Well, here it is. 1:00 am, and I'm wide awake. A somewhat normal state for this hour of the night. I would so love a solid night of uninterrupted sleep. I'm to have a cervical (neck) shot on Monday, so that could make a real difference. It also might help with the painkiller issue, as in, I may not need to take as much, because this shot should reduce some of the nerve pain.
So, update on the attorney situation. He has yet to respond to my last email on Wednesday. Oh, color me shocked. My advice to him? Grow the fuck up. Your clients will disagree with you. They won't like being treated like a mushroom (know how mushrooms are grown? In the dark and fed shit). They will get frustrated and angry, and take it out on you. If you don't like it, or think they should act only in a manner you deem personally appropriate, you're in the wrong profession. Get over yourself.
It's been a somewhat crazy day. I spent 6 hours on the phone with the Help Desk, before receiving the news that I really need a new tower. Since I'll be out of the office Monday and Tuesday, I'll need to go into the office on Wednesday to pick up my new tower, and have things moved from my current desktop to the new one. So, by 1:00 today, I was done with my work day. The OT I planned to work this weekend is down the drain.
So, for good news. Jason has a job! He received an offer from the utility company he's been interning at. Such great news, and quite a relief! I'm so glad he won't be one of the many college graduates facing the search for a job., He's very happy, because he really wants to work for this company. He enjoys the work, and his co-workers, and that's a large part of the work battle right there. So, he'll graduate in December, and then begin his job - well, the start date offered was for June, but that's because they thought his graduation date was May. He may be starting in January, since he graduates in December.
So, I'm watching Craig Ferguson. How much do I love that man! Although, after reading his autobiography, and watching him, I know he would drive me absolutely mental with his inability to sit still or be quiet for even 5 minutes. He's a bundle of frenetic energy - great in small doses, but I personally need someone who takes a breath once in a while.
I started watching a new L&O series - L&O:UK. Interesting to watch. I found myself having to rewind (thank God for dvr!) to listen to the actors one more time. The accents are very interesting - I'm getting very good at picking out the different accents, although I have no idea which region they're native to, or which class. I think it's fairly new, and you can see everyone trying just a bit too hard, but overall, it's fairly good. Pretty much the same as L&O Original Recipe when it first started.
Ok, time to try again to sleep. It's only 1:20, and I don't hold out much hope. Who knew I could this many painkillers, and still be wide awake?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sad again....
So, after a few days of feeling relatively normal, I'm back in the Pit of Despair again. Take me away, Prince Humperdink.
So, todays sadness is brought to you courtesy of my attorney, who has decided that I need a dose of reality, and has decided to smack me around a little with it (this is all figurative, you know that, right?). I'm not stressed enough, oh not enough for him. No, he's got to flame the fans of my depression by sending me emails full of passive-aggressive phrases, and insinuates that I am a "difficult" client. I suppose this is because I get frustrated by the lack of communication with him, and the constant & neverending delays of the workers compensation process, and tell him so.
Today, he told me he's beginning to think he never, ever, live up to my expectations, not because of anything he or his staff have done (shouldn't that be, haven't done?), but because of the entire workers comp system.
Really? My expectations are this: I am paying you to fight for me. To me, that means investing a little less in your "friendships", and a little more in getting your client what she needs. To me, this means, call me once in a while, email me every 2 weeks - even if all you have to say is, "no news, just checking in". It does NOT mean, take a condescending tone. It does NOT mean setting expectations, raising my hopes, only to get pissy when I hold you to those expectations. It means explaining things to me when I ask questions, taking my calls, and calling me back, especially if I have expressly asked you NOT to email me, but to call me.
So, here's reality for ya. And, I'm putting way too much info here, but... Money. I don't have enough of it. I run a little short every month, and usually have to work a few hours extra to make ends meet. This is not unusual. I'm running out of money, though, and will have to work around 10-20 hours per pay period to be able to meet my mortgage, and other bills. No big deal, right? It hurts like hell to work, but I would make myself do it.
So, here's the million dollar question. How am I going to do that after my surgery? Not after I'm healed, and returned to work. But, in the days, weeks, months, following surgery, how will I survive? How will I make the mortgage payments? Lest you think this is something new, I've been having this exact same discussion with my attorney, and paralegal, ALL YEAR LONG. They have known, ALL YEAR, that without an advance on my settlement, I probably won't be able to afford the surgery. Not a new concept, at all.
