Letters From New England

Happy (early) Memorial Day...

Monday

May 26, 2008

Hi,

When exactly did the government decide they were going to tell us what day(s) we can celebrate the national holidays, anyway?  "Hey everyone!  From now all, allllll national holidays will be celebrated on the Monday closest to the actual day.  Sorry if this inconveniences anyone". 

When I was a kid, businesses were closed on Sundays and holidays, giving people a chance to enjoy their families (or not).  Now, I think the only days everything is actually closed are Christmas, which is a Christian holiday, and New Year's Day, because everyone is too hung over to mind the store.  And, of course, inevitably, you wake up on those mornings and realize you forgot to buy the stuffing mix or you need Alka Seltzer just to get out of bed.  So, we find ourselves actually complaining that there are no stores open ANYWHERE. :) 

It was a nice (long) weekend.  Weather was fantabulous!  On Saturday, I went to my cousin Diane's son's graduation party.  Had a great time catching up with the family.  Stopped at Idylwilde on the way home and picked up a bunch of fresh fruit and veggies.  Yum...

Yesterday, I spent the entire (wonderful) day in the house!  Didn't even get dressed.  Found out last week that the memoir class (Life Lines) that I offer at the local college filled enough to run, so that will be starting on June 11.  Since I haven't taught it in almost 2 years and THAT class was my first, I thought it might be a good idea to dig all of the materials out and, ahem, brush up.  Since I created and designed it from the journal workshops that I teach, along with materials from the bazillion books I have on the subject, I found myself moving things around, adding new stuff, etc.  Spent most of the afternoon doing that and throroughly enjoyed myself.  Let's hope I sound like I know what I'm talking about when the classes start.

The beading class at the college was on Thursday.  Originally, 4 people had signed up and although they like 6 or more (most classes have had 10-12), they said they were going to let it go.  Only one person showed up.  Not that I didn't enjoy my 90 minutes with Shirley, but I had to pack and haul and repack and rehaul, then unpack all of my beads and tools and books. Bah. Well, it was extra cash, so I'm not complaining (much).  I usually take in about $300 the night of the class, then 3 hrs pay from the school.  So, having only one person hurt a bit, but I least I wasn't running around like a mad woman for 3 hrs.

I am going to be out straight the second week in June and will probably collapse in a big heap on Saturday, the 14th.  On the 9th, I have my little memoir group that spun off of the first Life Lines class I taught.  We meet at a local coffee shop and share essays.  On the 10th, we will be finishing up a 5 wk journal workshop.  It's Fun Night and something I always look forward to ending my time with the group with.  I bring snacks and drinks, we collage, do poetry, share stories, listen to music.  Fun times.  On the 11th, the first night of the 3 week Life Lines class starts.  On the 12th, I will actually have a night off, unless I fill it with the hair appt I now have to cancel on the 18th, as that conflicts with the Life Lines class.  On Friday, the 13th, Tammy and I are hosting a blowout (I hope) benefit for Linda's grandson, Jacob.  There will be 4 bands and food and a chinese auction and tons of fun and money coming in!  So, as I said...On the 14th, I may stay in bed alllll day.  Last summer on that day, I was flying to Phoenix by myself to surprise Denny on this birthday!

My "California" Linda called me a couple of nights ago.  We haven't talked in months and months, so it was good to catch up.  We always laugh and laugh when we are on the phone together...a good thing for both of us.  I have "made an appt" in my calendar to call her on June 15th.  Will have lots to tell her that day.

Went to the cemetary today.  Brought flowers for my mom and Aunt Evelyn, then "visited" with the rest of the family.  As I was searching the stones looking for a particular grave, I ran across the graves of my former sister-in-law and her husband.  Did a little walk around, then as I was heading back to my car, I saw my former brother-in-law and his wife heading to Janice's stone, so I went over to say hello.  I think the last time I saw them was at Janice's funeral. 

Did I tell you that the landlord is taking the house off the market "for a year or so"?  It's nice that I don't have to worry about moving with everything else going on at the moment, but I haven't given up plans to leave at some point.  I just do NOT want to pack this apartment up and move again!

