tomorrow is Holy Thursday and then a three day weekend.

Insanity at the lodge

Went to the lodge right after work to meet Yvonne and work on the newsletter. We also had an officer's meeting which turned into total madness. We set up a bunch of stuff for April and that went well until Peggie and Jerry went at it. I wasn't paying attention but all I know is Peggie told me to take her off for cooking spaghetti and meatballs on the last Wednesday of April and she stalked out. Then Jerry said leave the spaghetti and meatballs in the newsletter and something about he fired Peggie up.

Then Yvonne said she had something to say and told everyone that she was upset because she's not even installed yet and already they have someone running against her for next year. She got ganged up on sort of and Jerry blew up and said he was running against her and I can't even remember all the stuff that was said. I just stood there gaping pretty much. I didn't know WHAT to say. So Yvonne once again is quitting the newsletter, hopefully she'll change her mind. She shouldn't let them win although I can see how frustrating and tiring it is. And I keep trying to plug away hoping that someday we'll be the lodge we should be. I wonder if all other lodges have these issues? This is insane!

Worked in Jim's office for a few hours this afternoon because Missy had to leave for her son's practice. Working there has got to be the most boring thing in the world!

Swap mailed and more

Mailed the spring exchange swap today so that will be there no later than Thursday according to the post office. I finished winding mini's for that swap and all I have to do is choose what I want from the box and replace it with mine. THAT'S the hard part!

Went to the library tonight for another cooking demo. Stacy does really good stuff. Tonight was eggs. We had deviled eggs with curry, frittata, quiche and chocolate bread pudding. Just samples, of course, but definitely great. :)

Aging and ranting

I've decided that I really must be getting old. Someone posted on Facebook about their daughter graduating and them registering at all these stores for gifts and I said boy you Southerner's do it up big. We generally do coffee and cake and don't expect gifts. I got a lecture about the girl having to be well appointed and tons of people buying gifts and getting what she needs for her first apartment, etc. Holy crap!

I refuse to buy, or even look at, any gift registries but wedding ones and ONLY if the couple has been living at home and not together and don't already have everything in the world. Because seriously? It's wrong to me. Apparently, according to Carol, here in New England people do gift registries for everything too. And according to her our families (mine and Allen's) sucked because we didn't do that. I'm so glad I'm not greedy and I'm so glad we did coffee and cake and not all the bullshit they expect now. If that makes me old, oh well. I can't even imagine who came up with the idea that people are entitled to all that. $100,000 weddings -- seriously? And the guest are expected to pay for them? Yea, right.

Went to the Seymour Historical Society today with Sandy to see a talk on Civil War medicine. Oh my God. It was fascinating. I'd love to see it again.

Swap ready

I packed everything up and it's ready to go and will be mailed on Monday. I forgot to put in the minis I was going to put in and I forgot the chocolate bar I'd bought but I'm not opening it up again. Well I will get them in if I have to repackage it at the post office and I have them with me. Regardless, I'm happy with the package and it will be in the mail on Monday.

Sandy and I went roaming around Seymour today and we went to the Yankee Quilter. They have classes and open sewing nights that are reasonable so hopefully I'll make it to some. We also had tea and scones at Tea with Tracy -- I love that place and then went to the General Store. Surprise! They have fiber arts night on Thursdays, I think they said. You pay $3 and go hang out with spinners and knitters, etc. I am so in love with my little Valley. This is exciting. Now all I need is time!

Peggie called and we went up to the Edmond Town Hall in Newtown to watch a movie, Parental Guidance, which was freaking awesome. Billy Crystal and Bette Middler together are phenomenal. Can't beat the price either -- $2. It was a full house but about half way through the movie we all had to get out because the fire alarm went off. It was no big deal but what really bothered me was a woman with her two little kids -- one she held in her arms and the other she held his hand. The kids were both crying and scared. It made me wonder if they were affected by the shootings. Were they family of one of the victims? There was no reason for those children to be so upset. No one was upset and we all just walked out chatting and talking. No running and no panic.

Reminder

Just found this excellent site:
Phrases - it has the origins of phrases and stuff. Oh my God -- my kind of information. I'm dropping it here so I don't lose it.

And wonder-of-wonders, I just realized I can put links in here and have them open in a new window so I don't have to come back or hit the back arrow. DUH!