Except that, today, he acts like he's never heard it before. He's the one who mentioned it to me, long ago. He's forgotten that. Completely. So, todays message is that it is highly unlikely I'll get that advance, and there's no legal remedy because the company isn't obligated to pay. I'm on their good graces. Yeah, so I figure I have about the same chance as a snowball in Hell surviving the experience. So, in case you don't know already, I have ZERO chance. I think, morally, they are obligated.
So, I'm reading this, getting more and more upset, and panicked, and start crying. And, crying. Like, those body wracking sobs crying. I rarely cry in front of kids. Sure, I weep a little, tear up at commercials and tv shows, movies, etc... but not out and out hysterical sobbing. Broke that record today. Poor Schyler - came in, put his arms around me, and just waited it out. We talked it over, but there's really nothing he can do. He, and the others, are in school, and that's where they'll stay.
So, I've been walking around today, feeling dead and leaden. Attorney hasn't responded to my lastest email (shock and surprise, here), and I don't expect to hear from him. He expects me to go to the hearing next week - oh, so finally, I'm to go to a hearing. Not like you haven't been to several over the year, but now you want me there. It's supposed to let the commissioner know that I'm taking my case seriously.
Are you fucking kidding me??? I've been taking this thing seriously since,,, oh, that's right - when it happened! fucking morons, all of them. But, I'm back to my question - what good does it do to get an approval (and would you believe that the adjustor STILL has not issued the approval????), if I can't have the surgery anyway?
And, all this time, I'm trying to figure out what I've done to deserve any of this. Not trying to have a pity party, but I honest to God cannot figure out what I've done that would warrant all this. I don't think I'm a terrible person, but maybe I am. Clearly, I've done something, and I'd make it right, but I just don't know what it is.
So, todays sadness is brought to you courtesy of my attorney, who has decided that I need a dose of reality, and has decided to smack me around a little with it (this is all figurative, you know that, right?). I'm not stressed enough, oh not enough for him. No, he's got to flame the fans of my depression by sending me emails full of passive-aggressive phrases, and insinuates that I am a "difficult" client. I suppose this is because I get frustrated by the lack of communication with him, and the constant & neverending delays of the workers compensation process, and tell him so.
Today, he told me he's beginning to think he never, ever, live up to my expectations, not because of anything he or his staff have done (shouldn't that be, haven't done?), but because of the entire workers comp system.
Really? My expectations are this: I am paying you to fight for me. To me, that means investing a little less in your "friendships", and a little more in getting your client what she needs. To me, this means, call me once in a while, email me every 2 weeks - even if all you have to say is, "no news, just checking in". It does NOT mean, take a condescending tone. It does NOT mean setting expectations, raising my hopes, only to get pissy when I hold you to those expectations. It means explaining things to me when I ask questions, taking my calls, and calling me back, especially if I have expressly asked you NOT to email me, but to call me.
So, here's reality for ya. And, I'm putting way too much info here, but... Money. I don't have enough of it. I run a little short every month, and usually have to work a few hours extra to make ends meet. This is not unusual. I'm running out of money, though, and will have to work around 10-20 hours per pay period to be able to meet my mortgage, and other bills. No big deal, right? It hurts like hell to work, but I would make myself do it.
So, here's the million dollar question. How am I going to do that after my surgery? Not after I'm healed, and returned to work. But, in the days, weeks, months, following surgery, how will I survive? How will I make the mortgage payments? Lest you think this is something new, I've been having this exact same discussion with my attorney, and paralegal, ALL YEAR LONG. They have known, ALL YEAR, that without an advance on my settlement, I probably won't be able to afford the surgery. Not a new concept, at all.
Except that, today, he acts like he's never heard it before. He's the one who mentioned it to me, long ago. He's forgotten that. Completely. So, todays message is that it is highly unlikely I'll get that advance, and there's no legal remedy because the company isn't obligated to pay. I'm on their good graces. Yeah, so I figure I have about the same chance as a snowball in Hell surviving the experience. So, in case you don't know already, I have ZERO chance. I think, morally, they are obligated.
