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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3052
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 7:15 pm: | 
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I got a private tour of the SHU gym, pool and fieldhouse from Sheena and one of the other student government officers yesterday. They do have very nice facilities there. We were there at a somewhat "low" time (early afternoon when many students have classes) but every one of the cardio machines was occupied, and new vacancies seemed to fill immediately. There were also signs limiting users to 20 minutes max on the machines. So, I think Sheena is right in telling us that it isn't realistic to expect to open it up to South Orange residents "at large" at this time.
I also found out that I am not currently set up to use those facilities, since I am only a part-time graduate student. (When I try to swipe my ID card, it just beeps at me.) I think it is probably just a matter of paying a fee that is optional for graduate students, but I haven't had a chance to investigate that issue yet.
Meanwhile I'm still going to Curves and probably will continue to do so, since it is a different (and complementary) sort of workout, but I'd sure like to use the SHU pool and possibly some of the other facilities also if it works out. |
Barbara
Citizen
Username: Blh
Post Number: 597
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 8:19 pm: |
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Hey there SAC,
We moved over to the Summit Y -- and have enjoyed it. The circuit there is very interesting -- and I'm seeing better results than I did at Curves. Let me know if you want to come with some day! (We can chat about it on Friday!) |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3057
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 9:24 pm: |
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Hi Barbara ... I emailed you. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3115
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 1:16 pm: |
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I'm studying hard now for my first midterm (of two in the course) which is scheduled for Monday. The impending storm is actually helping as it has resulted in postponement of some other things that were crowding my calendar for tomorrow. We'll probably still make it to church, since it is only a couple of blocks away and we don't have to drive to get there, but I'm not expecting to do much else besides studying tomorrow.
A related benefit is that we had Papermill tickets for "The Diary of Anne Frank" tomorrow night and I was going to miss it, reluctantly, due to my studying. Now that we are using the storm as an excuse to exchange our tickets (and also realized that weekdays during Winter Break were an option), I'm going to get to go with my daughter after all. Of course we could have done that without the storm, but it was the impetus to go ahead and make the exchange. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3144
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:25 pm: |
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Back last fall, when I took Intermediate Accounting I, the requisite textbook was a two volume edition covering both semesters. It came with a "free" Problem Solving Guide (workbook) for the first volume, which I never cracked open all last semester.
So, here I am studying for my first exam of the second semester and suddenly finding this guide invaluable. But, wouldn't you know, this exam covers chapters from both volumes and I don't have volume 2 of the workbook. I wish I had discovered this a few days ago because I could probably have purchased it at the university bookstore or even online at Amazon or B&N. But I only figured this out as the snow started to fly yesterday.
But ... then I found that Amazon had a bargain (3rd party) seller offering it as a pdf, emailed upon receipt of payment and I thought that maybe I would have it in time after all. Alas, the seller doesn't seem to have logged on in the intervening time period, so no workbook yet.
It will still be handy when the next exam comes around and again for the (cumulative) final exam, but I sure wish I could have it tonight!
And, no luck from the weather either ... Seton Hall isn't closing tomorrow. They do have a delay, but only until 11:00 and my class is at 11:30 ... sigh! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3173
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 7:07 pm: |
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I didn't get my study guide ... in fact it still hasn't come so now I'm trying to track it down through Amazon. I did well on the exam though, so it wasn't a big problem. Actually, the weather helped. I had several other activities that weekend that were cancelled or postponed so I really didn't have a whole lot to do besides study.
I got a big surprise in the mail the other day - a letter from the business school telling me that I had earned a $1000 scholarship that I didn't even know existed. That was definitely exciting! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3203
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 5:08 pm: |
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Spring Break this week! It's nice to have a break from studying, but I don't really feel like I'm on vacation with a big, messy payroll at work (with server crash on top of that) and a kid home from school sick!
It's always something, I guess.
I went to renew my drivers license today and the process was pleasantly painless. One hour from the time I left my house until I got back home from the Springfield DMV. They've definitely gotten their act together there. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3285
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 6:28 pm: |
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Second midterm coming up - next Monday. So, I'll be studying all weekend, right?