Typepad made some changes to this screen that I wasn't aware of until I logged in.  New things added and a few things upgraded.  Nothing too scary. :)

Peace,

Kay

Saturday Snippets...

1. Tam is here for the wkend.  Off with Mike at the moment, but will be back for dinner (I think).

2. I did the usual Saturday working person routine: run errands, shop for food (new incentive at local market...bring reusable bags for your stuff and they take .05 off your bill for each bag.  Saved .20 today ;).  Laundry nearly done, floors mopped, etc.

3. Took a trip to Wal-Mart (I know, I know) and got a carpet sweeper that uses muscle power.  Tired of lugging that heavy vacuum out all of the time and the carpet sweeper is "greener".  Also bought a couple more pks of CLF bulbs in higher wattages.

4. Started a new JTTS class on Tues.  Good group dynamics.  Enjoying being in that process again and looking forward to the next 4 wks.

5. Hoped a box of beads from Fire Mtn Gems would arrive today...filled with sparkly autumn colors...but no luck. :( Maybe Monday.  I have a small pile of new beads from The Beadin' Path in Freeport, ME and that will have to do for today.

6. Began reading The Red Leather Diary yesterday.  Like it so far.  Still reading books on green living.  The Idiot's Guide had lots of info, but I also like Easy Green Living by Renee Roux.

7. Went to Home Depot and bought a couple of English Ivy plants.  Needed more green inside.  Stopped at Michael's and picked up bead containers.  Also made a quick trip to Roots Natural Food Store while in the area.

8. The Universe has graced me with some monetary abundance this month.  Thanks for that!

9. A co-worker stopped to talk with me in the cafeteria one morning this week. While chatting she said..."You always look so pretty.  You have beautiful skin".  Aw...made me blush!  What a way to start the day! :)

10. Last, but definitely not least.  Remember my story from last July about my "father"? (check the archives if you'd like a reminder) Well, I finally contacted the oldest daughter of my sperm donor's brother.  She took me completely at my word that her Uncle Paul is quite possibly my father (he was her godfather) and proceeded, over 3 days, to fill me in on so much paternal family history that I was about flat on my back in overwhelm.  She has spoken to her other sisters, one of whom works at the hospital with me and wants to meet next Fri a.m. for coffee in the cafeteria before work.  Both N, and D. have been very open and friendly, more than willing to fill me in, and share pictures (not yet, but soon) of my father. Due to information from N. (who has traced her family tree all the way back to the 1400's), Tammy was able to find one of my 2 half-brothers at MySpace.  Both are quite a bit younger than me.  L. (the youngest) is younger than Tammy! He doesn't know about me yet and just thinks Tammy remembered him from the short couple of yrs he and his father lived in Gardner when he was in middle school.  I'm not quite ready to open that door yet.  If I do, I am hoping one of them will be willing to do DNA testing with me to know for sure.  It would be really nice to put that question to rest before I die. It would also completely SUCK if it turns out that Paul is not my bio contributor after all, when my newfound family has been so open and friendly.

Anyway, it's been a helluva week. :)

Peace,

Kay

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Where does the time go?

Thursday

May 16, 2008

Hi,

If I had married my high school boyfriend on the date we'd planned, we'd be celebrating our 38th anniversary today.  Amen to that not taking place. :)

The jewelry sale...well, what can I say?  It happened, it was extra money, but it wasn't the rockin' sale I had in November.  Several reasons why.  Too many vendor sales at work...no one was Christmas shopping, of course, and a handful of jewelry vendors just before us.  Oh well... Kay Sera Sera. :)

What HAS happened is that I've gotten some private sales which have padded the purse by about $120.  So, it's all good.

My journal workshop started on Tuesday.  I had 7 in the class, 2 nurses missing.  I only had 5 sign up and as it's happened in the past, I didn't want to end up with 2 or 3 (which, as you can see, would have happened), so I invited some personal friends to come for free to energize me and the classroom.  I emailed both of the no shows and one responded saying she'd fallen asleep (she works 11-7) and missed the class.  She asked if she could start next week, but in order to get her CEU's, she needs to attend all 5.  Since one of the nurses who was there this week has to miss next week, I'm going to book the conference room for one more Tuesday at the end for makeup classes.  Oh...that added another $440ish to my checking account.  Good thing I wrote out my abundance check on the 5th, eh?