So, I'm reading this, getting more and more upset, and panicked, and start crying. And, crying. Like, those body wracking sobs crying. I rarely cry in front of kids. Sure, I weep a little, tear up at commercials and tv shows, movies, etc... but not out and out hysterical sobbing. Broke that record today. Poor Schyler - came in, put his arms around me, and just waited it out. We talked it over, but there's really nothing he can do. He, and the others, are in school, and that's where they'll stay.
So, I've been walking around today, feeling dead and leaden. Attorney hasn't responded to my lastest email (shock and surprise, here), and I don't expect to hear from him. He expects me to go to the hearing next week - oh, so finally, I'm to go to a hearing. Not like you haven't been to several over the year, but now you want me there. It's supposed to let the commissioner know that I'm taking my case seriously.
Are you fucking kidding me??? I've been taking this thing seriously since,,, oh, that's right - when it happened! fucking morons, all of them. But, I'm back to my question - what good does it do to get an approval (and would you believe that the adjustor STILL has not issued the approval????), if I can't have the surgery anyway?
And, all this time, I'm trying to figure out what I've done to deserve any of this. Not trying to have a pity party, but I honest to God cannot figure out what I've done that would warrant all this. I don't think I'm a terrible person, but maybe I am. Clearly, I've done something, and I'd make it right, but I just don't know what it is.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Just another whine.... nothing new
The good news is I made through my entire work day. The bad news is that, predictably, I'm in a lot of pain.
After leaving work early for the past 2 days, I made myself tough it all day today. I'm not being a hero, but I will admit I feel a huge amount of guilt when I leave early. I know it's the best thing for my body, and that I'm probably doing more harm than good by staying, but that stupid little voice in my head says, "if you just tried a little harder, you could do this. Maybe you're giving in too soon. Just another hour, 1/2 hour, whatever". It sounds stupid, I know.
So, I stayed at work, and let it distract me. Plenty to get involved in, even if the luster is off the work, and boredom has set in. I very glad to have a new manager - she seems very empathetic. Today, we were speaking, and she told me she has new insight to what I'm going through, having watched her boyfriend go through something similar. The good news for him is that he's had his surgery, and is feeling much better already. While I.... I just wait.
I resent having to chase down my attorney for an update. 2 weeks, I'm told. Last Wednesday, I was told HIG requested a formal hearing in 2 weeks. I don't know about anyone else, but 2 weeks means 14 days to me. Apparently, 2 weeks has an entirely different meaning to everyone in the workers compensation system. Apparently, it means, let's fuck around and keep the injured employee waiting a while longer.
So, I get this update today that my attorney still has not received notice of the hearing. Seriously, people? I'm not the most important person in the world, nor am I indispensable, but I have a lot of people asking me questions, and inviting me to meetings. I've accepted my meeting invitations, and I hope I don't have to cancel, or reschedule, or I am going to be majorly pissed off. People are counting on me.
Ok, moving on to the next part of the email. Seems the paralegal is a step behind. My attorney told me in the email last week that my leave will be paid at current rate of pay (won't even begin to attempt to explain this - other than say, good news for me, but what a clusterfuck). So, that same day finds me completing some kind of tax form, which asks for my filing status and number of dependents in 2002. I question this in my return email to her, although I complete the form. I tell her that in 2002, I was married, and that I divorced in 2005, however, if she's interested, in 2009 I filed head of household with 4 dependents.
So, today, what does she ask for? Oh yes, that would be my current filing status. You know, the one I gave her last week. I really like this woman, I really do, but stuff like this pisses me off. I don't appreciate giving the same information over and over.
Anyway, I made it to the end of my day, and then had to go to the grocery store. I had asked Schyler for help, but he wasn't available. When I got back, I took a pill. I wish these things would work faster, though. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and fragile.
After leaving work early for the past 2 days, I made myself tough it all day today. I'm not being a hero, but I will admit I feel a huge amount of guilt when I leave early. I know it's the best thing for my body, and that I'm probably doing more harm than good by staying, but that stupid little voice in my head says, "if you just tried a little harder, you could do this. Maybe you're giving in too soon. Just another hour, 1/2 hour, whatever". It sounds stupid, I know.
