Got up and showered and had coffee at mashfanficchick's. Then we Ubered over here, arriving in time for my Shipt order to get here.

I brought Oldest Brother's ashes back and put the box on my printer (pretty much the only free flat surface I have) with the two photos we printed out for the service. Not great but will do until I can get them taken care of at the cottage this summer.

I needed to get my laundry from the laundromat, and so we did that, then we took out my recycling. The kitchen looks much better.

We tried again with the new tools to get the tip off the spigot to attach the python to clean the turtle tank. Again we failed. This is very frustrating.

We ordered a meal from Chipotle, and after we ate, spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out. We charged our phones and I charged my fitbit and then we went into Astoria to Omnia to meet a fellow Starsky and Hutch fan who also happens to be a Bard graduate.

That was a lot of fun and we hung out and talked until quite late. Then I came home and Phoned the FWiB.

And now I have to get to bed because my hair appointment tomorrow is for 10:00!

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. The ashes are here and safe.

3. Clean laundry.

4. Recycling out.

5. Fun time with friends.

6. Bed soon.

Got up at 10:00 and had breakfast, and coffee. Showered and dressed, and called mashfanficchick. We decided ze was going to come over and help me with the turtle tank, getting the python that I paid $50 for set up.

That requires attaching it to the kitchen sink, and that requires unscrewing the tip of the spigot. I suggested ze bring a wrench to do that.

Stuff happened and it took zer quite a few hours to get here. Meanwhile I did various small things. One thing that happened was that, I decided to hang up (instead of leaning it against a row of books) the small plaque that I have which Oldest Brother gave me that says "A sister is the best friend you can have". And the tack I used to hang it didn't hold and it fell behind one of my bookcases. I had to move the bookcase out from the wall to retrieve it. Thankfully it did not break. I would have been devastated. The bookcase was hard to move, and I couldn't quite get it into the right position when I moved it back.

I'm going to get some Command hooks and use them to hang it.

Anyway, mashfanficchick finally got here, and the first thing we did was try if zer wrench would work on the spigot. It did not. It was too small. So after we discovered that, we decided to take my laundry down (I had gotten it together already) and stop at the discount store and buy something to try and get the spigot unscrewed. So we took the laundry down, and on the way back bought a set of pliers.

To make a long story short they did not work. We were totally unable to unscrew the spigot. We tried the bathroom one too, also a no go.

So we gave up on that and went out to eat. We walked to Main Street, and then to Prince Street, checked out a lot of restaurants and finally decided on a little noodle house. It was quite good.

Then we walked back to Union Street and I waited for the 44 bus with zer, and then came back home.

The FWiB has not gotten his computer fixed yet, so we phoned again. Very nice time.

Then it was pet feeding time, so I fed the pets, and am now doing this.

Not sure what I'll do about the turtle tank, but I'm going to try getting another tool when I have a chance. Not tomorrow, I'm going to be out of the house all day,

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. mashfanficchick.

3. My plaque did not break.

4. Clean laundry soon.

5. Nice walk in lovely weather.

6. Good dinner.

Edited to add: Forgot to say I had a long text conversation with the Kid. All is well.

I got up at 9 and had breakfast and coffee. The milk is starting to turn, but not so bad I couldn't use it, and weirdly, my sugar bowl of stevia had turned rock hard. I washed out the sugar bowl with hot water to dissolve it, and used some directly from the package, which was fine. Then I showered and dressed and left for my Al-anon meeting.

I got to the meeting well on time, and it was quite good. I ended up chairing. After the meeting I got a ride to the diner, and we had a good time.

The weather had turned very nice by then, so in order to save money I took the bus home. When I got here I went to the Starsky and Hutch chat, and we talked for a very long time today, longer than usual, til about 7:30.

At 8:00 I Teamed the FWiB< and we talked til 9:00.

Then I had dinner, and called mashfanficchick. There is a Greek festival at St. Nicholas church, and I'm going tomorrow. Ze is probably going with me, which will be nice.

Also, and more seriously, while my phone was off during the meeting, I got a message from Robyn at the funeral home. The ashes are ready to be picked up, and the copies of the death certificate. She said I could either pick them up or have them dropped off, so I Facebook messaged her to arrange that. I just heard from her now, I want to have them dropped off at mashfanficchick's place so I'm not alone when I get them.

So we'll see how that works out.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Robyn.

3. My meetings and the people there.

4. The Starsky and Hutch fandom.

5. Turned on my AC last night, it still works.

6. My pets.

I got up at 10:30, answered an email from the FWiB and went back to sleep til 1:30.

Then I got up and had breakfast and coffee, and did essentially nothing else all day.

mashfanficchick got up somewhat later and we hung out. I made an appointment to get my hair done on the 22nd.

I played Bookworm for about two hours and got up to level 12.

At 7:00 I Teamed the FWiB. At 8:00 we watched 911, and at 8:30 I called Middle Brother. He is doing well.

At 9:00 we watched Dr. Odyssey, and then at 10:00 we had dinner.

And now mashfanficchick is watching a hocky game and I'm here.

Tomorrow I am going to go home after my meeting.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Good TV.