Wrong ... as discussed on las' party thread, I'll be taking Girl Scouts on a "camping" trip. (I put that in quotes because we will be staying in a heated lodge with most of the comforts of home and meals provided in a dining hall.) The good part is that there will be five other adults in our group and all the activities are provided by the staff at the (YMCA) camp facility where we will be. I will bring my books along to try to sneak in some studying while the girls are doing their structured activities with the Y staff, but I was really bummed when I found out about the conflict. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2574
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 6:31 am: |
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sac, what's doing with your parents and the assisted living thing? Any movement? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3320
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 8:17 am: |
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Mom is ready to go and Dad is balking. I'm trying to figure out ways to work on him. Unfortunately, his hearing loss is such that telephone conversations don't work very well, but I had occasion to write him a letter about something else last week and included something on this. I'm waiting to hear (from either him or my mother) whether it did any good.
Between the aforementioned Girl Scout trip and midterm exam, I haven't followed up yet, but it is on my list for this week. The trip went well and I did get to do a fair bit of studying. The exam was hard, but I think I did reasonably well. I was definitely wiped out, though. I fell asleep last night at 9:30pm! |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2575
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 9:18 am: |
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Not meant to be a guilt-making question! Just got to thinking about you as I recall you had an ambitious, desired timeframe. The letter idea sounds good. I find the written word has always worked better for me, with my dad and my husband...good luck! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3328
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:11 pm: |
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Cyn - I didn't feel any guilt-making from you at all.
I talked to my parents on the phone tonight. Mom is ready to write a check for the deposit. My father is now complaining about how much it is going to cost him, which means he is going to do it, but he's going to make sure we all know that it wasn't his idea. He also said that I should go ahead and make a plane reservation on my desired schedule.
So, if Mom and I can just endure a few verbal slings and arrows, I think we'll get there.
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3377
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 8:47 am: |
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Well, they paid their deposit and received all the paperwork that has to be filled out and signed and now my father is balking again. My mother says he won't even look at the package and that he is insisting that assisted living = nursing home. Sigh!
And my sister is up to her eyeballs in work and other stuff this week and can't really do much for them until next week ... which is when I'm due to fly down there and help them actually move.
I'm emailing back and forth to the intake person at the assisted living place trying to figure out what needs to happen when and how to move things along.
I hope I don't have to delay this because I really don't have another window to get down there until Memorial Day weekend! (Sorry Joan, but I might have to miss the parade again...)
I guess another alternative to give me a little more breathing room would be to drop my summer course (currently scheduled for Monday and Wednesday nights from May 15 - June 30 ... but with a hiatus on Memorial Day, hence the possible window then.) That would help a little, but with a 5th grader about to have a birthday and getting ready for "moving up" and two Girl Scout troops with end of year "stuff" going on, it is hard to get away! |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2630
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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I forget: Is it possible for them to have a short vacation there, to road test it? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3378
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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The place is a rental vs a purchase type deal so, other than having to pay the "entrance fee" (more or less a security deposit and well under one month's "rent"), it is really just a month-to-month thing anyway. We have "pitched" it to my parents as a 3-month trial, but it really isn't a special arrangement ... just a commitment (hopefully) on their part to give it that much time.
There are assisted living places where you "buy in", but this is not one. That would certainly be a bigger hurdle.
After I posted the above and emailed similar to my contact there, she sent me back a reassuring reply. So long as I can get her at least the name and phone number of my father's physician, she can get the needed medical form done and the rest can be done when they hit the door on move-in day. Unfortunately, I don't know the doctor's name and phone number, but hopefully my mother can give me that. And, if worse comes to worse, since my sister is actually a doctor herself, apparently she could sign the form until we catch up to his actual physician.
Of course, there is still the battle to set up the move, but my concerns re the paperwork have been settled somewhat. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3379
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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One piece of good news in all this ... I've aced my course so far, so I can probably get away with not doing much more than showing up for my remaining classes (final class on the day before I depart on the trip) and final exam (the day after I return.)
I'll be taking my books and notes with me to study and should at least get some good "airport/plane time" for that, but the pressure is mostly off in that regard. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3386
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 5:47 pm: |
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Well, I think my father may be coming around. I've hardly talked to him at all in the last few weeks, partly out of fear of what he would say to me and partly because he has a really hard time with the phone due to his hearing loss and rarely answers it if given a choice.
However, I called today, thinking to speak to Mom and get their insurance info to work on that chore and he picked up. Turns out she was talking to a professional packer/move helper that the assisted living place had referred.
I told him what I wanted and why and he gave me the information without any static and then THANKED me for helping with it. Then he even made some comment about all the work we will have ahead of us to go through their things before they can sell the house. (Now that's a leap that I didn't expect!)