And I've been texting with Joan. I think we'll have some interesting stories to exchange. Hopefully this reunion won't be like the Joann one -- I still can't believe she said I'm a lost soul because I don't believe in a cruel God like she does. LOL!!!

Had a great conversation with Joan. Sorry to say that she and Paul are divorced and he's addicted to drugs. Poor Joan. Poor Paul. I'd always hoped that things would change for the boy "Behind Blue Eyes." I told Joan I wondered if these tragedies were some sort of Anson Street thing. :(

Lou

They moved her to Hewitt tonight and I'll go visit tomorrow. She told me to bring cigarettes but I told her I doubted the Nazi's would let her smoke. Which is sad because she should be able to smoke to the end.

Went to the lawyer's today. I need to pay another $700 before they file bankruptcy so I told them I should have paid it all by mid-May. Let's hope.

No knitting tonight

I know I should but I don't have the will tonight. I have to digest the fact that one of my best friends will never get to go home again. I went to see Lou in the hospital and Daryl said that while it's too soon for hospice, she can't live alone anymore. They're going to put her in a nursing home and one day she'll go from there to hospice. And she's the most amazing person. She's still full of cheer and love and laughter and she's ok with everything. I wish I was.

I found Joan Allen on Facebook and she remembers me and will call me tomorrow. I so wish Allen was still alive for this. We have so much to talk about. I did tell her Allen is dead. I hate that word. I really do. But his memory will live on in those of us who loved him.
How could I forget -- in the line of dying --  one of my Delphi friends from the newest forum I was in and part of the staff, passed away Saturday from a heart attack. I hate dead. I do.

Elks and more

So tonight was my last time being Inner Guard -- next meeting I will be the Lecturing Knight. I always wanted to be a knight and now I am. :) I also said I'd do the Soccer Shoot and as long as I get help, I'll be ok. Of course Yvonne and I are still the newsletter editors. I'm glad I have something to do that is actually a little worthwhile.

I crashed after work today and didn't wake up until after 6 p.m. so I got no knitting done today. I'll be finishing everything up and mailing out no later than Saturday. I am really pleased with this package.

Not so good news -- Lou is in the hospital. Darryl put it on Facebook that she's admitted and wants Lay's potato chips. I didn't find out until after I got home from the meeting and was changed into my jammies so I'll head there right after work tomorrow. I'll call her at lunchtime too. I hope it's nothing serious because she's been doing pretty good, I think. It's hard nor me to not be in denial. She doesn't act like someone who is dying of lung and brain cancer. Other than she's aged so much and walks with a cane and repeats herself alot. I want to believe it's an age thing but she's only a few years older than me. Her attitude is one that I can only pray that I come a tiny bit close to should (God forbid!) I am ever diagnosed with a terminal illness. I don't even want to think about this. I'll see her tomorrow.

A Box of Goodness and Snow

I received a big box of minis and goodies -- teas and knitting doo dads and chocolate and, of course, minis -- today. I'm in the process of trying to find out which swap I joined for this because it's my turn to send it on but I don't know where! LOL!!!

And it's snowing. Maybe the last storm of the season, today on Benito Juarez' birthday. That's another story in itself. LOL!!

I'm hoping to finish up my knitting for the spring swap tonight and mail it on Wednesday. Tomorrow after work I will need to weave ends in on what I've done and wrap and package everything. Then it will be on it's way. I mailed my March TOK card today. I love being in TOK and all the people there. :)

Huh -- Peggie lent me  Nora Robert's Key trilogy to read and I will be starting tomorrow. I opened the first book and the first thing I see is a quote from Byron. You know this trilogy is going to be great if she's a Byron fan.

61

I remember thinking that 60 was old when I was younger and now I wonder why. I don't feel old and I'm a year past 60. Who would have thought I'd be here now like this? It really hasn't been a bad life although a LOT of it was wasted. That's ok. It was my life, right?

Today I went to Anita's thing announcing her run for mayor. I felt really weird being at a Democratic thing and made sure my picture wasn't taken. I do not ever want to be taking sides or having people think I do. But I like Anita and wanted to show my support and see what she had to say.

