Saturday, September 30, 2006
Campus Visit
The day started off dark and in the 30’s. We departed shortly after 6 a.m. Most of the drive up North was along the Connecticut River and views were obscured by the morning fog. By the time we arrived on this rural campus the sun had broken through the fog and presented us with glorious views.
“Mom, it’s too quiet here.”
“It is before noon, the students are still sleeping.”
Center Court
The campus is lovely. The grounds well kept. There is even a small apple orchard in the middle of the campus. My son is still not impressed. Lunch was ok, by his standards, by mine there was a large selection.
Then came the time to learn more about his area of interest. He started warming up to the idea of this school being an option. . While checking out a lab, he met a senior who filled him in on what it was really like there. I saw my son become more engaged. (Not too bad for getting up at 5 a.m.) He likes that it is a small school. The professors were amiable and approachable; and know their students by name. It is a small school with only 1250 students.
I was impressed with the school and the views from just about every spot on campus, even the parking lot has a great view.
“Mom, it’s too quiet here.”
“It is before noon, the students are still sleeping.”
Center Court
The campus is lovely. The grounds well kept. There is even a small apple orchard in the middle of the campus. My son is still not impressed. Lunch was ok, by his standards, by mine there was a large selection.
Then came the time to learn more about his area of interest. He started warming up to the idea of this school being an option. . While checking out a lab, he met a senior who filled him in on what it was really like there. I saw my son become more engaged. (Not too bad for getting up at 5 a.m.) He likes that it is a small school. The professors were amiable and approachable; and know their students by name. It is a small school with only 1250 students.
I was impressed with the school and the views from just about every spot on campus, even the parking lot has a great view.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Sons
My eldest is back in state and I am ready to leave the state.I will probably see him on Sunday or Monday. On Tuesday he heads back from Fall recess.
Now if I could only get my youngest to get enthusiastic about some other than computer games. His quick wit can be irritating at times. Tomorrow should prove interesting.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Shifting gears
It is time to start thinking about the trip to Vermont to look at a University. I needed to find someone to watch my middle son starting at around 6 am on Saturday, talk about challenges. With that solved, now I can look forward to spending time with my youngest.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Crash Course
Little did I realize that I would be taking Diabetes 101 this semester. It is a difficult course that also has a lab.
The class itself is pretty straightforward:
• diabetes, lipid, and hypertension management
• signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and treatment
• medication
• nutritional management
• Monitoring blood glucose
• Identify specific diabetes self-management goals
• Developing a team
The lab will be the most challenging part:
• Demonstrate appropriate nutritional management
• incorporate behavior changes to achieve self-management goals.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Pills
I am not accustomed to taking pills. This morning I took the two pills that the doctor prescribed.
Going about my usual activities, toward the end of a shopping trip I felt strange. A sort of dizziness started to come over me. When I got home I had some cider and that helped me feel better.
I need to do more research about side affects of the medications and signs of low blood sugar. Feeling out of sorts today, it will be difficult to process the information. Hopefully the rest of the day will go better.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Digesting
When accepting change, sometimes it takes a bit of time to absorb news. Coming to terms that things will, from this day forward will be different, is a challenge that I will overcome. During today’s visit to my doctor I received not one, but two diagnosis. One is high blood pressure, understanding is not difficult.
My challenge is dealing with the diagnosis of being a diabetic. Eating healthy is now mandatory. I will have to be more attentive in regard to shopping and meal planning. The good news is that I have been planning my meals and been making better choices when shopping. So my adjustment will be to tweak what I have been doing.
It is the taking of pills that I find distasteful. Eating at specific times, takes away from the spontaneity that I enjoy so much.
It is good that I will be making more positive changes.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Beginning Fall Color
Reports are saying that the leaves, in Connecticut, will not be as vibrant this fall due to a fungus from the wet Spring. Yet color can be found if you look for it.
Nut or fruit?
Various pumpkins
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Autumn is here
It arrived at 12:03 am. This first day stated off on a wet dreary note. My spirits are not dampened, they are lifted due to the cooler temperatures. Thankfully, the sweltering days of summer are gone, but the humidity remains.
A touch of color through the mist.
Upstream on the Farmington River.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Open House
Last night was probably my last Open House at the high school. Senioritis is a challenge for teachers and me. Being so young, the students do not understand that they still are building a foundation.
I was pleased with the presentations by the teachers and much of the subject matter that will be covered. It will be difficult for my son, but now is the time for him to face the difficult classes. It will make his life easier once he is in college. Does he understand this? NO.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Details
I will spare you from the hideous pictures. Needless to say it is not a pretty sight. What is affected is my left arm and armpit. The pain is better and it is draining a bit since the doctor lanced it. It was frustrating that the pain kept me from being about to do much. My ability to get anything done dropped to nil.