Interestingly, despite the loud talking of the two women in the next room, we didn't have our usual difficulties with his hearing and phone conversations. I still haven't figured that one out, but I guess I should just be thankful for small favors.
Realizing, of course, that he is in the early progression of Alzheimers and the mood could be completely different tomorrow, but I'm taking some consolation in the progress we're making.
A few minutes later I got a call from the woman who had been visiting with my mother and she seemed to think that our approach was doable and that she could help them out. She sounded really committed to this kind of work - apparently she specializes in helping seniors make these kinds of moves.
So, at the moment, I'm cautiously optimistic about how the next week or two will go. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2646
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:36 am: |
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This sounds great, sac. I forgot about the early Alzheimer's piece in all of this. Good that you're making progress. Does the place have activities that may engage him? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3390
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:13 am: |
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Well, my father is definitely not an "activities" person so I'm not all that optimistic on that front. However, he is a major "helping" person, so I kinda expect (hope) that he will find a niche that way. When we went to visit the place and a lady lost track of her cane, he was right there fetching it and handing it to her. He also tends to enjoy watching other people engaging in activities - I've seen this a lot at family gatherings - so I hope that also works for him there. I'm not totally sure what to expect actually.
I'm almost certain that my mother will be into the activities, though, and I think that seeing her happy will be positive for him.
One thing that will be interesting is that places like this have many more women than men, so the men tend to be "popular" in the social structure, from what I hear.
So far I've been pretty focused on and worried about the move, but once we get past that it will be interesting to see how it unfolds. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2648
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 9:24 am: |
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My dad definitely experienced the popularity thing. He thought it was pretty funny, and he's he'd had enough of women (given my mom), he only responded when they needed help. He was never a card player or any of that, but did like computers and that made for some conversation starters. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3399
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 9:59 pm: |
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Well, I'm flying to Houston tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me (and my parents) that this goes as smoothly as possible. It looks like I'll have good flying weather tomorrow at both ends, so that's a good start, anyway. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3412
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
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Well, I'm back ...
My trip and my parents' move were very successful, but totally draining and stressful for me. My father may be the one diagnosed with Alzheimers, but if I were betting, I'd say that my mother has it (or similar). However, she has so far refused to go for the neurological evaluation. I think that now that she is in a facility with a medical staff, this may happen though. My father seems to be holding up fairly well, although he still seems convinced that the new situation won't work and they will have to move back to the house.
We had wonderful help from a person that I would best describe as a "move facilitator". During the week prior, she helped my parents identify which items to bring with them. Then she arranged for the moving crew, obtained all the packing materials and packed many of their belongings (with some feeble help from me after I arrived.) At the new place, she unpacked practically everything while I was shepherding my parents through the check-in process and their first meal in the dining hall. A couple of days later, after I had purchased a TV cabinet and bookshelf (on sale at Wal-Mart!), she brought her husband with her and he assembled the furniture and got them set up in the apartment. She also hung a great many pictures on the walls and helped arrange my mothers other various knick knacks and decorative items. I am lousy at decorating, so this was a godsend for me.
All week, I felt a bit like a parent moving a child to college. I spent most of my time running back and forth to Wal-Mart, Linens 'N Things and IKEA to buy everything from soap dishes to furniture.
Meanwhile, the phone company couldn't get their act together on moving the phone service and DSL. It was supposed to have been moved on Friday, but didn't actually work until Tuesday. I was sweating that one out, since I had to leave on Wednesday, but I got the computer working and everything set up and checked out once the DSL was live. I kept the computer at their house (where I was sleeping) over the weekend since that's where the Internet service was. It was quite interesting to run the computer while sitting on the floor, with the keyboard in my lap and the mouse on the floor. The desk had gone with the movers on the first day.
Other than on the airplane, I never did a lick of studying for my exam. However, I got lucky on both flights. I stood by for earlier flights than were confirmed, so I only spent a few minutes in the airports at each end. Despite my standby status, I got aisle seats next to empty middles both times and was able to spread out my books and actually accomplish some studying then. I guess it worked, because I think I actually did OK on my exam Thursday morning. I should know for sure early next week.
After my exam I had to go to work and get a payroll submission ready as it was my once a month "heavy" workload day. It was particularly troublesome this time and I ended up working until midnight, but we got it done.