So, I stayed at work, and let it distract me. Plenty to get involved in, even if the luster is off the work, and boredom has set in. I very glad to have a new manager - she seems very empathetic. Today, we were speaking, and she told me she has new insight to what I'm going through, having watched her boyfriend go through something similar. The good news for him is that he's had his surgery, and is feeling much better already. While I.... I just wait.
I resent having to chase down my attorney for an update. 2 weeks, I'm told. Last Wednesday, I was told HIG requested a formal hearing in 2 weeks. I don't know about anyone else, but 2 weeks means 14 days to me. Apparently, 2 weeks has an entirely different meaning to everyone in the workers compensation system. Apparently, it means, let's fuck around and keep the injured employee waiting a while longer.
So, I get this update today that my attorney still has not received notice of the hearing. Seriously, people? I'm not the most important person in the world, nor am I indispensable, but I have a lot of people asking me questions, and inviting me to meetings. I've accepted my meeting invitations, and I hope I don't have to cancel, or reschedule, or I am going to be majorly pissed off. People are counting on me.
Ok, moving on to the next part of the email. Seems the paralegal is a step behind. My attorney told me in the email last week that my leave will be paid at current rate of pay (won't even begin to attempt to explain this - other than say, good news for me, but what a clusterfuck). So, that same day finds me completing some kind of tax form, which asks for my filing status and number of dependents in 2002. I question this in my return email to her, although I complete the form. I tell her that in 2002, I was married, and that I divorced in 2005, however, if she's interested, in 2009 I filed head of household with 4 dependents.
So, today, what does she ask for? Oh yes, that would be my current filing status. You know, the one I gave her last week. I really like this woman, I really do, but stuff like this pisses me off. I don't appreciate giving the same information over and over.
Anyway, I made it to the end of my day, and then had to go to the grocery store. I had asked Schyler for help, but he wasn't available. When I got back, I took a pill. I wish these things would work faster, though. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and fragile.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Stuff from the news
So, Steven Hayes was convicted today on 16 out of 17 counts against him. He had been willing to plead guilty of all the crimes he was charged with, but because they were capital crimes, eligible for the death penalty, the state can't/won't let him plead guilty.
So, instead, we have this colossal waste of time, energy, and money of a trial. By the way, if the verdict wasn't a foregone conclusion for you, you really had to be under a rock, or one hell of a bleeding heart liberal. I feel badly for Dr Petit, but seriously? The trial was a farce.
What really gets me, though, is the rabid fervor for death that the public has. I'm on the fence about the death penalty - on the one hand, it's a hell of a deterrent, at least for the guy who dies, and if you're absolutely certain you've got the right guy, it could be the right thing. On the other hand, there have been cases where the death penalty has been carried out, and we find out later the guy didn't actually do the crime. The evidence was just stacked against him.
As far as Steven Hayes is concerned, I don't think we should kill him. He wants to die. Why give him what he wants? If there is any chance at all he'll obtain peace upon death, I want to deny it to him. I want him to have the same "mercy" he gave that family. Which is to say, none at all. Give him a small room, lights on constantly, no reading material, no tv, no human interaction. Let him be tortured by wanting to die, yet not being able to achieve that. If he tries to starve himself, hook him up and force feed him.
Just don't give him what he wants.
So, instead, we have this colossal waste of time, energy, and money of a trial. By the way, if the verdict wasn't a foregone conclusion for you, you really had to be under a rock, or one hell of a bleeding heart liberal. I feel badly for Dr Petit, but seriously? The trial was a farce.
What really gets me, though, is the rabid fervor for death that the public has. I'm on the fence about the death penalty - on the one hand, it's a hell of a deterrent, at least for the guy who dies, and if you're absolutely certain you've got the right guy, it could be the right thing. On the other hand, there have been cases where the death penalty has been carried out, and we find out later the guy didn't actually do the crime. The evidence was just stacked against him.
As far as Steven Hayes is concerned, I don't think we should kill him. He wants to die. Why give him what he wants? If there is any chance at all he'll obtain peace upon death, I want to deny it to him. I want him to have the same "mercy" he gave that family. Which is to say, none at all. Give him a small room, lights on constantly, no reading material, no tv, no human interaction. Let him be tortured by wanting to die, yet not being able to achieve that. If he tries to starve himself, hook him up and force feed him.