My husband did get to sort of meet the doctor. He saw and heard him from the waiting room. While my husband did not come out and say "make an appointment", he did seem to like the doctor.
I hope to heal soon so I can focus on prevention instead of treating what's ailing me.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
OUCH
It has been an interesting day resulting in an urgent trip to my new doctor. More will be posted tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Birthdays - When I’m 84
Being 50, I look at what Tata, my step-father, is like at 84 and wonder, What will I be like when I am in my eighties? He is in a slow decline. His short term memory is failing him. He never spoke much to me after an incident when I was 12, but now is a chatterbox. I do not mind since I do not live with him, however he is annoying my brother.
Recently it was confirmed that Tata will need to be supervised more closely. Apparently he was cold and turned on two burners on the stove. Thankfully nothing was on the stove. I asked me brother if he needed some help with Tata. For now he said no, I will ask again because I understand how difficult being a caretaker is.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Getting things to work
Sometimes I envy those that live by themselves. Then there are the times that it is nice to have others around.
Times that I envy others include when I come home and my husband has done something to my computer, the milk jug is just about empty, or things are not where I left them. I spent a good amount of time trying to figure out why I could not connect to the internet, finally figured out that someone turned the firewall on to block everything. There is no one to blame but yourself when you live by yuorself.
Times that I feel fortunate are when my computer crashes and my husband attempts to fix it, someone needs to be home for my middle son, or I need assistance with something. The power supply on my PC died. My husband has replaced it, buying us some time to get a new computer. However, some programs are still not working properly, which is rather frustrating. At least I can backup documents and delete items that I do not want transferred later.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Giddy up Granby
First, there the cows in Chicago. Now it is horses in Granby, Connecticut. This was just one of the things that I discovered during my travels through the Berkshires for some retail therapy. (More accurately, getting what is needed and searching for a birthday gift.)
WE THE PEOPLE
The cooler nights have already begun turning some of the leaves. It was nice to see some brilliant color nestled in the valleys as we traveled back from the foggy Hudson River Valley. It was a perfect day to picnic in a small Massachusetts village, soon enough it will be too cold to do so. Those thoughts prompted a desire to get some apple cider doughnuts.
Cider doughnuts taste best when warm.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Long day
It started at 4:45 a.m. I just returned home and need to find my pillow. Pictures will be posted tomorrow.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Cioci Cookie
So many people touch your life, it is truly sad when the good soul leaves this earth. She lived a good long life of 90 years, married for over 70 of those years and was a friend of my mother. My sons knew her as Cioci Cookie. She was the one that brought the Santa cookies into my life.
A lady of many talents, she crocheted a beautiful blanket for my first born. I could go on listing her many virtues. Needless to say that she will be missed.
A lady of many talents, she crocheted a beautiful blanket for my first born. I could go on listing her many virtues. Needless to say that she will be missed.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
It is dying….
Some days the mouse does not work, other days it does not want to power up. My PC is slowly croaking. It has seen better days in regard to performance. It came into my life in April of 2000, while I was speaking at a conference in Chicago. I could not wait to get home to check it out. Okay, by today’s standards the PC is ancient, but it has been a familiar tool and one that I had hoped to replace next year.
Lately I have been leaning toward the Mini Mac as the replacement. I want to do a bit more research before making a purchase and switching platforms.
So if I disappear, you know what happened.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Harvest Time
It looks like the last of the harvest is coming in. The fields are full of pumpkins on dying vines. The nights are getting colder.
Today at this open air market, in Brattleboro,VT, the farmers sell their bounty while sweet notes came from woman playing a recorder.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Health
It appears that I have found a new physician. When I arrived I was a bit flustered because I had a problem with finding the office and it was my first visit. He is a bright young man with a good beside manner. His staff is pleasant and skilled. I go back in two weeks.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Five Years Ago
It was a beautiful September morning, much like today.
The boys were in school, my husband at work. I was at home, the Today Show was on for background noise. It was announced that they believed a plane had hit the North Tower of World Trade Center. Cameras were focused on the buildings, smoke was billowing out. When major news events happen I would call my husband to notify him. As I was speaking to him, my eyes were trained on the television when the second plane hit the South Tower. The horrors continued throughout the morning: the Pentagon and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. I was so stunned that I could not believe or even begin to comprehend what was happening. My heart sank as I watched the Twin Towers collapse.