Then we went to a place called TK's in Danbury -- if you go on your birthday and show them your license, they give you free wings. As many as you can eat up to your age. I could only eat 10 and Peggie ate 5. LOL!!

Nice day

I received my March card from the TOK swap. It was fun to receive a card in the mail. Went to lunch with Sandy and did a tiny bit of shopping. I finished picking up the rest of what I wanted to get for the spring swap so that will be in the mail later in the week. I just need to do finishing on what I knit and package everything up. Was supposed to meet Yvonne and Spencer and Peggie at the CWV for karaoke but I'm really settled for the night. Besides, I don't sing it -- only listen and the same people sing the same songs with no changes ever and it really isn't fun for someone who's only there to watch. At least I don't find it fun anymore. :( That's about it. I have gotten a little reading done too. It's been awhile since I just sat and read and knit and drank coffee. I miss doing that!

Just another day

But a good one. Laney called me, "Bad Mima" because she poked the dog and I gave her a look. LOL!! What a little, beautiful brat she is. Smart as can be too.

Just wow

Like I wrote on my Facebook status: I'm officially ashamed to be Catholic, except for the abortion part: "A doctrinal conservative, Francis has opposed liberation theology, abortion, gay marriage and the ordination of women, standing with his predecessor in holding largely traditional views. " I must have read it wrong when I saw he was elected. I thought it said that he thought that bishops shouldn't be horrible to gay's because that would be an abomination against children. Instead he is totally against gay marriage. And I had hopes of women being priests in my lifetime. Wow.

New Pope

It didn't take them very long and this one sounds wonderful. I'm so excited -- who ever thought I'd be excited about a new pope? The tiny bit I read about him has made me have lots of hope for us. Oh my God! I have to read all I can on him and I'm definitely going back to church. My prayers have been answered! Knitting -- nothing today but spent hours on Ravelry. LOL!! There's no sense in trying to knit at work and I had to stay late since Paulette left early. Took a show when I got home and will be going to Cosmic in awhile. Work -- very interesting excitement, sort of, today. For whatever reason, no one called our office about it and that's a rarity. Supposedly there was a gunman just off campus on Wintergreen. Our cops and the Hamden and New Haven cops all scoured for him but didn't find anyone. The boss said he was surprised this hasn't happened sooner and that more than likely it was someone thinking they saw a gun, rather than actually seeing one. This will be in the news. I'll have to remember to watch.

Forgot yesterday

We had such a nice day yesterday that I forgot to write it down. DUH! Roseann, Carol and I roamed a bit around New Haven. We went to Ray's for lunch and we wandered the Grove Street cemetery -- at least I think that's what it's called. Saw David Humphrey's grave and Eli Whitney's and more. I want to go back and really explore that place. We stopped into St. Mary's to see Fr. McGiveny's tomb -- I sure hope he gets canonized during my lifetime. We did go to Knit New Haven. I was surprised at how tiny it is but I'm in love. I picked up a few little things for the swap and now I can hopefully get it completely together over the weekend and out in the mail soon. Today was back to work after five days. I love my job but I love being home. And it rained and rained and rained. I did get my oil changed but they're telling me my brakes are really bad. I have no money so the subject is mute, no?

Done knitting

I finished knitting for the swap. I have three small items knit. YEAH! So now I have to pick up other things to put into the box. I did get something today but tomorrow I have off from work to go into New Haven with Roseann and Carol (old classmate) and hope to stop at Knit New Haven for some little things. I've never been there so this gives me a wonderful excuse to go! Spent the day cooking today. I baked the last pumpkin pie of the season and it came out perfect. The best I've ever made. I also made stuffed mushrooms and I made garlic monkey bread. Hmmm -- seems like I spent the whole day cooking but it really wasn't that much, was it? I did keep up with dishes no matter who was cooking stuff so that took some time. And we changed the clocks last night, or this morning at 2 a.m. so the days will be longer now. Sammy was over and spent the day here too.

A good day

I only knit a few rows but the day was a good one anyway. :)

Gave Harris (the guy downstairs) a ride to Target since I was headed that way and I saw him waiting at the bus stop. Went to Big Y for newspapers and then to the Post Office. Then I went to the lawyers with another $500 and 99% of the paperwork I had to bring them. I still owe them another $800 but at least most of the phone calls have stopped.