Just don't give him what he wants.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Family
So, I'm the youngest of 5 children. My siblings are 10, 8, 6, and 4 years older than me. I am not the doted upon younger sister, oh no. I am the "why did you have to be born and ruin all our lives" sister. I'm the one who ruined all their happy, joyful, lives. If not for me, my sister would have been able to listen to her Beatles records all the time, and she wouldn't have been stuck babysitting all the time when she wanted to have fun. My brother said I was too ugly to be in his wedding (1977).
I can't seem to remember a time in my life when I didn't feel like an unwanted appendage. My parents were pretty tired by the time I hit my teens. I'm sure I wasn't the easiest child to manage - I believe I had ADHD (undiagnosed, of course, who even thought of THAT in the 60's?). On the other hand, I had my parents pretty much to myself all throughout high school. Sure, just when you want your parents around. I was a fat, unhappy, child and teen, with a gap in my teeth, and ugly, unmanageable hair.
I don't remember my parents being supportive during high school, when I "managed" the men's soccer team. They didn't want to go to the awards dinner in my senior year, so I didn't get to go. I didn't know it until after, but I had been given a special award by the coaches for my assistance - but, I wasn't there to receive it. When I presented my Senior Thesis in college, and we could invite guests, my parents declined to come. It was a little awkward to be the only student presenting who didn't have family in the room. No party for graduation, so you can imagine how it stung a little when, nearly 30 years later, my mother threw my sister a party for obtaining yet another degree.
I won't make this a lengthy diatribe about my childhood - it was what it was, and I can't change it. Throughout the year, until just recently, though, I was convinced that if anything really serious happened to any of us, the others would forget past differences, and pull together. I really, naively, thought this.
Not any more.
Recently, my brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and had surgery on 9/15. I assume all went well, since no one has called to say differently. Yes, not even my mother. My mother, who can't seem to remember that I, too, will have what I consider to be a very serious surgery. I've told her 3 times, but every time I mention it, she asks, now what's this for? And, when I remind her, she says, you've never told me this before.
I heard from my sister, via facebook, after I had a conversation with my mother, during which I asked if she'd come up and help care for me after my surgery. I received this email, which said something about wanting my phone number, as mom had told her some convoluted story about my surgery. I responded with my phone number, but asked her, if she was just going to call and lecture me about asking our mother to help me, not to bother piling on. Emotionally, mentally, physically - I'm at the end of my rope. I'm depressed more often than happy, and I really don't need the verbal beatdown my sister is so good at. I also sent her the link for the surgery I'm to have.
Her response was a very lukewarm, "gee that's too bad, and I can put you on our prayer list". I still don't know what to say to that, and said so. Again - "well, I can't do anything for you, but I can listen". I truly fail to understand this.
Hmmm, you have degrees in medicine. How long were you a nurse? How often have you worked in hospitals? Isn't your degree something to do with CCU? You have no words of comfort? Couldn't even acknowledge that I might be scared, and offer recognition that I'm alone? Oh, that's right, I forgot. I deserved to have my husband leave me - oh yes, I was a horrible wife.
Why I expected anything else, I just don't know. It seems my very birth, as well as the fact that I'm 10 years younger, and was in a different "place" in my life when she divorced her 2nd husband will always be held against me. As will the record player and Puff the Magic Dragon.
I feel sorry for my mother most of the time. She really wants the 5 of us to get along. She wants the 5 of us to get together at holidays, and enjoy each other. Several years ago, I flat out refused. I apologized, but really? Why should I go to a family dinner, and be treated like an outcast? It's not like anyone talks to me. My middle sister and brothers talk to each other. They'll talk to my oldest sister. When I try to strike up a conversation, no one hears me.
I feel very fortunate, blessed, if you will, to have my friends. They mean more to me than the people related to me by accident of birth. They restore my faith in humanity, and make me think maybe... just maybe... I'm not the awful, life wrecking, sewer rat my family believes I am.
I can't seem to remember a time in my life when I didn't feel like an unwanted appendage. My parents were pretty tired by the time I hit my teens. I'm sure I wasn't the easiest child to manage - I believe I had ADHD (undiagnosed, of course, who even thought of THAT in the 60's?). On the other hand, I had my parents pretty much to myself all throughout high school. Sure, just when you want your parents around. I was a fat, unhappy, child and teen, with a gap in my teeth, and ugly, unmanageable hair.