Now I can get back to my usual overscheduled life - my younger child's birthday party this afternoon, her Girl Scout meeting tomorrow (I'm the leader), ... and so it goes. However, no classes for a week, and my summer class starting on the 15th is in the evenings, so I'm looking forward to having some more free time during the days coming up. Maybe I can get the house back to some semblance of order before I abandon my family here for another long weekend with my parents ... probably at the end of the month over Memorial Day weekend, to tie up a few loose ends that remain.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2735
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 6:45 am: |
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Wow! Sounds like quite a time. That move facilitator person sounds aces -- glad you had one. Having performed some of those functions myself/ourself (sister and I) I know how draining they can be. She really sounds wonderful. Reading your post reminded me heartily of similar activities with my parents. Hard to believe there's so much to buy when, in theory, they're going to a smaller place. I'm sure that for your mother, having all of her special items around greatly eased the feeling of home.
Do they barbeque at your parents' place? Reading about Memorial Day reminds me that for the WWII generation, Memorial Day can be a bigger deal than for we younger folks. I hope they do it up. I know my family used to visit some family member graves on "Decoration DAy," but I guess that tradition is largely gone.
Good for you, sac. Can't believe you're getting it all in! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3413
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 7:30 am: |
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I haven't heard about what they do for Memorial Day, but it wouldn't surprise me. My parents, however, have never barbecued in their life, so they won't miss it if it doesn't happen. And, yes, they are definitely of the WWII generation. In fact, BOTH of them served on active duty in the Navy in that war. My mother was one of the first WAVES. They met via the Navy, actually, but not until quite a few years after the war when they were both in the reserves ... they went to the same summer duty one year in the early 1950s and the rest is history.
This reminds me that one of the staff people had told me that another recently moved-in resident was in the WAVES and they were going to make sure that she got introduced to my mother. I'll have to inquire to see if that happened yet. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2736
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 7:46 am: |
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Hey, cool. My friend's mom was in the AF (I believe), the branch where women ferried planes from here to there. Many pix of her doing same with her buddies. That's where she met her husband. A very independent-minded woman, and from Texas. Blanking on her name right now, but she had a doctor brother named Basil (that always struck me).
Ah, the joys of the sandwich generation, in which you are a card-carrying member. Parents to the left of you, kids to the right... |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3435
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 8:21 am: |
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Good news - I made an A on my final and in my course.
Now I'm agonizing about whether I really should take a summer course this time around. I'm enrolled for a tax course (Estate and Gift taxation) that meets Monday and Wednesday evenings starting next Monday. The drop deadline is Wednesday, so I can attend one class before I must decide. I'm very interested in the topic, but I'm starting to wonder if it would be just plain stupid of me to make this kind of commitment at this point with all kinds of evening events coming up for the end of the school year - especially since my younger child is finishing 5th grade. I'm leaning toward dropping it and saving some of my sanity, but I guess I'll go Monday night before I decide for sure.
The business school, especially the accounting and taxation departments, stack their courses in the summer term since this is the less busy season for accountants and many students are also working in the field. However, as a parent of school children, this is definitely my "busy season" and adding the elderly parents into the mix just compounds it for me.
And, on top of all that, I have scheduled a trip back to Houston over Memorial Day weekend to tie up a few loose ends with their move and try to have more of a real visit this time. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3441
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:42 pm: |
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Yesterday was my birthday AND Mother's Day. My spouse and kids did all the meals and most of the cleanup yesterday, so I got to be a veg once we got home from church. It was lovely! Both daughters gave me cards with "coupons" redeemable for "time with" and "services from" them. Those will be fun to redeem. I already got a foot massage from my younger daughter. My major gift to unwrap was a new sleeping bag, rated to zero degrees. Those who do Girl Scouts with me may appreciate this one. The old one just wasn't keeping me quite warm enough on some of those chilly fall camping trips.
Speaking of camping trips, I'm taking a few of my older (high school aged) Girl Scouts to Beach Jam this weekend. It's the Boy Scout/Girl Scout sleep in tents on the beach at Wildwood event held every year at this time and it will be the first time in quite a few years that I've done that (slept in a tent on the ground.) Last year, which I missed, the weather was so chilly and rainy that they spent the first night in a motel. However they still had a great time, slept on the beach the second night and wanted to return this year ... or maybe it's just a different set of kids going this time, I can't keep track. Hopefully the weather will be better this time anyway. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2766
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
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Yep, I hear last year was pretty unpleasant, weather-wise. My kid had an asthma attack, and ended up coming home early with some others. I think it was the deciding factor in tipping her away from Girl Scouts! She was kinda middling anyway, but...
