a personal note – Page 2

Today’s wrap-up

leeduigon(patty)December 23, 2025

We had a little snow today, mixed with rain, but not much. Still, it was gray and overcast all day.

I had to go to the liquor store today as I was running out of wine and I don’t want to go there on Christmas Eve–or worse yet New Years Eve.

I found out just how unfit I have become. I could not find what I wanted and my back began to bother me because I was standing for such a long time reading various labels. That’s from too much sitting. I must have read a hundred labels of different wines, could not find what I wanted, and ended up settling for one I hope is close to what I usually get.

Still no kitchen light.

It is supposed to be sunny and quite a bit warmer tomorrow–so I will attempt to squeeze in a walk.

I can’t believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

God bless everybody.

Patty

Summing Up Today

leeduigon(patty)December 22, 2025

Many distractions today. Had to attend to things that got in the way of my original plans for today.

I just have to learn to be a little more patient with myself (and life in general).

We all can but try.

God bless everybody.

Patty

Closing out Today

leeduigon(patty)December 20, 2025

No sign of anyone to fix the kitchen light. Tomorrow is Sunday, so no one will be working tomorrow.

I will have to call the landlord again on Monday.

Not a totally bad day, just not very ambitious.

Decided to make myself chili for supper and somehow today it seemed to take up a lot more pots and cutlery than usual. I’m just out of practice.

God bless everybody

Patty

Wrapping Up Friday

leeduigon(patty)December 19, 2025

Did not get much done today.

I am still waiting for the electrician. My landlord says he (the electrician) will come by as soon as he has time. I am afraid I will have to get more assertive about this, because no light in the kitchen is a major pain in the butt, and is not safe.

My neighbor, Josh went to the store today and picked me up a small lamp and a supply of good bulbs for it. It works well and will be a real help out there. He is a blessing.

I have to admit I was very deflated today. Plus it was dark and rainy most of the day.

Lee’s passing was only a short time ago, so there is always crying time.

I could use a crew in here, but when I am tired like this, I couldn’t even direct them.

Going to take it easy for the rest of the day.

God bless everybody.

Patty

Thank You Lord

leeduigon(patty)December 8, 2025

Well today ended up just fine.

I got a certified mailing from one of the Social Security branches, containing my marriage certificate and Lee’s death certificate. They had entered them into their system electronically, so that is done. Finito.

No frantic call to Maryland, no setting up a fax route between Maryland and New Brunswick, none of that. No dealing with not one but two bureaucracies Yay!

I really can’t tell you what an enormous relief that was. I was praying very hard for this issue to be resolved.

I made it out to the store and the car started up like it was brand new.

It’s not that these are monumental tasks, but truly, when you are grieving, you don’t have the brain power or the problem solving abilities that you have normally. You are very easily thrown for the proverbial loop by things that would not bother you if you were in a normal state of mind.

I am also very grateful to all of you who have been keeping me in your prayers. It means a great deal to me.

So I can wrap up today on a much more positive note.

God bless everybody

Patty

So Far Today

leeduigon(patty)December 8, 2025

I”m batting zero today.

Was on the phone (on hold –with really wretched music playing) with Social Security and finally threw in the towel. I had heard that Monday is the worst day to try to reach them. I will just wait until the mailman comes late this afternoon.

Then I tried to order my wine online as I have done for several years and I couldn’t place the order. They are probably short right now, so I ordered fewer bottles and the order went through.

I have this feature on the computer where I can peek at the mail I am getting today (just the outside, of course) and there are two pieces of mail from Social Security. Just hoping that the information they didn’t have has turned up. That would be a major blessing. I won’t know til our mailman comes late this afternoon.

My landlord said he would stop by to pick up the rent check–a major favor to me because downtown parking is never good and at this time of year it is truly atrocious.

By the way, I don’t know if Lee ever told you about the stunt our little town pulled two years ago. They replaced all the parking meters in the municipal lot and on the street with parking meters that take credit cards AND raised the minimum from twenty five cents to one dollar. You gotta love your local politicians, folks. They always have you in mind.

Well, that’s where it is right now. Nothing really accomplished, but I do feel like I did a day’s work.

More to come later.

Patty

A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to All

leeduigon(patty)November 27, 2025

Have a wonderful peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving.

More to come.

Patty

Today’s Wrap Up

leeduigon(patty)November 24, 2025

After a pretty decent start to the day, I ended up with the old energy gap later in the afternoon.

And I can’t blame the weather today, either. It was a nice sunny day.

The problem is that there is a great deal to do, and it is easy to get pulled away from one project into another. I am much more easily distracted than I used to be. It’s probably a side-effect of grief.