That day affected all of us and changed the world as we knew it.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Araneidae
If you have arachnophobia, then is post is not for you.
We have new residents. Two orb weavers have moved onto our property. The orbs they spin are at least two feet across. With the wind and rain, they have been busy repairing their webs.
She's shy.
A sister perhaps?
Lying in wait for the next meal.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Fungi
Hunting for mushrooms is something that I have always wanted to do. While in Poland, I went with my relatives into the forest to gather mushrooms. I admire those that know mushrooms.
Poisonous?
My lack of knowledge and fear, keeps me from gathering on my own. There are mushrooms everywhere. But danger lurks, I do not want to poison myself or my family. So my mushroom hunting is limited to the market.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Yard Work
Gaining strength in my back, I attempted to do some work in the yard. Granted it was approached with less vigor than previously, but the yard needs to have autumn prep work started. If done properly the neighbor’s leaves do not stay in my yard.
While doing some trimming finally a butterfly came to visit my butterfly bush.
A swallowtail?
Thursday, September 07, 2006
In class
Tonight I needed ice. Usually exercising in the pool is harmless, however during aqua aerobics a foam dumbbell came shooting up out of the water and provided me with a strong upper cut to my jaw. My teeth came together hard. Besides feeling stupid because I did not place them together properly, I wonder why guys actually box. Dang, that stuff hurts. Back to the ice.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
I finally did it
After a few years of asking friends and aquaintances thier opinion of their doctor, I think I have found a good match for me and my family. Next Monday, I will check out a doctor to see if he will be a suitable partner in caring for my health. My last doctor moved, plus we lost our insurance. So my health care has been totally in my own hands. Things have not bee too bad. I have lost at least the equivalent of five 5 lb. bags of sugar. However there have been a few minor issues that need to be addressed.
Hopefully things will go well and I will schedule a physical.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Back to the grind
Standing up for one’s rights takes determination, fortitude and time. It does not matter if you may think it is a little thing, it is the principle of it. Two matters I am currently addressing are Waivers of Liability and some general special education issues.
Optimistically, both issues will be resolved soon.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Sense of smell
My mother told me, “As a young girl I remember the fragrance of the hosta coming into my bedroom.” Imagine my surprise when I noticed a fragrant hosta blooming. How could I have missed this? There are several reasons. First, it is in a place that I do not often go by. Second, the hosta is crowded by lily of the valley and a yew. Crowded hostas do not bloom.
I surmise that the variety of hostas that my mother enjoyed was H. plantaginea. While I do not know the variety that is currently blooming, it is probably close to the fragrance that wafted into her girlhood bedroom.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Pulling Teeth?
Getting a guy who is more interested in gaming than his education to work on revising his school schedule, well let’s just as it is easier to get him to go to the dentist.
He is discouraged because some classes listed are not being offered or are filled. He would have received credit at the local college. As it stands now he may be able to get six credits, he had hoped for nine.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Bread
There are a few things besides the sand and surf that we love about the beach. There is the food. Fresh seafood, Clam Cakes, New England Clam Chowder, and the cinnamon raisin bread. This bread is only available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sometimes the cinnamon and sugar oozes out of the slice. That is what makes this bread more of a dessert.
Parked at the beach was this 55 Chevy.
It brought back memories of two little girls sitting in the back seat.
On Sunday mornings, after the Latin Mass at the Polish Church, we would stop at the Thompsonville Bakery and get bread. My mom would give us some fresh crusty bread to eat on the ride home. When we did get home, all my mother would see was two little girls dressed in their Sunday best and crumbs all over the back seat.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Madness and Mayhem
Getting the guys off to school was easy this morning. They had gone to bed early because they were tried from being at the beach, so arising at 6 a.m. was not difficult. They were ready for the bus in plenty of time.
Then the madness started. First, I had to rewrite yesterday’s post because my computer froze up. Going out to run errands was futile because what I was seeking was out of stock. The guys came home from school with the usual amount of papers and forms to be filled out. A few things need to be straightened out with the schedules. Why someone with a Bachelors degree or higher would put a student with limited speech into chorus, is beyond me.
The telephone rang non-stop from 4-5 p.m. There was mention of going out for drinks to drown our frustration with the school system. My computer froze yet again. My sister arrived to get her cinnamon raisin bread that we got at the beach. Completed the forms, and then ordered pizza for dinner. Upon arriving home with said pizza, I was greeted by my eldest’s girlfriend. She came to pick up things my son had forgotten to take with him. She will be visiting him this weekend. Finally things calm down but it is too late to go to the pool. Perhaps tomorrow.