The sleeping bag sounds a really good gift, along wtih the services. Glad it was a good one. I could sure see how you could use a break from school this summer -- unless you find school a bit of a refuge from real life. I know I did, as I was going during my parents' final years, moves etc. and the birth of my baby. It was oddly relieving to worry about school. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3444
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:52 pm: |
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I went to class tonight and it cinched my decision to drop the course and take a nice long summer break, rather than make myself crazy during my "busy season". I truly enjoy school (and do sometimes find it a bit of a refuge) when the courses are good, but tonight's class was not inspiring. I already knew that it largely duplicated a course I took as part of my Financial Planning certificate program a little over a year ago (not transferable), but I was interested enough in the topic to take it now to get the graduate credit as well as a refresher. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed with what I heard from the professor this evening. I haven't been around the school long enough to know if they rotate who teaches the various courses ... if so, I might consider it in the future. However, it's an elective, so I may just find a different elective in another semester instead. I'm not overly excited about taking summer courses anyway, due to the significantly compressed schedule. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3449
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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In the continuing saga (though not so much documented here) of raising a teenager, I have discovered a great new tool ... the cellphone. Or, more particularly, text messaging! Since my teenager cannot be separated from her cellphone, I now have a 24/7 tool for nagging. And, somehow, it doesn't seem to bug her nearly so much when I send those little reminders this way. And if it does, she has only herself to blame because she taught me how to send text messages!
Some recent examples: "Don't forget to bring home your swimsuit from school", "Did you go see Mr. xxxxx?" (i.e. a teacher), "Don't forget to be home by the time your sister's bus gets there" ... and the ever popular "Where are you?"
Of course, when Verizon integrates GPS (and some sort of associated parental monitoring software) into their phones, then I won't have to even ask that last question any more and will be far more likely to get a truthful answer! 
Anyone know if the latter exists or is in the works? I'd love to add it to my aresenal when we get new phones next time, especially since I have another teenager "coming soon". (just turned 11) |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2773
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 6:43 am: |
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SAme experience here, sac. My kid (12-3/4) responds much better to requests via texting (esp if I use cuteicisms like R U for are you). Same with my husband, come to think of it. I think it provides a degree of emotional distance. I don't have that parental monitoring software (didn't know it existed!). |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3452
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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Actually, I don't think it does exist, but if/when it does, I want it. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3499
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 1:38 pm: |
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Well, it's all in the news today that it DOES exist, but as I went to check it out, I don't think it is really what we might have wanted. Seems that Verizon's version only works with a dumbed down kiddie phone (4-buttons you preprogram to specific numbers, no text messaging, etc.) Not exactly what most teens have or would want, although I expect that (limited phone selection) will change if it is to succeed in the market.
Also, some of the articles rightly point out concerns about the system being hacked by stalkers or others with sinister intent as well as legitimate concerns about privacy rights. The latter is certainly up for discussion, so long as parents are the ones entering into the contracts for their minor children, but it does give some pause.
It will be interesting to see how this one shakes out and what the reaction is of parents and teens as it does. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3522
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 7:05 pm: |
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Boy am I glad that I didn't try to take a course these last few weeks. So much has been packed in that I didn't know which end was up until a couple of days ago. If I'd been trying to keep up with a class, I would have been a goner for sure!
Now things are finally calming down with the end of school imminent. I'm as ready for summer break as the kids, I think. The older kid is done with finals and probably won't even need to darken the door of the school again until fall. The younger one has her 5th grade "moving on" ceremony tomorrow. Middle school here we come! (she said with no small dose of fear and trembling.)
My parents seem to be plugging along. We are all scheduled to meet out west for a big family reunion in Albuquerque in mid-July. My father is one of eight sibs and they are all still living and have lots of children and grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren among the eight of them. My father is the oldest at 85 and his two "baby sisters" (age 73 and 74) are going to fly with him and my mother. My aunts are in the "merry widow" stage of their lives - doing lots of traveling, etc., so I was really happy to hear that they would do this. I played travel agent and searched online for a good airfare for them and got them all set up and my aunt was thrilled. Hopefully the traveling will go as smoothly.
My family is actually flying in and out of Denver on this trip since we are combining it with a week's vacation in Colorado with my husband's parents and sister and family to celebrate my in-law's 50th anniversary. It is also a heck of a lot easier (not to mention less expensive) to fly from Newark to Denver than it is to fly from here to Albuquerque.