I don't remember my parents being supportive during high school, when I "managed" the men's soccer team. They didn't want to go to the awards dinner in my senior year, so I didn't get to go. I didn't know it until after, but I had been given a special award by the coaches for my assistance - but, I wasn't there to receive it. When I presented my Senior Thesis in college, and we could invite guests, my parents declined to come. It was a little awkward to be the only student presenting who didn't have family in the room. No party for graduation, so you can imagine how it stung a little when, nearly 30 years later, my mother threw my sister a party for obtaining yet another degree.
I won't make this a lengthy diatribe about my childhood - it was what it was, and I can't change it. Throughout the year, until just recently, though, I was convinced that if anything really serious happened to any of us, the others would forget past differences, and pull together. I really, naively, thought this.
Not any more.
Recently, my brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and had surgery on 9/15. I assume all went well, since no one has called to say differently. Yes, not even my mother. My mother, who can't seem to remember that I, too, will have what I consider to be a very serious surgery. I've told her 3 times, but every time I mention it, she asks, now what's this for? And, when I remind her, she says, you've never told me this before.
I heard from my sister, via facebook, after I had a conversation with my mother, during which I asked if she'd come up and help care for me after my surgery. I received this email, which said something about wanting my phone number, as mom had told her some convoluted story about my surgery. I responded with my phone number, but asked her, if she was just going to call and lecture me about asking our mother to help me, not to bother piling on. Emotionally, mentally, physically - I'm at the end of my rope. I'm depressed more often than happy, and I really don't need the verbal beatdown my sister is so good at. I also sent her the link for the surgery I'm to have.
Her response was a very lukewarm, "gee that's too bad, and I can put you on our prayer list". I still don't know what to say to that, and said so. Again - "well, I can't do anything for you, but I can listen". I truly fail to understand this.
Hmmm, you have degrees in medicine. How long were you a nurse? How often have you worked in hospitals? Isn't your degree something to do with CCU? You have no words of comfort? Couldn't even acknowledge that I might be scared, and offer recognition that I'm alone? Oh, that's right, I forgot. I deserved to have my husband leave me - oh yes, I was a horrible wife.
Why I expected anything else, I just don't know. It seems my very birth, as well as the fact that I'm 10 years younger, and was in a different "place" in my life when she divorced her 2nd husband will always be held against me. As will the record player and Puff the Magic Dragon.
I feel sorry for my mother most of the time. She really wants the 5 of us to get along. She wants the 5 of us to get together at holidays, and enjoy each other. Several years ago, I flat out refused. I apologized, but really? Why should I go to a family dinner, and be treated like an outcast? It's not like anyone talks to me. My middle sister and brothers talk to each other. They'll talk to my oldest sister. When I try to strike up a conversation, no one hears me.
I feel very fortunate, blessed, if you will, to have my friends. They mean more to me than the people related to me by accident of birth. They restore my faith in humanity, and make me think maybe... just maybe... I'm not the awful, life wrecking, sewer rat my family believes I am.
The Big E
So, friend JL and I went to the Big E last Wednesday. What a blast! I haven't been to the Big E in about 25 years, so when JL called and asked if I wanted to go, I said sure!
Our first stop was the New Hampshire building, which was pretty crowded. Well, all the buildings were - it was the first nice day that week. We had a baked potato at the Maine building, topped with shredded cheese, chives, and pulled pork, sour cream on the side (for me!). After that, the Connecticut building, where we saw many things I was familiar with (and bought a few little Christmas gag gifts).
Oh, I also had my very first lobster roll in the Maine building. It was pretty good, but I probably won't have another. For me, lobster should be warm/hot, and it should never be on a hot dog roll! LOLOL Each building was pretty interesting, and the vendors were very pleasant.
After all the buildings, we took a break on one of the benches, and chatted. JL is very patient with me - she never seems to be impatient with the number of breaks I take while walking, or that I had to take pain pills to get through the day. She's a great friend - smart, funny, witty, sarcastic, and a great outlook on life.
