When i was at work yesterday, my phone rang and it was my mom & dad's number. Since i am not supposed to have my phone with me, i couldn't answer it so i asked a co-worked if i could step out for a second. The voicemail was a hangup, so i knew something was wrong.

My dad's mum died. At 2am on the 21st. Arrangements are being rushed together because of the holidays. But it was expected. She had slipped into what the nursing home presumed to be a light coma (if there is such a thing, it wasn't a deep coma) a few days earlier. And she had basicly stopped eating for months. Unless it was a can of coke, she wasn't interested.

I was not working at my usual location. I was doing ot at another house and at the day program with 5 individuals. The staff at the program were so nice to me. Ned told me to take as much time as i need to do the job. Greg wore a funny girl's headband making funny faces and trying to make me laugh. Ms K gave me a hug (she is so NOT a toucher!). When i got back to the house, the other staff were also so sweet, finishing my paperwork and letting me go a few minutes early to go get a coffee or something before i had to go to my other ot house.

I got to the second house a bit earlier than i was expected and when i told them all why, they were so sweet, asking me if i wanted to keep busy or sit in the corner of the living room and read a book. I kept busy, and even though it is not my usual house, i was able to find lots of chores to complete.

Then, i called my house to tell them i need to call off for 2 days so i can go to the visitation and funeral. Talk about opposite results. I got a frosty reception at best. The supervisor told me the documents i should bring to get the time off....

My dad seems to be doing ok. Stressing about things that don't matter all that much. Bargain shopping for places to have the reception (funeral home vs the church she went to for over 40 years?) is just something he can worry about instead of his mother dying.

I was close with her when i was a kid. She took me to her church a lot. That church is the reason i became disenchanted with religion. Holy roller baptists who showed little kids films of the people left after the rapture getting their heads cut off by the devil.... By my teen years, my Nana told me the devil will take me because i am unable to bear children....

But as she aged, she mellowed and became nicer.... and told me i was doing "God's work" taking care of developmental disabled people with behavior issues.

Bitter sweet. RIP Nana.

I have a MINI!!

I pick up my MINI on Friday

The day before yesterday, (e:Uncutsaniflush) was on the way home from work when his Prius showed a big giant red exclamation point on the wee screen. Turns out that's the "pull over right now and tow this mofo to the dealer" light.

Since it is a first generation Prius (2001) that is way out of warranty, we took it to our mechanic (Russo's Auto they do Prius' and we totally trust them!) and left it with them overnight so they could look at it first thing in the morning.

Yesterday, they gave him the bad news. The hybrid battery systems. Need new hybrid batteries. Along with other needed repairs, the estimated cost would be in the $5000(+?) range.

Good thing we didn't get the exhaust system replaced and have the hoses for the a/c repaired and then have this exclamation point issue!!!

So, our old faithful first Prius is dying. Feels a bit like a funeral. (e:Uncutsaniflush) bought that car before i could drive, back when we were in Knoxville. I think we both liked the fact that it has NY plates but says "Toyota Knoxville" on it.

But, it has over 200,000 miles on it. Good long run.

Now begins the process of new/new to us car shopping.

We went to Paddock (where i got my used 2006 Prius) because we knew they had a used Prius and a couple of used Minis then to Paul Herman Motorcars before i had to speed (yes, that was me doing 65mph on River Road, a 40mph zone!) off to work.

Today, we are taking my car in to the shop to get an oil change and get snow tires put on.

Although i am strongly encouraging (e:Uncutsaniflush) to go get the car of his dreams, he keeps telling me he is more than happy to take over my car.

Understandable since the 2006 Prius is a very nice car.

But it's not my dream car. I may have the chance to get it now.

What if all these years of dreaming of having one and i am disappointed? Does this happen to everyone when they are about to go and do something they think they really really want? Am i stressing nervous and excited for nothing? What if the used one is gone already? Can we be cash poor to get a new one? Can it really be mine?

Sigh

A Mini!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's what we heard a lot of 7 years ago....

Today is the anniversary of the day we landed in Buffalo, to make a new home.

11-04-04 it was blowy and snowy and despite both of having grown up in the rust belt, we wondered why we left the warmth of Knoxville, TN for this down on its luck city.

We stayed at the Lennox Hotel for a few weeks... until i needed a permanent address.

Moved into the Mayflower because they were willing to give us a 6 month lease.