3. Being able to stay with a friend while I dealt with things.

4. Middle Brother well.

5. Day of doing nothing.

6. Bookworm game.

Edited to add: I forgot to say, today is the Kid's birthday so I called her and talked for awhile.

Last night Cliff never found his motel. He checked into another one near the airport, and called me and let me know because he couldn't get hold of Jonathan or Eva.

I didn't sleep well and at 1:30 am the Kid texted me about what she was going to wear and photos she was bringing.

I finally got to sleep, and got up at 7:00. I tried getting Jonathan, but couldn't finally got Cliff, and we agreed he's get directions from the hotel desk. He did, but managed to get lost anyway.

Jonathan and Eva Ubered to the crematorium. Cliff tried getting there on his own. He got lost.

Meanwhile mashfanficchick and I got picked up by RK, and we went and found Cliff and had him follow us to the crematorium.

Somehow we managed to get there with enough time to get ready and set up.

Little by little people got there, and we started. Cliff did a great job, and I"m so glad itall worked out.

At the end, they allowed five people to go and to the actual oven and start the cycle. That was me, the Kid, her boyfriend, Cliff, and Middle Brother. Cliff said a few more words, and I did what needed to be done.

After it was over, we went to the Buccaneer Diner. There were 15 of us, which was a very nice size.

After the meal, the Kid and I and her boyfriend, and RK and mashfanficchick and Brianne and Chris stood around in the parking lot talking

Finally we broke up and RK took us and Chris to Flushing where Chris got the 7 train and I went to Duane Reade to pick up the one week prescription of Ambien that my psychiatrist authorized for me this morning.


RK brought us back to mashfanficchick's place, and I collapsed for a three hour nap.

Then I got up and puttered on the computer, and at 7:00 I Teamed the FWiB. We talked for an hour and a half, S and I had cancelled the meeting tonight so we didn't have to stop at 8:00.

Then mashfanficchick got up and we had dinner, then watched the end of the Mets game.

So I feel drained but peaceful.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. We got Cliff there.

3. My family and wonderful friends.

4. The four people from Al-anon who made it to the service.

5. Everything worked out OK.

6. It's over.

I slept better last night, but still woke up frequently and had trouble getting back to sleep. So I slept til almost 2:00.

I was awake earlier than that though, had a call from Robyn at the funeral home, to ask about Oldest Brother's bracelet, the one the Kid made for his birthday. So I called the Kid and asked her, she said to leave it on and end it with him. Then I went back to sleep.

Finally we got up, I showered and dressed, and we went out for coffee and brunch at a bagel place. Then we went to Forest Park, where I just hung out enjoying the weather, and mashfanficchick worked on trying to get a photo ready to print to use in the service.

Cliff called me while we were there, it's OK, he will be able to make it to the service. We talked about Oldest Brother for awhile. Almost immediately after I got off that call, John Ivon called and we talked. He was literally in tears.

RK picked us up at the park, and we went to my apartment where I packed the clothes I want to wear Tuesday, and jewelry for then, Mom's tetra drachma necklace, and her Kwan Yin broach. T also packed my D&D stuff, and clothes to wear for the next few days, and my computer. I fed the pets too.

We went Shop Rite and did a lot of shopping, then BJ's and only a little. I called Middle Brother, he's fine. Then we went to California Pizza Kitchen to get food for us and RK. We went to RK's place to eat. We watched an episode of Red Dwarf while we ate.

RK drove us back to mashfanficchick's place and I Teamed the FWiB while mashfanficchick polished the tetra drachma, and Kwan Yin.

Then I got in my nightgown, and set up my computer and started here.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Cliff.

3. mashfanficchick

4. RK.

5. Beautiful park.

6. Lovely weather.

Edited to add: I forgot to say, the Kid called me later to say Happy Mother's Day. We are going to celebrate Mother's Day later right now she says. and she's right, that we would just sit around and look at each other, and be grim.

Oldest Brother died today.

mashfanficchick and I went to Manhattan to the funeral home, and sat with Robyn and I did all the paperwork, and planning of what was going to happen. And I signed everything, and paid by credit card, and we were ready to go. And I asked to use the ladies room, and Robyn showed me where it was.

And I did what I needed to do, and pulled up my pants, and flushed, and reached for the sink faucets to wash my hands, and my phone rang, and it was the nursing home.

And they told me he was gone, and I started shaking. Just trembling all over. And then mashfanficchick was knocking at the door, because the nursing home called the funeral home and ze already knew.

So I washed my hands, and we went back upstairs, and I called the Kid, and told her, and called Middle Brother's group home, and told them and then Middle Brother. Also called John who didn't pick up, so I called Denise and told her, and she said they would call the rest of the cousins.

And we did more paperwork I think, I don't even remember. Finally we did get ready to go. mashfanficchick and I both needed food so Robyn told us what was in the area and I decided on the Greek place.

We went there and I had a lamb gyro. After that we went to Starbucks across the street, and had drinks. And then we decided that I was going to go to my meeting tonight cause I need a meeting. So we took the bus from there to the Bronx.