Next stop was the building with the Clydesdales! OH MY GOD, those horses are so huge, and so beautiful! They're my favorite breed of horse, so big, yet so graceful. We saw them in the parade, all done up in the harnesses, manes and tails with ribbons, and they were just so smart-looking and beautiful. We hung out there for a bit, then headed off to the Young Building, where there was booth after booth of vendors, all selling different things.
While in the Better Living building, (actually, when leaving it), I heard someone call my name. My married name!! I looked up, and there she was - Marie Barker! Marie used to work for my company, but left around 11 years ago. We tried to keep in touch, but you know how things can go. Anyway, she has 2 beautiful daughters now, and we've exchanged phone numbers, so I'm hoping we'll be better at keeping in touch now. It was so great to see her! She looks wonderful, and clearly enjoys her daughters.
Food - baked potato, lobster roll, fresh lemonade, fried oreos, funnel cake, cotton candy... I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something!! Everything was very good - including the oreos, which surprised me, because it just sounds gross.
We saw the parade several times, and at one point, I got to walk next to the Clydesdales, who outdistanced me in no time! I tried to get a pic of me next to one, but the little breaks weren't long enough for a pic. However... I did notice, when standing next to one, that my head did not reach the top of his shoulder!! EEK!
We left a little after 6 - the line to get in was ridiculously long by that time. I hope next year to be done with all the surgeries, and be able to have an even better time. I think any rides will still be out of the question, but there are a ton of things to see and do without the rides.
Next up (not posting, but activities) - Lake Compounce and the Haunted Graveyard. I don't think I'm actually going to get to walk the graveyard this year, but I'm going to go with the group, just for the fun of being with them. We always have a great time, and it gives me something to look forward to.
Our first stop was the New Hampshire building, which was pretty crowded. Well, all the buildings were - it was the first nice day that week. We had a baked potato at the Maine building, topped with shredded cheese, chives, and pulled pork, sour cream on the side (for me!). After that, the Connecticut building, where we saw many things I was familiar with (and bought a few little Christmas gag gifts).
Oh, I also had my very first lobster roll in the Maine building. It was pretty good, but I probably won't have another. For me, lobster should be warm/hot, and it should never be on a hot dog roll! LOLOL Each building was pretty interesting, and the vendors were very pleasant.
After all the buildings, we took a break on one of the benches, and chatted. JL is very patient with me - she never seems to be impatient with the number of breaks I take while walking, or that I had to take pain pills to get through the day. She's a great friend - smart, funny, witty, sarcastic, and a great outlook on life.
Next stop was the building with the Clydesdales! OH MY GOD, those horses are so huge, and so beautiful! They're my favorite breed of horse, so big, yet so graceful. We saw them in the parade, all done up in the harnesses, manes and tails with ribbons, and they were just so smart-looking and beautiful. We hung out there for a bit, then headed off to the Young Building, where there was booth after booth of vendors, all selling different things.
While in the Better Living building, (actually, when leaving it), I heard someone call my name. My married name!! I looked up, and there she was - Marie Barker! Marie used to work for my company, but left around 11 years ago. We tried to keep in touch, but you know how things can go. Anyway, she has 2 beautiful daughters now, and we've exchanged phone numbers, so I'm hoping we'll be better at keeping in touch now. It was so great to see her! She looks wonderful, and clearly enjoys her daughters.
Food - baked potato, lobster roll, fresh lemonade, fried oreos, funnel cake, cotton candy... I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something!! Everything was very good - including the oreos, which surprised me, because it just sounds gross.
We saw the parade several times, and at one point, I got to walk next to the Clydesdales, who outdistanced me in no time! I tried to get a pic of me next to one, but the little breaks weren't long enough for a pic. However... I did notice, when standing next to one, that my head did not reach the top of his shoulder!! EEK!
We left a little after 6 - the line to get in was ridiculously long by that time. I hope next year to be done with all the surgeries, and be able to have an even better time. I think any rides will still be out of the question, but there are a ton of things to see and do without the rides.
Next up (not posting, but activities) - Lake Compounce and the Haunted Graveyard. I don't think I'm actually going to get to walk the graveyard this year, but I'm going to go with the group, just for the fun of being with them. We always have a great time, and it gives me something to look forward to.
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