Anyway, we (well, *I*) had a really good time.  I've gotten feedback from a couple of people (positive feedback), and am looking forward to the next 4 weeks.  I think it's a good mix of people and I see some bonding taking place already.  I love teaching these!  Wish I could fill them all of the time, but it's not that easy.  You'd think with the opportunity to get more than the required amount of CEU's over a 2 yr period in ONE 5 week course, I'd have nurses begging me to run them.  Not the case.

Emma did a great thing on Monday.  She's been growing her hair out for a few years now, and she went to the salon with Tammy and had 10" cut off to donate to Locks Of Love, an non-profit organization that gathers hair for children who have lost theirs due to illness.  I'm so proud of her for doing that...and she looks cute as a bug in her new haircut. 

My cousin and I have been walking almost every evening for a little while.  Unfortunately, I am still having trouble with my back and the sciatica in my right leg, so can't go as far as I'd like (or NEED) to, but she's cool with it.  If she needs more, she gets it on her own.  At least it's getting out there, which is more than I've done all winter.  Gained more weight, am uncomfortable, hate my clothes, blah blah blah.  I have a family event to attend in the fall and I'd love to be about 100 lbs lighter.  Well, okay...that's a stretch.  I'd look like the walking dead if I lost that much. 

Cindi's here... gotta go.

Peace,

Kay

It's finally here...

Wednesday

May 7, 2008

Hi,

After weeks of working evenings to plump up the inventory, I finally put my tools down and packed up my boxes.  My sale takes place tomorrow from 9-4.  Cross all crossable parts for us to have a good day!  I wrote out my "abundance check" on Monday, so I'm sure we'll do great.  We have had sale after sale after sale at work (and some of them were jewelry) for weeks now.  I hope people have money left in their paychecks! :)

When I got home tonight, I spent about an hour packing everything up and getting into the car so I don't have to deal with that in the morning. I'm really looking forward to the sale...it's always a good time.  We have a great volunteer and these sales give me the opportunity to see people I don't usually run into on the average day.

The woman who coordinates these sales for the Hospital Aid Association stopped down to remind me to pay close attention to my table when it gets busy.  Once again, people have been stealing from the vendors, mostly the jewelry sales because it's easy to slip things into pockets.  I called Deb to let her know and we will keep a watchful eye for each other when we're with customers.  I've had a few pieces "go missing" from my table in the past, and Deb and I have also had price tags switched (the balls on these people never fail to amaze me).  It's awful enough that some of them steal, but with us they are also stealing from a co-worker.  That really sets my hair on fire!

I'm going to Maine this weekend to spend Mother's Day with Tammy.  Not sure what we'll do, but I will be happy to spend time with her and the kids.  The weather, like last weekend, is supposed to be rainy.  It has been gorgeous all week so far, just like the week I was off with Emma.  2 rainy weekends in a row.  Makes it difficult for people who work all week to get yard cleanups done.

Well, it's been a long day and I'm yawing away here.  I think it's time to wash up and go to bed with a good book.  Speaking of... have been reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.  Enjoying it so far.  I've also been reading books on living green and have a great one from the library right now.  It's called Easy Green Living by Renee Loux.  I liked The Idiot's Guide to Green Living for it's easy reading ability, but love this one because it's filled with information, recipes (for cleaning products and stuff), and quick references on a variety of things.  I might have to buy a copy (this one is from the library).

Here's a recipe for glass cleaner:  yield 1 qt

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

1/2 tsp of liquid soap (castile)

1 3/4 cups water

8 drops of essential oil of choice

Mix all in a spray bottle, spray on windows and wipe clean with your recycled newspapers.  Wear gloves!  No, not because of toxins, because of newsprint ink. ;)

On a sadder note, I've been so upset over the tragedy in Myanmar this past week.  Today, I read that there may be over 100,000 people dead.  I can't even imagine...  My heart goes out to the people of Myanmar during this awful time. 

Peace,

Kay