And, apropos to another thread, the big kid dropped her cellphone in a puddle the other night. She has "heard" (not from me or MOL so far as I know) that they often work again after they dry out, so we'll see. Otherwise, she knows that she's stuck with using one of our "old" (no flip, no camera) phones until we qualify for new phones next spring unless she saves up money for a new one sooner. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2623
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 9:23 pm: |
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Hi Sac, just to let you know re cell phone stuff. I have been unhappy with my new flip phone for various reasons (I have t-mobile) and had a long talk with the manager of the t-mobile store at MASH. Don't know if Verizon works the same way (maybe not) but just be aware that at least at tmobile, I could, if I choose, extend just my phone in our family plan in order to qualify for an updated (or in my case new down-graded) phone. IOW, all phones in a family plan don't have to be on the same page regarding renewal,etc. I also got a used flip phone for my son (should have made him use the old non-flip too after he dropped his in the pool, but it was during his bar mitzvah weekend so I was more forgiving than I would normally be) from ebay until our last contract renewal.
Glad to hear that you feel you made the right choices vis. summer school for you. So your high-schooler doesn't have to appear at all at chs next week? cool. Mine graduates from 8th and is off to chs in the fall! Time does fly doesn't it. I'm counting on you (and others) to fill me in on MMS - I'm sure I'll miss it. have a lovely rest of the weekend. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3523
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 9:53 pm: |
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Well ... she got lucky. Her phone IS working again.
And, of course, I meant Monday rather than tomorrow on the post about the 5th grade moving on. I guess my brain still is a bit fried from recent times.
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3576
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 4:25 pm: |
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I certainly haven't been a very good blogger lately. (Although I suppose that there's no need to feel guilty about it as it is MY blog.)
I had a scare on Sunday ... after a very interesting and enjoyable trip with my church choir and other friends to Harlem to attend services at Abyssinian Baptist church (think Adam Clayton Powell, etc.) followed by a truly wonderful lunch at Sylvia's Soul Food restaurant. Right after eating, I became seriously ill. In fact, before I even got back on the bus to come home, I was starting to feel some really bad stomach cramps. After I got home and it continued to get worse, we called the doctor. Being that it was Sunday and after 5:00 PM, the Summit Medical Group urgent care facility was closed and my doctor was not available. But a covering doctor called back and when she heard my symptoms she said I should make haste to the emergency room on the chance that it could be appendicitis or something else equally urgent. Six hours, one CT scan, several IVs and some bloodwork later, I got to come back home. Although I still was not feeling very good, they had ruled out all of the urgent and life threatening things, but they couldn't rule in anything and we were all somewhat doubtful that it was the food since it had started so quickly. However, the next morning when I saw my regular doctor, he said that it could indeed have been a food poisoning caused by a staph bacteria - apparently it can cause pain like that in as little as 30 minutes. He also told me that, in all likelihood, if it had been a few years ago before CT scans were routinely available, I would have had to go in for an emergency apendectomy. So, I'm grateful for advances of medical science and technology. Otherwise, I guess I would still have a fair period of recuperation remaining.
And ... I would go and eat there again. I think that it was probably a fluke (i.e. someone didn't wash their hands as well as they should or something like that.) They had great chicken, ribs, side dishes and cornbread to die for! |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 496
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 8:04 pm: |
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Sac,
So glad you are ok! Quite a memorable bus trip!
Calli |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3731
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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Wow - summer's almost over and it has been two months since I posted anything here.
We had a nice vacation in July with the two family reunions. My paternal relatives in Albuquerque for a weekend followed by a week in Buena Vista, Colorado with my husband's parents and his sister and her family. In Albuquerque we had about 60 people - my father and his seven brothers and sisters and many of their descendents, plus a few inlaws and friends. In Buena Vista, we rented a home right on the Arkansas river and it was great! We went rafting and on day trips in the car and did quite a bit of lazing around and playing games, cards, reading, etc. The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins who they had not seen in over a year.
We got home just in time for the big heat wave and DID NOT enjoy that, but we survived. One kid went to sleepaway camp and the other did day camp with the Camera Shop for two weeks. All of the structured activities finished up mid-August and they have been "vegging out" since then. I think that they might even be starting to look forward to school (at least the younger one!)
I spent last week in Houston visiting my parents again. They seem to be doing OK in their assisted living place and have asked me to start getting their house ready to sell, so they seem to have accepted the change in lifestyle. My mother told me she is really glad not to be doing housework any more although she is somewhat disappointed in the social interactions in her new place. (She hasn't really "connected" with the people there so far, or at least not as well as I'd hoped.) I think my father has become more of a social success than my mother, which is the reverse of what we might have expected. Not that he's turned into a big socializer, but there's a lot of smiling and talking on the way to and from meals and in the dining hall.