Went to Goodwill up there and Whitney Donuts. YUM!

Then I went to two other Goodwills and Savers with Peggie and to Subway and down to the lodge for a few hours. Now I'm home and ready to bed. I have to wait a few more hours though.

We did get hit

Probably the last snowstorm of the season. Work was canceled. I did a TON of printing out stuff for the bankruptcy lawyers and am supposed to drop it off tomorrow. I still have a ton of stuff to copy and print out. I'm spending more money trying to get out of debt! I've been busily knitting too. I finished another thing for my exchange and started another. My goal is to mail by the 20th or so. Deadline for arrival is the 31st so I'm well on target even though I already received my wonderful package as did many others. I'm the tortoise -- slow and steady. LOL!!

Home today

Went to sleep normally last night then woke up around 1 a.m. Pino was making some noises and when I looked over, he'd pooped -- liquid poop -- all over the rug. GAG!! So I had to clean it all up as best as I could and then went back to bed. I'd just started to drift off when I smelled something. Yep, he did it again. So I sent him into the kitchen -- no rugs -- and cleaned and sprayed the rug yet again. Then I went into the kitchen and he'd peed everywhere. *sigh* Maybe if he were a small dog it wouldn't be as bad. :( And I couldn't use the rug cleaning machine since it was in the wee hours of the morning. By the time I was done and banned him from the bedroom, it was after 3:30 a.m. So I called in work to say I was up all night and feeling yucky -- absolutely true! I didn't wake up until 1 p.m. today. No snow, just the occasional flurry. Went to the laundramat and also cleaned the rug with the machine. Tomorrow, after work, I have to get together all the paperwork that I have to drop off at the lawyer's on Saturday. At least the phone calls have stopped. YEAH!! And now I'm going to work on my knitting -- so far it seems to be working. And if I have time, I have a few more ideas. :)

Storm coming?

A Nor'Easter is supposedly headed our way. I'd love one more winter weather day off. I just hope I don't have to drive to or from work on icy roads. Am trying to knit something else. Looks a little on the big side but I'm using feltable wool. Let's see what happens. :)

Flunked the fingerprints again

Got a call from the police department saying that once again my fingerprints were no good. She said she thinks it's the FBI that can't read them. This is insane! After work tomorrow I'm going to stop at the lodge to see if Jim is there. He's retired FBI and maybe he can direct me to whatever department I need to talk to. I had the records girl at the PD laughing when I said just let me commit a crime and see how fast they catch me by my fingerprints! I can't believe I've been trying for a year now. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! Yvonne and I got Elk of the Month for January tonight for doing the bulletin.

Frustrated

I started three different things for my exchange and had to rip them out. Honestly, why do people put up patterns that are impossible to follow or leave out chunks? I may end up uying a pattern and buying her the yarn to go with it. Went to the library for the end of the library winter reading program. Stacy's food is always yummy. It was delicious appetizers. The summer one starts June 21.

Different idea for swap

Arg!! The thing I wanted to knit for the exchange turned out to be not so easy to knit. It's probably really, really easy, but not for this time around. I need small and quick and that required way too much thinking. These few months have been insanely chaotic so I can't really play with new (to me) things. So I knit up a very small an quick little gift. I like it. I hope she will too. Then I'll do a few hexis because we all love them. And I have to fill up the box with other goodies. Went to a conference on auditing today for the Elks. I thought it would be boring and not pertain to my chair but, although it bored me almost to sleep in parts, I learned a very lot in other parts on what we should be doing financially at the lodge. I think we're pretty set but there are a few things that I'm not sure about. But Tony and Jerry were there and they're the Secretary and ER and they should know what we're doing. I don't need to be concerned with it from my lowly position. :)

Investigation

Just got back. Very interesting. The family is more interesting than the case but that's interesting too. Can't really talk about it because of confidentiality. Have to be up at 7 a.m. for that Elks audit meeting/class thing. I haven't a clue why I said I'd go to that!

March 1

I can't believe it was almost 43 years ago (not 43 years until 10 p.m.) that Allen asked me out and that was the beginning of the rest of my life. And what a ride it's been! Today was a normal day, yeah! And a good one -- I like these kinds of days. I even finally decided on what to make for my exchange partner. Nothing like making up my mind at the last minute!