RK called mashfanficchick and asked if he could help and ze arranged to have him pick us up after my meeting, and drive us to my place so I could feed Oreo and Christie, and then take us to zer place.

I went to my meeting, and it was good to be there. Jon R called just before, and said he and Eva and possibly Jon jr are coming to the serice. And he said he'd call Cliff and have him call me.

So after the meeting, L waited with me til mashfanficchick and RK got there, and picked me up. We went to Carvel. While I was there, Cliff called.

I talked to him, and had strawberry ice cream. RK drove us to my place, and I fed the pets, and packed for three day. Then we came back to mashfanficchiick's place, and I Teamed the FWiB.

Tomorrow, I'm going to my meeting in the morning, that's all I know for certain.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. mashfanficchick.

3. RK.

4. My family.

5. My meetings and the people there.

6. The end wasn't long and drawn out miserably.

They called from the nursing home today, and called, and called. Starting by filling me in on his condition, and wanting me to authorize discontinuing feeding. Because he's starting to shut down and that's it. So after the hospice nurse said it would be the right thing to do, I agreed. So the end will be pretty soon now.

I called the Kid and we had a conversation about it. She's pretty broken up. We also made plans for celebrating Mother's Day later, and her birthday.

I went to see Oldest Brother today, and he was pretty bad, didn't respond at all to me. I stayed for half an hour, that was all I could take.

Then I went to see mashfanficchick. While I was there I called the funeral home and did some paperwork over the phone. I have an appointment Friday to go in and sign papers.

Then we watched the Mets game, and that went very well. We won 7 -1 and I felt a little more cheerful.

My psychiatrist called and that was a good thing.

We went out and had dinner after that, poke, from Kiss Fish. We walked there, and then took the food to the park and ate. Then we went back by bus and had ice cream at Baskin and Robbins. Then I took the bus home.

Got here and Teamed the FWiB. And after we finished talking, I went through my electronics and found a flash drive that I could put the mp3s of Sing of the Sea on, to have mashfanficchick's friend Tess put it on cd. And then I can give the cd to Middle Brother and that will be done!

Getting late now. Tomorrow I have my initial consultation with the surgeon abut my cataract surgery.

I didn't go to my D&D game tonight, and since two other people weren't going, they canceled it so I didn't miss anything But I just didn't feel up to it tonight.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. mashfanficchick

3. The Kid.

4. The kindness of people.

5. Getting that cd burned.

6. Bed soon.

I got up at 10:30 and had breakfast and coffee, and showered and dressed, and then just before 12:00 set off to my doctor's appointment.

It is a long trip, and it was raining. Took the 44 to Union Tpk, and then the 46 from there. It's the 46 that's a long trip. Then there's the walk up Marcus Ave to the medical building. which isn't a bad walk if it's nice out, but it was raining fairly heavily. I did have my umbrella.

I made it there the expected 15 minutes early, and checked in. Not a long wait, thankfully, and I saw him fairly quickly. Nothing much new, my weight of course is up rather badly, and I have to watch that closely.

My blood test results were all good except my AC1 which is unchanged at least, though still higher than it should be, and my triglycerides. So I really have to watch what I eat from now on.

So I go back in three months, in August, and do blood tests again before then.

Anyway after that I headed home. I called mashfanficchick from the bus, because it had been our plan that I would take the 46 straight up to Queens Blvd and go to zer place, but ze wasn't feeling good, and so I just went home.

Got home, and the Ventures Telstar and The Lonely Bull had arrived, which I ordered for Middle Brother, but somehow I ordered the vinyl instead of a CD. I will give it to the Kid because she's the only person I know with a record player.

Anyway, I looked in ebay and found a cd of it and another Ventures LP, for a reasonable price, so I ordered that.

Puttered around online for a bit, made something for lunch, then went to the bedroom and played solitaire on the phone. Finally at 7"00 the FWiB and I attemped to Team. It was a struggle, not as bad as yesterday, but what gives? I think it's his computer.

Anyway we were talking when the Kid called (I had left her a message). She was just back from the wedding she went to in Maine, by Amtrak, and had no keys to her apartment. Her boyfriend, whi was coming in from South Carolina by plane, had the keys, and his flight was delayed.

So we arranged I would take the bus to Flushing and meet her there and give her my set of her keys. So that's what we did, no snags. The rain had died down considerably.

Came back home, made dinner, and then went to the bedroom again til pet feeding time.

And then I started here and here I am.

Gratitude list:

1. The FWiB.

2. The report on my bloods was good.

3. Didn't get too badly wet.

4. The Kid is home safe.

5. Made a gyn appointment while I was there.

6. The Agatha Christie I'm reading.

Had my Al-anon group anniversary today. Was very enjoyable. I won two items in the raffle.

Then went to the diner. Took the bus home.

Met mashfanficchick and Mandy. Went to Qdoba and got salsa and chips while they ate lunch.

Then went to the movie The Thunderbolts. Enjoyed it a great deal.

Went back to mashfanficchick's, watched Deadpool and Wolverine.

Ubered home.

Bed now.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. My meetings and the people at them.

3. Friends.

4. Got a text from the Kid.

5. Good movies.

6. Bed now.