One of my objectives for the week had been to get them to execute their wills that had been recently revised. The attorney surprised me by also sending them new Powers of Attorney as well as some documents (Living Wills and HIPAA notification forms) that they had never done before. We lined up the notary and witnesses, but it did not go too well on the first try. They did the wills, but then they messed up the general Powers of attorney and essentially revoked the power of attorney that I had held for almost ten years. (This was just supposed to be bringing them up to date, not changing anything, but they crossed off the wrong option in a spot where the form offered a choice.) Then it turned out that my mother had not even read the other forms and was asking all kinds of questions about them, so we gave up and didn't try to sign anything more. Later, I sat down with my father to look at the POA form and he then realized that he had made a mistake, and my mother had just followed his example. I was relieved, since at least I didn't have to fight with him about it, but we had to get the notary back as well as witnesses. We managed to do that two days later and by then my mother had read the other forms and they ended up doing it all, much to my relief (and some surprise!) So the originals are now headed back to the attorney and I have copies of everything in my possession.
I spent a lot of hours this week going through "stuff" in their house, which they have owned for 49 years! I don't think my father ever threw anything away. That makes for a very big job, but also some very interesting finds. I came across some letters he had written to his mother right after he finished college and entered the Navy in preparation to go overseas in WWII. They were full of boring info like what underwear and socks he needed her to buy for him but also mentioned going to visit a girl named Betty that I had never heard of in two different letters. I didn't get a chance to ask him about her, but I hope to next time. I suppose it could just be a family friend, but I don't think so. This was all 12 years before he met my mother. The same drawer yielded a pad of check stubs in which he paid his final semester's college tuition (about $25) and several (presumably monthly) checks to his rooming house for $10 each. Another set of files had all of the papers from two different job hunting periods of his life with resumes, letters, etc. Boy, was that a job back before photocopiers, computers, etc.!
Interestingly (I knew some of this), my father once worked for George Bush, Sr. For a couple of years, he was the controller/treasurer of an offshore oil exploration company for which GHWB was president. I was only about two or three years old at the time and later, when my parents told me stories about that period, I never grasped that he was the chief financial officer. I found old annual reports that prove it, and they definitely went into the "keep" pile. Of course, it is possible that he was the ONLY financial officer/person there. When he left that job he went into academia, and that was his real love, so I guess it is all for the best.
My parents also loved to travel so there are (literally) tons of travel magazines, books, clippings, copies of reservations, etc. that he had saved. They went to Alaska several times, including a trip in 2000, so I'm holding on to that box since my family is planning a trip to Alaska next summer, but everything else went into the recycle bin.
Our whole family always goes for a visit over the teacher convention weekend in November and we are planning to do so again this year. I don't know if I'll get down there before then or not, or maybe go a couple of days ahead of my spouse and kids, but there will be more to go through at that point.
The person who helped my parents with their move is also helping with the cleanout job. I finally found out what she is called (or calls herself) - a "Senior Relocation Specialist", as in someone who helps senior citizens relocate. Whatever she's called, she is a lifesaver. She has found a recycling center that provided us with big boxes (like small dumpsters) for all the paper and will pick them up when ready and she is finding various places to which things can be donated or where certain items can be sold on consignment, etc. She will continue the process over the next few weeks, but there will be lots of stuff that she puts in the pile for me to look at, so I'll have plenty to do the next time I get there.
We found out that the town (a separately incorporated municipality surrounded by the city of Houston, but not part of Houston) does not allow any kind of house or garage sales, so we can't do that. I think maybe that's a relief, actually. When the house sells, it will be demolished and replaced by a McMansion, so we don't have to clean it for the buyer, just to be sure that we find everything we want to keep or sell or give away before the demo happens. Although I'm certainly no fan of McMansions, and hate what has happened to my old neighborhood as a result of that transition, it does make our job a bit easier with the house. It is sad that nobody buys those houses to live in anymore, but the developers are salivating over every one that comes on the market. In my old neighborhood, about half are still the original homes from the 1950s and 1960s, some with fairly extensive additions and renovations and others, like my parents' home, virtually unchanged. The rest are new and big and every year they seem to build them bigger and leave less of the lot for green space.