The moving company mislead us when we signed with them -- 2 to 4 days to get our stuff was from the date of when they bothered to go get it, not from the date we called to say we want it. My parents lent us folding chairs and we made do with the things we had fit into our car. Wooden crates and blow up mattresses....

We moved here, to the west side at the end of May 2005....

As much as our recent trip to Knoxville tempted us to want to move back there, Buffalo is in our blood now. It's home.

We saw the film Johnny English Reborn the day before yesterday. Since i adore Rowan Atkinson, i loved it (i even saw (e:Uncutsaniflush) laughing!!). Loved the Barclays adverts he used to do, too, which is where the character is from... the bumbling special agent.

---

Vacation is over and i am back to work at the location i bitch and moan about all the time. Difference is, i am going back with a completely different attitude.

While temporarily transferred to another location, i was given affirmation from co-workers and bosses that i am a good worker and i got along well or very well with everyone, so i am confident now that most of the issues i was having are indeed related to the boss.

Plus, i learned a lot about the job itself.

Going from an institutional setting where bosses take care of all the background stuff to a community inclusion setting where we have more involvement in the day to day running of things has left me confused a great deal of the time. Where i started, to this place in Kenmore where the boss doesn't like to give direction, she just expects us to all know our job and get it done has been a challenge.

At the place i was temp transferred to, they were a transition house when it first opened, so the structure there is somewhere between the institutional and community setting. Ideal for me and with bosses who are accustumed to giving more firm direction, i thrived.

In that, i feel a bit reborn....

Vacation to Knoxville was great.

First night, met up with friends Chris & Kim for dinner in Market Square. I love how some friendships can just pick up where they left off -- trust, love, compatibility all remains. Miss them both dearly.

Stayed with our friend, Linda. She is generous and kind -- real old school southern hospitality. She says we are good houseguests, but i think after a week, she was looking forward to having her house to herself again.

Within the first day, i missed Knoxville enough to want to move back. We even looked at houses. Man, our house would go for $300,000 in the 4th and Gill neighborhood " >(MAP TO: )

We toured all our favorite places to go and to eat... even going to El Charro twice!

On the way home, we stopped in Covington, KY and went to the Newport Aquarium, overnighted in Columbus, OH and went to the zoo.

We also made a side trip in the Cleveland area to Trader Joe's... damn, i wish there were one here. Knoxville is getting one... another reason to want to move back?

My mom came to visit this past weekend. Yes, you can blame her for the lousy weather -- she has the worst luck when she comes here. We went to Graycliff... interesting on a blustery day!!

I go back to work tomorrow. Today, i go to the dentist. It's really over. I have to go back......... Great while it lasted!

Today is my last day at my current work location. I was temp transferred there at the beginning of August and i have loved it, despite its horrific reputation. The staff is great and one of the supervisors has been supportive and has validated me beyond anything i ever expected. I almost feel like i am loosing a friend by leaving this welcoming environment.

When i return from my 3 week vacation (yay!! KnoxVegas here we come!), i return to the previous location before i was transferred. I hope the validation helps my confidence and i can go back there with a renewed sense of optimism.

Last summer when i went to the Erie County Fair, i picked up what has become one of my favorite t-shirts. It's bright yellow and says My City Smells Like Cheerios with the Born In Buffalo logo on the back.

This year while at the Erie County Fair, i got a black God Save The Queen City and (e:Uncutsaniflush) got a City Of Light in blue.

Sadly, (e:Uncutsaniflush)'s is coming apart at the collar. So i emailed them, asking if they would exchange it. Less than 2 hours later, they said they would send me a new one.

Thanks Born In Buffalo for having amazingly good customer service. Not often i can say that about any company.

So, (e:peeps), go buy a Born In Buffalo shirt. Support this local company.

Ok, so, about a year ago, my former primary care doc wanted me to see a nutritionist. I didn't think i needed to, but she did.

My insurance would not cover it. However, they would cover 100% of the cost for "Diabetic Education Classes" (FYI, biggest waste of time unless you want to purchase diabetic products).

I chose Kenmore Mercy because they were close and the classes were good for my work schedule.

I went to 3 classes. I think i could have taught 2 of them.

Flash forward 10 months. I get a bill from Kenmore Mercy. They billed the wrong insurance company.

I called them. Did not return my call. After 3 hours today, i finally got a hold of the "outpatient billing" girl, Melissa's supervisor.

"Oh. We will forward to the correct insurance. Sorry."

WTf?