I'm glad to have one more quiet week before school starts for the kids and me. My first class is Wednesday, the 6th. I guess I have to start thinking about getting the brain in gear again ... |
sac
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Username: Sac
Post Number: 3787
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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Back in the saddle ...
The kids and I went back to school and we all have homework already. And the high schooler is already home sick (on the second day, no less!) She was stung by a bee yesterday and had a bad reaction - foot swollen up like a football - so doctor's orders are to keep it elevated at all times. So, a call to the exterminator (for the beehive evidently hiding in our front yard under some tree roots) got added to the To Do list.
The 6th grader is loving middle school so far! I hope she still feels that way in a few weeks and months, but so far, so good.
I went to my first Advanced Accounting class on Wednesday and the instructor seemed good and the assignment/exam schedule compatible with other things in my life. But I don't see how the similar schedule for my other class (starts Monday night) can possibly avoid conflicting with either the first class or all the various personal commitments that I've already made for fall. Crossing my fingers on that...
Now to get through a long todo list, including the accounting homework due Monday!
Summer vacation is definitely over. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 3198
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 2:00 pm: |
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I'll bet your 6th grader stays happy! I saw a massive, positive attitudial change in my daughter when she entered 6th grade. She magically started doing her homework unprompted, and similar. It's as if the more adult environment, and greater expectations was a tonic.
'Course now she's in 8th grade a little more disaffected...
Congrats on getting through all of that parental relocation. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3791
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 4:21 pm: |
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We didn't have such a good middle school experience with the older sister, but the two kids are very different.
So, I'm cautiously optimistic, but ... |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3812
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 4:54 pm: |
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Aarggh!!!!
Our refrigerator went out on Friday night and we purchased a new one yesterday to be delivered tomorrow (Monday). So far, so good.
Just now, I went to the front door and found a hang tag announcing that our street is scheduled to be microsurfaced tomorrow and we have to move our cars by 8:30 or be blocked in all day.
So ... anyone think that the refrigerator delivery folks will be willing to bring it from two houses away, at the nearest cross street (assuming that one isn't closed also), or do I have to delay it and wait another day for refrigeration? (Oh, and remove the old one, too.) Of course, negotiating the stairs on the outside of our house is going to be much harder than pulling it along a flat sidewalk, but I'm not sure that they will see it that way.
On top of that, I have a class in the afternoon, so I was crossing my fingers for a morning delivery anyway and they weren't going to guarantee that.
We may be eating more takeout tomorrow, I guess. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 3202
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 7:34 pm: |
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I'd call them now, and leave a message if that's an option. Worst case, tomorrow a.m. early and see if they can bring it around 7:30.... |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3816
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 10:03 pm: |
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Unfortunately they didn't give us a phone number for the delivery service and I'm not sure how early their (showroom) phone number gets answered tomorrow. It doesn't have any kind of voicemail, not even one to find out their hours, etc. ... it just rings and rings. I think that they said that the delivery service would call us Monday morning, but now I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. I'll certainly be trying to call them first thing. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3825
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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So, I call them repeatedly this morning and they finally pick up at about 8:45 and give me the phone number for the warehouse/dispatch function. I call them and explain the situation and where the guy can get close to the house on the cross street, etc. and also my schedule issues for the afternoon (1:00 class, have to be done by 12:30 so I can leave.) I asked if we need to reschedule. "No problem lady, he'll be there in about an hour." An hour comes and goes and after another 45 minutes or so I call. "Oh he's in Newark, but you're next. (after calling and checking with the driver) "It will be about 30 - 40 minutes" That would put it at about 11:15, which is still fairly comfortable for me. 11:15 comes and goes, so I call again - "15-20 minutes". So ... he finally gets here at 11:45 and can't figure out why the sign says road closed so he tries to drive in and puts tire marks in the new pavement (!) I ask him if he can go around the block and unload from there and be done by 12:30. "No way." We talk to the dispatcher. "No, he can't come back later today, we'll have to reschedule for tomorrow."
So, I'm resigned to another day. I wonder how the town will feel about the tire tracks in the new paving.
I also had a couple of fairly heated exchanges after that with the people at the dispatch office, who are blaming me for not being able to hold to a 9-1 window that I never even knew about. They don't seem to want to accept responsibility for that first guy who told me that they'd be here in an hour (i.e. before 10) and that it would be "no problem" when I told them about my schedule.
Supposedly they will reschedule for tomorrow and will call me one hour ahead on my cell phone so that I can come home from work and meet them. (We'll see.)
So, now I need to calm down so I can go to class.
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! |
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